Ultimate Guide to Honeymoons from Weddington Way

Found this great post about Honeymoons over at Weddington Way and thought I would share with all of you! We’re still deciding what we’re going to do for ours with a bit of a wrench in our original plans. Click image to see a larger versionThe Ultimate Guide to The HoneymoonThe Ultimate Guide To The Honeymoon via Weddington Way.

Are you going to have a honeymoon? If so, where?

Jenna Lou Custom Clutch Giveaway at Sweet Dreams are Made of These

Are you incorporating clutches into your big day? One for yourself, or maybe for your bridesmaids? I’d definitely love to but I’m not sure it is in my budget. So, that’s why I’m trying to win a custom clutch from Jenna Lou Designs over at Sweet Dreams are Made of These.  Check it out over there for your chance to win!

Jenna Lou Designs - Source: Website/FB Page

Jenna Lou Designs – Source: Website/FB Page

Which clutch would you choose if you won?

Would you buy your wedding dress online?

I’m considering doing just that. I just can’t imagine spending more than a couple hundred dollars on a dress so I’ve been keeping my eye out online. I’d be open to one that was pre-loved, even. The only thing is that I don’t know exactly how they will look on me so that makes me a little nervous. After a bad experience with bridesmaid dress sizing a couple of months ago, I get nervous!

But, I am falling in love with this beauty from Simply Bridal... thoughts? Remember, I’m having a destination beach wedding!

 

Felicia Gown – Simply Bridal

 

Would you order your dress online? Have you? I’d love to hear about your experiences:

 

Shutterfly Free Photo Guest Book for Engaged Brides to Be!

I found this great freebie for engaged brides over at Style Me Pretty, (by the way, one of my must read bride inspiration blogs. Add that to your to read list, for sure!).

Shutterfly, from now until July 28th, is giving out a code for a free, customized guest book! Looks like it is a 8 X 11 hard copy book which is valued at least $40. It looks like a winner and I am definitely taking advantage of this giveaway… you should too!

Even if you already have your guest book idea planned you could make this into a cute engagement photo book gift for a family member. I’m thinking about passing it around at our “farewell brunch” the day most guests are leaving and asking them to share some memories of our wedding weekend & Jamaica. I’ll end up upgrading for about $5 to a different format, but I think it is still a great steal! Do you have an idea of how to use this?

Two of my favorite words are in the Shutterfly photo guestbook giveaway-- free & wedding!

Two of my favorite words are in the Shutterfly photo guestbook giveaway– free & wedding!

What kind of guest book did you have or are you planning to have?

What Makes Me A Motivated Bride?

In my first post, I wrote a little about why I started this blog. But, I neglected to tell you what exactly I am motivated about, or for, or what that really has to do with anything. Since you know, it’s the title of the blog and all that, I figured I should give you a quick run down.

Getting Healthy: I was diagnosed with diabetes at age 22. I’ve lost about 40+ pounds since then and am stable but am working on living a healthier life. While yes, I’d like to lose quite a bit more weight (maybe about 20 pounds to go) most of my goals are fitness related. I’m sure I’ll write about them here.

DIY Projects: Okay, lets be blunt here. I am cheap. I don’t know why, but I am. I love pretty things just as much of the next person and love shopping… but I hate spending money. That’s my biggest motivator for getting crafty. If I make it myself,

Giveaways: About a month ago I randomly entered a giveaway on another wedding blog. And, I won. I’m one of those people that always said I never won anything. Well, the past month I’ve been making a conserted effort to enter at least a few giveaways everyday and guess what… I’ve been winning! From gift cards, to things for my wedding, and things to give away as gifts… I’ve been a lucky girl. It’s been helping with my budget because I have trouble spending money on the pretty extras. But if I can win them… why not? It’s a useful hobby that has been paying off so far.

Really, getting married and having that date in front of me JANUARY 11, 2014 (ohhh my six months to go!) has really been a wake up call for me. It’s shaking me into action. So much to do, and it makes me want to be the best me possible. That’s why I’m the motivated bride. I might be cheap, but I’m not lazy. 🙂

How about you, have you won any giveaways or done any DIY projects lately?

Why I Can’t Pick My Wedding Colors

With endless inspiration on wedding blogs, pinterest, and even twitter, I am finding it nearly impossible to settle on my wedding colors. Practically every week I look at my Fiance and exclaim, I’ve finally picked them! I’ve got it all figured out–!! And then I proceed to show him some beautiful inspiration board I stumbled upon.

I’m not a very visual person and for some reason this one issue, colors, seems to worry me. Maybe because it impacts virtually every aspect of the wedding. I don’t understand how you’re supposed to get the exact shade of mint or yellow or whatever the case might be. Or are you even supposed to? Then, once you’ve actually committed to colors… how do you put them together? I’m probably thinking into this too much.

My current inspiration is from The Perfect Palette:

The Perfect Palette's beautiful inspiration board

The Perfect Palette’s beautiful inspiration board

I love the dusty aqua.. and I’d love to throw in pops of yellow. But then again, I love mint. Love, love, love mint… even a light sage works for me. Oh, and don’t forget blush… that’s the other color that keeps coming into my mix. How am I ever going to settle on the colors and then not to mention the shades? I wish someone would just pop out of no where and say DO THIS IT WILL LOOK  GOOD.

Can you be that someone? Suggestions anyone?

 

Why I’m Having a Destination Wedding

People never fail to amuse me. Their reactions to the fact that I’m having a destination wedding in Jamaica have certainly lived up to that expectation. I’ve heard everything from people exclaiming that it is a genius idea to others who swear up and down my marriage won’t be legal and no one will attend. So, I thought I’d share with you a few reasons why a destination wedding was the right decision for me.*

*Remember, every persons situation is different. I certainly do not think everyone should have them. It is but one option to consider!

Families- Location & Joining Together: Our families have never met. Yes, you read that right. They live about 9 hours apart via car so no matter what someone would have to be traveling. The reason this is important is twofold– if people have to travel, might as well let them go somewhere amazing. And, this way they’ll get to know each other over more than just a couple rushed hours.

Small Number: Neither my fiance or I pictured our wedding as a huge gather with every extended family member and friend. By having a destination wedding we easily could have just our immediate families and make it a more intimate affair.

Travel: I’ll be honest here, I’ll take any excuse to travel! I’ve got that travel bug… big time. I also kind of feel like it is my duty to make sure my family travels out of the country. Time to get those passports!

I’d like to add one really important note. I don’t have “saving money” on this list. I actually think if we did something here we would have spent the same amount of money– what we can afford. We would have just had to cut in other ways since it would have had to have been a much larger guest list. Destination Wedding’s aren’t cheap… and I think that is a common misconception. We are doing a pretty budget wedding… but we are also paying for our trips, both of my younger sisters, and the photographers (flight & all-inclusive accommodation). That alone will be over 5k!

Would you consider having a destination wedding? Why or why not? I’d love to hear!

Me– an Obsessive Bride? No way.

I was never one to dream about my wedding day. In fact, that is one of the very reasons I decided to have a destination wedding… to avoid the stress and craziness. (Other important reason to note, I’m very cheap. I do not want to spend tons of money on this. I thought having a DW would be cheaper which may or may not end up being true. I’ll get back to you on that one.)

Surprisingly, now that I’m planning it’s like I can’t… stop… thinking about wedding planning. Even a year ago if you asked me if I’d attempting to write a wedding blog and be this far into planning, I’d think you were crazy.

But, there is something about planning your wedding that gets to you. I don’t know what it is. I’ve rolled my eyes at way too many weddings and maybe I was determined to make mine different. Whatever the reason, I’m here. I love weddings. And, I love planning mine. Even though the stress/money aspect is always tempting me back to the other side, somehow I’m pressing on. I’ve got to say I’m proud of myself for that!