December Giveaway Ends Tonight!

Dont forget our contest ends tonight! Check out all the details...

Because it is December and I LOVE Christmas, I thought it was time for a giveaway. So what are we giving away? A little bit of everything...

1. A Full Service Planning Package!
2. A Month of Coordination Package!
3. A $250 Invitation Gift Certificate!

You can enter to win any of them or just one depending on what you need/want. To enter all you need to do is write about how you would (or did) spend your perfect weekend with your fiance. You can e-mail your stories to {contact at panacheconsulting dot com} and make sure to let me know if you want to be entered in all three or just one.

Happy planning,

Bluefly Bride Wars Contest!

Kristen at Bluefly.com sent me an e-mail yesterday about an awesome contest they are having in honor of the new movie Bride Wars. Check out what she wrote and then go enter!

The movie's not out until Jan 9th, but you can go there now to enter the Bride War Stories Contest - just submit your crazy mother-in-law, bad taffeta tales to win a $1000 shopping spree. While you're there, make sure you play around the Bridal Beatdown game where you upload your face to the body of either Liv (Kate Hudson) or Emma (Anne Hathaway) and duke it out against the other bridezilla.

Go enter at www.bluefly.com/bridewars and good luck!

Happy planning,

Photo Friday

She looks like she is having a blast and check out those awesome red shoes!

*Anglen Photography* :: *Blog*

Pink Post Today!

Go check out my Pink Pro post on the Knoxville Pink Book Blog!

Join me on facebook!

We have a new facebook page - come be our friend! Its an easy way to keep up with the blog posts and find out about wedding events around town.

You can search for my new profile as Kristyn Burnette or for the Panache Productions page.

Happy planning,

Brides Against Breast Cancer Wedding Gowns

So South Carolina isn't exactly right next door but it may be worth a weekend drive to save a ton on a designer gown AND help out a great cause!

Brides Against Breast Cancer has gown sales all over the country every year where you can buy BRAND NEW or slightly used designer growns for a tiny fraction of the price. All the money they raise goes to Making Memories to help grant the wishes of terminally ill women with breast cancer.

When they're not on the road you can visit them at their warehouse in Santee, SC. Here is a little bit from their website:

"NO STATE OF SC SALES TAX.

Find New York style and Southern hospitality at this unique Brides Against Breast Cancer warehouse/boutique – one shopping experience that's well worth the trip.

Browse 7,700 square feet of racks packed with thousands of Bridal Gowns(sizes 4 to 40), veils, headpieces, crinolines, shoes and other wedding accessories -- plus a huge selection of Special Occasion Dresses for members of the wedding party (including flower girls), debutantes, pageant queens, prom, ball and party-goers.

Whether you love glamour and glitz or understated elegance, you’ll find it, and more, in our relaxed, fun surroundings.

Bridals, in current, best-selling styles from over 100 designers, retailers and manufacturers, are bargain priced from $99 to $699 – for gowns with retail values to $2,500, including runway samples direct from New York industry fashion shows."

They are open on Fridays and Saturdays 10-Noon; 1:30-4:30 pm and Sundays 1:30–4:30 pm (at other times by appoinment for bridals).

*Call Barbara (843-901-0402) or Betty (803-854-2022) for closing dates and more information.

Check out the Brides Against Breast Cancer page for more details about this and all their dress sales.

Happy planning,

Huge Giveaway Reminder

Don't forget that we still have a huge giveaway going on. You don't have to be a great writer to win - the winners will be chosen randomly so don't be scared to write! Here is the info from the first post:

Because it is December and I LOVE Christmas, I thought it was time for a giveaway. So what are we giving away? A little bit of everything...

1. A Full Service Planning Package!
2. A Month of Coordination Package!
3. A $250 Invitation Gift Certificate!

You can enter to win any of them or just one depending on what you need/want. To enter all you need to do is write about how you would (or did) spend your perfect weekend with your fiance. You can e-mail your stories to {contact at panacheconsulting dot com} and make sure to let me know if you want to be entered in all three or just one.

I'm going to keep the contest open until Dec. 31 so you will have plenty of time in between all the shopping you have to do!

Happy planning,

Photo Friday

How amazing is that pink jacket and those pink shoes!?!

*Bamber Photography*

Pink Envelope Project

Back in September I wrote a little bit about Making Memories and Brides Against Breast Cancer (check out the post here). Now I wanted to talk about another way you could help Making Memories and Brides Against Breast Cancer with the Pink Envelope Project.

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This and more info can be found on the Pink Envelope Project website.

