what will you say 'I Do' to?

I heart that my family & friends know my passions.

I heart that they know just what to give me to make me sparkle-and yes, it's most likely involved with weddings. :)

My newest little gift is a magazine article based on some fun tidbits that I'm lovin' to share with all the brides to be out there... you know who you are: this is for you.

We've been seeing it transcend into the making for the past few seasons and take the place of the all to familiar wedding cake and that is the cupcake. It has made it's depute and it's not going anywhere! We love them-they are cute, there is no cake cutting cost [oh yes, most venues have a cake cutting fee!] and well, who can refuse a cupcake?

Honestly, I know little.

Did you also know that there are even new-er trends breaking the scene? This peeked my interest quite a bit as I had never heard of it but the paper does not lie. [hah!]

The newest trend is ... Twinkies! Some other trends that are popping up are s'mores and doughnuts. Isn't that fun?!

All this to say: anything goes now-a-days, ladies! My sister had pies at her wedding this summer and it was a fantastic twist to the norm.

I say embrace the trends and think outside the box!

It's way too much fun! :)

anne to my diana.

Friendships that complete you as a person are truly a gift that God has given us--especially us woman. Can I get an amen to that, ladies? ;) My Heidi is one of those gifts. She has the same intricate thoughts, weird expressions and wildness as me. We get it. We get each other. She is my Anne to my Diana.

The sad part is that she lives 9 hours away. Every year we make it a point to reconnect face to face. In our 11 years of friendship, we have never missed a year. This past weekend was our time to laugh over coffee, stay up half the night whispering secrets and kissing one another's cheeks. I treasure my few days with her as it must last me all year. Here's to you my beloved. Let us drink our sweater brews yearly as we dance in fall leaves. I love you.

searching for you.

In the off season of the year you may think that wedding consultants sit back and drink our pumpkin spice lattes while breezing through the latest trends but it's not necessarily true! okay okay... I am totally still sipping that pumpkin spice latte and looking through all the greatest bridal mags but it isn't ALL I'm doing! :)

I'm working hard to find the very best wedding vendors for you. The vendors that elizabeth anne recommends are top notch in quality, personality and trustworthy to the core... and can I just say that I am meeting the BEST ones?! I am!! It's been a blast to add these fab vendors to my list & I'm super excited to start recommending them to you...because you are worth it. :)

be an honored guest.

Guests have a huge part in a wedding, unfortunately there is some huge no- no's going on that I just have to address. : )

RSVP immediately. As soon as you get the invitation, ideally. Especially if you cannot attend – this will allow the hosts to possibly expand their guest list with plenty of time to send an invitation properly. If the response card asks for entree selection, be sure to fill it in, and why not add a quick message to the back of the card – let the couple know how excited you are to be a part of their wedding day. It’s so much fun to receive the RSVPs in the mail, and your bonus message will be a delight for the bride and groom.

Arrive early. Expect there may be traffic and that parking might be atrocious, and still plan to be at the wedding ceremony at least 15 minutes earlier than stated on the invitation. It’s becoming more common to state a time on the invitation that differs from the planned start time to be sure everyone has arrived, but if the ceremony takes place in a church, that buffer time may not be available. So don’t just be on time, be early.

Sit where you are assigned to sit. The couple and families spent many hours fine tuning who will set where and to disregard their careful planning is not only disrespectful to the hosts, but may also create some adjusting for the catering staff who were told in advance how many people (and perhaps entree choices) were at each table.

Participate. If there is a guest book to sign, please do! If well wishes are requested, take the time to sincerely offer advice. If there is a photo booth with pros available, it is your duty as a considerate wedding guest to don a boa and sombrero and say “cheese!” If the bride is out on the dance floor with the kids and no one is joining her, be the first to do so and start a trend.

And then there is the bar… This is a celebration, so celebrate! But know when enough is enough. The last memory anyone will want of this wedding is how sloshed or sick one got during the reception. Don’t pull focus from the couple – the spot light is on them and it’s your just as the guest to stand by and applaud.

Respect their space. There will be many people who want time with the couple, so take your turn and try not to monopolize their attention. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to the rest of families (if you don’t already know them) and express your joy in attending this wonderful occasion.

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