Your Gown: Did You Tell All or Keep Things Under Wraps?

Did you keep things mum until your Big Day?

For more than half a year now (can you believe it?), the tabloids — and even, yes, for-real newspapers, like the various Times — have been abuzz about Kate Middleton’s oh so royal dress and the splash she made walking down the aisle to her prince this past spring.

What is it about that gown that had everyone enchanted? It’s hard to say, though we feel it’s the departure from a traditional ballroom gown or pouffed out A-line (though we love these, don’t get us wrong) that had jaws dropping…and apparently, still does.

We're still enchanted: Kate, April 29, 2011. Photo: people.com

The latest? Well, now everyone seems to be asking, “How on earth did Kate keep her wedding dress a secret?”

Good question; you’d think something would have leaked somewhere. But nope, we were all surprised…and pleasantly so. Let’s face it, Kate would look like a princess in a paper sack, but her choice was a cut above even what most viewers of the Royal shindig were expecting, prompting comparisons to the late Princess Grace of Monaco.

What about you? Did you stick with tradition and keep your dress details on the down low? Or were you happy to share digitals of your fittings with anyone and everyone?

Marry in Black? Yes, Says Superdesigner Vera Wang

Yea or nay? (Photo: trendstop.com)

Have you seen this collection? The ever-innovative and distinctly unafraid Vera has surprised us yet again: She unveiled a preview of her Fall 2012 wedding gown collection…including black gowns.  Have a look at what The New York Times reported on this hot new collection.

We would love to know what you think. Of course, we’ve seen plenty of buzz about this on various opinion blogs, the good, the bad and the indifferent. But we’re way more interested in our own readers’ opinions, so sound off! Contact us and tell us whether you like the collection, and why (or why not).

Contact us at:

cust_serv@favorsbyserendipity.com

Bonus points if you wore black to your wedding and have a pic or two.

Ciao, beauties!

Trend Alert: Elegant (and Yummy) Wedding Cupcakes

Photo credit: bridella.com

Yes, they’ve been around for a while. But this year we REALLY saw wedding cupcakes take off — particularly in style and creativity. (Not to mention the nom factor.)

Cupcake by Sugarbloom Cupcakes, Perth, WA.

Wedding cupcakes are an adorable way to show your personality; they’re playful and fun, rich and decadent and now, oh so elegant.

Yep, that’s right — elegant cupcakes! This subcategory isn’t just for Manhattan coffee-and-cake bistros any more. Brides and grooms are eagerly choosing this delicious and beautiful option over the traditional tall-tiered wedding cake.

Damask wrappers. Favorsbyserendipity.com

Now, that’s not to say that the tier idea itself can’t be utilized with wedding cupcakes. Cupcake stands (or towers) are the perfect way to display your gourmet goodies.

So what do wedding guests think of this new twist on a time-honored idea? We haven’t met one yet who didn’t think it was the most awesome idea ever. (Well, maybe they didn’t say “awesome.” I just love that word, sorry.)

Cupcakes are easy to eat, are self-limiting (although the wedding cake is generally served and nobody ever asks for seconds), and the individual wrappers can be gorgeous and complement the wedding reception colors.

Plus, there’s just something about holding a tiny, elegant cake in your hands and taking that first delicious, decadent bite. It’s that fabulous experience of a childhood delight all grown up, and in an elegant setting. With maybe a li’l tiny bit of Marie Antoinette thrown in there. (Le sigh.)

So what are you waiting for? Dig in! (But save one for us…yum!)

Four Brilliant Bridal Shower Themes

Being asked to arrange a bridal shower is an honor. And you’re pretty sure you can handle it. After all, the bride’s mom would never have asked you unless she felt your uber-creative self was up to the task.

So why, days or perhaps even weeks later, are you still stumped on where to start?

We have an idea why (mostly because we’ve been there). You want this shower to be different from the usual fare. You’re just not sure where to start…so you’re at a standstill.

Shake things up! Make your friend or relative’s bridal shower brilliant. How? By choosing a great theme. You can take a fun, cool theme all the way from the invitations to take-home “thank you” bags for the guests. Here are four fabulous bridal shower themes and a few great ideas for each.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s Bridal Shower Theme

It’s amazing how this basic idea — the “playgirl” all dressed up — became a national icon and is still one of the most romantic notions

Mix up a classy-girl good time. Click for more info.

the world has ever known. (The movie Breakfast at Tiffany was released in 1961, by the way. Wowsers.)

In January of 2010, favorsbyserendipity.com introduced its Chic Girl selection of favors, and they were an instant hit. Today they continue to be huge among bridal shower arrangers, so we thought we’d pass the idea along to you as our Number One bridal shower theme among this selection.

Send invitations with Holly Golightly (B@T’s main character, played by Audrey Hepburn) on the front; it’s easy enough to download a stock image and print the party information inside. Let guests know it will be a tres chic affair and that they must wear a little black dress!

At the party, serve Chic Girl favors, champagne (or sparkling white grape juice) and delicate finger sandwiches (make these yourself by cutting the crusts off sandwiches and cutting into triangles). Check out Trader Joe’s or your local gourmet haunt for bakeable hors d’ouvres to save yourself time and present an elegant appearance. Bon appetite, you chic girl, you!

Foodie Bridal Shower Theme

Mmmmm…what’s cookin’? Your delicious bridal shower with this fun and delicious foodie bridal shower theme.

One of our fave foodie take-home gifts for guests: caramel corn. Mmm!

Whip up some delicious invitations by uploading images of cakes, candies and brownies, or of gourmand savory treats. For a special touch, hand write (rather than print) the party information inside. Use a calligraphy pen; totally gorgeous and nowhere near as hard to use as you may think!

On the invitations, ask guests to bring their favorite food specialty (either bought or made). Text or e-mail around your group ahead of time to make sure nobody is doubling up on the same food or too similar an idea. Make or order your own tasty treats and arrange everything on the table as guests arrive.

After the shower, ask your guests to e-mail you their recipes. Then type them all up, print them out and make a scrapbook to present to the bride on her wedding day as a special remembrance of her shower.

Plant an idea for your winter-theme shower with memorable seed packets.

Seasonal Bridal Shower Theme

Here in Southern California, an autumn theme will remain appropriate until December. After that, it’s full-on winter.

Luckily, both themes are beautiful. Autumn is touched with reds, golds and evergreen and the season smells oh so spicy good.

Winter glistens with its own haunting beauty and makes the perfect backdrop for a shower that will take place at the end of this year or early in 2012.

Cut out your own leaf- or snowflake-shaped invitations with the shower information printed inside.

For decor, hang leaves or snowflakes from long ribbons above the party foods table. Create a pretty, natural centerpiece using late-season fruits and nuts.

Serve warm seasonal snacks (we suggest a potluck) and hand out edible favors that will warm the heart.

Breast Cancer Awareness Bridal Shower Theme

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so if you’re having your bridal shower soon, choose items that contribute to this very

We love these thoughtful breast cancer awareness lip balms.

important cause. Ask guests to wear pink and hand out pink ribbons for everyone to wear.

Serve pink foods, like pink frosted cookies and pink grapefruit juice or sparkling pink grapefruit punch (just add any clear-colored soda or seltzer).

If you know someone who has experienced this character-testing condition, make sure she is invited to the party and surprise her by having it in her honor and in honor of women everywhere.

You can also choose another cause that’s dear to your heart. Make sure you either purchase party favors and other items that make a contribution toward it, or ask for small donations — $1, $5 or $10 — in lieu of shower gifts, then gather them and send them to your cause.

Al Ojeda Photography, and Our Friend Ida

Time to spotlight a site we REALLY love.

Michael and Dina, you look marvelous. Click the pic to get to the photographer's site.

We were contacted recently by Ida of Al Ojeda Photography in New Jersey. We checked out their site, and, well…wow.

What do we love so much about Al Ojeda Photography? The way they catch people in the act of being funny, fun, gorgeous and themselves, while maintaining a truly professional shot.

Oh, and hey, guess what. Other people seem to love them too!

Just beautiful. They cover the New York tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut). So give them a call and let us know what you think…and as always, send us your favorite shots so we can ooh and ah over your special day!

Pretty, Pretty Pine Cones ‘n Pumpkins

Everything’s coming up autumn! And guess what we have for you: gorgeous fall favors that will impress your wedding guests. Check out these reader’s faves:

Pretty pine, with a scent that's divine. Click the pic for more info.

Guess what's growing in the pumpkin patch -- brownie pops! Click for info.

Our Travel Caddy: We’re Feeling the Love

Our Cruise Travel Accessories Contest in July was great fun to put together, and even more rewarding when we chose a winner. Over at favorsbyserendipity.com, we’re always working on creating new contests to keep spreading the love to our readers.

Good clean travel fun.

So we were happy to see we got some kudos from another website this week! (Yay us!) Thanks aaronscruischatter.com, who mentioned our Cruise Shower Caddy.

We choose all our items carefully and are discerning in what we recommend. We will only offer you items we ourselves would be glad to own. And then there are the items I create myself when I see a need. The Cruise Shower Caddy was one of those, so I can’t help but feel just a little bit proud of how successful it has become.

Thank you, Aaron, and we hope to get a chance to mention you in the future here on yourweddingwhisperer.com.

In the meantime, happy traveling to our readers, and please keep giving us your input on what works for you, and what you’d love to see, so we can continue to offer you the very best!

Eileen

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pretty -- and aware -- in pink.

Greetings, my lovelies! Can you believe October is just around the corner? (Where did this year go?)

Along with back-to-school activities, sports and gorgeous fall foliage, October brings with it a more serious concern: breast cancer awareness month. According to statistics, 1 in 8 (or 12%) of all women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

So yeah. It’s a big deal. And we know you’re doing your part — since we began offering Breast Cancer Awareness favors, we’ve had so many comments and e-mails telling us what women, and men, across the country are doing to help spread the word and seek a cure.

With statistics of 1 in 8 women, we know many of our readers have experienced breast cancer already, via a family member, a friend, a much loved teacher or mentor…or themselves.

We know how it is to battle breast cancer personally or to help a loved one through this devastating illness. So once again, we’re offering our Breast Cancer Awareness favors. They’re designed to increase awareness visually, and several include donations toward finding a cure.

We’re proud to do our part and will continue to do so until breast cancer is defeated. Thanks to our readers and to Susan G. Koman For the Cure for your and their tireless efforts and positive spirit!

Happy Anniversary, “Perfect Pair” Candle!

We picked a winner.

This August, it was 10 years since our Perfect Pair candle was featured on the Today Show and on reflection, we’re thrilled to say this pretty party and wedding favor is as popular as ever. So we wanted to wish one of our best sellers a happy anniversary! Still classy, still beautiful and still going strong.

But did you know the Perfect Pair candle actually made its media debut even earlier than that? Here’s our sweet success story:

In January 2001,  InStyle magazine approached us to ask if we would submit samples of some of our favors. I decided to add the new Perfect Pair Pear Candle I had just designed.

Apparently InStyle liked what they saw (and sniffed — mmm), because they featured us in their magazine — and a staggering 25,000 personalized pear candles flew off the shelves within months.

A celebrity wedding even featured the Perfect Pair, and the comments and kudos began rolling in. We received so many comments on the delightful, fresh pear scent — it’s enchanting.

Then the Today Show called. I wish I could share with you just how that felt. It was an absolutely wonderful feeling. Shortly after the Today Show featured the Perfect Pair, we acquired expanded warehouse facilities to accommodate our customers, and the rest is history.

Perfect Pair is still the perfect wedding favor. It’s a timeless “new classic” that goes with virtually every season and every wedding style. Now that we’re coming into autumn, the pear, an emblem of bountiful nature (and sweet yumminess!) is once again top on our brides’ and grooms’ lists. We still can’t keep them on the shelves, but that’s okay…we’re thrilled to share their beauty with you.

Happy Anniversary, Perfect Pair!

Weathering the Storm: Couple Marries in Midst of Irene

This definitely isn’t the only couple that wedded during Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene, which has walloped the east coast during the past several days. But we thought the story was sweet, so we wanted to give it a mention.

Irene has foiled many a plan since she blew on in and started making her way up the coast. But some couples just won’t be deterred. There are so many stories of hope this week about couples wedding in the midst of the storm. We’re impressed — they might all be a bit braver than we are!

In the story we’ve linked, the New Hampshire bride and groom were denied a reception due to the danger of Hurricane Irene. At the last minute, the place where they held the ceremony saved the day: it offered its basement for the post-nuptial festivities.

Save! It appears everyone had a smashing time despite the weather. Best wishes to the happy couple now and in the years to come, and to the rest of our friends on the east coast — stay safe!