What is a Pink Envelope Project?
A Pink Envelope Project can be any event, gathering, party, activity, or club that you attend or host. Whether the attendees are your circle of friends, a couples' gathering, or a work-related function, the goal is to use your creativity to help raise funds for the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation.

Your Pink Envelope Project ideas are as uniquely individual as you are. Whether you organize a girl’s night out, book club, luncheon, scrap booking party, shower or family gathering, you can use your PEP to involve your circle of influence in this worthy cause.

Show your employer ways his or her business can sponsor events to help Making Memories raise wish-granting funds for individuals for whom a cure is too late. Companies and corporations are hosting charity gala's, public or celebrity golf tournaments, web-a-thons, employee casual Friday - dress down - corporate color change events, live or online auctions and retail "Granting Wishes - Touching Lives with Small Change" days.

Have fun posting the details of your party or event on Making Memories' “member space” where on your own personal site you can share your creative ideas, photos, tributes and fundraising efforts in support of the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation.
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Hosting a Pink Envelope Project is a great alternative to a traditional bridal shower or bridesmaids' luncheon but it doesn't have to be limited to wedding related parties. You can organize one at work, church, your school or with your friends. You can always find a reason to throw a party - especially when it is for a good cause!

Check back on Monday for more about Making Memories and Brides Against Breast Cancer.

Happy planning,

Wordle Fun

Go to Wordle.net to make your own!

Photo Friday

Who doesn't love a pic between fountains?

*Brandt Photography* :: *Blog*

My Introduction

When I started blogging I just jumped right in and didn't let you know who I am. I thought now would be a good time to do that! So who am I?

My name is Kristyn and I am a wife, mom, daughter, and a wedding consultant. I have lived in Knoxville for half of my life and in Boston for the other half! Quite a mix of cultures!

I'm so proud to be a wife and a mother. My husband, Corey, and I actually met in the sixth grade and started dating in the eighth grade! We dated all the way through high school and eventually decided we should probably get married.
;-)

We have a ridiculously smart and outrageously beautiful 1 and 1/2 year old daughter, Ashlyn. She is a total daddy's girl and it drives me crazy! I mean I'm the one with her all day everyday so why isn't she a momma's girl? Maybe someday...

Now for my professional life. I am a Professional Bridal Consultant and the owner of Panache Productions. I'm a proud member of the Association of Bridal Consultants and completed the Professional Development Program offered by ABC as a Distinguished Graduate. And because I can never learn enough about what I do, I like to travel all over the country to go to ABC conferences and seminars.

I have also had the privilege of apprenticing with Sonya Scott of A Perfect Day.

I'm also a Pink Pro on the Knoxville Pink Book blog - which I love! I post every Wednesday with tips to help you plan your wedding.

Well now you know who I am. If you want to know something else just ask! You can e-mail me anytime at {kristyn at panacheconsulting dot com} or just leave a comment.

Happy planning,

Making the Cut - Creating Your Wedding Guest List

Go check out my Pink Pro post on the Knoxville Pink Book blog about creating your wedding guest list!

The New Website is Up!

Our new website is up! Go check it out... http://www.panacheconsulting.com/

Then tell me what you think!

Our First Blog Giveaway!

Because it is December and I LOVE Christmas, I thought it was time for a giveaway. So what are we giving away? A little bit of everything...

1. A Full Service Planning Package!
2. A Month of Coordination Package!
3. A $250 Invitation Gift Certificate!

You can enter to win any of them or just one depending on what you need/want. To enter all you need to do is write about how you would (or did) spend your perfect weekend with your fiance. You can e-mail your stories to {contact at panacheconsulting dot com} and make sure to let me know if you want to be entered in all three or just one.

I'm going to keep the contest open until Dec. 31 so you will have plenty of time in between all the shopping you have to do!

Happy planning,

Big Announcements for Panache Productions

We have some big things coming up over the next couple of weeks so my posts are going to be a little different over the next few days (don't worry I will throw in some great planning ones too).

Tomorrow we are going to be starting an awesome contest with several great prizes so make sure you stop back to check it out.

Our other big news...

We are about to launch a brand new program that will give you some of the benefits of having a full service wedding planner for a tiny fraction of the price. Before we launch we want to make sure to include the things that are important to you, the bride. If you could take a very short 3 question survey for us right now we would be very grateful.

The official launch of the new program is going to be at the January bridal show on the 11th but we will be pre-launching it in about two weeks for everyone that receives Panache Weddings. If you aren't a subscriber you can sign up here to make sure that you can get in on the pre-launch!

I am going to be posting more info about the new program over the next two weeks so make sure to check back daily to find out more about it!

