Wedding Showcase
Stand by me - Being a bridesmaid is an honor and a responsibility
Les Gardner From left to right, Rachael Hanley, Stefanie Tedeschi, Kristina Tedeschi, Jesslyn Hapgood, Kara Travinski and Carolyn Towle get together for one of many photos during the cocktail hour at White Cliffs in Northborough. The estate was built in 1886 by firearms magnate Daniel Wesson for his wife, Cynthia. It is said Cynthia's ghost still roams the mansion's 32 rooms. |
It was the morning of my wedding, and one of my freshly manicured nails had developed a giant chip - on my left hand, of course.
Perfect.
"Don't worry!" said one of my bridesmaids, Rachael Hanley, who had spent the previous night at the hotel in Marlborough where we were now getting ready. Her boyfriend happened to be going to the store, she said, and could pick up a bottle of polish to touch up my French tip.
Problem solved. What a relief.
Intervening in that near catastrophe was just one of the many feats performed by Rachael, and the other members of my wedding party, who helped keep me sane in the weeks, days and hours leading up to my Dec. 9 wedding.
Family affair: Tips to make it easier for kids - and grownups - at destination weddings
As the bride and groom turned toward each other to say their vows, the ocean sparkled in the background and white sand warmed the guests' feet. The moment was interrupted only by a toddler - mine - yelling, "I want to sit in Mommy's lap!"
A rose is a rose is a rose ... But other flowers can be as lovely on your wedding day
Roses have long been preferred for wedding bouquets but adventurous brides today may consider mini calla lilies, peonies, dahlias or orchids. And, while the bride usually still wears white, her flowers may be any color of the rainbow.
The wedding-day hairdo Whether it's a classic French twist you want or loose, elegant curls, your hairstylist can help
Ever found yourself in front of your bathroom mirror, trying to style wayward locks of hair into submission? It can leave even the most coordinated woman wishing she had an extra arm or two, not to mention eyes in the back of her head. Add a serious case of the pre-wedding jitters, and no wonder so many brides call in the pros to do their hair, who are more than happy to do the honors.
Trashing the wedding dress It may save on cleaning bills, but will it catch on?
Dustin Sanders of Ruston, La., loads his weapon with pink, orange and yellow paintballs, takes aim and fires. His target: a $500 partially beaded wedding gown worn by his bride of 4 months, Jessica.
Vera Wang likes the look of yesteryear for today's brides
To talk about bridal fashion trends is almost moot: Yes, there are subtle differences from season to season but, in the end, the gowns are almost always white, feminine and pretty.
Bachelor parties gone bad can test relationships
As the big day draws near, some brides have more on their mind than seating charts, centerpieces and last-minute checklists. They're worried about strippers and lap dances.
A case of trellis envy
Childe Hassam painted them, and Louis Comfort Tiffany immortalized them in glass, but it was Claude Monet's garden that gave me a serious case of trellis envy.
Making a statement Traditional or trendy, invitations will set the tone
Because it is the first glimpse your guests will have regarding your upcoming nuptials, the style, wording and feel of your wedding invitation is an important first step toward the perfect celebration.
Hairdo tips from the pros
Wedding-day hair can be a worry-free zone with a little planning. Follow these tips from the pros to make the process go smoothly.
Sparkle and shine in your bridesmaid gown
By Sharon Mosley Copley News Service
A guide to finding a florist
The key to outstanding wedding flowers is choosing the right floral designer for your needs. There are many commercial florists in our area as well as independent floral designers. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. When dining in a restaurant or attending an event where you admire the flowers, ask who created the arrangements.
Tips for future bridesmaids
An online search at the Web site, theknot.com, offered this helpful information for future bridesmaids:
Your carriage awaits Book a classic limo for a stylish departure
Even at the turn of the last century, the bridal couple's ride helped define the luxury of the day. By 1921, New York entrepreneur James P. Carey was pioneering the rental chauffeured motorcar. This allowed a burgeoning middle class to rent a taste of lifestyles of the rich and famous (presumably sparing them Daisy's bicycle built for two) and launched what has become a multibillion-dollar a year industry.
Add some horsepower to your wedding getaway
The fairy-tale princess took off in a coach to live happily ever after, why not you? Horse-drawn carriages, ranging from the classic vis-a-vis ("face-to-face") coach to replicas of Cinderella's coach are still available for hire.
Pursuit of fiance visas leads lovelorn to bond online
This is what love has done to Wendy Brown: She's lost weight, resumed smoking and all but decided to move to the Balkans to be with her Albanian fiance. And each night, she spends hours in her cozy Baltimore apartment mingling online with strangers who are equally fixated on the same topic: getting their soul mates through the U.S. immigration system.
Lingerie for the bridal boudoir
Oh, what to wear on the big honeymoon night! Will it be the elegant peignoir set, the vampy corset and garter belt, or a sassy little camisole with boy shorts?
There are lots of different styles of lingerie to choose from for that all-important honeymoon, says lingerie designer Flora Nikrooz.
Turbans and top hats Wedding industry woos Asian weddings, adds American twist
The wedding procession making its way through a suburban parking lot recently could have been transported from some ancient Hindu kingdom.
Q & A: Honeymoons
Exerpts from a recent Washington Post online chat with Nina Willdorf, a senior editor at Travel & Leisure magazine, on the perfect honeymoon. Willdorf is the author of "Wedding Chic: The Savvy Bride's Guide to Getting More While Spending Less'' and "City Chic: The Urban Girl's Guide to Livin' Large on Less.''
Brides can seamlessly incorporate ‘something blue' into their look
Brides probably don't know exactly why they're wearing something blue on their wedding day, but they've been doing it for so long few want to break with tradition.
