Social Media at Weddings: Should You?

by Blossom B.

The internet has definitely made weddings more fun in a lot of ways. Loads of inspiration, live streaming of your ceremony and even ways for families to help pay for the big day. Does every wedding moment need to be announced across all of those social media platforms? Here are some Dos and Don’ts for combining Social Media and your wedding day.

DO tell your family and close friends in person before you post your engagemant on Facebook.

Picture it, he gets down on one knee (which is awkward for most men) looks lovingly at you, shares that he has something to ask you, and while looking away to retrieve the perfectly polished ring from his pocket, you wip out your cell phone, and stand at the ready to snap an impromptu photo of his proposal! We know, that is a bit extreme, but your nearest and dearest expect to be the first to know and it is better to avoid hurt feelings and drama. Spend a day enjoying the fact that it is your little secret. Gather together with your new fiance and families and enjoy the congratulations form those who matter most.

DO use e-vites. They are eco-friendly and budget friendly. If your Mom insists that isn’t proper, meet her half way and send paper invites to your older, more traditional family, and e-vites to your progressive saavy friends. But DON’T use social media for thank-you cards… showin your gratitude is more meaningful when delivered in a thoughtful, handwritten card deposited in someones mailbox.

DO make your wedding-related conversation method consistent and reliable for your guests. Once you announce your engagement you will find that wedding related questions will come at you from Facebook messages, emails, texts and phone calls. Fielding all of it is going to be tough, so pick a method for communication and stick with it. If you are a die-hard email person but hate to text, post your email address on your wedding website and let guests know to send questions there. Someone texts you anyway? Reply with “Sure, can you email me with this info?” But DON’T make everyone contact you through social media. Not everyone is Facebook savvy, some don’t even have accounts!

If you have a crazy list of requests for your bridal party, DON”T put it in writing. You really wouldn’t want what happened to this Bride to happen to you!

Photo Credit: Marvelous Things Photography

If you are a guest at a wedding, DON’T whip out your phone during the ceremony if you don’t know whether the bride and groom are OK with that. More often than not, couples are opting for unplugged ceremonies these days; check their wedding site and program before the wedding to see if they have mentioned it. And if you aren’t sure how they feel, always play it sage and DON’T tag photos of the bride and groom from the reception or the ceremony until you have their permission. If you find out it is OK a few days after the wedding, go ahead… but until then, err.. caution.

Photo Credit: Amber Wilkie Photography

If you are getting married, DO let your guests know how you fell about social media during your big day. An unplugged wedding is totally fine, just put a not in your wedding program that lets guests know. But DON’T try to keep them from posting picture of themselves at your wedding. We understand not wanting everyone to see you and your spouse but if your bridesmaid wants to put up a cute shot of herself with her date, you shouldn’t stop her.

What do you think of using social media etiquette at weddings? Will you be going unplugged on your wedding day? Leave a comment below.

Pantone’s Spring Color Report

Can you believe it’s already time to start talking about spring? I feel like fall just got here! Leave it up to Pantone to be right on top of all things fashion. The 2013 Spring Collection is “The Balancing Act” consisting of “dynamic brights” to “novel neutrals.” Designers really wanted to listen to what the consumers needed; self-expression, balance, and the ability to re-energize. Boy did they hit the nail on the head. The combinations of brights and neutrals offers versatility and practicality, but if you are someone who likes to stand out, there are bold colors that will fit your style.

“The expression ‘balancing act’ is something we all relate to as we strive to find harmony in the frantic pace of our everyday lives,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. I couldn’t agree more. Everyone these days seems to be struggling with finding balance between their work life, social life, and family. I’m sure you bride-to-be’s are having to find the balance between planning and working as well. Pantone’s Spring 2013 Collection gives you a balance with nudes and brights and a balance between self-expression and excitement.

It’s no surprise that green is taking over this coming spring. When I think of spring, I think of the trees changing back to green, the flowers beginning to the bloom, the sun shines brighter and the the blue skies last longer. Pantone’s Spring Collection really expresses the feelings of spring. From Tender Shoots, a light green, to shades of purple and red like African Violet and Poppy Red, to different hues of blue like Dusk Blue and Monocco Blue, this springs collection hits everything.

I just can’t wait to see what all of my spring Bride’s choose. These color are going to make for one heck of a color scheme!

Courtesy of Pantone

15 Grooms Blown Away By Their Brides

Just like Katherine Heigl in “27 Dresses,” my favorite part of the wedding ceremony is watching the grooms face as he sees his bride for the first time. After months of planning, stress, and hard work, it all comes down to this one moment. Some grooms faces are absolutely priceless. We all know brides are emotional, but it always sweet to see a groom get choked up. Here are 15 of the cutest reactions by grooms.

Courtesy of Deep Roots at Home

Courtesy of tiffakiss wedding

Courtesy Bridal Guide

Courtesy of As You Wish

Courtesy of Tumblr

Courtesy of It’s a Brides Life

Courtesy of Pinterest

groom's face when he sees bride at first look reveal

Courtesy of Jenny Demarco Photography

Courtesy of Joe Elario Photography

COurtesy of Caroline Ghetes

Courtesy of Andria Lindquist

Courtesy of Green Wedding Shoes

Courtesy of Beckers Blog

Courtesy of Heather Kincaid

Courtesy of Patchwork Photography

Fall Aisle Decor

As the seasons begin to change, so does the decor. Now that fall has officially begun, it’s time to watch the leaves fall, and our surroundings to turn red and orange. With that being said, if you are having a fall wedding, it’s important to incorporate all the flowers and colors of the season into your wedding.

An easy way to add the feeling of fall into your wedding is by adding the colors and flowers of fall into your aisle decor. I love when brides line the aisle with flower petals, candles, and vases full of orange flowers or giant branches. There are so many fun and creative ways you can decorate the aisle to make it look not so boring and plain.

If you are having a fall wedding, take advantage of the beautiful colors it has to offer. The deep oranges, reds and yellows look great when they are paired with candles and greenery. If you aren’t completely gungho about deep reds and oranges, try and opt for pale pinks, dark purples and light oranges. They pair really well together. If you are having your wedding close to Thanksgiving, you can use different colored pumpkins in your aisle decor. I personally like when white, pale green, and orange pumpkins are paired together. If you are having a fall, rustic wedding, I love the use of burlap paired with white flowers and tall stems of wheat wrapped with ribbon. Here are a few pictures to get you started on creating your dream fall wedding isle.

Courtesy of Green Bride Guide

Courtesy of Belle the Magazine

Courtesy of Wedding Bee

Courtesy of Wedding Decor

Courtesy of Pel Find

How to Dress Your Flower Girl

What’s the cutest part of a wedding? The flower girls and ring bearers. I can safely say that because after being a flower girl three times as a kid, I experienced the oohhhs and awws, the pinching of the cheeks, and the numerous comments of “she’s just so adorable.” I mean who doesn’t love an adorable child grinning from cheek-to-cheek because they get to be apart of the wedding? Flower girls weren’t always there just to look cute and adorable though.

Traditionally in Ancient Rome flower girls would carry sheaves of wheat and tossing herbs to promote fertility? It wasn’t until the Victorian Era when they started throwing flowers or wearing flower crowns to resemble the wedding rings. Flower girl fashion has completely transformed since I was one back in the 90′s. It used to be that flower girls wore dresses that represented the brides dress, but now flower girls have become super trendy. Yes we still see the traditional flower girls dolled up in formal attire, but I love the new style of flower girls that parade down the isle in frilly, whimsical dresses with banners or signs.

They’re are so many different ways to dress your flower girls. You can have them wear the same color as the bridesmaids, or you can have them wear a less prominent color of the wedding. Flower girls can be dressed up in simple, classic dresses with their hair in ribbons and curls, or you can have a real fairytale wedding and have the flower girls come down the isle with wings. They’re are so many different options to choose from. Just remember, that little girls love weddings and they get really excited to be included in one. Even though you have a lot of things on your plate when planning the wedding, make sure to find time to find the perfect outfit for your flower girl and really let her know how special she is.