I am looking forward to this event, join me if you can!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Save More Dates
Helen and John are getting married! Check out their beautiful and original DIY save the date. John proposed on "their" park bench in Central Park. Helen's friend Judy Ko, who is a graphic designer, did an excellent job at capturing the couple's spirit and celebrating their love with this charming detailed illustration. Then Helen printed the design using her home printer on magnetic paper she got at Staples. It will be prominently posted on my refrigerator next to the others!
The couple is planning a Manhattan ceremony and a Long Island reception this summer.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Colin Notes
This gorgeous new book is an excellent addition to my event planning library.
My favorite Colin Cowie bits from this book are:
1.) Invitation envelope liners #4 on page 205. Find inspiration in the most beautiful
paper and plan your party around it.
2.) Good-night wishes on page 207. When planning a destination wedding, for turndown service, it is nice to have the staff place a prewritten card on your guests' pillows with a heartfelt thank you for their attendance. This is especially appropriate when your guests have traveled long distances.
3.) Handheld hearts on page 272. When guests arrive, they are invited to draw, from a designated bowl, heart-shaped crystals or stones, along with a set of printed instructions that ask the guests to hold the heart during the ceremony, to put their love and support and best wishes into this heart, and after the ceremony, to deposit the hearts in a box, for the bride and groom to keep. In this way, guests become even more emotionally vested in the ceremony- they are putting their own hearts, their love, wishes and energy, into these symbolic hearts.
Bling bling!
“Borrow Bling Contest” I’m so excited to announce our latest contest! We’ve teamed up with Adorn Brides as part of their "Borrow Bling " Blog Week to give one lucky reader the chance to “borrow” a stunning piece of jewelry for their wedding day! Through Adorn Brides you can rent gorgeous pieces of fine jewelry including earrings, bracelets and coordinating sets made of genuine diamonds and pearls for your wedding or other special events, allowing you to look spectacular while remaining on a budget. The red carpet is not just for celebrities! Adorn Brides has been featured on The View, CBS’s The Early Show, and in The New York Times, Modern Bride (as #1 out of the 50 best web sites to help plan your wedding), Inside Weddings Magazine, Wedding Style Magazine, In Style Weddings.
Here’s how it Works:
1. Browse the Adornbrides.com website
2. Select your favorite piece of jewelry
3. Come back to this blog post and comment on your favorite piece of Adorn Brides jewelry and why you fancy it. I will announce the randomly selected winner in my Monday post.
Winner will receive a $150.00 gift card to Adornbrides.com. All others readers:
please use this code NYBC2074 and receive a 20% discount towards any fine jewelry rentals from Adorn Brides.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Hello Montauk!
A recent scouting trip to Montauk was wonderful and left me wanting more. If I can enjoy it this much off season, Montauk in the autumn will be the perfect destination for this couple and others planning a fall wedding. "The end" of Long Island is a magnificent setting for new beginnings. We saw a wide range of venues, from stables to state parks to a surf lodge. Consider this city alternative if you enjoy water front views, fresh seafood, lighthouses and a laid back sophistication.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Batter up!
After an afternoon with Monique Lhuillier at Bergforf Goodman on 5th avenue in Manhattan, I hop on the 7 train to Queens. I am keeping it real. I was invited to tour the Mets' new stadium Citi Field. I was excited to see the construction, especially knowing they built space specifically devoted to special events.
Calling all Mets fans and sports fans in general, it's a beautiful venue! It would be great for a company picnic, large convention or a Bar Mitzvah. The casual atmosphere dresses up nicely.
Meeting Monique
Lucky to live in New York City almost always, yesterday was no exception. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting fashion great and designer extraordinaire Monique Lhullier and her husband and CEO Tom
Bugbee.
The models looked stunning in her bridal gowns and there was buzz about her spring line that will debut in two weeks. Thanks to Bergdorf Goodman for hosting this meet the designer event.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Irish Wedding Traditions
I cherish the Claddah ring my mom and aunt gave me as thank you gift after they returned from visiting me in Scotland 11 years ago. I wear it carefully on my right hand, making sure the heart always faces out, not to mislead. The three of us traveled through Ireland where I had been admiring the rings. I was touched by the sentiment of mine coming from a jeweler in Wisconsin.
St. Patrick’s Day has prompted me to research the Claddagh ring and the other traditions of an Irish Wedding.
The Irish Claddagh Ring
An Irish bride's wedding ring is called a Claddagh ring. It is a heart held by two hands with the heart topped by a crown. The hands represent faith, the crown symbolizes honor, and the heart signifies love. The ring’s motto is: “Let love and friendship reign.” If a woman wears a Claddagh Ring on her right hand with the heart facing outward toward the end of her finger she is signifying that she is a single woman, free to see whomever she desires. If the ring is worn on the right hand with the heart facing inward, toward the woman’s knuckle, then she is signifying that she is engaged. And finally, if a Claddagh Ring is worn on the left hand it means that the woman is married.
