Giving the Groom a Say

Many of you may already be familiar with my obsession with pigs-in-a-blanket. I had a conversation with a colleague earlier today who said she knew of a couple where the groom basically told the bride that he will not marry her if they don’t serve PIBs at their cocktail hour.

I’m assuming to some extent he was kidding, but it’s important to note that if your groom is really adamant about having something at the wedding – ceremony or reception – you should really consider letting him have this one detail. Of course if he wants something that’s truly offensive you don’t have to acquiesce to his request. (I always wanted to use that word. I love Pirates of the Caribbean – but just the first one.)

Think about it. Your groom probably doesn’t care what type of flowers you select and he’s probably letting you choose his attire and most of the other details, so let him have something if it’s really important to him. If you’re not sure about it, then sleep on it. Don’t automatically think it’s a bad idea. And don’t automatically say no.

After all, it’s his wedding too, right?

Are Wedding Garters Still in Style?

In the last 10 years, I think I’ve been to 50 weddings, and of that 50, maybe five to ten brides included the garter toss at their reception.

I’ve seen very wild grooms literally put their heads up the bride’s dress and remove the garter with their teeth. And I’ve also seen brides just give the groom a tossing garter. Similar to having a tossing bouquet specifically for the tossing ceremony.

I know garters are still a big part of a bride's wedding day attire, but I don’t think I wore one, though I did receive one at my shower.

I found this crazy site with the wildest collection of garters, appropriately named, garters.com, and then wondered why, after spending $40 or more on a garter, would you just throw it away, so a bunch of crazy single guys can dive on the dance floor for it? Or would you buy a less fancy one for the toss?

The garter featured here is $14.99 at Target. I was really surprised (in a good way) at the selection they had.

But I guess my main question is: Are you/Would you/Did you have the garter toss at your wedding? And if the answer’s yes, are there any rules you have set: Your groom can’t use his mouth or hands? The song has to be…

Just wondering.

Wedding Blog: Elizabeth Anne Designs

I’m sure you know that there are so many wonderful wedding blogs it’s hard to keep track of what everyone is writing about. So to help, I want to start a series on them. I’ve already listed some of my favorite reads, but I think it’d be a great idea to do a summary of the ones already listed as well as new ones I come across. So here goes…



The creators of the blog Elizabeth Anne Designs (EAD) find unique items and amazing images to inspire brides. In addition to their beautiful inspiration boards they also have a great amount of vendor resources.

They just launched the EAD Library filled with vendor recommendations and reviews. While I always recommend getting vendor suggestions from friends and relatives, you can trust that Rebekah and Ami know what they’re talking about.

Here’s the link to the Elizabeth Anne Designs blog and the EAD Library.


P.S. – If you come across a great wedding blog please email me the link.

RSVP Card Formats

I’m not a big TV watcher, I’m more of a movie person, but this weekend we discovered the British comedy, Coupling on BBC America on Demand. It is the funniest show I’ve ever seen, and if you don’t get it on demand, you can rent season one through four on Neflix.

In one of the episodes we saw, each character received a wedding invitation and when they zoomed in on it I noticed something interesting. The last line read: RSVP and then a phone number followed.

While most wedding invitations come with an RSVP card and envelope set, I have seen alternative ways to have guests reply to your invite. But what is the most proper form?

I’m a fan of the more formal/traditional style so I always recommend sending an RSVP card/envelope or postcard with your wedding invitation. But I’ve also seen RSVP capabilities on personalized Wed-sites couples create and I’ve also seen 1-800 numbers posted on wedding invites, with directions to call in your reply. Press one to accept, press 2 to decline.

But what do you think? Would you ask guests to phone in or email their replies? Or are RSVP cards the only way to go? (They also make great wedding keepsakes when guests write messages to the bride and groom.)

The RSVP card featured here is the Sweetheart design from Hello! Lucky.

Lela Rose Sample Sale and Shopping Tip

If you can be in New York this Wednesday, August 13th and are still looking for your wedding dress you may want to swing by the Lela Rose Wedding Gown Sample Sale. The sale is by appointment only, so call 212-947-9204 to make one.

Wedding Planning Tip - Remember when you buy a wedding dress at a sample sale, the first thing you need to do is get it cleaned.

Don’t just drop it off at your local dry cleaner, unless you know someone who has used them for their wedding dress and they were happy with the outcome. A gown preservationist/cleaner has experience handling gowns made from delicate fabrics and adorned with beading and embroidery.

If you don’t know the name of a reputable company ask the salon where you bought the dress to recommend one.

Once you get the gown back you can take it for alterations. Since a sample sale dress will most likely not be altered at the salon where you bought it, you’ll have to ask the store for recommendations for a seamstress.

Here are my recommendations for gown preservationists:
Hallak Cleaners
Imperial Gown Restoration
J. Scheer & Co

All three companies work on the national level.

A Cake for Your Wedding Cake

I can admit it. I’m a chocoholic.

And my favorite chocolate is the double fudge chocolate Entenmanns’s cake with the chocolate icing. My Grandma Ruthie always had a box (or two) in her house when we came to visit.

When we started planning our wedding I actually called the customer service department at Entenmanns’s and asked if they would make my wedding cake. They wouldn’t. And they wouldn’t give me the recipe either.

I’ve been looking online for some beach-themed cakes for a story I’m working on and I came across this fabulous cake on Kate Sullivan’s site, CakePower.com.

At my shower, in addition to petit fours and chocolate lollies, my sister got me an Entenmanns’s cake – actually four and made them look like one big one – it had "Congratulations Anne & Dave" written on them. But if I knew this one existed, I’m sure I would have emailed her and recommended they get this one for the shower. Or if the groom’s cake could be more about the bride, maybe I would have served this one along with my moon and stars wedding cake by Ron Ben Israel.

Anyway, my point is that when you’re thinking of your cake design – for the traditional bride’s cake or a creative groom’s cake - you should talk to your baker about all the possibilities. Talk to him or her about all of your/his interests and hobbies. A talented baker can turn almost any idea into a delicious masterpiece.

More Wedding Hairstyling Tips

Here are the rest of Antonio’s wedding day hairstyling tips:

4) A trial should take at least one hour, sometimes the excitement takes time away fast!

5) It may be helpful to have a look at the back in the hand mirror to ensure you are on the same page, so if any changes are to be made you can save precious time.

6) If you are a little unhappy with your trial, ask if some changes can be made at that time and see if he or she can produce a satisfactory result. If you are still unhappy, politely get up, say thanks, pay and EXIT THE BUILDING!! :)

7) Remember not to be worried about hurting the stylist's feelings by going to someone else; it's about you not the stylist. In our field we can't take it personally. All we can do is our best.

BONUS TIP from me: Don’t forget to take photos at your trial of your ‘do from the front, back and sides. Paste them in your wedding planner so you can refer to them on your wedding day.

Don’t forget to check out his blog, Hair by Antonio, for more hair care tips. And if you’re looking for a hairstylist for your wedding, or any day, you can schedule an appointment with Antonio at the Eva Scrivo Salon.

Wedding Day Hairstyle Tips

It's very important to start thinking about your wedding hairstyle early on.  If you want to grow your hair, color it or highlight it you'll need time to let it grow and test out colors. It's not a good idea to show up the morning of your wedding and say to your stylist, by the way, I'm getting married today.

You should meet with him or her a few months before and talk about your ideas. Bring photos from wedding magazines and Web sites for inspiration. If you know that you're wearing a tiara, hair pin or other accessory, bring it with you.

I asked Antonio Gonzales of the Eva Scrivo Salon (and a Vogue magazine favorite) for his tips on how to ensure your wedding day hair is picture perfect. Here's what he had to say:

Your wedding day is special to you and should be special to your stylist. Some women have dreamt of this day since they were girls and others have a more casual approach. With this in mind, have patience and fun while approaching your special day where your hair is concerned.  Here are some tips that are designed with your best interests in mind:

1) If your existing hair stylist does not dress hair for weddings, that's OK, ask for a recommendation in the salon or go to another salon.

2) Always do a trial; there should be no surprises on your special day.

3) Ask the salon if they do complimentary consultations before booking an appointment. This way you can decide if there is a positive energy between you and the stylist. After all, you want to trust the person and be able to be emotional in front him or her without feeling uncomfortable.

Check back tomorrow for the rest of Antonio's fabulous tips. And visit his blog, Hair by Antonio, for more ideas and hairstyling tricks!

Bridal Showers: Ribbon Bouquets

I think making a ribbon bouquet instead of a ribbon hat at bridal showers have become the norm. Part of every bridesmaid’s shower kit includes paper plates, scissors, a stapler, tape and extra ribbon to ensure that the bride has a beautiful ribbon bouquet for her rehearsal.

I came across a new tool to help make the lives of bridesmaids everywhere easier, and bridal bow-quets prettier.

The Bow-Quet Ribbon Organizer, at Organize.com, is a sturdy plastic holder that has holes for each ribbon to be easily thread through. In addition to being easy to use it's also affordable - $13.49 – and will last as a permanent wedding keepsake for years to come.

CT Brides: Wedding Dress Sample Sale

For brides based in or near Connecticut, you may want to check out the sample sale next Sunday, August 10th at The White Dress by the Shore. Gowns by Anne Barge, Melissa Sweet, Judd Waddell and Priscilla of Boston (as well as others) are 25-75% off!

The sample sale is from 10am to 2pm, one day only, and appointments are not required, but they are recommended.

In addition to bridal gowns, there will also be mother of the bride, flower girl and cocktail dresses on sale too.

For more information and to schedule an appointment call 860-669-4596. Click here for directions.