Luminations of a New Wife

Jack & Jill Shower?

I haven't really heard of these boy/girl showers but maybe they're getting more popular in places other than the city. We ran into a friend of Steve's in the airport last weekend who was on his way home to Atlanta to attend a Jack and Jill shower of his own. He had no idea what to bring as a gift - do you need to bring one? Does the bride open up gifts? I suggested bringing a bar-related gift from their registry - a decanter, an ice bucket - something to appease both him and her. There are so many beautiful glass and crystal pieces to choose from, so no excuses to show up empty-handed!

on being a bridesmaid

I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in one of my closest high school friend's weddings this past weekend. It was only my second time being in the wedding party (the first was for my sister-in-law who got married a few months after we did) and walking down the aisle clutching onto a bouquet brought back so many memories of my own wedding not too long ago. My friend was such a beautiful, calm & glowing bride - it was so nice to be on the other side of the wedding, though!

I loved what she did for the bridesmaid dresses. She selected a designer, chose a color & fabric,  and allowed her bridesmaids to select the dress that fit them best.

She selected Vera Wang's Antique Gold, and I will upload pictures as soon as I get them back so you can see how gorgeous they all looked! If I were to do anything over again I definitely would do this.

It really gives your bridesmaids a say in the dress-selection process and makes them feel a part of all the planning. Antique Gold is definitely a color that a bridesmaid could wear to another wedding, and I know some of the girls already plan on doing so. I'm a big fan of the Vera Wang dresses - they always look gorgeous and you really cannot go wrong with whatever you end up choosing!

Another thing she did which I thought was great is the 'royal table' which they had for all members of the wedding party. It was a rectangular-shaped table in the front of the room that sat all 22 bridesmaids and groomsmen with their dates. The bride and groom also sat in the middle of the table. Setting up the tables this way makes table-seating an (almost) breeze. No more having to recall an old high school feud or having friends that don't like each other sit at a comfortable distance. Mazel Tov, Trace!

Oh yeh, we all rocked out to the band too.  Keepin it real like we always do.

Wedding Day Itinerary

My recently married friend's mom reminded me of how important it is to create an itinerary for the day of your wedding. Not only will it help the day move smoother for all those involved, but it's so important to have all your vendors be on the same page as well. I created a timeline for my bridesmaids and sent it to them a few weeks before the wedding to give them a sense of how the day will flow - doing so manages people's anxieties and provides them a sense of what to expect for your big day.

My friend's mom wrote some of her own thoughts down after her daughter's (gorgeous) wedding two weekends ago, and I think they are too valuable not to share:

It is very important to coordinate the  florist and the photographer. If you are planning on taking pictures of the bridal party and family before the actual wedding you will need everything done earlier than if your pictures are planned during the cocktail hour - that means the chuppah, bridesmaids bouquets, and groomsmen flowers for the lapels need to be ready for photos at a pre-determined time. 

Someone needs to check with the caterer re: having everything at the bar that is requested. 

If you're providing hair styling for the bridal party or family members, make a schedule and make sure everyone sticks to it. Most importantly - make sure they understand that they will pass on their turn if they're not on time!

Valuable words from the mother-of-the-bride (who tells us there is more on the way, we hope!)...the excitement and emotion of being a part of a wedding are absolutely indescribable! <sigh>