Get Springtime Ready

Alright ladies, it's that time of year once again!!! I think we need to
be reminded of a few things. So PLEASE, raise your big toes
and repeat after me below...

The Open Toed Shoe Pledge

As a member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood, I pledge to follow the Rules when wearing sandals and other open-toe shoes:

I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps.

I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free.

I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.

I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow.

I will shave the hairs off my big toe.

I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.

If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back into place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it.

I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl's if my feet need him.

I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes are as long as my fingers and no sandal makes creepy feet look good.

I will promise if I wear flip flops that I will ensure that they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.

I will promise to go to my local nail salon at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $15 or 20 and worth EVERY penny).

I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear... nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals.

Now lets take advantage of spa week mid April and get those pedis!

Wedding Graffiti

A few years ago I discovered this website and fell in love with their creative decorating touches. So many fun things to add to your home.

After the request of many brides to have monograms created for their wedding days, the company started doing wedding graffiti. They just launched their Black Tie line with some very cool products.

I love the Initial Banners and wine glass wraps.
Check it out - for your home or wedding - great stuff.

Postage Increase

The USPS announced that it was increasing the postage rate again! From $.39 to$.41. This goes into effect May 14.

This is good and bad for couples sending out wedding invitations. Wedding invites usually cost $.63 + the $.39 on the response envelope.

Good - because with the new rate the first ounce is $.41, next ounces is $.17-total of $.58. Less then before.
Bad - there might be a little bit of hassle involved if you are sending your invitation out in May, just pay attention before sticking on the stamps. Late June and July brides -it might be worth waiting until May 14.

USPS also created the Forever Stamp to be more convenient - the stamp won't change when the prices change.

Oh and don't forget to hand cancel all your invitations - the postmen love this, just ask behind the counter for the stamper and do it yourself - the invites will look better when your guests receive them.

You can be Just like the Stars!

Feel like a star by 'borrowing' jewelry for your Big Day!

www.adornbrides.com have started the trend - Walk down that aisle with style, have the best diamonds and pearls to go with your beautiful dress. Browse their selection to find what best fits your wedding day style.

Their process is easy; find what you like in earrings, bracelets and necklaces, tell them your wedding date, pay a deposit of 25% and your fine jewelry will arrive 2 days before your wedding. You just mail it back to them after your big day.

I think this is a great way for brides to finish off their wedding day style, look their best - the stars do so you can you!

Locally The Tiny Jewel Box Jewelry Store in DC will loan you up to $20,000 worth of jewelry to wear for photos and for your wedding ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC.

What is an Emergency Kit?

A standard practice of wedding planners is to carry an 'emergency kit' - to deal with all sorts of issues that could come up at a wedding. I know you all remember Jo Lo's special jacket in the movie The Wedding Planner.

So what is an Emergency Kit??

There are many different types but I know they are all bigger and more involved then a 'special jacket'. Mine is a small suitcase that I can throw over my shoulder. Some things that I can't live without:
tylenol
stain remover - yes I can get red wine out of the gown
breath mints
bandaids
Big saftey pins - yes all bustles come loose
bobby pins
tape-clear, masking, duct, floral
flame lighter
hair spray
tissues
pens
cd of standard wedding songs

I also keep spare unity candles, cake knife, ring bearer pillows, black socks, hand held sewing machine, umbrellas and a bottle opener handy.

Some weddings I end up using many items from my kit and I am so thankful I had it to save the day; Better to be safe then sorry.

Newspaper Announcements

Many couples want to share their good news of their engagement or wedding day with the public. They want to announce it to the Metro DC area via the newspaper. Some clients say their mothers are adamant about sharing the news, others want to do it for business or social reasons. And still others just want to have it published as a keepsake.

Most couples that do this get the newspaper and save their cut out announcement. After a few months this keepsake turns yellow and the corners start to curl.

The Washington Post Style Section is catching on that couples want to have a keepsake of this announcement and are now offering a e-tear sheet of that page. This will last a lifetime.

prices range from: $250 - $1000
if interested please contact Isadora at The Washington Post Wedding Announcement Desk, 202-334-5736

Having just got married myself - I know the desire to preserve everything related to the wedding. I will have to laminate the announcement from my hometown paper, since an email version was not offered.

Color Me Happy!

I have this thing for jewelry, especially bracelets. I wear them as part of my outfit, a great accessory. Last year I was turned on to Angela Moore jewelry and resort accents when I went to their anchor store in Newport, RI - talk about color overload!

Every bead is hand painted and has a theme; nautical, golf, baby, hawaiian, palm, toile, butterflies, flipflops, drinks etc.

I am now hooked on their bracelets and hair ties. They have something for everyone in every color. So I got to thinking that these bracelets, earrings and candles are great gifts for bridesmaids, friends that are reading at your wedding or even for your mother in law.

If you are having an casual outdoor wedding the bridesmaids can wear bracelets to match their dresses and the groomsmen can wear matching colorful ties.
or
You can pick a certain theme to match your friends styles and they can wear them for fun.

Angela Moore also showcases flip flops and coverups that would be great for your honeymoon.

These are not sold in many stores but through home Style Parties. If you are interested let me know and I will pass on your info. That way you earn free jewelry.

www.angelamoore.com

Ins and Outs of Wedding Invitations

Many clients ask me for advice on the ins and outs of wedding invitations – here are some answers to the commonly asked.

Do I need to send my vendors invitations?

I would send your officiant/minister an invite so they are reminded to put it on their calendar. They are also considered a regular guest and will get a regular meal. Even though they may only stay for cocktails it is still appropriate. Send an invite to your wedding planner- for their files, the videographer and photographer because they might want to have it on your wedding day for certain photos.

How do I include directions and other wedding weekend events with my invitation?

According to Emily Post and invitation should be just that- an invite to one specific event, your wedding. You may include a small card that either invites guests to view a website for more information or a small card with directions. The website is a good place to put all the parties, times, locations and maps for your guests information.

How do I keep track of responses?

An easy way to manage your responses is to use an excel file. First create the file with full names in alpha order by last name, an inner envelope name and an outer envelope name, addresses, gift column and columns for all the scheduled events. Also assign a # to each family/invite. Write this number on the back of the response card you send to them. If for some reason the card comes back and they forget to write in their name or are missing info you can look it up on your excel file.

How do I stuff the invitations?

First you need to get the envelopes addressed. Whether you are doing it yourself or taking it to your calligrapher you should write the inner and outer envelopes at the same time, same handwriting and don’t forget to write the number on the back of the response card. Stamp your response envelopes. Now for the order of putting the invite together and stuffing the envelopes:

· If you have a flat or folded invite put that on the bottom, then tissue on top (to prevent ink from direction card rubbing off)

· Put the response card in the corresponding envelope flap

· Then layer the direction card, the response card and reception card on top of the invite

· Stuff all items in the inner envelope then turn envelope over and put in outer envelope so the first thing guests see is a nice addressed inner envelope.

· Weigh the whole invite then stamp

· Take your invitations to the post office and ask them if you can Hand Stamp them. This will prevent them being run through the machine with possible black lines or damage.

Voila!

Extraordinary Weddings

A must read: Extraordinary Weddings by Colin Cowie

What would you like your wedding day to look like? If you need a little inspiration, a color idea, a theme or just an idea to get you started planning your wedding, check out this book.

While most of the weddings profiled are over the top, there are some touches that you can make your own. Look at the season, landscapes, use of lighting, menus and room layouts.

Check out:

The beautiful and practical centerpieces on pg 42

The use of round and banquet tables on pg 102

The shrimp station and nautical colors on pg 165

Or the ceremony chair end cap on pg 171

Philadelphia Flower Show

For years my mom and her friends have been going to The Flower Show in Philadelphia. This year it was my turn to take mom for her birthday!!

I didn’t exactly know what to expect but I was definitely wowed! There were dramatic flower arrangements and lighting covering the convention center. This years theme was Irleand so most displays had an Irish feel. You walk in under a flower arch, the fragrant smells and sights were amazing! Many landscapers and florists created huge flower/plant scapes with themes, you walk amongst these then head to the marketplace to buy everything from cut flowers, bulbs, gardening tools, containers, prints and see innovative gardening ideas.

My favorite was the ‘Pretty in Pink’ display. It was sort of weddingish. There were two tables dressed in pink and feathers floating on the water with centerpieces of thousands of tulips and orchids, The pond was surrounded by pink azaleas, pink hydrangea, cherry blossoms and pink rhododendron. There was a gazebo to the side of this garden filled with flowers.

The one thing I took away from this was the creative use of different plants and flowers together. The colors and textures and the use of different containers. I took a ton of pictures and hope to use some of them for weddings and others for ideas in my garden.

'Wedding Bells'

So I just watched the FOX's TV show Wedding Bells - I was hoping for a funny but more realistic show about wedding planners. This was absurd.

All the antics were very over the top and would never happen at a real wedding.
Wedding Planner sleeping with BM in the broom closet?
Drinking at the reception when you should be working, yelling at the bride...
I could go on.

There are so many funny and strange things that happen at weddings and I was hoping David E Kelly would have made the show with a different angle. Lets see how long this lasts.....