Five { Wedding } Minutes with Simply Bridal

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1. Tell us about you and your company?

Hi! My name is Natalie and I’m the editor of the SimplyBridal blog. We’re an online retailer that
started in July 2011 with the really simple idea of delivering a quality wedding product without
the fuss, hassle, and expense of middlemen. We’re able to keep our items affordable while using
superior materials since we don’t have the high costs of retail space. Originally, we began with
wedding dresses and recently added bridesmaid dresses and veils.

2. What packages do you offer? What can a bride choose from?

While I love our wedding dresses, I’m most excited by the fact that all our bridesmaid dresses
come in twenty-eight different colors so brides can really customize the look of their bridal
party. Our dresses also come in standard and custom sizing.

3. What’s involved with working with you, what can a bride expect?

Brides can expect fast, warm, and professional service. We try to combine the intimacy of a
mom-and-pop shop with the quality that you’d expect from a global brand.

4. Have you any new products or services coming online in 2012 that you would like to share
with us?

We’ve been adding new products frequently to reflect current trends and styles. Our
newsletter is the best way to keep up with our latest dresses and accessories, and it also
contains all sorts of fashion tips and tricks. For instance, did you know that licking your teeth
right before a picture will give you a whiter, brighter smile?
Go to our website to sign up!

5. Can you share some pictures or examples of past work you’ve done?

6. How can brides get in touch with you?

We welcome brides to follow us at @sbridal and submit questions to our Facebook fan page . 
They can also always email us at info@simplybridal.com.

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I'm as useful as a chocolate teapot right now!

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My darlings, I am sorry.

I have been so remiss this week. I am struggling with a horrid cold right now and its taking all my energy just to plan weddings and attend to my clients. You know I love you all equally, but they tend to shout a little louder if their weddings aren't planned.

I promise normal service will resume very shortly.

I have some really exciting posts and weddings to share with you all and later this week I will be introducing you all to a new member of our team - super excited about that!

Love to you all xx 

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Ice Cream Bars at Weddings

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I live and plan weddings in Ireland, so realistically there are probably 3 days every other year where this would work for me, but today { and yesterday as it happens } have been unbelievably good weather { and everything else} wise and so I day dream! Mostly because I LOVE { yes L.O.V.E } ice cream and believe sprinkles should be served on everything that I am indulging in these delicious ideas for Ice Cream Bars at Weddings...

So who is having one and most importantly what are your favourite flavours?

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P.s. These are made from skinny cow ice cream... so low fat too... SCORE! :)

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Now this is how to do it, an 'ICE' Ice Cream Bar... hats off to this :)

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Finding the Right Mother of the Bride Outfit

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 Guest Post by Jack Denning

The stress wedding planning puts on brides can turn some women into the notoriously
monstrous ‘Bridezillas’. Wedding cake frosting can trigger a full on frenzy - the mere sight of
confetti can cause carnage. But you can’t blame couples for feeling fanatical. Your wedding
day is supposed to be the happiest of your life. One thing that must not be overlooked is
mother of the bride outfits. The mother of the bride wants to look her best on her daughter’s
special day just as the groom’s mother does.

Planning is essential as it is important to consider how the mother of the bride and grooms
attire will affect the wedding photos. The colours of both outfits should complement each
other but do not necessarily have to match. It is often wise to consider the colour theme of the
wedding too. The fabric used on mother of the bride outfits should remain in keeping with the
wedding party but not overshadow the bride herself.

Many brides and mothers of brides find it easier to search for the perfect outfit in the comfort
of their own home. There is often no need to trawl far and wide searching frantically for
mother of the bride outfits when there is a huge selection of designer attire online.
Looking for an online occasion wear retailer will help you locate the very best mother of the
bride outfits and wedding party attire.

Wedding planning is just as stressful for the mother of the bride. The pressure is on -
you want it to be the happiest day of your daughter’s life. But chances are you’re having
nightmares that the dress won’t fit, the best man will lose the groom, and the bride’s father
will get a little too tipsy before his speech. That’s where the mother of the bride comes in.
Exuding confidence in an elegant dress, the mother of the bride can help maintain order and
calm amongst the wedding party throughout the day.

A good occasion wear retailer will be passionate about bringing you the very best mother
of the bride outfits from around the world. From the statement hat to delightful dress shoes,
ensure you find an online shop that caters to your every need so that you have one less thing
to worry about before your daughter’s big day. Compton Fashion House offer a range of
mother of the bride outfits, mother of the groom attire and wedding guest occasion wear
to suit every taste and budget. To find out more, browse their coordinating wedding hats,
wedding fascinators and more online today.

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Big Day, Big Move: Top Tips on how to move house while planning a wedding!

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Guest Post by Ashley Spade

Planning a wedding is a huge undertaking; therefore, you'd have to be crazy to add another
logistical nightmare on top of it, right? Unfortunately, many couples find themselves preparing
for a move at the same time they're tasting cakes, sending out wedding invitations and choosing
a DJ, simply because a lease is up or the closing paperwork has been signed. Even if you decide
to live separately until after the big day, it can make a lot of sense to move the majority of your
belongings before the wedding so everything is ready for you to settle in together when you
return. Follow these tips to help the process go as smoothly as possible.

1. Decide what to move

When you're combining two households into one, you may find you don't actually have to move
everything both of you own. Go through each of your current homes and create an inventory of
what you have. Note duplicates and decide whose couch you're going to keep and whose dishes
you'll get rid of. Letting these items go during a yard sale or listing them on Freecycle a couple
of months before the move will help you get them out of the way. Plus, you can always use some
extra cash when you're moving and planning a wedding.

2. Pick a method

One of the major decisions you'll need to make is whether you're going to complete the move
yourself or hire a moving company to do it for you. Moving everything yourself requires
recruiting help, navigating appliances through small doorways, sore muscles and sweat. Hiring
professionals is a good way to relieve some stress, avoid having to corral your friends into
helping and is a great way to complete the move more quickly – something you're bound to
appreciate when busy planning your wedding ceremony. Consider freeing yourself to spend
the weekend going to a dress fitting, meeting with your officiant or buying gifts for your
groomsmen, rather than coordinating an hours-long move.

3. Pack gradually

Packing a few boxes can be a great break from planning a wedding. Rather than trying to pack
all at once, spread the task out over several days or even weeks. Doing so will make packing
more like a relaxing break than a chore. It will also help reduce the chance of panic the day
before the move because you'll already be mostly packed. Books you own but don't read often,
decorations and out-of-season clothing are a great place to start since don't really need any of
them in your everyday life.

4. Gather support

Never be afraid to ask for help. Friends who are into organizing will likely love to come over for
a casual housewarming where the boxes get unpacked between slices of pizza or a glass of wine
and a celebratory movie when everything is in its new place. Having a few extra hands around
can reduce your burden and help you stay happy and stress-free as the wedding day approaches.
If you're getting settled after the ceremony, skip the movie and look through pictures of your
nuptials.

Rather than seeing moving day as a chore, anticipate the event as the start of your life as a
married couple. Savor the day and focus on the excitement of getting to live together in your
new place, rather than a scheduling complication when you've got enough on your plate. A little
planning, pre-packing and help from friends or family will go a long way towards keeping your
stress levels low.

Author Bio: Ashley Spade is a law student in Chicago. When not daydreaming about the perfect wedding, she spends her time studying, training for triathlons, and spending time with her boyfriend, Tom, and her partner in crime, Sir Winston Pugsalot- a mischievous pug. Follow her adventures on twitter: @ashspade

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A Southern Welcome Party

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I know I told you all about my trip to the US in March, to speak at Illuminate; The Workshop and to visit with my amazing friend Meghan Ely of OFD Consulting. Well I don't think I told you all, that while there, Meghan threw me this amazing little welcome party to meet some of her {wonderful & super friendly} wedding industry friends. Meghan and her team went to such trouble to put together this 'Southern Do' and it looked so amazing that I begged her to be able to share with you all on Wedding High. 


Because no-one could tell it better... in Meghan's own words... 

I'm always looking for a great reason to host a party so when Bláithín kindly agreed to serve as the
keynote speaker for Illuminate, I was positively thrilled to have an "excuse" to throw a big bash.

My hope was to showcase a Southern theme, so Bláithín could really get a feel for the local culture.
Selecting the menu was the first order of business- and Q Barbeque was an easy choice. It's both
delicious as well as famous around these parts, as the owner is frequently featured on the show BBQ
Pitmasters. I then handed off the remaining party details to my far more stylish OFD partner in crime
Ariana. She quickly decided on navy and yellows and got to work. Any DIY elements you ran across were completely due to her- from the doily garland and dessert table (featuring a vintage door she had turned into a table!) to the re-purposed window she salvaged from a local thrift store and turned into a menu. Admittedly, my only contributions to the overall "look" was the DIY yarn wreath that greeted guests, as well as matching the flowers up with my collection of milk glass vases.

I'd like to think the party was a big hit- everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and it gave Bláithín the
opportunity to really enjoy some of the best things that Virginia has to offer. In what turned out to be
a rather wonderful surprises, we also found out that our party received a brief mention on a national
network, as it was featured briefly just a few days later on CBS News This Morning. Ariana coordinated with their producers and the focus was on how we used Pinterest in part to plan the party.

{ I tried desperately to run away with this adorable suitcase ;) ~ Blá }

{ How amazing does the evenings menu look on this old window ???!!! ~ Blá }

{ This party held many firsts for me; I had never had Southern BBQ before or Mac 'n' Cheese ~ Blá }

I'm sure you all agree, this was one fantastic looking party... and the food, oh guys the food was A-MAZ-ING! I can not thank Meghan, Ariana & Heather enough for such an amazing welcome and of course I have to mention Travis, the talented photographer of the above images and Meghan's gorgeous husband.

Vendors:

Catering: Q Barbeque
Linens: Classic Party Rentals
Flowers: Coleman Brothers
Straws: Shop Sweet LuLu
Pies: Westhampton Bakery
DIY Projects: OFD Consulting

Photography by Travis Ely

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Hello Kitty Engagement Ring

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Is this for real?

Part of me is really hoping this is a photoshop job... { really hoping }

A quick Google search has brought up other imagines of hello kitty engagement rings { still shuddering } and wait for it.... wedding bands too... they really will brand anything these days.

All I will say on this matter is, each to their own ;)

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3 Super Easy DIY Table No Ideas

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Personally I HATE { with a capital H. A. T. E } those plastic table card numbers most venues seem to have. I appreciate they are useful for servers etc... but really do they have to be ugly and thoughtless?

What about adopting some of these cute { and super easy DIY } table number ideas instead?

1. Twinkle Light Wine Bottles

 

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For those who didn't want to buy these and are DIY inclined this would be a super fun project... although for me I would probably use LED battery operated lights to avoid the unsightly wires!

2. Table Centre & Table Number in one!

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I like this idea in principal, although for me I would probably have it 'far prettier' for a wedding! Painting the wooden box can introduce any theme or colour scheme you want and of course you can also add flowers of you choice! { Another great DIY option too :) }

3. Book by Number ;)

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I love this idea! I love to read, and love old books... they always seem to 'hide' the most romantic and thrilling stories... or so it seems to me. This is another great, easy to do yourself idea that is effective and will be a great talking a point at your wedding.

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Friday's Wedding Photo Fix

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Yes, I know, 'technically' this is not a wedding photo... but it is absolutely beautiful and it is of a very beautiful couple... so I had to 'show it' :)

You will also want to check out the rest of this gorgeous 'Anniversary Shoot' over on Green Wedding Shoes and read this lovely couples story too.

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The talented photographer is Connection Photography

Gosh I really love this!

There is a field, on the way to my parents home, that has a small little barn in it and in spring and early summer the field is filled with this gorgeous yellow 'flowers' ... it looks so romantic and very french... very much like this. I always thought it would be the most beautiful place for a photoshoot!

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Do your wedding guests know you both?

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If not, why not have these super cute '5 Things His & Her Side should know about the other!'

Such a darling idea, don't cha think?

Easily DIY'd or if you would like to have them designed and printed professional check out La Belle Vie Design on Esty. 

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Tuesday's Wedding Ring Treat

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How unusual is this ring?

I actually had to look at it for a moment or two to see if it was some sort of illusion or if the bank holiday weekends cocktails where still effecting me, but no, it is in fact made like this :)

It is of course another delicious Etsy find, unfortunately a sold one, but I thought its uniqueness deserved a feature.

Officially called: Rutilated Quartz Engagement Ring Solitaire Modern Recycled Sterling Silver. 


I definitely recommend you check out the designer's other funky modern stuff!

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Top 5 Wedding Cake Toppers of 2012

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Guest Post by Tim Stout form Cake Toppers

The wedding cake is one detail of the wedding that seems to be more than just a detail. Wedding cakes are ornate, show personal style and add a touch of elegance to the wedding. These large cakes must be ordered months in advance to ensure they are made, ready and delivered by the big day.

Many brides look at books filled with wedding cake options their cake designer offers. The choices are literally endless. You have to decide how many layers, what flavor of cake, what decorations will be on your cake and how you will decorate the top.

The cake topper is a finishing touch on a cake. It literally “tops off” the cake. The cake topper adds a touch of your personal style to the cake. It can be a place to tie in the theme of your wedding or to have a little fun. Just as any other detail of a wedding, the cake topper completely depends on the style of the bride and the overall feel of the wedding. Here are a few ideas of the most popular wedding cake toppers you will see this year.

Monogrammed Initial Letters

You can literally spend under ten dollars to over three hundred dollars on initial letters to top your cake. It is most common to either use the first letter of the husband’s last name or to have the first initial of both the bride and groom’s first names. These letters can be metal, plastic and even paper. Some are adorned with crystals and pearls, while others are natural and simple.

Flowers

Just about every wedding is blossoming with flowers. Flowers adorn the bride, groom, family members, tables, and decorations. The beautiful, natural, vibrant touch of flowers is inherently wedding ready. Fresh or silk flowers bring a bright and traditional flair to the cake. They are elegant and can easily tie into the overall charm and colors of the wedding.

Birds

What screams ‘wedding’ more than a pair of love birds? This year you are going to see these whimsical birds garnishing cakes. The different types of cake-topping love birds are as great as the number of birds in the sky. These birds can be plastic, metal or wooden figurines. Many of the more whimsical birds are made from paper and attached to wooden sticks, for a more natural, unique look. 

Bride and Groom Figurines

While you may think bride and groom figurines are a tradition of the past, they are alive and well in 2012. These figurines can often add humor to your cake – for example, the ball and chain figurine. They can also show your personality and personal favorites. These figurines are made with everything – from Legos to sports paraphernalia.

Bunting Banner

Bunting banners are everywhere this year. They are decorating homes, birthday parties, nurseries and wedding cakes. These add a true whimsical, trendy touch to your cake. These mini bunting banners can be homemade or purchased with almost any word imaginable on them. Some common words used are: love, I do, the last name of the groom, Mr. and Mrs., We do, and initials of the bride and groom. These little bunting toppers can add a pop of color to your cake or add a natural elegant touch. The style of the bunting can fit many tastes while keeping the cake trendy and original.

Author Bio: Tim Stout has many years experience in the wedding industry. He works for Advantage Bridal a leading online retailer of all types of wedding accessories – wedding shoes, cake toppers, bridal garters and bikinis etc. - brides may need for their special day. Tim loves blogging about weddings and seeing happy and stress-free brides.

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Quirky Wedding Decor Idea {for the toilet doors}

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When I saw this I fell in love with the quirkiness of the idea of distinguishing girls & boys { or ladies & gents } loos.

And in the next thought, as is often the case with me, I thought to myself; would this work for a wedding? And of course it would ... on SO many levels.

1. The pics could just be of the bride and groom { through the years or in funny poses }
2. The pics could be just of 'brides' or 'grooms' { guests at the wedding already married }
3. Females & Males at the wedding...

You are getting the idea here { surely ? } :)

Get the thinking caps on lads... is this the quirky wedding décor idea for your toilet doors?

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How do I decide between 2 wedding invites?

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This morning I got an email from a desperate bride { Lisa } looking for advice. She is absolutely in LOVE with two sets of wedding invites and can't decide.

She even sent me pictures { which she asked me not to share as some of her female guests read the blog and she wants it all to be a surprise... sooorrryyy } asking me to make the decision for her...{ ha ha no pressure then Lisa! }

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It' a toughie at times, you fall in love with two sets of invites, what do you do?

Well of course there is a 'check list' you could go down, are both:

Available in your colours?
In the same style as the wedding?
Available on time?
In your price range?
And so...

And as they are... { in this case } I asked what is the one difference... ???

It was price... a  €50.00 difference. {over all}

My advice in this situation, always go with the cheaper option. You still love them, they are in keeping with your wedding, colours, theme and are available and within your budget and essentially as beautiful as they are, and the lovely memory that they will start to create for everyone who receives them, at the end of the day { some day soon } they will end up in the bin { sorry I know that is a bit harsh :) }

Look at it this way: save the difference, invite an extra guest, have that bottle of champers at the airport or put it towards a designer pair of wedding shoes.

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