“It” is getting into the Guinness Book of World Records, which is what Jill Stapleton might have accomplished when she got married to Chad Greenhill in Proctorville, OH this past Saturday. The previous world record for bridesmaids at one wedding was 90.

According to reports, Jill owns Jill’s Tumble World, a gymnastics and cheerleading studio, and she invited all her students to join in. She only asked that they wear purple or teal dresses, which are the gym’s colors.

If you want to see a video of the procession, cut and paste http://www.wsaz.com/charleston/headlines/96232559.html into your browser bar.

So I guess the Guiness World Record people have to decide whether 110+ pre-K, elementary school-age, preteen and teenage girls qualify as bridesmaids to validate the record, though I don’t think going for the record was actually part of Jill’s dream. I also wonder who paid for the flowers each girl carried, and the big question is—Did Jill get bridesmaid gifts for all 110+ “bridesmaids”? If you watch the video, you’ll notice there appear to be six or so legitimate bridesmaids in bridesmaid attire who followed the long stream of mini-bridesmaids. They probably got the good gifts, while the rest of the parade got…what? Power bars?

In the video, we never see where the gymnastic students go. Either they’re all standing up at the altar with her, or there’s a door at the other end through which they all filed out. Maybe they just sat down wherever. Regardless, I leave you with this question:  No doubt it was an adorable stunt, but should this be a Guinness world record? Why or why not?

Having been to my share of bar-hopping bachelorette parties, I know how much fun they can be—except for the designated driver (who, at an added expense, may be a limo or cab driver.) Unless one of the women on the guest list doesn’t have a taste for alcohol, there’s always one (the designated driver) who spends the evening on the outside looking in as the others make champagne toasts, sample martinis and get a little crazier than usual.

I’m here with another bachelorette party option that lets every guest have a good time, and they’ll all feel better when they leave than they do when they arrive. Arrive where, you ask? It could be your home or a plush hotel suite booked for the night—either way, it’s a safe place for the night (or day). And you might also wonder how you’ll leave feeling better than when you walked in. Simple…

Ahhhhhh-mazing!

Have a Spaaahhhhhhhhhhhh Party using a mobile spa service—the latest in luxury! Instead of having to travel to a spa, where you might be limited to what you can do in terms of food, drink and fun, you can have a mobile spa come to your home or some other location (like a hotel suite) where the food, drink and fun is all up to you! No one has to leave until the next morning, so you and the other guests can party as hard as you’d like without worrying about anyone’s ability to drive themselves home.

All Your Wants and “Kneads!”

Mobile spas offer virtually everything available at brick-and-mortar spas, including facials, skin treatments, massage, manicures, pedicures, and more. All you need to provide is the food, drink, bachelorette party or bridal shower favors and some music. The mobile spa comes to your location and transforms it into a lovely oasis of tranquility, pampering each and every guest, who can sip champagne and nibble on a decadent array of delights while she waits for her turn on the massage table. For anyone who overindulges, a plush chair or comfy bed is close at hand.

It’s a win-win for everyone, who goes home looking and feeling fabulous (unless she had one too many pomegranate mohitos…)

Did you know you can purchase one wedding favor from Favors in the City to see if you like it before you order dozens of them? This goes for bridal shower favors and baby shower favors, too!

Seeing—and Touching—Is Believing…

I don’t know about you, but I always like to see, touch and evaluate what I’m buying before I plunk down my money. Of course, that’s often virtually impossible when I buy online, which is a super way to get things that might not be readily available in brick-and-mortar stores in my area. For the most part, I like and keep what I get about 97% of the time. It’s the 3% that disappoint and need to be returned—a small hassle, wouldn’t you say? And you’re back to square one searching for the product you still want/need.

Usually, the disappointment is in quality. It looked so good on TV/my computer screen/in the newspaper or magazine ad. Up close and personal—not so much. And when it comes to something uniquely important, like, oh, I don’t know, let’s say wedding favors, I would want to make absolutely sure I’m 100% thrilled with everything about it before I give it to even one guest.

Sample an Example of Your Favorite Favor!

With their no minimums* policy, Favors in the City lets you purchase single samples of one or several favors so you can get the full effect of each favor and make sure it’s the one for that once-in-a-lifetime day you’re planning. When a company is confident of their product quality, sending you a sample shouldn’t be a problem. You’ll be charged the unit price of the product sample(s) plus shipping and handling. Once you place your final order, Favors in the City refunds your original shipping cost. Meanwhile, you can sit back and relax, knowing that, when your wedding favors will arrive, they’ll be exactly what you envisioned!

Just another favor to you from Favors in the City! Gotta love ‘em!

* Except on personalized items, edible favors or items sold in a set.

Catering expert, Cheryl Kahn-Bracco, director of  Catering for the Glazier Group (a Manhattan event management company,) gave some insight on what’s right now and what’s so five minutes ago in a recent post on MitzvahMarket.com. Cheryl has “extensive experience in hospitality” and oversees unique events for clients at Bridgewaters, Twenty Four Fifth in NYC and The Beach Resort in Key West, FL.

Let’s take a look at what’s cooking in the catering world this season!

RIGHT NOW: Fried Chicken  SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Sliders

RIGHT NOW: Gluten-Free Foods  SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Nut-Free Foods

RIGHT NOW: Organic, Sustainable Local Foods  SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Processed, Frozen or Imported Food

RIGHT NOW: St~ Germain Cocktails  SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Cosmopolitans

RIGHT NOW: Short Ribs  SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Rack of Lamb

RIGHT NOW: Lounge Seating  SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Assigned Seating

RIGHT NOW: Email RSVP  SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Response Cards Sent Via Email

RIGHT NOW: Woopie Pies  SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Chocolate Fountains

RIGHT NOW: Root Beer Floats  SO FIVE MINUTES AGO: Frozen Daiquiris

Okay. Let’s talk about the questions you have, which are probably the same things I wondered about.  We’ll start with a recipe for the St. Germain Cocktail. St~Germain is a liqueur made from hand-picked elderflower blossoms, and this recipe is from the St~Germain web site:

2 parts Champagne* or Dry White Wine** 1 ½ parts St-Germain 2 parts Sparkling Water or Club Soda
Method: Stir ingredients in a tall ice-filled Collins glass, mixing completely. Think of Paris circa 1947. Garnish with a lemon twist.Variation: Think of Sarte circa 1947. Be the lemon twist. * Or Sparkling Wine, Prosecco or Cava ** Preferably Sauvignon Blanc

My next question was about  “lounge seating.” Rental companies can drop off and pick up lounge-style set-ups to match your color scheme. These lounges create comfortable, intimate groupings throughout your reception venue, making your event sophisticated and laid-back at the same time. It’s a great look you’ll probably have to pay more for. Here are a few photos I got from Google that give you a pretty good idea of the concept:

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Last one–whoopie pies (also called a gob, black-and-white, bob, or “BFO” for Big Fat Oreo.) A Whoopie Pie is a baked good made of two round mound-shaped pieces of chocolate cake with a sweet, creamy frosting sandwiched between them. Well, I’m on board. Here’s what they look like:

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As always, use what works for you and leave the rest–although I don’t think many of us would leave those Whoopie Cakes behind.

First, let me wish you all a terrifically Happy Valentine’s Day! If you’re planning a wedding, you’re already having a fabulous Valentine’s Day. WhooHooo!

As a blogger, I’m always interested in what’s happening on other blogs. I checked out the Luxury Weddings blog for the affluent bride, because they just came out with their top wedding trends and forecast for this year’s luxury weddings. While top-of-the-line wedding planning might be beyond your budget, there are certainly some elements you can easily incorporate into your plans without turning your pockets inside out. All it takes is some research and creativity.

Meanwhile, here are some 2010 wedding trends for couples whose cup runneth over with cash…

Gowns

There’s a return to “timeless romanticism” by top couture wedding gown designers this year, with collections that feature intricate lace, metallic fabrics, elaborate flower appliques, billowing ruffled tiers and all-over beaded embellishments. Also hot this year is the “daring” asymmetrical, one-shoulder necklines instead of strapless gowns.

Invitations

Sea and nature-inspired custom wedding invitations and hand-illustrated wedding invitations are big for couples planning a destination wedding. Also popular are couture wedding invitations that use luxury design elements and printing techniques like letterpress, foil stamping, embossing, Swarovski crystals, luxury embellishments, silk boxes, engraving, offset, digital and thermography (heating traditional wet ink with a powder compound to create printing that rises off the paper to simulate the refined look of engraving.)

Color Palettes

Wedding guests will see varying shades of violet, rose, blues and greens to mirror the more popular palette for wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses.

Custom Wedding Cakes

Custom wedding cakes will tower to new heights. Fondant masterpieces like the one on the right will make  triple-layered cakes a thing of the past.

Eco-Friendly Weddings

A popular way to go these days regardless of budget, the upscale eco-friendly wedding eliminates elaborate table arrangements in favor of miniature fruit or ornamental trees, live topiaries and herb baskets ready for easy transplant into a garden after the wedding.

Focus on Favors

Edible favors continue to gain in popularity—personalized and delectable dark chocolates, candies and exotic fruits thank guests with something tasty and often too beautiful to eat, like “The Perfect Pear” Gourmet Brownie Pops edible wedding favor on the right.

Concern for Humanity

Here’s a trend couples in every tax bracket can incorporate into their wedding plans. It’s simply “giving back on your wedding day and paying forward to those who are desperately in need.” Donate leftover food and delicacies from your wedding reception to homeless shelters and give your floral arrangements to area hospices, nursing homes and hospitals after your celebration so they can continue to bring joy, happiness and a smile into someone’s life.

Live Event Painting

Okay. This is pretty cool. Affluent brides are commissioning artists to create a live painting on canvas of their luxury wedding event as it unfolds, providing unique entertainment for their wedding guests. Most live event artists will gladly travel to your wedding destination anywhere in the world. Prices range from $1000 to $2,500 and up, depending on timing, location and duration, plus travel expenses. Pricey, yes, but what a unique keepsake!

Tired of the same old gathering of family and friends?  Stir up some fun with a cocktail party!  Whether you’re planning an engagement party or looking to jump start the bachelor party, a cocktail party is a fun way to celebrate.  And, the best part is, you don’t have to be an expert party planner to make it happen like a pro.  It’s festive, it’s fun and it’s easy–with these tips:

Don’t go broke on the bar: Trying to stock the bar for every drink imaginable could be a disaster, unless you’re loaded with cash.  Instead, pick 3-4 drinks that you know will be hit with your friends and purchase the alcohol for those.  Allow for three drinks per person and keep in mind that a each 750 ml bottle will make about 15 cocktails.  Complete the bar with a good selection of beer, wine and even non-alcoholic drinks for those who might not want the cocktails.

Create a signature drink: This is a fun way to personalize your party.  Guests can sip the night away on a matrimonial martini or a cocktail named after something special for the couple, like the wedding theme if you’re having a beach wedding or the place where you met or proposed.  A signature drink can help tell your story and is a great conversation starter.

Choose a theme: Everyone knows that party planning is a whole lot easier when elements are held to a central theme.  For a cocktail party, choose a tropical theme with beachy drinks, a regional theme with local beers and unique cocktails or a martini theme with all sorts of martinis, and then mix in some unique party favors that accent the theme.

If you’re going with a martini theme, you might consider this martini salt and pepper shaker as a practical favor that reminds your guests of your totally fab party.  With a classic olive on top, it makes a realistic first impression.  Or, help guests keep the party going with cocktail mix favors.  Whether you choose a Cosmopolitan, Margarita or some other drink mix, it will be easy for guests to make their own drinks when they get home.

Designate a bartender. Because you’re the host/hostess, you’ll have plenty to do mingling and making sure your guests are having a good time.  Whether it’s a large or a small gathering, leave the bartending to Uncle Bob or a friend who knows their way around the bar, or hire a professional.

