Choosing your Bridal Accessories

Because we believe that the smallest of details can make a difference in every wedding, we're sharing with you some advice and inspiration on the many options of bridal accessories. We know that it can be overwhelming but trust us, you won't want to skip them all together! For the purpose of this post, we'll be talking about your veil, hair accessories and of course, shoes! 

Why do you need them? 

Perhaps you're not one to wear accessories on a daily basis or think they're an unnecessary addition.... Bridal accessories can do anything from allow you to stand by tradition to add in a spark of interest or extra flare to the theme of the wedding day. Take the veil for instance. Traditionally a veil is worn to portray a bride's purity. While we may be seeing less brides sticking to the traditional values of wedding symbolism, many are opting for accessories that add an aesthetic value and thats perfectly fine! At the end of the day it of course comes down to you and what makes you feel most comfortable and special.

Let's start with the Veil...

Jonathan Hare Photography

As stated briefly above, not all brides opt to wear a veil. While it's certainly a personal choice, we thought we'd take this time to let you know that there are tons of different veil options. We found the following graphic via www.bridestory.com

When choosing your veil, take some time to think about...

How long will you be wearing it? If you plan to wear your veil into the reception, think about how active you'd like to be and whether your veil will prevent you from doing so?

Your Hair. If you'll be taking your veil off and not changing hair do's from ceremony to reception, consider a veil that attaches to a headpiece so as to not ruin your do. Bonus: you also have a pretty hairpiece still in place post veil! 

Your Dress- You'll want to pick a veil that compliments your dress, not overpowers it. For that gorgeous cut out or low back, consider a sheer veil to not take away from those elements. 

Your Venue- As many things in wedding design, the venue often sets the tone for the theme and feel of the wedding. Take into account the type of venue you're marrying at and all the factors that could lead to your veil choice!  

Hair Accessories

Flower crowns, combs, headbands, fascinators , hair pins and clips! There are so many gorgeous options that can add that touch of interest to your look. Just as your veil, consider the venue you're marrying at, your dress style and how you'll wear your hair. For an outdoor garden wedding, a flower crown with an up do or loose curls would add a touch of whimsy to your look. Perhaps you're marrying at a castle...consider a tiara to complete your affair fit for a princess. The right comb or headband can also add that wow factor to any wedding. See some inspiration below:

Shoes

You can't see them under your dress so why wear pretty shoes right? WRONG! Let's just take a look at the following pictures and see why shoes can make a huge impact on your wedding photos. Besides, you can always bring a comfy pair to change into or ditch the shoes altogether for dancing! 

Sarah Bush Designs

Laura Anne Watson Photography

AJ Dunlap Photography

Sarah Whitmeyer Photography

Hopefully you can see that if nothing else, accessories make from some really wonderful photos!

 And while we said we weren't going to cover jewelry in this post to further drive our point that ACCESSORIES MATTER... we leave you with the following photos.

Laura Anne Watson Photography

Abby Waller Photography

Matthew Pautz Photography

Katie Coon Photography

Why I Haze Myself

When we think about the word Haze in its verb form, it often has negative connotations associated with it. Hazing is often ritual in college fraternities, athletics and to new or potential recruits in the military.  My oldest brother would always refer to going for a run or working out as 'hazing himself'. My brother Joshua enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly after the attacks on 9-11. 

I had the pleasure of seeing him graduate from boot camp at Parris Island and hear his anecdotes about his own experiences of being hazed, I was there in San Diego to greet him when he came off his plane from his deployment to Iraq and I was there the day he took his own life. 

Since his death, my family has started a non-profit organization called Veteran Jam that raises awareness of the sacrifices and struggle of our Veterans (the JAM coming from my brothers initials, Joshua Alexander McArdle) If you've met me personally, you may have noticed it tattooed on my left wrist.

Since my brothers death, we've also met so many incredible individuals who know and can relate to what my brother went through, as well as my family in his time of need as well as in his loss. Our only wish is that we met them sooner. 

One of those groups are the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA). SDIA is a national non-profit organization that exists to engage, assist and empower the men & women who make up our nation’s military, law enforcement, fire & rescue, and EMS professions – society’s protectors, our “Sheep Dogs.” SDIA provides continued service opportunities and outdoor adventures which offer physical challenges and the camaraderie that is often missing after a shift or tour of duty ends.

While I cannot be a sheep dog myself, as I have not served in the military or a first responder profession, I do believe in what they stand for and am honored to know some of these incredible men and women. One of their yearly adventures is a Super Spartan Race in Black Mountain, NC. This race truly tests your perseverance, endurance and grit over 8-11 miles of mountain terrain and an abundance of crazy obstacles. 

This year was my third race with the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance WNC Chapter. Each year, they bring Sheep Dogs together from various parts of the country to participate in this race. Competing alongside Single and Double Amputees and Men and Women with Traumatic Brain Injuries and other 'invisible wounds' really puts things into perspective. These individuals are truly some of the most amazing people I've had the pleasure of meeting. 

I run this race each year for these men and women and for my brother Joshua. He'd have loved this group of people as my family does. For him, I haze myself. He'd have loved to see his sisters wading through mud, carrying sandbags up mountains and conquering their fear of heights (if only for one day). He'd have loved to of seen us through this course in body as I know he does each year in spirit. 

I encourage you all to find something that you are passionate about beyond your career or business. If it's Veterans and you'd like to chat more about SDIA or Learn more about Veteran Jam, please visit www.sheepdogia.org or www.veteranjam.org or by all means, send me a message :) 

Sangria is my favorite fruit

This white sangria recipe is the perfect no fuss summer cocktail. It's light, refreshing and only 4 ingredients! 

When planning my own wedding, my husband and I knew we wanted to treat our guests to a cocktail before the ceremony. Yes, you read that correctly, BEFORE. We got married at the top of a mountain and opted to bus our guests from our blocked hotel accommodation to the venue. With our ceremony being outside in the latter part of May, we definitely wanted our guests to be comfortable in the heat, as well as feel welcome as soon as they arrived to what felt like our own private mountain. So we decided we'd greet them with a refreshing cocktail to start the party off right! 

Before this, I didn't really drink white sangria, I didn't know any recipes for it and definitely preferred the red variety. Of course we were afraid of Red Wine and its staining abilities so naturally opted for white sangria. You're welcome everyone. 

My Dad built this sangria bar specifically for my wedding day because he's super handy and just plain amazing. I had an idea and my dad brought it to vision better than I had even envisioned. Thanks Dad! 

Ask me today and this is my go to recipe. We make it for friends and family when they visit, in pitcher form for beach lounging and on the random weeknight cause we just really love it. 

This recipe was born on a weekend dedicated to finding 'THE RECIPE'. We bought a case of white wine, fresh fruits and a variety of mixers and between myself, my husband, my parents and siblings we took turns making pitchers of what we thought would taste good. They were ALL good. We tried strawberry sangria, mango, you name it. We settled on this recipe for its no fuss, ease of assembly and simple, refreshing taste. If you're looking for a fanciful, fruit salad filled sangria, try a google search because this is not it. If you're looking for a SUPER simple, delicious sangria you can literally make in 2 minutes, you can find the recipe below.  Enjoy :) 

What would this post be without a photo of my parents on the morning of my wedding picking fresh mint from the            stems?