Archive for the ‘Just for fun’ Category

Break Some Wedding Traditions.

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

And, have some fun doing it.

2011 is the year that I hope a ton of wedding traditions are turned upside down and a whole set of new ones are created. Remind yourself every time you sit down (or run around) to plan your wedding that it can be anything you and your fiance want it to be. There aren’t any tradition police and therefore no expectations.

Why don’t you…

Host dinner before the ceremony.

Skip the bridal party, it’s all about you and your Groom.

Salsa for your first dance.

Wear a colored or patterned wedding dress.

Ask your parents, best friend, or sibling to write your vows. They know you best.

Hand deliver your invitations.

Host a restaurant-style dinner. Create a shortened menu and let guests order at the table.

Dress your maids in white.

Get married in the morning. The light will be gorgeous.

… I could go on and on. Any you would like to add?

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Holiday Gift Ideas | For the Groom.

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

1. Nothing is a better gift for the Groom than a pair of beautiful cufflinks. He’ll use them on his wedding day and many more in the future.

2. A great book to help guide the Groom in the right planning direction. In my  opinion, this is also a gift for the Bride.

3. Of course every Groom needs a matching shirt to his soon-to-be wife. And, seriously isn’t the bow tie adorable?

4. The only way to ensure a Groom is on time to all his consultations and also his wedding day is a stylish watch.

5. Nothing makes a Groom look more dapper than a bow tie. This one is even reversible.

Happy Holidays!

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Holiday Gift Ideas | For the Bride.

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

1.Colin Cowie Wedding Chic: is filled with gorgeous wedding inspiration. The book touches on the majority of wedding elements including bouquets, centerpieces, stationery, and food and drink. My advice for getting the most out of this book is to find a few elements that you love and incorporate them in your own way. The designs as a whole can be over whelming and unattainable with most budgets.

2. A unique tote is the best way to carry around that huge binder that holds inspiration and contracts.

3.  Every bride needs a way to stay organized. From my experience, Emily Post’s Wedding Planner is the most functional.

4.  A custom bouquet charm from Paloma’s Nest is a great family heirloom.

5. Every bride deserves a shirt exclaiming their obvious title. Had I known about the Wedding Chicks custom tees for my wedding day, I would have surely sported one.

Happy Holidays!

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2011 Trends to Come.

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

Stylist recently declared that I am a trend-follower not a trend-setter. My response, “Ugh! All trends come from somewhere and unfortunately I can’t create them all.” Anyway, I wanted to share with you some new “trends” I would like to see for weddings in 2011. Do with them as you like… this post is mostly about proving Stylist wrong.

white weddings. I was hopeful that this trend would make an appearance in 2010 but alas it did not. With this trend I am talking EVERYTHING white. Bridesmaid dresses, linens, chairs, flowers, centerpieces… I think you get the point.

bring on the themes. We’re already seeing a lot of themed engagement sessions but lets take it to the next level. How about Old Hollywood Glamour, Great Gatsby, or Pride and Prejudice. You guessed it, I want proper attire and all.

lets get interactive. I recently managed a wedding that was hosted at The Milwaukee Public Museum and the couple offered a scavenger hunt through the museum, including a prize for the winner. The guests really enjoyed and appreciated a choice in the activities they participated in after dinner. They could either dance or explore. Try to think of ways to engage your guests beyond the electric slide.

innovative ceremony setups. A down-the-middle aisle with chairs on both sides is great, don’t get me wrong, but lets mix it up! This idea will work most anywhere, except perhaps a church. Think about incorporating untraditional furniture (benches, ottomans, or sofas) and different layouts. Maybe get married in the middle of a circle created by your guests or have all bridal party members enter from a area of the ceremony site.

Bigger and better grand entrances. The art of a grand exit has been popular, you know, fireworks, confetti and sparklers but what about the entrance? This can be at the ceremony or reception but why not make it big? I am thinking My Super Sweet 16 big, like ride in on an elephant or get dropped in from a helicopter. Okay, I am laughing myself now but really, why is the exit always more grand than the first entrance as husband and wife?

Replace the infamous slideshow. Honestly, I haven’t thought of anything to replace the photo slideshow at weddings but it’s has to go or at least get changed up a bit. I will think of something, I promise.

Any other “trends” you would like to add to the list? Wait, maybe you shouldn’t, Stylist may think I am stealing!


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Posted in Inspiration, Just for fun | 1 Comment »

If Only I Were a Superhero.

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

Yesterday I touched on the fact that I am not a superhero (shocking, I know!) and unfortunately cannot control all aspects of your wedding day, no matter how much effort I put forth. However, lets play pretend. If I were a superhero I would:

Ensure that it didn’t rain a drop on your wedding day.

Have the strength to push your guest shuttle out of the mud when it gets stuck.

Freeze time so your photographer can get the perfect shot.

Alter the moods of all crabby day-of vendors.

Duplicate myself to be in numerous places at one time.

Utilize telepathy to ensure the most memorable toasts.

Utilize my x-ray vision to see what’s taking the catering staff so long.

Utilize my spidey senses to anticipate the cake falling.

I would fly instead of drive. No parking that way.

Did I miss any superhero possibilities?

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Our Wedding Day :: Bloopers.

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

Today, I continue to embrace Anniversary Season by discussing some bloopers…

It doesn’t matter if you’ve attended a million weddings in your day or you work in the wedding industry, wedding day “bloopers” are inevitable. As you’ve heard a million times before, no wedding is perfect, and today I stand behind that statement.  There were definitely no disasters on our wedding day but a few moments I either laugh really hard at or am still surprised they even happened.

Our funniest blooper moment was during our grand entrance. I was adamant about having a wrist loop for my dress. I loved my dress and the detail on the train so I didn’t want to have to bustle it immediately after the ceremony. Anyway, I was so pleased with my loop until it became my worst enemy during our grand entrance. Style was holding the same hand that the loop was attached to and as our names were announced he raised our hands into the air, which caused my dress to trip me. Luckily it wasn’t a full blown fall-on-my-face trip, but I am sure guests noticed. It makes me laugh thinking about it now.

My next blooper moment is forgetting to do anything with my finger nails. It may sound petty to some but I was standing in the kitchen of Stylist’s farm house having my nails painted minutes before our first look. See for yourself. And, yes, Monica’s expression proves she too can’t believe I forgot a manicure!

You all know how much I hate ugly hangers, right? Well, I was one of those brides who completely overlooked the hardware that her beautiful dress would be displayed on. Luckily, our photographer is a rockstar and had one I could borrow.

Do you have a wedding day blooper of your own you’d like to share? Leave a comment!

Posted in City Bride Happenings, Fall Weddings, Just for fun, My Life | No Comments »

It’s Anniversary Season!

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

I can’t believe it but in 4 short days, Stylist and I will celebrate our first wedding anniversary. For those of you readers who don’t know me personally, I must admit that every significant event in my life is surrounded by a season. In the past, the biggest season was Birthday Season. But now, thanks to my recent marriage and a dear friend who introduced me to how awesome anniversary season can be, I have one more thing to celebrate.

This week I won’t bore you with the mushy details from our wedding day or how wonderful this past year has been (I could go on and on) instead I will share with you details like blooper moments, 1st anniversary gift ideas, and my advice for a happy marriage.

And, since every post is better with pictures, here are two of my favorites from our wedding day.

And, if you’d like to read about the planning process leading up to this amazing day you can do so here, on Bespoke.

Posted in Fall Weddings, Just for fun, My Life | 2 Comments »

Dear Mr. Chiavari Chair:

Friday, September 10th, 2010

Consider this your Dear John Letter.

I’ll be honest, in the beginning my love for you was strong. I couldn’t get enough of your sleek body, elegant appeal and adorable charm, but lately you just aren’t cutting it. I’ve become bored with your look (yes, you need a makeover) and to be frank, your silver and gold shininess has just become pompous and completely self-absorbed. You are constantly the center of attention and I can take no more. We are over.

I introduce you to your replacement, Mr. Wooden Folding Chair. So much more of an introvert than you’ll ever be and therefore much more compatible with my personality. He’s captivating and elegant without stealing all of the spotlight. Dress him up or down, he’s perfect for any occasion. He is a true gentlemen.

{photo from my wedding day, courtesy of m three studio}

I hope we can still be friends.

Sincerely,

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