TresSugar

20 Ways to Save the Date With Your Engagement Shoot

Tara Sharp — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:00:19 PST

Today's Valentine's Day, and the love-filled holiday is sure to inspire a plethora of marriage proposals. But whether you're just starting your wedding planning or you've been engaged for months, some of the first big to dos on your wedding checklist include taking your engagement photos and sending out save-the-dates. So why not combine the two? There are endless possibilities when it comes to incorporating your wedding date into your e-shoot, so to get you inspired here are 20 of the most creative ones out there!

"He Won't Buy Me an Engagement Ring"

Tres Community — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:05:59 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

My boyfriend had been hinting to me about getting married and starting a family. He has been divorced before but no kids. I don't know if he's joking or not but I think he's trying to tell me that he won't get a diamond ring for me. He told me he thinks a diamond ring is pointless because it's expensive and there's no meaning behind it. He would rather use the money for something else. My boyfriend is not cheap. He's generous and spoils me. We love each other very much but this is bothering the hell out of me. I have told him that a diamond ring is something that symbolizes marriage, eternity, and I like jewelry and diamonds!

I am 25 and he is 35 and this will be my first marriage if we do tie the knot. I know the ring isn't the most important thing in this relationship but it's part of tradition and I like jewelry.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Bridal Friday Link Time: Courthouse Wedding Tips

TresSugar — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:40:00 PST

My Fair Wedding's David Tutera gives tips on a courthouse wedding - Glamour
Have a heart: DIY Valentine's Day wedding inspiration - Green Wedding Shoes
Author of A Practical Wedding shares advice for a budget big day - Equally Wed
A Winter-themed V-Day surprise engagement shoot - The Wedding Chicks
This vow-renewal ceremony features a marshmallow chandelier! - Style Me Pretty
An earthy vintage wedding with a teepee - 100 Layer Cake
Geeky proposals caught on film - GeekSugar
How to make a bird-themed cake stand - CasaSugar
Heart-shaped macarons make for a romantic dessert on your big day - The Bride's Guide

Photo by Andria Lindquist via Green Wedding Shoes

Geeky Proposals Caught on Film

Kelly Schwarze — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:05:05 PST

With Valentine's Day creeping around the corner, we're caught up in the season of love. If it's marriage we're talking, these days, to make a serious statement of your heart's intentions it's all about adding some geeky personality for an unforgettable proposal. We've seen dozens of these proposals memorialized on the web to send our hearts aflutter. The latest: the below video combines binary coding aptitude and Futurama fanaticism. Yes, that is a proposal spoken exclusively in binary.

Follow the break to watch our favorite geek-tinted proposals.

A Bird-Themed Cake Stand, Three Ways: One Beautiful Buy, 2 Easy DIYs

Elka Karl — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:28 PST

My sister is getting married in August, so I've been spending a lot of time visiting wedding blogs and poking around BHLDN's website. One item that recently caught my eye was this lovely Barn Swallow Pedestal.
Featuring a flock of fork-tailed fliers darting about on a hand-painted platter, it seems like a perfect match for her vintage-inspired, country wedding. But at $60 - $100 per cake stand, I don't think that she'll be willing to add a half dozen of these cake stands to her dessert table.

If you feel the same way about the price, good news - I have two simple DIYs that will save you a lot of money! For the cake stand DIYs, just keep reading

Are You Ready For Marriage, Or Are You Rushing Into It?

YourTango — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:00:04 PST

We're happy to present this excerpt from one of our favorite sites, YourTango.

When I was a little girl I remember watching all the Disney Princess movies (You know the ones: Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Snow White, Aladdin… there seemed to be an endless supply), and I loved everything about those fairy tale stories-the handsome prince, the white dress, the cake, the pumpkin stagecoach, and the big castle to live happily ever after in-I always pictured my future playing out just like my favorite princesses. Doesn't every girl?

We all know the saying "first comes love, then comes marriage," and when you feel you've found your perfect match, you start to picture yourself eventually settling down. You see the future, you see building a strong and wonderful married life together, and even creating a family. You start imagining fairy tales and castles and Cinderella dresses . . .

But you know what? It's not that simple. I wish it were. There's a lot more to marriage than just the love you feel for one another. The Beatles' might have said, "All you need is love," but real life doesn't work that way. Ever. Marriage requires effort.

Before you start calling up wedding coordinators and venues, before you start looking for a dress and picking out a cake, put away your emotions long enough to ask yourself a few questions.

What makes this person The One?

Out of all the relationships you've been in, what makes this person the one for you? Answering this question is crucial to prevent yourself from entering a marriage for all the wrong reasons. Never pressure yourself with the idea that you may never have another opportunity to get married. There's always time. Your wedding is just one day while your marriage is for a lifetime.

When I met my husband's family for the first time I saw first hand how he treated his sisters. His sisters are 13 and 20 years younger than he is, and when I saw them together, I knew he'd be a great father. Among his other great qualities, that's what sealed the deal for me.

Do you share the same values?

Issues about careers, finances, raising children, discipline, sex, spending, religion, and values are the most important subjects that need to be addressed before you even think about engagement rings. If you can't plan for and effectively discuss these topics with your partner, you won't be able to merge your two lives together with any amount of success. If you don't feel comfortable bringing them up, then you're not ready to say, "I do."

When my husband and I started dating we talked about our personal values and beliefs. We found we shared more in common than either one of us thought. Coming from similar family backgrounds, we found it easy to envision a future together, and another way that made merging our lives together almost effortless.

Get more questions to ask yourself when you finish reading the rest of the story on YourTango: Are You Ready For Marriage, Or Are You Rushing Into It?

Written by Alisha Cornett for YourTango.

Bridal Friday Link Time: Valentine's Day Wedding Inspiration

TresSugar — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:40:00 PST

Valentine's Day inspiration for a bridal shower or wedding - The Wedding Chicks
15 accessories to help you stay warm at a Winter wedding - Equally Wed
Love this happily married personalized paper doll magnet set! - The Bride's Guide
Author of Gay Men Don't Get Fat, Simon Doonan, shares best wedding memories - Glamour
This rainy-day engagement shoot is so romantic and sweet - Green Wedding Shoes
Can I tell my cousin-to-be to choose a wedding date not so close to mine? - 100 Layer Cake
From a shotgun wedding to theme ideas: get answers from the experts - Style Me Pretty
A sweethearts-inspired love shoot for V-Day fun - Utterly Engaged
10 most romantic hotels for your honeymoon! - Project Wedding

"My Fiancé's Bachelor Party Is Going to Be at a Strip Club"

Tres Community — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:05:30 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

My fiancé and I have been together for two years, and we are getting married in July! We've been talking about bachelor parties for him and his friends really want to take him to a strip club. At first, we agreed that I would go with him since it makes me uncomfortable. I really do not want him to go, so I thought it would be a good idea for all of us to go together. He was OK with this for a day or two, until he brought it up to his friends. They immediately told him to stand up for himself, and now he says he's doesn't want me to come.

I tried to ask him if we could come to some sort of compromise - as in him getting one dance or none at all. I'm totally against him going, but I honestly trust him 100 percent. However, I know that it's the girls' job to shake their goodies in front of my fiancé and give him lap dances . . . I feel like the only girl's butt that should be on him is mine. I asked him to please just stick with one dance, but he said that he didn't know how many his friends would buy him. I have tried repeatedly to get past this, but I just can't seem to!

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

DIY Heart Magnets For Wedding or V-Day Party Place Cards

Tara Sharp — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:00:00 PST

My November wedding was all about the love, and we really took that theme to heart when it came to the decor. We had heart balloons, pillows, favor tags, and more incorporated in the big day, and whatever I couldn't find I made. So for our table seating assignments I made little red heart magnets that would not only display the table assignments on a magnetic board, the guests could take them as favors. But you don't have to be a bride-to-be to try this DIY project out, this setup would also be super cute for a Valentine's Day party. See how to make it now!

Photo by Michele M. Waite

Wedding Style Inspiration From Pop Princesses

Tara Sharp — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:49:37 PST

At the San Francisco Wedding Fair this year, attendees (including myself) were wowed by a room filled with pop-star-inspired tables designed by wedding and event planning company Floramor. The glitzy table setups each drew inspiration from the musical style and personality of a different female singer, including Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Fergie, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga. So if you want your big day to pop, get some ideas from these glamorous tablescapes!