Archive for the ‘Ask the Expert’ Category

ASK THE EXPERT: IS IT BAD TO PUT EXPENSIVE THINGS ON MY REGISTRY?

Our expert weighs in.

Posted by Carrie Denny on 2/13/2012 at 5:02PM | No Comments

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Q: I recently heard a friend griping about expensive items on another friend’s registry, and I thought, I have nice, pricey pots and pans and things on my registry—are people saying that about mine? I intend for these things to last decades, but was I not supposed to register for anything expensive because it’s rude to guests?
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ASK THE EXPERT: HOW DO I MAKE MY DIY MAKEUP STAY PUT?

Philly hair stylist and makeup artist Claudia Seyler gives us her best tips ...

Posted by Carrie Denny on 1/31/2012 at 5:35PM | No Comments

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Question: My budget is tight, and I’m pretty good at doing makeup, so I’m going to do my own the day of my wedding. But I’m worried about it lasting—I’ll be getting ready around 11 a.m. and it needs to stay in place until 11 that night. What can I do to make it last?

Answer: Hair and makeup artist Claudia Seyler takes her hat off to any bride doing her own makeup, she says — and she’s got a list of helpful tips to make it all go smoothly.
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ASK THE EXPERT: DO WE HAVE TO PAY FOR OUR GUESTS’ PARKING?

Posted by Carrie Denny on 1/17/2012 at 6:00PM | No Comments

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Question: We’re having our reception at a big, fancy hotel in Center City, and we were wondering: Are we obligated to pay for our guests’ parking?
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ASK THE EXPERT: CAN WE ASK FOR CASH?

Well. Not exactly ...

Posted by Carrie Denny on 1/3/2012 at 6:16PM | No Comments

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Question: My fiancé and I are in our 30s, we’ve lived together for years, and really don’t need to register for toasters and towels. What we really need is a down payment for a house — would it be OK to ask for that?
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ASK THE EXPERT: SEARCHING FOR FASHIONABLE PLUS-SIZED BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES

Posted by Carrie Denny on 12/8/2011 at 11:59AM | 1 Comment

iStockphoto courtesy of ThinkStock.com.

Question: One of my bridesmaids is a size 22/24, and I do notwant her to have to wear a different dress than the rest of my bridesmaids, who probably range from a 4 to a 12! Are there fashionable brands out there that come in a range of sizes, so they can all wear the same dress?

Answer: Whenever you find yourself in a bridesmaid-gown pickle, you could always go the custom-gown route — but Gillian Sleight, manager at the Bridal Garden in Marlton, says that with so many gown companies making larger sizes these days, it’s hardly necessary. Sleight has seen this situation quite often, and helps brides look though racks of designers — all of them fashionable, stylish, popular bridal designers — who currently carry an array of sizes that’ll fit any ‘maid, from a 00 or 2 up to sizes 24-28. Her list: Vera Wang, Alvina Valenta, Amsale, Bill Levkoff, Jim Hjelm, Lazaro, Saison Blanche, and Watters. Just remember to be thoughtful when choosing the actual style of their dress. “Pick with the larger girl in mind,” says Sleight, “because the smaller ones are more flexible.” — Jessie Holeva

 

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EVENTRICITY AND QUEEN OF HEARTS MERGE!

Two fabulous Philly event companies become one.

Posted by Carrie Denny on 12/2/2011 at 4:25PM | 2 Comments

A look at the tablescape from the recent nuptials of Joe and Dana Flacco (he's currently the QB for the Baltimore Ravens, but they're both Philly natives!) put together by The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants and Eventricity. Photo by Jason Prezant, courtesy of The Queen of Hearts.

Hey brides,

Fun news!

If you’ve dug a little bit into planning your nuptials so far—or even if you’ve just attended a good handful of really lovely weddings in the area—chances are you have come across the names Eventricity and The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants.
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ASK THE EXPERT: DO ALL OUT-OF-TOWNERS COME TO REHEARSAL DINNER?

Posted by Carrie Denny on 11/9/2011 at 5:04PM | No Comments

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Question: I have quite a few out-of-town guests coming in for my wedding, but I’d really like the rehearsal dinner to be just our immediate families and the wedding party. Is it rude not to invite them?
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ASK THE EXPERT: CAN I GET A GOWN ON THE GO?

The Wedding Shoppe's Pattie Lamantia knows how to get you couture in a crunch

Posted by Carrie Denny on 9/14/2011 at 6:24PM | No Comments

iStockphoto courtesy of ThinkStock.com.

Question: Our dream venue has an open date about 18 months from now — or two months from now. We’d really like to take the closer one, rather than wait more than a year, but I’m wondering — will I have to give up having a couture gown? Or is two months enough time to get one in and fitted and ready to go?

Answer: Relax, dear bride — you may be able to get hitched on the quick and still have your dream dress: “Most couture bridal gowns take at least four months for delivery,” says Pattie Lamantia, owner and president of The Wedding Shoppe in Wayne. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you’re crunched for time. Turns out many designers — from Monique Lhuillier to Carolina Herrera — offer special rush cuts to accommodate the needs of brides on a deadline, for an additional fee. And there’s actually one more option, says Lamantia: “If you happen to be a sample size, we, along with most couture salons, can sell you a sample and alter it within a week.” — Jessie Holeva


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ASK THE EXPERT: DO FRIENDS MAKE GOOD WEDDING VENDORS?

Posted by Carrie Denny on 6/28/2011 at 3:08PM | 1 Comment

Doesn’t it seem, sometimes these days, like everyone and their mother has some sort of side skill? They make amazing cupcakes or they’ve got a letterpress machine in their basement or they craft pretty little feathery hair accessories over the weekends? Whether more people are looking to make some money on the side or have just made the decision to devote real time to hobbies that make them happy, we seem to be hearing about this particular wedding issue more and more these days, so we thought it begged repeating. We’d love to hear from you, though, if you’ve come up against this dilemma — tell us how it was resolved in the comments!

Question: My good friend is a truly talented graphic artist, so when she offered to design my wedding invitations for me, I took her up on it. Problem is, I think what she came up with is awful — but she thinks it’s fabulous! How do I not send these invitations out, but not offend my friend?
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ASK THE EXPERT: COULD WE HAVE SOME CASH, PLEASE?

Posted by Carrie Denny on 6/6/2011 at 6:34PM | No Comments

An oldie but goodie for all you brides out there trying to figure out how to — or, how not to — register …

Question: My fiancé and I are in our 30s, we’ve lived together for years, and really don’t need to register for toasters and towels. What we really need is a down payment for a house — would it be OK to ask for that?
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