Lauren + JP from Matt Odom on Vimeo.

Our jaw dropped when we first saw this amazing wedding video! It’s more like a music video than a wedding keepsake, which just makes it one of the most awesome things we’ve ever seen. Bridal couples are going all out these days in every step of their wedding planning: save the dates, invitations and now amazing wedding videos like this one are popping up everywhere. We’ll admit that we’ll always have a soft spot for amateur-style movies filled with Uncle Frank getting down on the dance floor and tipsy friends giving maybe-not-so-appropriate advice to the new couple. That doesn’t mean, however, that a couple can’t also have something amazing like this video to remember their special day. It’s easy to see how this video is a very personal representation of the couple. We encourage all of LWPI’s certified wedding and event coordinators to help their couples come up with creative ways to make their day special. With a video like this they’ll be easily reminded of “their style” and, of course, how cute they and their friends looked on the big day!

* Could it be true? According to a new Slim Fast study, one in three British brides admitted to choosing overweight friends as bridesmaids so that they would look thinner. We don’t know of anyone who has done something like this, but then again who would admit to it? We’d like to call B.S. on this one, but we all know that true Bridezillas walk among us….

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

* First it was J. Crew. Then Urban Outfitters got in on the fun. And now it’s Anthropologie’s turn. We have to admit that these gowns are sure to be a hit - just like everything else the Anthropologie brand has debuted. The new bridal collection will be available in Spring 2011, and brides will be able to schedule fittings at local Anthropologie stores. The gowns will retail from $750 to $5000, which means there will be something for most bridal budgets. If you have a bridal client with her heart set on a natural, rustic, ethereal wedding this may be the place for her to find that perfect gown.

* Do you Tweet forever? Sounds strange, but every day there are more couples incorporating technology into their wedding ceremonies. One couple recently incorporated Twitter and Facebook into their wedding, and in fact they used an iPad to help officiate. The groom immediately took out his phone to tweet that he “just got married!” It went on Facebook, too. We have a feeling this is only the beginning…

* This next one isn’t exactly a new trend, but it appears to be gaining momentum. More grooms (and bridal couples overall) are taking dancing lessons ahead of their big day. “I think a lot of it’s due to the shows that you see on television that promote couple dancing,” said Traci LeBlanc, a ballroom dance instructor who offers wedding dance lessons through The Dance Center in Traverse City. Dance lessons are a great way for a stressed-out, engaged couple to spend some time together and unwind. Plus, we all know that dancing is great exercise. This is one trend we’re definitely excited to see grow!

* And finally we know that you guys are just as excited as us to read a true love story. This couple got their happy ending - even though at one point they thought it was never going to happen for them. Ryan Price, an Airborne Ranger in the U.S. Army, lost both of his legs in 2008 after driving over an IED in Afghanistan. It’s a miracle that he survived, doctors say. At first their relationship wasn’t meant to be because who wants to start something with a man leaving for another part of the world? But then Leslie Terry heard that Ryan died, and … well just read it for yourself. What a great story!

So, as always: Tell us your favorite wedding stories of the week, or share the links with us! You never know what you’re going to run across in this industry.

Summer Flowers Courtesy of Martha Stewart

There is a good chance that some of LWPI’s certified wedding and event planners are broiling in the heat this week. That’s because the East Coast is living under a severe heat wave! But the show (er, wedding) must go on, and we know that a lot of brides have their hearts set on a steamy, summery, August ceremony. What can you suggest to help keep the bridal couple - and their guests - cool on a hot summer day? We spent a little time gathering some of our favorite summer-wedding ideas to share with you. Fashion? Check. Food? Check. Decor? Check. While it may seem like there is no relief in sight when you’re in the middle of August there are a few things you can do to trick the senses. (Be sure to click on the source links in each paragraph to visit these great sites see if these fabulous vendors are available in your area! We love their work.)

1 and 2: Nothing quite says summer like a beach wedding. There’s a reason they’re so popular! Beach weddings are the perfect excuse for the bridal party - and guests - to dress simply and kick off their shoes to stay cool. A few photos in the water are the cherry on top! (1-modernbridal.com and 2-brides.com.)

3. While taking it outdoors may seem like a risky prospect when the temperature is hovering near 100 degrees there is a way to keep cool: Hold the ceremony at night. When the sun goes down it’s time to party in August. Setting the mood with candlelight and lanterns is a gorgeous rustic touch, too. 15 - Another option? Hold the ceremony by the pool! Some guests may not be able to resist jumping in to cool off, but as the wedding planner try to keep them on dry land at least until the reception! (3-Jessica Verma Photography and 15-Singapore Brides.)

4 and 5. Especially in the South will you see these next two tricks: hand fans for the guests and 5 - parasols for the bride and her maids. It goes without saying that the fans are a cute favor, but they can also double as programs for the ceremony. And the parasols make some of the cutest photos we’ve ever seen! Forget the flowers; parasols are a lot more fun to carry! 14 - But don’t forget the guests! A tin bucket filled with parasols for all the ladies would be a cute gesture for an outdoor, day-time wedding. (4-Opulent Favors, 5- Southern Accents and 14-Richelle Dante Photography.)

6. You don’t want your bride melting under a long, heavy gown in the summer. It may seem trendy to wear a tea-length gown, but it certainly harkens to the 1950s, too. With the perfect shoes and perhaps a cage veil this is the perfect summer look. (6-Posh Girl Vintage.)

7. Let’s talk food. If there is one thing that screams summer refreshment it’s watermelon! They’re best in the summer, when they’re local and fresh. And there are so many ways to serve it. Consider: Watermelon granita (Country Living); 8 - Watermelon kebabs (National Watermelon Promotion Board); 16 - Spiked watermelon pops instead of cocktails, perhaps (Food Network); and 18 - Watermelon mint coolers (Real Simple.)

9. And if watermelon doesn’t do the trick? Ice cream is sure to. An ice-cream cake decorated with scoops of colorful ice cream is the perfect summer treat. (The Knot) 10 - Or if your bride wants to be a bit more original perhaps a stack of ice-cream sandwiches. Vanilla ice cream can be tinted to any color to match the wedding! (Skinny Cow) 11 - A more old-fashioned treat would be a simple cookies-n-cream ice-cream cake. You simply can’t go wrong with black and white, or chocolate and vanilla. (Real Simple) 12 - Sundae bars are popular at birthday parties right now, but we see no reason you can’t bring them in on the wedding fun! (Katie Moos Photography)

Finally if you’re trying to inject a little color with your coolness try these two obvious, and obviously adorable, ideas. 11 - Sno-Cones are sure to bring out the kid in everybody (and make them forget the heat for a moment!) Plus they’re easily tailored to match the wedding colors. Cocktail hour is fun, but wouldn’t Sno-Cone hour be cute, too? (Daisy I Do) 13 - And of course every guest needs something to wet their whistle, which is where colorful, gourmet sodas come in. Some couples may choose to bottle their own liquid refreshment - pink lemonade comes to mind. It’s a great personal touch to any wedding! (Dexknows Weddings)

We hope these ideas give you some cute ways to beat the heat at your summer weddings. Do you have any cute ideas to add? What have your brides and grooms suggested to help keep guests cool this summer? (Remember to click on the source links in each paragraph to visit these great sites and see if these fabulous vendors are available in your area!)

This weekend marks Independence Day in America, and while we’ll be chowing down on burgers and watching fireworks light up the night sky we know that there are a few brides walking down the aisle, too. Lots of couples decide to tie the knot on holiday weekends. Halloween weddings are tons of fun to plan and attend, and Christmas decorations make it easy for brides to find inspiration. What about a Fourth of July celebration? We think a rehearsal dinner and reception would be tons of fun, with everything all decked out in red, white and blue. But it’s possible to bring Independence Day into the ceremony, too, without making the décor look too hokey. There are a few things to remember when you’re planning a wedding around a holiday theme. (Find all source links at the end of this post. These amazing vendors may be available in your area!)

1) Keep it simple. Crisp, white linens and plates are the perfect backdrop for a patriotic wedding. You don’t want to go overboard with the red and blue. Plus, food always looks best on bright white plates. Shiny silver utensils are the perfect accompaniment to the white dishes. If you want to add red and blue to the tables, consider using white linen napkins, with navy or bright red trim. (Polka-dot ribbon would be adorable used this way.) Consider using red flowers in the centerpieces, mixed with greenery, but we wouldn’t suggest mixing in blue and white flowers. Small boxes of blue M&Ms would be cute favors, sitting on each plate. Another favor option would be a jar of strawberry jam, covered and tied with gingham fabric and ribbon.

2. Classic bunting is a gorgeous piece of decor when used right. At a church? No. At a barn reception in July? Definitely. Make sure to use it, along with a large, rustic American flag, in some of the photos. But don’t go overboard! A bit of red, white and blue goes a loooong way.

3. Brides who plan their weddings around Independence Day are bound to be fun-lovers. If you want to incoporate some whimsy into the wedding, consider these options. Have the ring bearer wear a top hat! Let the flower girl ride in a classic Red Flyer wagon. Serve red, white and blue cocktails during the cocktail hour. Give out packs of sparklers as favors, with a personalized matchbox. Guests will love playing with them; the photographs will be amazing; and they make a great sendoff for the bride and groom!

4. For entertainment consider finding a bluegrass band to play classic American songs. A jazz band playing classic Ella Fitzgerald and Louie Armstrong would be perfection, too. Use a fiddler during the ceremony - its music is both fun and classic Americana.

5. As for the food? Go picnic-style with fried chicken and potato salad. Grill out fancy steaks and spicy corn on the cob. An ice-cream sundae bar would be a thing to remember if it’s a hot July day. Just go classic whatever you do! And while a red, white and blue cake may sound garish it doesn’t have to be. Just edit the details, but use the classic American colors. And if cake isn’t their thing? You can never go wrong with apple pie and vanilla ice cream!

6. And we think it goes without saying that a patriotic wedding has to go out with a bang - literally! Fireworks are the piece de resistance for a Fourth of July wedding. (Make sure you hire someone with the right permits to carry out the fun, though. Check with your local fire department before making any plans.) The photos of a bride and groom standing beneath a dark sky lit up with red, white and blue will be a memory they’ll carry with them forever!

If in 2011 you find yourself the certified wedding coordinator of a Fourth of July bride you’ll have tons of ideas to share with them! The sky is the limit when it comes to holiday weddings, but it’s always a good idea to go classy at the same time. Have fun with it! Make it a wedding the bride will always remember.

For more on the photos above, or to see if these vendors are available in your area, visit the following photo sources: 1 - color table settings; 2 - a simple lds wedding; 3 - life love lipstick; 4 - the vegas wedding planner; 5 - the knot; 6 - shoot style; 7 - life love lipstick; 8 - pretty bride; 9 - whipped bakeshop on flickr; 10 - about the cake inc.; 11 - jacque’s fine european pastries; 12 - taylor’d cakes.

The Lovegevity Wedding Planning Institute is excited to welcome Nadia Lewis of N’Chantment Events to the blog today. According to Nadia, “N’Chantment Events is a Wedding and Event Planning business owned and operated by Nadia Lewis, a Certified Wedding and Event Planner. It is located in the Bronx and provides service throughout NYC. It was established in 2010. N’Chantment Events provides quality service that exudes elegance and charm through creating an atmosphere that clients, as well as their guests, will not only enjoy but will cherish as an experience of their lifetime while meeting every client’s budget.” Today Nadia will discuss a few ways to make every groom feel special. Afterall, it’s their special day, too! Here are a few of her tips:

1. Have a sports-themed shower for the groom and a few of his best friends and male family members, packed with beer, chips, pizza, sandwiches and Buffalo wings. The gifts should be exclusively for the groom.

2. Make the groom’s cake a must at the wedding, and incorporate the groom’s favorite hobby into the design.

3. Let the groom walk down the aisle to a song of his choice.

4. Incorporate the groom’s favorite color into the reception. Assuming that the groom likes navy blue, for example, a bride could incorporate it into the table linens or use it as the font color on menu cards.

5. Make plans for a surprise performance for the groom by either the bride or a paid entertainer, such as singing the groom’s favorite love song.

6. Honor the groom’s mother by allowing her to walk with the bride and her mother down the aisle.

7. Let the groom be completely in charge of an aspect of the wedding, such as the music or photography.

8. Send the groom and his groomsmen to get pampered, for example by planning haircuts, massages etc.

9. Give the groom a wedding-day gift of something he loves to do or watch. Sports tickets or personalized sporting equipment are great suggestions.

10. Get the groom’s opinion on male-geared favors for the reception.

Thanks, Nadia, for these fabulous ideas. It’s a great suggestion to make sure that the groom enjoys the wedding day, too, and also feels special. Please be sure to also visit Nadia’s blog and follow her on Twitter. If you are also a graduate of LWPI and would like to submit a guest blog, please contact Abby Langston, Lovegevity’s managing editor, at abby (at) lovegevity dot com.

Long, loose ponytail. Courtesy of bridalhairpictures.com

When it comes to bridal fashion there are more decisions to make than simply choosing The Dress - although the dress does guide a lot of a bride’s choices! A close look at bridal fashion for the 2010 Fall/Winter season shows that romance is ruling the runways.

Many brides are showing their softer, princess side this year with lavish, embellished gowns, and stylists say that the perfect hairstyles to complement such gowns are soft, feminine ones that highlight a bride’s shoulders and put the focus on the gown - think long, low ponytails with loose curls or waves.

Low, loose bun. Photo courtesy of James White International Hair Stylist.

Another simple style to consider is a take on the classic bun. In this case it becomes looser and romantic, sitting lower on the head, with pieces of hair falling in just the right places.

And for the bride who wants a bit more form while still keeping the romantic feeling? Stylists suggests such styles as the classic French pleat - a la Audrey Hepburn - but looser and softer to help the bride’s look stay ethereal.

With these gorgeous styles in mind we can easily picture a romantic, fall wedding filled with candles and warm colors and a bride with a flowing, off-white gown with tons of lace details. Natural elements and colors - warm reds and golds - would be perfectly accented by a bride with loose, flowing hair.

French Pleat. Photo courtesy of Amsale.

Or perhaps as a bride’s certified wedding and event planner you would offer the perfect winter dream wedding, filled with a bride in a crystal-embellished gown, with a soft, low bun, accented with more crystals, standing at the altar. Any of these suggestions make up the perfect, romantic wedding day.

So remember to, yes, help your bride plan her wedding from top to bottom, but also help her set her own personal style from head to toe. She’s expecting you to create the perfect package, and the small details - such as the perfect hair style - are the bow on top!

Photo courtesy of IFEMA

Every bride - and certified wedding and event coordinator - knows about the importance of attending local bridal shows to meet vendors and check out the newest wedding trends. But the International Bridal Fashion Exhibition takes the world of bridal shows to a whole other level. The exhibition was recently held in Spain, and the four-day wedding-fashion fair brought together 132 companies and brands to represent the best ideas in bridal gowns, groomwear and formal attire for the upcoming 2011 season. We may be just now entering wedding season in America, but the international market is already looking ahead. And when it comes to running your own business - like so many of LWPI’s graduates are - looking ahead is always a good thing.

About 3,600 hundred people attended the event, and 28 designers presented their collections. The companies that participated are already reporting favorable business results, saying they have expanded their portfolios and are already building relationship with potential new buyers. This all means that the 2011 wedding season is already looking up, which is good news for wedding professionals all across the world.

The collections shown at the international event indicate that organza, gauzy fabrics and exquisite lacework are some of the trends that will dominate wedding fashion in 2011. Textured fabric is also expected to be hot, with silk garza and satin leading the way. Bright whites appear to be less popular for 2011, while natural shades - bone whites and light beiges - will lead the way.

The event also put a focus on the whole wedding, showing that weddings are no longer a one-day event. “Weddings have moved beyond the basics. These days families with good spending power look forward to a wedding that’s truly memorable, extravagant and encompasses the luxuries of life,” said Qatar Expo CEO Mr. Karim Zarka. “IWED 2010 brings together all the options that make a wedding complete. Be it wedding designers, honeymoon destinations, gifts, chocolates, beauty or wedding venues, IWED 2010 offers everything to organize your dream wedding with ease.”

We’ve talked before about Lovegevity’s Green Wedding Planning course, and we’ve even discussed why it’s important to go green. Have you decided to take the plunge? (Pun intended, of course!) Or are you still wavering? Lovegevity’s Green Wedding Certification Course comes from a class designed by Kate Harrison and her book, The Green Bride. Harrison graduated from Vassar with a major in Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development. She wrote The Green Bride after she and her husband, Barry, planned their own green wedding in 2007. According to Kate:

“With 46% of couples looking for green options, there has never been a better time to go green as a wedding professional. There are so many reasons to take the Green Wedding Professional certification class, but I think this Ripple (above), hosted by Andre Yap, might be helpful. For additional information, see the Green Wedding Planning Certification class page.”

As professional, certified wedding and event coordinators you’re expected to carry every available tool in your tool belt. Becoming certified as a green wedding coordinator is just one more way to grow your business and show your clients that you’re on top of things. If you’re still unsure of the reasons why to go green be sure to watch Kate’s video above. It will answer a lot of your questions about the green wedding industry, and how you can be a part of it!

It’s no surprise that wedding magazines never seem to go out of style - everybody loves to flip through them and see the latest trends! They’re filled with eye candy for brides-to-be and maybe even a few already-been-brides. (We admit it. We’re kind of obsessed with weddings. But how can we not be? They’re so fun and pretty and frilly and colorful and yes, okay, we’re addicts!) Here are a few of our favorite finds this week from etsy, which may be even better than our beloved magazines. (And yes - etsy is another one of our addictions!) All of you certified wedding and event coordinators are bound to have a few favorite finds of your own to share. Tell us about them in the comments!

1. Eco-friendly dress; 2. Custom-painted heels; 3. Hand-made shawl

1. Pearl and rhinestone necklace; 2. Mr. and Mrs. seat signs; 3. Vintage diamond ring

1. Bird-cage veil; 2. Hydrangea hair pins; 3. Hydrangea bouquet

And on that note, Happy Weekend to all of Lovegevity’s certified wedding and event coordinators. Wedding season is in full swing this month. We wish you weekends filled with brides, sunny skies and timely vendors!

Finding the perfect wedding cake is no easy feat: It’s impossible to even begin narrowing down the choices of style, color, flavor, size … the list goes on and on. There are several things for certified wedding and event planners to keep in mind as they begin to help couples narrow down their choices for choosing and ordering their cake. First things first: Do some research. (That is a requirement for you and the bridal couple!)

Photo courtesy of Sweet Things Blog (Click to visit their amazing bakery!)

First: Have your bridal couples prepare for the Cake Talk. It’s a good idea for them to have an idea of what they want, and encouraging them to keep a folder of clips is a great way to get a feel for what they’re going for. But be sure that you also have a folder of suggestions for them to flip through. Who knows? That one cake they’ve been trying to find but can’t might be just the clip you’ve collected for them.

Second: Make sure that they have gone into this together. The cake should be a reflection of them and what they like to eat. You don’t want the groom scrunching his nose as he eats a piece of cake with rose-water-flavored petals on top! (Pictures do speak louder than words, you know.) Suggest cakes with different flavored layers. Or maybe they would consider cupcakes: one for him, one for her, so they each take a bite of exactly what they like!

Third: Make sure the cake fits into the overall design. It’s very likely that you have already discussed with the couple their colors and style for the wedding. Elegant? An all-white cake would be gorgeous. Vintage? Pound cakes made with family recipes, lightly dusted with powdered sugar, would be perfect. Colorful and funky? Topsy-turvy cakes are popular right now and can set a fun tone to the reception.

Fourth: Know the budget. This goes without saying, really, but knowing how much the couple is willing to spend on the cake will guide a lot of the decisions. Don’t let them get their heart set on a five-foot, gold-dusted cake with hand-made lilies if they can’t afford it. (No one likes to see a bride with a broken heart!)

There are lots of other things to consider when buying a wedding cake, but these suggestions are a great way to start. What questions do you ask your couples when you begin helping them design and choose their wedding cake?