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How to choose your wedding menu (Part 3)

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This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal.

Read Part 1 and Part 2 first

 

Balanced vs. “Bloated or Barren”

Never leave guests for more than two-three hours without food at a maximum (This is also the key to avoid dreaded drunken behavior on behalf of anybody).  Equally to this point, you don’t want to overdo it and overfill your guests, either.  If guests are bloated from an enormous meal, this may prevent them from moving on the dance floor afterwards…and obviously, you’ll want your dance floor to be an active gathering of fun souls, not an empty space of deadbeat energy.  If the main course is going to be the heaviest, then opt for a lighter starter or dessert so nobody is overloaded.  It’s important to line your guests’ stomachs, especially if you’re hosting a booze-filled reception, but no need to stuff them.  No bride and groom want their guests leaving with a stomachache.  Opt for Satisfied vs. Stuffed!

 

Exotically Enhance and Enchant

Any venue should be able to provide you with an impressive list of possible add-ons to enhance your menu.  You might decide as an effort to keep the boundaries of your budget in line to limit your menu to just one or two enhancements.

 

Creative Tip: Have ice push-pops as a cooling snack to be served to the dancers on the dance floor in Other Considerations

If you have quite the party crew who will be dancing into the early hours, then it will be a great idea to lay on extra food towards the end…which can also mean and lead to breakfast… if the party is long enough.

 

Seasonal Savory: Consider the season as this affects choosing available ingredients that are in season while improving the overall taste of each dish.  It also determines which dishes you will be serving.  You don’t want to pass out hot soups and casseroles in hot, sunny, summery weather as well as “cold” dishes, such as salads and shrimp, may not be what people crave during colder months.

 

Are you an extra-considerate couple?  Send your “Save the Dates”/ invites out with an added notation that simply states for people to personally contact you with any food allergies that they have so that you know well in advance before choosing your meal plans.  How thoughtful & considerably cute of you!

 

Read Part 4 last

 

How to enjoy bridal gown shopping (Part 1)

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By Jaclyn Ianetti

 Bridal Gown…Check! ✓

Doesn’t that look…and sound…a whole lot like how a “chore” would?  Instead of treating your dress as a chore to be checked off your “To-Do List,” embrace it as an experience to be enjoyed.  After all, your dress is the one thing that shouldn’t feel like a job hunt on your bridal journey in preparing for your wedding.

You want to enjoy your bridal dress shopping experience.  When you love what you’re doing, it won’t feel like work (as this same rule applies to many situations in life).

To make this into one of the most pleasurable experiences of your lifetime… instead of painful, dreadful, and drawing tear drops down your eyes…get your mind in the right place first.

 

*When we’re rushing…especially with shopping…we will just buy anything for the sake of getting it done and checking off that “To-do” list.  Think of when you rush to the mall to buy a last minute gift for somebody you love.  It proposes more of a risk in buying just about anything at all, just to have something, whether personal or meaningful or not.  This is where the sincerity loses touch…and you want to know why?  Because you’re not in the present moment!  When you’re fully in the present moment, you’re more in touch with yourself as well as with others.  And you need to be FULLY in touch with yourself to attract what best suits you.   So keep that in mind as you focus on the journey of finding your perfect dress.  Mantra: “It’s the journey, not the destination.”

 

CREATE A BRIDAL VISION BOARD!! : Your wants and wishes

This helps put all your visions into perspective…your styles, your common themes, etc. into finding the core of style you are mostly leaning towards.  First off, think about what you want, and what you wish to look like.  Spend some time really considering and contemplating over all your options and strategically scan the bridal magazines.  Tear or print out the gowns you absolutely LOVE, and soon enough, your true style will stand out…and hopefully even a specific designer!

This vision board is designed to help you manifest your visions and creations, thus making your shopping experience easier because you will have a better clue as to what you truly want once you connect the dots to see a common theme.

Style the board first…then you can style the aisle in your most beloved dress.

Read Part 2 and Part 3 next

 

How to maintain your manners: Proper wedding etiquette (Part 2)

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This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop, Bergen County NJ

Read Part 1 first

* If you choose to bring a guest along, make sure it is an appropriate choice.  Leave the wallflower and sulky date at home who will hinder your spirit as you shine on the dance floor…or the guy with an unpredictable behavioral pattern who tends to have a flared temper after too many shots of whiskey.  Leave him at home.  Better yet, what are you doing even being involved with these types of people to begin with?!?  Go alone and be free of the burden of entertaining a date all night.  You will have a much better time and be able to engage the people you truly care about as well as having a better opportunity for catching up with the ones you have been looking forward to seeing.

And if you weren’t invited with a guest, do NOT show up with one nor ask the bride or groom to make an exception just for you to bring somebody along. This puts them in an awkward position.  Once again, their day, not yours!

“No bringing uninvited guests” rule can imply children.  Respect an adult-only wedding if that’s what the married couple wishes.  And if children are invited, please take responsibility that they remain on their best behavior.  Example: crying during vows.  Solution: Remove yourself and bring them away from the scene…FAR AWAY…!!!

* Send a gift when you are unable to attend the wedding, (and be sure to RSVP by the correct date so the bride and groom are aware!).  Proper etiquette dictates that if you were invited, you owe the couple a gift, despite your actual presence at the wedding or not.

Let the registry be your first shopping source to purchase a gift from.  If not, make sure your gift is thoughtful and personable specifically for the couple.

* Don’t just show up for the reception and skip out on the ceremony.  The ceremony is the most significant part of all.   It’s in poor taste to be seen downing drinks at the open bar without first making all efforts to attend the main event.

 

* Don’t be late!  Allow yourself plenty of time to arrive at the ceremony on time.

 

Traffic jam…when you’re already late?  Then watch from afar.  Stand in the back or slip quietly in a back row if the ceremony has already begun by the time you arrive.

Continue with Part 3

 

How to Sabotage your Marriage… …Before it Begins (Part 1)

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By Jaclyn Ianetti

Once upon a time…and that was all.  Most people usually don’t get married planning to divorce soon after, but much research suggests so much of what people do before they wed sadly leads them to the destructive place of divorce.

 

How to avoid a miserable marriage before it begins?  Gee, what an uplifting topic huh?!  But it sure is realistic, and can happen to you if you don’t think things through and integrate the right attitude adjustments and mental/emotional shifts into your days leading up to your BIG one.

 

The timeframe before the wedding can be a crucial turning point, as the whole wedding planning process can be rather stressful.  Part of the reason might be that, as a culture, women are often more captivated and infatuated with the wedding than the actual marriage!  So this means an excess amount of energy, time, and resources get poured into a wedding, ensuring the best possible outcome for a Wedding Day.  Get with the program ladies…a magical day is something we all dream of…but let’s not overdo anything or overcompensate for something we’re not receiving in the relationship itself perhaps?  A magical relationship over an over-the-top wedding is much more preferable and soulful.

 

Instead of revving up your bank account and drowning resources out just to make funds for your elaborate wedding expenses, really think about what is most important and what you can do without.  You don’t want money problems resulting from an extravagant wedding to be the reason you‘re relationship is failing…and the resulting woes that come from it all can make a marriage miserable (especially if you’re one of those couples that places such value on finances and/or known to rack up credit card expenses!).   This can probably be the most disgraceful way to end a relationship based on these causes.  Know who you are, who you are marrying, and find a balance in between to avoid debt…and more importantly, disappointments.

Sweating the small stuff?  So he forgot to fix the broken faucet while you were at your bridal gown consultation….Big deal?!   It doesn’t mean anything more than what it does at face value…he forgot.  Cut him some slack.  Step back from your stressed out, overwhelmed state and think of the important things in life…love being # 1.  Do you really want to pick a fight over something so trivial…and not to mention, so mundane?

