A Wink and A Smile

We pledge to each other to be loving friends and partners in marriage.
To talk and to listen, to trust and appreciate one another;
To respect and cherish each other’s uniqueness; and to support, comfort and strengthen each other through life’s joys and sorrows.

We promise to share hopes, thoughts and dreams as we build our lives together.
May our lives be ever intertwined, our love keeping us together.
We will build a home that is compassionate to all,
full of respect and honor for others and each other.
May our home be forever filled with peace, happiness and love.

With a wink and a smile,

Ellie

We all know what the bride wears (not that it’s easy to find the perfect white dress) and what the rest of the wedding party wears, but what about the guests? Maybe you spread your wedding’s dress code through word of mouth, on your website or even on the reception card of the invitation. Here’s a quick guide to what different dress codes mean:

White Tie or Ultra Formal:

• Her: Formal, full length evening gown
• Him: White tie, white vest, tux

Black Tie:

• Her: Formal, full length gown or a dressy short dress
• Him: Black bow tie or necktie, tux

Black Tie Optional:

• Women: Long gown optional, dressy cocktail dress
• Men: Black tie or a dark suit with a dark tie

Cocktail/Semi-Formal:

• Her: Short cocktail dress or long dressy skirt and top
• Him: Dark suit, tie, dress shoes

Festive/Party:

• Her: Cocktail dresses or skirts and tops in festive colors, usually with some sparkle and glitz
• Him: Dark suit, tie optional

Beach Casual: 

• Her: Lightweight sundress and flat sandals or wedges
• Him: Light colored slacks and shirt

Informal/Casual:

• Her: Sundress or day dress
• Him: Chinos or slacks and a polo shirt or casual button down

Hope this clears up the confusion! If you’re unsure, ask the bride or groom. Another clue is the invitation. Is it heavy paper, all black and white in a script font? Then it’s probably a pretty formal event. If the invite has a more casual feel, then you’re probably safe with a sundress during the day or cocktail dress at night.

With a wink and a smile,

Ellie

I’m having a love affair with all calligraphy invites. I’m going to let the pictures speak for themselves:

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With a wink and a smile,

Ellie

Anyone that knows me knows I’m a huge ice hockey fan (GO BU!). In honor of the first round of the Beanpot (a tournament between BU, BC, Harvard, and Northeastern) I had to share this hockey wedding.

Let’s go Terriers!

With a wink and a smile,

Ellie

weddingwonder:

Elizabeth Anne Designs

I also like the way that’s phrased. “In the round” just sounds so delightfully important and pompous. (I secretly enjoy things that are a little pompous.)

Anyway, I like the actual having a ceremony in the round for a few reasons. I love that it’s unique and not as popular as the traditional two sides of the aisle. I also like that it gives people more options for visibility and allows there to be fewer rows (ie people don’t have to sit farther back in order to fit any given number of chairs). And I like the idea that you’re literally being surrounded by “your people”, as Mrs. Cheese of Weddingbee would say.

And so, a few images of ceremonies in the round.

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I die over this one: I LOVE CANDLES. My daddy is super fire cautious and I know he’ll hate the idea, but I MUST have candles all over for my wedding ceremony. Full stop.

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With a wink and a smile,

Ellie

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.

A good marriage must be created.

In the art of marriage: the little things are the big things.

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.

It is standing together facing the world.

It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have wings of an angel.

It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding, and a sense of humor.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual, and the obligation is reciprocal.

It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

I’m going to be up front with ya’ll…I work at The Limited. I worked at Express for a year when the two stores were still owned by The Limited Brands (who own Victoria’s Secret, Bath and Body Works, and White Barn Candle Co) and I’ve been working for The Limited since April 2007. I wanted to share my adoration for the new (ish) wedding line from The Limited. Here’s my favorite of the bridal line:

I really like the silhouette and neckline detail of the dress, but what’s really pretty is the detail of the lace. Check out the website for the picture (I can’t get it to save here). The best part of all this? The dress retails for only $398! 

And there are great bridesmaids dresses too:

Such a pretty color blue. And it’s only $89.90. Not bad for a bridesmaid dress!! 

TheLimited.com also has links to honeymoon clothes and accessories.

With a wink and a smile,

Ellie

NOTE: This is not a sponsored post!! The Limited has no idea I’m writing this. 

DO:

• Practice, practice, practice. Be prepared!
• Include both the bride and the groom even if you barely know one of them. Try ending with something along the lines of, “You’ve found the one you’re meant to be with.”
• Think of three adjectives about the person to try to find a jump off point.
• Keep it positive.
• Keep it brief.
• If you’re going to tell a joke, rehearse it so the timing is right.

DON’T:

• Mention an ex-relationship.
• Talk about anything that might make people uncomfortable.
• Assume a surprise topic is the best idea. If you’re unsure whether or not to say something, talk to the bride and groom…or don’t talk about it at all.
• Include anything derogatory or offensive. 

{source: Something Blue Carolina}

With a wink and a smile,

Ellie