Additionally, attendees will play wedding trivia and watch footage of other famous weddings–both real and fictional. For those who want to go all out, guests are invited to wear old bridesmaid dresses–the one wearing the most unique dress will win a prize.

Best of all, ... Read More »]]>

Do you enjoy weddings? Are you fascinated by royalty? Watch a live theater screening of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding with like-minded folks at Manhattan’s Paley Center for Media on Friday, April 29. The event will begin at 5:30 a.m., but you can keep your energy up with the tea and scones that will be provided.

Additionally, attendees will play wedding trivia and watch footage of other famous weddings–both real and fictional. For those who want to go all out, guests are invited to wear old bridesmaid dresses–the one wearing the most unique dress will win a prize.

Best of all, this fun event is free–but make sure you reserve a spot at the Center’s event page.

I am planning a wedding.

In June of next year, I will be acting as the Maid of Honour for one of the most fantastic women I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Christie and I have known each other for close to eight years; about the same time she has been dating her polar opposite fiancé. I remember the day Christie and I met; we worked at the same restaurant. She blazed through the doors of said eatery declaring her intentions of partying that night.

“Who is down to go out and drown some drinks?!”

Her then platinum locks ... Read More »]]>

I am planning a wedding.

In June of next year, I will be acting as the Maid of Honour for one of the most fantastic women I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Christie and I have known each other for close to eight years; about the same time she has been dating her polar opposite fiancé. I remember the day Christie and I met; we worked at the same restaurant. She blazed through the doors of said eatery declaring her intentions of partying that night.

“Who is down to go out and drown some drinks?!”

Her then platinum locks bouncing in synch with her steps.

“Uh, yah! I am so in!”

My enthusiasm masked the fact that this was not only the first time we had ever met, but the first conversation we ever had. We were nineteen and twenty-two, respectively.

Years later, we have an unshakeable bond that has lasted illness, our one big fight, moving to different cities (and back), and countless first dates and heartaches.

Enter Kate and Ashley; whom we decided together to add to our circle of friends. Kate, tall, with legs for days and gorgeous copper hair fuelled our fire for an active social life and risk taking. Kate was game for anything, laughed louder than most, and was the girl who would pick you up from the side of the road after a terrible first date (true story.) Ashley, the baby of the group with the most stunning blue eyes I have ever seen, was next to join us. She was young in her years but wiser than most; loyal and family oriented; she never met a cocktail she didn’t like. She was the Charlotte York of the group, albeit with a hell of a lot more sass. Together the four of us hit the town, went on trips, cried over the silliest men and truly grew up together.

Eventually, Kate moved 2300 miles away, Ashley went to college, I bopped from city to city to find myself and Christie became a business owner. In the time in-between we all managed to stay in contact. Of course, as I write this, the four of us now live within fifteen minutes of each other, and time has passed. The days of slamming vodka coolers and dancing until 4am are behind us, but we are still soulmates. Yes, things have not always been peachy. In fact, each of us has taken serious issue with someone, about something’s, and there have been moments where we were all not glued to each other’s hip. However, what makes me so grateful is the fact that we are authentic when it comes to our friendships and all agree that there is no time for resentments and dramatics. While we all had major turning points within this foursome platonic love affair, we discuss issues and not topics. We rarely fight, and when we do, we fight clean – no names, low blows or past bull.

Our honesty is remarkable. Unlike many women that I have encountered, we actually talk. It is so important in lifelong friendships to have the cojones to actually be blunt – because at the end of the day we all have our ‘off’ moments. We all piss each other off, we all have attitudes, and we all have misunderstandings. What is so fantastic is that we credit each other enough to squash our issues before they manifest.

While everyone else is so afraid of hurting feelings, we have enough respect for each other to say how we feel. It is not uncommon for us to talk, text and email each other over ten times a day, just to make it known that we are excited about one another, and what our friendships mean. Not only do we plan brunches, pedicures and nights out, we are now all planning for Christie’s wedding – Kate and Ashley are also her bridesmaids. Despite falling outs, dropped calls and broken plans we have such a solid connection and that is due to having the class to be true; to talk as well as listen, and for that I am honoured.

Lucky us.

Stephanie Churma is a freelance writer with focus on Relationships, Lifestyle and Personal Development. Throughout the writing of this column she and all the girls mentioned in this piece sent over fourteen text messages respectively. Contact stephaniechurma@hotmail.com

Photo credit © Николай Григорьев | Dreamstime.com

My oldest son was married this past weekend. It’s so easy to say this now, but the year leading up to this celebration, even though well planned, literally flew by in one weekend. When I learned the news that this event would take place one year ago, I spent time researching the role of the mother of the groom. I’m sure books have been written that include this information (if you purchase one dealing with weddings), but I thought the internet search would be the fastest and most economical. Is there such a thing as economical when it comes to ... Read More »]]>

My oldest son was married this past weekend. It’s so easy to say this now, but the year leading up to this celebration, even though well planned, literally flew by in one weekend. When I learned the news that this event would take place one year ago, I spent time researching the role of the mother of the groom. I’m sure books have been written that include this information (if you purchase one dealing with weddings), but I thought the internet search would be the fastest and most economical. Is there such a thing as economical when it comes to a wedding? I’m not so sure.

From my searches I found that I did have some parameters to function within. There are rules that give guidance to finding out what type of dress the mother of the bride is going to wear before you purchase yours and what we, the groom’s parents, were responsible for during the celebration. I also found information that let me know it really doesn’t matter what we do and that there are no rules when it comes to weddings in today’s world. Which one do you believe? I went with the latter and that was a relief.

Initially I wanted to wait on the mother of the bride to purchase her dress, but then I found ‘the dress’ and went ahead and took it; a knee length one shoulder rose pearlescent dress with pockets. This wasn’t your typical mother of the groom outfit and I didn’t by your typical mother of the groom jacket either. I couldn’t pull off the long chiffon evening gowns. I did try to follow the ‘rules’ here, but in the end I couldn’t do it as these dresses did not fit my personality or style.

Rehearsal dinners are the responsibility of the groom’s family and I wanted our party for the couple to be a venue that meshed with their personalities and tastes. I found the perfect spot, not because of location, well a little bit, but because they were 100% accommodating. The staff, from the managers on down, allowed our evening to be a memorable event and they complied with our every request. Menu choices were offered that fit any budget and their wine list was no different.

Keeping in line with the tastes of my son and his bride I found an excellent website for creating personalized invitations and reply cards. They were quick and professionally finished. I even had 99% of those invited reply. I found out that table settings, or little take-a-ways, were optional, but my son and his bride had used the phrase ‘besame mucho’ enough that I wanted to find something quirky that applauded their union and love. I decided upon large red wax lips; the kind that we all loved wearing and then chewing up as kids.

With lips in hand and wrapped in cellophane candy bags with satin ribbons I set off making place cards that would tie in with the bride’s colors and allow the guests to also know their seating during the dinner. There are a variety of options on line that give templates for place cards and I searched until I found one that suited my taste and theirs.

As guests entered the venue they picked up their lips, found their tables, and settled into a wonderful evening. The lips were a hit as everyone used them throughout the evening and were recorded for posterity with a final picture before the evening came to a close.

It’s easy to relay what I did and how I did it, but that doesn’t take away the stress that goes along with putting on a dinner party as well as the events of the wedding weekend. It was a wonderful celebration that was prepared for well in advance, but also included a good amount of stress, lack of sleep and an emotional overload. With all of that, family members still looked beautiful in pictures, danced into the evening, and wore smiles throughout the entire event. Weddings are celebrations as our children take their next step along their journey, but now they aren’t walking alone; they are walking with their soulmate.

Leslie Bogar is the Dean of Students at a College Preparatory High School in the Denver area. She has been involved in the field of education for over 20 years and focuses in issues related to youth. Her articles have appeared in a variety of publications and webzines and she has spoken to groups on youth culture issues and raising teens in today’s world. Along with her husband, she has raised three children and married off one.

Wedding season is here and as I work with Brides on their style for their big day, I am constantly asked for my top tips. When prepping for the big day, and making plans for your honeymoon, here are some fun stylish tips to remember.

• On your wedding day add a dust of shimmer to the inner corners of your eyes and top of your cheek bones to brighten your whole face.

• Get a Mani/Pedi your hands and feet should always look maintained and so super soft.

• Always wear lip gloss, especially on your wedding day, you will be kissing lots ... Read More »]]>

Wedding season is here and as I work with Brides on their style for their big day, I am constantly asked for my top tips. When prepping for the big day, and making plans for your honeymoon, here are some fun stylish tips to remember.

• On your wedding day add a dust of shimmer to the inner corners of your eyes and top of your cheek bones to brighten your whole face.

• Get a Mani/Pedi your hands and feet should always look maintained and so super soft.

• Always wear lip gloss, especially on your wedding day, you will be kissing lots so keep your lips glistening.

• Don’t’ forget sunscreen on your honeymoon, keeping your skin looking youthful, for a long lasting marriage.

• We all know wearing sex lingerie is important, but don’t forget to wear it even after the honeymoon is over, it just makes you feel so good.

• What a perfect time to splurge on a timeless tote, a trip like a honeymoon is always a good excuse.

• Cotton jersey wrap dresses are the perfect piece of clothing for your honeymoon getaway, they pack up great and don’t wrinkle.

• Wear a beach hat with a wide brim it is perfect to keep the sun out and looks fabulously mysterious.

• Accessorize, wear classic diamond studs or pearls on your wedding day and remember to add bold jewelry on your honeymoon. Try big bangles and necklaces to make a simple outfit pop.  For an easy upgrade on the beach, add a crystallize clip to your hair for a little glitz and glamour.

Photo Credit © Dallaseventsinc | Dreamstime.com

Dawn Del Russo is a TV personality, fashion expert seen on National TV Better TV, Fox 5 NY, InStyle Magazine, Life and Style Magazine, US Weekly for her fashion and lifestyle tips and advice. She is the author of “101 Glam Girl Ways to an Ultra Chic Lifestyle”
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