December 11th

Photo by: Ash & James Photography via Lover.ly

Tip of the Day: Necklaces are back! For a while, brides skipped them to let their gown shine, but in the season of sparkle, a dramatic accessory is a great choice.

Helpful pointer: If you're not used to the feel of heavier-weight jewelry around your neck, "practice" ahead of time by wearing your necklace around your home. Get acquainted with the weight, how it moves when you lean over or when you turn, as if you're dancing...it's the same concept as breaking in your shoes before the big day!

Plus, check out Five Chic Ways to Accessorize Your Gown. Visit sharonnaylor.net for more great wedding tips and advice.

Preston Bailey's Favorite Wedding Ideas of 2013

Preston Bailey is one of the most in-demand event planners for the rich and famous — he's worked with Oprah Winfrey, Donald Trump, Joan Rivers, Matt Lauer, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Uma Thurman, among others. This past year, he designed the $10 million Lord of the Rings-inspired wedding of Facebook/Napster billionaire Sean Parker to singer/songwriter Alexandra Lenas, as well as NBA star LeBron James' elegant San Diego wedding to his high school sweetheart, Savannah Brinson.

As 2013 comes to an end, we asked the famed designer to share some of his favorite trends and ideas that he saw emerging this past year.

Light-Up Tents
"Gone are the days of the ugly white plastic tent exteriors," said Bailey. "Projections are a great way of creating a statement and transporting guests into a new realm." 

preston bailey projection tent

Outdoor Weddings
Sean Parker's majestic forest wedding became one of the year's most talked about celebrations. With strands of flowers cascading from the trees, a petal-strewn aisle, and rustic benches as seating, it's easy to see why. "Outdoor ceremonies are still very popular, in spite of Mother Nature’s unpredictable moods," said Bailey. 

December 10th

Photo by: Rennard Photography on My Hotel Wedding via Lover.ly

Tip of the Day: Lights add so much joy and festivity to a wedding! If your reception venue doesn’t have big, dramatic ceilings, you can make the space look more elaborate by adding a canopy of white lights over the dance floor.

Just ask your site manager first if this is allowed at your venue; some spots require permissions and a check on electricity needs. Strung lights usually aren’t big electricity guzzlers, but it’s best to be on the safe side before you invest in all the lights you’ll need for all those close-set strands comprising your canopy.

Plus, check out more fun ways to light up your wedding below:

wedding lighting
Photo by: Picture the Love Photography on Style Unveiled via Lover.ly

wedding lighting
Photo by: Simone and Martin Photography on Mindy Weiss via Lover.ly

wedding lighting
Photo by Michael Norwood on Polka Dot Bride via Lover.ly

wedding lighting
Photo by: Agaton Strom on celebrated via Lover.ly

wedding lighting
Photo by: Natalie Spencer Photography on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

Visit sharonnaylor.net for more great tips and advice.

Creative New Save-the-Date Ideas

As more and more couples plan destination weddings, weekend weddings, or celebrations that require some of their guests to travel (and plan ahead), save-the-dates have become an essential part of the planning process — as well as a fantastic way to express your creativity. You can go vintage, modern, or boho, incorporate bold colors and fonts, or keep your save-the-dates simple and understated. I love when brides and grooms insert their unique sense of style and personalities into a save-the-date with humor, fun, and romance, like these super-cool ideas from Pear Tree Greetings.

The “Get to Know Him & Her” is an accordion style five-panel save-the-date that unfolds to show photos and wedding details. In back, there’s one large photo and separate panels about “Him” and “Her.” This particular card describes how the couple first met and what they thought of one another. Sweet!

him and her save the date pear tree greetings

For couples planning a destination wedding, this “Around the World Spinner” is ideal. Four different photos of the two of you appear in the cut-out circle in front as guests spin the side wheel. In back, your wedding location, date, and website are listed.

love map save the date pear tree greetings

December 9th

Photo by: Sonya Khegay on Wedding Chicks via Lover.ly

Tip of the Day: Put your champagne on ice with this fabulous DIY idea! Pour water into a bucket, add pretty flowers and greenery, then tilt the bucket and leave it outside in the cold to freeze your creation. You can even place a floating ball on top of the water to create a rounded crevice where your bubbly will sit, or carefully chip out that hollow with safe tools like a chisel. Be sure to include a water-catching reservoir. 

This idea is perfect for wintry engagement parties and bridal showers. If you're interested in including it at your wedding, show this photo to your site manager and see if they can arrange to have this unique ice sculpture alternative made for you.

Plus, check out The Hottest Trends for the Cocktail Hour. Visit sharonnaylor.net for more great tips and advice.

December 6th

Photo by: Megan Welker Photography on Wedding Chicks via Lover.ly

Tip of the Day: Metallic hues are perfect for weddings that take place around the winter holidays! Using gold or silver in larger pieces of décor, like tablecloths or aisle runners, is a lot more elegant than you might expect. For a more subtle look, incorporate gold-rimmed glasses or silver chargers to enhance your tabletop design.

Plus, check out New Year's Eve Wedding Ideas. Visit sharonnaylor.net for more great tips and advice.

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