Barbie’s Big Day

Many of us can remember fantasizing about Barbie’s wedding day as little girls, from dressing her in over-the-top sequined ensembles to marching her down a makeshift aisle lined with plastic chairs.

Now that we’re brides and newlyweds ourselves, how could we not appreciate photographer Béatrice de Guigné’s stylish and creative Barbie & Ken “real wedding” photo shoot, which is funny and sweet all at once?

If you haven’t yet checked out the full feature over at Rock n’ Roll Bride, you simply must, if for no other reason than to start your week off with a big smile!

P.S. Thank you all for your well wishes ahead of Hurricane Irene. We made it through just fine, hunkering down for the weekend with good books, a couple bottles of wine and our trusty iPhones as we waited out the tropical-storm force winds and rain. Other than a few downed trees and a temporary power outage, it looks as though our immediate area thankfully made it through without any severe damage. My heart goes out to all of those facing serve flooding and destruction as a result of the storm.  

(Photo Credits: Béatrice de Guigné) 

A Party Planner Gets Hitched!

Whether she’s inspiring me with her latest DIY project or getting me pumped up for the weekend with her newest "Happy Friday" post, I always look forward to reading the latest from one of my all-time favorite bloggers, PartyPlannerGal. And very soon, I’ll be enjoying her wedding recaps, because this lucky lady is getting hitched tomorrow!

If you don’t already read her blog, The Perpetual Party Planner, you’re definitely missing out. I just love her friendly and positive tone, not to mention her mad DIY skills and incredible sense of style when it comes to fashion.

Congratulations, PartyPlannerGal! I hope your wedding day is entirely amazing in every way. Of course, given the love and talent you’ve poured into it, it’s impossible for it to be anything but stellar. See you on the other side, girl!

(Photo Credit: The Perpetual Party Planner)

Supporting Each Other

When I first watched the fabulous wedding video below, I was blown away by how fun and imaginitive it was. I loved everything about it, and felt it truly captured the couple’s wedding in a style that was original and unique.

But after I saw and read about some of the disgusting, hateful comments being thrown this bride’s way, I simply wanted to cry.

As brides, as women, and as people, we are all different, with our own personalities, values and visions, both in life and when it comes to our wedding days. No two brides or weddings are alike, and that’s what I so love about these celebrations – the creativity and embracing of difference that they inspire.


Lauren + JP from Matt Odom on Vimeo.

I started blogging and sharing my story to support and encourage others, and with the hope I’d get the same in return. Fortunately, I have, and the camaraderie I’ve discovered in the community of bloggers has been nothing short of amazing.

That’s what we each deserve, and whether we agree or disagree about any number of topics, we should still respect and believe in one another. While I’m sure there’s someone out there who would love to cut down my wedding or my looks, all that matters is that I felt beautiful and happy on my day. Most importantly, our wedding reflected me as a person – with all my flaws and attributes on display.

Lauren, though I don’t know you and you’ll probably never read this, I hope you know that you and your wedding were absolutely beautiful. No one has the right to use hatred and ignorance to take away from the joy and excitement you felt.

I support you, as I do all the brides I have the honor of knowing, whether here online or in my day-to-day life. I’m here to share joy and build people up, not cut them down. We’re each beautifully unique people, and that's something to celebrate. Cruelty and ugliness have no place here.

(Video Credit: Matt Odom)

Wedding Week Countdown: Up, Up & Away!

First, a big congratulations to Hannah from A Very Gator Wedding who’s tying the knot this weekend! I hope you have a fabulous day, filled with all the fun wedding ideas you’ve shared with us! :)

As for me, this is it! Stephen and I are off to the airport, wedding gown and honeymoon luggage in hand, with less than a week to go until our big day!

Now, you’d think that given all of the bags we’re toting along – including everything for the week before the wedding, the wedding itself, and the honeymoon – we’d be prepared to pay a hefty number of luggage-check fees before we board the plane. But we’re not worried at all. Not in the least.

Why? Well, as a wonderful pre-wedding surprise, Stephen’s dad snagged us first-class tickets, meaning that not only can we enjoy an especially comfortable, relaxing flight, but also that we’re able to take a pass on the airlines' infamous nickel-and-diming on everything from checked luggage to food and drinks.

This is probably the first time in my life I’ve actually been looking forward to a cross-country flight, and is even more of a reminder of what a generous, thoughtful family I’m about to join. Have a great weekend, everyone, and I’ll catch up with you in Cali!

(Photo Credit: Google Images)

Congratulations, Born to be Mrs. Beever!

After over a year of planning her special day, awesome blogger Born to be Mrs. Beever from Thoughts of the All Consumed Bride is getting married today!

Ever since we met through Get Married’s Blogger Brides, her passion, unique ideas and can-do spirit have inspired me and so many other brides.

Congratulations, Stacey, and here’s to a fabulous future for you and Mr. Fix-It!

(Photo Credit: Thoughts of the All Consumed Bride)