TIPS FOR ATTENDING A BRIDAL SHOW

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND BRIDAL SHOWS

HOW TO AVOID HOLIDAY STRESS

1.  Create realistic expectations. If your holidays are more “Christmas with the Griswolds” than a Norman Rockwell painting, that’s alright.  Embrace your situation (and your family) and go with it.

 

2.  Just say “no” to extra obligations. Plan ahead, set priorities of how you will and won’t spend your time this season, and be sure to commit time for things you really want to do during the holidays.  Don't let your son's music teacher make you feel bad if you can't bake six dozen Silent Night cupcakes for the Open House at school tomorrow.

 

3.  Ignore media pressures to overexert and overspend. Remind yourself that these are marketing ploys and don’t give in to pressure to spend and do more.  Do you really need gifts for every person on your street?

 

 

 

 

4.  Set a budget and stick to it. Money problems do not disappear with the glow of holiday lights. Stay the course and give gifts that reflect your personal style, not a high price tag.  Keep the two page credit card bill out of your mailbox in January.

 

5.  Maintain healthy limits.  Eat and drink sensibly, get enough sleep and try to get a little exercise. You’ll be less cranky if you’re taking good care of yourself.  It's more difficult to have a tantrum on a full night's sleep.

 

 

6.  Embrace new holiday traditions.  Create new traditions that fit in better with your family and friends. Review your various holiday activities and let go of those traditions that drain your time, money or energy.

HOLIDAY STYLE TIPS FOR MEN 2014

 

Neighborhood: Neutral colors are best here. He can't go wrong in his best dark work suit as the key is to blend in with the crowd at this party. Let someone else get chided for their goofy snowman sweater tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

Office: If he dresses in layers, he can start the day out more formal and as he gets more comfortable, he can shed a layer or two for a more casual look. A chunky cardigan over a button-down and tie, topped off with a blazer will do the trick.

 

 

 

 

Fundraiser/New Year's Eve: He likes the bowtie, but can never wear one to work? This is the perfect time to break it out. It's cool to play mix-and-match: no need to stick to strictly black and white when anything goes. Try brown and black for the modern spin on a classic tux.

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Mr. Burch (205) 252-3600 for your formal wear needs during the holidays this year.  Our experienced and professional staff would love to help you look your best.  Happy Holidays!

MOUNTAIN BROOK OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 11, 2014

HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN

Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31.  The word Halloween is a shortening of All Hallows' Evening also known as Hallowe'en or All Hallows' Eve.

Traditional activities include trick-or-treating, bonfires, costume parties, visiting "haunted houses" and carving jack-o-lanterns. Irish and Scottish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America in the nineteenth century. Other western countries embraced the holiday in the late twentieth century including Ireland, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom as well as of Australia and New Zealand. Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain (pronounced "sah-win"). The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture. Samhain was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and prepare for winter. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead overlapped and the deceased would come back to life and cause havoc such as sickness or damaged crops.

  The festival would frequently involve bonfires. It is believed that the fires attracted insects to the area which attracted bats to the area. These are additional attributes of the history of Halloween.

Masks and costumes were worn in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or appease them.

HOW TO BE A GOOD WEDDING GUEST

Congratulations!  You've just been invited to a wedding.  You're probably familiar with the fact that the best man and maid of honor have certain duties to the bride and groom.  You should also be aware that as a guest, so do you.  The couple have selected you to attend and share their special day.  You should be prepared to be on your best behavior.  Here are a few things to consider.

RSVP...we beg you!

You will probably recieve an RSVP card with your invitation.  USE IT.  You normally get it about 4 weeks before the deadline.  Don't file it away thinking "I have plenty of time."  This is a great way to forget or misplace it.  Go ahead and take a few minutes to let the couple know your intentions.  The vendors need a headcount weeks before so there will be enough food, drink and wedding favors to accomodate you.  Sneak your RSVP in past the deadline and you'll make a lot of people scramble and not very happy.

Are you on the guestlist?

Don't add a plus one.  If your name is the only one on the envelope, you're the only one invited. You might also consider this while deciding if you should bring your children.  If the invitation is made out to the Smith Family or the kids are listed on the inside envelope, consider bringing your rug rats.  Otherwise, please invest in a babysitter.  Besides, it's nice to have an adult night out now and then.

It's not about you

Seriously?  How difficult is it to arrive on time? The bride and grown didn't save and plan for a year so you can walk down the aisle in front of the maid of honor.  Plan on arriving 30 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled.  If there is some unforseen circumstance that prevents you arriving on time (like a tornado or alien space ship) wait until the ceremony is over and join the guests at the reception.  

Also, consider the focus of the wedding when selecting what to wear.  Be respectful of the dress code and dress appropriately.  Try not to wear anything that will draw unnecassry attention to yourself, like a long white dress.

Do not play paparazzi

There is no reason for you to take pictures during a wedding ceremony.  NONE.  At best your flash is ruining the professional photos being made by the professional photographer and blinding the wedding party.  At worst, you iPhone or iPad is blocking the aisle and preventing the paid team of photographers and videographers from getting the moments they were paid to capture.  The couple wants to look out and see your smiling face, not the back of your phone.

You might also consider not plastering every moment you capture on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Many candid shots including first look, have been ruined by well meaning guests who are updating their status.

Because I said so that's why

Be a team player. Go prepared to play along.  Is everyone expected to dance?  Boogie down.  Is everyone lined up at the photobooth?  Say cheese.  By accepting the couple's invitation you are agreeing that you are up for whatever they throw your way. Your accomodating attitude will be remebered for years to come.

Step away from the bar

Open bar does not equal "please drink as much as you can hold and dance on the table."  Drinking too much can be embarrassing (for you and the couple) as well as dangerous.  Unless you planned on blacking out earlier, you probably don't have a ride home.  Also, consider the photographer and videographer haven't been drinking and are there to record every cringe inducing move you make.  Pace yourself so you can toast with the couple until the reception is over.

Go postal

To prevent friend/family of the couple or the wedding planner from having to load her car and deliver 200 pounds worth of gifts, please mail your present.  All registries will have a shipping address.  This will allow the couple to open gifts at their convenience and make sure the purchase is insured until arrival.  Even if you're giving cash, you can still mail a check or money order.  This will insure it doesn't get lost in the commotion or even taken.  

These are a few suggestions for your consideration before attending your next wedding. Be sure to contact Mr Burch about your wedding attire.  We're here to help you look good.

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