Bride’s Blog

Have you ever wondered what the abbreviation R.S.V.P. stands for?

The cryptogram, R.S.V.P., is an ancient mystery that has plagued many hosts, brides, and event planners for years. Only 50% of the American population can understand this secret code. This secret language is most commonly printed on invitations to special events and is usually followed by a telephone number or is included with a small card along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. When receiving an invitation to an important event, some people make use of the information followed by the code “R.S.V.P.”, while others simply ignore it. The populations of individuals who react to the cryptogram, R.S.V.P., usually have no problem finding their names on the guests list during special occasions. On the other hand, the guests who simply ignore the mysterious code, R.S.V.P., usually have a difficult time being admitted into these same social events. (For more information on etiquette and the history of R.S.V.P)

What does it mean? This acronym is actually a shorter form of the French phrase “répondez, s’il vous plait”. Its English interpretation is “please reply”. One of the number one complaints that brides and wedding coordinators have is the lack of response by guests. As simple as it may seem, why do guests have a difficult time following through on an R.S.V.P.?

Are you looking for a tactful way to get your guests to R.S.V.P. for your wedding? Some experts suggest calling the guests who have not yet responded. This is an uncomfortable task for the bride or groom. It is best for the maid of honor or wedding coordinator to solicit replies from irresponsible guests. If your maid of honor tells you that calling guests is not in her job description, simply remind her that you have a wonderful bridesmaids gift prepared for her.

The Maid of Honor has several responsibilities. Some of her duties include planning the bridal shower, assisting the bride with making decisions, and communicating details to the bridesmaids. In addition, she is expected to make a wedding speech at the reception. Traditionally, this task is shared with the best man and the father-of-the bride.

Many people find it difficult to write a wedding toast or speech. Most have difficulty determining the length, the level of emotion, and the number of funny stories to include.
The suggested length of a wedding toast is no more than three to five minutes. According to the experts, the best wedding speeches combine a little humor with a little sentiment. Wedding speeches that are all around funny takes away from the seriousness of the occasion. On the other hand, giving a speech that is too emotional, may make the guests cry all over again—as if the wedding was not enough. Creating a balance between humor and emotion makes the best wedding speeches. After all, [emotional] roller coasters are more fun!

Share some of the funny stories that you and the other bridesmaids shared with the bride while planning the wedding. Do not forget to include the moment that you cried when you opened your bridesmaids gift. It is always nice to know that you are appreciated.(for more on Maid of Honor Speeches)

As Halle Berry advised Forest Whitaker at the 2007 Oscars…”Keep the speech short and sweet”!

Go here for more thoughts on wedding speeches and wedding toasts

Do you need to cut a slice out of your wedding budget?

Many couples find it difficult to remain within the confines of their wedding spending plan. Often times, they will have to revisit their financial plan in order to find ways to cut corners. Some experts suggest creating “Do it yourself” projects. Many “Do it yourself” projects can save you a lot of money. Some projects may include creating your own centerpieces, pew bows, chair swags, wedding favors, or bridesmaids gifts. While this may seem like a sensible alternative, some brides have gotten in over their heads with DIY crafty ideas.

Are you pressed for time?

While attempting to save money on your wedding budget, it is equally as important to save time. Many couples do not have the luxury of taking 6 months or more to plan their wedding. Along with managing your budget, it is necessary to manage your time. Some DIY projects can be rather time consuming depending on its capacity.

Are you planning a wedding?
Do you need to save some cash?
Do you have a lot of time on your hands?

If you can answer “yes” to each of the questions above then read further…

Are you not in the mood for creating your own wedding favors? If you are looking for preassembled, unique, and affordable wedding favors, shop here…

Are you considering making your own bridesmaids gifts? Maybe this will change your mind when you see these affordable and elegant bridesmaid gifts here…

Is It A Wedding Invitation or a Paparazzi Invasion?

Becoming a Hollywood star definitely has its pitfalls. On one hand it is wonderful to be in the world’s eye as a famous movie star, on the other hand, it can be very annoying when the paparazzi are involved. At a celebrity’s wedding, things can get ugly. Can you imagine sharing the most intimate occasion with your family and friends—just to discover that someone tipped off the paparazzi?

That is what happened to Charlize Theron back in 2005. Someone announced that Charlize was getting married to Stuart Townsend. Therefore, the paparazzi showed up full force in helicopters. Just to find that it was not Charlize who was getting married—it was her mother! The kicker to this entire fiasco is that the paparazzi would not leave even after they discovered their mistake. As the catch phrase goes, from the 1990’s hit sitcom Full House…”How rude!” Charlize’s mother should have blinded those photographers with her diamond jewelry.(See more about the wedding invasion)

Ordinary people have nothing to fear when it comes to the paparazzi. The bride and groom’s only concern is getting all of their wedding cameras developed after the honeymoon.(See why you want cameras even with a photographer.)

Do you need helpful tips on being faithful—to your diet that is. Many brides struggle to lose weight in time for their big day. While they rush to plan their perfect wedding, they find it difficult to stick to their diet. It is perfectly normal to have an idea about how small you would like to become. On the other hand, it is equally as important to be realistic about how to lose the weight.

Experts argue that it is not only dangerous to lose a large amount of weight in short periods, but it is also pointless. The average person will gain back the weight after going on a “crash diet”. It is not healthy for an adult to lose three or more pounds in a week. Losing one to two pounds per week is safer. Beware of any diet plan that promises you otherwise. Read more about safe dieting…

Are you puzzled about what to buy for bridesmaids gifts? Consider getting each of your girlfriends a personalized duffel bag for the gym. You can include a guest pass from where you workout or you can fill the bag with workout equipment (i.e. bottled water, sweatbands, t-shirt, socks).

Maybe a better question is “Is Anyone Staying Married in Hollywood?”

We all know that every year someone gets divorced in Hollywood. In fact, when many of us hear that a new Hollywood couple is getting married, our automatic response is “I wonder how long it’s going to last?” Can you blame us for the cynical response? Some have reported that nearly three quarters of all Hollywood marriages end in divorce.

The phrase “Hollywood Marriage” has been redefined to a more suitable meaning as some would say. It was originally defined as two celebrities who are joined in holy matrimony. Now, it can apply to anyone, celebrity or not, whose marriage is short-lived.

Some examples are as follows:

Drew Barrymore and Tom Green
Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton
Jennifer Lopez’s first two marriages, with Ojani Noa and Cris Judd
Britney Spears and Jason Allen Alexander

Many celebrities have decided not to attempt marriage again or at all for that matter. Halle Berry recently announced that after marriage number two ended in divorce, she is calling it quits on the nuptials. She stated that she is content with having a long-term relationship with Gabriel Aubrey without the ring or the paperwork.

I guess the only thing to look forward to in Hollywood Marriages is the “Bling-Bling”. It is always exciting to hear about the astronomical amounts of money that these celebrities spend on bridal gowns, jewelry, and venues. Find a place with taste where you spend less on Bridal Jewelry and Bridesmaids Gifts.

Click For more information about the definition of a hollywood marriage

We recently heard from one of our customers about some bags that we had personalized for destination wedding. Everyone picked up her bridesmaids dress already in the gingham garment bag - personally selected for her favorite color.

What should you do if you are dealing with a jealous bridesmaid? Your number one goal is to minimize your stress. The last thing that you need is a huge catfight in the midst of planning your wedding. The best way to handle a jealous bridesmaid is to analyze whether it is jealousy or envy—there is a difference between the two.

Ask yourself, has she been jealous of me all along? If you find that your “friend” has distanced herself from you during other moments of happiness throughout your friendship, then you may not have a friend after all. Many brides do not find out who their true friends are until they are engaged to be married. Friends are supposed to love, listen, and lend their support especially during life-changing situations—such as marriage.

Some individuals go through moments of envy when a loved one gains something that they desire. In most cases, the envy lasts a short period. A true friend will get past her own emotions in order to support others. If you find that one of your bridesmaids is a little envious of your engagement, then you should try not to focus all of your attention on your wedding. Varying your conversation with her, indicates that you care about her feelings as well. Before you know it, the two of you will share the excitement of planning your wedding!

One suggestion in this article about the commitment of friends is In addition to giving a traditional bridesmaid gift, such as jewelry, try to give each bridesmaid a personal gift that somehow symbolizes your friendship.

Should you be a bridesmaid? As Billy shakespeare said “to be or not to be-that is the question.”( I agree that this particular circumstance was probably not on his mind)

Have you ever been tempted to say “no” when asked to be a bridesmaid? Many women find it difficult to turn down the invitation to serve as a bridesmaid in a friend’s wedding. There are several matters to consider before saying “yes”. Below, you will find a list of questions to consider before making a final commitment.

Is the wedding in another state?
Is the bride someone with whom you do not feel close?
Will the commitment interfere with your obligations to work, School or family?
Will it be a financial burden for you to purchase bridesmaid’s attire?
Are you surprised that the bride asked you to be her bridesmaid?

If you can answer “yes” to any of the above questions, then you have grounds to say “no”.

Turning down a bridesmaid invitation is easier than one may think. It is better to be honest and upfront in the beginning. As one writer said, it is better to have a moment of discomfort rather than months of it. If you make the mistake of accepting the invitation and later withdrawing it, you will cause yourself and the bride more grief. If you want to save your relationship with the bride, it is best to get your feelings out on the table as soon as possible.

See the Bridesmaids Survival Guide

Have you ever heard the phrase “Always a Bridesmaid, never the Bride”? This phrase implies that there is something inferior about being a bridesmaid. Although a bridesmaid’s purpose is to support the bride, she should in no way be likened to a “maid”.

According to some, the term “bridesmaid” should be replaced by the term “brides aid” or “bridal support representative”. Some feel that by replacing the word “bridesmaid”, it will encourage others to be more respectful of the position. Furthermore, it may empower the individual that takes on the role.

While accepting the invitation to be a bridesmaid is a wonderful gesture, there should be some clear guidelines about its role. A bridesmaid should only be expected to assist the bride with pre-wedding duties. She is not to be treated as a slave in no way, shape, or form.

In all reality, the term “bridesmaid” is not a condescending expression; however, how the term is defined is what raises the question.

This may provide some more reasons to be as thoughtful and as generous as you can when selecting your bridesmaid gifts. Click to see this article for more info

Bedazzled…Bejeweled…and Star-studded. These terms best describe the sparkling accessories that were represented at the 2007 Golden Globe Awards. From belted gowns to jeweled chokers, silver seemed to be a popular choice among the female attendees. The Red Carpet is the place to look if you want to find the latest and greatest in the world of fashion and style. Leading such busy lives, how do Hollywood Stars manage to keep up with the latest fashion trends?

Carly Wickell, an expert writer in accessories and jewelry revealed an interesting detail about how celebrities shop for fashion and jewelry. In all reality, most celebrities do not search out their own style their fashions find them. Read more here…

For non-celebrities looking to enhance their personal style, it is always exciting to find out the new trends for the current or upcoming year. Non-celebrities usually get their fashion cues from style magazines, runway fashion models, celebrities, or the fashion gurus. In fact, the fashion experts have predicted that the most popular fashion trends in jewelry for 2007 will consist of metallics, Lucite, and colors consisting of silver, white, black, and neons. They also predict that the fashionable pick in clothing will be a blast from the past—the 80s are back in style!

There is a fine line between jealousy and envy.(Go here for an explanation of the difference) The two may seem closely related; however, jealousy is the worse of the two. It is important not to automatically assume that just because your friend is envious of you that she is also jealous. Actually, we are all subject to envy our friends at some point. However, we must be careful not to allow our envy to lead to jealousy.

