The saying goes “Something old, something new, something borrow, and something blue”.  To have all four items will bring you luck and fortune on your wedding day in hopes of a happy marriage. For the next four weeks SimplyBridal will be celebrating this saying by creating fun inspiring visual to help the bride add a little bit of each for her big wedding day. This week we have thought up of a few ways you can add a little “something old” into your special day.

It’s no wonder that with all of the crazy planning and attention to detail that comes along with weddings, that brides actually forget to take time for themselves and savor the sweetest of details. We happen to think that choosing a special perfume for your wedding day is ultra romantic and also something that both you and your groom with remember forever. What better way to ignite the senses and have something that only exists in your minds ( and vanity tray!) for years to come. We love the idea of wearing the scent on special occasions and anniversaries to remind you where you started out. And with so many to choose from, we have picked a few of the best with the low down on what kind of bride should wear them!

Marc Jacobs Daisy:  Fun, bright, and whimsical! And that’s just the bottle! But the name Daisy isn’t for nothing! The sweet and youthful flower creates a bold yet innocent undertone to this floral masterpiece. This is perfect for the natural bride, or gal who prefers an outdoor setting. Daytime affairs are also perfect pairs to this fragrance. We have no idea why, but this bottle puts us in a super fun mood and is only to be worn by the most cheerful of brides!

Miss Dior Cheri:  As if the delightful ads featuring the gorgeous Natalie Portman aren’t enough to make you sprint out to buy a bottle, then possibly the gorgeous bottle itself is! With a sweet bow tie topping adorned on each one, this is definitely a special occasion scent. And what girl doesn’t want to wear a little Dior for their big day? This one is hard to beat and with its notes of sweet vanilla and classic, soft yet playful hints, you simply cannot go wrong.

Chanel No.5 : Ahh, the quintessential fragrance. Some believe that this one scent is a must-have beauty buy for the ages. Women of all decades swear by it and it translates perfectly between a big night out to a walk down the aisle. Brides take note: When in doubt, wear Chanel. period.

Vera Wang: Classic, crisp, clean and made just for you by the Queen of Weddings. Ms. Wang is now known for her taste in fragrance with her namesake spritz and we must agree that she has us smitten. We think the bottle would pair perfectly with a Vera gown, making it a stellar photo-op.

It’s off to the races! Or is it, a race to the altar? However you slice it,  The Kentucky Derby is chalk full of wedding inspiration.  Not only is it a spring right of passage for sporting fans, for us in the wedding biz, it’s the perfect time of year for the most gorgeous florals. From the signature cocktail (hello, mint julep!) to the special attire (ladies in hats and men opting for bow ties), it’s just enough theme without being overboard, and we have to say, we adore the look!

First, let’s consider the date. May is bustling with signs of summer, but also has a safe bet for temps staying comfortable for your guests. And while you always run the risk of rainy weather with a tent, we think an indoor venue with a vast veranda or terrace is perfect for echoing the same sentiment as Derby watching.  The event lends itself to plenty of other built-in musts like using silver plated mint julep cups for floral arrangements, choosing equestrian accents like horse figurines or even the quintessential sign of good luck, the Horseshoe for your escort cards. We also love the subtle homages to southern tradition that might be perfect for a preppy couple even if they aren’t from the South.

There’s a huge trend of turning to Southern traditions for weddings. For one, they really embrace the gala idea of several days of wedding festivities.  You can follow suit by adding a BBQ themed rehearsal dinner and opting for Southern style sides on your dinner menu as well. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love cornbread, mac n’ cheese and pecan pie? And no Southern Wedding would be complete without a grand red velvet cake!

One of our favorite blogs, Southern Weddings Magazine, is stocked with coverage of real weddings that embrace all of these terrific ideas. And show that is it completely possibly to try to theme out for an engagement party or bridal shower.  Some of our favorites we’ve seen so far? A bow tie bar for the guys and cigar rollers! Or maybe your guy would like a Kentucky bourbon bar for tasting.  We think the ideas are endless! And we are sure to see more of this trend in the year ahead!

The photographs from your wedding day are ones that you will cherish for life, looking over them and sharing them countless times, so don’t you want to make sure they are some of the best photos you’ve ever taken? If you follow these tips below, you’ll have photo you will love to re-visit over and over again.

