REGISTRY: Salt & Pepper

There are a few items that are "go-to" gifts. Among them is the classic Salt and Pepper Shaker. If you want to shake things up, here are some of my recent salt and pepper holders that offered a unique take on table seasoning.

REGISTRY: Kitchen Essentials

There are a few items that tend to be "must-haves" for a newlywed kitchen.  Here are a few of my favorite signature kitchen items

Dress Code: Summer Outdoors

Every couple has a different idea of the ideal location for their big day. From traditional candelabra filled chapels to breezy beach side ceremonies, it can be a challenge of its own to figure out what the perfect wedding attire is for the wedding attendee. Here are my favorite outfits for weddings based on location and season. This entry is for Summer outdoor weddings

Ladies:

When outdoors, I always like to bring a cardigan because it will be hot during the ceremony and cold during the reception (and not all of us have gentlemen friends eager to lend us their coats) . I also prefer wedges to heels to prevent my shoes getting stuck in the ground.














Gents:

I am all about suspenders and bow ties. Its such a terrific look for the great outdoors. The bow tie adds a nod to the formality of the celebration, while adding an appropriate casualness to the setting. The suspenders also gives the gentlemen an excuse not to wear a jacket, which will help you beat the heat outdoors in the summer.

REGISTRY: "Hipster" style

We all have friends who are "hipsters" in denial. And when those friends find each other and throw a wedding bash, be ready for vintage, outdoor, shabby chic, originality. For those "hipster couples" in our lives, there are quite a few items you can find and doll up from your local thrift store that will be sure to impress. (It might take time to nab the perfect items, but it will be well worth it when you have enough dollars in the bank to pay for the gas to get to the back country barn house they are having their ceremony and reception in). Here are some of my recent hipster wedding couple finds:

Thoughtful Wedding Gifts that won't break the bank

Lets face it, sometimes the "summer of weddings" threatens not only to break the bank, but demolish it. There are, however, some ways to get creative and give "off the registry" gifts that are heartfelt, thoughtful, and budget conscious. Here are a few of my suggestions

All the single ladies...

Ok. My least favorite time of every wedding... the bouquet toss. At the expense of sounding like a bitter lonely spinster, I have to say, there is just absolutely nothing appealing to me to be at another person's beautiful wedding announcing to the world, "yes, I am still single... and no, I might never be a bride. thanks for the reminder." I mean, come on people, I showed up, I laughed, I cried, I clapped, I was genuinely happy for you... why are you making me think about the thing I've been trying to forget all night? That I'm still single? I know I am not the only one, and sometimes it really is the downer of the night to try to wrangle up all the single ladies on to the dance floor while the DJ plays our anthem (thanks a lot Beyonce, bet you didn't see that one coming). Still, there are some ways to sweeten the deal and ensure that you will have all the single ladies running to the dance floor. Here are my suggestions:

Best Man Toast

"And then she forced your hand in marriage..."
This is not joke. This is an actual line out of a best man's toast at a wedding I have attended. (please insert the spectrum of uncomfortable giggles, gasps, and shocked looks as people heard this line and collectively thought to themselves "who gave this guy a microphone?")

Far too often, the nervousness and pressure of trying to be equal parts funny, insightful, thought provoking, sincere, and sweet can lead to a disastrous combination of words that come out sounding like the quote above. So, how does one write a winning best man toast? Below are some quick tips and guidelines to find the perfect cocktail of words for a winning speech.

  Quick Tips/Guidelines:

• Begin with the end in mind: what is the main point of your toast? Imagine yourself raising your glass and asking the whole room to join you... what are you asking them to raise their glass to? If you can't think of the answer to this question, your toast is doomed from the start. So before you even try to think of funny stories or clever antidotes, write down your main point. (examples: "lets raise our glasses and toast to a life full of laughter in the good times and the hard times.)
• Illustrate your main point: what was the main point you decided on above? Was it "laughter in the good time and the hard times?" Find stories of the groom when you and him laughed alot. Share that story and then anchor it by saying something about how He is the kind of guy that makes everyone laugh in good times and hard times. Your story should illustrate the main point, if it doesn't illustrate your main point... then save the story for a walk down memory lane latter on. (Trust me, if you are just trying to have a funny story, it will be neither funny nor relevant)
• A compliment goes farther than a joke: In a context where every single different kind of group you can imagine in the bride and groom's life is present, every single different kind of sense of humor is also present. Flattery goes much farther than humor, so er on the side of saying something that will generate the "awwwhhh" reaction vs. the "hahahahha" reaction. 
• Write it down word for word: Look, this is not a "I just felt like saying a toast" moment. This is a preplanned, prescheduled speech, and you need to do more than jot down bullet point notes on a napkin or iphone. Write it down, word for word. It will help you get a sense of flow and prevent you from getting too close to the "ramble zone". 
• PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE: say it out loud at least 3 times. This will help you hear yourself and that gives you a chance to get comfortable with the words you are saying and gives you a chance to edit. (We don't want to be the first ones to hear you give your speech. trust me. Say it to yourself or someone else first.)

Good luck best men of the world. Let's all raise our glasses to toast your years of friendship expressed in a single moment where the well crafted and thought through words coming out of your mouth will be well rewarded with a few tears from the bride and groom, some chuckles from the crowd, and an approving nod from the parents of the groom who are so glad you are in their son's life. Cheers!