Tag: brides
‘Cause after the show it’s the (after party)! And after the party it’s the (hotel lobby)!
What? Don’t even act like you weren’t all about R. Kelly’s “Remix to Ignition” (hot ‘n’ fresh out the kitchen!) back in ’03 too! Just admit it… it was your ring tone, wasn’t it? I knew it.
Aannnnyyyyhoot, it would appear that the talented (be it somewhat troubled) R&B singer was right on track when it came to forecasting wedding trends – even if he was amiss to any others, hehe! Because these days, most matrimonial milestones are all about the After Party – duh!
Trending toward the wedding world for several years, the formality of wedding after parties is more than likely the genetic offspring of their previous, less formal counterparts. And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, please let me reassure you… you do. In fact, you’ve probably been a part of one yourself!
Because be it the low hum from one or the loud roar of several, there always seems to be a stable group of guests that long to keep the party going well after the curtain closes on the reception. This is most often times represented by the incessant, borderline frenzied streak of “Hey! Where are you going!!?!” questioning.
Recently, the Mister and I attended a wedding in Chicago – shout out to Alex & Tay, whoop whoop!…
Don't even act like Tay's not the cutest thing you've ever seen, love her! (photo courtesy of Taylor Groesbeck)
- and I have to take my hat off to them both. (Tip to Tay. Tip to Alex.) The day was absolutely GORGEOUS and to date, contained the best wedding speeches and toasts I’ve ever heard – excluding my own of course, but that could be me just being partial :) But alas, I should’ve known their day would be epic when I received their invitation in the mail, containing detailed instructions for the following 3 wedding ingredients:
- The Ceremony
- The Reception, and (drum roll, please)…
- The After Party!
That’s right, my little chick-a-dees: a formal invite to a party after the party! La-LOUVRE it! The Groesbecks did such an amazing job about making their wedding day an event for everyone. They took their time to plan and truly considered their family, friends and loved ones on the day of their day of “I do’s;” which after being fortunate enough to experience firsthand, I can honestly say I felt honored to be included… and mostly because they made it their honor include everyone.
Taylor and Alex really relished in the excitement of having all their friends and family in one place celebrating; so, it was obvious they wanted to make the most of it. Because when you think about it, how often do we get bogged down by conflicting schedules, growing (or declining) careers, doctor’s appointments, ballet recitals, play rehearsals, sport’s team practices or “I gotta go here’s” and “Can’t make it there’s??” My guess is pretty often, which makes it even harder to gather and rally the troops whenever the mood strikes us and even better when we can.
Then, it dawned on me (ding!); of all the weddings I’ve been to – and there’s been a few ;) - this was the first one I’d ever attended where the invite included a formal declaration of where everyone could go when the DJ’s done spinning and the caterer’s done serving!
Which is fitting, considering the majority of receptions I’ve rocked, there’s always a good amount (if not the whole kit ‘n’ kaboodle) of guests who aren’t quite ready to pack up and head home at 11. In fact, I can think of several off top where the night ended with a frantic shuffle in the parking lot of people getting in and jumping out of cars, trying hard to conjure makeshift plans through broken texts and interrupted phone calls, all to (fingers crossed) end up in the same spot. I’m sure some of you reading this right now have been a part of such shuffles yourselves.
So, why not take the circus act out of the equation and give your guests a place to point their honing beacons? Seems simple enough to me! Not to mention, after parties are especially great if you have a lot of out of town guests attending who rarely have the opportunity to get together and little to no knowledge of the area.
After parties by no means are essential, but they sure can be fun! Because let’s face it, the terminology “let’s dance the last dance” doesn’t always apply to everyone, and sometimes, it’s really nice to have an encore :)
Here’s to Alex and Taylor! Thanks for being awesome people and such a fabulous inspiration station to Marilyn’s Keepsakes!
November 19, 2010
photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com
While weddings take months to plan, it feels like the actual day itself can go by in an instant. Making the following analogy ideal… Planning a wedding is to the actual day as Michael Phelps’ training is to the Olympics.
Phelps trained day in and day out for years in order to jump in the pool, swim less than a minute and take home the gold… 8 times. It’s madness, I tell you! Complete madness!
And while your wedding day might not garner you the same fame as eight Olympic gold medals did Sir Phelps, it’s still one you’ll hopefully want to remember forever. But how do you remember something forever when it’s done in a flash?
In pictures, of course!
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a schmillion times… Your wedding photos are hands down some of the most important – if not the most important – keepsake you’ll have from your day. So, it’s important to make them count!
Recently, theknot.com put out a list of the 50 (New!) Must Have Wedding Photos for Your Album, and I’m dying to know what you think (or what you would add!)! While I consider several of the items to be a bit of “Pete and Repeat” and slightly unorganized, I do think it’s crucial to get as many ideas as possible; hence why i even put a few more of my personal suggestions at the end as well! Whoop, whoop! So, without further adieu, here they are (with a couple examples from our big day courtesy of the ahhhhmazing Jessika and Jimmy Feltz!!):
1. A Really Good Kissing Shot
2. The Guys Getting Ready (see also #21, #41, #43 and #50)
Ohhh to be a dude on the wedding day. (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
3. Your Bouquet (see also #10, #14 and #49)
4. The Reception Tables
5. Your Shoes (see also #25)
Granted, this is merely the heel of my shoes... but I love this shot! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
6. You — In Action
7. Your Favors
8. Your Wedding Party Kids – Junior Brides, Ring Bearers, Flower Girls, etc.
Haha! Yessss! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
9. The Wedding Cake
10. Bridesmaid’s Bouquets (see also #3, #14 and #49)
11. The Ceremony — Pulled Back
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
12. Your Dress
13. Your Hairstyle
14. His Boutonniere (see also #3, #10 and #49)
15. Candid Shots of Your Bridesmaids
Love love love these ladies! (photos courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
16. The Ceremony — From a New Angle
17. Your Wedding Party –Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Ushers, Miniature Attendents, etc.
18. Your Guests
Might I suggest doing a Photo Booth? The pics WILL be epic. (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
19. The Scene (see also #32)
20. The Reception — Pulled Back
21. Getting Ready with Your Mom (see also #2, #41, #43 and #50)
22. A “New Angle” Photo (see also #46)
23. The Ceremony Details
Part of the Four String Quartet (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
24. Your Jewelry
25. His Shoes (see also #5)
26. A Sign of the Times Shot — Twitter, iPad, Facebook, etc.
27. Your First Dance
28. A Posed & Composed Couple’s Shot
From our editorial / aeroplane shoot :) (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
29. The Escort Cards
30. A First Look Photo
31. A Silhouette Shot
Feel free to include the groom too, hehe! (photos courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
32. A Scene Setter (see also #19)
33. A “Magic Hour” Photo — reference term of photographers for right before sunset or right after sunrise when the light is best
34. The Wedding Dog
35. The Little Odds & Ends
One of our reception decorations standing proud. (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
36. The Getaway Car
37. A Dramatic Couple’s Shot
Again, from our editorial / aeroplane shoot! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
38. A Funky Backdrop Couple’s Shot
39. A Movie-esque Old Hollywood Shot — Black & White
40. The Lighting
From inside one one of the trees :) (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
41. Your Bridesmaids Before the Ceremony (see also #2, #21, #43 and #50)
Grouped together outside the church! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
42. You and Your Dad
43. Getting Ready Photo of You (see also #2, #21, #41 and #50)
44. A Before the Ceremony Toast
45. Your Glamour Shot
46. An Artistic Angled Shot (see also #22)
47. A Stolen Moment Away
Just the two of us! (photos courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
48. Your Fashion Shot
Hiiiiiiiiit it! (photo courtesy of jessikafeltz.com)
49. The Boutonnieres (see also #1, #10 and #14)
50. A Before the Ceremony Shot (see also any # that becomes before the ceremony, hehe!)
I would also like to offer few more shots you could benefit from… ’cause goodness KNOWS I did!
- Cake Cutting
- Other “Special” Dances (ie. father/daughter, mother/son etc.)
- Speeches & Toasts
- Bouquet Toss
- Garter Toss
- The FOOD! (Dead sere, these were some of my faves!)
- Bridal Exit from Church
- Wedding Party Entrance to Reception
- Grandparents
- Guest Book
November 12, 2010
Thanks, mom and dad, for all your continued, loyal support!... wait. what? (photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com)
Like any good blog stalker, this pretty little lady has her FAVES saved for go-to good reads. It truly is one of my life’s truest joys to not only read what people are writing about but also, to see how and even why they’re writing about them. While I have a tendency to lean (almost too) generously towards wedding blogs the world over, I can’t help but stray from time to time when a true gem rears its fabulous face onto my screen.
One such gem, you may wonder?? Well, that would be AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com.
While it’s generally one of my most golden rules not to bully (aka. put others down to bring myself up), I can’t help but point out the majority of treats being posted on this site (and now BLASTED on ours) have been and continue to be submitted by the “stars” themselves. So, they really only have themselves – and the photographic genius behind the lens – to blame.
So, without further adieu, may I present to you SEVERAL rules you should consider, and photographic evidence of why it’s so important :)
Rule #1. Firstly, make sure you pick a wedding photographer who’s got the goods – shout out to Jessika & Jimmy Feltz who have the BEST goods ever! – otherwise, you run the risk of what this bride calls her uncle’s (yes uncle!) lack of “professionalism.” Poor, potty mouth bride!
Just what every bride wants... a pic with a Port-O-John! (photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com)
Rule #2. Don’t give me no lies, and (tell them to!) keep their hands to themselves! Nothing ruins a good photo quite like uncomfortable groping from the peanut gallery. I mean, photo op #1 is awkward enough with the painful parent poking, but photo op #2?? Somebody needs to tell sister friend in the corner to ease off… he’s taken for sobbin’ out loud!
Mom, PLEASE! (photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com)
Some bridesmaids simply have no boundaries (photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com)
Rule #3. If you doubt it, don’t show it. And if you show it, perhaps it’s best to not do it. It appears that no one, and I truly mean NO ONE, is comfortable with these marriages becoming offish… brides, grooms, family members, even officiants. Mayhaps, things should’ve been thought through more thoroughly before the big plunge.
Can't you tell everyone agrees that it's a "nice day for a... white wedding!" (photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com)
Wow. You know it's a good ceremony when even the priest objects. (photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com)
Rule #4. BEWARE OF BEWILDERING BACKGROUNDS. Some of these I honestly have no other words for other than… whhhhyyyy?
You've heard of "Four Weddings & a Funeral" but what about having YOUR wedding and a funeral? (photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com)
The sentiment is there - sure - but we can't get passed the poor guy gettin' butt grabbed from a distance. (photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com)
I blame the bride mostly for her bridesmaids blending into the decor. For the record, there is such a thing as TOO matchy / matchy. (photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com)
Rule #5. Finally, don’t fall victim to vicious photo editing! As stanted in Rule #1, choose your photographers wisely or you may end up with these tripped out treats. Granted, the photos are dated several years, but the rule remains as modern day as ever…
Why's the groom snarling at me? Better yet, why are they both floating above the entire ceremony? Wizard wedding? (photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com)
'Cause you were always on my miiiiiiiiiind! This trippy photo is CREEPED to the max! (photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com)
October 8, 2010
(photo courtesy of 1weddingsource.com)
If you’re a bride-to-be who’s anything like me, you’ve more than likely been guilty of (or mayhaps a better term: fallen victim to) the inevitable, internet OVER-search. With the World Wide Web access being so readily available and containing such a vast threshold of all the latest and greatest, it’s soooo easy to get sucked into the “Hottest Trends for 2010″ or “Wedding Etiquette 101″ or “What 2 Do 2 Cure the Monster-in-Law Blues” or… you get the drift. And with all this pre-wedding curiosity bursting at the seams, wedding searches just may be the biggest version of unnoticed overload ever.
Because there are so many options for brides to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to planning your wedding. So, why not try to sort through things by the process of elimination? If your interest is to have an event that your guests will love as much as you do, why not look to see what other people or even you, yourself, are constantly complaining about and delete them off the list!?
Recently, lemondrop.com – a self proclaimed sweet, tasty and tart blog – published an article on wedding trends they hope will disappear titled, I Now Pronounce You Annoying — Wedding Trends That Need to Go. Written in a sarcastically humorous tone, the author introduces the “Debbie Downer” trends by stating:
The older you get and the more weddings you attend, the more they stop being fun and start sucking the life force out of you. (lemondrop.com)
Haha, I’m guessing the author is not friends with these guys…
Pic from Wedding Crashers, the Movie (courtesy of wedding-999.blogspot.com)
And while the sentiment being expressed is over exaggerated, its underlying message is not. Here are lemondrop.com‘s Picks 2 Nix, but what I want to know is if you agree:
- “Half-a-Dozen Parties Before the Actual Wedding.” Stating annoyance in the fact that a wedding is not just a wedding, but an Engagement Dinner, Bridal Shower, Bachelor / Bachelorette Party, Rehearsal Dinner, Ceremony and Reception… are weddings becoming too costly – and, in turn, too annoying – for guests to remain excited for when the actual day arrives?
- “The Long, Intensely Religious Religious Ceremony.” Because not everyone on a couple’s guest list will necessarily be of the same religious denomination, is it too much to ask for everyone to participate in a ceremony that may or may not last over an hour when they don’t actually practice the faith?
- “The Bouquet Toss.” While a time-honored tradition – no doubt – is the bouquet toss becoming more of a necessary evil, filled with self-conscious single ladies battling for a bouquet or is it still a fun and essential part of the reception’s routine?
- “Stupid Toasts.” Laying reference to the excess length (and inevitably, the excess amount of undisclosed information) a wedding speech can emit, do you think it’s more important to keep things moving along or let your best man recall the ultra embarrassing time you blankety-blanked the blank, down to the very last, nitty gritty - painfully discomforting – detail?
- “DJs Who Demand You DANCE!” In lieu of the fact that in due time, all the beer drinking patrons will eventually make it to the dance floor, is it necessary for DJ Jazzy (fill in name here) to constantly announce for everyone to “get up off of that thang!” or simply just let them “dance when they feel better?”
- “Video Testimonials.” Stating that only the most “obnoxious, drunk and unstable guests take the opportunity” to divulge in such a awkward process, are video testimonials becoming the TMI portion of a bride and groom’s happy day?
Now, more importantly than this list, is your opinion of it ORRRR even better yet, other things you’d like to add!
September 29, 2010
photos courtesy of elimurray.com
Traditionally speaking, it’s considered “bad luck” for a bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony. This type of old-fashioned thinking stems from an even more ancient tradition when the groom was not allowed to see his bride AT ALL before the big day. Not ever. Not once. Not even a glimpse. Nada.
While I’m happy to report that prearranged marriages and hide ‘n’ go seek brides - for the most part – have been eradicated in most cultures, there are still several people who like to hold the base of this tradition true. Often times, couples will choose to not see each other beforehand because they feel it adds to the excitement and anticipation of their wedding day. (Agree.)
Others, however, have poo-poo’ed conventional thinking for a more modern day train of thought and choose to have a moment before the ceremony all to themselves. This is a time just for them to really take each other in, and better yet, a time for a photographer to capture some beautifully candid shots. (I mean, just get a load of this groom!) Couples can have a moment of privacy to talk, hug, give a little smooch or simply calm each other’s nerves. (Also, agree.)
For brides and grooms who see each other pre-ceremony, it can also help take care of some of the formal wedding photography of the bridal party, in order to allot more time after for everything else. Woot, woot! But regardless of what you choose, just know that there is no right or wrong choice… merely Choice 1 and Choice 2, and it’s up to you to decide which one fits you and yours best! Good luck, and cheers to many years of happiness :)
photos courtesy of elimurray.com
July 21, 2010
In several areas and regions around the world, monograms have been used for centuries for a number of different reasons. Customarily speaking, they were used to display an artisan’s signature on his or her creation, but through the years, monograms were adapted as a unique way of personalizing one’s possessions.
I know. Blah, blah, blah, blah, right? I can’t help it… my heart beats for historical facts :)
Anyhoot, when it comes to your wedding day, monograms can be a great way to personalize and detail your ceremony and receptions. Because they can be produced as a design element, rather than just alphabetical letters, they are a timeless way for adding customized class. Think of them as the most elite form of combining your initials to your Louvre’s initials to make one, succinct symbol of your devotion for all to see…
Too deep?… I knew it. I always do that.
Okay, maybe monograms don’t need to be thought of that deeply, but for your wedding, they can be a useful tool to bring a sense of elegant uniformity. They can be done as subtle touches on your paper products, like stationery, favor packaging, ceremony programs, reception menus or place cards.
For a bolder look, buy or make a monogrammed aisle runner. Perhaps in lieu of a traditional cake topper, have one that combines you and your spouse’s initials. Orrrrr wrap your bouquet with a monogrammed handkerchief. It’s your wedding day… you can do whatever you want!
Bottom line, simply by taking your first name initial, his first name initial and plopping your new, shared last name initial in the middle, you can create an abundance of choices to add to your big day! And who can’t get behind that?
And if you’re looking to add your monogram to your big day, be sure to check out our extensive line of Monogrammed Wedding Accessories & Personalized Gifts!
June 2, 2010
For months, brides-to-be have been told that 2010 weddings are all about the blues! And in Bride’s latest issue to hit newsstands (April 2010), they decided to focus on one of our favorite Blue’s Brothers – turquoise! Love love love it!
With its varying shades swimming from broad ocean blues to deep sea greens, it’s no wonder why turquoise has become a preferred choice amongst this year’s hottest weddings. Because turquoise has a chameleon-like presence, altering from warm and romantic to cool and eclectic, it can be paired with a number of shades to create just about any atmosphere. And when it’s paired with the right accent shade, turquoise has the ability to be as diverse as the 2010 Winter Olympics. (Yeah, I took it there.)
Bride’s paired it with four completely different hues for four completely different looks, but what I’m dying to know is which one you like best! So, be sure to leave your pick (or new pairing) below :)
Romance @ a Glance: Seen as a more romantic coupling, turquoise and silver complement each other beautifully. By pairing this bold color with a calm neutral, this contrasting combination will give your wedding day a quixotic feel from the first hairdo updo to the (let’s dance the) last dance!
Popped Collar meets White Collar: Talk about a pop of prep-tastic magic! Viewed as the scholarly solution to wedding day whimsy, these two shades are the game, set and match of truly vibrant settings. The coolness of turquoise mingles amazingly with the chic-ness of cherry, making them ideal for spring or outdoor celebrations!
A Tart Taste of Trend: As a journalist, I feel like it is my duty to offer up my bias on this one… There’s just something about chartreuse I could never quite understand. I mean, is it green? Is it yellow? Is it supposed to be mossy and muted or limey and loud? These are things we may never know, but what we do know is that when paired with turquoise, chartreuse will trend up just about any bride-to-be’s big day! If it comes off too trendy for the traditional bride, you can always calm it down by bringing in a sleek neutral like black, sand or cream to help.
As Seen in Nature: Bride’s magazine calls it “natural,” but I call it nautical! This sea friendly duo will be the epitome of picturesque for your destination or beach themed wedding. The calming effects of the serene blues will be the perfect pallet for all newlyweds looking to create a one of a kind look for a one of a kind love.
March 26, 2010
At the risk of coming off totally unoriginal, today’s blog post is completely dedicated to others! I came across this Website a few weeks back where brides – over the course of the past few years – have been asked to submit their unique wedding ideas… so imagine my delight when such a simple theory developed into such intricate results!
