Beautiful Brides Magazine

15 Things to start today to make your marriage work

2018-03-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a list of 15 things which, if you give up on them, will make your married life a lot easier and a lot happier. We hold on to so many things that cause a great deal of stress and frustration in our relationships – and instead of letting them all go, instead of allowing our relationships to flourish and blossom – we cling on to them. Not anymore. Starting today you will give up on all those things that no longer serve you, and you will embrace change. Starting today you will make your marriage work.

Ready? Here we go:

1. Give up your unrealistic expectations

Give up all your unrealistic expectation about marriage being this beautiful box full of all the things you have always longed for and see marriage for what it truly is – an empty box where you and your partner MUST put all the things you want to take out. Accept that if you want to have love in your marriage, you have to put it there. If you want to have happiness, passion, intimacy, companionship, trust in your marriage, you have to put it there. Relationships take work, a lot of work and if you want to live a happy, beautiful and loving life next to your partner, you will both commit to making your marriage work. Always remember, relationships don’t work unless you do.

2. Give up control

People are made to be loved, not controlled. The more you try to control your partner, the more you will push him or her away from you and the less love there will be left between you two. Give up control and allow the ONE you love to just be. Allow the person you love to be who they are and not who you want them to be.

3. Give up possessiveness

No matter how long you two have been together and no matter if you are married and have 10 children together or not, you do not possess your partner. He/she is not your propriety. You both are two separate entities and just as you are separate from him, so is she separate from you. Give up possessiveness and allow your partner to breathe. Give him/ her space and freedom they truly deserve and watch how much more beautiful your relationship becomes.

4. Give up criticism

Give up the need to criticize every little thing your partner does or doesn’t do and instead start appreciating those many things that made you fall in love with this person in the first place. Seek to praise not to criticize. Keep in mind that you attract more bees with honey than you do with vinegar.

“Compliments and criticism are all ultimately based on some form of projection.” ~ Billy Corgan

5. Give up the need to fix your partner

Relationships aren’t about fixing one another, relationships are about loving, caring and supporting one another. You might think it’s your responsibility to “save” and “fix” your partner but trust me, that’s not really the case. Give up the need to fix your partner and work on growing, improving and evolving together instead.

“Men marry women with the hope they will never change. Women marry men with the hope they will change. Invariably they are both disappointed.” ~ Albert Einstein

6. Give up your jealous behavior

”A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity.” ~ Robert A. Heinlein

The root cause of jealousy is insecurity. Work on letting go of your insecurities and you will immediately understand the futility of a jealous behavior. You will immediately give jealousy up.

7. Give up on your fears

Give up the fear of cheating on one another, the fear of falling out of love, the fear of having your present relationship become as toxic as the previous ones and so on. Get out of your fearful head and into your loving heart. Give up on all your fears and love with all your heart.

“Perfect love casts out fear. If fear exists, then there is not perfect love.” ~ A Course In Miracles

8. Give up the chase for perfection

What screws us up the most is this idea we have in our heads about how relationships should be like and how our partners should behave. Instead of savoring, loving and praising one another, nurturing the relationships we have, we waste our precious time and energy seeking perfection, in ourselves, in our partner There’s no such thing as perfect relationships simply because there’s no such thing as perfect people. Your marriage is and always will be a reflection of who and your partner are – two perfectly imperfect people.

“When you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can like them for who they are.” ~ Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

9. Give up on blame

Believe it or not, it’s not the other person’s job to make you feel all the things that you yourself can’t feel on your own. It’s not the other person’s job to make you feel loved, happy and whole when you yourself feel unworthy, unhappy and incomplete. That’s not their job, that’s your job. Give up the need to blame your partner for everything that goes wrong in your world, for why you aren’t feeling as loved and as happy as you would like to feel and start taking ownership of your own thoughts and feelings.

“Tell everyone you know: “My happiness depends on me, so you’re off the hook.” And then demonstrate it. Be happy, no matter what they’re doing. Practice feeling good, no matter what. And before you know it, you will not give anyone else responsibility for the way you feel and then, you’ll love them all. Because the only reason you don’t love them is because you’re using them as your excuse to not feel good.” ~ Esther Hicks

10. Give up the need to always be right

Remember when you and your partner first started dating? Remember how beautiful and how lovingly you spoke to one another? Back then you didn’t care whether you were right all the time or not. All that you cared about was to make the other person feel loved, appreciated and happy. So why change now? Give up the need to always be right and choose to be kind, loving and supportive instead.

“Common courtesy plays a big role in happy marriages. People who are permanently married are polite to one another. They don’t want to hurt one another’s feelings, and they don’t try to make the other one feel humiliated. People who are married for life are extremely kind to one another.” ~ Frank Pittman

11. Give up living your life according to the other person’s expectations

It’s true that relationships require compromise but when you compromise too often, living your life according to the other person’s expectations, you risk losing yourself and that’s how you start feeling bitter, depleted, frustrated and very unhappy. Don’t lose the “I” in playing the “We” game. Compromise when needed but not so much that you lose your sense of self. Balance is key.

“The hardest-learned lesson: that people have only their kind of love to give, not our kind.” ~ Mignon McLauglin

12. Give up your clingy behavior

There’s nothing less attractive than a person who clings onto his/her partner expecting the other person to provide all their emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. Take the “pressure” off of your partner’s shoulders and put it on your shoulders instead. Seek to become the provider of your own their emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. Be the source of your own happiness.

“You have so little faith in yourself because you are unwilling to accept the fact that perfect love is in you, and so you seek without for what you cannot find within.” ~ A Course In Miracles

13. Give up asking for more than you give

“Some of the biggest challenges in relationships come from the fact that most people enter a relationship in order to get something. They’re trying to find someone who’s going to make them feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last is if you see your relationship as a place that you go to give, and not a place that you go to take.” ~ Anthony Robbins

If you enter a relationship expecting to get a lot more than you give, chances are that you will have many marriage regrets. The only way a relationship will last is if you see your relationship as a place that you go to give, and not a place that you go to take. Give more, ask less.

14. Give up your emotional baggage

Make peace with your past. Make peace with your “stuff”. Don’t carry the heavy weights of your past with you into the present. If you want to build a happy, loving and healthy relationship, you have to start fresh, you have to leave your emotional baggage behind.

“The past has no power to stop you from being present now. Only your grievance about the past can do that. What is grievance? The baggage of old thought and emotion.” ~ Lao Tzu

15. Give up attachment

There is a huge difference between love and attachment and what most people call “love” is nothing more than attachment. Attachment comes from a place of fear, while love is pure, kind, and selfless. Love is ready to detach and let go if the relationship between two people becomes toxic and detrimental to the healthy growth and evolution of both parties. Attachment, on the other hand, loves to hold onto toxicity, feeding itself with the pain and suffering of people.

Deepak Chopra says it best with these words: “Love allows your beloved the freedom to be unlike you. Attachment asks for conformity to your needs and desires. Love imposes no demands. Attachment expresses an overwhelming demand – “Make me feel whole.” Love expands beyond the limits of two people. Attachment tries to exclude everything but two people.”

And these are the 15 things you should give up to make not only marriage work but also any romantic relationship.

P.S. It’s very important to understand that some people, no matter how much they love one another and no matter how much they want to make their marriage work, might not be able to do so simply because they both learned the lessons they had to learn and now life calls them in different directions. To paraphrase Elizabeth Gilbert, soul mates, they might come into your life to reveal another layer of yourself to you, to help you see a part of you that you did not know was there, but when the work is done, they will leave, making room for something new, for something better to come your way.

This is why it’s so important to listen to your heart and intuition and make sure that you don’t stay in a relationship that makes you feel dead on the inside simply because that’s what society and everyone around you expect you to do. Your peace of mind, health, happiness, and well-being are more important than anything else. So stay happy!

“The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It’s a choice you make – not just on your wedding day, but over and over again – and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife.” ~ Barbara De Angelis

10 ways you can save over $30,000 on your wedding

2018-03-06T12:05:00.000-05:00

How to cut 27K from your wedding expenses and still make it the party of the year

Weddings are infamous for the price tag that is attached to them. A lot of the cost is dependent on what the wedding industry sprinkles into your mind with magazines and advertising to make you think you need all of these things to have the perfect day. But if you take a step back and break down what you really want, you can easily find ways to plan the party of a lifetime without spending thousands of dollars that you, or your family, don’t really have.

1. Abbreviate your cocktail hour

Instead of splurging on passed apps, cut cocktail hour down from an hour to 30 minutes and only offer one or two things for guests to munch on. You can even cut down on the alcohol options here so that you’re not paying for an extra hour of open bar.

Approximate savings: $2,500

2. Skip the pre-wedding parties

It may not seem like an obvious, but paying for an engagement party and even sometimes your own bridal shower is something you’ll need to add to your wedding budget. These parties alone can be a few thousand bucks, so skip them and pour that extra cash into your big night.

Approximate savings: $3,200

3. Don’t use wedding vendors

Vendors always seem to charge more when they know they are providing a service for a wedding. So instead of searching for wedding DJ’s or photographers, just look up vendors in generals who work all different kinds of parties.

Approximate savings: $1,500

4. Browse the clearance racks

It may seem like a dream to spot your wedding dress on the rack of some tiny designer boutique store in a fancy city like Paris or New York. But you can save a ton of cash if you buy your dress from a wedding dress sample sale or even buy it used. You’ll be wearing the thing for only eight hours, so it’s OK to get something that’s second-hand.

Approximate savings: $2,500

5. Go digital

Paper will cost you a lot of paper! So shake your head at doing traditional wedding save-the-dates and invitations that you stick in the mail and instead go digital. Create your invites online and send them via email. You’ll save your guests paper cuts and you’ll save your money so you can use it on more important things, like a week-long honeymoon to Thailand.

