Arkansas Bridal Community

Nighttime photos add elegance

Alyssa — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:07:55 +0000

I’ve been in love with nighttime bridal portraits ever since my friend Tiffany posed for hers last fall. She looked beautiful in her dress and the lighting created an elegant atmosphere that would have been lost during daylight hours in the sunshine.
I’ve found many of the engagement and bridal photos I’ve seen lately to be a little bit boring. That’s not to say they aren’t gorgeous photos too; they just seem to lack a lot of originality. I don’t know too many girls who hang out in a field or on a farm on a regular basis, but those are the kinds of themes I see popping up in photos everywhere.
Nighttime bridal portraits are rare, and brides and photographers can do so many creative things with lights and props that would look out of place if the images were captured during the day.
Staging an evening photo shoot for couples could result in some really romantic photos. Poses seem so natural, almost like you and your future spouse are on a date and someone just happened be there to catch your loving little moments. You could take the pictures anywhere, from a sidewalk lined with lampposts to a candle-lit table in a restaurant or on a rooftop with starry string lights. It’s also a great idea during the holiday season because there are lights everywhere.
Photos taken before the wedding give brides and couples a chance to show off and give guests a little sneak preview before the special day. Why not try something different?

Who doesn’t like FREE?!

The Bridal Cottage — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 14:58:40 +0000

I am so excited about our Grand Re-Opening weekend! The Bridal Cottage has been a signature business in the heart of historic Park Hill in NLR and I am truly honored to be able to be the new owner! We launched our new website this week that has so much information about anything and everything about weddings! I also encourage you to read my blog post, it tells you the story about how I got here!

We also have 3 HUGE promotions going on celebrating the Grand Re-Opening Weekend! We have lots of FREE!

#1 – You can enter to win a FREE custom wedding photography package from Tammie Thessing Photography that includes engagement pics, bridal photos and full day… wedding coverage! Find out all the details on www.bridalcottageonline.com!

#2 – I have MARKED FOUR (4) WEDDING GOWNS TO $0! My staff does not know which gowns, so when you go up to the counter to purchase your dream dress, it could ring up $0…that means FREE! So come and find your perfect wedding dress at The Bridal Cottage!

#3 – Last day to register for a FREE Prom Makeover from The Bridal Cottage and KHITS 96.5! You and your BFF could win a makeover the day of prom that includes getting your hair and makeup done by professionals!

Please come see us!! I hope we can help you find your special gown!

Lindy Lanford

Owner, The Bridal Cottage

Bridal Party Tees

bharris — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:08:54 +0000

Click here to visit our online Bridal Store and see what we have to offer.

The Heck With Tradition

Tabitha — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:26:20 +0000

My favorite thing happening right now in the wedding industry is brides and grooms saying “the heck” with tradition and going for a more creative approach.
The fun, colored heels are my favorite. Or even sneakers or cowboy boots. This is something that is unexpected, oftentimes not even visible, but personal to the bride. The forgoing of the traditional kind of began when bridesmaids got to pick out their own styles from a myriad of styles (albeit it the same color). Now that seems to be the norm rather than all wearing the same style.
I also love creative touches in the ceremony. Whether it is the vows, an unexpected song (think the wedding party entrance to the song “Forever” made famous on YouTube), or clothing – each wedding can take a life of it’s own.
You can still stay on the traditional route, just add your own personality where you can and you won’t regret it!
What are some of the things you are planned (or have done) at your own wedding that is a little outside the box?

Bridal Shows

blogadmin — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:40:55 +0000

The next Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Bridal Show will be Sunday, August 19, in Little Rock.

We heart Pinterest

Tabitha — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:45:43 +0000

The Arkansas Bridal Community has recently joined Pinterest and we encourage all our brides to not only follow us, but also create an account yourself.
What is Pinterest? It lets you organize and share the things you love and find online. This site is a virtual pinboard perfect for brides planning a wedding. You can even create categories (like we did) for different aspects of your wedding like cakes, dresses, etc.
Most brides use the web to search ideas for their wedding. Now with a click of the button you can organize your favorite things from hundreds of websites on one board. And your friends can see and comment on your favorite things. (Another great feature is it connects with your friends on Facebook making it very easy to find them and vice versa.)
I know I sound like Pinterest has paid me to say all these wonderful things, but I’m freely promoting their site because it is so great for brides. And, it’s also free.
So check it out today, follow us at pinterest.com/arkbridalshow.
And let us know what you think of the site. Are you on it yet? Do you love it as much as we do?

The heart of the wedding – the vows

Tabitha — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:43:37 +0000

I have probably seen at least 20 weddings in the last 10 years. Most of them, I have been a part of in some way. Each is special and unique in its own right. The groom who wouldn’t stop crying. The bride who was so nervous you couldn’t hear a word she said. The father who had a little too much wine at the reception. The list goes on and on, but the one thing I always remember is moments before the couple become husband and wife and the vows they exchange between each other.

OK, maybe I don’t remember the EXACT words spoken, but I do remember the looks on their faces and how much the words meant to them. Isn’t that what counts?

We all tend to get caught up with the dress, the flowers, the reception — all the wonderful, beautiful things that make a wedding — but many forget the reason begin it all — the vows!

So whether you write your own vows or take the more traditional approach, remember this can be the most memorable moments of your wedding (aside from your 70-year-old aunt on the dancefloor.)