Envy is simply a desire to possess something that someone else has. A bridesmaid may seem a little envious because she has not found “Mr. Right” yet. This is completely normal and if she is a true friend then she will sacrifice her own feelings in order to make you happy. Conversely, if your friend allows her envy to get the best of her, then it can lead to jealousy…

Jealousy is an angry resentment toward someone. When a person is jealous, s/he may seek to harm others. This may result in physical, mental, or emotional harm. A jealous bridesmaid can cause emotional harm to a bride in order to infringe upon her happiness. If your bridesmaid is showing signs of jealous behavior, then you need to nip the situation in the bud right away. Maintaining a relationship with a jealous bridesmaid will make planning your wedding even more stressful.

Find out more about causes and how to deal with jealousy.

Are you a bride who suspects that one of your bridesmaids may be jealous that you are getting married? One thing is for sure—you are not alone. Many brides have reported situations in which at least one of their friends drifts away nearly moments after the engagement is announced. It is important for a bride to recognize when her so-called “friend” is envious of her wedding engagement. The following are a few behavioral signs to look for in a jealous bridesmaid.

She mildly reacts to your engagement announcement.

She hesitates when asked to be a bridesmaid.

She complains about her duties as a bridesmaid.

She objects to the bridesmaids attire that you have chosen for her.

She shows up late or does not attend some of the pre-wedding events.

She speaks negatively of the groom.

A wedding is a time for girlfriends to grow even closer together. Your bridesmaids should stand by you while offering their love and support in every way possible. If you find that your girlfriend is exhibiting the behaviors described above, then you are dealing with a jealous bridesmaid. Such behaviors can be very hurtful. If this is the case, you need to evaluate your friendship and decide if it is time to move on.

Additional signs of a jealous bridesmaid

Some thoughts on how to treat your bridesmaids.

Do you love drama? If “yes” is your answer, then you may want to consider becoming a bride, mother-of-the-bride, or a wedding planner. In an effort to create “the perfect wedding” brides and mothers-of-the-brides can be difficult to deal with. Unfortunately, the wedding coordinator has to suffer through the drama created by these individuals.

At first glance, planning weddings may appear to be a fun and easygoing career. Who would not enjoy planning “parties” for a living while using someone else’s money? Well, according to some professional wedding planners, the job is not as easy as it appears. It takes a special person to endure the stress that often comes with event planning. Wedding coordinators undergo intense amounts of pressure especially when the bride or the bride’s mother (sometimes both) create a great deal of drama.

In fact, Television networks such as Style and TLC have used “wedding drama” as an opportunity to create two hit reality shows, “Whose Wedding is it Anyway?” and “For Better or For Worse”. These shows illustrate just how theatrical wedding planning can be. Such shows highlight the fact that many things can go wrong before or during a wedding. As the coordinator, one must learn to be flexible, friendly, and creative.

As a word of caution for the bride’s mother, do not complicate your daughter’s wedding by trying to live vicariously through her. Furthermore, unless you are a bride whose auditioning for a reality wedding show, save the Drama for your Honeymoon!

We heard about a new policy that a couple of jewelers have instituted lately and thought we ought to pass it along to you “The Rainy Day Policy.” Will you pray for rain on your wedding day?

In the US there generally is a saying that rain on a couple’s wedding day will bring them good luck. However, some cultures consider bad weather a bad omen. And we know why…cloudy skies…wind storm skies…obviously signs of a stormy marriage. Being Southerners, this one is new to us; snow on your wedding day brings fertility and wealth. Snow can happen in the South, but only twice a year, and generally on Friday, in February.

One jeweler in Wilmington, North Carolina, Perry’s Emporium, has a policy spelled out this way: “We can give you something to smile about if Mother Nature decides to play a trick on you. Only Perry’s gives you a Rainy Day Guarantee. If it rains on your wedding day, we’ll give you your engagement ring for FREE!” The details go on to explain that if it rains 1 inch or more at the local airport between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on your wedding day they will reimburse the happy couple up to $5,000, and of course you must produce the marriage license.

As an effort at due diligence, we checked, and Wilmington, NC has an average of 7 inches rainfall each month in the summer. So, there could be a reasonable chance that you could collect on the guarantee. However, note that many afternoon thundershowers start around 5:30 during daylight savings time in the summer. So who knows? Would you pray for rain?

What is worse, a “Bridezilla” or a “Groomzilla”? Those who are in the wedding industry or have been involved with planning a wedding are most likely familiar with the term “Bridezilla”. Bridezilla is an expression used to describe a not so pleasant bride. Some of her characteristics may include extreme cases of moodiness, overt bossy behavior, and bouts of temporary insanity. Many brides that suffer from the Bridezilla Syndrome (BS) often are in a state of denial.

Recently, there have been outbreaks of a rare condition known as the Groomzilla Syndrome (GS). Normally, the groom has limited input throughout the planning stages of a wedding. Men who suffer from GS tend to be controlling, dogmatic, and overly opinionated their wedding plans. The average male does not care about selecting bridesmaids jewelry, wedding favors, or wedding stationary. Many men have accepted the fact that, traditionally, the wedding is mainly about the bride. Men who suffer from GS beg to differ…

Just months ago, TomKat (Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes) exchanged “I do’s” in a beautiful castle just outside of Rome. A wedding of this sort is a dream come true for any couple. Unfortunately, Tom Cruise was accused of being a “Groomzilla” throughout the planning of his and Katie’s wedding. Apparently, he took over their wedding plans. Some say that Tom helped design Katie’s Swarovski crystal embroidered wedding dress. That seems a little outrageous! With all of Tom’s involvement in planning the wedding, let us hope that he makes every effort to make the marriage last.

Is your husband-to-be a “Groomzilla”? If so, you can rest assure that he shares one thing in common with Tom Cruise!

We would all remain unmarried if we depended on Hollywood stars to give us insight on what marriage is all about. Every year, a famous couple announces their engagement or divorce—sometimes both within the same year! It is always exciting to hear about the astronomical amounts of money that these stars have spent on bridal jewelry, venues, and other wedding expenses. However, it is more shocking to hear that the marriage only lasted for 6 months.

It seems as though the terms “marriage” and “wedding” have been used interchangeably amongst many couples. Several people seem to think that marriage and weddings are synonymous. As a result, they invest too much time and money into the wedding, assuming that the marriage will take care of itself. While the purpose of a wedding is to signify or celebrate a marriage, getting married is not dependent upon having a wedding.

On the contrary, planning a wedding can be helpful to a bride and groom. Choosing bridal attire, selecting wedding accessories, ordering tuxedos, and buying attendant gifts help to prepare the couple for joint decision-making. The point to be made is that couples should take marriage just as seriously as they take their wedding. So many couples are caught up with the idea of having a “dream wedding” that they lose focus on what is equally as important—the marriage.

Planning a wedding is very exciting. It is a moment that every couple should experience. In addition, couples should make every effort to invest more time into preparing for their marriage.

Click For more thoughts on choosing the best bridal jewelry

For more ideas on marriage versus the wedding click here

Oprah strikes again! The world-renowned talk show host reached yet another milestone in her career. Oprah managed to make history just hours after the 2007 Academy Awards. As if, the Awards were not exciting enough. The Oprah Show hosted an exclusive After Oscars Party, which aired on Monday, February 26, 2007. This must have been an amazing experience for Oprah given the fact that no other talk show host has had the opportunity to broadcast a show from the Kodak Theatre. Click here to see more.

This historic event would not have been the same without the remarkable stage design. The Swarovski crystal curtain backdrop was stunning! This curtain weighs 1-ton, it is 34 feet in height, and is made with more than 50,000 Swarovski crystals. This million-dollar curtain made Oprah look as though she was standing in front of a mystical waterfall. What a wonderful way to capture the moment…a Kodak moment that is! The set production team, coupled with Swarovski, really outdid themselves this time. It is no wonder brides are buzzing about Swarovski crystal bridal jewelry.

With such an amazing production for the 2007 Academy Awards, it is nearly impossible to imagine what is in store for next year.

With the display of Swarovski Crystals at this year’s Oscar celebrity fest more people are becoming aware of the beauty and variety of Swarovski Crystals.

When you think about the Red Carpet, what comes to mind? If you are like any average person, you may think of Hollywood, movie stars, cameras, beauty, sparkles, and style. As one of the leading manufacturers of crystal accessories and wedding jewelry, Swarovski crystals are now making headway into stardom. During the 2006 Academy Awards, Diane Kruger showed off her authentic Swarovski crystal handbag. Her beautiful gown and stunning Star Collector handbag turned many heads as she walked gracefully down the Red Carpet. Swarovski has collaborated with The Heart Truth campaign and the Red Dress Collection of 2007 to promote woman’s heart health awareness. American Idol’s, Katherine McPhee, had the wonderful opportunity of attending the 2007 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. On National Wear Red Day, she wore a Daniel Swarovski one-of-a-kind red ruby cocktail dress inspired by The Heart Truth national awareness campaign. The Swarovski Company does more than produce the highest quality of handbags, wedding jewelry, and household accessories. The stunning cocktail dress worn by Katherine McPhee was handmade in Paris. In support of heart-health awareness among woman, this one-of-a-kind eye-catching dress was custom-designed with over 78,000 ruby crystals. Although it took over a month to make, it was for a worthy cause.

The Swarovski Company is definitely raising the bar. Not only has Swarovski mastered fashion, accessories, and wedding jewelry, but also has entered into a new realm of design. The set production team for the 2007 Academy Awards collaborated with Swarovski to create a masterpiece design for stage curtains. Not yet revealed, this 34-foot customized Austrian crystal work of art is made of over 50,000 Swarovski crystals. With a project of that magnitude, it is no wonder Swarovski has over 9,000 employees.

If you are a modern bride looking for a little glitter and a lot of style in your wedding, you do not need to walk the Red Carpet to wear Swarovski Crystal jewelry. With a select line of products available in stores and online, Swarovski is committed to supporting celebrities, woman’s heart health campaigns, and ordinary brides just like you. Swarovski crystals have seen the Red Carpet and can be a part of your special day. Its wonderful line of wedding jewelry is sure to enhance even the drabbest bridal gown. Who knows? You just might spot a Swarovski crystal jewelry set similar to yours on the Red Carpet.

There is one place that can always be counted on for a wild time, partying and no one tells. Of course I am referring to Las Vegas.

Destination weddings have sparked a new trend –- destination bachelorette parties. It’s easy to tell who is in one of these popular parties, all dolled up, wearing matching t-shirts, necklaces or outrageous attire.

Want to cut in line? Visit www.vegashotspots.com and let them put a package together for you. Of course, you’ll pay a hefty extra price for jumping to the front of the line. But it is so worth it. Who’s got time to wait in line for 2 hours just to get into a show? Not you on your big weekend.

One thing that will really make your party stand out at the airport and hotel – outside of all the glamorous gal pals - will be to arrive with matching cute garment bags with your names (or whatever) embroidered on them. More and more brides are giving these bags as personalized thanks for their bridesmaids. They tell us that it is a real fun way to arrive and be noticed and their bridesmaids really love them.

Wherever you decide to have your bachelorette party, have fun, be safe and remember swear everyone to silence so that no stories come back – at least not until after your first anniversary.

Are you confused about selecting the correct number of bridesmaids for your wedding? Some brides have chosen to select one bridesmaid, some have chosen to invite four, and some have had as many a s twenty bridesmaids to standup in their wedding. As a bride, you will have several decisions to make about your wedding day.

Deciding on bridesmaids jewelry, dresses, and shoes are among the many decisions to be made. The number of bridesmaids is dependent upon the bride’s personal preference.While the average number of bridesmaids are four, truth be told, there is no rule of thumb to follow when it comes to choosing the quantity of bridesmaids. However, there are some things that every bride should consider when selecting too few or too many bridesmaids. Read more here

Go To Silverland Jewelry and See Bridesmaids Gifts, Bridal Jewelry & Unique Gift Ideas