I am a HORRIBLE friend…. (that’s not really true) but I am really crappy at remembering birthdays, anniversaries, etc, etc, etc and I never remember to pick up a card and I always show up scribbling a message on something I picked up at the drug store five minutes before I arrived at the event.  I don’t know why that is, but it just is.  So much so that a few years ago I just implemented a no card policy, because I was so hap hazard some people would get cards and most people wouldn’t.

Anyway, when I first heard about the Forgetful Gentleman I thought, probably for the first time, “Wow, I wish I were a boy!” This unique company produces amazingly lovely note cards called “Elephant Cards” for men in sets- 3 Birthday, 3Congratulations, 2 Thinking of you, 2 Congratulations and 1 I Love You…. which of course made me think they should make a player edition with 6 I Love You, 4 Thinking of You, so on and so forth. Back to the cards… They have letterpress cards in an lovely wooden cardholder box for $75 as well as a more reasonable edition of linen cards for only $30.

So great, you now HAVE THE CARDS (as I do… I now buy cards) but they take it one step further!  You create an account with important dates you want to remember and THEY SEND YOU REMINDERS!  Making it possible for everyone… or man.. to be a more lovely gentleman. Voila! The PERFECT Groomsmen gift at ANY price point.

If only they would come up with Forgetful Lady cards…. but I guess a lady never forgets

Wedding planning should be a relaxing, luxurious experience.

Next Sunday, March 14th will be a day that raises the bar for bridal events everywhere.

The Ultimate Engagement is the first ever complimentary bridal event that allows brides-to-be the opportunity to meet with the premiere experts in the luxury bridal industry. Not only will brides be able to access the extensive experience, knowledge, passion and talent of these individuals, but you get to do it all in a stress-free one-on-one setting.

Think of the crowded booths, lines, frustration and general mayhem of the typical bridal show, then imagine the exact opposite; a relaxing, sophisticated one-on-one sit down where you and the expert vendors of your choice chat about YOUR wedding and yours alone. Participating is as simple as visiting The Ultimate Engagement website, completing your free registration and scheduling appointments with the hottest high-end wedding professionals that you have watched, read and heard about. Have the opportunity to sit with the most sought after photographers, florists, caterers, venues, planners… the list goes on.

While you plan your stunning event, enjoy designer trunk shows, book signings, food & wine tastings, educational sessions, chic pop-up shops and more!

Our own Xochitl Gonzalez, Blogsmaid Extraordinaire will be on hand to help you turn your luxury wedding dreams into realities – and blogging LIVE throughout the day! Xochitl will be joined by other notable wedding experts such as Marcy Blum, Sylvia Weinstock, Lisa Johnson of Ceci NY, Ines de Santo and many more.  This amazing event was put together by the wonderful Maya Kalman of Swank Productions and Elizabeth Beskin from 5th Avenue Digital.

To ensure each bride receives the personal attention she deserves, space is limited. Please register today to take advantage of this one-time experience that will help you create a day of memories that will last a lifetime.

WHEN: Sunday, March 14, 2010

9:00AM – 7:00PM

WHERE: Gotham Hall, NYC

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

xx

-Sal

A couple of weeks ago I had lunch with a photographer I’ve done some work with over the last couple of years. We were reminiscing about some past weddings we did when we started discussing an absolutely horrible bride that we’d both experienced a few years back.  Most of my clients are totally lovely, but of course, every once in a while someone comes along who reminds you of why the phrase Bridezilla was invented.

This colleague and I were laughing because we were confident that the bride had no idea that instead of being necessarily “effective” in extracting our best work, she’d simply made herself notorious!  We never forgot her.  I don’t remember a ton about how her wedding was, if her guests had fun or whatever else happened, but I distinctly remember her yelling at her family members moments before going down the aisle. Similarly true is it whenever I get together with a certain florist and photographer from the wedding where the bride freaked out about the weather (it started to rain and we wanted to move ceremony inside) that she pushed the videographer out of her way before banishing the photographer from the room.

As you get into the thick of the wedding planning, especially those of you out there NOT working with a wedding planner/ buffer remember that there are moments when you will feel overwhelmed or perhaps confused or perhaps (and I hope NOT) slightly like you are being “taken for a ride”…. (I know that old refrain of “Why is it when you say the word “wedding”, everything costs more). When those moments come up, take a breath, count to ten and THEN do your best to have a calm conversation where you verbalize what it is that is overwhelming or frustrating you.  Brides who have tantrums are more often than not the dreaded phone call that a vendor avoids vs. the bride that everyone wants to go the extra mile for because you are just “SO sweet!”.

Actually, I can’t tell you how many times towards the end of the night I’ll be in the back of the room with a bunch of vendors who say “You know, I normally wouldn’t have added “blah blah blah” in, but they were just the NICEST people.” or “I’m supposed to leave at 10, but I’ll stick around and get some more footage of them dancing- they are such a sweet couple”.

Obviously, when you hire a great team of vendors- true professionals- they are going to give you great service whether you are Satan in a bridal gown or Belle from Beauty and the Beast… But wouldn’t it be nice to think that when it’s all over everyone’s memories about you were as great as your memories about your day?

BTW, the picture here is of one of our most LOVELY brides, Irene, who was SO nice (and hilarious) that after her wedding we invited her to be in our book club.  Hahahaha, because that’s the moral of this story girls…. Be nice and you too can be invited to be in your wedding planners book club- the hottest social spot in town! That made ME laugh!!

The Q: We are having some debate here over WHO and WHEN gives toasts at the wedding reception?  My father and father-in-law want to speak, and I only get one champagne pour at my venue.  If they speak, when should they do so and is this when we pour the champagne?  What happens when the best man speaks?

The A: Luckily, in this day and age, there are very few “rules” when it comes to wedding receptions, especially when it comes to toasts. However, should you want to keep the talking at a minimum, and save that stuff for the rehearsal dinner, that is completely within your rights.

That said, it is a nice (and gracious) custom to have the host of the wedding reception say a few words of welcome.  Frankly, over the course of 4 hours, it’s nice to have a couple of breaks to hear some (but not too many) words to mark the occassion.  In actuality, they are simply welcoming all of the guests to your wedding. 9 times out of 10 most dad’s can’t help themselves but to raise a glass and congratulate the couple.. However, as they are technically not giving the official wedding toast, I say to hold your pour until the Best Man speaks.  I’m assuming though that you will have table side wine service at your venue.  If that is the case, then I would be sure that your servers go around pouring red or white wine (at the guests’ preference) and THEN have your DOC or maitre’d cue the DJ or Band to invite your father/s up for their welcome. This way, if they raise a glass, your guests will have something to raise.

Later on- after their welcoming words- have your servers do their first champagne pour and THEN you can be officially toasted by your Best Man.

So, I don’t know how many of you out there are considering changing your name, but let me tell you that it is NOT an easy task!

First you have to decide WHAT you are doing with your name. Are you taking his last name? Are you hyphenating? Are you making a new last name that is a hybrid of your two last names…. something that can be a challenge to do well, to say the least.  And then there is getting the word out there.

I have a past clientfriend (that’s what they are called, btw, once the wedding is over- Clientfriends) who months later still needs to end every email with “Please Note my new last name….” and that’s just inter-office.  There is the DMV, passport office, bills, and more.

All the reason to consider using a name-change service.  They make it easy and tend to gather and consolidate all of your information giving, and sending into one convenient place…. well at least that is what Name Change Express does. And as a plus, they don’t require you to submit tons of personal information online, minimizing exposure to your identity.

So, we are giving away 2 Name Change Express packages worth $30 each.  Simply leave a comment below, and the person who leaves the 10th comment will automatically win one of the packages.  The 2nd package will go to the commenter with the most unique hybrid name of your first and last names (whether you intend on using it or not… you know I’m always open to a good joke!)   I’m going to keep this contest open until Friday… so you can ponder what new and ridiculous last name you can create together over Turkey day.  Or you can just try and leave the 10th comment. Please don’t comment more than once ladies!