Here’s a little bit more about this fabulous anniversary box from their website:

The Anniversary Box:

At a rehearsal dinner over 30 years ago, a bride and groom received a unique gift — a box filled with special memories of their wedding. Each anniversary the couple opens the envelope for that year and reads a message from a cherished friend or family member. Some are serious; some are funny; all are heartfelt and touching.

Over the years they have reconnected with friends, remembered departed loved ones, and relived the joy of their wedding. This simple gift has become a priceless part of their continuing love story.

Capture the joy of your wedding day with a Happily Ever AfterWords^® Anniversary Box.

A Unique and Thoughtful Gift:

The keepsake box contains cards and envelopes labeled with the anniversary years 1 through 50. Given to friends and loved ones at any event surrounding the wedding ceremony, each piece of this fine stationery becomes a place for their thoughts — preserving a special written message to be kept in the box and read by a couple on the anniversary year indicated.

• Anniversary Box covered in pintucked ivory silk and accented with an embroidered Happily Ever AfterWords ribbon — 6.25”w x 3.625”h x 6”d
• 50 notecards in cream cardstock with blue border — 4.75”w x 4.75”h
• 50 baronial flap, cream envelopes labeled with each anniversary year (1 through 50) — 5”w x 5”h
• Instruction card
• Three extra notecards

The Story of Happily Ever AfterWords:

It all began with a little blue box.

Since receiving the original anniversary box in 1980, Susan and Tom Hogg have made opening each year’s card part of their anniversary tradition. On their 11th anniversary they opened a note from Susan’s departed grandmother. Reading her words in her familiar handwriting brought back memories of Sunday dinners around her table. It was a profoundly moving experience, inspiring Susan to create a box that could be a part of every couple’s anniversary celebration.

Susan shared her story with her design partner at circle S studio, Michelle Davis. After several years of crafting prototypes and sharing them with friends and family, they arrived at a timeless design. Now they are honored to present the Happily Ever AfterWords Anniversary Box, a new anniversary tradition.

Abby and Derek were married on July 17, 2010 at the Whitefield Chapel at Bethesda in Savannah, Georgia.  Abby was kind enough to answer a few questions for us: 

How did you and Derek meet?  Derek and I met through a mutual friend in college.  We always enjoyed seeing one another, although we didn’t spend much time together.  Two years later we began spending more time together and soon after, we were dating! 

How long have you been together?  Derek and I have been together since April of 2007.

How did Derek propose?  I went to visit Derek in Key West for my Spring Break.  The first morning I was there, Derek and I went to the beach to watch the sun rise.  Little did I know, he was hiding a ring in his pocket! After we watched the sun rise we sat talking on the beach next to a palm tree.  While I was packing up to leave, anxious to go for donuts, I turned around and found Derek on one knee.  He pulled me over to sit on his knee and then showed me the most beautiful engagement ring.  After he asked me to marry him and I said yes, we went for our donuts!

What sold you on your wedding venue?  I loved the “Savannah” feel of our venue.  The exposed brick walls and large panel wood floors have a classic charm I love.

Your dress is gorgeous, where did you get it and how did you know it was “the one”?  I begin looking at wedding dresses in bridal magazines immediately after our engagement.  I quickly recognized that I preferred dresses with a lace overlay.  After going to try on wedding gowns, I discovered that I felt more comfortable in dresses with straps; while the strapless dresses were beautiful, I saw that my posture was better when the gown had straps, so I looked more comfortable and confident.  I found my dress from a magazine picture and tried it on in a size 6 sizes too big but knew I loved it anyway and ordered it immediately!  

What was your “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue”?

Something old – my garter had lace from my grandmother’s wedding gown. 

Something new – my gown.

Something borrowed – a handkerchief that belonged to a great-aunt and has been worn by several brides in our family was pinned to the underside of my gown. 

Something blue – a blue ribbon attached to my garter. 

How did you choose your wedding color palette?  I have always loved dark purple and thought it was a very flattering color on the various skin tones of the bridal party.  Light green was a fresh compliment to the dark shade for our summer wedding.

Do you have any advice for brides that are in the planning process?  I believe that your wedding should fit you and your spouse’s personality.  Try not to worry with what you’re “supposed to do” as much as what the two of your want your big day to be like.  Try to enjoy the planning process and remember what the day is all about – your marriage and love for each other. 

 Also, Derek is in the Coast Guard so while we were planning our wedding we were living 8 hours apart from each other, and neither of us was living in Savannah! Luckily, my mom was our “wedding planner” and did a fantastic job! We have similar taste and work well together, so it worked for us; but for other brides planning a wedding long distance, I would recommend hiring a wedding planner. 

