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