Music Monday | "1+1" by Beyonce

Today's Music Monday Choice is: "1+1" by Beyonce http://youtu.be/KaasJ44O5lI

We are all adults here. We all know that every bride and groom looks forward to their honeymoon night. Save this song for your last dance to set the mood. One + One = Two. Just remember to keep the dance Cute & Classy, especially if you have children on the guest list.

Fab Finds Friday | Sitting Down With Class

www.greathireusa.com

Yesterday I stumbled upon fabulous furniture by the Great Hire USA. If you are looking for a change in scenery for your next event, chairs from this furniture rental company is the way to go. Your guest will be sitting down with class; no chair covers, no sashes, just fabulous furniture uncovered. You can see why the Great Hire USA strives to make every event "... stand out in a class of it’s own."  

Lucky for our Floridian clientele this, dedicated to class, company is based in Miami, Florida. We are excited to partner with the Great Hire USA furniture rental company.  Your next event will stand out on it's own with fab furniture; creating Another Cute & Classy Event.

Fabulous Furniture Hire

Music Monday | The Time is Now by Midge McDaniel

Today's Music Monday Choice is: "The Time Is Now "The Anthem of Success" " by Midge McDaniel


Graduating Class of 2012, please take a bow!  This moment is yours, congratulations.  In honor of your accomplishments the ACCE team dedicates this song to you. Stand tall, be proud.  A job well done. Graduating is a level of success that no one can take away from you.

Wednesday Weddings 2.0 | What is Weddings 2.0

Weddings 2.0, what is it you ask?  I did a Google search and did not come up with a concrete answer. So, I figured I would search the next logical subject matter; Web 2.0.  Web 2.0 according to Wikipedia is "a loosely defined intersection of web application features that facilitate participatory information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design,^[1] and collaboration on the World Wide Web."  Okay, I get it now.  Yeah right, not even!  The key things to understanding Web 2.0 are applications, social media, web based interactions and information sharing.  So now let's define Weddings; months and months of planning, coordinating with family, creating budgets, sending out invitations, gifts, ceremonial witnesses and traditions. Tie the two together; it is utilizing technology to assist in completing a task that pertains to your wedding or wedding plans.

Weddings 2.0, in my opinion, is utilizing technology to assist in completing a task that pertains to your wedding and or wedding plans. 

Many Brides are using Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Skype and FaceTime to help make the planning process of their wedding less stressful. Brides are using FaceTime to hold bridal party meetings, shopping events, and vendor appointments. Having a wedding shower, use Facebook to send your invitations.  Pinterest comes in very handy if you see an idea on the web that you like; you just "PIN IT" to a virtual board. The cutest thing I've seen so far is the changing of the status ceremony, during the wedding ceremony. See the video below. Honestly, I think they did it in a very cute and classy fashion.

http://youtu.be/VSkT5XykJzo

For Brides that have a guest list of not so social-media guest, use just web. If you are really tech savvy or you are willing to pay someone, get a wedding website.  Sites like: The Knot, Wedding Paper Diva, and Wedding Wire offer wedding websites.  For my clients that want to display their personality and do not have time, we build and manage their wedding websites. Personally speaking, I think doing a wedding website is the way to go!  A wedding website allows your guest to interact, learn and share ideas with you and your groom. What better way to let your guest know that you care about them, and not just them showing up to your wedding to bare gifts. 

Cute ideas: allow guest to vote on songs for your song list,  tell a story about how you and your husband to be met, or allow those that cannot attend leave warm wishes on a comments page.

Trendy Tuesday | Ceiling Decor

Photo: Our Labor of Love

We've seen from fabric drapings to strings of lights; helium balloons to paper lanterns.  But what about hanging your centerpieces from the ceiling.  This is an exotic trend that will absolutely "WOW" your guest.  Instead of having your vases placed in the middle of the table, hang them where ever you can.  But please hire a professional.  This is no easy task!

This upside down yellow tulip centerpiece was used for a wedding in Atlanta by Bold American Events & Catering. It is an absolutely breath taking idea. This concept is not limited to wedding receptions. You can find similar glass globes on save-on-crafts.com; westelm.com or potterybarn.com. With an idea like this you are bound to have Another Cute & Classy Event.

Tradition Thursday | West Indian Wedding.. Black Cake is a Must!

Photo: Tony Cenicola / The New York Times

The Black Cake or rum cake is traditionally served during the Christmas season and a must have at any traditional West Indian / Caribbean wedding. The "Black Cake" derived from the English Plum Pudding. It is made with dried fruits (soaked in wine or rum from 2 weeks to a year), flour, brown sugar, butter, and eggs. Some islands also add an ingredient called "browning". In some families the receipt is handed down from mother to daughter for generations to come. People say black cake is to American fruit cake, like dark chocolate is to milk chocolate.  But it's not! It just does not compare.

Traditionally during the cake cutting the bride and groom refrains from cutting the top of the cake.  That's because the tradition of the black cake continues into the next year. The top of the black cake is saved and stored away in the freezer for the bride's and groom's first year anniversary. Isn't that just the sweetest thing you have ever heard! Reliving the moment all over again with an "Irie" feeling too. The cake is heavily soaked in rum, which acts as a preservative.  So it is safe to consume the cake many months later. 

Cake by: Caribbean Cake Connoisseurs

Today, modern island brides have strayed away from tradition because of the limitations in decorating the black cake.  Traditionally the icing of the black cake is a hard white sugary covering, made from confectioner sugar. But there is an alternative to this problem.  Yes, you can have your "Black Cake" and eat it too, in a cute and classy way.  It is called fondant. I know it alters the tradition.  But I think it is better to have a part of the tradition then no part of the tradition. You can order an already baked cake from a company like Caribbean Cake Connoisseurs, find a local confectionist or bakery that is willing to decorate your already baked cake and viola, problem solved. Another cute and classy event is created. 

Photo Credit: blog.islandbridejamaica.com

Helpful tip: I recommend finding the confectionist first.
Disclaimer: Another Cute and Classy Event is not endorsing any companies or organizations mentioned or linked in this blog post.

Music Monday | "We Found Love", Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris

Today's Music Monday Choice is: "We Found Love", Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris

Break Tradition! Who said your first song has to be slow song? Start the reception out with "We Found Love" and your guest will be ready to dance all night long. Just remember it may be hard to get them off the dance floor to cut the cake.

YouTube: Uploaded by lyriczgo on Dec 6, 2011

Trendy Tuesday | The Photo Booth Alternative

Do you want to have a photo booth at your wedding?  But you don't want to have what "they" had, same boring black box with a chair. Well don't! Instead Rock the Drops. Rock the Drops has cute and classy back drops that you can use at your Wedding or next cute and classy event. Even better, place a custom order to coordinate with your theme.  My personal favorite is from the Damask collection, the Annabella. Take a look for yourself and tell me what you think . 

http://www.rockthedrops.com/productdetails.aspx?id=66 

Talk to your photographer and work out a deal to have Polaroids taken of your guest in front of the back drop. You can set up props like a love seat, stool, table, floor vase and or chandelier to add more dimension to the photo. You can have the back drop set up in an unused corner of the reception room.  OR maybe there is a wall that has a dent that only you can see; this is a perfect opportunity to cover it up.  Your photographer can take individual photos of the guest or group pics.  If you opt for individual photos, ask the photographer to take two (2).  One for you and one for your guest. Either way, whatever you choose, you will have a photo booth alternative that "they" did not have at their wedding. 

Trendy Tuesdays | Balloon Drops are Back & Popping

So, it's New Year's Eve 2011 and everyone was watching the clock waiting for the countdown;  "5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 Happy New Year!"  Balloons were falling, confetti strips were flying everywhere and horns were blowing non-stop.  Everyone was jumping and filled with excitement.  It's a party, why not!  The best event of both years: the end of one and the beginning of another. But now you have to wait another 12 months to feel that excitement all over again. Actually you do not have to wait. Who said that the Balloon Drops are only for New Year's Eve parties?  

Spice up your daughter's Sweet 16 party, set up an amazing Wedding Reception departure, or get it on and popping for your Company Sales / Marketing event.  Which ever event you choose to have and use the Balloon Drops your guest will leave with an amazing air filled adrenaline rush.  You can never go wrong with balloons if you remember two important things: it must be cute and keep it classy.  You are bound to have the time of your life and create a Cute & Classy Event.

Director of Marketing at Exhilarate, Michelle Bergstein, reported in her recent post “The next generation of WOW in balloon drops are exploding balloon drops- within each balloon, are a myriad of colorful ribbons and confetti that immediately burst on cue! What a new and creative way to make your event pop!” It is definitely not new but it is very creative.  Watch the video below I found on YouTube to give you an idea. 

Give-a-Way | My Baby Valentine

In celebration of Valentine's Day, Another Cute & Classy Event would like to Give-A-Way two diapers cakes: 1 for a boy and 1 for a girl.  While many people celebrate the day with husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, or domestic partners; I choose to celebrate the day with my baby girl.  She is not a diaper wearing "baby", but she will always be Momma's baby.  She is My Baby Valentine.  I loved her then, I love her now, I will love her always.  Chrissy you are My Baby Valentine, Mommy Loves You!

Here is a picture of the "it's a girl" diaper cake.  

        Each diaper cake will have the following items:

                  10 - size 1 Huggies Brand diapers
                  18 - size 2 Huggies Brand diapers
                    1 - Stuff animal

They say nothing in life is for "free".  I agree!  Why? Because I expect something in return.  To enter to win 1 of the 2 diaper cakes you will need to follow the instructions below.  This is a limited time offer. See the terms and conditions for details. This is what you will need to do!

1. Visit our Facebook Fan Page and "LIKE" our page.
• If you are already a fan,  refer a friend and tell them to put in the message section "I Like you because ....(have them insert the email address you used for the form) Like's you!"; to meet the first requirement.  Your referred friend MUST include the statement in order for you to get credit for requirement 1. 
2. Fill out the Contact Us form on our Facebook Fan Page. This will be your entry ticket for the drawing.
• If you are already a fan still complete the contact us form.
• If you are a new fan still complete the contact us form.
3. In the Message section on the contact form type "it's a boy" if you want to enter for the boy diaper cake or type "it's a girl" if you want to enter for the girl diaper cake.

Entries must be in by Wednesday, February 8, 2012 11:59 PM EST.  One entry per person, household, email address or mailing address. All entrants must be 18 years or older.  The drawing will take place using random.org. Two entrants will win.  The winner will be announced Thursday, February 9, 2012 by 8:00 PM EST. Packages will be mailed Friday, February 10, 2012.  Details will be sent to the individual winner(s).

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Define Yourself | What kind of Hostess are you?

Today, I decided to dust off one of my old party planning books. Well, stuck in the middle of the book were my notes on, "types of hostesses".  Just in case you are new to party planning, here is the definition for hostess (in relation to parties).  As defined by Merriam Webster dictionary, a hostess is a woman who entertains socially. Diane Warner explains that there are three types of hostesses: "natural, reluctant, and willing".

1. Natural Hostess ~ Can organize a party effortlessly. She is gifted with the art of hospitality and loves to entertain.  She can plan a cute and classy event for any type of celebration.
2. Reluctant Hostess ~ Has her had full and overwhelmed by the schedule in her everyday life. She frowns at the idea of hosting a party. She does not need another thing to add to her already demanding list of things to do.
3. Willing Hostess ~ Enjoys social gatherings and is willing to help in anyway possible.  Even it if means she will need to host the party herself.  She knows her limits, not afraid to seek help when necessary and plans accordingly.

There is an art and science to hosting Cute and Classy Events.  A natural hostess balances between her creative imagination and a systematic approach.  She is skillful in producing an aesthetically pleasing environment. She can transform a feather into a peacock paradise; when other's only see a "feather."  She will tactfully manage an event in such a way that it appears easy.  

Meanwhile, the willing hostess has hosting a party down to a science.  She has the knowledge or will seek the knowledge on how to host the event. She is skilled in time management, budgeting, and details.  She can envision the end result but may not know how to create the end product.  Example:  Molly is having her 30th birthday party.  She wants a beautiful one of a kind glamour cake. She can describe it, however she does not know how to bake or decorate the cake.

Last but not the least we have the reluctant hostess.  She just needs to right a check, send out invitations and show up to a venue that provides a host.  After all she is a realist.  She knows she cannot handle another thing on her plate.

I am a Naturalwilling hostess!  I know I cheated, I gave you three and made up the 4th one.  I must admit I am in between the two.  I love finding new ideas and implementing similar concepts and top it all off with my management skills.  

Now your turn!  What kind of hostess are you?

Ombre! not Humbre. What do you think?

This weeks inspiration boards featured Ombre!  Funny enough I have a friend that asked,  "isn't that a spanish word for friend".  The spanish word he was referring to is 'humbre'. Ombre is a color effect. It refers to the gradual change in shade from light to dark.  I told him if he continues to follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our blog, before his wedding; he will be the smartest future groom by the time he is ready to jump the broom.  You will too! Be the smartest that is...you are already smart just because you stopped by.  So without further ado....

OMBRE!

Tell us what do you think about ombre. Which one do you like?  

Enter to WIN a $25.00 Michael's Gift card.  Entries must be in by Friday, January 27, 2012 11:59 PM EST.  One entry per person, household, email address or mailing address. All entrants must be 18 years or older.  Each entrant will be assigned a random number generated by random.org. One entrant will win.  The winner will be announced Monday, January 30, 2012 at 8:00 AM EST.

A.) Something Blue

B.) Reveal your Darkside

C.) Casual Chic beachside

D.) Graceful Green

E.)  Purple Passion

It's Voting Time! Turquoise in Four Different Inspirations.

With the spring season around the corner, I thought it would be fun to post inspiration boards for my Facebook followers. The main color was turquoise exhibited in four different ways.  I must say it was a little time consuming but worth every minute.  My favorite(s), if I can pick two, are "I Love Lucy" remembers "Happy Days" and Whimsical Alice in Wonderland.  Which one(s) do you like?  Leave your responses in comments.

1.)

I Love Lucy (a)  ^

 2.)

Tiffany's Glam ^

 3.)

Dinner @ Tiffany's ^

 4.)

Tiffany's Blue

 5.)

Whimsical Alice in Wonderland (a)

 6.)

Whimsical Alice in Wonderland (b)

 7.)

Tiffany's meets Godiva (a)

 8.)

Tiffany's meets Godiva (2)

 9.)

I Love Lucy (b)

I hope you enjoyed them!

ACCE Color Challenge | 365 days of Inspiration!

True Colors by Melissa Ayr

Happy New Year to you!  I am so excited to share the  ACCE (Another Cute & Classy Event) Color Challenge with you this year.  I know I am starting a little early. I am not a procrastinator but I am no early bird either. So this is truly going to be a challenge.  With this year's color challenge you can expect to find 3 color combinations posted 6:00 AM EST, on the Another Cute & Classy Event  fan page, 5 days a week: Monday - Friday. My goal is to inspire you, my Cute & Classy follower; with trendy, vibrant, cute and classy colors for your next Cute & Classy Event.

Take a peek on Facebook for a preview of today's sample inspiration board. Please feel free to leave a comment and inspire me with 3 of your favorite colors.  I am looking forward to seeing your ideas.