Wedding: Are bridal shows worth it?

This is a good question that plagues every bride: 

Are wedding shows worth it?

I feel like a wedding show veteran right now. I've been engaged for over a year and I have attended four shows. Overall- they're worth it.

Wedding: Cute Custom Bridal Illustrations

After the wedding, it's good to have items to remind you of your special day.....like photographs, cards or those pictures that I know you spent a pretty penny on. But it doesn't stop there! 

How about a custom illustration of your dress?

 I was contacted by Joanna pop a few months ago and she offered to do an illustration for my blog. 

I choose to get a wedding illustration that I could frame and put up in my new office.

I was not obligated to post/share share it but she did such an nice job!

***I put a filter on it and added a watermark***

These images can also be used for your invitations, save the date cards or stationary.

If you're interested, this is a service that she offers on her etsy page: etsy.com/shop/joannapop.  Clearly i'm not married yet but I sent her an image of a dress that I thought was cute and described what I wanted my fiancé suit to be. She was very professional and extremely quick I couldn't believe how fast I got my illustration in the mail.

If you are looking for a cute way to decorate your office, show off your dress or spruce up your blog, you should check her out!

Wedding: The Ins and Outs of Wedding Guest Lists Advice from Weddingbells’ Editor-in-Chief Alison McGill

Let's back track a bit. Last time I interviewed Weddingbells’ Editor-in-Chief Alison McGill the topic was wedding dress shopping. Today's topic is something that ALL brides dread.. The wedding guest list. This is the one part that has caused me so many headaches! I'm trying to keep my wedding small but all these people are popping up out of nowhere! Trying to accommodate everyone- plus listening to your parents requests is stressful. Hope this helps someone out there! 

Editor-in-Chief Alison McGill tackles my wedding guest list questions

How do you pick who comes to your wedding?
On your wedding day you want to be surrounded by those nearest and dearest to you (both family and friends). Whether you invite all of them will depend of course on your wedding budget and the size of the guest list you can accommodate. If your wedding is super-small and intimate, you may be challenged to narrow down exactly whom you invite. There are no hard and fast rules on who must be there—invite the people who mean the most in your life, who are extra-special. Wedding invites are a delicate subject and often come with their fair share of drama. It’s always good to be prepared for backlash because it happens. Often.

Are plus ones necessary?
Plus ones are not necessary but it’s often expected. Your guest will expect to invite a guest to accompany them to the wedding. If you are not extending the invitation to a plus one, be sure that is clearly indicated on your guest’s invitation. You may hear from the guest asking to confirm that a plus one is not invited. Taking it one step further, your guest may write in the name of their plus one even though you have indicated the invitation is for them alone. Once again be prepared to deal with this situation as you may have a disgruntled wedding guest on your hands.

How early in advance should you send out your invites?
Wedding invitations should be sent out no later than three months in advance of your wedding day. Better yet, it’s always appreciated by your guests if you send a save the date far in advance of your wedding day. People love advance notice on events and you want to be sure they clear their calendar for your wedding day.

What should be in the invite? (Response cards, for example)
Your invitation package includes the actual wedding invite and an RSVP card (or an email address/website where guests can respond). Including a map of the ceremony and reception location is also a great idea.

RSVPS: Mailing them back vs. email corresponding?
Either way is acceptable. It all depends on what the couple is asking for. If there is an RSVP card enclosed, fill out and send back. If there is an email, then send your reply electronically.

Wedding: Dress Advice from Weddingbells’ Editor-in-Chief Alison McGill

Time is going by so quickly. One of the items on my list in the distant future is the dress. I'm actually the oldest in my family and the first to get married- so the whole process is a new one. 

I'm extremely lucky to give this exclusive advice from Weddingbells’ Editor-in-Chief Alison McGill!

When is it the best time to look for your dress? One year before? Six months?
The sooner you can start shopping for your dress the better. Some dresses can take up to six months to manufacture and deliver so that’s why the more time you allow the better.

Where should you get dress inspiration from?
There are so many places to find dress inspiration. You can definitely find it with Weddingbells, both in our magazine pages and online where we post extensive galleries of the newest designer collections from New York and London (Spring 2015 collections were posted earlier this month). Pinterest of course is also an endless source of inspiration for all things weddings. Read fashion magazines, and I also recommend looking to the red carpet to see what celebrities are wearing—it is one of our main sources of inspiration at Weddingbells!

Who should you bring along when you go dress shopping? (Who shouldn’t you bring?)
When you are bridal dress shopping, keep the crowd to a minimum. I advise bringing only one or two people with you—and as for who you invite, that’s completely up to you. It should be people you are comfortable with, whose opinion you value and who will make the day a fun one for you. That might be your mom, sister, best friend...it may even be your fiancé. Most women still want the dress to be a surprise for the groom on their wedding day but we are seeing some brides who do take their mister-to-be along for dress shopping.

When going dress shopping what are three helpful tips to keep you organized?
1. Go in with an open mind. The dress style you may think you will never wear might turn out to be the one.
2. Before you go dress shopping, be sure to be fit and measured for proper undergarments! I can’t stress this point enough. It is totally going to impact how things fit and what looks good on you.
3. Don’t overschedule your shopping. You may think booking a ton of appointments in one day to visit bridal boutiques would be an efficient way to shop and see lots of options, but it will lead to wedding dress overload! Pace yourself and book no more than three appointments in one day.

My first Bridal Show experience: The Wedluxe Wedding Show

I survived my first wedding show. 

Let me rephrase that... my fiancé and I survived our first wedding show. 

We attended the luxurious Wedluxe show in Toronto!

Over 120 exhibitors to see and meet.

There were various vendors there such as florist, event planners, cake designers, 

make up artists, venues and much more.

As you entered the venue, you were given a tote bag to put all the 

goodies and pamphlets in that you got from the show.

If you were looking for hair inspiration, Moroccanoil had this great set up which allowed you to get your hair done by Moroccanoil stylist. You also had the opportunity to check out their new bath products.

I should also add there was a complementary shopping area. The line was so long. 

Free shopping, yes please!

One of the biggest things I took from the show was inspiration. I seen some of the most gorgeous floral arrangements I've ever seen in my life, stunning wedding invites and unique shots from a few photographers.

My one tip for someone who is looking to land a vendor from the event:

Create a list and divide it into what you're looking for.

I received a lot of cards and saw a lot of people but honestly I can't remember who is who.

If you get a card make a little note about something you liked at their booth. 

Trust me it will help you with uour memory.

Wedding: The Guest List + Tips

Remember it's your day! Do what you want.

This is a motto that I need to get tattooed on my arm for the next 18 months.

I will admit. There hasn't been much of an update since my last post (wedding wise).

We know that gift we want to give our guests! Haha.

Speaking of guests... One thing that is haunting me is the list. Those final numbers are critical.

One of the first things we did, once we got engaged was start our guest list.

I have collected some good advice in the past few months. 

I thought it would be a good idea to share with someone who may have the same questions.

Kids or no Kids?
We chose to go with no kids.
My (future) sister-law had kids at her wedding a few cried the whole reception.
Which was heard on her wedding video during the speeches.
If you have extra money- rent another room just for the kids.
Don't forget entertainment for them as well.

John who???
I will not have this problem on my side but in-laws adding everyone YOU DON'T KNOW to your list.
Pass! That's more money coming from your pockets.

Single friends + 1
This is one that can be debated for hours.
Think about it.. Say you invited someone you met in one of your college courses and she doesn't know anyone at the wedding. I think she deserves a plus one.
What if five friends from high school are invited. Do you give them all a +1 or assure them that they're all at the same table. Hmmmm...

We haven't yet gotten into seating arrangements yet but those are some tips to help you get started.

REMEMBER: 

Remember it's your day! Do what you want.