Boston - October 25, 2005

Take a Vow

Fall 2005 Wedding Guide

Time was, you had perspective. Remember? You went into this knowing it was the marriage that mattered, not the wedding. And certainly not the atom-size details of the day.

But now? Now you lay awake ’til dawn agonizing over favor colors. You lose your cool over letter type. You wish doom upon daft but well-meaning florists, cousins, and clergy. (Yes, clergy.) So maybe it’s time to brush up on some pre-wedding vows — like the pledge that you won’t allow the planning to outshine what’s really important.

Vow No. 1 — Wedding Planner
I, (name), take you, Hopple Popple, to be my trusted orchestration guru, taste police, and site boss for the Big Day, thus liberating my own mind from matters of such banality (284 California Street, Newton; 617-964-6550).

Vow No. 2 — Florist
I, (name), will trust Winston Flowers to create outrageously gorgeous, impossibly fresh bouquets and arrangements. I can count on these masters for designs that are modern and minimalist but undeniably pretty (800-457-4901).

Vow No. 3 — Invitations
Together with Vellum, I (name), promise to pinpoint the perfect invitations, save-the-date cards, and place cards for my wedding’s aesthetic. I also promise to relish the details of their exquisite selection that includes everything from bold graphics and Asian-inspired designs to color-saturated favor boxes and simple satin bows (55 Dartmouth Street; 617-247-2323).

Vow No. 4 — The Gown
I, (name), refuse to look like either A) a meringue or B) every other bride on the planet. Thus, I entrust my hard-earned silhouette to the gifted designers at The Gallet Collection (337 North Avenue Wakefield; 781-245-5535), who will create a couture confection just for me. If this proves to be beyond my finances, I will not forgo a future house down payment for a dress that I will wear but one day of my life. I will instead brave the wilds of the Filene’s Basement Bridal Sale (426 Washington Street; 617-348-7848) and score a Givenchy, Tyler, or Lhuillier for a mere $500.

Vow No. 5 — Photographer
I, (name), entrust you, Mariliana Arvelo and James Patten, to capture the spirit of my ceremony, reception, and everyone at them. Your eye for detail, timing, and ability to engage subjects will all but guarantee shots that I’ll still get weepy over in twenty years (160 Hancock Street, Cambridge; 617-230-7361).

Vow No. 6 — Bakers
For richer or sweeter, I will relax and enjoy a slice of custom-designed wedding cake from Dessert Works (38 Vanderbilt Avenue, Norwood; 781-769-1133).

Vow No. 7 — Music
I, (name), promise to love, honor, and dance my butt off to the tunes kicked out by DC Raffi, who in turn promises not to play anything I despise or make anyone do the chicken dance (617-923-9116).

Vow No. 8 — The Bridesmaids
I, (name), will show the members of my bridal party some respect by not requiring them to fork over hunks of money for frocks they will never wear again. Instead I will send them straight to J. Crew, where they can choose from classic, totally rewearable styles (in the color I choose) for reasonable amounts of cash. To show them my appreciation (and that I’m not threatened when they look pretty), I will give them baskets filled with beauty products from C.O. Bigelow (Copley Place; 617-236-7257).

Vow No. 9 — Favors
I, (name), understand that guests are going to have such a fun time at my wedding, they’ll want to relive it every day of their lives. (Well, the music, anyway.) I will make it easy for them with CDs burned with a mix of the reception’s best songs.

Vow No. 10 — Caterer
With this check, I, (name), realize that Crazy Chefs is, despite the name, my ticket to sanity. With dishes like lobster fritatta and lamb with mint pesto, I can rest assured that my guests will leave with full tummies and warm hearts (866-25-CRAZY).