Bridesmaid Presents

I love New York City and so I love the Fishs Eddy designs with the skyline: 212 New York Skyline.

Since we were getting married close to New York City (I know, I know, New Jersey isn’t New York. It’s close, though. Maybe it is another borough?), I decided to buy the Wonderful Women a present inspired by New York.

I bought these crocks and put two packages of kitchen herb seeds in each one. Placed in a reusable tote, it fit the slight green theme to the wedding. 

Perhaps, however, it was too large of a gift. I didn’t pay perfect attention to the measurements when I ordered them online and they were larger than I expected. Since a number of the Wonderful Women had to fly to the wedding (one flew internationally from Italy!), I fear that they might have been less convenient than they were cute.

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Intimate Surprises

Recently, I read about Intimate Surprises  in the Smith College alum magazine. Surprise presents… what a great idea! We all know how life (you know, laundry and the like) can get in the way of the more important things. The things that took priority in the beginning of a relationship and perhaps get forgotten from time to time. The things that should never be forgotten.

I contacted Jennifer to ask about how the surprises work.  Be sure to scroll to the end for your coupon.

 

How did you come up with the idea for Intimate Surprises? 

My husband and I were talking about how so many of our friends see  to spend more time on their careers and families and kids than they do on their relationships. The job and kid obligations come first and if there’s any time and energy left over maybe they go out for a night as a couple at some point. And staring at each other over a plate of pasta or sitting in the dark in a movie theater didn’t sound terribly “intimate” to us. I said to him, “There should be some sort of Cupid of the Month club to help couples remember to take time out for themselves.” And so Intimate Surprises was born.

What kinds of “surprises” are included in the packages? 

Each month as a different “theme.” The first month is all about warming up – to the idea of a monthly surprise and to each other. Each month contains up to five items, which can include toys, activities, and enhancers. The themes are really just a starting point, something to tie it all together so it’s not just a bunch of random things arriving in the mail.

Since couples are so different, how do you personalize the gifts or ensure that they are right for your clients? 

With up to five items there is sure to be something that appeals to everyone. That said, the items are also designed to provide fun for men, for women, and for both of them together as a couple. The idea is to bring a couple together, to help them explore the intimate side of their relationship. But it’s also about fun, just doing something together where the focus is on enjoying themselves. And while each month has a theme it’s really just for guidance – what couples do is ultimately all up to them!

How are the packages delivered? 

Surprises are delivered via priority mail in plain brown cardboard boxes. Nothing to pique the interest of nosy neighbors.

The “surprises” can be given as gifts. What is the most unique gift situation you’ve heard of (bridal party gift to the newlyweds, shower gift, etc.) 

We’ve received the nicest emails from people. What’s surprised us is how diverse our customers have been – many couples married more than 20 years, a couple who counsels newlyweds for their church, a couple serving in the military overseas. We’ve also had same sex couples order surprises. I think the ones we love to hear about are the couples who have been together for a long time, it just goes to show that when couples take the time to care for their relationship it really makes a difference.

Giving a gift like this can be potentially embarrassing if the wrong person finds it. If I order one and then my mom comes over and see the box, what should I tell her is inside? 

Aside from the plain brown box, the surprises come in lovely silver organza bags and we’ve heard from a few customers that they’ve actually re-used the bags for other purposes. One woman’s mom actually liked it so much she asked where her daughter got it from. Obviously, she didn’t tell her. That said, my parents know all about our business and what we’re doing and they think it’s great. But thank god they haven’t placed an order! I don’t think I could handle that.

What would be your dream Intimate Surprise to receive from your love? 

A promise to always keep things fun.

 

Please use coupon code TEN001 to receive 10% off your online order. Read more about the different kinds of surprises (all natural, hotel, etc.) here.

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What is a personalized wedding poem?

A personalized wedding poem is a poem written specifically on the occasion of a particular couple’s wedding. The poem can be used in many ways: integrated into the couple’s vows, read during the wedding, framed as a gift, posted on a wedding website or printed in the program, mailed as a part of a thank-you letter, integrated into a vow renewal ceremony, etc.

 

I meet with you, the gift giver (the couple, a member of the couple, a friend or family member) and discuss your goals, aesthetics, and knowledge of the couple. I have a number of questionnaires prepared for different gift givers (parents, bride, groom, friend, etc.)  We can meet and discuss the questions in person (or on the phone) or you can fill it out online.

 

The questionnaire asks questions about the couple’s history, your relationship to them, etc. Each questionnaire ends with the question, “What am I forgetting to ask?” Every couple is unique and I rely on you to help share as much information as possible. You are welcome to share pictures or other mediums (songs, recipes, etc.) with me as well. One bride told me that she really enjoyed filling out the questionnaire with her groom as they spent time reminiscing about the early days of their relationship.

 

I use the information you share to create a draft of the poem, which I then send to you. You read it and send me feedback. Usually, someone will remember another detail to be added and ask it to replace a less important detail. This is a key part of the process because it ensures that the final product fulfills your expectations and reflects the couple’s love and history.

 

The poems that I craft for you will be an original poem. It will reflect the couple, their love, and will forever be a memory of their union.

 

A few commonly asked questions:

 

Can you tell me a little more about the questionnaire?

There are a broad range of questions on the questionnaire (how did the couple meet, are they affectionate in public, do they resemble a famous couple, etc.) You are free to skip any questions that don’t relate to the couple and add in anything that you feel is appropriate.

 

Has this been done before?

There is a long history of wedding poetry. The poetic term for a wedding poem is an “epithalamion.” You can link to examples and read about the history here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epithalamium.

 

How long does the process take?

Usually, it is helpful to have at least two weeks for the first draft and a week for the second draft. The earlier we can start, however, the better. If you need a poem more urgently, we can work together on those details.

 

What is your experience with poetry writing?

I have an MFA in poetry writing from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY. I have been writing since I was a child. For samples of personalized wedding poems, please click here: http://wordarrangement.com/4.html. For links to published poems, please click here: http://www.chloeyelenamiller.com/8428.html.

 

How did you come up with this idea?

I completed a manuscript entitled “Cent’Anni” which tells the story of my family’s emigration from southern Italy in the 1800’s. The poems are paired with photographs that my mother, a professional photographer, took during our visits to the small town of Sala Consilina, SA. Many of these poems arose from stories told to me by American or Italian relatives. Writing personalized wedding poems arose out of this interest in listening to people’s stories and translating them into poems.

 

For more information, please feel free to contact me: ChloeMiller(at)gmail(dot)com or see the WordArrangement website: www.WordArrangement.com.

 

 

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