Bringing The Man Cave To Weddings

Oh the man cave -- the only room in the entire house that most guys care about. So, why not have a man cave area at your wedding reception? I know there is some confusion and a lot of scrunching of the noses, but think about it . . . many times when you go to weddings, especially if they are more formal, you can look around the room and see at least 1/3 of the men there with a bored look on their face. Well, with a man cave, you can change that! 

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The man cave idea was first mentioned by The Knot as a new trend for 2011, and I think it is a great idea. Depending on your wedding theme, you can make the man cave a fun place to hang with the guys or a sophisticated lounge. I suggest putting the man cave somewhere near the open bar, so that they can have easy access to drinks, instead of having to walk all the way across the room. If your hubby is a brandy man then set up a brandy bar in the area, if he is into good ole' beer, then set up a big ice chest. Another idea would be to have a TV in the area. If there is a big sports game on, or a UFC fight the guys will flock to the man cave and let the ladies have some fun on the dance floor. Set up a cigar bar for the men with all of your husband's favorites. If you want to get really fancy, then you can even hire a cigar roller. You can use personalized matches as your wedding favor for the guys as well.

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If your man is a total gamer, then set up an Xbox with all of his favorite games. You can also set up a band hero competition and whoever wins has to perform on the dance floor for everyone. Want to make it more of a bar scene? Try to find a place with a pool table and set up darts for the guys, or make it a casino night with a poker table. Have your photographer spend some quality time with the guys. I guarantee you that you will find some great pictures that you wouldn't have been able to get otherwise.

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Now ladies, I know you are thinking that if there was a man cave your groom would be no where to be found for the entire wedding, but that's not true. The man cave is more for the men who were invited to the wedding. Of course the groom will wander over there several times, but if you close off the area when something important is going on such as the first dance, cutting the cake, or the bouquet toss, then your man will still participate in the wedding. This is a great idea for large weddings with a lot of guests that may not want to sit through a three or four hour wedding reception. And don't forget that the ladies will see this as a positive as well because they won't have to worry about keeping their date entertained.

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Overall, a man cave at a wedding is a win-win for everyone! It will leave a lasting impression on all your guests and leave them feeling happy that they were part of your special day.

Hello and Something DIY-ed

For my ninth birthday my aunt gave me a wedding magazine. To me it was an inch think wonderland filled with exquisite dresses and enticing rings. I poured over that magazine making notes by the dresses I liked and drawing big X's over the ones I thought were "just hideous."
Hello everyone, my name is Devin and I'm honored to be a new contributor to Something Borrowed. I'm a journalism student hoping to one day write for a magazine or newspaper. I work and play in the Sonoran Desert where sun screen and a large iced tea are daily necessities.
Since my ninth birthday I've grown more than a little, but my interest in all things wedding related has remained. And yes, I happen to have a file on my computer where I've been saving wedding pictures for years. I follow many wedding blogs and occasionally indulge in an episode of Bridezillas or Say Yes to the Dress.
Currently Do It Yourself (DIY) is my favorite wedding trend. I have come across so many creative people who make their weddings personal and beautiful, and save money in the process. In a time of economic downfall for many, this is a way to be able to have a unique and memorable wedding without incurring extra debt.
This DIY is a great example of a quick way to make wedding shoes go from good to great. Not everyone would think of this on their own (I certainly wouldn't) but can now take advantage of someone else's "Aha!" moment.

{via Green Wedding Shoes }

This is merely the beginning if you haven't researched DIY projects before, and if you have you know that there are always new discoveries to be made.

Featured Vendor: Shannon K. Photography!

Well, readers it is time! I am so excited to finally do a feature post on my first photography vendor, Shannon K. Photography. Shannon has been great to work with so far, and I am so excited to continue working with her in the future. She is based out of Tucson, Arizona, so pay attention AZ brides! Her business may be young, but her fierce love for photography and weddings make for some great photos. I recently was given the opportunity to ask her some questions about herself, her business and her experience with weddings. This is what she had to say... 

All of the pictures displayed are by Shannon K. Photography

SB: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

SKP: I’m married and have three children. Two with my husband and one is his son (my stepson). I have a fetish for flip flops and pj’s. Seriously, can’t walk past flip flops or pj’s without buying them. I laugh really loud, I cry at commercials, I’ve never met a dessert I haven’t liked, my favorite colors are blue and yellow, I love my dog, and I sing in public. Hmm, perhaps I should mention I can be a bit random ;)

SB: Name one fun fact about yourself.

SKP: My favorite number is 13!

SB: How long have you been a photographer?

SKP: My tenure is still pretty young in the photography industry. I have been photographing professionally for about one and a half years, and I am loving every single second. 

SB: How did you get started?

SKP: I have had a camera in my hand for about as long as I can remember. But for Christmas one year my dad bought me my first DSLR. It was a Canon Rebel Xsi. I fell in love, and from that moment on was hungry for every morsel I could find having to do with photography. My hunger for photography knowledge is still insatiable, and my passion for the industry is second only to the passion I have for my children.

SB: What does photography mean to you?

SKP: It’s impossible to put into words all that photography means to me. It’s the ability to capture a moment, a connection, a memory and freeze it in time. It’s a single glance between a couple that they didn’t even know I caught. It’s the laugh frozen on a face that you just KNOW came from way deep down…you can almost hear the laughter just looking at the photo. Photography is so much about connections. Connections to each other, and connections to who we are right now. I never cease to be in awe of the power of a photo to tell a story, to evoke emotion, and to help relive a memory. Photography is not my job, it’s an extension of who I am.

SB: When did you turn your passion into a business?

SKP: Photography went from just a love and passion to a business when my friends began to refer me to their friends. When I very first began, I photographed all my friends for free just so I could get experience. Then, people began asking them who did their photos. When people actually started seeking me out, I decided to make it legitimate.

SB: What types photography do you specialize in?

SKP: I am a wedding and lifestyle photographer. Which is a fancy way of saying I photograph weddings, engagements, and families. I also photograph high school seniors, though I don’t target that market. Maternity and newborn photography is beautiful, but not my thing. So I am always happy to refer people who come to me looking for those types of photos.

SB: What is your business motto.

SKP: Over deliver. Every. Time. I think it’s a sickness I have, but I am never satisfied with what I did yesterday. Tomorrow always has to be better. So, I fight hard to exceed expectations with every client.

SB: How does your pricing work? 

SKP: I keep it very simple. If for no other reason than to make my life easier. My wedding coverage begins at $1500, and can be tailored to suit each couple. Engagement sessions are always included for my wedding couples, but as a standalone are $450.00 and include all the images from our session on a disc. My portrait sessions are currently $250.00, which covers the session time itself and includes 10 images on a disc.

SB: What is your favorite part about shooting a wedding.

SKP: Being able to witness the love, hope and joy a couple has on the day that they are beginning a new life together just never gets old. Documenting one of their most important days is a privilege…and I never forget that.

SB: How does a typical day of shooting a wedding work?

SKP: A typical day definitely follows a timeline, and that is so dependent on the bride. Some brides opt to do a sneak peek, or first look with their groom, and others wait to see each other when the bride comes down the aisle. That makes a tiny difference in the flow of the day. I won’t bore you with the details of an entire schedule…but a tip I’d offer up to you brides would be to be sure to schedule enough time for bride and groom photos. Don’t skimp there. Those are going to be the photos you’ll print, and want in albums, etc.

SB: What are some of your specialty shots for weddings?

SKP: I don’t have any canned shots at all. So, I don’t think it would be fair to say that I have any specialty shots. Rather, I can tell you about my style which is very fresh, fun and clean. I like my photographs to actually look like photographs, so I don’t do a lot to them in post processing. Here, l believe that less is more.

SB: How many weddings do you book in a year? 

SKP: I won’t book any more than 25 weddings in a year. This really allows me to make sure that nobody loses, and everybody gets 100% of my attention when I am working for them. It also allows me to have time with my family, which is hugely important!

SB: Is there a specific type of wedding you like to shoot? 

SKP: I adore all weddings, but the bride that I connect with best is can laugh at herself and have a good time. She’s warm and outgoing. She probably loves Ann Taylor Loft, J. Crew, and a little bit of Target. She knows what she wants, but is not OCD about it. Oh, and if she has a sweet tooth, she and I will be wearing best friend necklaces in no time!

See! I knew you would like her! For more information on Shannon K. Photography please visit her website by clicking on the link. You can also like her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter!

