Cufflinks!

Cufflinks... a classic grooms gift, but in this day in age they aren't so plain.Cufflinks are a great personalized gift for your husband to be to add a little bit of his personality to his suit or tux! Below are a few ideas from etsy and BHLDN on unique links!

Amanda & Brian! {Bollinger Mill}

A beautiful engagement session from Mandy Whitley Weddings! Congratulations to Amanda and Brian!

Rachel & Kasey! {Lake of the Ozark}

Ceremony Location: Edgewater Estate

Reception Location: Edgewater Estate

Entertainment: Night Magic Entertainment

Photographer: DKP Photography

Wedding Gown: Karen’s Bridal

Rentals (tents/tablecloths/etc): Crown Tent and Party Rental

Hair and Make- up: Spa Shiki

How did the two of you meet?

We worked together one summer at Ozark Bar-B-Que

Describe the proposal.

After dating for six years we had definitely talked about being ready for marriage for a while so I wasn’t sure he was going to be able to pull off a surprise – but he did! After coming home from work one Saturday afternoon I found a fancy lunch of my favorite things waiting for me. He kept calling to see when I was getting off and in the back of my head I kept thinking “he is going to do it at lunch”. I kept waiting and waiting and no proposal so I just figured it wasn’t going to be today. After we cleaned up he suggested we go on a walk on the new trail that was being constructed behind our house, which we did often so I didn’t think anything of it. Towards the end of the trail we came upon a bridge and I saw something sitting in the middle of it. As we got closer I noticed it was a huge bouquet of flowers (my favorite)and turned around a little bewildered and he was down on one knee and asked me to marry him! After I said yes he went and got strawberries and champagne from a hiding place and we sat on the bridge for what seemed like hours eating strawberries and drinking champagne. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face for days.

Theme of the wedding?

Country Garden

Favorite detail of the wedding?

The venue! I knew I wanted to get married outside and it was just like I imagined!

Favorite moment during the day?

I would have to say walking down the isle and seeing Kasey was my favorite moment of the day. I was starting to get choked up but then my eyes caught his and it was instantly calming. Also a lot of friends and family told me that right before the ceremony the sun was blinding people because of the reflection off the water and it was hard to see. Then, right as the music began, the sun went behind a cloud almost like magic. Even though I was too caught up in the moment to notice I thought that was really neat!

Worse moment of the day?

Not sure there was one! Although I wish I could have slowed down time so I could have enjoyed it for longer. The whole day went by so fast!

Finding the dress…

I don’t think I really had an ah-ha moment with dress shopping. I found a dress just like one I saw in a picture at a really affordable price and knew it was the one. Although the dress part gave me the most stress – the lady doing my alterations was horrible and I had to find a new seamstress 3 weeks before the wedding – talk about stressed out!

Biggest challenge you had with planning the wedding?

Since I basically did everything together with my mom we had to do a lot of bargain hunting. We were working on a very tight budget and went to a lot of stores and shopped online to compare pricing. The process was very tedious since I knew what I wanted in my head but couldn’t spend a fortune on every detail. I saved a lot of money ordering wholesale and doing the flowers on my own. I absolutely love flowers and would have had them everywhere but had to cutback due to the cost!

Words of wisdom to future brides.

Don’t be concerned with small details that may look wrong to you the day of – trust me no one will notice!! I would also say that you shouldn’t expect to do anything besides get ready and get married the day of – it’s not going to happen!

How was your wedding day? Everything and more?  

It was definitely everything I had dreamed of. I wanted it to be elegant but not over the top and I really wanted it to look effortless and natural and I think we pulled it off. We also were less traditional when it came to typical wedding rituals because all I really wanted to do was dance and spend time with my friends and family! We skipped the garter/bouquet toss, did mother/son & father/daughter dance together and did the cake cutting and speeches while everyone was eating to get the party moving.  It is probably the biggest party we will ever throw and it was the best day of our lives!

Color Inspiration!

Black and White... always a classic combination be inspired!

Jennifer & Colin! {Defiance}

Ceremony Location: Old Peace Chapel

Reception Location: Hilton Garden Inn

Caterer: Hilton Garden Inn

Florist: Walter Knoll

Photographer: amyMelitophotography

Wedding Cake: Sarah’s Cake Shop

Wedding Gown: Belle Bride

Hair and Make- up: Winghaven Salon and Spa

How did the two of you meet?

We worked together and became best friends

Describe the proposal.

We went to Dominican Republic for Colin’s best friend’s wedding. Colin was the best man. Once night after dinner we walked down to the beach. There was a heat lighting storm beginning and it was a beautiful night. We were just laying in lawn chairs watching the storm coming in and he got up and got on his knees to propose! I wasn’t expecting it because we were their for his best friend’s wedding but apparently everyone knew because everyone parted ways early that evening to give us time to ourselves.

Theme of the wedding?

We wanted a small intimate ceremony with our closest family and friends. We only had 75 guests.

Favorite detail of the wedding?

Spending time in the chapel by ourselves right before the wedding began.

Favorite moment during the day?

Before the wedding at the hotel our parents were trying to keep us  from seeing each other before the big moment. All Colin wanted was to eat a cheeseburger and my mom and sister were trying to hide me from him and I wanted to see the reception room. We  remember hearing each other but not being able see each other until Amy had us take a first look picture before the ceremony.

Worse moment of the day? 

None! Colin did drive himself to the wedding with the groomsmen and my brother. Half way to the church they were all like “why are you driving?” Colin said “Someone has to get there on time, I’m getting married today!”

Finding the dress… 

I knew what I wanted before I started looking! I picked the first dress I tried on. Tried on two more after the first and decided I was fooling myself. I’m a good judge of what I want before I try anything on. I wanted a vintage look so that I know it would not go out of style in 10 years. I am into the classics.

Biggest challenge you had with planning the wedding?

Our guests list size started at 30 and went to 75. We changed venues 3 times.

Words of wisdom to future brides.

Take time to remember every moment and don’t stress about it! It will turn out perfect as long as you know your purpose is to marry the man you were meant for and not to have every decor and planning detail perfect.

Any unexpected funny moments?

At the wedding rehearsal I gave our the ring bearer pillows and flower girl basket to the kids. My plan was to collect them after but Colin said that I shouldn’t worry about it and they were be there the next day. At the wedding the ring bearers did not have their pillows. They had there hands held in a praying style as they walked the isle. It was more perfect then having them carry pillows that I would never keep to begin with. They boys did great!

How was your wedding day? Everything and more? 

It was comfortable, we had our closest family and friends around us.