The Revamp of The Blissful Bride and The Great Bridal Expo 10.19.10

The Blissful Bride has updated her website to be well..more blissful and we reworked our current packages as well to include a partial package (which is now called "Blissfully Yours"), seemingly super sized our Full Service (now called "Everlasting Bliss") and added an interesting twist called "Be Our Guest" which is a package in itself catered to the out of town guests who come to visit. It is included in our larger package and can be requested if you have our Wedded Bliss or Blissfully Yours packages. It can also be as its own separate option and would go great with our Invitation Stuffing and RSVP maintenance option.



A Mini Version of Our "Sweets Bar" Premium Candy



The newest thing we did include was adding a candy buffet, called a Sweets Bar. It doesn't have to be included in any of the wedding packages and can be requested for a party or for a special event. Pics from the weddings we've done will be up on the site as of next week.

There was no better time for the website update as yesterday was our debut as a full service wedding planning company at the Great Bridal Expo in Times Square at the Marriott Marquis. Despite the fact we were provided with a table cover and skirt, we used a brown satin stripe sheet for the skirt and overlayed a pink voile fabric on top. Although it seemed as if we were off to a slow start, it gradually picked up and the brides did arrive, bags in tow filled with information, goodies, and more. Some held sample yogurts, some held cups of water, but most held cupcakes, cakes and other sweet treats. By the time they reached our sample "Sweet Bar Display", they were very full, but never the less helped themselves. It was a great night for us networking with brides-to-be and vendors who came around to introduce themselves.  All in all, it was a successful night. A special thanks to Olga from Colors of Fashion (www.colorsoffashion.com) and Kaci from Brian Cesario Photography (www.briancesariophotography.com)  for all their help last night.

Its almost Showtime! Our Chocolate and Pink Table Look.



Our Brochure and pics from our last wedding. Pic of Samantha and Barry on the left courtesy of William Eng Photography.



The Great Bridal Expo-Tuesday, October 19th @ 5:30pm Mariott Marquis Times Square

The Blissful Bride Weddings & Events will be making its debut to many brides at the Great Bridal Expo on Tuesday, October 19th, 2010 from 5:30pm-10:00pm. We are very excited in making one of the largest bridal shows our debut event. If you already have tickets, stop by and say hello. If you are pondering about attending, and still need tickets, please contact us @ ypl@blissfulbridenyc.com

Stay Blissful!

xo The Blissful Bride

Samantha and Barry's Wedding-10.3.10

It was a brisk October day. The sun was out and the wind kicked up a little bit from time to time. But no rain was falling. I first met my bride Samantha back in August after she had contacted me regarding Day of Services. We spoke on the phone first and then had our consultation in which she shared what she wanted for one of the most important days of her life. I was presented with pictures of the venue, the centerpiece idea, the wish tree, and ceremony set up. Samantha knew what she wanted. We just had to bring it to life and share it with her friends and family. I asked her where she would be going on a honeymoon and she told me Tahiti and the one thing I said to her was don't stress think about your honeymoon and where you will be. I met her husband Barry when we went to the venue in Staten Island, NY and we finalized exactly what was to be done ceremony wise and reception wise.
The wedding day finally arrived and both Samantha and Barry along with their immediate family looked stunning in shades of purple for the ladies and suits for the men. She was walked down the aisle by her mother and after signing the certificate, the recessional started and everyone was ready to party and have a great time and that they did.
I was emcee for the night and a special thanks goes out to DJ Echo for helping me do my best. A special thanks to the duo John Lo and William Eng (http://www.wengphotography.com/ ; http://www.john-lo.com/) for sending me an awesome pic of the centerpiece I was working on. Also a big warm THANK YOU to Olga for helping me set up and taking set up shots of my work!!  (http://www.coloroffashions.com/).

Much love and happiness to Samantha and Barry!!

The Wish Tree before the Wish Tags were added

Fab Fall

Fall is steadily making its way towards us and it will be here soon enough and I welcome it. After the very hot and humid summer, it is such a relief. But this season will not be a quiet one for The Blissful Bride, it will be quite busy and it kicks off this weekend, with my daughter's 2nd birthday party. Thankfully, it looks to be a beautiful sunny day, but after the horrible predictions from meteorologists, I have been checking everyday religiously and so far so good.
Once the party is over, my guests go home and my daughter hits the hay, I head on the computer to continue my work on Samantha's upcoming wedding which is in 2 1/2 weeks. I am very excited about this wedding, because its in my favorite month, October and the location (which serves as a ceremony & reception) is beautiful. The room has a view of a bridge and pagoda, which will be lit up in lights once night fall comes and guest will be treated to a view of the night sky. I look forward to sharing these pictures with you after the wedding.
Two weeks after the wedding, I will be at the Great Bridal Expo, meeting with many, many brides. It will be The Blissful Bride's "debut" into the wedding world. I am very excited and nervous at the same time. One week later, I turn the big 3-0 and I still have no clue of what I want to do to celebrate. I started my 20s as a  newly single working girl, and leave it as a wife/mother and business owner.
I have met some fabulous new people in the recent months and I look forward to sharing my 30s and beyond with them. To my sister who becomes legal enough to vote in a few weeks and started college today, seize the moment and make it yours. Don't let anyone stop you from living your dreams.

I hope to share some of the pics from my first wedding as The Blissful Bride very, very soon.

Stay Blissful
The Blissful Bride

Priorities....

You've set your budget and are finally sitting down planning your dream wedding..just those sugarplums that dance in your head on Christmas, you start writing down all the things you want at the reception..You want an ice sculpture, a Viennese table, ooh fireworks at night etc, you really want to wow your guests. It will only be an added extra....oh crap, that's alot of money to spend, but that's ok, we'll only have those added extras...but you still have to pick out a dress, flowers, dj, the list goes on and on and before you know it, you are way over your budget because everything finally added up. Now you have to ask yourself, do I really need those extra's?
Prioritize by focusing on the things that matter to the two of you, and find creative alternatives for everything else. Cap the guest list: weddings are expensive by the dozen,so invite only people you know.
There are certain things guest will always remember about a wedding and they're usually things that affect them: food, drinks and music. The food should be fabulous and taste wonderful. They shouldn't have to wait long for it. If you can afford a band, get one, but please please watch them perform first and ask them their playlist and if they are used to playing weddings.
Whatever you do, do everything you can to avoid a cash bar. If you can't afford a host bar, you are inviting too many people.
Another indisputable priority is photography. You'll be stuck with wedding pictures forever, so you'll want to make sure that they won't make you shake your head and sigh in regret. I know that we are all on a budget and that those CL budget photographers are tempting. If you are going to call one, check their portfolio, make sure they are insured and read the contract thoroughly. I implore you though before you sign on the dotted line to go to a professional and look at their work. Yes its more pricey, but the end result will be breathtaking. If you have to manuever your budget around to make it work, do so. But whatever you do, make an educated decision.

Till Next Time....
Stay Blissful...

Loehman's Bridal Event This Friday 8/20, Doors Open at 8am

Brides to be in NYC area, Loehman's in Sheepshead Bay is having a One Day Bridal Event Unique Bridal Gowns, Bridemaid's dresses and more. Doors Open at 8am. Save up to 90% off. There is a 10% coupon for wedding Dresses in sizes 8,10,12 only in the Daily News. Location: 2801 East 21st Street, Brooklyn (its on Emmons Avenue).

New Vendor-Cream Bakery in Astoria, Queens

Nestled on Steinway Street in Astoria, Queens is The Blissful Bride's latest discovery, a new bakery called Cream.
I took a trip there last Friday and was delightfly surprised. It is a quaint bakery/cafe, where you can find yourself sitting down and enjoying the muffin and coffee you ordered.
I sampled some of the bananna pudding and it is to die for! On display, were different flavored cupcakes (vanilla, chocolate, bananna,red velvet and more) and containers of freshly baked sugar, chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies that make your mouth water. The pies and cakes can be bought by the slice or as a whole. There are new flavors out almost everyday. Everyday they are adding something new to their menu.
Shortly before leaving, I purchased a bananna and red velvet cupcake along with sugar and chocolate chip cookies. It was the ultimate treat when I returned home.
If you are looking for a wedding cake, cupcakes, pies, wholesale, the place to go is Cream Bakery in Astoria. The trip will be most definetly worth it.

They are open from 6am-8pm daily. So whether you want to stop in and have a sweet treat before work or after, Cream Bakery will be open. Tell them the Blissful Bride sent you!

Cream Bakery
31-78 Steinway Street
Astoria, NY 11103
718-545-3800

<>

French Macaroons

The Icebox Cake
Made of Sweetened Whipped Cream, Accents of Vanilla,and layers of chocolate wafers.
Is your mouth watering yet?

Cupcakes

Getting Organized-The Wedding Bible

I am sure that upon visiting B & N or Borders, you have come across this large binders or books made for brides who are planning their wedding. I was one of them, and now that I think about it, I think its sitting at my mom's collecting dust. I pulled out a few pages from the photographers section to bring to my photography meeting...I never used them. In fact, my organization of contracts and any material I received in regards to my wedding went into a 7 part accordion folder. The contracts and everything are in my closet.
The fact of the matter is this, those made books can be kind of expensive (some of them do give tips and advice). Start budgeting now.

Fast forward to this year and the first wedding I did for Gayle. The day of, she handed me a binder of her own creation, that contained her contracts, contact numbers for the vendors, the marriage license and on the first page, the wedding day schedule. All pages were covered by page protectors and were incredibly organized.

Whether you choose the accordion folder way (which is available in a 13 part as well) or the wedding bible way, it is so important to your sanity that you stay as organized as possible. Every time you visit a vendor to make a payment or just pay a visit, have your organizational tool with you. Keep all of your receipts and most importantly, every change that is made to the contract must be maintained. If you are going back and forth with a vendor, save the email. Its better to have a paper trail than be left with nothing.

If you have a wedding planner doing your Day of Coordination, be sure to try and get the book to them the week of the wedding (if possible during rehearsal, or a few days before). They will in turn connect with all your vendors and ensure what time everyone will be there and that everything is confirmed and should any problems arise the day of, the planner can remedy the situation immediately.

If you are looking to create your own (inexpensive) wedding bible you will need the following:

(1) 2 or 3 inch binder (if you can get one with a slot in the front for a picture of you and the hubby to be which will personalize it.
(1) pack of heavy duty page protectors
(1) pack of dividers

You can check out blank printable worksheets at www.russellandhazel.com if you want to maintain a wedding organizer (like the one's they have in B & N).They have different types of worksheets for just about everything bridal and you can choose what you do need and don't need.

Onto this weekend's wedding. Have a wonderful July 4th!!!

