7 Items Every Bride-to-Be Must Have

There are some things in this world that every bride-to-be just has to have. While most of them are pretty darn useful for anyone, engaged or not, these items are absolutes for the stunning bride-to-be as soon as he pops the question!

So whether you are engaged or are searching for some great (and very useful!) gift ideas for your favorite bride-to-be, I think you should listen up!

Bling Wipes

For those of you who have been following The Overwhelmed Bride for a while know, you already are aware of how much I LOVE Bling Wipes. I am now on my third box of them and have yet to find another product that cleans my rings as well as these! I mean, they like get into the tiny little stones along my band and everything!

And the coolest part?? The little box of Bling Wipes which are individually wrapped for each use, fit nicely right in my purse so I can clean on the go!

Can't get much better than that!

"The Overwhelmed Bride" Book

No one likes a bridezilla and although you may not notice at the time, you will look back and 100% regret some of the actions you took or the words you said to some of your friends and family if you fall into that bridezilla trap.

So avoid it altogether (or prevent your bride-to-be friend from turning into one) by reading our quick guide to staying stress-free while planning your wedding!

"The Overwhelmed Bride" talks about the biggest stress points when it comes to planning a wedding and teaches you how to overcome them, or prevent that stress from the start! And it is a great reference point throughout planning :)

It is available in print or on Kindle so enjoy it any way that your heart desires!

Personalized Silverware from For Such A Time Designs

We are totally swooning over these adorable spoons! You can use them for a proposal (men, listen up!) - wake up to your morning coffee and your spoon reads, "Will you marry me?" That sure would get your day off to a great start!

You can use them on your wedding day or even just as a fun keepsake!

We just love all of the designs they have thought of!

Bridal Workout Apparel from Fit Affinity

While some of you may be shedding for the wedding and others just toning those biceps and triceps for your strapless gown, the workout apparel from Fit Affinity is customized for every bride-to-be!

Not only are they the cutest workout shirts I've seen in a while, but personally, I think they provide some motivation to go to the gym! Because who doesn't get excited to workout when there is some new apparel in your drawer?

Ring Holder from KinshipCreations

While I wear my engagement ring and wedding band pretty much everywhere - to sleep, to the gym, while I am washing my hands - there is one time every day when I take it off. And that is when I shower!

My ring holder has been such a lifesaver and the most useful gift I've ever gotten. I don't have to worry about my rings sitting on the counter and getting pushed down the drain, or misplacing them, because if they're not on my left hand, they're hanging on my ring holder.

And you just have to explore their shop to see all of the adorable holders they have to fit your style!

The Bride Box

I just can't say enough amazing things about this company. Being their new monthly columnist totally makes this item a must have. Just kidding! Well, I am ecstatic to be working with The Bride Box each and every month to provide useful content for all of their subscribers, but that is definitely not the reason they are so cool.

The Bride Box provides brides-to-be with a ton of wedding-related items that are incredibly useful...and they switch it up every month! Not only will you get some cool stuff, but you will be introduced to some of the most amazing vendors and products that you may not have ever thought of using before!

So whether you are a bride-to-be or are looking for the best possible gift to get your favorite bride-to-be, this is it!

Accessories from Stella & Dot

I am a firm believer that accessories are a must. While I never over-do my looks, one or two items are always a way to make your statement.

And what better time to put your accessories to use than throughout all of the parties that come along with your engagement where YOU are the center of attention! You have your engagement parties, your bridal showers, your bachelorette parties, your rehearsal dinner, and of course, your wedding day!

There is no better time to step up your accessory game and Stella & Dot has the absolute cutest products for you...and maybe even a gift for your bridesmaids!

I'm Engaged...Now What?

Written with love, by Evelynn Korszyk

Every little girl dreams of the day her Prince Charming gets down on one knee and proposes forever. The Big Day, of course, is nothing less than magical and perfect, exactly like you’ve always dreamed of. And you then you live Happily Ever After… Right?

But wait a second… The thought of planning THAT day and its necessity to be picture perfect is… Well, daunting! From figuring out the guest list, to cutting down the guest list, selecting colors and theme, to choosing bridesmaids, to their dresses, wait, you can’t forget YOUR dress… Or your shoes, your veil, your jewelry, your hair, your makeup. Not to mention selecting the perfect venue, with the perfect 3 course dinner. The right photographer, videographer, florist, linens, lighting, DJ, favors… Then you think, “How do people do this?!”

Planning the biggest day of your life doesn’t have to be stressful. As long as you keep your head on straight, follow your gut instinct, and follow these simple guidelines, you will be well on your way to your Happily Ever After without turning into the dreaded Bridezilla.

Starting Out

First things first, get the big picture in mind. Sit down by yourself (or with your significant other), in a quiet, relaxed place. Clear your mind of the clutter and focus on your dream day. Think of what you want to see, what you want to smell, and the things you want to experience. Maybe your priority will be your family, or the food. Maybe you begin to think of themes and colors. Start off by writing keywords that you want your wedding to be like. Your keywords may include: Romantic, Family-oriented, beach, garden, intimate, big and loud party, earth tones, sparkle and glam, day/night, etc. Try not to go overboard, and stay within 5-10 keywords or phrases. After you’re done and confident with your list, really feeling like it’s the perfect description of your Big Day, keep it in a safe place and refer to it often during the planning process. During the next few months, you will be bombarded by so many different options, colors and styles, everyone competing for your attention. Brides tend to lose focus on what they originally wanted… what they truly want. Read over your list and almost always, you’ll know what decision to make and what direction to go in. It’s a GREAT way to clear your head and get back to focusing on what really matters. Remember, always have the end goal in mind.

Next Steps

Now that you know where you want to go, how are you going to get there?  You have no doubt already started paroozing through countless bridal magazines and online wedding blogs, looking for ideas and the perfect dress. But before anything is finalized, there are about 5-7 (depending on your wedding) big list items that you need to focus on first. These include: getting an idea of a budget, selecting your venue(s), hiring your coordinator, hiring your photographer and videographer, booking your DJ, selecting your caterer, hiring your florist, and booking your rental company. Once you have these set and ready, you can begin to focus on other smaller details.

Qualifying Your Vendors

Your vendors should be experienced enough to know how to guide you through the process. Your photographer gets you going on your engagement session, your florist starts brainstorming floral and décor ideas, your caterer discusses entrees and menu options that fit within your budget, your DJ leads the area of setting the mood for your big day with music and possibly lighting, and your coordinator guides you every step of the way, helping you make decisions and stay on track. In between the meetings with vendors, is when you finalize more personal details. Ask your closest friends or family if they would like to be a part of your bridal party. Visit bridal dress shops and find “the one”. Go on your hair and makeup trials, and figure out your jewelry. Put your guest list together, figure out seating arrangements, and pan out the small details such as your unity candle/sand items, guestbook, table numbers, favors, etc.

Staying Calm

The key to not stressing out is doing a little bit everyday. If you’re not much of a checklist kind of gal, make one anyway. It’s going to help HUGE. If you are, chances are you’ve already got a lengthy, detailed one going. Either way, do a little bit everyday during your lunch hour, after work, while at the gym, etc. Even if it’s brainstorming for that day, at least get ideas rolling that will help you go in the right direction. Getting overwhelmed will certainly lead to stress, so the key is to keep calm and uplifted.

Planning a wedding is supposed to be a fun and exciting experience. Leaving enough time to do everything is a big part of that. Aim to be done with major planning and details two months before the wedding. That way, if anything changes or was forgotten, there’s still some time. You’ll also be able to fully enjoy the last few months leading up to the Big Day with the showers, bachelorette parties and spa days. What a fabulous way to go into the biggest day of your life!

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Events by Evelynn

Someone to Trust. Someone who Cares. A Day to Remember.

Your wedding should be the most fabulous party of your life. Events by Evelynn will ensure it is unforgettable, down to the very last detail. With honesty, integrity, and professionalism in mind, Events by Evelynn strives for perfection while you and your family sit back, relax, and enjoy the celebration. May your wedding day be everything you have ever dreamed of and more!

Your Not So Viral Wedding

Think back to when you were a little girl and first dreamed of your wedding day - marrying Barbie and Ken in your living room with your Beanie Babies as the wedding guests. My sisters and I even set up our own ceremonies in the entry way to our house using every chair we could find!

Can you remember how you pictured your wedding day as a little girl? A stunning church with a reception in a large, beautiful banquet room? Or a beautiful country club ceremony with bright green rolling hills and a lake in the background?

Tall, delicate, wine glasses that were so clear that they sparkled with the light of the chandeliers and silverware so polished that you could use them as a mirror. Everything was going to be perfect, pristine, and of course, classy.

The bouquet would be full of huge, white roses while wearing a white gown and a simple but elegant veil slightly longer than the train of your dress.

When you were a little girl, did you every picture your guests drinking wine out of a mason jar? Or wearing a dress that wasn't white? Or using haystacks for seats at your ceremony?

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE rustic weddings. And I love when brides change traditions and create their own. And for many of you, that was the look your dreamt of from the the time you were a little girl. But for many of us, social media has impacted our view of a beautiful wedding so much, that we don't even know what we want anymore.

Have you seen the saying, "My wedding isn't a success until one of my photos goes viral"? Sorry to break it to you, but the photos that go viral are the ones that are innovative, creative, and different. If it's already been done before and every bride is doing it, then it's lost the creativity and the personality it once had.

We have become so enthralled with copying every Pinterest photo, pinning and completing every idea we see from even before we are even engaged, and just going with the social media flow.
Why not make your wedding personal? Why not make your childhood wedding dreams come true and instead of just choosing what is "in" the year you are getting married, be different. Your wedding day signifies much more than a pretty dress and some flowers. Your wedding signifies two beautiful individuals coming together and creating one life, for the rest of your lives. Don't you want that to reflect your style? Your personality? And you as a couple?

My advice to you is to make your day your own. Believe me, I love Pinterest for inspiration. But what I love even more is a wedding day that leaves guests saying, "That was totally Frank and Jenn" rather than, "Oh yeah, I've seen that cute idea on Pinterest before!"

If you've never worn cowboy boots in your life and you can't stand the smell of horses, then is a wedding in a barn really going to be the best representation of you as a couple? Again, barn weddings are absolutely stunning! But they are not a great representation of everyone and because of these social media trends, weddings have begun to lose their meaning, their true significance.

So make your wedding day your own. Be innovative. Feel free to choose what you like and not be influenced by anyone else...or anything else. This is your wedding day and you are only going to get this day once so make it the best representation you can of you as a, now, married couple.