#HELLYEAH HIGHLIGHTS

We get it, you're getting married, but you're also on the go go go, and don't have the time to scroll through our entire blog to find the information you need (our feeling aren't hurt, we promise)! To save you the trouble, we've rounded up some of our best posts to plan for your big day. Here is the 411 on the BIG 5!

Budget

Both starting point and sticking point for many couples. Save yourself the disappointment and establish a firm budget ASAP.

Photo | Jas and Mike Co.

Venue

The backdrop of your wedding day should be as beautifully matched as you and your betrothed.

Photo | Jillian Zamora

Wedding Party

With your boo and your besties by your side, you’re guaranteed to have the best night ever.

Photo | Brynna Isabell

Guests

The number one rule for keeping the guests happy, you ask? Keep the drinks, the music and the love flowing!

Photo | Payge Stevens Photography

Ceremony + Reception

The vows, the tears, the dinner, and the dancing! Uff, we can’t get enough!

Photo | Chelsea Kaye

May the wedding gods be with you!

TIPS | DECODING WEDDING DRESS CODES

Wedding dress codes can be a minefield of confusion, frantic googling, and last minute shopping trips. How casual is Dressy Casual? How optional is the black tie in Black Tie Optional? All pressing and important questions that we’ve gathered the answers to.

Below we’ve compiled all the most popular wedding dress codes and how to achieve them. Of course, these just our recommendations and you should wear whatever you want, but we may be able to save you a few awkward glances.

White Tie

White Tie weddings are the fanciest of all traditional weddings. Think Royal Wedding meets an elegant charity ball. Although white tie weddings aren’t super common if you’re invited to one it’s an excellent opportunity to above and beyond typical wedding wear.

Standard White Tie Attire:

• Floor-length gown, with fancy footwear and jewelry (and throw on a fascinator if you’re wanna get wild!)

• Tuxedos with tails are customary menswear, along with white vests and bow ties.

Photo Credit | Jeremy Russell

Black Tie

Black Tie weddings are more common and give you room to play with your style. Black tie weddings are usually formal evening occasions with a distinct, extravagant style.

Standard Black Tie Attire:

• Floor-length gown, but you can get away with a formal cocktail dress.

• Tailless Tuxedos with a bow tie and a cummerbund or vest.

Photo Credit | Jessica Burke

Black Tie Optional or Formal

Black Tie Optional aka Formal weddings are similar to Black Tie weddings but are a little less hoity-toity. You’ll still be dressed to the nines, but you aren’t confined to gowns and tuxedos. You can infuse more color and pattern into your look.

Standard Black Tie Optional or Formal Attire:

• Formal dressy dress with no specific color or length.

• Dark suit or tuxedo with a tie or bow tie.

Photo Credit | Jacque Manaugh Photography

Cocktail Attire or Semi-Formal

Cocktail or semi-formal attire can be anything you’d wear on a night out on the town. Fun, flirty, but still done up enough to fit in with the party.

Standard Cocktail Attire or Semi-Formal Attire:

• Nice dress of any length, but steer clear of fabrics that are a little too casual like jersey.

• Any color suit, but you can ditch the tie or bow tie for a more laid back feel.

Photo Credit | Wale Ariztos Photography

Dressy Casual

Dressy Casual wedding attire is what I like to call “Put One Thing On. “Find your cutest casual outfit (something you’d wear going out to a nice brunch with friends or to your local Red Lobster), then add one thing. A pair of cute shoes, a piece of jewelry, a fun cardigan, or cute belt and wallah you’re casually dressy.

Standard Cocktail Attire or Semi-Formal Attire:

• A dress or a dressy skirt and blouse.

• Slacks and a button-down or polo. If you’re feelin’ a suit coat, throw on a suit coat, but no pressure!

Photo Credit | Ashley Rhian Photography

Casual or Daytime

Perfect for a rustic or backyard wedding, Casual or Daytime wedding attire is an easy-going as you can get.

Standard Casual or Daytime Attire:

• Break out your maxi’s and sundresses. Sandals are also appropriate if the weather permits.

• Jeans, knee-length shorts, or linen suits.

Photo Credit | Helen Byrd Photography

Calling An Audible

For when you’ve been thrown an out-of-the-box dress code or worse, one you’ve never even heard of.

Themed Wedding Attire

Beach or Tropical Attire

Wear comfortable and breathable fabrics because more than likely it’s going to be hot or humid. If you’re planning on wearing heels, you may want to reconsider. As cute as they might be, sinking during the ceremony (or even all night) won’t be fun.

Photo Credit | Suburban Faux Pas

Festive Attire

Maybe one of the most confusing dress codes on paper, but the most fun in practice, “Festive” attire is your opportunity to wear any of all of the things. Sequins? Break ‘em out! Patterns? Wear a couple! Ruffles? The bigger, the better!

Photo Credit | Millie Pilkington

If you’re attending a themed wedding where guests are expected to dress up, pick a few details to play into the theme like a mask or jewelry or lean in and go all out with a one of a kind outfit and headpiece.

Photo Credit | Mecca Gamble

No Dress Code

Sometimes things are going to be left up to your interpretation. In these cases, your best bet is to reach out to the couple for clarification. If you’d rather not, you’ll be safe defaulting to a semi-formal dress code.

Photo Credit | Mary Summers Hafner

Definite No’s, No Matter the Dress Code

• Never ever ever wear white to a wedding unless explicitly being told to do so.

• If you’re still unsure of what to wear, err on the side of caution and go a little fancier than you think you need to be. Worst case scenario, you’ll look (and feel) extra lovely in all your wedding day selfies.

• Steer clear of wearing your club clothes, not because you won’t look like a smoke show (because you absolutely will), but because you’ll be more comfortable getting out on the dance floor without any fear of wardrobe malfunctions and the couple will too.

TIPS | WEDDING FAVORS YOUR GUESTS WILL WANT TO TAKE HOME

Think about the last several weddings you’ve attended. Do you remember the wedding favors? Let’s be honest, the personalized matchbooks and mints aren’t favors that your guests will remember. In fact, they may be left behind at the reception tables only to be tossed away. You want your wedding favors to be unique, memorable and appreciated.

Here are a few wedding favor ideas that your guests will actually want!

Pretty Little Plants

Who wouldn’t want these adorable succulents sitting in their living room or on their night stand? I’ll take one for each room in my house, please and thank you!

Photo | Rachel Solomon Photography

Cute Coffee Mugs

If you’re having a fall or winter wedding and a majority of your guests are avid coffee drinkers, you can’t go wrong with a coffee mug and beans.

Photo | Wendy Laurel

Kits for the Kids

Don’t forget favors for the kids! A little basket of gadgets, games, and snacks will surely keep them entertained all night!

Photo |KT Merry Photography

Cigars

Men may not be fans of pretty little plants, but they sure do love their cigars!

Photo | Brian Dorsey Photography

Donuts!

Because nobody can resist a donut! Send your guests home with a sugary treat!

Photo | Leila Brewster Photography

Ice Cream Scoops

Come on, how charming! After all, we ALL scream for ice cream and you can be sure that your guests will use these at home a lot!

Photo | Carmen Santorelli Photography

Remember one thing: You know your guests the best. If you have a guest list filled with food lovers, a midnight snack will be the way to their hearts. If your crowd really enjoys to have a good drink, you know they won’t leave behind a mini bottle of tequila! Give them a small gift to show your love and appreciation for accompanying you on such a special day!

What would you like to take home with you as a wedding favor?