Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

March 01, 2010

Prashi Shah 2010 Collection – the perfect honeymoon or dress rehearsal wear

StrictlyWeddings.com was so fortunate to be one of Prashi Shah’s sponsors when she launched her collection, Society Language, at Ghost Bar at The W Hotel. The photos shown here are from her casual line. (Soon to come, we hope, her wedding collection). We think her clothes are perfect for a honeymoon somewhere stylish and tropical or maybe for your rehearsal dinner or couples shower.

A little on celebrity designer Prashi Shah … she doesn’t exactly fit the Bedford stereotype. At 17, she left her hometown and moved to New York to study fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. From there, she worked in design and color development for the well-known designer Bill Blass, picking up enough confidence and experience to move back to Dallas and create her own label, Prashe. Shah’s big break came in 2002 when a high-end New York retailer, Henri Bendel, picked up her line of cosmetic bags. She now sells handbags, skirts, tanks, and knickknacks to big-name stores like Nordstrom, as well as to local hot spots such as Jean Connection, Charmed by Melissa, and Movida. Shah travels the world for inspiration but still calls Dallas her home. “There is so much opportunity here, and its a growing city.” she says. Thanks to her, it’s a stylish one, too.

Many thanks to Scott Hagar Photography for taking time out of his busy schedule to shoot these great pictures!

February 26, 2010

WendyCityFaces Brings Beauty to the Windy City’s Brides

All brides are beautiful, but Wendy Woodside, a professional makeup artist and licensed esthetician, has the talent and experience to give you fresh, natural makeup that’s classic, glamorous and defined all at once. Her makeup and spa services are performed on location, providing you and your wedding party the personal attention to detail and service all brides deserve. Wendy, along with her team, are passionate about creating a look that suits your personality and style, while at the same time, keeping you looking like you – just better! Wendy brings 25 plus years in the industry with extensive experience in film, television and a BFA in theatre along with a list of celebrity clients such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Fox News, CBS, ABC, Deborah Norville, Jim Belushi and Bill Kurtis to name a few. Wendy looks forward to making you look and feel FABULOUS!

Visit WendyCityFaces on StrictlyWeddings.com Chicago!

February 24, 2010

Vintage Brooch Bouquets – Amanda Heer Creates Lifetime Memories

Brides need look no further for something old and something new with Amanda Heer’s Vintage Brooch Bouquets. These exquisite creations are a work of art that any bride would want to add in her wedding.

Amanda, owner of Fantasy Floral Designs, could have never imagined that ten years after her first creative spark to turn her vintage brooch collection into a bouquet, would lead her to where she is at now…handcrafting and selling vintage brooch flower bouquets to brides world-wide! According to Amanda, brides from every country are on the search for brooches, often asking family and friends to contribute. Each bouquet consists of approximately 50 to 60 pins, earrings and pendants – creating a family heirloom that can be treasured for ever.

Many thanks to Amanda for sharing these incredible photos with StrictlyWeddings.com.

February 22, 2010

Jai Girard Photography on StrictlyWeddings.com Chicago

We’ve found a wonderful photograph through Jai Girard to go on our StrictlyWeddings.com Chicago landing page. It’s such a wonderful shot and the Chicago skyline is brilliant. On a fun note, one of our employees saw that image and said “that’s where I proposed to my wife!” Definitely a popular site for the bride and groom!

February 19, 2010

What is Dancing Between Courses/East Coast Style Wedding?

(David Rothstein is one of StrictlyWeddings.com Chicago partners. He shared this great information with us on Dancing Between Courses)

First let’s define what dancing between courses is. It is used for all weddings on the east coast and amazingly enough called East Coast style. It has become very popular for weddings throughout the country because of the many benefits. The biggest difference isthat the dance orchestra starts at the beginning of dinner instead of after.

Here’s what the overall schedules would look like:

Dancing after Dinner (Mid-West Style)

Schedule Overview:
5:45 – 6:30pm Ceremony Classical Duo (Violin and Piano)
6:30 – 7:30pm Cocktails Jazz Trio (Piano, Bass and Sax)
7:30 – 9:00pm Dinner Jazz Trio Continues
9:00 – 12:00am 10-Piece Orchestra

Ceremony:
___________________________________________
5:45-6:30pm Ceremony Classical Duo

Cocktails:
6:30-7:30pm Jazz Trio

Dinner:
7:30-9:00pm Jazz Trio Continues

7:30pm Doors open (Guests enter ballroom)
Bridal Party Introductions

Flower Girl: escorted by Ring Bearer:

Parents of the Bride:
Parents of the Groom:
Ushers:
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen:
escorted by
escorted by
Matron of Honor: escorted by Best Man

Bride and Groom:

Toasts:
Toast 1:
Toast 2:
Toast 3:
Toast 4:

Blessing Over Meal:

Meal is served

Cake Cutting

Dancing:
9:00-12:00am 10-Piece Orchestra

First Dance:

Father/Daughter Dance:
Mother/Son Dance:
Everyone begins dancing

10:30pm Bouquet/Garter

Dancing Between Courses (East Coast Style)

Schedule Overview:
5:45 – 6:30pm   Ceremony Classical Duo (Violin and Piano)
6:30 – 7:30pm   Cocktails Jazz Trio (Piano, Bass and Sax)
7:30 – 9:00pm   Dinner 10-Piece Orchestra
9:00 – 12:00am Dancing 10-Piece Orchestra Continues

Ceremony:
5:45-6:30pm Ceremony Classical Duo

Cocktails:
6:30-7:30pm Jazz Trio

Dinner:
7:30-9:00pm 10-Piece Orchestra

7:30pm Doors open (Guests enter ballroom)
Bridal Party Introductions

Flower Girl: escorted by Ring Bearer:

Parents of the Bride:
Parents of the Groom:
Ushers:

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen:
escorted by
escorted by
Matron of Honor escorted by Best Man
Bride and Groom:

First Dance:
Father/Daughter:
Mother/Son Dance:
Everyone dances one song

“Ladies and Gentlemen we will have plenty of dancing throughout the evening. In the meantime, please be seated”

Toasts:
Toast 1:
Toast 2:
Toast 3:
Toast 4:

Blessing Over Meal:

Announce

Salad is served Cake Cutting

After Salads is being cleared:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, while you are waiting for your main course we’d like to invite to join us for dancing.”

The Catering Director cues David once the main course is served.
“Ladies and Gentlemen we will have plenty of dancing throughout the evening. In the meantime, please be seated as your main course is being served.”

Dancing:
9:00-12:00am 10-Piece Orchestra Continues

10:30pm Bouquet/Garter

Dancing Between Courses has several huge benefits to the flow of your wedding:

WHAT HAPPENS:
Dance Orchestra starts performing as the door to the ballroom opens.

BENEFITS:
You will make a big impression having a full orchestra playing as your guests come in.

WHAT HAPPENS:
When you are introduced with a standing ovation, you walk right to the dance floor for your First Dance, Father/Daughter and Mother/Son.

BENEFITS:
All the formal dances are completed. After dinner you will have 3 hours of uninterrupted dancing.

WHAT HAPPENS:
Your guests are invited to dance one song.

BENEFITS:
The dancing will jump start your party and put your guests in the mood for a great night.

WHAT HAPPENS:
Guests are invited to dance after the salad course.

BENEFITS:
Instead of sitting at their table with a dirty plate with waiters reaching around them, they can dance to their favorite songs.

WHAT HAPPENS:
The dance orchestra performs for 4 ½ hours instead of 3.

BENEFITS:
You can choose more of your favorite songs.
If toasts are long or the food is running behind, you’re covered.

SUMMARY:
Dancing between courses is a huge advantage to the overall success of your wedding if you can afford it. Think of it as an insurance policy for having an amazing wedding.

Feel free to contact me at my web site below to ask any questions.

David Rothstein
David Rothstein Music, Inc
www.drsmusic.com

Click to view David on video - This is a detailed and helpful video about how dancing between courses actually works. I describe the differences between mid-west style weddings and east coast style.