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His and Hers Formal Wear a cut above by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer On a sultry summer morning along First Street in Brentwood, a customer in a state of panic comes through the doors of His and Her Formal Wear. Besieged with second thoughts about the color and style of her gown, the frantic maid-of-honor needs a new dress – along with extensive alterations – and she needs them in two hours. It turns out she has come to the right place. Owners Annette Beckstrand and Susanne Larson never break a sweat. Calmly and efficiently they offer up a possible replacement, and with a pinch here and a tuck there, the customer is promised her new dress by the appointed time. “When we’re able to help someone get exactly what they need, it’s a great feeling,” says Beckstrand. “I couldn’t wait to get here this morning.” And it shows. Open since early May – and in the midst of their official grand opening now through the weekend – Beckstrand and Larson are whirling dervishes of energy, enthusiasm, savvy and style. Beckstrand, who has enjoyed a long career in the banking business – and continues to work in the field part time – had been thinking about owning a formal wear shop for years. When the opportunity arose to take over the former location of the formal-wear establishment Amon Amour, she immediately approached her fashion-savvy, sewing-expert cousin Larson. “Here was my cousin, dangling this carrot in front of me, and I love carrots,” said Larson. “I knew as soon as I saw the place that this was it.” “I just knew that I couldn’t do it without her,”
Madison Morrison, 3, enjoys the ambience of His and Hers Formal Wear in downtown Brentwood.
Photo by Richard Wisdom
added Beckstrand, who said Larson has a “bolder fashion sense,” while she has the more practical business background. A few months later they opened their doors, and today Beckstrand and Larson have not only changed the name, they’ve reinvented the store. Spacious and bright, with large black and white photographs of brides in gowns, men in tuxedos and children bedecked in accompanying designs, the feel of the shop is that of a toney, San Francisco salon. Plenty of mirrors – set at complimentary angles – and racks upon racks of gowns and garments in a
plethora of colors and style all combine to create a welcoming, low-pressure environment. Featuring formal wear and accessories for all occasions, including weddings, proms, quinceaneras and even cruises, His and Her Formal Wear stocks a variety of garments, but what they don’t stock, said Beckstrand, they’ll get. “We had one young man come in looking for a tie that he needed for a work promotion, and he needed it right away,” said Beckstrand. “We didn’t have it in see His and Hers page 3B
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WEDDING PLANNER
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His and Hers from page 2B stock, but I called Selix (formal wear) and they were able to get it for us and have it here in time. That’s not something that you’re going to ďŹ nd in a lot of other stores. We’re all about customer service, and that’s something that just comes naturally to us.â€? Not that it’s all second nature. Larson recalled an initial meeting with a buyer who was presenting catalogs of formal wear designs for their perusal. Locking onto one particularly unattractive design, Larson replied, “Well that’s ugly.â€? The experienced buyer immediately offered up a more gracious, alternative response. “She told us that a better way to say that would be ‘I’m not a fan,’â€? laughed Larson. “Now, whenever we see something that we don’t like, it’s ‘I’m not a fan.’ It works for a lot of things.â€? There are, however, plenty of fans of His and Hers Formal Wear. Larson and Beckstrand opened their shop believing it would be well received, but the public response has far surpassed their expectations. Since the moment the butcher paper in the windows came down, the shop has seen a steady stream of customers of all ages, genders and shapes. Part of the reason for their success, said Larson, aside from their high-end selection of merchandise, is their handson, personal attention to detail. “To us, everyone who comes into our store is beautiful and important and
Photo by Richard Wisdom
Susanne Larson, right, co-owner of His and Hers Formal Wear in Brentwood, helps a pair of customers size up a tuxedo. The store helps customers look their best for weddings, proms or any formal occasion. gets our full attention,â€? said Larson. “Size is not the issue; it’s about ďŹ t and style and feeling the way you want to feel on your special day.â€? What customers see, said Beckstrand, is exactly what they’ll get. What Larson and Beckstrand get in return is indescribable. “Every day here is different; every day is an adventure,â€? said Beckstrand. “When people come in here they are happy and in a good place. It’s all good
stuff; we’re having a blast.� His and Her Formal Wear is located at 625 First St. in Brentwood. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The store is closed on Sunday and Monday. For more information, call 925-6345900 or visit www.hisandhersformalwear. com. To comment on this story, visit www. thepress.net.
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Online photo services can help you track and share the many photos taken by guests at your wedding.
Picture-perfect memories Placing disposable cameras on reception tables has become a modern American wedding tradition. The cameras make guests feel involved by allowing them to help create a photo record of the most important day of your life. Sometimes the pictures they capture are among the most heart-warming, moving images from your wedding day. But what do you do with those hundreds of prints once the honeymoon is over? Will you let them languish, disorganized and unseen, in a shoebox or drawer? And what about the dozens of pictures guests take with their own cameras or cell phones and e-mail to you later?
“The sad truth is many newlyweds simply don’t know what to do with all those pictures,” says Donna Burt of PhotosYourWay.com, a new social networking and photo-sharing Web site. A growing number of smart brides are turning to photo-sharing Web sites to preserve, organize and share amateur images from their weddings and create photo books and memorabilia. Most sites allow you to easily upload your images and make them available online for viewing by others. Other options such as organizing and sharing vary considerably see Memories page 5B
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WEDDING PLANNER
Memories from page 4B from site to site. Here’s what you should know about photo-sharing Web sites before you choose one to host your precious wedding-day images: • There should be no charge for uploading, storing or sharing your images. “If a site wants to charge you for these basic services, look elsewhere,” Burt advises. “Sites make their money from prints and products. A handful also make a small percentage when you sell an image – through their site – to a third party like an advertising agency or online content publisher.” • Look for a site that offers the greatest flexibility for organizing images. Seek a site that allows you to organize those images in a variety of ways, such as by who took the pictures (Photos by Uncle Joe), subject matter (Who Danced With the Bride) or chronology (Pre-wedding Prep, Walking Down the Aisle or Post-Reception Partying). • Consider how the site allows you to share images. Can you send e-mails inviting friends and family to visit and view
your images? • Comparison shop for prices for prints and products such as photo books, canvas prints, mugs, T-shirts and other memorabilia. Be aware of shipping charges, which can amount to more than the cost of the prints or products themselves. • Does the site allow those with whom you share the photos to download the images and print them on their own, or will they be required to purchase prints through the Web site? PhotosYourWay. com allows you or any of your family and friends to download the photos themselves and print them on their own or wherever they choose. • Does the site offer you the opportunity to sell your images online to third parties, like advertising or public relations agencies, online publishers and others who need stock photography? PhotosYourWay.com is one of the only sites that offers users the chance to make money from their images. To learn more about organizing and sharing your wedding photos, visit www. photosyourway.com. – Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Planning an Exquisite Event by Jennifer Birkland Correspondent For most brides-to-be, the scenario is basically the same. Mr. Right professes his unending love in the form of a beautiful diamond engagement ring, she responds with an emphatic “yes” and they both run to the phone to announce the good news to family and friends. Now all that’s left is to say “I do” and enjoy a lifetime of happiness with one another, right? Wrong. Sure, the hardest part is over. You’ve found Mr. Right. But unless you two lovebirds are planning to elope or head down to City Hall before it closes for the day, it’s time to plan what will likely be one of the biggest days in your life – your wedding day. Brides contemplating hiring a wedding coordinator will spend more money in doing so, but will also benefit from the coordinator’s experience and contacts. Cecy Gomez, owner of Exquisite Events in Discovery Bay, is a certified wedding planner of nearly 10 years. Gomez said the average wedding costs between $25,000 and $30,000, while platinum weddings can cost up to $60,000. Gomez said a good wedding coordinator is present from the moment the groom asks his bride-to-be for her hand in marriage till the moment the two leave
Photo courtesy of Cecy Gomez
An elegant reception table will have guests talking well after the wedding is over. on their honeymoon. But it’s not only about managing every detail of the wedding; the coordinator is often responsible for relieving the bride and groom’s anxiety. “Most people don’t realize how much goes into planning a wedding,” Gomez said. “It’s not just finding a good baker or florist; it’s the little things like ‘will candles on the (reception) tables make a difference in my evening wedding?’ or who to tip and how much. For people planning their own weddings, it can be a very stressful time. Sometimes you just need an expert’s help.” Once the big day has arrived, Gomez and her team of assistants work closely
with the bride and groom while also greeting guests, directing vendors and ensuring the event runs smoothly. “From the engagement to the honeymoon, this should be a time for the bride and groom to enjoy themselves and the moment,” Gomez said. Regardless of whether you choose to plan the event yourself or hire a professional, there are a few things that need to be addressed. First, set a date. You can’t reserve a location, an officiant or any of your vendors without one, so it’s best to get it done early. see Event page 7B
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Cecy Gomez, owner of Exquisite Events in Discovery Bay, has been planning weddings and events for nearly 10 years. Photo courtesy of Cecy Gomez
Event from page 6B Secondly, establish a wedding budget so there are no surprises along the way. The bride and groom, and anyone else who might be helping with the costs, need to be on the same page when it comes to how much will be spent. Next, decide how big (or small) you intend to keep your affair. Make a tentative guest list of those you want to invite, keeping in mind it’s likely to expand as news of your big day spreads. When selecting a location for the wedding and reception, keep in mind the weather and what time of year you plan to wed. Whether it’s a destination wedding on a tropical island, a quaint celebration in a friend’s back yard or a lavish affair in a fancy hotel, take into consideration how comfortable you and your guests will be. An outdoor garden party
in the winter probably isn’t the best idea. Ask friends and family for suggestions on vendors. Personal organizers or pre-made wedding planner books will keep you on task and are a good place to store all of your vendor information. Once you’ve interviewed vendors and think you’ve found the right ones, book them immediately. Other brides will be doing the same thing at a frantic pace. Above all, this should be a fun time in your life. Enjoy it and try not to sweat the small stuff. Even if everything doesn’t go exactly according to plan, the only thing that matters is that you and Mr. Right are finally hitched. Congratulations – now all that’s left is a lifetime of happiness. For more information about Exquisite Events, call 925-705-9869 or visit www. exquisite--events.com.
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Bridal headgear unveiled It’s just a thin piece of lace or tulle, but it can make a bride look and feel like she’s truly getting married. Veils have remained an important part of wedding-day attire for centuries, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, when people used them to fend off evil spirits. Since the spirits couldn’t penetrate the veil, it was thought, the bride would be kept safe for her husband. Veils became popular in America by the late 18th century. Aides to George Washington saw his step-granddaughter Nellie sitting by a lace-curtained window and remarked on her stunning beauty. Nellie recreated the scene at her wedding by making a veil of white lace. Today’s brides still embrace the tradition of the veil, but add their own spin on the accessory. Veils typically correspond to the color of the gown. White represents the ultimate purity of the bride. A veil can be whatever you want it to be, from simple and understated to extravagant and detailed. It can also be any length, from cascading beyond the wedding train to ending at the bride’s elbow. No matter what you choose in a veil, it’s important that it complements your overall look and doesn’t compete with your gown. A fancy veil will be
The right veil lends both beauty and tradition to your nuptials. too much for a detailed gown, but you can embellish a plain dress with a detailed veil. When selecting a veil, it helps to visualize the gown it will accompany. Some dress shops specialize in veils, so you might be able to try on your gown and different veils to compare looks. It’s also wise to style your hair and makeup similar to your look on wedding day. When analyzing your look in the veil, try it on in front of a full-length mirror, and view yourself from all angles. A veil might look flattering from the front but not
complement the back of your gown. Don’t forget to walk around the house or dress shop in your veil, especially if you’re choosing one of considerable length, and get accustomed to maneuvering while wearing the veil – and avoid tripping on your big day. While veils are beautiful, they’re entirely optional (unless your house of worship has rules regarding veils). Many other headpieces and accessories are available if you opt out of a veil. These include tiaras, barrettes and hats.
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THEPRESS.NET
Make your speech the Toast of the Town Have you been invited to toast the happy couple at an upcoming wedding or rehearsal dinner? It’s a great honor, but you might want to learn the fine art of making toasts before you step up to the microphone. Here are eight wedding-toast tips you can work on right now. 1. Do your homework Know your audience. What will they find touching or funny? Determine the time allotted for your toast. Two minutes is a typically appropriate length. If a microphone is in the plan, make a sound check before the room starts filling up. 2. Craft a fitting toast Match the tone to the event and then determine your message or theme. Certain jokes will be better-received at a bachelor party or bridal shower than the rehearsal or wedding dinner. Always keep your goal in mind and how you’d like your words to be remembered. Your toast will be more meaningful if you use your own words and speak from the heart. Remember that the focus is on the bride and groom, not you. The point of a toast is to say something nice, so be complimentary. 3. Practice, practice, practice Practice your toast several times. Aim to repeat your toast without notes. If you can, go to the event site and practice your toast.
4. Get the audience’s attention Either click glasses (being careful not to break anything) or even more effective: stand up and use eye contact to quiet your audience. 5. Hold yourself confidently Stand up, put a smile on your face, maintain excellent posture and keep your body open (e.g., no crossed arms; feet just less than shoulder width apart) and hold a glass containing the appropriate beverage. 6. Connect with your audience As you begin to deliver your toast, look at the honorees and then look across the audience, making eye contact with a few people throughout the crowd. This gives the appearance of addressing the entire crowd. 7. Be crystal clear Speak slowly and deliberately. Use short silences to allow the audience to absorb your thoughts – and to calm your nerves. 8. Close with class At the conclusion of your toast, lift your glass and ask everyone to join you in toasting the honorees. Sip, don’t chug, from your glass. Apply these eight tips and your toast will be a memorable part of the occasion. And who knows? You might even get part of the credit for the marriage’s success.
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WEDDING PLANNER
Remarkable receptions When it comes to wedding receptions, couples are looking for ways to give a unique, personal flair to their celebration, says Beverly Clark, wedding book author and designer of the Beverly Clark Collection. “More and more brides and grooms want to express their own style, and they don’t want a cookie-cutter wedding,” she says. “So they’re branching out to more elaborate and unique receptions, locations and themes.” As many couples are getting married on the beach and tying in sand and seashell décor with their reception, Clark’s current No. 1 selling wedding collection is her beach-themed Seashore Collection. How can you add some personal touches to your wedding? • Slideshows. During the reception, present a slideshow set to music with photos of you and your spouse from birth to the present. • Themes. Incorporate you and your
spouse’s heritage into the décor and food. Some possible wedding themes can also arise from your favorite hobby, a season, a historical period (such as the Roaring ’20s or Renaissance eras), or a fairytale theme complete with a castleshaped wedding cake. • Creative table numbers. Instead of using numbers to identify tables, name your tables after phrases or words with special meaning, such as your favorite travel spots. • Monograms. Make your name part of the day. For example, wedding planner Tracie Morris had a client whose new last name started with an M, so the couple put the letter M on top of their wedding cake and on their cocktail napkins. They also used a video projector to project an M onto the dance floor during the couple’s first dance as husband and wife. • Poetry. Write letters or poems to one another and read them during the reception.
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