The Future Manternach's

My dear friend Maddi, is just weeks away from marrying her best friend, Jay. And I am so excited for them to start the rest of their life together!! Maddi has done all her wedding planning on her own and she has been so generous to do an interview with me explaining the ups and downs of her experience. I am thrilled to share her story with you all.

Photo Credit: Grace T. Photography 

       Jay and I are getting married December 31^st, 2016. We got engaged St. Patty’s Weekend so we are planning our wedding in roughly 9 months, which is almost unheard of now a days. Jay and I have known each other for a while now, as his younger sister is one of my best friends. We didn’t really hit it off until the Luke Bryan Concert at the Jones County fair (he likes to say he was drunk off my smile and high on summer time- I say he was just highly intoxicated, so he had to flirt with his little sister’s friend ;) )  

       Jay farms along with his family, so this played a large part in picking our wedding day-no fall(harvest), no spring(planting) and there is just so much going on in the summer that it would be hard to fit a wedding in, so we realized New Year’s Eve was on a Saturday this year and figured, why not through the best NYE party possible, a wedding reception!

Question 1: What was the most challenging part about planning your wedding?

       The most challenging part for me, was choosing a ‘theme’. Pinterest is such a cool way to give you ideas, but it also causes so much pressure! Did I want a rustic casual wedding, or what about a glamorous black-tie event? Did I want to make DIY decorations, or go simple with floating candles in water? Did I want cupcakes or donuts, a full suit for the guys or a vest and pants? You see so many amazing ideas online and from other people’s weddings that you want to do what they do, but you also want your wedding to stand out and be one of a kind.  So deciding the overall theme of our wedding was the hardest part, and it was also one of the things you have to do first! So it feels like you’re being pulled in all these directions and you need to make this first big decision before you can start all the other decision-making processes. 

Question 2: Did you ever wish you had an event planner? If so, what would you want them to help with? (Do you regret not using one?)

        I’m 50/50 on wishing I had hired an event planner.  On the one side I’m glad that we were able to make the decisions for wedding ourselves. I know what I’m getting into, what the vendors and I have agreed to, and what I to expect.  On the other hand I wish I had an event planner to help be me more organized. Also to give me advice such as what vendors are great to work with, what parts of the wedding you should spend more time/money on etc. As well as, I know that the day of my wedding I would love to have an event planner for scheduling and keeping things running smoothly. 

Question 3: What was your favorite part about planning your wedding? 

        I loved picking out my dress, the bridesmaid’s dresses, the tuxes and the flowers.  I’m a very visual person so this seemed to be easy to me. I could see pictures, materials and the actual garments right in front of me, which really helped me visualize my wedding day.  It made it all come together in my head and reassured me I had chosen the right theme for the wedding.  Plus what girl doesn’t love to try on wedding dresses?!

Question 4: What are the things you are most excited for on your wedding day?

        I’m so excited to marry Jay and celebrate the start of our life together.  As cheesy as it sounds, walking down the aisle to him is something that gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. I’m also secretly hoping that cries/faints/drops his jaw at our first look all dolled up.  He hasn’t seen my dress, or even heard any details about it, I’ve been keeping him in the dark hoping for a once in a lifetime reaction from him on our wedding day. He is the most supportive, loving, and sweetest man I have ever met. The fact that we are vowing to spend the rest of our lives together makes me so ecstatic. Then we get to celebrate our new marriage with all our friends and family.  From my past experiences with weddings it’s so amazing to see how two people can bring so many others together. 

    

Question 5: If you could do it over again would you change about the planning process?

        I think I would make myself sit down one week and just hammer out all the details, I was finishing up school when we got engaged, so I felt like I didn’t have ton of time to get everything organized so planning was where I could fit it in, and that made me pretty stressed out for awhile (this is one of those moments that an event planner would have been perfect!)

xoxo, 

     Mary 

Flower Power

Flowers, Flowers, And More Flowers. In my opinion you can never go wrong with floral statements for your wedding day. Not only can they be used for the bouquets, but also be placed almost anywhere. Incorporating them into the decor adds so much elegance to a wedding. Flowers instantly change the feel of a space, from the aisles to the cake. Here are some of my favorite designs...be inspired!

 

Photo Credits: 

1. Figlewicz Photography

2. Ashlee Mintz Photography 

3. So Happy Together Photography

4, 5 & 6. Jess Barfeild 

7. Disney Weddings 

8. Clemmie Millbank 

9. Leo Patrone Photography

10. Ashlee Mintz Photography 

11. Not on the High Street 

12. Lindsey Shaun Photography 

13. The Image is Found Photography 

14. Tobiah Tayo Photography 

16. Ashley Cook Photography

17. Brian Wedge

18. Watson-Studios



xoxo,
    Mary 

Barn Part-YAY!

Calling all my country brides! How amazing would it be to have your dream wedding in a barn? Recently, rustic themed weddings have been a popular thing among many brides. To make their day even more special having the wedding ceremony and reception in a dream barn can really help add to the rustic feel.  The romantic charm of a country barn is so beautifully different from other traditional spaces, and can also help create a unique and exciting atmosphere for your guests. I mean who doesn't love a good barn party?! But Brides please don't forget to have your grooms kick out the cows and pigs before the big celebration! ;)

For all my country chic loving peeps, you can even be apart of the trend too! I encourage you to take a look at these five exceptional rustic barn locations through out the beautiful state of Iowa. 

De Novo Barn--Decorah, Iowa

Barnes Place--Adel, Iowa

Keller Brick Barn--Dallas Center, Iowa

Bessies Barn--Centerville, Iowa

Red Acre Barn--Prole, Iowa

  

Photos: Braedon Photography 

xoxo, 

    Mary

Gem'me Dat Dessert

For Brides and Grooms with a sweet tooth, listen up. You 'Donut' have to rely on a traditional wedding cake to serve as your dessert. (Wahoo!) There are endless options for desserts to eat on your big day. Like I have said before, it is your day so make it to fit your own personal style and 'Treat Yo Self'. 

