Should We Break Tradition?

Should We Break Tradition?

Breaking Tradition: Seeing Each Other Before the Ceremony

We all know that traditionally, brides and grooms do not see each other on the day of the wedding until the moment when the bride begins her walk down the aisle. Some believe it’s bad luck for a couple to see each other before their ceremony. This superstition is actually rooted in the historic practices of arranged marriages – keeping the couple apart was a tactic to keep the groom from changing his mind about the bride before he married her. Crazy, isn’t it? Even so, there is no right decision in this matter. Every bride will feel differently, and whatever you decide is perfect for you! But it’s never a bad thing to consider your options before making a decision. J

Here are some reasons FOR seeing each other before the ceremony:

1. You’ll still get the magical moment where the bride and groom lock eyes as she begins her walk towards him. Brides may be concerned about losing the ‘wow’ factor; but I assure you, it will be a huge moment - no matter what. You’re about to get married! The emotion and intensity of the moment will not be lost if you see each other before the ceremony.



2. The few hours before the wedding is a time of many things happening at once – basically, chaos. Taking a few moments alone with your soon-to-be- hubby will give you a chance to relax and enjoy the day, and allow all the other little details to work themselves out (without you).



3. It also gives you a chance to have a moment alone with your significant other. When you walk down the aisle, you won’t be able to talk, kiss, touch, laugh or cry – but if you take a moment before hand, you can have a romantic moment to enjoy the enormity of the day! You won’t have to hold anything back, and the moment usually makes for some very cute pictures. Couples often note that they don’t have much time to talk while busy with guests during the celebration, so taking a moment will give you a chance to reconnect with the real meaning of the day.



4. Photos usually take a significant amount of time, and often leave wedding guests waiting anxiously at the reception for the wedding party to arrive. If you schedule time before your ceremony for photos, chances are you will have more time to use different locations and enjoy the photo shoot, because you won’t be stressing about getting back to your guests. That way, you can get to the party sooner after the ceremony – and who doesn’t want that?!

See? There are some pretty good reasons to break tradition, at least in this sense.

What do you think of couples seeing each other before the ceremony? Completely crazy, or something to consider?

-          Carina      

Personalizing Your Special Day

“Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something YOU”

Personalizing Your Special Day

With so many details going into the “Wedding Day” procedures and the public eye watching from all around, how can a modern bride tweak traditions and play with the necessary details in order to make her special day extraordinary and unique? No one wants to hear their guests chatting by the dessert table saying, “Oh, I’ve seen this display before” or “Well, Jamie had that cake at her wedding.” NO WAY! Each bride deserves to have her own personalized and unique details that give her wedding an extra sparkle and wow factor for everyone in attendance.

Here are some ideas for personalizing Your wedding…

The Bridal Party!

1. Personal Notes: An emerging trend on social media websites such as Pinterest and various bridal magazines is brides writing a personal and heartfelt note to her bridesmaids on the bottom of their shoes. This is a way for them to not only feel more included in the process, but to provide a unique touch straight from the bride… They will also have one more keepsake from the day!

2. Monogrammed Necklaces: Something brides struggle with is the jewelry or lack of jewelry that their bridal party will wear… so why not give them a monogrammed necklace as a bridal party gift AND a way to set them apart from other bridesmaids! (You could also get one for yourself with you new initials to wear at the reception.) 

3. Bridesmaid Garters! Check out this fun and personalized idea for your bridal party- most brides wear the traditional garter, but what about the bride’s maids? But with a fun and unique twist added on, the bride can personalize this fun detail by giving each bridesmaid a mini bottle of her favorite alcohol (for when the day gets extra stressful).

Table Numbers

1. As the Years Go By… Make each table number a year and pair it with a picture of the bride and groom in that year! Or if you have a smaller wedding (less tables) you could stick with the 1, 2, 3- and have a picture of the bride and groom at that age. No worries that the mister and misses to be didn’t know each other at age 3: just resize the photographs on the computer and print them out together.

2. I remember when- Associate each table number with a memory about the bride and groom or some significant “number-related” fact about them. 5: A day in May that we met (as seen in the example to the right). 10: Day in September that Joey proposed to Samantha. 25: Number of months we dated. Make it fun, sweet, and cute so everyone will have a fun surprise and unique personal touch when arriving to their table! 

3. Memoire Folders: One bride told Bridal Guide of how she chose to make each table number a folder and on each table there were paper and pens for the guests to write the bride and groom a note to open on their anniversary. The table numbers correspond to their 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and so on anniversaries! So they will have “x” amount of folders to open depending on how many tables they have at their wedding- what a great idea! You could also have disposable cameras and develop each table’s photographs on that anniversary for a fun treat and memory of your special day.  (Idea from Bridalguide.com)

4. Street Signs: For a local wedding or a wedding in a big city, why not use street signs instead of table numbers? Each table is a well-known street and you could even give your guests a map to locate their table. For a bride and groom from the same hometown or well-seasoned travelers: what a special way to add a personal touch rather than sticking to the traditional number system!

Cake, Cake, Cake, Cake

Brides have found many ways to personalize their wedding through the centerpiece of the reception- the wedding cake! Putting your favorite poem or song lyric on the side of the cake is a unique way to put a personal touch on the reception or the “split personality” cake where the bride and groom’s personalities are represented by each side of the cake!

Another way to insert your personal touch is by an individual cake for the bride and the groom. Perhaps in addition to the main cake or instead! The bride’s cake can resemble her dress or represent one of her passions and the groom’s cake can resemble a tux or represent something that he loves to do! At my uncle and aunt’s wedding, my uncle actually had a cake modeled after a cigar box with luxury cigars in it as he is an avid cigar collector- it was so cute! 

Speaking of cute, check out these PERSONALIZED cake toppers for the really outgoing bride and groom!! Available for purchase at Etsy:

When thinking about how to make your wedding, reception, and ceremony extra special- there are thousands of different outlets and small details that you can choose to personalize. From personalized napkins, to monogrammed glassware, and individual cakes- the options are limitless. The question is which ones you want to choose to personalize and specialize your wedding in order to set apart your day from everyone else’s. Be sure not to choose TOO many as to not overwhelm your guests, but they will be sure to appreciate these small and special details. So make sure to include Something YOU when planning your special day!

Xoxo, Audrey

A Bag of Love

A Bag of Love 

Guest Welcome Bags and Gifts

Wedding guests can travel from all over for a couple’s special day.  A perfect way to show your guests a little love is to give them welcome bags when they arrive. Have the hotel where guests are staying hand the goodie bags out as guests check in! It is an easy and cute way to show that you appreciate your guests traveling for your wedding and that you are excited to share your special day with them. As an out of town guest myself to a wedding this spring, it was a wonderful surprise to have a bag filled with goodies after a long day of traveling. Bags with snacks help guests with late night cravings and provide a fun treat. You can include any items you would like in your guests bags.

A few Ideas:
• Snacks-packages of crackers, small candies, water bottles, gum
• A map of the area (list of things to do)
• A brief history of the place where the wedding is being held
• Suggestions of what there is to do
• Bride & Groom’s favorite spots
• Crosswords
• Disposable camera
• Insert of wedding festivities


Bags are not the only option to put your guests goodies in! You can use anything you want. Baskets or tote bags are a good idea and they hold a lot. Depending on your wedding theme you could use many different containers. Reusable bags are a great idea and can be used even after the wedding day is over to carry other things in.
   

 
 

Guest Bags are also great for younger guests. Filling bags with items like crayons, coloring books and bouncy balls provide entertainment for youngsters.


  
 


xoxo Samantha

Finding the Perfect Suit for Her

Finding the Perfect Suit for Her

Wedding Fashions for the Classiest Ladies

Photo Rights to www.equallywed.com

One of the biggest controversies in politics lately is whether or not to legalize gay marriage. States all over the country are supporting marriage equality by doing so.  As this continues, more and more lesbian couples are able to happily get married and have a wedding. There are many different scenarios you can expect while approaching a lesbian wedding. There are three possibilities: two brides, two “grooms”, or a bride and a “groom”. When looking for wedding attire it could be as simple are finding two bridal gowns or as difficult as finding two suits for women. According to the Gay Wedding Institute, “58% of lesbian brides have at least one partner in a suit or tuxedo.  Most have men’s suits altered for their female body or pay thousands for a custom piece. “

Photo Credit to www.people.com

Brides know exactly where to start their hunt for “the dress”, but what about women who want to shop for a tux for their special day? Lesbian “grooms” should not have to settle for wearing a men’s tux that does not fit correctly for the mere fact that it is the only kind available to them. Christina from East Side Bride said, “You're not going to be able to walk into the Men’s Warehouse and buy a suit off the rack. Because of the extra curves, the pants might fit but the jacket that goes with it may not. Also, the size pants that might fit your hips might be extra long in crotch, and the waist might need to be taken in.”

 Currently, there is a rapidly emerging market for customized women’s suits. The first company to enter this market was Fourteen. They started creating custom suits especially for lesbian weddings. They offer different styles and vest options as well. Fourteen’s custom suits have smaller armholes, shorter arm length, smaller torso measurements, and bust room is added where needed without sacrificing the style or design. Not only are these designs attracting lesbians who are about to say, “I do,” but they are also a big deal for prom season. Since teenagers are finally comfortable expressing their desire to be in same-sex relationships, there are in fact lesbian and gay couples going to high school proms together.

By : Miranda Weidemier

How to Ask Your Bridesmaids

How to Ask Your Bridesmaids

It`s your turn to pop that important question!  

I will never forget the moment my cousin gave me a present that I perceived to be an early Christmas gift but winded up being her way of asking me to be one of her bridesmaids! She gave me a black box that had glitter letters on it that spelled out “I can`t say I do without you” and inside the box was a wine glass, candle, the movie “Bridesmaids,” and a book that was a guide on how to  be the best bridesmaid you could be. The box was decorated with peacock feathers and colors which would be the theme of her wedding. The fact that she put this kind of thought into asking me and her other bridesmaids to be in her wedding meant so much to all of us and got us all excited to start the wedding planning! So if you don’t exactly know how to ask your bridesmaids to be your bridesmaids and you want some cute ideas on how to ask the important question here are some great and fun ideas!

1) WHAT GIRL DOESN'T LIKE JEWELRY??

Here is some cute, inexpensive jewelry one can find on Etsy.com. Etsy has a ton of jewelry that would make the perfect gift for your amazing bridesmaids!

    

  

2)Gift box or basket!

Similar to what my cousin did, if you’re feeling crafty and want to put together something for your girls, gift boxes and baskets are a great, personal way of letting them know how much it would mean to you if they were standing next to you on your special day! The gift box or basket can be as inexpensive or expensive as you want and you can use your creativity in this little project to get you excited for all of the fun wedding planning ahead! And if you are not too creative, look at Pinterest for some great ideas!

(somethingturquoise.com)

(laurendavidstyle.com) 

                                            

                                                                

                                      

                                                                                       

(Intimateweddings.com)

(Etsy.com)   

3)Simple but perfect

A thoughtful card always does the trick. Especially if your bridesmaid lives far away sending her the perfect card that lets her know just how much it would mean to you if she was in your wedding is not only a great way to ask but also an awesome keep sake that both of you can keep forever. If it`s from the heart she won`t be able to say noJ

(Tumblr.com)

(weddinggawker.com)

                    

                                                                                    

4)Girls lunch date!

Get all your girls together for a lunch date at your favorite place! When the time is right pop the question and be sure to take tons of pics! This is the beginning of all the fun that is yet to come! Although it may be early and far away from the actual date of the wedding this could be a good time to pass wedding ideas around and if some of the bridesmaids don’t know one another a great way for them to meet!

5)Alcohol!

Who doesn’t like a nice bottle of champagne?? Pop the question to the girls, then pop the bottle to celebrate!

(making-mirrors0.blogspot.com)

(myownlabels.com)

(Etsy.com)                                          

No matter how you ask your bridesmaids to be apart of your special day it will mean the world to them that you want them there!!! So this shouldn’t be a stressful task for the bride just a fun one that will get them excited!! Hope this gave you some fun ideas on how to ask your bridesmaids that important question!!

xox

Melanie

Who Sits Where???

Who Sits Where???

Information on Seating Arrangements

Once you confirm the venue plan and receive RSVP’s, it’s time to plan the seating arrangement. All types of guests should be considered: family, children, singles, and couples.

As reference sites such as the wedding channel, having a seating chart is highly recommended to save the embarrassment of confusion and to show thought into where the guests will be seated next to. The bride and groom will usually have their own table set aside from the crowd and will occasionally walk around to converse with the guests. In other situations, you could have the bride and groom along with the wedding party at the head of the table.

Closest to the head table should be immediate family members which could include the bride’s parents, the groom’s parents, grandparents, and so on. If the parents are divorced, feel free to have separate tables for them and their families. Children should always be seated with their parents.

When it comes to the single friends you have, don’t leave them alone at their own table because that will cause awkwardness. Instead, mix the couples and singles throughout the tables, making sure there a fair number of couples and singles. With large group of friends, separate them evenly so no one feels left out.  Try to do your best to avoid tables of all strangers.

The seating chart should be clearly displayed near the reception room. The usual way to provide the guests names and table numbers is be placing out name tags, however, people are realizing they can get as creative as they want with this. It is common to see DIY ideas such as having the names written on a glass window, attached to vintage keys, or even hung from a tree.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you don’t stress over who sits next to who. It is your day and everyone should be happy.

xoxo,

Michelle

To Diet or not to Diet?

To Diet or not to Diet?

That is the REAL question....

I know that all brides want to look and feel their best for their special day and most will go the extra mile to look slim and trim for those wedding photos. A study conducted in 2009 by the website theknot.com found that about 84 % of all brides-to-be reported going on some type of diet before their wedding, each wanting to lose an average of 10-25 pounds. With all this emphasis on looking your best on your big day, is dieting always the answer? There are many advertisements, books and diet plans for just brides and all this type of information can make a bride feel pressured to “diet”.  Marketers know that brides have high motivation to get rid of their unwanted pounds and are willing to pay and put forth the effort but don’t get sucked into their manipulation. We know that you want to look your best on your big day but don’t go overboard and lose focus of the real reason you are getting married.

                If you do insist on dieting before you wedding, I have a few tips on what to remember. 1.  You are fitting your dress to fit you, not the other way around. Some people feel that if they buy their dress their “goal size” that it will make them work harder to reach that goal. It may work for some but you don’t want to run the risk of it still not fitting a week before your wedding. It is easier to alter the dress a little smaller than it is to extend it. 2. Don’t deprive yourself of some things you crave. I have seen some of my friends try to shed pounds by only eating salads and vegetables when I know they were craving ice cream and chocolate. Big mistake. The more you deny yourself that craving, the more likely you are to binge; that will cause you to set yourself back. Don’t cut out everything you enjoy. Indulge a little and give into your sweet tooth every once in a while. 3. Remember you fiancé loves you for you. He wants to marry you for the way you look now so don’t try and overwork yourself to look good for your significant other; he already thinks you’re perfect. 4. And lastly don’t think of it as a diet; view it as a life style change. Cut back on a few unnecessary calorie intakes or take a walk outside with your fiancé after dinner. Do things that make you happy while staying active and healthy.  You want to feel and look healthy on the inside and out and if you feel good it will show through in your pictures no matter what number is on the tag of your dress.  

Xoxo Kathryn