When I saw the images from one of our September couple’s engagement shoot they were simply to fun not to share! Couples today are really taking engagement photos above and beyond the traditional formal portraits. Janie and Brian’s shoot is a great example of what many couples are looking to create today. New Day Photography did an amazing job capturing the personalities of Janie and Brian in this one of a kind engagement shoot at Goodale Park. The love and laughter these two share was captured brilliantly in each and every photo. I love the unique vintage and modern flair that Janie and Brian chose to incorporate into their engagement shots. All of the props used for the shoot were provide by Ever After Vintage Rentals, a new company founded by the bride to be that specializes in vintage and one of a kind pieces available for rent for weddings and events. Janie ensured that every detail from the location, the props, the clothing, to the hair and makeup (by the way which were wonderfully created by Beautivity and Phia Salon) were perfectly executed. I cannot wait until Janie and Brian’s wedding! The details will be amazing…

Oh my, in just a few short weeks you are getting married! It’s finally here, just after 12 short months, a whirlwind of vendor appointments, choosing from linen swatches, admiring floral blooms, trying on countless dresses- it is here! So now what? Your last few weeks before your wedding can make or break you. It is only natural that every bride will have the jitters and for many reasons. Here are a few top tips that can help you and your groom relax and enjoy the ride!

1) 3 weeks before your wedding all details should be finalized. Timelines are in the hands of every vendor, final head counts are being called in to your venue, caterer, florist, and rental companies. If you have a wedding planner/coordinator he or she should be the sole contact with any vendors relieving you of any wedding stress.

2) Week of your wedding, take some time off work. At minimum take off a few days before your wedding. Spend some quality time relaxing doing the things you love: get a massage, manicure, pedicure, etc.

3) Go on a date! Yes, that’s right, a date with your groom. I always recommend to all of my couples, spend a romantic evening together on Wednesday evening before your family begins arriving! Perhaps visit the place you went to on your first date or your favorite restaurant. Remind yourselves of the love and romance that brought you to I DO…

4) ENJOY your time with family. Rather it be a backyard barbeque or meeting them upon check in at your host hotels for cocktails. Be sure to have fun and enjoy them, they are here for you!

5) Spend some time the day before your wedding with your bridesmaids and groomsmen. A simple luncheon can be so much fun and give you that needed time to lean on your friends!

Above and beyond all, make sure you get plenty of rest, eat, and exercise! Congratulations, you are almost there!

By Jenn Ellegood of The Finer Things Event Planning,

At last it’s here! The day you have been waiting for, the day you get to spend hours sifting through linens, flatware, and china all while trying to reel your fiance back in who is pretending to be agent Jack Bauer with the scanning gun in the middle of Macy’s. Registering for wedding gifts can be quickly become a daunting task without a plan and a checklist in hand. Here are 5 of the best tips when it comes to organizing your registry:
5. Make a List
Before going into the stores that you and your finance would like to register with, make a list of things you need. This is an important step because walking into a store can be overwhelming for you, and your fiance will be overexcited to be given the power of a “scanning gun”!  Sit down and think of things you want and need to start your new life as a married couple.  This may seem very time consuming in the beginning but it will definitely help when you feel more organized and prepared. Of course there will be many items you see that will immediately fall on your “must have” list once you get in stores, however a reference list is key.
4. Take Chances
If you find a set of crystal that you just can’t seem to stop thinking about but you think it may be over some of your guests’ budgets, go ahead and register for it. For some, it may in fact be a little pricey, but you will be pleasantly surprised to see how many of your guest feel the urge to splurge on you and get your dream set of crystal. I’m not saying to do this for a lot of items just maybe a few key ones.  There is no reason to set up yourself up for continual disappointment. On the bright side, many stores now offer great registry completion programs that allow you a special discount through your first year of marriage to complete your registry!
3. Register Sooner Rather Later
When you first get engaged and begin planning your wedding, registry could be one of those things that you just keep putting off. Try not to wait too long. By registering early it will give your guests ample time to check out your registry. Some guest may even be looking for the perfect engagement gift! Most registries today send you frequent e-mails as products change over in inventory which will always keep you in control of what is on your list and allow you to make changes in case a product is discontinued.
2. Keep Your Guests in Mind
It is important to keep your guest’s location in mind. Make sure that where you are registering has the option of ordering online and in the store. Not every guest is going to live near a Macy’s or a Bloomingdales so make it easy for them to still get you something that you will really enjoy.
Besides location it is also important to keep in mind your guest demographics. For example one of my good friends from high school got married during the end of my 4th year of college. All of our high school friends were invited and we were all still in college, poor and the only things left on her registry were either cash or a flat screen TV. I decided to go with something off the registry; a nice set of wine glasses I found and a custom made bottle of wine to compliment them. I found out during the wedding reception that I was not the only one in this predicament as six other people I talked to all decided to get her a nice set of wine glasses as well because there was nothing left on the registry we could afford.  The lesson: When you have a lot of guests that are still in college make sure to include an affordable range of  items on your registry or else you could end up with a lot of wine glasses.
1. The most important registry rule: Thank You Cards!
Make sure to keep a very detailed list of what all your guests purchased for you and when. Many guests will end up getting you gifts for your bridal shower, your engagement party, and your wedding so make sure to thank them for each gift. This will make your guests feel very appreciated and that you truly enjoyed what you got for them no matter how small or simple it may seem. A thank you will last forever, but so will being forgetful. Of course no one expects to receive a hand written thank you cards the day after your wedding, so be sure to set a realistic date and personally thank all your guests for all of the wonderful gifts you received.

Happy Registering!

By Julie Brown of The Finer Things Event Planning,

Most brides will have a vision in mind of what their wedding looks like start to finish. No part of her vision includes guests in something skimpy, too casual, or even too formal for the setting of her special day. Garnering the advice from several etiquette professionals, from Emily Post to Martha Stewart, here are some truths and myths about wedding attire for the guests.

Myth: You cannot wear black to a wedding. The LBD (Little Black Dress) is the classic standby for around the office, but the truth is this same closet staple can accompany any girl to a friends’ wedding as well. Have some fun with this by adding a splash of color in your accessories or matching metals in your jewelry.
Truth: You should read the invitation. Any suggestions about proper attire that are noted in the formal wedding invitation are to be followed accordingly. Black tie means you pull out all the stops, formal dress, black tuxedo, all that it entails. Semi-formal is “Easter formal;” brighter colors are in, but still dresses and ties. These tend to be a more causal setting, and the hosts just want you to be comfortable.

Myth: You cannot wear white to a wedding. Summer weddings have become increasingly more sun-dress causal. Some even have used white for the attire for the bridal party. Having a little white summer dress has become the new LBD for semi-formal events. Check with the party’s’ hosts if white would be acceptable for their summer gathering.
Truth: It is okay to ask about proper attire: Start with the bride’s family unless the Bride is your only point of contact. More than likely, they’ll be glad you were considerate enough to double check dress code to avoid any fashion blunders.

Myth: You cannot wear the same color as the bridesmaids: Don’t be surprised if you’re slightly mistaken for a member of the bridal party during cocktails, but to match the bride’s color theme can be a compliment to her style. More weddings are embracing the color scheme with the outfits of their guests. The invitation will let know if this is the arrangement.
Truth: Do not wear jeans to the wedding. This is just too casual. Even nice “dressy” jeans say that you are ill prepared, and it almost comes as disrespect to the occasion. The same goes for anything skimpy. Do yourself a favor and splurge on finding something worthy of the ceremony. Your friends (the Bride and Groom) will thank you.

I am super excited to be planning a fabulous, fall Rustic yet Romantic themed wedding for a darling couple. The scenery could not be more perfect than this exclusively private, Hunt Club. The gorgeous tree lined private drive, the old lake house with a horse pasture in the back drop…it is going to be a beautiful, and unique picturesque wedding. I am so obsessed with all the little details so I thought I would share some of my inspirational photos that are shaping our theme. We are definitely playing off the autumn feel that our venue gives us while incorporating natural elements such as grapevine balls of lights, sweeping branches of grapevine with hanging candles over the bridal party’s tuscan style exposed wood table. Softer romantic touches of lace with burlap give a natural but formal feel to the guest tables. One of my favorite pieces I am designing is the yummy dessert table. This will be a fun table that will host all of the bride and groom’s favorite desserts including a small wedding cake. It is sure to be a “sweet spot” in the guests’ eyes. I cannot wait to share the amazing photos that will be captured by our friends at Picture the Love Photography.