Here’s the third in the series. How do you not horrify the kids!?

The Fairy-Wedding-Father™: Pre+Teens

by savvyplanners.co

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Our Personal International Celebrity Makeup Diva: Michele Bell!

Boudoir Photography has gained popularity in recent years.   Some “nearly-weds” are still a bit hazy on what Boudoir is, and some aren’t sure if they’d be comfortable taking the plunge in a racy Boudoir photo shoot.

So today, I have introduced a photographer with whom I have had the sheer pleasure of working with exclusively (inspired by these gorgeous Boudoir shots from Critsey Rowe).   I thought I’d clear the air and fill you in on the ins and outs of Boudoir!

What is Boudoir Photography?

It is the art of visually capturing the inner and outer beauty of regular folks in a sensuous and classy way.

Why would I schedule a Boudoir session?

There are a few things to remember when considering a boudoir shoot…

1. Boudoir photographs make a wonderful wedding day, Valentine’s Day, or Anniversary gift for your husband or wife!

2. If you are planning your wedding, you’ve likely been working hard on getting your bod into tip top shape. Capture your pre-marriage or pre-baby body in all of its glory with boudoir photos! You can look back on these when you are old and grey, and remind your husband or wife how hot you looked when you said “I Do”!

Where do these Boudoir photo sessions take place?

Most reputable boudoir photographers will conduct your shoot wherever you feel most comfortable. Typically, this would be in the privacy of your own home.   Some alternatives: your best friend’s house (for some moral support!) or a hotel room (to help unleash your inner sexpot!)

Of course, Hair and Makeup Artist Michele Bell could be on hand to alleviate your stress with her most perfectionistic artistry to enhance your outer appeal and reveal your sexy inner self.

So people, what are your thoughts on Boudoir??

I’m a pretty shy girl, and am not always comfortable in front of a camera. But after seeing how beautiful boudoir photos can be, when the time comes and I’m ready to tie-the-knot, I think I’ll be stripping down for a boudoir session! Although a few glasses of champagne and Chambord, pre-shoot, will definitely be in order.

Beautifully Yours~

Michele Bell
International Hair and Makeup Artist
www.bridestobeny.com

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Editors Note:  savvyplanners.com could not recommend anyone more highly than CRITSEY ROWE for Boudoir photography.  We have had excellent photographers in our master vendor list for years, which now includes Ms. Rowe,  that are outstanding at shooting the Boudoir photography for men.  We will be happy to book either Ms. Rowe, our other photographers or our own Make Up Diva: MICHELE BELL to create Boudoir shots beyond compare.  Just ask us how.

By MARCINHO SAVANT

T’is the season for question popping, happy acceptances and nervous britches!  YES!  It’s the engagement season!

It’s fairly common knowledge that the greatest number of marriage proposals occur during the major holidays (starting near Christmas, through New Years Day and into Saint Valentine’s Day.

If you’re fairly stealthy in the wrapping of the ring box in an off-sized container, you might even be able to delay the wonderful impact of the surprise a few seconds more!

So now you’ve got the ring.  You’ve got the intended.  You’ve asked for their hand and spoken with the ‘rents…  what’s next?

Well if you’re the recipient of this special ring, take a deep breath, show your happiness to the ring presenter and get ready to start one of the greatest times of your life… working with a professional and designing your wedding!

It’s your day, BOTH of you, and an important first step is to locate a designer who will not only share their expertise and insider knowledge with you.  They should be extending vendor discounts and support from day one.

The FIRST panic will be about what to do next and here is some of our expert advice for couples on creating their wedding budget.  This is usually only shared with contracted clients but here you are!

“All Weddings Lead to Bankruptcy!” Here’s Help.

Take a look at that post and I’m pretty certain you’ll feel some instant relief knowing that the process is not carved in stone and destined to lead you into harm’s way.

With an expert on your team, to keep you out of the potholes and traps, planning YOUR wedding will be an honor for us and a PLEASURABLE and relaxed experience for you!

Are YOU ready for the zone!?

Our Personal International Celebrity Makeup Diva: Michele Bell!

A wedding is no doubt one of the greatest highlights of a woman’s life. Whether it is a small event or a grand affair, the bride is usually the main attraction. That can account for why she is always so particular with how she would like to look or why she changes her mind so often in between the space of the makeup trial and the actual wedding day.

