Blonde Bridesmaids

Will You Be My Bridemaid? Even if you're not blonde?

Will You Be My Matron of Honor? Will you hold it against me if you're not a brunette?

Since Koru Wedding Shoppe opened almost five years ago, the "Will You Be" & "Thank You for Being" Bridal Party cards have been best-sellers. Brides love these sweet, sparkly cards! Available for Bridesmaids, Matron of Honor, Maid of Honor & Flower Girl, there is no better way to ask your bridal party in style & to thank them with grace. The cards are blank inside for the Bride to pen a personal note to each bridal party member & they become sentimental keepsakes from the wedding. Love, love these cards.

The following is a true story!

Last week, a Bride came to Koru & spent a fair amount of time admiring the "Will You Be" Bridal Party cards. The "Will You Be My Bridemaid?" card features a tiny blonde bridesmaid in a yellow dress, as shown above. The Bride asked me if the cards were available customized. I replied no, thinking perhaps she wanted each Bridesmaid's name printed. She said, "So all of my bridesmaids have to be blonde?"

Um, no, not exactly. I didn't know what to say. I received this card from my best friend when she asked me to be a part of her bridal party. Naturally, I said yes. I didn't care that the card featured a blonde bridesmaid & I'm a brunette. I doubt her other bridesmaids cared either because only one is blonde & everyone said yes. And, crazy as this may seem, we didn't wear yellow dresses like the card shows. The card is more about the sentiment, not the fun drawing of a bridesmaid.

People tell Brides that it's all about the details for a wedding. Yes, that's true to a certain extent. There is coordination of the details & there is matchy matchy of the details: coordination is the most realistic. Is it the end of the world if the color of the calla lilies in your bouquet doesn't match the reception table cloths exactly as planned? Nope, nobody will notice. Will your raven-haired best friend say no to being your bridesmaid because the card has a blonde bridesmaid? No, probably not. You can drive yourself crazy with the details or you can take the details in stride!

Just Carry On

Awesome message from Paper Source

"Keep Calm and Carry On"

Since I started this week with a quote, I decided to end with an inspirational quote. It was a pure stroke of luck when I stumbled upon this gem from my beloved Paper Source. How perfect! I need the water bottle ASAP.

There are countless instances in my professional & personal life when I should stay calm & move along. So what if my fiance tossed the silverware in the dishwasher again & I have to fish the forks from the bottom? Does it really matter if my food order arrived wrong? Should I be offended that the Bride mentioned she can get free shipping on invitations from an impersonal web site? Keep calm & carry on!!

According to Paper Source, the original "Keep Calm and Carry On" artwork was produced in 1939 as a propaganda poster for World War II. It was intended to stiffen resolve of the masses if the Nazis were successful in invading Great Britian. The poster was never formally released. Today, the great message applies to our day-to-day life.

When could you use this message? I've already mentioned I need the water bottle by my side 24/7. It's quite perfect for weddings too. Presented about one week before the wedding, this is the ideal gift for Brides. In the place of Brides, insert Grooms, Mother of the Brides, Mother of the Grooms, etc, etc. I wish I could offer the water bottle for sale at Koru Wedding Shoppe!

Option Three: Hyatt Regency Jersey City

Hyatt Regency Jersey City from TheKnot.com

Daytime NYC views from the Manhattan Ballroom terrace from Koru's Gallery

Teeny, tiny photo of the Manhattan Ballroom & its glorious views from Project Wedding

I could kick myself. Who goes to a site tour without a camera? Me. The very same me who reminds Brides & Grooms to take photos on site tours. Sigh. I'd hoped to return to snap some photos but my schedule didn't allow. Please bear with me on this one.

The Hyatt Regency Jersey City, perched on the Hudson River overlooking New York City, was our final site tour in nearby Exchange Place of Jersey City (requirement one). I have worked there before & I love everything about it. The big question was whether my fiance would agree with my assessment. I kept my mind open & I tried to see things through his eyes, like I was seeing everything for the first time. It's pretty safe to say we fell for Hyatt Regency Jersey City hook, line & sinker.

To reach the event space, we took an elevator to a top, private floor of the hotel. As we exited the elevator, we entered the Cocktail Hour, a pre-function space with a grand piano & one wall of floor-to-ceiling windows offering river views. Then we moved along to the Manhattan Ballroom. Try to picture this if you can: three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows with picturesque, 180-degree NYC views (requirement two). You can see from the George Washington Bridge to the Statue of Liberty! The skyline glitters & sparkles in the night, creating the perfect backdrop for a wedding reception. Talk about a WOW factor!!

Deja vu from our past site tours: we could easily imagine hosting our wedding reception at Hyatt Regency Jersey City. We did stop gawking at the NYC skyline long enough to sit down with the nice catering manager & discuss other details of our wedding. Once again, we were pleased with the space, service & food. Having worked there before, I could attest that everything is top notch. My fiance's eyes lit up at the mere mention of a sushi station. I spied mac & cheese as an hors d'oeuvres too! Also, we appreciated a price adjustment (yeah, winter wedding!) to better fit our budget (requirement three). Did I mention the NYC views? The views are phenomenal, it's tough to beat those views.

So where will we host our wedding reception??!! Coming soon: our final decision!!

Pretty in Pink

The closed pocket invitation features a seal with the couple's name & design

The pocket opens to reveal the wedding invitation & enclosures

The invitation showcases combination lettering & a delicate design

Love, love the blossom pink design

The whole invitation ensemble that I simply adore!

Stop the presses. I had another post planned for today until this wedding invitation arrived in the mail. I had to share it with you immediately. Just look at this incredible invitation!!

The invitation was a long time coming which explains my excitement when it arrived today. Way back in the cold days of November (can you believe it's almost April?!), the Bride & Groom came to Koru Wedding Shoppe looking for an invitation for their June wedding. It was love at first sight when they saw the album Wedding One by Marsupial Invitations. They focused on a traditional pocket invitation shown in a dark gray/silver color scheme with a snowflake motif for a winter wedding. Clearly, not the right look for a June wedding.

The Bride & I worked together over the next three months before we finalized a design & look that matched her vision. She chose the blossom pink for her pocket & envelopes, a color I had only used as a backer before. She picked a mahogany backer for definition, a color I had used many times for the pocket, & matching mocha ink color. Rather than a motif, we chose a delicate design in pink to be placed on the side of each card behind the text. All in all, the look of this invitation was different than any I had previously done.

The invitation is light & airy, just perfect for a June wedding. The design is delicate, yet makes a statement. Pretty in pink indeed.

Option Two: W Hoboken

Beautiful orchids greet you in W Hoboken lobby

Sweet Stargazer Lily arrangements displayed on the way to the event space

The sleek space for Cocktail Hour. I fell hard for the purple lighting.

In addition to traditional cocktail tables, some cool banquettes offer seating for guests

A wedding table set in the Ballroom

After our successful site tour at Chart House, I wondered if we should keep our next appointment at W Hoboken, the one & only wedding venue in our hometown of Hoboken (requirement one). W Hoboken opened one year ago, located along the Hoboken waterfront with signature W Hotel style; it's cool & hip. Here is the thing: W Hoboken has no New York City skyline views from the ballroom (requirement two). Despite my reservations about the non-view, we decided to check it out anyway.

Let me tell you, we were blown away by W Hoboken. We were whisked up a staircase lined with wheat grass & candles to the event space. For cocktails, we preferred the open, sleek, pre-function space lined with banquettes & lounge furniture & highlighted with purple lighting over the club-like room with limited NYC views. In the ballroom, we were greeted by a waiter offering mimosas & chocolate-covered strawberries. My fiance & I are complete suckers for the sweet, small touches! To discuss our wedding further with the lovely catering manager, we sat at a sample table set for a wedding. I barely noticed there were no city views!!

Just like the Chart House, it was easy to imagine our wedding at W Hoboken. We were thrilled the space, the service & the food. It's really hard for me to pass up an appetizer menu that includes mini grilled cheese with tomato soup shooters! Also, we appreciated the fact that W Hoboken was willing to work with us on the price (hello, advantage to winter wedding!) to better match our budget (requirement three). Plus we adore Hoboken & there is a definite charm to hosting our entire wedding in this great town.

All in all, as we wrapped up our site tour & headed back into the rainy day, we had the sinking feeling that deciding where to hold our wedding was going to be a much, much tougher decision than we realized.

Coming soon: details of our visit to Hyatt Regency Jersey City!

One of Those Days

I wish I was here today: Corona Beach, Mexico.
Look at the pink of the sunset reflected in the ocean: beautiful!

"Nothing is worth more than this day."

I have this quote posted on my desk at work to remind me that every day, good or bad, is a gift. When a Bride is stressing out because the ink on her invitations doesn't perfectly match her bridesmaids dresses, I take a deep breath & recite this quote to myself. When I'm having a blah day, I take a long look at this quote & remind myself that I'm a blessed girl. When I'm experiencing a fabulous day, I think of this quote & thank my lucky stars.

I don't know if the rainy, gray weather is getting to me but I'm not feeling anything today. I had little inspiration for what to post today. Normally, I'm brimming over with countless ideas. I thought about my own wedding & nothing came to me. I considered the two wonderful couples I worked with on their wedding invitations this weekend & nothing stood out for me. I trolled the Internet in search of something, anything!, to feature & nothing there either. Hmmm.

I stopped at Koru Wedding Shoppe briefly today & the quote seemed to jump out at me because I needed the reminder so much. I paused & considered five things to be thankful for today, despite the icky weather & my so-so mood. Today is my day off & I can do exactly as I please. I have shelter from the cold rain. I got to spend my morning relaxing on the couch with my purring cat. I indulged in my favorite comfort food, mac & cheese, for lunch. I have the best friends & family, with a special shout-out to my fiance. "Nothing is worth more than this day."

I may wish I was relaxing at Corona Beach, shown above, but can I really complain about my life in Hoboken? Not so much.

Whether you are having a good day or a bad day (& I hope you're having a great day!!), please take a moment to stop & consider this quote: "Nothing is worth more than this day!"

Option One: Chart House

Daytime views from Chart House's outdoor terrace

Night views from the Chart House

Daytime views from the Chart House via OpenTable

Last Saturday, the hurricane-like conditions of strong winds & torrential downpour couldn't damper my spirits: I was going on my first site tour as a Bride!! I'd been on a million & one tours as a wedding planner but now the stakes were higher. Today's tour was all about our wedding & finding the perfect place for our reception!

I slipped on my rainboots & my fiance & I headed to our first site tour at the Chart House, a fabulous restaurant located in nearby Weehawken (requirement one). Perched on a pier along the Hudson River, Chart House boasts impressive New York City views (requirement two). We have celebrated occasions there & we love the food & ambiance. Would we love the event space as much?

In one word: YES! Upon entering the Chart House, you're led up a sweeping staircase to the separate event space. The first thing you notice is the plentiful windows framing the classic New York City skyline even on a rainy day. As you tour the foyer with an outdoor terrace, the cocktail hour room & the ballroom, the views knock you out. Incredible!

When I peeled my eyes away from the New York City view & concentrated on other aspects of the wedding, it was easy to imagine our wedding at Chart House. My fiance & I had found the catering menus a bit confusing at first but when the patient Catering Manager reviewed everything with us, it made sense. We were able to create a custom menu from appetizers to dessert that really reflected our tastes & fit in our budget (requirement three). Overall, we were thrilled with the Chart House & it remains a strong consideration.

Coming Soon: details of our visit to W Hotel Hoboken!