Color Us Styled

Last week, thanks to an awesome team of vendors, NoLo was able to check an item off of its “to-do” list for this year. That item? Participate in a styled shoot. Check.

The woodsy, boho-themed gorgeous-ness will be on the blog later, but in the meantime we just wanted to satisfy your curiosity with some behind the scenes action shots and fun facts!

Happy Thursday!

Working with My Best Friend

Here we are on the brink of wedding season! There is a certain flutter in my heart and excitement in my veins. Another year of being part of the best day in our lovely couples’ lives. Another year of feeling accomplished with all the hard work we put into our passion. But most of all, another year I get to work alongside my best friend!

Caribbean Honeymoons - All-Inclusive Resorts VS Cruising

I LOVE vacations. I mean, who doesn’t? Although I’ve only been on one honeymoon, I’ve done my fair share of traveling. I’ve stayed at different brands of resorts on multiple islands and just recently disembarked from my first cruise. I’ve never come face to face with a vacation I didn’t like, but there are definitely some things I favor about one type of trip over the other, especially for a honeymoon.

Getting Grooms Involved

More often than not the bulk of the wedding planning is done by the bride. This is probably because she has been planning her wedding even before you were in the picture...Sorry buddy, blame Pinterest!

However, as long as your groom is willing why not get him involved? Think about it, by delegating jobs and sharing responsibility that means less stress for you. When sharing in the planning of the wedding you are working towards a common goal i.e. the biggest day of your life! Plus, when your bridesmaids are sick of hearing about the cost of peonies for the 147th time your beau will there to lend an ear and help offer a solution. Keep your fiances strengths and weaknesses in mind. Don’t ask them to help you with tasks that play to their weaknesses, I promise you, they will not stick around for much of the planning process.

Taking the Plunge – Quitting My Part-Time Job

As I’ve mentioned before, I quit my part-time job back in October. FINALLY! It was a long time coming, but ended up being a spur of the moment decision.

Now that it’s been 5 months, I couldn’t be more certain that I made the right decision. First of all, NoLo is better than ever. I’ve had so much time to focus on the company and I’ve been able to direct all of my energy into my clients. It just goes to show that the more you put into something, the more you get out of it.

Photo by GoBrail Photography

Featured: The Baltimore Museum of Industry

For those of you looking for a truly remarkable and unforgettable wedding venue in Downtown Baltimore, look no further than the Baltimore Museum of Industry! Whether you are looking for a more casual affair or a black tie gala, the BMI is perfect for you.

Conveniently located right off of Key Highway, the BMI offers several indoor and outdoor spaces for your private event. From the Decker Gallery and Industry Terrace to the Pavilion and Point, your guests will experience sweeping views of the Inner Harbor (my favorite photo opp is with the Domino Sugar sign!).

Photos by Maria Linz

Rocking Bridal Shows - Tips for Vendors

Bridal shows are intimidating, right?! They are such an intense day of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of potential clients bombarding up and down narrow aisles of tables, trying to grab freebies and enter to win contests. How are you supposed to stand out in a sea of craziness?

I’ll be honest-- Nora and I don’t really attend bridal shows anymore. When we first started up we attended a few larger shows, but now we only have a select one or two that we may attend and they aren’t large at all. They are more intimate events, put on by our favorite venues, for the purpose of already-booked brides getting a chance to scout out other vendors.

That being said, whether it be in the beginning stages of NoLo, tables I’ve run for other jobs, or just being an attendee, I’ve seen my fair share of large bridal expos. Some things work and some things don’t. Some booths bring people in and some don’t. If you want to attract people to your booth, and keep them there, there are some things I’ve found to really work well.

Wedding Trends - The Outlook for 2015's Wedding Season

By now we all have heard that Pantone’s color of the year is...everybody say it with me - MARSALA! For those of you who aren't familiar with the color, and keep thinking about a chicken dish served at your company’s holiday party, Marsala is a deep, rich burgundy color. What does marsala and other wedding trends have to do with you? How can you incorporate them into your day? NoLo is breaking down a few of the top wedding trends of 2015.

Color
Let’s not let marsala hog all of the attention! There are several colors that you will see everywhere this wedding season! Soft pastels like blush and pale blue are taking over the wedding scene this year. With metallic touches in gold, silver and bronze you can add a hint of sophistication and glamour!

Clicking With Your Wedding Planner - It's Essential

Let me paint a picture for you.

{Emily and Dan have planned their DREAM wedding. Emily has selected all of the details based on her love of blushes and neutrals and her obsession with garden roses and peonies. She is a true girly girl and wants her wedding to feel like a sophisticated fairy tale. Dan has taken a back seat to the details but really has an interest in the food and their guests. His Italian heritage has him putting an importance on good food and good times. Both Emily and Dan are laid-back in nature. They have conveyed to each and every vendor exactly what they are looking for and trust those vendors to execute their day perfectly.

Bring More Than Your Appetite - Tips For Taste Tests

Phew! Just over 200 more days until our wedding! Being a wedding planner, I wasted no time diving into planning right after Brad and I got engaged in September. We crossed the big to-do’s off the list fairly quickly.. The venue was locked down within a few weeks of planning, I said YES to the dress, then it was on to the food and cake tastings! Which you have to admit is the best part!

Brad and I are excited to be working with Design Cuisine and DC Rental for our big day! Their staff and service has been impeccable thus far. The attention and care they give their clients is top notch and the day of our tasting was no exception. Brad and I had talked about and finalized a preliminary menu prior to the tasting, so we were very excited to taste the items we had decided on. Below are my top eight tips for you to get the most out of your taste test!