When planning the attire for your big day, we always tell brides to go out of the box for bridesmaid dresses. Our favorite places to look are not your typical wedding store or bridesmaid shop. As you will see below, we love to look at places like Revolve, Nordstrom, Pretty Little Thing, etc. for your wedding party’s attire.
Since we love to style our brides, we get asked all the time for suggestions on bridesmaid looks and color trends we think will look great for a wedding. It has been very common over the last few years to play it safe and go for a neutral color like champagne or blush, but we want to shake things up a bit and send you a bridesmaid color we love and adore…blue.
Check out some super cute amazing blue bridesmaid dresses, we think you will look amazing on your ladies at your wedding:
“We are still getting married, but rescheduling.” How many of you can relate? More than we would like to count, if we are being honest.
We all look forward to big celebrations and planning for life within our industry, however in recent, we have been faced with a sudden an immediate halt to everything around us.Clients postponing, vendors shutting doors, our once go to person now not working and it seems to continue on that trend.After this, though, we need to continue to exist.We need to continue on with life and create those same celebrations that we all once enjoyed pre-March 9, 2020.
While the beginning of this blog sounds very familiar to everything else out there in the news and press, at BTS we want to make sure that if you are one of those going through the back and forth of compartmentalizing all of what is happening to your very own wedding day, it is important for us to help you in this process.That said, let’s get right to it and make sure you all know what the steps and procedures are that you need to do to make this a seamless process for everyone.
Reschedule First, Do Not Cancel!
First and foremost, talk to your partner about what you should be doing and take into consideration the health and well being of the two of you, your families and your guests. If any of this seems a little weird and uncertain, it may be best to come up with an alternative. Change your date, and postpone. You shouldn’t cancel. There is no need to do that. Your wedding day is still super important and it needs to be celebrated. Your friends and family members will definitely agree.
Contact Your Vendors
Inform your wedding planner if you have one.You may feel it necessary to do some things on your own, keep in mind that we are hired for coordination.That means coordination of all things related to the wedding; cancelling, postponing, etc.You are likely not the first one to be doing this so let us help you by making this a super simple and easy transition.
If you do not have a wedding planner, contact your venue to understand the policies and procedures for what is happening. Remember, we are in a national emergency (super scary couple of words to be saying out loud – we know) so everyone is understanding. Next is to consider a new date/dates. Keep in mind, LOTS of dates are changing right now so you want to make sure you reach out as soon as possible. Once you have established this, it is time to move on to your other vendors.If they are all available, great! If not, keep track of the conflicting vendors to see if there is anything that can be done to ensure you are able to keep them on the roster. Ask your wedding planner for tips on what to do if not everyone is able to make the switch.
Contracts
It is important to ask your vendors for revised contracts that reflect the new dates. This should be done so that there is documentation of all of the changes. Do not be worried. Be cautious in making sure that with all of the moving pieces going on within the event industry, you are protecting yourself. Another contract to consider updating is your event insurance if you have this.
Communicate To Your Guests
After all is settled and you have landed on a new date, it is time to inform your guests. Do not forget about them. Though there is a lot going on, they are still wondering about your wedding. Send out a postponement announcement via email/text/paperless post as soon as you know your new date so guests know exactly what is going on and can plan accordingly. This is similar to a save the date. Short and to the point. It allows guests the chance to understand what is going, make travel adjustments and inform the necessary accommodation people of the changes.
Don’t forget, keep your wedding website up to date and as current as possible. You may need to resubscribe to the server that you have been using so that it does not expire. Sometimes there is a timestamp on how long the sites stay active for.
After this, you will want to plan to send out another invitation closer to the wedding for rsvp’s. Keep this simple and to the point – probably just one card including the new date and food options available for selection. You need these rsvp’s to be as current as the first round of them.
Personal Adjustments
You are likely in the home stretch of everything, so appointments are made and booked. Don’t forget about them. Things such as dress fittings, facials, manicures/pedicures, tans and more have to be rescheduled. Make sure to pick up your dress from your seamstress so that it is in your possession and no one else’s. The honeymoon is likely a standstill as well so make any necessary adjustments to these travel plans as well.
Breathe
We know, this was a lot and unfortunately, not fun at all. Wedding planning is supposed to always be fun though, right? Well, it will be again. Spin it whichever way you want as long as you find the silver lining. Find the fun in the process and the uniqueness of the situation. At the end of the day, you were planning this day as a celebration of two lives coming together as one – we need to make sure that happens still. We also need to make sure that the celebration continues with the people you care most about.
https://btseventmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Blog_319-scaled.jpeg12001800BTS_adminhttps://btseventmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1-300x300.pngBTS_admin2020-03-19 05:57:382020-03-19 06:03:52We Are Getting Married, But Rescheduling
Personalization? Yes! Please!! Something trendy, fun and functional? Yes, again! Groomsmen gifts AND bridesmaid gifts – always. We are constantly being asked from our clients if we have any cool and unique gift ideas for their wedding party and while we’re at it, do we know how to customize it? Well yes, in fact, we do and we have partnered with Groovy Guys Gifts on this blog to show you that there are so many gift options out there. Like – So many! From customized duffle bags to pocket knives to cigar cutters and old fashioned ice rocks, their options are endless and to be honest, while I scroll through Groovy Guy’s website, I can confidently say that my husband would find use in A LOT of these products so we know that your groomsmen would love them too.
Let’s be honest, shopping for guys can be a little tough and rough because you never know if they are going to use what anything that is bought but when you put a little extra touch of sentiment to it and add in something that is relatable to them, they cherish items forever. So Grooms – be the best one out there and get them something that your guys can use forever. Whatever that may be, cuff links or a travel bag – they will cherish for as long as they have it. Check out Groovy Guys Gifts for all your wedding related, one stop shop, gifts for all. It just makes sense!!
https://btseventmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1-300x300.png00BTS_adminhttps://btseventmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1-300x300.pngBTS_admin2019-10-03 12:55:382019-10-23 16:46:45The Best Wedding Party Gifts: Groovy Guys
You outsource things for your wedding like your makeup and floral design—would you ever outsource your vow writing to someone? Find out how we learned how to write the perfect wedding vows from a complete stranger!
We sat down to talk with Katelyn Stanis, a wedding vow and speech writing expert. She gave us the down low on all things custom vow writing.
Katelyn started her vow writing business, Wedding Words, in 2017 and has been penning couples vows from all over the world ever since. She also works with the maid of honor to write a speech that the bride will absolutely adore.
Here are her five tips to write the perfect wedding vows, personalized and all. Be sure to check out our recent episode with her to listen to all her juicy advice.
Step 1: Gathering material for your vows
Have a brainstorm by spending 20 minutes jotting down any memory or emotion that comes to mind. Then circle the concepts that you want to expand on for your vows.
You can also interview yourself by asking questions and recording your answers. Transcribe the audio and use this as the basis for your wedding vows.
Step 2: Identify themes
Once you’ve compiled some vow writing ideas and notes, start to identify themes.
What themes stand out in your notes? Do you talk a lot about your partner’s sense of humor or their thoughtfulness? Use these themes to anchor your vows and to move the vows forward from one story to the next.
Step 3: Write the first draft
Now that you have an idea of what you want to include in your vows, you can write the first draft. Be sure to start by addressing your fiancé.
Then communicate details about what you love about your partner and your relationship.
Next, detail out specific promises you want to make. Lastly, close with a love-filled sentence.
Step 4: Edit your vows
It’s time to edit your first draft. Start by removing any unnecessary words. If you can read a sentence and it has the same meaning with some of the words removed, go ahead and remove those words. You don’t want to include anything that doesn’t add meaning and impact to your vows.
Be sure to align with your fiancé on the sentiment and tone of your vows too. The last thing you want is for your vows to be full of sweet and sentimental thoughts and for your partner to focus on just having funny wedding vows.
Step 5: Practice reciting your vows
The final step is to practice reciting your wedding vows out loud. Video record yourself so you can watch yourself and make improvements or recite your vows in front of your maid of honor.
Be sure to also print your vows or use a vow booklet. Whatever you do—don’t read your vows from your phone!
Follow these five vow writing steps and you’ll be on your way to creating personalized and perfect wedding vows.
https://btseventmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1-300x300.png00BTS_adminhttps://btseventmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1-300x300.pngBTS_admin2019-09-24 12:00:172019-09-25 07:05:17How to Write the Perfect Wedding Vows: by Katelyn Stanis
As wedding planners, we work with a wide variety of couples. Each set has their own lives ahead of them and also their own agenda to prepare as they enter into this new life and this new beginning as husband and wife.
For many of our couples, we have the experience of sharing in this journey with them and taking them through these times that are not necessarily just about planning a wedding but also planning trips, rerouting homes and traveling on the regular. Janay and Jamil are the epitome of that and a relationship experience that we feel it is important to highlight for those that are going through similar experiences like theirs. Keep reading for this Q&A from Janay Lampkin, future Mrs. Douglas. Drop a comment if you have any questions for Janay.
Tell us about yourself and your relationship, how long have you been dating?
Jamil and I are “college sweethearts” and have been together for 8 years! We met early on in college and the rest was history. We’ve been together through degrees, career changes, pitfalls and promotions. It really feels like two relationships wrapped up in one. It’s been a wild ride but I wouldn’t change one detail.
How many times have you moved throughout your relationship?
Whew. this is a triggering question 🙂 I think between the two of us we’ve moved once per year throughout our entire relationship. Keep in mind, throughout college we moved within the same city. We didn’t start moving to new states until our careers forced us to. So in the last 5 years we’ve moved once during season and then typically we spend off seasons in AZ — I’ve lost count, okay? 🙂
How many times have you moved since being engaged?
Twice!
Has moving interfered in wedding planning at all? If so, please explain (setting dates, scheduling important wedding planning meetings, juggling daily routines, etc).
Honestly, not as much as you’d think. At first, it took us some time to get used to ALL of the moving pieces but having BTS has helped us to really put the entire process into perspective. We got engaged literally weeks before camp, so I pretty much knew that there would be minimal planning until season was well underway. We’ve really embraced shared calendars, deadlines, and he’s been the best brainstorming partner. Ladies: let your man weigh in on the different details, it’s actually way more fun that way!
Aside from moving, have you experienced any other life changes during your engagement period (job changes, family happenings, baby planning, new pets)? How have those life changes impacted wedding planning?
I decided to leave the corporate style career and explore my industry as a full-time digital marketing + content consultant so that I could be remote and full time be physically in the same place as my Fiancé. By the time we were engaged, I was pretty accustomed to fully working remotely and was in a pretty good routine. about 2 months into our engagement we found out we were being signed to TN so I essentially hit the pause button on wedding stuff so I could pack up a five-bedroom house and get us settled in a brand new city. But looking back, wedding planning was made so much easier with planners, It was stressful but so doable.
What are the biggest challenges in juggling regular life and wedding planning?
Wedding planning really started to pick up in off-season (Thank God) so we’ve been so blessed to be in the same city as our planners making meetings and communication 10x easier. There is a lot of decision making so it’s been tricky to just hone in on one decision while also continuing to be conscious of budgets. I would say one big challenge that I wasn’t expecting are all of the opinions. If you are a natural “people pleaser” wedding planning will be challenging at first. But eventually, you get really good at focusing on what you and your partner value most and just shrugging your shoulders at all the other noise.
While moving around, have you and your partner had to deal with long-distance?
Very, very brief long-distance (2 months max). Football is definitely a year-round thing so there are definitely a few weeks where he will have to go back for training and I hold down the fort with our dog and coordinate the visits so that can eliminate all of the unnecessary logistics that come with dog parenting. We’ve found our groove so it really doesn’t feel like a chore at this point!
What is the biggest struggle with moving around often, wedding planning, work-life balance and maintaining a healthy relationship? How do you overcome the challenges that come along with the above?
Over communicating, checking in, and communicating some more. There are so many moving pieces and deadlines and task lists. You can probably tell by now that I am VERY type-A. I live for a shared calendar, to-do list, and planner and legit have to remind myself to check in with myself and my fiancé. Checking in on each other is something we’ve always prioritized and I truly believe it’s made the process so much more stress-free.
What are you most looking forward to after the wedding?
The marriage part 🙂 While the wedding planning process has been very exciting and special, we are both so much more excited to just be married and to pour into our union and family.
What advice do you think your partner would give to other grooms in the same situation? ha! He would probably say there are a ton of deadlines and lots of money spent so plan accordingly and enjoy the ride 🙂
What is the best advice for other brides going through the same or similar changes that you have or are going through?
To remind yourself that It’s a blessing. Whether you are having a giant wedding with a guest list of 300 or a more intimate wedding with less than 100 people, it’s about you and your person. As long as you are both present, happy and celebrating each other and this amazing life change, it will all come together no matter the cross-country move, curveball, or life change!
We hope feel like you’re a part of Janay’s journey. We can’t wait to share more details with you on her venue, decor and so much more. Don’t forget to head over to She Said Yes podcast to listen to Janay’s episode!
As a bride, there are so many items on your checklist that you will want to cross out the month leading up to the wedding but in preparation for the 30-day countdown, let’s make our own list so that you can stay on track with your self-love prior to the big day!
Here are our top ten things to make sure you check off your list:
Exfoliate and brighten up that face
You want to make sure you are GLOWING on your wedding day. This is not something you want to start on the week of the wedding. Begin your face care practice well in advance so you know exactly what your skin can take. The last thing you will want walking down the aisle is a breakout or big red rash! Consult with your aesthetician for the best plan for you!
Paws and Claws
Head to the salon or pick out a few of your top color picks! Give yourself some time to wear the color before you commit to the wedding. Once you decide, get those paws and claws done days before.
To Tan or Not to Tan!
Your wedding week isn’t the time to get a spray tan for the first time, ever. If you are wanting that tan look for your wedding day, look into getting one prior to gauge if it’s a yes or a no.
Pamper Those Pearly Whites
I say this word just like my daughter, big smile and all pearls showing. NOTHING is worse than getting pictures and your teeth are looking a little yellow. This is not just for the ladies but for the hubs to be as well. Make an appointment with your dentist to get a quick clean up and whitening or make a pact to complete those crest white strips. A little effort goes a LONNNGGGG way here.
Botox Babe
Full believers over here of a smooth forehead and no lines. Botox takes at least 5 days to kick in fully. If you have a regimen already started, contact your specialist and see if you can get in early to make sure your wrinkles are no more. If this is your first time, give yourself time! 30 days in advance is perfect.
Get Those Hair Color Touch Ups
Only you know how fast your hair grows and if you have an extreme amount of color growth, it’s probably the time to get things figured out. Highlights or retouches, they are so important – do this about 7-10 days out.
Eat Cleaner
Now, this isn’t something that is new to people. If you haven’t really been following a plan during the months leading up to the big day, make sure you figure this out 30 days in advance. Don’t hold back, eat what you want but at the same time, keep it in moderation. The goal is not to starve yourself, the goal is to feel good, right? Good food makes you feel good–Promise!
Exercise Consistently
1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and get them sit ups right and . . . move ya body! Get in the gym, go out for a walk, take a hike, swim, bike, etc. You don’t need to have long sessions, 30 minutes is great but a little goes a long way in feeling sexy. We have a workout plan you can download if you’re looking for some gym workouts. You can find our program here! Here’s a tip. Do it with your bridesmaids, they’ll love it!
Get Some Sleep 7-8 hours of sleep per night is known for many things; controls hunger, it helps your immune system’s functionality, and memory retention just to name a few. All of these being important for your wedding day. Set schedules, get a new pillow if you need, cool down that bedroom and get those hours in!
Stay Hydrated 1. Helps prevent hangovers 2. Helps with weight loss 3. Increases energy levels 4. Helps maximize physical performance 😉
Which of these items on our checklist do you need to work on more for your big day? Comment below!
https://btseventmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Blog-1-1.png6421560bts-marketinghttps://btseventmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1-300x300.pngbts-marketing2019-07-09 07:00:212019-07-03 21:34:42Every Future Bride Needs This Big Day Checklist
When was the last time you Insta or YouTube stalked one of those relationships that have the most fairytale-esk proposal stories, that just make you wanna cry tears of joy? Well, we’ve got one for you today! Jaylee is a former ASU Spirit Squad member who found herself mutual friends with and crushing on, wait for it… a SUN DEVIL FOOTBALL PLAYER (cue the heart eye emojis and 90s Rom-Com music)! Michael and Jaylee hung out here and there, ran into each other at a lot of school events and then realized that they grew up in the same city back in California and had a TON of mutual friends! Told ya it was like a fairytale!
Jaylee was a guest on our podcast She Said Yes, and served us ALL off the juicy details, including how Michael was able to surprise her with their dream proposal location. Here’s the kicker, she didn’t have one clue that he was proposing. There’s nothing like a genuinely surprised bride-to-be, so touche Michael!
Because we knew you just couldn’t get enough of their love story, we decided to ask the Bride a few more pre-wedding questions to help you get to know her a bit more, as we showcase our experience during her planning process. Let’s dive into her head to see what this process has been like for her so far!
BTS: Do you feel different now that you’re a fiancé?
Jaylee: Honestly, no! We’ve been together for about five and a half years and every day gets better and better. I truly think it’s weird calling him my fiancé … I always call him my boyfriend still (be)cause it feels like too fancy of a word for me. I can’t wait to call him my husband though, that I have no problem saying!
BTS: What are you most excited about for your wedding day?
Jaylee: Cliche, but I’m so excited to walk down the aisle and see Michael’s reaction. We aren’t doing a first look so I think this will be a really special moment. I’m also just super excited to be surrounded by 250 people that we absolutely love and adore that want to celebrate US!
BTS: What celebrity wedding did you love and why?
Jaylee: Oooo tough question (be)cause I don’t follow too many celebrity weddings, but I do love Morgan Stewart’s wedding. She had the right amount of simple and over the top, which is what I’m trying to do. And the clean all white look, I love that too, but I’m trying to add a little more flavor than just all white.
BTS: Does your ring have a nickname?
Jaylee: People do this?! My ring does not have a nickname, but I must say it is my BABY. I clean it at least once a week because I never get tired of that fresh sparkle. Maybe I should think of a name though … honestly, no name would ever do it justice!
BTS: Will you be having any pre-wedding parties? If so, do you have anything planned already?
Jaylee: Yes! We’re going to do an engagement party sometime this summer as just a fun way to get everyone excited for the wedding. It won’t be anything too extravagant. Think of it more as an excuse to hang with our friends and celebrate being engaged again. I did a long engagement for a reason, it only happens once so celebrate as much as you can!
BTS: Is your wedding day something you’ve been dreaming about for a long time (the typical little girl playing dress up for her wedding)?
Jaylee: YES. I have definitely been dreaming of this day my whole life. My friends and I used to play “wedding” when we were little. I was also a flower girl in a couple of weddings and remember thinking the bride was so pretty and how I couldn’t wait to be that girl one day. I’ve had Pinterest boards for years and have been saving wedding inspo on Instagram since it was possible to even start saving photos. My style has changed a little bit, but I have no problem continuing to look for wedding photos and inspiration whenever I get the opportunity.
BTS: Do you think your hubby-to-:be will let you have full control over planning, or will he be hands-on in the process?
Jaylee: He likes to act like I have full control, but whenever I show him ideas he always throws in his two cents. It’s pretty cute. He also has little things he really wants to happen on our wedding day so I’ll be sure to make those happen. He will definitely want to try all the food too, that he definitely won’t miss out on!
BTS: What do you imagine your bridal style being like?
Jaylee: My bridal style is all over the place. That’s why I have my (BTS) wedding planners to help me hone in on a style. But I like clean and modern with elegance. I don’t like the luxurious/glam feel. I want people to feel comfortable and like there truly is just a feeling of love and closeness. We’re doing an estate wedding, so I feel like that helps bring those styles/vibes.
We hope now you feel like you’re a little part of Jaylee’s journey. We can’t wait to share more details with you regarding her venue, decor and so much more! Don’t forget to head over to She Said Yes podcast to listen to Jaylee’s episode and completely melt over the way she talks about her relationship!
Remember how Mary (Jennifer Lopez) in The Wedding Planner crosses the street and gets her high heel stuck in a manhole? Working through an entire wedding in heels is painful & totally not how real-life wedding planners dress!
The 5 Commandments of Wedding Planners:
Go for comfortable but cute and trendy
Always invest in stylish flats
All black always
Pants & crops are key and look amazing with flats but there are some cute professional dresses that’ll fit the job too!
Ditch the denim. You want to aim for a stylish & professional look.
So if you’re wondering how to follow these guidelines so you look & feel like the boss babe you are, get your weekly dose of inspo below.
The Liam Pant
You don’t have to hide your figure when opting for pants. These are a go-to for wedding planners who want to elegantly embrace their feminine silhouette without stealing the show. Plus that flattering high-rise fit makes for a modern & sophisticated look.
Crepe Long Sleeve Jumpsuit
Hate the stress that comes with searching for a matching top and bottom? Neither do we. If you want to make your decision as simple yet stylish as possible, opt for this long sleeve jumpsuit. It’s elasticized waist and flowy fabric will keep you comfy and looking amazing as you’re running around, working your magic, and making wedding dreams come true.
Limited Edition Buttoned Pants
For the more classic ladies who appreciate a little touch of retro, these high-waisted pants are a must! The front pockets will make sure you have everything you need at reach and the inner side vents will keep you fresh during the hustle & bustle of a wedding day.
Limited edition Blouse With Balloon Sleeves
Perfect for wedding planner going for a retro chic look while also looking for some extra coverage to stay warm & cozy. The high collar, wide cuffs, and shoulder detail take this blouse from basic to ultra-sophisticated. Pair it with the fitted limited edition pants for a super stylish look.
Halogen Sabrina Collapsible Back Flat
These minimalist slippers are perfect when you’re running around. Plus, the collapsible back makes it so versatile and comfy. The last thing any wedding planner wants are sore feet! This pair of shoes feels like a dream and matches beautifully with any black outfit.
Which of these would you wear or mix and match? Tell us in the comments below!
Destination weddings are becoming more and more popular, especially amongst our brides. Why? It’s simple. The beauty of the location. One issue brides run into when planning a destination wedding is searching for the location. We frequent Cabo–for work–not for play. Lol. So we’ve broken down a list of our four favorite Cabo wedding venues, in no particular order. Take a look!
Acre
Unlike most of the venues on this list, Acre is a venue, not a resort. They did, however, add in some tree house bungalows for guests to stay in. This venue is perfect for a boho, hipster kind of bride. Take a look at these amazing pictures. We’re positive you’ll love it too!
The Cape
If you’re a modern bride, who loves the desert, the Cape is the venue for you. If the desert and the ocean got married and had a baby, The Cape Hotel would be that baby. Don’t just take our word for it, see for yourself.
Grand Velas
If you’re looking for a higher-end option, the Grand Velas is your go-to. It does come at a higher price point, but it is an all-inclusive experience complete with high end culinary and top-shelf liquor only. The vibe of this venue is modern, pretty and minimalistic. Check out the photos of this beautiful venue.
Resort at Pedregal
This venue screams luxury and natural beauty. We’re obsessed and we know you will be too. If exclusivity is your thing, this venue is not a step-and-repeat type of venue. Just take a look for yourself.
Ladies, if you’re planning a destination wedding in Cabo, let us know in the comments which of these four venues you’d choose for your big day.
Yes, we frequent Cabo. No, we’re not dual citizens. Yes, Cabo may be one of our top five destination wedding locations. As we recap one of our most beautiful Cabo weddings, we’re about to show you why!
As destination wedding planners, we typically work hundreds of miles away from our couples and wedding locations but have been able to master systems to make this process as smooth as possible.
A few months ago, we had a Father of Bride contact us, who was actually a guest at one of our previous weddings and desperately needed some help getting his daughter’s wedding in order. They originally hired a company out in Cabo to handle their wedding planning and design and faced a couple of rough obstacles, which consumed a lot of their wedding planning time.
We were more than happy to step in and assist with re-doing a few things that had already been done but didn’t meet the standards of our couple, as well as wrapping up a lot of loose ends that needed tending too. This was a lot of hard work for our team but the perfect results were worth every second of It. We were able to really get to know the bride and her family and create a wedding setting and timeline for the night that fit their needs just perfectly.
This Cabo wedding was nothing short of amazing. With a pink, black and white color palette, we were able to design the wedding of our bride’s dreams. Check out the images and vendors that helped make this happen below!