[Guest Post] Bachelorette parties that won't break the bank.

[Guest Post] Bachelorette parties that won't break the bank.

August 22, 2012

Jessica Stark was awesome enough to share another wedding related guest post with us. Enjoy her fabulous writing and wedding ideas and share this with your engaged or nearly engaged friends! I definitely know how I will be throwing the next bachelorette party I get to host:)

Over the past several years, it seems that weddings have transformed from a special occasion to celebrate a couple's love to a grand, spare-no-expenses event. If you can afford to host this type of wedding and bachelorette party, that's awesome. But not everyone can, and not everyone wants to. You don't have to go all-out to have a memorable, fun event with your friends, and I was reminded of that when I recently attended a bachelorette party at a comedy club.

Being there, watching the bride-to-be have fun with her friends and celebrate the next phase of her life without dropping loads of cash got me thinking about how much these parties have become a burden to other brides-to-be. Sometimes less is more, and the last thing you want is to go into debt before you even say "I do".

Inexpensive bachelorette party ideas

·       Activity-based party theme. If you and your friends enjoy sports, plan your party around your favorite event for a fun-filled, memorable day. Playing 18 holes on the golf course or an afternoon playing Frisbee golf can be loads of fun for you and your active friends. Use discount coupons for a local golf course or other activity location to increase savings.

·       Wine-tasting party. Enjoying favorite alcoholic beverages is often part of a bachelorette party. Have a cozy bachelorette party with cheese, crackers and an assortment of wines for you and your friends to try. You can make this as casual or as formal as you want it to be!

·       Beach party. Pack swimsuits, various beach games, towels and sunscreen and head off to the beach for your bachelorette party. Save even more money by grilling on the beach, instead of going out to eat.

·       Pre-wedding craft party. Many brides-to-be are saving money on wedding decorations and favors by making their own. If your bridesmaids and friends are crafty, too, plan a bachelorette crafting party and enlist everyone's help. Serve your favorite beverages, snacks and cake.

·       At-home spa party. Most everyone loves a trip to the spa, but spa services for your entire party can add up quickly. Plan an at-home spa party instead. Ask guests to bring their favorite nail polishes, facial masks and skincare products. If you or a friend sells these items, you can host a party that allows guests to buy the products, if they like.

·       Dance or exercise class party. Laugh it up and get moving with a dance or exercise class for your bachelorette party. Many places offer group discounts to help you save money on the class.

Different ways to celebrate

Don't be afraid to do something unique for your bachelorette party. Your guests know that this event is all about you, so do something that makes you happy and doesn't drain your bank account. No matter what you decide on, what your friends will remember most is the great company and good times – not how much money you spent. 

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Men and Wedding Flowers

May 31, 2012

Today's guest post is brought to you and written by Patricia Hall of Serenata Flowers UK. 

Men and Wedding Flowers

One of the most important details to a wedding is found in the wedding flowers. While many people assume that the wedding flowers are a decision that should be made by the bride alone, there are many grooms that want to be involved in this part of the decision making process and should be more concerned with the wedding flowers. Grooms would learn a lot by taking a more active role in choosing bridal flowers and in deciding on the flower decorations for a wedding. In addition, they will be able to look back on pictures of the wedding day and remember why they chose certain flowers and be reminded of the happy wedding day.



While there are many options for flowers, the first step that a groom should take in the search for wedding flowers is to consult a florist. A florist is trained to know about all the different flowers available. If price is a question then the groom is able to tell the florist the price constraints and find suitable flowers in the right price range. In addition if the groom doesn't know a lot about flowers, the florist is the best person to teach him about the many choices he will have to choose from and narrow down his decisions. After speaking to a florist, the groom is then able to look at flowers online and form ideas of the flowers that appeal to him and decide if they will work with the wedding decor. Flowers have a variety of meaning and the groom would benefit by understanding the significance of certain color of flowers or types of flowers to make sure that he is sending an important message to his bride. For example a red chrysanthemum signifies love while a petunia represents resentment and anger. It makes sense for a groom to choose flowers that reflect how he feels about his bride and hopefully convey his love.



At a wedding, flowers are usually used for decorations, for the bride's bouquet and also on the boutonnieres that the groom, groomsmen and the other male members of the wedding party will wear. The main focus should be placed on the bridal bouquet. But after the bridal bouquet flowers are chosen, the groom should help select the boutonniere options. The boutonniere has a major role in the wedding flowers for the men because each different display can signify closeness to the groom. For example, the best man might wear a slightly larger boutonniere than the rest of the groomsmen to show that he has a larger role in the wedding. Most boutonnieres for a wedding are chosen to either match the bride’s bouquet or to go with the colors that have been chosen for the wedding. The groom should help select an option that coordinates with the bridal bouquet and his should stand out more than the other boutonnieres that are in the wedding party. In addition the same type of flowers should be done on both the boutonnieres and the bridal bouquet, like if one is done with artificial flowers then the other should be done in artificial flowers as well.



Helping get the flowers to the wedding is another area that a groom may be able to help with and take a worry away from the bride. There is always the flower delivery uk option or the groom can arrange to handle the pick-up of the wedding flowers himself and eliminate the delivery fee. This will require that the groom have a large cargo area in his vehicle since the flowers can't be smashed or damaged in anyway on the way to the wedding.



As one can see, there are countless ways for a groom to be more involved in the choosing of wedding flowers for his wedding. It will most likely involve some learning if he doesn't know much about flowers but will help his bride and allow him to feel more involved in an important part of the wedding.

About the Author

Patricia Hall works part-time for Serenata Flowers UK an online florist and loves to surround herself with flowers at any given point of time. Even in her free time she loves to involve herself with everything flora and fauna.
'To me there is nothing more beautiful and global as the language of flowers - it is the easiest to understand all around the world in the same way. That is one reason why I truly admire flowers for what they represent in some ways - unity of all mankind!'

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[Guest Post] Revealing Your Engagement

[Guest Post] Revealing Your Engagement

April 18, 2012

Hey y'all! Hope everyone is having a great week. I have another great wedding post this week from Jessica to share with you. The topic is revealing your engagement, and that is definitely a topic I don't think we put much thought into that we probably should have. Then again who doesn't have several things about their engagement/wedding they wouldn't change. Hope you all get some great ideas, make sure to share this with any newly engaged couples or soon to be's! And as always leave Jessica some comment love:)

Revealing Your Engagement: The Do’s and Don’ts of “I do”

Congratulations on your engagement! Now that it’s official, you’re ready to share your news with the world. However, before you flaunt your ring on social media, follow engagement etiquette.

Whom to Tell

Your marriage announcement sets the stage for your wedding day and your future life with your hubby. Play it safe and share your good news with the people closest to you first. Yes, a wedding is all about you, but think about your family and friends’ feelings when considering when to share your news. Don’t tell your salon stylist about your upcoming nuptials before you tell your best friend that you’re tying the knot.

Tell your mom and your dad first. Unless you live across the country, tell them in person! Like you, they have been dreaming about this day for many years. Give them the chance to hear the news from your lips before you tell anyone else. Your new fiancé should tell his parents next. He may have already sought his parents’ advice when he was picking out engagement rings for you, but he should tell them the official news before he tells his buddies.

Finish off by telling your siblings, grandparents and closest friends. You start your marriage wedding preparations off to a good start when you share your goods news with the important people in your life before publically announcing your engagement or posting a picture of your ring on Facebook or Twitter.

Public Announcement

Traditionally, many couples publically share their engagement by utilizing a printed announcement. In the newspaper or in a college alumni newsletter, place a classy picture and information about you and your fiancé. Send save the date cards to inform your wedding guests about your engagement and upcoming wedding.

You could also throw an engagement party. Invite family and close friends as a way to introduce everyone before the wedding. Many married couples fight about in-laws, so start your marriage out on a good footing by initiating a positive relationship between both sets of parents.

In the age of social media, you can’t ignore the Internet. After you’ve shared your good news with your family and close friends, send a Facebook or Twitter announcement to your followers. Additionally, consider sending engagement e-cards or posting a wedding website. An online announcement gives you a less personal outlet but more efficient way to share your new engagement.

Do’s and Don’ts

Be sensitive about the timing. Don’t announce your engagement at someone else’s party.

Do remain open to suggestions about photographers or caterers. Everyone will have an opinion, and you can be polite without taking everyone’s advice.

Above all, enjoy your engagement, a season filled with promise. Start it out by following engagement announcement etiquette and get ready for one of the best days of your life!

Jessica is interested weddings and event planning. She enjoys integrating her love of design and styling into memorable events for friends and family.

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Freeman Family Reunion

Freeman Family Reunion

July 27, 2010

Saturday we had our annual Freeman family get together in Natchitoches. As usual the uncles were as bad as ever. I feel sorry for Aunt Billie and Nanny having to grow up with those guys, but they have some pretty funny stories. Really makes you realize just how much parents don't let their kids get away with these days.

Some of the guys playing music.

Amber and Brittany playing a dance game on the Wii.

Brittany and JC

Me and Jeremy, I was continually getting smacked with the controller while we danced to Spice Girls- Wanna Be.

Beginning of tired baby eyes.

This one cracks me up. Passed out with his fingers in his mouth and his fat baby gut hanging out. Look at those thunder thighs!

How much did you people spend on his baby toys? Should have just bought a pack of water bottles. Half full water bottle is the funniest thing ever for some odd reason. I started a bad habit by letting him drink out of my water bottle. Now he thinks he HAS to drink out of my water bottle. Baby won't take a bottle or a sippy cup for juice, but he can drink out of a Ozarka bottle.

All of that happiness didn't last long. 30 miles out of Vidalia he decided he was mad and it was time to eat.

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Last Weekends Events

Last Weekends Events

February 6, 2010

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Some little guys nasty little cord fell off last Friday and it just so happened I got to be in town for his first bath!

That same small person was then subjected to pictures which involved him being propped up again and again. And one very funny one when his Mommy made her crazy noise at him, that always makes him stop crying and give you this look.

 

 Slightly a shocked look, kinda scared. But hey, it works, he stops crying.

We did a lot of this...

And yes my Dad has caused this baby to become addicted to sleeping like that while listening to History Channel. Side effects have included baby hair loss resulting in looking more like his grandfather. I suspect next he will grow a mustache and ask to be taken outside so he can smoke as well.

Pop's Birthday was also last Saturday, so we made him a cake. And grilled steaks, but they aren't as interesting.

 

Have you ever wondered what 71 candles look like lit on a 9" round red velvet cake?

Once the cake started melting we made him blow them out. I suspect in birthdays to come I may need to make a sheet cake. My mother then forced Laura, Pop, and the baby who can't yet speak his mind about the matter into taking a 4 generation picture.

Said child was also forced to wear a banana suit. He looks seemingly like the Pope.

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Happy B-Day Mom...or D-Day, whatever you call it at this age

Happy B-Day Mom...or D-Day, whatever you call it at this age

August 15, 2009

2 comments

Happy Birthday Mom!
I'll be nice and not mention her age;) I have a wonderful mother...so wonderful that on her birthday she is coming to see me to help me get my classroom together. I thought about making her cupcakes, but then the leftover would likely be left her and consumed by me so instead I am just going to take her over to Curls Cupcakes and let her pick out what kind she wants. Plus if we each have one cupcake we aren't tempted to eat another...being that we don't have another! So Happy Bday Mom, I promise I won't treat you the way your parents treat us and take you out to eat only to have someone sing to you against your will{haha}.

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{just catch the dang thing}

{just catch the dang thing}

July 18, 2009

4 comments

Jennifer posted the rest of the wedding on her blog today. Whoo hoo.

Here are two pics from the post. I was so happy that the girls attacked the bouquet the way they did, and I do mean attacked. Most weddings I've seen lately the girls just stand there as the bouquet hits the ground like it's covered in anthrax{or big kid cooties for that matter}. But nope not the gals at our wedding, or the guys for that matter, they attacked it like it had money attached to it{or an actual groom}.The pic of my friend Ryan catching the garter{at one point his niece had the garter around her head} is in the slide show at the bottom of the page by the way. But yup, gotta love our crazy crowd.


I'm so glad married life is better than wedding planning...if it wasn't people wouldn't stay married long. Geez that week prior to the actual day is a killer, I actually lost 5lbs that week and not on purpose...I just got so busy I forgot to eat. Yes me, forgot to eat! Me, the person who starts thinking about lunch at breakfast and dinner at lunch...and what I'm having for Sunday lunch all week. No joke, I do believe there is a fat lady trying to get out some days haha. So for all soon to be's remember to eat, or at least schedule it in. Lord knows I don't remember anything I don't right down.

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{one more monogram}

{one more monogram}

April 24, 2009

3 comments

I've only been saying since November that I was going to order napkins...well I finally did. But I'm not gonna tell you which one, you'll have to come to the wedding to find out. They should be in Saturday and I can't wait to see them.

On another note, Jeremy is a address slacker, no I'm just picking but he did forget to give someone the addresses for the lingerie shower. Which Anna told me is set for May 18th, can't wait to see what that crazy girl has up her sleeve, but I know it will be fun!

I feel like I'm wedding slacking, I was told my a friend that the closer it got to her wedding the more she cried, and I'm starting to see what she means. For some reason I've decided to procrastinate every wedding detail this month and am two weeks late on picking up our engagement pic from the News Star. Oh well I seem to be treating school the same way, either I'm burnt out or this is a severe case of senioritis...and with graduation only a few weeks away I'm guessing it is senioritis.

Oh do you wanna hear something weird? Yesterday I was standing in Walmart(aka hell) and the girl in front of me looked like she was doing wedding returns so I asked and turns out she was. And here is the weird part...wait for it...her shower was the same day as mine, her wedding is the same day as mine...and they are going to the same state for their honeymoon. Granted we are leaving the country for a few days on a small cruise but we will be in Florida for a few days to soak up some Disney. There is another werid that can go with that too but who knows who reads this thing so you'd have to ask me in person to find out. But we can put it this way...she has my same problem, and I thought only one of those existed ha ha.

I'll try to put some shower pics up soon.

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Traditions and Etiquette {part deux}

Traditions and Etiquette {part deux}

April 10, 2009

1 comment

I remember years ago at my cousin Jeanie's wedding they did a money dance, I was one of the cute kiddos holding the pins. And well I haven't seen this done lately with my own eyes, but several friends have suggested it and said they had fun with it at their own weddings. So here is a little of what I have found about wedding dancing:

Dancing at your reception is a lovely way to bring an air of elegance and family togetherness to a wonderfully happy and joyous occasion.

Traditionally, the bride and groom will be the first to dance as their special song is played softly. Lights dimmed low create a romantic atmosphere.

As the music continues to play, the father of the bride will cut in on the groom and dance with his daughter. The groom asks the bride's mother to join him in a dance and together they grace the dance floor.

The groom's father then cuts in on the bride's father and dances with the bride himself. The bride's father will then cut in on the groom and dance with his wife.

The groom will then ask his mother to dance. Following this, the parents exchange dances with the other couple.

The best man then comes out to ask the bride to dance and the groom will dance with the maid or matron of honor. Finally, the entire wedding party, ushers and bridesmaids join in the festivities. Once the entire bridal party and their parents are on the dance floor, the other guests are invited to dance.

The "money dance" originated as a custom in Poland, and is a popular tradition found celebrated in the weddings of today. It takes place sometime after the first dance and is usually announced by the DJ. It is customary for the best man to begin dancing with the bride, pinning money onto her gown or putting it into a satin bag carried by the bride, especially for the money dance. A newer rendition of this money dance includes bridesmaids and other ladies dancing with the groom, pinning money on his lapel.

{www.ourmarriage.com}

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rice throwing tradition

rice throwing tradition

March 19, 2009

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Why is rice thrown at weddings?

Since early Roman times some grain - usually wheat - has been associated with the wedding ceremony.

The basis for the predominant theory as to why rice and other grains, such as wheat, have played a prominent role in marriage ceremonies for centuries, is that they are fraught with symbolism of fertility and of prosperity. By throwing rice at the bride and groom at a wedding, guests symbolically wish them a lifetime full of these blessings.

Historically, in certain primitive tribal cultures, the mere act of supping on rice together bound a couple in matrimony, as eating this local food together implied their living together. In other cultures, the symbolic eating of rice together preceded a shower of rice over the married couple.

Perhaps the most curious use of rice in the wedding ceremony, was its use in some cultures not to unite the happy couple, but to feed the uninvited evil spirits who always attended the ceremony. The rationale behind this practice was to ward off evil, as well-fed evil spirits would bring no harm to the blissful couple.

In early Roman times, wheat was the grain of choice for the wedding ceremony, as wheat, not rice, symbolized fertility. The virginal bride carried a sheaf of wheat in her hand throughout the ceremony, or wore a garland of wheat in her hair. Instead of the bride tossing a bouquet, as is traditionally done today, wedding guests tossed grains of wheat at her, and young, single girls clambered for the grains that bounced off of the young bride, believing that these grains could ensure them a trip down the bridal path soon thereafter.

The wheat tossing custom fell by the wayside under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England, when the once airborne wheat instead was baked into small cakes, which the guests then crumbled and tossed over the bride's head. Even this tradition gave way to another, in which a large wheat cake was baked, then eaten, not tossed. Wedding guests, literally left empty-handed, had no recourse but to find a suitable substitute for the costly wheat cakes. They needed something to toss at the bride to reinstate themselves as active participants in the ceremony. The natural choice was none other than cheap, clean, white rice, and the tradition then born has stuck to this day.

article taken from www.coolquiz.com

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{something old, something new, something borrowed, SOMETHING BLUE, and a lucky sixpence in your shoe}

{something old, something new, something borrowed, SOMETHING BLUE, and a lucky sixpence in your shoe}

March 13, 2009

5 comments

Guess what came in the mail today...my earrings I ordered off off Etsy.com. Yes I have become obsessed with that site. But what the hey it totally goes with how I am and my weddingish theme. Well since the Martha Stewart obsession I've gone on a handmade kick, as you could prolly tell, and well everything I have been able to buy handmade has been handmade. Now don't worry the dress isn't handmade...but its from a smaller less known bridal company. But I have in fact been driving myself insane with all the diy projects. So with out further adieu, something that someone else handmade:

I had heard about the seller wiyomu from the i heart peonies blog, needless to say I loved the jewlery so much I ordered it the same day. And it finally came in!

So here ya go, something blue!

Now if I can only figure out something borrowed, and something old. New is obviously the dress, and hair piece... I ordered a sixpence, but who knows where it is in the land of pony mail...Mom mentioned using her garter for borrowed but I wouldn't be able to throw it so that won't work. Hmm decisions decisions. Maybe a vintage garter from Etsy for old?

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