The Role of the Ring Bearer

Ring bearers may be the most sweetest and charming, aww-inducing part of the processional, yet it’s not to be forgotten their huge responsibility! Right before the bride walks down the aisle, the ring bearer(s) will make their debut.  A ring bearer is usually a boy aged 4-8 years old and can be from either side of the bride or grooms family.

The ring bearer is one of the last to walk down the aisle, and will carry the rings (usually tied to a pillow or box).  Some couples choose not to give the ring bearer the real rings as at 6 years-old they tend to be a little boisterous and rough, so usually the rings are fake.  However, if you do choose to let your little rascal hold the actual rings, make sure you give them to him right before his unveiling to prevent him from losing them.

Whoever you chose for your special day, make sure you include your ring bearer at your rehearsal so he gets plenty of practice beforehand.

What they wear

Here are an assortment of styles for these cute little dudes:

Heather,

Xo

Matron of Honor

The Matron of Honor (MOH) has a HUGE role in planning the wedding, and let’s face it, keeping the bride completely sane!  When you are selecting the person that is going to be your MOH, you should naturally choose a person who is closest to you – a sister or close girlfriend. This person will offer you the support, love and guidance in the months leading up to the big event, and will be the go-to helping hand on the day of the wedding.

The MOH not only has to fluff the train on the wedding day, coordinate the bachelorette party and bridal shower, and rehearse her treasured speech on the day of the event, but she also has a huge list of other responsibilities too!

Here is a pre-wedding to-do list for all you lucky Matron of Honors!

• Plan the bridal shower and bachelorette party
• Spread the word of the wedding – help the bride track down RSVP’s and let others know where she is registered
• Help with dress shopping- this includes helping the bride find her perfect gown, and help with selecting the perfect bridesmaid dresses
• Be the brides go-to woman
• Prepare a few words to share with guests during the toasts
• Lend a helpful ear
• Attend all pre-wedding parties
• Keep a record of gifts received at various parties and showers
• Make sure all bridesmaids get their hair and makeup done and arrive at the ceremony on time
• Hold the brides bouquet and fluff her train during the ceremony
• Keep the bride smiling – MOST IMPORTANT!
• Sign the marriage license as a witness
• Check in with the bride frequently during the wedding

Heather,

Xo

CALM DOWN BRIDEZILLAS!!

I felt I needed to touch on this subject today because I witnessed a situation that really saddened me –BRIDEZILLAS! Many of you have been in this situation: you have been asked to be part of your best friend’s wedding, or you are helping out a member of the family prepare for her big day and you are excited!…then all of a sudden you get an email “to-do” list, and then are suddenly being bossed around by your so called loved one!

First things first: CALM DOWN BRIDEZILLAS!! Your friends and family are only trying to help you (and not to mention are probably the ones paying for it) and although this is your special day and you deserve to have everything, don’t turn into a queen bee! Nothing can ruin a fairytale wedding or destroy friendships more than a bride who is running around like a tyrant!

How do you combat these diva difficulties or destructive power trips without pulling out your hair? This list below should help keep a smile on your face!

1. Smile and keep your head up – Remember this person you once knew and loved will return once the wedding is over. Try to do what she wants, and hopefully one day she will return the favor.

2. Listen – Many normal brides turn into bridezilla’s because of the stress and expectations of flawlessness. Offering a shoulder to cry on can help decrease the buildup of torment that makes her lash out at you.

3. Stand your ground – You are all probably thinking the same – “That bride is nuts”, but before you explode try to calmly tell her how you feel, you deserve to be treated with respect too!

4. Do NOT empathize with other bridesmaids – You don’t want messages to get back to the bride. Try venting to someone who is not in the wedding! Backstabbing can cause a hostile atmosphere and tension at the wedding!

“Keeping a feminine approach is vital – men hate bossy females.” – Ida Lupino

Heather,

Xo

Cake Toppers!

Cutting the cake is one of the delightful highlights at any wedding, and the cake will be featured in heaps of photographs! Cake toppers are an easy and fun accessory to add to your cake to make it look marvelous! There are tons of different varieties to choose from: simple, extravagant, wooden, wire, ribbon, metallic etc.! Cake toppers can help personalize your cake to make it unique, you may be asking yourself what is the perfect cake topper for you and your groom, have fun and think about what represents your styles and tastes!

Here are some of my favorites:

Heather,

Xo

Wedding Favors!

Choosing the right wedding favor is almost as important as choosing the precise color scheme, or finding the perfect dress. Wedding favors play an significant role because the wedding favor is the one part of the wedding which your guests will take home as a reminder of your wedding.

In our generation is it recommended that you send your guests home with a gift in the form of a wedding favor. This will show a small token of appreciation to your guests for attending the wedding.

