Archive for the ‘Wedding Do's and Dont's’ Category

Wedding Registry Etiquette 101

Friday, June 25th, 2010

CBR002416When it comes to doling out wedding advice I always suggest the “do whatever makes you happy” philosophy. However, I tend to think one of the only area where this does not apply is with your wedding registry. Why? Well, simply put your registry sets the tone for your whole wedding. You DO NOT want that to be a negative tone in any capacity.

Think I’m overreacting? Take a step back from the wedding your currently planning and start thinking back to those weddings of yesteryear. Remember when your insufferable cousin put nothing but Mauviel Cooper Cookware on her registry ($500 for a potato steamer…I don’t think so)? So you got her the darn steamer and when you went to the wedding you saw she cut corners on everything! How furious were you? Or how about the time your friend invited you to her long distance wedding and then 1 month beforehand, after you bought the plane tickets, got married in secret for no good reason (a.k.a. surprise baby, going to war, etc)?! THEN had the NERVE to send out a registry request!?

 

Lets face it, registry snaffo’s stick out in people minds so here are a few rules to follow:

1) Know Your Audience

I know, I mention this rule all the time but it most definetly applies to your registry. To keep it short: if your friends and family are rich, don’t feel bad abut adding a few expensive items onto your list. If your friends and family are not well off,  refrain from adding anything over $500. If people want to give you a huge gift, they will give you money. Asking for a huge gift is just tacky.

2) Keep the price range in line with your reception

Are you spending $300 a plate? Well maybe your registry will be a little more on the expensive side (but dont go crazy)? If you’re spending $50 a plate then your items should semi reflect this. It doesnt mean you should only ask for a blender, handtowels, and chip clips (a personal pet peeve of mine – I hate when the only thing left on a registry is chip clips and plastic bowls), but dont try to ’scam’ your friends and family and don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re going to make money off of your wedding either….seriously… it’s not going to happen.

3) If you didn’t invite someone to your wedding, don’t send them your registry

This might seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised. I’ve received registry envelopes before without being invited to a wedding. Lame times infinity.

Hope these tips help you and if you have any questions…ALWAYS FEEL FREE TO ASK ME!

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This Cake Costs A lot of Dough

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Wedding cakes tend to run the gamut from a DIY cake made by mom to a ridiculously large life-size portrait of the bride.  Although no two brides can agree on what the best wedding cake would be – everyone knows it’s an important part of the ceremony.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when while you’re ordering

Cakes Need to Be Transported:

Unless you’re a character on either Bewitched or Charmed, odds are you can’t make objects appear and reappear without having someone lift and move them.  Make sure you run through the transportation with your baker to make sure everyone’s on the same page about boxing, packing materials, and reception directions.  Professionals are usually really good about making this process work flawlessly. However, if your new mother-in-law decides to make the cake herself you should ask her to make it slightly smaller and designate at least 2 friends to help her with the transportation…the last thing you need is to arrive at the reception hall with a cake covered m-i-l. Not good, not good at all…

When Elaborate Goes Awry:

I have no words...

I have no words...

Please heed this warning: when it comes to wedding cakes STAY SIMPLE. Unless you’ve got boatloads of money on the best baker in your state – keep it simple. Complex cakes can sometimes go awry and totally put a damper on your special day. For example take the cake to the left. The idea was beautiful: dolphins playing on a cake. But the execution leaves a little something to be desired. Instead of being playful and happy, it looks like there’s been a massacre in Flippers family and everyone was invited to witness the aftermath.

Your cake should be something you both really love:  tasty, elegant, and beautiful. Don’t fuss, or freak out over it, or feel the need to go overboard. Sometimes a simple cake tastes the best and looks the prettiest.

