Fall doesn’t officially start until the pumpkin spice latte make its delicious debut.  With its warm, sweet yet spicy, luxurious essence, it’s an autumn treat that’s perfect for a wedding inspiration board.  Let the vibrant textures of fall spark your wedding-filled imagination.

There are wedding shows. And then there are WEDDING SHOWS.  Urban Unveiled is definitely deserving of an all-caps shout out. First – let’s discuss the theme: Woodland Glamor.  An enchanting forest dropped right in the middle of Seattle.   Every detail was executed flawlessly from the model in her monarch butterfly dress to the ever-so scrumptious h’orderves (mini-paninis, duck confit, caviar, need we say more?) that wow’d our palates.

In short, this wedding show earned the title “best wedding show ever” and more details will follow.

Urban Unveiled tips and trends:

1. Don’t dare wear stilettos

Bridezilla certainly understands a girl’s need to show off her slim, post-bridal bootcamp gams. But please, when you go to a wedding show, wear shoes you can stand comfortably in for hours.  Minutes after arriving to Urban Unveiled,  we witnessed a  sophisticated soon-to-be-bride topple over and perform a face-plant in the concrete entryway. Not a pretty sight. And by the end of the night I had to remove my own pinching peep toes and walk around in my tights like I was at a high school dance.

2. Ice sculptures are super expensive. But super cool.

Ice Sculptures by Creative Ice

It’s time to start thinking about winter wonderland weddings, so I briefly interrogated Steve Cox, an ice artist from Creative Ice. This martini ice sculpture will hold your signature cocktail and your guests can fill up again and again with it’s spout.  Definitely a conversation piece. Definitely more hip than chocolate fountains. But it costs $1,000 and will soon melt away. If you’re searching for something within your ever-tightening budget, the ice sculpture centerpieces (shown above) are somewhat affordable at $85. The only draw back? The smaller sculptures have to be ordered in pairs.

How do they get the calla lily inside the ice? Well… if we told you, we’d have to kill you.

3. Signature cocktails are stirring up weddings across America.

Cocktails by The Invisible Hostess

The signature cocktail: elegant, upscale, and memorable (unless you drink too many).  The idea isn’t new. It’s probably been around since cocktail hour started in the 60s. But the tasty trend is definitely on an upswing. Let the Invisible Hostess and her stylish bartenders take care of your signature cocktail set up, take down, and everything in-between.

Cocktail suggestion for winter/ fall weddings: Go with the classic Something Blue or make a splash with red apple sangria or grasshopper hot coco.

4. Cupcakes are still in. Mini-pies are freakin’ delicious. And dessert bars are the new candy buffet.

We asked Layer Cake if cupcakes were still on the “IN” list. They replied with a quizzical  “YES,” as if I just asked if Obama was still President.  So there you have it. Macaroons and mini-pies have not replaced the too-cute frosted confections. But the new thing to do is offer a full dessert bar with macaroons, mini-pies, petite wedding cakes, and cupcakes.

Forget the so-sugary-it’s-sickening candy buffet. What could be more fitting for a fall wedding than bite-sized pumpkin or apple pies?

5. “Good food is more important than ambiance.”

When we asked the Tom Douglas caterers which was more important: good food or impressive ambiance, we weren’t surprised when they picked food (c’mon – it’s Tom Douglas!).  But caterers across the country now use cuisine  to create drama, such as the case with this tantalizing sea food bar.  Please don’t buy an octopus, plop it in the middle of a table and call it a centerpiece. The  iced seafood bar is key (and keeps the fish from stinking up your wedding).

Bridezilla expert tip: “If you’re going to go with a seafood bar, your guests are going to expect 0ysters and mussels,” said Alexis Berry sales manager from Tom Douglas catering.

6. Brides are “sick of strapless,” and so are we. Let’s hear it for the new neckline.

Luly Yang bridal gowns

Experts from Luly Yang, a couture dress designer were happy to let us in on a few bridal fashion secrets. According to our anonymous insider, “Brides are sick of strapless. This isn’t their mother’s gown or their grandmother’s gown. This is their wedding gown, so expect to see a lot of brides striving for completely unique wedding dresses.”  Our fashion expert, Stylezilla will be reviewing trends from the fashion show in an upcoming post.

For now, let your eyes flutter over this monarch butterfly dress, an exclusive Luly Yang design:

Our resident groomzilla poses next to butterfly girl

7. Friends, food, and free wine make wedding shows more fun

Can’t get groomie to a wedding show? Lure him in with the promise of unlimited wine and mouth watering mini-pies.  Or just go with your gaggle of girls. The free wine alone, as well as the chance to get up close and personal with June Bug weddings made this wedding show well-worth the trip.

Fresh from a night of drinks, schmoozing, and drooling over cool wedding stuff at Urban Unveiled, bridezilla is officially inspired. Don’t miss our upcoming reveals, tips, and trends from the biggest wedding night in Seattle.

For now, let’s tackle the little things: perfect-for-autumn placecard holders and wedding favors (none of them involve acorns or caramel apples so keep reading).

Here is your weekly dose of zilla inspiration:

Orange Blossom Placecard Holders

From NySocialDiary

For the health-conscious bridezilla: orange blossom placecard holders. Secured to  edible fruit with the tiniest of sparkles.  Helps your guests sniff out their tables and doubles as a wedding favor. Love it!

Pear Placecards

For those “perfect pair” bridezillas: Same basic idea, except the letters are pasted right onto the pear.  Also makes a great placecard for all those dinner parties you’ll be forced to have now that you’re getting married.

Super Chic Black & White Escort Cards

From Blissweddingmarket

For the haute bridezilla:  Nothing says “I’m richer than you,” than the ability to blow your money on hand-drawn escort envelope.  The overall effect is definitely sophisticated and pretty.

Crafty and Pretty

For the crafty bridezilla: Vibrant colors. Elegant D-I-Y details. Not something you should try to make yourself if you’re like me and still can’t use scissors properly.

Wishbone Wedding Favors

For the offbeat November bridezilla: Not only does it create wedding day whimsy, it’s one of those favor ideas that instantly made me pound my head and exclaim “why didn’t I think of that?”

Hope you’re full of fall inspiration.

]]> http://www.bridezilla.com/zilla-inspiration-autumn-placecards-and-wedding-favors/feed 1 http://www.bridezilla.com/wedding-accessories-rental http://www.bridezilla.com/wedding-accessories-rental#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:51:44 +0000 Bridezilla http://www.bridezilla.com/?p=602

When it comes to weddings, bridezillas dream big. Really big. And way beyond the budget (budget? snort). So how do you live large without cracking that precious nest egg? You rent. That’s right. You can acquire extravagant acts,  exotic animals, and aquatic centerpieces for your big day. No muss. No fuss. No schlepping a snow leopard across town.

It’s a wedding world yet to be explored. Presenting…the 5 coolest wedding accessories you don’t have to buy:

1. A Bubble Machine

Those bubble blower wedding favors? So last year. This machine spits out enough bubbles that your wedding venue looks like a gigantic bathtub.  You’ll have one sudsy soiree and those annoying toddlers will be entertained through the whole reception.

Where to get it: Bubble machine rental available here.

2. An Elephant

Nothing makes an entrance quite like an elephant. That’s right. It’s good luck (as long as its trunk stays up) and it arrives clad in an ornate wedding saddle.  Makes your friend’s handsome cab getaway look cheap and cliche.

Where to get it: Elephant rental available here. Or sometimes at your local zoo.

3. Friends and Family

Did you tick off your friends and family with your unbridled  rage? Don’t worry, you can rent replacement stand ins. Uninvite Aunt Edna and pad your guest list with actors glamorous as Gatsby. It costs 2,000 yen ( about $200) and only available in Japan through a company called Office Agents. Photo: Trendhunter.com

Bridezilla tip: If you’re really desperate to fill those barren tables, we’re sure you could create a Craiglist ad and hire a few actors yourself.

Wanted: Charming, young, eloquent men and women to star in bridezilla’s wedding day as a guest. Free meal included. Previous dancing experience required.

4. Chandeliers

Chandeliers can make a fluorescent-lit VFW Hall look like a glittering luxury locale.  Rent them. But don’t try and hang them yourself unless you happen to be 50-feet tall.

Where to get it: We’re not sure where you live so just google the chandelier rental places in your area. Obvi! Or you could go all bridezilla and rent the biggest mobile chandelier in the world here.

5. Really Expensive Jewelry

Forget the fake pearls. Real brides where real diamonds. If you’re going to look like a million bucks, you need to be wearing a million bucks. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: jewelry rental is fabulous. Ghetto fabulous.

Where to get it: Adorn Brides is a great place to lease luxurious jewelry.

The proposal is one of the biggest days of your life and you never saw it coming. All you ask for is your guy to make you feel like you’ve never felt before. To give you that wow factor. That feeling that’s so jarring, it almost makes your heart hurt, but in the non-heart attack hurts-oh-so-good kind of way.

And one that makes your friends more jealous of you than they’ve been in their lives.

Is that too much to ask?

No, it’s not. We guys know your engagement is a magical moment that you’ll remember and brag about forever. Trust us, we want to deliver that awe-inspiring, knees shaking, oh my god! tear-filled moment.

But sometimes, we just don’t know how.

When the pressure is on and we don’t want our Groomzilla to show through until the time is right, what’s a guy supposed to do? Call in the professional proposal planner. An emerging trend in event planning services is wedding engagement planning, where the groom-to-be hires an event coordinator to focus on all the little stuff to make the most out of this big moment.

I know what some of you zillas are thinking. Does your engagement magical moment pack the same punch if your man hired outside help?

Melissa Phillips of Simply Perfect by Melissa says, "You bet it does!" Melissa is a seasoned wedding planner who started her Simply Proposal service in 2009, and says that with every couple she’s worked with, the bride-to-be is more than excited that her man put in the time and effort to create such a truly special moment.

So what is the engagement planning process?

With each new client, Melissa interviews the future fiancé to find out the nitty-gritty. What are his hobbles? What does the couple like to do together? Does she expect "over the top" or "down to earth?"

When it comes down to the proposal, don’t think of it as a covert spy mission with secret service ear pieces feeding your man lines from across the room.

Engagement planners like Melissa stick to the scheduling tasks – making dinner reservations and scheduling transportation. Most of the time these nervous proposers meet with Melissa because they have a plan, but no clue how to pull it off – like proposing at sunset on the Empire State Building with the bride-to-be’s family secretly waiting in the crowd… or taking her to the beach with "Will You Marry Me" written in the sand, at sunset. Or whisking her to Paris and having the flight attendant ask the big question over the intercom. At sunset. Of course.

Obviously, engagement planners aren’t for every guy with a turquoise box in his pocket. The Simply Proposal service from Simply Perfect by Melissa typically works with urban, professional males in the Chicago area looking to spend $75,000 on their wedding, but her services start at $500 dollars. You can find engagement planners like Melissa Phillips in major market areas across the country.

Proposal season has officially come to a close.
I know. I am sad too. The fun and anticipation of festive Will You’s is now replaced with the painstaking planning of the I Do’s. There’s just so much to think about! Take your wedding stationery, for example:
Do you have to send save the date cards?
Can boys be invited to the bridal shower?
How many envelopes are really necessary for formal wedding invitations?

You might not have these questions. You might be “stuff it all in one envelope and reply online” kind of bridezilla, and we applaud you! But for those who have even the slightest inkling to do wedding invitations and wedding stationery by the book, boy do I have the book for you.
Not Emily Post (frumpy).
Not Miss Manners (prissy).
Wedding Invitations Wording & Announcements Etiquette: The Ultimate Guide is a free ebook designed for every bride – from traditional to trendy, old-fashioned to fashionista. The wedding etiquette experts at Storkie Express will inspire you with their wording suggestions and beautiful sample images. Get the low-down on when to order every invite and card so nothing gets back-ordered or sent out late. Learn how to properly acknowledge two married doctors on one envelope!
Easy to download in a PDF so you can save it to your computer, print out to sleep with under your pillow, or send it to all your fellow bridezillas.
Let the wedding planning begin!

You’re a strong, confident bridezilla, about to strut down the aisle. But there’s another woman getting in your way. We’re not talking about his sophisticated coworker with the always-perfect coif or your back-stabbing bridesmaid, doing her duties while eying your guy.
We’re talking about his mom.
I’m the first one to snicker at the sight of a grown man walking hand-and-hand with mommy dearest. But being married to a mama’s boy isn’t funny. Your groomzilla should make you number one from day one or you’ll have real marital problems. Expect them to begin on the honeymoon, when she calls him just to “check in.”
There’s still time to turn around. Here’s how to spot a mama’s boy from a mile away!

10 Real Signs Your Man is a Mama’s Boy

10. Refuses to move out of mom’s house

If he’s over 25, it’s a problem. I don’t care if he lost his job because of the economy or that mommy needs him. If he’s living at home with the ‘rents and doesn’t have any plans to move out or pay rent- he’s not a keeper; he’s a throwback. Sure, he loves mom’s lasagna (don’t we all) but that’s no reason to sacrifice independence, dignity, and privacy.
Kick him to the curb. Wait – you can’t because he’s still living under his mother’s eagle-sized wing. Just dump him.

9. Mama is all up in bridezilla’s business

Most moms are curious about their son’s girlfriends. But curiosity doesn’t mean peeping through your blinds, stalking you on dates, or getting your social security number so she could do a “brief” background check.
That’s a sure sign of trouble on the horizon. But if she does all of the above and your guy let’s her get away with it – don’t walk away, run.

8. He starts every sentence with “well, my mom says”

Blossoming into a full-fledged, mortgage paying adult isn’t easy and it doesn’t come with a manual. His mom has a few more gray hairs than you, shouldn’t you listen to her about when to have kids, where to get your hair cut, and what house to buy? Absolutely not!
If he can’t make a major decision without calling his mother, he’s a mama’s boy. Sure, she has more life experience under her Dolce and Gabbana belt. But it’s your marriage and all major decisions should be made between the two of you, not the three of you.

7. He didn’t stick up for you that time she called you [insert insult here]

The laws of marriage say that the groom should put the insult-slinging in-law promptly in their place. If she’s calling you fat and he’s not immediately coming to your defense, retract your wedding venue deposit today.
Bridezilla commandment 4: Thou shalt not let the in-laws insult the bride!

6. She cleans your house without your permission

It’s the most egregious mother-in-law crimes. She arrives unannounced with a bucket full of cleaning supplies wearing neon-yellow rubber gloves. She claims she’s just here to “tidy up” and your guy treats her like a scrubbing savior.
She’s doing it because she believes her cleaning skills are infinitely better than bridezilla’s!
Adults don’t need their parents to pick up after them. If he (or you) allows this to continue, this also fits into bridezilla’s top 10 signs you’re too young to get married.

5. When mom says jump…

Mama’s boys are the spawn of highly manipulative momzillas. These moms thrive on getting their sons to do stuff at inopportune times and if he dare say no, they throw a level-10 tantrum.

Momzilla: Can you come over and fix my stove?

Mama’s Boy: Yes…eerr wait — bridezilla has a doctor’s appointment

Momzilla: What? My broken stove is way more important than her broken leg. Who else can I call…I have no one!

Mama’s Boy: I’ll be right there.

4. The way they interact gives you the chills

Has your guy and his mom ever starred in a musical together? Sung the Wind Beneath My Wings as a mother-son duet? Does she still comb his hair or cut up his steak?
If she’s overbearing, over-affectionate, and their interactions remind you of your once-favorite-now-all-too-familiar Greek play, you need to turn this wedding parade around. The apron strings are more like prison chains and he’ll be hers for life.

3. He tells her everything. EVERYTHING

After a certain age, you stop telling your parents everything. His mother doesn’t need to know how much is in your bank account, if the two of you are planning on producing her a grandchild, or how much your bartender gig pays.
She can ask. You don’t have to tell her. And neither does he.

2. He treats you like a maid

She’s cooked for him, cleaned for him, and made his bed for years. Now you’ll have to do it. Because he’s incapable of taking care of himself. He’s a man-child through and through.
You’re his wife. Not his mom. He no longer needs the lady of the house cleaning up his crumbs or making him four-course meals after a 10-hour workday.

1. Their relationship reminds you of…

• Trey and Bunny Vick’s Vapor Rub weirdness in Sex and the City
• Buster and Mother in Arrested Development
• Edward Gaines (the real-life Psycho)

To all my new bridezillas who are shaking off the reverie of post holiday-engagement bliss and are ready to get down to business:
Step One – let the world know. Coming up soon, your wedding invitations are going out and, while it seems easy enough (lick, seal, stamp, send), who knew there was so much you could screw up?
I came across this 29-Part Guide to Royally Messing Up Your Wedding Invitations and it rocked my world. Well, rocked is a strong word, but it definitely opened my eyes to some boo-boos from my own wedding invitations.
#7: Combine alcohol and hand-addressing your wedding invitations. Whoops. You know a Bridezilla loves her Gin Fizzies.
At least I remembered to proofread!

Full of important Wedding Invitation Don’ts dipped in good advice with a hint of sarcasm, this a great go-to guide for a bridezilla with a hankering for all things traditional. For all those alterna-brides out there ready to make a stand against convention, you will at least know what rules you are breaking when you choose not to include directions with your invitations (tip #6). Bridezillas don’t do anything by accident.

Most of us would spare no expense when it comes to the elusive perfect wedding. We want it all: the Vera Wang gown spun from flawless organza, a band that sounds just like Journey, a burgeoning Annie Leibovitz to snap a million pictures….
Some of us have been dreaming of this perfect wedding since we were twelve and Ken married Barbie in a ceremony surrounded by stuffed animals, Lego people, and a G.I. Joe.
Then why are we afraid to negotiate for our dream wedding? Because we don’t want the vendor to walk away; because as women, we are preened to be sugar and spice and scared to state what we really want?
It doesn’t matter why you’ve never negotiated. Learn with us as we navigate the unruly waters of wedding vendor negotiation.

Bridezilla Navigates Negotiation

Practice first. To put your negotiation skills to the test, visit your local flea market. Or haggle with the guys who sell fake Fendis out of their trunks.
When you’re ready to buy that fabulous bag, ask the merchant how much it costs. If they say it’s $35 eye it carefully. Calmly state that you don’t have that much to spend and begin walking away. Magically, the $35 bag becomes $29.
Bridezilla bonus tip: Now is not the time to insult the bag designer. “What? You want me to spend $35 on a poorly made purse that I could make myself with a glue-gun and sequins?” This immediately turns the vendor on the defensive. Be tactful and direct. A simple “I like the bag but I only have $25 to spend,” will do.
Once you’ve mastered the fine art of flea market negotiation, it’s time to test out your skills on wedding vendors. Before you go to the first reception hall, (i.e. the shark tank) start with a budget. Write down what you can spend (your absolute highest) and what you want to spend on each service.
Also note your bargaining power — what you have that will make vendors bend over backwards to work with you.
Disposable income and a crazy-high budget isn’t a bargaining power. You’re better off not saying that your husband-to-be is a Surgeon and you drive a BMW. But having a wedding during the off-season (September – April) or guaranteeing 300 guests puts the bouquet in your court.
Always negotiate with your reception hall. When they state their fees, assume there is room for negotiation. Don’t waltz in, get wooed by the fancy decorations and sign without trying to get them to come down. Don’t buy into the whole “well, we have so many brides that want to get married on your January 15 date, you should act fast.” Don’t go into a bridezilla rage, stomp your heeled hoof and start making demands.
Put on your poker face.
Convince yourself that you hate this hall, even if you’re already picturing your place settings. Wrinkle your nose like it has a bad smell. Examine everything with a discerning eye, even if you’re jumping up and down inside.
Let them state their price first. When they do, wince. Directly and confidentially say, “I really like your work and think that you would be a good fit for my wedding, but your price is over our budget. We would really like to allocate this [insert your low-ball offer here].”
Or “We are looking at lots of reception sites and want to find the right site for our budget. We love your work and will be in contact.”
You’ve started the negotiation. Suddenly, those corkage and ceremony “fees” vanish and sometimes, they’ll even throw in extras, like a free round of champagne. Mention that you’re shopping around. You’re not going to hurt anyone’s feelings or get booted to the curb.
Remember, wedding vendors want your business, but negotiations have to be reasonable. You can’t go into the Plaza and tell them you want a wedding at $35 a plate. You can’t ask for 1,000 free pictures in your package.
Go into the negotiation armed with information. This is where your bridezilla binder comes in handy! Comment below and let us know your success with vendor negotiation.

Happy Halloween, dearest bridezillas. Lately, I’ve been so inspired by creative brides who think way outside the box that I decided to kick off a cool wedding themes series.
It’s late fall and our wedding theme of the day is (drum roll, please) the birch tree. Before you wonder if bridezilla has gone country, consider the facts: birch trees are gorgeous and slender, they make really dramatic centerpieces (even in the city), and they’re super chic on invitations and even cakes. Don’t believe me? Check out this slideshow.