Warm winter menus!

The chill is in the air! Take advantage of the season by creating a mouthwatering menu that will keep your guests toasty on the inside and fuel them up to dance into the wee hours.  Get creative, and consider these fresh-from-the-hearth menu ideas.

In winter, you need to be thinking about comfort food rather than salad (We mean, who wants to eat salad in January?). Comfort food sounds very self-indulgent but actually, it’s very sensible to serve substantial soups, stews and hearty puddings during the cold weather as it helps to keep the chill out. You’ll also be keeping your costs down by keeping the food more seasonal – and try to source local produce as well.
At dinner itself, you could move onto that old classic favorite, meat pies, or a delicious casserole served with mac n' cheese and mashed potatoes. For dessert think elegant school dinners, you’ll hear appreciative murmurs if you offer delights like sticky toffee pudding with custard or apple crumble. And always remember - your caterer knows best!

 

As far as dessert, your winter wedding cake should reflect the season and the flavor can be rich and decadent. Caramel, coffee flavored, spice cake, moist carrot cake, orange or mint accented chocolate cake, white chocolate cranberry cake are all perfect choices to celebrate in the cold and ice.

An alternative winter dessert could be having a hot chocolate bar for your guests, with all the marshmallows and whip cream they desire - but don't forget about the coffee too!

 

 

The Anatomy of a Whirlwind Wedding!

Oh boy, has the year gone by so quickly, it’s mid-November already?! Time flies, this week our infographic address the topic of planning a wedding in just ONE MONTH! I would like to introduce: The Anatomy of a Whirlwind Wedding. 

 

www.simplybridal.com

 

Decking the halls with love!

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Why not add a wedding to it? Here are 5 things to keep in mind when planning a Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Eve wedding.

1. Decide if you really want a wedding during the holiday. As busy and hectic as the season is with gifts, parties and travel itineraries, understand that you're adding another layer with wedding planning. For those who are not related to you, you're pulling them away from their own families during the holiday season. And as any December birthday baby knows, every wedding anniversary is at risk of being overshadowed by the holidays. But the festive nature of the season may be enough to win you over.

2. Plan a year in advance. While churches and chapels are much less booked in the winter time, you'll want to book a reception hall at least a year in advance due to the many holiday parties. The same goes for caterers, bands and florists, since so many people will be having office or house parties at that time.

3. Let someone else deck the halls for you. Take advantage of venues already decorated for the holidays. If you're going for a Christmas décor, you'll save big on flowers and decorations. Some couples were able to get by with just bouquets for the wedding party.

4. Save the date. Be sure you let your guests know the date of your holiday wedding as soon as you know. In addition, send invitations three months in advance instead of the usual two to give guests plenty of time to make arrangements. Out-of-towners may have to pay more for holiday flights and hotel rooms, and make reservations very early to ensure everything is not booked. Ask guests to allow a day or two cushion for the inevitable bad weather delays. Even if snow is not a factor in your region, flight may be delayed from other airports.

5. Special requests. Take advantage of foods, desserts, decorations and music that come around only at this time of year. Serve festive cocktails like spiced cider, spiked eggnog and hot chocolate with Bailey's. Ask your musicians to add some romantic holiday songs, such as "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "Let It Snow," to their repertoire. For a New Year's Eve wedding, give guests top hats and tiaras, and pass out flutes of champagne for the big countdown.

Source: American Bridal

Top 5 Fall Honeymoon Destinations

Deciding on a honeymoon destination can be challenging and adds to the stress of planning a wedding. Since honeymoons are supposed to be relaxing, we've taken the work out of finding the perfect postnuptial destination for fall. Here's the top 5 places to start your happily-ever-after perfectly!

1. Paris
How romantic! Paris in the fall is especially nice since there are fewer crowds than in summer and more affordable prices, too. Paris offers an endless array of cultural pursuits like world-class museums, swoon-worthy sights, and some of the finest restaurants and bakeries in the world (bonjour, pastries!). But what makes the city of light so magical is its indescribable je ne sais quoi, which can only be truly discovered by getting lost among its many quaint side streets, charming boulevards, cozy cafés, and specialty shops.

2. Napa and Sonoma
For the perfect Stateside honeymoon this fall, you won't find anywhere more romantic than California's Wine Country. Autumn is an excellent time to visit, when the summer crowds have thinned out and "crush" time offers visitors the chance to see the wineries in action as they harvest the grapes. Picturesque views, relaxing spas - oh, and did we mention the wine?

3.  Riviera Nayarit
Revel in post-wedding bliss in Riviera Nayarit, a low-key region on Mexico's Pacific coast. Nestled in the Sierra Madre, Riviera Nayarit is famous for its fine, white-sand beaches; blue waters; eco-friendliness; diverse wildlife (whale-watching is very popular); and authentic Mexican charm.

4. ABC Islands
Start your happily-ever-after basking in the sun on Aruba, Bonaire, or Curaçao. Set in the Caribbean's sweet spot for weather, these three islands offer a near-perfect climate year-round, with a location blissfully removed from the so-called hurricane belt. Although Aruba may be the trio's best-known isle, don't discount laid-back Bonaire and Curaçao, where azure waters and fantastic coral reef diving attract visitors from around the world.

5. Chile and Argentina
Adventurous couples should celebrate their nuptials with a spirited escape to South America. Explore the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia, and tour romantic wineries set high in the Andes in Mendoza and just outside of Santiago. Once you've had your fill of the great outdoors, experience the cosmopolitan oasis of Buenos Aires. Whether you're enjoying a sizzling Argentinean steak at a local parrilla (steakhouse) or dancing the night away at a milonga (tango club), urban-minded couples will find plenty of ways to fuel their passions in this stylish city.

Source: Fodor's Travel

Cheers, to the Bride and Groom!

Can't make it to Germany for your wedding? We've got the next best thing. Bottoms up, ladies and gents!

www.simplybridal.com

 

Through the years...

We've all seen the past wedding pictures and wondered how that was ever a "good look" way when so in honor of Throwback Thursday, we thought we'd take you on a little ride through memory lane...

1980s Weddings –

 

Although weddings of the 80s were a simpler affair than the blowout bashes people throw nowadays, couples did go over the top when it came to the hair, the amount of fabric, and the prevalence of lace. The popularity of the puffy sleeve, and flowing lacy sleeves complimenting the detailed cathedral train made quite the statement alongside some groom’s white suit, or traditional morning suit. And of course…the bigger the hair, the better!

1990s Weddings  -

 

As far as dress styles go, puffy sleeves off the shoulder are IN! It’s hard to find a bride from the 90s that did not succumb to this trend as they held their colorful cascading bouquet. From accessorizing their dos with the headband veil, to the super short bangs, 90s weddings are chock-full of cringe-worthy hairstyles and the popularity of ladies perming their hair within an inch of their life has them looking back and saying “what was I thinking?!”

2000s Weddings –

 

Personality began to really play a role in bridal fashions in the early 2000s. Long sleeves and ball gowns became popular and sculpting your fashion and wedding design around your interests made the event more personal.  Fancy prom like updos became popular and the simplicity was unlike any other decade before.

Today -

 

Weddings nowadays have made so many changes from the past it’s unreal! Themed weddings, personalized everything for the bride and groom, thousands of bridal fashions from form fitting, to a modern princess flare, today’s weddings are an out of this world celebratory statement. Flowing curls, half up and down, messy and side buns, updos, flowers, diamonds, retro, classy, chic, long and short veils, or maybe no veil at all – the possibilities are endless and no bride is every the same anymore. Each bride and each wedding is different and fully customized. However, one thing that is unanimous…the puffy sleeves are out!

Falling onto the Runway!

Ladies! We have the hottest fall bridal fashions for you, that will be sure to leave a lasting impression!

1. Who needs a florist? These petal, floral, and lace embellished gowns are in full bloom this season.

 

 

2. Designers have added a hint of sparkle to their latest designs by pre-accessorizing their gowns with jeweled belts flattering to any silhouette.

 

3. Short and sweet? Long and lovely? How about both! The high, low skirt allows brides to show off some sexy leg, while keeping the traditional train. All that's left is finding some fabulous shoes.

 

4. Searching everywhere for the perfect modern peplum style dress to fit your fun and flirty personality? Look no further. Make a statement in this sweet and feminine gown.





 

 

Fit for a Princess...

Fairy tales do come true! Always dreamed of your prince sweeping you off your feet and off into the sunset after your princess perfect wedding, just not sure how to pull it off?
Follow the advice from our friends at Simply Bridal, and your love story will turn into your real-life fairy tale fit for a princess!

www.simplybridal.com


 

Fling Before the Ring!

Alright you wild ladies! Want your Bachelorette Party to go down in history? Here's a fabulous timeline for planning a party that you and your girls will (hopefully!) not forget! ;)

 

 

 

 

www.simplybridal.com

Falling into Autumn

Having your wedding in the beautiful Autumn season? If you're looking to capture all of the beauty Autumn has to offer outdoors, Simply Bridal has complied the best locations to say your "I do's" in front off all those fabulous fall colors!

www.simplybridal.com

A tail-waggin' wedding!

We all love our pets - they're part of the family! Just as such, we want them to be a part of all big events in our lives. Pet friendly weddings are the new craze, gaining popularity worldwide. The idea is, You wouldn’t leave your child at home on your special day, right? Then why leave the pug? Including a fuzzy pal, requires a bit of planning, but SimplyBridal has gone ahead and done the brainstorming for you, consider these 8 steps and you are set!

www.simplybridal.com

Getting real with wedding reality TV!

We are all guilty, all very very guilty for giving into reality shows. Why wouldn’t someone be interested in watching a show that features ordinary people and their actual lives? Whether you’re normally a fan of Keeping up with the Kardashians, Project Runway, or The Bachelor, the moment you get engaged the wedding reality TV shows are on your mind. SimplyBridal has compiled a list of shows for brides to get their daily dose of drama from and to help them gain a bit of inspiration.

 

www.simplybridal.com

Don't lose your head over a headpiece...

So you’ve found the dress, you’ve found the shoes, found the jewelry, now your ready to decide on a headpiece. There are so many options to choose from! Is it time to feel like a fairy tail princess and go with a big shiny tiara? Or, is it better to go for a few subtle hair clips? There are so many outside factors to consider as well, is there a theme to the wedding? Select the circlet or a feathered headband if your wedding is vintage themed or your just going for the Gatsby look. Take a look at the chart to help you decide what is right for you and your bridal party.

www.simplybridal.com

Pick a seat, not a side.

 

 

A seating chart at your actual wedding ceremony isn’t always necessary, traditionally all of the members attending in support of the bride sit on one side and the members attending to support the groom are on the other side. Many couples have chosen to abandon this tradition, as they believe that though their union, everyone is family so there shouldn’t be a seating plan.
 
Now, putting together a seating arrangement for the reception is a whole other ball game. Does the happily married couple prefer a sweetheart table, or would they rather be surrounded by their bridal party, or their family? Any of the following options is acceptable, but which one is right for your friends and family?


Source: www.simplybridal.com

Lovin' around the world!

Hey there bloggers!

We've got another awesome infographic for you to check out! :)

 

The idea of marriage is a cross-cultural idea, but each country, religion, and culture has different and special ways to celebrate the union between two lovers.  Many traditions involve the consumption of libations, others fire (the eternal flame of love), food, and the breaking of glass/vase. Our friends at SimplyBridal have collected a handful of traditions from different countries around the world to explore and share with the wedding community.

Which tradition will you be doing at your wedding? Share with us!

 

www.simplybridal.com

Feelin' hot, hot, hot!

July is here, and summer is fully upon us! So for all of our brides who are celebrating their glorious day in the American summer heat, we have a few of the hottest trends going around this season.
Comment below or on our Facebook page to share summer ideas you incorporated into your wedding!

DIY Wedding Accents
With the growing popularity of websites like Etsy and Pinterest, this season we are seeing many creative types of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) wedding accents. DIY wedding accents allow you to truly incorporate your tastes and preferences into your wedding. Whether it is hand-made wedding favors, chalkboard seating charts or antique birdcages as centerpieces, couples have been loving putting a part of themselves into their weddings.

 

Beer

Warmer months can make people nostalgic for sitting outside and drinking a beer in the fresh, warm air…this is no exception for weddings! While you may not want to forgo serving the symbolic wedding cocktail, bottled beers are an option to add variety to your cocktail hour. With so many great microbrews and craft beers on the market, couples can easily pick a custom assortment to serve to their guests. For those with a DIY spirit, you may even want to create your own personalized label for the brew to mark the special occasion!

 

 

Mint

A continuing trend from last summer, the color mint seems to keep on growing in popularity. As you can tell from fashion and style trends, it is BIG this season. Mint is a light, soft, springy color than many brides are choosing to incorporate into their wedding colors, bridesmaid’s dresses and accents. The crisp and fresh color easily adds an airy feeling to your wedding.

 



4th of July Weddings

It’s just about that time of the year in the U.S.A, our Independence Day.  If your big day happens to fall on the 4^th, we’ve created a list of tips that you can reference to share your big day with America’s special day.  To show your true patriotism incorporate the American colors, red, white and blue into your wedding theme. From your wedding decorations, and flower choices, to apparel, and even your food venue SimplyBridal has helped you brainstorm possible options.

www.simplybridal.com

We now pronounce you Mr. & Mrs...

So the wedding is over, phew… time to relax! Oh wait, but don’t forgot you’ve just gone from Miss to Mrs. It’s time to change your last name, there are so many important documents with your name on it that will need altering. Make sure you have your Marriage Certificate before trying to make any leeway with any of the steps below. One really important factor before changing your identification (drivers license or passport) is to make sure you wait until after your honeymoon or preplanned trips before changing these docs. If you change it before your trip, the name on the official travel document and your identification won’t match.

www.simplybridal.com

 

Something BLUE!

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue”.  This is our very last infographic in the SOMETHING series, and it's awesome! Selecting your “blue” item is probably the easiest of the four, with endless opportunities. The item could be anything, as long it’s got blue in it.  If your looking to put some color into your wardrobe, add a blue sash, or had your bridesmaids wear blue dresses. Ask your grooms party to chose blue boutonnieres. There are a million more ways that you can incorporate blue; our friends at Simply Bridal have just organized the most popular ideas into one infographic!

 

 

www.simplybridal.com

Something OLD!

Here's the first piece of the infamous traditional saying, "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." There's so many cutting edge, creative, and exciting ways to incorporate this into your special day!

www.simplybridal.com

Something BORROWED!

Here's another piece to having the perfect "something" puzzle!

www.simplybridal.com

Something NEW!

Need help finding that "something new" for your special day? We've got you covered. In today's technology driven world, make your something new innovative and fully electronic! Not only will you be reducing your carbon footprint but also partaking in an eco-friendly world.

www.simplybridal.com

Sizzling Summer Trends

Alright bloggers, we've showed you the spring bridal trends already, now it's time for the hot trends of summer! Here's the top 6 we found:

Sparkle

 Dazzle everyone in beads and sequins.

 

 

Flowers

Wear those petals like the beautiful flower you are.

 

 

Pastels

So soft, so romantic.

 

 

Asymmetrical Straps

Up your chic factor with a one-shoulder gown.

 

 

Peplum

An au courant silhouette for your big day.

 

 

 

Happy Summer shopping!

 

 

 

 



Stunning Stephanie!

Our artists are incredible! Stephanie's wedding at Ritz Carlton seemed like a day fit for the princess that she was. Rosie did Stephanie's hair and makeup, and Laura did makeup for the rest of the wedding party. Everyone looked amazing and we couldn't be happier for our beautiful bride. Congratulations Stephanie!
Pictures courtesy of Artful Life Studios

What Bouquet Will You Be Walking With Down the Aisle?

As we are nearing the end of April, we hope that this month of showers will bring beautiful flowers next month. As the pollen levels rise and for those who will be living off anti-histamines the next few months and would prefer not to hold pollinating plants so close to themselves, we’ve got just the thing for you. This week the SimplyBridal creative team has put together a list of great alternatives to the traditional flower bouquet.  There are so many to choose from, which one is right for you?

www.simplybridal.com

How Much Do We Love Indian Weddings?

The unBridaled Beauty team prides itself on the intricate Indian weddings we do, making sure our girls are nothing less than spectacular. Our bride, Rupali, was no exception. With fabulous hair done by Amanda, and flawless makeup done by Marcella, Rupali looked absolutely stunning. We were so pleased to be a part of her special day and send all our best wishes...Congratulations Rupali! 

Eco-Friendly Weddings

On this Earth Day, our friends at SimplyBridal have put together a fun visual with many ways to go green on your wedding day! Not your typical reusable bags at the grocery store, I'd say. Before taking a look at it, did you know that 62 tons of carbon dioxide is created from the 2.5 million weddings in the United States? Not to mention adding on the 9 million weddings celebrated in China. Wouldn't you like to help change those terribly high numbers? One sustainable wedding can make a difference! There are so many details that you can incorporate into you wedding to do some good for the Earth, from the paper you choose for invitations, to donating un-served food. Making little changes results in a big difference! Add a little green to your something blue!

www.simplybridal.com

 



Why white?

Why are wedding dresses white? Where did the tradition "something blue" come from? Bridal traditions have stood the test of time and become a key part of wedding planning. Ever wonder where these traditions originated from? Our friends at Simply Bridal have put together an informative (and not to mention adorable!) video to explain it all! Enjoy!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO



www.simplybridal.com