by Lisa Beth Miller Bridal showers are a traditional and fun part of any bride’s wedding preparations. The typical shower involves a ladies’ luncheon and lots of shower gifts, but some hostesses are going the extra mile and come up with more creative and interesting ideas for their parties. Here are a few ideas to make things both fresh and fun. Go retro! Ok, maybe you like the typical formula for an old-school bridal shower. Go with it! Plan lots of fun games, serve retro cocktails (whiskey sours, anyone?), and serve classic appetizers like meatballs and mini-quiches. Looking for a place to purchase the perfect bridal shower games or favors? Check Etsy for some unique options! Go somewhere fun! Bridal showers do not have to be held in Mom’s living room! A restaurant or country club can offer a “mini-getaway” for the …
by Lisa Beth Miller So, the wedding reception is going fabulously well. Your guests are relaxing, enjoying the food and drink, and admiring the style and décor of your event. Sounds like it is the appropriate time to propose a toast! The purpose of wedding toasts is twofold. The traditional toasts given by the best man and maid of honor (and sometimes others who wish to express their thoughts) are meant to pay tribute to the newly married couple and wish them a lifetime of happiness. These toasts should be brief, respectful, and only contain stories and references that everyone will understand and appreciate! Now is not the time for private jokes, inside stories, and reminiscing about the bride’s or groom’s wilder days! After the toasts from the attendants and guests, the groom and bride also traditionally take the floor. …
by Lisa Beth Miller Nowadays, the role of the mother of the bride is changing. She is a fashionable woman who not only wants to express her personal style at her daughter’s wedding, she wants to make a fashion statement, feel comfortable, and shine like the star that she is on this special day. Mothers (of the bride OR groom) are cherished guests of honor and often hosts of a wedding. They are NOT required to wear dresses to match or coordinate exactly with the bridesmaids! They should also never be pressured to wear beige or to “blend into the background.” Mothers deserve to look their absolute best on this very important day. Here are a few guidelines for dress shopping for mothers: The mother of the bride no longer has to wear a gown that sweeps the ground. Now, more than ever before, the mother of the bride is …
by Lisa Beth Miller Once you have picked your wedding colors and the groomsmen for your wedding party, it is time to select tuxedos. Finding tuxedos for your wedding party is an easy item to check off your to-do list, and gives your groom a pivotal role in the wedding planning process. Most tuxedo shops work with out of town wedding members; don’t let that be an excuse for tardy measurements. Here’s a crash course in Tuxedos 101 to ensure you pick the right look for your wedding party. For starters, have all of your men measured as soon as you pick out the tuxedos (the ring bearer should wait until one month out to ensure his growing body fits his tuxedo). Lesson 1: Tuxedo Jackets When selecting a tuxedo jacket pay close attention to the number of buttons and the lapel. Basic styles will have between one and three buttons. Two-button styles are most common, …
by Lisa Beth Miller At one time, traditional, stark white was the only real color option for brides. At this point, brides opt for the color that is most flattering to their skin tone, hair color, and eye color. Although designers name their wedding gown colors differently, there are four basic color options for the traditional bride. Here are some general guidelines on these color families: White: Stark white is a tricky shade to pull off, though it can be extremely flattering to women with cool undertones. (This describes you if you tend to look better in silver than in gold, and if colors like hot pink, blue, and purple flatter you.) If you have very pale skin or yellow undertones, stay away from stark white, and know that stark white fabric with a sheen to it looks even starker! …
by Lisa Beth Miller Regardless of the meticulous planning that goes into a wedding day, minor mishaps can sometimes pop up. Creating an emergency kit for your wedding day can help you to tackle those pesky issues. A bride can create her own kit or delegate the task to her mother or maid of honor. Here are a few ideas for items to include! Tuck them into a pretty bag. Sewing Kit: just in case of minor tears or popped buttons! Nail File Lotion Oil Absorbing Sheets: to keep makeup fresh Sunscreen: especially for outdoor pictures! Tide to Go Pen Tampons Dental Floss First Aid Kit Mints Benadryl : in case of unexpected allergic reactions. Bobby Pins Granola Bars: so many brides forget to eat. Mouth Wash Clear Nail Polish : Can be used to fix chipped nails, runs …
by Lisa Beth Miller When planning an event as important as your wedding, it is so important to be clear with your guests about what they should wear. Your event should capture your vision, and this must be communicated to your friends and family from the start. Black tie is usually meant for formal evening weddings. This means that you expect the gentlemen to wear tuxedos and ladies to don a cocktail dress or long gown. A formal wedding means that men do not have to wear tuxes, but they could choose this option. A dark-colored suit and tie would also be acceptable, though. For a formal wedding, ladies should wear a long gown, a cocktail-length formal dress, or a nice suit. If you are having a beach formal wedding, it means your event will be outdoors, literally on the …
Oftentimes, something that gets overlooked while prepping for your wedding day is your hairstyle. While you may be combing Pinterest and finding cute ideas from our “Real Brides & Weddings” features on the blog, you may not be thinking about a wedding hair trial. Talk with your stylist ahead of time and plan out a trial appointment to try different looks. You may be surprised to find that the style you choose does not look like you expected! On the day of your hair trial, bring anything you think will help your stylist understand the looks you love or the style of your wedding. Bring the veil or any hair accessories you plan to wear. Have a friend take a photo of you in your dress at a fitting. Bring a color swatch if you have it and even bring the style you …
No matter how organized you are and how much planning you’ve done before the wedding, you should always expect the unexpected. And an emergency kit for your wedding day is the best way to prepare. If building your own kit, start at least two or three months before the wedding so you can gather the items over time. This allows you to consider the possible needs of your close friends and family. Designate someone to be responsible for the emergency kit, bringing it from location to location and keeping it readily available. Suggested emergency kit items: Band-Aids Blotting papers Bobby pins Bottle of water Clear nail polish Deodorant Nail file Feminine products Hairspray Hand lotion Hand sanitizer Lipstick or lip gloss Mints Pain reliever Q-tips Safety pins Small lint brush Super glue Tissues Tums/Rolaids Sewing Kit with scissors Granola bars or other easy-to-carry snacks Straws (you …
Did you know that the services of a professional travel agent come at no cost to you? Why stress over planning the most special trip of your life? Read on and learn from Travel Consultant Sandy Pullen of Divine Destination Weddings & Honeymoons: CUSTOMIZED SERVICES: Whether you are looking for breathtaking beaches, amazing mountains or a Greek adventure, travel consultants who specialize in honeymoons and destination weddings understand that each traveler is unique. An agent’s first step will be to talk with you and understand your specific travel needs, interests and desires, then translate them into your own personalized travel adventure. BEST VALUE: A professional travel consultant will use industry relationships to offer you exclusive vacation packages, amenities and travel specials that you won’t find anywhere else, as well as help you get the most value for your travel budget. ALL IN THE DETAILS: Travel is no longer simple. There are so many details that go into every trip. Your honeymoon specialist will guide …
In today’s world of MP3 players, smart phones, Bluetooth speakers and streaming services, why hire a DJ? It’s a common question that’s being asked more and more. Here are a few reasons why a DJ still has an important place at your event: • A DJ will interact with you and your guests and adjust the playlist accordingly to get folks dancing. A DJ is the master of ceremonies who makes those important announcements and, along with the event planner and venue staff, keeps the reception moving. Choosing a DJ is less expensive than renting a professional PA system. DJs come with backup equipment – does your rental? Professional DJs carry liability insurance. The equipment is managed by a professional so you don’t have to ask a friend to be a part of your reception by manning the music. Do your research to get an idea of what a DJ costs and then plan it …
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