Bridesmaid Ideas

Bridesmaid Ideas

5 Winter Bachelorette Party Ideas

by Cassandra Key on Dec 02 2018

As a winter bride or friend/family of a winter bride, you might be thinking, What kind of bachelorette party can I plan during such a cold time of year? And while it might seem like summer and spring are the best times to party (especially when it comes to outside activities), the colder months offer unique opportunities that the warmer months just can't give brides-to-be. First of all, winter can be such a magical time of year, and I'm not just talking about the holiday season. Winter gives us snow, snuggling under blankets, fireside chats, and peppermint hot chocolate. So if you're planning a bachelorette party during the coldest time of year, count yourself lucky, and keep reading for some winter bachelorette party ideas you and your guests will enjoy more than that first cup of coffee on a cold morning. 1. Sweat it Out Photo by Kayleigh Shanahan via Local Toronto City Blog What better way to warm up than by pumping up your cardio? You could hit the clubs and get your dance on, but why bother with a crowded and noisy atmosphere when you can get the same cardio benefits at a dance class or yoga sesh? Do a little research on what your local gyms and studios offer and see if there is a class everyone would enjoy. 2. Ice Skating Photo via Standard If your area has an ice skating rink, invite the ladies to lace up their skates and twirl (or baby step) across the ice. You could even wear matching t-shirts or accessories to get into the bachelorette vibe. Afterward, head to the bride's favorite coffee shop and sip on a much-needed warm beverage. 3. Rent a Cabin Photo by The Pinwheel Collective via Bespoke Bride Whether it's an overnight party or day trip kind of celebration, consider renting a cabin in your local park or forest area. Build a fire, roast marshmallows, take photos, play board or card games, mix cocktails, go for a hike, put on some tunes and dance, you get the idea! 4. Host a Cozy Dinner Photo by Marianne Lucille via Kate Aspen If you want to keep the party close to home, invite guests over for a homecooked meal or set up a grazing table complete with wine, cheese, and fresh-out-of-the-oven bread. Set the table, light the fire (or put on the Netflix fireplace channel!), and relish in good food and great conversation with friends. 5. Set the Theme Photo by Alchemy Creative via Hourglass Denver A themed bachelorette party gives you a solid starting point to help you plan the rest of the party details. Some theme ideas: pajama, plaid, glitz and glamour, snow bunny, etc. From there, you can decide on which venues and activities best suit the theme and build upon it.

Bridesmaid Ideas

How to Plan a Bridal Shower in One Month or Less

by Cassandra Key on Oct 31 2018

A bridal shower isn't one of those pre-wedding events that needs a whole lot of time to plan, not like planning a wedding anyway. But it still requires time and effort to pull off. Wedding Wire says one should start planning the bridal shower four to six months out, as the event usually takes place about two months prior to the wedding. But what if you just don't have that kind of time luxury? What if you only have a month or less to plan a party that both the bride-to-be and her guests will enjoy? The key is to keep it simple. That doesn't necessarily mean bare minimum - it just means prioritizing certain things and keeping things uncomplicated. Less is more, in this case, which also means less stress for you. Keep these last minute bridal shower planning tips in mind and you'll find that you're able to put together an event that's as sweet and easy as a mini pie. Send digital invitations. Now is not the time to think about ordering and sending out fanciful paper invitations. Save a tree and a whole lot of stress by going digital. You can customize digital invitations at places like Minted and Paperless Post. Or create your own using Canva or Crello. If there is someone on the guest list that doesn’t do email, give them a quick call or text and let them know the details. Host at home. It's not uncommon to host a bridal shower at someone's home, and it is probably one of the easiest "venues" to secure for a last minute bridal shower. Consider using your own home/backyard or ask a friend or family member if they mind putting up their space for a few hours. You might also consider a restaurant (food taken care of!) or a community space. Shop for decorations at your local stores. You might have pinned and hearted so many cute decoration ideas on Pinterest and Etsy by now, but do you have the time to make them? And do you really want to pay for express shipping and hope that your package isn't damaged? No thanks. Instead, browse through your local party and craft supply stores or head to Target (like you need a reason). You can also turn to family and friends who might have tea sets, flower arrangements, vintage pieces, and other lovely decor items. Get creative, be resourceful. Bridal shower decorations don't have to be costly or time consuming. Plan a simple menu. No one will fault you for serving light finger foods over a three-course meal. Think meat and cheese trays, veggies with dip, sandwiches, fresh-baked bread, etc. You can also get food catered or ask guests to pitch in and bring a dish (maybe one of the bride's favorites). As mentioned above, you could also host the shower at a restaurant where the food is already taken care of and everyone can order what they want. Don't stress over activities. If you ask a group of people who have attended a bridal shower, it's likely that more than half of them will say they didn't enjoy the shower games and would rather have just mingled over cocktails and cake. That being said, if you still really want to include a game or two, The Knot has a list of fun and easy bridal shower games that don't take a lot of time planning or putting together.

Bridesmaid Ideas

You Were Fired From the Bridal Party - Now What?

by Cassandra Key on Oct 14 2018

We recently wrote about how to make a graceful exit out of the bridal party (on your own terms), but what if you were kicked out? No matter what the reason (and yes, even if it was your fault), feeling ostracized is a bummer. Especially if you've already dropped major cash on a dress, hair and makeup, and the like. And the emotional side of things is just as painful. So what's a gal to do? How should you react, and is it okay to still attend the wedding? Here are a few tips to help you navigate this situation. Try not to take it personally. It's normal to feel hurt, but depending on what went down, it might not be all about you. Maybe there is something deeper going on that you don’t know about. Or maybe you know exactly what's going on and if you have no one else to blame but yourself. Either way, it's best to wash your hands of any drama and move on. If you feel it's necessary to talk about it with the bride-to-be, do so in a respectful way. Communication never hurts when it's handled properly. But don't go into a discussion with your walls and defenses up. Take some time to cool off, if you need to, before confronting the bride. To attend or not attend the wedding? That is the question. And it really depends on the situation. First, consider the relationship. Who is the bride to you? Best friend? Relative? If she asked you to be in the bridal party, chances are you have a strong friendship and you should probably still attend the wedding. But if she hasn't made it clear, communicate with her about the issue. Ask her where you both stand and how she feels about you going to the wedding. If you just flat out don't even want to go, then you should probably let her know that as well. You might try calling her and letting her know you don't feel comfortable attending, but you'd like to work on the friendship (if applicable). Again, examine your unique situation and follow your instincts. Consider compensation. Money issues are a bit tricky, but if you’ve already made travel plans and/or bought a dress, see if you can get compensated for at least part of what you’ve already put in. Check out the airline's cancellation policy and if they offer refunds. See if you can return the bridesmaid dress or sell to a place like Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses or Tradesy. In the end, whether you made a mistake or the bride became a bridezilla, what's done is done and there's no changing the past. You can only move forward. Maybe that means forgiving and forgetting, salvaging a worthwhile friendship, saying you're sorry, or cutting the cord for good. Assess your situation, listen to your heart, and do what's best for you and the bride.

Bridesmaid Ideas

How to Drop Out of the Bridal Party

by Cassandra Key on Oct 12 2018

If you're a bridesmaid or maid of honor or anyone who's been chosen to be a part of the bridal party and feel like you might need to bow out, don't feel bad. There are many reasons why a wedding party member might consider a graceful exit. For starters, committing to the bridal party is a big deal. The bride counts on her bride tribe, and as a team, decisions affect the group. But life happens, finances get tight, overwhelm set in. Whatever the situation is, if you're thinking about dropping out, doing so in a respectful and supportive manner will ease tension and stress. Here are some ideas on how to gracefully drop out of the bridal party. Consider your reasons for dropping out. Is it a financial thing? Short on time? Tension with other bridal party members? If it's because you're not getting along with another another bridesmaid, reconsider before you say 'Later!' If it's not too bad, stay committed for the bride's sake. Stick to your duties and try and not interact, except in a professional manner, with the other bridesmaid. If it’s for financial reasons or you feel that you've over committed, let the bride know you won’t be able to put your all into the wedding planning. If she's cool with that and still wants your help, awesome! If not, let her know she's free to bring someone else in as a replacement. Give her plenty of notice. If possible, let the bride know of your plans to bow out not too long after she's asked you to be a bridesmaid/maid of honor. Waiting until a few weeks or even a couple of months before the wedding could be devastating. Of course, there are some situations that can't be helped (a death in the family for instance), but for the most part, consider letting the bride know as soon as possible. And PLEASE don't commit to being a bridesmaid then ghost the bride-to-be. That's just frustrating and disrespectful. Let her know you can occasionally help. If you know for sure you won't be able to be a part of the bridal party, but still want to lend a helping hand as a nice gesture, let the bride know when you're available. If you can spare a weekend to help her with some DIY projects, give her a heads up or let her know she can call/text you if she needs an extra pair of hands every once in awhile. Keep in touch. Leaving the bridal party doesn't mean you can't check in with the bride. Giving her a call or having coffee together shows your support and that you still value your friendship.