Thanksgiving Weekend Weddings

A Thanksgiving Weekend wedding isn't as uncommon as you might believe. Having your wedding over the Holiday weekend provides many perks such as cheaper rates and the ability to easily assemble your family together. Traveling may be easier on your guests as well since many of them already have at least a 4 day weekend and won't have to take additional time off work.

There are two very important factors to keep in mind, however, when planning a Thanksgiving weekend wedding. Make sure to send save the dates out the moment the wedding venue is booked to give your guests a heads up about your holiday weekend wedding so that they are able to plan accordingly. Also, if you choose to get married on Thanksgiving, by all means have the obligatory Turkey Dinner. If you're planning your nuptials for the weekend after, be creative with your menu. People are sick of turkey. As long as you keep these two tips in mind, Thanksgiving may be the perfect time for you to get married.

Wising you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

xoxo

Friday Favorites - Black Friday Edition

We've got turkey on the mind over here at Happily Ever AfterWords and for this week's Friday Favorites, we're going to give you a list of Black Friday must haves.

Stock up on beanies. (urbanoutfitters.com)

Over-the-knee socks are big again this year. (nordstrom.com)

Keep warm with a chunky knit scarf. (downeastbasics.com)

Knuckle Rings. (zady.com)

A pair of leather pants. (madisonlosangelos.com)

See you out shopping.

xoxo

Fenton's Anniversary Box Story

I've given Anniversary Boxes as wedding or shower gifts for a number of weddings, but it was the most recent one where I had the ability to really incorporate the Anniversary Box into the rehearsal dinner and wedding. I was the Mistress of Ceremonies, meaning I didn't have all the responsibilities of a bridesmaid, but still attended the rehearsal dinner and made sure things ran on a certain schedule. I was able to announce the Anniversary Box at the rehearsal dinner and set it out so that the guests were able to fill them out and in between making sure everyone was where they were supposed to be at the wedding, I was able to hand out cards to other guests as well. The reaction that I got was amazing, people were continuously touched by the idea of the Anniversary Box and one of my friends that was a guest at the wedding even asked if I would do one for her wedding, whenever that may be. The bride and groom were both touched with the idea of a gift that would present something new on every Anniversary as well. The feeling of giving something that would become a tradition in their life together is also an added bonus. I've added some pictures from the event below!

Letters ready to be put back in the box.

Me with the lovely bride and groom!

Guests at the rehearsal dinner writing letters.

The first letter to be returned to the box.

Cards and envelopes waiting to be filled out.

Visit www.happilyeverafterwords.com and begin your own Anniversary Box story!

Friday Favorites

Happily start your weekend with this week's Friday Favorites!

Friendsgiving. (thesweetestoccasion.com)

Subscription Boxes. (emmalinebride.com)

DIY Handwarmers. (armommy.com)

Fluffy Wedding Gowns. (ruffledblog.com)

Salted Honey Rice Krispie Treats. (raspberriecupcakes.com)

Happy Friday!

xoxo

Top 5 Wedding Venues

Couples are beginning to move away from traditional hotel ballrooms and banquet halls as their wedding venues and are navigating towards more airy and open spaces. Outdoor weddings have been huge and couples have found a multitude of different scenes to set the right mood. Below are some of the most popular from the past year.

Beach

The Beach has always been a favorite venue for weddings. Something about the tranquility of the sea continues to draw people back.

Barns

The rustic beauty of a barn wedding has been extremely popular throughout the past year. 

Museums

While making a museum your venue may not lead you outside (although it could, some of them have amazing gardens), having notable art or historic artifacts in the background are details that would otherwise be impossible.

Vineyards 

Not to mention you'll be able to serve wine that came straight from the property. Talk about farm-to-table.

Gardens

Gardens always have been and always will be enchanting.

What are your favorite wedding venues? Let us know in the comment section below!

Eloping vs. A Traditional Ceremony

Time and money are two things that seem to run in short supply in our current day and age and planning a wedding can require a copious amount of both. For this reason, many couples are choosing elopement as a viable alternative to a traditional wedding ceremony. Alex Williams’ article in the New York Times states that “Eloping Does Not Mean What It Once Did” and argues how eloping is no longer reserved for the black sheep in the family lacking in family approval, but can now serve as a way to cut down on costs and time and become a moment purely for the marrying lovers to bask in instead of an elaborate show for their guests.  

While it may be wildly exciting and romantic to feel like you’re running away with your betrothed only to return with wedding bands, many people can’t escape the idea of a traditional ceremony for the lack of having their family and friends present—not because they want to put on a show, but because they want those that they are close with to be able to experience the moment along with them. Because of this, it isn’t uncommon for a couple that has eloped to have a delayed reception to announce their marriage to their loved ones. 

However, if spending the moment with only your beloved is truly what you seek, the Anniversary Box can help to share the moment with everyone that you care about without actually being in the presence of others as well as help you to relive that special moment for many years to come. By sending the cards from the Anniversary Box and a self addressed envelope along with your marriage announcements, those that you care about are able to express their feelings of joy to you and you’ll have the pleasure of reliving them year after year on your anniversary.

Friday Favorites

Kick your weekend off with this week's Friday Favorites!

Frye Deborah Studded Boot. (nordstrom.com)

Glam Barn Wedding. (southernweddings.com)

Fern Background. (designlovefest.com)

Champagne Tower. (stylemepretty.com)

Forest Wedding Sign. (storybookhearts.com)

Happy Friday!

xoxo