Wedding Invitations & Stamps

I’ll admit it, after the holiday cheer and Christmas cards, decorations, cookies and present giving … holiday stamps are right next on my list of Christmas time favorites. For your wedding invitation- the stamp is am important often overlooked final touch. Some tips and help:

1. Weigh Your Invitations. Before you buy 400+ stamps (outer envelope and inner, return envelope)- be sure you weigh the ‘complete invitation’ and purchase the correct amount of postage. If possible- weigh your invitation after it’s been calligrapher-ed. This way- you’ll know the exact cent/stamp to buy.

2. Shop Around. For our invitations we went up a few cents (literally) and used stamps of St. Thomas- which also happens to be one of our favorite places to visit, so it had some sentimentality! Had we gone with the right stamp for the weight of our invitation- our options were Harriet Beecher Stowe or Flags of Africa. Though Uncle Tom’s Cabin was a great read in high school- and African flags are certainly colorful- Megan’s Bay was a much better choice! You can try different post offices (in they city they’re everywhere!) or the the post office on-line (www.usps.com).

3. Personalize It. Personalization is always a nice touch- just be sure that you’re always on the classic side of personalized- not the cutesy. There are several websites that, for a small surcharge, will put whatever you’d like on your stamp- like photostamp.com: http://photo.stamps.com/Store/?source=si10985886 Having a stamp that represents you or something you like or feel a connection to (running, breast cancer awareness etc.)- can count for personalization, as well.

4. Know Postage Costs. If you’ve read my post on thank-you notes you’ll remember that I suggest buying first class stamps. At this moment- I couldn’t tell you the cost of a basic stamp. 47 cents? 49cents ? Whatever it is- by the time it’s time to receive your response cards- it might be +2cents! Knowing that you’re safe of postage increases for the next 2 months- or that you’re covered with first class postage will save you a bit of last minute stress.

Happy Planning!

La Dolce Vita: Meg & Tim

Meg & Tim | Newport 2007

 Meg and Tim were married in one of my favorite places in the world, Newport RI, the summer before last. Meg’s dress was by Paloma Blanca while Tim and his groomsmen wore Joseph Abboud tuxes. Meg shares with Bridebella the fun, tradition and challenges that went into planning her wedding, as well as  tips that may help you plan yours in the very first installment of La Dolce Vita!

1. What was your favorite part of planning your wedding? 
I loved the excitement and anticipation in the months leading up to our wedding.  I loved being constantly busy, and since I am a “planner” by nature, I loved creating little timelines and schedules for everything. Of course, anything food related was a plus – and I also loved creating our registries.  The BEST part of planning, though, was seeing it all come together beautifully on our wedding day! 

2. What was the biggest challenge in putting everything together? 
Making decisions!  I struggle with this every day. I am a perfectionist by nature, and for my wedding I wanted everything to be MORE than perfect. I nearly drove myself (and my husband, family, friends…) crazy with my exhaustive decision-making process (my hair was falling out, literally).  I tasted so many cakes that I am surprised I fit into my gown, Zappo’s probably thinks I am clinically insane for the number of shoes I shipped and returned, I interviewed an excessive number of photographers, and every waking moment was devoted to the most minuscule details.  My persistence and dedication did pay off – but in hindsight, the day would have been just as beautiful and perfect if I had taken a deep breath, stepped back, and trusted my gut. 

3. Did you do something old.new.borrowed&blue?
Old – a pearl-beaded clutch that had belonged to my Nana, and tucked inside was an embroidered lace hankie that had belonged to my mother’s Nana (my great-grandmother).
New- my wedding dress, of course!
Borrowed – The earrings I wore were borrowed from my mom – simple pearl studs with a small diamond drop.
Blue -Keeping with tradition, I wore a garter (nobody saw it, and no, I didn’t toss it!). My mother painstakingly hand-made it for me out of beautiful ivory silk, and sewed tiny blue flowers on it. 

4. Is there a moment from the day that is most vivid in your memory? 
I loved my wedding day – I loved everything about it. I still glow when I think about it, and I know I always will!  One special memory that I will always cherish was my father’s speech.  He spoke about luck and hard work – and the difference between the two.  He asked the guests who were married for 40 or more years to stand. Then, he asked those married 30 or more years to join them standing, then 25, 15, and 5 years.  Almost half of the guests were standing, and he told us – “that’s not luck, that’s hard work”.  He told us that those are the friends and those are the family who are the very fabric of our being – that because of who they are, they are a part of us.  His speech moved us, and all of the guests too – it was unforgettable. 

5. What is one piece of advice you’d give to a soon-to-be bride? 
Listen to your heart – do what YOU want. Remember that some things will always be out of your control. Break in your wedding shoes – wear them with socks around the house for a few weeks, trust me. Delegate! Have a rain plan. Make sure you can walk sideways and backwards in your bustled gown. Attend your cocktail hour. Hire a videographer. Be sure to budget time and money for a professional photo album. Cliché, but – enjoy every minute! And always remember that the day is ultimately about you and your fiancé, and your love for one another.

