The Bridal Boutique | Engagement Ring Holder by Bowhead Design

There are certain places that most people don't wear their engagement ring and wedding band - the shower, the gym. And just think, every time you take those rings off of you fingers, you have to place them somewhere safe. Each time you take those rings off, there is the potential for you to forget "that special place you would never forget."...happens to me ALL THE TIME. So seriously, my ring dish saved my life! Every time I take it off, it goes in the dish and voila! I always know where to find it!

Never again will I have a mini freakout over a potentially lost engagement ring, the most expensive piece of jewelry that I own. It's the best purchase you'll ever make. Take a peek at this design and others from Bowhead Design!

engagement ring holder, ring dish - Bowhead Design
engagement ring holder, ring dish - Bowhead Design
engagement ring holder, ring dish - Bowhead Design
engagement ring holder, ring dish - Bowhead Design
engagement ring holder, ring dish - Bowhead Design

Money and Marriage

Written with love, by Karley Kiker

Before getting married it was difficult for me to believe that financial issues were one of the leading causes of divorce. We all took vows for richer or poorer, right? We knew that those ambiguous “hard times” might come sometime in the distant future, but our love would always be enough get us through.

 

You know what? I still believe that’s true. If we lost all of our clients and everything went south for us (and I don’t mean to Mexico for vacation), I know that God would remain in control and that Taylor and I would remain committed to one another. But that doesn’t mean I think it would be easy. I don’t particularly enjoy cutting back on date nights and take-out meals when we’re experiencing a tight month budget-wise, so I can only imagine the strain of rebuilding our lives from scratch following a major financial setback.

Sometimes it doesn’t take a “major financial setback” to cause financial strain in marriage, though, which is why today we’re focusing on some of the smaller ways that the money issue can rear its head in marriage. Consider the following questions:

Is the money yours, mine, or ours?

Who sets and monitors the family budget?

Who balances the checkbook?

Who pays the bills?

Do online orders from Amazon need to be discussed before the credit card information is entered and the shipment is on its way? (Asking for a friend.)

There’s not necessarily a “right” answer to any of these questions—for instance, although my mom was always responsible for balancing the books in my family while I was growing up, Taylor handles that task in our little unit. The important thing is finding out what’s right for you as a couple.

And then there’s the spending issue. Ahem. When I was single I went to Starbucks almost every day during my work break. I also spent a significant amount of my income on dining out, and treating myself to a new outfit wasn’t unheard of. But the way I spent my single-girl earnings looks nothing like the way our marital money is handled. Retirement plans, emergency funds, and bills all require an infusion of capital, which meant I had to adjust my spending habits post “I do.”

marriage and money

Again, there’s no set formula for the “right” way to spend money in marriage. Some of my couple friends give themselves set allowances each month, which allows them to do whatever they want (whenever they want) with an agreed-upon amount of money. Our solution? To create a joint budget that reflects what matters to us most as a couple rather than as individuals, and to leave enough elasticity to accommodate spur-of-the-moment date nights and/or surprise root canals. When deciding what’s right for your family, just remember: Too much restriction, and chances are that one or both of you will feel like you’re not having much fun at all. Too little saving, and anxiety about emergencies that may or may not happen in the unforeseen future is bound to creep in.

The bottom line? Don’t let money come between you and your honey!

Do you guys have any other tips for avoiding financial strain in marriage? Feel free to comment below with your suggestions!

A Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn

It was on a visit to Morgan’s family in Wales that Emily heard those four special words. After a long day of hiking around a favorite park from his childhood, the exhausted couple took a breather only for Morgan to surprise his other half with a ring she had ogled only weeks prior. Emily enthusiastically accepted the proposal and shares that it was certainly worth the walk.

If you asked Emily and Morgan to describe themselves as a couple, they’d agree that they’re “comfortable and quirky, with a touch of class.” Such was the inspiration for their Big Day that eventually led them to The Vintager Inn, which combined a rustic feel with casual vibes – perfect for the two of them!

Despite a tad of difficulty during their knot tying ceremony (Emily wishes they had practiced!), their wedding day was one of dreams. Between a globe guestbook and mix-and-match china, the lovebirds infused their unique personalities into every aspect of their special celebration.

However, for Emily and Morgan, it was the alone time shared between the ceremony and reception that will stick in their minds. As everything was hustle and bustle around them, it was extra special to steal an intimate moment away from the buzz.

As for pointers, Emily learned a few of her own along the way. “Stay true to yourself and your vision of what you want for your wedding,” she encourages. “With that, try to give your partner what they want too – even if you’ve been planning your wedding for years! Lastly, find vendors you like and don’t be afraid to tell them if something in their plan is not what you had in mind. They’re not mind readers, so you have to make sure they know! Just be calm and rational about it – you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn
Quirky, Classy Virginia Wedding at The Vintager Inn

The Vintager Inn | Ceremony + Reception Venue
White House Catering | Catering
Don Mears Photography | Photography
Ginger Topham | Videography
Debonaire Entertainment | DJ
Stewart Berry Designs
Floral + Day of Coordinator
Classic Party Rentals | Linen + Cutlery Rental
Falling Creek Barrel Company
China Rental
Pearls Cupcakes | Bakery
Etsy (TheShindiggityShoppe) | Cake Stands
Etsy (kikuike) | Cake Topper
Etsy (tricia16designs) | Table Numbers
Minted | Invitations + Programs
Tiffany's Bridal, Maggie Sottero | Bridal Salon + Dress Designer
The Groom's Corner at Tiffany's Bridal | Groom Attire
Etsy (CoralieBeatrix) |
Bridesmaid + Flower Girl Dresses
Etsy (MichelesCottage) |
Flower Girl Basket
Vera's Fine Jewelry, Kate Spade, and Etsy (EdgySister) | Bridal Jewelry
Schwarzschild Jewelers and Etsy (jewelrybyjohan) |
Wedding Rings
Sola Salon |
Bride's Hair Color
Lou Stevens Glam Squad |
Bride's Hair Styling + Makeup
Etsy (twobroadsdesign) |
Bridal Party Robes
The Art of Shaving | Groomsmen Gifts
Etsy (EtchedinTimeLLC) | Wedding Favor Ornaments
Etsy (SipHipHooray) | Koozies
Etsy (NewlyScripted) | Guestbook Globe
Etsy (WedLokLLC) |
Knot Tying Ceremony Kit
Salvation Gallery |
Bride's tattoos
Unkindness Art and Lucky 13 Tattoo |
Groom's Tattoos