Tip Of The Week - Bridesmaid Dresses

Tip of the Week - Bridesmaid's Dresses

Hey Everyone! It's Hannah writing today! Last night I was hanging out with my super sweet and hilarious cousin Elizabeth who has more real-life friends than I have as Facebook-friends :-) We always pick on her about how many close girlfriends she has, but she is an amazing friend, so I'm not surprised. Now that many of her girls are getting married, she is establishing quite the collection of bridesmaid dresses. I thought after our converstation last night that I would dedicate today's entry to chic and inexpensive bridesmaid dresses.

Brides, can we all agree to steer clear from $400 couture gowns for your best gal pals? Years ago you were pretty much limited to these high-end designer gowns, but these days the rules are few and the options are unlimited. Get creative and show off your gorgeous friends in something they actually love! They will also love the smaller pricetag, which may come back to benefit you with a killer bachelorette party or an awesome wedding gift. Everybody wins!

Here are some of my personal favorites - and they are all under $100! Woohoo

JS Boutique Strapless Dress in Purple Haze - $54.90 from www.nordstrom.com

Adrianna Papell Rosette Halter Dress in Teal - $87.90 from www.nordstrom.com

Rising Vapor Dress in Black - $98 from www.anthropologie.com

Ruffle Front Halter Dress in Green - $89 from www.thelimited.com

Haute Couture Dress in Poppy (or a hundred other colors!) - $89 from www.etsy.com

Now do your maids a favor and pick one of these cute dresses! And if you need a professional bridesmaid, feel free to call my cousin :-)

Happy Monday!
Hannah

TIP OF THE WEEK: Your First Dance!

So you've picked out your dress, your venue, your flowers, and hopefully you've hired the best wedding planners (A Shindig) to be a part of your big day! Now it's time for one of the more special parts of your wedding day, your first dance with your new bride or groom. For many couples, the first dance is a way to express their love for one another, and their individuality. This is a time when you can have fun, be romantic, or down right sappy. It all depends on the type of couple you are!

Hannah recently took to the land of Facebook to get ideas from her friends and family on what their first dances were. The responses covered all genres and time periods - it was so fun to see what songs were important to these people.



Here's the list they came up with:

Rascal Flatts - "Bless The Broken Road"

Jay Clifford of Jump Little Children - "By The Way They Dance"

Van Morrison - "Mystic"

Ray Lamontange - "Hold You In My Arms"

Bob Marley - "3 Little Birds"

Norah Jones - "Come Away With Me"

Beyonce - "At Last"

Kenny Chesney - "Me and You"

Taylor Dane - "I'll Always Love You"

Gavin Degraw - "Meaning"

Thanks to everyone who responded! Many of these songs we had never heard of, but hopefully what was special to you will inspire others!

Now onto some of our favorite first dance songs (we've heard a lot!)...

Sister Hazel - "This Kind of Love"

John Legend - "Stay With You"

Dave Barnes - "Nothing Fancy"

Dave Barnes - "I Have and Always Will"

Dave Barnes - "My Girl" *This is featured on our website!

Ben Folds - "The Luckiest"

Jack Johnson - "Better Together"

Zack Brown Band - "Got Whatever It Is"

Jason Aldean and Bryan Adams - "Heaven"

Ingrid Michaelson - "The Way I Am"

Queen - "You're My Best Friend"

If you are still having trouble finding that perfect song, take a cue from this couple's version of The Evolution of Dance - it's hilarious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QujA8YYgTWU&feature=youtube_gdata

Feel free to add a comment to this ever-growing list of what you will be dancing to at your wedding, or any other memorable first-dance songs!

Have a great week! Don't forget to come visit us this Sunday at the Cameron Art Museum from 11 to 4 - it's FREE!

Jessica and Hannah

The Cameron Art Museum Wedding Open House

We were thrilled when given the opportunity to be a part of the Open House at The Cameron Art Museum on Sunday, April 25th! The Cameron Art Museum provides a perfect and unique space for so many brides and grooms to gather with those closest to them and celebrate their special day!

The Museum will be open, FREE to the public from 11 am to 4 pm showcasing a hand full of amazing wedding vendors! Come see our tables and enjoy yourself! Hope to see you all there!!

TIP OF THE WEEK: Monogram Madness

With wedding season right around the corner, many brides and grooms register for gifts and request that they be monogrammed. Some brides even have a Monogram Shower (a great way to receive items with your new last name!). Whether you are a bride, groom, or guest, here are a few tips from the etiquette books on how the monogram for the new couple should be written.

In general, if the gift is for the couple, the monogram should have the couple's initials. If the gift is linens, the bride's first name will come first since linens are considered to be the bride's domain. So, let's use Jessica and Christian Gibbs for an example. If you are purchasing sheets, towels, or other linens for this sweet couple, the monogram would read J G C. If you are looking at wedding invitations and stationary, programs, or a cake monogram, the bride's initial will once again come first.

However, if the gift is glassware or any other type gift not directly the "bride's domain," the groom's initials will come first, as well as, once the happy couple are married. Jessica and Christian's monogram on these items would read C G J. Remember, with post-marital bliss stationary, the groom's initial will always come first where as before the wedding, the bride's. So much to keep up with, we know! Hopefully this guide will help you along your way!

Here are some of our favorite monogrammed gifts for couples!

Pottery Barn Square Vases - These simple and understated vases have the monogram etched into the glass and are a steal at $12 to $44. PLUS they are offering free shipping!

Red Envelope Chenielle Throw - $59.95. Who doesn't love a cozy throw on the couch to snuggle with your honey with some wine after a hard day at work?

Restoration Hardware Monogrammed Turkish Towels - $16 to $46. Available in 28 colors, you can find the perfect towel to compliment any bathroom! These feel amazing and will last forever!



Williams Sonoma Rope Bedding - $58 to $388. It's a little on the pricey side, but nothing feels better than quality bedding. If there is one thing to splurge on as a new couple, this is it!

Happy Shopping!