Wedding Planning Ideas by WeddingFanatic — Style. Design. Inspiration.

Rent or Buy? Something to think about after you say “I Do”

by Katie on April 13, 2012

The hubby and I didn’t live together before we tied the knot and soon after we got engaged, we decided to head west after the wedding (two weeks after, to be exact). We not only had to find a new area to live in, but decide whether or not we wanted to become first-time home buyers in a place far more expensive than home or spend a lot on rent. We ended up renting for two reasons – the cost of buying something in the specific area we like was way out of our budget and we’re still not sure how long we’ll be here!

No matter your pre-wedding living arrangements, chances are something will be a little different after the big day. If you happen to be starting out in a new place altogether but can’t decide renting or buying is a better option for you and your beloved, check out the helpful infographic below (information is so much better when it comes in picture for, isn’t it?!)!

Compiled by:Home Insurance Blog

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Activity Hen Weekends

by Katie on February 27, 2012

Here in the U.S. we call them bachelor and bachelorette parties, but let’s be honest – “stag” and “hen” parties just sound like so much more fun. Check out some tips from party expert, Rebecca, from ChilliSauce.com!

Maid of honour or bride to be? Then you will definitely want to plan the ultimate Hen party and you can, with so many amazing activities out there. No matter what your budget, time scale or location you could organise an unforgettable Hen do with an edge. Who says the stags are the only ones having all the fun and adventure?

An activity Hen do is a brilliant idea for several reasons, firstly there is no better way to get everyone involved and chatting than an exciting task or challenge, and secondly you will all love the adrenalin rush. The best thing is that you can plan an activity day out and still have dinner or a party night after, so you really can have it all.

Abseiling (a.k.a. Rappelling)
Assisted and instructed by experienced professionals your Hen party will be talked through how to abseil and how to master the basic skills. No matter where you decide to abseil you can guarantee breathtaking views and a truly rewarding challenge. Instructors are able to adapt your groups route based on experience and confidence levels, so all your hens will get the most out of the day.

Rally Driving (a.k.a. Auto Racing)
We’ve all seen F1 on the TV but now its your chance to get behind the wheel and race like a pro with a rally driving experience day. Motorsport fanatic or not this is an ideal Hens day out as you can book it at race centres across the country, and your session will be assisted by qualified instructors. Learn all the tricks of the trade from how to handle the car in rally conditions, how to do handbrake turns and more excitingly how to skid control. Charlie’s Angels eat your heart out!

Quad Biking (a.k.a. Four Wheeling)
Available in locations throughout the UK and Europe this thrilling motorsport experience is the way to get around rural terrains. Take in the great outdoors on these powerful but easy to ride motors led by a team of expert instructors, and rampage rocky and muddy landscapes in super bike style.

Airsoft (similar to paintballing)
Live out your action heroine dreams in real life with Airsoft Combat rifles, for a day of action packed fun. Your group will be put in to two teams that will compete against each other in tasks designed to capture items from the opposition’s camp. Think you and your hens are tough enough? As fierce as this sounds don’t worry, the rifles release balls that sting but won’t leave any bruises so you will be all set for the big day.

Power Boating
Like the idea of taking control and sitting in the front seat? Well you’re in luck RIB boats or Zap Cat boats mean you can with the offer of expert tuition enabling you to take charge and run the show. This super charged adrenalin experience will fulfill all your speed junkie needs and works great as a group activity.

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Review: Stiletto Hardware

by Katie on February 24, 2012

I LOVE shoes. Especially heels. They make you taller and your legs look longer. They come in every style imaginable (I tend to favor 2-3 inchers). But let’s be honest – any girl who has ever worn a pair knows the pain they can cause.

Sometimes it’s the fit or an awkward shape that your foot doesn’t agree with. Maybe you’re not used to wearing heels or simply spend too much time in them. Whatever the reason, sometimes (and most of the time if you wear them long enough) heels HURT!

Enter: Stiletto Hardware!

I had the pleasure of trying these babies and I give them two thumbs up! You’ll see on the website that they claim to be “little pieces of heaven”. THEY ARE. I slipped a pair of ball-of-foot pads into my favorite (yet uncomfortable) high-heeled boots before a night out. While they didn’t help my arch issue (I don’t know if it’s my super-arched feet or shoe choice but my arches almost always hurt after a day of heel wearing), they made my second biggest heel issue, sore balls of my feet, nearly non-existent.

I’ve worn those boots a number of times since that first evening. I smile every time I slide my feet into ‘em!

Stiletto Hardware offers three types of pads: ball-of-foot, ball-of-foot ultra-slender (for super-strappy numbers), and heel. If you’re on your feet ALL DAY, I’d recommend throwing ball-of-foot AND heel pads into your shoes (even your flats!) – your feet will thank you.

