Tag Archives: Wedding planning tips

Sunday Weddings

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Labor Day and Memorial Day are two very popular dates for weddings because of the 3 day weekend. The most popular day of the 3 day weekend is Sunday and everyone knows that booking a Sunday wedding saves plenty of  money.

Need a few more reasons?

The three day weekend also gives your guests an additional day to recover from the festivites (Monday) or travel before returning to work on Tuesday. Most people don’t have to taky any time off!

Sometimes airfare and hotels can be a bit more expensive when traveling on a holiday weekend but, if you book the travel together (encourage everyone to use the same travel agent) there may be some discount.

Out of town guests may want to use the 3 day weekend to have a mini vacation to rest, relax and sight-see. A happy guest is…. a happy guest!

The weather is usually warm and pleasant in both May and September, many times avoiding heatwaves and torrential downpours (depending upon your geographical location).

One last bonus: you can use an Americana theme without being corny. Labor day is the day that is designated to celebrate the workers, the people who built this country with their blood, sweat and tears. The  men and women who toiled in unsafe conditions decades before Norma Rae put down her work and held up that now famous sign. Celebrating America’s workers, and America herself is a great way to begin your life together.

Weigh the options, take all things into consideration and see if  a Labor Day Wedding is right for you!

 

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

 

 

 

Surprise!! It’s a Wedding!

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Most brides are so excited to share wedding planning with their friends and family that it is hard to imagine keeping the whole thing a secret until the last minute. But, this is exactly what some couples do when a surprise wedding is in store for their guests. 

The legality is that only the guests can be surprised at a wedding since both parties being married need to have a valid marriage license in order to have the union recognized by the state.

Surprising your guests may seem like a great, fun idea. However, there are some guests who will not be pleased to be left  out of the planning process. Parents, siblings, and close friends may not find it amusing and much older guests who have weak hearts probably don’t  find a surprise as much fun as they used to.

Try to incorporate another celebration. Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan told their guests they were coming for a graduation party, only to find out it was really their wedding. Surprise!

Keep the whole affair low key. Guests will feel they would have liked to dress up a little more unless it is a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

Make sure you tell your guests there will be some sort of special entertainment at a certain time. Party guests often arrive late… you don’t want them to miss out!

 Have a DJ or Emcee announce what is about to happen and then give some time for the guests to digest the news, chat and laugh.

People want surprise weddings for many different reasons. It can be a way of holding the reins over what happens, it may be a way to keep the costs down, for others they just don’t want any fuss; and well, some people just like to stage a big surprise. As a guest, it is your job to honor this and not to judge, to be happy for them and not make it about you.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo

 

Pregnancy and Weddings…Before or After?

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It hasn’t been that long ago that when a woman found herself in a ‘family way’, the wedding date was moved up and the due date was a mystery. By ‘not that long ago’, I mean in my lifetime. Thankfully that practice is nearly outdated, for about a dozen really good reasons… mostly because nobody cares if you are pregnant or not. Now, the problem is not that you have to get married, but if you want to get married… then should you do it before or after the baby is born? It’s time to think about diy homemade pregnancy test.

There are some advantages to getting married while you are pregnant; namely your hair and skin will probably be more radiant than ever and you will most likely have what is commonly referred to as a ‘glow’. It will show up in the pictures and you will love looking at photos of yourself all pregnant and beautiful!   I was 6 months pregnant when my husband and I exchanged vows. That’s just how it worked out for us. There was  no shotgun, no lying about the due date and no surprises. We were adults and did what we wanted. If I had waited, I may not have ever wanted to do a wedding of any sort because once the baby was born, I was too busy with my glorious son to worry about place cards and table settings and floral arrangements. You may feel the same way!

For others, waiting until the baby is born to have a wedding is the right choice for several reasons; You can fit into a more traditional wedding gown after some or all of the baby weight comes off, you can plan your dream wedding and not worry about morning sickness, swollen feet or being exhausted during the process, you don’t have to worry about hormones and mood swings during this stressful time when you are already stressed out about being pregnant in the first place!!!

Either way, before or after, the choice is up to you. No need to fudge on dates or make excuses because, when it comes to love and marriage – the truth shall set you free!!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

 

Avoid Makeup Mishaps!

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Whether you have decided to go full out glam or opt for a natural look, there is nothing that can spoil your wedding photos quicker than poorly applied or ill-conceived makeup. Countless wedding horror stories plague the internet  and makeup is ALWAYS  at the top of the list.

Most women agree that makeup is an essential part of getting dressed in the morning. But everyday makeup will not last for an event as exhausting as your wedding. In order to have a flawless look you will need to start planning early.

Hire a professional.  The best way to find a professional that you like is to see some of their work. If you really want a smoky eye and there is not one example of this in their portfolio, you may have to keep searching. Make sure your makeup professional can handle your skin color as well. Have they ever worked on African American or Middle Eastern skin tones? If not, keep searching. Just because your favorite cousin went to beauty school does not mean she can handle your wedding makeup. Find someone you are comfortable with who does the kind of work you like.

Schedule a trail makeup session to make sure you don’t leave the chair looking like a circus clown. Take an objective friend and a camera with you so you can see how you look on film, not just in person. Sometimes makeup that looks severe in person shows up fantastic on camera and vice verse.

Always have a backup plan for the day of your event in case of a serious emergency. What if…… your makeup artist has a personal emergency (ruptured appendix or worse) and cannot fulfill their obligations? How would you handle it? Make sure you have all of the products used in your makeup trial. Ask if they have a back up person who you could call in case something unfortunate happens. Make sure at least one of your attendants can be trusted with a makeup brush.

And last but not least, keep some products in your purse for touch ups. Your lipstick will be almost gone after dinner, you will robably have to re-touch your mascara so it is imperative that you keep those items close by.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Wedding Speeches & Toasts

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As the best man or maid of honor, you are expected to give a short speech or toast at the wedding reception which sounds easy enough for some but, is terrifying for others. Follow these simple steps to the best wedding speech ever.

Hello – Introduce yourself. Whether it is “Hi”, “Hello” or  “My name is___”, introducing yourself and your relationship to the bride or groom in a manner that is consistent with the content of the speech will set the tone for the next step.

Opener – Lead with your best line. If it is humor – bring out the big guns first, if it is romance, let it out. Whatever you lead with will begin the journey that will make the listeners want to follow or not.

Story – The toast or speech should have a beginning, middle and end. The opening line will start the story, you can weave around various points but you should circle back as you prepare to finish.

Romance – Share something about the early stages of their relationship. Perhaps how they met, their first date or the first time they met each other’s parents. You are toasting the couple, not just the bride or groom.

KISS – Keep It Short & Sweet. 3 minutes is about the right amount of time before you lose their attention.

Off- Limits – Avoid anything too lowbrow like mentioning exes, talking about their sexual habits or family disagreements.

Last but, not least; Practice, Practice, Practice! You may not want to read the speech from the cards you have prepared but have them with you in case you draw a blank so, if you have practiced enough it will be second nature when it is time to deliver.

Being true to yourself and your realtionship with the couple will make a lasting impression, one that will leave guests talking about your speech long after the reception has ended.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Wedding Shoes – Summer Favorites

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There is something very special about the relationship between women and their shoes. For me, it is red shoes; anything from a light, orange-y red to a burgundy red, from a smooth patent leather to a buttery suede, I gasp every time! For wedding shoes it goes double. Almost as important as the gown is what to put on your feet. Because the right shoe will give you every reason to slightly lift the corner of your ball gown and show everyone your sassy little secret! If I had known then what I know now, I would have gladly worn red shoes on my wedding day … whether anyone noticed or not.

Without hesitation here are the hottest trends for wedding shoes for Summer 2012:

Bedazzled: Flawless, shimmering stones adorn shoes in every size, color and style. Whether completely encrusted with jewels, or merely a hint of sparkle  – get a pair and you won’t be sorry.

The Wedge – Once considered a casual style, the wedge has made it’s way into Bridal Fashion through sheer determination. That, and the fact that a wedge is probably one of the most comfortable styles of shoe if you plan to be on your feet for an extended period of time. You can have comfort and style!

 

Platform –  To add height, elongate your legs and feel like a showgirl, platforms are a fantastic solution. I various shapes, size styles and colors, platforms are everywhere!!!

Designer – The unprecedented success of the Christian Louboutin ‘red sole’ has seen an increase in designer shoe sales.  Ladies, if you allow yourself  one splurge, this should be it!!

Color – Brides everywhere are embracing the color trend and using it to express their individuality, style and love of shoes. My favorite? Something Red, or maybe even something Blue!

Can’t decide which trend is best for you? You don’t have to! This sparkle, wedge, platform, designer shoe by Benjamin Adams is dyeable in a multitude of colors and priced at under $400 retail, you don’t have to break the bank!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

 

 

Daddy’s Little Girl – All Grown Up

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If you are blessed to have a father, stepfather (or both) on your wedding day, you are one lucky woman. Losing my father at an early age taught me two things: life is short and a good dad is hard to find. Remember, on your wedding day you will be marking the passage from being one man’s daughter to another man’s wife. It is a bittersweet occasion for him and a good time to remind him of how much he means to you.  It is also a good time to remind him of his role in the wedding, that he has a very special place and purpose for being there, other than to pay for everything, if that is even your dynamic.

