Category Archives: Ideas on how to save on your wedding day

Winter Wedding Bouquets That WOW!

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Winter is not necessarily the time of year we associate with an abundance of flowers. But, that doesn’t mean they aren’t there… in full bloom!  “To make the most of your winter wedding, use flowers that are in season and have a winter appeal.” says Ryan Turner of Stemline Creative in Chicago, IL ” Nothing is off-limits. Don’t be afraid of soft pastels, vibrant jewel tones or large textured blooms, just because of the season.”

With just that in mind, here are some of our favorite winter wedding masterpieces:

Glistening Pine Cones-

Glistening Handful

Pinecones tipped in glitter around dusky blooms of mauve roses and miniature paperwhites.

Holiday Reds-

 

 Velvety, perfectly opened amaryllis blossoms and Hypericum berries offset by lacy sprigs of arborvitae.

Blue and Silver Stunner-

Silver-and-green foliage surround billowy garden roses and just-blossoming scilla. Velvety lamb’s ear and dusty miller commingle with the plumes of two kinds of grasses and ethereal skeleton leaves. 

Pure white-

Delicate orchids, stephanotis and roses make up this dreamy classic.

 When planning a winter wedding, it is important to take your flower choices into consideration when selecting your color scheme. Not all flowers are available this time of year and chooising wisely could save you time, money and aggravation in the long run.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Tuxedo Troubles… What To Do!?

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Every now and then some well intended couple decides the groomsmen should wear a non-traditional tuxedo. You know, something edgy and fun and interesting (to them) and something that most men would never wear in a million years.

In no particular order, some mistakes to avoid when trying to be creative:

Colored tuxedos. Chocolate is not the new black. It is brown and not everyone looks good in or cares to wear brown. Aside from Psy, not many people are wearing colored tuxedo jackets, either. Look for this ‘Gangnam Style’ tuxedo jacket to surge in popularity. Cute for a music video, but not so much for a wedding.

Colored shirts. There is only one color for  tuxedo shirts and that is white. Not peach, blue, red, orange, you get the idea.

Hats. There is no need for a groom or any one of his make attendants to wear a tophat or a bowler or a fedora. They may wind up looking like this:

Last but not least – ruffles. Ruffled shirts are retro ( to say the least) but don’t really have a place at weddings in 2012. Save them for Halloween and awkward family photos.

When shopping for tuxedos, the best thing to remember is: “The classics never die”. Be creative with the tie, the studs and boutonniere and leave the tuxedo alone.

 

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Manicure Madness!!!

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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

Adding Up The Add-ons: The Dangers of Hidden Fees

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When you plan your wedding budget there are dozens of factors that can increase your costs and before you know it, your $30,000 budget is now $10,000 over.  Not planning for extras and add-ons can put you into a deficit quicker than you think.

1) Remember to take your time into consideration. For instance, if you will have to take time off from work to handle fittings, tastings or sign contracts and will not get paid for the time off; you have just ‘spent’ money by not earning it.

2) When looking online at pricing, the numbers can be deceiving. $35 per person sounds like a great price for a reception until you realize that doesn’t include an entree, a napkin or a fork. Make sure the price is for a complete meal.

3) One of the biggest costs is for alcohol, so some couples try to sidestep this  and be thrifty by providing their own alcohol and bartender (an option at some reception venues). This will save you very little money. Between corkage fees and the retail costs of alcohol, you would be wiser to offer an open bar and not use top shelf  liquor… or limit it to just wine and beer.

4) When buying your wedding gown, ask about the cost of alterations up front. Just as the salon will make you sign a contract agreeing  to purchase the gown, pay the 1/2 deposit and the balance when the gown arrives – you should require the salon to give you an alterations quote in writing. A good place for this is on your receipt.  Expert alterations can cost hundreds of dollars.

