The Maggie Sottero Obsession

Our obsession with Maggie Sottero is out of control.

Recently, I was browing through some wedding gown vendors in NJ, and with each website, I looked at what designers they carried. This blog, like all others, is strictly opinion based, but Maggie Sottero has got to be one of the best designers of wedding gowns...ever.

A few months ago I wrote a blog about finding the right wedding gown for your shape. Mermaids aren't for everyone, and neither are ballgowns. Sadly, if you're in love with a certain designer and they only specialize in strapless satin trumpet dresses, then you might be looking elsewhere.

Please take a minute to fall in love with Maggie.

This designer has the dress for everyone. Literally, for everyone. Whether you need a simple drop waist with no embellishment, or a full on strapless ballgown with dozens of pickups, you really can't go wrong. In fact, if I were going to get married all over again, as happy as I was with my gown (Vineyard Collection from Priscilla of Boston) I would check out Maggie's gowns.

There are collections that simply won't include non-strapless, but not every girl can carry that. This one didn't.... But Maggie has gowns for those of us that need a little "pick me up" in the front, and straps that can be anything from simple to decked out all the way.

I would absoutely recommend visiting a bridal salon that has Maggie Sottero as a designer. Even if you only tried on her dresses, the style she designs ranges from simple to elegant to over the top to princess to whatever you can think of and beyond.

Don't believe us? Visit her website to see that the proof is in the pudding:

http://www.maggiesottero.com/collection.aspx?line=m

and let us know which one you end up buying for the big day!

Another Wedding, Another Hall...

Your wedding is all about the personal style of you and your partner. But so many weddings look the same! There are ideas that have been done, colors that have been seen, and if you're starting to think that you need to wear something other than white to make your wedding stand out, then this blog entry is for you!

There are some simple ways to make your special day stand out. The key is to keep your focus and do one thing at a time. Look at the big parts of your wedding: vows, music, food and invitations to showcase your style.

First and foremost, write your own vows. Of course traditional vows are romantic and beautiful, but this is the only chance to verbally express to your mate how you feel. A wedding is about the coming together of two hearts, but too often it becomes all about the show. No matter what your budget, you can afford your own vows because they are free! Whether you're inspired by poetry, lyrics or movie quotes, find a way to make your words special. Maybe you still have that first sweet card that was written to you from your soon to be spouse. Use those words and tell your love how much they mean to you.

The music you play will set the tone for the entire reception. Don't just limit yourself to one type of music! Mix it up so that everyone will get a spin around the dance floor. Music shouldn't just be confined to the reception either, when there should be music during the ceremony and cocktail hour as well. Whether it's a band or a DJ, or a string quartet or a barbershop quartet, let the music reflect your life as a couple. Take the time to work on a playlist and even the order of the music. Invite friends to sing (if they can...seriously, bad singers have no place at a wedding, ever) during the ceremony or at the reception...or the after-party!

Your food choices say a lot about you. If you're a seafood lover, bring on the raw bar. Celebrating your Southern Italian heritage, then pasta with different sauces will do the trick! Just don't forget to have a wide variety. Just because you don't eat meat, doesn't mean your guests don't. It's not nice to let your guests starve, so make sure that everyone is happy.

The first entrance into a wedding is the save the date and invitation. It sets the tone and sits on your guests' fridge for the months leading up to the big day. You can use magnets, paper, cloth or wood, just make sure it ties into your whole theme. Taking engagement photos? Then put those on the save the dates! There are numerous websites where you can simply point and click and ship your invites. My advice? If you're overwhelmed, don't just "pick anything". Bookmark some of your favorites and come back to it on another day when you're relaxed and have a clear head.

No matter your budget, with a little time and effort you can make your personal style shine through your special day! For more tips and ideas, contact us at danielle@goldenweddingplanners.com and let us know how we can help!

Erin Go....Get Married!

This weekend is going to be warm and sunny in the NYC-NJ area and it's also St. Patrick's Day Weekend! Whether you're planning to pop the question, or get married, there are so many things to consider!

If you're not engaged yet, consider using the Luck of the Irish to help you out. Guide your better half to a pot of gold where you can hide the ring. All it takes is a pot from Home Depot spray painted gold and voila! Pick up some shamrocks at their Garden Center to add into the pot and place the ring inside the greens! When she says yes, find a way to incorporate that pot into your wedding day...maybe even as a centerpiece for your sweetheart table!

Getting married on the holiday? No need to have a green explosion when there are way to celebrate...tastefully.

Wildflowers are perfect to use at your wedding and are very popular for Irish ceremonies. You could use them in something simple like your bouquet, or hang them from the chairs in baskets during the ceremony. If you want a more elegant look, consider using calla lillies!

Favors are something that every couple leaves until the end to figure out, but your guests will always talk about them. Why not give your guests some good luck with a rabbits foot? For the true Irish fans, consider giving small bottles of Irish whiskey and have the labels say your names and wedding date on them.

I'm a huge fan of mason jars, and I'd love to see an Irish wedding use some green ones to showcase their flowers. If you really want to get creative, buy enough to make a rainbow down the aisle!

If you're able to bring in your own caterer, keep with Irish tradition and offer fare like corned beef and cabbage. That said, don't just offer that as some people might not want it. Make sure you have a wide variety of food for your guests to choose from.

It's all about luck and good fortune! However you choose to celebrate, whether with a proposal or a wedding, enjoy it! Happy St. Patrick's Day!