Chapter Three {Death on the Aisle}

Chapter Three

“Did the ceremony start?” Fern’s voice startled me from behind as I stood peeking into the main hall at the Mellon Auditorium. “The bride wanted me to touch up her hair after the ceremony.”

“It just started,” I said.

To my great relief, the Pandit had indeed made it in time to greet the groom by the time the elephant arrived at the front of the building.  The groom’s side had danced into the building and taken seats in the main hall. After a few words by the Pandit, we’d sent the bride down the aisle with her uncle and the groom was about to be revealed as she reached the mandap.  I closed the door as quietly as I could and turned around. “They’re just about to do the reveal and  . .  . What are you wearing?”

“A sari, of course.” Fern’s dark hair slicked back into a low ponytail was the only thing not Creamsicle orange about him.  The traditional mango-colored sari had beautiful gold beading along the edges and might have been a candidate for my favorite one of the evening if a male hairdresser wasn’t wearing it.  I heard a faint jingle.

“Are those bells?” I hissed.

Fern picked up the hem of the sari and revealed a pair of tiny gold bells.  “I couldn’t resist.”

“Couldn’t you?”  I looked around the foyer, grateful that no one was there. “Has the bride seen you?”

“Of course,” Fern gave me a look. “This is one of hers.”

My mouth dropped. “You’re wearing one of the bride’s saris?”

Fern ran a hand over the gossamer fabric. “Well, I am a perfect size 6.”

“You have got to be joking.” Kate’s voice echoed in the marble foyer as she came around the corner. I put my finger to my lips to shush Kate.

“Thank you,” I whispered, glad that my occasionally superficial assistant was on the side of reason for once.

Kate ignored me and glared at Fern. “I can’t believe she let you wear that and not me.”

“This color wouldn’t look good on a blonde.” Fern patted Kate on the arm. “It would wash you out, darling.”

“I’ll have you know that I look fabulous in orange.” Kate flipped her blonde bob off her shoulders.

Fern raised an eyebrow. “Well, this is more tangerine than a true orange.”

I groaned. “Will you two stop arguing over color palettes?  We have much bigger problems to deal with.”

“Well, you don’t have to worry about the elephant,” Kate said, giving Fern a final glare.  “His trainer is packing him up as we speak.”

“That’s one down,” I was glad I didn’t have to go outside and check on the elephant.  Livestock that large made me nervous.  “Did either of you know about “Diamond Weddings” filming next weekend’s wedding?”

“The reality TV show?” Kate asked. “Why didn’t you tell me you called them?”

“I didn’t call them,” I said.

“The bride’s stepmother did,” Fern said.  “I thought you knew, Annabelle.”

I put my hands on my hips. “No, I didn’t know. How did you know?”

“The stepmother’s stylist. The one they flew in from London. I met him yesterday when I went down to do the bride’s hair trial.” Fern lowered his voice and leaned closer to us, as if there was anyone around to overhear. “He told me that the stepmother has been telling everyone that the TV show begged her to let them film the wedding but she actually called them.”

“Why?” Kate asked.

“She’s wild for the publicity and she’ll do anything to upstage her stepdaughter.”

“Nice,” I said.  The bride’s descriptions of her stepmother had been less than flattering but I got the idea that she might have been being nice.

“You should see what she’s wearing to the wedding. Her gowns for the wedding cost more than the bride’s.  And her jewelry!”  He whistled.

“Gowns?” I asked.  “As in plural?”

Fern nodded. “Mmm hmmm.  And one of them is cream. With beading.”

I rubbed my temples. “How are we going to break this to the bride? She’ll hate the idea of all this publicity.”

“Not to mention her stepmother wearing white,” Kate muttered.
            “Cream, darling,” Fern said. “Subtle difference. And the bride already knows.”

My head snapped up. “About what?”

“The reality TV crew.  She found out yesterday while I was there.”

I was almost afraid to ask. “Did she take it well?”

Fern wrinkled his nose and thought for a moment. “Only if you consider running off the boat and threatening to cancel the wedding ‘taking it well’”

I didn’t.

“Does this mean we have a day off next weekend?” Kate looked hopeful.

“No,” I said. “It means we have a lot of work to do to smooth things over so this wedding actually happens.”

“How are we going to do that?” Fern asked. “Lock the stepmother in a closet until the wedding is over?”

I ignored Fern’s suggestion, even though it didn’t sound so bad.  “We’ll come up with something.” I tried to sound more confident than I felt. “This wedding is going to happen. Trust me.”  I’d spent too many hours on dock permits and water safety plans to let this event fall apart at the last minute.

“Come bell or high water, right Annabelle?” Kate said.

I cringed but didn’t bother to correct her. Kate was notorious for mangling expressions, and we’d all given up trying to change her.  I think she preferred her versions, anyway.

Fern rubbed his hands together. “Let the games begin.”

A Holiday Steal {Sample Sale at Love Couture}

A Few of Our Favorite Things {Holiday Gifts That Give Back}

We instituted a holiday gift policy in our house a few years ago that whatever amount we spend on presents, we match with charity donations.  It all began with the nauseous, surrounded by piles of wrapping paper, after-Christmas binge feeling of "we don't need all this new stuff." I decided (because moms get to make arbitrary decisions that must be looked upon as wisdom) that my kids didn't need so much stuff. And I really didn't need more stuff. What we all needed was to learn how to be better givers. So each year we pick favorite charities to give to (Heifer International, First Book) and also do projects with the kids like putting together care packages to send to soldiers overseas and taking food to local food banks so they get hands-on experiences of giving back.  We haven't quiet reached the status of monks who give away all their belongings (my children still have lists for Santa) but we're more connected to the real joy of the holidays.

Without sounding too Oprah (but we love her so if we have to sound like someone . . .) we thought we'd include a list of our favorite holiday gifts that give back in some way.  Enjoy and happy holidays!

1) Do It Gorgeously  The latest book from green diva Sophie Uliano tells you how to green home projects ranging from car care to skin care.  Proceeds from the book go to Canswerlink, which provides cancer patients with nontoxic cleaning products.

2) Peace Honey  Savannah Bee Company has partnered with Heifer International to purchase and package this tropical honey from their community beekeeping projects in Honduras. For each bottle sold, Savannah Bee Company donates $3 to Heifer International. Yum!

3) Sindyanna of Galilee Organic Olive Oil  Proceeds from this luscious olive oil benefit a nonprofit run by Arab and Jewish women to improve the lives of olive growers in Galilee.

4. Wagging Green Saving the Earth Collars  For those who hang a stocking for their four-legged friends, these biodegradable bamboo collars benefit endangered wildlife or promote air and water quality (depending on the design).

5. Embroidered Holiday Stocking  This sparkling, colorful stocking is hand embroidered by women  artisans at St. Mary’s Mahila Shikshan Kendra in Ahmedabad in western India. Many of the families are landless laborers from rural areas who have come to the city in search of a better life. The 450 women artisans involved with St Mary's receive benefits in the form of a savings plan, school scholarships for their children, and technical courses to upgrade their skills.

6. Dark Chocolate Salted Fudge This box of artisanal chocolates comes from Divine Chocolate, a free-trade chocolate company based in Africa where the workers not only get a fair wage but own 45% of the company! 

Vera Wang Inspiration {PreOwned Wedding Dresses Blog}

Thanks to PreOwned Wedding Dresses for featuring our inspiration board designed around Vera Wang's Dierdre gown.  We had fun creating it!

The Cupcake Empire {The Ooh La La Cupcakery}

As the options for tasty cupcakes keep getting more abundant, the creativity has to find a way to keep up as well.  One of my best girlfriends recently told me her sister recently got involved with a new cupcakery in Baltimore, The OOH...LA LA CUPCAKERY.  So, clearly I had to get the skinny.  (Is it me, or is that an oximoron?)

So, I spoke with Lauren earlier this week and here's the scoop on the new comer:

The company offers mini, regular and grande cupcakes.  They feature beautifully handcrafted display tiers for weddings, birthdays, showers and more.

They are currently baked fresh daily out of a commercial kitchen and they will mail out or deliver our order anywhere.  In March they are excited to open a boutique bakery in Baltimore's inner harbor that will feature "make your own cupcakes" for kids.

But you want the goods, so here they are!

Cupcake amour flavors:

 mocha, citron, lemon, chocolate, vanilla, maple and their signature red velvet cake with pink cream cheese icing

They also offer couture flavors for the adult palette:

 mojito, strawberry daiquiri, rum & signature pina colada cupcakes

Lauren's favorite happens to be the signature Red Velvet, which I cannot wait to try.  Is it too early to be thinking they would be a GREAT Valentine's Day gift??

And so where did OOH LA LA come from?  Two sassy, savvy ladies of course!

Keara Hayes was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She obtained an Associates of Arts and a   Bachelors degree in Accounting, aMasters degree in Education and worked in the corporate world most of her career. Just recently, she became an elementary school teacher in the Baltimore City School system. During her very busy life as a career woman, mother, and wife, she always made time for her love of baking. Keara never had formal training in baking but always remembered watching her grandmother bake homemade cakes on the weekends. When she was old enough to bake on her own, she began creating her very own delicious cakes. Her creativity was a plus to making not just a good cake but also a pretty cake. She began specializing in cupcakes particularly for children’s parties and events. 

Kelleye Cohen was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey where she studied classical music and fine arts. She successfully recorded an album in the 90’s and experienced traveling the world to share her gift of music with people all over. Kelleye’s mom was a baker by trade and Kelleye had the first hand experiences and privileges of learning from a skilled baker. Kelleye later married and had children and became an advocate and spokeswoman for the American Red Cross. 

Keara and Kelleye met in 2006 and have been baking together ever since. Their partnership has been a match “made in heaven”. 

Personally, I love to clear boxes.  Sometimes it's all in the details!  For more information on THE OOH LA LA CUPCAKERY, visit their web site or e mail Lauren at lkean808@gmail.com.  

Look out Baltimore, there's a new cupcake in town!

Billy Bride Jewelry

I came across this jewelry designer thanks to one of my daily inspiration reads, Head of Heels, and immediately thought these pieces would be fabulous gifts for a Maid / Matron of Honor.  I am sure if you ask nicely they might even have a stone to coordinate with the wedding colors as well... 

All the way from Australia, Billy Bride Jewelry certainly makes a statement and one that your best girlfriend could keep forever!

xoxo,

Amy Lorraine

Real Wedding {Anna & Tim}

Another great wedding from this year!  Anna and Tim were such awesome clients to work with and we just enjoy every wedding we do at Carnegie Institution for Science.  Michelle Frankfurter was fantastic to work with {such an awesome lady!!} and supplied me with all these great images from their wedding.  And I absolutely adored Anna's gown - very Jackie O!

Gown - Priscilla of Boston

Florist - Dragonfly Event

Photobooth - Majestic Photobooths

Ceremony Music - Charm City Strings

Reception Music - DJ D-Mac

xoxo,

Amy Lorraine

Chapter Two {Death on the Aisle}

Thanks to everyone who checked out the first chapter last week.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Without further ado, here's Chapter Two:

Chapter Two

One Week Prior

            “What do you mean the Pandit isn’t ready?” I asked Kate over the booming drums and cheering wedding guests.

            “He said to wait and he’ll come when he’s ready.” Kate shrugged. “It looked like he was in the middle of a ritual of some sort.”

“Wait?” I nearly shrieked.  “Is he kidding?”

“He’s a Hindu priest, Annabelle.  I don’t think he does ‘kidding.’”

I knew that Kate was right.  I groaned and tried to think fast.

I stood at the entrance door to the Mellon Auditorium with the bride’s family and friends on the inside and the groom and all of his family coming down Constitution Avenue to meet them at the front. When they met at the door, the Pandit and the bride’s mother would greet the groom and lead him inside to the ceremony. To complicate matters, the groom was riding on an elephant surrounded by a troop of half a dozen drummers leading the crowd in exuberant dancing and singing.

“Can we slow down the groom?” I asked.

“If you want to jump in front of an elephant, be my guest,” Kate said. “But I’m not getting anywhere near it. These shoes are Louboutins and they don’t take very well to elephant dung.”

I glanced at Kate’s spike heels and fought the urge to roll my eyes. It was a miracle that Kate could still walk considering the inappropriate footwear she wore to work.

I stepped outside and craned my neck around the corner to check to progress of the Baraat. The Baraat, or procession of the groom to a Hindu ceremony, was one of my favorite parts of an Indian wedding.  I loved the energy of the drums and the joy of the family as they danced and cheered. This was the way to enter a wedding, I thought. After a Baraat, all my other ceremony processionals seemed downright sleepy.

“Almost here,” I said to myself as the colorful crowd advanced. The guests wore traditional Indian saris and sherwanis in the most vivid colors imaginable. The women’s saris were a riot of crimson, turquoise, fuchsia, tangerine and purple adorned with beads and jewels and each was more stunning than the last.  No sedate black dresses here. Kate and I loved to play “pick the sari” at Indian weddings to see which one of us could find the most beautiful one during the evening.

I walked back inside and smiled at the mother of the bride, who stood just inside the doors.  She adjusted the top of her magenta and gold sari and looked around her.  Her dark hair was swept back from her face and held up with jeweled hair pins. With flawless skin and pale eyes, she was as strikingly beautiful as her daughter and didn’t look remotely old enough be a Mother of the Bride, or MOB.

“Where is the priest, Annabelle?”

“On his way,” I assured her with more confidence than I felt. 

I crossed the lobby of the building and peeked inside the grand hall where the ceremony would take place. The mandap was set up on the built-in stage at the far end of the room and, even though the stage was at least thirty feet wide, the mandap dominated the space.  The bride had wanted a ceremony structure that made a statement and her mandap certainly did that.

The entire mandap seemed to glow, and I felt like I was looking into a small sun. Gold was the only color the bride had wanted to use so the pillars were gold, the sheer fabric draped behind them was an iridescent gold, the ornate chairs for the bride and groom appeared to be carved out of gold and the fabric canopy that started at the top of the pillars and went at least fifteen feet into the air over the mandap was made of what looked like liquid gold.  Our mandap designer, Sachi, had lit the entire structure in gold light from above and below so that it really did glow.  I knew the bride would be thrilled.

The only thing that wasn’t entirely gold on the stage was the tiny Hindu priest, dressed in modest robes and crouching over what would soon be the ceremonial fire in front of the bride and groom’s chairs.  I didn’t want to bother him again in case he was in the middle of a pre-ceremony ritual and because, despite his Hobbit-like stature, I was a bit intimidated by him. He must have heard the heavy door open, though, because he turned toward me and held up a finger.

“They will wait.”  He smiled at me and went back to his work.

I nodded and backed out, closing the huge wooden door behind me. I was sure they would wait since they had no choice. I could hear the drums and cheering getting louder.  The bride’s family was trying to see out the glass doors but, luckily, the elephant hadn’t reached the front of the building yet so was still obscured by the pillars in front of the building.  As I put on my most comforting face to reassure the mother of the bride that the Pandit was on his way and mentally convincing myself that white lies were harmless, my phone rang. I pushed the talk button before the first verse of “Pachelbel’s Canon” escaped.

“Wedding Belles, this is Anna . . .”

“This is a catastrophe of Biblical proportions.  I just don’t know if I can work under this level of duress.”

“Okay, take a breath and tell me what’s going on.”

“As if it wasn’t bad enough that I’m going to have to work under a tent with a ten foot drop into the water on three sides, I mean I just don’t have waterproof couture,” he took a breath, “now the filming crew wants to use the galley kitchen to store their production equipment.  Annabelle, you know I need that galley kitchen for plating.”

“Filming crew? What filming crew? Are you sure you’re on the right boat?”

A deep sigh from Richard. “Ship, Annabelle. When it’s this big, it’s called a ship.  And of course I’m on the right one. How could I miss it?  It takes up half the harbor.”

“Okay, okay,” I said. “But what film crew?”

“The one from the “Diamond Weddings” TV show.  You know, the profiles of the weddings of the rich and richer.”

I knew the show.  Opulence meets excess on speed.  “Well what are they doing there?”

“How should I know?  I thought you arranged for it. And what is all that screaming in the background, anyway?”

I rubbed my temples.  I hadn’t arranged for it. “Dolhi drummers. The groom’s arriving on an elephant.” I rocked onto the back of my heels. “Has the bride seen the crew yet?”

“I don’t think so.  At least I haven’t seen her around today.  An elephant?  Is that why I couldn’t get across Constitution Avenue earlier?”

“Good, “I ignored Richard’s question. “That gives me some time to figure this out.”

“You don’t think the bride knows her wedding is going to be filmed by “Diamond Weddings?”

I thought about the sweet yoga-teacher bride who only agreed to wear jewels in her hair if they were healing crystals.  “No way.  This isn’t her style.”

“I have news for you, doll.  This whole yacht isn’t her style. And did I mention they keep making me take off my shoes and leave them in a basket on the dock?  You do not leave Dolce & Gabana shoes in a basket. Especially on a dock.”

I raised an eyebrow.  I doubted the dock workers were haggling over his metallic silver shoes but Richard had a point about the bride's style. “She wants to make her father happy and he loves this boat.  He always envisioned her wedding on it.”

“Do you think he called ‘Diamond Weddings?’”

“No.” I caught myself biting my lower lip.  “This has the stepmother’s name written all over it.”

Richard sucked in his breath. “Good luck with that.”

Between the impending elephant and the domineering stepmother, I was going to need it.

Washingtonian Moment

I just opened up to the Washingtonian home page to search for my next luxury resort to visit this summer... and low and behold, there was a post added just yesterday on their wedding blog of my previous clients!  Michael Jasser, VP of Marc Parc Valet, and his wife Lindsay were some of the best clients a planner could dream of and their 2008 wedding was completely unique.  Both the ceremony and reception were held at the Mansion on O Street, a venue with a mind of it's own for sure! 

Photography by Love Life Images
Check out the wedding story HERE on the Washingtonian home page!

xoxo,

Amy Lorraine

Trunk Show at Love Couture {Ysa Makino}

 

Tell me that is not one amazing dress!  Stunning!  If you're searching for a breathtaking gown for your wedding day, be sure to check out the Ysa Makino trunk show at Love Couture Bridal this weekend. 

 

How much do we love Love?  Let me count the ways: spacious dress rooms, friendly and helpful staff, beautiful gowns, chic decor, easy parking.  We could go on and on.  Even though the salon is brand new, we've already had brides find their dream wedding dresses at Love.  Our brides love Love as much as we do!

So make an appointment to find your perfect wedding dress this weekend and you'll save 10% off your Ysa Makino purchase.  Here's the skinny:

 

What: Ysa Makino Trunk Show

When: December 10, 11, 12

Where: Love Couture Bridal

Save 10% off your order on these dates

 

Have fun and tell them we sent you!