To Dos Before I Do, Will You?

There are many fun things to do when planning a wedding. As a bride you use your creativity in designing the look of your day, you dive into luscious fabric while choosing the gown of your dreams, and there are parties with friends and family to be enjoyed.

However, there is that nagging “to do list” of not so fun items. This includes applying for a marriage license, getting documents together if you are planning to change your name and working with an attorney to create a pre-nuptial agreement, if you so choose.

I’m not sure if it’s thanks to Kanye West, or just our societal standards, but pre-nups seem to be a taboo subject to discuss. Many brides and grooms feel that they do not need a pre-nuptial agreement, and that might absolutely be the case. Here is the thing, if you decide to end your marriage, in the absence of a pre-nuptial agreement drafted by you and your fiancé, you are subject to state law for the division of your assets and all other proceedings.

That may be fine with you. More than likely you do not know exactly what that entails; I’m guessing most of us don’t. So, while I truly hope that every marriage lasts a lifetime, statistics tell me otherwise. My suggestion, while of sound mind, and absolute confidence that you will be with your significant other for all the days of your life, at least have a conversation with an attorney to know what the laws are in your state regarding divorce. I kind of look at it like creating a will or purchasing life insurance. I hate to think of myself dying young, but if it should happen I want to leave my family in the best position possible.

After your talk with the attorney, go out and celebrate the fact that you will NOT be one of those statistics!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Making a Statement

Ladies, you may have found the perfect gown, but your ensemble is not complete until you find the perfect accessories to compliment that gown. Like everything about your wedding you want your accessories to be a reflection of you and your personality. Here are some really fun trends that I see happening right now.

Interesting Hair Pieces: It seems that the tiara and traditional veil have taken a backseat to some new and exciting hair pieces. One of the most popular trends in weddings today is the birdcage veil. This is a very short piece of netting attached to some kind of headband or clip that typically is no longer than a brides ear. Speaking of headbands, they are everywhere, and they have lace, netting, feathers and more attached.


Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Fun shoes: We’ve discussed this before, but the days of simple and white or ivory shoes are over. Brides are making statements with their shoes, everything from wearing bright colors, unique styles to a rise in wearing closed toe shoes. Just be sure to let those toes peek out for your guests, and photographer, to see.


Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Glamorous: It seems our blushing brides today are looking for glamour and elegance on their wedding day, think “Old Hollywood”. Very beautiful statement pieces of jewelry are being donned on the collarbones, wrists and earlobes of these gorgeous ladies. While the pieces are gorgeous, they are not flashy or the “bling bling” sparkle we have seen in the past. They do not overwhelm the dress or, more importantly, the beauty of the bride.


Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Have fun when looking for your wedding day accessories. Take some time to think about what pieces will really finish your look. Before you head to the store visit mom, grandma, aunts, etc. and see what they have that you might be able to borrow for your big day, wearing a piece that belongs to your family always makes it more special.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Design watch 2011

Today we have Katie Gutierrez, Event Architect, chatting with you about the color scheme of your wedding. She has some great insights, enjoy!

“Mere color, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.” Oscar Wilde

This is a great quote. You start off with a blank canvas. You are the artist who brings to life your celebration. You create the mood; you create the personality. You are designing the moment of a lifetime.


Color trends for weddings are like fashion trends. The change in trends signifies the new season. They are always changing, constantly evolving, and being more and more about personal expression vs. tradition.

FALL/WINTER 2010/2011: BOLD/VINTAGE!!

The colors are saturated, daring, and very BOLD. Rich Purples, Reds, Chocolate Browns, Coral, Turquoise, Sage. Try taking your choice of these colors and splashing them with accents of orange, gray, fuchsias, yellows and metallics. This adds that creative glamour. I have been seeing “out of the box” color combinations, which evokes personality!


And of course, there’s the ever-timeless Black. Black is always in season. It provides that simplicity, that striking-ness and the elegance.

TRY Monochromatic! By taking one color and using several shades of the same spectrum you will create a textured, dramatic, yet graceful look.


With any color trend you are able have a MODERN & BOLD wedding or a CLASSIC & TRADITIONAL wedding. It’s all about how you pair your colors, and the details.

Embrace color and just be inspired. Some of you, I’m sure, have known what your color scheme would be before you were even engaged and have your heart set on that. That is wonderful! Paint on your canvas! Some of you have no clue where to begin, which may be daunting since the choice you make will have a part in every aspect of the wedding.

Just take a look at you and your groom. Think about your personality, your lifestyle and what you enjoy. If a color had to express that, what would it be? Or, if you want your guests to walk into a room to feel a certain way, what way would you want them to feel? What colors will help create that feeling?

Remember, whatever colors you choose, whether it’s a part of the season's trends or something you've chosen on your own, it speaks to the soul, touches your emotions and will create the most magical feel to your special day.

~Katie

Hope you are all feeling inspired to design your canvas!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Wednomics: The Economics of Planning of a Wedding

The ring of your dreams is on your finger, you will be with the one you love forever, and you have spent a few days looking through bridal magazines (which is very important), daydreaming about what your celebration will look like.


As you begin to make your plans, the first, and probably most difficult, question you have to answer is what your wedding budget will be. You and your fiancé will need to discuss how much you can comfortably spend on this celebration. To come up with your final budget you may need to speak to your families to see if they will be contributing.

Over the next few weeks I will break down the expense of a wedding into a few different scenarios. For the purposes of writing this blog I am going to plan three fictitious weddings with a budget of $20,000 each. My hope is to illustrate a few options of how that budget can help each bride achieve the wedding of her dreams. My hope is to provide some industry insight along the way to make the planning journey go a bit smoother for each of you.


In order to do so, I want to be sure to answer your burning questions along the way. I am looking forward to reading your comments over the next week or so and addressing each of them in my “Wednomics” blogs to come.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

WE tv Showcase Highlights

Hello lovely brides,

If you follow us on Twitter or Facebook you know that on Saturday, July 24th we were lucky enough to co-host the WE tv Wedding Show at Oakbrook Center. Despite the strong storms the night before we had a great turnout.

Mark Ingram came to give Brides advice on selecting their gowns:



We organized tablescapes around three main themes, Bliss, Love and Romance:
















BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

HD Beauty – Up Close and “Pore”sonal

Today, Adel Domingo, Event Architect with Oliveaire will be sharing some beauty tips with all of you lovely ladies. Take it away Adel...

If fluorescent lights were not enough, all of a sudden up comes high definition technology. Now, instead of just seeing a hundred pores, we can see a million pores and specks on our faces. I can understand why a director would like to show an action film or sports action in “high-def.” The details are unbelievable to look at. The clarity and the movement are so flawless.


A reporter or actor, male or female, cannot just go in front of the camera without putting on makeup. The shine on their faces, or even bald heads, could blind us when we watch them if not for makeup. I guess they also have to be pleasant to look at as they deliver the bad news or their lines. Let’s be honest now, as an audience, we critique their images like there is no tomorrow. We are as harsh and strong as the studio lighting that is focused on them. I guess it’s the fact they cannot hear us thru the screen, or that they’re celebrities, or it’s our own insecurities. But I digress.

The digital cameras and video cameras used in the wedding industry today are fast and clear. As a bride you may be a little worried, if you are aware of high definition, or just being in the spot light. Even the term high definition is intimidating.


Photo credit to R.E.M. Photography

How do you deal with it? Just make it easy on yourself and consult with a makeup artist that has experience applying makeup for print ads or commercials. Ask questions. Ask them to do a makeup trial on you, and then have somebody photograph or videotape you with a high quality digital camera. If the artist is good, he or she will know how to match your skin tone and type, whether they should use an air brush technique, a mattifier to minimize pores, use mineral powder or pressed foundation, just to name a few choices. The application of the lipstick is also important. However, one of the “must do’s” is to use a concealer. Using a concealer brush instead of your hands or a sponge is much better because you have better control on the coverage. The makeup artist has the tools, and the supplies, to tackle the job. He/she will make you look beautiful, and most importantly, make it last for hours of crying, dancing, and hugging.


Why go thru all of this? Because you want to look flawless on your wedding day. However, remember that flawless doesn’t mean some Hollywood definition of perfection. Sometimes those flaws are what make you beautiful and perfect. The lines that appear when you smile, that mole, the freckles, those little things about you add to why your fiancé fell in love with you. So do yourself a favor, don’t hide everything. HD should capture your tears, the flow of your gown, that first kiss as husband and wife, and the real you.

Adel

Hope you enjoyed the tips!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olviia

p.s. If you are in the area be sure to join us at the WE tv Wedding Show at Oakbrook Center this Saturday, July 24th from 12 - 6 p.m.

Vendor Agreements, do you need them?

When entering into an agreement with wedding professionals, as in any business relationship, where there is an exchange of monies for products or services, expectations must be clearly defined. Weddings are costly. Brides and Grooms spend thousands of dollars to make their big day perfect. They all rely on surrounding themselves with people that they feel can deliver that to them. Before entering into a relationship with such person or company, here are some tips on what to expect.

Agreements or contracts must include:
- Full company name, address and phone number of the vendor
- Names of the bride and groom
- Date and time of the wedding and reception (if you don’t have this information at the time of signing, it should be noted that the information will be added at a later date)
- Services or products being provided should be specified, with as much detail in writing as possible (For example, on a floral contract, instead of “ ten centerpieces,” a better idea would be to have “ ten centerpiece arrangements with white miniature Calla lilies, red roses, and seasonal greenery, sized in a pilsner vase with submerged orchids”)

For Services:
- Set- up time, start, finish, and break-down time should be listed
- Name of the person or persons who will be performing the service
- Any electrical or special requirement of the venue
- Additional charges for night pick up or above ground ballrooms
- Any delivery of products after the wedding (such as photographers or video) should be listed, with a date by which you will receive the product



Regarding prices and payments:
- The refundable amount (& conditions) should be listed, with the charges as detailed as possible
- Each item should be priced separately, unless it is part of a particular package
- In the case of packages, content should be listed in detail
- If there is the possibility of adding on services at a later date, those prices should be listed so that you have the pricing guaranteed—particularly the pricing for photos and albums when contracting a photographer
- Set-up fees should be included in the contract. If they are not listed separately, it should be clear that the price includes set-up and break-down

Taxable products or services:
- All applicable taxes should be listed
- All rental taxes should be listed
- Required gratuities should be listed, and if they are not required but encouraged, this information should be included

Special requests:
- Should be noted somewhere in the contract (such as no “Hokey-Pokey” played by the DJ, or Vegetarian meals provided by the caterer upon request)
- Parking or travel fees
- Overtime fees
- Restrictions on lifting and moving of equipment, products, furniture, etc. must be clear



Payments:
- Schedule should be listed in detail, including the acceptable forms of payment, and applicable penalties (for example, if a personal check is returned)
- Due date of such payment(s) must be included
- Final payment date and amount must be listed
- Charges, including any penalties for making changes after the final order is placed, must be clearly stated

Policies:
- Cancellation policies should be included in the contract, with specifics regarding cancellation by either party
- The deposit requirement and refund policy must be clear
- If there are other relevant policies that the vendor follows, they should also be included in the contract

You should be presented with an original copy of the contract, with two sets of original signatures - yours (or the person responsible for paying) and a legal representative of the vendor. In order to make the contract binding, you will need to present compensation at the time of the signing.

If the contract lacks any of these items, don’t hesitate to request corrections, additions or verification of details. It is in everyone’s best interest to have everything listed in advance. If the vendor hesitates to provide you with a detailed contract, perhaps you should consider a different vendor.

If expectations change, make sure to record the changes in writing. This will protect you, and validate accepted changes by the vendor. After all, it is your one and only day. Surrounding yourself with an event team that understands your vision, and enhances your wedding experience, that is the right team for you.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia