Filed under: Wedding Planning 101
Haven’t you heard about the bird? I said a bird, Bird, BIRD! BIRD is the word!
It’s that time of year again… to give thanks for all we appreciate! And here, at Marilyn’s Keepsakes, there’s nothing we appreciate more than you — our fabulous fans and loyal customers!
So, in order to say thanks properly, we’d like to send the savings on to you with an exclusive $25 coupon! Whoop, whoop!
Thanks for all your support and have a blessed and WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!
November 22, 2011
The gorgeous bride and her handsome groom. (courtesy of photosbyjennifer.com)
Recently I had the distinct pleasure of not only attending but also rockin’ it out as a bridesmaid at my cousin Kimberly Lynn’s wedding. Marrying the man of her dreams, the former Ms. Kidwell wed Brian Mitchell during a b.e.a.uuuutiful fall fiesta ceremony in the heartland of the Midwest. Surrounded by their closest 450 - give or take – family and friends, the duo said “I do” at Kim’s childhood parish, St. Barnabus Catholic Church on October 15, 2011.
It was a celebration for the ages, sprinkled with all things fabulous, and to say it was a joy to be a part of it all would merely be the tip of the excitement iceberg! As many weddings as I’ve attended (Kim and Brian’s marking the 50th the Mister and I have attended together alone!), it never ceases to amaze me at how original each one is… how the individuality of the bride, her groom and their families seem to take the same occasion and mark it with something genuinely unique, something uniquely them… I’m telling you, it’s something nothing short of amazeballs.
And because it’s always such an honor to be included in a celebration, I like to glorify the creativity of each by sharing it with the masses (you’re welcome, haha!) and posting it for all to see! Below are some of my favorite parts… feel free to be inspired:
Post Rehearsal / Pre-Wedding Slumber Party. Kim had all the girls over for a final Girl’s Night In after the rehearsal, and in a word, it was fantastic. Giving one of the best attendant gifts ever, we celebrated the evening by watching one part of the gift, Bridesmaids and secretly “ooh’ing and aww’ing” the other… unique bridesmaids’ jewelry – picked out by the bride herself – for us to where on the occasion. Love love love!
How much do you la-Louvre those colors together? (courtesy of Google Images)
Killer Color Combo. As sampled above with the bracelets, the colors were purple, orange and green. The mother of the bride, my fabulous Aunt Gail, is a DIVA when it comes to decor; so, there was no doubt that the wedding would be nothing short of F.I.E.R.C.E. when it came to its overall layout… and I have to admit, just looking at the floral arrangements alone, you can see just how fierce it was… Tyra Banks, eat your heart out!
And yes, that would be my bouquet barely peaking in on the right and me totally cut out. Yep, haha! (courtesy of photosbyjennifer.com)
The Bride wore Purple Pumps. Keeping in theme with the wedding day and the trendy modern bride, Kimmi sported her best plum pumps for the occasion, and showed off her boogie shoes in style!
I wanna put on, my my my my my Boogie Shoes, and boogie with you! (courtesy of photosbyjennifer.com)
Crowd Pleasing Priest, personalized by friendship. Being graduates of the local Catholic high school (Roncalli, what?), Kim and I had the pleasure of seeing one of our former classmates (and prom kings!), Dustin Boehm, reach the high honor of joining the priesthood. Kimmi decided no other priest would do, and Dustin, errr, cough cough, Father Boehm was the one chosen to oversee the whole newlywed nuptials! He did such a Tony the Tiger GRRREEEAAAT job!
Father Boehm in person and in action! (courtesy of yours truly and photosbyjennifer.com)
Father of the Bride Speech, marked with Love. So, being a complete sentimental nut, one of my favorite parts of a wedding day is always the time honored father of the bride speech, and my Uncle Rich did not disappoint! One of the best parts was when he totaled to the years of marriage Kim and Brian had backing them between the families, and because the Kidwell side is such a force to be reckoned with… he had all of us stand up and officially welcome Brian to the fam… all 900 and couting. Haha!
Kim giving her Papa a hug after his speech, so sweet! (courtesy of yours truly!)
