The Wedding Yentas™ | A Guide for the Jewish Bride!™

Thursday Thrills: Sweet Designs By SugarRobot

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Alison in Thursday Thrills

A cake is a cake.

Wrong!

Sure, you have your cake flavors, fillings, butter creams, fondants, and general cake shape. But How do you incorporate a personal style into your cake so that it’s just as gorgeous on the outside as it’s delicious on the inside? And, better yet, what if it was all edible?!

Now you can have your cake — and eat it, too!

SugarRobot is our latest and greatest etsy find, and we just have to gush to you about what a unique and beautiful detail piece you must include in your wedding treats!

Lisa’s a sweet chick. No really, she’s totally into sweets. She started out decorating cakes for fun, and now she adds bits of fun and frill, working with brides to customize edible decor from her online store. Lisa also has a chemistry background, so she’s a total pro who knows the science behind the final product. Talk about a perfect concoction of brains and beauty! The Southern Californian sugar artist makes designs fresh to order and her careful packaging makes sure you can receive your perfectly-in tact design no matter where you live.

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So how does one get in the business of sugary beauty for cakes? Back in 2002, Lisa the cake decorator needed life-like butterflies for very special cupcakes. After searching high and low, she could not find anything that looked real enough. She did what any determined artist would do: she made her own! They became such conversation pieces, Lisa decided it was fine time to provide them to the public and now her etsy shop, SugarRobot has — pardon the pun — taken flight! These delicate beauties are made of kosher wafer paper and food colors, and each individual item is carefully cut by hand. So as you can see, every detail has been considered for your wedding cake needs!

SugarRobot‘s whimsical decorations are not limited to wedding cakes! Hosting a bridal shower for someone? This would make a lovely addition to the dessert spread! The sugary creations would also make an engagement party or day after brunch very festive! Even an annual birthday cake can share some frosting and candles real estate with a flower cascade or dragonfly — all made out of sugar!

Win your own SugarRobot masterpiece! Enter to win a custom-designed cake flourish by checking out the etsy shop and comment below about your favorite design! You do not have to be Jewish or a current bride to win (hey, anyone can use some extra sugar!). The sweepstakes runs through Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. and the winner will be announced on Monday! Good luck!

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GOTTA HAVE IT: For the Groom

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Alison in Planning

This is Gotta Have It. A post dedicated to something you must have that would look fabulous as one of your wedding details.

We spend a lot of time analyzing every move we make when it comes to our bridal ensemble, but what about that luscious love of your life at the other end of the chuppah? We’re willing to bet money that he’s not scouring etsy and wedding blogs (though he’s totally missing out if he’s not reading The Wedding Yentas!) for the must-have pieces for your wedding, so we did it for him. And you. We love these boutonnieres that are an alternative to live floral accessories.

And just like that, swoon! So that’s why we’re sharing and telling you, you gotta have it!

From roseandbirch:

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From rule42:

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From LaPlumeEthere:

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From justweddingbouquets &karinkamb:

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Wedding Brunch Bunch

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Alison in Planning

Let’s face it. Our people always want any opportunity to get together and eat. Passover seders are basically dinner and a show and even when there’s a death in the family (pooh-pooh, spit, spit!), the mourners can always feel better knowing there’s a lavish deli platter in store. We eat. It’s just what we do. So on the weekend of your wedding, it doesn’t seem like it’s enough to have only a Shabbat meal, rehearsal dinner, and wedding reception entree. No, we need just one more chance to get together, discuss the previous night’s events (“Did you see how snockered Aunt Sylvia was last night at the wedding? Oy vey, she’s become such a shicker since she moved to Leisure Land!”), and sit around to eat… again.

So, where does this leave us? Presenting: The Day After Brunch.

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As with all things wedding, this is not a required or mandatory event. If you’re not doing it or don’t want, forget it. You can go play Words with Friends and skip the rest of this article. But if you’re considering having a Day After Brunch, read on for a little guideline.

You need to make sure you know who you’d like to invite to the Day After Brunch before you send out the invitations. Typically, the guest list is made up of the out-of-towners and immediate family. Your boss at work and his girlfriend don’t need to be there. Your next door neighbor probably isn’t going to make the cut. Just think about the people you really don’t get to see often and who you’d want to spend more time with, and go from there. If it makes it any easier, usually the Day After Brunch is comprised of the same group from Shabbat and/or rehearsal dinner.

Make sure you send out the invitations separately from the wedding invitation. As a rule, each wedding weekend event should have its own invitation. They don’t all have to be the same wedding paper ensemble — oy! That would cost you a fortune! — but the Day After Brunch can be a simple, standard invitation that details the place and time of the brunch.

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Sometimes it’s hosted at a hotel where most guests are staying or if it’s the wedding venue. Other times, a parent or grandparents has the guests over at their house for a catered brunch. The menu does not have to be elaborate. Regular “brunchy” items — fruit, cereals, bagels and lox — can absolutely suffice. Oh and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. Especially for Aunt Sylvia types.

Here’s the one question that may be burning in your mind: What if the bride and groom are ticketed to run off for their honeymoon the very next morning after the wedding?

That’s a lucky bride and groom to be starting their lives together ASAP! But it’s okay if they’re not there. As much as everyone would love to see the new star couple, it’s all about the gathering of the family and friends. The Day After Brunch is also great closure for the parents of the bride and groom. They don’t get a honeymoon after the wedding. Life continues as usual. So here’s a chance to take a breather, transition from a wonderful night of seeing their children marry, and spend time with loved ones.

After all, it’s not just food that binds our people, is it? As guests trickled out of the wedding reception when it ended, they hugged and kissed goodbye as if they wouldn’t be seeing each other again. Individuals could be leaving for Siberia or heading off to war the way they carry on with the bear hugs and wet kisses. But then, 12 hours later, they’d all be re-gathering for another round of shmoozing with company and coffee. This phenomenon is called the Jewish goodbye. And the Day After Brunch is one heck of a Jewish goodbye.

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How To Create Smoky Eyes

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Alison in Featured, Inside Scoop

After you read today’s article you’ll have to get the fire extinguisher because your eyes will be smoky!

Let’s face it, you are a hot commodity. I mean, you’re a blushing bride and you’ve never felt prettier, right? It’s time to step it up a notch. Hence the fire extinguisher. Even if you are hiring a makeup artist for your wedding day, certainly you will be enjoying other bridal-related events during your engagement. Between engagement soirees, bridal showers, and bachelorette parties, you have your fair share of lookin’-good moments. When it’s time to dress up your pretty lil punim, consider smoky eyes with this easy-to-use tutorial by Aura Schwartz, a bi-coastal makeup artist whose background includes artistry for photo shoots, fashion shows, red carpet events, and weddings. She’s a talented gal who can also be found in the elite Vendor Directory of The Wedding Yentas.

Aura was featured as an expert in StyleCaster, providing a step-by-step tutorial for achieving the sexy smoky eye look.

As listed on StyleCaster, here is a breakdown of the steps you should follow to get the look yourself:

1. COVERGIRL’s SmokyShadow Blast comes in six expertly coordinated color and has two specially contoured ends to make it easy for you to use.

2. Start with the rounded tipped one . Apply the shadow from lash line till the crease, making sure you get it all over the lid.

3. Then take the other side, and apply it all over the lid going up into the crease. Put a second coat of this color onto the outer corners of the lid for a little more emphasis there.

4. Take a brush and blend the crease and outer corner of the lids to make sure there are no hard lines anywhere around the eye lids.

5. Use Liquiline Blast eyeliner in Black Fire and apply it near your lash line on your top lid and underneath your bottom lashes.

6. Liquiline blast eyeliner in silver spark and go into your waterline for a more intense look.

7. Then take the same end as you used for the crease color and use it like a pencil going right under your bottom lash line. This will give your eyes a smudged smoky finish.

8. Finish this look with Lash Blast Mascara.

If you are interested in learning more about Aura for your professional, event, or wedding beauty needs, you can visit her blog or get in touch with her via phone: 347.453.3327 or email: aura.beauty@gmail.com

Jewish Mothers Get Dolled Up

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Alison in Featured, Inside Scoop

Mothers, get ready to plotz. Today is about you! Your daughter is going to be a gorgeous bride on her wedding day, but does that mean that the mother of the bride should hide and be banished from all things beautiful? Feh! Of course not! You are the epitome of “Proud Mother” on the day your daughter meets her groom under the chuppah, and you should be kvelling the way a Jewish mother kvells. Now, mothers of the groom: This does not exclude you either! We are assuming that brides’ mothers are reading The Wedding Yentas in depth, but we are well aware that many mothers of grooms are just as involved and proud, so know that when we refer to MOB dresses, you are absolutely included in this category.

After all, a hot mom is a hot mom, no matter if you raised the bride or the groom. And for that, we bow.

MOB dresses can be found just about anywhere. In fact, what was once deemed a “mother of the bride dress” is no longer the must or the norm. Yes, you can walk into just about any bridal salon and see a number of taffeta matchy-matchy separates or gowns to wear on your child’s wedding day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t shop somewhere that doesn’t have a section with a big old sign above saying “Mother of the Bride.” Macy’s, Nordstrom, Saks, Neiman Marcus, and many specialty dress stores carry formal wear that is appropriate to wear to your son or daughter’s wedding. Do not feel cornered into purchasing at the same location as your daughter. Just like bridesmaid dresses, MOB gowns can be ready-to-wear at a department store.

Allow us to play a positive and happy Joan Rivers as we take a look back on some weddings with beautiful options for mothers.

Both moms at Runya and Jason’s Beverly Hills wedding were stunning! The mothers wore copper with varying looks and styles. Off the shoulder cap sleeves on Runya’s mother is so timeless, and the strapless, deep sweetheart neck on Jason’s mom is super feminine.
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At Lauren and Graeme’s wedding, Graeme’s mom wore a lovely, flowy gown in soft blue that coordinates with her son’s color palette. We think the sheer wrap that covers the shoulders for the ceremony is a winner!
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We totally appreciate how Lisa’s mother didn’t try to compete with the beautiful surroundings of Lisa and Tyler’s Rhode Island wedding. She absolutely sparkles as she walks her daughter down the aisle in a modern, strapless gown of neutral colors!
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Nicole’s mom walked her daughter down the aisle like the aisle was a runway at Fashion Week! At Nicole and Michael’s wedding, we love how this mom knows how to wear black! You can’t go wrong with a sleek, form-fitting gown and V-necks are always flattering!
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We absolutely love the mothers of Arielle and Dave’s wedding, who wore shades of blue in slate and teal. The feminine touches included ruffles and rouching.
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Taryn’s mother shown in Taryn and Todd’s wedding chose a formal blazer gown and we give her a thumbs up for bold details like an extra wide lapel and rosette flourish. She looks radiant!
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At Yenta Alison and Bryan’s wedding, Alison’s mom wore a three-piece bronze gown with beaded details, ruffles, and rouching. Alison’s mom wanted something neutral, but formal, and we think she picked a winner.
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