Antique Stores: One of a kind Wedding Gift

Research at my local consignment shop for Mother of the Bride dresses is scheduled for tomorrow.  What if I find the perfect dress?  I do have one daughter currently working on project sparkle.

Straightening up this morning, I got side tracked rearranging a few of my favorite knick-knacks.  My home décor has always favored pictures and decorative pieces that hold memories.   Mixed in, however, are items that I have purchased from an afternoon of antique shopping.  It got me thinking…why not shop for a Bride and Groom’s wedding gift at an antique store?  Do Brides ever register at antique stores?

I can understand a Bride’s desire to furnish her home with the contemporary elegance and one stop shopping offered by Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel.   But what’s wrong with introducing a unique piece into the mix…something whimsical perhaps…to make it more personal?

Anyone who antiques is familiar with the lovely pieces that can be purchased at a reasonable price from a reliable antique dealer.  How cute would a mix and match tea service be for a Bridal Shower gift?  These shops have etched glassware, delicate floral china sets, interesting mirrors and attractive crystal lamps.

Real wood mahogany and cherry pieces can be purchased to create a unique room storage cabinet or TV console.  Small tables and corner pieces are often found with timeless Carrera marble tops, great for use as an end table in the bedroom or by the sofa.

My week is full.  After my trip to the consignment shop, looks like I will be taking a trip to my favorite antique store to find out if they have a Bridal Registry service.  I suppose I could simply give them a call…no, I think it best I do my research in person.

Motherly Advice for Mothers of the Bride – The Wedding Album

Written by Maureen Chapdelaine, this guest post appeared on Elizabeth Beskin’s blog at: www.albumboutique.com

Your bride has done her research and chosen a photographer.  She has selected a style; traditional with a hint of vintage. Check that off your wedding “to do” list, right?  Well…maybe not.  Certainly not if you ask the surprising number of disappointed Mothers of the Bride who, a year after the wedding, find their wedding  photos still on a disk tucked away  in their daughter’s desk drawer.

 We all discover the generation gap when helping our daughters plan their weddings. Digital photography, while offering DVD wedding images set to music, and on-line wedding galleries for friends and family, have made the printed wedding album a second cousin.

 It is only normal that once the bridal gown is safely preserved, our brides excitedly move forward with their new lives. Meantime, we want to cherish the joy of the wedding day itself and celebrate the accomplishment of a successful event.

But where is the wedding album?

 Here is some motherly advice, from experienced MOBs. 

Before selecting a photographer have a discussion with your daughter about her plans to create a wedding photo album.   Most photographers offer Wedding Packages that include the wedding album for the bride and groom.   Discuss the cost of additional albums for the MOB or MOG.   Find out what options are available for album covers, size and text.

Not ready to commit to the expense of an album; unhappy with the photographer’s album selections?

Check out Elizabeth Beskin’s fabulous new service at www.albumboutique.com.  You can design reasonably priced, beautiful albums, right from your wedding images.  Even better is the amazing turn -around time.  You will be sharing your wedding album with friends before you know it!

And the best part of using Album Boutique to share those memories?  You can sneak that disk out of your daughter’s drawer and create your album….and surprise your daughter with a wedding album of her own!

Happy Planning!