It’s All in the Details: Guestbooks

It’s all in the Details by Elodie Kruger

A guestbook is a great souvenir for a couple to have. Full of love notes from the wedding guest, it will remind them of this special day and all the relatives and friends that were there with them to share it. As its name says, a guestbook is usually a book. But it doesn’t always need to be. Here are some ideas for original guestbooks:

Photos by Taylor Photography, Sweet Tea Photo, TPoz Photography, Emmaline Bride, Krista Jones & Leigh Webber Photography.

– Photo Frame: If you want to make sure you’ll see your guestbook often, put it on your wall. Organize different pictures of both of you, with friends or with family on the guest table and leave some blank space around. Make sure to have enough pictures if you have a lot of guest. After the wedding, just frame them….

– Wish Tree: Use a real tree or one made from different materials where your guest will attach their wishes. You can hang little glass balls with holes to insert their note or with use clothes pins. 

– Photo Book: If you decided to set up a photobooth at your wedding why not give a polaroid to your guest and a big guestbook where they will be able to attach their picture and leave a note on the side. It gives a good reason for your guest to have their picture taken.

– Typewriter: If you choose to do a vintage themed wedding, consider setting up an antique typewriter where guest could tap their messages. Put them together later on to create your guestbook.

– Match your theme: If your wedding has a theme, extend it to the guestbook: For example have people write on a vinyl record of your favorite song, a children’s book, or put a message in a bottle for a beach weddings.

– Vintage Postcards: Choose a bunch of vintage postcards, add stamps and set up a mailbox to leave the cards in

– Mad Libs: Let your guest fill in the blanks. It’s fun. You can create your own at WordLibs.com.

Don’t Forget to Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!

Plan B or C??

Diary of a Bride to be by Lauren Cooper

So it’s been a while since we’ve heard about my planning shenanigans.  This’ll be a long post.

This past weekend I had an absolute blast at my bachelorette party in Dewey Beach.  Shout out to my amazing sisters and friends that made it!  Before that though we had a minor crisis.  Last Tuesday I told my fiance to place a call to the tux shop and make sure we could pick up the tuxes that weekend.  Well, it’s a damn good thing he did because we almost didn’t have tuxedos.  Apparently, the gentleman who handled our order was very ill and passed away (condolences to his family and friends). However, the shop was left in disarray.  Keep in mind we placed our order back in February – they had NEVER PLACED OUR ORDER.  So my super awesome fiance came to the rescue, got all the money back (one groomsman was never even charged) and proceeded to go to a different tuxedo store.  I don’t have a clue what they look like on the guys but he got everything handled.  See why I love my man?  🙂

Then, after returning from a thoroughly relaxing and simultaneously exhausting weekend I discover that the floral we’ve had planned for the ceremony since OCTOBER are now not allowed at our venue. The plan was to have lanterns filled with florals hanging from shepherd’s hooks going down the aisle.  Apparently, we can’t pierce the grass any longer.  So I’m waiting to hear back from our venue coordinator to see if they can make an exception.  Seeing as how the tent company they so highly recommended sold our tent (rain plan C), our wedding is 10 days away, and we’ve paid a pretty penny for them to host our wedding, I think they can work with us.  After working with the venue for 15 months you would THINK that they would let us know about a policy change! I found out from my florist.  So back to my inspiration board I go to find more aisle decorations.  SO FREAKING ANGRY!

I know, I know I’m freaking out over something so minor.  But this has been planned for SO long and my florist really made my vision come to life so I’m more than a little disappointed.  I’m more disappointed in how the ceremony venue has handled us however.  Especially knowing that I’m a planner.  What happened to communication?

Updates to come!  10 days to go!

Seating Arrangements

Diary of a Bride to Be by Lauren Cooper

Last Wednesday our RSVPs were all due.  A week later, my seating arrangements are finished.  This is largely due to my obessive compulsiveness and stalker bride tendency.  The day after our responses were due, I scanned down our spreadsheet (my whole life is in a freaking spreadsheet right now) and immediately emailed our parents to hunt down the delinquent responses.  Some of the responses we got this weekend, and some we’ll NEVER get, but at least we have firm answers from everyone.

Once I’d had about 70% of the responces I started on seating arrangements.  Then, yesterday after two hours of creative arranging, and some input from my Moms, I finished.  I have to admit, I’m kind of impressed with myself.  And even though I started out using that really cute DIY way of arranging people; in the end it was easier (and more eco-friendly) to use my spreadsheets.  Not as cute looking, but clean and easy to read.  And now I say, YAY ME!

This morning I sent the whole list off to the woman printing the escort cards.  Still left to do:  welcome bags and table numbers.  Feeling good about it all! 🙂

Engagement Pictures

Fashion Fever by Aly Dailey

Engagement Pictures are a great way to practice with your photographer before the wedding day and the perfect way to capture the love between you and your partner. Be sure to compromise on what type of engagement photos you would like as a couple. Decide if the pictures will be formal or casual, posed or candid and figure out what you will be using the pictures for. You can try all different settings for these photos. Make sure it is somewhere personal and meaningful to you and your significant other. Whether it’s a favorite park, landmark, bakery, or even your own home. There is no wrong answer as long as you are together!           

When planning your engagement pictures attire try these helpful tips:

-Wear coordinating and complimentary clothing without being too matchy matchy

-Stick to the same hues and the same level of casual or formal

-Keep it simple, you want your love for each other to stand out not crazy jewelry 

-Make sure you bring at least two outfits- one dressier, one more casual

-Most of all, wear something comfortable, if you feel good wearing it the confidence will come out in the pictures

 Don’t Forget to Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!

Bringing Back the 80’s

It’s All in the Details by Jennifer Diehl

Themed weddings are always a fun way to express some personality! Whether it’s a shared favorite color, or a common interest it’s the perfect way to make your wedding a little different! Picking a theme or a color scheme for your wedding is one of the first and most important things that you do when planning your wedding. Some of the most popular themes for a wedding are vintage glam, rustic themed, beach themed and chic black and white themed. So you want something a little different, a little more fun? How about an 80’s themed wedding! Break out some those memorable neon colors and punk attitudes, your guests will be sure to love this! It’s very important to be careful with themed weddings, you don’t want to cross that line and go overboard. The key is to keep it simple, while throwing in a few hints of inspiration from the 80’s. Here are a few fun ways to bring back your favorite era.

(Bridesmaids photo courtesy of Ruffled blog, Christina G Photography)

Wedding Cake– This is a great way to make your wedding cake 80’s inspired; neon floral cake, with a hint of black and white!

Bridesmaids Dresses– Have your bridesmaids wear different colored bright dresses to bring out some of those favorite 80’s hues!

Groom and Groomsmen– Neon bow ties will be a great 80’s inspired addition to their black tuxedos!

Desserts– Serve some neon colored cupcakes, this will add a fun flair to your dessert table!

Wedding Invitations– Set the tone with bright colored wedding invitations!

Décor– Use some fun neon colors to brighten up your table décor!

Candy-Serve some bright colored rock candy!

Flowers– Pick some beautiful bright flowers for your bridal bouquet!

Dont forget to follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!

What to Wear: Rehearsal Dinner

Fashion Fever by Aly Dailey

For many, the rehearsal dinner outfit is an afterthought and there are so many options out there! The rehearsal dinner is all about you and your husband, make sure to wear something that expresses your own personal style and lets you shine! Follow these tips to get just the right look that’s let’s you be the brightest star in the room.

-Establish what type of party you’re having, it sets the tone for what you should wear. Is it a backyard BBQ or a cocktail hour at a country club? A formal sit down at a swanky restaurant or at a friend’s house?

– Don’t be too trendy, remember you’ll have these pictures forever.

– Where a cut, length, and color that is most flattering to you and your shape.

-Make sure that your rehearsal dinner dress fits comfortably and tastefully it shouldn’t be too low cut, too tight, or too short.

-Allow time for alterations, if necessary, and make sure you have the proper lingerie for the style.

-Make sure that you’re crazy about your dress! You’ll feel way more confident if you’re relaxed and comfortable in what you’re wearing.

Prim & Proper

 Little white dress

Sparkly & Sexy

Simple & Chic

Classic & Sophisticated 

Floral & Retro

 Don’t Forget to Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!

Make Your Wedding More Man-Friendly

It’s All in the Details by Jennifer Diehl

Weddings seem to always be all about the bride…She gets a nice bridal shower, the gorgeous outfit, the pretty flowers, and all of the pampering.  This is perfectly fine because it’s the most important day of her life. She has been dreaming about this day since she was five. Weddings are overwhelmingly geared towards women sometimes we have to think about the Groom, and his guys (even if we don’t want to) Even though it is all about you on your special day, there are a few little things you can do to make the Groom feel a little more involved. Here are a few great ideas to make your wedding a little more man-friendly!

 

Cocktails: Name some of your favorite alcoholic drinks with fun superhero names like; “Hulk’s Smash” or “The Cape”. Your man will absolutely love this!

Desserts: Get some baseball (or any other sport) inspired desserts made for your hubby! This will be sure to bring out his inner athlete!

Games: Set up a Blackjack table, this will occupy your Groom and all of his guys!

Attire: Have your Groom and his Groomsmen wear a t-shirt of his favorite superhero under his tux! This will let their inner superhero shine through!

Cigar Bar: If your man loves cigars having a cigar bar for him, his friends, and his family to enjoy is a great idea!

Appetizers: Serve some of his favorite foods as appetizers, like these mini burgers!

Getaway Car: Have him rent his “dream car” so he can drive off in style with you as his Wife after the reception!

Don’t forget to follow us Twitter and Like us on Facebook!

Bridal Brain

Diary of a Bride to Be by Lauren Cooper

It’s official!  I have Bridal Brain…that epidemic that eventually affects all brides as their wedding day hastens towards them.  For those that don’t know, Urban Dictionary defines this as “A less invasive, but more expensive version of a frontal lobotomy. Experienced by most brides, as they enter a catatonic state which renders them incapable of sustaining any thought or conversation that does not involve cake, caterers, flowers, wedding dress designers, Chinese wedding dress knockoff designers, updo’s, hair pieces, color schemes, wedding themes, and personalized M&M’s.”

Admittedly, I’m NOT this bad.  I AM, however, suffering from that nagging, never-ending feeling that I have something to do- but I can’t remember what it is.  I’m putting reminders on my phone, they go off, and 5 mins later I’ve forgotten them.  And I’m pretty much in a constant state of distraction and fatigue.  Yes, this is bridal brain.

I know, I know, “Don’t sweat the small stuff”, “Focus on you and your future husband”, I’ve heard it all.  Most likely because I’ve WRITTEN the same mantras in my previous Manic Monday posts.  And believe me, I get it.  But I’m a WEDDING PLANNER planning my own wedding!  Yes, a detail-oriented, goal-focused, organized (albeit forgetful at the moment) perfection obsessed wedding planner; so excuse me while I freak out over finding frames for the table numbers.  I need  a shot.  Or a spa day.  Or something.  I swear I’m not a bridezilla.

Oh and can I tell how frustrating it is to get RSVPs with no name and no return address?  EPIC.

To my future husband, I love you and your endless patience and I truly can’t wait to start the rest of our lives together.  I’m sorry I’m nuts.  Now, if you’ll all excuse me…I have a timeline to work on 🙂

Twenty Pages

Links We Love by Jennifer Diehl

Twenty Pages allows to you design and create your very own wedding magazine. This magazine is meant to tell your journey, share great memories, pictures, and also provide practical wedding information. Twenty Pages “Magazines for Weddings” is a great way to dress up your wedding invitations, or even your programs.  It can also be a great personal touch to your welcome bags. Visit their website,and Like them on Facebook, it’s fun and simple, I promise you will be impressed

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!

Put A Ring On It

Fashion Fever by Aly Dailey

The engagement ring signifies change, celebration, and the beginning of your life with someone else. When paired with your wedding band it signifies love and devotion.  You will likely wear these rings everyday for the rest of your life so it is important to get it right. You’ve chosen the love of your life now choose the ring that will symbolize that. Do your homework ahead of time. It is important to understand what you’re shopping for and what questions to ask. Here are a few basic tips when selecting the engagement ring:

-The Basics: The 4 C’s – Diamonds are rated on four standards: cut, clarity, carat and color.

Cut– Quality cutting is critical to a diamond’s value. A well-cut diamond captures and returns light through carefully designed, angled planes called facets. Cutting quality is rated on certificates as excellent, very good, good, fair or poor. Cuts include: round brilliant, princess, emerald, oval, cushion, marquise, heart, radiant, pear, asscher, bar, bezel, channel, cluster, flush, pave, prong, tension, or trellis.

Clarity- Stones are based on their apparent transparency. Stones with great clarity are more attractive due to their unobstructed
ability to capture light, and they are structurally sound.

Color- A colorless diamond reflects light back in a pure rainbow without adding any other colors to dilute this effect. The GIA rates the colors of diamonds from D to Z. Diamonds rated D to G are considered essentially colorless. Diamonds rated H and I are considered near colorless. Diamonds rated J to Z have increasing yellow tones.

Carat Weight- One carat equals 0.007054 ounce. A one-carat diamond cut in a round shape would be about 6.5mm in diameter, or one-fourth of an inch. As a general guide, look for a diamond that is at least one-third of a carat, has a clarity rating of SI or better, is in the colorless or near colorless range (D to I), and has a cut rating of good or better.

-Traditionally, a man is expected to spend at least the equivalent of two month’s salary, although a lesser amount is acceptable these days.

– Remember the 80/20 rule. Once the budget is set, eighty percent of the budget should go toward the center diamond, while 20 percent should be reserved for an appropriate mounting.

Does she like expensive things? Is she plain, more laid back? Is she classic? Does she like large diamonds?

Be sure to find the ring that is just right for your significant other. Remember that they will wear this ring for the rest of their life so make it personal and special and don’t forget the wedding band too!

 Don’t Forget to Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook!