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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 choose your wedding menu (Part 2)

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This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal.

Read Part 1 first

Selective Servings

In the most traditional version, a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres is preceded by a seated dinner of three courses: The first course is typically an artfully arranged plate of appetizer-friendly foods. The main entree usually includes a meat or fish, such as filet mignon or grilled salmon (include a separate dish for your vegetarian guests!) accompanied by a starch, such as rice or potatoes, and maybe even quinoa for your holistically fit guests, and a vegetable, like asparagus or broccoli.  Dessert may or may not be your wedding cake; some couples serve a separate dessert, something light and refreshing such as a sorbet, and save the wedding cake for later in the reception…during the “dance party.”

Forget the standard menu at weddings that you’re familiar with and go for more distinctive flavors to really give everybody something to remember from the most memorable dinner party of your life.  This can be more complicated and challenging, but also exciting.  Whether from around the world…Italian pastas & panini sandwiches, Spanish tapas, Japanese finger foods…to a particular part of your favorite country or island (Hawaiian, Southwestern, or Cajun cuisines), or from your own family’s kitchens….choose what you like & GET CREATIVE !

Dare to be Different

Varying your courses is actually a strategically smart thing to do.  If you are having seafood as a starter, (say, as a few appetizers in cocktail hour), then avoid it as a main course.  If you want a light afternoon tea followed by a formal dinner in the evening…or red wine and cheese during speeches and toasts, then go with it.  It’s YOUR day, so YOU choose…and feel free ENTIRELY to choose food that you love and want to eat…to a certain extent, of course.

 

Just remember that your guests’ culinary tastes might not be as adventurous as your own.  For the more conservative palates: limiting more exotic foods in appetizers is one way to do it.  And be sure to include kid-friendly foods if children will be at your wedding (chicken fingers, fries, individual pizzas so they can have their own little pizza party).

 

*SAFETY TIP! : Always arrange for food tastings at your venues of choice first so you are fully confident in the abilities of the chefs to pull off any designed dish that is adventurous as well as the more “safe” ones.

Read Part 3 and Part 4 next

 

 

Spring/Summer 2014 Bridal Fashion Trend (Part 1)

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

What’s new for the upcoming season?

Silhouettes:

Regarding the Silhouettes, trends in the bridal industry have taken a more elegant and minimalistic turn. On the runway, minimal wedding gowns with elegant lines that accentuate the figure are becoming quite popular in the Spring 2014 season. These dresses are made of white silk satin and have no embellishments. The cut of the garment is the focus of the dress.

Another trend regarding silhouettes is the column shape. Many designer gowns on the runway for the spring/ summer 2014 season can be seen with this type of silhouette that emphasizes an hourglass figure. With long, form-fitting dresses, there is usually an emphasis on the waist. Lines bellow the knee have been seen to be tapered or have a gentle flare. A-line trains add drama to this sleek silhouette.

 

Vintage inspired gowns continue to gain popularity. Many dresses on the runway for this upcoming season were designed with lace and vintage inspired feel. Regarding the silhouette of this gown, the vintage trend favors a ladylike silhouette that has found to reference the silhouettes popular in the 1950s. Many of these gowns designed with illusion necklines and deep-v necklines.

 

The last major silhouette trending in spring/summer 2014 is an ultra-feminine hourglass silhouette. The key to this look is structured bodices, an emphasis on cinched waists, and full bell-shaped skirts. Some of these gowns can be found with skirt overlays or asymmetrical peplums. This look mimics Christian Dior’s 1947 “New Look”.

Length:

For spring/ summer 2014, lengths of the gown seem to be getting increasingly shorter. One popular look seen on the runway is the cocktail length wedding gown. This type of dress is a more casual alternative to the long, elegant wedding gown. Hemlines of this type of gown can range from above the knee to just below the knee. The styles for this cocktail length gown vary from a-line, fit-and-flare, and straight.

High-low hemlines are becoming increasingly popular in the ready-to-wear gown industry. For spring/summer 214, the high-low hemline was seen trending on the runway in Milan.

The mermaid tail has also been trending on the runway. The mermaid tails are flare out at the knee. These type of style balances out the tight body-con silhouette to create a voluminous bottom.

 Trains:

In the spring season, we can see variations of the elegant and long train. This variation is called a cascading train. Popular are the waterfall cascades and classical Grecian draping. This kind of train creates a “pooling” effect rather than a sweeping train.

Continue to read Part 2

 

Spring/Summer 2014 Bridal Fashion Trend (Part 2)

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

Read Part 1 first

Color:

A popular and unusual trend for spring/ summer 2014 is the use of pale colored fabrics. The use of the different colors is sure an alternative to the traditional white or ivory gown. Pale yellows, light peach, and sweet peony are examples of colors used within this trend. The most common color being seen on the runway is light pink. Gowns these colors may have sheer layers, making the color palette even more feminine.

