Easy Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas!!

Halloween is just around the corner!... do you have your costume together?... if not here are a few simple ideas that you can pull together from your own closet.




1. Tights or Leggings- Start with a pair of your old tights or leggings in your favorite texture or color: Use your hot faux leather tights and a leather jacket and you have an awesome biker chick or vampire outfit. Have green tights?... couple it with a green vest, boots, and a belt and you have Robin Hood. Brown tights and top??.. add some ears and a tail to create an adorable bunny, bear, or dog.



2. Cardboard box- Decorate an empty cardboard box to become your favorite cereal, board game, a computer, rubix cube, or an ice cube!



3. Look-a-like- Have a celebrity that people always say you look like??... pick a well known scene from a movie or tv show and pull items out of your closet or purchase them from a store like Target, Kohl's or Wal-mart. If people think you look like them on a regular day, chances are you will have a great costume.



For some great kids costume ideas go to www.parenting.com/halloween-central!!



More ideas for treats and decorations coming soon!! And look out for our two newest couples in the "I do, I do!!" section of the Richmond Times Dispatch Celebrations!



~*the lovely ladies of R&P*~

Questions to Ask When Booking a Hotel

There are some simple questions that everyone asks when booking a hotel for their wedding or event like... what is your room rate?... and what type of amenities does your hotel have?... but what about the more complicated questions? Here are a few helpful questions that you may not have thought of...

• What is the name and phone number of your contact person?

• How long have you been providing rooms for weddings?

• How many rooms does your hotel have?

• What amenities are included in your regular rooms?

• Do you have any suites? If so, how many?

• What amenities are included in your suites?

• Do you have handicapped accessible rooms? If so, how many?

• What is your check-in time?

• What is your check-out time?

• Do you have a parking deck? If so, how much is parking?

• Does your hotel have a restaurant?

• Is breakfast included with an overnight stay?

• Do you provide the bride and groom with a complimentary bridal suite?

• Do you provide room blocks? How many rooms are required for a block?

• Do you provide a contract for room blocks?

• Do you charge an attrition fee if rooms in a block are not reserved?

• What is your room cancellation policy?

• Do you provide guests with roll away beds? Is there an additional fee?

• Do you provide cribs if guests request them? Is there an additional fee?

• Do you provide babysitting service?

• What are your fees for babysitting service?

• Do you provide welcome notes to your hotel guests?

• Will you deliver welcome gifts for the wedding guests? Is there an additional fee?

• Do you provide free cable?

• Do you provide free Wi-Fi ?

• Do you have a business center?

• Do you have a fitness center?

• Do you have a pool? Is it heated? Indoors? Depth?

• Do you have a beauty salon?

• Do you provide laundry service?

• Does your hotel have any boutiques, gift shops, or salons?

• Do you provide transportation to the local airport?

Hotel Welcome Baskets

Hello Brides and Grooms!

As we mentioned in last week's posting we will be highliting a new vendor each month and September is dedicated to all of the magnificent hotels and hotelliers out there!

A wedding is a time you share with all your closest family members and friends and when they are coming from out of town, state or even the country, you want to make them feel as welcome as possible. So what do you do!? It is both proper etiquette and an opportunity to show off your creative side by leaving a "hotel welcome basket" in each room or for each visiting guest.

Welcome baskets come in many shapes and forms from actual baskets filled with the best treats your locality has to offer, to bags that hang on the door, to adorable folded towels to match your wedding theme, and directions to the closest local attractions. Be creative! The goal is to let your guests get a taste of how amazing your wedding weekend will be from the moment they step foot in the city.

Here are some neat ideas we found on the internet! Enjoy!!... If you find inspiration in something you see, feel free to use it! And oh, "You're Welcome!"

~*The lovely ladies of R&P*~

Welcome Back!!

Attention Brides and Grooms!!... Rubies and Pearls are back in action!... and now we're in Charlottesville too!!

Pearl Walden Thomas with Race to the Altar Winners, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hawk

Welcome back to the world of Rubies and Pearls… We have had a very busy and productive year; Building our business, meeting new people, taking on new clients, and so much more! We are excited to get back to the world of “social media” through blogging, facebook, and twitter and we hope that you will follow us on our journey. Each month look out for our featured vendors and weddings, etiquette tips, and wedding trends for the upcoming season!

And now for a look back on what we have been up to since we left you... We have worked with some amazing organizations, participated in some beautiful wedding shows, and of course, planned some weddings and events all along the way!

Race to the Altar at Colonial Downs

The Greater Virginia Bridal Show

at the Science Museum of Virginia

The Wedding Showcase at the Bank and Vault

Virginia Heroes Day 2010 at the Arthur Ashe Center

Wedding Shoes and Accessories…

All women know that it’s not what you’re wearing, but your accessories that make your outfit. Do you have the right jewelry, shoes, and accessories to make your beautiful gown into a stunning masterpiece? Here are a few pointers on selecting the correct complements to your gown for your big day…


1. When it comes to jewelry, less is sometimes more. If you have a beautiful dress adorned with Swarovski crystals and beading you may want to skip the big, attention grabbing, necklace and earring set, and select a subtle single diamond drop necklace and earrings. Even though the accessories make the dress… you and your dress are still the showstoppers of your wedding. Don’t let the “extras” out shadow you.


2. Your headpieces are just as important as what you are wearing. This includes your hat, veil, tiara or barrettes, AND your hair. All of these elements have to work hand in hand and there is nothing worse than a bride wearing a beautiful gown, but has a busy head of hair and other tangled accessories. Choose the veil that fits your gown and type of ceremony. If your wedding is traditional and formal, go for the long cathedral or chapel length veil with an optional blusher. If your wedding is more modern and hip you can wear a show-stopping hairstyle with an accent hair jewel, go for a cute little pill box hat, or slip on a beaded headband with an attached short, stylish blusher. Remember you do not have to wear a veil, or anything on your head for that matter, but it is wedding tradition and many designers create dress/veil combinations that you can purchase together.


3. Keep your feet happy by choosing the right shoes. If you have a beautiful floor length gown, your shoes may not be seen by everyone, but they are still just as important. Choose stylish shoes that won’t leave you on crutches at the end of the night. Pay attention to the height as well as the thickness of the heels, the type of foot and ankle support, and the color and/or style of the shoes. If you do not wear high heels on a regular basis, this is probably not the best day to start. You will more than likely be on your feet from sunrise to sunset - getting ready, taking pictures, walking down the aisle, dancing, and greeting guests. Comfort is key to choosing your shoes, and there are many stylish shoes that are also feet friendly.


4. Last but not least, don’t forget the undergarments!! Selecting the right bra, panties, and other undergarments are just as important as choosing the right gown. Don’t wear your old worn out bra and panty set in order to save money. It is important to purchase the right support to wear under your beautiful gown. Face it, no bride wants to look in the mirror on her wedding day and see lumps and bumps, and as beautiful as your gown might be, those imperfections will take away from it!

Holiday Savings

Parties, weddings, and events during the holidays (the time between Thanksgiving and New Years) are always memorable, but did you know they can also be big money savers? Here are a few ways to stay out the red by saving green this season!

1. Save on Vendors and Venues- Wedding season usually starts in May and extends through August. Any time that is considered “off-season” can offer you considerable discounts on both venues and vendors. Even though it’s off season for weddings you may want to book in advance because many businesses and organizations like to plan annual holiday parties and your date may be taken.

2. Save on Decorating Costs- Many churches, hotels, and other venues are already decorated for the holiday season with beautiful trees, garland, lights, and ornaments. If you are already planning a “winter wonderland” wedding, you can have all the beauty without any of the work… or cost for that matter!

3. Save on the Guest List- Many family members may already be planning to travel home for the holidays and would be able to attend your wedding. The accommodations they would make to visit family could be made in time to attend your wedding. Although you are not typically responsible for that part of the cost, you will be able to have more of your family members present without additional cost or stress.

4. Save on the Florist- A big trend today is to use branches and other natural elements in your centerpieces instead of the typical flowers. What better time to find branches and pine cones than in the fall and winter times of the year. During the fall months, you can use hollowed pumpkins and gourds to hold your flowers, - colorful leaves, and pinecones to decorate the tables. During the winter months, you can use big branches with small tea lights and crystals hanging from them to provide a beautiful sparkling atmosphere.

Whatever your ideas or budget, you can have a memorable event this holiday season and Rubies & Pearls would love to assist you. And while you’re at it, you might as well plan for next season too!

~The lovely ladies of R& P

Bridesmaids NOT Bride's Maids!... Bridal Party Etiquette

After watching a marathon of WE TV's hit show “Bridezillas,” the R&P ladies decided to address the issue of bridal party etiquette. Brides and grooms get the opportunity to choose their closest friends or family members to be a part of their special day, but many of them tend to take these people for granted. The brides on the show were seen cursing their friends, calling them fat, walking all over them and pretty much treating them as slaves. Even though your bridal party members will typically honor you by hosting the bachelor and bachelorette parties and paying for their own wedding attire, they are not obligated to serve you or be your "maids". Here a few tips to help keep the level of stress between you and your bridal party to a minimum:

1. Choose someone you know will be there for you. Don't choose your unreliable, on-again-off-again friend and expect him or her to change their ways just because it is your big day. Chances are, if you could not rely on them for support before your wedding, you won’t be able to rely on them on your special day!

2. Give a lot of thought to selecting your bridesmaids. If you have a serious problem with their appearance – their weight, hair, tattoos, etc. - DO NOT antagonize them by calling them names and belittling them. That only causes tension and leads to problems. If you feel strongly about having her in your bridal party, then just accept her the way she is.

3. Be up front with your bridal party. Let them know what you expect of them if they agree to be a part of your wedding, including their financial and time commitment. Ask them to consider their amount of time off from work, the cost of their attire, shoes, jewelry and hotel stay (if they're out of town), as well as their cost for hair styling and make-up (if you do not give it as a gift to them). Also, remind them to include the cost of the bachelor/bachelorette party, if they decide to host one. Give them enough time, before your wedding, to save up money and let them know exactly how much they can expect to fork out for the big day. That way, later on down the line, there should be no confusion.

4. Remember that the members of your bridal party have their own lives. Just because they agree to be in your bridal party does not mean all of their time will be devoted to you. They may have demanding jobs, families, and other financial obligations to attend to. Be respectful of that. Also, be understanding if they are not able to attend every meeting, luncheon, party, fitting, or event you ask them to attend.

5. Be kind to your bridal party. Everybody is different with different ideas, values and obligations. There may be something you may not agree on, but as long as you address every situation with a level head and open mind everything will work itself out. Don't think you're always right just because you're the bride, because that's just not true. Love and respect your bridal party and they will help make your wedding day as special as you hoped it would be!