–Wedding Planning/Ideas–
– Ask a Real Bride – Are Wedding Programs Worth It, or a Waste?
March 17, 2022
Is a wedding program worth the time and cost, or should couples save by skipping them? Our real brides help you decide! Wedding blogs, Instagram accounts, and Pinterest pages are filled with “must have” items to achieve the perfect wedding, but all of those great ideas can quickly become overwhelming for brides-to-be. It’s a challenge […]
8 Steps to Throwing Your First Bridal Shower
March 15, 2022
Hosting a bridal shower for the first time? Ace the celebration by following these eight easy steps! So, you’ve been tasked with throwing your very first bridal shower. While it might seem daunting, consider it a vote of confidence and accept the challenge. As the maid/matron of honor or a close family member/friend of the […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Should We Give a Speech at our Wedding?
February 17, 2022
When you think through your reception timeline, you’re probably carving out time for speeches by the father of the bride, the best man, and maid of honor. But recently, I’ve noticed that more and more couples seem to be hopping on the mic themselves! Is the bride and groom speech something you should consider for […]
7 Tips for Designing Your Save the Dates
February 1, 2022
With hundreds of customizable designs to choose from, VistaPrint is your one-stop-shop shop for all your wedding printing needs! Once you’ve decided on a wedding date and locked in your venue, it’s time to let your guests know what to expect with a save the date. A save the date isn’t an actual wedding invitation […]
9 At-Home Workout Moves to Get You Wedding-Ready (Plus a Bonus 30-Minute Full Body Workout!)
January 21, 2022
You’re engaged — congratulations! As brides, we tend to hone in on the details as we curate our perfect wedding. From the color scheme and cocktails to the first dance and table settings, there’s nothing we don’t obsess over (at least a little). If you’re like the majority of brides, your wedding planning checklist also […]
Getting FIT for your Wedding
January 19, 2022
Your engagement was everything you dreamed of: the romantic proposal, the beautiful ring shining on your finger and the excitement your friends and family shared as you told them the good news. But now that the thrill has worn off, you’re starting to feel sheer panic. How will you be able to do everything that […]
– AskCheryl – If Paying for the Wedding, Should Parents-of-the-Bride Have a Role in the Planning?
December 28, 2021
Today’s question is from a newly minted Mother-of-the-Bride. She and her husband are paying for their daughter’s wedding and want to know their role in wedding planning. Dear Cheryl,My husband and I are paying for our daughter’s wedding. We are trying to help them find a venue, but they don’t want us to be involved. […]
– 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 […]
A Gorgeous, Unique Way to Ask Your Best Friends to be Your Bridesmaids
August 31, 2021
Hosting a bridal dinner is a not-so-common way to ask your favorite girls to be your bridesmaids, but my step-daughter’s turned out so beautifully that we now highly recommend it! Shortly after Meleah got engaged, she decided who was going to be in her wedding party and she couldn’t wait to ask each one of […]
– 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 […]
Wedding Guest Welcome Bags in 5 Easy Steps
July 15, 2021
When Jon and I got married in South Florida four years ago, we were blessed to have a bunch of our out-of-town family and friends join us for the celebration. Jon is originally from Michigan and we met at college in Ohio. I have family spread across the globe from Canada to Jamaica so it […]
The Best Dresses for the Mothers of the Bride and Groom
July 1, 2021
Trust me. I get it; shopping for a mother of the bride/groom dress can be hard! How do I know? I was frantically searching for one for my son’s wedding this time last year! From color to trend to what looks best on you, it’s just HARD to find one you love! We all dream […]