Be Well Rested  The week before your wedding can be busy and full of last minute details to take care of, but sleep is a very  important factor in looking your best in wedding photographs. Lack of sleep can show up as bags under your eyes, tired posture and dull skin. While it’s true that photographers can fix some of these problems in Photoshop, it is best to come to your wedding day with your best face forward…literally! Sleep will not only help you look good, but also feel great. Setting a sleep schedule the week before your wedding and sticking to it will ensure you are well rested on your big day.

Hire a Professional Hair and Makeup Person  For some this may feel like an unnecessary splurge, but hiring professionals can make a world of difference in the final photos. Hair and makeup people know the products to use that will last all day and show up the best in all lighting situations. If you want to look and feel like a celebrity on your wedding day, this is an investment worth taking.

Tim Whaley & Associates

Hire a Photographer That Makes You Feel Comfortable  Having a professional that you are comfortable with behind the camera may be the most important factor. When booking a photographer, you should meet with them at least once and see how the chemistry is between you. Asking for a reference or two may be a good idea as well so you can speak with people that have worked with the photographer on their wedding day. The photographer will be with you the most during your day, so this is a person you want to feel good around and someone that can bring the best out of you.

Carissa Woo Photography

Think Happy Thoughts and Be Yourself  Stay focused on what the day is all about and be in the moment. If you are authentic and allow those feelings of bliss, happiness and joy to permeate your being, that will show up on your photographs. And when you look back at these images years later, you will remember exactly how you felt on your special day.

Creeping up this weekend is Mothers Day, and in honor of all the women in the world SimplyBridal has created a special infographic to help all the women at your wedding feel special. Of course the bride is the golden start on her wedding day, but the special union is special to all the members of both families. As the bride, it is your responsibility to make sure everyone is included, make sure that the sister of the groom is treated just as dearly as your own (because you are one big family now)! SimplyBridal has brainstormed a few ideas for each female member of both families.

Creeping up this weekend is Mothers Day, and in honor of all the women in the world SimplyBridal has created a special infographic to help all the women at your wedding feel special. Of course the bride is the golden start on her wedding day, but the special union is special to all the members of both families. As the bride, it is your responsibility to make sure everyone is included, make sure that the sister of the groom is treated just as dearly as your own (because you are one big family now)! SimplyBridal has brainstormed a few ideas for each female member of both families.

Summer is just around the corner and it’s time to get serious about shaping up!

Of course every bride would like to look her best on her wedding day, and as summer is just around the corner the bride and bridal part aren’t the only ones that will need a little push to hit the gym and get a bit sweaty. Who doesn’t want the Jessica Biel booty, or Halle Berry’s tight abs, or how about Kate Hudson’s sexy back?

This infographic is loaded with targeted exercises the Hollywood Stars use and swear by. Have a look and then print it out and check off the days as you go! To download and print this wonderful guide visit SimplyBridal’s blog, then just click “download” and print. Want that beach body for the summer? Now get motivated!!

As we are nearing the end of April, we hope that this month of showers will bring beautiful flowers next month. As the pollen levels rise and for those who will be living off anti-histamines the next few months and would prefer not to hold pollinating plants so close to themselves, we’ve got just the thing for you. This week the SimplyBridal creative team has put together a list of great alternatives to the traditional flower bouquet.  There are so many to choose from, which one is right for you?

As we are nearing the end of April, we hope that this month of showers will bring beautiful flowers next month. As the pollen levels rise and for those who will be living off anti-histamines the next few months and would prefer not to hold pollinating plants so close to themselves, we’ve got just the thing for you. This week the SimplyBridal creative team has put together a list of great alternatives to the traditional flower bouquet.  There are so many to choose from, which one is right for you?

As we are nearing the end of April, we hope that this month of showers will bring beautiful flowers next month. As the pollen levels rise and for those who will be living off anti-histamines the next few months and would prefer not to hold pollinating plants so close to themselves, we’ve got just the thing for you. This week the SimplyBridal creative team has put together a list of great alternatives to the traditional flower bouquet.  There are so many to choose from, which one is right for you?