Wedding Day Planning as told by Maressa Brown

Today's blog post comes from The Huffington Post's Maressa Brown and is titled "Wedding Day Planning: The 7 Things You Need to Know". Thanks Maressa for these great tips!

You can read every article in every bridal magazine, every Q&A or checklist on wedding websites, and pick your married friends' brains for months and still be unprepared for some of the "OMG" (both wonderful and cringe-worthy) moments you're bound to encounter while wedding planning and finally walking down the aisle. That's why just about anyone who has ever been a bride has coulda/shoulda/woulda thoughts well after they're someone's Mrs.
While it's not healthy to dwell on those thoughts, it doesn't hurt to dish on what you only wish you had known! Hey, it could be the heads-up that saves another bride's day. Here, seven things brides often wish they'd been warned about before their Big Day.

1. Fights: With potential for emotions to run high, money matters to set people off and family drama galore, you could very well end up having the biggest fight of your entire relationship with your fiance in the lead-up to the wedding. Hell, maybe even on your wedding day! Wedding stress can make even they most even-tempered person act occasionally crazy and out of character. I wish more of us would admit this is perfectly normal and does not mean you need to tear off like a runaway bride. As long as you're able to cool off and talk it over at some point, it's all good.
2. Budget: For various reasons -- season, location, timing, procrastination, etc. -- certain vendors/services/other wedding details can end up costing a lot more than you expected. And while you can do your best to negotiate and trim the fat or DIY as much as possible, sometimes you have no choice but to grin and bear shelling out a few hundred more for that chuppah or extra hour of open bar or summer Saturday night.
3. Emotional Moments: You might get super-emotional about something you didn't expect to ... like the dance with your dad or a speech that comes out of the blue. Just consider it a reason to ask the Maid of Honor to tote some tissues and touch-up mascara in her clutch!
4. RSVP Drama: Guests you thought were shoo-ins find out they have to work or are going to be eight months pregnant or have some other reason they can't attend. Guests you thought in a million years wouldn't show say they're coming and bringing all of their +1s. And worst of all, you may get an RSVP for people who decide not to show at the last minute -- which is why it's always best to tell your venue that you have fewer people, because it's always cheaper to add than subtract at the eleventh hour!
5. Promises: What everyone keeps telling you is supposed to be the happiest time of your life can quickly go south if promises regarding finances aren't kept. Many brides wish they had been warned to get everything in writing when discussing with their parents and their partner who would pay for what.
6. It’s Not Over Til It’s Over: Last-minute requests for things you never even thought about -- a toiletry basket in the restrooms or a Kosher/vegan/nut-free dinner or dessert or cocktail hour option, particular shots taken by photographers, etc. -- can have a way of popping up no matter how much you prepare ahead of time. And be prepared for this to continue even well after your wedding day, whether people expect thank you cards by a particular deadline they deem appropriate or they're hounding you for photos/video, etc.
7. Wardrobe Malfunctions: Whether it's uncomfortable shoes or too-tight Spanx or earrings that aren't hypoallergenic, any sort of wardrobe malfunction that can happen will. Or at least can. Good to have a plan B -- like flip flops waiting in the wings to replace those 4-inch heels wreaking havoc on your tootsies!

Our Brides and Their Bridesmaids

Happy Tuesday, y'all! Today we were looking through some of our past wedding photographs, and compiled some of our most recent and favorite bridal fashion! How beautiful do our brides and their bridesmaids look? We love to see how our brides choose the styles and colorings of their bridesmaids dresses and how they compliment the design of the entire wedding. We've seen some really beautiful gowns this past year and wanted to share them with y'all!

Date Night Thursday: Greek Marinated Chicken

Yum! I love anything that has to do with Greek food and this chicken is right up my alley. This recipe is very easy to make on a week night and is so delicious. You may even want to save some leftovers. It makes 8 servings so you can absolutely cut down the recipe to half. You and your man will have fun making this one!

Ingredients

• 1 cup plain yogurt 
• 2 Tbsp olive oil 
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ Tbsp dried oregano
• 1 medium lemon
• ½ tsp salt
• freshly cracked pepper 
• ¼ bunch fresh parsley 
• 3½ to 4 lbs chicken pieces

Instructions

1. To make the marinade, combine the yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and some freshly cracked pepper in a bowl. Use a fine holed cheese grater or a zester to scrape the thin layer of yellow zest from the lemon skin into the bowl. Also add the juice from half of the lemon (about 1-2 Tbsp). Stir until the ingredients are well combined. Roughly chop a big handful, or about ¼ bunch, of parsley and stir it into the marinade.
2. Add the chicken pieces and marinade to a gallon sized zip top bag. Remove as much air as possible, close the bag tightly, and massage the bag to mix the contents and make sure the chicken is well coated. Refrigerate the bag for 30 minutes.
3. After marinating for 30 minutes, either cook the chicken on a grill OR preheat the oven to 375 degrees in preparation to bake the chicken.
4. To bake the chicken, place the chicken pieces in a large casserole dish (9×13). Bake the chicken in the preheated 375 degree oven for 45-60 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

Notes

This recipe is extra garlicky. If you’re not into heavy garlic, try starting with two cloves instead of four.

Cake Plate Clings!

Today we got a newsletter from The Party Dress and it had these amazing little gift ideas in it. Of course being wedding planners, Sweetgrass Social is always on the look out for new ideas to share with our brides on how to personalize their wedding. When looking through the newsletter we stumbled upon these cute little cake plate clings that are perfect for your wedding cake stand! Below is just an image of the first page but if you click on the link above it takes you to the entire newsletter. You can see that they offer many different sizes as well as shapes, so whether you want a square or round cake you have a lot of options. They are reusable and have such cute patterns and colors that you can work with to match your color palette and...You can even monogram it, halleluja! 

How to Break in Those Wedding Shoes

The beautiful wedding shoes you buy for you special day may not be the most comfortable shoes you've ever worn, so here's some tips on breaking them in. You'll be wearing them from the time you slip your dress on until you dance the night away, so following these tips could be very helpful for both you and your freshly pedicured toes!

First off, the most common misconception is that a few hours of wearing them around the house will do the trick but that's not true! An extended break-in is the best method to use. Starting about three to four weeks beforehand, start wearing your pretty shoes around the house; this will help gradually break them in. Once you get somewhat comfortable with them, start wearing the shoes for about an hour at a time while doing light chores around the house. This will accustom not only your shoes to your feet, but your feet (and easily blistered areas) to your shoes.

Once you've been wearing them for an hour at a time, extend your wear period. Wear them until they hurt! Gradually increase this wear time over a month until you can wear the shoes for several hours without rubbing your feet the wrong way (pun intended).

After wearing your shoes so much, you'll be able to tell your sore spots. Add extra cushioning or moleskin to these areas to prevent additional blisters. Insoles, gel pads, a shoe stretcher work for different purposes as well. Come wedding day, you'll be so comfortable in your shoes you'll forget you're wearing them!

Stuck on what shoes to wear for your special day? Below are photos of some beautiful wedding day shoes that we love. Click on the photos to see the websites!

day’s Shoes Week post is to help keep your feet comfortable through out the day and night.
We have all had the misfortune of buying a new pair of shoes, then, forgetting to break them in before the event for which they were purchased. Don’t make that mistake with your wedding shoes. Blisters on your wedding day are not fun.
A few hours’ wear around the house will certainly help, but most experts recommend a longer break-in period, especially if you are not accustomed to wearing the type of bridal shoe you’ve chosen. Techniques that have helped others include these how-to tips:

• Wear your shoes off and on around the house for three or four weeks. This will help break them in gradually.
• For an even better breaking in, start with wearing your wedding shoes an hour at a time while you complete light chores inside. (Avoid the outdoors; you don’t want to soil the shoes.)
• When the shoes are comfortable after an hour’s wear, begin keeping them on until they hurt.
• Gradually increase the time over a month until you can wear your bridal shoes for several hours with no blisters.

As you break in the shoes, you may find certain areas are a bit more uncomfortable. In this case, you can add extra support or cushioning. You can find several different brands of each:

• If your heel slips, add back of heel cushions inside the shoe.
• For more comfort at the balls of your feet or soles, buy cushioned insoles.
• Use bunion pads or gel dots to relieve chafing in specific areas.
• If the shoe is too tight around, consider using a shoe stretcher on it.

By following the steps above, your shoes will feel like old friends by your wedding day!
- See more at: http://www.myonlineweddinghelp.com/bridal-news/wedding-products/find-accessories/how-to-break-in-shoes#sthash.vcgd0SwG.dpuf

day’s Shoes Week post is to help keep your feet comfortable through out the day and night.
We have all had the misfortune of buying a new pair of shoes, then, forgetting to break them in before the event for which they were purchased. Don’t make that mistake with your wedding shoes. Blisters on your wedding day are not fun.
A few hours’ wear around the house will certainly help, but most experts recommend a longer break-in period, especially if you are not accustomed to wearing the type of bridal shoe you’ve chosen. Techniques that have helped others include these how-to tips:

• Wear your shoes off and on around the house for three or four weeks. This will help break them in gradually.
• For an even better breaking in, start with wearing your wedding shoes an hour at a time while you complete light chores inside. (Avoid the outdoors; you don’t want to soil the shoes.)
• When the shoes are comfortable after an hour’s wear, begin keeping them on until they hurt.
• Gradually increase the time over a month until you can wear your bridal shoes for several hours with no blisters.

As you break in the shoes, you may find certain areas are a bit more uncomfortable. In this case, you can add extra support or cushioning. You can find several different brands of each:

• If your heel slips, add back of heel cushions inside the shoe.
• For more comfort at the balls of your feet or soles, buy cushioned insoles.
• Use bunion pads or gel dots to relieve chafing in specific areas.
• If the shoe is too tight around, consider using a shoe stretcher on it.

By following the steps above, your shoes will feel like old friends by your wedding day!
- See more at: http://www.myonlineweddinghelp.com/bridal-news/wedding-products/find-accessories/how-to-break-in-shoes#sthash.vcgd0SwG.dpuf

day’s Shoes Week post is to help keep your feet comfortable through out the day and night.
We have all had the misfortune of buying a new pair of shoes, then, forgetting to break them in before the event for which they were purchased. Don’t make that mistake with your wedding shoes. Blisters on your wedding day are not fun.
A few hours’ wear around the house will certainly help, but most experts recommend a longer break-in period, especially if you are not accustomed to wearing the type of bridal shoe you’ve chosen. Techniques that have helped others include these how-to tips:

• Wear your shoes off and on around the house for three or four weeks. This will help break them in gradually.
• For an even better breaking in, start with wearing your wedding shoes an hour at a time while you complete light chores inside. (Avoid the outdoors; you don’t want to soil the shoes.)
• When the shoes are comfortable after an hour’s wear, begin keeping them on until they hurt.
• Gradually increase the time over a month until you can wear your bridal shoes for several hours with no blisters.

As you break in the shoes, you may find certain areas are a bit more uncomfortable. In this case, you can add extra support or cushioning. You can find several different brands of each:

• If your heel slips, add back of heel cushions inside the shoe.
• For more comfort at the balls of your feet or soles, buy cushioned insoles.
• Use bunion pads or gel dots to relieve chafing in specific areas.
• If the shoe is too tight around, consider using a shoe stretcher on it.

By following the steps above, your shoes will feel like old friends by your wedding day!
- See more at: http://www.myonlineweddinghelp.com/bridal-news/wedding-products/find-accessories/how-to-break-in-shoes#sthash.vcgd0SwG.dpuf

Modern Trousseau's 2014 Collection

For all you newly engaged women out there, be sure to check out Modern Trousseau on King Street in downtown Charleston. They have just come out with their new 2014 collection and are so excited to share it with all the newly engaged women. They have absolutely gorgeous styles to choose from so you are sure to find the dress of your dreams! Go make an appointment today and start shopping ladies! 

Write charming wedding Thank You Notes- by letting your style shine through!

We have another great guest blog post today that follows up with our previous one about wedding thank you note no-no's. Here are some great tips on how to write great ones while still keeping your own style courtesy of thank you note expert, Emily Easton! Enjoy y'all! 

Byline: Emily Easton

That beautiful stack of shower and wedding presents is growing and growing – and so is your obligation to write thank you notes.

Relax! Find your own style of writing and the wonderful, natural “you” will shine through.

First rule of a good thank you note: never start with the words “Thank you.” It’s true. The note receiver will know they are in for a ho-hum read if a note starts “Thank you so much for the beautiful set of sheets.”  By making yourself begin with anything but “Thank you,” you’ll be on your way to letting your own style take over.  Try one of these openings that matches the real you:

• “Tyler and I were so excited to receive the handsome set of steak knives!”

• “What a wonderful surprise your gift was!”

• “The set of dishes you sent to Brad and me is so appreciated and we thank you for your kindness.”

Of course, some where in your note you should say “Thank you” but force yourself to start the note with anything but that phrase. Your note will stand out from others.

Even a formal note, usually written to people you don’t know, can reflect the real you if you show enthusiasm and gratitude:

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Allen,

         With so many items a newlywed couple has to buy to set up a household, your generous check is very much appreciated. Stacy and I send heartfelt thanks for a wedding gift that will be put to good use. How kind of you to do this for us!

         We look forward to seeing you at the wedding, and are glad you can be there to share our day.

                                                      Sincerely,

                                                      Luke Dempsey

If you know the gift-giver well, just put on paper what you would say to the person. Avoid a stiff, too-formal style in your notes by trying to write as naturally as you talk. If you feel like saying “I absolutely love the coffee maker you gave to Graham and me!” then write that in your note. Your delight will guarantee that the note is well-received.

For notes to close friends, your own enthusiasm and even a sense of humor can enter into the note. Go ahead and be informal and you’ll make your friends smile.

Dear Peg,

         “Get outta here!” That’s what I shouted when I opened the box of the Ohio State table linens and place mats that you sent. We love, love, love them!

Now that I have to be a grownup and actually set a table, your gift will come in so handy. But please come over soon and show me how to operate that thing called a stove.

         You’re the best Buckeye cousin ever, Peg. Leave it to you and Matt to come up with an exceptional gift. Jason and I send big thanks to both of you for a fun addition to our kitchen.

         We can’t wait to see you at the wedding. Look for me – I’ll be the one wearing white.

Love,

Olivia

Keep a handy list of adjectives to use in your notes, to describe your gifts: lovely, treasured, much-appreciated, wonderfully practical, romantic, fun, elegant, handsome, good-looking, imaginative, generous, classic, pretty, thoughtful.

Just as you use another person’s name when you talk, mentioning the person’s name again in the body of the note is a way to add extra warmth and sincerity. Example: “You’ve always had such good taste, Pam, and this beautiful gift is another example.”

The best way of ensuring that your notes will be well-written? Keep up with your notes, by writing soon after a gift arrives. When there’s not an overwhelming amount of notes to write at any time, you’ll find your style will be relaxed and gracious.

 

Emily Easton is a note-writing expert. Her website on Wedding Thank You Notes can be found at www.emilyeaston.com