Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Today is all about love, right? Right!
What girl doesn’t love a reason to celebrate love? As luck would have it, I get to celebrate it two days in a row, as February 15 is my anniversary. Yay me!
In honor of Valentine’s Day and of all brides, today I’m writing about…or mostly posting photos of…all things weddings.
Truth be told I could have easily simply included photos from my wedding day and been happy. To this day, 29 years later, I am in love with my dress and would pick it all over again. I also still love that my bouquet was long-stem Calla Lilies with a splash of red through a sole Anthurium, which complimented my wedding party’s red taffeta dresses. In hindsight I might have worn some stunning red shoes. It was Valentine’s weekend after all! But, it’s not about me today; it’s about weddings!
I love weddings and have an entire Pinterest page to prove it. I also DVR “Say Yes to the Dress” and am so excited for my nephew Michael’s wedding to his gal Vicki this May. Can’t wait!
I originally planned on just including a few favorite wedding photos for today’s blog, photographs I’ve come across, caught my eye, and grabbed my heart, but I couldn’t stop there. I just could not. Did I mention I’m obsessed with weddings?!
So, here then are some of my favorite wedding photos, gowns, cakes, and a whole slew of fun tips and ideas. (I’ve intentionally left out wedding party and mother-of-the-bride dresses because they could easily comprise a whole other blog!) I know, I know. These ideas would cost a mint and more, but a girl can dream, right? If you want more, check out my Pinterest board under Carla Smith. I’m the one with a pearl necklace as my profile pic.
Enjoy!
Some seriously awesome wedding day photos…
Gorgeous veil photo and church doors photos:
Parents and newlyweds, kissing dad, and three generations:
Gorgeous Gowns…
Love these:
Simple elegance:
A little bling and a whole lot of back:
This one has a detachable overskirt!
A sweet way to cover up those shoulders:
A stunning vintage Dior:
LOVE the back on this one and the pink embellishments on the second one:
If a ball gown is your dream:
If I won the lottery, Carolina Herrera would by my dream designer. Here are a few of hers I’m dying over: (Love the gold and gold, didn’t see “Twilight” but Bella’s dress was a masterpiece, and not loving the feather but look at the detail in that dress!)
Let’s not forget him…
I give you this ring…
Add your hubby’s birthstone to your bands
3 bands. A promise between God, you, and your husband. “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 …
Three classics
Tie rings to bible instead of pillow
Sweet photo ideas with rings:
Bouquets and Flowers…
Long-stem Calla Lilies and how perfect are those pearls?
Simple daisies and baby’s breath…or a stunning traditional bouquet:
I’m a big fan of all greenery bouquets and I’m liking this berry and evergreen-accented “perfect for winter” bouquet:
Stunning table arrangement. Look at the Calla Lilies inside the vase!
Cakes and Toppers…
First one is so elegant, second one so fun, and I love me some petit fours:
I’m liking the idea of a monogrammed cake:
Uh-mazing Wedgewood and satin-inspired cakes. Wow!
Can’t go wrong with quilting, pearls, and something for everyone:
Fun toppers:
Just for fun:
Vows…
The classic and a cute “instead of til death to us part” idea:
Guest book alternatives…
Guests’ fingerprints, Sharpies and wine bottles, river rocks to sign:
Every Cinderella needs the right shoes…
If it’s glitter, I’m all in:
Carrie’s “something blue” Manolo’s…the best ever, a pop of color is always fun and these bows are adorable, and some Loub’s for the girl who has everything:
Simple and yet so pretty and some Kate Spade pearls for a beach wedding:
And she needs the right jewelry…
Pearls and diamonds, that’s all:
And finally, here are some great tips and ideas…
Take a photo of your young daughter in your wedding dress, plan ahead and take a “thank you” photo on your wedding day, fill “get-away” car with balloons that festively escape when the doors are opened, provide crayons and cards at the kids’ table and have them make cards for the bride and groom:
Provide hand-outs of who’s who in the wedding party and attach garter to football…no man ever drops a football!
Wear a necklace with your new initials at reception and take “first kiss” photo with attendees in the background rather than priest or officiator:
Have notecards with “5 things you should know about the bride and groom” to get conversations started, adorable coasters to have at tables, and take a wedding party photo using chalkboards that say how each one knows the bride:
Other ideas I love:
Have bridesmaids wear silver or gray dresses with “pop of color” shoes that match bouquets.
After the wedding, deliver wedding flowers to a nursing home.
Provide “dancing shoes” flip-flops at reception for guests.
Have maid-of-honor wear a brighter or bolder version of bridesmaids’ dresses.
On RSVPs, include a space for a song request. Guests will love it when their song is played.
Put the petals of your bridal bouquet in a clear Christmas ornament ball.
Just for the fun of it…
Poms or sprinkles to walk out to:
A photo after my own heart and clever little matches:
Photos of bride and groom at ages that correspond with reception table numbers and how cute is this ring bearer sign?
Two fun RSVP ideas:
Gift ideas…
Every girl’s dream…pearls, Tiffany, and Cartier’s Love Bracelet:
Monogram menswear shirts for bridal party hair and make-up session:
From groom to bride after ceremony:
Adorable flower girls…
And finally, some of my favorite brides ever…
Di and Maria from “Sound of Music”:
Kate, Carrie in her “label-less” dress, and Caroline Bisset with JFK, Jr:
The fact that Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Albert of Monaco’s bride Charlene both wore simple gowns speaks volumes about true class and style. So in love with both of them and with Victoria’s crown of pearls and cameos:
Give me some love…
Beyond Words 