Wedding Planning
Golden Rules for a Stress-Free Wedding Day Weddings are joyous occasions, but let’s be honest—they can also be overwhelming. From wardrobe malfunctions to guest list drama, I’ve seen it all. That’s why I’ve created this guide to help you glide through your special day with less stress and more sparkle. Follow these 10 rules to…
What You Need to Know Before You Book You said “YES!” 💍 Now it’s time to say “I do” to a date—and we’re here to help you pick the perfect one. Choosing your wedding date is one of the first big decisions you’ll make, and it sets the stage for everything else: your…
Planning your wedding is one of the biggest (and most exciting!) projects you and your partner will ever take on. But let’s be real—it can also feel totally overwhelming. Suddenly, you’re navigating a sea of vendors, Pinterest boards, contracts, budgets, timelines… and oh yeah, you’re expected to ask all the right questions—even when you don’t…
Gorgeous Wedding, Tiny Budget? Yes, You Can! 100 TIPS to SAVE MONEY and HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING! Your wedding budget should not be something you are paying off for the next 5 years! There is a lot of pressure from family and friends to spend lots of money and I am here to tell…
Congratulations on your engagement! As you embark on the exciting journey of planning your wedding, you might find yourself looking for ways to make your big day both special and budget-friendly. One option that might come to mind is hiring friends to provide services like photography, catering, or music. After all, they might offer you…
While a military wedding is like any other wedding, there are some traditions in military weddings that are not found in civilian weddings. These traditions add pomp, pageantry, and patriotism, creating out-of-the-ordinary weddings that are truly gorgeous and meaningful. ATTIRE An enlisted man or woman can marry in uniform, symbolizing pride and honor of country….
Congratulations! You’re engaged, and the whirlwind of wedding planning awaits you. This time in your life is undoubtedly filled with excitement, joy, and maybe a touch of overwhelm as you embark on this new chapter. To help you navigate the journey ahead with grace and ease, here’s where you should begin. Celebrate the…
Before you create a budget or pick a date, it’s important to determine what is important to BOTH of you. Individually answer these questions below. Wedding Planning is a good time for couples to really see how well they work together The answers to these questions will determine a lot about your wedding. Where would…
One of the earliest decisions that you’ll make about how your big day looks is the choice of a color palette. It’s an important decision because it will lay the entire foundation for your wedding and dictates everything from invitations to wedding attire to your choice of floral and décor items. It also is…
Both you and your fiancé have determined your priorities and you have made a decision on the money that can be allocated toward your wedding, and where those funds will come from. The next part is to create a budget based on your priorities. You have probably heard that the average wedding is over $28K,…
Saying “I DO” can be a budget buster. Here are some tips and hints to save on your celebration: Keep the wedding guest list under 100. Limit the wedding party – keeping it small. This cuts down on the cost of attendant bouquets and gifts to each member in the wedding party….
Here is an easy to follow Wedding Planning Schedule that you might wish to print out and keep handy. The secret to a stress-free wedding is being prepared and handling the scheduled tasks on a timely basis. You should work with your partner on many of these tasks as it is his wedding too! …
We recently had a wonderful opportunity to speak with brides who not long ago tied the knot, and we asked them what they recommend (as well as not recommend) the day of the wedding or just a few days before the wedding. Here are some of their suggestions: Watch what you eat. If you…
It’s time for an update and reposting of one of our most popular blogs – venues where you can choose you own catering company. Finding a reception venue if you are catering your own wedding can be a challenge. A lot of brides have asked us if we could provide a list of venues that…
SETTING YOUR WEDDING DATE IN 2023 The joy of being engaged is an excitement like no other, but it can also be overwhelming, thinking about how to plan the wedding of your dreams. One of the first questions you will be asked is, “Have you set a date?” The date you choose is key to your…
Photo Credit: Mirage Photo Any bride who has spent even just a little time wedding planning knows it takes an enormous amount of organization. Since this is most likely your first time, it’s easier than you’d think to fall prey to wedding pitfalls. Here are 7 Common Errors Brides Make When Planning Their Wedding. I have more,…
If this year’s trends have taught us anything, it’s that 2023 is all about expressing individuality. After months of delays, reschedules and compromises, couples are ready to be themselves.
Want a Beautiful Wedding—But Is Your Budget Saying “No Way”? You’re dreaming of a beautiful, unforgettable wedding—something special that brings together your closest family and friends to celebrate one of the most meaningful days of your life. But let’s be real… when you look at the costs, it can feel impossible to pull it…
Wedding Trends for 2025: What’s Hot for Your Big Day! Hey, newly engaged brides! First off, congratulations! 💍 This is such an exciting time, and whether you’re already deep in Pinterest boards or just getting started with ideas, we’ve got the scoop on what’s trending for weddings in 2025. Spoiler alert: it’s going…
The average wedding and reception in 2020 cost right around $15,000. This is lower than the average for the past 5 years at $18,000 (pre-COVID) according to the Wedding Report. The average household income in Missouri is $55,500. That would mean that the average couple would be spending over 27% of their income on their…
Having a wedding isn’t as simple as saying “I do” — and it can be expensive. The average cost of a wedding in 2020 was over $20,000. Figures for 2021 were just a bit lower, and 2022 weddings are toping the charts once again. Exclusive Venues While recommended vendors are great, having exclusive vendors is much…
SELECTING YOUR WEDDING DATE IN 2025 The joy of being engaged is an excitement like no other, but it can also be overwhelming, thinking about how to plan the wedding of your dreams. One of the first questions you will be asked is, “Have you set a date?” The date you choose is key to…
FALL WEDDINGS – Hot Color Choices As Fall approaches, it’s a good time to start planning your 2022 Fall Weddings. Take a look at the colors of autumn and consider some of the perfect fall color palette options that will reflect the season for you. Cream, Red Crimson, Golden Amber: This is a classic color…
Looking for a unique way to personalize your wedding? You may want to consider a Monogram Wedding – one where you and your future husband’s names are intertwined to create your own custom monogram. Starting with the invitations and carrying through to thank you cards, your monogram will be prominently displayed and will be truly…
As you are preparing for your wedding day, you might want to refer back to this blog post to remind yourself exactly what a wedding is about – getting married to the one person who’s the love of your life. The Wedding Day Ceremony and Reception is a celebration of your love and commitment…
Thinking about doing a “First Look” before your wedding? It’s when the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony. Some people are unsure about it, but here are 8 reasons why it’s worth considering: Emotional Boost: Weddings should be filled with joy, not stress. A first look can add beautiful emotion and…
With many brides opting to have fewer guests at their wedding, the question often arises as to how to cut your wedding guest list without stirring up any tension. You and your future spouse probably know a lot more people combined than you realize. So – here are a few tips on how to cut…
What are YOUR Safety Plans for Your Wedding? (Note: This Blog Post was written during the Covid Pandemic) We have been talking with a lot of brides about their upcoming wedding and a typical topic that surfaces is “What Safety Plans are you putting in place for your wedding.” Now that some weddings will be starting…
I said YES…to the dress! A wedding dress can take anywhere from 5-6 months to come in (not including alterations) and with my wedding coming up in less than 6 months, I knew what I had to do next! As much as I dreaded dress shopping, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had expected….
Welcome back, St. Louis brides! The next step in your wedding planning process definitely requires a glass (or three) of wine! It’s time to think about your venue! This was definitely the most stressful part of wedding planning that I’ve experienced so far. Yet, once it’s over you can breathe a HUGE sigh of…
Hello St. Louis Brides! We are introducing a new “feature.” Colleen, one of our very own team mates is getting married this year, and we’ve asked her to share with you her journey as she prepares for her wedding this coming July. Witness her decisions, frustrations, and joy as she journeys to her “Dream Wedding”….
As couples begin planning for their wedding most are in completely new territory. Hiring a venue, photographer, bakery, caterer, florist, and all the other services that make for a wedding isn’t something they do regularly. As a result, most couples have no idea what questions to ask potential vendors. Then, armed with limited and often…