7 cleaver ways to do ‘old, new, borrowed, & blue”

“Something old, something new; something borrowed, and something blue.” Many brides love to follow this ancient Victorian tradition. If you’re one of the many brides who want to follow this tradition on your wedding day, below are a few clever suggestions.

Something old

1. Family Veil. Wearing your grandmothers, moms or sisters veil is a cheap and clever way to create the something old and share something meaningful within your family.

2. Parents Marriage. Taking a old photo of your parents and using it in a creative way at your wedding is a great something old. This couple took a photo of themselves with their parents wedding photo. Hmmmm.... I may try this.

Something New 

3. The Dress. The wedding dress should be your something new and represent you... duhhh!!!

Something borrowed

4. His dress shirt. Borrow  your fiancés or fathers button-down shirt for the bride to wear while getting her hair and makeup done  This would be a great photo opt for your groom or a great memory for not being daddy's little girl anymore.

Something blue

5. The "I Do" bridal stickers. Theses stickers can be found for only $4.99 at your local Bed Bath & Beyond. This a creative way to throw in a hint of blue without throwing off your color scheme.

6. Blue shoes? The idea of colored shoes has became more popular in the recent years. The idea of being different and creative with blue shoes is something that will wow everyone.

7. The Nail Polish. Let your fingers nails or little toes do the  talking with a pale turquoise  or my personal favorite OPI Russian navy nail polish shade. 

The Cookie Bar

What is a cookie table and what does it have to do with Weddings? Every wedding  I have been to recently has had a cake table. Stumbling along on Pinterest like always I found a new (at least to me) trend. The marvelous, yummy cookie table. Would this be neat with different types of chocolate milk in large jars. I love!! 

This cookie bar can even work for a bridal shower with cookies matching the color and theme.

Save the Date: Pear tree Greeting

So your engaged and chosen the date! Yayy, Congrats! Now what? You being looking all over the internet for the perfect save-the-date to send out. Something unique. Something affordable. Something that is fast, friend and great quality. Well look no future! I was you at once, and couldn't find the perfect save-the-date. Late one night I stubbled upon Pear Tree Greeting and have loved them ever since. The products are great! The quality of their print is excellent, beyond many peoples wedding invites. The shipping prices is fast and I even found coupons online to bring down the cost. I would totally recommend them for any wedding invites. I will defiantly be using them again for my future family.

How to tell people they’re not invited

You aren't invited is one of the hardest things to say when not inviting family and friends to your exchanging of nuptials on your big day. I am not suggesting you to contact everyone and tell them they aren't invited. That would be totally wrong!!! If someone asks you if they're invited, the best bet is to tell them one of the following exaggerated truths:

1. Always blame the budget. No one complains and argues with you if you don't have the funds to invites every single person you know. If they don't understand then they don't care.

2. It's Intimate. The easiest and best way to express this to you loved ones is by saying "My wedding is pretty intimate, and unfortunately that means there are a lot of friends and family who won't be there on our wedding day......" Doing this will help you with your budget and not hurt anyones feelings.

3. Blame the venue. This is one of the hardest of the three choices to tell someone. Blaming the venue of there limit of guest due to fire codes and law. The best way to explain this is" Our venue has a limited number of people they'll allow, and our guestlist is primarily taken up by very close family and the wedding party. I hope you can understand how difficult this process has been for us — there are so many people we wish could be there with us."

I hope these little go to's for telling someone they aren't invited help you relieve the non-sense and drama. It's totally not called for!

Quick Steps to changing your last name after the "I Do"

So you've said "I Do". Now what? Most bride, myself included, dread the fact you have to fill out massive amounts of paper work to change your last name. With these easy steps and advice this hair pulling task can be just as easy as saying "yes". 

1. Get your marriage license 
Before you can change your name, you'll need the original (or certified) marriage license with the raised seal and your new last name on it. Call the clerk's office where your license was filed to get copies if one wasn't automatically sent to you.

2. Change your Social Security card
Visit the Social Security Administration's website and fill out the application for a new Social Security card. You'll keep the same number -- just your name will be different. Mail in your application to the local Social Security Administration office. You should get your new card within 10 business days.

3. Change your license at the DMV
Take a trip to the local Department of Motor Vehicles office to get a new license with your new last name. Bring every form of identification you can lay your hands on -- your old license, your certified marriage license and -- most important -- your new Social Security card.

4. Also, make sure you change your name on:

Legal Stuff:

• Banking information
• Checks
• Credit Cards
• Passport
• Student Loans
• Vehicle titles
• Mortgages
• Voter registration

Personal:

• Insurance cards (health, auto, home, etc)
• Utility companies (Power, Water, cable, cell phone, security, etc)
• Gym membership
• Social media profiles (Linkedin, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, etc)
• Home address labels
• Apartment rental contracts

Work related:

• Payroll – Talk to HR; or check your company website
• Email address
• Business cards
• Email signature

Let’s Dance: Easy way to trim the music bill

Let's dance, let's dance, let's dance..... tonight! There is no option not to let your hair down and doing the two step if you have the right music to boogie too. If your in need for ceremony or reception music I will provide you with the top way to trim that music bill.

If you checkout the iTunes App Store, you will see there is numerous applications you can download to make a the perfect music for your wedding. The My WeddingDj app is known for playing the music for your wedding on your iPhone or iPod touch. It is only $1.99 in the app store. It is a lot more reasonable then paying hundreds to thousands of dollars for a half ass Dj, that might not play the right type of songs. (Trust me! I have seen this type of thing happen before!)

Smartly Priced Wedding Dresses

I want to be a Princess! That's what most brides say when they look for their spectacular wedding dress. Even though you will be marrying your Prince Charming doesn't mean that you can afford Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty type gowns.

The first thing to do when looking for the perfect gown is determining your cost. Cost of a wedding gown should be no more then 3% of you total wedding budget. That means "if your wedding cost $30,000, then you gown should be no more then $900." Most brides don't follow this rule of thumb. They think that its not possible to get their dream gown at a low price. Well, first hand.... I know it's possible. Below are some of the best places that I know with Smartly Priced Wedding Dresses that give you the bang for your buck.

1. Vows (found on TLC I Found the Gown)

2. Burlington Bridal Mart

3. NY Bride & Groom

4. Group USA

5. Anjolique Bridal

Wow Factor Wedding Cakes

No matter your theme, time of day, or location there are millions of styles and flavors of wedding cakes to choose. Julio and I choose something large to fit our 150+ guest. We wanted something that was tasty and goest along with are "Rustic Romance" themed wedding.Below are some breathtaking cakes that can complete your fairytale occasion and some flavor you never thought of.  Hope you like them as much as I do.

Top Flavors:

Vanilla cake with raspberry buttercream

Lemon cake with lemon buttercream

Chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream

Carrot cake with cream cheese buttercream

Vanilla cake with cream cheese buttercream

Lemon cake with vanilla buttercream

Red Velvet cake with cream cheese buttercream

Yellow cake with vanilla buttercream

Coconut cake with lemon buttercream

Almond cake with chocolate buttercream

Greatest Father Daughter Dance Medley Ever!

So this was on my Facebook feed when everyone found out that I was getting married. They are so good. Wouldn't this be fun to do with your father? Check it out above.

Something Old & Blue, Making it New

Omg! Have you went looking for the perfect shoe for you BIG DAY? I have and had no luck. Due to my expensive taste everything that I picked up was totally out of my price range. I mean who wants to pay hundreds on a shoe that they will only wear one time, better yet one night. I don't! I fail in love with these Kate Spade New York Licorice Too (below) heels.

Kate Spade New York Licorice Too $350

They are sexy, classy and BLUE. These shoes would complete my "something old, something new, something borrowed....something blue". I searched for hours online trying to find something to compare. Nothing did. I cam across a youtube page about DIY glitter heels and thats where my project begun.
Using only loose glitter, a sponge brush, mod podge and an old pair of purple heels (u can use any color or texture) I created my own Something Blue. 

Is white put drys clear.

                Directions

1. Make sure that your shoes are free of all dirt.

2. Using your sponge apply a thin even coat of mod podge to your shoe. (*Hint* work in small section because mod podge dries fast.)

3. Sprinkle on your glitter. (Glitter should stick to your shoes)

4. Continue with this process until shoes is fully covered.

5. Leave shoe alone and allow to set overnight (12hrs).

6. Done!

*Tip- If you can still see shoe through glitter apply second coat using the same instructions above.  Hope you enjoy and have fun with this quick and simple project!

Wedding Color Trends for 2013

Choosing the right color to reflect you and your sweeties personality is pretty hard to do. Hopefully, with this years top 5 wedding color trends give you some guidance on colors to choose from. Julio and I choose navy, pale pink and taupe. Something soft and sweet for me with a touch of masculinity for him. Hate them or Love them.... Leave a comment below telling me your favorites and your wedding color choices.

Crimson Red & Pale Pink

Hot Pink & Tangerine

Pure White

Blue Bell & White

 Blush Pink & Pewter Gray

Congratulations Michael & Yvette

photo provided by JUMP.DC & Charlotte Observer

All-star athlete and Bobcats owner, Michael Jordan, got married in-front of hundreds of his close family and friends this past Saturday in Palm Beach, Florida.  Michael exchanged vows with model Yvette Prieto, 35-years-old. Prieto and Jordan met five years ago and have been engaged since last December.

Prieto wore a French silk corseted sheer gown by J'Aton Couture, in ivory with hints of flesh, and handmade silk lace. This dress was customily created especially for her. Prieto dress include thousands of  Swarovski crystals. The gown featured French seamed crinoline borders, which cascaded into her dramatic train. 

Bear's Club Golf Course Jupiter, Florida

The wedding was followed by a reception at the luxurious private golf club Bear's Club in Jupiter, Florida. The night ended with a spectacular fireworks display over the ginormous golf course. The bride and groom received donations to the James R. Jordan Foundation in lieu of gifts.

The Best Advice for a Bride

Do you live in the Carolinas? Are you looking for beautiful wedding inspiration? 

Check out Carolina Bride 

 Carolina Bride is my favorite magazine to turn with help for wedding inspiration. With an issue coming out every season they target the seasons top wedding trends. The magazine features real Carolina weddings and you can even submit your photos of your special day or engagement. They feature article about beauty tips to male bow-tie trends. They feature top vendors: Photography, Venues, Musics, Bakery, Catering, Transportation and much, much more. 

There new issue (seen on the left) can be picked up at any local Macy's.  I usually get them there or any bridal show. Great thing about Carolina Bride Magazine is they are FREE!!!

Oh and don't forget to check out the amazing cake by Cheesecake & Etc. in this issue. Gail the owner is FABULOUS and so are her show stopping, lip smacking, head turning wedding cakes. She will be providing Julio and I with cake for our September 28th wedding.

Top 5 Wedding Blogs for 2013

These blogs include the top resources for finding tips, trends, advice, vendors and inspiration on bridal on the web.

1.  Style Me Pretty


2. 100 Layer Cake

3. Weddingbee

4. Delightfully Engaged

5. The Perfect Palette