MOUR | August 2014 The Wedding Issue

MOUR Lexington’s Fashion & Lifestyle Magazine

August 2014 | The Wedding Issue

the perfect man the perfect ring the perfect day

the perfect hair

309 N. Ashland, Ste.160 Lexington, Kentucky info@dryartlex.com 859.303.5364

d r y a r t l e x .com

Hot Spot 29 Meet the Pro 31 Trend or Tradition 32

Trend Hunting 9 Gotta Try It 14 Seasons of Love 16

Watch & Learn 26 Mix It Up 27 Work It Out 28 Dear Readers 3 Ask Jesse 4 LexStreet Style 5

See inside...

COVER PHOTO CREDITS: GOWN FROM WEDDING WONDERLAND | MEN’S ATTIRE FROM GENOS | PHOTO BY JOE LYMAN | MODELED BY JAKE LOWENSTEIN AND MEGAN STUART

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CREDITS | AUGUST 2014 | MOUR CHIEF EDITORS Maggie Christensen Tamra Graves COPY EDITOR Jaime Shouldis NEWSLETTER EDITOR Jamie Hagood WRITERS Lauren Allen Jess Breier Jessica Hawkins Heather Kimberling Jon Shouldis Katelyn Lincoln HAIR & MAKEUP Trish Allen Jessica Bach Veronica Gentry Nikki Hacker

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STYLE TEAM Lauren Allen Tamra Graves Jamie Hagood Jessica Hawkins MODELS Ayako Hasebe Alixandra Kish Jake Lowenstein Casey Myrick Amanda Whites Gabby Sabad Megan Stuart GRAPHICS Maggie Christensen Rachel Walker Roy Yeung

859.255.8940 INFO@MOURMAGAZINE.COM

MOUR MAGAZINE, LLC WWW.MOURMAGAZINE.COM

PHOTOGRAPHERS Paul Bradley Joe Lyman

Dear Readers...

Married or not, at one point or another all of us will be involved in the fabulous frenzy that is a Wedding Day. Be it bridesmaid, groomsmen, flower girl, family member, the bride herself or a happy guest, being offered the opportunity to share in the special day of a loved one is certainly special.

l a d i r our b : s e v a h must Mini Cakes

Image Credit: brides-book.com

This issue, our first ever Wedding Issue, we dedicate to you. To you who make each and every wedding memorable. Family and friends will always remain an important part of this puzzle but we must remember the many who work countless hours behind the scenes to ensure a bride and groom’s big day goes off without a hitch. (OK, with the hitch just without the mishaps!)

Let’s raise our glass - preferably full of one of the three delicious cocktails from this month’s Mix It Up, page 29 - and cheers to love and to all of the amazing people who stand beside us, supporting and celebrating our lives every step of the way.

m a e dr

: ir ng

Mary-Kate Olsen’s Engagement Ring Vintage Cartier from 1953 $81,250 Image Credit: mydaily.co.uk

Fun Table Setting

Image Credit: bloglovin.com

MUA A Mour Mint Bouqet Image Credit: brilliantearth.com

H!

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine 94 Confident $35 chanel.com

XO, Tamra & Maggie 3

ASK JESSE: The Take Over!

Weddings are all about the bride being a princess for the day. Dressing up in your fancy best to witness the ones you love unite in marriage. But what if you are asked to be part of the wedding and you haven’t worn a dress in twenty years? Or that moment when everyone is getting their make-up done and you haven’t worn make-up since your Mom caked you up for one of your clown costumes at Halloween?

By Jess Breier

I don’t wear dresses: Some people just aren’t girly, plain and simple. If you are asked to be part of the wedding party it’s because you are loved and nobody knows you better than the bride/groom. Ask her if you can wear a dress that is comfortable for you. If she has already picked out dresses that don’t match your comfort level, wear a shawl or throw on a pair of Toms. After the wedding and pictures are over, throw a blazer over your dress or change your outfit all together and get ready to celebrate all night with the newly married couple.

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I don’t wear make-up: Easy, throw on some mascara and some lip-gloss for the ceremony and pictures. If the bride insists everyone wears make-up, it’s one day, for an hour tops. Have a professional do it and enjoy being pampered.

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1. H&M: Fitted Black Blazer 24.95 2. bareMinerals: Flawless Definition Mascara 18.00 3. Laura Mercier: Hi–Lite Duo, Summer essentials 15.00

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Visit mourmagazine.com/ask-lexi to get all your fashion & beauty related questions answered. Day and night, Lexi is here to help with the best places to shop, eat and grab drinks with the girls after a long day. Ask away!

LEXSTREET STYLE

MOUR FASHION

WHITE HOT BRIDE TO BE Ladies, your wedding day isn’t your ONLY time to shine...don’t forget about your bachelorette party too! We traveled (okay, we didn’t actually travel, but we did surf the web) to find some of the best WHITE HOT looks that you can rock on your other special day!

celebmafia.com

Whether it’s something tame or a wild night on the town, these red carpet looks are sure to inspire you to be true to yourself and have a little fun!

makneta.blogspot.com 5

Gotta Dance Studio THE LANSDOWNE SHOPPES 859.268.3382 | GOTTADANCELEX.ORG

CALL US TODAY TO ENROLL IN OUR FALL PROGRAMS!

BALLET | POINTE | TAP JAZZ | HIP HOP | ACROBATICS MUSICAL THEATRE | MODERN AGES TWO-ADULT | BOYS CLASS PRIVATE CLASSES 16

Dress: Calypso

MOUR FASHION

Photos by Paul Bradley & Assistant Whitney Scheibel Hair by Veronica Gentry Makeup by Jessica Bach Modeled by Gabby Sabad Styled by Jessica Hawkins

Trend Hunting

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Bridal Dream Trends are inspired by almost anything, even bridal wear.

Recently, on the runway and in stores, we’ve seen A LOT of pastels, whites, lace and other elements that scream BRIDE! So even if you’re not tying the knot anytime soon, you can still look and feel like a bride.

Dress: Black Market Necklace: Touchstone Crystal 10

Kimono, Shorts & Necklace: Calypso Tank: Black Market

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Dress: Calypso Necklace: Touchstone Crystal

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FOR SALE FOUR BEDROOM | 2.5 BATH

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RECYCLE THE RUNWAY October 7, 2014 11:30am - 1pm The Grand Reserve

CALLING ALL DESIGNERS! Dress for Success Lexington is searching for 15 talented designers to be a part of the second annual Recycle the Runway!

Recycle the Runway is an event where designers are invited to purchase a bag of clothing from Dress for Success Lexington for $20, complete ONE outfit with the materials in the bag and compete for a feature in MOUR Magazine, CASH prizes & more!

TO SIGN UP OR PURCHASE TICKETS: fundraising@dfslexington.org MORE INFO: www.dressforsuccess.org/lexington

Gotta Try It: A Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe

By Heather Kimberling

The nineteenth century old English rhyme, “Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, a Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe,” has become an American tradition for many brides, exhibiting their own personal meaning in hopes for good luck and happiness in the future.

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Old Something

A symbol for family; the past and new traditions that will be made with the blended families.

Traditionally brides like to use a meaningful keepsake from Mother or Grandmother. Some attach a brooch to the bouquet, wear a piece of grandmother’s jewelry during the ceremony or carry a handkerchief that has symbolic meaning.

But what if you don’t have any keepsakes from your family history? What if you are eloping? Get creative! Wear earrings your partner gave you when you started dating. Make a date with your partner and go to an auction a few weeks before the wedding and bid on something with a story, something you can use during the ceremony or reception. A piece of jewelry, a cake topper or even a pair of wine glasses, your something old will surely create happiness with new traditions.

Something new: A symbol for her new life ahead of her.

From a new dress to the ring on your finger, this one is up to you. Everything you do from the morning of your wedding, to the moment you say, “I do,” is new.

Someone can buy you something new or you can buy yourself something to remind you≠≠ that this is your day.

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Something

Blue:

A symbol for fidelity, purity and love.

This is your wedding day, these are your ideas and it’s your happiness that matters. Blue shoes, blue fingernails, blue icing on the cake, or my personal favorite, a secret between you and your partner…nobody has to know you are both wearing blue underwear.

PHOTO CREDITS: www.awomencentral.com, waldercoins.co.uk, destinysbride.files.wordpress.com, barneys.com, notonthehighstreet.com

MOUR FASHION

e:

Sho Sixpence in Her Something Borrowed: A symbol for borrowed happiness.

Traditionally this is borrowed happiness from another bride. Your best friend, your Mom or even your cousin’s veil she wore 20 years ago at her own wedding. None of these women happily married? Borrow from a friend or a brother or a use quote from a couple’s wedding who have a wonderful marriage. You can borrow a cuff link and make it a piece that goes into your hair. If it’s a saying or quote, get it embroidered into the inside of your dress.

The sixpence is a British coin that was worth six pennies. This represents a symbol for future prosperity and wealth.

In recent years, many American brides have omitted this tradition. If you feel it necessary to abide by every part of the rhyme, by all means, put six pennies in your shoe, go to a flea market and get an antique coin to tape to the sole of your shoe or have your partner carry three pennies and you carry the other three.

While some brides need all of these pieces to feel that sense of good luck for their future, others want an opportunity to do something fun and unique for their big day. Other brides leave this tradition out altogether and secure their future and their wedding day on the foundation that brought them together, love. No matter what you choose, be unique and enjoy your blissful day as a bride.

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MOUR FASHION

A lthough many wedding

details are based on old traditions, many modern brides and grooms are following current trends when planning their weddings.

These couples are bucking the traditions of their mothers and grandmothers and creating weddings that show off their own personal style. Today, a lot of brides are allowing the season to dictate the flowers, dress, hair, make-up and dĂŠcor of their wedding.

Gown from Wedding Wonderland 16 18

Seasons of Love

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Gown from Twirl | Men’s Attire from Geno’s 18 20

Gown from Twirl The Club at Spindletop Hall 3414 Iron Works Pike Lexington, Ky 40511 Phone: (859) 255-2777

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Gown from Twirl | Men’s Attire from Geno’s

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Gown from Ruth’s Bridal | Men’s Attire from Geno’s

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Gown from Ruth’s Bridal | Men’s Attire from Geno’s

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Photography: Joe Lyman Article: Lauren Allen Styling: Lauren Allen, Tamra Graves & Jamie Hagood Hair: Jessica Bach Makeup: Trish Allen Jewelry: Touchstone Crystal by Swarovski LeAnn Roach, Independent Consultant 23

MOUR FASHION

F

lowers

Floral arrangements can set the whole tone of a wedding.

With every season comes a new bloom of flowers ready to be picked and wrapped together for a bride and her maids to carry down the aisle. Most every bride has her favorite type of flower and hopefully it will be bright and blooming at the time of the wedding, but luckily a mixture of flowers is currently on trend. This brings in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes for a bride to mix and match to fit her style.

Bridesmaid dresses are also a very important part of a wedding because they are often the solid color that ties together the rest of the décor and flowers. One current trend is that the bride will pick the color, fabric and even designer of the bridesmaid dress and then allow the bridesmaids to pick the dress style that is most flattering on their body type.

No longer are shoes the simple satin white pumps that used to be seen on the feet of every bride and bridesmaid around. They are now a statement of personal style and a pop of personality. Sometimes this even breaks away from high heels and turns into Converse or cowboy boots with the rest of the wedding party joining in on the fun and comfort.

H

air & Makeup

For the vintage style bride, a trending option is a brooch bouquet. These are in season all year long and will become a lifelong keepsake.

When it comes to seasons, hair and makeup are usually only indirectly affected. A bride’s makeup is typically reflective of her bouquet and the other colors in her wedding. “Some brides will want to pull out all the stops in full Cinderella glamour and some want a sleek and more ress polished version of their everyday look. It’s the makeup When thinking about wedding dresses, the traditional artist’s job to help the bride incorporate her choice of style is white and long (this isn’t always the case though trends into her wedding day makeup in an appropriate and is based on the bride’s personal style). What does way,” says Trish Allen, Image Insight, makeup artistry. change throughout the seasons is the fabric that the dress The bride’s choice in hair styles is typically more of a is made out of and the need for layers. personal style choice than current trends. Sometimes a A summer wedding calls for thin layers that hopefully have look will be determined by necessity, like an up-do to beat a secret form of ventilation. Short dresses are even an the summer heat or loose curls to add that extra layer of option now, allowing for a fuller (and cooler) range of warmth in the winter months. One element that can be spotted at almost every wedding of the moment is a braid motion on the dance floor during the reception. or two. Sometimes it’s the little details that totally complete In the winter (especially here in Kentucky) a strapless dress, a look.

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no matter how long, will not allow you to comfortably enjoy your wedding. This just means that the bride gets more opportunity to show off her personal style. A cropped vegan fur jacket or full length coat are the perfect ways to make a statement and stay warm at the same time. This is also the time to wear a heavier fabric like lace with chiffon layers.

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One thing that is is never lacking or out of style is the vast amount of wedding venue possibilities in Kentucky. Nature supplies the most beautiful décor and color schemes that a couple could ask for. Every season has something new to look forward to and a different back drop to get married in.

The LEXSEWS project is designed to provide refugees and low-income participants with multidisciplinary educational and skill development opportunities that promote self-sufficiency through professional sewing courses which incorporate entrepreneurship.

Lexington Fashion Collaborative LFC EXHIBITS: The Neighborhood Series Exhibit at the Lyric NOW – August 16 Stitching Art at the Headley-Whitney Museum NOW – August 17

What’s up at the Collaborative?

LFC WORKSHOPS The Headley-Whitney Museum: Hand Stitching (2 Part Workshop) Saturday, August 2, 2014 9am-12pm & Sunday, August 3, 2014 1pm-4pm Handwoven Treasure Pouches Saturday, August 9, 2014 1pm-5pm The Presences of Clothing Sunday, August 10, 2014 2pm-4pm

www.lexingtonfashion.org } Sign up for the LFC newsletter for updates on events and projects.

MOUR HEALTH & BEAUTY

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Once you have your hair curled and parted off how you prefer (side or middle would both work great with this style), lift sections from your crown to start teasing with a fine tooth comb or teasing brush, usually 3 to 4 panels of hair. Tip: I like to spray a tiny bit of dry shampoo on the root to give the teased hair more of a base to stand on.

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Sweet, soft and easy! The perfect DIY hairstyle for that special day.

It is always best to start with some “day old hair”, the natural texture and oils you have to work with, the more staying power your hair will have once pinned up. If you absolutely must wash your hair, it’s best to do a rough dry with a sea salt spray to rough up your texture.

Salty Dog by Evo is hands down my favorite and smells fantastic.

Using a flat iron, create waves by taking approximately 1-inch sections and wrapping from the top all the way down using your wrist to turn your iron away from your face. Keep the hair moving once you clamp down and out comes a nice textured wave.

4.

Now pick a side (left or right) and grab the whole front section of hair above your ear from your part and split that into two sections so that they are side by side. Wrap those two sections around each other in a twist about 3 times. Pull your hair “rope” back towards the back of your head and still holding on to the end, drop the tightness out of your twist so that you can see the definition. You may even want to pull the twist apart to separate more giving it a larger appearance. Grab a bobby pin and secure the ends under your curls up behind your ear.

Watch & Learn

Repeat the same on your other side. The more textured and wild the twists look, the better so don’t worry about making them perfect.

While you are working on your sides, you still will have a teased crown standing up looking kinda crazy. That’s ok, we are about to do something about that!

5.

Now that both sides are pinned up and behind your ears, start smoothing that crown down and use your curls as a camouflage for your bobby pins. You can make your pouf as big or as little as your head can stand! Then start bringing a few strands of hair from under your twists on each side to wrap and pin in the back so that you have almost a crown or halo of hair going around your head. It should only take about 5 or 6 bobby pins depending on how thick your hair is.

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By Nikki Hacker, Fleet Street Hair Shoppe Modeled by Jessica Kemmer

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Make sure pins are hidden and bangs are smooth and then seal it all in with a great hair spray, preferably with a shine complex. My go-to is absolutely Moroccan Oil Luminous Strong Hold hair spray.

Definitely get your hands in there a little while you are spraying, it will make everything come together in a lovely, tousled way.

MOUR HEALTH & BEAUTY

Mix it up!

Decode your wedding cocktail

WHICH HAPPY HOUR BEVERAGE FITS YOUR PERSONALITY?

YES

Champagne or Sparkling Wine Bar • Dried lavender and blueberry • Watermelon, mint and lemon • Basil and peach Puree ingredients and put through sieve before serving.

Pour 2 table spoons in the bottom of a champagne flute and top with your favorite sparkling wine or champagne.

NO

CUSTOM DRESS?

Shandy •

YES

West Sixth Lemongrass Wheat Beer • Lemonade • Lemon slices Mix 50/50 wheat beer and lemonade in a tall cold beer mug. Garnish with lemon.

START HERE:

Honeymoon:

EXTRAVAGANT PROPOSAL? SAN FRANSISCO, CA PARIS, FRANCE

NO

ANY BEACH, ANYWHERE OUTDOOR OR INDOOR?

Pimm's Cup

•

• • • • • •

2 ounces Pimm’s #1 1 teaspoon sugar 1 ounce fresh lemon juice Cold Ginger Beer Lemon Slices ½ inch cucumber wedge

•

Bachelorette Party: CO-ED

4 sprigs of your favorite aromatic herbs – mint, lavender, basil or thyme 1 ounce gin (optional)

Mix first three ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker. Pour in a glass filled with the lemon slices. Top off with Ginger Beer. Garnish with herbs and cucumber.

DANCING

SPA

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MOUR HEALTH & BEAUTY

WORK IT OUT Bridal Party Fun!

Every bride wants to look their best on their wedding day, but your normal gym routine can get a little boring. Lucky for you, there are several spots in Lexington that provide a fun workout that's all about you.

Cycle You | "Bride Ride" • • • •

$175 for up to 10 people, $15 per person after 320 North Ashland Avenue Lexington, Ky, 40502 (859) 455-3384 cycleyoulexington.com

Sweatlex

Reserve a time for your friends and family to come work it out at Cycle You in honor of your special day. Cycle You sends out special invitations, asks your party to send in song choices and even asks each rider to give up a memory or advice during your workout. Plus, you get to wear a tiara, sash or crown to wear during the ride. Finish off with a champagne or beer toast and gift certificates for the group!

• 867 East High Street Suite #150 Lexington, Ky, 40502 • (859) 335-2391 •

purebarre.com/ky-lexington/

$375 (regular price $660) for 90 days of unlimited classes (they have 85 classes per week at Pure Barre that start from 5:45 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.)

Sweatlex • 867 East High Street Suite #250 Lexington, Ky, 40502 • (859) 368-7922 •

www.sweatlex.com

$300-350 (regular price $585) for 90 days which includes unlimited BarreCardio, Crew, Strike and Yoga classes (120 classes/week)

Pure Barre

At Pure Barre & SweatLex you can expect help from the team to make a plan, schedule classes and provide a nutrition expert, Staci Craves of Happy and Healthy Ways, who will make a nutrition plan to complement the workout. Most popular is a 15-day detox for $75!

ksweetsweat.com, cycleyoulexington.com, myemail.constantcontact.com, purebarre.com/ky-lexington/, sweatlex.com

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MOUR LIFE

Hot Spot The Venue List:

! ’ o d y ‘I

a s o t here

W

W

edding season is in full bloom and we know how stressful it can be to find venues to host the rehearsal, reception and ceremony. Let us help you out with the first step… finding a few options! We compiled a list of some of our favorite local restaurants and venues to make the planning process a little easier for you.

Rehearsal/Reception Spots: genisi.com, lexrestaurants.com, pinterest.com, blogspot.com and carrickhouse.com

JDI • •

Located at 319 Cedar Street Contact Info: (859) 246-0202

Saul Good Downtown • •

Located at 123 North Broadway Contact Info: (859) 252-4663

Dudley’s On Short • •

Located at 259 West Short Street Contact Info: (859) 252-1010

Shakespeare and Company • •

Located at 367 West Short Street Contact Info: (859) 367-0413

Large Venues: Keeneland

The Carrick House

The Castle Post

The Opera House

• •

• •

Located at 4201 Versailles Road, Lexington Contact Info: (859) 254-3412

Located at 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles Contact Info: (859) 879-1000

• •

• •

Located at 312 North Limestone Contact Info: (859) 252-0122

Located at 401 West Short Street Contact Info: (859) 233-4567 29

Black Box Theater • •

Located at 141 East Main Street Contact Info: (859) 225-0370

Bodley Bullock House • •

Located at 200 Market Street Contact Info: (859) 252-8014

The Bell House • •

Talon Winery • •

Small Venues:

Round Barn - The Red Mile • •

The Carrick House

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Located at 7086 Tates Creek Road Contact Info: (859) 971-3214

Located at 545 Sayre Avenue Contact Info: (859) 233-0986

Arts Place • •

Located at 161 North Mill Street Contact Info: (859) 255-2951

By Jessica Hawkins

Located at 1200 Red Mile Road Contact Info: (859) 255-0752

The Carrick House

Photo provided by Michelle Landers

MOUR LIFE What is your favorite part about your job?

"Being a part of a Bride's wedding day and knowing that being there made a difference. Working with vendors I trust is always a plus too. I've been friends with most of them since I started 15 years ago. And though we are a close knit group, I love meeting the young, new vendors and watching their businesses grow."

What do you love about running the Diamond Rings and Pretty Things Bridal Show?

“Oh gosh! What don’t I love?! It’s so rewarding to help my friends grow their businesses. We are all in this together and at the end of the day our goal is to put on a fun interesting show for brides as we fill our calendars for next year. Many of my vendors have done every show since 2004! They are so supportive and I could not do the show without them. I take the trust they’ve put in me very seriously, while trying to make it as fun as working on a wedding free Sunday can be! Their support of our new two day show in January was such an inspiration!”

Do you have a certain wedding or bride that has stood out in your mind over the years?

Meet the Pro

“Yes, with over 350 weddings, there are so many good memories, Rashmi, my first Indian wedding; Angela, who shared so many life events with us; Elizabeth and Rachel two of the nicest down to earth girls you could ever meet, as well as, two of the prettiest weddings I have ever done, especially the florals. Each bride is special in their own way, and its their personalities that endear them to me more than the size of their wedding or how much was spent.”

Michelle Landers

With all of your experience what’s one piece of advice you would give to a bride Wedding expert, Michele Landers, shares a bit of advice and to - be in preparation for her wedding day? a few favorites from her brilliant career.

“Before all the hoopla starts, just take some time How did you know you wanted to get into the to enjoy being engaged. Wedding planning is not wedding/bridal industry? brain surgery, but it does take time and patience, organization and attention to detail. If you’re still "There was no epiphany with me, one thing led to another and here I in college, have a high stress job or do not live in am years later; grateful for the experiences I have, the people I meet, the city where the wedding will take place, hiring a and working with my friends. It makes for an interesting day and a planner could be just the thing that turns a happy rewarding livelihood." occasion into a joyous one.”

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MOUR LIFE

Trendy traditional?

OR

By Katelyn Lincoln

A traditional wedding? Nowadays, there is almost no such thing. Every couple is looking for a way to put their own spin on the big day and add special touches to showcase their true uniqueness. Here, I explore some things that are trendy, some essential tried-and-true traditions and a few that may need to go.

Traditional: Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances This often sentimental tear-jerker is seen at almost every wedding. It gives the bride and groom a way to add a personal touch and show their personalities through the songs they choose. Families come in many different shapes and sizes so whether it’s a mother, father, brother, aunt or uncle it’s a meaningful way to show the people closest to you how much they truly mean to you and it’s a tradition that, thankfully, isn’t going anywhere.

Trendy: Inverse maid-of-honor and best man Did you grow up with a male best friend and can’t imagine anyone better to stand by your side at the alter? Does your groom have a sister that he’s closer to than any of his buddies? You’re not alone! The point of a best man and maid-of-honor is to provide support on your big day. Not only is the act of getting married a big deal, but the wedding planning alone is enough to drive a bride crazy! Don’t pick your third cousin who you only see twice a year as your maid-of-honor because you want to stick with tradition. This is a trend that bucks tradition in the best way - gender roles be damned!

Trendy: Writting Vows What better way to put your fingerprint on a ceremony than to write it yourself? My husband and I decided to write our own vows and I was thrilled with the results. I think the trick is to remember that, while you’re reciting your love and loyalty to one another, you should include things your friends and family can enjoy as well. Have an endearing memory that will make the crowd swoon? Put it in there! But save the inside jokes between you and your love for later.

No one else will know what you’re talking about. Instead, write a letter to your fiancé that includes all those stories — it will make it way more personal! This trend can make your ceremony heart-felt, but always proceed with caution.

32 emmalinebride.com, etsy.com, onewed.com, burnettboards.com, aspirationalbride.com

Trendy: Non-uniform bridesmaids I embraced this trend right away. My bridal party didn’t conform to a certain standard so I saw no reason that their own personalities couldn’t shine through. Giving my bridesmaids a choice in how they looked on my wedding day helped us to bond and showed them that I cared about their comfort. This is a trend that should make the transition to tradition for sure!

Traditional: Group Dances

Trendy: The Centerpiece Games I get that the DJ’s job is to get the crowd out onto the dance floor, break the ice for newly meeting guests and to “get the party started” — but can we please find a way to do it without reverting to the same strategies we used in middle school? Add optional interactive activities to help break the ice for guests — have a candy bar or a make-your-own s’mores station. Everyone will love the extra treats and it will encourage guests to mingle. As far as deciding who gets the centerpiece? Let each table figure that out! This trend needs to go.

Traditional: Favors

Between The Electric Slide, Cotton-Eyed Joe, The Cha-Cha Slide, The Hokey-Pokey and the list goes on, your reception can easily turn into an evening of aerobics rather than a night to let loose! I see the value in these group dances because they serve as great icebreakers for guests and they’re fun!

However, the cheese factor is also a bit off the charts. I recommend selecting a few ahead of time and giving your DJ explicit instructions on which songs he can play. I don’t see this tradition going anywhere anytime soon, but use it sparingly.

Regardless of what special touches you choose to include in your wedding, remember that it’s your wedding and that you can’t please everyone. Did you include any of these trends, traditions, or trendy traditions at your wedding? Tell me about it on Twitter @Katie_Lincoln.

It’s a tradition to provide some sort of favor as a “thank you” to guests for joining you on your special day. It’s a perfect excuse to show your “couple personality” while thanking them for their support on your journey. Are you and your fiancé avid coffee drinkers? Give out packets of freshly ground coffee or a tiny personalized coffee scoop. On my wedding day, I wanted to make sure my favor was practical and stuck to who my husband and I were as a couple, therefore, went with matchbooks. Growing up, my grandparents kept a jar of all the matchbooks from the weddings they’d been to over the years and I knew that one day my wedding would be added to that collection. This tradition comes with it’s own set of trends that can come and go. Whatever you choose, make it meaningful to you as a couple.

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