Monday, April 24, 2017

Your Wedding Time Table

Careful planning will enable you to truly enjoy every moment of your Wedding Day. Arrangements for a large formal wedding should ideally begin at least 8 – 12 months in advance. However, many beautiful weddings are put together in considerably less time. The important thing is to follow a timetable, read the articles in this guide and let your contracted suppliers help you. Share the planning duties with your fiancĂ©, your family and your attendants — much of the fun is doing it together! Six to Twelve Months Decide budget; discuss sharing of expenses. Decide type of wedding: a) formal, b) semi-formal, c) informal Choose location of ceremony. Discuss alternative dates with clergy or officiator. Decide size of wedding party; choose attendants. Select gown style. Select veil style. Select attendants & apparel. Choose reception facility. Select caterer/wedding consultant. Plan details of reception. Select photographer. Have engagement photos taken. Select music for reception. Select videographer. Select florist. Compile guest list. No. of Guests: Bride's _____________ Groom's ___________ Discuss gown colors & styles with mothers of bride & groom. Four to Six Months Select men's formal wear; order. Select ceremony musician & music. Make honeymoon plans with your Travel Agent. Decide on new living arrangement; buying, leasing, renting? Consult decorator about home decor. Register gift preferences with one or more bridal registries. Order invitations, personal stationary, programs, napkins, etc. Stationer _________________ Del. date __________ Professionally prepare & print map to include with invitations. Set aside hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. Have physical examinations & update immunizations. Buy wedding rings; order engraving. Two to Four Months Reserve rental items (candelabra, arches, canopy, linens, etc.). Arrange rehearsal dinner. Shop for trousseau and apparel for honeymoon & prenuptial parties. Reserve limousine, carriage, trolley or coach transportation. Address wedding invitations; consider professional calligrapher. Review florist arrangements; finalize order. Buy attendants & gifts and gifts for each other. Experiment with hairstyles and make-up changes. Buy bride's and attendants' shoes; send to dyer. Order wedding and groom's cakes. One to Two Months Mail invitations four to six weeks before wedding. Final bridal fitting. Final attendants & fittings. Confirm honeymoon reservations, begin packing. Select reception decorations (balloons, candles, flowers, table favors, etc.). Select ceremony accessories (unity candle, ring pillow, guestbook, etc.). Select personal accessories (handbag, garter, engraved goblets, guest mementos, etc.). Arrange bridemaids & brunch or luncheon. Schedule appointments for hair stylist, facial, manicure, massage. Buy marriage license; have blood tests if needed. Two Weeks Invite wedding party & guests to rehearsal dinner. Move your personal and mutual belongings to new home. Review reception seating and order place cards from calligrapher. Confirm out-of-town guests & lodging with reserved hotels. Confirm wedding party transportation and arrival times. Record gifts as you receive them; write thank you notes. Schedule caterer for gift opening party. Arrange for gown cleaning and bouquet preservation after wedding. One to Two Weeks Pick up wedding rings, check engravings and sizes. Final consultations: Florist, hall decorator, musicians, photographer, videographer. Give final guest count to reception facility and caterer. Remind men to pick up formal wear and shoes; check for fit. Make wedding day schedule and give everyone copies at rehearsal dinner. Relax the day before; keep personal appointments; finish honeymoon packing. Your planning is complete. Your day will be wonderful!!!

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Two Bridal Shows

We will be handing out our Wedding Guide books at two Bridal Expos this Sunday... Bridal Showplace Bridal Show on April 23, 2017 from 11:00am - 3:00pm at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 200 S Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802 Find some of Southern CA most distinguished wedding professionals offering every product and service for your wedding. Each event offers a variety of on-site features, such as: cake tasting, hors d'oeuvres, mini massages, beauty makeovers, entertainment and live performances. You can have your photo taken at the photo booths, learn the latest trends at the Wedding Planning Seminars, Ask the Experts, get free wedding planners and magazines. Preview the latest bridal fashions for the entire bridal party featured in our beautifully choreographed fashion shows. Enter to win thousands of $$$ in Door Prizes. Learn what every couple should know when planning their wedding at the Bride and Groom 101 Seminar. The first 50 brides in line will receive special Swag bags. Grooms are special too - at each event we hold a separate "Groom's Only Drawing". ___AND___ Sunday April 23, 2017 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | $12 Admission at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 Shop, compare and connect with 125 Los Angeles County wedding vendors. Find new planning ideas, inspiration and great values at this season's largest gathering of florists, wedding venues, photo booths, photographers, disc jockeys, bridal gowns, tuxedos, entertainers, bridal beauty tips, custom invitations, vintage decor, and romantic honeymoons. Learn at a DIY seminar. See staged fashion shows. Watch your fiance compete for prizes. Shop outrageous bargains. Connect with local vendors. Win prizes and take home tons of free stuff, including a shopping bag, copies of wedding magazines and a wedding planning workbook. Bring family and friends to help plan the perfect wedding. Peel-n-stick correspondence labels will be included when completing the registration form and/or buying tickets in advance. Individual exhibits and vendors will be sharing information, answering questions, and giving away prizes. Visit each exhibit and use your labels to enter each drawing or share your contact information. See you at one of them!

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Easter Celebrations

Have a wonderful Easter shared with loved ones... Easter is the most important Christian festival of the year. Easter celebrates the return to life of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, after His Crucifixion. Jesus's return to life is called the Resurrection. The Gospels tell that on the morning two days after Jesus's death His tomb was found empty. Soon, Jesus's followers began to see Him and talk with Him. Christians believe Jesus's Resurrection means that they, too, can receive new life after death. The Easter festival celebrates this belief. Most Christians observe Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Thus, the festival can occur on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. In the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the celebration of Easter may take place later because these churches use additional factors in calculating the date of the festival. The Easter festival is closely associated with spring. The new plant life that appears in spring symbolizes the new life Christians gain because of Jesus's Crucifixion and Resurrection. The word Easter may have come from an early English word, Eastre. Some scholars say Eastre was the name of a pagan goddess of spring, the name of a spring festival, or the name of the season itself. Other scholars believe the word Easter comes from the early German word eostarun, which means dawn. This word may be an incorrect translation of the Latin word albae, meaning both dawn and white. Easter was considered a day of "white" because newly baptized church members wore white clothes at Easter observances. A number of popular customs are observed during the Easter season. Some are followed by most Christians. Others are observed in a particular area or by a particular group. Carnivals provide opportunities for feasting and merrymaking before the solemn fast days of Lent. The word carnival comes from the Latin word carnelevarium, which means removal of meat. The most famous carnival is the Mardi Gras, celebrated on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins. Mardi Gras is a French term that means Fat Tuesday. It refers to the fat ox that traditionally led a procession on Shrove Tuesday in France. Carnivals often feature parades in which people wear elaborate costumes. The best-known Mardi Gras parade in North America takes place in New Orleans. Exchanging and eating Easter eggs is a popular custom in many countries. In most cases, chicken eggs are used. The eggs are hard-boiled and dyed in various colors and patterns. Many countries have their own traditional patterns. Probably the most famous Easter eggs are those designed in Ukraine and Poland, where Christians decorate the eggs with complicated red, black, and white patterns. In many countries, children hunt for Easter eggs hidden about the home. Children in the United Kingdom, Germany, and some other countries play a game in which eggs are rolled against one another or down a hill. The egg that stays uncracked the longest wins. Since 1878, children in Washington, D.C., have been invited to roll eggs on the White House lawn.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Glendale Bridal Show

Bellisima Bridal Upcoming Bridal Show: Sunday, April 9, 2017 from 10:00am - 3:00pm Hilton Hotel 100 West Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale 91202 Upscale, boutique style show with quality vendors, fashion show, and tons of prizes. 661-257-1725 • sandra.lopez@jandmevents.com or www.bellisimabride.com