Something Old, Something New...

Today Event Architect Adel Domingo is going to share with you some twists on one of our favorite wedding traditions...

Why would you wear something old, new, borrowed, and blue?

Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe

This old poem rumored from the Victorian era poem symbolizes five tokens. If a bride holds a piece of each symbol when she gets married, her marriage will be happy and filled with good fortune. We all know getting married is wonderful but the marriage part is a new and challenging adventure for the couple, and they can use any advantage they can get!

The “old” means something from the bride’s past and usually a token from the Bride’s family to continue a part of her family’s history. It could be the Bride’s Mother’s gown or veil she plans to wear on her own wedding day. It could also be her Grandmother’s pearl earrings that she inherited. A new twist to this is to include something you may have something of your Father’s or Grandfather’s. A pocket watch tucked in your sash or the love letter your Grandfather wrote your Grandmother tucked in the bible you are holding in your hand while walking down the aisle.


Photo provided by R.E.M. Photography

The “new” part means optimism and hope for the bride’s new life. New tokens or items are easy. It could be the new shoes on the bride’s feet, or new jewelry given to her by her parents or groom. A new twist to this is as simple as getting a new haircut or style that day, or getting married in the couple’s new home.


Photo provided by R.E.M. Photography

The “borrowed” tokens usually are from important people in the bride’s life who have had the good fortune of a good marriage, and would like to share that fortune with her. It can be Grandma’s engagement ring attached to her bouquet. A twist to this is a key from her parents’ first home attached to the bride’s bracelet, or to make her feel a part of your special day, something of your mother-in-law’s.


The “blue” token symbolizes purity. A long time ago, wedding gowns were made of blue fabric, not white. Nowadays, brides use blue shoes, handkerchiefs, a garter, and sashes to name a few. A twist to this is just simply using a blue ribbon to wrap the bouquet or wearing jewelry with blue gems. Blue sapphire earrings will definitely make a blue statement. Instead of heels, why not blue cowboy boots if you’re a country western bride.


The silver sixpence in your left shoe means money, honey. Financial security may not be the most important thing to hold a marriage together, but it is definitely important, now and more so in the past where women were not allowed to own property. New twists to this are a copper penny in your shoe or have the groom put one in his shoe too. The groom was the original wearer of such sixpence back in old Scotland. Better yet, purchase a keepsake sixpence for authenticity.

During these ultra-modern times, a bride and groom still yearn for the traditional because deep down, they believe in it, but go ahead and put your twist on it.

What are you Thankful for?

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I personally think it is very important to take pause and think about all you truly have to be thankful in your life. Me, I have a supportive family I can rely on in good times and bad, I am privileged to do work that I enjoy, and I am blessed to have my health.

This attitude of gratitude should definitely flow into your wedding planning. If you take a step back and look at all of the family and friends who are making this day possible, you will surely be overwhelmed by their love.

Be sure to take time to thank all of these special people. This should include your parents, siblings, bridal party and anyone who is contributing financial or emotional support.

There is no doubt that you have been experiencing your fair share of parties (engagement, bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette, etc.). Take time at your rehearsal (or a special lunch or dinner if you won’t be having a formal rehearsal) to truly thank those who have made your day possible. It’s ok to spend more time on speeches at this party. This is also an appropriate time to present any gifts you’ve purchased.

On the big day you can put a note of thanks in your program, or give a short but heartfelt thanks during your reception. It would also be an appropriate time to thank your guests for attending.

Remember that your favors are one of the ways that you can show your guests appreciation. Put some thought into something they will enjoy or take away as a special remembrance from your wedding.

If you have guests traveling in from out of town for your wedding it is nice to have something for them at their hotel. You can typically coordinate this most easily if you have booked a block of rooms at one hotel for your guests. Something as simple as a short note, an itinerary of events, a bottle of water and a few snacks will go a long way in showing your guests that you appreciate them.

No matter the size, there is most certainly a team working together to plan your dream wedding. While they are doing it because they love you, everyone likes to feel appreciated.

May all of you enjoy Thanksgiving with your loved ones. I look forward to seeing your comments on what you are grateful for.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),
Olivia

Destination Wedding Planning

Crashing waves on a white sand beach, a snow capped mountain, grapes growing in the Italian countryside, many brides imagine getting married in a beautiful destination. The photos will be amazing, and the memories will last a lifetime.

When planning a “destination” wedding (any wedding where a majority of the guests will be traveling to attend) there are some special considerations to factor in.

Destination Wedding Does Not Equal Cheaper: From a planning standpoint, having a destination wedding does not necessarily mean cheaper. You need to factor in all of the travel costs for you and your husband to be. This will include your travel to and from your destination, your food and lodging while you’re there, and possibly a pre-wedding trip for planning purposes. You also have to factor in shipping fees, or extra baggage fees, for the items you will be traveling with. Of course, there is the cost of the wedding itself as well.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

You Will Most Likely Have an Intimate Celebration: All of the friends and family members who want to attend your wedding might not be able to. I am a big believer that the wedding is about the bride and groom, and what YOU want. However, you have to be realistic about who you are inviting and their financial situation in relation to the expense of attending your celebration. This may mean speaking to your sister before you commit to a location, or budgeting to assist those you want to attend that might not be able to otherwise afford it.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Be the Hostess with the Mostess: Even though you are most likely traveling yourself, you are still the host and hostess of your wedding. It would be thoughtful for you to suggest lodging, food and sightseeing activities for your guests. You may want to organize a few optional group activities that your guests can participate in. This is not only a great way for the group to bond, but also shows appreciation for those that have taken trains, planes and automobiles to see you and your love dedicate your lives to each other.

Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Destination weddings provide a beautiful backdrop for a beautiful ceremony. They provide a great opportunity for guests to relax, and hopefully squeeze in a mini-vacation. So, gather your group, pack your bags, and have the celebration you’ve always dreamed about.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Twist on a Traditional Wedding Dinner

Today Event Architect, Adel Domingo, is going to share tips on how to personalize your Wedding Day culinary and beverage selections. She has some great, and practical tips, on how to take a traditional wedding dinner, and put your mark on it.

It is sometimes difficult to gauge a couple’s style these days. However, the majority of couples still like to stay traditional in their gown, tuxedo, and even music choices. They want to keep things “simple and elegant,” but with their own unique touch.

The wedding reception gives the couple the opportunity to stray from the traditional, especially in their food and beverage selections. If on a limited budget it is a little more difficult to stray away from the usual chicken dinner. The stigma of the good old chicken dinner may seem tacky, but if some thought is put into it, the wedding meal does not have to be boring. If you’re not on a budget, you have to be careful not to overdo it.


Champagne, or a version of a sparkling wine, like the Italian Prosecco or the Spanish Cava, is starting to be trendy again. Your favorite red or white wine is still popular to serve during dinner but the sparkling wine is very popular during cocktail hour. The cocktail of the hour can be a Kir Royale or the couple’s favorite beer or ale. The beer is always popular, but why not have more than 6 choices?

The hors d’oeuvres or appetizers can be as informal as mini quesadillas or as simple as mini French brie with a sliver of pear on brioche. You can also use ethnic choices to reflect your heritage. For instance, you can serve sushi, hummus dip, or tapas. Why not have fondue stations, or have fondue on each table instead of soup or salad? It’s a good way for your guests to get to know each other and its fun.

The reception food can be tailored to the couple’s style or liking. Organic ingredients are a little more costly than most, but asking the chef to use the local produce is not only meaningful to the local business, but may boast of the local flavors. If you use Farmer John’s potatoes for your soup, it can be mentioned on the menu card. You can also use your mom’s soup or cake recipe, or your father’s barbecue sauce for the ribs. Who says you can’t have fried chicken or meatballs? You can serve anything you want, as long as it’s served in an organized and beautiful way, and most importantly, taste like you want to have seconds!


Let’s talk about the couple’s sweet taste. You can have a typical dinner but have fun with your dessert. At your sweet table, why not have pies? You can serve Aunt Millie’s lemon bars with a side of sorbet or whip cream if you don’t want a wedding cake. You can go seasonal and serve a pumpkin pie if you’re getting married around Thanksgiving. Finally, if you still want to stay traditional, do your cake cutting on a two-tiered cake and serve a miniature version of your cake, down to the cake topper, to every guest. If you can fit it in your budget, have a crepe station. There is nothing like the smell of hazelnut chocolate melting on a crepe pan.


After all that dancing, you can treat the guests that survived the night to a special delivery box of White Castle burgers, a mini nacho bar or a tub of cold water bottles and ice cream sandwiches.

Just one more thing worth repeating, even though you want to add your own unique culinary style to your important event, make sure it tastes simply delicious.

Thanks Adel!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Who Lights the Candle?

It is hard to be invited to a friend or family members wedding as a designer, I am always working on the weekend. On a rare occasion few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a wedding as a guest. It’s a different world when you get to be a guest, enjoying a Raspberry Lime martini and tenderloin on a crostini, with a dollop of crème fraise.

I heard a chime signaling me up into the ballroom, and as I entered I was… not sure what I was.

There were beautiful flowers, the lighting was just perfect and linens had set the stage for an elegant dining experience. But, the candles surrounding the centerpieces and floating in the tall cylinder were not lit. At that moment I saw the bridesmaids and the Banquet Captain approach each table to light the candles. Unfortunately not all of the wicks were to ready to be lit, so the whole process was a bit challenging.


This experience got me thinking about the pampering each of our Event Designers and Creative Director at Oliveaire strives to provide for our brides and grooms. We work to make each wedding a perfect day for our clients, and how this is truly an “Oliveaire experience”. But enough about that.

I want to share some tips for the brides who are interviewing florists, or already working with a florist, to prevent some of the issues that may potentially arise on the day of your wedding:


1. If you have candles that are part of your centerpiece, and they are being
provided by the florist, ask them who will be responsible for lighting them,
and when they will be lit. You want to make sure that they are lit in your
room photo shots, but are not lit so early that they burn halfway down by the
time your guests enter the room.

