2life Weddings Premiere Issue

ISSUE NO. 1

PREMIERE ISSUE!

98 awesome tips & ideas for your celebration

JILLIAN HARRIS’S VINTAGE STYLING TIPS, STUNNING REAL WEDDINGS, 5 ROMANTIC HONEYMOON SPOTS, GIFT REGISTRY PRIMER & MORE!

2LIFE WEDDINGS ISSUE NO. 1

contents IN EVERY ISSUE

03 Editor’s Letter 08 Upfront

The art of saying thank you,

our wedding playlist, a fun reception trend and more!

15 Instructions for Living

6 truths about your

wedding day

17 Style

Vintage wedding styling

tips from Jillian Harris

2LIFE WEDDINGS

FEATURES

27 How to Write Your Own Vows

Tips for composing meaningful “I do’s” 32 Diaries of a Bridal-Blog Addict

How I learned to love my budget

friendly nuptials

38 Honeymoon Sweet

Romantic getaways for any type of traveler REGISTRY

46 Gift Registry Primer

The hows and whys of wedding

gift registries

IFIC C E B E SP REAL WEDDINGS

53 Do-It-Yourself I Do’s

Add beautiful DIY touches to any

wedding décor

60 Some Enchanted Evening

A stunning garden wedding in New York 69 Get The Look

Dreamy details for a romantic celebration

2LIFE WEDDINGS

EDITOR’S LETTER

Congrats! Now that you’ve said “yes,” it’s time for you and your favorite person in the world to start planning the most epic cele­bra­tion in your lives.

Whether you’re almost done planning, or still walking around with your head in the clouds after the proposal, our premiere issue of 2life Weddings is full of helpful advice and inspiration. We’ve got tips for couples who are writing their own SO, YOU’RE ENGAGED.

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vows, honeymoon destinations for all types of travelers, and décor ideas from Charlie Ford Vintage creative director (and former Bachelorette) Jillian Harris.

And you won’t want to miss our stunning real weddings, featuring an enchanting garden celebration in Katonah, New York and a whimsical DIY wedding in Canada.

We believe that wedding planning should be an enjoyable, shared experience for couples to go through together. That’s ISTOCK

why we created the 2life Ultimate Wedding Planner app– a collaborative tool for engaged couples. Designed for two people, the app gives you and your partner the inspiration and information you need for wedding planning on the go.

It’s also your virtual three-ring binder: use it to store and share your favorite wedding resources so they’re always at your fingertips.

Get started by downloading the app (it’s free!) and invite your partner to sign up and create a joint account with you. Along with the app’s useful tools, you’ll find inspiring content, such as planning tips, blog articles, galleries and even this magazine! You can also find your perfect dress in the Gown Search, which features the latest collections from top bridal designers.

Whether you’re having a city hall ceremony followed by dinner at a trendy restaurant, or hosting a black-tie fete at a posh hotel, you and your partner have lots of decisions to make on your journey toward matrimonial bliss. It’s important to establish your priorities (and budget), and not to lose sight of the significance of the celebration: your wedding only lasts one day, after all, but your marriage lasts a lifetime.

We hope you enjoy the issue! Let us know what you think of it by sending us an email. Visit us on our blog for daily inspiration and connect with us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Tumblr.

EDITOR AND SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Kate Drummond kate@2life.io CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lisa Walker lisa@2life.io CREATIVE SERVICES Karen Hall karen@2life.io PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER Diane Hall diane@2life.io VICE-PRESIDENT Gerry Brown gerry@2life.io PUBLISHED BY 2 For Life Media Inc. 2life.io 416-469-1429 APP DEVELOPMENT It Guy Technologies It-Guy.com EDITORIAL FEEDBACK editorial@2life.io ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@2life.io 416-469-1429, ext. 223 TECHNICAL FEEDBACK AND INQUIRIES support@2life.io GENERAL INQUIRIES 2life.io/weddings 416-469-1429 © 2014 2 For Life Media Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

Cover Photograph: Simply Rosie

2LIFE WEDDINGS

UPFRONT

The Art Of Saying Thank You

RUSSELL TATE

Y

OUR WEDDING DUTIES don’t

end the morning after your big day: there are still those thank you cards to write! Etiquette expert Lizzie Post says that, ideally, couples should send out handwritten thank you cards to each guest within three months of the wedding, even if you’ve already said thanks in person.

It can be overwhelming to come back from your honeymoon to a stack of blank thank you cards, but Post suggests that couples set a daily goal to keep things manageable. “Completing three or four notes each day doesn’t seem nearly as impossible as writing a hundred notes within a month,” she says.

While most guests will give you a wedding gift, it’s important also to acknowledge those who don’t. Send them a note of thanks for having been there to celebrate with you. Shame on those bridezillas who berate their guests for giving an “inadequate” gift or none at all.