Check out The Knot’s guide to Traditional/Religious Wedding Vows:
Wedding vows.
Or if writing your own is more your thing, check out these tips from The Knot:
Wedding Tips.

Go beyond the bar at your bachelorette party

bharris — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:38:29 +0000

A friend recently asked me for advice on planning the perfect bachelorette party.

They wanted something a little different than the normal bar hopping experience. That was sooooo last year.

So I have gathered some ideas I thought I would share.

• Scavenger Hunt. If the bride-to-be is stuck on going out, then make it a little bit more interesting. Make up about five to 10 cards with questions about the next location (or bar). You can have a small gift at each location for her. Maybe items for her to wear that night. Veil, ring pop (for her engagement ring), etc. Or, heck, take a shot at each location. Whatever the bride is into…

• Pottery. So if you are the bride that idea #1 sounds like the worst night ever, try something a little bit calmer. Having a party at one of the much paint your own pottery business in Arkansas. Have 6 or more people in your group? It would be a good idea to have each person paint a personalized plate and “gift” it to the bride as a wedding gift – giving the bride a complete set of plates and a special memory for the day.

• Lake house/cabin. Renting a cabin or lake house just for the girls is really fun any time of year. In the summer, combine this with renting a party barge and going on the lake for some fun in the sun. In the fall, spend the afternoon hiking a surrounding trail. Arkansas has many choices of cabins and locations to choose from. Visit www.arkansasstateparks.com for locations near you or your favorite lake or trail.

• Spa day. For the bride who would rather be pampered than rough it in the woods, plan a spa day for her and her closest friends. Many spas offer packages that caterer to groups and in some cases could include brunch or lunch and a cocktail or two.

• Symphony/musical/play. This is a great idea for the bride who needs to be entertained. Check the calendars in your area for any upcoming plays, musicals or symphony productions and get the group together for the show. A night out on the town can always follow.

First dance done right

Tabitha — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 16:08:59 +0000

Nothing symbolizes the union of the marriage better than the couple’s first dance. It is not only an important moment for the new bride and her groom, but also for the family and friends witnessing the dance. The song the couple chooses should be important to them and reflect their style. So if you are looking for classic or crazy and cool, I got you covered.

Classic

• “When a Man Loves a Women” – Michael Bolton

When a man loves a women, he can’t keep his mind on nothing else.

• “At Last” – Etta James

My heart was wrapped up in clovers the night I looked at you.

• “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” – Elton John

Can you feel the love tonight? It is where we are/it’s enough for this wide-eyed wanderer, that we got this far.

• “Can’t Take My Eyes off of You” – Frank Sinatra

You’re just too good to be true, can’t take my eyes off of you/You’d be like heaven to touch, I wanna hold you so much.

• “Bubbly” – Colby Callait

It starts in my toes/and I crinkle my nose/Whatever it goes I aways know/That you make me smile/Please say for awhile now.

• “When You Say Nothing at All” – Alison Krauss

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me/There’s a truth in your eyes sayin’ you’ll never leave me.

If classic is a bit too, well classic for you, think outside the box.

Crazy and Cool:

• “I Wanna Grow Old With You” – Adam Sandler

I’ll get your medicine when your tummy aches/Build you a fire if the furnace breaks.

• “If You Want to be Happy (For the Rest of Your Life)” – Jimmy Soul

If you want to be happy for the rest of your life/Never make a pretty woman your wife/So for my personal point of view/Get an ugly girl to marry you

• “When I’m Sixty-Four” – The Beatles

Will you still need me, will you still feed me/When I’m sixty-four

• “Making Whoopee” – Eddie Cantor

The choir sings, here comes the bride/Another victim is at her side/He’s lost his reason/’cause it’s the season/For making whoopee.

• “Cowboy Take Me Away” – Dixie Chicks

I wanna be the only one for miles and miles/Except for maybe you and your simple smile.

In-Laws and Out-Laws

Norma — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:49:16 +0000

Ok ladies, here’s something to think about before you get married. You obviously love your soon-to-be husband, and (hopefully) you’re committing to him the rest of your life. But are you ready to commit to his family?

Just like you love your own family, he loves his too. The difference is, loving your own family has been a lifelong process. You’ve had lots of time to adjust to their faults. You can dismiss it when your penny-pinching dad tries negotiating prices at WalMart. And, bless her heart, your mother is just trying to be nice when she puts underwear and socks in everyone’s stocking every Christmas. (Because everyone really does need new underwear and socks.)

But, dealing with a whole new set of personalities can be trying. Each family has their own faults and idiosyncrasies. Is it your soon-to-be mother-in-law what you perceive as a meddler? Does it drive you crazy when his aunt starts talking about her colon during dinner? Each time you come across a situation or personality that drives you nuts, always remember, this is your family now, and you’re going to have to deal with it. If you don’t, you could be putting a huge burden on your marriage before it ever begins.

The meddling mother-in-law could just be honestly trying to help. Maybe the reason she bought you that cookbook isn’t because she thinks you can’t cook. Maybe she knows what your fiancé likes, and she thought he would love you even more if you knew how to cook his favorite dish.

And the aunt with the colon? Well, if you can, try to sit at another table. You could also need a beverage refill the moment she opens her mouth. If she’s still going on and on, refill everyone else’s glasses while you’re at it. If she’s STILL going on and on, you’re just going to have to accept it.

Just always remember, every time your fiancé sits down to dinner with your family, he’s probably feeling the same way.