Photo by PS Photography

Janderyn Makris, owner of Earth and Sugar, Boynton Beach, Florida

Profession: Confectionary Designer, Earth and Sugar

What she is obsessed with: Edible confetti! I know it sounds so weird, but a simple cake covered in the right amount of confetti can add such glamour. I obsess about gold almost every day, I just want to paint with it on my cakes, use glitters on my edible details and find it in lovely cutlery. I may never get tired of implementing this versatile color into my designs.

What is so 2012: That is such a hard question, I want to say cupcakes but that would be going against my pastry ethics. I really think that damask was used so much in the last year or so that it’s time for a change. I love modern tribal and geometric shapes and colors, they are making their way into paperie, and I am excited!

What’s the next big thing: This is the year of emerald green and gold, but a trend I am starting to see come through more is the use of lace. Lace is absolutely beautiful and there is a sense of old world that ties into it. I have incorporated it into a few of my designs, and although it is time consuming the final product is worth the labor.

What should brides and grooms already know before contacting you (i.e. their guest count, venue, theme, etc.): It’s so hard for me to tell brides what they have to be decided on by the time they come to see me, my experience has been that they see so many ideas and pin so many pictures that it creates a mishmash of their vision. It is very helpful when they know their colors, an estimated number of guests and of course budget (if there is one). The reason budget is probably the most important is because what you envision may not be what you can afford, and we try and tailor their ideas to also fit what they want to spend on confections.

What is your specialty: We really focus on creating unique yet organic designs that don’t have too much of everything on it. I believe in having a bit of restraint when it comes to design as something simple and clean can become an elegant conversation piece. We take pride in the use of our local and organic ingredients which bring a wonderful flavor and texture to all of our cakes and confections.

Photos by PS Photography

Serverware from Amazing Grace Vintage Rentals

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Sara Kauss, Owner/Photographer of Sara Kauss Photography

What she is obsessed with: Capturing emotion.  Creating a feeling from a photograph that tells a story, makes you feel like you were right there in that moment!

What is so 2011: Wait!  It’s not 2011 now?  Time flies.  Every year offers new friendships made, new exciting events and growth…in photography, I’ve noticed a huge shift to people really wanting photojournalism more and more in their photos, less of the “fake photojournalism” requests.  Fake PJ is when clients “say” they want you to only capture the day as it unfolds as a fly on the wall.  But, REAL PJ requests have been happening, where the bride trusts her photographer to truly do their thing!  No shot lists, no special requests, just really giving the photographer reign to capture their wedding day as it should be told!  Love this trend.

What’s the next big thing? Well, it’s my 30th birthday this month!  To be a great wedding photographer you have to stay fresh!  And yet create timeless images.  I think the next big thing is couples really looking for the fresh, yet timeless look and I see photographers offering this more and more, it makes me happy!  The old, over edited, over photo-shopped, heavy contrasty, images are being replaced by simple, clean, color and black and white images.  I think the next big thing is actual reverting back to the simple photography concept of capturing an image in a unique way “in-camera.”  In this day and age, we are all knowledgeable in photoshop, but photographers of 2012 are spending more time creating poignant images and less time in front of the computer.

What should brides and grooms already know before contacting you? Before contacting your photographer, you should have an idea of the style of wedding photography you like.  Each photographer is unique, has their own style and their own personality, just like each wedding!  You should dig deep into their website, does the photographer show lots of details and candid photos, or do they show more posed, traditional photos?  Photographers’ websites are showcasing their very best work!  Do you like it?

Also, knowing your photography budget helps too.  Whoever you choose to capture your wedding day, please choose a professional that has a history of photographing weddings.  A great photographer can make an “okay” wedding look like a million-dollar wedding day!  You’re going to spend lots of money on your wedding day, hire a photographer that will create a memory of all those details you worked so hard for over a year to create that one special day!  At the end of your wedding, you want to look back at the photos and remember the sweet note your groom left you, or the expression on your fathers’ face as he walked you down the aisle.

What is your specialty? Wedding Photography and photographing Artist Album Covers and Live Concerts.

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Nicki Pasqualone & Chrissy Trujillo, Photographers and Professional Pinterest Lovers, Vitalic Photo, Vero Beach

What they are obsessed with: Glitter, chevron and soft colors

What is so 2011: Purple bridesmaids dresses & cupcake towers!

What’s the next big thing? A shift away from 100% rustic weddings is happening, we’re thinking mixing rustic elements with modern details and graphic elements is the new go-to decor.  Classic details will always be in style, especially peonies and letterpress paper goods.

What should brides and grooms already know before contacting you? Having the venue and date decided on is the biggest first step in planning for brides.  We love helping to plan the wedding day timeline so we can ensure the portraits are at the optimal time for natural light and gorgeous sun.

