Wedding Events: The Engagement Party

The First Of Many Celebrations: A Chance To Share Your Engagement!


WHEN Within three months of the engagement.

WHO HOSTS Traditionally, the bride’s family hosts, but many of today’s couples take the reins or divvy up the duties between both families.

PRE­PARTY TO DO’S Keep the engagement party relatively casual (think shift dress with a bolero jacket and peep­-toe pumps). While etiquette does not require it, most guests will bring presents so consider starting a gift registry prior to the gathering. Expect guests to ask about the wedding date and plans; try to have some details in place (such as the time of year you want your nuptials) before the party date arrives.

THEME & DÉCOR A quaint brunch or evening cocktails are easy to pull off and set the right tone. Keep the menu simple with light refreshments, but make sure you have plenty of bubbly on hand. Sparkling wine such as Italian Prosecco is an unexpectedly chic alternative to more traditional Champagne. Dot tables with small floral arrangements or centerpiece cakes; tea lights add a nice touch for cocktails. Personalize the event in little ways with monogrammed items such as notepads, candy tins, etc. All are readily available online at sites such as beau­-coup.com.

VENUE Your family’s home, a chic lounge or a favorite restaurant is the perfect locale for this celebratory affair. Offer a brief toast to your upcoming nuptials and thank guests for sharing in your joy. Let them know how much you look forward to having them at your wedding.

GUEST LIST Only invite people who are sure to be on the wedding guest list. 
Bottom line: Keep it small and intimate.


By Patricia Canole
For more wedding planning tips and trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com
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Planning: The Guest List

5 EASY WAYS TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL.

1. DON’T PUT OFF “THE TALK” 
From the beginning, communicate with your parents and determine the number of guests that your budget allows. Traditionally, each family get half of the desired total; that translates into four lists—one each for the bride, the groom, the bride’s parents, and the groom’s parents. Focus on numbers first to avoid painful cuts later.

2. DIVIDE AND CONQUER 
Sort possible guests into categories, and then eliminate by groups. Always be sure to make across-the-board, clear-cut distinctions however. For example, you might decide to invite all of your aunts and uncles but forego cousins and other relatives. Just make sure to cut each category equally to avoid any hurt feelings.

3. SEPARATE WORK AND PLAY 
It is acceptable to leave out all of your office associates—or most of them. If just family and close friends are attending your wedding, your coworkers should understand that you had to make the cut-off. If you do end up inviting a few colleagues include those who are also among your closest friends.

4. AVOID PAYBACK 
This is not the time for your parents to insist on reciprocity for weddings they’ve attended over the years. It's your party! Of course, listen to your parents’ suggestions and ideas for the guest list, but know that this is a decision that you and your fiancé should make, and your list of invitees takes priority.

5. FAR-AWAY PALS 
If you think having to travel a great distance will prevent some people on your list from making it to your wedding, call them to find out if that is the case. While you might still want to send invitations to your closest long-distance friends and family, you can send announcements after the wedding to the others.



By Patricia Canole
For more wedding planning tips and trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com
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Planning: Catering Class

Planning Your Menu Needn’t Be A Daunting Process. Here’s Some Food For Thought!

CREATE A TIMELINE 
As soon as you’ve settled on a location—often up to a year prior to the date—it’s time to book your caterer (or begin working with your site’s caterer). Plan your menu seven months beforehand and aim to hold your tasting roughly six weeks before the wedding.

Scott Corridan Design

CHOOSE YOUR CATERER
It may seem like a no­-brainer, but pick someone who regularly prepares the type of food you want. If you find yourself making more than small changes to a caterer’s standard offerings, it may not be a good fit. Previous wedding experience is a necessity, and definitely make sure the caterer has handled events of a similar size.



SET THE STYLE 
Before deciding on specific foods for your wedding, figure out the general mood of your reception.

Formal or traditional affair: Plan on a light cocktail hour, then a seated dinner followed by dancing. A variation features courses intermingled with dancing.

Traditional with a little edge: Consider an extended cocktail hour followed by a light sit­down dinner and then elaborately stocked dessert stations.

Most relaxed: Opt for the increasingly popular supper, during which guests dance, mingle and take food from buffets, passed trays and action stations where chefs prepare food.


TRY BEFORE YOU BUY 
See if it’s possible to arrange a tasting before you put down a deposit. Not every caterer will do this, and may cost extra, but it’s definitely worth it. One other option: Ask to attend a corporate event or other function where you can sample the food in an atmosphere that will be similar to your wedding.

Scott Corridan Design

CHECK REFERENCES
When you call previous clients of a potential caterer (that’s when, not if—this isn’t a step to skip!), don’t just inquire whether they were pleased and how the food tasted. Ask about the number of guests at their event, the type of venue and their menu style—if you are expecting 250 guests at a formal affair, someone else’s 40­-person beach party isn’t a good indicator of your potential satisfaction.

GET AN ESTIMATE 
After your initial meeting, request an outline. This should specify:

- What the base price includes

- Per ­person cost

- Add-­on fees

- Menu options

- Style of service

- Presentation

Note: Check whether the quoted includes tax and service charges. (The latter is separate from a gratuity and can easily increase your total bill by 25­-to-­30 percent.)

Scott Corridan Design

BEFORE YOU DECIDE 
Make sure you’re clear about exactly what the charges cover. Most caterers include food, beverages, staffing, tables, chairs and serving pieces in the base prices, with anything out of the ordinary (like specialty china, etc.). Think of all the possible items necessary for your reception and talk about who will provide them. If chairs, tables or other furniture needs to be rented, discuss whether you or the caterer are responsible for arranging that. Also, ask about what services—creation of the floorplan and timeline, room setup and table settings—come standard or are available for an extra cost.

Villa Aquamarine

TAKE THE CAKE? 
Discuss who will be baking the wedding cake and if any cake­cutting fees will apply. Off­premises caterers generally outsource the cake, while on­site caterers usually make their own and charge a cutting fee if you bring one in from somewhere else.

Ritz-Carlton New Orleans

THE TASTE TEST 
The general rule for menu tastings is six­-to­-eight weeks before your wedding, but your situation may call for holding it earlier (if you are having a destination wedding). Pay as much attention to presentation as you do to flavors. And speak up—if your caterer needs to make major menu changes much longer after the tasting, it’ll be hard not to worry about how the food wll turn out on the big day.


By Patricia Canole
For more wedding planning tips and trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com
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Planning: Animal Attraction

It goes without saying that on your big day you want to be surrounded by your entire family and close friends. For a good majority of couples that also means including Fido as well. Here, our tips to bone up on the basics.

MUTT-DO’S For starters consider your pet’s personality. Is the pet comfortable around strangers? Think of where your event will be held. Dogs may not be permitted in the house of worship or indoor reception venue; it's always best to check first.

BEST ATTENDANT IN SHOW What part will your pup play in your wedding? You’ve got options: Pooch can be escorted down the aisle to deliver the rings or even stand at your side as a "bone"afide attendant.

DOGGIE FUN To up the fun factor, dress your dog up for the wedding. A simple dog collar in a color that coordinates with your bridesmaids will do. Or go fancy and try Pink Belly Gifts for 

pup­-sized wedding gowns and tuxes, Etsy for a bow tie or Calling All Dogs for a tiara. Lastly, you might ask your florist to fit your pooch with a floral neck wreath in your wedding colors or attach single bloom to the dog collar.

HEAVY PETTING Grooming your pooch is a crucial step—and we’re talking beyond the basics. Start with a full grooming session two or three days prior, including a shampoo, haircut and nail trimming. Add a spa extra like a hot oil treatment or a pet­i­cure. Don’t forget to banish bad breath.

BONE APPETIT With all the picture­-taking and socializing, your dog will certainly work up an appetite. Remember to bring along your dog's tre. And most of all, enjoy the celebration and pup’s company.

Happy tails to you!


By Patricia Canole
For more wedding planning tips and trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com
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Planning: Say "I Do" To A Green Wedding

THROWING AN ECO­-FRIENDLY EVENT DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN SACRIFICING STYLE.

From bakers to brewers, plenty of environmentally conscious vendors keep elegance in mind, so you both can commit to each other—and the planet. Here, our tips on ways to go green—any time of year.

INVITE RIGHT Choose recycled paper for your wedding stationery—save­-the­-dates, invitations, and programs. Invite Site, Of the Earth and Twisted Limb Paperworks specialize in gorgeous handcrafted paper made from 100 percent recycled material. Ask your printer to use soy­based inks, which emit 70 percent less volatile hydrocarbons than petroleum­-based inks.

Courtesy of Invite Site

Courtesy of Loveridge Photography for Celia Grace

LOOK ECO­-CHIC Hemp, bamboo, organic cotton and “fair­wage” silk may not sound glamorous, but wedding looks made from eco-friendly fabrics can actually be quite chic! Celia Grace debuted their 2015 Collection at New York’s Bridal Fashion Week as the first ever fair trade wedding dress designer. For this collection, you’ll be enchanted with the eco­-conscious line of dresses sourced from woven silks and natural fibers then transformed by hand and into stunning one­-of-­kind designs.

PICK PURE PETALS Ask your florist to use organically grown, pesticide­-free flowers or order them yourself from Organic Bouquet (they ship nationwide). For destination weddings, stick to local florals to avoid the pollution created by transporting your blooms.

Courtesy of Organic Bouquet

Courtesy of Craft Beer

NATURE AT ITS BEST Brides and grooms are asking for everything from grass­-fed beef to free­-range chicken. A good resource is Green Planet Catering for ideas on planning a menu. If you’ve already hired a catering crew, see whether they’re willing to work with organic ingredients. For beverages, The Organic Wine Company specializes in high­-end wines made from organically grown grapes while Craft Beer will direct couples to the nearest local brewery offering beers using only organic hops. A nice touch: many feature seasonal brews.

SWEET SENSATIONS Consider serving an organic confection, like this three­ layered naked cake from Edith Meyer of Santa Cruz, California. Almost too good to eat, this floral decorated delicacy consists of three tiers of vanilla and chocolate cake and filled with 
ganache.

Courtesy of Edith Meyer Wedding Cakes

By Patricia Canole
For more wedding planning tips and trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com
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Planning: Decode your wedding day

You're engaged and with it brings the rush of social media announcements. As you tweet, text and e­mail friends and family, you’ve no doubt realized this is a whole new world filled with lace, tulle and a vocabulary all its own. Do you know what BM, E­Ring, DF, MILTB and RB mean? Being engaged is almost like a secret club with a language filled with wedding abbreviations that you've probably never used.

The next time you’re texting your florist, browsing the wedding boards for inspiration, or sending e­mails to your bridesmaids, refer to our “dictionary” of commonly used wedding abbreviations.

Life just got a little simpler!

AHR At­-Home Reception 
BF Boyfriend/Best Friend

BIL Brother­-in­-Law
BM Best Man/ Bridesmaid
BP Bridal Party
DW Destination Wedding
E­Party Engagement Party
E­Ring Engagement Ring
FILTB Future Father­-in­-Law to Be FG Flower Girl
FI Fiancé/Fiancee
FIL Father­-in­-Law
FNF Friends & Family
FOB Father of Bride
FOG Father of Groom
FSIL Future Sister-­in­-Law

FW Future Wife 
GM Groomsmen 
H2B Husband­-to­-Be 
HM Honeymoon 
ILs In­-Laws

JP Justice of the Peace
LDR Long­-Distance Relationship 
MILTB Mother­-in­-Law to Be
MOB Mother of the Bride
MOG Mother of Groom
MOH Maid of Honor/Matron of Honor 
OOTG Out of Town Guests
OTT Over the Top
RB Ring Bearer

RD Rehearsal Dinner
SIL Sister­-in­-Law
SO Significant Other
STDs Save­-the­-Date Cards
WP Wedding Party/Wedding Planner

By Patricia Canole
For more wedding planning tips and trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com
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Health & Fitness: Rest Easy

Effective Ways To Wind Down, Rev Up, And Feel Your Best All Day Long.

Sleep is elusive. With lives multitasked to the umpteenth degree, many brides-to-be come up short on shut-eye. You toss and turn as you slumber (an average of 7 ½ hours a night, says the National Sleep Foundation), upsetting the all-important REM-rich cycles while unconsciously fretting over wedding planning. Here, two compelling reasons to get enough rest.

Your Weight 
Brides who skimp on sleep are significantly more likely to be overweight than those who
consistently get seven hours of shut-eye a night. When you’re sleep-deprived, your body produces more stress hormones such as cortisol, which slows down your metabolism and ups production of appetite-increasing hormones such as leptin.

Your Health 
Being tired means you’re more susceptible to everything from developing diabetes to catching colds. Experts indicate that after six nights of four hours’ sleep, you may have an increase in higher blood sugar (an early warning sign of diabetes) and weaker immune systems than those who slept eight hours. Sleeping only six hours a night increases the risk of heart disease by 18 percent.

 

RESTED DEVELOPMENT Think you’re slumber savvy? Don’t be so sure! Answer these questions to reveal if you catch enough z’s.

Do you generally wake up before your alarm goes off every morning?

A.    Yes

B.    No

Best answer: A 
You’ll wake up on your own if you’re getting enough sleep, which many of us aren’t. More than 43 percent of women report feeling so tired it affects their day-to-day activities three days a week.

How fast do you fall asleep when you get into bed?    

A.    As soon as your head hits the pillow

B.    Within 10 to 15 minutes

C.    You toss and turn for almost an hour

Best answer: B 
If you lose consciousness almost immediately after crawling under the covers, you’re sleep-deprived. But if you toss and turn, consumed by stress, you may be spending too much time in bed, which contributes to insomnia. Try going to sleep 15 minutes later.

