A special thanks to In Retrospect Photography for the beautiful shots!

Enjoy!

-Ty

Brandon and I had been procrastinating on returning some duplicate gifts we had received for the wedding, but did you know that most places offer you 10-20% off the items you didn’t get off your registry??  We went to Macy’s last night and they were having a huge home sale AND we got an additional 20% off!  We stocked up on a few higher priced items that we didn’t get for the wedding and some additional things we wanted as well!  It was so much fun! 

The additional savings only lasts for a limited time, so be sure and check with the store and know what you are working with so you don’t miss out on anything.  We used the gift cards we had to complete most all of our silverware and crystal wine glasses.  Those are things that you know you will never buy for yourself, so why not do it now??

It was nice to have a few months to settle in to know what you would need and then go back and enjoy shopping together all over again!  Let’s face it, many brides get a bit down after all the wedding festivities are over, so this is a great way to perk yourself up!

Happy Shopping!

Ty

Jamie just shared these photos from her wedding with us by her photographer Harper Smith Photography yesterday and I knew I had to share them immediately! Jamie’s navy, green and accents of blue created a very classic, beautiful feel for the wedding.  Her bridesmaids were outfitted in After Six Style 6553 in Blueberry Taffeta.  This style suits many body types and is such a timeless dress!

Congratulations to Jamie and Emile!  We wish you a lifetime of happiness!

Some people will tell you that you have a grace period of a year to write your thank yous after the wedding, but why leave it hanging over your head for that long??  Our goal was to have them done as quickly as possible after we returned home from our wedding.  We are now 6 weeks post wedding and just have a few left to write for gifts we recently received. 

As for the style of your thank you cards, that is personal preference.  You can have cards printed before your wedding with your new name on them, but we opted to share a wedding photo on ours.   Polka Dot Papers, who did our wedding invitations, offered to do a photo card for us.  One of my bridesmaids had these made by Grey Ink a few years ago and I loved the card and still have it on my refrigerator!  When we returned from our honeymoon I sent her a photo and she had the cards to us within a few days.  In the mean time we made sure we had recorded all the gifts given to us so we did not leave anyone out.

Deanna's Thank You Card by Grey Ink

To make the card writing more fun, we cooked dinner a few evenings and made a date night out of it.  Brandon wrote the cards to his friends and family and I did to mine.  The wording does not have to be anything profound…just thank them for taking the time to come to the wedding (if they did) and how much their love and support means to you.  If a monetary gift was given, you don’t have to mention the amount, just that you appreciate their generosity and how much it will help as newlyweds.

In the end, it is the act of taking the time to write the note that matters most. 

Happy Writing!

-Ty

• Do not run late!  Running late turns into stress, so do your best to be on time for everything.  We were cutting it very close on time after we got our hair done and it made me a little anxious and I felt rushed to get to the venue for photos.
• Have a conversation with your photographer about exactly how the picture time will go.  Our photo time seemed a little scattered and we did not feel like we got all the pictures we would have liked to have done.  If the photographer does not offer a check list of exact family shots you want then make sure you let them know.
• If your ceremony is outdoor then consider doing the group photos really early or inside the venue.  Our guests started arriving 45 minutes early and we had to wrap up our photos early so everyone wouldn’t see us before the wedding.  Again, I felt really rushed and that is not a good feeling.
• Do not forget to thank everyone involved for making your day extra special…this includes vendors, friends and family!
• Do not forget to look around at the guests right before you walk back down the aisle to take a mental picture of who all was in attendance.  Do the same thing at the reception a few times.  These are memories you will treasure forever.

Take this moment to look out at the crowd before you walk back down the aisle.

View from the back where Dad and I waited to walk in.

Here are a few of my favorite things or the “Do’s” I would suggest:

• Do spend the night before with family or friends.  It was so nice to wake up at my parent’s house and be able to relax that morning with them.
• If everyone is going to the same salon, go early and hang out while everyone is getting their hair and make up done.  Plan for mimosas and brunch and just enjoy everyone.
• Have your photographer join for salon time.  I think we had some great shots just hanging out together.  Brandon and his guys played golf that morning and the photographer joined them for a bit as well!  Capture every moment!
• DO have a person serving as your wedding coordinator.  Even if you can’t afford someone, have a friend that is organized help out.  Ours was invaluable!  She took the dresses to the venue and made sure everything ran smoothly for the wedding and reception.
• Do have someone video the wedding ceremony for you.  Once I started down that aisle it is all a blur, so it was nice to watch everything and remember it all.
• If you are willing to buck tradition a tad, I would recommend having a special moment together before the wedding.  For us, Brandon had my bouquet at the spot where we were getting married.  I came out of  the front doors of the Carrick House and met him there.  It was so nice to see him and relax before there were going to be 250 eyes on us.  We did all of our pictures before and it made us so at ease for the wedding.

Bridal party pictures before the wedding

• If you are having an outdoor ceremony, offer a beverage to your guests.  We had tea and lemonade stations and it was a huge hit in the heat!  We also had our programs printed as fans to help keep everyone cool as well.
• Brides – if you can get to a spot in the back of the ceremony to watch all the music and everyone be seated I would recommend it!  Standing at the back watching it all come together with my dad is one of my favorite memories. 
• After the ceremony have a spot to meet your bridal party before everyone goes into the reception.  We had the Carrick House designate an area with drinks for everyone so they didn’t have to wait in line.  It was fun to hang out and take some fun pictures!
• Save your cake topper and eat it when you get home from the honeymoon.  We hardly got any cake at all, so this was great!  We are going to have a fresh one made next year for our anniversary:)

Our cake by Martine's Pastries

• Before you leave your reception, have your coordinator pull your parents out first to a special area so you can properly say your thank you’s and good-byes.

I have WAY more Do’s than Don’ts, but I will share those next week!

Happy Planning!

-Ty

Business Lexingtonreached out to us a few months ago asking to do an article. Meghan Mando came by for an interview and did a fabulous job writing the story and conveying the special attention Twirl pays to brides and bridesmaids.

Just had to share!  I’ll have more pictures and wedding advice next week:)

-Ty

I thought it would be fun to re-cap my fun wedding week attire with everyone!  Brandon keeps asking just how many dresses I will wear because I keep parading out with more for him to critique.  My excuse is that I will only get to be the BRIDE once and I want to make the most of it. 

Beginning on Thursday I plan to start wearing white…because I can.  We do not have any particular event on Thursday other than set up for the rehearsal dinner, but I plan to wear a super cute white sun dress my mom found for me in California!  

Sun dress for Thursday

 Friday I will have 2 wardrobe changes.  At 11:30 that morning I will be surrounded by all the special ladies that are a part of the wedding for my bridesmaid luncheon at Circa 1840 in my hometown, Georgetown.  For the occasion I will wear an ivory dress by Chloe & Reese sold at Twirl.  Later that day, I will change for our rehearsal and dinner.  Since we are doing a Fiesta theme, my dress is not white…but the festive Shiloh dress in fuchsia and ice blossom print by Thread, also sold at Twirl!!

Bridal Luncheon Dress by Chloe & Reese

Rehearsal Dinner Dress by Thread

  Now, for the wedding day!  3 wardrobe changes total!  The time before the wedding will be spent at ChaCha Salon and brunch at Josie’s.  Every person that has been in a wedding before knows that you need to wear something that doesn’t go over your head when you are changing.  So, while in Nashville on my bachelorette party I found the sweetest white strapless dress that is comfy and perfect for the wedding day.On to the wedding attire!  As you may remember, I am wearing my mother’s gown (with new life and style breathed into it).  I am giving you a sneak preview of mom in the original 1976 gown.  Of course,  I cannot post what it looks like now until after the wedding, but I love it and it is so special.  

Ty's Mom in the original 1976 gown

 For my final wardrobe change of the evening, I will change into a fun short, ivory reception dress by Lynn Lugo (also available at Twirl) after we cut the cake and do our first dance.  I am seriously obsessed with this dress!

Reception dress by Lynn Lugo

On Sunday morning we leave bright and early for the honeymoon and again, I plan to wear white!  Well this one is white and black and has fun flowers at the bottom, but still!  I will be Mexico ready when I get on the plane!Happy Planning!

-Ty

Having a marriage license is required in order to officially be married on your wedding day.  Getting it does not mean you are married, just that you are legally allowed to be married.  The license becomes official after the ceremony when both the bride and groom sign it with your witnesses and the officiant.  After that it is filed and then you get your marriage certificate in the mail a few weeks later!

Getting our marriage license at the county clerk's office

So here are a few tips on what you need to know for getting a marriage license in Kentucky (you can search your city for local requirements):

• Both bride and groom must go together to to the County Clerk’s office to apply for the license
• The license is valid anywhere in Kentucky
• Both of you must have a valid ID with you (driver’s license will do)
• The license is valid for 30 days after it is issued, so make sure you don’t go too far in advance
• There is a fee ($35.50 in Kentucky) and you have to pay with an in-state check or cash, so be prepared
•  They will give you the license – we are taking ours to our preacher to keep and remember to bring on the wedding day.  He will take care of getting it signed and mailed back in.
• You will get the official certificate in the mail a few weeks later.  You need this in order to officially change your name!

Enjoy this day together and your last few weeks of being engaged!  We went to stock up on honeymoon beach basics afterwards:)   

Happy Planning!

-Ty

Nancy worked with Elizabeth Henderson of Polka Dot Papers to come up with the CUTEST  invitation ever.  She also included an itenerary and cost info to all of the other girls with the invitation. 

Bachelorette Party Invitation

We started off driving down together and checked into the chic Hotel Indigo.  After settling in we went to ultra yummy Lime and had the best margaritas and sangria ever!  From there we hit the town for some live music and dancing at Tin Roof and Legends Corner.  Twirl Girl, Angela, sent me the cutest sash to wear out (pictured below)!!  It was even personalized in our wedding colors!  Thanks, Ange!

The Future Mrs. McBrayer and Matron of Honor, Nancy

Sunday was a day of brunch and shopping at the best spots in Nashville.  We decided to fore go another night out on the town and have a slumber party!  We ordered pizza, sipped champagne and had my “personal” shower.  It was just what we all needed.

Pajama Party Personal Shower

It was the most wonderful weekend filled with friendship and laughter.  I cannot thank my friends enough for taking the time away from their own families to travel to Nashville to celebrate with me. 

Bridesmaid Bachelorette Party Tips:

•  When planning, think of what the bride will want to do.  My friends chose all of my favorite things and it was absolutely perfect.  If she’s not into going out…then plan a night in!
• It does not matter what you do or how much money you spend, it is the time together that will be remembered the most.
• Make something memorable – my friends all chipped in and made me a picture book of us through the years.  My Matron of Honor headed up the project and collected pictures and made the book online.  It is priceless and I will always treasure it:)

Happy Planning!

-Ty