{Wedding Planning } 4 Tips for Delegating Dress Decisions to Your Ladies

 Photo by Ale De Vries

Having trouble deciding on bridesmaids’ dresses? You brides have a ton of important wedding decisions to make throughout your wedding planning process --so why not delegate dress decisions to your ladies?  Everyone has different tastes, shapes, color preference, and we know every dress style doesn't flatter everyone.  I say give them the reins and trust that your besties will locate the perfect look.

Here are our tips for achieving your wedding look and giving attendants the freedom of choice.
 
1. Define your wedding mood - formal, casual, eclectic, traditional - then, give definitive dress guidelines based on this mood. A playful sundress style may not work for  formal affair, anymore than a long even gown works for an outdoor backyard party. I am personally digging on this twist wrap dress design which lets your gals wear the same dress in many different ways!
 

 Photo Source

2. Specify a color range – light pastels, jewel tones, autumn hues - to match your wedding scheme. Choosing one color guarantees mismatched shades, unless you go to a single manufacturer such as Dessy for multiple designs.  Mix and matching dress colors and styles is a huge trends these days. If that is your cup of tea, check out my post of Mismatched Bridesmaids Dresses. 

                                                         Photo via Belle the Magazine

3. Choose fabrics with similar weight and shine for a coordinated look. Contrasting materials -- think shiny satin and matte silk -- rarely look good together in photos or in person.  Again, a single designer or retailer can help in keeping with similar fabric.  Be very specific with what you want and what you just cannot accept.
 

 Photo by Brooke Novak

4. Let your wedding style dictate hemline. Back to Tip # 1 -- Tea, knee or floor length; same length gives a polished look for a formal affair, while differing lengths allow a peek of personality in a casual setting.


                                                          Photo via Sassy Chicago Brides

Give your ladies the parameters, let them explore the options, and trust that they will find the perfect dress to match your special day and their personal tastes.  Delegating this decisions shows that you honor their individuality  and want them to feel as comfortable and pretty as you do on your wedding day. 

What other tips and tricks do you have for choosing the perfect bridesmaid dress?  Leave us a comment and I'll share in the Facebook and Twitter conversations! 

Make it GOOD!

P.S. Did you check out yesterday's gorgeous Destination Wedding in Paris post? You will swoon over their venue choice! Hint -- you won't need paddles.

Friday Giveaway: Win $100 Gift Card for Beau-coup.com

Party Favors, Wedding Decor, and More

Are you putting the final touches on your wedding and in need of favors, decor pieces, or maybe gifts? Have I got some Giveaway Awesomeness for you! Beau-coup is offering three lucky fans a $100 Shopping Spree on their site! I love Beau-coup; it's THE online go-to for party favors and supplies, ideas and budget decor options for all of life's special occasions. 

Beau-coup was one of my favorite places to shop for my budget wedding. I dig their wide selection of Wedding Favors but also their super crafty DIY Birthday Party Ideas gallery and Baby Shower Favors and Gifts. Their website is easy to use and chock full of one-of-a-kind favors from bridal to baby as well as but party supplies for holiday parties, religious celebrations and all of the milestones we love to share with friends and family!

The Real Deal:
I KNOW you love planning stylish celebrations and fun parties, that's just the way this dLA crew rolls! Well, Beau.coup wants your opinion on the BEST party idea! Pop over to Beau-coup, check out the goods, then head over their Facebook page to cast your Vote for your favorite party theme and you're entered to win!  Hey, it's worth $100 and takes 5 minutes! Hey, we all could use a little extra green in our wedding budget, this is just plain smart!  

Remember, you must vote, i.e. click the VOTE button on their FB site, in order to qualify, and be sure to SHARE with friends! There's lots of reasons to throw a fun and stylish party and Beau-coup has you covered.  AND, de Lovely Affair always keeps you up to date with all the fresh and fabulous ideas from Beau-coup, so stop here for the 411 before you buy. 

Giveaway Terms and Conditions: 

* Open WORLDWIDE
* Prize value does NOT include taxes, shipping or special fees
* The Gift Card is valid for 6 months after issue
* Voting is open until August 6th. Winner will be selected at random and announced on Facebook. We'll let you know here too!

Huge thanks to our sponsors at Beau-coup for the fabulous giveaway, and best of luck!
All photos courtesy of Beau-coup.com.

Happy Planning,

P.S - dLA is an affiliate of Beau-coup. This post is also a personal endorsement of their products and website.

Ask the Editor: Should I insure my engagement ring?

Ask the Editor: I get this question all the time -  Should I insure my engagement ring? 

To answer honestly, it is a truly personal and individual decision.

Gorgeous 2 carat Vintage Solitaire from Era Gem

The scenario: He dropped to one knee, said those magic words "will you marry me," and opened up a box to reveal a seriously blingTASTIC ring worth a down payment on a new set of wheels....or a perfect diamond picked especially for you in a modest setting that fits your personality. Either way, you have some serious value, monetarily and sentimentally, sitting there on your pretty little finger.

Photo via Ultimate Destiny of Love

To insure or not to insure, that is the question and my answer: it all depends on your available money, the ring itself and the importance it plays in your life. And while as unromantic as insurance sounds, your peace of mind may be worth it!

What is ring insurance? An insurance policy covers the monetary value of your engagement ring in the event of damage or loss.  Renter's and homeowner's insurance covers items in your home but only up to a certain amount, potentially below the value of your engagement ring. This means you'll need to purchase an additional extension or rider just to cover it separately. Talk to your insurance agent.

You can also insure your ring through a speciality jewelry insurance company, which may cover more than general homeowner's insurance. Most will replace your ring instead of just handing over the cash. I've heard AAA will cover you for less that $100 a year! Worth the investment, I'd say.

Photo via Wedding by Color

Who Should Buy: Anyone with jewelry with perceived value, be it $500 or $50,000 and when the sentimental value outweighs the dollar amount.  Purchasing an insurance policy not over covers you financially but also says what your ring stands for is important to protect. Rings can be replaced but sentiment is priceless.

Questions To Ask Before You Choose a Policy: (from The Knot) 

 - Is the ring covered if you lose it accidentally, or only if it's stolen? How will the company replace the ring -- with a check? Or will they require you to purchase a replacement through a specified jeweler? 

 - What if it's a vintage ring or other unique piece? How will the quality and size of your diamond -- and that of a replacement if needed -- be documented? 

 - Is the ring insured to full cost or a fraction of it? 

 - How will you need to prove the ring vanished if you make a claim? 

 - Are there any circumstances that aren't covered? 

What you should know: Remember to keep your receipts; you'll also need to get an appraisal.  Ask your jewelers if they provide coverage through their own insurance company. Remember to read the fine print and make sure your rings are covered in all situations from theft to loss to that pesky little trash disposal! If you are moving after the wedding, make sure the coverage policy follows you to your new home.

Photo via eHow.com

Costs:
You can usually expect to pay $1 to $2 per $100 that it would cost to replace your rings. The higher the replacement value, the higher the yearly cost....simple math, although it may be higher in cities with higher theft rates.

Bottom line, if you can't afford insurance, keep your ring at home in possible ring threatening situations.

The ultimate question is how much is your engagement ring worth to you. I was looking at my own wedding rings the other day and 100% visualizing the possibility of losing or damaging them. I thought WHOA, it could really happen and why am I not prepared....and less because of how much money the hubs invested in them but more for how much I have invested in them emotionally.

Insuring your engagement ring may be an extra cost you don't need OR you may be the kind of person who won't step outside without a signed policy close at hand. Either way, think about it, ask questions and keep your sentimentals safe.

Happy Engagement,

7 Planning Tips for the Newly Engaged

To all my newly engaged couple, congrats - you did it! Call me once you've come down from cloud nine. I always say engagement is amazing and wedding planning is hell. But it doesn't have to be! It can be an exciting, bonding, gratifying, and yes, a pleasantly overwhelming, whirlwind kind of experience if you let it!

 via B. Scott Photography

With so many opinions, ideas, and Ohhh so shiny objects diluting your perspective, it can be hard to figure out where to start much less decide what YOU really want on your wedding day...and the YOU (and in you TWO) is the most important part. My advice to you: Take a deep breath, start slow, do your homework and keep an open mind.

With all that said, let's move this planning process along. Here are my de Lovely Wedding Planning Tips for the newly engaged: 

1. It Takes Two:  Now that you are an engaged couple, it is about we not me. Remember to talk, not expect, interpret, close down, or assume the other doesn't mind. It's about making big decisions together and taking each other’s ideas into consideration. Wedding planning is a trial run for how you will work together as a new family. You two are partners in crime, bosom buddies, best friends....act like it!

via EHow.com

2. Rough Budget: Create a rough wedding budget based on what you have to spend not what you think you have to have. Do you want to go into debt just to get married? How much are each of you willing to commit? Will the families help? Answers to these questions may change over time but you have to start somewhere. (Great info here on wedding budgets for beginners)

3. Find Your Favorite Resources: For current tips, trends, and inspiration, peruse a select number of blogs that feel like they "get" you. There are wedding blogs and websites out there for every single niche, hobby, personality, couple there is. Facebook, Twitter, Blog Follow them but be picky about those your spend your time ogling. Don't bog yourself down with a million different wedding ideas but do explore the boundaries of yours...you may be surprised at what you end up choosing.

4. Real Wedding Reviews: Search for real weddings in your area for vendor and venue ideas. Head over to your 5-10 chosen wedding blogs and scour their real couples. There is always a site dedicated specifically for your geographical area. Seeing how others pull off their big day is a great way to discover what is possible for yours. 

 via Wedding Documentary

5. Don't Over Extend: Researching local wedding professionals is a must for making good, informed wedding decisions. However, it is super easy to become overload with too many options and too much information! I recommend researching only three to four wedding professionals in the same category in the same month. Once you’ve made one selection, check it off your list and move on to the next category.  Remember to always get personal references and check out online sites, such as Wedding Wire, Yelp and even The Knot for vendor reviews and couples' comments. 

6. Let Your Personality Rule: You know DIY weddings are all the rage these days. It's about putting your personal stamp on your big day and saving you money; from invitations and escort cards, to bouquets, favors, and decorative touches, DIY infuses your wedding with personality specifically suited to you. Whether your skills rival Martha Stewart or you are a first time do-it-selfer, the key is not to over do it! Choose a few main projects (3-5) and trust the biggest projects to the pros. Your individual touches will not go unnoticed.

        

From our DIY Pinwheel post! Super cute

7. Leave it to the pros: A wedding is a big undertaking and with so many areas needing your attention, you can easily get stressed out. But this is why you hire professionals; a wedding coordinator or just day of help, you have a caterer to take care of the tables, venue manager to make sure everything is in place, people to make you look pretty and snap away at the important moments. So, take a deep breath and let them do their jobs - from the moment you hire them right through to your big day. You put a lot of time and thought into your decisions, so listen to them and trust they will do right by you. A happy bride, happy life.

 via United with Love

On a personal bridal note, I recommend keeping a hardcopy journal full of ideas, pictures and inspiration handy; it can also double as your wedding notebook for reminders and vendor info. Add a fabric and color swatch for when inspiration hits you. Or jump on the Pinterest/Loverly bandwagon for all your virtual scrapbook needs. Great for brides on the go who want all their wedding eye candy in one place! 

Hope these get you started in the right direction. There are so many wonderful tips out in the wedding world, what other tips would you add to this list? Leave us a comment below and we will share it with our FACEBOOK and TWITTER friends!

Happy Planning,

Beach Wedding Planning Tips - Location, DIY, Go Local

Summer is creeping up slowly and beach weddings are all the rage (again) this year! I wrote this post earlier this year but think it is far more appropriate now...so this is a repost but TOTALLY worth it!

Unless you're planning a fancy resort destination beach wedding where your wedding worries are whisked away by the tropical winds or your budget allows for a super awesome planner who manages every last piece until you walk down the sandy aisle, you've got some planning to do if you want the beach themed wedding of your dreams. So grab your Pinterest app, your to do lists and a cup of coffee and let's get down to business with some de Lovely practical planning tips.

Location - After choosing your date and guest list, location, location, location is the most important decision. You've fallen in love with a gorgeous secluded beach and the breathtaking view but it is a bit out of the way, the services are few, and the only bathroom is a stinky public 1/2 mile away. Okay, a little over the top but you get my point.  Your wedding location MUST be is easily accessible for you, your guests and vendors, who may charge more for an inconvenient location.

Pre-wedding jitters should not include location stress for you; do you have a place to dress, relax, pose for pictures? Guests should be able to easily park and walk, and vendors need to access facilities. Plus your DIY projects and wedding party need a staging area.

If you want to be directly on the beach, research public and privates beaches. Beach side hotels may the best option with their beach access, reception services, and guest accommodations. Boathouses, state parks, historical beach homes, or small seaside communities offer perfectly good alternatives to the traditional resort or hotel beach wedding. Depending on the size of your wedding, you may be able to get away with a secluded beach wedding. Hire an accommodating planner who can handle all the small details and set your DIY projects in motion.

Photo courtesy of Intimate Weddings

BOTTOM LINE TIPS: * Permits may be needed if your guest list is large. * Check city ordinances for laws regarding alcohol and music. * Sun and wind may be a factor, plan for the right time of day and year.

Photo Courtesy of Sproullie Designs

Do It Yourself - I am a huge fan of DIY; it saves you money, is a fun way to get people involved, and adds a touch of your personality, making your wedding anything but cookie cutter. For Beach Weddings, choose three to five DIY projects; more than that you risk overwhelming yourself. I like the idea of one or two items per time period: pre-wedding (Check out our DIY Save the Date project), ceremony, and reception. Carry your beachy brand theoughout the entire wedding for a cohesive and visually pleasing theme.

BOTTOM LINE TIPS: * DIY is better with friends, invite your bridesmaids to help out. * Assign a family member or friend to be in charge on the big day. * DIY projects are supposed to save your money, don't go over the top buying sand, when you can get it at the beach.

Photo Courtesy of The Knot

 
Beach Theme: I suggest limiting your "beach" look to a few pieces of varying sizes here and there; not every decoration needs to be themed. It just looks cheesy and may actually cost you more money if vendors need to customize every item. Instead use color, music, food to enhance the celebration.

Wedding invitations set the tone, location sets the mood, reception centerpieces continue your brand and a touch of the beach on your cake finishes the theme....going overboard (pardon the pun) can ruin the sentiment behind choosing a beach theme in the first place.

BOTTOM LINE TIPS: * Choose a brand and stick with it but sparingly. * Find other ways to incorporate the beach theme instead of just shells and starfish. * Scour the web and blogs for inspiration; Pinterest and Lover.ly are all the rage.

Photo Courtesy of National Garden Month

Go Local - For food and flowers, request your vendors go local or work directly with a local provider, such as a flower farm or farmer's market. It is easier to deal with smaller companies for catering or rentals as they can be more accommodating. A wedding trend for 2012 is to request caterers and hotels go "locavore", which means that food must be gathered within 50 miles of the event. It is cheaper, better for the environment and supports small businesses.

BOTTOM LINE TIPS: * Vendors may charge less if they don't have to travel, especially musicians; search locally for good talent. * Use local business directories and sites such as YELP to help locate quality vendors.

Beach weddings can offer more savings, fewer headaches and more fun than a traditional wedding but in the end, it all comes down to planning and planning well. There are a million other tips to help you plan your wedding day but the very best we can offer: have fun, be casual, be yourself, make your wedding about you and your sweetie and let all the rest go.

Have a de Lovely day! xx

P.S Come over and follow us on Twitter...it is OH so much fun!

{Practical Planning} Mismatched Bridesmaid Dresses

Let's face it, brides do some VERY terrible things to their bridesmaid besties all in the name of getting married. We've seen the horror show bridesmaids' dresses before, which is why I am so loving the mismatched bridesmaid dress trend racing around the wedding web these days. And while it most certainly is not a new idea, the various forms of mismatching are becoming super popular with brides who are finally getting with the program and realizing what we all already know: women's bodies, tastes, and styles are not the same.

So HOW exactly is this Practical Planning? Well PP is not just about money, it is also about headspace. The less you have to worry about finding the perfect dress that works for everyone, the more you can fret over bigger things.  Why not give them a few instructuions, length, color, style or some combination of the three, give your Maid of Honor the reins and let them go wild! The best part of allowing your maids a long leash on dress wear is that they will probably pick a dress they can wear for another occasion, Practical Planning for them too! On the sentimental side, it shows your friends that you can care about their individuality and want them to feel as comfortable and pretty as you do on your wedding day.

Here are some of my favorite mismatched bridesmaid dresses.

Same length, Different styles and Colors

via Kellie Kano Photography

Different Shades of One Color and Styles

via Kat Carneo Loves Weddings

Any Length or Style Just A Rainbow of Colors

via Cori Cook Floral Design Blog

Different Patterns and Dress Styles, Same Length

via Bridesmaid Dresses Blog

Same Length, Same Color Family, Different Styles

via The Sweetest Occasion

Completely Individual

 via Christina Hendricks Gallery

Do you LOVE these dresses or what? Which picture is your favorite? If you are planning to have mismatched bridesmaid dresses, we'd love to hear from you! Leave us a comment below and we will share it on FACEBOOK and TWITTER!

Happy Practical Planning!



5 Wedding Planning Tasks for Your Groom

The Groom, a wedding duo's often overlook other half, plays an important role as a support system, planning partner, sounding board, an ear for venting, a picker upper of pieces for his bride-to-be. He may be content to officially "pitch-in" when asked or perhaps just manage non-wedding life, the house, the bills, the car. My husband put in a new kitchen floor during our wedding planning process.

via Ashley's Bride Guide

However, you might be surprised when he steps up and knocks your wedding planning socks off! (You never know, he could be all over the wedding color palette scene, a star Pinterest pinner (follow dLA HERE), or top wedding blog contributor. Hey, it could happen!)  Either way, planning a wedding is a trial run for how you will work together, handle big problems and tough conversations, and celebrate triumphs as a married couple. Make it count.

Here are five helpful tasks for your groom to tackle:

 

Plan the budget - One of the most important and probably most unpleasant wedding planning tasks to tackle. Shang Chen, creator of the Wedding MBA series, penned a great article on real wedding budgets, online budgeting tools, and logical thinking behind each line item....the things you don't what to think about but should. Her best advice for cutting down wedding costs: invite fewer people.

 

 via Elite Bridal Concierge

 
Choose groomsmen's attire - Encourage your sweetie to be as creative and personal as he wants! If bow ties and argyle socks are his thing, go for it. Chucks and anything but a tux, right on. However, if you are insistent on a particular color palette, make sure he has swatches to match before he sets his heart on that seriously off tone tie.

 

via A Day to Remember  

 

Plan the rehearsal dinner - The rehearsal dinner is a small but important wedding event and a great place to let your groom cut his planning teeth. Less attention to detail, fewer decisions, more fun. And considering the parents of the groom usually pay for this event, he will always have his mother for back up help! Check out my article on planning rehearsal dinners over on Wedding Window where I am a guest blogger.  

 

 via Wed Loft

 

Arrange wedding day transportation - Limo, fancy car, trolley or train, transportation and logistics are all about getting you to and from the church on time.  Remember to negotiate and search for the best deal but still check out the company's rep for being on time and safety. They've got precious cargo!

via PR Party Lines

Plan the honeymoon - Is it true what they say - brides care about the wedding while the grooms care about honeymoon? Whether you are surprising your bride with specifics or not, remember to discuss general honeymoon wishes (beach, no beach, Europe, South America) BEFORE you book! You might consider signing up for a honeymoon registry, like Honeymoon Wishes*, to help with the expenses...it is a great idea if you already have a house FULL of kitchen appliances you hardly use. If you do opt for a relaxing beach honeymoon, here are our Top 10 Warm Weather Escapes.

via The Frisky

 

Remember: A wedding is a massive undertaking, definitely not a one-woman show. Even if your fiance is aesthetically challenged when choosing centerpieces or favors, he can be involved in so many other ways. So, give him a chance to show you he can handle anything you throw at him, be it alter flowers or a kitchen floor.


What other tasks do you think would be perfect for your groom or any groom? Please let us know by commenting below. We will be compiling responses and posting the best on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.

Happy Planning, Enjoy the Process, Have a deLicious Day!

* I was a Honeymoon Wishes bride and have recently been signed on as an affiliate.