YOUR PROFESSIONAL WEDDING SPECIALIST

    The Tradition of Tuxedos 

Few people know that the tuxedo got it’s start from the Prince of Wales.  In 1866, Griswold Lorillard, a tobacco heir, wore a tailless black dinner coat to a Tuxedo Park Country Club in Tuxedo Park.  His guests were shocked because at the time tales were what a gentleman wore, especially when he was dressed for a formal occasion.  Lorillard explained to the guests that his suit design was inspired from a coat worn by the Prince of Wales early that year.  While tuxedo trends come and go, modern interpretations of Griswold Lorillard’s tailless black dinner coat are still accepted as formal dress attire.   

Today, we plan many details of our wedding day.  However, when it comes to the tuxedo, we typically tell the groom what color we prefer and set him free to make his choices. We’d like to shed some light on tuxedo options and protocol.   

In the tuxedo world there are four basic categories to consider: ultra-formal evening, formal evening, ultra-formal daytime and formal daytime. 

• In the ultra-formal evening category the groom can choose from black, grey or white tailcoat.  With this choice, the ushers or groomsmen would choose similar styling.  The jacket should stay in the black, grey or white color but it is acceptable for the vest and tie to coordinate with bridesmaids’ dresses.  The fathers would wear the same attire as the ushers guests are invited to wear black tie.

• The formal evening look is the proper choice when you want to express yourselves individually.  This is a more trendy choice where grooms can choose from fashion lapels, multiple buttons and varying lengths and jacket styles.  Couture fashion shirts, vests and shoes are acceptable.  The wedding party can be dressed similar to the groom, but if the groom chooses tails or a long coat to differentiate himself from the others, the wedding party or ushers can wear short jackets.  Fathers should coordinate their attire and guests are invited to wear black tie.

• Ultra-formal daytime is a daytime look with a modern twist.  The groom dresses in an updated cutaway with pleated, striped matching trousers.  The ushers dress in matching stroller coats, which allow the groom to be set apart from the others.  Fathers are free to choose either style.

• Formal daytime is the most popular for today’s weddings.  Basically you do what you want.  The groom’s choices can include all types of formalwear in any color.  Ushers can match the groom or make their choice of long or short tailed tuxedo.

Keeping this in mind, we have a few tips for you:     

1.  Plan to reserve your tuxedos about six weeks in advance.

2.  You may want to take advantage of damage waiver.  For a few dollars more, above and beyond your rental fee, you might want to protect yourself against accidental tears and stains. 

3.  Marrying here in Florida, you might want to spice up your look by pairing a white coat with black pants (formal daytime)      Long ties are in.  You aren’t limited to a bow tie.

4.  Make sure you wheel and deal before opening your wallet. If you order your tuxedos as a group, many tuxedo shops will make you a special offer or offer a discount.  Some give the groom his tuxedo for free if they are guaranteed a certain     number of tuxedo rentals. 

5. Make sure your tuxedo measurements are professionally taken.  Friends or family members shouldn’t be the ones to perform this task.  Measurements should be taken properly and by a professional.

Regardless of what the men are wearing in the wedding, it should be comfortable.  Make sure the coat allows free movement of the arms and that it lies flat and smooth across the back.  Sleeves should reach to the curl of the fingers when arms are straight at the sides and a half inch of the shirt cuff should be revealed.  The pants should be hemmed even with the top of the heel of the shoe. 

    The Universal Language isn’t Love, but Numbers

It is said that numbers are a universal language.  If so, what are numbers saying about weddings.  Here is a compilation of numbers that we have collected as they related to brides, weddings and marriage.  Enjoy! 

