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Etiquette Emergency: Invitation Name Etiquette

Jodi Smith, Etiquette Expert — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:04:16 +0000

Photo Credit: Cymbidium Photography

Q: My father is a Junior and his father passed away this summer. We are about to have my wedding invitations printed but are now wondering if my father should drop the “Jr.” after his name.

A: Please accept my condolences on your grandfather’s death, as well as my congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I was surprised and delighted to receive your e-mail having completed yesterday a bit of research on just this topic! You are correct; your father should drop the junior from his name. Example: the oldest couple is Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and the next couple is Mr. and Mrs. John Smith Junior. When the elder John Smith passes away, the widow becomes Mrs. John Smith Senior. And the second couple eliminates the junior from their name. I do hope this helps for your invitations.

Jodi R. R. Smith is a nationally known etiquette expert and author. She is the president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. You are invited to email her your etiquette emergencies at Salem@Mannersmith.com

A Bed of Leaves

Robyn Johnson — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:04:05 +0000

Photo Credit: weddings-avenue.com

I never realized a bed of leaves could be so breath-taking under the feet of a blissfully happy bride and groom. Leaves being used as the backdrop to your wedding photo’s can be just that perfect added touch to your wedding day.

Photo Credit: lovepromiseandring.com

It is an absolutely beautiful and very inexpensive way to add a simple, yet colorful element to your wedding that doesn’t have to be reserved for just a fall wedding.

Photo Credit: theweddingtheater.com

The beautiful yellows, oranges and red hues of the leaves can give your photos a fairy-tale, dream-like appearance. Isn’t that the goal anyway!?!?

Photo Credit: www.best-bridalgown.com

I would like to challenge you to take a second look at leaves. It is a natural beauty that is easily overlooked, but if you really take the time to see them for what they are, I would hope that your view of leaves and how beautiful they can be would change (I know mine did!).

Photo Credit: www.besthudsonvalleyweddingever.com

A Bed of Leaves can also be very symbolic when used as a wedding backdrop… The changing of the leaves can be seen as the natural transition a couple goes through when committing their lives to each other.

Not getting married in the Fall? There are plenty of opportunities to include leaves, trees and blooms as the backdrop of your wedding photos or engagement pictures …

Photo Credit: Simply Bloom Photography

Photo Credit: MastinStudio.com

Photo Credit: StudioJuno.com

Summer Wedding by Julie Roberts Photography

Michelle Cangemi, WeddingWindow.com — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:12:29 +0000

I fell in love with this wedding as soon as I saw the delicate details and bright pops of blue and yellow – the perfect mix for a summer wedding! Brittany and Stacy planned a beautiful wedding in Knoxville, Tennessee. They had a lovely outdoor ceremony at Hunter Valley Farm followed by a fun reception and lots of dancing! Here are the photos taken by the fabulous Julie Roberts Photography …

Photo Credit: Julie Roberts Photography

Congratulations Brittany & Stacy!

Photo Credit: Julie Roberts Photography

Vendors
Photographer: Julie Roberts Photography
Floral Designer: Lisa Foster Floral Design Studio
Venue: The Pavilion at Hunter Valley Farm
Dress Store: White Lace and Promises Bridal Boutique
Cake Designer: GiGi’s Cupcakes

Weddings with a View

Tracie Fong — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 14:04:14 +0000

Choosing a wedding location is one of the most important parts of the wedding planning process. the location of a wedding sets the mood for the whole day. Will your wedding be a beach wedding, a country club wedding or a destination wedding?

Nowadays, couples try to think about wedding locations in new and different ways (unexpected ways to be exact). Think about wedding locations that will surprise your guests. Places like a botanical garden, a museum or a library.

Another location that you might not think about is a rooftop. Yes, that’s right; pick a building with beautiful architecture that is surrounded with a wonderful view.

This is a sweet idea for couples that wish to get married in a unique place that can be decorated with party lights, candles, and of course the stars in the sky.

Here are a few inspiration images that may inspire you:

Photo credit: www.elizabethannedesigns.com

Photo credit: Ruffled Blog

Photo credit: www.elizabethannedesigns.com

Photo credit: Denise Woods Weddings

Photo credit: www.eventsbysarahelizabeth.com

Photo credit: Ruffled Blog

Photo Credit: Travelb.priceline.com

Photo Credit: Feather Love Photography

Photo Credit: WeddingChicks.com

Photo Credit: Evrim Icoz

Photo Credit: Bella Grace Studios

Happy Planning

LetterJames

Stacy McCauley, WeddingWindow.com — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:02:06 +0000

I just found the coolest website ever! Ok, actually…one of our fabulous customers told me about the site…Thank you, Kevin! But, you really must check it out! LetterJames offers free personalized images and e-cards. The image options are endless! You can put your very own text on just about anything…from a fogged up bathroom mirror…to a banana peel sticker…to the Berlin Wall! Hmmm…this would be a great way to jazz up that wedding website of yours. Please excuse the shameless plug Oh..and did I mention that it’s totally FREE!! Tell me that isn’t music to any bride’s ears?

Here is just a small sampling of the many images you can choose from…

Photo credit: LetterJames.com

Photo credit: letterjames.com

Photo credit: LetterJames.com

Photo credit: letterjames.com

Photo credit: LetterJames.com

Photo credit: letterjames.com

Photo credit: LetterJames.com

Photo credit: letterjames.com

3 Tips for Making Money Conversations Fun!

Heather Wilson, Wealth-Esteem Expert — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:00:32 +0000

Photo Credit: Thirdage.com

You’re planning your dream wedding. Chances are you have a budget for your wedding (let’s hope). How often do you chat about the budget or any of your finances with your financé? Is it a pleasant experience — one you both look forward to or do you avoid it like the plague?

Regardless of your own personal money style, you are now a couple and it’s time to start planning and talking about merging your financial lives. Clear, frequent, and open communication is a massive part of that – whether you are talking wedding budget or trying to figure out who is going to pay the monthly bills. Below are three tips to make talking about your money with your honey a fun and yes even enjoyable experience.

Photo Credit: VerticalJoy.com

1. Write a Financial Love Note: It may sound a bit crazy but romantic communications about your dreams, hopes, and goals will help you both learn what it is the other truly desires out of life. It reminds you both that you are a team and you can get through anything, whether it’s a tight budget due to wedding plans, or different perspectives about money. Be sure to show each other love in your notes. You can even leave each other silly little post-it money love notes like: “I loved the way you saved money on the caterer honey!”, or how about “I love that we are on the same page with our money!”

2. Make a Date!: The best way to make talking about money fun is to have a financial conversation while you are already having fun! I’m pretty sure the entire idea of having a “Money Date” may seem a bit bizarre, but just try it and you’ll see. Try things like talking about your budget while you’re both lazing in bed naked on a Sunday morning, taking a bubble bath, or make a nice dinner, light some candles, have a glass of wine, and talk about your finances. Plan a picnic or a even just go for a walk. The key is to have fun and add in a conversation about your finances. Not only will your financial communication improve but so will your relationship. Note: Your conversations don’t all have to be long either, frequent quick updates are often just as effective.

Photo Credit: wonderwoman.intoday.in

3. Make it a Game: It can be easy to avoid your money to-do list. However, procrastinating can have a major impact on your money and your relationship. So make it a game! Create a rewards system. At the beginning of each month, sit down together and create a list of all of the financial things you need to do. Next, place them in order of your likelihood to avoid each task. Things like research banking options, get life insurance, transfer money to savings account. Then, assign rewards or prizes for each task. The more difficult or unappealing the task, the bigger the prize. For example: #5: Pay the monthly bills on time. Prize: dinner and your favorite movie. Whoever does the task wins the prize. You can totally make this system into a fun game and before you know it all the items on your list are checked off.

Money conversations should be fun. Ultimately, it’s all about finding ways to work together toward financial success rather than against each other. Your money and your relationship will both thank you. Now go out and plan your first money date!

Please share your tips for healthy and fun communication about your money in your own relationship. I would love to hear about your challenges as well. Leave your ideas in the comments section below!

A Rooftop Reception in Pink, Taupe & Gold

Kristen Janes, Creative Services Expert — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:06:05 +0000