I was losin’ it as I read through some of the more “colorful” options, but I couldn’t help but applaud the sheer genius of others! Every wedding day has potential to get Army and be all that it can be; so, why not see what others did for greatness and make it your own? Below are some of my favorite responses to emerge from ourmarriage.com, but please feel free to add to this list by leaving your unique idea here! I always love hearing from you :)
Whenever we would go to a wedding we always are wondering who the people in the bridal party are and what is their relation to the bride and groom. So at our wedding, in the program we listed each person in our wedding party with a little paragraph on how we know this person and a little fun tidbit and or why they are special to us. It was nice for them to read and gave our guests a special insight of our friends and family and didn’t leave them guessing who was who!
I wanted to do something different for the centerpieces at my reception tables, so I decided to make my own candles. I used the dried flower petals that I had been saving from all of the flowers my fiancée had given me from the time we started dating. I thought that they were a true testament of how our relationship had grown, there were the first flowers he had ever given me, I love you, I’m Sorry, Get Well, thinking of You, Valentine’s Day, and anniversary flowers, all the way up to the purple roses he gave me when he asked me to marry him. They turned out beautifully and everyone loved them!
I wanted a good picture of my dad walking me down the aisle. Instead a picture of our “backs”, we took a few steps, stopped, turned around and the photographer got a great picture of our faces. It’s the most cherished picture of me and my dad.
I’ve noticed at wedding receptions that the younger guests are usually bored. So, for my wedding reception, I had a special “children’s table” set up. There were balloons tied to every chair and “busy packets” at every place setting. The busy packets contained coloring books and crayons, small puzzles, activity books and blank paper. The kids were all together so they didn’t have to listen to boring grown up conversation and they had things to keep them busy. We made a point of visiting the table several times during the reception. It was a party for them and a great celebration for us!
[Our guests] are requested to bring along a small Christmas ornament (1/per family) from their personal collections. The purpose of this is to remember all of our friends who came to our wedding. We will hang up all the little ornaments they gave to us on our tree at Christmas.
My fiancée and I absolutely hate the idea of the garter and bouquet toss. So we have decided to do a variation on the theme. Instead of tossing the bouquet, we are going to give a single flower to every single women at the reception. The flower will be a duplicate of one of the flowers in my bouquet. The flower will have a poem pinned to it as well as wishes for love, success and health. There is no reason that only one girl should have all of the fun, this way every single women is given well wishes.
This isn’t my idea – I was at a wedding the other weekend where this was done and I thought it was very nice! During the ceremony a photographer and a videographer photographed and videoe’d the wedding, as usual. At the reception, which took place right after the wedding (cocktails in between right outside the large room for the reception in between wedding and reception), a presentation was shown on a screen via projector. The presentation started out with photos and such of the bride starting with baby photos and ending with a recent photo. Then the same was done with the groom. They then showed the engagement photo. But then this is where the very nice thing took place: they then showed photos and video footage from their wedding which must have been at the most only an hour and a half earlier – most likely less!! It was a great surprise to all the guests, and it was super because the selected clips from during the ceremony after the procession were taken from a view that showed the bride and groom’s faces so we all got to see the important parts of the wedding from a view nobody gets to see otherwise! It was a fantastic presentation, set to music and all, too, of course. I recommend this idea!!
Instead of rice, bubbles, or anything else that people throw at the bride and groom. The wedding party should burn sparklers when the bride and groom are having their first dance. The lights are dim and the moment is so special, and sparklers are such a different touch. Or, you can get all the guests to burn one when they are leaving at the end. Whatever works.
We are asking our guest to send us their favorite recipes with their RSVP’s. We are then going to make cookbooks to give to our guest as favors. It’s really inexpensive and it’s nice to have a cookbook with both our families’ recipes. You can have the cookbook go with your theme or colors. We are binding ours together with cover coordinating with our invitations.
March 10, 2010
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