Fall Is RIght Around the Corner... And So Is Engagement Season!!!

Have you ever noticed that engagements come in packs? For example, it only takes one person in your friend group to get engaged, and the next thing you know your other girlfriends, neighbors, cousins, distant relatives, are all comparing rings, dresses and venues at gatherings!

As the song goes, we are rolling into "The most wonderful time of the year!" AKA, Engagement Season! Everyone loves the holidays, and rightfully so! It's an amazing excuse to gather your closest friends and family and celebrate being together. And what better way for your significant other to pop the question than in front of everyone you love. 

So grab your Pumpkin Spice Latte, a copy of EA Magazine, and start thinking about how you want your perfect wedding day to be! And whether you know a proposal is just around the corner, or you want to get a jump start on planning for when it does, here are some tips I tell all of my brides when they get engaged to help them start the process of becoming a Mrs!

1. SET A DATE

The #1 thing any couple needs to do BEFORE anything else is set a date. By setting a date you are committing yourself to actually taking the plunge, and you have a better understanding of what you're looking for with the overall wedding feel. Lets say you are wanting the perfect winter wonderland. Well choosing a date in July will probably not be your best bet. Also keep in mind what date will work best for your guests, family, and friends who want either in or attending the wedding. While July might not be a good date New Year's Eve may not be either. Yes it's perfect for that winter feel, but a lot guests may have prior plans. Look at all your possible dates and pick the best one that fits you!

2. SET A BUDGET

Before you start thinking about venues, catering, dresses, or anything else of value in your wedding, set a REALISTIC budget. Talk openly with your parents and family members who will be giving you money toward the big day about how much they will be able to help with. Or if you're paying for the wedding yourselves, open a line of communication with your fiancé about how much  you will actually be able to afford. By defining a budget you are setting a realistic foundation for what your wedding day will be. It will allow you to look at venues and dresses that are within your budget. The worst feeling in the world is trying on a dress you fall in love with only to find out its $10,000 and double your whole budget for the wedding! And one you define this realistic budget, STICK TO IT! Do not deviate. And remember, you can have your perfect dream wedding no matter what budget you have.

3. HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER

Yeah, yeah, yeah. We have all seen this at least a million times in our lives. Or our friends have talked about the ones they hired for their wedding. Or you know your own personal planner friend who is jumping up and down at the thought of planning your bridal shower! But on a serious note, hire a wedding planner. Wedding planners specialize in keeping couples on a budget, dealing with sticky situations, being organized, and above all, getting things done. Even if you feel you're the most organized and independent person there is, you can never go wrong with hiring a planner. Not only will they have amazing ideas to make your day that much more special, but they have access to an incredible thing called a vendor list. This coveted list is something planners spend years working on and it is filled with the best of the best in the wedding industry! So you know your wedding will be in amazing hands. Plus it takes all the stress off your and your fiancé so you can really enjoyed being engaged. After all, that's what it's all about!

So Happy Planning my beautiful couples! And enjoy this time of year where everyday is an excuse to stop by Starbucks!

Love,

AMH

Hunter Wedding September 7, 2013

Simply beautiful is what comes to mind when I think of Joe, Jessica, their daughter Autumn, and their wedding day this past Saturday. AMH was so lucky to help such an amazing couple plan their nuptials, and we are so honored they trusted us to help them along the way.

The J's chose our Something Borrowed Package, our "half plan" option for couples. They had such a strong foundation of planning but just needed a little help to finish things up. We aided the couple in centerpieces, flowers, catering, and of course, providing amazing Day Of services that made the BIG day go off without a hitch!

Every little detail in their wedding was so personal and fun you were reminded of the couple everywhere you turned. Even down to the actual venue, her Grandfather's farm and gazebo. Again, simply beautiful and we are so happy for them. Congrats!

Lawrence Bridal Show 2013

Well, we did it! AMH's first bridal show went off without a hitch! 

It took a lot of time, heart, and prep, but after running to Office Max three separate times, locking ourselves in the house for a couple of days, and getting lost on the way there, we had finally arrived in Lawrence, Kansas for the first annual Lawrence Bridal Show!

Brides from all over the area including Lawrence, Kansas City, and Manhattan and Topeka came to get up-to-date on the latest wedding trends that are hitting the area. For some brides this was the first big stop on the wedding planning train, and for others their wedding date was as soon as two weeks away! 

Of course the show was giving away an amazing gift basket that included things like free china, catering certificates, and of course a gift for 50% off any AMH services! And we even got in on the fun! For brides to register they found their wedding date on the calendar, marked it with their name, email and telephone number, and were entered in a drawing to win a hand painted wine glass and pilsner. They LOVED it! 

We cannot wait to take part in another show soon. And who knows, maybe even put together a Bridal Show of our own! So here is to taking the plunge! For all your Brides-to-be out there, taking the first steps in planning can be a little scary, but just know it will all be perfect in the end!

Happy Planning!

Love,

AMH

Bars Aren't Just For Alcohol You Know!

When you hear the word "wedding" and "bar," what typically comes to mind? 

I asked this question to three different brides and their answers were all the same. They responded with "alcohol, open bar, drinks, and liquor." All answers that you normally expect to hear. Something that probably looks similar to this:

But bars at weddings are evolving into something much more than just alcohol and drinks! They're becoming fun, exciting, interactive for your guests, and a staple at any reception! 

I'm talking about the Bridal Bar! Bride's are getting in touch with their fun and corky sides and taking their receptions, bridal showers, and even baby showers to a whole new level. Think of it this way, we are taking the same bar principal and applying it to things we love. For example candy, chocolate, sweets, fireworks, snacks, and even kid friends drinks! 

Take a look at some of these fun and unique Bridal Bars that have become favorite memories for themselves and guests!

Candy Bars:

Have a sweet tooth? Collect all your favorite candies and put them on display at the wedding. Try picking candies that are in line with your wedding colors!

Hot Chocolate Bar:

Having a winter wedding? Use this bar to warm up your guests! Give them different kinds of chocolate to choose from and toppings like whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Not only is it in line with your theme but it will be fun for the kiddies as well!

Cupcake Bar:

Want a fun alternative to the typical wedding cake? Bake cupcakes but hold the icing. Let your guests decide whether they want chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, or a combination of all three! 

Mimosa Bar:

Maybe not fit for a wedding reception, but how about trying this one at your bridal shower or engagement party? Ladies will love to play around with different flavors and you may even get an idea for a specialty drink for your reception!

So what kind of bar will you have at your wedding? Candy, drinks, chocolate? Your call! But remember, drink responsibly, be safe, and don't overload on too many sweets!

Love,

AMH

MOB's... Can't Plan With Them, Can't Plan Without Them

Lets face it. Weddings are stressful, crazy, and a full-time job when you're planning them on your own. But when you surround yourself with the right people including friends, family, planners, and others, they become more enjoyable and sometimes fun!

Until...

You bring the MOB in the picture, AKA, the Mother of the Bride.

If you thought brides were crazy, think again! Sometimes mothers can overstep their boundaries just like anyone else, but this is a very sensitive subject. Why? Because she is your Mom. You love her to death and want this to be a fun and amazing experience you can both look back on one day and smile about.

So if your Mom is a go-getter, control-prone, list making, take control woman, here are some things you can do to make her life (as well as yours!) a lot easier.

• COMMUNICATION!!!

Before the planning even begins, sit down with your Mom and discuss things such as budget, themes, ideas, and lay the ground rules. By opening a healthy line of communication from the beginning you will feel more comfortable talking about any issues that may come up. And make sure you keep her in the loop, even with small decisions. It makes her feel included and it will make you feel good for making her happy.

• GIVE HER SPECIAL TASKS!!!

Maybe your Mom is very craft friendly or perhaps she had dabbled in floral arrangements every now and then, but either way give her something all her own that she can focus on. By giving her little things to do she not only feels helpful and useful, but it takes some stress off of you and your Fiance. 

• USE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO HELP MEDIATE!!!

Starting to get really stressed about a nagging Mom? Ask your MOH or an immediate family member who has a close relationship with her to get the hint across. Sometimes it's easier to understand something when it isn't coming from you. It also doesn't seem like a personal attack either. Remember, emotions run high when weddings take place so be respectful and go back to the first rule of thumb, communication!

The biggest thing to understand is that this wedding day is YOUR day. And while a lot of people, not just the MOB, may feel like they should have a say in every little detail, it is ultimately up to you and your Fiance to make the final call. Everyone just wants your day to be perfect. Sometimes it may come off a little selfish, but in the end it is all for you.

Have a crazy story about someone who tried to take over your wedding?? Post a comment and tell us how you dealt with the situation! In the meantime, happy planning!

Love, 

AMH

You're engaged?? Lets Take Pictures!!

When a couple gets engaged you have certain milestones to look forward to along the way to married life. The engagement party, the bridal shower, the bachelor party, the introduction of your in-laws! But one of the most important things a couple has to look forward to, and something that will give the couple the opportunity to show off exactly who they are at heart, are the engagement photos!

Engagement photos can be anything from fun and corky to simple and elegant... and everything else in-between! This is such a great way for couples to really show off who they are, get dressesd up (or down!) have fun, and just remember what weddings are all about; marrying the love of your life and spending quality time together.

On the rise?? Themed engagement sessions! Whether you're brainiac over Harry Potter, have an obsession with The Notebook, or want to bring out your inner kid with a Disney shoot, themes are a great way to get some awesome shots and have a fun time!

First things first, find a theme that fits you as a couple. You may want to do something crazy or just stick with something simple, but either way use this as a way to show your guests and family what defines you as a couple. Are you adventurous and crazy, cute and sweet, old school, or colorful?

Have fun! Getting to take crazy cool pictures with your significant other is not an every day thing so enjoy the experience! Smile, laugh, and soak it all up! The more you have fun the more comfortable you are, and the more comfortable you are the better the pictures will be!

You Tell Me.. Who's Real and Who's Fake

Lets get down to the age old debate that brides will have with each other forever; Which should I use, real flowers or fake ones?

While I used real flowers for my own wedding I have met many brides who were over the moon about using silk flowers for their bouquets, and centerpieces, and boutonnieres, and bridal party bouquets, and the list continues.

So lets make the case once and for all! What are the pros and the cons of using silk and real flowers? And which one would be better to use for your wedding? I'll let you make the final decision..

Silk Flowers:

Pros:
- They are TIMELESS! Silk flowers wont wilt, age, lose color, or tarnish with lack of water. They stay just the same as they did on your wedding day.
- Silk flowers need no maintenance. Have no access to a freezer at your ceremony? Or perhaps there is a terrible drought and water is in small supply. Either way, silk flowers will not put you or your family out any extra time or effort on the BIG day!

Cons:
- Love the smell of roses when the husband-to-be surprises you at work? Well.. you may miss that smell on your wedding day. There are some silk flowers out there that can be scented, but may not be the same.
- COST COST COST. Some brides think silk flowers are more affordable than real, which in some cases can be true. But silk flowers in popular styles, such as roses, can be just as expensive if not more expensive than the real thing. Make sure you check around before you buy!

Real Flowers:

Pros:
- The romance. The look. The smell. The tradition. Real flowers have been used in weddings ever since weddings started! And some couples find the tradition of using real flowers as special.
- COST COST COST. Real flowers that are in season have a tendency to be very affordable. Smaller flowers and fillers can also be light on the wallet. Keeping your bouquet simple can be beautiful and give you everything you want!

Cons:
- Have bad allergies? So do your guests! Remember real flowers are just that, REAL. And they come with lots of things on them that can make you sneeze "I do."
- Lets talk about the obvious con here. Maintenance and storage. Real flowers wilt, brown, and change when not properly taken care of. And if you do not properly freeze them after the wedding they will never look as good as they did on your big day.

Real or fake, the choice is up to you! Choose wisely!


Love,

AMH

P.S- Can you tell the difference?