A Special Gift!

Being in the military or having a loved one in the military is definitely an honorable thing. Not only are they risking their lives for our country, but they are also sacrificing their own time with loved ones in order to protect our freedoms. Not only do I salute these great men and women, but I also have an immense amount of respect for their families, especially their significant others. I know several women who have men fighting overseas, so I can see how hard it is. It is our job, as a society, to support these families and I believe Brides Across America has the right idea. 

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Brides Across America is a non-profit organization and has recently put together a campaign to help women in uniform, as well as future military wives, find their dream wedding dress. There are several wedding boutiques all across America that are giving away wedding gowns to military brides. Most boutiques have set aside 25 to 30 dresses that have either been donated from designers or have been discontinued from the store. Dresses range in sizes from 4-22 and are given away on a first-come, first-serve basis. All of the dresses range anywhere from $700 to $5,000, so brides can find the perfect wedding dress and walk away with a great deal. The only requirement is that women must show a drivers license or military ID, as well as deployment papers. The brides or their loved ones must either be on active duty and will be deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq or to Qatar or was deployed within the past five years to Afghanistan, Iraq  or to Qatar.

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Brides Across America was created by Heidi Janson in 2007 after believing that she needed to find a way to help those people who are serving our country. She thought that helping them with their wedding would be a special and unique way to help, since many of them have to pay for everything themselves. The movement started in several boutiques, but quickly spread all over the country and more recently overseas. The organization has given away over 5,000 dresses to date, and hope to continue expanding.

If you believe you qualify for this organization, or would like to help in some way please visit their website.

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Time Out!

Ok, I am going to take a break from the wedding content for two minutes and brag about my awesome blog design. This creation was made by Laura at Eight Days Designs. She really understood what I was trying to accomplish with this blog and made my vision a reality. If you are ever in need of print, business, or blog design, Laura is your girl. She is so talented and is definitely patient with her customers. She designed my blog and had it up and running in about a week’s time, even when I would e-mail her with things I forgot to add. She is great if you are on a budget, but still looking for quality work.  I cannot say enough good things about Laura and Eight Days Designs and I highly recommend her.

Thank You Laura!

So what are you waiting for?! Go check out her site!

Tattoo Taboo?

Tattoos have become an everyday part of pop culture and even though they are now widely accepted, there are still some events that may require tattoos to be covered up. A wedding may be one of those events. More often than not, people will not care if your tattoo is showing; however, in the case of a formal or black-tie wedding, it may be best to cover it up anyway. There are several ways to cover up your tattoo without making it look obviously fake or messy; however, they are not cheap in price.

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The first option, and the most common cover for a tattoo is make-up. The best product that you can use is a thick medical concealer, such as Dermablend, which is used to cover scars. It is suggested that you buy three different tones of this concealer; one to match your skin tone, one that is a skin tone lighter and the last two tones lighter then your actual skin color. Apply concealer by using a make up brush, beginning with the lightest shade and finishing with your actual skin tone color. It is important that you only apply the concealer to the tattoo because spreading the make-up to the surrounding skin will cause discoloration and make the cover up very noticeable. Once the three layers of concealer are applied and blended, set the cover up with your skin tone powder. Be warned that thick concealer, like the ones mentioned, will be more expensive then the average make-up concealer. The three tones and the matching powder will run you around $45 to $50. The bride below did a similar process and look how natural her arm looks. Can you even tell she has a tattoo?

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Another concealer option is to use the Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer. This product is $25 at any Sephora store or online. The product comes in seven different shades and is oil and paraben-free. In order to cover your tattoo, first, draw over the tattoo with the Kat Von D Tattoo Eraser, which is also available at Sephora for $14, tracing beside the ends then filling in the entire tattoo area. Next, using a concealer brush, apply the concealer over the tattoo and surrounding area. It is important to allow the concealer to dry between layers, for the best results. After several layers, apply using a mattifying powder foundation with a make-up sponge and finish it off by using a make-up setting spray to lock everything in. Below is a bride that used the Kat Von D product. You can see that there is a slight discoloration where her tattoo is, but no one would notice up close.

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If you are hesitant about using make-up for covering up, there are some other options out there. Depending where your tattoo is, you could wear an accessory to hide the tattoo, such as a thick bracelet for a wrist tattoo. Bridesmaids trying to cover up tattoos can wear a dress that will not show the tattoo, or wear a bolero or a shawl. Brides can wear a longer veil to cover up back tattoos or wear their hair down. This bride chose to cover up her tattoo with a bolero that matched with her wedding colors, which looks very elegant. 

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And if all else fails, embrace the beauty of the tattoos and let them shine during your wedding. Photographers can Photoshop them out of the pictures, and I'm sure your guests will not have a problem with them during the wedding. Also, if you are willing to spend a large amount of money, you can go to a professional make-up artist and have them cover it up. In the end, it is your wedding and you should do what makes you feel most comfortable.

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Vintage Is The New Black!

Vintage is alive and kicking when it comes to weddings these days. Why? Well, my theory is that the economic hardships that many people are experiencing are causing them to really buckle down on their wedding expenses. Before, brides were buying or renting everything full price, but now that many have to watch their costs, they are beginning to incorporate more do it yourself (DIY) projects. Many times, DIY and vintage go hand in hand. For instance, it is easy and inexpensive for a bride to go antiquing to find her wedding decor. She may search for old windows and doors that can be painted and used as reception decor. Also, another popular item to find and use as a unique wedding decoration, is a birdcage.

Vintage has also made a comeback with wedding dresses. Elements of lace, slimmer silhouettes, shorter trains and bird cage veils are all popular amongst brides. Having a vintage-themed wedding allows the couple to be individual and creative because there are a number of different vintage eras that can be chosen. The most popular styles that we are seeing are from the Romantic eras because of the elegance and class. Brides are also very into the retro style from the 1940's and 1950's. Many times, these retro brides wear a tea length wedding dress with red lips and a bird cage veil. Vintage conveys fond memories of the past and a little piece of history to every wedding, no matter what the time period. It is perfect for those couples who want to integrate their personalities and their history into their wedding day. Plus, your vintage details will be sure to awe the guests and make your special day memorable. 

 Here are some examples of vintage weddings

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The picture above is a vintage bride with a tea length dress on. You can see the lace sleeves, detailing of the veil and the pearl necklace also add to the vintage flair.

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Here we can see that an old suitcase that can be found very easily at a thrift or antique store, has been turned into the card area. The table runner in the suitcase and the table cloth both have a vintage feel and the flowers really bring the look together.

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This is the classic vintage wedding gown look for many brides. The bride has a smile off-white dress, which was very popular in the 1940s and 1950s, as well as a mid-length veil. Each bridesmaid has an earthy tone, which is also an element of vintage. The bride looks similar to a Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn bride.

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This bride is wearing the typical bird cage veil. Many times, bird cage veils come with some small detailing like the white flower and leaf in this particular picture. Feathers are also a common detail on these veils. The bride, as you can see, has very minimal eye makeup on; however, her red lips really make her face pop.

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  A table center piece common use for a vintage bird cage. You can use a variety of cages to make each table unique. Also, instead of using flowers, the bird cages can be filled with candles or pictures of the couple. They can also be used as a place to put cards.

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The fabric strips in the background have been a growing trend for weddings. They are great as a background for the ceremony, a picture area or for the cake table (like this picture).The mismatch candle holder and vase are great details, along with the antique tray and lace table runner. They are all perfect for a romantic period wedding. 

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This reception table is great because of the small details. First, the mismatched chairs are really fun and really bring the entire setting together. The small details such as the candler holders, small suitcase, vintage cameras and flowers will keep your guests interested all day long.

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This DIY chandelier is great for elegant garden weddings. It is very inexpensive to make and they add a nice rustic, yet classic touch to the decor.

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This is by far one of my favorite pieces I've seen. The frame can be found at a second hand store. A small bulletin board can be covered with fabric and then attached to the frame. They keys are a perfect wedding favor and table placement.

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Here is an example of some great vintage rustic wedding invitations. it is important for the invitations to match the overall style of the wedding and I think these would work well with a rustic wedding.

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Here is another example of a DIY project that is easy to make. All you have to do is connect some chicken wire to on old window frame. The wooden letters can be found in stores such as Micheal's or Walmart and can be painted to go with the wedding theme.

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This last picture is an example of a vintage save the date. The graphic is simple enough that it won't be expensive to print; however, the style of it will make guests curious about what the wedding will look like.