Gifts for the Bride-To-Be

Now that we're coming out of "engagement season," we all have friends that have recently gotten engaged. The hard question is, what to get them? Here are some fun ideas that can help the new bride-to-be get the ball rolling on her big day!


The Perfect Tote Bag

LL Bean

Etsy

These adorable totes will help get the bride off to a great start on the planning process. Don't stop there - you can fill it with things like business card holders, magazines, and tissues, making it an amazing survival kit for the bride!

Champagne and Magazines

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The first thing that every bride wants to do is dive right into those wedding magazines, and nothing accompanies that better than a nice bottle of champagne. This is a beautiful way to give the bride both!

What is your go-to gift for your newly engaged friends?

Cherry Blossom Love

Cherry blossoms are perfect for a spring wedding, especially since they symbolize love, affection, and are an omen of good fortune - and spring is when they are in full bloom! The blossoms also give a feeling of softness and romance, while the branches can make a huge visual impact. There are some amazing ways to incorporate these beautiful flowers into your wedding.

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These beautiful centerpieces use cherry blossoms, as well as peonies, ranunculus, and sweet pea, to create a romantic pink table setting.

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We love this chuppah - the cherry blossoms create such a beautiful frame for the ceremony.

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This cake is just stunningly bursting with them too!

What do you think about incorporating cherry blossoms into your wedding?

The "Unplugged" Wedding

As a follow up from Monday's post about Instagram, today we thought we'd go to the other side of the "aisle" (yes - pun intended!) and talk about a new trend popping up, the "Unplugged Wedding."

We're all so connected in today's world with our mobile phones and Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, but do you really want pictures like this?

Technology Wedding via Wedding Wire

Technology Wedding via  The Offbeat Bride

Some couples are opting to ask their guests to turn everything off for their big day, or at least the ceremony. Instead, they're nicely asking guests to focus on the reason for the day and the happy couple making a commitment to each other, letting the professionals take the amazing pictures you're paying them for.

Unplugged Wedding Sign via Diva Productions

I think I land somewhere in the middle...I love the idea of a completely unplugged ceremony, but think it would be a fun to see all the candid shots from guests at cocktails and the reception.

Where do you fall on this debate? Are you unplugged or completely connect?

Instagram-ing Your Wedding

Instagram, while  it doesn't compare to your professional photographer by any means, it's a fun way to get your guests involved in the picture taking process! For those who don't know, it's basically Facebook and Twitter for photos.  Here's how to do it:

#Hashtags

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Creating a specific and unique hashtag for your guests to use allows you to easily search for pictures of your wedding. Another perk is the instant ability to enjoy some pictures of your big day.

Profiling

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Creating a new Instagram profile for your event is a great way for your guests to follow your wedding and tag you in their pictures!

Are you encouraging guests to Instagram at your wedding?

Balloons and Your Wedding

Balloons are a fun and whimsical detail to add to your wedding! Not only do they add a unique element, but there are so many different ways to use them.

Whether it be for your save the dates...

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or as part of your reception decorations...

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There are so many ways to incorporate balloons into your special day!

How are you planing to use balloons at your wedding? Or are you not on board with this trend? Comment and let us know!

Birds of Paradise

When you think of tropical flowers and sunshine and sand, Birds of Paradise probably come to mind. But have you ever thought about using them in your wedding?  Check out these gorgeous images from Alexan Events that I'm sure will convince you:

Bird of Paradise Boutonniere via Alexan Events

How elegant is that boutonniere?! Loving these bouquets too!

Bird of Paradise Bouquets via Alexan Events

They are so sleek and modern but still have an air of romance perfect for a wedding. 

This last shot is just as beautiful for incorporating Birds of Paradise into the reception:

Bird of Paradise Centerpieces via Alexan Events

I just love how different they are and how colorful! Would you use them as your signature flower?

Lucky Penny Jar

One more guest book idea and I promise I'll stop.... ok, maybe not, but for a little while at least! ;)

How could I not talk about this though - a Lucky Penny Jar placed next to your guest book!

Lucky Penny Jar via Martha Stewart Weddings

Your guests can each take one with them and make a wish for you, or just carry with them a little luck from your wedding day.

I think this idea is super sweet! How about you?

Quilt Guest Book

I must be in a guest book mood this week because I keep finding super-fun ideas that I can't help but talk about with you all!

I came across this Quilt Guest Book on Swoon Over It:

Quilt Guest Book via Swoon Over It

The sign reads "Please Leave us Warm Wishes!" How cute, right? I love the idea of snuggling up with my new hubby, wrapped in all the love and support from family and friends.

The quilt could be made in your wedding colors and even created by a special quilter as their wedding gift to you.

What do you think of the idea?

Mason Jar Fingerprint Guest Book

While perusing one of my favorite photography blogs, Verve Studio, I found this great new twist on the Fingerprint Guest book!

Mason Jar Guest Book via Verve Studio

Mason Jars are everywhere in weddings right now, but this is the first time I've seen them as a guest book. How perfect is this for a summer wedding?! I love how each guest can draw in their own little firefly too!

And if your wedding is outdoors during firefly season, why not create a Firefly Catching Station? How much fun would it be to have your guests running around catching fireflies? You could set up a table with all different size jars with pre-punched lids, an adorable sign, and have your guests go to town.

What do you think?

You said YES!

Hooray! He popped the BIG question and you said YES! That's simply amazing news and we are incredibly happy for you both!

Sign via The Wedding Chicks

While it's easy (and so much fun) to get instantly absorbed in bridal magazines, Pinterest wedding boards, and becoming "Facebook official," FIRST - I would love to pass along the following short to-do list for the newly engaged from Planning Forever Events. I simply love Saundra's blog and couldn't have said it better myself!

1.  Discuss your wedding budget. Where will the money come from? Are both sets of parents helping? Please don’t book vendors until you know this magic number.

2.  Start a rough guest list. There will be four lists: bride, groom, bride’s family and groom’s family. This will give you a general idea of the number of potential guests you may need to accommodate before you start shopping for a ceremony and reception venue.

3.  Set a date, but keep it flexible if possible. If you don’t have your heart set on a particular date then you will be open to more possibilities for securing a location.

4.  Talk to each other and openly discuss your wedding. What’s the style you want to have? What do you want your guests to experience? What are the top three things that are important to each of you? Both of you speak up and be honest with each other. You both want to feel comfortable with the choices that you will be making as you move forward.

5.  Make an appointment with a wedding planner. I know this sounds self-indulgent … but really, this is the best time if you are going to hire a wedding planner. Starting from the beginning and using the experience and knowledge that a planner brings to the table will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

Your engagement really can, and should be, a fun, romantic, and truly wonderful time before you begin your new life together. By taking a minute to get all your ducks in a row - and these five steps will help you do so - you'll have the perfect starting off point for all the planning to come.

And we're here to help! Check us out at www.masterpieceweddings.net  or give us a call at 352-317-3222.