When Megan and Jeffrey started planning their wedding, they knew exactly what they wanted: an intimate wedding with their nearest and dearest.

Fortunately, after a bit of hunting they found just the place for their small shindig; a local Italian Restaurant that fit their 60 person guest list perfectly.

According to Megan: “Andrew Michael is a restaurant in an older Memphis home with a really warm atmosphere and cozy feel! The moment you step in, you feel like you’ve walked into the home of a friend”.

Heather Hester Photography caught all of the breathtaking details on film.

Megan, 24 & Jeffrey, 27

Memphis, Tennessee

Wedding Date: October 12, 2012

Number of Guests: 60

Wedding Cost: $12,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen

Wedding Reception Location: Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen

One of the less than stellar side effects of wedding planning is the looming worry that something will go wrong. Nightmares consisting of ripped gowns, embarrassing guests, and misplaced rings often wake brides in cold sweat at night, but one very real horror story that happens too often to ignore involves wedding venues that unexpectedly close.

Less than a month ago, a venue in Bayville, N.Y. altered the plans of 25 couples who had booked their weddings at the waterside resort before the venue was unexpectedly shut down. Lawsuits are inevitable, but the worry at the moment is finding an alternative to host their guests and doing so without the chunk of change they put down as a deposit.

That same week in Phoenix, Arizona, 60 couples had to begin scrambling to find a new locale after another venue was abruptly foreclosed, with no refund in sight.

Luckily, there are ways to prevent this plan-altering scenario. Just as you wouldn’t drive a car without insurance, it’s dangerous to put down a large sum without protection. Wedding insurance gives policy holders reimbursements when things go awry as well as a peace of mind, which, let’s face it, is priceless.

WedSafe is the top wedding insurance company in the U.S., and was founded by a couple who were unsuccessful in finding insurance protection for their own wedding against unpredictable illness, weather, no show vendors, damage to gifts, and to the bride’s dress.

The company, which has been around since 1999, offers two wedding insurance products that can be purchased individually or together as a package: Wedding Event Cancellation and Postponement and Wedding Liability Insurance.

Heaven forbid something happens, but if it does, make sure you’re protected.

 Photo: Shea Christine Photography

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I’ve been writing about weddings for 10 years.  During that time, I have interviewed countless couples about their weddings. I’ve interviewed couples with big budgets. Couples with little budgets. Couples from big cities, and others from tiny towns. Brides who have dreamed of their weddings their entire lives, and others who didn’t even have marriage on the radar screen. I finally decided it was time to put down in writing what I have learned during this decade of dedication to all things wedding.

I hope these words resonate with you. I hope they will serve as a reminder for you to stay grounded and keep your eyes on the prize; marrying the love of your life.

You can get the 8.5″ x 11″ printable version of The Bride’s Manifesto here. Place it on your desk or beside your bed; it will help ward off the wedding crazies.

 

 

Pansies are one of my favorite flowers. The colors are electric! My favorite hues are indigo and purple – but you could use any color for these mini-favor pots.

You can purchase a flat of pansies for around $12; that will give you 32 DIY wedding favors! Your only other expense is the flower pots.

Here’s what you will need for this project:

Salvaged and antique windows are perfect for vintage weddings. Keep the glass inside the panes or use just the frames as decorations, seating charts, signs or photo props.

You can find old windows at flea markets, yard sales, resale shops – and don’t forget to check Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. If you don’t have any luck finding old windows, consider renting pieces from a vintage rental company.

Before you rent or buy antique windows, think about how you’re going to use each piece.

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