WEDDING BLOG

Saying “thank you” is not only a must for proper etiquette, it’s also a fool proof way to spread joy and bring more abundance to your life. No doubt your wedding planning process will be full of people who share their time, resources, and talents to help make your dreams come true, so there is no better time say thank you and to say it with style. Here are some of our favorite ideas from Planning Your Wedding: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Perfect Day, that will help you get your message across.   

Chapter 11: Your Wedding Party- Gifts and Gratitude
Show your appreciation and celebrate your relationships with thoughtful notes and gifts

The members of your wedding party are your friends, your family, your support systems, and your comic relief. Theyve no doubt played important roles in your lives, and throughout your wedding planning, they will shower you with sweet gifts and gestures, so it is only natural for you to reciprocate. Showing gratitude for all theyve done is one of your most important responsibilities.

Coming up with thank-you gifts that express what your friends mean to you can be a superfun and creative project. What does each of your friends love to do? Show them how well you know them with personalized gifts: a specialty single malt scotch for the connoisseur, a dinner out at a new local restaurant for the foodie, tickets to a ball game for the sports nut, a first-edition book for the scholar, fabulous accessories for the dedicated follower of fashion, or activities you can do together for friends who love to get up and go.

While thoughtful gifts are always appreciated, nothing says thank you like publicly declaring your gratitude, so raise a glass to those who have shaped your life and made your wedding possible. A little recognition goes a long way to honor those you love.

Remember that thank-you gifts dont have to be expensive; it truly is the thought that counts. No matter what gift you give, accompany it with a card and a message from the heart. Tell the members of your wedding party what their friendship means to you and why youre grateful theyre part of your big day.

Fun Activities

• Say thanks by treating your wedding party to an activity you want to do together in the days before or on the day of your wedding.

• Spring for all the guys to play nine holes of golf, eat a great brunch, or get hot shaves at the barber-shop the morning of the wedding.

• Spring for all the girls to get pedicures, get their horoscopes read, or have their makeup done on the big day.

Gifts for Your Guys

• Sterling silver gifts like cuff links, flasks, key chains, Swiss army knives, or money clips are classic and elegant ways to say thank you.

• Find each groomsman a pair of vintage cuff links that matches his personality and hobbies. Scour thrift stores and Internet auction sites for great selections.

• Each gift doesnt have to be the same. Your friends are all different, so play to their personalities to find the perfect thank-you gifts you know theyll love.

Gifts for Your Girls

• Jewelry to wear on the wedding day is always a welcome gift. Be sure to let them know ahead of time that youve got their jewelry covered.

• Classic jewelry they can wear for years to come will remind them of your friendship. Engrave it with a sweet note to make it more personal.

• Personal stationery customized with their monogram, initials, or another pretty design will never go out of style.

• Give them a gift of pampering they wouldnt normally buy for themselves.

Saying Thanks

• Give a short thank-you speech at your reception, introducing your wedding party and explaining what makes each of them an important part of your lives.

• The rehearsal dinner is a great time to give out thank-you gifts to the wedding party and family since it will be a gathering just for you and them.

• Wedding planning is full of small details. Dont let the little things people do for you go unnoticed; small gestures can make a huge impact.

(Excerpted from the book Planning Your Wedding: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Perfect Day. Real Wedding images by: 1 and 4- La Vie Photography,  2- Junebug Weddings, 3- One Thousand Words Photography)   

Another excerpt from the wedding planning book we recently authored for Globe Pequot Press. The following section on men’s wear was one of my personal favorites to research. I love learning anything and everything to do with fashion, and it was fun to get down to the nitty gritty differences between traditional men’s formal wear options. The pages that follow this in the book go on to discuss alternative men’s wear like beach wear, national dress and military uniforms, and how to finish your look with fun accessories and extras.

Chapter 7: Groom 101- Tuxedos and Suits
Formal, casual, or in between, suits and tuxes make for a modern and stylish wedding day look

Everyone loves a man in a suit, and your wedding day gives you the opportunity to put together a truly spectacular formal look to woo your bride, wow your guests, and make you feel like a million dollars. There are many options available for mens formal wear, from the most formal white-tie tuxedo to the most casual linen suit, so consider your events theme, location, time of day, and time of year to find the perfect look for you.

White-tie is considered the most formal classification of menswear and brings an aura of history and glamour to your event. Unlike other styles of menswear, where you can be a little creative with your choices, white-tie is extremely traditional and the guidelines of what is appropriate are very specific. Worn only after 6:00 in the evening, white-tie consists of a black tailcoat, black trousers worn with suspenders, a white winged-collar shirt, a white waistcoat, and a white bow tie.

Black-tie is the most common level of formal wear. It consists of a classic black tuxedo or a modern variation. In the summer months or in very warm climates, a white dinner jacket can be worn with a simple black cummerbund and bow tie, reminiscent of James Bond or Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca.

Both formal and casual suits are very popular for modern grooms and their wedding parties, as they are still appropriate for this kind of special occasion but leave a little more room for alternative style. Most tuxedos and formal suits are available to rent, but purchasing one thats tailored to fit you will be the best quality. If you think youll have the opportunity to wear it three or four times a year, or if you want it as a special memento of your day, consider buying instead of renting.

White-Tie

• The white-tie tailcoat has a horizontal, cutaway front that leaves long tails in the back. It looks double breasted, but it doesnt actually fasten in the front.

• The white bow tie and waistcoat are made of matching materials, typically cotton pique.

• The daytime version of white-tie is called morning dress. The most noticeable difference is the cut and color of the coat and the use of a necktie or cravat.

Black-Tie

• Traditional collar options on a tuxedo range from the long rounded shawl collar, and the sleek and elegant notch lapel (as shown above) to the more dramatic and angular peak lapel.

• Bow ties and formal neckties should match the fabric of your tux lapels.

• If you wear a cummerbund, its pleats should face up.

• The daytime equivalent of black-tie is called the stroller and is very similar to morning dress, except that a necktie is nearly always worn and the coat has no tails.

Formal Suits

• These men are wearing black suits, which creates a formal and cohesive look.

• Single-breasted suits usually have two or three buttons. Two-button jackets have a longer vertical shape and flatter most body types. Three-button jackets have a broader shape and look best on large or tall men.

• Suits are made from wools that are categorized by numbers like Super 110, 120, or 150. Generally the higher the number, the finer and softer the wool.

Casual Suits

• Navy and tan suits look more casual than their black or dark gray counterparts.

• In a well-fitting suit, your shirtsleeves should extend about half an inch beyond your jacket cuff and your shirt collar about half an inch above your jacket collar.

• Light-colored linen, poplin, and seersucker suits are cool, comfortable, and casual during warm summertime weddings.

• A suit worn without a tie or with a sweater vest underneath is a fun informal menswear option.

(Excerpted from the book Planning Your Wedding: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Perfect Day. Real Wedding images by: 1- John and Joseph Photography, 2 and 3- GH Kim Photography  4- Yours by John Photography) 

Today we’re sharing more of the wedding planning book Blair, Kim and I recently authored for The Knack Series published by Globe Pequot Press. This chapter was a fun one to research, write, and especially to photograph! We borrowed the amazing rings from Isadora’s Fine Antique Jewelry  and set-up a studio right in Kim’s living room to get the perfect shots of each style. In between set-ups we tried on every single ring (of course!) and got giddy over all that bling. Giving them all back afterward? Not an easy task!

Chapter 3: With This Ring- Antique and Vintage Rings
Family heirlooms, antiques, and vintage rings are romantic and sentimental

Choosing an antique wedding ring to represent your marriage commitment is a perfect style choice for the ultimate romantic. Each one-of-a-kind piece has a personality all its own and a long, rich history. The stones were cut to reflect low candlelight; the delicate details were shaped, cut, and pierced by hand; and each rings originality lives on today.

If your wedding ring is a family heirloom, take it to a jeweler who specializes in antiques to have it cleaned, inspected for damage, and restored the correct way. When shopping for an antique wedding ring, explore the pieces available from reputable jewelers and choose one that speaks to your heart. With antique jewelry, youre investing in more than just the technical aspects of your ring, but you should still ask for independent appraisal documentation to educate yourself about what youre buying.

Ring styles have varied throughout history, and the time period in which your ring was made is a fascinating connection to the past. Changes in politics, economics, and technology led to changes in fashion and standards of beauty. Most antique jewelry available for purchase today begins with Edwardian-style rings from the early 1900s and moves up through the art nouveau, art deco, and retro styles.

Eco Friendly Tip:
Because the mining of metals and precious stones can wreak havoc on the environment and has been connected to a history of unjust labor practices, wearing an antique wedding ring is a fantastic way to be eco-friendly. You can be confident that no new materials were harvested for its creation.

Edwardian

• Decorative scrollwork, lace like filigree, flower garlands, bows, and tassels, are characteristic of Edwardian designs.

• The Edwardian period (1901-1910) was named for Englands King Edward VII and was also called the Belle Epoque.

• Platinums strength and light color made it the metal of choice for the popular white-on-white color palette.

• Old mine-cut and Europeancut diamonds, as well as pearls, were delicately set to look like they were floating.

Art Deco

• Art deco rings have bold architectural and geometric designs with strong angles and straight lines.

• The art deco style was popular postWorld War I, in the roaring 1920s through the late 1930s.

• Egyptian, Asian, and Indian motifs; the Machine Age; and modern art like the Cubist movement and the Ballet Russe inspired fashion and jewelry trends.

• Engagement rings had old mine-cut or Asscher-cut center diamonds, with side accent stones in baguette or geometric shapes.

Colored Stones

• Richly colored gemstones like rubies, sapphires, and emeralds were used in rings throughout history.

• Diamond wedding rings, didnt become standard until the mid-twentieth century.

• Light-colored gemstones like natural zircon, citrine, quartz, and aquamarine make glamorous alternatives to diamonds.

• Gemstones have always had special meanings. Among other things, emeralds represent faith, rubies represent passion, and sapphires represent intelligence.

Bands

• Most antique bands werent made as part of a set, so have fun with your selections and dont worry about them coordinating perfectly.

• Antique bands can contain colored stones, or no stones at all or be sparkling diamond eternity bands.

• Combining an eclectic mix of antique bands can be a fashion-forward way to wear an old-fashioned style.

• Antique bands can be so beautifully detailed that they look great even on their own.

(Excerpted from the book Planning Your Wedding: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Perfect Day. All rings borrowed from Isadora’s Fine Antique Jewelry, photographed by Junebug Weddings)