We’re still swooning over Super Bowl quarterback Brock Purdy and Jenna Brandt’s wedding–from the stunning florals to the bride’s show-stopping gowns (she wore two!), every detail of their big day is fairytale-worthy! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jenna Purdy (@jennapurdyy) And thanks to their Crate & Barrel registry, we have an… Continue reading 5 Things We Love from Brock Purdy’s Wedding Registry
Author: Christina Peterson
12 years and 3 kids later, Christina still counts her wedding day as the best day of her life. Maybe that’s why she loves connecting with brides, mothers of the bride and groom, and bridesmaids: she wants everyone to love their wedding season! Over the past year, Christina has cultivated an active, helpful Instagram community called @askarealbride, filled with daily etiquette Q+A’s, planning tips, and some occasional humor. Though planning can be stressful, Christina enjoys helping brides find the joy and face etiquette dilemmas with kindness, clarity, and grace.
Ask a Real Bride: How to Write Wedding Thank You Notes
Every week, the etiquette inbox at Ask a Real Bride is filled with questions about thank-you notes: when should I send them? What should I say? What about giftless guests and group gifts? I’m compiling all of my answers into one resource I hope will help you overcome any writer’s block and graciously express your… Continue reading Ask a Real Bride: How to Write Wedding Thank You Notes
Ask a Real Bride: 6 Bachelorette Party Do’s and Don’ts
In the midst of wedding planning, a weekend getaway with your best friends sounds like the perfect break from all the stress. But in order to keep your bachelorette weekend truly stress-free, there are a few things brides may want to keep in mind. My favorite source for wedding-related wisdom? Our @Ask a Real Bride… Continue reading Ask a Real Bride: 6 Bachelorette Party Do’s and Don’ts
Ask a Real Bride: How Much Can I Ask My Bridesmaids to Spend?
We’ve all heard the joke, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” So when it’s finally your turn to be the one in white, you may struggle with two conflicting feelings: Brides juggling those conflicting emotions reach out to me week after week on our @askarealbride Instagram page with questions like this: The key to answering… Continue reading Ask a Real Bride: How Much Can I Ask My Bridesmaids to Spend?
5 Tips for Planning a Fabulous Co-ed Baby Shower
The baby shower traditions you know and (possibly) love got their start during the “baby boom” of the 1950’s and ‘60’s. A lot has changed since the 50’s, and we think it makes sense that the baby shower traditions should change too! While some still prefer the traditional “girls-only” shower, we’ve noticed a trend toward… Continue reading 5 Tips for Planning a Fabulous Co-ed Baby Shower
4 Reasons Why You Should Book an Engagement Shoot
As a soon-to-be bride, your to-do list might feel a mile long. But one item I’d encourage you to add to the list: a professional engagement photography session! Yes, there might be a financial investment, and it will require a few hours of your time. But the results are well worth the effort! Followers of… Continue reading 4 Reasons Why You Should Book an Engagement Shoot
Ask a Real Bride: 5 Bridesmaid Getting Ready Outfits Your Girls Will Love
The morning of your wedding is a special time: the months of anticipation and planning are finally coming together, and it’s time to soak it all in and enjoy! The best part of the morning is sharing it with your best girls, and one way to make them feel special is to coordinate your bridesmaids’… Continue reading Ask a Real Bride: 5 Bridesmaid Getting Ready Outfits Your Girls Will Love
Ask a Real Bride: Your Wedding Photography Questions, Answered!
Do you know who you’ll spend the most time with on your wedding day? If you think the answer is your fiance or maid of honor, think again–it’s your photographer! That means it’s worth taking the time to learn how to build a great relationship with your photographer, from the very first email to the… Continue reading Ask a Real Bride: Your Wedding Photography Questions, Answered!
The Ultimate Birthday Gift Guide
Please tell me I’m not the only one who’s rushed into the store on her way to a kids’ birthday party, frantically looking for a last-minute gift. Those quick trips aren’t just stressful; they often end up being expensive, leaving me wondering why I didn’t plan ahead. Confession time: I’m writing this article just as… Continue reading The Ultimate Birthday Gift Guide
Ask a Real Bride: Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Welcome Parties
Wedding planning is about so much more than the wedding: in addition to the big day, couples also have to think about the “night before!” This month’s question comes from an Ask a Real Bride Instagram follower wondering if it’s necessary to host out-of-town guests at a pre-wedding event. Read on for why a welcome… Continue reading Ask a Real Bride: Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Welcome Parties
Ask a Real Bride: How to Honor Loved Ones You’re Missing on Your Wedding Day
It’s never easy marking milestones without our loved ones. But because weddings are such family affairs, the absence of a parent, grandparent, or sibling can be especially difficult. That’s where the @askarealbride followers come in! The @askarealbride Instagram page is a place where brides, mothers of the bride, bridesmaids, and wedding guests can ask questions… Continue reading Ask a Real Bride: How to Honor Loved Ones You’re Missing on Your Wedding Day
Ask a Real Bride: How Do I Ask My In-Laws to Contribute?
If you’re not yet part of the Ask a Real Bride Instagram community, you have to join us: brides to be, mothers of the bride and groom, bridesmaids, and anyone who loves weddings will find daily etiquette Q+A’s, fun videos, and quick tips to make wedding season more enjoyable! Week after week, brides (and sometimes… Continue reading Ask a Real Bride: How Do I Ask My In-Laws to Contribute?
What to Wear to Your Own Baby Shower
If your baby shower is approaching, you’ve probably been focusing on curating the perfect registry of baby items to welcome your little one. But now it’s time to focus on YOU! What to wear to your own baby shower is one of the toughest wardrobe challenges, but I’m here to help with 5 factors you… Continue reading What to Wear to Your Own Baby Shower
Ask a Real Bride: Your Most Frequently Asked Questions About Kids + Weddings
The @askarealbride Instagram page is growing into a fun community for brides, mothers of the bride, bridesmaids, and wedding guests to interact, ask questions, and weigh in on wedding etiquette hot topics. If you haven’t joined us there–what are you waiting for? One of the most frequent topics? Kids and weddings! I’ve written extensively about… Continue reading Ask a Real Bride: Your Most Frequently Asked Questions About Kids + Weddings
Ask a Real Bride: Ways to Honor Your Mom at Your Wedding
While the bride and groom are obviously the stars of their wedding day, the third most visible role belongs to the father of the bride: he often escorts the bride down the aisle, gives a speech at the reception, and shares a dance with his daughter while everyone looks on. The irony? In the lead-up… Continue reading Ask a Real Bride: Ways to Honor Your Mom at Your Wedding
The Morning Of: 6 Ways Bridesmaids Can Help Create Calm, Not Chaos
Bridesmaid dress? Ordered! Bridal shower? Check. Bachelorette weekend? Done! After months of anticipation, a few pre-wedding festivities, and around a thousand messages in the group chat, you might get the sense that your bridesmaid duties are winding down. But the hours leading up to the ceremony are some of the most crucial moments for bridesmaids:… Continue reading The Morning Of: 6 Ways Bridesmaids Can Help Create Calm, Not Chaos