Copper Lillies and near Talavera April Fools!

Hello dear brides and coordinators! A BIG SHOUT out goes to Jen who was married (by me, no less!) April 1st and to Megan who tied the knot April 3rd ... and nearly got an accidental belated April Fool's joke!

Copper Lillies

We met with Jen when she came down on an earlier trip - a real down-to-earth bride with an easy smile! She sent us her very own design board as an example of what she would like to see on her maracas.

Jen's Design Board

After talking about it, we discussed with Jen that we were a little worried that the tone of copper she picked might not be the right tone on a maraca - so we switched the background color to ivory and the design to copper and this is how it turned out!

Jen's Maracas

Jen also wanted a huppah - she had read the blog about huppahs written by Vallarta's very own Tamara of Incredible Weddings, and sent us pictures. The day we went to put her huppah up it was very very windy - so, in order for things not to flap around we needed to tie them down fairly well. This is the example and her huppah!

Jen's Huppah

Talavera April Fools

Megan really liked the talavera example we had on created before for our photo shoot but we wanted to do something a little different. I asked Omar to create a different pattern but didn't like the look of it so I asked him to do something based on the talavera design example we had used before. I normally don't have time to send maraca photos to brides before I send them off, because we work right up to the due date. But this time I took a picture and sent it to Megan - only to figure out that the colors were wrong! Omar had mixed-up two of the orders!! Luckily, Megan caught the mistake (and was sweet enough to say she would accept them the way they were - but I would have none of that - her wedding colors were turquoise blue NOT turquoise green and that's a big difference!).

April Fool Maraca

While this is not something I would ever like to happen again, I do think the added color gave a better definition to her maracas and they turned out better than they would have the first time around!

Megan's Maracas

Inspiration to April Fools to Megan's Maracas!

I've been working on some beautiful designs for an end of April/beg of May wedding and end of May wedding but I promise I do still have the design board I promised eons ago and will post that next week as we have a small break in the favor congo line!

You say Chuppah, I say Huppah...

Hello my dear coordinators (and brides!!) and welcome to the official 2008/2009 "busy season"! While I am on vacation, one of our very own coordinators, Tamara Bradley from Incredible Weddings and Events, is our guest blogger and she will be talking about Chuppahs, or Huppahs as we call them down here! (P.S. If you would like to be a guest blogger, please email me and let me know your topic or we can come-up with one together!!).

In case you are already lost, this is a huppah (one of ours!)!!

WHAT IS A CHUPPAH/HUPPAH ?? by Tamara Bradley

A chuppah (Hebrew: חוּפָּה) (also spelled khuppa, chupah, or chuppa - plural: chuppot or chuppahs, Hebrew: חוּפּוֹת) is a canopy traditionally used in Jewish weddings. It consists of a cloth or sheet — sometimes a tallit ("prayershawl") — stretched or supported over four poles, and is sometimes carried by attendants to the ceremony's location. A chuppah symbolizes the home the couple will build together.


HISTORY

The word chuppah originally appears in the Hebrew Bible (Joel 2:16; Psalms 19:5). The chuppah represents a Jewish home symbolized by the cloth canopy and the four poles. Just as a chuppah is open on all four sides, so was the tent of Abraham open for hospitality. Thus, the chuppah represents hospitality to one's guests. This "home" initially lacks furniture as a reminder that the basis of a Jewish home is the people within it, not the possessions.

REQUIREMENTS

A traditional chuppah, especially within Orthodox Judaism, recommends that there be open sky exactly above the chuppah[1]. If the wedding ceremony is held indoors in a hall, sometimes a special opening is built to be opened during the ceremony. Many Hasidim prefer to conduct the entire ceremony outdoors. Please remember that a traditional chuppah needs to be exactly 7 feet high!!

MODERN TRENDS

Traditionally using a family heirloom such as a Grandmother`s tablecloth, or Prayer shawl can be attached under the main Chuppa fabric for support if the fabric is lace and aged as wind can tear lace,taking great care in pinning the fabric so it does not rip!!

Below are beautiful examples that can be found at Gallery Judaica.

In these more modern times, a chuppah can be made of any material. Silk or quilted chuppot are increasingly common, and can often be customized or personalized to suit the couple's unique interests and occupations. Additional flowers can be added along the top edges and sides as long as all four sides of the Chuppah are open.

TAMARA'S NOTES

While we often use Huppahs in Vallarta for decorative purposes (as opposed to, say, a floral arch), it is important that, when we do have a more orthodox Jewish couple, we know and understand the requirements for a more traditional Chuppah (as well an understanding of the customs and traditions) and ensure that our florist (or designer!) is also familiar with the set-up, so hopefully this information will be helpful to you in the upcoming season. Down below are some examples of Chuppahs we had last season!

Thank you Tamara for the blog and I hope you all tune-in for mid-October as I'll cover the color scheme of red and blue!!