Filed under: The Inside Track
courtesy of thesweetestoccasion.com
While we’ve discussed how you can create a custom look on your wedding day with the article DIY Divine: 5 Ways to Personalized Your Wedding Dress, we haven’t talked about the importance of your dress’ sentimentality!
I mean, helloooo?!!? It’s a wedding, people! It’s all about sentiment!
Which, as sad as I am to use this reference, I was reminded of by Kim Kardashian (dun dun dun) on her 2 day / 4 hour E! wedding special. On the days leading up to her wedding, Kim was shown rummaging through her late father Robert Kardashian’s old button down shirts. She wanted to find one that she remembered, in order to incorporate it into both her wedding gowns.
Once the shirt was chosen, she had two heart-shaped panels cut out of and sewn onto the left sides of both of her custom made Vera Wang dresses. Because her dad couldn’t be there physically, this was her way to keep his presence and memory alive during the celebration… and while the marriage may have died 72 days later, the idea of sewing sentiment into your wedding dress has lived on!
Thanks to Pinterest, my beautiful co-worker, Jessi and a Google Image search, I was able to gather some pictures of how real life brides are taking on this filled with feelings challenge and including it on their big day through…
Custom Labels. Whether you choose to use your name, monogram or simply represent the date, custom labels and patches can be created and sewn under the bodice on the inside of the dress for an extra special touch of love.
photos courtesy of (clockwise from top left) etsy.com, vivestyle.ca, itsabrideslife.com and bridalwave.tv
Custom Patches. For the riskier bride hoping to make a statement and /or really capture a memory, you may try sewing on a meaningful patch of fabric or a symbolic panel or shape directly onto the dress itself.
photos courtesy of (clockwise from top left) beautyfashiontrends.com, weddingbee.com, sequinsandcandy.com and purlbee.com
Custom Hangers. If the thought of sewing something permanent into your dress gives you the bridal gasps… might I suggest doing a fun personalized hanger? Not only do they look great and make for amazing photography shots, but they are also non-damaging to your dress! Boo and Yeah!
all photos found on pinterest.com via (from top to bottom, left to right) Stephanie Holland, Jessi, Victoria, Chloé Plénet and Jessica Elizabeth
January 19, 2012
People always ask us… what are your best sellers?? Whether they’re concerned for trend purposes or overall styling, our Top Sellers can fluctuate throughout the year.
But as it stands today, the numbers are in! Here are our top selling porducts for 2011! Feel free to check them out, send them on to a friend or purchase one for yourself :)
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer Photography via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer Photography via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer Photography via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer Photography via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer Photography via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer Photography via marilynskeepsakes.com
December 20, 2011
courtesy of coutureclosetboutique.com
These days, a wedding isn’t just a brief moment in time… it’s a monumental event for the ages! In fact, I’m often reminded of a quote from Wedding Date - the 2005 film starring Debra Messing and Dermot Mulroney (dream!) - when I think of just how epic some weddings have become. Shortly after Kat Ellis (Messing) arrives in London for her sister’s wedding, her mom (played by Holland Taylor) informs Kat that:
“This is a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve got welcome cocktails today. Then, tomorrow’s Young People in the Park and Stags and Hens. Friday’s the picnic, then the rehearsal dinner, and since you left you no margin for jet lag, I need you to hydrate.”
Of course not everyone goes that over the top when planning their big day, but that doesn’t mean their day feels anything less than a marathon. From sun up to sun down, a bride, her groom and everyone else in between have a lot of ground to cover… and while some might say the key to duration is hydration… others are more lenient towards sustenance of the chewable variety.
And in big cities like New York, Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, grub is precisely what they get! These big time metro poles are famous for their food truck industries, which they are becoming all the rage in wedding day agendas! In LA, for instance, mobile grub doesn’t get much bigger than In-N-Out Burger, which has been providing years worth of service to brides and grooms looking to keep their guests full and focused well into the night.
It’s also a great way to talk to guests you may have missed! One bride (pictured below) used In-N-Out Burger at her reception and said, “We didn’t do a receiving line at the reception, but while everyone was lined up to order their food my husband and I went down the line and greeted everyone while they waited. It worked out really well and helped fill the time that people were just standing around.”
courtesy of weddingbee.com
Love love love. Of course, there are so many other ways to keep on truckin’ even if there are no trucks.
At my sister and brother-in-law’s wedding a couple years ago, there was a break between the ceremony and reception for the bridal party to get pictures; so, while everyone else was enjoying a wide assortment of hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, the bridal party was schlepping through a park trying to capture the perfect shot. Matt and Jess (the SIL and BIL) didn’t want their favorite people to suffer however and provided all of us with White Castle burgers and fries to go, as a tied-me-over ’til dinner.
You might also consider:
- Food Carts
- Hot Dog Stands
- Popcorn Machines
- Goody Bags
- Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
- Late Night Pizza Delivery
- Midnight Snacks
- Homemade Treats
December 6, 2011
Haven’t you heard about the bird? I said a bird, Bird, BIRD! BIRD is the word!
It’s that time of year again… to give thanks for all we appreciate! And here, at Marilyn’s Keepsakes, there’s nothing we appreciate more than you — our fabulous fans and loyal customers!
So, in order to say thanks properly, we’d like to send the savings on to you with an exclusive $25 coupon! Whoop, whoop!
Thanks for all your support and have a blessed and WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!
November 22, 2011
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer via marilynskeepsakes.com
Maybe it’s the brilliant designs or the standout color blocking… perhaps it’s the fun, graphic schemes or simply the epically b.e.a.uuuuutiful photography (whaddya say, Lindsey K!)… either way, there is no if’s, and’s or but’s about it… I love love love our new table runner designs!!
Available in a variety of colors and designs to match any taste, each runner can be personalized at absolutely no cost to you! Simply choose from one of our hot color options, fill in the overhang with your names, monogram or initials and see how many ‘ooh’s and aww’s’ will be gasping the day you say ‘I do.’ Don’t believe me? Well the proof is in the pudding, my friends; so, grab a spoon and enjoy these tasty creations!
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer via marilynskeepsakes.com
courtesy of Lindsey Kroemer via marilynskeepsakes.com
Personalized Table Runners cover a lot of ground and create a lot of drama, and they are extremely simple and easy to use! Printed on durable 100% cotton, our fabric table runners feature a polymer coating for a soft, canvas like texture to produce superior draping.
Because bold colors and schematic patterns cut down the need for decorations, you’ll be able to save on extra costs by simply adding your place settings and centerpieces to the already well fashioned tables.
November 17, 2011
I love fresh flowers. I know with their “here today, gone tomorrow” persona, it’s easy for some women to pretend poo poo them because of the expense. But I just can’t help myself! Even if their dead the next day, they are still a little slice of heaven while they last… no matter how short that while may be :)
And one of the hottest flowers to step out on the bridal market this fall are the colorfully cute, large blooming Dahlias. With their wide assortment of color schemes and statement-worthy blossoms, it’s no secret why these chic-topped stems are all the rage these days.
But if you still need convincing, check out the color arrangements below and see what I mean :)
White Dahlia Bouquets
photos courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) marryyoume.com, unitedwithlove.com, jessicalynn402.blogspot.com (inset), bouquet-bouquet.com and diycoordinator.wordpress.com
Pink Dahlia Bouquets
photos courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) bouquetbridal.blogspot.com, stjudescreations.blogspot.com, stjudescreations.blogspot.com (inset), floretcadet.com and sprout-flowers.com
Purple Dahlia Bouquets
photos courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) stjudescreations.blogspot.com, birchblooms.blogspot.com, karmanlee.com (inset), stjudescreations.blogspot.com and boards.weddingbee.com
Yellow Dahlia Bouquets
photos courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) bouquetweddingflower.com, exquisiteblooms.blogspot.com, exquisiteblooms.blogspot.com (inset), fleurchicago.com and bouquetweddingflower.com
Orange Dahlia Bouquets
photos courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) google.com, thefullbouquetblog.com, theknot.com (inset), sprout-flowers.com and afloral.com
Red Dahlia Bouquets
photos courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) boards.weddingbee.com, bouquetweddingflower.com, weddingbee.com, savemoneyonawedding.com and weddingbee.com
October 18, 2011
courtesy of Jessika Feltz Photography
Everyone knows that weddings are nothing more than a numbers game. Okay, so maybe they’re more than just that, but consider this… Everything from the amount set for the budget to the number of guests who’ll be invited, your future nuptials (as anti-romantic as it may seem) really do come down to numbers.
Which is precisely why this upcoming weekend is such an exciting weekend in the wedding world!
Both consecutively perfect and numerically chic, this Saturday will mark the second most popular wedding date of all time! Taking the silver medal only to the ultra lucky 07/07/07 wedding date, 09/10/11 will see over 37,000 couples exchange vows in front of family and friends, and according to theknot.com, this large bridal boo yeah comes as no surprise. September is already a super popular month to marry, but with the date creating such a consistent rarity, it’s almost become a downright phenomenon.
So, raise your glass, stretch out your dancing shoes and prepare to celebrate! This weekend is going to rock them all!
Other Popular Wedding Dates:
- 11/11/11. Even though it’s on a Friday, couples simply can’t resist the sequential sexiness of this mid-November date!
- 2/10/2012. Alright, math nerds. Who can tell me why this date is such a popular one? And no, it’s not because it’s my dad’s birthday, even though he’d probably like to this so :) That’s right. It’s a palindrome! The same backwards as it is forwards.
- 12/13/14. Also falling on a Saturday, this is the last chance for couples to get married on an increasing count wedding date!
September 8, 2011
This is as LEGIT as it gets, ladies. One of our most popular bridesmaids’ gifts ever – the Personalized Zebra Flask - is our featured deal of the day. But at 40% OFF its suggested retail, I’d say it’s more of a steal than a deal! (Yeah, I took it there.)
Because attendant gifts are generally bought in multiples, it’s always great when a bride and groom can find amazing gifts at affordable prices. And this personalized flask has stylish safari savings every bride will go wild about! (Pun intended.)
Click the image below to experience total savings all your bridesmaids will love! Cheers!
August 9, 2011
Alfred Angelo has done it, my friends. He’s created a line of fairy tale, dream-come-true dresses perfect for the princess bride in all of us, and there’s nothing (and I do mean NOTHING!) that I love more about this than that each one is modeled after one of the grandest princesses of them all… a Disney Princess! Whoop, whoop!
Not only are the dresses too cute to boot, but each one is reasonably priced (under $1,399) and available in a size to fit any princesses’ frame (0 to 30W).
So, without further adieu (and in no particular order of ahhhmazing), I give thee, Alfred Angelo’s Line of Disney Dresses…
Ariel. Not even ten leagues Under the Sea could this dress’ beauty be hidden from view!
Jasmine. Open the crowd’s eyes to A Whole New World.
Aurora. You’ll never want to Sleep in the Beauty!
Tiana. You may have Kissed a lot of Frogs to get to your Prince… but in this dress, who even cares??
Cinderella. Not even a Glass Slipper or room full of ladies in waiting can outshine you!
Belle. Captivate the hearts of even the most Beastly men on the day you say “I do.”
Snow White. Wicked Queens and Poisoned Apples beware… there’s a princess ready to party!
July 7, 2011
Would you please put some pants on? I feel weird having to ask you twice. (courtesy of geektyrant.com)
Firstly, if I can provide any ease of mind to a nervous bride-to-be dreading her soon-to-be man’s bachelor party, it’s that men – as a whole – are pretty sad planners. No offense dudes, but many of you demonstrate lackluster skills at best when it comes to gathering and executing a well oiled plan. And after seeing firsthand how my Mister’s bach party debacle developed slowly only to and unravel quickly, I feel safe to say that the notion of poor planning is one explanation how many of these testosterone driven myths are crushed.
The other? The chivalrous men attending said bachelor party, duh! (See, fellas, I knock your planning skills, but totes believe in gentleman mojo!) Of course when movies like the Hangover (part I and II) or the 80′s classic Bachelor Party are setting the standards, it’s easy to see why so many soon to Mrs. get their undies in a bunch beforehand. But fear not, my little chick-a-dees, for there is hope beyond the Hangover!
According to an MSN report on Bachelor Party Myths, here are 10 Myths every bride should know about their man’s last fling before the ring:
Myth #1: The party must take place in Vegas. As much as most men would probably love to celebrate in Vegas, it’s not always fiscally possible. So, they will often times opt to make merry a little closer to home. Some party it locally at their favorite hot spots. Some take it back to nature for a manly weekend of roughin’ it and not showering. Still others will even choose a night in playing cards and drinking brews with their best bros.
Myth #2: Strippers are always involved. Believe it or not, ladies, some men simply don’t enjoy strippers. Shocking, right? But it’s true. Many men feel – especially as they age – that strippers aren’t a necessary part of having fun. In fact, they can think of several other things they’d rather use their moolah on than a half naked, uncomfortable dancer.
Myth #3: Everyone will get severely intoxicated. Speaking from experience, not everyone can party like a rockstar. (Especially one who’s been outta the college game for 5+ years. Oy vey.) Plus, most men have responsibilities. Even if they don’t have a wife and kids waiting for them at home, they more than likely have jobs, bills and chores or their own. All of which become increasingly harder to do when you’re milking a two-day hangover.
Myth #4: The groom-to-be will fool around with the “entertainment.” Okay, am I the only person that thinks this “myth” is too ridiculous to even be considered a myth at all? Maybe I’m just naive, but I can’t think of one guy friend, family member or otherwise that even took this into consideration. I mean, doesn’t that completely negate the point of getting married? And if that’s his interest, why propose in the first place? Silly.
Myth #5: The event is exclusive. Often times, wedding guests have to be cut to solve other issues – the budget’s too big; the venue’s too small; etc. But that doesn’t have to be the case for the bachelor party! If you’re a groom who’s only inviting family to the big event, it’s not necessary to only include them on the BP invite list. Most dudes branch out, especially if there were people knocked off because the wife-to-be wasn’t a fan.
Myth #6: Guys will lose a ton of money gambling. Again, just like Myth #1 was busted for not always being fiscally responsible; the same goes for Myth #6. Not every bachelor has dollars burning a hole in his britches, but even if he did, he’s not always willing (or wanting for that matter) to spend it on gambling. It’s a total preference thing.
Myth #7: The group will show up at a club and throw money around. Does anyone else see a pattern forming? Haha! Not all BP’s are high roller events, and even the ones that are, aren’t going to necessarily make it rain $20 bills just because they can.
Myth #8: Guys don’t do anything buy drink and ogle women. While drinking and some ogling may be standards at some, not all bachelor parties feel the need to only do that. In fact, some won’t do either at all. While my cousin’s bach party had booze, they definitely didn’t have women. They spent a whole day on a golf course playing teams and vying for King of the Green. (Go ahead, be jealous – haha!)
Myth #9: A guy only goes to the party to get out of the house. Um, I’m not even justifying this myth with a response. Everyone knows there’s 1000′s of reasons :)
Myth #10: Guys don’t miss their significant others. Aww, how sweet is this myth?? It’s true! Most dudes out on the town do at least at one point or another miss their lady half. In fact, many would even admit to sending sweet messages here and there just to remind them how much they mean. Love love love this one! See, how much nicer is it to believe in the good of guys, rather than they’re all cheating, drunk lunatics who steal, gamble or otherwise destroy their lives in one night? Much, muuuuch nicer :)
June 7, 2011
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