How to Pick the BEST Dresses for your Bridesmaids

Long gone are the days of matching pink, puffy sleeved dresses that plagued the traditional bridesmaid of the 80’s and 90’s. We said goodbye to permed hair, excessive frills, and chucky gold jewelry. We no longer have to look back at pictures and say, “I can’t believe she made me wear that!”. As trends evolve over time, we can only hope that everything does not come back in style. Until then…it is time to appreciate this much anticipated fashion evolution. Today, the role of a bridesmaid has become more popular than ever. Colors have modernized to more neutral hues, styles have streamlined drastically, and hair and makeup have reached their prime thanks to the likes of YouTube and makeup influencers. Many brides have ditched the formalities of selecting a bridesmaid dress by allowing their chosen tribe to choose a style of their choice. This option can be a game changer for women of different shapes and sizes, while giving each gal an opportunity to display their personal style. Some brides have opted to assign multiple color options or even different shades of the same color, which creates a subtle ombre affect. We can partially thank this newfound, stylistic freedom to our progressive generation, but maybe we should really be thanking Pinterest. Let’s face it, those Pinterest boards are leading the way to inspiration, and bridesmaid dresses are no exception. As a close friend and bridesmaid of Sasha, I can attest to the amount of love, support, and planning that goes into celebrating your big day. This blog post will offer some great sources on where to find a bridesmaid dress along with some helpful insights from my own experience. 

The first task at hand is selecting a color scheme. As a bride, it is essential to pick a color/s that you find both aesthetically appealing and complimentary to your wedding. Many brides, like Sasha, knew she wanted a color that was elegant and befitting of her venue. As an added bonus for us bridesmaids, the dress was extremely comfortable and had pockets. (Who doesn’t love those?!) Thankfully, many of the recommended sites below allow you to order color samples before deciding on a specific dress color. This can be extremely helpful when you’re debating between two colors or you want a better idea of how the dress will look in person.

 Check out these sites for some great dress options: 

1. Azazie

https://www.azazie.com/

 2. Show Me Your Mumu

https://showmeyourmumu.com/

 3. David’s Bridal

https://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids

 4. BHLDN

https://www.bhldn.com/categories/bridal-party-bridesmaid-dresses

 5. Nordstrom’s

https://shop.nordstrom.com/c/bridesmaid-dresses

 6. Birdy Grey

https://www.birdygrey.com/

As a bridesmaid, I’ve learned that no matter what color or dress you’re assigned to, it is your job to rock it. You may feel gray does not work well with your complexion, but your fit and confidence will make all the difference. Choosing a bridesmaid dress can be stressful, but under no circumstances should you express your disdain or frustration to the bride. Find support through your friends and fellow bridal party, and never hesitate to ask for advice when you’re feeling overwhelmed. I highly recommend ordering your dress in advance because some dresses can take up to 3-6 months to deliver. This will also give you plenty of time to make the appropriate alterations. Trust me, you don’t want an unhappy seamstress after you give her only 24 hours before the big event. (Sorry Norma!) 

Right now I have four dresses hanging in my closet. Each dress a different style, color, and texture. Some a bit stained from a long night of drinking. Some a bit tattered from one too many attempts at the Cha Cha slide. They are all symbolic of a great evening and an even truer friendship. And luckily, I have the greatest friends to thank for that. Enjoy every moment of being a bridesmaid, because you never truly know when you’ll be searching for your next dress!

By: Michaella Malone

A huge THANK you to Michaella for writing this blog and an even bigger thank you for being such an amazing friend! The top picture is my Maid of Honor, Katie and Michaella and then the bottom picture is also Michaella as well!

Picture Credit: Exposure Studios

Who's ready to partyyyyyyy?!

If you caught on to my Bridesmaids reference, then we would TOTALLY be friends. If you couldn’t tell by my title, this blog post is going to be all about your girl gang aka your bridesmaids! Who you chose to stand by your side on your wedding day is so important, and these girls (or boys) will play a major role in some of your sweetest memories. They will be the ones who talk you down from an emotional breakdown, help you find your wedding gown, get ready with you, and so much more. It is crucial to choose your bridal party based on your genuine relationships, not because you feel obligated. You do not want to look back on your wedding pictures and regret seeing your cousin Sally that your mom insisted you include. Choosing a well-rounded bridal party puts a lot of pressure on the bride, but it is essential to choose each person with good intentions. This group should ultimately be lifelong friends or family, people who support your relationship and will remain an active figure in your life. 

Your bridesmaids are your support system. This is their main role throughout the entire wedding planning process and specifically on the day of. You need to keep in mind that this group of ladies are there to help you, but they shouldn’t be expected to build your center pieces or help track RSVP’s. As a bride, it is easy to become self-focused and start creating last minute expectations of the bridal party. They have their own lives too, including families and careers, and they should not be expected to make your life their own. Another notion when choosing your bridesmaids is to keep money in mind. Be mindful of your expectations and how heavily it affects their finances. You may not be able to have a lavish bachelorette party, extravagant bridal shower, and expensive bridesmaid dresses all together. Sometimes you might need to compromise on one or two things. I recommend making a list of your estimated expenses and privately talking with each bridesmaid to make sure it is feasible for them. You need to find the perfect balance between planning your dream wedding and being consciously aware of those who are involved. Communication is key, just like your future marriage. Make sure you are up front and able to talk openly with your tribe. That will ensure smooth sailing throughout the entire process! 

P.S. Keep an eye out for a new blog post about bridesmaid dresses! One of my own bridesmaids is pretty much a professional bridesmaid at this point and has some great tips on how to choose the best dress!

Photo Credit: Yana Shellman Photography

Survival Tips for the Introverted Bride

Coming from someone who HATES being the center of attention, I know anxiety can be a real factor when it comes to your wedding day. Many brides eagerly await their moment in the spotlight, but this is not the case for introverted brides. As much as you want to feel loved and celebrated on your special day, the idea of having 100 plus eyes narrowed on you can cause some serious stress. This is natural and should be expected, but most importantly, there is nothing wrong with feeling this way. It is my job to distract your nerves and make sure you feel at ease and comfortable with all the decisions made. While working with some awesome introverted brides, I gained useful tips on how to minimize the attention of your guests and make it even more about you and your soon to be husband (or wife)! 

1. First looks not only allow the couple to get a bulk of their photos done prior to the ceremony, but it also enables the couple to have a big moment become very intimate. You can do it with your bridal party watching nearby or on your own, it is totally up to you and whatever YOU are comfortable with. Your photographer and videographer will be there to capture every moment, while giving you and your partner a chance to spend meaningful time together before the madness begins. 

2. If you or your significant other are opposed to doing a first look, then a first touch could be the perfect thing for you! A first touch would be done prior to the ceremony, in which you could feel and talk to each other without taking away from the initial first glance of the bride walking down the aisle. It could give both partners a sense of peace and familiarity before heading into the ceremony. 

3. If the idea of reading in front of a bunch of people makes you want to faint (like myself), then I suggest exchanging vows prior to the ceremony. You can recite them to one another after you have completed the first look. I recently had a couple choose this option and they were able to have a more private and personalized experience for them. I think it is the perfect option for a more introverted bride or couple in general, and a sweet memory to go along with their big day.

4. A private dinner is also a great option to spend personal time with your husband or partner once the festivities have begun. The guests will be busy mingling with friends and family and focusing on the delicious food, while you and your significant other can eat and spend quality time together in a private location nearby. Although this option is unique compared to a traditional reception, it creates an intimate and romantic moment away from your family and friends. 

5. One of the last things I would recommend for introverted brides, would be to cut off some of the “expected” formalities of a traditional wedding. I always recommend doing a first dance, but maybe you could cut out the bouquet and garter toss. The less you would need to be announced by your DJ, the better! 

Your wedding day is exactly what I just mentioned, YOUR wedding day. Make it your own, and let your personality be the driving force behind your planning. Do not feel pressured to do the “norm”, because you never want to look back on your special day and feel any regret at all.

Photo Credit: Yana Shellman Photography

Baby's First Birthday Fiesta!

As you can imagine in my role as an event planner, I take great pride in planning and putting together a memorable experience for my boy’s birthday parties. It gives me the opportunity to exercise my creative juices and create fun and unique themes that can be enjoyed by children and adults. My youngest son, Nolan, turned one on July 17th, and his party was quite the FIESTA. I stumbled upon this theme on Pinterest several months ago so I can’t take all the credit, however, it was a great starting point to my inspiration. I mean, who doesn’t love tacos?! I am super thankful for my husband who remains supportive and helpful throughout the process. Also, thank you to my amazing mom for flying up from Florida to help with all the last-minute party prep! Without my family’s support, I would not have pulled off such a special celebration

I found some great décor items on Etsy, like his personalized paper banner and cupcake toppers. When in doubt, check Etsy! They will probably have what you need. I also came across this amazing party décor website, Shop Sweet Lulu. I purchased a custom balloon garland kit and confetti filled large balloons. They have everything you need, for any type of party! My son’s nickname is “Noons” or “NoonieBoons” and I thought Pin the Stache on the Noon’s, was a fun addition to his party. I had a local baker, Jenni’s Goodies, make his smash cake, cupcakes, and cookies. I can promise you they taste even better than they looked! It is so rewarding to see something you’ve worked so hard on come together just as you imagined.

It was such a fun day with friends and family celebrating little Nolan. All events, are big events in this household. Now time to start planning Kaysen’s birthday!

Who is How Could You Knot?

Who is How Could You Knot?

Welcome to my FIRST blog post! I thought the best way to start was to introduce myself to the world wide web. On my website I have a little “about” page that tells a bit about me, but I thought I would give you five fun facts!

1. I started working in the wedding industry in 2012 and was hooked every since. I was assisting a planner in Florida with a very large wedding. There was a little bit of chaos but a whole lot of love and it left me wanting more! I will most likely ugly cry (behind the scenes of course) on your big day. What can I say? I am sucker for love!

2. A wedding planner is one way to describe me, but I am also a wife and a boy mom. I got married in 2017 to my husband, Josh, and it was the best day ever. I hired my own day of coordinator, but I did all of the planning and design myself. I still cry (not shocking) at my wedding video, hence why I think hiring a wedding videographer is something to make a priority in your overall budget. My two boys, Kaysen and Nolan are my world. They are both sweet as can be and can make me smile on any bad day.

3. Speaking of kids, I cannot forget my two furbabies Lola and Boomer! I probably am way too obsessed with the two of them, but if you met them you would understand why! If you have a dog of honor or a best dog that you want to make part of your wedding, you will not get any push back from me!

4. When I married my husband, I also married into the crazy fandom of Philadelphia sports. I can promise you, if I am not at a wedding on the weekends I am at some type of sporting event. I will not be mad if Gritty or Swoop makes an appearance at your big day.

5. The last three things I would say that describe me would be- a lover of all things Disney, Justin Timberlake and Grey’s Anatomy. I am a huge fan of all three! I grew up in Florida, so I practically lived at Disney. My favorite rides are Tower of Terror and Test Track. I have loved Justin since my teeny bopper days listening to ‘Nync. I am seeing his Man of the Woods Concert again in Philadelphia in the spring of 2019, and I could not be more excited! I promise I will answer your calls and texts on Thursday night when Grey’s is on, but you better know I will probably have to gossip about that week’s episode!! This last sentence is a (very) honorable mention to all things Bachelor/Bachelorette.

I hope this has given you a little look at who I am and most of the things I love! I cannot wait to get to know future South Jersey/Philadelphia brides in the same way!

Xoxo, Sasha