Bustle Bride: Caitlin Ogren Green

Our first Bustle Bride Feature of the month is Catilin Ogren Green! Caitlin and her hubby, Andrew, said, "I do," on a beautiful Friday evening in May. They both wanted a wedding with a more intimate atmosphere, so they had 31 family members in attendance for the ceremony, then extended the celebration with friends on the following Saturday!

Bustle owner, Meredith, helped Caitlin find her dream dress! She chose a gorgeous strapless lace gown by Essence of Australia, and she looked absolutely radiant on her special day!

I’d say one of the best parts of the day was having such a relaxing and enjoyable day. We loved having a small intimate dinner with just our family, then we met up with all of our friends at Otey’s after dinner. We had another small party on Saturday night at my in laws house with Saw’s BBQ and Big Spoon Creamery catering. We had a blue grass band, and it was again another amazing relaxed evening with family and friends.

Vendors:

Photos - K. Olis Photography

Hair and makeup - Boma Beautiful

Church - Highlands United Methodist Church

Dinner - Birmingham Country Club

Florist - Susan Geddie

Bustle Bride: Helen White Lee

This week's Bustle Bride Feature is the beautiful Helen White Lee! Helen and her hubby, Hunter, became officially Mr. & Mrs. on May 28! They said, "I do" at The Nest in Avondale and had their wedding planned through Tiny Weddings Bham!

The couple knew that they wanted an intimate wedding, so they invited immediate family and their closest friends that made up 25 guests! Helen explained, "we were able to laugh and giggle at the alter together, recite personal and heartfelt vows to one another, and enjoy our special day with those who have been with us throughout the course of our relationship."

Our sweet bride chose a gorgeous Ivy & Aster gown that fit her oh so beautifully on her special day. She looked nothing short of stunning, and we're so glad we had the opportunity to help Helen find the gown of her dreams! She has the sweetest smile and the most genuine spirit, and we absolutely loved having her in our store!

Hearing the vows Hunter wrote to me was by far the greatest part of my wedding day— hearing the person you love most stand in front of a (small) crowd and promise you forever, no matter what it takes, gives you a whole new perspective on what God’s purpose for marriage actually is. In that moment I had a clearer vision of my life than ever before, and a greater love for my husband than I had ever experienced up to that point. I truly believe that the entire day was perfectly orchestrated by God, because it was everything we ever dreamed it would be and more.

Wedding Planner: Ann Marie Leveille//Tres Beau Weddings// Tiny Weddings Birmingham

Photography: Photos By Heart

Florist: Gold Leaf Floral

Lettering: Swan Lindsey Lettering

Catering: Savoie Catering

Baker: Pastry Arts

Venue: The Nest

Hair/Makeup: Sophia Cross

Expert tips for planning a bachelorette party on a budget

Courtesy of Guest Blogger: Aimee Lyons of diydarlins

Image courtesy of Unsplash by Colin Maynard

Being asked to be someone’s Maid of Honor is, well, a huge honor. Your beloved friend is trusting you, out of everyone she knows and loves, to help ensure that her wedding day goes according to plan. Of course, being designated as Maid of Honor also comes with a lot of responsibility, both during and leading up to the wedding day. One of the most fun responsibilities, however, is planning the bride’s bachelorette party.

As we all know, a bachelorette party is a night to remember. You want your friend to have the time of her life during her last night as a single lady - and you want all her guests and bridesmaids to have fun, too.

Bachelorette parties can be memorable bonding experiences, but they don’t have to break your bank. Even if your bride has expensive taste, you can still show her the night of her life while staying under budget. Here are some of our favorite tips for planning an affordable bachelorette party.

 Pick a theme

Ideally, this will be a theme that takes the interests and personality of the bride into consideration. Is Beyonce her favorite musician? You’ve got endless Queen Bey-themed options, from “He Put a Ring On It” balloons to “Feyonce” shirts. (See what I did there?)

Or you could go with the theme of her favorite television show or movie. From Parks and Recreation to Sex in the City, I’ve seen bridesmaids have a ton of fun getting creative with this one.

If you’re struggling to find a theme, maybe consider your friend’s hobbies or the story of how she met her soon-to-be-husband. I once planned a California-themed wedding for my Kentuckian friend, who was marrying an Australian man that she had met while vacationing in Malibu. The possibilities truly are endless when it comes to planning a theme for the big party.

 Pick a location

Although every bride dreams of a picturesque European spa getaway with her girls, it’s best to try to pick a location that is central to all of the guests, as people will have varying budgets and abilities to travel. Sometimes, it might be best to hold a bachelorette party in the city where the majority of the guests already live.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to scrap your plans if you had your heart set on a destination bachelorette party. If the bride loves to travel and the bridesmaids would love to join her, consider some weekend getaway locations that are driving distance and easily accessible by the majority of the guests. Ask guests if anyone has any mileage points, military discounts, or AAA memberships that could be used for discounts on hotel rooms and other services.
 

Decide who’s doing what

Delegate tasks to each attendee to avoid overwhelming any one person. It’s important to not delegate any bachelorette party tasks to the bride, however; she’s likely already got her hands full with wedding planning. Besides, this is the night that you’ll want to pamper her. Allow the bridesmaids to handling the planning for this ladies night!

While delegating tasks, be sure to have someone remind all the bridesmaids, the bride, and the other guests to take care of any home security needs before departing for the party. The last thing you’ll want is to put a damper on the weekend by discovering someone’s home was broken into while you were partying.

As you can see, there’s no need to stress about planning and affording a bachelorette party. It’s even possible to plan a destination party on a budget! With help from the tips listed above, you’ll be able to throw a flawless party that honors your friend while creating memories you will cherish for a lifetime. Cheers!

Aimee Lyons loves DIY and spends every bit of her free time on pet projects--crafting, refurbishing furniture, remodeling rooms, turning her yard into a landscaping masterpiece, and her latest interest--DIY weddings! She created DIYDarlin.com to share her DIY knowledge while also serving as a forum to learn from other DIYers.

Bustle Bride: Jessica Lewis Whitfield

The beautiful Jessica Lewis Whitfield is our newest Bustle Bride! She and her hubby, Daniel exchanged their vows on a gorgeous March day in Avondale, Alabama. They had such a special ceremony with Jessica's precious daughter as the flower girl. During the ceremony, Daniel made his vows to Jessica, then he made a vow to her daughter and gifted her with a necklace. It was an intimate and heartfelt moment for the family.

Jessica looked nothing short of amazing when she and her daughter began their happily ever after with Daniel. Her wedding gown by Watters looked like it was made for her; it was a match made in bridal heaven. The lace detail is incredible! We had such a great time helping this sweet bride find the gown of her dreams.

My absolute favorite part of the day was our ceremony. Everything about it was perfect. From his vows, which he started with “Dear Darla” from the little rascals, one of our favorite movies and something we joked about for months. And especially the very end right before the pastor said “you may now kiss your bride” my daughter, who he is raising as his own, ran up and hugged him. So we were all together as a family for our first kiss. It was so special!

First steps after the proposal

Guest post courtesy of Becky's Brides

While ‘engagement season’ is technically during the new year, it seems like there has been a summer wave of proposals and engagements sweeping the country! It’s so exciting to scroll through social media and see all the shiny rings and big, happy smiles. For newly-engaged brides-to-be, wedding planning can become very stressful very quickly. We’re sharing our top five items to check off your list after he’s popped the question!

Photo courtesy of Eric & Jamie Photography

1.     Work on your guest list - Finding your perfect guest list number will help the rest of your planning fall into place. You need a rough estimate to make sure your venue can accommodate your crowd! Sit down with your family and your new fiance and try your best to come up with a number that works for everyone!

2.     Set a Budget - Although budgets are the least fun part of planning, it is definitely a necessary evil. Your budget will be very important in choosing every vendor to carry out your vision! Make sure everyone who will be contributing financially to your wedding is in attendance at this budget meeting.

3. Shop for dresses – Dress shopping is one the most fun parts of the wedding planning process! Don’t waste any time when it comes to booking your appointment (we know the fabulous ladies of Bustle would be happy to help!) because your dress will set the tone for your entire wedding! Be sure to surround yourself with your close family and your best friend as you spend the afternoon trying on gorgeous gowns until you find THE one.

4. Hire a wedding planner- This may seem bias but it is so true! A planner is a wedding industry professional so while you haven't ever planned a huge celebration like this, your wedding planner has!  You need someone on your side to guide you and most importantly, be there for you on your big day! A wedding planner is a must-have for your engagement season.

5. Enjoy! - This is such an exciting time in your life! While the task of planning your wedding may seem daunting, find time to sit back and enjoy this season with your new fiance! It will fly by and your big day will be here before you know it!

Photo courtesy of Alisha Crossley Photography

Cheers to all the precious brides-to-be! Soak in this season and try your hardest not to stress. This is such a special season in your life and your wedding day will be the best day ever!

Becky’s Brides is a full service wedding planning studio. Our team plans flawless, Southern wedding in Birmingham, Alabama and beyond. We intentionally build relationships with our clients in order to design a wedding that is a true reflection of our couples’ style. Our mission is to serve our brides while delivering a joyful wedding planning experience! Be sure to visit us at www.beckysbrides.com. To chat about your upcoming wedding, don’t hesitate to contact us at hello@beckysbrides.com!

Bustle Bride: Sarah-Kate Masters Roberts

Our newest Bustle Bride, Sarah-Kate Masters Roberts, has such a unique wedding story and some of the most beautiful pictures to compliment!

Sarah-Kate's husband, Robb, is of Scottish descent so they decided to tie the knot on a beautiful island in {you guessed it} Scotland. The Isle of Islay is home to around 4,000 people and because of the size of the island, there is only one baker, one florist, etc. so the whole town played a part in Roberts big day!

Sarah-Kate chose a gorgeous Jim Hjelm lace gown with delicate gold lame threading. It suited her perfectly, and she paired it with a beaded veil from Bustle that added the perfect final touch. This sweet bride was an absolute dream when she and her hubby began their happily ever after, and we're so thankful she said "yes" at Bustle! 

P.S. Her photos are unreal and we can't get enough of the picturesque location!

Our entire Islay experience was truly magical. Twenty-six of our closest family and friends made the trip with us, and we were able to spend four days together making incredible memories. It’s hard to explain the mystical beauty and timelessness of the island, other than to say that visiting Islay changes people. The wedding day was filled with an outpouring of love and joy. Our favorite part of the day had to be the very end. Our reception ended with singer Angela Patterson and her band playing “Auld Lang Syne.” We all gathered in a circle, held hands, cried, and sang as the song played slowly. Towards the end Angela took the beat up. We all joined in, finishing the song singing, yelling, clapping, and cheering. It was a moment of complete happiness, knowing that we had shared Islay and that day with the most important people in our lives.

Vendors:

Bustle Bride: Trina Cobb Ware

Our newest Bustle Bride is the beautiful, Trina Cobb Ware. She and her hubby, Brian, began their happily ever after on a beautiful May day. Their wedding day was made a little *extra* special as Trina's parents are in the process of building a wedding venue in Sterrett, Alabama. The venue is set on 41 acres and will feature "stylish barn wedding weekends." Trina and Brian were the first to say "I do" at the inaugural wedding for the new family venture.

Trina was such a joy to have in our store. Bustle owner, Meredith, was Trina's consultant and she pulled out all the stops to help Trina find the gown of her dreams! She said "yes" to an incredible Temperly London gown, and it couldn't have been a more perfect fit for the beautiful bride! It literally fit PERFECTLY. We're so thankful we got to be just a small part of Trina's special day, and we are seriously loving her photos. 

Not one moment was shy of incredible. From marrying the most amazing man, being the first to get married at my parent’s beautiful venue, the “first look”, to everyone cutting loose and having so much fun at the reception, I can’t pick just one favorite part of this day. Every single moment was amazing and so full of love.

Vendors:

Photography: Jett Walker Photography

Venue: Belle Farm

Hair + Makeup: Beth Russell

Flowers: Suzanne Graves

Catering: Savoie Catering

Cakes: Made with love by friends 

Bridal Party: Bella Bridesmaids

Music: Tim Tyler

Bustle Bride: Hayden Hurst Creel

This week we are overjoyed to feature Bustle Bride Hayden Hurst Creel! Hayden and her hubby Stone tied the knot in March, and she was definitely #bridalgoals!

Hayden has a fun and unique style, and we wanted to help her find a gown that fit her personality perfectly. She said "yes" to a fabulous Ivy & Aster gown, and she looked nothing short of stunning on her special day. From the hair and makeup to the dress and bouquet, she tied everything together so beautifully and we can't stop ooing and ahhing over her bridal portraits. 

We can't get over this sweet couple and the love between them that is oh so evident! We're swooning over all of the precious moments that were captured on the day they began their happily ever after!

My favorite part of our day was the first look. For some reason I was so nervous and anxious all morning. Hoping my makeup, hair and dress were good enough (which of course Stone did not care.) I was hoping the food, cake and decorations were all coming together. As soon as I saw Stone I was so relaxed. I didn’t care about how cold it was or that there was a 90% chance of rain. I finally realized that it was really happening, we were getting married!

Photography: The McNairs

Bustle Bride: Abby McMurry Smith

Abby McMurry Smith

On a special day in March our newest Bustle Bride, Abby and her hubby, David started their forever together. The couple said, "I do" in Birmingham, Alabama at the beautiful Reid Chapel at Samford University

Their wedding day provided some unexpected rain, but they wouldn't let a little rain get in the way of their oh so special day. Plus, the overcast sky made the perfect backdrop for some gorgeous photos (check them out below to see for yourself!)

Abby was such a joy to have in our store. She has the sweetest smile and the kindest spirit, and we had so much fun helping her find the gown of her dreams. She chose a beautiful strapless lace a-line gown by Tulle New York, and it was a match made in bridal heaven. Abby was an absolute dream in her gown on her big day.

On the day of our wedding, it was 45 degrees and rainy (who would’ve guess in the middle of March?). But, I distinctly remember feeling overwhelmingly grateful as we turned to face the crowd after saying our vows. In that moment, it was so sweet to think that each person chose to brave less-than-ideal weather in order to be there to celebrate our marriage.

Abby with flowers at Samford

Bustle Bride: Catherine Irwin Thomas

Catherine Irwin Thomas is the newest addition to our Bustle bride features. Catherine and her hubby Taylor exchanged vows on a beautiful Alabama fall day, and we can't get over how gorgeous she looked when she said, "I do."

During her appointment, Catherine fell in love with a one-shoulder lace fit and flare gown by Allure. She decided to sleep on it because it IS a big decision, and she realized she couldn't live without the gown. She came back a week later and made it official - she said "yes" to the dress, and we're so glad she did!

Catherine and her entourage were such a joy to have in our store, and they made the appointment so upbeat and fun. Everyone was smiling the entire time! 

We are so in love with Catherine and Taylor's photos from their special day. The venue, the flowers, the dress - we're swooning! Everything was so beautiful and worked so well to create a day full of love and celebration!

The whole day was truly the best. I could not have asked for more love, support, or happiness all in a 24 hour time span. I would have to say that my favorite part of the day was the “first look.” Taylor and I dated long distance for a total of 6 years of my undergraduate and masters degrees, and the morning of our wedding waiting to see him seemed longer than all of those years, months, and days combined. My heart was racing as I waited for him in our meeting spot, but when I finally got to hug him and see his face I got this overwhelming mix of emotions joy, excitement, and peace. His kind words and warm hugs made taking on the day so easy!

Photography by Dunaway's Studio