I've Been Tagged

So in wedding planning land we like to play tag, it is fun and lets our readers know a little about us. I have been tagged by Shayna Wedle of Williamsburg Wedding Design to reveal 5 songs that I love....

1. Cheeseburger in Paradise by Jimmy Buffet - now who doesn't love this song? I am a huge Parrot Head.

2. You Shock Me All Night Long by AC/DC - laugh I know go ahead but this was the song my husband was playing on the guitar when I fell in love with him.

3. Beautiful Day by U2 - no matter how many times I hear this at a wedding it still brings tears to my eyes.

4. Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond - Just makes me smile and sing out loud.

5. and I am with Shayna with Sweet Home Alabama by L.S. - just gets me singing and dancing and reminds me of sorority life.

Now on to my turn to tag-

Jennifer with OC's Finest & Beth and Christina with Elizabeth Bailey Weddings & Nicole with RSVP

Under Wraps

During a conversation with a client of mine having a Russian Orthodox ceremony the bride mentioned that she had to have her shoulders covered for the ceremony. So she had a lace bolero jacket made to match the design on her gown.

This got me thinking about where get them if they weren't made with your dress and is it better to have them made.
Well here are some that I found:

Mikaella: simple jacket for about $500


Carmella Sutera: Alençon lace jacket $920


Carolina Herrera: crochet jacket $1890


Justin Alexander: dress and lace jacket $1500


Paloma Blanca: lace jacket $1500+

So I am thinking maybe asking your seamstress to make you something - especially if you plan to only wear it during the ceremony.

That will be $4

Whatever your financial situation is or what your reception site tells you, it is NOT cool to have a cash bar! You would never ask your guests to pay for her chicken satay appetizer, you shouldn't ask guests to pay for drinks.

If money is tight or you are trying to cut down on costs just have beer and wine available or have a signature drink station. Maybe margaritas on the rocks to go along with the beer and wine or a maybe a Vodka bar. Think about your theme, time of year and location.

Along the same lines it is also very tacky to have tip jars or cups on the bar. Your guests should NOT have to tip for their drink at YOUR wedding. This note of etiquette also goes to my wedding guest readers - please don't tip the bartenders. A gratuity is included in the catering bill already. It is best to discuss this with your sales person prior to your wedding and of course your wedding planner will make sure there is not tip jar in view.

Beautiful Wedding highlights

Just wanted to share a beautiful wedding video highlight from my Sept 2007 clients.
Just a beautiful wedding and a couple so in love.

http://www.blueskyfilms.com/films/sarahandariel

Congrats Sarah and Ariel!

How to...on Wine Part 2

I know that when most of us go into a restaurant we aren't exactly sure how to order wine and then exactly how to enjoy it.

Here are some tips.
-Look over the food and wine menus, ask your dinner partners to give their preferences. Some may be ordering fish and others beef and you might need a red and a white.
-Seek the advice of your waiter or sommelier.
-Express your desires, don't be afraid or mention your price range and that you don't really like Merlot for example.
-Be open to suggestions and trust your own taste.
-When the bottle arrives check the label to make sure the correct bottle was delivered.
-When the waiter or sommelier pours you a bit, smell it then taste it. The surest indicators of freshness is the aroma and taste. If you detect musty, sour or wet towel scent the wine is bad.
-If the bottle is empty and everyone is still eating ask your friends if they would like another glass, don't ask if they want more (more implies they may have had too much).

Enjoy!

How to...on Wine

How to pour wine like a professional

1-Use a basic screw pull, it works best.

2-Twist the length of the corkscrew through the center of the cork.

3-Attach metal edge to lip of bottle. Pull out cork in one motion.

4-Hold the bottle in your right hand close to the base, and make sure not to cover the label. Pour a small amount to taste first. To prevent the wine from dripping, turn the bottle clockwise as you finish pouring.

5-Fill glasses quarter to a third of the way, less for red and more for white. This will allow the wine's aromas to open up and you can fully appreciate the flavors.

Ceremony Readings

In Staying with my theme from yesterday, here is a perfect poem to be read at your wedding.
The Art of Marriage by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

Readings"A good marriage must be created. In marriage the "little" things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say, ”I love you" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is having a mutual sense of values, and common objectives. It is standing together and facing the world. It is forming a circle that gathers in the whole family. It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not only marrying the right person -- it is being the right partner."

Your Wedding Ceremony

So you are getting married ! I know that you have been busy hiring a caterer, deciding on music and picking out invitations but have you stopped to think about the marriage? How about your ceremony - the time when you declare your forever love to your partner in front of your friends and family.

If you are getting married in a church you might not have much say on how the ceremony will go but you can choose some biblical readings and customize with songs or maybe even your own vows.

If you are getting married outside or in a historic local maybe you can write your own ceremony. I came across www.myweddingvows.com. It is a great resource for vows, love poems and bible verses. There are even great prayers your officiant can say over you after you are married.

New Beau-Coup

If you are planning a party, wedding, shower or other big event you might be looking for some different or theme specific favors. When in doubt gift an edible item - chocolate, cookie, tea etc.

I just love Beau-Coup - and they have a new website, to celebrate they are offering free shipping for a limited time.
How about custom fortune cookies:

Or cookies for the pool side wedding shower:
Or fill these cute tins with almonds, jelly beans or cookies for any special event:

A Touch of Ivy

I recently came across these fabulous sachets from A Touch of Ivy. "They are jewelry for your home in sumptuous fabrics and whimsical shapes, all in the Lily fragrance."


They have everything from a closet hanger, shoe stuffer, mini boxed charm sachets to a Scottie dog. There are lots of patterns(8) and shapes to pick from - to complement your style.

I think these would be wonderful gifts for your mom or grandmother this coming Mothers Day or even as little bridesmaids gifts.

Just Hire a Wedding Planner!

You can Thank me later!

There are sooo many reasons that you should hire a planner or even just a Month out Coordinator. Every couple deserves the piece of mind that comes from knowing the smallest detail is being handled, crisis being adverted and memories being made. Now not all weddings will be perfect, in fact something always goes a little wrong, but wouldn't it be great to know you didn't have to leave the party, stop dancing or be on the phone on YOUR wedding day.

Now don't think that the catering manager at the hotel will be there and that they will do everything - Big misconception!! They are in charge of the food and beverage and of course they want your day to go smooth. They might even put out you escort cards and make sure you get food during pictures but they will NOT necessarily call all your vendors if you have to go to plan B or track down your song on a CD for your first dance, call back the limo driver for one more shuttle or even stay the whole night.

I read Life Design Events in Arizona and she posted a perfect example why everyone should have someone on their side coordinating their wedding or event. Mishaps can occur, she handled it perfectly!

Tips on Toasts

I know I have discussed this before and you know I feel strongly about appropriate toasts at weddings. I was going over this with a client so I thought I would revisit it here.

Make sure you determine the order of people toasting before the wedding day.
If the FOB plans to welcome or toast he should go first, possibly before dinner is served.
The best man should toast next or before cake is cut and served. The MOH can also go at this time.

(Keep it short, make it personal, mention both the Groom & the Bride, speak loud and finish by wishing couple well and asking guests to stand and toast. The bride and groom stay seated as they are being toasted to.)

Other people that might want to toast would be the groom to his bride and her family. Other toasts should be done at the rehearsal dinner. You want to get to the dancing and having fun.

Doesn't sound too hard does it?

Some Laughs

I came across this website and had to share it with you.
For all you former bridesmaids or prom attendees - check this out

www.uglydress.com

It reminds me of some of the awful prom and BM dresses I have worn.
Thank goodness dress styles have come a long way. You still might not be able to wear it again but at least you will look good walking down that aisle!

So which one is your favorite?