SOPHIA's BRIDAL, TUX & PROM by Vara Fore, e-vents intern

Sophia’s Bridal Tux & Prom


A little about Sophia’s Bridal Tux & Prom. They are in their 3rd year of being open. They’re a small boutique store, so you’ll get more of a “family” atmosphere rather then a large warehouse or department feel.

If you’re looking for your perfect wedding gown, please come see us. We’re located on 31 & Southport Rd; South of Indianapolis (Southport/Greenwood area). Also, check out our website: http://www.sophiasbridalandtux.com/ to experience our small boutique feel and why we’re so different from others.
We have a lot of current trends in our store. We have everything from classic lace, princess, elegance, and modern. Here are a few of our dresses we carry in our boutique.

Some big trends in bridal gowns are pleats, ruching, and lace. A lot of these dresses have great detailing on the bodice as well as throughout the gown. Another big trend is not having your dress white. Most of our dresses actually come in ivory, champagne, or off-white, brides tend to like these colors much better in the end.
I guarantee that you will fall in love with that “the one” gown. So call and make an appointment today!

{Vara Fore}

From I will to I do - BLOG POST

Brides.com is one of THE go to resources for brides to be, MOB, Bridesmaids, wedding planners and many more wedding related professionals. I love going to the website as well as directing my clients there.
Anne Chertoff is the brilliance behind the blog From I will to I do. You all MUST head over there and read her blog. Believe me, you will be hooked. She offers LOTS of valuable advice, current bridal events and more. Here's a little about Anne from Anne:
I’ve worked at Modern Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings, iVillage Weddings and I’m currently the Senior Editor at Brides.com. I’m always on the look out for great products and talented vendors. If you have an interesting product or service, or a wedding planning question you want considered for this blog, please e-mail me.
Anne Chertoff has kindly posted about THE Indy Area Vendor Showcase - BRIDAL SHOW 2009 on her blog " From I will to I do". What an honor! Thanks again, Anne.....

How to get married in Indiana

I was recently reading Monica Gill's The Milwaukee Wedding Blog a blog division of her The White Box of Wedding Design blog. She has lots of GREAT information on both blogs - be sure to check both out for inspiration and information. The topic was how to get married in Milwaukee. This made me think that I should post something for my Indiana brides concerning the same.

INDIANA COUPLES

ID Requirement in Indiana: Drivers license or identification card or other id showing current address and date of birth. Bringing a certified copy of your birth certificate is recommended because some counties require it if you are younger than 30.

Indiana Residency Requirement: Indiana residents must apply in the county in which one of them lives.
Previous Marriages: You will need to know how the marriages ended (death, divorce, annulment) and the month and year the marriages ended. A few counties require a copy of the divorce decree if divorced within the last two years.
Covenant Marriage Option In Indiana: No.
Waiting Period in Indiana: None.
Fees in Indiana: Indiana residents: $18; residents of other states/countries: $60. Personal checks not accepted. CASH ONLY - BRING CORRECT CHANGE
Other Tests: No other tests are required in Indiana to get married.
Proxy Marriages in Indiana: No.
Cousin Marriages in Indiana: Marriage between first cousins is permitted if both individuals are at least sixty-five (65) years of age. (I guess it had to be said - Erika)
Common Law Marriages: No. Indiana does recognize common law marriages legalized by another state.
Same Sex Marriages:No.
Under 18:A certified copy of your birth certificate is required. If you are 17 years old you must apply for the license with both parents (or the person with legal custody). They will need to sign the consent portion of the application. If you are 16 or 15 years old, you must petition the Circuit Court via a "Permission to Marry" form. The cost for filing this petition is $124.00 even if the Judge refuses to allow the couple to marry.
Officiants:Marriages may be performed by a member of the clergy (including a minister, priest, bishop, rabbi, and imam), a judge, a magistrate, a clerk of the circuit court, or a clerk or clerk-treasurer of a city or town.
Miscellaneous:License is valid for sixty (60) days.
Copy of Certificate of Marriage:Vital Records SectionState Department of Health2 North Meridian StreetIndianapolis, IN 46204Phone: (317) 233-2700
PLEASE NOTE:State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.
It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license office or county clerk before making any wedding or travel plans.

Colorsplash Design Studio - Jamie Brokus

I'd like to send a special thanks to Jamie Brokus of Colorsplash Design Studio for our awesome new logo.

I absolutely LOVE it! It was a hard decision because she offered so many GREAT concepts. Eventually, my team of distinguished voters chose the perfect one!

Here is a bit about Colorsplash Studio:

WE DO everything in your wildest dreams.

Website Design. We create fully customized website designs with style and function that impact the audience you want to reach.
Website Development. So you have a great web design, now it's time to make it work. Color Splash Studio programs your website to function on a wide variety of platforms. Whether you want to manage your own website content or have us maintain it for you, we will find the solution that is right for you. You dream it up, we make it come alive.
ECommerce Solutions. Color Splash Studio offers fully customized ecommerce solutions. Storefront solutions includes administration areas allowing you the convenience of adding, deleting, and modifying items in your store.
Graphic Design. Color Splash Studio designs for a variety of projects, from small projects such as business cards to multi-page, full-color catalogs.

Looking for a new logo? How about letterhead and a brochure to match your new website? If you are looking to begin branding, Color Splash Studio is your answer.
Illustration. Color Splash Studio offers customized graphics to reflect the personality of your business. We specialize in character design, fashion and mixed media.

Visit Colorsplash Studios here for more ideas.

Thanks, Jamie! YOU ROCK..........

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT - LEMONGRASS PHOTOGRAPHY

I absolutely love great photography. I could and have sat for hours looking on line at photographers websites. Imagine my thrill when I was introduced to Jessica Milano - Limeberry of lemongrass photography. Lindsey Scrivner of Bustle Event Design introduced us and I fell in love with her photographs. Her work is fresh and captures the true essence of every person she photographs. She loves her work and it is quite evident. That is one of the many reasons lemongrass photography was chosen as THE OFFICIAL photographer for THE Indy Area Vendor Showcase - Bridal Event. You all may remember the feature we did on Molly Milano, e-vents assistant. Well, Jessica and Molly are sisters! I am so happy to know each of you.

Jessica was kind enough to answer a few questions about her company. I've sprinkled in few of her shots, but take a look at the site for much more!


e-vents: How long have you been in the business?
Jessica Milano- Limeberry: Lemongrass started in 2006, after I graduated from DePauw University. I began doing mostly portraits, but have since moved into weddings, which I love!

e-vents: What was the inspiration for the name of your company?
Jessica Milano - Limeberry: Lemongrass was actually the color of my wedding! My favorite color is green, and when we picked a color, it was named lemongrass green, and it stuck! Our last name is Limeberry, so it seemed only fitting!

e-vents: What services/products do you provide?
Jessica Milano - Limeberry: I specialize in both portraits and weddings, and offer a wide variety of guest books, albums, canvases, and prints.

e-vents: What has been your greatest accomplishment thus far?
Jessica Milano - Limeberry: When I started Lemongrass, I thought it would be a great side business, but it has grown so fast, and I am so grateful! I think my greatest accomplishment is seeing the faces and reading the emails from brides who love their pictures. Knowing that they will be able to look through their album for the rest of their life, and still feel the love and excitement they felt on their wedding day, is so rewarding!

e-vents: What is the current trend in your industry?
Jessica Milano - Limeberry: I actually thing the big “trend” is to be trend-less! To me, and to the industry, it is important to make the images personal. I do all of my work on location and I work really hard to find a location that fits with that specific person or couple, and a place that will help them feel comfortable. It is my top priority that everyone’s photographs are personal and when they look at them they say, “that is so us!” This makes everyone’s images different, and keeps me on my toes, always striving to come up with new things.

e-vents: Describe your photography style……
Jessica Milano - Limeberry: My style is fresh, light, and a little classic. I want to produce images that will be beautiful forever. I love to mix a little photojournalism in with a more contemporary style. I like the focus to be simple, and don’t crowd the image with tons of extras. I like a modern, crisp, clean look.

e-vents: Suggestions for clients when preparing for a session ?
Jessica Milano - Limeberry: The most important thing is to feel yourself! Wear clothes make you comfortable and confident, and try to forget about me or the camera. Make the day special, eat your favorite foods, pamper yourself, get a manicure, get your makeup done, even if it isn’t your wedding day! Enjoy your self! Don’t worry about looking at the camera and smiling or saying “cheese”, just do what is natural, laugh, hug, kiss… the smiles will come naturally, and they will be beautiful!

e-vents: Suggestions for couples- to- be?
Jessica Milano - Limeberry: Love every second you are together! Weddings are so magical. I have been to the most amazing weddings and the best advice I can give, is to make it about you! Don’t worry about pleasing 300 people, just make it special to you. Weather you have a huge budget, or a tiny one. There are so many small personal touches, that can really make a wedding over the top. Even if that is just having your favorite food at the wedding, or having a non-traditional first dance, or going to a special spot for your pictures, little things can make a big difference!

e-vents: Final words?
Jessica Milano - Limeberry: I am so honored to be a part of peoples lives, whether it is their wedding day, their baby’s first pictures, high school graduation, or getting together with their entire family for that always overdue family photo. I couldn't have a better job, or have the opportunity to work with more beautiful, wonderful people.

Jessica, thanks again for stopping by and sharing.

Readers, please be sure to check out more on the lemongrass photography website. Stop by and visit her at her booth at the showcase as well.

You're engaged ....now what ?

I've received a few excited phone calls from brides this week. All of whom were engaged over the Valentine's Day weekend. Isn't that sweet? I have always loved Valentine's Day even if it's just a romantic homemade dinner for two at home watching a great movie. Imagine how great it is for a young lady to get proposed to on this special day!

The next steps may seem overwhelming to you. My advice? Just relax for a few days and enjoy the moment. Some brides may already have ALL of the details figured out and just need to insert the groom. Others may have been taken completely by surprise. Either way, step back and savor this special time. Kiss each other LOTS!

Next, tell your parents. You should do this in person and ideally both of you will be there to share the wonderful news with them. Traditionally, the bride's parents are told before the grooms, but these days either way is fine.

Purchase a journal. Believe me, you'll be glad you did. You'll have a flood of emotions going on right now. A lot of brides these days are doing blogging instead of the traditional journaling. You may still want to purchase a nice paper journal. You can also keep all of your wedding ideas in your journal. And it's great fun to go back years later and reminisce about this special time in your life!

Announce your engagement. Many newspapers still list engagements. Check out your local newspaper for details. If you live in a different state, be sure to list them there as well.

You'll also want to share with your close family and friends.

Set the date. You'd be surprised to find out how difficult it is to plan a wedding when you DON'T know the date. So, take a bit of time , grab a calendar and your fiancee and select a date that works for you both. Don't rule out Friday's or Sundays. Many places offer GREAT deals for non-Saturday weddings.

We'll share even more in later blogs about the next steps you should take.............

Until then, have a love-ly day!

Featured couple: Rachael and David

Vendor Spotlights

Don't forget to check out our sister blog The Indy Area Vendor Showcase for info on some of our favorite vendors. We also have contests and other super things going on over there.
Drop us a line....we'd love to hear from you!

Starr Strung.............

If you are searching for that one of a kind piece of jewelry, then look no further than Starr Strung! Starr Keller makes some of the most beautiful hand made pieces I have seen lately.

I am a BIG fan of LARGE rings- the bigger the better. She has some outrageously gorgeous rings.

She also custom crafts her items for her customers. This is a perfect idea for a bride. You'll have that one of a kind item at a terrific price. Her designs also make wonderful gifts for your attendants.

So, go over to her site at Starr Strung Designs for a look!

Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day!

"Love is a many splendid thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love!" ~ from the movie Moulin Rouge ~

Be sure to check back on 2/14/09 for the winner of our engagement story contest!

Team e-vents!

It's BBBBBAAAAACCCCKKKKKK...........

The e-vents newsletter that is! The newsletter will be full of all sorts of information: vendor spotlights, floral information, bride and groom spotlights, and much, much more.
The best part? It will come in your email box.
All you need to do is sign up - erika@e-ventswedding.com.
If you are a vendor and would like to have a spotlight page, please email me at the addy above.

Have a LOVE-ly day!

Wedding Paper Divas Contest - $500 Gift Card

The wonderful Erika Barnes from Wedding Paper Divas was kind enough to share with us their wonderful new contest. I absolutely love their stationary and think you will, too.

From the Wedding Paper Divas website:

Do you have a wedding proposal story that's so romantic, it makes all of your friends weak in the knees? Share your extraordinary engagement story for the chance to win a $500 Wedding Paper Divas gift certificate and a feature on our blog, Diva Dialogue
Submit your story between January 8th and February 22nd, and each week we will select a few of our favorite proposals to post on Diva Dialogue. From these weekly favorites, we will choose a Grand Prize winner to receive a $500 gift card for an entire wedding stationery suite, including wedding invitations, response cards, thank you cards and more.

See more of their gorgeous wedding invitations here .

Good luck!

Contest from Lucious Verde Invitations!

From the One Wed.com website:

Win Some Luscious Invitations!
by Marta
I know you’re not really supposed to admit it, but I’m competitive. I LOVE to win. The problem is, I’m also incredibly uncoordinated. We’re talking the only girl at Camp Livingstone to ever tag herself out at softball. (It involved tripping over a bat - don’t ask).
So OneWed’s new contest is my kind of thing. We’ve hooked up with Luscious Verde, makers of truly fabulous and unique stationary and invites, to create a contest as unique as you. All you need to do is answer two short questions. Don’t worry, this isn’t like school - no studying required. We just want to know a little more about you.
So what’s the prize? Glad you asked! It's $5,000 worth of custom designed and printed invitations. That’s right, I said $5,000! So, Ladies, sharpen your pencils, start your computers and may the best bride win!
Go to www.lusciousverde.com/rules to get started and read the full contest rules.