One of my guilty pleasures in life is shoes, and what better a reason for a fabulous new pair of shoes then your wedding day? Today’s wedding shoes are not just white or ivory – brides are using their shoes as an opportunity to continue their color theme or to play off the Something Blue. A good quality shoe can be an investment and your wedding day is just the day to spoil yourself with such an investment. There is nothing like slipping on a brand new pair of heels, and now days your bridal shoes are a great way to show off your personality.

Here are some great examples:
SPLURGE:

Clockwise:
1. Christian Louboutin Glitter Sling Back Heel – $775
2. Giuseppe Zanotti Jeweled Strappy Sandal – $1045
3. Cole Haan Ceci Air Rose Sling Back – $428
4. Manolo Blahnik – Something Blue Satin Pump: $945
5. Kate Spade – Keenen – $298
6. Kate Spade – Clarice – $300

Shoes 1-4 from Neiman Marcus, 5-6 from Kate Spade.

SAVE:

Clockwise:
Martinez Valero ‘Waverly’ Pump – $154.95
MAXSTUDIO ‘Scent’ Sandal – $154.95
Nina Elga Evening Sandal – $99
Me Too ‘Jeanette’ Pump – $88.95

Shoes 1, 2, 4 from Nordstrom. Shoe 3 from Macys.

The Look for Less is posted monthly.

About: Tricia Huddas & Co. specializes in destination weddings in historic Savannah Georgia and the Southeast.  Whether you are planning an intimate evening or a bold affair, Tricia Huddas & Co will bring your event together with style, elegance and grace.

A wedding favor is a small item given, as a token of appreciation, to your guests for coming to your wedding. The problem with favors is that they are often something that the guest will actually never use, and in such cases they are often – it’s true, we are there for the clean-up – left behind.

I find that the most well-received favors are edible! I am a huge fan of the edible wedding favor myself because, let’s be honest, who really needs a votive candle with someone else’s monogram on it? No one. Who needs a little snack after a long night of drinking and dancing? I do!

We are seeing a trend in “classic” wedding favors such as boxing up an extra slice of wedding cake to be passed out at the end of the night. It is a great way to send your guests off with a sweet treat for breakfast or even for that night. You can order a simple sheet cake from your cake company and ask your planner, reception venue or the cake company to box up the slices for your guests and have them displayed as your guests exit. Who can pass on a slice of wedding cake – not me – and taking one for the road is always appreciated!

Jordan almonds wrapped in tulle with a bow is a very classic wedding favor that is making a come back. It is perfect for the classic or vintage wedding that is tossing back to their parents or even grandparents weddings. They come in so many colors that you can even customize to your wedding, and you can modernize the packaging with a cut box tied with a ribbon.

Beau-coup has some great favor packaging from single serving cake boxes to jars and bags!

Another great edible wedding favor is to stay local!

That said, if you are getting married in Savannah, it might be nice to treat your guests a taste of our local flavor – the same is true for any destination. We have some great candy and cookie companies here in Savannah if you are looking to satisfy the sweet tooth among your friends and family.

Savannah Candy Kitchen is located on River Street…which is a good place to start. They have a lot of classic Savannah confections that are made fresh right there in the store.

Pecans are very Southern, very Savannah, and these two classics – Pecan Pralines (left) and Southern Divinity (right) – ensure a sweet ending to the night.

A little snack goes a long way at midnight, so if you want to provide a favor that is sure to be a hit, any of these will do!

The Look for Less is posted monthly.

About: Tricia Huddas & Co. specializes in destination weddings in historic Savannah Georgia and the Southeast.  Whether you are planning an intimate evening or a bold affair, Tricia Huddas & Co will bring your event together with style, elegance and grace.

The Look For Less:

When working on a conservative budget, brides are often shocked at the prices of floral centerpieces.  The fact of the matter is, you are paying not only for the flowers themselves, but also for the artistic ability of your florist to arrange them. While centerpieces can always be pared down and simplified to fit into any budget, the real issue at hand is finding an alternative centerpiece with the height and spread of a large, elaborate floral centerpiece in your price range.

A trend that we really like, and that fits the bill, is using branches instead of flowers (or instead of just flowers).  Branches add the height you need to fill a big event venue without breaking the bank.

Here is an example from a January wedding of ours. The branches are from Pottery Barn and are lightly frosted. They are currently on clearance for $7.99 a branch. The hanging crystals pictured are Swarovski, but there are alternatives available in real crystal, glass and plastic, and they were attached with clear fishing line. The vase was rented from a local florist and, just like that, there was a stunning arrangement. When the simple tea light candles surrounding the centerpiece were lit, and the room was dim, the crystals picked up the candlelight and it was amazing!

(photo by DVB Photography)

Here is a lovely (as always) example from Martha Stewart Weddings in which they decorated the branches with paper flowers and birds.

So use your imagination, and you can surely think of a number of adornments for simple branch centerpieces.  Or simply leave them bare.  Check out this how-to video from Real Simple.  The ideas is focused on a holiday display, but by choosing paint colors that fit with your wedding’s color scheme, they would make a very modern and elegant reception centerpiece.

The Look for Less is posted on the first Monday of each month.

About: Tricia Huddas & Co. specializes in destination weddings in historic Savannah Georgia and the Southeast.  Whether you are planning an intimate evening or a bold affair, Tricia Huddas & Co will bring your event together with style, elegance and grace.

One of the biggest structural costs of your wedding will be the food and beverage minimum at your reception venue.  Of course you will be a smart bride and shop around to be sure you find a venue whose size, menu prices and f&b minimum are appropriate for your wedding and budget.  And, yes, you know that if you want to get married on a Tuesday, as opposed to Friday or Saturday, you will be subject to lower venue fees and minimums.  But if you’re planning a Tuesday wedding, will enough guests be available to help you eat and drink that minimum?  Maybe.  Maybe not.

So instead of holding your wedding earlier in the week, why not consider earlier in the day? Most reception venues require a lower spending minimum for events held early enough in the day to allow them to turn the room over for an evening wedding, even during peak wedding season, even on Saturdays!  In addition, a simple and elegant brunch menu, by nature, is lighter than dinner fare and less expensive.

Brunch is one of those meals that feels like a special occasion no matter when you have it!  Let’s be honest, it’s generally a luxury that we reserve for weekends, holidays, vacation and celebrations.  These associations make it a natural fit for your wedding.  And Butler-passed Bloody Mary’s and Mimosa’s will create the feeling of ease for your guests that only daytime drinking can do!

Today’s The Look for Less was written by Ainsley Crowell  of Tricia Huddas & Co.

About: Tricia Huddas & Co. specializes in destination weddings in historic Savannah Georgia and the Southeast.  Whether you are planning an intimate evening or a bold affair, Tricia Huddas & Co will bring your event together with style, elegance and grace.

The Look for Less is posted on the first Monday of each month.