The Bloomtiful Life...

Marriage: Quick and Dirty Style

2012-01-09T12:48:00.001-05:00

So you want to get it done quick and dirty...

Photo Source: www.elizabethannedesigns.com

Here are some insights on how to obtain your Marriage License as well as how to have your ceremony at Philadelphia's City Hall:

The Marriage License office is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except holidays) and on Wednesdays they're open until 7:30 p.m
Your marriage license can only be used in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The couple to be wed must appear together
The couple must show valid photo I.D. and an original Social Security card (see official site for other acceptable forms)

Non-citizens must present proof of legal entry into the United States
Blood tests are not required
The marriage license is issued in 3 days and is valid for 60 days thereafter. The three-day waiting period is mandatory
The license costs $80 - CASH only

FOR MORE NSTRUCTIONS ON OBTAINING A MARRIAGE LICENSE IN PHILADELPHIA, SEE THE OFFICIAL SITE:

City of Philadelphia: Register of Wills - Marriage License Information

To have a civil ceremony (ITS BEST TO CALL AS THESE PROCEDURES TEND TO CHANGE A BIT):

On the day they open the appointment book, usually the second Tuesday of each month, line up outside Room 415 to schedule for the following month.
Civil ceremonies are performed on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning at 3pm and slots fill quickly
Usually 8 guests may attend (you will be informed once you book)
You may take photos
The ceremony takes about 10 minutes after meeting with the your assigned Judge
No other couples will be in your ceremony with you
It's free!

Honeymoon & Name Change Rigmarole

2012-01-03T22:59:00.001-05:00

Currently in the thick of wedding planning, I am looking at honeymoon options and after explaining to my fiance this name-change rigmarole I thought this would be useful advice all you other brides-to-be:

Unless you're not leaving the country (you'll need your license still...) or you'll have enough time between your wedding and your honeymoon to change your name on your passport, do NOT book your honeymoon under your married name.

You'll need your completed marriage license which you'll receive after the wedding. Not until then can you apply to change your name on your passport which can take any where from 2 to 6 weeks depending on the service (expedited or regular) you choose.

Happy Planning!

Are You Covered?

2011-08-31T23:56:00.001-04:00

Recent weather and forces of nature have east coast brides more concerned than ever before over whether hail-wielding, earth-shaking Mother Nature will show mercy on their wedding day.

Some helpful tips on how to avoid being disappoinnted on your wedding day due to forces way beyond your control:

Have a backup plan It’s raining; what are you going to do now?

This impact outdoor wedding mostly. Ideal outdoor wedding locales have indoor options waiting just in case. Often time’s brides and grooms choose to have their ceremony outside and reception inside. Having a tent reserved in advance is another option, budgets withstanding. For a heavy rainstorm, where the ground underneath the tent will be soaked, head for the great indoors.

Plan for Wind

Outdoor weddings get the brunt again. Windy conditions throws sand in food and many Marilyn Monroe moments arise. If wind is in your weddings future, avoid light fabrics like chiffons and china silks for your dress as well as your bridesmaids’. Inform your hairstylist that you'll be having an outdoor wedding so she/he can plan a style accordingly and make sure the guys are prepared too – air gel, pomade, etc.

Consider Insurance

There are companies that will provide insurance coverage for your special day for a nice little fee in the range of $!00-$500. READ THE FINE PRINT of your policy before you purchase to ensure the things important to you are covered! Here are some items that a wedding insurance policy would typically cover:

· Weather

· Illness or

· Officiant No-Show

· M.I.A vendors

· Venue/Site

Add-ons that can be covered:

· Military Service

· Gowns and Tuxedos

· Gifts

· Honeymoon

When Reality Shows Collide

2011-06-13T14:29:00.002-04:00

As I was fastening embellishments to gold ribbons, I was catching up on TLC's Say Yes to the Dress on my DVR. From the corner of my eye I spotted, bridesmaid, Nik Pace from ANTM sitting in as a member of the Bridal Entourage at Kleinfeld's.

