Wedding Hair

Anne Chertoff from the blog "From I Will to I Do" posted some greats tips earlier this month after conversation with a wedding day hair stylist.

"It's very important to start thinking about your wedding hairstyle early on.  If you want to grow your hair, color it or highlight it you'll need time to let it grow and test out colors. It's not a good idea to show up the morning of your wedding and say to your stylist, by the way, I'm getting married today.


You should meet with him or her a few months before and talk about your ideas. Bring photos from wedding magazines and Web sites for inspiration. If you know that you're wearing a tiara, hair pin or other accessory, bring it with you.

I asked Antonio Gonzales of the Eva Scrivo Salon (and a Voguemagazine favorite) for his tips on how to ensure your wedding day hair is picture perfect. Here's what he had to say:


Your wedding day is special to you and should be special to your stylist. Some women have dreamt of this day since they were girls and others have a more casual approach. With this in mind, have patience and fun while approaching your special day where your hair is concerned.  Here are some tips that are designed with your best interests in mind:

1) If your existing hair stylist does not dress hair for weddings, that's OK, ask for a recommendation in the salon or go to another salon.

2) Always do a trial; there should be no surprises on your special day.

3) Ask the salon if they do complimentary consultations before booking an appointment. This way you can decide if there is a positive energy between you and the stylist. After all, you want to trust the person and be able to be emotional in front him or her without feeling uncomfortable.

4) A trial should take at least one hour, sometimes the excitement takes time away fast!

5) It may be helpful to have a look at the back in the hand mirror to ensure you are on the same page, so if any changes are to be made you can save precious time.

6) If you are a little unhappy with your trial, ask if some changes can be made at that time and see if he or she can produce a satisfactory result. If you are still unhappy, politely get up, say thanks, pay and EXIT THE BUILDING!! :)

7) Remember not to be worried about hurting the stylist's feelings by going to someone else; it's about you not the stylist. In our field we can't take it personally. All we can do is our best.

BONUS TIP from me: Don’t forget to take photos at your trial of your ‘do from the front, back and sides. Paste them in your wedding planner so you can refer to them on your wedding day.
Check back tomorrow for the rest of Antonio's fabulous tips. And visit his blog, Hair by Antonio, for more ideas and hairstyling tricks!"

These are great tips to keep in mind during your trial and on wedding day.  Thanks Anne!

Image from Anne's blog of Antonio

Stock Up

The Food Network has a great list on the elements of a perfectly stocked bar.  Check the list for your next celebration.

How to Stock a Bar
For Spicy and Savory Drinks
Tomato Juice
Horseradish
Hot Sauce
Worcestershire Sauce


For Sweet and Sour Drinks
Sour Mix
Grenadine
Sugar (granulated, brown, cane)
Syrup


Fruit Juices
Orange Juice
Lime Juice
Lemon Juice
Cranberry Juice
Pineapple Juice


Sodas
Seltzer
Club Soda
Tonic
Cola/Lemon/Lime/Ginger ale


Garnishes
Lemon, Lime, Orange Slices
Maraschino Cherries
Olives
Celery
Fresh herbs such as mint or basil
Salts
Pepper


Bitters
Angostura
Peychaud's
Orange bitters


Tools of the Trade
Cocktail Shaker
Blender
Bottle Opener

Beep Beep Back Up

Just a little reminder...

If you're keeping all of your wedding files like contracts, spreadsheets, and inspiration on your computer then be sure to get some back up.

This is especially important for all of the photos you'll be taking throughout the celebration, as they would likely be lost if your computer quits on you.

Whether you choose to use an online backup service like Mozy or Carbonite or a separate hard drive - you need to have some kind of back-up.

If - heaven forbid - something did happen... you'll thank us.

Labor Day Party without all the well, Labor.

Real Simple has some great tips on how to celebrate Labor Day with family and friends without feeling like you're the one laboring.

Main Dish

Rely on an entree that requires minimal fuss and can be served straight off the grill, like sausages. Tastier than hot dogs, easier than burgers, they are an ideal main dish.

Side Dishes

Stick with salads that can be made in advance. No need to reheat.

Condiments

Offer spoonfuls of sweet, tart, or spicy flavors, or a combination. They can transform a simple main dish into something intriguing.

Beverages

A pitcher of beer can buy you much-needed time if dinner is running late. Or it can offer an excuse to linger outside after dessert.

Dessert

These bite-size treats are easier to make than their elegant appearance suggests. If there's no time to bake, sandwich the berry cream filling between two store-bought cookies.

Raspberry Powder Puffs

4 egg whites

1 cup sugar 

1 teaspoon grated orange zest 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup sour cream

1/3 cup raspberry preserves

Confectioners' sugar (for dusting)

Heat oven to 350° F. Using an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on high until stiff peaks form, about 1 1/2 minutes. With the mixer running, slowly add the granulated sugar. Continue beating until glossy, about 1 minute. Add the orange zest and vanilla. In a small bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Gently fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture until no white streaks remain. Spoon the batter into a large resealable plastic bag. Using scissors, cut the end off a corner of the bag to create a circle about 1/2 inch in diameter. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, pipe the batter into 24 1 1/2-inch rounds (about the size of silver dollars). Bake until puffed and golden, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the sour cream and preserves. Spread some of the raspberry mixture onto the bottom of half the cookies. Form sandwiches with the remaining cookies. Sprinkle with the confectioners' sugar just before serving.

Tip: If there's no time to bake, sandwich the berry-cream filling between store-bought cookies. 

Yield: Makes 24 puffs 

Bridesmaids Revisited

The Dessy Group - you know the bridesmaid and wedding dress people - have teamed up with the Vancouver Film School to create this fabulous Guide about Bridesmaids.

Turn on the volume or pop on your headphones.  It's cute.

Dessy.com: Bridesmaid Dresses | Wedding Dresses | Flower Girl Dresses

Happy Birthday Debbie

Last weekend we celebrated Debbie's birthday at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay and the images from  David Michele Photography are here!

We'll take you through the whole weekend as Debbie and her guests experienced it.  It was such a wonderful weekend.

After driving into the Hyatt and getting this amazing view they checked in.  On the way to their rooms, they stopped to pick up their Welcome Tote Bag.  It was embroidered with Eastern Shore 8.08 and filled with all sorts of goodies.  These towels were custom embroidered for each guest as well as sunscreen, bug repellant, lip balm, water guns, an Eastern Shore Cookbook, Sea Salt Nuts, Utz Crab Chips, and a Hang-Over kit with Red Bull, Alka-Seltzer, Tylenol, and chocolate.  They were set with everything they could need to enjoy the weekend.

Guests were then invited to a Welcome Barbecue.  We used bright blues and fun accents like light up ice cubes and a DJ playing all of Debbie's favorite tunes.

Saturday was a big day full of fun and activities.  We arranged for a number of activities on and off of the resort.

A few guests braved an early morning (especially early after all of the party-ing last night) and played a round of golf at the River Marsh Golf Club.

Nearly every guest sailed aboard the catamaran from Lucky Dog Cat Co.  They soaked up the sun and enjoyed Choptank River.

They even brought their tote bags!

After the catamaran it was time for the Mini Golf Tournament.  We encouraged competition with prizes and encouraged silliness with all kinds of crazy sunglasses.

Finally, it was time for the main event.  The show-stopper.  What they had all been waiting for.  Debbie's Birthday Party.  It was an amazing look.  The floral tablescape and draping is from Capital Decor and Events.  The linens, china, and glassware are from Party Rental.  We made a U shape around the dance floor with wide tables to keep the party intimate and warm.

The guests first entered into a draped off section of the ballroom with a light up bar and some ice blue ottomans.  They were greeted with citrus martinis and mingled while listening to a sax and guitar duo.

Then, we pulled back the drape and they entered into the dining room.

After a few toasts...

Dinner was served and a slideshow of Debbie through the years was presented.

Then, Debbie and her husband, Hasan opened the dance floor.  Galaxy kept the dance floor crowded for the rest of the night.

Just before the cake was rolled out, servers carried out birthday hats and blowers on silver trays.  The birthday cake from Bay Country Bakery balanced the whimy of the Eastern Shore with the formality of the occasion.

Then, Kim from Parfections dazzled the guests with her hand made truffles.  Her display was amazing and the interaction with the guests was fabulous.

It was a wonderful weekend!

Thank you to all of the wonderful vendors who made the whole weekend run smoothly - especially Kim Seward from the Hyatt.

She's Been Sleeping Around

No, no - we don't mean like that. However, Elizabeth has slept in 4 different beds this week! First there was the very luxurious bed at The Hyatt Cambridge while staying there to organize a three day event for a client. The Hyatt is one of her favorite overnight stays and the view from most of the guest rooms is amazing.

Back for just a day from that adventure, it was off to New York City and a stay at The Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square. This trip was a mix of business (The New York International Gift Show) and pleasure (taking daughter Caroline to see a show and of course shop). The Marriott is the usual place for her to stay in NYC mainly because there are TWO Starbucks within the hotel. Anyone that knows Elizabeth knows that she is always within arms reach of a Starbucks. The beds at The Marriott are great too even if there are flashing Broadway billboards right outside the window. It's always an exciting place to spend a few days.

Then it was back to Maryland and an overnight stay at the lovely Gramercy Mansion Bed and Breakfast in Green Spring Valley. This unique property has evolved over the years to truly be a wonderful bed and breakfast. Every time there (this property is the site of many weddings), we are amazed and delighted at the continuous changes in the outdoor gardens. They have such a great vision for beautiful outdoor places. Every bride with the desire to marry outdoors should visit this venue.

