On Saturday I purchased my first wedding gift from a Macy’s registry. This was an unexpected and fabulous money-saving experience; one that will make me opt to shop future Macy’s registries. Yup, I pretty much discovered “the magic of Macy’s”.

Like most every wedding guest I hit Wedding Channel to see what stores the couple chose for their happily-ever-after kitchen. With four stores to choose from: Macy’s, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Crate and Barrel I went with Macy’s. Why? Because to the right of the registry list I discovered a coupon code for $20 off $100 at Macy’s (promo code: WITHLOVE ends June 30). Having never shopped Macy’s for wedding gifts this incentive was enough to give it twirl.

My total budget (shipping, tax, gift wrap, etc.): $200 (split 50/50 with my boyfriend). The wedding date: early August; six weeks away. My decision to shop early (knowing I have a year to buy a gift): totally based on the promo code. When I originally logged on to Wedding Channel my plan was just to browse and get a sense of my gift options.

Lucky for everyone I found a wonderful gift within my budget (that I cannot share just yet because the bride and groom have not yet received it). Not only did I have the promo code for $20 off, but the gift I selected was also on sale. Then, when I went to check out, another discount appeared because Macy’s was apparently having a HOME sale. Like the title of this post says: Macy’s really wants to sell wedding gifts and they made it really easy, and hard to pass up.

Dare I say everybody wins, including Macy’s for getting my business? In total our gift came out to $193 including tax, shipping and gift wrap which is over $100 off. Lesson: there are opportunities for wedding guests to save money on wedding gifts, you just have to plan in advance and keep your eyes open (which is why Survive Wedding Season is here to help).

So if you are looking up wedding registries on Wedding Channel, be aware that there are even more wedding guest coupons like the one I advantageously utilized. And speaking of promo codes, from now until July 5, Wedding Channel Store is having a Friends and Family sale (promo code WCFF20 gets you 20% off $100). Remember, if you are on a budget - which I know you are - and you are planning to go registry, you need to at least do your research/window shopping as early as possible as the more affordable gifts always go first.

Don’t forget to Vote Survive Wedding Season for Wedding Channel’s Best in Bridal Blogs: Click Here to vote!

Related topics:

1. Wedding Gift 101
2. The Wedding Gift of Speech
3. One Bride’s Favorite Wedding Gift: Giftybox
4. Wedding Gift: Engraved Simon Pearce Celebration Bowl
5. Expert Survival Tip: Wedding Gifts That Won’t Break The Bank by Amber Gustafson
6. Is This On Your Registry? 

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ™

Forever 21 Glitter Clutch (Product Code: 1069367309)

Unless you are traveling with a baby, or you are the wedding photographer, day-of wedding planner, or Maid of Honor in charge of the bridal emergency kit do not lug a giant bag to wedding. All you need is something that looks hot and fits the following:

• Mobile phone
• Digital camera
• Keys (hotel, house, car, etc.)
• Makeup
• Lip gloss
• Gum
• Tissues
• Solemates/Foldable Flats

Anything more than these must-haves will weigh on you later - especially if the plan is to keep the party going with an after party.

I found this very affordable - $20 - clutch from Forever21 that should do the trick for wedding season. It’s black and shimmery so consider it your fun go-to for any type of affair. It does have an optional chain should you want to wear it on your shoulder. I do not.

Benefit ooh la lift ($22)

And if there is any question as to what kind of makeup should be included in this little clutch let us start with this - Benefit’s ooh la lift. A creamy under-eye brightener that will come in handy - especially if you are a crier. It will help bring out your eyes in photos and reduce some tear-induced facial redness. You can still cry at the magic, you’ll just magically appear glowing.

I also recommend two different mascaras for your day-of makeup. One for the budget-minded guest and the other for the “when in wedding season” spender. Both are fabulous with great applicators and your lashes will look striking for hours on the dance floor.

Our budget pick is Cover Girl’s Lash Blast Volume Blasting Waterproof Mascara and our high-roller recommendation is Giorgio Armani’s Maestro Mascara. I trade off regularly and love both results. If I am traveling for a wedding I’ll likely choose the Cover Girl for the trip as it is easier to replace (even though it is virtually irreplaceable). 

Cover Girl Lash Blast in Very Black ($8)

Giorgio Armani Maestro Mascara in Obsidian Black ($28)

Related topics:

1. Luxurious Wedding Hair Repair
2. SWS Fashion Friday - Be Something New
3. SWS Fashion Friday - Brides Blush, Bridesmaids Glow
4. Professional - AND Affordable - Wedding Style & Makeup Tips by Karen Gorham
5. SWS Official Maid of Honor Call Me Card
6. A Professional Wedding Photographer’s Tips For Looking Your Best In Photos by Amanda Kraft

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ™

Downtown LA Dining

I had a lunch yesterday at the Chaya restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. This was my first time dining at their downtown location and I think it might be my new favorite. The atmosphere and design were wonderfully vibrant and I enjoyed the baked Roughy, a light white fish served with miso-infused brown rice and some Japanese eggplant.

Upon returning from my lunch and thinking about how much I love their fish dishes I went on the Chaya website only to discover that they in fact have a catering and special events division. If you love sushi and cooked fish and you are planning an event, I would trust Chaya to create something memorable. Perhaps you are planning a rehearsal dinner or a bridesmaid brunch in Los Angeles? Chaya may be a wonderful way to go.

Another amazing catering company in downtown LA is called Urban Palate. They design divine gourmet brownie lollipops and their overall sense of style and presentation is nothing less than elegant. If you have the space but not the vendor, they are another great call.

Yes Wooden, but Quite Deep

Purpleheart wood ring with Bethlehem Olive Wood Band

This past weekend I met a woman at a birthday pool party with a wooden engagement ring. Fair to say that she did not wear her ring into the pool. There are eco-friendly gestures and then there are eco-dedicated actions and commitments. In all my life I have never met anyone who chose wood bling and it was very interesting and intriguing. Do you, or does anyone you know wear a wooden engagement or wedding ring? I would love to hear from you and learn more about your choice to go wood. Please leave a comment below.

Vote Survive Wedding Season for Wedding Channel’s Best in Bridal Blogs

If you like Survive Wedding Season please vote for us in the Wedding Channel’s 2010 Bridal Blog Awards. The category in which we are currently nominated is that of Best Wedding Planning Blog. Please click here to cast your vote.  Thank you so very much.

Wedding Colors As Shower Colors

I am helping my boyfriend’s mom with the bridal shower invitations for his cousin’s shower. Her wedding invitation was a gorgeous green with black so I am trying to match that same green for the shower invite. I believe a little color continuity is a nice touch to add to any pre-wedding events. What do you think? Also, per my boyfriend’s mom, we are going with Paperless Post for the invitations.

Do You Regift?

If you have ever regifted a wedding gift or have regifted something else as a wedding gift I want to know. As June’s theme is gifts it suddenly occurred to me that there have got to be people that do this and I want to learn why. Is it financial? Is it that you don’t like the gift you received? I want to hear your wedding regifting stories.

Have You Visited Our Shop?

Whimsy Nice To Meet You Card

If you have not yet stopped by the Survive Wedding Season shop, please do! In addition to our official Maid of Honor Call Me Cards we also offer a few designs for Wedding Nice To Meet You Call Me Cards. Why throw down a business card at a wedding when you can create a more interesting impression? We also work with a wonderful designer (same artist who designed our site) and we have the ability to create custom cards for your event.

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ™

Mariachi Wedding

This past Saturday I attended the 21st annual Mariachi USA Festival with my boyfriend and his family at the Hollywood Bowl. I bring this up not just because it was my first time at the Mariachi Festival - and it was a lot of fun that involved a delicious homemade burrito, and not one, but two all-female Mariachi groups - but also because we are attending a wedding on August 7th that will have a Mariachi band and I am so very excited. This will be my first time experiencing a Mariachi band at a wedding reception and I think it will be all things fun and energetic.

What an act to have perform at a wedding! Plus I cannot wait to see their costumes. Have you been to a wedding that featured a Mariachi band? If so I would love to know. Please leave a comment below.

As far as the Mexican tradition of having a Mariachi band perform at special occasions I have learned that Mariachis are commonly hired to perform at weddings as their songs, specifically their serenades, express the courtship, love and longing from a man for a woman. How wonderfully perfect. If you are looking for a Mariachi band to play at your special event I found a website called Mariachi4U that holds a database of Mariachis in the United States.

A Verbal RSVP Is Still A Late RSVP

I, Elle Shapiro, dropped the ball on RSVP-ing on time to not just any wedding, but the Mariachi wedding I am so excited to attend. In my mind my attendance was clearly without question, but I should know better. Yes, the mother of the bride is quite talented (and makes stunning jewelry), but she is also a very busy woman who does not have time to read my mind.

While I did verbally RSVP yes, please know that a verbal RSVP is nothing more than an intention to attend a wedding. A verbal yes is not an official RSVP.  I cannot stress enough just how important it is to send in your response card as soon as possible, or at least by the requested due date. Oftentimes due to venue capacity brides and grooms and their families cannot always invite everyone they want. But if they receive regretful declines, they know they may be able to invite more people after all. So get that card in.

And yes, we had a good laugh about me, of all people, being tardy to the RSVP party. Expert, yes. Perfect, no.

Scent of A Wedding

Daisy By Marc Jacobs For Women

I just started sampling the Marc Jacobs fragrance, Daisy and I think it might be my new summer scent. I usually wear Valentino’s Rock & Rose on everything, everyday. But I think for my summer wedding season I am going to rock a little Daisy. 

Daisy smells like summer and makes me feel happy and free-spirited. While my Rock & Rose feels glamorous, in-charge and sophisticated, Daisy gives off a romantic whimsy of letting go and having fun on the dance floor at an outdoor wedding. Plus, it is a very light fragrance that won’t overpower the other guests so they can stay focused on the lady of the day, the bride of course.

Nothing like the wedding guest who wore too much perfume. With Daisy you can’t make that faux pas.

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ™

Perhaps it is because I recently grew out my bangs that I have become more invested in discovering new hair accessories. This week’s SWS Fashion Friday is therefore dedicated to the headband. I found a wonderful designer on Etsy with a shop called Be Something New that specializes in mixing florals and fabrics with vintage pieces to create really whimsical, romantic, stunning and photogenic headbands and hair clips. 

Have a look at some of my favorites below. All of these could work for a bride, a bridesmaid or a wedding guest. But bridesmaids beware - make sure you check with the bride first before committing to any hair accessories and never assume your bride will love your choice. Also, if you are traveling to a wedding be sure to safely pack your wears to avoid damage. Feel free to share your opinions below.

Be Something New sexy black lace and plum flower headband ($30)

Be Something New vintage brass bow and bobbles headband ($30)

Be Something New vintage lace, feathers and bling headband ($26)

Be Something New vintage love cameo headband ($36)

Be Something New orchids in a cloud of pearls headband ($30)

Related topics:

1. Luxurious Wedding Hair Repair
2. When You Think Your Bridesmaid Dress Is Fugly 
3. SWS Fashion Friday - Brides Blush, Bridesmaids Glow
4. Santa Barbara Bachelorette Weekend 
5. SWS Official Maid of Honor Call Me Card
6. A Professional Wedding Photographer’s Tips For Looking Your Best In Photos by Amanda Kraft

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ™