Tag Archives: Wedding planning tips

Bridesmaid Gowns – Long or Short?

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What dictates the length of the bridesmaid dress? It’s not the time of day or  theme of the wedding, or the cost of the event… it is actually way more complicated than that.

Them most important thing to consider when selecting the gown is ….the fabric!  Although the length is a contributing factor, think about how a long, cotton gown will not go nearly as well at a black tie evening event as a short, satin, embellished mini dress. A long, heavy satin gown will be overwhelming at a summer daytime event whereas a gauzy, chiffon gown might be freezing at a mid-winter reception.

As you are shopping (taking note of the fabric options available) you might want to follow some simple guidelines to help make your choice:

Long dresses – For a black tie wedding, long is almost always the best choice. These type of wedding are usually evening events where the dress code is formal. Long dresses are also appropriate for a black tie optional or semi formal event but, can be worn for any wedding any time of day if you prefer. Be careful, long dresses can be overwhelming for an outdoor wedding on a  hot summer day…choose the right fabric!

 

 

Tea- length – The length designated as anything from mid-calf to the ankle can be worn for any type of event other than formal. Daytime, afternoon, evening, beach, tea length gowns can go anywhere and are the most versatile choice for bridesmaids, depending upon the fabric!

Short – Slightly above, below or right at the bend of the knee.  If you don’t want the bridesmaids  to wear pantyhose, make sure the weather is suited for bare legs or you will have some bridesmaids with goosebumps. The right short gown can be perfect for a semi-formal or even a formal event, and the wrong gown will look horribly out of place so, keep in mind that the fabric and style will make a huge difference.

 The perfect fabric, length, color, and style  will all add up to the right combination that works for your wedding.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

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 Politics of Fashion

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The election season is in full swing, both parties’ national conventions have come to a close and now it is time to look at what’s really important: Fashion! Okay, realistically –  it doesn’t matter what the candidate’s wives wear before, during or after the election but, it is easier for me to debate fashion than policy with most people since one is a matter of personal opinion and the other is a matter of personal opinion… wait… it’s the same thing?

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to take a break from wedding planning and peek into the closets of the candidate’s wives.

Janna Ryan – She  may not be a household name yet, but, don’t mess with her because this 43 yr old former lobbyist is in good enough shape to kick butt and take names. With about 0% body fat from where I sit, she can wear literally anything she wants but, she opts for slim straight, ultra conservative looks straight from the Talbbot’s catalog. Don’t hold your breath for any trendsetting, just solid clean lines and simple silhouettes. Really simple. So simple that it is almost impossible to find any kind of style.

Jill Biden – When the Vice President-elect’s wife, a life time educator, showed up in January 2009 at the Inaugural festivities wearing knee-high boots, I thought this was someone I could relate to…. she has a fun side. Although still very conservative, she showed up later that night in a stunning red strapless gown by one of our favorite designers, Reem Acra, looking both youthful and stunning. Still not one to go all out glam, she can wear anything she wants with her with slim figure and great arms for any age.

Ann Romney – Mrs. Romney’s style might be best described as quiet sophistication. With abundant wealth and  nice figure, the world is at your fingertips, which is why her Oscar de la Renta convention dress seemed an odd choice to me. It was slightly dated, reminiscent of a 1950’s housewife; a simple shirtwaist dress in bright red. In any color or shape, she exudes class and style and knows exactly what appeals to her audience.

Michelle Obama – The First Lady is all over the map when it comes to style, mixing expensive pieces with vintage pieces with Old Navy. You never know what she will wear but, for the most part she hits it out of the park. Never afraid to accessorize, her style is way less conservative than her counterparts and she will occasionaly surprise with a quirky, chic ensemble that could never be described as boring.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Slow Down!!

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Planning a wedding can take a lot out of you. Add work, family, holidays, pets, family,  household chores, errands, financial stress, (did I mention family) and you have what could turn into a complete meltdown. I mentioned family more than once because family causes not only a great deal of happiness, and a lot of stress. It is easy to get caught up in constantly going from one project to another at such a fast pace that you sometimes forget what you are doing.

As a couple, you need to remember what is important that made you want to be married. Not the wedding, not the flowers, not the dress but, each other! Take one day in the middle of all of the fuss and stress and drama to just SLOW DOWN and enjoy life.

To fully enjoy a ‘slow down’ day here are some tips:

-Unplug your cell phone, put away your laptops, take a time out from technology. No facebook, no skype.

-Visit a local tourist attraction that you have always wanted to see but never had time.

– Do something outside your comfort zone. Ziplining, paintball, bowling, go for PBX electric skateboards, whatever it is that you don’t usually do, do it. Segway through the city?

– Turn the day into a movie marathon. Rent a bunch of movies you have been longing to see but, never have time. Popcorn, snacks, cuddle up on the sofa and enjoy!

– A day of relaxation and pampering for both of you. Get a massage facial, manicure and pedicure.

-Spend the day in the garden, if you have one. If you don’t – find an Arboretum near you and plan your future garden or just enjoy the beauty of nature.

There are dozens of things you can do to slow down. The important thing is to make a commitment to taking this day to yourself and don’t let anything interrupt you. The wedding planning and decision making can wait one day.

-Penny Frulla

 

 

Going White For Your Wedding?

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Are you one of the many brides and grooms considering teeth whitening? Consider this: your smile is the first thing that people notice about you and the last thing you want to overlook on your big day!

Both bride and groom should schedule a dental checkup about six months before your wedding day, says the representative of Alaska Dental Associates. This allows time to handle any pesky problems and to see if teeth-whitening is something for you to consider. Remember, you will be photographed more on this day than in any other time in your life.

There are several types of teeth whitening, none of which are terribly expensive and can make a huge difference in your appearance and confidence level for the day.

Laser Whitening–  Done in the dentist’s office, allow 3 hours and approximately $400. It is not a painful proces and will leave you with Movie Star teeth after one visit.

Trays – The dentist makes a mold of your teeth which takes about a half hour and then you can do the whitening at home. Expect to spend roughly $20o for the tray and initial whitening solution. The bonus is you can keep getting refills of the solution and keep your teeth white forever!

Strips  – Many over-the-counter strips boast dentist office results. Yes, they do work and the price varies. With these strips, it may seem like you are saving money but, over the course of time you will spend nearly as much as if you had visited the dentist. The bonus is that it can be done at your convenience, some can even be done while you are sleeping.

It is extremely  important for  brides and grooms-to-be to do a little research, talk with your dental professional and come up with a solution that works for you.

Make sure to check our Wedding Directory links to find a smile professional in your area.
Reference: https://www.glosshairboutique.com.au/teeth-whitening-service/

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Modern Manicures

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 Gone are the days when every bride has to have clear or french manicure, gone are the days when the only right thing to do is the same thing everyone else does. When it comes to manicures, everything has changed and the only thing that works, is what works for you!

Here are some of my favorite manicures; from classic to fun, from sexy to funky, from sassy to chic!

Tiffany Manicure –  Just the right color with a touch of bling!!

Pinned Image

Reverse French Manicure – Comes in two varieties; the tips are color instead of white or the nails and tips are different shades of the same color.

Half  Moon Manicure –  Done in any combination of color or clear, this manicure can be flashy or subdued depending upon your color choice!

Louboutin Manicure –  The underside of the nail is painted red…. very clever! You don’t have to use black as the top color, either. Grammy winner Adele used silver when she graced the red carpet last year to pick up her golden statues.

Bling Manicures – Nothing like a little sparkle to make you feel like a million bucks on your big day. Whether it is a little or a lot, ladies are loving the nail glitter and crystals.

Caviar manicure – This very specific nail laquer comes in a variety of colors, the most popular for brides looks tiny little pearls on your fingernails.

Remember, whatever you decide, always hire a professional to have a ‘polished’ look.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

Trends in Wedding Accessories

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Years ago, brides didn’t have to worry much about what kind of jewelry to wear on their wedding day, it was your mother’s pearls and a pair of diamond earrings and there were not too many other choices. Today’s brides have so many choices, it is sometimes overwhelming to try to narrow it down.

In the 1980’s when my career in bridal fashion began, the motto was “More is better”. Turns out, that was not so true, after all. Looking at bridal portraits from the 1980’s with giant poufy veils, shoulder dusting earrings, gigantic cluster necklaces and the chunky, beaded headbands or (God Forbid) huge bow on the back of the head, you have to ask “What were you (we) thinking?”.

The 1990’s saw a departure from the lavish accessories and designers made specific matching bridal jewlery sets of earrings and necklaces that incorporated the same type of stones or jewels as the dress. The tiara was in and the poufs were out… big time!  By comparison, the 90’s were dull. The motto was “Less is more” and brides across the board adapted this as their mantra.

 

The most recent trend is probably the most fun and exciting, “Be Yourself!”  Sashes encrusted with crystals of varying colors, beautifully crafted vintage inspired earrings with clear or colored stones, large bracelets of small stones and necklaces of every size, shape and dimension imaginable.  Instead of copying a look from a magazine, brides are making their own fashion statement with the use of accessories in every shape and form. It’s exciting, it’s fresh and it is NOW!

Tips to avoid over-accessorizing:

If your earrings are longer than 2″, you might not need a necklace.

If you can afford it, diamonds never go out of style. A simple diamond choker (and earrings) looks as good now as it did fifty years ago.

Choose your style according to the theme. If it is boho, vintage or hollywood glam, stick to it and don’t try to bring in an unrelated peice…. it will throw off the overall look.

Necklaces should be comfortable against the skin. If you have extremely sensitive skin, some costume jewelry may cause an unflattering reaction.

Your headpiece should fit easily into your hairstyle, don’t force it. Not every headpiece works in every type of hair,

Beware of bracelets that snag the fabric of your dress. Test bracelets next to a pice of clothing to see if they are too grabby.

Remember, accessories should accent your overall look, not overpower it.  Have fun with your choices but, remember that your wedding day look should be timeless, whether it is 1953 or 2012.

 

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago