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Wedding Traditions, But Make It Genderless
Wedding traditions can be an important part of any wedding ceremony. However, most traditions are based on gender roles and can be exclusionary to gender non-conforming people or people in a same-sex relationship. If you're looking to plan a wedding that breaks free from traditional gender norms and creates an inclusive and joyful atmosphere for all, you've come to the right place! We wanted to explore how to incorporate genderless wedding traditions and make your special day respectful of everyone. Outfits Let’s start with the couple themselves. Wedding attire is one of the most traditional outfits one will ever wear… Or is it?… Set the tone of your ceremony by choosing what feels the most comfortable for you and the...
Say ‘I Do’ to Sustainability: Eco-Friendly Wedding Tips
First, a caveat - sustainability is super important, but all you *need* to do is the wedding you want to do and the wedding you can comfortably afford. To us, incorporating even just one or two eco-friendly aspects into your wedding vision is a win! If everyone did that, it would make a huge difference. So, to make sure you have lots of ideas to pick from, ThistleBEA’s Breanne and Sonaiya have teamed up to give you their best advice on the easiest ways to work some sustainability into your wedding day! Photo credit above - Isle + Oak Photography of Jordan and Dorcas, July 2022 Sonaiya, thank you for joining us! How did you get into this line of...
DIY spa day: How to reconnect and destress before your big day
Wedding planning can be super stressful! Coordinating vendors, creating the perfect playlist, putting together all the centerpieces and favors - it is A LOT. It can be easy to lose touch with each other, so before that happens, we recommend having an intimate date day to reconnect. A DIY spa experience can be a great way to destress, with lots of opportunities to put your hands on each other and pamper each other! DIY spa style masks and scrubs You can create your own face masks or body scrubs using natural ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. For example, mix honey and lemon juice for a brightening mask or blend avocado and olive oil for extra hydration....
Looking and feeling your best: Self care and beauty vendors 101!
On your wedding day, you want to both look and feel your best, like Rita and Amir! (See above - and thanks to Michele Mateus Photography for capturing that joyful moment!). So this month, we sat down once again with Breanne Dodge, founder and lead coordinator of ThistleBEA, to help you make that happen by talking about two often-overlooked topics: self care and beauty vendors! And don’t forget to enter your email to get our fun interactive activity guide! We made it specifically for you and your partner to destress and reconnect before the big day! (If you entered your email on a different blog, you’ll automatically get this and every other new monthly blog download in your inbox!) You’ve...
Picking a wedding venue 101
Wow - look at that amazing shot above, from Alexandra and Angus's wedding at Cecil Green (big thanks to the uber-talented Kristian Holmes of Page & Holmes Photography for capturing this moment)! When picking a wedding venue, it's super important that it has the right feel, vibe, and price. It can be overwhelming though, which is why Breanne Dodge, founder and lead planner of ThistleBEA has once again graciously sat down with me to give us the best industry advice on everything from contracts to permits to possible pitfalls. Enter your email above to get this month's downloadable cheatsheet. You'll get a venue checklist so you don't forget anything on your venue tours, and a shortlist of Breanne's fave local...
Wedding budget tips and tricks – part two
Welcome to part two of our guide to the best wedding budget tips and tricks! ThistleBEA founder and lead coordinator, Breanne Dodge, is sharing their top tips for how you can stick to your budget with most of your wedding vendors. Read on for details on where you can absolutely save some cash - and where you really shouldn't skimp! Can you negotiate with your vendors? Any tips? You can absolutely ask if there is any wiggle room, as long as you do it respectfully, but don't assume they’ll give you a better price because most often they are individuals or small businesses, not big corporations. Ask about group discounts or promos for things like hair and makeup, especially if...
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ThistleBEA’s planners share their weddings, their tips, and ideas on how to keep your wedding affrodable