Tag Archives: wedding fireworks

New Year’s Eve – A Time To Celebrate!

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In the many years I have been involved in the wedding business I have never heard anyone regret having their wedding on New Year’s Eve.  Most couples insist that it gives them a reason to go out on December 31st for years to come, in celebration of their anniversary. In addition to that, there are dozens of other reasons to consider New Year’s for your nuptials. 

-Some locations have fireworks at midnight, which makes great pictures as well as being exciting, colorful and entertaining for everyone!

-You can be very creative with centerpieces; timepieces, glittery disco balls, horns, hats, masks, feathers. Work with your florist and don’ be afraid to be creative.

-Literally everyone is assured someone to kiss at  midnight.

-If you keep the Champagne flowing all night, it  may cut down on liquor costs. Either way, Champagne gives any affair a little more class.

-Most people look for a reason to go out on New Year’s Eve but not everyone has a party to attend. This will give some of your guests a reason to get a sitter and celebrate, something they may not have been able to do for some time.

-Everyone is still in “Holiday Mode”, the decorations are still up in most houses of worship, hotels and reception sites. If you can incorporate your choices into the venue’s existing holiday decor you will get double the ambience!

-Your family can celebrate all of the holidays at once and stay home during the heavy traffic times like Christmas Eve. 

-Aside from all of the above, you have so many fun and interesting options with the invitations, cake, flowers, favors, and who can overlook the confetti? Who doesnt love confetti?

-If you plan a New Year’s Eve wedding, please encourage group transportation (limos, party bus), designated drivers,  or reserving  rooms at a nearby hotel for guests who become inebriated. Remind your guests that certain Taxi companies give discounted or free rides for folks who celebrated a little too much. In certain states AAA offers a ‘Tipsy Tow” program where they will tow your car for free from 6pm NYE to 6am New Year’s Day. Visit Canadian Towing homepage to learn more.

Wishing each of you a safe and happy celebration this New Year’s Eve!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fascinating Celebrity Weddings – The Unique Touches

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In case you missed it last night, the E! channel aired a one hour special entitled “Fascinating Celebrity Weddings”. Aside from fascinating, it was spectacular,  extremely informative, inspirational and at times quite romantic. This was way better than your typical ‘end of year’ re-cap, it looked at really high profile weddings over the past few years and the intimate details you may have missed in the headlines. The event planners were interviewed and discussed the things that each couple wanted to make their day personal and special, the little touches that personalized their wedding for them.

 Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Formula One billionaire Bernie Ecclestone, spent over $5 million on their wedding, including a $130, 000 Vera Wang bridal gown. The reception featured performances by Eric Clapton, the Black Eyed Peas, acrobats and fireworks. But, what made their wedding stand out was their humble approach to their massive combined wealth. The couple refused gifts, asking their guests to donate money to charity. There is no amount of money that can buy that much class.

Dylan Lauren, daughter of style icon Ralph Lauren had a really ‘sweet ‘ wedding.  As the owner of Dylan’s Candy Bar, a chain of boutique candy shops featuring over 7,000 candies from around the world her reception featured waiters dressed in candy-colored vests and white top hats, brimmed in candy dots  serving candy cocktails. The sweet table was the centerpiece of her lavish wedding and reinforced her personal goal to “merge fashion, art and pop candy culture”.

When Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie married actor Josh Duhamel in an ‘enchanted garden’ themed wedding, she searched specifically with a location that had a pond so her husband could enjoy his favorite hobby (fishing). The pond was stocked with fish so Josh and their guests could fish during cocktail hour.

Nicole Richie wanted Elephant at her wedding. Why? They supposedly bring good blessing and fertility. Her “Versailles” themed wedding took place at her father’s estate where he sang for the newlyweds.  Another nice touch was having their names elegantly embroidered on the sleeve of her gown.

In a related elephant story, Russell Brand and Katy Perry rode elephants on the way to take their vows in India probably for the same reason. The elephants turned out to be a pair who had never been seperated so they walked side by side the entire way.

Molly Sims had her heart set on rose petals covering the entire walkway and the wedding planner obliged. It took  over 6,000 roses to cover the 10x 120 ft area. It was a nice touch which she recalls it as being the highlight of the decor.

Some of my other favorite  personal touches:

-Same sex couple Chely Wright and Lauren Blitzer opting for a casual country wedding and serving ‘pigs in a blanket’ at the reception because it is her dad’s favorite. Sweet.

Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo pulled a fireworks permit for their Virgin Island wedding so there would be a no-fly zone for paparazzi helicopters. Smart.

Sheri Shepherd’s only wish for her big day was to have a ‘choreographed’ bridal party dance. The end result was adorable and heartwarming. Stunning.

Whether you spend a million dollars or much less on your wedding, it is of the utmost importance to always put your individual stamp on it. Make it your own unique celebration of love with your future spouse and don’t be afraid to express your own personality. Those unique touches are the things you will remember fro years to come.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago