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St. Simons Wedding Planner :: Island Destination Weddings | Blog
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Splurge vs. Steal: Shoes

Wedding Sugar

Splurge:  If only the best will do for your tootsies, you will absolutely WUB these Vera Wang Embroidered Halter Pumps from Neiman Marcus.

Specs:

• Ivory satin.
• Satin/grosgrain floral appliqués and beading on vamp.
• Golden buckle at ankle.
• 3 1/2″ covered heel.

Damage:  $675  Now $506

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steal:  Alexis by Saugus (as sold and featured by House of Brides).  This satin slingback with crystal beading has a heel height is 2 3/4 inches, and is dyeable. So, if you like the demure ivory of the Vera Wang, it’s still totally doable with the Alexis.  Saugus is what we used to swear by in my pageant days for their comfort, durability and look. In other words, they make a really good shoe.  Check out some of their other gorgeous designs. 

Damage:  $90 Now $60

Stupid Stuff No One Will Miss (or Notice)

Terrica Talk, Wedding Advice

Perhaps a nicer title would have been “You Can Stop Stressing Over ______”.

Following along the premise of yesterday’s post about brides on a budget, I would like to quell some fears.  I even discussed this with a few industry buddies, just to add some clarity and variety.  Here we go!

  1. Non-Edible Favors–Skip the seashells or swans full of dinner mints and wrapped in tulle.  It’s waste.  You can also do away with the photo frames and place card holders.  You will find a majority are going to be left on your table.  Another thing, if it is has your name on it, it will probably be abandoned.  This includes personalized CDs (copyright issues), jars, candles, etc.  I can remember years ago going to a baby shower and receiving an angel figurine with the baby’s name on it.  I thought, “Ok. What am I going to do with this?” Your guests will be thinking the same thing. Honestly,  I have no need for a 2×3 frame.  And ONE place card holder.  No. No use at all.  Instead, opt for little things, with style.  Candy, dessert and popcorn bars are a great way to show your appreciation and are a hit. Better yet, give a donation in the name of your wedding or guests. Leave a nice bookmark or card on the place setting to say that it has been done. Just don’t say how much you donated.
  2. Those 1983 Gold Imprinted Cocktail Napkins— I haven’t seen these in forever, but as long as they are selling them in the back of wedding invitation catalogs, someone is buying them (unfortunately).  No one will miss these. No one is looking for them.  Spend your money somewhere else.
  3. The Groom’s Cake—  Don’t get me wrong, the sentiment is really sweet. If you have the money and want to honor your hubby-to-be, go for it. However, if you don’t, don’t sweat it. I have been to some of the most beautiful weddings and there is wedding cake left over for days.  Can you imagine how upset you would be if you had TWO cakes that no one touched? 
  4. Champagne–Yep, unless you’re Puff Daddy, I think it’s perfectly fine to skip the bubbly.  I know, I know, it’s a wedding.  But…a lot of people don’t even like champagne. So you save yourself the pain and angst of buying it by the bottles only for people to take a sip and sit it down.  People can toast with what they have at hand, or shoot for the Italian prosecco that is more cost effective.
  5. Bathroom Baskets— Again, sweet in sentiment, but unnecessary.  Your guests are only there for four hours.  Save your money and put it somewhere else. 
  6. Ceremony Programs— If you have the money to spend on them, fine. Knock yourself out.  In some cultures it is customary to honor certain individuals.  But I will tell you, a majority of the people don’t care about what your flower girl’s name is or what song the grandmothers are being seated to.  If we leave or hand out 100 programs, 50 to 75 of them are left in the seats or the baskets. Put your money some where else.

Ooohh! Freebies!

Wedding Sugar

Yes, girlfriends!  We stumbled upon some giveaways!

 BRIDES is offering some fantastic freebies:  Vera Wang perfume (I LOVE this! Even the one for men totally rocks), a Jamaican honeymoon, a V-phone from Vonage, lingerie and letterpress stationery (again from the uber-fab Vera Wang), Tommy Bahamas bikini, a new Serta mattress (get this, designed by Vera Wang!), martini glasses, eyewear, wedding album and vases by….again Vera Wang 🙂

Good luck!

 Let us know if you win!

The Sponsored Wedding…The One Way Ticket to Tackyville

Terrica Talk

Pregnancy Insomnia has me up late lately (like now), scouring the net looking for cribs, layettes, food, etc.  Of course, my mind always goes back in to wedding mode quite frequently. I pop in on a few blogs and message boards to see what real brides are talking about.  Not the ones from the magazines who have 2.5 million dollars to spend, but those who are really doing their best on balls and knuckles to pull off a fantastic event.

 Imagine my surprise horror, when I read post after post from brides about having a “Sponsored Wedding”.  Because I love you, I will share a few things with you…

Continue reading

Bringing Sexy BackFat

Terrica Talk

Here is a question that came to me a few days ago:

Hi Terrica!
I just wanted to thank you for your blog. A lot of your ideas have been inspiration for me and my wedding board buddies. I love that you are doing storyboards now. Well the real reason I am writing you is completely self serving. See, I’m a big girl. That being said, I know my choices are limited when it comes to wedding gowns. However, I am not going to let that stop me from feeling and looking like a queen on my wedding day. Some of the designs I like are halters, but I hate my big arms. My mom says I should avoid a halter because of my size and will run into the inevitable “Back Fat” problem. You seem like you shoot straight from the hip. What do you think?

A happy blog reader

Aawww! You like me, you really like me! It’s great to get notes from readers. It makes me feel like someone is listening LOL! First of all, congratulations on being part of the feminine species who refuses to starve herself to fit into a size 0. But girlfriend, you do have options! Of course, this just has to be said…don’t crash diet or buy a dress smaller than what you are in the hopes of squeezing into it for your wedding day. That’s just stupid. Keep it real with yourself, and work with what your Mama gave ya.

If you are also top heavy, try to avoid a lot of the ridiculous ornamentation that we see on the bodice. This draw your eyes STRAIGHT to your cleavage. Try to create balance with U or V shaped necklines or throw in some color. I love that Alfred Angelo does this, as their designs have really taken off in recent years for full-figured ladies. White can make you look bigger than what you are, so throw in a nice red, champagne, espresso, etc. to add contrast and break up all of the white. Shoot for a nice A-Line skirt as well.

Also rest assured that back fat happens to ALL of us. I have brides who are tiny and we have to squeeze it into their dresses. It happens, especially with dresses with corsets. We want to accentuate your figure and keep you secure…but we also don’t want you looking like you’re in a vice grip. This may call for a tuck here and there, but remember, comfort is the goal, as well as beauty. If your arms are a worry for you, look for designer boleros or shawls to complement your dress in color and texture.

I hope this helps, and thanks for reading!

Keep the Change, and Pay For Your Wedding

Terrica Talk, Wedding Advice

I heart my bank. Yes, good ole Bank of America. We are notorious for gently encouraging clients to set up a  separate bank account for their wedding. It makes things so much easier to keep track of.  For example, you are issued a separate VISA debit card to make your purchases (uber smart to pay your vendors with or to make your online purchases).  But, my darlings, did you know that you can get your charges rounded to the nearest dollar and put into a separate savings account?  YES! And for the next three months, Bank of America will match your savings 100% and put it in your savings account!

 Ok, while it may not be enough to cover your reception, it is good to see some of that money build up for you later. Perhaps for the honeymoon?  🙂

A Rose is a Rose…and Boring

Wedding Advice, Wedding Sugar

I like roses.  I really do. They are– sometimes…just a little overplayed. There are a literally thousands of other flowers out there. If you are looking for ways to instantly give your wedding spice, style, pizzazz or whatever, change your flowers.  I love to see a bride incorporate different flowers into her bouquets and centerpieces. However, a lot of times, the poor guys are overlooked!  The get stuck with the rose and baby breath from Senior Prom.  Get mad, men! Put your foot down! Demand your lillies!  🙂

But seriously changing your boutonnieres is a great way to add a different dynamic to your wedding party design.  The colors can be inspired by the shade of the bridesmaids’ dresses or the groom’s eyes.  Perhaps you can pick a flower that describes how you feel about your husband to be.  Remember, inspiration can come from anywhere.  Also look to incorporate different elements into your boutonniere (translation: ditch the baby’s breath). Include beautiful greenery like Ruskus, palm, Ivy, berries or eucalyptus.   If you want to go ultra trendy, look for beaded wire; for a beach look, add a few shells.  Instead of the usual green floral tape, have your bouts wrapped in coordinating satin.

Here are some great ideas:

                

 

 

 

 

 

 

You could also opt to do away with boutonnieres altogether, particularly for beach weddings, and instead use?? leis.  They are quite exotic and beautiful all their own.

Splurge Vs. Steal: The Earrings

Wedding Sugar

I heart shopping.  I know, what woman doesn’t? But I really heart shopping.  Many praises and chocolate martinis to whomever introduced this “tab” feature into the internet browsers, because now I can shop everywhere at the same time. (I am infamous for finding a deal)  Enter: The Splurge Vs. Steal section of the blog.

 Ever see something uber-sweet for your wedding, and you mosey on to the back of the magazine or the fine print to find that it costs approximately 1 first born male child and 2 kidneys?  Yes, honey, we have all been there.  Have no fear, your friendly neighborhood wedding planner is here. Let’s see what’s in store for this week:

Splurge:  These beautiful 18 karat white gold earrings, set with blue topaz and diamonds are from Laura Munder.  Aren’t they beautiful?  Laura Munder Fine Jewelry carries beautiful rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and brooches.  I am a big fan of the gorgeous cocktail rings.  The cuts and designs are so artful and intricate, that you happen to fall in love with them.  Her beauties have been featured in many a bridal mag.  At blog time, the price for these earrings were not available, but you can check for locations or contact them here.

Steal:  These beauties are from Emitations.  They are called Aasia’s Azure Blue Pear Drop CZ Earrings.  You can save 38%  when you purchase them on the Emitations site, as they are now on sale for $49.99.  These are similar to the ones worn by Jennifer Garner, as shown at the left. Emitations offers affordable designer imitation jewelry– some inspired by celebrity looks. 

Baby, Let’s Cruise…

Terrica Talk

beach-bride.jpgGetting married at sea is becoming an increasingly popular phenom in the trend of destination weddings.  Really– think about it:  for a bit cheaper than a resort wedding and quite possibly a LOT less than the “at home” wedding, you can get together with as many (or as little) family and friends aboard a gorgeous ship with world-class entertainment and food.  What’s more, we’re talking all inclusive! 

You  have so many options that obviously you don’t get with the “at home” wedding and a few perks that you don’t get with the destination resort wedding.  For example, with the cruise ship wedding, you can visit several different ports, adding to the overall experience of your weddingmoon.  Additionally, you don’t have worry about choosing a “child friendly” resort or shuffling guests to a different property because you want to include family or friends with kids.  You can even rent the tuxes on board! What’s best, you can enjoy your honeymoon at the same time and save money. You can plan an entire three day wedding extravaganza (welcome party, reception, and post-wedding brunch) for the same cost (or less) as a wedding reception. 

There are a myriad of options you could choose. From which ports of call to visit, the ships with the best amenities for your personality and guests, and more.  We’d be happy to tell you more!  Just email us at travel@onceuponyourwedding.com.  We can get you off to the right start and possibly even give you a quote!