TresSugar

The How-To Lounge: Wedding Timeline, Part IV

DearSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:00:00 -0700

As the final months of wedding planning approach it's time to start finalizing all the details. You don't want to let the stress of bridal showers and last minute emergencies get the best of you. So check out part four in our Wedding Timeline series, and find out what you need to do in your last few months before the big day and read more.

Two to four months in advance

Rent formal attire for all of the men in the wedding.
Purchase your wedding bands, keeping in mind extra time constraints for engraving or sizing.
Book appointments for hair and makeup - get a contract signed with your stylist, keeping in mind the time needed for other women in the wedding party.
Decide on wedding transportation and book in advance to avoid any last minute nightmares.
Finalize the menu.
Six weeks in advance, you'll want to send out your wedding invitations.
Work with the band or DJ to decide on your music choices and any other special considerations, including your first dance.

Stay tuned in the next few weeks for part five of our Wedding Timeline, and if you missed it, be sure to check out part three.

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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The How-To Lounge: Wedding Timeline, Part III

DearSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:00:00 -0700

With six months to go before the big day, you should have the more pressing things taken care of and all the smaller details still awaiting you in the months to come. However, before you reach the final few months of planning, there are some important things to check off your list. To see what those are, check out part three in our wedding timeline series and read more.

Six months in advance

Make the last cut on your guest list and finalize the invitees - don't forget that people may want to bring a guest.
Order your wedding stationery. This includes everything from your invitations to place cards. Any personalization may take extra time or money.
Assist your out of town guests in reserving any accommodations they'll need.
Shop for and purchase your wedding bands. Keep in mind extra time constraints for engraving or sizing.
It's cake sampling time, so adjust your belt and choose away!

Stay tuned in the next few weeks for part four of our Wedding Timeline, and if you missed it, be sure to check out part two.

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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The How-To Lounge: Wedding Timeline, Part II

DearSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Weddings are notoriously stressful, but all it takes is a little organization to make them much more manageable and a wedding timeline can make all the difference in the world! To check out part two in our wedding time line series read more.

Nine months in advance

Not only do you want to start compiling your guest list, but you also want to start gathering up addresses. This can take a lot more time than it may seem. Often parents have an entirely different set of people that they want included, so compromise may be necessary at this time.
Choose your color spectrum, and decide which color you want your wedding party to be wearing.
If you're going the classic honeymoon route, then start planning now. You'll get the best deals by planning ahead.
Get your gift registry started. There is also the option of having money given to a honeymoon plan as well as going the donation route, so explore every possibility. There will be parties galore in the upcoming month, so plan in advance for your gift-getting bonanza.

Stay tuned in the next few weeks for part three of our Wedding Timeline, and if you missed it, be sure to check out part one.

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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The How-To Lounge: Wedding Timeline, Part I

DearSugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Whether you're going casual and quaint or all-out traditional, planning a wedding takes a lot of work and even more organization. Following a wedding timeline will keep you both sane and organized. Obviously the first step in wedding planning is choosing the right day. Once you've got that narrowed down - keeping in mind the time of year and any other events or holidays that may interfere - it's go time! To see some important points to consider in phase one of your wedding planning, read more

One year in advance

Create a wedding folder or binder to store the details of your event, including any inspirational ideas. Staying organized will be the best thing you can do for yourself during this process.
When it comes to planning the big event, the first thing you'll want to determine is the style you're hoping for. Formal or casual? Whimsical or modern? Many of the decisions you'll make will have you referring back to the thematics.
Plan your budget. Consider absolutely everything, and don't forget to leave room for the unexpected.
Select a venue that works with both your budget and style. Don't choose the first one you see - shop around!
Research and begin the selection of your wedding professionals: caterer, photographer, florist, etc.
It's also time to start wedding gown shopping. You want to get the perfect one so leave yourself a little time to be indecisive. Also, keep in mind that it can take anywhere from five to eight months to have a wedding dress made, not to mention the time it takes for any adjustments.
Pick your wedding party and make sure that the lucky few are willing and able to participate.

Stay tuned in the next few weeks for part two of our Wedding Timeline.

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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Mad Men, "The Grown Ups": This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:30:10 -0800

Did you hear it? That was the sound of the Mad Men implosion, as the death of JFK on November 22, 1963, rocked the country and the lives of the show's characters. This season has been building up to the events of this episode, which felt more intense, more important, than next week's finale can possibly be. If there's an episode that has defined the third season so thoroughly, it's this one, "The Grown Ups."

Ready to talk? See this week's five maddest moments when you read more.

Death of a President: The timeline of the show has made it clear that John F. Kennedy's assassination is coming, but like those who experienced it, there was no way to prepare for it emotionally. So where is everyone when JFK is shot? Peggy is having a "nooner" with Duck, Betty is at home, Pete and Harry are talking work, and Roger's daughter Margaret is having a fitting on the eve of her wedding.
One wedding and a funeral: The show must go on, Roger decides, and Margaret's wedding still happens on Saturday night, with far fewer guests in attendance. I understand why they didn't cancel it, but as Joan remarks, "Poor thing." Margaret overcomes her marriage jitters and fit over Jane's extravagant gift and presence in her life, only to agree to be married the day after the President's shooting. That's pretty rough.
Downgrade: Pete is demoted so thoroughly at Sterling Cooper that he leaves work and tells Trudie he's been fired at first. Like Betty, the fact that he's already going through something jarring when JFK is shot only escalates his personal situation, and he stays at home with Trudie instead of going to Margaret's wedding. Shaken as well, Trudie tells Pete to start gathering his clients in preparation to leave the company. Pete seems shattered, and again, I enjoyed Vincent Kartheiser's nuanced performance of one of the show's most complicated characters.
Where's the love: A wedding and a violent event prompt everyone to re-evaluate their romantic relationships; particularly Don and Betty (their kiss at the wedding proves to be only passionate from one side) and Joan and Roger. That Roger calls Joan, just happy that she's home, says so much about his feelings for her.
The Proposal: "What is going on?" Betty asks both Don and Henry, distraught about the country's events, but that's exactly how I felt when Henry tells her in her car that he'll marry her if she leaves Don. Last week, when she got advice against divorcing him, I thought there was no way they'd split up, but now that Betty has this viable option, I'm actually scared they may divorce. As screwed up as their marriage is, their being together is one of the show's fixtures. Their separation would be like Sterling Cooper going out of business. But Betty sees things as having "no point" now, and she tells Don that she no longer loves him. I don't know what to think! Is it a coincidence that she was wearing a pink twinset like Jackie the day JFK is shot? Hadn't she just "lost" her husband in last week's episode when she discovers that Don is really Dick Whitman? In any case, it's completely disconcerting to see Don, sitting in his bedroom at the end, broken by Betty's dramatic disclosure of her lack of feelings for him.

Everyone keeps saying variations on how everything will be fine, it will all be OK, but we know from experience with this show that nothing is going to be fine. Whatever is to come, I'm so impressed by this episode; in the future, this will be the episode that you remember when you think of this season.

What do you think will happen with Pete, Roger and Joan, the Drapers? Will Betty take Henry up on his offer? And to talk more about the show later, join the Mad Men group in the community.

Photo courtesy of AMC

Dos and Don'ts of Healthy Wedding Planning

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Let's face it: planning a wedding is stressful. Depending on how big your wedding is, it could be one of the most stressful projects you've ever taken on. So amid all the excitement, it's important to keep yourself fit, healthy, centered, and sane. Here's what do to (and what not to do) when planning a wedding the fit and healthy way.

Do make a plan. It sounds basic, but start by planning out your timeline, then go down the list one by one. Otherwise, you'll easily feel overwhelmed.
Don't be shy about accepting help. People have gotten married many times before, so why start from scratch? Registry checklists, like our downloadable registry, will save you serious time. You'll also have people offering to help you left and right, so let them!
Do come up with a fitness plan. If part of your plan includes getting fit for the big day, map out a workout schedule - with the help of online programs or a trainer - to keep yourself on track.

For a few other ideas for how to stay sane while planning your wedding, read more.

Don't overdo it. Getting in shape shouldn't mean setting unrealistic goals that require crash-dieting and unsafe lifestyle changes. Losing a maximum of two pounds a week is considered reasonable.
Do make time for yourself. You'll be bombarded by people and questions right through the wedding day, so set aside some alone time for yoga, massages, walks - whatever.
Don't neglect your workouts. Make sure your exercise routine doesn't get lost in the shuffle. Put workouts on your calendar, alongside all your wedding appointments. If you want, recruit a special wedding workout buddy.
Do control your party-food intake. You're likely to attend some engagement and bachelorette parties before the big day, but if you're trying to stay slim, keep your indulging in check. Have a bite of something you're craving, then move on.

Any of you recent brides out there have anything to add? If so, share them in the comments!
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How-To: Register For Your Wedding

CasaSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:00:15 -0700

Planning your wedding can be stressful, but the fun part is registering for gifts! Unfortunately, some people get carried away at the thought of all the presents coming their way and register spontaneously, not methodically. You have to remember that you're going to live with these gifts, and your friends and family are spending real money on them, so you better like them! Beyond that, you should think about what you need, not what you want, so you can really "set up house" - that's kind of the point. I have a few tips that will make it all easy for you. To hear them, read more.

Consider your timeline. If you're having any sort of engagement party, try to register by the time the invitations for that party go out, making sure you've covered all the price points. Many of your friends and family will want to buy your engagement and wedding gifts as soon as they hear about the engagement and get it out of the way. Don't feel rushed; you can always go back and add more items later on. If you're not having an engagement party, about nine months before your wedding day is a good time to register; it doesn't make you seem as if you're either rushing or procrastinating.
Do your Spring cleaning, and take note of what you already have and what you need for your home.
Then, get together and make a list of things you both want for your home.
Before you start checking boxes, cruise around to a bunch of stores and decide which one or which few suit your tastes the most. Stick to three stores or fewer to keep things uncomplicated, and make sure one of them is a national department store like Bloomingdale's or Macy's.
Most major stores have some sort of registry system, if not an online one. However, if you love a certain boutique or specialty store, they may not. But most will be more than willing to work something out with you, so just ask!
Go through all the questions. Figure out what kind of return policy each store has, how shipping works, whether they take phone orders, whether they have an online database to track orders, etc. Your older generation of friends and family may only want to shop by phone or in store, so there should be something available for them. And it's ideal to be able to track the orders as they come in, so you can add more items at different price points, or remove items if need be.
Use our downloadable registry guide to make sure you've covered all the bases for your housewares, and go ahead and register with each store, giving as much detail as possible to make it easy on guests. Choose size, color, brand, etc.
You can also use MyRegistry to register online from a variety of sources, giving your friends and family a central place to shop for you.
OK, so let's say you already have all the table runners and Le Creuset pans you could ever want. What then? Nowadays it's not uncommon to have an alternative registry. If you'd like, you can register with a charity or even to pay for your honeymoon. Although it's not the most proper of moves, if you really need help with your finances, you can even register for stocks or cash for big ticket items you may need.
Once you're registered, there's some etiquette you should follow for getting the word out. It's a bit taboo to send your registry information out with your invitation. If you have a website for your wedding, you can post it discreetly there. It's also common to have your maid of honor send out the details with the invitations for your bridal shower, and the same for the bachelor party. You can ask your family members to pass the word along to the guests as well. And, if your guests ask you up front where you are registered, go ahead! If you are sending out a package to your guests with other details about the wedding (maps, hotel information, etc.) apart from the invitation, you can slip in a printed card with the registry information.
Most registries remain active for at least a year after the big day so guests can make purchases after the fact. And many stores will give you a discount on the items that weren't purchased, so that you can buy them for yourself.

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The Big Day Week in Review

DearSugar — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:00:00 -0700

If you missed any of the big day coverage this past week, just check out my recap below!

If you've been wondering what the maid of honor should be doing on the big day, then check out my list of MOH responsibilities to get the low down.
Most weddings wouldn't be complete without something going wrong, but do you know of any truly terrible wedding disasters?
Even if the wedding isn't flawless that doesn't mean it's not perfect, so what's most memorable from your big day?
Share your thoughts on the old wedding traditions - tossing a garter belt and wedding night sex - and the more contemporary twists, like letting a friend officiate the ceremony!
Is it OK to ask to bring a date to someone's wedding?
Some couples are brave enough to bust out all the crazy moves at their wedding, but what song did you and your husband dance to?
Are you superstitious? Do you think it's actually bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony?
Wedding day jitters are perfectly normal, but that doesn't make them any easier to deal with, so check out some tips for combating cold feet.
Her fiance's father is a terrible speaker, but does No Speech Please Paula have the right to ask him not to speak at the wedding?
Where do you stand: Should the bride and groom make a grand exit?
Don't forget to take a glance at part four in our wedding timeline series to see all you should be doing two to four months before the wedding.

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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In Case You Missed It: How Money Are You

SavvySugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:30:46 -0800

Quizzes are way more fun when they don't affect our GPA, and throughout 2008 we've been exposing our knowledge of news and random facts through little exams. Hopefully, you've enjoyed taking them as much as I've enjoyed creating them. In case you missed some, here are the most popular quizzes from 2008.

Real or Fake Job Titles	Billionaire College Dropouts	Michael Phelps Endorsement Deals
Credit Report Timelines	The Sexiest Jobs	Average Wedding Statistics

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The How-To Lounge: Creating Your Wedding Guest List

DearSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

When it comes to the perfect wedding day, it’s all about being happy and having fun, so it’s incredibly important to make sure that the special people in your lives are there to celebrate with you and your fiancé. Although writing up a guest list might sound like an easy task, things can get pretty tricky when you incorporate factors like budget, venue, space, and your parents' preferences. However, there certainly are a few tips you can follow to avoid the headache - or at least some of it! To check them out, read more

First and foremost, be very clear on how many people you want to invite, factoring in the budget and the venue.
Talk to your fiancé, and decide who you won’t be inviting - exes, children, dates for each guest, etc…
Keep in mind that it is customary for both sets of your parents to partake in the creation of the guest list - this is a special day for them too! If they’re contributing financially, you’ll want to make sure they’re given a number of guests they can invite as well.
On the first sit down, let everyone put in the name of people who they would like to come, then start to whittle down the list. Sometimes this can take quite a few weeks so refer to your wedding timeline so you can leave yourselves plenty of time.
While you’ll surely be talking about your wedding at work, it’s not mandatory that you invite the entire office. You can either choose to not include any of them or just ask your closest work friends. But like we learned back in grade school, if you invite everyone but one person, there will be hurt feelings so do use some tact.
Don’t feel like you have to invite every person whose wedding you’ve been to, but if your wedding is in the same wedding season, it's expected that you'll return the invite. If your wedding is on the small side, it’s much easier to avoid inviting someone whose wedding you enjoyed recently, but if you’re having a big wedding, I recommend at least trying to fit her in.

Avoid inviting anyone verbally prior to finalizing your guest list. You never know what can happen, and you don’t want any disappointed or hurt friends.

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

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