Welcome to the first edition of The IowaBride.com Bouquet. We're sending this out all over the world and we look forward to hearing back from you.
We've got a lot of information and fun in this weeks letter. Be sure to check out our featured couple and read all the way to the end for a surprise!
What you'll Find in this weeks Bouquet!
1. Treat yourself to a great overnight at an Iowa Bed and Breakfast 2. Nik Nak Designs will make your wedding Unique! 3. Tips on hiring a great Videographer 4. Proclaim You are the bride and "It's all about You!" 5. Meet our Featured Couple Jennifer and Chistopher 6. Got a Question about your wedding? Ask an Expert! 7. Answer the IowaBride.com Bridal Poll! 8. Do you have a life outside the wedding planning? Of course you do! 9. We've got a GREAT WEEKLY PRIZE for this weeks drawing! 10. Looking for a Wedding Show? We've got several lined up for the year!
The Iowa Bed and Breakfast Guild
Treat and pamper yourself on your wedding night!
Iowa Bed and Breakfast Accommodations are comfortable, convenient and safe. They range in style from historic properties to farmhouses to newly constructed homes, and are located from border to border--in large cities and in small towns, in the rural countryside and overlooking the great Mississippi River. While varied in design and location, all Iowa B&Bs graciously welcome their guests to comfortable surroundings and delicious breakfasts
If you're looking for a wedding night stay away from the wedding reception you deserver to pamper yourself at one of our member's Bed and Breakfast Homes!
Remember, if you've got guests coming to town or to say "Thank You" to the parents for all they've done, buying a stay at a Bed and Breakfast is a wonderful gift!
Looking for Unique! Nik Nak Design will set your wedding apart
What is the name of your company? NikNak Design : Custom Invitations, Announcements, & Accessories.
How long have you been in the industry? 2 years as an actual company, 7 years as a graphic designer
Who are the principals of the company? Nicole Teut.
Any background or personal info you want to share with our audience about yourself? I graduated with a BFA in graphic design and is a full- time art director for an agency in Des Moines. I live in Clive with my husband of 4 years and Macy, my freaky black cat.
What is the favorite part of your job? Always something fresh and new. NikNak Design works with the brides to come up with invitations that fits the style and personality of their wedding. It's so fun to see how the trends change and to watch what's "in" with different colors, papers and styles.
What is your companies specialty? Graphic Design and Envelopments. We're a dealer for Envelopments so the great formats such as the pocketfolds and envelopments in all of the gorgeous papers come from them. They're wildly popular on the coasts and in large cities and I'm getting more and more requests for them in Iowa. I provides the unique design of each piece through graphic design elements such as fonts, monograms, flourishes, etc
What is the best "hidden secret" people would be surprised your company offers? I don't know if it's hidden, but people might not realize how involved they can get in designing their own invite. NikNak Design works right with the brides to pick out their formats, colors, fonts and everything. We have some brides who have definite opinions and visions for what they want, but then others who are open to ideas and just want to see what I can come up with. It all comes down to what the bride wants, so they can be as involved as much or as little as they want.
What sets you apart from your competition? The graphic design background. There are many places that offer Envelopments or products like Envelopments but these products really are only a format and a tool. It's helpful to have a designer who can envision what tone and look you want to set for your occasion. Incorporating that into a custom finished piece is the goal everytime.
What Expert advice do you have for a couple planning their wedding? Don't forget why you're doing this! So many people get caught up in the overwhelming stress of planning. Enjoy it as much as you can. Have fun with it. That specal day goes by so fast so make sure you don't lose sight of why you've having it in the first place.
Any other thoughts about your company we didn't ask or should know? NikNak Design can also provide all of the coordinated elements such as save-the-dates, shower invites, programs, favor tags, thank you cards, place cards, menus, Carlson Craft Accessories and the Something Different line, etc. And since Do- It-Yourself (DIY) is so huge right now, we sell Envelopments products so that you can do your own invitations and wedding elements. Or have us do you invitations and you can buy supplies to make the other coordinated pieces. NikNak Design can be as involved as much as you like and we're always willing to help with ideas.
NikNak Design takes evening and weekend appointments out of a home studio. I work with brides all over the United States and can do all the work through mail and e-mail. Contact me with any questions or to set up a consultation. NikNak Design 14523 Summit Drive Clive, IA 50325
Want to see some of Nicole's work? She has created the great designs for the IowaBride.com Fun shop. Read about it a little further in the newsletter!
Tips to Hiring a Great Videographer
by Brandon Benson - Double B Productions
Why videography is important and why it should be a part of your wedding: While a photographer is a must for any wedding, a videographer is just as important!
It's not staged. It's real. What you remember about your wedding day is going to the sights, sounds, the motion and emotion that goes along with. These things can't all be captured in photographs. A video will capture all of these things at once.
Your wedding day will be busy! You won't see everything that goes on. Nor can your photographer capture everything going on. Nor can a videographer. But we sure can capture sights and sounds that you'll miss. We greatly increase the coverage of your day and add to those memories you'll cherish for years to come.
"Uncle Earl can video tape the wedding, why should we pay for it?" While we're sure Uncle Earl has good intentions and he might be a good videographer, but it is your wedding. Do you really want Uncle Earl's commentary on tape for years and years to come? Is that what you want to remember about your day? A trained wedding videographer has the attention and experience to capture the important and special moments of your day - it's not personal preference. And it's all done in a professional manner.
Today's videography is much different than the past. No bulky equipment. No getting in the way of your wedding, wedding party, guests, or photographer. The latest technology allows us not to be intrusive and film a high quality product.
Strengthen your marriage. Your video isn't just something hanging on the wall you'll look at daily. Maybe you'll only watch it once or twice a year. But consider having it and not watching it....as opposed to not having it and wanting to watch it. You'll always have those memories to relive with your spouse for years and years to come.
Legacy. Imagine your children and grandchildren. One day they might come across your wedding video. Just think of the treasure they will have found and the enjoyment the whole family can have in viewing your wedding video that took place long ago.
Memories + Music + Magic + Motion = Emotion Our Formula for Happiness: What will you remember on your wedding day? The emotions. The sights and sounds. That is what we capture at Double B Productions. It’s our 4M Principle that gives you a treasure to relive over and over for years to come. It’s our formula for the perfect wedding video. MemoriesPreserve every moment of your day for both of you, and generations in your family yet to come.
Musicalong with the sights, it’s the sounds that make your day unique. Relive the laughter, tears and joy from that day for the rest of your lives as you make your own music together.
Magic Every couple has their own story, their own style. We work with you to reflect that magic in your video! Motion. Life doesn’t stand still...it’s always moving. along with your pictures, a wedding video is a must have. We capture the moments that will move you and your loved ones forever!
EmotionAdd it all up and we promise emotion is what you will get. The happiness, joy and love of your day preserved forever The way you deserve it.
Get Cool Stuff ONLY YOU will have like... BRIDE: It's All About Me!
The IowaBride.com Fun Shop features quality apparel and fun items that make great gifts for your wedding party or just a neat way to say "Hey, I'm the Bride" Check out our exclusive "Trophy Wife" stuff too! Huge assortment of styles, colors and products!
Did you know that Nicole from Nik Nak Designs has created some of the coolest designs exclusively for our brides? It's true and you should snap up a couple of goodies today!
Iowa Boy, Nebraska Girl! Love blooms at an Omaha Garden Show!
Hey Happy Couple! Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Thank you so much for using IowaBride.com for planning your wedding!
Where are you from?Originally Chris is from Red Oak, Iowa and I am from Stuart, Nebraska. We now live in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
How did you meet?We actually met online...American Singles...yes it actually works!
Tell us about your proposal story? Well, on our first date we decided to go to the Home & Garden expo at the Qwest Center in Omaha, since we're home improvement nuts. He wasn't quite familiar with the Qwest parking and ended up parking in a lot under the via-duct about 4 or 5 long blocks away....needless to say it was snowy and quite chilly, but I didn't say anthing. When he finally realized how far the Qwest Center was, he offered to drive me closer, but I insisted that I was fine with walking...haha. So we trudged to and from the Qwest Center....by the time we reached the car so he could drive me home we were frozen solid. I could tell he was embarrassed and I wanted to let him know I didn't mind and I had a great time so I leaned over and we had our first kiss.
One year and ten months later he proposed in that same parking lot where we shared our first kiss.....also a snowy and quite chilly night. He walked into the middle of the parking lot and got down on one knee....when all of a sudden the cars in the parking lot all turned their headlights on us and started honking. Much to my surprise...he had my family, his family, and our friends all there to witness the event....he had also given each one a rose to give to me as they gave me a congratulatory hug. We all decided to continue the celebration in the warmth of the nearest Village Inn with coffee & pie.
When is the wedding?September 30, 2006
What is the best part of planning your wedding?The best part of planning the wedding is all the time I get to share with my family and friends.
What is the worst part of planning your wedding?Thinking about the cost.
Any secret wedding tips to pass along? Don't do it alone...it's too much work to try to do it yourself.....ask for help!!
Where do you work?Chris works at Schemmer & Associates as a GIS Planner and I work at Clearview Pet Care Centre as a Pet Stylist.
When you started your wedding planning did you have a budget in mind?We were thinking we could get by with $5,000.00.
Are you able to stay within it?We didn't realize exactly how costly this would be, but we're still trying to keep costs down.
Tell us about your wedding.Our theme is Calla Lillies and our colors are periwinkle and silver. We chose periwinkle because when we were getting to know each, other in the biginning of our relationship, Chris asked me what my favorite color was and I said electric blue he said " like periwinkle". Well, I had no idea what periwinkle was, so for my birthday he had bought a box of crayons and pulled out the color "periwinkle" just so I could actually see what it was thus the periwinkle was chosen for our wedding.
Where is it going to be? The wedding will be in Omaha. Chris has 4 groomsmen and I have 4 bridesmaids....Chris's son and my son will be the ring bearers and my neice will be flowergirl.
Quiet dinner or loud party?Hoping to have a great reception in Bennington, Nebraska at the Cabana Ballroom...but I'm sure it will turn into a LOUD party!!!
Who is going to walk you down the aisle? My daddy.
Brides: Would you like to be featured here? Send a note to Dan@IowaBride.com and let him know you would like to be a featured couple. He will send the information you need to become one of our couples!
Share your fun with our community!
Ask the Expert
Colors? Time of Year? Weird Cousin Eddie? We've got the answers
Got a pressing dilemma? We'll pass it along to one of our experts and send you an e-mail. We'll also publish the question in a future newsletter! Fill out your question here!
I'm looking for a thick, tall, white arch way that is tall pillars and they should have single white pillars to go with it, I need to know what rental place would have something like this- please let me know who you would know who would have something like that- Lisa T.
Lisa. Call our vendor A to Z Rental in the Central Iowa Area or AreoRental in Eastern Iowa. Also be sure to ask your facility if they may have something like this. A lot of reception halls have decorations etc that they will loan to their customers.
The IowaBride.com Bride-to-be Poll
Let's have some fun and hear from our Brides!
Does it matter how much money you spend on your wedding? It's a once in a lifetime event isn't it?
Send us your thoughts and we'll publish them in the next newsletter! Send your comments to us at the e-mail below! email: dan@iowabride.com
Life Outside The Planning!
Planning your wedding consumes A LOT of your time, you also have a life outside the planning. This business can help you make the next transition in life!
Take it from Dan Maiers Your Real Estate Professional! We're in a super time to purchase a home. Rates are great and there are a lot of homes on the market. It's a buyers market! Did you know that purchasing prior to your wedding may be a smart thing to do? That is because your financial situation will change once you're married. You assume each others debt's and credit. If you're thinking of purchasing a home together within a year or so, you may check into if now is a better time! Fill out your Dream Home information and I will place you on an e-mail list that sends listings each time your Dream Home becomes available. You don't have to buy or even look but it's kind of fun to see what your home can be for the money you want to spend and a great way to keep an eye on the market!
WEEKLY PRIZE DRAWING
Great Prizes and Gifts from our Great Wedding Vendors!
For our Debut IowaBride.com Bouquet Newsletter We've got a Truly BLING-BLING of a Prize.
Noel Fiscus Jewelry and Design is a premier jewely store in central Iowa. Noel has wonderful custom designs created by him right in his store. From beautiful wedding rings to watches and jewelry, we're sure you'll find something to treat yourself to with this week's prize!
We'll randomly draw from all the entries received in our e-mail box by Midnight Friday, February 3, 2006. Then, watch next week's Bouquet for the winner! There is no purchase necessary. Please only enter once so our mailbox doesn't get overloaded! Good luck!
Send an e-mail to the link below Dan@IowaBride.com please put WEEK 1 PRIZE DRAWING in the subject line
Dream Series: Wedding
Our Wedding Shows are a Dream
We've got several wonderful Bridal Shows lined up for 2006.
Our Bridal Shows are a unique experience. We have the Dream Series shows at one of our vendor,s facilities so you are able to see what they offer. We feature 25 to 30 vendors in a casual, elegant atmosphere.
We also have our shows for 2 to 3 hours after 5:00 at night. They are designed so you and a friend can take your time to visit with the vendors in a relaxed atmosphere. You can actually take some time to learn what the vendor offers.
Join us at our next Dream Series show. You'll see the difference.
Upcoming shows.
Sunday March 26th, 2 p.m. Cedar Falls Iowa!
IowaBride.com Dream Series Wedding presents: BLISS Come preview some of the season’s best wedding ideas as well as visiting with area premier wedding vendors.
The Cedar Falls Woman’s Club House, 304 Clay Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa Free Admission, Door Prizes, Tasty treats and Cash Bar. Bring a friend and enjoy a great afternoon planning your wedding!
Thursday, April 20thIowaBride.com Dream Series Wedding presents: DREAM Our grandest and most spectacular Bridal Event ever! You don't want to miss this beautiful show featuring the elegant Temple for Performing Arts Building in downtown Des Moines! Click on the link below to register for your free tickets! You must have a ticket to attend the event.