Happy planning,

Photo Friday

This week's Photo Friday is actually pictures from my trip to the ABC conference. Lunch each day was setup with amazing tables and centerpieces. These pictures aren't the best (my camera isn't meant for pro pics) but there was a pro that was taking pics. I will post those if they put them up for us. But for now...

This is Mary Dann from Who's Wedding Is It Anyway? and me. She was super nice!

And of course I couldn't get that close to Hollywood and not get a picture of the Hollywood sign! (Even though it was a 45 minute drive each way to get there and back.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Yes, I pre-scheduled this. I am probably enjoying so of my mum's AMAZING food right now!)

Pink Post Day

Check out my Pink Pro post today - its a short one - at The Knoxville Pink Book blog.

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Are any of you ladies going to be braving the cold well before dawn to go shopping like my mother and I on the day after Thanksgiving?

Happy Thanksgiving!

New Website!

Our new website is done and will be going live soon! You may still have time to take one last look at the old site before it is gone forever - www.panacheconsulting.com. I will let you know when the new site is up.

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I also wanted to let you know we will be having a contest starting next week with a bunch of prizes so make sure to check back for that!

Happy planning,

Godiva Couture Favors

One of the many goodies we received at the ABC conference was a Sylvia Weinstock Godiva Chocolate Wedding Cake (yummm)! These are the cutest little favors. They are miniature wedding cake chocolates that come in Milk Chocolate with Dark Chocolate Ganache or White Chocolate with Hazelnut Praline. I was lucky to get the white chocolate - my fav!

They also have celebration cakes which are smaller cake chocolates that come in Milk Chocolate with Dark Chocolate and Vanilla Ganache.

The cakes may be out of your price range if you are having a larger wedding (they are about $9.50 each) but you can still enjoy some Godiva favors. They have two and four piece favors that you can customize with a white or gold box, a custom ribbon and a charm that start at $3.50 each.

Pictures :: Godiva.com

Happy planning,

Contact form problems....

I am interrupting Photo Friday for a very important message...

Our contact form is sending blank messages so if you have sent a contact request from our site and have not heard back please e-mail us at {events at panacheconsulting dot com}

Sorry about the technical difficulties. Our new site should be up soon so we shouldn't have this problem again!

Personalize Your Wedding

To truly wow your guests you need to make sure that you have something that ties your entire wedding together. A great way to do that is with a custom monogram. Your monogram can be used on everything from the invitations to the cake to the favors and everything in between.

I was introduced to Marry Monograms at the ABC Conference and I think they are a great deal! Check out some of their monograms and how they can be used.

Visit their website at www.marrymonograms.com.

How are you planning to customize your wedding?

Happy planning,

Pink Post Day

Check out my Pink Pro post on green weddings on the Knoxville Pink Book blog.

Seeing each other Before the Ceremony

I don't normally post e-zine articles on the blog because I don't want those of you that get the e-zine to have to read the same thing twice but I like this idea so much I wanted to post it. (And if you aren't on the e-zine list sign-up now so you don't miss out!)

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Private Time Before the Ceremony

I am not going to try to take credit for this idea because it isn’t mine (it belongs to Shay Freeman of Bells and Bows in Little Rock, AR) but I think it is an amazing idea.

I have always been the one fighting for the traditional idea of not seeing each other before the ceremony while it seems that most photographers will give you a thousand reasons why it is a good idea. In my opinion the reaction from the groom when he sees his beautiful bride in her wedding dress for the first time as she walks down the aisle to become his wife is worth a lot more than the 15 extra minutes of picture time.

Shay has thought of a way to give you both.

Instead of having the groom waiting in a beautiful field or beside a gorgeous tree (the setting of most pre-ceremony shots), Shay has him waiting at the front of the church just like he would during the ceremony. The bride is then escorted down the aisle by whoever will be escorting her for the ceremony.

After being escorted down the aisle everyone leaves to give the bride and groom just a few minutes of alone time that they may not get for the rest of the day. The photographer then comes back in and you can get most or all of your group shots out of the way allowing you to get to the party sooner after the ceremony.

If you are on the fence about whether or not to see each other before the ceremony hopefully this will make your decision a lot easier.

Choosing whether or not to see each other before the ceremony should be a decision between the bride and groom and no one else. Don’t let the photographer, wedding planner, your mom or anyone else pressure you into a decision one way or the other.

So what do you ladies think? Are you going to see your groom before the ceremony or are you going to go the traditional route of waiting?

Happy planning,

Pink Post Day

Go check out my Pink Pro post on iPod weddings on the Knoxville Pink Book blog.

Quick Update

I am still in Newport Beach having a great time at the Association of Bridal Consultants Annual Conference but I took a few minutes to get caught up on all my e-mails!

