Have Your Cake...

And Eat It Too

It's the weekend - eat something sweet with your sweetie!!

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Medina

Good Things To Do

Hand-Maid

So you've picked your girls, the ones who will stand by your side when you say your I dos...the ones who will most likely be called on more than once to help you not freak out...the ones who will cart a fancy dress hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles for you...

Bridesmaids do God's work sometimes :) and especially when it comes to being part of a destination wedding.  As a destination bride, I always felt like I needed to try to make their bridesmaid lives easier so one tip I really adhered to was being caution on my communication.  I didn't want to overwhelm the girls...think about that before you hit send on that email with one line...maybe you should wait until you have more to say?

But why not kick off your Bride(zilla) and Bridesmaid relationship with a cute handmaid note!  It's even more memorable for your bridesmaids because you made it yourself - and slip a cute little note in the envelope to remind them how much you appreciate them!

I found this fantastic little way to communicate "Fashion" to your bridesmaids on Martha Stewart's website:
Once you pick the dresses, designer, fabric etc, add the details to this cute little card and then you know your maids are all on the same page!

Step One: Download Martha's Template
Step Two: Find a local stationary store (I highly recommend Paper Source) and pick your supplies:

* Heavy Weight Paper or Card Stock (8.5x11) - I like Paper Source's solid colored paper.
(Pack of 10 for $2.50) You have a lot of options so you can coordinate your little card to your wedding colors.

* String & Button Evelopes - try Paper Source's #10 Envelopes ($9.00 each)

Step Three: Print the template out on the paper of your choice, and with a pretty pen include the details, add a swatch and glue any pictures you have.

Step Four: Totally optional but Martha suggests making the end of the card tear-off. You can do this by using a rotary cutter with a perforation blade.

And TA-DA! You're crafty!!

PS: I love this color combo!!! Chartreuse and Yellow!!

I really hope you'll have some fun with this DIY project, I know if I were your bridesmaid, I'd love to open an adorable little card like this!!

Destination Dress

Think Like An Artist

I read an article in a destination wedding magazine and the author of the article wrote "when you're picking your bridesmaids dresses, think like an artist. Your bridal party will be part of the canvas that is your beach wedding."
I love that thought.  Years ago your bridal party all wore the same dress in the same color with the same accessories and the same shoes.  Today brides have much more freedom and they really do get to think like an artist.  Brides can have their ladies in the same dress but different hues, or different dresses different hues or different dresses same hue...the options really are endless.  I really love the current trend of picking a designer and a fabric (be kind, if you're getting married on a beach don't make your bridesmaids sweat in satin) and letting your bridesmaids choose the style and color that fits them best (within bridezilla's guidelines of course :) )

LulaKate: Dresses in Amethyst, Petunia & Passion Dupioni
Prices upon request

And I love these colors together as well.  The bridesmaids are wearing the same dress in different shades and the orange flowers really pop against the pale hues.  Very tropical!

Photo Credit: JenOSullivan

I have a mild obsession with JCrew...no I really do...I love everything about them but I REALLY love that they offer brides and bridesmaids the ability to mix and match and get creative...I just browsed the site and came up with this little combo:


JCrew: Dresses are all Silk Taffeta in Spiced Wine, Bright Dahlia and Violet Dust
Prices are all $225

Here's another sample of JCrew dresses in many styles and a fabulous color scheme (ps you know I love those necklaces!)

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Medina

Remember, your bridesmaids are part of the canvas...Don't feel like you have to be too matchy matchy and always remember that your bridesmaids are your best friends...make sure they're happy and comfortable! 

Paper Perfect

Paper Picture Perfect

Two things right off the bat: 1. forgive me for jumping ahead to after the wedding on you but this is too good to pass up and 2. I fully admit that the main reason for starting this blog was so that I could continue my subscription to several wedding related magazines without my husband making faces at me.  It's market research my dear...get over it.

My two real loves (right now)...my wedding invitation and my wedding pictures.  You see I am embarking on a journey known as "narrowing down your wedding photographs to hang in your house" which is very long and hard.  So while doing "market research" for this lovely blog, I often stumble across creative ways to display your wedding photographs...tastefully of course...if I weren't going for tasteful I would wallpaper my entire house top to bottom.  I digress (as usual) - my point here is that I dug out my old wedding magazines and my new wedding magazines and sprawled out on the floor only to find an earmarked page in the Winter 2010 Martha Stewart Weddings issue.  I am brilliant! It was a ridiculously good idea and I had the forethought to ear mark it?! I can only imagine what else I've so brilliantly ear marked along the way...I'm sure they'll turn into fabulous posts as soon as I find them...

Back to the post...If you're like me, when the wedding is over you've probably got boxes and boxes of wedding related materials left over...you probably also ordered a few extra invitations "just in case"...here's an idea to use an extra invitation and highlight one of your favorite wedding photos:

Photo Credit: www.marthastewartweddings.com

From Martha's magazine - Winter 2010 Issue

"Here's another way to recycle your invites - and to give a framed photo extra edge.  Using a craft knife, cut out the decorative motif from your wedding stationary set and have it act as a picture mat.  (if your invites feature arwork on all four edges, you could also cut out a rectangular mat.) It's a subtle tasteful way to remember your bid day.

These invitations featured in the picture are by Carrot and Stick

This idea could be great for your wedding day pictures, trash the dress pictures or even your engagement pictures.  Phew I am so glad that Martha had this wonderful idea and that I was smart enough to ear mark it! I'll give it a try and post my results!!!

Good Things To Do

Cool Customs!

Want to go beyond the traditional Wedding Ceremony?  Enrich your ceremony by incorporating a custom from your location.  I think that doing this will create a truly unique and memorable experience for your guests.

Here are some internationally inspired rites of passage:

Bermuda - The Moon Gate
Following the ceremony, a bride and groom should walk hand in hand under one of the islands Moon Gates.  A Moon Gate is a limestone archway of Chinese origin.  They serve as a national symbol for Bermuda.  Similar to wedding rings, the circular shape signifies unity.  Couples who kiss under a moon gate are said to enjoy good luck and a long life together.  Bermuda's oldest Moon Gagte is in Par-la-Ville Park.  Makes for a fantastic picture too!

Photo Credit: Sascha Blackburne Photography

Mexico - The Wedding Lasso
In traditional Mexican weddings, a lasso symbolizes the everlasting bonds of love.  Have the two mothers place the lasso in a figure-eight shape around both of your shoulders (Groom's first) to tie you together as you exchange your vows.  At the end of the ceremony, the mothers then remove the lasso.  The lasso is often a long rosary, but can also be made with a string of flowers, leaves or beads.  You can choose any two honored guests for this ceremony, but I think having the mothers involved makes it special!  Remember, white or orange symbolize fertility and happiness...hint hint....

This Lasso is DIY - the bride and her sister strung pearls together

Spain, South America & Mexico - Gold Coins

In this ceremony, the groom gifts the bride 13 arras, 13 gold or silver coins.  The coins represent tenets of marriage such as trust, commitment, respect and harmony.  The coins symbolize the grooms commitment to the bride (as if he is giving her control of all his wordly possessions) as well as the couple's dedication to each contributing to the relationship.  Also makes for a great picture....

Hawaii - The Leis

A bride and groom marrying in Hawaii should exchange leis at the beginning of their ceremony.  The leis signify the sweetness of your love.  First the bride presents a garland to the groom, which dates to when a woman left a lei on the doorstep of her chosen guy.  For weddings, brides in Hawaii wear fragrant flowers like tuberose.  Maile leaf is popular for grooms.  The pictures below are of two of my sisters great friends - they had a beautiful intimate wedding in Hawaii and I definitely want to share more of their wedding soon! They brought a New York based photographer with them - Kat Teutsch.

Photo Credits: Kat Teutsch

Greece - The Wedding Crowns

As your officiant to bestow you and your groom with stefana: wedding crowns.  The wedding crowns can be made of any durable material like beads, Swarovski crystals, pearls, or flowers.  They are joined by a white ribbon to represent unity.  Signifying the nobility of marriage, they crown the bride and groom as queen and king of their home.  

Photo Credit: Luster Studios

Ireland - Handfasting

Prior to exchanging vows, join hands for the ancient Celtic tradition of handfasthing.  Join right hand to right hand and left hand to left hand to make a figure eight which represents unity.  Using a pretty ribbon, favorite scarf of cloth that has special meaning, the officiant ties your crossed wrists together to symbolize two individuals coming together as one.  