5) The cake is another quagmire. Having a wedding cake large enough to slice off a piece for 200 guests is costly and can be difficult to maneuver. Consider having a smaller (more manageable) wedding cake for the cake cutting and having your baker make sheet cakes of the same exact cake and frosting  to serve to guests.

6) Speaking of cake, check  this out: Cake cutting fees can be as much as $3.50 per slice.  This is just the fee that the reception site charges to cut your cake, put it on a plate and serve it. Add this onto the cost of the cake and you could increase the cake budget by 50% or more. Consider the options of mini cakes or cupcakes to serve to guests. Cupcake bakeries are super chic right now so why not get in on the fun?

7) Service professionals often rely on tips. If it is not added into your total automatically,  make sure you allow for this at the end of the event.

Overall it is estimated that individual wedding costs increase by 25% from the original quote. In order to avoid this happeneing to you… don’t forget to factor tax, tips, add-ons and fees into your budget and make sure you get everything in writing!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

 

 

 

 

Blending Cultures At Your Wedding

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If you think planning a wedding is hard, imagine how hard it is to plan a wedding with families from two entirely different backgrounds and customs. Even if everyone is in agreement about the specifics, there will be times when you will be worried about which traditions to use from each culture. Don’t sweat it… really. The truth is  that  the  absolute, hands-down best weddings are the ones where  couples incorporate customs from every aspect of their blended life and start their own.

There are no rules that say both couples cannot express their families’ wedding customs together. In fact, you may find that your customs are similar. This is nothing to argue about, this is a chance to open up to one another and to show your future in-laws you are willing to compromise.

Jumping the Broom is a custom that originated in Scotland or England among the Gypsy clans. It was adopted in the United States by African Americans during slavery and brought back into popular practice after several books and movies recognizing this (blended, borrowed) African American tradition. It is a symbolic gesture of togetherness. I wish it was a symbol that my husband was going to sweep the floor.

In Italy, either a roasted baby pig (porchetta) or roasted baby lamb (bacchio), depending on region, may be served, accompanied by two pasta dishes and assorted fresh fruit. As a symbol of the essence of marriage, newlyweds hand out sugared almonds representing the bitter and the sweet in life.

At a traditional Greek wedding, dishes are smashed on the floor for good luck and money is thrown at the musicians. Back to the broom – that is some cleanup!

Jewish weddings feature a lively Israeli dance called the Hora. While the couple holds on to either end of a handkerchief, they are lifted into the air on  their chairs and the dancing continues. Hold on tight so that no one drops you!

Hindu/Indian weddings are  lively affairs that can last up to four days. For a blended family you can go  traditional American for your formal wear but, consider using colorful reds, golds and deep orange for your wedding theme since they signify happiness and prosperity.

Korean weddings serve Kuk soo (noodles), which symbolize long life. To find out if someone is married, ask “Kuk soo mo-gus-soy-oh?” (“Have you eaten noodles yet?”)

Arras In the Mexican tradition, the groom gives the bride thirteen gold coins blessed by the priest. The presentation and acceptance signifies their bond and the coins are saved as a family heirloom. Have you seen the price of gold, lately? …..that is some gift!

If by some chance your family does not have any specific cultural background or no specific way they celebrate rites of passage other than traditional American customs, don’t come unglued when the other party suggests something you’ve never heard of. Open yourself up to new possibilities; the food, the music, the decorations – you may be surprised.

Start your own traditions as well; candle lighting, sand ceremony, even something as simple as writing your own vows or changing the music as you walk down tha aisle can make a huge difference.  Merging families isn’t just about sticking people in the same room and expecting them to get along. It is about making other people feel like they are important, and your actions will speak louder than words.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Getting Dressed On Your Wedding Day

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You have probably been able to get dressed all by yourself since you were about 6 years old. Maybe back then you had a little trouble with the shoe laces but, other than that, getting dressed has pretty much been a solo act for the remainder of your life… then comes your wedding day.

Not so long ago, brides, grooms and the wedding party ( including parents) got dressed at their individual homes,  with the photographer snapping pictures throughout  the process to show the transformation for regular citizen to bride (or groom). I’m sure this  still takes place. However,one of the best decisions you can make  is  arrangements to prepare for your wedding on site. Why? I’m glad you asked!

Three compelling reasons to get dressed at the venue and not at home:

#1) Weather. Weather can be your worst nightmare for three reasons: Cold, rain and humidity. In cold temperatures, you will have to purchase something fashionable and attractive to go over the gown so you don’t freeze to death on the way there. Rain will mess up not only your gown but, also your hair, makeup and any chance you have for looking your best. Remember last weekend when buckets of rain were pouring down from the sky? Humidity can frizz or flatten, expand or squash … almost every hair type falls prey to humidity. It will also cause your gown to wrinkle easily since there is more moisture in the air.

#2) Wrinkles. Speaking of wrinkles, the men will get wrinkled pants from sitting, the bridesmaids gowns will most likely need to be re-steamed and any silk bridal gown will be a wrinkled mess after traveling even a short distance after being seated in a vehicle… even for a short time.

#3) Time– Getting ready at home provides you with a false sense of time; you are never in a hurry until you realize you are late. Getting ready at the church or ceremony site will keep you mindful that the clock is ticking.

Instead of worrying about these inconveniences, plan on getting dressed at the place where the ceremony will occur.

-Make arrangements in advance for a dressing area that is spacious and  have refreshments on hand.

-Have your hair and makeup done prior to getting dressed.

– Allow extra time for conditions like humidity which may require additional products for your hair and makeup.

-Rent, borrow or buy a steamer  to do touch ups on gowns and tuxedos. An iron will work on some fabrics but gowns with pickup skirts and layers of tulle will need to be steamed.

– Hire or appoint someone as your dresser. If your bridal salon offers this service, it is well worth it. They can steam, button, zip, fluff, adjust and inspect the bridal party so that everyone walks down the aisle perfectly coiffed and put together.

You will never regret the decision to get dressed at the site where things will take place. You will have more room, less distractions, and an added bonus is that the photographer can capture images of both male and female members preparing for the wedding simultaneously.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

Sponsored Weddings – Tacky or Tasteful

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From ads on craigslist and eBay begging for sponsors to “C” list celebrities and reality stars getting gratis goods or  magazines paying millions for exclusive photos , sponsored weddings have become not-so-tacky as they once seemed when Star Jones got married in 2004. For those of you who don’t remember Star Jones ( insert ironic joke here), her motive was as follows: in exchange for extolling the virtues of  all of the freebie vendors by name in public at every turn of the conversation and tons of high-profile referrals, Ms. Jones was given the’ Star’ treatment  at  little or no cost. Being a co-host on a highly rated daytime talk show, her salary was beyond what most Americans make in a decade but she opted for the freebie route instead of paying… and a trend was born.

In all fairness celebrities have been getting freebies since there were celebrities. Interesting since those who can afford it the most generally wind up paying the least. Kim Kardashian’s wedding  put Star Jones to shame in terms of cost, viewership and donated goods. In all fairness, the reality star televised event was profitable for every single  sponsor, especially Kim Kardashian (to the tune of millions)….unless of course you are talking about the ‘happily ever after’ part.

For the average bride or groom, the chances of getting that kind of coverage for your wedding is out of the question. For some people it is unthinkable to even speak of having ‘sponsors’ and the idea of asking for anything free is just, well….. tacky (just ask Barbara Walters). However, if you have all the right ingredients and are willing to swallow just a tiny amount of pride, you can get a lot of freebies. There are hundreds of websites offering tips and ideas on how to go about getting sponsors, some veterans even selling their plan in e-book form.

According to Andrea Hermitt of Yahoo.com, there are several tips to get sponsors for your wedding, including:

1. Make a list of everything you will need for your wedding.

2. Plan your wedding well in advance, making sure you have plenty of time to devote to this task.

3. Make plans for a unique wedding that will turn heads.

4. Make your wedding list large (larger weddings are more likely to be sponsored).

5. Create a spectacular wedding website and make it really active to show that you have connections. The knot.com has great templates for wedding websites.

6. Get everything in writing. The last thing you want is a 50 ft banner across the aisle that announces “This wedding is brought to you by Dr.Pepper”. Interestingly enough, most ‘sponsors’ require name placement in the invitation itself. This is tricky and potentially a deal – breaker. Make sure you know what you are agreeing to before you sign on the dotted line .

7. Look for prospective sponsors who are new to the business.

8. Have something valuable to trade with them. Consider your occupation, and what you can trade personally.
 
9. Youtube it! Make a creative video, perhaps a flash mob surrounding your engagement using product placement. Perhaps a commercial parody using your wedding details. Put it on youtube and share it in Facebook.
 
10. Consider making a donation to a charity in sponsor’s names.
The bottom line when looking for sponsors is incentives. What can you offer them that will equal the value of their goods/services? How can you bring customers to their business in a positive way? Some call it sponsors, but essentially it is bartering.
 
Whether you are paying full price or getting everything for free, make sure to check out each business you are dealing with; either by referrals, the BBB or whatever resource you generally use because unfortunately,you get what you pay for. 
 
-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Men’s Suits – The Big Debate

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As the 2012 Presidential debate season heats up, now is the perfect time for me to debate men’s’ suits. In men’s’ suits (unlike politics)  you basically have three choices: one button, two button, or three button, each having their pros and cons.

 

One button: Thanks to a recent resurgence in popularity, mostly attributed to the skinny suit, the one button is making a comeback. This suit really looks best on a man with a very athletic physique. Because of the precise location of the button, it is perfect for the man who isn’t afraid to let his muscles show.

Two button: The most classic, versatile, enduring, popular and easy to wear style. If you watched the debate last night, you would notice that both candidates wore the two button style. Vote for whomever you want, they both looked great in their two button suits.

Three button: Best suited for men who are taller than six feet because the buttons on the jacket reach higher up on the chest.  The three button suit can either be very stylish or very out of date and hardly anywhere in between so, keep up to date on mens’ fashion or you will run the risk of looking like you stepped out of an Austin Powers movie.

 

Whatever suit you choose, make sure you have it tailored so it will fit you and not the hanger it came on. Too-tight or too-baggy pants is a no-no, as is having saggy, sloping shoulders or a boxy waist. A great suit is nothing without a great fit!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

The Reality Of Wedding Costs

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If you ever wondered what determines the cost of weddings… wonder no more! Here are the answers, broken down in a way that is easy for anyone to understand.

For a wedding and reception with 150 guests

The cost of an extravagant wedding in Cook County, IL is $72,000

The cost of the average wedding in Cook County, IL is $33,000

The cost of a simple, pared down wedding in Cook County, IL is $22,000

Want to save some money and have your wedding in Naperville? The location won’t make that much of a difference, which is a big shock to me since I always thought that having a wedding in the city had to be more expensive than in the suburbs. Using several zip codes with varying demographics, the cost of any of these three weddings is within a thousand dollars of the average given the same number of guests and style of wedding.

What does that mean? An extravagant wedding in Schaumburg costs about as much as an extravagant wedding in Chicago or Lake Forest or Oak Park or Burr Ridge. You will have to travel more than 75 miles from the city for the location to make any noticeable difference in price.

What makes the biggest difference in the price? The extras; wedding planners, couture gowns and tuxedos, exceptional video, location photography, custom wedding rings, artistic cakes, extraordinary flowers, top notch musicians, anything that goes above and beyond. Oddly enough, one of the biggest factors that will affect your total cost is wedding favors!

Thanks (in part) to Pinterest, DIY wedding are very popular. But, that’s not going to save you nearly as much as you think. Why? Because the same flowers that a florist could provide for $6,000 will cost you nearly as much in materials alone and if you add your time ( if your time is as valuable as mine) you have spent nearly double the amount. You will never get the same discount or special rate as a professional florist and you will never be able to do the same arrangements for the same cost. The same formula goes for musicians, photographers, invitations, bakeries, bridal ensemble accessories and so on.

For the best DIY wedding, do only the simple things yourself; the add-ons, the small touches, table numbers, favors, etc. Tackling the big projects will leave you breathless and broke.

In the end, the only real way to save money is to have a smaller affair. Inviting 75 guests rather than 150 will allow you to spend more on the things that are important to you and less on the overall (per person) package.

If you have a few minutes and would like to play around with some numbers, here is a link to a simple, fun and fairly accurate wedding cost calculator that will  give you an idea of what to expect in your area.

 https://www.costofwedding.com/index.cfm/action/costest.index

-Penn Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

2012 Emmy Awards – Red Carpet Fashion!

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The award ceremony is over, the gowns and tuxedos either sent off to the cleaners, returned to the designers or draped over the back of a chair. But, the fun has just begun, because the “What were they thinking?” portion of the program has taken over and it’s time for us to take a peek at the hits and misses at last night’s Emmy Awards.

I have broken it down into three categories; Belts, Boobs and Breathtaking

BELTS :

Julia Loius Dreyfus in Vera Wang; ditch the belt and you have a winner. Love the neckline.

64th Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Jessica Pare nailed it with this Grecian inspired gown by Jason Wu featuring a tiny black belt.

64th Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

 

Michelle Dockery looks as if she suffered a dramatic weight loss since her last fitting. The belt does nothing for this Loius Vuitton gown and the gown does nothing for her.

64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Sarah Paulsen’s Reem Acra gown was jaw-dropping on her. The belt broke up some of the details in the shimmering lace appliques and made the dress more interesting.

Sarah Paulson

Boobs:

Actually Christina Hendricks falls into the Boobs and Belts categories. Can you guess why? The belt is too big and her bust is too enormous for this not-so-flattering Christian Siriano gown. When she said it was “Old Hollywood” I am assuming she meant Mae West.

64th Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Morena Baccarin need some more tape to keep things in check. In reality this gown would look best on someone who has a nearly flat chest, otherwise you appear to have “pancake boob”.

64th Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Kat Dennings posture was the most important accessory she wore last night. One false move and either one of ( or both) of her knockers would have come flying out. Not the right dress or maybe just a bad fit?

64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Sofia Vergara was positively shimmery in her gown by Zuhair Murad. The problem? Aside from the fact that she looked like a Miss Universe contestant, there was too much side-boob. Plus, did she just jump out of the shower and throw on a beaded gown? Spend some time on your hair! You are gorgeous and you can wear anything but, you have been around long enough to know that you need to step it up. Next year- we all expect you to  bring it!

Sofia Vergara

Breathtaking:

Jane Fallon,  longtime girlfriend of host Ricky Gervais had the right gown for her figure, in the right color for her skin and a perfect fit. Love everything about it.

64th Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Julianna Hough was showstopping in a seafoam green beaded gown by Georges Hobeika. This gown was simply gorgeous; the cut, the detail, the color – LOVE IT!

Julianne Hough

January Jones took a serious fashion risk with the Zac Posen gown. Looking as if it was made entirely of horsehair braid, this gown is a work of art. Not like one of those  Lady Gaga ‘artsy’ gowns made of meat  but, a gown that is so well constructed and so well thought out that it almost has the opposite effect: to appear to be thrown together. Look at it again. Look at it again. It is a work of art and it fits magnificently. She dropped the ball by not accessorizing, wear clunky shoes and not doing something a little more deserving with her hair. When you wear a piece like this you have to go the extra mile.

64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Who were you favorites from the 2012 Emmy awards?

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago