Mother of the Bride (or Groom)

AS any parent of the the bride or groom will tell you, the wedding of a child is a bittersweet occasion - even if the parents really like the intended spouse.

Very often, it is the mothers of the bride and groom who set the style tone for the guests. Long or short? A variation of the wedding colors or a neutral? Some important things to remember: This is NOT your day. This day is about the bridal couple. On this day, personal differences are set aside and personal preferences are deferred to the bride and groom.

Assuming your child is the lovely person you raised her or him to be, you will have the decision of what to wear. May we suggest a sleek, elegant dress with matching jacket such as this lovely outfit by Le Suit? The blazer offers enough coverage for even the most conservative of church ceremonies. The sleeveless sheath dress underneath flatters all figures and is a charming alternative. These style elements combined with the look of dupioni silk and a saturated color such as the Lapis shown here, make a fresh fashion statement.

At the end of the day, it's not as much about who wore what is it is about the fact that your precious child has had a lovely and heartfelt ceremony and a truly joyous celebration.

Surprise Wedding!

Recently, this planner met with a couple who said "We don't want to go through all the drama of wedding planning." and "We want a nice, simple wedding.' My suggestion was a Surprise Wedding.

Guests will receive an invitation that simply reads "please join us for a special evening" inviting them to a local upscale restaurant.

Upon arrival, they will be shown to a beautifully decorated private dining room where they will be greeted by the bridal couple. Our groom plans to wear a gorgeous suit by Armani and our lovely bride plans to wear a fabulous cocktail dress by Stenay.

Waiters will circulate, serving champagne and appetizers while music plays softly in the background. As cocktail hour winds down, the guests will be asked to take their seats; at that time, the bride, groom and officiant will meet at the front of the room and announce the true purpose behind the evening's festivities. Vows and rings will then be exchanged in a short and touching ceremony.

After which, the wedding feast will be served, with guests choosing their own meals from a preselected menu. For dessert, the wedding cake will be brought into the dining room on a wheeled cart.

No pre-wedding drama, no fuss, no muss - just a happy couple and happy guests and, happily ever after.

Vintage Gowns

For your consideration, may we suggest a vintage wedding gown? Whether it belonged to your mother, grandmother or was a fabulous find in a funky thrift store, a vintage gown can set the tone for your entire wedding.

When considering vintage, look for fabric damage and discolorations. Many of these can be repaired or removed or camouflaged with some clever beading or embroidery. If the gown belonged to a family member, it is a lovely idea to embroider her name and wedding date, along with your own on the inside hemline - thus preserving the gown's history for a future bride.

Many brides in the 1950's carried Bibles or prayer books, rather than elaborate bouquets, this is another way to add a retro vibe to your celebration.

Bridesmaids dresses with a vintage vibe can be found at many sources; consider cocktail or tea length dresses to continue the theme; such as a lovely, satin, strapless gown from David's Bridal. http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Satin-Strapless-Rhinestone-Belted-Tea-Length-Dress-8355_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Short-Bridesmaid-Dresses

If mother's or grandmother's gown is entirely inappropriate for what you have in mind, consider incorporating her veil or some of the lace or trimmings from it in your own creation. The end result will be a wedding gown that reflects your tastes as well as your family history.

FALL in love

FALL is a wonderful time for a wedding! Particularly an outdoor wedding such as the one being planned for this special couple. In the foothills of Kentucky, peak autumn color is typically the first weeks of October; it is at that time this pair will exchange vows beneath the canopy of oaks in their own back yard.

Simplicity and casual elegance best describe this special occasion. The best ceremonies and receptions reflect the tastes of both the bride and the groom. This bridal couple is very laid back and family-oriented. This will be reflected in their wedding. Guests will receive invitations of cream stock printed in chocolate brown and decorated with an oak leaf. Guests will be greeted by a dear friend of the couple and shown to the ceremony site. Wooden chairs will be arranged to create an aisle. Because they have been planning since early spring, their backyard will be a riot of blooming mums, late sunflowers, gillardia, daisies, stock, snapdragons, and daylillies. An iron arch entwined with garlands of autumn leaves will serve as an altar at which they will exchange their personally written vows.

The bride plans to wear a simple champagne cocktail dress by Zola Evenings that features a bit of delicate beading in the shape of leaves. The groom will wear a Ralph Lauren suit in espresso with a champagne shirt and necktie both by Jerry Garcia. Their only attendants will be the teen aged daughters of the bride, who will both wear modest, age-appropriate dresses in cinnamon and olive, both by Jenny Yoo.

The bride's small bouquet will feature High and Orange Magic bi color roses, stock, snapdragons, mums, sunflowers and oak leaves. The groom's boutonniere will be a single specialty rose while the bridesmaids' bouquets will be a mix of all flowers with the exception of the roses.

Banquet tables will be covered in olive or cinnamon linens with oak leaves and acorns artfully strewn about rustic lanterns, which will be lit as dusk approaches. Patio heaters and iron fire bowls will dispel any chill in the air.

This intimate wedding ceremony will be followed by a dinner reception. Roast pork, complete with sour kraut and all of the trimmings will feed the approximately 30 to 50 guests. Rather than a wedding cake, this bridal couple is opting for homemade pies in apple, pumpkin and pecan. Hard cider will be offered as an adult beverage choice with soft drinks for the youngsters.

After dinner, guests may dance to the music provided by a jazz trio or participate in lawn bowling or simply socialize and enjoy the autumn evening.

Consider Color

A pristine white wedding gown has been a traditional symbol of bridal purity since Victorian times. Ivory, champagne and even blush pink have become more mainstream in recent years. Consider incorporating your favorite colors into your wedding in an unexpected way, like this gown from Tara Lynn Wedding Gowns or a more delicately embroidered gown from Jacqueline Bridal . The bold and colorful embroidery and applique provides an opportunity for self-expression which makes your wedding more personal and representative of you.

This planner has the honor or coordinating a wedding for a couple who love the outdoors. The bride's favorite color is golden yellow and the groom's is sky blue, those, combined with the bride's favorite flowers, Joseph's Coat roses create a pallet of festive color. All of these colors and more are included in the delicate embroidery of the bride's gown, which is accented by a golden sash.

Attendants (the groom's sisters) will wear gowns in a similar cut in softer shades that echo the colors of the wildflower decor. Groomsmen will wear polka dot bow ties in coordinating colors.

Lavish use of floral accents continues this colorful celebration and brings the outdoors in. Table decor for the reception dinner includes centerpieces featuring life-like butterflies from www.thinkgeek.com surrounded by rings of fresh florals on sky blue and golden tablecloths.

Consider your favorite colors and incorporate them into your big day in ways that please you.