{La Traditions - Bridesmaids' Luncheon}

Bridesmaids’ Luncheons are a wonderful way to spend quality time with your dear friends before the big event and to thank the ladies for being part of your wedding party.  There are no hard and fast rules to throwing a Bridesmaid’s luncheon – it doesn't have to be lunch, and it doesn't have to be just your bridesmaids.  It can be as casual or elegant as you’d like, and it doesn’t even have to be lunch – it could be pre-wedding mani/pedis and other spa pampering, dinner and dancing, a wine tasting, or even pizzas and beers.

Photo by Tim Eng of Visual Appeal Studios

 A bridesmaids’ luncheon is typically held a few days before the wedding which allows for out-of-town bridesmaids to be a part of the festivities.  This is particularly nice if your OOT Bridesmaids were unable to make it to your bridal shower/bachelorette party.  You may think that the days before your wedding will be too stressful, however, in our experience, the bridesmaids’ luncheon is a great distraction that allows the bride a chance to relax and unwind (besides, if you’ve got a top-notch wedding planner, you probably won’t be so busy and stressed!).

Generally the bride or her mother/grandmother/aunt hosts the bridesmaids’ luncheon – it’s almost like the opposite of the bridal shower -it’s the bride’s chance to shower her bridal party. In attendance should be the bridesmaids, both mothers, and any close friends that you’d like to have there – i.e. if you have a cousin who is doing a reading, by all means feel free to include her.  However, we don’t suggest that you invite every woman who is attending the wedding.  Instead, use this event as an intimate gathering to thank the women who are playing active roles in your wedding.  

Photo by Hart + Sol

Whatever you do, we hope you have fun!
Cheers!
LaVere

{making the wedding "industry" less industrial and more organic}

We are overjoyed to let you all know that we're now listed in the Vendor Directory at A Practical Wedding.  If you're not familiar with A Practical Wedding (APW), we strongly suggest that you head on over and check it out.  It's an amazing community of folks who are all about weddings that don't fall victim to all the trappings of the insanity that engulfs the planning process.  You can view our vendor listing here.

And the "APW Sanity Pledge" that we vow to uphold?  Pure genius.  Here it is:

All APW-approved vendors, agree that:

... A wedding is an awesome party, but it’s the marriage that really matters.

... It takes two people to get married. It’s not all about the bride (and sometimes there isn’t a bride to begin with).

... We support LGBTQ couples right to marry, and we are delighted to work with them.

... We don't charge a premium just because we heard the word "wedding."

... We will be upfront and fair about our pricing. We won't surprise you with a secret fee because you want frosting on the cake, not just the cake.

... You don't have to have cake at your wedding.

... However you decided to tie the knot, we’re on your team.

... Weddings come in all different shapes/sizes/colors/budgets/etc., but as long as you two end up married to each other, it will have been a successful wedding.

It's like Team Practical jumped into our brains...

We're excited to do our part to make the wedding "industry" a little less industrial and a lot more organic.  

Cheers!
LaVERE

{Bad Bloggers}

We've been working hard on gorgeous weddings, updating the website (check it out - update is live now!), and a fun new project...  Hence our spotty blogging lately.  Promise we'll be back soon with a few real weddings and a couple of exciting announcements.  So, stay tuned! In the meantime, here's a little peek...

Ryan & Clara's Hoboken Wedding

(Photos by the lovely ladies @ Hart + Sol)

Nicole & Jon's Jersey City Wedding

(Personal photos - pro pics coming soon)

Cheers!
LaVERE

{La Traditions - The South Philly Serenade}

Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of attending a really unique (to us) tradition - the South Philly Serenade.  Our groom, Michael, a South Philly native, explained to us that the tradition stems back to the old country when young men would gather up their courage and sing love songs to their future wives the night before the wedding.  As Italians settled into the area of South Philly, they brought with them a very strong sense of community and of course their serenades. 

Photo by Kate Triano.

South Philly is comprised of small one way streets.  As soon as you set foot on a block and you get the feeling that the people are just as close together as the row homes that they live in.  And when it's time for one of their own to celebrate a wedding, everyone on the block comes out to support the young couple (and party, natch).  Unlike yesteryear in the old country, when a groom accompanied perhaps by a musician or two made his way to the bride and declared his love via song, modern serenades are an honest to goodness block party.  Lights are strung across the street (which is closed to traffic, of course), and neighbors start bringing out tables and chairs.  Women start appearing with tray after tray of delectable Italian dishes - from homemade pizzas to salads to sandwiches, and the cookies.... of course, the delicious cookies!  In the meantime, a full bar has been set-up as well as a DJ.  Before you know it, the block is filled with friends and family, laughing, dancing, eating, and drinking. 

Photo by Kate Triano.

As if that's not enough, some families hire Mummers to provide additional entertainment.  If you're not familiar with what Mummers are, Wikipedia can probably do them more justice than I.

Photo by Kate Triano.

Although incredibly exciting and entertaining, the Mummers are just the warm-up act.  The actual act of Serenading does still occur during the festivities.  The bride is brought to the top of the front steps, and the groom takes the mic.  The crowd closes in and waits with anticipation...  And then it begins...  just like his forefathers, the groom looks up at his bride-to-be and belts one out!  Our groom, Michael, chose to sing a very apropos song to his NJ born fiance - Jersey Girl by Bruce Springsteen.  It was sentimental and sweet, and we are thrilled to have been able to attend. 

Photos by Kate Triano.

Luckily, those South Philly guys come pre-wired with the confidence, guts, and charm to keep the tradition alive in this day and age of social media.  Yes, the video was up on youtube that night, and no, we're not going to share the link. 

Cheers!
LaVERE

{La Good Ideas - Bouquet & Garter Toss}

Ah the bouquet and garter toss...  Love it?  Hate it?  Either way, we won't judge.  But for those on the fence, here are some unique twists on this old standby.

Photo by the ever fabulous Tim Eng

From personal experience, as a single lady, I always detested going out into the fray to catch the bouquet. And my how I would have been mortified to have some random single dude put a garter up my leg if I accidentally caught the bouquet!  However, as a bride, I really wanted to hurl some flowers at my single friends, hoping to chuck some happiness their way.  So, I chose to do the bouquet toss.  We chose some very tongue in cheek music for the event - Move B***** by Ludacris (censored), to be exact.  My groom & I followed tradition and did our tosses, but, that's where we stopped playing by the rules.  Instead of having the single lady who caught the bouquet sit down to be "gartered" by the single man, we had them switch roles.  That was our little way of avoiding any mortification & having a good laugh.

Natalie & Luis opted for yet another variation on the bouquet/garter toss at their May 7th reception. Let's take a look, shall we? 

{Following photos by the talented Mr. Richard B. Flores.}

Traditional bouquet toss...

Let's blindfold the single gentleman "to make things interesting".

Unbeknown to the single gentleman, things are definitely going to be interesting. 

The garter went higher & higher...

Until the single gentleman figured out that something just didn't seem right...

A good time and a good laugh was had by all.  

Regardless of whether you decide to have a bouquet/garter toss or not, it's important to not be afraid to add some levity and humor to your big day!  It's the party of your lives, right? So, enjoy it! 

Cheers!
LaVERE

{La Real Wedding - Natalie & Luis}

We are so pleased to have been a part of Natalie & Luis' special day.  Whenever you're around this fabulous couple, you really do feel the intense love that they have for one another. Natalie and Luis decided to make it official on May 7th, with a ceremony at the Church of St. Joseph the Carpenter in her hometown of Roselle, NJ, followed by a reception at the lovely Galloping Hill in Union, NJ. 

Their day was filled with romance, tradition, and a whole lot of love.  Over the next few days, we'll be back with more specific details and unique ideas that this couple used to tell their story.  For now, enjoy the photos, courtesy of the wonderful Richard B. Flores. 

You can see even more gorgeous photos of this amazing couple in the Traditional Romance gallery on our site. Thanks again to Richard B. Flores for the photos. 

Congratulations, Natalie & Luis!  We wish you all the best of the best!
Cheers!
LaVERE

{La Preview – Jessica & Michael}

We recently had the honor of working with Jessica & Michael on their gorgeous, fun-filled wedding in Philadelphia. 

We’ll be posting their gallery to our website and a full recap on the blog soon.  In the meantime, here is a sneak peek. 

{Photos courtesy of Kate Triano, photographer extraordinaire.}

The Beautiful Bride

Ceremony

Wedded Bliss

Tablescape

Sweet cake

 The happy Mr. & Mrs.

Congratulations, Jess & Mike!  We wish you many years of health, happiness, and love!  

Cheers!

LaVERE

PS- A few more photos from this stunning wedding will be up on our Facebook page shortly.  Check it out and become a Fan!