What is your specialty? Our specialty is working the sun to its maximum potential.  We love the portrait session and incorporating the venue or location into the photos to help tell the story of the day.  We pack a lot into our portrait sessions working quickly to get tons of variety in our photos: wide angles incorporating the surroundings, close up intimate shots and lots of different poses.

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Diane Bain, Merrill Lynch Financial Adviser, Palm Beach Gardens

What do you need to consider when funding your big day? Whether it’s in your back yard or in an exotic destination, it’s important to create a financial strategy with a sensible understanding of costs from the beginning and to prioritize carefully. You can begin by communicating openly and honestly and determining who’s paying for what. It’s not safe to assume that one party takes responsibility for all the costs of a wedding — as many couples are waiting longer to get married, expenses often get divided among the bride, groom-to-be and sometimes family members.

Once you tie the knot, how can couples merge finances? Just as you discuss your wedding budget openly, it’s critical to continue these open conversations and to best understand your individual and collective financial situation.  Different types of assets and debts have varying implications that should be discussed with a financial advisor. With uncertainty over the future, many couples opt for a prenuptial agreement, so reviewing your finances will help you evaluate the various aspects of this type of agreement. Wills, living trusts and beneficiary designations are also important tools to consider when merging households, and to help ensure that children are financially protected and receive the assets that are intended for their future. Consult a tax and legal advisor during this process. Whether or not you choose to use a prenuptial agreement, it’s necessary to have an understanding of your finances individually and collectively in order to create a sound financial strategy for your future together.

How do you select who the household money manager is? While it might be helpful to appoint a household manager to keep short and long term goals and expenses on track, both parties should have input and understanding of the overall financial picture. This includes creating a financial strategy that you both agree upon — such as your liquidity needs in case of an emergency or how you plan to save up for long-term goals, such as purchasing a home or your retirement. Meeting and having regular follow-ups with a financial advisor to discuss these goals and how to achieve them will ensure that your financial strategy remains up-to-date and aligned with your interests.

What other money matters should brides and grooms keep in mind? As couples look forward to growing old together, it’s never too early to think about how you’ll retire.  Men and women often view retirement differently. According to the February 2012 Merrill Lynch Affluent Insights Survey^©, which discusses the financial concerns of affluent Americans, 66 percent of affluent women are concerned about their retirement assets lasting throughout their lifetime, compared with 54 percent of men. Therefore, it’s important that couples discuss how they envision their life in retirement. It’s essential for investors to start saving early and make sure a retirement strategy is a significant component of your financial road map. Investing involves risk, and investment products are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed, and may lose value, so it’s important to discuss your retirement as a couple with your financial adviser on a regular basis to help you know how much needs to be saved in the short and long-term to reach your retirement goals together.

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Luz Gonzalez, Destination Weddings & Social  Sales Manager, La Concha Renaissance Resort,  San Juan Puerto Rico

What she is obsessed with: Traveling. I love to discover! Every time I travel I find incredible inspiration everywhere.  It brings me energy to explore new places, enjoy different cultures, and build new memories. It changes me, fulfills my life with motivational thoughts that make me grow, not only on a personal level, but a professional one.  When you travel, you step out of your routine and learn something new that will brighten your future.

What is so 2011:  Traditional big weddings, where you invite friends of friends, strangers. I love small weddings that bring together your family and closest friends for such an unforgettable moment in your life.

What’s the next big thing? Forget the idea of one wedding event, our brides are taking the wedding agenda to another level.  Weddings will be much more fun, from pre and post wedding events, group planning and activities. Weddings are becoming the excuse for family vacations and couples retreat.

What should brides and grooms already know before contacting you? It is really important to have a date in mind before you start planning. Destination Wedding managers will be able to provide you with availability which will make the process easier and accurate. Having a budget established, and the approximate amount of attendees will be  helpful as well.

What is your specialty? As a professional in the hospitality industry I currently focus on Destination Weddings management in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Along with an excellent team on our iconic property, we share with you all the services and excitement that La Concha Renaissance Resort will provide for your dream Caribbean destination wedding.  We facilitate all ceremony and wedding packages, and Certified Wedding planners will guide you through the process of choosing an outdoor location for a beach wedding ceremony, or indoor venues for spiced receptions and cocktails.

What sets you apart from others in your industry? Genuine passion and dedication bring a vibrant energy to the team and allow me to learn from everybody around me. Every day I  try to learn as much I can to drive myself to another level. I don´t expect to know it all, but we should know a little bit of everything… One of my favorite quotes as a hospitality leader: ” We have fun while taking service seriously.”  In La Concha Renaissance Resort, we build trust and achieve results beyond expectations.

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Danielle Tate, Founder and President of www.MissNowMrs.com

What she is obsessed with: Simplifying the name change hassle for newlyweds nationwide, down to the nitty gritty details.

What is so 2011: Hyphenated last names.

What’s the next big thing? Taking your maiden name as your middle name is a big trend, and Pinterest…LOVE it for planning weddings, showers, parties and life in general.

What should brides and grooms already know before contacting you? Know your name change options and the one that works best for you. You can take your spouse’s name, both of your last names, hyphenate both last names, take your maiden name as an additional middle name or replace your maiden name with your middle name.

What is your specialty? Making the transition from Miss to Mrs. a snap! We have every form you need for your situation in your state as well as notification letters for all of your banks, credit cards, insurance providers, investment accounts etc. We have name-change experts available via phone, email and live chat. No one comes close to our level of customer support!

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Suzy Clement, photographer and author of Weddings: From Snapshots to Great Shots

What she’s obsessed with: The tagline for my business is “find beauty,” and I’m obsessed with that idea in photography and in life. When shooting a wedding, my passion is to record and reveal the moments, gestures and interactions that really capture a feeling and grab one’s heart. Of course, in some ways this is easy at a wedding because there is so much joy, love, and beauty everywhere you look.

I’m obsessed with the idea as a mantra for living life as well. I believe the real joy in life lies in staying present and attuned to those small, beautiful moments that happen every day. I’ve been thinking about this constantly lately and making a very deliberate effort to live this way.

What is so 2011: Wedding images processed with lots of crazy Photoshop actions to look like faded 70′s snapshots and the like. Those things are fun on Instagram, but when it comes to a wedding, we want to remember what things actually looked like! Beautiful, true, pure, clean, gorgeous color and crisp, rich, timeless black and white make my heart sing.

What’s the next big thing? Color, lots and lots of vibrant color. Demure white weddings are gorgeous and will always be in style, but I’m excited to see all the fresh pops of color that are cropping up for spring fashions, and I think this trend is finding its way to weddings as well. I’m so excited because I adore bright, colorful weddings and because it’s not a trend that limits couples – it helps them feel freer to express who they really are with their wedding decor and details.

What should brides and grooms already know before contacting you? The date is the first thing! And I hope they have spent some time on my website and blog. I want my clients to hire me because they feel a real connection to the work, and to me.

What sets you apart from others in your industry? My dedication to authenticity. My joy in photography lies with capturing that element of emotional truth in moments both large and small, from a sweeping vista to the softest, subtlest hand gesture and everything in between. That is what makes an image truly timeless. Without that element of authenticity, an image is merely eye candy, and wedding photography should be much more than that!

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Lisa Leonard, jewelry and gifts designer, Lisa Leonard Designs

What she is obsessed with: Current obsessions include red lipstick, French-press coffee with extra cream, taking pictures with my Nikon D5000, thrifting with my sister, watching Downton Abbey with my husband and snuggling with my boys.

What is so 2011: Cookie cutter weddings are over! Make it personal and make about YOU!

What’s the next big thing? Handmade is on the rise. Whether you make it yourself or support a handmade shop, handmade is easiest way to add charm and creativity to your special day.

What should brides and grooms already know before contacting you? Couples should have a general idea of a theme for their wedding day. Also, if they want to create custom necklaces for their bridesmaids and groomsmen, they should know how many attendants and the correct spelling of each person’s name.

What sets you apart from others in your industry? We create unique, hand-crafted jewelry, bouquet tokens and cake toppers you won’t find anywhere else!

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Mara Opperman, co-founder of www.idonowidont.com, an online boutique specializing in secondhand engagement rings

What she is obsessed with: Antique, vintage and secondhand engagement rings, obviously! You’d be surprised by some of the amazing finds and deals from secondhand shops.

What is so 2011: Understated, budget conscious weddings are in. Your closest friends and family are the most important.

What’s the next big thing? Engagement rings set in yellow gold are making a comeback. For years, white gold and platinum were the most popular metals used in settings for engagement rings. The good news is that diamonds seem to sparkle more in yellow gold as the diamond tends to stand out more against the contrasting metal.

What should brides and grooms already know before contacting you? I think its most important to get an idea of your partner’s likes and dislikes before picking out the ring. After all, this is something they will be wearing the rest of their lives so you want them to love it! If you are trying to keep the proposal a surprise, here are a few tips to help find out her preferences:

One of the the easiest ways to find out your fiance’s likes and dislikes is to look straight into her jewelry box. You can get an idea of her favorite metal whether it be gold or silver, her taste, whether it be modern or vintage, and you can even find out her ring size.

Another helpful tip would be to subtly make comments about her friends’ engagement rings (assuming she has married or engaged friends) and asking her likes/dislikes about their rings.

Lastly, you may want to seek guidance from your bride-to-be’s friend or mother — assuming they can keep a secret@ Perhaps you can ask them to take her “window shopping” so they can find out exactly what she wants.

