They’ve given their time, money and support in preparation for your big day. Show your appreciation to the lovely ladies of your bridal party with stylish bridesmaid gifts they’ll love receiving, and love using for years to come!
Instax Mini
Polaroid’s mega-popular new take on it’s classic instant camera turns awesome pre-wedding photo ops into…awesome pre-wedding photos. Instantly!! Click here to read the rest of this post »
As the maid of honor or best man, one of your tasks is to give a toast or speech to the bride and groom at the rehearsal dinner, and/or at the wedding reception. If you’re not used to speaking in front of crowds, it may be a bit nerve-wracking, especially given the formality of the setting…and the emotionally charged expectations of the crowd of loved ones (no biggie, right?). But don’t worry, darling. Click here to read the rest of this post »
Now that you’ve said yes to your fiancé, one of the first things you’re likely to focus on is gathering your closest gal pals to be a part of your big day. And while choosing and inviting your bridesmaids to be at your side can be lots of fun, actually being a bridesmaid can be, well…a lot of work. Reduce your gals’ stress, and show them how much you appreciate all they have done, and are doing, for you, but managing their feelings, and their workload, with kindness and love. These six tips will guide the way!
1. Before asking anyone to be a part of your “bride tribe,” make sure you have the details regarding your wedding date, venue and level of formality. Also try to limit your bridesmaids to those girls you know will still be in your life in 10 years.
2. Allow for at least six months of planning for your bridesmaids to get their dresses and reserve vacation time or days off from work.
3. Be sure to let them know what they will be financially responsible for. This includes attire, makeup, hair, travel and/or accommodations. It’s best to give them this information as early as possible, so that they can budget for these expenses (and ask for help with them, if needed).
4. As bridesmaids, your girls will be attending your nuptial ceremony and reception for sure. However, if you are having multiple other wedding-related events, let them know which ones require their attendance, so that they can make room on their calendars.
5. You, as the bride, have the final say on what your bridesmaids will wear on your wedding day. But here’s a suggestion: To make sure that your bridesmaids feel good in what they’re wearing, choose a color and let your girls have few (or more) options when it comes to their dress style and bridesmaid shoes. Your friends will appreciate you taking into account their comfort by allowing them to each select a style that flatters her figure, and a heel height that she can manage when walking, and dancing.
6. If your maid of honor doesn’t seem too enthused with her duties, don’t jump the gun and “fire her” from the title, or risk losing a close relationship. She may be feeling overwhelmed with her duties. Instead let her step down herself by telling her it’s OK if she’s not up to it, and ensuring her that you’ll always love her, no matter what.
If you’re like most brides, you have a wedding budget. It may be a BIG wedding budget, or, especially if you’re footing the bill for your wedding yourselves, it may be somewhat more…modest. No matter the size of your wedding budget, you’ll want to figure out where to allocate bigger dollars and where you can hold back a bit. Because, after all, you get what you pay for, darling.’ With that in mind, here are our top picks in wedding splurges that are truly worth the investment.
Lighting
Professional lighting can completely transform the look of your venue or space. It’s also easier on your pocketbook than flowers and decor.
Interactive Fun
Engage your guests with interactive wedding reception activities such as a photo booth or video booth, a cigar roller, or even a live wedding painter. These interactive entertainment options add something extra special to the celebration and provide you and/or your wedding guests with wonderful take-home tokens.
Dessert Table
While a wedding cake is essential for most couples, nothing will delight your guests more than a variety of delectable sweets such as a donut wall, a candy table or a color-themed wedding reception display of mini desserts.
Late Night Snacks
If your celebration goes well into the night, guests may start to feel hungry again even after dinner has been served. So satisfy their late-night cravings with sliders, a breakfast bar or street tacos. They will thank you for it!
Photography/Cinematography
When it comes to documenting your wedding day, you can not have one without the other. Wedding photos will be great for albums and online posts, while wedding videos will capture the speeches, dances and other priceless moments for generations to come.
Shoes & Accessories
A major designer wedding gown not in the budget? Don’t worry. You can still get the designer look you crave by splurging on beautiful bridal shoes and bridal accessories. Choose designer bridal pumps or wedding sandals with heel bling, crystal toe accents or bows, and an exquisite veil or bridal headpiece that amps up the wattage of your wedding-day ensemble…at a fraction of the cost of a lavish custom wedding dress!
Joanna met Shane at their freshman college orientation, quickly sparking a friendship during tutoring sessions for chemistry class (wink, wink). However, they didn’t have their first date until junior year, on Valentine’s Day. “I suppose when you wait that long for a date, you have to go BIG or go home!” the bride says. Just one week after graduating, Shane popped the question while on a hiking trip with Joanna. A custom engagement ring made for a truly unforgettable graduation gift. The ceremony took place at Ashton Gardens in the soft glow of the glass-enclosed chapel. There, the pair exchanged personal written vows in front of 155 guests. The celebration continued in Ashton Gardens’ timeless ballroom, with a feast featuring giant coconut shrimp and, ’cause this here is Texas, y’all, succulent steak. Joanna and Shane ended the night amidst a throng of bubbles for a magical exit. Best wishes to you guys as you start a new adventure together!