i do tunes

I know every time I hear, Have I Told You Lately by Van Morrison, my eyes fill up with tears. It’s the song my dad and I danced to on my wedding day. Such a special moment for me.

I also know every time Jenna hears Tupalo Honey by Van Morrison, her eyes fill up with tears because she danced with our dad to that amazing song on her wedding day.

And, I know every time Jodi hears In My Daughter’s Eyes by Martina McBride, her eyes fill up with tears too. She and our dad danced to the emotional song on her wedding day.

We all have special moments in our lives that we remember for one reason or another, and it’s wonderful when we have a song that brings us back to that moment in time.

The list of wedding songs is endless, but we have some new faves that we suggest brides add to their wedding day playlist…and if you are not married, already been married or not planning on getting married anytime soon…you should listen to the songs too. They are too pretty not to.

Enjoy.

John Legend, All of Me

Adele, One and Only

Ray LaMontagne, Hold You In My Arms

{images via YouTube}

coffee date

My routine has been to pour a cup of coffee every morning, cream and sugar of course, and with the morning mayhem and three kiddos running around, I maybe finish half of it, microwave it a couple times…and when my hubby comes home at 6 pm it’s still in the microwave, half-full. But I’ve switched from coffee to espresso…and I’m addicted. So addicted that I actually finish my cup of joe! I absolutely love it. It reminds me of Italy and it’s just so good. So, this morning, join me for a coffee date…and add these must-haves to your list for your next coffee date.

Custom Wooden Drink Stirrer, Tulle & Twig

The perfect, better-for-you-than-sugar, sweetener, Agave Nectar

Custom Coffee Spoons, Milk and Honey Luxuries

Make The Best Blueberry Coffee Cake You’ll Ever Have by A Cup of Joe to accompany your coffee.

State Heart Mugs, Grey Skies Blue
{such a cute going-away gift, wedding gift and moving away gift}

Create a little ambiance with coffee filter flowers like A Pumpkin and A Princess did. So cute!

{images via Tulle & Twig, Milk and Honey Luxuries, A Pumpkin and A Princess, MadHava, A Cup of Joe, Grey Skies Blue}

welcome bags…to do or not to do

Weddings are expensive. Plain and simple. Flowers. Photographers. Food and Drink. The Dress. Reception Site. The list goes on and on. So, many ask, “Is it necessary to give guests welcome bags at our wedding?” We are no Emily Post when it comes to etiquette, but having worked in the industry a little, and meeting with brides at Fleur de Lis on a daily basis, here’s our opinion. No, welcome bags are not necessary. It can be another expense, and often a logistical nightmare.

However, if the budget allows, it is a nice gesture, especially when you are having a destination wedding. Plus, we {especially me} are obsessed with the ‘little touches’ at weddings, so we believe a welcome bag is another opportunity for the bride and groom to share their personalities and relationship with their guests, it’s another chance to be creative and its a way of doing something special for your guests who traveled to attend your wedding.

If you’re getting hitched soon, and are contemplating gift bags, here’s some useful tips when putting it together.

IT’S ALL IN THE PACKAGING
Everything looks better and more beautiful when it’s in a pretty or cute package.

{images via destination tote bag: LH Calligraphy, roots wedding tote: Wedding Chicks, Wrapped frame art-print: Martha Stewart}

MAKE IT PERSONAL
Add a personal label to items {hotel door hanger like below}, share your favorite restaurants or things to do in the town of your nuptials, include a personal hand-written note and homemade treats {banana bread and honey butter or vanilla extract with a family tradition recipe like below}.

{images via…door hanger: Fleur de Lis, a paperie, banana bread: Everyday Occasions by Jenny Steffen, vanilla extract and recipe: Snippet and Ink}

INCORPORATE LOCAL FAVORITES
Highlight the towns best treat, and buy from local companies. It will give guests a taste of the town, and a deeper appreciation for it. And, be sure to include items guests will need/enjoy related to the town’s activities and weather.

{images via Martha Stewart, Real Simple, Miami tote: Jesi Haack Weddings, boston: Style Me Pretty}
INCLUDE ‘NECESSITIES’ FOR SURVIVING A FUN WEEKEND
Guests will likely enjoy a cocktail or two, so make sure they stay hydrated and you provide hangover essentials.
{images via…Hangover Kits bags: Jennifers CookiesMartha StewartNewlywish}

INCLUDE THE WEEKEND AGENDA

Make sure to include an itinerary of the weekend, tips on how to stay warm or cool, what to wear, who to call – the who, what, when, where and how of the weekend.

{images via Good Morning Newsletter: Martha Stewart Weddings, Oh So Beautiful Paper}

spring fever

Spring is here! And, we all know Spring can bring uncertain weather, the feeling of rejuvenation, blossoming buds, muddy shoes and the anticipation of that warm summer breeze against our sun-kissed skin.

I know I’m happy Spring is here. I also know there are many brides who are anxiously awaiting their beautiful spring wedding day {and praying for good weather}. Here’s 11 beautiful ways brides can infuse a ‘touch’ of Spring to their wedding day.

1. Pack a pair of Hunter Boots
you can purchase here

2. Don’t forget a pretty Umbrella to waterproof your wedding day look
you can buy or rent umbrella’s at Bella Umbrella

3. Add Spring’s favorite flower, the tulip, in an all Tulip centerpiece
this centerpiece is definitely pretty in pink

4. Hold a romantic bouquet with peonies and soft colors

5. Ask your cake designer to add delicate sugar blooms to your cake

6. Give your guests some fresh greenery to take home

7. Make sure you and your bridesmaids get ready in style with a colorful Plum Pretty Sugar robe that sings spring

8. Add a vintage touch with antique watering cans filled with white flowers

9. Nothing says spring like an antique birdcage. Add a birdcage to the gift table, dessert table or specialty tables for an added spring, vintage touch

10. Take the time to smell the blossoming trees…and don’t forget to take a photo surrounded by the blooms too

11. Add fresh leaves and flowers at each place setting – we love the idea of designing fresh greenery {in this case, leaves} under a clear plate as a unique charger

{hunter boots image via Style Me Pretty, umbrella image via Green Wedding Shoes, tulip centerpiece via Epicurious, bouquet image via One Wed, cake image via 100 Layer Cake, green favor image via Grey Likes Weddings, robes via Plum Pretty Sugar, watering can image via Santa Barbara Chic, birdcage image via Style Me Pretty, blossoming crab apple trees via One Wed Bliss, leaves and fresh flowers image via Preston Bailey}

bridal trends

Brides, listen up! We chatted with Felicé Bridal‘s very own, Robin, to talk about 2013 bridal trends. Here’s the scoop:

Style: The ballgown is on the comeback – a big comeback! We’re getting more and more requests for big skirts. Robin’s favorite ball gown is by Lea Ann Belter called ‘Penny’.  Felicé Bridal, of course, carries it. It’s gorgeous.

Another Felicé fav is Christos’ ‘Peony’.  It’s feminine and very pretty.

Fabric: If you’re a lace girl, you are definitely in style. Lace was big in 2012 and it’s not going anywhere this year.
Textured gowns and skirts that have been stylish the past few years aren’t carrying over into 2013. {Bummer! I am definitely a texture girl} Girls aren’t going for texture anymore, they’re going softer with their fabrics. Lots of tulle, organza and shantung.

Veil: Long. Long. Long. Almost everybody is going for long veils these days. A lot of lace veils, too, because girls are continuing to wear lace gowns. Also, floating lace is becoming more and more popular. It’s a long veil, but the piece sits back about a half inch. It’s really stunning. Girls are also going back to fuller and double-layer veils. Our [Felicé] girls like to keep their veils classic and simple.

Designer: Always Ramona Keveza 🙂 Always.

Color: Girls are liking a little bit of color this year. Blush is especially big for 2013.

Neckline: Illusion, lace and pure necklines. A lot of higher necklines are trendy, too.

Robin shared her best advice for brides shopping for their bridal gowns:
Bring in only your closest friends and family. And try to limit it to 2 or 3 people. Find people that know your style and are supportive of what you want to look like on your wedding day. And, be aware of your budget. Know  that there are gorgeous gowns at every price range.

{visit Felicé Bridal’s blog for more bridal gown shopping tips}

Thanks, Robin for sharing bridal trends with us!

{images via Lea Ann Belter, Christos, Ramona Keveza and Felicé Bridal}