What really happens is that the bride just wants to look beautiful for herself, her groom and her guests. She also wants to feel comfortable with her makeup as a wedding day is quite a long day for her. She wants to look in the mirror when she is finished, recognise herself, be awed at her beauty and be pleased with the makeup application.

Having said all of that, the one look that pleases almost all brides is a traditional bridal look. If you are a bride who’s doing her makeup herself, a makeup artist or a makeup artist who’s doing her own face for her wedding, this is how to achieve this look.

Face

1. To clean and toned skin, apply a hydrating cream, lotion or gel (depending on the skin type) with a foundation brush.
2. Prep the skin with a silky primer. This gives the skin a smooth finish as well as makes the foundation last longer.
3. Use a matte liquid foundation and apply to the face with the same foundation brush. Make sure the foundation is the same colour of the skin, because flash photography would show it up if it is not. Apply right into the hairline, blend up by the ears, over and under the eyes and under the jaw line. Blend, blend and blend well.
4. Apply a matte concealer as needed under the eyes, around the nose and mouth and blend with the ring finger. The natural warmth of the finger causes the product to blend into the skin easily.
5. Apply a light dusting of finishing powder all over the face.

Eyes

1. Use matte and slightly pearlescent shadows for the eyes. Shimmery colours do not stand up well under flash photography.
2. Use a flesh coloured eye shadow all over the eyelids.
3. With a fluffy blending brush, apply a light brown colour that is darker than the flesh colour into the crease and blend well into the first colour.
4. Intensify the outer corners only with a dark matte grey. Use a pointed brush to precisely place the colour.
5. Blend this same colour along the bottom lashes.
6. Get waterproof gel eyeliner in a dark brown or black brown colour and apply a very thin line close to the top lashes.
7. Curl lashes, if you need to and apply two coats of waterproof (again, in case of waterworks) to top and bottom lashes. Comb out gently with a lash comb.
8. Groom brows with a brow pencil and then set with brow powder. It is okay to go a little stronger with colour here as brows tend to disappear when photographed. Ensure, however, that they still look natural in real life.

Cheeks

1. Smile and apply a dusting of a rosy blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend out well towards the temples.
2. Repeat so that the blush does not disappear during the course of the day. Another way to set the blush is to apply a gel blush right after the foundation and then apply a powder blush after the finishing powder.

Lips

1. Prime lips with a soothing lip balm.
2. Use a natural colour lip liner all over the lips, lining first then filling in the entire lip.
3. Dust some finishing powder lightly over the lips.
4. Add a rosy lip gel. This should not be glossy as it would reflect badly when photographed. Spray the entire face with a fixing spray and you’re finished!

Beautifully Yours~

Michele Bell
International Hair and Makeup Artist
www.bridestobeny.com

Our Personal International Celebrity Makeup Diva: Michele Bell!

Bridal makeup is all about the bride. Today, many brides opt for a makeup look that is modern, a little fun and, as always, makes her feel and look gorgeous. This is especially true for women who are used to wearing makeup everyday and want something a little different. The bride would always be the guide for the exact colours but the look below is flattering on those modern brides that are a little bit daring and works with almost any colour scheme.

Face

1. Prep the skin as always with a satiny primer so that the skin looks flawless. Use a foundation brush to apply it.
2. Use a concealer on the under eye area and above the eyes. Blend well with the ring finger. Apply lightly first and reapply as needed.
3. Use a liquid foundation that has full coverage to hide any imperfections in the skin. Apply with a foundation brush or a blender sponge for a flawless finish. Be careful around the under eye area so as not to disturb the concealer. Blend well into the hair line, ears and below the jaw line.
4. Mattify the skin with loose powder, using a powder puff. Dust off any excess with a clean powder brush.

Eyes

1. With a fluffy brush, apply a lightly pearlescent vanilla or pale gold shade to the brow bone and blend downwards onto the mobile eyelid, particularly down into the inner corner.
2. At the outer corner of the eyes, apply a satiny taupe colour or a medium grey tone. Blend well inwards, focusing the majority of the colour on the outer edge.
3. To the middle of the eyes blend in a rose blush tone with the previous colours. There should be no harsh lines to this look, so take the time to blend well.
4. Intensify the outer corners only with a dark matte grey. Use a pointed brush to precisely place the colour.
5. Blend the matte dark grey along the upper lash line with an angled brush.
6. Add more of the vanilla tone right under the arch of the eyebrow and to the inner corner of the eye.
7. Use the dark grey and smudge on the lower lashes with it. Make sure the colour connects to the grey used at the outer corner of the eye.
8. Line the upper lash line with black waterproof eyeliner.
9. Add two coats of waterproof mascara to bottom and lower lashes. Comb out gently with a lash comb.

