The Savvy Winter Bride is starting her own event & wedding planning business!!! Please follow the new blog at www.yoursavvysoiree.com as updates will no longer be made here!
Thanks!
Savvy Winter Bride
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
DIY Shoe Bling
Finding the PERFECT bridal shoe can be a pain. Depending on your personality, you might want to match your dress, you might want to wear hot pink shoes that pop, or you might want to bling it out. Regardless, it's hard to find the ones you've been dreaming of.. especially if you're on any type of budget. Well, here's a solution so simple than even the non-craftiest bride can do: Add rhinestones to your own shoes!
From plain
To Sassy!
From plain
To Sassy!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
V Day - Pink & Black Inspiration
No words necessary --- here's some black, white & pink inspiration for Valentine's Day! I hope you get to spend it with the ones you love!
seen here
Video of the Day
Absolutely love this hilarious video by Digital Princess at the Broke Ass Bride! Who couldn't love something set to the theme of Fresh Prince of Bel Air?
Fresh Hubby of LA from Digital Princess Productions on Vimeo.
Chicago Photographer with Creative Curve
I love looking at wedding photography, and today I came across a Chicago based photographer that really gives an edgy style to the photos. So, if any brides are planning their nuptials in the Chicago area, consider Jai Girard photography -- of course you might have to book 2 years in advance, but hey, wedding pictures last forever!
Valentine's Photoshoot
Happy Saturday! And Happy day-before-Valentine's Day! I'm so excited to be sharing this beautiful photoshoot from you with Simply Bloom Photography. It's a modern day twist on an old love story -- a beautiful woman falling in love with Cupid! Enjoy... and take some inspiration for your engagement photos and/or wedding photos!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Wedding Traditions
After dating my boyfriend (now husband) for 3 months or so, I went with him to his cousin's wedding, and of course met the ENTIRE family. While waiting for the bride to make her way to the aisle, my future mother-in-law said, "I don't even know why girls wear white these days. It means nothing." I had no idea what to say. I think I laughed it off. A plethora of thoughts crossed my mind: is she serious? does she think this bride is unpure? Is she hinting that she thinks I am unpure? I then sat, watching a beautiful couple tie their vows, while I silently wondered what the heck does this mean?!? That got me thinking of wedding superstitions and their genesis. If the white dress traditionally is meant to symbolize purity, where do all of the other wedding traditions get their roots? I did a little digging, and here's what I found out {my real-life items listed after the description}.
- Something Old: The bride is supposed to wear something old as a sign that even though the wedding symbolizes a new beginning, the couple is not forsaking their friends and family even as they step into a new life together {my deceased paternal grandmother's pearls were draped on my wedding bouquet}.
- Something New: The bride should wear/have something new to show a symbolic reference to the new life she is embarking upon, which will bring her health, happiness, and success {practically everything I was wearing was new}.
- Something Borrowed: The bride and her family reaffirm their love & affection with each other with this tradition. By borrowing from her family (or close friends), the bride shows she is close to them, and by returning what she borrowed, she wishes them luck {my maternal grandmother's rose pin tucked into my bouquet}.
- Something Blue: Wearing something blue is meant to be a throwback to ancient times when the color represented fidelity and consistency. The bride is thus reinforcing her commitment, symbolically, to the groom {Blue Sapphire ring -- lucky me, my hubby gave it to me as a wedding gift}.
- The groom's bout matches the bridal bouquet: By the groom wearing a flower from the bridal bouquet, he is showing that his bride is his lady and declaring his love for her. This is from an old custom when knights roamed England and wore their ladies' colors to show their love for them {my groom wore a burgandy callalily which matched my bouquet}.
and finally.... the white wedding gown has 2 stories of its creation
- White wedding gowns: 1) White is the color that represents purity, to show that the bride is a virgin. A bride is never supposed to wear green since that is the color that shows "loose morals" -- women who rolled around in the grass with various men would get green grass stains on her dress. 2) In the olden days, white linens were very costly. Women didn't tend to wear white dresses because they would often get ruined very quickly and thus would have to be thrown away, resulting in a waste of money. So, by wearing a white gown, the bride's family was declaring that they come from high society and can afford a dress to only be worn once {ivory is also an accepted color and much more common these days --- and was worn by yours truly}.
Any other traditions I left out? Feel free to let me know!
Worst. Wedding. Guest. Ever.
Someone fed this girl one too many drinks. Remember, ladies -- at ALL weddings, you MUST stay classy! You do not want to be this girl... or have that girl at your wedding!
For some reason, I don't think they're very good friends anymore...
For some reason, I don't think they're very good friends anymore...
Monday, February 8, 2010
Choosing a Wedding Consultant
I LOVED planning my wedding. Though, I can say that it was very stressful at times, and I wished I could have relinquished control and let someone else help me. All in all, my wedding day turned out perfect. But in hindsight, it would have been nice to have a wedding consultant during the planning process. If you're ready to let go of the reigns and accept some help to provide you with the most perfect day possible, be sure to interview several wedding consultants, before deciding on one.
Remember, the idea behind hiring a wedding consultant is to take the stress of planning and coordinating your wedding off of your back. So, you don't want to worry if your wedding consultant is doing a good job.
The below fifteen questions are a great guideline to finding the perfect person to plan and arrange your wedding.
1) Are you licensed, or do you at least have a DBA registration document?
2) How long have you been in the business of wedding consulting?
3) How many weddings do you do on an annual basis?
4) Do you have any feedback/testimonials?
5) Do you belong to any professional organizations?
6) Are you certified? If so, by whom?
7) Do you have a contract (if so, may you see it?)
8) Do you plan on doing this work yourself or are you using the services of your staff? (You'd be surprised how many wedding consultants send other people to do their work--this is an important question to ask).
9) Do you accept referral fees and/or commissions? (If they say that they accept referral fees--you should walk out the door, this sounds like a scam artist).
10) How do you work? Will we be meeting on a one on one basis, or will your full staff be there?
11) Will you be able to work within my budget? If I give you a ceiling budget, will you go beyond it to meet your expectations? (Make sure they are willing to work within your budget--it's always easy to spend someone else's money!).
12) What are you willing to do for the fee you are quoting me? Make a list and make sure it coincides with any written contract that requires your signature.
13) How often will you provide me with updates on my wedding planning?
14) Will you be present during my wedding rehearsal and wedding day? Will this be included in your fees?
15) What type of attire will you be wearing should you attend these events?
Remember, the idea behind hiring a wedding consultant is to take the stress of planning and coordinating your wedding off of your back. So, you don't want to worry if your wedding consultant is doing a good job.
The below fifteen questions are a great guideline to finding the perfect person to plan and arrange your wedding.
1) Are you licensed, or do you at least have a DBA registration document?
2) How long have you been in the business of wedding consulting?
3) How many weddings do you do on an annual basis?
4) Do you have any feedback/testimonials?
5) Do you belong to any professional organizations?
6) Are you certified? If so, by whom?
7) Do you have a contract (if so, may you see it?)
8) Do you plan on doing this work yourself or are you using the services of your staff? (You'd be surprised how many wedding consultants send other people to do their work--this is an important question to ask).
9) Do you accept referral fees and/or commissions? (If they say that they accept referral fees--you should walk out the door, this sounds like a scam artist).
10) How do you work? Will we be meeting on a one on one basis, or will your full staff be there?
11) Will you be able to work within my budget? If I give you a ceiling budget, will you go beyond it to meet your expectations? (Make sure they are willing to work within your budget--it's always easy to spend someone else's money!).
12) What are you willing to do for the fee you are quoting me? Make a list and make sure it coincides with any written contract that requires your signature.
13) How often will you provide me with updates on my wedding planning?
14) Will you be present during my wedding rehearsal and wedding day? Will this be included in your fees?
15) What type of attire will you be wearing should you attend these events?
questions found here
Friday, February 5, 2010
Awkward Wedding Photos
I've spent the last few weeks obsessing over my absolutely STUNNING wedding photos. I am not saying that because I am stunning.. but because my photographer is AMAZING. Literally. Work with Melody Smith. Anyhow, because I enjoy irony so much, I thought I'd spend some time looking at the most awkward wedding photos ever. Not only does it make me laugh out loud, but it makes me feel better about mine... as if that was possible. Enjoy.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wedding Trends -- Yellow & Gray
K (my beautiful, dear friend in the engagement pictures below) is planning her 5/1/10 wedding with one of the season's hottest wedding trends... the yellow & gray color palette! Typically, the yellow is bright and/or cheerful (yay!) and the gray can either be muted, or it can be silver... a but more in-your-face. Both work wonderfully, and give different vibes. In her honor, I've done some searching for some cute yellow & gray inspiration to keep us excited until her nuptials. Here you go, K! 
found here
both above seen here
seen here
seen here
K's turn
Now that my wedding is over, I am really excited to be a part of one of my dear friends, K's wedding. K and I went to the same Women's college and we have a tight knit group of friends. K & E was engaged a couple months before me, but planned their wedding for 15+ from the engagement date... I guess you could say P & I rushed it, since we were married 8 months after getting engaged! K & E's wedding is May 1, 2010 and I cannot wait to be supporting her up on the altar. Below are a few beautiful images of K & E!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Rehearsal Centerpieces
At my rehearsal dinner, my crafty mother-in-law put together these super cute snowglobes inside of a glass ornament. I had never seen this before, but it was adorable and a huge hit! I came across this in the blog world today and wanted to share so that others might be able to create something just as unique!
DIY instructions for making your own snow globe from Well Worn:
You will need:
All can be found at a craft or haberdashery store.
*A jar of your choice (with a lid)
*Figurines or jewelery
*Anti-rust sealant for metal pieces
*Clear-drying epoxy
*Distilled water
*Dash of glycerin
*Large silver or white glitter (smaller versions will float at the top)
Steps:
1. Use clear-drying epoxy to adhere your piece to the inside of the lid. Let dry per instructions.
2. After the epoxy dries completely, fill your jar with distilled or boiled water (at room temperature, of course).
3. Add just a dash of glycerin so the “snow” falls slowly.
4. Add as much glitter as you like. If you don’t like the look of glitter, you can usually find faux snow at craft and haberdashery stores.
5. Screw your lid on tightly and enjoy your snow globe!
Winter Loveliness
It's a shame that during the majority of wedding planning, I could find NO inspiration or pictures from winter weddings... when I NEEDED it. Now that my wedding has come & gone, and winter is passing us by, the winter ideas are all over the blogs! Of course it makes sense that as winter is here, we put it on the blogs... it just would have been nice if it I'd had all these lovely pictures and blogs when I was needing help planning.
Regardless, check out these from Green Wedding Shoes!
Another Lovely Winter Wedding
I am still waiting to receive the rest of my pictures from my photographer.. in the mean time, I am obsessing over other winter wedding pictures to hold me over. Check out a few lovely ones below.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
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