What song did you dance to for your first dance?  Derek and I danced to “More Today Than Yesterday” by Spiral Staircase.  We wanted to dance to our song, even though it’s faster than traditional first dance songs.  We certainly did not know the proper steps or have a routine, but we practiced a special twist & dip move that made our dance special for us and hopefully gave our friends a few smiles

What was your favorite part of your big day?  Having the doors open and walking toward Derek’s smiling face was the highlight of my day! The few minutes we spent taking couple portraits together after the wedding was also very special.  Kelli and her partner were so professional and efficient that we were able to really enjoy those first few minutes in a personal way.  They were there to guide us for pictures but allowed us to be ourselves and capture how we were feeling.  I really enjoyed dancing at the reception as well!!

Vendors:

Venue: Whitefield Chapel at Bethesda (ceremony) and the Charles H. Morris Center (reception)

Dress: an Allure Bridal Gown (from Minerva’s Bridal Suite in Orlando, Florida)

Cake: Baker’s Pride (It was even more delicious than it was beautiful – if that’s possible.)

Floral: Annette Jones (She is creative, fun, and all-around wonderful to work with.)

Linens: Creative Catering provided linens with the catering.

Catering: Creative Catering (People are still talking about how delicious the food was! And they were kind enough to pack Derek and me a picnic basket to enjoy after the wedding and the next day.)

DJ/Band: Encore Party Band (They were so much fun and got everyone out on the floor to have a good time!)

Videographer: Savannah Wedding Films

Invitations/Wedding Stationery: Michael’s Arts and Crafts (They were beautiful – a special thank you to my mom for the labor of perfect bow tying!)

Thank you so much, Donna, for sharing this amazing wedding with us!  Please stop by her website and show her some love!  And thank you, Abby, for taking your time to answer our questions!  We wish you and Derek a lifetime full of love, laughter, and happiness!!!  May every day be better than the last!

I’m sure you all have noticed the super popular trend of “photobooths” at wedding receptions.  It’s such a charming idea and we totally dig it for sure.  That’s why when we found this DIY lace photobooth backdrop over at Martha Stewart Weddings, we just had to share!  

Create your own photo booth with an oversize canvas backdrop. Download this design and take it to a copy center that can print the large file (like FedEx Office). Then hang it up at your reception and have your photographer or friends capture candid moments that you can add to your guest book.

You can download this fabulous template by clicking here.

Coral Bouquet:  Image Courtesy of Brian Wedge Photography

Coral and Chocolate Tablescape:  Tara Pollio Floral-Event Design              Image Courtesy of Michael Riddell Photography

Chocolate Brown Bridesmaid Dress:  J. Crew

Khaki and Chocolate Brown Suit with Coral Boutonniere:  Wild Poppy               Image Courtesy of SMS Photography

Chocolate Brown and Coral Wedding Invitations:  Good on Paper Design                   Image Courtesy of  Angie Silvy Photography

Chocolate Brown and Coral Wedding Programs:  Prelude Wedding Identity            Image Courtesy of  Thor Swift Photography

Coral and Cream Clutch:  Lowie

The Frisky has done it once again!  They have written a fabulous article on planning your Honeymoon on a budget.  This article is FULL of wise suggestions and so worth reading… Even if you’re planning an anniversary trip or just a romantic vaction, this article can help!

How To Plan A Honeymoon On A Budget

By Colleen Meeks of Frisky

Looking back on my wedding planning, I realize how many of my decisions were to make other people happy. My day was special and I felt like the star of the show, but I had to make sure that I stayed in budget so my dad wouldn’t have an aneurysm, that the menu wouldn’t trigger any allergic reactions from my guests, and that the band’s play list would make for a party to remember. But when it came to the honeymoon, there was nobody to think of except me and my new husband, and the closer we got to the wedding, the more I couldn’t wait to get out of town.  I totally began to understand why people elope.

My husband and I paid for the majority of our honeymoon ourselves, and I am grateful, three years later, that we decided to stick to our budget. We lucked out when an aunt and uncle gave us their beach condo for a week as a wedding gift, freeing our limited funds and enabling us to have an amazing trip on a dime. You, too, can plan a sizzling honeymoon no matter how modest your budget, even if you don’t score a free place to stay. I spoke to Barbara Messing, the General Manager of Travel Ticker, and she offered some great advice for Frisky readers planning a honeymoon. 

