Ladies and Gents …

I am getting ready to show you an AMAZING magazine cover {and not just because it is ours, but because it is GORGEOUS} …

Now, our magazine will be hitting newsstands state wide right around December 28th, but I can’t keep the cover a secret anymore {plus, you will be seeing billboards all over central kentucky this week with the cover} …

So, without further ado …

Don’t you just LOVE it?  Oh how we hope that you love it as much as we do …

As you can see, we have “revamped” our whole image, masthead, folio, everything … it’s a brand new look!  Our new design feel and goal is … MODERN VINTAGE.

I will be posting random photos and quotes from the Winter 2010 issue to get you as excited as we are to “unveil” this new issue, new design, new feel and of course new trends, dresses, and articles … so stay tuned.

simply celebrating …

We are so EXCITED to show off our new logos …

As with any company, we are always trying to BRAND ourselves, but stay current with trends while maintaining our timeless feel.

We will always have our “jacki green” as it’s been come to be known as {in fact, in our new offices, there is one wall in each room that is our “jacki green” … it is quite stunning when you see it in person}.  We also have kept our “jacki font” … BUT what we’ve updated is that we are now “jacki and jaimeson, wedding and event planners”.  You will also see a change in the Kentucky Bride Bridal Show logo – to become more streamlined with our Kentucky Bride Magazine logo.

First up – our black & white logo …

Next up – our lovely “jacki green” logos …

 Since we updated our logos, we’ve also updated all of our stationary … which we’re pretty happy with!  You will be seeing our new business cards, letterhead and thank you notes starting today … so look for the GREEN.

celebrating new logos …

Napkins … now most people will think – what’s the big deal?  Well, if you’ve ever seen photos of a beautiful event – an event that you know took thousands of dollars to put together – and everything’s in place … gorgeous linens, lush flowers, lots of votives to give that perfect candlelit glow, they paid extra for the chivari chairs, and more … then you see it … the dreaded triangle, tipi napkin fold that is in every restaurant across the nation.  What does this really say about the reception? 

So, to stop the triangle madness … we have created a short “film” on three napkin folds that are easy to do and will bring that special touch to your event. 

Before watching this video, I would like to give a small disclaimer:

* this is our first attempt to make a “how to” video – or any video for that matter – so please be kind …

* the camera really DOES add 10 pounds  {uh oh – gym here i come}

So, without further ado …

We hope that this was useful for you or someone you may know.  We would love to see or hear about Napkin folds that you like or you have done.  {we love photos, so please send to jaime@jackiallen.com}

celebrating new napkin styles …

So many blogs have the “ABC’s of weddings”.  Well, we are doing the “ABC’s of a KENTUCKY wedding” because we love the bluegrass and there is so many ways to incorporate the state into your wedding.  Let’s get started….

A…  Ale-8-One. Have the soft drink that is made in Winchester, Kentucky as an option for your guest. 

B…  Bourbon. Enough said.

C…  Call to Post. Hire the official bugler from Churchill Downs or Keeneland to come and kick the evening off.

D…  Details. Southerners notice things. Have details and you will surely be the talk of town.

E…  Eyes. All eyes are on you because it’s your day to shine!  Seize the moment.

F…  Friends and Family. Enjoy the time with friends and family. Let them know you appreciate their presence.

G…  Goldenrod. Throw the state flower in your bouquets or centerpieces.

H…  Horses. Take a picture by them, make your grand entrance on one, whatever it is … nothing says  
                       ”Kentucky Wedding” like a bride and a horse in a photo.

I…  ”I Do.” Say it loud and proud. Let Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana and Mississippi hear you!

J…  Julep Cups.  These are great to serve a cocktail in or to use as centerpieces for cocktail tables.  They instantly make you think of the mint julep … maybe that could be your signature drink?!

K…  Kentucky’s Beauty.  Take advantage of the rolling hills and scenery that Kentucky offers.

L…  Luck. Give your guests a horseshoe to wish them luck.  Make sure you attach the old tale of how a horseshoe brings luck.

M…  Mason Jars. Use them as centerpieces or glasses and it screams “southern.”

