Matrimony Monday - Whisper Sweet Somethings!

Today's Matrimony Monday Tip is simple and to the point.  Pick a day out the week where you only praise, speak highly of, encourage, and think positive thoughts about your significant other.

A kind word lives on forever.  The day to day stress of supporting a family amd meeting your responsibilities at work can sometimes take a total on a person.  Reserve one day or more out the week to be thankful for your other half.  Don't just do it in silence.  Let your partner know exactly how you feel ALL day.  Watch how fast this one practice becomes a habit.  Pretty soon  you will only be speaking good things about your Sweetie at all times

UCLA

“The way you see people is the way you treat them and the way you treat them is what they become."

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Happily Planning,

Ingrid M. Williams
www.yourbigdayllc.com
908-206-4107
imwilliams@yourbigdayllc.com

New Take on Wedding Guest Books

Capturing moments allow us to treasure memories for a lifetime.....

You spend months planning every last detail of your wedding, making sure that your big day will be a great memory treasured by all who attend. However, when your wedding day finally arrives, everything happens so quickly, almost as if it's a dream.  As much as you want to have every detail of your wedding day branded into your mind, over time even the most precious moments can began just a blur. Besides, on your wedding day, you will be so busy focusing on each other that you may forget certain details like all the well wishes from your guests.

To help avoid that, newlywed couples usually incorporate a wedding guest book. Traditionally, guests leave a nice little note and their signature for the married couple in a nicely designed guest book. Booooring. Tradition is nice and all, but how about trying a more modern and unique approach that will stand out and make for a much more fun experience for you and your guests.

Take a Picture, It'll last longer

They say "a picture is worth a thousand words." Just imagine how much more of an impact your guest book can have, in years to come, if you add pictures. Polaroid guest books are becoming an ever increasing trend at weddings because of their ability to capture more than just faces but the emotions in that moment. And when you go through your guest book thirty years from now, it'll take away the guess work of trying to visualize who wished you "a lifetime of great memories together." Polaroid guest books are a great way of involving guests in capturing spontaneous and candid memories for the bride and groom. And they're quick and easy to use.

Captured E-Motion

Who doesn't love photo booths. Well, there is a new and popular trend at weddings with an interesting take on the photo booth idea: Video Booths. Think video confessionals - reality TV style! Video Booths are a fun way for your guests to leave spontaneous, fun, and personal video messages. This is a creative alternative to the traditional guest book that will be as fun to watch as it was for your guests to make. And for those of you who love to share your every moment with the webiverse, you can easily upload your guest book online via the social media platform of your choosing.

Writing on the Quilt

For those looking to immortalize their big day and also pass down the memory from generation to generation, the quilted version of a guest book is the way to go. All you need are permanent markers and fabric squares to create a uniquely personalize "guest book." Guests will definitely feel like they are sharing a big part of your history, knowing their words will be woven together to create a touching memento: the wedding quilt.




For your upcoming nuptials, take a more personalized and fun approach to capture memories from your big day.

(Credits: Beau Coup, Suite101.com)

Raising the Bar

In today's economic climate we know that couples are looking for ways to keep spending cost down. With food & drink being roughly 50% of the wedding budget, some couples are looking into ways to save in this area. Many have turned to cash bar or are thinking of having a Cash Bar on their big day.

I wanted to share a few reasons why when it comes to your wedding day "Cash Bar" is not king, if you are deciding to provide alcohol at your wedding.

Your wedding day is the largest party you and your husband will host as a married couple. Keep in mind that some people have paid travel expense to join you at your wedding, most local guest may have purchased attire to adhere to the dress code on your invitation, and mostly everyone in the room has brought you a gift to celebrate your new union. Preparation cost to attend your wedding can actually exceed the cost you are paying person for invited guest. As a couple you have extended an invitation for others to join in the happiness of your big day and guest should not be required to pay for a meal or a drink.

Here are 3 alternatives to a cash bar for your consideration.

1) Limited 'Open Bar' hours - you bar doesn't need to stay open for the full amount of hours that you have of your wedding. Maybe you have open bar for the 3 hours which is way less expensive then a full 5 hour open bar.

2) Limit Bar Options - Offer Beer, Wine, Soda only.

3) Create a Signature Drink - Work with your venue to create a signature drink that is available for guest all night. The venue will be only need the ingredients for your signature drink saving both you and the venue money.

I think I love my bridesmaids

I watch some bridezilla episodes and cringe at how the brides often turn their bridesmaids into verbal punching bags. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming to a bride. Here are a couple of tips that can help you & your bridesmaids have a positive, stress -free planning experience.

Brides

1) Make sure that you're selecting bridesmaids that are supportive - Select friends and families that are supportive of your relationship and who will love and support you not only through the planning process but through your marriage.


2) Create a task sheet for each bridesmaids - Since you know your friends best make sure you assign them task that highlight their strengths.



3) Schedule regular meetings with your bridesmaids - You can set the frequency of meeting depending on how much planning time you have. For example if you have 1 year to plan you may want to schedule meeting every 3 months, with more frequent meeting as the wedding date gets closer.


4) Create a bridesmaids newsletter - include information about their dresses, shoes, hair styles. As well as information about the wedding location, time, & day of time lines. You can also include small details like where you are honeymooning and information about the wedding professionals that you have hired.


5) Be kind to your Bridesmaids - Don't take your wedding stress out on your bridesmaids. Remember they have feelings too. Everyone wants to feel respected and valued including your bridesmaids.

Bridesmaids

1) Be committed - If you have agreed to be a bridesmaid, you are making a pledge to the bride that you will be committed to her big day. That commitment extends further then just putting on a dress on wedding day. We know that you have responsibilities outside of "the wedding" but once you agree to participate in the bride's big day. Be prepared to commit yourself when called upon.

2) Be Honest - If you cannot commit fully to the wedding and all that comes with it. Inform your bride upon her asking. Let her know of anything that may hinder your full commitment to her big day so that she can plan accordingly.

3) Check- in on your bride - Try to reach out to the bride via phone, text, or e-mail at least once every two weeks. It allows the bride to know that you are thinking about her. Giving her a sense that she is not alone during the hectic planning time. Allowing the bride to be more relaxed.

4) Have a good attitude - When asked to participate or assist with a task check your attitude. It may not be your favorite task, but remember the bride is asking because she needs help. Make sure you give your attitude an adjustment so that you don't bring any added stress to the situation.

The most important thing for both the bride and bridesmaids to remember is to have fun! Enjoy!

Green Your Wedding Day

One of the biggest milestones for a couple: Your wedding day! This is the day to show to everyone your love and ultimate commitment to each other. It is also a great opportunity to show your passion for the environment. So why not incorporate something important to you, like taking care of our environment, into your big day. For those who are passionate about the environment or even just interested in minimizing their carbon footprint, here are a few ways to make your wedding day green and fabulous.

Eco Invites

So you're engaged! Yaaay! The date has been set. Check. Now, it's time to start sending out the invites. For those looking to be environment friendly on your wedding day, your invitations are the perfect place to set the tone for your 'green' nuptials.

Electronic Invitations (Evites)
To cut down on the use of paper and reduce waste and energy, many engaged couples are making their big announcements electronically. This being the digital generation, it is not a surprise that many couples are leaning to this growing trend. With sites like ourwedvite.com and MyInvitationLink.com, you can have personalized electronic wedding invitations that are sure to rival traditional invitations. If the idea of reducing your paper consumption doesn't tempt you, think of how much you will save on printing and postage. You should also look into having a wedding site to keep your guests updated. Click here to create your wedding website.

Eco Paper Invites
For those who prefer sending out invitations the traditional way, yet still want to do their part to help the environment, invitations on recycled paper are the way to go. You will have a variety of options to still get "your green on", from seed-embedded handcrafted sheets, reclaimed cotton, bamboo, 100% recycled premium stock, and others. You can also use vegetable or soy ink for your print, to make your invites recyclable.



Green Favors

Wedding favors can be a great way of showing your personality and giving back to your guests and the environment. More and more couples are giving out favors that are not wasteful or harmful to the environment. Couples can reduce their carbon footprint by doing something as simple as getting favors from local vendors.

