Once upon a time there was a little girl that played with her brand new wedding Barbie doll. Barbie would meet Ken on their first date at the snack shack, they would go on many fabulous dates in her pink convertible and Ken was always a gentleman. After a short while Ken would then drop down on one knee and pop the question, they would move into their dream house and live happily ever after.
We have been wired since day one to day dream about our own once upon a time story. Love is what makes the world go ‘round and you have agreed to plan a day to celebrate your love with your very own Prince Charming. If that’s not something to celebrate then I don’t know what is! So stand up, cheer and proclaim your love from the highest mountain top!
Now that you have your Once Upon a Time you know need to think about planning your Happily Ever After. Cinderella never warned us girls that planning a wedding would entail asking ourselves everything from if you want your name on your napkins to what cake knife you should you use. Take a deep breath and relax. Yoga would probably be a good hobby to start now if you haven’t already been practicing.
We girls need to stick together! As a bride myself and currently in the process of planning my own wedding, I am ready and willing to share my tips and tricks to not only making a beautiful award winning wedding but also doing it stress free (well as much as possible…) and using your budget wisely.
TIPS AND TRICKS #1
Guest List – Are you in or out? {Read More...}
I hope you have all enjoyed this this five-part session on a guest's survival to the wedding season. I hope it has been helpful! This entire guide can be found in Cosmopolitan June 2013 issue titled, "The Ultimate Wedding Season Survival Guide," by Helin Jung.
Enjoy Part 5: "Open Bar"
Even if your friends think it's going to be awesome--unlimited free drinks--you don't want to be the one who can't keep it together. There is a time and place for that but you also don't want to be antisocial.
Jackson Cannon, co-owner of The Hawthorne Bar in Boston, shares some secrets of enjoying yourself while staying in control.
1} Tip the bartender up front and ask him to make your drinks weaker than normal.
2} Mix your alcohol with juices and a splash of soda.
3} Make sure you eat. Don't let the drinks keep flowing while your on an empty stomach.
What if it is a dry wedding? It's tempting but do not bring a flask!
Author: Kaitlin Keller | Director of Content | Forever Bride
Information Compiled from: Helin Jung | Cosmopolitan June 2013
The time is here: Wedding Season. It is one of the few times a year that you get to dress up and show off {fill in the blank}! The pressure starts to build as you see relationship status changing from "in a relationship" to "engaged" and the bling photos pop up in your news feed. Or you receive save-the-dates in your mailbox. Either way the requirements of attending back-to-back weddings can get overwhelming and guestzilla appears.
All this week, I will be sharing the best tips to guide you into being the best guests ever!
Part One: "How Are You Going to Pay for Everything?"
When you have multiple friends getting married in one year, that can seriously hurt your pocket - transportation, lodging, wedding gifts, bachelor/bachelorette parties, bridal showers, etc. Here are some easy ways to save this year!
1.} Check the wedding hotel's other offers. A room block {for an entire party} may not be the lowest price! Groups of friends can also share a room, suite or house nearby.
2.} Play it safe: Buy a gift from the registry {the earlier the better}. You'll get first dibs on the best items that fit within your budget. You could also pool with a group of friends to buy one big gift or combine smaller items and create a themed grouping of presents!
3.} Coordinator travel with other guests - carpooling can be a HUGE money saver. You can all pitch in for gas, rental cars and snacks!
Hint for Tomorrow: "What Are You Going to Wear?"
Author: Kaitlin Keller | Director of Content | Forever Bride
Information compiled from: "The Ultimate Wedding Season Survival Guide" by Helen Jung | Cosmopolitan June 2013
Part 4 "What's Your Relationship Status?"
Ideally we all would love every wedding to be the kind where the guests are your closest friends because you are 100 percent guaranteed an amazing time! But...most are littered with land mines. We may have our best intentions at heart, but we are human and sometimes say dumb things. Here's what you do when...
1} You're Flying Solo
Watch Out. Unattached at a wedding can be a bummer. It's such a romantic and happy day that if you're not careful, you may start yourself a pity party.
Say What? "You're still not dating anyone? You have such a pretty face!"
Your Comeback: "I know! Outrageous right?! This pretty face needs to mingle...so I'll catch you later."
2} You're Coupled Up
Watch Out. If you just started dating, going to a wedding together means you're on display as a couple. And if you're traveling any kind of distance, you'll be logging days together without any downtime to breathe. If you have been dating for a while and you've been wanting to get married yourself, someone else's wedding can unearth sore feelings about the status of your own relationship.
Say What? "Been together a while now? When's it going to be your turn?"
Your Comeback: "We're just so in love, you know? Do you remember that feeling of being so head over heels you never want it to end? We're in that moment now and happy to be here with everyone sharing in this celebration."
3} Your Ex Is Going To Be There
Watch Out. Jealousy is powerful. It's going to be tough to rein in your inner wounded animal, but you must.
Say What? You tug on his shirt sleeve and urgently say, "We need to talk." Things escalate into a fight.
The Better Move: Be the first to approach - PLAY NICE! - and get it over with. Just say hi and that it is good to see them and to have a good time. It's empowering to make the frist move and set the tone.
Upcoming: "Open Bar"
Author: Kaitlin Keller | Director of Content | Forever Bride
Information Source: Helin Jung | Cosmopolitan June 2013
Have you thought of having a destination wedding? Puerto Rico is an amazing destination wedding location!
Suzy + Zach thought about getting married in a MN backyard for the simplicity of the wedding. They opted for Puerto Rico which was just as simple, but a little more scenic! These images are from the "day-after session". We planned this time alone with the bride and groom to capture the intimate moments. I am in love with this couple! The dress. The native flowers. The suit. The view. Everything was perfect!
Please enjoy the photos below from Suzy and Zach's destination wedding!
Weddings come in all shapes and sizes. We are talking about the theme here but the type of wedding - family wedding, coworker wedding, college-friend wedding and the wedding where you haven't seen the people in YEARS and you may panick about what they'll think of you. The secret to having a good time? Being Social. Here are some great tips on how to be social gracefully in...
Part 3 "Who's Going to Be There?"
1} Act Like You're The Host of This Party - Try to make the people around you feel good {talking to strangers, introducing old friends to the people you've just met, and engaging with all of them}
2} Introduce Yourself to Your Table - If you're with a date, don't use him as a crutch and ignore everyone else.
3} Slow Down - It helps with remembering names and feeling comfortable.
4} Come Up With Talking Points Ahead of Time - Socializing isn't as scary when you have things to say. It's also a great time to ask questions - show people you are interested!
5} Give More Than a One-Word Answer When Someone Ask How You're Doing - Give them a sense of your life or description - Just Not a Novel!
Tomorrow: "What's Your Relationship Status?"
Author: Kaitlin Keller | Director of Content | Forever Bride
Info. Compiled From: Helin Jung | Cosmopolitan June 2013
Do you find your "mac" the "bees knees" and getting ready to "middle aisle"?? Become inspired for your wedding by The Great Gatsby which hits theaters Friday, May 10th. Please also enjoy some fun facts from the 1920s!
Fun Fact No. 1 - Dance Marathons were all the rage in 1923 with some popular steps like the Charleston, the Black Bottom and the Shimmy.
Hi future guests of this summer's wedding season. As promised, here is part two. Enjoy!
"What Are You Going to Wear?"
It is true that it is the bride's special day, but let's be real - you want to look amazing too! Weddings are the perfect excuse to dress up and look amazing but, how do you turn heads and receive compliments without upstaging the bride? Here are some rules to play by:
1.} Always leave white, sequined, or skimpy things at home (but black is okay!).
2.} Stick to the dress code.
i} Black Tie = Long Evening Gown
ii} Black Tie Optional = Long or Cocktail-Length but kind of Fancy.
iii} Semiformal = LBD - level of formality
iv} Beach = Fun and Breezy
3.} Pick shoes that will be kind to your feet. You WILL be wearing them for hours!! If you are set on cutenss over comfort, pack a pair of flip-clops in case you decide to tear it up on the dance floor later!
4.} If it's an outdoor wedding, skip the stilettos. You'll end up sinking into the mud and grass!
Upcoming: "Who's Going to Be There?"
Author: Kaitlin Keller | Director of Content | Forever Bride
Information compiled from: Helin Jung | Cosmopolitan June 2013
Thinking about your wedding?? The color? The style? The theme? Have you ever thought about having pearls and lace at your wedding? These beautiful photos provided by Pinterest show some great ideas in how to incorporate pearls and lace into your wedding dress, accessories, invitations and much more! There is just something about pearls and lace that adds a little vintage charm while still being modern. Enjoy and become inspired!
Wedding Accessories
