Monthly Archives: July 2012

Keeping Your Cool When It Is 100 Degrees Outside!

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For some reason I thought the “Great Midwest Heatwave of 2012” was over last Sunday when the storms hit the western suburbs of Chicago, knocking out power and dumping enough rain in my own yard to make my grass green again. I was wrong. This week was even worse than last and I can’t help thinking about all of the couples who have weddings this weekend, especially those with a portion of the event outdoors.

Realistically, there is no way to stay cool when it is 90 degrees at midnight. However, you can add a few things to your checklist to help out.

Shade – Open tents or large umbrellas scattered around the seating areas will do wonders to protect your guests from the sweltering sun. Unlike enclosed tents, the air will continue to circulate and provide some relief.  Another option is to provide your guests with parasols.

 

 

Fans-  Invest in a hand fan for each guest, these can be inexpensive, attractive and extremely helpful. Also add electric fans (preferably oscillating) along the outside perimeter of the entire area. Hint: if you place buckets of ice behind each fan, it will blow cool air. The temptation is to get the biggest fans you can find. BAD IDEA! There might be too much force which will leave your guests wondering if they are in Kansas anymore. ( Wizard of Oz + tornado = classic joke)

Water –  According to the CDC you must consume 16-32 ounces of cool, non-alcoholic fluid every hour during extreme heat.  Gatorade, Vitamin Water, ( low sugar) Iced Tea, Lemonade and bottled water  to ice-filled buckets everywhere people will be standing or sitting will remind guests to stay hydrated. Avoid drinks with caffeine as they will make you dehydrated – this include energy drinks. Coffee lovers will enjoy an iced coffee as much as (or more) than their favorite beverage served piping-hot.  

Change – After the wedding you may want to change into a cooler gown. Also let the groom and his attendants change into cooler shirts after the ceremony, or take off their jackets at the very least.  Even if they all throw on matching Hawaiian shirts, they will look great and have more fun than if they were in restricted in ties and cummerbunds.

Unfortunately in this heat there is nothing that will keep you cool. The most important thing is safety. Being too overheated can cause everything from headaches to vomiting to serious illness.  Following at least some of these tips will help to keep everyone safe and happy!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Wedding Band or Wedding “Brand”?

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From time to time, we discuss men’s wedding bands. Should they wear them? Do they have to? Should they match the bride’s wedding band? Should they be simple or plain, gold or platinum, yadda, yadda, yadda. Never before has it entered my mind that the wedding band is intended to keep your husband from cheating on you after marriage. I thought it was to signify that your love is like a circle, it has no beginning and no end.  It appears as though someone has other ideas.

Introducing the titanium “anti-cheating” wedding band, which temporarily brands your partner’s finger with the words, “I’m Married.”  The ring is available on TheCheeky.com, a  website that specializes in inappropriate gifts. Inappropriate?  You bet! Problem solved? Not so much.

One problem is that someone thinks a wedding ring stops cheating. Everyone who thinks this is true, raise your hand ( put your hands down). Do you think Rielle Hunter had no idea John Edwards was Married? Do you think this ring would have stopped her…or him?

Another problem is that if you are placing this on someone’s finger (for real) in a wedding ceremony it means you think they can’t be trusted. If you don’t trust them on your wedding day or in the beginning of the marriage, you don’t have a chance in five years.

Having said all of that, I do think there is a market for everything.  If you are into satire and have a delightfully inappropriate sense of humor, this might be the perfect ring for both of you. Otherwise, you are better off exchanging rings with tracking devices.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

With this ring, I thee view with paranoia: This titanium "anti-cheating" wedding band temporarily brands your partner's finger with the words, "I'm Married."