Monograms are a huge trend in weddings, to the point where they feature strongly in some, and in others, provide the actual theme. And what�s not to like about monograms? They�re elegant, understated, versatile, and a dramatic visual reminder of your new life together.
You�ll find them popping up in more and more places throughout the reception, and sometimes even prior to it. Here are some ways that brides include monograms:
- embossed, stamped or printed bridal stationary
- custom postage stamps (see www.funstamps.com)
- stationary seals or stickersOPTION 2: instead of visiting Monte Alb�n as part of a full day organized tour, arrive there on your own by bus or taxi, and spend the rest of the day back in Oaxaca; you can then spend an entire day on this route and add the following, perhaps for those with particular fine arts and/or architectural interests:*if you�ve every been on a California or Niagara wine tour, or traveled to Scotland to sample the finest of single malt whiskies, you�ll be struck by the contrast in production techniques used in making Oaxaca�s state drink, mezcal; this lesser known cousin to tequila is made with a much purer and ancient technique using only the agave plant without any fermenting agents whatsoever, a deep in-ground pit for baking over firewood, crushing by a multi-ton stone pulled by horse, pine fermentation barrels and brick oven with a copper serpentine still�all natural and aged in oak barrels up to 8 years, with or without gusano worm, or as a sweet liqueur mixed with local exotic fruits; tastings of all varieties (full day tours high up into the mountains to see and sample from a selection of the smallest mom and pop production facilities are also available, with lunch at a quaint roadside eatery);Reference was made above to the availability of a full day�s activity touring the tiny mountain villages where the quaintest and most simple of mezcal �factories� exist. Learn to discern the taste nuances as we sample from a few facilities. Stop for comida along a secondary highway at a combined �fabrica de mezcal� and roadside eatery. This experience can (and certainly ought to be) combined with a trip to Hierve el Agua and perhaps a couple of the other sites of your choice along ROUTE TWO, making for probably the most real Oaxacan experiences of your entire trip.NOTE: From the perspective of trying to impart a broad range of knowledge in terms of Oaxacan society past and present, and the diversity of craft and other cultural traditions, while at the same time providing an opportunity for making purchases, the foregoing are the two most important routes. However, there is much more, as is exemplified by the following additional routes:**the church and monastery complex at Cuilapam as described in ROUTE ONE;Once you have added a collage of area rugs, and assorted bits of greenery, it is time to consider your collectibles. Now, you claim you have none, having never saved anything of any worth. I bet you do because, you see, a collection is anything beyond a pair. If you have three of anything, you have a collection, (yes, beer bottles and jelly jars count!) So, get busy checking out those musty old drawers, drafty attics, under-bed stashes, and closets of miscellanea. Collections are meant to be enjoyed, not hidden away in some dust encrusted corrugated coffin. You�ll be delightfully surprised at the riches you invariably already possess, and with a dose of imagination can incorporate into your home. The only rule on collections is that they must mean something to you (not anybody else, just you!) They don�t have to have any intrinsic value, but must have a story and sentimentality. You can create new collections when inspired by a particular piece or event. Try to collect in odd numbers as display is far more interesting. This also makes it easy to pick up the odd piece and avoid getting caught up in searching endlessly for flawless full sets of things. Keep in mind collections are always more effective and exciting when shown in their entirety. For example, if you had a marvelous cache of candleholders and showed them only in pairs in a hodgepodge of spots throughout the house, the visual impact would be diluted, the elegance lost. Whereas these same candleholders massed on a sumptuous damask table runner against the dining table regain their �WOW.� Perhaps your collection is more casual and utilitarian, such as kitchen utensils. Try displaying these in colorful crockware from Crate and Barrel or Pier 1, or arrange a basket collection above kitchen cabinets mixed with greenery. A plate collection could be displayed on a rail running the length of the kitchen or dining room or massed in a china cabinet. Even a montage of magnets can be amusingly exhibited with the help of magnetized boards (Let�s Get Organized), in addition to the usual refrigerator surface. Life is far more fascinating and fun when surrounded by the pieces we cherish and admire. Let your home speak of you with the collections you show off.The most significant lesson to be gained in the personalization of your house, the transformation to a home, is that this is your place. While you can certainly listen to your friends, your mother, and, of course, your designer -- remember, your home is your own and what you want is what is truly important. The possibilities are endless!Ideas for including monograms*the homes and workshops of the Aguilar sisters whose mother first began making brightly painted clay figures at age 11, in the 1940s�now a fourth generation is continuing the tradition; with the passage of time the diversity of figurines and imagery has expanded to include representations of Day of the Dead, Catholic religious themes, whimsical figures with strong sexual images, and townspeople at market and in traditional regional dress�fired in the most �primitive� of clay brick hearths;Of course, these being modern times, some brides just include the monogram wherever and whenever they want.**on Thursdays the marketplace at Zaachila, where there is also a ruin close to the middle of town, with a tomb; the government employee at the ruin will show you photos of treasures which were removed from the tomb and taken to Mexico City where all but one piece remains locked up in storage�because of the conflict between the archaeologists and the townspeople about what to do with the tomb�s contents, excavation stopped and was never completed.*the ruin at Mitla known for the Spanish destruction of pre-conquest edifices and the conquerors� use of the stone in the construction of the church, the existing original painted codices on parts of what remains, the intricate stone designs forming the walls of the ruin buildings with no mortar used in construction, and the tombs; also a large open handicraft marketplace known for diversity of product and great prices;It�s somewhat frowned upon to use your couples monogram before you�re actually married. So, your reception�s clearly a green light, but you might want to skip using it on your invites. The ceremony itself is sort of a Ms. Manners gray area. Some brides uphold the spirit (if not the letter) of the �law� by including the monogram in a not-so-public ceremonial spot, such as a garter, or inside the dress.© 2005 Melissa Galt**the carved wooden animal village at Arrazola (similar to San Mart�n Tilcajete described in ROUTE ONE);Print out your monogram and blow it up to your desired size on a copying machine. (If your aisle fabric is on the sheer side, you can now trace your monogram directly onto the fabric with pencil. Fill in with fabric paint, and you�re done.) Otherwise, tape the enlarged monogram onto the cardstock and cut out the shape with an exacto knife. Trace inside your new template lightly with pencil. Fill in with fabric paint. Follow the same procedure to make your own monogrammed table runners or even chair covers.ROUTE ONE:OPTION 1: instead of visiting the foregoing after Monte Alb�n we can head in a different direction to visit:Now that you have some ideas for incorporating monograms in your wedding, remember the essence of elegance is restraint. It�s easy to overdo monograms, so mix them up contrasting touches, such as soft and romantic floral arrangements, to warm up the monogram�s cool and classic feel.ROUTE FOUR:*the combined home and gallery of the late Maestro of contemporary Oaxacan art, Rodolfo Morales, and his large fresco mural in the central square (z�calo) of the town of Ocotl�n�there�s also a museum which includes original art from the Conquest period and by the Maestro;*black pottery village of San Bartolo Coyotepec, with demonstration of the technique and its history by (usually) Don Valente Nieto, son of the late Do�a Rosa who developed the method subsequently followed by other villagers; then, for those interested in unique hand-crafted jewelry pieces, for 30 years town resident Armando Lozano has been making one-of-a-kind brass pieces using attractive acid-induced accent shades in green and aquamarine�his workshop is close to Do�a Rosa�s, and therefore well worth a brief stop;How do I get a monogram?
Now that you have some ideas for incorporating monograms in your wedding, remember the essence of elegance is restraint. It�s easy to overdo monograms, so mix them up contrasting touches, such as soft and romantic floral arrangements, to warm up the monogram�s cool and classic feel.
Author: Blake Kritzberg
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