In the 1950′s people really knew how to throw a cocktail party (or at least in the movies they did, anyways!).

Finger Foods, Mixed Drinks, and Party Games

A Classic Cocktail Party (fifties theme) is the perfect setting for a bridal shower, engagement party, or jack and jill party.

And, here’s a great  idea: carry the 50′s theme a step further by focussing on that famous 50′s married TV couple: Lucy and Ricky Ricardo!

Copy the heart from the TV series credits but replace “I Love Lucy” with the names of the engaged couple. Play your favorite episodes of the show on a TV set (this will give party guests something to talk about – a bonus if your guest list is made up of lots of people who are just getting acquainted).

You can even buy a CD of Desi Arnaz performing his hits – aptly named “Cocktail Hour”.

amazon.ca

Games

Lucy and Ricky VS. Fred and Ethel

Seat the engaged couple together against the Best Man and Maid of Honor. Print out the faces of Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel and either make them into masks or use them to label the contestants’ spots if you are seating them behind table. Or, better yet, make them wear t-shirts with the character’s head printed across the chest. Explain that you will be asking questions to see who knows the bride and groom better – the fiance/fiancee or the best friends? Ask the party guests to take sides – who will win? Ask a series of questions. Give prizes to the winning couple and party favors to the guests standing on the winners’ side of the room (jello shots perhaps?).

Party Prizes

Get party prizes straight from the source – you can shop at the I Love Lucy online store. Purchases help support the Lucy-Desi Museum and the Desilu Playhouse in Jamestown, New York. They have a whole line of salt and pepper sets based on household items (vacuum, washer/dryer, toaster) all very 50′s housewife and reminiscent of classic wedding gifts. Other ideas from their store: a set of Lucy coasters or a tin of of Lucy’s Predica-mints!

Refreshments

Time to stock the bar and buy a cocktail recipe book! Designate a bartender for the evening (or several, to work in shifts). Another option is to select two or three cocktails to offer – or one signature cocktail for the couple and a big bowl of fancy punch. You can read more about cocktail party drinks at our previous article about Jack and Jill parties.

Costumes

Cocktail Party Clothes

A cocktail party also gives you the perfect excuse to wear a party dress and a cute pair of shoes!  Check out a list of top ten Retro Dresses at thefashionpolice.net.

You can get your whole cocktail costume at starletsandharlets.com –

Their rock and roll retro looks put the cocky into cocktail.

starletsandharlets.com

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Recently we looked at the beautiful possibilities presented by a wedding with a white theme (White Weddings That Are Hot, November 10, 2009). This week we’re going to look at a different kind of white wedding: one that happens when it’s snowing outside.

Winter Wedding Wonderland

A snowy setting can be a winter wonderland but it also presents it’s own challenges. For example, it’s cold out and we want the beautiful b-r-r-r-r-r-r-bride to look gorgeous (and comfortable) in the photos.

What to Wear

Winter Wedding Photography Tips is an article that offers some expert advice (it looks like they are based out of Utah so they know what they are talking about). They advise you to bring a cape or jacket to keep warm between shots, bring hand warmers, wear warm leggings under your dress, and that you can wear boots in the snow because your dress will hide them!

Light Up The Night

An evening wedding in a snowy setting give you an opportunity to shine. Select a venue with floor to ceiling windows looking out on to a park. Decorate the outdoors with hundreds of tiny white lights and stage your entrance for maximum effect.

Arrive in a horse and carriage.

www.whisperingpinesranchandcarriage.com

An outdoor arrival also allows you and your wedding party the exciting opportunity to dress for the occasion! Check out this stunning floor length fur cape.

romanticgowns.com

silkandsable.com

Bring the Outdoors Inside

Run a luxurious white carpet down the church aisle and decorate the aisle seating with white feathers that will evoke fluffy snow. Make sure you have an ice sculpture at your reception, of course – or, go all out and get an ice bar!

Some Cool Examples

Most importantly, no matter what the season, your wedding should also be FUN for it to be a success. Here are some examples of beautiful weddings that don’t take themselves too seriously.

Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa Michigan – the bride wears a white coat over her dress and the children in the wedding party wear black bottoms with white winter coats. The snow (and the exercise!) accentuate her rosy cheeks, making her a true blushing bride. From the footage it seems like the wedding manages to be fun and beautiful at the same time.

Another fun example from Sun Peaks resort in British Columbia Canada. The wedding took place at a cute mountain chapel on clear, sunny winter day. The flower girl leaves petals along the snow path in vibrant colors. The bridesmaids wear dresses with cute winter boots. The father of the bride looks cool as can be in sunglasses to shield his eyes from the sun bouncing off the snow (or to hide his tears if he get misty!). Check out the end when the bride casually snowboards down the slopes in her dress!

Image by George Eastman House via Flickr

Today more older brides walk down the aisle than ever before. There are many factors calling for the older brides saying their “I do.” We now live much longer lives – and are marrying later than brides of earlier years. Higher education is more widely available – and many delay marriage until they complete degrees. Additionally there are many second or third marriages taking places. These marriages most often happen when a bride is just a bit older and sometimes wiser.

It used to be there were somewhat strict etiquette and social rules that older brides were expected to follow. An older bride was “permitted” to get married – but she was to do so with little muss and fuss. Most older brides did not wear a fancy veil or a long white dress. A dressy light colored dress was often selected for their wedding. Even the celebration was somewhat toned down. It was expected that the older bride would want a more er, graceful celebration. But do today’s older brides have rules to follow?

The answer is yes and no. In every family, society and culture there may be certain expectations of a bride. No matter your age, you may be expected to do specific things or wear something because you are a bride. Quite often the great difference with the older bride is that she has stronger opinions about what she will and won’t do. Very often the younger bride has the wedding that is determined and approved of by her parents. The older bride has the wedding that is approved of by herself and the groom.

The older bride in most cases will pay for her own wedding or pay for it with help from the groom. This can have a great deal to do with the older bride having stronger opinions about what she does and does not want – it is after all her money and her choice to spend it on as she wishes. The bride’s parents when paying for a wedding may put their foot down subtlety and “suggest” things in a way that lets her know they are expected. An older bride is more likely to make her own choices.

Some may frown on the older bride who marries all in white, wearing a sparkly tiara and big flowing veil. But the older bride typically marries in what she chooses. If she desires to marry in the “princess” fantasy then this is what she will select. If the bride prefers another style for her wedding she will choose that instead.

A wedding may be a family affair but it is also traditionally the bride’s day. No one knows this more than the older bride. Your wedding is a day you’ll remember for the rest of the day with your beloved. You deserve to spend it as you choose, wearing what you like and enjoying the things you like the most. You could say that older brides make their own rules – we do!

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If you are getting married before Christmas, don’t forget to plan ahead for the holidays.

Your first Christmas is a wonderful way to celebrate the beginning of your life together. Make sure you have some time to celebrate the holidays together, just the two of you.

What Do Newlyweds Want for Christmas?

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A Cabin in the Woods

Retreat into the woods for some ‘alone time’ with your Mr or Mrs. Rent a cabin and prepare to enjoy the good kind of cabin fever!

A Cozy Fire

Plan to snuggle in front of a cozy fireplace  - if you don’t have one at home, check out bed and breakfasts in your area for a romantic getaway close to home! This is also perfect if you haven’t had a chance to decorate your new home yet – sometimes a bed and breakfast can feel more “homey” than your own place! It’s also a great way to spend time in an old-fashioned, romantic setting (particularly if your day-to-day tastes – and surroundings – are more modern).

St Helena Vineyard Country Inn

Gifts to Go

Plan to exchange gifts that tie in to your getaway: comfy robes, romantic lingerie, and other treats.

Some hotels provide robes, but it’s also fun to bring your own (a robe also makes a great Christmas gift that you can bring along and use right away!).

bathrobeshop.com

Here’s another gift idea… let Mary Ann’s style inspire you and stay away from Ginger for a romantic night like this one. The baby doll pictured below is available at sears.com.

Simple, Delicious Fare

Bring your own basket of goodies, filled with the best of everything simple and delicious (wine, cheeses, nuts, chocolate, fruit, bread….). Go to picnicfun.com for a great selection of baskets.

Old Fashioned Decorations

Bring your own decorations to make your stay more personal. Think old-fashioned and disposable (or edible)…

String together popcorn and cranberries ahead of time and bring your garland along (instructions at craftelf.com)

craftelf.com

These Christmas ornaments are made out of chocolate – they add Christmas spirit to any room and then you can eat them afterwards! (Available at artcoco.com).

artcoco.com

Everyone is ready for a fun party when it’s Halloween, so it’s a great time to plan a Jack and Jill wedding bachelor/bachelorette party!

Famous Couples Theme Party

Costumes

Ask guests to dress up as their favorite famous couples (or, get even more specific and ask them to dress up as famous married couples). Single guests can pair up with a friend or dress as one half of the couple (some might get very creative and dress up as both, like in the photo below).

enchantedgc.com

Games

You can create a party version of the “Newlywed Game” by asking couples to answer questions about each other in front of the group. Pick a new couple, a couple that has been together for a long time, and the engaged couple to participate.

Ask the groom to write down the title and a few lines from 5 of their favorite songs, then read them out and provide the following explanations (song 1 – how you felt after your first kiss, song 2 – your memory of your first night together, song 3 – description of the honeymoon, song 4 – a year after the wedding, song 5 – after 50 years).

If you’re not throwing a costume party, or not using a couple’s costume theme, you can play this game instead: tape the name of one half of a famous couple to the back of each guest – they can ask questions until they guess “Who am I” correctly.

Refreshments

Cocktail ideas: The George and Ginger, Jack and Ginger, or the Jose and Ginger.

The Gender Blender

Costumes

Ask the men to dress up as women and the women to dress up as men.

thefrisky.com

Games

Costume Contest – Let guests vote for “Most Believable”, “Least Believable”, “Prettiest”, “Most Confusing”, etc. Make sure you split up other games into the “girls” vs. the “boys”. There are also board games out there that would work, such as Battle of the Sexes (below).

gamedaze.com

Refreshments

Offer Pink Lady cocktails for the “ladies” and a Blue Cowboy for the “men”.

Elementary School Party Theme

Costumes

Ask everyone to dress up like they are in grade one (make sure you specify that you want them to dress the way they actually dressed when they were 7 years old – this will be even more entertaining if guests grew up in the 1970′s!).

awkwardfamilyphotos.com

Games

Lots of kids’ party games are even more fun when you’re a ‘grown up’! Try spin the bottle, twister, and hot potato and fill a pinata with adult-themed treats (adult stores often sell sample sizes of massage oils or lotions, candies in naughty shapes, etc).

Refreshments

Consider sophisticated, gourmet versions of hot dogs or macaroni cheese and serve Killer Koolaid cocktails or spiked Shirley Temples and Roy Rogers drinks at the bar.

artofdrink.com

provided by DanforthDiamond.com, 40% below retail on engagement rings.

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