You Asked For It: Destination Roundup 1

Cute bird friend I made at the beach...

It seems as though I awakened the beast with my last post about destination weddings.  You lovelies have been peppering my inbox with your insightful questions and I thought a roundup might be a good idea.  

How do I get my dress there unharmed?
You have a few options.  First, you can make the arrangements with your airline ahead of time.  Just ring them and explain your situation clearly and thoroughly.  I guarantee you won’t be the first bride to ask that question.  Or, if your dress fits carry-on requirements, take it with you.  First class cabins often have ‘garment closets’ that passengers can use to store coats…you could ask to use one of those. If these options are less than ideal, ship your dress to your destination prior to your arrival.  Again, you’ll need to call your resort and make arrangements.  You should ship your dress in a large box wrapped in tissue paper to help the dress hold its shape.  Pay for insurance and if you can, get a confirmation from the resort.  It will be your job to follow up…don’t put it on resort staff to do your work for you.  A word of advice: It will be expensive to ship your dress properly.  Do not cut corners to save money.  This is NOT the ideal place to look for savings.  Finally, whichever method you choose, make an appointment to have your dress steamed when you arrive.

Any tips for dealing with stress before the big day?
Yes.  First, don’t take your feelings out on your bridal party or resort staff.  Deal with the situation yourself and do it calmly and politely.  Being belligerent or rude will not solve anything and will more than likely escalate the situation.   If you just simply can’t deal, send a neutral party with a clear head and poise under pressure on your behalf.  Either way, take a minute to breathe, count to ten, do a quick calming exercise and then handle your biz like a boss.  

You mentioned family on the Honeymoon and now I’m freaking out.  I love my fam, but don’t want to be smothered by them the whole time…what should I do?
You can start by not assuming that everyone will want to spend every waking moment with you.  These are adults, they’ve attended weddings before.  Your privacy is implied.  But, yes, if you need to set boundaries, set them.  However, you should do this tactfully (after all the support and love, I’d hate to see feelings hurt) and gently.  It may sound cliché, but rehearse what you’re going to say BEFORE something asinine comes spilling out your cake hole.  Try something like: We’re so grateful for everything you’ve done for us and we’re so glad you’ll be joining us, but we’re hoping to spend some quality time alone after this is all over.  We can’t wait to start our lives together and this Honeymoon is going to be such a great way to begin! Never underestimate the power of brevity.  Also, let me say this: if you’re going to set boundaries, set the same ones for everyone. 

A reminder to stay hydrated and relaxed!

When should our invites go out?
Okay.  This is an easy one.  You should prepare to send out Save the Dates 1O-12 months ahead of time.  Include the date (obvi) and the location.  This will prepare your guests for what’s coming and they can begin to browse flights and resort info.  Please include this line on your save the dates: Formal invitation to follow. It is also appropriate to include a card with a link to your wedding website, should you have one.  Your invite should follow 4-6 months prior to the wedding.  In it, you can include more resort info, airport code, travel advice, itinerary, etc.  Your goal is to make this as smooth and easy for guests as possible.

Do we need to plan things for guests to do?  Like what about a rehearsal dinner or a party to welcome everyone?
I think it’s nice to make guests feel special.  Especially since they’ve traveled so far afield.  A little get together is a great way for everyone to get to know each other.  That vibe can really enhance the entire experience.  Maybe you could make a rezzie at the restaurant in the resort and just be together.  Good food, great drinks and lots of conversation…paradise, indeed!  Overall though, I don’t think tons of activities are necessary.

Wow!  I think we have enough content for a little series, don’t you?  Tomorrow, I’ll answer more questions and on Monday, let’s talk apparel…

You Asked For It: Destination Dilema

Hello G!

 You’ve been gone a long time.  Dislike.  Here’s my question:
The dude and I are considering a destination wedding at a resort Thailand.  We don't know what to do, we're really 50/50 at this point.  Can you give us your opinion?  I know you’ll be honest. 

Okay…well.  First, I have been gone awhile.  It’s a story for another post.  I promise I’ll explain.  Thanks for reading, though.  You have NO idea how much I love you all.  

Ooh, Thailand!  I die!  That’s definitely on my bucket list.  Congrats on your engagement!

On the whole, I don’t mind destination weddings.  I really don’t.  They’re the perfect option for a lot of couples.  In fact, I might be attending one in 2014.  That said, they are not without drawbacks.  In order to keep this concise, I’ll run through a few pros and cons without going into lengthy detail.  Sound good? 

Pros:
No Muss, No Fuss
Destination weddings are great in that choosing one can mean dumping a lot of the stress that often accompanies the planning process, especially if you choose a resort setting.  Often, the whole shebang is handled by resort staff and all the couple has to do is show up.

Make A Day of It
 It also provides a chance for a built in vacation.  Many couples take this opportunity to honeymoon.  Hey, you’re in a beautiful part of the world and you just got hitched?  Why go anywhere else?  It  also isn’t unheard of for guests to arrive a few days early or stay a few days after to really make crossing the world worthwhile. 

Less Is More
Destination weddings can also assist in limiting the number of guests involved, preserving the intimacy of the occasion. Less people, less hassle, you know.  Couples can also expect to spend time with guests who did make the trek in a relaxed setting.  It’s nice not to be pulled in a thousand directions on your wedding day.

Walking Around Money
 If well executed, the overall cost can be a fraction of a hometown soiree.  Resorts often have standard packages designed to fit a range of budgets.  Read the fine print to see what’s included and you could stand to save some serious dough.

