Whitney & Andrew: Antique Sophistication

Whitney & Andrew's wedding was filled with antique accents and personalized details. The reception took place at Architectural Artifacts, where you can incorporate the shop's antiques into your decor! Check out the beautiful photos from Clary Photo:

Right before the processional, the bow on the bride's shoe decided to unstick itself! That's exactly where my overly stuffed emergency kit comes in handy. I simply grabbed the super glue and voila - all fixed. No sweat! Of course, Clary caught the photo. :) Moral of the story is make sure you or your wedding planner has a wedding day emergency kit for those unexpected moments!

I always love the shots of the grand exit. Pure joy!

Photo by Camille McLamb

We scoured the bins at Architectural Artifacts to find these vintage letters of the happy couple's initials.

I snapped this photo of the escort card table. Interspersed among the cards are crystals from old chandeliers that we hand-selected from Architectural Artifacts' massive collection.

Another quick shot by me. One of the gorgeous centerpieces by StemLine Creative.

Each table featured a vintage treasure, hand-selected by the bride and groom. Notice the spool of thread? 

Beautiful shot of the cake by Clary. Quick tip: Specify to your caterer to have a plate and two forks on the cake table.  Seems obvious but it's often forgotten! Your day-of-coordinator can give a reminder and ensure it's there for the cake cutting.

Props to the father of the bride who strung up additional lights to make his daughter's wedding day extra bright.

Congratulations to Whitney & Andrew!

Vendors:

Venue - Architectural Artifacts

Caterer - Catered Productions

Photographer - Clary Photo

Florist - StemLine Creative

Cake - Lovin' Oven Cakery

Ceremony Musicians - Quartet Parapluie

DJ - Cage & Aquarium

Wedding Coordinator - Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

For more photos of this wedding, see the feature on Style Me Pretty!

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Go Out With A Bang: Ideas for Your Grand Exit

Get your guests in on the action and leave them laughing with a fun grand exit. As you depart for the first time as a married couple, there are numerous ways to celebrate the new marriage.

Classics 

For the traditional bride and groom, throwing classic items, such as rice, birdseed, and flowers, never goes out of style. The custom of throwing rice comes from ancient Roman times where it symbolized fertility and good fortune to the newlyweds. Throwing rice has fallen out of fashion due to a long-standing myth that rice harms birds. According to online myth debunkers, such as snopes.com, rice actually will not hurt our feathered friends.  But it does have its drawbacks.  It's messy and difficult to clean up, so many venues do not allow it to be thrown. (It also will get stuck in your fancy up-do, and your new hubby may spend the first moments of marital bliss picking rice out of your hair before photos!) Plus, it's super slippery, and can be a hazard to guests that may be walking on it after the grand departure.  So, as beautiful and safe alternatives to this now long-standing American tradition, many modern brides throw seeds, dried lavender, rose petals, sprinkles or leaves to spread good luck.

Rice

Photo by Caroline Eller

 The grand exit from my own wedding where guests threw petals!

Autumn Leaves

Unique Twists 

For the dare-devil bride and groom, your grand exit can be a showstopper by incorporating the theme of your wedding or something special to your relationship.

mini beach balls

Paper Airplanes (from my super fun airplane-themed wedding)

Silly String

No Cleanup 

If you want to keep things clean or your venue has restrictions on what can be thrown, try some of these options that require little or no cleanup.

Bubbles (from my lovely Art Institute wedding)

Glow Sticks

Balloons

Sparklers

Other fun options can include bells, signs, or wands. Your selected style of grand exit may depend on timing. You'll need to decide whether to make your special departure from the ceremony while it's still light out or at the end of the reception for some night-time photos. Whatever you decide to do, putting a personal touch on any item is simple. Make small bags or arrange items in baskets to showcase as guests exit. So get creative, have fun, and go out with a bang!

What are you doing for the big exit? Tell us below…

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What To Do With The Dress After The Big Day

You searched and searched for your dream dress, and now your big day has come and gone. You are almost as in love with your new husband as you are with your wedding gown. (Okay, maybe it's the other way around.) While you plan to keep him on display for years to come, what will you do with that perfect dress?

For most brides, the decision is easy. They have their dress cleaned, preserved, and pack it away; perhaps in hopes that someday their own daughter might say “I do” in that very dress. But there are many other ideas to showcase that ever important dress.

For brides who have a bit less sentimental attachment to their dress, a great option is to sell the dress or even donate it. Brides Against Breast Cancer accepts gown donations that they then sell to raise money to support breast cancer patients. Passing on your dress to another bride not only helps bring their wedding dreams to life, but also contributes to a good cause.

For the daring bride, a trash the dress photo session can be a fun way to have a last hurrah with your dress.

Photo by Daniel Szysz

From Dress Safari

 You can showcase your dress in other meaningful ways after wedding day. Do you hope that one day your daughter will walk down the aisle in your gown, but your dress happens to be a little more bold than timeless?

Dress your daughter up in your wedding gown while she is still young for a beautiful photo. You'll always have the cherished memory of her wearing your gown and it will be an amazing display on her own wedding day.

Your gown can also become a family heirloom. Have a baptismal dress made from the fabric of your dress. Or use the fabric as a covering on your wedding album.

What will you do with your dress after the Big Day? Tell us below....

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Don't Be Blue about your "Something Blue"

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Everyone knows this old saying and many brides still try to abide by it on wedding day. But when you're wearing all white, the puzzling part can be where exactly to incorporate that "something blue" into your wedding day fashion.

Not sure what to have as your something blue? Here are some of our favorite ways to include it in your day-of look:

For a classic bride, blue pearls attached to the ends of bobby pins in your hair is an elegant touch.

But there's no need to be subtle with your something blue. If your style is a little bit funky, you could paint your nails a light shade of blue or wear blue tights under your dress. For something a bit more noticeable, wear a blue petticoat under your dress or blue shoes.

Your something blue can be your little secret, hidden from view.  Why not embroider your wedding date in blue on the under-skirts of the dress? Or wear blue undies or a blue garter. Perhaps it could be fun to make your groom search for that something blue after the festivities are over!

Your something blue can also pay tribute to a loved one. Remember a grandfather who couldn’t be with you by stitching a piece of his old shirt or scarf onto your dress.

 There are so many ways to include your something blue in your wedding day, so be creative!

What will you use for your something blue? Tell us below…

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It's Never Too Late for a Snack

Brides are always trying to surprise their guests with unique touches. So, if you're pondering what else you can do at your reception once the dancing has begun, why not bring out more food?

One of the latest trends in wedding receptions is the late-night snack. Most often, comfort foods or local food favorites are offered in miniature bites. Guests can help themselves to a quick, fun snack and then continue dancing.

Cookies with milk shots will satisfy a sweet tooth (and be a hit kids both little and big) while a hot dog stand can serve as a nod toward a local Chicago specialty.  S'mores stations and food trucks can also be an unexpected twist and a big hit.

When planning for the late night snack, keep in mind that some guests will likely leave before the snacks are put out. So, you won't need to order food for the full number of guests (unless you’re looking forward to leftovers!). Your wedding coordinator can help you with ideas for a unique late night snack and manage the timing of the big reveal.

Here are some delicious ideas for your late-night snacks:

 Mini Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup, Mini Milkshakes, Cookies & Milk, Hot Dogs = Yum!

Funnel Cakes!

S'mores Buffet from That's A Smore!

Doughnuts are the new cupcakes!

Incorporating a late-night snack will leave your guests with a big impression, a full tummy, and a big smile.

Tell us what you are serving below....

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What's Left After The Cake is Gone?

The wedding cake is a delicious way to commemorate your wedding. But once that last slice is eaten, what remains to remind you of your first dessert as a married couple? The cake topper!

Cake toppers have come a long way from the standard bride and groom atop the cake. Now couples are choosing unique cake toppers that reflect their personalities and relationship. After the wedding, the topper can be displayed in your home as a reminder of your big day.

Here are some of our favorites!

The Cake Topper Can Reflect Your Wedding Theme

Classic Monogram Topper

From Etsy

Custom Topper that looked like the bride and groom! Photo by Laura Witherow Photography

 

Tell us: What type of cake topper do you plan on using?

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Do Your Wedding Shoes Have Sole?

Brides today want their wedding day to be unique from head to toe. Customizing the soles of your wedding shoes is an easy and extraordinary way to remember your day after the shoes come off. Take a look at some of our favorite ways to bring new tradition into your footwear on your big day.

Each bridesmaid can write a message on the sole of your shoes for a great keepsake. Use a blue pen for something blue!

You may not wear The Dress again, but you'll probably have occasion to wear those fabulous shoes after the big day.  Customizing the soles with your new married name and wedding date will be a touching reminder of that special day every time you slip on the shoes.

While your bridesmaids make your shoes extra special, you can write a message to each bridesmaid to make their shoes just as special to them!

Something as simple as “I Do” on your soles can add just the right touch of personality and something blue on your wedding day!

Photo by Allure Photo

Whatever you choose to say with sole (haha...get it?), you can do it with bling! See our bride Rebecca's adorned shoes on her wedding day.

What shoe trends have you seen or will you do on your big day? Tell us below!

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