Blog - The Wedding Guys

Show Recap: UNVEILED February 17th

February 20, 2019

Couldn’t have ended the season on a better note. The most luxurious wedding event in Minnesota was on Sunday, February 17th. UNVEILED Minneapolis this past weekend was definitely one for the books! So many beautiful couples came through the doors of the Minneapolis Convention Center. Over 130 of the Twin Cities best vendors came to UNVEILED and brought loads of inspiration and the hottest trends for attendees.

Trend Wedding Experience: Trend Wedding 2019

A dreamy woodland came together at the Minneapolis Convention center this pastSundayy. The Trend Wedding Experience was in honor of the trend wedding winners this year Liz and Ang! Their valentines wedding was brought to Unveiled with the help of bethings, Joy Unspeakable Flowers, epitome papers, and HyVee. As seen on TCL (Twin Cities Live) brides had the chance to walk through and experience inspiration pieces from Liz and Ang’s wedding at UNVEILED Trend Wedding Experience.

Tasting Bar

Yummy! Attendees got to sample delicious cuisine from Deco catering, French Meadow Bakery & Cafe, and Profile Events. Equal Parts Cocktail Company served out some delicious cocktail mixes to wash it all down with.

The Sweets Emporium

Attendees got to satisfy their sweet tooths at the Sweets Emporium from an array of delicious desserts from Cafe Latte, johnjeanjuan, Nadia Cakes, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Sweet Assurance.

TrendSpot Fashion Show

Directly from New York Fashion Week UNVEILED brings the hottest trends straight from the runway to the Twin Cities. Brides got to “ooh” and “awe” to beautiful gowns from Mestads Bridal and Formalwear, Diamond Bride, Wedding Shoppe, and handsome suits from Savvi Formalwear.

A special thank you to all of our attendees who attended the show this past weekend along with all of our fabulous vendors that came out!

Until next time at the next show Twins Cities Bridal Show on September 22nd!

What to do after attending a bridal show

February 20, 2019

SO NOW WHAT DO I DO WITH ALL THIS STUFF!?

The Wedding Guys’ 8 helpful hints to putting all the inspiration and information to good use after attending a bridal show!

The wedding planning process can seem overwhelming and now that you attended the Twin Cities Bridal Show you are probably wondering what do I do with all the information and materials you gathered while talking to exhibitors and browsing displays. Don’t worry, The Wedding Guys® are here to help you, so let’ get to it! Here are eight helpful hints that will help you channel all of the inspiration and information you gathered at the Twin Cities Bridal Show!

We hope you enjoyed your experience at their Twin Cities Bridal Show, now you need to put your feet up and find your favorite beverage to sip on while you relax and process all the information and excitement.

Step 1: Set your budget!

We hope you made a budget prior to attending the show so you are able to determine what you can and cannot afford. Sometimes after attending a show couples will determine they want to spend more in one area of the wedding and less in other areas. The most important part is to stay within your budget and create a wedding that is personal to you and experiential for your guests!

Step 2: Determine your progress:

We find that most people fit into three different stages of planning when attending bridal shows…

The first group is couples who have just become engaged and are looking at everything in sight or trying to set a date in their search for a ceremony and reception venue. Once they have set the date and venue all the other things can fall into place. If you are in the middle category you are possibly looking for secondary items like flowers, cake, décor etc. lucky you! (This is what we like to call the fun stuff!). Finally, if you are a part of the last group you may have discovered you still have some room in the budget and are trying to determine if you can afford a little extra entertainment or something really special for your guests. Regardless of whatever category you fit into The Wedding Guys have already assumed you have either been to a bridal salon or planning to go to “Say Yes” to your perfect dress. If you are going to a salon make an appointment and always remember Saturday is a salons busiest day, so if you can go during the week it may be a bit more relaxing.

Step 3: Confirm Appointments.

The first step in actually doing something with all your TC Bridal Show info is to look at your notes from your phone or notebook to see what appointments you set while at the show. Call these appointments and confirm your date and time. Be courteous to the wedding expert and if you have decided not to keep the appointment please call them and let them know.

Step 4: Categorize and Prioritize!

Next, you’ll want to begin taking all the literature and information you collected and put them into categories (i.e. Gift Registry, Tuxedos, Catering, Flowers, Bridal Gowns etc.). Once you have completed this, place them in priority of what you believe is the most important to you as a couple. Decide which items are on your “want to have” list and what is on your “need to have” list, there is a difference! There really isn’t much you need to have in order to get married but you will find there is a lot of “want to haves” to get married.

Step 5: Divide and Conquer!

Once you have selected the priority in which you would like to schedule your planning by placing your information in priority stacks, divide the items into areas you as a couple or individual will be responsible for completing. Keep in mind as you are just starting the planning process to consider the wedding experts who only take on one or two weddings in a weekend first such as photographers and videographers, they will book up very fast.

Step 6: Evaluate.

Once you have completed your priority list and his, hers and ours to-do lists, evaluate the experts based on these three very important criteria:

Personal connection – do you feel comfortable working with them?
Do they see your vision of your wedding the same way you do?
Are they within your budget?

Step 7: Schedule!

Set up appointments with 2 or 3 experts unless you know for sure the one you met is the expert you for sure want to work with. Once you have done this make sure you confirm your appointment and ask ANY questions you have, as there are truly no dumb questions. Remember, working with these experts is not something you are used to doing every day so it’s all brand-new!

Step 8: Take a deep breath- trust the process!

Trusting your instincts is very important and you will know when the experts are right for you. Don’t ask all your friends and family for their input, as you know in life, everyone will have an opinion, but it really comes down to you and the input of people you trust the most (parents or extremely close friends) that makes the difference. Remember, sometimes it’s all about you and not them when it comes to picking out the perfect wedding experts you want to work with on your wedding day.

Tips for selecting your bridesmaid gowns

February 20, 2019

Now that you’ve picked your bride tribe for your big day you gotta get your bridesmaids set up with some fabulous dresses! We rounded up some helpful tips for selecting your bridesmaid gowns!

Do your research!

Screenshot, pin, and save photos on what catches your eye for bridesmaids dresses. The more inspiration the better! Don’t be afraid to save everything you like, you’d do the same thing when searching for your dress!

Shop appropriately

Decide whether you want to be shopping alone or with others. Having your bride squad with you or not can be a blast and can be stressful. It’s important to decide between the two to make your shopping experience better.

Money honey!

If you’ve been a bridesmaid before you know that you pay for your own bridesmaid dress. It’s a good idea to keep in mind your bridesmaid’s life circumstances when searching for dresses. An option to have on the table is offering the bridesmaids to pick out their own dresses; you would just let them know what color you selected, this allows a more comfortable situation for bridesmaids to pick a dress at their own price range.

Color

Whether it’s going off of your color palette for your wedding or a compliment to those colors. Go on the other end of the spectrum! Picking out different shades of bridesmaids dresses is the rage right now. It’s a fun way to change things up in a unique way.

Timely Manner

Schedule things out! Leave room for error, having a 5-8 month time slot for ordering the dresses along with time for alternations to be done. This buys you more time for even after fittings your bridesmaids may still need more alterations done, so there will still be time!

Intimates

Ladies, we all know the right bra makes or breaks certain outfits; especially dresses! Making sure after your bridesmaids get the right kind of intimates that go accordingly with the type of dress is super important. This can be a new bra, strapless or not, a new type of panty or Spanx!

Check out some bridesmaid dresses inspo on our Pinterest page! -> Bridesmaids Fashion

Happy Shopping!

Designer Feature: Lihi Hod

February 20, 2019

Voted the best wedding dress designer in Isreal in 2014 and 2016 Lihi Hod stuns brides around the world with her timeless elegant gown designs. Only using the most luxurious materials, Lihi’s philosophy is that “Every bride receives our full attention and every process of designing and creation leads to a dress that is truly one of a kind”. Each of Lihi Hod’s dresses is tailor-made, making any brides dream dress a true dream come true. Check out her Fall 2019 collection below!

10 Valentine’s day gifts for your fiancé

February 13, 2019

Love is in the air! February 14th is just around the corner. We did our research and found the best gifts to get your fiance this valentines day.

For the fashionista! A fun colored handbag is perfect to spruce up an outfit for date night!

Micheal Kors– $358 Whitney Large Petal Quilted Leather

Pucker up! A fabulous lipstick will spice up any makeup look and a great gift for her!

Nordstrom – $38 YSL Heart and Arrow Rouge Volupte Shine Collector

Treat yourself! Help boost your natural collagen with this handcrafted from rose quartz this facial roller.

Norstrom – $28 Rose Quartz Crystal Facial Roller

Get your beauty sleep! Crafted from pure silk this slip pillowcase recommended by dermatologists is perfect for any skin care lover.

Derm Store – $105 slip pure silk pillowcase

With notes of sambac jasmine and vanilla, this beauty awarded perfume is the perfect gift for your valentines.

Sephora – $165 Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb

Perfect for any techy hubby! Start listening to your music with superior sound.

Apple – $159 AirPods

You know he’ll look great in a classic blazer. Great to spiff up your outfit for your night out together or for work!

J.Crew – $250 Ludlow blazer in herringbone English tweed

Stylish Bifold is a perfect simple gift for any hubby this valentines day.

Fossil – $45 Jasper Flip ID Bifold

For the humorous couple, remind him just how much you love him with custom boxers!

BFF Wear – $30 Custom Photo Boxers (Love)

Your man deserves a good skin routine too! This Alpha Clarisonic is the perfect gift this valentines day and for great skin.

Cos Bar – $153 Alpha Fit Grey Cleansing System

Happy Valentine’s day!

Love,

The Wedding Guys

Designer Feature: Ines Di Santo

February 13, 2019

Ines Di Santo is worn by brides around the world along with her renowned event gowns worn on the red carpet. Using only techniques found in couture designs Ines Di Santo’s sophisticated gowns inspired by her Italian and Spanish heritage is any brides dream dress. With delicate details and luxurious fabrics, Ines Di Santo captures “…the essence of sophisticated glamour” in the most exquisite way. Check out some amazing shots straight from the runway from New York Bridal Fashion Week.

Why “mini destinations” and “local”destinations have become so popular

February 6, 2019

This year we see the growing intent to create a wedding ‘experience’ and one glance at social media shows couples wanting to create buzz-worthy weddings filled with unique experiences to be captured with beautiful images. The once popular rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception model is now making way for an immersive experience and many are choosing a destination to host the bevy of activities that have defined the nuptial weekend.

One thing is certain, destination weddings don’t just mean a tropical location that a select number of friends and family will jet off to. Now, destination weddings encompass a range of options, from romantic backdrops in Ireland or Italy, to local destinations on the north shore (our other coast) and quaint country inns that can host an entire weekend of activities.

Both types of destination weddings bring with them the expectation of planned events along with time to enjoy the unique opportunities in the area. And, while the foreign destination wedding was once used to reduce the guest count, couples are increasingly surprised with the number of family and friends that are choosing to attend their weddings; particularly for the millennial guest looking for an adventure, this gives them a chance to seize an experience with much of the planning taken care of.

Don’t necessarily think a destination wedding is the cheap alternative it used to be. There are now more options than ever and if you want to provide a range of experience and activities for your guests, large groups can certainly impact the budget.

There can be fantastic perks to a destination wedding, however, including some great packages and added perks for the couple based on the number of rooms booked with the property, but don’t think you will get the best pricing or the best location by shopping online. Working with a travel agent will provide you with the information you need to make the best decisions and to get the best pricing. Most have traveled and stayed in the best destinations, so they can give you an accurate account of each of the options. Also, if there is something that is extremely important to you, like local fare, crafted cocktails or amazing spa, they will be able to dial in to the property that will provide everything you are looking for.

Both local and travel destinations are amping up their offerings to create something special, not only for the couple, but for the entire guest list. From boat trips and campfires at local destinations to private pools and VIP cabanas in tropical locals, your guests can experience fun adventures and exclusive amenities that they may not normally have access to. Whatever you choose, you will find your guests reminiscing over all the elements that you incorporate in your destination wedding.

Designer Feature: Grace Loves Lace

February 6, 2019

Grace Loves Lace and we love Grace! For the modern free-spirited bride Grace Loves Lace presents effortlessly luxurious gowns for the unique bride. Handmade with the finest European lace and silks Grace sells her gowns in over 65 countries worldwide. With a large online audience of customers, Grace offers online stylists to help you choose your special gown.

Long live the woman who throws it all to the wind, chooses and follows through with conviction and zeal, who is reckless in her passion, nomadic in her joy, progressive in her beliefs, knows exactly what she wants, and always, always bets everything on love.

You are the unique bride. We are Grace Loves Lace. Let’s get married x