History of the Diamond

For most brides the road to marriage starts with a diamond, but how did the diamond ring tradition start? This cute infographic provides a brief history:

History of a Diamond – An infographic by the team at Brilliance.com

Cute Coffee

I saw this in the August issue of InStyle magazine and thought it would be such a cute engagement gift or wedding gift for a couple who loves coffee, especially espresso. I have a Bialetti and love it and who could resist those adorable coffee cups?!

Wedding Bands

Here at Something White we don’t think everything for your wedding has to be “matching.” We love the idea of bridesmaids wearing all different dresses in a different shade of your desired color or mixing different table motifs at your reception. And we think the same idea of not matching can be carried through to your wedding bands. Why not have a wedding band that coordinates but doesn’t match your engagement ring. Then if you ever want to just wear your wedding band it will be a more standout piece. I’ve even had a friend wear her engagement ring on her right hand and her amazingly different wedding band on her left. Love that idea!

all images via Martha Stewart Weddings

Wedding Update Wednesday: Engagement Pictures

This past weekend my sister Jennie, of JenniferAnne Photography, took engagement pictures for Chad and me.

If you are deciding whether or not to take engagement pictures, here are a few reasons why you might want to consider them:

1. Although not true in my case (my sister will be in the wedding party so I have hired Lisa & Chad (what are the odds!) from Andrew Jordan Photography to capture the day for us) this will give you a great chance to test drive your photographer and taking pictures together. Although I LOVE how our pics turned out, there were a LOT of outtakes - I think I will have to let Lisa & Chad know that they just may have their hands full with us :)
2. It will help you decide what types of photographs you are most drawn to so that you can ask your photographer to spend a little more time on those. Also you can see what your appearance and posing you may wish to repeat or avoid.
3. You can use the images at your wedding and preceding events: guest book, programs, shower decor, invites, the list goes on and on.
4. And finally, it's just plain fun! Chad and I had such a blast during our "photo shoot" and I hope that it is evident in the images below.

Although it is a bit tricky to find nice "scenery" in the dead of winter, the benefit of owning a bridal shop is that it provides a lovely backdrop for picture taking, PLUS I was able to borrow our fabulous Haute Bride pearl necklace to up the ante on my outfit!

Standard Smiley Shots:

Kissy Shots:

Kitchy Shots:

 Let me know what your favorites are!
~Karin

Wedding Update Wednesday: Engagement Brunch

Since I am in the same boat as the brides who come into Something White (and hopefully read this blog!) I decided that I will provide a weekly update on my own wedding planning.

"We just love wedding planning!"

For my first update I thought I would share the fun details of the engagement brunch my sister Jennie threw for Chad and me. If you are considering some type of engagement celebration, I highly recommend a brunch - it is a nice casual way to get your two families together to better acquaint everyone prior to the big day. Feel free to pass this along to your sister or maid of honor to give them some ideas. Enjoy!

The elegant table settings

Place cards allow you to intermix your families so guests don't default to sitting only with their own fam. 

The host shouldn't feel that they have to make everything.
Look how cute these store-bought cupcakes are!

Make a simple yogurt parfait fancy by serving in a martini glass.

Starting things off with some Mimosas

The whole gang! Crazily only four of the people pictured are not my family (including Chad!)

 

Everyone got to take home an adorable Save the Date as a favor

Engagement Story

I am so excited to announce that there is another bride-to-be who will be spending some time at Something White trying on gowns to find the perfect look for her big day: me! Although I must admit it may take some getting used to, I am pretty excited to be on the other end of an appointment.

Plus I am excited to be able to add any new tips and ideas I pick up to this blog as I go through my own wedding planning process. Ladies, I hope you will comment back and share all of the tips and ideas you have learned as well.

So let's begin at the beginning. When brides come in our shop I LOVE to hear how they got engaged, so I hope I am not presuming that the feeling is mutual. But to share my and my fiance Chad's engagement story we first need to take a little walk down memory lane. Below is a brief history of 14 years of friendship, 6 months of dating, and one engagement night. Enjoy!

High School - I had a little crush on him back then :)

College. My parents still claim he played a role in my decision to go to Dayton...

After college we kept up socially and often were each others wedding dates

At a graduation party in 2008

Wedding dates in 2009

Finally, at a June 2010 wedding, decided to give dating a try

Our courtship ensued

Until one December day, he popped the question

I alternated between excitement

and sentiment

We toasted with champagne my parents got for their 25th anniversary in the glasses my grandparents toasted with at their 50th anniversary

Here's to 50+ years together

But for now...let the planning begin!!