{image source: Cupcake Bag, Flower, Vintage, I Do, Hearts}
Tag Archives: Weddings
This one’s for the groom – The Eldredge Tie Knot
It’s all about the details!
Here is an attention grabbing detail that will definitely add a little flair to a simple tux or suit. The Eldredge necktie knot resembles a braid and can be achieved in 15 easy steps. If you plan on adding this feature to your groom’s or groomsmen’s wedding ensemble, keep the outfit simple and let the tie be the focal point. .
Need a little more help? Check out the video tutorial here.
Happy planning! xoxo
Baby Got Back
Before you pick the dress of your dreams consider this – The back of your dress will be with be the focal point for a good portion of your wedding. Take a look.
1) Ceremony
2) First Dance
3) Father – Daughter Dance
4) Bouquet Toss
5) Cake Cutting
Which means, your photographer will probably snap a few shots of you from behind. To ensure your backside is ready for its close up, pay attention to one important detail that sometimes gets forgotten. The back of your dress.
Happy Planning. xoxo
How to tell a bride-to-be her dress is ugly
What do you do when a bride-to-be emerges from the dressing room donned in her new wedding dress and asks those famous words, “How do I look?” If the bride has good taste you’re off the hook, but what happens when the dress is dreadful…
I was recently asked for an answer that I absolutely could not sugar coat, but when it is the bride’s day, the last thing anyone wants to do is ruin a moment and a friendship. So, what is a good friend supposed to do? Here are three tips to help you voice your opinion without getting uninvited to the wedding.
Don’t hesitate: Speak up if asked. Obviously your opinion matters and you shouldn’t feel obligated to love every dress. Plus, if you feel the bride doesn’t look her best and you feel you have a valid opinion, by all means now is your time to voice it, especially before the bride shells out hundreds of dollars. Give a reason why you don’t like the dress and offer an alternative. Maybe the dress isn’t fitted properly or the belt is too wide. Whatever the issue, remember it’s the tone and delivery that can save you in this situation.
Be supportive: Weddings are expensive and stressful and some brides commit to a dress because they feel “the perfect dress” is out of reach. I tried on about 50 dresses and after each appointment I was convinced that I would never feel like a bride. It took a few more appointments and dresses to finally settle on the perfect one. Patience is a virtue and sometimes a bride needs someone to tell her to breathe and take a step back before making a big decision.
You hate it, she bought it, now what: If the purchase has already been made and there is no looking back, you might think giving up is the only option. Not so fast! There’s always accessories and if Ke$ha can make a garbage bag look glamorous, you can make an awful white dress fashionable. Adding a statement necklace, a beaded belt, or fancy earrings can change the look of a gown and can be the saving grace in ensuring the bride looks her very best. Check out Anthropology, Bauble Bar, Etsy, and Charming Charlie for jewelry and accessories.
Do you tell the truth when asked “How do I look?” Leave a comment below!
Happy planning! xoxo
Dirty Thirty – The Big Bash
A few weeks ago I hosted a 30th birthday bash for my husband. The fiesta inspired soiree was a huge hit thanks to all the little details and the steady flow of alcoholic beverages.
Here’s a few pictures from the big bash! enjoy!
{Dress festive. Sombreros and mustaches will be provided}
The table was set with a burlap runner, colorful margarita glasses, and each chair adorned with a sombrero. To create an outdoors feel inside, streamers and lights were draped across the room. It wasn’t Mexico…but it was close.
{Nom Nom Nom}
The night started with light snacks which included Corn Salsa, Beer Cheese Dip, Salsa, and Guacamole. To add a festive flair, I created a make shift menu board using the black background of a huge picture in my dining room. I also posted a smaller menu on one of the tables.
The corn salsa and beer cheese dip appetizers were both a huge hit and the recipes can be found here and here.
For dinner we made delicious tacos thanks to the two recipes I found on How Sweet It Is blog. We served Crockpot Beer Cheese Tacos and BBQ Pulled Pork Tacos. They were both amazing! And How Sweet It Is blog is a must read for any fabulous foodie.
On another note -I highly recommend Crock Pot cooking for a party – you basically just throw a bunch of stuff in a pot, turn on the heat, leave it for a while, and when you return a delicious meal is ready to be served. Genius!
{Cheers}
A small bar was sent up using the “Bar” sign I created in my last post. I strategically mounted each letter to the wall using Command Restickable Hooks. I also used the restickable hooks outside to hang the lights and streamers. When you remove them they leave no marks, so you don’t have to worry about ruining your walls.
{Say Queso}
A DIY photo booth was set up using a piece of Damask fabric from a local fabric store and….
Hand made props were set up on a table for guests to grab and strike a pose!
{Hit me with your best shot}
We couldn’t have a fiesta without a pinata! It was filled with candy, toothpaste and erasers….Random. But funny. Especially when everything fell to the floor.
{Sweet}
For dessert we served cake, of course! Plus root beer floats, ice cream, and cupcakes. I’m not sure if carrot cake is a fiesta staple but that is what the birthday boy asked for and that is what he got.
The night was a lot of fun. We incorporated a beer tasting with four craft beers, one was a maple bacon doughnut beer that everyone was really excited to try. At every party I like to add an element that allows everyone to interact somehow. We tried to have a dance off, but only one person was brave enough to break out their moves.
At the end of the night the 30th birthday fiesta was a huge success and worth the weeks of planning. Everyone had a great time and I can’t wait to plan the next party!
Happy planning! xoxo
If I Could Do It All Again….
If only we could practice our wedding day in order to get it absolutely perfect. Unfortunately we can’t but if we could and I could do it all again I would have…
- Not gotten married in a church
- Started the ceremony earlier
- Done a first-look
- Brought a pair of flip flops or flat shoes to the reception
- Drank the champagne (I heard it was delicious! We used Moscato..shh)
- Not waited till last minute to do the small stuff that took forever
- Remembered the card box
- Took more pictures with my bridesmaids
- Hired a videographer
- Extended the reception until 12pm
- Grabbed a few sliders and milkshakes to go from the “late-night” snack bar we had
Dancing To The Beat Of Our Own Drum
{image source: PS Photography}
We have only nine short days until we tie the knot and everything is falling into place.
The wedding ceremony cards have just arrived. I ordered from Wedding Paper Divas and highly suggest if you are looking for a simple ceremony program to check them out. Once you pick a design and add in your text you will receive three proofs before they are printed and I must say the quality of the paper and presentation looks really good. (I’ll post a picture soon!) Here is the design I ordered. (I splurged on the pearl paper) If you decide to order from the site, don’t forget to google a promo code.
Our wedding reception music list has been well thought out and sent to the DJ. We will be dancing to Christina Perri’s ”Thousand Years” for our first dance
And I would like the DJ to invite everyone on to the dance floor (because I hate being the center of attention) and after a minute or so fade into….Calvin Harris’ “Feel So Close” to get everyone in party mode.
Do you have any must have song selections you are planning on having at your reception? I would love to hear some suggestions!
Happy planning! xoxo
I Think I’m Forgetting Somethig….
Apparently the closer the wedding gets, the faster the days fly by. We officially have less than a month until our wedding. I’m pretty sure it’s about 18 days according to The Knot and Project Wedding. (I’m not sure if I love or hate the daily emails telling me how much longer I have, don’t get me wrong they are helpful….but also a bit frightening.) and I am having mini panic attacks daily.
Let me explain….
I have no wedding coordinator, my catering manager is no longer working with the hotel (but I was assigned someone new), I thought it would be a great idea to start grad school 25 days before my wedding, 20 page research papers are my new favorite thing, I went way over budget, I am not working, I’ve been interviewing for jobs in between dress fittings, I fell off a horse twice and have a pretty black and blue that covers my whole right arm (not the fashion accessory I thought I would have to pull off and when I say my whole right arm I am not exaggerating-see picture below), Because of my injury my bridal tone-up plan has been put on hold, Cookies are my new favorite food, My fiance is breaking out in hives, We are having houseguests before and after the wedding, My no kids allowed wedding has turned into Romper Room, Suddenly everyone wants to bring a date to the reception, My to-do list keeps getting longer and longer, One of my bridesmaids who is getting married next year decided to have her bridal shower the weekend before my wedding, My bridal shower is on a Tuesday(three days before my wedding) and I have an Organizational Behavior midterm the next day, I keep having nightmares that my fiance’s tux is way too big, We still haven’t planned a honeymoon, I am not sure I like my wedding dress or the bridesmaids dresses, I’m freaking out that I’m going to cry and I never cry, I’m afraid no one will have fun….and I am petrified that I am going to fall while walking in 5″ heels down the extremely long and shiny aisle of the church. I think I’m forgetting something but I’m not sure exactly what it is yet.
is this normal?
Here it is….My poor arm…
{Things you shouldn’t do before a wedding….ride a horse and fall off twice. I have no idea how I managed to fall on the inside of my arm and I am not sure why I got back on just to get thrown off again. I’m thinking, tattoo coverup make-up the day of the wedding if the bruising doesn’t go away by then}
Happy planning! xoxo and stay safe!
Gifts For The Guys
I’m at the stage of wedding planning where I am trying to decide on the perfect gifts for the bridal party. A few weeks ago I posted my ideas for the bridesmaids and this week I am searching for a unique gift for the guys. I refuse to give them an engraved flask because honestly when was the last time you seen anyone with a flask….
Here are a few of my ideas. Let me know what you think.
:: Show me the Money ::
A few years ago my fiance was in his friend’s wedding and received a Coach money clip as his groomsmen gift. It was a great gift and he still uses it to this day. Not only was it practical, it’s made well and is reasonably priced at around $78. (This would be my go to gift but all the same guys will be in the wedding…and they all still use their money clip so I can’t get away with giving them each another one.)
If $78 is out of your budget, here is a less expensive version that will make a great gift.
:: The Updated Flask ::
I fell in love with this Mini Bourbon Whiskey Barrel from TheManRegistry.com. Not only would it make a great accessory for a bar it also allows you to distill your favorite bourbon, whiskey, wine, rum and tequila. The barrels can be customized for each one of the guys and priced at under $70.
:: A little Personality ::
For our reception we want the groomsmen to kick off their dress shoes and slip on a pair of Chuck Taylors. We were tossing around the idea of giving the Chucks as their gift and I am pretty sure the fact that we can customize them just sealed the deal. It takes about 3-4 weeks to process the order and you can customize each pair with the guys name and add in a pop of color. Prices vary depending on style.
If you are looking for something that requires less work, the classic black and white Chuck Taylor’s can be purchased online for only $50.
Happy Planning! xoxo
RSVP
I sent my wedding invitations out last Friday and have been receiving the reply cards in the mail ever since. As exciting as it is, it makes the wedding that much more real.
Surprisingly, I’m not nervous about the actual wedding I’m more stressed about what happens after the wedding. For the past two years I have been a bride-to-be, planning and gushing in the limelight of wedded bliss. My time has been taken up by appointments, fittings and answering questions about color combinations, dinner options and music selections. My stress has been the result of choosing wedding cakes, bridesmaid dresses and staying on budget.
So, what happens after the wedding? Do you disappear and become the old married couple. Do questions switch from “When are you getting married?” to “When are you having kids?” I’m not prepared! I’m not sure I can handle it….
But then again…Is it really even that big of a deal or am I just over reacting…..
Happy planning! xoxo
