frankly speaking

So what do you do with all the invitation samples that get discontinued?  Make a dress out of them, and display it in your window! 

The NICE (Nace/Ises/Chicago/Excellence) Awards are back.  This year the awards ceremony is on April 20th at the Venue at the Horseshoe Hammond.  I am nominated for Best Wedding over $75,000.00  This is the 16th nomination I have received,and I have won 14 of those nominations.  Fingers Crossed.

Last week, one of my brides and I attended the CS Night of Bridal Luxury.  It was packed!  As we moved thru the Ritz’s Promendade, we viewed gowns from Belle Vie, one of my favorite salons on Oak Street.  Food stations, passed appetizers and wine and champagne were enjoyed.  We then moved into the Ritz’s newly remodeled ballroom.  I was flattered to be seated in the VIP area (the only consultant of the many who attended the event) and sat not far from  Kyla Weber (Vince Vaughn’s wife) and Jillian Harris, from ABC’s the Bachelorette. The runway was set in a square, and we were all seated inside of the square.  Photos of a few of the gowns featured are show. The gowns were very “atherial” and showed alot of black accents (gloves, ribbon sashes etc), which were very striking.  Last photo is of me and CS Brides Edior in chief Elise Hofer and CS Brides Publisher Amy Allen.  A lovely night! 

i was beyond flattered to be asked to re-present my the keynote address I gave to the ABC at the annual conference last November in Indianapolis.  I was asked by the groups leader, John Goolsby.  John has done a wonderful job leading group, evidenced by such a wonderfully planned and executed meeting. It was the largest turnout this group ever had.  And John is not a consultant, he is an awesome videographer. You can check out his work at www.godfatherfilms.com

The meeting was held at the Mission Inn in Riverside. It is a historic hotel from the 1920s.  I had the pleasure of stayng there. It was amazing, so much history. I actually took a histoic tour on Tuesday morning after I had breakfast.  For more info www.missioninn.com

The evening titled “Fire and Ice” started out in the courtyard (one of many at the hotel) right by the room we were having dinner. An ice bar and cool lounge furniture set the tone, along with great cocktails and appetizers.  It was nice to mingle and meet so many new people.  We then moved into dinner, where the “fire theme” came through brillantly.  Orange tablecloths, red napkins and great florals in fire tones graced the room, in addition to moving flames created by lighting on all the walls.  We started with our first course of an asparagus bisque.  After this was done, we received a docent tour of the area of the hotel we were in.  He showed us the courtyard, “flyers wall” and statuary.  We then moved into the most lovely chapel, that hosts over 450 weddings a year.   We walked into an organist playing “Canon in D”, and all I could think was “Smile, lower your flowers, slow down,  no not yet, ok, now, smile, lower your flowers… ” things I say to bridesmaids at every wedding. This is still a very popular processional. The docent explained how the chapel came to be, that the owner had purchased this elaborate altar from a private family in Mexico for only $5,000.00   The owner of the hotel collected alot of eclectic things that are on display all over the hotel.  Everything from Tiffany Stained glass windows (in the chapel) to a bell collection, to asian art.  We then were told how these magnifcent floor to ceiling mahagony doors we walk thru, open up small, or when the bride enters, go full size. With this a trumpeteer (with one of those old long thin trumpets, ala the Kentucky Derby) entered, and hearlded in the bride and her Dad (with the organ) to Clarke’s Trumpet Voluntary.  What a nice touch!
We then returned back to the dining room and finsihed dinner with an entree of a beef and salmon skewer.  I couldnt finish it, but it might have been nerves, as I was on next.  My presentation was received with great accord.  I got lots of compiments.  I love speaking and really hope I can do more.  What a great trip! 

Had a great birthday on Saturday.  After a VERY quick trip into to the studio to change an invitation style (yes, I was there), Shawn and I headed downtown to and checked into the Ritz Carlton.  They are still undergoing a massive renovation to their lobby, but if you didn’t know what was there before you wouldn’t know.  You cannot enter the building from the Pearson side, you need to valet and then walk thru what used to be Water Tower Place’s drop off area (no longer used after 9/11).  From here we went to check in.  the Lobby is completely gone, but you’d never know unless you have been there before. They have done a great job of masking off what is going on. A temporary wall blocks it, and it looks great.  The Lobby Atirum Bar and Cafe are gone.  They have created a temporary entrance to the ballrooms that walks you around all this, again, never letting you know what is even going on.  Like I said if you didn’t know what was there before hand, you’d never know they are under contruction.  They have relocated their restaurant service into what used to be the old Carlton Club. 

The Day started with Spa appointments. Shawn had a mani/pedi, and I opted for a one hour Swedish Massage.  This was the first massage I ever had that did not have the Spa Music, you know that New Age/Enya kind. Instead they have lovely classical music, that I just lost myself in.  Was great.

From here, we walked down the Drake, and had dinner in the famous Cape Cod Room.  Thanks to Shawn for doing this, as he does not at fish, but was happy with his Romaine Salad and NY strip!  I started with Oysters Rockafeller and then Walleye Pike for my entree. I tried the Marascopne Grits (just ok) and Sauteed Mushrooms (always good).  They brought me a little birthday cake for dessert that we both shared. 

We got back to the Ritz to find another chocolate Mousse cake and bottle of Pinot Noir from Marc and his staff in the Catering Department.  I opted to open the bottle of Don Perrignon I brought instead.  We sipped this and enjoyd the cake.  It was a dessert weekend.  Kathy from Swedish Bakery sent my favorite chocolate ganache cake w/ chocolate mousse (I think the best chocolate cake I have ever had), Sarah from Sarah’s pasteries sent cupcakes, and two of my clients brought me creme puffs. Needless to say, not all of these got eaten, so my neighbors here at home have indulged.  We then sat back and watch “Nine” on pay per view. I’ve see the musical, love the music and did not get to see the movie, so this was perfect.  HATED the movie. It just didn’t transfer well from stage to screen, as so many just don’t work well this, and visa versa (Footloose, Dirty Dancing and Fame come to mind). 

We enjoyed breakfast this morning in the Carlton Club, and relaxed with lots of coffee, the NY Times, and Sunday Trib.  Now, home for a bit to switch suitcases and head off to our “home away from home” to celebrate our 21st Anniversary on Wednesday. 

Sorry, no pics from the bday celebration. On purpose, I left my phone home.

Recently, I blogged about latest trends in wedding gowns, (pockets!) so now I’d like to give the guys some attention.  Here is what I am seeing in the latest trends in formalwear.

Classic is still the rule.  Black is still the most popular tux color.  Browns made a appearance a few years back, but I think we are done with that.  Grey has some presence, especially if a morning coat.  NOTE:  Etiquette calls for this to be worn at morning weddings.  Groom and groomsmen should then change into black tie/tuxedo.  Is this rule broken?  All the time.

Fabric.  We are seeing nicer fabrics in rentals. 

Shirts.  Plain, non pleated made of a satin luster micro fiber are great.   Shirts with simple lay down collars are more popular than the wing collared shirt  Make sure you pick up collar stays.  I keep them in my emergency kit just in case. 

Shoes.  Comfort is most important.  Shoes are more simple, staying away from pointed or square toes. (Sorry, this guy LOVES square toes, again for comfort, the remains of a hammer toe from years ago). 

With the popular trend of the bride changing into a party dress later in the evening, why not the groom?  Grooms are changing into white dinner jackets with black pants (Think Bond, James Bond) or even a color.  I actually own an ivory dinner jacket, but haven’t donned it in years.  Even Colored jackets (red) can be worn to make a statement. 

Color.. when trying to match your groomsmen to your bridesmaids think carefully.  I would match tie or the pocket square, but not the vest… to “promy”. 

Ties– The bow tie is starting to make a comeback from the long tie. 

Lastly, more grooms are buying a tux.  My thought is if she gets to buy her gown, why can’t he buy his tux?  It is much more likely that he will use it after the wedding than the bride wearing her gown again. 

I was flattered to be asked to attend the Drake’s first Oscar Party. It was a delight.  Upon arrival we were directed to the Drake Room, where were directed to walk the Red Carpet.  “Joan Rivers” then commented on attire, she loved my jacket and pin.  We then had a photo taken with Oscar backdrop just like in Hollywood.  From here we continued down the red to the Gold Coast room  A huge circular bar was in the center of the room with a huge palm towering from the center of it (Did they see my weddings with all palms in this room?) .  The whole room was Hollywood, that I must say was carried off the by the attendees.  Most of the men were in Tuxedo, or at least a dark suit.  The woman were all glammed in stunning dresses, and very large percentage in full gowns.  This just added to the festivities.  Huge screens by seating areas were scattered thoughout the ballroom.  Food stations were plentiful, and the food selections were all themed to match the films nominated.  From Scallops and collard greens to Fish and chips, to Blue colored Oriental buns, to mini burgers, hummus and Matzo Ball soup everyone enjoyed. An ice sculpture of the Drake held huge prawns.  Who doesnt love and load up on these! Dessert was lavish sweet table.   Everyone received a swag bag as they left.    I only saw one of the films nominated (UP, saw on a plane) and am not a film person (unlike theater) I really enjoyed myself.

I am wearing an Elda deLaRosa custom jacket.  Elda was selected in the final ten  out of hundreds of designers to design the dress the model wore who brought out the awards.  She get selected (and don’t understand after seeing what won), but as they say “it is a huge honor to just be nominated.”  Exactly how I feed every time I am up for award. 

The last several days my Admin Asst Julie (in pic on the left) has been spent assembling these awesome invitations. We actually all donned white gloves to  insure no fingerprints or marks would be adhered to the all silk boxes whilte we put them all together.

 Due to client confidentiality, I could not show the actual invitation.  It is a custom invite, done with original calligraphy.  Paper is an ivory satin, mounted over a lilac satin.  Print is all in black.  When the ivory dupioni silk box is opened, the invitation is on the bottom, and the repsonse and reception card are on the top.  The box is tied with Midori Organza ribbon, and fastened with a broche of purple crystals.  This was then wrapped in Lilac tissue and secured with a seal of the custom monogram I had designed (is on the invite as well).  This is then places in a mailing box.  The white mailing box has an oversized ivory label, complete with custom monogram (can you see my branding of this event).  We took them to the post office today.  I can’t wait to hear guests reactions.  My thought would be “if this is the invite, I can’t even imagine the wedding”.  Well, all I can say, it will be another over the top Frank production.  Again, due to client confidentiality, I cannot release names, date, or locations.  But stay tuned,  I am sure you will be reading about this once the wedding has happened!