Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Holiday Entertaining Tips

Welcome to the holidays!  Many of us turn our thoughts to entertaining during the holidays, while others shrug at the notion ~ I used to strive to be the Martha Stewart hostess to the point of exhaustion, but as the years have passed, I've learned that I would much rather be with my guests and enjoy their company than be a slave to cookie trays.

So, that being said, I encourage all of you to open your doors to others and invite them in, even for a cup of tea or a glass of wine.  We live in such a fast paced society. the gift of time is the best gift you can give anyone.

Tip #1 is to remember to breathe ~ yes, don't let yourself get in a panic over someone coming to your home.  You enjoy going to their home, don't you?  No one is there to notice the dust balls!

Tip #2 is to remember that these are your friends ~ they care about you, and it would be nice to share with them.

Tip #3 is to know the fastest route to the closest grocery store.  Don't think that everything has to be homemade.  Anymore I think that the grocers do almost as good a job as I would anyway ... so enjoy the freedom.

Tip #4 is to find one or two things that you really enjoy serving and try to keep them on hand or in the freezer to pull out at the opportune time that the doorbell is about to ring.  Bottles of wine keep well, as do ice cream balls rolled in pecans ~ put one in a fancy bowl or glass and pour chocolate sauce over it and voila!

Tip #5 is to remember that the holidays are about giving ~ slow down the pace and enjoy the journey!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah,




We value the day and the event, but we treasure the lifelong relationship with our clients.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

DC Wedding Workbook is Now Available!

Today's the day ~ we've been waiting all month to see the premiere issue of the DC Wedding Workbook.  Why?  Well, A Splash of Elegance is one of the featured vendors, so get your copy today and check it out!  There are only four vendors per category, so we're pretty excited that we got a shot at this premiere publication. 

For those of you DIY brides, register today for our upcoming DIY Wedding Workshop on Sunday, January 10, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Maggiano's in the Tyson's Galleria.  The cost is $50 for one registrant and $99 for three ... so, grab your groom and your mother or your maid of honor or your bridesmaid and come get all the latest in DIY tips for 2010 plus loads of money-saving coupons!

But in the meantime, you can purchase your very own copy of the DC Wedding Workbook at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or online at http://www.bridalworkbook.com/

Happy planning ~

Sunday, November 8, 2009

The Business of Brides

Greetings from Indianapolis, where The Association of Bridal Consultants annual conference, The Business of Brides, has just kicked off!  Wow, what a wonderful day ~ a great breakout session with Stephanie, the editor of the new mag, Get Married!  While it was sad to see Bride Magazine and Elegant Bride magazine fold this past month, Get Married! has a fresh new look for today's bride ~ very bright and edgy, and very into technology ... lots of great new ideas to glean from this presentation.

Then it was off to the NH Hoteles presentation of their all-inclusive resorts in Mexico ... oo la la!  Contact A Splash of Elegance for your destination wedding or vacation travels for the best service to these resorts!

Now it's off to the opening evening's cocktail reception for some great networking with others in the industry ~ so many great conversations today, some great ideas to share with the team and our brides!  More scoop tomorrow, so stay tuned!



We value the day and the event, but we treasure the lifelong relationship with our clients.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Pearls of Wisdom


I've just read an article that troubles me, so I wanted to share some pearls of wisdom with all of our dear brides.  Let me preface by saying that it is our job as wedding planners and consultants to make you, our dear brides, look as perfect as you can on one of the most important days of your lives.  Now, having said that, once we give our expertise to you, it is your decision as to whether or not you implement said wisdom.

Apparently there is a new service for brides called e-Gifting, which allows a bride to print off gift registry cards to include in her invitation ensemble and to print off pre-printed thank you notes, among other things.

Please let me be very clear about this ~ while this sounds like a wonderful time-saving thing to do, there are real etiquette issues with using this service.  It is NEVER (sorry, the caps are for emphasis) permissable to add your gift registry with any invitation ... wedding, shower, whatever, it is just not to be done.  Word of mouth is the proper way to let your guests know where you are registered, if they are interested in knowing.  (Remember, you have asked  for their presence, not presents). 

And then we get to the thank you notes, and any of you who knows me can see me reeling on the ceiling fan over this one!  Thank you notes must always (ok, I spared you the caps this time) be handwritten, either by the bride or the groom.  If you write them as soon as a gift arrives, you're not faced with a mountain of thank you's to write when you arrive home from your honeymoon.

There you have it, pearls of wisdom ~

We value the day and the event, but we treasure the lifelong relationships with our clients.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Set the Tone ~ Part II

Kate Spade Wedding Ensemble by Crane
Today is part 2 of our discussion on setting the tone for your wedding with save the dates and invitations, and I'm going to advise you on what pieces of the ensemble you will need to consider before you purchase your invitations. Hopefully this will make it easier for you when you discuss invitations with your wedding planner or stationery professional.
These are the possible pieces to consider ~
1. Save the Date - send 9-12 months before the wedding
2. Invitation - remember to order enough for each household and 10% extra
3. Reception Card - if your wedding and reception are in two separate venues
4. Response Card - allows your guests to let you know whether or not they will be coming, and menu choices, if applicable
5. Accommodations Card - if you wish to let your guests know where you have a room block
6. Directions Card - used to provide directions for your guests from the ceremony site to the reception venue
7. Weekend Itinerary - if you have a lot of activities planned for your guests, it is a nice way to let them know what you have planned
8. Sunday Brunch - if you do not wish to send a separate invitation, this is permissible
There you have it, food for thought! If you have questions, just post a comment and I'll be happy to respond.
Happy Planning,
xo, Victoria

Monday, October 19, 2009

Setting the Tone with Save the Dates & Invitations

photo by William Arthur
Whether you're shopping for save the dates or invitations, every bridal couples needs to remember that it is these pieces that will set the tone for their wedding day. So, make sure you go through a brief checklist before you begin your search ~ it will save you a lot of time!

  1. Are you having a themed wedding (beach, Victorian, ultra-modern, traditional, wine, etc.)?

  2. Have you chosen colors for your wedding that you want to highlight on your save the dates or invitations?

  3. Have you set your budget for your wedding stationery? (If not, please do)

  4. Do you have your guest list finished so you know how many to order? (Reminder ~ you want the number of households, not the number of guests. Wedding etiquette states that anyone over the age of 16 gets his/her own invitation.)

  5. Remember to add your immediate family and the bridal party, too! And, you'll want one or two to save and/or frame.

  6. Always order 10% more than you think you need ... because chances are, you are going to need them.

  7. Make sure you have enough extra envelopes to cover those printing mishaps.

More details on the invitations tomorrow ~ stay tuned!

xo, Victoria

We value the day and the event, but we treasure the lifelong relationship with our clients.



Saturday, October 17, 2009

Happy Sweetest Day!

It's Simply Saturday at A Splash of Elegance ~ and, what a treat that Sweetest Day is on Saturday this year! It's especially sweet, as I am in Grand Cayman visiting my husband who is living and working here at the moment. I was thinking about simple living and what it takes to make a marriage work, and it really is a give and take partnership ~ I have never known it to be a 50-50 proposition, but more often ends up being 40-60 or 70-30 depending on what's going on in my life. The important part for me is that the numbers always add up to 100%. We find ourselves either giving or taking more than our share, but when the two are put together, it always adds up to 100%, and that's the way it should be. Bill and I have been able to find a rhythm where each of us can be individuals and celebrate each other's lives, even when we're over a thousand miles apart. So, my wish for all you engaged or married couples is that you learn the art of living simply and focus on what's really important between the two of you ... and a very happy Sweetest Day to the love of my life!



xo, Victoria

We value the day and the event, but we treasure the lifelong relationship with our clients.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Meet the Team!


I am so excited to introduce the Splash of Elegance team of consultants ~ these accredited ladies bring their professional demeanor and expertise to assist our clients with their wedding and event planning. So, the next time you want the best in wedding, event planning, or etiquette training, call the Splash of Elegance team!

As always, we are at your service ~
xo, Victoria
We value the event and the day, but we treasure the lifelong relationship with our clients.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Cost of Wedding Survey

The results are in ... according to The Wedding Report, the results of their survey indicate the on average, couples who live in Reston, VA 20190 spend between $44,978 and $74,963 for their wedding. This does not include cost for a honeymoon or engagement ring.

Wedding cost or average spent based on spending of other brides and grooms not wedding vendor prices. Spending and prices can vary widely. Investigate all options and choose products and services that best meet your needs.

A Splash of Elegance is all about the bottom line for our bridal couples ~ let us assist you in getting the most for your money in this tight economy.

xo,

Victoria
We value the event and the day, but we treasure the lifelong relationship with our clients.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Unique Marriage Proposal!

Friday, August 14, 2009

If it's Friday, it's Spa Day!


Happy Friday! Has it been a long work week? Well it’s Feminine Friday at A Splash of Elegance, and ladies, today’s blog post is all about you! One of our Consultants, Martha, is having a spa day today and tomorrow. Yes, that’s right, Martha will pamper you with coffee & goodies in the morning and then with tea and cookies in the afternoon while you enjoy moments of totally relaxing bliss. Contact Martha at Martha@asplashofelegance.com to let her know you’re coming ~ Friday or Saturday from 10-12 or 2-4. Go ahead, relax ~ it’s the weekend!

xo,

Victoria


We value the event and the day, but we treasure the lifelong relationship with our clients.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Thrifty Thursday ~ $$ and Sense


Good morning! It's Thrifty Thursday at A Splash of Elegance, and today I'm going to pass along a tip for you to save you money as you plan your wedding.
In our current economy, it's all about saving money ~ I'm sure you would agree! And, DIY has become the term for a lot of brides, and that means, Do It Yourself. DIY can be fun, but it can also be a headache for the bride who is just too busy and doesn't have the support to pull it off.
One of the best ways to save money is to hire a wedding planner ~ yes, that's right, a wedding planner should never be considered an expense! Instead, the wedding planner should be hired early enough in the bride's planning process to save her money on all her vendors. Wedding planners have spent a lot of time cultivating relationships with vendors, who through association, will give their brides nice discounts for their services.
So, save $$ and sense ~ hire a wedding planner today!
xo,
Victoria
We value the event and the day, but we treasure the lifelong relationship with our clients.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Twogetherness Tuesday ~ Wedded Bliss


Happy Tuesday, everyone ~ it's Twogetherness Tuesday here at A Splash of Elegance. Let's chat about what happens after the wedding. The fanfare is over, the proofs have been purchased and it's just the two of you (ok, and maybe the dog) ... ah, wedded bliss!

Make sure you maitain that sense of wedded bliss by maintaining your identity and your life. Trust me, it will keep your marriage fresh for many years. Keep your his and her friends, and have your "our" friends, too ~ the more, the merrier! And, remember your families, too. No one will ever love you more than your own family, so keep them in the loop, too.

Keep it fresh, keep it new ... yes, it takes work, but trust me again, it's so worth it!

Be happy together,

xo,

Victoria

We value the event and the day, but we treasure the lifelong relationship with our clients.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Creating Really Good Memories

Happy Monday, Everyone! Today is Memory Monday at A Splash of Elegance ~ we're going to talk about what makes a good memory ... I think of laughter, fun, times shared with friends and loved ones, great food & drink, and pictures to capture the good times.

This thought is very relevent to weddings because every bridal couple wants to create those treasured memories ~ so, make sure you plan to have fun! Yes, planning with a professional wedding planner will help you relax on your big day and just enjoy the day. No bride or groom wants to spend their wedding day shepherding guests and vendors, so make sure you hire someone to do that for you. And, here's a little extra tidbit ... if venue has a "wedding coordinator," that person works for the venue, not for the bridal couple. As always, the devil is in the details ~ make sure your treasured memories are protected ... and you'll smile for years to come!

xo,

Victoria

We value the event and the day, but we treasure the lifelong relationship with our clients.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Movie Critique ~ Julie & Julia

Just returned from the first showing of Julie and Julia ~ what an adorable movie! I know it is Friday afternoon, but having allowed myself a tidbit of free time, I'm glad I did. There was enough love and even a wedding in it that I didn't feel a twinge of guilt!

The movie is delightfully slow, as everything French should be ~ Meryl Streep is definitely the star of the show, as one would expect her to be playing the great Julia Child. I'll never disregard butter again, despite what the cardiologist says! Ohhhhhhh, yum! I dare say that if one watches the movie, there are several take away messages for women, all of them positive.

I left the theater and couldn't wait to get home (baguette in hand, butter thawing), put on my pearls, pour a glass of lovely French wine and blog ~

xo,

Victoria

We value the event and the day, but we treasure the lifelong relationship with our clients.

Clicks for a Great Photographer!

Clicks ~ that's photo language for applause! Happy Friday, everyone! This has been a big week sharing vendors with you, and I want to close out the week with another of our treasured vendors. Once again, it was a networking event (yes, there was food involved!) that brought Stephanie Ascari of Cleverly Candid Photography and I together. Stephanie is an incredible photojournalist, bringing every event and photo the originality it deserves!

When I found out that Stephanie is the mother of three little boys, I felt an instant bond ~ having raised boys myself, I know where she's at in her life, and it's such a sweet time for her! Stephanie's passion for photography is captured in single snapshots, creating a beautiful story one click at a time ~ from engagement photos, to wedding photos to adorable children's photos, a priceless story is created.

As always is the case with great photography, words don't do it justice ~ please view for yourself at www.cleverlycandidphotography.com ~ you'll see why Stephanie is a treasured and preferred vendor for A Splash of Elegance!

xo,

Victoria

We value the event and the day, but we treasure our lifelong relationship with our clients ~ A Splash of Elegance

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Make-Up Artist Extraordinaire!

WOW! That was all I could say the day I met Isabella. Actually, I was at a networking luncheon (for some reason networking is consistent with food, but I digress!) and I saw the most beautiful woman across the room, and I instantly thought, wow ~ that woman is either a make-up artist, or she should be because her makeup is remarkable! Well, I worked the room to sidle up next to Isabella, and sure enough, my super sleuth instinct was right, she is a make-up artist ... extraordinaire!

Isabella is originally from Italy, as the lovely lilt of her voice will attest, and her degree is in structural engineering. She laughed when she shared that tidbit, but I said to her, that's exactly what you're doing ~ you're doing structural engineering on the facial palette.

Recently married and new to the DC arena, Isabella brings with her training in NYC in film, theater and modeling, working the big city! After a time in New Orleans, she met the man of her dreams and has settled her business in DC ~ definitely our good fortune!

Please visit Isabella's web site at www.isabellabastien.com ~ A Splash of Elegance is proud to claim her as one of our preferred vendors.

xo,

Victoria

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Road Trip to the Fairview Park Marriott




Lindsay, another ASOE Consultant, and I had the pleasure of previewing the newly renovated Marriott Fairview Park Hotel yesterday. This lovely hotel, nestled amidst beautiful groves of trees, is a hidden gem just off the beltway ... literally! So easy to access, this hotel is a wonderful venue for a wedding reception ~ our hostess was Kelly Fordey, the Catering Sales Executive for the Fairview Park Marriott. Kelly's warm personality and her expertise will set any bride at ease! (During our chat, Lindsay and Kelly discovered that they are both Virginia Tech Hokie's, graduating a year apart! Go Hokies!)
The hotel has wonderful floor-to-ceiling glass windows in the ballroom area, allowing natural light to fill the cocktail reception areas ~ outdoor patios are also available, surrounded by lush greenery. Beautiful ballrooms with showcase table lighting (not many hotels have this extra lighting, which is a real perk for this facility) are also available for parties hosting 80 - 300 people. Bridal couples should also consider at least one hospitality suite, especially if there are a lot of out-of-town guests ~ they are a wonderful place for people to gather, and also for the bridal party to do pre-ceremony hair & make-up and dress.
The Fairview Park Marriott has many beautiful photography spots, too, which is an important consideration when choosing a venue. Beautiful landscaping and the salmon river run fountain just made me want to crack open a book and wile away the afternoon!
Thanks, Kelly, for your hospitality ~
xo,
Victoria


Tuesday, August 4, 2009

It's a Gold Rush!


Yes, that's right, gold is back! After several years of white gold and platinum being the top choice of brides for their engagement and wedding rings, yellow gold is now making a comeback. I've had two new brides in the past couple months who have beautiful yellow gold engagement rings. When I commented on one of them, the bride said that she loves silver because it's fun, but when it came to "real jewelry" that she was going to wear forever, she wanted it to be gold. Wow ~ is there a shift occurring? I'd love to hear your thoughts and what you're seeing in the bridal world.
xo,
Victoria

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Flash Wedding ~ How Unique!

Well, I didn't think anything surprised me any more, but I must say, this article did. I read this in The Observer newspaper online (sorry to have missed the "live" event), and just had to share it with you. So in case you missed out, too, I got permission from Chris, the wonderful editor at The Observer newspaper to reprint it just for you! Happy reading ~

xo,

Victoria

June 5, 2009

Couple Surprises Reston Town Center Patrons With Flash Wedding

By Leslie Perales Observer Staff Writer

The wedding of Ashburn couple David Obbie and Lori Chambers included family, friends and anyone who happened to be in Reston Town Center at noon on Sunday.
While planning their wedding the couple decided they wanted to aim for fun. "That was the whole reason," Chambers said. "To do something different, to do something fun." They have both been married before, so this time they wanted to get creative, Obbie said. Last fall Chambers brought up the idea of a "flash mob" wedding to her fiance.
Wikipedia's definition of a flash mob is any large group of people that assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual action for a short amount of time and then quickly disperse. Usually information about a flash mob is spread across online social networks and Web sites, so everyone knows where to meet and what to do. Some events use dancing, singing, pillow fighting, walking like a zombie or other strange activities.
Obbie and Chamber's event was their wedding. The pair put out invitations online so people in the area could learn about the event. Participants were instructed to wear pink or orange, mill about the Town Center and then converge on the fountain at noon. The bride, groom and their family walked down from the stairs and the short ceremony began.
"We have no idea who they are," Obbie said of his wedding guests. "That's the beauty of the whole thing." People signed up to attend from all over the Northern Virginia area and some even signed up from Washington state, Obbie said. "My best guess is they were going to be vacationing in this area at that time and planned to stop by," he said.
Obbie and Chambers said they did not know how many people would attend their wedding, since most were strangers, but expected between 100 to 200 people. The couple planned a reception at the picnic pavilion on Temporary Road, a short walk from Town Center. They purchased enough food for 100 people but requested that people bring anything specific they might want. The only gifts requested of attendees were homemade cards.
Prior to the wedding Obbie and Chambers requested permission for the event from the management of Reston Town Center. Obbie said when he spoke to them they were excited for the event. "They were all for it," he said. "They like flash mobs there because it draws in a lot of people."
The couple's families were excited about their wedding but still unsure of what would be happening the day of the event. "My family thinks it's pretty weird," Obbie said. "I've gotten tired of trying to explain to people what a flash mob is." He said he had to explain it about twice each day up until his wedding.
Chambers said one of the things she was most excited for was their vows, written by their officiate, Reston resident Julie Price. "We have been sworn to secrecy on what they vows are going to be but they're humorous," Obbie said, prior to the event. During the wedding the vows drew hearty laughter. They were modeled to rhyme and sound as if they were straight out of a Dr. Seuss book.
Obbie said part of the point of the wedding was to create some entertainment for those hanging out at Reston Town Center. He said he hoped to leave people scratching their heads when the ceremony was over with. "The whole idea is to confuse the people who don't know what's going on," he said.
After the couple repeated their vows and kissed for the first time as husband and wife the crowd that had gathered during the short, 15-minute ceremony cheered them on. Participants threw coins into the fountain to wish luck to the happy couple as Obbie and Chambers hugged family, friends and strangers who came to be a part of their surprise event and share in the love.

Reprinted with permission ~
© Copyright 2000-2008 The Herndon Publishing Company, Inc. Call The Observer at 703-437-5886 or e-mail the editor.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Reception Centerpieces

Every bride & groom wants the room where the reception will be held after their wedding to be spectacular and to really have a WOW factor. We recently had a wedding where the bride gave the artist friend of hers full reign to be really creative. We were in the height of spring flowers, which means lots of blooming trees were available (yes, trees!). This creative artist found someone who would give her apple tree branches that were in full bloom ~ as you can see, it was a gorgeous display of springtime, coupled with magnificent forsythia branches!

The takeaway message is to make sure you use flowers that are in season at the time of your wedding. It will cost you a LOT less and will create beautiful displays with lots of WOW factor!


Happy planning ~
Love,

Victoria

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

DIY Flowers


It's wedding season, there are weddings everywhere! They sure are happy occasions, made even happier when the new Mr. and Mrs. have stayed within their budget. One of the trends that I'm seeing is DIY (do it yourself) flowers.

Personally, I would much rather entrust this special occasion to a reputable florist who will work within my bride's budget ~ I had a bride who insisted on doing her own reception flowers in order to save money, and was totally panicked the day before the wedding when she realized that she didn't have time to make arrangements for the reception.

It's just not worth it, dear brides, to try to save money in this area, unless your most favorite aunt happens to be a hobby florist and wants more than anything to share her talent with you on your wedding day. If that's the case, make sure to send her to http://www.fiftyflowers.com/ for the nicest and freshest varieties around. Great customer service, too!

Otherwise, allow us to recommend some of our favorite and trusted florists to you ~
Love,

Victoria


Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The Black Horse Inn, Warrenton, Virginia



We recently assisted at a wedding at The Black Horse Inn located in Warrenton, Virginia ~ it's a beautifully bucolic setting with horses grazing in the corral and gently rolling hills surrounding the venue. The reception/event site is a separate building that can hold up to 200 guests, and only being a 45 minute drive from Washington, DC, it's a beautiful alternative to the big city wedding. The staff was wonderful and really helped to ensure everything went perfectly.

Urban, suburban, rural ~ give some thought to where you'd like to celebrate your big day!

Happy Tuesday with love,

Victoria

Monday, May 25, 2009

Happy Memorial Day ~ Military Discount!

Hello, Everyone ~

Happy Memorial Day! This is such a special day for our country, a day to remember all of those who have served our country and continue to selflessly serve today.

A special shout out and thank you to my Dad, retired National Guard; and, my brother who served in the Navy. You make me proud!

Our contribution to the cause is that A Splash of Elegance offers a 10% discount on all wedding-related packages to our active military clients. If you're serving today, let us hear from you so we can give you a shout of thanks!

Enjoy the holiday!

Love,

Victoria

Friday, May 22, 2009

Have Fun with a Groom's Cake!

Happy Friday, everyone ~ let's talk cake ... the groom's cake to be exact! Yes, this wonderful gem is reappearing at weddings everywhere. After a hiatus of several years, groom's cakes are making a comeback ~ it's a fun way for Mr. Groom to let his personality shine through on your big day!

Offering a groom’s cake is also a wonderful way to add variety for your guests during the reception, as the groom's cake tends to be more informal and varied in flavor. Some wonderful choices might be a cheesecake or perhaps even a tiramisu dessert. Because it’s a “less serious” than the wedding cake, it’s not confined by wedding tradition protocol. Some couples choose to serve their groom's cake at the rehearsal dinner, while others save it for the wedding reception as an alternative to the wedding cake.

The groom's cake can either be chosen by the bride or groom, but some grooms like to make their choice without their bride’s knowledge. What fun! Adding their own personal flare to the design makes a groom’s cake even more special. I recently saw one in the shape of a baseball cap, reflecting the hat that the groom had worn for years ~ complete with his favorite team's insignia.

However you choose present your groom’s cake, make sure that it reflects Mr. Groom’s personality and taste ~ that’s the fun of it!

Love,

Victoria

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Hot Trends


One of the hot trends for 2009 is more off-peak weddings. Off peak means mornings, afternoons, Fridays and Sundays ~it's a great way to save money, and get the venue you want if it's already booked at a peak time. In today's economy, it's all about saving money, and this is a great way to have a unique wedding and save a lot of money in the process. Don't be afraid to be creative in your timing. Your family loves you and will show up regardless of the day and/or time of your wedding.
Today's tip ~ think outside the box!
Love,
Victoria

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Man vs. Woman or Woman vs. Man ??


I get a lot of etiquette questions, so will share some of them here ~ today's question comes up a lot, and we don't give it much thought unless we're going to a wedding, and then it comes up a LOT! Who's name goes first, the man's or the woman's? Very simply, the woman's name always goes first. We like to think it's all about being the bride, but sorry ladies, it's actually all about the men. Yes, when a man is born and for the remainder of his life, his first name is never removed from his last name. So, here are some examples of correctly writing names:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith
Susan and John Smith
Mrs. Susan Smith
Mr. John Smith

And, for you ladies who are mothers of the groom? When you're preparing your invitations for the Rehearsal Dinner, please don't insist that your son's name goes first on the invitation ~ it's just not the correct thing to do ~ it's my job to make you look perfect, so ...

Here's to making you look fabulous!


Love,

Victoria


Monday, May 18, 2009

May Weddings


Wedding Season '09 is off to a great start! We celebrated a gorgeous wedding two weeks ago at Regency at Dominion Valley ~ what a beautiful venue for Jen and Steve's wedding. Regency has a beautiful outdoor amphitheater, which makes for a beautiful wedding venue. (Sorry, was too busy working to snap!)

I thought they were so creative with the place cards ~ they were set on grass (yes, real grass!) with beautiful pink flowers outlining the grass. It was a beautiful presentation. It's so much fun to allow yourself to shine through your wedding, and this couple really did! Congrats!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The Honour of Your PRESENCE is Requested

Your beautiful invitations have been mailed to your guests, inviting them to join you on your very special day. You've probabaly given them details about the wedding reception, too. Let's chat a little about what a wedding reception is ~ A wedding reception is a time of feasting and celebration. It is not a time to burden your guests with the tedious task of watching the bride and groom Ooooh! and Awwwe! over the gifts they've received. (Can you imagine how boring it would be if your friends invited you over on Christmas Day or during Chanukah to watch them open their gifts? Well, it's the same difference.)


Remember those beautiful invitations you sent? They probably asked your guests to join you, or some such wording. In fact, according to the rules of etiquette, guests aren't required to bring a gift to the wedding. Many send them ahead of time, others send them afterward. According to the etiquette gurus, it's perfectly appropriate to send a gift up to one year after the wedding date. So please don't make your guests stand around, being forced to watch you open everyone's gifts but theirs. And, what about those guests who can't afford a more lavish gift? Please don't embarrass them or hurt their feelings. The bottom line is that it's just not gracious to open gifts at your wedding reception. In summary, save the gift opening for home to be shared with your families-and with each other! Go ahead, dance the night away!


Victoria