It’s In the Mail
Destination weddings have produced some of the cutest invitation suites I’ve ever seen.  

 Cons:
Cookie Cutter
While dumping the stress and responsibility of planning a wedding, a lot of couples also give up the opportunity to make their wedding their own.  Many couples miss the personal touches that can make a more traditional wedding unforgettable.  

Dirty Money
Your wedding will not be affordable for your guests.  The reason so many resorts can afford to give you such amazing deals is because they are working under the assumption that your guests will be staying with them.  So, when you factor in airfare, accommodations, passports, gifts, and wedding related activities…well, your amazing getaway may come at the expense of your guests.

Right In the Heart
While you won’t be dealing with the demands of an extended guest list, you should prepare yourself for the absence of people you hold close to your heart.  You may lose some to job demands and those with pregnancies or small children may have to opt out of schlepping halfway ‘round the world. Additionally, older guests may not be able to travel that far from home.  All of this could lead to some seriously hurt feelings if not dealt with appropriately.

Red Tape
The logistics of getting married in a place you do not call home can be daunting.  Getting a marriage license in another country can be a bit nightmarish as you will be subject to the laws of that country.  If you have to hoe this row alone, you could be setting yourself up for disaster.  

Rain On My Parade
With your family and friends in the same time zone, you may have trouble getting much needed alone time.  The relaxed atmosphere of a destination wedding can also lead to relaxed boundaries.  You may find your parents and friends are on your honeymoon right along side you.  

So..that’s my two cents.  I really do think they can be wonderful!  The truth is that everything in life comes with complications.  No decision can be made without considering the cost.  Ultimately though, no matter what you choose it will be perfect!  It will be everything you dreamed it could be because it's what YOU chose.  Good luck, doll.

Kisses,

E

Luxe Life: Magnificent Bride at The Pfister

Let's jump right in, pets, and ignore the fact that I am a terrible blogger.

As you know, Milwaukee's Magnificent Bride show was at the beautiful Pfister Hotel on March 3.  I attended the show with my MIL, my future sister in law, and her mother.  I was super busy trying to be attentive and as such missed a few choice photo ops, but I really enjoyed being in the moment and available to answer questions.  We had a blast, I saw some of my favorite people in Milwaukee, and I am still buzzing from all the inspiration.

Here’s a snappy of my program at the start of our little adventure:

See, neat and tidy.  Sadly, that didn’t last long.   By the end of the day, my program was full of little notes to myself:

I was delighted to run into some new (to me) vendors.  Here are some quick pics of their work.  Trust me, the pictures do not do them justice.

From Dahlia Blooms

Stunning work from Art Below Zero

Vintage Rentals from Relics

Overall, the show was delightful!  I would have liked to see a bit more follow through with the theme.  Especially in the fashion and tablescapes.  While everything was undeniably breath-taking, I sort of missed that cohesiveness of vision. 
I was really taken with the fact that the salons in attendance were offering hair and makeup trials.  Girls could put in their names and, after a teensy wait, receive a bit of cosmetic attention.  I loved to see the brides chatting excitedly while skilled stylists buzzed around them!  Here’s my favorite bride getting the star treatment:

If I was smart, I would have captured the finished look, but we were having too much fun!
I also had the pleasure of sitting in on David Caruso’s workshop entitled ‘How to Create Your Own Stylish Wedding'.  As usual, David Caruso was impeccably dressed and sharing some helpful tips.  Considering he only had thirty minutes, I thought he gave some excellent real-life examples and helped to make them appealing to a room full of people, all with their own unique budget constraints.  Of course, I did not take any pictures during his workshop (so rude!), so you'll have to take my word for it.

Making sense of my notes!

There you have it!  A quick little trip down Magnificent Bride Lane.  I've included the rest of my pictures below.

Designer Love: Hayley Paige

Hayley Paige, head designer for the Blush and Hayley Paige bridal collections is one of the freshest new voices in the world of bridal design.  After interning with Nina Garcia, Hayley went on to make a name for herself designing for labels like Melissa Sweet and Priscilla of Boston.  

From the website: 

 Ever so eclectic, her designs capture a romantic and charming aesthetic that balances inner ingénue and sophistication. Her interpretation of worldly influences and desire to dress hopeful romantics, have provided a foundation for a fanciful and fresh take on bridal wear. Never taking herself too seriously and fully embracing the adorning history of the bridal industry, Hayley Paige develops her craft from an inspirational place of appreciation and enjoyment.

Let’s take a look at a few of my faves from the collection that bears her name, shall we?

 HP6315-Guindon:  The Guindon is my favorite piece from the Spring 2013 line.  This stunning striped organza gown features a full flounced skirt and a sweetheart neckline.  I love the raw silk sash! 

HP6256-Vanna:  From the Fall 2012 line, this slinky, sexy fit to flare boasts ivory sequined lace and a slightly more modest sweetheart neck line.  A spin around the dance floor will reveal a jaw-dropping plunging back.  My favorite thing about this dress is that the embellishments don't overpower the overall solid design.

HP6251-Ellie:  This little number might be my favorite piece that Hayley Paige has to offer.  With spring approaching I am obsessed with short, flirty dresses that pack a lot of punch!  The Ellie is from the Fall 2012 line and check out the detachable laser cut lace peplum!  I.  Die.  It totally makes the look, don't you think?  I could see this at any number of chic spring weddings.

Kisses,
E