The Bridesmaid Luncheon

Whenever I hear the term 'bridesmaid luncheon' I think of cakes stuffed full of trinkets, tea parties, flowing summer dresses and all manner of stuffy and entirely elegant moments. The Bridesmaid luncheon has been around for quite some time and I'm sure that back in the day fluffy frosted cakes, antiquated traditions and the desire to show off wedding presents was one of the reasons that these lunches were given. These days it is simply a way for the bride to say thank you to her friends for being part of her wedding. And sometimes for putting up with her.

Ashley, one of our featured brides, recently held her bridesmaid luncheon and it was a fun mid-day event that wasn't at all stuffy. She treated us all to a nice waterside lunch, gave us goody bags full of treats including a divine shawl to wear to her wedding and necklaces she made herself to match our bridesmaid dresses. It was touching, sweet and really quite lovely. No fuss, no muss.

Typically, these lunches are held one to two weeks before the wedding. It is a good time for out of town guests to meet each other too. The bride thanks her attendants, doles out any gifts she may have and basically spends a fun afternoon with 'her girls'. You know what else is great about this event? It is entirely optional. You don't have to throw it. Sure, if you have the time and spare cash - go for it! However, there should be no stressing out if this isn't your thing or you simply cannot find the time or coin to do so. A simple thank you note can also do the trick.

For some great ideas regarding a bridesmaid thank you fete as I've decided to call it visit the following sites-

Simple Answers Here!

From Brides Magazine

Always Fabulous

Photo from vibride.com

The Name Change Game

Thirteen hours. According to some websites that is how long it takes to fill out all the forms and do all the necessary paperwork to completely change your name once you are married or err simply want to change your name.

I tend to believe that. It took me up until my one year anniversary to get around to doing that myself. My husband and I were literally checking into our anniversary getaway and my credit card still had my old name on it. My husband was hurt and surprised. I decided after our trip to buckle down and go through the process of changing my name. Oy! What a time. Sitting in the Social Security office which required me taking time off from work, filling out forms, faxing documents and waiting on the phone. It seemed to take weeks! I still haven't changed my name on my Neiman's card because the process was too time consuming. I've been married six years. I know!

Of course this is all if you decide to change your last name to your betrothed. Even if you do the hyphen or combination of last names you need to step up and put in the man hours. You really have to commit all over again. I looked at many of those name change kits when I was going through the process but quite frankly they seemed like more work and not all that helpful. Plus, they cost money. Why shell out $29.95 for a white laced box full of forms that I could print off my computer in less time? That was then. This is now.

Behold MissNowMrs the new name change kit. At first I balked when the email was sent to me. Another way for the Industry to make money off of women. Sigh. Then I noticed the price of $29.95 which isn't all that bad when it is combined with EVERY form you need to fill out and it is all automated and online safe. That's right. You type in your name once and it automatically does it on all the forms. Driver license, Social Security even credit cards are all done online saving you incredible amounts of time. I am impressed. Knowing what I know now concerning the name change game I would invest in this kit. And no, they didn't pay me to post this, it is just a helpful sanity saving tip from me to you. Sanity. Something all brides need at one time or another.

If you have used this service let us know how it worked out for you. If you have used another type of name change kit or want to share a truly horrendous story about waiting in line, fax machine hell or the general time eating process this name change thing can be email us! We'll share your story online.

Say Yes to the Dress- Recap

It's official. I'm addicted. Two episodes in of Say Yes to the Dress and I am happy to report TLC has made me a junkie. I'm already fiending for another viewing and it is only Wednesday.

The premise: Follow brides and bridal consultants as they work together to find that one perfect dress (or in the case of Camille three perfect dresses but who is counting!) at Kleinfelds in New York. You even get a peek into the alterations department and the running of the brides they do each year.

I think for me it is admittedly just oggling all the beautiful dresses. Always a sucker for something beautiful I can't stop myself from watching. I don't care about the brides, their sometimes over bearing friends, and their tearful families. I find myself more into the consultants. I'm still not sure how this show is going to continue with more episodes and brides only looking at dresses. So far all the brides have committed to their dresses in under five minutes. Ah the beauty of editing. There hasn't been any real drama. You don't get emotionally invested in anything but admiring the dress and finding one to say 'yes' to which I guess is the point.




All I know is that I want Keasha to dress me and mermaid dresses have become very popular this year. Stay tuned!