Why I'm Excited About August In New Orleans (+ You Should Be Too)

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Why I'm Excited About August In New Orleans (+ You Should Be Too)

August is arguably one of my least favorite times of the year.  Well, okay, not arguably...with the risk of sounding like a grade school-er, it actually IS my least favorite time of the year.  (Not that I actually mind school in the first place...)  As an adult, I find myself disliking August because it is the one month that lies between me and the beginnings of Fall celebrations.  (Which, in case you can't tell, is obviously my favorite season, followed closely by winter.)  It's also usually the hottest month of the year, which does not appeal to my better nature. AT. ALL.  Talk about grouchy.

To be completely honest, as someone who lived in Florida for 8 years of her life, I thought I'd be better prepared for the NOLA heat.  But the Big Easy certainly has taken me by surprise.  This is some of the stickiest, muggiest weather I've ever encountered.  And no, I'm not exaggerating.  It's no wonder that August marks a lull in both the tourism and wedding industries here in NOLA.

That's why I'm completely shocked to find myself looking forward to August this year...in large part thanks to New Orleans.

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Gift Giving Guide: Jord Wood Watches

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Gift Giving Guide: Jord Wood Watches

I love gift giving.  Honestly, I love gift giving more than gift getting...or receiving, for you grammar police out there.  To me, there are few things more special than taking my time and gathering my thoughts to find the perfect gift for someone.  A gift that is personalized, heartfelt.  And no, I don't mean personalized, like an inscription- though that's super fun!  But something personalized in the sense that it is meant for that person; that you really put an effort into thinking about them.  Something that makes the gift "getter" say, "Wow, you know me so well!."

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DIY Patriotic Wreath: Quick, Easy & Cute!

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DIY Patriotic Wreath: Quick, Easy & Cute!

Happy July, ladies & gents!  I cannot believe that we are already halfway through the year!  So crazy.  And you know what's even more crazy?  I'm only 4 months away from the big day.  HOLY. MOLY.  With wedding plans and work, its hard to find time to do things I love ('free time'...what's that?);  one of those being creating holiday decorations for my house.  {I am a Halloween and Christmas decorating fiend!}  But I also love DIY-ing some decor for the other holidays too.  With America's birthday happening this weekend, I wanted to tap into my creativity and DIY a holiday wreath without using up my "spare time" ....that I don't have.  If you love DIY-ing as much as I do and are strapped for time, I think you'll find this wreath fun and easy to complete!

I used supplies that I already had on hand (I normally stock up anytime I see a sale), so some of my pieces might raise a few eyebrows.  Like my green stock wreath, for instance.  I know, I know.  But hear me out- when I see a sale, I just jump on it! 

DIY Patriotic Fourth of July Wreath

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How To Perfect The Mix & Match Bridesmaid Look + What I Learned From My First HuffPost Live Experience

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How To Perfect The Mix & Match Bridesmaid Look + What I Learned From My First HuffPost Live Experience

Hello, lovelies!  As you all know, last week I was on Huffpost Live to be part of a Q&A with celebrity stylist Gretta Monahan and Robert Verdi.  Though brief, it was a lot of fun and I got to chat with other wedding bloggers beforehand, which was awesome!  This Q&A came just before the debut of Monahan and Verdi's new series, Brides Gone Styled, that premiered Friday, June 12th, at 9:30 p.m. Eastern on TLC.  You can watch the video here or by clicking on the images below!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
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20 Summer Wedding Hairstyles For The New Orleans Bride

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20 Summer Wedding Hairstyles For The New Orleans Bride

Are you a sunshine lovin' bride, planning your NOLA nuptials during the summertime?  Then this post is for you!  Look no further for summer wedding hairstyle inspiration by local NOLA styling professionals!

For most locations, summertime tends to be the most popular season for weddings.  New Orleans, however, tends to be an exception to that rule.  Its no secret that NOLA, with its sub-tropical climate, is a humidity-rich hotbox during the summer months.  Because of this thick, muggy heat, wedding seasons tends to experience a lull (at least a little) during this time.  For budget brides, this can be an ideal situation, as availability will rise and prices will fall during this season.

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The #1 Most Important Thing To Do Before Finding Your Wedding Venue + Venue Budget Breakdowns

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The #1 Most Important Thing To Do Before Finding Your Wedding Venue + Venue Budget Breakdowns

Gosh, I cannot believe it is already the middle of May!  I mean, it's already been 1 month since French Quarter Fest and two weeks since Jazz Fest.  Where does the time go?!  Well, to keep up with our wedding planning, today, we're going to go over the single most important thing to do before you start venue shopping....

The guest list.

The guest list is the most crucial thing that effects staying within your budget and having your wedding vision come to life.  You absolutely must determine your list- or at least a rough draft of it- before going any further in the wedding planning process.

Why is this so important?  Well, simply put, the guest list effects EVERYTHING in your wedding...except for maybe your wedding dress.

Consider this: the more guests you have, the more you need for the wedding.  This may include, but is certainly not limited to, needing a larger cake, more centerpieces, more chairs/tables/other rentals, a larger food and drink budget, more favors, more invitations...the list is nearly endless!

So, right here, right now, I'm going to help you tackle this daunting to-do with a little exercise...

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