The Art of Sabrage

Last week I had the double pleasure of enjoying the perfect pairing of champagne and chocolate at my favorite sweets store, La Maison du Chocolat. And at this event, the North American CEO of Christofle, Nicolas Krafft, demonstrated the technique of beheading a bottle of champagne with a gleaming saber.

A few years ago I planned a wedding with a dramatic sabrage demonstration. It's one of the most glamorous wedding moments I've witnessed. What a way to start off your welcome toast. And you can learn it on-line if you're brave enough to do it yourself!

Reprinted from Martha Stewart Wedding's Brides Guide.

Group Photo Idea

Having a photographic record of everyone who attended your wedding is wonderful, but even the most diligent photographer may not catch an image of every single guest. And of those pictures, not many are likely to end up in your final album (some candids are just not meant to be showcased!).

When my clients are game, I love to capture a group pic, such as the one below (the guests flew in from all over the world!). The resulting photo is the perfect shot with which to end your wedding album, and it can also be converted into a beautiful thank-you note. How do we do it? The photographer and I gather everyone together right after the ceremony when all attendees are already in one spot.

How do you plan on remembering everyone who came to your wedding? (For mine, I kept everyone's RSVP cards and the sweet notes that were included.)

Reprinted from my article for Martha Stewart Weddings Bride's Guide. Photo by Karen Hill.

Sotheby's Important Jewels

Yesterday I had the distinct privilege of a private tour of the Sotheby's Important Jewels sale by Lisa Hubbard, Chairman of Jewellery for Sotheby's. Wow. What an experience. Over 500 jewels, each with the history of a prior owner. Turn of the century hair sticks, contemporary bangles and diamonds, diamonds, diamonds.
This is an amazing insider place to find that perfect dangle earring for your wedding, or a gorgeous engagement ring. Lisa shared with me that most jewelry sells at auction for about a third to a fifth of retail store value. Diamond prices are more normalized, but I think it's still really romantic to raise a paddle for a coveted bauble.

What's more, the consultants encourage you to try on, to browse, to ask questions and indulge. I tried on everything in sight -- a girl can dream!

My biggest "take away"? Some of these treasures are downright affordable. See for yourself at Sothebys. But the items I tried on, including the catalogue cover piece are quite "one of a kind".

"Tutti Frutti" bracelet, Cartier, circa 1928. Estimated at $200,000-$300,000

Platinum and diamond tassle earrings. I can picture these with a certain Vera Wang bridal gown...

For those of you doing your color, cut and clarity research: This 5.56 center stone is D color, Internally Flawless, Excellent Cut, Polish and Symmetry -- very rare and estimated at $725,000-$825,000. Perfection indeed!

The auction takes place tomorrow, September 20, 10am. Online bidding is an option... See you there!

Destination Surf's Up!

We love seeing guests using their personalized totes, wearing their bespoke baseball caps, and sipping from their bottled water printed with custom labels during destination wedding weekends. These little elements help friends and family feel (and look) like part of "the wedding crowd."

My friend Laura Lobdell has come up with these "Longitude & Gratitude" Surf Bracelets that I would love to receive as a bridal-party member or as a guest of the wedding. They are printed with the coordinates of popular locales such as Montauk, Laguna, and Malibu, but they can also be customized with your wedding's specifics -- or anything else you'd like to say. Pop them into each guest's welcome bag, or use them as a favor or napkin ring at each place setting.

Reprinted from my article on Martha Stewart's Bride's Guide.

Wedding Library + Dessy Group = Perfect Match!

When we think of the most fabulous bridesmaid dresses in every color under the sun, we turn to none other than The Dessy Group. Featuring designers such as Lela Rose, Dessy Collection by Vivian Dessy, After Six, Alfred Sung, and Social Bridesmaids, the Dessy Group has a little something for everyone.

Just take a peek at all these gorgeous frocks:

Lela Rose – whimsical and ever so chic!

Dessy Collection by Vivian Dessy - how about the ol’ bridesmaids style and color mix & match

Social Bridesmaids – Modern and oh so glamorous!

After Six – never too early to think spring! We’re in a garden state of mind!

Alfred Sung – Going mad for these short flirty styles!

The possibilities are endless.

Exclusively just for our lovely brides, we’re offering 25% off all these darling styles and more! Just head over to our online store (www.theweddinglibrarystore.com) and enter promo code WLSUN11 for all the styles and savings!

Brides hurry – offer ends soon!

Paper Garlands

I am crazy for a sweet paper garland. Small and delicate, they nonetheless pack a design punch when used as a backdrop or table decoration. So I was delighted to see the garland how-to on the Bride's Guide.

I've never made them myself but use the pretty ones offered by Kate Greiner on etsy. I love her rainbow color choices and her options of different shapes, sizes and even customization.

Here I've used them for a ceremony "frame" with tissue paper pom poms, and even as cake decor.

How would you use them?

Fresh Juice Bar

I recently held a party hosted by a favorite NYC restaurant, Rouge Tomate. I seek inspiration from my favorite restaurants and this Michelan-rated Modern-American restaurant based on locally grown, organic foods provides plenty of ideas. I am particularly fond of their fresh juices made with unusual combinations -- they are in equal parts pretty, delicious and even nutritious! So when a planning client was seeking a healthy start to their wedding dinner, I knew just the thing -- a fresh juice bar. The bar works perfectly with or without alcohol; the key is the unique and distinctive combinations -- dill and cucumber; green tea, agave syrup and mint; or try this recipe courtesy of Rouge Tomate.

The Passion Mate

4 oz. Yerba Mate (a South American plant)

1 1/2 oz. Passion fruit juice

1/2 oz. Lemon Juice

Agave syrup to taste

Directions: First, cold infuse the Mate tea the day before (or half day). Then, in a shaker combine the Yerba Mate, Passion Fruit Juice, Lemon Juice and Agave. Shake with ice. After, pour into a highball and add some fresh Blueberries or Huckleberries as a garnish. Spike option: This drink goes well with tequila. (If you're feeling extra adventuous try a habanero infused tequila for an extra kick)!