We’re Martha fans! We love Darcy Miller, MS Weddings editor, equally. Her tip of the day this past Saturday was all about saving your money. Check out some of the tips that were included in the article that she linked to.
1. Rank your priorities.
2. Recruit friends.
3. Be ruthless with the headcount.
4. Embrace the off-season.
5. Think out-of-the-banquet-hall. (We love this one!)
6. Hire a pro. (Also love this one…but we are a little bias.)
7. Say yes to all-inclusive.
8. Forgo programs. (Want to guess how many of these are left over and trashed after a ceremony?!)
9. Take up [bargain] hunting.
10. Give a newbie a break. (We definitely agree with this one!)
And that’s just ten out of fifty! Check out the article to get all 50 of the tips (some, we think, much better than others). Have any more great money saving tips? Share them with us in the comments below!
10) Whitney Houston: ‘I Will Always Love You’
9) Bette Midler: ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ Louis Armstrong: ‘What a Wonderful World’
7) Luther Vandross: ‘Dance With My Father’
6) Mariah Carey: ‘Hero’
5) Frank Sinatra: ‘The Way You Look Tonight’
4) Faith Hill: ‘There You’ll Be’
3) Josh Groban: ‘You Raise Me Up’
2) Celine Dion: Because You Loved Me
1) Bob Carlisle: Butterfly Kisses
What do we think? “Dance With My Father” seems kind of sad – hello, listen to the lyrics! “Butterfly Kisses” is super sweet, but super slow. “I Will Always Love You” seems a little outdated (even if you will always and forever love each other – which no, we don’t feel will ever be outdated!). We’re fans of “What A Wonderful World” and “The Way You Look Tonight”, but who could blame us – they’re classic! One of my favorites that’s not on the list is “Magic” by Jeff Wood (which you can check out on his MySpace page). He wrote it for his daughter, indeed, making it an absolutely wonderful father/daughter dance song!
What do you plan on dancing to if you’re having a father/daughter dance? Share it with us by commenting below!
One of my most wonderful friends recently emailed me a great question. She’s attending a wedding that’s coming up and wants to fix her own hair, but is a bit worried with the end result. I can relate to that one!
As “budget” is a big theme for both couples and wedding party members, I thought simple, you-can-do-it-too bridesmaid hairstyles would make a fabulous post! Check out some of these lovely do (photos from Brides) with some simple instructions. Keep in mind, just because the models are sporting one type of hair doesn’t mean you couldn’t try it with another. Just adjust directions accordingly.
I love this one for all of its simplicity. I think it would look grand with any type of hair – thick, thin, curly, wavy, straight, or anything else. Bangs or no bangs, part your hair on the side and at an angle (towards the middle of your head). Here, a sparkly clip is placed directly on the part, but I think it would also look fab holding up a small-ish section of hair on the opposite side of the part.
Here is another one that would work well for any type of hair. The magic is all in the headband. If the bride is cool with her girls wearing headbands, I definitely think this is great option! With such a variety to chose from, you can easily find a band that coordinates with your look. Chances are, you could find an inexpensive one, too (and for a ‘maid on a budget, how great is that?!) To get this look, fix your hair just as you would on any other day, with or without a part. Then, just put on the headband! Leave a few front strands out to frame your face or tuck everything behind the band.
This do can go from runway to aisle to everyday. I like to call it the “messy ponytail”, though I’m sure the pros have another name for it. This looks particularly fabulous for hair that’s straight or wavy. After you’ve blown dry your hair, do a little backcombing towards the top of your head, using hairspray before and after (or whatever works best for your hair). Loosely gather all of your hair in a low ponytail, using bobby pins to pin back stray strands. For this look, it’s okay to have bumps and a bit of unevenness. If sections of your hair are too close to your scalp, just give it a little tug, hairspray, and work into a better spot. Note: dirty hair usually styles better, at least from my experience. Please shower, but do what you know is best for your hair!
