MEL’S WEDDING MONTH- ALL THINGS WEDDING!
In the last month I’ve had 2 weddings and both were amazing! Being in the wedding industry for 8+ years doing makeup I felt like I knew a lot about the day; but to be honest a lot a great referrals and tips came from my clients who were past brides of mine! This post is for anyone getting married and some tips to make the whole experience go smoother. I had two wedding types; a private courthouse elopement in Minneapolis and an Intimate Destination Symbolic Wedding in Mexico with friends and family.
WEDDING PREP BEFORE DESTINATION WEDDING
12- 18 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
Laser Hair Removal: Ideal Image | @idealimage | leah.stanley@idealimage.com | 651-398-0461
8-12 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
Workout Program: Minny Hustlers | @minnyhustlers | I used their home guide through the summer and the fall/winter used their 12 week guide
Skincare Program: The Skyn Distillery | @theskyndistillery | At home routine focus on hydration + anti aging with Glo Skin Beauty Products paired with in-studio brightening peels and Procell Microchanneling Treatments. Blog Post on At Home Products Used- Click Here
8 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDNG
Save the Date Cards: Minted | @minted | With destination you’ll want your save the dates out sooner to your guests*
2 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDNG
Dress Alterations: Christine’s Alterations | Cklaesges@hotmail.com
Vow Books: Etsy | @ivoryandsageco
Ring Boxes: Etsy | @mycraftingnest
1 MONTH BEFORE WEDDING
Teeth Whitening: Haven Beauty Collective | @havenbeautycollective | 1 month or closer to before the wedding, at home option or in studio option for quicker results.
Bigger Signs for Wedding Day: Minted | @minted
1 WEEK BEFORE WEDDING
Facial and Brow Shaping: The Skyn Distillery | @theskyndistillery |
Manicure/Pedicure: T Luxe Nails | @tluxenails
COURTHOUSE WEDDING - LEGAL CEREMONY
I wanted an intimate wedding day that allowed me to be present and enjoy the moment of our marriage because I don’t like to be the center of attention. Jerime and I checked into the Hewing Hotel on Thursday night and on Friday morning got to enjoy breakfast in bed, followed by hair and makeup done right in my hotel room. We used the Hewing Hotel as our backdrop for a lot of our photos inside and outside the building giving us that modern, chic city vibe. We had our courthouse ceremony at 5pm followed by dinner with friends at the Tullibee restaurant inside the Hewing Hotel, lastly we celebrated the evening with complimentary champagne at the rooftop bar. The other amenities we enjoyed during our stay those three days was the rooftop hot tub and sauna which was an added bonus.
COURTHOUSE TIPS
Make sure to get your marriage license 1-2 months before courthouse date, it’s one less thing to stress about; it will be good for up to 6 months before expiring
Reach out to the Judges directly 1 month before to see who would be available for your ceremony; this is time consuming because you need to directly reach out to each judge
Stay at your hotel the night before wedding day so you can just wake up and enjoy the day vs running around that morning
VENDOR LIST
Hotel Accommodations: Hewing Hotel | @hewinghotel
Wedding Rings: Wedding Day Diamonds | @weddingdaydiamonds
Makeup: Heather Trachsel | @heathertrachsel
Hair: Styled by Abbi | @styledbyabbi
Hair Clip in Extensions: Luxy Hair | 20" Classic Chocolate Brown Clip-Ins (160g) - 20" (160g)
Florals: Swift Water Floral | @swiftwaterfloralco
Photographer: Alexis Chanel Photography | @alexis.chanel.photography
Wedding Dress Blazer: Macys | @macys
Purse: Amazon | Naimo Flap Dazzling Small Clutch Bag Evening Bag w/ Detachable Chain
Shoes: Heels DSW | Jessica Simpson Whispie Pump | White Boots Nasty Girl
Grooms Attire: Atmosfere | @atmosferempls
Courthouse: Hennepin County Government Center
Destination Wedding - Symbolic Marriage for Family and Friends
I wanted my wedding to be a celebration with close friends and family; I don’t like being the center of attention and never wanted a big wedding so I knew by doing a destination wedding we could make it more intimate. I think the most fun thing about a destination wedding is getting to spend time with your guests throughout the week vs just the wedding day.
DESTINATION WEDDING TIPS
My biggest advice is get a travel agent to assist you and your guests; this will allow you not to have to be the middle person on all travel related questions which would create a lot of stress. Anytime someone had a travel question or concern they went directly to the travel agent.
Work with a resort that is known for doing weddings because they will create a seamless, beautiful wedding day for you and your guests. They also will handle everything from florals, decor, set up and tear down, food, cake, etc.
Arrive 2 days before your guests arrive to give yourself time to get adjusted to the resort and handle all your wedding appointments with resort before guests show up
VENDOR LIST
Travel Agent - Webster Travel Group Dream Vacations | @webstertravelgroup | rwebster@dreamvacations.com
(Rae Lee helped me pick my resort, was the middle person between me and the wedding coordinator on site, and assisted all my guests with their booking and airfare.)
Resort- Dreams Jade Resort & Spa | @dreamsresorts
(They have wedding packages that include all your things you need like florals, set up and tear down, food, cocktails, etc)
Photographer: Alexis Chanel Photography | @alexis.chanel.photography
Videographer: Austin Hilgenberg | @austinhilgenberg
Makeup: Heather Trachsel | @heathertrachsel
Hair Clip in Extensions: Luxy Hair | 20" Classic Chocolate Brown Clip-Ins (160g) - 20" (160g)
Wedding Rings: Wedding Day Diamonds | @weddingdaydiamonds
Wedding Dress, Veil, Earrings: Bhldn | @bhldn
Wedding Shoes: DSW | @dsw | Nina Sanchia Slingblack Sandal + Marc Fisher Casara Slide Sandal
Wedding Dress 2nd Look for Dance: Macys | @macys Adrianna Papell Brand
Purse: Amazon | Naimo Flap Dazzling Small Clutch Bag Evening Bag w/ Detachable Chain
Grooms Attire: Atmosfere | @atmosferempls
If you have any questions; please shoot me an email at hello@theskyndistillery.com
All vendors used for our wedding ceremonies were amazing and I highly recommend!