Brides-to-be: Steal Lauren Conrad's perfect wedding-worthy bridal updo!

Lauren Conrad beautiful braided updo. Total wedding hair inspiration

Kristen Ess

Did you see?! Lauren Conrad has done it yet again in the hair department, proving she's on track to be one of THE most chic brides of all time (move over, Kate!). This weekend the style maven sported what can only be described as the most perfect wedding-worthy bridal updo, pretty much ever (above).

Could this be a preview of her wedding-hair-to-be? If it is, I have to say it's stunning, and totally perfect for a bride. With a gorgeous, chunky braid accenting the loose pretty updo put together by Kristin Ess of the Beauty Department, it's a winner. Let's take another look at the 'do from the back...

Gorgeous wedding hair updo ideas!

Kristen Ess

Yep, I'm in love. If you're digging Lauren's hair but are looking for some specifically wedding-y variations, don't worry -- we've dug around on Pinterest for looks on real brides that pretty much hit the mark.

Gorgeous wedding hair updo ideas!

Jessica Christine Photography

Gorgeous wedding hair updo ideas!

Betsi Ewing via 100 Layer Cake

Gorgeous wedding hair updo ideas!

Anna Kidman via Magnolia Rouge

Gorgeous wedding hair updo ideas!

Kim Kalyn Photography via Fab You Bliss

Gorgeous wedding hair updo ideas!

Style Caster

And finally, this elegant updo by Anne Sage comes not only with a pretty picture, but with a tutorial as well! Time to roll up your sleeves, get out the bobby pins, and get to it!

Gorgeous wedding hair updo ideas!

The Why We Love via Anne Sage

So, what do you think brides? Which of these looks is your favorite -- or, will you try to emulate the queen bee herself and go for Lauren Conrad's do by Kristin Ess? Let us know your wedding hair plans in the comments!

7 Clever Ways to Mix Up Your Wedding Bar

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Stephanie Rose Photography

This is a gust post by our friend Brett Konen of the Twine Living blog.

Let’s be honest: The first question a lot of people ask upon opening a wedding invitation is, “Will there be an open bar?” The bar is epicentral to the reception revelry, melting away awkwardness and helping fill up the dance floor. As such, it makes sense to put a little extra effort into it!

In my opinion, it’s worth saving the well rum and cokes for any other Friday night and giving your wedding bar a unique style and selection. That doesn’t mean blowing your budget on top-shelf liquors or agonizing for weeks over cocktail development – it simply means using a little creativity! Below are seven fun and simple tips for mixing up your wedding bar.

1.Eschew the everyday.

You spend months planning out a memorable wedding, so your cocktails should be memorable too. Nix the vodka-crans and try something unconventional. This summer’s hottest trends? Boozy popsicles, sorbet-champagne floats and barrel-aged cocktails.

1 - Popsicles

Shelly Kroeger Photography

2. Go local.

For instance, is your wedding in the Pacific Northwest? Highlight local flavors like gourmet apple cider and Douglas Fir Liqueur. This is especially fun when you’re hosting out-of-town guests, who may not get these ingredients in their area. And if you and your spouse are from different regions, develop a signature cocktail that marries flavors from both!

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Brooke Boling Photography || Jose Villa Photography

3. Watch out for stains.

Before mixing up a big batch of red wine sangria, think ahead to how this could affect your wedding dress – or guests’ teeth in photos. Both are things you’re going to want to keep forever, so choose a drink that won’t jeopardize them. Whatever libation you choose, it’s not a bad idea to keep Wine Wipes or a couple Tide To-Go pens nearby.

3 - Dress

Clary Pfeiffer Photography

4. Make it a game.

We love the idea of playing ring toss for bottles rather than just doling them out. Set up a station with bottles of various sizes and shapes, from Champagne to wine to swing-top carafes of cider and fancy beer. Guests who ring a bottle get to take it back to their table and pop it open. (And guests who’ve had enough to drink are going to have a hard time ringing another bottle!)

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The Austinot

5. Pre-mix your cocktails...

In Mason jars! Setting out a massive tub full of ice and jars filled with pre-made mixed drinks averts a line for the bar and saves money you’d otherwise spend on a bartender. Put those savings toward the quality of the cocktails themselves – or save a little more for your honeymoon.

5 - Mason Jar

Elizabeth Anne Designs

6. Keep non-drinkers happy, too.

Allocate an array of juices, sparkling sodas, fruit, herbs and bitters for those who aren’t drinking alcohol. Mocktails can be just as classy (and tasty!) as their boozy cousins, and designated drivers won’t feel left out. And if you’re going to have a lot of kids running around, keep them happy with their own beer garden – stocked with root beer!

6.2 - Mocktail Bar

KT Merry Photography

7. Save the day.

Set out a pretty holder to save all the wine corks from bottles consumed on your special day. By the end of the evening you’ll have a lovely décor piece for your new home, and a container full of happy memories.

7 - Cork Cage

Twine Living

Brett150

Brett Konen works in Product Development for Twine by True Fabrications, a wine and bar accessory company where among other things she runs the Twine Living blog. Based in Seattle, Brett also freelances for Sip Northwest Magazine and dedicates any time left over to all of the fun things the Emerald City has to offer.

An Eccentric and Colorful Barn Wedding by Lara Hotz Photograpy

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It's a beautiful thing to be able to share the joy and beauty of weddings with all you brides on a day to day basis. But every once in a while, a special wedding comes along that really makes me thankful to have my job. Today's wedding is one such celebration. Natalie and Nicole were married in a quirky, loving, and completely eccentric and colorful barn wedding among family and friends.

Everything about this special day is not only unique and visually stunning, but filled with a certain warmth and love that comes from two people who are utterly committed to each other. And, I have to say, these two ladies have some serious style, too!

Read on to see more of this amazing wedding captured by Lara Hotz, and for a few words on the special day by Nicole and Natalie!

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Tell us about your love story!

Our adventure had been evolving before we met. It was only a matter of time before we were finally brought together by our friend Gwen. When we met, we each had an immediate connection seated in a sense of calm and familiarity that allowed us to really open up to one another and discover our similarities and differences.

This wasn’t a simple thing. We tried to ignore the magnitude of our attraction, but failed spectacularly! We each had to negotiate our own pains and shames and even let each other go to be able to find each other again. It was this trust in love that lead us to the certainty and acceptance that we draw from each other. In this relationship, we are the best version ourselves together. A rare place.

Choosing to marry was a monumental moment in our lives and signifies a new chapter of openness, a celebration of life, love and commitment.

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How would you describe your wedding day?

The theme for the day was ‘Nic-Nat Barn Eccentric.’ The barn itself was the hero, everything else was to show off her gorgeous bones.

The colour palette was based on the invitation design which we like to call ‘Colourdoscope’. We both enjoy the randomness of an open palette. The majority of colours inside the barn were neutral so as not to compete with the rustic canvas.

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What is your advice to couples getting married now?

We had a lot going on in our lives in the year leading up to the wedding. Sometimes we managed to maintain our grace, sometimes we didn’t. At the end of the day, all of the phone calls, late night crafting, list making, hauling and paper cuts were worth it. Every couple is different and I think our advice would be – don’t compare yourself or your wedding to other people’s because they’re not you. When all is said and done, it was sharing our love authentically that was the greatest gift to both ourselves and the people in our life.

On the day, make it a priority to tell everyone how grateful you are to have them in your life, start a conga line, take a moment with your partner to make a mental bookmark, ditch the platitudes and speak from the heart, don’t not do anything, even if it terrifies you (public speaking!) and finally - eat something!

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What a truly wonderful ceremony. We hope you brides enjoyed reading about Natalie and Nicole's wedding as much as we loved sharing it! Congratulations to Nicole and Natalie on their absolutely gorgeous wedding!

Vendors:

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Sunnybrook Barn, Sydney Polo Club | Creative Direction: Pony and Bear | Photographer: Lara Hotz | Videography: Light Noise Films | Event Planning: The Ideas Library | Styling: Ra Ra Kitty / Pony and Bear | Invitations and Stationery: Pony and Bear | Celebrant: Sumant Monty Badami | Catering + Drinks: Dan The Man | Hair and Makeup: Petr Vackar | Flashmob: Soulfood | Musicians: Elisha Keen, John Gnanasekaran, Antony Mutch, Danny May | DJ: Taline Kalaidjian | Wedding Cake: Sharon Holley | Bridal Gowns: Lover (Natalie) Shona Joy (Nicole) | Bridal Shoes: Sachi (Natalie) Shoes of Prey (Nicole)

Win 100 custom temporary tattoos by Pepper Ink for your wedding favors!

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***This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winner, Lindsay Johnson!***

I've always loved temporary tattoos, and am so glad that they've not only 1) come back in style, but 2) are perfectly acceptable for grown-ups to wear! Some of my favorite finds to ooh and aah over on Etsy are adorable temporary tattoos in all sorts of unique, vintage, and indie designs. Temp tats have also especially made a comeback in the events & parties scene, where custom tats add a fun and whimsical touch to the celebration. Well, I can't think of a better occasion to rock the temporary tattoos than at the ultimate party: your wedding day!

Luckily for you all, we've teamed up with the ace team at Pepper Ink to give one lucky bride and groom a DIY pack of 100 custom temporary tattoos for their special day! We absolutely love their vintage and  contemporary temporary tattoo designs, and their custom tats can be designed to fit the theme and feel of your special day. Whether you're having a garden chic wedding, a rustic beer-themed celebration, or a reception filled with bright colors and geometrics, they can create amazing tattoos that you and your guests will be absolutely giddy over!

Their custom packs come with all the components you'll need to DIY up a cute packet of temp tattoos, with washi tape, the tattoos, cute index cards and (of course) instructions. How neat is that?

We know by now you ALL want to enter our giveaway and win this awesome prize...so read on to learn how!

sarah_favor contents

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Here's how to enter the giveaway:

1. Follow Wedding Party on Pinterest here: Wedding Party

2. Comment on this post & tell us why you'd like custom temp tattoos for your big day!

3. That's it -- you're entered!

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pepperink

Excited to win yet? This is one prize that I know a lot of you are excited about...so better enter now rather than later! Our giveaway only lasts until next Wednesday, July 16th at 12pm PST. Just one week -- eek! We'll announce the winner on the 16th right here on this blog post, so make sure you check back to see if you're the lucky almost-newlywed!

A huge thanks to Pepper Ink -- we're excited to be working with them on this awesome giveaway, and are so grateful for the chance to share their wonderful custom temporary tattoo DIY packets! Make sure to see more of their great designs and temporary tattoo options on their website here.

See our giveaway terms here.

Cute engagement photo ideas and poses to inspire your own session!

engagement photo ideas

Blush by B

Your engagement photo session is (hopefully) a once in a lifetime chance to take some high-quality glamour shots with your significant other, and you don't want to ruin that! Though since you've probably never taken engagement photos before it's hard to know what you should and should not do. One thing is for sure though; you don't want to end up with corny or  bad engagement photos! That just leaves you cringing a few years down the road when it should be the opposite.

Well, then what's a girl to do? Study up, of course! You've got to know the poses and types of photographs that you love in order to get the engagement photos you love too. Here are some natural, gorgeous and cute engagement photo ideas and poses to inspire your own session!

engagement photo ideas

Kate Ignatowski

engagement photo ideas

Jessica Heron Photography

engagement photo ideas

Sincerely, Kinsey and Nathan Stracke

engagement photo ideas

Andria Lundquist

engagement photo ideas

James Nord

engagement photo ideas

Laura Nelson

engagement photo ideas

Kat Bevel

engagement photo ideas

Kallima Photography

engagement photo ideas

Woodnote Photography

engagement photo ideas

Rebecca Yale Portraits

engagement photo ideas

Haley Sheffield

engagement photo ideas

Patrick Moyer Photography

engagement photo ideas

Phase Media House

engagement photo ideas

BellaGala Photography

engagement photo ideas

Carina Skrobecki

engagement photo ideas

Jamison Elizabeth Photography

So brides, what do you think? Are these gorgeous engagement photos or what? I particularly like the tasteful photos which show off the engagement ring oh-so-subtley, but you may think otherwise...which is why you should let me know in the comments!

What's trending in weddings, vol. 6

oncewedphoto

Rylee Hitchner

OMG it's already the weekend -- what happened? Well, doesn't matter because it's time for the long weekend! Hellooooooo Memorial Day (and the official beginning of summer, yipee)! In case you wanna know, and we think you do, here's what happened in weddings this week...

Kimye update time! The #royalwedding couple is gearing to get married this weekend, and erryone's talking about their wedding details. Our favorite update of the week? Lana Del Rey will singing at their lavish Versailles nuptials. So confused that you're kinda excited? Exactly how we feel. (via Refinery29)

You might never have to deal with a hangover again. At least, that's what The Hangover Club is promising New Yorkers. This members-only service is opening up five locations in NYC this summer which will cater to -- you guessed it -- curing your hangover. With IVs and medical science no less! Perfect timing for bachelorette party season, for those of you who are planning on going hard. (via Glamour)

Watch out, Emily Post. Lauren Conrad is the new go-to wedding etiquette expert for the modern girl. Her bottom line? Don't be a drunken idiot on her wedding day...among other tips for guests. (via Lauren Conrad)

Meanwhile, 257 sandwiches later... The 300 sandwiches girl is finally engaged! And she didn't even need to make all 300 sandwiches. Find out how her fiancé proposed! (via 300 Sandwiches)

Oh, so you want wedding planning tips, huh? Well, none of that around here. NOT. We had so many planning tips on the blog this week! Find out which DIY projects are the best for brides, what type of dessert is perfect for your celebration, and what etiquette rules you can break on your wedding day.

Win hilarious wedding greeting cards from Julie Ann Art!

Julie Ann Art

*UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winner, Bethany Coston!*

We at Wedding Party are just TOO DAMN EXCITED this week to be offering you another giveaway from an awesome Etsy vendor! You've probably seen her hilarious and whimsical work on the blog before, but in case you haven't, let us introduce you to Julie Ann Art! Julie creates one-of-a-kind "Greeting cards sure to make 'em laugh their asses off". Well, we think she's pretty much done that perfectly with the cards in her Etsy boutique!

I personally love sending cards -- it's a fun, thoughtful gesture that not too many people these days still expect, and when you can hit 'em with a funny card like the ones at Julie Ann Art, it's just amazing! You can find greeting cards for nearly everything (anniversary, birthday, seasonal holidays, etc) but our personal favorite collection is, of course, her engagement and wedding themed cards. They're fun reminders that the wedding planning process shouldn't be taken too seriously :)

Read on to see more of Julie's fantastic cards, and learn how YOU could win a set of greeting cards from her boutique!

Julie Ann Art

Julie Ann Art

Julie Ann Art

Julie Ann Art

So funny, right? I'm seriously obsessed with Julie's greeting cards, and I think you'll agree with me when I say that I'd love to score some of these bad boys for myself! We're gonna give one lucky bride a set of 5 wedding-themed cards from Julie Ann Art on Etsy. Want to win?

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Here's how to enter the giveaway:

1. Repin one of the images from this blog post on your own Pinterest board

2. Make sure to add in a caption about why you'd love to win!

3. Leave a comment on this blog post with a link to your Pin on Pinterest.

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julie_ann_art

Can you believe scoring a set of these cards is so simple? You better hurry though -- we're closing this giveaway in a week, so you only have until Wednesday, May 28th at 12pm PST to enter! We'll be announcing a winner later that evening -- so come on back to this post then to check out whether you've just won a set of Julie Ann Art cards! Good luck!

Want to see more of Julie Ann Art? Check out her great boutique on Etsy! We also love her cute-as-a-button blog, which she updates regularly with DIY and lifestyle reads, along with fun peeks into her upcoming designs!

Curious George? Giveaway terms here.

Grooms with buns on their wedding day is seriously one of 2014's best hair trends

grooms with buns

Hilary Mayberry

Bet you never thought you'd read a post on hair ideas for the groom, right? Well, considering us surprised as well. However, this new trend is just something we MUST share with you all. I don't know if you've seen photos of grooms with buns (hair buns, that is ladies) in the Pinterest wild, but I have...and from what I've seen I have to say I'm in love. Now, I know that I might be in the minority here, but hey -- it's  a unique trend. Maybe I like it because it reminds me of Chris Hemsworth, aka Thor.

However, I love that this trend just goes to show you two things: 1) topknots and wedding day hair isn't just for the ladies, and 2) looking like yourself on your wedding day is a must for brides and grooms alike these days. That means if you're a guy who keeps your hair long, it'll stay long on the wedding day!  Scroll on for more grooms with buns!

grooms with buns

Dylan and Sara Photography

grooms with buns

Bek Grace Photography

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grooms with buns

Ryder Evans Photography

grooms with buns

The Simple Things Studio

So what do you think brides? Would you want your man to keep his long hair for the wedding day, or is short and clean shaven a wedding must for you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!