Bridal Hairstyles

As a bride, your decision on a hairstyle for your wedding day is just as important as the dress. There are so many styles and choices; an up-do, all down, half up, loose and flowy, tight and formal, etc. It all depends on the look that you want to portray.

Jennifer and Eddy's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Justin & Mary Photography

As a bridesmaid, unless the bride has a specific hairstyle in mind, you will want a hairstyle that fits with the theme of the wedding. For example, if it is a formal wedding, you might want to go with a fancier up-do. For a more casual wedding, a half up loose curled style would look nice. Also, keep in mind the type of dress you are wearing. A formal gown looks best with a fancier hairstyle. 

Photo provided by Meghan Cahill

Check out the internet and magazines for inspiration when you are thinking about your hairstyle. Bring these pictures to your hair stylist, so she understands what you are looking for. Also, keep in mind your veil or headpiece that you are plan on wearing. 

I spoke with Philadelphia area hair stylist, Meghan Cahill, from Hair by Meghan, to get some tips from a pro!

1. Have you seen any bride/bridesmaids hairstyles that are popular this past year (up-do's, braids, curls)?

The most popular styles this year, I would say, is the loose side bun and it is also one of my favorites.

2. Do you recommend a hair trial? 

I definitely recommend a hair trial. It gives the bride a chance to meet who she will be working with the day of and explore options on how she wants to wear her hair. 

3. How should I have my hair the day of the wedding before getting it styled (clean, dirty, curled, straight)?

I always tell my bride it is up to them. I know a lot of stylists like to work with "dirty hair" but I like to tell my bride she can shower and wash her hair in the morning and I can always dirty it up with lots of products. 

4. Any advice for brides when choosing a hairstyle?

I know there are a lot of trendy looks out there but I would say go for the classics. Half-up, low bun, loose curls pulled back; these are all looks that will be in style when you are looking back at your pictures in 10 years. 

Devon and Mike's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Ryan Estes

A few more tips to keep in mind to get your hair ready for the big day:

-If you are the bride, be sure to schedule a hair trial so you can try out your wedding do before the wedding day. 

-Don't change your hair color right before the wedding. Try it out a few months prior. If you don't like the new color, there is still time to change it back before the wedding. Same with drastic cuts, don't try out a new style or bangs the week before your wedding. 

-Trim your hair 2 weeks prior to the wedding day. 

-If you color/highlight your hair, try to do this 2 weeks before the wedding. 

-Nicole

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The First Look

Today's couples are all about making their weddings unique and personal, so it's no surprise that many of them are drawn to the idea of having a first look. This is the time when the bride and groom choose to see each other in private before the ceremony. They select the perfect space in advance and the photographer helps stage the meeting. The groom stands with his back turned as the bride approaches, or vice versa. When they turn to face each other, the photographer is there to capture all of the reactions and emotions as they unfold. 

Kari and Gerry's Wedding
Photos courtesy of Jennifer Childress Photography

If you've never heard of a first look, the concept may sound a bit strange. You're probably asking yourself why would anyone do that. Why mess with tradition and ruin the special moment when you walk down the aisle?

Let's start with the tradition. Over the years, it's been common practice for the bride and groom to avoid seeing each other before the ceremony. You've probably heard that doing otherwise is bad luck, but did you know that many people actually attribute that superstition to the days of arranged marriages when the bride and groom never even met before the wedding day? You've obviously met your fiance. You might even already own a home together or have a child. Times are changing and traditions that seemed important in the past aren't always necessary or practical anymore. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with choosing to stay apart the morning of your wedding. It just means you shouldn't do it simply because tradition says so. 

Maybe you're not concerned with tradition. Maybe you've just always dreamed of seeing your fiance for the first time at the ceremony. There are certainly benefits to this approach. A sense of anticipation and excitement will build throughout the day and the reveal itself will be dramatic and special. The doors open, all eyes are on you, and everyone gets to share in the experience.

But it also has its limitations. When you finally see each other, it's emotional, but you won't really get to express that emotion. You may exchange a smile, shed a tear or hold hands, but by then, the ceremony has already begun. You'll be busy listening to the officiant and preparing to say your vows. Soon you'll be heading back down the aisle and posing for pictures or shaking hands with guests in the receiving line. There just isn't a way for the two of you to really connect and savor the moment. 

When you opt for a first look, you have the chance to create that perfect, intimate moment before the commotion begins. It's a quiet time to pause and just take it all in. You can laugh or cry together, show off your outfits or calm each other's nerves. You can even talk about your day so far and what's still to come. Whatever reactions you have, they'll be genuine and powerful. You won't have to worry about holding back because everyone is watching you. You'll be able to focus on each other and the love and happiness you feel without any distractions. 

Casey and Will's Wedding
Photos courtesy of 217 Photography

And the walk down the aisle will still be thrilling and meaningful. The day you've been planning for months has finally arrived and all of your guests are there to be a part of it. It's not hard to get caught up in the excitement, even if you've already seen each other. 

Your photographs will also benefit from a first look. You can choose the perfect setting and your photographer will be able to control the lighting and angles more easily. Photographing the ceremony entrance can be tricky. Some venues have restrictions on where photographers can be positioned, making your emotions during the processional more challenging to capture. And no matter where the photographers stand or how many additional shooters they have, the bride and groom's faces will never be in the same shot the moment they first lay eyes on each other, because they'll be at opposite ends of the aisle. The photographer also has the added challenge of maneuvering around guests, but with the the first look, there are no restrictions or people there to get in the way, so everything can be captured perfectly. 

Laura and Jack's Wedding
Photos courtesy of Wren & Field Photography

First looks can also help your schedule. Wedding days are hectic by nature. There is so much to do and no matter how hard you try, you'll usually fall a little behind. Choosing a first look will give you extra time to get everything accomplished. Because you've already seen each other, all of your formal portraits can be taken before the ceremony. Everyone will be full of energy and ready to go and their hair and makeup will still be fresh. If you find yourself running late at any point, you'll know that there's still a chance to take care of any shots you've missed after the ceremony. With the photos out of the way, you'll be able to attend your cocktail hour. You'll have more time to mingle and celebrate with your family and friends and you'll actually get to experience every aspect of the reception you worked so hard to plan.

When you wait until the ceremony to see each other, a majority of your portraits will have to be taken afterwards. Unless there is a huge gap between your ceremony and reception, your time to achieve this will be limited. You'll most likely miss your cocktail hour and you may have to pull your bridal party and important family members away from the festivities as well. By then, everyone will have been in hair and makeup for hours. You'll all be a bit more tired and a lot more anxious to start celebrating. Depending on the season, you may also have to contend with light that's fading fast. The whole process can feel rushed and stressful, and no one wants to be stressed on their wedding day. 

If there are aspects of the first look that you love, but you're still undecided, there are some alternatives out there that might be a better fit for you. If you'd like to see your fiance before the ceremony, but you're eager to share that moment with others, you can stage the first look in front of your bridal party or close family. 

If you know spending some time together before the wedding will help you relax, but don't necessarily want to see each other, have your photographer set you up around a corner or on opposite sides of a door. You can hold hands and even talk, but still save the reveal for later. 

Samantha and Nate's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Childress Photography

And who says your first look has to be with your fiance? Photographing the reactions of your bridal party or parents when they first see you can create equally meaningful images. 

Idit and Jordan's Wedding
Photo courtesy of 217 Photography

The moment you and your fiance look at each other for the first time on your wedding day is something you'll always remember, so make sure you consider exactly what you want to get out of that experience. As long as you choose a reveal that feels right for you as a couple, it will be truly unforgettable. 

-Laura

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Wedding Vows

You may have thought that you've had writers block before, but if you're about to write your wedding vows, you don't know what's coming for you. You better believe it will take you many pieces of paper, napkins, restaurant menus, or drafts in your notepad on iPhone to solidify just the right words to say to your soon to be other half.

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Of course there are many versions of wedding vows that are common in different religions and cultures, making your life much easier especially if you and your significant other don't have a knack for writing. 

Here are some common phrases and vows for different religions and cultures:

Traditional/Christian

-We all know this one, as many young girls recite it as they dream of their wedding someday:

"I____take you____to be my lawful wedding wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part."

Amanda and Andrew's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Cardens Wedding Photography

Jewish

-In some traditional Jewish weddings including orthodox and conservatives, just the man says the vows, which include:

"Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel."

-In reformed ceremonies this common vow is often used:

"Do you, ____, take ____ to be your wife/husband, promising to cherish and protect her/him, whether in good fortune or in adversity, and to seek together with her/him a life hallowed by the faith of Israel?"

Pam and Scott's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Studio K Photography

Muslim

-Instead of reciting vows, most couples getting married in a traditional Muslim ceremony listen to the imam discuss marriage and the couple's responsibilities to each other and Allah. However, it is sometimes common for the bride and groom to recite:

Bride "I____offer you myself in marriage in accordance with the instructions of the Holy Quran and the Holy  Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. I pledge, in honesty and with sincerity, to be for you an obedient and faithful wife."

Groom "I pledge, in honesty and sincerity, to be for you a faithful and helpful husband."

Hindu

-Although there are many sayings recited during Hindu weddings, traditionally the couple will recite this following phrase:

"Let us take the fourth step, to acquire knowledge, happiness, and harmony by mutual love and trust. Finally, let us take the seventh step and become true companions and remain lifelong partners by this wedlock."

Buddhism

-Specific wedding vows vary between different Buddhist sects, but often describe how the wife and husband will take care of each other and how they will honor their faith. Although there are many, some of those phrases include:

"Knowing how deeply our lives intertwine with each other and with all beings, we undertake the practice of growing in happiness each day."

"...we undertake the practice of using whatever arises in our relationship for our own awakening and for the awakening of all beings."

"...we undertake the practice of receiving everything in our relationship as teachings meant to open our hearts."

"...we undertake the practice of revealing ourselves fully in our relationship, striving toward complete vulnerability and honesty."

Scientology 

-Scientology vows generally stick to this format though couples often add their personal touches as well:

Groom "____ if your reality of the love you have for ____ such as you will be constantly creating through health and sickness, through adversity as well as good fortune? Can you confront and grant forgiveness for shortcomings as readily as you give praise for all her many admirable qualities? (Answer) And you have communicated your love to ____? (Answer)"

Bride "____ have you acknowledged ____'s love? (Answer) ____, is your love reality of the love you have for ____ such as you will be constantly creating through health and sickness, through adversity as well as good fortune? Can you confront and grant forgiveness for shortcomings as readily as you give praise for all his many sterling qualities? (Answer) And have you communicated your love to ____? (Answer)"

But, if your goal is to make your guests shed a tear or have a little laugh, custom vows are definitely the way to go, though the harder choice for sure. 

Custom Vows

When writing your custom vows, decide if you are both writing your own separate or if you are writing them together. Think about how long you might want them to be, discuss whether you want them to be intimate, funny or a little bit of both. 

Sarah and Andy's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Smirnov Weddings

Using some of these common phrases can help you get started to think of phrases and memories you want to mention:

-"I vow to..."

-"When I met you I knew..."

-"I promise to always..."

-"You are always there for me when..."

-"I can't wait to...with you for the rest of our lives"

-"I knew you were the one when..."

-"What I love most about you is..."

And if you really want to make your life easy while making an impact, just follow the script of Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams in the recent movie, The Vow- you will be sure to get some tears with this one:

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Paige: "I vow to help you love life, to always hold you with tenderness and to have patience that love demands, to speak when words are needed and to share the silence when they are not and to live within the warmth of your heart and always call it home."

Leo: "I vow to fiercely love you in all forms, now and forever. I promise to never forget that this is a once in a lifetime love. I vow to love you, and no matter what challenges might carry us apart, we will always find a way back to each other."

Go ahead, grab a tissue...take a breath, and get writing. 

-Caitlin

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The Importance of a Makeup Trial

Most brides decide to get their makeup done by a professional for their wedding day. Just like a hair trial, it's a good idea to try out your look prior to the wedding day.

There are many benefits to having a makeup trial:
-You get to experience the makeup artist's work and test out your look
-You can discuss all your worries/concerns with your makeup artist and tell them what you like and dislike
-You get to see how your skin will react to the makeup products
-Your makeup artist can recommend how to get your skin ready for the wedding day
-It's a nice time to relax and feel pampered before your big day

Jennifer and Eddy's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Justin & Mary Photography

I was able to get some tips from Emily Aznavourian, a local makeup artist, who owns Cheekadee Makeup Artists. Here is what she recommends for makeup trials:

1. Do you think that doing a makeup trial before the wedding day is important? If so, why?
A trial run before your wedding is imperative. At Cheekadee we will not do a wedding without one. A trial run is the bride's opportunity to 'audition' us. She gets to see how we work, our personalities and most importantly our skills. She gets to see how the makeup wears. And if there are any adjustments that need to be made, it is easier to do it at a trial run than on the day of.

2. Should I do anything to prepare before my makeup trial?
If possible, it is a good idea to try to sync your makeup trial with your hair trial so that you can see how both the hair and makeup look together.

3. Should I bring anything with me to a makeup trial (pictures, makeup)?
Yes, look through photos of makeup that you like and makeup that you don't like. Bring the photos to the person who is doing your makeup, so they have an idea of your preferences. It is also helpful (but not necessary) to bring photos of your dress and/or swatches of your dress.

4. Should I wear anything in particular to the makeup trial (white/ivory shirt)?
Yes, that is also helpful.

Casey and Will's Wedding
Photo courtesy of 217 Photography

Here are some tips from Emily on what to carry with you on your wedding day:
-Your favorite lip gloss so you can touch up during the day
-Oil blotting papers to control oily skin or blotting powder compact
-Whitening eye drops to brighten eyes
-Tissues or handkerchief- remember to dab, not wipe, your eyes!
-Mints
-Your smile

-Nicole

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Must Have Monday

Having the wrong song play at your wedding reception can kill the mood on the dance floor. Your guests could have been having the time of their lives, but as soon as the Chicken Dance or The Electric Slide come on, the dance floor may clear. 

When meeting with your band or DJ, you can start to get a feel of what they like to play, in which you can start to create a Do Not Play list so they know what not to play. If you don't have any interest in a certain genre of music, like country, tell your band or DJ so they can get get an idea of what you do like. Same thing goes for certain artists. If you or your significant other do not like a certain music group or artist, make sure that your band or DJ are aware. 

Alyssa and Josh's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Childress Photography

Line dances may make it on to your Do Not Play list. Even though line dances are group dances and aren't necessarily horrible songs, you need to take your guests into consideration. The Hokey Pokey, Cha-Cha Slide or even YMCA, may not be the best dances for your romantic evening. On the other hand, these songs can sometimes bring both young and older guests onto the dance floor. So the key is really thinking about who you think will enjoy the songs before adding them to the Do Not Play list. 

Depending on the time that you are getting married, you may not want the popular music that is played over and over and over on the radio, played at your wedding. Before sending any over played songs over to the Do Not Play list, remember that some guests will request songs that they hear on the radio and love. Keeping a good mix of songs from all time periods is a good way to get guests on the dance floor all night long. 

Devon and Mike's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Ryan Estes Photography

Songs that are typically mood killers should definitely be included on your list. Any song mentioning a break up, death or other unhappy type songs shouldn't be played on a night that is about celebration! Your band or DJ should realize these types of songs aren't appropriate for a wedding and shouldn't play them, but if there is a song that you've heard at a wedding and it cleared that dance floor, adding it to your list, wouldn't be a bad idea. 

Creating a Do Not Play list will make it clear to your band or DJ the type of celebration you want at your wedding. It will help you feel comfortable and confident in your band or DJ and will leave no chance for confusion about a song you don't want played. Even though music can have a large range and everyone likes different styles of music, it's your wedding and you can play/not play whatever you want. Just remember there's plenty of junk music out there and a Do Not Play list can help any band or DJ get a sense of who you are as a couple!

Sarah and Mike's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Pravada Photography

-Amanda

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Your First Dance

Whether you're dancing to one of the classics or going with a newer tune, your first dance at your wedding is a moment you won't quickly forget. Picking just the right song can be difficult and narrowing down your long list to just one is even harder.

To get the ball rolling, you might want to start with the obvious- think about a song that had a special place in your relationship: a song you both always listened to together, a song that made you always think of your significant other, or the first slow song you danced to together.

Or you might just want to pick a good classic that is always timeless. Whichever way you go, just know that it will end up on many video cameras and will surely resurface in years to come. 

Kyle and Olin's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Philip Gabriel Photography

Here is a small list of some favorites in each music genre to get you started:

The Classics

Can't Help Falling In Love- Elvis Presley

At Last- Etta James

I Only Have Eyes For You- The Flamingos 

They Way You Look Tonight- Frank Sinatra

Unforgettable- Nat King Cole

Classic Rock

Have I Told You Lately- Van Morrison 

I Don't Want to Miss a Thing- Aerosmith

How Sweet It is- James Taylor

Wonderful Tonight- Eric Clapton

In Your Eyes- Peter Gabriel

Alternative Rock

The Luckiest- Ben Folds

Lucky- Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat

Better Together- Jack Johnson

Chasing Cars- Snow Patrol

You & Me- Dave Matthews Band

Country

It's Your Love- Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

You Had Me From Hello- Kenny Chesney

Then- Brad Paisley

Bless The Broken Road- Rascal Flatts 

From This Moment On- Shania Twain

R&B

I Swear- All 4 One

Back at One- Brian McKnight

I Will Always Love You- Whitney Houston

I'll Make Love to You- Boyz II Men

No One- Alicia Keys

Indie

I Will Follow You Into the Dark- Death Cab for Cutie

First Day of My Life- Bright Eyes

I'll Catch You- The Get Up Kids

Such Great Heights- The Postal Service

Konstantine- Something Corporate

Today's Hits

Marry Me- Train

Make You Feel My Love- Adele

The Only Exception- Paramore

You Are The Best Thing- Ray LaMontagne

Look After You- The Fray

You may also want to go with the not-so-traditional approach and create a choreographed first dance song with you and your partner or your whole bridal party. Click through YouTube and you will get some great ideas from tons of choreographed first dances. Remember to keep the process of finding a song fun and choose a song that really represents you and your new hubby!

-Caitlin

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Holiday Weekend Weddings

For some couples, choosing a wedding date is an easy thing. They pick a date that's important to them and leave it at that. For others, it can be a bit more difficult. Once you have it narrowed down to a specific month or time of year you may want to consider a few things before making your final decision.

While holiday weekends can be attractive times to hold a wedding, there can be some negatives as well. It can make the party- and time with your family and loved ones- last longer, which is wonderful, especially if you have a lot of out of town guests. It also gives them more time to travel without missing work and other weekly obligations. However, traveling on and around holidays does get much more expensive. Also, many families have holiday traditions and prefer to spend these days and long weekends together.

Casey and Will's Wedding
Photo courtesy of 217 Photography

You also have to consider your budget. Depending on the holiday, some of the professional services you'll need for your big day will be more expensive. For example, if you're planning a wedding around Valentine's Day or Mother's Day- your floral costs could be exponentially higher. Or if you're planning for a December or New Years Eve wedding- that will affect things too as many professionals are in higher demand for that stretch of time.

On top of holiday weekends, you may also want to avoid religious and cultural holidays. Some to consider are Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday/weekend, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Chanukah and Kwanzaa. Also, be careful of Mother's Day and Father's Day (always Sundays), as these are usually days families spend together and people may be less inclined to travel if it means missing out on that day with their loved ones. And Thanksgiving weekend- lots of people travel or have family visiting and may not want to give up on that time together.

Annemarie and Jimmy's Wedding...coming soon!
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Childress Photography

While in theory, holiday weekends seem like a good idea, keep in mind the above- and the fact that some guests may not be able to come because of family obligations or their own budget restraints. There are a ton of things to keep in mind while planning a wedding, so try not to get bogged down by all of them. You won't be able to please everyone, so pick a date that makes you and your fiance happy, fits with the time of year you want and allows you to have the wedding of your dreams. At the end of the day, it is about celebrating your love, not the date you choose to do it on.

-Becky

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Roberta and Allen's Wedding Invitations

For Roberta and Allen's April wedding invitations, they chose a layered pocketfold in smoke gray with a metallic purple punch backing. Included in the pocketfold were cards for directions, reservations to their hotel of choice and an RSVP card. The belly band, envelopes and invitation faces were all featured in a cream. Both the invitation and monogram include hints of the purple punch to accent the backing color choice. Another great accent that this couple chose were the ghosted swirls found on the invitation face.

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Groom's Cakes

Although the groom's cake may seem like a somewhat recent wedding tradition, it actually dates back to the 17th century, and even though it was lost along the way, it's back on the wedding bandwagon to stay. 

Back in the 17th century, grooms cakes were traditionally darker un-iced cakes that often included fruits or nuts and were sometimes liquor soaked to preserve freshness and longevity. 

The groom cake comeback came in the south, where it began to pop up in many traditional southern weddings. Today, grooms cakes often still reflect some of the original past traditions. They are often dark in color and are opposite of the traditional wedding cake designs which are light and flowery. Traditional grooms cakes might include fruit, nuts, caramel, and darker, richer ingredients like dark chocolate and hazelnut. 

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As far as the decoration goes, brides have become more creative over the years and have designed grooms cakes after their new hubby's hobbies or interests to make him a cake that is uniquely his. The grooms cake is supposed to be a special gift from the bride to the groom, so you should work to make it as personal as possible. Think about his favorite things- favorite musician, favorite movie, favorite sports car, sports he plays, his pet dog- anything really goes!

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Thinking of the perfect groom's cake design is the hard part, picking where to serve it is easy. The two main options are to serve the groom's cake as dessert during the rehearsal dinner or to serve it as a secondary dessert during your wedding reception. 

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Serving the groom's cake at the rehearsal dinner is actually quite fitting, since the groom's family usually hosts that event. However, if you serve the cake at the wedding, it can be a great secondary dessert item and is perfect to wrap up for guests to take home at the end of the night. 

As legend goes, single female guests as the wedding are supposed to take a piece of the cake home and sleep with it under their pillows, allowing them to dream about the man they will eventually marry. And for those guests that are taken, well, I suppose they can just dream about the delicious piece of cake they just ate.

-Caitlin

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No Need to Panic!

Ellenmarie and Anthony's Wedding...coming soon!
Photo courtesy of Clair Pruett

We've been getting a lot of inquiries from brides and grooms who are in the final stages of planning or are weeks away from their wedding and are frazzled and feeling like they need a little bit of help. Whether it be to tie up loose ends for them or creating a timeline for their wedding day, we can do that!

We have a package called "Kiss the Bride" that is exactly for the bride and groom who have done all of the planning and are realizing that they just want to enjoy what they've planned and not have to worry about anything! Our "Kiss the Bride" package is a budget friendly option and includes one detail planning meeting 3 weeks before the wedding to review contracts, develop a timeline for the day, flows for the ceremony and reception and also includes our normal day-of coordination by our awesome team.

Having a team of professionals take the reigns at the last minute can be a complete life saver for couples who are feeling frazzled and panicked about their wedding day. The moments leading up to your wedding day should be memorable and you should be calm and relaxed.... we can help you do exactly that!

Email us today to find out more about "Kiss the Bride" at info@proudtoplan.com.

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End of the Night Send-Offs

The night is over and you want to end it memorably. You want to make it exciting, something that your guests will talk about for years to come! There are quite a few things that you can do to include your guests in sending you off as a newlywed couple. 

Sparklers

This is a really popular trend and they look absolutely fantastic in photographs. Guests also really enjoy them! If you plan to have this at the end of the night, make sure you get the 20" ones so that by the time the last guest is lighting theirs, the first is still lit. There are definitely a few things to consider when thinking about a sparkler send-off. The first being that you want to check with your venue to see if it is allowed. Some venues have rules against them for liability reasons. The second thing to think about is do you want all of your guests to line up for the send off. If you're having a large wedding and don't think that all of the guests will be able to line up quickly enough for the photographer after they've been celebrating all day, a great option is to just have the bridal party do the send off. Or even just your closest family members. This will make it more controlled and will make the photographs look less hectic!

Megan and Andrew's Wedding...coming soon!
Photo courtesy of Hoffer Photography

Beth and Mike's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Misty Dawn Photography

Ribbon Wands or Glow Sticks

These are a great alternative if you can't have sparklers at your venue! They give the same sort of effect without being complicated. They also make for really cute photographs and you can personalize them with your wedding colors or names on the ribbons. To make a bigger impact on the pictures, make sure that the ribbon wands are long and have a few strands in different colors and for the glow sticks, get the long ones that bend, they'll be easily waved as make your way to your getaway car!

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Bubbles or Flower Petals

While you usually see bubbles or flower petals as a ceremony send-off, they are a great option if you're getting married in the summer time and your wedding ends on the earlier side of the day. 

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A Special Song

You may not be the type of couple that wants a big, grand exit, so another way to end the night would be to pick a great song to be played as the last song of the night! A few popular selections are: "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey, "Last Dance" by Donna Summer, "Closing Time" by Semisonic or "Time of My Life" from the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack. Think outside of the box and choose a song that fits you as a couple and it will be as great as a grand send-off!

Tasty Treats

A lot of couples are putting out tasty treats at the end of the night for their guests to take home or back to their hotel to munch on. This is such a great idea because most of the time, guests are hungry after dancing the night away! It's a nice thing to do and guests will really appreciate it. Most times, weddings end late into the night, so giving your guests something to snack on will make for an even more memorable wedding. Philadelphia is a great area to pick snacks from and can finish off a "Philadelphia Theme" wedding perfectly.

Jill and Paul's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Cindy Guessford Photography

Jill and Paul's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Cindy Guessford Photography

How ever you choose to end the night, remember to make it something both of you will enjoy as well. After all, the wedding day is about the two of you and your commitment to each other. 

-Danielle

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Sparkles=Love...Creating a Custom Wedding Ring

Finding the right engagement or wedding ring can be like finding the right guy. You have to look at all the bad ones before you find the good, some will have nicks, some will have rough edges, and some just plain don't fit. Sometime though, you have to take matters into your own hands to find the right one that's just right, and when you do, it will be the perfect fit, literally. Regardless if the ring will be a surprise or if the couple decides to work together in the design process, there are some important things to consider when designing the ring of your dreams says custom jewelry designer, Christine Smith, of A Gem For You.

Do Your Homework & Open Your Eyes

Christine suggests doing your homework and asking a family member if your significant other has ever mentioned what they would like in a ring design. Maybe they have a favorite gemstone shape or have mentioned what kind of band they prefer, after all, family knows best! Also keep your eyes open to your other half's style. What other type of jewelry does she wear? Does she usually choose silver or gold? Christine suggests noticing if she leans more toward contemporary clean lines, ornate antique designs, or traditional class designs. The jewelry she currently wears is a key sign!

Think Practical

Remember that the ring will most likely be worn every day, so Christine reminds couples to think about the practicality of the ring itself and to make sure the style is conducive to the woman's daily routine. As an example, if your significant other works in the medical field where they will be putting on and taking off gloves every day, a ring that sits lower with fewer prongs may be the best fit, Christine says. Taking profession, lifestyle, culture, and personality into account are all important. "Whatever the style, always be sure to design the ring with the wearer in mind," Christine says. "This ring should not only represent your union of love, but also the person wearing it."

A Pretty Penny

A custom ring will traditionally cost more, mainly because of the additional labor and time, Christine says. So it's important to get accurate quotes from several jewelers and decide what is best for you. The metal type, diamond shape, carat weight, stone quality, number of stones, and intricacies of the design will all affect the price, Christine says.

Slow Down and Enjoy the Ride

The process of designing your own ring can take around 4-6 weeks according to Christine, so be sure to take this into account when doing your planning. It's best to start by drawing inspiration from photographs, existing designs, or simply through sketching. "Be as descriptive as possible so you can be assured that what you envision can be translated properly," Christine says.

Most of All Have Fun

The custom design process is really interesting and should be fun. But, it can also be nerve wracking; wondering if the ring will turn out how you wanted, if the designer has gotten your vision and if it will be the ring your soon to be fiancee or wife always wanted. "It's really fun to be involved in the initial concept, viewing the 3D wax model to discuss any changes prior to casting, and also in some cases, getting to view the stones before they are set," Christine says. By involving her customers, Christine hopes to alleviate any stress they may be feeling and help assure them that the finished piece will be exactly what they hoped for. As she says, "by the time I hand them the finished piece, there are no surprises, only big smiles and occasionally a few happy tears."

Christine is honored that a little piece of her will be carried with the couple throughout their lives. "If you're thinking about getting engaged or are ready to shop for wedding bands, just keep in mind that it is an emotional process," Christine says. "And if you decide to go the custom route, enjoy it! It's a chance to have something creative and uniquely your own."

You'll be wearing a ring on the same finger, with every outfit, for the rest of your life. But, when you step back and remember why, the person laying next to you at the end of the night makes designing the ring not so intimidating anymore. Good luck and call Christine if you need some help! Below you will see Erin's ring and bracelet that Christine created for her, along with a some custom pieces A Gem For You has done for some of our favorite ladies!

-Caitlin

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Involving Your Pets

Including pets in your wedding day has become increasingly popular. As pet owners we often get very attached to our pets and when we get married we want to make sure everything that's important to us is reflected in our wedding day. There are many ways to include those special pets in your wedding day.

Some people want their pets to serve as ring bearer or flower girl. It's a cute touch and if you're having an outdoor wedding can make for really cute moments and pictures to remember forever. Typically you have the maid/matron of honor walk the dog down the aisle, but it's your ceremony so you can definitely mix it up and do it anyway you want. 

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Some couples can't have their special animal in their wedding, but want to make sure they are included in pictures for years to come. This can be executed by putting someone in charge of pick up and drop off of their pet- or even your wedding planner! We've done this a handful of times and the doggies absolutely love being involved in their owners wedding day. These kind of pictures make for really sweet memories.

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If your wedding is indoors, or you can't or don't want to have your pet present at the wedding, you could have pictures of them at memory tables. Or you could take some fun pictures of them and make the photos your table numbers!

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Some couples feel strongly about animal rescue organizations. In lieu of a favor, couples make donations in honor of their guests to the animal rescue organization of their choosing. The couple lets the guests know this is done by small business cards at each place setting or providing an explanation on the back of the table numbers letting them know what was done in their honor. One of our couples had made a donation to the rescue that they had adopted their dog from and then had chocolate shaped in a dog bones for the guests and dog treats to take home to their own dogs! The guests loved this idea!

Madeleine and Eddie's Wedding
Photo courtesy of mkPhoto

Adding your pet into your wedding day is just one more way to personalize your wedding, and adds a cute touch. We love our pets, they are a part of our family, so they should be included in our special day. Any way you decide to include your pets is sure to be a hit!

-Danielle

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