The Wedding Date

I love weddings. I know I sound like a typical girl but I honestly, immensely enjoy weddings. I have been attending weddings (18+) for the past several years. Not only have I been a guest, I have worked the wedding seasons at the country club for the past 10 years. I make it a point to save something from each wedding whether a place card, a menu card, a wedding favor, a picture of the layout, try a slice of cake, etc. The father-daughter dance is always my favorite part of the reception so I always make a point to be able to not only watch but note the song choice. For someone who has worked over a hundred rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions, I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have a running list of DJs, color combinations, bakers, etc. I just find wedding time so magical. The air is electric with hope, excitement, and love exudes (As long as the bride is not a bridezilla).

This past weekend, S and I attended our sixth wedding together in the past 18 months. We have been invited to a few more but our schedules are a little crazy. I love going to weddings with him- we have the best time and it only strengthens and reaffirms our relationship and commitment to each other. Here are a few of my favorite reasons I love going to weddings:


1. Getting Dressed Up
S will tell you- I begin shopping weeks before. The perfect dress to dance, something usually from Eliza J (Sucker for box pleats, fit and flair) I pour over Nordstroms website to find an outfit. I just love getting ready. I will usually do my own makeup but I like to go to a blowout bar and get my hair done. I have been to three Drybar locations- so far Boston Back Bay location is my favorite.

2. The ceremony (the look on the bride, groom, and father of the bride's face)
This past weekend we were in Boston for our friends' wedding. I ended up fixing her train and veil before she walked down the aisle so I actually didn't get to see the sheer joy on their faces but I saw it in pictures later. Always melts my heart. S and I usually hold hands the whole ceremony, periodically sneaking grinned glances at the other as well vetoing certain parts of the ceremonies we do not like i.e. mixing sand in a vase or lighting a unity candle.

3. The Food
I have yet to be at a wedding where there was horrible food. I have been to a wedding where they ran out of food. Rule #1 of having a buffet- it might be cheaper than a sit down plated dinner but you must always order more food than necessary. Any excuse to get a steak or a surf and turf option is my idea of 'my happy place.'

4. Dancing
Now I love my boyfriend but he is an awful(ly) cute dancer. He still dances with me and lets me sing to him. I love slow dancing and serenading him because he doesn't know the words to "Remember When" by Alan Jackson. (I cry every damn time I here that song) I will also most likely cry during the father-daughter dance. I like the traditional dances- no synchronized evolution of dances please.

5. The Speeches
There is nothing better than a memorable maid of honor or best man speech. Equal parts funny and sweet (and sometimes awful). My brother gave a best man speech last year and he was so nervous, he fumbled through his speech. It was sweet but didn't make the wedding video. The father of the bride speech is always a crowd favorite but I have been to three recent weddings where the dad ends his speech by saying "I am not losing a daughter, I am gaining a son."

6. Cake!!
I love wedding cake! I think that will be my favorite part of planning my wedding is trying all the different icings and cake flavors! I am still a vanilla with almond frosting wedding cake fanatic. I actually am not a fan of the dessert buffet. It is very wasteful and never gets eaten. I also get annoyed when all the guests get barely a SLIVER of cake.

7. Partying with Friends and Family
Nothing more fun than being on a dance floor singing "Living on a Prayer" with my mom and cousins. Even better when it's open bar and every one is well past their first and second drink. I love the reunions that happen at weddings.

8. Meeting new people
S met my family at a wedding for the first time. I met most of his extended family at a wedding as well. It's a great place to introduce someone and also meet other couples. We have met so many great and fun couples through the past two years.

9. Wedding Venues
We have been to Michigan, Boston, Pocahontas (Illinois), St. Louis locations. It has been so much experiencing different wedding ceremonies and different reception venues. They are all so unique and so fun.

10. Jack in the Box after the wedding and Morning after wedding
The best breakfasts are the ones after a wedding. Usually everyone is hungover so a big breakfast is always a must. But my family tradition is to get about 30 tacos from Jack in the Box after a wedding and bring them to an after party.

I seriously adore weddings and I love spending this time with my boyfriend celebrating friends and family.

Get Ready With Me. {Outdoor Summer Wedding}

The morning of the wedding, we went to coffee and lunch. I kept my hair relaxed and very little makeup. When I get dressed up for an event, I try to keep my face as clean as possible leading up to getting ready.

 

I did my hair first, a deep side part. I put the rest into a low ponytail and then took small sections and hand-curled and bobby pinned them into place. Finished off with a light hair spray. My hair was day 2 hair, it holds the style a lot better. 

After finishing my hair, I applied my concealer and foundation. Using Urban Decay's All Night makeup setting spray to keep it in place for hours. I also repeated this step once I finished my whole face. That way I know my makeup will not budge. And of course, coffee break. There was no way I was going to stay awake all night without a little caffeine. 

Naked 2 Palette with Jessie's Girl eyeliner 

White House Black Market dress (thanks little sis) 

and nude heels (BCBG) 

XOXO

It's Wedding Season!!

Since I am 24 (well in two days), the amount of weddings I attend have been slowly increasing each year. I've played the part of bridesmaid, groomsgirl (in the bridesmaids dress, different color), family, friend, and guest. As someone who previously worked the wedding circuit as a server at a country club, wedding season was always an entertaining time at work, as well as a lesson. What to wear and what not to wear. I have seen cringe worthy outfits, white dresses that were not the brides, hats with suits, air jordans and flannels, etc. I have been to casual and black tie weddings, still waiting on my first white tie!! Three weeks ago, I attended the wedding of a close family friend. They had their reception at the Chase Park Plaza in downtown, St. Louis. So definitely, nice, black tie. In two months, my boyfriend and I will travel to Michigan for his friend's wedding at a bed & breakfast. Still nice, but not as formal. Although I am well into my twenties, and my boyfriend nearing 30, our attendance at weddings is increasing at a more rapid pace. My mother has always made sure I was dressed appropriately for each of the occasions and I don't hide from the fact that I call her for help if I am at a loss for deciphering a wedding invitation's dress code. Here are a few helpful hints. What I plan to wear to the wedding this summer, what I wore in April, and anything in between.

White Tie
 (Most formal)

Something floor length of close to it. Not too bridesmaidsy

Can be found at Nordstrom's website

Or this Donna Morgan dress, a little more bridesmaidsy but if you choose a color that isn't remotely close to the wedding color palette, you are perfect! If you don't know what it is, look at your invitation colors and avoid them. 

Black Tie
(Dressy cocktail)

 

 The dress I wore in April to a black tie wedding. With nude pumps

This was the dress on the website

 



 He's cute. Sorry, I love his serious face.

 

Semi-Formal

(Most Common, Nice cocktail)

 

I plan on buying this dress for the summer wedding in Michigan.

 Minus the shoes, I would wear a strappy nude sandal for a romantic vibe.

I also like this dress, but not those shoes. I would again wear nude strappy heels.

 

 

Casual

(Sundress, cotton dresses)

 

Textured Cotton Fit and Flare dress, perfect for a casual wedding.

If its a beach wedding, something light and breezy and sandals.