IT'S YOUR WEDDING - HAVE FUN WITH IT

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

You've been planning this day since you decided to share your life with your forever love, make sure you have fun with it! Add one or all of these fun ideas to your wedding make sure a great time is had by all.
 
 
Mix-matched Wedding Party
Think outside the box when it comes to selecting your wedding party. Maybe your groom is super close to his sister and prefers to have a Best Maid rather than a Best Man, or perhaps your BFF is a guy and has earned the title of Man of Honor in your wedding party. Don't be afraid to have your wedding party truly represent the relationships in your life. It's 2014 and it's perfectly acceptable for you to choose an all male or all female wedding party or any combination of the two. It's your day so it should be a true picture of your life and the special people in it. Terms like Bridesmen and Groomsmaids are gaining more popularity all the time.
 
 
 
 
Signature Drinks
Whether you are hosting a spiked or virgin event, creating a signature drink to serve to your honored guests is a fun idea and a great way to add a little pop of your personality to the affair. Your Signature Drink may have a story behind it that you could share with your friends and family like how you two created the concoction or it what was you ordered on your first date. Theres also an app for that...you can enter elements of your relationship and personalities and the drink that is right for you will be produced for you. The cocktail hour is a great time to serve these Signature drinks with an explanation for your guests. You can also have them served at the bar or passed all evening.
 
 
 
 
Midnight Snack
Last but not least, send them out with a smile. A great way to signal that the evening is drawing to a close is to serve a “midnight snack”. Although your party may not be rockin' till the stroke of 12, the idea of something a little extra after dessert to finish off the event is a fun way to say goodnight. Popular midnight snack ideas are milk and cookies, fries with special dipping sauces, ice cream, or popcorn. Pick something that speaks to you. This is a great place to get creative with packaging, too. Include a send off message thanking your friends and family with their special treat, and its sure to be talked about it for events yet to come.
 
 
 
 
Remember to have fun while planning the big day. The perfect combination of somber and celebration makes for a charmed affair. Happy Planning!

WHAT TO WEAR TO A SUMMER WEDDING: FOR HIM

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

So your summer calendar is once again filled weddings. What do you wear to these nuptials? Depending on the setting, and by following these simple rules, you'll be dressed to impress at each of the “I Do's.”
 
 
The City Wedding
If your loved ones are tying the knot in a city setting, a classic traditional look will serve you well. You can't go wrong with a dark suit and a classic shirt and tie. Keep it pretty formal and ad a pop of color with a great tie and/or pocket square. Check your invitation for mention of the event being black tie, if so, allow time to shop or rent a great tux to complete your look.
 
 
 
 
The Country Wedding
A country setting gives you more breathing room in your wardrobe choices. A light suit, even seer-sucker if you're inclined, is a great idea for a country wedding. Wear a more casual shirt, maybe in a gingham check or floral pattern without a tie. Have fun with accessories like hats and boldly colored pocket squares. Relax, you're in the country.
 
 
 
The Beach Wedding
The beach is the most causal setting for a summer wedding. So it goes that your wedding attire should follow suit. Wear cotton or linen pants and a light breezy shirt. A light jacket is a great way to dress your look up for the ceremony. Accessorize with a fun pocket square and shades are a must! Wear sandals that are easy to get on and off so you can slip them off if you like.
 
 
 
 
Above all, being comfortable with what you're wearing and dressing with confidence is always the ultimate fashion tip for any occasion. Be yourself and you'll look great!

WHAT TO WEAR TO A SUMMER WEDDING FOR HER PART I

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

This post originally appeared in The Budget Fashionista
 
 
It may not be your special day, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to look gorgeous. The problem is that what to wear to a summer wedding can be tricky. Because you shouldn’t have to stress out about a wedding that isn’t yours, we’ve put together some tips to ensure that you’ll turn heads while sticking to the dress code. Now all you’ve got to worry about is how to get that cute groomsman to dance with you.
 
 
What to Wear to a Summer Wedding: Basic Dos and Don’ts
 
Do Wear
 
 
Do
- Wear summer colors like turquoise, melon, strawberry, and kelly green
- Wear cute pumps and/or sandals for an inside wedding/reception
- Wear black (with color) to an evening wedding
- Wear something sexy- but tasteful
- Wear a linen pants suit
- Wear a cool straw hat
 
Don't Wear
 
 
 
Don’t
- Wear white, unless the bride requests it. People will talk about you (and not in a good way)
- Wear black to an afternoon/morning wedding. Pick something colorful
- Wear heels for an outside wedding/reception (your heel with get stuck in the grass)
- Wear ultra low cut dresses, short-short dresses, shorts. If you wouldn’t want your grandma to see you in it, then don’t wear it.
 
 
What to Wear to A Summer Wedding: Dressing Tips
 
 
Dress for the time and place
Afternoon ceremonies tend to be more casual than evening soirees, so first take into account what time the event is taking place. At noon, it’s perfectly appropriate to wear a summer sundress or pastel skirt, while at six, it’s more fitting to wear a satin or chiffon cocktail dress. Many weddings nowadays call for a wardrobe change between a low-key ceremony and fancy reception. Determine how much to dress up or down according to the time and venue of the event.
 
 
 
Afternoon Wedding
 
 
Evening Wedding
 
To Be Continued...

HOW TO HOST A BBQ WEDDING RECEPTION

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

There is nothing like a barbecue that says Southern hospitality and cuisine.  What a great idea for your summer nuptuials.  A wedding reception barbecue allows guests to kick back and enjoy great food in a welcoming atmosphere.  Some couples host a BBQ before the wedding as welcome dinner for out of town guests or as part of a themed shower.  A BBQ reception can be an affordable option for a couple on a budget or dressed up for a more event.  You have limitless options when planning your BBQ but might consider the following guidelines.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Select a date with the BBQ idea in mind.  This is Alabama.  It gets hotter than the face of the sun in July and August (and sometimes June and September).  If you're planning an outdoor shower or reception, you might want to plan for early summer or early fall so your guests don't melt or get eaten alive by mosquitos.
 
 
 
 
 
Choose a location depending on what type of wedding reception or shower you want.  For a casual gathering, the backyard of a friend or family member might work.  Want something a little more upscale?  Check out a public garden or venue.  Make sure you call and reserve your date.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Send invitations that indicate the type of reception or shower you're hosting.  Select stationery that keeps to the level of formality.  Be sure to include the word "BBQ" so guests know what to expect.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plan the food.  For a more casual gathering, you might choose to make some or all of the dishes yourself.  You might contact a caterer for a more formal event.  Definitely use some local flavor like offering multiple flavors of BBQ sauce.  Offer food that can be eaten with a fork and knife to keep it less messy.  Remember your vegetarian guests as well by offering a few meatless options.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Select your seating.  If you're going for casual buffet style with fewer than 50 guets, you might want to set up picnic tables and allow guests to select their own seat.  If the occasion is more formal, table assignments are a good idea.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Select favors that reflect your theme and personality.  Small bottles of BBQ sauce make adorable favors.  You might print labels with your wedding date or favorite romantic quote.  You can include a recipe from your party or even a message of apprectiation.
 
 
 
As a Southern gal, BBQ is part of your history.  Don't be afraid to embrace it for your wedding reception or shower.  As long as you stay true to your personality and theme, it can be a great option.  As always, don't hesitate to contact Mr. Burch for any of your wedding needs.

POPULAR ACCESSORIES FOR GROOMS AND GROOMSMEN

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Accessories are a great way to express personality through clothing. And they aren't just for the ladies on wedding day anymore. Guys can let everyone know who they really are and have fun with accessories while still keeping style in the forefront.

 

 

Ties:
While black tie isn't a must anymore, most wedding attire for men usually still includes a tie, and with all the options available now, no one will feel stuffy when sporting this dressy accessory. Tuxedos and suits can be accessorized with traditional long ties that either coordinate with the suit, or make a bold statement with color or pattern. Bow ties have also made a large comeback in recent years. Some wedding parties even represent their own personal style by choosing their own ties in a coordinating color or length but are slightly different from one another to celebrate the individual.

 

 

Pocket Squares:
The pocket square is another accessory that has made a recent comeback. The pocket square is a great way to add a pop of color. Guys can sport these accessories in the most traditional sense coordinating with one another and the overall color scheme of the wedding, or totally break away calling attention to each guy in their own unique way.

 

Fun Extras:
Accessories like cuff links, sunglasses, and splashy socks are a great way to get guys who aren't always on board with being dressed to the nines to relax into formal wear. These also make for the most fun photo ops. So, if you can assign a favorite super hero, sports team, color or pattern to each of the special guys that make up your wedding party, these fun choices are the way to go.

 

Above all, have it your way when selecting which style, color and type of accessories are right for your guy group.

BRIDESMAID DRESSES: NO RULES APPLY

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

As recent as ten years ago, the length of dress selected for the bridesmaids at most traditional weddings in the US were set by the clock. Morning and early afternoon ceremonies could sport short dresses, afternoon weddings carried the tea-length option, and anything 4:30 pm or later would be floor length gowns. Slowly and surely those rules have relaxed to today's anything goes.
 
 
 
If you fall in love with dresses that flow to the floor but are getting married at 10:00 am, go for it! If your maids come in all shapes and sizes, and would really feel more comfortable selecting styles for themselves, and you're ok with it, go for it! If guys can wear undershirts and socks representing their favorite super heroes, then you can absolutely have all different color and length of dress in your lineup.
 
 
 
 
It has been popular for quite some time now for maids to wear a slightly different style of dress in the same color to make everyone feel comfortable. However, you might like the idea of same dress, different color. Perhaps you want to celebrate each ladies unique style and give them no style and color parameters at all-it's your day, your way!
 
 
 
 
When selecting dresses for the special gals that make up your team, it might be a good idea to ask for color and style suggestions from your photographer so the ladies will look great for photos. Have Fun!

SHOULD YOU BUY OR RENT YOUR TUXEDO?

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Most men will have the occasion to wear a tuxedo at least once in his life.  Maybe it was his high school prom or his wedding or the time you played James Bond’s for Halloween.  Buying a tuxedo when you’re still young and growing might not make financial sense, especially if you’re only going to need to wear one every few years or so.

 

If you're an adult, it might be time to consider if you should buy a tuxedo. The decision to buy a tuxedo should not be made lightly. After all, a tuxedo is likely to be one of the most expensive items a man will ever add to his wardrobe. When deciding if the time is right for you to buy a tuxedo, consider the following:

  1. Will you need to use it at least three times in the next decade? Plan to make your tux last for a good 10 years or more. If you know you’ll need one at least three times in that period, you might be able to save money buying instead of renting.
  2. Is it likely that I’ll grow significantly in the next 10 years? I would say that the mid-20s is a great time to buy a tuxedo. You’ve had your major growth spurts, you’re probably at a weight you can maintain easily, and the risk that you’ll outgrow the tuxedo is at a minimum.
  3. Do I take good care of my clothes? If you’re the type of guy who doesn’t like to wash his clothes, iron, or even put them on a freaking hanger, you might still be better off renting a tux instead of buying one that will just be abused before you wear it for a second time.

 

Once you've taken a look at both options, you can make a better decision on buying versus renting.  No matter what you decide, Mr. Burch is here for you.  We're happy to help if you want to rent or buy. For more information on buying a tuxedo, contact Mr. Burch at (205) 252-3602