Destination Love || Destination Weddings

U.S. Weddings

Try to pick something close by if you are deciding on a destination wedding to save money. Since I'm based in Arizona, Phoenicians have the bonuses of traveling to the beaches of California for a breath of sea air. Even with a modest budget of $25,000 you and 80 of your closest friends and family can enjoy your beautiful day at a local seaside venue. You can typically plan on 50% of the guests RSVP'ing. Many of your closest friends and family are easily able to pack their cars or hop on a quick plane ride for a 3 day weekend trip. Use BLUEman's tips on Google mapping to help your guests find their way around your wedding locale. Provide as much information to your guests at least 6 to 12 months in advance. Try sending them a Save the Date card to start planning on the best event of the year, YOUR wedding.

International Weddings

Traveling internationally is for those with the travel bug and want to share it (don't worry, it's a good thing!). Planning your wedding in Italy, France, Greece or some destination island sounds amazing, doesn't it? This is a good time to start thinking about more than Save the Date cards but creating your own wedding website to inform your guests about accomodations oversees (10% off for Blueprint Affair brides). Travel Planners like Eva Guibert at Tailored Travel Services would make this easy to set up all your guests with one contact for all their travel plans and restrictions. Travel Planners also know of venue cancellations, alternate accomodations, and provide support in unfamiliar locations. Don't forget that every guest will need a Passport and in some cases a Visa (travels to New Zealand require a Visa). The costs for marrying abroad can be minized with preferred vendors you establish in the states and pay for travel. So, check with your favorite vendors as I know many of us have our passports ready to go! 

Special Requirements

Visa's and Passports are just the start of deciding on traveling abroad. Be sure to coordinate your marriage license with the location of your wedding and the officiant. You will want to find out the requirements for this before you make your plans set in stone. Another thing to consider is health precautions such as vaccinations and immunization records being up to travel standards. This isn't the fun part of getting married but you'll need to know.

If you never thought about a destination wedding, this is best time to sneak in a fun vacation and have all your closest people enjoying it with you. A couple years ago, I went to a wedding in Costa Rica and 80 guests arrived. I was impressed how many people showed up and actually did excursions such as zip lining and surfing throughout the days leading up to the wedding. Zip lining and surfing were a new adventure I learned and made so many amazing memories during that wedding weekend.

MAPPING Out Your Wedding

BLUEman: The Male Perspective

If you’re having a destination wedding, one of the first things to do is to check around the area. But with budgets a little tight these days, the alternative to flying out a couple weekends throughout the planning process is to use technology that is readily available.

I’m talking about Google Maps.

Simple set your browser to http://www.googlemaps.com/ and begin your visit to the far off destination in no time.

Some helpful tips about Google mapping:

1. In the upper left hand corner is the search feature. If you don’t know the exact address of the venue you selected, or if you’re just beginning your search, you can simply enter the city and state (ex: San Francisco, CA) and press Search Maps.
2. If you want to see the landscape around the area or what the buildings look like, make sure to select the Satellite option in the upper right hand corner of the map image.
3. Create a Google account. This will allow you to use the “My Map” feature where you can save maps related to your wedding location, and even a separate map for your honeymoon and the sites you may wish to see.

Once you do the basics as described above, you can click on the little red bulb with an “A” related to any of your searches to then search nearby hotels, restaurants, etc. You name it, Google map will find it.

One of the features I like about Google Maps is the street view. Zoom in as far as you can next to a restaurant or hotel you may have found, and now you are on the street looking at what everything looks like around it. This is the best way to get familiar with the area before even getting there.

One of the best things to do, is after you plotted your rehearsal dinner location, surrounding hotels, nearest airport, etc, you can share this with your wedding guests using the Send feature.

So, whether you chose to have that destination wedding or not, Google Maps is a great way to get familiar with the area before even stepping foot on the ground, or to best prepare an out of town guest for their trip to your wedding destination.

See you back here next week for the next edition of the BLUEman.

SPECIAL EDITION || Iris D Bridal Boutique Grand Opening

Veils, dresses, and jewelry – Oh My! Tempe, Arizona now has a new bridal boutique to satisfy any blushing bride’s needs. Today was the grand opening of the Iris D Bridal boutique and Blueprint Affairs was on-site to take in all the trendy wedding fashions. Iris Drevet, Owner of Iris D Bridal has branded herself through her online store until now to bring Arizona brides a place to call home. The boutique offers custom bridal, bridesmaid, and flower girl dresses, veils, ceremony items, and jewelry to fit any girl’s dreams. Their boutique is located at 520 West Warner Road, Tempe, AZ 85284 (easily accessible off I-10 and Warner Road)

Working with vendors across the valley, I’m thrilled to see the networking take place by some of my preferred vendors. The beautiful flower décor provided by Ever After Florals highlighted the roomy fitting rooms and open show room. Then, I quickly rested my eyes on the custom cookies by Couture Cookie Company that are so delicious. Laura Segall Photography, Curtis Whipple, Snap Booth and a few other wedding vendors have already discovered this soon-to-be valley favorite for all brides and their bridal party.

Take an hour and stop by to take advantage of the 25% discount on everything in the store for today and tomorrow only!

Tips To Know || Bridal Dress Fittings

Do you know what to bring to your dress fitting? Whether you’re the bride or bridesmaids, it’s important to come armed with all your wedding day tools and accessories. Choosing the best time to pick your dress is ideal because the time you actually try on your dress will set the wedding 'wow' factor.


Accessories

Be sure to pack your earrings and necklace that you want to wear during your final fitting. This is the best time to match up the bling you bought for your day. For many bridesmaids, the best gift you receive may be the jewelry from your blushing bride. Don’t forget to bring the bra and underwear you want to wear. Too many times I see very sheer dresses with peek-a-boo undies that should stay in the dresser drawer. Choose nude color full or thong underwear. This includes your bra, which may be strapless, stick –on or build it into your dress. (check with your seamstress)

Last but not least, bring your veil and shoes to your fitting. Find an area with great lighting to match up the coloring of your mother’s veil (if you decide on this for ‘something old’) which varies over the years. Fitting your shoes will also give you some experience bending and walking with your wedding shoes. Plan to wear them at least nine hours from start to finish. Be sure to find shoes that coordinate your dress and your comfort!

Best Time

Order your dress at least 6 months before your wedding to have the bridal dress selection of your choice. Keep tabs on your order as bridal shops have many orders coming and going. Double-check the style and color for all of your dresses including your wedding dress. Be proactive not abusive to your wedding powers. Then, arrange your fitting two to three weeks before your wedding to test out the length, fit, and make adjustments as needed.

An Audience for You!

Bringing a group of friends and family can be overwhelming if you are bringing your entire bridal party. Try to schedule your bridal dress fitting outside of the bridesmaids and mother dress fittings. This will alleviate much of your stress and you can take in all the excitement of your wedding.

Expectations are Everything!

Don’t be surprised if you see your dress and forgot what gorgeous gown you picked. You can expect to do two to three fittings until you get the perfect fit. Know that whatever dress you love, your new hubby will be amazed the moment he sees you walking down the aisle in your new gorgeous gown.

Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite

BLUEman: The Male Perspective

Over the past week I heard a post wedding night story from a couple married only a couple months.

The couple said their bridal party snuck into their room prior to the end of the reception and had proceeded to place red rose petals across the bed.

Not an uncommon thing for the bridal party or wedding planner to do. It adds a bit of romance to the end of their night just spent celebrating with many friends and family.

The only problem was this time the rose pedals were picked from around the property, and without any careful checking. The pedals placed on this couples bed had bugs in them, which sometimes can be hard to see when the people making the romantic gesture are caught up in the moment.

So after coming back to their room and clearing the bed of rose pedals, the couple woke up the next morning with bite marks on their bodies. Thankfully the bite marks were not completely all over their bodies.

The lesson to learn here…if you’re in the bridal party and have access to the room while the bride and groom are enjoying their reception, throw around the pedals with caution.

The easiest way to avoid tracking bugs into the room is to gather some of the pedals used at the ceremony. This can be from the flower girl for instance. Or, you might want to pick up some rose pedals from a nearby flower shop. But if you do end up picking some rose pedals from around the property (certainly not advised), make sure to check over them carefully.


See you next Monday...

One Year Anniversary Gift?

BLUEman: The Male Perspective

Attending a social gathering over the weekend, a really good friend of mine came to me and handed my wife and I an envelope.

In the envelope was a one year anniversary card, as well as a gift card to a nice restaurant.

To say I was surprised would be an understatement.

In the four weddings I took part in as a groomsman (one) or a best man (three), I never thought to send a gift to my buddy after their first year of marriage. I would acknowledge it with nothing more than a call or text saying “Happy Anniversary.”

So am I being rude? Is this kind gesture that my friend and his wife displayed to me something that should be common place?

I would have to say no to both questions. One year anniversary gifts are not to be expected.

But, if you so happen to be one of the latest men to celebrate your first year of marriage and so happen to get a gift from a good friend of yours…by all means accept it with a smile.

After all, that made me realize even more than I have aligned myself with great friends in my life, and we should all be thankful for that.

Tips to Know || Maid of Honor Duties

Just like the best man planning the bachelor party, the maid of honor is responsible for hosting the bachelorette party, in addition to assisting with or even hosting the bridal shower. These parties can range in their design and creativity…that of which I will be blogging about in the future. But for now, let me share with you my thoughts on what a maid of honor should do, at the very least.


Pre-Wedding:
Sometimes, the maid of honor accompanies the bride to be in going to a registering with different places for her wedding gifts, and even attend bridal expos with the bride to be as well. But one of the biggest things a bride most likely will want to share with her maid of honor is the dress shopping and fitting.

Just before the wedding day is the rehearsal. The maid of honor should assist the coordinator in gathering the other bridesmaids to walk through the rehearsal. After the rehearsal, the maid of honor is of course expected to attend the rehearsal dinner.

The Wedding Day:
Come the wedding day, the maid of honor really steps up to the plate and helps with a lot of things, including:

• Helping the bride get dressed
• Assist the florist in distributing the bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages to the wedding party
• Keep all bridesmaids on track and ensure that come the time of the ceremony, they’re ready to go
• The best man holds the rings, the maid of honor holds the bride's bouquet during the ceremony
• Signing the marriage license along with the best man
• Bustles the bride's wedding dress for the reception
• Help the bride in the washroom
• Just like the best man, the maid of honor delivers a toast

These are just some of the more important things a maid of honor is to do come the wedding day. But of course, the maid of honor should be prepared to do anything the bride asks of her to make her day that much easier and that much more enjoyable.

Bride Appreciation
There are a lot of helpful sites out there so that the maid of honor is well prepared. So get on that computer and Google away.

Whatever the maid of honor can lend to the bride in terms of support will of course be much appreciated by the bride and show her why she chose you for the honor.

Best Man Duties

BLUEman: The Male Perspective

Mr. Groom: This is a big day for you. You’re getting married. So in preparation for your wedding day, have you thought about what your best man is responsible for? Have you had a discussion with him as to what you expect of him come your wedding day?

Besides throwing a bachelor party, your best man is the key to getting a lot of things accomplished on your wedding day. Those things include:

1. Looking after the needs of the Groom (you)
2. Attending the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
3. Making sure the other groomsmen are staying on track and in place prior to the ceremony
4. Assisting the photographer in getting the groups together for the shots they want
5. Signing the marriage license
6. Holding onto both wedding rings so that they are available at the right time of the ceremony
7. Giving the Toast at the Wedding Reception
8. Helping to keep the party going at the reception (you want everyone to have a great time)

Your best man needs to show you why you chose him to take on this very important role. You need to count on him for support no matter what the situation.

Besides what is listed above, there are other websites that give insights into what the responsibilities of a best man should be. Check out the Knot for some serious thoughts on best man duties. For some serious but also the fun, humorous side for guys and weddings, check out the thoughts as published by the Plunge.

Tips To Know || Wedding Superstitions

Are you fearful of rain on your wedding day? Does catching the bouquet bring visions of wedding bells to your mind? Many people who have been to a wedding have witnessed rain drenched reception areas and could have potentially caught at least five bouquets with no wedding in sight. In some family superstitions, the girl who catches the bouquet is the next to get married in her family. I first caught my first bouquet when I was 15 but it took many, many years after everyone in my family (so it seemed) married before it was my turn. There are so many tales and some strange things that people say that don’t actually come true – but it may alarm you.




Rain

This is my favorite tale about something that every bride dreads. Months of planning to have drops of precipitation muddy up the aisle, drench the guests, and delay the ceremony in some cases. Some tales say having rain on your wedding day means: that you will have many children, many years of wedded bliss, or shed many tears in your married life.

The Dress

It’s a total no-no for anyone but the bride to wear white on the wedding day. However, some mother’s, mother-in-law’s (think of the movie Monster In Law – funny!) or even guests attend a wedding wearing white. Some tales say: a bride who wears white will be joyful on day, a ripped dress means your marriage ends in death, and making your own dress will bring tears for each stitch sewn.

The Big Toss

Challenging every single guy and girl at your wedding to participate in the bouquet and garter toss becomes more difficult as everyone gets married off. However, the fun still lives in throwing the bouquet and garter. For the garter toss, skill is not needed but attention should be made on how your groom removes the garter from your leg. Some tales say: for every inch a man removes with his teeth is the years of married bliss, the man who catches the garter is the next to be married, and this holds true for the women catching the bouquet.

Superstitions and myths are hard to forget when you’re told about your wedding day. One superstition that most brides hold near and dear to them is about the four “something’s”. You know, something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. This requires you planning to bring one item for each of these things on your wedding day to wear. No matter how great or strange the superstition may be, remember your wedding day is about new beginnings for a life to share with your husband. Don’t get stuck on the tales but live in the moment.

Engagement Ring Shopping

BLUEman: The Male Perspective

When shopping for that perfect engagement ring, there is always a question that men ponder: Should I or should I not bring my girlfriend with me?

That’s a very good question, and I think most men are split on the answer. There are of course some pros to bringing your girlfriend with you. For example, you’ll know what carat she wants (most women would like at least a carat), in addition to the shape, the style and the cut. And if you don’t know her ring size, you’ll find that out too.

The downside to taking your girlfriend ring shopping is the element of surprise is gone. She may also feel like she had to pick out the ring herself and that she may have pushed something she really wanted on you, regardless of cost.

So what are some ways to overcome this situation and do the shopping all on your own? Do your homework! Do your research and ask her questions in a subtle way over a period of time so that when you do go ring shopping, on your own, you’ll have a great picture in your mind as to what she wants.

Here are some tips:

1. Find out her ring size (and don’t worry if you’re off, most jewelry stores will gladly take it back and resize it if need be)
2. What type of setting does she like?
3. What’s her style? You can likely find this out by looking at the jewelry she already has and wears.
4. Talk with her girlfriends and if you need the help, take one of her girlfriends with you, so long as you know they won’t spill the beans.

This is an exciting time for you. So have fun with it and become a ring expert. More helpful tips will come in future blogs related to picking that perfect engagement ring.

Until next time, happy ring shopping!