Here are a couple of my favorite delicious alternative for dessert that your guest will love to devour! 

Cake Balls & Mini Cheese Cake: 

In Iowa...I guess we think everything is better on a stick ;) But really, who doesn't love these bit size deliciousness! You can not go wrong with the rich flavors of cheese cake and cake balls. 

Colin Cowie's Collection 

Shot Glass Delights: 

"Its all about moderation"...except when it comes to dessert. Just because they are bit size does not mean you just have to eat one. Shot glass are a great choice for those who dislike any forms of cake. Overindulge to your hearts content with these tasty little delights! 

Bakers Royale 

Cupcakes for Days: 

Cupcakes are like little babies of normal cakes. They are great alternative to having a traditional wedding cake. Plus you can add character to your wedding with artsy-fartsy designs, and they will always be delicious!   

Cotton and Crumbles & Brian Rogers Photography 

'Donut' You Want One?: 

News Flash, donuts are not just for Police to munch on, but are now the latest rage for weddings. These light and tasty treats come in a huge array of flavors and will be a splendid treat for you big day! 'Donut' knock it until you try it.

Three Nails Photography and Amy Oboyle Photography

xoxo, 

   Mary

Watch'm And Weep

Your wedding day will be nothing less than spectacular and should be remembered forever. Capturing two people's rare love for each other is a truly an art form. Recently trending in the wedding scene is videography. Now brides and grooms are choosing to capture their entire day through pictures and video. It is just another wonderful way to capture all the special moments of two people uniting as one. These memories are priceless and will live on forever.    

Everyone has a soft spot, and watching wedding videos is mine.  There is nothing more that tugs at my heart strings than watching a beautiful wedding day video of two people in love. Here are six of my favorite videos I have watched. Be prepared to get a little teary eyed.

Videographer: Utah Wedding Videography 

Videographer: Moving Pictures 

Videographer: The Film Poets 

Videographer: Tyler Vincent 

Videographer: Hampton Road Studios 

xoxo, 

    Mary 

Wedding Traditions & Superstitions

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...

This tradition originated from an Old English rhyme, “Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and a Sixpence in your Shoe.” I find it so amazing that a simple tradition like this has carried on for so long. As the legend goes, the items represent continuity {something old}, hopefulness for the marriages future {something new}, lent happiness {something borrowed}, and lastly cleanliness, love and fidelity {something blue}.

Here are some simple ways to incorporate this custom into your special day. For starters, writing a sweet little note on groom’s tie in blue {yes, men can be involved in this too} can be something sweet and meaningful. Next example to carry on the tradition is having a picture of your parents wedding day or rosary of a loved one attached to your bouquet. Another, is by stitching in something blue to your dress such as your wedding date or little heart, as shown in the picture. The special thing about this tradition is that you can adjust it in any way to suit your own personal style.                 

                                                                                                                                                       Photos By: Amanda Nguyen, Sara Burnett, La Vie Photography 

Grooms, don't drop your bride...

          Carrying the bride over the threshold originated from the Ancient Romans. The meaning behind it is, to insure the bride was not scared about leaving their family home, but to insure she was happy to move in with her husband. If she was she was carried, rather than dragged across the threshold then she was ready to start her new life. Now days, I hope the original meaning does not stand true ;) So grooms, just like the first time you met your bride….sweep her off her feet and carry her over the threshold to your home!

Photo By: Hey Pretty Wedding 

Love at First Sight...

            The tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other before the ceremony had a not so romantic beginning. In the past when arranged marriages were much more popular, the first time the couple would meet was at the altar. As a precautionary, they were not allowed to see each other before because the parents of the bride did not want the groom to back out if he was not attracted to her. How romantic...right!?

            Luckily that is not the case anymore! Since arranged marriages are not as common today, couples now choose to not see each other to make the day more exciting instead. Having that unforgettable first look of the bride walking down the aisle is much more special. Recently though the tradition has developed into the bride and groom having a private first look before the ceremony. This is a perfect picture opportunity for photographers to catch the special moment between the couple. Also as an added bonus, it allows more time for group pictures. Waiting to see each other until the ceremony or doing a first look, is the preference of the bride and groom. Each option is a special and romantic moment that they will both remember forever.

Photos By: Abby Jiu Photography 

              

Rain, Rain Go Away...?

            If it rains on your wedding day is actually not a bad thing. Surprisingly, rain symbolizes a happy and blessed marriage. Now, who wouldn’t want that? One meaning for rain is fertility. This superstition says the couple will have a better chance of having children because when it rains it means growth.  Also it is cleansing, rain-washes away any sadness or bad experiences that have happened in the past. It gives the couple a fresh start. Lastly, rain symbolizes unity because when a knot gets wet it becomes tighter and stronger. Just as the couple ties the knot they become one that is stronger together. So brides and grooms don’t fret if rain is in the forecast for your big day because it is good luck. {And on the plus side, it makes for great pictures!}

Photo By: Ryan Ray Photography 

Calling all Single Ladies & Men 

             The garter and bouquet toss is a fun ritual that originated from the medieval times. When the groom would take his bride to their bedroom he would rip a piece of material off her dress and throw it out the door to those waiting outside of it. I find it very strange knowing that this started from people trying to snoop in on your wedding night. Although the tradition has changed, brides toss their bouquets and grooms still toss the guarders. For those who catch the items it is believed they will be the next to marry. Who knows if that is actually true or not? This tradition is another fun way to get your guest involved in the big celebration!

Photos By: Wedding Photography 

                   

xoxo, 

    Mary