Advice from your BFF

Jan

10

I am on the email list from BFF Bridal, a New York based online publication and high-end consultancy for chic city brides. Today’s email was particularly cute, so I thought I’d share!

You can check out BFF Bridal and sign up for the newsletter at www.bffbridal.com.

EVER AFTER

It’s the start of a brand-new year, and everyone’s resolving to do more of this and less of that. So we asked couples who have been married from mere months to many decades to dish out their expert advice on what it takes to be happily hitched . . .

. . . In Your First Year of Marriage: He says: “Don’t say you don’t care when it comes to choosing photos for the wedding album.” She says: “Have a plan for writing the thank-you notes.”
-Julie & Craig Stolzberg, married August 11, 2007

. . . In Your Seventh Year of Marriage: He says: “Keep up the small but romantic things you did for each other in the beginning.” She says: “Accept that your way isn’t the only way.”
-Cindy & Jack Manelli, married March 24, 2001

. . . In Your Tenth Year of Marriage: He says: “Always put the marriage first . . . even before the kids. The kids will understand and be better for it anyway. Also, buy her a handbag or shoes at least once a year.” She says: “Do your own things as well as spend quality time together. Be a united front for your kids; remember to do nice things for each other; and always try to compromise.”
-Nicole & Jacob Capps, married July 4, 1998

. . . In Your Twenty-Eighth Year of Marriage: He says: “Humor. You have to laugh WITH each other and AT each other.” She says: “Fight when you’re angry. Scream, yell, throw things. Then move on. No festering is allowed.”
-Tammie & John Collins, married December 20, 1980

. . . In Your Forty-Second Year of Marriage: He says: “Mutual respect and consideration. Also: understand the little things that either please or irritate your partner, and remember to act accordingly.” She says: “Work hard, play hard, and every few years make it a point to take on new activities together.”
-Pam & Glen Hait, married January 15, 1966

. . . In Your Fiftieth Year of Marriage: He says: “It takes a strong faith, commitment to each other, and a special love for your children.” She says: “Faith, support and commitment.”
-Dorothy & Joe D’Autorio, married May 31, 1958

. . . In Your Fifty-Fifth Year of Marriage: He says: “My formula is Communication + Respect = Love.” She says: “Continued love and respect.”
-Freida & Joe Sokol, married June 17, 1953

www.bffbridal.com

Starting Traditions

Jan

09

If you are like me, your family isn’t exactly rich in tradition. The most long-standing tradition we have is Christmas Eve with my dad’s family and Christmas Day with my mom’s. I don’t even think that counts!

Since I come from a pretty bland background, I envy those whose families celebrate interesting cultural customs. As a wedding planner, I see wonderful examples of tradition woven into my clients’ wedding days. I love watching Jewish families dance the Hora. At the risk of sounding cheesy, I have to say I love watching the older generations and younger generations come together on the dance floor for a few moments that create a lifetime memory. And, it’s so fun!

If you are from a background without formal wedding traditions like mine, consider creating your own wedding day traditions…

Instead of doing a bouquet toss, pass your bouquet to a close engaged friend whose wedding is next. Hopefully, she’ll do the same and carry on your tradition.

Take a photo of each side of your family or with groups of friends during the wedding reception. Hand deliver the photos in pretty frames to after the wedding and share your fond memories of the day with them. They’ll be touched that you thought of them after the wedding and hopefully a tradition will be borne out of your thoughtfulness.

Instead of a massive head table with everyone in your bridal party, choose a small group of friends or family members to sit with at dinner. Your special guests of honor will be thrilled to have some quality time with you and your new spouse and they’ll always remember this about your wedding. When one of them gets married, they may try the same idea and honor you!

Choose a special (non-cheesy!!) song to be your family dance song. Make sure that key family members know about the dance ahead of time, and have the DJ or band leader invite them to the dance floor. If you are stuck for a song, ask your DJ or band leader for titles they’d recommend that will be timeless and appropriate for family members of all ages (not, “We Are Family”). At the start of the family dance, make a big circle and sing along to the song. This will be great for photos and an easy way to get older family members out on the dance floor. Yes, the whole thing borders on cheesy, but if you do it right, it would be precious!

If you are the first of your friends to be married, create a special scrapbook of memories of preparation for the big day, favorite photos of you and your friends, and special moments at the wedding. Pass the book to the next girlfriend at her bridal shower, encouraging her to create her own page of wedding memories.

After the wedding, throw a thank-you brunch for your bridesmaids. The fun doesn’t have to end just because the wedding day is over! Get everyone together and talk about something besides your wedding. Your girlfriends will be so happy to see you and surprised that your thoughtfulness didn’t stop with the wedding. If you really want to go over-the-top, give them each a special little token of your affection (handmade jewelry or candy, a favorite makeup item, or a cute little coin purse) to let them know that you really appreciated having them support you on your most important day.

If you have any other fun traditions that you’ve created, email me at meg(at)blushandbashfulevents.com and I’ll post them!

Cheers!
Meg

Inspiration - Gorgeous Chandeliers

Oct

04

I could plan a whole wedding around this gorgeous, glamorous chandelier. Can’t you picture it with centerpieces of fluffy red peonies, crystals, and lots of warm candlelight? We’d use luscious fabrics in the linens–a shimmery platinum overlay with elegant detail. Or, we could go over the top with toile!

Black
Chandelier

The point is that you can find inspiration for your wedding reception anywhere! Take a look at your favorite non-wedding design magazines for ideas and details. This is the modern way to decorate your event.

Bachelorette Party Ideas

May

30

I love Metromix! Here’s what they had to say this week about bachelorette parties. I know you’re always looking for interesting, new ideas. After all, who hasn’t already done the whole Dick’s Last Resort and Howl at the Moon thing?

UnBRIDALed fun!

Let loose before the big day with a one-of-a-kind bachelorette party

You’ve seen them: Bleary-eyed girls stumbling along Rush Street, swarming around one barely coherent, tiara-adorned friend carrying, of all things, an inflatable penis. Yes, as we enter the thick of wedding season, the bachelorette revelers are out in full force. But your gal pal’s night out doesn’t need to be such a sordid affair. We’ve got bachelorette alternatives for every taste.

The naughty bride
What: Burlesque lessons
Why: She can use her new skills on the dance floor or on her wedding night. Or both!
How it works: Miss Exotic World 2005 Michelle L’amour shares her sizzling striptease moves with the affianced and her entourage, either at dance studio Arabesque or in the privacy of your home. Class lasts about one hour, then it’s off to the clubs to practice your sexy new moves.
Cost: $225 in the city; $250 in the ‘burbs.
Book it: michelle@lavender cabaret.com; book at least one month in advance.

The shotgun bride
What: Tarot card reading
Why: She can’t drink anyway, and she’s probably got a few questions about her future.
How it works: Psychic Barb Meyer consults her tarot cards and offers readings to the bride-to-be and her friends. Meyer dresses the part–think huge hoop earrings and flowing scarves–and kick-starts your night out on the town.
Cost: $200 for first hour, $100 each additional hour; 10 readings per hour.
Book it: 773-282-6556; book at least two weeks in advance.

The sporty bride
What: Cubs game from a Wrigleyville rooftop
Why: Why should the bachelors have all the baseball fun?
How it works: Wrigleyv ile Rooftops books parties of 2 to 200 at one of three rooftop locations (1032 W. Waveland Ave., 3643 N. Sheffield Ave., 3609 N. Sheffield Ave.). The ticket includes unlimited food and drinks, tip and tax. After the game, head out to Wrigleyville’s bars and see where the night takes you.
Cost: $75-$200 per person, depending on the month and Cubs opponent.
Book it: 773-248-7663; availibility varies, but reservations are accepted as early as November for each upcoming season.

The sophisticated bride
What: Wine tasting with The Wine Diva
Why: She can really throw ‘em back … out of her new crystal stemware.
How it works: Christine Blumer, a.k.a. The Wine Diva (and former director of education and events for Sam’s Wine & Spirits), conducts a customized, expert tasting at the location of your choice. You supply the glasses, she’ll bring the vino.
Cost: $300-$600, depending on the wines chosen and number of people (up to 25).
Book it: 312-343-3482; book at least four weeks in advance.

The hostess bride
What: Cocktail or mixology class
Why: She can mix a mean martini for hubby when he gets home … after she’s made one for herself.
How it works: Co cktail connoisseur Martin Adamczyk teaches an hour-long in-home (or location of your choice) seminar on how to mix various types of cocktails using unique, fresh ingredients. Whether the bride-to-be wants simple margarita recipes or she’s ready to experiment with molecular gastronomy, Adamczyk customizes accordingly.
Cost: Starts at $200, not including alcohol.
Book it: 312-324-3079; book at least three weeks in advance.

[ Emily Hiser Lobdell is a metromix special contributor. ]
metromix@tribune.com

Originally published May 25, 2007.

P.S. I recently went to a bachelorette party where we did a photo scavenger hunt during the afternoon, then dinner at a bridesmaid’s condo, and finally out on the town at Enclave. It was a blast! The DJ at Enclave was amazing. For my own bachelorette party, we did manis and pedis in the morning and lunch at Jane’s (awesome salads), makeup at MAC, gifts at a bridesmaid’s townhome, then dinner at Quartino’s and dancing and bottle service at Reserve. I couldn’t have asked for a better day!

I’ve also been to Vegas twice for bachelorette parties…that will be a post for another day!

Postage Increase May 14th

May

04

Not again! Before you buy 200 $.39 Love stamps for your invitations and response cards, think twice. As of Monday, May 14th, postage prices will be increasing. The basic first-class stamp cost will be $.41.

This means that if you are sending out your invitations prior to the 14th, you’ll be fine. But if your guests aren’t going to be sending back their response cards until after May 14th, you may have a problem. To be safe, spend the extra $.02 now and get stamps at the new rate.

You may want to do something fun and different with your envelope. Martha just had a great idea in her latest issue. She suggested using stamps to decorate the envelope. Your guests would get such a kick out of it!

martha-stamps2.jpg

Have a great weekend!
Meghann