Blogs

When we spotted this photo of a bride and groom holding up their shoes and having a blast, we had to get the story behind the photo:

Photo Credit: Katelyn James Photography

In the picture, photographer Rebekah Hoyt and her husband, Matt, are playing “The Shoe Game."

Never heard of it? Here’s how it works: During your reception, after you’ve enjoyed some dinner, dancing, and drinks, place two chairs back-to-back on the dance floor for the bride and groom. Remove both of your shoes, then trade a shoe with your new spouse so that you’re holding one of each. Then, have a designated person ask a series of questions about the two of you and your relationship (i.e.. “Who will be doing most of the cooking?” "Who said 'I love you' first?"). After each question, hold up the shoe of the person you think is the best answer to the question.

Photo Credit: Katelyn James Photography 

Rebekah describes how to game played out at her wedding:

Hello, my loves. You are all just going to die (in a Zoe way) over these brand new destination wedding packages by Sandals. For years, the luxury-included brand has partnered with big-name planners to bring you cool Big Day options. However, the packages themselves weren’t always as customizable as you savvy brides would have liked.

Enter stage left: The Your Wedding. Your Style. program that launched with loads of fanfare at NYC’s gorgeous Grand Central last week.

In addition to hobnobbing with Randy Fenoli (yes, girls, that Randy of Say Yes fame), I got a sneak peek at the totally customizable program. It’s so simple, so pretty, and so perfect for every bride, I’m afraid none of you will get your work done at the office. See, the program is streamlined online, so you can literally plan and re-plan your wedding all day long by choosing which Sandals property, what colors, flowers, décor option and even a DJ!

Personally, I prefer the Emerald Bay outpost, which has one of the Caribbean’s most challenging and gorgeous golf courses. I also like the idea of having bright pink flowers, or maybe peach or white and letting my guests boogie all night poolside. Or maybe they’d prefer being on one of the manicured lawns… See what I mean? Go to sandals.com and start customizing your wedding today.

Dessert tables can make any party look (and feel) more put-together. There's just something about a smorgasboard of treats that has the power to revert guests back to a simpler, sweeter moment in time. Plus, we believe that they make any bridal shower or wedding more fun.

But you don't have to be a pro planner to put one together — just pick up a copy of Amy Atlas' new manual, Sweet Designs: Bake It, Craft It, Style It. Amy, a sweets stylist, is credited with starting the dessert table trend and has designed parties for celebs including Brooke Shields, Kelly Ripa and Tori Spelling. Learn how to make this stunning Chanel-inspired dessert table from her new book!

Chanel-Inspired Dessert Table Tutorial

►Tweed Tablecloth

►Couture Vase Covers

Up the style quotient on your wedding gown with the simple addition of a sash. A crisp sash tied in a bow can take a dress from simple to fabulous. If you aren't a bow girl but love a little bling, try adding a brooch to your sash for sophisticated sparkle. Black is a fashion-forward choice, creating high contrast and modern panache, but a nude, champagne, or blush sash would look extremely elegant and romantic. Take a look at ninabridal.com, abellie.com, or davidsbridal.com for some great sash options. 

Tip: If you are short-waisted, choose a thinner sash. Also, it might be best to buy the sash at the same store you buy the dress to ensure the colors match and the style enhances the dress.

—Naima DiFranco

Guest blogger: Rosanna Casper, co-founder of Idojour.com, a new wedding website where brides, grooms, family and friends can purchase a stylish and affordable mix of beautifully curated pieces. Designed to make wedding planning all the more inspiring and enjoyable, Idojour offers accessories and apparel for your wedding weekend, complemented by both inspirational and practical content. Rosanna oversees content, among many other things, and makes sure that everything comes together beautifully on the site.

Here, Rosanna discusses how to find the perfect veil.

The wedding veil is one of the oldest wedding traditions, symbolizing modesty, purity, and chastity. In this day and age, however, wearing a veil is not a requirement, which is why it's so much fun to let your style and personality shine when it comes to selecting your veil. But with so many lengths and styles available, how do you know which veil is the right one for you? 

Keep in mind the following when shopping for your veil:

► Your veil should complement your look, not compete with it.
► Simple gowns will offset any intricate lace or beadwork on your veil.
► Heavily beaded or laced gowns look best with sheer or transparent fabric veils (silk chiffon, voile, or organza).
► A blusher, a single layer worn over your face during procession, can be added to any veil.

When I first got engaged, I knew there were certain parts of the wedding I would care very much about—my cake was never one of them. “It’s just dessert,” I thought dismissively. Silly me. Back then, I didn’t realize how creative bakers can be, dolling out the most beautiful creations I’ve ever seen and making sure the taste is on point as well. Now that we’ve chosen an amazing baker for our wedding and are finalizing our design, I wanted to take a look at all of the options out there.

1. Classic look, modern twist. The cake below was created by my baker. It's reminiscent of the cakes I remember seeing in weddings from the time when my parents were married: lots of tiers with flowers in between. But this one has modern, clean lines and two different shapes for the tiers (notice that the bottom two are square, while the top two are round).

Photo Credit: Simply Perfection Cakes

2. Little cake, big impact. Who says bigger is better? Despite the fact that there is minimal décor and only a simple, white ribbon with some sheen, this cake is beautiful. It will never go out of style.

Photo Credit: April Reed Cake Design

What should brides expect a month out from the big day? In an effort to make sure that we don't forget any details, my fiancé Michael and I created a monthly to-do list back in January, which has served as a friendly reminder of what to do when.

Here, the eight tasks I regret leaving for the last minute:

1. Assemble your ceremony programs, menus, and escort cards. I recommend selecting all paper goods prior to finalizing your ceremony, menu and guest list. For me, the most difficult part was choosing which stationery to purchase—eliminate this hurdle early on so that all you have left to do is order your pre-selected design.

Photo Credit: Kimberly Chau Photography

2. Finalize your seating chart. Three weeks prior to your vows, you should have a solid list of attendees. Have Mom or Dad help with seating their own guests. It's one less task that you're responsible for and increases the likelihood that their friends will be happy with their seating arrangement.

Photo Credit: Chris Sherburne Photography

Are you a fan of ball gowns but are planning a summer wedding? Lighten up the ball gown look by choosing one with a tulle skirt. The overall feeling is lighter, more ethereal and whimsical—perfect for the warm summer months. We saw this trend of airy, sheer ball gowns at most of the runway shows.

Whether layered, accented with lace or adorned with flowers, this trend is absolutely lovely—ideal for the romantic bride who has a bohemian princess style. Check out jlmcouture.com, reemacra.com, jasminebridal.com for these sheer dresses and more.

— Naima DiFranco

Are you a fan of all things "Mad Men" inspired? Want to give your wedding a retro-rad look? Bring out your inner Joan, Peggy or Betty and consider a tea-length gown. To make the vintage look all the more complete, add short gloves and a stylish cage veil. Don't forget a red lip and some liquid eye-liner for a stylish cat eye. With these few elements, you are sure to create a retro-chic wedding look. See more vintage-inspired wedding ideas dresses.

To find these tea-length gowns, visit moonlightbridal.com, davidsbridal.com, and enzoani.com.

Tell us about your retro-inspired wedding plans!

—Naima DiFranco

Photo Credit: Unique Design Studios

To My Chief Daddy Officer,

As a child, I never looked at my relationship with my Dad as "different" — I just knew it as unique and special. When I was seven years old, my parents went through a tumultuous divorce, resulting in my mother deciding to leave and move to Boston. Most kids, by default, would follow their mothers. And though some may have had that same expectation for me, at the tender age of nine, I made a decision that one could say marked a pivotal point in both of our lives and paved the way for my relationship with my dad being what it is today.

I made a choice — I wanted to live with my dad full-time. As the CEO of his own pharmaceutical marketing company and now a single dad, he did not run away from the challenge. He ran towards it — he embraced it, cherished it, and gave me a life and parent that some never get to experience.

I am a direct reflection of everything he has taught me and raised me to be, and I'm proud of that fact. He has instilled values and life lessons in what would seem to be an obvious way, but what I've learned is not obvious to most. He showed me by example and then let me arrive at my own decisions (both good and bad). What I never grasped until later in life — he was always strategic, and by that I mean he was always laying down the wireframe for an opportunity to teach me a life lesson. I always felt like he was five paces ahead of me (which, when I was a teenager, wasn't always fun); however, it always was for my benefit.