What sets you apart from others in your industry? We have built this brand on trust. Each diamond sold on the site comes first to the IDNID headquarters and is inspected by an independent GIA trained and accredited gemologist to assure the authenticity and quality of every piece of jewelry sold. In an internet-friendly world where so much is uncertain, this added step allows customers a way to buy jewelry in a trusting environment.

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Nicole Janowicz, Wedding Stylist, Nicole R. Janowicz, LLC

She’s obsessed with: I will always be obsessed with shoes for everything! They are a fantastic way for brides to add surprising details like sparkle, drama and glamour to their wedding wardrobe. Unlike a wedding dress, which is generally worn once, brides can wear their wedding shoes over and over again. Shoes are an area I suggest brides and grooms splurge. They will wear them for hours walking down the aisle, dancing, and socializing with guests, therefore comfort and confidence is crucial.

For men, I am always obsessed with hand-tied bowties. I just love them! Hand-tied bowties are a simply way to add glamorous and classy touches while still remaining masculine. Tying a bowtie is very simple and there are many tutorials on YouTube and the Internet.

What is so 2011? Wearing a regular tie with a tuxedo (as much as some celebrities have tried to make this work on the red carpet) is a no-no in my book. If a groom is renting a tuxedo, politely refuse the clip on bowties that usually come with the rental package. Instead, grooms should buy a traditional bowtie from a department store like Barneys or Saks, or menswear stores like Brooks Brothers or Hugo Boss. Just match the fabric of the tuxedo’s lapel to the bowtie. While not a big expense, a hand tied bowtie makes a huge impact on the groom’s overall look. Remember, guests will be looking at the couple as a whole, not one or the other.

What’s the next big thing? The next big trend for bridal style is color. Brides are no longer confined to wearing shades of white. I think we’ll start seeing brides wearing dresses in shades of pinks, blues, yellows, greens and even black in 2012 and beyond. Color is a great way for a bride to express both her personality and her wedding’s overall theme through her dress. A groom can also incorporate color into his wardrobe. Menswear designers are embracing color and making tuxedos and suits in non-traditional colors like deep burgundy, purple and blue. I always suggest to my clients, both men and women, to have fun with their bridal style and wear what makes them feel beautiful and confident. It is their big day, so they should feel empowered to make their own rules.

I recently worked with famed Wedding Planner Mindy Weiss and styled Backstreet BoyAJ McLean, and his bride, Rochelle Karidis, for their wedding at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Their wedding theme was a mixture of romance, Goth, and the iconic Tim Burton world. Rochelle and I chose an all black Vera Wang gown for the ceremony. AJ loves the color red so I found a candy apple red bowtie and matching Hugo Boss shoes to wear with his Hugo Boss black tuxedo for the ceremony. Knowing the bride and groom’s personalities, as I do after working with the Backstreet Boys as their personal stylist for the past five years, a white wedding gown for Rochelle and a traditional black and white look for AJ would have felt out of place and not true to their aesthetic.

I also styled Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell and his wife, Leighanne, for their 10-year anniversary celebration and vow renewal ceremony. They started the festivities with an outdoor cocktail hour, for which I dressed Leighanne in a Mandalay turquoise beaded, one-shoulder gown and Brian in a J. Lindeberg black tuxedo with a grosgrain lapel and matching bowtie.They both radiated old Hollywood glamour and style. The turquoise brought life and vibrancy to the first photos of the day. They changed two more times: the ceremony, for which Leighanne wore a cream David Meister wedding gown and Vera Wang veil, and Brian wore a Brooks Brothers cream tuxedo; and the reception, for which Leighanne wore an elegant Enzoani black strapless gown and was adorned in Neil Lane and Judith Ripka diamonds, while Brian wore a Hugo Boss grey, deep blue, and black plaid suit with a black bowtie accented by Neil Lane diamond cuff links.

What should brides and grooms already know before contacting you? Ideally, couples should have an idea of their budget before contacting me. The budget greatly affects where we shop, the designers I contact to do custom work, and my overall game plan for developing their customized looks for their engagement photos, wedding ceremony, and reception. If a couple does not know how much they should allot for wardrobe, they are more than welcome to ask me. I can show them examples of what is available to them at various price points.

What is your specialty? What sets you apart from others in your industry? I work with high-profile, accomplished men and women who seek assistance in creating the perfect cohesive image for their engagement pictures, weddings, and receptions. I create beautiful, one-of-a-kind looks specifically tailored to my clients’ individuality and overall wedding themes. As an international celebrity & wedding stylist, I specialize in helping my clients define, refine, and communicate their unique style and image for the biggest day of their lives. I have styled clients for major red carpet events including the Academy Awards, movie premiers, high profile charity events, the renowned New York Fashion Week and performances in front of thousands of fans where they are under intense scrutiny from an unforgiving media. Therefore, I can empathize with, and understand, the pressure of preparing my clients’ for their wedding!

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