I wanted to let everyone know that I seem to have been placed on a SPAM list and my e-mails to you may be going into your SPAM folder. I am trying to get this fixed but if you have e-mailed me and not heard back please check your SPAM folders.

Bella Umbrellas Covers Your Wedding

Check out these gorgeous umbrellas from Bella Umbrella! This is one of the most unique ideas I have ever heard of. Bella Umbrella sells and rents vintage umbrellas for you to give to your guests, wedding party, or use as decoration on your wedding day. They have a huge selection of patterns and colors to choose from and all of their umbrellas are in mint condition.

Wouldn't your spring wedding look amazing with your guests strolling the gardens with their Bella Umbrellas?

Happy planning,

ABC Annual Conference - Here I Come!

I am so excited because I am leaving today for Newport Beach, CA and the Association of Bridal Consultants Annual Conference! Colin Cowie is going to be the principal design speaker and we are going to have three days stuffed with wedding planning seminars. There is also going to be a trade show with all the newest wedding swag!

I will definitely post a recap when I get back but don't worry about my normal posts. Through the magic of blogger I already have some post scheduled to go up on my normal posting days.

Happy planning,

Photo Friday

I love how she is just relaxed and pretty(and her bouquet is gorgeous). *Jamie Weiss Photography* :: *Blog*

Fall Wedding Flowers

I know I have said it before and I will probably say it again before the season is over - I love fall! It is a great time to have a wedding because everything is so colorful. So if you love fall like I do, here are some great (in season!) floral picks for your fall wedding.

1. Add fall fruits for a festive touch :: Brides

2. Hydrangea :: Brides

3. Sunflower :: Brides

4. Cyrsanthemum :: Brides

5. Stephanotis :: SixWise.com

6. Calla Lilies :: Calla Lily Wedding Bouquets

7. Orchid :: theknot

8. Roses :: theknot

9. Black-eyed Susan :: HowStuffWorks

Pink Post Today

Check out my Pink Pro post today about wedding cakes (yummm) on the Knoxville Pink Book blog.

Southern Weddings Mag New Blog Launch

I want to send some congratulations to the girls at Southern Weddings Mag on the launch of their new blog! The site is beautiful and packed with amazing real weddings and wedding details. They also always have some really great contests going on! If this blog isn't already in your blog reader you need it there now! Go check it out!

Happy planning,

Photo Friday

I have two pictures today because I couldn't make up my mind which one I liked better! (I love this house!)

*Meggie Velasco* was the photographer and you can find her blog here!

Shades of Purple Wedding Storyboard

:: Wedding Gown *Amsale Blue Label Lillian* :: Bouquet & Boutonnieres *Brides* :: Ring Bearer Pillow *theknot* :: Bridesmaid Dress *The Dessy Group Style 6540* :: Favors *MyOwnLabels* ::

Happy planning,

Pink Post Day

Check out my Pink Pro post today on the Knoxville Pink Book Blog.

Custom Bridesmaids Bags

How cute are these customizable purses from Freddy & Ma? I found this site from the Pink Book Blog post on Friday (you need this blog in your reader) and I am hooked. I don't have bridesmaids to give them to but I think I might have to get some for myself! Here are a few I made in less then 10 minutes.

Happy planning,

Photo Friday

I chose this photo because I love the groom's ring (her rings are pretty awesome too!).

*By A Captured Photo - Check out their blog*

Customizable Invitations by Love Letters

Everyone wants their wedding to be unique. Your invitations should be unique too. But custom invitations cost an arm and a leg right? Not really. Love Letters Stationery is locally owned by Holly and Shelley Roach and they offer customized invitations starting at just $4.50 per invitation set!

*The beautiful pictures are by Jamie Weiss*

Happy planning,

Pink Post Day

Check out my Pink Pro post at the Knoxville Pink Book blog.

Perfect Picks for Bridesmaids & Guests at the Bluefly Wedding Shop

Bluefly.com has just launched their Wedding 2.0 Shop and if you are planning a wedding or have been invited to a wedding this needs to be one of your first stops. You start by choosing either wedding guest or in the party. You can then choose to browse outfits by the type of wedding or the role you play(bridesmaid, groomsmen, or mother of the bride). They also have suggestions for gifts and honeymoon essentials. The wedding types range from black-tie formal to civil ceremony with a garden party and destination wedding in between. They also have Sex and the City inspired dresses for the fashionistas.
Brides - If you are looking for dresses that your maids will wear again - send them to bluefly.com. They have a great selection of designer dresses and some are more than 50% off!

Happy planning,