• Weddings are a 26 billion dollar industry
• On average, approximately 2.4 million weddings take place in the U.S. with a third of them being remarriages.
• 30% of brides plan their weddings for 7 to 12 months.
• The average wedding guest count is 189.
• The average cost of a wedding is $20,000 to $25,000.
• 85% of weddings are held in a church or synagogue.
• Hawaii is the favorite honeymoon destination.
• 75% of first time brides receive a diamond engagement ring and 67% of repeat brides.
• One third of men’s wedding rings have diamonds.
• August is the top month for weddings at 10.4% and June is a close second at 10.3%.  (see chart below for annual breakdown)
• The average engagement is 16 months.
• The average ring is $2000.The average first-time bride was 22 in 1980, 35 in 1990 and 25 today.
• The average age to remarry was 32 in 1980, 35 in 1990 and 34 in 2000.
• Four out of five brides are employed.
• Cash is the most desired wedding gift.
• 40% of brides worry about if their reception will be fun.
• 50% of brides worry about forgetting a crucial detail on their wedding day.
• 25% of brides worry about guests not showing up.
• 50% of marriages end in divorce.
• Half of all adults in the United States are married.
• More than 4.2 million unmarried couples live together.
• 59% of brides under 18 are separated or divorced within 15 years.

These numbers are based on NATIONAL averages and statistics. 

    CULTURAL CORNER 

America is truly a melting pot of various cultures, religions and races.  We mix culture in everything we do. This can be true in your wedding plans too.  In the Cultural Corner we open a window to various cultures specifically related to wedding traditions.  When making your wedding day plan, remember that the day should be a reflection of you.  The wedding ceremony itself is cloaked deep in tradition so it would only be appropriate if you could find the right cultural flare to express your culture and individualism.  

Jewish Wedding Traditions:  Jewish weddings may be held anywhere that a canopy of chuppah can be erected and is most often held where the reception will follow.  The chuppah symbolizes both the tents of ancient ancestors and the formation of the new home and family that is created beneath it (the newly married couple).  The chuppah can be decorated with flowers and may be constructed in a fixed position or held by special attendants.  

The Jewish wedding tradition of Breaking the Glass is typically done while standing underneath the chuppah, wedding arch or canopy.  The couple sips wine from a glass during readings conducted by various guests.  When done, the groom places the glass, wrapped in a cloth, on the ground and breaks the glass with his foot.  The act symbolizes the destruction of a temple in Jerusalem underscore the fragility of love.

    ELIZABETH'S ETIQUETTE 

We have had many brides who want to wear gloves as a part of their wedding attire.  This is an elegant touch but some brides aren’t comfortable with the logistics of how and when the gloves come off and the ring goes on.  Here is the proper etiquette on this topic. 

If the bride is wearing short gloves, she should make sure they are loose enough to pull off at the altar.  If she is wearing elbow length or longer gloves, there should be a seam in the glove’s wedding finger that allow the bride to slip off the tip so that the ring can be slipped on. The bride can also consider fingerless gloves. In any case, the gloves are worn down the aisle and stay on until time to exchange the rings.  Whatever is removed by the bride is handed to the maid of honor for safe keeping. 

Don’t be reluctant to add this tradition to your attire.  It’s delicate, it’s feminine and it’s elegant. 

Gown for Sale - PRICE CUT - $300 MUST SELL NOW!

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If you're a size 8 and looking for a white wedding dress, we have a bargain for you. We have been asked to showcase a "never before worn" wedding dress. The seller is asking for $300. The original price was $782. The tag is still on it. If you're interested please email Kimberly at: specialeventsbylaroche@msn.com
 

EVENTS YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW ABOUT 

As seen on Oprah and in Redbook Magazine, Brides Against Breast Cancer will have a wedding gown sale in Orlando.  The sale will take place on Friday March 24^th and Saturday, March 25^th at Comfort Inn and Conference Center in Longwood.  Please see the attached press release or visit the website for more information at www.makingmemories.org  

Wedding Noir is a bridal magazine that speaks to “the bride of color”.  They have launched in New Orleans and Atlanta.  Now the publication is coming to the Orlando area.  This is a free publication that will soon be available to all brides at a bridal store near you.  Look for the Bridal Expo to take place in conjunction with the Orlando Magic Saturday April 15th basketball game.  Visit www.weddingsnoir.com for additional information.