by Karen Fragala-Smith on April 26, 2016
Soooooo, you’re starring in a fashion show, which you’re also producing. You’re hosting a mega-bash which will be attended by all of your closest friends and family, arriving from near and far. There will be a magnificent dinner and an unforgettable night of dancing. The whole affair will be memorialized by a lush photo shoot and a cinema verite documentary. And after all that, you’ll be embarking on the most spectacular vacation of a lifetime. And in the midst of the festivities, you’re going to make a legally-binding, solemn vow to share the rest of your life with a certain someone. Congratulations, you’re getting married! No pressure or anything.
The number of options available for marrying couples has multiplied exponentially in recent years, which is great because it makes it possible to plan a special day that uniquely represents your own style. But on the other hand, it can all be a little daunting. The Wedding Salon, launched by Tatiana Byron in 2004, is a good place for couples to start. Wedding Salon events, held every few months, put engaged couples face-to-face with wedding vendors who are showcasing the hottest new trends in Big Day planning.
The most recent Wedding Salon bridal show at Metropolitan Pavilion, sponsored by The Knot, featured presentations from honeymoon resorts, photographers, wedding bands, dress designers, beverage vendors, gift registries, party venues and wedding planners. Carlo’s Bakery (from TLC’s Cake Boss) were on hand to serve up a delicious red velvet wedding cake, and the folks from The Crepes Truck were baking fresh confections full of strawberries and Nutella.
The dazzling jazz and swing singer Jamie Woods from Onyx Artists was on hand to tell me about the first-rate bands and DJs for couples who demand sensational music and would never settle for a corny wedding band. The friendly folks from the Peter Island Resort & Spa in the British Virgin Islands regaled me with details and photos of their pristine and luxurious couples’ resort, surrounded by clear blue waters and colorful reefs, featuring exquisite cuisine and extensive amenities on a secluded beach, and I could scarcely imagine a more suitable setting for a week in paradise.
But the biggest surprise was the range and breadth of beauty services. If you’re going to be featured in hundreds of photos, it makes sense to make sure your smile is in order. The folks at Corey Brick‘s dental office offer a free consultation for a smile make-over, with discounts for brides on teeth whitening, veneers and Invisalign services. Beautini offers make-up and hair services–served up with bubbly–for the entire bridal party. And Bridal Boudoir offers packages that include hair, make-up, wardrobe styling and photography.
But looking good isn’t just for brides anymore. Turnbull & Asser offer a wide range of services for grooms and 18/8 Fine Men’s Salon offers special packages including a men’s hair cut with a neck and shoulder massage and a hot towel finish. And if both parties are going to look good on the dance floor, a few sessions with I Know You Can Dance won’t hurt. The award-winning dance studio has special packages for “intimidated beginner or anxious wedding couples.”
Yup, your wedding day just might be the most intricate event you will ever plan in your life. But it should also be the happiest and most memorable. So relax, cherish every moment, and if anything should go wrong, like the florist doesn’t show or the photographer botches every shot, don’t fret. The folks at Travelers Insurance offer a Wedding Protector Plan, so you can eat, drink and be merry without a care in the world.