Local event rental company All Occasions is having a warehouse sale tomorrow and Saturday! They are opening their warehouse to clear out items that are gently (or enthusiastically) used, slightly damaged or past their prime. All items are sold “as is” and merchandise is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Selection will include linens, flatware, glassware, serving equipment, trays, tables and chairs, decor, accessories and other rental equipment. They will be accepting cash or credit cards only (no checks) and all sales are final.

The sale will take place on Friday, January 22, from 8:30 AM to 5 PM and Saturday, January 23, 8:30 AM to 12 PM. All Occasions Event Rental is located in Evendale at 10629 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45241.

The combination of a new engagement and New Year’s resolutions might have you stressing about how you will look on your wedding day – and the rampant diet commercials on TV and endless fitness ads targeted toward brides-to-be certainly don’t help. While it’s completely natural to want to look your best on your wedding day, don’t take it too far! (This applies not only to brides, but to bridesmaids as well.)

There is a lot of pressure- you’ll be reminded many times that your wedding is the “most photographed day of your life”, and bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses that run in sizing completely different to your normal clothing can make you feel like you need to lose even more. But please no crazy crash diets! No over-exercising! Best-case-scenario, you’ll be hungry, tired, and cranky. Worst-case-scenario you’ll put your health at major risk. Neither option makes for a happy wedding day.

To tone up and get fit in a healthy way, eat smart and exercise moderately (and for major diet or exercise plans, of course consult your doctor). My own personal trainer, Aunnie, is offering bridal bootcamp to Cincinnati brides and bridesmaids alike in the form of her Buff Brides workshops. As a bride-to-be as well, she can certainly sympathize with the stress of wedding planning, and as a Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor she can safely and healthily guide you toward your fitness goals.

The program is ongoing and includes Boot Camp 3 days a week (Monday and Wednesdays 6:30 – 7:30 and Saturdays at 10:15), weight loss kit and support addressing subjects like: navigating showers and parties, cake tasting strategies, stress eating, and “big day” preparation. Email or call Aunnie (513-405-1824) to reserve your spot. Aunnie is also offering bridal party discounts for personal training!

Local stationery and invitation shop Poeme is having two upcoming sales; a perfect opportunity for brides who are looking to DIY their invitations, programs, place cards or any other paper project. Details below!

POEME WAREHOUSE SALE: January 16-17, 10-5

Enjoy deep discounts on thousands of sheets of paper and cardstock, envelopes, specialty stocks and unique materials for your next craft, scrapbook or work of art. Brands include Waste Not Paper, Stardream, Envelopments, Green Paper Company, Bazzill Basics and many more!

POEME ANNUAL WINTER SALE: January 23-24, 10-5

This sale only happens once a year. 25-75% storewide clearance on all in-store items including holiday items, journals, photo albums, gifts, leather goods, bulk paper and envelopes, boxed stationery, in-store invitations and much, much more!

Poeme is located in Hyde Park Square, at 3446 Michigan Avenue

We hope you’ll be able to join us next Thursday for the third annual Bitter Bridesmaid Bash! Below please find the schedule for the evening and answers to a few frequently-asked questions.

6-7 PM: Registration

Arrive at the Bridal Studio (610 Main Street) between 6PM and 7PM, wearing yoru donation dress (don’t forget to wear something underneath – you’ll be dressless by the end of the night!). By committing to donate your dress at the end of the evening, your $10 admission fee will be waived.

6-9 PM: Pub Crawl

Your admission will get you drink specials at many bars throughout MainStrasse Village. Have fun wearing your dress for one final night out!

9-10 PM: Prizes

We will all gather at Cosmo’s to raffle prizes! Changing stations will be available at The Bridal Studio, where attendees can donate a dress and receive a t-shirt in exchange. The first 100 guests will receive a bag filled with gifts from our various sponsors (stamps will be given at registration to designate the first 100) that can also be picked up at The Bridal Studio.

FAQ About the Bitter Bridesmaid Bash!

What if I have a dress to donate but I don’t want to wear it? We encourage everyone to wear their dress since it adds to the fun, but if you’re just not feeling it, you can still donate your dress when you register and your admission fee will be waived!

I want to wear a dress but I’m not ready to give it up yet, what do I do? If you’re not ready to part with the dress yet, but you’d still like to wear it, you can either bring another dress for your admission or simply pay the $10 donation fee and party in your dress all night!

What if I have more than one dress? You can donate them all at once or give them to friends to donate for a fun girls night! Or, hold on to a few of the extras so you will have one for next year!

What happens at the end of the night when it’s time to donate my gown? First, remember to wear a pair of shorts and/or a tank top under your dress so you are able to go out in public at the end of the night :) When you’re ready to donate your dress, simply go back to the Bridal Studio where you registered and someone will be there to guide you to a changing area where we will have t-shirts on hand.

Are boys allowed? Yes!! The more the merrier! If you have an extra dress on hand, you can give it to them to donate or they can simply pay the $10 donation fee. Heck, if they want to wear the dress, that would be even more fun!

What condition should the dress be in? We ask that you donate gently used dresses that you think high school girls would like to wear to prom or other formal events. We also accept accessories, so if you have some shoes, bags and jewelry that you think a girl would like to wear, please donate those items as well! Dresses do not specifically have to be “bridesmaid’s” dresses… any formal dress will do.

ALL GOWNS AND ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO KENZIE’S CLOSET

The third annual Bitter Bridesmaid Bash is just one week away (September 10th!) and we have gathered together some wonderful sponsors and donors to bring you a fun night for a great cause.

Wear your favorite (or least favorite) retired bridesmaid/formal gown for a pub crawl through Covington’s MainStrasse Village. The cost of admission ($10) is completely waived when you donate a gown for Kenzie’s Closet, which provides prom dresses and related accessories to high school seniors who cannot otherwise afford them. For more information or to see photos from the past Bashes, visit www.the-bridal-studio.com or our Facebook page (become a fan!).

There will be gift bags and t-shirts (for the first 100 attendees), raffle prizes, a photo booth, discount drinks at participating bars (when you show your wristband) and loads of fun! For additional information or to RSVP, please feel free to email bbbash@the-bridal-studio.com. Or, check out our event page of Facebook.

The Bash is hosted by The Bridal Studio, which includes Bluebird Photography, Brideface, Courtenay Lambert Florals and Letter Heads, and is produced by Aviva Events.

Many thanks to this year’s sponsors for their participation!

• All Occasions Event Rental
• Beat Personal Training
• Busken
• Cincy Chic
• Cucire by Andrea Rae
• Dojo Gelato
• Europa
• Kitsch Cafe
• LavishGiving.com
• Lifetime Video
• 1154 LILL Studio
• Maize Music
• Pinup Couture
• Poeme
• Sassy Boutique
• Say Cheese Photobooth
• Strasse Dog
• Suki
• The Sweet Finale
• Michael Sylvester Band
• TBeads
• Three French Hens

Participating Bars: Chez Nora, Cock and Bull, Cosmo’s Gill Pub, Fat Shannon’s, MainStrasse Village Pub, Pachinko, Strasse House, Up Over and Zazou Grill & Pub.

Our next post will include the schedule of events and FAQ for the Bash!