Two Things that Will Make Your Wedding Day That Much Better

We know that getting ready for your wedding can be a stressful experience. Hey, we work brides on a daily basis, so we see the struggle for them to make sure that their special day is as perfect as they envisioned it. And we are always here to give tips and tricks on how to make the planning process less painful. This week as we searched the web we found a great couple of items that will help make your wedding day that much better.

1. Studio Wed Box

 

You’ve all probably heard of Birchbox, a monthly subscription box that caters to makeup lovers. Each month, you get a box in the mail with makeup samples from different brands, that allows you to try out their products. And for only $35/month you get to try products from companies such as Benefit, Stila, Bobbi Brown and more. Studio Wed is the same idea, but with wedding ideas. You choose how many months you want to receive 12, 6, or pay month-to-month. Once you choose your option, you just fill in your information and thats it! The box will be filled with fun little things for your wedding, and great tips and tricks from leading wedding industry professionals. And running between $29.99/month for the 12 month option to $39.99/month for the month-to-month option, this will probably be the least expensive this you do for your wedding day.

 

2.  Wine Wipes

 

These are absolutely GENIUS. Where have these been all my life? Seriously THANK YOU to the person that invented these bad boys because if you’re planning on drinking any type of alcohol on your wedding day, you’re gonna need these. As a bride, you’re going to be photographed left and right. You’re going to be hugging people, talking with them, and of course, you’re going to be kissing your new husband. So instead of running around with bad breath, wine wipes, get rid of staining, and leave your breath feeling fresh. These are also perfect gifts for your bridesmaids in their gift bags so their smiles are picture perfect for your big day. And for only $6.95 for a pack of 12 wipes, you really can’t go wrong with these.

 

5 Wedding Trends on the Decline

We love us some awesome wedding trends. We love them so much we even dedicate entire blog posts to the Trends We Love. But like everything else, trends come and go and here is a list of the top 5 that are declining in 2014. Special thanks to Perfect Wedding Guide Magazine for these.

 

1. Double-sided Buffets: Although many couples opt to have the more elegant plated sit down, some couples have done buffets. And although double-sided buffets make the process go a lot faster, they typically take up more room and guests end up spending most of the night by the food. And lets be honest, we want everyone to be out on the dance floor having a good time.

2. Mashed Potato Bars: We love mashed potatoes as much as the next person, but many couples are now opting to have stations that are lighter on the stomach (think sushi station). Opting to take the Mashed potato bar out will give your guests more room to eat their tasty entrees.

3. Strangers As Guests: Cutting your guest list to just your closest friends and family will give you the chance to expand your budget and spend more money on what you actually want as opposed to feeding someone you don’t even know. A smaller guest list also allows you to walk around and get pictures with everyone and mingle.

4. HUGE Wedding Parties: The days of having 20 people in your bridal party are (thankfully) over. It’s nice to see that brides and grooms prefer to have their closest friends in their wedding party. Don’t worry, your college roommate whom you haven’t seen in three years will understand if you don’t make her a bridesmaid. In fact, I’m sure she (and her wallet) will thank you.

5. Wedding Cakes as Lone Desserts: Although having a stunning wedding cake is still popular amongst couples, just having the cake for dessert isn’t. Adding a dessert station will make sure that everyone’s satisfied. You know everyone will be having a great time 🙂

5 Beautiful Wedding Readings from Books

Sometimes, the most beautiful things that are said or that we read, come from our favorite books. The great writers had the ability to articulate everything that we feel when we are in love; the whirlwind of emotions that course through our bodies that sometimes, we can’t put into words. Below are five of our favorite exerpts from books that would be perfect for a wedding. And if you want to see the full list of 21 Readings, check out Buzzfeed.com.

1. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres

“Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion, it is not the desire to mate every second minute of the day, it is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every cranny of your body. No, don’t blush, I am telling you some truths. That is just being ‘in love’, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.”

2. The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James

“It has made me better loving you… it has made me wiser, and easier, and – I won’t pretend to deny – brighter and nicer and even stronger. I used to want a great many things before, and to be angry that I didn’t have them. Theoretically I was satisfied, as I once told you. I flattered myself I had limited my wants. But I was subject to irritation; I used to have morbid, sterile, hateful fits of hunger, of desire. Now I really am satisfied, because I can’t think of anything better.”

3. The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach

“A soul mate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we’re pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person we’re safe in our own paradise. Our soul mate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we’re two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we’ve found the right person. Our soul mate is the one who makes life come to life.”

4. Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

“If you do not believe that hearts can bloom suddenly bigger, and that love can open like a flower out of even the hardest places, then I am afraid that for you the road will be long and brown and barren, and you will have trouble finding the light.

But if you do believe, then you already know all about magic.”

5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

“He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same… my great thought in living is himself. If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger. I should not seem a part of it.”

Which one is your favorite?

Tipping Etiquette: Who and How to Tip The People that Help

You have probably read the title of this post and are thinking “I just shelled out thousands and thousands of dollars for my vendors and now I have to tip them??” Well the answer to that question is–probably. Most vendors already include a tip in their contracts, so make sure you look that over before your wedding. If you see that tips are not included in your contracts you might add them to your discretion. Also make sure you prepare the day before. Have the tips ready in separate envelopes and  put someone in charge to give them out at the end of the night.

If you have a Wedding Planner they are typically not expecting a tip. It’s up to you whether or not you think your planner went above and beyond to make sure you had an amazing wedding. A cute way to say “Thank You” to your planner would be a nice bottle of wine, or gift certificate (no more than $100) and a hand written “Thank You” card.

Your Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist  do expect to be tipped at the end of their service. Think of it like you went to a restaurant. You tip your server, unless they were extremely horrible. With your stylist and makeup artist, you would want to tip them between 15-20% of the final bill.

If you are having your ceremony in a church or synagogue that you frequent, a donation would be better than a tip. A sizable donation of $500+ is recommended. If your officiant is not part of your church or synagogue then a tip of $50-$100 is fine.

The wedding photographer and videographer are an important part of your big day. If the photographer and videographer are not the owner of the company, then you should tip them. Typically a tip anywhere between $50-$200 a vendor is acceptable

The wait staff at your venue are there to make sure that everything runs smoothly and properly. Ask the venue first if they allow you to tip the staff. Once you get their permission you should tip the bartender and waiters anywhere between $20-$25 per person. If you have a coat check, tip that person $1 per coat, and valet should be tipped $1 per car.

The music at your wedding is so important on whether or not everyone has a good time. If you decided on having a band, the tip should be $20-$25 per musician. If you had a DJ they should typically get between $50-$100.

If you had a limo or shuttle, you should tip the driver depending on if they showed up on time and didn’t get lost. If they did everything right, you should tip them 15-20% of the total bill.

Remember each of these people were there to make sure that you had an incredible wedding. Show your gratitude whether it be with a nice tip, or a hand written “Thank You” card. A little kindness can go a long way.

For more Wedding Etiquette check out this great blog on what each member of the bridal party does.

Sources: The Knot, Perfect Wedding Guide, and Frugal Bride

Trend We Love: One Color, Different Dresses

We have all seen those pictures; the bride, standing front and center with a an enormous smile on her face, while the bridesmaids are behind her in identical horrifying dresses. Well, these days, we are seeing more and more brides give their bridesmaids the freedom to choose whatever style dress they want to wear. Below are some of our favorite bridesmaids dresses to hopefully give you some inspiration!

 

Source: All of these pictures were found on Pinterest