Ceremony Shoes + Reception Runners. Kim’s nephews, Jackson and Austin, rocked it out as ring bearers and were both equipped with wedding shoes for the ceremony and running shoes for the reception. Genius. I also like how they took it upon themselves to ditch their jackets, ties and tuxedo shirts as well. Ahhh, boys :)
Work it out, Jackson! (courtesy of yours truly)
Glorious Groom’s Cake. Vastly becoming one of my favorite parts of the reception, their Groom’s Cake was one of the best I’ve ever seen! Courtesy of Cheryl Blessing of thecakestandindy.com, K+B’s groom’s cake was representative of their hometown pride and their fanatical love for the NFL. Kim, being a born and raised Indy girl, loves the Colts, and go figure, she falls in love with a Illinois native / Chicago Bear extremist. Yep. I can hope their kids are smart enough to make the right choice ;)
Touchdown perfection! (courtesy of photosbyjennifer.com)
Epically assembled with dance circles, laughter and all kinds of greatness, I could go on and on (and ON!) about Kim and Brian’s wedding, but sadly, like all good things, this post has to have an ending. So, here’s to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell…
As you sit side by side on the roller coaster of life, remember to scream at the peaks, hold hands through the dips, laugh through the loops and enjoy every twist and turn! We love love love you and cheers to many years of happiness!
October 27, 2011
I love fresh flowers. I know with their “here today, gone tomorrow” persona, it’s easy for some women to pretend poo poo them because of the expense. But I just can’t help myself! Even if their dead the next day, they are still a little slice of heaven while they last… no matter how short that while may be :)
And one of the hottest flowers to step out on the bridal market this fall are the colorfully cute, large blooming Dahlias. With their wide assortment of color schemes and statement-worthy blossoms, it’s no secret why these chic-topped stems are all the rage these days.
But if you still need convincing, check out the color arrangements below and see what I mean :)
White Dahlia Bouquets
photos courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) marryyoume.com, unitedwithlove.com, jessicalynn402.blogspot.com (inset), bouquet-bouquet.com and diycoordinator.wordpress.com
Pink Dahlia Bouquets
photos courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) bouquetbridal.blogspot.com, stjudescreations.blogspot.com, stjudescreations.blogspot.com (inset), floretcadet.com and sprout-flowers.com
Purple Dahlia Bouquets
photos courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) stjudescreations.blogspot.com, birchblooms.blogspot.com, karmanlee.com (inset), stjudescreations.blogspot.com and boards.weddingbee.com
Yellow Dahlia Bouquets
photos courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) bouquetweddingflower.com, exquisiteblooms.blogspot.com, exquisiteblooms.blogspot.com (inset), fleurchicago.com and bouquetweddingflower.com
Orange Dahlia Bouquets
photos courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) google.com, thefullbouquetblog.com, theknot.com (inset), sprout-flowers.com and afloral.com
Red Dahlia Bouquets
photos courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) boards.weddingbee.com, bouquetweddingflower.com, weddingbee.com, savemoneyonawedding.com and weddingbee.com
October 18, 2011
courtesy of Jessika Feltz Photography
Everyone knows that weddings are nothing more than a numbers game. Okay, so maybe they’re more than just that, but consider this… Everything from the amount set for the budget to the number of guests who’ll be invited, your future nuptials (as anti-romantic as it may seem) really do come down to numbers.
Which is precisely why this upcoming weekend is such an exciting weekend in the wedding world!
Both consecutively perfect and numerically chic, this Saturday will mark the second most popular wedding date of all time! Taking the silver medal only to the ultra lucky 07/07/07 wedding date, 09/10/11 will see over 37,000 couples exchange vows in front of family and friends, and according to theknot.com, this large bridal boo yeah comes as no surprise. September is already a super popular month to marry, but with the date creating such a consistent rarity, it’s almost become a downright phenomenon.
So, raise your glass, stretch out your dancing shoes and prepare to celebrate! This weekend is going to rock them all!
Other Popular Wedding Dates:
- 11/11/11. Even though it’s on a Friday, couples simply can’t resist the sequential sexiness of this mid-November date!
- 2/10/2012. Alright, math nerds. Who can tell me why this date is such a popular one? And no, it’s not because it’s my dad’s birthday, even though he’d probably like to this so :) That’s right. It’s a palindrome! The same backwards as it is forwards.
- 12/13/14. Also falling on a Saturday, this is the last chance for couples to get married on an increasing count wedding date!
September 8, 2011
Erica and Brett Weiss made the best out of poor circumstances and proved not even hurricane forces could stop their love! (photo courtesy of Michael Duva via CNN.com)
Since the dawn of local and national news programs, natural disasters and potentially fatal epidemics have been at the forefront of reporting, and it’s no wonder why. With the general public always looking for a cause to panic – don’t lie, you know we do – it’s not unusual to see how the media can turn even the smallest molehill into a retro-grade sized mountain.
Hurricane Irene, however, is no molehill. In fact, its estimated damage totals over $10 billion! That’s a whole lotta cheddar for one storm, especially when you consider the amount of immeasurable damage it caused in its path. And being the hopeful romantic I am, I couldn’t help but be concerned how the hurricane’s havoc affected all the couples planning to take the plunge during its debut.
And affect the pre-nuptial plungers, it did.
According to theknot.com, there were over 6,031 wedding planned for August 26th through the 28th in areas affected by the invasion of Irene; several of which were located in pricey, upscale areas like Manhattan. (We’re talking $70,000+ wedding budgets here, people!) And with several venues closing down and wedding days being put on delay, there were a whole lot of bridal budgets being crushed by gail force winds… literally!
And while “rain on your parade” seemed to take on a whole new level of understanding, for one couple in particular, Brett and Erica Weiss, there was still cause for celebration. They decided not even a hurricane could stop their big day from taking place. CNN reports that this brave, see-the-glass-half-full duo decided to turn their frowns upside down when they transformed their rehearsal dinner into their wedding day! Dressed to the nines in a pressed tux and a well manicured dress and veil, Erica and Brett made the first steps to wedded bliss in front of the 100 family and friends still able to be in attendance, and the results were nothing short of a dream come true.
Even after natural disastrous damage and 36 hours of customer service calls and rescheduling threatened to dampen their day, the couple remained in high spirits. Erica was even reported saying, “if rain on your wedding day is good luck, then I think we’re starting off in a pretty good place.” (CNN.com)
Um, can you say gold star bride? Love it, love her and love the attitude!
After all, the potential for wedding day disaster is always going to be there… probably why our wedding coordinator just kept saying, “Even though things may go wrong, at the end of the day, you’ll still be married.” And isn’t that what’s most important? We’re ingrained to believe that a wedding day is supposed to be our happily ever after, but when potential disaster strikes (and I mean real disaster, not your aunt decided to get drunk and ‘be somebody’ on the mic), pre-nuptial couples are often times forced to make split decisions that will completely alter over a year’s worth of planning. I’m just glad to know that even during the most desperate of times, true love can still conquer all :)
Big kudos to Erica and Brett for braving the weather and making the best… you now have a new wedding fan in the Midwest who will be toasting to many, MANY years of happiness!
August 30, 2011
courtesy of australiaentertains.com.au
With Halloween vastly approaching… you heard me; we’re already half way through August for sobbin’ out loud… I’m reminded of one of my absolute most favorite things to do… and that’s play dress up! Somehow, the little girl in me never quite grew up, and I still get overly excited when it comes to putting on my Mama’s pearls and frilly, white dress.
It’s part of the fun of being a girl! So, just imagine how much your little flower girl will light up when you bedeck her to the nines in a fluffy tutu and matching wings on your big day!?! Trust me when I say, she’ll be pleased as punch with sugar on top! And with Halloween stores popping up all over the place, you’ll easily find just what you need to bibbidi bobbidi boo her into happily ever after.
And this isn’t just something you have to wait once a year for! For brides looking to create fairy tale flower girls all year round, there are several baby boutiques and online dress shops that carry fairy couture year round! Probably the one carrying the largest selection would be Etsy.com. This online power house provides a third party software for men and women all over the continental U.S. to make their goods and services available to the public… and tutus are in no short supply!
In fact, there are over 38,000 currently available right now! And with so many choices, you’ll easily find the trendy tutu to fit both your mini attendant, as well as your budget! Check out below for a sneak preview:
photos all found on Etsy.com via (from top to bottom, left to right) YourSparkleBox, sharpsissors, sharpsissors, YummyPhotoProps (inset), BellaBeanCouture, YummyPhotoProps, MeadowLion1120 and OliviaKateCouture
August 18, 2011
With the celebration of our independence right around the corner, nothing says “Happy Fourth of July!” quite like sparklers… and nothing, and I mean NOTHING, says dazzle-me-with-your-happily-ever-after quite like heart shaped ones.
And in celebration of young love (and freedom from tyranny- haha!) everywhere, Marilyn’s Keepsakes would like to offer you 30% OFF these one of a kind wedding favors now thru July 4th. Talk a bout a reason to celebrate!
Click on the image below and sparkle your way to savings today!
June 28, 2011
It’s June 21, and for those of you who don’t know, today marks the official first day of summer! Woot, woot! That’s right. After a long, cold winter and super rainy spring, it’s time for “livin to be easy!”
And what better way to celebrate it than with gorgeous wedding photography that captures it and all its happiness? Below are some of the happiest; so, check ‘em out and ENJOY!
photos courtesy of jillsphotoblog.com
photo courtesy of weddingbellsblog.com
photos courtesy of jaggerphotographyblog.com
photos courtesy of sarahyatesphotography.com
photos courtesy of wildflowerphotos.com
photos courtesy of tinywaterblog.com
photo courtesy of everylastdetailblog.com
photos courtesy of postcardsandpretties.blogspot.com
photos courtesy of bellagracestudios.com
photos courtesy of jaggerphotographyblog.com
photo courtesy of wedding-beauty.com
photos courtesy of thesweetestoccasion.com
photo courtesy of blogbytavin.blogspot.com
photo courtesy of beccadilley.com
photos courtesy of blogbykerrie.com
June 21, 2011
Proposal stories are my favorite. Maybe it’s because the delivery is always set up for a happy ending. Maybe it’s because every day after feels like Christmas Eve until the big day comes. Or maybe it’s simply because I’m a hope*ful romantic who will always believe in happily ever after… Idk.
But what I do know is, if this guy’s setting the standard… I feel sorry for all you dudes out there who have to go after. Click below. You’ll see what I mean :)
Click Image to watch YouTube Video :)
June 9, 2011
You put the lime in the coconut and drink ‘em both up!!
Okay, so maybe you’re not a fan of limes (or coconuts for that matter), but you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone who won’t go gaga over a wedding inspired by summertime favorites: citrus fruits!!
Bright, fresh and fun, citrus colored weddings can be a photographer’s dream! Everything from sunshine-y yellows and exuberant oranges to lovely limes and tantalizing tangerines create eye-popping images you’ll surely love to look at… over and over again… after putting the lime in the coconut – ahhh! Can’t stop singing it! Check out below and see what I mean :)
Look-at-Me Lemon.
courtesy of labellebride.com
courtesy of bollea.com
courtesy of weddingandcakes.com
courtesy of blog.dcnearlyweds.com
courtesy of breguetpm.com
courtesy of prettychicky.com
Oh my Darlin’ Clementine.
courtesy of elizabethannedesigns.com
courtesy of loveolio.com
courtesy of weddingaces.com
courtesy of contemporarybride.com
courtesy of cameroningalls.com
courtesy of w-weddingflowers.com
In Love with Limes.
courtesy of greenweddingshoes.com
courtesy of handmadebymeda.blogspot.com
courtesy of projectwedding.com
courtesy of peacefulcake.blogspot.com
courtesy of oncewed.com
courtesy of redphotoco.com
Go Gaga for Grapefruits.
courtesy of onlineweddingdresses.net
courtesy of rebekahwestover.com
courtesy of stylemepretty.com
courtesy of alohaislandweddings.com
courtesy of blondeblueblog.com
courtesy of pinkbridesmaiddresses.org
June 2, 2011
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