Cheeks

1. Contour the cheeks and face with a tone of foundation slightly darker than what was used before. Use the same foundation brush for expert blending. Put the contours under the cheek bones and around the edge of face to make a natural oval face.
2. On the apples of the cheeks use the same rose tone that was used on the eyes. Blend outwards and backwards towards the temples. Using the same rose tone unifies the entire look.

Lips

1. A soothing base like cocoa butter should be applied to the lips first.
2. Blot a little powder onto the lips.
3. Use a lip liner in a natural colour all over the lips. This will encourage the lip colour to last longer.
4. Then use a little spatula and take out some the same rose colour and apply to the back of the hand.
5. To the same area squeeze out a dot of a clear lip tar and mix with the blush colour to create a custom lip colour. A lip tar is similar to a lip gloss but dries to a satin finish.
6. Apply the colour to the lips with a lip brush. Spritz a finishing spray onto the face and today’s bride is all done!

Beautifully Yours~

Michele Bell
International Hair and Makeup Artist
www.bridestobeny.com

Our Personal International Celebrity Makeup Diva: Michele Bell!

The beehive is back with a vengeance this coming season and it has been present on many runways, therefore this hairdo has really started to grow on stylists and brides alike it would seem. The fact that this 50’s big hairdo has made a comeback may be mainly due to the vintage-oriented beauty and fashion nowadays.

We have to pay tribute to tradition and old times after all, right? What we are seeing is a return to the classics and a unification of the outdated with the new. And for all us lovers of old school cool making what used to be considered obsolete hot and fashionable again is all too exciting.

So with the beehive back let’s remember to keep it as simple as possible. Of course, you can always go for a sophisticated look with curls or plaits blended in it, but make sure you give it a sleek note, even when it is meant to be messy.

This hairdo generally fits any type of face, as long as it is not too long, because the beehive is elongated not only will it add height but it is just the right thing for plumper faces, because it adds a few inches in length to them and thus makes them appear longer than they really are. With their volume, beehives add elegance and distinction to any discerning bride; therefore we have all the reasons in the world to be happy that they are back and sizzling hot.

Plus, this is a good thing from a practical point of view, because instead of wearing our locks loose this spring and summer and getting all hot and sweaty underneath this hairdo leaves our neck and shoulders space to breathe.

Beautifully Yours~

Michele Bell
International Hair and Makeup Artist
www.bridestobeny.com

Edison, NJ —  America’s first GLBTI-specific wedding and event planning company, savvyplanners.com,  is honored to have been included in the newest, must-have, book on do-it-yourself  Gay and Lesbian weddings.  The company is listed in the book’s included GLBT Weddings resource guide.  By all indications, savvyplanners.com is the only full service wedding and event planning firm listed in its pages.

“The NEW Essential Guide to Gay and Lesbian Weddings” (ISBN-13: 9781593501211;  Alyson Books- 2009), by Tess Ayers and Paul Brown, is flying off the shelves and several photographs of our happy client couples’ events are pictured inside.

Many months ago, the company was contacted for images of weddings it had produced.  After numerous telephone calls, emails and referrals, photos and releases had been sent to the couples in agreement with being so publicly visible.

“I was so happy to be working on this with Paul Brown.  He and Ms. Ayers are the preeminent advisers for do it yourself weddings for our community”,  said senior event coordinator and gay and lesbian wedding expert, Marcinho Savant.

Added Client Care Director, Irma Rabinowitz, “We absolutely recognize that in these challenging financial times, some couples are not willing or able to hire professionals.  It is great to be listed in a book that will make their wedding planning simpler and more affordable.  We know that some people cannot afford to hire experts so it is great that couples won’t have to be without good advice and help”.

The company spokesperson added that even if people are unable to hire savvyplanners.com for their event, the company’s travel department would happily offer its expertise and booking services for gay-friendly honeymoon locations, free of charge.  Clients only pay the cost of their accommodations and travel.  The company will not charge the client to book reservations for them.

“I looked up the word essential and the definition fit Ms. Ayers and Mr.Brown’s book and savvyplanners.com well.  ‘Of the utmost importance : basic, indispensable, necessary’.   To have been included in such a vital release and listed as a GLBT Wedding resource inside it is a proud and thrilling mention!  It is an honor”, Savant said.