Continue reading …… Part 2 and Part 3

Aleana’s Bridal, Paramus, NJ

10 Iconic Brides and Bridal Gowns (Part 2)

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Read Part 1 first

Marilyn Monroe

  

They seemed, to some, like a match made in heaven: the big-screen siren and the baseball star.  While Monroe’s second marriage to Joe DiMaggio didn’t even last a year, the fur-collared brown wool suit she wore to their 1954 ceremony at San Francisco’s City Hall was utterly timeless.

Grace Kelly

The most iconic wedding dress of all time came with a real life fairy tale.  This Hollywood actress often played royal parts in movies, such as her onscreen princess debut in The Swan.  A trip to France’s Cannes Film Festival led her to meet Prince Rainier III of Monaco and a year later they were married in a dazzling ceremony as she wore a Helen Rose (award winning designer) elaborate, epitome of elegance with exquisite detailing dress: bell-shaped, taffeta skirt with an embroidered rose point lace bodice with a high neckline, pearl-studded long sleeves, and a graceful train.  This royal gown is of pure Hollywood fantasy.

Mia Farrow

 

Mia’s mod dress…On July 19, 1966, 21 year old actress Mia Farrow married 50 year old Frank Sinatra in a mod mini dress at The Sands hotel in Las Vegas.

Natalie Wood

When she wed Robert Wagner in 1957, Natalie Wood looked stunning and of-the-moment in a face-framing lace hood, white cocktail dress and ballet flats.  Sophistication at its’ finest.

 

 Princess Diana

 

Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, Diana’s wedding dress was one of the most fairy tale wedding dresses to be made in history.  Her puff sleeved, ruffled, silk taffeta gown was decorated with lace and hand embroidered with hundreds of sequins and around 10,000 tiny pearls.

The most memorable and mesmerizing part of the dress was the 25ft train that covered the aisle of St Paul’s Cathedral where she and Prince Charles got married.

 Kate Middleton

Kate managed to wow everyone in this stunning gown designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen as over 2 billion people watched her and Prince William’s Royal Wedding on April 29, 2011.  For her walk down the aisle, the new Duchess of Cambridge wore a French Chantilly lace dress with a plunging, yet modest, neckline paired with matching McQueen shoes.  The gown’s reminiscence to Grace Kelly in its’ lace bodice nipped at the waist and full skirt dazzled the world with a nostalgic sparkle and re-emergence of classic looks.

Perfect Flower Girls

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This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop, Bergen County NJ.

When it comes to looking for the perfect flower girl dress, the idea of the bride’s dress comes to mind. In essence, the flower girl is a little bride. This little girl will most likely remember this moment forever as she will feel like a princess. A quality dress whether custom made or selected from a collection, will enhance the wedding’s overall appearance. This is, after all, the idea behind picking the bridal gown and the dresses for the bridal party. She may be small, but the flower girl still deserves the best! A happy flower girl makes for a problem free entrance and perfect pictures. After all, no one wants a tantrum down the aisle or photos of a sad little girl!

The fabulous thing about these flower girl gowns is that they can be utilized again in the future. Many of the dresses are, for the most part, a basic silhouette. With slight modifications, or even just as they are, they can dually serve the purpose as a first communion gown, a pageant gown or even a holiday dress. This is definitely worth taking into consideration if you are a bit skeptical on the price, although they are quite reasonable considering the craftsmanship and quality. If a traditional silhouette isn’t a good fit for the theme of the wedding, going the custom made route is always an option. What a way to really make her feel special!

Aleana’s Bridal presenting a stunning collection by Joan Calabrese, one of the leading designers in flower girl/girl’s special occasion gowns. All of the dresses are designed with a bridal elegance state of mind. The dresses are very detailed and are of amazing quality. The dresses come in white and ivory and with all sorts of embellishments to perfectly match any bride’s gown. To visit our store please call at 201-444-1500.

 

Bridal Gown Spotlight (Part 3)

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This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop, Bergen County NJ.

Read first Part 1 and Part 2

 

Gypsy Princess

To stand out as a bride, wear a tiara…or an exclusive, hand-made flower hippie headband to be placed upon your crown…bohemian beautiful.

  REVIEW

It’s all about adding & accessorizing withoutbeing tacky.

 Adding some color :  A wedding dress does not have to be one plain color.  Sometimes adding a splash of color can make your dress stand out of the crowd.  By adding color to your wedding dress, you are making your dress unique and giving it your own style.

Adding a ribbon on the waist can show off your curves and your individuality.  Use the colors of your bridesmaid’s dresses as a clue to the right color, and you will look wonderful together.  Your train could also include a little bit of this color.  Adding a color can be done anywhere including in your hair, with the bouquet, or many other options.  This option is a very modern idea and can translate into some very beautiful pictures. 

 Accessories: A bride’s wedding look is not just about the dress.  The dress is not complete without some accessories.  These can include your hairpiece, bouquet and shoes.  For your hair, you can choose to go with a simple veil, or try something like a crown.  Your shoes complete your look.  If your wedding is on the beach, do not be afraid to go barefoot or in sandals.  The best way to keep your look unique is to have fun and remember that this is your day and you make the rules.  If you want to add accessories to the dress itself, you can add bows, buttons, or other embellishments to the dress.

Unique add-ons to your dress will make the dress seem more like your own. Every bride should have a wedding dress that makes her feel beautiful, but also reflects her own style.  Add or subtract sleeves, add color, and do not forget some accessories and you will have a wedding day look that everyone will remember.

(Refer to article “Love your Body” Brides by body-type : what’s your aisle style? For a detailed dress guide & more gown inspiration). 

 

Bridal Gown Spotlight (Part 1)

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By Jaclyn Ianetti

 What makes your bridal gown unique? 

What sets you apart from all other brides? 

It’s not about fancy designer labels and price tags.  It’s about taste.  If your dress matches your fashion personality, then it will be sure to speak unique.

Gown Guidance …And always let your CLOSET be your guide

First, you must build on your own everyday look.  Whether you’re a trendsetter or the more laid-back type, go to your closet for some inspiration.  The muse is your closet.  It will help guide you towards a gown that showcases your fashion philosophy.

What’s your style sense? 

Mod Girl : Less is always more for the cool, modern lady.  Sleek lines, subtle shine, and graphic jewels max out your minimal approach.

 Retro Romantic:  You’re a 21st-century chick with a vintage vibe.  Plush textures and antique-y accents merge the past with your present.

 Screen Siren:  Unleash your starlet power with glittering gems, killer heels, and one very red-carpet gown.

 High Maintenance :  For the more extreme types, sparkly baubles/trinkets, blatant bows, and a passion for pink are your fashion faves.  You’re looking forward to the role you were born to play, princess. 

 Changeable Chameleon: Say you’re a little bit of each of the above “labels”…not a problemo.  That just means you’re one edgy chick with too big a personality to settle for being categorized into fitting into just one type of style.  If you embody many layers to your style personality, peel each & every one of them to reveal your whole self and incorporate a bit of everything to really let your colorful personality shine. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

So, what makes your gown so special? 

Creativity is the key to really making a unique statement.  Here are some creative suggestions from gown tips, accessories, shoes, and hairstyles…all of which will contribute to the overall portrait of your style, and therefore, giving your gown the ultimate unique boost you dream of….

 . . GOWN. .

Color

If white isn’t your color, who says you have to wear a white bridal gown?   Opt for a gown in your favorite color.  Wedding gowns now come in all sorts of beautiful ones, from bold blues and hot pinks, to greens, golds, and even reds.

If you’re finding it hard to convince your loved ones (your groom or mom) that color is completely appropriate, you might want to consider donning a traditional white wedding gown for your ceremony, then slipping into something in a bold hue for the reception.

There are even several wedding gowns available today that boast two-in-one designs specifically designed for this purpose: short dresses with long, see-through layers on top; two-piece gowns with interchangeable skirt and pant options; and body-skimming sheaths with removable floor-length sheer jackets (the 2-in-1 dress).  It may not be the super short and sexy shift you originally pictured yourself marrying in, but look at it this way: everyone will be happy, and you’ll get to wear two gowns, instead of just one!

 WHITE GOWNS

If you like the idea of the traditional, plain white dress, you can always add in some color to the details.  There is nothing wrong with replacing some of your dress’ accents with color.

Read more Part 2 and Part 3

BRIDAL SHOP near NYACK, NEW YORK

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Aleana’s Bridal is your Bridal Shop near Nyack, NY.

You found the man of your dreams…now it’s a time to find the wedding dress of your dreams… that perfect bridal gown that is a symbol of unique self.

 Aleana’s Bridal understands that and invites you to guide step by step to select from a our exclusive bridal collection or to create a most beautiful custom bridal gown.

We are proud to offer our Nyack clients personalized one-on-one service, “Made in America” bridal dresses, wide selection of novelty silk fabrics, stunning French laces, unique embellishments, and exclusive handmade embroideries.

Cannot find shoes? Bring us any plain shoes for a custom embellishment to match your dress.

We invite the Mother of the Bride and the Mother of the Groom to visit our store as well to choose a dress from our exclusive dress collection or make one of the kind dress in any fabric and more than 70 available colors. With all of the different styles and silhouettes it seems as though you’ll never find the exact dress you want. Don’t fret. Rather than spending what seems like centuries browsing racks and trying on yet typical Mother of the Bride dress, consider custom made. The beauty of custom made gowns is simple; it’s made just for you. It is a one of a kind. As the second most important woman at the wedding, our 100% silk fabrications and one of a kind designs will make you feel like royalty.

Aleana’s Bridal offers a more than convenient production time frame,which is often unheard of in the fashion industry: You can pick up your dress in 3 months, without paying any “rush” order fees! Personal customer service is readily available and even possible during the wedding day.

Each appointment will be scheduled for a full hour and half to ensure that you get the attention you need.

Please book your appointment today at  www.aleanasbridal.com or call  201-444-1500.

BRIDAL SHOP near SADDLE BROOK BERGEN COUNTY NJ

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Aleana’s Bridal is your Bridal Shop near Saddle Brook, Bergen County, NJ.

A gown’s fabric affects both its beauty and price. You always should ask, “What is the content of this fabric?” If the answer is “Silk”, you know you are buying the queen of textiles, the most luxurious fiber in the world.At Aleana’s Bridal, we offer our  Saddle Brook  clients just that.

We invite you to choose a bridal dress at our exclusive shop located in the heart of Paramus where majority of our gowns are made from high quality silk fabrics at a very affordable price.

We’ve recently expanded our help our Mothers in the area find the perfect gown for their daughter/son’s wedding. We understand that finding the right gown for this special event can difficult. You are a very important part of this event and you want to look your best. Chances are you’ve found plenty of gowns that had parts that you liked, but not the whole package. You may have a color in mind, but can’t find anything that looks right on you in that shade. What should you do? Don’t fret. Rather than spending what seems like centuries browsing racks and trying  on dresses, consider custom made at Aleana’s bridal. The beauty of custom made gowns is simple; it’s made just for you. It is a one of a kind.

Aleana’s Bridal offers a more than convenient production time frame, which is often unheard of in the fashion industry: You can pick up your dress in 3 months, without paying any “rush” order fees!

Book your appointment today and we will guide you to create a dress that is the essence of you. Our phone number is 201-444-1500.

 

Please call us at 201-444-1500 or book your appointment on line at www.aleanasbridal.com. We open 5 days a week, Tuesday-Saturday, from 11 am to 7 pm.

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