Our rehearsal dinner at The Limestone Club

The shotgun style ballroom is elegantly decorated and includes tables and chairs in the rental price, which is very affordable.  There is also a two story deck on the back which was a big hit with our guests.  One of the best features is that you can bring in any caterer and your own bar service!  That is certainly hard to find.  The Limestone Club also offers add on features such as linen service, bar tending service and an event coordinator should you need any of these services. 

Two Story Deck on the back of The Limestone Club

We hosted our rehearsal dinner at The Limestone Club and couldn’t have been more pleased.  The owners are so helpful and friendly and are flexible on set-up times.   I would highly recommend this Lexington venue for any wedding event! 

You can reach The Limestone Club at 859-253-1950 or e-mail them at info@limestoneclub.com.

-Ty

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

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

Join them on Wednesday, June 2 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm to learn all about planning your dream wedding with details on budget, rentals, flowers, catering and photography!

You can RSVP to info@simplylovestudio.com! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn from the best of the best professionals in Central Kentucky.

Simply Love Studio

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

I ate lots of jelly beans while working on my To-Do list!

The most important advice my best friend gave me is to enjoy the moment!  Take the time to enjoy your last few days as an “engaged” couple…you will never be that again after the big day.  We are also going to take some time to have dinner with each of our parents again to convey our thankfulness for their support and love throughout this time.  My parents have been truly wonderful and I will never be able to repay them for all they have done.  I want to be able to celebrate with them and celebrate!

A few other things that are topping my list:

• Final guest count and walk through with our location, The Carrick House
•  Send final table number and follow up with florist
• Timeline finalization with coordinator
• Order rehearsal dinner food
• Shop for bridal luncheon hostess gifts – Peggy’s Gifts and Accessories has super cute gifts and is a neighbor of Twirl, conveniently!
• Get the program approved by minister and send to print!
• Finalize bridesmaid gifts
• Confirm honeymoon reservations
• Make sure your hubby-to-be has all his attire taken care of:)
• Send out a note or email to all your bridesmaids with the itinerary of Friday and Saturday with hair appointment times and what time they need to be at the location for photos, etc.  PS – make sure your groom does the same for his guys!

There are a few fun things I am planning as well!  This week my Matron of Honor, Nancy, and I are going to Happy Hour to go over everything to make sure I am not forgetting anything!  It will also be fun to relax and take a moment to breathe. 

Relax!

 Next Monday I am getting a massage before I start getting everything together for the honeymoon!  There is certainly a lot take care of, but just keep a list going and ask for help if you feel overwhelmed.  This is a time you should be joyous and not stressed.  Enjoy the moment.

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

Engagement pictures can serve a few different purposes.  They can make a cute save-the-date card, can be used for engagement announcements in the newspaper, could be great gifts for Christmas or Mother’s Day depending on the time of year, and give you a good opportunity to work with your photographer before your big day.  Getting used to the style of the photographer will be key for your wedding day pictures.  The more comfortable you are the better pictures they can capture!

Historic Gratz Park

One other idea my best friend used (and I am stealing) is to use your engagement pictures to make a unique guest book for the wedding.  Let’s be honest, how many people will get out a book of just names signed?  But a book of your engagement pictures with room for guests to leave a message is a keepsake you can always treasure! 

More urban shots

Now, on to the setting for our pictures.  Our wonderful photographer, In Retrospect Photography, met us in the historic downtown area of Lexington called Gratz Park.  We walked around and used several backdrops of old homes and spring flowers and even wandered into a parking garage for a more “urban feel”.  Even though urban is a stretch for Lexington:)   We wore colors that complemented one another, but weren’t too matchy.  Cailyn told us to be comfortable and we didn’t want to be pulling and tugging at something we weren’t comfortable in.  I chose a cute, casual sundress for the first outfit.  The second outfit I changed into a little black dress…still casual, but a little more dressy.  I love dresses, have I ever mentioned that??

One of my faves!

We told Cailyn we only had one request for a photo.  Brandon and I are both fanatical University of Kentucky basketball fans.  Since one of our first times hanging out we watched the SEC Basketball Tournament we wanted to tie that in somehow.  We requested to take one picture at Rupp Arena where the old basketball floor is displayed.  I know, we are dorks.  It was fun though and totally represented our relationship and something we love to do together!

On the old Rupp Arena floor

The best tip I can give for engagement pictures is to just enjoy the time and be comfortable so the love you share can reflect in the pictures.  Enjoy your engaged time together!  It flies by…trust me!!

Happy Planning!

-Ty

I decided to book an extra session with my photographer, In Retrospect Photography, with just me to do some bridal portraits BEFORE the wedding day.  This way you get to wear your dress an extra day and get to do a trial run with your hair and make-up!!

The biggest reason I decided to do this bridal portrait session is to be able to display a picture of my mom in her dress and me in her dress at the reception.  I plan on putting them on the cake table.  That way everyone can see the major changes we made, but how special the dress still remains.  This would be a really neat idea even if you aren’t wearing a family wedding gown.

Here are some Bridal Portrait tips:

• Schedule appointments for your hair and makeup.  Do a similar look that you want for your wedding day.  That way you can see if you like the look in pictures before the big day when there will be no “do-overs”. 
• Pick  a beautiful location and one you wouldn’t have time to go to on your wedding day.  We went to Shaker Village here in Kentucky.  All the Spring trees and plants were in bloom…gorgeous!!
• Take a blanket or old sheet with you to put under your dress to keep it clean if you are going to be outside.  You can hide it in the pictures with the dress.
• Pack a couple bottles of water with you and maybe a little snack if you think you will be gone for a while.
• If you have your make-up done ask if you can take the powder with you and return it the next day.  That way you can touch up if needed.
• Take your mom or maid of honor with you – it is a special time of wearing your dress for the first time!  Have them enjoy it with you:)

The Grounds at Shaker Village where we did the portraits

Obviously I cannot post my pictures yet, but enjoy this time and enjoy your pictures!!

Happy Planning!

Ty

This weekend’s event will feature Bridal Gowns by Bridal & Formal, Photographer Ian Lozada and Wedding Planner 101 by Jacki Allen.  Each bride also gets a fabulous gift bag!!  YAY! 

Happy Planning!

-Ty