Stylish Events

Ashley’s Dilemma: I need advice on engagement pictures. They are next month in the French Quarter of New Orleans. We want them to be pretty casual but not jeans and tshirts kind of casual. I think we want at least 3 outfits. 1 dressey dress, 1 casual dress w flats/flip flops and 1 jeans and heels kind of casual. PLEASE HELP ME! I’m clueless!

April’s Answer: First, congrats on your engagement. Don’t freak out. Have fun when you shop for your engagement picture outfits and let your personality lead the way. Below I’ve suggested an idea for each outfit – but don’t wear something that makes you feel uncomfortable. You want to look like yourself in your pictures. Also, stick with timeless pieces instead of choosing something incredibly trendy that you’ll be embarrassed about in five years.

For the casual dress with flip flops, I love this dress sweater combo. You can take the sweater off for some pictures and leave it on for others. The dress is $68 and the sweater is $29 and you can buy them at the same time on the Victoria’s Secret website. If ordering clothes online, do it as soon as possible. That way you can find something else if it doesn’t look as good on or return them for other sizes if needed. Pair this outfit with a neutral colored sandal.

Image from Victoria’s Secret

For the dressier outfit, this dress is romantic and playful. I would pair this dress with black heels. It’s $59 from Newport News.

Image from Newport News

I’m not sure what your budget is, but I also love this dress for your dressier outfit. I would also pair it with black heels. It’s $168 from Anthropologie.

Image from Anthropologie

For the top to go with jeans, I really like this one from Anthropologie. It’s $128. It’s pricey, but you could wear it with a pair of jeans that you already have and the same black heels you wear with the dressy outfit. You could wear wide legged or fitted jeans with this top. This type of shirt (a wrap shirt style) looks amazing on almost any body type. It will make your waist look tiny while hiding anything that you don’t want to show. I’m a big believer in wrap dresses and tops.

Image from Anthropologie

If you don’t have a big budget, I also like this top from Forever21, and it’s only 19.80. Wear this top with fitted jeans.

Image from Forever21

I hope that this helps you out!

No Comments | In: Ask April, Engagement, Fashion and Beauty | tags: engagement picture outfits. | #

Image from the knot

Rebecca’s Question: I just got engaged!!! And I’m so excited. We’ve already told my parents, his parents and our siblings. We don’t want to send out formal engagement announcements, because it’s not in the budget and we’re a more casual couple. Would it be poor etiquette to send out e-mail announcements?

April’s Answer: Not at all. You should definitely send out email announcements. Not only are you saving money, but it’s also eco-friendly. A lot of couples are using the internet to announce their engagement and to send out save-the-dates.

I would include a little story about how he proposed or your relationship, because everyone’s going to want to know how he asked the big question. Get ready for a bunch of phone calls, because your friends and family are going to want to congratulate you!

No Comments | In: Ask April, Engagement | | #

Dress from Victoria’s Secret

Handbag from Forever21

Bangles from Forever21

Pumps from Nordstrom

Related Posts:

8 Budget-Friendly Autumn Engagement Party Decorations

5 Engagement Party Themes

Engagement Shoot: Sara and Ryan

No Comments | In: Engagement, Fashion and Beauty | tags: engagement party outfit. | #

Image from Brides

Amber’s Question: My fiancé and I just got engaged. We haven’t told anyone yet, because I’m afraid that my parents are going to be upset. I’m 25 and am working towards becoming a nurse. I only have one year of school left and my parents have continually encouraged me to stay single while I’m in school. They think I’m going to get distracted if I start dating someone seriously. I never told them I was dating my fiancé even though I’ve known he was the one since the beginning. We want to get married eight months after I finish school and would like to start planning some things. I want to tell people about our engagement and be happy but I can’t until I tell my parents. Help!!!

April’s Answer: It sounds like you care about your parents and want them to be happy for you, and you’ve done the right thing by not telling anyone else until you tell your parents. But it must be hard to keep it bottled up. You’re going to have to tell them eventually, right, especially if you want them at the wedding. If you tell them sooner rather than later, you’ll probably feel better.

My advice is to be honest. Talk to your parents in person {not over the phone, if possible} and alone – don’t bring your fiancé for this one. It’s better to let your parents have some time to take in the news and it might save your fiancé from hearing things that are hurtful. Tell them that you really care about their approval and that you were scared to tell them that you started dating a really great guy. Go from there and just be as honest as possible. The truth is you were scared to tell them you were in a serious relationship and probably wish that you had told them earlier. You can’t take back the past – try to do what you think is right from this point on.

Then celebrate with your friends and family that are happy for you and want the best for you. Hopefully, that will include your parents.

No Comments | In: Engagement, Tip of the Day | tags: Engagement. | #

This adorable shop, elm studios, on Etsy has the perfect gifts for a bridal shower, engagement party, baby shower, birthday, house warming, or bridesmaid’s present. Seriously…I love these products and the majority are less than $20. Stylish Events REALLY hearts elm studios.

Images from elm studios on Etsy

No Comments | In: Bridal Shower, Budget Friendly Ideas, Engagement | tags: baby shower present, Bridal Shower, elm studios, engagement party present, gifts, wedding present. | #

Image from Martha Stewart Weddings

Make your engagement party fun by planning it around a theme. When you decide upon your theme, so many things will probably fall into place such as the favors, décor, and menu. Here are 5 engagement party theme ideas:

1. Cocktail Party: Cut the budget by having a cocktail party with fun drinks and light appetizers. Schedule the party around 4:00 or 5:00, so the guests aren’t expecting a full dinner – and specify on the invitation that it’s a cocktail party. Serve a couple of signature drinks and have a sign at the bar describing each drink. Put umbrellas or another fun embellishment in the drinks. You can host this engagement party at the couple’s favorite hangout or at someone’s home depending on the number of guests.

2. Backyard BBQ: If the couple is laid back and likes casual events, this is a great option. Pick up hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, ketchup, mustard, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, potato salad, cole slaw, and apple pie to have a budget-friendly, casual engagement party. Ask someone reliable to man the grill and put a couple large buckets of bottled drinks around the party area.

3. Costume Party: If you’re having the engagement party in October, consider making it a costume party. Have music playing when guests arrive and pass around appetizers during the late night bash. For entertainment, hold a costume contest and have guests vote on the best costume for a small prize.

4. Black and White Engagement Party: Send out black and white invitations and encourage guests to wear black and white attire. Decorate the party with black and white balloons and black and white pictures of the engaged couple. Set up a black and white dessert bar with brownies, sugar cookies, Hershey kisses, angel food cake, and chocolate chip cookies. Serve a signature white russian drink to guests as they enter.

5. Mexican Fiesta: This engagement party theme is also budget-friendly. Serve tortilla chips, salsa and guacamole for appetizers and margaritas for the signature drink. Decorate the party area with bright colors and have a piñata for entertainment. The adults will feel like kids again with this childhood favorite.

Related Posts:

8 Budget-Friendly Autumn Engagement Party Decorations

Engagement Shoot: Sara and Ryan

Announcing Your Engagement Guide

No Comments | In: Engagement | tags: budget-friendly engagement party, engagement party, engagement party themes. | #

This couple looks like they’re having a ton of fun and they’re really cute togther. I knew I had to share this engagement shoot with you when I found it while searching the internet for talented photographers. Sara and Mel are the talented ladies behind whitebox photography. You should definitely take a look at their website and blog for more wedding pictures and engagement shoots.

Thank you to whitebox photography for sharing these fabulous pictures with us!

1 Comment | In: Engagement | tags: engagement pictures, whitebox weddings. | #

Images from Martha Stewart

If you’re throwing an engagement party this fall, you have a lot of budget-friendly décor options. Using natural items for decorations is convenient and inexpensive. Get inspiration from the board above and turn the couple’s engagement party into a romantic event. Here are 8 budget-friendly décor ideas for a autumn engagement party:

1. White Pumpkins

2. Corn Husk Votives: Wrap inexpensive votive candle holders with corn husks.

3. Glittered Pumpkins: You can do this yourself with pumpkins, glue, and glitter.

4. Pumpkin Vase: Pick up flowers from your local grocery store and use a pumpkin as the vase.

5. Twig Coasters: Serve hot apple cider to the guests and have coasters made out of twigs laying around the space that guests can rest their drinks on.

6. Felt Trivets: Decorate the buffet area with homemade felt trivets.

7. Pumpkin Chandeliers: Use branches, pumpkins, and leaves to make a beautiful fall chandelier.

8. Pinecone Place Cards: If you want to specify a seating arrangement, make the place cards out of pinecones.

2 Comments | In: Engagement | tags: autumn engagement party, decorations for fall engagement party, engagement party decor, fall engagement party. | #

Image from Martha Stewart Weddings

Congratulations! You’re engaged and planning one of the biggest days of your life. The first step that you should take after you get engaged is to spread the news among your family and friends. Unfortunately, this is where you have to begin considering etiquette and who should be told first.

If you’ve been previously married or have children, they should be the first to know the big news. You should have a one-on-one talk with each child. One great way to become ‘one big happy family’ is to plan weekly family activities such as movies, dinners, bowling, outdoor games {like tag} with smaller children, and game nights at home.

If you don’t have children or have already told your children, the next step is to tell your parents that you’re getting hitched. If you know for sure that your parents like your partner and want you to get married to him, then tell your parents as a couple, so you can all celebrate. If you don’t know how they will react, you should tell them privately. This will allow them time to express their feelings about the marriage without dragging your partner into the messy situation. If you don’t have a good relationship with your parents, you could write them a thoughtful note. Bottom line: Do what works for you.

This is a good resource on different ways to announce your engagement to other family and friends.

Simple Checklist (click here to download the checklist and quick tips PDF):

{   } Tell your children.

{   } Tell your parents.

{   } Decide how you want to tell the rest of your family and friends (phone calls, e-mail, wedding website, save-the-dates) and execute.

DIY Engagement Announcement Ideas:

1. Send out an engagement announcement newsletter that you can easily make with a Microsoft Word Document to friends and family detailing your engagement. Therefore, you won’t have to tell the same story 200 times. Your friends and family will love getting a special announcement in the mail from you. {tip: expect a lot of phone calls after you send them out}

2. Host a casual BBQ, potluck dinner, or brunch to announce the engagement to friends and family all together.

3 Budget-Friendly Tips for Announcing Your Engagement

1. Call your family and friends (except your parents who you should see in person if possible) if you have free cell phone minutes. It won’t cost you anything and you can catch up with your loved ones.

2. Send a mass e-mail detailing the story of your engagement. You could send out the DIY newsletter described above as an attachment.

3. Set up a wedding website. Now is the perfect time to start a wedding website. I recommend ewedding.com where I set up my wedding website. It was extremely easy to use, included lots of layout options, and it’s free. Announce your engagement on your wedding website and include the story of your engagement.

5 More Resources for Announcing Your Engagement

Announcing an Engagement: How to Spread the Good News

Announcing Your Engagement: Etiquette on Your Engagement Announcement via About.com

Announcing Your Engagement via Wedaholic.com

What’s the Proper Way to Announce Your Engagement? via WeddingChannel.com

How to Announce Your Engagement at Work via savvysugar

1 Comment | In: Engagement | tags: announcing an engagement, announcing an engagement checklist, announcing an engagement guide, budget-friendly ways to announce an engagement, DIY announce engagement, Engagement. | #

Yesterday, I posted a beautiful real wedding, and today I have even more eye candy for you. This couple is adorable and I love that they look like they’re having a blast. Thank you to the talented Evoke Photography for sharing these fantastic engagement pictures with us.

Images from Evoke Photography

No Comments | In: Engagement | tags: engagement pictures, evoke photography. | #

One way to announce your engagement to friends and family is to send them a fun story of your relationship and the proposal. This way you won’t have to tell the same engagement story 1oo times. Just make sure that you prepare for lots of phone calls after you send it out. If possible, you should still tell your parents face to face. Here’s an example of DIY newsletter engagement announcement (this would be a full page in size, so it would be easier to read):

No Comments | In: DIY Wedding Projects, Engagement | tags: announcing your engagement, DIY engagement announcement. | #

I enjoy styling engagement party outfits. It’s the first time that a couple really celebrates their decision to share lives together with their family and friends. A bride-to-be wants to stand out at her engagement party but not look overdone and that is a fine line. This dress from Arden B. popped out at me right away, and I knew I had to style an outfit around it. (and it was the first time I used Adobe Illustrator for my blog….YAY!)

Dress: Arden B. $68.00

Heels: Dillard’s $39.99

Necklace: Forever21 $12.80

Earrings: Forever21 $3.80

_____________________________

Total: $124.59

3 Comments | In: Engagement | tags: engagement party outfit. | #

Every once in a while I come across photography that takes my breath away. It’s so incredibly beautiful that I want to look at every picture the photographer has on her blog. The photographer who took the following pictures is one of those kinds of photographers. If you want inspiration for your engagement pictures or wedding, browse through Megan’s blog.

Thank you to Megan W Photography for sharing this engagement session with us!

1 Comment | In: Engagement | tags: engagement photos, engagement session. | #