2. The glass container that these stunning floral centerpieces reside in, are
they yours to keep, or for guests to take home? Most of the time, unless
written in the contract, glass containers are a rental item, and they are
picked up at the end of the night.

3. Will the florist come back at the end of the wedding night to pick up all
the glassware? Your venue may dictate this policy. They may want all vendors to
clear out all items and inventory by certain time.

4. Will the boutonnière include two pins, and will there be extra pins sent?
Also, will they be individually labeled with the bridal party members’ names on
it? This will avoid any confusion as to whom the flowers belong too.

5. Is a sample floral centerpiece included? This will give you the opportunity
to admire your vision, as well as make any changes to your floral design in
advance.


All you brides to be, your day will be breathtaking. At the end of the day you will have transitioned from Miss to Mrs.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Make Sure Your Carriage Awaits You!

Most couples picture themselves in the type of car they will arrive in or depart from on their wedding day. Imagine walking out of a Rolls Royce for a touch of royalty, a limo bus for the partying entourage, a mustang for the rocker couple, or a limo for a hint of Hollywood elegance.


Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Let’s say you plan to rent a Rolls Royce for that big event. What time will it show up, at whose house, how long do you have it for, and how long will it take for you to go from A to B to C or D? I guess you can figure out what I’m trying to point out. What good is this beautiful or unique mode of transportation if you don’t have a schedule or timeline? A car is supposed to get you somewhere on time, and safely. A bride wearing a silk organza gown with a long veil cannot drive herself to the church, period, and she better not be late. It doesn’t make sense to prepare for months, or even a year, for a beautiful event, and arrive late.

Always allow enough time for each activity, pause and photo opportunity, while you’re getting in, sitting in and walking out of the car, in traffic and the weather. Give your schedule to the transportation company, or wedding planner, ahead of time so they know what to expect or even advise you if your timeline is realistic. Maybe you will need 6 hours instead of 7, or it could be different altogether for a horse-drawn carriage. Horses are not as fast as automobiles. But then maybe you just need the carriage for a couple of hours, from the chapel to your reception at the nearby winery. Please remember that you need to return the mode of transportation at the agreed time, or else the driver will leave, or you will pay for the extended hour.

Always, let me repeat, always confirm your transportation ahead of time, not the day of the wedding. Call the company a month ahead to confirm, and then a week ahead, and then the day ahead, just to make sure. Make sure to pay ahead if required so you don’t have to worry about it on your wedding day. Make sure to get the driver’s name and cell phone number for the day. The office number does not help you on a Saturday when it’s closed.


Photo courtesy of theknot.com

So what do you do if your ride doesn’t show up? Anything can prevent your ride from showing up - your limo was rear ended, your uncle who is supposed to pick you up in his nice Cadillac misheard your instructions, or your best man didn’t fill up his tank. Here are a few simple tips if your transportation unexpectedly doesn’t show up or is extremely late. Plan ahead, and don’t panic. Keep a taxi’s phone number handy. Tell a relative or friend who has a working car to not leave you until your formal transportation shows up. If it can’t be helped, dial that cab company’s number and order a cab, or two if you have your bridesmaids or groomsmen with you. The most important thing is to not panic. Riding in those taxis may be one of the funniest and memorable moments if you stay positive.

The message I’m driving at, excuse the pun, is it’s not just the style or mode of transportation that will get you to your long awaited event, but it’s also you planning ahead, and keeping your cool.

Vendor Meals.. Is it a must?

I had an opportunity to speak with a bride recently about her wedding vendors. I asked her if she planned on serving a vendor meal during her wedding event. Her comments back have so thrown me off that I felt that it should be talked about.

She said, “when I go to work my employer does not feed me a Steak lunch, this is no different for the photographer, videographer etc. whom I have employed”.

My comment back to her was, “That is true but if your employer had you working at an event that had food, I am sure you would partake in it”.


So, long story short, I feel that you should always take care of your event team by offering a meal. You will be surprised how many contracts these days have the inclusion of meals, parking and travel.

For all our bliss brides out there, here are some tips on how to navigate your vendor meals:

1. Ask your caterer or venue if there is a discounted price for vendor meals. Most places will offer the same meal as the wedding dinner and some will offer a sandwich option.

2. You will have to decide in the event timeline an appropriate time for your photographer, videographer and DJ take a break for dinner. Sometimes Entertainment groups will eat prior to the event and photographer during the scheduled dinner.

3. This is the hardest decision I think, should these vendors sit at a designated vendor table in the dining room, or should they be directed to different room for their meal? If you do end up having your vendors at a designated table in the room, don’t forget to order linens and a centerpiece. You wouldn’t want an odd looking table in the room if it is not dressed up.

4. Don’t forget to ask your vendor their meal preference. They might have food allergies or a vegetarian meal preference.

Offering a meal to your event team is a nice gesture. They do spend the day with you capturing your moments and memories.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia