Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

Tanning Tips

If you’re hoping to get a bronze-ish look for your wedding day go for an even tan. Remember that most of your guests will see you from the back – the cermeony, dancing, etc… so it’s important to look good from all angles. Here are some tanning tips:

1. Test the tanning spray, bed, cream, etc.. months before your wedding so you know how your skin will react.
2. Don’t lay in the sun days before your wedding without proper sun lotion. You don’t want to get a burn or sun poisoning the week of your wedding.
3. If you are using a spray or lotion to get the perfect tan, make sure you cover yourself evenly and ask for help for those hard to reach areas like your back.
4. Do not put any type of tanning lotion or spray on the morning of your wedding in case it can rub off on your white dress.

The Helpful Fiance – help him, help you!

• Start slowly! Every woman wants help from her groom, but overwhelming him with too many wedding details that he hasn’t formed opinions about will overload him.
• Start simple with choices about things guys are interested in: music entertainment, alcohol, photographers, and food. He’s not ready to make decisions on centerpieces, decorations, and table linens (and may never be!).
• Compromise. This is a new world to your groom. All of his ideas may not be winners. However, if you want his help, don’t shoot down every idea he’s got.  A little trust goes a long way!
• When you’re on a tight budget you generally pick three items you’re willing to spend money on, and cut costs everywhere else. Do the same thing with wedding decisions. Pick 3 that you feel strongly about and compromise everywhere else. It’s BOTH of your days and perhaps the biggest party you’ll throw.
• Find fun blogs online and browse them together or send them to him (There’s lots of great info right here in our blog so send him to some of our resources). There are blogs expressing every viewpoint out there. If he connects with other guys getting married he’ll be more willing to help plan. Reading other groom’s stories are the best way to realize he’s not alone!
• Start a website together. There are tons of free website services to keep your guests well informed. Picking colors for the website is a good way to talk about picking the colors for your wedding!. Guys are more visual than women. If you describe chocolate & pink table runners, he doesn’t know what it looks like, but if you pick the colors for the website he’ll immediately connect. Or show him pictures of the colors online; he’ll be able to see what they look like.
• Remember to have fun. This should be the happiest time of your life. If it’s not, take a step back, go out on a date and don’t talk weddings. Taking a night off is a great way not to overwhelm BOTH of you.

Resource: Templeofgroom.com

Photograph courtesy of Rick Aguilar – Chicago

Pamper the Stress Away

Let’s face it, planning a wedding requires lots of time and energy and no one is limitless. There comes a time where WE need pampering (brides as well as the groom or the mom!). Here are a few simple pampering ideas that don’t cost much but can be “oh so pleasurable.” You can even invite your groom to join you and treat each other.

• Spend a Day at the Spa
  Try this easy-to-whip-up summer skin smoother for an at-home spa experience:
  • 1 ripe organic mango
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup Sugar In the Raw

Mash up half of the mango with a fork until smooth. Stir in honey and olive oil until blended. Add sugar. While in the shower, massage mixture onto dry skin, including the neck and face. Allow the masque to remain on the body for several minutes to smooth and soften the skin. Rinse off with warm water and lightly dry the skin.

• Give Yourself a Foot Massage
  Who knew about all the nerve endings in our feet! Purchase a foot massage cream from either Bath & Body Works or The Body Shop and rub it into your feet while you watch your favorite show. Better yet, have him rub your feet for you! When you’re done, cover your feet in socks so that they can continue to soak in the cream.
• Nothing that a glass of wine, fruit, cheese and a good book can’t cure!
  Some days you just want scream! Today, if you scream in your house or yard or in public then you’re liable to get the wrong kind of attention. So, just grab an hour (or two) and shut out the world. Fix yourself a treat - whatever that is. Turn up your favorite music to escape. Don’t answer the phone (and don’t get on the phone to talk!). Slow down and grab a favorite book or movie and escape. Even better? Take the music, treats and book and ease into a luxuriating bubble bath.

None of the above is brain surgery. We all know what we need to do to pamper ourselves, we just need to give ourselves permission to shut out the world for a few hours and do it! When you do? Everyone benefits … you, your honey and others in your sphere. (Editor’s note: continue to do this once you are married and especially if you have kids.).

Hints for the Ultimate Engagement Ring

An engagement ring is a source of joy. No man wants to purchase the engagement ring incorrectly, so help him, and yourself, out. In other words, “speak now, or forever hold your peace!” To avoid getting an engagement ring you don’t like try some of these hints and give him a clue.

Window Gazing (or Internet Browsing)
This is an especially good way to go. If his eyes glaze over, you know that he is probably not quite ready for the big plunge yet. However, if your engagement has been talked about, he will be keen to get some ideas. Looking at what suits your finger and budget is a practical course to take. At least now he will know whether you favor a solitaire, 3 stones, pave setting, or another engagement ring entirely. Make sure that he does have some clue as to the styles, metals, and settings that you prefer. You may also like to point out the engagement rings you really don’t care for. For an online resource, we’ve heard very good things about Blue Nile.

A Joint Effort
For the couple who likes to do everything together, look at various engagement ring styles together and decide as a team what you both like and don’t. This allows input from the both of you, and will ensure an engagement ring that both of you love.

Friends and Family
Some savvy guys may seek assistance from a sister or good friend, if they feel they can trust them to keep a secret. Make sure those close to you that he may ask really do know your style. Tell them if you are unsure.

Casually Point Out
While reading mags or surfing the Net, you can try and show him what you like. “Isn’t that a fabulous engagement ring that so and so got? Take a look at this photo.” If it’s online, then either send him the link to the story, photo or web site – make it easy on him. If’ it’s a magazine, then leave it hanging around your coffee table or kitchen counter for a while.

Were you surprised with your engagement ring? Share your story with our readers!

The Candy Bar – Not Your Traditional Cake

A candy bar, buffet style at a wedding reception is a sure hit and can be a great conversation piece. Plus it’s fun for the guests to pick and choose their favorite sweets.

Color and Size of the Candy Bar Matters
Before you start to purchase the candy, its best to plan the color theme and decide on the amount of candy you will need. I believe cost is just as important as the overall look of the candy buffet. For an inviting and grand look, having a monochromatic theme works best for a candy bar. Many bulk suppliers will let you purchase wholesale orders of things like jelly beans – all in one color. One of our favorite candies, M&Ms can be personalized with photos or words (and right now there’s a promotion going on for a free bag!).

Next, decide on the amount of candy you will need. You do not want to be left with pounds of candy and unnecessary expenses especially when planning a wedding. Figure 5 to 8 ounces per guest. However, this is not a set rule. The amount needed will depend on the type of guests who will be attending your event – kids vs. adults. Something else to consider is if additional desserts will be served. Serving too many sweets throughout the event will be an over kill.

Buying Candy in Bulk
The candy of course is the most expensive aspect for the candy buffet but there are ways to control costs as well. The best option for purchasing candy is buying in bulk. There are plenty of online candy stores that sell at wholesale pricing. Also keep an eye out for sales during holiday seasons such as Halloween, Easter, or Christmas. If your color theme is red, check your local grocery stores or Walgreens right after Christmas. Easter is also a perfect time to get pastel colored candy for very cheap. The most popular candy for a candy table is jelly beans, candy canes, lollipops, Hershey Kisses and M&M’s. All of these can be found in many different colors.

An Evening of Culinary Innovations by Blue Plate (Chicago)

One of our Chicago catering partners, Blue Plate, recently held an event at the Ivy Room to introduce Chicago’s top weddings with Blue Plate’s newest innovative cuisine. “An Evening of Culinary Innovations” by Blue Plate incorporated, from start to finish, a cohesive theme that was inspired by the peacock’s colors of vibrant violet and sapphire.

Invitation Cards
The invitation card is the first impression of any wedding. The artwork detail, the paper texture, color schemes and typography set the tone for the special day. Blue Plate incorporated the soft and dark turquoise tone as the main glow for the invitation.

Décor
Trying to think of décor that will stand out is always a challenge, but by engaging a new concept such as feathers, you not only create a look that is uniquely your own but also one that can be forever beautiful. By maintaining the peacock’s feather colors in various accents around the room, such as on the blue and crystal chandeliers with violet shades, guests were left with a look that was not only striking but also pulled together.

Culinary
Tying in the food with the theme is not easy. Our executive chef designed a popular Gargouillou with Fava Beans, Pea Tendrils, Asparagus, Thumbelina Carrots, Popcorn Shoots, Pink Peppercorns and Edible Flowers with a Carrot-Ginger Reduction. Along the rim of the plate were Smoked Hawaiian Sea Salt, Meyer Lemon Compote and Toasted Flax seeds.

Blue Plate was sure not to forget about the cocktails! Blue Plate’s specialty cocktail of the night was aptly named “The Peacock,” with a brilliant turquoise hue, concocted of Midori, Blue Curacao and Pineapple Juice.

Entertainment
Lastly, entertainment is the absolute key to an unforgettable reception. Ken Arlen Entertainment was absolutely the best choice. From the first note, guests were out of their chairs and onto the dance floor, and didn’t stop shaking their tail-feathers until the late hours of the night.

Enjoy the beautiful photos from the event below…

Do you have any tips for a Las Vegas wedding?

10 things to remember when getting married in Las Vegas

1. Holidays:Keep holidays in mind when choosing your Las Vegas wedding date. Valentine’s Day is a hugely popular date for weddings in Las Vegas, and while it might seem romantic, you may change your mind after waiting in line for a wedding chapel for up to five hours. New Year’s Eve is another busy wedding day in Las Vegas. It’s also party central for tourists, which means your out-of-town wedding guests may have trouble finding a flight or a hotel room unless you book a year in advance. Keep in mind that reception sites also will be booked solid during these holidays.

2. Weather:Las Vegas has beautiful, sunny weather most of the year. However, even though the summer months are popular for weddings, the weather here can be extremely hot and downright uncomfortable if you’re dressed in a tuxedo or a long, heavy gown. The hot sun can melt everything from the bride’s makeup to the icing on the wedding cake. Las Vegas temperatures can top the 100-degree mark from May until September. However, temperatures can be pleasant at night, so you might want to think about an evening ceremony if you absolutely must get married during the summer. Check out our weather section for a list of average temperatures.

3. The dress:Since Las Vegas has no waiting period for getting married, spur-of-the-moment weddings are a common occurrence. So where can you find a wedding dress with only a couple of hours notice? There are several places in Vegas that actually rent wedding dresses. Who wants to spend $2,000 on a dress you’re only going to wear once anyway? Oh, and remember the 100-degree temperatures? You might want to pick a dress that’s sleeveless.

4. Legal:Even though Vegas is known for quickie marriages, that doesn’t mean you can just waltz off the street into a chapel and get married. There are legal requirements you must meet before being issued a marriage license. Check out our section on the legalities of weddings in Las Vegas.

5. Witnesses:If you’re one of those couples who decide on an unplanned wedding, you might not have any guests in town, which brings up the question of having a witness at your ceremony. Not to worry — Las Vegas wedding chapels always have someone on hand to serve as a witness for your happy occasion.

6. Time:If you have your wedding in one of the hundreds of wedding chapels in Las Vegas, don’t expect a long ceremony or a lot of quality time in the chapel afterward. Because there are always several weddings scheduled in each chapel every day, you often are allowed only a half-hour of chapel time. Some chapels can be booked for longer times, but you usually end up paying more for those packages.

7. The official:Most wedding chapels in Las Vegas offer either a civil ceremony or a religious ceremony and provide you with a minister or rabbi. Keep in mind that most chapels don’t allow you to bring in an outside minister or other official to perform the ceremony.

8. Language:What if you come to Las Vegas to get married but you don’t speak English? Have no fear. Many wedding chapels in Las Vegas will perform ceremonies in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese and other languages. Check out our hotel chapel guide to find chapels that offer foreign language ceremonies.

9. Wacky weddings:Las Vegas is the crazy wedding capital of the world. If you come here to get married, you don’t have to have a traditional ceremony. If you’re getting married in Sin City, why not make it a wild and crazy experience? Las Vegas wedding chapels offer unique weddings galore. You can get married in a drive-through chapel, get married by Elvis, have a Harley Davidson-themed wedding or even have a nude ceremony. Only in Vegas.

10. Hair and makeup:If you’re from out of town and you’re in Vegas for your wedding, you will probably want to find a hairstylist to help you prepare for the big day. Many hotels have salons or spas right on property. You also might want to try a local salon off the Strip. In either case, be sure to book your appointment well in advance and keep those holidays and weekends in mind. The salons can get booked up fast. There also are some services in town that will come directly to your hotel room to fix your hair for your wedding.

Chicago wedding photography at it's best

No standard poses here. These acclaimed Chicago wedding photographers capture the beauty, emotion, and spirit of your wedding with a craftsmanship approaching fine art. In addition to the bridal portrait, ceremony, and reception photographs, you may wish to add a prenuptial portrait of you and your betrothed.  The black and white photo featured above is from Rick Aguilar Studios.

With premium photographers booking months in advance, it is best to make your choice soon after the wedding date is set. The professional you commission should be compatible in personality as well as style. Remember to provide a list of required shots, to ensure that the memories you cherish in your heart will also be preserved in print. Ensure the setting is perfect for your photos with the best wedding photographers in Chicago featured at Strictly Weddings Chicago.

The photo above is from Artisan Events.

This next photo is from Peter Thurin who goes on to mention:

“What better to photograph than those extraordinary moments on a day so emotional and spirited. This is the day so many people bookmark in their dreams. It is a milestone that brings family together. It truly is magical. Yet, the real magic in weddings is the emotional, heartfelt expressions from one person to another. It’s the hug in the back of the church, the kiss on the cheek, the tears of a mother (or father) as her daughter is being given away. These are the moments I love to capture with my photography.”

The Meaning of Flowers

Years ago, we were into the “lore” of herbs and flowers and enjoyed the pleasure of making “posies.” Beautiful bouquets that would send a message through the flowers and herbs selected to grace it. Today, you may want to choose your wedding flowers based on their meaning. Here are a few that have a loving meaning as well as beauty and fragrance.

Hydrangea

Gardens burst into life with these poofs in late summer and fall; in shades from pink to lavender to green, they look modern when massed in bouquets and large arrangements.

Meaning – devotion
Style – glamorous, beach casual, classic, romantic, modern
Color – blue, green, white, pink
Size of Bloom – large, medium
Season – year round
Cost – expensive

Sweet Peas

Skinny stems mean you can gather these frilly favorites in a bouquet, and it will still be featherlight. More good news: While it looks delicate, this early spring bloomer is deceptively hardy.

Meaning – delicate pleasures
Color – purple, red, lavender, pink, white
Style – glamorous, classic, romantic
Season – fall through late summer
Size of Bloom – small
Cost – expensive

Gardenias

With a scent to swoon for, this stemless flower can be floated in water or wired into a bouquet; though edges turn brown when handled roughly, it’s a stunningly retro-glam hair ornament.

Meaning – joy
Color – ivory, white
Style – glamorous, classic, romantic
Size of Bloom – large, medium
Season – spring, summer
Cost – expensive

Roses

These are the classic long-stemmed roses that you see in the florist’s shop every Valentine’s Day. A perennial wedding choice, their petals can be plucked to carpet the ceremony aisle.

Meaning – passionate love, purity, friendship (depends on color)
Color – red, yellow, pink, white,
Style – glamorous, classic, romantic
Size of Bloom – medium
Season – year round
Cost – medium price

Peonies

This voluptuous, ultrafragrant flower has a fleeting season—late spring to early summer. Bunches of these chubby, old-fashioned favorites are beautiful placed in pretty pitchers.

Meaning – bashful
Style - beach casual, glamorous, classic, romantic
Color - red, burgundy, pink, white
Size of Bloom - large, medium
Season - late spring
Cost - expensive

Resources: Marriage.About.com, Meanings of Flowers

Visit one of our Floral and Event Partners

Linens – Make a statement, Set the tone

We’re suckers for beautiful fabric, whether it’s the gown or the linens. And today, the bride has so many options to choose from than the traditional white and pastels from way back when. If you’re looking for ideas or a great resource, check out these table settings from Wildflower Linens.

(Click on each image to see a larger view)