Time Flies When You're Writing About Weddings

Writing for the Bustle Event Design blog has been an incredible experience. First and foremost, I want to thank Lindsey for giving me this opportunity. Lindsey is an incredible event designer and I've had more than my share of fun writing this blog for her firm.

I would also like to thank all the readers out there - those who have read the blog just once and those who have read every single post. I've so enjoyed writing about all things wedding-related, and knowing I have a small audience out there has made blogging for Bustle all the more meaningful.

If you're interested in checking out my personal blog, please stop by livingsimplyliving.tumblr.com. Thank you for sharing this unforgettable experience with me.

Until we meet again...

~Liz

Personalizing a Destination Wedding

I read in an issue of Martha Stewart Weddings that the key to making your destination wedding unforgettable is to think of it as a blank canvas. Yes, you will be surrounded by snow-capped mountains, palm trees, crystal clear water, or whatever - but your wedding is the star of the show and you should treat it that way. Here are some ways to make your destination wedding more personal and memorable for both you and your guests.

- On your wedding website, include a special section about events your guests can anticipate, advice on what to pack (sunscreen, ski goggles, etc.), and local attractions. This is a good idea for any bride - no matter where your wedding is taking place, guests will appreciate being well informed.

- If you want your wedding decor to stand out, find creative ways to use materials that are easy to pack & transport, such as paper and balloons. I love what this couple did with giant white balloons.


And check out these adorable DIY paper flowers (with how-to instructions) from Green Wedding Shoes:

- At your reception, choose food, beverages, and music that compliment your surroundings. You don't need to go overboard with your theme, but if your guests feel connected to their environment, they'll feel even more comfortable and so will you.

- It's crucial to find vendors that you trust, especially if you're not familiar with the area. (That's something a wedding planner can help you with!) On your wedding day, the last thing you need to worry about is if the flowers will be delivered on time or if the deejay needs help setting up the dance floor. Do your research before selecting vendors for your wedding so you don't have to sweat the details on your big day.

When planning any wedding, a good rule of thumb is to make choices that reflect who you & your husband are as a couple. Because no matter where you venture for your wedding day, it's important to remember why you're there - to share the rest of your life with the person you love.

Out With The Old, In With The New?

I was browsing the internet and came across this article on The Knot, 20 Wedding Traditions You Can Skip. We're constantly blogging about ways to make your ceremony and reception unique, so I thought I'd share some of the traditions mentioned in the article and my thoughts on them as well.

- A white wedding dress. The article says: white's always in style, but you have other options too. My thoughts: I completely agree, of course. For example, check out the lovely bride in the image below. However, when I get married one day, I can't imagine wearing anything other than white.

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- Seeing each other before the ceremony is a no-no. The article says: Do whatever you want! If you want to see each other before your nuptials, plan a "first look" photo shoot so you and your spouse can still have that special moment captured. My opinion: I think it depends on what works best for the timeline of your wedding day. (Check out our blog post on having a "first look".)

- Bridal jewelry has to be simple. The article says: Make as bold a statement as you want with your accessories. My thoughts: I love, love, LOVE embellished bib necklaces like the one pictured and think it would be so fun to wear something like that with a wedding dress. But, I'd be careful about looking too trendy - I don't want to look at my wedding pictures ten years later and wonder what the heck I was thinking. Also, I do like the idea of changing your accessories (or even your dress) from the ceremony to the reception.

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Check out the article for even more ideas on how to turn wedding traditions upside down!

Would you have a backyard wedding?

Woah, how is it Thanksgiving? Time flies, doesn't it? I must apologize for my lack of blogging this month. I'm sure you've all been on the edge of your seats wondering when my next post would be. ;) So without further ado, I've gotta ask: Would you have a backyard wedding?

It seems like every year brides get more and more creative about wedding planning. A traditional wedding in a religious venue and a reception in a ballroom are always great, but these days modern brides are opting for a wedding off the beaten path - whether it's in a barn, at the beach, or in a backyard. Especially given the economy's downturn in recent years, many brides and grooms choose to save their pennies by marrying at home.

Check out the married blogging couple over at YoungHouseLove, for example. As Sherry says in the blog post, "Just like everything else we do, our wedding was one giant DIY project." And don't they look like they're having fun?



Here's an adorable at-home wedding from Green Wedding Shoes. This backyard soiree is so classy it hardly looks DIY'd!



While having a wedding in someone's yard requires a lot of work and can come with complications (neighborhood noise ordinances, for instance), it can also pay off big time: a DIY backyard wedding can cost one fifth the amount of a typical wedding and reception!

So what do you think - would you save some moolah by having your wedding at home? Or would you rather go all out with a swanky ballroom affair? Maybe you're somewhere in the middle? Let us know in the comments!

Pulling Off Pink

Once upon a time I promised you, dear readers, a monthly blog post on how to style a wedding around a particular inspiration or theme. Well... suffice it to say, that didn't happen. So this time around, I make no promises. But I do have an inspiration board ready for you! Feast your eyes on what I've dubbed "Pulling Off Pink."

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To be honest I'm not a lover of pink so this was a challenge for me. But I like the idea of using pink with a vintage and/or modern twist. For example, aren't those Jackie O. style bridesmaid dresses to-die-for? And those pink chair covers are so romantic. I really like the idea of hanging chandeliers everywhere, and maybe accenting your pink with blue, yellow, black & white, or gray. Especially gray!

Of course, you can also use pink in your invitations, table signs & centerpieces, escort cards, the groom's & groomsmen's ties, and more. As always, the possibilities are as limitless as your imagination. If you have any unique "pink" ideas to share, let us know in the comments!

When Will You Have Your "First Look"?

An age-old wedding superstition is that on the wedding day, if the bride and groom see each other before the wedding ceremony, it's bad luck. Many couples today pay homage to this superstition by finding a loop hole - instead of the big reveal happening at the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom have an intimate "First Look" moment during the day, sometime before the ceremony.

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Reasons to wait until the ceremony to see your betrothed are obvious... the romance, the suspense, the anticipation! But logistically it might be better to have an intimate moment with your future spouse before the wedding, due to time constraints, or to give you and your wedding party more opportunities for pictures. And to just have a moment to yourselves before all the craziness starts.

What do you think? Would you (or did you) wait until the wedding ceremony to see your spouse-to-be? Or are you in favor of a "first look" session?

Would you register for your honeymoon?

A trend I've heard about on and off for a while now is registering for your honeymoon. That's right - in lieu of or in addition to a traditional gift registry, couples are listing their honeymoon as an item guests can donate money towards.



Would you do it? Or do you think it's tacky? Here are a few websites that offer this service:

- honeyfund.com: "A honeymoon gift registry with no set up fees, no transaction fees, and no travel purchase required."

- buy-our-honeymoon.com: You set up your honeymoon and the activities you want to experience while traveling, and assign a gift price to each activity. Guests can then pick what they want to purchase for you.

- sendusoff.com: Works similarly to the buy-our-honeymoon site. They also provide email notifications to your wedding guests, and travel suggestions for you and your spouse.

So what do you think? Is a honeymoon registry a must-have for the modern couple, or a major faux pas? Sound off in the comments!

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