Photo Shoot : A Rock the Dress Session in a Lavender Field

Canadian beauty, Wanda, is wife to Bill Goldberg {the former professional wrestler}, a mom, a TV show host, and a stunt-woman. Tricia of Equinox Photo was asked to photograph her Rock the Dress session at the gorgeous Keys Creek Lavender Farm. Wanda and Bill had married at a destination wedding several years ago and never got the opportunity to do a bridal session. For the shoot, Wanda donned her lace wedding gown by Bonny and her favorite cowboy boots. Don't you just love these stunning photos of a gorgeous bride rocking her dress in fields of lavender?

To see even more breathtaking photos amongst the lavender, please visit
pages 8-11 in the August issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine.

Photography: Tricia of Equinox Photo
Venue: Keys Creek Lavender Farm
Styling: Stylish Details

Shopping by Color: Pink and Purple Jewelry {necklaces + bracelets}

If you're looking for the perfect jewelry in pink and/or purple I think you're going to love these etsy finds. Not only are they drop-dead gorgeous - they are affordable too.

Pearl Beaded Bracelet w/ Flowers | Summer Rose Garden | Handmade by Kim Smith Charm Bracelets
$18 {in United Kingdom - ships worldwide}

Cluster Blossom necklace from begurple
$27 {in Australia - ships worldwide}

To see even more amazing items from the Shopping by Color, please visit
pages 22-23 in the August issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine.

The Best Wedding Sites Magazine - Issue 06 has arrived

So excited to announce that the 6th issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine is published.

Congratulations to Ashley of Attention 2 Detail Events for winning the cover design this month. You can see more from her vendor challenge inside this issue.

Please be sure to take a moment to read my letter in this issue - there's going to be some changes in September, but it will be good :)

Blue Wedding Inspiration

by wedding author Sharon Naylor

‘Something Blue’ has emerged as a dreamy color palette in today’s wedding celebrations – not just for the wedding day’s styling, but also for bridal showers, engagement parties, even welcome cocktail parties for out-of-town guests’ arrival and destination weddings. So much so, in fact, that ‘Something Blue’ has quickly evolved into ‘So Many Things in Blue.’

So what is it about Blue that’s captured so many brides’ décor wishes? It’s the color of a clear, perfect sky above…the color of the impossibly blue Caribbean sea…perhaps the color of your true love’s eyes…the color of priceless sapphires that are so hot right now.  And ranging from barely-there blush blues to cobalt blue and navy, blue comes to the bride in everything from fabrics to flowers to favors and more.

Check out the inspiration board below from Morristown, New Jersey event coordinating company My Bellissima, co-owner Laura Bianco, showing the lovely range of blues:

To see the more easy blue wedding touches from Sharon Naylor, please visit pages 10-11
of the July issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine.



Wedding Tipping

courtesy of Storkie

Planning your wedding and reception can be an incredibly exhilarating process, as it's very important that you remain prepared for your big day. One key aspect that is often overlooked when planning a wedding are who you should tip and how much. You have likely hired a lot of different vendors to help make your special day the best it could be, but not every vendor gets tipped the same way – or even at all. So, it is important to keep in mind just who you should tip and how much beforehand.

Here are some guidelines for what wedding vendors to tip and how much to tip them.

wedding planner
Most likely, your wedding planner won't expect any tip. However, if your wedding planner did an excellent job for your big day, you can certainly offer the planner a token of your appreciation. About 50% of couples tip their wedding planners, and it is more common for those with more extravagant affairs to do so. To tip your wedding planner, you can give them a cash tip of up to $500. This should be handed to the planner at the end of the reception in an envelope by the bride. You could also give the planner a nice gift, such as professional photos the planner can use for their portfolio.

wedding ceremony officiant
If your officiant is affiliated with a church or synagogue, you would typically make a donation to the institution. This should be a donation of $500 or more. You may tip less if there was a charge to use the facilities, though. However, if it is nondenominational, an optional tip off $50-100 may be given, but this isn't necessary as you will likely be charged for use of the facilities.

To see the rest of the article on wedding tipping, please visit pages 8-9
of the July issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine.

A Whimsical and Romantic Rustic Wedding in Alabama

As written by the bride Amber . . .
Ismael and I did not want a traditional wedding. We wanted a whimsical experience that was a true representation of our personalities and relationship.  I have always loved the rustic and romantic feel of a barn so we decided to get married in the red barn at The American Village in Montevallo, AL.

The ceremony was in the barn and after we asked everyone to go to the courtyard beside it for bottled cokes. While guest were mingling in the courtyard the barn was then transformed for the reception.

I had dreamed of having a brooch bouquet but thought it would not be possible until Ismael surprised me. He had been working with Jennifer from The Ritzy Rose to create the perfect bouquet. It was a dream come true to receive that as my wedding gift from him.

My favorite thing about our reception was our dessert bar created by Proper Measures. It was themed around the movie UP since that was one of our favorites with balloons for a background and a perfect color palette. We had an amazing wedding cake and lots of other desserts which included oatmeal creme pies, macaroons and cake bites. The children’s area also had a candy table. We had a photo booth which made for great pictures of everyone for us to view after the wedding. Our giveaway was the little red I AM LOVED pins...perfect cheap giveaway!

To see the rest of Amber & Ismael's wedding, please visit pages 20-23
of the July issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine.

Photographer: Jeff Hall Photography
Venue: Red Barn, The American Village
Brooch Bouquet: The Ritzy Rose

To see the rest of Amber & Ismael's wedding, please visit pages 20-23
of the July issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine.

An Island Chic Modern Wedding in Missouri

With Trae being from Nassau, Bahamas {born/bred/raised} and the wedding being in St. Louis - the “island chic” theme was formed. Without beautiful bodies of water nearby - the theme was incorporated by the use of colors (aqua for the color of the sea, red for coral, and white for the sand). Along with subtle motifs like corals and starfish and the food had a tropical flair. The menu was super clever with it's play on the letters “ME  n  U”.

To see the rest of Tiffany and Trae's wedding, please visit pages 16-19
of the July issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine.

Photographer: Michelle Ross, Under Grace Photo
Planner: Events Luxe

To see the rest of Tiffany and Trae's wedding, please visit pages 16-19
of the July issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine.