Turn that escort card upside down

February 21st

Or around! In case you didn’t know escort cards at weddings serve multiple purposes.  The first is obvious, they tell you which table you’ll be sitting at.  The second is subtle, or at least it usually is: it informs waitstaff you’ve ordered.

You’ve probably noticed (or maybe you haven’t) a few of the more popular ways brides identify which meal you’ve selected for their wedding: different colored card stock, color-coded rhinestones or other embellishments.  This isn’t a friendly reminder from the bride – it’s a guide for the waitstaff.  Those rhinestones or other “keys” provide your server with the information they need to bring you the correct meal.

Having been a server at many, many weddings myself (I worked at a private country club in Worcester for 4 summers during college) I know that most people forget what they ordered 8 weeks ago.  Do the waitstaff a favor and turn your escort card around or upside down or pointing in such a way that the servers can easily identify the code the bride has painstakingly devised for them.

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To Veil or not to Veil

February 16th

to veil or not to veil

© Melissa HadleyPhotography

One of my very best friends, Jack, is a traditionalist – especially when it comes to weddings.  Any time a bride mentions that they’re thinking of not wearing a veil on their wedding day, she protests: how many other times in your life will you have the chance to wear a veil?  She’s right.  This is probably your only chance to wear a veil. So should you veil or not?

Well, for one thing, it might make you feel more “bride-y”.  Traditionalist or not, it’s likely that the vision of a bride in your head, includes a veil.  So it may seem only natural that the finishing touch on your bridal look include a veil.  But it doesn’t have to be a 25 footer à la Princess Diana.  And you don’t even have to wear it the only day!  Many brides choose to wear a veil for the more traditional part of their day (the ceremony) and then remove it for the reception so they can really let loose! Veils today comes in a number of shapes and sizes so you can easily find a look that works for you.

Still not your thing? No problem! Luckily, brides today have a number of different headpieces available to don on their wedding day.  Vintage-inspired headpieces and bird cage veils are really making a comeback.  Fresh flowers, feathers, and headbands also look gorgeous on a bride.  Etsy as well as your local bridal shop (and a number of other resources) all have great options to choose from.  If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out my Pinterest!

Regardless of your veil (or non-veil) choice, you’ll want to try your headpiece on with your dress to make sure it compliments your look.  You’ll also want to have your hair stylist do a trial as well – for two reasons: one, you want to make sure it’s comfortable and two, if you’re planning to remove your veil for the reception you’ll want to make sure you can easily take it off without undoing your do!  You’ve still got a lot of pictures to take!

LC

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A reason to celebrate!

February 14th

Queen of Hearts Cocktail

Whether you’re celebrating with your significant other or celebrating being single Valentine’s Day is a holiday and holidays = cocktails!  Perhaps you’re not celebrating either of those things and you’re just looking for a holiday-infused beverage.  Enter the Queen of Hearts Cocktail.

I was first introduced to this delicious drink at a backyard bbq hosted by my sister and her friends.  It’s fabulous and contains one of my very favorite things, champagne! Perfect for celebrating…or not!  Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Cheers!

Queen of Hearts Cocktail (Simplified)

1 oz. gin
1 oz. strawberry lemonade
champagne

Shake with ice and strain into a champagne flute.  Top with champagne.

The original recipe calls for ¼ oz. red wine infused simple syrup.  I have neither the time, nor the interest in making such things.  I’d rather get this delicious libation in my mouth faster, so I say skip it!

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Hey Valentine!

February 9th

Valentine’s day just around the corner! Are you planning a February wedding?  Just because you’re having a wedding in February (or even on Valentine’s Day itself!) doesn’t mean you’re only option is a red-and-white-heart theme! Playing around with different shades of red or pink together or using an unexpected accent color can really add a unique look to your wedding. For example, a shade of pale mint or aqua looks stunning with red! Here’s some inspiration for you!

Valentine's Day Aqua and Red Wedding

Photo Credits: Straws (Etsy); Cake (Call Me Cupcake); Hair Pins (Etsy); Shoes (The Knot); Flowers/Table (Maharani Weddings); Favor Box (Wedding By Color); Tent (Wedding Bee)

LC

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Countdown to the Big Day: Just a few days left!

February 7th

There are now just a few weeks or days left until the big day. There are only a few things left to complete, then you can get all dolled up and walk down the aisle towards the man of your dreams!

 

  • The rehearsal. Confirm with the rehearsal dinner hosts that everything is ready to go (RSVPs are in and the reservations have been made). Also confirm with the officiant and/or site coordinator.

 

  • Seats everyone! Finalize the seating chart and send that information to the reception venue. Be sure to follow up with anyone whose response you haven’t received yet. Confirm the headcount with the caterer and baker. Don’t forget about the band, your officiant, and the photographer. They’ll need a place to sit as well!

 

  • Best Man’s duties. Make sure the groom, the best man and the groomsmen are aware of their duties for the big day.

 

  • Meet with your wedding professionals. Are there certain photos or videos you want to make sure you capture? Make a list and share that list with your photographer and videographer. Does the band or DJ have your “must-play“ list? Confirm with your florist and caterer that everything is in place and ready to go – it is. Don’t worry about it. But double checking will give you peace of mind.

 

  • Final dress fitting. It’s about to get real! Your dress has now been perfectly altered to you…and it’s perfect! Your wedding is just a few days away now. Start getting excited!

 

  • Pack for your honeymoon!

 

  • Relax and enjoy your big day!
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Countdown to the Big Day: 1-3 months in advance

February 1st

  • Name change time. Ask any recent bride, this is a big task. Your name hasn’t actually changed yet but you can start to notify your employer, credit card company, etc. to let them know that it’s coming.

 

  • Meet with the reception venue. There are still some things that will need to be done last minute. But meeting with your site coordinator around this time will help to nail down a few outstanding items.  This is the time to choose linens, determine the set up of the dance floor and seating arrangement requirements, and finalize the timing of events (introduction, first dance, cake cutting, etc.)

 

  • Invite your friends. Get those invitations in the mail! No one will attend your wedding if you haven’t invited them first.  The general rule here is six to eight weeks prior to the wedding.  Ten to twelve weeks for destination weddings

 

  • Apply for your marriage license.

 

  • Fittings, alterations, and general beautifying. Make sure everyone in the bridal party is ready for the big day. Rentals should be confirmed and the dresses should be altered! This is also the time to make any hair, nail or spa appointments. You’re all going to be in front of the camera all day! You’ll want to look good!

 

  • Day of duties. Start making a list of responsibilities for the wedding party. You can’t do everything yourself, nor should you. Delegate as many last minute items as you can so you can enjoy this time with family and friends.

 

  • Pay the final deposit on your honeymoon…yes, yes, yes! Relaxation is coming your way! You might also want to think about shopping for some cute new outfits for your honeymoon!
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Countdown to the Big Day: 3-6 months in advance

January 26th

Things to do 3-6 months before your wedding

  • Order your invitations! This is not a plug…seriously. No one will attend your wedding if you don’t invite them.  This is also the first opportunity you have to set the tone for your wedding and give your guests a sneak peek at the festivities to come! If you’re hiring a calligrapher, be sure to let your stationer know that you’d like your envelopes in advance if possible.  The Dear LC Wedding Collection offers a contemporary twist on the traditional by combining upscale elegance and sophistication with bold, geometric designs and striking color.

 

  • Address your invitations. If you’re working with a calligrapher be sure to provide them with your guest list and envelopes well in advance of your send date. Calligraphy is an art and it takes time. Looking for a calligrapher? Check out Megan Chapin Calligraphy.  Not only does she do simply stunning work (featured above), she’s also just a great person!

 

  • Is your passport up-to-date? If your honeymoon will be taking you out of the country, you won’t be getting there without a valid passport.  There are also some countries that will not allow you to visit if your passport is within a few months of expiration. Some things to keep in mind!

 

  • Choose gifts for your wedding attendants. Being in a wedding can be a lot of responsibility, not to mention time and money. A thoughtful gift that lets your friends and family know how much you appreciate them taking this journey with you is always appreciated. These gifts don’t have to break the bank. They should be a small token to remember the day and your journey together as friends and family.

 

  • Reception music. You started making a list of “must-play” songs months ago but now you need to finalize the ceremony music as well as the all important first dance song, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance, etc.

 

  • Readings. Start to choose the poems, scripture readings, etc. for the ceremony. There are tons of resources out there that will help you narrow down your options.  Your ceremony coordinator will probably provide you with a list of popular readings but you might find something else that fits more closely with your style. Starting to do this three to six months in advance will give you time to search without anxiety! Don’t forget to give some thought to who you’d like to give the readings and ask them to be a part of your big day!

 

  • Meet with the florist. Florists can usually tackle more than one wedding in a day so you can wait to meet with them until a little later in the process. But if there’s a florist you know you definitely want to work with, make sure to get on their calendar early! Be sure to bring photos or magazines with ideas or bouquets you like so the florist has an idea of where to get started.
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For immediate release:
Dear LC Wins WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012

January 23rd

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2012

Contact: Lynn Caputo
Owner and Designer, Dear LC
Phone/Email: 774-314-9452 / Lynn@DearLC.com

Dear LC Wins WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012

WORCESTER, Mass.— WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding Marketplace, is excited to announce Dear LC — an exclusive new line of chic, cosmopolitan wedding stationery designed for the modern bride – has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for Invitations!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, Dear LC was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

Dear LC is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Dear LC for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.”

We are happy to announce that Dear LC is one of the very best Invitations professionals within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012.

For additional information on Dear LC visit www.DearLC.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow on Twitter.

About Dear LC
Dear LC is a stationery design studio specializing in chic and modern wedding invitations. Dear LC’s Wedding Collection—a line of 14 statement-making wedding invitation suites—debuted in December 2011 by Dear LC owner and designer Lynn Caputo, who has been in the wedding invitation business for more than four years. The Collection offers a contemporary twist on the traditional by combining upscale elegance and sophistication with bold, geometric designs and striking color. Dear LC is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and ships nationwide.

Please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/dear-lc-worcester/ba55ab8bc1bc7e38.html.

To learn more about the Bride’s Choice Awards™, please visit http://www.weddingwire.com/.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire™, the nation’s leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.

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And the winner is…

January 22nd

Dear LC Wedding Invitation Giveaway Winner Announced

 

More than 150 brides-to-be entered the Dear LC Wedding Invitation Giveaway at the 5th Annual Worcester Bridal Expo on January 7th & 8th.  Congratulations to the big winner, Katy C.

Katy’s prize includes: 100 Invitations from the Dear LC Wedding Collection with Matching Envelopes, Response Cards with Matching Envelopes, Choice of 1 Additional Enclosure Card (Small, Medium or Large), Choice of Pocket Fold or Pocket Card and Choice of Solid or Printed Belly Bands.

The winner of the Dear LC Wedding Invitation Giveaway was selected at random using http://www.random.org.

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Countdown to the Big Day: 6-9 Months In Advance

January 18th

Things to do 6-9 months before your wedding

  • Order your bridesmaids’ dresses. At the end of the day, as I’ve said before, this is your day and while you may not be able to please everyone try to find something that everyone will feel comfortable in. This goes for fit as well as fabric. If its 95 degrees on the day of your wedding will your attendants really be comfortable in a floor length satin gown? And don’t forget about the groomsmen! Rentals can be scheduled around this time as well.

 

  • Meet with your invitation designer. If you’re having custom invitations designed, now is the time to schedule a meeting! You want to allow yourself plenty of time to review and perfect your invitations.

 

  • Schedule the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Even if you’re having a casual wedding the rehearsal is important. It doesn’t have to be lengthy but it does ensure that everyone will know what they’re doing the day of – which will be a huge stress reliever for you! Then you can finish the day off with the rehearsal dinner, an intimate evening with your closest family and friends.  Don’t forget to drop those invitations in the mail ASAP!

 

  • Hotel accommodations. Make sure you reserve a block of rooms at a hotel close to your reception site. You want your friends and family to have fun so they’ll need a place to stay.

 

  • Day after brunch? If you’re planning to invite guests to a brunch on the morning following your wedding, this is also a good time to book the venue.

 

  • Music. You’re going to want to enjoy this day and you’ll want your friends and family to enjoy it too. Don’t let the music be the reason your wedding is just so-so. Start making a list of “must play” songs.

 

  • Tastings! No doubt the groom’s favorite part of wedding planning. Meet with your caterer or reception venue to choose the menu for your wedding and top it all off with a cake tasting. Seriously? Best day of the planning process? I think so.
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