Vintage in the Garden: Lauren & Derek

When winter blankets the ground with snow and the temperatures dip below zero, I like to reminisce about our beautiful outdoor weddings. Lauren and Derek had a beautiful Spring wedding at Morton Arboretum, complete with vintage details that gave the day the feel of a 1930s garden party.

The lace runners helped create that elegant vintage look.

Using multiple vases to create the centerpieces provided texture and accentuated the flowers, bringing the garden feel indoors.

Phillip's Flowers created these centerpiece looks.

At each place setting, guests received a vintage key bottle opener - a favor combining both the vintage theme and practicality to give guests something they could actually use!

This Art Deco cake by The Cakery featured the couple's furry family member.

Congratulations Lauren & Derek!

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Elements of Military Weddings

With Veteran’s Day having passed and Thanksgiving around the corner, we take a look at the traditions of military weddings.  In military weddings, special customs demonstrate the honor of individuals who have served our country.

photo from munaluchbridal.com

Engagement   

Of course, the ring completes every engagement. Midshipmen and cadets may give their fiancées a smaller version of their class ring as an engagement ring, instead of the traditional diamond. 

Attire

The main noticeable difference at a military wedding is the attire, with military uniforms replacing tuxedos or suits. The particular uniform can differ depending on the style of wedding, season, and guidelines found in the Government-manual of uniforms. 

The “mess” dress uniform is typical for formal weddings. If the wedding is semi-formal or more casual, service or class-A attire is appropriate.  If any groomsmen serve in a different branch than the groom, they can simply wear their uniforms of comparable formality. If the bride is in the military, she may wear her dress uniform, though most opt for a traditional wedding gown. Family and guests who are active or retired military may also wear uniforms, if they choose.

If the groom and groomsmen are in military dress, then boutonnieres are not used and they simply wear their military decorations.  

Location

            

Often military couples will get married in a military academy or a chapel on base, though they may opt for their own church, synagogue, or wedding venue.  The chaplain of the base may officiate, since the bride or groom may already have close ties with him, and the chaplain will do the ceremony for free.    

            

Seating at the ceremony can be slightly different from the typical wedding, as well. Guests who are currently serving or  have served in the past should be seated according to rank.

Music

For music, the couple may opt for regimental compositions or the theme song of the branch for which the bride or groom serves. 

Decor 

Flags can be placed around the venue to show the couple’s patriotism. Brides can add flowers around the flag to help accentuate the look.

Customs

            

After the ceremony, the bride and groom will leave the sanctuary greeted by guards holding ceremonial weapons.  The newlyweds will usually stop and kiss as they walk through the guards (making for a great photo op!).  Don't be surprised if the bride gets a pat on the butt, as she exits the arch of guards, welcoming her into that branch of service. 

photo from tampabridalshops.com

The cake cutting makes for another fun military tradition. The groom offers his sword to the bride, and they then make the first cut of the cake together holding his sword. That's one oversized cake knife!

photo from laynecorbin.wordpress.com

Military weddings are impressive to see, and incorporating military customs into the wedding allows family and guests to share in the pride for the bride or groom who serves, as well as the pride for this country.


*Natalie Gudel contributed to this article.

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Planning Weddings from Out-Of-Town

Couples today are constantly on the move! Sometimes that means the newly engaged end up planning out-of-state weddings. Though planning from afar may present some added challenges,  there are steps a bride can take to ensure that the planning goes smoothly. 

Get Planning!

Wedding planning does not have to be stressful. But nothing contributes more to a stressful planning process than a shortage of time, especially when planning from out-of-town. Ideally, leave yourself eight months to a year to plan. Start with numbers. Talk about budget and the size of the guest list with your fiancé. With the numbers out of the way, you can then jump right into finding the perfect venue.

Book a Pro!

Booking a wedding planner in the city where you are getting married can help alleviate some pressure. A wedding planner will already be an expert on venues and vendors in the area and will drastically cut down on your time spent researching options. The wedding planner can do the initial research for you, allowing you to simply make the final decisions.

Utilize Technology!

We live in the era of technology, which makes wedding planning from out-of-town so much easier. You can view pictures of venues online, see examples of the past work of vendors, read reviews of vendors, and even listen to audio samples of bands. When you find a few companies you’re interested in, you can e-mail them for more info, participate in consultations by phone or Skype, and share your ideas with them on Pinterest.

