Always a Blogsmaid

Big Pun: Fun Shower Favors

I love puns. Nothing makes me laugh more than a good pun. I wish people thought that I was "punny". Anywho, I was looking for favors the other day and found a website that had me laughing all morning. They may be a little too much for you as a wedding favor, but they are great wedding shower favors! 

Whoever wrote the captions for Uncommon Invites made my day. Here are a few of my favorites:

The "Love is Brewing" timer:) Who couldn't need an extra kitchen timer? I would love this if I got it as a favor!

This "Love...Let me count the Ways" Heart shaped calculator.

What about a peeler? Try the "A-peel to my heart" Stainless Steel peeler!

My personal favorite, the "Gratest Love of All" Cheese Grater.

Not only are these all "punny", but they are also all useful! 

Hairy Budgeting Sitch!

 

The Q: Help!  I'm starting to plan my wedding in New York and cannot find a reasonably priced hair and makeup salon/person.  There are 7 bridesmaids, plus myself, the two mothers and possibly our brothers' girlfriends.  I don't want to spend $2,000 on hair and makeup, but I can't seem to find any place cheaper.

I need advice and guidance!  Where's a good place to search?  And what do you think is a realistic cost per person that I'm looking at?  Thank you thank you thank you!

The A:  This is one of those posts where I feel like I'm going to tell you stuff you don't want to hear... but I'm going to also try to be helpful, so take this with a grain of  salt. 

You CAN do this for less than $2,000, as long as you are willing to GO TO the hair and makeup vs. the hair and makeup COMING TO YOU.  At the same time, don't just go to ANYBODY, because this is your hair and make up. 

By my calculations, if you go to visit the ladies at My Hair and Make Up at their lovely salon in Chelsea, you can take care of your entire party for about $1700!  They are officially the hair and make up for events for many of my friends and family.... which is a strong personal recommendation.  And they've worked with MANY of my clients and done a bang out job. For more money, they ladies will come to you.  As a planner, that does take the edge off the day, but understandably, not worth  stressing yourself out over financially. Here is a wedding they did with us a while back.

The numbers get a little tighter, but still workable, at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa.  The lovely salon is a great environment for getting together with your maids and make up and hair are around $80 a pop ($160 total) for maids and moms. 

However, (and here's where I start telling you things you might not want to hear) my big question is why you feel that you need to cover hair and make up for all of your maids?  I think it's SUCH a LOVELY gesture, but I think that if it's a matter of both things, maybe you ask them to all come with blow outs or buns and cover their make up. Or, see if they are open to having your person do their hair so you can all get ready together and then cover their make up.  I am not trying to put more obligation on your 'maids, but if you are watching your budget, hair for 7 ladies is $560.  That's potentially flowers on 2 tables, or one limo or your calligraphy on your envelopes and escort cards.

Thomas Preti at Pronovias Bridal Inspiration Event

I'm semi-obsessed with Tom Preti of Thomas Preti Events to Savor.  First, because he loves food, in a totally passionate, "I want to know about every kind of cuisine", kind of way (in fact he leads these tours of caterers and chefs who travel around the world on tasting events).  Secondly, because he's just adorable.  Thomas Preti Caterers works in some of New York's finest locations as the recommended caterer (including Gotham Hall, The National Academy Museum and the very exclusive, not really for weddings, but it was on Top Chef, Astor Wine Center), but they also go off premise to tents, homes and any number of other spaces. 
I thought Tom would be a great addition to our panel at our Pronovias Bridal Events because so often wedding food is really lame, and it's a missed opportunity to personalize your day.  Indeed, even for those of you getting married at a catering facility, I think there may be room to move off the menu and try and personalize things!  Tom has been in the industry for over 25 years, starting at the Fountainbleu in Miami Beach and moving onto the Plaza hotel prior to starting his business. He is on the board of the International Caterers Association and has won innummerable awards. His presentation is pretty impeccable.
Because I realize a lot of you won't get to attend the event, but may have some questions about what to look for in a caterer, personalizing a menu, or what ever it may be, please email them ([email protected]) to me and I'll pass them onto Tom at our panel and report back next week!  If anyone is still interested in attending, give us a ring and we'll see if we can squeeze you in (212.334.0005).

So Engaging! Engagement Shoot Winners....

So, just before the holidays some of you may remember that we had a little contest for a free engagement session with the wonderful Joseph Pessar.  Abby Sweitzer was one of our winners (with an absolutely adorable little sonnet) and she sent me some of their favorite shots from their winter session in the park. 

Abby says: "We shot two weeks ago in a lovely, snowy Central Park.  Joseph was a blast, clicking away as we made each other giggle and walked through our very familiar "back yard" together.  It was extra special because we took some photos at the very spot where Justin proposed.  We are sifting through the 94 favorites of over 200 photos that Joseph took that day in order to create our very personal save-the-date. "

I think they are ADORABLE!  Talk about a winter wonderland! The first one is my pic for their save the date....



 

Rain or Shine.....

Since it is cold and rainy outside, I thought I would focus my blog post on Showers today:) 

Rain on your wedding day is considered to be a lucky omen. I find that my brides never quite take it that way when they see showers in the forecast for their wedding day. You can't change the weather...but you CAN be prepared with a fabulous umbrella!

Rain or Shine in midtown carries this umbrella, that I love (you can get one with a white handle):

These Vintage Style Pagoda Umbrellas from Signature Bella will keep you protected:

Are you a little more romantic? Maybe you need a ruffle? Check this out at Think Wedding:

If you want a little more color, Pare Umbrella has great stuff! It took me a while to find a favorite, but I think this is it. 

Personally, I am in love with this. I know, not that "bridal", but I saw it and it made me chuckle, so I am throwing it in.

Remember, the day will be wonderful, rain or shine!

Lisa Hoffman of CECI at the Bridal Inspiration Event!

When it comes to wedding stationary, hands down Lisa Hoffman of Ceci New York is THE design guru.  Over the course of five years, Lisa has completely elevated the art of custom wedding invitation design, and, just last year launched her "ready to order" White Label collection. She is a Modern Bride Trendsetter and a New York Magazine stationary expert. So, we are over the moon that she will be on hand at our Bridal Inspiration Event at Pronovias this coming Saturday, to speak on our panel of experts about invitations and stationary. 
Here are some of my favorite from Lisa's couture invitation designs.... Check out the amazing, laser cut detail on the 2nd invitation.... isn't that just amazing?


 
Lisa will be chatting about where to begin when working on a custom invite, and how to fine tune your many ideas!  And, while custom designed invites aren't in everyone's budget, Lisa will speak about how to shop for a "ready to order" invitation suite that still speaks to your personality.  Additionally, we'll have the entire White Label collection on hand for you to peruse.  Today is the last day to register, so I hope to see you there!!!
Before I sign off, while I tend to go for simple and understated, the inner diva in me is obsessed with this next invitation..... It's just sooooo GLAMOROUS.  I feel like I need a black mink stole just to LOOOK AT IT.  In edition to a laser cut sleeve of intricate damask, CHECK OUT THE REPLY envelope!!!! I would put on my mink stole every time I opened my mailbox if I was expecting these back....

Personalizing a Formal Space: Vivian and Armand

After our last Kudo's post, I asked any of you readers to send in your weddings if you thought you deserved some Kudo's.  Well, Vivian sent me these photos of her lovely wedding to Armand.  Both of them are medical residents, who met and were living in Chicago while they were planning their LA wedding.   I thought their wedding deserved Kudo's not only because they planned themselves from such a distance, but because they managed to personalize a gorgeous, but formal reception venue that could have been cookie cutter without adding some personal touches. But, first things first.  Here is the reception, which was held at the California Club in LA. Photos by Daniel Chin Photography.
 
1) The first great thing that Vivian and Armand did was to select a venue that has a distinct character/ in an "all inclusive" venue.  As a couple whose schedule was tight, were planning from a distance and wasn't going to work with a planner, one of the greatest decisions they made was to select a venue where food, furniture and service are all included.  It eliminates the number of decisions to make.  Additionally, they chose a location with a distinct decorative look, which, when making decisions from a distance, can be a real assest.... it makes it easier to assess what will "work" in the space and what won't. 

2) They personalized the day.  Despite selecting a location that had a distinct character to it, Vivian and Armand added simple, thoughtful details to claim the space as their own... without fighting the look of the location.   To bring in some aspects of their day to day life, and to personalize the venue, Vivian and Armand worked on creating their own table number signs, named after landmark buildings in and around Chicago.  This was an awesome way to bring a bit of home to each and every table.


As an added personal touch, the bride wore a Mantilla made by her Grandmother.

3) They looked to their culture as a source of inspiration.... And saved money!!! Rather than have a standard wedding cake, Vivian and Armand looked to Armand's French heritage as a source of inspiration and opted instead to do the striking, very unique and much more affordable Croquembouche...one Vanilla and one chocolage.  The croquembouche is the French traditional wedding dessert and literally means "crush in mouth" (Thanks Vivian!)
 
4) They decided where to spend their money and stuck with it!  Vivian decided that splurging on ceremony decor wasn't a priority to her and she'd rather put the money towards her reception.  When decor budgets are tight, always remember YOU are the main attraction of the ceremony AND it tends to only last for 40-45 minutes.  It's easy to make simple statements go a long way at a ceremony site.  Here Vivian opted to rope off her pews with a decorative fabric, forcing guests in through the side aisle AND adding some warmth to the ceremony site.
 
Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous wedding Vivian!  And, brides, don't forget to send in your wedding pics if you think the wedding deserves some kudos!

Flip-Flopping (in a non-political way)

There are very few things that I love more on this earth than flip-flops. My love for them is so great, that I even wore them during the fall and early spring while I was in college, and New England is no place for flip-flops during those months! I just couldn't bring myself to put them in my closet (where they belonged). 

Our brides often want to provide flip-flops for their guests, and I always support that idea! What better to have them dancing all night long? It is easy enough to do yourself, buy cheap flip flops in a few different sizes and put them in a few different baskets. If you would rather buy them ready made, then try these options:

 At Seaside Gift Baskets you can customize the tub and the colors! You get 20 pair for $138.

 Kate Parker Weddings has them in a few different colors, and starting at $225 for 25 pairs.

I know that this probably works best in tropical areas or during the summer...but I support this idea regardless of geographical area or season!

Christine Merser, Style Expert at Pronovias

We're so excited to have Christine Merser, of Classic Party Rentals to be joining us at our Bridal Inspiration Event this Saturday at Pronovias.  If you have selected rentals for your wedding reception, or are planning on it, you understand that the sage eye at the showroom is almost as much of a design guide as your inspiration board, your florist or a planner! 

Christine Merser has a background in marketing that spans twenty years. In 2006, she purchased Water Mill Party in the Hamptons and turned it into the premier rental company servicing high end events and wedding in the Hamptons. Her customizing each and every event approach to weddings was new to the industry and put Water Mill Party on the map. In June 2008, Classic Party Rentals, the largest party rental company in the country purchased Water Mill and brought Christine’s expertise to their national market.

Really Simple....

If you are a new bride, you may not be aware of one of the best wedding "book"/magazines that I think is out there right now..Real Simple Weddings. 

The ever-practical editors at Real Simple have revamped and updated their wedding planning guide for the 2009 Bride, but it still featured insight and opinions from some of the most respected wedding professionals from around the country (including, ahem... moi!). Seriously though, I know a lot of the planners, photogs, caterers and others that they tapped to put this guide together and they really are people who know their stuff.   Even if you don't have a chance to pick up the magazine, they have uploaded their great checklists and worksheets to the Real Simple website (and while there, check out Simply Stated!)