Photo Credit: Style Me Pretty

Scotland - Tartan Shawl

After exchanging vows, the groom (alone or together with his parents and any other relatives) sybolically welcomes the bride into his family; using a silver pin, he fastens a tartan shawl or sash (in his family colors) around the brides shoulders.  If you don't have an actual tartan, consider using a family quilt or other fabric heirloom. 

I love the idea of incorporating the local culture, especially if it gets guests and family members involved.  

If you want to add culture to your wedding ceremony these are great ideas - but don't forget about your own culture!  If you're Irish and getting married in Mexico, its perfectly acceptable to do the handfasting ceremony - just have an honored guest do the tying rather than the officiant.  If you're hispanic, I love the coin ceremony in any destination, I think it's just beautiful and very touching for family members.

Location, Location, Location!

Pura Vida

In just under two months my husband and I will be traveling to Costa Rica to watch our friends get married on a beautiful black sand beach.  I cannot wait.  I love weddings, I love vacations...I love vacation-weddings!  So I dedicate this post to my friends!


Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful places in the world so I've been told! I can't wait to experience the beautiful beaches and lush nature.


Legalities:

There are no residency or blood test requirements for foreigners to marry in Costa Rica, and for individuals not of the Catholic faith, lawyers are able to conduct civil ceremonies.

The most tedious part is ensuring that the proper paperwork is completed. Couples may need to provide the following documentation at least one month before their wedding in Costa Rica:

• Valid passports
• Birth certificates
• Divorce papers or letters stipulating to their single status (divorce papers may need to indicate the previous marriage ended at least 300 days earlier)
• Police records

During the ceremony, two non-family witnesses must be present, and the lawyers or wedding planners should be able to provide them if necessary. For the wedding to be legal in the United States, Americans getting married in Costa Rica will need to have their marriage certificate translated, notarized, and submitted to the proper authorities - generally, the presiding lawyer will handle those details.

Note: For updated legal requirements, couples are advised to consult a Costa Rican marriage attorney.

Location Idea:

When getting married in Costa Rica, you have options - you can go for a resort or rent a villa depending on your wedding size.  For those of you interested in a truly luxurious wedding experience - you need to check out the Four Seasons Costa Rica at Pennisula Papagayo:

"Welcome to Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. Spilling down a coastal hillside to an isthmus of golden sand, Four Seasons creates an ambience of simple luxury in this pristine natural setting. With two unspoiled beaches, an indigenous spa, championship golf and the magic of the tropical dry forest."

The resort offers brides many choices for the ceremony and receptions and offers wonderful on site planners.  To find out more about planning your wedding at this amazing resort...click here now!

Now I know I know, get to some pictures! 

This is a real wedding that took place at the Four Seasons in Costa Rica.  The couple, Ashley and Kyle met at SMU...love a good Texas tie in :) and traveled with their family and the very talented photographer Jenny Martell to Costa Rica. Feel free to out the full bunch of photos from Ashley & Kyle's wedding, but here are some of my favorites that highlight the location:

Kudos to the bride & groom on this - their details were stunning, their location unbelievable...I'm sure their guests had an unforgettable time. 

Pura Vida: translated it means "pure life" but to Costa Ricans, it means "full of life"

However, Costa Ricans use the phrase to express a philosophy of strong community, perseverance, resilience in overcoming difficulties with good spirits, enjoying life slowly, and celebrating good fortune of magnitudes small and large alike.

Destination Dress

The Blushing Destination Bride


In honor of Valentine's day...all things pink!!  There's a trend that hit the runways in 2010...the blush pink wedding gown.  I love it, and I think if you have the right skin tone for a romantic pale pink...you should totally rock it and not worry about tradition.  Destination weddings are a great way to utilize a blush colored gown, they accentuate the element of fun and would look great up against a tropical sunset. Venturing outside the world of white isn’t for many brides but a fashion forward and fun option for those who live outside the box.

I love these two barely there pink with romantic white lace:

Alvena Valenta AV 9914

Rum pink silk duchess satin A-line ball bridal gown with full double box pleated skirt. Winter white alencon lace adorns scalloped sweetheart torso and creates illusion of a dropped waist. A deep border of winter white alencon lace surrounds hem. Covered buttons and loops over zipper down center back, chapel train.

Jim Hjelm Style: JH 8863

Blush Silk Satin trumpet bridal gown, V-neckline with soft drape front and back, sleeveless bodice with Ivory Alençon lace midriff, Ivory satin ribbon, godets at back, chapel train

This one is bold and fun and festive!

Edgar Bonilla – Leah Style 6352

No post about wedding dresses would be complete without Vera Wang.  Iconic. Beautiful. Amazing.

Supersize it with a bold bow that brings a fashion-forward feel to a blush duchess-satin mermaid gown. 

Photo Credit Brides.com

Or go ethereal and romantic with this peachy blush color from Vera as well

Another of my favorite designers, bold and texture comes to mind when I hear Ines Di Santo

CHERISE - Rose petal pink gown with rouched bodice, dropped waist and strapless sweetheart neckline. Neckline and left hip feature Baroque beading and delicate Organza petal detail. Made in 

unique Italian Silk Shantung. Also available in off white.

And for the finale, the always classic, always beautiful...Amsale.

Pale pink softens the asymmetrical tailoring and structure of a minimalist marvel. The slim, silk-faced satin ball gown’s side buttons and shoulder bow provide an elegant finish. 

So you've decided to wear pink down the aisle...what about having your bridesmaid wear ivory??

Happy Valentines day!

Flower Feature

The Orchid: Love, beauty, luxury and strength.

You'll find that as you're planning your destination wedding you have two choices for your flowers.  You can go through the resort (they typically use a vendor of their choice)  or you can hire a florist separately.

if you choose to get your flowers through a resort, they will send you a whole bunch of pictures of bouquets and centerpieces that are included in your package. If you don't like them...don't stress out...you can always customize your bouquet by sending the wedding coordinator a picture of what you want.  I highly encourage every bride to check out The Knot- they have many many pictures of gorgeous bouquets.  If you want the bouquet customized but you don't want to pay an extra charge...keep the flowers the same as the ones you see in the pictures - typically roses and lilies do not cost extra.

If you choose an outside vendor for your florist, you'll want to request pictures of past weddings they've done and pick the vendor that best suits your style and budget.  Since you'll be communicating from afar and not able to sit down for consultations, it might be best to also send them pictures of bouquets you find in magazines or online.  Make sure you check on a flower's availability before you get your heart set on it.  A lot of brides love peonies and hydrangeas...but be warned, they are extremely difficult to get in many locations - especially Mexico...so adjust your expectations.

I've read a lot about what flowers are easiest to get where...and it seems there is a common theme.  Just about every tropical locale you're looking at for a destination wedding lists orchids as being one of the best flowers for that location.  It just so happens that the orchid is my favorite flower.  I don't kid myself though, no orchid would survive in my house.  I once attempted to grow herbs on the back deck and my basil grew so out of control I was afraid it was going to come alive and attack me in the middle of the night...the rest of the herbs turned brown and grew mold.  I digress...

I thought I'd feature my favorite flower in today's post of course include lots of pictures so without further ado I will stop chatting and start showing you amazing real destination brides bouquets:

I think both of these bouquets exude romance.  The first bouquet comes from St. John, Trunk Bay.  It is a beautifully simple combination of purple roses and purple orchids.  The second is from Bermuda and also a combination of roses and orchids, but this time in a soft white:

Ross Oscar King Photography

These next to use one of my favorite color combinations - white and green.  The first is a beautiful bouquet from a wedding on the western coast of Mexico.  The bouquet uses both white and green orchids.
The second is from a wedding in the Dominican and this bride chose an ultra tropical combination of green orchids and white lilies.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Medina

Photo Credit Elisabeth Millay

This next bouquet is from a wedding in Costa Rica.  I love the pop of orange and the bright yellow orchids with the green and white. It's like a bridge between muted and romantic and playful and bright.

Photo Credit: Comfort Studios

And now for the super bright yummy color combinations that exude playfulness and happiness.  I just love love love these amazing colors.  If I were getting married on a tropical beach I'd go for bright beautiful roses and orchids...oh wait...I did...and I DID :)

My bouquet was a mix of orange calla lilies, orange and pink roses and green orchids:

Photo Credit - Elizabeth Medina

Here's another, words cannot do this justice, so just feast with your eyes:

Photo Credit Elizabeth Medina

Just remember, you do not have to choose a pre-set bouquet from your hotel or resort...look around online, check out local photographer's blogs and find one that really sings to you - whether it's muted and romantic or bright and playful.

Good Things To Do

WED-SITE

Since I blogged about save the dates I thought I should follow it up with an equally as crucial mode of communication for your guests: Your Wedding Website.

Your website is an online resource that provides more extensive information than you provided on your save the date.  Guests who are serious about attending should be able to log on and see frequently updated details about your wedding as they become available.  Here are my essentials for wedding website pages:

Welcome Pages: Thank guests for visiting your site, let them know you'll continue to update the site as details become available.

Wedding Overview: This will include the wedding day timeline with locations. Example: Ceremony will start at 5:30pm on the beach.  You'll want to include the locations of the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception and after party so guests can plan out thier attire.  You'll also want to include your dress code for the big day.

Travel Information: You'll want to really spend some serious time on this page.  It's a good idea to make sure the airport name AND resort name are loud and clear.  Bold and font size 24 should do ;).   I found it easiest to include subtitles on this page - mine looked like this:

1. Booking: 2 Options to book your travel

     a. Travel Agent: Now include all necessary information about contacting and booking with your TA.

     b. Booking on your own: include tips and websites to assists guests who want to book on thier own.

2. You're booked, Travel Tips: This is where you'll remind guests about obtaining a passport (if necessary) and any tidbits about the airport they're traveling into.  For example, in Mexico we explained customs and immigration.  

Resort Information: In my situation we only gave guests one option for accommodations...and if you chose an all inclusive resort I would recommend only giving guests one choice. (day passes and travel can get expensive and frankly far more complicated you need during your wedding week)  This is the page to excite guests  about the resort your chose OR give guest details about local resorts or hotels if they have options.

Wedding Week Calendar of Events:  This is where you'll detail all the planned group activities that you have.  It might just be the welcome party and/or farewell brunch...but it might also be planned excursions if you chose to do that. You'll want to put as much detail as possible because guests may want to plan their own activities while down there and won't want to miss your parties!

Local Activities: Tell your guests about all the fund things they can do while they're in the destination.  This is the time to show them why you chose the locale you chose!  Give them links to excursions, tell them what not to miss while they're there.  You can get most of this information by sitting in a bookstore with a guidebook for an hour...and don't forget to search the web!

FAQs: I know what you're thinking...why a FAQs..we actually found this to be the best part of our site.  We could post common questions that we anticipated our guests having and then answer them.  We also allowed our guests to submit questions (anonymous or not) and then we could answer them and post to the site.  I loved being able to have that interaction with our guests leading up to the wedding week.  

And then the other fun pages:

-About your wedding party

-Photos of you and your fiance

-Our Story - tell guests how you met, what your first date was...or create a quiz to ask your guests those very questions!

-Guestbook

Etiquette Sidenote: I love the idea of letting guests RSVP for excursions or planned events during the week via your website...I'm not so in love the idea of having guests RSVP online for the big day...save that for your response card please :)

There are a lot of options when choosing a website.  Although The Knot offers a great free website, if you want something more robust my suggestions are:

Wedding Window - this is the site I used and we did pay a fee to extend our time and an extra fee to create our own url. Here are details on the packages they offer:

http://www.weddingwindow.com/packages.cfm

EWedding.com - this is a site a friend used and they offer lower prices, but still give you a robust site.  Here is information on their packages:

http://www.ewedding.com/packages.php

No matter which provider you choose, be sure to spend the time to include all the details...if you think you're putting too much information on your site...you've probably got enough!  It's also a good idea to set up the website as soon as the location in nailed down...and then forward the link to your VIPs first.  The rest of the guests can be notified of the url on the save the date.

I simply can't publish this post without at least one picture...so enjoy this one from the very talented Chelsea  Elizabeth (based in Los Angeles...has passport, will travel) http://chelseaelizabeth.com/

Paper Perfect

Start Spreadin' The News...

You need to start letting everyone know about your plans for a destination wedding as soon as possible.  This is where the Save The Date comes in.  For most brides, save the dates are pretty much optional, but for destination brides they're an essential part of your big day communications.  It announces to guests the date and location of your big day, it's also a less formal invite so including your wedding website is acceptable.
Sidenote: It's a no-no to include your wedding website address on your formal invitation...if you choose not to send a save the date and are only sending a formal invite then have your wedding website printed on a separate insert that can be included in the envelope. 


Timing is important.  You should send out your save the dates as soon as possible, as soon as the ink is dry on the location's contract really.  Your guests need extra time to schedule vacation, arrange for childcare and shop around for competitive airfare.

Most save the dates will take approximately 4-6 weeks to order so you'll want to place the order as soon as the location is set.  Save the dates should be put in the mail 8-12 months before the wedding date.  If your destination wedding is state side and does not require international travel, 6-8 months is acceptable.

What to include:  Obviously you'll include the date and location.  You'll also want to include the resort, or hotel options.  Most importantly you'll want to include where to go for more information...this would be your wedding website.
Sidenote: you'll want to have your wedding website set up and ready to go before you mail your save the dates.  It's okay if it's not totally complete, but expect a few visitors right away!  I'll dedicate a post to wedding websites as well...stay tuned.

If you're using a travel agent, or want to provide travel details or suggestions you can very easily make your own little insert to include with the save the date.  I went down to my local Paper Source Store and purchased 4-bar notecards and then printed a few extra details using the same font as my save the date and my printer.  Easy Easy Easy.  Here's a link: http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/color/4-bar-note-cards/2505.010/201.html
These little DIY inserts will be extra handy for older guests who may not be comfortable navigating on a computer to get to your website.
Sidenote:  this is one more reason I highly recommend you hire a travel agent - we found that many of our guests found it much easier to speak to someone on the phone rather than booking online.

Now my final bit of advice before I get to the fun part and start showing you awesome save the dates...Style. My first rule of thumb for save the dates - don't let them outshine your final invite!!! Keep in mind that a save the date is informal and can be fun.  And lastly, your save the dates don't have to break the bank.

Here are a few reasonably priced options for destination brides.  If you haven't already discovered Wedding Paper Divas you need to visit immediately!  www.weddingpaperdivas.com
There are 780 Save the Date options.  464 of those are Destination Wedding Worthy.  And all of them are reasonably priced.

A few of my favorites:

Airmail Retails for $1.14 per invite (this includes the envelopes)

Journey which includes tropical flowers and a cute stamp which says "Our Journey" retails for just .89 cents per invitation:

And then Beach Flowers which retails for 94 cents an invitation

Wedding Paper Divas is a great site with plenty of options, they have everything from swirls and snowflakes to starfish, these are just a few of my favorites.  You have an option of a few different colors, typically 4 or 5 different color combinations.  You can customize the wording but not the spacing or the font.  

If you're a little pickier and want the ability to customize EVERYTHING on your save the dates...get your tushy to a stationary store.  The first thing you need to do is set a budget with your fiancé.  Know how much you want to spend before you walk in.  Whether it's $250 or $1250, a stationary store can give you a wide range of options in your price range.  My husband and I went the stationary store route - and I fell in love with Checkerboard designs...and they're reasonably priced as well.  

My save the dates are called "Coco Del Mar" and cost $173 for 100. We also paid $43 extra to have our return address printed on the envelope.  I had a ton of paper color choices, ink choices and font choices.  We chose the "Flame" paper which has a metallic look to it and fuchsia for the ink and here's our final product:

We wanted to get our guests excited about our big day (our guests have been waiting 9 years for this day after all...but that's a topic for a whole different blog :) ) So I picked bright colors and used a palm tree tropical motif.

I also really love "Half Flower" from Checkerboard for a tropical venue:

Need wording help? KISS...Keep It Simple Sweetheart:

Please Save The Date 

For the Wedding Celebration of

Bride's Name

and

Groom's Name

Riviera Maya, Mexico

We hope you will join us

Events will take place Thursday evening through Sunday morning

at Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa

Please visit (insert wedding website address) for more information