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

Viral Proposals

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One of the most exhilarating, romantic and personal parts of your wedding is the proposal and subsequent engagement. The story is told, re-told, sometimes shared with thousands of people online and sometimes even televised! It is also one of the few things that the groom does entirely on his own which is why the grand gestures are so much more significant.

For some, the uber-romantic proposals seem contrived. For others, like Kim Kardashian whose fiance spelled out “Will you marry me?” in rose petals and filmed the entire episode for their reality television show, it is not only accepted but expected.  Goodyear blimps, the jumbotron at the Super Bowl or Times Square, it seems like bigger is better and less is not nearly enough when it comes to getting hitched.

Evidence this week with the “Live Lip Dub Proposal” by Isaac Lamb that went viral on youtube and every other imaginable news outlet. It is front page on Comcast, Yahoo, Huffington Post and more. In case you are not one of the 7 million hits on youtube, you can see it here:

https://player.vimeo.com/video/42828824

Its no longer enough to pop the question in a quiet, secluded romantic setting like sitting on the beach watching the sunset. You have appear on a white horse,  hire musicians and  have a candlelit dinner catered at a cloth covered table on that beach, complete with waiters and chilled champagne. God Forbid you pop the question during the seventh inning stretch without the approval and knowledge of everyone at Wrigley Field… it must be on a screen larger than your first home with throngs of people waiting for the inevitable ‘YES’ !

These types of proposals at once rare are now almost expected. They are no longer about you as a couple, they seem to be  about how you want everyone else to perceive you as a couple. They can also be  quite expensive. There are even entire websites dedicated to unique wedding proposals and how to impress ( their word, not mine) your fiance by making a grand gesture.  Interesting.

Of course no matter how you decide to propose, it is important to wait for the right moment and to make sure you know the answer before you ask. The best proposals are from the heart, they are intimate and really only involve two people. 

Proposal Dos and Don’ts

 
Don’t propose without a ring. It doesn’t matter how large or small, you must bring some ring to the proposal. There are instances where it is spontaneous and there has been no preparation but, this is rare.

Do be prepared. If you are thinking she might be the one, buy a ring (insure it) and keep it with you… just in case.

Don’t propose at another celebration. Interrupting a toast at your brother’s wedding to ask your girlfriend to marry you is in poor taste. Let them have their moment, you will have yours.

Do include the family. Getting engaged during Christmas or family holiday celebrations can bring everyone closer emotionally even if they lived thousands of miles apart. 

Whatever you decide, remember that romance is not always a grand gesture. Sometimes it is simply remembering her favorite flower, favorite color or in my case, just replacing the toilet paper every now and then.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

4/20 – All things Hemp

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Hemp is a controversial topic but, don’t confuse Marijuana with Hemp!  They both come from the same plant species (Cannabis) but they could not be more different: Hemp is legal to grow, Marijuana is not. No one grows Hemp for smoking or ingesting any other way. Hemp is grown specifically for the fibers, oils and seeds it produces. So you can use the Hemp guilt free!

It is also one of the world’s  greatest untapped resources. According to Hemp USA, “Hemp can be used to produce a very large variety of products from clothing to paper to building supplies to cars to fuels to food products to much, much more.  Hemp is an environmental, renewable, reusable and recyclable resource.” Okay, I’m sold. But, how does that help  with your wedding?

If you are one of the millions of engaged couples who have decided to go “Green’ with your wedding,  Hemp is great place to start. It is probably one of the most misunderstood products and the punch line for many a joke.   It is the strongest  natural fiber in the world and has been used to make paper and cloth for over ten thousand years. Below are a few of the many ways Hemp can cure your “Green Wedding” blues.

Designers  are using hemp in conjunction with silk, cotton and linen because it  makes a more attractive, durable, and softer fabric.  Hemp is grown quite well without the use of pesticides or other chemicals  and therefore wins the nod of environmentalists everywhere. Look for gowns made from Hemp – they are not the hippie creations you would imagine. Still not sure? Consider these gorgeous gowns made from Hemp/Silk blends.

