The Garter Toss

The tossing of a bride’s wedding garter has become a feature of many wedding reception celebrations, and originates back to the 14^th Century.  Around Europe it was believed that having a piece of the bride’s clothing was thought to bring good luck.

Garters are articles of clothing made from heavy cloth or ribbon. In the olden days the garter was worn just below the knee, where the leg is most slender, to prevent a woman’s stocking from sliding. Nowadays they are worn above the knee for fashion.

Historically the garter represents purity of the bride.  The groom would remove the garter as a symbol that he now had the right to his bride’s virginity.  Today a garter represents one of the most intimate pieces of apparel that the bride can reserve for her groom.

These days the bride wears two garters, one for her keepsake and the other to be thrown at the ceremony.  Before the throw of the garter the bride first throws her bouquet to her single female guests.  Then the groom seats his bride on a chair in the middle of the dance floor and removes the garter from the bride’s leg, sometimes he does it with his teeth, but it’s more appropriately done with his hands.

After the garter has been removed, the groom throws it to his single male guests.  According to superstition, the male who catches the garter and the female who catches the bouquet are next to be married in the next 12 months.

The keepsake garter is saved for only the groom to see on their wedding night!

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Heather,

Xo

Wedding Hair Trial

Should I really splurge on a wedding hair trial?…YES! You want everything to be perfect, and that includes your hair! While doing a hair trial might feel like an indulgence, it’s actually a crucial step. The hair trial lets you know what you’re getting, and on your wedding day you may be too anxious or astounded to explain exactly what you really want. It’s also a chance to give your hairdo a test run: Head out on the town for a few hours afterwards to see if your ‘do holds up to normal wear. It beats discovering on the dance floor at your reception that those bobby pins won’t hold!

A trial may cost as much as an actual wedding day hair style
Although it seems crazy to pay for a hair ‘do’ that won’t actually be photographed, I highly suggest going for a trial run a couple weeks before the big day! Check with your salon and hairdresser because some salons will charge just as much for the trail as they will for the actual day.

Bring anything you might want in your hair to the trial.
Before you go to your trial research as many styles as possible so you can decide exactly the look you are expecting on your wedding day. Make sure you bring all of your hair accessories too, you may learn, that your sparkly that you thought would look perfect is far from it. Better to figure that out at the trial than on your wedding day.

However long it takes the stylist to do your wedding hairstyle at the trial is about how long it’ll take on your wedding day.
Make sure you jot down and confirm with your stylist exactly how long the trail will take. When getting ready on your wedding day leave the same amount of time to guarantee you don’t have to race to the alter.

Pay attention post-trial to your hair.
I’ve got naturally straight hair that doesn’t hold curls very well. Make sure you pay attention to your ‘do’ and alert your stylist of this so you can prepare in advance. Sometimes your stylist may have to use an entire can of hairspray to guarantee your hair lasts all night!

Photo Credit:Pinterst

Heather,

Xo

 

Your Wedding Emergency Toolkit

As I get closer and closer to my first official debut, I thought I would take the time to create an emergency checklist for all of those frantic planners out there!  There is nothing worse than lining up your bridal party right before the processional and having to deal with a button falling off of a jacket, or a piece of hair that fell loose.  I think it’s important to always be prepared for the worst, to save you desperately looking for something at crunch time!

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Here are some things that you should always carry with you at the wedding:

• Tape
• Scissors
• Lighter
• Sewing kit
• Band-Aids
• Lint roller
• Super glue
• Hair ties
• Hair clips
• Bobby pins
• Hair spray
• Sun screen
• Lotion
• Gum
• Sanitizer
• Phone charger
• Chap stick
• Lip gloss
• Nail file
• Dust rag
• Windex
• Tampons
• Advil
• Hair brush
• Nail polish remover
• Deodorant

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