Burlap and Beautiful

We couldn't help but relish in a few of our bride's themes and details in today's post. Years ago, Brides would have never imagined that burlap could be an integral assett to their wedding's design (quite honestly, tulle was as elaborate as it got). But today, we're seeing so many unique and creative ways to incorporate burlap fabrics into lush and elegant tablescapes, proving that sometimes contrast is a good thing.

Feast your eyes and be inspired:

Love,

The Emily Weddings Team

Photo Credits:

getmarried.com
bellethemagazine.blogspot.com

weddingbee.com

modeleweddings.com

Etsy.com

RuffledBlog.com

SouthernLiving.com

Food for Thought: Weddings Favors Your Guests Will Appreciate

We've seen or heard of many favor ideas. From creative and DIY to pricy and over-the-top. But what truly makes a wonderful favor is the eyes of the receiver? It's been said that most wedding guests appreciate some type of food or snack as a wedding favor. We've put this rumor up to the test in today's blog post! Whether you're a former bride or a soon-to-be, we want to hear your thoughts on what makes a great favor! Is it creative and crafty or valuable and unique? Maybe it's the couples favorite dessert or a personalized keepsake?


DIY Favors- The favors can be extremely cost effective and crafty at the same time. For the creative and inspired Bride, a DIY favor might be just the right gesture to make with her guests.


Expensive Favors- The options are limitless if you truly want to splurge on your wedding favors. Here's one example of a personalized wine stopper and coaster set. Does the price of the favor make it more appreciated?


Food Favors- This could be anything from the couple's favorite dessert to a staple food for a particular city. Are guests more likely to appreciate food at the end of the evening?

Personalized Favors- Depending on the content of the favor, personalized favors can be a wonderful way for your guests to take home a piece of the memorable day. For example, these koozies printed with the name of the couple and date could be used again and again long after the wedding bells ring. Are these types of favors the most memorable to give?

We want to hear your thoughts! Let us know what you think is the best favor to give your wedding guests.

Love,

The Emily Weddings Team

Photo Credits:

GDesserts.com

Beau-coup.com

FavorFavor.com

bumpsmitten.com



Love in Watercolor: A New design concept

We've seen the ever popular themes and design concepts come, go and some reinvented. Finally we can say we've found a new design idea that's fresh, inviting and makes us just a little more anxious for Spring!!

Most of us are familiar with watercolors when it comes to art or the nostalgic "paint-by-numbers" masterpieces that graced our parents refrigerators. Who would have thought that such an inspirational and influential color palette could grace the elegant tables and reception decor of today's brides? Bring the beauty of art into your wedding decor and let your guests be inspired by it's unforgettable design.

 

Love,

The Emily Weddings Team

 Photo Credits: RizzaRiz Photography via StyleUnveiled.com

Leap Day Proposal

Hey all!  Meghan here.  I find it pretty funny that my first day on the Emily Weddings blog is leap day - the traditional day when women can take matters into their own hands and instead of waiting for their dragging-feet groom to ask the "will you...?" question, she takes matters into her own hands and does it herself!

The tradition of the leap year proposal began in England and Ireland.  According to this tradition, a woman may propose marriage to a man only on a leap year; however, some have limited this to leap day: February 29th.  There is speculation that this tradition didn't arise until the 19th century as it is not seen in written history before this time, but hey... we would rather just believe that it started centuries ago, right?

Supposedly, a 1288 law by the reigning Queen at the time required fines from the man if he refused the proposal.  Conveniently, he was fined a pair of leather gloves, a single rose, a small monetary fee, and a kiss... all to be given directly to the woman who proposed marriage. So she gets dumped but still gets presents, flowers, money, and a kiss at the end of the day... hmmm, not a bad deal.  Here are some other Leap Day Proposal traditions:

In Denmark, women may propose on the medieval leap day: February 24th.  If the proposal is refused, the man owes her 12 pairs of gloves. Cashmere, please!

In Finland, the rejecting man must buy his would-be fiance fabric for a skirt.

In Greece, marriage during a leap year is actually considered unlucky.  One in five engaged couples in Greece will avoid getting married during a leap year.  But no worries, we're not in Greece.  I say we start a new tradition that says the leap year is the lucky year.  Take that, Greece.

Happy leaping!


The Emily Weddings Team

April & Tim: June 8, 2012

Here at Emily Weddings we are full of excitement as we gear up for another full season of fabulous 'I do's.' Today we would love to introduce you to one of our beautiful June brides. April and her fiance Tim will be married June 8, 2012 at the East Beach Bay Front Club. We can't wait to see their plans of coral and blue hues unfold. Please enjoy their adorable engagement photos, courtesy of Rebecca Keeling Studios.

Love,

The Emily Weddings Team

Fashion Forward: Timeless Wedding Day Hats

2011 was filled with many new beginnings for new trends and we're sure 2012 will be just the same. We briefly saw the start of a growing fashion trend for brides that strays away from traditional veils and embraces the beauty of a perfectly placed hat. Chalk it up to the royal wedding if you will, but these chic and stylish hats are making a come back in bridal fashion and we LOVE it! Just this small touch of timeless elegance added to your already fabulous gown will make all the difference! Check out the photos below to see what we mean:

*Would you wear one of these hats for your wedding? We dare you to stray from the norm and don one of these stylish and elegant hats!

Love,

The Emily Weddings Team

Photo Credits:

Aubrey Joy Photography

Simply Bloom

Avery House Photography

Braedon Photography

Stephanie Williams

Fresh in Love Photography

Harwell Photography

Stacy Jacobson

Uninvited:Test Your Etiquette

Every bride has been faced with some sort of etiquette challenge at one point or another. Handling it is half the battle, but tackling it appropriately is quite another. So what is a bride to do when someone actually RSPVs to a wedding they weren't originially invited to? We've got you covered!

First: don't dodge

Clearly, there's been a misunderstanding. There are very few people who are rude enough that they bully their way into your wedding by RSVPing when they weren't invited. Not saying that there aren't folks like that, of course — but chances are pretty good that somehow this person really did think they were invited, likely because of something a family member or friend said to them.

The worst thing you can do when there's been a misunderstanding is propagate it by not being up-front in how you deal with it. Yes, it's going to suck, but you can't put it off. When you hear from Aunt Madge that she's coming to the wedding you didn't invite her to, you need to address the situation quickly and directly. Don't put it off, and don't use platitudes.

Second: stand your ground

Be genuine, but be firm. Here's an example of something you could say:

"Oh, no! I'm so sorry: there's clearly been a miscommunication. Due to budget/venue size/whatever limitations, we're keeping the guestlist quite small. This means we just can't invite everyone we'd like, as much as we'd love to — we do not have room for you on the guestlist. I'm so terribly sorry that we can't extend an invitation, and even more sorry about this miscommunication. I hope you can understand."

You can also try genuinely expressing your surprise. Own up the awkwardness of the situation, while also standing firm: THIS IS NOT HAPPENING.

"Oh my goodness, this is catching me off-guard! This is awkward and difficult, and I'm so sorry to have to say this, but we don't have space on our limited guestlist for all the family and friends we'd love to have there — we aren't able to invite you to the wedding. I'm so sorry — I feel just awful about this situation, and I wish there's something I could do, but the venue size/catering arrangements/whatever are fixed, and I'm afraid it's just not going to work. I hope you can understand."

Third: be gracious and appreciative

Remember that these people want to come to your wedding because, well, THEY PROBABLY LOVE YOU. Sure, sometimes there are weird family power dynamics at play that have nothing to do with you, but ultimately, these people are people who care about you — and who presumably you care about, too.
Find as many ways as possible to be loving, appreciative, and gracious in your conversation. Repeating, "It means so much to both of us that you want to be at the wedding" and "It's so disappointing that this won't work out — I'm so glad you got in touch" can go a long way towards softening the blow of what boils down to, "You can't come."

*Have you ever had to tell someone that they weren't invited to your wedding? How did you do it and how did the "uninvited" take it?

Love,

The Emily Weddings Team



Article courtesy of: Offbeat Bride