When getting married there are oh so many details and sometimes its easy to forget things but our dear friends at the Knot made this handy little list of BIG things that you absolutely dont want to forget!! Check it out!

Biggest Things Brides Forget

Here are the top ten things that brides tend to forget, but need to remember.

by Meridith Bodgas

With all the planning you’re doing right now, it’s hard to imagine there’s any detail you haven’t thought of, but trust us, there are certain to-dos that somehow never make it to the list. Here are the top ones we hear about all the time.

Making post-wedding plans

We’re not talking about the honeymoon here (who would forget to plan that?). We mean you need to decide what you’re doing immediately after your wedding. If you don’t want the party to end with the last dance, you should pick a late-night spot in or near one of the guest hotels. If privacy isn’t all that important, book your wedding night room in the same hotel as your guests. If you just want to get to bed, we strongly suggest you book a room elsewhere.

Bringing your overnight bag

If you’re allowed to check into your hotel room early—and you don’t personally need to be there to officially check in— pick someone to drop your overnight bag at your hotel before your ceremony starts. A guest who’s staying at the same place will more than likely be happy to do this for you, since they’re going to have to check in anyway! If your things can’t arrive sooner than you, ask a bridesmaid to be responsible for bringing your bag to the wedding and finding a safe spot for it in the bridal suite. Even easier, if you’ll have the same car or limo for the entire day and night, opt to keep your stuff in the boot.

Picking someone to take your things home after the reception

Your gifts, mementos (think toasting flutes, cake topper, unity candle and guest book) and any leftover food, booze or cake need a trusty escort to get them home. Choose a person and let them know about their responsibility. And you may want to donate your centrepieces. Nursing homes typically accept flowers, but call at least a few days before the wedding to find out when someone can drop off the arrangements. If you’re changing out of your gown before you head to your hotel room, you’ll need a person to take it home, too— even if you have no plans to get it professionally preserved, you don’t want to leave it behind! Make sure there’s a hanger and a garment bag on hand (the one your dress came with will do!) so your gown stays in tip-top shape.

Deciding where everything goes

Besides planning where all of your guests sit, you need to figure out where you’ll put programs, escort and place cards, menus (if you’re having them) and bomboniere. Once you’ve picked who’s going to set these out—your wedding coordinator, bridesmaids and banquet managers are all good choices—give them clear instructions on where they should go (one bomboniere on every other plate at tables, for instance, if you want couples to share the takeaways, or all of them in two baskets by the exits if you want guests to pick them up on the way out). Also, if your venue’s staff will be setting out these items, find out when you can drop everything off—some venues want everything a couple of days before your wedding; others won’t take anything ’til the actual day.

Decorating the other areas

Of course, no guest will walk out of your wedding if the bathrooms and cocktail bar are left bare. But with all the energy that’s put into dressing up the reception and ceremony spaces, you might want to put in the small extra effort to give these spots the décor they deserve. A few candles will work.

Buying gifts for the wedding party

When gifts are constantly coming to your door, it’s hard to remember that you also need to dole some out! So who makes it on the gift list? Everyone who plays a role in your day—yes, your parents and future in-laws, too. You don’t need to make a big presentation.

Choosing how to gather the gifts

There are three times when guests are likely to thrust gifts at you: while they’re in the receiving line, during your table visits and when they leave for the night. Designate a person—one of your bridesmaids, your mum or your groom’s mum—to collect envelopes, and have them by your side with a large but inconspicuous bag when you’re saying hello and goodbye to your guests. That person should also keep an eye out for guests who seem a little lost at the reception—they may be trying to figure out where they should put their gift! If you decide instead to have a wishing well, box or other stationary receptacle, tell a few people to subtly spread the word around.

Figuring out your day-after plans

If you’re leaving for your honeymoon straight from your hotel, make advance arrangements for a car service to take you from the hotel to the airport, and be sure you bring any luggage you want with you on your trip (and a passport if you need it). If you’re not going on your honeymoon right away, then you need to know where you’re going the morning after your wedding (to your new—or old—home, or your parents’ house?) and how you’re going to get there. Park your car at the hotel before your wedding if you’re allowed, or ask a friend to come pick you up and bring you where you want to go the next day. Don’t schedule your ride too early—with any luck, you’ll be exhausted.

Bringing the legal documents

Signing your marriage certificate after the wedding ceremony is one of the most important aspects of your day; after all, it officialises the reason you threw a wedding in the first place! After all the hours of planning, you’re probably more focused on the party afterwards than the legal side of your nuptials, but without the paperwork, all the stress and money spent will be for nothing. Your celebrant should hopefully keep you on top of all the legal requirements, such as lodging your Notice of Intended Marriage at least one month and a day before your wedding day, and bringing along three marriage certificates for you to sign on the day. Check with them a few days before the wedding so you can have peace of mind.

Making and confirming itineraries

Check in with every single supplier, from the limo driver to the linen rental company, one week before your wedding. Many of your pros will beat you to it, so be ready to go over times and locations whenever you get a call. Send out agendas to your bridesmaids and groomsmen, too—how else will they know what time you’re taking photos? If someone in the bridal party is notorious for being late, start their schedule half an hour early just in case

WOW i'm behind on blogging!!

Life gets crazy and life gets chaotic and in the midst of it alot of things get put on the back burner- Like this blog. Shame on me!! So much has happened and i have so much to share and gorgeous brides to show off-  I vow to get back to blogging more often so i can continue to show you how awesome our clients are!! Happy Sunday everyone!

Kim Quisenberry & Anthony Tong- 7/7/11 Destin Beach Wedding

You know how you sometimes see two people and just know that they were made for each other?? That was EXACTLY what I saw when I first met with Kim and Anthony. When I asked the two of them how they met they shyly looked at one another with a smile and told me their story of how a simple misdial fatefully brought the two of  them together after having lost touch for years . They are the perfect example that when you are meant to be with someone, it will happen one way or another. The fact that they are meant to be was evident in their story and the love that this couple has for one another was evident as well as they beamed at each other on that beautiful July evening while they pledged their love to each other forever.  Kim and Anthony, you are such a special couple who I will keep in my heart always and in my life now as friends.. Here's wishing you many years of love and happiness!

Save $6,650 on a Wedding.. Who wouldn't want to know this?!?

Want to know how to save $6,650 on a wedding? Of course you do! Who wouldn't?! Kiss the Bride is all about helping couples have their dream wedding on a budget. Follow these tips and you will be saving money instantly!!

{This is based off of average costs and 100 guests.}

• Cut the Beef & Save $1200- Choose Chicken over beef. Bland Chicken no more,caterers are now cooking up perfectly roasted chicken with tasty sides like herbed ricotta gnocchi and grilled tomatoes with goat cheese. Plus, everyone loves chicken!   Do the Math:  $55 Beef entree- $43 Chicken entree= a savings of $12 x 100 guests- You've saved $1200!!

• Nix Favors & Save $300- Favors are fun but not necessary. Let's face it, no one is going to really want wind chimes with your names and wedding date on it!  Do the Math: $3 favor x 100 guests= $300 Savings!

•  Double Up & Save $1250- Stack cupcakes on a pedestal dessert stand and you've got a delicious centerpiece. No need for a wedding cake either- cupcakes will do just fine! Do the Math: $100 flower centerpiece x 10 tables + $450 wedding cake - $2 cupcake x 100 guests= $1250  Yummy and saves you money! Can't beat it!!

• Go all-inclusive: Save $2,000. Hosting your reception at a restaurant or hotel will save you a fortune by not having to rent tables, chairs, silverware, china, and glassware. Do the Math: $20 rentals per guest x 100 guests= $2,000 you can save!!

• Go Wide & Save $670: When you build centerpieces with full-bodied flowers, you need fewer stems to create a lush look. Three peonies in a tall vase, surrounded by half a dozen votives, are chic and have major impact. Do the Math: $100 a centerpeice - $24 for 3 stems- $1 vase - $8 votives x 10 tables= $670.

• Downsize the bar & Save the $770: Serve just beer, wine and a fabulous signature cocktail. To save even more pick a venue that allows you to bring your own liquor. Do the Math: $2,150 (full bar)- $1,020 (10 bottles of wine) - $160 (8 cases of beer)- $200 (fixings for cocktail)= $770 savings

• Rethink Bouquets & Save $360: If you're a non-traditional bride wanting to save and be unique give your bridesmaids fans or parasols or even a clutch of big colorful lollipops (with the right venue). Do the Math: $100 bouquet - $10 (fan) x 4 bridesmaids= $360 savings

I hope that these budget helping , money saving tips will make a difference in your wedding costs. These clever strategies will save you a ton of money

without sacrificing an ounce of style!!

Relax, slow down, and take it all in..

It's so hard in the world today to SLOW DOWN. Think about it- we wake to a screeching alarm clock, rush to get out of the door, fly down the road only to hit every red light in town. We rush to work, doctors appointments, dates with our love or dinners with our friends.. Every day in life its always a rush. If i can tell one thing to every one of my brides- or any bride in the world for that matter it would be two words: SLOW DOWN.  Being engaged is THE BEST feeling in the world. From the second you scream "Yes!" to the moments you spend calling every family member and friend sharing the good news, to the many times you get  to tell "the proposal story" and giddily show off your rock when you get asked to show your ring- every second of being engaged is AMAZING. You immediately start envisioning your dress, how you will wear your hair, what an awesome party you are going to have at your reception.. all the details immediately start flying around in that love struck brain of yours. You and your husband to be choose a date and then the planning begins. Let me tell you how incredibly overwhelming all of the details can be in wedding planning- most brides don't realize it and then almost fall over when they see all 246 tasks listed on an online checklist. Now, if you are fortunate enough you will have an amazing planner (cough cough*) who takes the stress away. Who handles all of the tiny tasks that stress you out, organizes everything, provides you with all of the information and ideas to make your wedding everything you've always dreamt of while you just get to relax and enjoy being engaged. Regardless, planner or not, slow down.. Take it all in.. Enjoy the nights with your friends addressing those Save the Dates envelopes, the time with your planner going over color schemes, the food and the cake tasting (YUMMM!!!!) with your fiance. And even when the little stressful incidents occur over the guest lists or family opinions not matching your opinions- enjoy it all. Being engaged will be one of the best times of your life.. enjoy every minute of it.. and remember, at the end of the day- you are marrying the love of your life! What is more exciting than a forever with your best friend.. Absolutely nothing!  Happy engagement to everyone who is engaged out there. Congratulations and soak it all in!

A Dance with Dad..

With today being Father's Day it only seemed fitting to blog about a special part of any wedding: The Father/Daughter dance.  Now i don't know about you but at every wedding i have ever been to i can almost guarantee you that i will tear up just a little when i see a Bride dance with their Father. There is something about the moment that is so touching and special. It's like in that moment they are the only two people in the room and they realize how much they love each other and what a very special relationship they have with one another. It may be special because they have been best friends and sidekicks the Brides whole life and Dad was the one she could always count on. It may be special because maybe the Bride and her Dad hadn't always been very close but in that moment they feel a closeness they've never shared. Regardless of the relationship it is always such a memorable and heartwarming experience to watch the dance between Father and Daughter. To all of my already married followers, remember back to how great it felt when you were in the spotlight newly married sharing that special dance with your dad. Don't wait for another big event to share that moment again, go tell him you love him and go dance with him just for fun! To my brides to be make sure that you slow down and relish the moment you have in that dance with your dad- the pictures, the memories, that song, that moment- you will never forget. Happy Father's Day to all of the Dad's out there, especially mine,and here's to more special dances to come!

Photos by Olimb Photography

It's the little things that make me happy..

Sometimes it is the littlest thing that can make me the happiest girl in the world. A kiss on the forehead from my husband. a snuggle with my puppies in the morning, or a quick "I miss you" from a friend on Facebook. One small thing that makes me ridiculously happy is bridal magazines.  i just LOVE when the latest Brides issue comes out.. When i was planning my own wedding i waited anxiously every few weeks for the newest issue to arrive in my mailbox. I would run every day giddy with excitement to open the mailbox door. I'd peer inside to find what i hoped to be the shiny new issue wrapped in clear plastic with my name and address typed out oh so neatly on the label. The days that it was there was like Christmas. I would rush inside tear open the plastic wrapping and stare at the cover with a smile. I knew that i was about to be in Wedding World for an hour or so where i could get all the latest trends, color ideas, wedding planning tips, and see pictures of  dresses,flowers, and decor. i LOVE being in that Wedding World.  I have always been told that success is doing something that you love. I LOVE wedding planning, i LOVE getting to make brides wedding dreams come true and treating each of their weddings as my own, and what i really LOVE is that even though i am a married woman, i still have a reason to read that Brides magazine that still gives me pure joy and excitement every single time i open that mailbox door.