Well, Blair is getting married to Prince Louis of Monaco and I have some shots from the set of “B” in her wedding dress.  It’s a pretty stunning dress and she looks amazing.  I wonder if Chuck will show up and declare his undying love for her?  Well, no spoilers here, you’ll have to watch.  And by the way, congrats to Gossip Girl, I hear the wedding will mark the shows 100th episode.  I attribute and the good ratings to Chuck, his squinty eyes and great suits.  Just my opinion…

Diamond tiara, simple diamond necklace and a stunning gown, not bad Blair, not bad.  Nice simple dress design, I really like the look of this.  Of course, if Chuck does show up, I can only imagine the outfit that guy will be wearing…

Here are a few more pics form the set….

Photos: Fame, Source

So I am not sure exactly when the episode airs, but check local listings and feel free to comment on Blair’s look.  Looking forward to seeing all the other fashion and dresses and suits and tuxes in this episode.

And now, in finishing, a word from our sponsoring keywords for this post…Gossip Girl, Blair Warldorf, Wedding, New York, Wedding Planner, Celebrity, Firefly Occasions, Royal Wedding, Prince, Princess, Wedding Gown, Diamonds, Tiara, that should do it.

Here is a little article written by Firefly Occasions founder & CEO, my wife…Ciara Daykin.

Brides always ask me in the weeks leading up to their wedding, “Ciara, what advice to you have for me on my wedding day?”

Well, the answer is LOTS… but there are really 3 key things that I think are important to remember on your wedding day that will help you get through the day stress free and truly enjoy it.

Here are my 3 Big Wedding Day Tips for the Bride:

1)   It Goes By So Fast- You’ve probably heard a lot of brides say that their wedding day went by so fast. Well, it is only a day after all and days always seem to go by faster when you’re busy and having fun. I always tell my brides that it’s important to stop during the day and take in certain moments so that they are forever imprinted into your memory. When you’re walking down the aisle, really relish the experience. When you’re saying your vows, look into his eyes and take your time. When you’re sitting at the head table, look out at all your guests enjoying themselves (and the centerpieces you picked out)

2)   Be Gracious- It’s a big day for you but it’s also a big day for your Mother, your Father, your bridesmaids and everyone close to you. There are a lot of emotions running through the air so it’s really important to be a gracious, humble bride. Just because it’s your day doesn’t mean common courtesy like please and thank you go out the window. Think before you speak… or snap… this is a day that will hold a lot of memories and you want them all to be great

3)   Thank Everyone- I can’t say this enough- make sure you thank EVERYONE. Make a list before your wedding of everyone who’s helped you with your wedding. Entire friendships have been ruined because a bride and groom forget to thank their friend for helping with an element of their wedding. Especially thank your family and his family (even if you don’t think they totally deserve it). It’s all about being gracious right?? You can’t thank everyone enough on this day.

Ciara’s Bridal Advice

My 3 Big Wedding Day Tips for the Bride are important to remember for a joyous wedding day. The day is filled wth a lot of emotions and it can go by in a flash but if you remember these 3 things you’ll definitely have a great time.

And finally, a message from our sponsoring keywords of the day…Wedding, Bride, Groom, Firefly Occasions, Planner, Romantic, Advice, Wedding Day, Love, Reception, Ceremony, Decor, Lighting, Aisle, Tented, Tent, Draping…I think that should about do it.

The company’s owner and founder Youngsong Martin was a guest speaker at our very first Rockstar Wedding Planner LIVE event 3 years back in LA.  If you’re wondering what that is, Ciara coaches other wedding planners across North America on how to grow their businesses.  It’s a pretty cool thing for the industry.  Youngsong is doll, and so damn talented.  We’re starting to see a lot of Twilight inspired wedding themes and I can only imagine how crazy it’s gonna get.

Anyway, here is the email we got from Wildflower.  Congratulations guys, amazing work.

Wildflower Linen is official licensee of linens, bedding, and home decor inspired by Summit Entertainment’s “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″

Renowned special-event designer Youngsong Martin and her company Wildflower Linen are no strangers to Hollywood glamour, having created high-fashion décor for the post-Oscars Governor’s Ball, Vanity Fair after-parties and such red-carpet galas as a world-premiere bash at the Venice Film Festival in Italy.  Youngsong’s elegant table linens and accessories decorated the long-awaited wedding of Bella and Edward, in the fourth installment of Summit Entertainment’s international blockbuster film franchise, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 ” which is in theaters starting November 18, 2011.

Now, thanks to a unique licensing collaboration between Wildflower Linen and Summit Entertainment, fans of the movies’ legendary romance, passion and intrigue can bring “Twilight Saga” inspired fashion décor into their own home.  As an official licensee of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” Wildflower Linen has created an exclusive, themed line of glamorous table linens, chair covers, napkins, and tabletop accessories inspired by the actual linens used in the film. These collections were all created and designed by Youngsong Martin.

Wildflower Linen’s “Twilight Saga” inspired decor items debuted recently at the celebrity-studded “Official Twilight Convention” at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, which was attended by the stars of the films, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. Fan reaction to Youngsong Martin’s new line of themed table linens, chair covers and home décor accessories was overwhelmingly positive.

“I am so excited to be returning to my fashion-design retailing roots by marketing these new ‘Twilight Saga’ inspired products for fans who would love to infuse their own celebrations with the ‘Twilight’ touch,” Martin remarked.

Product descriptions, specifications, prices and availability information will soon be provided at Wildflower Linen’s website, www.wildflowerlinens.com.  Retailers and prospective purchasers also can obtain information about the official “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ linen products by contacting Wildflower Linen’s headquarters at (714) 522-2777 or twilight@wildflowerlinens.com.

The next chapter of “The Twilight Saga” will be released as two separate films with the first of the two – “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ – slated to be released in theatres on November 18, 2011 and the second coming to theatres on November 16, 2012.  Academy Award® winner Bill Condon directed both films starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.  In “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” Bella (Stewart) and Edward (Pattinson), plus those they love, must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by a marriage and honeymoon, and the tumultuous birth of a child… which brings an unforeseen and shocking development for Jacob Black (Lautner).  With more of the romance, passion, intrigue and action that made “Twilight,” “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” worldwide blockbusters, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″, based on Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling book series, begins the conclusion of the tale of vampire love, boundless friendship, acceptance, and finding your true self.  The project, based on the fourth novel in author Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, is written by Melissa Rosenberg with Wyck Godfrey, Karen Rosenfelt and Stephenie Meyer producing.

About Youngsong Martin and Wildflower Linen: Since launching Wildflower Linen in 2001, Youngsong Martin has been celebrated for redefining the concept of “designer” rental linens while creating special-event decor for presidential mansions, famed party planning professionals, style-conscious wedding hosts, the U.S. State Department, red carpet events of all kinds, and such superstars as Oprah Winfrey and Elton John. The former women’s apparel designer has also developed a nationwide clientele for her Southern California-based rental company while launching six high-style Wildflower Linen showrooms in Orange County, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Utah’s renowned Deer Valley-Park City alpine resort area. Youngsong Martin’s international acclaim has grown meanwhile through décor consulting alliances with major hospitality businesses overseas. Youngsong also has appeared in several design-oriented reality TV and documentary series and on radio and TV shows internationally.

About Summit Entertainment: Summit Entertainment LLC is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. While handling all aspects of marketing and distribution for its own internally developed productions and acquired pictures, Summit Entertainment also oversees international sales for its own and third-party products. The studio releases 10 to 12 films annually on average.

And now as always, a word from our keywords…Twilight, Team Edward, Team Jacob, Wedding, Celebrity, Film, Firefly Occasions, Planner, Ceremony, Reception, Wildflower Linen, Youngsong Martin, Movie, Romantic, Vampire, Werewolf, Robert Pattinson, Tyler Lautner, Kristen Stewart, Hollywood, Glamor, Breaking Dawn & Stephenie Meyer…..that’s all folks!

So sit back, grab that bottle (unless you happen to be getting married tomorrow, in which case you should probably be at the rehearsal) and enjoy more of my opinions that the internets afford me to put out into the world.

Here is a little article I like to call “Don’t Be THAT Guy At Your Own Wedding”

My last issue dealt with THAT guy at your wedding.  I got quite the response so I thought I’d go one more mile down the road and address how you, the Groom can avoid being THAT guy at your own wedding. Trust me, it happens.  There are plenty of reasons for this occurrence.  They range from nerves, lack of eating, mixing boozes to good old hard partying and lack of control.  I’ll hit a few here, the usual suspects but I can’t get into some of the deeper, crazier reasons, coz that’s between you and your shrink!  You DO NOT want to look like this guy at your own wedding…do you???  Of course you don’t!

Eat It!  Just Eat It!

Each one of us has joked, at one point or another about getting a good base before a night of drinking.  Well as far as I’m concerned, there is truth to that. Food in the belly makes sure the alcohol takes longer to get into your blood stream.  Making the wine make its way through a 16oz steak will help you.  But this is not just a night…oh no…this is a FULL DAY! So make sure you eat, eat whenever possible, whatever possible.  Eat a good, solid, manly man breakfast, then eat lunch, solid proteins and the like.  From the ceremony to the cocktails there is a long time…so I suggest bringing food along.  I’m not saying that you pull out a hero sandwich just before you say “I do”.  But have the photographer bring along some food for the photo shoot or stick a sandwich in your pocket.  Keep the food coming whenever you can and try not to get hungry.

Go To Bed Early…And SLEEP

This is not directed at your wedding night…oh no…this is directed at the night BEFORE your wedding night. Never make this night your stag night! There is no reason to go out and get all “Jersey Shored” the night before your wedding.  You’ll only regret it later.  Use this night to have a great dinner, either with your Bride to be, your family or all your guests.  When they start to drink it all up, you make your exit. They may rib you, but they will understand.  In all honesty, I would have a quiet dinner with your Bride to be, and your families.  Keep it an early night.  And if it’s all family, no one will try to pour shots down your throat.  Head to bed early, go over your vows and your speech to make sure all your I’s are crossed and your T’s be dotted, then go to sleep.  You’ll need your rest for the coming day. Trust me on this, falling asleep, or even WORSE…passing out at your wedding is not on!

Consumption

Usually there will be some booze at the wedding, and mostly there will be a lot of the stuff.  Doesn’t mean you have to drink it all though.  Remember to pace oneself…patience is a virtue.  So be patient boys.  If you want to drink, then have a drink…no need to go double fisted.  Remember you need to be able to last the night and “then some”.  Yes I do mean the wedding night.  If you drink away your “performance” then I can’t help you.  But I can help you before this happens.  So slow down, and not only will you be able to give a ROCKSTAR performance on your wedding night but you’ll look better in all your photos and you won’t be tossing back you dinner on your guests or slurring your speech.  The speech you spent so long working on.  There is plenty of time to have a few too many…your wedding day is not one of these times!

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

Most, if not all of the guys I know love to head out and “tie one on”…myself included.  But let’s be honest here.  Your wedding is not the time to do this. You have asked a bunch of your closest friends and family to join you in a celebration with your families and your future wife.  So you need to be a part of that celebration.

I’m not saying you don’t drink…I would never say that!  But what I am saying is put yourself in the best position to handle your booze fellas, book your stag a few weeks out.  That gives you plenty of time to recover. If you have out of town pals coming in, set up a pub night a few days (if possible)before the wedding to hoist pints with them.  Don’t do it the night before.  Never do it the night before!

Drinking is a slippery slope, you feel good one minute, then you’re all over the floor the next.  You need to be on your feet, shaking hands, taking pictures and being a great guy, you need to be on your “A” game.  It’s just one day, you can do it.  Be cool!

You got questions? I got your answers!  Feel free to drop me a line if you want to, I’m here to help you guys.  My email is simon@fireflyoccasions.com and you have access to me. So I suggest you use that. I can also hook you guys up with the best wedding planner in the biz…you need a great planner, I got one, I also come in the package so all your questions during the planning process you may have…I’ll be there to help you out. You can check out our work at www.fireflyoccasions.com and book your free consultation by emailing us at info@fireflyoccasions.com.  Oh yeah, and we have phone number as well, it’s 1-800-791-5636 EXT 701.

That is all for this time boys…

And as always, a quick word from our sponsoring keywords…this ones for you Google Spiders!  Groom, Wedding Planner, Firefly Occasions, Drinking, Booze, Alcohol, Bride, Wedding, Reception, Wedding Night, Ceremony, Party, Advice.  That should do it….

Here is what Event Solutions had to say about the whole thing…

“Event planners and designers take their cues from fashion, and if Pantone’s spring 2012 palette is any indication, it’s going to be a rockin’, eye-popping season!

“Consumers look to spring for renewed energy, optimism and the promise of a brighter day,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Leading the pack is Tangerine Tango, an enticing juicy orange, while Solar Power provides a jolt of energy that radiates warmth and cheer. Bellflower and Cabaret keep the purples and pinks in the center of attention. Quieter hues include Sodalight Blue and Cockatoo, a tactile blue-green that adds a whimsical touch to the palette.

Margarita lifts spirits with its refreshing and stimulating glow. Fragrant and delicate Sweet Lilac adds a touch of romance to any occasion. Neutrals, so essential to every palette, include Driftwood, which has a weathered feel and Starfish, a warm summer neutral that goes with all the colors in spring’s top picks.

Which is your favorite?”

So when you are looking for colors to add into your wedding, keep these in mind.  Coz the powers that be tell us these are the hot ones.  If you don’t like any of them…no problem, it’s your wedding after all, I’m just here to add my 2 cents.

We also attached (working!) chandeliers form the ceiling…took a little time on a ladder but it looks great…plus I hate heights so it was a fun morning for me.  The Bride walked down the side of the house, under the deck and out into the sunshine, down the aisle to meet Steve under an arch Steve had installed in the yard (He loves his landscaping, and he’s really good at it as well, so that helped)  The guests were happily seated under the protection of the tent, we removed all tent walls so it wouldn’t get too hot under there.  And under the arch, the couple said their “I Dos”.

Once the ceremony was complete, we flipped the tent to be set for the reception and dinner and installed a dance floor on the lower portion of the lawn, we set the DJ up on the grass and the new shed doubled as a really cool bar.  We of course included heaters for later on in the evening so the couple and their guests could stay nice and toasty as the partied the evening away.  There was also a fire pit in the yard with comfy seating and marshmallows to be roasted.

The Firefly team was on hand to make sure every little detail was looked after and everything went smoothly.  If you would like more information regarding our services and how we can assist you in creating the perfect wedding for you or someone you know, please contact us at info@fireflyoccasions.com or give us a call at 1-800-791-5636 Ext – 701

Katrina and Zane got married in Calgary on December 23rd 2010.  This incredible winter wedding was held at the Hyatt hotel in downtown Calgary and was planned and designed by us…Firefly Occasions Inc.  The couple came to us with a vision of a winter wonderland wedding that incorporated white, silver and blue, lots of romantic candle light and of course some WOW factors.  (Something we specialize in!)

So here are a few details on this amazing wedding.  Let’s start with the ceremony shall we?  I had the idea of erecting a tent INSIDE the ballroom (always wanted to do this)  There wasn’t a tent in a color they liked, so I called my tent guy and asked him to build a custom tent just for the couple in their colors.  He agreed and the rest is history.  We used the tent as a focal point for the ceremony, draping it in crystals and spotlighting it from the ceiling (more on that later) Behind the tent we brought in a beautiful swagged backdrop from our suppliers in California and added hanging votive candles to it at varying heights, looked AMAZING!  We draped the entire room in white drape and then lit it in the couples color…in this case ice blue.  White aisle runner, Firefly Occasions signature candelabras to line the aisle, rose petals, plenty of romantic candle light and flower balls hanging from the ceiling.

Oh, and did I mention we shut off all the lights and pin spotted the aisle…yup, amazing effect, no cost to the couple.  The guests sat in darkness as the Bride walked in and out of pools of light on her way down the aisle.  I got this idea while attending a Sarah Brightman concert, why can’t we have a ceremony in the dark I thought?  The couple loved the idea, so we went with it.

For the reception, we decided to use square tables, a kings head table on a stage and centerpieces of varying heights to break up the room.  In my humble opinion, the room looked stunning.  We love surprising the guests at our events….so we kept the dance floor portion of the room completely hidden until it was time for the first dance.  When the time came, we snuck the Bride and Groom into the other section of the ballroom and our Firefly staff pulled back the curtains as the first song began to play.  Again, a WOW factor for the guests, no cost to the couple.

Wedding Planning and Design by Firefly Occasions Inc

Flowers by Edralyn Chapman of Floral Artistry

Photography by Brian Henninger

Venue – Hyatt Hotel

Don’t get me wrong, I recommend getting a pro photog, coz your wedding pictures will last a lifetime and are what memories are made of (sniff, wipes away single tear) so get good ones.  But how cool would be to have an army of iPhone wielding paparazzi documenting your wedding day?  Yeah, pretty damn cool.

So this article came across my desk and I thought I would pass it on to you guys, feel free to drop me a comment or two (I get lonely in my office, no one visits) to tell me what ytou think and if you think it’s a good idea, or just plain SILLY!!!

Click on the link to read the article…it’s a long one, so maybe go get a coffee or a glass of wine first, oh and a snack maybe…

iPhones to capture your wedding day…

To Show the Dress:
Buying a wedding dress is a major decision that will most likely make at least a small dent in the bank account. Such a purchase will affect both the bride and the groom. One of the golden rules of marriage is to be comfortable and agree with where your spouse spends money. –“What’s mine is yours now, honey!” Imagine your husband spending a fortune on a new gadget without you ever seeing it! Would you be ok with it or would you stress?

In some Chinese traditions, the groom buys the wedding dress for the bride. She doesn’t even see the gown until the actual wedding day. –Talk about the element of surprise!

Another scenario, imagine finding the dress of your dreams in a store window while vacationing with your future husband. Would you leave it alone, or would you go take a peek to see if they had your size?

If you show your dress to your husband before the wedding it alleviates the stress of trying to hide your dress and hiding… yourself, before the ceremony. It’s practical, it’s stress free and it’s easy. Not to mention, you will have his help and support while finding the dress in the first place. For those couples who can’t keep a secret from each other and tell each other everything, this might just be the best option for you.

Or Not to Show the Dress:
If you’re superstitious you’ll note that it’s said to be bad luck to show your wedding dress to your husband before the wedding. Saving this special moment will ensure a beautiful, dazzled look on his face. The photographer will capture it perfectly.

Note: Many grooms want to be surprised and don’t even want to see the bride’s wedding dress until the day.

If you keep your wedding gown a secret, is it ok to describe details of the dress or show photos of it? We think that if you are keeping the dress a secret, you should keep the details a secret too. Keeping it hush hush is the ultimate choice for the traditional and romantic bride.

The Verdict:
It’s really a personal situation, which is different for every couple. If you are more practical or perhaps traveling to a destination wedding, it might be easier to let the cat (or the dress) out of the bag.

If you are one that loves the element of surprise and mystery, keep it to yourself! It will make that moment extra special for you. Bottom line: If you are hesitating about showing it to him, DON’T SHOW HIM. If you think you may have regrets, DON’T SHOW HIM.

Good Luck!

The Royal Wedding is rumored to have world-record breaking TV watchers this April 29^th. This will be a monumental day for the Royal Family, and the entire world. Perhaps viewers will only ever see one Royal Wedding in a lifetime! Firefly Occasions has decided to make an entire evening of it. For all wedding-lovers and brides: dress up in your finest, grab your girlfriends and enjoy the Royal Wedding with like minded viewers who will be oooohing and aaaahing along with you over brunch and tea service at the Glencoe Club. We’d love for you to join us in the celebration. The invitation is posted in the previous blog post for more details. As for the Royal Wedding details, they are posted below, courtesy of the Royal Wedding Website and Tres Sugar: www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/ and www.tressugar.com/New-Royal-Wedding-Details-15529683

1. Will and Kate will be staying with Harry in a suite at Clarence House after the honeymoon.

2. The royal couple will have their official first public kiss on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

3. Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, will arrive at Westminster Abbey’s “VVIP” entrance prior to the royal party.

4. The 1,900 guests will begin arriving at 8:30 a.m., two and a half hours before the ceremony begins.

5. Mobile phones and cameras will be banned from the guests at the ceremony.

6. William’s family members are scheduled to arrive between 10:40 and 10:50 a.m.

7. William will arrive with his best man, Prince Harry.

8. Kate will arrive with her father, Michael, at 11 a.m., possibly in the queen’s ’50s-model car.

9. After the ceremony, the couple will watch a fly-past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

10. A 600-person champagne and canapé reception will take place before a 300-person buffet dinner and “rather loud disco” at Buckingham Palace.

11. Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton have set up a charitable gift fund for those who very generously may wish to donate to charity to help the couple celebrate their wedding.

12. Trumpeters from the Central Band of the RAF will accolade Prince William and Catherine Middleton.