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.

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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!

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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. 

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Say "Yes" to the Dress: Not as easy as it sounds

The famous show on TLC, Say "Yes" to the Dress, shows how shopping for the dress you will wear on one of the biggest days of your life is quite the process. I used to work in a bridal shop and have been obsessed with weddings for as long as I can remember. When I got engaged this past May, I couldn't wait to finally get to shop for MY perfect dress. I quickly  found that, while it is indeed fun to try on beautiful gowns and accessories, it can be quite stressful when it comes down to making a decision. Here are a few tips I have for making the process go a little smoother.

Don't bring too many people

This is a tip I have heard frequently and I fully believe it. I know that some people really have great experiences with bringing a large group of friends/family, but more common than not I have seen that it goes much smoother with less people. The first time I went shopping was with just my mom. It was nice to try on things and not have too many opinions coming at me. Once I had narrowed down my decision to a couple dresses, then I wanted to have more opinions. The important thing to remember is that the most important opinion is your own, and even though others' opinions may help you decide, you may not agree with what others think is best for you. Bringing people who really know my style and personality was really helpful because it assured me that I was choosing the dress that would really be perfect for my big day.

Try on a lot of dresses and styles

Yes, I know that many will not agree with me on this. However, picking out your wedding dress is a once in a lifetime experience so I think you should make the most of it. Try on styles that you normally wouldn't, because you never know how you will feel once the dress is on. There are so many different styles and looks and it is fun to see the differences and to see what works and what does not. Here are a couple of styles from Allure Bridals that are very different, but all fun and beautiful in their own way.

The textured skirt

Lace, lace, lace...it's everywhere!

The ballgown

Go with your gut

It is nice to have others opinions at times, but when it comes down to it your opinion is the one that matters most. Don't let anyone sway you from what your gut feeling is. Many brides wait until they have an overwhelming feeling or emotions that tell them that they have found THE dress, but for some brides that doesn't come. It's important to know which dresses you felt the best in, go back and try those on again, and chances are you will know when you have found the one. It may not bring you to tears, but you will know when it is "your" dress. For me, I was deciding between two dress and was pretty stressed about it. I knew which dress was mine when I tried it on again and was immediately relieved of the stress I was feeling before.

Have fun and try not to stress too much. After all, picking your dress should be fun and exciting!

Oh! Don't forget to check out my "Wedding Dresses" board and follow me on Pinterest!

Three Things to Consider When Choosing Bridesmaid Dresses

Choosing your bridesmaid dresses is an important part of bringing your visions of your wedding day to life. Their dresses are most likely where your color pallet will be most evident. There are so many different options, but finding the dresses in the style and color your want at an affordable price is not always as easy as it seems. Here are the four biggest considerations I suggest focusing on when choosing dresses for your bridesmaids.

Style

It is a known fact that no two bodies are exactly alike. That being said, choosing a style of dress for your bridesmaids that will look good on everyone is very important. The last thing you want is for your bridesmaids to be uncomfortable or self-conscious about the dress you choose for them. 

One way to avoid this is by choosing the brand, fabric, color and length of the dresses and letting your bridesmaids choose the style. Some may prefer a strapless, fitted dress and others may prefer straps and a more flowy look. If you want your bridal party to look more uniform, then this may not be something you want to consider. If you like the idea of creating a subtle array of looks throughout your bridesmaids, this is a great way to accomplish that.

Here is one of my recent pins that shows a slight variety in the bridal party dresses.

Color

Finding the color you envision for your big day may not be as simple as you think. If you have a color that is not a common shade, you may want to start search for a brand that carries the color you have in mind before you fall in love with a dress that doesn't come in the right color. Also, when deciding on a color for your bridesmaids, you should consider the season the wedding is in. If it is a spring or summer wedding, you may want to consider brighter colors or colorful flowers. If it is a fall or winter wedding, neutral or darker colors are popular. Of course, there is no "rule" that says you can't do a certain color in a certain season, but you may want to consider this when thinking about the overall look and feel of your wedding.

Another issue might be that even though the colors may be called the same thing among various brands, it doesn't mean they are the same color.

For instance, I have been frantically searching for the "perfect" mint bridesmaid dresses. The MoriLee, lin of bridesmaid dresses have a mint that looks like this:

http://www.morilee.com/bridesmaids/bridesmaids/686

The Bill Levkoff mint looks like this:

http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/730

Be sure you ask for color swatches or visit a store that carries the dresses that you are considering or you may end up disappointed.

Price

Being in a wedding is not cheap and it is something that your wedding party is fully aware of when agreeing to be in the wedding. However, if you can lower the expenses for your wedding party as much as possible, it will make for a much smoother process. If your bridesmaids will be paying for their own dresses, I suggest choosing a dress that is a price that you would expect to pay if you were the bridesmaid. 

In some instances, the couple our their parents pay for the dresses. If cost isn't an issue, the possibilities are essentially endless. You still will want to consider the number of bridesmaids there are and how much of your budget will be spent on their dresses if you choose to pay for them.

Now go out and find your perfect bridesmaid dresses!

Engagement Photos 101

As the leaves start to change, it becomes a popular time for couples to do their engagement photo session. I am gearing up for my engagement session on Wednesday and thought I would share some of the advice that I have gotten from other couples, Pinterest, and my photographer.

When is the best time to take engagement photos?

This is really all about the preference of the couple. Fall seems to be a popular time for engagement pictures in the Midwest as the leaves begin to change and create the perfect natural backdrop for the session. Others prefer spring and summer with green grass and sunny skies as the setting for their engagement shoot. I have seen some do winter shoots with fun hats scarves, fluffy coats and lots of snow. It really does depend on the preference of the couple. However, I would recommend taking pictures at least 5-6 months before the wedding. This allows you to enjoy your engagement photos and use them for "save-the-dates," invites and/or programs for the wedding.

What the heck should we wear for engagement pictures?

Trust me, I know this is a daunting task. My fiance and I are getting our pictures taken in two days and we just figured out what we were wearing yesterday. Here are a few tips I have.

1. Don't wear obnoxious colors. They will take away from you and your fiance and they are...well... obnoxious.
2. Don't wear things that you wouldn't normally wear. Be yourselves.
3. Dress for the season. I wouldn't recommend a sundress in a winter session, or a sweater in a summer session. You get the point.
4. If you wear a pattern, your fiance should wear a solid or something pretty subtle. Likewise, if your fiance chooses a patterned shirt, you should choose something a bit more calm to balance out the outfits.
5. Don't bring your whole closet to the shoot. Two to three outfits is more than enough for the engagement shoot. Chances are, you are only going to order a few shots so it doesn't make sense to bring too many outfits. Plus, it is not convenient to be changing clothes every five minutes.

Where should we take engagement pictures?

This is another thing that totally depends on the preference of the couple. I would recommend choosing a location that fits your personality. It is also nice to choose a place that is meaningful to you two as a couple. If you are struggling to choose a location, ask your photographer. They are the expert and they know which places are good and which ones just don't work.

Here are some of my recent "pins" that I think are great examples of poses, locations and outfits that work well for engagement photos. Enjoy!