Two Hearts Weddings and Events… The Blog

Bridesmaid Gift Idea – Love Y’all!

Posted on May 10, 2012 by RachaelGrammer

Just saw this sweet t-shirt idea for a bridesmaid gift that I thought I’d share today. I know my southern sisters will find this irresistible, but no matter where you are from, I think everyone loves to hear… Love Y’all!

Along with this new tee, I found lots more awesomeness at ALGoods.com and believe me there is a lot at this store. Not only can you find other great gifts for your girls, you can put together some “Sweet Home Alabama” welcome goodies or favors for your guests.

Happy shopping!!

TTFN!
Rachael

Posted in Bridesmaids, Favors, Gifts, Suggestions | Tagged Bridesmaid Gift Idea, Gift Ideas for Girls, Love Y'all T-shirt, Southernness Love Y'all | Leave a comment

Wedding Shoes Accessories – Shoe Clips

Posted on May 7, 2012 by RachaelGrammer

Finding just the right shoes to wear on your wedding day can be a tall order. What if the very-near-and-dear-to-your-heart pair is already in your closet but isn’t quite fancy enough for the day? Check out just a few of the great options you have with shoe clips to give your favorite shoes a bit of a face lift.

Sequin hearts

Peacock feathers (something blue)

White feathers

TTFN!
Rachael

Posted in Great tips, Ideas, Suggestions | Tagged Shoe Clips, Wedding Shoes, Wedding Shoes Accessories | Leave a comment

Fun Find – Grown Up Soda

Posted on May 4, 2012 by RachaelGrammer

In my never ending search for fun ideas for wedding receptions, I recently discovered Grown Up Soda. This all natural drink would make for a fantastic soda bar and can easily be served up “leaded” or “un-leaded” with any number of the site’s many cocktail recipes.

Here’s just a few of the benefits of the yumminess…

Real juice and natural extracts
90 – 98 calories per 12oz
Cane sugar (not high-fructose corn syrup)
No filler juices (white grape, apple or pear)
No caffeine
No preservatives
Kosher
Gluten-free

Check out this great video to see how it all got started and how it’s made today. In Alabama, Fresh Market and Whole Foods is where you’ll find these wonderful spirits!

TTFN!
Rachael

Posted in Fun Finds, Ideas, Reception | Tagged Grown Up Soda, GUS, Soda Bar, Wedding Reception Ideas | Leave a comment

Cool New Wedding App – Appy Couple

Posted on May 2, 2012 by RachaelGrammer

Those who know me well are very aware of my love for all things techy. I love finding new tools that make my job easier or life that much more fun to live.

I just learned of this new smartphone app called Appy Couple and it looks so cool! As stated in their info write up from the app store… “Wedding websites are so last year!”

This app allows you to share everything about your wedding with your guests but it also allows them to share in the fun by allowing them to upload photos from their phones, get directions in a snap, send you virtual toasts and so much more… all in real time!

Then there’s the designs… I don’t want to say endless, but there appears to be a ton!

Still love the traditional wedding websites though?… Fear not… by signing up and starting your smartphone app, you still get a traditional website for your guests without smartphones.

As a planner though… if I can learn faces and names of the wedding party before rehearsal and be able to update them and guests instantly of any changes on day of… whoa… that is right up this control queen’s alley!

So what are you waiting for… download the free app from the store, check out the demo, and then go to Appy Couple and request an invitation to get your very own app started!

BTW… know of any other cool apps you want to share the love about?

TTFN!
Rachael

Posted in Fun Finds, Great tips | Tagged Appy Couple, Smartphone Wedding App, Smartphones, Wedding App | Leave a comment

Rehearsal Dinner – Superior Grill

Posted on April 30, 2012 by RachaelGrammer

I normally decline invitations to my clients rehearsal dinners, but recently I accepted because it was one of my favorite restaurants in Birmingham doing the catering… Superior Grill!

I just had to check out the setup. Man, they did not disappoint! Talk about an abundance of food and people were seriously chowing down! Then there was the margarita bar… two choices… on the rocks or frozen from this awesome machine. I felt like I was a kid again going down to my local Circle K to get an Icee only this was better… much better!

Photo: Noel Barnhurst

There was a long buffet that included tortillas to build your own fajitas and burritos. There were beautifully grilled vegetables and toppings galore. Then there were their homemade tortilla chips and several salsas, not to mention Queso! It was all so YUMMY and very affordable too!

So if you’re not sure what to do about your rehearsal dinner (or even reception for that matter) consider Superior Grill. If you don’t have one, look into other Mexican catering services… I highly recommend it!

TTFN!
Rachael

Posted in Catering, Ideas | Tagged Mexican Rehearsal Dinner, Rehearsal Dinner, Rehearsal Dinner Ideas | Leave a comment

Flower Girl Dresses & Ring Bearer Outfits

Posted on April 26, 2012 by RachaelGrammer

I wish I could say I’m a big fan of the traditional “mini me” wedding dresses for the flower girl or the matching groomsmen’s tuxedo for the ring bearer, but honestly… I’m not!

I certainly understand a bride’s wishes to dress the little ones in traditional, matching wedding attire, but there’s just something that strikes me as odd to see a 3 or 4 year old little girl in a mini wedding dress (cue the child bride image in my head) or a little boy in an tuxedo with a cumber bun or vest that won’t stay in place.

Check out these outfits that can easily fit the style of any wedding but are also age appropriate.

Dimples & Dandelions (so haute couture!)

Monsoon (ruffles… need I say more!)

Martha Stewart (love that each girl has her own color in the same hue!)

Sewing In No Man’s Land (skirt and top… so cute!)

Style Me Pretty (a little knitted perfection!)

Etsy (what little girl doesn’t love a tutu?)

Etsy (love the seersucker and polkadot fabrics of this little one’s dress and bright bow!)

Etsy (love the little petticoat poking out!)

Etsy (love the flowers at the empire waistline!)

Wedding Bee (think no jacket but add suspenders and baby bouts!)

Pinterest (love the fresh look of the matching pants and vest and what boy doesn’t love a hat?)

TTFN!
Rachael

Posted in Advice, Children | Tagged Flower Girl Dress Alternatives, Flower Girl Dresses, Ring Bearer Outfits | Leave a comment

Wedding Dress Belts… Oo La La!

Posted on February 29, 2012 by RachaelGrammer

Sashes and belts have been a big trend lately… many of my brides have had some exquisite pieces wrapped around their waists. Check out this gorgeous belt worn by Bride Bea.

Jessica Wright Photography

But with some of these belts, I have had to pick my jaw up off the floor when I learned how much they paid for them. So I wondered what I could find on Etsy for much less. If you haven’t heard of Etsy (whoa, really?), then block out a few hours in your schedule and take a tour. Just look at some of the fantastic pieces I found for a fraction of the cost.

Vintage Romance

From The Red Magnolia

Pearl Bridal Sash

Floral Sash

Not a belt, but what a gorgeous bolero I ran across from the Etsy story that featured the floral sash above. So pretty!

Floral Bolero

TTFN!
Rachael

Posted in Fun Finds, Ideas, Latest News, Suggestions | Tagged Crystal Belts, Wedding Dress Belts, Wedding Dress Sashes | Leave a comment

Wedding Cake and Candy Station Alternative

Posted on February 27, 2012 by RachaelGrammer

If you and your hubby-to-be are not big cake fans, but you LOVE ice cream, then skip the cake and setup an ice cream sundae bar. Did you know that Cold Stone Creamery can cater some amazing ice cream selections for you and your guests to enjoy?

But what if you do love cake and ice cream though? After all, they do go together nicely. Consider doing a traditional wedding cake and then instead of a groom’s cake (which in many cases is chocolate or red velvet), treat your guests to the new Ben & Jerry’s flavor… Red Velvet Cake! It even has pieces of cake and swirls of cream cheese frosting swirled into the ice cream… YUM!

TTFN!
Rachael

Posted in Fun Finds, Great tips, Ideas, Suggestions | Tagged Cold Stone Creamery, Ice Cream Sundae Bar, Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream | Leave a comment

Elegant Beach Theme Rehearsal Dinner

Posted on February 20, 2012 by RachaelGrammer

In the planning of Bea and Victor’s wedding, the overall style and presentation developed early on around her love for birds and varying shades of blue. All was going along very nicely until Bea began looking at wedding invitations. She ran across a beautiful ocean inspired card that had a pale blue border and coral accents. I have to say I loved it too! Bea and Victor love going to the beach, therefore, she really wanted to include it somewhere in their wedding. I suggested we infuse an elegant beach feel at their rehearsal dinner at Vestavia Country Club.

Hope you enjoy all the beautiful images from Jessica Wright Photography!

Giant clam shells filled with sand and sand dollars for the escort cards.

Use just a few flowers on the head table but go crazy with candles everywhere else! Tons of candles makes a room look dreamy and who doesn’t look good in candlelight?

TTFN!
Rachael

Posted in Ideas, Rehearsal Dinners, Themes | Tagged Beach Theme, Rehearsal Dinner, Vestavia Country Club | Leave a comment

A Little Whimsy for Your Wedding? Part II

Posted on February 17, 2012 by RachaelGrammer

So, I’m guessing if you’re reading (more like viewing) this post, that you’ve already seen Part I – the Whimsical Luxury Bride. Now it’s time to highlight the Whimsical Savvy Bride.

Just because the savvy bride may not have the extensive budget that her counterpart may have, doesn’t mean she has to skimp on the details. And for the whimsical bride, it’s about the fun yet easily accessible details!