Guest Blogger: Nathaniel Neubauer, owner of Contemporary Catering
Nathaniel’s mom says it best: “When Nathaniel was turning three, I asked him what he wanted for his third birthday. He said, ‘Quiche.’” Ever since, Nathaniel’s love for food has never been far from reach. With his presence, Contemporary Catering quickly became a major contender in the Los Angeles catering industry. From overseeing production to designing a nine-course tasting menu with five-star service, Nathaniel’s dedication to his clients and his company is unparalleled.
 

While it’s a tradition to have that jaw-dropping wedding cake, times have changed! Sometimes we even wonder, “Who needs a wedding cake anymore?!” Lucky, for couples who don’t want to go through the cake selection process, serving an assortment of mini desserts is definitely trending.

The best part is that you can really personalize your offerings. We suggest taking family recipes from both sides and making miniature desserts in larger quantities. Recently, we had a bride who really loved pie, so we handmade a three-tiered “wedding pie” by using 20”, 18”, and 16” pies! 

On my wedding day, I want to not only look stunning, but also express my fun personality through my hair and makeup. Knowing how important these beauty decisions would be, I started the process early on, and did a few things that made all the difference.

First, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that many salons will offer to do a free or discounted trial for brides—all you have to do is ask. They explained that it's worth the effort on their part because they book more brides (and even bridal parties) this way. I made an appointment with Salon Trisse in Dyer, Indiana, which came highly recommended by our venue.

I loved all of the different looks so much that the girls at the salon offered to come to my wedding to switch up my hair and makeup throughout my wedding day! Gretchen, the makeup artist, suggested doing softer makeup for the ceremony, moderate makeup for the reception, and an even more dramatic look to cap off the night. Also, knowing that they'll be there to help me with touch-ups is very comforting. 

This is what we came up with—which look is your favorite?

Look #1 Soft Curl with Tiara and Subtle Makeup

This demure, romantic look consisted of light eye makeup with rosy lipstick and bronzer.

Valentine's Day marks the only day of the year when couples can marry atop the Empire State Building. Following Preston Bailey's own nuptials at the stroke of midnight, the event planner transformed the space for three lucky couples, who were selected from couples around the country who submitted their love stories to the NYC landmark building.

The ceremonies, held at 9 a.m, 10 a.m, and 11 a.m. yesterday, each had their own unique style. "I have always been inspired by Mother Nature and the way she changes her designs throughout the year. I wanted to give each couple the chance to marry surrounded by the unique beauty of their favorite season without any limitations," said Preston.

Laurie Ann Phillips and Daniel Rosenthal of Washington, DC
Both single parents, the pair met on a blind date and instantly hit it off, bonding over their young children. "There was a magic about our connection that no one — not us, nor the friend who set us up — ever could have predicted," Laurie Ann told Preston. After deciding to tie the knot, they took an nontraditional approach and purchased a house together in lieu of an engagement ring. Their ceremony had a winter wonderland theme, followed by a spring reception.

Happy Valentine's Day! What could be more perfect for a day dedicated to love than a wedding? Candy heart photo props, a vibrant pink and orange color palette, and whimsical paper heart garlands are just a few of our favorite aspects of this romantic inspiration shoot. 

Guest blogger: Scratch Weddings, the nation's leading provider of highly skilled, experienced, and affordable marquee-level DJ talent for weddings.

Photo Credit: Muriel Silva Photography

Your first dance is one of the sweetest and most sentimental moments of the wedding day — and the perfect moment begins with the perfect song. Here, we've pulled together the most romantic song choices for every mood.

Classic:
► “Unforgettable” – Nat King Cole
► “You Belong To Me” – Dean Martin
► “At Last” – Etta James
► “Once in My Life” - Stevie Wonder
► “Into the Mystic” – Van Morrison
► “Your Song” – Elton John