Nuptial Trends: Cookies!

This week I wanted to talk about cookies! You may be thinking; what inspired this post? Well, one day I was browsing around the web and I stumbled across these social networking cookies on I Am Baker that actually made me laugh out loud! I thought “How NEAT are these!?!”

Check out what I’m talking about…

There’s these Facebook ones…

As well as these Twitter ones!

So how can cookies be used in YOUR wedding? Well let’s explore the options…

For one, cookies can be used as placecards. Whether there are tags tied to the cookie bag or names written in icing on the cookie, both ideas are fun and unique!

Like these seen on The Knot here and here

Or these luau themed one, from The Celebration Shoppe

Cookies can also be placed at the table setting; either on the menus or napkins. Like these three themed cookies from The Knot found here, here and here.

You can also put your monogram on a cookie for a unique favor to send your guests home with. From The Knot

Another way to display cookies would be a cookie buffet! Similar to a candy buffet, different types of cookies can be put on display & labeled in differently sized jars. From The Knot

Or perhaps as an end of the night snack… cookies served with milk! From The Knot

Cookies can be used for more than just weddings though; for example Engagement Parties! These would make great favors or dessert.

I love these rings and bridal cookies from The Well Dressed Cookie

They can also be used to ask members of your bridal party to be a part of your big day!

Like this adorable Flower Girl cookie also from The Well Dressed Cookie

Cookies would also be a great touch at the bridal shower! What fabulous favors these beauties would make…

Personalize them with the bride’s name, the date or even a simple “Thank you” like these from Squidoo

I love this one from The Gum Drop Cookie Shop that uses this classic bridal phrase

Blow your guests away with a “cake” made of cake-shaped cookies! From The Celebration Shoppe

Bridesmaids from Elenis are another fun idea!

Another idea? Surprise your bride-to-be with these fun party cookies @ her bachelorette bash! Personalize them with her name and/or the date and make it a sweet treat she’ll never forget!

Bride-to-be tags from Flour Box Bakery

I love these fun unique pink and white ones from I Am Baker

Colorful corsets from Etsy

Corsets & high heels from Baking Land

Martini Glasses from Favor Studio

Our Cookies!

For our rehearsal dinner, I contemplated getting a Groom’s Cake but then considered that we wouldn’t have enough people there to justify a big cake. Alternative? Cookies! We ended up ordering “personalized” ones from local baker Holly’s Cookies.

We chose some designs that fit our personalities. I surprised my hubby by having baseball themed ones (Baseballs & NY Yankee hats). We also had pink and white dresses to go along with the wedding attire. I had made tags that said “See You Tomorrow!” along with our wedding date on them that Holly tied to each cookie.

Have you used cookies at your wedding? Or do you plan on incorporating them somehow? I’d love to hear your ideas!

A Wedding Story: Gwen!

This week’s Wedding Story comes from Massachusetts native Gwen Goulet, who had a beautiful Fall wedding last year. Let's hear Gwen's story...

When did you get married?
We got married 9.12.2009

Kristin Greene of Simply Beautiful did all the makeup for Gwen’s big day.

Where was your ceremony? Reception?

We had both the ceremony and the reception at the beautiful Kirkbrae Country Club, Lincoln, RI.

What made you choose that reception location?
My husband and I are both active, outdoorsy people and we loved the beautiful view of the mountains that surround Kirkbrae. We also got a great vibe from all of the staff at Kirkbrae, and it doesn't hurt that their food is to die for!

On the top of Gwen’s wedding cake stood figurines fashioned after the night they got engaged. Gwen had been in a tutu and her hubby? Batman!

What was your favorite aspect of your wedding?
My favorite aspect of our wedding was that we were able to take time before the ceremony to take our pictures. The ceremony and the reception flew by so quickly so by doing pictures before, it gave us the opportunity to spend some time together having fun, letting loose and getting rid of the pre-wedding jitters! Later we were able to enjoy the entire reception with all of our friends and family without any interruptions.

What was the best resource you used during the planning process?
The best resource I had while planning the wedding was the small group of girls that I met on the Rhode Island page at The Knot. Some of the girls were planning their weddings at the same time while others had already gotten married so the advice and ideas were endless. I don't know where I would have been without them!

In front of her centerpieces, Gwen used baby pictures of her and her husband as their table numbers!

What's the one thing you would have done differently?
Ask more questions and don't be afraid to ask for discounts, promotions and special pricing!
Any advice for future brides?
Don't let the small things ruin the your sacred day...life is too short to worry about things that you can't change! It poured rain our entire wedding day...even during pictures but we got some of the most beautiful pictures and still had an amazing time :)

Very true, Gwen; Love your positive outlook. Your wedding pictures are absolutely stunning; it's hard to believe that it was pouring that day!

Photo courtesy of Berry Photos.

If you'd like to be a Featured Wife or Bride, please email me at legallybride@hotmail.com

Nuptial Trends: Ruffles!

This week I thought we’d look at an increasingly popular trend in wedding attire: Ruffles! We’re seeing this pop up not only in bridal gowns but also in bridesmaid & flower girls dresses & accessories!

Here’s a few bridal gowns that feature ruffles in a more formal and fancy way.

 

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You can also do bridal gown ruffles in a more casual way, like on these dresses.

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And it’s not just long dresses that are showing up with ruffles! Check out these short beauties…

 

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Ruffles are not just for brides, though! Here we see some ADORABLE floral ruffles for flower girls.

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And of course don’t forget about your beautiful maids; Ruffles are IN for them as well!

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Where do wedding trends come from? Fashion of course! Let’s check some of that fashion out…

Dresses from the Limited

and David’s Bridal

 

Blouses from J. Crew

and the Limited

 

Headbands from the Limited 

Purse from Juicy Couture

Clutch as seen in Marie Claire

Handbag as seen in StyleHive

Booties as seen on Vie Couture

Tall boots as seen on Mrs Magpie

Ankle boots as seen on Shoewawa

What do you think about this Ruffle trend? Would you opt for a dress of this style?

A Wedding Story: Mrs. Hesson

This week’s Wedding Story comes all the way from Houston, Texas! I’m happy to feature Mrs. Hesson of the adorable blog i.m.t.l.y. {i more thank like you}. Read on to hear more about her fabulous wedding!

When did you get married?
We got married on August 22, 2009.

Where was your ceremony? Reception?
Our ceremony was at the beautiful Second Baptist Church, where my husband and his family are members, and our reception was at The Houstonian Hotel.
What made you choose that reception location?
We knew we wanted somewhere that was close to the church we were getting married at so we started our search around there. The Houstonian was probably the 3rd place we looked and we instantly fell in love. It was just my mom and I who went to see it the first time. She had heard about it, and had been there for a work event. We loved how secluded it was. It's just a gorgeous hotel on the inside and outside. We knew it would be perfect for our big day!

What was your favorite aspect of your wedding?
Oh goodness, this is a tough one! I enjoyed everything about our wedding, other than it having to end. It was the perfect day! And while the ceremony was just wonderful, our reception was such a blast. I just loved everyone being there. My husband and I have such wonderful families and friends and almost everybody we invited was able to make it to share in our big day. It was the party of the year and it was so great to see everyone having fun and enjoying their night just as much as we were!

What was the best resource you used during the planning process?
The knot was my best friend during the wedding process. Along with plenty of bridal magazines and books that I had accumulated over the 13 months that we were engaged. I had a couple friends that were engaged at the same time that I was, so it was nice to have somebody to turn to when I had questions about certain ways to do things. And my mom. She was a gem during the entire process. We did everything together!

What's the one thing you would have done differently?
Once again, a toughie! There's really nothing I would change. The only thing I would have attempted to do different is to have allowed more time for pictures. Since our wedding was a formal, evening wedding at 7:00, it was tough squeezing all of our picture time in there. AND, I can't believe I'm going to admit to this, because I swore up and down I'd never do it (and didn't), but I think I may have listened to my photographer and considered seeing my husband before the ceremony. I know, I know. I always had that "you won't see me until I walk down the aisle!" attitude, but it would have given us way more photo opportunities and I do wish we had those.

Any advice for future brides?
Just relax! And enjoy your day to the fullest. Because it truly does go by SO fast. Enjoy every moment of the planning process all the way leading up to your big day. Because at the end of the day, you're going to MARRIED to the man of your dreams either way, and it will all be worth it! Take in every minute of it. I remember at our ceremony I just stared into my husband's eyes, not wanting to forget that moment. It's all so special.

All photos courtesy of Stacy Cross Photography.