What to do with Left-Over Decor

Today we want to discuss what to do with all the décor acquired during your wedding festivities. Regardless of the size of your wedding, there will be leftover items that you may not be sure what to do with. We have a few ideas for you about how to put these items to good use after the festivities are over.

Donate your flowers. A while ago, we wrote a blog about what to do with your leftover flowers. One of the best ideas we found is to donate them to your local nursing home, hospital, or an organization that specializes in recycling flowers. These flowers are then recycled and used to liven up what could be an otherwise melancholy space.

Give centerpieces to guests as they leave. If you bought the vases that your centerpieces were displayed in, you may have one too many to take home. A great idea is to round up all these centerpieces and let guests know they are welcome to take one on their way out. Many guests are more than happy to leave with a beautiful flower arrangement that they can display in their home for the next week or so. They are also gifted a new vase!

Incorporate specific items into your home décor. Aside from vases and flowers, there may be a few pieces of décor that you don’t want to part with. Separate out items that can be displayed in your home after the wedding, such as, framed pictures, your favorite votive candle holders (if you bought instead of rented), and various other miscellaneous items that you used to decorate your ceremony and reception with. This will be a sweet little reminder of your special day and a nice touch in creating a more beautiful living space for your everyday life. 

Save for another party. After separating out what you want to display in your home as opposed to what you don’t, consider going through the items you don’t want to display in your home and decide which items you may be able to utilize in future parties. Box it up and save it for later!

Donate to a friend or family member’s future party. If you don’t want any of the items in your leftover décor, offer it up to friends and family that may need it for their own future parties. You would be surprised how useful this may come to hosts and hostesses. Easy access to décor is highly desired and saves them a lot of time and energy in the decorating department.

Of course, if you have other ideas for your leftover décor then by all means, use them! Put those beautiful flower arrangements, garlands, picture frames, centerpieces, etc. to good use any way you can!

Beauty Tips for Every Bride

On Tuesday we covered hair ideas, so today, let’s focus on makeup. Whether you’re looking for that perfect smoky eye or complete natural look, we have some helpful tips for you not only for wedding day, but leading up to the day of as well. Here are some day-of and pre-wedding day tips and hints!

Sleep, sleep, sleep. Sleep is not only vital for functioning in everyday life, but it is even more vital when you’re getting ready for your big day. It helps fight dark under eye circles and puffiness, as well as makes you feel better and less stressed in general!

Cut down on dairy. It seems like dairy tends to be the culprit for most of our breakouts. If this is you, cut down on cheese, milk, even chocolate, in the days leading up to your wedding to avoid any surprise breakouts. We don’t like surprises when your special day is just around the corner.

Stick with what works. Don’t switch up your skin products, moisturizing regimen, or any other skin care routine you have that works for you too close to your wedding day. Don’t try to change something that doesn’t need to be changed—you risk the chance of a possible bad reaction. We want to avoid this at all costs!

Smoky eye. A look that we all love and chase after; the perfect smoky eye. If you want to convey a sultry, seductive bridal look, go for a smoky eye and nude lip. Since you’ll be sporting a bold eye, it’s better to keep the lip neutral, as not to overwhelm your features.   We recommend having a test run beforehand with a makeup artist that you trust and have hired for the day of.

Natural palette. Opposite of the smoky eye; a soft, romantic neutral look. If you go this route, a bold lip is welcomed, almost encouraged! However, feel free to go for a light lip if you want. Going for a more natural look inspires something sweet and simple as the overall aesthetic effect.  

Water, water, water. Drinking water helps flush out all the bad toxins from your body. In doing so, it helps cleanse your skin as well. This helps reduce any puffiness you may have from eating too much salt, etc. Water is always a good idea!

These are all simple and straight forward tips and hints that will just make you feel better in daily life, and even better in the days leading up to your wedding. We hope you can use them! 

Ben B. Photography

Meredith McKee Photography

Brooks Scribner Photography

Say I Do to the Perfect Hairdo

Unless you’ve already considered every hair idea you can possibly think of, there’s a good chance you’re currently going through the motions if you have recently become engaged. When considering how you want to wear your hair on your special day, there are a few important adjectives to keep in mind; timeless, comfortable and complementary.  Your hairstyle should make you feel beautiful and confident as you walk down the aisle toward your partner. Most importantly, it should be uniquely you. Here are some hair ideas to consider.

Sleek bun. Low or high, a simple and glossy bun is always a good choice. This hairstyle is the perfect complement to showcase your beautiful bone structure. It’s a modern spin on a classy and timeless style.

Whimsical waves. Loose, light waves accentuate a free flowing dress and a bouquet of wildflowers. If you are looking for something casual yet elegant, wear your hair down with a little wave for zeal.

Half up, half down.  Just taking your loose curls and fashioning them half up, half down gives a bit of a fancier vibe to a casual look. Pulling your hair tastefully out of your face while still showcasing your gorgeous locks, this hairstyle is a winner.

Braids incorporated. Braids are fun and festive, and go with literally any pre-existing idea you already had. You can wear big braids that tie into a low messy bun, or tight small braids here and there throughout a half up, half down hairdo. You can even braid the entirety of your hair and fashion it into a beautiful tousled arrangement similar to a crown.

Messy bun. If you want elegance without looking formal, a well done messy bun is the way to go. Much like the sleek bun, you can wear this style high or low, yet unlike the sleek bun, a few wisps of hair here and there to frame your face will give it a non-structured, casual appearance while still looking graceful.

It’s a good idea to flip through a couple magazines, or skim over recent red carpet highlights, and pick out your favorite looks. When you narrow it down to two or three different hair styles, have your hairdresser try each on you before your big day. You will no doubt find the most flattering fit for you, and will feel good wearing it. Good luck!

Photo by Melissa J. Soule Photography

Photo by Sea Studio

Photo by Jinda Photography

Photo by Magical Touch Media

Photo by Alante Photography. Hair by Salon Maison

Photo by Clane Gessel