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About savvyplanners.com: The company was formed in late 2003 and launched in 2004 with its sole mission being to protect the integrity, dignity,  honor  and importance of gay and lesbian weddings and events from vendor biases, apathy or bigotry.  The company is preparing to enter its sixth year of constant operation.

Wedding “Highway Robbery”!!

By MARCINHO SAVANT

Marcinho Savant: The Fairy-Wedding-Father™

A recent commenter on “URGENT REALITY CHECK:  Wedding Budget!  Must-Have Budget Planning Information for Brides and Grooms“, posed a question that deserves an answer but, I’m afraid, the answer isn’t going to be what the poster is counting on.

Rachel on October 27th, 2009 5:07 pm

“Great advise! Would also love to see some advise on what we SHOULD expect to pay per person for “everything” lol $100 per person, $200 per person, $500 per person?? what’s reasonable, what is higway [sic] robbery!? “

Thank you for the question, Rachel!  I would love to be able to give you a personal prescription for ‘what to expect’.  There are loads of sites which provide ‘average wedding costs by zip code’ and that may give you a bit of guidance and illuminate what other couples spend, on average, in the area in which you’re planning to have your ceremony and reception but many professionals find the numbers not too accurate.

That said, I need to be sure you understand that your question is a complex one and WHY.

Creating a budget for “everything” either takes the expertise of a wedding professional who is aware of typical costs on a number of price points based on client event creation.  For the DIY couple, it will require that they do the ‘homework’ of pricing their needs with vendors, getting several quotes, contrasting the cost -vs- service rendered among them and the add-ons that vendors can provide to customize your event, menu, decor or the like.

Then you need to add together all of your desired ‘bells & whistles”, essentials and wants, determine the total for them all and divide that figure by the total number of invitees or confirmed guests, depending on your stage of planning.  Don’t forget to factor in gratuities, taxes, service charges, fees, postage, favors, bridal party gifts, et cetera.

I recommend formulating TWO wedding budgets:

1. The costs of items related only to the couple (rings, honeymoon, attire, personal items, treatments and such).  Budget “A”
   
2. The costs of everything related to the ceremony and reception ONLY. Budget “B“

This will give DIY couples a firm and complete picture of their entire event as opposed to lumping everything all together in one FRUSTRATING mass!  You will be able to take off something from “B” to compensate or cover something important from “A” or vice versa.

What a couple can ‘expect’ is directly rooted to, and controlled by, what the couple’s overall budget is AND what they see as the ‘perfect’ touches with which to compose their dream event.  For example, wanting to serve Almas caviar in a 24-karat gold tin for £16,000, or about $25,000, due to it’s rarity and difficulty to locate, clearly costs more than  than the salmon roe one can find on the shelf  in a grocery store.

As a dear friend of  The Fairy-Wedding Father™,  and fellow wedding connoisseur, Christine Boulton said:  “BBQ in the backyard is not going to relate to lobster at the Plaza.  What is reasonable for one is highway robbery for another.”

Plainly stated, one cannot want a Rolls Royce and expect to pay the price of a Pinto.  One cannot expect to purchase a signed, first-edition Noël Coward for the cost of a current edition periodical on newsstands this morning.

I wrote an interesting and well-received post about our company’s “F.R.C. Formula”™ called “All Weddings Lead to Bankruptcy!” which helps couples to learn how to use our formula to create reasonable and accurate budgets for their weddings.

Christine wrote a feature called: “Why Can’t I Get Lobster for the Price of Cheeseburgers?” which is pretty straight-forward.

Bottom line:  I may be being a little tough on you, dearest reader.  I call it ‘tough love’ because it’s my nature, duty, privilege and obligation to, respectfully,  play straight pool with our clients, readers and friends.

Most every true wedding professional wants only what is BEST for and produces the best RESULTS for our clients.  You’ll find the many ways we work hard to save clients money.

NOTE: The opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of savvyplanners.com, its affiliates, principals, management or any other party and are the stated opinion of the author.   Though in this case we agree entirely.  Whether or not we agree with the opinion, the ideas recommendations and concepts herein expressed are not offered as specific advice or direction to any couple.  Thereby, savvyplanners.com , its affiliates, principals, management or any other party with which we are professionally associated, shall be and  remain held harmless from any blame, and assumes no responsibility or accountability, as this opinion has not been tailored to the personal circumstances of any individual couple or contracted client.  Couples enacting concepts or ideas represented in this post do so at their on risk and responsibility.