Sierrastyle Weddings - 18

always a bridesmaid BY DArreN eLMS, SOIree SAvANT tears, trends and talk Welcome to “Always a Bridesmaid.” Why the cheeky title, you ask? Well, ever since my good girlfriends began marrying off in recent years, I became the go-to-gay-guy for many of their aesthetic (and often emotional) needs. Go figure. No stereotypes here or anything! But, rather than fight against my instinctive creative urges, I decided to embrace the role with enthusiasm and help my darling brides-to-be make their special day both memorable and fashionable. My knowledge of current trends and love for throwing parties seemed a natural fit and a welcome contribution. Sure, there was a dramatic dress fitting, some traumatic food tastings, and a few floral fiascos, but after a few spa treatments, there was plenty of bridal bliss to go around—the big days later went on without a hitch. Now I get to share some of my stylish observations with you, my blushing brides…so let’s pour a few margaritas and get this party started! get on your feet I’ve become a big fan of tasting stations at weddings—a simple, efficient way to get guests on their feet and mingling during the reception. These stations come in many forms: wine bars, cheese tables, candy counters, cupcake towers, chocolate fountains, I’ve seen them all. What I love most about them is the social interaction they inherently provide. Whether you encounter an experienced sommelier describing a vintage pinot noir or watch kids (and, yes, adults love them too!) trying to dip strawberries in a delicious, flowing chocolate fountain, the experience of moving around the room and being an active participant in the reception is fun, interactive and appetizing. And, hey, you may even meet some new people! Check out californiachocolatefountains.com. something green Green weddings are HUGE this year…and I’m not talking about the maid of honor’s dress hue. I have to say, I’m pretty thrilled about this growing trend. Increasing environmental awareness in all aspects of daily life, from homes to autos to travel, have brides and grooms everywhere planning weddings with a decidedly ecofriendly angle. The best thing about throwing a green wedding is you have the control to incorporate as little or a lot of earth-friendly measures as you desire…and there are MANY to choose from. One simple way you can make a statement is by using recycled paper for all invitations, thank you cards, place setting cards, etc. or incorporating some email elements, such as rather than a reply card, have a reply email request instead. Another idea would be to plan an organic menu that pull ingredients from local vendors, reducing shipping energy and pollution. Speaking of transport, instead of a limo, ask your trasnportation vendor if they have eco-friendly vehicles (more and more transportation companies are starting to use eco-friendly vehicles). How cool would it be to arrive in a Prius! Linens, flowers, rings, and even your wedding dress can come from environmentally sound sources as well, making for a truly organic occasion. Cap off the experience with a honeymoon at a sustainable resort… now that’s commitment to the cause! For more ideas on green weddings, check out these eco-friendly Web sites: portovert.com and ecochicweddings.com. take a bow The first dance will always be one of my favorite moments at the reception: the newlyweds enter the room to thunderous applause then immediately take the stage for romantic rendezvous on the dance floor. Classic! So why not step it up and really dazzle your guests with some sophisticated moves? More and more couples are taking dance lessons and even choreographing numbers for this very occasion. Some are humorous, others elegant, a few even of the dramatic. Whether a tango, waltz or salsa, a little panache and some fancy footwork will get your guests on their feet and clapping for more. It’s your day, work it out! And, don’t forget to post it on YouTube after! For more ideas check out showcaseballroom.com. For more resources to help you plan your wedding, please log on to our Web site, sierrastyle.com, and check out our planning tools and article archives. all in the family My brother Bryan recently married his fiancé of several years Suzette in a lovely, intimate ceremony. A highlight of the day was the way they included her son Michael into both the ceremony and reception. Many weddings include children from previous relationships, and it’s great to see the unique ways couples create a sense of a family from the exchanging the vows onward. One beautifully symbolic approach is to offer a ring to the children during the ceremony. Just as the couples exchange rings to seal their commitment to each other, this simple and sweet gesture joins the children in that unity. Sitting the children at the head table with the bride and groom only further establishes this bond. At my brother’s wedding they even had a separate cake with Hot Wheels on it to represent both Bryan and Michael’s love of fast cars. 18 sierrastyle weddings Summer/Fall 2008 sierrastyle.com Something Green illustration © istockphoto.com/Diane Labombarbe. Get On Your Feet chocolate fountatin photo © istockphoto.com/Franklin Lugenbeel. Take a Bow photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography, sarahmarenphotography.com.
http://californiachocolatefountains.com http://istockphoto.com/Franklin http://portovert.com http://ecochicweddings.com http://istockphoto.com/Diane http://showcaseballroom.com http://sierrastyle.com http://sierrastyle.com

Sierrastyle Weddings

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Sierrastyle Weddings

Editor's Letter
Always a Bridesmaid
For Your Review
Bridal Show Calendar
Dynamite Weddings
Gifts
Beauty Watch
Ceremony
Cover Model Finalists
Snapshots
Destination Wedding Locale - Lake Tahoe
Etiquette Q & A
Your Rehearsal Dinner
Real Weddings - April & Mike
Real Weddings - Jennifer & Benjamin
Real Weddings - Caitie & Bronte
Real Weddings - Brandy & James
Real Weddings - Danielle & Matt
Real Weddings - Megan & Jeramie
Real Weddings - Erica & Eric
Real Weddings - Kelly & Daniel
Real Weddings - Teri & Scott
Real Weddings - Haley & John
Real Weddings - Alison & Eric
Real Weddings - Kate & Eric
Real Weddings - Amy & Joe
Real Weddings - Suzan & Alan
Real Weddings - Pam & Luke
Real Weddings - Mary & Devin
Real Weddings - Monica & Lance
Real Weddings - Katie & Mick
Real Weddings - Nicole & Peter
Real Weddings - Julie & Paul
Real Weddings - Rebecca & Alfonso
Unique Honeymoon Ideas
The Style Files
The Timeline
The Giveaway Page
Words of Wisdom- Frank & Dean Graeber Celebrate 63 Years of Marriage
Sierrastyle Weddings - 1
Sierrastyle Weddings - 2
Sierrastyle Weddings - 3
Sierrastyle Weddings - 4
Sierrastyle Weddings - 5
Sierrastyle Weddings - 6
Sierrastyle Weddings - 7
Sierrastyle Weddings - 8
Sierrastyle Weddings - 9
Sierrastyle Weddings - 10
Sierrastyle Weddings - 11
Sierrastyle Weddings - Editor's Letter
Sierrastyle Weddings - 13
Sierrastyle Weddings - 14
Sierrastyle Weddings - 15
Sierrastyle Weddings - 16
Sierrastyle Weddings - 17
Sierrastyle Weddings - Always a Bridesmaid
Sierrastyle Weddings - 19
Sierrastyle Weddings - For Your Review
Sierrastyle Weddings - Bridal Show Calendar
Sierrastyle Weddings - Dynamite Weddings
Sierrastyle Weddings - 23
Sierrastyle Weddings - Gifts
Sierrastyle Weddings - 25
Sierrastyle Weddings - 26
Sierrastyle Weddings - 27
Sierrastyle Weddings - 28
Sierrastyle Weddings - 29
Sierrastyle Weddings - 30
Sierrastyle Weddings - 31
Sierrastyle Weddings - Beauty Watch
Sierrastyle Weddings - 33
Sierrastyle Weddings - Ceremony
Sierrastyle Weddings - 35
Sierrastyle Weddings - 36
Sierrastyle Weddings - Cover Model Finalists
Sierrastyle Weddings - 38
Sierrastyle Weddings - 39
Sierrastyle Weddings - 40
Sierrastyle Weddings - 41
Sierrastyle Weddings - 42
Sierrastyle Weddings - 43
Sierrastyle Weddings - 44
Sierrastyle Weddings - 45
Sierrastyle Weddings - 46
Sierrastyle Weddings - 47
Sierrastyle Weddings - 48
Sierrastyle Weddings - 49
Sierrastyle Weddings - 50
Sierrastyle Weddings - 51
Sierrastyle Weddings - 52
Sierrastyle Weddings - Snapshots
Sierrastyle Weddings - 54
Sierrastyle Weddings - 55
Sierrastyle Weddings - 56
Sierrastyle Weddings - 57
Sierrastyle Weddings - Destination Wedding Locale - Lake Tahoe
Sierrastyle Weddings - 59
Sierrastyle Weddings - 60
Sierrastyle Weddings - 61
Sierrastyle Weddings - Etiquette Q & A
Sierrastyle Weddings - 63
Sierrastyle Weddings - Your Rehearsal Dinner
Sierrastyle Weddings - 65
Sierrastyle Weddings - 66
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - April & Mike
Sierrastyle Weddings - 68
Sierrastyle Weddings - 69
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Jennifer & Benjamin
Sierrastyle Weddings - 71
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Caitie & Bronte
Sierrastyle Weddings - 73
Sierrastyle Weddings - 74
Sierrastyle Weddings - 75
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Brandy & James
Sierrastyle Weddings - 77
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Danielle & Matt
Sierrastyle Weddings - 79
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Megan & Jeramie
Sierrastyle Weddings - 81
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Erica & Eric
Sierrastyle Weddings - 83
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Kelly & Daniel
Sierrastyle Weddings - 85
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Teri & Scott
Sierrastyle Weddings - 87
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Haley & John
Sierrastyle Weddings - 89
Sierrastyle Weddings - 90
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Alison & Eric
Sierrastyle Weddings - 92
Sierrastyle Weddings - 93
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Kate & Eric
Sierrastyle Weddings - 95
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Amy & Joe
Sierrastyle Weddings - 97
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Suzan & Alan
Sierrastyle Weddings - 99
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Pam & Luke
Sierrastyle Weddings - 101
Sierrastyle Weddings - 102
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Mary & Devin
Sierrastyle Weddings - 104
Sierrastyle Weddings - 105
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Monica & Lance
Sierrastyle Weddings - 107
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Katie & Mick
Sierrastyle Weddings - 109
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Nicole & Peter
Sierrastyle Weddings - 111
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Julie & Paul
Sierrastyle Weddings - 113
Sierrastyle Weddings - Real Weddings - Rebecca & Alfonso
Sierrastyle Weddings - 115
Sierrastyle Weddings - Unique Honeymoon Ideas
Sierrastyle Weddings - 117
Sierrastyle Weddings - 118
Sierrastyle Weddings - 119
Sierrastyle Weddings - 120
Sierrastyle Weddings - The Style Files
Sierrastyle Weddings - 122
Sierrastyle Weddings - 123
Sierrastyle Weddings - 124
Sierrastyle Weddings - 125
Sierrastyle Weddings - 126
Sierrastyle Weddings - 127
Sierrastyle Weddings - 128
Sierrastyle Weddings - 129
Sierrastyle Weddings - 130
Sierrastyle Weddings - 131
Sierrastyle Weddings - 132
Sierrastyle Weddings - 133
Sierrastyle Weddings - 134
Sierrastyle Weddings - 135
Sierrastyle Weddings - 136
Sierrastyle Weddings - 137
Sierrastyle Weddings - 138
Sierrastyle Weddings - 139
Sierrastyle Weddings - 140
Sierrastyle Weddings - 141
Sierrastyle Weddings - 142
Sierrastyle Weddings - 143
Sierrastyle Weddings - 144
Sierrastyle Weddings - 145
Sierrastyle Weddings - 146
Sierrastyle Weddings - 147
Sierrastyle Weddings - 148
Sierrastyle Weddings - 149
Sierrastyle Weddings - 150
Sierrastyle Weddings - 151
Sierrastyle Weddings - The Timeline
Sierrastyle Weddings - 153
Sierrastyle Weddings - 154
Sierrastyle Weddings - 155
Sierrastyle Weddings - 156
Sierrastyle Weddings - 157
Sierrastyle Weddings - 158
Sierrastyle Weddings - The Giveaway Page
Sierrastyle Weddings - 160
Sierrastyle Weddings - 161
Sierrastyle Weddings - Words of Wisdom- Frank & Dean Graeber Celebrate 63 Years of Marriage
Sierrastyle Weddings - 163
Sierrastyle Weddings - 164
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com