Set a realistic budget. Writing wedding checks can numb the frugal side of your brain, but don’t let the momentum carry you and your newly minted marriage into debt. “A lot of people push themselves to stretch their honeymoon budgets further than necessary,” says Messing. “You’re going to have a great time no matter where you stay.” You want to be planning an anniversary trip a year or two down the road, not paying off your honeymoon debt. Be careful not to underestimate the cost of a trip, though. “People always underestimate the cost of eating out for three meals a day,” says Messing. If your budget is tight, an all-inclusive that covers meals may be a foolproof way to keep you fed and in budget.

Let the deal be the inspiration. “Folks often have this image of a romantic getaway, but think they can only get it in Hawaii,” says Messing. “If you’re open to going somewhere like Mexico instead, you can get so much more for your money and spend half of what you would have for a very similar hotel.” Locations like Buenos Aires will offer the big city experience of Paris but at a much more affordable rate. “There is nothing worse than getting to your dream destination but not being able to splurge once you’re there,” Messing cautions. “On your honeymoon, you want to feel like you’re pampering yourself.” Shop around; you may find an amazing destination that you wouldn’t have originally considered.

Go off-season. If you have your heart set on a particular destination, going off-season may get you there on budget. “Understand seasonal travel trips,” Messing advises. “Europe in the summer is the most expensive, but if you’ve always wanted to go, consider going in October.” Off-season doesn’t mean the destination will be any less beautiful. “Paris in winter is very romantic,” Messing says, “And Spain year-round is very temperate. You’ll have the same great sites, and the same great food.”

Research early, book late. If you start your research early, you’ll get a feel for which locations are going to be a good fit, and you’ll recognize a good deal when you see it. Hold off on making reservations, though. “Booking a year in advance is not a good strategy. Hotels won’t put offers together that far ahead. Within a few months of your trip you can find the best deals. Also, follow vendors and hotels on Twitter and Facebook. Something on your wish list is sure to come up,” says Messing.

Tell your hotel it’s your honeymoon. “If they can, they’ll generally try to upgrade you or send you a bottle of champagne. But the most important thing is for you to be very polite about it. If they’re booked, they may not have the option of upgrading you. It never hurts to ask, just be nice,” says Messing. Your family may tolerate a bridezilla at your wedding because they love you, but leave the diva act at home.

Photography Credits:  Image Courtesy of Amanda Marie Portraits

Kimmia and Brent were married August 14, 2010 in  a Persian ceremony at the Hutton Hotel, followed by a traditional Western ceremony at Scarritt Bennett Center’s Wrightman Chapel in Nashville, Tennessee.  Kimmia purchased her amazing dress at The Bride Room, and Stephanie Russell of Hair Mafia styled Kimmia’s hair. Kimmia and Brent had both an outstanding band: Band 24/7, and a solid DJ to keep the party rolling when the band wasn’t playing.  Evan gives a special thanks to the wonderful Gipsy Williams from Enchanted Brides for her help with the portraits!

From Evan:  “After working with Kimmia three times now: her engagement session, bridal portraits, and now her wedding, I have to say that my favorite part of photographing her is that she’s not only beautiful but expressive. Kimmia’s happiness is infectious, and it translates marvelously well into documentary photography. But not only is Kimmia photogenic: her entire family are wonderful subjects: witness Daniel’s brilliant portrait of her father, Kimmia’s gorgeous mother and her two lovely gowns, or the numerous instances where her outgoing brother Nima appears in this series.

Obviously, this is a large set of photos… due in part to the extended nature of the coverage. Note that as usual, about 80% of these images are completely un-posed and documentary in nature.”

 Also, click hereif you’d like to see Kimmia’s gorgeous bridals.  They are unbelievably stunning!

Kimmia’s mother modeling the first of her gowns.

The above picture is HILARIOUS!

Portrait of Kimmia’s father.  LOVE it.

Opening her wedding gift from Brent.

The Bridesmaids practicing their Hip-Hop/Persian entry dance for the reception.

Kimmia and Brent’s first look.

The Persian wedding ceremony.

And now for Kimmia and Brent’s traditional wedding ceremony…

Check out the guestbook (bottom right corner of above collage)… It’s was a blank canvas that guests were asked to paint on! (Notice paints on the table next to the canvas).  Such a great idea!

Let the fun begin!

Thank you so much, Evan, for sharing this amazing wedding with us!  Please stop by his website and blogand show him some love!  And Kimmia and Brent, we wish you a lifetime full of love, laughter, and happiness!!!  May every day be better than the last!

We have the utmost privilage of having Dallas Hair Stylist, Sharin Whitesitt of Select Salon, as a guest blogger for Groom Sold Separately today!  We are so excited and beyond thrilled to have Sharin lend her expertise and experience with us!

