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Posts by Shelbi Raysor | Celebration Advisor - Wedding and Party Network Blog
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The Warmth of a Candlelit Wedding

A romantic wedding is one of my favorite events to attend. They always capture the love the bride and groom have for one another.

Mason Jar Candle
How can you capture that romanticism in your wedding? Well, one way to add to your romantic wedding is by adding candlelight, it will create a special bubble for only the bride and groom. It’s like a two-way mirror. Your guests can see you, but it’s only dark figures in the audience to the bride and groom. Perfect for those who are shy!

To add some romantic candlelight to your wedding, take a look at some of the options below!

  • Candlelit Aisle – What’s a better way to walk down the aisle? Candlelight will hit the sparkle in your eye and the white of dress for the most breathtaking entrance you’ve ever seen. It’s guaranteed to be your favorite entrance of all time.
  • Candle Tables – To set the mood of your wedding; a table filled with candles can calm and prepare your guests for a ceremony of a lifetime. It sets the mood without being over the top. It’s also a super easy design.
  • Candle “Bouquet” – I’ve seen candles instead of bouquets and candles in the bouquets. It creates candlelight throughout the ceremony and will also let your bridesmaids get in on the fun of the romantic theme.
  • Candle Wall – MY FAVORITE. This will take a master crafter, or maybe a nice budget to rent a candle wall, but it creates an ambience you wouldn’t dare ignore! A wooden wall with little ledges to grace with candles would be unique and modern.
  • Candle Chandelier – Chandeliers are known for their timeless elegance for any reception or ceremony. A candlelit chandelier in your reception hall would be the icing on the cake for a romantic wedding.
  • Candle Centerpieces – There are many ways to add candles to your reception tables. They can be little tea lights that scattered around your centerpiece. They can be added into your floral centerpiece or they can simply be your centerpiece. That’s the beauty of a candle; it’s timeless, classic and goes anywhere.

If you are planning a romantic wedding, don’t overlook the candle. It may just become the center of your décor.

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I’m Blushing, Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

Whoohoo, it’s almost six months until my wedding! It’s flying by! I waited until May to ask my bridesmaids which is apparently weird, but I’m super into suspense. Ok. Ok. We were just swamped with school! I waited until after finals to ask my closest friends to be a part of my big day with a spa basket drenched with blush and gold.

You get it finals are stressful? Spa basket? I totally thought it was cute and so did these girls! It’s a super easy and fun way to ask your girls to be your bridesmaid! So, here's a how to on creating a spa basket.

Inside the box I placed a cute white coffee cup, a small box of different flavored tea, a nice blush and gold wrapped soap, an owl loofa and a white tea small candle that smelled like heaven.

I had to really try hard to find 7 of all the smell good soaps and tea boxes, but the boxes I found at Hobby Lobby under photo organizers. The packing paper I actually got at Dollar General and it really gave it a full, spa like look. The coffee cup I actually found in a small shop, but you could find similar cups at IKEA.

The cards used in the pictures are actually decorative cards from TJ Maxx and I used gold paint marker (it took a lot of practice cards) to cursively pop the question!

So, when you are looking for the perfect way to pop the question to your bridesmaids look for something that spoils them! A glass of wine, their favorite movie and popcorn or new yoga mat and yoga pants! Whatever their personality, popping the question is just as fun as creating the perfect gift! Have fun, it only happens once, right!

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On Snap! We're Getting Married!

On Snap! We're Getting Married!

The In’s and Out’s of the Photobooth Party Craze

I have been to plenty of weddings and parties where one of the main forms of entertainment is the photobooth. It may take a while for everyone to warm up to the idea (mainly the boys) but after that the line starts to wrap around the block!

Since photobooths have become such a hit, I decided to come up with some different themes to ask your photobooth vendor about! Everyone can have a unique photo booth idea that can add to the theme of their wedding or party!

1. The Black and White Theme – Having a classy wedding or candlelight reception? A crazy party theme may take away from that classic look. Simply ask your vendor about doing your photos in only black and white. You can also not use props or simply a chalkboard sign where guests can write messages.

2. The Southern Charm Theme – A Southern Charm Themed Wedding can use props such as mason jars, cowboy hats, large sunflowers and wooden signs. Color would be the best type of print for these summer loving photos!

3. Winter Wedding – I have seen this before and thought it was a little different until we actually started taking pictures and it was HILARIOUS. Do a viking themed photobooth. The booth will become a hit, especially after a couple glasses of wine. Who doesn’t love to pretend to be the Starks of Winterfell! Thank you Game of Thrones!

4. Color Coordinated – Have props that match your color scheme! Are your colors blue and green or coral and pink? No matter the combination, everyone will remember your wedding day and have proof of their celebration!

5. Bachelorette Party Style – Pink Boas, tiaras and bras have to be added to the props for any bachelorette party! Did we mention champagne as well? All the girls will have a blast!

6. Fourth of July – Uncle Sam wigs and Hats, fireworks and maybe even bring some of the food in with you! A photobooth for your 4th of July party will just add to the festivities.

7. Halloween – It doesn’t take much prop ideas for you to understand how epic this would be! Document your Halloween costume and maybe make the backdrop a scary cemetery! The possibilities are endless!

No matter what style party or wedding you plan, photobooths are sure to be a hit for guests and hosts a like!

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Saying Yes to the Dress

When it comes to choosing the MOST IMPORTANT dress in my life, I was a little hesitant. What if I have dress regret? What if I change my date randomly? What if I get peer pressured into something that is not me? These are all common fears when it comes to buying something so important. My wedding dress needed to stay in the range of traditional and yet fit my personality to a T! I needed something that would make an entrance at our winter ceremony. The mission was on, but who would accept it?

This is where Low’s Bridal and Formal came into play. My consultant was named Teena, and she was a doll! She spent four hours with me as I contemplated which dress would be best. She gave me a pep talk at the end and she even made sure I stayed in budget, which was a big deal to me. While I was there I picked out a veil that was to die for! I can’t wait to show you my dress and overall look, but you’ll have to wait until January 3rd.

While you wait for January 3rd to see my dress, here are a few tips for those of you joining the adventure in dress shopping that really helped me along the way:

1.) Come in with an open mind– Unless you’ve tried on multiple wedding gowns it’s really hard to see the full look and how it will look on your body. I was obsessed with the fit and flare gowns until I tried one on. Apparently, I am not six feet tall. Who knew??

2.) Trust your sales associate– If you go to a respected boutique, your sales associate will know what he/she is doing. Trust me. They have seen these gowns on multiple women and know what looks great and what is in your budget. Don’t be afraid to try a Vera Wang look alike that they suggest. It may be exactly what you wanted and in your budget.

3.) Do NOT try on dresses over budget– OK, look me in the eyes. Do not do it! It’s so bad. If you are anything like me, we have very expensive taste. There is a reason these dresses are $5,000 over your budget. If you fall in love with one, you will just compare it to all the gowns below that price range and lets be fair. That’s not even a contest.

4.) Take you family and friends– I only ended up taking my family because I wanted to surprise my bridesmaids, but you’ll need a support system. I cried once in the dressing room from frustration and once after from relief. Whew! It’s such a hard decision and you’ll need a support system.

5.) Most Importantly, Have FUN– It’s the biggest shopping experience you’ll ever have. Enjoy it! It’s supposed to be a fun experience. Loosen up, try on dresses to surprise your crew and giggle. You know you want to.

Good luck wedding dress shopping! Enjoy it!

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Fun in the Sun – A Bachelorette Party Weekend

It’s almost bachelorette party season and this means maid of honors from all over are scrambling for ideas to make their bride’s party unique and fitting to their personality. Bachelorette parties have changed over the years. Lingerie showers and hot pink and black used to be the “IT” thing to do (and they still can be), but these last two years I have seen a trend of classy bachelorette parties that are perfect for your relaxed bride!

Here are a few ideas that maybe more suited for your bride:

Is your bride a mermaid in disguise? Come on, we all know one. She’s the girl that never leaves the beach. From tanning to frolicking in the water, she’s all about a day in the sun for her big day. How do you turn her love for the sun into a bachelorette party? If you live near the beach, round your girls up and rent a small house located on the beach for a weekend. The first day can be spent playing in the sun and when the sun goes down it’s time for the lingerie and bachelorette shower! The next day can be spent creating an at home spa for the brides and bridesmaids. It’s the perfect way to cure a hangover from the sun or champagne.

Don’t live by the beach? Enjoy a day by the pool! Everyone can enjoy a day full of fun and floating on the water. Just remember, to wear sunscreen. Anything looks good with a white dress, but a sunburn that’s the color of a cherry, not so much.

Whether you decide on the beach or pool, it might be a good idea to look for several restaurants that you can rent a room out for two nights. There’s nothing like having your own private party to laugh, tell jokes and harp on the bride all in privacy. Beach restaurants are usually packed with families and you’re always so close together. A rented room would be perfect for a nightly bridal shower or to start off a bachelorette night!

It’s time to set sail and feel free!

Wherever you decide to go, don’t forget these bachelorette beach emergency essentials:

  • Sunscreen -Chairs/Umbrellas
  • Monogrammed Beach Hat
  • Aloe Vera
  • Cooler with Snack
  • Plenty of Water
  • Precious Bikinis
  • Disposable Water Cameras
  • Jelly Fish Sting Soothers
  • Favorite Book

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Sail Away with Me – The Ultimate Destination Wedding Theme

There comes a time in everyone’s wedding planning when you start to think of places you would like your wedding. The church you’ve been going to since birth, the vineyard 20 miles up the road or the land your grandparents own all seem to come into play and are unique to every couple. Well, except one. The beach may seem like a huge hassle for those of you who want to invite 250 people, but for those looking for a destination wedding that grabs the culture of the beach without strangling it, read on.

“Sail Away with Me” was my theme when I wanted a beach wedding at one point in my life, so all these ideas have been laid out to perfectly align together. I know! I know! You’re welcome. Ok, so here were my first thoughts, “I don’t want it to be cheesy.” Same here, sister, no one wants your wedding to be cheesy and that starts out with colors.

Wedding Arbor
Wedding Decor:

  • Main Colors: Navy and Starch White
  • Accent Colors: Anything cream and natural, such as starfish, seashells or pearls. Stay away from reds, or other bright colors to keep the elegance of the navy, white and cream.
  • Vases: Big round glass vases in sea glass colors or clear will add height and dimension to your seaside wedding.
  • Arrangements: Remember to stick tall dried grass or your favorite summer arrangements in large tall quantities. You could also add smaller vases to even out the area.
  • Lanterns: These are a huge obsession of mine and so is the color white. It just makes sense to have white lanterns at your wedding. I found mine at IKEA (made of real glass and they're pretty sturdy) that were pretty budget friendly , but don’t forget to check out TJ Maxx and Marshalls. You can stick seashells in the lanterns or candles depending on the time of day.
  • Wooden Arches: They are a huge hit on the beach. They can be white or a natural wood color with sheer white curtains to add to the elegance of your dress.
  • Pillows for Chairs: Depending on how formal your wedding will be, the extra expense for chairs may just be a pain. Laying out matching blankets and chairs can send an ambience for your guests to sit back, relax and enjoy the romance.

Reception Decor

  • Long Tables: If you are creating your own reception area, I would personally adore long tables. They feel so much more intimate instead of splitting your party into circles. Plus, its way easier to decorate long tables with long runners and garland
  • Beach Centerpiece
    Napkins: Brides can have a field day on napkins even if they are paper. Luckily, I have two suggestions for you. (1) Take grey linen looking cloth napkins and find a stencil that relates to your wedding and simply paint it in blue paint. It can be “LOVE” like the picture below or your new name. If you are using white napkins, simply wrap them in navy and white ribbon and a twig of rosemary adds a touch of your theme, while the rosemary leaves a refreshing scent.
  • Seashells: What is something so natural and beautiful in a large abundance at the beach? Seashell! Seashells can be used for candles (Simply, pour wax into the belly of the shell and add a wick.) The seashell candles will be a beautiful hit at your reception table. or under a beautiful coral and candle arrangement! Wouldn’t those scream elegance on your seaside wedding?

Whatever you decide for your beach side wedding, just remember, you are there to relax and enjoy the wedding, but who doesn’t love to plan a delicate and classy wedding? We all do! So enjoy planning your “Sail Away with Me” Destination Wedding!

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Chi Omega, Yours Forever Candlelight

Preparation for a candlelight can be a glorious thing. You get to pick out your dress, get your hair and nails done all in preparation for the big event. For those of you who have no clue what a sorority candlelight is, I’m here to help.

shelbi
A sorority candlelight is an announcement of your engagement through a sorority ceremony amongst your sisters. Your engagement ring is placed on top of the candle and is passed around under candlelight for a better and more intimate view of your engagement ring. There’s a catch. No one knows who is engaged! The first pass around the room is for a close look and the second, is for the announcement of who is engaged. On the second pass, the member will wait until the candle is passed into her hands and then she blows out the flame!

I had my candlelight in the middle of the afternoon after our initiation. I waited 45 days to announce my engagement! By that time, I nearly passed out as soon as the candle hit my hand, but it was all worth it. My sisters went from singing “Chi Omega yours forever” to jumping up and down and screaming. Talk about feeling loved, right? Seconds later I'm tackled with hugs and photos.

Things to remember while preparing for your candlelight:

  1. Check and see if your meeting is informal or formal – I bought two dresses before being told my candlelight was informal and that was a bummer on my wallet and emotions.
  2. Do your nails – People will be looking for manicured nails on candlelight days so try not to go for bedazzled but get them done one or two days before with friends.
  3. Do not spill the beans – Candlelights are supposed to be a surprise, if you are wanting a full fledge candlelight experience. Keep those lips tight.
  4. Breathe – My candlelight was moved back a week, changed to informal and I thought people were figuring it out. Just breathe and move forward. In the end, it was just stressful for that week and totally worth the wait.

The most important thing to remember with your candlight is just to relax and enjoy it. It's such a special time to share this momentous occasion with all your sisters.

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Upcoming Fall Wedding Trends for 2014

Fall weddings are coming quickly around the corner. If you are planning one, you are gathering your unique ideas to host a cozy detailed wedding and reception that will leave your guests in awe. This fall, strive for the coziness of fire and candlelight, cream and natural colors, and basins filled with your favorite drinks to create your dream wedding.

During fall, season leaves are starting to change into their vibrant last color before winter and the air is left with a cooling breeze. It’s the perfect season to show off our perfect natural landscape, which can play beautifully into weddings.

For outdoor weddings:

  • Use what the world has given us. Use the trees for backgrounds, old bridges as your aisle or even your own land with an ivy over grown arbor.
  • Play off the natural colors with neutral colors that only highlight the outdoor surroundings.
  • Use barrels down the aisle filled with your favorite flower to add a dramatic/rustic look to your wedding.
  • Continue the reception outside; the guests will not want to go indoors trust me, unless the weather doesn't want to corporate.
  • If it’s chillier than normal, offer blankets, shawls or fire pits for the ceremony and reception.

For indoor weddings:

First off, I am in the same boat with you girls. I am having an indoor wedding in the winter (different season I know), but who says you can’t recreate the outdoors inside? So, my first pointer is to…

  • Recreate the outdoors with trees, plants, fall leaves, and more.
  • Make chandeliers out of twigs, leaves and candles (battery operated for safety).
  • Use gingham on anything you can find. Ok, maybe a little rash, but gingham in your wedding colors is a perfect fall look.
  • Look for venues that have a cozy feel, that being a fire place, a place for a fire pit or a smaller vintage room.

Whatever you decide to do for your upcoming fall wedding send us your pictures at social@weddingandpartynetwork.com. We would love to feature you on our blog!

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When You Know, You Know – My Unforgettable Proposal

I have been blogging for Wedding and Party Network for 7 months now and it is finally time for me to start blogging about my real life occurrences. I am engaged! I have rewritten this article 7 times and I am finally just going to lay it out there. First off, this blog is going to be a little about us. You can’t really fall completely in love with someone’s proposal until you know a little about them, right? Well, here is a little more about us in our cute little selfie bios!

Jordan
Age: 23
Birthday: April 30
School: University of Tennessee Dental School
Hobbies: Running, Xbox, eating Mexican food, studying (dental school), playing with his little cousin Clayton, lake adventures and pretending to be a professional soccer player.

Shelbi
Age: 20
Birthday: March 1
School: Arkansas State University
Hobbies: Watching black and white movies, Netflix or Law and Order with my roommates, shopping, blogging, being outside to do ANYTHING during the summer, loving on any and all animals and planning my life on Pinterest.

How did we meet?

I’ll keep the story short. We met at Arkansas State University my freshman year and his senior year. We rode together on our way to a small bonfire somewhere out, well in the middle of nowhere. Hopping into a vehicle filled with my friends, my beaming smile quickly turned awkward when I realized I had to sit by a guy much older, and much cuter than I predicted. Never have I been awkward, but I admit I probably confused the poor guy.

When we got to the bonfire, our group split up in two ways and Jordan and I veered away from each other until the end of the night. Again, I hopped back into the truck to find Jordan in the same seat now greeting me with a bright smile. I couldn’t help but laugh! Jordan must have thought I hated him. As we rode home, we exchanged some smiles, awkward dance moves and a laugh or two.

The next night I got a message from Jordan asking if he could save me a “seat” in his friend’s truck on the way to the bonfire again. I took him up on the offer and left at the very end of a Miranda Lambert concert and sprinted all the way over to the KA house (Insert time to laugh at the thought of me sprinting in tight jeans, cowboy boots and a brown blazer) just in time to grab a seat by my new friend.

The ride there, bonfire and the ride home, we were glued to each other. Mainly laughing and getting to know one another, but when our ride dropped us off we weren’t tired yet. We quickly hopped into Jordan’s truck and drove all the way to his hometown and family farm for a grand tour. Returning home Continue reading "When You Know, You Know – My Unforgettable Proposal" »

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How Much is That Dress in the Window?

Every girl dreams of their wedding day as a little girl or at least I can say I can. Though I don’t remember a lot of my hopes and dreams of my wedding day when I was 6, I do know I was a bride for 4 years in a row for Halloween. It takes talent to rock it that long folks. Which shows you that I have always been most obsessed with the dress.

dressshopping
Dress shopping is coming up and it will be here before I know it. I've been taking it in these past few months to look at what exactly I wanted to look like as I walked down the aisle. After planning my date for January 3rd, changing it to this summer and changing it back to 3rd again, I feel as if I now have some sense that my wedding is DEFINITELY going to be a winter wedding.

However, winter weddings can be tricky! Do I wear sleeves, lace, satin or stones? Do I wear my hair up with a dramatic neckline or back? After all of these questions rang in my head, I called my bridal shop and asked them a few questions. Here is the information I got back:

  1. You never know what will look best on you until you try it on
  2. It’s your wedding dress go out of the box
  3. State your budget and stick to it to avoid dress regret
  4. Don’t choose a dress on what you want your body to look like a year from now
  5. Keep your options open
  6. But don’t be too casual and open
  7. Don’t bring any more than 4 family members or friends
  8. It will be the dress of your dreams, because it’s YOUR dress.

I will be updating you on my adventure as I go from wedding dress-less to wedding dress rich! Or you can say broke, because I will be broke too… Whatever fits better!

Hosting 101: Tips for a Seamless Event

Hosting an event can be a rewarding experience, but it requires detailed planning and execution. Whether you're organizing a party, shower, holiday dinner, or just a casual get-together, it's important to ensure everything goes according to plan so that your guests have a great time, and *bonus* you come across as a hosting pro! To make this easier, we've outlined some tips to help you host your next event with confidence.

Winter Wedding Tips

Breaking news… winter weddings are our latest love affair! The days are shorter and the nights are colder, but winter weddings are full of romance and have a uniquely magical essence.

2024 Bid Day Themes

In recent years, these trendy Bid Day themes have made waves on campuses nationwide, combining nostalgia, elegance, and fun into celebrations that are unforgettable and awe-inspiring! This year is no exception, and it's safe to say that we've got a few rush crushes of our own. We've compiled a list of some of our favorite 2024 Bid Day themes that you can take inspo from for your next event.