Mascara, how I love thee.... a bridal necessity

Mascara is a must.  If you are getting married and don't normally wear it, or fear the twisty wand that brings such wonderment to your eyes, get ready, you need it for your wedding day.  Nothing completes the face more than mascara.

I am one of those folks who buys all the newest mascara and gives it a good college try.... at least 5 applications.  

You need at least 5 applications because many brushes take a while to break in, and work correctly as well as the mascara finally gets properly primed on the brush.

The number 1 rule!!!! You must wear waterproof mascara.  I have heard numerous times, but I won't cry and my favorite isn't made in waterproof..... No! waterproof is demanded.  All those brides were really happy they went with the waterproof.  Even if you don't think you will cry, 1. you might anyway, 2. what if something gets in your eye and you start to tear? 3. what if it rains spontaneously (clearly the dress and your hair will also be in disrepair in this situation) ;).  4.  Sometimes you touch your face and waterproof doesn't smear! Its a miracle.

Here are a few mascaras I have found lately that I love and are worth a try.

(in no particular order)

Volume and length

1. Voluminous by Loreal- It is a good standby, thickens and lengthens simultaneously, can be a bit clumpy.  The trick is to brush on the mascara. then clean the brush by drawing the wand through tissue paper, (read t.p. or Kleenex) then brush back over the still wet lashes to avoid clumping.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=1472358&productId=14353&navAction=push&navCount=3&categoryId=cat80040&title=Volume+Building+Waterproof+Mascara

Volume and Definition

2. Max Factor Volume Couture-  Plastic brush creates excellent definition, the trick is to break this brush in and you have to get used to the plastic brush, you may poke yourself in the eye the first few times, but it is worth it! A great product.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2140602&productId=xlsImpprod860090&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat80040

Volume, Length, and Curl

3. Max Factor Lash Lift- I think this is my all around favorite, replacing he pink and green tube staple.  It is a fabulous all around mascara, it creates definition, lift, and length, it coats well for night time, comes in waterproof and is inexpensive. 

http://www.classyperfume.com/086100023620.html

Volume, Length, and new brush

4. Rimmel Eye Magnifier- Interesting plastic brush, requires that you twist while applying the mascara, but creates amazing lengthening, and almost false lash look. 

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?id=prod3969148&CATID=304844&skuid=sku3967997&V=G&ec=frgl_544170&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku3967997

Volume, Length, and Fabu Smell

5. Dior DiorShow Mascara- I add this not because I love it, because honestly I think the brush is stupid big, but it is a good mascara and so many people love it.  I think it is good for people with huge eyes or something, I do however love the rosewater smell, and actually use an old Volume Couture (Max Factor) brush in mine and really like the results.

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P99901&categoryId=B70

Volume, Length, funny name

6. Imju Fiberwig-  This is the new "it" product in mascaras.  Lengthening fibers create good overall balance of length and volume.  Like Rimmel, can create false lash look, created for the Asian market.  Asian eyelashes tend to be straight and shorter, so if you  have longer curvier lashes, expect very visible results. (Sephora exclusive)

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P174100&categoryId=B70

Asian Art Musem, private events highly recommended!

We held a small private event in the Asian Art Museum's private dining room this weekend.  The staff at the Cafe' were exceptional in both setting up and serving and attending to the event.  The private dining room off the main cafe, is smallish, and can seat up to 30 very comfortably.  The dining menu was very affordable for the 3 course meal we served and the service was well, excellent.

I highly recommend this location for small parties, showers, small weddings, corporate events.  I know that you can rent the entire museum out in the evenings for private events and weddings.  It is a spectacular location and a great place to economically hold small events.  Renting the whole museum is obviously more costly, but in my opinion the setting is well worth the cost.

We also got a chance to see the Afghanistan exhibit which is truly a special exhibit of articles not duplicated in any other collection.  If you get a chance you should take a look.

Awesome Bridal Shower- Le Meridien

I just wanted to share that I was lucky enough to plan an awesome Bachelorette/Bridal Shower in San Francisco this weekend.

I wanted to thank everyone for attending and having such a great time.

Some cool things we did.

1. Toilet Paper Bride- I am bringing this game back..... You break up the party into teams, each gets two rolls of t.p. and about 5-10 minutes to construct a gown on a live model.  The bride then judges the best composition.  Someone from each team ala. Project Runway, has to explain their design inspiration, and how they feel this suits the bride.

The bride chooses a winner

2. Love Letter Mad Libs- 

There are a few of these online, you write a letter with fill in the blanks, they can either be non-sensical or thematic, such as cleaning products, food items, etc.  When the answers are put into place the letter reads smoothly, some creative results ensue that are hilarious.

Some Great Things-

The Georgetown Suite at the Le Meridien in San Francisco was an awesome room for a small gathering.  I was pleased with the location- right in the heart of the Financial District, and the awesome front office staff.  The room had two plasmas, a desk, and a big sitting room, unfortunately it is on the city view side, but things could be a lot worse.

Also note.... Travel Zoo (www.travelzoo.com) offers screaming weekend deals a lot for this property.  It is also a Starwood associated resort, so you get your miles too!

Bloomingdales- a must for registries

I love Bloomingdale's.
Those little brown bags make my heart go all aflutter.
When it comes to registering for gifts I can't recommend highly enough choosing Bloomingdale's as your store and home for your home products.
Bloomingdale's offers superior customer service to you and your guests in particular it is hands, feet, and all other limbs, above their sister Federated Department Store company, starts with an M ends in an Y'S.
Here is why I recommend you register at my beloved Bloomie's.

Superior customer service-
many people ask, what is this customer service thing, it isn't that important? Let me tell you.
I have had some issues with a manufacturer sending me the wrong plate, Lynn Roberts at the Stanford Home Store has spent 2 and a half years working with the manufacturer directly to get me this plate. I did not have to argue with her, she has been my advocate with the company and has done her job spectacularly. I can't think of another store where employees would go out of their way like this to make a customer happy and to get them what they want. Not only that, I get updated with sales and promotions, and I have a friendly shining representative eager to help me with all my client, and bridal purchases for the rest of my life! They actually care about me! What an amazing rarity in this world.

Here is why people think they shouldn't register at Bloomies-

Their inventory is small... what do I do?
No it is not! Almost anything that Macy's carries Bloomingdale's can place on your registry, in fact, did you know the lovely staff at the Registry counter can even purchase your gifts for you for other Federated department store registries. This means that you can register not just for what you see in the store, but a bevy of other merchandise.

There isn't a Bloomingdale's near me.
If you live so far away that you would never drive to one, then yes, perhaps you shouldn't register at Bloomies, but if you could potentially drive to one once or twice for exchanges, etc. then you should register at Bloomies. Don't fear, people will still buy you things from Bloomies. The reality is that no one shops in the store anymore for gifts. Most people shop online for gifts and therefore won't be dissuaded from buying items on your registry that they cannot see in person. And if they are dying to look at the item before purchase, I assume you are also registering at Crate and Barrel, Williams Sonoma, Target anyhow.

All I can say is give Bloomingdale's a gander, I have had a few clients initially (against my recommendations) register at Macy's and then decide to migrate their registries over because their experiences at that other store were so bad that they wanted to switch. In each case, the couple thought it was one of the best wedding decisions they made, and made the process of gift giving and receiving much easier for all.

have to brag about a new chair

I have had back issues for years. A recent stint to physical therapy for a knee injury made me re-realize the chronic nature of back problems. It became apparent that my armless, non-reclining attractive but un-supportive office chair needed replacing. Being the green minded and fiscally conservative person I am, I turned to the used office chair market.... Craigslist.
After some test sitting, I settled on the Humanscale Liberty chair. So far I LOVE it! What a fabulous purchase. I can't say enough about the supportive, yet light weight and dynamic feel of this chair, I am hooked!
A good chair really can improve your efficiency and your overall posture and back health so think about improving your sitting situation if you are experiencing back pain!

Weighty issues, losing weight before the wedding

Many of my brides comment "and I plan to lose 15 lbs before the wedding" and the truth is so many of them don't beed to. If you are going to diet be sensible and realistic about this endeavor.

1. Don't try and lose more than 2 sizes in 6 months.

2. Don't order a dress 2 sizes smaller even if you plan to lose 2 sizes because even if you do, your hips may remain an 8 even though your chest is a 4 and guess what, that size 4 dress (which was really an 8 or 10 bridal size anyways) won't fit you, and then you end up really sad and without a dress that fits.

3. There is a reality that many people gain and not lose weight when they are stressed. Getting married is a very stressful process for not just most people, but everybody! So if you are a stress eater it may not be realistic for you to lose weight at all.

If you do decide to lose weight, here are some tips that will really help you succeed.

1. Weight Watchers- the group nature and changing of eating habits this plan provides teaches you not just how to lose weight but how to keep it off.

2. work out more- it works! it is a miracle, keeps you healthy and your skin and body look better!

What not to do-

1. Diet plans that you buy food for.... These plans don't teach you how to eat and they don't teach you how to prepare your own food. The people I know and clients I have had use these plans often gain the weight they lost back in a number of months off the plan, and no one wants to eat food out of a package forever.

2. Diet plans that are too restrictive. Lets be honest, no sugar ever again... this is not realistic. I had a bride do the South Beach Plan and she couldn't stick to it as a lifetime diet change. No surprise, it is a very strict regimen. She gained all her weight and more back by her first anniversary.

If you plan to diet, do it for yourself and your health and choose a plan and a regime that improves your lifestyle not just what goes into your mouth for the next few months. Create a realistic goal, and remember, your fiancee is marrying you now, they love you for who you are regardless of your size, and you should love yourself no matter your size too.

Neiman Marcus Last Call Sale- Bridesmaid Bargains!

Neiman Marcus is having a 40% off last call clearance sale. Time to hunt for your designer bridesmaid or bridal gown at a screaming deal. I saw a floor length silk gown for $60.00!

The sale ends Tuesday night so hurry!

www.NeimanMarcus.com

Karla the Card Lady

Just met with a cool custom card designer.
She produces custom designs at prices competitive with some out of the box items.

http://www.gatheringguide.com/event_dir/ca_california/sp_invitations_design_33785.html

Favor Find- reed diffusers

Reed Diffusers seem to be everywhere these days. And the fact is that most people like them.

For an event I have coming up, I found Walmart has a set of 3 small reed diffusers boxed together for $4.95. I placed each in a cellophane wrapper with a sticker and a bow and amazing, a pretty great favor for under $2.00 packaging and all.

Check out the section of Walmart with the crafts, in the aisle with vases and other floral items.... you will find the reed diffusers. Get them while you can.

Bridesmaid dresses, love em or hate em, they happen

Bridesmaid Dresses,
Just a heads up.
So I always recommend that if you have girls who are "regular sizes" i.e. 0-14 or 0-16 that you are better off buying dresses off the rack in a department store. Here is why.

1. you are more likely to get a better bargain
2. the dresses are more likely to fit better
3. you are more likely to find a more stylish dress.

Here are the problems that I see most often with buying a true bridal shop bridesmaids dress.....


the sizing!

oh my gosh, your size 2 friend will be told to order a size 10, and then it shows up and is too big on top too small on the bottom and 6 inches too long.
The reality is that many bridesmaids specific dresses are sized awkwardly and are made in pattern sizes, which is the size pattern you would sew for yourself not the size you buy at banana republic.
Even I have fallen into the trap as a sewer, fashionista, and wedding coordinator. For a friend this year she was hellbent on having a specific color gown, the color of which was not in style this year so we bought bridesmaids dresses.
A very reputable bridal shop had me order a dress 4 sizes larger than my street size. I talked them down to 3 sizes larger, looking at the sizing chart. The dress came in and I could have housed my harem, 3 camels, and a league of Arabian horses in the dress, it was huge. It was so huge that I could barely get it cut down and still look normal. In addition, I spent a ridiculous amount on alterations.
This tale happens time after time in many bridal shops. And yet, if I had bought it off the rack I could have tried it on right then, paid Nordstroms a paltry sum to alter it perfectly and would have been a much happier camper not buying a tent.
So buyer beware, the sizing on many bridesmaids dresses is quite strange, the fit equally strange and it is very stressful not only on the bride but the bridesmaids.
Think about buying an off the rack dress instead and personalizing it with a sash, a pin, a flower, putting an underskirt with a flash of color or some other personalized touch on the dress. You are guaranteed better more predictable and sometimes more cost effective results.

Some great resources for bridesmaids dresses

Nordstroms
www.nordstrom.com

J.Crew (basic but functional)
www.jcrew.com

Neiman Marcus (check out last call, fabulous dresses at fabulous prices)
www.neimanmarcus.com

Saks Fifth Avenue (check online sale section)
www.saksfifthavenue.com

Bloomingdales.com (check sales)
www.bloomingdales.com

Barrie Pace (hidden gem, hit or miss but when a hit a real hit)
www.barriepace.com

Dillard's (owned by Macy's but carries often different colors in same gown)
www.dillards.com

Macy's (love it but hate it... but it is a standby)
www.macys.com

To Favor or not Favor

Favors...
They are a conundrum.
The ones in the magazines look awesome and you feel compelled to do something just like the Martha Stewart Magazine. Which as great. especially if you have the 12-50 dollars a person some of those favors cost.
The reality is that most favors get left behind at weddings.
Here are a few favors that I have never seen get left behind and are hence probably worth the money and worth getting.

1. Food-
Food be it chocolate, cookies, eclairs, small cakes, they always get either eaten on the spot or taken home for later consumption. People love candy! You can do the popular candy bar, an assortment of candy each guest packages themselves, the sees candy box (at 1.25- 1.50 each in the box and all, these are a no brainer available in red, white, black, and gold, other colors available seasonally)
M & M's is highly marketing their customized M & M's which are adorable and well loved, be careful they are about $4.00 per person and up depending on packaging, and many people don't realize that.
The cheapest option is the much beloved Hershey's bar which you place a custom paper wrapper over, which you print yourself. These can be made as cheaply as 50 cents per person.

2. Wine-
If the budget allows people always take wine. Beware that you are going to spend at least $4 a bottle, and you probably want to spend more. You can give 1 bottle per family which cuts down the number required substantially.

The gift if it is a personal item should be small and it should be neutral enough to appeal to everyone. Wine glasses don't get picked up even if personalized, and burning custom Cd's is plain old copyright infringement and illegal. Not to mention no one really wants to listen to the sappy songs you put together. Give them to each other instead of all your guests.

The most popular growing trend and one I think is fabulous is to give the guests a bookmark that states a donation has been made in the name of the wedding to a charity in lieu of favors. No one misses the favors, and giving a donation to charity in whatever amount saves wasted cash on things people leave behind, saves the world by reducing useless consumer production, waste and transportation, and is great for other people in the world.

Think about donating instead of favors...

A Realistic Discussion on Pricing even in a down economy

Alright brides, grooms, and celebrants alike. Let's have a realistic chat about pricing.

Don't go to a professional and try to lowball them too much just because the economy is down. (please note these prices are based upon the San Francisco Bay Area, they may be different in your neck of the woods)
For instance.

Floral-
If you budget is under $1,000 dollars. Don't try and get a florist to do your flowers for that much.

Here is a basic breakdown.

Bouquet $150
Boutonniere $12-$15
Centerpieces $50- about as cheap as you can get.

Considering these prices (which are for bare bones basic floral arrangements) do not try and talk a florist into doing gazebo arrangements, flowers for a bridal party of 10, and centerpieces for 100 for $1,000. It can't be done.
Instead- check out Costco.com. That is about the cheapest you can do (other than create them yourself). If you do decide to do your own, give yourself 6 hours to do a flowers for the bridal party alone and be sure to budget in a set of trial flowers so you can be assured of your skills prior to the day before.

Photographers-

There is a lot of variation in pricing, but to be honest, $2,000 will not get you a competent photographer with reasonable experience. And they certainly won't be giving you an album for that price. An Album at the cheapest is $500 dollars. And these aren't that great. A good album you will actually want are between $1,200 and $3,000 from a reputable photographer.
Shooting fees should include a dvd of the shots, a certain number of shots perfected (wrinkles removed, zits, etc.) and all should be color corrected.

But honestly, you should budget for $3,000 at the lowest for a photographer and this probably won't include an album. An average price will be $3,500 to $6,000 for a competent professional photographer whose work you will be happy with for years to come. (again no album)

Coordination-

There are some "coordinators" out there who will do a day of wedding for $500 or $1000. But buyer beware. A day of coordinator shouldn't just show up on the day of the wedding. It takes at least 8 if not 15 hours of pre-wedding preparation including calling other vendors, meeting with the couple, and perfecting the timeline to produce a smooth and well run event. I highly recommend that you try and find someone with some year(s) of experience not as a catering manager, not as a sales manager, not as an on-site event manager, but as a legitimate wedding coordinator or special event coordinator.

So make sure you budget enough for these services, they are very important, be realistic about what it is going to cost and the quality of service you really want. There are lots of ways to save money in other ways, but don't skimp on the staff!

National Womens Business Town Hall Meeting Today

I attended the National Women's Business Council Town Hall Meeting today at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco.  It was an interesting event.

We talked about the issues facing women business owners and how we can try to effectively lobby the federal government to provide us with better services and resources.  

I felt like we were making some sort of dent into the myriad of issues women businesses face.  In particular I wanted to share that I feel women in business are still a rarity, that women still rarely rise to the top, and that this is a problem.  Many women at the event spoke about the health care issues, taxes, capitalization, and other problems affecting us as business owners.  

I hope you all take heart that we are an important part of the workforce and that you should go out of your way to support women owned businesses, like mine! 

see http://www.nwbc.gov/ for more information

David's Bridal, there are other options out there....

I often get asked where to go to buy gowns.  Without hesitation I can declare, not, I repeat, not David's Bridal. 

Let me count the ways why.

1. They are cheap.

Many people would think of this as a positive, but no... they are cheap, cheap in every way.  The material is cheap.  I sew, and I tell ya it is the cheapest stuff they can buy.  And what does cheap mean? Not only that it is cheap, but that it ends up looking cheap.  The material does not have the structural integrity to stay formed on the body in the precise way in which it was intended. Hence, you look bad in your pictures.  The dresses slouch, they gape, they moire (a term for the fish-eyeness of the chiffon, which turns out to be pretty terrible in pictures particularly with flash photography or extreme outside light). They also aren't constructed with sufficient support to hold in much of anything, keep your belly button from showing in pictures (even at a size 2) and make your rolly parts appear not rolly.

No one, not matter what size, shape, cup size, height, skinniness, fattiness, or anythingness deserves to have millions of photographs taken on their wedding day of them not looking their 110% best they can.  And that means having a dress that fits you right, does you favors instead of crimes, and helps smooth, shape, stretch, mold, plaster or whatever it takes to make you look fabulous in your gown.

David's Bridal does not sew this kind of clothing magic into their gowns.

2. They are short. Some of their dresses do not come in sufficient length, even with extra length to fit brides over 5'6" if they wear heels, and depending on how the dress fits them.  This is unacceptable.

3.  There are other alternatives!!!!!!!!!

Ladies, I cannot express enough how fabulous the dirt cheap wedding dress market has gotten... And I don't just mean the used dress market.  I mean new specially made for you dresses.

Here are a few stores and brands that have some fabulous fitting dresses that are constructed in a way that lends itself to making you look fabulous, photograph fabulous, and look like you paid 10 times more than you did for your dress.  These manufacturers all make dresses in the 500-1000 dollar market.

1. My absolute favorite- Casablanca Bridal

http://casablancabridal.com/

2. Good bet- Group USA

http://www.groupusa.com

3. Good bet- Maggie Sottero (especially good for plus size, rubenesque, and full busts and stomachs)

http://maggiesottero.com

I highly recommend that if you have a 250 or 100 dollar budget that you scrimp and save on favors (which everyone doesn't take anyhow) or elsewhere to buy a gown that may cost you $500 dollars but that you will be much much happier with.

So just don't do it, don't do David's Bridal.

Wedding Wire to wed or not to wed?

I spoke with the people at wedding wire today.  I would love to hear comments from brides about how they like the site.  Seems pretty cool, like yelp just for brides and me likey yelp.

Give me a shout if you like wedding wire.

Intoducing the Alchemist Bride

Welcome to my new blog- the Alchemist Bride, produced in association with Marlowe Berglund Events.

In my new blog I will be talking about creative ways to save money, cut costs, and the truth about when you should and should not cut costs on planning weddings and events.