Top 10 Wedding Dress Trends for 2014

       Your wedding day is the one day it is all about you, well, and your groom but let's be honest, all eyes are on you. Look for something that YOU feel beautiful in, he (your groom) will find you beautiful in anything. Also, look for something that fits with your personal style, the weddings style & environment as well as simply fits you. Don't try to pull off a trend just because it is "in" and looks good in all the magazines. There is a dress out there for everyone and trust me...when you put it on...you will know!

Below are the top 10 trends for 2014.  

1)     Sleeves:

There is something so romantic and elegant about a dress with sleeves. Long, short or even caped sleeves make the dress so timeless. If you pick this style of wedding dress you will truly feel like a princess.

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier

Temperley London

Marchesa

20 Wedding Costs Brides Often Forget To Budget For

I am a newlywed...it is almost 6 months to the day since I said "I do" to my handsome. I have a background in the wedding industry as well as a sister who married three years earlier, so there were not many financial surprises for us when we were wedding planning. However, not every bride has the inside scoop to how much a wedding is REALLY going to cost. 

This post is dedicated to helping brides plan financially for their big day. Everyone knows to plan for the obvious: the dress, the photographer, the floral, the food, the music etc. but there are so many less obvious items you have to have (or really want) but do not necessarily think of when budgeting. Most don't appear pricey alone but everything adds up so it is better to be prepared for the unexpected.

Here are 20 things I think you should know when budgeting for your big day!

1) Beauty Treatments: 
Leading up to the big day you may want to have a couple things done. Before you panic...I am not talking about surgery. Some things to keep in mind are waxing, spray tanning, hair and make-up trials, getting your roots done, your split ends trimmed, mani and pedi and even a nice massage the day before. Sound reasonable? This can end up adding on over $600 to your budget and if you treat your bridesmaids to any pampering, this could double depending on how many and what you do for them.

Side Note: I Love Essie's Colors...they have great nudes, neutrals and blushes for brides. 

2) Marriage License: 

This is something you do not want to forget and that you need before the ceremony. This will cost you anywhere from $20 to $100 depending on where you are getting married. Also, after the wedding, you will need copies to legally change your name and this is usually an additional fee.

3) Paper Products:

The invitations are not all you need to think about. You still need the programs for the ceremony, the escort cards for the reception, the menus for dinner and don't forget stationery for all those thank you cards. Even if you keep this category pretty basic you will still be adding at least an extra $400 depending on the size of your wedding and how detailed you want things to look. 

4) Postage: 

Don't blow your entire invitation budget on the actual invitation. Be sure to set aside enough money to send the invitation to your guest and for your guest to reply. Keep in mind, the heavier the invitation the higher the postage. If you are having a smaller wedding (less than 150) you can expect to pay at least $300 in postage...don't forget, thank you notes need stamps too. One of the 2014 wedding trend perks is that smaller invitations are in! 

Fun Fact: This was our wedding invitation. I love feathers and had them throughout our wedding decor and style. We bought these at Paper Source on Santana Row. See our wedding here.

Winter Wedding Land

This post is dedicated to all of the ladies wearing new Holiday Bling and was inspired by a few of my beautiful girlfriends that are doing just that!

Winter is such a romantic time…fires to warm the room, candles to set the ambiance, snuggling to stay warm, and let’s not forget about the abundance of engagements that tend to pop up during the holidays. 

With so much natural romance during this time of year it makes me wonder why more people do not choose a winter date for their wedding. 

 

   Photo Credit: Rebekah Westover Photography 

Below are my top 10 reasons to keep a winter wedding option on the table...some practical but mostly just because the details and styles are simply too fabulous to ignore:

1) You can stretch your budget. Most venues and some vendors have cheaper winter rates.

2) You are more likely to get the date, the venue and the vendors you want because it is slow season.

3) Candles...and I am talking everywhere. Maybe your venue even has fireplace to light during cocktail hour or to stage as your alter.

4) Incorporate pinecones, greenery (think christmas greenery), bare branches, berries and again CANDLES into your arrangements. 

5) Depending on your location, blooming branches are awesome.

6) Crystals...they give a snowflake, icy appeal.

7) Tights are darling, even under a bridesmaid dress.

8) Fur! I love a bride in a fur coat and the bridesmaids holding fur muffs instead of bouquets is adorable.
9) Get creative with the specialty cocktails (spiked cider anyone?)
10) Hot Chocolate Bar for dessert? Um, yes please!

Need more convincing?

A pictures worth a thousand words!

All white centerpieces!

Via

Style Me Pretty 

Photo Credit: Katie Stoops

Consider a warmer tone for your wedding dress!

Via

GinDress

Spike Cider! Need we say more?

Via

SomdWeddings.com

Berries, Pine, Burlap & Fur...Hello Gorgeous!

Via 

Style Me Pretty

Photography

Precious Pictures Photography

The Most Perfect Day!

On April 13, 2013 the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on got down on one knee and asked me to be his forever. In my head I was screaming “Yes!” but I guess it never actually left my lips. I slipped my finger into the ring and just started kissing him…I guess he just knew it was a yes. Then we both blacked out. Literally, we cannot remember what happened for about 5 minutes.

When we came to, we were sitting on a giant piece of driftwood on Stillwater Cove Beach in Pebble Beach. To our left we had a view of the 4^th hole on the famed Pebble Beach Golf Course and 10 feet in front of us was the beautiful Pacific Ocean. It was one of those rare days in Pebble Beach…no fog, crystal blue water and about 70 degrees. It was perfect…the MOST perfect day.

 I was walking down the aisle, linking arms with my father and locking eyes with the love of my life only four months later.

On August 24, 2013 I woke up at my parents house, my sister, aka maid of honor, by my side. It was a beautiful day, about 75 degrees. My mom and aunts made my girlies and I a tasty champagne brunch as we were pampered by the M.U.A.H ladies (Make-up & Hair). I felt excited, happy and completely relaxed as I prepped to get married.

Around 2 o’clock I slipped into my all time favorite dress, here comes the giddiness and restlessness, and we snapped a few photos at my parent’s house. Taking pictures in my dress, all dolled up, was exciting but all I really wanted to do was get to Corral de Tierra Country Club where I knew my groom was awaiting my arrival. I don’t know exactly how many times I said, “okay, I think we got enough pictures…let’s go” or “we better go because I don’t want Jacob to be waiting” but one can safely guess 10+.

As the limo pulled up to the country club (I finally got everyone to leave), I was so eager for the “reveal” I could barely stand it. I was just minutes away from seeing my man, the love of my life, my best friend, my future husband…and in a tux!!!!

It's Radiant Orchid for 2014

This just in...2014 will be decorated in shades of purple with hints of fuchsia and pink undertones and I cannot wait!

"Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination.” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.  I don't know about all of you but I am excited about Pantone's 2014 color of the year announcement. I have never been a huge fan of pink, I am talking classic baby girl pink, but I have always been a lover of purple (and orchids) and this shade, known as Radiant Orchid, incorporates the perfect balance of purple with hints of pink to create a tone that is not too girly. This shade flatters most skin tones, hair and eye colors and even looks great on men. I can picture my tall, dark and handsome in this shade but I am not sure if he would feel the same way...maybe a tie :-)  Radiant Orchid is warm yet cool, bold but soft, eye catching yet not demanding. Perfect for a cozy winter sweater, spring dress, summer bikini or autumn scarf.  This is a color that will embellish any outfit with confidence, be the pop of color your home has been searching for and the radiant accent color to make a romantic statement at your wedding.  Flowers, Wedding Design, Home Decor and of course Fashion...I can see it already! Below are a few ideas on how you can incorporate Radiant Orchid into your style... Fashion: A romantic top paired with a great red lipstick A fantastic statement necklace Big, costume earrings A soft sweater A loose blouse A scarf A pair of sexy heels A flirty bikini A casual maxi dress A day to night purse Nail polish Home:    Flowers inside and out A great vase (maybe even vintage) Accent pillows and a cozy throw for the living room Amethysts on display A welcoming rug Candles Keurig is even coming out with a Radiant Orchid version If you are like me and pretty much live in a Pottery Barn ad (gray, taupe and cream) this is the perfect shade to add color without taking away from that cozy neutral feel we love. Wedding: Bridesmaid dresses Bridesmaid bouquets As a vase with all white floral or a complementing color.  The flowers (monochromatic or same color but with multiple shades and depths) Fun bow-ties for the Groomsmen The Groomsmen's socks The girlies shoes Pairs well with: Reds (apple to burgundy), Pinks, Teal, Turquoise, Olive Green, Pastel Yellow, Chocolate and more... The possibilities for this fantastic color truly are endless!