 Neckline:

Illusion neckline is becoming a very popular neckline trend seen on the runway. The Illusion neckline is usually a neckline that provides coverage and is constructed from sheer fabric. This neckline is usually heavily embellished. Though this neckline does provide a lot of coverage to the bust and neck area it can also offer a hint of seduction.

 

The sweetheart neckline, one of the most popular necklines for a strapless gown, is trending on the runway with some new details. The sweetheart neckline has been seen to resemble that of a corset. The sweetheart also has been seen to have ruched chiffon overlays and subtle pleating. A new trend for sweetheart necklines is a black color blocking. This color blocking is an edgy variation of the classic neckline.

Lace shoulders are being seen on the runway for the spring/summer 2014 season. With an illusion neckline, this sheer lace is a very elegant look. The lace can extend past the shoulder, turning into three- quarter or long sleeves.

Many bridal looks on the runway for this season emphasize the “simple look” or natural look. This look is seen through the veils. Many veils popular for the season are simple and transparent. The edges of these veils are can be either raw or scalloped and the lengths vary from elbow to floor lengths. The trend for bridal make-up is a natural look.

 Accessories:

  • Blue accented accessories
  • Antique effects, such as heirloom- like quality to accessories
  • As a result of Great Gatsby and Downtown Abbey- 1920’s inspired headpieces and art deco motifs
  • Flowers have a big influence on the headpieces, headbands, and clips for spring/summer 2014
  • The knot- The 1950s oversized bow comes back in style with lose tails. The bow can be placed at bustle of the dress or on top of head as a headpiece.
  • Feathers- Feathers create an ethereal theme. Feathers can vary in color. Feathers can be accented on garter and belts, or worn in the hair
  • Grecian Leaves- Leafy styles are being worn as headpieces. The Grecian leaves create a Grecian goddess look. The Grecian leaves can be seen in belts, collars and clips.
  • Pearls- The pearl trend can be seen as accents in a headpiece, jewelry, bags, or even hair clips.
  • Halo Headpiece- The halo has become a popular choice for bridal headwear. The halo has very romantic and angelic feel.

 

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 enjoy bridal gown shopping (Part 2)

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Read Part 1 first

STYLE YOUR SELF : Signature Style

Let’s face it, there are an overwhelming variety of styles to choose from, and when is the last time you ever worn anything even similar to a bridal gown in your life?  It’s not like you dress up like Cinderella in a white ball gown every Saturday night!  And the stress of purchasing the most expensive item of clothing you ever worn before adds to the all-around confusion.  That’s why I suggest simply starting with the vision board to use as your guide and for inspiration.

Princess styles, sleek silhouettes, mermaid fishtail gowns, lace and layers of tulle and taffeta reminiscent of a true fairytale gown, and vintage styles that channel a modern simplicity are all themes of styles you will find in a multitude of creations to choose from in your pile of tear-outs to add to your vision board.  You will start to see some stand out and tell tale signs of similarities that delineate your authentic style.

 

DESIGNER diva

Designers often have a trademark style that distinguishes them apart from others.  So once you have your epiphany of a certain style, you might also be able to see that one or few particular designers have stood out in your gown choices.  Identify your most favorite ones to keep an overwhelming confusion to a minimum level.  Even if you find that their creations are out of your budget, don’t despair…any bridal shop should be able to point you in the direction of similar styles that they carry themselves.

Boutiques & BUDGETS

Next up, where to shop?  

Finding a boutique can be tricky, but go with your gut feeling and the place that resonates with your overall energy.  No second stops at any place with pushy sales assistants, snooty staff or rushed appointments!  You can find better…and deserve to.

Aleana’s Bridal, Paramus, NJ

Read Part 3 next

 

How to maintain your manners: Proper wedding etiquette (Part 3)

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Read Part 1 and Part 2 first

 * Wedding Day Wardrobe: Dress as the style of the invitation suggests.  Casual or formal?  Well, if it’s an invite with flip-flops and seashells, it’s most likely a casual affair and it’s most likely not expected of you to wear a long silk dress.  On the flipside, if the invite is scripted and gives off a formal vibe, it’s probably not a smart idea to sport your casual cotton sundress.  Ask around to be sure of the dress code, perhaps a member of the bride’s family.  The bride herself is the last resort for this kind of questioning.  She has her own dress to worry about.

Never wear white!  Only a bride wears white on this special day.  So don’t compete with her or anybody else.  If you’re the type who is dying to show off your better-than-ever bod, save it.  A wedding is just not the time.  If you tend to have a more revealing or risqué personal style, tone it down a bit…especially for ceremonies held inside a conservative church.

 

 * Freeze your Frame.  Put a hold on the uploading of photos, especially to social media sites.  Brides can be very sensitive about their image and may wish to first look through photos first before anything is publicly shared online.

Taking pictures at the wedding reception is fine and encouraged…the more the merrier…but do less of the snapping during the ceremony.  The photographer is hard at work during this crucial hour, and you don’t want to get in their way and risk them taking faulty pictures when trying to capture these sentimental moments.

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

So what makes the best manners?  MINDFULNESS.  The best manners come from the mindful person who is very aware of themselves and their surroundings, other people and the environment.

 

Etiquette stems from common courtesy, sense, and social graces, such as: When entering or leaving the room, going into or out of bathrooms, etc., hold the door open for the next person.  Be conscious of staying silent during speeches and announcements and be aware of the alcohol you are consuming and always practice sophisticated self-control.

The most important rule of etiquette in attending a wedding event is to enjoy the day in a classy manner and bringing your most lofty, positive energy.  The bride and groom planned this special day in celebration of a jovial affair and took their guests’ comfort and entertainment into heavy consideration.  Be respectful, be polite and be on your way to being a stellar guest…one who contributes to the memories being made, and to the pages in the storybook that makes the bride’s dreams complete.

And don’t forget to bring the most important thing along with you, wrapped up in your own aura and expanded into those of others around you: 

L O V E.

 

 

How to Sabotage your Marriage… …Before it Begins (Part 2)

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Read Part 1 first

 Arguing can stem from many roots to your own habitual patterns…one being having to be perpetually right all the time and coming out as the final winner.  If you want to be right just to be right, you’re going to create problems and pain in your marriage so pick and choose your battles wisely, or you’ll find yourself permanently on the battlefield.  And if something is really bothering you, ask yourself how important it really is.  Are there rational reasons why it’s so crucial?

If you know you must hash out an issue, bring it up as soon as possible to avoid built-up resentment.  And learn how to fight fairly.  Arguing to solve an issue isn’t necessarily the bad habit, as differences are bound to surface at any given moment, but the way you settle those differences can be destructive.  If you wonder why you’re unsuccessful in solving your problems, it could be because you’re not going about it with good intentions.  If and when you have a disagreement, once again, don’t try to be right…focus instead on trying to solve the problem and consider your partner’s point of view.  Don’t ever use power struggle tactics like guilt, threats, and emotional blackmail.  Get it through it together as peaceful warriors…calm, yet assertive.

Are you criticizing and nagging endlessly?  You might think you’re offering gentle reminders or simply being justifiably critical as you fault-find your way to your ideal of perfection, but the more you nag, the more he’ll tune you out.  And that just makes you angrier.  On the opposing side of the spectrum, by allowing oneself to be subject to constant criticism from a spouse, your well-being and confidence will suffer.  Once again, stop sweating the small stuff and losing sight of what’s truly important…in life…and in love.

Continue reading …. 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

How to Sabotage your Marriage… …Before it Begins (Part 3)

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Read Part 1 and Part 2 first

 

Brides-to-be can have an unavoidable habit of playing the victim…the damsel in distress in-waiting for her dream day to come true.   An “All-About-Me” attitude can erupt, as you feel like the world revolves you for the time being.  Playing the victim is a control mechanism, and you use it when it suits you best…and may I add, what better timing to use this opportunity of becoming “the bride” to play this role?  You may be at a high-sensitivity and emotional peak, so pointing the finger at someone else is easier and makes you feel better about yourself.  But never being at fault just because you’re the bride-to-be can be tiresome to a fiancé who necessarily isn’t always to blame either.  Fess up to your role in the problems you’re facing, apologize and make the necessary changes when appropriate.  It’s difficult for anybody to take responsibility for bad behavior, but once you give up the victim mentality, you’ll find yourself less stressed, angry and resentful…and your soon-to-be husband will be happier, too.

 

Forgetting the smaller gestures can be a big problem.  Those everyday signs of affection are what keep intimacy and romance alive, yet many couples fail to remember to do them, especially in days leading up to wedding as you’re stressed and consumed with the planning.  No matter how big or small, spread as much sweetness around as possible.

Sooo….forget sweating the small stuff, and remember to spread the small stuff that matters!

 

And before you become a heartbroken bride-to-be, make sure not to make any of the mistakes mentioned above.  And the biggest one of all?  CLOSED COMMUNICATION!  Keep the lines of communicating clearly to each other WIDE OPEN…in an honest, non-judgmental space.

 

You want to communicate as a couple and make sure any unrealistic expectations are kept at bay to a restored balance and healthy dose of dreams, hopes, and aspirations.  We’re all human, imperfections and flaws and all that jazz.  The key lies in working through the inevitable hardships that you’ll encounter as a couple.  It’s in the continual sacrificing, listening and loving, that husbands and wives become soul mates on a more evolved, elevated level of existence.

Oh, of course,…and if he sees you in your wedding dress, your doomed.

Aleana’s Bridal, Paramus, NJ