Ruby's Blog | Your Ceremony

Hello Bride & Groom’s To Be!

I’m Ruby the Rochester Bride! As a newlywed of the Rochester area, I love sharing my knowledge of the wedding experience with newly engaged couples. This week I can’t wait to share with you some ideas for your Ceremony!

{1} When: When starting the hunt for your wedding ceremony venue, have a few specific dates you are interested in. Especially during busy wedding months between late spring and early fall, try not to have your heart set on one date unless you are planning months in advance, or you have previously discussed open dates with the coordinators at venues.

{2} Where: There are so many different places to hold your wedding ceremony! If you are planning to incorporate your religion into the wedding, there are many old and beautiful churches in the area. If you are interested in something more alternative, think about gorgeous outdoor parks or wineries, or indoor art galleries. Keep in mind the number of guests that will be attending, and what theme you want to achieve for your overall day.

{3} Officiant:  Choosing an officiant you are comfortable with is very important since they are going to be performing such a special moment for you and your fiance! They can be a family member or friend, or you can hire a certified officiant. If you go this route, make sure you meet with them a couple of times before the big day so that they can understand you both as a couple. 

{4} Styles: As far as ceremony style goes, it means either formal or informal, long or short, etc. This decision is up to you and your fiance, but make sure you communicate exactly what style you want to your officiant as well. 

{5} Rehearsal: Don't forget to schedule your rehearsal with the selected venue! This is generally held the night before your wedding ceremony, and can be followed by a dinner or celebration if you decide to do so. Make sure you communicate all of the info to your family, wedding party and officiant. 

Pick a ceremony venue, style and officiant that is right for you and your fiance, because at the end of all this planning, you two are the center of the day! 

Bells & Bliss, 

Ruby 

Trend Inspiration | "Mrs." Attire

http://smu.gs/1HMGtFE

Showing off your new title as “Mrs.” is a big deal, which is why prepping for your I do’s with some personalized attire is a must! Robes embroidered with “Mrs.” on them, necklaces with gold “Mrs.” charms and much more are a common trend on wedding days. Check out this great photo by Erin and Lori photography of a robe the bride is styling before she puts on her dress. For more great photos like this check out their website, www.LoriandErin.com! Here are some other creative and fun ideas to incorporate your new title into your wedding day.

 {1} Converse: Add your own style with these personalized converse sneakers, with an embroidered “Mrs.” On the tongue!

http://etsy.me/1JhLUxs

{2} Necklace: A simple and elegant necklace to wear down the aisle.

http://bit.ly/1V3er2S

{3} Hangers: As your prepping on your big day, remind yourself that you will soon be a Mrs.

http://bit.ly/1GmeOu5

{4} Earrings: Perfect to show off with your up do hairstyle.

http://etsy.me/1OdWbPG

{5} Comfy Tee: Lounge before the wedding in this comfy Mrs. Tee.

http://etsy.me/1TCQ9ej

Trend Inspiration | Bridesmaid Dresses

This beautiful moment between friends was captured by Ross Studios.  We love how each girl is wearing a different dress, that most likely fits their personality best! Gone are the days where your friends may have cringed with worry about a hideous bridesmaid dress you may pick for them. We have collected some fun, unique and beautiful gowns, or outfits, that would be great choices for your maids!

{1} Skirts & Tops: This is an adorable twist on the traditional dress. Skirts and tops may be more flattering or comfortable for some of your girls to wear, and can come in so many combinations!

http://bit.ly/1KqjtQn

{2} Rompers: This look is so great for the fun bridal party! These rompers are beautiful and can be worn easily by the ladies after the big day.

http://bit.ly/1EAe7kR

{3} All White: This daring bridal party wears all white and looks absolutely stunning!

http://bit.ly/1Jy8ir9

{4} Stripes: Searching for the perfect look for a preppy, casual wedding? Your search is over, because these striped dresses are definitely a winner. 

http://bit.ly/1JOYJRt

{5} Uniquely Blue: These gowns are perfect for a laid back affair, yet are still elegant! Your maids will have so much fun sporting these boho blue dresses. 

http://bit.ly/1CtY6uO

Trend Inspiration | Customized Ring Boxes

Traditionally ring bearers carry a pillow with wedding bands tied to it.  Now more commonly a ring box is carried by the ring bearer or even best man. Lori & Erin perfectly captured this picture of a bride and groom's ring box customized to their sunflower theme. Check out more on their website at www.lorianderin.com. Following this Tuesday trend are different types of ring boxes to best fit your unique style.

www.lorianderin.com

{1} The Engraved Tree Trunk: We've all seen the old tree carved with initials inside of a heart as a symbol of young (or old) love. Why wouldn't you want to incorporate that timeless tradition into your wedding day with a ring box like this one.

http://etsy.me/1EfOp7p

{2} The Book Of Love: If reading is something you and your groom have in common, this hidden ring carrier is a great way to express your hobbies in a creative way.

http://bzfd.it/1NwYrnC

{3} A Box of Florals: An elegant and dainty way to bring in more of your wedding flowers is to use them to carry your wedding bands. It doesn't get much more beautiful than seeing your wedding bands on top of your favorite flowers, now does it?

http://etsy.me/1PvlUmH

{4} Top Secret Mission: Ring bearers aren't always going to be on their best behavior, but making him feel like he is playing a game may keep him much more engaged.  Not to mention, this will put a smile on all your guests faces!

http://huff.to/1xHw3Ei

{5} That's Us In a Nutshell: To all those nature lovers out there, this is an au naturel way to have your rings presented to you before the "I do".

http://bit.ly/1MJi1ev

Ruby's Blog | Wedding Album

Hello Bride & Groom’s To Be!

I’m Ruby the Rochester Bride! As a newlywed of the Rochester area, I love sharing my knowledge of the wedding experience with newly engaged couples. This week, I can’t wait to share with you about selecting your wedding album!

Preserving your memories from your big day involves making important decisions. Your album will be around for many, many years to come! There are so many different styles, sizes, colors, manufacturers and customization options to choose from, there is a lot of thought put into it.

Storybook, Journal, or Coffee Table Albums are usually considered the most elegant alternative to a traditional wedding album. Many images are combined to create a custom collage-like page that will tell a story. The actual album is made up of a combination of leather, fabric, paper or other exotic material. Think of it as a personal diary of your wedding day.

Library Bound Albums are attractive, hardbound albums with a library book style of edge binding. The pages are permanently fixed in place, and the photographs are either directly glued or attached to mats that slide into slots on the page.

Expandable Pin Albums, held together by interlocking pin hinges, allow the number of pages in the album to be changed easily. You can either leave the hinges visible or cover them up. Usually the mat openings are covered with a layer of plastic.

Be sure the style of album you choose fits your budget and personal style. You can ask to see samples from the photographer and this may be an opportunity to see albums you might not have considered before. Enjoy the process of persevering your memories and creating an heirloom for your family.

Ruby's Blog | Choosing Your Wedding Dress

Hello Bride & Groom’s To Be!

I’m Ruby the Rochester Bride! As a newlywed of the Rochester area, I love sharing my knowledge of the wedding experience with newly engaged couples. This week I can’t wait to share with you some ideas for your wedding dress!


{1} When: The best thing to do when looking for a wedding dress is to give yourself lots of time to look for the right one. You want to make sure you're not rushed into picking any dress. It takes time to find the one that is best for you. Keep in mind that wedding dresses usually take four to six months to come in and you may need to give extra time for alterations as well!

{2} Style: When its time to starting looking for your wedding dress, make sure you're up to date on the latest styles. If you're looking at a magazine or online at different gowns, make sure you bring a photo of a the dresses you like best with you when you shop. Bringing a photo will help give the sales associate an idea of what you are looking for. Also make an appointment with the bridal shop you plan on going to that way they know you're coming and they can give you more of their time.

{3} Budget: Have your budget in mind before going to the bridal shop. Let the sales associate know your budget as well, that way they don't show you dresses you may fall in love with but that are way out of financial range. Don't get frustrated, because there are amazing wedding dresses at every price point! When planning the budget for your dress, make sure you include accessories such as shoes, headpiece, undergarments, jewelry, alterations, etc.

{4} Contract: Just about every bridal shop will require a down payment of the wedding dress you are buying. So, before putting down the payment, make sure you fully understand the bridal shops exchange and cancellation policies. After making the purchase of your wedding dress, make sure you have the receipt that will have the style and color of your dress you chose, when it will come in, the down payment you put down, and the total cost of the dress. This will help things stay in the clear if something were to go wrong or get miscommunicated.

{5} Fitting: Depending on what kind of dress you choose, you will most likely have two to four fittings. When scheduling your first fitting, it should be two months before the wedding. You should also bring you shoes, slip, and bra that you are planning on wearing for the wedding day to the all the fittings, just to make sure everything fits perfectly!

Good luck shopping! And don't forget to enjoy this special experience.

Ruby's Blog | Choosing Your Wedding Dress

Hello Brides and Grooms To Be!

I’m Ruby, the Rochester Bride! As a newlywed of the Rochester area, I love sharing my knowledge of the wedding experience with newly engaged couples. This week I can’t wait to share with you some tips and pointers about choosing your wedding dress!

When to Look:
Look for your wedding gown as soon as possible. You want to allow yourself plenty of time to make this decision. Most dresses take about 4 to 6 months to order. The gown may then need to be altered and/or fitted properly.

Style:
Start familiarizing yourself with the latest styles of wedding gowns. If you find a style you like in a magazine make sure to bring it with you to the bridal shop. They may have that particular style or a similar one you can try on. Make an appointment to try on gowns with a reputable bridal shop ahead of time so the sales person can spend time with you. Try on various styles to see what looks and feels best on you.

Fabrics:
The various fabrics include silk, satin, cotton, velvet, chiffon, taffeta, rayon, a polyester-blend, nylon, lace, and linen. Hand finished, natural, or imported fabrics are usually of higher quality and higher price. The fabric you choose will most likely be dictated by your personal taste and the time of year you are getting married. Fall and winter weddings, for example, usually have heavier fabrics (satin, rich taffetas, velvet). Spring and summer weddings usually have lighter fabrics (lace, chiffon, satin). The choice is yours.

Budget:
Wedding gowns can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Therefore it is important for you to understand your budget. Your budget should include the cost of your gown and accessories (headpiece, veil, jewelry, stockings, shoes...).

Contract:
Most bridal shops require a down payment to order your gown. Make sure you understand their exchange and cancellation policies, what measures they will take if the gown comes in the wrong color or size, what the alterations fees are and what they cover. Lastly, get a receipt that includes the style and color of the gown, the total cost of your gown, and accessories, things that were promised to you, the deposit you paid, and the date the gown will be delivered to the shop. This can help avoid any misunderstandings.

Quality:
It is important to check the quality and details of your gown (buttons, seams, zippers, pearls, lace, sequins). Quality also plays a factor in the price. Some gown manufacturers, for example, glue on the sequins, pearls, and lace. These gowns tend to be less expensive than those that were sewn on by hand.

Custom Made Gowns:
If you would like to design a unique wedding gown or you just cannot find the gown you like, consider having one custom made. Before you commit to having a gown custom made, try on various styles and fabrics. You want to make sure the style you have chosen meets your expectations.

Allow at least 6 months for the time to make the dress and to have fittings and/or alterations. Choose a dressmaker who specializes in creating wedding gowns and provide them with pictures of similar style gowns you like. Next ask to see previous samples and ask for references. Lastly, get everything in writing so there are no misunderstandings (total cost of fabric, lace, pearls - cost of labor, deadline, deposit, cancellation policy).

Fittings:
You probably will have two to four fittings, depending upon the dress you have chosen. Schedule your first fitting about two months prior to your wedding date. Bring similar undergarments (slip, bra...) and shoes that you will wear on your wedding day. This will avoid any miscalculations. Take a picture of your dress during your fitting, this may help you match your accessories.

Ruby's Blog | Photojournalism

Hello Brides and Grooms To Be!

I’m Ruby the Rochester Bride! As a newlywed of the Rochester area, I love sharing my knowledge of the wedding experience with newly engaged couples. This week I can’t wait to share with you some information about Photojournalism!

Wedding Photojournalism is a documentary style of photography that visually tells the true story of your wedding day. If you want to flip through your photo album years after the day of your wedding and still have these same feelings evoked just by browsing through the images, consider hiring a wedding photojournalist.

The wedding photographer that specializes in photojournalism usually takes a more hands-off approach in order to record the ceremony and reception as it happens. A photojournalist does not dictate to you how your wedding will take place. Rather than directing the couple as to how they should pose and when or where they should smile, a wedding photojournalist observes the candid and unprompted moments.

This style of photography captures the intimate emotions and spontaneous occurrences that make your wedding day unique from beginning to end.

When choosing a photographer, it is important to communicate your expectations to your wedding photographer and that you feel comfortable with their abilities. After all, she may be photographing the hustle and bustle of the wedding party as they dress, so it should be someone you feel comfortable having in your dressing room. 

Fashion Friday

{1} Tea Length Gown: Tea length wedding dresses are great for a fun, summery wedding. This specific gown has a vintage feel with the illusion neck line and tulle full skirt.

http://bit.ly/1EYXhOO

{2} Ballet Flats: Ballet flats are a comfortable fit and a great dancing shoe. A shoe like this one with lacing up the leg has great details and can be shown off perfectly with a tea length gown.

http://bzfd.it/1KH1R6X

{3} Grooms Oak Interior Band: For all those grooms out there that are more of the outdoors-y type, this band was practically made for you! On the outside it is chic titanium, but on the inside it is Jack Daniels Whiskey Barrel White Oak!

http://bzfd.it/1JY0NWF

{4} Brooch Bouquet: A brooch bouquet is not only personalized, but often sentimental. Give your wedding a vintage feel with a brooch bouquet made from brooches given to you by friends and family attending. This bouquet specifically has a color scheme going which is a great idea to match your wedding colors.

http://bit.ly/1LQuaw5

{5} Baby's Breath Boutonniere: If it's not your or your groom's style to have a ton of flowers incorporated into your wedding, a simple and inexpensive boutonniere choice could be to sport baby's breath. Gives the rustic feel without over doing his attire with floral.

http://bit.ly/18BAnhG