ASK ANDREA

Here is a common question I get:

Hi Andrea:

I have a question for you about addressing envelopes.

Some of my friends that are married go by their maiden names; what is the proper way to address the envelopes for them? I can't believe I am having a hard time figuring this out!

Cary Grant and Marilynn Monroe

This is an excellent question:

Address the invitation the same way you would address one to a couple who is living together but not married (in other words, any couple with different last names). Names are listed alphabetically, no matter which person (woman or man) comes first. The outer envelope should look like this

Mr. Cary Grant and Ms. Marilynn Monroe

Orthodox Jewish Wedding of Shoshana and Chanan

If you have never been to a Jewish Wedding, let alone an Orthodox Jewish Wedding, you would think you are entering into a different world. Just like going to an Indian or Abrabic Wedding, these weddings are filled with wonderful and interesting traditions. We may not fully understand them but are so happy to be a part of it, and talk about it for days on end with our family and friends!

It starts, above, with the bride sitting on a "throne" in one room where her guests come and congratulate her. She usually is sitting with her mom, grooms mom, grandmas and sometimes sisters or bridal party. The groom is in the "tish" room. Here he is surrounded my the dads, his groomsmen, rabbis, uncles, friends etc, who pray, give speeches and talk about torah. (Below)

Prior to receiving her guests, the bride has a few private moments with her mom, last minute praying.....
Last minute touch ups......

a few more prayers.......

Then after they "dance" or "walk" the groom over to the bride, to do a bedecking ( that's when the groom covers the brides face with a veil after making sure he is marrying the right girl) it is time for the wedding ceremony. The ceremony is performed towards the east, so the sun can shine on them.
Note that all the men are on the left and all the woman are on the right. And that is how it will be for the remainder of the evening. At an orthodox wedding, the dinner and dancing will be like two separate events going on at the same time. The bride and groom will sit next to each other at the head table with their parents, but will not hold hands, or kiss in public.

The flowers were beautiful from Breath of Spring and smelled so beautiful!

The band was brought in from out of state and did a fabulous job! Everyone was up and dancing the entire night. Note to oneself: Make sure you bring a comfortable pair of shoes to change into!

As you can see the dance floor was divided in half, ladies on the left and the men on the right.
you would think that people would not have a good time because they were not with their spouses, but it just is not so. Guests seem to dance "freer" you are just having fun and do not have to worry about what anyone else thinks. The girls lifted the bride in a chair, brought "schdick" which is fun stuff like hats, balloons, and pompoms etc, to dance with. The guys did their thing, the girls did theirs.



On some of the tables were canisters asking for a small donation. Not only were the bride and groom enjoying themselves on this fabulous night, but were thinking of others by asking guests, if they wanted to make a donation, they could, knowing that it was going to be going to a good cause. Mazel tov, Jordan and Hilary, I mean Chanan and Shoshana! Many years of happiness together!

The Lawrence Rollins Foundation

I knew him as Larry Rollins. A cute little boy who lived across the street from me on Forest in Oak Park. At age 10 Larry was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Unfortunately at age 37 he passed away from diabetic complications. He was, and still is, sadly missed.

The youngest of 7 kids, his siblings decided to honor him and formed The Lawrence Rollins Foundation. The purpose of the foundation is to raise funds for diabetic research and to help with services needed by people with diabetes.

Larry has three sisters who work so hard every year making all the food, getting all the donations, working on the decorations doing a 50/50 rafflle .............is there nothing these sisters can't do!! That's their mom Mrs Rollins, Theresa, ( one of my oldest and dearest friends) on the right, Shelly on the left and Mary Ellen in the back.

There are a few wonderful family and friends who make quilts to be raffled off every year. This year their were three, which brought in some extra money.

This event has been going on for 16 years. The Rollins' were trying very hard to make enough money to open a diabetic camp....well reality sunk in and they decided to donate the over $50,000 they made over the last 16 years to the Diabetic Foundation. That money is going to send 17 diabetic kids to camp this summer and buy the camp, much needed, walkie talkies!
And I helped! Their event always takes place around St. Pattys Day. It was called Larry's Heros, but now it is called The Lawrence Rollins Foundation St. Paddy's Day Bash. Everyone is welcome to come. You get great homemade food, listen to some good music, dance, lots of beer and alcohol, win prizes and they have a silent auction. All of this for only $25 per ticket, all going to a worthy cause.

Plus every year I go I get to see how Theresa's grand kids have grown and how her three terrific kids are doing. Always smiles


Well this is the threesome, I know there are four of us, Theresa's sister Mary Ellen had to be in the picture.....Laurie, Theresa and I have known each other since we were about 2......that's Laurie on the left, then me with the hat, then Theresa and on the right Mary Ellen. Love you guys...

Here is Theresa's clan. A motley crew if I do say so. Two of Theresa's grandsons were in the play Grease at Ferndale High School. I heard it went very well.

And to help occupy ones self....some very nice guys joined Laurie and I at our table. After a few beers decided that they could make a napkin fly......

Not to good on the first try....but wait, if we only had more balloons.......

We did it.......let's see what we can float next year guys.

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
* frequent urination
* Unusual thirst
* Extreme Hunger
* Unusual Weight Loss
* Extreme Fatigue and Irritability

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
* Any of the Type 1 symptoms
* frequent Infections
* Blurred Vision
* Cuts/Bruises that are slow to heal
* Tingling/numbness in your hand and feet
* Recurring skin, gum or bladder infections

If you have any of these symptoms, please see a doctor.

Ellie Elkin Bat Mitzvah at the Crofoot

Poised and ready to take the plunge that so many young ladies now have the opportunity to do at age 13. Mazel Tov Ellie on becoming a Bat Mitzvah

Peace Love Ellie

The Crofoot was where Ellie had her party with her family and friends. The fabulous pictures of Ellie were hung all over the Crofoot and greeted guests when they arrived....

A picture of Ellie greeted her guests when they entered....The next best thing to being there!

I bring , or you can rent from me, a card box that keeps all your envelope and gifts in one place so they do not get lost. You can put four 8x 10 pictures in the box and a 5 x 7 picture or your invitation on the top of the box.

The front room that we used for adult appetizers. The Crofoot has lots of furniture that they will put out for you. You do not have to rent, so that is a large savings to you!

Mom, dad and younger brother with Ellie, just before her friends came and then ....she was gone!

The main ballroom. Decorations by Michael McFeaters, Linens by Fabulous events and Star Trax was their musical choice. Teddy Bear was on the dance floor all night with the kids.


Centerpieces and signs were done up in with glow in the dark paint. Lots of fun colors and neon lights. Tye Dye napkins complimented the tabletops .


Can you see how the DJ sign glows on the stage. Montage was shown and then Ellie introduced into her candle lighting. Short sweet right to the point! Thank you Ellie

There is always room for a candy table! Be it your favorite candies or by color, I do them all.

We were able to reuse Ellie's name sign on the candy table and she got to take the acrylic sign home with her and all the left over candy was hers to enjoy!

So a great time was had by all. The Cutting Edge was the caterer, they did an amazing job. Bob DiTomasso ( getshotbybob.com) "For a price I'll shoot your relatives" was the photographer who captured some great shots and Steve Kaufman did the photo give aways. He brings lots of props and you can have a lot of people in your shots which can be seen by all on his website a few days after the party. For more info call me, Andrea Solomon, 248-626-3421

A Brides personal style
is more important
than a trend