Have it your way, your way...

We live in a world that is always telling us "You are in charge, you should do what YOU want, express yourself... and here are some great products to help you do that!" Everyone is selling something, and this is no less true in the world of weddings. "Have it your way" could be the slogan of the bridal event planning industry. Reality shows, blogs, and magazines are all selling visions of what a wedding and the process leading up to it should be. Modern brides are lucky in that such a vast array of choices are available, and that in most cases they will have the final say, or at least a great deal of input into what their wedding celebration will entail. However, the vision of a wedding as the ultimate opportunity for self expression which predominates in most media carries with it a lot of pressures that don't necessary make for a more joyful process or event. My advice to any newly engaged couple, or for those who may have started the wedding planning process and become completely overwhelmed is simple: Stop and think. Don't start by looking at magazines and watching reality shows and looking at venues. These may end good things to do, but the first thing you should think about is not how things will look, but what the day really means to you as a couple. Think about this beyond the obvious, and make yourselves be as specific as possible. Think about what having family and friends share in your day means to both of you. Then, WRITE IT DOWN. It is so easy to get caught up in creating a "look" and a "feel" that you will want to have a centering point in moments of indecision or stress, where you can say to yourself, "It's not about the flowers, or the dress, or the cake (even though of course these things matter!)... it's about___________________." Then when you hear all the conflicting advice or can't decide whether you love peacock feathers or soft blushes as color inspiration more, you can take a step away and have a point of reference that is so much deeper. You will have decided what "having it your way" means on the very deepest level, and then you can let those lesser decisions about what "having it your way" might mean flow from there. Too many people start with the look and then don't stop to take the time to really reflect. They don't stop to think about what "their way" is beyond the surface. What your wedding means will be far more unique to each couple than any outward expression could ever be, so take the time to define and reflect on the most important part of "having it your way" so that you really do.

What is your Favorite "Ridiculous Wedding Moment"?

I hope people will feel free to post responses when they see this.

I have two, neither of which are ones that I personally witnessed.

1)I saw this in pictures from a friend: The sister of the groom wore a white dress with flowing skirt details to the wedding. It was short, but it could totally pass for an informal wedding gown. It wasn't a super formal wedding, so it really wasn't appropriate at all. She didn't manage to upstage the bride, but it looked like she was sure trying.

2) I read a story somewhere about a bride getting an RSVP from a guest whose children were not included in the invitation-common enough these days. In addition to adding her children, the RSVP included the information that the kids would want the prime rib dinner (and the kids were like 3 and under). Who does that? I was kind of impressed when I read that.

Setting the Scene with Music: Why church organists are awesome

Maybe some couples love doing it, but choosing music for before, during, and after the wedding can be a stressful task. If you are doing an Ipod mix, it is all you. There is no DJ to blame, nothing. The event sinks or swims based on your musical taste.

That is why I think church organists, other ceremony musicians, and DJ's are the most fabulous thing since sliced bread. They will take your requests, but can also advise you and help you choose music suited to your occasion. And if they are good at their job, they will be sensitive to all the people involved and help your event flow and feel right.

Too often couples choose songs based on what they like, and it isn't always a good fit for the occasion. It is one thing to personalize your wedding, another to fail to consider the big picture, your guests, and the feeling you want to create.

So don't feel like you have fly solo. It's good to have a list of some favorite songs/ pieces, and for the DJ your do NOT play list is always crucial. But a great professional will also have helpful input if you need it. I think sometimes we are think we need to figure out everything on our own after researching on the internet, but there are things an experience professional can tell you that might not read, and ideas they may have that would surprise you.

Fast as fast can be... Part III

This week's highlight is Da Vinci.

For brides who need a wedding gown ASAP, this is the designer I always point them too, because they tend to have many things in stock. They advertise a "1 week delivery" on many gowns, but in reality you should allow more time than that. If something is in stock, it can still take a month or so to get to you, plus you're most likely going to need some alterations. There isn't a list posted, but MOST DaVinci gowns are potentially available.

Da Vinci also has in stock bridesmaids- limited styles and colors, but they do have options. They do not list them on their website, but we have the options listed on our website, as for all of the other quick delivery bridesmaids- on the main page, underneath the comments section and to the right you will see a box that says "Quick delivery." The first thing that comes up will be wedding gowns, but below that there is a link you can click for "Quick Delivery Bridesmaids." The DaVinci styles and colors available are listed there for you!

