07

May

NY Bridal Fashion Week 2013

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Coming off the heels of the recent Bridal Fashion Week in New York, here are a few of my favorite trends that we’ll hopefully see more of this fall:

 

One-shoulder dresses

Monique Lhuillier Fall 2013

Romantic and sweeping, I love the detail of the shoulder on this dress.

Statement headpieces

Reem Acra Fall 2013

For the dramatic at heart. Also great if  it starts raining in the middle of your outdoor ceremony.

Lace overlays

Vera Wang Fall 2013

Gorgeous from head to toe, this gown displays lace, one of the most recurring themes I saw from every designer this year. Biker chic!

Peplum skirts

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2013

Peplum has been hot not just in bridal, but in the everyday wardrobe this year. If you haven’t you should check out Oscar de la Renta’s entire Fall 2013 collection. He never disappoints.

Convertible dresses

Lela Rose Fall 2013

Perfect from ceremony to reception. This style is for those who like to party, or pretend they’re a pop star at a concert.

What were your favorite themes?

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09

Apr

It’s the Little Things

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As wedding season gets closer we at Always Planned have been meeting with a lot of couples to fine tune the details for their upcoming weddings. Among the many design presentations, venue tours, and tasting we have been apart of recently, the most interesting part was deciding on the cake. Not just the cake, but the cake topper. During my time here at Always Planned I have noticed how unique the little things are and how necessary they are to really make a wedding stand out.

Well, it just so happens that wedding toppers, something that seems like such a small detail, are becoming more and more specific to the bride and groom’s personality. This new trend of having a specialized wedding topper to match each couple’s specific style is becoming so popular that Etsy is booming with business. I scrolled through their pages and found several interesting ideas that could be the perfect fit for a variety of people! Why not go the extra mile with the little details to make your wedding stand out? 

 

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04

Apr

Hi, My Name Is…

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Hi, everyone! My name is Rachel Campbell, and I’m the new Social Media Maven here at Always Planned. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to be working for such a fabulous company in an industry that is any girl’s fantasy (WEDDINGS, YOU GUYS! Am I dreaming?!).

A little bit about me: I am a small-town girl with a big-city heart. Born and raised in the tiny town of Lucasville, OH, I had plenty of time growing up to really develop some interests. Some of those include playing piano (for 12 years now), the OSU Buckeyes, fashion (currently rocking some Beyonce-style wedge sneakers), SHOPPING, the Internet, my 5-year-old niece, HIP HOP (yes, I love rapping), traveling, and PUPPIES (though I have none).

As I’m sure you were wondering, these are my favorite animals (in order): pandas, whales, elephants, owls, unicorns/narwhals, and dogs.

I graduated from Asbury University in 2010 as a double-major with a degree in Media Communications and a degree in Spanish (though some people say that’s cheating since I’m half-Nicaraguan. Whatever.).

Most importantly, I’m a Mac.

Here is a picture of me:

 

What? Don’t you believe me? Okay for real:

20130412-154757.jpg

See? Close enough. Talk to y’all soon!

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22

Feb

Having a Bad Hair Day?

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Over the past few weeks in Lexington the weather has been so cold, windy, and rainy. It’s really frustrating because weather conditions like the ones I just listed do nothing to help my hair style. It’s the same thing everyday, my hair looks good when I leave my apartment for class or work. By the time I have braved all of the elements and made it to my destination my hair looks like I did not even brush it that morning. I have naturally frizzy, wavy hair and to try to contain that frizz I normally use my flat or curling iron to try to make my hair more manageable. I know that’s probably not the best thing to use continuously, and it’s not good for the health of my hair. Seriously, though? What is a girl with frizzy hair  supposed to do? Normally out of frustration I will just end up throwing my hair in a pony-tail because my hair style doesn’t make it to lunch.

Well… I have found the remedy to my constant annoyance with bad hair days. I have recently started using Philip Kingsley shampoo and conditioner and within the first couple of days that I used it I could see a difference in the overall health of my hair. The shampoo and conditioner I’m using helps control the frizz and I feel less guilty about using my styling tools, because, I know I’m giving my hair the healthy rejuvenation it needs. When I style my hair then brave the windy weather in Lexington I now have the confidence to leave that hair tie at home since I know my hair will make it past lunch and into the afternoon. I wish I could write about all the compliments I now get on a daily basis about how great my hair looks! I would highly recommend visiting their website http://www.philipkingsley.com/ to learn more about their products. The professionals at this company really know what they are doing when it comes to diagnosing hair problems and finding remedies for each customer. They realize that everyone has different hair types and they go to great lengths to make sure that everyone has the right treatment.

No one has time for a bad hair day. Visit their website and find the right system for you!

-Mallory

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24

Jan

Now Trending…

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Happy Thursday!

I hope everyone is staying nice and warm! It’s bone chilling cold in Lexington and I know everyone is wishing warmer weather would get here soon!

My most recent venture on Pinterest and Etsy led me to write this post on something that is clearly trending in the wedding industry. Couples have found a new, creative way to give their guests more opportunities to have a memorable experience at their event. Photobooths are becoming more popular because of all of the props that can be used and personalities that can be portrayed. With wedding season just around the corner I know that photobooths will be more prevalent then they have been in the past. I have been to a few weddings recently where the couple had a photobooth and let me just say, it was the one thing that helped push the wedding from good to great. When the wedding is over the bride and groom will have all of the formal pictures from the ceremony and reception, so, why not add in some extra candid pictures that will help make the event even more memorable for the happy couple?! I think it’s a great idea and there are so many directions engaged couples can take to make it unique to their personal taste!

 

As always feel free to email me at intern@alwaysplanned.com if you have any questions!!

Until next time,

Mallory

 

 

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18

Jan

New Year, New Intern!

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Hi Everyone!

My name is Mallory, and I’m so excited to be starting off 2013 with a new internship at Always Planned. As my first week comes to a close I can already tell this semester holds so many opportunities and experiences that I’m sure I will never forget!

I grew up in small town Franklin, KY (south of Bowling Green) before venturing to Lexington where I’m currently attending UK, double majoring in Marketing and Management. I like to keep busy so I am involved with Delta Gamma sorority and the Gatton Ambassadors for the college of business. In my free time I like to play golf, hang out with my friends, and search the web for the latest trends on Pinterest and Etsy.

I started thinking more and more about a future in event planning after my sister got married in June of 2011. Always Planned designed her rehearsal dinner and did such a fabulous job that when I started looking for companies to work for I automatically put them at the top of my list. I can’t wait to see what the future holds during my time here and I look forward to blogging about my experiences and ideas for the upcoming wedding season!

If you have any questions feel free to email me at intern@alwaysplanned.com!

Until next time,

Mallory

 

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24

Dec

Merry Christmas!!!

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This year has gone by so quickly and with so many changes.  As we are with our family and friends this holiday season, I encourage each of us to take a moment to cherish the memories being made, the laughter we share and the joy in our hearts.  Merry Christmas!

xoxo – Rayna

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As summer comes to a close, so too has my internship at Always Planned. These past three months have been a great learning experience, and I have come to meet some great people. On my first day, I had the misfortune of breaking a glass bowl. As I sat there in disbelief that I had somehow ALREADY messed something up, I hoped that it would not be a sign of things to come. Luckily, it was not!

My time at Always Planned has given me a new light on the world of wedding planning. The work was back-breaking at times, but always in the company of good people, and the final product was nothing short of spectacular every time. I will take away from this experience the memories I have made with great people, the knowledge I have gained from this industry. I never thought I would be able to describe different linens, linen manufacturers, chair types, or even drape fabric in a barn—but I can, and now I have a taste for the industry that I know will always be a part of me. Included are some pictures from my time at Always Planned.

 

Have a great day!

Rob

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01

Aug

It Has Been a Good Run

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Hello all,

Today, I am going to take some time to reflect on my past almost eight months at Always Planned. I was debating what to write in this, my last blog entry. I still do not know what to say, but I am going to go ahead and just ramble for a bit in hopes it will make sense eventually.

I came to Always Planned in January with the idea of this job being like the move “The  Wedding Planner,” well it is not, but I became quickly immersed into this new and exciting culture. I will be honest, my skills in any form of event planning were dull, but with the help of my present and past co-workers, Sarah, Mallory, Rayna, and Stephanie, I have honed in my skills and can actually name certain chair types, materials, and key phrases to this industry.

This past summer, I was given much more responsibility when it came to Always Planned and I was thrilled to increase my roll here. I have loved every minute of this crazy and sometimes overwhelming industry. Am I sad to be leaving this studio, the clients, and especially my fellow planner? Of course I am. This has been my job and a major part of my life and I have relished every minute of every day. There have been times where things did not go the way they were planned, but that is part of life and it is a learning experience that I am sure will impact my life for years to come.

Not every thing I learned was about planning. I learned life skills and life lessons that transcend from event planning to any part of my life; compassion, patience, and perseverance. For everyone I have met these past months, thank you for the lessons you have taught me, I truly appreciate you and everything you have done for me.

 

Love always,

 

Rachel

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This past weekend, we were privileged to help with the wedding of Andy and Ashley Parr at the Natural Bridge State Park. It was a beautiful outdoor ceremony, which the rain luckily held off for! Their reception was gorgeous with pinks and navy and cream everywhere! The large mantle and fireplace were lit with many candles that gave a beautiful glow throughout the room. You could feel the love and happiness through the couple, bridal party and all of their wonderful guests! We are so happy for you both and wish you nothing but the best for the future!

 

Love and Wishes,

Always Planned

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