The 'La Mariage' Jacquemus Bridal collection is now ready to buy. Here are the pieces we think every bride will love.

Hi! 👋 I'm Juli, The Garter Girl! If you're searching for thoughtful and memorable ways to repurpose your mother's wedding dress - besides just wearing it - we're sharing our best, most helpful advice for ways to reuse a mom's (or grandmother, aunt, mother in law and more!) wedding dress for your big day! You don't have to wear your mom's wedding dress just as she did to feel close to her on your wedding day! There are many unique and creative things you can do to reuse your mom's wedding dress for your wedding day, and repurpose it into a new heirloom to cherish for generations. Repurposed mother's wedding dress ideas include using it to make a custom wedding garter, redesigning it for a rehearsal dinner or bridal shower outfit, using a piece for a wedding handkerchief, a ring bearer pillow, a bridal bouquet wrap, or a patch for the inside of a wedding dress. We also love the ideas of turning your mom's wedding dress or bridal veil into a wedding morning robe, a bomber jacket, custom bridal sneakers, or your own bridal veil. If you're interested in working with The Garter Girl to custom design an heirloom bridal garter, wedding handkerchief, ring pillow and/or wedding dress patch made from your mother's wedding dress, or you all the questions, be sure to make a custom garter design request, and we'll send you more information. Read on for even more loving ways to have your mom close to your heart on your wedding day.... Above photo credit: Real The Garter Girl bride Caitlyn and her mom helping her into her wedding dress. Today's wedding planning advice blog post is about two of my favorite topics put together: heirlooms and wedding dresses! More specifically, I'm going to give you a few unique ideas for what to do with your mother's wedding dress on your wedding day, besides wearing her dress. Or, maybe you have your grandmother, aunt or your mother in law's bridal veil that is so beautiful, but you aren't quite sure what to do it with it besides wear it just as she did on her wedding day. If you know you want to incorporate a special family heirloom like a wedding dress or bridal veil into your wedding day, but aren't sure your options or even where to start, this is a special one that's near and dear to my heart! As a wedding garter designer who works with many, many brides and their moms and aunts and cousins and family members from all over, I love helping families bring special materials - materials that they have been holding onto generations - into their new special days. There's always lots of happy tears in my line of work (usually by me!) as families get to experience new life with their precious materials. In addition to the ideas for ways to use the dress or repurpose it, I will also give you lots of great places to find these custom, personalized and speciality items - even if you aren't the crafty type to do it yourself. So, look out for the links and my suggested places to shop for items made from your family materials. You know I'm going to give you ideas for turning your mom's wedding dress or grandmother's veil into a bridal garter, but I pinky promise that I have lots more ideas up my sleeve for you too! I tell my brides at The Garter Girl this all the time: You don't have to wear your mother's dress to feel close to her on your wedding day. There are lots of things that you can do with her dress or veil, and many unexpected and meaningful ways that you can incorporate your mom, your grandmother or special family members into your wedding day so that they are right there with you on your big day. I got you, trust me! If my moms and grandmothers can trust me to use their wedding dress they've been hanging onto for all of these years, you can trust me too! Above photo credit: See more of Ashlee's lace wedding garter made from her mom's dress And now onto the show! Let's talk about the memorable ways that you can repurpose your mom's wedding dress for your wedding day, including making an heirloom wedding garter, a wedding handkerchief, a bridal bouquet wrap, a ring bearer pillow, a wedding dress patch for the inside of the bridal gown, and turning it into more! These are the unique ideas that you might not have thought about yet! Heirloom Mother's Dress Wedding Garters Since 2004, I've become known for making wedding garter and bridal garter sets out of family materials. Whether it's your mom's or grandmother's wedding dress, turning dresses into a garter for the bride to wear on wedding day, love and, most importantly, cherish long after the wedding is over, is kind of my thing. My signature heirloom wedding garters are handmade by moi. Yes, I cut and sew each stitch myself. (Trust me, cutting your family materials is not my favorite part of the job! But, someone has to do it!) I do all of the personalized embroidery (no machine embroidery here!), tie every bow, and sew each and every pearl myself. Above photo credit: Real The Garter Girl bride Olivia's mom is helping her put on her custom wedding garter made with lace and pearls from her mother's wedding dress. I get a lot of questions about how the custom wedding garter from a mother's wedding dress process works. The number one question that I get from brides and/or their mothers is: Do we ship the whole wedding dress to you or do we cut it ourselves? Typically, the bride or her mother will send me the whole wedding dress for me to use in their garter. Most are uncomfortable with cutting the wedding dress themselves, which I completely understand. In the end when everything is completed, I will ship the wedding dress back to them along with their completed customized bridal garter. I don't keep anything of yours, and you have your mom's wedding dress back to reuse again in the future. For more information about the family material custom garter design process, be sure to request more information. You can get started right away on a custom wedding garter made from your mom's dress, or get answers to lots of questions. And, believe me, I've been doing this for so long, I know you have lots of questions. I would too! When the time comes for me to repurpose my wedding dress and give to my daughter for her wedding day, I'm going to have lots of questions too! As I said though, get the tissues ready though, because there are always plenty of happy tears to go around when I make the family heirlooms wedding garters – myself included! But, I Don't Want To Wear My Mom's Wedding Dress Many brides do not want to wear their wedding dress on their wedding day. I completely understand where the brides are coming from. They want to have a piece of their mother (or grandmother) with them on their wedding day, but they don't want to wear their mother's actual, exact same wedding dress. It is such a tough call, because their mom has probably saved her wedding dress for all these years with the idea (or hope!) that her daughter would wear it for her wedding day someday. This wedding dress has probably taken up space in their life, maybe moved from house to house, it's been shoved under the bed, hung in the closet, stored in the attic for so long. And, now that their daughter is engaged to be married, they are (finally!) ready to break it out and pass it along to the next generation. Above photo credit: Lace and pearls from mother's wedding dress for heirlooms. To all the moms and mother's of the bride out there, I wrote this advice on what to do when your daughter doesn't want to wear your wedding dress. From one mom to another, it is just for you! But, as a bride, the one getting married, you might have ideas of what you want to wear on your wedding day, maybe you've been dreaming about it since you were a little girl. So just as your mom has been dreaming about you wearing her wedding dress, maybe you've been dreaming about your own wedding dress too! Oftentimes, I hear from my brides that they want their own "say yes to the dress" moment of shopping for their dream wedding gown - with their mom included, of course! It's not that they don't love their mom or love their mom's wedding dress, it's more that they want to feel unique and special on their wedding day too, just like mom did! RELATED: Be sure to get my free I said yes to the dress download Instagram graphics, or the free wedding dress shopping voting signs download so that everyone (including your mom!) can share their thoughts on the wedding dresses that you try one. Above photo credit: Something blue wedding garter and ring pillow made from bride's mom's wedding dress. And all of this being said and I haven't event gotten into the fit and the styling of your mom's wedding dress! After all, wearing it, fitting into your mom's wedding dress, and feeling comfortable might not be an option for every bride, even with an expert bridal alterations person. So many emotions come up when it comes to wedding planning in general and then when you add in family heirlooms and expectations, it's a lot, I know! But fear not, just because you maybe aren't going to wear your mom's wedding dress exactly as she did on her wedding day, this doesn't mean that all is lost. It's not and all or nothing, black and white situation. Here are some great and unexpected ways to reuse your mother's or grandmother's wedding dress without actually wearing the same exact wedding dress itself. Because, after all, everybody is different and styles do change, even in bridal! CREATIVE WAYS TO REUSE YOUR MOTHER'S WEDDING DRESS Here is a round up of ways to re-use, or repurpose your mother's wedding dress (or grandmother's wedding dress) without actually wearing it as is on your wedding dress to create a new family heirloom. There are so many unique and creative ways to have a piece of your mom with you on your wedding day and start a new family tradition for you to pass onto the next generation. Above photo credit: Custom wedding garter with something blue satin and lace from bride's mother's wedding dress. Who knows, with one of these ideas, you might be saving your wedding heirloom from your mom's dress as a keepsake for your daughter to wear on her wedding day some day and she won't want to either! In this case, save this post to come back in the future, you're going to need it! 1.) Wedding Dress Patch Perhaps you've seen those pretty patches on the inside of a wedding dress? A patch made from your mom's wedding dress sewn onto the inside of your wedding dress is the ultimate way to have your mom close to you on your wedding day. You can have a patch made and then ask your bridal alternations person to sew it onto the inside of your bridal dress, or simply pin it onto the inside of your dress yourself with a safety pin. I love working with my brides to make personalized patches for the inside of their wedding dress made from their mother's wedding dress. Oftentimes, when I have their mom's dress to make them a garter, they want to know what other options they have to make even more heirloom pieces. The patch (and the ring bearer pillow and wedding hanky listed below!) is a great option because it goes on the inside of their wedding dress and it's made from their own mother's dress. A wedding dress patch is oh-so personal and oh-so special! Above photo credit: Personalized wedding dress patch made from bride's mother's bridal dress. If you're in a pinch, pressed for time (Hello, wedding morning and last minute wedding plans!), or don't have someone to make a patch for you, you can simply cut your mother's dress material yourself and pin it onto the inside of your wedding dress. If you use a safety pin to pin your patch or piece of your mom's dress onto the inside of your wedding dress, consider pinning it on the inside skirt or underlay so that no part of the pin will show on the outside of the bridal dress. Also, be sure to use a safety pin and add it somewhere that won't rub your skin or touch you in anyway. No need for chaffing or uncomfortableness on wedding day! Sometimes the personalized wedding dress patches made from a mother's wedding dress are customized even further and hand embroidered in something blue, bride's new monogram, a wedding date, a heart, a special saying or quote – the wedding dress patch options are endless! RELATED: If you're going to a DIY wedding dress patch, be sure to get my free tips for how to embroider the inside of your wedding dress. This advice can be used for your wedding dress patch - or to embroider the cuffs of the groom's or your partner's dress shirt too! If you're going to embroider patch onto the inside of our wedding dress, but you want it to be extra special, my advice is to use the material from your mother's wedding dress for the base of the patch, and then embroidery on top of the heirloom material. Above photo credit: Family heirloom wedding garters with pearls Design a Personalized Wedding Dress Patch from Your Mom's Dress If you are looking to personalize your wedding dress with a patch made from your mom's wedding dress and hold something extra close to your heart from your mom on your wedding day, this is a great option! You only need a little bit of material to make a patch for the inside of your bridal dress. If you're interested in a custom wedding dress patch made from your mother's wedding dress, please get in touch with The Garter Girl or fill out the custom wedding garter request form that will send you more information, plus answers to all the questions! (P.S. You don't need get a wedding garter to work with me! Yes, I specialized in wedding garters, especially custom garters made from the bride's mother's wedding dress, but that's not all that I do! And, I'd be honored to work with you to make something special from your mom's wedding dress or family materials, even if that's not a garter!) Above photo credit: Ring bearer pillow and garter made from bride's mother's wedding dress Shop Personalized Wedding Dress Patches on Etsy If you want a little something more for your wedding dress patch, you can also search through Etsy for a customized wedding dress patch. Here is a link to where you can find wedding dress patches on Etsy. Most of the personalized wedding dress patches that you'll find on Etsy are embroidered with a machine, and thus they can do longer phrases or more specific details. The embroidery that I offer is all done by hand, so it is not as precise as machine embroidery. Above photo credit: Custom wedding dress label made by Memory Thread Co Above photo credit: Handwriting patch for bride's dress made Thread The Wick If you want a personalized quote or a specific saying on your wedding dress patch, be sure to check out these wedding dress patches on Etsy - you're sure to find something you love for your wedding day! 2.) Alter It I think many mothers (and mother's of the bride) have this vision that they will save their wedding dress and their daughter will wear it for their own wedding some day. After all, what else are you saving your wedding dress for!? RELATED: If you're looking for gift ideas for mom, be sure to shop my hand picked best wedding gifts for mother's of the bride. But as a bride, wearing someone else's wedding dress – even if it is your mother – is tough. The wedding trends change and certainly no two bodies are alike. But, if you have the right alterations person, it can be done and it will look amazing. If you don't want to wear your mom's wedding dress "as is" there are lots of things that you can do to make it "your own." You can take off sleeves, take out fullness, change necklines – the options are endless! One of my favorite wedding dress alterations is to shorten it and wear as a fun wedding reception second dress! You don't have to wear your redesigned mother's dress just to your wedding. There are lots of other related events leading up to your wedding where you'll want to feel like "the bride" and altering your mom's wedding dress is a great option. This way you can have your own wedding dress for your big day, but still honor your mom and make use of her wedding dress too. Above photo credit: custom wedding dress design and sewing by Caribis Atelier UA RELATED: If you're into bridal fashion, and it feels like you might be since you're here, be sure to get our free Ultimate Bridal Fashion Timeline Wedding Outfit Planning Guide. This guide will tell you exactly what to order wedding, so you don't miss out. Unlike just about anything with wedding planning, did we mention it's totally free? You can wear your repurposed mother's wedding dress it to other wedding adjacent events, such as your bridal shower outfit or a rehearsal dinner look. You can wear it to just your wedding ceremony and then change into a different dress (your mom's altered dress!) for your wedding reception dress or an after party bridal look. Above photo credit: Two wedding garters for cousin's made from their grandmother's bridal lace robe. Pro Tip: If you are going to wear your mother's wedding dress and have it tailored to fit your body or adjusted in anyway, I can't stress enough the importance of working with an experience and trusted alterations person, hopefully someone who has experience with bridal. There are many tailors out there and when it comes to bridal alterations of any kind, you really do pay for what you get. With something so special and important in your family, like your mom's or grandmother's dress, it so important that you're working with an experienced alternations expert with experience in bridal wear. My last tip here about reimagining your mom's wedding dress and wearing it for another wedding related event (or even for your wedding day!) is to truly make sure that your are not only happy with your choice, but also, and more importantly, comfortable in the dress itself. If you are feeling weird, or uncomfortable, or it isn't laying right, or your mom's dress doesn't make you feel amazing, it will show all over your face. You'll have a miserable time thinking about the dress and worried that you don't feel comfortable in it. So, while I love this option for many brides, I want to caution you to only wear your mom's wedding dress altered if it makes you feel as amazing as you are! True Story: Altered Mom's Wedding Dress I had a bride come to me recently to make her a custom wedding garter from her mother's wedding dress. She didn't want to ship me her mom's entire wedding dress. The the train and all of the other pieces, it would have been just too much and she was uncomfortable with sending her mom's entire wedding dress. What did she do? She cut the sleeves off her mom's wedding dress and sent them to me. Once she saw her mother's wedding dress without the sleeves, she decided that she loved it! Yes, it was like a totally new dress and she was in love! She had her mom's wedding dress altered to fit her a little bit better and then wore it to her wedding's rehearsal dinner. Above photo credit: Four wedding garters made for sisters and cousins from their aunt's wedding dress oversized flowers. By the time she figured out that she loved her mom's wedding dress without the sleeves, she already had her dream wedding dress picked out and ordered, but she didn't have anything for the rehearsal dinner out...and her mom's wedding dress altered was the perfect idea! I handmade a custom wedding garter for my bride from the sleeves of her mother's wedding dress that she sent me. Then, she took her mom's dress to the alterations person at her bridal dress shop and altered the dress just slightly from to fit her body. On the night before her wedding, she wore her mom's wedding dress to her rehearsal dinner and then on her wedding day, she wore a custom heirloom garter made from her mom's wedding dress! True story! Before you cast off your mother's wedding dress as terribly out of style or it will never fit you, think about it more closely. Can you alter it? Can you make a few changes so that you'll love it? Could you wear it to a wedding adjacent event, such as your rehearsal dinner or wedding after party? Maybe! 3.) Wedding Ring Bearer Pillow Cue the cuteness right now! If you want a unique and totally adorable way to reuse your mother's wedding dress, consider using her dress to make a wedding ring bearer pillow. Just imagine that cutie ring bearer coming down the aisle with a wedding ring pillow made from your mom's wedding dress? And then what if he is a nephew or family member, or your own child?! Oh, I'm getting so teary just thinking about the sentiment and memories here! Above photo credit: wedding ring pillow insert sold by Uniik Stuff store via Amazon A ring pillow would also be a great reuse option for your grandmother's dress - so many generations going down the wedding ceremony aisle! Talk about a family heirloom that will last for generations. You could even pass it around in your family for everyone to use. It's your new family wedding heirloom! Above photo credit: Custom satin and lace ring bearer pillow made from mother's wedding dress To make a wedding ring bearer pillow extra special and an instant heirloom, you can add material from your mother's wedding dress to the pillow. You can make the whole ring bearer pillow from the her wedding dress material, or you could purchase plain a pillow from a craft store or Amazon and add your own decorations from your mom's dress and/or your grandmother's veil. One of my favorite ways to make a ring bearer pillow from a wedding dress is to use the dress lining for the base of the pillow and then use the decorations from the outside of the dress as the details on the pillow. Here are a few of the family wedding dress materials that I've turned into wedding ring bearer pillows. Each ring pillow is so unique and different, because no two mom's wedding dresses are alike! Pro Tip: If you purchase a plain wedding ring bearer pillow and you plan to DIY pillow made from your mother's dress, you could carefully hand sew or hot glue the lace and beads onto the pillow. (Be very, very, very careful with the glue and vintage wedding dresses, especially vintage lace - it can go really wrong, really fast!) Above photo credit: Custom ring bearer pillow made from the lace and pearls of the bride's mother's wedding dress For a wedding ring bearer pillow, you could use just about any part of the vintage wedding dress – the sleeves, the neckline or stripes of lace – any part! You'll only need a little bit of material for a small pillow, so you have more options of what parts of the dress to use. Don't forget to sew a little piece of ribbon or something similar in the middle of the pillow. This is what you'll use to attach the rings (or fake rings, if your ring bearer is too little)! 4.) Tulle Skirt for Bride or Flower Girl If you are going to have a flower girl or two at your wedding, you could turn the tulle lining from your mother's wedding dress into a custom heirloom tulle skirt for the flower girl. Some of the vintage wedding dresses, or the 1980's era wedding dresses have plenty of tulle and lining underneath the main part of the wedding dress that you could use for a flower girl tulle skirt. Heck, you could even make a bridal tulle skirt for yourself! I've seen my share of wedding dresses from mom's over the years and there is plenty of tulle and material underneath some of those dresses to work with. However, if your mom's dress doesn't have a lot of tulle underneath and since the flower girl is small, you won't need as much tulle as you think to make an heirloom tulle skirt for your flower girl. What flower girl wouldn't love wearing a beautiful tulle skirt to twirl around in on her, err I mean your, wedding day!? You can find someone on Etsy to make you a custom tulle skirt for a flower girl. Above photo credit: Long Tulle Skirt made by Sweet Pea and ButtercupAbove photo credit: cupcake style tulle skirt made by 1000 loveAbove photo credit: rose gold peony tulle bridal skirt made by Wardrobe By Dulcinea 5.) Bridal Bouquet Wrap If you're planning to have a bridal bouquet and you want a unique and totally special idea to reuse your mother's wedding dress, consider a bridal bouquet wrap. You could use your mom's dress as a material to wrap around the bottom of your bridal bouquet so that when you carry your bouquet, you're essentially carrying your mom! Love, love, love this idea! Above photo credit: bridal bouquet wrap made from Mom's wedding dress handmade by cutie girlie What is a Bridal Bouquet Wrap A bouquet wrap is a small piece of fabric that goes around the flower stems or handle of a bridal bouquet so that when the bride holds her bouquet, she holding onto the wrap, and not holding directly onto flower stems. Without a customized bridal bouquet wrap (hopefully made from your mom's wedding dress!), most florists will wrap ribbon or soft material (sometimes in your wedding color!) around the base of the bridal bouquet stems so the bride isn't holding onto wet or uncomfortable flower stems. Easy DIY Bridal Bouquet Wrap from Mom's Dress Since your your wedding florist will most likely need something to wrap around your bridal bouquet to cover those gorgeous stems, consider making your own from your mom's wedding dress. So, when you're walking down the aisle and holding your bridal bouquet you're literally holding a piece of your mom at the same time! Awwwww! An easy-peasy wedding DIY project would be to make a simple bridal bouquet wrap from your mother's wedding dress. Simply, trim off a long piece of your mother's wedding dress and have the florist use this heirloom material instead of their own ribbon. Or, most likely, they will use their ribbon as the base and then use your heirloom dress material on top as the decoration. If you're in a pinch or last minute and don't want to give your cut dress material to your florist, simple wrap the cut material around your bridal bouquet yourself and tuck in the ends. Done and done! You will need a long piece of the dress material that is a few inches wide most likely from the hem (or bottom) of the wedding dress. Smooth and soft sections of the lining or the skirt of the wedding dress would be ideal here. Sections of the dress that have beads or buttons or lace might not be the best for the bouquet wrap, because you'll have to hold it and you don't want to hold beads – it will hurt your hand after a while! While pearls and buttons can be beautiful as decorations on a bouquet wrap, I really caution you to think about how you're holding your bridal bouquet before you add details. You might want to skip the decorations and opt for a comfortable and soft piece of material. I'm obsessed with all of these custom bridal bouquet wraps that I found on Etsy. You could easily add a bit of material from your mom's wedding dress to any of these pre-made bridal bouquet wraps. Bridal Bouquet Wrap Alternative A wedding handkerchief as a bridal bouquet wrap alternative - consider it a wedding twofer! If you're thinking about using your mom's dress as a bridal bouquet wrap, but want an alternative solution, consider using a personalized wedding handkerchief with material from your mom's dress as your bridal bouquet wrap. Above photo credit: Bridal bouquet wrap alternative of wedding handkerchief made from the bride's mother's wedding dress. If you make a wedding handkerchief using a piece from your mom's wedding dress, such as the lace, and you use that hankie to wrap around the stems of your bridal bouquet as a wrap, it's a double duty wedding accessory, because you can also use your heirloom hanky to wipe all those happy tears! Just like with a traditional bridal bouquet wrap, you'll be able to hold your mom in your hands as you walk down the aisle, except that by making your bouquet wrap from your heirloom hankie, you can reuse your hanky, and pass it on as a heirloom in your family for other brides - and grooms! - to use in their wedding. I get lots of requests to make custom wedding hankies using the bride's mother's wedding dress material. I will usually add lace and other personalized details like their wedding date or initials embroidered to the wedding handkerchief and my brides are using their hanky as a bridal bouquet wrap. Just like with a traditional bridal bouquet wrap, the same rules apply with a wedding hanky double dipping as a bouquet wrap. You want to avoid the pearls and sequins from your mom's dress on the hankie, as they could be really uncomfortable to hold along with your bridal bouquet. And see below about wiping your face with a wedding hankie with sequins - ouch! 6.) Heirloom Wedding Handkerchief How about a heirloom wedding handkerchief made from your mother's wedding dress? I know we just talked about using a wedding handkerchief as a bridal bouquet wrap alternative (see above). So now let's talk about one of the most popular ways to reimagine your mom's wedding dress for your big day without having to wear it - and that's using pieces of your moms wedding dress to make a wedding handkerchief. You know, for all of those happy tears! Many of my brides, moms, aunt, future in-laws and families come to me for customized wedding handkerchief made from their mother's wedding dress. In addition to garters, I've made thousands of wedding handkerchiefs over the years and truly, no two are ever alike. Each mother's wedding dress is different and each bride has a different style and preferences, thus my custom family heirloom handkerchiefs never look the same. Above photo credit: For two sisters, I made custom bridal garters and wedding handkerchiefs from their mother's wedding dress material. For the custom hankies from your family materials, the design and production process is very similar to that of the custom garters. Brides and/or mom's of brides will send me their wedding dress materials, and whatever they send me, is what I'll use to make a custom handkerchief. As you can see from a lot of the photos and the work that I've done over the years, you don't need a lot of material from your mom's wedding dress to make something truly magical.Usually a little bit can go a long way! I've made wedding garter heirlooms from just a single button from a mom's wedding dress!Quite often, we'll make more than one hanky, so that the mom can have a one too. Also, they will often make a customized wedding hanky for their grandmother or the groom or a sister - wedding handkerchiefs are a family affair and are such a wonderful wedding gift.Wedding handkerchiefs are not just for the brides. I have made many custom wedding hankies and pocket squares for grooms and brothers and sons from their mother's wedding dress material. Above photo credit: 3 wedding hankies for sons and grooms from their mother's wedding dress lace. How to Make DIY Wedding Handkerchief from Mom's Dress Material Making a wedding hanky using a piece of your mom's wedding dress material isn't quite as easy as a bridal bouquet wrap (see above DIY instructions!), but if you can do a basic sewing stitch you can DIY a wedding handkerchief using materials from your mom's wedding dress. First: To make a DIY wedding handkerchief out of the dress materials, I highly recommend that you purchase a plain white or ivory handkerchief from Etsy, or you and find a simple white cotton handkerchief from Amazon. You'll want to wipe those tears away with new, fresh material and you'll want something that you can wash afterwards. Most wedding dresses are made of satin or silk, which can be hard to wash, plus if it is your mother's dress, it is probably old and yellowed. It's better to go with a new, fresh hanky like these beautiful white scalloped edge handkerchiefs I found on Etsy. I also love these modern white handkerchiefs, they would be perfect to add a bit of material from your mother's wedding dress and wipe away all of those happy tears at the wedding! Above photo credit: plain white handkerchief with scalloped edge sold by Mozeat Lens via Amazon Second: Once you have your plain hanky, then use your dress materials as the details or decorations on the handkerchief. You'll want to cut out the lace pieces or the details that you want to use and then hand sew them onto the handkerchief. Third: If you want to personalize your DIY wedding handkerchief from your mother's dress material even further by adding embroidery, be sure to check out our how to embroider the inside of a wedding dress. These instructions will be so helpful with your customized wedding hanky too! Above photo credit: A family heirloom wedding handkerchief with family wedding dates and made from the great grandmother's wedding night robe. Pro tip: Avoid sequins, buttons and pearls for your DIY wedding handkerchief using your mom's materials. These pieces may be beautiful and gorgeous, but they are not nice rubbed on your face. You might actually want to use your heirloom wedding handkerchief to wipe your face or to dap tears away, and if there are sequins on it or pearls, you will scratch your beautiful face. Stick to the smooth and soft materials for your DIY wedding handkerchief, like satin and laces. Be careful, some 1980's wedding dresses love to glue the pearls onto the lace! Another pro tip: You'll also want to avoid gluing your mom's dress pieces onto your handkerchief. I know that sewing might not be your favorite thing in the whole world and it is tempting to get it done with glue, even fabric glue, however glue does not dry softly. If you're planning to DIY a wedding handkerchief with your mom's wedding dress material, you really need to sew the material onto the handkerchief. Even thought it might say that the glue is washable or it is soft, most glue dries hard and is not something that you want to wipe your face with one wedding day. Plus, with your mom's dress material you are talking about using vintage and delicate material and oftentimes glue will ruin the very delicate material. 7.) Bridal Purse or Wedding Clutch Have you thought about using the material or the lace from your mother's wedding dress in a wedding day purse or a bridal clutch? There are a handful of hand makers and artisans on Etsy who specialize in taking the material from your mom's dress and using it to make a bridal purse. Sometimes they will make the whole purse out of your mom's wedding dress, or they will use the details from the dress, like the the lace and pearls, to decorate the bridal purse. I've even seen where they will use your mother's wedding dress material as the inside lining of the bridal purse - so special! These little beauties are so cute, I can't get enough! Above photo credit: heirloom clutch made from Mom's wedding dress handmade by Juniper and Lace ******** Above photo credit: bridal purse made from Mom's wedding dress handmade by JemDesign 567 I love the idea of having a bridal purse or clutch made using your mother's wedding dress material. This is truly a keepsake that you can save for after your wedding and use as an evening bag or fancy clutch for a special date night out. Every time you use your bridal purse from your wedding, you'll not only remember your wedding day, but you'll be taking a piece of your mom with you. Love this! 8.) Bridal Veil If you're thinking of ways to reusing your mom's weding dress on your wedding day besides wearing her dress just as she did, consider turning your mother's wedding dress into a bridal veil for you. This option is so beautiful and special, I almost can't stand it! If you don't want to wear your mom's wedding dress, but she's saved it all these years for you to make use of now that you're getting married, I love the idea of having her dress turn into a custom bridal veil. Your mom's dress reimagined into a custom bridal eil works well if there is lace on your mom's dress, perhaps around the hem or down the back. Or perhaps your mom's wedding dress has lace all over it. Your bridal seamstress can cut off the lace and repurpose it into a gorgeous and special bridal veil for your wedding day. We have our own curated list of where to show for unique bridal veils, but if you're looking for something a little more personalized, we are obsessed with deMelis Atelier's work to turn mother's wedding dresses into