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Wedding Gift Trends: Custom Clutches

Attention all you lovely brides! On that full check list of wedding ‘to-do’s’, don’t forget to treat your bridesmaids to something special… you know those girls who listen to you debate between which exact shade of ‘plum’ is really ‘you’ or if you should go with the ivory vs. pearl chiavari chair? So, why not show them your appreciation! Treat them with one of our favorite hot new trends: handmade and custom designed clutches by S.Mondo. Bridesmaids (and brides alike) are going gaga for them!

S.Mondo was established in 2008, launching her versatile Everyday clutches. This young designer, Sarah Mondo, entered the bridal world in 2010, when her best friend asked her to create purses for her and her bridesmaids; the rest as they say, just fell into place.

“For wedding purses I ask for all details of the wedding day, to get a feel for the bride’s vision, including: location, time of year, colors, themes, etc. If the purses are customized to each bridesmaid, I make sure to find out their individual styles and the designing begins,” noted owner Sarah.

“Many of the bride’s purses are lined with a fabric that is meaningful to them, such as a fabric from their grandmother’s wedding dress or a favorite shirt of the soon-to-be groom. It’s a great way to incorporate the ‘something old, something new…’ tradition, while recycling.

“The Everyday clutches are made from reclaimed leather items, which are handpicked and purchased from a store where proceeds directly benefit Chicago’s Children’s Memorial Hospital. By purchasing an S.Mondo leather clutch, you’re not only directly involved in the recycling process, but also giving back to the Chicago community.”

So, in the midst of your busy planning, remember those exceptional girlfriends who have been there for you throughout the years. To purchase one of these stylish clutches, please send your request through skmondo.com.

Do you have a good overview of the Bridesmaid’s responsibilities?

As a Bridesmaid you have a strong supportive role you must play during the entire wedding experience. Although the Maid of Honor may be there for the bride, your friend will also need your comfort and opinions as well.

Pre-Wedding

• If the bride asks about helping her with ideas on where to have the wedding, help her with scouting around and going to the different places. It may be a great idea to drive so she can focus on each location.
• If you have great penmanship it is always nice to volunteer to address at least some the invitations if the bride agrees. Many times a bride may outsource her invitations but if they need to be addressed by the family, your help will be key in reducing the load of tasks to complete.
• Your friend may need help in ordering and choosing decorations and favors, your opinions may be helpful in making decisions for narrowing down choices and making sure the decorations are in on time for the wedding, shower and bachelorette parties.
• It is a major treat to go with the bride when she is shopping for her wedding dress. She may even invite you to be involved in picking out the Bridesmaid Dresses. It is very important to help make sure the dresses are ordered and arrive in enough time for alterations!
• Make sure to pick up your bridesmaid dress in a “reasonable” amount of time in case of additional fittings.
• Help Plan the Bridal Shower with the Maid of Honor as well as the Bachelorette Party!
• Attend and help out during the rehearsal dinner. Many times the bride, groom and their families are pre-occupied, which is where you can save the day by being supportive.

Wedding Day

• Assist the bride in getting into her dress and makeup.
• Ask if the bride needs anything (food, water, etc) all the way up till the time she is walking down the aisle. She will really appreciate it!
• Assist the other bridesmaids wherever needed (and if you happen not to like any of them, keep it to yourself and be courteous).
• Help make sure the bride has privacy if she needs some quiet time before the ceremony.
• Be the witness in the signing of the marriage license, which is an honor!
• Take some deep breaths and walk slow when you walk down the aisle since it is common to speed up.
• Always look for the unexpected since it is common for the most uncommon things to happen (i.e, something falling down at the alter). If you are close enough, fix what needs to be fixed so the bride, groom and their families can focus on the ceremony.
• If you are single, make sure to mingle and have a great time at the party! It is mandatory to catch the bridal bouquet!
• If you are with your partner, make sure to dance and socialize since it means a lot to the bride and groom (when they have time to sit down) to see their friends having and creating a good time for themselves and the other guests.
• Last, but not least, provide moral support and be a great listener throughout the process since it is a very wonderful and “positively” stressful time for your friend. You can really make the difference!

Designer Bridal Aprons – Great for Bridesmaid Gifts

We found these very fun Bridal Aprons and thought what a different gift idea! The Give Me Sugar collection ties around the waist with a billowing silky sash and comes adorned with jewel-toned bells or rhinestone balls and festive rickrack.

From the Haute Hostess Apron Bridal Collection, the chic Wedding White, SARAH, is the perfect Shower Gift for the Bride! It also makes a Delicious Bridesmaids Luncheon Gift – tie them on the back of the chairs! Haute Hostess Aprons are the Absolute Hit of the Bachelorette Party Princess Scene! Wear them with a tiara! (Or here’s a thought to make the groom a happy guy – add stockings and stiletto heels to the apron and maybe a bustier, but don’t loose the tiara and a fun time will be had by all!).

Find them at Stanley Korshak in Dallas and several other states. They also have online resources.

Quail Makes the Bridesmaid the Belle of the Ball

Frumpy shapes, insane frills, and unflattering color choices—such is the fate of many a bridesmaid forced into the traditionally heinous bridal-party dress. Finally, rescuing us from those inevitable wedding woes, Quail designer Michelle Williams has introduced a bridesmaid dress collection that we could actually get some wear out of and won’t be stashed away in a dark closet right after the reception. Her reliably gorgeous and feminine dress designs will appease even the fussiest of bridesmaids like a vintage-inspired florette dress and they are affordable, too. Go to www.quailbridal.com for more info.

Pictured below from her collection –  The Peony Top (left) and The Peony Dress (right)

Sweet Gifts for Your Maids

We’ve not used theses cookies personally, but we just could not pass this by when we recently found it in our “ongoing search” for great ideas for our brides.

Here’s a sweet way to ask your friends to be your bridesmaids (or save the date). The Flour Pot, a bakery in Philadelphia, bakes delicious sugar cookies in the shape of (bridesmaid) dresses and can attach a card with a note inviting your girls to be your maids.

You can customize the color of the cookie’s icing to reflect your wedding colors or the color of the dress you are planning on having them wear. Each cookie is wrapped in The Flour Pot’s signature polka dot gift box and tied with a bow.

While the company is based in Philly, they ship nationwide. And in addition to their “Will you be my bridesmaid?” cookie, they also create cookies as save-the-date “cards” and favors for engagement parties, showers and weddings. Visit flourpotcookies.com to view their complete portfolio.

Destination Weddings – Bridesmaid Considerations

Showing appreciation to your wedding party is a must, especially when they are willing to travel hundreds if not thousands of miles to bear with you.

1. Go easy on the extra expenses — two hundred dollar heels or a designer gown is simply unnecessary and unreasonable for a bridesmaid who’s so giving of her time and finances. If asking your wedding party to travel for your union, be flexible on the actual attire for the day. Consider allowing each lady to choose her own attire, with your approval of course. Or plan a shopping day when you arrive at your destination to find the perfect dresses. A lightweight sundress for the beach is the perfect compliment for the day or a chic vintage cocktail dress would be perfect when marrying in Europe. No matter what, get creative on ways to cut costs for your attendants’ attire.
2. A Spa Day Guys and Dolls — whether it’s golfing for the guys or a full on pamper fest for the ladies, treat your attendants to a day of bonding and relaxation in your destination of choice. After all, it’s their vacation too.
3. Please don’t expect those extra’s — don’t put added stress on your bridal party for extras like an over-the-top bachelorette party in Vegas or a lavish bridal shower. Let them off easy by hinting that simple get-togethers will do for any pre-wedding celebrations and demand no gifts from attendants who are already dishing out lots of cash.
4. Upgrades a winner with all — if your budget allows, consider contacting the hotel where your attendants are staying and upgrade their rooms. Whether you give them an ocean view or complimentary breakfast in bed every morning, they will definitely feel your love and appreciation.
5. Welcome them with Grace and Style — definitely consider gift baskets for your bridal party, if for no one else. Fill it with all the goodies they will need throughout their stay. When going tropical, give them sunblock, lip balm, after sun lotion, waterproof cameras and other treats that will get them beach ready. If heading off to wintery climes, a lush scarf, hot cocoa with marshmallows and extra thick socks are perfect.
6. Let’s Spoil the Family — if your attendants are traveling with their spouses or children, be sure to do something extra special for the family. In Hawaii, set up lei making classes for the kids, while sending your attendants and significant others off for duo massages. In Mexico, set up a private dinner in seaside cabanas for each couple.
7. Make it effortless — whatever happens, make the travel plans for your wedding party as easy as possible. Have your wedding planner or travel agent do all of the footwork, researching the best accommodations and fun activities each attendant might enjoy. Also, don’t forget to provide an itinerary for each member of your bridal party so they can be plan for their trip accordingly.
8. Down time a must — when planning the week’s celebrations, don’t forget to allow each attendant some down time. Give them the opportunity to explore the location on their own and partake in activities that you may not have incorporated into the week’s events.

No matter what, showing care and consideration for each person in your out-of-town wedding party will help you create the memories that will last a lifetime, not just for you, but for them as well.

StrictlyWeddings.com Destination Wedding Partners

Photographs Courtesty of Larry Sengbush, Photography