Great Options for a Bride's Handbag

Hello all,
If you are like me you have a predilection for large handbags. Which is absolutely fine. On your wedding day however, you may want something a bit smaller for your essentials not all your clothes for your honeymoon. For that reason I have searched the endless web resources and found some beautifully bitsy bags for the big day.
Before I get to them though I wanted to suggest a short list of essentials for your impending nuptials. Women have a tendency to bring everything they might need or nothing... That being said I do believe there is a happy medium to be found so that you are not overloaded but you aren't saying "Darn, I wish I had a kleenex!" So here is my list of top essentials for I do:
1. KLEENEX- You are going to cry, and if you don't someone else will. A travel kleenex pack will never be a disservice on such an emotional day so always have one with you.
2. Touch up kit- If your make-up artist will not be folowing you through the day have them provide you with a kit for self touch up before pictures. Without it you will look washed out once the flash bulbs pop.
3. Cloth Band-aids- Just in case your Jimmy Choos are meaner than they look stash a couple of these in your purse and you can dance all night.
4. A tester size of your perfume for touch-ups
5. Your lucky penny- carrying a small memento that keeps you calm or makes you focus on it instead of the big day will help you relax and channel the nerves away instead of balling them up.
6. $20 in fives- You never know who will need a fiver to run and grab a bottle of water or tip the valet.
7. Breath mints not gum- gum smacking is tacky at best ladies
8. Ibuprofen- just in case a headache strikes or you are sore from the previous night's activities.
9.Tiny bottle of clear nail polish- Few women are wearing stockings these days but nail polish is always good for stopping a run, fixing your nail or fixing cracks or breaks in your vail or tiara.

As for the handbags here are some beautiful ones I have found both traditional and offbeat:
Moyna bags- they have a wide variety of vintage bags but also chic bags for the modern bride http://www.moynabags.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/bags.html?L+scstore+fvhv4998ff741f74+1382055489

As always etsy has a beautiful selection for the independent and chic bride:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_8&listing_id=16416099
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=cat2_galley_11&listing_id=16771260

This pretty satin clutch with a brooch from advantage bridal
http://www.advantagebridal.com/sabrclwibr.html

This leather clutch is a bit non traditional but is certainly pretty enough to grace your day
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=314306&CategoryID=27691&LinkType=EverGreen

This collection is dramatic with satin and feathers perfect for an evening wedding and something you can use even after your dress goes into storage
http://www.julehandbags.com/pages/main/collections.html

Custom Handbags ensure you get just what you wanted
http://prettygoodthings.com/
http://www.freddyandma.com/index.php/freddyma/bridal_services/

I hope these resources will help you ladies find the perfect match for your day and remember you don't need the kitchen sink. Carry only what you need and ask your MOH to carry a cell phone with a list of essential contacts so you don't have to worry about them.

The Flower Dilemma

Hello all,
A couple of days ago a friend of mine (and one of my brides) were chatting about her impending wedding and the challenges of planning an overseas wedding (she is getting married in Scotland!) The colors of the wedding are burgundy and sand and she is looking for the flowers that will be available to fit her color theme in her fall wedding.
So for Bella here are some beautiful and so unusual options for an autumnal bouquet.

Red and Burgundy Fall Flowers

Ranunculus- like a carnation or mum ranunculus comes in hundreds of colors and is very dramatic alone or grouped with other flowers such as roses, callas, or lush options such as dahlias
http://www.longbeachweddingflowers.com/files/Image/bouqRanunculusMix_300px.jpg

Dahlias- these little beauties are available as big as dinner plates or small enough to wear as a hair ornament

Spider Mums

Hocus Pocus or Black Magic Roses

Berries of all sorts

Orchids- they have become a chic addition to any floral arrangement and the prices have dropped as they have become more popular. Here are a couple of types that look beautiful in red

Vanda orchids

Orchid Oncidium Sharry Baby "Sweet Fragrance" AM/AOS

Red Mokara Orchids

Astillbe

Callas- don't be discouraged if at first you don't see the colors that you are looking for, callas come in many beautiful colors just be persistent and you will be rewarded!

Montbretia

Amarillyis

Gerbera Daisies

Remember red is a passionate and rich color but using too much of the dark dark red will look like you carried a black hole as your bridal bouquet in pictures. To solve this problem add a contrasting color or bright colors to your arrangement. But if you are determined to carry all Leonidas roses use ribbons wrapped around the stems, pearls, feathers, crystals, or even autumn leaves to add interest and light to your arrangements. Flowers are a great way to set the tone of your wedding so be as creative as you want to be and overall have fun!
http://weddings.theknot.com/ODB/themes/realweddings/results.aspx?type=3,11&wedding_details=Bridal%20Bouquets,Bridesmaid%20Bouquets,centerpieces&colors=red&flowers=20071003

Good luck and happy planning
AZAW

Wedding Burden

Hello!

Normally I wouldn't say anything about how a couple choses to delegate chores when planning a wedding or in their lives afterward but today my friends I must speak out. I chatted with a friend of mine today who is planning her and her fiancé's impending nuptials... completely by herself. Which is fine,some women NEED or like to be in control. This friend however, did not need to be in control and she justified her enormous wedding workload by saying that her soon to be fiance was incapable of completing the tasks because "he doesn't pay attention to the details and I can't trust him."

My question to her was why marry him then? Think to yourself... do you have so little faith in your mate that you cannot trust him with ANYTHING. Do you assume he doesn't want to be part of one of the biggest days of his life?

As a latent feminist I am a bit insulted by all of this. People always say the wedding is for the bride but in my experience the wedding is for the bride to plan. I by no means intend to sound pessimistic about the institution of marriage but I always liked the idea of planning a wedding together as sort of a team project that allowed a couple to work together and compromise. Apparently I have a somewhat rose tinted view of what a wedding is.

So ladies if you are reading this and asking yourself why you are the one toting the pink planner bursting with swatches I encourage you to do something radical (I do not mean dump him and buy a cat.) Talk to your soon to be husband about the work required. In all of the planning I am sure there is something that he will be interested in taking on. And if he is not, remind him that you can't do everything and it would be a shame if you got so busy you forgot to ensure the open bar, or the DJ that has his favorite songs, or if need be, threaten to sit him next to your father, mother, great aunt or any other offending family member (or turned into an absolute bridezilla incapable of being in the same room with him thus making for an unfortunate honeymoon). Remind him that if you both plan the wedding then there will be food he likes, there will be activities he enjoys, and if you work together then the wedding will be FUN (not just perfect) for both of you. And ultimately that is what you want not just the white tent and the peonies dripping over every horizontal surface.

Please let me know if you agree or it is just me?
Alexandra

Options for a Winter Bride

As the leaves change color and the temperature starts to drop (finally!) many of the beautiful strapless and strappy gowns available seem like an impossibility for warm blooded brides and their bridesmaids. So to aid my shivering sisters I have compiled a list of beautiful options to keep you toasty and warm on your big day.

The first option is a traditional Pashmina shawl. Look for shawls that are 100% wool if you are looking for a thicker and warmer option like the ones available here:
http://www.cashmereboutique.com/passhaw100pa.html
They are 3 ply for extra warmth and there are 50 colors available to suit whichever color you may desire

Another great option for a chilly lady is etsy.com. They are a fantastic resource for handmade options that are both pretty and original for the bride looking for a unique wrap up. Here are some pretty options available from etsy:

A velvet shrug: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_2&listing_id=15650730

A super chic mink stole: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_11&listing_id=12290721

A wool floral shrug: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_1&listing_id=13170053

A great faux mink cape: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_1&listing_id=16360951

This high necked ruffled jacket would make a chic addition to your ensemble by Amanda Wakeley. She has a number of pretty options for the cool weather bride:

http://www.amandawakeley.com/web/index.html

Pronovias of Barcelona also offers a beautiful winter white blazer that begs for a extravagant pin or rosette to finish your look:
http://www.bridesmagazine.co.uk/find-your-style/?page=15&imageoffset=108&style=winter

So here are some great alternatives to your favorite fleece so you will feel beautiful on your big day despite the cold. If anyone else knows of other warm options please feel free to post a comment to share with our sisters.

Cheers
AZAW

Welcome!

Welcome to Of Weddings and Life After!

My name is Alexandra Wishart and I am a wedding invitation and card designer located in Atlanta, Georgia. I love weddings and working with new couples as they start their lives together. On this journal I will provide advice and ideas for wedding planning and life after as well as products and vendors I find with interesting or new ideas for life and love. I will post my favorite recipes and tricks I pick up along the way so that life and love are less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone.

Coming soon will be a rundown of my favorite dresses from the Spring 2009 bridal collection. Also a list of chic and new ideas for making your wedding eco-friendly!
Cheers
Alex