Tag Archives: luxury weddings

Registering For Gifts – What’s In, What’s Out!

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Ask any bride and they will tell you that registering for gifts is one of the most fun parts of planning the wedding. You can shop ’til you drop without spending a dime! Plus, you can let all of your guests know what you need, want or wish for and everyone is happy! So, whats in for 2012?

Pricier items that you would never buy for yourself; expensive cookware, unique serving pieces, designer china, crystal and flatware.

Bernardaud "Constance"_0

 

 

Group gifts are also very popular. Co-workers, siblings and other groups of friends and family are pooling their resources to buy big ticket items like Kitchenaid Mixers,  Electrolux vacuums and other trusted name brand products.

Luggage is hotter than ever. Good luggage will last a long time and a cheap suitcase is a waste of money. Register for all the pieces you want in various sizes allowing for short trips, long tips, business trips and family vacations.

Bedding  – Luxurious sheets, luscious comforters, and fluffy pillows are the another thing newlyweds can never get enough of. When it is time to go to sleep, everyone should feel like they are in a 5 star hotel!

 

The most important thing to remember is to have a wide range of gifts in every price range. Don’t forget that not everyone will be able or willing to spend hundreds of dollars on one vase. But, don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone –  this is the one time you can register for something extravagant without feeling guilty!

Happy Shopping!

 

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

What Are Those Things? – Embellishments!

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You’ve seen all of those lovely beads and decorations sewn onto fabric and lace but, did you ever wonder what they were called? Here they are, a few of our favorite embellishments, in no particular order:

Rocaille Beads  – Pronounced “rō-ˈkī”. These are small round beads with a silver foil in the center. Also called seed beads, can be sewn on fabric, trim , lace or anywhere you want a little understated sparkle. 

Sequins –  Not ‘seqence’, not ‘sequences’, it is pronounced “See-quin“.  A sequin is a small, shiny disk sewn onto clothing  for decoration. There are several types of sequins:

Flat Sequins – completely flat discs

 

Cup Sequins – flat discs that have been stamped to make it appear to have some faceting. 

 

Shaped Sequins – Come in a variety of decorative shapes

Pailette –  Pronouned “Pi-ette “Although not technically a sequin, it is only a formality that separates the two. Pailettes can be of any shape or size but the tiny hole is at the top of the spangle, not in the center.

Aurora Borealis or A/B –  refers to the  light refract in a rainbow spectrum. A/B crystals and sequins are  the most popular accent for bridal gowns, headpieces and jewelry. Some are clearer and others are more opaque but, they all have some amount of a rainbow appearance.

Tulle – Pronounced “TOOL” – is netting that can be made of silk, nylon, or rayon; used primarily for skirts and veils.

 

 There are a lot of terms that will be thrown at you when you first start shopping for your wedding, and you may not know the meaning of all of them. When in doubt, ask. There is no shame in not knowing the term for a square sequin that has a hole on the top instead of the middle and I guarantee you will not be quizzed on it after the wedding!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

The Wedding Kiss – Too Much or Not Enough?

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Not long ago there was a video that  went viral showing a couple who shared their first kiss as a married couple and it was gross. I mean “Get a room and lock the door” gross. I couldn’t help but think of how awkward I would have felt with my husband’s tongue down my throat while my entire family was watching!

Which brings up a good question: How much is too much? For me, that was kiss was it! But, in reality there are a hundred degrees between a peck on the cheek and a big, sloppy, drooling kiss.

A wedding kiss should be whatever you want it to be…. no matter what I think.

Last year everyone critcized the young royals due to the lack of passion in their wedding kiss. It left us wanting more… not much but, a little more. You have to remember they are British and they were on TV and they were probably nervous and in reality had probably kissed about a million times before. That whole ‘virgin’ thing is obsolete now, right?

About 30% of couples practice their first kiss so it doesn’t get out of hand. But, this also includes those occasions where the groom is planning to dip the bride and doesn’t want her to fall into a heap on the ground. I think having a discussion about your preference is a great idea but, practicing seems a bit contrived and the dip itself is only cool if its impromptu.

If you prefer a more modest kiss, don’t let anyone try to talk you into anything more. If you really want to lock lips in a deep kiss, go for it. For most of us,  a meaningful (3 second or less) soflty closed mouth  kiss  is quite enough. Here is a hint: if you can see tongues in your wedding pictures or if it looks like one of you is eating the other one’s face – maybe you went a bit too far.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

Top Five Wedding Trends for 2012

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Although 2012 is far from over, it’s fun to look back over the last 9 months and see what trends really took hold and which ones are just about  to hit, and hit big!

Metallic Details – Adding a ‘Midas Touch’ to just about anything makes it look more elegant and special. Candles, Cakes, Flowers, gowns… you name it and I can find a photo of something with a spark of silver or a glimmer of gold.

Metallic detailsOld Hollywood-inspired wedding details

Pops of Metallic

Mini Pies –The perfect combination of crust and filling in a slightly larger than bite-sized portion will have your guests drooling, and asking one another “How cute is that?”

Mini pies are this year's cupcakes (Photography by crissiemcdowell.com)Adorable mini tartsMini Fall wedding desserts

Mini- Everything! – Not just the pies but, just about everything can be mini-sized, from the cocktails to the appetizers!

Mini Patrón + Mini Tacos = Mini Perfection.Tiny BitesMini wedding cakesMini = amazing! Individual champagne servings

Personal Touches –   Whether it is a cake that looks like a Gustav Klimt painting, hand detailed table numbers or unique place card holders, couples are making their wedding more personal by incorporating their taste instead of opting for ‘cookie cutter’ weddings. Its all in the details…

Gold! This opulent caramel cake was inspired by Gustav Kimt's paintings. The gilded look was made by pressing edible gold leaf onto fondant.Table Number detailsIncorporating family or cultural traditions, such as a black-eyed pea tossLocal Wedding Favors

Lighting – Statement lighting at the wedding and reception, using various forms of light to create the right mood. Flickering rope lights, overhead lanterns, candles, all forms of lighting can be used in addition to the lighting already offered by the venue to transform a space from casual to cozy or vice versa.

Statement lighting

Although very cute, the ‘mini-sized’ trend will probably come and go but, the personal touches are definitely going to be around for a very long time.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

The Hottest Thing in Wedding Favors? Flip Books!

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Finding the right wedding favors can be a daunting task. Candles,  photo frames, keychains… they are all good and useful ideas. But, every now and then an idea comes along that is so good I can’t believe no one has thought of it until now. I present to you: Flip Books.

Flip Books  are individually crafted mini books, created using your own short (approximately 30 second ) digital video. Small, compact and durable, they make great mementos and are economical as well. Even less expensive if you buy several at once.

In addition to wedding favors, they make great attendant gifts. Make a short video from your bridal shower, a staged video of the two of you dancing or laughing or doing  just about anything!

The way it works is that the video is taken apart frame by frame and each frame is placed on a right side page. As you ‘flip’ through the book, it is like watching the mini video – without any devices involved. Genius – pure and simple!

You can also customize one (or more)  for your own keepsake after the wedding to include a bouquet  toss, reciting your vows, or a portion of your first dance.

The flipbooks are made with durable, heavy-duty binding, the photos are printed on  heavy bond digital paper which makes your video spring to life. There are several websites that offer flipbook so make sure you see their work in person before you  buy anything.

My best advice for anyone who wants to use this idea: Start filming short ( 2 minute) videos of wedding activities  as soon as possible. This way you can edit the video down to highlight the best 15-20 seconds of action. Upload, place the order and you are done.  Although most sites offers different covers, customized labels will add your own personal touch!

Happy Flipping!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

greeting card flipbooks

Weddings & Numerology

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 Your wedding should be the most special and wonderful day of your life. Unfortunately for some, getting bogged down with details, family drama, and stress can  possibly bring you to tears. Numerologists suggest that there is more to it than being overwhelmed. They say it is all in the numbers. They also suggest that picking a date that suits your personality will give you a better chance for success on your wedding day.

Numerology is based on the belief that there is a special relationship between mathematical measurements and specific dates. Although there is no concrete evidence to suggest this is entirely true, many spiritualists and numerologsist insist that numbers are the key to happiness.

Although picking  your wedding day  based on numbers will not ensure a perfectly happy marriage, why not line up a date that is aligned properly to give yourself a better chance? According to international numerologist Michelle Buchanan, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

  There are dozens of ways that numerology is used to select important dates,  and none of them guarantee a perfect wedding day but, it can’t hurt – so why not give it a try ….and see how it adds up!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

Unconventional (and Unusual) Weddings

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Last weekend, Samantha Kolar and Andy Lee took the proverbial plunge at the Raging Waves waterparki n Yorkville, IL.  After exchanging vows, they slipped off their wedding attire and shared a ride down the Boomerang in an inner tube built for two. This may sound a little odd to you ( and me) but, this type of wedding is gaining in popularity and had not only tongues wagging but news outlets going wild. On a slow internet news day, their wedding was highlighted everywhere from Yahoo to Comcast and The Huffington Post.

From the archives (in no particular order) some more strange and unusual weddings:

Jeroen and Sandra Kippers of Brussels, Belgium, were lifted on a platform by crane up 160 feet in the air for their wedding ceremony. They were joined by the officiant and about 20 guests. Another platform held the musicians. After the vows, they made it official by bungee-jumping over the side!

The couple who got married on a Bung-jump platform – and obviously jumped after saying yes

 Lisa Satayut decided to combine bargain shopping with her excitement over bagging her beau. Explaining that T.J. Maxx is her “happy place,” Satayut married Drew Ellis in the size 8 shoe aisle of a T.J. Maxx store in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. The bride — a self-proclaimed “’Maxxinista” — wore a strapless white chiffon gown, with long black gloves and bright green gladiator-style sandals.

 

The couple who got married at T.J. Maxx

April Pignataro and Michael Curry of New York City got married in June 2010. The bride wore a white wetsuit and the groom wore a traditional black wetsuit as they climbed inside a 120,000 gallon shark tank to take their vows at Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead, N.Y.

The couple who got married inside a shark tank

A couple of bicycle lovers decided to tie the knot in a very unusual but healthy way: by riding bicycles all over the city, accompanied of course by their cyclist guests.

The Russian couple who decided to get married while bicycling

In a skeptical world, with divorce rates near 50%, who are we to say whether these ‘odd’ weddings are right or wrong. If a traditional wedding is not in the cards and you are thinking ourside the box, try something original but, always make sure it is safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Wishing each of these zany couples a lifetime of happiness!

-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
 
 

Humorous Wedding Toasts Made Simple

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While guests may remember  sentimental wedding toast , it is the well written humorous ones that really stand out and keep the guests talking long after the reception has ended. Writing and delivering a funny wedding toast is a lot easier than you might think, it just involves the proper planning and timing.

– Plan the timing of the toast and discuss with the emcee or DJ so they can introduce you properly.

– Narrow down your subject matter so you are not all over the map.

– It is imperative that you begin or ‘open’ with your best lines ( or jokes) to hook the audience. 

-The middle of the toast should be filled with equal amounts of facts, jokes and anecdotes about the bride and the groom, their relationship and/or their families.

-Leave vulgarity, embarrassing secrets or sensitive personal information out of the toast. No fart jokes, no sex jokes, no potty jokes, no racial slurs and for the sake of everyone do not make fun of the bride or groom’s family!!! The point is NOT to make the couple look like drunks, losers, liars or cheaters. You are there to toast your friends not to humiliate them… or anyone.

– Once you have established  momentum and filled the room with laughter, try to avoid sad subjects like deceased relatives or you may never get the audience back in time to deliver your closing comments.

– It is always best to work from note cards. If you are an accomplished speaker, you can use keywords otherwise, you’ll want to write the entire thing down.

– Practice, practice, practice. Practice on someone who is not invited, a co-worker, neighbor, friend or you can practice in front of a mirror.

-Keep it short. 3 minutes is about as long as any wedding toast or speech should last , after that… people will begin to look at their watch.

If you are asked to make a toast and plan on delviering a humorous one, spend as much time writing the toast as you can. If well-written and delivered properly, you will be rewarded with laughter, applause and the eternal appreciation of the bride and groom.

 

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

Feeling Saucy? Try Neon

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Although some of the most popular colors for bridesmaid gowns this year are subtle shades, there is a rising trend in neon. Neon? I know what you’re thinking – this is not your mother’s neon from 1985. Brides who want a pop of color are using it to make a bold statement but, be careful… neon can be a bit much if taken too far.

True neon  or fluorescent color, regardless of the shade, it will illuminate under blacklight – thats good to keep in mind for later. In modern times, neon color is usually any truly vibrant, vivid, perfect, shade of orange, green, yellow or blue. By nature, red cannot be considered a neon color – I don’t know why. If you are in doubt, neon colors are those found in a pack of highlighters. If your color is missing from there, it is most likely not neon.

The best ways to use really bright or neon color is to alternate those colors with neutral or monotone colors to avoid overkill.

Brightly colored dresses with simple accessories

Adding touches of color throughout the wedding is perfect for a summer wedding, especially if it is outdoors!

Last but, cetainly not least – remember the blacklight? You can use lighting to acheive “Neon Nirvana”.

The best way to use neon color is to think of it as an acceessory; don’t overdo it. Always  avoid metallic neon  – it tends to look too much like a circus. And remember – the best things in life are enjoyed in moderation and (especially with neon,) less is more!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago