Proposal Music Video
Looking for an extremely unique way to propose to your girlfriend? Hire a videographer, get together your best friends (who can keep a secret) and make a music video! It’s the perfect intro to your proposal…
Mike & Courtney- Caribbean Honeymoon Giveaway Winners!
The Honeymoon was a dream come true thanks to Where to Get Engaged! We found ourselves whisked away after our wedding day to the beautiful island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, “America’s Caribbean”. Our stay on the island was at the luxurious Marriott Frenchman’s Reef and Morning Star Beach Resort which is perfectly perched overlooking the most beautiful harbor we have ever seen on one side and overlooking the beach leading out to miles and miles of beautiful sea on the other side. The beach at the resort was amazing. The exclusive white sand beach and warm water were just what we needed to relax after all of the wedding excitement.
When we arrived at the hotel a bit early, they encouraged us to eat at the restaurant overlooking the water for lunch, because our room wasn’t ready yet. We ate an enjoyable lunch and then went to check on our room, but it still wasn’t ready yet. So we decided to go grab a beverage (or two) at the RumBar sunset deck and just enjoyed sitting together as the sun began making its way down toward the horizon. Not long after, the manager of the hotel came out to meet us on the sunset deck with two keys to their top floor “Royal Suite” which they decided to upgrade us to for free because of our “patience” (It was easy to be patient because we were in paradise with each other.) and it being our honeymoon getaway! Our room was an astonishing two story suite with an amazing view of the entire harbor and a jacuzzi tub! It was amazing!
Over the next few days we enjoyed many opportunities to a lot of relaxing, but also we did have the opportunity to do some adventuring—including a day trip via ferry to near by St. John for hiking and for snorkeling. While on this neighboring island we snorkeled at the famous Trunk Bay after hiking from the dock where the ferry boat landed. It was an incredible world of color as we swam together in the midst of schools of fish right off shore.
In addition to just taking it easy and snorkeling we experienced the pirate culture that the Caribbean is so famous for by visiting Blackbeard’s castle, which overlooks Charlotte Amalie harbor. Blackbeard would use this castle, which is perched high on a hill, to look out into the sea for ships that were heavy with booty.
All in all, it was the trip of a lifetime where our hearts were united together through the experiences of adventure and romance. This opportunity would not have been possible without the help of Where to Get Engaged. Thank you so much!
Congratulations to Mike and Courtney, our Caribbean Honeymoon Giveaway Winners! We wish you many happy years together!
Fabulous Finds: August
Time flies when you’re having fun! This month’s “Fabulous Finds” post marks the end of summer and all that we love about it, from colorful flowers, fun paper poms, bouquets made from cotton and romantic rings. Enjoy looking at some of our favorite things from this season as we prepare for the another beautiful time in the wedding world: Autumn!
1. Photo Fans.
A great way to incorporate photos into your wedding decor is to put your image on fans with a program printed on the other side.Perfect for an end-of-summer fete in need of a cool breeze!
Jordyn and Bradley by Tec Petaja Photography
2. Purple Allium.
These adorably dainty yet buxom flowers wowed me right away, especially because I had never really noticed them before. Maybe I had never heard of them because they actually come from the onion plant! They have a modern, full look that will brighten up any arrangement, and are ideal for summer outdoor weddings.
Purple allium flowers from Nature Hills Nursery
Purple allium wedding invitations, Two For Joy Paper.
3. Paper Poms.
I’ve been loving poms since I first saw them used for a gender reveal party for an expectant mother. I think they’re perfect fun for any party, especially an outdoor wedding. They add such a distinct look that you would never imagine they’re made from paper and very affordable!
Emarie and Nick’s wedding. Images by Jen Good.
4. Cotton Floral Arrangements.
Who knew cotton could be so glamorous? These arrangements are light, airy, organic and most importantly, very unique. I think they would give a heavenly element to any wedding decor and hope to see more of them in the future!
5. Venetian Inspirations.
I’m not just saying this because Venice is my favorite city on earth, but how beautiful is the new Venetian Collection by Verragio? This line of engagement rings and wedding bands has a flair for style and the perfect combination of old-world craftsmanship and cutting edge technology. Featuring Verragio’s signature crown shaped bezel beneath the center stone and meticulous attention to detail, each ring within the Venetian Collection puts an emphasis on accentuating the side profile. Ahh, it takes me back to the magical city of romance and gandolas…who could resist? Guys, if you’re looking for the perfect ring to complete your sentimental proposal, you’ll find it in this collection!
Monday’s Montage: Groomsmen Gifts
Last Monday we focused on Bridesmaid gifts and this week it’s the guy’s turn. If you’re not sure where to begin, take a look at these six useful and personal options varying in price range as you prepare to thank your best friends for being such a big part of your life and wedding day. Many grooms give their gifts the day before the wedding at the rehearsal dinner. Have fun picking something that fits your guys’ personalities perfectly!
1. For the Beach Bum–Swimming trunks that fit each groomsman’s style is a a great gift that the guys will never forget. Each time they go for a swim they’ll remember your love of water or your beach wedding. My very patriotic brother-in-law got American Flag board shorts (similar to these red, white and blue shorts by Freshjive) as a groomsmen gift from a best friend who was known for wearing swimming trunks around their college campus (top left).
2. For the Outdoorsy Type--A stainless grill set or the one-of-a-kind Keg-a-Que stainless steel charcoal grill make a functional gift for the camping or tailgating lover (top left center).
3.For the Practical Guy–Giving your groomsmen matching ties to wear in the wedding is a way to save them money when it comes time to buy the wedding attire. A tie is also a gift that can be worn again to other weddings and dressy occasions. These matching microfiber neckties made by Toybreaker’s shop on Etsy are made in the same design, and same ink color (top right).
4. For the Cigar Aficionado–A custom Cigar Infusion Barrel from Thousand Oaks Barrel Co. is a very cool gift that guys will love to show off to all their friends. Cigars are stored and infused in the flavor of your favorite spirit from whiskey, scotch, bourbon, tequila, rum, port or mead (bottom left).
5. For the Manly Man–A personalized hammer, flask, liter, or knife make a handy gift that any guy would love to have. My husband has gotten all of these over the years and he actually uses them each quite often. This black, leather stainless steel hip flask gift set from West Coast Jewelry would be perfect (bottom center)!
6. For the Sports Junkie--A personalized cooler chair for tailgating is a fun and unique option for guys that frequent sporting events. This Sit ‘N Sip Chair Cooler from Sweet Memory Baskets seconds as a sports stool, has plenty of room for favorite drinks and snacks as well as extra pockets for car keys or other accessories (bottom right).
Star Styles: Engagement Rings
We’re starting a new trend here at Where to Get Engaged called “Star Styles.” We know we’re not the only ones that love to look to celebrities for wedding inspiration and this time we’d love to take a closer look at the bounty of gorgeous engagement rings that have recently been quite hard to ignore. It seems like every day another member of the entertainment world is engaged, and the rings are beautiful, unique and of course, over the top. From yellow diamonds and pave to pear shapes and asscher cut, you may need a refresher on what are the hottest ring trends right now. If your girl has been fawning over any of these big sparklers, now is your chance to find something similar at a more affordable price.
1. Carrie Underwood: Carrie’s ring is a yellow diamond, estimated to be worth about $150,000. Check out the Masterwork Semi mount engagement ring with a prong set radiant cut fancy yellow diamond center stone surrounded by micro pave set diamonds with a micro pave and bezel set wave design diamond shank.
2. Ali Fedowtowsky: The latest bachelorette’s ring is a 3.03 center asscher-cut diamond, accented with 184 round brilliant-cut diamonds in a platinum setting, very similar to this ring offered at James & Sons.
3. Kellie Pickler: The country crooner’s ring is a brilliant cut center stone surrounded by a halo of pave diamonds, much like Verragio’s Paradiso Engagement Ring (style 3047R).
4. Hilary Duff: Her hockey-star fiance went all out with her 14-carat, radiant-cut engagement ring that is rumored to be worth $ 1 million. If you love the look of this ultra-glam ring, but want something a bit more budget friendly, consider the radiant cut three-stone ring (style 106) by David Levy.
5. Bethenny Frankel: The Real Housewives of New York breakout star of Bethenny Getting Married has an 8-carat ring with a 6 ½-carat pear-shaped center stone flanked by two side stones. If you are interested in a more affordable version, check out this almost identical sparkler by Diamond Nexus Labs.
Helpful Groom Duties: Planning the Transportation
Jason Keefer Photography
One of the things the groom-to-be can help with in the wedding planning process is organizing the transportation. What transportation? You may be assuming these kinds of things just work themselves out while your bride is silently freaking out in her head one hundred times a day over not just how she and her new hubby will make it from the church to the reception but how her lipstick and purse will make it, too. (Yes, guys, we really do think about these things.) So if helping your bride hasn’t been on your radar since getting engaged, this is a good time to do some research and impress your fiancee with your knowledge and willingness to help plan something that she probably sees as a hassle. If she is waiting for you to take some initiative, and you don’t want to fall trap to helping with the typical “girlie” stuff, then this is the perfect way to get involved. First and foremost, begin by organizing the transportation for the wedding party members (most importantly the guests of honor–you and your lovely bride).
Some things to consider:
1. How is the bridal party going to get from the hotel (or pre-ceremony location) to the ceremony, then to the reception, and then back to the hotel?
Consider providing a limo or other special vehicle to transport the entire party, at least from the ceremony to the reception.
2. Where can belongings be stored during the ceremony (especially for the bridesmaids who will undoubtedly have a bag with their toiletries and change of clothes from before the wedding) and how will they be safely transported and stored at the reception?
I suggest having a room mapped out for things to be stored in at the church or ceremony location.Just be sure the bride and groom’s belongings are kept away from one another so they don’t potentially run into each other unexpectedly before the big moment! Then place an usher or friend in charge of making sure everything gets transported to the reception and placed in another safe, central “room” where the bridesmaids or groomsmen can go to find their belongings when they’re ready to head out for the night.
3. How will the wedding gifts be transported from the church to the reception and to your future residence?
I would suggest putting an aunt or close family friend in charge of this so you don’t lose any gifts along the way.
4. Will the bride and groom have their own “getaway car” after the ceremony or will they be riding with the rest of the bridal party?
Plan ahead to have a driver from the ceremony and reception. My husband and I had a friend drive us from the ceremony to the reception in our “new to us” white Landcruiser. No, it wasn’t a limo but it was very special to us and it’s beautiful white sheen had a definite wedding feel. My husband had champagne waiting for us and our “driver” let us enjoy some time chatting away on the way to our big party.
5. How will the bride and groom get to their hotel or sleeping destination after the reception?
Make sure you have a sober driver in mind if needed. The last thing you want to worry about on your wedding night is how you will be arriving to your hotel room.
6. Will you be leaving for your honeymoon immediately from the reception or the next morning? If so, how will you get your luggage to and from the reception and how will you be getting to your destination or the airport?
Offer to help your bride pack for the honeymoon and deliver your bags to your hotel room ahead of time if possible.
7. When you arrive at your honeymoon destination will you need a ride from the airport to your resort? If so, plan ahead and find out the name of the shuttle service to be looking for. Stepping off the plane in a foreign country can be very intimidating with a plethora of drivers shouting names in different languages!
This can be more stressful than you think, and I was very impressed with my husband when we arrived at the chaotic Cancun airport and he knew exactly who to look for to whisk us away to our resort.
Monday’s Montage: Bridesmaid Gifts
Finding the perfect gift for your bridesmaids in your price range can be a daunting task. You want it to be personal, sentimental, pretty, and of course, useful. These six ideas are bound to spark your interest and help you narrow things down as you prepare to thank your best friends for being a part of your wedding day. Many brides give their gifts the day before the wedding at the bridesmaids luncheon or rehearsal dinner. Good luck choosing the best gifts for your girls!
1. The Classic: I gave my girls monogrammed tote bags filled with helpful wedding day goodies like gum, lip gloss, and tissues and have seen many others do this since. You can’t go wrong with this traditional route! These personalized picnic tote bags are from Beau Coup (top left).
2. The Personal: Another personal gift is the monogrammed robe wrap. This can be used for the day of wedding preparations and makes for a really cute picture! Check out The Palm Gifts for these monogrammed spa wraps with hot pink and black ribbon (top right).
3. The Stylish: Giving away matching clutch purses is a great idea for the bride that wants her girls to be coordinating on the big day. These “Alexis” clutch purses were made by A03 Designs Studio using pieces of the bride’s mother’s veil! How cool? (bottom left)
4. The Practical: Add some coordinating flip-flops or comfy shoes for your bridal party to your gift to ensure everyone has happy feet at the reception! Try these SwitchFlops in Lulu Brown from Rebecca Kathleen Bed, Bath and Lingerie Boutique (bottom left center).
5. The Useful: This is a new favorite among my friends. It’s personal, and can actually be used for many years.Consider a monogrammed picnic basket or market tote like this pink floral one from Simply Sassy Trendy Gifts and Trinkets. You can also fill it with additional gifts for your girls, like snacks for the wedding weekend (bottom right center).
6. The Jewels: A traditional stand-by gift and another way to have your maids coordinate on your wedding day is to give matching jewelry. Choosing a style that goes well with the dresses will prevent a mismatch of pieces and give a uniform look to the party. A coordinating set like the Oscar Collection from TARA Pearls would be beautiful with any attire! (bottom right)
What are some of your favorite bridesmaid gifts?
Weekly Dance Watch: Groom with the Moves
Normally, it’s the bride with the stand-out dancing and the groom is left trying to keep up. This video leaves the Bride trying to keep up with her quick moving and smooth dancing groom. From the very beginning the groom is all over this surprise first dance!
Spa Treatments for Him
image from Mimisan Natural Nail Spa
Spa treatments are no longer just for the ladies, especially in this age where terms like “metro-sexual” are used in everyday conversation. So guys, if all the wedding talk is stressing you out, or you just want to look your best for your bride on your big day, consider some of these stress relievers from a local spa. Don’t worry…we won’t tell!
1.Men’s facial: A facial will clean, exfoliate and nourish the skin. Get your face in tip-top condition before the big day with European Facials by Dzialo.
2. Manicure: Maybe you’ve never considered this before now, but trust me, the last thing a delicate, dainty bride wants to hold during the wedding ceremony are rough hands with dirty nails. Think about getting things cleaned up a bit at Luv Manicures and Pedicures.
3. Straight razor shave: A five-o’clock shadow on your wedding day is a big no-no! Getting a straight razor shave will be give you the clean edge you need to complement your polished wedding attire. Try a place like Eddie’s Haircut and Shave for this luxurious treatment.
4. Foot Reflexology: Profound relaxation and pain relief can be found through the application of applying pressure to certain reflexes in the foot. Consider get a foot reflexology treatment for anything from stress,headaches to back pain or sinus congestion to get yourself feeling your best before the big day.
5. Scalp Treatment: Treat yourself with an invigorating scalp treatment. Not only does it feel great, but it can stimulate your hair growth, too! I got this for my husband for Father’s Day at a local spa and he loved it!
Don’t be afraid to pamper yourself before your big day, guys. You won’t regret it!
Monday’s Montage: Cool Cake Toppers
Twenty years ago cake toppers were a dime a dozen–the traditional bride and groom in the classic white gown and black tux. If people wanted to mix things up they would use the quasi-funny groom being dragged to the alter by his eager bride. Well, things in the wedding industry have gone from very generic and basic to extremely personal and unique, and cake toppers are no exception. Some range from the couple’s monogram or initial to something that represents the couple, like a Labrador Retriever or sailboat. Others get classy with exquisite flowers, get funny with wacky figurines or get funky with something vintage or unique to their interests. Some cake designers can even recreate the bride and groom’s face and body using a photo of the couple! With all of this customization, choosing your cake topper can get complicated. Here are some neat ideas:
Overall, your cake topper is just another way to display your personality and have some fun. Here are some unique options to explore:
The Monogram: This is a very popular choice for the classy, traditional wedding from Buttercream Dreams, LLC (top left).
The Floral Delight: This is a very easy option that will easily coordinate with the rest of your wedding theme. You can even place the bridesmaid bouquets around the cake to further tie in the floral theme. Check out more like this with Buttercream Dreams, LLC (top left center).
The Humorous Hobby: If you share a funny interest or collection, consider displaying it in your cake topper, as seen in this creation by Carrie Ashton of Buttercream Dreams, LLC (top right center).
The College Sweethearts: A college mascot in couple form is an adorable way to honor your alma mater. These Virginia Tech Hokies look great as bride and groom and represent the couple in a personal way (top right).
The “Taste”ful Approach: Grapes or other foods can be used as cake toppers, as well. These grapes would be especially appropriate for a vineyard wedding. Check out more designs from Cakes Unlimited (bottom left).
The Nautical Theme: Using a theme that’s especially close to your heart and harmonizes with the rest of your wedding adds a special touch, whether in your cake topper or groom’s cake, as seen in this masterpiece done by Nancy’s Fancies (bottom left center).
The Personal Production: This couple had mini-mes created out of clay to match themselves to a “t.” Check out Kelli’s Cake Creations to get yours made (bottom right center)!
The Customized Creation: This cake is made to order by Chele’s Customized Cakes to represent the bride and groom’s love of the winter weather (bottom right).
What are some more cool cake toppers you have seen? Send me some pictures or post some to your profile to share with other readers!
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