Wedding

Weddings Through the Years: 1986

1986

Like most things, weddings have changes throughout the years. Trends go in and out of style, new songs become the favorites, old dresses or hairstyles make way for updated versions. In a series of posts, we’ll talk to brides and grooms who had their weddings at least 10 years ago. We’ll look at what’s different about weddings, what’s the same, and maybe even score some cool ideas from the past to incorporate into today’s ceremonies!

First name: Marc
Year married: 1986

Groom Marc had an indoor wedding, and chimes in for the guy side of the wedding planning.

Tell us about your wedding.
It was the second wedding for me, first for my bride.
In my first marriage, it was a cheap college students’ wedding. Bride and I paid for everything, but got the reception hall free because her grandma was a church member. For my second wedding, her family was college-educated professionals, I was a recently-graduated college professional.. it was a larger and more expensive event. We got married in her state far away.. there was paltry attendance from my side.

What do you remember from the planning? Flowers were catered, as was food for reception. We had a traditional cake with layers.

There was a reception with buffet like style food in a well-lit atrium where the quartet played at the church her entire family attended.

What did you wear? What about your bride? I wore a tux, as opposed to my first wedding when I just wore an off-the-rack gray suit. My bride wore an expensive white dress with hat and veil, makeup and hair done up at the beauty shop, everything.

What was your wedding song? We had Pachelbel’s Canon in D played, as well as a Mendelssohn wedding march, and Jeremiah Clarke Trumpet Voluntary. (The Olympics song!) There was a string quartet, a friend of my wife’s who is a blind singer, and organ music by a professional organist.

What’s a funny memory that stands out? The first time I ever met the bride’s father, he told me that there was still time to flee his family.

Is there anything you want to share from the guy side of weddings? The main things as a guy… I would say, if you’re tall compared to your man (as my wife is) consider wearing flats or ballet slippers! Some guys don’t care, but some do.

Don’t assume he doesn’t want to have input in some of the details. Spend what is appropriate but remember the amount spent doesn’t make the event better or longer-lasting, and debts can hurt the marriage from the get-go.

June 29, 2014

Follow us on Pinterest for great ideas!

Planning a party or wedding? Be sure to check out our Pinterest page by clicking the Pinterest link above!

We sort through thousands of pins every week and organize them into easy-to-browse categories! Whether you need a prom or party idea, or are stuck trying to think up bridesmaid gifts, we’ve got a board for all your event planning needs.

Unlike other Pinterest boards, where there’s one board for a huge topic, we break it down into smaller groups. Brides, how many times have you tried sorting through a board just labeled “weddings”? Frustrating, right?? On our page, you can look through boards like Bridesmaid Dresses, Wedding Hairstyles, Rings, Tips for Brides, Wedding Cakes, Bouquets, Something Blue, Outdoor Weddings, Rustic themes, and more!

cake 1

Planning a different type of event? Check out our boards on Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Corporate Events, Proms, Holidays, Birthday Parties, Theme Parties, and more!

Are we missing a board category that you’d like to see? Let us know in the comments!

May 2, 2014

Weddings Through the Years: 1991

Bride: Shauna
Year married: 1991
Shauna reminisces about her indoor ceremony followed by outdoor reception and what she’d tell brides today.

What’s something unique about your wedding? DJs weren’t big then so we had a friend sing and a harpist.

Were there any trends you included? I remember that puffy sleeves were still a thing, almost no one had strapless dresses. Our hair was still a little big back then. Big cakes were in, but nothing like today. It was a basic three tier frosted cake with pink flowers. We did a color themed wedding.

What was your wedding song? You Needed Me by Anne Murray (I just had to search for the song because I couldn’t remember the title! What a lovely song.)

Tell us about your husband’s outfit, and your dress. My husband wore a three piece tux in gray with a pink bow tie.

My dress was very traditional – lace, long sleeves, hit just at the shoe.

What’s a memory or story that stands out? We went with the most highly recommended photographer in town at the time. One thing we didn’t notice, but sure did when he was taking the pictures – he liked everyone’s head to be tilted to the right just so. In our photos my husband’s brother looks slightly deformed.

What advice would you give a bride planning her wedding today? For a bride today I’d give the advice to not overplan. Mistakes will happen. The most important thing is that you’re marrying that one person you love more than anyone else. Also – eloping in Vegas and putting a down payment on a house isn’t all that bad of an idea..

April 23, 2014

Something Blue

We’ve all heard the expression: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Those are the 4 things you’ll need on your wedding day to have good luck in your marriage. Even if your wedding color scheme has no blue in it at all, that doesn’t mean you can’t have your “something blue” without clashing. Read on for cool ideas on how you can work the color in to your big day.

Dress Accents

Using blue for a dress accent is best if your wedding colors include blue. But even if they don’t, a blue sash or some blue embroidery can add a classy and beautiful touch to your gown.

Garters

One of the classic ways to have a “something blue” is to purchase or make a blue garter. Since it’s hidden for (most!) of the day, it won’t clash with anything, but ensures you still have that blue piece. You can get garters that are all blue, or just ones that have blue accents like jewels or ribbons.

Underwear

Even though your dress may be white, it’s not likely to be a thin enough fabric to show the color of your undies! You can pick up blue lacy underwear, even some specifically for brides, like this cute pair on Pinterest.

Nails

Fingernails and toenails are another simple, classy way to include blue. You can paint your entire nail blue, or just use it as an accent, like to make a heart, or tiny polka dots.

Jewelry

Blue jewelry can look amazing when paired with a crisp white wedding dress. Sapphire and pearl earrings, a Swarovski anklet, or a simple silver and blue necklace can add a lovely touch to your outfit, while bringing in your “something blue.”

Hair Accessories

If you’re not big on jewelry, or if you just want something fun, blue hair accessories are a great choice. A blue hair comb can add elegance, or choose blue flowers for your hair for a spring or summer outdoor wedding.

Shoes

Don’t forget shoes! They’re another place you could choose to work in some blue.

There are many options for this. You could wear an entirely blue shoe, like the cute ones pictured above, or you could get some blue glitter soles, or blue crystal “I do” stick-ons. A cute secret between you and your groom!

crystals

Embroidery

A very personalized way to include blue is to have something embroidered in blue on the inside of your dress. You could have your wedding date, your married name, you and your partner’s initials, a heart, or anything else that is meaningful to you. Just make sure you get this done professionally, and only embroider on fabric that won’t snag or rip!

Did you include “something blue” in your wedding? Tell us about it in the comments!

April 4, 2014

Recent Wedding Inside Look: September 2012

Between wedding magazines, Pinterest, and reality shows, wedding planning ideas are everywhere! In a series of posts, we’ll talk with brides who have gotten married in the last few years to see what they did, and get tips for couples planning their weddings today.

First name: Sadie

Wedding date: September 15, 2012

Bride Sadie only took a few months to plan her outdoor wedding at Stanley Park in Westfield, MA and indoor reception at the Sons of Erin Hall. She tells us all about how she and her husband made the day their own and shows that planning a gorgeous wedding doesn’t have to take years if that’s not your style!

What’s something that was unique about your wedding? We planned it in 2 months’ time, just because we wanted to get married before summer was over. It was shorter and more simple than other weddings I’ve attended. We also read our own vows and I had both my mother and my father walk me down the aisle.

Did you have specific ideas that you really wanted even before you started planning? I knew that I wanted to keep it somewhat simple, but that’s about it.

Were there any popular trends when you got married? Braids or loose waves seemed to be trending for hairstyles; bright colors for bridal party attire; simple square fondant wedding cakes or dessert and candy tables in lieu of cake, etc.

Did you include any of those trends? We had cupcakes with a top tier instead of a big cake, and the groomsmen wore pink ties.

What was your wedding song? “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli

Tell us about your dress. My dress was a strapless white gown. The top was ruched satin that corseted in back, the bottom was lace covered tulle. It had an asymmetrical waist (which is a little trendy) and small appliqué flowers scattered throughout.

Tell us about your partner’s outfit. He wore a classic black suit with a white French-cuff shirt, silver tie, and pocket square.

What’s a memory that stands out the most from your wedding? The reading of our vows. It wasn’t that long ago, so I remember most of it pretty well, but the vows were very important to me and something I don’t think I will ever forget.

What advice would you give to a bride just planning her wedding today? It’s so easy to get stressed out and overly caught up in the wedding planning itself; just make sure you take time to really appreciate each other and the commitment you are about to make. Nothing about the wedding day itself is more valuable than the lifetime of marriage that will hopefully follow!

Photos courtesy of the bride.

March 28, 2014

Let’s Get Dancing!

Getting people dancing at your wedding is both the fun part and – sometimes – the hard part. Be sure to enlist the help of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Your wedding party becomes your unofficial “dance captains” and can help bring friends and family to the dance floor. Read on for other tips to pack the floor for slow and fast dances alike.

Ask for song requests in advance

Leave space on your RSVP cards and ask guests to write down a song that they’d love to hear (and dance to!) at your wedding.

This also lets you coordinate with your DJ to make sure the songs your guests want get played. You could even have some guests mentioned when their song gets played. Think: “We want to see the bride’s cousin Jessica out on the floor for this next song (title). Come on, Jessica, dancing time!” Just be sure to provide this information to your DJ (and maybe your cousin!) in advance.

Play some guaranteed favorites, even silly ones

Whether you go with the cheesy YMCA or the trendy song of the moment (think Gangnam Style in 2012) it’ll be sure to coax people onto the dance floor. While they might not be works of music genius, they’ll get your guests dancing and laughing together.

Organize a special slow dance

Coordinate with your DJ for a longest married/newest married dance. First, choose a song for the slow dance and ask your DJ to call the new bride and groom to the floor. The DJ can then ask for the longest-married couple by asking couples to raise their hands if they’re married, and put them down when the DJ says the number of years they’ve been married. So the DJ might ask couples to keep their hands up if married for 5 years, 10 years, 20 years, etc. until there is just one couple left with their hands up. The DJ then invites that couple to the dance floor. The longest-married and newest-married couples begin the dance, and after a minute or two, the DJ can invite all the couples to join in.

Remember your DJ can be a great way to help coax people to dance, but it’s also a good idea to let the DJ just keep the music rolling without too many interruptions once people get started dancing.

March 11, 2014

Winter Weddings

Many brides immediately think spring when planning a wedding, but in New England, there are many great reasons to consider a winter wedding.

Cost
A winter wedding is usually cheaper. You can often get great deals on all kinds of services from wedding cakes to photography.

Availability
This is a big one. If you have a winter wedding, the chances are you’ll have a wider variety of options for just about everything. That fabulous venue you want? The perfect caterer? A trendy photographer? Everyone has more availability in the winter, simply because there are less weddings taking place.

Uniqueness
A winter wedding gives you the option to do things a little differently. You can have more unusual food and drink options, like hearty soups, spiced apple cider, or fresh eggnog. You can choose venues that make use of warm, inviting fires, and set the mood for a cozy and completely romantic wedding.

If log cabins, mistletoe, warm lighting, and hot chocolate sound perfect, a winter wedding could be for you.

Elegance
Winter weddings have elegance built right in. With the silvers and whites of snow, your setting gets a boost of beauty. A snowflake theme is a beautiful and versatile way to make use of the season. Use snowflake imagery in your invitations, your centerpieces, your cake.. anywhere you want!

But don’t think you’re limited to a snowflake theme if you have a winter wedding. Anything associated with the season will work well. Think of pine trees and pine cones, red berries, Christmas ornaments, sledding, snowmen.. anything you like!

Of course, we know that snow can throw a wrench into plans if it happens unexpectedly, but with a little planning, there’s no reason not to host a fabulous winter wedding. If you plan a winter wedding, be sure to keep an eye on the weather as it gets closer, and be prepared for emergencies by having rooms for guests to stay in if the weather gets really bad.

March 9, 2014

Special Considerations for Outdoor Weddings (part two)

This post is a continuation of Special Considerations for Outdoor Weddings (part one)

There are many things to think about when planning your outdoor wedding. Read on for tips that will help ensure your big day goes perfectly.

Unseasonable Temperatures
Outdoor weddings in New England can be unpredictable. You could get an unusually hot autumn day, or an unusually cold late-spring wedding day.

** If it’s hot, consider a fancy decorative hand fan to cool yourself and look elegant. Make sure you and your bridesmaids have bottled water nearby.

** Be prepared for cold by having layers in mind that you can add to your dress. A pretty, shimmery shrug or hand-crotched shawl can add warmth if New England weather just doesn’t cooperate!

Soft Ground and High Heels
This is a big one. Outdoor weddings often require walking across soft ground and grass, which can be unsteady in tall heels, or get dirt and mud on the heel when it punctures the ground. Bridesmaids have even stepped right out of their shoe when the ground doesn’t let go! If you’re having an outdoor wedding:

** Consider flats or wedges for you and your bridesmaids. There are many styles of flats for every type of wedding, from romantic and fancy to rustic and casual, and many bridal shops even have dyeable flats (like the one pictured here, from Pinterest) so you can get the perfect color!

** If you have to wear heels, choose a chunky heel and try to plan the walkway along a path, either of stone, hard dirt, or a thick outdoor carpeted aisle.

** If chunky heels just won’t work, consider trying a heel protector to keep your heels from puncturing the ground.

But be sure to test them before the big day!

Are you planning and outdoor wedding? Let us know how you’re preparing!

February 23, 2014

Special Considerations for Outdoor Weddings (part one)

You’ve always wanted an outdoor wedding, and you have the plans well under way. You know what you’ll do as an emergency plan in case it rains… but have you thought about other concerns for your outdoor wedding?

Wind
If your outdoor wedding is enclosed or partly enclosed (such as by a tent/canopy, or surrounded by trees or stone walls) wind might not be a problem. But if you’re in an open field, a garden, beach, or other mostly-flat area, you might want to think about wind. You don’t want to spend your big day holding your veil down, or trying to keep your hair out of your face!
If you’re in an open space, there are several things you can do to make sure everything goes smoothly.

** Consider an updo for your hair. There are plenty of beautiful, romantic styles that will work plain or coupled with a veil, tiara, or flowers.

** If you have a shorter dress, plan for one of your bridesmaids to stand close. She can help keep your dress in place for those big gusts of wind.

** Make sure the ceremony is far enough away from anything that can blow around easily, like water (from lakes, fountains, etc.) or loose sand or dirt.

** Consider a decorative canopy to help keep wind minimized, especially for beach weddings.

Extreme Sun
While most brides think about what they’ll do if it rains, have you thought about the special problems caused if it’s very sunny? Will your guests be squinting into the sun to see you? Will you be squinting at your partner, or having a tough time making out the words to your vows on that glowing white piece of paper?

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prepare for extreme sun.

** Think about what time the wedding will be and where the sun will be in the sky at that time, and plan the layout accordingly. Remember that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so if you’re having a morning wedding, try facing west, north, or south. If you’re having an afternoon wedding, face east, north, or south.

** If you’re reading vows, print or write them in a dark color font on a light colored (but not white) paper. If you have light colors in your wedding color scheme, you can match it to that. If not, even a pale grey or deep ivory will reflect less light and make it easier for you to read.

Check out Part Two for more things to think about when planning your outdoor wedding!

February 23, 2014

Beyond Cake: Wedding Dessert Ideas

Cake is the traditional classic dessert at weddings, but if you’re just not excited about that, or want to give your wedding a more unique flair, there are many other options you could try. Check out these great ideas from Pinterest!

Cupcakes

Cupcakes are a beautiful alternative to cake, and can be presented in a variety of ways to suit your wedding. They can also be stacked on a cupcake stand with a miniature cake (a “cutting tier”) on top. This mini cake can be used for your cake cutting ceremony, and then cupcakes distributed to your guests.

Candy bar

Candy bars are great for weddings with colorful and lighthearted themes, or for any wedding where you want something fun and different. If you offer loose candy (like jawbreakers or M&Ms) it’s a great idea to provide small plastic bags so guests can take a small sampling and not have to eat the candies at the table.

Cookie bar

Cookie bars are a definite crowd-pleaser with kids and adults alike! Offer a few varieties and let guests pick their favorites, or include mini paper bags so everyone can take one home!

Dessert bar

Dessert bars are a great way to give your guests a variety of options for their sweet treat. You can include any combination and type of desserts you want! Brownies for the chocolate lover, cookies for the kids, mini cheesecakes or tarts, chocolate covered strawberries, lemon bars, marzipan…the possibilities are endless!

Macarons

Macarons are very popular for weddings where you want a romantic, different dessert option. Macarons are a delicious French sandwich cookie that can be made in just about any flavor. Even better? They can be made in almost any color, too, so you can match your macarons to your wedding color scheme! Whether you stack them in a tower like cupcakes, line them in neat rows on a tray, or offer them in fancy glass jars, they’ll delight your guests and bring a level of elegance to your wedding.

What’s your plan for a non-traditional dessert option? Let us know in the comments!

February 19, 2014