When it comes to your wedding day shoes, of course you should pick a pair that are comfortable to begin with! But instead of switching to flipflops mid reception, resulting in a too-long dress, make sure you have some Stiletto Hardware before you walk down the aisle and you won’t want to take your heels off at all!

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Pretty in Pink

by Katie on February 8, 2012

We love to get our red n’ pink on around Valentine’s day! And even when February 14th isn’t right around the corner, why not use the colors in your upcoming event? A soft pink paired with a real red (or something more deep and dusty) make a fabulous combination, no matter what time of year.

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Tips for Buying Invitations Online

by Katie on February 6, 2012

When it comes to wedding invitations, you have an infinite number of choices to browse and pick from. It can be totally overwhelming, even for a paper and stationary lover! Your wedding invitation will give your guests a hint of what your wedding will be like when they arrive, reflecting the theme or colors you have selected. Keep this in mind while shopping around!

Fab Letterpress Invitations from Storkie

If you’ve decided to purchase yours online (a very popular option in this day and age), make sure you know what you’re doing! Read on for a few tips to help you get started.

Look in shops to get an idea of your favorite style and printing method. Some shops can certainly offer you a good deal, but often they have to factor in additional costs to their products (it takes lots of moolah to run a brick-and-mortar store!), which can sometimes result in higher price tags. That being said, even if you have chosen to purchase invitations online, it’s a good idea to shop around in physical stores to see the vast number of styles available. Look and feel around to get an idea of what you like – this will help you narrow down what to search for when you’re online.

Shop around for the best price. This is definitely a perk of buying online! Shopping around for the best price is super simple and can take as much time as you want it to. Make sure you keep track of your favorite finds (company name, URL, price range) so you can easily go back whenever you need.

Pick a company with great customer service and friendly people. I can’t say how important this is! Of course, as with any business, every company is focused on their bottom line. However, some companies go above and beyond to provide the best possible customer service (which in the end affects the bottom line away), and those are the people you should buy from. Why? You’ll have a better experience overall, of course, but if something goes wrong, you want happy, friendly people working with you who will go out of their way to make things right, even if the fault isn’t theirs. Ask your friends, read reviews, or even reach out with questions to find the company that meets your customer service expectations! Just because you’re buying online doesn’t mean people are taken out of the equation!

Double check the turnaround time and make sure it fits in the timeline you have. Don’t learn this lesson the hard way!! Make sure you check and double check the turn around time it will take for you to receive your wedding cards and invitations. Count back from the day you want all the RSVPs returned to determine the best send date, and give yourself a few extra weeks for addressing everything! Then make sure everything can be made and shipped by the date you need. If not, consider paying a little extra for express service, or opt for a different company.

Make sure you see and feel a printed proof before placing your final order. Or, if a company you’re considering doesn’t offer printed proofs, opt for seeing samples so you can get an idea of what your finished invitations will feel like. We’ve all been there before – we order something online only to be disappointed when we get it! Take steps to prevent this and you’ll save yourself a few tears.

That’s a start! Have another tip? Share them below in the comments!

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Wedding Band Alternatives

by Katie on February 3, 2012

The world of men’s wedding bands has done some pretty cool things in recent years. I’m no expert on the subject, but I do love jewelry, and really love having lots of options when it comes to purchasing some!

Now you have so many choices when shopping for your guy’s ring. Not just styles, but the material of which the bands are made! So if gold, silver, and platinum just aren’t your style (or fit in your budget), rejoice and read up on some alternatives!

Tungsten – Tungsten carbide rings are supposed to be the most wear-resistant rings (and since you’ll be married for a long, long, LONG time, this makes them a great option! ). It’s 10 times harder then 18K gold and 4 times harder than titanium, which allows them to keep their shape longer then other available options. They stay shiny and don’t bend!

Titanium – This lightweight metal only weighs about 1/3 as much as gold! Its shiny finish can be marked by abrasive materials, but can easily be polished. (Maybe it’s just me but there is something I love about a worn wedding band.) If you go this route, make sure your finger measurement is perfect – titanium rings can’t be resized.

Cobalt Chrome – This rings boast a metal that is five times harder than gold. It’s unique characteristic is its bright silvery-white color that looks like white gold and platinum. It’s shatter and scratch resistant and sizeable. It’s harder to cut through in emergency situations, but it can be done.

Stainless Steel – Perhaps the best choice for a small budget, stainless steel bands are hypoallergenic and don’t tarnish (like silver).

Ceramic – A new(er)comer to wedding bands, this type of ceramic isn’t the kind that your dishes are made out of! When used for rings, ceramic is combined with zirconium and/or yittra and mixed with special bonding agents which results in an extremely hard, forever-polished material. It’s possible to get ceramic bands in different colors, not just a grey-black!

Wood – This one doesn’t need much explaining! A natural material, wood can be manipulated by hand to create rings. They are definitely not as sturdy as the metals listed above, but they are unique, handmade, and just plain cool!

Tattoo – Another option that doesn’t need much explaining. I have nothing against tattoos (well, I do – I hate needles), but this is the only one I would ever consider getting. There is just something completely awesome about a wedding ring you can’t take off.

Whether you go with tungsten or a tattoo, or anything in between, it’s the reason you’re wearing that ring that really matters! But hey, us ladies have an unimaginable number of options when it comes to our jewelry. I think it’s only fair that the guys have a few more options to pick from!

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Sh*t Brides Say

by Katie on January 13, 2012

I LOVE the Sh*t Girls Say videos (if you haven’t seen them yet, you must check them out). When WeddingChannel made their own, Sh*t Brides Say, I couldn’t not help laughing my buns off, both because it is SO true, and so many of the things I have said myself (“Pinning!”).

Just watch and enjoy!

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The History of Engagement Rings – Infographic

by Katie on November 16, 2011

I’ve always been a fan of jewelry, especially rings. Of course, when I got engaged to the love of my life, he knew me well enough to know that getting to pick out my ring was just as exciting to me (if not more, ahem) then getting proposed to with one. It was such a fun process! I mean really, who doesn’t like trying on sparkly things for hours and hours?!

Anywho, I got to help (a very, very little bit) with the info graphic below and I just had to share it with all you soon-to-be engaged gals (and guys) and jewelry enthusiasts. Isn’t it just cute as can be?! The facts are fun too. Tip o’ the hat to Mr. Maximilian for the ring currently sitting on my ring finger!

Brought to you by Gemvara.com the online jewelry store to buy Gemstone Engagement Rings

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Fascinating Bridal Fascinators

by Katie on November 2, 2011

The royal wedding was forever ago, but fascinators are still alive and well! Birdcage veils and feathery flowery headpieces were being rocked by brides long before Kate Middleton walked down the aisle to the waiting Wills, with guests like Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie watching on. But post royal wedding, I’ve noticed bigger and bolder headwear on brides this side of the pond. And I love it!

Check out some of these fabulous pieces! The items in the top row are from LoBoheme and the second, Truly Fascinating.

*Swoon*! There are tons of non-white fascinators out there for bridesmaids, mothers, or just everyday wear post-wedding. Many to browse though and buy, or if you’re creative, to make!

Do you have one? Ever made one? Planning on wearing one on your wedding day?

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Throw the Perfect Shower

by Katie on May 12, 2011

Hosting a bridal shower is so much fun! It can be a little nerve-racking too, especially if you haven’t done it before. Hopefully this post will help get your planning on the right track. No idea where to start? Here are the essentials almost every shower needs!

Guest List – You won’t have much of a party without guests! Sit down with the guest of honor (the bride) and compose a list with her. Ask her who she’d like to attend – moms, grandmoms, aunts, cousins, school friends, sorority sisters, whomever she asks for! If you already have a venue picked, keep in mind the number of people that will fit into the designated space.

Venue – This can be anywhere – your home, a park or garden, a church gathering room, even the little cafe down the street. If you have the guest list already, make sure the space is large enough to hold everyone and small enough to keep the party an intimate one.

Invitations – All your guests need to know the event specifics! Who, what, when, and where are all tidbits of need-to-know information. There are SO many options online and in stationary shops, like these unique wedding invitations from invitationsbydawn.com. Or, if you’re the creative type, create something yourself! Whatever you decide on, make sure they coordinate with the shower’s overall theme and/or color scheme.

Food – A shower isn’t a shower without food! There is no need to have a full-on meal during a shower (though if that’s what you want and can afford, go for it!). An array of finger foods should do the trick – mix up fruits, veggies, finger sandwiches – whatever your guests will enjoy. And don’t forget the sweets! Cake, cupcakes, ice cream sundaes, an entire dessert bar – whatever you think the guest of honor would like the most.

Games and Activities – Oooooh yeah. Bridal shower games are the one thing that guests either love or hate. They are notoriously cheesy…but that’s what makes them fun. Find a few games that everyone can participate in – get them ready made from sites like FactoryDirectCraft.com or just pick up supplies for activities like the toilet paper gown race – and feel out the crowd to see how many they can handle. Sometimes two or three is more than enough.

Decorations – There are so many fun ideas when it comes to bridal shower decorations! The decor will ultimately boil down to the event’s theme or color scheme, but that’s the only thing you should keep in mind (well, that and the bride’s personal taste). Pick pastels and lacy touches for a lingerie shower, or Parisian flair for the couple honeymooning in Paris. Can’t find exactly what you’re looking for (or not quite sure what you want yet)? Browse through tons of wedding and event blogs and websites for endless inspiration!

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