With most weddings today, modern is in and some of the older and stuffier traditions are out. With all these new traditions, it can be confusing about the appropriate etiquette when you are attending a wedding. But lucky for you, I have found a recent article about wedding guest dos and don’ts!

Yes. I am going to shamelessly promote wedding planners. But, in my defense, I found this article online. Someone else already wrote about why it's so important!! So it really is important!

Wedding planning is a big deal for you, the bride. There are so many things to consider. Who to invite, who not to invite, the venues, the decoration, the colors, the caterer; the list goes on. And if you have a job and not to mention, a life, this can slowly build up and become a very stressful time in your life when it should be a happy and exciting time. And yes, I am a wedding planner intern, so of course I'm going to toot my own intern horn. But here are the 5 reasons why wedding planners are awesome (and practical.)

1. Time is money: Wedding experts say it takes an average of 250 hours to plan a wedding, that's equal to 6 full-time working weeks! And if you plan on doing a lot of DIY wedding projects (i.e. decorations, invites, bouquets and boutonniere's), that time could increase exponentially. By hiring a planner, you are cutting your time invested in wedding planning down significantly.

2. Negotiations: Negotiating contracts with caterers, florists, wedding photographers, and other suppliers can be tedious and frustrating, but a wedding planner has experience with negotiations and can protect you from unnecessary expenses.

3. Special Discounts: Don’t be caught paying outsider prices. A wedding planner can take advantage of discounts through a network of contacts and suppliers not available to private parties. You'll avoid superfluous costs while turning your dreams into reality.

4. Ideas from other weddings: Planners can use past experiences, ideas and techniques to define and accomplish the theme and direction that you envision for your wedding. The acute sense of a planner will fulfill details and specifics that will make your day all the more special.

5. Fit your budget: Wedding planners are an incredible resource for finding bargains on quality merchandise and services. They have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the wedding industry, so finding the perfect wedding venue that fits within your budget will be a snap with a planner at your side.

A wedding planner will help guide you every step of the way so research a wedding planner and see if one is right for you!

And now I will promote my internship. BASH Atlanta is THE perfect wedding planner for all of your wedding needs! 

Because you don't want to look like her on your big day.......

you want to look like her!

here is the article that brags about wedding planners (I promise it's not just me!)

Wedding dress trends. Constantly changing. Always beautiful. And as a girl who love weddings, I naturally am just as in love with arguable one of the biggest parts of a wedding, the dress. 

According to the 362,637 websites about wedding dress trends for 2011, dresses that really make a statement are a trend. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Every bride wants her dress to make a statement. But when I read this I immediately thought of dresses that aren’t the norm, that make people talk. Dramatic dresses, with lots of lace, ruffles, flowers, poof, you name it! Even if your style is more subtle and understated, having a little bit of dramatic flair will make your dress your own. 

And what better dress to demonstrate this than Duchess Catherine’s wedding dress. I was one of those crazy people who woke up before the sun came up to see this dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. It has started a new trend. It is an essentially traditional style, but has an elegance and sophistication that makes it modern. It is also a slightly more modest wedding gown, compared to some of the past wedding gown trends involving corsets and see through fabrics. 

Another gown I am obsessed with is Huma Abedin’s wedding dress. I looked her up one night during her husband’s ridiculous scandal and was pleasantly surprised to see this gorgeous gown on a beautiful bride. Again, this dress is not like other dresses I have seen. It’s traditional and modest, but with an elegant and sophistication that makes it, in my opinion, so much more beautiful. 

But maybe I am just drawn to wedding dresses that aren’t “the norm”. Even Nicole Richie’s dress was strikingly beautiful to me simply because it was different than the usual strapless, A-line gowns that are so popular right now. 

There will always be new wedding trends. And everyone will always have different opinions about them. But whatever your opinion is about wedding dress styles, always try to find a dress that shows off your style and personality while making a statement, your statement!

It's time for another great idea from my new favorite book, Handmade Weddings. Unfortunately this is the last idea I will be writing about, but all you have to do is visit your neighborhood bookstore and buy it fr yourself!

This week's idea is for a modern classic themed wedding. This style of wedding is simple and chic. Draw inspiration from Coco Chanel and Kate Spade. To pull this type of wedding together have tailored floral arrangements, custom monograms, classic cocktails, and elegant furniture. Think Breakfast at Tiffany's. Blacks, whites, and pastels are perfect for this style of wedding. 

My favorite idea from this style is a little more difficult than all of the other ideas I have written about. The book says this project has moderate difficulty, while the other ideas have been labeled as easy projects. Despite this spike in difficulty, this idea is so worht it and it only costs $20- $30!! 

Silhouette Bride & Groom Signs

What you will need:

1.       Cut out your ovals.

 Using a pencil, trace a large oval template onto tracing paper, or make a photocopy. Lay the tracing paper over your black construction paper, secure in two sides with drafting tape, and cut out with scissors. Repeat with a medium oval template and pale pink paper, and a small oval template and patterned paper.

 2.       Make your silhouettes. 

 For each photo, trace the silhouette oval template onto tracing paper. Using photo-editing software or a photocopier, scale your photograph so that your silhouette fits into the small oval. It should measure about 9 inches tall from the top of the head to the collar line, and 6 inches wide at the widest point. Lay the traced silhouette oval template over your printed photo to check the size, and adjust the photo accordingly. When you are satisfied with the size of the photo, position the traced silhouette oval template over your photo, securing it with drafting tape. Using a pencil, trace the portion of the silhouette that is inside the oval. Simplify details, such as tufts of hair, that will be difficult to cut out later. Lay your traced silhouette on top of a sheet of clack construction paper, and secure it with drafting tape on two sides. Using a craft knife and cutting mat or scissors, carefully cut out the silhouette, replacing your blade as soon as it begins to dull.

 

3.       Assemble your signs.

 For each sign, lay your silhouette oval right-side down on your work surface. Lay your small patterned oval, right-side up, nearby. Apply adhesive to the back of the silhouette. Turn it over and position it over your small patterned oval so that a 1/8-inch border is revealed along the bottom edge, Press down and smooth it, concentration on the edges of the silhouette, with a bone folder. Let it dry.   

Place your patterned oval and silhouette facedown on your work surface. Apply adhesive to the back of the oval. Turn it over and position it over your medium pink oval so that a 1/8-inch pink border is revelaed around the wntire oval. Press down and smooth it, concentratinf on the edges of the patterned oval, with a vone folder. Let it dry. Repeat for your large black oval, this time allowing for a ¼-inch black border to be revealed.

 4.       Prepare your signs for hanging.

 Decide how the signs will be hung. If hanging from a nail, punch a hole at the top of each oval. Cut your ribbon into two 1-yard lengths. Thread a yard of ribbon through each hole, back to front. Tie the ribbon into a bow for hanging, and trim the ends (fold the ribbon end in half and cut the fold at a 45-degree angle to create a dragon-tongue shape). If using an existing nail, you may want to do this on site so that you can check the height of the nail and adjust the length of your ribbon appropriately.   

 If nails are not allowed at your venue, forgo the ribbon and position the sign directly on the door using removable adhesive foam mounting squares, or double-sided tape. Or get two over-the-door hooks and hang the bows from them (you may need a longer piece of ribbon).

This week, I'll be writing about two styles of weddings. The first is organic minimal and the second is found.

Organic minimal combines natural beauty with modern design. For an organic minimal style, have natural linens, farmer's market flowers, and sculptural centerpieces, like dogwoods, magnolias, and olive branches. Having organic and local food, as well as, unexpected organic details, like coffee beans, will add to that simple, natural feel.

My favorite idea for this style is Chalkboard-Paint Table Numbers.

What you will need:

How to: 

 1.  Set up your spray booth and drying areas:                                                 

In a well-ventilates area or outdoors, lay down newspaper or a drop cloth two to three times    the size of your cardboard box. This will be your spray booth. If you've enlisted a friend to help, set up a second spray booth. In a separate area, cover a 3-x-3-foot work surface with newspaper. This will be your drying area.   

 2.      Paint the vessels: 

 Wearing rubber gloves and a face mask, place a vessel in your cardboard box. Spray it with chalkboard paint, tilting and rotating the vessel as you go to get an even coat of paint. Set it aside to dry, Apply a second touch-up coat if needed. Repeat for all vessels. 

 3.      Write the table numbers: 

 Condition the chalkboard paint on each vessel by rubbing chalk all over it, then rubbing it off with a damp sponge. Once dry, write the table numbers or names on each vessel using chalk. 

You can also change the color of the paint and font style to work with a different style of wedding.

Found style incorporates recycled, reused, and vintage elements to create a hip, eco-conscious celebration. Have backyard flowers, like sunflowers, daisies, or asters. Have a candy bar, kraft-paper linens, and collectible favors, like Pez dispensers or vintage matchbooks. And wearing vintage attire will really add to that hip and creative feel.

My favorite idea for this style is a Peg-Board Seating Chart.

What you will need:

 

1.       Prepare your Peg-Board:

 Lay newsprint on the floor of your work area, and lean your Peg-Board against a wall or table on top of it. If using, roll a coat of paint onto the board. Let it dry. Apply another layer if desired.   

 2.       Decorate your clothespins: 

 Affix a strip of decorative tape along the length of each clothespin. Smooth is flat, Trim off any excess with a craft knife. Repeat on the other side.   

3.       Print your seating cards:

 Customize your seating cards. Print them onto text-weight paper, with the guests names on the front and the table number on the back. Trim along the crop marks provided using a craft knife, ruler, and cutting mat.  

 4.     Assemble your seating chart: 

Decide how you would like to space your rows of seating cards. For each clothespin, thread an 8-inch length of wire trough the spring in the clothespin. Flatten the ends against the board, trimming with scissors if necessary. If desired, secure the wire ends with masking tape (especially if you are transporting the board). Clip your seating cards to your clothespins in alphabetical order. 

You can also change the color of the paint and font style to work with a different style of wedding.