The bed was a large four-poster bed so high that a lovely little bed step was near by. The room was decorated with antiques but a look in the closet showed a microwave (complete with popcorn packs) and a mini frig with complimentary sodas and cold water. The inn has a wonderful selection of videos and books to borrow for relaxing. And the breakfast? What a delightful assortment of choices like very fresh fruit, eggs every way imaginable, French toast, fresh blueberry muffins, and pancakes. Of course our favorite touch was the pot of hot coffee sitting outside the door at 7:00 am.

Then finally, it was back home and into the best bed of all, her own.

Get your Custom Kicks

We have already told you about the Custom Converse Sneakers for the Groomsmen - so how about some custom shoes for your girls?

Enter:  Custom Keds.

You can customize the shoes with color, pattern, and style.

Custom for your for about $60 a pair.

Great for the Guys

Get the guys something unique and fun for the groomsmen gifts.  Custom cufflinks are a fun option - and something they will use in the future.

There are tons of fun options on Etsy

$18.25 per set from seller BellaModaArtist

$15.00 per set from seller CrimsonKing

$15.00 per set from seller Luv4Sams

Da Dum Dadum - The Gown

I know we have written about gown shopping tips in the past, but the newest brides could use a refresher course.

Always remember to:

1.  Make an appointment at the salon of your choice.

2.  Only visit 1 or 2 salons in a day.  It's tiring and you want to be fresh

3.  Set a budget.  The bridal gown consultant will only show you gowns in your budget and you want to avoid sticker shock.

4.  Flip through magazines.  Look around and see what sort of gown you're drawn to - it will help you communicate with your bridal gown consultant.

5.  Be open to suggestions.  Your consultant will have some ideas on what style suits your figure.

6.  Sleep on it.  Once you've chosen a gown take a day to sit with the decision, then place the order for the gown.

7. Don't shop too early.  This is how many two-gown brides are born.  If you'll be engaged for more than a year, wait to go gown shopping.  New styles will come out and your vision of the gown will evolve.

Go Eco

Looking for an eco-friendly favor that fits your garden wedding?

Here are some good ideas:

Sets of 12, $20 per set from Beau-coup.com

Sets of 6, $90 per set from Beau-coup.com

Sets of 6, $36 per set from Beau-coup.com

Where Do We Sit?

The rsvp's are in.  Now, it's time to figure out where to sit everyone.  It's not an easy task, but it can be done successfully.  Just be patient!

The number one question we're asked?  Where do we sit - the bride and groom?  There are a few good answers - here they are:

1.  At a regular sized guest table.

You may choose to sit with a few members of your bridal party.  It's usually best if you place the parents at other tables to spread out the hosts and give more people a table with some VIP's.  In this instance, you can sit with some bridal party and their dates.  Spread the rest of the bridal throughout the reception area.

2. At a bridal party table.

This isn't the large bridal party of yesteryear.  It's a large table that the entire bridal party and their dates are seated around.  The key word here is around.  Seats are placed around the entire table and usually requires a larger rented table.  A standard banquet table is 30 inches wide and not wide enough for two place settings.

3.  At a sweetheart table.

This is a table just for the two of you.  Usually this table is a 36 inch round table and is placed near the dance floor.  Just try not to leave each other while seated at the table, it can get lonely.

Packing for Wedding Day

If you're getting ready at a hotel (as most of our brides do) then you will have a long list of things to bring to the hotel.

Don't forget to add these:

*A pretty hanger for your gown for pictures

*A couple of safety pins

*Scissors

*A card and gift (optional!) for your husband to be on wedding day

*Snacks and drinks for the morning of the wedding.  Clear drinks are recommended.

*Pack all of your undergarments and accessories together in one bag so they are easily found.

*A pretty robe or outfit to have your hair and makeup done in.

Happy Packing!

Trunk Show!

This weekend, August 22, 23, 24, Betsy's Robinson's Bridal Collection is having a Kenneth Pool Trunk Show.

A trunk show is a terrific opportunity to see a wider collection of gowns from the designer.  Sometimes the designer is present, but if not then there is a representative that can help you find you gown and make it work for you.  Often times there are purchase incentives at a trunk show.

Learn more:  www.robinsonsbridal.com

The Before and a Peek of After

Well, Debbie's Birthday Weekend is coming to a close.  It was a fantastic weekend and we're thrilled to have been a part of it.

Here's a little "before" scene of the ballroom.

And a sneek peek of the "after".

Many thanks to all of the vendors who helped pull this weekend together.  We promise a full post of all of the details soon.

We promise tons of great pictures from David-Michele Photography when they're ready!

A Destination Birthday

We're still down at the Hyatt for Debbie's Birthday Celebration and it's going great!

The guests have been welcomed with their amazing gift bags and a fantastic barbecue last night.  Today, they'll be golfing, sailing, shopping, and relaxing around the resort.  Then, the main event:  the birthday party is this evening.

Well, what does it take to make all this happen?  It took us 7 bell carts to get all of our supplies into our room - and we've add things since that first trip!

We even had to put the flowers in the bathroom!

We were also thrilled when we received some goodies from Kim Seward here at the Hyatt Chesapeake Bay.

Thanks Kim!