TOP 5 | WEDDING SIGNAGE

Signs. 

We use them everyday and hardly think about them at all. But at weddings, a well-crafted sign can not only provide necessary information about the day/couple but, also evoke incredible emotion from your guests. 

Custom Signage| Remember November Inc

Signs are an example of the 'ooh, ahhhs, and oh-yeah's' that help move a wedding from good to great. So, we've gathered our favorite ideas on how to use signage (whether witty or sweet) on your big day.  

1. Arrival/Parking

Much like other events (think graduations, parties, concerts) finding your way around --or even to-- a wedding can be an unnecessary stress for guests. Use signs leading up to and inside of your venue to help keep guests on the right track. 

Photography | Christopher Nolan 

Photography| Amanda Perkins / via stylemepretty.com

You can also use signage to preview your day and/or your bridal party with your guests.

Styled | Something Blue NJ

2. Ceremony

In the ceremony space signs can help set the tone for your day. Let everyone know what a great day you've got planned. 

Photo via | Modern Weddings Hawaii

3. Reception Programming: Schedule + Seating

Even if guests aren't assigned seats, everyone will need one to eat. 

Photography | Becca Lea

4.  Decor: The Bar/Cocktail Hour, Reception and/or Ceremony Space

Signs don't have to be limited to directions or logistics. Consider using signs to jazz up your reception space. Decorate the bar with signs or share your wedding hashtags!

Photography | Laura Murray 

Photography | Lovers of Love 
Venue/Caterer | Temecula Creek Inn
Event Coordinator | Michelle Garibay Events

5. Departure

Take this time to send your guest off with a gift, a thank you, or even a prayer for safe travels.

Calligrapher:| Outside The Bloom

Calligraphy | Ellie + Ace

Signs, like weddings, can come big or small, the most important thing to remember is what goes on it should be your call! Use humor or hymns, the choice is all yours. And if you're in the market for a calligrapher may we (kindly but, also seriously) suggest Stephanie over at Ellie + Ace. She's a member of The Coterie family and does amazing work!

TOP 5 | HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS

Let’s admit it: Planning a wedding can be extremely stressful. Unless of course, Celebrate Colorfully helps you plan your special day. Either way, you deserve to begin your new lives together as a married couple away from the rest of the world. Honeymoons are meant to be amazing, romantic, restful, and most of all memorable.

The options are unlimited but our top five honeymoon destinations can help narrow down your choices. From exotic beaches to scenic mountains and budget-friendly options we have suggestions for any and every type of honeymoon. Consider these five top honeymoon spots around the world. 

Cape Town, South Africa

Why: This sunny coastal city is considered to be one of South Africa’s most beautiful cities. Being surrounded by some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery and well known for their fine local wineries, Cape Town is the perfect romantic escape.

Perfect For: Adventure Lovers, Beach Lovers, Nature Lovers

To Do: art museums, hiking, safaris, sunbathing, surfing, wine tasting, hang out with penguins... yes, you read that right.

To Stay: Babylonstoren, Ellerman House, The Alphen

Photo | Stacy Bauer

Photo | Stacy Bauer

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Why: Costa Rica is the perfect mix of romance and adventure. You can’t choose a wrong place to stay in the entire country. Costa Rica is truly a tropical paradise. Filled with wildlife species, vast tropical rainforests, and live volcanoes, it’s no wonder that it is one of the most visited countries in the world.

Perfect For: Adventure Lovers, Beach Lovers, Nature Lovers

To Do: deep-sea fishing, rainforest excursions, sunbathing, white water rafting, ziplining

To Stay: JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, The Westin Golf Resort & Spa Playa Conchal, Hotel Punta Islita

Photo | Westin Playa Conchal

Photo: Adventures by Disney

Laguna Bacalar, Mexico

Why: Because over-the-water bungalows – that’s why.

Perfect For: Beach Lovers, Nature Lovers

To Do: hiking, kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, sunbathing

To Stay: Alkalki Holistic Center

Photo | Loco Gringo

Lake Tahoe – Nevada/California

Why: Split down the middle by the California and Nevada border, Lake Tahoe is an alpine paradise. If you are on a tight budget or if you simply want to stay within the United States, Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to visit. The winters are cold and the summer months are mild to warm. Depending on what you want to do, Lake Tahoe is a fun-filled place to visit year-round.

Perfect For: Adventure Lovers, Nature Lovers

To Do: canoeing, fishing, golfing, hiking, horseback riding, skiing, zip lining

To Stay: Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, The Resort at Squaw Creek

Photo | Jeff Sagar Photography

Photo: Fine Art America

 Santorini, Greece

Why: Santorini, a volcanic island in the Cyclades that rests in the middle of the Aegean, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece. Santorini contains dramatic ocean views, pristine beaches, traditional Grecian architecture and several local wineries. You will leave the island with an unforgettable experience.

Perfect For: Beach Lovers

To Do: museums, scuba diving, snorkeling, sunbathing, wine tasting

To Stay: Captain's House, Notos Therme & Spa, Petit Palace Suites

Photo | Getty Images

Photo | Katikies Boutique Resorts and Villas

Where will you be spending your honeymoon? Tell us in the comments! 

Top 5 | Celebrity Wedding Gowns

Celebrities have easy access to some of fashions leading designers, both ready-to-wear and bridal. Designers absolutely love for public icons to wear their creations, especially on their wedding day seeing as all eyes are on these Hollywood leading ladies! While the fashion and dress styles vary from one celebrity bride to the next, there have been some absolutely stunning and exquisite dresses in the past few years worn by actresses, singers, and so forth. From classic long sleeve lace dresses to stylish high-low embellished dresses, below are five of our favorite celebrity wedding gowns from recent years! Take a look as you research your perfect fairytale dress!

Photos | OK Magazine

Hilary Duff looked absolutely stunning in her Vera Wang blush silk and tulle mermaid style gown. Her teased high bun was the perfect compliment to her bare neckline and the body hugging yet soft and natural nature of the fabrics enhanced her grace and gorgeousness.

Photos | Conor McDonnell

Kim Kardashian worked intimately with designer Riccardo Tisci, creative designer of Givenchy, to create her one of a kind long sleeve lace dress for her wedding with Kanye West. Givenchy also designed Kanye's tuxedo for the big day and the pair looked marvelous. Kim's long straight styled hair and dramatic long veil were a perfect fit for their extravagant wedding ceremony set in front of a wall of roses in Florence, Italy.

Photo | John Dolan

Kate Bosworth stunned in Oscar De La Renta as she chose a very minimalistic and understated yet breathtaking dress with clean lines, soft movement, and an all around airy yet statuesque composition. From the dress to her simple hair and makeup, Kate was Hollywood bridal royalty.

Photo | Hannah Costello

Whitney Eve Port, originally from MTV's The Hills reality show and now owner of her own clothing line, opted for a high-low beaded embellished Ashi Studio dress full of style and personality. Her peep-toe stiletto booties were to die for and her unique undone hair style alluded to her appreciation of comfortable yet chic timeless style.

Photos | Suzanne Delawar

Gabrielle Union was absolutely gorgeous and flawless in her Denis Basso sweetheart neckline ball gown for her wedding to NBA superstar Dwayne Wade. With a low back, cinched waistline and full skirt, she looked sexy, sweet, and sophisticated.

In researching some of our favorite top celebrity dresses, we saw so many beautiful gowns and such a wide variety of styles. No matter your style or budget, there is a perfect gown for you, with your name written on it! For brides in the DFW metroplex, check out our blog post on the Top 5 Local Bridal Boutiques if you are currently searching for your wedding day dress. Also, if you are like us, dancing is a priority and we've also found some of the the best dancing shoes to wear with that perfect dress. Comment on this post to let us know what you think or to share your favorite celebrity wedding gown! We hope that you enjoyed this weeks blog post and stay tuned daily to all of our social media sites for more from the lovely world of Celebrate Colorfully!

Top 5 | Local Bridal Boutiques

Ladies, let’s face it...your wedding dress is literally a magical dream in itself! You begin envisioning this gorgeous creation when you're a little girl and fantasize about it all of your life. Lusting over your dress from the time of your fairy princess days to the years of marriage with your spouse whilst you revisit the gown through old photos and memories, a wedding dress should truly be a garment that effortlessly and perfectly makes you feel like the most stunning and breath taking bride imaginable.

Luckily for you, the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is a mecca for all things beauty and shopping related and this of course includes some of the nations best bridal boutiques. From extravagant top dollar gown designers to sample sale markdowns, DFW has an array of options available for the bride on the perfect dress hunt!

a & bé bridal shop
Located in only three cities around the nation, a and bé bridal caters to the modern and creative bride who is looking for something extra unique and divinely special. Whether it's a dress from an emerging designer or something sweetly bohemian and romantic, this team of stylish gown experts aim to ensure that you receive the full enjoyment that all brides crave when dress shopping, without any extra chaos.  Think fresh, chill, and whimsical! We absolutely love this bridal shop and we know that you will feel the same!

Stanley Korshak Bride
For the haute couture bride interested in designer gowns and crème de la crème pampering, Dallas’ very own Stanley Korshak is an exceptional choice. From Vera Wang and Romona Keveza to Michael Medina and Ines Di Santo, nothing will make you feel more like bridal royalty than the gowns and bridal accessories lining the walls and filling the space of this iconic and family owned Dallas luxury retailer. After receiving countless awards throughout the years for their service and selection, you are bound to fall in love here with everything that screams opulent elegance!

The Blushing Bride Boutique
For the bride who wants to browse an assortment of affordable to mid-range dresses within a gorgeously decorated intimate space, The Blushing Bride Boutique located in Frisco is surely a winner! From classic to more casual designs, you will feel as though you are spending the day in a wedding wonderland filled with lace, jewels, chandeliers, mirrors, and artwork everywhere you turn! Awarded Hall of Fame after four consecutive years of Best of Weddings from The Knot, The Blushing Bride will not disappoint your wedding shopping endeavors!

Warren Barron Bridal
Described by one of the owner’s, Elle Warren Harman, as “so much more than a beautiful store with beautiful gowns”, Warren Barron Bridal was established in 2006 and has without a doubt become a local must-visit for the bride who is looking to wow herself and her wedding guests! Located in Snider Plaza shopping center, Warren Barron Bridal offers seasonal trunk shows and oftentimes hosts sample sales with unbeatable markdowns on designers such as Monique Lhuillier, Austin Scarlett, Marchesa, and more! Schedule a private appointment and prepare yourself to be dazzled and delighted.

Bridal Boutique of Lewisville
Family owned and operated since 1990, this bridal boutique focuses not only on ensuring that the bride feels her best but also that her mother and bridesmaids are able to personally join in on the shopping experience and find dresses that best suit their styles and needs. Adjacent to the main bridal salon is a 5000 square foot space filled to the brim with dresses for the mother and bridal party! Credited as providing the “best selection anywhere,” you must visit this boutique… So, what are you waiting for? Go now!

**Wedding Dress Happy Hour Alert: A Bridal Closet is an outlet boutique located in the Willow Bend mall and sells discounted dresses from three of Dallas’ most well-known bridal shops: Stardust Celebrations, Lulu’s, and A Curvy Bride.  All three of these shops are well-known top bridal spots! Add them to your list as well and be sure to call in advance before visiting any bridal shop to book an appointment or verify that walk-ins are welcome.

We hope that you will enjoy visiting these places as much as we enjoyed writing about them! Nearly every single bridal gown requires multiple fittings and alterations so be sure to give yourself ample time before your wedding date to explore all of your options and shop with joy instead of crunch-time cram mode!

Celebrate Colorfully wishes you the best of luck on your dress search and the sweetest of tears when you finally slip into “the one’ of your dreams! Thank you for reading and until next time, happy wedding planning!

All photos from bridal boutiques' website or Instagram

Top 5 | REASONS TO HAVE A FIRST LOOK

When it comes to having a first look, everyone has an opinion. I mean they either love it or they hate it. There is no middle ground on this subject. For those who don't know, a first look is a moment between the couple and their photographer when the bride and groom see each other for the first time in private before the ceremony. This breaks the traditional rule of not seeing the bride before the wedding. 

Personally we're pro-first-look at Celebrate Colorfully, which is why I suggested today's Top 5! Take a peek and see if a first look is a good fit for you.  

Photo |  Andria Lindquist

1. Time - When you have a first look you're allowed 3-4 extra hours in the day to take all the photos you could ever want. This could be all your family photos so no one's waiting around during cocktail hour. Or joint bridal party photos around the venue property. Or even hours of intimate photos of you and your love.

Photo | April and Paul

2. Emotions - It can be overwhelming for a groom to see his bride for the first time with hundreds of eyes on him. The pressure to preform accordingly can be a heavy weight. First looks allow the bride and groom to get mushy, cry, kiss, and support each other in private. You can be genuinely yourselves together. There's still time to re-touch your mascara and lipstick before the walk down the aisle. 

Photo | A Sea of Love

3. Nerves - People get butterflies. A first look calms the nerves and is said to help make couples more relaxed and happier throughout the rest of the day. We highly suggest this for anyone who might get nervous in front of crowds or just needs a little reassurance. 

Photo | Levi Tijerina

4. Sunset Time - Maybe you have a 9pm ceremony start time or, perhaps, the sunset is early on your wedding day. If you want those daylight photos together, you're going to need to have a first look. I've even heard of doing a first look days or months before to get the perfect pictures. 

Photo | Phil Chester

5. Required - While researching more on this topic and hunting around for the perfect reveal photos, I discovered many photographers out there won't book a client unless they agree to a first look. It allows the photographers all the benefits mentioned above. They can tell the story of the whole day rather than the the 5 hours that normally make up a ceremony and reception. 

Will you have a first look on your wedding day?