This one is best for straight or wavy again (sorry ladies with gorgeous curly hair – I’m just jealous!). Here again, backcomb and hairspray the hair around your face and towards the top of your head. Comb over the top so it doesn’t look like you have a bird’s nest on your hair. Once you get the top looking the way you want, curl the ends of your hair with a medium or large barrel curling iron. I don’t think I could pull this one off, but if you can – go for it! But please, don’t style too high.
Any other great hairstyles you think should be up here? Comment below and share with us!
If you’ve ever read any preppy wedding posts on WeddingFanatic, you’ll know that I’m obsessed with all things preppy! Thus, I am THRILLED to share with you Dabney Lee’s new line of wedding invitations, named Soiree.
There are SO MANY fabulous pieces in this collection, I don’t have room for all of them here. The collection has four groupings: Green Goddess, Seaside Socialite, Miss Upper East Side, and Downtown Darling. Most of my favorites come from Seaside Socialite and Miss Upper East Side, though they are all absolutely fabulous! Check out those faves below!
To learn more about Dabney Lee Stationery, check out her website! Lots of wonderful goodness!
Any v-neck fans out there? I have about 30 v-neck tees in my closet right now (not really, but I wish!). Wedding gowns with similar necklines are so “in” right now and I’m loving every second of it! Check out some of this eye candy from Priscilla of Boston.
This is “Justine” from the Vineyard Collection – I love how the sheath silhouette flows perfectly with the neckline. It elongates the body (which I’m sure this model doesn’t need any help with) and just makes her float right down the runway. I imagine a similar affect would be given on a walk down the aisle. The bejeweled bodice adds just the right amount of sparkle. Love it!
You can probably see that “Tasha”, also from the Vineyard Collection, shares a few features with Justine. They have very similar necklines and bodices. I included this one is because it (or one like it) could so easily be added to with a few fabric flowers, a white or colored sash, or whatever you like! It’s simple and modern on its own, but also acts as a great backdrop for additions, accents, or simply showcasing stunning jewelry.
While this showstopper doesn’t have a fab name (to my knowledge, she’s known as “Style 4301″), we still love her! She’s sporting that oh-so-wonderful neckline with a a-line/mermaid silhouette mix. I like it with the flower accent, and I think it’d look great without, too! This little number would work amazingly well with a longer traditional veil or a hip birdcage. Anyway you go, you won’t go wrong!
In honor of the month of July and it’s stone, rubies, I thought it’d be fun to share some ruby finds that would be a fabulous addition to any wedding day.
I love these drop earrings from Julieri! So dainty! They add just enough sparkle and color for any white getup and could easily be worn after the big day (as can the rest of these selections!).
Here is a simple ruby necklace (that would so wonderfully match the above earrings, if I do say so myself) from Ten Thousand Things. Please forgive me – the quality of the pictures isn’t the greatest.
Rings are my favorite! Check out this beauty from Melissa Joy Manning. The hammered gold band perfectly complements the oval, sparkly ruby.
Happy Birthday to all of you brides (and grooms) born in July!
You know the saying, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something new”? We’ll here’s the perfect twist – Blue Garters.
Lots of couples are nixing the garter toss, but that does not mean you should forgo wearing one altogether! Especially these dainty gems. Bleu specializes in custom garters, often creations that are built around wedding color themes or family heirloom pieces of jewelry.
After checking out the website and all of the great pictures, I know I was hooked. I think you’ll feel the same way – check a few out below!
Now for the giveaway details! Jaime, Bleu owner, is giving away a $50.00 gift certificate to one of our fabulous fanatics! To enter, take a look the Bleu collections and comment on your favorite one below. We’ll pick a winner at random in two weeks!
If you can’t hardly wait two weeks (or if you don’t win), you can shop Bleu Garters any time you wish! Just visit the website!
The actual planning part of weddings doesn’t take much apart from time. There are a few things, however, I’d suggest picking up before you start planning your perfect day! Find my suggestions and faves below.
THE PLANNER – This is quite possibly the most essential wedding planning item (oh who am I kidding – one of the most essential LIFE items!). This is the place where you will keep track of your appointments and dates, parties and planning sessions. If you’re one of those magical people that can keep track of you life by simply using your head – what’s your deal? Share some love and tell us how you do it. But, if you’re not one of these people and someone more like me, make sure you have one of these babies with you at all times!
I’ve always been a fan of Franklin Covey and more recently fallen in love with UnCalendar (they don’t really give off a girly vibe, but they are definitely for the serious organizer). Check out this cute Franklin below. Technically it’s an “academic planner”, but who really cares if it’s good lookin’?
PENS – Or pencils. Whatever works for you. Perhaps some of both. You’ll probably write a lot of things down, so it’s always good to have a few around. I love sets like these (pictured below), that make color coding fun and simple.
PAPER – This can be scratch paper, a notebook, notepad, whatever you like best! Just have some paper handy to make quick notes and to jot down your ideas – you never know when a fabulous one will come to you! I’m a big fan of this one – I’ve always got paper with me! I love these cute and preppy options from The Preppy Polka Dot!
BINDER WITH DIVIDERS AND POCKETS – These were always my favorite part of back to school shopping. Any binder will do (if you’re planning on gathering loads of information, get a big one), along with dividers – 12 or more should do the trick – and pockets.
PAGE PROTECTORS – There are great for stashing business cards, fabric and paper samples, random bits of oddly shaped information, magazine clippings and more. They have top or side openings – I’d recommend an option that opens from the top.
TOTE – Okay, so not everyone needs a bag to keep things together, but I know many find them helpful. I simply adore totes, so that’s the type of bag I’m using for my example. Having all (or most) of your wedding things in a single bag is nice when you’re heading off to meetings with vendors or a planning session with the family. Because so many aspects of a wedding work together, you often need to know something about the cake in order to get all the details for the flowers worked out … you get the picture. The one below is from the always wonderful Vineyard Vines.
INSPIRATION BOARD – Before you book a single vendor, it’s a good idea to have a few opinions of the overall look you’re going for on your wedding day. Not just your gown and accessories – we’re talking color theme, centerpieces ideas, favorite flowers – the whole shebang. Below is a great example from the very inspiring Snippet & Ink!
According to the Wall Street Journal, engagement rings are taking a hit in these tough economic times. It’s looking like the new rule of thumb is no longer two months of the purchaser’s pay, and more like one. Below you can see the FiLife poll (part of Dow Jones) that suggests this.
While yes, times are tough, remember that when it comes to buying an engagement ring, if that’s something the two of you have chosen to do (not everyone does), the only “right price” is one that the two of you set. There is no hard and fast rule that says you must spend a certain percentage of income on a single piece of jewelry. Do whatever works for you.
What are your thoughts on diamonds and today’s less-than-stellar economy? What are some other creative things couples are doing instead of shelling out a large chunk of change to buy a rock (Turning to other gems? Skipping engagement rings all together and just sporting bands?)? Do tell!
Hello all! This is our first ever “advertiser appreciation post”. As you can see to our right, we have some wonderful people to get some exposure to their own sites through ours. Today, we’re featuring the fabulous Shirley Tan. We’ll be honest – we think it’s pretty awesome that she advertises on our site. But, there is much more to this wedding gift guru!
This awesome woman is an entrepreneur, business owner, wife, mom to three, and wedding goody extraordinaire (and much more). One of her websites and online shops is all about wedding favors and gifts. She’s got them all – bridesmaid gifts, groomsmen gifts, and even an array of personalized wedding favors.
Here is one of my favorite – a bridesmaid tote. I’m tote obsessed, so naturally I’d love this one! Love the monograms, too.
Some wedding websites seem a bit “sketch” and I’ll admit, I’d feel a bit uncomfortable ordering from them. But after having worked with Shirley for quite a while, I can say I’d totally trust her and her staff. Let’s hear it for Shirley and her American Bridal!
Louis Armstrong: ‘What a Wonderful World’