Stay Blissful!!
XO Blissful Bride

The Intimate Affair-Gayle & Aakif's Wedding 6.11.10

Two weeks ago, I received an email from a bride inquiring about my day of services. She had seen one of my many ads off Craigslist. Being that it was from Craigslist, I approached with caution, gave her a quote and the corresponding website for her to look over, as she too approached with caution. After getting many leads, following up and getting a "we will call you back", I received a reply back! To my shock and delight, she wanted to meet with me, as her wedding was in two weeks. We made a dinner meeting near my house for that following Tuesday.
Upon my arrival at Applebees, I met Gayle and her fiancee Aakif and we clicked right away. Her wedding was going to be in three acts, but be a small intimate affair. She was incredibly organized and somehow managed to keep her wedding plans together all while, graduating medical school, and being in the process of moving to PA. At the end of the evening, I left with deposit in hand and lo and behold, my first wedding before my first wedding.
Gayle and Aakif met 8 years ago in high school, and unlike most high school sweethearts who grow apart, they grew together throughout college and medical school. I met with them again after their graduation for a final run through, going to each part of the evening. When we reached Conservatory Gardens in Central Park (located at 105th and 5th Avenue), my breath was taken away and although I had seen pictures on the net, the pictures could not do them justice. When then cabbed it downtown to Havana Alma de Cuba in the Village and to Chelsea Pier to where the yacht "Manhattan" would be (unfortunately, it was out for private charter). The wedding Gayle had envisioned was going to be perfect and I was there to ensure nothing less.
For the centerpieces, she wanted something that wasn't going to overwhelm the tables, but something "earthy".
It was an intimate and small affair, but it was just as romantic and fun as a large reception. Both bride and groom were able to give attention to all their guests and still had a wonderful time. They chose the people close to their heart to attend and I think that this serves as a lesson to all brides to be or former brides like myself. It is not the quantity of guests you have at the wedding that makes the wedding special. What makes the wedding special is the love you share between you and your significant other along with those you keep close to your heart (immediate family and closest friends).
If you are in the midst of planning your wedding and find yourself strapped for time and/or funds, consider having an intimate affair. Remember, you can always renew your vows and throw the big party later on. An intimate affair can be just as grand as a large wedding.
I'd like to thank Gayle and Aakif for trusting me to help with their wedding and being my "first". Much happiness to you!
Pictures of their wedding to follow!
A picture of the centerpiece is below.

The Countdown to Wedding Day

 The wedding invitations have been mailed out, the RSVPs have begun coming back, you are keeping track of them and beginning your seating chart, you have your final dress fitting and....what else? What day is it?
Go ahead let out a scream because its less than 2 months before the big day.
Believe it or not, the last two months before the wedding will be the quickest two months of your life and yes you are bound to forget some things, but not everything, (let's face it, despite the dress, the cake and the ceremony, a wedding is not complete without....drumroll the marraige license!) So if you have the license congrats, but make sure its in a place you will remember it. If you have not, now is the time to get it, go online and see if you can begin filling it out online or check your states requirements and if you need a bloodtest to go along with the form.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, I have attached a checklist of those final two months that will go by in the blink of an eye.

1-2 Months Before The Wedding


____ Schedule your first bridal gown fitting.

____ Schedule the final fitting as well for the formal bridal portrait.

____ If you wish, finalize on ceremony readings & poems.

____ Design your entire wedding programs.

____ Finalize the ceremony procedure with the officiant.

____ Arrange a "Bridesmaid luncheon" and other pre-wedding parties for your guests.

____ Write your vows; remind the groom to do so as well.

____ Set the appointment with wedding photographer for formal bridal portrait.

____ Look up for blood test and marriage license requirements in your state.

____ Discuss & finalize details with the wedding coordinator



3-4 Weeks Before The Wedding

____ Get the marriage license (no earlier than 30 days before the wedding).

____ Arrange for your name change.

____ Send out rehearsal dinner invitations to the guests.

____ Schedule an appointment with your stylist & discuss your hair, makeup, & overall look.

____ Confirm hotel rooms for your out-of-town guests.



1-2 Weeks Before The Wedding

____ Personally call guests who haven't responded to the invitations.

____ Make the payments to all wedding services.

____ Schedule your final wedding gown fitting.

____ Pick up wedding dress and make sure all accessories are together.

____ Reconfirm all wedding plans; ceremony, reception site, florist, photographer, DJ, baker, honeymoon.

____ Give caterer & reception site the final head count.

____ Provide wedding party and out-of-town guests with itinerary and maps.

____ Prepare "wedding emergency kit" with needle, thread, safety pins, tape, mirror, etc.

____ Give someone at home numbers of the honeymoon locations, credit card numbers etc.

____ Prepare place cards.

____ Prepare wedding favors for transportation.

____ Prepare "wedding box" for ceremony accessories.

____ Prepare "reception box" for reception accessories.

____ Finalize the seating chart for reception.

____ Confirm all rental and floral delivery dates and times.

____ Confirm arrival times for all wedding party.

____ Pack for wedding night and honeymoon.



Day Before The Wedding

____ Go through the wedding checklist timeline to see if you haven't left anything out.

____ Choose who is responsible for various wedding payments; make envelopes.

____ Make & hand out assignment lists to ensure everyone knows their tasks.

____ Hand out the ceremony, reception, & favor boxes to appropriate individuals.

____ Give rings to the best man.

____ Arrange your wedding dress and all accessories during the day.

____ Get a manicure, pedicure, & a massage therapy.

____ Rehearse the ceremony with officiant and your wedding party.

____ Ask your fiance to check flight arrangements for the honeymoon.

____ Have the phone numbers of all wedding vendors ready.

____ Go to bed early; you need a good night's sleep.



The Wedding Day
____ Relax ; have a healthy breakfast; drink plenty of fluids.

____ Take a relaxing lavender bath.

____ Wear a button-down shirt while your hairdresser & makeup artists work on you.

____ Remember to take your wedding license along.


If you are still feeling overwhelmed and even though you have utilized all your girls, consider getting day of services from a wedding coordinator. The great thing about having a wedding coordinator step in around this time is that she is a neutral front that will do your checks and balances for you. In other words, make sure that everything is done. A coordinator for the day of (which is pretty much a month before) can start from $350 and up. Yes its another expense, but a well worth expense if it means that you don't have to deal with everything while you are trying to have a good time. A wedding coordinator will take on any obstacle thrown her/his way and make sure it runs as smooth as possible.