The great thing is that if a style is a "Quick Delvivery Style" for wedding gowns or bridesmaids from DaVinci, there is no rush cut!

The image is of Da Vinci 9046, which is available for quick delivery in black.

To Corsage, or not to Corsage?

Tradition can be great, but in can also be cumbersome. I come from a tradition of weddings where every person who is doing anything as part of the wedding - cutting cake, serving coffee, doing the guestbook, is supposed to be corsaged, as well as mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, you name it.

According to strict etiquette, the only absolute requirement is that mothers be recognized, although most people recognize grandmothers as well. Any other special guests or family members may receive corsages at your pleasure, but it is optional.

Then there is the matter of boutonnieres. Other than the wedding party, these days usually fathers, grandfathers, and ushers will be the other boutonniere wearers.

There really aren't a lot of rules as far as what you do for corsages or boutonnieres as far as composition. Customarily, the groom's boutonniere will have an element similar to the bride's bouquet. Often you see grooms and groomsmen with coordinating pocket squares, which is a clean, more modern look.

As far as corsages go, if the bride has a certain way she would like them to look, then that is of primary importance. Otherwise, it is a nice gesture to find out what people will be wearing and choose flowers in complimentary colors. Usually you can't go wrong with soft whites and ivories, but if you are thinking of color you dont't want to go to all the effort of getting a beautiful big corsage and then have it clash!

Another thing brides may wish to do is enquire of the ladies they'd like to give a corsage if they'd prefer something pinned on their dress or a wrist corsage. If they are wearing a very delicate fabric, they may not wish to put a pin through it and risk leaving a mark. Or, people may prefer the pinned corsage to having something around the wrist- I personally cannot stand bracelets, so a wrist corsage would be a form of slow torture, however well intended.

One idea I've heard that I think is a really nice alternative to giving corsages is to place a small vase with a flower or two, or a small nosegay next to the place setting. This is an elegant and understated way to recognize special people, and they can enjoy the flower without the encumbrance of having to wear it, and also bring it home to enjoy.

Hopefully this gives anyone wrestling with these questions some helpful information and ideas, and just to reiterate, the preferences of the bride and groom are really the first consideration. So don't stress about something that in the scheme of things is really a small detail, and go with what works for you and your wedding!

Fast as fast can be.... Part II

This week's speedy deliverer is Alexia.

They have an in stock bridesmaids program. Not all of the available styles are shown, but many are pictured on their website.
The downside: they don't list color availability, and it is limited, although for some styles they do have 2-3 options.

Here is the link to what they do have on their website:
http://www.alexiadesigns.com/Bridesmaid-Wedding-Flower_Girl-Special-Dresses/InStock/pages/0/

There is a small fee per dress to do the in stock program, but it's less than a rush cut, which is nice.

Alexia also has some dresses that are part of an express delivery program, again the color availability is somewhat limited. The do not picture which dresses are available on their website. The express delivery is nice because there is no additional charge, and the dresses should be delivered in 8-9 weeks or so.
Here are the styles currently part of the express program (this may change so always check with us before ordering): 2500, 2700, 2702, 2706, 698, 840, 842, 844, 846, 848, 850. Also 1402, 2408, 2410, 688, 690, 692, 694, 696. Again, only in certain colors does the rush charge not apply.

So, if you are interested in an Alexia dress and your wedding is close, get in touch with us and we can check to see if it's offered in stock or through the express program, otherwise they do a rush cut as well so there are always possibilities!

Fast as fast can be.... Part I

I am going to do a series about each of the bridesmaids and bridal lines we carry that has "in-stock" or quick delivery programs. I'm starting with my fave, Eden:

They have an "in-stock" bridesmaids program, and they are my favorite because they show which dresses are in the program, and list the colors available on their website. Usually the dress just comes in one color, and the style numbers end in an "R".

Now, Eden says the dresses are available for "Immediate" delivery, however, they still have to process an order, send it to us, and then we need to send it out to you. So you still want to allow a month or so to receive the dresses.

Here is a link to the page with their in-stock dresses:
http://www.edenbridals.com/In-Stock-Bridesmaids_c_51.html