Reader Question: Should I invite all my bridesmaids dress shopping?

Question: I have a large bridal party of six girls. I am having a hard time coordination schedules. Is it important to have all of my bridal party with me when I go dress shopping for my dress and their bridesmaid dresses?

Answer: Having a group of your nearest and dearest friends and family members seems like the ideal way to pick out dresses. In reality, it can be a huge stress. With so many people, it's unlikely you will easily find a date when everyone can attend. More importantly, when you have too many people you have too many opinions. Oftentimes you'll end up going with what the group thinks you should buy over what you really want. Although their opinions are valuable, it is your wedding. Bring your mom, Maid of Honor, or close friend. Narrow it down to a few choices and then bring the other girls in for the final decision.

Destination Wedding Wednesday

Turks & Caicos

Photo Credit: B Brilliant by Tropical Imaging

Inspire Me Monday

Photo Credit: Intimate Weddings Blog

Reader Question: Can I invite guests to the shower who aren't invited to the wedding?

Question: My daughter is having a small wedding with just close friends and family. Is it OK to invite guests to her shower that will not be invited to the wedding?

Answer: The short and sweet answer here is NO! When you get an invitation to the shower, you can expect to get an invitation to the wedding. It is considered extremely discourteous to invite a guest to any pre-wedding event but not the wedding. It will come across like the guest is good enough to give a gift at the shower, but not important enough to be invited to the wedding. If she is keeping the wedding guest list short, keep your shower guest list just as short.

At the end of the day, you don’t want people to look back and think that their “presents” were welcome but not their “presence.”

Thanks to Susan for the great question! Do you have an etiquette question for us? Email us at stacey@asyouwishwed.biz!

Non-Floral Bridal Bouquets!

Flowers aren't for everyone. For brides looking to do something less traditional and super fun, consider a non-floral bouquet!

Photo Credits:

Lollipop Bouquet - Button Bouquet - Clutch Bouquet
Brooch Bouquet - Seashell Bouquet - Feather Bouquet
Love Nest Bouquet - Origami Bouquet - Pinwheel Bouquet

Cinco De Mayo Inspiration Boards

Happy Cinco De Mayo!


Photo Credits:

Margarita Cupcake from Sugar Bomber, Maracas from Paloma Images, Mexican Feast from Presidente Restaurant
Tablescape from Social Couture, Custom hot sauce from beaucoup favors, Dancers from Fun Themed Party Ideas
Day of The Dead from Daisy Varley, Tablescape from Daisy Varley, Pinata Bride from wish special events
Placecard by Evrim Icoz Photography, Churro Bar from The Flirty Guide, Mojito Bar from Squidoo

Eventology Wrap-Up!

This week I was in Indianapolis for Eventology 2010, an educational conference for wedding professionals. I met over 100 amazing planners and professionals from all over the country while discovering a city I had never visited before. I learned more than I could ever have imagined while at the conference. The lineup of speakers was perfectly balanced between the business side and the creative side of wedding planning: Linnyette Richardson-Hall, Ali Phillips, Harmony Walton, Saundra Hadley, NaShara Mitchell, Sasha Souza, Terrica Skaggs, & Lara Casey.

We were lucky enough to have the entire event documented by the talented Epic Motion (Day 1 & Day 2) and Jen Lynne Photography.

The best part was all of the new friends I made. I met some of the coolest people and now have a nationwide support system. For any planners debating whether they should attend next year, I whole-heartedly say yes!

Lisa Green, Me!, Aletha VanderMaas, & Tammy Golson

Wish Upon A Wedding!

Wish Upon A Wedding was founded in San Francisco, CA, in January of 2010, by a group of wedding and business entrepreneurs and is America’s FIRST nonprofit wedding wish granting organization, producing weddings and civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States for individuals facing terminal illness, regardless of sexual orientation.

Chapters:

Wish Upon A Wedding is now boasting twenty chapters nationwide, headed by some of the industry’s most renowned leaders with plans to expand to over 40 chapters worldwide.

Presidents:

Sasha Souza, National President & SF Bay Area President

Kevin Covey, LA/Orange County

Stella Inserra, New York

Ivy Robinson, The Carolinas

Eliana Baucicault, Atlanta

Mary Alice Sublett, Tennessee

Mark Kingsdorf, Philadelphia

Saundra Hadley, Indianapolis

Heather Hamilton Sims, Houston

Shelby Tuck Horton, DC

Elisa Delgardio, Orlando

Ali Phillips, Chicago

Daniela Isabella Ferdico Fagét, Seattle

Forming Additional Chapters:

Other chapters opening soon include Boston, Colorado, Arizona, Portland, Miami, St. Louis, Ohio and Nevada. We are also planning to open to chapters in other areas depending on need including international chapters. If you wish to start a chapter, please fill out the online form for consideration.

Who Is Behind Wish Upon A Wedding?

Many influential people in the industry are beginning to endorse Wish Upon A Wedding & you can find those endorsements on the website. There are also amazing people sitting on the Boards and Advisory Panel throughout the US such as Dana Larue Stiebel “Broke-Ass Bride” {LA Chapter PR Chair}, Leila Khalil {National PR Advisor}, Beth Helmstetter {National Outreach Director} just to name a few. They would love to have you join as well either as a board member or wish granter!

How We Grant Wishes:

To qualify for Wishes, applicants must be unmarried legal citizens of the United States, over the age of 18, who have been diagnosed with less than three years to live. Couples can be granted wishes either in the chapter where they live or in a chapter of their choosing as long as they are able to make the trip.

Couples can simply apply online to request one of three wedding types:

URGENT (Up to 10 guests, in hospital or at bedside);

BOUTIQUE (up to 25 guests, in home town of applicant);

ROMANTIC (Up to 50 guests, at any WUW destination)

How Can You Grant Wishes?

As the organization is building, Wish Granters are needed in all locations. Please apply online today to start helping Wedding Wishes come true. In two weeks, Wish Upon A Wedding will be granting the very first wish. To read more about that wish and the couple please visit the website.

Please use this info on your own blog and during the course of this week...if you have the time and the room on your blog this week.

It will help build a network of very important people in this industry whose main goal is to help these very deserving couples. After all, if you are in the business of creating lifetime memories, we are now asking you to help us create memories for those who are left behind because these couples do not have a lifetime together.

Real Wedding: Carla & Cian - The Details

Carla and Cian held their tented wedding at a private family residence in Glen Ridge, NJ. They wanted a personal, relaxed and fun fall wedding. We incorporated wheat throughout, the Christian symbol for prosperity. Check out some of the incredible details of their day:

All guests were greeted by trays of spiked Arnold Palmers in mason jars (which became a crowd favorite which flowed all night!).

The bride and groom wanted their guests to be comfortable, so Cian provided his close friends with matching Chuck Taylors!

The menu was upscale bbq cuisine including ribs and corn on the cob. We created custom wetnaps to keep the guests fingers clean!

The centerpieces were in mason jars to tie in with the signature drinks.

I had the perfect team behind me to make Carla and Cian's day flawless.

Hair & Makeup: I Do Hair & Make-Up
Flowers: Flowers by Connie Reimer
Photography: Tania Lezak Photography
Stationery: Designs By MK
Monogram and Favor Tags: Peekaboo Paperie
Wetnaps: As You Wish Wedding & Event Design
Catering: Culinary Creations
Candy Apples: Carol Weaver (email us for information)
Table Numbers, Mr. & Mrs. Signs, and Carla & Cian signs: The Back Porch Shoppe

Thank you Carla & Cian for being amazing clients! I was truly honored to be a part of your day!

If you have any questions about anything you have seen here, email us at stacey@asyouwishwed.biz! Photo Credit: Tania Lezak Photography

Real Wedding: Carla & Cian

Back in September, I had the privilege of working with Carla & Cian. They are hands down the most loving couple I have ever worked with. Their day was about them and nothing else. It was personal and filled with love. They hold a special place in my heart as one of my favorite couples. I want to share so much of their wedding that it won't fit in one post. Here are a few personal shots. Does it get more gorgeous than this?

Check back on Wednesday for detail shots of their big day!

Photo Credit: Tania Lezak Photography