Thee Bridal Biggest Loser

We are at it again! Back by popular demand.. Thee Wedding Warehouse is hosting Thee Bridal Biggest Loser. Contest starts Saturday August 1, 2009 at 9 AM. This time it’s a $20 buy in. First place winner gets 90% of the proceeds and bridal photo shoot by Rachel Priddy of Priddy Photo, and a complimentary bridal bouquet.. Second place gets 10% off proceeds and a $50 gift certificate to Thee Wedding Warehouse. Contest lasts for 12 weeks. Second chance start... anytime before August 8th, with a extra $5 penalty buy in. Call 623.536.0995 with any questions.

Before and after shot of Tara, contest winner. Tara lost almost 30 lbs and 16% of her total weight in twelve weeks.

Photo.. courtesy of Kym Ventola

Article from other contestant...

HOW I LOST 26 LBS..

For the past year and a half I had been slowly putting on weight, they say falling in love makes you fat… well that was definitely the case for me. I had soared to become the heaviest ever and I now needed a change. I had recently become engaged when I heard about the contest out at Thee Wedding Warehouse, what better timing? I tried on dresses before I entered into the contest and was mortified. There was no way I was going to walk down the aisle feeling as bad as I did. I decided to enter this contest and to actually follow through with it.
In the past I would start fad diets and then that was it, I would be done, going back to my old ways of eating. Working out had never been a passion of mine and I would start to use excuses for why I had gained as much weight as I had… This is just the way my body is built… I have to learn to love myself the way I am… and my favorite, at least he loves me for me. Okay now let me just say that yes our bodies are built a certain way, and yes we need to love ourselves, and yes it is good that your partner loves you for you, but there is not excuse for being unhealthy. That was the great thing about Thee Wedding Warehouse; they brought in a personal trainer and gave us all the information on how to get our bodies healthy. They gave us the tools and then we were held accountable by weekly results. When the first weeks results came out I was amazed at exactly how well people were doing, I pushed myself harder. I lost 26lbs in 12 weeks, which is an average of 2.16lbs a week by eating more fruits and vegetables, eating protein bars if I was hungry throughout the day and then heating a healthy dinner. My way was to eat very few calories throughout the morning and afternoon and then eat a healthy 500-calorie dinner. I still ate a little pasta and started substituting white rice for brown and buying 45 calorie bread. I always made sure I ate something for breakfast and then ate small snacks throughout the day, like fruits or vegetables. I drink a ton of water and have cut out the soda. The weight just fell off. It is an amazing feeling. I used to always say that buying groceries was a lot more expensive than fast food, oh, how I was wrong. Not only did I lose the weight but I also saved money. After the 12 weeks I went and tried on dresses again. I had gone down 2 dress sizes! I am very excited for the next 12 weeks and look forward to having my dress altered further.
I owe a big thanks to Thee Wedding Warehouse for making me take a look at myself and for giving me the tools to accomplish my goals. In another 12 weeks I plan to be down 52lbs. I will then be ready for my dream wedding!


By: Amber Fullmer

Wedding Cake Ideas

Wedding Cake Ideas

Cake balls are just what you’ve been waiting for — bite-size bits of moist cake blended with rich frosting, surrounded in a deliciously beautiful confectionery coating. An exciting twist on cupcakes and a sophisticated alternative to traditional desserts, it’s no wonder why they’ve become such a sweet sensation. These have been showing up in upscale bakeries around the country for months. They are even offered in the Neiman Marcus catalog (but they are currently sold out)! They also go by the name of "cupcake pops" and "cake pop", when the balls are mounted on a stick. Crafty people are even having 'Cake Ball Parties', If you would like to schedule such a party please contact Cake Contessa. We can bring a variety of undecorated cake balls, and then we will show how to be creative with the dipping chocolates The options are endless simple sugar flowers, glimmering candy beads colors with white chocolate and sugar sprinkles. They come in two sizes small and regular similar to cupcake sizes. They can be places on a cake stand like the cupcake tower. Menu options are also endless. We are in the process of designing the perfect menu with our signature flavors.

Thee Wedding Warehouse offers cake tastings every Saturday from 9AM - 3PM. We love to design cakes... Groom's and friends love the tasting part so join us any Saturday for samples. Courtesy of The Cake Contessa, Lanette Romero http://www.thecakecontessa.com/ 480-720-7104

Wedding Tips

Wedding Tips

You are getting married and want a beautiful event, yet you need to stick to a tight budget. This is a problem that faces many couples. Don't worry; there are ways to have your dream wedding without breaking the bank.

1. Prioritize! Make a list of the most important things you want for your wedding and have your fiancé do the same. Are you most committed to having gorgeous flowers, inviting 400 people, hosting the wedding at a particular location, or serving filet mignon and lobster? Knowing your priorities before the planning starts will help you decide what to spend money on, and what you don't mind doing cheaply or doing without.

2. Trim the guest list. This is difficult but sometimes necessary if the cost per guest is going to break your budget. Cross off names on the list of guests who might feel obligated to come to the wedding if they are invited, but would not have their feelings hurt if they are not asked to attend. Think of inviting only relatives with whom you have a close relationship instead of everyone related to you. Invite only the people who are important to you and your parents, rather than everyone you know.

3. Reduce the number of people in your bridal party. You have to buy nice gifts for every member of your bridal party, and that adds up. Plus, traditionally, the entire bridal party plus their dates are invited to the rehearsal dinner. Seven bridesmaids and seven groomsmen, all their dates, ring bearer and flower girls, and their families, plus both sets of parents and all the readers in the ceremony, plus Officiant could add up to 40+ people to feed!

4. Have your wedding ceremony and reception held at a hotel, and ask for discounts when family and friends are staying at same hotel. Reserve a block of rooms for your guests several months before the wedding for the best rates. Speak with the appropriate manager when asking for discounts and reserving rooms.

5. Ask your married friends how often they pull out their expensive wedding album... Photos, though a nice luxury can be a huge expense. In reality, you only need one beautiful photo to hang on the wall. If you supply disposable cameras you will be surprised how well the candid pictures turn out. Also, ask a friend who you know is good at ensuring that your guest’s heads aren't cut off in pictures to help. Make a list of all the family and group shots, research wedding magazines for some nice "set up shots" of the bride and groom, and pass them on to your photographer friend. Also ask friends with digital cameras to email you all the photos they take. Ask a friend who you trust having around but couldn't have in the bridal party to capture the bride and groom getting ready. Remember that this is one very happy day when you are both looking your best so it shouldn't be that hard to get a nice album made up without thousands of dollars. You can hire a professional photographer for the ceremony, and leave the rest up to friends.

6. Stick to the schedule for your ceremony and reception. Musicians will charge more if asked to perform beyond the time stated in their contract. You will also incur additional limo charges if your event runs longer than planned. If you don't know any musicians yourself, call local college music departments rather than browsing the yellow pages. Students will be cheaper than professionals.

7. Have your ceremony and reception in the same location to simplify things and save you money. There will be no need for limos to take you to the second location. Many churches have halls that are equipped to handle wedding receptions at reasonable fees - especially if you are a member.

8. Consider having your wedding any day but Saturday. Fridays are also popular wedding days but may cost a lot less than a Saturday event. For even greater savings, choose a weekday evening for your wedding. Schedule the wedding to allow guests time to arrive at the ceremony after the work day has ended. Many guests enjoy weekday weddings as this frees up their weekends for other activities. Choose a date between June and September for the Phoenix area to avoid higher peak season rates. Schedule your wedding during the day, such as a weekend brunch or a luncheon on Saturday or Sunday. The cost for the venue will be much lower and the daytime lighting is better for color photography.

9. After looking at the final plan of your wedding, but before paying any deposits, decide where you can simplify the whole process. Consider whether you really need choral singers and a string quartet at the ceremony and a wedding singer and a DJ at the reception. Releasing doves or butterflies or having a candle-lighting ceremony are all wonderful, but may end-up costing a lot of money. Simplicity saves money and if done well, your wedding may seem more serene and awe-inspiring!

10. Remember that the wedding is one day at the start of a life-long commitment. Look beyond the wedding day to the goals you will have as newlyweds. If you want to purchase a house in the next few years, keeping that as a priority throughout the wedding planning process will help you to be prudent about how much you spend on that one day.

LAST Step..call us at 623.536.0995, set up an appointment for a complimentary consultation with our wedding fairy. Wedding professionals, just as ourselves, know the ins and outs of weddings and is always the best place to start when planning.

Thank you

I just wanted to share a thank you we got by email today...

My daughter and son-in-law, Jamie and Anna Benker, used Thee Wedding Warehouse for various services at their July 1, 2009 wedding. This is just a quick note to express the delight that my husband and I experienced at the results of your services! The wedding flowers were beautiful, the cake was extraordinary, the make-up/hair stylist was terrific, the photographer was easy to have around (we haven’t seen the prints yet) and I’m sure will exceed our expectations, the food was delicious, the caterers were on top of everything, and the master guidance you provided was perfect!

Thee Wedding Warehouse exceeded our expectations and delivered a truly beautiful wedding for our daughter. We will definitely recommend you to anyone!

Thank you!

MORE ON THANK YOU'S....

A hand written note is always nice but in the digital age sending an email to let your vendors know it always appreciated. This is me speaking as a vendor. As a vendor I love to get pictures also....

I think as for the bride and groom a hand written note is still the most proper. Martha Stewart's says you have 6 months to send thank you notes after the wedding to your guests. My opinion is closer to 3 months. To stay caught up, do them as you receive them before the wedding. Keep a good list. Schedule a couple hours of quiet time time to write them. Have the new hubby help and enjoy doing it together. This will also make it go much quicker.

Found a good website to share on Thank you notes.. below

The Do's and Don'ts of Thank You Notes
The Basic Etiquette of Thank You Notes
By Donna Pilato, About.com

They're such a simple concept. A thank you note is an expression of appreciation for a thoughtful act, expression, or gift. But the potential formality of this thought can be intimidating. Many people think that the wording has to be perfect, and this causes so much anxiety that the notes are never sent. Before all the other rules, just remember that an imperfect note that comes with heartfelt sentiment is better than a perfect note that was never written.
In order to relieve some of the anxiety on this subject, here is a simple guide to the do's and don'ts of thank you notes. You may discover that in some cases where you thought a written note was required, it's not. I'll also give you a few sample thank you notes just to get you started. But remember, although I'm providing a formula, you'll need to personalize it to make it meaningful to the recipient.

The Do's of Thank You Notes
Send your thank you notes as quickly as possible.
Notes may be sent on informal stationery, except for wedding thank you notes which are generally sent on formal stationery.
Always make specific reference to the gift that is the subject of the note, such as "Thank you so much for the blue sweater. How did you know that was my favorite color?"
Always send notes in the following situations:
Wedding gifts.
For sympathy letters, flowers, or mass cards.
To the hostess after a party that was hosted in your honor.
For bridal or baby shower gifts.
For gifts that were received by mail.
After being entertained by your boss.
Gifts received during a hospital stay.
After being hosted as a houseguest for one or more nights (unless it's a close relative or friend who is doing the hosting).
For notes or gifts of congratulations.
Thank you notes are not required in the following situations, but would still be a nice gesture:
After being a guest at a dinner party.
After a job interview (not required, but definitely a smart idea).
For birthday gifts that were received and opened in person, and you already thanked the giver personally.
When a friend has helped you out with a special favor such as babysitting, a meal when you were sick, running errands for you when you are incapable.
To the sales representative who has entertained you personally as part of a business relationship.

The Don'ts of Thank You Notes
Don't delay in sending most notes. Generally notes should be sent within a week of receipt of the gift or gesture. The only exception to this timing is as follows:
Thank you notes for hospital gifts should be sent as soon as the patient is well enough to send them, whenever that is.
The current guidelines for wedding gift thank you notes are that the notes should be sent within three months of receipt of gifts. However, given the potential monumental task that would pose to the bride and groom after their honeymoon, it makes sense to send notes out as soon as gifts are received (often wedding gifts are sent prior to the wedding date).
I cannot stress enough the importance of personalizing thank you notes. I have attended large children's parties where parents hand out pre-written thank you's as guests leave the party, even though gifts haven't even been opened. In my opinion, there's no point in even giving a thank you in this case. Thought was given to selecting just the right present for the birthday boy or girl, and without a specific thank you for the gift, the giver will never know how much the gift was really enjoyed. This kind of thank you is merely a check note on the party list, and conveys no sense of personal appreciation.
Even though most thank you notes can be sent on informal stationery, that doesn't mean it's okay to use a piece of paper torn from your shopping list pad. Find note cards that reflect your personality, and keep a ready supply on hand. They don't need to cost a lot of money. In fact, if you shop diligently, you can find inexpensive, attractive cards in the dollar stores.
There's no need to lie if you dislike a gift. If something is not to your taste, you should still show appreciation for the thought that went into selecting it for you. You can always say "Thank you for the thoughtful (fill in the blank). I will always think of you whenever I use it."

Water Bottles

Getting married in August... in Arizona is HOT! Water bottles with a custom label is a cute, fun way to keep the guests hydrated. We offer water bottles at 75 cents each. Clear bottle, your choice of white or black cap and a custom label. Case quantity does apply. Call for more details 623.536.0995.

Hiring a DJ... by Curits Whipple

Hiring a DJ... by Curits Whipple

During a bridal consultation to consider hiring a DJ for her wedding, a bride asked if I had a strategy if people weren't dancing. It's a great question and really serves to separate out a professional DJ/entertainer from a hobbyist. If a DJ has arrived at a place where people aren't dancing, the time to have not had that happen has already passed. An inexpensive hobbyist DJ would be left only with a cheesy and uncomfortable tactic like the "Hokey Pokey" or a stupid announcement like "Yo people get up out ya seats!"

The time to plan to have dancing guests is in advance of the event. It comes from time spent talking to the bride and groom about their musical tastes and the vision they have for their wedding celebration. It happens during the dinner hour, chatting with wedding guests as time allows. It's the DJ reading the crowd properly. Well selected and executed background music should have naturally elevated the mood of the room from a formal ceremony to what will be a dance party after dinner. It comes from creating a confidence level in the abilities of the DJ, even before the first dance song is played. Then a professional entertainer can lead the way and take the wedding guests on a fun musical and dancing and celebrating journey and finish the night breathless and satisfied and with fantastic memories of the night.

Photo by Kym Ventola at Hampton Inn Litchfield

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