I saw this book, I Married Adventure, online a few weeks ago and the title made me chuckle because, to me, no truer words could be used to describe marriage.  It is an adventure!  Osa Johnson’s book is about the adventures she and her husband, Martin, had as photographers, explorers, marketers, naturalists and authors while studying the wildlife and peoples of East and Central Africa, the South Pacific Islands and British North Borneo during the first half of the Twentieth Century. They explored then-unknown lands and brought back film footage and photographs, offering many Americans their first understanding of these distant lands.  While your marriage may not be about this kind of adventure, it will be an adventure nonetheless.  The book is now a collector’s item, especially for decor enthusiasts; it’s a great wedding gift for the right couple.

The BIG DAY is almost here!!!  Essentials?  What essentials?  You’ve got your dress, shoes, hair and make-up all under control.  Which means you’re just about set  . . . but there are a few things you’re going to want to have with you during the actual celebration to make sure that you’re picture perfect for every shot.

1. A beautiful clutch bag to carry your essentials in.  I’m partial to sparkly, but choose one that makes your heart sing.  It could be the color of your dress or possibly the color that your bridesmaids wear.
2. Pressed Blotting Powder.  Shiny is not what you want to be on your wedding day.  Emotions will be running high and your internal furnance may choose to kick in.  Minimize your shine with MAC ’s pressed blotting powder.
3. Lip Gloss.  Sheer lips are the way to go, MAC lip glass will keep a little bit of color on your lips and it’s so darn easy to apply!
4. Lip Balm. Rosebud Lip Balm is my favorite – it’s great for dry lips, perfect under your lip gloss and it will even give your Groom’s lips a nice moisturized look for photos.
5. Mints. Altoids, Altoids, Altoids.  They’re curiously strong for a reason! (I love the Ginger ones).
6. Blotting Paper.  They’re easy to store and use; ALSO, you can hand them out to your Groom, Attendants and anyone else who get’s a little shiny.  I’ve used Papier Poudre forever and a day.
7. A Handkerchief.  I cry at other people’s weddings, so I knew the faucet would be turned on at my own wedding! A pretty hankie is the best thing to have tucked away in your clutch or bossom to dry those eyes.
8. A Camera.  You’ve hired a photographer to shoot the wedding so that you don’t have to worry about trying to capture the moment, but you’re not going to get those pictures back for months!  Pack a little digital camera in your purse and give it to one of your bridesmaids or good friends and ask them to take photos for you – you’re wedding day will be a blur to you. Everyone says it goes by in a flash, and it really truly does.  Having photos on your own camera to look at the day after with your hubby is one of the best gifts you can receive!

I just read about Carmello Anthony & Lala Vazquez’s wedding that took place Friday nite here in Manhattan.  Their wedding invitations were designed by Lehr&Black.  You know I’m a sucker for paper, so I did some investigation and discovered these beautiful invitations designed by Lehr&Black.  I saw them and immediately, I said just like my 3 year old niece Jada would have, “OOOOOOOOOoooooh!”.  Enjoy.

[image courtesy of Lehr&Black]

Sneakers and wedding gowns?  I know, seems like an odd pairing . . . but, maybe not. Think about it like this – you’ve been in your 3 to 5 inch heels for 8 hours taking pictures, standing through your 40 minute ceremony, more pictures, meeting and greeting your guests, through dinner and now it’s time for dancing the night away.  Your dogs are barking!!!  But, it’s your wedding night and if there’s any night you must be light on your feet, it’s your wedding night, right?  Ask your MH (a.k.a. Maid or Matron of Honor) to stow away some cool sneaks for you underneath the head table, just in case . . . it’s better to be safe than sorry.  My favorites are pictured below by Converse for Jack Purcell. If you end up wearing your sneaks your guests will love it because it’s license for them to kick off their heels and your groom will love you even more because he won’t have to hear about how much your feet hurt.  Plus, as you can see they make a great photo op!

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