The wedding gown. It is one of the most iconic, and memorable pieces from a wedding day. It’s timeless, it’s beautiful, it’s a reflection of you and how you want to look on the most important day of your life. However, choosing the dress may not always be as easy as one would hope. Some brides can try on one dress, others 5 dresses, or possibly 65. Some brides may cry, others may not. Some brides know exactly what they want, when others may choose something completely unexpected. The process is one to cherish; it can be fun, it can be challenging, but embrace your time to find your dress. Although there are different elements to consider before choosing your perfect dress, the infographic below will help you get started! The talented crew at Bridal Book shares 13 wedding gown trends for 2013.
What is your favorite trend of 2013? Do any brides-to-be have a gown that fits into one of the categories above?
The wedding bouquet, and choosing which flowers will be included, can be one of the biggest decisions for a bride during the wedding planning process. This is a classic, traditional and beautiful element of any wedding day, and one I always look forward too. However, these days, brides are able to be a little less traditional and are updating traditional wedding elements to best fit their personality. We’ve seen the evolvement of flower bouquets to stunning, sparkling broach bouquets, and here are 5 more bouquet alternatives to consider.
1) Clutches
Ryan Ray Photography via A Groom Sold Seperately
2) Pinwheels
Jagger Photography via Green Wedding Shoes
3) Felt Flowers
Muncle Fred Art on ETSY via One Wed
4). Corsages
Sherry Hammonds Photography via Uber Brides
5) Parasols
Mihaja Photography via The Louisville Wedding Blog
Do you plan on going traditional and carrying a flower bouquet, or do you have something else in mind for you and your bridal party?
Your family and friends are traveling near and far to be with you on your special day, so why not show your gratitude and surprise them with a bag full of goodness upon their arrival. These bags don’t have to break the bank, just keep them unique and thoughtful. Below are some tips on the necessities to include as well as additional options for making these bags memorable, not to mention the perfect introduction for whats to come on your wedding day!
The Necessities
- Welcome letter: Something short and sweet from the bride and groom thanking guests for helping celebrate your special day.
- Weekend Schedule/Directions: Some guests are likely to forget to bring along your invitation, so provide them with a plan B in case this happens.
- Local Activities: If you know your guests will be staying more than one night, or there may be some down time in-between the ceremony and the reception – provide your guests with some local activities or a list of your favorite local establishments.
- Bottled water: If you’re feeling extra crafty add your own monogramed or personalized wrap.
- Snacks (Salty): Throw in your favorite brand of chips, pretzels, or nuts – whatever it is, your guests will be happy to have something to snack on upon their arrival.
- Snacks (Sweet): Chocolate… because who doesn’t love chocolate?!
Wedding Itinerary: Simple Simon Design on ETSY| Wedding Map: Magnolia Papers on ETSY | M&Ms: Photographed by Charlotte Geary Photography
A Little Something Extra
- Stay local: Include items that are near and dear to you and your fiance, or to the location you will be married. Getting married in Wisconsin? Throw in some of your favorite Cheese Curds!
- Stay Personal: Did you meet your fiance when you were in elementary school? Throw in some personalized #2 pencils. A cute poem or description of why certain unique items are included is also a great addition – or add this to your welcome note.
- Have fun: Custom hotel door hangers (a personal favorite) or mini champagne or wine bottles are additional ways to wow your guests and let them know what exactly they are in for – a wonderful celebration for 2 of their favorite people.
- Personalize the bag: Although paper bags are completely acceptable, take it one step further with personalized tote bags that your guests can reuse once your wedding has conclude
Tote: Wedding Chicks | Wisconsin Cheese Curds | Pencils: The Common Grade on ETSY | Door Hanger: Lucky Girl Paper on ETSY
What fun and unique items do you plan to include in your oot bags?
These are the times of personalization in wedding world, a time where brides and grooms never cease to amaze me with ways of incorporating their names, favorite memories, colors and just about anything else into their special days. A growing trend is incorporating your culinary heritage (and favorites) into the food you serve at your reception. This could include everything from just the hors d’ourves to an entire sit down dinner. This infuses a punch of personality to what could be a boring or run-of-the-mill menu.
A unique way of incorporating this trend into your reception could also be highlighting the culinary heritage of the city you met or where you’re from. Some chili from Cincinnati please? A pizza bar full of deep-dish pizza from Chicago? Yum! We’ve collected some inspiration to get you started on highlighting your locales yummiest traditions!
There are numerous places in the Mid-west known for their scrumptious BBQ, say Kansas City? These hors d’ourves look like a great way to incorporate them into your reception.
Rebecca of Birds of a Feather via SMP | Steve Steinhardt Photography via SMP
What about those award winning pies at state fair’s throughout the region? Here’s a great way to incorporate them in!
Harwell Photography via SMP | Heather Kincaid via SMP
First Comes Love Photo via SMP | Christian Oth Studios via SMP
And don’t skimp on the beverages! This lovely little concoction of margaritas in mini Patron bottles.
Braedon Photography via SMP | onelove photography via SMP
What would you want to use as inspiration for you and your guests’ palletes? The city you met in college? Your cultural heritage?