Enlist the Locals!

Contact family or friends that live in the area where you’ll be hosting the wedding. Ask them to be scouts for you, attending meetings on your behalf. Having someone at the appointments whose opinion you value (and who can take pictures for you) can be particularly helpful when scoping out potential venues.

Wedding planning from afar may have its extra challenges, but if love can surpass distance, surely the wedding planning can as well!  Happy Planning!

*Natalie Gudel contributed to this article.

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Six Wedding Thank You Note No-Nos

I'm so excited to welcome our guest blogger this week! Thank you note guru, Emily Easton, is sharing her tips for making your thank you notes personal and compelling. 

Six Wedding Thank You Note No-Nos

by Emily Easton

Everyone loves getting a thank you note for a shower or wedding gift. The gift-giver loves it even more when the note-writer does not make these missteps:

1. Making the note too short. Each thank you note should be at least two sentences. Two full sentences. Three is better.

2. Not naming every gift. Don’t thank the giver just for the darling placemats if she also gave you napkins and napkin rings. Somehow, convey that you appreciate each gift – even if you use phrases like “an assortment of kitchen tools.”

3. Failing to mention why you like the gift. Include some description of why you appreciate the gift, such as:

·         We need so many items for our kitchen and the blender you sent is one of our favorite additions! We love smoothies …

·         Mom always brought out special serving items for entertaining, and now the gorgeous pewter platter you gave us starts our collection.

·         Tyler and I are so grumpy without our first cup of coffee. The coffee maker you selected …

·         No need to wonder if the gift you sent will be used! Thanks so much for the check you sent. It went right into our honeymoon fund …

4. Starting with “I.”  You do remember your grade school teacher telling you never ever to start a thank you note with I. It’s too me-me-me.

5.  Starting with the words “Thank You.”  Of course you need to write the words “thank you” in the body of your note. But only the dullest notes start with those words. Force yourself to start with anything but “thank you” and you’re on your way to a great note. Here are some openings that will be appreciated:

• How surprised we were to open the box and see the lovely pitcher you sent us!
• Cold Wisconsin nights will be easier to take with the big plush blanket you gave us.  
• It’s party time! Thanks for the terrific ice bucket you gave us …

6. Complimenting your own wedding. You certainly hope your guests will have – or did have – a good time at your wedding. But don’t brag in your thank you note. Avoid any phrase such as “We’re so glad you were able to come to our wonderful wedding!”  

Emily Easton is a note-writing expert. Her website on Wedding Thank You Notes can be found at www.emilyeaston.com.

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Maria & Tony: A Taste of the Windy City

Maria and Tony's wedding melded traditional Filipino culture with highlights from the big city. The city-themed wedding featured famed Chicago nibbles, landmarks, and that classic cityscape. Check out the fantastic photos by Greenkey Photography:

A first look photo without the looking -- no peeking!

The beautiful St. Benedict Church

Unity Candle Ceremony

Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

At the reception, guests found their seats at tables named after city landmarks and the couple's favorite hot spots.

Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

The grand Donovan Reading Room at Loyola University - not much studying going on tonight!

A cityscape cake with a handy cake topper!

Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

Each table was named after a place that is special to the bride & groom. 

A bag of the renowned Garrett's popcorn awaited each guest at their seat.

The traditional Filipino money dance is a fascinating sight for the kids!

Sachets of potpourri for a sweet take-home.

Today's guestbooks make for a wonderful piece to display in the couple's home.

Congratulations to Maria & Tony!

Wedding Vendors:

Photographer: Greenkey Photography

Ceremony Location: St. Benedict Church

Reception Location: Donovan Reading Room

Florist: Flor del Monte

Cake: Luscious Layers

Wedding Coordination: Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

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What Does the Maid of Honor Do?

When planning your wedding, one of the biggest decisions a bride can make is choosing who will get the coveted Maid of Honor position. But what does the Maid of Honor actually do? There are many responsibilities that a good Maid of Honor (“MOH”) will handle. The MOH is a role that, when successfully done, can take immense pressure off the bride. So when choosing who you want for the job, consider the responsibilities she will be tackling.

Pre-Wedding Party-Planner

The MOH traditionally coordinates a bridal shower or bachelorette party. She will choose the location, send out the invitations, and delegate planning tasks to your bridesmaids, such as setting up games to play, buying prizes for the winners, and providing snacks for guests.

Shopping Fashionista

Every girl needs a shopping buddy. You may want your MOH to accompany you on the mission to find the perfect wedding dress. For the bridesmaid dresses, while you certainly want to please your bridesmaids, it can be difficult to settle on a dress, if you let each bridesmaid weigh in on the decision. So, when shopping for the bridesmaid dresses, consider just taking your MOH. She can serve as a representative for the bridesmaids, so you can ensure your pick isn’t totally off base. And it will be much easier to select a dress with just a second opinion, rather than five opinions!

The MOH can assist with other purchases, as well, if needed, and even help research vendors. But if asking her to help with these planning tasks, be sure that she will keep your vision at the forefront and won’t end up planning her own wedding!

Photo from BridalGuide.com

Leader of the Pack with a Diplomatic Hand

No one ever wants to be the bad guy. But brides sometimes get a bad rap and labeled a Bridezilla for giving simple directions, like what color shoes to wear with the bridesmaid dresses. (Is it really that difficult to find taupe shoes???) A stellar MOH will step in and come to the bride's defense if a bridesmaid puts up a fuss. A simple reminder from the MOH that they are there to make your day special and less stressful should be enough to set the culprit straight. The MOH can handle tasks from reminding the bridesmaids to purchase their dresses on time to corralling the girls to ensure nobody is late to the rehearsal.

Personal Assistant

At the actual event, your MOH should be by your side both literally and figuratively. She will hold your bouquet and fix your train at the altar. She may need to help bustle your train for the reception or even just fetch a glass of champagne, if you’re looking overwhelmed. The MOH can also serve as the point of contact for your wedding coordinator, letting her know when you are on your way to the ceremony to ensure the groom is out of sight.

So, when choosing your MOH, yes, she should be a “bestie,” but also look for a few key traits to ensure she can fulfill her MOH responsibilities. Organization is key. She, in essence, will serve as a makeshift event planner to plan the bachelorette party or shower. She will need to find a location, delegate duties, and possibly book transportation. She should be dependable, so you can trust her to show up at your dress appointment on time or even find the perfect violinist, if you accidentally left booking ceremony musicians to the last minute. She should be willing to take charge while still being a team player, since she will be the leader of the bridesmaids, keeping them on task and diffusing disputes. She should be supportive, willing to listen, and always keep your likes and dislikes at heart.

The role of Maid of Honor is meant to be just that -- an honor! So choosing the right gal for the job is an important decision. Keep in mind the MOH responsibilities when making your selection, and maybe even show her this article, so she knows what’s ahead!

What tasks are you having your MOH handle? Tell us below….

*Natalie Gudel contributed to this article.

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10 Things You'll Wish You Did at Your Wedding

Wedding planning requires attention to a lot of details. It’s nearly impossible to remember every little thing. So here are ten things brides often wish they had done at their weddings, so you won’t forget them at yours!

I wish I had...

hired a wedding planner 

Ok, ok, I may be biased! But every year polls show that one of the top things brides wish they would have done differently was hired a wedding planner instead of trying to do everything on their own. When you first get engaged, the excitement is high, and all you want to do is plan, plan, plan. However, after a few months or even weeks of planning, it’s common to feel overwhelmed trying to balance wedding planning with your job and daily responsibilities.

Wedding blogs and sites like Pinterest provide tons of great ideas, but there is a lot more that goes into wedding planning than pretty flowers and dresses. That’s where a wedding planner comes in! A wedding planner can take your ideas and vision and put them into action by finding the right vendors, managing your budget, and preparing for the logistics. On the big day, the last thing a bride wants to do is answer vendor questions or setup escort cards. A wedding planner will be behind-the-scenes, ensuring everything is set up properly, managing the timeline, and running the show. With the wedding in the hands of a professional, brides can relax and enjoy their special day.

personalized my wedding 

The purpose of a wedding is to celebrate the union of the bride and groom. However, in the hustle and bustle of wedding planning, sometimes that focus is forgotten. Keep that purpose in mind with personalized details that showcase the bride and groom’s interests and personalities. It’s as easy as serving a specialty beverage or the couple’s favorite foods. You can even get creative with table numbers featuring photos of you and your hubby at each age! Personalizing a wedding allows guests to get to know the couple better and makes the wedding stand out!

From bridalguide.com

took more photos and videos 

Adding up wedding expenses can be a fearsome task. There are always ways to reign in the costs, but a common regret among brides is cutting back on wedding photography and videography. Your wedding day comes and goes so quickly. Photographers and videographers serve as the eyes and ears of the day and will often show you bits and pieces of the day that you never even saw yourself. Wedding photos can make for beautiful décor for your home, and watching your wedding video on your anniversaries is a lovely annual tradition.

From wish-upon-a-wedding.com

appreciated my wedding party

Often, the first time the wedding party meets each other is the day of or day before the wedding, making for some awkward interactions. Instead of dealing with uncomfortable moments on your wedding weekend, introduce the wedding party to each other in advance! A casual lunch or bowling night is a fun way for the wedding party to relax and get to know each other.

You can also show your appreciation to your wedding party by recognizing each member. The reception introductions and bridal party gifts are traditional ways to acknowledge them, but you could also display pictures during the cocktail hour of each member of the wedding party with a description of how you met and a funny or meaningful memory of that person.

made it last 

Enjoy your wedding weekend to fullest. You don't have to leave for your honeymoon right away. Plan your honeymoon departure for a couple of days after the wedding, so that you can attend a wedding brunch with friends and family the day after and continue to celebrate.

Every couple wants those feelings from their wedding day to last long after the day has passed. A great idea is to place love letters into a box along with a bottle of wine, and nail it shut at the wedding. When you and your hubby have your first disagreement, open it up, pour the wine, read the love letters, and remember what it's all about!

From the plungeproject.com

Another fun idea is to provide each reception table with note cards to write notes for you to open on different anniversaries! All of the notes from table three will be opened on your third anniversary. As you read the notes years later, you’ll remember all of the love from your wedding day!

From media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com

had a unique guestbook 

Guestbooks are a great way to remember everyone who helped celebrate your special day. But who ever said a guestbook has to be an actual book?! Get creative with your guestbook! Make it something you will see every day rather than just a book that will collect dust on a shelf! Have guests sign a wooden initial of your last name. After the wedding you can have it hanging on a wall in your home to display! Or, have guests take pictures of themselves and sign the pictures. Put the photos in an album or frame, and every time you see the pictures it will put a smile on your face!

From girlywedding.com

From girlywedding.com

gotten creative with my "something blue"

The “something blue” tradition has been going on for as long as anyone can remember. But “something blue” means it can be anything blue! Think outside the box for this tradition and try something different.

The date sewn in blue in the wedding dress lining.

From girlywedding.com

Your bridal party signatures and well-wishes on the soles of your shoes in blue!

From girlywedding.com

kept my guests entertained 

You don’t have to limit your wedding entertainment to dinner and dancing. Provide your guests with fun activities to keep them entertained throughout the night. Print a Mad Libs story about the bride and groom on the back of your menu cards for guests to fill in the blanks. Or, let them build their own ice cream sundaes as a late night snack.

From weddingbee.com

had a "first look"

A First Look allows you to have a personal moment alone with your future husband before the ceremony. Seeing each other for the first time can be really emotional. If that moment happens while you’re walking down the aisle, you’re limited in your interaction with each other, as your guests are watching and the formalities of the ceremony have begun. At a First Look, you and your hubby-to-be can have spontaneous reactions, touch, and hug, without any pressure, which makes for poignant photos.

Also, doing a First Look and then taking your bridal party and family pictures before the ceremony means you can attend your cocktail hour after the ceremony and spend more time with friends and family.

relaxed!

The number one thing brides regret after their wedding day is not taking a moment to take a deep breath and relax. Before they know it, the day is over and they can hardly remember what happened! One of my favorite customs geared towards helping the newlyweds relax is the yichud from Jewish tradition. After the ceremony, the bride and groom go into a secluded place for 10 to 15 minutes. This short time allows the couple to escape, savor the moment, and enjoy each other for a few minutes before joining their guests for the reception. Whether you borrow this tradition or find your own way to relax, make sure to soak up this special day!

*Sarah Madonia contributed to this article.

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