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Let Them Eat Cake “When people want me to make their wedding cake, I always tell them to bring me as much stuff as possible. Pictures of the dress, the floral arrangements, the venue—that’s all stuff that can play into the cake design. The more information I have, the better, and working with that, people wind up getting what they want.”

BUDDY VALASTRO, HOST OF TLC’S CAKE BOSS

The color blue symbolizes love, fidelity and loyalty. Add bright delphiniums to your bouquet for a unique and striking “something blue.”

you did w? o n k

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ISTOCK

Libs by Megan Wappel Designs are a fun alternative to traditional wedding guest books. Your friends and family will have a blast completing the cards using their signature wit, crass or class, and you and your spouse will love reading the final products, no matter how touching or sidesplitting they may be. For best results, distribute cards after guests have had a glass or two of bubbly.

THESE ADORABLE GUEST

Visit 2life Weddings online for daily inspiration!

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GET THE APP!

BEFORE YOU FALL too

What’s Your Wedding Mission Statement?

far down the wedding planning rabbit hole, sit down with your fiancé(e) and use the Journal feature in our 2life Ultimate Wedding Planner app to write your top five priorities together.

Whether your wedding “mission statement” is to celebrate with your family and closest friends while minimizing environ­mental impact, or to host the social event of the year, consider the Journal entry a virtual roadmap that will keep you on course as you wind your way through the planning process. For example, having letterpress menus at each place setting might look pretty, but does it really support your commitment to host an eco-friendly wedding?

“ANYTHING CAN WORK IF DONE TASTEFULLY. IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE COUPLE’S BRAND. ARE YOU FUN, FORMAL, FUNKY, ALL OF THE ABOVE? THE ONLY RULE IS TO STAY WITHIN THAT SAME GENERAL THEME FOR BOTH OUTFITS, WHETHER IT’S TWO DRESSES, TWO SUITS OR A DRESS AND A SUIT.”

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RANDY FENOLI, HOST OF TLC’S SAY YES TO THE DRESS

ISTOCK

WATCH

A RIDICULOUSLY FUN RECEPTION TREND the hottest trend in wedding photography is actually a slow-motion video booth. Seattle-based production company Super Frog Saves Tokyo used a RED Epic camera to capture newly​weds Quang and Ellie and their guests getting all sorts of slow-mo silly with streamers, confetti and a horse head mask (because why not?). The special video booth was a hit at their wedding reception—and online. There’s no doubt you’ll be seeing more videos like this pop up in your news­ feeds as this slowed-down trend goes viral.

IT TURNS OUT

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2LIFE PLAYLIST

35

AWESOME WEDDING TRACKS

FOR THE FATHERDAUGHTER DANCE

Songbird Fleetwood Mac FOR YOUR WALK DOWN THE AISLE

Falling Slowly Alternative Wedding Collection’s Cover of The Frames Heartbeats Jose Gonzalez

FOR THE BRIDESMAIDS’ WALK DOWN THE AISLE

(Today I Met) The Boy I’m Gonna Marry Darlene Love All You Need Is Love The Beatles

Untitled #3 Sigur Ros

Till The Morning Comes Neil Young

Tender Blur

Marry Me Train

She Elvis Costello

At Last Etta James

FOR THE COUPLE’S FIRST DANCE

L-O-V-E Michael Bublé That’s How Strong My Love Is Otis Redding Can’t Help Falling In Love With You Ingrid Michaelson Offering The Avett Brothers I Love How You Love Me Camera Obscura

My Girl The Temptations God Only Knows The Beach Boys Isn’t She Lovely Stevie Wonder What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong

FOR THE YOUNG’UNS

Blurred Lines Robin Thicke ft. T.I. and Pharrell I Love It Icona Pop

Some Nights Fun.

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Express Yourself Madonna Thriller Michael Jackson 1999 Prince Once In A Lifetime Talking Heads Livin’ On A Prayer Bon Jovi

FOR THE OLD TIMERS

Get Lucky Daft Punk

ch laun st li play

FOR THE ’80S LOVERS

Happy Pharrell Williams

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell Under My Thumb The Rolling Stones Baby Love The Supremes I Want To Hold Your Hand The Beatles I Heard It Through the Grapevine Marvin Gaye

SIMON OXLEY

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIVING

6 Truths About Your Wedding Day You can look at countless photos online, but it’s hard to know what to expect for your own wedding until the glorious day arrives. Here are six helpful wedding-day truths that you won’t learn from the pretty pics on Pinterest.

BY KATE DRUMMOND

1

2

YOU WON’T GET MUCH

YOU CAN’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE

From storm clouds to a disappointing hairstyle,

Nerves and off-the-chart

things probably won’t go as perfectly as you

giddiness will leave you tossing

imagined they would on your wedding day. You

and turning the night before your

can’t control the weather or the circumstances

wedding, and you’ll likely wake

of other small mishaps, but you can control

up before dawn. Skip the post-

how you handle them. Translation: Let it go.

rehearsal dinner cocktails with

You’ll be crying a lot harder when you wake up

friends and get thee to bed early.

the next morning and realize you wasted your

You’ll be able to party the night

special day sulking because the makeup artist

away with everyone the next day.

brought the wrong kind of false eyelashes.

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BEA KRAUS

3

6

YOUR DRESS WILL GET DIRTY

YOU WILL BE

This truth is hard to stomach, but the hem of your pristine

OVERWHELMED

gown will get dirty—and possibly damaged—during a day

WITH LOVE

of posing for photos, mingling with loved ones and dancing

It’s an indescribably

with your new spouse. Try to keep your gown as clean

heartwarming feeling

as possible before the photos and the ceremony.

to look at a room

Once you’re at the reception, you’ll be so happy that

filled with loved ones

you won’t care about a bit of dirt on your skirt!

who have come to celebrate you

4

and your spouse and your expression

YOU WILL CRY (AT LEAST ONCE)

of love and com­

But they’ll be happy tears! With so many special moments

mitment to each

between you and your sweetie and the overall significance

other. At the

of the day, you’ll likely cry at least once. Throw in touching

reception, take a

speeches from friends, relatives and your new spouse and

minute with your

you’re left with lots of opportunities to shed a tear or two.

partner to step back

This is why waterproof mascara is your friend.

and take a look at all of the wonderful

5

friends and family who have come

YOU WON’T BELIEVE HOW QUICKLY IT GOES BY

to share such a

After months, maybe years, of wedding planning, it’s easy

special day with you.

to fall into a forward-thinking state of mind, always focusing

It will give you that

on the future and imagining how your wedding day will unfold.

warm, fuzzy feeling,

Well, this is it—your big day is here! So be present, enjoy all

and it will be extra

of the love-filled moments, gush over the beautiful cake and

special if you can

decor details, smile lots and soak up the magical feeling.

experience this

You can’t slow down time, but the day won’t fly by quite

moment with your

so quickly if you’re present in the moment.

new spouse.

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STYLE

Something Old, Something New Antique pieces add charm and nostalgia to any wedding, and there are a million ways to incorporate vintage elements into your ceremony and reception décor. Former Bachelorette Jillian Harris is a cofounder and Creative Director of Charlie Ford Vintage, an online shop that offers handpicked, one-of-kind antique items.

Here, she serves up some vintage wedding styling tips—on an antique silver platter, of course!

BY KATE DRUMMOND

2LIFE WEDDINGS

COURTESY CHARLIE FORD VINTAGE

SHARLA PIKE PHOTOGRAPHY

W

hy do you think so many couples and their guests love vintage wedding décor?

JH: Vintage pieces are so popular for wedding décor because of the amazing story behind each and every one.

Couples and guests alike feel that senti­ mental tug from times long past. No one wants their wedding to feel cold and sterile. Vintage items create a warm, cozy atmosphere that makes guests feel relaxed. Plus, you get the added bonus 2LIFE WEDDINGS

of checking off the “something old” from your must-have list!

What should couples look for in their search for vintage wedding items?

JH: My advice is to look for items that can be beautiful and functional.

Arrange favors in an antique suitcase, seat guests around old doors that serve as dining tables and have the adorable ring-bearer carry his precious cargo on a vintage pillow.

SHARLA PIKE PHOTOGRAPHY

SHARLA PIKE PHOTOGRAPHY

2LIFE WEDDINGS

SHARLA PIKE PHOTOGRAPHY

“Think outside of the box and pair items that you might not normally put together.”

What are some important do’s and don’ts when it comes to vintage wedding décor?

JH: DO think outside of the box and pair items that you might not normally put together, like old mason jars and high-end antique china.

DO think of your guests’ comfort.

Offer vintage blankets to keep guests warm during a drafty church ceremony or outdoor reception.

DO incorporate vintage pieces into the bride's outfit, from the "something blue" to the engage­ment ring.

DON'T do themes! Vintage items should be part of a classy event.

DON'T stress too much about making the decorations absolutely perfect. Weddings are supposed to be all about love, after all!

SHARLA PIKE PHOTOGRAPHY

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“Antique pieces add a charming, unexpected element to any décor style.”

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BLONDY PHOTOGRAPHY

What are some of your favorite types of pieces to include in wedding décor?

JH: I absolutely love using vintage books as cake stands and centerpiece pedestals; mixing and matching antique apothecary jars as punch jugs; and serving après-ceremony cocktails in assorted china teacups.

