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The Kentucky Derby Wedding

The Kentucky Derby Wedding

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Derby ThemeThe Kentucky Derby Wedding. It’s off to the races! Or is it, a race to the altar? However you slice it,  The Kentucky Derby is chalk full of wedding inspiration.  Not only is it a spring right of passage for sporting fans, for us in the wedding biz, it’s the perfect time of year for the most gorgeous florals. From the signature cocktail (hello, mint julep!) to the special attire (ladies in hats and men opting for bow ties), it’s just enough theme without being overboard, and we have to say, we adore the look!

First, let’s consider the date. May is bustling with signs of summer, but also has a safe bet for temps staying comfortable for your guests. And while you always run the risk of rainy weather with a tent, we think an indoor venue with a vast veranda or terrace is perfect for echoing the same sentiment as Derby watching.  The event lends itself to plenty of other built-in musts like using silver plated mint julep cups for floral arrangements, choosing equestrian accents like horse figurines or even the quintessential sign of good luck, the Horseshoe for your escort cards. We also love the subtle homages to southern tradition that might be perfect for a preppy couple even if they aren’t from the South.mint julep

There’s a huge trend of turning to Southern traditions for weddings. For one, they really embrace the gala idea of several days of wedding festivities.  You can follow suit by adding a BBQ themed rehearsal dinner and opting for Southern style sides on your dinner menu as well. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love cornbread, mac n’ cheese and pecan pie? And no Southern Wedding would be complete without a grand red velvet cake!

One of our favorite blogs, Southern Weddings Magazine, is stocked with coverage of real weddings that embrace all of these terrific ideas. And show that is it completely possibly to try to theme out for an engagement party or bridal shower.  Some of our favorites we’ve seen so far? A bow tie bar for the guys and cigar rollers! Or maybe your guy would like a Kentucky bourbon bar for tasting.  We think the ideas are endless! And we are sure to see more of this trend in the year ahead!

Derby Cake

Grammy Fashion Round Up

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Brides are notorious for looking to the runways and red carpets for wedding inspiration. Whether it’s hair and makeup looks, or new trends in formal wear, the celebs never seem to disappoint and offer plenty of ideas for real wedding looks. This week’s Grammy Award ceremony was definitely a big night for fashion and while the music industry folks tend to take more risks in their clothing than the typical award show goers, there were a few looks we just know we will be seeing brides interpret for their big day.  And the women weren’t alone… the men were some of our favorites! So if you or our groom are looking to really bring it with your ensembles for your wedding, look no further. We are bringing you the best of the Grammys right now!

Grammy fashion

While there a few ones NOT to follow, we just loved some of our favorite songstresses and their choices for Sunday’s show. The regulars like country glamazons Carrie Underwood and Faith Hill stunned in black (the color of the season) while the delightful Nicole Kidman chose a sweet, gold Vera Wang number for a night with husband Keith Urban proving yet again that a HUGE trend for all formal wear is metallic!  But who can fail to mention, America’s sweetheart, fresh off of her Super bowl smash performance, Beyonce, wearing a refreshingly simple black and white (hello colorblocking!) jumpsuit by British designer Osman.  What a perfect look for a rehearsal dinner or bridal shower.  Teaming up a perfectly masculine look for a shower or dinner is a great balance to strike with your ultra feminine Bridal look. We love the idea and are adding “ look for jumpsuits” to our Spring to- do list.

men grammy

Of the risk takers, we found a few to be our faves. Rihanna looked stunning in a custom red Alaia gown. Although the sheer paneling might be a bit much for a wedding look, the shape and of course the RED is going to be another trend we see over and over come this wedding season. And it wouldn’t be a true fashion round up without the queen of the Grammys carpet, Ms. Jennifer Lopez in a leg baring one shoulder gown by Zuhair Murad.  This look could be super modern and sexy in white , perhaps with a more conservative slit. Paired with her dewey perfection of a face, the look was a huge hit!

Rihanna gown

And then there were the boys. And really when it comes to the man of the night, I don’t think there is any question that Justin Timberlake stole the show. First he brought sexy back, and now he’s bringing back classic, gentlemen’s dressing by rocking black and white loafers, pocket squares and who else but a Tom Ford classic black tuxedo – definitely a 2013 fashion trend. Also mimicking this look was his pal (and stage-mate) Jay-Z with both donning the timeless look and a nod to Old Hollywood with traditional cummerbunds. Could this be a return to the rat pack era? We sure hope so because JT has never looked (or sounded) better. And we must say, as a wedding blog, when it comes to Mr. Timberlake, marriage has never looked better!

Timberlake Tux

 

 

Groom Trends for 2013

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Huff Post Weddings is a fabulous resource for nuptial news brought to you by The Huffington Post, one of our favorite sources for news of all kinds.  So this past week, when they sited new groom trends for 2013, we sat up and listened- as anything to do with grooms always seems to catch our attention. Let’s face it, even though you are one half of the main event, you aren’t exactly considered the star of the show, so for the groom, we are totally following this new trend of having your own influence infused with the theme of the day. As far as the Huff Post is concerned, here are some of their favorite new ways for the guys to show off their style, along with some of our own ways to make it your own.

Bourbon Bars: We know all about the signature cocktail, and while that still reigns supreme, we are loving the new take on theme bars. For the scotch or whiskey loving guy (or gal) these stations are perfect for educating guests and allowing them to sip something they may never have tried before. Holding a mini tasting of your own before the wedding is a great way to share your favorites with your guests when the big day arrives. It’ also very interactive, and a great way to take a chic dance break and strike up a conversation with someone new over a select glass of premium hard liquor.  This idea is perfect for just about any event from a black tie country club wedding to a backyard southern BBQ rehearsal dinner.

bourbon bar

A Bryan Photo

Co-ed Bachelor Parties: Okay, so before you guys all start to freak out and kiss your freedom goodbye, combining your “last night of freedom” with your soon to be new wife, is pretty genius especially when mutual couple friends are involved. These days, going to a wedding is a real commitment of time and money. From the sick days you forfeit to gifts for bridal showers and engagements, by the time the bachelor party rolls around, things can get pretty dicey in the money department. We like the idea of being able to bring your wife of significant other with and making a mini vacation out of the trip. There’s plenty of time for you to go your separate ways (spa days for the girls and casino trips for the boys.) Meeting up with the ladies for fancy dinners and days by the pool sounds like a great balance especially for the couples who are well out of their twenties and jut want to have a great time minus some of the debauchery.

Singing the blues away

Socks!: It wasn’t too long ago that the famous younger brother of the Kardashian girls, Rob, decided to design his own line of socks for the discerning gentleman with a flair for fashion. His reasoning was that guys have way less options for switching up their outfits and when it comes to statement making accessories for the big day- sock are a perfect option. Grooms are opting for stripes in every color and bold prints that make a real statement. We love this look with gray suits or less formal looks. They add a personal touch and some whimsy too!

socks

Shopbop.com Wedding Boutique

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Shopbop , for those of you just being introduced to the upper echelons of online shopping is a leading online retailer that focuses on fashion forward contemporary finds. Perfectly curated by their team of stylists, editors and buyers, the site has everything from well known labels to up and comers who are hitting the fashion scene hard. With the target demographic is somewhere is the 21-35 range ( although their reach goes from beyond that age group) it seems only fitting that their latest venture is dressing the bride from head to toe for her big day and beyond.

Since online shopping has become so prevalent for the busy working girl, Shopbop, has found a huge and loyal following of customers who love their speedy shipping, great return policy and close enough to real life descriptions that you almost always keep your purchases.  Their team of expert fashionistas take sizing charts and quality control to a whole new level that keeps those obsessed with their picks coming back season after season.

Badgley Mischka Bridal

So it wasn’t long until this genius e-commerce house got smart to the shopping habits of brides-to-be. Especially those brides looking for variety in a sea of the same dresses and accessories stocked at bridal salons.  While some stores have exclusives with designers who like to keep their gowns in one select store per market, Shopbop offers many of these same designers under the same roof.  Names like Badgley Mischka, Marchesa, Temperley London, J. Mendel, and Zac Posen, just to name a few, can be seen side by side for comparison in what can only be viewed as the best of the best going head to head for your vote.  The amazing part is that all of the sizes are ready to wear and as for the return policy? It’s the same! And better yet? The dress arrives at your door perfectly wrapped in some of the finest packaging around. Now if that isn’t high-end bridal service, we don’t know what is!

Zac Posen

Besides a plethora of gowns for the very glamour, modern, or classic bride, they also offer a huge selection of amazing statement jewelry, handbags, hair accessories and shoes.  You can even outfit your entire wedding party in one of their just as fashionable bridesmaid ensembles. If that weren’t one-stop shopping enough for you, then consider all of the events from showers, engagement parties, and the rehearsal dinner that you simply must find the perfect dress for. Shopbop has that covered too. Alongside their gorgeous display of shorter white dresses, you can peruse the entire site for the perfect outfit for any event.

So jump on over to Shopbop.com and start pulling your looks for the big day. Be sure to sign up for special offers like their annual holiday sales where the more you spend, the more you get! And happy Shopping!

Three Ways to Make Your Rehearsal Dinner Memorable

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Traditionally, a rehearsal dinner is a formal event including the wedding party and close family. Normally, it features a fancy dinner, dress clothes, and a few speeches. Basically, almost all rehearsal dinners are the same, but yours can be more unique. Here are three ways to make your rehearsal dinner fun and memorable.

Rethink the Food

Rehearsal dinners often take place at a fancy restaurant, which is nice if that is your style, but there are plenty of other options. When choosing a restaurant and menu, consider your personality and the mood you want to set. Some fun options include home-style BBQ, Chinese food, or a DIY Mexican bar.

Play Some Games

The rehearsal dinner should be an excuse to party and celebrate. Don’t be afraid to include some fun games. Again, consider your personality and the mood you want to set. Some fun options include beer pong or the newlywed game. You can make this extra fun by turning the games into a battle of the sexes.

Decorate

Just because you are having the rehearsal dinner at a restaurant, doesn’t mean you can’t decorate. Some options include fun centerpieces, lights, pictures, and favors. You may choose to coordinate the decorations with your wedding theme or you could choose a unique theme just for the occasion.

How to Use Your Engagement Photos

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Nowadays, many couples are getting engagement photos. What exactly should you do with all those great shoots you paid for? Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Save the Dates

If you are sending save the dates, you can use the photos to personalize this classic wedding stationary. One of the most popular options is a magnet featuring a great photo and the wedding date. Magnets are awesome because people are less likely to lose them.

Timothy Whaley & Associates – Photographic Artists

Alternative Guestbook

Instead of a traditional guestbook, you can frame an engagement photo and have guests sign the border. Instead of storing a guestbook in the attic or basement, you can display the signatures on a wall in your home. You could choose your favorite picture to frame or create a collage of photos.

Wedding Website

The internet has changed the face of wedding planning. Now, you create a wedding website to share with friends and family. Engagement photos are great way to showcase your personalities and love for each other on the site.

Table Numbers

While taking your engagement photos, include props that feature numbers. You can then frame the photos to use as table numbers.

Gifts

Parents, and other relatives or close friends, love pictures. Most people give a wedding photo as a gift, but you could also frame and wrap one of those gorgeous engagement photos.

Decorate

Modern couples love to personalize their wedding events. Use the engagement photos to decorate the bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, ceremony site, or reception venue.

Hazelton Photography

Extra Wedding Events

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Sure, your nuptials are the main event, but it’s not the only affair you (or your guests) will be attending during the weekend of festivities. Here’s an overview of the additional events to consider planning for your wedding weekend:

Welcome Party: If you have a lot of guests coming in from out-of-town for your wedding, consider hosting a party to welcome them to town. This can be as simple as a backyard barbecue or as elaborate as a swanky cocktail party. Not only will it make your guests feel honored and appreciated, it’ll give you an opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones that you might otherwise only talk to for a few minutes at your reception.

Bridesmaids Brunch/Luncheon: This gathering can also be as casual or classy as you prefer and it is typically held one or two days before the wedding. A close female friend or relative who isn’t part of the bridal party traditionally hosts it and it can be held in a restaurant, at someone’s home, or at a tearoom. The primary goal is to spend time with your bridesmaids, closest friends, and close female relatives of you and the groom.

Rehearsal Dinner: The rehearsal dinner is offered following the—you guessed it—rehearsal. Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is hosted by the groom’s family and is offered for the entire bridal party and anyone helping with the wedding. It can also be opened up to out-of-town guests who are particularly close to the bride and groom. This can be held at a nearby restaurant, a reception hall, in a hotel, or at someone’s house.

J. Jones Photography

Bachelor/Bachelorette Party: While the bachelor/bachelorette parties can be held in the weeks or months leading up to the wedding, a lot of couples opt to enjoy them one or two nights before the wedding. Whether you opt for a wild night out on the town or an intimate dinner with your closest pals, hosting the bachelor/bachelorette party shortly before the wedding is a great way to truly celebrate the end of your single life.

 

Farewell Brunch: If you aren’t departing for your honeymoon immediately following your wedding, why not host a morning-after-the-wedding brunch for your close friends and family? The wedding day is such a whirlwind, so an event the following day will give you a chance to relax, have fun, and ruminate on the best moments of the day.

Parents of the Bride and Groom – How Involved?

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As a parent of the bride or groom, the upcoming wedding is a joyous and exciting time for you, but figuring out your role can be challenging. Finding a healthy balance is key to maintaining everyone’s happiness and sanity in the wedding planning process. Here are some tips on parental involvement and participation:

Financial Responsibility: Traditionally, the bride’s family was responsible for paying for the wedding and the groom’s family paid for the rehearsal dinner. Nowadays, there’s no hard and fast rule when divvying up the wedding expenses. Whether you’re the parent of the bride or groom, you have the option of being as financially involved as you would like. Once the happy couple gets engaged, it’s best to have an honest discussion about finances. Be open about how much, if any, you’d like to contribute to the wedding expenses. This can be set as a dollar amount to be used however the bride and groom prefer, or you can claim responsibility over certain items (i.e. flowers, food, rehearsal dinner) regardless of the cost.

Decision-Making Power: This is a tough one. There’s no predetermined rule that establishes how much pull parents have in the wedding planning process. Understandably, if you’re contributing finances, you probably prefer to have some say in what decisions are made. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to express your opinions, but try to remember that the wedding needs to be a reflection of the bride and groom, as well. Share your opinions and preferences when asked, or when you feel they really need to be heard, but respect the final decision that the bride and groom make.

Conflict Resolution: There will undoubtedly be conflict that arises during the process. It’s a stressful, harried time in any couple’s life and often the anxiety gets the better of them. The best way to avoid and resolve conflict is by being open and honest. Be upfront about your financial commitment and have regular conversations to make sure your son or daughter is sticking to the budget. Have a heart-to-heart about the level of involvement the bride and groom desire you to have in the wedding planning, decision-making, and festivities. Be candid about your desires, as well, so your child knows how much you’d like to participate. And lastly, be willing to let go of some of the control. As much as you love your child, you need to respect that they’re becoming their own person with their own ideas, preferences, and needs. Make sure you’re not overstepping your bounds during the wedding planning process and adding undue stress to the couple.

Operation Groom Involvement

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Whether you’ve been planning your wedding for a couple days or a few months, chances are that most of the work is falling on the bride’s shoulders. Many grooms-to-be are willing to help, but they don’t have the faintest idea where to start. Here are a few tasks to delegate in an attempt to get the groom involved:

1. Spreadsheets: The wedding budget and guest list should be agreed upon by both parties involved, but if your guy is the organized type, ask him to put together detailed spreadsheets for both. It’s a tedious task, but it has to be done, and it’ll save you fiancé from being forced to pick out flowers or china patterns.

2. Rehearsal Dinner: It’s customary for the groom’s family to pay for the rehearsal dinner, so why not let him plan it? Ask your mate to choose a theme, venue, menu, and even invitations. This is a great chance to let his personality and tastes come to the forefront in an important, but relaxed, wedding event.

3. Honeymoon Planning: Relinquish control of the honeymoon to your significant other, giving him the reins to plan a dream vacation for the two of you. If you’d like some involvement, discuss guidelines (budget, climate, length of stay, etc), or add to the excitement by letting your groom plan every detail, including the surprise destination.

4. Groomsmen Attire: Task your man with the responsibility of organizing attire for the male members of the bridal party. Have him pick out a tuxedo or suit and make the necessary arrangements for rental or purchase for each of the guys (including your fathers, grandparents, or other family members donning wedding duds). The Best Man’s Job

5. Negotiate: When it comes to wedding planning, everything’s negotiable. If you’re about to marry a no-nonsense businessman, ask him to handle negotiations with various wedding vendors. This eliminates stress from you and results in cash saved.

6. Food Selection: They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so why not play on his strengths and get his input on the wedding fare? Invite him along to taste-testings or task him with the responsibility of selecting appetizers and drinks for the cocktail hour. Wedding Dessert Options

7. Music Selection: If your beau is a music buff, put his talent to work. Ask him to choose songs to be played during the wedding ceremony, photo slideshow, or important dances at the reception.

8. Registry Relief: Selecting items for your wedding registry can be a daunting task. Make sure your groom joins you and turn it into a fun pre-wedding event! Enjoy the time together, browsing through stores, to find the perfect home goods to deck out your new joint home.

Calling All Grooms

Pre & Post Wedding Events

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Your wedding may be the main attraction, but there are several other events leading up to and following your big day that need to be planned. From the bridesmaids’ luncheon to the farewell brunch, the entire weekend is typically full of festive celebrations. Here’s a breakdown of the pre- and post-wedding events that you may want to consider:

Bridesmaids Brunch/Luncheon: This is usually offered in the morning or afternoon one to two days before the wedding as a gathering for the bride, mother of the bride, mother of the groom, bridesmaids, wedding attendants, and other close female friends/family members. This event can be relaxed and casual or formal and elegant. Typically, the bridesmaids’ brunch/luncheon is hosted by someone outside of the bridal party (a close friend or family member) and can be held in a restaurant or someone’s home. As the bride, you may also choose to host the event yourself as a way to celebrate and thank the ladies standing beside you on your big day. As for locations, consider a girly tearoom, elegant champagne brunch, or relaxed pancake house.

Welcome Party: If you have several out-of-town guests traveling in for your wedding, you may want to host a welcome party or event to greet them. This can be done one to two nights before the wedding at a private home, hotel, or restaurant. Again, this can be as casual or formal as you prefer, but it really serves as a way to express appreciation to those individuals who traveled a great distance to celebrate with you. Often, in lieu of a welcome party, brides and grooms will extend an invitation to out-of-town guests to join them at the rehearsal dinner. Depending on the number of your out-of-town guests, you may want to offer a cocktail hour in a rented space at the hotel or host a relaxed barbecue at your new home.

Rehearsal Dinner: The rehearsal dinner is typically held the night before the wedding immediately following the rehearsal (which usually takes place at the ceremony site). The rehearsal dinner is hosted by the groom’s parents for the entire bridal party, wedding attendants, officiant, and close friends/family. Typically, this is held at a restaurant conveniently located near the ceremony site, but can also be a catered event at a different location or in someone’s home.

Farewell Brunch/Luncheon: A lot of brides and grooms opt to join their wedding guests, bridal party, and family for one last hurrah before jetting off on their honeymoon. The farewell brunch/luncheon is held the morning after the wedding and may be hosted by the newlyweds, family of the bride or groom, or close friends.