Photo by: Rachel Smith on Scratch Weddings via Lover.ly
Tip of the Day: A Maid of Honor Toast tip: don’t just talk about the bride! Make sure you add into your great toast what you love about the groom, how happy he makes the bride, and how you knew he was The One. Get more tips for throwing an amazing speech here!
In our May/June 2016 issue, you’ll find fabulous fashions, inspiring reception ideas, expert planning advice, and the dreamiest honeymoons.
It’s your big day and your time to shine. What better way to do so than in a sparkling, glittering gown that will take you from ceremony to reception in true party style?
Engagement ring styles rise and fall in popularity year by year — take a look back at the top trends over the over the last century with this fun video from Mode!
Plus, check out this handy timeline with a breakdown of the featured rings:
This rustic basket-inspired cake is the perfect fit for a spring wedding!
Photo by: Kristyn Hogan on Munaluchi Bridal via Lover.ly
Tip of the Day: When you have over 1,000 photos on your professional photographer’s online photo gallery, it can be overwhelming to choose your picks for your albums and portraits. Expect to spend 2-3 hours on the first pass (where you’re just looking), and 6-12 hours making your selects. Don’t stall and don’t stress.
Agree to review photos section by section, not all of them at once. For instance, plan to view pre-wedding photos, then ceremony photos, post-ceremony portraits, cocktail party photos, then reception photos.
Then, go through each section of your online photo album to cross off numbers on all the photos you DON’T like. This narrows your contenders and makes your picks far easier during the next sessions. If you do see photos you love, star them on the site or circle them on your numbered list to look at later.
Plus, check out 50 must-have photos with your groom and 30 fun photos to take with your bridal party!
The Broke-Ass Bride's Wedding Guide empowers couples with the simple philosophy that it's not about how much you spend but how you spend it. As author Dana LaRue says, "You're only planning a party, so have fun with it." You don't need to give up your savings, the possibility of a downpayment on a house, or your sanity to plan a celebration that is meaningful and inspired. Here, Dana shares her advice on how to dive into the wedding planning process with your groom.
After getting engaged, you and your intended need to hash out who wants to be responsible for what parts of the plan, and how involved either of you want to be with respect to the details. "But, Dana!" you scream hysterically. "My partner isn’t interested in any of the details!" Well, I’m sorry, but that shizz is just plain unacceptable.
Okay, fine, that’s not exactly true. If you’re a super–Type A personality, or you’ve been imagining your wedding in great detail from the moment you broke free from your mother’s womb, then that may be exactly what you want — nay, need— from your partner. Hands-off, total agreement, nod-and-smile-style support.
If that doesn’t describe you (we’ll call you "Type Other"), you’ll have to gently introduce your partner to the inevitability of his role in the researching, planning, organizing, spreadsheeting, financing, and handing-you-Kleenex-during-the-meltdowns-of-wedding-planning reality.
Let your flower girl play dress-up in your wedding gown — the pictures will be priceless. See more adorable flower grl & ring bearer photos ►
Photo by: Danicia Dutry Ceremonies on Polka-Dot Bride via Lover.ly
Tip of the Day: When you’re scoping out potential vendors, be sure to follow their social media accounts to see how they communicate over the course of a few weeks. Are they speaking well of their clients or posting passive-aggressive swipes at them? Are they saying they're over-worked and under-staffed? Getting an inside view of their personalities can help you decide if you want to form relationships with them. You might decide not to hire the perpetually cranky planner who always seems to be suffering from something. Find a florist, photographer, and videographer who truly enjoy their work and are happy to participate in your special day.
Featured: Ridgeland, Mississippi
