"I Do" Times Two

My Pre-Wedding Health and Wellness Plan!

2012-02-12T16:16:00.000-05:00

Later in the week I plan on going more in depth with my plan to get fit and healthy by my wedding day. For now, I have made up a list of goals for February.

Spotlight On: Unique Headpieces

2011-12-13T07:52:00.001-05:00

Although it is considered traditional, there's not reason you have to wear a simple veil on your wedding day. There are more and more alternatives popping up, from crowns of flowers to sparkly combs. They can be expensive, so try searching sites such as Etsy if you're on a tighter budget.

Here are just a few of my personal favorites.

Frankie Bridal Halo- $145

Etsy- $30

Ban.do- $300

Ban.do- $250

Etsy- $64

BHLDN- $290

Etsy- $315

Etsy- $100

Spotlight On: Eco-Chic Wedding Dresses

2011-12-12T16:14:00.001-05:00

Looking for a unique, eco-friendly gown for your wedding? The Cotton Bride offers hand sewn, couture gowns starting around $1,800. The line was started in October of 2007 by designer Chris Kole. His dresses are made from all-natural cotton and linen fabrics and come in many different styles. More information is available on www.TheCottonBride.com

Here are just some of the many gorgeous dresses:

Malaika- Fall 2011

Adey- Fall 2011

Luladey- Fall 2011

Eugeneia- Winter 2010

The bottom can be zippered off to create a short, fitted dress.

Antigone- Winter 2010

Coco- Fall 2011

Mahlu- Fall 2011

Menay, Malaika, and Rahel- Fall 2011

Choosing a Wedding Photographer

2011-12-10T16:03:00.001-05:00

When it comes to wedding photography, the choices can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of photographers in any given area. In order to narrow down your selection, you need to decide what you want out of your photographer. Obviously, we all want beautiful images. But what else makes a photographer different?

For me, a big selling point is the rights to my images. Some photography packages include a CD or flashdrive of all images taken. Others do not. I can't imagine not owning every single photo from my wedding, but other people just want prints of the best images.

Another big issue is pricing. The cost can easily exceed $5,000. Be wary of "discount packages", which may include features you wouldn't necessarily buy on their own. Also, many up-and-coming photographers take beautiful pictures for a fraction of the cost of what big-name companies charge. Don't assume a photographer is the best because you saw them featured on a popular wedding website or television show.

A good way to determine whether or not a photographer is for you is to do your engagement shoot with them. You'll be able to see how you get along with them and whether or not they fit your wedding style. Consultations can also tell you a lot about them without costing you a penny.

Wedding photographs are important. Do your research to make sure you are getting the best photographer without going out of your budget.

Product Review: Nutra Nail Gel Perfect

2011-12-08T16:11:00.001-05:00

When you first get engaged, everyone will ask to see the ring. Your hands will be on display constantly. Don't you want them to look their best?

I am horrible when it comes to nail polish. I can't keep it from chipping on my fingernails, no matter how hard I try. I can keep a pedicure perfect for weeks, but I will, without fail, ruin a manicure within two days. I recently discovered Shellac, a gel-polish hybrid that is built to last. I have had it done twice now and have been pleased with the results It lasted more than a week, even while scrubbing fish tanks and doing dishes. However, there are some downsides. You have to have it done in a salon, where it costs at least as much as a standard manicure, if not more. The salon uses a UV light to help it set, which leads to premature skin aging and even skin cancer. Some people have reported pain in their fingertips during the process. My biggest problem was the condition of my nails after removing the polish. Although it left them feeling strong while the color was on, my nails felt paper thin in spots where the polish had peeled up. Shellac is great for special occasions when you want to be sure your color won't chip, but I don't think it is practical for everyday use.

Shellac has its perks, but it's not a perfect product.

A few days ago, I noticed Nutra Nail Gel Perfect on the shelves of my local CVS and decided to give it a try. The product promises shiny, strong, Shellac-like nails that dry fast without the UV exposure. I picked a rich red called Peony, perfect for the holidays. The package comes with three bottles: the color, the activator, and cleaner. It also comes with simple instructions that include a web address for a YouTube tutorial, if you are still feeling confused.

The Nutra Nail Gel Perfect package.

Application was as easy as normal nail polish. The activator goes on first. Before it can dry, you apply a thin coat of color. In between coats of color, you soak the color brush in the cleaner to prevent it from drying on the brush. A second coat of activator goes on next, then another coat of color. You end up with a total of four coats: Two activators, two colors. My nails dried within five minutes, as promised. They look smooth and shiny, too.

The color, the cleaner, and the activator.

Overall, I have been very pleased with this product. I will be sure to update this post as soon as the color begins to chip to let you know how long it lasts! Update: Nails chipped after four days. Lasted twice as long than normal polish does for me.

The finished product!

Christmas Gift Guide

2011-12-04T15:20:00.001-05:00

For the Bride to Be:

Perfect for the rehearsal! Etsy- $45

A must have for all brides. Ms. and Mrs.- $25

Classy Bride-$6

A great bachelorette party gift! Victoria's Secret- $38

Victoria's Secret- 3 for $30

For the Groom:

Perfect for the rehearsal! Etsy- $62 with matching "Bride" dress

Customizable colors! The Wedding Chicks $24

Ms. and Mrs.- $49

For the Bridesmaids:

Classy Bride- $24

Victoria's Secret- 3 for $30

For the Groomsmen:

The Wedding Chicks $24

Colors are customizable! The Wedding Chicks- $24

Ms. and Mrs.-$12

Others:

The Wedding Chicks- $15

Mother of the Bride Survival Kit Ms. and Mrs.- $25

Mother of the Groom Survival Kit Ms. and Mrs. - $25

The Bridal Party Dilemma

2011-12-03T22:48:00.001-05:00

Many brides find themselves asking the same question: How many people should I have in my bridal party? TheKnot.com recommends one bridesmaid and one groomsmen per fifty guests as a rough guideline. Personally, I think this number seems low. For smaller weddings (up to 100 guests), I would stick to three or four maids with maybe one flower girl. Larger weddings can have larger parties with more attendants.

For some, the wedding party includes all of their close family and friends.

Ultimately, the decisions is up to the bride and groom. If you feel like including your seventeen cousins, then you should! It's your day. These are just general guidelines for those who need a little help deciding.

Some people choose to stick with just a Best Man and Maid of Honor.

Color Scheme

2011-11-27T21:00:00.001-05:00

I have decided on colors for my wedding (although there is always a chance I will change my mind in the next 600-some days)... Pink and gold! I want to use soft shades of blush, rose, champagne, and maybe some peach. They're so romantic and delicate. Below are some inspiration pictures I have saved.

I am in love with this bouquet.

I would like to incorporate lots of flora. The greenery is a nice complement to the soft, warm tones.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T21:37:00.001-05:00

I really hope to have a new post soon... I have found lots of inspiration and new ideas that I plan on sharing as soon as possible! Until then, enjoy the holiday!

Engagement Photoshoot Inspiration

2011-11-14T19:50:00.002-05:00

I really liked the butterflies in this one.

So pretty!

An Alice in Wonderland-inspired shoot.

The Notebook is a popular source of inspiration.

This one was inspired by Pixar's Up!

I love how original this Portal-themed Save the Date is.

Taylor Swift Concert

2011-11-13T14:26:00.001-05:00

Last night, Charles and I celebrated our engagement at Taylor Swift's Speak Now concert at the St. Pete Times Forum. What a night! I received a call from my mom two days before telling me she had suite level tickets courtesy of Miller Coors (she owns a restaurant and sometimes gets perks from vendors). The suite was really nice, with soft arm-chair seats and two attendants waiting on the eight of us. There was free sushi, chips and dip, wraps, desserts, and of course, beer. The opening acts were talented, but I'll admit I was glad to hear them finish. My inner fan girl squealed when the first few notes of "Sparks Fly" started playing. Taylor sounded excellent, not missing a note. The whole show was done theatrically with lots of skilled dancing and fireworks.

My favorite moment was during the encore when Taylor sang "Ours". Charles (who had been holding my hand the whole time) smiled at me and asked if the song reminded me of us. I nodded and asked if it could be our first dance song. He agreed and gave me a kiss on the cheek that made my heart melt. It felt like a cheesy romantic-comedy moment, but in a good way! It was definitely a magical night.

The Renaissance Vinoy Resort Reception

2011-11-10T21:36:00.002-05:00

My mom suggested I look at some local venues to compare the cost to the Disney weddings. One of her first suggestions was the Vinoy in St. Petersburg. It's still a bit on the pricey side, but it looks like I could pull it off for a lot less than Disney. Plus, one of the dinner options includes a fancy macaroni and cheese bar!

The ballroom looks absolutely gorgeous.

I will definitely be paying a visit at a later date.

Are Engagement Shoots a "Must"?

2011-11-10T21:30:00.001-05:00

I'm beginning to realize just how common engagement photoshoots are. I wasn't necessarily planning on doing one, but now I'm starting to change my mind. The pictures come in handy for personalized invitations and such. They'd also be nice to have at the wedding. What do you think? Are they a necessity?

To Disney or not to Disney? That is the question...

2011-11-08T18:31:00.000-05:00

When I got engaged, my sister's first question was "Are you going to have the wedding in Disney?", since it is one of my favorite places. I honestly hadn't thought about it before, because I misread somewhere that the weddings were limited to a small number of guests. I also assumed that having a Disney wedding would look "tacky" and ""hokey". As I began to look into them more, I realized you could have a very beautiful, classy wedding on the property without having to go full-Disney. Another thing that attracted me to their weddings was the flexibility of choosing from their ideas or coming up with my own. I am a little lost when it comes to wedding planning, so I do think I will need help figuring out how to do the centerpieces and what kind of favors to hand out. One other big draw to Disney is the fact that, well, it's Disney. I want to have my wedding on Saturday over the Columbus Day weekend and use Sunday as a family day before jetting off on my honeymoon. In Disney, this day could be spent at the park. Disney offers discount tickets for wedding guests, as well as cheaper hotel rooms. I have quite a few children on my guest list who would love a reason to go to Disney.

The biggest, perhaps most obvious problem with a Disney World Wedding? The cost.
If you're only inviting 18 guests, you can have an "Escape" wedding for a pretty fair price. However, once you go above 18 guests, things start to add up. The "Wishes" wedding is the middle level, which allows for a more reasonable number of guests. The 2012 minimum expenditures are as follows:

Monday-Thursday
$12,000++

Friday & Sunday
$15,000++

Saturday
$20,000++

Friday, Saturday, Sunday (9:00 A.M. and 10:00 A.M.)*
$12,000++

In order to have my wedding on Saturday afternoon, I would be guaranteed to spend at least $20,000. This can include many important purchases, such as food, floral, and entertainment. However, it also leaves out a lot, such as the gown and the rings. Seeing as the average wedding now costs more than $25,000, this number doesn't look too unreasonable. However, not everyone wants to drop all that cash on a one day event.

The highest level, the Couture Collection, starts at $65,000. It is described as a celebrity-style affair with over-the-top attention to detail. The pictures look absolutely gorgeous, too. If you've got a $100,000 budget, then by all means, this is a great choice, but for the rest of us, there's the Wishes and Escape collections.

What are your thoughts? Are Disney weddings too childish? Are they too expensive? Have you had a Disney wedding?