happy christmas!

Happy Christmas
===============

On behalf of everyone here at two teacups and DOCs, we would like to wish our family, friends, clients and suppliers a very merry Christmas - a peaceful holiday time and a very prosperous new year for 2009.

Thank you for your continued patronage and for making our
2008 our best ever!

christmas wedding dress

It's your wedding and its Christmas time also. Obviously, you want to look your best. However, Christmas wedding narrows down the choice of dresses that you can wear. This is because you have to synchronize the dresses with the Christmas theme, right form the dress of the bride to that of the groom to that of the bridesmaids. Then, you also have to decide on the flowers that the bride and the bridesmaids will carry. The color of the Christmas wedding dress, the style, the accessories, all have to be decided keeping in mind the spirit of the season.

Nowadays, people have stopped confirming to the traditions as far as Christmas wedding dress is concerned. They follow the latest fashion trends that are available in the market. Modern approach has been added to everything related with the wedding. In the following lines, we are providing a number of Christmas wedding dress ideas.

Dress for the Bridegroom
Bridegrooms look the best in black or white tuxedos, complete with boutonnière or handkerchief. There are three major styles in tuxedos, namely single-breasted, double-breasted and full dress. Single and double-breasted tuxedos are the most popular amongst guys.

Dress for the Bride
Green and red colors perfectly represent the spirit of Christmas. Even though one doesn't have to go in for a gown in these colors, a touch of green or red can definitely be added to the dress. The bride can wear gowns in white, cream, silver, gold, light, blue or even burgundy color. For the fabrics, you can choose from taffeta to satin to velvet. Make sure to get beads and sequins stitched on to gown, along with the traditional work of golden embroidery. It will add a classy look to the gown. You can add a red silk sash to the waist of the wedding gown to give it a trendy look.

Dress for the Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids can either wear gowns of the same color as the bride, or they may go in for red, forest green, gold, silver or royal blue gowns. Bridesmaids look the best in long dresses, which can be topped with shrugs, faux-fur and muffs. Accessories like silk scarves, gloves, shoes and hats also form a part of the bridesmaids dress.

www.worldofchristmas.net
www.brides.com

christmas wedding colors

The colors of Christmas are red and green. These being fairly bright colors, you would want something more subtle, like white or silver, to be the theme of your Christmas wedding. That way, your decoration complements the colors of the season. You should probably use the same color as your theme on the invitation card. Just because it's a Christmas wedding, don't fall into the temptation of using a holiday type card as your invitation card. Again, use something subtle and elegant for the card. An ivory card with gold trims would great. The gown for the bride will probably be the same that would have been used anyway.

The idea is to have her look her flattering best. You could add a tinge of Christmas color with a red cape or a red silk sash around the waist- just enough color to remind the season, without overshadowing the wedding. For the cake, you have many choices. You could still use a traditional tiered wedding cake. However, for your Christmas wedding, you could make it a bit special. You could make it look like a tower of wrapped gift packs with a filling that's traditional for the Christmas season – maybe marzipan, which is an almond paste

www.allthingschristmas.com
www.njsdesign.on.ca
www.flower-arrangement-advisor.com

our orientation dinner with new staffs

I'd like to thank all of you for joining our orientation (holiday) dinner!
I super-strongly believe we all had fun!!

Below are some evidences... =P

Fondue Night @ The Melting Pot, Hoboken, NJ

12/10/2008

DOCs:

Christina Chiu

Jennie Thai

Jenny Oh

Jessica Semidey

Lucia Han

Manny Chen

Marisa Shanahan

Nikki Wright

Sunny Jun

plan a winter wedding

Step1-Pick your date and book your location, preferably indoors if you are in the north. Consider a beautiful, rustic lodge with large windows. Such a place will allow a nice view of the winter scenery. Many lodges also offer fireplaces, and that can add the ambiance of your wedding.

Step2-Choose colors that will match your bold winter decision. Winter colors may be metallics, such as blues and reds. Both of these colors look great when paired with silver and gold.

Step3-Go shopping to choose your wedding attire. There are lots of options for winter wedding attire. A long-sleeved wedding dress is a must for a winter affair. The groom can wear dressy boots that are insulated. A bride may want to make sure that she has a matching white coat for venturing outdoors on her special day.

Step4-Pick the food you want for your winter wedding. Soup, chili and stew is unconventional--yet delicious--wedding food. Dumplings, loafs and pies work well in the winter. Think of a grand holiday dinner. You could even theme your winter wedding food to match that of your Thanksgiving dinner.

Step5-Pick out a wedding cake. Beautiful snowflake decorations can adorn your cake, or the cake itself can be the shape of a snowflake. A cake decorator will be able to help you come up with a beautiful, winter wedding themed cake. Some brides who are gifted at baking choose to make their own. This gives you freedom of decorating, and you can rest assured that the cake will be delicious. Talented friends or family members that love to bake also often volunteer. Do what feels right for your own wedding.

Step6-Choose winter wedding flowers. This will be a challenging part of your planning. You will likely be given the choice of a mixed bouquet. Using a predominantly white flower scheme is popular, but you'll want some bold colors in the mix.

Step7-Decorate with snow, snowflakes and lots of white and metallics. Decorative snow can be bought at local craft stores. You can get white lights at almost any grocery store, mart or drug store during the winter months. Instead of using them as Christmas decorations, use the white lights as your wedding decorations. See the film "Father of the Bride" for a lovely way of doing just that! Use anything you want to make your winter wedding more glamorous and special to your own ideas of newly wedded bliss.

www.ehow.com

which flowers are in season in the winter?

The selection of winter flowers may seem limited, but there are many varieties that are available through florists year-round. Roses, for instance, are a summer flower, but can be found in any color virtually any month of the year. Orchids, one of the most popular and traditional wedding blooms, come in multiple colors, strengths, and price ranges. Cymbidium orchids (expensive) range from a vibrant green, to hot pink, to stark white. The centers of the flower also vary in color. Cattleya orchids are large, delicate blossoms found in shades of white with pink or lavender centers (very expensive). Dendrobium orchids are available in colors ranging from pinks to purples, and are sturdy as well as moderately priced.

For flowers in winter white, baby’s breath, chrysanthemums, and roses top the list. For jewel tones, gerbera daisies, alstroemeria, and chrysanthemums (they come in red and purple, too) are striking, affordable choices for winter.

www.weddingchannel.com

simple, sexy hairstyles

Loose & Down
A soft ponytail showcases an elaborate neckline without looking like an afterthought if there's some fullness and texture. It's ideal for those with hair affected by humidity since the body created by any dampness in the air adds volume. For staying power back-comb the crown and set with hairspray.


Loose & Up
Make an elegant, Victorian style dress more modern by pairing it with a subtly deconstructed chignon like this one. The key to updating a classic wedding hairdo, stylist David Cruz says, is to break down the style so the hair appears less "perfect."



Smooth & Up
If you opt for a more classic wedding do, keep it simple. "The fussier the style, the more dated it can look," says Cruz. The sleekness of this bun makes it ideal for evening affair — not to mention windy venues like the beach — and the right backdrop for an ornate hair accessory such as the jeweled headpiece shown here.


Smooth & Down
There's no rule that says a bride must wear an updo – simply dress up a wavy look like this one with a hair accessory. Cruz suggests shampooing and conditioning a day or two before the wedding. "'Dirty' hair holds a style longer," he says.

www.instyleweddings.com

winter wedding ideas

There is something magical and sophisticated about winter weddings: the sparkle of falling snow, the enchantment of the holiday lights and the cozy atmosphere that the cold winter months bring.

Winter Wedding Color Palette
Frosted colors like icy blue make a big impact in the winter season, as do metallics in shades of silver and gold and anything holiday-inspired, especially reds. Think Christmas and Hanukkah colors. Also consider winter whites, which have a slight tint of yellow that give them a creamier color, as opposed to the brighter, crisper color of summer white. Navy, eggplant and deep browns are also good choices.

Winter Wedding Flower Options
When you think of winter wedding flowers there are some immediate varieties that come to mind: roses in rich shades (also white roses can add an unexpected touch to your wedding flowers), calla lilies and sweet peas. Another seasonally appropriate choice is the stephanotis, which bares a resemblance to the snowflake. Think about interspersing crystal adornments into your bouquet for an added element of shimmer.

Winter Wedding Favors
Winter wedding favors can be unique, from mini bottles of champagne to personalized wedding ornaments engraved with the couple's names and date or personalized packets of coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
Winter brides should fully embrace the season. Make the most of the surrounding holidays and the joyful spirit; play up the glitter of the snow, the lush evergreens and the warmth of celebrating your special day with family and friends.

http://weddingstyle.suite101.com

sooner vs. later: is there an ideal age for first marriage?

... many young adults today... waited to marry until they felt the time was right. Others are also holding off while maintaining a single-but-together status that can last years. That may be one reason the age at first marriage has been climbing steadily for all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. The median age is now the oldest since the U.S. Census started keeping track in the 1890s: almost 26 for women and almost 28 for men.

And as young people wait longer to marry, there is growing debate over whether waiting is a good idea, and if so, how long is best. Those who advocate marriage in the early to mid-20s say that's the age when the pool of possible mates is larger, it's when couples can "grow up" together and it's prime for childbearing. But others favor the late 20s or early 30s, saying maturity makes for happier unions and greater economic security — both of which make divorce less likely.

As a result, researchers, sociologists and family experts are taking a closer look at the attitudes behind the trend to see if there really is an optimum age to marry that maximizes the benefits of matrimony and minimizes possible problems.

"It's better not to get married as a teenager," says sociologist Andrew Cherlin of Johns Hopkins University. "Beyond that, I don't think there's an ideal age."

But people do have opinions about it, and those beliefs are clearly changing. In a 1946 Gallup Poll, most found the ideal age to be 25 for men and 21 for women. Sixty years later, in a Gallup telephone poll of about 500 adults, the ideal age had increased to 25 for women and 27 for men.

www.usatoday.com

bridal shows

two teacups will be participating at several bridal shows in 2009!

Sunday 1/11/09 - Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel (Rutherford, NJ)

http://www.elegantbridal.com/

Sunday 1/18/09 - DoubleTree Hotel (Fort Lee, NJ)

http://www.btvexpo.com/

Monday 1/19/09 - Marriott Marquis (New York, NY)

http://www.greatbridalexpo.com/

Thursday 1/29/09 - Clinton Inn (Tenafly, NJ )

http://www.elegantbridal.com/

Monday 2/9/09 - Fashion Forty Lounge (New York, NY)

http://www.elegantbridal.com/

Wednesday 2/11/09 - Biagio's Ristorante & Banquet Facility (Paramus, NJ)

http://www.elegantbridal.com/

Friday 5/8/09 - Marriott Marquis (New York, NY)

http://www.greatbridalexpo.com/

Come out see us and win prizes!

i'm still having a hard time with the fact that i'm married. but i have no problem remembering that i had a great wedding. ---All thanks to Lucia & Christina from twoteacups.

where do i begin to thank you two?!

I always love doing weddings for my friends, always dreamed that i can plan a perfect wedding for myself. but the time really came, i was panicing. there are a million things i want, & i was being very indecisive. we didnt have a budget set up, or anything booked. i was stressed w/work, family & the wedding at the same time. As time passing by, i felt helpless & desprate.

that's when i met twoteacups. the gospel to my prayer.

Lucia is very patient, very understanding, & best of all very attentive to details. from the moment we met til the day before the wedding, she made me feel at ease knowing she's always there for me. always there to send me weekly or even daily to do list, always there to listen to my questions & request, always there to comfort. knowing someone is devoted as much as you do for your own wedding was great feeling.

later on i met Christina, who has the most amazing,upbeat personality that she'd go extra miles to make sure i was truely having the best time of my life.

because of them, i was worry free on my wedding day. & because of them, the wedding was amazing, more than i ever expected.... a lot of guests told me it was the best wedding they had ever been to. I agree. therefore, my hubby & i are enterally grateful that we had chose twoteacups.

the best thing is yet to come. not only i had a dreamed wedding w/ the best DOC i can ask for, i also earn two true friends that will last lifetime long.

Lucia & Christina, thank you so much for all the hard work you did for us.

i will definitely refer all my friends to your company in the future.

wish you all the best!!!!!!

how to decorate for a fall wedding

Autumn is a beautiful time to have a wedding. To amplify the season, incorporate the season into your wedding decorations and your guests will be talking about your special day for years to come.

1. For the ceremony, decorate aisles with autumn colored leaves. Most arts and craft stores sell a variety of cloth and polyurethane leaves. They can easily be attached to a chair or a pew with double-sided tape. You can use fresh leaves, as well, though they dry out and become fragile quickly. Instead of decorating with flowers, use fall plants like wheat, Indian corn, grapevine and ferns. Have the ceremony in a location surrounded by fall foliage, whether at a church or lodge.

2. Use fall flowers in bouquets. Mums, heather and goldenrod can be used or interchanged with autumn-colored flowers like dahlias. Roses can be found in many shades of red, orange, yellow and even brown. Confetti roses are very common in fall wedding bouquets.

3. Use pumpkins for place cards. Choose mini pumpkins with their stems still attached. Use a sharp knife to make a semi-deep cut into the stem. Insert a place card and secure with a drop of glue. Gourds and squash can be used instead or with the pumpkins.

4. For the ceremony, continue decorating with leaves, Indian corn, grapevine, mums, and other fall plants. Place large pumpkins, gourds, squash and apples around the room and on serving tables. Also use Granny Smith apples and chestnuts.

5. Place a simple votive candle and some (non-flammable) leaves on each table as centerpieces. Your florist may be able to supply you with a candle holder in which you can display leaves and a candle.

6. Give your guests a fall treat as a favor. Packets of cider and tea can be purchased in bulk and wrapped up with a cinnamon stick. Individually package some homemade pumpkin or apple cinnamon mini-muffins in a plastic bag and tie them with a fall-colored ribbon.

www.ehow.com

halloween wedding theme

Wedding Party Attire

Bride: A slim fitting dress in the Mortica (Addams Family) style would work nicely. You may also choose to have your gown choice died black or red. Add a black cape with red lining, black veil and long, sleek black gloves.

Bridesmaids: Slim fitting black, red, or orange dresses with matching capes or sheer long scarves. Instead of a regular neckline, consider having a seamstress add a high, stiff collar to frame their faces. Use tiara's in their hair or matching ribbons.

Groom and groomsmen: Wear black tuxedos with red cummerbunds. Another option would be black shirts, black slacks and a red-lined black cape with high collar and black top hat with cane (old-fashioned Dracula style).

Suggested Halloween Wedding Bouquets: Carry blood red or black roses. If you've decided to use orange as a wedding color, you may wish to opt for orange colored flowers such as: Orange Hawkweed, Day Lily's, Tiger Lily's, Orange/Yellow Freesia's, Orange Roses, Orange Poppy's. Remember that you can often get a variety of flowers dipped or dyed to suit your wedding colors.

http://toastandtables.blogspot.com

www.wedthemes.com

catholic wedding

The Roman Catholic wedding rite takes place with the Sacrament of Matrimony, one of the seven sacraments Catholics believe are channels of God's grace. The ceremony consists, at least, of three biblical readings, the exchange of vows, the exchange of rings, the Prayer of the Faithful, the nuptial blessing, prayers and appropriate music.

The Roman Catholic wedding is rich in tradition and liturgy. Since a wedding is primarily a worship service, worship and praise of God who calls a man and a woman together in marriage, great care should go into planning the ceremony itself. The Church offers this sacred opportunity to join with family and friends in dedicating the couple's marriage to God, the author of all love.

The marriage ceremony is not a private ceremony, but rather a public ritual. It is celebrated in the community prayer space (the church building, not outdoors) and encourages those who have gathered not only to witness the vows of the couple, but also to participate fully in the liturgy.

The Sacrament usually takes place during a Mass, referred to as a Nuptial Mass, usually celebrated in the morning or early afternoon. The Catholic Church encourages the couple - and other Catholic bridal party members - to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony. weddings are not scheduled for Holy Thursday, Good Friday or Holy Saturday, nor are weddings scheduled for those hours when Mass is read for the congregation.

The church is the appropriate setting for a wedding because it is a place sanctified by communal worship and the place where the sacrament of marriage is more significantly symbolized. The wedding usually takes place in the parish church of the bride's family.

When a marriage takes place between two Catholics of mixed rites, it is the rite of the groom that determines the service to be used. The power to transfer rites from the groom's church to that of the bride rests with the Church.

www.weddingdetails.com

tips on finding the perfect bridesmaid dress

Where do I start?

When choosing a dress, it is the bride's privilege to select the color and type of fabric of the bridesmaids' dresses. It should complement the bride's gown, but it should also be comfortable and attractive for the attendants. Consideration should be given to the bridesmaids' style, color preferences, their figure types as well as their budgets.

The Internet is a wonderful resource for finding bridesmaid dresses. We also recommend thumbing through the more popular wedding magazines, such as Bride's and Modern Bride magazines. It is recommended that the bride go shopping with one or two of her bridesmaids and see what styles they like. Once you narrow it down, you can then get input from your other bridesmaids if you desire.

www.bridesmaid101.com

bridal shower

Hosted by the Maid of Honor, Matron of Honor or a friend of the family, The Bridal Shower is an old custom started centuries ago with family and friends "Showering" the bride and groom with gifts since the couple usually did not have much to begin their new lives together. It is customary to have at least one bridal shower but many times a bride may have multiple bridal showers hosted by different friends. Furthermore, some couples today have co-ed showers, including the groom and his friends.

Shower Gifts are customary to bring although traditionally they are not as large of a gift as the Wedding Gift. The shower gift is usually something practical and small, such as some of the more small items off of the wedding directory.

If you are planning the bridal shower it is important to work with the bride in who she wants to attend. If there are multiple showers, many times different people that are going to the wedding attend the different showers with some overlap. It is customary for the guests of any of the showers to be attending the wedding unless they are co-workers. As for the rest of the planning, it is sometimes nice to get a general idea of what the bride would like, although it is nice to plan many surprises (i.e., themes, games, etc) in which the bride has no idea.


Location: There are many great places to have a bridal shower. Traditionally, the shower was held in a home of the Maid of Honor, although now they are held in places such as restaurants, bars, hotels, halls, and country clubs. Regardless on where you have it, make sure it is convenient for most the guests.
Time: Bridal Showers usually take place a few weeks prior to the wedding. It is important to check out availability with the Bride, Groom and their families. In addition, it is important to take season and hour of day into consideration (i.e, Is it during the rainy or windy season which would make you have an indoor party).
Themes: Although traditionally there were no themes of Bridal Showers, recent times have shown different. Themes have become more popular with some ideas including:

• Lingerie Shower: Have the girls come over in P.J.'s or their nightime clothes and decorate the party as a "sleepover" Have the gifts of the bride consist of "bed and bath", lingerie, bikinis or anything sexy that her and the groom will enjoy!
• Recipe Shower: Have all the guests do a pot luck, serving their greatest meal while also bringing the recipes. Guests can either give kitchen items as gifts or serve the food in the bride and grooms gift (i.e., pot/pan, bowls, cups, utensils). This is a great way to feed the party as well as give reasonable gifts for the bride and groom.
• Multi-Cultural Shower: Have all the guests bring their favorite cultural dish "in" the bride and groom's bridal shower gift. Whether it is egg rolls and suschi on japanese plates (gift) or pasta fresh from a pasta maker (gift) it is a great way to give the bride and groom unique gifts. Decorate the party with decorations from different cultures.

Be sure to purchase your bridal shower favors, bridal shower invitation themes and bachelorette party supplies as early as possible.

www.bridesmaid101.com

seasonal wedding flowers

When you are planning on what flowers to use for the bridal dresses or wedding dress as well as the wedding itself, we have listed the top choices for each season. These are the flowers that seem to work the best:

Fall: Celosia, Chinese Lantern, Chrysanthemum, Crosnia, Dahlia, Statice, Yarrow. Note that in the Western US, most flowers are available this season.
Winter: Amaryllis, Casablanca Lily, Freesia, Gerber Daisy, Heather, Holly, Narcissus, Poinsettia, Rose, Stephanotis.
Summer: Anemone, Azalea, Calla Lily, Camellia, Daffodil, French Tulip, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Jasmine, Lilac, Lily of the Valley, Mimosa, Pansy, Peony, Primrose, Ranunculus, Sweet Pea, Tulip, Violet.
Year Around: Baby's Breath, Carnation, Cattleman, Chrysanthemum, Cymbidium, Orchid, Daisy, Dendroblum Orchid, Freesia, Gardenia, Gerber Daisy, Gladiolus, Iris, Lilies, Protea, Roses, September Aster, Snapdragon, Stephanotis, Tuberoses.

Let us know if you have any other flowers you would recommend.

www.bridesmaid101.com

honeymoon destination USA

Do you wonder what USA destinations are most popular with couples on a honeymoon?

Based on traffic to http://www.about.com/, which reveals destinations most often researched on Honeymoon/Romantic Getaways, these are the leaders, in order of popularity:

TOP 10 USA HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS
1. Hawaii
2. New York/Niagara Falls
3. Florida
4. California
5. Las Vegas
6. Pennsylvania/Poconos
7. Colorado
8. Georgia
9. Virginia
10. Wine Country (California)

MORE ABOUT THE TOP 10 USA HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS

Despite the fact it's expensive to fly and lodge there, Hawaii ranks as no. 1 in honeymoon desirability -- and deserves its first-place status. Beautiful beaches and hidden coves; world-class hotels; fresh, inventive cuisine; watersports galore; extraordinary natural beauty; and perfect weather make this an ideal honeymoon destination year after year.

Coming in second, thanks to cities as diverse as New York and Niagara Falls, the Empire State has plenty to attract couples on a honeymoon. Everyone should see New York City at least once. If you have a few extra wedding dollars to spend on your honeymoon, this is the place to splurge. The world's best restaurants, hotels, shops, and theaters are all here.
Nearly 500 miles away, at the other end of the state, The Falls are affordable on both the US and Canadian sides, there's plenty to do, and seeing one of the natural wonders of the world adds to the excitement of a trip away from home. Nearby Niagara on the Lake is a charming and romantic wine growing area.

Third in popularity among honeymoon couples, Florida offers coast-to-coast fun. From the festive atmosphere of Miami and the Keys, to upscale Palm Beach and Boca Raton, to Walt Disney World in Orlando, to the action in Daytona and Cape Kennedy, to the gentle beaches and great sunsets on the Gulf Coast side, to the affordable accommodations of the Panhandle, it's one destination that offers something for all couples on a honeymoon who enjoy warm weather.

www.about.com

giving a maid of honor speech?

LEAVE THEM LAUGHING: The best speeches are usually the funny ones ... the kind where everyone in the crowd is laughing, not just the bride. A great way to start out your speech is to tell a story or two about growing up together, and the amusing things that happened to you.

When it comes to this speech, a lot of maids like to wing it — not write anything down, and hope for the best. I think they often hope this will create a natural, spontaneous effect, but I'm not always sure that's the result. At any rate, on such a big day, it makes sense to put in the extra effort and write down a few prepared remarks.
We all know that most of us don't like to speak in front of other people. We tend to get nervous when we know we have to make a speech, and we procrastinate a little. Having a few prepared notes makes life a lot easier on that front as well.

www.favorideas.com

processional and recessional

One of the grandest part of any wedding ceremony is when the bridal party makes its entrance. The air is full of anticipation, and the groom anxiously awaits his first glimpse of his bride in her wedding dress. But do you know what order your bridal party should walk in? And who escorts the mother of the bride?

Different types of wedding processionals

The order of wedding processionals follows a general pattern, but varies according to religious traditions.



For example, here is a Catholic wedding processional:

1. The priest, groom, and best man enter through a side door and wait at the altar.
2. The groomsmen and bridesmaids walk down in pairs, starting with the two who will stand farthest from the bride and groom, and ending with the best man and maid of honor.
3. The ring bearer and/or flower girl
4. The bride and her father, or other close family member.
5. The bride walks on the left side. If the bride's escort is her father, he leads her to the front of the aisle, then takes his seat next to the bride's mother.

However, for a Jewish wedding processional, the order goes something like this:

1. The Rabbi and/or cantor
2. Grandparents of the bride, who are then seated in the first row
3. Grandparents of the groom, who are then seated in the first row
4. Groomsmen, walking in pairs
5. Best man
6. The groom, who is escorted by his parents.
7. Bridesmaids
8. Maid or Matron of Honor
9. Ring bearer and/or flower girl
10. The bride, escorted by her parents

*from http://www.about.com/

wedding tips: pre-ceremony

• Have a designated person to be the personal attendant of the day. This friend - usually not part of the wedding party - will be responsible for assisting the bride in matters such as making sure the vendors are doing what they are paid to do, the right photo is (photos are) taken, the bridal party is announced, wedding participants are in place ready to go, etc. It may even be helpful to have a separate bride’s attendant and groom’s attendant.
  
• Be extremely specific about when each person involved in the wedding should arrive. Don’t automatically assume that everyone will know when to show up…you might be surprised as to how many people think they are exceptions! Be clear on when musicians vs. vendors vs. the bridal party vs. family members and other helpers such as ushers and greeters should arrive.


• Have 2-3 greeters and a separate gift table attendant, and be clear on who is transporting what to and from the ceremony. The 2-3 greeters can focus on making sure people know where to go and ensuring guests sign the guestbook properly, while the gift table attendant should focus on receiving and tracking the gifts.
  
• Regarding the gift table, a great way to track gifts is to have a gift log with some stickers that you can write numbers on. When each guest drops off a guest, stick a number on the gift and note it in the gift log (i.e. sticker #1 refers to Mr. and Mrs. Smith). This will go a long way in making the thank-you-care-writing process much easier! Another reason it is important to have a person focused specifically on the gifts is for their watchful eye, as there have been occasions when gifts have disappeared. Weddings are prime targets for theft, as passersby know that guests are bringing lots of bright and shiny things for the newlywed couple!

interested in being a blogger?

If you would like to be a two teacups blogger, please do not hesitate to reach us out by leaving a comment with your email address or email us at info@twoteacups.com.

We promise we'll have fun!

september bridal shows

THE GREAT BRIDAL EXPO
Sept 5, 2008 at 5:30 PM~9:30 PM
New York Marriott Marquis (1535 Broadway, New York NY 10036)
Online purchase of $7.00 per ticket. At show $9 per ticket (if available)
http://www.greatbridalexpo.com/

Bronx's Ultimate Bridal Fashion Show
Sept 10, 2008 at 7:00 PM~9:00 PM
Villa Barone Manor (737 Throgs Neck Expressway, Bronx NY 10465)
FREE admission
http://www.bridalaffair.com/

Cake Decorating & Candy Class
Sept 13, 2008 at 10:00 AM~2:00 PM
Creative Cakes & Candy making school (115 Lincoln Road Suite 3B, Brooklyn NY 11225)
$100 for four classes
http://www.scrumptiousbitescateringservice.food.officelive.com/

2008 Fall Bridal Extravaganza
Sept 17, 2008 at 7:00 PM~9:30 PM
Surf Club (New Rochelle, NJ)
FREE admission
http://www.everythingbridalshows.com/

Bosco's NY Bridal Show & Wedding Planning Expo
Sept 17, 2008 at 6:30 PM~9:30 PM
Villa Barone Hilltop Manor (466 Route 6, Mahopac, NY)
Admission is $8.00. All brides who purchase their tickets through the web site will receive a FREE CANVAS TOTE BAG at the show, a $15 value. Plus you will get a COUPON VALUED at $100.
http://boscobridal.com/

Bosco's NY Bridal Show & Wedding Planning Expo
Sept 23, 2008 at 6:30 PM~9:30 PM
Antun's of Queens Village (96-43 Springfield Blvd., Queens Village, NY)
Admission is $8.00. All brides who purchase their tickets through the web site will receive a FREE CANVAS TOTE BAG at the show, a $15 value. Plus you will get a COUPON VALUED at $100.
http://boscobridal.com/

Brooklyn's Ultimate Bridal Fashion Show
Sept 23, 2008 at 6:30 PM~9:00 PM
The Rex Manor (1100 60th Street, Brooklyn NY 11219)
FREE admission
http://www.bridalaffair.com/

Wine and Cheese Bridal Showcase
Sept 23, 2008 at 6:45 PM~9:00 PM
Union Square Ballroom (27 Union Square West, Manhattan NY 10003)
FREE admission
http://www.thepros.com/

Wine and Cheese Bridal Showcase
Sept 24, 2008 at 6:45 PM~9:00 PM
The Forge Restaurant (Rt 9, Woodbridge NJ 07095)
FREE admission
http://www.thepros.com/

South Jersey Wedding planning Showcase
Sept 24, 2008 at 6:30 PM
The Merion (Rt. 130 South, Cinnaminson, NJ)
Tickets are $5.00 in advance for our VIP line otherwise $10.00 at the door the night of the event.
http://www.bridaltradeshows.com/

Honeymoon Bridal Expo
Sept 27, 2008 at 12:00 PM~6:00 PM
Helen Mills Event Space and Theater (137-139 West 26 Street, New York NY 10001)
Tickets are $25.00
http://www.honeymoonbridalexpo.com/

lucky rice

The wedding toss is a lovely American tradition that dates back to Ancient Rome. Throwing things at a newly wed couple is intended to symbolize good luck, fertility and abundance. It is also a wonderful way for your guests to partake in the ceremony and share in the festivities.

Fun Notes: Some individuals, churches or communities choose birdseed because of a widely believed myth that the birds eating the rice will burst.

'must know' about outdoor weddings

If you decided to have an outdoor wedding, first of all, congratulations! You've probably been envisioning of your outdoor wedding since your brain acquired the word 'wedding.' As beautiful an outdoor wedding can be, there can be small flaws that can prevent the 120% perfect wedding...
Therefore, I've summarized some of the 'must-know' for your outdooor wedding.

1. Lighting. If it's possible, visit the location in the same month and around same time of your wedding (for example, the previous year) to know how, when, and what is the best spot for your wedding. Some of the questions you might want to consider are:

• What time is sunset? Will the guests need extra lighting after sunset? Will the photographer need additional lighting after sunset?
• Will the sun shine directly to the bridal party and guests? Will the photographer be uncomfortable in taking pictures because of the strong sunshine?
• Are all the pathways for the guests bright enough, such as path to the parking lot, from and to tables?
• Things that help: ushers serving cold beverages, fans (either personal or huge electric ones) and tent to shade the sunshine.

2. Bad Weather. Always have a back up plan. The most imporant thing you must remember is that you should always stress-free. Do not panic. Just have all the back up plans ready. Another tip is let your guests know that the wedding is outdoor so that they can dress appropriately.

• What if it rains? Find out if there is an option of an indoor hall. This would be the best 'plan B.' If else, renting a tent would be a second choice. However, make sure that this second plan will only work for showers or light rain. A third option, you may change location. You can find out a different location nearby the original location where it is indoor. But make sure you let your guests know of this by posting a visible sign at the entrance and/or calling guests and have the guest inform other guests.
• What if it gets too chilly? Again, make sure you let your guest know that it is an outdoor wedding so that they can dress warm. You may want to add a note onto your invitation. Things that might help: personal blankets and portable heaters.
• What if it gets too windy? Make sure you pin all the table clothes, either with large vases or pins. Also, weddings are full of candles. Be aware that the wind can blow out the candles. Alternatives can be if you use large candle holders, fishbowls or decorative hurricane lamps.

Most importantly, the bride, you should look pretty at all times. Make sure you tell your hair stylist and make-up artist about the outdoor wedding. Also, you might want to choose appropriate dresses for yourself and the bridesmaids. Choose dresses that are not too puffy but yet not of a too-light fabric material as it can easily be blown out by the wind. The length of the dress is very important as well...

3. Bugs. These can be very dangerous. They can make your guests, bridal party and family uncomfortable. Make sure you know what can prevent the bugs from invading your wedding: ask the manager and/or specialist. If the location is known for too many bugs, have citronella candles or bug zappers to keep these uninvited bugs away.

4. Noise. If your wedding is at a beach or at a noisy park, make sure you prepare appropriate sound system. Ask your DJ to accomodate this. You do not want your guests to leave your wedding feeling that they have not heard one word from the ceremony. On the other hand, some places may have noise restrictions on how loud you can be (for example, parks or other public places). Make sure you read your contract to find out rules and details on this. Some places you may even need permit to have the wedding itself.

5. Decorations. The best part. You may be able to save money on decorations as the outdoor environment is itself a beautiful decoration. However, you may need to worry about different issues: make sure that the grass is nicely mowned, ground raked, trees are not interfering with the ceremony location, and supplement with chair decorations, topiaries, columns, aisle bows and runners, and ceremony arch to jist up the outdoor setting.

Hopefully, my 'must-know' helps your outdoor wedding be 120% perfect!

My Experience with the Marriage License

So....my hubby and I totally forgot about getting the marriage license, with running around getting all the final details checked, the license did not even cross our minds! lets just say Thank God that I remembered it two days before the wedding! If not, because of the 24 hours waiting period (meaning, that you must not get married within 24 hours) who knows what would have happened.

I had a intensive checklist, but how did I forget the most important item? Brides and Grooms, this should be on your top TOP to do list.

Some tips that might help out....

1) Go early! depending on the season your wedding is in....the wait is going to be long. I got married in June, so that was a busy season. We had to wait outside of the court (not even inside!) for almost 45 mins. I suggest to go maybe 15 mins before the court opens and just wait there, grab some coffee and breakfast, this can reduce the wait time.

2) $40 Fee ONLY in money order. The court does not accept anything else. Luckily there are plenty of stores around that has money order services.

3) DO NOT FORGET GOVERNMENT ID!!!! My hubby and I were good to go on this, but I saw lots of couples inside where one forgot to bring, sucks to come back!

4) There is a municipal parking lot right next to it. It's not really out in the open, so my hubby and I had to drive, and drive to find parking =( On the main road, there are only one hour meter parking....there is no parking around the residential areas....municipal parking lot is the way to go! You park and pay for whatever time you think you need.

5) Lastly, Don't forget to mail in the license after your wedding. Once again, my hubby and I forgot. It says on the license that it must be mailed in within 7 days of the wedding, we mailed it in 2 weeks after. But all was good, and we were issued the marriage certificate. phew~

I went to the court in Queens, NY...which is on Queens Blvd.

Hopefully this will help...

Next....my DIY projects~

license vs certificate

What is the difference between wedding license and wedding certificate?

Marriage license is what the marrying couple gets to give to the officiant (priest, preacher, judge, etc.). This license states that the officiant can legally marry the couple together. Then, the designated witnesses sign the license testifying that the officiant has married the couple. And lastly, this signed document goes through the court system which will be returned as a wedding certificate.

So in other terms, a marriage license is what the couple gets before marriage; and the marriage certificate is the document obtained after the marriage. In order to receive the certificate, it is necessary to have the marriage license and some kind of wedding ceremony first. Whether it's just at city hall or in a church, a marriage has to take place to be legally married and receive a marriage certificate.

Below details in obtaining the wedding license in New York: http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_records/married.htm

Below details in obtaining the wedding license in New Jersey: http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/marriage_apply.shtml

Wedding Day Set Up

I decided to go backwards with the postings of my wedding experiences. Today I will share with photos of how my wedding was set up, then I will post my DIY projects, vendor experiences, and so on....




This is how our tables were set up. The table numbers were DIYs, I made them from one of our casual picture session.










This is my Bouquet. I ABSOLUTELY loved my bouquet. I gave some inspiration pictures to my florists, and BAM came this beauty!











This is our Name Table. I put three of our favorite formal shoot pictures as decor.













Our rings, and a partial pic of our invitation which was also DIY.











Invitation, rings + engagement ring and my beauty Jimmy Choo wedding shoes.











My wonderful, awesome, and everything more Maid of Honor putting on my shoes on the day.
















This was our monogrammed Aisle Runner. I originally wanted to DIY this too, but I ran out of time. Remember to plan well when doing different DIY projects. I purchased this from a great monogram website, i do originals where I also purchased all of our monograms. The link is on the top, so go check it out!




My Bouquet + Bridesmaid bouquets. Aren't they just beautiful? ^___^














The wedding Cake. I originally wanted different flowers, but it was still beautiful. On the table, it has I DO on it....









Our sweetheart chair decor, another DIY project. Too bad the picture is not too clear. But its basically our names in flowers.












One of my wedding dress. Not a clear picture, I have more, will post them later. I had rented two dresses, one for the ceremony and one for the reception. The price was great.












I have so much more that I will be sharing....

then till next time

*mwah*