–Ask a Real Bride–
– Ask a Real Bride – How Should I Choose My Bridesmaids?
December 23, 2021
My 7-year-old daughter recently looked lost in thought. When I asked her what she was thinking about, she said, with a great deal of concern, “Mom. Who do you think my bridesmaids will be?” Even the littlest girls understand that choosing your bridal party is like solidifying your inner circle: whether we admit it or […]
– Ask a Real Bride – How to Avoid a Wedding Rehearsal Meltdown
November 18, 2021
The wedding countdown is down to one: your out-of-town guests have begun to arrive, you’ve finished the last-minute errands and pickups, and there’s just one thing left to do: rehearse! The wedding rehearsal is meant to ensure that your ceremony runs smoothly. But this practice session has become a notorious venue for meltdowns, misunderstandings, and […]
– Ask a Real Bride – What Your Wedding Guests Wish You Knew
October 21, 2021
Each month, we ask real brides for their opinions on everything from wedding budgets to wedding blunders, but today, we’re turning the tables: a more appropriate title for this month’s edition might be “Tell a Real Bride,” because we’re gathering intel from guests! While there is no doubt the day belongs to the bride and […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Should I Do a First Look?
September 23, 2021
Is it just me, or have you noticed that weddings have recently tended to be less traditional? I don’t mean that negatively: I love how couples are personalizing their weddings to suit their style in everything from the ceremony to the dress code, resulting in unique, one-of-a-kind weddings! One of the most popular tradition-breakers I’ve […]
– Ask a Real Bride – How to Enjoy Your Own Wedding
August 19, 2021
When it comes to wedding movies, Father of the Bride will always be my #1. But have you ever noticed that we spend almost 2 hours watching Steve Martin and his family agonize over the planning (and paying) for the wedding, but the actual wedding scenes themselves only take up a few minutes? And most […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Do I Have to Wear a Veil?
July 22, 2021
Are veils a mandatory requirement for brides? Real brides share their advice to help you decide if you should say, “I do” or “I don’t” to a veil! Nothing makes me happier than helping brides problem-solve, and so I’m delighted to share a recent text I received from a bride who will be married in […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Five Tips for Including Kids in Your Wedding
June 17, 2021
Almost two and half years ago, I kicked off the “Ask a Real Bride” series with the topic of kids and weddings, and I was blown away by the strong opinions and emotions on both sides of the issue. You can read the full debate on kids and weddings here, and know this: no matter […]
– Ask a Real Bride – How To Decode the Wedding Dress Code
May 27, 2021
Week after week, our inbox is filled with questions regarding what to wear to weddings. While black tie, formal, and semiformal have always been common dress codes, some couples are getting more unique and specific, in effect requesting that their guests’ attire become an extension of the wedding theme. So what’s a guest to wear? […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Should I Send a Save the Date?
April 22, 2021
Brides tell me all the time that they feel their to-do list is never-ending. From the guest list to the song list, brides seem overwhelmed with planning the details of their big day, which leads me to wonder: is there anything couples can skip? Save the Dates: Send or Skip? When I was engaged, I […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Can I Register for Whatever I Want?
March 18, 2021
Fishing poles, office supplies, board games, a $700 massage chair: what do these items have in common? I’ve seen them all included on wedding registries of friends and family within the last few months! Why are these non-traditional items popping up on wedding registries? I can think of two reasons: Online shopping makes it possible […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Ideas for Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, & Something Blue
February 18, 2021
Ask a Real Bride: Ideas for Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue Meta: Real brides share their ideas for incorporating this traditional poem into your wedding ensemble! Even as wedding traditions change and sometimes disappear, one quirky tradition holds strong. Though most brides aren’t sure why they do it, most (83% of […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Favorite Wedding Planning Tools
January 21, 2021
When I got engaged, my older sister presented me with a stack of thick, glossy bridal magazines, filled with gorgeous images from real weddings, hundreds of wedding dress ads, and advice from wedding industry experts. I remember feeling so excited as I turned the pages of those magazines, dog-earring the pages with my favorite dresses […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Four Ways to Thank Your Vendors
December 29, 2020
You researched them, interviewed them, compared them to the other options, and finally, made your choice: I’m not talking about your fiance, I’m talking about your vendors! From the florist to the coordinator, the photographer to the DJ, you’ve got a dedicated team working behind the scenes to make your wedding vision come to life. […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Should I Try a Wedding DIY?
November 24, 2020
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman in possession of an engagement ring must also be in want of a Pinterest-perfect wedding. And since limitless budgets are but a fantasy, many brides quickly pivot from browsing Pinterest for inspiration to clicking through the site’s many, many DIY tutorials for everything from favors to […]
– Ask a Real Bride – What Makes a Great Wedding Gift?
October 20, 2020
Is it just me, or does anyone else do a little happy dance by the mailbox when they receive a gorgeously addressed envelope with a wedding invitation inside? There’s nothing I love more than a beautiful wedding invitation and the anticipation of a joyful celebration! Like any good wedding guest, I know my responsibilities: first, […]
– Ask a Real Bride – What if My Dad Isn’t Here?
September 24, 2020
Growing up, my cousins and I used to watch our VHS of Father of the Bride at every sleepover, and it’s remained a favorite for good reason. While a wedding is all about the bride and groom, the father of the bride gets a lot of time in the spotlight: dads get to escort their […]
