INSPIRED BY | SPOOKY AESTHETICS

October 30, 2019

It’s almost Halloween and there’s no better way to pay homage to your favorite holiday than with a Halloween themed wedding! I know what you’re thinking, a Halloween themed wedding? Themed weddings aren’t everyone’s jam, but you don’t have to be extra to get your point across. Little details here and there a great way to show your personality and incorporate a spooky aesthetic. Of course, if you want to go over the top, more power to you! Guests will never forget all your sinister little details.

On today’s post, we’re highlighting one of our favorite fall weddings for inspiration. Bryce and Belinda’s dark and moody wedding is serious goals!! Incorporate a few little touches or implement them all for the Jack the Pumpkin King and Sally wedding of your dreams or nightmares.

Dark and Romantic Wedding Wear

Statement Sweetheart Table

Haunting Ceremony Soundtrack

Themed Guests Attire

Whimsical Tablescapes

Matrimonial Cake Toppers

Eccentric Guest Book Table Decor

Moody Florals

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TOP 5 | FOOD STATIONS

October 23, 2019

Food stations get your wedding guests out of their seats, mixing and mingling while they eat. Whether it be before, during, or towards the end of the reception, functional and flexible food stations are a twist on traditional plated dinners or passed appetizers. A few of these stations may require extra staff help (see: Taco Bar), but for the most part, these stations can be set up and enjoyed without very much tending to.

If you’re looking for new ideas for your cocktail hour or ditching a seated dinner for something a little lighter (and more cost-effective), we’ve compiled a list of our Top 5 Favorite Food Stations!

Charcuterie

Perfect for grazing guests during a sophisticated cocktail hour. Be sure to include things like fruit, hummus, and cashew cheese for your non-meat eating guests.

Pizza

A Make-Your-Own Pizza station or Pizza Bar will be a surefire hit! Guests can customize each of their slices or pick from a pre-determined bunch of the couples choosing.

Taco Bar

My personal favorite, Taco Bars, are great for relaxed receptions. They’re quick, easy, and delicious. YES PLEASE!

Fry Bar

Photo Credit: Joel Serrato Film Photographer

Give your guests the gift of choice with a Fry Bar, the more dipping sauces the better. Healthier options like baked sweet potato fries can also be substituted.

Pretzel Station

These savory or sweet treats will keep your guests busy all night long. A few pretzel bites during cocktail hour, few more while you dance, and a final round as you say our goodbyes. There’s no such thing as too many.

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TOP 5 | NEON SIGN MOMENTS

October 16, 2019

Wedding neon signs are all the rage and we’re fully on board with this trend! Not only do neon signs provide some eye-catching and moody lighting, but they’re also a way to make a statement in a big and beautiful way. Neon signs can be focal points in ceremony or reception spaces and can double as DIY photo booth areas (just add props).

Worried, they might not work with your wedding day aesthetic? Neon signs can be customized to nearly any wedding style; the color, script, and size are up to you. These vibrant signs can be custom made (YouTube is full of tutorials of varying difficulty) or specially designed for your wedding day. If you really want to get your money’s worth, they can double as a major conversation starter in the middle of your living room when it’s all over. Whatever way you slice it neon signs are accessible, stunning, and a contemporary way to show your personality. These are our Top 5 Neon Sign Moments!

Married Name

Celebrate the new couple with a celebration of your new married name and the next phase of your life.

Initials

Keep it clean and simple with the couple’s initials in soft light.

Romantic Decor

Create a lovey dovey feel with a romantic red lit heart.

Photo Credit | Samantha Heather Photography

A Fitting Quote

Highlight you and your boos favorite song or preferred state of being.

Which Way to the Bar?

Light the way to the drinks, your guests will be grateful.

Bonus Backdrop

Okay, I lied about it being the Top 5 Neon Moments, but I couldn’t bear to leave out this gorgeous neon wedding arch. So edgy and so glam *swoon*!

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TIPS | WEDDING PARTY GIFT GUIDE

October 9, 2019

When you think wedding gifts, you think registries, hand mixers, and good china. But, the bride and groom aren't only ones that should be showered with nice things on their wedding day, bridal parties deserve a gift just as much as the couple. Now hear me out! While couples aren't required to get their bridal parties presents, maybe they should be. More than likely, your wedding party has lent a hand and more than a few hours to your big day (and the many event days leading up to it), and thank you gifts are a thoughtful way to show gratitude.

Now don't take this to mean that you have to go out buy the most expensive gift you can find, more than likely your bridal party will love any token of appreciation. You can even make your gifts, but this may be more trouble than it's worth depending on your wedding timeline. If you're unsure of what to look for during your gift search, keep in mind these two questions:

Is it thoughtful (Does this make sense for the person I'm buying it for)?
Is it practical (Will they be able to use this gift on or after my wedding day)?

If you can answer yes to either or both of these questions, then you've got a great gift!

Need some inspiration? Well, we've rounded up a few of our favorite gifts for everyone on your wedding party shopping list and wouldn't mind being in more than a few of these lucky bridal parties, just sayin'.

Gifts For Each Other

Some couples choose to exchange gifts on the day of their wedding. Be it something to wear on the big day or a tear-jerking letter; it’s a great way to set the tone and share a moment before the ceremony. These gifts can be given during the first look or exchanged via bridesmaid and groomsmen while the couple gets ready.

Bride

Initial Necklace

Favorite Snack Pack

Heart Felt Letter

Statement Earrings

Groom

Reasons I Love You

Boudoir Pictures

Engraved Cuff Links

Watch

Photo Credit | Alex Thornton Photography

Bridal Party Gifts

Bridal party gifts are fairly common and are a way to give back to some of your favorite people! Gifts don’t have to extravagant and can even be practical gifts that they can wear on the day, either way, your bridal party will appreciate you thinking of them.

Bridesmaids

Intergalactic Make Up Bag

Face Full of Masks

Cranky Coffee Cup

Dainty Rings

Groomsman

Beard Care Kit

Wall Mounted Beer Bottle Opener

Shaving Kit

Custom Yeti Koozie Mugs

Flower Girl

Their Very Own Book

Name Plate Bracelet

Personalized Puzzle

Sequin Pillow

Ring Bearer

Lego Look Alike

Monogrammed Suspenders

Custom Crayons

The Coolest Ring Security Uniform

Parents

Parent gifts are an opportunity to thank your parents and in-laws for all they’ve done for you. Not just with wedding planning or chipping in financially, but for getting you this far in life. Plus, they are responsible for raising your favorite person and that’s something to be thankful for. And though this is directed towards parents, it can be applied to found/chosen families or anyone who’s played a significant role in your life.

Mother

A Hanky That Will Create & Dry Your Tears

Post Wedding Wine Rack

Family Recipe Cutting Board

Sentimental Picture Frame

Father

Specialty Tie

Message Socks

Grill Master Apron

Fishing Keychain

Thanks, But No Thanks

If you’ve gotten to the end of the list and still haven’t found the perfect gift, below are a few options for gifts that are guaranteed crowd pleasers. Pre-made (or customizable) gift boxes are the perfect way to give without reinventing the wheel. *By the way this is not sponsored, we’re just big fans!

The Knack Shop is gift box building site where you can add or subtract from pre-made gift boxes tailored to nearly any interest anyone has ever had. Ever. Seriously.

The Party Shop Co. is an Etsy shop that handcrafts more traditional wedding party gift boxes. They’re all glitter and monogram galore and we love it.

Everything Decorated also features gift boxes, but with more rustic and masculine options. If you’re looking for engraved wood and leather, they’ve got you covered.

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TIPS | DECODING WEDDING DRESS CODES

October 2, 2019

Wedding dress codes can be a minefield of confusion, frantic googling, and last minute shopping trips. How casual is Dressy Casual? How optional is the black tie in Black Tie Optional? All pressing and important questions that we’ve gathered the answers to.

Below we’ve compiled all the most popular wedding dress codes and how to achieve them. Of course, these just our recommendations and you should wear whatever you want, but we may be able to save you a few awkward glances.

White Tie

White Tie weddings are the fanciest of all traditional weddings. Think Royal Wedding meets an elegant charity ball. Although white tie weddings aren’t super common if you’re invited to one it’s an excellent opportunity to above and beyond typical wedding wear.

Standard White Tie Attire:

Floor-length gown, with fancy footwear and jewelry (and throw on a fascinator if you’re wanna get wild!)
Tuxedos with tails are customary menswear, along with white vests and bow ties.

Black Tie

Black Tie weddings are more common and give you room to play with your style. Black tie weddings are usually formal evening occasions with a distinct, extravagant style.

Standard Black Tie Attire:

Floor-length gown, but you can get away with a formal cocktail dress.
Tailless Tuxedos with a bow tie and a cummerbund or vest.

Black Tie Optional or Formal

Black Tie Optional aka Formal weddings are similar to Black Tie weddings but are a little less hoity-toity. You’ll still be dressed to the nines, but you aren’t confined to gowns and tuxedos. You can infuse more color and pattern into your look.

Standard Black Tie Optional or Formal Attire:

Formal dressy dress with no specific color or length.
Dark suit or tuxedo with a tie or bow tie.

Photo Credit | Jacque Manaugh Photography

Cocktail Attire or Semi-Formal

Cocktail or semi-formal attire can be anything you’d wear on a night out on the town. Fun, flirty, but still done up enough to fit in with the party.

Standard Cocktail Attire or Semi-Formal Attire:

Nice dress of any length, but steer clear of fabrics that are a little too casual like jersey.
Any color suit, but you can ditch the tie or bow tie for a more laid back feel.

Dressy Casual

Dressy Casual wedding attire is what I like to call “Put One Thing On. “Find your cutest casual outfit (something you’d wear going out to a nice brunch with friends or to your local Red Lobster), then add one thing. A pair of cute shoes, a piece of jewelry, a fun cardigan, or cute belt and wallah you’re casually dressy.

Standard Cocktail Attire or Semi-Formal Attire:

A dress or a dressy skirt and blouse.
Slacks and a button-down or polo. If you’re feelin’ a suit coat, throw on a suit coat, but no pressure!

Casual or Daytime

Perfect for a rustic or backyard wedding, Casual or Daytime wedding attire is an easy-going as you can get.

Standard Casual or Daytime Attire:

Break out your maxi’s and sundresses. Sandals are also appropriate if the weather permits.
Jeans, knee-length shorts, or linen suits.

Calling An Audible

For when you’ve been thrown an out-of-the-box dress code or worse, one you’ve never even heard of.

Themed Wedding Attire

Beach or Tropical Attire

Wear comfortable and breathable fabrics because more than likely it’s going to be hot or humid. If you’re planning on wearing heels, you may want to reconsider. As cute as they might be, sinking during the ceremony (or even all night) won’t be fun.

Festive Attire

Maybe one of the most confusing dress codes on paper, but the most fun in practice, “Festive” attire is your opportunity to wear any of all of the things. Sequins? Break ‘em out! Patterns? Wear a couple! Ruffles? The bigger, the better!

If you’re attending a themed wedding where guests are expected to dress up, pick a few details to play into the theme like a mask or jewelry or lean in and go all out with a one of a kind outfit and headpiece.

No Dress Code

Sometimes things are going to be left up to your interpretation. In these cases, your best bet is to reach out to the couple for clarification. If you’d rather not, you’ll be safe defaulting to a semi-formal dress code.

Definite No’s, No Matter the Dress Code

Never ever ever wear white to a wedding unless explicitly being told to do so.
If you’re still unsure of what to wear, err on the side of caution and go a little fancier than you think you need to be. Worst case scenario, you’ll look (and feel) extra lovely in all your wedding day selfies.
Steer clear of wearing your club clothes, not because you won’t look like a smoke show (because you absolutely will), but because you’ll be more comfortable getting out on the dance floor without any fear of wardrobe malfunctions and the couple will too.

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THE BLOG

INSPIRED BY | SPOOKY AESTHETICS

Dark and Romantic Wedding Wear

Statement Sweetheart Table

Haunting Ceremony Soundtrack

Themed Guests Attire

Whimsical Tablescapes

Matrimonial Cake Toppers

Eccentric Guest Book Table Decor

Moody Florals

TOP 5 | FOOD STATIONS

Charcuterie

Pizza

Taco Bar

Fry Bar

Pretzel Station

TOP 5 | NEON SIGN MOMENTS

Married Name

Initials

Romantic Decor

A Fitting Quote

Which Way to the Bar?

Bonus Backdrop

TIPS | WEDDING PARTY GIFT GUIDE

Gifts For Each Other

Bride

Groom

Bridal Party Gifts

Bridesmaids

Groomsman

Flower Girl

Ring Bearer

Parents

Mother

Father

Thanks, But No Thanks

TIPS | DECODING WEDDING DRESS CODES

White Tie

Black Tie

Black Tie Optional or Formal

Cocktail Attire or Semi-Formal

Dressy Casual

Casual or Daytime

Calling An Audible

Definite No’s, No Matter the Dress Code