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!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
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/
http://www.theblissfulbride.weebly.com/
Friday, February 26, 2010
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!
- "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
- "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
- "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
- "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
- "I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special." - Shelby
- "All I want is just one shot of me in a wedding dress that isn't bright turquoise." - Juliet
- "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
- "Oh, I could be the man to grow old with you. I wanna grow old with you."
- '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!'
- '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
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
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.
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...
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...
Saturday, February 20, 2010
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!
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!
Friday, February 12, 2010
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!!!
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!!!
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