wedding dress blog

This year the tropics are taking center stage for weddings in theme and in color. Tables set in beautiful turquoise with crisp white settings, coral colored chair covers with gold set tables. Tropical warmth brings a light fresh feeling.

These designer colors are easy to plan around. Favors carefully chosen to match the theme, martini glasses filled with colored glass, chair covers, tablecloths all in the chosen hue.

Following is a list of my forecast colors and color trends for 2009. Lets start with turquoise. What comes to mind? The ocean and seashells, a Breakfast at Tiffany’s,
Your favorite turquoise jewelry, mixed with silver. A gathering of beautiful turquoise organza butterflies, studded with Austrian crystal jewels. Turquoise ribbons wrapped around white daisies, and tin buckets filled with turquoise wrapped candies. These are a few turquoise suggestions.

Coral, reefs and white surf, a dainty coral flower nestled in a large glass bowl. Coral colored chair covers against a place setting of gold or bronze. Flamingos dancing on table centers, a great coral colored signature cosmopolitan. Just a couple of coral colored thoughts.

My final color choice is sunshine yellow. Picture visions of sunflowers scattered throughout the reception, large tables covered in yellow tablecloths with crisp white linens, small tin pails filled with yellow cellophane grass and chocolate eggs. A true country theme. On the other hand yellow can be a color of sophistication, mixing well with crystal covered candle holders, daffodils, lace accents and silver plate chargers. This is also a great color to mix with either turquoise or coral.

These colors can be used alone for a strong statement, or be combined to create a multitude of themes. I feel these are great strong colors that would also work well combined with a lighter hue of the same color to create depth.

I would love to hear some of your thoughts on these colors and there possible themes. Come join us in the form and lets talk weddings.

Published: January 30, 2009

Get married, and sooner or later, you’re gonna pay for it.

In the case of Senate Bill 1429, that would be sooner.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, D-Arlington, would raise the cost of a Virginia marriage license from $20 to $35.

The measure was reported out of Courts of Justice this week and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Under the proposed law, $5 of the increase would go toward the state’s general fund; $10 would go to Department of Social Services programs dealing with the estimated 300,000 juveniles who are victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse. Currently, $10 of the $20 license fee funds similar programs for adults.

Courts committee member Sen. Ryan T. McDougle, R-Hanover, proposed allocating $10 of the proposed $15 increase to the help state’s understaffed circuit courts, whose clerks are responsible for processing the applications.

Whipple noted that couples applying for marriage licenses currently pay a $10 fee to the clerks, in addition to the license fee. So the real cost of obtaining a marriage license in Virginia is $30; under Whipple’s bill, it would be $45.

McDougle’s amendment was defeated. He and Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, R-Fairfax, cast the dissenting committee votes against the measure.

Paul and Ingrid Glorioso of Garden City are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Stacie Elise Glorioso, to Jered Michael Norton. Stacie graduated from Garden City High School in 2000 and received her Bachelor of Science degree in 2004 from Tulane University in New Orleans. Jared graduated in 1996 from Brother Martin High School in New Orleans and graduated from the Marine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine in 2000. Stacie is an events manager for Gerson Lehman Group and Jered is a marine engineer supervisor for Trans Ocean Company. They have a home in Austin, Texas, where they are involved with charitable organizations such as Austin Pets Alive, which finds homes for stray cats and dogs, and they also run marathons to raise money for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. Stacie rides and shows horses and Scooter mountain bikes.

The wedding took place at Latrobe’s in New Orleans on March 22, 2008. Guests came from all over the world to help the happy couple celebrate. Stacie’s maid of honor was her sister, Carolyn Grace Glorioso. Her bridesmaids were her Tulane University roommate, Kathleen Shea Hinton, close friend Lyndi Rene Smith, and the groom’s sister, Shelley Norton. Jered’s groomsmen were fellow Maine Maritime Academy graduates Brian Joseph Smith, Quentin Stewart, and Daniel Kerr Tyson as well as close friends Kevin Alan Lacassin and Roop Raj.

After a beautiful ceremony and extensive southern reception at Latrobe’s, the bridal party and guests partook in the uniquely New Orleans tradition of a “second line” through the streets of New Orleans to the Hotel Monteleone. For the “second line,” the newlyweds were preceded by a police motorcade and a New Orleans brass band. They were followed by all the wedding guests. Onlookers waved and cheered as the couple and all their guest strode through the streets of New Orleans. Stacie carried the traditional New Orleans white parasol as all the guest waved handkerchiefs emblazoned with the Cajun slogan that personifies New Orleans, and this wonderful wedding celebration, “Laissez les bon temps rouler!” - “Let the good time roll!” They certainly did!

Those who have ever wondered what it would have been like to live in the late 1800s will get a chance to attend an elegant Victorian fashion show. Las Senoras de Socorro and The Prescott Victorian Society are presenting a Victorian Wedding and Reception at the Wickenburg Community Center on Saturday (Jan. 31) at 1 p.m. Attendees will be transported in time through the courtship, engagement, wedding, reception and honeymoon with elaborate costumes of the period and a delightful narration.

An elegant Victorian crystal and pearl collar and earrings set will be raffled off at the upcoming event. The jewelry has been designed, crafted and donated by Las Senoras member Ingrid Morris. Raffle tickets are priced at $3 or two for $5. The drawing will take place following the fundraising event from 1 to 3 p.m. Call 684-2251 for more information. Proceeds benefit the Desert Caballeros Western Museum. Tickets are available now for $25 at any of the three museum stores.

61st Annual Gold Rush Days information

It’s just around the corner, and plans are underway for the 61st Annual Gold Rush Days. The location remains the same, main festival and carnival area around the community center, and rodeo at the Everett Bowman Rodeo grounds.

The Wickenburg Art Club will again have arts/crafts booths set up at Stone Park between the library and Town Hall. Tickets are on sale now for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Concerts at The Webb Center, and rodeo and dance tickets are available from the Chamber.

Wickenburg’s own Arizona Outlaws play at the rodeo dance on Saturday night. Parade applications are available from the office, with the parade sponsored again by Cox Communications. For additional information visit www.wickenburgchamber.com

GRD Photo Contest

The Wickenburg Camera Club and the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a Photography Print Contest as part of the 61st Annual Gold Rush Days celebration. Divisions have been selected to allow everyone, from beginner to professional, an equal chance to win an award. Everyone is invited to enter up to two prints (per person) that capture the “Essence of Wickenburg.” All photos will be exhibited in the Banquet Room of the Community Center during Gold Rush Days. Prints must be dropped off at the Chamber of Commerce office before 4 p.m. Feb. 4. Photographers name, phone number, and division entered must be on the back of each entry. For more information contact Debbie Keiser at 684-1013.

5th Annual Wickenburg Art Club Fine Art Festival and Sale

Meet dozens of juried fine artists from Arizona arts organizations during the fifth annual Wickenburg Art Club Fine Arts Festival, Feb. 7-15, at the art clubhouse on 188 S.Tegner Street, two blocks south of the downtown traffic light. Show hours are Feb. 7-12, noon to 5 p.m., Feb. 13-14, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 15, noon to 4 p.m. The artist reception is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. Meet artists and enjoy wine, hors d’ouvres and entertainment. For more information call 684-0483 or go online www.wickenburgartclub.org

Arena fundraiser

The 8th Annual Everett Bowman Rodeo Arena Fundraiser is March 1, 5:30 p.m. at the Wickenburg Community Center. Tickets are $25 single and $40 couple, kids $10. Dinner is at 6 p.m., 6:45 auction, followed by dance featuring the Arizona Outlaws. All of the proceeds go towards capital improvements of the arena. For more information call 684-7248. Tickets are available from the Chamber, and from Community Rodeo Association members Slim Rottmeyer, Dave and Teresa Underdown, Bill Johnson, Phyliss Papin, and others….

COUNTDOWN TO THE BIG DAY—Mark Allen Stein of Oak Park will marry Jamie Nicole Adkins in September. Mark is a graduate of Oak Park High School. Currently, the couple lives in Westlake Village.

We hear Jim Clark, the billionaire Netscape founder, may marry his fiancée, Australian swimsuit model Kristy Hinze, in March on Richard Branson’s Necker Island — the same place where Google’s Larry Page said “I do.”

Last month, the Clark, who turns 65 this year, and Hinze held a secret party in a posh Sydney suburb to celebrate the engagement. Australian newspapers reported that the couple would marry in Sydney in March.

But a source on the British Virgin Islands tells us that there are preparations underway for the wedding of a “Netscape big.” Netscape cofounder Marc Andreessen is already married, as is former CEO Jim Barksdale, so the ceremony is almost certainly for Clark. Could the Sydney location be a ruse to throw off the tabloids?

Necker, Branson’s private estate in the British Virgin Islands, is a good location to avoid paparazzi. A local said the currents make it hard for their boats to approach. But we suspect it won’t matter. A guest at the wedding of Google’s Page sent Valleywag a snap of him kissing his bride, Lucy Southworth. YouTube founder Chad Hurley, who married Clark’s daughter Kathy, will surely be on the invite list. Maybe he’ll post a clip! Oh, and if anyone has an invite to the Clark-Hinze bash, care to send us a scan?

LONG ISLAND, N.Y., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ — As brides and event planners try to fit more bang into every wedding buck, they seek alternatives to the pricey traditional wedding fare. Many brides are looking to try something new, getting away from the five-tier cakes that have, in these times, become a pricey option. Instead, the modern bride is looking for something unique to make their wedding day special but not look like they scrimped on the details. Enter Gold Coast Ice Cream Truck Co., offering a sweet and unique spin on wedding desserts and favors and an exciting attraction that will leave people talking after the affair is over.

Their classic 1967 Good Humor Ice Cream truck will delight guests with old favorites like Chocolate Eclair and Strawberry Shortcake. For those brides who want to offer even more, the truck can stock yummy goodies like Cracker Jacks and old-fashioned Lollipops. Each event is serviced by a restored 1967 Good Humor ice cream truck with many of the original details such as brass bells and mini freezer doors, and of course the uniformed server with a bowtie and a smile.

“Lots of brides feel they blew their budget on a pretty cake no one ate and on favors no one really kept and we know that few can resist our ice cream and treats,” says owner, Fernanda Aldous. “I wanted to merge the classic truck, a real piece of Americana with the sophistication of the modern affair.” To accomplish this, Mrs. Aldous offers a wide variety of ice cream bars, gourmet gelato, and classic or modern confections completely customized for each event.

For budget and style conscious brides, Gold Coast Ice Cream Truck Co. offers a delicious and unique alternative that combines two of the most costly wedding reception elements: dessert and favors. “And of course,” says Mrs. Aldous, “a fabulous shot of the bride and groom on a classic ‘67 truck literally takes the cake.”

Website: www.goldcoasticecream.com

In this age of broken marriages, one that has reached 50 years is truly worthy of being celebrated. And grand it was that marked the golden wedding anniversary of the blessed couple, Bert and Nonie Basilio, at the Peninsula Hotel on Dec. 13, 2008.

The renewal ceremonies, held at the elegantly decorated Santuario de San Juan in Greenhills, was officiated by seven priests and attended by a dozen pairs of sponsors.

The family members wore pale beige silk with hints of gold, in stark contrast with the lady sponsors and offerors who were in jewel colored gowns. The gentlemen looked dapper in black pants and piña barong, just like the groom.

Then the church doors swung open and there was the radiant bride, Nonie, resplendent in an intricately beaded, shimmering gold gown by Pitoy Moreno. There was a moment of hushed silence, but as she started to march down the aisle in the arms of her husband, Bert, to the strains of their love song, “An Affair to Remember,” the guests stood up and burst into a thunderous applause.

Seen were former Sen. Loi Ejercito and Unesco Secretary General Preciosa Soliven.

A dinner-dance reception preceded by cocktails immediately followed at the ballroom of the Peninsula Hotel. The menu of prawn martini, wild mushroom soup and entrée of pan-seared Chilean sea-bass and New Zealand beef escalope complemented with choice Spanish wines satisfied the guests’ discriminating taste buds.

Spotted among the crowd were Makati’s first lady, Dr. Elenita Binay, Don Ado Escudero and Justices Manuel Lazaro, Bernie Pardo and Norberto Geraldez.

The after-dinner program hosted by Manila’s social arbiter, Johnny Litton, featured Chris Gonzales, the child singing sensation, Clara Romana and her flamenco dancers and the country’s leading soprano, Rachelle Gerodias.

Ballroom dancing followed, but not before Bert and Nonie thanked the guests for their presence and donations to chosen beneficiaries, namely, the Oblates of St. Joseph, Mary, Mother of the Poor Foundation and the Penaranda Civic and Cultural Foundation. They also thanked the Lord for all His blessings, most especially the gift of a dream golden anniversary celebration.

SINGAPORE: Many who caught the latest Raintree Pictures movie “The Wedding Game” got a glimpse of what real life celebrity couple Fann Wong and Christopher Lee’s upcoming wedding might look like, when they wed later in the year.

For those who haven’t yet caught on to the movie, it’s all about a ’star couple’ who get married, and the sparks fly after they decide to say “I do”.

The romantic comedy gets great help from the fact that the leads are in real-life, big stars in their own right and a couple as well.

Just how did writers of Raintree Pictures’ latest movie, Desmond Sim, Dennis Chew and Ekachai Uekrongtham manage to keep the real love story private and make the reel story a winner?

“(The film) was real in a sense that the two actors are a couple in real life, hence there are emotions involved,” says Sim.

However, at the same time, the writers had to make sure that what happens on the big-screen was not predictive of what is happening in real life.

“Who wants to watch them fall in love again in a predictable way? We started out with a premise that the characters of Fann and Chris didn’t like each other,” says Sim.

Thankfully, the chemistry between the couple on-screen was as “hot” as it was off-screen.

“The script gave them many opportunities to be spontaneous. For example, we knew that we wanted to show some intimate bedroom scenes in those circumstances. They were great,” recalls Sim of the scene when Fann initiated a kick in Chris’ face.

“Things like that cannot be scripted, it was pure chemistry there,” says Sim who says such chemistry made the script-writers’ role much easier.

“I was surprised at how sporting they were. They really grabbed the roles and made it their own.”

This was a far cry from the couple’s initial lukewarm response to the film which was greatly inspired by their upcoming nuptials later this year.

“I heard from (Fann and Chris) that they were not comfortable doing the movie initially. But after hearing the scriptwriters out, they loved it!” says Chew, who writes love dramas for his Mandarin radio show on FM93.3.

Even for the self-professed Fann Wong fan, Chew was surprised that the couple showed so much affection for each other.

“I didn’t know…they were so loving and so sweet!” said Chew who is taken aback when asked if it was all an act.

“No, you can feel (the chemistry), it’s really hot,” says Chew.

One of the most memorable behind-the-scenes episodes for the creative team included spending “many hours in discussion, locked up in a hotel room for almost a month”!

And if gazing out the windows of their hotel room failed to do the trick, food certainly played a part in moving their writer’s block!

“Food is always good,” jokes Sim.

Coming from a theatre script-writer background, Sim was able to relate differences between theatre and movie script-writing.

“Movies are always a challenge to theatre writers. In theatre, a lot of the story is carried by dialogue. In the movie, you’re painting by pictures. You only put words in the actors’ mouth when you absolutely have to or when you can’t show it,”

Some of the challenges that the script-writers found out was the difficulty in retaining the humour when translating the English script into Mandarin.

Still, at the end of the day, the trio has managed to keep the authenticity of this love-match made in heaven.

“The Wedding Game” is now out in theatres across the island.