Stay blissful!
The Blissful Bride




 

Choosing Unique Wedding Invitations

Unique wedding invitations do more than tell your guests who, what, when, where and why. They should set the tone and give them an idea of what to expect during your ceremony. If you've decided to get married, and you're already daydreaming about how the actual day will go, you can start your wedding off right by planning your wedding invitations well in advance.


Before You Buy


Before you start designing your dream invitations, make a guest list. Not only is this important for you and your future spouse to decide who will come, but it also affects the number of wedding invitations you will need.


Think about what you want your guests to know. They need to know the location, date and time. For their convenience, you should include directions and information about hotel accommodations, if necessary.


Other information is less obvious, but equally important. For example, are children allowed at the wedding? Do you have any style suggestions you want to make? For example, if you are having a beach wedding, your guests should know to bring flip flops and sunscreen. Some couples like to include poems or verses in the invitations.


Consider your budget: How much are you willing to spend on your desired wedding invitation? Do you care more about having a fancy font or thick, quality paper? Once you decide on a design, make a deposit, but do not pay in full until the invitations are finished and to your liking.


Where to Look


You can make your own wedding invitations, or you can buy them. Shop around to find the best deal and best fit for your event. You can find information in stationery shops, bridal magazines, the Web and department stores. Printing shops also generally have experience creating formal invitations for business and other formal events. Craft fairs are a great way to find people who make their own invitations and even their own paper.


Attending bridal shows and fairs and looking at the work of local vendors can help you to generate ideas. If you have the money for a wedding planner or bridal consultant, confer with them about the look of your wedding invitations.


Wedding Invitation Style


Just like any other part of your wedding, your invitations should evoke the theme or feel of your event. When deciding, consider the color, paper, font and overall look. Think about whether or not you want elegant wedding invitations or casual ones. Remember that your invitations give your guests their first impression of your wedding. You want your invitations to allude not only to the theme or tone of your wedding but also to you and your partner's personalities.


When it comes to paper, the most popular formal invitations are on an ivory or white cardstock paper so they match the bride's dress. However, since many brides have foregone traditional white or ivory gowns, you can choose any color.


You can also choose from textured paper, recycled paper, foil paper, treated paper (to evoke an old-timey feel) and paper embossed or even embroidered with images and script. If you plan on folding your invitations, do not choose paper that is too thick; this will make folding difficult. Options include accordion-style, tri-fold, bi-fold or single page. Nowadays, there are even pop-up wedding invitations.




Engraved lettering, in which the letters on the invitation are textured and raised, is the most traditional and expensive option. Thermography is also an alternative to engraving because it appears similar in look to engraving but is less expensive.


Another option is the age-old art of calligraphy. Many computer programs can produce calligraphy-like work, but many prefer it done by hand because it can seem more authentic.


Make sure to choose an easy-to-read and aesthetically pleasing font. You want to catch your guests' eyes but also be clear. After all, you do not want people to misread the time and date of your wedding.


Ordering Wedding Invitations


Don't put off preparing your invitations. It will take time to decide on a style, time for the invitations to be made and shipped, and time for you to address and mail the invites. Give your guests at least six weeks' notice. This is an important day in your life; you want to give the important people in your life time to make travel arrangements.


Remember that wedding invitations mean more than just the card or invite. It also includes wedding invitation envelopes, gift registry cards and a means for your guests to RSVP (and a SASE to make this process as easy as possible).


Once you have decided on a style, look at your guest list. If you plan on inviting 60 people, you do not automatically need 60 invitations. Instead, think about the number of couples on your list and families. A good rule is to use one invitation per household.


Also, you may need more envelopes than actual invitations because you will be addressing envelopes and want to allow for mistakes. Tradition dictates that you need to write these addresses out by hand, but more and more people use computers or typewriters, or they hire calligraphers to do this work for them.


Make sure to proofread your wedding invitations and the addressed envelopes before mailing. Last, but not least, make sure you have proper postage because invitations may be heavier than other mail you sent.

For all kinds of unique invitations, go to http://www.foreverfriends.cceasy.com/. They have a wonderful selection of invitations.

And as a new summer promotion, we want to help you with your invitations. Your schedule is busy enough as it is and it takes time to put together those invitations, create and manage an RSVP list. Let The Blissful Bride help you by putting the invitations together, weighing, stamping and maintaining an RSVP list. Contact us for more details.

The Blissful Bride New and Improved Webpage

We have a new webpage!

It is a new and improved site that better represents what The Blissful Bride is. Along with the improved site, is our Menu of Services, which now only carry two packages, our Wedded Bliss Package for Day of Coordination and our Blissfully Yours Full Service Package. We still have our wonderful a la carte options and the option to add one of those services to your day of packages, to use alone or better yet create your own package (using the day of package as the starting point).
We have also now introduced special event planning to our page, creating each package to our client's individual needs whether it be venue selection, event design, favor creation, set up and breakdown of the day of event.
Please take a look at http://www.blissfulbridenyc.com/ and let us know your thoughts. If you are interested in receiving more information about one of our packages for a wedding/special event, or schedule a preliminary consultation, please email us at info@blissfulbridenyc.com.

The Great Bridal Expo

Its been awhile readers...
Back in 2007, when I was getting ready to get married, I received a card good for 2 tickets to the Great Bridal Expo. At the time, I was working and it started right after work. Seeing that it was at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square made me think that it was going to be bridal mayhem and being that I didn't like crowds, I didn't go.
Fast forward to 2010. I was on the phone with a friend talking about possibly bringing The Blissful Bride to an expo, and it became a convo about the Great Bridal Expo. While I was on the phone, I tried the code for 2 free tickets and well, I got them and this time I decided to brave it and go.
Accompanied by my sister, we arrived shortly before start time and walked in to an array of vendors welcoming you. Some of the vendors included, David's Bridal, Men's Wearhouse, Zellers Tuxes, various honeymoon companies, florists, various home parties and yes bakeries (the line for them was a wrap around). There was a fashion show and a DJ and Band performing. In the beginning it was walkable, but by 6-6:30 it was yes..bridal mayhem, but it felt wonderful and then it left me saying...
Why didn't I do this before???
So my question to you brides to be, why won't you. It will be a great opportunity to get out and check out vendors in one place without driving. They have gift bags and special raffle prizes..its worth it.
And who knows, perhaps The Blissful Bride will be at the next Expo...
The next Expo is in October, so go to the Great Bridal Expo online and sign yourself up!

The Challenge-Seating Arrangements

Next to the invitation list, the seating chart is perhaps the most impossible mission for a bride and groom. This is something to get both immediate families involved in.


Blissful Tip: As the RSVPS come in, break them into groups of how you know them and to a groom side and bride side. With my wedding, I broke them up into immediate family, work, extended family and friends. I then wrote them down.


I found this article on Bridal Guide.com that I thought would be handy. Enjoy!
Setting up a seating chart can be a tricky job, but you can get through this tedious task with your sanity intact. Guests generally like pre-arranged seating assignments for sit-down dinners. It shows you thought about whom they'd be best seated with, and it cuts down on confusion when it's time for the meal to begin.



No Regrets: Satisfactory Seating Arrangements






• Remember, you're not going to be able to make everyone completely happy. Do the best you can, avoid major political blunders,and hope your guests have the good grace not to complain.

• Do ask your parents and your fiance's about any potential family minefields. There may be old wounds you're not aware of, so enlist their help to avoid unfortunate groupings.

 • Build a little flexibility into your seating plan. Inevitably you'll have a few no-shows, and you just might have a few attendees who neglected to RSVP. Your catering manager should be able to squeeze acouple of extra seats in if necessary.


The first thing you need to do is talk with your fiance and decide if you're going to take requests from your family and friends or determine between the two of you where everyone will sit. Then remember the following guidelines:


The head table can be just for the two of you, if you like. Or you can add your maid of honor and best man, or include the entire wedding party. Traditionally the bride sits at the groom's right, with the maid of honor on his left and the best man on the bride's right. The rest of the party follows suit in an alternating male/female pattern. You may include child attendants at the head table, too, but if they are young, they may behave better and feel more comfortable seated with their parents.


If you are having a small wedding party, you may want to include their spouses or dates at the head table. Or, you may choose to spread your wedding party around at the guest tables, which would also allow them to sit with their partners.


The table of honor—located near the head table—is where the parents of both the bride and groom, the wedding officiant, and sometimes grandparents sit during the reception. If there are several people you would like seated at this place of honor, you may have two tables—perhaps one for the bride's family and one for the groom"s. Divorced parents should be seated at different tables of honor with their partners and close family and friends.


Always seat married couples at the same table. Younger children should be seated with their parents or, if you have a lot of children attending, you might want to have a "kids" table"—strategically placed near their parents—with some crayons and paper or other games and toys to keep them busy.


If you have a large group of friends you need to divide, split the group down the middle and fill each table with other people. That way no one feels completely left out. For single friends, judge which seating situation will make them happiest—a table of unattached counterparts or a few couples mixed into the scene. Never, and we do mean never, seat only one or two singles at a table full of couples, and try to avoid tables of all strangers.


Younger people—or people who love music—should be at tables close to the music makers, while older guests may want a quieter table.


Guests should be informed where they will sit by table cards that are placed on a small table outside the reception room: Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Table 5. You can also get creative and choose an alternative to traditional cards. For example, for a beach-theme wedding you could write names and table numbers on shells or smooth beach stones with an indelible pen.


Within the dining room, the tables should be prominently marked in an easy-to-follow order. You may also use place cards to notify guests about specific seats at their tables. They should have names on both sides (so other guests at the table can see them as well), and should be positioned above the plate. This is a good way to help guests become acquainted. Alternatively, many couples now combine place cards with favors, using small picture frames or other gifts marked with a guest's name both to indicate the seat and provide a keepsake.

Update=LUCKY BRIDE Special

I have updated the LUCKY BRIDE special for brides looking for a stressfree wedding day. Rather than it just being for the Spring or Summer 2010 only, it is now ongoing for the remainder of the 2010. So if you are a bride looking for less stress, please contact the Blissful Bride. You will receive Day of Services (normally  $500) at a very reduced rate and your choice of one of the A La Carte Options FREE!

http://www.theblissfulbride.weebly.com/

Wedding Quotes Quiz- Which Line belongs to what movie?

On this snow day, I decided to test your knowledge on wedding movies. Some of the quotes have the character name, some do not. How many can you get right? Send your answers to ypl915@gmail.com. Or post to my comments!

1. "Nice Greek girls are supposed to do three things in life: marry Greek boys, make Greek babies, and feed everyone ... until the day we die." - Toula
2. "The person I love the most is standing right here and I'm not ready to lose you yet. Claire, I'm not standing here asking you to marry me, I'm just asking you not to marry him and maybe take a walk, take a chance." - John Beckwith
3. "I used to think a wedding was a simple affair. Boy and girl meet, they fall in love, he buys a ring, she buys a dress, they say I do. I was wrong. That's getting married. A wedding is an entirely different proposition." - George Banks
4. "No, no, no, no. I'm a busy girl. I've got exactly four days to break up a wedding, steal the bride's fella and I haven't one clue how to do it." - Julianne Potter
5. "I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special." - Shelby
6. "All I want is just one shot of me in a wedding dress that isn't bright turquoise." - Juliet
7. "There I was, standing there in the church, and for the first time in my whole life I realised I totally and utterly loved one person. And it wasn't the person next to me in the veil. It's the person standing opposite me now ... in the rain." - Charles
8. "Oh, I could be the man to grow old with you. I wanna grow old with you."
9. 'I can treat that jackass like any other faceless groom! And that's just what I'm gonna do! Why? Because he's nothing ... because I love a challenge! And because I am a goddamn professional!' 
10. 'Anywhere I go, you go, my dear. And whatever is done by only me ... is your doing, my darling. I fear no fate ... for you are my fate, my sweet. I want no world, for, beautiful ... you are my world, my true' - Maggie Feller

The First Dance-

This entry is dedicated to my hubby who still hasn't let go of the fact that our first dance to Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" was about 4-5 minutes long.

Oh Lloyd Dobler, Where were you with the boombox?

You have been introduced as Mr. and Mrs. and the MC announces that you will be dancing to...as husband and wife.
I've watched on You Tube a lot of first dances and some of them range from slow and romantic to upbeat and fun, choreographed or winging it. Getting to the first dance is probably the easiest part. Picking out the song to define it, is even tougher. Will it be a slow jam ("You are My Lady")? Will be an ode to a romantic movie you two saw (Yep, "Say Anything")? Will it be the first song that played in the car on your first date (Let's pray that its not "Highway to Hell" or the new one "Girl I Want to Get You Pregnant") or two of my faves the group dance or "Let's Get Married".
Whatever you do, even if the hubs to be gives you carte blanche on everything..please sit with him and communicate what you want. If you are having a hard time picking one, because lets face it, there are so many great wedding songs, here is an idea:

Get two notepads and write down ten songs. Switch sheets and see if one of them appears on both of the sheets.
If there is more than one, or even it is only one, play the song and dance together to make sure it feels right and not awkward.
Dance a few times in the weeks leading up to the wedding to get comfortable.
If the song is over 5 minutes long, try to cut it down to three and address to your dj or band that you want it played up to the third minute (may mean cutting out a verse or chorus) but lets face it, you don't want to be spining around forever. You have been up all day, since the wee hours of the morning, you have tired feet.
Decide if this is to be your solo dance with the hubby or an eventually group dance in which the guests can join, then you can possibly keep it up to 4 minutes.
If its a fast choreographed number like "Thriller", dance away. Such a song should not be cut at an awkward time!

When you think of first dance, you think of this song...

Not just Strippers Anymore-The Bachelorette Party

*Please note that this blog has been revised to include the links of the places I was talking about.

Ah the final night of the single girl...The Bachelorette Party.
So take out your sash, take out your tiara and your button. It is a sure to be a night to remember courtesy of your bridesmaids,matron of honor or maid of honor (even your mom).
It can be mild, it can be wild, it can be co-ed and it can be just downright crazy.
But just because it is a bachelorette party doesn't mean it only has to have strippers or be at a strip club. Whatever it is, make sure that if your the planner of the event that you take the bride into consideration. If the bride has mentioned or you know the bride as to be someone not to really go for the stripper thing, don't do it. No matter what, it is her night and since its her night, make sure she enjoys it.
Here are some ideas:

Spa Day
Check out spas across the city for their spa packages and what they offer and make it a spa day for the bridal party. It will be fun and it will not be stressful.

Girl's Day in The City-Do the "Sex and The City" tour and have dinner out maybe with a Broadway show.
 www.screentours.com/tour.php/satc/


Not Just Dinner- Check out "Lips" located in the Village and have dinner featuring drag queens and fun, This can be for mild or wild  http://www.lipsnyc.com/

Dinner and A...Show-You can do dinner first and catch the show "Naked Boys Singing" (http://www.nakedboyssinging.com/)or you can catch Hunkamania. The both of them are well worth it, I did see Naked Boys Singing and yes ladies, they are naked...and the boys at Hunkamania for my bachelorette parties were awesome!   http://www.hunkmania.com/ or http://www.hunkamania.com/

Sex Toy Party- Help the bride get ready for her special night by inviting a consultant to do a demo and play games geared especially for the night or even have a pole party. For more information: www.brownbagparty.com/sugarnspice

Hotel Room/Stripper- You can always have a sleepover in a hotel and invite a stripper to do his thing. For the special girl's night in, you can always make overnight bags for the guest and make an extra special one for the bride.

Get creative and make it the brides night to remember!!

As a note, the best time to schedule the party is 1-2 weeks before the wedding, unlike the groom, the bride's final week is stressful enough. Let her unwind before then!

The Greatest Wedding Movies!!! Pick your leading man and pick the best wedding movie!!!

Its almost V-day. For some, wedding plans will continue, for some wedding plans will begin. But Valentine's Day is a big day of LOVE!!! So in honor of it, I am talking about the great movie weddings!!!
1.Sound of Music-
This stands out for me because it had the great romance and the totally awesome wedding to go with it! The wedding scene took almost a half hour and it was breathtaking.
2.My Best Friend's Wedding-
Ok, Was I the only one who had hoped that he'd marry the maid of honor? Best part of the movie was when Rupert Evert sang "I Say A Little Prayer"
3.The Wedding Singer-
I loved this movie so much that I wanted the song Adam Sandler sang on the plane to Drew Barrymore "Grow Old With You" for my cake cutting. Unfortunately to major brainfreeze, this bride didnt remember the name of the song.
4.The Wedding Date-
I believe this movie was underrated and should be on a list somewhere.
Also, the groom from "My Best Friend's Wedding" is the date. Nuff said.

I am leaving number 5 open for all to comment on. What is the all time greatest wedding movie and why? If you had to star in a wedding movie, who would be your leading man?
Whoever comes up with the best one, wins a prize courtesy of the Blissful Bride!!!
Contest ends February 14th..

Happy Valentines Day to all!!!

Location, Location, Location....

Congratulations! You're engaged!
The date has been set! Now what?
First and foremost,it is time for you to sit down with your significant other and discuss the wedding budget and who will be paying, or helping out with payments.
The basic guideline of the wedding budget is this:

Reception 50%
Flowers 10%
Wedding Attire 10%
Music 10%
Photography 10%
Stationary 4%
Additional Expenses 6%

So since 50% of the budget is the reception, it is most advisable to start looking for a venue. You will find venues that have different pricing for the different times of year, day and afternoon and evening. It can get overwhelming,especially if you do not have a date set yet. There are also venues that have wonderful package deals that include the dj, florist, etc. Before signing on the dotted line, read the fine print, because if you are getting married on a Saturday night, they want a minimum of 125 as opposed to 100. It will tack on to your cost and you will be overbudget and have to trim down or take away from something else.
You must also try and keep in mind your vision for the wedding day. Does it have that romantic feel that you are looking for? The contemporary feel you are looking for? Is it intimate?
Now that you have picked the venue, build from there.
Good luck and good planning!

Remember, if you find yourself feeling less than blissful and need a little help..
you know where to find the Blissful Bride!!!
www.theblissfulbride.weebly.com

2010 Wedding Color Trends

I decided to do two blogs tonight to make up for my days off.

The table below includes popular wedding color choices for the upcoming seasons:
Fall/Winter:
deep red
teal
violet
mocha
sage
 
Spring/Summer:
turquoise
platinum
coral
pale yellow
champagne

Choosing Your Wedding Color Scheme

The colors you choose for your wedding day set the style and tone for your entire event. You can use color in your bridesmaids' dresses, decorations, cake, favors, flowers, accessories, table linens and even the invitations! Choose colors you love, but also consider the following:
1.Where is the wedding and reception? Choose colors that complement the setting. Consider the carpeting, drapery and decor, etc.

2.What mood do you want to create? Vibrant colors add drama, while soft colors evoke a more romantic atmosphere.

3.What time of year will you marry? The season may influence your color scheme. Spring and summer colors tend to be lighter, while fall and winter colors are generally darker.

Although much has been written on how colors effect our moods and emotions, colors mean different things in different cultures, so avoid focusing too much on them. The following two tools can help you choose a coordinated color scheme.

1.Color Wheel - A color wheel helps you choose coordinating colors. It is made out of three primary colors: red, blue and yellow, plus a blend of in-between colors. Below are three color-choosing strategies that will ensure you pick a well coordinated color scheme. Read more about color theory to learn more.
"Complementary" colors means choosing colors that are opposite each other on the wheel, such as red and green.
"Analogous" means the colors lie next to each other on the wheel, such as red, red-orange, and orange.
"Monochromatic" means variations of the same tone, such as bright red, dark red, etc.

2.Color Palette Generator Tool - This handy (and fun!) tool allows you to upload your favorite photo and generate an instant color palette. You can then print and select your favorite colors from the chart. Here are some color charts we created using this tool.

Tips: Try to limit your main colors to two or three so as not to look too jumbled and stay consistent with your colors throughout the wedding site. Use a few subdued colors for an elegant look.

Proposal Stories.....Where did he propose to you?

Ok, The Blissful Bride is asking you, where and how did he propose to you? The best proposals get a blissful treat and more importantly, if you are a bride to be and have the best story, you will not only score a blissful treat but a discount on services....Share!!!

You can also follow The Blissful Bride and become a fan at facebook and look for the Blissful Bride!!!

The Bridesmaids Dress

So you’ve got the dress, now it’s time to choose your bridesmaids dresses.  You could play it safe and just have a maid of honor.  This would of course offend all of your other friends, relative, and your mother who promised your 3rd cousin, twice removed; she would be in the wedding.  This is also only the beginning of your worries.  Now you will have to select the  best bridesmaid dress that will accommodate the party’s various shapes, heights, and sizes.  This may seem like a daunting task, but it’s really quite simple.  Just follow these few tips and your wedding party will be almost as gorgeous as the bride!
Go with an empire waist.  Dresses with a high waist will flatter every size.  It doesn’t matter if one of your girls is a size 22 and the other is a size 6; this shape will skim over larger hips and hide a full belly.  Just pay attention to the color, neckline, and the sleeves on the dress.  Empire waists can look outdated and matronly worn with a cap sleeve or a high neck line.  Instead opt from a spaghetti strap and a plunging neck.   This will draw attention to the wearer’s face, and not an unsightly paunch. 

Don’t worry about the cut and design, focus on the color.  This is a trick used by brides across the country.  Choose a popular color, such as burgundy, navy, or sage, and ask each bridesmaid to purchase a dress in that color, but allow them to choose a style that flatters their shape.  The only other parameter that should be set is the length.  Nothing looks more haphazardly thrown together than half of your maids in minis and the other half in skirts that skim the floor.  If the dress styles seem disjointed on the big day, ask your hair and makeup stylists to give each bridesmaid an identical look.  This will give you a little boost of cohesion amongst the chaos.
When in doubt choose black.  Black is the only color that looks great on any woman’s body.  Get the notion out of your head that black equals doom, gloom, or is just for funerals.  Black should definitely be considered if you are having an evening or winter wedding.  Nothing looks more beautiful that the contrast of the white snow, your white wedding dress, and your bridal party in this distinctive statement color.

There are a few general tips to keep in mind.  Ask all your bridesmaids what they would like to wear and make sure that everyone agrees on the final choice.  Keep in mind the varying financial situations of your maids as well.  Always purchase these dresses in a store and ask each girl to try the looks on.  Don’t let them fall into the trap of buying a dresses a few sizes smaller based on empty dreams of sudden weight loss.  This plan never works out and always spells disaster.

*My girls did not buy theirs in the stores, it was handled by my maid of honor who did research and ordered them all for about $40 smackeroos cheaper. Then when the dresses came in, they went to a tailor and spent less on alterations.

The Wedding Cake....or Cupcakes???

How many layers or tiers would you like?
Buttercream frosting or fondant?
What flavor do you want? Vanilla, Carrot, Chocolate Mousse, Cannoli?
Or do you want a small 8" round to cut and have a cupcake tower?

The wedding cake has become the center of attention at weddings. Gone is the two tier traditional with white frosting. The cake is used to reflect the bride and grooms unique style.

The Six Most Popular Styles for 2010 are:

Black and White Patterns
Many brides love the classic and clean look of white icing with black details.  This popular choice for cakes can be decorated to mimic the details of the bride’s gown.  The elegant details can also be enhanced with silver or pearl dots or colored sugar flowers.

Chocolate Frosting
Brides who love chocolate are getting their cakes iced with dark chocolate frosting.  So many cakes this year will be a chocolate lover’s dream from the chocolate cake with fruit filling to the whipped chocolate frosting! 

Shaped Cake
Round is out and shapes are in!  Brides are now choosing topsy turvey designs, square and heart shapes to make their cakes stand out from the rest.   When these shapes are stacked they are a unique base that displays embellishments and colors beautifully. 

Bold Colors
No more white frosting!  Couples today are icing their cakes with bold colors that match their wedding colors and show their creativity.  So don’t be surprised when you walk into the reception and see an orange cake with brown flowers!  

Cupcake Displays
To save money and lessen the chances of having a lot of wasted cake, many couples are choosing to use cupcake displays instead; some of them have a small cake as the top tier to cut for the pictures.  Using cupcakes allows room for creativity because they can be stacked into shapes and letters on the table and serve as a wonderful decoration at the reception, especially when small spotlights shine on the tiers of the stand.  Many couples who use the cupcake tier are also choosing square shaped instead of round cupcakes.

Monograms
You will probably be able to count on your hands how many wedding cakes you will see with the traditional bride and groom on top.  Many couples are topping their cakes with their monogram.  The DIY bride is even decorating the letters themselves to add a personal touch to their stylish display.  Some monograms will be part of the actual cake design and will be centered on the middle tier.  

On a final note, when taking home the top tier of your cake. In tradition, you are not to eat the cake till your one year anniversary. My husband and I did this. However, we had an outage in the apartment and the cake ended up being ruined. When we moved to our new place and celebrated, the cake was not the same and we didn't enjoy it. There are bakeries that will make you the top tier especially for your one year, so if you have that top tier at home your wedding night, eat it and have them make a fresh one for your anniversary.

Top Six Wedding Dress Styles

The Pictures are in the order as listed below..


1.Tealength

Tea-length wedding dresses are fabulous for a more casual, less traditional wedding, especially if you have a nice pair of pins and some knock-out shoes.

2.Mermaid Style

Apparently mermaid style wedding gowns are also a fifties influence, and thinking about it, one of my favourite dresses of all time is the dress Audrey Hepburn wore to the races in My Fair Lady – an extremely tight-fitting mermaid style gown.

3.Grecian Style

Are you in touch with your inner goddess? Grecian style wedding dresses are hot at the moment – high-waisted with floaty materials, they would make me look like a mountain, but if you’re slim and smaller breasted, it’s a style that could look stunning.

4.Ballgown

For those who loved the wildly ridiculous yet fabulous gowns in Gone with the Wind (*blush*), and for many of us who want to disguise our thighs, ballgown style wedding gowns are back. Fabulous! Ballgown wedding dresses have many rather wonderful upsides, including squishing you into the shape you desire, giving you fabulous cleavage, and being impossible to remove on your own .

5.Fifties Style Wedding Gown

This is the one I’m really very pleased about. There’s something about the whole belted waist idea that makes me happy. And the Stephanie Allin gown on the left is probably my current favourite gown of any I’ve seen (…and I see a LOT)


6.Sexy Slinky Silhouettes

If you’ve got a fab figure (or fantastic suction underwear!), now is the time to do a victory dance – sexy, figure-hugging wedding dress silhouettes will be hot for the next couple of seasons.

Happy Shopping!!!!!

Lucky Brides=Early 2010 Special

As an up and coming wedding planner looking to build her portfolio, I have a special for brides who are getting married in the Spring 2010 and are looking for a day of coordinator. Instead of charging $500.00 per the site, I will charging $400.00 and a choice of an a la carte option FREE. If you are interested, please go to: http://www.theblissfulbride.weebly.com/, fill out the contact form and in the comments, type in Lucky Bride.

The Blissful Bride

I have been happily married for a little over two years now, but its barely a memory maybe even a blur. I remember getting to Douglaston Manor about 15 minutes late for the ceremony (my husband will never let me forget that), rushed through some pictures (I forgot to put on my mantilla), somehow signed my marriage license mid picture, rushed upstairs, put on the veil and headed downstairs and down the aisle. It was a dream sequence to me. Except when I pinched myself, I didn't wake up. I kissed my new husband.
What I do remember is all the planning and energy that went into it. We didn't start officially planning till a little under 12 months, we had spent the summer looking at places and although from the first time we saw DM, we knew that was where we wanted to be, we had to go back one more time (ok, I admit it, maybe more than that). We were working full time jobs on two entirely different schedules. And when that is added to less than 12 months from a wedding, it doesn't leave you with much time. Friday date nights turned into visits to photographers, weekends to look for other things.
2 days before my wedding, I was not only still at work, I was exhausted, breaking out and still not beautified.
The day before, the drop off of the favors,centerpieces, candles had to be made to DM and I still had a nail appointment.
Next to having a baby, this is the most important day of your life. It shouldn't be stressful to the point that you don't remember the entire wedding.
I am making it my mission to help as many busy brides as possible by sharing my wisdom and creativity.
A bride shouldn't be stressed, they should be nothing less than blissful.