Cake for a Cause

Yes, it's true...delicous cake, good cause and amazing vendors too;The 4th Annual "Let Them Eat Cake!" is sure to be sweet.

The Benefit for City of Hope's National Cancer Center will take place on Tuesday March 4th at the Hyatt Penns Landing.

Philadelphia's premiere wedding cake competition looks to be bigger and better than ever....with over twenty professional and student participants, amazing entertainment, raffles, cocktails and celebrity appearances.

For a real treat, the special guest judge this year will be the fabulous(and ultra cute) Sylvia Weinstock of Sylvia Weinstock cakes. Sylvia is the cake designer from the stars and just an amazingly sweet woman who I had the honor to meet at the Wedding Salon a few years ago (she also complimented me on the purse I was carrying-I've held it near and dear ever sense)

Details:
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
DOORS OPEN: 6 PM
Hyatt Regency Penns Landing
For More Details Visit City of Hope's Website

Hope to see you there...

Wine, Dine and be married!

Silver decoy winery

If you're looking for a unique venue for your event, a winery is certainly an option to consider and if you're in NJ, you certainly have a wide array of choices. New Jersey, is amongst good company with Italy and France, through the instituation of the quality wine alliance program which insures that all wines sold to consumers meet set quality standards.

Wineries are great because they typically can accomodate small or large groups (180-300) during spring, summer and fall and offer the option of a picturesque site of open fields, panoramic views, courtyards, hills and mountains.

If you're interested in considering a Winery for your big day, I've attempted to make your search a little easier. Below you will find a list of the various wineries and the city they are located in.


Alba Vineyard Milford NJ
Amalthea Cellars Atco NJ
Amwell Valley Vineyard Ringoes NJ
Balic Winery May's Landing NJ
Bellview Winery Landisville NJ
Cape May Winery Cape May NJ
Cream Ridge Winery Cream Ridge NJ
DiMatteo Vineyards Hammonton NJ
Four JG's Orchards & Vineyards Colts Neck NJ
Four Sisters Winery at Matazarro Farms Belvidere NJ
Heritage Vineyards of Richwood Richwood NJ
Hopewell Valley Vineyard Pennington NJ
King's Road Vineyard - CLOSED Asbury NJ
LaFollette Vineyard & Winery Belle Mead NJ
Renault Winery Egg Harbor/Galloway NJ
Silver Decoy Winery Robbinsville NJ
Sylvin Farms Germania NJ
Tamuzza Vineyards Franklinville NJ
Tomasello Winery Hammonton NJ
Turdo Vineyards & Winery North Cape May NJ
Unionville Vineyards Ringoes NJ
Valenzano Winery Shamong NJ
Westfall Winery Montague NJ

Be responsible and happy planning!

Style Cap with Victoria DiPietro of Bella Angel

I know, I know, it's been quite some time but today's style cap makes it well worth the wait! We sat down with the lovely Victoria DiPietro, Owner of Bella Angel for a chat recently and here's how it went:



So Victoria, you and I have had the opportunity to work together on many of occasions and I'm fortunate enough to have gotten to know you...but please tell our readers how long you've been in the industry and how you got started?

Sure! My interest in hair and makeup began when I was about 5 years old. My Aunt would come over early in the morning and give me whatever sample lipsticks she received from Avon, and I would try on every shade--- sometimes at the same time! I would also style anyone’s hair who would let me. I would stay at my grandmother’s house every weekend because every Saturday she would let me curl and style her hair.
My parents also bought me the Barbie “Styling Head.” I would play with her hair for hours; I thought she looked so beautiful when I was finished.

I began my professional career in New Jersey and Philadelphia in 1992. I started out as an assistant at a high-end salon in New Jersey and worked my way up. I headed out West to beautiful Los Angeles, California. For nearly a decade I worked in California for Design Visage, the #1 Bridal hair and makeup service in Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange Counties. In 2003, I moved back to New Jersey and established Bella Angel.

Mmmm...California, my home away from home. Tell us, what is your most favorite part of your job?
My favorite part about doing what I do is that Bella Angel gets to be a part of such a happy occasion. It’s a wedding! We make people look beautiful on an incredibly significant day. It is such a rewarding job, and all of the stylists that work at Bella Angel feel the same way- we love what we do.

And what does a typical day in the "office" consist of?
Our offices are busy during the week because we are doing Previews (pre-wedding day trials) Monday through Thursday. We work by appointment only so we can give our brides our 100% undivided attention. We are not in the office on the weekends, but “on location” doing weddings, either at hotels, halls, mansions or at a bride’s house preparing them for the big day.

Ok, now that we've gotten pass the formalities, tell us an interesting fact about you that we may never have guessed.
Interesting, hmmm....Well, when I was living in Los Angeles, I was able to use my cosmetology skills as an actress on the show “Malcolm in the Middle.” That's pretty interesting!

Victoria, if you had to pick one, what is the mistake clients often make when it comes to makeup?
There is a difference between day-time makeup, night-time makeup and “Wedding Makeup.” Brides often ask, "What is so different about wedding make-up?" Bridal make-up has to have a unique balance. Not only must the bride look good for the camera, she must look pretty in person, often for 10 to 15 hours at a time. Most importantly, it must be "cry-proof". Just because the makeup needs to last 15 hours does not mean that a lot needs to be applied. That is a huge misconception. It is so important to choose a stylist that knows wedding makeup.

Being as involved in the industry as Bella is, can you share some trends/predictions for 2008.
Definitely-Elaborate jeweled hairpins and broaches are sure to supplement and sometimes replace tiaras this year. Look for lots of "bling" to make its way down the aisle.

At POSH, we encourage every Client to embrace their signature style. How do you define your "signature" style?
At Bella, our style is “Red Carpet Chic.”

Now for the easy part, how can Clients reach you?
We can be reached at 856-227-7774 or via the web @ www.bella-angel.com

Pictures of our very own Bella Brides:

And We're Off...

Today was a certain someone's first day of School!

(Ok so it was daycare but painful nonetheless)

Mommy, daddy and baby all managed to get thru the day with as little tears as possible so I think we're in good shape.

What do you think?

The Butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker and the kitten caboodle in the village

Ok...so it's an exaggeration of a title, but it pretty accurately describes the "team" needed exceute a seamless, fabulous, stress-free day.

I was recently contacted by a Bride and as we were disscusing what stage of planning her and her fiance were in, she stated that she just couldn't imagine what Vendors would be needed for the day. So, here it is. A SHORT list of vendors typically involved in planning a wedding. This list changes of course depending on the specific needs of the couples, traditions and religious practices.

Pre-Ceremony
• Invitation Designer- (Save The Dates, Invitation, Rehearsal Dinner)
• Calligrapher
• Rehearsal Dinner Location
• Hair
• Makeup
• Nail Technician
• Formalwear for Bridal Party
• Seamstress
• Accessories- (Veil/Jewelry/Shoes/undergarments)
• Accessories-Gifts for attendants
• Preparation Facility (hotel or home)
• Out of Town Guest Accommodations
• Township Official-Marriage License
• Travel Agent-Honeymoon

Ceremony
• Officiant
• Ceremony Venue (Marriage Counselor-Religious ceremony)
• Florist/Designer-Facility, bridal party bouquets, boutonnieres
• Photographer
• Videographer
• Entertainment (Soloist, Vocalist, Readers, Harpist)
• Accessories (FG baskets, RB pillow, aisle runner, unity candle, etc)
• Transportation for couple (to reception facility)
• Transportation for BP
• Transportation/Shuttle for OOT Guests
• Stationary Designer- Programs

Reception
• Venue including Banquet Manager/Maitre’ D/Banquet Staff
• Florist/Designer
• Linen Company
• Rental Company (chairs/ décor items)
• Favor Company
• Baker
• Photographer
• Videographer
• Entertainment-cocktail hour (if applicable)/Reception
• Transportation (from facility)

and the list goes on and on and on.

Coordinating all of your wedding Vendors can be quite the challenge so make sure that if you haven't hired a professional Wedding Coordinator, you have communicated all of your needs and special requests to ALL of the individuals involved in your special day.