Away So Long!

Hello everyone!

I am so excited to be back at it! The last couple weeks have just been crazy! I have a lot to share with you.

The Hubbs and I attended a wedding and I have pictures and some commentary to share. Also, a few words about wedding party attire will be coming soon!

I'll get cracking on it today!

Kisses!
Erin

Arrrgh! What to Wear to a Wedding!

The Hubbs and I are attending a wedding very soon. The happy couple are friends from The Hubbs days as a New Berlin Eisnenhower Lion. The groomie stood up in our wedding. The lovebirds are cute as a button. Great people!

"So what's the problem?!", you ask. I don't have anything to wear. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Buh. Sometimes I feel like my life would be so much easier if I weren't so fussy. So while browsing the virtual racks at Nordstrom and Macy's, I decided to put in my two cents about appropriate wedding guest attire.

Fancy Pants
I love a swanky, ultra-hip formal wedding. I do. But I believe there are some general rules one must follow when dressing for it. First and foremost, don't outdress the bride. I include dressing all in the color of the wedding dress in this rule. Believe you me, if someone had shown up to our wedding in the same color dress as me I would have scratched her ever-lovin' eyes out! It's my number one no-no for sure. After obeying that rule, feel free to go big with the glam! I am a huge advocate for silk, beads, sequins (tastefully done of course) and all things that glitter. Wear what you feel beautiful in. Age appropriateness is a big issue with me, as well. Let's remember we aren't going to prom or a second grade girl's birthday party or a brothel (please pardon my tone!). Dress for your wonderfully unique body type, wear your age like a badge of honor and you will be a hit every time!

A guest at our wedding wore a 20's inspired sailor dress in a lovely yellowish green tone. The hem hit at the knee and was whimsically asymmetrical. She accented it with the most beautiful light yellow buckled heels and necklaces that just hit the navel. She looked comfortable, stylish and radiant. The current object of my covetous heart is this little Badgley Mischka number pictured at #1. I am lovin' blue right now! Also, notice the beaded natural waist line. Stunning!



Semi-Formal Chic
The bulk of the weddings I've been to are semi-formal affairs. I think this is a great way to go, I find most guests are far more comfortable when "Black Tie" doesn't appear on the invite. But, let me remind you not to mistake semi-formal for casual. Aim for a put-together ensemble that is both tasteful and slightly fancier than your everyday look. I love bright, bold colors in the spring and summer and tend to save the darker colors for weddings later in the year. Plums, yellows and shades of blue and green look fresh with grays and neutrals. Consider silk georgette and fluid rayon fabrics for a breezy look at any pre-dusk soiree. After dark, you may want to head for a little more sophistication. I love cocktail dresses paired with fitted jackets and bold accessories. Right now, this Kay Unger silk halter dress (aka #2) seems like a dream. First of all, pure silk?! Oh my, and what a lovely color, not to mention the leopard print is so soft, it barely seems leopard-y. My favorite part? The halter neckline and banded waist, of course! This style looks great on just about everyone.

A Causual Fete
Romantic. Whimsical. Breathtaking. These are three words that come to mind when I think of casual weddings. Garden settings, beautiful beaches, and municipal parks are just some of the places crafty couples are getting hitched. The mood is always joyful and lighthearted. One's attire should compliment the theme. I reccommend cotton sateen, linen and silk chiffon in dreamy silhouettes. Nanette Lepore hit the mark with the lovely belted a-line dress at #3. To me, it's wonderfully fluid and the shape is perfect for every body type. Dresses aren't your thing? Mix it up in a smart pantsuit crafted in festive colors. #4 is gorgeous! I love the wide leg pant and dramatic, asymmetrical neckline. Bold prints and bright colors are beautiful and today's styles are all about looking lovely. All in all make sure you're dressed appropriately. No jeans, please.

Okay, I feel a little better now. Had to get that off my chest. It doesn't change the fact that I have nothing to wear. Oh, well-back to the closet I go. Wish me luck, all!

Entertaining on a Dime

Well, summer is nearly upon us and if you are anything like me, summer means one thing...parties! Memorial Day, Independence Day, Tuesday-all great reasons to have a fabulous soiree. However, all of the festivity and fabulousness of summer can be tough on the wallet. Here are a few basic tips on entertaining on a shoestring budget.

Decor
I find that one of the easiest ways to set the mood is with candles. You can find candelabras just about anywhere, including flea markets, estate sales, and antique stores. Candles are always going on sale at chain stores (my faves are Target, Michael's and Pottery Barn), I wait until then to scoop up the good ones. For a sophisticated look, place the candelabra in the center of your table. Then group free standing candles of varying sizes and colors around the base and along the length of the table (I will say this works best with unscented candles-too many fragrances and become overwhelming). Beautiful!

Candles aren't your thing? Try creating rosettes using left over gift wrap and hanging pom poms using tissue paper (instructions to come....!) These two are easy to make, not to mention easy on the eyes! The point is, repurpose things you have around the house. Taking this approach is also a great way to pull a party together in minutes.

Another great way to punctuate the mood of any party is to download a festive mix of tunes onto your iPod or Mp3 player.

Mix and match your table settings. Dinner plates and glassware with complementary patterns is extremely fun and will add to the overall experience 100%. Remember what we said about engaging all the senses?

This last tip is the easiest and probably the most obvious. Plan a colorful menu. Select bright vegetables like carrots, corn and broccoli to liven up the dinner plate, especially if you are serving meat. White chili is a favorite recipe of mine and it looks beautiful in a bowl.

Beverages
Most guests tend to bring wine or some other type of libation as a host gift-so use it the night of your party! I'm a huge proponent of pinot grigio and pino gris, some brands are perfectly priced for a party and pinot grigio can be used to whip up a quick and refreshing sangria. After your guests arrive, put your bartending skills to the test. Try to create interesting drinks with what you have in front of you and your guests will love brainstorming along with you; not to mention trying out the creations.

Desserts
Chocolate covered strawberries are, in my opinion the perfect low-cost party dessert. They're alluring, attractive, and you can eat them with your fingers (the best part)! You can find great deals on strawberries when they are in season. Chocolate is always available in the baking section of any market and for about $15 your guests will be floored by your creativity and flair for the dramatic. Also, try using white chocolate to add some decorating pizzazz.

Live without...
When trying to save money on a party I almost always do without purchasing fresh-cut flowers. (I dream of the day I will have a garden of my own, overflowing with flowers waiting to be cut for my centerpieces...sigh) They are expensive and never last as long as you'd like. Use your imagination and decorate with what you already own. Have a theme? Use that image to inspire you to create something beautiful! I like to replace picture frames with candid photos of some of the guests attending the event.

I'd also suggest that you consider taking it easy on the upgrades. Perhaps crumbled Bleu Cheese can be used instead of pricier options such as Rouquefort. This king of cheeses, still aged in caves, can also rule your wallet. You can usually get away with using Turkish Gemlic olives instead of best selling and extremely expensive Kalamata Olives from Greece.

Likewise, perhaps some concessions can be made when choosing meat for your menu. Do you need Black Angus for your chili? Probably not. Perhaps you can swap Choice for Prime (as a corn-fed, beef snob Nebraska gal, I feel a little blasphemous even saying that). Trust me, that is the biggest meat money saver I know of. (I feel a beef post a 'comin, folks...) Also, stick to more moderately priced cuts of beef as well. The Tenderloins are a guest favorite and won't break the bank. Consider using fish in tacos, chicken in chili, pork for BBQ, or turkey burgers to liven up your menu and renovate classic party fare.

Above all, have fun! Don't fret about the little things and remember, seeing your friends and/or family members all in on place is the best reason to throw a party. Camaraderie is always in style and will always be financially friendly!

Because She's Your Mother, That's Why!

Crossposted from Renegade Soiree

This comes to us from the ever so stylish Twig and Thistle. Seattle based print designer and all around design genius, Kathleen is the brain behind this wonderful company. The blog is amazing! This adorable little doorknocker is perfect for the busy Mom (and aren't they all?!) You can download it here. I suggest printing it on brightly colored card stock. The doorknocker will fit nicely inside a #10 envelope (my favorite #10 envelopes of all time are from Paper Source). I think this gift would be best paired with something sinful (Godiva, anyone?) for that special lady in your life to enjoy with her feet up.

Let's all take the time to remember our mothers this weekend. They've given us life, love, and their never ending support as we bumble through our lives desperately trying to become half the person they are so effortlessly. I for one don't know where I'd be without my Mom behind me 100%. So, with all they give us everyday, let's make sure we give Sunday, May 10th to them.

I love you, Mom!

Photo credit: Twig and Thistle Blog

Flick'r it Up!

Well, everybody- I finally took the plunge. I'm on Flick'r! I really kind of love it! I thought it was going to be this giant hassle, but it was actually really fun!

Most of the pictures are aligned with my wedding planning blog, Holy Matrimony!: Life, Love and the Pursuit of the Perfect Wedding, but eventually there will be just as much party planning deliciousness located there. I intend to start with some lovely paper pinwheels.

I can't wait!

I'm not done with the surprises yet, so you'll have to stay tuned.

Raising, (Or Rather, Lowering) the Bar....Part Deux

In my last post, I described three general rules couples should follow when attempting to control the liquid cost of their reception. So, what's to be done when you've chosen a venue? While it can be hard to avoid some expense, especially with soda and coffee, there are always things that can be done. Here are a couple of tricks I routinely employ to save a few clams!

1. Never underestimate the beauty of the signature drink. Oh, the signature drink-what a beautiful thing! This is a great way for Brides on a budget to save a little money while amping up the personal touches that make a reception great. Choose a drink you and your SO really like, give it a fun, flirty name and voila! A signature drink is born. Then, serve your guests soda, coffee, champagne for the toast and your signature drink. Also, consider making a colorful sign to announce your drink at the bar. Here's a drink idea to get you started!

Love's First Kiss
Vodka
Cranberry Juice
Ginger Ale
garnish with Lime, serve over ice in a cocktail glass
*This is one of my favorite drinks. I happen to really like Cape Cods, though. Great for summer!

2. Limit the free stuff to a few choice items. This works well for couples who would like to have a few free items on the menu, but maybe don't want to give away the farm. I suggest paying the corkage fee on a limited number of wine bottles and ordering a keg or two of beer. Also, if your venue will allow it, have them put any partially used bottles of the toasting champagne on the bar for the guests.

3. Consider the password. This can be used like a drink ticket/token, but less obtrusive. Perhaps you'll want to limit the number of free drinks for the entire guest list (two or three seem to be most common). Unlimited drinks for a small group of people (think bridal party, parents and a few close family and friends) is completely acceptable as well. Make the password simple and relevant to the wedding (think last names or the date of the event). Whatever you do, make it fair. Do not choose a group of people who, to a guest outside that group, seem to be chosen at random. Make the group and the reasoning behind it crystal clear. Confusion is usually not an element of an unforgettable wedding.

4. Keep an open dialogue with banquet staff. Inform the wait staff(preferably the Banquet Captain or Catering Manager) that you and your SO would like to be kept in the loop when deciding to open more bottles and tap more kegs. Timing is everything, so use your best judgment. If you seem to be running out and it's only 10pm you may need to rectify that problem, tout de suite. Is it 11:15pm and you have to be out by midnight? That's a different story-maybe you only refill wine. It's your call. Also, let the bartenders know not to open any bottles they don't have to. If you have Ketel One on the bar and no one asks for it, send it back unopened. If it's open, but unused, you will still pay for it. A little diligence goes a long way, trust me.

5. Get to know the menu and ask questions. I saved this for last because, in my opinion, it is the most important. Get cozy with the corkage fees and drink charges. The sooner the better.

Can you bring in your own alcohol? Is there a corkage fee? What percentage is the service charge? What is the general price difference between rail and top shelf liquor? What do "rail" and "top shelf" mean? These are all questions you should be asking. Get answers to them. Don't sign anything until you do. For beverages that come in bottles, but are charged by the glass-ask how many glasses count as a bottle (at our venue, it was six). It may be cheaper to buy a set number of bottles beforehand at the bottle price. This goes double for champagne. If you want an open bar, find out if they have any packages (3 and 5 hour packages seem to be the most common). Also, check to see what the price per hour is. You may save money by limiting the open bar to just one or two hours.

All in all quite a few money saving options exist when it comes to the bar. You just have to know where to look. If you are without a planner, it can be difficult. The best advice I can give you is to always remember that the vendors work for you. Not the other way around. Getting what you want can be tricky with weddings. Getting what you want at a price you can afford is trickier still.

Photo Credit: Maui Weddings.com

Flick'r Me Pretty!

Holy Matrimony! is on Flick'r, folks! A woo-hoo, I say! On my photostream, you'll find pictures of the Bridal Shower, Snow and Graham, and any other topic mentioned on the pages of Matrimony! Updates will be frequent and totally worth the look-see.

By the way, I'm not done with the surprises yet......you'll have to stay tuned to get your fix.