 

Hemp paper is not only beautiful – it  doesn’t yellow and accepts ink better than most papers. The retailers of Hemp paper boast that the end result will also provide a smear & smudge free copy that is crisp, clear and easier to read, especially if you are able to use  Hemp ink.

Leave it to Woody Harrelson to find a Hemp Tuxedo. Menswear has finally found its place in the world of eco-conscious celebrities so it only makes since that our favorite cannibis celeb would wear this dashing tux on the red carpet. Burberry made this one but, Giorgio Armani has thrown their “Hemp Hat” into the Organic Tuxedo ring as well.

Treat your attendants to a Hemp gift basket.  Hemp oils, lotions, bath wash, beauty items, jewelry are all readily available and make a gift so organic that your bridesmaids will be green without the envy.

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-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Limousine 411

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One of the  best things you can do for yourself on your wedding day is to hire an ultimate town car from orlando limo services to transport you and other members of the wedding to the event. This is especially important if the ceremony and reception are at different locations or if you are leaving the reception site immediately after the festivities. Although it may seem like an easy task, there are some points to consider before hiring just anyone to carry you to and fro.

Talk to any limousine professional and they can tell you horror stories including (but not  limited to) drunken passengers, unrealistic expectations and last minute bookings. The key word is professional. I always urge couples to  check references and in this case it is super-important to ‘have a look under the hood’.

1) Book Early. Proms, Homecoming, Quinceanera, Communions, have all become events that garner the service of a limo. Be particularly careful in April, May and June when most proms are held because these events book up to a year in advance. The Exotic cars book faster.

2) Size Matters. If you have an extra large party with extra large gals and an extra large gown, (a group where everything is on a grand scale) book a larger vehicle. A luxury SUV such as the Hummer, Expedition or Range Rover may be your best bet.You might even consider a party bus.

3) Outsourcing is bad. Some companies book their limos from other companies. Yes, it’s true. They advertise various cars and vehicles, then book through another company. Not only are you paying double, you are not getting the best service since you have no contact with the actual company that is contracted. Do some research, ask questions and make sure your company is not involved with this shady practice.

4) You get what you pay for. A reputable limousine company has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in their fleet. The cars are cleaner, newer, better maintained. The drivers are licensed,  trained, reliable and professional. A slooppy, unprofessional driver can ruin your event so can a broken down car.

5) Classic Cars, Trolleys, etc. If you are sold on making your appearance and/or exit in a specific classic car, make sure the car is fully restored and in perect working condition including heat and air. Trolleys are adorable, vintage looking vehicles but can be loaded with dirt and hot as hell in the summer months. A reputable company will make sure this is not the case for you.

The best way to make your limousine decision is to see the vehicles in person and meet with the vendor face-to-face. Pictures on the internet can be deceiving . Make sure they are clean, ask what amenities are included, make sure that there is a back up plan in case there is a problem and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS get everything in writing.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Bridal Showers Unveiled

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For the bride, the bridal shower should be one of the best parts of getting married, mostly because it is the one thing that the bride doesn’t have to plan, supervise, worry about or pay for. This is the one time when the bride can simply show up and have a good time. That doesn’t mean she can’t have any input or express her choices, it just means that there is no stress involved. Unless, of course, things somehow get complicated and someone has to step in and sort it out. Here is scoop on the who, what, when, where, and why of bridal showers.

Who pays for the shower? Whoever is hosting the shower, pays. If the mother of the bride, mother of  groom, good friend, close relative or maid of honor decide to have a shower, the honor of paying the entire bill is upon them. It is common for brides to have more than one shower, and it is also common for several parties to host one shower together. The best scenario is for the maid of honor to have a conversation with both mother of bride and mother of groom to sort out the details.

What do you have to provide at the shower? Generally, the hostess provides food, refreshments and entertainment of some sort.. usually in the form of games. It doens’t have to be a super expensive, catered affair. If you have a theme, stick to it and make the most of  it. Food, drinks and decor are  great way to be creative.

When should the shower take place? Bridal Showers are usually held 1-6 weeks before the wedding. As with any event, invitations should go out 4-6 weeks prior to the date of the event.

Where should the shower take place? Anywhere!  Traditionally, bridal showers were held in someone’s home but, fortunately nothing is off-limits; restaurants, wine bar, day spa, etc.

Whyis it called a shower? Because your family and friends are ‘showering’ you with gifts.

Who do you invite? You do not need to invite every female guest or the dates and spouses of every make guest. You only invite the people with whom the bride has a very close relationship.  

And finally….. as far as bridal showers are concerned, there is only one rule: Do not invite anyone to the shower who is not invited to the wedding!!!

-Penny Frulla for Brida Expo Chicago

For more tips and inspiration planning  a bridal shower, call 847-428-3320 and get tickets to a Bridal Expo in your area.

 

 

Where Should You Have Your Wedding?

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You have lived in Chicago your whole life. You were raised on ‘the perfect’ hot dog, da Bulls, deep dish pizza and winters that normally last through a normal spring. You moved to Phoenix for business 5 years ago, met the man of your dreams and never looked back… or did you? When it comes time to tie the knot many brides and grooms decide to have a “Hometown Destination” wedding and there are many reasons why. Additionally, there is nothing that says the groom’s hometown is off limits any more, either.

Traditionally, couples got married in the bride’s hometown, her parents paid for the whole thing, the couple honeymooned and then went back to their lives as usual… wherever they lived. Well, it is 2012 not 1950, many couples plan and pay for their entire wedding and a large majority already live together before tying the knot. What does that mean? It means there are no rules that say where you MUST have your wedding.

Having your wedding in your hometown can be a lot of fun, spending the weekend re-visiting some of your favorite places, seeing family and friends you haven’t had a chance to connect with in years. It can also be very stressful with all that family around so, having a ‘hometown’ wedding is a very important decision.

Points to consider before making the decision:

Is there a lot of family that couldn’t travel in either direction?

Is it considerably less expensive to host the wedding in a hometown location?

Are there people who won’t attend if it is not local?

Is there a historic or special place you always dreamed of getting married near where you grew up?

Is it feasible for you to plan a wedding in another city/state without being there constantly to monitor things?

Are there local vendors that you trust to handle things without constant supervision?

Answering  any one of those questions honestly could be the deciding factor. The important thing is that you both agree that the place where your wedding is hosted is special and meaningful to both of you. If either of you has doubts, do some more research. As with any part of the wedding planning, you should always come to a middle ground where both parties are in 100% agreement to avoid arguing or blame later if something doesn’t go as planned.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

Ideas in Bloom – Wedding Flowers made easy

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 Flowers are one of the most important aspects of a wedding. In fact, aside from the bride and groom they are just about the most photographed item of the entire event. They add color, vitality, and aroma to a wedding. To make the impact you desire, you need to make some smart choices early on but, before you even consider talking to a florist, book your venue so the florist knows what they are dealing with and help you make well-informed decisions.

#1 – Decide on a budget. It has been said over and over and over but, I’ll say it again: Choosing flowers that are in season during your wedding could save you literally hundreds of dollars.  When you plan your budget, keep this in mind.

#2- Do your background work. Ask to see photos, ask for references, ask if you can drop by one of their events so you can see firsthand what kind of work your florist is capable of handling.

#3- Trust your florist.  Once you have selected  your florist and  assuming you are not a trained florist  yourself,  use their expertise to help guide you through critical decisions. If you insist on something the florist opposes – there may be a solid reason.

#4- DIY is a big mistake. Many brides think they can go to a flower shop and put together professional bouquets and centerpieces from scratch. This is a big NO-NO! You will have a hundred things to think and worry about before and on your big day, don’t make this mistake. And by the way,  even if your favorite Aunt insists she does great table decor for the holidays doesn’t mean she can handle a task of this magnitude. Hire a professionally trained wedding florist!

