Celebration...not obligation

That's what your wedding is about. You and your beloved should be celebrating this milestone moment with those people in your life who mean the most. Simply put - a wedding is about "celebration - not obligation".

As a planner, I hear it all of the time. Guest lists that are crazy out of control because couples feel as if they MUST invite everyone in the known galaxy....the 4th cousin twice removed, the passenger who sits next to you on the commuter train, the lady down the street from your grandma who used to make cookies when you were small, the ladies from your aunt's Flower Circle at church who pinched your cheeks when you were 5 and attending Sunday School, the girl who's wedding you were in (but in actuality, you REALLY don't want her as a part of your party)...oh, this list goes on.

Wanna save money? Get off of the bus - ring the bell and tell the driver "the next stop is mine". In plain terms, rein it in and start to clearly articulate who can make the "cut". I get it - everyone thinks they are important enought to warrant an invite to your shindig. Unless your name is Jay-Z, Diddy, Trump, Gates, Buffet (throw in your favorite millionaire), it costs $$$$ to have a wedding. Let's be real here - you know you have a budget and you know you have to live after the "I Do's" are said. Make life easy on you (and your wallet) - take a closer look at those names on the spreadsheet. Have the "conversation" with your fiance' and be honest - if you don't know the names on the list....reconsider sending that invitation.

You should be able to mingle at your reception and seriously know every single face that's in the place. Period. A wedding is about the joining of hearts, families and friends - it's special. No one should ever make you feel OBLIGATED to include a guest that you don't know. This is your wedding, your party and you have the right to extend that special honor to attend to the people who really matter. This isn't a "free for all" or a "house party". It's the day you become Mr. & Mrs., and from my perspective -that means a lot.

At the end of the day - I want you to be able to look back and remember all of the smiling faces that saw you begin this amazing journey. Those should be faces that you chose to celebrate with you...not because you felt you HAD to invite them. There's a distinct difference between choice and obligation. Make sure you know which one is important on this day.......

Timeless.....

is the only word I can use to describe Ivanka Trump's wedding gown. A custom Vera Wang design, it's fashioned after the one Grace Kelly wore back in 1956 when she wed Prince Ranier of Monaco. With the beautiful jewels adorning her ears and wrist, that simply stunning bouquet AND the love of her life by her side....what more could a bride want?

This is the look I think of when brides tell me they want a classic, elegant look. The dainty sleeves really give the dress a feminine air and the simple shaping is so flattering to many figures. I've always thought that a bride should be at her most ladylike on this special day...Ivanka has got that "look" all tied up in a pretty package!!!

photo credits:

Jared Kushner/Ivanka Trump: Fred Marcus Photography/Getty Images

Prince Ranier & Grace Kelly: Pauline Weston Thomas for fashion-era.com

Survey Says!!!

I couldn't resist that line from one of my absolutely favorite game shows, Family Feud :)

However in this case, there's actually a survey being conducted and the researches from the University of Virginia need your help. Here are the details - if it sounds like something you'd like to participate in, contact the doctoral candidate, Christina Reitz-Krueger, directly.

Engaged volunteers needed!

I am looking for volunteers for a study of attitudes towards marriage and parenthood among engaged couples. The study consists of a 25-30 minute online survey. To qualify for the study, you must be 20-35 years old, live in the U.S., and plan to marry or have a commitment ceremony within the next 365 days. You and your romantic partner must not have children, and this must be the first marriage for both of you.

By participating in the study, you can:
-Help a doctoral candidate;
-Increase the pool of scientific knowledge;
-Support research on marriage and families; and
-Spend some time thinking about your relationship!

I am working with Dr. Charlotte J. Patterson, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia. This study has been approved by the University of Virginia Institutional Review Board #2009025800.

If you and/or your romantic partner are interested in participating or want further information, please email me at survey.couples@gmail.com. I will send you a link that you can use to access the study.

Thanks!

Cristina Reitz-Krueger
Doctoral Student
University of Virginia
(434) 243-8558
survey.couples@gmail.com

DIVAStyle: Real Weddings

Bridgette & Joe

September 18, 2009

Yes - wedding planners (and their teams) get married too.

When my assistant Bridgette asked me if I would do the honors of coordinating all of the festivities on the day of her wedding - I was tickled pink. And I said "yes"!! Along with TeamDIVA members Stephanie, Maia, Denise and Lisa, we set out to make sure Bridgette and her new husband had the best night ever.

I think the smiles on their faces tell the entire story.....................

Photography by Herb Garrett

Coming To The Big Apple!!

For all of my New Yorkers, Jersey peeps and Connecticut colleagues - I'm coming your way on October 19-20th! I am so honored to be asked to deliver one of the keynote presentations at the Maximize Your Brand Wedding Symposium hosted by Dawn Easter Events and Something Blue NY.

Dawn & Karina have really pulled together a fab event - bringing industry powerhouses to New York for 2 days of intense education, information and networking. If you are in the area - and really want to delve into this business we call weddings...you need to be in the house! Details and registration are at the Maximize Your Brand website.

Looking forward to meeting all of you in NYC!!!

DIVAStyle: Real Weddings

I have the best clients. Truly. And I'd like you to meet them to see how their special day unfolds. DIVAStyle: Real Weddings is a new feature on Confessions - through my eyes and the lenses of some of the most talented photographers in the area, you'll get an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the brides and grooms TeamDIVA is honored to serve.

Angela & Tavon

September 12, 2009

This wonderful couple from Atlanta came to me over a year ago to help them plan a great wedding - long distance. Through the magic of technology (can you say lots of emails?) and some in-person "face" time, we were able to craft a simply loving day. Mother Nature was playing "chicken" with us with her on again/off again rain dance, but that didn't kill the joy one single bit! With a wedding party of 32 close friends and a host of relatives & loved ones, Angie and Tavon jumped the broom surrounded by those who cared about them and their happiness the most....

Photography: Michael Clark of Michael Clark Photographers