Approximate savings: $2,000

6. Never say "yes" right away

Even if you find yourself sitting in front of a vendor who promises you they’ll help make your wedding one for the record books, never sign on the dotted line until you negotiate. Look over the contract and make sure everything you want is included in the price and then bargain with them to get them to shave off a couple of hundred or even a thousand bucks if you can.

Approximate savings: $1,500

7. Skip the frills

Trust me, nobody remembers what you had custom-printed on your napkins or whether or how many different kinds of flowers you used for your centerpieces. So skip the expensive frills and small details and splurge on what matters the most — good food and music.

Approximate savings: $450

8. Swap the flowers for something else

Flowers are a waste, and an expensive one at that. Instead of using them for bouquets and centerpieces, go with something more creative or homemade that you can pull off with a trip or two to the craft store — and of course, a step-by-step manual from Pinterest.

Approximate savings: $4,200

9. Close your open bar

Not for the whole night. No way! Keep it open for most of the night. But don’t pay for an open bar for the last few hours of your reception. By then, most people will have had enough to drink and if they want more, they can shell out their own cash to pay for it. Limit the number of hours the bar is open, and you’ll save big.

Approximate savings: $1,150

10. Pick an off-season date

Get married on a Friday or Sunday or during an off-season month at your venue or in your city. Picking a popular date to get married will up your costs for not only your venue, but also every single vendor you try to book.

Approximate savings: $8,000

Numbers are based on average costs in wedding contracts I've seen and dealt with.

How to Create a Valentine's Day Getaway Without Leaving Your House

2018-02-13T07:00:00.000-05:00

Once you’ve gotten through Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s, January can feel like a very welcome holiday break—but you’re not in the clear yet. Before you know it, Cupid will be knocking on your door and reminding you that Valentine’s Day is almost here. But who has the time, energy, or money to make this holiday as spectacular as the ones you just celebrated? Don’t give into the pressure. Instead, have a Valentine’s Day that’s totally memorable and low-key, bringing it all back to the real reason Valentine’s Day is celebrated at all: you’re in love!

There’s absolutely no reason to go into debt for the sake of February 14th. After all, when you’re in love every day can feel like Valentine’s Day, and we promise the local French bistro won’t come knocking on your door to ask why you didn’t make a reservation. With a little creativity and some advanced planning, you can have a fantastic Valentine’s Day that you’ll both really enjoy, all from the comfort of your home! Here’s how to make it happen.

Brainstorm Early

Don’t wait until February 13th to start planning. Sit down with your S.O. a week or so in advance and talk about how you want to mark the occasion at home. Would you rather snuggle up with a few movies? Spend the evening in the kitchen together? Order your favorite takeout? Run a bath and relax? Decide what your perfect stay-at-home date looks like, then get planning!

Start Shopping

If you’re going to be cooking together, make a shopping list and head to the store a few days before. You won’t be in a hurry to get home and get into the kitchen, so you’ll have more time to browse the aisles for an exciting ingredient or peruse the selection at your local wine shop. And hey, if they’re out of something you need, you’ll have time to try another store or come back the next day!

Outsource

You don’t have to leave the house to really be pampered and taken care of. Instead, find a pro who will come to you. Hire a private chef to take over the cooking duties and create a custom menu. Many also offer mixology (hello, pre-dinner cocktails!), wine pairings, and dessert, so you can have a real restaurant experience, whether you’re dressed up or in your PJs. You could also find a mobile spa service that will set up a couple’s massage right in your living room for some serious relaxation.

Set the Scene

What makes a Valentine’s Day dinner different from your regular evening regimen? Ambiance! Put together a playlist of songs you love, whether you go old school with Frank Sinatra and Etta James, focus on your favorite jazz tunes, or mix in a little country. Don’t forget your first dance song! Next, light some candles—they’re just as effective at creating romance at home as they were at your wedding reception. Finally, actually set the table! Pull out those beautiful plates and wine glasses you got as wedding gifts, put fresh flowers on the table, and even consider cloth napkins (we love easy, machine-washable varieties).

Start Early

You might have to head to work, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start Valentine’s Day as soon as your alarm goes off. Spend a little extra time together, enjoying breakfast and a cup of coffee. If you’ve got time, put together a delicious meal of eggs, toast, and fruit. Tight for time? Grab pastries from the local bakery the night before, pop them in the oven for a few minutes to warm up, then pretend you’re on a European vacation instead of heading to the office. Better yet, bring thermoses of coffee and the pastries to your bedroom and get back under the covers for a few minutes for an easy breakfast in bed.

Make a Night of It

There’s no one waiting for the later seating at your dining room table, so make the most of it! Start with your favorite cocktail and little nibbles in the living room, then head to the dining room for dinner. Savor your meal, then retreat to the couch for your favorite movie or head to the bathroom for a luxurious and romantic soak. And don’t forget dessert! Enjoy some chocolates or your favorite sweet treats with a nightcap, then climb into bed. What happens there? Well, that’s up to you.

15 Dresses to Wear to a Valentine’s Day Wedding

2018-02-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

Is there anything more romantic than a Valentine’s Day wedding? The ultimate ode to love, a February 14th marriage calls for a guest attire that’s in theme with all things lovey-dovey. So what do you wear to a Valentine's Day wedding? A Valentine's Day wedding means a palette of red, and pink — even purple in certain cases — with pretty details like lace, ruffles, tulle, and sweet floral prints.

As weddings timed to the lover’s holiday can range from casual to black tie, you must first figure out your guest aesthetic.

If you tend minimal, a twist-front ruby satin maxi or a bias-cut crepe dress in candy red is simply gorgeous. Mango makes an exquisite pleated long-sleeve berry gown as an affordable version.

More daring? What about a fringe detailing like a tiered fringe knee-length cocktail number or fringe sleeveless shift? Both made for dancing! Peek-a-boo lace dresses with sheer panels offer a bit of va-va-voom, grommet lace deep-V midi or lace midi dress with a see-through hem.

If you’re into a modern look, a satin tuxedo-style wrap dress is divine. A simple asymmetric dress in tomato red, too. Super sleek and fresh. Or, consider a ladylike tea length dress with an unexpected side cutout or a minimal red and pink color-block dress from.

For those going for an ultra-romantic vibe, floral-embroidered stretch-cotton tulle dress is the epitome of feminine romance. We also love long-sleeve gown with tiers of pastel pink polka dots or intricate tulle lace midi dress with bell sleeves. Girly as can be, yet very tasteful.

There’s also the idea of a print in which case we say go floral! For fancier fetes, something ruffled silk-chiffon midi, contrasting long-sleeve gown, or a metallic jacquard high low gown will be stand-out. For low-key romantic nuptials, we have beautifully understated versions in a range of silhouettes from long-sleeve to maxi to knee-length.

What’s more? All of these dresses make are fitting for date-night attire on Valentine’s day and beyond. Whether you’re shopping specifically for a Valentine’s Day wedding, a formal occasion, or date-night, scroll through 15 options ahead, for every budget and style.

Grace's Secret Women's Sexy One Shoulder Ponti Gown Mermaid Evening Maxi Party Dress, $24.99 Amazon

Viwenni Women Lace Maxi Cocktail Party Evening Fromal Gown Dress, $39.99 Amazon

Babyonlinedress Babyonline off shoulder lace red Mermaid Evening Formal Bridesmaid dress, $64.99 Amazon

Social Graces Women's Wrapped Bodice High-Neck Cold-Shoulder Evening Gown, $109 Amazon

Social Graces Women's Off The Shoulder Ruffle Fluted Midi Skirt Bodycon Party Dress, $89.00 Amazon

Queen Area Womens Sexy Off The Shoulder Mermaid Wedding Evening Party Gown, $36.99 Amazon

Babyonlinedress Babyonline Mermaid Evening Dress For Women Formal Lace Appliques Long Prom Dress, $59.99 Amazon

Ever Pretty Women's One-Shoulder Evening Gown, $34.99 Amazon

Babyonline Trumpet Long Evening Dress Lace Beads Cap Sleeve Gowns, $79.99 Amazon

COLOREDRESS Color E Dress Design Brief Elegant Mermaid One-Shoulder Evening Dress, $49.99 Amazon

Erosebridal Womens Prom Dresses Long Lace High Neck Evening Gown Sexy Mermaid, $105 Amazon

Ever Pretty Elegant Sleeveless Round Neck Party Evening Dress, $45.99 Amazon

Engood Women Wrap Sexy Off Shoulder Strap Flare Sleeve Split Side Long Evening Dresses, $29.99 Amazon

Meier Women's Illusion Long Sleeve Embroidery Prom Formal Dress, $159 Amazon

Pure Beauty Women's Gorgeous Jersey Sequin Trim Evening Dress, $37.99 Amazon

10 Sweet & Sexy Valentine's Day Lingerie You Can Buy Now

2018-02-06T18:19:00.003-05:00

There’s nothing like Valentine’s Day to put you in a saucy little mood. Whether you’re celebrating a recent engagement, your wedding night, on your honeymoon, or simply spicing up date night, treating yourself (and your partner!) to a sexy little something is the perfect way to ignite the mood.

Sure, Valentine's Day lingerie can teeter into racy territory, but it’s not all Fifty Shades of Grey—if you’re not the type to shy away from the pieces that are, go girl. Gorgeous options run the gamut from sweet-as-can-be bralette and skivvy sets, silky robes, and lacy chemises to more daring selections like tie-up corsets, see-through teddies, and risqué sets complete with thigh-high tights and garter belts—oh, la, la!

A Valentine’s day palette suits both the sweet and sexy shopper—for the former, look to pretty pink shades like blush, rose, and bubblegum. You’ll feel oh-so lovely in pale pink silky , lacy cami and brief set, or peachy longline bralette and bow-adorned thong. Or, how about channeling a ‘50s pinup girl in satin balconette bra and high-waist briefs?

Prefer something red-hot? Fiery numbers in crimson, candy apple, and scarlet will do you just right. A garter belt getup, Hot As Hell’s plunging V-neck lace bodysuit, or les boys les girl sheer snakeskin print bra and panty set are sure to spice things up.

If you’re drawn to moodier shades, hues like berry, wine, and ruby are stunning. Or, the fail-safe choice of beautiful black—can’t go wrong there. We love soft floral lace set with lattice strapping, boudoir-approved corset, or Akiko Ogawa’s seduction lace skirt—sexy is built right into the name!

Perhaps you’re shopping for just a piece or two to add a little zing to everyday underpinnings. A delicate thong, cheeky boy short, or embroidered bra are perfect ways to do so.

Ready to get the mood started? Shop our edit of stunning lingerie ahead whether you’re going for demure, playful, or naughty. No need to limit yourself to just one item—we say scoop up several pieces! Nothing wrong with a selection to keep in regular rotation long after February 14th.

Velvet Kitten Sexy Fever Blush Babydoll Lingerie for Women, $17.99 Amazon.

Rozegaga Women's Sexy Deep V Halter Lingerie Lace Babydoll Sexy Tight One Piece, $9.99 Amazon

Ekouaer Women's Satin Lace Trim Slip Chemise Nightgown, $9.99 Amazon

Avidlove Sexy Lingerie Bodysuit Lace One Piece Babydoll Halter Teddy Lingerie, $14.99 Amazon

Zouvo Women Lingerie Satin Nightgown Lace Chemise Spaghetti Strap Sleepwear, $14.99 Amazon

ADOME Sexy Naughty Lingerie Baydoll Nighties Cute Nightdress With Ruffles, $14.99 Amazon

Unilove Sexy Babydoll Lingerie for Women Lace Babydoll Nightwear Chemise Lingerie, $11.00 Amazon

Avidlove Women's Sexy Long Lace Lingerie Nightdress Sheer Gown Chemise G-string, $14.99 amazon

Anyou Sexy Lingerie For Women Floral Lace V Neck Silky Satin Sleepwear Chemise Nightgown With G-String, $9.99 Amazon

ADOME Women Lingerie Lace Babydoll Chemises V Neck Nightwear Satin Sleepwear Slips, $9.99 Amazon

QueenMoon Sexy Lingerie For Women For Sex Long Chemise Long Gown Lace Long Dress Mermaid Evening Dress, $15.99 Amazon

4 Ways to Keep Your Bridesmaids Happy

2018-01-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

If you want a happy wedding, don't piss off your bridesmaids before the big day

Wedding planning would have been horrible if I had not have had such an amazing group of bridesmaids who loved me and who genuinely had my best interest at heart. If you’re in the beginning stages of planning and you haven’t picked your bridesmaids yet, listen up! It’s really important to not put anyone in your wedding who does not want your wedding to be awesome, who is a low-key hater or who may have feelings of jealousy toward you and may or may not really care if things blow up in your face.

Once you have your squad set, it’s important to remain empathetic toward them throughout the process. You love these girls enough to ask them to stand before you and your hubby in the sight of God while you make your vows, so you probably want them to still be friends with you after your wedding.

Agreeing to be in a wedding party is a sacrifice. Here are a few ways to make things a little less stressful on them:

1. Communicate

I created a Facebook group for my bridesmaids. This was a huge factor in unifying my bridesmaids and keeping in touch as a group once things got going. They were able to exchange contact info and I was able to keep them updated about happenings as much as possible. Communication in whichever way you choose is extremely important throughout the planning process. It’s frustrating in any type of planning situation where no one knows what’s going on.

2. Let them pick out their own dress

Unless your bridal party consists of women who are all the same height, weight and shape (clones), it will be difficult to find one dress that is flattering on all of them. We as women also tend to have unique things about our bodies that are not our favorite and that we don’t feel comfortable having on display.

Keeping in mind that we’re all different, I let my girls pick out their own dresses. I chose the designer, fabric and color and they picked which style they wanted. That way, they were not spending money on a dress that they hated and I wasn’t to blame if they picked out a style that was unflattering for their body type.

3. Keep in mind that everyone is working with different budgets

Weddings are expensive. Being in a wedding is expensive. Even being a guest at a wedding is expensive. I tried to keep this in mind with everything I did. A lot of times, your bridesmaids are having to pay for things other than their dresses, such as travel costs, pitching in for the bridal shower, the bachelorette party, shoes, jewelry, makeup, hair — the list goes on — and it’s all for YOUR big day. That’s a sacrifice. Love them for it and try to keep the costs down in as many ways as you can.

4. Don’t be mean

Even if you’re the nicest bride that you can be, someone at some point is going to let you down/piss you off before it’s all said and done. It’s OK because you’re also gonna fall short of perfection before it’s over (this was the day before my wedding for me). The good news is that if you’ve picked the right bridesmaids, then they’re more like your sisters. You get annoyed with each other and then you get over it. If you’re grown enough to get married, then you’re grown enough to handle disagreements like an adult. This may even mean apologizing for things sometimes when you really haven’t done anything to apologize for. I believe that scripture about peacemakers being blessed. Handling negative situations with grace will only work for you and never against you.

Besides, things are so much more fun when you have all your girls together and everyone is at peace. Getting ready on my wedding day surrounded by all the women that I love was my second favorite moment of my wedding, after saying “I do.” I cried a little each time I looked around and took in those moments surrounded by the women who have my heart and who I know have my back no matter what.

How To Not Hate Being a Bridesmaid

2018-01-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

Do these 6 things to not hate being a bridesmaid

The first couple of times you’re asked to be a bridesmaid, you may treat your newfound role as something you accept with open arms and bottles of champagne. But the more and more times you say yes to the bridesmaid dress, the more times you may start to resent, even dislike, being a bridesmaid.

The role of being a bridesmaid is well-known for how expensive, time-consuming and even stressful it can be. By the eighth time I was a bridesmaid, I started to wonder why I wasn’t getting paid to take on a role that suddenly started to feel like it was a part-time job.

So in order to find yourself walking down the aisle with a smile on your face, let me help you not totally and utterly despise being a bridesmaid.

1. Set a budget

One of your first frustrations with your stint as a bridesmaid will be how much cash you’ll find yourself depositing in the upcoming wedding. Before I say yes to the bridesmaid dress and role, I plan out a budget. I list out how much I can spend on this wedding, and then I pinky promise myself I’m going to stick to it. That way, I won’t get mad at myself, the maid of honor or the bride for how much this wedding adventure will cost.

2. Get on the bride’s good side

Remember, being a bridesmaid is all about being Team Bride. So be sure to be there as a supportive friend and force for the bride-to-be. Avoid showing up to pre-wedding events late or taking two weeks to respond to an email. Getting through the wedding without tension between you and the main character of the event is key. You know what they say: happy bride, happy bridesmaid.

3. Don’t get sucked into all things wedding

After weeks and months of taking on unlimited bridesmaid duties, you may start to feel like you’re the one planning the wedding and getting married. Keep a healthy balance of personal time and wedding time so you don’t find yourself burnt out, stressed out or just going out of your mind.

4. Stay off Pinterest

You’ll find yourself spending every ounce of your free time pinning things on Pinterest you otherwise would never care about. Save yourself from a premature wedding pinning addiction by putting a moratorium on your Pinterest account and only forwarding the bride a maximum of seven wedding-related ideas, articles or tips a week.

5. Say no when you want

Get vocal when you can’t attend or afford something. Being passive and shelling out cash you don’t have will only make you resent the bridal party and the bride, leaving you with a less-than-pleasant wedding experience. Whenever I had an issue as a bridesmaid, I would find a lighthearted and easy way to say how I felt and even bring to the table a backup plan or suggestion.

6. Get buddy-buddy with the other bridesmaids

Whether you like it or not, these girls will be your teammates throughout the wedding experience. You’ll rely on each other to be peacekeepers, party starters and even just each other’s sanity. Get to know the other members of the bridal party before the wedding, so that on the day-of you have backup and support to push the day forward and the bride down the aisle.

Wedding Budget: Where To Save And Where To Splurge

2018-01-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

As you’re making these decisions, feel free to use this budget tool to track all your wedding spending.

SPLURGE: WEDDING DRESS

know some people will disagree, but I am a firm believer in going ALL out on your wedding dress. All eyes will be on you, and this is your time to shine! Don’t hesitate to ask for modifications to your dream dress, work with a designer to custom make the perfect dress for you, or even buy more than one dress! My experience working with Jean Ralph Thurin and his team to create my custom wedding dress was more than worth it. I went into the shop several times before the big day to adjust measurements and tweak the design, and we were able to work within my budget to make all my dress dreams come true.

SAVE: FLOWERS & DECOR

Flowers & decor can easily add up to be one of the most expensive line items in your wedding budget. While hunting, we were quoted rates from $2,500 – $12,000! Unless you’re the kind of person who buys flowers regularly and can tell the difference between species, you probably don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on wedding flowers. I’ve never been to a wedding and remembered what kind of flowers were in the centerpieces – guests simply don’t care. To keep costs down, consider using candles (these gold ones are from Ikea!), greenery, lanterns, or vases. You can also buy wholesale flowers and do some of the decor yourself.

SPLURGE: VENUE

While guests probably won’t remember your decor, they will remember your venue’s ambiance and customer service. When venue hunting, pay just as much attention to the personalities of the staff and owners. All it takes is for a guest to have a bad experience at the valet, coat check, or when making a last minute request for a vegetarian dinner to taint their memory of your big day. We chose our venue because the staff was incredibly accommodating of our various needs: multiple ceremonies, outside food, tons of space for guests, and extended hours!

SAVE: ACCESSORIES

I was SO close to buying a pair of Louboutins for the wedding, I had them on my Pinterest board for over a year! Last minute, I decided to buy two pairs of shoes that were combined $600 cheaper than the red bottoms. And guess what I was wearing by the end of the night? $10 fold up flats that no one could see beneath my dress! If you’re like me and will kick off your shoes to dance, don’t splurge on an expensive pair. For the wedding at least… I fully support splurging on shoes in general!

SPLURGE: MAKEUP

Rather than drop extra money on shoes or jewelry, invest in a makeup artist that will create a flawless look for you. You’ll want to look glam in real life as well as pictures and video, so it’s important to book someone who specializes in bridal makeup, and not just your friend who posts great makeup selfies on Instagram. While their work has to be stellar, their personality and professionalism should be too, as they’ll be the person in your face seconds before you walk down the aisle.

SAVE: CAKE

Another thing that your guests probably won’t care about is the cake. As long as it takes good and doesn’t run out, you’re good! I’ve seen some pretty impressive cake displays on Pinterest, but we didn’t think it was worth spending extra money on a part of your wedding that will take up maximum 3 minutes. That doesn’t mean your cake should be boring. We had a cake included in our catering package, but worked with the bakery to switch up the design to something classic, asked our decorator to add a few flowers, and topped it off with a simple topper to make it special.

SPLURGE: FOOD

While the cake doesn’t matter, the food does. People come to weddings expecting great food, so make sure your catering is top notch. One of the comments we continue to hear about our wedding is the abundance of food at the cocktail hour! This came in handy because our dinner actually came out a bit late, but no one cared because they were already full from cocktail hour.

SAVE: MUSIC

I had this really lofty dream of having a fairly new artist sing his melodramatic song as I walked down the aisle. Those dreams quickly dissipated after his manager quoted us $5,000! Do you know what I walked down the aisle to? The same song. Playing through the speakers. And it felt no different! Because music is not about the artist, but about the emotion it evokes. Even if you can afford to have Adele perform at your wedding, trust me, all the attention and talk would be about her, and not you and your spouse! Instead of live music, we just had our DJ (which we found at one of our favorite clubs) play our desired songs, and a friend lead the hymns during the ceremony.

SPLURGE: UNIQUE ELEMENTS

While people don’t care about the details, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t incorporate unique and interesting elements into your wedding. They don’t have to be expensive, but you should definitely “splurge” on thinking about how you can make sure your personalities are reflected in your wedding! We incorporated our African culture in various ways in our wedding, from the music, to the food, to even what we wore.

Designer Spotlight: Pantora Bridal

2018-01-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

Brooklyn based designer, Andrea Pitter, specializes in beautiful and glamorous wedding gowns. She even designed three dresses for her own wedding day.

Pantora Bridal, known for modern textiles and classic silhouettes; combining contemporary flare and a glamorous edge, transforming those key components into the perfect wedding ensemble.

Andrea has developed an approach that is designed to accommodate even the most discerning of clients. She works closely to develop each concept, creating a unique custom experience.

Pantorabridal.com

7 Things You Should Never Ask Your Bridesmaids

2018-01-15T18:18:00.000-05:00

Avoid the bridezilla tag by treating your bridesmaids right

But there are some things a bride should never ask her bridesmaids to do. We're taking serious bridezilla territory here.

1. Change how you look

A bridesmaid revealed on Reddit recently that the bride had asked her to dye her hair because her ginger tresses were too "attention-grabbing." The demanding bride wanted her to make them a "natural brown" to fit in with the other bridesmaids. We can only echo the views of hundreds of Reddit users who told this bridesmaid to stand her ginger ground.

A bride who asks her bridesmaids to change their physical appearance in any way (whether the request is to drop a few pounds before the wedding, cover up tattoos or change their hair color) needs a serious reality check. Brides don't get a veto over every aspect of their bridesmaids' appearances. It doesn't matter if the bride is willing to pay for the dye job/personal trainer/plastic surgery.

2. Not change how you look

Equally, a bride can't ask her bridesmaids not to change their physical appearance. Most maids would probably wait until after the wedding to get that huge shoulder tattoo or bleached-blonde buzz cut. But if someone decides they absolutely have to make that radical change, the bride just has to go with it. Bridesmaids are chosen for their loyalty and friendship, not for how they look.

3. A bridal shower to end all bridal showers

If a bride wants a bridal shower worthy of a Hollywood A-lister (with the budget to match), she has to plan and pay for it herself. Traditionally, bridesmaids organize the shower and meet the cost, so the bride gets what they can afford. Remember, it really is the thought that counts.

4. Ditto for the bachelorette party

The same rule applies to the bachelorette party. If the bride has her heart set on a week-long, no-expense-spared blowout in Vegas, that's fine — but if the maids can't afford it, she's gonna have to be happy with a smaller-scale do. Unless the bride wants to plan and pay for the whole thing herself, she has to hand the reins over to her bridesmaids and let them plan the guest list, decide on the location and arrange the activities based on their budget.

5. Not have an opinion on the bridesmaid's dress

It's the bride's big day, but if she wants happy maids, she has to let them have their say in what they are wearing. Hopefully, everyone will be on the same page, but if there are several bridesmaids, it can be tricky to find a style of dress that suits (and pleases) everyone. Everyone should have their say, and the bride should do her best to accommodate her maids' preferences — within the parameters of her chosen theme/colors, of course. Also, maids should always be consulted about budget before the bridal party even sets foot in the bridal store. A bridesmaid shouldn't have to max out her credit card to pay for an expensive dress.

6. Give up their own lives

Yes, it's the bride's day. The focus should be on her (and, hey, let's not forget the groom). It's natural for a bride to think about nothing else in the run-up to her wedding. But after the wedding is over, she's going to want to still have friends, so she needs to be a good friend herself. This means giving the wedding chat a break for a couple of hours to check in with the maids and find out what's happening in their lives.

7. Confront another bridesmaid who's not pulling her weight

Not all bridesmaids are created equal. Some will throw themselves whole-heartedly into the tasks assigned by the bride, while others will be less reluctant to sacrifice their free time to wedding-related assignments. But if a bride is pissed at one of her maids' lack of effort, it's up to her to deal with it, not pass the buck to another maid. Who wants in-fighting among bridesmaids? That doesn't bode well for a harmonious wedding day, and forced smiles never look good in photographs. If a bridesmaid doesn't seem enthusiastic about her role or isn't pulling her weight, the bride should speak to her directly, and never in front of the other maids.

7 Ways to Find the Right Officiant for Your Wedding

2018-01-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

Initially, your grand wedding plan was to have your BFF get ordained online. But now, a few months out, you and your fiancé have decided that you’d actually prefer a bit more pomp and circumstance behind “I do.” But how do you begin the search for a wedding officiant outside of a traditional religious institution? Here, a super-handy guide.

FIGURE OUT THE TYPE OF CEREMONY YOU WANT

First things first: Nail down the expectations for what you and your fiancé want in your ceremony. Do you want it to be traditional or modern? Will there be any religious aspects? What about the length of time? (For example, you assumed “I do” would be short and sweet whereas your hubby-to-be wanted it to have a variety of readings.) Compare and contrast recent weddings you’ve attended—and family expectations—to be sure you’re on the same page.

THEN ASK AROUND FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

You’d be surprised: Your photographer (assuming you’ve booked one) can be a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the best local officiants to call upon. Think about it: In their line of work, they’ve seen it all. You could also consult a wedding planner or a friend or family member with a ceremony you loved.

OR READ REVIEWS

OK, so you struck out with personal recommendations. Google is another option, for sure. (Just search the name of your town, plus the word “officiant” and start wading through.) What’s most important here is that you read all the online reviews. You can’t trust all of them, that’s for sure, but it will give you a general sense of the person’s style/general vibe and you can go from there. (Bonus points if you can find a video reel of their work.)

INTERVIEW THEM BEFORE YOU BOOK

Your officiant typically receives an invite to the reception, so if you can’t imagine having a conversation with them later over a glass of wine, you probably want to search for someone else. Sure, they don’t have to be your BFF, but it’s important that you don’t feel awkward or uncomfortable around them.

AND MAKE SURE THEY’RE QUALIFIED TO SIGN YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE

Do some research (aka another Google search) to see who can legally marry you in your city and state (for example, NYC has different rules than New York state). Once you know what’s required, ask the officiant if he or she meets those standards. (In some situations, you might be required to get legally married elsewhere, like city hall.)

BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT FROM THE CEREMONY

No matter who you hire, make sure you’re crystal clear about how you want your ceremony to go down. This includes anecdotes you want mentioned, how to pronounce family members’ names (that’s a biggie) and any phrases you’d prefer left out. Most officiants will talk you through what they’re going to say, but the more questions you ask—and restrictions you voice—the better.

AND ASK ABOUT THEIR EXPECTATIONS, TOO

Maybe your officiant double books weddings on the same day, so she needs things to run on time. Or she expects only a few miscellaneous family members outside of the wedding party present at the rehearsal. Just be sure you ask her about her needs, so you’re up to speed ahead of the actual ceremony. After all, the whole thing can’t really happen without her.

5 Things You and Your Partner Need to Talk About Before Getting Engaged

2018-01-02T16:58:00.000-05:00

You’re not even engaged, but you’ve picked out a ring and planned the wedding in your head. (Rustic barnyard chic.) So even though you and your soon-to-be fiancé are on the same page regarding pass-around appetizers (lamb chops or bust), you should also make sure you’re set on the more practical stuff, like whether or not you want to merge bank accounts. They’re not as fun as cake tastings, but these are six things you should definitely decide together.

LOCATION

You two might be having a blast now in your one-bedroom apartment in the city, but where do you see each other growing together long-term? While you envision moving back to the suburb where you grew up, your partner could be dreaming about taking that job in Amsterdam. It doesn’t mean you should stop looking at rings, it just means you should talk about it.

KIDS

No, not just whether you both want them. If you do, when you want them? Avoid surprises after you say your vows—maybe you want to start having kids right away, but your partner wants to wait another five years. It’s a decision you have to make together, and it might actually take longer than one conversation, so give yourself time to come to terms with whatever you land on.

RELIGION

Even if you both grew up going to the same church, chances are there are some differences in how you fit (or don’t fit) religion into your life. It’s also important to be clear about what you expect from your partner when it comes to your practice. Does it mean the world to you to have weekly Shabbat dinners together? Or are you OK heading to mass without your atheist wife? And of course: kids. It’s soooo much easier to talk about whether you’d like your kids to go to Sunday school before you’re getting two hours of sleep a night. So do it now. Trust us.

FINANCES

Money can be the most sensitive subject of all. And that’s exactly why you need to know as much as you can about each other’s spending habits, goals and—yes—debt, before you plan to make it legal. Your money convo should also involve long-term thinking (career goals or buying a place) and short-term plans (vacations).

HOW YOU LIKE YOUR COFFEE

A two-hour discussion about credit card debt is way easier to swallow with a café au lait prepped by your partner and served in your favorite mug. Trust us on this one.

6 Tips For Timeless Wedding Photos

2015-04-30T12:30:00.000-04:00

Sure, your wedding photos may look great now, but will you cringe when you look at them in 5, 10 or 25 years? As you research photographers for your big day and start to think through what you want in your photo album, it's important to figure out how to find a balance between what's on point right now and what's truly timeless. Fashions may come and go, but your wedding photos are forever!

If you follow the idea of keeping things simple and elegant, you are on your way to having timeless wedding photography. I believe that the couple’s love should be the main focus of the photos, that is what will make it truly timeless.

You want images that won't seem stale or passé over time. That may mean avoiding photographers whose work includes images that are over-styled or have too many post-production finishes.

If you want a trendy pose for a picture, that's not a problem. But if all of your formal photos fall into that category, what are you left with? Couples should consider how they'll feel about their photos years after the wedding. Do you want 'clean' timeless images or photos that leave you saying, 'Oh, that picture is so [insert year you were married,]'?

So how do you ensure your wedding photos will stand the test of time? We asked professional photographers to share their tips for how to get classic photos that won't fade like a passing fad.

Tip 1: Review the Photographer’s Portfolio.

Before you hire a photographer, look through his portfolio and get a feel for his style. Are the images very of-the-moment? Do they rely on Instagram-like filters and finishes to get that polished look? If so, know that your album could have a similar feel to what you're seeing online and may end up feeling like a virtual timestamp of exactly when you tied the knot.

Ask the photographer you're considering hiring how he or she shoots weddings. One question I asking is, "Are [the photographers] predominately taking candid photos or are they arranging and staging pictures throughout the day to create photos that are trendy?" The way the photographer answers will reveal a great deal about their end result.

Tip 2: Your Photographer Doesn't Rely on Postproduction to Create a Look.

These days, wedding photography is often synonymous with postproduction, where everything passes through some form of edits, including a coloring and shading, and overall style is finessed until it's just perfect. But that kind of styling can lead to images looking quite dated.

As long as the photographer isn't heavy handed with the post-production filters and processes, the couple isn't going to get many images that could be considered 'dated, remember simple elegance never goes out of style.

Tip 3: Avoid Gimmicks.

Classic photos don't rely on gimmicks to tell the wedding story.

Timeless images are those of the bridal couple doing things they would have done yesterday or 50 years ago: walking, talking, kissing, and looking at one another.

Go gimmick-free and steer clear of what Corey calls 'Pinterest inspiration.' That means "no random objects in the hands and no bridal party running away from a dinosaur" in her book. Instead, she recommends sticking to natural moments that aren't forced.

Tip 4: Avoid a Super Specific Shot List.

Sure, you have specific photos you want for your album (or grandma's mantle), but you might end up hampering your photographer's creativity with a must shoot list.

Once you start telling a photographer that these are the 100 'must have' photos during the ceremony, you're taking all of the spontaneity out of the process.

Besides, many of the photos on shot sheets are often trendy and will create dated photos. Do you really want that shot with everyone in your wedding party jumping for joy? Or one with you and your spouse forming your hands into a heart a la Justin Bieber?

You should still definitely let your photographer know the specific people or backgrounds you want in your images, such as a family portrait with your grandparents or pics of the ceremony site pre-vows.

Tip 5: Say No to Trends.

Being trendy will make your pics look very dated sooner rather than later. Remember the selective coloring of the 80’s and 90’s with a black and white image but a colored rose? Yeah...we can't forget that either.

The 'vintage' look has been very popular for the last several years, but if you can look at a photo and have no idea when it was taken, then you have a timeless photo, when you look back at photos, you want to be immediately transported back to that day emotionally and not be stopped by thinking 'Oh, why did we do that trendy thing?

Tip 6: Hire the Right Photographer.

Make sure you click with your photographer and love his or her style. Your relationship as a couple will be evident in your connection with the photographer.

The truly great photographers will have a photographic 'style' that is their signature. Do not hire a photographer and ask them to shoot as another photographer would. Asking your photographer to be like someone else will likely backfire, so don’t do it.

5 Wedding Splurges That Are SO Worth the Money

2015-04-28T13:00:00.000-04:00

Chances are your wedding budget isn't unlimited, so it's all the more important to get a whole lotta bang for each buck! Since it isn't always easy to decide when to fork over the cash and when to tighten those purse strings, we've put together a list of splurges that are so worth the money.

1. Your Bouquet

While flowers are prominent on your wedding day, your beautiful bouquet is the floral focus!

This is the one floral arrangement that’ll be seen by everybody on the day of the wedding, and will be front and center in most of the pictures after the wedding’s over.

2. Lighting.

Shine some much-deserved attention on your wedding with customized lighting including uplights, candles, and spotlights. It creates ambiance, adds that touch of magic, and highlights key elements such as table décor and flowers.

3. Rentals

Sure you could use the venue’s standard linens, chairs, and drinkware but renting higher quality options can really elevate the look and feel of the reception.

Nothing will quickly cheapen an expensive venue or a Dupioni Silk Table linen in Marsala than ordering lap length instead of floor length linens for your guest tables.

You should splurge on things that will give you the most impact. For example, don’t spend $10 per chair for a 20-minute outdoor ceremony if you want expensive table cloths that will be enjoyed for hours at the reception. Renting charger plates is another easy way to step up your place settings.

4. Photography

Quality photography is always a worthwhile purchase; your photographs are one of the few tangible things you’ll have to keep after your wedding day is over.

Hiring a phenomenal photographer can mean the difference between getting OK wedding photos and totally wow-worthy images.

5. A Wedding Planner

Even if you've been planning your wedding for years (and have the scrapbooks and Pinterest boards to prove it), hiring a professional coordinator is a super smart splurge.

Here’s why: You’ll get logistical help like planning the seating chart or coordinating details with vendors like your photographer and your caterer. Plus, you might just get industry discounts and deals you wouldn't have known about and cost-saving tips from a professional.

What will you splurge on for your wedding day? We want to hear it!

Get Married in a Museum

2015-03-19T09:30:00.000-04:00

Choosing where you have your wedding is, simply put, hugely important. Not only is it the place where you will stand up in front of your loved ones and declare your love for each other, but it is also the place where you will become a family. What you choose to surround yourself with that day will not only add to the fun and atmosphere of the party, but also live in your memory forever. Why not choose a wedding venue that’s important to both of you? Why not get married in a museum?

Museums are wonderful places for weddings for a variety of reasons. They bring history and elegance to any event, but especially a wedding; they are extremely well kept (better kept than even the loveliest of dedicated wedding venues in some cases, since they’re public spaces that are regularly maintained); they already have fantastic, priceless décor; and they come in all shapes, sizes and types.

Image the ambiance that a natural history museum would bring to your occasion? Or the open, eclectic atmosphere of a modern art museum? What about a shoe or pottery museum?

Almost all museums have spaces available for rental, as well as a preferred vendor list of caterers, photographers and rentals. To find the right museum for you, do an online search of museums in your area, then, with this important detail out of the way, you can start dreaming of how you’ll look in that dress standing next to timeless pieces of art.

Get a FREE Wedding Venue Questions Checklist Click Here

9 Unique Wedding Venue Ideas

2015-03-18T14:49:00.000-04:00

Choose a ceremony or reception venue that's entirely out of the norm to instantly set the scene for a wedding your guests will never forget. Bonus: You'll seriously save on decorations -- these super-cool spaces speak for themselves.

Museum Venues

Think beyond the art museum: Natural history museums, city museums, air and space museums, and even children's museums often have spaces to rent after hours. You'll probably have an exhibit as your backdrop (like an awesome dinosaur skeleton), which is the perfect talking point for your guests.

Tip: If you're interested in getting married at a museum, ask whether the staff can provide guided tours for your guests during cocktail hour.

Converted Building Venues

Wedding venues are popping up all across the country in buildings that at one time had an entirely different use. For example, former warehouses, monasteries, factories and even airplane hangars can be rented out for your party. Adding flowers and decor to an unconventional and raw space creates a beautiful contrast. And since some converted buildings are now run by event companies, many amenities (like a kitchen) will be built in.

Tip: If you're working in a space where events aren't typically held you may want the help of an event designer and wedding coordinator.

City, State and National Park Venues

Public parks provide some of the prettiest backgrounds you'll find for your fete. And while they're the perfect spot for an intimate, casual wedding, pulling off an affair on a grander scale can be done. Scout out the scene and do your research: Many public spaces require you to apply for a permit ahead of time and will have some restrictions as far as bringing in rentals, sound, and food and drinks.

Tip: Because you might not be able to set up a tent or book a spot for a long period of time, public parks are typically better suited for your ceremony. Research nearby resorts, hotels and restaurants with a view of the spot you love for your reception.

Conservatory or Botanical Garden Venues

If you've always imagined getting married surrounded by flowers, consider having your wedding at a local botanical garden, conservatory or horticulture center. Many gardens have pretty fountains, tree-lined paths, perfectly manicured flower beds or an ethereal greenhouse where you can marry.

Tip: With high glass ceilings and tons of natural greenery, you won't need to bring in many of your own flowers; decorate with non-floral elements like candles (if they're allowed) and glass vessels.

Historic Libraries

Iconic libraries make the perfect backdrop for a sophisticated soiree. If you love literature, you'll totally fall for the idea of marrying in the midst of the classics.

Tip: Take inspiration from your favorite novels to plan your party.

Boat Venues

Love the water? Plan to wed on any seaworthy vessel: sailboat, yacht, riverboat or ferry. Your guests will love it, and your photographer will be thankful for the changing backgrounds throughout the day.

Tip: You don't necessarily have to get married on the high seas if you want to get married on a boat. For example, some historic ships or out-of-commission military vessels are permanently docked but open for weddings.

Antique Store Wedding Venue

If you spend your weekends antiquing and your house or apartment is filled with flea market finds, then you might be sold pretty easily on the idea of an antique-store wedding. Think about it: All that kitschy-cool decor you'd buy or rent anyway is built right in!

Tip: Mix and match everything on your tables, from the centerpiece vessels to the chargers and glassware to fit the laid-back vintage vibe.

Tree House Venues

Yes, you read that right. You can actually get married in a tree house. Typically these are cottages on stilts in the middle of a forest, with lodging for a few people and stunning views. Talk about taking the woodland wedding theme to new heights!

Tip: Plan a rustic outdoor-inspired wedding weekend full of activities like hiking and campfires.

Theater Venues

If you're into the performing arts, then you'll probably feel right at home marrying on stage. Love the theater but want to get married outside? Then look for amphitheaters in your area. Just keep in mind that summer is usually a big time for events, so you may want to consider early summer or late fall.

Tip: Raise the curtain for your entrance and have your bridal party enter from stage right and left to really play up the performance theme.

Get a FREE Wedding Venue Questions Checklist Click Here

Guest Tracker Workbook FREEBIE

2015-03-13T09:30:00.000-04:00

Guest Tracker Workbook FREEBIE

{Wedding Planning Series}

Tracking Guest RSVPs

Free Download

♥ ♥ ♥

Tracking all of the responses from your invited wedding guests can be quite a nightmare! In our latest weekly Wedding Planning Series feature, we’re not only giving super useful advice on how to manage your RSVPs, but we’re also throwing in a FREEBIE Wedding Guest Tracker printable to help you keep track of your invited guest’s yay’s and nay’s!

Grab Your Free Guest Tracker Workbook Printable

Manage your guest list RSVPs in style with our free Guest Tracker Workbook printable from our weekly Wedding Planning Series.

TIPS FOR TRACKING WEDDING GUEST RSVPS

Invite only as many guests as your wedding venue can accommodate - Although, a quarter of guests are likely to decline, rather be safe than sorry and resist the urge for over inviting.
First number your RSVP cards, before sending - When printing out your RSVP cards, include a number on your guest list that corresponds to each guest’s name and the respective number of plus one’s invited. This will save the day when you’re tracking who has RSVP-ed from a range of RSVP cards without guest names. If this top tip has completely slipped your mind or it’s too late to have it stylishly printed onto your RSVP cards, get your hands on a magical invisible ink pen and start smiling as you’re able to number your RSVP cards without your guests noticing your handiwork under normal lighting.
Set an RSVP deadline and make it stand out – Set a RSVP deadline for your guests to respond by and ensure that it stands out on your wedding invite and/or response card. If possible, set your “RSVP by” date for at least one month before you have to confirm final attendance numbers with your venue and caterer. Destination weddings differ in the vast amount of time needed to plan in advance starting with your Save-the-Dates, which should be sent out about 9 months before your intended wedding date. Invites should be sent at least four and a half months before your Big Day, with an RSVP deadline set for two months before your wedding date so that travel arrangements can be made.
Send your wedding invitations on time - It is generally accepted for your wedding invites to be sent between 3 months to 6 weeks before your wedding date as shown in this uber useful Wedding Stationery Timeline {Wedding Planning Series}. Ideally, you should try to send out your wedding invites 2 months before your wedding date, which will firstly, allow your wedding guests with about one month to respond, and secondly, give you a month to follow up with guests that haven’t rsvp-ed and to confirm final numbers with your vendors.
Introduce your guests to your fabulous friend, RSVP - Keep it short and sweet! In your wedding invite, bring up the inclusion of your RSVP details or response card amongst the details by asking your invited guests to please respond using the attached RSVP or response card to let you know if they’ll be attending. Ensure that your response card stands out from your wedding invitation.
Make RSVP-ing easy peasy - Take the ugh out of your guests responding, by providing them with a few different ways to RSVP depending on what they’d prefer. If you’re dead-set on having actual response cards, then ensure they’re pre-addressed with enough postage stamps included to find their way to you at no cost to your guests. Make sure that your response cards include an email address, name and contact number of a person who will track your RSVPs and/or wedding website that your guests may also respond to.
Track your RSVPs using a spreadsheet - Track your guest’s names and plus one (if applicable), contact details, their yes/ no response and meal preference in a spreadsheet. We’ve created a gorgeous spreadsheet to save you the sweat ‘n time!
Time to follow up - As your guest’s RSVPs begin to trickle in and the RSVP deadline has come and gone, now it is time for you to follow up with those invited guests who didn’t get back to you. Extend a call according to priority from those closest loved ones first, before you tackle the rest.

Grab Your Free Guest Tracker Workbook Printable

Grab our FREEBIE Guest Tracker Workbook printable below!

Get some super smart wedding planner wisdom in our {Wedding Planning Series} can be!

Get Our Wedding Planning Series Here!

Wedding Budget Calculator Workbook

2015-03-12T09:30:00.000-04:00

Wedding Budget Workbook FREEBIE

{Wedding Planning Series}

Your Wedding Budget Breakdown

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Although sticking to a budget may prove tricky when planning your wedding, keeping track of your budget and spending needn't be! Continuing upon our Wedding Planning Series, once again we’re sharing expert advice to take the sweat out of planning your wedding, we have broken down your wedding budget, bit by bit and we’ve thrown in the most fabulous FREEBIE Wedding Budget Workbook to help plan your Big Day!

Establishing your wedding budget is one of the first things to tick off your long list of things to do when planning your wedding. Before making any bookings for your wedding, it's important to first work out your budget, so that you know exactly how much you can dish out on each item of your wedding.

Grab Your Free Wedding Budget Workbook Printable

Enjoy another free printable from our weekly Wedding Planning Series! To keep track of your wedding budget, grab our free Wedding Budget Workbook printable, which will be an invaluable tool while planning your wedding.

Not only does establishing a budget stop you from spending beyond your budget, but it also helps you to not underspend on important items, like photography, for example. While some couples can't confidently decide on a budget before planning their wedding and prefer to decide how much they're happy and able to spend on their wedding items month by month, others prefer to set an established budget before embarking on planning their big day.

Wedding Budget Breakdown

Once you have decided on your total wedding budget, it will be easy to determine how much you can spend on each wedding booking by breaking your budget down into the following ratios.

WEDDING PLANNER: 10% OF BUDGET

10% of Wedding Budget: Wedding Planner | Considering that your wedding planner will be working closely with you, for often a year before your big day, this is a small price to pay for the piece of mind you'll get from having your wedding taken care of by a professional, not to mention the additional savings you'll be privy to in their guidance.

WEDDING CEREMONY: 5% OF BUDGET

5% of Wedding Budget: Wedding Ceremony | This should include the fee for your ceremony venue, as well as your marriage officiates fees, which will include performing your ceremony and the legal registration of your marriage.

WEDDING RECEPTION: 37%-40% OF BUDGET

37% – 40% of Wedding Budget: Wedding Reception | Your wedding reception budget should include your venue hire, menu, beverages, as well as the waiter, bar staff and gratuity.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: 14%-18% OF BUDGET

14% – 18% of Wedding Budget: Wedding Photography | Possibly one of the most important wedding bookings for your big day, is your wedding photography. Do not skimp on your wedding photography.

WEDDING MUSIC: 5%-7% OF BUDGET

5% – 7% of Wedding Budget: Wedding Music | This amount is set aside for your DJ and depending on the size of your budget, a live musician or band too.

FLOWERS AND DECOR: 10% 15% OF BUDGET

10% – 15% of Wedding Budget: Flowers and Decor | A very important wedding item is your wedding flowers and decor, if you can, you could spend up to 20% of your budget on this item as this will be one of the main aspects of your wedding that your guests remember.

ATTIRE: 10%-15% OF BUDGET

10% – 15% of Wedding Budget: Attire | This portion of your budget should cover your bridal gown and grooms suit, as well as your bridesmaids, groomsmen outfits and your bridal party's hair and makeup. As this could be a tight squeeze, she advises that you spend with caution in this area.

WEDDING STATIONARY: 3% OF BUDGET

3% of Wedding Budget: Wedding Stationary | This amount should account for your save-the-dates, invitations and all on the day wedding stationary such as your order of service, seating chart, table numbers, name cards, menus and thank you cards. As stationary can be quite pricey, she identifies this as another area of your wedding that requires you to spend wisely.

TRANSPORTATION: 2% OF BUDGET

2% of Wedding Budget: Transportation | I would recommend that couples leave this item till the end stages of their wedding planning in case they prefer to allocate this portion of their budget elsewhere. This is because their guests will never notice that they didn't have that cream, 1975 Rolls Royce dropping you off at your ceremony if you didn't manage to book it. Hiring any kind of transportation when your family could be driving you is considered more of a luxury, for after all the other important wedding items have been booked.

GUEST FAVORS: 2% OF BUDGET

2% of Wedding Budget Guest Favors | To budget for gifts for your guests should divide 2% of your budget by your number of guests to determine how much to spend per person.

It's easy to feel pressure to spend more than this, but remember that the people who attend your wedding are there to celebrate in your beautiful union, and the guest favors should really just serve as a memento of their special evening spent with you,”.

RESERVE: 2% OF BUDGET

2% of Wedding Budget: Reserve | Lastly, it's important to set aside some of your budget for any unexpected expenses, or price increases. If you're careful when making your bookings and clear about the date of your wedding, unexpected expenses should be unlikely, but it wouldn't hurt to set some money aside just in case!

Breakdown List of Your Wedding Budget

Ultimately, these numbers are flexible according to what your wedding priorities are. For some, stationary is hugely important, while music is just a random wedding necessity, so they'd rather spend more on seating charts and menus, than on their DJ, for example. It's important to have a good think about what's most important to you both, before setting out your wedding budget breakdown. Listed below is a suggested breakdown of your wedding budget.

Wedding Planner: 10% of Budget
Wedding Ceremony: 5% of Budget
Wedding Reception: 37%-40% of Budget
Wedding Photography: 14%-18% of Budget
Wedding Music: 5%-7% of Budget
Flowers and Decor: 10% 15% of Budget
Attire: 10%-15% of Budget
Wedding Stationary: 3% of Budget
Transportation: 2% of Budget
Guest Favors: 2% of Budget
Reserve: 2% of Budget

Grab Your Free Wedding Budget Workbook Printable:

Oh my! Good looks and brains! Not only is our free wedding budget planner download the prettiest wedding budget workbook around, it will also help make planning your wedding on budget a breeze!

Begin your wedding planning journey by establishing your budget in style! Go ahead and grab our FREEBIE Wedding Budget Workbook printable below!

We hope that our wedding budget breakdown has made it easier for you to plan your budget to include all of the special touches that will bring your Big Day together. Remember to keep up to date with all of our weekly Wedding Planning Series advice features! Check out our previous Selecting a Marriage Officer {Wedding Planning Series} feature, which shares key guidelines for choosing the right marriage officer for you.

Enjoy Our Wedding Planning Series Here!

10 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR BRIDESMAIDS FEEL SPECIAL

2015-03-11T09:30:00.000-04:00

You are such a kind bride wanting to learn a few tips and tricks to ensure your bridesmaids feel special! Read on and Happy Wedding day!

Ask them to be in your wedding party in a special way. You don't have to spend a lot of money but a sweet gesture that required thought will truly show how special it is to you for them to stand by your side - and they will gush about how much they loved the way you popped the question!

Planning an out-of-town or far away destination wedding? Help your maids get there. Traveling costs are daunting and can add up so help relieve the stress for your girls by helping out with some aspect of the travel cost. For example provide a room for them to stay in or gift each bridesmaid a Visa gift card to help out with their flight.

Let them mix and match dresses. Not one bridesmaid is the same and neither is their budget or body shape. Give your bridesmaids a swatch of the color(s) you are wanting and let them have the freedom to choose style and price range. This is a win, win as your bridesmaids will be comfortable in their selection and will likely have invested in a dress they will wear again for other occasions.

Spend a day in the shoes you are selecting for your bridesmaids to wear. If you don't feel comfortable in them for an extended period of time... do you really want them to have to smile and grin the blisters and aches throughout your big day? They will love you for choosing comfort over style!

Give them a detailed schedule of the wedding weekend before hand including what aspects are mandatory and which are not. They will appreciate you communicating with them so they are able to make proper arrangements for themselves, and their children, etc..

8. Gift your girls something personalized. It is so much more meaningful than gifting them identical things. This way they really cherish the thought that was put into it. If you need ideas check out our shop- we have customizable hankies, totes, tanks, and more waiting for you here.

Take a few moments at your rehearsal dinner to introduce all your bridesmaids. It is likely that neither your family or husband's family members are familiar with each of your bridesmaids so it is the perfect time to share how you met with the people in your life. It also gives you one more opportunity to thank each bridesmaid individually for being there.

Have some pampering girl time. Whether it's a day at the spa or some time set aside for you girls to do self manis and pedis, that bonding and prep time is so fun and you will all feel in sync when it comes to the wedding day. You don't have to spend a fortune on spa time... just break out the polishes, make some home made teeth whitener, and get the tanning lotion going together the night before for girls night.

Give them small day-of tasks. They will feel appreciated if they can help you check off your to do list rather than just showing up and looking pretty. If they are able to contribute to your big day they will feel even more included!

Feed them throughout the day of the wedding! Seems like a no brainer, right? But having snacks and drinks throughout the day is an absolute must! They are spending the day with you, so the least you can do is nourish them starting with coffee and breakfast all the way to your wedding dinner.

Thank each of your bridesmaids individually with a hug before your wedding reception exit. It is likely that you'll be jetting off on a honeymoon and be unplugged on vacation with your now husband for a while. Make sure you show some love to each of them before the night is over.

Wedding Table Planner Seating Chart Workbook

2015-03-10T12:11:00.001-04:00

Wedding Table Planner & Seating Chart Workbook {Wedding Planning Series}

Wedding Table Seating Planning

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In a former Wedding Planning Series feature, we dished out awesome advice for How to plan your guest list {Wedding Planning Series} by dealing with a few tricky guest list situations! This Tuesday we share top tips for seating your wedding guests.

Even if you’re keen to dodge this task or delegate it to someone else like your wedding planner or mum, planning your wedding table seating is something that you and your hubby-to-be may have to personally see to as you’re likely to know most of your guests best. Soak up our prized tips below to guide you along your way and be sure to grab our heaven-sent freebie Wedding Seating and Table Planning Worksheet printable to add to your wedding planning file!

Get Your Free Wedding Seating & Table Planning Sheet Printable

While referring to your list of wedding guests who have confirmed their attendance, download and use our free Wedding Seating and Table Planning Sheet Workbook printable to help you arrange your seating in record time, minus the sweat and tears!

General Wedding Table Seating Tips

Plan enough time for your wedding table seating planning - A mouthful indeed! Even if you’re dreading the thought of planning who sits next to who, rather put aside enough time to get it done, so as to avoid making last minute mistakes.

Expect last minute changes by being prepared - Last minute RSVPs or cancellations are inevitable and should be prepared for! Although you should start your table seating planning as soon as your response cut-off date has arrived, try to add your finishing touches to it as close to your wedding date as possible. This will allow you to update your seating plan or escort cards accordingly. An easily editable seating plan created from a blackboard or mirror background are perfect for making hasty last minute changes.

Plan your guest table seating according to your venue - Get a copy of the floor plan of your venue so you can visualise the venue and consider any immovable structures such as walls or pillars and so you know where the entrances, exits and lavatories are.

Assign your guests a table, not a seat - As opposed to having no seating plan at a more informal affair, which could get a little tricky; allocate your wedding guests a table number or name and allow them choose their own seat.

Aim for no more than 10 guests per table - Of course this depends on the type of table (round or rectangular), but between 6 to 10 guests per table is ideal for guests to sit comfortably and chat.

Have a seating plan or two as a guide for your guests - More traditional weddings call for a seating plan that allows for the seamless seating of your guests. Displaying a large seating plan or two will easily direct your guests to their table minus the traffic jam usually caused at larger weddings!

TIPS FOR SEATING GUESTS AT THE HEAD TABLE

Choose between a top table, sweetheart table or other - Depending on how formal or casual your wedding is and your personal preference, you can either have a traditional top table that seats the newlyweds and a few members of the bridal party or a cute sweetheart table for just the two of you. Then again, place your own twist on tradition by mixing it up with a few close friends and family at the table where you are sitting!

Sit within facing view of your guests - Whatever seating option you choose, try to position your table and seating within facing view and easy reach of your guests.

TIPS FOR SEATING GUESTS AT YOUR WEDDING

Make sure each guest knows and gets along with someone at their table – Remember that a wedding is an event that your guests may look forward to and enjoy catching up with long lost friends and family members, so try to place them near to other guests that they do know and get along with. Create tables where each guest or couple knows and gets along with at least one other person or couple and would enjoy the occasion even if they didn’t click with the rest of the table. If you can avoid it, don’t attempt to place your guests at tables with others that they don’t see eye-to-eye with.

Seat guests at a table where they have shared interests and backgrounds - This is especially important when seating guests who are not part of a group such as your family, close group of friends or colleagues. Mix ‘leftover’ guests across the rest of your tables where common interests or backgrounds are shared. If possible, allow guests who are likely not to know anyone else or to be seated near to anyone that they know, to bring along a plus-one.

Seat groups of guests together where possible - Try to seat couples, groups of friends, family members and work colleagues together at their own tables and mix in a few single or leftover guests.

Reach for the icebreakers to well…break the ice - If you can’t avoid splitting up guests or would prefer to push your guests to get to know your friends and family better by seating them at a table full of strangers, then break the ice by having fun table games or quizzes.

Seat older guests carefully - Consider that older guests may appreciate being seated closer to the lavatories and where the speeches are being held, yet further away from blaring loud speakers, the dance floor and a noisy kids table.

Consider your guest’s seating needs - For instance, pregnant guests or guests with wheelchairs may need more space at their table and closer access to exits and lavatories.

TIPS FOR SEATING CHILDREN AT YOUR WEDDING

Seat younger kids with their folks - It will be easier for everyone if younger children are seated with their parents. Coloring books and crayons, comics and similar amusing distractions can be useful to keep smaller kids entertained.

Seat older children at their own table - Older children and teens may appreciate having a table to themselves, preferably closer to the back of the room or exits so they can move about.

Get Your Free Wedding Seating & Table Planning Sheet Workbook

Plan your wedding seating like a professional with our free Wedding Seating & Table Planning Sheet Workbook printable from our weekly Wedding Planning Series.

PS. Signed up already? Using the password sent to you when you first signed up, gain access to this freebie and more by visiting our downloads section.

For tracking your wedding guest RSVPs, grab our free Guest Tracker Workbook FREEBIE {Wedding Planning Series} plus a few crucial tips for collecting your guests’ yays and nays in record time!

Follow our entire wedding planning series by clicking here.

10 Jaw Dropping Wedding Updos

2015-03-09T09:30:00.000-04:00

A lineup of updo awesomeness that will rock your world. Think classic chignons, sophisticated top knots and everything in between.

GLAMOUR, GLAMOUR AND MORE GLAMOUR

JO CLARK OF BLUELLA PHOTOGRAPHY

Words can't even begin to give this auburn updo justice. It's all sorts of fabulous.

WHIMSICAL BEAUTY

JANAE SHIELDS PHOTOGRAPHY

This is what a sophisticated updo with a dash of whimsy looks like. We love.

SIDESWEPT MAGIC

Classic with a twist... literally.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY KOLLAR PHOTOGRAPHY /PHOTOGRAPHY BY TANYA SALAZAR / FLORAL DESIGN BY SARA GAST / HAIR PIECE BY GLIDED SHADOWS

FLOWER POWER

Add a good ol' helping of floral goodness to any updo and the result is pure magic.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARLOTTE JENKS LEWIS PHOTOGRAPHY / FLORAL DESIGN BY HOLIDAY HOUSE WEDDINGS & EVENTS

CURLS A PLENTY

Layers upon layers of silky curls just scream "wedding day perfection."

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT AND KATHLEEN PHOTOGRAPHERS / EVENT DESIGN BY JUBILEE EVENTS

BOHEMIAN BEAUTY

This is boho meets vintage in the best possible way.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE LARSON / FLORAL DESIGN BY PANACEA EVENT FLORAL DESIGN / EVENT DESIGN + STYLING BY MARK PADGETT EVENT DESIGN

BRAIDED BEAUTY

A braided updo like this is seriously perfect for a sunny day at the beach... or anywhere, really.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GABE ACEVES PHOTOGRAPHY /FLORAL DESIGN BY CACHE FLEUR

STUNNING TOP KNOT

We wanted to leave you speechless. I think we've achieved our goal.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY POLLY ALEXANDRE HTTP

VINTAGE LOVELY

Lady Mary would be soooo proud of this gorgeous do.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELA SHAE / DESIGN, STYLING + STATIONERY BY ANASTASIA MARIE

VINTAGE SWEETNESS

A Gatsby-inspired updo that will leave your guests drooling.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CANARY GREY PHOTOGRAPHY /CONCEPT, STYLING, EVENT + FLORAL DESIGN BY A DAY IN PROVENCE

10 Bridal Hair Dos And Don’ts

2015-03-06T09:30:00.000-05:00

Nobody likes bad hair. And one day you really can’t afford a bad hair day is on your wedding day. So how can you ensure your hair is just as perfect and beautiful as you want your wedding day to be? With these tips, of course! Keep these 10 bridal hair dos and don’ts in mind for wedding hair day perfection.

1. DO always book a trial appointment

Whether you’ve known your hairstylist for years or are booking with someone who came highly recommended, you should absolutely book a wedding hair trial. This is especially important if you’re trying out a new bridal hairstyle since something may look great in a magazine, but might look different on you! you may need more than one trial and that is totally normal. Most stylists will offer a wedding hair trial discount if you book both a trial run and day-of hairstyle. And if you’re having a destination wedding, consider flying in a few months or days before the wedding so you can be absolutely sure this is the hairstylist for you.

2. DO be honest with your stylist

Your hairstylist wants to give you exactly what you want, so by all means, please speak up! It’s the best way to make sure you are 100% happy with your wedding day hairstyle, so be as open and clear as possible in your communication as possible.

3. DON’T try something that’s just not you

It can be tempting to try a hairstyle that’s totally fresh and different, but don’t go for something that’s just not “you”. Don’t choose something completely out of character. Brides usually regret doing anything of that sort. Your wedding day is a day to shine and looks like your best self, not someone entirely different that your hubby won’t recognize.

4. DO get the dress first

If you haven’t said yes to the dress, don’t settle on a hairstyle just yet! I always suggest having the dress picked out before the hair trial. Having the dress is a huge help on deciding whether to wear hair up or down and what kind of style would complement the dress.

5. DON’T go drastic

Weeks before your wedding is not the time to schedule a drastic haircut or hair color change. Instead, make sure you’ve scheduled any needed hair maintenance at least a few weeks before the big day.

6. DO schedule your dress fitting the same day as your hair trial

There’s no better way to get an idea of the whole look than scheduling your hair and makeup trial the same day as a dress fitting! You’ll be able to see exactly how it all works together before your actual wedding day and make sure your hairstyle matches your wedding dress. Don’t forget to take plenty of pictures!

7. DO get a hair treatment

For shiny hair that’s in tip top shape, don’t forget to schedule a hair treatment a week before your wedding day. An in-salon deep conditioning treatment will help make sure your locks are in beautiful condition for your wedding day.

8. DON’T forget about hair accessories!

Even if you’re going with a classic bridal hairstyle, a beautiful bridal hair accessory is a gorgeous way to add a little pizazz to your look. Pins, headbands and floral hairpieces can bring that bit of bling to your wedding day.

9. DO take photos with you

Telling isn’t the same as showing, so bring as many photos as you can to your hair appointment! This will really help your hairstylist know exactly what you’re looking for, and he or she will be able to recommend ways it may or may not work for you and how to make the hairstyle even better.

10. DON’T over think it

Sometimes, less is more. A simple, sophisticated hairstyle can look effortlessly elegant. And a glammed up version of your everyday hairstyle (maybe with a gorgeous hair accessory), can be quite beautiful. I always recommend styles that won’t look dated as you look back on your pictures in the future. Classic looks are always a smart idea for creating an everlasting photo.

Sophia Tolli Bridal Collection Spring 2015

2015-03-05T09:30:00.000-05:00

Some amazing wedding dresses by Sophia Tolli. These bridal gowns provide both classic and couture designs including strapless ball gowns, A-line dresses, halters and slim skirts. Wedding dresses with Sophia’s signature draping and corset backs provide an impeccable fit. Sophia adds, “My collection has two distinct feelings: soft romanticism and traditional bridal drama. My signature style will always be gowns with an exceptional fit and cut.”

10 Delicious Desserts for Your Wedding Day

2015-03-04T09:30:00.000-05:00

If you’re skipping the cake and serving something extra special for dessert, get inspired by these delectable goodies.

ashley kelemen photography

Macarons

These delicate French confections are refined and oh-so-tasty. Ooh la la!

Juan Maclean Photography

S’mores

Nothing says togetherness quite like roasting marshmallows fireside. Give your guests s’more than they ever expected by surprising them with all the fixings to make this sweet treat.

One Love Photo

Milk and Cookies

Milk and chocolate chip cookies for the ride home.

Joielala Photographie

Doughnuts

Doughnut lovers will rejoice when they set their eyes on these goodies frosted in your wedding colors and topped off with festive sprinkles. This ultra-indulgent snack will hit a high note.

Jessica Claire

Frozen Yogurt

Not everything has to be handmade for the big day. Give a nod to your favorite neighborhood establishment and share their best-selling flavor with family and friends.

Jessica Claire

Milkshakes

Miniature milkshakes donned with decorative straws look just as good as they taste.

Focus Photography Inc

Pie Pops

Cake pops may be a favorite, but their not-so-distant cousin—pie pops—are a little less expected and just as delicious.

Avant Images

Candy Bar

There’s no sweeter way to thank your guests than sending them home with a bag full of their favorite candy.

Kathryn Barnard

Ice Cream Sandwiches

Imagine the excitement when guests find stacks of sweet goodness waiting on the tables.

Cappy Hotchkiss

Ice Pops

After a long night of dancing, a cool treat is the perfect option for departing friends and family.

A Sunny Budget-Friendly Wedding

2015-03-03T11:10:00.002-05:00

Hand-crafted, creative details can make your wedding day special—without taxing your budget.