HOW TO | CHOOSE A SIGNATURE COCKTAIL

When planning for a wedding, it can be a daunting task to make final decisions on important items like location, dress, guest list, caterer, and drink menu. Ultimately the wedding day is for the couple and they should feel free to create the type of event that fits their unique style and taste. One way to show your personality is through a signature cocktail. Peep some of these recipes and be inspired!

Winter Cocktails

Since we are approaching the holidays, it seemed only right to focus on cocktails that highlight ingredients we associate with this time of year. You may LOVE cranberries and your partner may HATE them. Decide if you want to incorporate your favorite flavors or if you each need your own signature cocktail (opposites can attract, it's definitely true). 

Sparkling Pear and Cranberry Cocktail

Cranberry Cinnamon Whiskey Sour

Cardamom Winter Cocktail

Plum and Thyme Prosecco Smash

Vanilla Pear Margaritas

Earl Grey Infused Champagne Cocktail

HOW TO (OR NOT TO) | KID-FRIENDLY WEDDING

Kids: they're adorable, cuddly, and super unpredictable.

When things are good, they're great! But a cranky infant, curious toddler, or eye-rolling pre-teen can really put a damper on your big day. If you aren't super jazzed about the idea of having to feed and/or be responsible for children during your wedding follow our fool-proof guide!

Kid-Friendly 101 | Bring on the adorable baby converses & tuxedos

1. Include Them: Time to break out the  infant bow-ties and toddler flower crowns! All the feels will immediately hit you as you watch a stumbling baby carry flowers, rings, or vows down the aisle. 

PHOTOGRAPHY | Amanda Sharp Photography

2. Let the Parents Know!: Whether you are or are not having a kid-friendly day, give parents a heads up. This rule is especially true if you have a lot of out-of-town guests attending. Be explicit on the invitation. Want to know how to address an invite to include kids? Check out our past post for a how-to.

3. Don't Do Anything Special: Kids are their own entertainment. Shelling out a bunch of $$ isn't necessary. Kids will run, dance, get messy, make new friends they'll forget by morning, and probably fall asleep. 

4. Do Something Special: I know, I know, we just just said not to spend too much time creating kid-friendly spaces but, if your inner creative just can't resist,  do it.

EVENT PLANNING  | Amorology 

PHOTOGRAPHY | Josh Elliot Photography

STATIONARY | Be My Guest

EVENT PLANNING | Amorology 

STATIONARY | Lovely Paper Things

Include bubbles, hula hoops, or other low maintenance kid exciting games and toys. If you're really trying to wow your guests, create an entire experience like a mini carnival.

SOURCE | Style Unvieiled

SOURCE | Style Unvieiled 

5. Hire Someone: An agency can provide lots of insights, options, and insurance for children during wedding. Hiring professionals often also means there's a certain level of care and medical security attached. In short: Parents want to know their kids are safe. Leave them in good hands (that aren't yours).

6. Chicken Nuggets For All: One of my favorite memories from last season was overhearing a groomsmen request chicken nuggets and friends from the kid's menu. If you know you'll have kids in attendance, anticipate picky eaters as well. Talk with your caterer about different kid-friendly options for food.

7. Let the DJ know it's a kid-friendly wedding before "Pop, Lock, & Drop It" comes on: Everyone loves a good DJ but, not all songs or artists are appropriate for the tiny tots present on your big day. 

Not-So-Kid-Friendly 101 | Let's skip the spilled juice boxes and tantrums

8. Compromise: Don't feel compelled to include kids 100% of the time. Consider hosting children during the ceremony, especially if they're in the bridal party, and then excusing the into a separate child friendly area later in the night.

9. Hire Someone: I'm going to say it again because, it's just that simple. Hiring experts or a seasoned team to help supervise and care for children during the ceremony saves you the time and headache of wondering whether or not little Cindy Lou Who has her blessed hands in your dream wedding cake. There are loads of agencies and price points to chose from!

Will you be inviting kids to your wedding? 

HOW TO | RSVP ETIQUETTE

Taylor + Collin | Photo by A Sea of Love

It's a detail that's small but, mighty in the grand scheme of confetti and "I do's." We're talking about wedding invitations -- or really any invitation to any celebration ever. 

Sure, the ink, hand lettering, and envelopes are important. But, the content is what matters most. So grab your best stamps and hold that pinky high. We're diving into the world of RSVP etiquette. 

1. Guest: Respond

RSVP, the abbreviation for the French phrase “respondez s’il vous plait,” means please respond. Responding in a timely manner allows the host to ensure that the appropriate amount of food, beverages, and seating arrangements are all in order. If you don't want to get stuck at the kid's table, or worse, left out of the final count then respond by the date indicated on the invitation. 

PHOTOGRAPHY | Matthew Moore

2. Host: Build in 'grace'

Let's face it, responding to an RSVP is one of those things we all mean to do but, just seem to always forget. Make sure to mail invites in enough time so that guests can make appropriate arrangements to attend and you (as the host) have enough time to prepare accordingly.

“The Rule: wedding invites should be mailed six to eight weeks before the wedding — that gives guests plenty of time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements. Check in on missing RSVPs about three weeks after invites are sent. ”

3. Avoid brining uninvited guests (or gifts)

PHOTOGRAPHY | Elizabeth Messinia

One of the most common wedding frustrations are unexpected/uninvited guests. Guests arriving unexpectedly could mean a shortage of seats, a super cramped dance floor, or (depending on capacity) a fine for the couple. The same can be said for gifts not on the registry. Unsure if you are allowed to bring a plus one? Ask! 

“The Rule: couples who are married, engaged, or living together must be invited together, even if you haven’t met your friend’s significant other. After that, it gets a little less clear-cut.”

4. Host: "We'd rather not have kids at our wedding." Thoughts?

Kids aren't for everyone and that's totally understandable. If you want a kid-free wedding consider addressing your invitations correctly -- to each guest by name, not “and guest." Also, think about adding in response lines for guests to write in their additional guests. If you notice a guest has responded with their child's name, reach out to them via phone or in person and calmly explain, "We have decided to host an adult-only wedding."  If there are a lot of kids in your family, you may want to consider hiring a babysitter. 

“The Rule: It’s your wedding! Have it your way. Let guests know that you’ve opted for an adult-only wedding using one of the tips above. ”

Remember: Good invitations excite guests, bringing in elements of the bash and all of its wonder. Great invitations, equally excite and inform guests about what is to come. They marvel at your creation, grow excitement for the big day and put down your invattion feeling knowledagble about what, how and where they need to be. 

HOW TO | ECO-FRIENDLY WEDDINGS

A few weeks ago we talked about saving you some green but, today we're talking about saving a different sort of green. We're discussing all the wonderful ways to throw an amazing bash and save the Earth at the same time. And the best part is, most of these tips won't cost any more than the traditional wedding fixin's.

1. Catering + Food

Two Sisters Catering (Dallas)

Going green doesn't mean you have to sacrifice taste or quality. Help save the environment by offering a menu that screams of fresh, locally grown ingredients. Ask your caterer to keep with in-season, locally-grown products this will help keep the cost down and guarantee the freshest finds. 

2. Wedding Gown

Dress | Kendal Leonard Designs
Photography | Kate Ignatowski 

There are lots of options in eco-friendly wedding dresses. You can rent, re-purpose a dress from a previous generation in your family or use all organic materials.  The pictured dress is handmade by Kendal Leonard Designs out of organic cotton sateen, organic cotton cording, and organic cotton thread. It’s pretty much the epitome of effortless beauty.

3. Stationary // Invites

Invitations | Smock

The most obvious is the option is to swap out traditional stamp-in-mail invites for e-invites. But, if you're anything like us you love the idea of receiving an invite in the mail. If you also love a good paper invite, look into recycled or re-purposed paper. There are even companies who offer vegetable-based inks, like The Windmill Paper Boutique (they source printing from windmill-powered printers!).

4. Venue

Venue | The White Sparrow Barn

Getting married outdoors is a great way to cut down on energy costs. Consider getting married in a vineyard, farm, or a personal favorite of ours, a barn. The White Sparrow Barn, located in Quinlan, Texas, was the backdrop for several of our brides this wedding season. Our brides used the outdoor spaces in a variety of ways, hosting cocktail hours, s'mores bars, and more. The other big plus about the White Sparrow is that it doubles as both a ceremony and reception location. Save all that gas and dance the night away on the outdoor patio lit by the stars instead. 

5. Favors

Photography + DIY Tutorial | Something Turquoise

The Earth-loving doesn't have to stop just because your reception does. Send home favors that keep the good vibes going. Try seeded heart cards, small ornaments sprinkled with seeds to feed all the 'love birds'. Or, if you're feeling extra fancy, consider gifting a scented candle, with floral notes from the bridal bouquet

How To | Prepare for a Rainy Wedding Day

Are you having an outdoor wedding and does the possibility of rain on your big day make you nervous? You don’t have to be! Although most brides cringe at the thought of rain on their wedding day, rain is not only a sign of good luck, it also gives you the opportunity to include some unique elements in your day.

We already know that you'll be obsessively checking the daily forecast leading up to your wedding, so we want to make sure you are well prepared in case Mother Nature decides to sprinkle a little luck on your marriage! Here are some tips to help prepare for a stress free rainy wedding day:

1. Have a Plan B Layout

Outdoor weddings are gorgeous and they can still be gorgeous on a rainy day. Ask your venue if they have a back-up plan in case of inclement weather. If they don’t, research tent rentals in your area just in case. You don’t want to panic and be rushed trying to find one the week of your wedding. Clear tents allow you to embrace your surroundings including the raindrops. White tents are simple and classic. 

Photo | A Swanky Love Affair

Photo | Carmen Santorelli

Photo | Heather Waraksa

2. Wearing Wellies

Walking down the aisle in heels can be nerve wracking. Add in the rain and you've got a stressful situation. Find some fun rain boots for you and your bridal party to wear to help keep your feet comfortable and safe! There are so many colors, patterns, and styles to choose from.

Photo | Revival Photography

Photo | Into the Light

Photo | We Are The Huffmans

3. Keeping Your Guests Dry

You and your guests will want to stay dry on your special day so why not use umbrellas as favors?! The clear umbrellas are stunning, especially for pictures, but you can also get creative and incorporate your wedding colors. Umbrellas are perfect for a bright or rainy day!

Photo | Michelle Shore

Photo | Colette Kulig Photography

Photo | Kelsey Combe Photography

4. Frizz-free Hairstyle

If your hair gets frizzy when it’s humid or wet, ask your stylist to give you a hairstyle that keeps your hair as frizz-free as possible. There are so many styles to choose from whether you have short, medium, or long hair.

Photo | Kurtz Orpia Photography

Photo | Peter and Veronika

Photo | Brittrene Photo

5. Talk to Your Photographer

Ask your photographer if they have experience shooting in the rain. Photographers can make your day look absolutely amazing even on rainy and gloomy days. Don't be afraid to get a little damp! 

Photo | Perry Vaile Photography

Photo | The Image is Found

Photo | Sunlit Studios

6. Hire a Wedding Coordinator

Hiring a wedding coordinator is one of the best investments you'll make for your special day. Rain or shine, wedding planners have experienced it all. Save yourself time and stress by letting your wedding planner do the hard work.

Although you can't control the weather, you can prepare yourself for it. The good thing about rainy weddings is the coziness and intimacy it can bring to your wedding. What have you done to prepare for a rainy wedding day?