The Bride also did a stint in the Reality TV circuit on BET's Harlem Heights. She's also signed to Ford Models in NYC. The dress she ultimately chose was not my favorite. See the pics from TLC below:

The Royal Wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 60 Seconds

2011-05-01T07:51:00.011-04:00

Here are the highlights from the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, with a 60 second recap video. Enjoy! ( BTW, the two in the hats are Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York, daughters of Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson).

THE WEDDING

THE RECEPTION

The Royal Wedding

2011-04-23T04:28:00.005-04:00

Initially I was less than interested in the Royal Nuptials, but with all the media hub-bub I was sucked in. (Can you believe Dunkin Donuts has a "royal donut" for the occasion, charmed I'm sure)

I will be up at the crack of dawn (likely before then because I have to cook and prep) to be apart of all the fuss. With coverage beginning at 4am in the States - the wedding is 11am their time - I will be exhausted by noon.

For the festitvitses I will be hosting with mimosas and eggs Benedict (the ENGLISH muffin of course hahahahahahaha) tea and and blueberry muffins YUM.

I've been sucked in and you know you want to be too : )

Check out my fave, Say Yes to the Dress' Randy as he gives his predictions for Will & Kate's big day.

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams

2011-03-30T23:15:00.004-04:00

When I think of Spring florals I immediately picture peonies - thats unfortunate because Spring begins Mid-March yet these florals are in season late spring/early summer-June/July. Bummer

These blooms make wonderfully lush bouquets and fragrant centerpieces. You can also look into getting these direct from local growers in your area (save some cash and minimize your weddings carbon footprint) as these blooms are quite popular for sustaining through winter and their low/minimal maintenance.

Consider mixing peonies with other blooms with firm petals like Calla Lillys or even Tulips for texture and dimension.

Pnina Tornai - Beading & Bows Galore

2011-02-10T10:29:00.022-05:00

Flipping through bridal mags and watching "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC ( love Randy) has further encouraged my fascination with the reigning queen of OVER-THE-TOP bridal gowns - Pnina Tornai. Miss Tornai lavishly disregards tradition with bling and skin and that's why I love her. Sure, not my style at all, yet she satisfies my palate for interesting and her gowns border irreverence. Check out some of the recurring themes in Pnina Tornai's designs from this season's collection:
1. Corsets - a modern take on the Victorian corset

2. Sheer Bodices and Detailed Beadwork - Out the window with tradition; and be informed that many churches have dress codes of sorts so Pnina may not be in your future if you'll be walking down a strict aisle

3. BOWS! Bows! And more bows! - How many bows can a girl have, not enough if you let Pnina Tornai tell it!

And lastly, as a million pictures wouldn't do it justice, bask in the glory of this delicious Pnina Tornai creation:

Nothing Cupcakes and Cocktails Can't Cure!

2011-01-15T08:51:00.000-05:00

2010 was fabulous and I'm super excited for an exceedingly wonderful 2011.

I took down the last of our holiday decorations - in time to avoid a forcefully friendly letter from our neighborhood council : )

With all my excitement and enthusiasm for the New Year you could only imagine my dismay when I heard on NPR that the 3rd Monday of January is the most depressing day of the year? This cant be true, at least not for me - I still have bottles of Champagne left over from NYE!

Because the holidays are over, folks have those credit card bills due from over-spending, and the cold virus is spreading like wild fire coupled with Monday generally being a bad day of the week for most, the NPR segment claimed the saddest day of the year would fall on January 17th this year.

To counter this, in addition to volunteering at the clothing shelter this Monday for a day of service in honor of MLK, jr. day - I will host the most cheerful event at my home!

There's nothing some cupcakes and cocktails can't cure ; )

To kick the winter blues even more, watch this video of the 2011 Stella & Dot Spring Collection, it's absolutely delicious!

Holiday Parties....Hmmm, what to wear????

2010-11-18T06:23:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is just a few dinners away (I love food; notice how I count days, hehehehehe) yet Holiday party planning is in full swing! But your tried and true LBD definitely needs a little updating and a statement piece of jewelry is the perfect way to bring your favorite dress into this season. Check out ways to glam up your holidays and bring last year's dress into this season.

But if you want to splurge, go for that gorgeous curve-hugging Dolce & Gabbana Tulle Corseted Dress...I'm in love with the subtle sweetheart neckline. It's what makes this dress ultra va-va voom!

www.stelladot.com/bloomfield

Forget the Flowers

2010-09-30T12:41:00.000-04:00

The Flower Girl and the tradition of walking before the bride and tossing petals date back to old English tradition. It was customary that the entire bridal party would walk behind a small girl as she tossed flowers . . . all the way to the church. Since things have changed a bit since then, here are some ideas to switch up tradition -

Instead of scattering petals, your flower girl can:

Flutter a Flag or Pennant in your wedding colors
Blow Bubbles
Twirl a parasol (http://www.bellaumbrella.com/)
Ring a bell
Carry a pinwheel
Wave a wand

Happy Planning!

The Hanger Your Gown is on Sucks...

2010-08-09T17:36:00.000-04:00

It’s your special day. The photographer is capturing all the details of your preparation - your Maid of Honor finishing up your make-up, your Mom putting the final touches on your hair, your beautiful gown on a plastic hanger....PLASTIC HANGER

Pause. This is not how you want to remember the gorgeous gown you plowed all corners of the earth to find.

Make sure you remember this small but very vital detail so you'll have fond memories to look over when your photos are delivered to you - not a pinging in your side in revulsion of that thing holding up your precious dress----(I'm not this dramatic in real life; I swear)

So please "No more wire hangers!"...or any other hangers that discount the beauty of your dress ; )

Find tres cute hangers @ www.etsy.com

Bridesmaid: A Gift and a Curse

2010-07-02T18:15:00.000-04:00

Photo: Confessions of a Shopoholic (movie)

Now that I am in the infant stages of planning my own wedding (this is no easy task for an event planner; there are high expectations, however I'm a little more low key than my friends, family, and clients...) I have bestowed upon my closet girlsfriends the dubious honor of being a Bridesmaid for my wedding.

As Bridesmaids there are certain tasks these women must accomplish and expectations they must uphold....not necessarily what I expect them to do, but these rules are written down in invisble ink the Magical Book of Weddingness.

Here are the rules, Bridesmaids are expected to:

Buy your bridesmaid dress, shoes, and accessories

Be emotionally supportive; particularly during the home stretch

Assist with planning tasks like stuffing favor bags and scouting out dresses at Filene's Basement or attending her fitting at Kleinfeld's

Help plan, co-host, and pay for the bridal shower and bachelorette party

Attend as many other pre-wedding parties and events as humanly possible
Be prepared to arrange for your own transportation to and from the wedding and pay for your accommodations.

Purchase or contribute to group gifts. In addition to a wedding gift, you will likely give gifts at the engagement party, bridal shower, and bachelorette festivities.

Help record gifts so the couple can write thank-yous

Be prepared to give a toast (or roast) during the rehearsal dinner and/or wedding. Although this typically falls under the maid of honor’s duties, bridesmaids can also do the honors.
Be there for the bride on the wedding day. Of course you should have a good time, but don’t sneak off in case the bride needs you.

Help the bride prep before the wedding, and offer to hold on to her makeup bag for touch ups throughout the day.

Help bustle the bride’s dress before the reception
Stand in the receiving line

Take on hostess duties at the reception if necessary – introducing guests, helping them to their tables, etc

The guests will take cues from the wedding party so get the party started and get out on the dance floor!
Love the bridesmaid dress no matter how hideous you think it is

Be on-time and when possible BE EARLY! But above all NEVER be late. EVER!
Remain sober; though it is perfectly acceptable to let loose during the bachelorette party!
Defer last minute questions and concerns to the maid of honor or another memeber of the bridal party; the bride will very much be on edge and truley does not need your push
Do not drastically alter your appearance right before the wedding; again the bride does not need your push
And this is for my personal situation KEEP MY MOTHER AWAY (though I love her dearly) she will make me cry (good or bad) and ruin my make-up. Keep her away! Thanks. Love you mommy ; )

Top Ten Cake Flavors

2010-06-15T11:32:00.000-04:00

Since I have a major sweet tooth, I want to share some cake flavor ideas! Your cake can ultimately play a huge role in your wedding decor and theme. The cake flavor I have in mind for my wedding has been very popular as of late, so I'm keeping it under wraps; but, I will say that my wedding theme will likely incorporate the flavor of our cake (re: my sweet tooth).

Here are the Top Ten Wedding Cake Flavors, be inspired ; )

1. Chocolate – Almond cake, chocolate ganache and mocha buttercream
2. Banana cake and chocolate buttercream
3. Coconut cake and lime buttercream
4. Hazlenut – Almond cake, chocolate ganache and rasberries
5. White cake, lemon buttercream and rasberries
6. Chocolate devil’s food cake, chocolate ganache and praline buttercream
7. Lemon cake, lemon curd and vanilla buttercream
8. Yellow butter cake and chocolate buttercream and/or chocolate ganache
9. Chocolate devil’s food cake, vanilla buttercream and rasberries
10. Chocolate devil’s food cake and vanilla buttercream

ISES NJ South "Vendors to Vows"

2010-05-21T09:34:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I had the great opportunity to lend hands to preparing ISES New Jersey South's event "Vendors to Vows". It was held at the newest and hottest venue in Atlantic City, One Atlantic.

The decor of the event chicly incorporated a beach theme with modern elegance which was complimented by panoramic views of the ocean. Featured were an amazing panel of guest speakers including Donnie Brown of "Whose Wedding is it Anyway". The event was absolutly wonderful thanks to the master mind of Tuesdi Kelly, ISES NJ South Vice President of Programs and Education.

Check out more pics from the event:

BEP will be in the building - We LOVE Stella & Dot!!

2010-05-03T22:55:00.000-04:00

Meet Stella & Dot with National Director of Training Danielle Redner

May 19, 2010
5:00PM - 7:00PM

Hampton Inn

384 Monmouth St, East Windsor NJ 08520

Come see what all the buzz is about! As featured in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, this hyper growth company is enabling a new kind of success for busy women with a professional, flexible, profitable home based business. Come along, even bring an interested friend or two, to learn about starting your own part or full time career as a Stella & Dot Stylist at this informal Opportunity Event.

RSVP to events@stelladot.com with location, date and type of event

Should I hire a wedding planner?

2010-05-03T15:16:00.000-04:00

If you're asking yourself this question already, the answer is presumably yes.

Hiring a professional is nearly the smartest investment you'll make for your special day. A Planner is the position to negotiate discounts with your venue and vendors; it is quite common for the Planner's fee to be less than or equal to these cost-savings. Therefore, you may not actually pay any additional costs to have your event professionally organized.
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Below are some of the fee schedules event planners typically use:

Fixed fee
Should be given as a quote when you first agree exactly what services you want, or as a percentage of the total budget (typically 10-15%).

Packages
Includes a number of services provided by the planner or coordinator bundled together where you decide which package fits your needs best. Many times you and the planner can custom create a package to include all of your needs or swap services from another package.

Ala carte
Each element of the planner‘s work is done hourly or by each service you choose.

A professional event coordinator or planner will carefully analyze and address all of your questions and concerns. In addition, professionals assist in the following areas:

Time Management: Planners can provide a list of vendors that cater to your specific style and taste to save you a great deal of time researching; though that does not take you off the hook for doing your homework on vendors. Planners can also schedule appointments and can do site visits with you or for you.

Cost-Savings: Many Planners have direct relationships with other vendors for special discounts. Additionally, if there are vendors you prefer, the planner can get steeper discounts clients could not ordinarily get on their own. Look at this from the other vendors’ perspectives’: a planner will have a continual stream of clients to refer to them whereas direct clients are a one shot deal. Planners work within your budget to find you the best vendors and deals.

Themes & Decor: Good professional Planners are constantly learning their craft; whether working or attending industry expos or educational seminars, planners are up on the latest trends and what’s new in the industry. Planners can assist in creating a memorable experience for your event.

Coordination: A professional Planner will handle every task and each detail that needs to be taken care of; from managing rehearsals to Day-of-Coordination. Planners will be your primary point of contact so you will not be concerned as to where the musicians are setting up or how your caters are going to load into the venue.
Organization: Peace of mind is priceless. To know that your event will be organized for a memorable night is the Planner’s top priority.

When selecting a Planner, choose someone you feel comfortable with and trust. You will be spending a great deal of time with this person throughout your planning process.

Happy Planning!

Tipping Tips!

2010-04-30T15:30:00.000-04:00

There are some wedding vendors who you will be expected to tip then there are vendors who will not expect a tip but greatly appreciate it. Here are some tipping guidelines suggesting amounts each service provider should be tipped in accordance with wedding etiquette:

Bartenders
Typically you will find that the bar manager will add a service charge to the bar bill. If this is not the case then you should tip the bartenders 10% of the total amount of the liquor bill. This amount can be divided amongst them equally if there is more than one bartender.

Catering/Venue Manager
Conventionally, the caterers and venue management calculate a tip into their cost estimate in the form of a service charge. You should tip 15% - 20% of the total bill or $1 - $2 per guest if a service charge has not been included in your contract.

Church Musicians
This fee is typically included in the rental fee for the church. You should check your paperwork; if gratuity is not included you should tip $25 - $40 per person.

Coat Check and Restroom Attendants
Tips should be $1 - $2 per guest

Delivery Staff (Florist, Baker, etc)
The staffs responsible for your flowers and wedding cake do not expect a tip. You will have contracted a set fee for their service. However, if you feel that they have provided you with exceptional service then a tip of $5 - $10 per person will suffice.

DJ
As with musicians, if you consider the DJ’s performance to be exceptional then a tip in the range of 15% - 20% of their fee is appropriate.

Hairstylist, Makeup Artist
You should expect to tip these service providers just as you would on a normal visit to a salon. Tips should be 15% - 20% of your total bill.

Musicians
Live musicians do not expect to receive a tip but if you consider their performance at your reception to be exceptional then $20 - $25 per band member will suffice.

Officiant
Though officiants generally do not request compensation for their services, they do, however, expect you to make a donation to the church or their organization.
Traditionally they will suggest an amount when you finalize your contract. The amount varies from a flat fee to an honorarium and can range from $50 and upwards of $2500. If you expect the officiant to travel outside their local area then you should also compensate them for their travel costs.

Do not directly offer a tip to an officiant.

The designated tipper should hand the agreed amount to the officiant after the ceremony. If you are using the services of a civil servant, such as a judge, Justice of the Peace or a City Clerk, you are allowed to tip them; though it should be called a “donation” rather than “tip”) provided you do not exceed $75. You must ensure that it is paid to them outside of court/office hours.

Photographers
Most photographers do not expect a tip. Should you want to reward them for their exceptional work on your wedding day then $20 - $30 is appropriate. Alternatively, you can show your satisfaction with the photographer’s work by placing a large order for additional prints.

Seamstress
It is not customary to tip your seamstress; however, if you feel they have made an extra special effort then tip $15-$30.

Transportation (chauffeurs, limousine drivers, horse-drawn carriages, etc)
Check to see whether a gratuity has been included in your bill as this is often the case with transportation fees for weddings. If not or if you want to reward them for their service, the norm is to tip them 15%-20% of the total cost of your bill.

Valets and Parking Attendants
Tips should be $1 - $2 per car.

Waiters and Waitresses
It is not necessary to tip servers if you have already paid a gratuity in your contract price. You should expect to tip 15% - 20% of your total food bill if gratuity is not included in your contract. Feel free to give individual servers an additional tip.

Bonus Tipping Tips!
Traditionally, the Best Man is the designated tipper. If your Best Man is unwilling or unable to accept this responsibility then nominate one person who you feel comfortable with and who happily handle this task.

To make life easier for the designated tipper, you should label envelopes prior to your wedding day. By labeling them you will ensure the correct amount of tip goes to the correct vendor.

In addition, you may want to provide the designated tipper with a contingency fund envelope containing a bit of extra cash just in.
Hand tips to the head of the group. For instance, with a band the tip should be given to the band leader; with the waiting staff the tip should be presented to the head waiter or maitre d'.

Please note that if you are tipping the valets, coat check and restroom attendants and particularly the bartenders, agree with them and the venue management that it is unacceptable for these members of staff to accept tips directly from your guests. A sign placed near each of these services that says “No Tipping Please” should suffice in dissuading your guests from tipping and deter the staff from accepting them!

During your wedding day your wedding suppliers will need to be fed. You should expect to feed your photographers, videographers, DJ and musicians; though it does not have to be the filet mignon and lobster you are serving your guests. Caterers will generally ask you what provision you want to be made for these service providers and will make some suggestions as to menus and seating arrangements; have a head count for your vendors. It is important that prior to the wedding day you agree with the caterers and confirm with the individual vendors where they will be eating on your wedding day.

Vera & David Tie the Knot...

2010-04-22T14:56:00.000-04:00

Vera Wang and David's Bridal that is. Vera is indisputably one of the Goddesses of Bridal Design. She’s outfitted the likes of Mariah Carey, Ivanka Trump, Khloe Kardashian, and Jennifer Lopez on their special days and now you too can don a Vera gown for your wedding day; if wearing designer gown is your top priority.

Beginning as early as Spring 2011, David’s Bridal will have an exclusive partnership to launch Vera Wang’s mass market collection. The collection will include gowns and accessories and you can expect to get a Vera gown for under $1,500.

Check out Vera Wang's Spring 2010 Bridal Collection:

2010-04-21T17:51:00.000-04:00

The Science of Color

2010-04-20T14:30:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's Tyra Show discussed the power of color; the emotions they conjure up in people and how they relate to a person's personality. Did you know that people who are drawn to the color red are often good lovers, passionate, but also easily angered and hot-headed. Or people who are drawn to the color yellow are usually friendly, up-beat, and cheap?

Lets see the meaning behind some popular wedding colors:

Yellow:
Positive: Caution, brightness, intelligence, joy, organization,
Negative: Criticism, laziness, or cynicism

Blue:
Positive: Tranquility, love, acceptance, patience, understanding, cooperation, comfort, loyalty and security
Negative: Fear, coldness, passivity and depression

Black:
Positive: Dramatic, classy, committed, serious
Negative: Evil, mourning, ignorance, coldness

White:
Positive: Pure, fresh, cleanliness or goodness
Negative: emotionally withdrawn, cold, distant

Orange:
Positive: Steadfastness, courage, confidence, friendliness, and cheerfulness, warmth, excitement Negative: Ignorance, inferiority, sluggishness

Purple:
Positive: Royalty, sophistication
Negative: foreboding, ominous

Green:
Positive: Money, health, food, nature, hope, growth, freshness, soothing, sharing, and responsiveness
Negative: Envy, greed, constriction, guilt, jealousy and disorder

Reception Conversation Starter

2010-04-14T17:37:00.000-04:00

Here is a really cute idea from Martha Stewart Weddings. This game board can get your guests engaged as they chat amongst themselves swapping stories of when and how they met you or your bride/groom. Check out the instructions HERE.

Bridal Fashion Week

2010-04-13T12:00:00.000-04:00

Bridal Fashion week descended upon NYC this Spring with the most amazing bridal fashions! Nearly all the designers featured this year came with something awe inspiring, but here are some gowns that are just BRILLIANT.

Amsale

Romona Keveza

Monique Lhuillier

Vera Wang

Save-the-Date Videos

2010-04-06T14:44:00.000-04:00

I discovered these two Save-the-Date videos while perusing YouTube and I am absolutely in LOVE. They are so cute! Not only do they let the couples express their personalities, but they saved on postage - definitely a green thing to do. Sweet!

Manzanita branches!

2010-04-02T12:10:00.000-04:00

Right now I am absolutely in LOVE with Manzanita branches! They are so versatile and can create so many different looks.

Manzanita branches definitely convey the essence of a winter wedding. Love ‘em!

Check out my favorite pics below and the demo video. And my two cents in regards to D.I.Y. Manzanita Trees – DO NOT FORGET THE LIGHTING! That advice really goes for everything, your beautiful creation will look ten million times better in perfect lighting.