bridal veils. She is by far the best bridal seamstress in New England, but just like me with the custom wedding garters, you can simply ship your mom's dress to her and she will turn it into a one-of-a-kind bridal veil made from you mother's wedding dress. (I've even shipped her wedding dress after I'm done making a wedding garter!) Above photo credit: custom bridal veil made from Mom's wedding dress handmade by deMelis Atelier 9.) Custom Sneakers Ok, so this idea is more for what to do with your mom's bridal veil and not so much with her wedding dress, but I'm so obsessed with it that I have to share. What about using your mom's, your grandmother's or your aunt's bridal veil to make a custom pair of bridal sneakers!? Yes, a pair of super fun bridal sneakers can be made with your mother's wedding veil. Above photo credit: custom bridal sneakers made from Mom's wedding veil handmade by deMelis Atelier Custom bridal sneakers from your mom's wedding veil would be perfect to wear on your wedding day. They would be so comfortable and give you one less thing to worry about! Plus with most wedding dresses, you're wearing a huge ball gown style skirt so no one would know that you'e wearing sneakers with your bridal dress - unless you wanted them too because your bridal sneakers were made with pieces from your mom's wedding veil! You could wear bridal sneakers from mom's dress or veil them all day long from start to finish, of you could wear bridal heels or fancier shoes for there ceremony (or when you're feet can't take it anymore!), and change into your custom bridal sneakers from your mom's wedding veil after your ceremony is over for the reception or after party. You know, for all of that dancing! Can you just imagine doing a quick outfit change, pulling your hair into a fun bridal pony tail, and coming out in an adorable after party dress and a cute pair of custom sneakers made from your mom's bridal veil for your after party! I just love it! If you only have your mom's wedding dress or there's not a lot of detail on her bridal veil, fear not! You can still have custom bridal sneakers made - or any of the items that I've outlines here in this post about unique ways to reuse your mom's wedding dress. Many vintage wedding dresses have flowers or pieces of lace that could be added to sneakers. It all depends on the style of wedding dress or bridal veil that you have from your mother or grandmother to work with. I tell my brides all the time - what you have will determine what's possible with your heirloom wedding dress! If you need some inspiration, we've curated this list of the best custom bridal sneakers and where to shop for them, but they aren't as cute at the custom bridal sneakers made from your mom's veil from deMelis Atelier. We are obessed to say the least! DIY Bridal Sneakers from Mother's Wedding Veil As far as wedding DIY's go, this one isn't too bad. All you need is a plain pair of white sneakers, a hot glue gun and some imagination. To DIY this option of making a custom pair of sneakers from your mom's bridal veil, you simply have to pull or cut off the flowers and details from the crown of her veil and hot glue them on to plain white pair of sneakers. The best kind of sneakers are canvas or something that you can hot glue items onto. I wouldn't recommend leather or faux leather shoes for this project, as it might be difficult for the hot glue to stick! Depending on the look and style of your mother's bridal veil will determine what your bridal sneakers will look like. It's hard for me to tell you what exactly to do because each bridal veil is different. If it has faux flowers or pieces of lace at the crown, those are pieces that you can pull or cut off and hot glue onto your plain canvas sneakers. In most vintage bridal veils or crowns, like what your mother probably wore on her wedding day, the lace pieces were glued on, so you'll have to carefully peel them off. If her bridal veil crown has faux flowers or sparkles or crystals, you can do your best to cut them off to arrange on your bridal sneakers. The sky is the limit to design your bridal sneakers from your mom's wedding dress. You can make them match by placing the same exact pieces on each sneaker or you can have them be mismatched. I recommend focusing on your detail on the outside of the shoe, the back of the shoe and the top of the toe area, instead of the inside. Start with just a little dab of the hot glue directly onto the lace piece, flower or whatever you want to put onto the sneaker and then press it onto the sneaker. Once it hardens after about a minute, you can add more glue to secure the item in place. You might also like the 3-D, texturized look of pieces moving while you walk! Lastly, be sure to let your hot glue dry fully and completely before trying the bridal sneakers on. With the hot glue you can get little "hairs" or strings of glue that hang off of your project, so when it fully dries you can pull off the stray pieces of glue that might be dangling off. Also, don't wear the shoe while you're gluing the pieces on - that's just a recipe for getting burned! Above photo credit: plain white platform sneakers sold by Sernial store via Amazon Above photo credit: cordless hot glue gun sold by Surebonder store via Amazon You can make laces too! If you want to get extra fancy, you can consider making shoe laces for your bridal sneakers from your mom's bridal veil. Simply cut a long, thin piece of tulle and gently thread it through the holes to the sneakers to make laces. Then repeat this process for the other shoe. As a pro tip from someone who has cut hundreds for bridal veils in my day, I would first take out the laces that came with the shoes that you purchased, and lay the laces out along the tulle so that you know how much tulle to cut. Even though laces are thin, I would cute tulle at least a 2 inches wide so that it doesn't tear when you're threading it through the sneakers. Tulle will stretch, depending on which way you cut it. But, that's OK! When you tie your bow, cut off any ends that are too long. I'd rather see you cut too much vs. too little because you can always trim off the extra ends. The same with the tulle width, if you find that it is too thick, you can always undo your laces, and trim off a little bit to make your laces thinner and more delicate. But, you don't want to start out with a piece that is too thin because you can't add more tulle. You'll have to cut another piece and with the vintage bridal veil from your mom, you might not have enough of a long piece of tulle for lots of mistakes and re-dos. My last tips for making custom tulle shoe laces from your mom's bridal veil is to cut the tulle for first shoe lace and thread it through the sneakers before you cut the second piece. Like I said above, you only have so much of your mother's bridal veil to work with, so it's best to cut just a little bit first to see how you like it before cutting the second piece of tulle for the shoe lace. 10.) Bomber Jacket If you're looking and searching for the absolute most unique way to reusing your mother's wedding dress, it is to turn it into a bridal bomber jacket. Yes, a bomber jacket that you can wear anytime you want to feel fancy and close to your mother. I'm excited just sharing this totally unique and ultra creative way to repurpose your mother's wedding dress. Our friend at deMelis Atelier - the best bridal dress seamstress in the Connecticut, New York area and New England - is by far the most creative and talented seamstress that I know. And what's more, she's totally chic and knows what real brides in the real world actually want to wear. A bridal bomber jacket is a lovely and thoughtful way to reuse your mother's wedding dress and its completely stylish too! Above photo credit: bridal bomber jacket made from Mom's wedding dress handmade by deMelis Atelier You can wear your bridal bomber jacket any day of the week or for a special night out post wedding, but leading up to your wedding, we love a bridal bomber jacket made from your mom's wedding dress for wearing to your bridal shower, your wedding's rehearsal dinner or night before wedding welcome party. You know for those times before the wedding when you want to feel like "the bride" but not wear your actual wedding dress. On the wedding day, you could wear your bridal bomber jacket at your wedding reception, or do an outfit change and come out with a cute short wedding dress or bridal jumpsuit and a custom bridal bomber jacket. So many options and ways that you be wear and rewear a custom bridal bomber jacket made from your mother's wedding dress. A custom bomber jacket is also an awesome way to reuse your own wedding dress after your wedding, but that's a whole other post for a whole other day! We're just talking about mother's wedding dresses here. 11.) Wedding Morning Bridal Robe Have you thought about what you're going to wear on your wedding morning to get ready? We have a collection of where to shop for pretty bridal robes, or matching rompers and PJ sets for bride and bridesmaid (cue amazing getting ready with your girls photos!), BUT if you're hoping to make your wedding morning even more personal, consider turning your mom's wedding dress into a bridal robe. Yes, that's right, you can have your mother's wedding dress reimagined into a beautiful wedding morning keepsake that you can wear again and again - even after your wedding day is over. Just imagine those beautiful wedding morning photos of you getting ready for your big day in a super special robe made from your mother's wedding dress. We're getting teary eye just thinking about it! Once again, the bridal seamstress with the mostest, deMelisAtelier, is able to expertly turn your mom's wedding dress into a beautiful robe for your wedding morning. Above photo credit: bridal robe made from Mom's wedding dress handmade by deMelis Atelier While a bridal robe isn't for every mother's wedding dress, it's definitely great for those of you who have lots (and lots!) of material from your mom's wedding dress. Over the years, I've had brides and mother's send me just bits and pieces of what they have left from their vintage wedding dress to make a custom wedding garter. A bridal robe is not for you, if you don't have lots of material to work with. But, for those of you who have those huge 1980's wedding dresses with lots of satin, pearls and lace, a bridal robe could be such a special and creative way to reuse your mother's wedding dress. ******** Video: Ways To Reuse Your Mother's Wedding Dress I've given you so much info in this post, like a lot! There are many ways to reuse your mom's wedding dress, so I decide to break it all down into a quick video for you, if you are the watching type. Check this out if you like to watch your wedding advice instead of read... If this video doesn't show up, click here. ******* Will you reuse or repurpose your mother's wedding dress? Will you wear your mom's wedding dress, but alter it to fit you for your rehearsal dinner or another wedding adjacent event? What other ways are there to use your mother's wedding dress that I haven't listed here? I'm a mom myself, and I can't wait to work with my daughter and future daughter's in law to let them repurpose my wedding dress into whatever they can dream of! I hope that this post full of sentimental and creative ways to reimagine your mom's wedding dress inspired you. More importantly, I hope that it gave you the confidence to cut your wedding dress or let it take on a new life as something special for your family. I'd be so honored to work with you to create a new family heirloom that your entire family will cherish for generations to come. You can contact The Garter Girl or make a request for a custom wedding garter design. if custom isn't your thing, you can shop our full wedding heirloom and garter collection for ready-to-ship wedding garters. With so much love, The Garter Girl Some of the above product links are affiliate-connected and purchasing through these links helps to support the blog. >

Elegant design evening wrap made with holder flower style. You can look dress up on this shawl even with simple dress. Mother of the bride shawl. Shoulder cover up. Mother of the bride cover up. Bridal cover up. Bridesmaid shawl. Wedding shawl bridesmaid. Shawl has adjustable flower holder which easy to adjust on shoulders as needs. Fabric - sheer organza. {{ SIZE : whole length 90" ,width 20"}} {{ CARE: warm water hand wash , hang up to dry, low temperature iron! }} COLORS: keep in mind that colors of images may look slightly different according to specifics of your monitor’s settings. ALL SALES ARE FINAL ! Visit shop to find more colors www.etsy.com/shop/lolablooming?ref=ss_profile§ion_id=7563906 COLOR: keep in mind that colors of images may look slightly different according to specifics of your monitor’s settings. It is available to order the swatch of fabric before make order, to make sure the color will match to your outfit https://www.etsy.com/listing/697507815/swatch?ref=shop_home_active_12&frs=1 Ready to ship in 5-7 days. SHIPPING: Canada: -Orders are shipped via Canada Post (standard service). -Delivery estimated in 3-10 business days. United states: -Orders are shipped via Canada Post (with tracking). -Delivery estimated in 8-14 business days. -Please, include your phone number for shipping. International: -Orders are shipped via Canada post . -Delivery *estimated* in 16- 25 business days. Express shipping is expect, contact me before place order. Once a parcel is sent I have absolutely no control over it. Delays at Customs are rare but occasionally happen, so please place your order at least 4 weeks before your occasion. Due to COVID 19 situation, Canada Post and USPS are currently experiencing a longer wait time and are not guaranteeing ship times. Thank you for your patience during this time.

Looking for some of the best mother of the bride dresses for your daughter’s special day? You’ve come to the right place!

Looking for some mother-of-the-bride (or groom) dress inspiration? You're in luck. Check out what these stylish women wore when their kids tied the knot.

So, you’re eyeballing the below photo and thinking, “Wow, that’s some seriously elegant hair!” I totally get it – it’s my favorite style too: Why? Because it’s the perfect blend of sophistication and…

30. Intertwined Short Hair Updo. You might not believe that this delicate bridal look was created on above-the-shoulder hair, but the length is really sufficient to arrive at a voluminous top and a bunch of twists in the back. So, whether your hair is short or long, worn up or down, there are plenty of …

Because having her by your side is everything.

Explore the best mother of the bride makeup ideas, along with tips for the mother of the groom. Find expert advice for a flawless look!

Fabric: 100%Polyester. The fabric is comfortable for skin. Package Contents: : 1x Women Dress. Occasion: Whether you are dressing it for a wedding party, prom, evening party or any other occasions, this sophisticated dress will be your lovely partner.

Remember earlier this week when I shared with you a collection of the most sophisticated summer citrus wedding inspiration that you ever did see? With that elegance and modern bridal style in mind, I'm sharing a round up of citrus inspiration wedding decor and ideas from Etsy in this installment of Garter Girl Loves. When you think "citrus" often the […]

It's a big day for you too mom, so you deserve to look like a million bucks! These hairstyles will do the trick and help you celebrate your daughter's wedding in style.

Gather your bridal crew and wedding party, because I have the world's easiest and, dare I say, most fun, wedding DIY project to share with you! This is a free download for you to make your own wedding dress shopping voting signs for when you and your bridesmaids go shopping! Now, your closest family and friends who you choose to bring along with you wedding dress shopping appointment can give their opinion with these super cute, Instagram-worthy signs and all you have to is download and print them out! So exciting, I know! Have you ever seen those pictures on social media, Instagram and on wedding blogs of brides shopping with their bridesmaids and their family, and the entire bridal crew has these cute little signs where everyone can vote on the dresses that they love and don't love? How about those fun and super adorable "I said yes to the dress" signs that brides hold up when they finally find "the one"? Where do they get these signs? Well, I've got the ultimate hook up for you - for free! You can have those fun and funny votings signs for your wedding dress shopping outings as a free wedding planning download right here! Even though I hand make wedding garters, I love all things wedding fashion just like you. Think of it as my little gift to you and your wedding besties! Finding your dream wedding dress can be stressful and I just want to make wedding dress shopping fun for everyone - even the bride! I designed six different signs that you can download with this wedding dress shopping voting sign right here and print at home for free. (My download PDF also includes instructions for how to make your signs should you want to make them cute with little sticks!) There are signs for your bridesmaids or whoever came wedding dress shopping with you, and there is one sign for you when you finally find the wedding dress of your dreams! The bridal dress shopping appointment voting signs say: Hell to the no! Thats' the one! OMG Yes! Love, love, love it! Total yikes! Hmmmm maybe! Hard pass! I said yes to the dress! These wedding dress shopping appointment voting signs are for your mom, your aunt, your friend, and/or your bridesmaids to cast their vote on the bridal dresses as you try them on. They don't even have to say it, they can just hold up a vote sign! And, the last sign in this free wedding printable set, that one's for you, the bride, for when you've found the wedding dress that you are going to wear on your big day! Click here for the free wedding dress shoppoing voting signs printable to have the download and instructions emailed right to you. Below are some instructions, but, really all you have to do is get the email, open the download and print. Even if you aren't the crafty type, I pinky promise that this is the easiest and free-est wedding DIY project on the planet! HOW TO MAKE WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING VOTING SIGNS: You'll Need: Here are the items that you'll need to have on hand to make your dress shopping voting signs, plus links to some of my personal favorite craft supplies that will make it a whole lot easier for you. Wedding planning is hard enough, take the easy way out!) Computer Printer 4 Pieces 8.5 X 11 card stock Scissors or paper cutter Tape or glue (or glue dots) 8 Craft sticks Directions: 1. Click HERE to Download the Free Wedding Dress Shopping Voting Signs for free. Helpful Hints: This is a PDF document that will be emailed to you. So, once you sign up, go check your email. Once you click "download," you will find it wherever your downloads are stored on your computer. 2. Print the document you just downloaded Helpful Hints: Make sure that your printer is set to "landscape" to ensure that the document prints properly. The heavier the card stock or thickness of your paper, the better. You can certainly print the signs on plain printer paper and have your bridesmaids, friends, or family hold the paper signs up to cast their vote. You do not need to use the craft sticks to make signs! But, if you do want to use the craft sticks to make the signs like I did in the pictures on this blog post, you will need paper that is thicker than regular printer paper, called "card stock," so that the signs don't flop. These voting signs are designed with three different colors (gray, black and blue). If you want to save printer ink, be sure to check "black & white only" on your printer settings. If you don't want to print out the first page of instructions, make sure to set your printer to only print pages 2 - 4. 3. Cut out each sign design Helpful Hints: There are five pieces of paper in the download. The first page is instructions, which you don't need to print out (see hint above). Each page after the first page has two separate voting signs that you will need to cut apart. Cut down the middle and along the gray edges to form a border for your signs. Cut free hand with a pair of scissors or use a paper cutter for nice straight lines. 4. Secure your signs to craft sticks Helpful Hints: This is where you can get creative! But, you don't have to, since this is a DIY project for the non-crafty type! To turn your printed voting cards into handheld signs for your wedding dress shopping guests to vote, you'll need to attach each card to a craft stick. You may use popsicle sticks, straws, tongue depressors, paint stirrer sticks, and more. (I like these jumbo craft sticks and these glue dots that are easy and affordable to purchase on Amazon!) For the signs our photos, we used jumbo craft sticks with rounded edges found on Amazon. We taped the sticks to the back of each sign using clear packaging tape. And that's it! So super simple! Just download the weddign dress shopping voting signs right here, print and pass them out when you go wedding dress shopping with your wedding party, family and friends! ****** Will you promise to send me pictures ([email protected]) of you and your bridesmaids and family with the signs!? Better yet, you can tag me on Instagram @gartergirl or use my hashtag #tooprettytotoss! I can't wait to see you using the voting signs! And, I can't wait to see you with your "I said yes to the dress" sign because that means that you found the most amazing wedding dress! Remember, you can find a wedding heirloom to love forever in my wedding garter and bridal accessories shop. If you have any more garter questions, check out my garter 101 blog series or find all of my wedding planning advice here on my blog. Some of the above product links are affiliate-connected and purchasing through these links helps to support the blog.

Dreamy and romantic, the beautiful B2 Bridesmaid B203001 Poly-Chiffon High-Low Wrap Dress is the perfect choice for any bride who is after that ideal fairytale wedding. This feminine piece is designed with an ultra-flattering wrap silhouette that features a fitted bodice and a flared skirt with a modern high-low hemline. The wrap front creates a slimming v-neckline with delicate tapered spaghetti straps, accenting the shoulders perfectly and drawing the eye towards their glowing smile. A bow tie accent at the natural adds a further slimming effect, giving the wearer a beautiful hourglass shape. This effect plays perfectly with the cascading ruffles along the hemline for a dazzling touch of movement as they walk. And thanks to the wide variety of colors and sizes readily available to choose from, this dress is perfect for any modern bride who also happens to be a hopeless romantic!Features of B2 B203001:Poly-chiffon fabricationV-necklineTapered spaghetti strapsRuching at the bodiceBow closure at the waistOpen backHidden zipper closureA-line silhouetteFitted natural waistlineDelicate ruffles along the edge of the skirtMultiple color options and sizes available

Wedding planning with your future mother in law doesn't have to result in bad blood. Check out 7 mistakes brides should avoid at SheFinds.com.

I bet every girl is expecting her “big day” to come. First, you will need a perfect hairstyle to compliment your gorgeous wedding dress. As we all know, most of the wedding hairstyles are featured with the long wavy tresses. But if you are a short hair girl, we’ll also

How much say should a bride's mother have in her daughter's wedding planning?

Find beautiful wedding hairstyles for short hair. Short bridal hairstyles that are perfect for your wedding day.

They say that looking into the details is the secret to having a successful wedding event. Part of these important details is your wedding reception decoration.

Style No. 63317507; Color Code: 037 Silky and off-the-shoulder, the Amsale Pryce Satin Column Gown evokes elegance and simplicity while ensuring easy movement. The asymmetrical draped neckline falls to sleeves that gently land at the elbow, offering an ideal amount of coverage. Fitted at the waist and hips and cascading down to the floor, this gown makes a stunning option for mothers of the bride or groom. Polyester; full polyester lining Satin maxi dress column silhouette Invisible back zipper Asymmetrical off-shoulder neckline Draped bodice Professionally clean Imported

You can click on an image to expand it.

Updated: Are you looking for a formal and elegant hairstyle for your wedding? Then the adorable wedding updo hairstyles will be your ideal option. They will give you a gorgeous hair look and make you be the center of attention along with your long wedding dress on that day. No

Planning an outdoor wedding? Hosting your wedding outside can offer some great opportunities beyond the open air atmosphere of your venue. Utilizing nature no matter what type of venue location you choose can make your outdoor wedding a gorgeous event. There's something amazing about being able to mingle with guests outdoors in the fresh air. More and more weddings are moving outdoors and we are here for it and ready to help! Stick around with us in today's wedding planning advice post, because we are talking all things outdoor weddings with helpful tips and advice you can't find elsewhere. Plus, you'll find the ultimate outdoor wedding shopping guide to save you time and money on your wedding - you're welcome! Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Macrame Wedding Curtain Made by: PAINIAVA*********** Outdoor weddings can range in size and theme. Depending on your venue location, outdoor weddings can truly be unique. Mountain weddings, beach weddings, desert weddings, backyard weddings, and outdoor garden weddings are some popular outdoor wedding destinations that can instantly spark your wedding theme based on their location. Tips for Planning An Outdoor Wedding What about planning your outdoor nuptials? Don't look at outdoor weddings as a challenge. With an experienced wedding planner and some top wedding planning tips for your outdoor venue, you'll have a beautiful wedding day with ah-maz-ing wedding photos! (Yes, we said, wedding planner! A planner is a must for any wedding, but especially an outdoor wedding!) For everything you need to know about planning an outdoor wedding, don't miss our wedding planning advice. You'll love these top tips... #1 - Find Your Venue, Embrace It & Use Nature To Your Advantage You've likely chosen your outdoor venue because of the space, the beauty and the potential. So let it live up to that potential! Accentuate it by using outdoor wedding decor that compliments your space and incorporates the natural beauty of your outdoor wedding location. Add in some beautiful wedding flowers, create a beautiful backdrop for exchanging your vows, and even hang lanterns from the trees! When you're outdoors, you really need to go for it and embrace your surroundings! The best part of outdoor weddings is that you will likely have multiple views or backdrop options, so simply by turning around or turning the corner, you have whole set of new view options. And you know we love options! #2 - Provide Your Guests With Little Luxuries Make sure your guests are comfortable and enjoying your outdoor wedding day with those little touches that make all the difference. For the ladies, provide heel protectors so their heels don't sink into the grass, or flip flops for the beach. You could offer pashminas or blankets to keep them warms in the cooler, fall months, especially when the sun goes down. Umbrellas are nice for blocking the sun. For all your guests, provide bug spray, if there's a chance you'll have some insects joining your soiree. (Hello, noseeums at dusk!). In addition the little extras, we also love offering water or lemonade or even a self-serve drink station off to the side will go a long way to ensuring your guests' comfort. Could you imagine a make-your-own hot chocolate bar for your guests to do while they are waiting for your ceremony or during cocktail hour?! These little luxuries can be in the form of a wedding favor that they can take home with them or something you rent. Whatever you decide, just make sure to think of all the little scenarios that might come up so your guests will feel as comfortable as possible outside. #3 - Tell Your Guests With Wedding Signage Placing signs throughout your outdoor wedding venue and outside wedding space can be so helpful for your guests. Your guests will appreciate the guidance with signs saying "welcome to our wedding" and signs to show guests where to find drinks, seating, and restrooms. Outdoor weddings can be spread out amongst your venue so you'll want to let guests know exactly where to find what they're looking for and what you're offering at your wedding. Opt for custom wedding signs that speak to your venue! There are sign options for mountain weddings, beach weddings, vineyard weddings, etc. or incorporate your wedding theme or color palette on your signs for a minimalist wedding style. Signs can be fun to display your wedding hashtag. (If you want more, don't miss this post we did on creative wedding hashtags!) Signs can also be really helpful such as reminding your guests to wear their face mask and use hand sanitizer. #4 - Light The Way For A Magical Evening Setting When the sun goes down ensure your wedding still lights up the night! Use creative lighting for your outdoor wedding to keep things bright enough to see each other and create a magical setting. Outdoor lights don't have to be expensive, a simple strand or two of cafe lights or twinkle lights can go a long way. You can also do candles, candles in bags, and spot lights. Be sure to properly light walk ways and paths to get to the bathroom or cars. (This is where a bucket of flashlights might come in handy too!) Sparklers are a great wedding exit option for an end cap to your wedding night. Everyone loves a sparkler exit! #5 - Make It Fun & Keep Guests Entertained Outdoor weddings allow for your wedding to spread out and add lots of fun that you can't do inside. Make use of your outdoor space to include various areas for different activities for your wedding guests. There is something about being outside in nature that relaxes everyone and will loosen them up to have a good time and play games. To keep your guests entertained, include some fun areas with wedding lawn games, bubbles for kids, s'mores or cigar bars, and so much more. I can see all of your guests gathered around the fire pit now! Outdoor Wedding Shopping Guide, Inspiration & Ideas You've chosen the venue for your outdoor wedding and started planning. Now is the time to be inspired with creative ideas for your outdoor wedding. Hosting your guests at an outside wedding allows you to offer a range of decor and activities for guests to enjoy. Here are some of our favorite outdoor wedding ideas from Etsy to get you inspired, plus the ultimate outside wedding shopping guide so you'll know where to find all of these treasures for your special day. Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Fairy Lights Curtain Made by: Your Decor Domain*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Mountain Wedding Welcome Sign Made by: Nicole Crisp Designs*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Personalized Wedding Aisle Runner Made by: Simply Unique UK*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Copper Arch Wedding Seating Chart Made by: A Collection Off*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Custom Fabric Calligraphy Banner Made by: Paper Case Studio*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Terracotta Wedding Aisle Decor Made by: Your Decor Domain*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: String Light Pole Stands Made by: IYN Stands*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Wedding Light Ribbon Wands Made by: Lighted Wedding Wands*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Bug Spray and Sunscreen Sign Made by: Whimsical White Fox*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Macrame Outdoor Swing Made by: Macramama*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Papel Picado Outdoor Wedding Banner Made by: Vintage Babydoll*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Custom Wedding Cornhole Boards Made by: Buddys Boards AZ*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Sparklers Tag Made by: Precious Moments Chic*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Ice Cream Bar Sign Made by: Red Heart Creations*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Outdoor Wedding Aisle Runner Made by: Fantasy Fabric Designs*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Tree Hanging Lights Made by: Long Fairy Lights*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: LED String Lights Bottle Decor Made by: Electric Crowns*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Champagne Tablecloth Made by: Jessmy*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Biodegradable Confetti Made by: That Party Chick*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Vintage Tee Pee Made by: Tucson Tee Pee*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: To Have and To Hold In Case You Get Cold Sign Made by: Art and Soul Shoppe*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Wedding Smores Bar Made by: Blank Canvas By Potter*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Outdoor Wedding Directional Sign Made by: Lizzie and Co Designs*********** Shop this outdoor wedding idea: Cigar Bar Wood Sign Made by: Lizzie and Co Designs*********** There you have it! Tips, ideas and inspiration for your outdoor wedding. Be it a backyard wedding, mountainside wedding, or beach wedding, take full advantage of your outdoor venue with these wedding planning ideas for outside spaces. For more of my wedding ideas and inspirations, be sure to check out my Garter Girl Loves blog series and you can see all of my wedding garter designs right here. With love, The Garter Girl Some of the above product links are affiliate-connected and purchasing through these links helps to support the blog.

As the mother of the bride, all eyes will be on you during your daughter’s special day. Finding the right makeup to complement your dress and flatter your features can be tricky. You want a look that…

Do you have thin hair and wonder what hairstyle would match you? Check out our list of amazing wedding hairstyles for thin hair for every bride!

Have you ever considered a secret wedding? Are you stressed out with wedding planning and just want to be married already? Today, we're talking all about secret weddings, the pros and cons of getting married in secret, and how to plan a secret wedding. If you're thinking about it, you're on the fence or your ready to go "all in" on a secret wedding, you're in the right spot and we're going to talk about it all! Different from a small wedding, mico wedding or even an announced wedding elopement, we're talking when couples secretly wed and then spill the beans later! (Cue, JLo and Ben Affleck in Vegas!) There's something so special about a secret wedding, because a secret wedding is all about you and your partner marrying. Secret weddings have so many positives, but that doesn't mean it's all easy, so be sure to take the time necessary to make this decision and make the decision together as a couple. Not sure if a secret wedding is right for you? Intrigued by the idea of a secret wedding? We're here to provide you with our top wedding planning advice for planning a secret wedding. Actually, we're here with advice for considering a secret wedding, deciding on a secret wedding and planning a secret wedding! Shop this Secret Wedding Essential: Let The Adventure Begin Ring BoxMade by: MUUJEE ************ What Is A Secret Wedding? You might be wondering is a secret wedding. Is that even a thing!? We get it! Between mini weddings, micro wedding, small weddings, intimate weddings and elopements, that's a lot of different wedding types. It can be confusing as to all of the different definitions in the wedding world, especially when it comes to the size of wedding. A secret wedding is, well, secret and no one knows about it before it happens. A secret wedding is when two people are married without any of their friends or family knowing about their wedding prior to them being married. There might be outside people who know about a couple's secret wedding in advance of it happening, such as an officiant, photographer or even a wedding planner to help with logistics, but when it comes to a secret wedding it usually means that no one in in the couple's immediate circle knows about the wedding until after their are officially married. Maybe the couples went to the courthouse, to a restaurant or to their backyard, it doesn't necessarily matter where or when it happens, a secret is all about how it happens and who knows about it, or not, in advance. Are you thinking abut a secret wedding? Here are some things to consider that might help you make your decision and stay turned because after this, we're going to give you lots of ideas and even more advice if you've decided to get married in secret... Why Should I Consider A Secret Wedding? There are many reasons why a couple would choose to get married in secret. Those reasons to get married on the down low are, obviously, so personal and vary from couple to couple. If you're thinking about it, be sure to take some time to think about why a secret wedding would be important to you and what you are hoping to gain. Do you just want to be married already? Do you not have the time or mental space to deal with all of the wedding planning drama? Do you not want to spend the money or energy on planning a bigger wedding? When you get married in secret, it's the ultimate in getting married on your own terms. You're free from outside influence, distractions and opinions. The only opinion that matters with a secret wedding is yours and your partner's. With a secret wedding the focus is on the act of getting married and nothing else. No flowers, no cake, no guests, no nothing distracting you and your partner from doing what you came to do and that is get married. What Will We Miss Out On If We Choose To Do A Secret Wedding? If you're worried that getting married in secret you might miss out on somethings. And, you're not wrong to give what you'll miss out on by not having a bigger wedding some thought and consideration. There's something to be said for taking a vow or marriage in front of your friends and family and quite literally feeling their support behind you. When you get married in secret, you miss out on looking around and having a visual representation of all of the people who love and support you and your partner's journey together. If getting married in secret is something you're thinking about, be sure to all what you'll miss out on to your pro/con list. It's important to give attention to both sides of the secret wedding. Is A Secret Wedding Easier Than Planning A 'Traditional' Wedding? Many couples thing that planning a wedding secret is so simple and so easy. After all, the idea of no drama and the ease of planning might be a huge factor in your decision to have a secret wedding in the first place. In many ways, you'll find a secret wedding to be easier in terms of less things to take care of...but don't be misled, there's still work to be done even with a secret wedding! Even with a secret wedding, effort is still required on your part and, yes, sometimes there is drama. There is a certain level of work that you'll have to put in to make whatever arrangements need to be made, to find something to wear and to book whatever vendors you want. Maybe you want to go to a location to get married and you'll need an officiant and a marriage license to make it official - and all of this will require planning. You might need some time off of work, which will require planning ahead. You might want a photographer to be present and a place to go to dinner or a celebratory drink afterwards. The details of a secret wedding can be less dramatic because you don't have to deal with the outside opinions of others like family or friends, but it still requires work on your part to make arrangements. And then, yes, you might face some drama after it's done from those that wanted to be there with you to support you. You might have to explain to your family and friends that you got married in secret and be ready to answer all the questions and you might have to defend your choice. You aren't exempt from work and from drama just because you got married in secret. What If I Regret The Decision To Forgo The 'Traditional' Wedding? Are you worried that is you get married in secret you might regret your choice or you'll be unhappy in the long run? When it comes to a secret wedding, you'll always wonder 'what if' so even if you make a choice to get married in secret, there's always a wedding anniversary party or time later, after the fact to have a larger wedding celebration. The good part about weddings is that aren't once and done anymore, between anniversaries and larger wedding receptions after a secret wedding, you can keep the celebration going for as long as you want. Make your choice for a secret wedding (or not) and don't second guess yourself. When you're calm and not frustrated or overwhelmed, write your reasons for a secret wedding down so that when you doubt yourself, you can always refer back to your written reasons to remind yourself fo why you're doing what you're doing. Our Best Tip For A Secret Wedding And our top tip when planning a secret wedding...make the choice for a secret wedding (or not) together, as a team. You have to both be on board with whatever decisions you make, otherwise that's how resentment starts. You and your partner need to make the choice together. You can make your pro/con lists separately, of course, but it is important that you come together and make the choice for the size and type of wedding that you'll have as a unit. When one partner starts compromising too much and giving up or feeling left out of the decisions, then resentment and hurt feelings can settle it. A secret wedding is a big deal and it does come with drama and work, as we've discussed, so it is important that both partners are 100 percent on board. Consider this a good prep for married life together! ****** Shop this Secret Wedding Essential: Short Wedding Dress With Tulle SleevesMade by: Zinare ************ So, after you've spent time considering a secret wedding...and now you've made the decision together to have your own secret wedding...let's get planning! This is the fun part, if we don't mind saying so ourselves! Just because you're getting married in secret doesn't mean that you get to skip out on all the fun of the wedding planning. When a secret wedding, you just get to miss out on other people's outside opinions....and that's a good thing! Planning A Secret Wedding Yes, a secret wedding means less of the traditional wedding planning tasks like bridal showers, bachelorette parties, bridesmaids, etc. but that doesn't mean there aren't important planning to do to make your secret wedding a reality. (Remember, what we said earlier - just because you decide to get married in secret and not tell anyone, it doesn't mean you get out of doing some work!) Now, remember we're talking about planning a secret wedding where no one in your immediate circle knows about it until after its done, not a surprise wedding. (Although, a surprise wedding sounds like fun...we'll write a post about those another time! Stay tuned) ESSENTIALS & DATE What are the essentials for a secret wedding? First, the two of you! That's the most important part. Then, simply move on from there. Are you both free and available? Do you need to take off from work? You'll have to plan ahead for these logistics. You'll have to pick a date that works for both of you. Some of picking the date to get married might have to do with the venue or location, which we'll discuss next.... VENUE Where do you want to exchange vows? If you're having a secret wedding, or any size wedding for that matter, it's all about the venue or the location. You'll have to find a location to get married. Will it be at the courthouse? Your backyard? Does your location require travel or is it close to home? When it comes to a secret wedding, there are no rules to a wedding venue and you only need to find a venue that is big enough for two! LEGALITY There is the act of getting married, like saying your vows or exchanging rings, that is performative, meaning it doesn't matter legally and it can be different for each couple depending on what is meaningful to them. But, there is the legal aspect of getting married and becoming a union in the eyes of the law that probably the most important part of getting married. Between the dress and the reception and the flowers, the legal part of getting married often gets overlooked. Before you can be officially married, you'll need to look into the rules and regulations in your area. Many areas require a married license that you'll have to apply for and in some cases, pay for. Some areas require health screenings and/or waiting periods before issuing the marriage license. Be sure to check into the steps and fees to officially get married in your location to make sure that you and your partner are legally married when you want to be married. ATTIRE After your pick a venue and secure the steps of a marriage license you'll need something to wear, of course! Consider your attire for your secret wedding - maybe opt for a white mini dress and a short veil for a fun look that's still says "bride." A custom look for the groom that expresses your style is essential. And, don't forget a bridal bouquet and a boutonnière, those help make this wedding a wedding and separate from other special occasions or just another date night. MOMENTOS A secret wedding is the perfect opportunity to work on some really special personal vows to say to your partner. Be sure to document them as a wonderful keepsake from your secret wedding with vow books, a keepsake garter or pocket square and more. Just because you're getting married in secret doesn't mean you need to not remember it. Put some thought into the keepsakes that you want to show your family and friends in the future about your special day. Remember, they weren't there, so they will want to experience it all over again with you and a keepsake can help tell your wedding story. ANNOUNCEMENTS If you decide to get married and not tell or invite anyone that is a wonderful thing. But the next question is how do you want to tell people? When do you want to tell people? Or do you not want to tell anyone? The choice of who to tell and when is, obviously, yours, but you'll both need to give some thought in advance of your secret day as to how you'll let others know of your marriage. There is not right or wrong when it comes to tell people about your secret weddings, just be sure that you plan it out so that you aren't blurting it out or "spilling the beans" which can lead to hurt feelings. Secret Wedding Ideas & Where To Shop If you decided that a secret wedding is for you, we have some fun ideas for you. Let us share with you some of our favorite secret wedding essentials in a visual format to help you feel inspired and picture your own secret wedding day with this collection of secret wedding must-haves from Etsy... Shop this Secret Wedding Essential: Pencil Edge Short Bridal VeilMade by: Dareth Colburn Designs ************ Shop this Secret Wedding Essential: Cotton Men's Skinny TieMade by: Tie Mood ************ Shop this Secret Wedding Essential: Wedding Jumpsuit With Lace TrainMade by: Bliss Gown ************ Shop this Secret Wedding Essential: Bridal Bouquet with EucalyptusMade by: Evergreen Bride ************ Shop this Secret Wedding Essential: Luxury Ready To Ship Lace Wedding GarterMade by: The Garter Girl ************ Shop this Secret Wedding Essential: Wedding Vow Books Love LettersMade by: Olive Paperie Co ************ Shop this Secret Wedding Essential: Nothing Fancy Just Love Marriage AnnouncementMade by: Behr Printables ************ Shop this Secret Wedding Essential: We're Married Announcement SignMade by: LLD Design Studio ************ Shop this Secret Wedding Essential: Unity Candle SetMade by: Blush and Charcoal ************ Shop this Secret Wedding Essential: Handwriting Water Bottle Wedding GiftMade by: LAMOSE ************ Shop this Secret Wedding Essential: Fingerprint Necklace Wedding GiftMade by: MY MILLIE jewelry ************ Shop this Secret Wedding Essential: Custom Bride and Groom Oil PaintingMade by: Online Portrait ************ So, what do you think? Is a secret wedding for you? If you're not looking forward to all of the decisions that come along with a traditional wedding reception and planning (or those outside opinions on your wedding choices), or you're looking to plan an intimate exchange of vows with your partner, then a secret wedding might be just the right wedding for you. Looking for more inspiration for your wedding planning process? Check out the Garter Girl Loves series of blog posts or find all of my wedding planning advice here on my blog. With love, The Garter Girl Some of the above product links are affiliate-connected and purchasing through these links helps to support the blog.

It's time to thank your wedding planner! Each and every one of your wedding vendors plays an important part of your big day, but your wedding planner is the most crucial of them all. He or she helps pull everything together for a beautiful wedding day without the day-of stress for you! After all their hard work it's time to find the perfect wedding planner gift. Shop this Thank You Gift: Self Care Spa Gift Box Made by: Weddings and Favors********* We know many of you are thinking 'how should I thank my wedding planner' and looking for thank you gifts to give your wedding planner. From beautiful leather journals to wedding planner tool kits and beyond, in today's Garter Girl Loves post we've sourced a number of ideas for wonderful thank you gifts your wedding planner will love. These thank you gifts for wedding planners are all sourced from Etsy. Shop this Thank You Gift: Personalized Leather Journal Made by: Eco Engrave********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Quarter Zip Sweatshirt Embroidered With Company Logo Made by: Bash House********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Personalized Tote Bag with Company Logo Made by: Glam and Co Home********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Personalized Notepad To Do List Made by: The Swoon Paper Co********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Cheers Love Thank You Gift Basket Made by: Apple Blossom Baskets********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Personalized Stacking Bracelets Made by: GLDN x Layered and Long********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Custom Name Pens Made by: M Renee Art and Design ********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Day Organizer Planner Made by: Leaders in Heels********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Luxury Spa Gift Set Made by: Lizush********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Boss Babe Coffee Mug Made by: Milky Chic********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Monogramed Laptop Sleeve Case Made by: Joyful Tidings Bridal********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Personalized Charcuterie Boards Made by: Left Coast Original********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Custom Cutting Board Made by: Wood Be Mine********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Natural and Vegan Bath Bomb Made by: La Marcotterie ********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Leather Jewelry Case Made by: Made In Rose********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Relaxation Coloring Book Made by: my Ryve ********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Personalized Apple Watch Band Made by: Left Coast Original********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Personalized Marble Coasters Made by: Highway 29 Design Co********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Wedding Planner Is Here Shirt Made by: Stag and Peach Co********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Personalized Jewelry Display Made by: Tiny Cactus LLC********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Custom Leather Makeup Pouch Made by: SS Weddings********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Custom Business Logo Sign Made by: Labels R Us********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Personalized Swell Bottle Made by: Happily Ever Etched Inc********* Shop this Thank You Gift: Half Apron Embroidered with Company LogoMade by: For Home Atelier ********* With so many ways to say Thank You to your wedding planner you'll be able to choose something personalized just for them. We hope you love these customized, luxury and unique gift ideas for your wedding planner because they deserve it. Looking for more inspiration for your wedding planning process? Check out the Garter Girl Loves series of blog posts or find all of my wedding planning advice here on my blog. With love, The Garter Girl Some of the above product links are affiliate-connected and purchasing through these links helps to support the blog.

How much say should a bride's mother have in her daughter's wedding planning?

Are you the mother of the groom and looking for the best hairstyle? These top trending wedding hairstyles and updos are indeed a treat.