An alternative wedding favor that is also eco-friendly is having your escort card also servce as a plantable favor. Have your guests plant these favors in memory of your wedding that will also help the environment. Also, with this is breast cancer awareness month, we found a timely favor: Kate Aspen's In Favor of Cure. You can give your guests pink ribbon plantable favors. Kate Aspen donates 10% of proceeds from this favor to women’s breast cancer and health-focused charities.




(Please visit our website to purchase any of the above favors.)

Green Up Your Dress

Yes, you can go green on your wedding day right down to your special dress. The most obvious choice is to re-use a gown. Your choices range from buying vintage, renting, or wearing your mother's dress. Not only are these eco-friendly options but will not be as straining on your pocket. A great option is Brides Against Breast Cancer where you can purchase sample and donated gowns at a discounted price. Bride Against Breast Cancer donates the proceeds to help women with breast cancer. You can get the dress of your dreams and be environmentally friendly, all while helping to make strides in the fight against breast cancer! After your wedding, you could also donate your dress to this organization.

And if having a new dress is a must for you, consider eco-friendly fabrics such as linen, hemp, organic cotton, and silk.

Going green doesn't mean you have to sacrifice quality on your big day. If you decide to be eco-friendly on your wedding day, it will be more like a celebration of your life, love, and passion for each other and the environment. This will be sure to have your day remembered on a larger scale.

So will you add a little 'green' into your big day?

Wedding Professional Spotlight: Photo Favors

Last month's Village Bridal Showcase was a great experience! This was in part to the fantastic wedding professionals that participated at the showcase. So for those of you who missed out, we will be bringing these great wedding professionals right to your home!!

For our first wedding professional spotlight, we are excited to feature Photo Favors. We had the great pleasure of having Photo Favors as one of our wedding professionals for the Village Bridal Showcase on August 16, 2010. Photo Favors offers an alternative that stands out against the typical wedding favors. So if you aren't familiar with Photo Favors, then this is the perfect time to get acquainted! We could go on to tell you about this wonderful company and what they have to offer, but who better than Victor Orozco, the owner of Photo Favors, to present Photo Favors to you. So we invite you to check out our interview with him below and learn about how you can have your guests raving at your upcoming wedding:




YBD: Tell us about Photo Favors.

Victor Orozco: Photo Favors are a unique and exciting favor where your guests are photographed as they arrive to the reception and their Photos are ready for them to bring home before the party is over.


YBD: What makes your business unique?

Victor Orozco: Most favors are mass-produced and have been done over and over. Each Photo Favor is unique since its a beautiful picture of your friends and family at the wedding. We found that guests love their Photo Favor and keep it displayed in a prominent place at home or work for years.


YBD: What is your approach when working with engaged couples?

Victor Orozco: I believe that its very important to listen to each couple's unique needs and work closely to make sure that the favors are fun and stress-free for them.




YBD: How do you provide added value for the soon-to-be wedded pair?

Victor Orozco: With Photo Favors, the couple doesn't have to do anything on the wedding day. We take care of everything and this gives peace of mind. I also want to mention how guests get super excited and it creates a real nice buzz that ends the night on a high note. You usually don't get that kind of reaction with most favors.


YBD: What tips or advice do you have for engaged couples?

Victor Orozco: Plan ahead, talk to other couples and choose the best vendors early on so the process is fun and not stressful..


YBD: What is one thing you want everyone to know about Photo Favors?

Victor Orozco: There are many favors out there but Photo Favors is an exceptional gift that shows how much you love your friends and family. With Photo Favors, the memory of your wedding day will last forever in their hearts and in their smiles.

Like what you see? Looking for ways to go out of the norm and try something innovative on your big day? Well go ahead and contact Photo Favors. These favors are sure to be a crowd favorite at your wedding:

Contact: Victor Orozco, Owner
Phone: 908-451-1121
Email: Victor@photofavors.com
Website: www.photofavors4u.com

It's His Wedding Day Too!!!

Many articles and blogs on wedding planning are geared to catering to a bride's needs while grooms are overlooked. We have even been guilty of this ourselves. Often times grooms are pushed to the background and their needs and wants for the wedding day are neglected. To all the grooms out there, you have our sympathies and apology. Since it is also your wedding day, we are dedicating this post to ways to have the spotlight on you. For soon-to-be brides reading this, we implore you to take some notes,and hopefully you will be inspired to incorporate your groom on the wedding day and show him how important he is to you. Here are some ideas that will make him feel important and special:


FUN WITH THE FELLAS
The big day has finally come! Soon you will be declaring to world and the woman of your dreams that you are committing to spend the rest of your life with her. Rest Of Your Life... suddenly the thought is hitting you like a ton of bricks. Of course, we know you love her immensely, but marriage is a serious commitment so we don't blame for getting a bit jittery and nervous as the thought hits you that this is really happening. So what better way to loosen those nerves then by playing a quick pick up game with the boys, whether it be basketball or a couple rounds of golf or your choice of sport. This will also give you the opportunity to bond with the guys. Besides, this 'pick me up' is a great way to start off one of the best days of your life.

MOTHER & SON DANCE
No one can deny the special relationship a man has with his mother. Up until now, she was The most important woman in your life, and of course she will always be your mom (a spot no one can take). So we know how important it is that your bond is spotlighted on one of the most important moments in your life. This will be a great bonding experience and should be highlighted just as much as the father-daughter relationship. Brides, this will be a great way to earn points with your future mother-in-law, so we suggest you consider including this into your wedding festivities.

GROOM'S CAKE
Yes, grooms - a cake just for you. We all know that the wedding cake choice is influenced mostly by the bride, but you can also have something that shows your tastes and personality. The groom’s cake usually represents an integral part of your life and lets your personality shine through. Note that its meant to complement the wedding cake, not steal the spotlight - so brides no need to worry. And guys, the best part about the groom's cake - it's all about you! So have fun when picking yours out.

SIGNATURE COCKTAIL
For your wedding reception, showcase some of your personality by creating a signature cocktail drink. Signature drinks are fun! They are great conversation pieces, taste great, and your guests will love it.

Hopefully, if used, these ideas will make you guys feel like this is your wedding day, too instead of just your bride's special day with you as the mere participant.

So what do you think? Will you incorporate any of these ideas for your upcoming nuptials?

Funky Bridal Shoes

Are you a rebel determined to go against the wedded masses? Looking for a way to add some 'uniquely you' personality to your wedding attire? How about ditching the traditional ivory footwear for something a bit more funky. Lately, brides have been taking the non traditional bridal shoe route and instead strutting up the aisle in footwear that are sure to turn heads (more than once). So if you want to add fun to your bridal outfit and get some standout pictures, check out some of these ideas to help get you started:

Accented Shoes
If your aim is to create a bold contrast with your bridal gown, go with bold and vivid colors that are sure to pop out. Who says you can't go with your beloved red pumps or lime green sandals? There's nothing wrong with having a splash of color peeping out from under that gorgeous gown of yours.

Weddings Place

KMI Photography

GlovenShoes.com

 
Sneak It In
You were never the type to wear heels; you always were more of a Chuck Taylor Converses or Vans kind of girl. So why subject your feet to discomfort and begrudgingly put on some pumps for others...it IS your wedding after all. No one even needs to know if you have them on - it's up to you. And if you do show them off, they are sure to make for some fun pics.

Katy Regnier

Furious Photographers

Comfort is Key
We have seen many beach weddings where the bridal footwear of choice are flip-flops. It's no secret that brides everywhere have been substituting their shoes for flip-flops halfway through the wedding affair - standing in those gorgeously painful shoes all day is unreasonable. Recently, brides are choosing to rock flip-flops right off the bat. So if the weather is right and you're the queen of comfort, this trend is definitely the way to go!

Lady and the Blog

Remember, the most important part of picking out the perfect wedding shoe is that the it represents you!

Wedding Dress: Hang It Up in Style

When it comes to making your wedding day uniquely yours, it's all about the personal touches, right down to the very last detail.

Now we all know the importance of the bride's wedding dress. So instead of hanging up the dress you chose with such care on some drab hanger from the bridal shop, why not try something different. One of the latest trends flying off the racks are personalized wedding hangers. They range anywhere from monogrammed hangers to funky color schemes. The customizing possibilities are limitless!

And with so many brides having professional pictures taken of their wedding dress hanging on a rack, personalized hangers make for great props as opposed to the ones you get from the dry cleaners. Why not add a little character to your wedding dress pictures....invest in some fabulous personalized hangers.

For some inspiration, check out these Great personalized hangers we found:

(credit: Esty Seller: Aressa)

Be Insured & Assured on Your Big Day

When everyone dreams of their wedding, they envision the Perfect Day, where everything runs smoothly and then they drive off into the sunset. Not to abruptly bring you down to reality, but so many things can go wrong and at times they do. Now, we know you don't want to hear this...at all, but disaster can strike on your big day. Isn't it better to be insured for what you hope may never happen, then not be prepared at all?

Wedding Insurance?

What if the day before your wedding, the wedding site burns down? What if a sudden storm prevents all your guests from making it to your wedding? What if your dream dress gets damaged or before your wedding dress is completed the bridal boutique closes down? What if your groom gets a stomach virus after the rehearsal dinner? What if? What if? What if?

The purpose of wedding insurance is to financially protect engaged couples from unforeseen circumstances that they have no control over. In order words, it's your "What If" protection. Wedding insurance policies typically cover cancellation costs from unforeseen issues like a missing officiant, weather, missing vendors, sickness or injury, and damages to your wedding site. Policies usually range from around $125 to around $400, depending on the amount of coverage you need. And with the rising cost of weddings, getting wedding insurance is quite inexpensive in comparison, especially with the peace of mind it provides.

Do I Really Need It?

Having wedding insurance is a lot like having car insurance. You hope you never have to use it, but if an accident happens you are protected and the burden of recouping your losses is not solely on you. Let's continue with the car analogy. You can be the best driver in the world, taking all possible precautions, but there are other variables that are beyond your control: other drivers, the weather, roads in need of repair, etc. Same thing goes for weddings. A lot of other people are involved, from vendors to your wedding party. With your wedding day success dependent on so many things, the likelihood of something going wrong is a big possibility. Wouldn't you rather have something in place, just in case something goes wrong?

No one wants to think about disaster striking their wedding day. That's understandable. And though it's unlikely that the worst case scenario will occur, wedding insurance is worth considering, if only for peace of mind.

Village Bridal Showcase: A Great Night Out!!!!

On Monday, August 16th, Your Big Day hosted the first Village Bridal Showcase!! Dozens of quality vendors where in full force to showcase their products/services and assist brides- and grooms-to-be through their wedding planning process. Guests were serenaded by the beautiful sounds of the Eboni Strings violin duo in the awe-inspiring cocktail room where they had their pick of scrumptious hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. The atmosphere in there was akin to a funky and modern lounge. For those in need of pampering, Mary Kay made over brides in the make-up lounge, while guests where de-stressed with some great massages.

In the Grandball room, guests where given much appreciated, individualized attention from the wide variety of vendors in attendance. The eclectic music mixes from the DJ along with the energetic band had everyone feeling that this event was more than just a showcase but a great big party, too!

What's a bridal showcase without a fashion show? The much anticipated fashion show definitely did not disappoint! Guests got to see the latest in bridal and wedding fashion attire on the runway. If that wasn't enough, attendees won some great prizes and giveaways and left with fabulous gift bags!

This great evening also benefited a great cause: Wish Upon A Wedding, a charity that provides weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness.

Be sure to check out this great article on the Village Bridal Showcase from the South Orange Patch!

Brides Browse, Make-up, and Mingle at Orange Lawn Tennis Club

More pictures to come........

The next Village Bridal Showcase will take place on March 10, 2010. Please stay tuned for more details.

Be a Rebel: Trash the Dress!!!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. What comes to mind when you look at these two?

We can imagine some of these thoughts running through your mind: Why would they do such a thing? Did they have a mental breakdown? Man, that wedding must have gone so horribly wrong to make them go to great lengths to 'trash the dress'.

Given the pictures, these are some reasonable thoughts. But here's where we throw you for a loop. This is actually documenting a very very happy occasion and romantic one as well. Wait, what? Yes, we said it.

Trash the Dress is a new trend that has been taking the wedding photography world by storm. Although the name and the two pictures shown above sound and look extreme, most of the time it's not really destructive. Usually brides just take pictures in the dirt, abandoned buildings, wading in the water, and any other unorthodox locations. But why 'trash the dress' that symbolizes one of the most special occasions in your life? Well, the idea behind it is that by trashing the dress you are showing everyone that you're in this marriage for the long haul and don't plan on wearing a wedding dress ever again. Awwwwww.....see we told you it was romantic. The focus of 'trash the dress' is not so much on the dress, but the bride expressing herself creatively and simply having fun. We even suggest you getting the groom involved, too.
Now we all know that the wedding involves a lot of catering to and entertaining your guests. 'Trash the dress' allows for the newly-wedded couple to simply focus on each other, relax, and let go of their inhibitions.

When you think about it, 'trash the dress' is not so much about destruction, but rather the creation of memories that last a lifetime. So instead of just storing your wedding dress in the closet, try something different. Not only will you enjoy it, but you'll get some great pictures out of it!

So what do you think about 'Trash the Dress'? Would you try it? We want to hear from you!

(Photo credits: unknown, IGO Photography, Karen Wade Photography, Chelsea Nicole)

Dress Styles for your Trendy Bridesmaids

Usually picking out dresses for your bridesmaids is seen as one of the smaller details to be dealt with throughout the wedding process (especially in comparison to the bride's wedding dress). When picking out one's wedding dress, a bride-to-be puts a lot of thought and time into figuring out what wedding dress is sure to both blow everyone away and bring awe to her groom. She may either go for the modern look, a vintage dress with a modern appeal, or something uniquely her.

While you brides-to-be are deciding on what to wear on your special day, don't leave your bridesmaids looking out dated. Long gone are the days of the cringe-worthy frumpy and puffy-sleeved bridesmaid attire. Now bridesmaids are walking up the aisle looking as fabulous and glamorous as they truly are. Here are some trends from the Spring 2011 Bridal Fashion Week that will inspire you to find great looks for your bridesmaids:

Same Color, Different Styles
This recent trend takes into account that your bridesmaids' bodies are as unique as they are. It's all about accentuating each bridesmaids' figure. Instead of sticking to the "one dress fits all" idea, this trend is going in the direction of bridesmaids wearing the same color or varying shades of one color, but dressed in different shapes and lengths that fit their unique styles and shapes. Having your bridesmaids styled differently but within the same hue allows for some uniformity while playing up individuality.


Jasmine, Twobirds, Jim Hjelm
(Photo Credit: Jasmine, Twobirds, Jim Hjelm)

Bows, bows, bows
The bow detail is still in vogue for next spring as can be seen on the runways. This detail is sure to make your bridesmaids ever present in your guests minds.


Alfred Angelo, Alfred Angelo, Melissa Sweet
(Photo Credit: Conde Nast Digital Studio, Melissa Sweet)

Corsage Detail
The new statement piece is just that: a statement. Corsage details were seen throughout the spring 2011 bridal fashion week- be it over-sized or subtle. For simple dresses, bigger is better. This detail can be seen placed anywhere from aside at the waist to attached at the shoulder.


Priscilla of Boston, Alfred Angelo, 57 Grand
(Photo Credit: Conde Nast Digital Studio, 57 Grand)

Asymmetry
Asymmetry is still in for Spring 2011. whether it is through one shoulder dresses or elaborate draping across the bodice of the dress. This trend is sure to catch the attention of your wedding guests. If you are looking for something fresh and stylish, this is something you should consider incorporating.


Priscilla of Boston Priscilla of Boston, Alfred Angelo, Thread

(Photo Credit: Conde Nast Digital Studio)