Manolo for the Brides

I was recently sent two freebies to review, both of which sprang from the minds of event designers. It’s a common phenomenon — when you live in the world of weddings, it’s not that difficult to envision yourself creating a product that will bring joy to brides-to-be. (Note to companies looking for new product lines: I’m available. Really available.)

First Impressions
The Wedding Book: The Big Book for Your Big Day is indeed BIG. With it’s sweet two-column, multi-color design, it rather reminds me of the many home hack books I was given when I first moved out of my mother’s house. Not a page goes by where some tip of Weiss’ is highlighted in cream or taupe — overall, it’s very dignified. Information is easy to find, and there’s plenty of it!

Deeper Deets
I’ll admit that I had high expectations for this book, because Mindy Weiss is a highly sought-after event planner and “lifestyle expert.” It’s the little details she slips in, like three ways to fold a handkerchief, sample reception menus (Weiss admits that Thousand Island is her favorite dressing), an illustrated gown guide, and multiple wedding timetables make this book stand out among its peers. For those brides who like to jot things down, there are plenty of fill-in tables and blank note pages in the back of the book.

The Verdict
Other than iDo (which still has no reviews on Amazon, hint hint), this is probably my favorite book dealing with mainstream modern-traditional weddings.

First Impressions
I really like the box that envelops the Zinke Design Going to the Chapel gift set because it’s substantial and complicated. You really have to work to get the garter, ring bag, and handkerchief out of that box — I was almost afraid I was going to rip something, but Arin Robinson’s products are auspiciously sturdy. The trio of accessories matches The Wedding Book, which is a little weird in light of this review!

Deeper Deets
The set is made of satin, linen, lace, and the garter is lovely. It combines a ribbon with elastic, which means I can make it as small as my wrist or wide enough to fit over my head. I’m actually wearing it on my head right now. The hanky and the ring bag unfortunately gain nothing from being made out of linen. Both are pretty, but the handkerchief would do little to dry a tearful eye and I don’t know that putting one’s rings in a bag is the best of ideas. This leads me to believe that these items are meant just for show, and I’m a stickler for design that’s lovely AND functional.

The Verdict
I personally would not buy this $92 set for a bride-to-be, but I could see an older female relative doing so. When, exactly, do the rings go in the bag, anyway? Is it meant to be used before the wedding or as an alternative to the ring bearer’s pillow? I’d much prefer to give my hypothetical engaged friend or sister a vintage hanky embroidered with her initials or a handmade ring pillow I sewed myself.

I was lucky in that a friend with mad sewing skillz offered to make my wedding garter. She did, as I knew she would, an amazing job. I am fairly anti-toss when it comes to bouquets and undergarments, but I wouldn’t have tossed my garter even if I was a fan of the practice. Why wear one if you aren’t going to toss it? I personally liked having a little something colorful under my gown. I guess it could have been my saucy little secret, but I ended up showing it off to about half of my guests.

I would have shown these garters I found on Etsy off, too.

This piece was created from salvaged materials by Bayou Bijoux. It’s listed as a headband, but she suggests that many of her customers were them as garters.

Piperwan created this garter from a handmade purple and periwinkle ribbon rose. Her ribbon roses rock!

And Mia Von Mink makes all manner of garters, including custom pieces, from vintage trim, antique lace, and real pearls.

When you’re planning to wear a garter somewhere under your skirts, it may as well be a special one. You can always get a toss garter from an Amazon seller if you’re dead set on having your new spouse stick his hands up your dress in front of your whole family. Just kidding…sort of. I’ve been at weddings where teeth were used for things other than chewing cake.

If you wore a garter, did it get tossed into a crowd of unmarried menfolk? Did your new hubby remove it with his teeth?