I have been a writer for as long as my memory serves me. I’ve always found it rather difficult to audibly express thoughts and emotions, so I write. Having been diagnosed with anxiety and depression at an early age, it has served as one of many coping mechanisms that have carried me through life in some of the most stressful times I’ve needed it most. For some, the upcoming wedding season may be just that.

From dresses to design, menus to invitations, unsolicited advice, planners and parents and long-distant cousins expecting a spot in your budget, wedding planning can quickly go from excitement to dread. 

According to the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 adults will experience some form of mental health struggle. Despite the rising prevalence of mental illness in society, particularly over the last couple of years thanks to the stress of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we are only recently reaching a point where it is becoming far less taboo to openly discuss. Wedding planning has a notorious reputation as a cause of significant stress on couples and their families. Willing to be open with your future spouse about your mental health is crucial for not only your overall well-being, but a healthy relationship and marriage is built on a solid foundation of trust and honesty.

Caring for your mental health while wedding planning is an important step towards relieving yourself of successfully beginning your new life together, and so I’d like to share five tips to help you maneuver any obstacles on your way down the aisle:

Prioritize

Living in the Age of Social Media, we are constantly inundated with the perceived best, newest, and hottest trends from fashion to food, and weddings are no exception. Type “wedding ideas” into the Pinterest search tab, and thousands of pretty pictures will pop up reflecting your perfect fairy tale nuptials. Unless you were born with the purse strings of a Kardashian, chances are you won’t be able to afford every last dreamy detail. Start by making a list and figuring out what’s most important to you on your wedding day (aside from getting hitched to your best friend, of course). When you look back in 10 years, what are you going to care about most? If it doesn’t bring you peace of mind, leave it behind. 

Meditate

Okay, you don’t have to actually meditate, but find an activity or something else that helps you re-center, focus, and relax. It could be a special Spotify playlist, a walk in the park, re-reading a favorite comfort book, taking a bubble bath or a cool shower, or simply doing absolutely nothing in a hammock. According to Walden University, even just 30 minutes of moderate exercise has been shown to reduce stress and aid in better sleep, which in turn helps reduce depression and anxiety. Find what fits to release those endorphins. 

Hydrate

I know you’re probably sick of hearing it, but you need to drink more water! No, coffee and soda do not count. Repeat after me: w-a-t-e-r, otherwise known as H2O. According to Active.com, dehydration leads to higher levels of cortisol (the stress hormone). Staying well hydrated reduces those cortisol levels (along with bloating), thus allowing you to more calmly tackle your mother’s insistence on roses over orchids for the 3rd time this week. 

Declutter

Get ready to make like Marie Kondo and de-clutter: your mind, your home, your social circle if need be. Put away that laundry you’ve been staring at for 3 weeks, throw away the junk mail that’s been piling up on the counter, and for the love of God, clean out the fridge of those leftovers that have been growing a science experiment for the last month. You know what I’m talking about. Unsupportive friends raining on your wedding planning ideas? Debbie downer throwing a fit you’ve opted for a child-free event? Bye, Felicia – you don’t have time for any of that mess. Decluttering your life will quite literally bring you more peace of mind. 

Set Boundaries

This one is probably the most difficult to put into action. Setting boundaries in any way – with our friends, family, coworkers, even ourselves – is much easier said than done, but it’s an absolute must for a stress-less wedding (and life). Remember, this is you and your partner’s wedding. Yes, your family is important, and there is nothing wrong with wanting their opinions and finding ways to honor them if you wish, but ultimately this day is about the two of you and no one else. You don’t owe anyone an invitation, a plus-one, a spot in the bridal party, nothing. You do owe it to yourself and your relationship to set those boundaries that keep toxicity out of your life, even if others don’t agree. If it’s hurting your mental health, it needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. 

Let me be clear: I am not a doctor.

I don’t pretend to be, and I won’t say that these tips are going to be 100% effective for everyone, nor will they magically cure anyone of a more serious mental health condition. These are only some of the strategies I use in my everyday life as someone who’s been living with mental illness for almost 20 years, and someone who successfully planned a stress-free wedding of my own using these same tactics.

The most important thing I hope you remember is this: admitting you’re struggling mentally is nothing to be ashamed of, and if you’ve been implementing some or all of these tips into your life and still find you’re not where you’d like to be, please seek the help of a mental health professional. You are worthy of a beautiful wedding day, a thriving start to your marriage, and a peaceful mind. 

Best wishes to you and your partner. I hope you’re blessed with a lifetime of happiness together!

Megan Sabljakovic, Author

Megan is a freelance writer based in Texas. Aside from writing, she’s also a big animal lover and has become passionate about helping reptiles, particularly snakes. She has many of her own and now does snake education & relocation through Lone Star Snakes. Click here to learn more!

As we are still seeing stars after a week of bridal fashion, we wanted to share some of the trends that will be taking over in 2023. Even if you aren’t planning a wedding, it never gets old to see what bridal designers come up with year after year!

Reminder: bridal collections come out a year in advance, hence “Spring 2023”. It can be confusing, we know.

Just like the traditional fashion week, many of the dresses that you will see coming off of the runway aren’t exactly obtainable for the general public. What you should take from these couture gowns is inspiration for what stands out to you on your wedding day. Trends come and go, but you want to make sure that you will love your dress for years to come. Personally, we like some of this inspiration for outfits like the bridal shower, bachelorette party, and even rehearsal dinner if high fashion isn’t the vibes you are trying to give off in your bridal portraits. 

Here are some of our favorites: 

Sleeves of all types

If your arms are showing on your wedding day, do you even have social media?!? Just kidding, just kidding. (I’m a classic sweetheart neckline girl myself) if you are looking to make a statement, though, we’d recommend looking at all of the many sleeve options that are available right now. You could go with a classic fitted sleeve, a sweet flutter sleeve, or an ‘80s puff sleeve. Just be aware of your future children’s distaste for your dress until another 20 years have come and gone and then they will be asking for your preserved gown!

Colorful dresses

And we don’t just mean a champagne underlay! This season we are seeing colorful floral appliqués and your “something blue” all over. If you are getting married in a garden or just really love flowers, this is the season for you. White (or ivory) is no longer the only color option for you to walk down the aisle proudly in!

Sheer dresses

If you aren’t concerned with your conservative family’s opinions, this is for you! Many designers are skipping the lining of their gowns to really let the details speak for themselves. This blends well with the current bodysuit trend as that is typically the coverage that is available in these gowns. If you are having an outdoor destination or beach wedding where the sun will be shining behind you, a sheer dress will be the perfect way to accentuate your silhouette while still being covered head to toe in lace, beading, and tulle. 

Slits or short dresses

In the same vein as the sheer dresses, we are seeing designers showing a little leg with slits in the skirts or just short skirts in general. Many times this will include an over skirt so you can have the train and drama for the ceremony, but then rip it off and be ready to party in a short flirty dress. 

Which of these trends will you be introducing into your bridal look??

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

A couple weeks ago we had Jen Essex on the blog talking about cake/desserts (YUM-you can check that out here), but this week we have a different Jenn guest writing on another one of my favorite things: wine!

Jenn Carruthers is a sommelier and owner of JC Select Wines, a company she built to help expose clients to the wines that she personally enjoys, and loves sharing with friends and family. It also allows her to educate about wines that can both fit your lifestyle and elevate your next event.

Here are her professional recommendations on the best wines for your wedding and the food to pair it with:

Let’s talk bubbly

Champagne goes with everything, plus they’re lower in alcohol and won’t stain clothing like reds. Here are her 3 go-to’s:

• Charles Heidsieck - NV Champagne Brut Reserve

  Fun fact: it was the Champagne served on the Titanic

  Thanks to 40% of reserve wines, the blend offers a complex, elegant, voluptuous nose with a touch of freshly baked brioche, rich toasted notes and sun-drenched fruits - mango, apricot and mirabelle plum - accented by dried fruits, pistachio and almond. On the palate the texture is reminiscent of a crisp layer of nougatine on a velvety cream pastry, filled with plump red plums and ripe cherries. The selection of reserve wines gives the wine lushness. The finish unveils notes of praline and vanilla.

• La Caravelle, Cuvée Nina, Champagne, France

  This goes very well with seafood or fried chicken

  Paying homage to legendary NYC French fine dining restaurant La Caravelle, which Rita and André Jammet owned. La Caravelle, hand chosen by Rita and André, reflects the classic roots and contemporary sensibility of the brand. It's an elegant expression of Champagne. Talk about the perfect summertime pairing. La Caravelle is an elegant expression of Champagne. Think warm citrus, white flowers, perfectly buttered brioche and the most refreshing white peach.

• The Naveran Brut Vintage Reserva, Cava, Spain

  Cava = Spain’s answer to Champagne

  This grower Cava is made from 100% estate grown, organically farmed fruit with extended lees aging far beyond the minimum requirements for the Cava DO. Made by the Naveran family since 1901. This winery has a tradition of crafting Cavas that are superb expressions of clean, bright, citrus-inflected aromas and flavors with beautiful texture and weight from the extended lees contact, designed to stand up among the great sparkling wines of the world.

refreshing whites

Personally, I always associate white with seafood, but there are SO many other options! Here’s a couple:

• Mottura GRECHETTO di Civitella d'Agliano, Latour a Civitella, IT

  Great with pasta dishes (like Pâtes a La Carbonara), chicken, seafood (especially salmon), salads (Caccio e Pepe is a famous pairing) and Alfredo

  Really versatile and I'd almost describe it as halfway between a Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay in terms of pleasing those from each "side of the aisle" (pun intended). It’s really quite a brilliant wine and made by an incredibly talented producer. The Sergio Mottura Latour a Civitella is a pure expression of Grechetto from Lazio's Civitella d'Agliano IGT appellation near the Umbria border. The best grapes from five Grechetto vineyards of the "Poggio della Costa" clone, planted in different parcels, are used to make this outstanding dry white wine. This wine benefits from some brief time in oak to build texture and aromatic intensity, with preserved lemon and fresh apricot.

• Stolpman Vineyards Roussanne, Ballard Canyon, CA

  A red lovers white wine. Pairs with everything listed above but also more robust meals like pork, steak, and prime rib

  Meet the opulent and intriguing Roussanne. The varietal is extremely slow to grow and mature through the season and the conditions at Stolpman combine to allow for even, albeit late, ripening. It's also a pain in the butt to grow! La Cuadrilla takes every possible effort in the vineyard to optimize the Roussanne fruit. Most notably, in late July the leaves get pulled away from the fruit to allow direct sun penetration. A month prior to forecasted harvest, every grape cluster is rotated 180 degrees to facilitate an even sun-tan. Aromas of Asian pear and honeysuckle sprinkled with citrus tell the tale of a rich, indulgent Roussanne ready to coat the palette in full-bodied splendor. On the nose, one can almost smell the rich texture and the mouthfeel doesn’t disappoint. While opulence carries the day, complimentary notes of lychee, lemongrass, and jasmine bring a more delicate prettiness. Aromas of white flower give further lift while golden hay – the only evidence of toasty oak barrels – brings the wine to a long, luxurious finish.

getting into color

When it comes to reds, consider a blend if you’re only going to offer one red wine. Otherwise Jenn recommends having a Pinot Noir and a Cabernet. Here are all the options:

• Stolpman Vineyards - La Cuadrilla

  A very well rounded option and will go with any food you’re in the mood for!

  Blend breakdown: 70% Syrah - 15% Sangiovese - 15% Grenache. La Cuadrilla is a special wine. “La Cuadrilla” or “the Crew” is named such because it belongs to the crew. The vineyard crew (all of whom are full-time/ year-round workers with benefits) are responsible for creating this wine. Even better: ALL PROFITS from the sales of La Cuadrilla go completely back to Ruben's full-time/year-round crew. Once a year, the Stolpmans host a “Cuadrilla Party” where the crew members are each given a cheque sharing the proceeds from this wine by seniority. It’s truly amazing and I wish it was happening everywhere. The wine also happens to be delicious! It’s a juicy, everyday, any occasion kind of wine. The 2018 vintage was fantastic overall and this wine is no exception. Its base of Syrah gives it deep red fruit, making it both expressive and bold. The blending keeps it fresh and fun, perfect for any day that ends with "Y”. A crowd pleaser for sure.

• Disciples Red, Napa Valley

  Particularly amazing with BBQ. ribs, steak, venison, lamb... It's like a "red blend" upgrade

  The breakdown: 49% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, 10% Charbono, 9% Grenache, 7% Syrah, 6% Merlot. The backbone of the Disciples Red Wine comes from the Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford and the Tofanelli Vineyard in Calistoga. The Morisoli's have been farming their plot of land for 5 generations, dating back to the 1890's. The Tofanelli's have been farming their ranch since 1929 and grow some of Napa's most coveted field blend varietals. Predominantly Zinfandel, this wine jumps out of the glass with blackberry coulis, juniper and toast. Fantastic acidity carries the wine through to a satisfyingly long, lingering finish.

• West Pole Pinot Noir by Bohème Wines, Sonoma Coast, CA

  Goes with cheese and vegetarian (classic pairing = mushrooms) dishes, poultry, lamb and beef, salmon, and hearty salads

  Twenty-nine Pinot Noir barrels from the Bohème single-vineyard program were selected for the 2018 vintage of West Pole Pinot Noir. Each component was estate-grown (including six Pinot Noir selections averaging 30% whole cluster fermentation) and aged 22 months in 10% new French Oak barrels. Notes: Starlike clarity with rosewood-mulberry hue. Slow-fired Burgundy toast aroma with black and red fruits: cranberry, huckleberry, hibiscus and Kirsch cherry. Dark fruits impress the palate in hand with bergamot, sandalwood, clove, roasted chestnut and elderflower. Fine and abundant tannins follow—the wine is structured and versatile.

• Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Mayacamas Range Napa Valley

  Pairs well with anything in the meat category, especially red meat

  You might have heard of Mayacamas Range. That ridge is where this wine comes from. The high elevation provides for a great balance of grapes ranging in variety and ripeness. Really smooth, dark fruit, really well made and I just can't express how great this wine is for the price ($35). It's such a great go-to Cab.

At the end of the day this is Jenn’s go-to piece of advice for wine & food:

“Pair the wine you want with the food you like”

Want to work with Jenn for your wedding? Here’s a bit of what she can do for you:

• Tasting ahead of time to learn the stories of each unique wine

• If she’s curating the wine and not attending the wedding as your sommelier, she will provide PDFs for display explaining the wine choices and story of the wines chosen

• She also has a wine membership! (hello wedding gift)

Check these out and more on her website www.jcselectwines.com and connect on Instagram @jcselectwines.

Jenn Carruthers, Author

Jenn is a professional sommelier based in California that aims to bridge a gap between common wines and those special bottles. While wine is her hobby as well as her job, she also enjoys surfing and visiting her hometown of Toronto, Canada

As someone with a giant sweet tooth, I was so excited to have Jen Essex guest write a blog post. Jen is the owner and head baker at Ruby Jean Patisserie, a Denver, CO bakery that specializes in buttercream cakes and confections that combine premium quality ingredients and flavors with modern style. Not to mention that all of her creations are downright gorgeous! So I asked Jen how couples are supposed to pick a flavor or design for their wedding? Check out her answers below:

You’ve said yes to your favorite person, the perfect venue and all the lovely details; now it's time to create your dessert experience. Your cake and desserts should be a reflection of you as a couple and go along with the entire vision of your wedding. 

How we start the process

When working with clients, we really like to dive deep into what your food love language is; helping us understand your likes and dislikes sets up our tastings for success. Questions we ask our clients are:

• What are your favorite flavors?

• Favorite travel destinations?

• What's your favorite ice cream?

  All of these help us create a unique dessert spread for you and your loved ones. 

Where we get our inspiration

We love to pull inspiration from all the sources. We will search your Pinterest board, your invitations, the dress, the flowers, the linens and create something unique for you and your wedding.

Examples of how we can incorporate you as a couple and details from your big day into your dessert experience…

• Maybe you are traveling to Italy on your honeymoon, so Tiramisu is a perfect thing to have on your dessert bar

• You're getting married in the mountains and evergreen is on your color palette, so we incorporate little touches of pine on your wedding cake

• The tables are the most romantic blush you’ve ever seen, so your entire cake is blush and adorned with the same flowers that are in your bouquet and centerpieces

• You fell in love with French Macarons on your first date, so gifting your guests French Macarons is the perfect little thank you. 

Same thing goes for your desserts and cake as the entire wedding, this is your day; choose things that you love. Our goal is to WOW your guests and make your events memorable.

Want to get in touch? Visit us on our website at rubyjeanpatisserie.com and be sure to follow on Instagram @rubyjeanpatisserie to see all our amazing custom creations!

Edited April 2023: Jen is no longer in the baked goods business, but she’s still a wealth of knowledge if you need any advice!

Jen Essex, Author

Jen is a classically trained pastry chef with a passion for all things sweet. When she is not baking you can find her chasing around her 13-year-old son, Liam and hanging with her husband Brandon and their two rescue puppies Olive and Teddy

Lauren here! For almost 5 years now I have been giving wedding advice through selling wedding dresses, adding to the black hole that is bridal TikTok, and assisting with writing these blogs. All of that time I was just sharing what I had learned from people around me (as well as the internet…). In reality my only wedding planning experience was in my dreams. 

That all is about to change because I got engaged last week!!

Wow, 13 year old me is still panicking that this day finally came and it was better than I could have ever dreamed of. And because I am that girl, many details of my wedding have already been planned. It also didn’t help that my now fiancé isn’t very good at keeping secrets! 

All of this to say, this blog is about to have some real life examples of wedding planning  highs, lows, frustrations, and celebrations. 

So what should you do after getting engaged?

The one piece of advice that I’ve heard before is to give yourself some time to take it all in. I am only going to be engaged once in my life, and in the grand scheme of things it’s going to be such a small period in my life. For now I’m going to sit back, gaze at my perfect vintage engagement ring, and enjoy the high that I’m riding on.  After that will be choosing a date, setting a guest list, and locking in a budget. (All of that has been done in a note on my phone for a while now because I’m me, but it’s time to add our team player to the game) 

The venue will be the first detail you want to confirm because that will determine the date and other vendors that will be necessary. Some will be all inclusive and you will just sit back and relax. Others will only provide their four walls and you will have a long road of decisions again. Our venue has already been selected (pre-proposal/pre- even meeting my fiancé ) and it’s not even a real wedding venue, so this will not be a simple process. That means more for me to share with you as I learn and possibly drive myself crazy! 

The vendors we are most excited to decide on are photographer and caterer. Those will most likely be our next decisions because it’s what we want to invest in the most. If you are in the same boat at me, I’d recommend prioritizing with your partner so that you put your money into things that actually matter to you both.

To see a full breakdown of a wedding planning timeline, check out our previous blog here 

Do any of you past brides have any advice for me, a future bride?! Let me know in the comments!

PS- Yes, the scene in the illustration is from the actual proposal! A magical Valentine’s Day night on a rooftop in Kansas City, MO

Lauren Allen, Author

Lauren is a bridal consultant and self-published author, with a background in celebrity styling and bridal make up artistry. You can find her with an oat milk cappuccino in the morning, and a glass of Cabernet at night, her real passions. Lauren is based in Kansas CIty and her book “How to Be 23” can be found here

Choosing your wedding party can be overwhelming. These people are essentially being deemed your “favorites” and the pressure to not disappoint can be a lot. If you have a small social circle or doing just family, it might be easy. However, the majority of people have a hard time trying to narrow it down between their 3 different friend groups, family members, and matching their party numbers with their fiance’s side. If you can’t decide, there’s a few factors that you should consider before making someone part of your wedding party.

But before we get into it, there’s one point I want to emphasize before anything: you are under NO OBLIGATION to ask anyone to be in your wedding party. They need to not only be your favorite humans, but also will be empathetic, focus on your vision, and be there for you throughout this whole planning process.

Support

This is #1 in deciding who is going to be in your inner circle. Your best friend can be amazing, but if they’re going to cause you more stress than help then maybe being a part of the wedding party isn’t for them (same goes for your sibling). Choose your party based on friends and family who will truly be a support system for you because 90% of couples will tell you that wedding planning is STRESSFUL and they need all the assistance (emotional or otherwise) they can get

Length of relationship

Connection is not solely based on how long you’ve known someone, but for a lot of people it works out that way as their relationship with you is more developed. That being said you should NOT create your wedding party based on who you’ve known the longest, but it’s also probably not the best idea to ask your new friend of 3 months either. Don't always look at the people you may spend a lot of time based on proximity or convenience. The best wedding party members are those that stick with you through thick and thin despite regardless of where they might physically live

Traditions

If you’re a more traditional person, or want to incorporate traditions into your wedding, then take note of those first while you put your list of people together (especially if you’re having a multi cultural wedding). For example: Greek weddings usually don’t have a wedding party at all (look at that your list is done!), while Americans include their siblings as well as their fiance’s siblings on both sides

Head Count

This is a big one. The first thing you should be doing is going over numbers with your partner. If you’ve settled on an intimate guest list, then you don’t need a gigantic wedding party. Just go down to “bare bones” like siblings or your best friend, you don’t want half of your attendees standing up at the altar with you.

Pros of having a smaller wedding party (1-5 people):

• Less people means less opinions

• It’s cheaper. If money isn’t an issue, easier to customize or give nicer gifts/perks

• Easier to coordinate

  The cons:

• You might not be able to include everyone you wanted

• Not as many people to help with typical “wedding party duties” (bridal shower, bach party, etc)

Pros of a larger wedding party (6+ people):

• More people to help and support you throughout the wedding process

• If you want to do a look of non-matching outfits, more people is the way to accomplish that

• Allows you to include all your loved ones

The cons:

• More people means more opinions and that can get overwhelming

• More people to coordinate and accommodate

• More people to add to your guest list if each person has a significant other

• More expensive

I also want to note a couple things:

1. Just because you’d like someone to be part of your wedding party, doesn’t mean they want to be in it. This can be for a variety of reasons: they can’t afford it, they have social anxiety, they don’t have the time, etc. Whatever the reason, don’t take it personally and respect their decision. The job can be a lot to handle and it’s not for everyone. That being said, it’s ok (i.e. encouraged) to make a mental backup list.

2. There are other ways to be included in the wedding without being part of the “wedding party”. Suggestions include wedding officiant, reader/speech giver, performer (if they’re a musician/singer/poet), an escort to you or someone else down the aisle, or legal witness. If you have a larger group of people in mind, simply ask them to come get ready with you!

If there’s one thing you take away from this whole post, it’s this: choose the people that will give you energy, not take it away. Because planning is stressful enough without involving outside parties. Plus, this is something that really only affects you and your partner and has nothing to do with the rest of the wedding. So remember, this your day, do what you think is best.

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

Let me preface this post with one important caveat: I LOVE WINTER! Or rather, I love all of the snowy outdoor, light-filled indoor images and cozy, wrapped-up-in-your-favorite-blanket-by-the-fire feelings that winter gives me. Plus, the best holidays of the year happen during the winter months. Come on, Christmas, New Years, Mardis Gras, Valentine's Day?! All the best excuses to go over the top in decor, outfits, and parties! Which is why winter weddings are some of my absolute favorites to plan. In fact, you may see some of the below suggestions appear in my own winter wedding details in January 2023.

Below, you'll find my top five suggestions for unique winter wedding details. Each of them is tied back to a sense of wonder and love that winter brings to me and can be easily tweaked to be incorporated into your own wedding plans.

#1 Use Texture Everywhere!

Winter weddings are the perfect opportunity to use texture throughout your event design. Here are some ways to incorporate texture in your design:

• Linens - Think cozy, luxurious fabrics like velvet, brocade, and satin

• Florals - Mix dried or non-floral elements like pampas grass, feathers, or lotus pods, in with traditional florals like red roses and nontraditional florals like amaranths, scabiosa, or dahlia

• Tablescapes - Rent unique chargers, plates, and glasses that are house-made or antique

#2 Incorporate Color and Metallics

Even if you want a traditional winter wedding theme of Christmas trees and cedar boughs, still incorporate various shades of green with pops of red, gold, and silver in your color palette. Weddings have no color rules, but winter weddings especially have no color rules! You want Mardi Gras colors? Go for it! You want a dark, moody landscape? You do you, boo! You want a bright white with silver to reflect the snow? You shine, winter queen! Just make sure to make it tasteful.

• Linens - This is a great area to bring color to your event design! Can't afford to rent all those tablecloths? Think about adding a pop of color in your napkins or a runner.

• Florals - Some of my favorite florals that come in lots of different colors are amaranthus, English primrose, and dahlias.

• Tablescapes - Think about adding fun chargers to your tablescapes. These can either be rented or purchased fairly cheaply and are found in so many different patterns, shapes, and colors.

• Lighting - Using uplighting around your dance floor in a variety or colors or adding some metallic candelabras to your tables are a great way to add color and shine to your design. Check with your DJ if they provide uplighting, and candelabras can often be found at thrift stores for very cheap, though they may need a little elbow grease to make them shine again.

#3 Mulling Spices as Favors

Who doesn't love a good mug of mulled cider or wine? They smell and taste wonderful! Bonus: These packages are TSA-approved (for the out of towners) and easily DIY-ed. Add a personal touch with a custom sticker to close the bag or a recipe from the couple.

#4 Candle Place Cards

I recently saw a couple use votives with lit tea lights inside as place cards on the tables for their guests. The votives had each guest's name calligraphed on it, and a meal icon sticker was added to the bottom corner to help the servers, but was easily peeled off after. The candles added light, warmth, and ambiance to the tablescape while serving double duty as a place card and a favor! There are many options on Etsy, or you could DIY with a Cricut and your own votives.

#5 Serve a Retro Warm Winter Beverage and Holiday Dessert!

During cocktail hour (and only during cocktail hour because later people will be sweaty from dancing) serve your favorite warm winter beverage. Some of my favorites, including retro throwbacks, are listed below. Also, when it comes to dessert, fewer and fewer couples are incorporating a traditional wedding cake. Think about what your favorite holiday desserts are, and serve those on a dessert bar instead! See below for some of my favorite ideas.

• Warm Winter Beverages:

  • Hot Toddy: Whiskey, honey, lemon, and cinnamon

  • Tom & Jerry: A creamy, sugary rum-based concoction

  • Irish or Kentucky Coffee: Coffee with whiskey or bourbon

  • Cranberry Gin Fizz: Cranberries and gin

  • Classic Eggnog: Creamy, cinnamony, whiskey goodness

  • Spiked Cider: Cider with bourbon, whiskey, or scotch

  • Wassail: Citrusy, cinnamon, vodka deliciousness
    

• Holiday Desserts:

  • Peppermint Bark

  • Gingersnaps

  • Snickerdoodles

  • Custom decorated sugar cookies!

  • Fudge

When advising clients on their winter wedding plans, especially when it comes to the design details, I ask them to close their eyes - yes, just do it - and think of some of their favorite winter or holiday memories. What colors were there? Can you instantly smell or taste a particular scent or delicious dish? What was the light like - bright and reflective or dusky and candlelit? What traditions do you have in the winter - sledding, ice skating, staying warm inside with a book or movie? Then we take those memories and incorporate those details into their wedding day. Each of them is tied back to a sense of wonder and love that winter brings to me and can be easily tweaked to be incorporated into your own wedding plans.

For more tips, inspiration, and to learn more about All the Dainty Details, visit us at www.allthedaintydetails.com and be sure to follow on Instagram @allthedaintydetails.

Happy winter planning!

Leigh Maltby, Author

Leigh is the Associate Wedding Planner for All the Dainty Details in the DC area. She’s officially been in the wedding industry since 2017, but caught the event planner bug as a child. Between growing up in a military family that instilled a sense of service and a passion for creativity, Leigh is here to make all your wedding dreams come to life

Fun Fact: This year is going to have more weddings than any year since 1984!
If you have not locked in your venue yet you can probably prepare to wait until 2023 to get married and just enjoy all of your friend’s weddings until then. Many of the weddings happening in 2022 are actually just 2020 weddings pushed back! Couples are tired of planning and replanning their weddings, and this means that decor will be simple and every detail will matter. Today we have put together some of the strongest trends that you will see in 2022.

Terra cotta and Sage

These colors (separately) will be flooding your Instagram and Pinterest feeds. We are seeing organic earthy tones combat the modern simplicity of the wedding signage and decor. This color palette is also a reflection of current social trends such as the “green” movement, self care, and intensional living

Clean but Bold

Non embellished wedding dresses are ready to be a statement piece. Your wedding dress sets the tone for the entire day and will be the centerpiece of most of the photos. Brides are realizing the importance of letting the dress show off her natural beauty while also showing off her personal style. This also applies to decor, as more couples are opting for minimalist looks with solid colors

Large Weddings

Micro weddings are out and huge bashes are the way of the future! We have all been stuck inside for long enough that guests are ready to party and couples are itching to go all out. Virtual RSVP’s will be blowing up in order to keep all of the guests organized, so be sure to take a look at the wedding website

Vow Renewals

Many of the weddings that are happening are actually vow renewals! The pandemic made couples either fall in love quickly and deeply (life is short), or skip the traditional reception all together, so there have been many elopements over the last couple years. 2022 is the year that we finally get to all celebrate the love together!

“Special” tuxes

This trend has been in the works for a while, but this year there’s definitely an uptick. The white dress has always been the “stand out” outfit, but more and more people are opting to wear something different than their wedding party, grooms want to feel special too! We’re seeing more creative suit options (colors, patterns, fabrics) and they’re even getting more involved in the planning (finally!)

Cheers to a new year of love and celebrations! We can’t wait to bring you more amazing wedding content. Have something in particular you think we should write about? Let us know in the comments or send us an email here

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

Second to the dress, your ceremony backdrop will set the vibes of your wedding and has the ability to make or break your theme. This will also be what surrounds you and your new spouse in the “first kiss” photo we all dream of hanging on our walls forever. Many people end up taking this on as a DIY project, so don’t procrastinate starting this part of the decor! Today we have put together some inspo for you based on your venue choice. 

Outdoors/Scenic Views

If you are getting married in a forest or a lush mountaintop, you will be saving a lot of money on flowers and decor! We recommend framing the focus point with a simple arch or geometric shape made of either steel or wood that you will be standing in front of in that first kiss picture.

Statement building

If you chose your venue based off of the architecture, use your favorite part as the ceremony backdrop! This could be the fire place, the staircase, or even the front door. Whatever drew you to that location in the first place should be the most photographed and shared. 

Open concept space

If you have nothing but a blank slate to work with, you get to be as creative as possible. Start from the ground up with candles, pillars, flowers, greenery, anything to create a statement. It might feel overwhelming trying to fill the space, but keep in mind that all of the pieces can be moved around to decorate for the reception during the room switch (this is also the part where it’s super helpful to have a wedding planner or designer).

Country Club

If you are getting married anywhere that other people could potentially be walking around your ceremony location, we recommend creating some sort of screen as your backdrop. This could be as crazy as an old door with chipped paint, or as classic as draped fabric surrounded by flowers.  This type of solidity really defines the space

The most important thing to remember is that your ceremony backdrop will be the center of many of your wedding photos, as it’s not only a big piece of your special day, but also the first impression of your decor style to guests and will define the theme of your wedding more than anything else. It is also good to remember that any decor you use for the ceremony can be repurposed for the reception. You don’t want all of that creativity to go to waste! We’re all about repurposing here.

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

It’s always great to learn from the pros, but sometimes it’s nice to hear from someone who has just walked the same path that you are currently on. Today we are sharing advice directly from our brides about what they found most surprising when planning their wedding.

“Remember to factor in vendor gratuity when thinking about money and budget”

              -  When getting a quote from your vendor, make sure to add whatever gratuity you choose to before deciding if they are in your budget. Nothing sounds worse than having to pull cash out of your honeymoon fund the week of your wedding to fill gratuity envelopes for all of your vendors. Plan ahead and you will thank you future self! 

“Florals are more expensive than you might expect” 

                - Trader Joe’s has spoiled us with beautiful bouquets of flowers for just $8. Your wedding flowers will take up much more of your budget than most people expect. These flowers will be hand selected and arranged just for you, including all bouquets, corsages, centerpieces, and ceremony backdrops. There are ways to cut costs like renting/buying silk flowers, getting married in a garden that is already covers in flowers, or (the most time consuming) putting together your own flower arrangements. 

“Planning a surprise elopement (where family comes and they just don’t know it’s a wedding) is maybe as stressful as a traditional wedding, just way cheaper”

            - Doing this will insure that you have minimal opinions being thrown at you at all times, but it also means you have to do everything by yourself (or hire a planner to help!). This is something that you will have to decide what is most important to you. If you thrive on surprises this is definitely for you!

“Vendors can easily take a week to get back to you with initial info (before even booking).”

               - Start reaching out to vendors as soon as possible so that you have as much time as possible to break down all of the details. The best vendors book up very far in advance and have a never ending stream of communication happening with their current and future couples, so you have to give them some grace if you hope to be one of the couples they are giving all of their attention to. 

“When COVID happens 3 weeks before your wedding date, don’t try to reschedule.  Just cancel and elope”

               - She said what she said 🤣 (don’t forget to have us sketch the beautiful memory for you after to gift to anyone who couldn’t be there!). Obviously, everyone’s situation is different, but definitely do not knock this option.

“I was really happy to have done premarital counseling!”

                - Some churches require this if you choose to get married there,  but counseling is never a bad idea! Even if you already live with your significant other, choosing to legally bind yourselves together is still a huge change. Having a 3rd (non bias) party can help sort through things you two might never have thought of! Being mentally prepared for this would start your marriage off on the right foot.

“Do whatever the fuck you want for your day.  Don’t invite people for the sake of it.  You can have the humblest and lowest budget wedding, but a good photographer and videographer will make it look like a million dollars”

                 - Before reaching out to any vendors or making any plans, the most important part of wedding planning is to decide what is top priority to you. For many people it’s the photographer, or the entertainment, or the dress. From there you decide what to cut costs on. The easiest way to dial back is by shrinking the guest list! There are so many pieces of your wedding are charged on a per-person basis, so less people = less money spent. We like to think of it as “if I wouldn’t want to take you to dinner on a regular basis, I don’t want to pay for your dinner at my wedding (respectfully)”.

Add your tips in the comments below to help other others that are getting married! 

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

So much time is spent in the last few days leading up to the wedding trying to decide who will be at what table. Opinions will be coming from everywhere, and the final atmosphere of your wedding will all be dependent on making sure the right group of people are sat together for dinner.

You don’t want to put all of that hard work to waste if no one can figure out where they are supposed to be! Having an escort card wall/table will make it fun and functional for your guests to find their seats so we put together 10 ideas to make sure the escort wall is one to remember:

1. A drinks wall

Champagne, mini margs, either in a salted shot glass or mini patron bottle with straw, any other drink that goes with the theme: this is a fun way to get the party started and set the tone of the reception. 

2. Moscow mule mugs

They can fill them up at the bar or take them home to make their own cocktails!

3. Mini records

Show your mutual love of music by putting your guests’ names on a record with their table number. Chances are that most of the selfies will be taken with this wall as their background!

4. Paper flowers

Use these to really anchor your color scheme and create a statement piece in the wedding. 

5. Plants/flowers in mini vases

If flowers are important to you, this is the perfect way to share that love with each of your guests. Get their names calligraphed on the vases!

6. Boarding passes

All aboard the love story that is the reason everyone has gathered. This would be especially great for a destination wedding or one with a travel theme.

7. Fortune cookies

Your fortune will obviously be bright on your wedding day, so share that positivity with your guests (and give them a little snack at the same time!)

8. Food table/wall

Donuts, cupcakes, cheese, lemons, etc: anything edible is always a hit in group events. It will also keep everyone occupied while you and your newly beloved take any last minute photos. 

9. Mini charcuterie boards/boxes/cones

To be saved for midnight snacks back at the hotel after a long night of dancing at the reception!

10. Bookmarks

A little token of your passion for reading can both help your guests to find their seats as well as hold their spot in the next book that desperately don’t want to put down. 

Keep in mind that many of these options can double as wedding favors! We love a multi purpose wedding element. Use the escort card wall as a statement piece in your wedding decor.

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

Planning a wedding requires a collaboration of creative minds, willing hands, and endless amounts of love. The friends and family that come together to turn your special day into a dream come true work tirelessly for you, and sometimes it can be hard to show them how much that means to you. Today we wanted to share some inspiration to help you show the love that you feel on your wedding day. 

The Bridesmaids

The team you choose to have next to you when you say “I do” will go through a lot with you during your planning process. They will plan many parties, listen to you complain about your future mother in law, and buy a dress that they will most likely never wear again. Traditionally the bride will buy her girls the jewelry, and/or hair and makeup services for the day of. If you’d like to do more, a customized jewelry case or travel bag would be a great edition that would be used again and again. 

The Groomsmen

Although the guys are typically less involved in the details of wedding planning, they are still a very special part of the day. Just like the girls typically get their day of jewelry, getting the groomsmen quirky matching socks can make for some incredible pictures. You can also make lasting memories with custom flasks that they will most likely start and end the party with!

Family

Who can forget your parents?? They not only raised you to be the person who the love of your life fell in love with, but they most likely put the most heart (and probably paycheck) into your wedding planning. What they would appreciate the most is something sentimental. A SamiaLynn custom illustration is the perfect gift to keep the memory of such a special day alive forever!

This would also be a great idea for other special people like your grandparents, aunts/uncles, or anyone else that contributed to your big day. 

The Flower Girl and/or Ring Bearer

The cutest little balls of chaos that will walk down your aisle… (unless your dogs will be joining you that day!). Your wedding day will be a day that they most likely will not remember, but will be reminded of  time and time again, including when you attend their weddings years down the time. One of the best things you can gift these kiddos is reception entertainment like a coloring book and special snacks. And then later you can gift them embarrassing pictures of them running around in their underwear when the fancy clothes get too itchy!

So many times in wedding planning it can be easy to get caught up in paying vendors and deciding on your wedding registry. You don’t want to forget to choose personalized gifts for the people who love you enough to make your day absolutely perfect.

Have you already found the perfect gifts? We’d love to know in the comments!

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

We know that finding the right makeup artist can be daunting. Also, let’s be real, it’s one of the most important parts of the wedding. Without that perfect makeup application, the photos and memories won’t look as good!

*And, no, your “really really good” every day make up skills are not the same as what a professional gives you to look great on camera*

Today on the blog we have Tahmina Zamarial of Zamarial Allure Studios. She’s a ridiculously talented, traveling professional makeup artist & hair stylist and I’ve brought her in to give us the top 5 things brides should know before they book their MUA for their special day.

1. Book in Advance

Make up and hair artists can get booked just as far in advance as any other wedding vendor, so definitely do NOT put this off

2. Do your research and save inspiration photos

By doing your own research in advance, you’ll get familiar with pricing and the process for trials, booking, and day-of.  Remember to save your favorite looks to your Pinterest board or phone so you can show your potential MUA

3. Search for makeup artists that resonate with your favorite style

Just like no one dress fits all, the same goes for your MUA. Be sure to narrow down your search to those that will be able to work with your skin tone and actually be able to accomplish the look you’re going for

4. Ask for Consultation/Trial

It’s extremely important that you and your artist are on the same page (description terms don’t mean the same to everyone) and that they can not only deliver what you’re asking for, but be able to perfect it to exactly how you want to look

5. Don’t be shy about spending a little extra on your wedding MUA!

You’ve heard it before: “You get what you pay for”

Tahmina is based in DC and has over 10 years of make up artistry experience. She has worked with companies such as ULTA and MAC Cosmetics, and was trained by make up artist icon, Makeup by Mario. Tahmina says “My passion is fueled by my desire to help every person that sits in my chair to bring their inner beauty to shine on the outside”.

If you’d like to work with Tahmina for your wedding, you can learn more about her services and book at www.zasmakeup.com. Be sure to follow her on Instagram @makeupbyzas and definitely check out the before and afters (my favorite!)

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

One of the core traditions in a wedding is handing out favors at the end of the night. If that sentence alone doesn’t trigger a memory of pastel Jordan Almonds, have you even been to a wedding??

There are beautiful meanings behind this traditional treat, but it does now feel slightly over done and old fashioned. Today we want to share some updated and modern favor options that your wedding guests would actually be excited to bring home with them. 

Polaroid photos

Set up a photo area with Polaroid cameras and let your guests go wild. They will love being able to go home with something to keep the memories alive with their fellow guests

Assorted candies

Set up a mini candy shop at your reception and let’s your guests fill up their own bags to bring home. No matter how old the guest, everyone will be reliving their childhood dreams all over again 

Shop local

Support a small business by buying and sharing their product as your wedding favors. This could be local honey,  pastries, soap, books, olive oil, the list goes on. For holidays it can be ornaments or hot chocolate mix

Go green

A popular choice nowadays is mini plants (or seeds)! Whether you choose succulents, air plants, or cacti, most guests (who aren’t plant killers like me) would love to add more green to their collection

For the winter couples

Send your guests home with a cosy blanket! Doubles as a useful wedding accessory if your ceremony is outside during the colder months. Personalize the wrapping with a custom ribbon or artsy paper

Let’s be honest here. The fastest way into anyone’s heart is through their stomach. Your guests will probably be happier leaving with a midnight snack than they would ever be with a koozie that has your wedding date printed on it

Most importantly, if you choose to do wedding favors, just make sure that they represent who you are as a couple!

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

Some of us have been planning our weddings since middle school, but there are still plenty of you out there that get engaged and have no idea what to do next. And many of us in the first category aren’t getting married any time soon… 

We have created a timeline for those brides-to-be that have a ring and no clue what to do next. Every wedding will be different, but this is the ideal step by step process to make sure you can have a stress-free I Do Day. 

Step 1

Enjoy being engaged! You can only call yourself a  fiancé for a short amount of time, so take as long as you want after the proposal to simply sit in the bliss of engaged life (even when people are asking you a million wedding questions 5 minutes after the proposal)

Step 2

Set your priorities and your budget. If you know what you are working with and what means the most to you, it will be easy to begin the search for vendors in your price point and be sure to do a little cost research before you start reaching out to vendors. If you’re hiring a wedding planner, now is definitely the time to do it so they can help with as much as possible

Step 3

Set the guest list. Depending on how willing you are to cut/ add depending on the perfect venue, this might go alongside step 2. We are here for the aesthetic though which means you see what the venue fits and you fill it accordingly. The most important thing to remember here is that nothing adds up as quickly as paying for people's dinner on your wedding night. The #1 way to save money on your wedding is to cut people from the guest list (the harsh but real truth).

Step 4

Location, location, location.  Venues book up extremely early so if your heart is set on a specific location you better act fast. This is especially important right now because you will still be competing with Covid brides. Typically booking your venue and setting a date happens one to two years in advance. Don’t rule out Friday weddings or “off season” months.

Pro tip: getting your venue for less than a year away isn’t always the best thing, even when available, because many of your other vendors will be booked already (photographer, band, etc)

Step 5

Say yes to the dress! It can take up to 8 months for a dress to be manufactured and then two to three months of alterations. You also don't want to be checking email constantly in the last few months before the wedding waiting for your dress to arrive. Order early enough to avoid stress and rush fees.

Step 6

Vendors! Hiring all of your vendors will need to happen 9 months to a year before your big day. This will include a caterer, photographer, videographer, band/DJ, and florist. By now you should have an idea of the overall aesthetic and color palette for the wedding. Also, don’t forget other vendors that might need a longer timeline, such as entertainers, stationers, or if you’re getting something custom created.

Step7

The finishing touches! In the last 6 months leading up to the wedding all of the big decisions should be made already. You are now left with sending the invites, planning the honeymoon (!), and day of transportation (if you haven’t done that already). A Cricut machine will be your best friend during this stage for decor and sign creation.  6 months is also the perfect time for your wedding party to order their outfits (they need time to get alterations too!).

Step 8

Organization. The month or 2 before your wedding will be the time that you start putting together all of the pieces that have been floating around in anticipation for the big day. Make sure you’ve scheduled out any beauty treatments and hair cuts, and the little things like place cards or wedding favors. This is also the time to get your seating chart in order.

Step 9

Delegate. If you’ve hired a wedding planner they will do this for you, but if not you’ll need to figure out “day of” timeline like hair/makeup, wedding party arrivals, steaming, time for breakfast, etc. and then assign people to make sure each of those things happen on time. You shouldn’t have to lift a finger on your wedding day!

Step 10

Deep breath. The morning of the wedding your goal will be to make sure your vows are written and that your glam squad is making you look like your absolute best. After that, whatever will happen will happen and is out of your control.

Happy Planning!

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

We have been noticing a theme of “buck the tradition” with an aftershock of “wait, what am I supposed to do?!” So today we wanted to show you new ways to follow the traditional anniversary gifts. Also, who couldn’t use some good gift inspo? Sometimes it can be hard to find a gift that says 1,000 words AND will be used for years to come. 

Year 1: Paper

No need to look any further, SamiaLynn will make you a custom illustration of your wedding day, your honeymoon, or just a day with your fur baby. Make it extra special with a hand written note and you will have set the bar high for all other anniversaries.

Click here to shop

Year 2: Cotton

This is a great time to get essentials like a much needed clothing item or rug for the house. It would be an even better time to upgrade all of the linens in your house if you forgot to include that in your wedding registry! Some of us just keep rebuying the cheapest Target sheets every time our partner’s toe nails rip holes in the current pair or our hair products damage the color… one year into a marriage maybe things will be better… 😂 

Year 3: Leather

Everyone needs a nice bag to carry to work. A leather tote or briefcase will make you feel so powerful walking into the office every day. If you and your partner are looking for something more romantic, gift each other leather passport holders and plan a trip that involves stamping them! We are all about gifting experiences (and then customizing illustrations to keep the memories alive forever)

Year 5: Wood

This is another great excuse for gifting an experience. To fit the theme, we’d recommend doing an outdoor adventure! If this is not your thing, find a new piece of furniture, or even something as simple as a framed piece of art. 

Year 8: Bronze or pottery

You can go with the expected like a new set of dishes, or make it something fun and unexpected like getting your hands dirty in a pottery class. Obviously you can’t go wrong with gifting some beautiful bronze jewelry! 

Year 10: Aluminum or tin

This one does not sound romantic at all… but let’s personalize it and make it memorable. You can engrave photos, bowls, or even key chains. You could also take it more literally and create a gift basket out of things that come in tin jars like tea, lotions, candles. Make a spa day out of it!

Send this to your spouse for them to bookmark and reference every year!!

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

Being in the wedding industry has opened our eyes to the availability (or lack thereof) of LGBTQ+ friendly merchandise for all weddings. Sometimes finding variety outside of the Mr. & Mrs. selections can be hard if you’re not looking to custom order every part of your planning experience. Today we wanted to share with you a few of our favorite businesses that show their pride all year long with fun finishing touches for all wedding events. 

Psst…If you are looking for resources for inclusive wedding planning, lgbtweddings.com is a great place to start!

lgbtq+ shops:

The Peculiar Pelican

She creates custom wooden sign for your wedding day. The shop is filled with every possible wording your Pinterest has you dreaming about for your ceremony and reception. Some you might even want to take home as decor to remember your wedding day with!

Click here to visit

The Ritzy Rose

This team has the most colorful department for all LGBTQ+ including everything from coming out cards to wine bottle labels! Their signage is also timelessly beautiful. We’d recommend starting here for your engagement announcement and then ending with your flower girl/ ring bearer signs to walk down the aisle with. 

Click here to visit

Wild Nova

They have every version of ENgayGED attire you could ever dream of! From the moment you get engaged, they have a shirt for every occasion as well as always being prepared for pride. They even have Ally and “the future is fluid” shirts for anyone else who wants to join the movement.  Bonus: they’re environmentally friendly!

Click here to visit

Taylor Street Favors

Derek and David create the most beautiful cake toppers (and that is saying something because WOW cake toppers can be tacky) and even mini Mrs. & Mrs. cup cake toppers! It is also a great place to look for gifts for all couples. 

Click here to visit

Lifetime creations

This family run business follows through with their name by engraving glass that you will use for the rest of your life. Get you and your fiance Mr(s) and Mr(s) (or any verbiage of your choosing) champagne glasses to toast with on your wedding night and then again on every anniversary. 

Click here to visit

PS: If you live in the DMV area, Abiddoodle Productions has curated an amazing list of LGBTQ+ friendly wedding resources because you shouldn’t have to be the person that shifts the “norm” when it comes to planning your wedding

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

I’m probably one of the few people who look forward to destination weddings. I love to travel and usually just see it as an opportunity to go somewhere new and appreciate that I have friends who think the same way.

For the couple though, planning a wedding IN town can already be overwhelming so many don’t even want to consider elsewhere. Well, friends, it doesn’t have to be that way as long as you’re organized. First of all, you should be hiring a planner (we talked about that in a previous post) but I’ve also recruited destination planner Gabby Pinkerton from ‘Cause We Can Events to give ya’ll a few things to consider when you’re starting to plan your destination wedding:

1. Marriage licenses

Getting a marriage license in another country can be really hard! I always recommend having a legal ceremony back home and doing a fun ceremony abroad. If you don't want to tell your friends and family that it's not actually the "real ceremony" have your officiant bring their own made up marriage certificate. No one needs to know!

2. Plan for wrinkled clothing

I like to bring a portable steamer to help steam the wrinkles out of your dress, tux, jumpsuit, you name it!

3. Tipping protocol

Not every country tips (and some even consider it an insult)! Read up on local and cultural best practices when it comes to tipping your vendors. This also applies in the general sense that your country of choice should match your personal preferences

4. Sim cards and cell phone plans

Your current cell phone plan may not work abroad. Be sure to call your provider before leaving to choose a plan that works best for you for contacting your vendors and keeping guests in the loop. I also like to download WhatsApp so that I can "text" vendors over wifi instead of through my phone provider. It's free!

Gabby and her team are based in Nashville and are a full service wedding planning company. But they’re more than that, they’re here to make your adventurous wedding dreams come true. They keep it personal and unique to you and your S.O. (there’s a reason I like them so much!) so check them out at www.causewecanevents.com and view all the gorgeous photos on Instagram @causewecanevents.

Happy Planning!

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

As someone who has worked in both fashion and bridal, it’s hard to truly “wow” me when I see engagement rings. Diamonds sure do lose their sparkle when you’ve seen what starts to feel like the same ring over and over again. (If I’ve ever complimented your ring, know that I REALLY do love it!)

Yes, you should feel bad for my significant other when it comes time for him to propose. 

That being said, to each her own! Everyone has their own personal style and there are engagement rings out there for everyone. Some may just be more easily googled than others! 

In this age of bucking traditions when it comes to wedding planning, I think you could also consider choosing a unique engagement ring. Now don’t try to tell me that your fiancé is picking out the ring and will be surprising you, we know that you are fully in control of that shared Pinterest board titled “💍”.  

When choosing a ring you really want, think about your personal style. Not the trends that you are following right now, but who you are down to the basics of your wardrobe. Are you preppy, edgy, classic, modern? If you don’t know, my suggestion is to see who you take style inspo from on Instagram and see what they hashtag. The key words should be right under your nose. Those are great descriptive words to use to start your search. 

For example, many people like a timeless look, but in a way that you literally can’t tell which decade your clothes are from. Personally, my wardrobe is half staple pieces from places like Target or online stores, and half vintage and pieces I bought abroad. If thrifting and sustainability are important to you, then a vintage ring is the PERFECT option.

This idea is not for everyone which is great because that keeps the cost of second hand rings down for me! If you are looking for a way to stay eco friendly when picking out your ring, moissanite is actually a great option. I know, I know, you are “supposed” to wear a diamond because they are a girl’s best friend! But we will negate that soon. Moissanite is being talked about a lot recently because it is a lot cheaper than diamonds (which means you get more sparkle for your buck) and they are lab grown, not mined in the same inhuman way that diamonds are. Think of it as saving the world one carat at a time!

That being said, who said you needed a clear stone?? If your personality is bright and colorful, why can’t your engagement ring represent that? This is a ring that you will be wearing consistently for years to come, make sure it fits in with your aesthetic. Ruby, emerald, sapphire, or any other precious stone would make for a beautiful forever ring.

If you need colored stone inspiration, check out your birthstone!  As a June baby I would definitely not mind incorporating pearls into my ring

Whatever you choose, whether it’s a simple stone on a simple band, a collection of stones placed to look like your favorite flower, or anything in between, it should be something you will be proud to show off now and at your 50th wedding anniversary. 

What does your dream ring look like??

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

When it comes to wedding entertainment the first thing that comes to mind is usually the decision between a DJ or a band, but what else could you include in your wedding that would keep guests guessing about what else you might have up your sleeve on your big day? Right now one of the biggest trends in weddings is the idea of going against tradition. If you have some extra room in your budget (maybe because you decided to have a fabulous micro wedding rather than a 200 person event), you should consider throwing something a little different into your reception to spicy things up. We promise not to tell anyone if you take an idea or two from us and make it your own 😉

1. Dance instructor

If you know that your group is always down for a spin on the dance floor, why not surprise everyone with a professional dance instructor to clean up their moves just a bit? This could be salsa dancing, maybe a traditional dance to promote your culture, or go crazy with a hip hop lesson. Everyone could learn something new and have fun while doing it!

2. Professional artist

Pick your medium of choice and then hire a professional for a few hours to come and live sketch, paint, or draw your reception or guests. You would leave with a lasting memory of the evening that is separate from the photographer and/or videographer and each of your guests could have a personal memory of themselves.

Interested in live illustration?  Check out my services here!

3. Mini Golf

This isn’t your sibling’s corn hole set (still a favorite yard game). Step it up a notch and take over any open green space with strategically placed mini golf courses! Multiple holes also means a few groups of people can play at once and clean up is simple. Golf competition anyone?

4. Bouncy House

This option certainly isn’t for everyone, but for those of us that are still a kid at heart (or need a break from dancing), having a beautiful white bouncy house is so much fun! Bonus: it’s great for any actual children that might be at your reception.

5. Snacks!

Ok this might not seem like your typical entertainment source, but can you tell me the last time someone brought out snacks and everyone in the room didn’t get excited?! One of our favorite ways to end a long night of dancing is with a late night snack, so why not just incorporate that into the timeline? About an hour before the DJ plays his final song, have munchies passed around. This could be French fries, milk and cookies, popcorn, or literally anything that you would want when you left after a long (but fun) night. 

Now, we aren’t trying to plan your wedding for you, but we are saying that any or all of these ideas could be mixed and matched to create the perfect wedding reception! And if you decide to include them just know that we would like to be included in the guest count because it sounds like you sure know how to have a fun time! 

Are you planning any fun surprises for your guests that we haven’t thought of yet??

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn