Amazing Engagements: John & Erika

Amazing Engagements by Markia Raveau-Violette

Have you ever wanted your own personal moment straight from a Disney movie?  This lucky girl got it!  Watch how John proposed to Erika in this amazing flash mob Disney themed proposal!

Diary of a Maid of Honor

by Jennifer Crone

Being a wedding planner I have definitely had my share of phone calls and emails regarding bridal nightmares. I’ve had brides with dreams that their groom shows up with an orange tuxedo, or their dress comes out of the bag filthy dirty.

But this week I had my first wedding nightmare, and I’m here to tell you it’s not just the bride who suffers from these midnight terrors. I dreamed that everything went wrong on the day of my sister’s wedding. First of all, most of the dresses were missing from my parents house, and my slip kept changing mysteriously to different lengths. In the limo on the way to the venue (which it turns out was at my local high school, not the beautiful vineyard that my sister chose) we realized we were missing shoes and had to run into the  mall to grab some.

Once we got to walking down the aisle there were empty beer bottles and discarded cups lining it and they tipped over and made a mess as the party walked down the aisle. And when we got to the end, random wedding guests were standing there in our places! I also forgot to write my Maid of Honor speech and realized, to my dismay, that there was no schedule and everything was running in chaos! This bad dream brings about a couple things:

  1. I need to insist on making (or at least approving) a schedule for my sister’s wedding.
  2. I need to get cracking on writing my speech! I have heard some great speeches and also some not so awesome speeches, so I have a pretty good idea of how to give a little funny, a little sappy, and a lot of love to the newlyweds. This week’s project is to write my speech — at least draft 1.

Until next week,

MOH

Diary of a Maid of Honor

by Jennifer Crone

My sister’s wedding is now 2 months out. The shower is being planned by my mom and one of our dear friends of the family while my mom and I have been virtually planning the bacholorette party.

I recently got my dress for the rehearsal dinner, which is so swoon-worthy! Because bride-to-be Hilary is wearing navy blue and the dress I found was a teal color I sent her a cell phone pic pre-purchase to make sure it was color and cut appropriate. If there’s one thing I believe about weddings it’s that the bride gets final say on anything, no matter what. If Hil didn’t like my dress or thought it was too close to the color of hers, I had a Foley + Carina black satin one shoulder back up plan. But, my sister is easy going and liked the dress, so everybody wins. Bonus, it gave me an excuse to buy Elizabeth and James, a label I’ve been coveting since it’s inception.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the gift. They don’t yet have a registry, and although no one likes a home made bird house in favor of cold hard cash, I like to think that, being an artist, my nearest and dearest have come to think of me as a truly unique gift giver. I don’t want to throw money (not that I have an excess to throw) at the newlyweds, and I certainly don’t want to gift them a toaster. But perhaps a double-edged sword is in play, because the pressure is on to give an amazing and heartfelt gift. I have some ideas, but it has to be perfect. Last Christmas I gave Hilary a blank recipe book that I created by hand. I’m not sure if she uses it or just keeps it on display, but I know she loves to cook and the book was beautiful and crafted with love. Perhaps I’m creating the pressure myself, but I know I won’t be satisfied until I have the perfect gift for my beloved sister and soon to be brother in law.

Until next week,

MOH

 

The Waiting Game – Real Stories

by Lauren Cooper

Patience is not one of my strongest traits.  Just ask my boyfriend.

Almost two years ago, after two months of emails and phone calls, we met for our first date. I know it’s cliché but something clicked into place when he walked towards me. We had the greatest first date I can ever remember having.  Now, after moving in together, and as we approach our second anniversary, I’m not so subtly hinting that I would like something rather sparkly on my left hand.

Lauren’s dream ring by Tacori

I know that we girls aren’t supposed to hint at these things, lest we scare them away.  But, I don’t care.  I know he’s not going anywhere and I’m impatient!  I also come from a large family and all of my siblings were engaged within a year or so of dating, so this is a natural step for me.  Yes, I’m only 24 and some would say I have plenty of time to wed, etc, etc, but why should I be patient when I’ve found the person I’ll love for the rest of my life?!  I’d just like the rest of my life to start soon, please!  I’ve even gone so far as to send him pictures of the type of ring I adore (Emerald cut, cadillac or baguette side stones and a pave set white gold band J) in addition to proposal ideas. He had some ideas that weren’t really my thing…ring in champagne for example.  However, I’ve also reassured him that it really doesn’t matter how he proposes, that I’ll love him (and say YES) no matter what.

Thankfully, he is endlessly patient with me.  He laughs when I send him these hints and assures me that it will happen, just not when I expect it.  To be fair, I’m not the only one waiting for him to ‘pop the question’.  Most of my family and his are anticipating the event as well.  So, ladies, it’s ok to get excited about the pending change of relationship status, just make sure that you aren’t pushing your guy too far.  My guy lets me know when I’m over-excited and I’ll back off.

Some advice to any gentlemen reading this post:

  • Seek out her parents’ approval…but don’t obsess over it or worry about how they perceive you.  If you make their daughter happy, most likely they’ll be happy, too.
  • At the same time, be respectful of her parents…this generally sets the tone for your relationship with the in-laws.
  • Be creative with your proposal, don’t go for the obvious.  Instead, try something that has a special meaning in your relationship.  For example, if your first date was in Central Park (as ours was), take her to a favorite spot and propose there.  Or, if your not one for public places, try placing notes with reasons why you love her around the house, with the last reason being next to the open ring box.

As my birthday and the holiday season approach, I’ll keep playing the waiting game.  I’ll try very hard to stay quiet about these not-so-secret hopes.  Although, if I happen to be inspired by someone’s status change on Facebook or a wedding I’ve recently attended, I might just have to share with him…

Real Wedding: Leah and Michael

Leah and Michael are an amazing couple we had the pleasure to work with in June at the Belvedere Mansion upstate New York. We planned their wedding and were accompanied by Linda Baldwin floral and design and Alex Z photography. The couple had a truncated version of both Hindu and Catholic ceremonies followed by a beautiful tented reception.

“I’m Engaged!” Real Stories of Love

Stephanie and Larry

Private Receptions’ own Stephanie Sicora got engaged 2 nights ago after shooting the first night of filming for our pilot and having a glass of Prosecco on the rooftop of our office building at 230 Fifth Avenue. We are all so happy for her, congratulations Steph!!

I can’t even believe it!!! I am ecstatic!!!

It happened right when I got home from drinks with you lovely ladies.  I had plans to grab dinner with my boyfriend Larry when getting home. I called him once I got into Hoboken and he said he was just jumping in the shower so if I could stop home first instead of meeting him at the restaurant.  I check my mailbox and there is a single red rose in there – I’m clueless…. As I am walking towards our door I hear one of our favorite songs playing – pretty loud and I open the door and the lights are out, candles everywhere, roses, champagne and my boy on one kneee!!!

I think my initial reaction was “NO WHAT ARE YOU DOING!” as I drop my bags and step out in hysterics…hahahahahahahaah

Needless to say I SAID YES! …and I am glowing.

My friends and family were speechless as he told no one and no one knew.  The ring is perfect – all on his own, he did such an amazing job!

I can’t wait for you all to see!

XX