Dessert Bars

Posted on February 17, 2012 by GonnaGetWed

Dessert Bars Dessert Bars

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dessert bars are becoming a popular trend for many weddings. Sometimes they take the place of a traditional wedding cake but other times are just an addition. A dessert bar can be a good do-it-yourself project for your family and friends. One idea is to ask your close family and friends to make one of their favorite desserts to contribute to the dessert bar. Place cards can then be displayed to let your guests know about the different sweets. This adds a little bit of a personal and fun touch to your reception and a great option for those brides who may be on a tight budget.

photos by GonnaGetWed member, MarketPlace Grille

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Tips for Stressless Wedding Dress Shopping

Posted on February 10, 2012 by GonnaGetWed

To pull a wedding together in this day and age is not a flip of the coin. It takes some planning, which can at times bring a little stress. Yet when you are looking for the dress, we hope “stressful” is not the word you use to describe your experience. Here are tips to help relieve some stress when looking for a dress for the first time:

LI Bridal Photos Tips for Stressless Wedding Dress Shopping

#1 Smile 
Not only is smiling good for your health, but it is normally contagious

S nag some close loved ones or friends to come with you. – They will help in the decision making and are a great confidence booster.

Make this the only event for the day. – Not only is trying on dresses hard work, but you don’t want to have a thousand things on your mind. Just focus on one thing at a time.  Your opinion is the final opinion.  – Remember this is your wedding so you must pick a dress you love to be in.

Indecisive? Talk through it! Narrow it down, weigh out the pros and cons, and ask for opinions from people you trust….But in the end pick the one you feel the most beautiful in.

Laugh – The power of laughter can actually release tension and bring positive physiological changes. Try to create a day of laughter, whether it is before you come into the shop, or during your shop visit. (Great Stress Reliever!)

Eat healthy – eating healthy along with some exercise is always going to have a good effect on you. You will feel physically great, Which in turn helps you feel emotionally and mentally great as well.

#2 SLEEP
Get a good night’s rest before searching high and low for the perfect dress.  You will feel more alert and ready to go. Lack of sleep can also awake MissGrump, which is no fun for anyone, including yourself.

#3 Don’t Procrastinate
Even if dress shopping is not your cup-of-tea, it is best to start looking sooner rather than later. That way ordering, alterations, and other issues are all taken care of in plenty of time for the wedding. (this also helps the stress level of the bridal shop owners)

#4 Have a price range set before you come in and let your consultant know.
It is important to think about how much you are willing to spend before you step inside the bridal shop. Be realistic and logical when thinking about it. If you can have a set range decided, let the consultants know so they can honor it when selecting dresses for you to try.

 #5  Bring ideas, yet have an open mind as well!
Bringing your ideas will help the consultant work with you and create a smoother appointment.  Yet, also having an attitude that is more open to suggestions allows the consultant to offer ideas and suggestions and benefits you with wonderful end results.  And who knows, maybe that one style that you didn’t think would work for you would be the one dress to walk you down the aisle.

#6 Be true to yourself
Remember that this wedding is your day and you want to be the most beautiful you. Stay true to your style and personality when picking out a dress. Even though others are there to help you make a decision, the final decision should be what you feel most comfortable and beautiful in. Then, on the day of your wedding you won’t be stressed as to whether you made the right decision, because you will know that your decision was the right one.

article and photos by GonnaGetWed member, LI Bridal & Formal Wear

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Outdoor Wedding Weather Considerations

Posted on February 3, 2012 by GonnaGetWed

It is important to prepare for an outdoor wedding. Here are a few tips!

bigstock Wedding Reception 53848561 Outdoor Wedding Weather Considerations

-Preparing for the sun: If it’s going to be sunny or warm consider having a tent to block some of those uncomfortable rays. Having sunscreen and ice-cold water bottles on hand will also help distract your guests from the heat. You could also rent large fans to keep it cool and if you do think about where you plug them in or consider getting generators. Another idea is to print your program on fans for your guests to keep themselves cool as well as keeping those pesky bugs away. One thing to keep in mind is the direction of the sun. Make sure the sun is at your guests’ backs instead of in their faces this way they won’t miss the ceremony. Evening ceremonies are also another thing to consider if you want to avoid melting your friends and family cause the temperature drops as the sun does.

-Preparing for the wind: Things you need to think about are fabrics for your wedding dress and your bridesmaids’ dresses. Make sure your hair is secure and will withstand the wind conditions. The men can also put product in their hair to avoid the wind-blown look. If you do decide to use a tent make sure it can handle gusts of wind as well as your ceremony decorations.

-Preparing for the rain: Always make sure you have a backup plan. A lot of outdoor weddings usually have the ceremony outside and the reception inside therefore if the worst comes you can always push the tables to the back of your indoor venue. You can use a tent as well, but for light rainstorms and to ensure comfort make sure the sides are thick and weighted. A heavy rainstorm can cause the ground to become wet underneath resulting in muddy and soggy shoes. Your wedding dress could also absorb that mud and dirty your dress which will become a problem if you scheduled your pictures in between your ceremony and reception.

-Preparing for the cold: If you are going to have a wedding in the early spring or fall, there is always the possibility of cooler weather. To accommodate your guests you can provide lap blankets and let them know they may want to wear extra layers. There is also the option of renting portable heaters or anything that may help make the cold bearable.

Your day needs to go smoothly because you already have enough going on. Taking care of these minor details beforehand can save you a lot of stress on your special day.

Visit GonnaGetWed.com for more wedding planning needs!

 

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Creative Ideas for Table Names

Posted on January 30, 2012 by GonnaGetWed

bigstockphoto Note Card Hearts Candles 3067013 Creative Ideas for Table Names

When it comes to your reception tables there are a few things you need to think about. Your mind probably jumps right to the center pieces but there’s also something else that needs attention, the way you number or name your tables! You don’t have to stick to just the standard 1,2,3 numbered tables. Don’t be afraid to get creative with this and do something untraditional! If you have a themed wedding considering keeping this in line with the theme of your wedding! You can also name your tables with a passion of you and your future spouse, this will definitely get your guests talking! Below are some creative ideas for naming your tables at your reception:

Colors- pink, purple, yellow, green, etc

Flowers- roses, lilac, daisy, lily, star gazer, etc

Dog Breeds- golden retriever, yorkie, pomeranien, german shepherd, etc

Shoe Designers- Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Chanel, Christian Louboutin, etc

Candy- Skittles, Snicker, Starburst, M&M’s, etc

Stones- Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, emerald, etc

Drinks- Martini, Cosmopolitan, Daiquiri, Long Island, etc

It’s completely up to you how far you want to go with this but keep in mind this is a simple and cheap way to personalize your wedding reception! The key is finding things both you and your husband enjoy and embracing them! If you both enjoy Michael Jackson name your tables after his songs, if you both love traveling, name them after countries you’d love to visit. The sky’s the limit and this is something you both should enjoy!

Visit GonnaGetWed.com for more wedding planning needs.

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Incorporating the Traditional Poem

Posted on January 24, 2012 by GonnaGetWed

“Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, and Something blue” has been a custom of good luck and fortune with a meaning to each item. The saying is based off an old English poem:

Something old, Something new
Something borrowed, Something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.

-Something old represents the link to the bride’s family and the past.
Items that can be used for this particular part of the poem is a relative’s jewelry, a family heirloom, using a relative’s wedding gown or using the fabric as part of your dress, wrapping a relative’s handkerchief around your bridal bouquet, antique pins or hairpieces, and so much more that has meaning to link you to your family.

Picture 6 Incorporating the Traditional Poem

-Something new represents the bride’s future and success in her new life ahead.
This item can be absolutely anything new from the dress to your ring, jewelry, shoes, hairpieces, and veils. There are so many things to pick from if it’s purchased new.

-Something borrowed represents friends and family that are there for your special day.

It is something borrowed from a happily married friend or family member whose good fortune is to be passed on to you. Somethings that are borrowed are again jewelry, however it can be anything. Maybe a friend’s ring bearer pillow or a parent’s cake cutting set; as long as it is returned after there are no boundaries.

 -Something blue represents love, purity, and loyalty. It is a color that has been connected to many wonderful meanings.
The possibilities are absolutely limitless. There are have been brides who put blue accents on their jewelry, shoes, lingerie, or garter. They have used blue ribbon around their bouquet, blue thread in their dress, or blue nail polish. Some treads that are new are putting blue in a tattoo or getting things printed in blue on the bottom of their shoes.

traditional poem Incorporating the Traditional Poem

 -Lastly a silver sixpence is often left our, however it represents wealth. It is to be worn in the bride’s left shoe.

Brides have been honoring this tradition for centuries. These items are completely up to you and are only limited by your imagination.

Photos: (1) Bel Air from Sequins Bridal Boutique, (2) Country Garden

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Inexpensive Centerpieces

Posted on January 22, 2012 by GonnaGetWed

Centerpieces at your reception are the romantic, finishing touches to complete your tables. They are the “wow” factor when your guests walk in, however they don’t have to be either expensive or over the top. Sometimes your centerpieces can be one the cheaper purchases for your wedding.

blog Inexpensive Centerpieces

Here are some ideas to save you some cash so you can spend it on your honeymoon instead.

-Vases are extremely versatile; you can use them any way you like. Just to give you a few ideas, you can fill them with flowers, candles, candy, sand, marbles, stones, or multiple combinations of anything. One idea that can save you a lot is reusing your ceremony flowers. You have already spent the money; why not make those flowers double in use. All you have to do is have vases prepared for them to be taken to your reception and set in place for a very elegant centerpiece. Another way to double duty your already paid for flowers is to reuse your bridesmaids’ bouquets. They can be placed in preset vases at the wedding party table.

- Another idea is placing one simple flower and filling the vase with some sand, marbles, or stones matching your wedding colors for a modest look.

-Using candy in your vases can provide your guests with some handy snacks and becomes more convenient than having to go to a candy bar.

-Candles are items your guests can take with them so you don’t have to. At the end of the night the less you have to take home besides presents, the better. You can personalize them with jewels, ribbons, or custom stickers stating your names and wedding date. To dress your candles up more you can set them on little glass or mirror shapes as well as grouping them together for a classic look.

-Frames are becoming more popular. Nice pictures of your relationship showing your guests how you two have grown into the married couple before them are very personal and heartwarming visuals.

-Fishbowls are just as versatile as vases. You can fill them with tons of ideas including filling them with water while having floating flowers and candles in them for a romantic vibe.

There are so many creative things that can be done with centerpieces that don’t have to be costly. The possibilities are endless and you can save a lot of cash taking the time to be creative and personalize your centerpieces to make your reception memorable.

Photos by GonnaGetWed.com member, Poppyscott Events

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How to say “I Do!”

Posted on January 18, 2012 by GonnaGetWed

With all the wedding planning that’s consumed your time as a newly engaged couple it’s important not to forget about the most important part of the ceremony and the reason for all this excitement, you’re getting married! You and your husband are forsaking all others and devoting yourselves to each other for the rest of your lives! You want to put a lot of thought into how you want to say your vows! You can go traditional, or make your own. It’s completely up to your wishes as a couple.

image1 How to say I Do!

Traditional: Traditional Vows are when you express your love for each other without mentioning the presence of God or any other religious figure. This may be a good method to use if you and your spouse have differing religious beliefs or if you don’t want religion to be a part of your wedding.

Non-Traditional: Non-Traditional Vows are vows that you write on your own specifically for each other. You are able to personalize them this way and make them special and unique just for you two as a couple. If you choose this option you may also be able to incorporate some humor into them if it’s appropriate for you two as a couple.

Religious Vows: These are pretty much the same as Traditional Vows except you do incorporate God or any other religious figure. You can also add religious Vows into Non-Traditional Vows as well.

When choosing the right Vows for you it’s important to first look at the wishes and views of you and your future husband. Also take into account your audience and location of the wedding. There’s no wrong way to go with this as long as you and your future husband are both happy!

photos by GonnaGetWed member, Finished Vision Photography

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Color Trends…Lime Green

Posted on January 12, 2012 by GonnaGetWed

The start of every new bridal season also brings the start of new wedding trends! Every bridal season has it’s own colors, décor, desserts, and many other elements that set it apart from other seasons. As gonnagetwed.com just finished up their winter bridal showcase, it became apparent that the hot new color for 2012 is none other than lime green!

Lime Green Color Trends...Lime Green

If you attended the January 8th GonnaGetWed Bridal showcase you surely noticed the lime green cakes, bridesmaid dresses, décor, and many other things! This color is bright and bold and would be a perfect color for a spring or summer wedding! You can even incorporate unconventional patterns into your lime green colors too. Think lime green cheetah or zebra print for your cake and invitations. You can even do this with your chair covers too! Don’t be afraid to also incorporate the color into your center pieces as well. Using limes or green apples in your center pieces might be a fun touch! It’s also great for the environment! Calla lilies would be a great flower choice if you want to use lime green color scheme in a more toned down version. These flowers are beautiful on their own and would also look great in center pieces or on a cake!

Lime green would also be a great color to use just as an accent color! Black and white could be your dominant colors and you could just add splashes of lime green wherever you see fit. A lime green sash on a black bridesmaid gown would be a nice touch. You could also tie a lime green ribbon around a black and white cake! The sky’s the limit!

Whichever color scheme you decide to go with on your big day just remember, it’s completely up to you and no color is too bright or too dull, it’s all up to the tastes of you and groom!

For more wedding planning information check out GonnaGetWed.com

 

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Bridal Shows 101 – What Should I Bring?

Posted on January 6, 2012 by GonnaGetWed

The GonnaGetWed Bridal Showcase is a great resource for your wedding planning.  Here is a list of items that you should bring to make the most of your experience:

  • Key decision makers-Bring everybody that is involved in making decisions about your wedding. It is important to get all the opinions and thoughts of all that are involved. It never hurts to have a second or third opinion.
  • Return address stickers-This saves you time so do not have to fill out numerous entry slips for prizes.
  • Checkbook-Many vendors will require you to make deposits on the spot to guarantee your date. Be ready to make these payments to secure the wedding professional you want and your wedding date.
  • Calendar-Bring your personal calendar so you have all your important dates in front of you. This will be helpful if you choose to make appointments with vendors.
  • Camera-Take photos to jog your memory about something that grabbed your attention at the show. (Be sure to ask permission from wedding professionals before taking photo of their products.)
  • Small notebook and pen-You don’t want to forget anything when you get home. You never know what tips or information you may want to write down to review later.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and leave your coat-You will be doing lots of walking and standing. The last thing you want to worry about is your aching feet. Also, leave your coat in the car so you can avoid the hassle of carrying it around the show.
IMG 62921 Bridal Shows 101 What Should I Bring?
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One Dress…or Two?

Posted on December 30, 2011 by GonnaGetWed

As a newly engaged woman, your dress is probably one of the things you’re most excited about purchasing. You may have the dress picked out already and know exactly what you want, or you may have no clue! However, one thing you may not have already thought about is the option of getting not one dress, but two!

NEWAF5I17004 682x1024 One Dress...or Two?

This may sound crazy at first but when you really think about it, it makes perfect sense! For instance some women love dresses with lots of layering and beads. These dresses are beautiful but one thing to think about is they may be super heavy and uncomfortable for you to wear throughout the entire reception. You could consider wearing the dress for the ceremony only and then switching to a lighter dress for the reception. You could even consider what Alan Evans Bridal likes to refer to as a “Shorty” and purchase a short dress for the reception which will really allow you to move, and dance!

Another instance where buying two dresses might be a good decision is if you’re having a destination wedding. More than likely you will probably have a reception back home. If this is the case, you can purchase a light airy dress for your beach wedding, and a more traditional dress for your reception.

No matter what you decide just keep in mind you need to decide what’s right for you. However, if you really like the idea of having two dresses, keep your eyes out for one of Alan Evans famous BOGO sales. Yes, that’s right, every once in a while they have a buy one get one wedding gown sale! It really doesn’t get much better than that!

GonnaGetWed.com member Alan Evans Bridal

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