Inside Weddings

A fabulous honeymoon deserves some equally fabulous travel gear.Enter the flirty Magazine Print Vanity Collection from itBrit designer Lulu Guinness. These pieces are so darling, it would be a shame to keep ’em hidden in your luggage. With cases for cosmetics, jewelry and every essential in between, you’ll be sitting pretty–and organized–from morning till night. Large round beauty case, $150, makeup purse, $50 and jewelry roll (above), $95; Lulu Guinness boutique, NYC, 212.367.2120.
WRAP OF LUXURY
Wear a Lomanvé ultra plush chenille and satin robe while getting done up, and you just might consider wearing it down the aisle. Or surprise mom with one enclosed in a lovely hatbox, and say “thank you” times two. Robe available in soft pink or white. Short robe, $225, long robe, $235, and hatbox, $25; Additional products and monogramming available at lomanve.com.
BODY, MIND & SOUL
Gown designer Amy Michelson is now celebrating brides in more ways than one. Her Sexy Karma Kit is the gift for any bachelorette–and her lucky man–looking to spice up the boudoir. The kit contains ingredients for stimulating all the senses, including a candle that melts down to form a warm sandalwood massage lotion. It’s the next phase in Michelson’s mission to outfit the goddess in us all. Sexy Karma Kit, $69.95; available exclusively at Amy’s new Web boutique, pamperthegoddess.com.
PORTABLE PARTY
Decorations for a destination wedding should be both thematic and easy to transport. These fun coconut votive holders fit the bill. Light the way by lining them along tables or by hanging them from above. For something a little less nutty, wrap your favors in natural and socially conscious packaging by Nature’s Weave. Each creative piece is hand woven by women in the Philippines to which the company is devoted to providing livelihood opportunities. Votive holder, $3.79 each; shindigz.com. Nature’s Weave packaging from $.50 to $50. Custom orders available; 508.359.7727 or naturesweave.com.
TOFFEE TALK
There’s toffee and then there’s Valerie Confections’ toffee. Each buttery, chocolaty piece of heaven is hit with an unexpected nuance of flavor: a sprinkling of sea salt, a chunk of organic almond; or a garnish of candied ginger, to name a few. And Valerie’s already elegant packaging can be personalized for fetching favors. Boxes start at $6.50 for 2 pieces; valerieconfections.com or 888.706.1408 for custom orders.
HEIR TRANSPARENT
Making her wedding debut is the Victoria, the stylish daughter in the Ghost family of chairs designed by Philippe Starck for Kartell. Inheriting both the distinguished medallion back of Starck’s Louis chair and the narrower shape of his La Marie chair, the armless and versatile Victoria Ghost chair offers the best of both parents. Robust and outdoor-friendly, it perpetuates the Ghostly tradition of redefining elegance by adding a surprising hint of modernity to any décor concept. Offered in clear, emerald, pink-orange and smoke, the Victoria is only available for rent through Roberta Karsch for Resource One. $38 each; 818.343.3451 or resourceone.info.
HE SAID, SHE SAID
Men deserve a wedding planning guide, too, especially one that lovingly mocks the process. In Well Groomed, a recently married Peter Scott transports his brethren through each stop on the wedding planning train. From booking the honeymoon to choosing a coordinator, he never misses a clever opportunity to tell it like it is. Our favorite chapter: “How Can a Magazine Cost $12.95 and Not Have Pictures of Naked People in it?” That’s not to say that certain grooms with wanderlust wouldn’t marvel at the sheer volume of information Lisa Light has amassed in Destination Bride: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Wedding Anywhere in the World. Light, founder of an international wedding consulting firm based in New York, called upon her years of experience and sense of adventure to compile the targeted advice and bewitching locations in her don’tleave- home-without-it book. For a peek, check out Light’s tips in the “Island Fever” feature in this issue. Well Groomed, $16.95, and Destination Bride, $24.99; amazon.com.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Everything about being the maid of honor is thrilling–except for the financial investment. How do you get away with throwing a cheap and chic shower? Gather your fellow maids together and make the décor yourselves. Paper Source’s flower kits turn out just as bright and beautiful as real flowers, but at 14 bucks a bunch, they won’t bust your budget. Dismantle your creative centerpieces, and the stems can live on as favors. Shown here, Mambo Magnolias, $14; other styles available at paper-source.com.
DINNER PARTY
We’re not advocating a woman’s place should be in the kitchen, but when it’s this fun, why not? During just one Dream Dinners session, busy brides can prepare a dozen delicious meals for around $200. Go it alone or bring your friends: Just select your “everyday gourmet” meals ahead of time; show up at the store for your session and move from station to station, assembling the pre-cut ingredients. No cooking skills required. Then, pack up the meals and freeze until you’re ready to enjoy. And with each dinner containing four to six servings, you’ll be free to spend more time in other parts of the house (wink, wink). Visit dreamdinners.com for a location near you.
ON A ROLL
Bored with signature drinks and candy stations? Cigar Catering will up your reception’s cool factor in a unique way your fiancé will definitely appreciate. CF Dominicana’s master rollers assemble cigars while servers (think updated cigarette girls) hand them out to the crowd. They’ll even personalize the cigar bands for you, making great favors when given with a cutter. CF Dominicana’s entertaining services are available in and around most major U.S. cities with packages beginning at $975. Visit cigarcatering.com for more information.