N…  Never forgot your southern hospitality. Greet guest to your wedding with a welcome bag and fill it with things they will use over the weekend.

O… Old Kentucky Chocolate. Offer guest a taste of Kentucky with these local sweets.

P…  Passed hors d’oeuvres.  Have mini hot browns or bite size country ham and biscuits!

Q…  Quiet Time.  Make time with you and your future hubby during the week of the wedding to just relax and TRY to not talk about wedding plans.

R…  Remember something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

S…  Sweet Tea. Offer your guests a refreshing glass of sweet tea especially if the wedding is outside and hot.

T…  Thank you notes.  Southerners believe in hand-written thank you notes. It’s very personal!

U… UK/UL Football and Basketball.  Plan your events around these games, especially if they are playing each other.

V… Venue- Check out Kentucky Bride Magazine in January for unique wedding venues around the state.

W…  Weather- Look at a Farmer’s Almanac for weather forecast. We believe in it!!!

Y…  Your “old stomping grounds” may be the perfect place for your wedding.

Z…  zzzzzzzz. Get plenty of sleep and rest up for the big day! enjoy!

And one more,

L…  Let us hear your ways to include the bluegrass in a wedding.

celebrating Kentucky Weddings …

sara lain for

Do you remember in the movie, Sweet Home Alabama, when Melanie (Nashville native-Reese Witherspoon) was blindfolded and led into Tiffany’s … then the lights came on and she got proposed to?  She was told to pick ANY engagement ring that she wanted!  Could you imagine!?!

I have a hard time believing that there is no blog post in our archives about Tiffany& Co.  As a little girl dreams of her wedding she might envision a “little blue box“.  Oh the joys of childhood … at that age you don’t know the price tag inside of the box.  Who said you had to get your engagement ring there?  NOT US!  However a little blue box would be nice.  Tiffany & Co. has a great selection of silver jewelry and there is a ring that is soooo sweet {and not too costly considering it comes from Tiffany’s}.   A perfect gift from the groom to the bride…

I just love this ring … this is the perfect “love note…”

celebrating Tiffany’s …

sara lain for

Have you been to etsy.com?  We, at jacki allen’s kentucky bride, think that etsy is GREAT!  They have their own wedding category that has over 2,000 pages of homemade or vintage wedding accessories … invitations, garters, gifts for the couple, gifts for the wedding party and much more!  While looking at etsy, I have found some things that I must show you! After looking at this, you will want to go check it out yourself (www.etsy.com/category/weddings)

Do these not make you think of your childhood and that first love?  These are perfect invitations for those high school sweethearts!

Ahh, how sweet! Each bridesmaid can choose a charm to add on the monogrammed pillow!  What a great way to suprise the bride!

This is part of a tree trunk with the bride and groom’s initals carved into the wood … guest can sign it to use as your guest book.  This would be a treasured piece that you hang in your house … so cool!

This is only a few of the many unique things that etsy has.  What have you found on the website?  Please share! What you found may the perfect thing for someone else!

celebrating etsy …

sara lain for

There are SO many ideas in  the wedding world that you probably just “love”.  We know the feeling!  Probably 20 times a day we hear someone in our office say, “don’t you just love this”?  The truth is, like many of you, we love it all!  Looking at my daily blogs and websites I have found more ideals that I really do love … they are all great ways to personalize your wedding day.

There are so many “bars” that you could do…

*Candy Bars (if you follow our blog you probably already know that we LOVE them)

*Cigar Bars (don’t forget the men!) 

*Coffee Bars (we had our first one this year … again, we LOVED it … simply wonderful!)

*Bead Bar (A “Style Me Pretty” Bride had this for her guest to make jewelry at her destination wedding … check it out HERE)

*Sushi Bars (for Sushi lovers!)

*Cookie Bar (milk is a great night cap)

*Dessert Bar (for those who want to offer more than the traditional wedding cake)

*Old Fashioned Soda Bar (seriously, I love it!)

Some of our favorite pictures are….

above: ice cream bar (http://www.bridalpartytees.com/blog/?cat=21)
below: cigar bar (http://blog.weddingwire.com/index.php/tag/cigar-bar/)

cookie and milk bar (http://www.brides.com/realweddings/weddings/175606?#slide_175616)

These are just a few “bars” that we have come to find but options are unlimited!  What type of “bars” do you plan on having?  or, did you have?  We would LOVE to hear your ideas; they may be our new favorite …

celebrating the wedding bar …

sara lain for

The ladies of Kentucky Bride have so much to be thankful for this holiday season.  Before we leave the office to spend Thanksgiving with our families we wanted to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving.  We hope you take this weekend and focus on family, friends and whatever it is that you are most thankful for.

jacki allen’s Kentucky Bride is thankful for  the brides, the vendors, and for a blessed 2009 (and the big Turkey on Thanksgiving Day!)

Like most people, we all love the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  This year, a little piece of Kentucky will be represented in the parade, the  Adair County Marching Band will be participating.  Good Luck to the Indians!  The 83rd annual parade will air at 9 a.m. on NBC.

Also- for you shoppers … Be careful on Black Friday because it gets crazy!  We hope you (and us!) get GREAT deals! Don’t forget to check out theblackfriday.net to find the best deals.  See ya there…bright and early!!!!

celebrating Thanksgiving and family …

sara lain for

It’s cold outside, warm in the office, we have a pine tree candle lit and we are in the CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!  Christmas is less than 6 WEEKS away … can you believe it?!?!  Where has the year gone?  Time flies when you’re having fun … I guess that’s why this year has been a whirlwind!

Today in the office we have taken a poll and its time to start christmas shopping (yay!!!) since none of the ladies at Kentucky Bride has started! As we are getting in the Christmas spirit, others are ready for their Winter Wedding and we will not leave you out in the cold…(haha!)
Here are some of our favorite Winter Wedding Ideas…

*Using the color WINTER WHITE

*Hot Chocolate

*Faux fur wraps

*Mistletoe (how cute is that?)

*Christmas Trees

*Pictures in the snow (1. It must snow 2. You must be brave enough to go out in the snow. 3. Photos with snow are breathtakingly beautiful)

* Having pashminas for guest (or for Bridesmaid gifts)

* A WARM  honeymoon destination

Winter Weddings are beautiful! If you plan to get married this winter or dream of having a winter wedding, please tell us your ideas … we would love to hear them!

celebrating winter weddings …

sara lain for

Jacki and I have been SUPER BUSY these past few months … and we are so excited to share with you some of our “behind the scenes” and new endeavors REAL SOON!

BUT, until we can do any unveiling, we have more i’s to dot and t’s to cross …

SO, we would like to introduce you to Sara Lain Trible, who will be a contributing writer on the blog.  Now, I will still be blogging here and there, but so you don’t get bored, we thought it would be nice to add a contributing writer.

Sara Lain has been with Kentucky Bride since January 2009 – and we just LOVE her … she is fabulous – as you will see in the coming weeks.  Sara Lain has been a great asset to Kentucky Bride and to helping the brides of jacki, wedding planning! 

Her first post will be up by the end of the day … so stay tuned …

celebrating Sara Lain …

We are less than TWO MONTHS away from the fabulous Kentucky Bride Bridal Show … 

jacki allen’s Kentucky Bride Magazine is proud to present the Kentucky Bride Bridal Show on Sunday, January 10th from 1:00pm – 5:00pm at the Lexington Convention Center.

If you are a bride-to-be, a bridesmaid, a mother of the bride, and dare I say it … a groom – you do not want to miss the Kentucky Bride Bridal Show.  It is the one location that you can meet the best of the best wedding professionals from all over central Kentucky!

We have some amazing door prizes and GRAND PRIZES for you  … such as – a signed copy of Wedding Chic by Colin Cowie – one year membership to Jazzercise – Four tickets to the Drowsey Chaperone at the Lexington Opera House with $40 to Dudleys … and so much more!

To get all the details and sign up for $2.00 off for you and all of your guests, please visit HERE.

We can’t wait to see you there …