Love your Bridesmaids {Part III: Communication is Key}

Talk to your bridesmaids.

Brides should be straight-forward in asking for what they want, If you want them to help put together the favors, say so. If you want your bridesmaids to wear their hair a certain way at the wedding, say so. Brides can’t expect bridesmaids to just know what they want.

One of the bridesmaids’ typical functions is to provide help and opinions.

By all means, mine the wisdom of your closest friends. But do it with respect and appreciation. If you can’t decide which type of cake you like best, have the "sweet tooth" among the bridesmaids go with you on a taste test. Is one of them especially creative? Ask if she’d like to help with invitations or visiting florists.

It’s important to remember, though, that asking is different from expecting. A bride might be consumed with wedding planning, but bridesmaids are busy with lives of their own. Inviting them to partake in activities "not demanding that they do" helps them feel included without being forced. Most bridesmaids, though, are willing to participate and ninety-nine percent of the time, your bridesmaids will be more than happy to help and they will save you a lot of headache.

Black and Yellow Inspiration {Sparkling Wine}

This post is with Leydi and Luis in mind; they're our next couple to soon walk down the aisle-a week from today to be exact!

If you're having a black, yellow theme for your wedding, here's a perfect sparkling wine to pair it up with! You could have it served to guests (it's very affordable about $7.99 a bottle) or use it as your wedding favor! The best part; It is fruity, bubbly, refreshing and fun! CHEERS!

Love your Bridesmaids {Part II: Dress to Impress}

One of the biggest gripes bridesmaids have is that they’ll be forced to wear some frilly, mustard-yellow, taffeta, bow-covered concoction. Thankfully, bridesmaids’ dresses have come a long way in recent years, and brides should see and understand this. The whole mentality of the bride putting the bridesmaids in ugly dresses so that she looks more beautiful needs to be kicked to the curb, yes--regardless of what the bridesmaids wear, the bride will be the star of the day. The dresses should be something that the bride would have no problem wearing herself.

*An easy way to ensure all the women feel comfortable in their dresses is to have them wear the same color and fabric, but a cut in which they feel comfortable. Allow each bridesmaid to wear a dress that suits her body type and style, rather than making a half-dozen ladies with different body types wear the same dress. Another option is to have your bridesmaids choose whatever dress they’d like, as long as it’s a certain color.

*Cost is another consideration. I suggests brides look beyond the typical bridal salons, as they can be pricey. Check out J.Crew, Ann Taylor, Loehmann’s, or any of the major department stores.

And sometimes, simply asking your bridesmaids can make all the difference.

Choose wisely your bridesmaids dresses, because one day the very same torture you subjected your bridesmaids to wear may happen to you.

Share your story: What's the worst bridesmaid dress you've ever had to wear/seen at a wedding?

Check back for Part III...

Miryam + William 6.28.09

Rosa contacted us at FYEP to create a yummy sugary display as a surprise for her

soon to-be in-laws 30th Wedding anniversary. She wanted a themed celebration that would illustrate their personality; love and passion for sweets while still providing a good time to all their long-time friends and family. We created a fun sugary scene displaying tall martini and champagne glasses for the big celebration at The Landmark.

Candy Bar Sign

Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Peer!

Love your Bridesmaids {Part I: How to keep your faithful friends smiling from start to finish}

Brides, think you’re stressed out? Keep in mind that your bridesmaids—the ones who will plan your bridal shower, don your dress of choice, and help you through your pre-wedding jitters—are stressing, too. Here are some tips to keep your bridesmaids happy and ensure years of girls’ nights out to come.

Maids and Money
With the average cost of a wedding somewhere in the $30,000 range—and that number undoubtedly higher in some counties—a wedding is probably the most expensive party a couple will ever throw. While the bride might write off extra expenses to an “I’m only getting married once” mentality, bridesmaids (especially the “always a bridesmaid” variety) might be reticent to do the same. The costs—everything from the dress to the shower to travel expenses—can add up. It is understandable and justified that with the honor of being a bridesmaid come additional costs, however, I think brides should try and figure out ways to keep costs down, or at least, acknowledge how much they’re asking their bridesmaids to spend.

*Take into consideration where and at what point each of the women is in her life. Is everyone fresh out of college? Single and living it up? Planning a wedding of her own? Just became a homeowner or a new mommy? Knowing your friends’ situations might make the decision between, let’s say, a local bachelorette party and a destination fiesta a bit easier.

*Offsetting costs is another way to ease the bridesmaids’ burden. I have seen some brides pay for dresses and/or shoes and others for professional hair and makeup application. But if that’s not in your budget, perhaps you allow bridesmaids to wear shoes they already may have or to have their hair and makeup done wherever they choose. Offer the services to them but also be explicit about the price and tell them it’s ok to go somewhere else.

*A simple acknowledgement that lets your bridesmaids know that you are aware and appreciate that they’re shelling out big bucks for your special day is a nice touch. A day at the spa or a luncheon for your bridesmaids is a sweet gesture as a thank you for their support.

{Check back soon for our Love your Bridesmaids Part II}

End of School Year {Casino Night} 6.19.09

The last day of school is a highly anticipated day by children, right...but also by teachers. After all, don't teachers have reasons to celebrate the day too? A long break from another hard year, lesson plans and time out of the classroom.

Here are a few pictures of the centerpieces we created for the End of School Year Party of the school where Robyn (our senior coordinator who's also a teacher) teaches.
We implemented a fun theme/design for their casual affair; Casino Night. The End of School Year party was also in honor of the teachers retiring.
The event took place at La Reggia Restaurant in Secaucus, NJ with fun decor by us at For Your Event Planning of course and the dancing was non-stop thanks to Marco at Touch of Class DJ's.

Dice centerpiece

Favors; these little poker envelopes contained a scratch-offs.

Scratch-off favor

The lucky night's sweet ending with cake for dessert from Palermo's Bakery; the scrumptious cake was all Casino Night decked out.

Congratulations to the retirees for all their successes during their beautiful career as teachers!

The meaning of flower colors

Flower colors are like a fistful of paintbrushes – color your world with their various meanings and be inspired!

The meaning of flower colors is a unique aspect of symbolism you can use to send/carry a special message. Long before it became the social fashion in the Victorian era, flowers and their coloration were used to enhance meanings, and even interpreted as oracles. For example, the ancient Greeks interpreted the meaning of flower colors as mood indicators of their gods (like mood rings). Similarly, ancient Celts consulted flowers as portents of weather and predictions of genders in childbirth. These days, our purpose of flowers may be a bit more practical (but they don’t have to be). Learning about the meaning of flower colors gives you the opportunity to send/carry an uncommon sentiment – in your wedding bouquet. Be creative with your flower antics. Mix different color meanings in your bouquet.

Red Flowers: There’s an indisputable energy to the color red – an energy that has the power to transform an otherwise unassuming flower into the essence of desire, strength, and passionate love. With beauty, courage and heat as its symbolism, it’s no surprise that a bouquet filled with rich, red blooms knows no restraint. There is good reason red roses are given to sweethearts. It’s because red is symbolic of passion, love, and energy. Red runs through our bodies in raging rivers of blood. Red rushes to our cheeks when we feel the heat of our feelings. Red resonates with the root chakra and reminds us of our animal instincts. Indeed, red is the spark that kindles our most fervent flames of desire. RED is the jolt of energy – this shock of color is sure to get some engines revving!


Orange Flowers: There’s nothing bashful about the color orange–its message is clear and blatantly proud. Symbolizing energy, enthusiasm, and warmth, an arrangement of blooms in this vibrant color conveys confidence, satisfaction and a passion for life. Orange is the closest match to the shade of the sun, so it is symbolic of expansion, growth, and warmth. It is also a color of friendship and community. The the overall feeling of orange; it beckons us to go out and play with friends, remember good times, enjoy the company of like-minds, and share big smiles all around.

Yellow Flowers: Yellow is associated with gold, and is considered a symbol of purity, clarity truth and intellect. There’s a good reason why it can feel all but impossible to refrain from smiling when you spot a bouquet of bright daffodils or a pot filled with sun-drenched chrysanthemums–the color yellow evokes feelings of joy and lightheartedness. Also a symbol of friendship, a bouquet bursting with yellow blooms sends a message of new beginnings and happiness. Mayans viewed the color in yellow to be associated corn, thus it holds symbolism of provision, sustenance, and all things that are wholesome. Scientific studies indicate writing on yellow tablets increases memory retention. This ties the meaning of flower color in yellow to intelligence and reason.

Green Flowers (or ivy, vines) Synonymous with nature–and the perfect complement to any other bloom–the color green represents health, resilience, good fortune and youth. Whether used to throw together a diverse mixture of shapes and hues or as a restful tone-on-tone bouquet, green flowers send a message of optimism and renewal. Anybody who has endured a long winter will tell you how jazzed they get at the first glimmer of green in spring. The meaning of flower color in green is about renewal, growth, hope, health and youth. Think of luscious emerald lawns, the smell rich with juicy goodness. You can’t help but smile at the thought. Green is also the color of the heart chakra, and so it takes on the meaning of good health. Bright green is the color of Mother Nature at her highest peak.

Blue Flowers: Blue symbolizes – the clarity found in our dreams, thoughts, and imaginations. The color blue speaks to the dreamers in our world, and blue flowers are the perfect gift to call out the muse in the poet, artist or musician in your life. Gather up a bunch of blue flowers when you need a boost of inspiration. They are also the perfect hue for enhancing calm and tranquility. Pale blue hues of a hydrangea or the deep blues of an iris can calm worries and preoccupation representing peace, openness, and serenity, fresh floral arrangements filled with blue flowers offers a cooling antidote to anxiousness.

Purple Flowers: With its origins tied to royalty and ceremony, purple flowers represent dignity, pride and success. Whether grouped alone in a bold range of rich hues or mixed in with other colors to provide depth and contrast, an arrangement filled with purple blooms represents accomplishment and admiration. This color in flowers is both energizing and spiritual at the same time. When we see purple our eyes open wider – we allow its vibrancy to flow into our aura. This natural reaction opens our spiritual senses and reminds us that we are all connected to an infinitely divine system. Violets are the perfect sentiment that says to someone “you are unique, special, and part of a perfect whole.” Purple/Violet is also considered a color of royalty and nobility in ancient symbolism. Incorporate purple/violet flowers in your life as a symbol of faith, and a reminder that nobility of the heart is the greatest aspiration.

Lavender Flowers: While purple is the color of royalty, and pink the color of youth, lavender is femininity all grown up. Representing refinement, grace, and elegance, lavender holds an almost sacred place in nature—with violet flowers often considered the most delicate and precious. An arrangement filled with these genteel blossoms send a message of feminine beauty.

White Flowers: Often associated with innocence, humility, and reverence, white flowers evoke simple beauty. Whether they take their shape as the luxurious, silk petals of fragrant gardenias, the small, white bells of a lily of the valley, or the quiet drama of a dozen white roses, fresh floral arrangement dominated by white blossoms conveys modesty and elegance.

Pink Flowers: Think pink and you think of grace, gentility, and happiness. Regardless of the shape of the flower – from the tight, small buds of a pink garden rose to the delicate, open petals of a pink caellia in full bloom – pink blossoms convey youth, innocence, and joy.