Tag Archives: Unique wedding theme ideas

Fall Weddings /Fall Colors?

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There is no rule that says your wedding colors have to be based on the seasons. Of course in the Spring we are all excited by the vibrant pinks and purples, just as we are calmed by the relaxing hues of  fall but, this does not dictate your color choice and there are no limits to what you can or should do.

 Your options in the fall are as gorgeous and stylish as ever and here are some tips to incorporate fall colors without losing the vibrancy of spring and summer bouquets.

Go White.Nothing is more classic or elegant than all white flowers, centerpieces and bouquets,  just ask Kim Kardashian. By using a variety of flowers, textures and shapes you can have a monochromatic theme with a “WOW” factor.

Go Green. Shades of green from Emerald to Lime will make your guests feel like they are in an enchanted forest.

Be Unique. Mixing flowers and plants that are not traditionally associated with wedding bouquets and adding feathers and herbs or a touch of sparkle will make your wedding flowers stand out no matter what season. Peacock is still a big theme and the feathers look amazing in floral arrangements.

Also hot for fall weddings: Deep colors like crimson, purple and orange all mixed together with some foliage, twigs or antique hydrangeas.

One important tip to remember is that flowers are more economical when they are in season, always ask your florist if you are unsure of what that might be. You may get some quizzical looks if you use daisies for a winter wedding but, take it in stride. Your job, as a bride, is to make yourself  happy, not everyone else.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

The Waiting Game

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Shannon Tweed waited for Gene Simmons to pop the question. She waited for 27 years, through 2 kids and a reality show. When he  sensed she was obviously tired of waiting, he caved and popped the question. It seems no matter how secure and happy you are in the relationship, it is not quite the same without the marriage…. and the wedding! This Saturday October 1, 2011 they will be tying the knot with a wedding fit for a rock-n-roll king, and playboy queen. If the truth be known, I am more interested in this wedding than all the Kardashian women put together. You have a mega-talented Rock-n-Roll superstar, the lead singer of one of the most successful groups of all time (Kiss) and his bride-to-be, a talented actress and model in her own right. They have two gorgeous and intelligent children who are blessing this union with their own unique brand of humor; daughter Sophie wrote a humorous poem and son Nick drew a family cartoon on the invitation itself.  Take a look at the invitation :

So this begs the question, “How long is too long to wait for your beloved to decide you are the one, even if you decided a long time ago?” Not having much experience with this, I would say that 27 years would be the absolute maximum amount of time.

The average courtship is less than three years at which point it either moves forward or ends. Practically speaking, it is easier, cheaper and more convenient to be married to the person you live with than to merely co-habitate. There are insurance issues, children’s last names, next of kin, power of attorney, taxes and basically everything is more complicated. However, if you have access to unlimited funds, this is a non-issue. Which is what  I suspect with team Tweed-Simmons.

Oddly enough the engagement of this power couple has lasted only a few short months. Was the wedding ‘hurried up’  for ratings since the wedding is the season opener for Family Jewels? I  suspect that played a major factor since Gene Simmons is known to be a financial (and ratings) wizard. I also suspect that the future Mrs. Shannon-Tweed was happy about the length of the engagement since 2 1/2 months is short by any standards… unless you have already waited 27 years.

My guess is that Ms. Tweed has been spending the last 60 days happily planning her long awaited wedding, and I can’t wait to see the results!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Big Beautiful Bridesmaids – Finding a Dress That Fits

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Everyone who has ever been a bridesmaid knows two things about bridesmaid dresses; you hardly ever wear them again and they run small.

For the average size 10 woman, she will need to purchase a size 12 or maybe 14 bridesmaid gown. The rule is that you always fit the biggest body measurement since the gown can be taken in everywhere and rarely let out anywhere. But, when your best friend in the world  is a size 24, what do you do? As the size 24 bridesmaid do you  tell the bride you are uncomfortable wearing the dress she picked? Is it fair to ask the largest woman, who is probably the least secure about her physical appearance to wear the same dress as everyone else? Do you ask her to lose weight?  Do you find a similar gown for her to wear? Trust me, I have seen every angle of this debate and it never changes, and  it is near impossible to make everyone happy with your choice. So what do you do if you love your friend and you really want her to look  and feel  her best? The first step is to have an open conversation about the topic. She will be so relieved that you are sensitive about this topic that you may have to pick her up off the floor!

Different gowns –Offering the bridesmaids gown choices of the same color and different styles dates back over two decades. It works beautifully then and it is still by far the best option for bridesmaids of all sizes. Here is how it works: each bridesmaid has  a different style of gown but in  the exact same  color and length. If you can find the same fabric, that’s even better – but don’t let this tiny detail deter you when selecting the dress.

Custom gown– If the bridesmaid gown you have chosen does not come in larger sizes, many bridal salons  have the capability to make a custom gown of the exact same style and fabric for a larger bridesmaid. Same fabric, same style, same everything. The upside is that the gown will almost always be exactly the same as the others, the downside is that it will probably double the price. Other factors are that  (as the bridesmaid) you will not know how you look in the gown until it is in production and all sales are final. Sometimes this is the absolute best option and everyone is ecstatic with the outcome.

No matter which option you choose as a bride or bridesmaid, consider these tips:

Fit – Most women do not want to be squeezed into a dress like a tube of toothpaste regardless of their size but it is especially important if you have an ample figure. Leave a little wiggle room by ordering the larger size and you won’t regret it.

Style: Find a gown that has an empire waist, fuller skirt or other components that are not too restricting.  Plunging necklines can sometimes bring the eye away from trouble areas and enhance the face but, remember that a bigger bustline  has disadvantages, too. Make sure everyone is comfortable with how much cleavage is exposed as this could be a personal catastrophe if there is not enough coverage. Absolutely avoid strapless.

Fabric – Avoid super-shiny satin and stiff taffeta. Find fabrics that move like chiffon, crepe and charmeuse. After you sit down in a tight satin dress you will stand up to a wrinkled mess.

Undergarments– Girdles are a thing of the past!  However, Spanx and other similar undergarments can provide not only some help smoothing out trouble areas but also help the dress fit better. If your bustline is the bigger problem, make sure you get a suitable bra that offers comfort as well as support. Better yet – find a one piece bodysuit that has the bra built in! Comfort and support are the key elements. The right undergarments will vastly improve the way you look and feel in your bridesmaid gown.

 Designers finally figured out that beautiful bridesmaids come in all sizes and offer gorgeous gowns in every shape, size and price range. You don’t have to break the bank and you don’t have to settle for anything less than fabulous!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Check out luxury French lingerie Juste Moi!

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

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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

Tattoo Taboo- To Cover or Expose?

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Tattoos have almost completely lost the negative stigma they once held. So much so that you can find ‘ink’ in spades at nearly every PTA meeting across the country. Unfortunately your parents and grandparents may not agree.  They still remember tattoos as something that sailors got when they were inebriated and stationed overseas.

Tattoos have been around for centuries, dating back to  Ancient Egypt. In ancient Japan the insertion of needles into the skin was thought to bring healing in an early acupuncture method and the needles were dipped in ink to proudly display each  ‘treatment’.   However, in some cultures tattoos are still not acceptable and some faiths, particularly the Jewish and Islamic,  tattoos are addressed specifically as forbidden.  Your relatives (especially the older ones) might not be happy to see a flaming dragon on your shoulder or even a tiny butterfly on your wrist.

So what exactly do you do when you want to wear a strapless, halter or open back gown and you have a tatto that will most definitely show? You have two choices: Show it or cover it.

If you decide to show the tattoo, Bravo  for standing by your decision. My advice: Take the heat early on! Tell your family and whomever that  you love your body art and have no desire to cover it. Don’t be surprised if they aren’t thrilled with your decision. Wouldn’t you rather have the discussion sooner rather than later so that you are not completely stressed in case of a huge family debate the day of your wedding? Compromise if you can. Perhaps you can offer to have the copies of the photos you will give to them airbrushed so the tattoos are not in their photos at all. Yours can be left alone. Sure, it is an added expense but a small price to pay for family peace!

Deciding to let highly visible tattoos remain exposed can be a liberating experience especially if they have real significance to you. Many gorgeous women have tattoos they are very proud of and never seem to waver when they get dressed even for the red carpet. Think of Megan Fox and Angelina Jolie. It can also be incorporated into the theme of your wedding. Do you have a large butterfly tattoo on your arm? Then, let there be butterflies!

Covering a tattoo is tricky. Many cosmetic stores like ULTA or department stores carry products designed specifically for tattoo cover up. You must follow the instructions exactly and match your skin perfectly. Don’t forget the primer and sealer. The primer helps the product to stick to your skin and the sealer keeps it from coming off. Most are foundation-type products but,  some are powder. Either way you need to practice several times to make sure you have the process perfected before stepping out on your big day! Also consider hiring a professional to do this for you, especially if the tattoos are in hard to reach places.

You can also cover the tattoo by selecting a gown that covers it entirely. Depending upon where the tattoos located, the style of gown you prefer adn the time of year this can be next to impossible. However, a talented seamstress can add sleeves, raise a neckline or make other changes to accommodate your needs. The key is to speak honestly and openly to your bridal consultant bout your wishes and do not hesitate to get the alterations department involved.

For some brides it isn’t even a topic for discussion and for others it is a very big deal.  This is your decision and no one should make it for you.

Penny Frulla for Bridal  Expo Chicago

Green Weddings Part Two – Invitations

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One thing is certain when you are planning your wedding; the invitation should give the guests all of the information they need to know about what kind of event it will be. Aside from the printed words describing the date, time and dress code, the  style of invitation and the actual paper itself are big clues as to what one can expect on your big day. You should choose your invitations accordingly and don’t forget to order the matching Thank You cards!

When you add the layer of eco-consciousness to your affair, it might seem that you will have fewer choices. In this case, it is the contrary. Make no mistake, though, when your guests get your invitation they will understand that you are making an effort to reduce waste . Take this into consideration: Half the trees felled in the US every year are used for paper, and an estimated 30-40 percent of our landfills are filled with paper waste. And in case you didn’t know, the manufacture of paper is a nasty, toxic process that leaves a trail of waste and destruction. WOW! …and YUK! 

Conscientious  retailers and clever manufacturers have finally realized these devastating facts and have started making and marketing paper products that are eco-friendly and attractive! Your guests will understand your commitment to the environment as well as to one another.

Recycled Paper is made from post-consumer waste. Specifically, old paper. Recycling paper saves tons (literally) of trees. Paper can be whole or part recycled and can also be mixed with other pulp products. One thing is for sure – when it is recycled, it is clearly marked. Look for the “Recycle” logo. It will look and feel just like any other paper.

Tree Free Paper is made of various fiber rich products like hemp, sugar cane, kenaf, bamboo or (ready?) elephant dung. Not one tree is used and all of these papers are made from the surplus of one product or from a highly sustainable resource. Hemp paper was used by Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Indpendence and also used to print the very first Gutenberg Bible… so it has been around for some time and lasts forever without yellowing. All of these papers look and feel organic, they have texture and a timeless, elegant beauty similar to parchment.

Plant-able Paper is  hugely popular!  Imagine after the wedding instead of throwing out the invitation, your invited guests can actually plant the invitation into the ground and flowers or herbs will grow. An amazing reminder of the day, this will be the most talked about invitation ever received.  The instructions are easy and are included with each invitation. A powerful message to remind other subliminally that love grows like a plant and it needs some nurturing along the way.  These papers have some depth due to the implantation of seeds, don’t let that discourage you, the papers are wonderful to hold in your hand, if only for a moment, before they go back to the earth. You’ll be tempted to save them – but don’t.

The only option for Greenies that I strongly disavow is the urge to go paperless. For Tupperware parties, children’s birthdays, and neighborhood pot lucks, e-invitations are fantastic. It saves time, money and trees. However, your wedding is such an important event in your life and of those who love you, to even entertain this idea for a wedding invitation is simply a big no-no. Times change and so someday this may become the norm. I’ll let you know when that happens.

If you are interested in eco-friendly options for your invitations or if the environment is your cause du jour, following three simple rules will allow a good night’s sleep and a clear conscience.

1) Talk to your stationer about eco-friendly options.

2) Make Sure the paper being used is 100% recycled waste.

3) Use a company that uses products made from sustainable, renewable  or plant-able products. By making this commitment to your partner and the earth together you can rest assured that your invitation will stand out as one that is unique and memorable. The earth will thank you.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Proud as a Peacock-themed wedding

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For the past several months I have been wondering what is up with the  ‘peacock thing’. If you don’t know what I’m referring to, let me enlighten you; peacock themed weddings are the hottest trend in color schemes right now. From invitations to shoes decorated with actual feathers, the peacock  topic is hotter than Vegas in July!

The peacock  is known for its beautiful feathered tail,  which includes shades of iridescent blue and green but also sprinkled with rich red and gold.  But did you know that the peacock also has very spiritual and cultural significance in all parts of the world? Whether it is ancient Greco-Roman mythology, Buddhist spirituality or modern Christianity, there is no doubt that the Peacock and Peacock feathers (by default) symbolize refinement, royalty,  integrity and the beauty you  can achieve when you choose to show your ‘true colors’.  A bonus is that domestic peacocks are monogamous and also assist in raising and nesting their young ones. Sound familiar? In case you were not aware, the peacock is the male bird only, the female is called a peahen. Animal activists can rest assured that peacocks do not have to give their lives in order to fill a feather order, the feathers are harvested by simply picking them up off the ground after the bird has finished molting.

I have no real idea where or when this trend began but, I have my own theory. Remember Carrie Bradshaw’s headpiece from the  first Sex in The City movie? It was a very feathery concoction with a blue bird on it. Was it a real bird? Was it a plastic bird? Was it dead, stuffed bird or merely movie magic? So many questions…. so few answers.  One thing we do know is that headpiece must have struck a chord with brides around the globe because since then the whole peacock thing has taken flight (pun intended). As unlikely as it may sound that this was the genesis of a peacock awakening, it is equally unlikely that  women across the world simultaneously decided en masse that peacock themed weddings were in vogue. We may never know.  

Just like other themed weddings and parties, the approach is simple; decide which elements you want to use to incorporate the peacock and have at it. A theme should run through уουr entire day frοm уουr invitations tο thе flowers thаt уου сhοοѕе tο thе favors thаt уουr guests take home. In order to achieve this you will need to stay very focused and keep a bridal planner at all times to avoid two major pitfalls:

 Use the any theme too sparingly and no one will know whats going on. A good example would be using peacock feathers on the table centerpieces and no where else in the room.  Whats the point?

 You need to stop short of having  bridesmaid’s  nails airbrushed to resemble peacock feathers. However, the invitations, a cake with peacock feather designs, bridal party gowns in iridescent peacock colors, a feathered boutonniere, carrying a peacock-accented bouquet and incorporating all of the rich colors into the decor of the room will add layers of the  theme throughout the night without overwhelming the guests at every turn.

For more ideas on how to carry out your themed wedding, call 847-428-3320 to get tickets to a show in your area where you can see, touch and feel all of the wonderful wedding details our vendors have to offer.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago