Oh my chocolate

Recently while visiting my best friend and business partner at The Oven East where she works part time, I decided to go into the new chocolate shop, Chocolatier Blue. Oh My Freaking Gosh!

I met the owner who is brothers with an amazing chef who started Chocolatier Blue in Berkeley, CA. His brother makes the chocolates there and sends them here to Lincoln. The Blue brothers are both from Lincoln. The Lincoln location is sparse. But it looks like they may be adding tables and chairs at some point. In the ten minutes I was there around 2:30, probably 8 people (all women of course) came in for chocolates.

They are all laid out in rows on a marble counter, again sparse. But they are all so perfectly shaped, shiny and colorful. These chocolates remind me of candy out of Willy Wonka. They are a little mysterious, almost too pretty to be edible. But they are. Oh boy, they are so edible.

I tried 8 different ones (you get one free sample). The Honey Sage with white chocolate was so delicious. Very delicate. I then purchased 7 more to take home and try. So far, my favorite has been the Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam made with milk chocolate and the Between the Sheets which incorporates triple sec, brandy and lemon with dark chocolate. I'll be honest and say I wasn't a fan of the Pomegranate Jewel with dark chocolate and caramel or the Sweetie which incorporates dark chocolate and chai. But again, flavor is all about personal taste.

After researching, I found that these chocolates are made with the highest fat content butter there is, which explains how they are so stinking deliciously smooth. But it frightens me how fattening my 8 chocolates were. Glad I've spread them out over several days as difficult as it was.

At $1 a piece, these could be a very special and affordable wedding favor. The vibrant colors could add perfectly to any decor. Check out the website, or better yet, head down to Chocolatier Blue yourself and try a free sample. It's at 70th and Pioneer next to The Oven East and Edible Arrangements.

Seating Your Wedding Party

Most weddings end up with the classic head table seating for the wedding party because they don't realize there are any other options. So I wanted to showcase some great options and the advantages of each.

Classic Head Table
The classic head table usually seats the bride, groom, and the wedding party. Each of the groom and bride's families sit at separate tables. This is usually a good option when space is at a premium. It gives the room a focal point. However, it sometimes makes for an awkward situation for wedding party member's dates because they don't get to sit with their date. It also doesn't make for very much conversation at the table. It might not be the most ideal setup.

Facing Head Table
Recently I went to a wedding where the wedding party sat at a large table in the middle of the room facing each other. This I thought was different from what I had seen before because it allowed for more people to sit at the table. You could include dates or family at the table with the wedding party. Also, the facing setup allows for more conversation. You can also slap a sweetheart table on the end of it to make it more visually interesting.

Sweetheart Table
I love the idea of a sweetheart table. This allows for an intimate dining experience for the bride and groom without the huge table you have to walk around. The question is, what do you do with the rest of the wedding party. At one wedding I filmed this summer, the wedding party was sat at tables around the sweetheart table. This enabled them to sit with their dates and be at a table conducive to conversation. You can also intermix wedding party with family of the bride or groom.

Tuesday Shoesday Pt 8

Shocked to actually find some fun shoes at David's Bridal. But I did. These are really fun. They have a great couture flair. They are a Satin Sandal with Chiffon Petals. It's also very affordable set for just $59. I can't attest to to the comfort of these. But they are a great deal.

Tuesday Shoesday Pt 7

Ok, so lots of these cute trouser shoes have been popping up lately. I particularly love them in Janelle Monae's Tightrope video (below). They are the perfect dancing shoe which is why I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. But today I found these blush colored patten leather trouser shoes on the Steve Madden website. When I saw them it hit me that these would be adorable reception shoes. They'd even be cute with a tea-length dress.


Janelle Monáe - Tightrope [feat. Big Boi]
Uploaded by AtlanticRecords. - See the latest featured music videos.

Tuesday Shoesday Pt 6

OK, so if you looked at the BHLDN website, you had to know that I would fall in love with the shoes.

Here's why I love them: they look like gorgeous antiques. They tell a story. Each have intricate details. The colors are gorgeous. The blue pair to the right are called elopement pumps.

BLING ON THE BRIDE

Today I got to watch a show on WE all about Bling. It was called "Bling on the Bride." The part that stuck out to me was the part about engagement rings.

Some of the women talking about how big of ring they wanted and how size is directly related to how much a man loves you. One woman said she wanted at least 3 carats.

Tiffany's general manager was sure to remind people that it really isn't the size that matters as much as the 4C's: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight. In fact Tiffany diamonds are cut more for beauty than size. Tiffany sacrifices more of a the raw diamond than customary to ensure the most brilliant and beautiful cut.

Currently, vintage is new again. More jewelry is designed with pave and cushion settings. But some people think that is too bling-y. I love vintage looking rings, but I think I would rather have an actual heirloom with a story.

I have to agree with the Tiffany's philosophy. I'd much rather have a half carat that sparkles intensely than a bling-ed out ring that is dull unless under spotlight.

Tuesday Shoesday Pt 5

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to any of you that these are Jessica Simpson Heels. They are the CHEETAH heels. A more modern take on a Mary Jane, they marry gorgeous colors for this spring with the blush camel and mahogany brown. I am in love. Consider something like this for you or your bridesmaids if you're going for a vintage feel.

Happy V-day from BHLDN

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!! BHLDN launched!!!!! I've been waiting for this day for a while now. Knowing how much I love Anthropologie, I knew that their wedding line would be absolutely to die for. The good news is that it is.

I'm not even surprised that gray and blush are the two highlighted colors on the site. I love the design and colors. I hate the prices. That's the one stinky thing. But I decided to put together an inspiration board of my favorite things.

I adore the gloves. My little sister has a massive scar on her left hand from cutting her hand open with a key. So a gorgeous set of gloves would be perfect for her.

If you're going to blow the budget, it would be fun to blow it on something like fun hair accessory or a unique bolero. Both are stand out pieces that could dress up even a $99 dress from David's Bridal.

Even if you can't afford a $3000 dress or $280 shoes, check out the site to get ideas for the look you want.

Beating the Waiting Game pt 3

I've address two major waiting periods at weddings that need to be carefully planned for. Here's a recap.

The three most frustrating times of waiting are

• Time waiting at the reception for you to arrive
• Waiting in line for food
• Waiting for open dancing to begin

Today I'll be addressing the last in the series. It's probably the most important of the three because it defines the difference between just a dinner and a full-fledged party. Let's dig in...

Waiting for Open Dancing to Begin

How it kills the party: So you've had dinner, listened to toasts, saw a video about the bride and groom, watched as the pounded each other with cake and you're just about ready to get your dance on. BUT WAIT! Now it's the first dance. And then the father daughter dance. And then the Mother son dance. Oh, and a tribute dance to the parents of the bride and groom. And let's not forget the wedding party dance. Fabulous! The bride and groom love honoring people in their lives, but when you aren't one of those people, this succession of dances turns into a huge bore. Unless you're performing choreographed dances, think about how long you're making your guests watch you sway back and forth. Chances are, they are going to check out early if you don't keep them engaged.

How to get the party started: I'm not suggesting choreographing dances here. And if you'd like to honor people, that's awesome. But lets look where you can cut out some of the dead time that makes the night drag on.

• Love Story Videos/Slide shows- show them while people are eating. As soon as the last people have gone through the line, get it up on the screen.
• Toasts- These can be done at a lot of different points in the night. I would suggest doing them right before or after the video/slide show (if you have one), because you already have everyone's attention (side note on toasts: don't let the whole bridal party give a toast at the reception, do that at the rehearsal dinner).
• Cutting the Cake - do it right when you get there. Usually the cake is off in some corner so it's easier to get it out of the way first. This also gives whoever is cutting the cake more time to get that done before people are hankering for dessert.
• Scatter dances to honor different people throughout the night (without switching gears too much in the music) and include other guests in them (invite all fathers and daughters out for the father daughter dance) or find other meaningful ways to honor those people.
• If you really want to have all the different dances, consider making a slide show with pictures to the song of choice to be shown while you dance so that there is more than just swaying to be watched.
  

The important thing is that someone is keeping things moving. This can be a coordinator, DJ, or a host couple. This person should have a good understanding for the order of events. Avoiding a lot of downtime for set-up is important. That's why doing toasts and slide-shows while people are eating is a great idea so that they aren't focused on what is taking so long to set-up. Starting the dancing right when you serve dessert helps to keep guests distracted while they aren't a part of the action.

Get the party started early and keep it going.

If you can eliminate the frustration guests usually face, it will make your wedding truly a night to remember for everyone who attended. Thanks for reading!

Beating the Waiting Game pt 2

In my last post I started talking about one of the biggest mood killers at weddings: waiting around. There are three times in a wedding that can really kill the party and give guests a negative attitude. I talked about the time between the ceremony and reception in my last post (be sure to check it out). This post I'm going to talk about something that can make many people very crabby, being hungry.

Waiting In Line For Food

How it kills the mood: You get through the ceremony, drive to the reception, wait for the couple to arrive, cut the cake, and then dinner is served... except you have to wait for all of the 200 other guests to get their good first.

Buffet style receptions are especially common here in Nebraska. Most people believe they are cheaper by default (not always true, check with your caterer for their pricing on sit-down v. buffet). One thing that is true is that a poorly planned buffet can bring a hopping party to a screeching halt. Trying to corral 250 guests through a single buffet line takes a considerable amount of time. Usually first people are done before the last even make it through.

How to beat it: My first piece of advice is not to let the line build up. Ask the host couples or DJ to dismiss the tables as the line dies down. The second thing you should think about is the number of people you're serving 75-100, you'll probably be ok with one single-sided buffet, but any more and you need to start considering multiple buffet lines to allow more people to get food at once. Think about the space. Does it make sense to service different sides of the room with different buffet lines? Anything thing to make it go smoother and faster will help keep your guests happy.

What you really want to avoid is people being uncomfortable, i.e. hungry and standing in uncomfortable shoes. If you have a generous cocktail hour, it helps beat the hunger. Having tables wait to be dismissed until the line dies a little helps to keep them off their feet. These small touches make a big difference.

But most definitely find out about sit-down dinner pricing and logistics. It doesn't make any sense to do a sit down dinner for 250 people with just 5 servers and no carts to deliver the dinner on. Make sure that if you do go with a sit-down dinner that they will have enough help to get the meal served quickly and efficiently.

I hope those insights help. Check back tomorrow for the last and probably most important post in this series.

Easy Free Web site from Google

Google docs have been one of my favorite things for quite some time now. So today when Google released their wedding formatting for Web sites, I was ecstatic. Marrying the two things I love, the organization of Google docs with weddings, what could be more perfect?

So I just had to check it out. I had to make a site for myself. And I have to say, I LOVE IT!

Google makes it so easy. If you can read, you can create your own wedding site. There's such customization. It's awesome.

But it doesn't stop at the site, there are great planning tools. And those tools link seamlessly with the site to help you calculate guests list and get everything perfect for that day. Forget about the other wedding sites that give you tricky to use URLs. Google makes it super easy and simple.

I made a little site for me and Kelly (not jinxing myself). Go ahead and take a look at it: https://sites.google.com/site/kateloveskelly/home
(Not an overly complicated URL)

I checked out some of the the other spreadsheets. The budget one was really great. It's a premade excel sheet which is awesome because I really despise having to format excel.

Oh and the best part about all of this business: IT'S FREE!!!!!!

Beating the Waiting Game pt 1

Having been a guest at probably 50+ weddings over the years, I can tell you that there is nothing more frustrating than waiting around for everything to happen. On your big day, you don't want to be worrying about your guest having a good time. That's why it's important to put careful time and planning into your scheduling ahead of time.

The three most frustrating times of waiting are

• Time waiting at the reception for you to arrive
• Waiting in line for food
• Waiting for open dancing to begin

Of course there are some other times that are slow going, but I think these are the three that can really make or break the party. In the next three articles I'll address why these three times can ruin the party for your guests and how to avoid them.

Time Waiting at the Reception for You to Arrive

Why it kills the mood: There is no worse feeling than getting to a party before it's gotten started. Most of us would rather be fashionably late and arrive while things are in full swing than get there while the host is still setting up. Wedding guests feel the same. You want them to arrive while something is going on so they aren't thinking about what they'd rather be doing.

How to save it: I will get one thing out of the way, if you are not taking all of your photos before the wedding because you want to wait for the groom to see you coming down the aisle, PLAN on scheduling at least a two hour gap between the end of the ceremony and the beginning of the reception. It's going to take you more than an hour to take those photos and the commute between the ceremony space and the reception space will add up quickly. Don't rush yourself. But let your guests know that they don't need to rush there. They can go home for a few hours or maybe go buy that present they didn't have time to get ahead of time.

If you do only plan for you to have the common hour-long limo ride with a stop at a bar or a park for quick pictures, remember that means that your guests will probably be waiting for you for about 40 minutes to an hour. Here are some ways to make your guests feel welcomed.

1. Plan to have host couples to arrive first to get things started.
2. Plan for a cocktail hour so that hungry guests can have a snack or allow dinner to be served.
3. Plan some sort of 10-15 minute silent looping slide-show.
4. Provide activities for kids: coloring books, a craft or some sort of entertainer.
   
5. Plan a fun, time-consuming memory keeping activity: photo booth, wish tree with cards at each table or provide a looping photo slide-show.
   

It's really important that the vendors are ready for your guests when they arrive so they guests feel like they aren't too early. Make sure the host couples know that their job is to be the host and make sure that people feel welcomed.

Check back tomorrow for Part 2 and how to make the dinner line go by faster.

Jessica Simpson: Pinup Perfection

The other night I was perusing the Jessica Simpson Collection Web site. Looking at shoes and bags I stumbled upon her intimates section, which I didn't know existed. And true to form, I love it. After doing makeup on Sunday for a vintage shoot, I have a deep appreciation for these reminiscent undergarments. The photographer told me how it's really difficult to find things that work for shoots.

I love vintage inspired things. I would love to do a boudoir shoot in these sets. They are so gorgeous. Another great way to add originality to a boudoir shoot is to pick really original pieces to wear.

Tuesday Shoesday Pt 4

OK, ok. So not what you suspected. These are the Rebok EasyTone Reenew - Lux shoes. I'm bringing these up because any bride or anyone who is going to be heading to nuptials this summer is probably worried about being in your best shape.

These are my Tuesday Shoesday pick for this week. Go to your closet and make sure your workout shoes are in good shape. Now is a good time to replace them and get excited to get back in the gym.

Boudoir & Pinups

This week I've felt pretty lucky to have stumbled upon some sites and met some great people who do boudoir and pinup shoots. With Valentines Day coming up, I know several women who got photo shoots done for their men. Here's a little of this and that.

Gold Standard - Racy Steeves
I stumbled upon the work of Stacy Reeves on another wedding blog last week. I am enamored with her work. She does beautiful, artful, tasteful shoots that would make a fabulous gift or keepsake. She charges a pretty penny for her services, but the finished product is definitely worth the cost. She, however, is based out of Dallas. I am seriously considering saving my money to have her do pictures of me just for myself to have someday to remember the body I once had.

Artful - Brian Watt Photography
Brian is one of the most talented photographers I know. He approaches it from a more artistic perspective than most photographers out there. He knows how to take gorgeous photos and is a master editor. Shown here is a photo of Model and Dancer Stacey Leo.

Lincoln Original - Boudoir Boutique
Boudoir Boutique specializes in boudoir photography. The Web site has limited information. They are based out of Lincoln and offer convenience of a Havelock Studios.

1940's Pinups - Images by Ken Merchant
This past Sunday I got to work with a photographer who specializes in 1940's pinups. He has several genuine 40's vintage outfits. Here is a head shot of the makeup I did. Ken likes his images to be as accurate as possible. He draws inspiration from Vargas. His rates are very reasonable. Ken is based out of Omaha.

Always check with your photographer doing your wedding or engagement to see if they offer boudoir photography. Most will but don't advertise the service since many women who do have the pictures taken don't want them on a photographer's Web site.

Hope this post helps points you in the right direction.

Tuesday Shoesday Pt 3

These would be adorable for bridesmaids. I adore these shoes! They are from Victoria's Secret.

Biggest Wedding Blunders

If you've never seen the show "Four Weddings" on TLC, let me tell you, it's one of my favorite wedding shows. The concept is that four real brides come together to compete for a dream honeymoon. They each attend each others' weddings and rate them for experience, food, venue, and dress. It's hilarious because you get to hear everyone's caddy remarks. Usually it's surprising who wins. I love it when the woman with the lowest budget is the winner because it shows that the best weddings aren't the ones with the highest price, but the ones with the most thought and sentiment put into them.

Last Friday, "Four Weddings" had a Biggest Blunders episode. A lot of them were kind of overly critical. Some things brides really have no control over at all. But some of them were definitely worthwhile to point out. Most things aren't Do or Don't. Different factors contribute to whether or not something is a good idea for your wedding. It depends a lot on size and location of the wedding. So here are my picks for the biggest wedding day blunders:

1. Being Late to Your Own Wedding - Probably the most tacky thing is making your guests wait. I think there's an expected 15 minute swing time that allows for guests who are running late not to walk in during the middle. But anything more than that is kind of rude.

2. Not taking your vows seriously - Most people take marriage very seriously. It's definitely not appropriate to be drunk during your vows. It's ok to laugh out of nervousness, but people to expect some heartfelt sentiments and emotions rather than snickering. BUT DEFINITELY don't be drunk.

3. Disregarding the weather and environment - You have little control over the weather, but you do have control over the day and what precautions you take. Think about heaters, bug zappers, fans and a back-up plan in case of rain or terrible wind (makes the ceremony inaudible). Also look around, is there an airport nearby? Is there a highway close? Those noises will distract from your ceremony.

4. No View - Make sure that there aren't pillars in the way of your guests view of the ceremony. Also let you photographers and videographers know that you don't want guests' view blocked.
5. Reception Commute - Making guests drive an hour is a little excessive. I would say try not to have your wedding and reception more than 30 minutes away from one another.
6. Planning for those who didn't RSVP - A lot of people may not RSVP. Plan on it. I'd plan for about half of however many people don't respond. So keep track of Yes's and No's.

7. Bad dates - I have a rule of thumb with dates. If it's a small, mostly-family wedding, holiday weekends are a good idea because it allows for them to consolidate traveling. If you're wedding is big with lots of friends and business associates and distant relatives, I'd say opt for a date not centered around a holiday. Most people get frustrated if you interrupt their Memorial or Labor Day weekends because they want to make their own plans. If you do decide to make it over a holiday weekend, make sure there are other planned events for all of the out-of-towners. Middle of the week weddings should be reserved for smaller more intimate weddings.

8. Food - Food is tricky because you want to have what you love, but some people may be more picky than you. If you do decide to have adventurous food like Indian or Greek food, try to make sure there are some more generic, non-spicy, recognizable foods. Some people are very sensitive to spicy foods so make sure there's a way to distinguish the spicy foods. But I love the idea of doing anything besides the typical chicken, beef, mashed potatos, green beans, and dinner salad.

9. Buffet or No buffet - Buffets have their advantages. It allows people to pick exactly what they want and requires fewer hired hands. But when you have limited choices, it's not a big deal for people to have choices. Down sides include long lines and people taking over-sized portions. It's a double-edged sword. Talk to your caterer and see which option is more affordable, it might surprise you that some caterers charge less for a sit-down dinner because the portions are controlled.

10. Super Long Toasts - Only best man, the maid of honor, parents, and the couple should give toasts. Enough said.

11. Booze - people are touchy about alcohol. I say, it's your day, you decide if you want booze there are not. Open bars are expensive, people are expecting a lot. Guests should be understanding.

12. Being Completely Wasted - It's your day, don't you want to remember it?

Valentine's Day Inspiration Board

I've been to a gazillion wedding where the colors involve black, red and white. While I can understand the immediate jump to thinking that it is classy and black-tie-ish, often times it turns out awful.

One of the main reasons is the lack of attention to detail in choosing reds. While it would probably be impossible to match all your reds across the board, it is important to pick the right family of reds. A lot of reds turn out too brash and kind of orange-y. When in doubt, I advise to go darker.

My inspiration for this blog actually came from a Valentine's Day Etsy e-mail that I was sent. The necklace in the left-hand corner of my inspiration board here came from that e-mail. I was inspired by the deep hue of red used.

It feels romantic and upscale. When using reds, looking for rich looking color can help to enhance the look of the whole event. It can take you from bleak to chic.

Links: Hair Accessory, Necklace, Wedding Gown, Bridesmaid Dress, and Flowers.

Return of the Going Away Dress

A few weeks ago I was doing makeup at a Miss AMerica Party. There was an older woman there. She was the mom of one of the teacher's from my high school. All the younger women were dressing up in formal gowns for a little mini pageant. The woman talked about how she should have brought her "Going Away" Dress from her wedding. All the women at the party were like, "What's a going away dress?" I knew. Come on, "Father of the Bride" anyone? But I realized that the going away dress really has gone out which is kind of unfortunate because who doesn't love an excuse for another dress? It's romantic for a bride to put on something sweet like a cute dress or suit to run off to your honeymoon in.While this blog is about Going-Away Dresses, any of these styles could be worn at a Bridal Brunch or rehearsal.

I found this Delicate Flower Dress on Mod Cloth. I love the A-symmetry to it. This one could be gorgeous for the evening-of going away.

And I like the Cake From Scratch Dress. This slightly more casual dress would also be gorgeous as the morning after brunch dress.

Then I found the Debut of Venus Dress. This is definitely an evening-event dress. I see this as a going-away dress for after the reception or a dress for the rehearsal dinner. The Sweetheart neckline is gorgeous.

Finally, there's the Time of My Life Dress. This dress could work for any and all events. It's timeless and gorgeous.

Mod Cloth

So recently my friends Eric and Meredith got married. Meredith's bridesmaids wore mismatched dresses with tights and heels. One of them told me that Meredith picked a bunch of dresses out on Mod Cloth for them to choose from. She apparently had a huge range of dresses. Here is a narrowed list I found this weekend.

My first pick is the Lavender Wreath Dress. I love the fun texture and gradation of color. Great for someone in your bridal party with an athletic build.

The second dress I love is the Winding Rhodes Dress. Matching the Lavender Wreath Dress in color, this dress accentuates the waist. Definitely would look good on a curvy girl. The folds on the shoulder help to minimize large chests and the dark strap gives an A-symmetrical look while offering support.

The third is called the Calm After the Sandstorm. It is the mid-tone on the Lavender Wreath Dress. It marries the tiers from the Lavender Dress with the strapping on the Rhodes dress. This dress would work well on pear-shaped people because the tiers help it hang away from the body.

Fourth dress is called the Two Spoons Dress. It mirrors the tiered aspect of the others at the bottom and matches the color scheme but incorporates ruffles. This dress will add bulk to the chest area so it is not advised for chestier girls.

And the last one is called On Draped Adventures Dress. It is so freaking gorgeous. This one is a great color that meshes well with the others. The draping would look good on anyone especially curvy girls.

I hope this gives you some inspiration of what is possible with mismatching your dresses.

Tuesday Shoesday Pt 2

I found this gorgeous Kate Spade sandal on the Nordstrom's Web site. It's in my favorite Blush color that I've been loving on lately.

You can also get it in a flat version to change into or for others in the wedding party (ok, so maybe they are a little pricey for that, but it's the concept). I've pulled a few other cute options that are more affordable.

To the right, we have a Calvin Klein blush color floral sandal.

The second one is from Badgley Mischka also in the blush color. It's between the Calvin Klein and Kate Spade in pricing.

The last one is on the more affordable side and is from Nina. Again in the blush color. On the Nina Web site, you can design your own from their swatch book.

Imogen Heap Instrumental Versions

On Imogen Heap's most recent album, Ellipse, she included instrumental versions of all of her songs. I absolutely adore the modern feel of her music. I think that it could be a cool alternative to classical music if you are that type of couple. Check it out.

Different Girls, Different Dresses

Bridesmaids dresses are most womens' worst nightmare. The combination of being forced to buy a dress that you don't particularly care for that is on the higher price side knowing that it will end up in the closet for years to come because it screams "Bridesmaid Dress" and because 5 of your girlfriends have the same one is a little disheartening. As a woman who has 3 bridesmaid dresses hanging in my closet, I am in love with all of these brides who are mismatching their bridal parties. But I especially love it when they take it one step further and shop for the dresses in the places that the bridesmaids would normally shop.

I'm featuring four dresses from Banana Republic. I love the different colors that are all in the same family but not the same color. The four different styles give bridesmaids options for their different body types and preferences.

If you're going to make your friends spend $100 on a dress, at least let it be one that she likes that she will want to wear again. I can assure you that most bridesmaids rarely wear those dresses bought from bridal boutiques ever again, so don't you dare utter, "You can shorten it and wear it again."

Winterizing Your Bridal Party

While at Target I was loving on all of the cute winter accessories that will soon be going away (they have already put out the swim suits). I've seen blog posts about winterizing the bride's wear, but I wanted to play with the idea of winterizing the bridesmaids.

Winterizing your bridesmaids is a fun way to add texture to photographs. Different textures and levels add interest to photos. It also gives you a way to do more photos outside without the bridesmaids freezing their butts off.

I picked a few selections from target that I like (but by all means search vintage shops for antique gloves or check out any shop with winter wear). Pick things with visual interest that pop off of the bridesmaids dresses. You don't have to match them, accent them.

If you know a bride who has done this, I'd love to see pictures!

Jeweled Hat - Beanie - Beret - Gloves - Leather - Scarfs - Fur