I never had any sisters, but growing up I was fortune enough to have a first cousin that was only 6 months older than me. We grew up together and got to do all of the things that sisters usually do together; wear horrible matching outfits, play dress-up, give each other horrible haircuts. You know, the usual. She married early and had two adorable children that have been a huge part of my life. SO, when she divorced and years later decided to re-marry, we were all very intent on making the kids feel a part of the ceremony. They loved their new step-dad and were exited about the wedding, and he and my cousin wanted to make sure that they felt that this was a ceremony that not only stated their new commitment to each other, but also his commitment to the kids. We decided that the kids should be in the bridal party. Since they were special they got to pick their own outfits, which made them both very happy. They also stood next to their mom and new step-father. We also had my young nephew hold the rings, and they both presented the couple with the rings.

Aren’t they adorable? In the end, these small gestures made them feel like they were included in the day and that they were a part of it all.

A few months ago, I helped a wonderful couple down the aisle. Our groom had a child from a previous relationship who they wanted to include in the ceremony. She was a huge part of their lives. Although she lived with her mother on the other side of the states, the couple would board a plane every other weekend to see her! She was most excited about serving as the flower girl, but we wanted to include her in a special way during the ceremony. We decided that they would ALL light a unity candle together to show that each of their lives would all be united. It was one of the most touching moments of the ceremony!

Some other great things that we have seen clients do are: having your children walk you down the aisle instead of a parent, including their names on the invitation, a family ring exchange, and a parental vow to take care of the children.

If you are planning to marry and have children from previous relationships, it might be helpful to sit down together as a family with your officiant to come up with different ways to include everyone during the ceremony!

Recently, I worked on a wedding for an absolutely AWESOME couple (and fellow Brown alums) where the bride’s sister was an artist. As a wedding present to the couple, she created for them a hand painted Chuppah cover with an abstract image of lower Manhattan, where the couple had made their home.

I love the Chuppah because of it’s symbolism (it represents the marital home the couple will build together, which is why it needs to be open on the sides to encourage hospitality), but it is ALSO a fantastic way to personalize your ceremony. While Chuppahs are a wonderful opportunity for your florist or designer to showcase their bravura, I personally lean towards those Chuppahs that are a bit lighter on design and heavier on symbolism. Obviously, not everyone has an artistic sister like Heather’s, but that isn’t the only way in which a chuppah can be personal. For Rachel and Noah’s wedding last year, we used Noah’s two great-grandfather’s talis to create a simple, but meaningful chuppah canopy for their ceremony. The Chuppah didn’t just represent their home, but it represented their past and future all at the same time.

They are ALSO really cool canvasses for personal, creative expression! I saw this Chuppah on Mishka Designs blog and it so reminded me of Papel Picado that should my next wedding be a multi-culti, Judeo-Christian interfaith celebration, I’m stealing this idea! Que Cute!

And, actually, the Chuppah is a really GREAT opportunity to blend cultures should you be having an interfaith or multi-cultural ceremony.  I found this stunning, suspended Chuppah that was created for a Hindu- Jewish wedding (or, as the bride hilariously refers to it on her website, their “Hin-Jew Wedding”). I loved this because a) I always think of mandaps when I think of Chuppahs, as their symbolism and beauty are very similar and b) because I thought their interpretation really PERFECTLY blended their two cultures. c) I think suspended Chuppahs are REALLY COOL.

So, the message of the day kids is to look at your Chuppah not just as a necessity of your wedding, but as one more opportunity to infuse your day with a bit more of the two of you!

A few months ago I got a call from a lovely bride to be, Diane. She lived in Ireland and wanted to elope, but wanted to make sure that the wedding was special, and didn’t trust the internet when making decisions for such an important day. She wanted to have someone who she could talk to, who would guide her a help them create a wonderful wedding day from start to finish. I had worked on something similar before and LOVED it, so I was happy to come on board.

First, in order to set the tone for this wonderful vacation, we booked a suite at The Standard Hotel. Since we were essentially working on a wedding and honeymoon in one, we knew that the backdrop to this occasion should be special. The selling point? This freestanding tub overlooking the Hudson.

I wanted her “getting ready” experience to be special. Isn’t that part of being a bride? So we hired hair and make-up artist Maira Ortiz to glam her up. To ensure that she would love it on her wedding day, we also set up a trial as soon as she arrived in town. Maira (first name spelled different, but pronounced just like mine:) went all out on the wedding day and brought in her special chair and some upbeat music that made the process feel festive.

Next, we had to choose a setting for the actual wedding. After some back and forth, we opted for the Brooklyn Bridge. We hired Rev. Fleenor before the couple arrived in town, and they worked with him over email and with a few phone calls to create a ceremony that was unique to them. Even though it had rained all week, the skies cleared up for their picture perfect ceremony!

After the ceremony, a town car whisked them away to continue their photo session around the city with our photographer, Robert Wagner.We made sure to include the usual (Central Park) but also stopped at some places that had special meaning for them as a couple (Pastis, where they had been having every meal on their trip:).

After the photosession with Robert, we arranged for a private dinner for the happy couple at a fabulous restaurant in the city. Isn’t this a great way to get married? A day truly dedicated to each other. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Ring bearers & Flower girls can be a lovely addition to any bridal party no matter how big or small. (the bridal party I mean ) In some cases they ARE the bridal party. Though they are often pretty darn cute and can ignite a round of “awwws” and chuckles like nobody’s business, tiny attendants gone wild are no laughing matter. Especially because for some magical unknown reason, these little ones tend to pull a Jekyll and Hyde the very second it is time for them to walk down the aisle. I often wonder if they know exactly what they are doing, but because we do love them so, let’s give them the benefit of the doubt. Behold – a possible solution or at the very least a preventative measure, that is also adorable.

If you have done a little digging, you will find that there are a few of these flower girl & ring bearer prep books out there, but this is my latest obsession and I may suggest that they publish a version for rowdy adults Written by Linda Hill Griffith & published by Sourcebooks,  The Most Special Flower Girl & The Best Ever Ring Bearer wrap up some excellent advice and guidance for your chosen youngins, in a fabulously crafted and amusing story. The recipients of this book will learn about their wedding day roles and responsibilities, including how to walk down the aisle and what will typically happen on wedding day. They even have a section where the kiddies can draw a picture of themselves in their wedding outfits! I do love a good interactive book. It won’t break the bank and until someone creates a Young Bridal Attendant Boot Camp (which sounds a little harsh yet possibly effective), a handy book like this just might be an option for a quick fix.

BTW – I totally think that boot camp exists somewhere, likely under a pseudonym.

xx,

Salome

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