Wedding Day Traditions in Ireland
An old Irish tradition calls for the wedding couple to walk to the church together before exchanging their wedding vows. As they walk down the main street to the chapel, onlookers would not only throw rice to bless the marriage, but larger items as well, such as pots and pans.
The Horseshoe has long been a symbol of good luck in cross-cultures. Irish tradition has it that a horseshoe given as a wedding gift to the bride and groom and kept in their home will bring them good luck. The horseshoe must always be hung like the letter "U," so that the luck doesn't "drip out."
The traditional Irish bride often wears a blue wedding dress, rather than a white dress. This is because blue symbolized purity in ancient times. It wasn’t until the year 1499 that a white wedding dress began to symbolize virginity and purity.
English lavender, an ancient symbol of love, loyalty, devotion and even luck is often mixed with the bride’s wedding flowers to help insure a happy and long-lasting union
Another tradition is for the bride to braid her hair for her wedding day. Braided hair is an ancient symbol of feminine power and luck.
Jumping the Broom is a custom known and practiced widely in the African-American community, where the broom serves as a symbol of hearth and home. The custom is also referenced both in Celtic and Irish wedding traditions and may have its roots in an ancient festival where women would "jump or ride a broom" to ensure the fertility of their crops.
Another symbol of luck is to be married on St. Patrick's Day, considered the luckiest wedding anniversary date in Ireland.
An Irish Honeymoon
The Irish translation for "honeymoon" is mi na meala, which means “the month of honey.” It was an Irish custom for the newlyweds to spend a month together drinking honeyed wine, secluded, in case their families tried to separate them. This was especially true if the couple had eloped. The belief was that after a month had passed the bride would become pregnant and her family would then desire her to remain with her new husband. Even today many couples mix ancient beliefs with modern customs to create wedding traditions which pay homage to the past while at the same time keeping pace with the present.
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!
Wedding Wire
Wedding Wire is an excellent new resource for brides. This website allows couples to find vendors in their area and connect with others planning their weddings. This on-line tool is perfect for the DIY bride and groom. I am thrilled to be listed as a vendor and excited that Martha Stewart uses Wedding Wire on her wedding website.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Sooo Sweet!
Saturday it was nearly 70 degrees in New York City. This prompted a walk to the farmer’s market in Union Square that continued. The glorious day led me to Soho where we were lured by Melissa. She had a line of locals waiting to sample her miniature stuffed cupcakes.
When the woman in front of me in line asked Melissa if she was a baker, she answered reluctantly, "I am now..."
Her story: Melissa has a friend who is a huge Grateful Dead fan and he wasn't doing anything to celebrate his birthday. Melissa decided to make him Tie-Dye cupcakes. Her older brother who is an entrepreneur and very influential in her life, suggested she make cupcakes for a living. Take that advice, some good relationships and a little luck and she is doing exactly that. Thursday was the first day she opened the window she sells the cupcakes from.
Her cakes: It's a bite, it's a perfect bite, small enough that you can try two or three flavors before feeling full. This is my favorite way to eat, I love to try everything. I started with the Cookies & Cream, Red Velvet and her signature Tie-Dye. (Not my first choices but that’s all that was left that I could eat. My nut allergy restricted me from trying the PB& Jelly and the Peanut Butter Cup) Initially, I was going to get some to take to my dinner in Brooklyn, but when I learned she had run out of the "good" flavors, I decided not to bring them as my hostess gift. My friend and I enjoyed all three cupcakes. In fact, I like them so much I decided they too were the "good” flavors and did the unthinkable. I waited in line a second time to purchase more cupcakes to bring to my foodies in Carroll Gardens.
I admittedly love looking at, shopping for and making cupcakes, especially miniature ones. They are though, however, not my first choice when consuming calories. I much prefer a gooey brownie or a warm chocolate chip cookie. Melissa may change my mind. I will be back to try the Cookie Dough and S’mores cupcakes. The frosting too is delicious and each dessert is topped with an ingredient that compliments the flavor. Presented in a white box, one's first reaction is sooo sweet; to look at and to eat! I brought my empty box back with me the second time to be refilled, Melissa rewarded by recycling efforts with a $.50 discount. Go Melissa! Pick up your cupcakes on Spring Street btw Mercer & Broadway or visit Baked by Melissa online.
Will you...
...need help planning a proposal that is thoughtful and appropriate for your relationship- one that will not require an x-ray after? Contact me and together we can create an original way for you to pop the question-- a story that perhaps The Today Show will not cover, but one your fiancee will cherish forever!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The farmer and The Del
San Diego is as great as everyone led me to believe it was. My dear friend Cheri- who my dad warmly refers to as "the farm girl"- since she appropriately grew up on her family's farm, and I enjoyed our west coast weekend thoroughly. It was filled with delicious food, perfect temperatures, beautiful scenery and many lovely venues for your destination event. Indulge in the famous brunch at The Del or treat yourself to a massage at a spa that is rated one of the top 20 hotel spas in world by Travel and Leisure magazine. We enjoyed touring the hotel that opened in 1888 and walking the ocean front property that surrounds this magnificent place.
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