What are some of the hottest vintage wedding décor trends for 2014?

JH: Mixing clean modern lines with vintage items and not fussing too much about the table settings. You don't need to have an identical centerpiece on every table; you can mix it up with unique vintage pieces while maintain­ ing a good visual flow with flowers and candles.

Does a couple need to have a full-out rustic or vintage-themed wedding in order to include antique items in their décor?

BLONDY PHOTOGRAPHY

JH: No way! I love incorporating vintage pieces in a modern decorating scheme, whether for a wedding or in the home.

Antique pieces add a charming, unexpected element to any décor style.

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Are there any unique items that make great vintage wedding décor pieces that might not be obvious at first?

JH: Books and suitcases are def­initely not the first thing that pop into people's minds when planning a wedding, but they are some of my favorite items to use!

Why is Charlie Ford Vintage a unique shopping destination for couples 2LIFE WEDDINGS

who are planning a wedding?

JH: Every single piece is one-of-a-kind, making them perfect for your special day. We make antique shopping a breeze with hand­picked pieces in easy-tobrowse collect­ions curated by yours truly. We take the stress out of planning your wedding décor by offering doorto-door shipping and how-to advice on our blog.

SHARLA PIKE PHOTOGRAPHY

FEATURES

You’ve planned your wedding down to the smallest detail, except for one teeny, tiny little thing— what are you actually going to say to each other?

BY SARA HODON

Write Vows 2LIFE WEDDINGS

ELECTRIC CRAYON

M

the formally scripted “I do’s” for something a little more personal and reflective of their actual relationship. While there is certainly nothing wrong with repeating the words that have been shared by married couples for centuries, adding your own special twist to your vows can bring even more meaning to your big day—if you put some thought and planning into it.

These five tips will help you craft the most impor­tant words you’ll likely ever say to another human being.

ANY COUPLES DITCH

TRADITIONAL WEDDING VOWS

1

are a bit vague. If you’re writing your own, be specific. Alisa Bowman, author of Project Happily C I IF C Ever After: Saving Your Marriage E P BE S When the Fairytale Falters, says it’s better to promise something small, but achievable. “If you want your vows to be effective and keep your marriage strong, you want a few promises you can fulfill every day. For example, say something like ‘If I do something wrong, I will apologize.’ It sounds basic, but it’s often difficult for people to do,” she says. “This doesn’t mean you can’t include broader vows in the mix. Think about behaviors you can promise. You want to be your best selves, but what does that mean to you?”

2LIFE WEDDINGS

IFIC C E P BE S

2 don’t want one entire day should of you spend­ing reflect you as a hours writing couple, and this some­thing that ECIFIC SP E B includes your will cause instant vows. Before you waterworks start com­posing, the two of while the other is planning to you should talk it over and have guests rolling in the aisles Revisit agree on a general tone: you with laughter. your vows after the wedding ULTIMATELY, THE

a challenge, but trying to come up with the 3 right words to express the depth of your commitment to another person can seem downright impossible. Don’t let it intimidate you. Sean Platt, co-author of Write. Publish. Repeat., says he wrote his own vows in about 20 minutes, and suggests some “prewriting” Revisit to get the creative juices flowing. “Set yourself a time limit and see how much you can write in that time,” he says. “The fasteryour you vows after the write, the closer you’ll come to your natural voice. Write as much as you can and use that as a rough draft of what it is you really wedding want to say.”

WRITING ANYTHING IS

Visit 2life.io for more wedding inspiration!

2LIFE WEDDINGS

4

5 Revisit your vows Revisit after the your vows wedding

after the wedding

about what others will think, but this should be the least of your concerns,” Bowman says. “Your vows are for you—keep that goal in mind and the rest will fall into place. Reciting your vows can be a very powerful moment.” The wedding is a celebration of your love with family and friends, but your marriage and the promises you make are for the two of you.

“A lot of people are afraid that they’ll be embarrassed or that people will somehow judge what they say. What you really want to worry about is what your significant other is going to think,” adds Platt.

“PEOPLE REALLY WORRY

DON’T TOSS THOSE

vows after the ceremony! Keep your written words in a safe, special place.

Take them out every so often (on your anniversary, for instance) to see if you are both keeping up your end of the marital bargain!

2LIFE WEDDINGS

plan your celebration together 2life Ultimate Wedding Planner helps you and your partner get inspired and organized for your big day.

the ultimate wedding planner for couples

IT’S FREE!

FEATURES

Diaries of a Bridal-Blog Addict How I learned to let go of the fairytale and love my budget-friendly nuptials.

