Today we are sharing Jennifer and Shane's gorgeous at home wedding.  Having an intimate, at-home wedding can be just as beautiful as a large wedding in a grand venue.  It's all in the details and using the space in your house to it's best advantage.  Thank you to the people that made this wedding possible!

We had the fantastic Edwin McCain sing I'll Be as the bride and groom's first dance...pretty darn special!

Southern Floral Company

Cafe Chardonnay Catering

A Different Look Rentals

Celebrations by Kathy

Atlas Event Rental

Blink and Company Photo

Kenny Mondo DJ

Edwin McCain and his band

You're engaged!  And all things wedding planning are starting...yay!  There is a rush to start doing things...anything.  When I got married that started with running out and buying the latest issues of all the bridal magazines and spending hours going through every page.  Times have changed!  Now you might even have a "Wedding Pinterest Board" before you even get engaged.

Take a deep breath and know that wedding planning has it ups and downs.  There are times when it seems like all you do is plan, plan, plan.  Go to meetings, look up vendors online and then try to make decisions.  Then there are times when you aren't having to do quite as much.  That's ok.  

First things first...determine a budget and who is paying or contributing to the budget.

Then select your venue and your date.  

Next up photography and decor.

Save the dates need to go out 6 months ahead of the wedding.

Make sure you order your wedding dress at least 6-8 months prior to the wedding.

Then maybe take a couple of weeks off.  Continue to live your life.  Go on date night.  Remember why you are doing all of this wedding planning!

You don't have to be doing wedding stuff 24/7.

Enjoy the peaks and valleys of wedding planning.

There are so many great moments to enjoy during this process:

1.  Finding your dress and sharing that moment with Mom 

2.  Taking your engagement photos and having fun with your fiance and the photographer - this is a great getting to know you session between you and your photographer!

3.  The tasting with your caterer or venue is one my favorites...Who doesn't love an amazing meal?!

The whole point is just to be "in the moments" as they happen.  Remember what the reason for all of it is. And the rest will all start to come together!

Cheers!

It was a wedding planner dream come true....The Royal Wedding of Meghan and Harry did not disappoint.   We saw some posts criticizing her dress or complaining about the sermon.  But from our perspective the most important thing was that they were true to themselves!  All of our Fabuluxe Brides have heard us tell them that 1000s of times.  Stay true to who you are.  We are celebrating two individuals who have decided to spend their lives together.  

The BBC Tweeted "Find Someone who looks at you the way Harry looks at Meghan" and we couldn't agree more!  

The little things were so special - the way he told her "I'm so Lucky", the way she smiled at him, the way he caressed her hand during the ceremony and in the carriage ride.  This wasn't a royal marriage for political reasons.  This was truly a love match!

And both of her dresses were gorgeous.  They matched her.  That's what you want your wedding dress to do.  The details of the floral embroidery on her veil were perfection.  Her natural beauty shined through her make up.  The tiara was stunning and meaningful.  Harry even handpicked the flowers from her bouquet from their gardens at Kensington Palace.  The subtle and heartwarming remembrances of Princess Diana were just right.  

“We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that, we will be able to make of this old world a new world. Love is the only way.” Dr. Martin Luther King as restated by Bishop Curry....It was exactly right and fit for a couple who believes in fighting for social justice.  And an added bonus was watching the expressions on the faces of the royal family and guests...they didn't quite know what do with this fiery preacher...and to follow with a gospel choir...LOVE...and the choir was relatively reserved!  

The official portraits by Alexi Lubomirski were just lovely.

We will say it again, they were true to themselves and that is what a wedding should always be, in our humble opinion! And we hope that this wedding brings back simple elegance as a trend!

This year we got to spend much of the Holiday Season with truly in love couples!  

Jamie and Matt were so blessed to find each other!  It was a second chance at love for them both.  The blending of their families was so beautiful to see and the emotions were on full display all day!

We hope you enjoy their day as much as we did!

A Huge Thank You to everyone who made this day happen:

The Seagate Hotel

Johnson's Custom Cakes

Autumn and Melinda Photography

Creations by Blanca

Ink Letter Love

Bride's Dress - Randy Fenoli

We have all been to weddings and events and we wonder...what the heck is wrong with some of these guests?!  So, I decided  to make a list of "Good Guest Rules."

Good Guest Rules

1.  Be on time - not too early and definitely not late.  We will not let you into the ceremony if the processional is still happening.   And when we do let you in, you will have to sit in the back.

2.  Do NOT take photos during the ceremony - We have had to move people out of the aisle so that the wedding party can walk down, grooms have been unable to see their brides as they walk down the aisle because of people leaning in with their phones or tablets.  Be in the moment.  It is an important ceremony...and take tons of photos at cocktails and the reception!

3.  Dress Appropriately - If the invitation says formal or black tie please wear formal or black tie.  If the invitation says resort chic or beach casual then khakis are appropriate.  Jeans are NEVER appropriate unless it is specifically stated on the invitation.

4.  Do not drink to excess - Just because there is an open bar doesn't mean you have to drink all of the alcohol...enough said.

5.  If you RSVP that you are attending, attend the event unless it is a major emergency (Like calling 911 emergency).  The couple has paid several hundred dollars for your meal, etc.   It is disrespectful to not show because you just didn't feel like it that day.

6.  If you are a female guest - Do NOT wear white.  The only time this is appropriate is if it is specifically stated by the couple that this is a black and white or all white wedding and they have noted the attire on the invitation or their website.

7.  Don't ask for a To-Go Box of your dinner - TACKY...

8.  Don't be rude to the waitstaff, or other wedding professionals.  Everyone has a job to do and wants to do it to the best of their abilities.  Sometimes, though you may have to wait a moment or two for your request to be filled.

9.  Have a great time and enjoy the celebration with the couple. 

After all a wedding is a celebration of two people in love making a lifetime committment to each other!  Have fun with it and make lifelong memories!

Photo Credit:  Shea Christine Photography