first dance

I witnessed one of my favorite “first dances” at a wedding. And no, it didn’t involve the bride and groom jumping into a choreographed routine or dancing to a hip hop song. It was a simple slow dance to words that made prefect sense to the newlyweds. And it was memorable for the guests.

Have you ever seen the Adam Sandler hit “The Wedding Singer”? If so, you probably remember the song that Robbie Hart sung at the end about growing old together. The lyrics are sheer genius because they mention every day tokens of love such as doing the dishes, giving up the remote and taking care of you when you’re drunk.

Although the words are meaningful, its comedian Adam Sandler singing so naturally it is funny. (Have you heard his Hanukah song?) But that is the fun of it. Why take yourself so seriously especially if you two are not the serious types. Select a song that captures who you are together.

For the bride and groom that I saw dance to this, it made perfect sense! The words were dead on for them and the length of the song didn’t hurt either at just over two minutes.  Plus, they're a little bit silly together and so is this song. All of the guests got a chuckle and gave them around of applause as Adam wrapped up “Grow Old with You”.

-The perennial bridesmaid


“Grow Old With You”
 

I wanna make you smile whenever you're sad

Carry you around when your arthritis is bad
All I wanna do is grow old with you

I'll get your medicine when your tummy aches
Build you a fire if the furnace breaks
Oh it could be so nice, growing old with you

I'll miss you
Kiss you
Give you my coat when you are cold

Need you
Feed you
Even let ya hold the remote control

So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink

Put you to bed when you've had too much to drink

I could be the man who grows old with you

I wanna grow old with you

white wedding

Last Friday I was a bridesmaid in my first all white wedding. This was a relatively new style concept to me considering the age old rule that I have lived by.

Do not wear white to a wedding unless you are the bride!

Has this cardinal dress code rule been tossed? Not exactly. While a guest should still not make that fashion faux pas, it appears that the bridal party can. You know why? Because what they bride says goes!

In Friday’s case we were all instructed to wear an ivory, tea length dress that was distinctly vintage-inspired. Mine had a bit of 1950s flair with an A-line skirt covered in appliqué flower like designs…my favorite feature. It also had a boat neck with a deep V which was a nice alternative to the closet of strapless dresses I already have. Other than 50s, some of the other girl’s dresses seemed to capture 1940s styles…think form fitting, pleats & brooches.

We went with vintage themed to coordinate with the grand old mansion that the reception was held at. The bridal party complemented the décor not just in our dresses but also with our flapper-esque blue feather headbands. The blue tied in the only other accent color and the feather gave us one identifying, same feature. When allowing your bridal party to select their own dresses, I think it is important to have a similar accessory on each girl.

The groomsmen also went with the theme. Not in white but in formal, vintage-inspired tuxedos with tails. Haven’t seen those in awhile but it only seemed right on point with the rest of us.

Although, the bride’s gown was a new Maggie Sottero, it evoked lots of lace and beading detail reminiscent of the 20s and 30s. She looked stunning and stood out amongst her white-clad entourage. There was no mistaking the bride in this bunch!

Fortunately, we had perfect weather. June in Philadelphia can be traditionally hot and humid which is a combination that doesn’t agree with me! The humidity and heat went away for a few days and sent calm, early spring-like weather instead which was perfect for outdoor photos overlooking the river and sunset.

Apparently this white wedding trend is hot. I have already heard about another all white wedding taking place this summer. Maybe we can blame it on P.Diddy and his “white parties”. Either way, this is a refreshing option for summer weddings. Just don’t spill anything on your dress.

-The perennial bridesmaid


Check out some of the pictures that inspired the white wedding bride to execute her idea.

i heart ac

Oh, Atlantic City, oh how I’ve missed you.

The sight of gotti-like hairstyles.
The sound of slot machines providing false hope.
The smell of stale cigarette smoke.
Oh, Atlantic City. The ultimate bachelorette party destination on the east side of the Delaware River.

The afternoon began with beach bar cocktails… and an AC eyeful. There’s such great people watching there, especially outside of the casinos. I love to see the crazies that walk among us (as I hold tightly onto my belongings).

Oh, Atlantic City, how I love thee.

The day progressed down the boardwalk bringing us to the Tropicana for more cocktails in the Quarter. As day turned to night, we realized it was time to get ready for the main event: our reserved Jacuzzi at the pool at Harrah’s. The bachelorette requested a Jersey inspired entourage. (Think: Snooki) Once we over bronzed and over accessorized, we were ready to go. Our private hot tub was waiting for us. We all jumped in and toasted to the bachelorette. In under a week, she will be walking down the aisle.

In what seemed like just a few hours later, the MOH and I awoke in our hotel room recapping the series of events that followed that initial toast…hot tub, pool, wheel chair ride back to the room, does it get any better.

Atlantic City, you never let the ladies down.


-The perennial bridesmaid

say cheese

Last weekend alone, 3 couples I know got their engagement photos taken. Do you really need these pictures taken?

YES!

Think of it as a dry run for your wedding day. Of course you won’t be wearing the big white dress for engagement photos but it will give you the opportunity to get to know your photographer. More importantly, it will give you the opportunity to get to know your photographer’s order giving abilities. After all, he or she will be directing you to smile. Don’t smile. Look this way. Head up. Look down. Kiss. Don’t kiss. Look at each other. Smile. Now don’t smile. Hand over here. Look away. Kiss…you get the idea!

Most photographers offer engagement photos as part of their wedding package. Even if you don’t plan to order these pics, do it for the dry run aspect.

Other reasons to go for the engagement photos…

• You’re getting a make-up trial done, aren’t you? Why let that pretty done up face go to waste? Consider scheduling your professional make-up trial and your engagement photo shoot on the same day.
• Save-the-dates – if you decided yes on sending these out you can use your professional engagement photos for the magnet or whatever it is you’re sending to your guests to the save the coveted date.
• Are you having a destination wedding? Or simply a wedding that is not in your own neighborhood. Engagement photo shoots broaden the scenery more than your wedding venue may allow. For example, if you live in the city but you’re getting married at the beach, you’ll probably never have professional pictures as a couple that represent your everyday lifestyle. So venture out in your own ‘hood with the photog in toe capturing your “normal” selves. Sometimes these can be the best pictures! 
• Get to know yourself. When was the last time you were professionally photographed anyway? Senior portraits…just as I suspected. You think you know your “good side”? It may have changed since 1997!
• Find out if your face really does get sore from all that smiling.

-The perennial bridesmaid

do or diy

What have I been up to? Hmm, well there were 100 invitations & 100 thank yous last week for 2 separate weddings. That about sums it up. But if you want more deets, read on…

Day 1: 100 wedding invitations
Vintage looking, horizontal pocket fold #10 (legal size)
Team of 5 assembly line style. (always good to recruit your bridesmaids for DIY projects)

• Fold pre cut 8"x9.25" blue cardstock in half.
• Adhere pocket on bottom.
• Adhere accent cardstock on top.
• Stamp pocket.
• Stamp front of invitation.
• Save text piece for another day as details need to be ironed and laid out.

Time: 3 hours

Day 2: 100 wedding TYs
Simple but stunning 4.25"x5.5" card. We'll call it simply stunning.
Team of 2

• Fold pre cut 8.5"x5.5" yellow cardstock in half.
• Stamp base cardstock with background stamp.
• Stamp thank you sentiment on ivory cardstock.
• Punch sentiment out.
• Adhere sentiment to stamped cardstock.

Time: 2 hours

Tip I learned the hard way:  Kinko's and Staples will cut your cardstock for you.  They can cut up to about 100 sheets for approximately $1.50 per cut.  1 cut = 2 minutes, so easy.  I learned this AFTER cutting 100 invitations by hand.  Each piece of cardstock invidually. Ouch.

I promise to post pictures some day soon to keep things interesting for ya. Yes, I am for hire as I do really enjoy designing & creating these custom invitations and thank yous.

-The perennial bridesmaid

here goes...

If you’ve been following along, you know by now that I launched this blog to track my journey through 2010’s wedding season and all of the events and prep work that comes with it. I hope you’ve been reading along because you’re entertained by the situations I’m involved in and not just because we’re related. Heck, maybe you’ve even learned something (like country crock is not butter).

This weekend begins an intense 20 day stretch of non-stop wedding madness for my first two 2010 weddings. I am a victim of my calendar. If you didn’t make it on there, I hope to see you next month!

Here’s a preview of my commitments and appointments from March 6th to March 26th…

• bachelorette party extravaganza
• june wedding invitation crafting
• march wedding thank you crafting
• favors favors favors
• hair trial with the MOG
• vintage dress shopping for june wedding
• bridal shower
• wedding vase centerpiece assembly
• spa mani/pedi (ahh, can’t wait)
• wedding rehearsal followed by rehearsal dinner
• hair & make up (I wish this one was on the list everyday)
• finale: first wedding of 2010!

Consider this a teaser, if you will, because I expect a multitude of good stories to come from the next 3 weeks’ experiences. I can assure you that there will be some disastrous stories, if I have anything to do with it.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go take a nap.

-The perennial bridesmaid

vintage dresses

Ah, vintage! A topic that is near and dear to my heart. Combine vintage and weddings and I am a happy girl! You can imagine my glee when I learned last week that my June 2010 bridesmaid dress would no longer be a strapless, tea length gown but a vintage dress of my choice! No, not a vintage bridesmaid dress; no hoop skirts, no poofy sleeves and no pastels. We’re talking a feminine mid-century dress that is personal to each bridesmaid. The wedding is taking place at an historic riverfront estate, Glen Foerd, in Northeast Philadelphia. The bride has decided that she’d like to continue the antique feel of the estate by incorporating vintage styled bridesmaids. We can select a white dress of our choice and we’ll be accessorized in blue accents. Although the estate evokes an Edwardian charm, we plan to wear a more modern vintage. I have images of the perfect dress in mind - A-line halter style or a belted shirt waist type with a ruffle. A bonus would be to find a dress that I love enough to wear to the rockabilly themed wedding I am attending just two weeks later... The quest for the perfect dress(es) begins! Suggestions welcome.

-The perennial bridesmaid