The Final Touch – Accessories

Ask any woman and she will tell you : Nothing compares to a nice piece of jewelry. 

The question of “real or fake?” no longer holds much significance since the cost and quality of good costume jewelry can far exceed that of some ‘fine ‘ jewelry. The real problem is how much or how little do you wear.  I think the best way to do this is to think of  your gown as the cake and your jewelry as the frosting. How much frosting do you want? Would you prefer to be a glittering princess, dripping in ‘diamonds’ or would a modest pearl choker suit your needs just fine?

The first step in the process is to decide on a headpiece. Many years ago headpieces were designed to match a specific gown. Each gown was accompanied by its very own headpiece and veil. The designers spent hours creating the total look and they were sold as such but now, gown designers rarely even produce headpieces.

After you find your headpiece and veil it is important to book a hair appointment to have your hair styled with the headpiece and veil. My suggestion is to book this appointment on a day when you can try on the gown, whether it is for a fitting or not. Once you have a picture of the total look, you can get an idea of how much or how little jewelry you want.  If you have a favorite piece of jewelry or a family heirloom you want to wear, bring it with you so you can see how it looks with the entire ensemble.

The most common mistake brides make when selecting accessories for their wedding is listening to other people. Other people do not live inside your body, they do not know what is comfortable to you  on your skin or what is out of character for you or simply put, what you can afford. Find the pieces you like, big or small and go with it. I can tell you I am very uncomfortable with post earrings, they constantly pinch so I spend all night tugging at my ears and finally throw them in my purse. 

Speaking of purses, don’t forget that you might want to carry a small bag with some touch-ups for  your makeup and breath mints (no gum, please). There are so many gorgeous bridal purses that can be transitioned in to evening purses that it would be a shame not to have one. It doesn’t have to completely match the gown  since you will not be carrying it around with you and I have NEVER seen a bridal portrait or wedding picture where the bride is holding a purse.  Something beautiful will work, something embellished that you could carry to a cocktail party or another wedding would be fantastic.

Another sometimes forgotten accessory is the bracelet. You don’t have to worry about which arm to wear the bracelet. Again this is a comfort issue. your wedding rings will be on  he left hand so the right arm might need a little sparkle. But, if you always wear your bracelets on the left, do what works best for you. You don’t want to be speing the evening adjusting and fidgeting at your wrist.

Do not purchase anything that pinches, pulls, tugs or leaves red marks on your skin no matter what anyone tells you.

Do spend a little extra money for something that is of better quality….you will wear it again and again.

At each and every Bridal Expo we have accessories on stage and manyof our  accessory vendors display their merchandise for you to try on. Call 847-428-3320 today to book an appointment to see a show in your area.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

The Weekend Fashion Roundup – A Tale of Two Kates

Last weekend Kate Moss exchanged vows with her rock n’ roll husband Jamie Hince in the English Countryside  with a  boatload of  British bridesmaids (aka flowergirls) some very strange guests, her ex and baby daddy, her own daughter and four gown changes.

Kate Moss has been beautiful for a long time but in this John Galliano gown, she was radiant. No photos of the McCartney mini or the other two gowns just yet…. but, if she can look this great in the simplest of stlyes, how great will she look in the others? Their bridal party included 14 young bridesmaids in above the knee chiffon dresses with a gypsy style neckline and matching ballet- pumps with maid of honor in a blue Stella McCartney creation which almost perfectly matched the groom’s blue tuxedo.

On the far side of this side of the pond we had another British ‘Kate’ causing a sensation.  The Royal newlyweds attended the ‘BAFTA Brits to Watch’ event in Hollywood and everyone pulled out all the stops for their first visit to Hollywood as a married couple. The princess donned a lavender creation by Sarah Burton which accented her tiny waist and  included the belted, full-skirt look which she wore for her reception last April.  Everyone except for me seems to be in love with this look. Everyone else says it’s understated, I say its rather boring. Ask yourself this question: If you woke up tomorrow and you were 5 ft 10 inches tall and wore  a size 2, and could wear any gown in the world (with minor modesty restrictions) would you wear this one? She is beautiful and tall and thin and will look good in whatever she wears. In all fairness not everyone’s priority is fashion…. this is why stylists are so important.

My favorites? Gugu Mbatha-Raw looked flawless in Reem Acra, Maria Bello was pure glamour in her Silver Donna Karan and Rita Wilson looked like a queen herself wearing Elie Saab. Jennnifer Lopez  must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed or forgot where she was going because her Pucci gown looked out of place and not suited to meet a future queen.  The gown was more suited for the Grammys or the Baton or 1988. This is especially hard for me to say since Emilio Pucci is  my favorite designer brand.  

Other misses included Blake Lively’s all covered up but see-through shapeless Marchesa gown ( this would be great if you were expecting and wanted to hide a large belly bump), Dana Delaney’s messy Prada outfit ( no she is not carrying Tony the Tiger over her shoulder) and Kristen Chenowith’s BCBG Max Azria liquid lame tube top gown apparently stolen from the set of Charlie’s Angels.

Two Kates, one over-the-top Pucci and 14 bridesmaids… I’d say that was one fashionable weekend in July!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

July 4th Weddings – Something Red, White and Blue!

Independence Day is approaching and this year there is a rare opportunity for an additional 3 day weekend on our calendars. Memorial Day and Labor Day are always on a Monday but, July 4th (when it falls on a Monday) is an added bonus.  What that means for brides and grooms is that those who decided to combine their wedding with the glorious celebration of our nation’s independence are able to have a Sunday event, possibly save some money and more importantly  incorporate a major American Historic Celebration  into their event.

Experts have been telling us for years that having a Friday or Sunday event means saving money on most of the wedding costs but, with that Sunday being on a holiday weekend, you may have to negotiate the savings a little. Holiday weekends book fast so plan in advance! 

If you are interested in incorporating this momentous occasion in American History into your wedding, there are several ways to do it without being super tacky and having your wedding look like an Americana craft fair.

DO:

– Add some sparkle to the correspondences. Bursts of color on the save the date cards will remind your guests of the dual importance of the celebratory date.

-Navy blue bridesmaids gowns  are classic and you can get the desired effect instantly without going overboard. Add some simple red or white bouquets and you have the sizzle!

– Consider serving traditional American cuisine. Your guests will not be disappointed when they are presented with the perfect steak and potato.  A beautifully presented tray of garnishes  will make  guests think they have stepped up to a gourmet baked potato bar.

-Table decor is the perfect place to incorporate some sparkle and color. All white table linens will never look more crisp than when they are accented with a touch of navy or red.

– Add  Martha Stewart’s perfect parfait and some patriotic colored candy treats to the sweet table for a tasty trip down memory lane.

BONUS: With the July 4th celebration comes fireworks – usually lots of fireworks. Find a location that has access to a  fireworks display and your guests will be treated to their own personal light show.

DON’T:

-Give sparklers to guests. Fire + Party = trip to the emergency room.

– Think your bridal gown has to have any color at all. The red sash and accents have been done to death.  Even worse, draping yourself in a modified flag will make you look like you are the Grand Marshall of the local parade.

-Insist on centerpieces in red, white and blue. I have yet to see any centerpiece with this color combination that does not look cheap. Blue carnations are suspect, at best. I don’t even want to talk about carnations.

– Get too carried away with the theme. Accents are great but, walking into a room that looks like it was decorated by Betsy Ross (on crack) is called ‘sensory overload”.

My husband and I celebrate one of our wedding anniversaries on this special holiday so it is a very sentimental occasion for me. To all couples getting married this July 4th weekend I wish you a heartfelt congratulation and a lifetime of happiness.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Here Comes the Mom – Maternity options for Brides to Be

It was not that long ago that an unmarried woman who was pregnant was expected to rush to the courthouse with her fiance and tie the knot via quickie ceremony and subsequently lie about the baby being premature. As odd as it seems, the idea of a pregnant woman wearing a (white) wedding gown or having a large wedding was just out of the question, even though it happened all the time…just ask anyone in my family. For me, I never understood the big deal.

