Blog - The Wedding Guys

Designer Feature: MORILEE Endless Love Collection

September 12, 2018

Acclaimed bridal designer Madeline Gardner’s ‘Endless Love’ bridal collection features 25 romantic bridal looks.

Each unique gown was inspired by endless and infinite love; falling in love is magical and falling in love with your wedding dress should be too. Madeline Gardner opted for subtle glamour this season; layered semi-sheer tulle coupled with flecks of unexpected sparkle. You will also find chic cup corset bodices, dramatic embroidered trains & ultra-feminine exaggerated silhouettes.

The modern yet timeless styles elevate every bride-to-be’s natural beauty; “We know that when we create a dress, we’re not just making something to wear. We’re making magic.” – Madeline Gardner, Designer & Creative Director of MORILEE

Madeline Gardner has perfectly blended her expert knowledge of design with her flare for beautiful details into each look this season. While her style is constantly evolving, her designs continue to transcend time.

how to include your kids and future step kids in your wedding

September 12, 2018

National stepfamily day is just around the corner on September 16th. We are listing some great ways to include your kids and or step kids on your wedding day! When kids are involved, weddings take on a whole new meaning as two families are officially becoming one. It can be scary for kids of various ages having new family member(s) coming into your life but it can also be an exciting change. Here are some fun ideas to incorporate if you or your fiancé (or both) have kids.

Twist on the typical sand or candle uniting during the ceremony with a fun attribute using candy!

Photo By: Winding Violets Photography

In addition to the vows of the couple, presenting vows to your significant others children is such a touching detail to your big night. A great way to include the whole family!

Photo by: ANA NYC

Let’s dance! The first dance is always a touching and memorable part during the reception, let the kids have a turn! After, or halfway through the first dance let the whole family be included in the fun. This is a great way to celebrate the new families status.

Giving special tasks to your stepchildren throughout your wedding day is a great way to make them feel included and helpful! Big or small tasks, there’s no such thing as too much help when it comes to your big day.

Get them involved in the wedding planning. What kid wouldn’t LOVE to indulge in a cake tasting! Or let them choose a couple songs on the dance floor playlist. Are you a DIY bride? Have the little ones assist in some of the DIY crafting prior to the wedding.

Signature Drinks? If the bride and groom are creating signature drinks, why not have one for the kids! Think, Shirley temples, smoothies, milkshakes, specialty lemonades or a fancy mock-tail.

Photo from This Worthey Life

Photo By: Tessa Pace Photography

Have a First Look moment with the kids. This is an especially touching moment for a mother and daughter or mother and step-daughter. You will cherish this moment and these photos for a lifetime.

How to include grandparents in your wedding day

September 5, 2018

In honor of grandparents day coming up on Sunday, we have put together some food for thought on how to include your grandparents on your wedding day. Whether your grandparents have passed or are still around in your life there are many ways to include your grandparents on your special day.

Photos by Kourtney J Photography

Ask your grandma to walk down the aisle as your flower girl.

Last year a video of a 92 year old serving as a flower girl in her granddaughter’s wedding went viral! If your grandma has a good sense of humor, this could be a fun and memorable way to include her in the wedding!

Have grandpa step in as your ring bearer.

Well if grandma is going to serve as a flower girl, you may as well make it a family affaire and include your grandpa as the ring bearer!

Invite a grandparent to do a special reading during the ceremony.

Consider having a grandparent do a special reading at your ceremony. Ask them to choose a reading that is meaningful to them or even better- a reading or passage that was included in their own wedding day!

Wear a piece of your grandma’s wedding day wardrobe

whether it is her dress, earrings, or a broach, incorporating a piece of your grandparent into your wedding day look will be a touching way to include her.

Ask your grandparents for words of wisdom.

Theres no better advice than that from a couple who has stood the test of time! Ask your grandparents to write you and your fiancé a letter with advice for your future. Set aside a time during your day to read the letter with your hubby.

Invite your Grandma to get ready with you.

Your mom will most likely be included in the pre-wedding festivities and be in the room when you get your dress on. If you are close with your grandmother, consider having her be a part of this special moment. After you get on your dress with your mom, have your grandma help with your jewelry. You will cherish these photos for years to come.

Leave a seat open for the grandparent who would have sat there.

It’s always nice to have a token of remembrance for the loved ones who have passed and are not able to be with you on your big day. We love the idea of leaving a chair for your grandparent and placing flowers on the seat.

Create a photo display honoring all the family members who have passed away.

Other family members will love reminiscing and viewing old photos of your grandparents. Consider choosing a wedding photo from your grandparents’ wedding day.

Light a candle and leave it lit during your ceremony.

Candles are a beautiful way to remember your loved ones, include a note in your program explaining that the candle at the altar is in remembrance of your grandparent.

Designer Feature: Ida Torez

September 5, 2018

Nautically inspired the Ida Torez 2018 Soul of The Sea presents breathtaking gowns with exquisite detailing representing the true inspiration behind the line of Soul of The Sea. The Spanish designer Ida Torez is well known for sexy silhouettes and feminine details. Check out Idatorez.com to see more of this gorgeous collection.

How to choose the venue that is right for you

August 29, 2018

Yay! You’re engaged! With overwhelming excitement on starting this new chapter in your life, it’s hard to think of what’s next. On the journey of planning your big day choosing a venue can be hard, but it is one of the first items you should cross off your list. We have some tips and tools for you to use for smooth planning to your happy beginning.

@Lumber Exchange MPLS

Create your wedding vision

Making vision boards or mood boards can help direct you in the direction of what you like and don’t like for working towards your picture-perfect wedding.

2. Money honey $

Creating a budget, not only how much you wanna spend on your venue but the overall wedding in general.

3. Guest list

Finalizing a guest list or at least a detailed draft is essential before you even begin the venue search. Many venues have strict capacity policies and nothing is worse than falling in love with a venue that can’t fit all your friends and family.

4. Narrow down your venue search

After looking at what feels like a million pictures and sending emails to various venues it’s time to narrow down the search. Making a pro and con list can help you eliminate some of your choices.

5. Schedule tours

Once you have a shorter list of venue options, contact the coordinator or advisor at the venue to book a meeting and tour!

6. Was it the rustic barn? The glamours venue downtown? The country club with the flawless golf course? Whatever your heart desires, it’s time to book your reception venue!

Venues fill up fast depending on location and time of year, some book up years in advance! Especially during busy wedding seasons, many brides are on their feet on booking their reception venue!

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12-month Planning Guide

August 29, 2018

Did you get engaged this summer? If so, by now you have probably displayed your new bling, announced the big news, started Pinterest browsing and dreaming of the perfect wedding day. Now that summer is coming to a close and the big news has finally sunk in you probably saying, “now what!?” where do you even begin when it comes to planning a wedding. We know, the beginning can seem overwhelming and daunting but if you take it step by step, planning your wedding planning will be fun! The Wedding Guys have created a 12-month planning guide to ease your post-engagement stress and keep you on track through the process! If you need more guidance and inspiration, we would love to see you at one of our upcoming shows! We truly believe our bridal shows are the best way to book your wedding vendors, all while having fun and getting the best inspiration! Twin Cities Bridal Show is coming up on September 23rd.

Fun at the Fair! Engagement shoot inspiration

August 22, 2018

In honor of the Minnesota State Fair, we have scouted some amazing engagement shoot inspiration! If you are recently engaged, grab your fiancé, a photographer, and head to the fair for a fun engagement shoot that is sure to show off your sweet side.

Becca Dilley Photography: Elly and Zeke’s Minnesota State Fair Engagement Shoot

Plaid Poppy Co. Photography Couples Lifestyle Shoot:

Tessa June Photography: County Fair Sweetheart Session

Alexandra Oleen Photography: Angela and Cody’s Engagement Shoot

Unique Wedding Desserts

August 22, 2018

After the cake cutting is complete guests begin eyeing down the dessert table to see what’s in store. We all know and love the typical buttercream frosted cake, cupcakes and gourmet dessert bars. But this week, we’re taking a turn with wedding desserts and thinking outside the box for unique desserts, and trust us, these are sure to wow your guests and their sweet tooth.

meringue Tower

Photo by Birds Of A Feather

Kransekake (Norwegian Wedding Cake)

Photo by Lucy Leonardi

Milk & Cookie Shooters

Photo by Clean Plates Pictures

Pie Bar

Photo by Rylee Hitchner Photography

Cannolis

Photo by Goldie & Christine Photography and Junebug Weddings

S’more Station

Photo by Meredith Harris Photography

State Fair Inspired Wedding Eats

August 22, 2018

Photo by ptobin@gfherald.com

“The Great Minnesota Get-Together.”

As Minnesotan’s we all know and love the annual Minnesota State Fair! As one of the largest state fairs in the United States, we proudly devoir the famous Sweet Martha’s warm and gooey cookies, hand dipped corn dogs, freshly squeezed lemonade, and hundreds of mouth watering food options. In honor of this fair season, we rounded up Minnesota State Fair inspired appetizer ideas. A fun twist for cocktail hour appetizers, a late-night snack for your or even during your rehearsal dinner! For all of our true Minnesotan couples here’s some food for thought, literally!

Pizza Cones

Photo by Pillsburry

Fried Dill Pickle Spears

Photo by Cooking and Beer

Sweet Martha’s Cookies or other mini cookie options

Photo by Smcgee

Corn Dogs

Photo by Just Taste

Funnel Cake

Photo by Mrs.Fields

Cotten Candy Shots

Photo by Sugar & Cloth

Designer Feature – Rime Arodaky

August 14, 2018

Watch out the cool bride is in town! We are LOVING these “anti-bridal” wedding dresses designed by Rime Arodaky. For those who don’t take the traditional path or desire something more edgy for their wedding dress, these options will make you say “yes” to the dress.

After attending l’École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris, Arodaky’s hometown, she started the revolution of creating masterpiece dresses for brides who want the sexy, edgy and also modern look and feel on their wedding day. While challenging the traditional bridal look and the status quo of the word traditional for weddings in general, Rime Arodaky creates a profile for the “Rime Arodaky” bride. Loose, sexy, windswept hair, no heels or in this case shoes in general, the Rime Arodaky bride is clothed in confidence; strong-willed and ready to rock and roll on her wedding day! Check out these pictures to get a glimpse of Rime Arodaky’s fierce 2018 collection.

Smiling, wild brides, our mascot dog Cashmere, disheveled hair, dancing till we drop, being in love, lace, Beyoncé, Greg Finck’s photos, the moon, a sunny afternoon in Paris, Kate Moss, pineapples, California, being lazy in bed on Sundays, embroidery, the Manhattan skyline, spontaneous traveling, Sex & the City and Friends, to laugh over and over again, but most importantly, making our brides happy!