Bridal Expo

A good manicure improves the health and texture of your hands and fingernails, helps prevent hangnails and snagged cuticles and the accompanying hand massage improves circulation. The word manicure itself is derived from the Latin word ‘manus’ which means hands and ‘cure’, which means …..cure. In recent years, the mani/pedi spa has been favorite of brides and bridesmaids for a bit of indulgence and relaxation. But, what about grooms?

You can’t spell manicure without  ‘MAN” so why don’t most men understand they could greatly benefit from a good manicure? Whether they want a polish, simple buff or clean up the cuticles, grooms around the globe are starting to understand that it is about looking and feeling your best from head to toe.

French Manicures are by far the most popular manicure style for weddings. It is elegant, universal, classic and goes with everything from a denim skirt to a bridal gown. Clear or nail-colored nail polish is applied on the body of the nail and pure white nail polish at the tips of nails. The nails are shaped round, oval or square as desired. This can be done with your own natural nails or with any kind of artificial nail tip or overlay.

Natural looking nails are also very popular with brides. A muted shade of peach or pink is used, whichever color matches your natural nail bed. The natural nail is polished and groomed to perfection before the polish goes on.. Your nails will not stand out but you will notice the difference in how finished they look. This kind of polish effect really only works with natural nails but, it is very organic and understated.

 Even if you decide to go with the simplest manicure, this one beauty treatment is a must for both bride and groom since your photographer will probably want to get a close-up of your hands with wedding rings.

-Penny Frulla For Bridal Expo Chicago

Finding the perfect scent can be  overwhelming considering the thousands of fragrances available. Many women just stick to what they know and wear the same fragrance for  years. If it is a scent that you truly love, it is understandable… but, if you are thinking about starting fresh, your wedding day is the perfect day to break out a new scent! 

Tips for finding the right scent :

Never try on more than one scent at a time, it is a guaranteed headache for you and everyone around you.

Talk with the fragrance expert behind the counter. Their knowledge may surprise you and come in very handy.

Use your nose, not your mind. The name of a scent may not sound like something you want to wear and may be exactly what you like.

Wear a scent for 24 hours before deciding if you like it. It may start out okay but, then react with your body chemistry in a negative manner.

An additional tip for your wedding (specifically) is to take into consideration the fragrance of the floral arrangements. You never want to clash with your flowers.

After you have chosen the perect scent, remember to us it sparingly. The rule is that people should only be able to smell your fragrance if they are  close enough to hug you, anything more than that and you have gone too far.

Dousing yourself in perfume is no only a major etiquette faux pas, it can make people very sick.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

In the 20th century DeBeers introduced modern society to the idea that a woman’s engagement ring should cost approximately 2 month’s salary and no one seemed to blink an eye. The engagement ring will probably be worn every day for the rest of a woman’s life – barring no unfortunate circumstances.

By comparison, no one has ever come forward to say how much a  bridal gown should cost. What percentage of salary, wedding budget or any other indication of the amount of money one should spend. Of course the 2 months salary really was a genius marketing strategy and nothing more.

The best way to decide on how much to spend on your bridal gown is to first take a look at what’s important to you. First and foremost, determine your budget immediately. Before you open a bridal magazine, sit down with whomever is paying and have an honest conversation about price. Convey this to your bridal consultant when you enter the salon and it will help him or her determine what gowns you will be seeing.

After the budget is determined,  consider the  three F’s: Fabric, Fit and Finish.

Fabric:  The quality of the fabric will increase the price of the  gown greatly. Inspect the fabric… is it silk? Is it smooth  or does it have inconsistencies in the weave? High quality silk and low quality silk have one thing in common: they are both silk. However, the process they go through to become a garment is entirely different. The reason some fabrics are more expensive than others because they are more valuable. They are better in quality, they look better and they feel better. High quality fabric makes a difference in price. Does it feel good next to your skin or is the fabric itchy? A quality garment begins with quality fabric.

Fit: Each manufacturer has their own standard sizing. What does that mean? Not every size 8 fits the same way. Vera Wang’s size 8  maybe be cut slightly different from Monique Lhullier’s size 8. Also, a great fit for your body may not be a great fit for the bride standing next to you. The truth is that a  more expensive gown will have a better fit  because a lot of time has  been spent perfecting the pattern before it even becomes a gown. Maggie Sottero advertises her gowns as the best fit in the bridal industry. Is it true? Try one on and decide for yourself.

Finish: The quality of any garment is revealed in the finished product. The finish of a gown refers to the end stages of construction. My mother always told me that a garment should look as beautiful on the inside as on the outside. She was a smart lady. Look inside the gown: are the inside seams exposed? Are there any threads dangling out of seams? Is the hem even all the way around? The serged method is  the least expensive way of finishing seams. This is great for tank tops and denim. By comparison,  French seams are delicate and time consuming. Does this matter to you? A beautifully sewn garment will also be easier to alter and will look better as a result. The gown should feel smooth and comfortable against your body, nothing pinching or poking anywhere. The attention to detail is one of the most important factors in deciding how much your gown will cost.

A bargain is when you pay less for something than it is actually worth. Getting a beautiful gown of superior quality within your price range is a bargain. Buying ana garment for any price that is made and fits poorly is not a bargain.

When deciding on how much a gown is worth to you, remember that you will never be photographed in anything as much as you will be in your wedding gown and you will probably never be seen by as many people at one time as when you are wearing your wedding gown. Decide the value of that before your enter the first salon.

Remember, you always get what you pay for. 

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Is it just me or does anyone else think the pantyhose industry is hanging on by a very thin lycra thread?? Pantyhose were all but abandoned by women in the mid-1990′s when Princess Diana showed up to an event (mid-divorce) in a  knee-length cocktail dress with a bare leg. Her fans went wild! The queen frowned, Prince Charles hardly noticed and women around the world breathed a collective sigh of relief.

I will admit, I love pantyhose. But, every situation is unique and I can tell you that there are many occasions when I am adamantly opposed to stockings of any kind…hint:  Summer 2012 was a HOT ONE!! Therefore, I can take either side of the pantyhose debate.

Situations where pantyhose or tights or stockings might be preferred : many job interviews, some offices, probably in court, maybe a funeral,possibly to meet the Queen and always if it is very cold outside.

Situations where they are not neccessary: Some job interviews, with a longer skirt, in the summer months, with open toe sandals, to meet the first lady (who rarely wears them) and never when it is 100 degrees outside.

Although there are those of us  who swear the pantyhose days’ are numbered, some say that sales are up nearly 40% from last year. This is due  (in large part) to the current Princess, Catherine, who wouldn’t be caught dead without her super sheer, nude stockings.

The only rule for weddings is this: If one bridesmaid wears them, everyone must wear them. For guests, it is up to each individual to decide. Iron this out early and decide if you are comfortable without, go without. But, make sure your shoes are comfortable enough to avoid blistering. On the other hand, if you feel under-dressed, wear them. To avoid looking outdated,  look for something as close to the color of your skin as possible to achieve the perfect ‘nude’  look and whatever you do – avoid suntan pantyhose at all costs (or you may be mistaken for a Hooters waitress)!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Finding the right wedding favors can be a daunting task. Candles,  photo frames, keychains… they are all good and useful ideas. But, every now and then an idea comes along that is so good I can’t believe no one has thought of it until now. I present to you: Flip Books.

Flip Books  are individually crafted mini books, created using your own short (approximately 30 second ) digital video. Small, compact and durable, they make great mementos and are economical as well. Even less expensive if you buy several at once.

In addition to wedding favors, they make great attendant gifts. Make a short video from your bridal shower, a staged video of the two of you dancing or laughing or doing  just about anything!

The way it works is that the video is taken apart frame by frame and each frame is placed on a right side page. As you ‘flip’ through the book, it is like watching the mini video – without any devices involved. Genius – pure and simple!

You can also customize one (or more)  for your own keepsake after the wedding to include a bouquet  toss, reciting your vows, or a portion of your first dance.

The flipbooks are made with durable, heavy-duty binding, the photos are printed on  heavy bond digital paper which makes your video spring to life. There are several websites that offer flipbook so make sure you see their work in person before you  buy anything.

My best advice for anyone who wants to use this idea: Start filming short ( 2 minute) videos of wedding activities  as soon as possible. This way you can edit the video down to highlight the best 15-20 seconds of action. Upload, place the order and you are done.  Although most sites offers different covers, customized labels will add your own personal touch!

Happy Flipping!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

I can think of no two things that have less in common than Randy Fenoli and a Semi Tractor /Trailer. Nothing about bridal gowns, nothing about a bridal makeover, nothing about brides at all reminds me of an 18 wheeler. Until now. Tonight is the premiere of a brand new reality show on TLC,  “Randy to the Rescue” and things are about to change. 

  “Say Yes to the Dress” opened the door for all of America to meet Randy Fenoli and it  parlayed his years of experience into his very own reality show featuring a semi tractor/trailer fully stocked with everything a bride could want to be beautiful on her wedding day including a consultation/ makeover with Mr. Fenoli .

There will probably not be any brides throwing things or having meltdowns, the premise of the show is to give three lucky brides the opportunity of a lifetime, to get advice and support from a seasoned wedding professional. The opportunity to look and feel as beautiful as possible, as every bride should.

The idea is genius, bringing the game to the fans instead of asking them to come to you. How many brides from Minneapolis are actually going to travel to New York to buy a gown? Probably very few. So, when the Mobile Makeover unit with Mr. Bridal Fashion pulled into their city to film, brides lined up in droves. All the while,  Randy  performs makeovers (in the truck?) and dispenses some valuable advice.

My favorite of  ’Randy’s Rules’ :

You Should Always Purchase the Gown That Makes You Feel the Most Beautiful

“I personally feel that every woman is beautiful. And on your wedding day, you should FEEL beautiful. The perfect wedding gown will make you feel like you never have before. You should be able to look in the mirror with the confidence of the beautiful woman that you already are.  Don’t buy a dress because when you look in the mirror you say, “This dress is beautiful;” buy the dress that makes you look in the mirror and say, “I am beautiful.”

Tune in tonight,. Friday June 15 at 9 pm on TLC. I know I will be watching!!!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Whether it is  Shabby Chic, Vintage, Rustic or Victorian, one of the most popular wedding themes for 2012 is pastel. Blending pale colors or shades of the same color has made ‘pale’ the new black and brides are scooping it up in droves. Although pastel colors may seem ‘washed out’ to some, they can be as eye-popping as neon if put together properly with table decor, flowers and other elements of the wedding. Don’t fooled by words, there is nothing shabby about these ideas!

Flowers – Combining pastel flowers in various sizes, shapes and degrees of (pale) color will give your theme an understated elegant feel.

Bridesmaids  - Look for soft, flowing chiffon, delicate silks, and lace overlays  in one or several shades of delicate color.

Bridal Gown - Whether you are looking for a simple sheath, layers of ruffles or something in between, pastel bridal gowns are everywhere.

The important thing to remember is that although you have chosen a pastel palette, your wedding shouldn’t look like a bowl of after dinner mints. Adding the right touches  in moderation will allow your guests to absorb the calming effect of the subtle shades of color. Consider choosing  shades that compliment one another such as rose and champagne, lilac and cornflower, peach and grey or cream and sage.

 -Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Thinking back to my youth, I remember watching Elton John and Kiki Dee performing on a variety show, probably the Hudson Brothers (Kate Hudson’s dad and his brothers had a one hour weekly show with musical guests and comedy sketches). Kiki Dee was wearing light blue overalls and had her hair super straight. I wanted straight hair and light blue overalls so bad that I convinced my mother to let me learn how to sew so I could make a pair just like them…. and I did. It wasn’t until the late 1990′s that I was able to achieve the straight hair.  Several  years after the blue overall experience,  I saw Madonna in a bustier and fluffy skirt and that became my next must-have. I wore crazy skirts like Cyndi Luper, crimped my hair like Whitney Houston and would have tried to copy every one of Cher’s Bob Mackie gowns if I thought for a second I could get away with it. In case you can’t tell, I think music is a huge influence on fashion.

Oddly enough, the effect music has on fashion is a trickle up theory, of sorts. An artist wears something in concert or video, their fans go wild, begin to copy it, and then works it’s way up the generational ladder until it is mainstream fashion.  Gwen Stefani was a huge influence on fashion in the 1990′s bringing some glam to the grunge look. She was so successful that she even started her own clothing line, which is now the norm for many female artists. The grunge look was not my favorite but, looking back it had to be cost effective since cleanliness was definitely optional.

Yesterday, I returned home form the market to learn the sad news that Whitney Houston passed away at the age of 48. Whitney Houston was one of the greatest vocal talents of my lifetime,  a powerhouse, a woman of heart and soul who shared her talent with the world and her style greatly influenced fashion.  Her inimitable style and talent will be missed as she enters the ranks of one more soul who left this world way too young.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Bridesmaid gowns have gone crazy! Good crazy, that is.  Long or short, strapless or halter, chiffon or satin, there is a bridesmaid gown for every figure type and budget.  Designers are showing what brides have been asking to see for decades….. “SOMETHING YOU CAN WEAR AGAIN!” The best part is that many designers are offering fashionable options for bridesmaids who aren’t comfortable showing too much skin.

Cape - How about a nice little chiffon covering? If the gown you select doesn’t offer something like this, you can always have them made for you.

Shawl – Something to wrap around your neck or arms, it usually dresses up the gown and is definitely more formal.

Scarf – For a more fun, edgy look try adding a luxurious Pashmina or silk chiffon scarf in a totally different color than the gown.

Wrap - Narrower than a shawl or scarf, this ‘wraps’ around the bodice to  give some shoulder coverage and is intended to be worn all night. 

Bolero – Of course there is always the bolero jacket like Princess Katherine wore with her reception gown last April.

Last, we come to the shrug, which is a short open-front ‘jacket’ with little or no sleeves.

You can have so much fun with scarves, wraps, shrugs and capes that the possiblities are endless. The perfect way to dress up a simple gown,  and allow the bridesmaids a little coverage.  

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Last week we unveiled one of the wedding trends that began developing in 2011 and will most likely continue into 2012 is downsizing. Many couples (not just those with budget restrictions)  are opting for smaller, more intimate gatheringe where their dollars are spent on quality vs. quantity; having  a luxurious, lavish affair for 75 people rather than a 350 person sit down dinner.  The problem is, where do you draw the line?

How to keep your small affair a small affair:

1) Make your guest ‘wish’ list and decide on the exact cut off number. This list is the closest people in your life, the people you cannot live without.  Decide immediately if you will be able to allow  single guests to bring a date or  parents to bring their children, stick to your guns and be prepared to have to defend this decision.

2) From the beginning, tell anyone who asks that you are planning a small, intimate gathering. This will prevent most from asking if they are invited. Be polite and tell them honestly, ” Jason and I have decided to have a smaller wedding and we will only be inviting family and our closest friends.” Of course, this means you should not be constantly talking about wedding plans to co-workers who are uninvited, save the juicy details for the maid of honor or your sibling. 

3) Be prepared to get some flak. Some people will a) not think this is a great idea and b) be offended they are not invited. This is your celebration, it is your choice to handle it as you see fit. Whatever reason they give you for their dissenting opinion –  ignore them.

4)  As soon as you have whittled the guest list to the desired number, find and book your location.  Once you have secured your location, everything will begin to fall in place and any negative feedback will be drowned out by the beauty of what you can accomplish for the same amount of money.

5) Keep the wedding party small. There is no hard and fast rule for this but, if the guest total is 75, stay with one or two attendants. Kate Middleton had only one bridesmaid and her wedding was enormous, keep that in mind.

The benefits of a smaller wedding are many; you can spend more money on things that really matter to you like an exclusive location,  maginficent meal, extraordinary flowers, glamorous gown, elaborate invitations,  A-list photographer and a sumptuous sweet table. In the end it truly is a matter of quality versus quantity.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago