Alice in Wonderland Invitations

Look at what greeted me in the mail today. Tell me these invitations for an Alice in Wonderland themed baby shower aren't the coolest invitations ever! Creative Works Designs did such a great job putting these little gems together. If this is what the invitations look like, I can't wait to see what the actual shower has in store for us!

First 5 Things To Do When Planning a Wedding

Your dream engagement went off without a hitch and the glistening diamond engagement ring is perfectly affixed to your left hand. Once the joy and blissful disbelief that you're really getting married has set in, it's time to get down to the business of planning your big day. Sure, the process can seem overwhelming for some, but it doesn't have to be if you have a plan. Here are the first five things you should do as you begin the wedding planning process:

Establish a budget -The budget is the very first thing you should think about when planning a wedding. It affects EVERYTHING. From how many guests you can invite, to the type of venue you should select, to the type of reception you can host...everything is tied to the budget. So, before you do anything else, sit down with your fiance, parents and anyone else who may be contributing and determine a realistic budget for your wedding activities.

Envision the type of wedding you want - At this point, you don't need to have all the details like decor and theme figured out; but you should have a general idea of the type of wedding you want. Do you want a formal gala or a casual soiree? A traditional affair or one with modern flair? This is time to think about the overall picture you envision for your big day.

Select a season and month - Think about the time of year you'd like your wedding to take place. Don't worry about setting an exact date just yet -- as the date can often change depending on the availability of your venue -- but decide on the season and the month, then select a few different dates you'd like the wedding to take place.

Bring in a professional planner/coordinator - Enlisting the help of a professional during the early stages of the planning process can really save you a lot of time, energy and money in the long run. While this may be your first time planning a wedding, a good coordinator has done this many times before and comes with a great deal of knowledge, valuable connections and priceless insight that can help bring your vision to reality, within your budget.

Select and book the venue - Try to reserve the ceremony and reception venue as soon as possible -- 9 to 12 months in advance is ideal. Locking in a contract with the venue early will ensure you have a variety of dates and times to choose from in your preferred wedding month.

Guest Blog Post on Marriage.com

I had the pleasure of being a guest blogger for Marriage.com recently where I shared tips on how to keep uninvited guests off your RSVP cards and guest list. Take a look at the full article here.

Ask A Planner

In grade school, teachers always reinforce that the only dumb questions out there are the ones left unasked. Well, my friends the same applies to us adults as well, especially those in the midst of planning one of the most important day of their lives. I'm sure some of you out there have burning questions about the wedding or event planning process, questions that a lot of other readers can benefit from. And Fabulously Ever After would love to ease your inquisitive minds and answer some of your questions here on the blog.

All you have to do is send an email with your questions to info{at}fabulouslyeverafter{dot}com.

So go ahead and Ask A Planner, 'cause there's no such thing as a dumb question in this classroom ;)

Most Overlooked Wedding Expenses

When it comes to planning your wedding, staying within your budget is likely to rank high on your list. Helping clients stay on budget is one of my top priorities as a planner, which I'm sure has a lot to do with the fact that I'm frugalista at heart. Earlier in the year, I offered a few tips on how to save money on your big day. And, the other day, I was pleased to come across an article on the Savvy Sugar blog listing the most commonly overlooked wedding expenses. Here's an excerpt, but take a look at the full article to make sure you don't break your budget with a costly oversight.

...it’s easy to remember the large categories, such as the venue, catering, flowers, cake, and, of course, the dress. However, there are certain things that often get overlooked and can add up to a hefty sum if not planned for properly...

 Tips

Before you sign any of your vendor contracts, make sure that they specify whether gratuity is included. Vendors who own their own businesses don't expect tips as they've already included everything in their initial negotiations with you. However, when it comes to the reception venue, you should ask the site manager about the policies for tipping the waitstaff, bartenders, and parking valets. Many catering companies already include tips, which they divide up between the workers. If tips aren't included, expect to pay between 15 and 20 percent of the total catering bill. Those who deliver the flowers and the cake should also be tipped between $5 and $10. It's not necessary to tip your officiant, but if he or any other vendor has done an extraordinary job, you can send a note of appreciation and gift certificate later on. Don’t forget to include tips for coat checkers and powder room attendants as well.

To see the rest of the tips, head over to the original Savvy Sugar article.

Custom Wedding & Engagement Jewelry by Laurie Sarah Designs

If you're looking for a wedding or engagement ring and the mass produced selections at your local jewelry store just aren't making your heart skip a beat like a proper engagement ring should, why not go custom?

This past weekend, I encountered custom jeweler Laurie Sarah Designs at a bridal industry event and was in complete and total awe of the beautiful pieces the Laurie Sarah team had on display. The one-of-a-kind peices were not only gorgeous and 100% original, but prices of the quality diamonds, gemstones and precious metals used were a fraction of what you would expect to pay at a store front. And as a jewelry addict myself, I found Laurie Sarah's design and manufacturing process quite interesting. Head over to the Laura Sarah Designs Etsy Shop for hundreds of examples of their work, but here are just a few samples for your viewing pleasure :)

I LOVED this unique design, which is also shown second from the left in the first image

Black diamonds are in high demand these days and Laurie Sarah has access to them in every size and shape

They also make rings with precious gemstones like this purple amethyst

Can we say GORGEOUS!

New Bachelorette Invitation Line from Wedding Paper Divas

Wedding Paper Divas, your one stop shop for all things affordable wedding stationery, has done it again! Last week, the brand announced the launch of their new line of Studio Basics bachelorette party invitations. The Studio Basics line includes more than 30 different designs and layouts with prices starting at less than 70 cents a piece! A few of the new designs are below, but make sure to check out their site for the full selection of all their bachelorette party invitations.

Essence Bridal Bliss: Lauren & Malik

It's always a treat when I get Essence Bridal Bliss delivered to my inbox. Check out the latest couple, Lauren and Malik, and their beautiful May wedding in Washington D.C. Here are just a few of my favs.

Dress Envy

How gorgeous is this Anne Barge wedding dress? Never mind a fiance, I want this dress now simply to play dress up around the house!

Photo by Stephanie Williams Photography

A Match Made In Heaven

Several of you have asked about the winners of my wedding giveaway contest, Blake and Lizzie, wanting to know more about this beautiful couple's love story.

Well, since we're on the topic of personalized wedding websites this week, take a peak at Blake & Lizzie's wedsite.