So, without further ado…. Ladies and Gentlemen, here is Sharin!

Hopefully everything goes exactly right on your wedding day, but don’t leave your hair to chance! Helpful tips to make sure yours, your bridesmaid’s, and even your future husband’s hair looks nothing short of fabulous on your big day:

- Find a stylist~Maybe you have a regular stylist? If so, ask them if they do updo’s and if they’re willing to travel. Why? Coordinating your entire wedding party to travel in order to get ready at the salon is difficult and also very stressful. You’ll already be anxious worrying about the caterer, music, the venue, etc., there’s no need to worry about your hair. Usually, the more bridesmaids you have, the more of a discount you’ll receive from your stylist.

- Dirty it up~ Clean hair is hard to work with, especially if it’s finely textured, and you have a ton of it. Don’t shampoo your hair the day of the wedding. Shampooing the morning before the big day is ideal. If the person doing your hair believes it’s too dirty, they can simply shampoo it. However, especially with fine hair, it requires a lot of product to achieve the “sticky” factor, and this may weigh hair down. Also, the shine of dirty hair adds to your finished look. Many models that I work with, shampoo only once a week! 

-Picture this~ There are many ways to speak “Hair”. Some people say frizzy when they mean fly-aways. To make sure you and your stylist are on the same page, go in for a consultation. I recommend going at least 3 weeks in advance. Bring along magazine or Internet pictures of your ideal wedding hair to show your stylist. Its important to make sure you both have the same style in mind. I often ask clients to bring several different pictures, so I can see the different angles, or mix it up (i.e. curls like this one, smooth bangs like that one.) While there, ask your stylist if you need a trim, maybe a deep conditioning, color retouch, etc. Make sure you bring any accessories or veil that you’ll be wearing.           

-Be realistic~Not everyone has the same hair type or density. When choosing a hairstyle for you, understand that it may or may not work. Some pictures are captured in a split second of the models movement in order to portray a certain transfer of energy, while others may be edited to add shadow for dimension. If your style doesn’t turn out exactly how you imagined, ask to have it redone. Unlike a haircut that takes months to grow out, updo’s and styles are fairly simple to move and reshape, as long as you ask before the final spritz of hairspray.     

-It’s a small world~ Being in the beauty industry, I know quite a few makeup artists. If you choose to do your own makeup on your wedding day, great! However, you may feel pressured for time. If this is the case, ask your stylist if they do makeup, or know anyone they would recommend. Usually, if one person does both hair and makeup, plan for 1.5 hours per person in your bridal party. If there’s another person to do makeup, you can save time, switching the girls back and forth between the hair and makeup artists.

-Make a list~ Amongst the chaos, you may become a little scatterbrained trying to keep everything straight. Make a list of names to give your stylist. This way, the stylist won’t waste time asking, and interrupting special moments. If more people show up and would also like to get their hair done (usually the mothers of the bride and groom), ask your stylist if they have time and what the additional costs would be. Usually there is enough time for everyone, and it never hurts to ask!

-Wear a button-down~ It’s important to be comfortable and relaxed while you enjoy your day of pampering, but it’s also important for a smooth transition into your dress. Make sure to wear something that doesn’t have to be pulled over your head after your hair is done. A button up shirt is a good idea, but don’t wear a camisole or tank top underneath. It’s painful to watch perfectly spiraled curls, frizz up, and it takes time to repair.

- Inform your bridesmaids~Let your bridesmaids (especially the MOH) know if you’re having someone do hair and makeup pre-ceremony. If you want the bridal party to have the same hairstyle, let them know! If they each want something different, ask them do research and get examples to show the stylist. If there’s something specific about someone’s hair the stylist should know beforehand (i.e. extensions, accessories, men’s styling) call your stylist ahead of time, so they will be prepared.

 I hope this helps you have a smooth, less frantic day-of-your-wedding. And remember, if you have any questions; don’t hesitate to call your stylist. If they are busy, don’t hesitate to call me!

You can check out some of Sharin’s amazing work by checking out her Myspace Page, Facebook Page, or her Model Mayhem Page.  Please be sure to show her some love on her pages!  Also, if you’d like to set up an appointment with Sharin at Select Salon, here’s the contact information:

3526 Cedar Springs Road
Dallas, TX 75219-4947
972-898-3656

Photography Credits:  Image Courtesy of Don Mamone Photography          Model:  Melissa           Hair:  Hair by Sharin

Yellow and Teal Bouquet:  JL Designs            Image Courtesy of Aaron Shintaku Photography

Yellow Hair Fascinator Birdcage Veil:  Image Courtesy of Studio Mathewes Photograph

Teal Tie with Yellow Boutonniere:  Grenwich Floral Design                    Image Courtesy of Vis Photography

Yellow and Teal Tablescape:  Image Courtesy of Dana Grant Photography

Teal and White Wedding Cake:  The Cake Studio NYC        Image Courtesy of Antonis Achilleos Photography

Mustard Yellow Peeptoe Pumps:  Bandolino          Image Courtesy of Henry Photography

Antique Teal Frame:   Image Courtesy of Mark Brooke Photography

Turquoise and Teal Bridesmaids with Bride:  Yellow Floral Bouquets by JL Designs        Image Courtesy of Aaron Shintaku Photography

Teal and Mustard Yellow Wedding Invitation:  Susan Huang, San Francisco            Image Courtesy of KT Merry Photography

You can see more of this amazing wedding filled to the brim with details by Carissa of JL Designs and Jesi Haack Weddings by clicking here.

Samantha and Daniel are to be married on May 11, 2011 in Hawaii!!!  Samantha was kind enough to answer a few questions for us:

How did you and Daniel meet?  We met during undergrad at The University of Texas. We played on the same intramural co-ed flag football team. I was a receiver and Daniel was our stud safety. He would always give me rides to our games, since I was a freshman and had no idea how to get to the IM football fields;)

How long have you been together and how long did you date before the proposal?  We had been dating four and a half years when he proposed in April. Come November, we will have been together for five years. We have really grown up together.

Have you set a date yet?  We decided to get married next May, 5/11/11. I am in Physical Therapy school and that is my only time off until I graduate in May of 2012. Neither of us were wanting to wait that long.

Have you picked your venue?  If so, what made you choose this location?  We decided to get married in Hawaii, on the island of Kauai. It is kind of a long and round-about story. I got the idea a few years ago when working with a patient who had broken her leg while at her daughter’s wedding in Hawaii. She brought in these beautiful pictures of her daughter’s wedding, mainly to show us how she was in a wheel chair on the beach during the ceremony. We all got a good laugh, but I couldn’t help but think how amazing it would be to get married there. Since Daniel and I both enjoy traveling, we figured why not and just went for it.

At what point did you know that Daniel was “the one”?  I don’t know if there is one single moment that made me think Daniel was “the one”. I really appreciated his drive and passion in life. We both are very goal driven. The more we were together, the more I saw the qualities I wanted in a partner for life. When you start dating at the ages of 18 and 19 and end up still together and engaged 5 years later, there are a lot of things you have worked through. Through the stresses of school, getting into grad school, and work, Daniel has always been my number one go-to person. He always will be. That is what makes him “the one”.

Besides getting engaged, what is your favorite memory as a couple?  Daniel and I consider ourselves “old souls”. So our favorite moments are when we are home together and just lounging on the couch watching a movie or Family Guy(Daniel’s show of choice). We did get to take a trip together in 2009 to San Francisco and the Red Wood Forest. Because of our personalities, we of course, had a strenuous itinerary. We over scheduled ourselves and were so tired, but we got to see it all!

How did Daniel propose?  Daniel took me back to a place on UT campus where we used to pass by each other when we first met. I always made sure I was dressed nicely on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays because I knew we would see each other. Daniel stuck to his gray sweat pants. It was great to go back to the place where we both would get butterflies at the possibility of seeing each other.

Were you surprised?  I knew it was coming! He tried to say he was taking me to a new restaurant. But I knew there were no restaurants on that side of campus. The good thing was that in all the places I had imagined and thought he might ask me, I never thought of that place. So, even though I had it figured out, it was still a great surprise, and I cried of course.

What made you choose Kristi Wright as your photographer?  We chose Kristi as our photographer because we love her work. Her photographs are modern, warm and artsy. The last thing I wanted was the same old, matching white shirts, posing in a garden engagement photos. I used to do photojournalism in high school, which I know means virtually nothing, but it allows me to really appreciate her creative eye. It is not always easy to get great shots in great locations, but she picks them out so easily. Plus, she is a blast to work with. We love her and her work so much, we asked her to shoot the wedding in Hawaii too! We are so excited.

Thank you so much, Kristi, for sharing this amazing wedding with us!  Please stop by her website and show her some love!  And thank you, Samantha, for taking your time to answer our questions!  We hope your wedding is everything that you have ever dreamed of and wish you and Daniel a lifetime full of love, laughter, and happiness!!!  May every day be better than the last!