Engagement Pictures: Round One

In April, Christopher and I took our engagement pictures with one of my sorority sisters, Ari. She took my brother's senior pictures back in March, and my biffle/big/future sister-in-law Niki's engagement pictures earlier in the year. We went to three different locations that all held importance to us as a couple, and I wanted to highlight a few of my favorites from each place.

Downtown Statesboro: We started here around 5:30 p.m. on a Friday afternoon. Statesboro is where we met, and where I currently live, and where we hope to stay once Christopher graduates from Pharmacy School next summer. The downtown area is so cute, and we love spending time there going to Eagle Creek Brewery, the farmer's market on Saturdays, and visiting First Baptist Church on Sundays. There is also a law firm in a big, antebellum style house that really emulates the 'feel' we're going for as far as the wedding goes, so I thought that would be a great place to start.

Wedding Wednesday: Foul-proof Wedding Gifts

Wedding events often involve a gift for the couple to celebrate their union. While not every couple chooses to register, most do, so when it comes to gift giving it's best to stick to the list. They registered in those places for those things for a reason, right?

But if you're attending multiple events, or the list is a little lacking in many options, there a few tried and true gifts I go to for brides and grooms.

 The Newlywed Cookbook--There will be lots of plates, cups, cutlery, and bake-ware registered for, but most places don't have cookbooks to zap with the scanner! As hard as it is to cook for one, transitioning into cooking for two can be tough as well, and a cookbook specifically for newlyweds or couples would be a great gift. I also like giving cookbooks that are from my hometown with local recipes, or even one from a place special to the couple.

Cookbooks make a nice addition to a themed group of little gifts. I've run across registries where only the potholders and spatulas are left, and that didn't feel glamorous enough for a gift. Toss those items and a cookbook into a cute yet functional basket, and you have a great, well-thought-out gift!

 The deviled egg tray is something most couples my age don't register for, but is something they totally need {in my opinion any ways!}. I think it's a great "investment piece" for future holidays and dinners you may be hosting at your home. There are beautiful vintage ones available on eBay that I would love to collect, but I traditionally will give a pewter monogrammed one to the couple. This is my absolute go-to gift when I don't know what to get, or when attending a monogrammed themed shower. While not everything on the registry could/should/would be monogrammed, this is a functional piece that won't take up unnecessary space.

 When we were registering, my fiance was shocked at how expensive the "fancy" picture frames were. I look at it like you are spending thousands of dollars on these pictures to last forever, and they deserve to be in a beautiful frame! This one is my favorite--it's kate spade, is a quatrefoil shape {Phi Mu shoutout!} and has space for a picture of the couple on their wedding day, as well as their wedding invitation. I registered for this exact frame from Belk {where it's often on sale!} and hope I can display my invitation soon.

Even if the couple isn't getting married during the Christmas season, get them an ornament or two! Hobby Lobby puts out Christmas in July, and most gift shops will keep one or two designs specifically for weddings on hand all year, so they aren't too hard to find locally. Of course there are plenty online. Not all couples have the joy of celebrating their first married Christmas with a completely covered tree {or moving into a house with a dedicated Christmas room...oops.} so an ornament would be a really thoughtful gift. I do like ones with wedding dates, or even engagement dates depending on the event/time of year! And since most wedding ornaments are in traditional white wedding colors, there is little worry of the style of ornament clashing with their personal Christmas style. Ornaments can make great tie-ons to gifts, too!


You can find all of these gifts at the following links:
Cookbook
Oval Devil Egg Tray
Frame
Ornament 

Wedding Wednesday: Great Guests

via Floridian Social

I'm thankful for my little blog for so many reasons. First of all, it's a great way for those I've met throughout my life to keep up with me. Second, I've never been able to keep a diary {hence my sporadic at best posting}, but the blog lets me keep track of events, thoughts, and favorite things that I can't keep in my Lilly Pulitzer planner. And third, it's brought new friends into my life!

One of those friends is Wendy, who began following my mom's blog years ago and then mine. We became Facebook friends a long time ago, and chat almost daily. Furbabies, a love of the South, and being work-minded women brings us together. Sassiness definitely keeps us sane, and I'm always thankful for her very realistic views and opinions of my life and the lives of others. Wendy's blog, The House of Q's, is full of fabulous party planning tips, local business reviews, and foul-proof etiquette tips. She recently wrote a post on how to be a great wedding guest, and I had to share a few of my favorite points!

The House of Q's: How to be a Great Wedding Guest

1. Send your RSVP ASAP! The bride and groom (and their families) need to know who is attending as soon as humanly possible. Catering orders are placed MONTHS in advance. That's right, months. If you have ever planned a wedding, you know how important this advice is.

2. Don't wear white to the wedding (or shower or rehearsal dinner). The only exception is if the invitation states that the event is an all-white dress code. {I wish someone I knew would do an all-white wedding! I think the pictures would be beautiful.}

3. Avoid wearing red.  It's tacky to wear red to a wedding. In my opinion, it's the same as wearing red on Easter. You just don't do it. The only exception is if you are a member of the wedding party and your dress/tie are indeed, red. 

5. Arrive on time! Remember, if you aren't early, you're late.

6. Take all the pictures that you want before and after the ceremony. Use the wedding # if applicable. Once the ceremony starts, knock it off with the pictures. Nothing is worse than "that girl" taking selfies with her date during the ceremony or the same girl trying to get a shot of the bride walking down the aisle in her gown. Professional photographers have been hired to capture this event. Sit down and relax.

{I think that is the absolute best point--I've seen a lot of weddings lately that have implemented a no cell phone/personal picture rule, but it feels somewhat rude and demanding to me. Ultimately, just be considerate of the bride and those she's employed or asked to be a part of her day!} 

If I were to add a point to Wendy's great list, it would be: Look at your invitation and RSVP card to see specifically who is actually invited. The way the invitation is addressed, and if there is a 'reserved for' number on the RSVP card will give you a big clue. Weddings are expensive, and sometimes the whole family or your new boyfriend/girlfriend can't be invited. I've heard story after story where brides have made it clear that they wish for their day to be "child-free" and couples show up with little uninvited guests. It's a sensitive situation for sure, and one the requires much understanding. 

On the flip side, there is a lot a bride can do to ensure that her guests are great! I've got half a dozen weddings coming up this fall, and in my opinion the more information a bride gives me the better. It is her day, and I do want her to be happy! But without including information such as expected attire and guest information in your invitation suite or wedding website, that can be hard to do. 

To read the rest of Wendy's list, and to see her ideas for great showers, parties and more, visit her blog: The House of Q's. And keep up with her here, too:
 www.pinterest.com/TheHouseoQs
https://twitter.com/TheHouseofQs
http://instagram.com/thehouseofqs