My Polish Easter

Traditional Polish Easter Basket

Let me start by saying that I am neither Polish nor Catholic, but my husband was raised in a Polish Catholic home where the blessing of the Easter Basket was an annual ritual. As adults we're progressive Quakers, a religion that eschews "ritual".  It's a bit if a guilty pleasure that we take part in the annual blessing of the Easter Basket.

Easter us such a religious holiday-  Celebrating the risen Christ... But don't think about it too much... What does Jesus have to do with Dying eggs, eating chocolate bunnies, or putting Peeps in the microwave? For me, the spirit of Easter comes in the re-birth of our spirits.  It comes with spring and the awakening of the earth.  When I make Pysanky, I enjoy the meditative centering it brings me.  The scent of the melted bee's wax, the candles, the warm eggs, the colors.  It's really a delightfully centering practice... 

Part of what draws me being a "Celebration Specialist" is a love of tradition. I love marking the passage of the year with celebration. Next week, I hope to dance around a May Pole.


So here are some pictures of my Polish Easter Basket that we'll take to St Maria Goretti to be blessed by a generous priest tomorrow. 

Repost: Modern Etiquette

The fact that there is an etiquette guide to talking about your wedding on Facebook is definitely a sign of our times...


In addition to the eight tips posted on allfacebook.com, I'll add a few more...


8 Facebook Wedding Etiquette Tips


9. Don't post all the pictures from your photographer without their permission. In most cases, this is actually a violation of copyright law. Ask your photographer for some low-res watermarked files you can use.  If you talk to them, there is usually a way it can work where the photographer gets some publicity, and your friends get to see the images! You can also post the snapshots your friends and family have taken (with their permission-of course!) 


10. On Facebook as well as other places it's good to remember the advice "Praise in public, criticize in private." If you care about your relationships and your community, it's always better to take up any problems in private. With your professionals, they'll be more likely to try to fix the problem if you haven't already trashed their reputation. Of course, public praise is always nice- good karma for everyone!


11. I'd add an addendum to "Stay off line during nuptials". I think it would be fine to post "We did it!" or something equally short and to the point after the ceremony. But really, on the day of your wedding and even through your honeymoon- your focus should be on the people/person you're with- the rest of us can wait.


Remember, Facebook, Twitter and whatever is next down the pike are great tools for keeping in touch with your community.  These tools, however, are not a substitute for community.

Celebration Advice: A Long Overdue Celebration

Every now and then, I get fun, interesting questions from people who are anticipating their celebrations.  Sometimes, when I answer these questions, I think- "Wow! someone could write an advice column about parties, weddings and creating personal celebrations!" Well, the other day, I realized that perhaps, at least occasionally, I could be that person!  Don't worry, if you ask my advice, I'll never publish it without your permission!


Hey Marilee,
My nephew and his wife just moved back to Madison. They are buying a house and wanted to know how to invite people to their house warming, and what's the proper etiquette for letting people know where they are registered. They were married by a justice of the peace in TX and never had a reception, etc. So, they kind of want to combine the house warming/celebrate their marriage. They've been married a couple or more years. They got married just before she shipped out to Iraq. I'm working on them to use you as a celebration planner.

Aunt C


Dear C,
I'm so glad you wrote!

I think the first step is to be clear about what they're celebrating. It sounds like they're having a long overdue wedding reception in their new home, not really a housewarming. This should be clear at the beginning. If some guests understand they're celebrating the wedding and others think they're coming to a simple house warming, there will be some awkward moments. The guests who are celebrating the open house are likely to come with a bottle of wine or a nice candle which probably won't even be wrapped. They'll feel pretty schmucky as they watch other folks arrive with wedding gifts... talk about feeling out of the loop!

Given their circumstances, I would definitely use paper invitations. Invite guests to the celebration taking place in their first home together. Mention the wedding date and invite people to a long overdue celebration.

Gift registries should never be mentioned in the invitation- it's one of the very few firm etiquette rules. They should tell their family and closer friends where they are registered. Those people can then "spread the word" The invitations can also direct guests to a website where they can include information about many things as well as the list of registries.

I would be delighted to work with them to create a lovely celebration. It sounds like they have many things to be joyful about!

-Marilee

Repost: Hair and Dancing!

Photo Courtesy of Anda Marie Photography

I just found this great article about coordinating your hair do with your wedding entertainment! 


These are the types of details that can really make your celebration "pop".

Check out this article from Gigmasters.

Wedding Hair Wedding Planning

2011's Hottest Sustainable Wedding Trends

If you're at all interested in having a sustainable wedding (and who isn't?), this is a great article from RecycledBride where brides buy and sell gently used wedding dresses. Fire and Ice by Planned Spontaneity Many of my clients have helped set these trends! How are you creating a sustainable celebration? Are you using any of these ideas? Do you have other ideas you're using? Please share your ideas in the comment section at the bottom of this blog. At Planned Spontaneity, we specialize in creating celebrations that fit with your personal values. We've used many of these ideas and more to produce beautiful, fun, sustainable celebrations. As public awareness grows about sustainability, the wedding market is seeing dramatic shifts in the values and purchasing habits of brides, grooms, and their guests. Excessive spending and wasteful extravagance are out, while eco-friendly choices like paperless invitations, cocktail-length wedding dresses, and locally sourced menus and gifts are in. Weddings in 2011 are all about simple elegance, creative DIY projects, and attire and decorations that can be used again after the big day. "A sustainable wedding is one that includes elements which have a positive social and environmental impact. It's incredibly exciting to be at the forefront of sustainable wedding trends and to observe how couples all over the world are making beautiful, ethical choices for their celebrations," says Tracy DiNunzio, founder and CEO of Recycled Bride. "This year's sustainable wedding trends are going mainstream, with more couples than ever incorporating eco-friendly elements into their weddings." Eleven Sustainable Wedding Trends for 2011 Moonstone Engagement Ring Turtle Love Committee 1. Diamonds are no longer a girl's best friend: Inspired by the sapphire ring that Prince William gave to Kate Middleton, alternative gemstones are all the rage for engagements in 2011. Brides will express their individual style -- and avoid conflict diamonds -- with rings made of colored stones like sapphires, emeralds, and rubies, and sparkly diamond alternatives like moissonite and synthetic diamonds. 2. Chalkboard chic: Stylish slate signs will take the place of paper wedding programs, seating cards, and menus. Chalkboard signs can be made to look elegant and fancy or sweet and rustic, and can be created inexpensively at home using scavenged picture frames, chalkboard paint, and a little creativity. Reducing paper waste at your wedding never looked so stylish! Nutshell Catering 3. Weddings go local: Farmer's market menus and locally sourced favors and gifts are hip as can be this year. By doing their wedding shopping locally, couples minimize their carbon footprint, support their local economy, and delight guests with unique details they won't find elsewhere. This trend caught fire after Chelsea Clinton's locally lovely wedding in Rhinebeck, New York, and will continue well into 2011. 4. The "staycation-moon": The popular staycation trend meets the honeymoon as couples skip the expense and carbon footprint associated with honeymoon travel in favor of romantic hometown adventures. Picture a week of museum visits, local theater and sporting events, park picnics, bucket-list adventures, and romantic dining -- no luggage required! 5. Intimate weddings: Weddings with small guest lists create less waste, offer more warmth, and give couples tons of flexibility when choosing a location. Intimate wedding celebrations range from elegant multi-course dinners in hotel penthouses to backyard barbecues featuring local bands and brews. 6. Cocktail wedding dresses: Short wedding dresses are all the rage, and just about every major bridal designer has debuted a knee-length collection for 2011. A cocktail-length dress can be worn again, and many are just as formal and elegant as a long gown. Look for tons of short and sweet styles for sale on Recycled Bride right now. 7. Paperless Invitations: Electronic wedding communication is easier and prettier than ever, with companies like Glo offering stunning, interactive online save-the-dates, reply cards, invitations, and more. E-mail invites are less expensive than paper and help to reduce wedding waste. Tea Length Wedding Dress by Recycled Bride   8. Greener Gifting: Registries have gone green, with tons of new options for brides and grooms who want to receive ethically-made gifts and support the sustainable economy. Two of our faves are the Green Bride Guide Shop and The Knot's Gift Registry 360, which lets couples create one centralized registry with products from any online retailer they choose. And green donation gifts, like Bluebell Giving Cards, will be popular as both wedding presents and guest favors. 9. Face Forward: Long veils are sitting on the sidelines this year, as brides forgo them in favor of birdcage styles and unique hair accessories that can be worn again. Expect to see 2011's brides in headbands, vintage hair clips, flowers, and chic tiaras. 10. Flexitarian Feasts: Another trend inspired by Chelsea Clinton's veggie-conscious wedding is reducing the amount of meat on the menu. This year, more couples will offer vegetable- and grain-based meal options for their guests in an effort to save money and save the Earth.   11. Wedding Recycling: More brides, grooms, bridesmaids and guests than ever are shopping and selling on sites like RecycledBride.com. Smart users enjoy the financial, environmental, and social benefits of wedding recycling, and discover the joy of sharing, saving, and passing on treasured wedding items to other happy couples.

About Recycled Bride: RecycledBride.com is the world's largest wedding marketplace. Members buy and sell everything from designer wedding gowns to reception decorations, bridesmaids dresses, shoes, and wedding gifts. Reselling new and gently used wedding items on Recycled Bride lets users minimize their carbon footprint and maximize their budgets. Recycled Bride is owned byRecycled Media, Inc. and was founded in 2009 by Tracy DiNunzio in Santa Monica, California. An eco-conscious business, Recycled Bride donates a portion of its advertising revenue to Global Green USA.

Repost: Something old, something new - Wausau wedding planning | Examiner.com

I love following Kelly's examiner articles. She's full of great ideas and information. Since one of my passions is delving into the meanings of our traditions, I thought you might enjoy reading about the significance of our "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue"

There's also a final line that I hear less often

"And a sixpence in your shoe"

The sixpence represents good fortune and wealth in your marriage. Read Kelly's article for the rest!

Something old, something new - Wausau wedding planning | Examiner.com

Entertainment Spotlight: Abigail Cantor

It's been my pleasure to work with the talented and versatile Abigail Cantor on a number of occasions.  She's the leader of two ensembles, The Cantor Set and Shira. (Geeky math types will enjoy this play on words)


The Cantor Set plays jazz standards, blues, and their own musical concoctions.  They understand that rhythm and tempo are critical for dancing, so they keep melody and rhythm at the forefront through their improvisations.  She works with top jazz musicians to create a very danceable and musically interesting performance. The Cantor Set is available for receptions and parties.

Shira offers eastern European, jazz/klezmer fusion and liturgical melodies for services. Shira was formed in 1988 and at that time was the only Jewish music band in the Madison area.  They're available for both ceremonies and wedding receptions.


Both of these ensembles put on a great show with fun, danceable music. Ms. Cantor plays Clarinet, Sax and recorder. Depending on the needs of the gathering she draws on a talented pool of the top local musicians to fill out a three to five person ensemble with keyboard, bass, drums, saxophone or trumpet. 


Specs:
Contact Person: Abigail Cantor
e-mail: shiramusic@sbcglobal.net, or info@thecantorset.com
phone: 608.238.2452
website (for the Cantor Set): http://www.thecantorset.com

Chocolate Spotlight: TerraSource Chocolates

One of the coolest businesses I know of is TerraSource Chocolates, owned by Josie Pradella.  Terrasouce offers organic, vegan, fair trade chocolates using locally produced fruits and spirits. Terrasource is one of those businesses that's founded on the principle of doing well by doing good.  

Two-piece favor boxes are perfect for weddings.  They are made from specialty paper containing native prairie seeds grown and harvested in the midwest. Your wedding guests get to enjoy handcrafted vegan dark chocolates sourced with local, organic and fair trade ingredients, then plant the box paper to plant a native prairie garden appropriate to the midwest bioregion.

Another fabulous product Terrasouce offers is "Share Squares" which are used to raise funds for Solar Cookers International. Through the Share Squares program, Terrasource Chocolates was able to send 60 solar ovens to Haiti in 2010.  These solar cookers are not only used to prepare food, but also to purify water. The Share squares are packaged in compostable cellophane and the tags are produced from high recycled-content paper.  Share Squares are dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free and delicious. 

Finally, Josie  is a co-founder of Dane Buy Local which is a network of locally owned businesses, who support one another and our community. She works to engage other businesses to find common areas that they can work together. 

Here are a few testimonials.

"These are bold, new chocolates with great "local" flavors. I love them!"
- Rick Richards

"Dark chocolate is good for your health - these chocolates are good for your soul."
- Sara Richards

Here are some specs:

Phone: 608-221-0588 or toll-free (877) 808-9217
Email: josie@terrasourcechocolates.com 

Website: TerraSourcechocolates.com

Business Associations Green America Greener Business certified member, co-founder of Dane Buy Local,

Good Works: Share Squares Solar Cookers for Haiti, TerraSource is also uses organic ingredients, eco-friendly packaging and uses fair-trade practices

Address: TerraSource Chocolates LLC, P.O. Box 14114, Madison, WI 53708-0114
Pricing: Check out the online catalog for pricing on the various products.

Photographer Spotlight: Anda Marie

Working with Anda Marie Photography is a true joy!  She did a brilliant job capturing beautiful images of Claire and John's Wedding, and I look forward to working with her again! Her excitement about being a wedding photographer is effusive.  "I can't imagine anything better!" When I asked her what she loves the most, it's the people.  She loves her clients, she loves the other professionals she's met and the photographers she's become friends with.

  She's always been an an artist, and has always taken pictures.  Her business started organically... she photographed a friend's wedding and put the pictures on Facebook. The pictures went viral and she was almost immediately booked through the following year and quickly became a full time wedding photographer.  She's been featured in Style me Pretty and has traveled throughout the U.S. photographing gorgeous weddings!

Her style is editorial/artistic.  She stages the details (Shoes, dress, etc) like a magazine fashion layout, and she'll take some time with the bride and groom to stage some gorgeous shots to help them look their very best.     During the rest of the day she doesn't stage shots, so much as keep in touch with where the best artistic view of a given moment will be.

She prefers to take a minimal number of posed family portraits (10 minutes with immediate family). If you're concerned  you won't get pictures of your favorite aunt, though, not to worry- she focuses a lot of her candid shots on your close friends and family.


Here's what she says about herself...

I love to capture what's honest... I love to make images that are authentic and full of life, movement and style.  I enjoy giving you something you can hang on your walls as art... and therefore I look for what's interesting and not what's perfect.

Here are some specs.

Website: http://www.andamarie.com

Blog: http://www.andamarie.net

E-mail: andamarie@andamarie.com

Style: High Fashion Editorial blended with artistic photojournalism

Green Practices: All her ordering is on line.  She uses eco-friendly albums made from recycled products and uses a local printer for her photographs

Price: Wedding packages range from $3000 to $9000

Professional associations: PPA and WPPI

Location: Based in Madison, but happy to travel world wide! (Italy, Morocco, Brazil?)

Real Weddings: Claire & John

Anda Marie Photography

Claire and John's wedding in October was inspiring in more ways than one! Not only was it beautiful and creative, but they also went out of their way to include their community and friends.  Every person at the reception felt special and loved! 

'62 Thunderbird
Anda Marie Photography

Motif Painting by Debbie Sisko
Anda Marie Photography

Claire and John both have a passion for classic cars.  Check out the '62 T-Bird that was their sweet ride after the ceremony! 

Motif Painting by Debbie Sisko
Anda Marie Photography

They used a

gorgeous hand-painted motif throughout their celebration!
Their coolest DIY project was the centerpieces! The mother of the bride created silk arrangements to go into the pumpkins carved and glittered the week before the wedding!

Anda Marie Photography

They even had a traditional Greek wedding dance!

Anda Marie Photography

Anda Marie Photography

Roster of resources and professionals:
Wedding Coordination: Planned Spontaneity (of course!)
Photography: Anda Marie Photography

Ceremony Venue: St. John Vianney Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Best Events Banquet Hall in Janesville, WI
Ceremony Music: Fran Preyer

Anda Marie Photography

Cake: Buttercups
DJ: Dave Drake of Complete Music
Motif painting: Debbie Sisko

  

Anda Marie Photography