Shoot it Locally!

While there’s nothing wrong with opting for a tropical destination to really immerse in the beauty of nature, we felt it would be more personal and practical if you choose a place near your location.

Explore local sites! This way you could experience the beauty of nature, save a ton from traveling costs, spare yourselves from stress while promoting local sites. A simple way to actually be nature-friendly and still achieve a beautiful experience.

Choose a Nature-inspired Engagement Ring

One of the challenges in themed shoots is incorporating the concept into the details- and what better way to integrate this motif than through the nature-inspired engagement rings. Floral accents and nature-inspired patterns would simply do the trick! From minimalist designs to fancy pieces, nature-inspired engagement rings will surely be the statement that will highlight the whole engagement shoot.

Be truly one with nature and opt for engagement rings with lab-grown diamonds. This way you’re guaranteed that what you’re wearing is conflict-free and crafted without negatively impacting the environment and its native communities – upholding the true essence of being inspired by nature!

Wear Nothing Fancy

Set your wardrobe that both of you can relate to- but wear nothing fancy. Since we are highlighting nature and your engagement, wearing something extra would take away the whole concept of the shoot.

You can say that there’s nothing wrong with wearing something elegant, but keep in mind that something EXTRA would overshadow the beauty that you’re aiming for. You can wear a floral dress and comfortable sandals and still have gorgeous shots.

Enjoy Nature!

The best thing about nature-themed shoots? Experiencing nature! And opting to make it as your engagement concept is beautiful in itself! The whole experience in opting for this concept isn’t all about having floral patterned outfits, nature-inspired décor and nature-friendly options, it is all about enjoying the beauty of nature and experiencing its simple charm which truly makes your engagement shoot unforgettable.

If you’re searching for an ethical, conflict-free engagement ring or bridal jewelry, MiaDonna has you covered. Handcrafted in the U.S.A. using recycled precious metals, lab-grown gemstones, and of course, lab-grown diamonds, their collection of fine lab-grown diamond jewelry is guaranteed conflict-free, crafted without negatively impacting the environment or native communities. As a foundation-first company, MiaDonna proudly gives back at least 10% of net profits from every purchase to their charity foundation, The Greener Diamond, to fund education, mentorship, agricultural, and urgent relief programs in diamond mining communities in countries such as Liberia, Togo and Sierra Leone, Africa.

*** Thank you MiaDonna for sponsoring this article. Amazing advertisers like MiaDonna help me keep the blog running. ***

We interviewed Deno Taglioli, producer of Elevation and creator of Emerald City Band, to know more about this amazing band see what they have up their sleeve.

Can you tell me what prompted you to start Elevation? What’s the story behind its birth?

Emerald City and its 13-member band have been at the forefront of the high energy, party scene for over 3 decades. In 2018, the community asked us to create a smaller band that still can bring that high energy, fun, interaction, and quality that the Emerald City bands are famous for, so now please welcome, Elevation.

How is it any different from the other bands?

Our clients love the fact we now have a 6-piece band that offers size and pricing flexibility while not sacrificing the quality & energy the Emerald City bands are famous for. Uniquely, Elevation also gives our clients the modular advantage of being able to add extra singers and horns if needed.

Who is the perfect client that you think will enjoy hiring Elevation?

I think anyone who’s looking for a band that’s versatile, interactive, fun that can play a wide range of party songs from Sinatra to Ed Sheeran to Earth, Wind, and Fire will have a blast with this band.

How much in advance does a customer need to book?

We are now booking the rest of 2019, 2020 and beyond. As long as we have availability for your date, we can make it happen quickly.

Where do you see Elevation in 5 years?

In 5 years, we fully expect that Elevation will become the first choice in the smaller band, high impact world of party band entertainment.

There you have it! Everything you need to know about Elevation and their continuing legacy of EC Bands’ top-notch party music. You can also check out this promo video and watch a sneak peek of their amazing live performance. If you have any inquiries, or simply want to book them right away for your upcoming wedding, visit their website and be part of Emerald City tradition.

“I always loved the energy of Chicago,” Regina said. “It was sort of by accident that I ended up living so close; it was the most convenient place to live because of work, and it just so happened that I fell in love with all the excitement and action of the city.”

When things slowed down at work and Regina had a week off during the summer, she decided to explore Chicago in more detail. Even after living in the area for a few years, she still felt as though she had only scratched the surface of places to see in the city.

“Chicago is just so big, which is what I like about it,” Regina explained. “There’s always something new, and even when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s something new to surprise you. For my one week break, I decided to find photographers in my area in Chicago to do a photoshoot as well. It seemed like a good way to commemorate my time living here, and I would have the benefit of having a local with me who could suggest places to go.”

For the first day of her exploration of Chicago, Regina decided to visit the Chicago Institute of Art. She had been to the museum a few times in the past, but never had enough time to really look at the displays in detail. A huge fan of Impressionist artwork, Regina enjoyed looking through the galleries and seeing masterpieces by artists like Van Gogh and Monet.

The photographer in Chicago had agreed to meet Regina in Millennium Park. This was another place Regina had been occasionally but never stopped to appreciate. The photographer described it as a favorite spot in Chicago since it was both iconic and unique.

“I was happy that I found the photographer from Localgrapher,” said Regina. “I knew a lot about Chicago, but doing the photoshoot felt like I had the opportunity to see things from a new perspective too. I think anyone could find photographers in your area in Chicago to do something similar; the photoshoot was a lot of fun and gave me a fresh look at the city.”

Regina and the photographer did some classic shots with the famous “Bean” of Millennium Park and then walked around to a few other locations the photographer suggested for pictures of the city. With the skyline of Chicago in the background, Regina knew that her photographs would capture the special qualities she had come to appreciate so much about the place she lived. Even though she wasn’t traveling or planning a long trip, her week break and adventures in Chicago ended up feeling like a vacation too and made her grateful to live so close to a vibrant and fun city like Chicago.

Every bride wants to create an unforgettable wedding experience for their guests! It’s never easy to know where to start, but perhaps it’s best to start with the couple. What are the key things, characteristics that represent you both as individuals and as a couple? Do you have shared interests with your guests that you can incorporate into the big day for example? Jot these ideas down together and then go through my top 10 tips for creating an unforgettable day, tailoring and personalising as much as you can!

1. Get a wedding planner!

Sometimes it is worth investing in dedicated resource to help you plan and coordinate your big day. Planning makes perfect after all! You’ll need to understand what your key milestones are in order to meet your overall planning objectives.  If you can’t afford a wedding planner, at the very least invest in a planning guide.

2. Find a non-traditional Venue

Try something different with a unique feature or story to share with your guests. Whilst a man is house may be traditional, a castle or converted cave will get your guests talking more. After all, it’s not every day you get to dine in a cave!

Once you’ve sorted out your venue, choose your wedding invitations as soon as you can! These will be expected to not only be stylish but represent your style as a couple. You can also take this opportunity to order matching wedding reply cards so your guests can RSVP in style!

3. Theme

Whatever you choose make it consistent and coordinated. Pay attention to detail! You don’t have to choose bright colours and you don’t have to have a specific themed event. Some of the most unforgettable weddings have relied on very neutral colours. Guests were more impressed by the planning that went into the smallest of details. Personalised notes to guests or even photo collages of your guests or your favourite memories of you and your guests all contribute to an unforgettable event.

Great lighting can really set off the theme for your big day. Explore your options and possibly consider creating a light show. Depending on your venue, location and time of year, this is a great alternative to fireworks.

4. Transport to the Venue

Couples all around the globe are opting for non- traditional transport! Think open air buses, sports cars and even helicopters! Arriving in style doesn’t have to mean arriving in a Bentley anymore. You have free reign to arrive by Ferrari, or Elephant if you choose.

5. Favours

These are a fantastic way to thank your guests for attending and to make them feel especially included within your big day plans. A personalised, thoughtful favour truly adds to an unforgettable day.

You’d be surprised at the choices available online. Personalised gin sets are very popular, but you could just as easily choose personalised wine, seeds for your guests to grow or something simple like potted jam.

6. DJ

If your guests love a bit of music, make sure you plan enough time in your day for good music. It’s proven that music can affect your mood so choose music that will strongly influence the mood of your big day! A lot of couples choose classical music for the ceremony and often move on to light hearted, fun, upbeat music for the reception. Again, think about what your guests will like.

7. Dance Floor

Once you’ve sorted out your music and the overall mood for the festivities, you’ll need to decide very early on whether you want your guests to be able to get up and dance at your wedding reception. If you do choose to plan around dancing and a bit of a party to celebrate your nuptials, don’t forget to plan space for your dance floor.

8. Personalised Cocktails

Most guests will tell you that, ironically, the most unforgettable weddings have included an open bar of some sort. At the very least, a generous amount of money behind the bar or welcome drinks will set the mood and tone with your guests. They’ll feel valued, appreciated and genuinely see that you’ve considered their happiness by investing in them, as they have done in your big day.

9. Prosecco Fountain

In the spirit of drinking, a Prosecco fountain would be very popular with guests! Visualise Prosecco glasses layer upon layer in the shape of a pyramid with Prosecco flowing down to fill each glass. In some ways, this is a cost effective way to provide alcohol whilst already knowing what your final bill will be.

10. Ice Cream Cart or Fruit Fondue

Not all of your guests will drink alcohol. So it’s important that these guests are catered to also. Depending on the weather and time of year of your wedding, an ice cream cart or fruit fondue table will add the X-factor you’ve been looking for! Choose to include milk or white chocolate dipping sauce to your fruit choices as a yummy touch of indulgence. You can also provide your own Pick n Mix selection of sweets and sauces for your guests to jazz up their own ice cream cones.

Whatever you decide to do, remember to plan and plan well. Consider the items that represent you best and prioritise getting these things sorted first on your To Do List. Happy planning!

It may have been a while since wedding traditions uphold formal wedding customs where the bride and groom must personally deliver their wedding invitations asking their guests to RSVP. But these days, email wedding invitations make communication simpler to the modern busy couple. Emailing wedding guests is convenient and caters to a more stress-free wedding preparation.

But, there are a few important things that you must consider before engaging in Online RSVPs. Here are a few of the most helpful tips when it comes to emailing wedding guests. We hope that these words of advice help you when the time comes that you’ll invite your guests to your very special day.

The Dos and Don’ts of Online RSVP

Do:

• Make a list of every guest you need to email. It will save you a ton of time if you have a list that includes everyone that you need to invite and also avoid missing out guests. This also goes for your family and friends that require special considerations during your wedding day.
• Customize it! Be Creative with your invitation and match it with your wedding theme. There are tons of online rsvp websites that provide RSVP templates for you to choose from. You can even design it yourself and make it extra special.
• Always include the date, time and of course directions. Information is vital! Verify your locations in google maps so that you can include a link to help your guests navigate.
• Add something unique. You can tell your love story through pics and clips. This is one of the things that makes online RSVP’s better than paper because you can include a ton of detail and still make a ton of sense.
• Record responses. With the help of marketing platforms, you can manage your responses and organize every detail regarding your event hassle-free. You will save time and make online RSVPs a whole lot easier.

• Always consider tools to help you with email marketing. This will help you monitor activities from your event and navigate through your emails faster and easier. With smart features, emailing wedding invites will be so easy that you can focus more on the wedding itself. Sounds fun right?!

• Keep a printed copy of your invitation as a keepsake. Having something tangible to reminisce is always amazing. You can keep a printed copy of your wedding invitation and keep it along with the rest of your wedding memoirs for you to cherish forever. Or save your online rsvp in a flash drive which means the same thing.

Don’t:

• Don’t over saturate with fonts and designs. Never use more than two fonts for your invitations. This will keep your message readable and still creative. Keep design on a safe amount so that it won’t overwhelm the more important details.
• Don’t include children and old folks. This may be relative for some but confirming the attendance from children and old folks is better to be done through someone more reliable. Or you could still send a printed rsvp for old folks that I’m sure they will highly appreciate.
• Don’t forget meal details. This will help you plan your plated meal during your receptions and provide the best possible meal for your guests especially if they have a certain preference.
• Don’t forget to track every response. This may sound redundant but I need to emphasize this one. The downside of having online RSVPs is tracking their responses. Email marketing tools will help you navigate through every response so that you won’t miss in every single one.
• Don’t include unnecessary info from pre- and post-wedding events. Keeping information for details that are only necessary will avoid confusion from your guests. Having a simple yet informative email will go a long way.

As couples begin to explore more about their wedding details, a lot of the specifics may not present itself from the get-go and couples often end up arguing over their wedding plans. This may sound natural from here and there but you wouldn’t want the stress from it to ruin your wedding plans, right? After all, the wedding is supposed to be a celebration of happiness and love from beginning to end.

There is certainly a lot of wisdom over those who want to plan their own wedding or ask their friends or relative to do the planning for them but they will never be a substitute for a professional wedding planner. This may sound bias for those who are into DIY but if you want to have a smooth planning experience- nothing beats the knowledge and expertise that wedding planners have to offer. You will save a lot of time and energy while avoiding unnecessary stress which allows you to focus only on having the best day of your life.

12 Reasons why you should hire a wedding planner

Helps you keep everything on track

– Some couples plan to have their wedding within the next month while some plan to have it in the next two years, it is best to track your schedules and monitor your progress. This may sound unnecessary, but the commitment of having such calendar will keep everything on-point and avoid the hassle of delays and rushed decisions.

Budgetwise

– Having a wedding planner will save you money. Yes! You heard that right. It is cost efficient to have a professional wedding planner than having to take the time and explore all the possibilities. Your wedding planner will also help you plan around your budget and offer the best options for the best possible outcome. He/she may also help you monitor your wedding costs as well as avoid those unnecessary expenses. This may be relative with each couple’s experience but having someone dedicated to making your wedding hassle-free especially with the budgeting is more than enough reason to have a wedding planner.

Helps you keep an eye on the details

– Keeping every detail organized is one of the key factors why having a wedding planner is important. With the use of a comprehensive checklist, you can easily keep an eye on every detail that revolves around your wedding. You can also make a dreamy and detailed wedding planner to track down your progress and list down every detail regarding your wedding. This allows you to focus only on your wedding experience.

These amazing wedding planners from purpletrail will help you keep an eye on your wedding plans and monitor your progress. These wedding planners are fully customizable which includes 12 color-coordinated planning sections, available in two sized (6×8″ and 8.5×11″) and includes a 12-month calendar (dated or undated).

Provides Vital Information

– If you are meticulous with your wedding details, you’ll need a lot of research into every aspect of your wedding. This will take time and effort as well as a lot of deliberation between the couple. Having a wedding planner makes this information readily available for you to choose from. Narrowing down the planning only into the specifics for the best possible results.

Helps you choose the best possible options

– Choosing the best wedding dress is one of the most difficult decision a bride must make- which is why the help of someone experienced would help you narrow down your possible options. Your wedding planner can also help you with choices for your motif and wardrobe theme if you haven’t decided yet.

Provides additional options

– This may sound optional for some but for those brides who want to have the most out of their wedding experience, a planned bridal party is rather essential. Your wedding planner will also help you with your bridal party and include it in your calendar.

Helps you choose the best Wedding Vendors

– Choosing the best vendors to hire for your wedding is crucial especially when you want something special. Having a wedding planner will help you narrow down the best options and keep a steady budget.

Paper Goods

– Don’t forget about all the important stationery! Your wedding planner will help you choose the best paper goods that suit perfectly with your wedding theme.

From wedding invites (such as tri-fold wedding invitations), save-the-dates, RSVP lists, and seating charts- having a wedding planner will allow you to breeze along these details and help you choose the best.

Even your Rehearsal is important

– Even your rehearsal will come along perfectly when having a wedding planner. The costs, lists of guests and other necessities will also be included in their services.

Helps you with Registry Information

– Keeping track of registry sites, items, and other handy notes to keep your guests informed is one of the wedding planners’ priority before and during your wedding day.

Wedding Day Decisions

– The most important day of the whole wedding experience! Your wedding day is your special day so having all sorts of stress and nuisances is never a good idea. Having a wedding planner to deal with these decisions will allow you to focus only on your vows and the married life thereafter.

Don’t forget about the Honeymoon

– This comes optional but believe it or not, your honeymoon is still part of your wedding day experience. Which is why it is advisable to include this part on your wedding plans and discuss your plans with your wedding planner to create a checklist of your honeymoon and organize the details ahead of time. You will be amazed at how smooth your wedding plans will come out in the end with the help of a wedding planner.

We’re All About the Details!

Linda has been hoping to do a bohemian themed styled shoot for several years and this one came together just like what she dreamed of, with a gorgeous couple that is actually engaged and getting married in February. The dress is a Madison James dress. A lace-covered dress that has a long beautiful train. The theme inspired the fall color theme of pinks, oranges, reds, greens, and gold.

The Florals

Lehrer’s Flowers provided colorful florals of oranges, yellows, and pinks: a flower crown (perfect with the theme and colors), a boutonniere, a gorgeous bridal bouquet, and centerpiece.

Reception Essentials

Hadley Designs designed the invitation suite, matching fans, name cards, and framed table number. Merry Expressions provided an alternate table number of an actual gold table number on a stick to stand above the place setting.