Remember Your Guests:

You might want to have this elaborate cake but remember, your guests just want something delicious. It is possible to have both but keep in mind, it takes a very talented baker to do this. This might be obvious to some but do a tasting at the bakers with your future hubs. If they serve other baked goods, buy a few. Get one of their little cakes to bring to your mothers or his mothers or someones mothers. It’ll give you a good idea about the bakers normal level of product deliciousness (is that a real phrase? I don’t think so)

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5 Steps to Your Perfect Favor

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Follow these steps to find the perfect favor for your event:

Step 1: All potential favors should fall into one of three categories. They should be either a Practical Keepsake, Favor Boxes/Containers, or they should be Edible. Rule out trinkets or dust collectors, and that tulle wrapped candy? So out!

Step 2: Does it or can it match your theme or at least your color scheme? Keeping everything flowing together will really make a difference in the overall effect. If the favor itself is not a perfect match you can still make it flow with colored ribbon, small gift bags, and labels/tags. It does not have to match immediately it just has to have the ability to match.

Step 3: Personalize It! It may cost a little extra (although some favors include personalization in their pricing) but it will be well worth it. The only exception to this is something that looks cheap. Don’t print white mailing labels with your name and date on them. The best ways to personalize cost effectively is to order tags, labels, or ribbon.

Step 4: Imagine your guests receiving the item. Are the guests at the right age to use and appreciate them? If you are throwing a girls night out for your weight loss group you may not want to get them cupcake mix. Or if the majority of your guest are traveling in don’t burden them with an edible favor that may not travel well. Also, consider getting the kids at the event a different favor than the adults.

Gourmet Cupcake Mix Favor

Gourmet Cupcake Mix Favor

Step 5: Order a sample. This is especially true for any large event such as a wedding or bat/bar mitzvah. Even if you have to order 12 favor boxes it is better that you know exactly what you are ordering before receiving 500 of them. Remember, favors are designed to be cost effective but that is not the same as cheap. Examples Practical Keepsakes: Pizza Cutter, Bookmarks, Photo Album, Coasters, etc. Edible Favors: Gourmet Oreos, Fortune Cookies, Cupcake Mix, etc. Favor Boxes/Containers: Personalized Glass Jars, Sweet Shoppe Boxes, Favor Tins Note: If you are going to go with an edible favor make sure it is incredibly delish. The memories of your wedding and edible favors may be forever linked.

 

Favor Chic specializes in Wedding Favors and Welcome Bags. We are committed to searching out and offering the perfect favors and gifts for the right price. Every item is hand selected by our team to ensure customer satisfaction. In fact, Favor Chic does not put anything on our site that we would not buy ourselves. You’re going to like your favors, we guarantee it!

Visit us at www.favorchic.com

 

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Annette James
Owner and Founder
Favor Chic

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The Honeymooners

Monday, November 16th, 2009

The Honeymoon, an amazing vacation that you and your husband plan together.  You can go anywhere, do anything, spend large sums of money and not feel incredibly guilty. Not only is it memorable because of where you are; it’s memorable because for the first time you and your guy are vacationing as husband and wife. Truly magnificent.

No matter where you go it’s going to be unforgettable, but sometimes the debate of where to go can start an argument between you and your beau.  Not sure where to go? Make a list of places you’ve always wanted to go to together and then look online to find out when’s the best time to go! Also, check websites like TripAdvisor for hotel reviews, sure some of them could be fake but odds are if a hotel has 290 EXCELLENT reviews out of 300, you’re going to have a good time.

Want some suggestions where to stay? Look into a few of these hotels/resorts – our staff swears by them!

Winter Wonderland: Coeur Des Alpes –  Zermatt, Switzerland

CouerdesAlpesLove to ski? Love the snow?  If you’re getting married during the winter/holiday season you may want to look into something super festive: like the Swiss Alps. One of our staff members honeymooned at the Coeur des Alpes and LOVED IT! Here’s why:

“ The night we arrived, we were greeted at the train station (at 9pm!) and escorted back to the hotel. They served us Prosecco and homemade apple cake by the lobby fireplace immediately so we could warm up (without asking) and brought our luggage to our room.  The penthouse room (shown above) was immaculate and had the most amazing view of the Matterhorn right from the bed. I’m not talking a slight view if you strained your neck, I’m talking full wall of windows looking straight into the mountains as you lie down relaxing. Gorgeous The staff was always amazingly nice and gave us wonderful suggestions where to go. If you go, get up and go to the free breakfast in the morning. I’m still dreaming of the quark mousse…in fact, I wish I was there now”

 

Island Getaway: Flor Blanca – Costa Rica

FlorBlancaLooking for that perfect beach oasis? Longing for privacy on your honeymoon?  Take a step out of the honeymoon beach box and try Costa Rica! One of our staff members stayed at the Flor Blanca and LOVED IT! Here’s why:

 “The place is relatively small with 14 cabanas so everything is very personalized. Its quiet so if you’re looking for night life this is not the place to go. The Chef was amazing and we had access to private surfing lessons, a 3-hour private horse ride through a local ranch and on the beach at sunset. Sounds cheesy I know, but it was really great….not one of those hoaky rides where the horses go in a line and you have to wear a helmet. We definitely plan on going back. Interesting fact: Giselle Bunchen lives just up the road and often comes to the hotel to use their internet access. LOL!”

*Important Tip* Book early. The best places generally book up 6 months in advance.  For example, the Coeur des Alpes generally books up 10-12 months in advance so reserve early!

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The Trials and Tribs of Wedding Makeup

Friday, August 28th, 2009

Your dress is dazzling, your shoes are spectacular, your jewelry’s divine…but you still haven’t figured out what to do about your makeup?!

One of the biggest debates is should DIY your bridal makeup or pay someone else to apply it for you? On one hand you’ll be saving money but on the other…you may risk looking like a not so hot. (Frankly, either option has pitfalls.)

Let’s play the YES and NO game together to figure out what you should do. Remember girls: Answer Honestly!!

Yes: 1 point – No: 2 points

  1. I never leave the house without perfectly blended makeup!
Musical genius: perhaps. Award winning cosmetologist: not so much.

Musical genius: perhaps. Award winning cosmetologist: not so much.

  1. My friends usually ask me for makeup application tips
Keep the free spirit. Lose the "panda" look.

Keep the free spirit. Lose the "panda" look.

  1. People often compliment me on my lipstick and eye-shadow color combination
At her age and status you can get away with a lot….but seriously? C’mon Betsy!

At her age and status you can get away with a lot….but seriously? C’mon Betsy!

4. My foundation and blush always look natural

Scored 4-5: Girl, you always look effortlessly glowing. People envy you for your stunning natural beauty (even though both of us know that complexion is anything but ‘natural’ – but don’t worry we know how to keep a secret)

Scored 6-8: Please do us all a favor and DO NOT do your own makeup.  You risk not only utter embarrassment but you may end up permanently featured on TackyWeddings.com

All jokes aside:  whether you’re doing your own makeup or not make sure you do several trial runs. Schedule ahead so you can get a late afternoon appointment and then you can go straight to meet your girlfriends for happy hour to get their opinions as well.

Pay attention to how it wears throughout the evening, and if you really want to give it a test….work yourself up into a good sobbing cry, then find over 100 people to hug you and kiss your cheek, then dance for 3 hours straight. If you still look presentable…you have a winner! Just kidding. But, do wear it for a few hours and check how it looks later in the evening.

Also, be sure to take pictures at each trial. This way you’ll know how well your colors/style photograph. Some foundations actually contain elements that refract light, which means that anytime someone snaps you with a flash you’ll end up looking like Casper the friendly bride.

Need some new makeup tips? Check out this great website for tips, tricks, and trends: http://beyondbeautybasics.com/

Sienna gets burned by her "burt sienna" bronzer....irony?

Sienna gets burned by her "burt sienna" bronzer....irony?

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