Nowadays there is a whole range of wedding favor styles and ideas to choose from. Here are some of my favorites!

1. French Macaroons

2. Honey Jars – Its meant to bee!

3. Tequila Toast!

4. Jelly Beans – Thanks for bean here with us!

5. Champagne Celebration!

6. Chapstick – Mint to be!

Heather,

Xo

How to Choose Your Bridal Party

Planning your wedding is theoretically one of the most joyful and exciting times of your life; however, reconciling who you want to include in your bridal party can seem like an ordeal. With friends and family anticipating they will be asked, how do you chose your bridesmaids without making it a nightmare!?

Well first of all this is YOUR day, and this is YOUR wedding! Start prioritizing what is important to YOU!

Bridal parties can range from a single matron of honor, to twelve members of your bridal party standing with you on each side! Think about the size of your wedding and how many guests you want to attend, while traditional weddings suggest that there is one corresponding groomsman for each bridesmaid, it is no longer require that your wedding party is symmetrical.

Here are some tips to help you chose your bridal party:

• Think of your closest friends and family – think of the people who mean the most to you, and the friends you have had the longest. Think of the people that have been by your side through everything and have been accepting of you your entire life. These are the people that deserve to stand with you.

• More isn’t always merrier – The more bridesmaids you have, the greater the risk for complications, and the smaller the space you will have at the altar. Remember, you are the one paying for everything too!

• Do I need to return the favor – NO! Just because someone asked you to be in her wedding does not mean that you must have her in yours.

• Sex Counts! – Your bridesmaid does not need to be a female! It could be your greatest and longest guy friend too!

• Maid of Honor/Best Man – This should be obvious for most people! Your Maid of Honor/Best Man should be your sister or your brother, and to me I couldn’t visualize anyone else fulfilling the job! Your siblings know you better than you know yourself and will be there to guide you and help you on you special day! But, if it should be a friend, really think about who you want standing with you at the altar, and who you can rely on to help make those tough wedding decisions with you!

 

Heather,

Xo

 

Congratulations! You are engaged? So when is the date?!

This is a difficult decision for any couple; however, usually a year-long engagement is just about right.  This will give you plenty of time to envision the breathtaking dress, the whimsical venue (some are booked six to twelve months in advance) and select the number of guests to attend!

When selecting a date it is crucial to consider the following:

Budget

May through September are generally the most popular months for weddings which means these venues are booked faster, and tend to be more expensive around these months!

Season

• If you are having an outdoors wedding or a vacation wedding, weather plays a huge role when determining your    special date.
• The seasons can play a huge role when selecting the theme and color scheme of your wedding.

Holidays

• Holidays are a busy time of the year for everyone! The majority of venues host more than just weddings, so they’ll book up for holiday parties as well.
• You may choose to have your wedding during a holiday weekend, such as Memorial Day, as you and your family will have additional time off work to travel and celebrate with you.

Dates to Avoid

• Milestone birthdays/anniversary’s  in the family (parents 50^th wedding anniversary)
• Mother’s Day/Father’s Day
• Ask your bridesmaids – are they in another wedding?
• Thanksgiving
• New Year’s Eve
• Christmas Day
• Friday the 13^th (for those of you who are superstitious!)

Heather

Xo,

Where to Start!?

When planning a wedding the first question I am always asked is “where should I start!” Choosing your wedding theme is a great way to set the scene and create a cohesive look on your special day. It’s vital to select a theme as early as possible in the planning process as it will help guide your various fashion and wedding style decisions. By choosing and sticking with your theme it is very helpful for wedding vendors to come up with ideas for your flowers, cake, menu, invitations, bridesmaid dresses, etc., color and theme are the unifying feature for all of your wedding details!

Here are some quick tips on picking the perfect wedding theme:

1. Consider your hobbies and interests that you and your husband have in common. This could help locate the perfect venue, design the perfect save the date card, or create a unique and unforgettable cake!

2. What are your favorite colors? This is a fundamental question you must ask yourself while you are choosing your bridesmaid dresses and color scheme for the wedding. Flowers and table linens make a huge impact on the overall look of your day!

3. What is your budget? Some themes definitely cost a lot more, while others can be very affordable. Rustic and vintage style weddings are widely popular nowadays as it welcomes DIYs. Where traditional black and white, or old Hollywood themed weddings tend to be more expensive.

Magnet Street has a helpful and easy quiz to help you find your perfect wedding style based on your own unique personality! https://www.magnetstreet.com/wedding-style-quiz

Let me share with you some of my favorite wedding themes:

1. Rustic/Country

2. Old Hollywood

3. Gatsby

4. Nautical

5. Romantic Whimsical

Heather,

Xo