No look is complete without...accessories!

Finding the perfect accessories to go with your bridal gown can be a difficult task. Some brides prefer to wear little or no jewelry or accessories, and others want to be completely "jacked up" as they say on Say "Yes" to the Dress: Atlanta. Here are few looks from Bel Aire Bridal that represent a few of trends I have seen lately.

Belts

Belts and sashes are a great way to add bling, color or detail to your dress. It also can be really flattering for those brides who want to accentuate their waists.

Hairpieces

Hairpieces are another great way to add a little bling to your look. These can be paired with a veil or worn in place of a veil.

Birdcage Veils 

Birdcage veils have been making a comeback lately. They go nicely with the popular "vintage" themes and are a nice alternative to a traditional veil if that isn't your style. 

Check out some other bridal accessories on my Pinterest board!

Six Months Out...What needs to get done.

Today marks six months until my wedding day...YIKES! I was just thinking through things that I need to be getting done and thought it would be nice to share some of those with you all. Here are five, of many, items I recommend checking off of your wedding to-do list at the six month mark.

1. Order Bridesmaid Dresses

If ordering bridesmaid dresses from a bridal store or another retailer where your dresses will be custom made, I've been told to order them around six months out from the wedding date. The dresses can take around four months to arrive and this gives you time to have the dresses fitted and altered if need be. More  tips on bridesmaid dresses can be found here!

2. Schedule a tasting with the caterer

I just received a letter from our venue/caterer that said we should be scheduling a tasting session in the next month or so. This is important because once you decide on the meal, you can be more aware of your budget. You can also then put the meal options or menu on the invites if you would like.

3. Start finalizing your list

It is now time to start finalizing your list so you have a more accurate idea of how many people are expected to attend. Most send out "Save the Dates" about four to five months in advance, so getting that list finalized is important.

4.  Order engagement Pictures

Engagement pictures should be ordered as soon as possible so that they  can be used for invites, "save the dates," and as possible decor at the wedding (i.e. on the guest book table, at the main entrance, etc.). Plus, this gives you time to enjoy your engagement photos before you get caught up in the wedding and honeymoon photos. Haven't taken engagement photos yet? Check this post out for more tips!

5. Book your honeymoon

In order to ensure you get the accommodations you prefer, it is recommended that you schedule your honeymoon at least 6 months in advance. More tips for planning your honeymoon can be found here!

Flowers Galore!

Choosing flowers for your wedding day is a fun, but sometimes difficult decision. Should I get real or silk? What color look best? Do I want a big bouquet or a smaller one? What kind of flowers are best during which season? So many questions! I'm no flower expert, I leave that up to HyVee Floral. However, I did find some pretty cool ideas on Pinterest (of course...where else would we find ideas?!) and I wanted to share them with you all! Whether you are wanting real or silk, these are ideas that would work with either option. Enjoy!

Spring Flowers

http://www.modwedding.com/2014/01/03/25-pretty-spring-wedding-flower-ideas/

http://storyboardwedding.com/vintage-travel-inspired-wedding-elmwood-gardens/

Winter Flowers

http://www.brides.com/wedding-ideas/wedding-flowers/2011/12/winter-wedding-flowers-winter-weddings#slide=1

http://www.100layercake.com/blog/2013/12/10/black-gold-art-deco-wedding-inspiration/

Summer Flowers

http://www.stylemepretty.com/australia-weddings/new-south-wales-au/2014/02/13/the-butterfactory-pyree-wedding/

http://www.stylemepretty.com/australia-weddings/western-australia-au/2014/03/07/summer-margaret-river-winery-wedding/

Autumn Flowers

http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/starry-nights-5-midnight-blue-color-palettes-wedding-day/

http://faulknersranch.blogspot.com/2013_09_01_archive.html

Honeymoon advice from a REAL travel advisor!

Planning a wedding is a huge process with a lot of details and steps to accomplish. It is easy to get wrapped up in planning the wedding and forget about what comes after the wedding...the honeymoon! If you are planning to take a trip for your honeymoon, let the experts help you out! As I have been communicating with our travel adviser to plan our honeymoon, I thought it would be great to share some of her advice with you all! I set up a little Q+A with Humble Travel's, Annie Humble-Gougler, and she was able to offer some great plans for planning your honeymoon. Check it out!

1. When do you recommend couples begin planning their honeymoon?

Couples typically begin planning their honeymoon between 6-12 months before they plan on traveling. It couple be more or less than that but generally speaking that is the average. 

2. What is the biggest mistake couples make when booking their honeymoon?  (i.e. overestimating budget, not checking reviews, booking too late/early, etc)

Some couples that book too late experience disappointment because they don’t get the hotel or room category they really want.  The honeymoon is that trip that all couples really remember and want to be really special because it’s not just another vacation. It is best to start early so that the couple knows how much money they will need to save for the honeymoon, ensure they get the best hotel and room category to meet their needs, and to get the best value. 

3. What are the three of the most popular honeymoon destinations for your clients. 

Our agency books many honeymoons to Mexico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica. These destinations are some of the top ones that offer all-inclusive and for a good price. Couples tend to get the most for their money in these destinations. For some couples that have already been to those areas and want something different we commonly send honeymooners to St Lucia or Costa Rica. Those two destinations are particularly great for those wanting more adventure.

4. Do you recommend all inclusive resorts over pay-as-you-go places? Why or why not?

Both options are great. It just depends upon what the couple is looking for and where they want to go. If a couple is budget conscience and wants to know exactly how much their trip will cost before they go then all-inclusive is definitely the best for them. However, if I have a client that tells me they love to explore and eat at local restaurants I would suggest a European Plan (no food included) hotel option for them. There are some destinations where almost all the hotels are all-inclusive. For example, Dominican Republic is a big all-inclusive destination. If honeymooners wanted to travel there but wanted to dine at local restaurants I would advise that this destination would not be the best option for them. There are many other islands out there that have lots of local dining options. 

5. What are some of the benefits of booking with a travel agency?

There are so many options out there….it’s a big world! By booking with an agency like, Humble Travel, honeymooners can tell us what type of experience they want and we do the work for them. They are already busy enough planning the wedding, so it really helps to have someone else planning the honeymoon. We help match the right destination, hotel, tours, flights, trip protection and more to our client. This is accomplished by collaborating with our clients to find out what they want their honeymoon trip to be like and the pros/cons of their past travel experiences. We have personal relationships with many different hotels and travel suppliers all over the world through our Virtuoso travel network membership. This has helped our clients get room upgrades at select properties or special in-room amenities while traveling. Plus, let’s face it sometimes things go don’t go perfectly. Sometimes the weather acts up or flights get delayed. Another added benefit is that we help our clients through these situations whether they are at the airport needing help or if they need assistance filing a trip protection claim when they get home.

I have some clients that came to me to book their honeymoon and have come back to me repeatedly to book other trips. We had a great relationship throughout the trip planning process and they really opened up to me about the things they loved and the things that could have been better. Their input has been so valuable because I have taken it into consideration when planning their new trips. Now they always come to me to book all their travel because I know what they like when traveling. This industry is truly about relationships.

I highly recommend Humble Travel. I have had a great experience thus far and have had many family members who have used their services as well.

Annie Humble-Gougler
Office Manager and Travel Advisor

DIY Centerpieces

A great way to personalize your wedding is by making unique centerpieces. I have found some great ideas on Pinterest for DIY centerpieces that are unique and cost effective using items that many of you already have in your cabinets or know people who do. Here are a few that I love.

Wine Bottles

http://www.weddingchicks.com/2014/09/15/rustically-romantic-wedding/

Mason Jars

http://www.adventuresofamiddlesister.com/2012/08/diy-mason-jar-luminaries.html

Glittery Vases

http://burnettsboards.com/2013/10/sweet-classic-wedding-diy-details/

For more ideas, check out my Pinterest boards! Do you have other plans for DIY centerpieces? Let me know in the comments section below.

Grooms...this one's for you!

I've talked about bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses, so now it's time to talk about the groom and his posse. Although much attention will be paid to the the brides beautiful gown and the colors of the bridesmaid dresses, the men in the wedding are just as important. Here are a couple different styles from Milroy's Tuxedos in Cedar Falls, Iowa that represent some looks I have seen for men.

The traditional tuxedo

There is something so charming and elegant about the traditional black white tuxedo with a bow tie. Although it may not be used as frequently, it is a great option for a very formal and elegant wedding.Want something besides black? Try a tan or grey version of this tuxedo to mix it up a bit!

Vests only

This look is becoming more and more popular, especially for those summer weddings where heat might be an issue. This look can still be very formal, but is a great way to get a more laid back if that's what you prefer.

Suspenders and ties

This is definitely a look for a fun and laid back groom and his groomsmen. It is a trendy and fun way to add some personality and still look very nice for the occasion. This is also another option that is great for summer weddings.

Do you have other ideas for the groom's apparel on his wedding day? Tell me in the comments section or by following me on Twitter!

3 Wedding Desserts That Are NOT Cake

The traditional wedding cake has always been a big part of the meal at weddings. There's the elaborately decorated cake and of course the "cutting of the cake" ritual. However, if cake isn't your thing, fear not! There are a lot of other options, and nothing says you HAVE to have cake at your wedding. Here are 3 different desserts I have had at recent weddings:

Ice Cream Sundae Bar

An ice cream sundae bar is a fun way to serve something sweet and unique that satisfies all ages, especially the kids! Toppings like cherries, strawberries, nuts, Oreo's, and of course chocolate and caramel syrups are the perfect addition to a scoop or two of ice cream.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/

Pie

Pies are becoming more and more popular at weddings. I have seen normal slices of pies and even some very cute mini pies  that each guest got to enjoy. One thing to consider when serving pies at a wedding is if you are serving cream pies of any sort you will need to have a way of keeping them cold until they are ready to be served. Of course the perfect combination with any pie is a scoop of ice cream!

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

S'mores

S'mores may be a traditional campfire dessert, but they are making their way into the wedding scene as well. Some have a campfire outside for guests to roast their marshmallows on and others have brought in small warmers. Both work just fine. It works best if you have a "kit" already prepared, complete with graham crackers, a marshmallow and a piece of chocolate. 

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/