Brides are embracing the “show your personality through your wedding” concept.  Brides are taking a walk on the trendy side by choosing colored shoes for their wedding day.

Colored shoes are a fun and unique way for the bride to show her personality!

So brides… wear any shoe, or sandals, or boots of any color or style that YOU love! They’ll always remember the bride that wore colored shoes on her wedding day.

Photo: KMI Photography

Article by Jennifer Priddy with ACoastalWedding.com

Looking for way to make your wedding unique and give back at the same time? Use the I Do Foundation website to set up your gift registries.  This will ensure that every dollar spent on your wedding gives back. You can use their site to set up registries with stores like Target, REI and Cooking.com – where up to 10% of every purchase will support a worthy cause. You can also use I Do Foundation to create a charity registry. In lieu of gifts, encourage guests to commemorate your wedding with a gift to your specially chosen charities. These options are easy win-wins and make a huge difference!  I Do Foundation has many tips and ideas to make your special day a unique way to give back.

Article by Jennifer Priddy with ACoastalWedding.com

Since money is a big factor for a lot of couples, planning budget honeymoons is a must! Flexibility and creativity is the key to a honeymoon on a budget. If you insist on staying in a over-the-water bungalow in Bora Bora, the price tag will match that, no matter if you travel off season. Don’t return from your honeymoon with thousands of dollars in debt, think “budget” and plan ahead! Here is a list of ideas and tips that can help you save some money:

• Stay close to home there are beautiful resorts all over the place. Find a local, secluded resort within a few hours drive of your wedding. This could cut your honeymoon cost in half since airline costs are extraordinary. This will also allow you to save money but enjoy the luxury of a 4 or 5 star resort. Your location, the time of year and your preferred honeymoon will all need to be taken into account.Or, pick a beautiful, dream location within a few hours flight of your wedding. If you want a tropical honeymoon, choose a destination that is a 4 – 6 hour flight instead of 10+ hours. This will cut down in the price and you can still have that island paradise. Compare islands in a region as well. Some islands are more expensive primarily because they are more popular. There are many great deals that are more affordable and just as nice as that popular resort and destination you see in all the advertisements. Read more on cheap tropical destinations >
• Travel in the Off-Season if your mind is set on a certain destination, find out when they have their off-season. Some hotels offer significantly lower prices during the off-season. The off-season usually is a time when the weather isn’t at its best, but this can mean hotter than normal weather for some locations, or rainy season in others. Read about the pros & cons of off-season travel and look up your destination’s off-season months >
• Honeymoon Registry Gifts Ask for your honeymoon as a wedding present or build a honeymoon registry, where the expense can be divided among many guests, instead of one family member. Pass the word to your guests that your honeymoon registry is your gift preference. Registry information is best passed through family and the bridal party, and if guests find out that you need a little help in that area, they will usually be happy to purchase a gift they know you will enjoy. Be sure to get ideas on how to make your registry user friendly and entice your guests to purchase from it.
• Look for Deals Many resorts are trying to make it easier for couples to plan a destination wedding. Look for deals on rooms, airfare, wedding packages or anything else you need. Keep in mind that certain items you may expect to be inexpensive at the location may actually be more expensive; so be open to options and suggestions from the locals. Discount honeymoons are a great possibility, especially if you are flexible with your destination. Also, look for new hotels or resorts, which will be in superb condition but might not have the advertising to be fully booked. You can often find great deals from hotels that have opened within a year.
• Last Minute Honeymoons You can find many great, discounted vacations at the last minute. If you don’t mind planning your honeymoon in a rush and you won’t feel disappointed if you don’t get a specific destination, this is a great idea. Read the travel section in newspapers, online deals, travel agents and any other sources you find. Cruises often have great last minute deals, especially if you live near a cruise line port and don’t have to purchase airfare.
• Timeshare Wedding Gifts If a family member has a timeshare that they may be banking instead of vacationing, let them know that you are having trouble affording a resort. They may offer you their timeshare as a wedding gift, which is easy for them and saves you a lot of money in resort fees.
• All-inclusives Many couples spend well over their budget because of unexpected expenses or cost of food and drinks once they arrive to their hotel. This can bring a lot of unneeded stress to your honeymoon. One way to prevent this overspending is to choose an all-inclusive that truly includes everything from all meals, water, alcohol, non-motorized sports and sometimes excursions. Some all-inclusives are very expensive, but there are many resorts that are reasonable, especially in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.
• Bed and Breakfast Romance Stay away from those 5-star luxury resorts and opt for a romantic, secluded B&B for less than half the price and breakfast included. These are often well kept and have unique room interiors, as opposed to large, monotone hotel rooms. This is also a great way to travel through Europe. It will make you feel like you’re one of the locals.
• Cruise Deals Affordable cruise packages are available, especially if you don’t mind a smaller room and inside cabin. If you like to spend a lot of time in your room, try to get a suite, which can still be fairly affordable on a few lines. Liners like Carnival and Royal Caribbean are known for their party or family atmospheres, as well as their cheaper rates and deals. The crowds and children can be annoying to some. Yet, if you like a little more spice and are on a budget, consider one of these cruise lines for a cheap honeymoon cruise.
• Camping Honeymoons Find a secluded camping site to have an outdoor, romantic honeymoon. This is an inexpensive way to enjoy each other’s company and getaway, without digging too deep into your bank account. Some nice camping sites even have cabins for rent for a reasonable price, which adds a little bit more luxury to the honeymoon adventure. Great ideas for beach lovers ~ there are many beach camping sites as well, which is a wonderful way to get beachfront romance for cheap.

Article by honeymoonersreviewguide.com

Your wedding caterer will probably be your largest expense, so you’ll want them to be top-notch!
Start off by asking friends and family for referrals, and ask your reception site if they have restrictions or suggestions on which wedding caterers they’ll work with. Your photographer, florist or videographer may have a wedding caterer they’ve worked with recently. If you have a restaurant that you adore, see if they have a catering department, or have a wedding caterer to refer you to.
Call potential wedding caterers to ask about their availability and general price range. Once you’ve found a few who seem like they would work, make appointments, arranging to have both an interview and a tasting. That way, you’ll know you’re working with a professional, you’ll avoid ugly surprises on the final bill, and your guests’ taste buds will be happy.

Here are important questions to ask prospective catering firms before you sign the dotted line.

• Can the caterer schedule a tasting of the specific foods you are interested in before hiring? A good, reputable caterer should arrange a tasting for you before committing to them verbally or contractually.
• What is the caterer’s price range? Is there an all-inclusive fee per head or are costs itemized depending on the foods selected? Are tax and gratuity, linens that price or charged separately?
• Will the caterer provide tables, chairs, plates, place settings, flatware, salt-n-pepper shakers, and other food- and dining-related items? If not, will they arrange for furniture rental? Ask to see the equipment prior to hiring to make sure it’s acceptable.
• Who is your main contact at the catering firm? Will the same person be overseeing the catering the day of the wedding? If this isn’t the case, request to work with someone who will.
• Is the caterer planning to work any other weddings on the same weekend, day, or even time as yours? It’s imperative that the caterer devote sufficient time to your event so you may want to pass on catering businesses that are double and triple- booking-weddings.
• Will the caterer provide wait staff and at what additional cost? Considering the size of your wedding, how many will be working? What is the ratio of servers to guest? Top caterers typically always use their own serving personnel (as opposed to the venue personnel).
• Does the caterer have a license and proper insurance? A license will ensure the catering company has met specified health department standards and has adequate liability insurance. If alcohol will be served, make sure the caterer also has proper license.
• Does the caterer provide alcohol or can you manage the bar separately? Is there a corkage fee if you provide it? Can the caterer provide the alcohol you want or can you make special requests?
• Can the caterer provide references? A suggestion is to get the contact information for at least two prior clients that had a similar menu.
• Does the caterer provide the wedding cake or can you use an outside baker? Is there a cake-cutting charge?

Article by Jennifer Priddy with ACoastalWedding.com

In my 10+ years photographing weddings, I have heard just about every story under the sun. Perhaps the number one  I hear more than most is from soon-to-be brides when they tell me, “my friend had a family member photograph their wedding, and they were very disappointed, that is why we came to you.”

I couldn’t agree more. When asked weather or not someone should use a family member or a friend as a photographer for their wedding, my first response is always, “yes but only if you have a written contract with that person, if you have seen their work and are happy with it, and if you know they have the experience necessary to do that job right.” The bride usually can’t answer all three questions with a confident “yes”.  Reason being, many times brides want a “weekend warrior” to shoot their wedding so they can spend a little more on booze. But don’t forget that your photographs are the only thing that you will take away from your wedding. Flowers die and food is eaten, but photographs are for a lifetime.

So here is a list of 7 questions you should ask a potential photographer:

1. How long have you been in business?

2. How many weddings have you photographed?

3. What is your normal turnaround time for proofs after the wedding?

4. Do you have a written contract?

5. Do you have 3 references?

6. May I see a complete wedding from beginning to end?

7. Will you be the actual photographer at my wedding?

These 7 questions are just a start, I would also encourage you to trust your intuition. Never feel pressured or rushed into hiring any of your vendors. Remember that you will spend a lot of time with your photographer and other wedding vendors. It is important to have a good and solid relationship with them from the start.

Article by Kevin Millard with KMI Photography

Happy Hot Monday Everyone!

It seems like April left and summer arrived! Such is often the case in Wilmington! We will have one or two days of beautiful 70 degree temps and low humidity, and then BOOM, we are socked with big hair and high temps! Nevertheless, the summer months in the south are some of the most popular for weddings. If you are planning to wed this time of year, you need to be aware of some challenges that may come your way. Here are some tips we have generated from our experience as planners and guests at summer weddings:

Keenan Chapel at Landfall in Wilmington, NC

3.) Pick the right flowers. Certain flowers are more heat-hardy than others. For example, hydrangea are beautiful, but once cut can get kind of wimpy in the heat. If you want to use these beautiful buds, just remember to keep them inside and cool until the last minute. Always consult with your florist about what blooms will be best suited for your event.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 30: $9.99 at Target

Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock SPF 45: $11.99 at Target

Article by Jessica and Hannah with A Shindig Events

Sandals Resorts are the most romantic places on earth. So whether you’re getting married or renewing your vows, Sandals is the perfect place to do it. They offer a spectacular collection of weddings and vow renewals — including free weddings for couples who book a minimum six-night stay in a concierge category or higher. And they take care of every detail, so instead of thinking of your wedding day, you can focus on each other. Best of all, your honeymoon begins the moment you say, “I do.”

Once a resort is booked along with request for wedding services, a wedding coordinator will contact you to discuss the details and required paperwork. We recommend that all weddings be planned out at least at least several months (a year is preferable!) in advance to ensure availability as well as the necessary time to deliver and process the required paperwork. Required documents can differ among the islands but in general include birth certificates, passports, death certificates and marriage certificates related to prior marriage, and any applicable legal name change papers. Some island require notarization of copies.  If you are getting married, you must meet local residence requirements before the ceremony is performed, which will mean arriving several days prior to the day of the ceremony. Jamaica, Antigua, and St Lucia all require 2 full days before you can get married on the 3rd. Bahamas requires 2 full business days at the resort before you can get married. Most islands also have government fees. These fees are waived by Sandals for packages of 6 nights or longer in Concierge level room or above.

Please remember that Sandals is a couples-only resort. Within wedding groups, we must get approval from the resort for any single travelers. Singles pay the same rates as double occupancy rooms. Traveling singles are allowed to share rooms in pairs, however, please keep in mind all Sandals rooms are furnished with 1 king size bed. Sandals is strictly limited to guests 18 years and older, children are not allowed on the property. For destination weddings involving families with children, we recommend Sandals sister resort brand – family all-inclusive Beaches Resorts in Turks and Caicos or Jamaica.

Sandals recently partnered with Martha Stewart for six themed wedding packages. These packages feature coordinated color palettes, designed wedding decor, bouquets, invitations, cakes and favors, along with a la carte items. Every wedding includes a personal wedding consultant, a picturesque wedding location, marriage officiant, bouquet and boutonniere,  two-tiered wedding cake, reception for bride & groom and 2 guests, one 5×7 wedding photograph, honeymoon dinner for bride and groom, continental breakfast in bed, preparation of documentation, certified copy of marriage license, and government/administrative fees.

Article by Karen Smith with Totally Travel Online

Call or email Susan (843-360-0312 or susan@totallytravelonline.com) or Karen (910-392-1502 or karen@totallytravelonline.com) for more information and pricing.

Many of our brides are quickly approaching their wedding dates and one question we are frequently asked is, “What should we get for our bridesmaids and groomsmen?” This is such a toughie, because you want your gift to be memorable, but also something your guys and girls will actually use. So, we took to the Internet to come up with some cool gifts that are not the typical necklace for the maids and flask for the fellas. Hope you enjoy what we found!

Consider taking your girls for a special treat on the day before the wedding. Odds are they will want their fingers and toes looking nice for your big day (and you’ll want them looking good, too!) so take them to a salon where you can sit together while being pampered. For an added touch, give each girl a bottle of OPI nail polish with a fun name that suits her personality. For a salon we love the ladies at Bangz Salon and Spa on 43rd Street! Just be sure to book at least a month in advance!

Order a tumbler from your groomsman’s Alma Mater. He will love how cool it keeps his beverage, and the lady in his life will love that the cup didn’t actually come from a drink purchase at a football game