In 2011 brides have the option of waiting until the baby is born to have their fairytale wedding or just wearing a gown that embraces their pregnancy. After all, the important thing is that you are building a life together, not  a few mismatched dates on a calendar. In time, no one will care which came first and your child will always be more concerned about being in a loving family than whether mommy & daddy had the honeymoon before the ceremony.

Option #1 –Wait until the baby is born to have your fairytale wedding. Local singing sensation and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson will be marrying her son’s father in a fairly lavish ceremony this summer and has hinted that her 2 yr old son might walk her down the aisle. Waiting 2 years to have the wedding might sound extreme but, it has allowed her the time to lose the baby weight – and more! Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise made their daughter part of the wedding and she certainly looked adorable  in her Armani gown.

With this option you may have to do some explaining but, it is well worth it. You get it all, the husband , the babies, the wedding. What could possibly go wrong?  The only glitch involved is losing the baby weight and adjusting to some figure changes. Yes, your figure will change (even slightly) after you have a child. The main reason that women wait until the baby is born is so they have time to shed the pounds and trust  me it generally takes almost a year for things to go back to normal. Don’t count on being one of the fortunate women who pop out a baby and are back in a bikini within weeks. That does happen but not as often as you would think and you can’t compare yourself to other women.. we are all different.

Option #2 –Have the wedding while you are pregnant.  We are all not blessed with the kind of genetic makeup that allows our pregnancy to go unnoticed until after the 6 months mark so don’t be surprised if at first  you have a difficult time finding something where you look as good as you feel. Although there are several companies that design specific gowns just for mothers to be, you aren’t used to shopping for this figure. Your waist may be non-existent and your curves may be  curvier than before. This is only temporary, I can assure you. Certainly, it is not likely you will want a strapless mermaid style gown. A better option would be something with at least spaghetti straps, probably an empire waist like the one Jennifer Garner wore when she married meg-star Ben Affleck in a private cermony.  Remember that a lot of this depends upon how much you are ‘showing’ and how soon the wedding will be. If you plan to have the wedding less than a month before your due date, take that into consideration when selecting size as your size will more than likely increase as the due date draws closer. You will want to make concessions in the shoe department as well since at 8 months pregnant your feet will be swollen possibly beyond recognition and 3″ stilettos are almost always out of the question.

Once you decide which option works best for you, stick to your guns. Some people (usually over-concerned and probably bored) relatives might begin to question your decision. Planning  your wedding while managing your pregnancy sounds a lot  harder but it is not. Why? Because all of a sudden your prioirities change (maybe it’s the hormones) and you could care less what other people think. You care about your family and how they fit together, not the  details of pew decor. I was personally blessed with a 6 month euphoria which allowed me the luxury of being very agreeable to a difficult mother-in-law. It wore off.

To pregnant brides and brides who are already mothers I extend my best wishes and congratulations on all of the joys in your life!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

New & Improved- Bridal Showers that are actually fun!

I always thought bridal showers were a tad boring. Sorry, ladies but towels folded to look like cakes and ribbons tied to paper plates are kind of mind-numbing to me. Understandably some brides have large showers, sometimes co-ed with hundreds of guests. However, if your lifestyle does not dictate that kind of event or if you are just uncomfortable sitting in a big chair opening gifts – you are not alone.

Since many brides today are having multiple showers, having one smaller, intimate affair for your and just a dozen or so of your closest friends can be a fun, activity-based theme party. The focus is less on the gifts and the time is spent bonding with your (already best) besties.  I have found  these creative, unique and exciting bridal shower ideas that I am dying to share! Keep in mind that these are probably geared toward a smaller guest list and more intimate bridesmaid shower,  if the number of your bridal shower invitees  has three digits, a nice luncheon will do just fine.

Mani/Pedi parties can be held in your home or at the salon/spa. This kind of pampering becomes a  relaxing gabfest where gals let their hair down and just enjoy one another’s company. There are dozens of companies who promote these parties along with tips for food, decor, advice, invites, etc. Find the company that best suits your  needs, is within your price point and work with them to finalize all of the details. This can be as simple as taking half a dozen girls to the spa or having a catered affair in your home for twenty.  Don’t forget to  make sure all health and cleanliness standards are adhered to no matter the location!    Bonus; the favors can be a pair of bedazzled flip flops for the journey home or a sassy spa product!

Scrapbooking Shower – Guests are asked to bring a handful of pictures  to be included into a scrapbook that will be presented to the bride at the end of the shower. Each guests is given variety of items to adorn their page and all of the necessary tools to complete their page within the time frame.  A catered lunch of your choice is served  and guests can enjoy the  afternoon sharing memories, laughing and remembering when.  At the end of the day when the bride is presented with her scrapbook she will not only have memories of the photos in the book, but the memory of making the book itself. You will not believe how crafty and creative you and your friends can be with all of the right papers and accessories.  According to Jocelyn Tobias of Defining Moments,  the scrapbooking theme takes the bridal shower back to its origins of closeness, bonding and conversation. The ladies will leave the  shower feeling warm and fuzzy and the scrapbooks? They are a magnificent must-have for any bride. Although this is best done in-house, there are ways t o put together ‘kits’ for each page featuring fun decor items and interesting papers However, it is essential to have someone on hand who knows what they are doing and can put the finished product together at the end of the day.

Basically, You can have whatever kind of party you want, especially if it is something the bride really loves. However, there are some rules that you cannot avoid: 

Do not invite anyone who will not be invited to the wedding.

Bridal Showers should be 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

The Bridal Shower is generally hosted by the maid of honor or the bridesmaids as a group.

Invitations should be sent 4 weeks in advance.

For more information and the latest trends in wedding planning, log on to www.bridalshowexpo.com to get tickets to a show in your area. You can find everything you need for a successful event in one location… at Bridal Expo.

Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Another Reality Roundup- The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

THE GOOD

Last week I heard that there will be a new Reality TV show featuring one of my favorite designers, Amsale (pronounced Ahm-sah’-leh). If you only recently heard of Amsale, I suspect you were only recently engaged and do not work in retail. She has been designing bridal gowns since the 1980’s and making remarkable gowns the whole time. When I heard this, I had to google it to make sure it was true…. yes, it’s true!

The premise of the show, called “Amsale Girls”,  is about the running of her salon on Madison Avenue and the pressure they face to meet the needs of their extremely high end clientele. I am certain she will be the star, making regular appearances and infusing her timeless taste into our lives. Her ‘forever modern’ mantra might have been lost on the masses over the years but, timing is everything and realistically most people (right now) are in need of a healthy dose of good taste.

I am hoping she will give glimpses into the production aspect of the gowns as well –  for a host of reasons.  If the shows description on the WeTv site is true, all of the gowns in her salon are made on-site in a workroom by couture seamstresses. This is the part that I want to see!  The fact that someone has not outsourced their garment production to another country speaks volumes to me so, I will be placed directly in front of the TV for  the premiere of “Amsale Girls” on WeTv June 12th, hoping for the best and cheering for one of my favorite designers who I have had the pleasure of meeting on several occasions when I worked on the retail end of the bridal business.

THE BAD

On the other end of the spectrum we have a show that is more akin to a train-wreck than a TV show. I use that term a lot but, in retrospect I should have never used it at all and saved it just for this occasion. My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding is bad… really bad. It doesn’t show the darker side of the wedding business, it shows gluttonous consumers who are obsessed with over-the-top gowns, tacky decor, tart-ed up tweens and seem to overlook the fact that they are basically high-end homeless people. Of course, this show was imported from the UK and produced by none other than Simon Cowell of  American Idol fame and seems to have good ratings on TLC. Shame on TLC, I thought the “L” was for learning, in this case it seems to be laughing. I admit to watching it once but, that’s as far as I will go. I do have friends who think it is hilarious but, I think it is sad.  I can say is that whatever money the gypsies have to spend is not being wasted on charm school, it is being put back into the economy which is a good thing.

THE UGLY

My Big Friggin Wedding. I have not seen this show. I didn’t even know it was a real show until I accidentally ran across it on the internet. According to the review I read, this show would be  the child born from a marriage between Bridezillas and Jersey Shore. YIKES.  It is on VH1 which also produces the latter show, enough said. I don’t need to watch to understand that  fist-pumping, meatball eating, screaming, inappropriate behavior and guido-tacky is in store. I can assure you this is a Jersey thing and not an Italian thing. I am married into a large Italian family and none of them dress this way, none of them speak to each other this way and none of them spend that much time tanning, grooming and working out. Watch if you must. I will be watching something else, probably “Amsale Girls” since good taste is in such short supply.

By the way – Damn you, Nia Vardalos for titling your first movie so that everyone with any particular kind of wedding thinks it is okay to use your title with their words. Does MY BIG FRIGGIN GYPSY REDNECK WEDDING sound familiar? To Nia’s credit, do you think she ever thought of the negative impact this would have? Also for future reference – any wedding that is referred to as MY BIG FAT (anything) is a bad idea. But Kudos to Nia for having the ability to single-handedly add her slang to modern vocabulary!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Tan for a Day – Which method works best for you?

Tanning is one of the most controversial topics related to skin care and beauty. Most people believe that they look ‘healthier’ with  sun-kissed skin, and in most cases it is true. However, you will always encounter the types who go a bit far and all you can see is the whites of their eyes.  They are missing a key point here: sun-kissed, not baked to a crisp. That means a light glow on light skin…. even the Bain de Soleil lady is a few shades lighter than she used to be.

There are so many more options now than there used to be. Whether you choose a self tanner, spray tan or a tanning bed is up to you; there are pros and cons to each option. It is best to be forewarned.

Tanning Beds-Tanning beds use UV rays that are up to 100 times stronger than direct sunlight. This is important to remember since some people think that this is ‘safe’ tanning when it is not. If used in moderation and for the right reasons, tanning beds can be safe and effective. Most tanning salons have limits to how long and how often you can tan, you need to follow their rules and do not try to get all your tan in one day, this is dangerous and stupid. Make sure the salon is clean and the beds are completely  cleaned after each use. There is some speculation about how the UV rays affect your vision a nd eye health so you should always, ALWAYS wear goggles.  If you are still not sure about tanning beds, try another option.

Self – Tanner – Everyone I know has at least one really funny self-tanner story and it seems that for every story, there is a new ‘streakless’ product on the market. I have my own self tanner story and it ends with me having to wear gloves on my son’s first day of Kindergarten….. in August. Experts recommend practicing on your legs and also starting out with a light shade and layering it. DO NOT try to self tan for the first time the night before your wedding. This is a recipe for disaster. Fortunately many of the products now come in a mist form which is much easier to apply than the lotions. In my opinion they are still kind of messy and unreliable.

Spray or Airbrush Tan –Probably the fastest and easiest  method of darkening your skin. The spray tan lasts about five days and is basically safe. I only say ‘basically’ because there are 40+ chemicals used in these sprays and only about 11% of them have ever been tested and/or approved by the FDA. Of course there are dozens of products available so you can find one you are comfortable using. The difference between spray and airbrush is that the airbrush tan is applied by hand by a professional and the spray tan is usually done in a booth with nozzles turned on and off in intermittent cycles. 

 ALWAYS exfoliate before any type of tanning treatment.

ALWAYS protect your eyes.

ALWAYS ask questions if you are unsure.

 NEVER use any lotions or perfumes or other products on your skin unless they are recommended by the salon for the type of tanning you are using.

NEVER attempt any new skin procedures less than two weeks  before an event.

AVOID obvious tan lines by keeping your neckline in mind. 
AVOID any type of artificial tanning if you are pregnant.

If you decide you are fine with pale skin, you are not alone, Nicole Kidman and Madonna both  speak out strongly against tanning and many more celebrities are opting for less color. There also is the hope that the lack of pigment in Robert Pattinson’sskin in all of the famous Twilight movies might just prove a new trend… unless I’m wrong – which happens a lot. One fact is true – tanning ages your skin and makes you appear older than you are. Moderation is the key, use it wisely.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

The Party is Over… what to do with your Wedding Gown?

Most women don’t give much thought to their gown the day after their wedding. It’s kind of funny, really because that is the single most important thing that most brides obsess over on their wedding day and now it sits in a box or hanging in a bag somewhere in the closet, or attic or their parent’s garage. There is so much more you can do with your gown depending upon how far you are willing to go.

Lets face it, most ladies do not want to wear their mother’s bridal gown. If your mother was married in the 1970’s it was probably made of polyester and had long sleeves and an empire waist. Not a popular look for 2011. If she was married in the early 1980’s you could probably use her gown to make about two gowns considering the amount of fabric used in the average gown circa 1982. This is good to take into consideration since saving your wedding gown for your daughter may sound like a good idea but, in reality she will probably want her own gown…. something new!

Depending upon how far you are willing to go, there are several options available for your ever-so-slightly used wedding gown.

Donate-There are several organizations that take donated wedding gowns. They accept donations based on several factors and each one of them has different criteria. Some sell the gowns and donate the proceeds to a charity, some give the gowns away to worthy recipients. It varies so check with your organization to see if their process suits your needs. One place to check is www.donatemydress.org which has a national database of organizations in each state.

Re-Sale– Consignment shops will take gowns that have been cleaned and are in very good to excellent condition for re-sale in their shops. In fact, Bridal Re-Sale shops popped up all over the country when “Going Green’ became tres chic a few years back. Recycling may no longer be the new black nut it is still chic and sensible. You can also try craigslist, ebay and other online selling techniques. most women prefer the consignment method since they will want to try on a gown before they purchase. Look for a resale shop that is clean, has fitting rooms and does not smell like moth balls or patchouli!  When the average cost of a bridal gown in 2011 is more than I spent on my first car, I see nothing wrong with trying to recoup a few bucks on a major purchase!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Destroy – Trash the Dress or Rock the Frock is  a growing trend. Watching videos of this process and seeing photos first hand, I can tell you this is a very cathartic process. Mostly staged and sometimes done in group fashion, brides are encouraged to adorn the full bridal gear: headpiece, jewelry, makeup just as if it were ‘the big day’ all over again for a full-blown photo shoot. Then seemingly out of nowhere, circumstances present themselves to destroy the gown beyond repair. Paint or other elements smeared  all over the front of a very expensive designer gown sounds ghastly but admittedly looks like a fun way to declare the wedding is over. Getting the groom involved may also prove to be cathartic for him as well since he has probably endured countless hours of bridal gown speculation, shopping, fitting and drama.

Re-Use. If you have a formal gown it is unlikely you will ever wear it again, realistically. Unless you want to dress as a zombie bride for Halloween or (like a woman I have known for the better part of my life) wear it every year on your anniversary, the gown will probably not be re-worn as is. But, it can be re-used. The fabric, the lace, the entire thing can be cut up in various ways and skillfully used to make a beautiful and sentimental Christening gown for your child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preserve – Of course your gown can always be cleaned, boxed and preserved for future use.  It is packaged with acid-free tissue and the box is sealed shut with a viewing window so you can make sure it is your gown. If  handled according to the preservation company’s recommendations, the gown can be stored for eternity(?) without yellowing, fading or showing any signs of age.  Make sure it is your gown in the box  and if you gave them the headpiece (to preserve) that it is also in the box.

Whatever you decide to do,  make sure to place a big post-it on your refrigerator to remind yourself to launder your gown since only one of the above options does not require post-wedding cleaning.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Interfaith Ceremonies – Coming Together

I have always thought that relationships are a spiritual bond and marriages are a legal bond. To me, the marriage license is a  signed contract to be adhered to in  accordance with the laws of your state and an excellent way to get benefits from a dynamite health insurance policy.  For others the wedding is a deeply religious statement,  the marriage being a contract  recognized by God. Leaving religion completely out of the wedding ceremony is fine for some but not all and  for every person on one side of the argument, there is an equally compelling stand for the other side. There is no reason to leave your beliefs at the altar. Instead, try bringing them together, celebrating each of your individual beliefs and their cultural significance!

For couples from different cultures and  different religious faiths, a wedding ceremony can pose some sticky problems for their respective families and prove to be an argument-starter at every family function.  When you fall in love with someone you don’t think about the resentment your future in-laws might feel if you celebrate holidays they do not recognize. In most cases, these things can be ironed out but, remember that someday there might be children involved and addressing the problem sooner rather than  later is better than sweeping it under the carpet. Instead of choosing one belief system over the other, decide on what is important to you (as a couple) and make your own rules.

Long gone are the days when there is a stigma attached to marrying outside the faith, where someone had to give up their beliefs in order to take their vows. now, interfaith ceremonies are abundant and  the message is clear: compromise and patience are the key to a successful merge of two different cultures.

#1) Write your own vows. This will give you a chance to express yourself in terms of how you feel about the other person and the commitment you are making. You can use as much religion and culture as you want.

#2) Have two officiants.  If you both agree, having two officiants will ease a lot of stress from your families. You will merge the two faiths to form your own unique ceremony.

#3) Eliminate the religious portion completely.If you do not want to have a relgious ceremony and a civil ceremony suits you, then do not be afraid to elminate religion altogether. This doesn’t mean it has to be dull!

#4) Incorporate both religions and cultures equally. This is a celebration and you shoud find an officiant or clergy who will embrace both of your cultures! Your families will be pleased that you have put so much effort into incorporating BOTH cultures! As for the reception, do some research into how each of your cultures celebrate marriage and you as much or as little as you would like.

This is your wedding, your life and your future. The last thing you want to do is argue over a few words spoken during a ceremony. Compromise is the key as long as your cultural customs do not offend anyone, you are safe. Make this your day and everyone will rejoice in the union you have created for one another. 

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Friday Fun – Bridal Things I Never Knew!

It’s Friday! It also happens to be the Friday before Memorial Day weekend so there is a buzz in the air that makes everyone feels a little less serious today. So lighten up, grab your coffee and relax while I share some  odd bridal ‘things’ with you.

Royal Lego Wedding– Nearly a month before the actual wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, Legoland in California made a gigantic model mock-up of what the wedding would look like. Buckingham palace, the horses, the guests and the happy bride and groom were on display for on-lookers to marvel at the wonder we call Legos. Bravo, Lego masters… very creative. The day after the wedding, the outfits were customized to reflect the actual ensembles worn by family and friends. FYI- I could not find a copy of the famous hat worn by Princess Beatrice made in Lego fashion.

Attack of The Clones –There are two things I love in this world without question: My family and weddings. So when my kids wanted to watch Star Wars Episode II (Attack of the Clones) I made the popcorn. I can’t really tell you what this movie was about but I can tell you at the very end of the movie was a wedding. The princess or queen or senator (depending upon how I remember it) married future Darth Vader in a beautiful lace gown. The headpiece was over-sized but still  remarkable and it didn’t hurt that the completely gorgeous Natalie Portman was the bride. It is just a shame that the biggest movie franchise of all time had a secret wedding … with no reception and no guests except R2D2 and C3PO. Seriously? Note to self: If you have to keep your marriage a secret, it’s probably not a good idea to get married.

Caroline Conspiracy – Famed fashion designer and style icon Carolina Herrera’s big break  in the wedding industry was when she designed  Caroline Kennedy’s bridal gown  in 1986. Ms Herrera  had unveiled her first couture collection a  few years earlier but became an overnight sensation in the bridal industry when (Sweet) Caroline appeared, looking radiant, in this one-of-a-kind, shamrock lace gown created just for her. Carolina Herrera launched her bridal line in 1987 and was an instant success.

Trick or What? In Finland it is customary for the bride to go door to door with a pillowcase collecting wedding gifts from friends and neighbors. Her father accompanies her carrying an umbrella over her head. I call that Halloween. I wonder if she gets Snickers or the cheap stuff?

Happy Friday! Enjoy the long weekend if you have the chance.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago