If you can carry a fluffy dog and not look like an a**hole, you have style and class. Reem Acra pulls it off.
Reem Acra.
When you hear the name, you’re probably not sure if it’s a man or a woman, or where this person is from. But, if you watch the Oscars or read bridal magazines, you’re probably familiar with her work.
Acra, a Beruit native was discovered by a fashion editor when she wore a gown that she made from her mother’s tablecloth to a party.
Taken by Acra’s craftwork, the editor offered to host a fashion show to present her designs to the world. The show took place ten days later and within weeks she was in New York, studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
She’s come a long way since wearing house linens to starting her own bridal line in 1995. Along with her flagship store in Manhattan, her dresses are available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Nieman Marcus.
Acra believes in matching gowns to a woman’s personality. What? You mean be yourself on your wedding day? That’s crazy. It’s true. She’s a genius.
Want the Reem Acra look without breaking your bank? Check out my money-saving tips next week!
Acra’s designs are made to flatter and extenuate a woman’s body to make her feel regal and elegant. She takes classic bridal shapes and spruces them up with extreme beading, embroidery, and luxurious fabrics.
This kind of sophistication doesn’t come cheap. You can’t exude an ethereal glow for less than $5,000.
These handmade dresses are some of the most sought-after gowns in the world. But if you’ve been in a dress that makes you feel amazing, you’ll understand why it’s worth it.
On the next few pages, check out my faves from her Spring 2010 collection.
Meet this week’s featured couples and vote for your favorite proposal!
1. Jesse Raub & Terra Jacobson
Location: Frankfort, IL
Date: June, 2006
Jesse & Terra
Jesse writes: Nothing ruins a planned lakeside proposal during a weekend trip to the cottages like rain, and nothing ruins a good proposal better than proposing in your future in-laws’ kitchen while your future wife is doing dishes.
Except, maybe, instead of getting down on one knee you just sort of fumble out a ring box from your shirt pocket. Or instead of actually asking “Will you marry me?” you mushmouth something like “Whaddya say?”
Or instead of whisking her away to a nice dinner, you go upstairs to wake her mom to tell her what happened, and your future mother in law just shakes her head at you.
Or, and here’s the stinger, the fact that you didn’t think this through and now any time anyone asks you have you proposed, you have to relay this story instead. Except you got married before any of your friends, and now you have to listen to their romantic proposals, and face the ire of your glaring wife.
Yes, she did agree to marry me. And yes, she still begrudges me the proposal.
2. Jennifer & Dave Knapp
Location: Westlake Village, CA
Date: October, 2004
Dave & Jennifer
Jennifer writes:
Though Dave and I had been dating for just about a year; we had been friends for many years. One morning we had taken a trip to our local street fair We were having a great time when we ran into an old friend of mine.
My friend said, “Is he the one from Puero Vallarta?” Before I could answer, Dave said, “No.”
My friend went on their way, but Dave and I ended up in an intense argument. Apparently, he thought my friend had said, “Is he the one from the trailer park?”
Perhaps just the words, “Is he the one …” were enough to set anybody off, but in the midst of our battle, Dave proposed and I accepted.
I don’t think Dave planned this “proposal” day, but however it happened, it worked.
We were married in May 2005 and are living happily ever after to this very day.
3. Joe Kilgallon & Nicole Lappe
Location: Miami Beach, FL
Date: August 17, 2008
Joe & Nicole
Joe writes:
I’m a comedian, born and raised in Chicago. I love a good joke and the Chicago Cubs. I also love Nicole, my high school sweetheart.
I decided to propose to her at sunset during vacation in Miami. On the afternoon of the big day, my uncle told us that he bought us tickets to see a Cubs game that night. If I turned them down, Nicole would have known that something was up.
By the time the game was over, sunset had come and gone. We went for a walk on the beach anyway. While she looked at the sky, I walked ahead and wrote something in the sand.
I asked Nicole to come over and see what I drew. She thought it was going to be a childish, inappropriate drawing since I had been doing that throughout the trip.
But when she came over, she saw that I had written, “Will you marry me?” in the sand.
She looked back at me and I was down on one knee. Stunned, she kept asking if it was for real. I may be immature in some ways, but I’d never make a joke like that.
We plan to marry in 2011.
Now that you’ve read the stories, it’s your turn to weigh in! You can vote for your favorite story once a day, so remember to come back tomorrow!
Voting closes at 12:05 am (PST) on Friday, February 5th.
We’ll post the winner later that day!
Despite what you may have been told, thank you cards should be sent out no later than two months from the day of your wedding. Don’t believe us, just ask your Grandma!
In 1952, Amy Vanderbilt wrote that one must send out that thank you notes no later than 2-3 weeks from the time you receive your gifts. This is a far change from some of the event planners of today, saying that you can wait an entire year before sending your notes of gratitude! Ladies, write your notes as soon as you can! It will take you less time to write the cards than your reception lasted. If your friends and family were able to give you that much time, you can do the same for them.
If that’s not enough motivation, then here are some helpful hints to help you get through the massive amount of thanking you will most likely have to do.
1. Keep a list to organize who you need to thank. You can use this list to track who you have left. Remember, you must thank everyone. Think about who hosted events, who sent notes, gifts, helped out at events, and don’t forget your wedding professionals that helped you along the way!
2. Everyone has their own way of getting things done, and women are multi-taskers, so don’t be afraid to turn on your favorite rom-com and write away! Turn writing your thank-you’s into something fun that connects you further to your guests, not a chore.
3. Even though some say store bought cards that have sayings and “thank you” pre-printed within are tacky and impersonal we at Proposal understand that not every budget can handle letterpressed stationary and one of a kind designs. The truth is, as long as it contains kindness and true appreciation, it can be on any style paper or card. We don’t promote paper snobs.
Seventy-eight years ago today, director Frank Capra married his sweetheart, Lucille Reyburn, in a Brooklyn Courtroom after two years of dating.
Their romance began one night when the filmmaker was heading to the Coronado Hotel in San Diego, CA with some friends. He missed the ferry and Capra had to ride solo with the new girl in town, a young Lucille.
Capra himself couldn’t have directed a more beautiful scene: a bright moon, sparkling water and a romance that would last a lifetime.
Mrs. Capra passed away in 1984 and Mr. Capra followed in 1991. Their 52 years of marriage yielded four children and several grandchildren. It sure sounds like this cinematic couple had a wonderful life.
This week, we’ve got lots of features, interviews and stories so make sure to check back every day to see what’s new!
You can subscribe to our site by registering on the sidebar. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Daily Updates:
Today in Wedding History Which famous couple was married today in wedding history? Find out every day!
Tip of the Day
Social Grace shows you why she’s the etiquette expert!
Pick the Perfect Proposal We’ve got three real stories. You pick or your favorite starting today!
You can vote once a day so make sure to come back so your favorite couple wins!
The Gown Guru Liza Treygor is our resident gown guru. Today, she’s got her eye on world-famous designer Reem Acra and her Spring 2010 collection.
The Home-Schooled Hostess Tuesday, Shannon tackles the challenge of making a wedding cake for her friend. Was it a masterpiece or the mistake? You’ll find out!
Ask the Pro! Also on Tuesday, we talk weddings and facial products with Zipora McDougald, wedding consultant and founder of Here Comes the Makeup, a cosmetic line tailor-made for brides.
Find out from an expert things you need to know before you walk down the aisle.
Best of the Worst Real and imagined proposal nightmares. This Wednesday, Tia dreams up a proposal story that’s so bad, you’ll be glad it’s fiction.
Social Grace & Lazy Susan
Social Grace tells you how to handle sticky situations with poise.
But Lazy Susan gives you the answers we wish you could say. It’s like point-counterpoint, but more fun.
You can ask your own questions by e-mailing askgrace@proposalmagazine.com.
The Bicoastal Bridesmaid Hadley Hall Meares lives in Los Angeles Her best friend lives in North Carolina. Despite the distance, Hadley is still determined to be the best maid of honor.
Follow her adventures as the Bicoastal Bridesmaid on Friday!
Proposal of the Week Contest Winner You’ll be voting all week. On Friday, it’s time to crown the winning couple in our weekly contest!
With all this attention on the winning couple, you’ll want to submit your story too!
Fiance of the Month
This week, you’ll also meet our Fiance of the month. He’s hot, he’s sweet and he’s proposing Valentine’s Day-style in our monthly pictorial!
If you have questions or ideas for stories, please e-mail us at submissions@proposalmagazine.com.
Thanks for reading and check back soon!
Tia & Shannon
Founding Editors
Note:
Our author’s bio pages are acting up, so for now, you can read about the author at the end of their column.
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