Hiatus

Bridebella has been on brief hiatus … SORRY! Today will be the first day for an EXCITING new feature where we ask our favorite real brides about their wedding. La Dolce Vita (think more along the lines of Fellini not Lohan) will pose the same five questions to each bride. How their answers agree and differ will be both helpful and fun for everyone involved in planning their own wedding. ♥

Registry Options to Consider

The New York Times has a fun “Well” (one of my go-to reads) article this morning covering kitchen gadgets for healthy living. My favorite is the natural peanut butter separator- and will arrive in five to seven business days! Though registering at Amazon never occurred to me- they have such a broad base of products it may be a great option to consider. Refer to The Registry Guide Post when making selections.

The NY Times Article:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/kitchen-gadgets-for-healthful-eating/

Amazon’s Wedding Registry
http://www.amazon.com/gp/wedding/homepage/ref=cm_wed_lft_nv

The Tan Line Tango: Planning Ahead

Remember in sixth grade when having the deepest Speedo tan was the height of cool? Tan lines and wedding gowns = tragic wedding photos. Plan ahead- if you’re tying the knot this summer or fall, stock up now on bandeau tops for an even tan-line. There’s no need to spend a fortune- buy a solid colored top or two to pair with bottoms you already have. The GAP has great ‘mix and match’ (you can by a top w.o buying the bottom- exactly what you’re looking for!) options, as does J-Crew and probably the Target (thrifty is trendy!) closest by.  BrideBella loves this top with removable straps from www.gap.com:

The Gap's Ruffle Halter Bandeau Top- on sale for $25.55

 and these great options from J-Crew … online STEALS!

www.jcrew.com: search 'bandeau'

Quick Tip: Thank You Notes

I am an old fashioned believer in real mail, and in saying thank-you. Thank you notes are a MUST upon receiving a gift, and the faster the turn around, the better … they are also a great ‘thing’ to get off of your mental (or tangible!) to-do list. Different wedding planning books will often have entries answering the “Can thank you notes be emailed?” question … the answer is always, always: NEVER! Here’s how to get them done- and maybe, just maybe- enjoy writing them:

1. Keep Things Small and Simple
Your thank you notes don’t have to be the same size as your invitations! Realize when you order your notes that whatever size card you pick- you’ll need to fill the vast majority of that space. If you love the 5×7 Cranes creme heavy card stock with embossed monogram- make sure you’ll have 5×7’s worth to write to your Dad’s cousin who embroidered you a toaster oven cover. A 3×5 note card of 4×6 flat card provide more than enough room to say thank you in the basic way- or to use the back when you have more to say. Marcus Tillius Cicero put it well, saying, ”Brevity is a great charm of eloquence.”

2. If you Love it- Show it
A sincere thank you is the best kind of thank you. Let’s be honest- you’ve registered for lots of things, but there are a handful (or three!) that you really really just love. Make sure the way you feel about the Tiffany Weave Crystal Vase comes across in your note. You don’t have to be sappy- but if you know that you’ll use it and love it forever- let the O’Briens know!

3. Set a Schedule for Yourself
If your guests have sent you gifts before your wedding- try to send them the note before your wedding, too. This is just good manners. After you get back from your honeymoon, set a realistic time frame of how many notes you have to write and the time frame in which you should get them out. I’m a believer in two week turn-around … but I’ve read that 4 is acceptable, as well. Going to a different time zone on your honeymoon? Don’t fight 4am jet-lag … cross as many ’thank you’s’ from your list before everyone else wakes up. If you have forty cards to write in two weeks- write 4 a night Monday through Friday. E-A-S-Y!!!

4. Buy First-Class Stamps
I never know the cost of stamps- every time I do, it goes up. Save yourself the worry (and annoyance of having to buy the one and two sent rolls) and buy first class stamps to stick on your thank-you notes.

5. Get a Little Creative
There is nothing wrong with the standard:

Dear Mr and Mrs (Last Name),
        We* wanted to write to thank you for the (gift here). It is so very (adjective) and we (adjective- feeling word) it so much. Thank you for your generosity. Whenever we use (gift), we will think of you both. It was (adjective) to see you on the (date of wedding) and we truly hope you had a (adjective) time.

(Loving Closure),
You and Your Fiance*
*always write the note from both you and your husband(post-wedding)/fiance (pre-wedding)

… but try to mix things up a little. Let’s pretend you’re given a brass cake stand and cover with glass leaves that spell out “CAKE” (don’t laugh- we received one that is sitting in my parents basement as I type)- get creative! ‘Unique’ is a perfect adjective! “We’ve never seen anything like it” … TRUE! The same is true to point number 2- if you really love it, it’s okay to gush. “We were so thrilled to open your exquisite vase!” … TRUE again!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day ♣

The Father-Daughter Dance: Picking your Song

I decided to put my ipod on shuffle last week on the bus home last week. At the Time Warner stop, my silver nano surprised me with one of the prettiest songs that I very rarely hear. It made me wish instantly that I had picked it as the song for my Dad and I to dance with at the wedding. Rachel Yamagata’s sweet and soft voice was the best as I tried to motivate to go to the gym. See my previous post and apply the same rules to the song you’ll dance with your Dad to. I can’t emphasize enough that the song should mean something to you, and that the lyrics should be reflective of your relationship.

I wish you bluebirds in the spring
To give your heart a song to sing
And then a kiss, but more than this
I wish you love
And in July a lemonade
To cool you in some leafy glade
I wish you health
But more than wealth
I wish you love

My breaking heart and I agree
That you and I could never be
So with my best
My very best
I set you free*

I wish you shelter from the storm
A cozy fire to keep you warm
But most of all when snowflakes fall
I wish you love
But most of all when snowflakes fall
I wish you love

 

____________________________________________
lyrics:http://www.lyricstime.com/rachel-yamagata-i-wish-you-love-lyrics.html
download: www.itunes.com

* this section mildly violates the ‘read the lyrics’ rule … it could easily be omitted or you could try to cut and delete some words?!

Perspective 101: Staying Calm

One of the best things I’ve ever heard any bride say came one month to the day before her wedding. She said “At the end of the day, all I really care about is marrying Jack. Everything else is sort of secondary.” Whenever I got the tiniest bit stressed I remembered what Grace said. She was right. After all of the phone calls and lists and magazine clippings- never lose perspective of what your wedding is really about- you and your fiance becoming husband and wife and in doing so, promising to love and take care of  for the rest of your lives. The flowers will be beautiful- if the hydrangeas are light green or white green- it doesn’t matter. The tables, too- so if your candle sticks are 18 inches vs 24inches bee’s wax … don’t worry. If you always remember what the event is about, you will absolutely guarantee yourself an incredible day, and stressless (or at the very least, much less stress!)- no matter what.

Wedding in a Winter Wonderland

If you’re planning a winter wedding you’ve certainly considered (and perhaps even crossed your fingers for) the chance that you’ll wake up to a bed of fresh snow (like everyone in the Northeast woke to this morning). You planned to make sure that the walk ways to the ceremony will be shoveled and salted so guests will be able to walk without slipping and that the church or temple will be kept at the perfect 70 degrees to keep guests warm. Now consider what to wear to keep you warm. Your favorite oatmeal colored RetroX Patigonia fleece from college won’t do the trick, nor will your cashmere camel ’smart’ work coat. Pairing your dream white (off white, slightly white, pearly-white, ivory etc) dress with a classic fur stole (easyyyy animal rights advocates … faux fur is obviously an option!), will create a timeless and elegant look … and keep you very very warm. I love the stole pictured below on Kelly Brook from the UK’s Daily Mail. Use your imagination and picture it paired with your wedding dress- googling ‘white fur wedding stole’ and every combination of the words returned a disastrous assortment of pictures!

A close second, which can be purchased, comes from UK (The Brits seem to take the white fur prize!) and can be found at the following link: http://www.elegantandbeautiful.co.uk/page.php?2 .

Your warmth provider, and classic touch, doesn’t have to be the most expensive splurge- ask your grandmothers, search e-bay or become a regular at your local vintage clothing store. You’ll be warm in white on your wedding day … what’s better?

The Running of The Brides (sneakers optional)

I woke up this morning to the Today show- per usual. I have becoming exhausted by all of stories on the insane woman with fourteen children and all of the opinions on her well-being- which are now part of Meredith and Matt’s daily banter. This morning, however, the cameras ventured downtown to the massive line of brides snaked around 14th Street for the Filene’s Basement Bridal Sale. The Rules: it’s every bride for herself (armed with her Mom and friends to find the best dresses first-hold on to them once you get them). The strategy: Grab and don’t let go. Why would they- with dresses deeply, deeply, deeply discounted ($10,000 dresses in the $600s). The catch? The lines are long and start early- and returns aren’t an option. For any bride.to.be who missed out on this morning’s ‘festivities,’ plan to head south of the Mason Dixon to ATL on March 20th. (see MurrThouhts for great places to eat, while you’re there!) Sample sales are always a treat- and though you want your dress to be perfect … let’s be honest- you’re only going to wear it once, so why not pay a little less for it and spring on the tailoring. In times like the ones we are currently living in- being frugal is clearly is highly fashionable.

Happy Planning | Happy Friday.

______________________
For More Information:
http://www.filenesbasement.com/bridal/