#HELLYEAH HIGHLIGHTS

We get it, you're getting married, but you're also on the go go go, and don't have the time to scroll through our entire blog to find the information you need (our feeling aren't hurt, we promise)! To save you the trouble, we've rounded up some of our best posts to plan for your big day. Here is the 411 on the BIG 5!

Budget

Both starting point and sticking point for many couples. Save yourself the disappointment and establish a firm budget ASAP.

Photo | Jas and Mike Co.

Venue

The backdrop of your wedding day should be as beautifully matched as you and your betrothed.

Photo | Jillian Zamora

Wedding Party

With your boo and your besties by your side, you’re guaranteed to have the best night ever.

Photo | Brynna Isabell

Guests

The number one rule for keeping the guests happy, you ask? Keep the drinks, the music and the love flowing!

Photo | Payge Stevens Photography

Ceremony + Reception

The vows, the tears, the dinner, and the dancing! Uff, we can’t get enough!

Photo | Chelsea Kaye

May the wedding gods be with you!

TOP 5 | SOUTHERN WEDDING TRADITIONS

As a Texas transplant, planning southern weddings came with a whole host of new traditions. The first time I heard of the "House Party," I was beyond confused (but intrigued). But, we dove in headfirst, and now we can get enough of these Down South customs. In today's blog post, we'll be discussing our Top 5 Southern Wedding Traditions, so put on your boots and let's scoot!

Grooms Cake

Traditionally the Groom’s cake a is a smaller more elaborately designed cake gifted to the groom. Although they’re not required, many couples choose to include them in their day as a way to incorporate the grooms personality and unique taste. The cake is also an opportunity to serve a more “basic“ cake flavor like chocolate and would serve as a great boxed favor at the end of the night. We’ve seen them all; footballs, sports logos, even a boat like the cake down below.

Photo | Silver Bear Creative

Bridals

Bridals are a pre-wedding day photoshoot where the bride can get all done up in her wedding dress to take solo pictures. These pictures can be sweet keepsakes or printed for display on wedding day. These shoots are often scheduled the same day that Brides have their hair and makeup trials so they can get the best bang for their buck. Although this typically centers around the bride, we have seen Bride + Groom. In those cases, the Bride and Groom get together and wear a more relaxed version of their wedding attire. Think no bowtie and hair down.

Photo | Amy Karp Photography

Bridal Luncheon

I know what you're thinking, another expensive pre-wedding party *eye roll*, but you're wrong, sort of! Bridal luncheons are an opportunity for Brides to celebrate their bridal party like a wedding shower, but for the sweet friends and family members who'll also be walking down the aisle. This party can be held before or after the wedding, so long as it includes those who served or are serving on the brides' side of the wedding, flower girls and all. You can even invite other women who played or will play a large role in your wedding day. People like your aunt, who made the cookie favors, or your nana who helped put together your invitation suite. The gifts for the event don't have to be extravagant; dinner or lunch on you is enough to love on your squad.

Photo | Menary Weddings

Second Line

Wedding Second Lines are fun and ultra festive ways to let the good times roll on your wedding day. Second Lines are a New Orleanian tradition that stems from West African dance circles. As it became a ritual for African Americans, the parades expanded to celebrations of new life and death. In a typical line, the guests, lead by a brass band and the couple follow a parade route whooping, hollering, swinging towels, grooving, and celebrating their newlywed status. This tradition might take a few more steps to set up (if you’re headed out to a public road, you’ll need a parade permit and barricades to keep things safe), but it’s well worth it. If you’re concerned about cultural appropriation, do your research, consult your local black-led jazz band, hire a local black-led jazz band, and ultimately make the decisions that feels the best for you.

Photo | Chelsea Kaye Photography

Southern Cuisine

If we’re honest, this is our favorite southern tradition of them all. Be it soul food, Tex-Mex, or barbeque; we can’t get enough of the DELICIOUS food. With the right catering team, your wedding food might be more popular and you. Just kidding, you’re the star, but like, make sure you have enough so that we can get seconds.

Photo | Jas & Mike

Did we miss any traditions? What’s your favorite Southern wedding traditions?

INSPIRED BY | FLOWERS

This week we're all about flowers, a wedding essential! A wedding without flowers is like vows without an "I do" …well not exactly, but they are one of our favorite things. We're always so inspired by our couples' floral choices and how they integrate their style into their bouquets. Some are chic and trendy. Others are classic and traditional. No matter the decision, flowers are a focal point on your big day.

As a celebration of all things floral, we've rounded up some of our all-time favorite boutiques, prepare to fall in love with these beautiful blooms.

Photo | Ashley Rhian

Photo | Shay & Olive

Photo | Jessica Quadra Photography

Photo | Christina Childress Photography

Photo | Apryl Ann

Photo | Chelsea Kaye

Photo | Adria Lea

Photo | Outland Weddings

Photo | Jennefer Wilson

Photo | Cara Elizabeth Photo

Photo| Lauren Reynolds Photography

Photo | George Street

Photo | Joseph Mark Photography

Photo | Diane Keathly

Photo | WilderLove Co.

Photo | Chelsea Q White Photography

Photo | Cottonwood Road Photography

Photo | Christina Childress Photography

What’s your dream bouquet?

TIPS | DO OR DITCH? WEDIQUETTE EDITION

Weddings have no shortage or traditions and etiquette that dictates what you should and shouldn’t do on the big day. While researching best practices, we found that so many of the big wedding rules were antiquated. So, instead of maintaining the status quo, we decided to play a game of Do or Ditch! These are things that you can let go if they don’t match your style (it’s your wedding after all) or wedding day elements you shouldn’t cross off your list, no matter how badly you want to. Let’s dive in!

Ditch

• Expensive Stationary - Traditionally, weddings are filled with paper (invitations, STDs, menus, etc.), but they don’t have to be. If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly or affordable option, go digital!

• Ceremony Seating Arrangements - Say goodbye to separated sides on the ceremony for the different families.

• Cake - Not that into cake? Swap it for pie or an elaborate dessert display.

• Wedding Party - More and more low-key couples are opting out of traditional wedding parties. You can forego a formal wedding party and still have a few friends or family members get ready with you on your big wedding morning!

• Wedding Dress - Ditch the idea of a wedding dress if it’s not your style. Jumpsuits are all the rage this season.

Photo | Amy Karp Photography

Do

• Dinner - Feed your guests, but if you can’t let them know formally via your wedding invitations, so they know to grab a bite beforehand.

• Wedding Website - Create a wedding website! It can be as straightforward or as elaborate as you want

• Welcome - Do something special to welcome out of town guests.

• Alone Time - Carve some time out for just the two of you.

• Technology - Respect the couple’s tech requests. Unplugged means unplugged.

Ditch

• Name Changes - Changing your last name doesn’t have to be a requirement. Discuss it and ditch it if you want.

• Tosses - Garter and bouquet tosses single out your single friends and may be a little awkward in front of everyone (the whole under the wedding dress this can be a little 😬).

• Matching - Bridesmaids don’t have to match. There’s a wide range of bridal party look to choose from. Explore your options!

• Understated Grooms(men) - Mix it up, boys can get fancy too!

• Brides Family Responsibilities - Traditions of yesteryear say that the bride’s parents foot the wedding bill, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Do

• Vendor Meals - Feed your vendors. After working all day to create the perfect day, your staff gets hungry too!

• Dress Code - Follow the desired dress code, no matter what. Confused about what the dress code means? We can help!

• RSVPs - If you RSVP yes, then get your booty to the wedding.

• Gifts - Thank your wedding party with a little something-something. It doesn’t have too pricey and over the top, just something to thank them for all the support they’ve given you.

• Invites - Pay attention to your invitation. Never show up with a surprise plus ones or be a surprise guest. No invite (or a very clear plus one) means don’t show up.

Ditch

• White Dresses - White's a beautiful color, but if it doesn't make you *heart emoji*, then consider something out of the box! All black everything, perhaps?

• Asking for Permission - It's 2020, so unless specifically requested, don't feel pressure to ask the to-be bride's parent' s/dad's permission for her hand in marriage.

• Diamonds - There's a world of stones out there (different colors, cuts, and price ranges) shop around!

• Gendered Wedding Parties - Who says you can't have a Man of Honor or Best Woman?

• Being Given Away - Dads walking their daughters down the aisle is sweet, but if you aren't close and want another loved one to walk you down the aisle. Take the leap and go for the non-traditional. Or you can walk down the aisle solo.

What are we leaving in the past, and what are we bringing into 2020?

TOP 5 | CAKES TOO BEAUTIFUL TO EAT

We don’t want to jump the gun, but this might be out yummiest post yet! Today we’ve compiled our Top 5 most beautifully delicious wedding cakes. From pillowy soft sophistication to wrought iron rustic touches, these cakes are more than meets the taste buds.

Dreamy Trifecta

Photo | Christina Childress Photography

Pretty and Painted

Photo | Ashley Rhian Photography

Artistic Design

Photo | Apryl Ann

Rustic Flair

Photo | Lauren Nicole Photography

Pillowy Perfection

Photo | Mountaintop Films

What’s your favorite wedding cake flavor?