Guest Blogger - Alison Friedman of The Wedding Yentas

Today we have a special guest blogger Alison Friedman from The Wedding Yentas.  I came across The Wedding Yentas in my search for finding information on multicultural weddings.  Since the blog is all about Celebrating Your Culture whatever it maybe, I thought the best way to give my Jewish Brides some advice is to find the best of the best!!

The Wedding Yentas posts fresh, daily blogs covering everything from Real Jewish Weddings, explanations of traditions, DIY ideas, the latest wedding trends, and giveaways! You can also find a growing Vendor Directory filled with elite wedding professionals who can help make your day absolutely perfect! Alison Friedman owns and operates The Wedding Yentas and is a wannabe Carrie Bradshaw of all things wedding! Alison began planning her wedding at the age of 5 with the help of her Barbie and Ken dolls. 

Now, if you’re planning a Jewish wedding, you’re likely trying to fill your special day with family, tradition, and love. It’s no secret. These elements are the foundation of every Jewish wedding and it’s up to you to find ways to personalize the ceremony and reception. Modern, mainstream weddings can include many Jewish traditions and secular ideas to create one beautiful event.  The Wedding Yentas is here to whisper ideas in your head and you can go on and take the credit later! 

Before the wedding day, you will select and purchase a ketubah, the Jewish marriage contract. While its text has been on the ketubahs of married couples for generations and generations, the artwork surrounding the written promise can be a reflection of you as a unique couple. From modern borders with simple artwork to watercolor pieces with colors to match your home décor, there are so many options to help you express yourself as a couple.

Have time alone. In Hebrew, this alone time is called yichud, and back in the day, this would be when the just-married couple would, well, make the marriage official. If you know what I mean. Bow chicka bow bow. This does not mean you need to schlep your lingerie to your wedding venue and get it on. Instead, use this time alone to reflect on all that’s just happened like, you know, you just got married – !!!! – and have some privacy as you get to know your partner as your new husband or wife. Also, make sure there’s something to nosh on wherever you choose to enjoy your yichud and consider it your first meal together as a married couple. You will probably not have a chance to eat much later on anyway, so it’s good for the soul and the tummy.

At your reception, display a photo collection of important weddings in your family. This is a great way to tip your hat to the loved ones who hold a special place in your heart, especially if they are models of love and marriage for you and your partner. Plus, it’s neat to see vintage weddings of grandparents and the styles of  your parents’ 1970s weddings are just downright cool. This photo gallery doesn’t have to be a centerpiece at your reception, but can have its own special place to glow and attract visitors. Just think, one day your photo can join those cherished ones at the wedding of your children. Goosebumps, right?

Everyone knows that a Jewish wedding reception is festive and fun. The horah dance also involves the newlyweds being lifted up in chairs as the wedding guests surround them and cheer. It’s a fun moment for everyone, and you can ask your favorite strong men to do the honor of lifting you both as everyone celebrates your new marriage from down on the floor. If you’re looking for more ways to honor people outside of your bridal party, you may also consider asking a loved one to say the Ha-Motzi, the prayer over the challah. Also, you’ll need two witnesses to sign your ketubah. The signers can be anyone who’s Jewish and not a blood relative of the bride and groom. These are all jobs that don’t feel like work and are special ways to let certain people know you care about them.

Thanks Alison for some great tips on planning a modern day Jewish wedding.  For more ideas to make your wedding a reflection of you two, swing by The Wedding Yentas for fresh material, real Jewish weddings, photo spreads, posts by real brides, and fun giveaways! Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter because it’s always a good time dishing with a Yenta!

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Guest Blogger - Danielle Cococcia of Crystal Blue Weddings

Last week Danielle gave great tips on how to choose your vendors for your destination wedding.  This week she's talking about reflecting your personal style even when you have a destination wedding.  You know I am a BIG believer in being you and showing your personality during wedding so I love this post! Thanks again Danielle!! Don't forget to check out Danielle's blog for great destination wedding advice, real Cayman Island weddings and inspiration!!

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Davidson

Just because you are getting married outside your hometown does not mean your wedding cannot be a reflection of your style. For example, if you are getting married on the beach, the décor does not need to be all sand, starfish and seashells. Here are a few tips to keep in mind…

1. First things first. Create an inspiration board (or book) to bring the vision in your head to paper. This will help you focus on what design aspects you are thinking about and looking for.
2. Talk to the designer you have hired at your destination. Look at photos of weddings they’ve designed before to find out what they can do. If there are items you are dying for but they don’t have, source them from somewhere else and ask if they will store them for you so you can ship them ahead of time.
3. Choosing a color palate. Again, if you’re getting married in the Caribbean, your color scheme does not need to be tropical, bright colors (unless you want it to be!!). Go with what you love.

4. DIY. As with any wedding, destination or otherwise, take comfort in these three lovely letters. Look to your family members or bridesmaids to help you prepare and carry these items to your destination location.

5. Remember that your wedding style does not start and end with décor. Think about it when choosing your dress, menu, favors and all of the rest.

Photo courtesy of Better Angel

Every aspect of your wedding speaks to your style…you may have to think outside the box to get what you want, but regardless of your chosen destination, one way or another, it can be done!

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!!
Deniesha JosephDJoseph@weddedluxe.com
http://www.weddedluxe.com/
718.938.4713

Guest Blogger - Danielle Cococcia of Crystal Blue Weddings

Today we have a guest blogger Danielle Cococcia of Crystal Blue Weddings.  Danielle is the voice behind one of my favorite blogs Crystal Blue Weddings.  Danielle showcases real weddings, vendors and advice from the Cayman Islands.  Today she is giving us her expertise on how to hire wedding vendors for your destination.

Photo Credit: Aaron Rebarchek Photography

Having a destination wedding—where do you start?  If you’re not familiar with the destination, it’s tough to know who is who, who is good and who will help you create your day. 

First things first, research.  With everything on the internet these days, it shouldn’t be too hard to find the vendors to start with.  Look at their websites, blogs, Facebook pages, tweets and whatever else you can find.  Research will at least give you some insight into the who is who and what they can do.

Second, if you can, visit the destination and meet with the vendors.  Nothing is as good as a face to face meeting so if it’s in the cards for you, do it.  When you meet with them, be prepared.  Have a vision for your day and discuss it with them.  After all, they are the ones who are going to help you create this vision—you want to be sure you are comfortable with their abilities, click with their personalities and know that they have the means to make your vision come to life.  If you can’t meet face to face, at least have a phone call with these people.  Trust is very hard to build on emails alone.

Third, and I really see this as a MUST, hire a local wedding planner.  Someone you feel you can trust and click with.  Someone who has experience planning weddings of your size and complexity.  Someone who will be your eyes and ears on the ground and will work with reputable local vendors to pull all of the pieces together and make it happen.   When interviewing planners, be sure to completely understand the services they are offering and how they price their services.  For example, will they handle the vendor meetings on your behalf?  Help you create a working budget?  Be present for the duration of your entire wedding and reception?  How do they charge for their services?

Next, understand the environment from a pricing and budget point of view.  Look at general areas like accommodation and entertainment.  Also, look more specifically at areas for your wedding.  Flowers, for example.  In the Cayman Islands (like in many destinations), wedding flowers need to be brought in from elsewhere.  This significantly increases the cost of flowers which may put that bouquet you had your heart set on way over your budget.  I’m not saying you can’t have it, it’s just helpful to develop a healthy expectation of costs (which is something your local planner should help you with). 

Last, it is likely that you will host more than just the wedding for your guests.  You may want to plan an excursion or a welcome party as a way of thanking your guests for making the journey to your wedding.  Keep this in mind when performing the steps above!

Thanks Danielle!! Check out Danielle's blog Crystal Blue Weddings 

Live.Laugh.Love….. Luxuriate!

Deniesha Joseph

DJoseph@weddedluxe.com
www.weddedluxe.com
718.938.4713

Guest Blogger - Brandy Gomez Duplessis

Today we have a special treat! Brandy Gomez Duplessis, celebrity makeup artist is sharing her great beauty tips with us.

Brandy Gomez-Duplessis is a Celebrity Makeup Artist who currently resides in New York and part time in New Orleans. Brandy is also a L'OREAL Paris Pro Makeup Artist. New York makeup artist has worked with celebrities like; Angela Bassett, Kerry Washington, Kim Kardashian, Jordin Sparks, Anika Noni Rose, Edie Falco, and Kathryn Erbe, to name a few. Brandy is also a high demand celebrity bridal makeup artist in New York, that brides usually book her makeup service 1 year in advance. You can also keep up with Brandy by reading her personal blog "Inside The Life of A Makeup Artist", her fashion blog "Black Tie Stiletto" or follow her glamxurious tweets on twitter.

Brandy take is away!!


One of the many questions that are asked by my brides during their bridal consultations is “How can all my bridesmaids have the same makeup look?”  There is no right or wrong answer about makeup looks for bridesmaids. Many traditional brides prefer their bridesmaids to have a uniform look from their dresses, hair, shoes and even makeup. More modern brides allow their bridesmaids to select their own makeup look for the wedding day.

If you’re a bride that opts for all of the bridesmaids to be uniform with their makeup and your bridal party is of different ethnicity's, this can be tricky. Consult with a professional in advance and this will save you a lot of stress and make for happy & glam bridesmaids. I find darker eye shadow colors like; golds, browns, blues, purples and grey’s to be great on all skin tones. Of course you will have to tweak some of the colors a little more as all these shades will compliment each of your bridesmaids from fair, medium, and dark skin uniquely.

My bride, Domini, wanted her girls to all wear grey eye shadow on the day of the wedding, so I selected one of my favorite shade in grey; L’OREAL HIP Cream Eye Shadow Paint in Steely. What I love about the cream shadow paint is that it’s long wearing, creamy, and bendable.  It does not crease, even on oily eye lids, and it’s an eye shadow color that can be worn on all skin tones.  I just lined the eyes with L’OREAL HIP cream black eyeliner and finished the lips with a nude lip color. Try the Cream Shadow Paints in different shades, either way you’ll be sure to have a stunning group of ladies that will help make your special day GLAMXURIOUS.

CREDITS:

Written by: Brandy Gomez-Duplessis

Photographer by Oscar Rajo

Makeup by New York Celebrity Bridal Makeup ArtistBrandy Gomez-Duplessis

Picture courtesy of L'OREAL Paris