The Bundt Cakes

The Bundt Shoppe had a beautiful display of a variety of bundt cakes: White chocolate raspberry, orange creamsicle, strawberry, and chocolate on gold display dishes with “jewels” of glass hanging below. Very elegant touch and delicious, too! Pam wanted the cakes to reflect the colorful theme of the shoot. They look perfect displayed on either the gorgeous table linens of Event Rents or in the wishing well.

Little Details!

One of our favorite parts of the shoot was all of the smaller details the planner, Corinna, of Amber Creek Weddings and Events provided. Small succulents, signs, and macrame pieces. She even hand-crocheted some of them herself!

The Stonebrook Manor

Stonebrook Manor also has a “Lovegate” where the bridal couple can hang a lock with their initials. It is one of the most beautiful venues close to Denver with stunning gardens full of flowers, a marble gazebo, and waterfalls. A wedding pavilion and pergola are also perfect places for the ceremony. The venue also can cater any event with their own personal chefs. The venue has two large ballrooms with chandeliers.

Take this Advice

If you are designing a bohemian theme for your wedding, add a variety of beautiful flowers and incorporate lots of lace and little accents like succulents into your wedding design. ~Linda Murri/Photographer

About the Photographer
Linda Murri Photography is an award-winning wedding and event photographer with a classic, romantic style. I enjoy doing weddings and engagement sessions and capturing the love each couple has for each other and the special moments and details from their wedding day. I’m based in Denver and will travel to do weddings. Please call 303-882-4412 or leave a message through my website.

Vendors

Photographer: Linda Murri Photography
Table Numbers: Merry Expressions
Florals: Lehrer’s Flowers
Wedding Gown: Madison James Dress
Reception: Stonebrook Manor
Cakes: The Bundt Shoppe
Table Linen: Event Rents
Wedding Planner: Amber Creek Weddings and Events
Bridal Dress Shop: The Bridal Collection
Invitations: Hadley Custom Designs
Hair Stylist: Say I Do Formal Hair
Make-up: Angelica Glo Beauty

Your vows should be personal and meaningful. Composing your own wedding vows is the perfect way to express your true feelings to your soon-to-be-spouse in front of your family and loved ones. As such, they can make your wedding day even more memorable and special.

Guide to Unique Wedding Vows for the Modern Couple

Why traditional wedding vows may not work out today?

Modern wedding vows have come a long way over the years. This is partially due to the fact that marriage as an institution has involved. With so many people having second or third marriages, traditional wedding vows are no longer the norm. Most couples who are having a second wedding want their vows to be completely different from those they recited at their first marriage ceremony.

As well, same-sex marriages are more common, traditional and practical wedding vows no longer apply. The rules and meaning of marriage have changed and progressed over years, so why shouldn’t your vows change to fit the times?

Feminist-friendly Wedding Vows

How does one choose contemporary wedding vows if they are gender neutral or non-conforming? As well, today’s feminists do not agree with the wedding vows of yesteryear as they are extremely outdated, not to mention biased against women.

This is why many modern day couples are composing their own feminist wedding vows to fit their specific relationship. With so many types of relationships and genders today, there is no reason you have to stick with the norm. Feel free to express the true nature of your love in any way you see fit. After all, it is your wedding!

Here are some examples of alternative wedding vows:

“Love is tricky. It is never mundane or daily. You can never get used to it. You have to walk with it, then let it walk with you. You can never balk. It moves you like the tide. It takes you out to sea, then lays you on the beach again. Today’s struggling pain is the foundation for a certain stride through the heavens. You can run from it but you can never say no.” ~ Amy Tan, ‘The Hundred Secret Senses’

“Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won’t adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as its accomplice. Instead of vowing to honor and obey, maybe we should swear to aid and abet. That would mean that security is out of the question. The words “make” and “stay” become inappropriate. My love for you has no strings attached. I love you for free.”  ~ Tim Robbins, ‘Still Life with Woodpecker’

Create your own unique wedding vows

So how does one come up with unique wedding vows? It is much easier than you think! All you need to do is take a few minutes to think of the many reasons why you love your betrothed. Think about why you want to spend the rest of your lives together.

When composing your creative wedding vows you should also keep in mind the theme and style of your wedding. This may even help you compose your vows much easier.

Take some time to think of how you felt the day you met, the first time you said “I love you” and how you felt the day you got engaged. Speak directly from the heart and don’t hold back. And remember, they don’t have to be sappy or over-the-top. Your wedding vows can be light, fun and humorous as well. Stay true to yourself and the words will flow!

Here are some unique wedding vows examples for your inspiration:

“My love, you are the answer to my prayers. You are a dream come true: everything I have ever hoped for or wished for. I came alive the day we met. You are the air I breathe and my heart and soul are yours forever. I cannot wait to start this beautiful journey together and wake up every day next to you, I want to grow old with you and I will love you until I breathe my last.”

“I promise to love you forever: despite the fact that you steal the covers and hog the remote, I will love you on good days and bad. And that means I will love you whether or not the Eagles ever win another Superbowl. I promise to change the water filter and refill the toilet paper. And to be polite to your mother, even though she won’t forget the time I kept you out past curfew when we were sixteen.”

See how easy it is? You can most certainly create your own personal and epic wedding vows!

Empower yourself with epic wedding vows from songs, movies, TV, and books

If you have trouble composing your own creative vows, you can borrow real wedding vows from music or literature. Why not steal a line from your favorite movie or television show?

Look to the poets for beautiful love quotes to use as your wedding vows. The possibilities for romantic and beautiful wedding vows are endless. Following are some examples of “borrowed” wedding vows:

Television: Friends: Monica and Chandler:

Monica: Chandler, for so long I wondered if I would ever find my prince, my soulmate. Then three years ago, at another wedding, I turned to a friend for comfort. And instead, I found everything that I’d ever been looking for my whole life.
And now, here we are, with our future before us—and I only want to spend it with you, my prince, my soulmate, my friend. Unless you don’t want to. You go!

Chandler: Monica, I thought this was going to be the most difficult thing I ever had to do. But when I saw you walking down that aisle I realized how simple it was. I love you. Any surprises that come our way, it’s okay, because I will always love you. You are the person I was meant to spend the rest of my life with.

Movies:The Vow: Paige and Leo

Paige: I vow to help you love life, to always hold you with tenderness and to have the patience that love demands. To speak when words are needed and to share the silence when they are not. To agree to disagree on red velvet cake, and to live within the warmth of your heart and always call it home.

Leo: I vow to fiercely love you in all of your forms, now and forever. I promise to never forget this is a once in a lifetime love. And to always know in the deepest part of my soul that no matter what challenges might carry us apart, we will always find our way back to each other.

Books: Jane Eyre:  Charlotte Bronte

“I have for the first time found what I can truly love — I have found you. You are my sympathy, my better self, my good angel. I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my center and spring of life, wraps my existences about you. And, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one.”

Music: Night and Day: Billie Holiday

“Night and day you are the one. Only you beneath the moon and sun. Whether near me or far, it’s no matter, darling, where you are. I think of you night and day, day and night.”

We hope that you are moved to compose your own unique wedding vows. Look deep into your heart and soul and the words will flow like magic!

The Big wedding day for your friend is approaching. Now she is full of thoughts about preparing for the most important day in her life. And there is no doubt that the best friend should come to the rescue and take on some part worries on herself. For example, to arrange an unforgettable celebration of unmarried life by hosting a bridal shower. However, this is no easy task especially when you face it for the first time. Thus, we’ve made up a really handy guide for your special benefit to help you become the best maid of honor.

Are you a maid of honor? Сongratters, now you’re in charge of hosting a bridal shower!

It would be wrong to think that bridal shower is always goodbye, sadness, and longing. Thus, it’s important to prevent the party to become another boring ritual before the wedding. Here, your task as a bridal shower host is to come up with really interesting options for a bridal party.

In order to succeed, you’d concentrate and reflect on what the bride has now a schedule, who are her friends, how and where she prefer to rest. Think a few options for the bridal shower and agree with it, but do not devote it in detail. Assign the date of the bridal shower, and make a list of people with whom she would like to spend this evening.

Girlfriends arrange a bridal shower in order to help the bride relax and relieve the tension of the last days and weeks before the wedding. In particular, this party includes childhood and school friends with whom she can cast mind back to their fun time together. The college years are also full of pleasant memories. So, you can prepare a collage or presentation with interesting photos of the bride-to-be. Of course, it is important to invite the bride’s relatives to this event too.

Ultimate timeline to plan a fab wedding shower

Once, Leonard Bernstein told that to achieve great things, two things are needed – a plan, and not quite enough time. However, it is always better to have both. So that, do your best to get through the hosting a bridal shower in advance, following the clear plan of actions.

– Make a list of guests.

For 2-3 weeks before the bridal shower, collect the names and contact information of all guests. Do not forget that the 16-year-old girl does not stay behind the doors, for example, of a nightclub allowed for adults. On the other hand, night club style will not fit everybody’s taste also. That’s why you have to choose a place for a bridal shower, taking into account the age and preferences of all partytakers.

– Make a plan for Bridal Shower Activities

Create a plan for an entertainment activity with understanding that it is created, first of all, for the bride-to-be. Choose a place and bridal shower entertainments based precisely on her interests.

– Inform all participants about a bridal shower.

As a host, you must to keep the guest updated about all details, such as place, time, style, dress code, etc. Although, it’d be quite smart to involve them to creating a quality party together. It is likely that by doing it all by yourself may harm your budget.

– Think about the Dress Code for the Participants.

It is well-fact that, like a music does, a certain outfit sets the mood and unites the event. Therefore, develop some interesting dress-codewhich gives a special charm to your event and cheers up all the guests.

– Invite the Photographer.

Snapshots from the bridal shower are so important for a family archive as wedding photos. But sometimes we can be so busy and fascinated with having fun that we simply forget to freeze this moment. To make sure you will not to miss this, hire a photographer or ask a friend who is able to handle a camera.

– As for the striptease, discuss this point with the bride, and even better, with the groom.

Perhaps, he will be not happy with this entertainment. It is probably better to organize less provocative and suitable for all games. To be enthusiastic about party game ideas, you can follow the link on website weddingforward.com.

– Bridal shower gift from a Maid of Honor Issue.

Of course, it’s not about luxury gifts, but pleasant little things such as sweets, bouquets and etc., for all guests of the event.

Outstanding Maid of Honor Speech Inspirations (examples)

Of course, at bridal shower party, it is very important to express your love and appreciation to the bride and to find the right words for this. Our few examples of bridal shower speech from a maid of honor will help you to make a success.

«Today, dear, you say goodbye to girlish entertainments, festivities until late and unmarried life. Our beloved, let this bridal shower be remembered forever, let this evening leave warm memories of your friends and happy emotions. Be happy in marriage and strongly loved.»

«My wonderful girls today we gathered to say goodbye to the maiden bachelorhood of our beautiful bride. Today you are still a bride, and tomorrow you will be a magnificent and best wife. Sweetheart, may you never regret your choice, let your King treat you like a Queen, let your family life not be a hindrance to our warm encounters and girlish secrets.»

«Dear girl, our little bride, you suddenly become a wife for us. Congratulations! We wish you eternal, unquenchable love, a husband, affectionate and sympathetic, able to please a lady: to make flowers every day, branded clothes, diamonds, perfume … In short, a girlfriend, be happy!»

«Dear our friend! We wish you that your family life was an active, fun, stormy and full of bright unforgettable impressions as a bridal shower, which we will organize for you today. And we will walk for glory!»

«We want to take this moment to conduct of the bride in a new life with joyful! Therefore, we walk until the very last minute to remember every moment. Everything that happens this evening will remain in our memory forever. Our congratulations sound in your honor from the bottom of the heart, our dear friend! We share this joy with you!»

As you can see, all these inspirations for your bridal shower catch speech are very intimate and touching. You’d mention how you met the future bride and your brief story. Such things always sound sentimental and sweet. If you were turned a witnesswhen she met her The One, don’t skip to tell this nice detail. And what is more, is that a proper speech needs a positive and epic ending. So, just “Cheers!” would not be enough. For this purpose, use a classic quote, words from your common favorite song or just some special phrase familiar to you and the future bride.

We’re All About the Details!

Take this Advice

On the day of your wedding, turn off your phones and don’t go on social media. Be completely present and take in every second of your special day because it really does go by within a blink of an eye. If you begin to feel stressed, just remember you’re not putting all of the planning and hard work in just for one day, you’re doing it for a long and happy marriage. ~Kirsten Allen/Bride

Money Matters

$10,000 – $20,000

Vendors

Photographer: Richard Bell Photography
Makeup Artist: Landis Salon
Floral Designer: Tiger Lily Weddings
Event Planner: Cruz Coordination
Caterer: Beyond Expectations
Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Men’s Warehouse
Transportation: Absolutely Charleston
Cake Designer: Ashley Bakery
Reception Venue: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens