Monthly Archives: June 2012

Bored With Bridesmaid Gowns? How About a Jumpsuit!

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I know…  jumpsuits are for old ladies and congresswomen! Ladies with cankles and ugly legs who want to cover up as much as they can, right? Wrong. The latest, hottest trend in evening wear is hip, stylish  jumpsuits that are more flattering and comfortable than most bridesmaid gowns, long or short.

Designers have  picked up on this  trend and are offering stunning options for bridesmaids who are joining the pants party!

Still not convinced?  Cameron Diaz was sizzling in this evening  jumpsuit at the premier of he new movie.

Of course the jumpsuit is not for everyone. But, for women who are tired of bridesmaid gowns and all that entails, the jumpsuit can be hot, hot, HOT!

Be careful, though going to the ladies room is kind of difficult and requires some advance notice.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Having Trouble With Bridesmaid Shoes?

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All women love pretty shoes. Maybe not sky-high heels, maybe not stilettos, maybe not even a dress shoe. I can name 5  women that are crazy for Uggs and others that can’t wait for summer to wear sandals. The fact is that finding a shoe that all of your bridesmaids will like or even be able to wear is difficult. Never fear, there are many solutions but first there are some points to consider:

Are the shoes going to be seen? If the dress is long, no one will notice different shoes. If the dress is short, you will have to ‘step’ in and make sure that everyone wears the same color or style… or that they are somehow co-ordinated to suit your wishes and the style of your wedding. This is your call. With a short dress, you have the opportunity to use the shoes as a statement piece, something to spice up a LBD (little black dress) or give a pop of color!. Of course if the color selection gets to be too much, you could always go with gold or silver.

 

 

Where is the wedding?  Outdoor and indoor weddings have different shoe requirements. Also if the ceremony is outdoor and the reception is indoor, make sure the shoe can transition comfortably. For an outdoor setting a wedge heel will guarantee your shoes don’t poke holes in the turf, if your wedding is on the beach, you can opt for no shoe at all  and if your wedding is a  lavish affair in a luxurious location – the shoes should be formal, no matter the heel height.

 

What time of year is it? For a winter event, I would stay away from summery sandals and cork wedges. Pumps with either open or closed toe work nicely, so do mary janes, or ankle straps. For something completely unique – how about boots? (Cowboy boots do seem to be the trend with this choice)

 

For me personally, I would pick the shoe first and find a dress, location and time of year that matches.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Thinking of a Thursday Wedding?

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I know what you’re thinking. Who (on Earth) would want to have their wedding on a Thursday? People have to get up and go to work the next day not to mention travel for out of town guests… this is the idea of an insane person. Wrong, this is true and it is all based on statistics. Of all of the most recent trends in decor, fashion and menu, the Thursday wedding tops them all, barely beating out the second most popular trend… the Monday wedding. What?

Over the course of the past few years, couples have opted for a more lavish wedding and a postponed honeymoon. As a result,  weddings are  becoming three-day weekends.  Before you make any snap judgements, remember that Thursdays and Mondays are going to be considerably cheaper, they are not going to be booked a year in advance and  you can get the vendors you want.  You can use the savings for the extra special touches you would probably never afford otherwise.  Then, the party doesn’t have to end at the end of the night  – you have the rest of the weekend to do  BBQ, brunches, after-parties, sporting events, or sightseeing with your family and friends.

If saving money doesn’t appeal to you, it might appeal to your loved ones; consider that airfare and all other travel accommodations will be less expensive as long as there is a Saturday stay-over.
 
Maybe our society is not yet ready for Thursday or Monday weddings but, I think a 3 day wedding weekend sounds like a great way to spend time with all of your guests and not be so completely stressed out on one day. Of course it also means shopping …to ensure you have just the right outfit for every event and that is always a good thing!
 
-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago
 
 

Aisles With Style

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What, exactly, are aisle markers? They are the decorative adornment that designate the width of the aisle during the wedding ceremony. They can be big, small, floral or otherwise but, whatever you do –  don’t overlook them since they can add  style and pizazz to an otherwise boring ceremony location or accentuate the existing decor and theme to the max! Aisle markers are the perfect way to bring lush greenery to the ceremony and coordinate them with all ofthe other elements of the wedding.

Make sure you can walk past them, see over and around them and guests can easily get in and out of chairs next to them.

Or, if you decide to go big –  make sure the aisle is wide enough for the piece you are using. A piece like this can be used to make a grand statement 

 

Candlelight is beautiful but, our suggestion is to opt for flameless candles so that guests won’t catch fire when scooting past them.

Stay away from anything too skimpy or it may look like an afterthought.

Whether the theme is merely the color or the type of flower, using that for your aisle markers will bring the whole picture together.

Choose colors that compliment the venue 

You do not have to have something on every single row,  every four to five rows is sufficient.

Lastly, remember to ask your florist if the aisle markers can be used at the reception, and make sure that is priced into your floral package.

Aisle markers have become one of the hottest design elements at weddings in 2012, if you haven’t decided on them… now is the time to do it!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Unique Bouquet Options

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Today, brides are using really creative ideas to put a twist on a wedding staple – bouquets! This yet another area where art and self-expression combined can create a stunning statement with a not-so-traditional bouquet.

Shape:

Instead of the standard bouquet carried by the bridesmaids, consider a wreath or a simple pomander bouquet.

 

Color:

 Whether it is a single vibrant color or eye-catching combinations, you can use color to make a big impact.

Texture:

Adding texture to the bouquet with the use of feathers, crystals and other non-floral pieces brings depth to the bouquet.

No Bouqet:

Consider something fun, funky and functional like a fan for a hot summer wedding, or a muff for a winter event.

When it comes to your wedding, the only rule is that there are no rules. Ask you florist to explore other floral options if you feel like the traditional bouquet is just not your style.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago