Ways To Save: Bridal Gowns On A Budget
Posted by Jolene on Jan 01, 2010. Filed under Budget Wedding Ideas, Expert Advice, Fashion, Trend Watch, Wedding Dresses
I paid $220 for my wedding dress. My colleague Jennifer? Got hers for $125. Since we were both footing the bill for our own weddings, there was precious little in the budget for our gowns (I had to make sure there were enough offerings at the pasta bar to satisfy my Italian relatives!). We both looked lovely, by the way, even without spending two months’ rent on our wedding attire.
Here are some of our dress-shopping secrets:
- Jennifer had no problem shopping a sale at Macy’s; though not designed specifically for weddings, her long, white Battenburg lace dress was a lot less pricey! So if pretty-and-white will work for you, check out the formal wear at your favorite department store.
- I wanted my wedding gown to be sexy and glamorous—and when I tried on a certain chiffon Watters & Watters bridesmaid’s dress, I couldn’t imagine letting my gal-pals steal the spotlight in that red-hot number! Shopping the ‘maids catalogs is a great way to save. Find what you like and then order it in white or ecru (or maybe like me, you’ll decide to walk down the aisle in living color!) Hint: Designer Siri has darling bridesmaid dresses which you can order in your choice of fabric and color—for under $400!
- Sure, maybe you’ll get lucky and find a once-used Reem Acra silk wedding dress in size 6 on eBay…but what if you don’t? Reputable, quality bridal resale stores, such as Encore Bridal, offer more options with less risk.
- Shopping Sample Sales or Salon Outlet stores can yield pretty amazing designer bargains. Lili Bridals has a “back room” with designer gowns starting at just $99, Orange County’s Mon Amie has a designer outlet, and Glamour Closet has boutiques in both LA and San Francisco that carry deeply discounted designer samples.
Good Food, Good People: Tarpy’s Roadhouse
Posted by Meredith on Dec 21, 2009. Filed under Ceremony, Food and Drink, Receptions, Rehearsal Dinner, Restaurants, Stuff We Love
So there we were, on our annual company retreat. One of the highlights of our year. A chance for the whole Here Comes The Guide staff to be together, get some hard work done, and just hang out.
The good news: we were at Woods Hole in Pebble Beach. Gorgeous location, comfortable home perfect for our retreat, right on the ocean. We were getting lots of good work done and enjoying each other’s company.
The bad news: 5 of the 8 us, including me, were very sick. We had The Flu. I, for one, can’t remember being that sick.
Then, the most wonderful thing happened. Through the front door swooped the lovely staff from Tarpy’s Roadhouse, there to make our dinner. But more than that, they took care of us. They made us tea, they served us in front of the TV so we could watch Glee and they whipped up fantastic, comforting food: a salad with apples, pecans and gorgonzola, steak and garlic mashed potatoes, Chilean sea bass with a mango relish and, finally, strawberry shortcake—yum!
Afterward, they cleaned up while we all limped to bed. Still sick, but cared for and comforted.
Yes, the food was great, but the love they delivered with it was just what this sniffly group needed. If they can perform that kind of miracle off-site, imagine what they can do at their very own location. Thanks, Tarpy’s!
A Culinary Adventure With A Moveable Feast
Posted by Julia on Dec 21, 2009. Filed under Food and Drink, Receptions, Rehearsal Dinner, Stuff We Love
A Moveable Feast promises exactly what its company name implies. This is not your everyday catering company. Don’t believe me? Just 24 hours after returning to the States from my own adventure in Tuscany and Rome, I, along with the rest of the Here Comes The Guide ladies, had the privilege of being treated to Chef Michael’s 5-course culinary adventure (as he so dryly referred to it), along with 12 different appetizers and dessert. (Chocolate and sea salt, anyone?)
After savoring the last bite, I can confidently report that this meal could easily surpass some of the best food I encountered in Europe.
For me, food isn’t just about eating. Being a wannabe gourmet chef, I believe understanding a dish’s origins and preparation just makes the meal that much more delicious. Chef Michael was more than happy to tell me about the origin of his dishes, and even his techniques. In fact, many of the ingredients came from the Monterey and Carmel area—which explains why everything tasted so fresh!
And when each dish is so delectable, it’s hard not to devour everything that’s placed before you. As I started running out of room in my stomach, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to do justice to Chef Michael’s entire menu. He, however, was very understanding, repeating, “No pressure” as he saw the look on my face each time another of his creations arrived. But of course, pressure wasn’t the problem; it was the fact that I knew that if I stopped, I might miss a morsel even tastier than the last!
Tip: At your wedding or special event, don’t feel pressured to clean your plate. While I had trouble leaving any of A Moveable Feast’s delicacies behind, keep in mind that you will probably want to hit the dance floor after your 3- or 5-course dinner. So no matter how fabulous the food is at your reception, leave a little room for dancing!
P.S. Michael’s got one of the sharpest wits and quickest senses of humor I’ve seen in some time. He’s like free entertainment!