Walk Down The Aisle– If your father will be walking you down the aisle, this will be a very emotional moment for him. As you let go of his hand, remind him of how much it means to you with a kiss on the cheek, a nod, a whisper. Don’t be in a hurry to move forward, he might need a moment to digest this.

Father /Daughter Dance – This is when, traditionally, the father cuts in to the first dance of the newlyweds and dances with his daughter for the first time as a married woman as the music transitions into ‘their song’. Or you can have a completely different dance  just for the two of you. “Daddy’s Little Girl” is a bit outdated and kind of (whats the word?) … creepy. Find a song that means something to the two of you, and no one else.

Speech – The father of the bride gives the first speech at the reception. Whether it is lighthearted, serious, or sentimental, it should be whatever suits his personality and your relationship together. He might need help with this as some men are not as eloquent or profound as others. Spend some alone time with him leading up to the wedding, giving him an opportunity to reminisce and ponder………

Gift – Finding the right gift for your dad can mean a lot. I know from experience that men who do not express emotions easily are touched by small gestures. A framed photo of the two of you when you were a little girl, a pair of cuff-links, an embroidered handkerchief. Stay away from t-shirts or mugs with photos of shotguns. It’s only funny because it’s tacky.

Don’t be surprised if , many years down the road, you wind up thinking that your husband is a lot like your dad, it happens all the time. When it is all said and done, he was the first man you loved, the one who taught you to sit up straight and respect yourself and set the standard for what to look for in a husband in the first place. For that, he deserves special recognition.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Conversation Starters

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Conversation Starters are the hottest thing in weddings right now. From Pinterest to Marth Stewart, almost every wedding site is abuzz with dozens of  DIY ideas to get people talking at the reception! From sea to shining sea, here are our top five favorite Conversation Starters:

Origami Fortune Tellers – A throwback to your childhood, these simple, folded paper ‘toys’ are placed at the table with various questions and answers about the couple.

 

Quiz/ Questionnaire – A few fun, lighthearted questions about the bride and groom are guaranteed to get guests talking, reminiscing and laughing.

 

 Guest questionnaires about the bride and groom

 

 Scrapbook Guest Book –  To pull this off, designate a friend or family member to take pictures of guests with a polaroid camera  as they enter your reception and another to print the photos (yes, they still make polariod cameras). The photos are placed in a guestbook photo album so the guests can sign or wrote a sentiment next to their photo and everyone gets their own page!

 

Table Markers– For each table, find a creative use for the number. Example here 5 things you didn’t know about the bride or groom, or 6 places they would both like to visit, 7 relatives that you may not know. Each one is sprinkled with information about the couple, their family, their friends and everything in between.

 

For each person who has replied “Yes”, find an old photo of them to put on the place card. The older the picture, the better. If you met your best friend in grade school, using that picture will certainly spark some conversations!

For each of these very creative ideas, there is a lot of work involved. Folding paper, printing out questionnaires, preparing place cards or guest book pages. Doing-It-Yourself is not for the faint of heart. If you can’t tackle it alone, you can always ask for help! Perhaps you will have more fun with a bridesmaid or two, your mom(s) and a glass of wine!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Somewhere Over The Wedding

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First, and foremost, I have never been a fan of the rainbow themed wedding. To me, seeing 6 women in different rainbow colored dresses reminds me of Skittles or “My Little Pony” and I have never been able to get past those feelings. Until now.

I began my day like any other; reading news stories, studying wedding trends and browsing photos of real weddings on the internet. To my surprise, I came across an article about Rainbow Weddings, being curious I clicked on the article to find some interesting tips, absolutely adorable photos and I was hooked. I now have to admit that (if done properly) a wedding using this theme could be as tasteful and elegant as any other theme imaginable. 

In addition to that, I give you this quote, according to Pinterest:  “Early predictions are calling Rainbow one of the biggest wedding trends of 2013.”
There it is, put a pin in it. The prediction is also backed up by some credible photos. And while I still think this theme isn’t for everyone, here are some tips that would make even Dorothy proud:

Rather than focusing on the gown, give each bridesmaid  different color shoes and matching bouquet.

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Add a touch of rainbow colors to the cake, however possible.

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Use the same flower in various colors of the rainbow or different flowers for arrangements.

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Don’t forget to include the mens’ attire and boutonniere!

The most important thing when working with a vibrant theme like this is to be aware of the point of no return. The theme should be prevalent enough for everyone to see it but, no one should feel overwhelmed by it. When the toilet paper is in rainbow colors, you might have gone too far.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago