TresSugar

Share Your Wedding Style in Our New Community Group

Elka Karl — Sun, 27 May 2012 05:00:10 PDT

Share all of your planned or finished decor and DIYs in the Wedding Decor and DIYs group. We see it as a vehicle for swapping ideas, organizing visuals, and sharing details of your wedding with family, friends, and the rest of the Wedding Decor and DIYs community.

Posts can run the gamut of everything related to wedding design and decor. Subjects can include but aren't limited to:

DIY decor
Centerpieces
Tablescapes
Florals
Venues
Stationery suites
Signage
Furniture
Photo booths
Cake toppers

If you've just gotten hitched and would like your wedding to be featured on CasaSugar, let us know! We're looking forward to being a part of the creative process and seeing the vision of your wedding come to fruition. Share inspiration in the new Wedding Decor and DIYs group now!

Source: Flickr User andrewmalone

Download the Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist!

SavvySugar — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:20:43 PDT

Juggling our everyday lives with wedding planning can be quite a struggle, but you can enjoy the planning process more when you're organized. It's overwhelming when you're not sure what's next on the to-do list, so I've created a general time line for brides out there who need the reminders or reassurance they're already on track - you can download the wedding planning checklist here.

After you've nailed down your wedding budget, get cracking on the rest of the checklist and don't forget to have fun. You're a bride! Try to enjoy every moment leading up to your big day.

Share Your Wedding Style in Our Community Group

Elka Karl — Sun, 20 May 2012 08:00:07 PDT

Whether you're recently engaged, are in the final stages of wedding planning, or have already tied the knot, you'd probably agree that the design elements of a wedding play an essential role. With boundless resources for inspiration available, we're betting that CasaSugar readers are planning - or have implemented - some amazing decor for their weddings.

DIY decor
Centerpieces
Tablescapes
Florals
Venues
Stationery suites
Signage
Furniture
Photo Booths
Cake toppers

Source

A Simple Guide to Writing Your Own Wedding Vows

Laura Marie Given — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:00:14 PDT

Choosing to write your own wedding vows can make for a special, personalized ceremony - but it can also mean late nights spent agonizing over each and every line. Your wedding vows are some of the most meaningful words you'll ever say, so it's important to take your time and consider all the possibilities. To make things a bit easier for you, we've come up with a few simple, helpful ideas that will streamline the process.

Set Guidelines:

Decide early on whether you'd prefer to write your vows together or individually. Another option? You can write an opening or closing line together, then personalize the rest of the vows separately.
If you plan to write them individually, agree on a proper length. Depending on the length of your ceremony, you should aim to speak for around 30 seconds to one minute each.
Consider the reading options. Are you good at memorization? Are you worried that your nerves will get the best of you? Ask yourselves if you'd like to memorize your vows or repeat them after your officiant.

Plan Ahead:

To stay sane, don't wait until the last minute. Several months before the big day, start a brainstorm list on your phone or in a notebook so that you can jot down ideas as they come to you.
Be on the lookout for phrases, quotes, or special moments you may want to include. Check out sample vows online to get an idea of which style and content appeals most to you. A poem? A list? A few simple sentences?

Gather Inspiration:

Step back and consider your relationship: its past, the present, and what you hope for the future. Jot down some special memories and funny anecdotes, then list the qualities you love most in your fiancé.
To get in the writing zone, reread your favorite quotes, poems, or even novels. Don't be afraid to deviate from the norm, either. Personal vows can be as traditional or as unconventional as you'd like, so get creative and let yourself think outside the box.

Edit, Edit, Edit:

Remember that you're writing wedding vows - a promise, not a flowery speech - so you should get to the heart of what you want to say. Be thoughtful and concise, and do your best to make every word count.
Worried about the length? Look to traditional vows as a guideline, then read your own vows aloud to see where you may be able to cut.

Did you write your own wedding vows? Share any tips in the comments below!

Photo by Orchard Cove Photography via Style Me Pretty

5 Simple Tips to Trim Your Wedding Guest List

Laura Marie Given — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:39 PDT

From long-lost aunts and uncles to your father-in-law's best friend's cousin, it's easy to let your wedding guest list spin out of control. It's tough to pick and choose who to invite - where do you draw the line? Still, when it comes to watching expenses, cutting the guest list can be one of the quickest ways to keep costs low. Whether you're narrowing it down in hopes of a more intimate ceremony or simply doing your best to save money, here are five stress-free steps to help you trim your wedding guest list:

Consider your budget and venue. Before you analyze your guest list, take a step back and talk to your fiancé about your highest priorities as a couple. Are you hoping for a specific venue? Worried about staying under budget? Those guidelines will help you decide how long your list can be and whether you need to cut back in other areas.
Agree on a fair split point. Keep things equal by compromising on a guest list ratio. Is it important that your guests are split 50/50, bride's side and groom's? Or do you have tons of mutual friends, making it more of a joint effort? It's important to have an open dialogue about your expectations so that you can avoid any drama or resentment later on - both between each other and among your family members.
Cut by category. Divide your guests into groups: immediate family, closest relatives, extended relatives, family friends, friends, acquaintances, kids, etc. Once you've both classified your lists, see if you can trim the list by removing entire categories. Maybe you can both nix the young kids, the acquaintances, and the co-workers. Keep going until exceptions start to pop up, then evaluate each possible guest individually.
Stick to the present. If you haven't seen someone in a long, long time, they can probably be considered for your cut list. (Think childhood friends and old acquaintances.) A good rule of thumb: You should invite the people who know your fiancé - the people who have spent time with you as a couple, who play a part in your present lifestyle.
Hold to your hard-and-fast rules. Tight on space? If you've decided that only your bridal party and engaged pals can bring plus-ones, you should try to stick to that rule. It's the best way to avoid offending your loved ones, and an easy way to limit extra add-ons.

These simple, straightforward tips are just a starting point - complications are bound to come up. Reach out to both sets of parents for advice, because even if you don't adhere to all their suggestions, it's a great way to double-check your list and come to a settling point. Plus, throughout the process, remember to be practical, considerate, and sensitive. Even more important? Step back and enjoy it: you're bringing together all the people you love to celebrate one of the most special days of your life.

Photo by Matthew Moore Photography via Style Me Pretty

7 Ways to Make Wedding Details More Budget-Friendly For Your Bridesmaids

Laura Marie Given — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:57:21 PDT

From attire to travel to gifts and favors, your wedding can be a major investment for your bridesmaids. Standing up as part of the bridal party means tons of extra expenses, so it's smart to step back and see how you can keep costs low for your friends. Hoping to help them out by minimizing expenses? Here are 7 simple, thoughtful ways to make your wedding festivities more budget-friendly for your bridesmaids.

9 Must-Have Apps For Brides-to-Be

Laura Marie Given — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:07:43 PDT

Guest lists, invitations, seating charts, decorations - planning a wedding forces you to manage countless details. Luckily, there are apps for that. Whether you're hunting for the perfect dress or trying to keep track of your expenses, these easy-to-use apps make the planning process much, much easier. From in-depth checklists to creative inspiration boards, here are nine must-have apps to help you organize your big day.

How to Select Glassware For Your Registry

Sara Yoo — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:55:23 PDT

We've plated up some tips on selecting dinnerware for your wedding registry, but what about cocktail hour? Whether you prefer cocktails, wine, beer, or juicing, glassware is an important category to fill in your registry. Sure, you can go with the selection that your registry consultant recommends, but each couple has individual libation habits that don't always fit the standard mold. Thankfully, it's easy to concoct your ideal blend of glasses so long as you keep a few tips and considerations in mind. Ready to drink up? Just read on.

Share Your Wedding Style in Our New Community Group

CasaSugar — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 05:00:33 PDT

Whether you're recently engaged, in the final stages of wedding planning, or have already tied the knot, you'd probably agree that the design elements of a wedding play an essential role. With boundless resources for inspiration available, we're betting that CasaSugar readers are planning - or have implemented - some amazing decor for their weddings.

Share all of your planned or finished decor and DIYs in the Wedding Decor and DIYs group. We see it as a vehicle for swapping ideas, organizing visuals, and sharing details of your wedding with family, friends, and the rest of the Wedding Decor and DIYs community.
Posts can run the gamut of everything related to wedding design and decor. Subjects can include, but aren't limited to, topics such as:

DIY decor
Centerpieces
Tablescapes
Florals
Venues
Stationery suites
Signage
Furniture
Photo booths
Cake toppers

Like the look of this wedding? Check out more photos here.

How to Select Dinnerware For Your Registry

Sara Yoo — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:30:01 PDT

The scanner gun is unholstered and a store full of kitchen delights spreads out in front of you. But before you pull that trigger, have you done your research? While wedding registries may seem like a green light to sign up for every dish, appliance, and throw pillow of your dreams, making smart list choices will help ensure that your generous guests buy the items you can really use . . . and eliminate the need to rent a storage locker to stockpile your new stuff.

First up, we're serving up some tips on how to select the best dinnerware for your needs and lifestyle. Those plates, bowls, and coffee cups may seem awfully plain next to that shiny chrome espresso machine, but you'll end up using them more frequently than virtually any other item in your kitchen cabinets, so you'd better love them for the long haul. Ready to dish on dinnerware? Just read on.