Fabulous Fridays: Lovely Events + Images

Since its a holiday weekend, I'll keep today's post light and sweet. I hope that everyone has a great 3 day weekend, wear lots of sunscreen, relax and have fun.

A couple weeks ago, I had the most incredible opportunity to help Cyd {The Sweetest Occasion} and Ami {Elizabeth Anne Designs} on a photoshoot down at Lovely {a new bridal store that really and truly is lovely}. Cyd and Ami did a kick a$$ job with the details and making a truly affordable tablescape, so be sure to check out the images here and here.

J.Crew opened their newly minted Bridal Store yesterday! There's a launch party on June 2nd ~ details below:



Happy Weekend!

Bridal Gown Sample Sale @ Saks

June 2 - June 6, Saks is hosting a $999.00 bridal gown sample sale on the 9th floor. Some amazing designers are going to be on sale, so make sure you check it out!



{disclaimer: I received no compensation for this post}

Interview with Sara Rue

In one word, Sara Rue is glowing. She’s glowing from her engagement and upcoming wedding and she’s glowing from her fabulous weight loss with Jenny Craig. I was lucky enough to attend an event recently at the Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier where Sara was checking out wedding dresses looking for inspiration for her wedding. We had a moment to sit down and chat about Jenny and about her wedding {and check out her beautiful bling!} and I can say with 100% honesty, this gal is the sweetest and nicest person ever. She described her wedding style as “vintage, antiquey with lots of color and on the more romantic side” with a wedding day that emphasizes "fun, love and no pressure". Since she and her fiance have an affinity for beer pong, it’ll likely be included in the wedding day festivities as well {as an aside, I love this idea – always aim to include a hobby or something you are passionate about as a couple in your wedding day – its your day, do what you want, not what ‘tradition’ dictates}.

She went on to discuss her experience on Jenny Craig and losing 40 lbs in 5 months {girl, you are my role model now!} and she stressed that the program really is a lifestyle, not a diet. She describes it as “dieting for dummies” as you really go back and re-learn the basics – portion control, exercise, and shifting ones thinking away from the emotional eating and more into making smart choices. Sara spoke a lot about her consultant and the constant supply of support that her consultant offers – she said that it has been key to sticking with the program and not getting derailed. As a skeptic when it comes to weight loss programs, I was encouraged to hear Sara say that this Jenny Craig experience has made her “hopeful” and that the program is truly satisfying and easy to include in one’s every day life.

Well, Sara, all I can say is that you are an incredible woman to have met and spent time with – your attitude regarding Jenny Craig and all that you’ve learned is truly contagious and inspiring. I know that your wedding day will be a truly amazing experience for you, your fiance and your guests and I wish lots of love, happiness and success in life.





{images via ABC News & Getty Images}

Do you have that in my size?

Perhaps you are the woman whose always known what her wedding dress was going to be, or perhaps (like me), you have no idea, yet you know what you don't want.

Finding a dress can be a simple or a difficult task, it really depends on fundamentally understanding your body type and what looks good on it. I encourage you to try on many different styles/shapes/colors when you enter into a bridal salon - you really never know what is going to look the best on you. Firstly, stark white just about never looks good on anyone, but there are some really flattering shades of white, off white, champagne and the like that do. Same goes for different cuts - try sleeveless, strapless, with sleeves, ballgown, a-line, empire waist, silk, satin, lace, beaded or plain. There are so many options out there to choose from. Just try a few different things on and find a dress that a) you love and b) that's comfortable (this is important!) and c) that looks amazing on you. I promise, its out there.

Lastly, don't take an entire entourage with you when you are trying dresses - take a select group of no more than 3 people. Too many opinions will give you a headache and confuse you. Also, if the sales people try to push dresses on you that you would rather curl up into a ball and throw on the ground, don't try them just to please the sales person. Ask why they think its right for you and if their rationale doesn't convince you, say no thank you. They aren't going to be wearing the dress to your wedding - you will be!

Happy Shopping!
-Lisa

Venue secured, now what?

You should feel like a big weight has been lifted once you've found a venue and secured it. Its probably starting to really feel like you're getting married! Since you're on such an awesome roll of getting things accomplished for the wedding, whats next?

Finalize your guest list, look for a gown and start thinking about who should marry you.

For your guest list - you typically get a 15-20% decline, so think about this when you are putting your list together. If your goal is 100 guests at the event, invite 115 to 120 (and so on and so forth). Also, try and avoid the A list / B list way of inviting guests - people can find out and/or figure it out (I was the recipient of a B list invite a few months ago - it was obvious too - received the invitation 5 days before the wedding ...). You don't want to upset people by inviting them too late or run the risk of them finding out that they didn't get invited. People shouldn't expect to be invited, but if someone is running around town saying they can't wait for your wedding, yet they aren't actually going to be a guest that day, just tell them. Or, think about inviting them. On the A list.

Looking for a gown - its one of the best parts of getting married! Start tearing out gown pictures and hit up a few salons. Try everything on, even if you think that on the hanger its not going to work. You'll be completely surprised. I also suggest only taking 1 or 2 people with you for these first visits - you want an outside opinion, but not a jury.

For an officiant - if you have a family affiliation, look there first. If you don't, start reaching out to various officiants. You really want someone who understands you as a couple and who you think will be the best person to make your union official. Definitely interview a few officiants - and find out what will be required of you as couple to be their clients. Is there pre-marital counseling? How many times will you be required to meet? Are there workshops you need to attend? I personally loved our pre-marital talks, but for some, they may not have the time or want to delve into the nitty gritty (my favorite question was "in your opinion, what is the role of the husband" ... that really got me thinking), so when you meet with your potential officiant, make sure all of these time requirements are outlined.

Now, relax. Don't forget to spend some non-wedding related time together with your soon to be. Its the most important item on your checklist of things to do!

Happy Planning!
-Lisa