Kristen & Michael

April 27

Cleburne, Texas

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Q & A with the Bride:

1. What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?

It was the beautiful setting with an amazing rustic, elegant barn that matched what I had always envisioned for my wedding.  I did not think I would find something like that in the North Texas area.  There were also two details that sealed the deal for us though.  The first was the owner’s story.  We loved the heart behind why they created this venue, and I loved hearing the story directly from Ann, who answered my phone call herself one morning.  The second was that they actually had an available day in April!  Because our engagement was so short, most venues laughed at me when I said that I was looking for dates available in April 2013 and not 2014.  We had prayed for God to provide us a venue, and we knew He had provided in abundance when we found Thistle Springs!  

2. Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

The first would be the handmade decorations by my father and mother.  My father made the wooden cake stand, and the flower box used on the head table.  I burned the writing on them.  My mom created the window that had a scripture painted on it with pictures of Michael and I.  He also handcrafted a wine box with a key/lock and engraved initials.  In it we put love letters in to each other for our “first fight” to remind us of the deep love we truly have for one another.  He handpicked the wood he used with knots and imperfections as a symbol of how real life and love is, imperfect yet beautiful!  

The second thing would be the table decorations. The “thank you” cards on the plates with the “to do” list on the back were cute. I LOVED picking out all the different lanterns that were the center pieces.  It was the first decision I made on decorations.  I wanted lanterns because they were a symbol to me of what Michael and I wanted our marriage to be.  We want to have a marriage that honors God and is and light/example of His love for the world to see.

The third thing would be the floating wish/prayer lantern send off at the end of the night.  It was beautiful! Every family got to take one home as their gift so that they could choose their own special time to celebrate with a floating lantern together.  I wrote a little poem explaining it. It was fun. 

3. Give us the one moment from your wedding you can’t stop thinking about.

Michael and I lighting our floating lantern, letting it go together and then watching all the glowing lanterns float into the sky right before we left.  It was BEAUTIFUL!  

This week, we’ve shared some of our favorite ideas for bachelorette parties. Our take: While a night of bar hopping, dancing, and potential debauchery can be fun, it’s not the only option out there. This bachelorette party absolutely proves this point. This bride-to-be and a group of girlfriends visited a Napa Valley vineyard for an afternoon of wine tasting, noshing, and lots of laughing. It’s all about choosing your own bachelorette party adventure – one that suits your taste and personal style – so go for it and have fun!

Today’s Florida-based styled shoot was inspired by a pink-and-green swatch of striped fabric, which was used throughout the décor. The theme? “Fete Des Fleurs,” which means “Feast of Flowers” in French. Says the photographer, “The reasoning behind the feast of flowers was to create an atmosphere of feasting in a French garden, with a combination of florals, succulents, vegetables, and fruits as the main courses.” We’re obsessed with the lush and gorgeous floral arrangements, the regal gold and pink paper suite, and the incredible striped Hayley Paige gown that so perfectly matches the theme!

Photo: Promise Tangeman

Bachelorette parties don’t have to center around bar crawls and embarrassing charades. Instead, think of it as an opportunity to try something new! Check out some of these unique bachelorette party ideas:

1. Back to School – Tailgate at your old stomping grounds (a.k.a university or college) for a sporting event.

2. Train for a Marathon/Triathlon – Every bride wants to eat healthy and exercise before the wedding. Register for a 5k like the Color Run or 3-day (60 miles) Susan B. Comen race to end breast cancer.

3. Skydive – This adrenaline adventure in the sky will get any bride’s heart pumping.

4. Whitewater Rafting – If the bride is more of the outdoorsy type, consider getting wet and wild down river rapids.

5. RV Cross Country – Take a week’s vacation and rent an RV with your besties. Road trip across U.S. major cities such as: New York City, Washington, D.C., Nashville, New Orleans, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

6. Pottery Making – Be a ceramic potter for a day. Ask each bridesmaid to create a piece of artwork for the bride’s home.

7. Cruise the Countryside – No, not in a car, but bikes. Choose a destination that has plenty of sight-seeing and good eats to take pit stops at.

8. Trapeze Class – Fly high before you take the plunge.

9. Boating – Hire a captain and sail the open sea.

10. Photo Shoot – Choose a theme and have a everyone dress accordingly.

Which idea would you choose? Let us know in the comments below!

Kimberly & Tonya

August 6

Naples, Florida

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From the Event Planner: 

“The couple chose to exchange vows on the lawn of Fleischmann Park overlooking the Gulf in Downtown Naples FL.  The day could not have been more beautiful and everyone got a giggle when the flower girl tossed her basket down the aisle. A reception followed at the Naples Bay Resort where the guests dined on small plates, each representing a different borough of New York City.  Kim and Tonya knew they wanted a NYC-themed wedding to celebrate the city where they fell in love – we focused on Central Park as the inspiration for the decor. The room was filled with large plants and the centerpieces featured large trees with hanging candles and orchids. The couple surprised the guests by changing into tuxes and serving a late night snack of candied nuts and warm pretzels just as you would have on the streets of NYC.” -Kehrin Hassan, Jet Set Wed