Don’t forget the food! Balancing the beverages with some light hors d’ oeuvres will help make sure that no one gets inebriated.  Consider meats, cheese, fruits and veggies.  Depending on the type of event, you can fancy up some favorites or go exotic, if you dare.

Bottoms up!

As I was watching news stories about the big blizzard that made its way up the East coast this past weekend, I couldn’t help but think of the brides whose weddings dreams were dashed by the awful weather. No dashing through the snow for them, but long hours on the phone replanning the whole wedding.

So what’s the best course of action when Mother Nature dumps two feet of snow on your wedding day? Here’s the scoop…

1. LET YOUR GUESTS KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  Of course, the out-of-town guests may already be in their hotels, watching the snow hammer the city. When you call to tell them, I’m sure they’ll understand. If your other guests live in the area or have a television, they’ll get a clue fairly quickly. Regardless, make a phone call to each and every guest.

2. BE GLAD YOU GOT WEDDING INSURANCE. What? You planned a wedding and didn’t think wedding insurance was necessary? Here’s an excerpt from an article that appeared on  www.wedding-planning.suite101.com:

There can be many valid reasons for a wedding to be canceled or postponed, such as:

• extreme weather or other disaster
• unexpected military deployment
• illness
• a death in the family

In the event of a cancellation or postponement, the loss from non-refundable deposits can be staggering. Wedding cancellation or postponement insurance protects deposits and can even cover non-recoverable expenses equal to the total expense of the wedding.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAMay this Wonderful Season Bring You Warmth, Peace and Love!

GetMarried.com, like many other nationally recognized wedding media, just released its 2010 wedding trends, and I thought you’d like to see them. The first thing I noticed was the move to old Hollywood glam for the groom and groomsmen along with the high-tech gadgets brides are now adding to their registries. It’s true that everything old is new again—at some point in time.

Here are the 2010 wedding trends, as observed by GetMarried.com:

1. Non-linear aisle: Brides are personalizing the procession by altering the traditional aisle with a circle or a triangular double aisle, enabling the couple to enter from multiple spots with a central meeting point. Stephanie Davis, Get Married magazine editor-in-chief and new bride, wedded lake-side on a circular dock from which she and her groom entered. “Our family no longer has two sides, so everyone sat together and, as an added bonus, there wasn’t a bad seat in the house!”



2. Comfort foods with a kick: Chef Wolfgang Puck believes that comfort foods have become more popular in the current economy. Think burgers, pizza, ribs, pot pie, and risotto — but comfort does not have to mean pedestrian. “Upgrade ingredients and prepare them with great expertise. Serve hors d’oeuvres like Kobe burgers, wild mushroom risotto, smoked salmon pizzas, slow-braised short ribs or a simple chicken pot pie with lobster,” advises Puck.
3. Gifting techie gadgetry: Registries and wedding gifts have increasingly become more high tech. Brides want electronic recipe finders, books and charging plates, and matching his-and-hers PDA cases–all examples of great gadgets for the couple as well as thank-you gifts for parents and the wedding party.
4. Texture-inspired invitations: Top bridal designer Monique Lhuillier shares inspirations and details from her various collections: “A lot of fabric details from the dresses translate into the invitations. We use techniques of embossing to mimic textures and incorporate the same colors from the gowns into the invitations.” Look for details you would see on the runway on your wedding invitations.
5. Old, new, borrowed and cobalt blue: From hints of blue in bridal fashion to saturated color throughout the wedding decor, “blues will be the most requested color in 2010,” according to Shane Murray of The Wedding Report. Bright cobalt blue is a hot hue for 2010, offering fresh, bold and atmospheric twist on the bluesy tradition.



6. Wear-again bridesmaid dresses: The urban legend of wearing a bridesmaids dress by choice after the wedding is a reality with the new silhouettes that mirror what is happening on the runway. Gorgeous and glamorous dresses with drop waists, bubble skirts and ruffles add an additional sense of style for bridesmaids to wear — and wear again.
7. Three-dimensional save-the-dates: Inform your friends and family of your wedding day with a twist. Three-dimensional elements on the save-the-dates, like a paper umbrella (signifying a destination wedding), adds character, humor and relevance.
8. Old Hollywood glam, for men!: A return to Cary Grant’s sense of style is making a comeback this year for grooms, looking charming and dapper in a white tuxedo with black-rimmed lapels. This cool old-school look brings back the sharp-looking vest and nostalgic pocket watch.
9. Blogger brides abound: Now more than ever, we’re seeing brides enjoy sharing snippets of surprises, ideas and images throughout their wedding planning experience. Personal blogs offer a space for brides to share, gather inspirations and explore.
10. Personalized plus: From the decor designs and inspirational invites to a great gifts and super-fab wedding favors, we’re observing brides’ aspiration for distinctly personalized wedding details. Designing invitations, save-the-dates and thank-you cards and adding monograms to guest books, aisle runners and gifts (like cosmetic and travel bags) offers a hint of personal bridal style.

Which trend will be part of your wedding? Let us know!

I confess autumn is, hands down, my favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather, the excitement of approaching holidays, the cozy clothes and, of course, the amazing colors only autumn can create.

If you’re a fall bride, and you’re using Mother Nature’s vibrant autumn hues for your wedding palette, there are some eye-popping centerpieces  available to craft absolutely stunning reception tables.

I’ve picked out a few favorites  for inspiration and contemplation.

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Seasonal Icons Set the Mood

It’s harvest time, and our world is full of bright-orange pumpkins, butternut squash and other color-rich gourds, pine  cones, haystacks, Indian corn, gorgeous flowers and turned leaves! Think about it—you can put together fabulous centerpieces shopping in the grocery store! Carved pumpkins with candles are impressive! How about pumpkins carved with your new monogram? See what you can do with a few carefully chosen leaves and twigs! Flowers and autumn gourds combine beautifully, and candles always create a warmglow! Take a look at these for some great ideas:

I hope I’ve turned you on to some terrific centerpiece ideas for your autumn event!

I love everything about autumn—the stunning colors of changing leaves, crisp, cool air, cozy fires, football, Halloween, fall fashions, the warm glow of candles on a Thanksgiving table and the delicious anticipation of family and friends gathering for the holidays.

Of course, you may have family and friends gathering for another reason this fall. Is there a wedding on your autumn calendar? If there is, and it’s yours, you’ve probably planned everything but the favors by now. So I’m going to help you out in a hurry! While I show you these fantastic favor options, think about how many of them would work for a Thanksgiving table or fireside dinner party, too.

My Favorite Four!

What would you put in our “Autumn Elegance” Laser-Cut Fall Leaf Favor Box? Jelly Belly Jelly Beans in red, yellow and orange? How about candy corn or M&Ms coordinated to match your color scheme? Inside and out, this sweet, little favor box shows you have exceptional taste.

I love this “Lustrous Leaf” Copper-Finish Bottle Stopper in its Laser-Cut Leaf Gift Box. This is one of our Kate Aspen designs, which is why the gift-box presentation is outstanding. You can always recognize a Kate Aspen favor by the quality and creativity that go into the design of both the favor and the gift-ready packaging. No one else does it like Kate.

A moist and chewy brownie pop covered with gourmet chocolate, hand-crafted to look like a pumpkin, right down to the vines. Is your mouth watering yet? If you give your guests “Pumpkin Patch” Gourmet Brownie Pops, don’t be surprised if they eat them as soon as they get to the table. They’re hard to resist. I wish I had one right now.

Like the bottle stopper, the “Fall Impressions” Frosted-Glass Photo Coasters make an eye-popping, practical favor for any and every fall occasion. The coasters come in sets of two. A friend of mine who got married last fall gave her guests photo coasters. She and her groom had professionally taken engagement photos and, on the top coaster in each set, she had placed one of the engagement photos. Lovely photos! And when I got home, I filled the two coasters with favorite photos of my own.

I found this quote by George Eliot, and it reflects my feelings about fall perfectly…

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.”