How much caffeine do you consume?

A.    You’re useless without your morning brew and afternoon cappuccino (not to mention those two diet sodas you drink with lunch.

B.    You have a cup of coffee in the morning and either a cup of coffee or a diet drink in the afternoon as a pick-me-up

C.    Just one cup in the morning.

Best answer: C 
The less caffeine you crave, the more rested you are. If you can get through that 3pm slump (your body’s natural low point) without reaching for a the cup of java, then you’re master of your sleep domain.

By Patricia Canole
For more health & fitness tips and trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com

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October Must-Have: My Little Steamer Go Mini

A Wedding Day Essential: The Perfectly-Sized Steamer

Not only is My Little Steamer Go Mini adorable, but it is a must-have on the wedding day. 

This 850-watt steamer is both lightweight and powerful. It uses plain tap water to deliver 15 minutes of steam per filling. It is easy to use and cool to the touch when in use. 

You will be able to get out any last creases before your walk down the aisle and touch up your dress prior to the reception.

Plus it is the ideal size to take with you when honeymooning!

Bridal Fashion Week: Editor's Top Picks

Another Amazing Bridal Fashion Week…

After spending nearly a week at the top bridal designers’ shows, we can report that sassy and sensual are in for Spring 2015. Hints of color, illusion necklines, dramatic backs, and long sleeves are just of the few details that made their way into many of the collections. Here, some of my favorites.

Theia - Hints of Color

Jean-Ralph Thurin - Lace

Claire Pettibone - Dramatic Backs

Yumi Katsura - Plunging Necklines

Pronovias - Sleeves

Demetrios - Illusion Necklines

By: Patricia Canole

For more designer fashion and wedding trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com

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Fashion: Demetrios 2015 Collection

Demetrios Making Dreams Come True For Brides Around The World.

For nearly thirty-five years, designer Demetrios James Elias has been a dream weaver, creating unforgettable gowns for today’s brides. As a result, the Demetrios name is synonymous with luxurious bridal wear and maintains their position as a trendsetter in the bridal industry.

At his mother’s bridal salon in Ohio, a young Demetrios developed a sense of appreciation in assisting a bride-to-be find her own style. He soon cultivated this passion for design and moved to New York City where he soon became a recognized force in the bridal industry.

Today, bridal boutiques throughout the world proudly sell Demetrios wedding dresses. With Brides by Demetrios stores, as well as Bridal Salons By Demetrios located in Macy's stores throughout the nation, Demetrios has been established as a prestigious leader in the bridal industry. The 2015 Collections incorporate beautiful fabrics, exquisite embroideries, sparkling jewels on the finest silks and laces while soft draping and inspired silhouettes create a look of luxury and sophistication.

 

Ilissa: Style 574

Ultra Sophisticates: Style 1494

Ilissa Intricate detailing with sparkling embellishments adorn these timeless designs.

Ultra Sophisticates Classic-inspired wedding gowns enhance these Demetrios signature silhouettes.

Illusions: Style 3226

Illusions Understated is the key word for these simple, feminine dresses.

Sposabella: Style 4330

Sensualle: Style GR271

Sposabella A touch of romance graces these contemporary silhouettes featuring luxurious fabrics.

Sensualle A unique mix of classic and contemporary looks make this collection a favorite.
 

 

Couture: Style C209

Couture: Style C223

Couture Collection Gowns with a modern and youthful flair that are sure to make a statement.  

By: Patricia Canole

For more designer fashion and wedding trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com

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Bridal Fashion Week: Shoes

It used to be that a bride didn’t have many choices when it came to bridal shoes. They were meant to match her gown exactly.

Fast forward to Spring 2015: Shoe designers have vastly increased a bride’s options offering plenty of chic, high-quality designs. What’s more, color reigned supreme on every style from ballet flats to sexy stilettos. Here, the best of Bridal Fashion Week in NY.

SWEET & LOW Beautiful, comfortable shoes are essential for your wedding day. This season we noticed heel heights have been lowered to complement the elegance of the romantic style trends in gowns. Low heels no longer mean less style.

OVER-THE-TOP SPARKLE Spring 2015 also sees lace overlays, bows, metallic accents and other embellishments to give personality and individuality to each design.

NEW HUES Color splashed the runways. Romantic shades of pink, peach, blue and green shoes were on display at the designer shows.

Benjamin Adams

Benjamin Adams

Benjamin Adams

Coloriffics

Menbur

Menbur

Freya Rose

By: Patricia Canole

For more designer fashion and wedding trends, visit ForTheBrideMag.com

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