Here are some wedding day teasers from Brooke and Geoff’s wedding day! Beautiful and I LOVE the old school NYC taxi! Enjoy!

First of all…a HUGE congrats to my dear friend Brooke who got married Nov 26th, 2008. I met Brooke when I got a job at Goldman Sachs in NYC. I had moved to NY not knowing a single person and Brooke was one of my first friends. I was also there the night sparks flew when Brooke was re-introduced to her now husband, Geoff. They are a perfect match! Brooke and Geoff tied the knot at the Good Shepard Roman Catholic Church in Brookyln, NY. The reception was held at the beautiful Tribeca Rooftop in NYC. Congratulations! Miss you Brookey!

Also, another HUGE congrats to my fabulous friend Kelly who also got engaged in November! After my year and a half stint in NYC, I decided to try out LA! Kelly and I met at a mutual friends spa day birthday and I instantly fell in love with her laid back personality. We used to spend Saturdays (usually hung over after the previous night out on the town) recovering reading magazines at my pool. The Barrington Plaza pool was the place to be…ha ha…they had to hire a security guard because so many people would sneak in and throw parties. BUT that is another story! Scott proposed to Kelly while they were on vacation in the Caribbean. I am so excited! Congratulations! Miss you! xoxo

BRIDES…let this be a reminder NOT to attempt a new hairstyle before your big day! I think we have all experienced this once or some of us, even twice! Before your big day is no time for drastic changes, unless maybe you are considering Locks of Love or Pantene Beautiful Lengths. I came across this open letter to a hairdresser and had to laugh…although it would NOT be funny day of! Oh, and there is always the “ugly bag”, just in case! (just kidding girls)

We are in Redding, CA! Be back on Sun, Nov 30th! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

xoxo, Jennifer {Bridal Inquirer}

I remember reading this years ago! This recipe has become almost an urban legend, but if you suspect a proposal from your honey is around the corner…I definitely recommend making “Engagement Chicken”! As they say, the way to a man’s heart IS through his stomach! Although, I am thinking the Hook-Him Apple Pie might actually work even better! Ha Ha

Engagement Chicken “Adapted from Marcella Hazan’s More Classic Italian Cooking”

• 1 whole chicken (approx. 3 lb.)
• 2 medium lemons
• Fresh lemon juice (1/2 cup)
• Kosher or sea salt
• Ground black pepper

Place rack in upper third of oven and preheat to 400 degrees. Wash chicken inside and out with cold water, remove the giblets, then let the chicken drain, cavity down, in a colander until it reaches room temp (about 15 minutes). Pat dry with paper towels. Pour lemon juice all over the chicken (inside and outside). Season with salt and pepper. Prick the whole lemons three times with a fork and place deep inside the cavity. (Tip: If lemons are hard, roll on countertop with your palm to get juices flowing.) Place the bird breast-side down on a rack in a roasting pan, lower heat to 350 degrees and bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and turn it breast-side up (use wooden spoons!); return it to oven for 35 minutes more. Test for doneness—a meat thermometer inserted in the thigh should read 180 degrees, or juices should run clear when chicken is pricked with a fork. Continue baking if necessary. Let chicken cool for a few minutes before carving. Serve with juices.

Thoughts on Marriage (From some young cynics!)

How do you decide who to marry?

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with.
Kirsten, age 10

What is the right age to marry?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
Camille, age 10

No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.
Freddie, age 6

How can a stranger tell if two people are married?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
Derrick, age 8

What do you think your mom and dad have in common?

Both don’t want any more kids.
Lori, age 8

What do most people do on a date?

Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
Lynnette, age 8

On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
Martin, age 10

What would you do on a first date that was turning sour?

I’d run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
Craig, age 9

When is it okay to kiss someone?

When they’re rich.
Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn’t want to mess with that.
Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It’s the right thing to do.
Howard, age 8

Is it better to be single or married?

I don’t know which is better, but I’ll tell you one thing. I’m never going to have sex with my wife. I don’t want to be all grossed out.
Theodore, age 8

It’s better for girls to be single, but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
Anita, age 9

How would the world be different if people didn’t get married?

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn’t there?
Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favorite is . . . . .

How would you make a marriage work?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
Ricky, age 10

I stumbled across this cute article the other day and had to laugh out loud! Kids sure do say the darndest things. LOL.

I finally got a few candid pictures to share with you of Mr. & Mrs. Denier’s wedding day! They were married on 10.04.08 in Cape May, NJ. Congratulations…what a beautiful wedding party and how adorable is this church???

1. JCrew is having a private sale…20% off any purchase of $175 or more…use PRIVATESALEOCT at checkout…through Oct 13.

2. Upcoming Alvina Valenta trunk show at Mary Me Bridal in Orange, CA on Oct 24-25, 2008 featuring the Fall 2008 collection. Call 714-744-1655 for appointments.

3. Happy Wedding Weekend to Amanda Lynn of Amanda Lynn Photography! She is getting married in Julian this weekend! I wonder who will be photographing her wedding pics? Hoping she will post some pics on her blog shortly after the wedding…hint…hint!

4. And lastly, I had to share my kitty’s halloween costume with you…taken from my iphone…he is still mad at me…LOL…Enjoy!

I just had to post a big fat CONGRATULATIONS to my dear friends who got married today in NJ. It BrEaKs my heart that we could not make it out for their special day. Just wanted them to know they were in our thoughts all day today! Hopefully I will have some pics from their wedding to post for you all when they get back from their honeymoon. Here are a couple pics of my favorite biznatchie (a word I learned from the bride while living in NYC) and her wonderful now husband from my wedding! Wow, it has been quite an eventful weekend!

Because I think my friend Michelle is such an awesome writer, I asked her to help me introduce myself to the Bridal Inquirer readers! Here is what she came up with…Enjoy!!!

Michelle L. Spencer
Popping the Question(s) with Jennifer

Even though I’m a single girl living in Los Angeles, the institution of marriage is nothing new to me. I’ve attended several weddings, including the gorgeous post-ceremony soiree of this blogger—Jennifer. I’ve stood alongside girlfriends on their special day in way-too-expensive dresses. (Note to future brides-to-be: Buttercup is NOT a flattering shade for anyone.) I’ve lined up wedding photographers and invite designers for close friends and relatives. I even once deejayed a friend’s wedding reception. (I had 60-year-olds dancing to 50 Cent.) And while I am in no hurry to get hitched, I must say that after perusing Jennifer’s website, bridalinquirer.com, I found it to be both charming and informative. If, one day, the planets align, and I manage to snag a cute, smart, funny, tall, music-loving guy, I would definitely consult her site for advice on planning our nuptials, as well as the oh-so-fabulous after-party.

Recently, I caught up with Jennifer and asked her to share a few tidbits about love and marriage.

Love / Romance…

Who’s your absolute fave celebrity couple? hhhmmmmm, in true “me” form, the first people that came to mind are all of the couples that annoy me! ha ha…For cuteness factor, I would say Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale. But I hope to follow in the footsteps of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. I  just love that his response as to why he was always faithful to Joanne was “I have steak at home, why would I go out for a hamburger”? He will be missed.

Not that you’re into chick-flicks or anything, but if you were—what is your all-time favorite romance film? I do LOVE me some chick-flicks! One of my all-time favorites is Love Actually.  I am not a big fan of the old school Gone With the Wind type movies.

What are the three things you love most about your husband, Chris? 1. He knows EVERYTHING about me and still loves me. 2. He spoils me 3. He truly is my best friend.

Weddings…

[Fill in the blanks]
Something old: Chris (my hubby) ha ha, j/k
Something new: Bridal Inquirer!!!
Something borrowed: Michelle’s writing skills for this post!
Something blue: Chris’s eyes

Favorite reception song to get ‘em out on the floor:
(Note: At YOUR wedding, I thought Toto’s “Africa” was a nice, unexpected touch!) Ha!!! You wouldn’t believe what a HIT that song was at our wedding. Otherwise, any old Michael Jackson will do! 

Tackiest wedding gift either you or a friend received: My mom still talks about a wicker rooster/chicken someone gave her and my dad…lol. We did get a re-gift though!

And lastly…

What are the best ‘three little words’ your husband can say to you? Candy, Cookie, Ice Cream? ha ha, kidding. I love when he says, “I miss you” when we just left each other in the morning for work.

Michelle & Me (candid from my wedding)