“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Wedding Paper Divas. I received a product and a promotional item to thank me for participating.”

Being a bridesmaid can include many different duties. Calming down the frazzled bride. Taking on any DIY craft she gives you. Rocking that bridesmaids dress like a boss. It can even include helping her choose the right wedding invitations to fit the theme of her wedding. I talked about this a few weeks ago. Uber important. Good thing I know all that Wedding Paper Divas has to offer. 

Wedding Paper Divas has made that process a lot easier when it comes to picking wedding invitations. Being a bridesmaid, it’s important to support the bride and ensure she has everything she needs to make informed decisions. Like the Wedding Paper Divas sample kit for invitations.

The bride is going for a romantic, rustic theme wedding as her venue has an absolute gorgeous country setting overlooking mountains and a reception in a classy barn. It's important for her invitation decision to reflect that.

Wedding Paper Divas not only has a variety of designs to choose from but allows you to narrow down your choices right away according to the theme you are going for. Checking off Modern, vintage, rustic really helped her start the process of finding the right invitation. Since she wasn't going modern, she didn't have to scroll through any invitations that didn't fit her style.

Once that was narrowed down, it got even easier when she narrowed it down to blue, one of her wedding day colors. Even though she is now having a bit of trouble deciding between these two designs.., the wedding sample kit really helped her narrow down her choices.

This is from the Dazzling Lace Suite. It is included under the romantic theme with options to personalize color, trim and paper.

This is from the Wreathed in Love Collection. It also includes the option to change the color of the wreath, trim outline, envelope liner and font color.

Even better than having the wedding invitation process made easier through #WeddingPaperDivas is that you can coordinate your invitations with other parts of your wedding. The DIY options include gift tags for favors, envelope stamps and many other options!

gift tag to match Dazzling Lace Suite

Thank You note to match Wreathed in Love 

These additions are something my friend really likes and really might utilize within her wedding. She loves the idea of being able to tie everything together. It's offered to as you are shopping too so you can have the choice to think about it and browse through it.

Another great option for brides is the live chat feature. There were a few questions I was unable to answer for my friend so I suggested she utilize the live chat. It helped her get her answer to any questions immediately rather than waiting back and forth for emails. You are also able to choose to get a digital proof of your invitation before you print 150 final copies. Puts the frazzled bride’s mind at ease to see it before it goes to the final stage. It includes a personal designer that looks over your whole product including grammar and photo quality, if that applies.

Being a bridesmaid is truly an honor being able to help your friend and stand beside her on the most important day of her life. Using Wedding Paper Divas has definitely helped my friend, the bride choose the best stationary to match her wedding day theme.

If I Had Another Wedding...My Wedding Do-Overs

One minute you are still in shock that you are most definitely engaged and have to plan a wedding. And then the next, you are frazzled just weeks before your wedding.

In the end, you got married to the man of your dreams and actually made it through the wedding planning. You are glowing that newlywed glow for a few months before you really start to think about that day. Smile about the best day of your life.

A few months ago, I told you the 10 Things I would Do All Over on My Wedding Day.  Every single one of them, still would do if we got married again. On the flip side, there are a few things that I would definitely reconsider when planning the wedding. 

Things I would now like to pass onto future brides. Who probably won't listen anyway because let's be serious, do brides ever listen to other people's advice?

Venue-Looking at Plan B

While I absolutely loved my venue, I wish I would have really looked at the rain option. We feel IN LOVE with our venue for the sheer fact the outside ceremony would be right in front of a fountain AND our cocktail hour would be outside. Something very unique to weddings.

Plan A

We got so wrapped up in Plan A, we didn't research Plan B as much as we should have. Unfortunately, it did decide to have a tropical storm the day of our wedding and we had to go with Plan B. And I will say, with Plan B we were way overcharged. Our guests were cramped during cocktail hour (Was told it would fit 150 and we only had 125), the windows were open during our ceremony with a nice view of umbrellas (Oh, and a man was running back and forth outside multiple times during our ceremony)

Plan B

The service we received didn't quite make up for the deficit. Oh, and apparently bubbles weren't allowed inside so I was stuck with 200 unused bubbles that I tied ribbons to...I know it's hard to even think about rain on your wedding day, but make sure to plan for it. And then plan again in your budget.

Favors
This is somewhat of a hot topic when it comes to weddings. Some people say it is rude not have something for your guests to take home. Others say it is a waste of money because all people do is throw them away or they collect dust. I was one of the latter. My original plan was to make a donation to a charity rather than spend the money on favors. Lets just say, in the end the favors won out but I would not do this again. Just say no.

Researching Vendors
Fact: I saw my photographer at one bridal show and was hooked. We went to a visit 6 months later, they offered us a deal if we booked then and we jumped at the chance. I mean, we already loved them what was the wait? I had researched others but couldn't get over their "show" at the bridal show.

One of the good ones

We should have waited. Seeing our final wedding album, the final pictures. Our money could have been better spent I'm sure even though we got "a deal." My photographer didn't listen to my shot list on our phone call, there is ONE shot of our first kiss as husband and wife and our wedding album left a lot to be desired. In the end, the upgrades (second photographer, larger wedding album, groomsmen getting ready) would have cost us an extra grand. Which definitely was not in out budget and what I had been awed by during the bridal show.

However, our minister and DJ were two vendors we loved and would choose again and again for our wedding.

Experimenting with Different Hairstyles

When I went for my hair trial, I had 3 different pictures that I wanted to try. She tried the first one but told me it was "too 90's." On to the next one. That was it. The next one was the one I picked for my wedding day.

I never tried a half-up do or a completely down hairstyle. I was concerned with the summer heat which led me to an updo. Thinking back, I wish I would have asked to just see the down option because I have serious hairstyle envy when I see weddings now.

Not that I didn't like my hair or hairstylist because I did. Just wish I would have given myself more options so I was absolutely sure that day that it was what I wanted.

Even with all of this, this handsome fella, still mine mine mine.

What would you have done differently during wedding planning?

Body Image: After the Wedding

Your wedding day. You worked so hard to get to that day looking your best. You munched on salads, tried crazy diets and avoided sweets for months to drop those pounds. Maybe even a slight stomach flu to help you drop those last 5 pounds.

After all of that, you looked amazing. The dress fit flawlessly and you pranced and danced all night, glowing in your new marriage and hot body. Because you are supposed to drop weight to be beautiful, hot on your wedding day, right? But after the wedding, after the pounds make their way back, comes a new body image struggle.

First, the honeymoon comes and all you want to do is eat carbs, french fries and all the fruity drinks. Your honeymoon is a celebration, a different universe where calories and pounds don't count. You worked hard for this body and a few days of bad eating habits won't change that.

Until the scale alarms you that you added those last 5 pounds back on when you return. You gasp. You cringe. Then remember, Mr. Stomach Flu helped you get there. In your eyes, it's a basic zero out. Still the same weight and you feel great. There is no way you can lose that amazing body that made you feel so amazing on your wedding day. But just in case, you go on a 3 day juice cleanse just to be sure.

Flash forward 4 months. Before you know it, you are up a good 6-10 pounds and that dress barely zips past your waist. You aren't quite sure if you want to try to make it fit by not eating or grab the nearest plate of brownies. And yes, I've tried mine on multiple times this past year to judge my weight gain. It was a good time to do a 7 day diet to lose a few pounds again.

The year anniversary rolled around. It was a tough pill to swallow that just a year later I had packed on a few extra pounds that were not welcome and not sitting well on my barely 5 foot frame. It made me feel gross, not pretty and beautiful. I felt gross for letting myself get to this place.

These are the pounds I see when I pull at my love handles. Pounds I see when I look at my floppy stomach. Pounds I see when I pour my now plumper booty into my jeans.

This past year, I have agonized over my weight. My new frame that I am fitting into as a new wife. I have tried new diets, tried new pills and just plain tried to kick these pounds away. All I could think about was how unhealthy I had become and what kind of wife that made me all because I had gained a few pounds in the wrong places. I didn't feel like my pretty wedding day wife self. And looking at these pictures, that's all I wanted back.

Wait just a minute.

Who gave these few extra pounds the power to make me feel not hot or pretty? Who gave these extra pounds the power to make me feel think I wasn't that happy wife from a year ago?

Instead, these pounds are because I cooked homemade meals for my husband most nights the past year. And the nights I didn't cook we ordered in and watched our favorite shows over some laughs. These pounds are because we spent less time exercising and more time enjoying each other. These pounds are the signs of a good first year of marriage where we enjoyed nights out with friends, yogurt dates and lots of sushi.


After you struggle for a year trying so hard to look your best on your wedding day, it can be hard to look back a year later and see the pounds have come back. Especially, when most of the time it was more crazy diets, crazy workouts instead of a healthy lifestyle. You feel like you failed yourself, your new husband and the future. It seems like an uphill battle from here on out.

Instead of looking back a year ago at your supposed "hot" self with the whittled waist and barely there love handles, look at yourself this year. After a year of marriage and how you sacrificed a few pounds for a happy, comforting first year of marriage. A marriage you had to nurture in the first year and that meant with date nights and skipped gym appointments. And for the record, I am sure your new husband still thinks you are beautiful even if all you see are flaws.

Look at those few extra pounds from the past year as a sign of a healthy start to what will be a wonderfully fulfilling marriage. And enjoy all the margaritas and sushi that you want.


Linking up with Juliette from The Other Juliette and Amber from Mr. Thomas and Me for body talk.

One Year Down; Forever to Go

One year ago, we walked down the aisle together as husband and wife.

One year ago we spent the night dancing away with our family and best friends celebrating our love. 

One year ago I made a lifetime commitment to you as my husband. And agreed to be your wife.

I am so lucky to call you my husband and the past year has been nothing but wonderful. Even through the little disagreements, the dance parties have won out. We have grown in our marriage and I am so excited for what is to come for our future. As long as we are together, this life will be sweet for certain.

Love you so husband of mine. Happy Annniversary! 

My Wedding Day: 10 Things I Would Do All Over Again

As I am coming up on one year since my wedding, I am seeing everything in hindsight of what I felt a year ago. And since I saw Kate and Kayla post it, I have been wanting to present all of you brides, future brides some insight into what I would still do over again during my wedding. Trust me, I wish there was another one this year. But that's a story for another day.



My Dress

First dress I tried on I picked. It wasn't like any other dress that I had seen. It picked up in the front and was nice and light. No long train. No heavy fabric. The perfect option for my dancing self. And to display my fuchsia shoes properly.

Wedding Day Timeline
My wedding day timeline was thought about way before my wedding day and planned down to the minute.  (Yea, I did that.) But I still wouldn't change it. Everyone had a pretty clear idea of what was going on, what was expected of them and the approximate timetable.

I didn't expect everything to flow exactly down to minute which is why I planned extra buffer time. 8 girls getting hair and makeup done means starting at 9, breakfast at 8:30, etc.Planning this all around the arrival of flowers and photographer is extremely important too. And when you stay in the same hotel as your groom, plan accordingly to not bump into him that morning!

There were tasks that were done earlier that allowed for extra time that we really appreciated. It gave us a chance to relax with our wedding party and families before all the guests arrived and the day really began. It also helped that we had a first look to spend time before the ceremony with my groom.

Download your free printable {here}

Airbrush Makeup
I have the worst skin on the planet. My poor children. Getting the airbrush done was the best decision I ever made. It didn't budge at all. It covered my imperfections even on my close ups. These are unedited

First Look

Our first look was something we decided early on that we wanted to do. I know it can be a debate whether it is a good thing or not but I would definitely do it again. It allowed the nerves to be put away before I had to make my way down the aisle. It also allowed for such a special moment with us and the opportunity to enjoy our cocktail hour a little with family and friends.

Wedding Details

I can truly say everything in our wedding was a part of us. From the programs, pictures, cake, favors, etc. It might not have seem elegant or "flowed" as some wedding planners might want but everything was a part of us and who we are.

Video
My whole life has been documented on video. From pretty much birth, I have birthdays, Christmases, graduations all on video so I knew that I wanted the most important day of my life on video. Unfortunately, videography costs a pretty penny and we weren't sure we could swing it. Thankfully, a month before the wedding, we found someone who was working on their portfolio come and document. I am so glad we have something from that day to always look back on.

Enjoy just a clip of our wedding day :)


Minister
To this day, we are still getting compliments and remarks about how great our minister was. He kept our ceremony to exactly the length with wanted with the exact personalization we were looking for. He also fit our personalities perfectly, cracking small jokes throughout the ceremony getting our guests laughing. Again and again, we would choose Mitch the Minister.

Entertainment

Choosing our DJ was one of the most important parts of our wedding. I'm a dancer. Brian likes to get down. And we knew we wanted to throw a good party. Formally, Diverse Entertainment, now Absolute Celebrations. Although, their whole company business I might not be too fond of (we were on contract for one announcer and another showed up) but in the end, we couldn't have been happier! Fernando was great at getting our family on the dance floor and encouraging our friends to really dance it out. He even called the bride and groom out when we were just taking a dancing break. Highly recommend Fernando for your wedding if you're in the NJ area.

Morning After Breakfast

Once you can get past the fact that you will be walking into breakfast with your family knowing exactly what you and your husband did the night before, it was great to see everyone our first morning as husband and wife.

We also got to see just how many hungover eyes there were at breakfast the next day. Sign of a well planned wedding I say. It was really great getting to mingle with our guests the next morning, ask them about the wedding and just enjoy their company and time. Especially since they chose to stay over and really enjoy the wedding. It was an after wedding intimate experience we really enjoyed.

Definitely a recommendation from us.

Marrying my Husband

Even without everything else, I would do that over and over again.

2013 in One Picture

2013. Lots of things happened this year. With this blog and outside this blog. I had good days and bad days, stressed days and elated days. But in those 365 days, there is only one picture needed to sum up my 2013. 

This year started with the final 6 month countdown to or wedding and all kinds of weddings plans. It led to the moment where we said our " I Do's" and became husband and wife. We started our journey of forever this year. I am becoming a better wife everyday and we are learning the steps of marriage as we go. This adventure of marriage, made it's roots this year and we can't wait to see where it takes us!

Linking up with Jena at Recently Roached. What one picture can sum up 2013 for you?