BY KATE DRUMMOND

ALLOY PHOTOGRAPHY

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W

HEN MY FIANCÉ,

Dave, and I started planning our wed­ding, we vowed to stick to a budget and not get swept up in the materialism of matrimony. We didn’t want to take the plunge with an anchor of debt tied to our toes.

The early days of wedding planning were a cakewalk. We hired our profes­ sional DJ friend to man the turntables and booked our first-choice venue, and the gown I had been stalking online was within our budget.

Like many brides-to-be, I spent hours poring over images of stunning weddings online and quickly became obsessed with photos of jaw-dropping gowns, perfectly plump peonies and orgasmic candy buffets.

“It’s inspiration,” I told myself, when I finally peeled my bloodshot eyeballs away from the laptop screen. I was committed to celebrating our nuptials within our means, but what harm could looking do?

A few months before our big day though, ogling the lavish weddings of strangers caused unpleasant side effects.

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Rather than conjuring soft-focus rever­ies of my own wedding, the images of highbrow vows and their pricey accoutrements triggered anxiety attacks as the gap between them and our modest nuptials became as obvious as an inebri­ ated best man trying to score with the bride’s cute cousin.

I freaked out because—eek!—we wouldn’t have custom reception lighting or a fire­works display at midnight and, oh my god, a photo booth! How did we overlook that?!

I feared that our day wouldn’t be as special without these wow-factor details.

A stronger woman would’ve quit the blogs cold turkey and stopped torturing herself with images of princess brides and their fairytale weddings. But I was a fullblown bridal-blog junkie.

My addiction reached its peak a few months before the wedding when I started a Pinterest board.

I obsessively pinned custom letterpress menus, fabulous cakes and oh-so-coveted designer stilettos onto a board called “Here Comes The Bride.”

My imaginary Pinterest wedding was

“I was committed to celebrating our nuptials within our means, but what harm could looking do?”

ALLOY PHOTOGRAPHY

2LIFE WEDDINGS

“My imaginary Pinterest wedding was spectacular and I was desperate to make our real wedding as breathtaking as my virtual one.”

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ALLOY PHOTOGRAPHY

spectacular and I was desperate to make our real wedding as breathtaking as my virtual one.

O

NE MORNING, AFTER

perfect­ing my fake Pinterest wedding until 3 a.m., I told Dave that I was going to sell my dress. “What?

Why? That’s crazy,” he proclaimed.

“I think,” I said, my voice shaky from exhaustion and my late-night Pinsanity, “I think I chose the wrong one.” I was having cold feet about my dress, which felt inadequate after I had seen so many brides in their magazine-worthy Jenny Packhams and Vera Wangs and Monique Lhuilliers.

“Be confident in your decision,” he said. “You’re going to look stunning and everything is going to be beautiful.”

Dave’s wisdom is just one of the billion reasons why I said yes when he asked me to marry him and that one sentence—“Be confident in your decision”—was like the sun rising over my stormy psyche. Selling my dress

(at a fraction of what I paid for it) wasn’t going to change my budget: It would only add more stress to one seriously wiggedout bride-to-be.

My rock-bottom epiphany? The endless images of ritzy weddings normal­ ized their extravagance, and I lost sight of the fact that these were fantasy affairs designed for people with much deeper pockets than ours.

These were the Gisele Bundchens and Daria Werbowys of weddings: They represented a narrow ideal, an unat­ tainable “standard” for most couples.

I resolved to be confident that my once-beloved gown was indeed perfect for me. It, along with the flowers and reception venue and favors we chose, fit our personal taste and, most impor­ tantly, our budget.

I realized (finally) that our wedding was going to be the best damn wedding ever because it was ours. We would say “I do” in front of our closest friends and family and there was no way cherry-soled Louboutins or chic Chivari chairs could make our day any more special.

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it’s a sharing thing 2life syncs across your devices in real time, so the two of you are always up to date.

the ultimate wedding planner for couples

IT’S FREE!

TRAVEL

HONEYMOON SWEET Whether you’re craving an eco adventure far from the reaches of Wi-Fi, or seeking a luxe getaway worthy of Hollywood A-listers, we’ve got destinations fit for your honeymoon dreams.

BY BENEDETTA LAMANNA

KEWARRA BEACH RESORT

The

E

TUR

EN ADV

rs

e Seek

The Land Down Under is sure to give you the edge you crave. Choose your own adventure—from kayaking and surfing, to hiking through the outback— to satisfy your wild side.

Check out the Kewarra Beach Resort, which features spacious suites and bungalows nestled among rain­forest gardens around a lagoon. It’s just a stone’s throw from Australia’s hottest action, including white-water rafting, bungee jumping and hot-air ballooning.

The resort also stands at the threshold of the Great Barrier Reef, giving you access to some of the best sailing and diving experiences. (Septem­ber and October offer the best chances to dive and swim with whales.)

AUSTRALIA:

KEWARRA BEACH RESORT

2LIFE WEDDINGS

HOTEL KÄMP

This northern Euro­pean country is a who’s who of top The designers: Marimekko (fabric), Pentik (china and textiles) and Aarikka E X LULovers (jewelry and gifts) to name but a few. Make like 19th-century Russian aristo­crats and unwind after a day at the shops with some pampering at an upscale Finnish spa. Here you’ll enjoy exotic treatments like a reindeer milk facial or Nordic sea salt body scrub. Opera houses, theaters and swanky restos, featuring Finnish delicacies, like crayfish and wild duck, will make for a delicious getaway. Play king and queen for a day at Helsinki’s Hotel Kämp, which first opened its doors in 1887. This five-star hotel is opulently decorated in white and gold and also features magnificent chandeliers and stunning French mirrors—perfect for an unforgettable photo op.

FINLAND:

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Peru is a treasure trove of flora and fauna, boasting a bounty of butterflies, primates, wildflowers and more than 30 types of marine CO S mammals, including 37 percent of the world’s whale and dolphin E e h T RIOR species. It’s also home to 11 national parks, tropical rainforests WAR (including the Amazon) and that little Incan town of Machu Picchu.

The Tambopata Eco Lodge is one of the best-known eco-tourism lodges and is nestled along the banks of the Tambopata River. This small lodge has a warm, homey feel, and many of the lodge’s staff are naturalist guides or ecological researchers. Discover the mysterious creatures of the Amazon, explore the Ox-Bow Lakes and embark upon a variety of trails.

PERU:

MACHU PICCHU

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THE ROSEWOOD COUNTRY INN

As home to 54 of the remaining 750 covered bridges in the United States, New Hampshire is the quintessential The ICS T N A ROM New England state. With its rolling farmlands, quaint towns, gorgeous forests and magnifi足cent mountains, New Hampshire is a wonderful location for a romantic honeymoon. Founded in 1896, The Rosewood Country Inn in Bradford is idyllic, with its lush greenery and blossoming gardens.

This cozy B&B offers suites outfitted with period antiques, fireplaces and Jacuzzis for two. Activities include scenic dinner cruises during warmer months, and sleigh rides and snow足-shoeing in the winter.

NEW HAMPSHIRE:

2LIFE WEDDINGS

BELLAGIO HOTEL

While polyester suits and chapels flashing with neon signs might come to mind, Las Vegas is a truly luxurious destination. Check out the strip for the hottest casinos—think the The Mirage, Bellagio and The Venetian. Sin City really comes to life at night, when wining and dining are the name of the game. Vegas offers world-class cuisine, as well as an assortment of elegant clubs and hip lounges, all ready to serve up a good time. One of the city’s most exciting resorts is Harrah’s Las Vegas, located in the heart of the strip. With more than 2,500 gorgeous suites and a 86,664-squarefoot casino, plus seven re­nowned restaurants, Harrah’s is a hub of high-roller activity.

Its carnival theme, luxurious spa and swanky lounges make Harrah’s the diamond of the strip.

LAS VEGAS:

2LIFE WEDDINGS

joined at the fingertips • Get planning tips on the go • Share lists, calendars, and photos • Shop top retailers and registries • Bookmark web links • Discover local vendors

the ultimate wedding planner for couples

IT’S FREE!

daily inspiration Discover a world of wedding possibilities with our blog, magazine, gown search, and galleries, all within the app.

the ultimate wedding planner for couples

IT’S FREE!

GIFT REGISTRY

GIFT REGISTRY PRIMER THE HOWS AND WHYS OF WEDDING GIFT REGISTRIES

BY KAREN HALL

2LIFE WEDDINGS

GIFT REGISTRY

W

nowadays are in that position, excited about yet the tradition continues. your big day.

It makes people happy to contri­ You prob­ably went straight from bute something to your new saying “yes” to delving into how life as a married couple, even to make your wedding a unique if you’ve already got a blender and wonderful celebration: the and your own set of pots and bride’s gown, the wedding party, pans. So why not make it easy the reception decor, the music, for them, and beneficial for you, the food… so many details that by making sure the gifts are go into making it the once-in-athings that you will appreciate? lifetime event it deserves to be.

A gift registry is a win-win There’s one other aspect to solution. You can choose items your wedding that you will that deserves love and use.

It makes people your attention Peo­ple buying happy to con­ and careful con­ gifts don’t have sideration, and tribute something to guess, and that’s the gifts. won’t waste to your new life as their money They’ll still be around long a married couple. on something after the bridal that will end bouquet has been tossed. up in a box under the stairs.

Wedding gifts are a timeIt’s also practical for avoiding honored tradition dating back duplicate gifts. to when most couples left their It’s easy to get so caught parents’ homes to form their up in the details of the wedding own household and needed day itself that you might gloss help furnishing it. Few couples over registering for gifts, hastily

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E KNOW YOU’RE

choosing a few standard items or skipping it altogether. But isn’t that kind of a shame? You may never again be showered with gifts meant for the two of you to use and cherish for years to come. We’re not saying it’s time for a greedy gift grab—

receiving wedding gifts is an enormous privilege, not a right.

We’re just saying that, since you will be receiving gifts anyway, you might as well make them count. It’s a happier outcome for everybody.

GETTING already own? Are you the time and attention it STARTED trying to pare down deserves. Early on in your your belongings to fit GIVE YOUR GIFT REGISTRY

wedding planning, the two of you should discuss your life­style and your vision of your shared house­ hold. Are there any gifts that you absolutely need? What kinds of gifts would you love to have and use often? The possibilities are endless, from fine china to fine art, from gourmet cookware to camping gear.

Consider your circumstances.

Are you starting from scratch, or do you already live together in a well equipped home? Is it time to replace some of the things you

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a small living space with limited storage? Look ahead into the future.

Will there be dinner parties? Large family gatherings on special oc­ casions? A new home? Travel?

And finally, shop around— together—for inspiration, and give yourselves plenty of time to build your registry. There are things you might not have considered until you start looking. You may think your boxed set of dishes from the discount store is good enough— until you meet some fine dinnerware

face-to-face and discover how good it feels in your hands. Or you might pick up a beautiful crystal highball and realize your Single Malt deserves it. These little luxuries are traditional wedding gifts for good reason, and some guests (especially older ones) feel most comfortable giving wedding gifts like these. There’s always room to include things like bed and bath linens, kitchenware and home accents to your registry, as well.

Have a look at the Galleries section in the 2life Ultimate Wedding Planner app for our top registry picks. The gift registry consultants at your favorite department store should also have plenty of information and advice for you.

You might prefer contributions to bigger-ticket items, like a mat­ tress set or flat-screen TV, or even your honeymoon travel. Some online research will turn up even more ideas and possibilities, such as contributions to charitable organizations, or gift cards from your favorite stores.

Is it taboo to register for gift cards?

Absolutely not. If you would prefer a postwedding shopping spree, be honest and register for gift cards in the first place. (Just remember that you’ll miss out on the fun of opening all those gifts!)

Don’t register for gifts that you have no intention of keeping, just so that you can return them and get gift cards instead. There is no advantage to this; you are only deceiving your guests and causing headaches for retailers.

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DOING ITbridesmaids will be engagement parties and RIGHT asked for this infor­ bridal showers before mation, so make sure THERE WILL LIKELY BE

the wedding, so make sure you register for plenty of options in a wide price range. (This will also accommodate guests with different budgets.) Don’t overdo it, or it will start to look like a gift grab. If you open multiple registries, don’t make it more than three.

People will want to know where you’re registered, so don’t be shy about it. Your family and

Should we include registry info in our wedding invitations?

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they have it. Many registries will provide notification cards that can be included with shower invitations.

As the big day approaches, keep your registry up to date, and make sure there are still items in every price range. If you receive a gift that was on your list but not purchased where you’re registered, remove it from the registry to avoid duplication.

There are mixed opinions on this subject: tra­dition­al etiquette says definitely not; modern practice is not so cut-and-dried. Ultimately, you must consider the formality of the event, the age and attitudes of your guests, and the opinion of your family (especially those who are helping to foot the bill), and decide for yourselves. You can present the information on a wedding website (if you’re creating one), and putting an insert with a link to the site in the invitation is a good compromise etiquette-wise.

our gift to you Download 2life Ultimate Wedding Planner and get a free one-year upgrade to 2life Premium when you create a gift registry with one of our featured partners.

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REAL WEDDING

DO-IT-YOURSELF I DO’S Beautiful handmade details add a touch of whimsy to any celebration, and help make your wedding memorable for you and your guests.

Kelli and Rej’s stunning boho-inspired wedding in Winnipeg, Canada was full of thoughtful DIY elements that captured the couple’s person­ ality. You’ll find lots of inspiration over the next few pages, but before you start pinning a slew of DIY projects, be sure to consider your timeline. Don’t leave important details to the last minute because, unless you’re an experienced crafter, there will likely be some trial and error before you get them picture-perfect.

BY KATE DRUMMOND

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY SIMPLY ROSIE

UP IN THE AIR

Kelli and Rej customized giant 30� balloons (which you can pur­chase at any party store) by decorating them with floral-ribbon tassels.

The balloons add a playful element to their wedding photos, and the customization is easy and inexpensive.

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ESCORT CHARMS

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A vintage door doubles as a background for this rustic seating chart. The hand-painted numbers on the metal hearts are the table numbers; the guests’ names are printed on the suspended paper hearts.

CENTER OF ATTENTION

A stack of vintage books wrapped in floral ribbon was the focal point of each centerpiece. Kelli customized mason jars with simple, yet romantic, lace ribbon.

Create consistency in your dĂŠcor by repeating some elements. The metal heart in this flower arrangment echoes the hearts in the seating chart.

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IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

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Transform your venue into a truly unique space by adorning it with DIY elements and signage. Here, the same ribbon that was used for the balloons and centerpieces is repeated in the confetti flags and the guest book. The couple also dressed up cocktail straws with adorable custom name tags and placed one at each setting.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

Get the party started with sparklers! They’re not as pricey or ostentatious as a fireworks display, but they add a memorable element to any reception. They also make for super-fun photo ops.

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GIVE THANKS

Create a “Thank You” bunting banner and ask your photographer to get a shot of the two of you holding it.

(This image can later be used for DIY thank-you cards.) Get creative when it comes to wrapping your attendants’ gifts, and think of unique ways to incorporate your engagement photos in your wedding décor: Kelli and Rej used one of their shots as the cover of the CDs that guests took home as favors.

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REAL ATWEDDING HOME

some enchanted evening

A classic piece of literature inspired this couple’s fairytale wedding

BY KATE DRUMMOND

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELISABETH MILLAY PHOTOGRAPHY

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Youyou & Rahul

at first sight when we came across the images of Youyou and Rahul’s romantic wedding at The Caramoor Cen­ter for Music and the Arts in Katonah, New York. From the ceremony’s enchanting willow arch to the archi­tectural cake, this wedding is chockfull of unique design elements. And, more importantly, a whole lot of heart. Guests traveled from around the globe to be part of Youyou and Rahul’s special day, and the couple wanted to create a celebration that everyone would enjoy. A team of industry ex­ perts helped trans­form Youyou’s Pinterest board into the stuff wedding dreams are made of.

T WAS LOVE

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hat were your top priorities for your wedding day?

We wanted to have a day that reflected us.

We chose elements that reflect our personal taste and style. We didn’t just go with obvious choices that we had seen in magazines and on TV. We wanted to have a celebration that we would both enjoy, and that our friends and family would enjoy, too.

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What inspired the look of your wedding?

When we first met with our wed­ding planners, Firefly Events, we didn’t have a concrete idea for the wedding, but knew we wanted to create an environment inspired by The Lord of the Rings. Those were my favorite movies and books grow­ing up. I always thought they were in­credibly romantic. We didn’t want to

get too literal with the theme, but there are little touches that allude to Middle Earth: the calligraphy on the escort cards and invitations, the moss runners on the tables, and the setting itself.

Did you two plan your wedding together as a couple?

We split up the planning based on what was important to each of us. I cared about 2LIFE WEDDINGS

more things than Rahul did, and he let me take care of those areas. Rahul was pas­ sionate about the DJ and the arcade games that we had at the reception, so I let him handle those elements.

Which décor elements did you love the most?

I really liked the custom arch that we got married under, and the farmhouse tables in the reception tents. I’ve always hated tablecloths, so I really liked the look of the wooden tables and the moss table runners.

What was one of your favorite moments of the day?

Our favorite part was when we did our “first look” photo shoot before the ceremony. It was nice to have a special moment to ourselves.

PHOTO : QUENTIN BACON

Were there any surprises on your wedding day?

The first surprise was that it rained, even though the forecast said it was going to be bright and sunny. The rain actually added a touch of mystery and romanti­ cism to the day. Another surprise came from our good friend who stepped in as our officiant at the last minute. There 2LIFE WEDDINGS

“We chose elements that reflect our personal taste and style. We didn’t just go with obvious choices that we had seen in magazines and on TV.”

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were some parts of the ceremony that he had kept secret until the day of. It was an amazing expression of how he felt about us individually, and as a couple.

What was the most touching part of the day?

Standing together under the willow arch and exchanging vows was magical. We also loved seeing all of our friends and family who had traveled from Canada, China and India come together on the dance floor.

Everybody enjoyed each other’s company and completely embraced the moment.

Visit 2life.io to see more inspiring Real Weddings!

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REAL WEDDING

get the look Ava Bow shoe clips Freya Rose

Dreamy details for a romantic celebration.

Florence bridal gown Jenny Packham

Donna Morgan Dress Nordstrom

Victoria earrings Elizabeth Bower

Glass cloche West Elm

Mercury glass votive holder Cultural Intrigue

Claire Pettibone “Lush Life” stationery Wedding Paper Divas

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Borrby lantern IKEA

We o t t wan m o r f hear ! u o y

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