via
Happy Halloween, all you Frights and Ghouls out there in wedding land! Save a couple Snickers’ for me.
Archive for October, 2010
Happy Halloween From Manolo for the Brides!
Sunday, October 31st, 2010Eight Carats Not Enough?
Saturday, October 30th, 2010
I’m sure everyone here wishes the greatest possible joy to tennis star Maria Sharapova and her fiance, basketball player Sasha Vujicic. I know I do. I wish that to all couples in love.
And I certainly hope that she loves the purportedly eight-carat diamond ring she’s been sporting in honor of the engagement.
Now, with that out of the way, I clearly need to send a copy of Miss Manners to writer Chris Chase for penning this ‘whimsical’ piece on how Mr. Vujacic has cheaped out on the ring by not spending Chase’s estimate of Vujacic’s two-month salary. Chase estimates that two months worth of Vujacic’s salary comes out to $912,000.00, making the mere $250,000.00 he’s reported to have spent a pittance.*
Sigh.
We’ve been over and over and over this point here at Manolo for the Brides. Two months’ salary for an engagement ring is not etiquette. It was an advertising slogan for DeBeers. You know, the people who sell diamonds. Etiquette considers it painfully rude to even enquire as to the price of someone’s jewelry, let alone a piece so imbued with symbolism. Etiquette would also be appalled at estimating someone’s salary, even when it’s a matter of public record, for the purpose of shaming them into spending more of it. Seriously, these are things over which etiquette has a painful attack of the vapors.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: when choosing an engagement ring, the gentleman should consider the taste of his lady and the state of his bank account (and credit rating). The lady, given the choice, should be thoughtful of his wallet. Everyone else in the universe should just butt out. Er… with the possible exception of the jeweler who is sort of required if the ring is being bought new or adapted from a not-so-new source.
Besides, if Mr. Twistie had followed the two months salary ‘rule’ I would never have gotten the engagement ring I wanted. It didn’t cost nearly that much.
*(I know the article is meant to be humorous, but it’s still based on a crass assumption that needs to be deflated at every possible opportunity. Way too many people think that ‘rule’ is a real one, so I continue to tilt at this particular windmill.)
What Do Brides-to-Be Think of Fibbing to Save?
Friday, October 29th, 2010
They call it the Wedding Tax – admit your flower, cake, or dress order is for a ceremony and reception, and there’s a chance that the cost will rise. Plus, let it slip that you’re a bride and, uh oh, suddenly everyone you’re dealing with is convinced that you’re going to morph into a witch with a B. Now we know, of course, that not every vendor charges double for “wedding ______” and that nice chicks are nice brides, but that doesn’t stop some brides-to-be from hedging their bets by shopping for their nuptials without ever once mentioning the word wedding.
An article about bride’s keeping mum has me thinking about it. Are wedding vendors cashing in on the fact that brides and grooms are emotionally invested in this particular type of party? Or do vendors have to routinely go above and beyond when they’re working weddings, so really they’re justified in charging more? Full disclosure: For my mom’s wedding, we said the flowers were just for a party, but at the same time, we weren’t getting anything outlandish and it was a pick-up order, so no delivery or set-up was involved.
What do you think? The article makes it seem like it’s one of those things that everyone is doing or should be doing, at least sometimes. Is it okay to tell vendors you’re shopping for plain old party supplies, or should brides-to-be always be up front about what it is they’re really planning?
P.S. – Don’t forget to enter the current giveaway!
LOVE/HATE: The ‘Big On Bows’ Edition
Thursday, October 28th, 2010
Yours truly never considered short wedding dresses for even a second, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become super traditional when it comes to the dresses I’ll wear. But that doesn’t mean I can’t dig on short wedding dresses on you lovelies or on models and mannequins. So for this week’s edition of LOVE/HATE, here’s a Red Valentino dress in ivory looks like it would be a lot of fun at a casual wedding or for a bride who’s eloping. It features a crew neckline, bow detailing, pleats, frills, and a lined interior, all in satin and crepe. And if you’re a size 4, it’s on sale for $325 at YOOX.
So what do you think? I kind of love it, but I’d kind of love it on someone who’s not shaped like me. On me, it would look like a sack.
For the Table, Sailor’s Valentines
Wednesday, October 27th, 2010Having a beach wedding? Or a ceremony and reception inspired by the sea? Maybe an ocean themed wedding? I’m loving these sea urchin table number holders and place card holders from Eco-Lectic Events.
That’s right, I’m thinking about summertime and not the immediacy of winter. Because all those summertime brides saying their vows in 2011 or even 2012 are already thinking about how they’re going to incorporate the ocean into their wedding ceremonies and receptions. These sea urchin shells – commonly called tests – make pretty, interesting beachy reception decor, even if it’s a little weird to use part of an animal to add color to tables.
So cheers to all the warm-weather, ocean-happy couples – have fun thinking about the sun and the surf! The rest of us will just sit here and freeze, brrrrrr.
Oh, and just curious: What do you ladies and gents think of using cast-offs like tests and sand dollar shells, or things like star fish in wedding decor?
P.S. – Don’t forget to enter to win an adorable “diamond ring” pendant from Polli!
GIVEAWAY: Win a Polli Ring Pendant!
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010In honor of the fact that it’s the first anniversary of my 30th birthday – thank you, Tiffany, for the perspective! – I thought it would be fun to have a little giveaway. The lovely gals at Polli, a super cute all-female Australian company that has been certified Low CO2, have graciously agreed to participate!
Isn’t that adorable? When Polli got in touch, I was just squeeing my head off. Why? More often than not, when I wear my engagement ring, I wear it on a chain around my neck! But I hate the way it sticks out – I look at this pendant and see the perfect, though admittedly cheeky, solution to my problem.
Win it!
Polli is offering Manolo for the Brides readers a chance to win a gorgeous and fun “diamond ring” pendant! To enter, visit Polli and tell me what you’d choose if you could have anything at all from their sweet jewelry, accessories, and housewares. I, for example, would love to get a Fractal Eco Clock for my birthday! So just let me know what Polli product you dig, and you’ll have one entry to your name.
For additional entries, do any of the following (and leave a comment for each additional entry):
1. As always, you can score one additional entry when you add Manolo for the Brides to your blogroll or let us know we’re already on your blogroll so we can link back to you
2. Score two additional entries when you sign up for the Polli newsletter
3. And you can pick up a whopping three additional entries when you tweet this giveaway or post about it on your own blog!
This giveaway will end at 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, October 31, and the winner – chosen via your friend and mine, the trusty random number generator – will be announced the next day. Good luck!
Show Them Your Wedding Will Be an Event to Remember
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010In the past, we’ve seen custom movie posters for weddings featuring brides and grooms and rock ‘n’ roll poster wedding invitations. Now, from Marit Hanson Weddings, I want to show you all some totally sweet save-the-dates modeled after promotional materials. I love them – great for the sports lovers or the show lovers, no?
Here’s a save-the-date that your guests will want to frame – or at least stick to the wall with that blue gummy stuff. It includes space for a photo and all your wedding day details. Do your guests really want a poster-sized save-the-date? Who knows, but think about how cute it would look in your house once you’re wed.
If a poster seems like a little much but you want the same look, how about a promotional postcard save-the-date? You can let your personalities take center stage and feel just a little famous with these much more manageable pieces of pre-wedding stationery.
Of course, not everyone who really wants to go to your nuptials can make the cut! Be sure that your wedding is invite-only with these awesome save-the-date tickets that will keep the riffraff out of your reception.
P.S. – Happy birthday to me! It’s the first anniversary of my 30th birthday!
P.P.S. – Angela of Your Fairy Tale Wedding wrote to tell me about her CHRISTMAS WEDDING DRESS GIVEAWAY. In her own words: “I will be giving away a free wedding dress for Christmas! Any Bride who purchases her dress between October 1st and December 24th will automatically be entered into a drawing to get their dress for FREE! If you name is drawn your money will be refunded and you will get your dress, shipping and all n…o charge. I am going to be asking one of my past brides to be in charge of drawing so if you are a past bride and you are interested in taking on this responsibility please let me know!”