#5 – Think Big. Huge blasts of color are a beautiful thing – just make sure it doesn’t clash with the decor of the venue or the table linens or the attendants’ gowns. Remember to keep the larger picture in mind : “How will the overall room look  in pictures?”

#6 – Don’t overdo it with the aroma. Its okay to use the strong smelling flowers for bouquets but, for the church and reception  it is best to use flowers that do not give off a strong smell. This will certainly prevent any of guests who are allergy sufferers to opt out of the reception early. The only exception is an outdoor venue.

#7 -Communicate. Always keep an open dialogue with your florist. Every single problem or question should be answered up front. Get everything in writing and make sure you know what you are paying for before you sign on the dotted line.

Call 847-428-3320 or log on to www.bridalshowexpo.comtoday to get tickets to our next show where you can meet some of Chicago’s best wedding florists and see their work first-hand!

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– Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Lights! Camera! Action! Behind The Scenes at a Bridal Expo Luxury Event

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If you missed last night’s Luxury Event in Oakbrook, I would like to take you on a journey of what you missed. A real, behind the scenes look at what goes on to make the show possible and a close encounter with one of the world’s premier Bridal Designers, Ines   Di Santo and her daughter, Veronica.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012,  4:10  p.m. I was supposed to be at the Drury Lane Theater in Oakbrook, IL at 4:00 but, my son’s school bus was a little late and I have to wait for him to get home before I can leave… yeah, I am one of those moms. When I pulled into the parking lot there was not one empty spot except for valet and after fishing around for some singles in my pocket, I decided to park in one of the free spots farther away and hope I don’t get towed.  By now, I am scurrying into the building, the excitement and anticipation building as I approach the backstage area to prepare the designer gowns for the runway show at 8:00 pm.

As I get backstage I see that Kirsten, one of the members of the (fabulous) Bridal Expo Staff  has the gowns lined up, the steamer already filled with water and plugged in. She and Carol Tardi, the Fashion Director and onstage commentator, finish unpacking the last of the couture gowns that arrived from  Ines & Veronica Di Santo, who also arrived earlier in the day from Canada. I am able to start work immediately so my nerves are now a bit calmer.

As I gently pull the fabric top to bottom, right to left, I wonder if there is any silk left in Canada? Yards upon yards of carefully cut tulle, lace, shantung, chiffon, every imaginable kind of silk and embroidery available is crafted into gowns that can only be described as impressive.

After their red carpet photo shoot with some of our top vendors, Ines Di Santo and her daughter Veronica escorted by Bridal Expo Vice President, Jim Verraros, peer behind the curtain to oversee and assist with the care of their gowns. One of the gowns had a complicated lace drape in the back and Ines instructed me how to pin  this for maximum effect. I admit….. I would have done it wrong. Working (even just backstage) with Ines and her daughter is akin to taking art lessons from Leonardo Da Vinci. In reality, the mother/daughter design duo are delightful, soft-spoken, extremely talented women, not pretentious divas (as artists of this caliber are often portrayed).

The models begin arriving over an hour earlier than usual for hair and makeup to be done by professionals at Tamara Makeup & Artistry. Donning t-shirts and skinny jeans, nearly a dozen of Chicago’s top models wait patiently to begin the transformation from lovely ladies to beautiful brides, it is a short trip made easier by the pro’s.

The gowns are steamed, a few last minute checks to see if anything needs special attention. Not with this collection – everything is impeccably sewn and presented in pristine condition. As the models finish their hair and makeup, the staff readies for the show to begin. The dressers ( those of us who zip and get the models in their gowns for the runway) are lined up at the designated racks, Jim is poised at the control center where he will deliver the orders to models when it is their time to go onstage, Carol is standing by the entrance to the runway with microphone in hand. There is a  moment backstage, a breathless moment that borders on panic and exhilaration as Bill Brennan, CEO and President of Luxury Bridal Expo Chicago & Milwaukee, takes the stage to welcome the audience. The crowd goes silent as the lights dim and the show is about to begin.

Once the music begins and the models take the runway, the audience is transported to a dream world of luxurious fabrics, a magical land where only the most elegant and refined gowns exist. No one in the audience knows that there was a gown almost pinned wrong. No one suspects that there was almost a shortage of T-pins. No one cares that a certain gown should have had an a-line slip but went out with a full slip.

After the runway show ends, the models and makeup artists pack up and go home, we begin to carefully bag all of the gowns in the same sterile packaging as they came. The designers graciously thank the entire staff and are whisked away by Bill and Jim for some last minute mingling.

The evening was a huge success with careful planning, extensive preparation and exhausting work.  Please take this time to go to www.bridalexpochicago.com to get tickets to a luxury event in your area today, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Until then, take a moment to enjoy the glamour of some of the haute couture gowns from the Ines Di Santo collection at https://inesdisanto.com/

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

 

Is Getting Engaged on Valentine’s Day Right For You?

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A whopping 10% of all engagements occur on Valentine’s Day. That translates into millions of couples across the U.S, a lot of diamond rings, a lot of romantic dinners and a lot of proposals.  The pressure of proposing on this particular holiday is unbelievable, which begs the question, “Why Valentine’s Day?” There are lot of pros and cons to consider before you decide this will be the anniversary of your proposal ….. as long as you both shall live.

Pro: Because so many people propose on Valentine’s Day, there are a wide variety of  ‘packages’ which remove a lot of the work from you.

Con: Some restaurants and florists hike up their prices for Valentine’s Day, and many special discounts are not available on that date.

Pro: It will be an easy date to remember, especially if you are both inclined to celebrate this holiday in really romantic fashion!

Con: Because so many couples get engaged on Valentine’s Day, you may feel that your engagement date is contrived.

Pro: No romantic gesture is too large for Valentine’s Day. You can pull out all the stops and go for it!

Con: If your partner is not used to this kind of grand gesture, you may be met with some cynicism.

The day you decide to propose is very personal and very special, it should reflect both of your personalities. If you decide to pop the question on this day when everyone is expressing their love, remember –  it doesn’t have to be public and it doesn’t have to be as historically significant as dropping the engagement ring in a champagne glass. It can be sweet, personal and very sentimental.  Valentine’s Day is a wonderful day to embrace the love you found with the person who makes you the happiest and if you add another layer to that (your engagement)  it is an even better reason to celebrate!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

Hire A Pro Vs. Do-It-Yourself

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Often I hear of couples trying to shave a few dollars off of their wedding costs by doing things themselves. Being an avid do-it-yourself-er, I applaud their tenacity and willingness to sacrifice their time and energy to make their wedding a success. However, there are some cases when DIY  is complicated, time-consuming and exhausting which all add up to a recipe for disaster.

Catering-  Although rare, there are some brave brides and grooms who have the inconceivable idea that because they are proficient in the kitchen the can handle catering their own wedding. There is no circumstance where this is a good idea. There is no time of day, location, theme or moment in time where this is going to have a happy ending. The end result will be stress, mess, and little success! If you are having the most casual outdoor wedding possible, find a restaurant that caters food you love and have it sent in, even if you don’t have servers, have it sent in and give the delivery person a tip to do some set up for you. Pasta looks great on the table but not so much on your wedding gown.

Cake – Second only to catering, this DIY has the potential to wreak unimaginable havoc. Making the cake yourself is a  bad idea, having a friend who makes really cute Christmas cookies do your cake is a bad idea. If you cannot afford an over-the top confectionery masterpiece  from the best bakery in town, don’t fret. Today bakeries offer cakes that are  beautiful, tasty and affordable at the same time. We understand – staying within your budget is as important as finding a cake that tastes and looks good.

Flowers – One of the most often attempted and most likely to produce an epic fail. Choosing a great wedding florist is easy,doing your own flowers is not quite so easy;  flowers need to be handled carefully so they won’t get crushed, arrangements should be done no more than a day or two before the event and flowers need to be refrigerated properly (not in the same refrigerator as food) so they won’t wilt, change color or completely die. Ask yourself this question: Which would you rather be doing the days before your wedding: relaxing, pampering yourself and enjoying the pre-wedding festivities or staying up all night arranging, twisting  and fretting about flowers? Even if you are a trained florist it is better to find a colleague or co-worker to handle this for you.

DJ– Making several mix tapes in college does not qualify you to host an entire wedding, much less your own. Having the right DJ will change the mood of your event (for the better) and can create an atmosphere that is positive and upbeat.  Since the DJ is the host of your entire event, he or she will handle the timing of all of the wedding announcements (cake cutting, first dance, toasts), transitioning from one segment to another flawlessly and effortlessly take charge of the room. Doing this yourself means you will be responsible all night for handling all of the details and timing. So in the middle of a conversation with a friend you will have to stop whatever you are doing and go to the microphone and announce that you are about to cut the cake. Find  reliable DJ and familiarize yourself with him or her before the event.

Hair and Makeup – The reason brides book professional makeup artists to handle everything for the entire bridal party the day of the wedding is simple: it makes things easier. If you decide that you are going to do everyone’s hair or makeup ( or both), you will spend the entire morning working and most likely be stressed out by the time the wedding starts. The reason people get paid to do hair and makeup is because it is work! There is also skill and talent and products involved but, it is work and should be respected as such.

Photographer – Hire a professional wedding photographer. The idea of putting disposable cameras on the table is cute as a bonus but, it was never intended to take the place of the real photographer. Now, couples are opting for photo-booths in lieu of table cameras in order to get their funny and candid guest shots.

If you are determined to get your crafty hands on one of the wedding projects, find something you can do well in advance so that you won’t be spending the days and hours leading up to the wedding stressed, overworked and worrying about the end result. There are so many better ways to spend your time, not to mention you could wind  up spending  more since you have to compensate for your failure on top of hiring someone in the end. Do things yourself like tying ribbons on table favors, bedazzling a card holder, wrapping attendant gifts or designing beautiful wedding programs. Leave everything else to the professionals and you are likely to have a  Much happier ‘Happy Ending’.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Destination Weddings – More Popular Than Ever!

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Global warming has it’s benefits, like the fact that the weather in Chicago has been rather balmy this winter…. so far. I am, of course, skeptical enough to think that as soon as it starts snowing we might be buried up to our necks in the white stuff. There are others who think (hope) that old man winter just decided to give us a break after last winter’s “Snowpocalypse”. Planning a wedding during the winter months can be risky, one of the main reasons why brides and grooms in the colder states opt for a destination getaway this time of year.

The benefits of a destination wedding are many:

You can combine wedding with honeymoon, family reunion and vacation all in one.

You are able to invite less people without anyone being offended. Only inviting your nearest and dearest will make a more intimate and fun-filled getaway with MUCH less stress.

Most reception sites are booked a year in advance, not so with a destination event. You can literally plan your wedding in a few short months and still give your guests time to book their travel and RSVP.

Time to bond. Since you will have a smaller group of guests, it will allow you a few days to really get to know some of the people you are less familiar with and re-kindle old friendships that have cooled off.

Less arguing. If you were raised in different cities there is no ‘home turf advantage’, it is now a level playing field and couples will find themselves with less family disputes.

Weekend travel is a rare treat and since some of your guests will have to travel anyway, why not let them travel to a warm, exotic destination rather than a cold, wintry spot?

Many travel agencies offer packages that are quite affordable so, if you are planning a destination wedding, now’s the time to do it! If you are one of the many couples considering a destination wedding, call  847-428-3320 to get tickets to a Bridal Expo in your area so you can meet face to face with one of our many travel consultants and get started on your dream wedding right away! You can also get tickets by visiting our website www.bridalshowexpo.com . Make sure to ‘like’  us on Facebook for more updates, giveaways and specials.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago