Bachelorette for the Belles

Brittany Fuson Paper

This post has been long awaited...because, truthfully it's a tough one. I've been asked many times, 

"How can I make a bachelorette party classy, not trashy and chic, not cheese?"

It's not as easy as some may think, so let's get started with a few ideas.

I love themes! No...not matching t-shirts but an overall party theme. Lately, while tending to my MOH duties for my BF Carly, I've been contemplating cutesy ideas. I'm thinkin' a southern-country feel. The Miranda Lambert bridal party gave me lots of inspiration. Floral and pink dresses with cowboy boots, oh my. Nothing's better than cute and comfy while you prance around the town!

The Nashville inspired invitations below were handmade and copied at a local paper printer. So cute, right?

Now what about proper etiquette and who pays for what? Your bride shouldn't pay for a thing. But that doesn't mean you have to fork the whole bill (talking strictly bachelorette party). Since this includes all her special ladies, it's ok to ask them to throw a little moolah your way.

Get a hotel room. Whether you are drinkin' gals or not, y'all will want to go out to eat, dance, and strut your stuff. You don't want to worry about hitching a ride back home. Get some digs close to where you want to par-tay and have some fun!

Games...My favorite one so far has been the 'This or That' game. Before the party, call the groom with 10-15 questions (naughty or nice), his answer being his preference between 'This or That.' With each answer, have a little gift for her to take along to the honeymoon. Ex. Boyshorts or Thong? Assign each bridesmaid a gift to correlate so you don't go broke-city.

 Lauren playing This or That! 

Plan a photoshoot! Set up a self timer and work it! You'd be surprised the pictures that become with only a few seconds to get your big group together. Got an old-school Polaroid camera? Set up a clothes line to post the pictures on at the end of the night. It's great memories the bride can take with her!

Dance, dance, dance. Spend some time on iTunes and pick some jams that will get y'all excited for the night! Music will loosen the belles up and be a good background filler for games.

Keep it Southern! You can't go wrong with a splash of south! Consider drinks in mason jars, lace, candles, and hanging flower poms! Decorating the room can be inexpensive and elegant, just get a little creative! 

Lastly, consider a Boudoir Party. I'm not sure that anyone does it better than photographer, Courtney Dellafiora. Click here to see what all my hype is about. Obsessed. 

Hope this helps, dolls! Just remember to keep your bride in mind, what she likes, and how she would love to spend a night as a bachelorette! 


Don't forget to keep the dream wedding votes coming in for Ms. Amanda Nettles! Click here! 

Be a Gem...

Attention ladies (and the four guys that read SB, including my father)...I beg of your help because, yep, I'm living vicariously through my sweet sorority sister, Ms. Amanda Nettles. Recently this belle's beau put a ring on it and now they have a chance to win big! They are currently in a race to receive...

A reception at a beautiful Mississippi Country Club,Wedding Photography, a firework presentation and a Honeymoon trip to Paris! (I know...amaze)

Now, I know we are all bursting with envy but join with me in helping them win this absolutely amazing opportunity. Because if you do...and they win...then I'll blog...and for a few precious moments, we can pretend we were right there with them. Right there, kissing beneath the fireworks, and hopping in a car to enjoy tea and crumpets in Paris!

So, go on...be a gem and vote for our fellow belle! If all my readers vote once a day, there's no way we can't sweep the competition! 

Vote HERE (left side bar, Amanda Nettles and Chris Kirtland) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday! 

Pumped Up Kicks

Hello my stylish brides-to-be. I've come upon a dilemma...it's easier to find a snow flake in a Louisiana summer then to find affordable, awesome, white shoes. And, it's not like you can just pop over to the department store whenever ya' want. White has to be in season, they have to be hott-mama, and have to be anti-maw-maw.

We are women! We want to feel beautiful at our wedding, and it can't just stop at the gown. So, before you hike up your dress, consider some of the below options. (click on the shoe for a direct link)

Christian Louboutin $165

Badgley Mischka $265

Christian Louboutin $175.80

Badgley Mischka $137.90

Something blue...

Manolo Blahnik $945

Steve Madden $86.90

What to be comfy and cute? While the white crochet Toms are my fave...I had to give you a dash of Tory Burch options!

TOMS $58

Tory Burch $178

Tory Burch $195

Now, go ahead Cinderella...Find your perfect fit.

Xo,
Belle of the Blog

His Best

Guess what friends? Tomorrow's Friday! Go ahead and say aloud with me...Woo Hoo! And before I go any further, you must know that I recently saw Ms. Marian Jordan speak. She is an outstanding author and speaker and a pretty powerful woman of God. Marian spoke on some awesome stuff so now I'd like to share with you!

But what does Marian Jordan have to do with weddings (since that's what Southern Bells is all about!)? Well'p along with your wedding comes a groom. Right? Wait, did you forget...In 'pinning' all the dresses, cakes, and burlap pics, you didn't find the perfect man to post on your 'Dream Wedding' board? (Shut up, I know you have one.)

Brace yourself because I'm about to tell you something your teacher may have skipped in grade school...No man is perfect. Not even those with pressed khakis and pastel button-ups. So it's time for us 'dreamers' to get over it. No man can fulfill all of our needs, always get us the perfect Valentines day gift, say the right things, or remember what you ordered on y'alls first date. We need something bigger than a man, a partner, a frat-daddy, or a husband. And I mean big. Like, God big. 


Marian said it best, "Only God can fill your God spot." That hole in the pit of our stomach that can't be filled with The Notebook and a big peperoni pizza.You gettin' what I'm dishin'? And don't get me wrong, there are really great guys out there, mine included. Who are kind, thoughtful, and remember you like mustard on your sausage biscuits. But they will let us down, at one time or another, as we will similarly.

As I traveled last year for my sorority I met many girls, most who asked, "So, do you have a boyfriend?" (Consultants, you know what I'm talking about). All to which I said yes, as they proceeded to tell me about their love lives. The ladies that got my heart stirring, were those that told me less-than-stellar stories about their beaus. You know, the guys that don't call...the guys that aren't ready for a commitment...the guys that aren't worthy of that girl's heart.

"God wants you to have His best. He made our souls to know what we (our hearts) are designed to do" said Marian. Yep. Let that one sink in. Jesus fought for us. Fought to show us the absolute meaning of love. So, don't settle on less than His best. Don't let your heart be complacent in 'comfortable.'

Remember you are worth it. You are worth lots and lots of love. And when you do find that man, the one that will accept you and all your faults, the one who's faults you will accept, the one that can go on your 'Dream Wedding' Pinterest board...you can be confident in knowing that God, of love unfailing, brought you to His best.


Love y'all lots and lots,
Belle of the Blog

Click HERE to check out Marian's website, more about her, and the awesome books you've got to read!

I'll Drink to That

Cheers Belles and Beaus! As I pondered a post for the week, I passed a drive-thru daiquiri joint on the way home from work. Yes, in the great state of Louisiana you can purchase alcohol in a drive-thru.

Lately, having a signature drink at your wedding is all the rage. I got'ta say...I love it! Whether you and your groom choose a joint drink or a different beverage for each, you're guests will love the yummy cocktails!

Now let's break it down by seasons...

Winter
This one is for my sister-friend, Carly who's getting married January 2013. My favorite Christmas-time drink is the Poinsettia (perfect name, right?). Nom. Nom. Consider adding frozen cranberries instead of ice to make it more festive!

(1/4 cup vodka, 1/4 cup champagne, 1/2 cup cranberry juice, crushed ice or frozen cranberries, 2 strips orange zest)

Spring

Now, for an ode to my Phi Mu ladies in South Carolina, I introduce you to the spiked Arnold Palmer. A mix of tea and lemonade, two southern staples, makes this drink yummy to my tummy.

(3 cups tea, 2 cups lemonade, 10 oz of vodka, lemon slice)

Summer

We all know down here in the pits, it gets rippin' hot. The Cucumber-Ginger Fizzes is deliciously refreshing and will cool ya down quick! Ahhh...

(1 1/2 cups vodka, 2 English cucumbers-1 peeled & coarsely chopped-1 left whole, 1 lime; cut into 8 wedges, 2 bottles sparkling water, 1/2 cup Ginger Simple Syrup)

Fall

Nothin' is better in the Fall than a good glass of wine. Spruce it up with this Rose Wine Punch recipe.

(1/4 cantaloupe-peeled, 1 small peach-pitted, 1 small nectarine-pitted, 2 bottles chilled dry rose wine, 6 tablespoons sugar, 1 1/2 cups golden/red raspberries)

So, cheers to you and your love. It's time to pour a drink and dance the night away!

Mark Eric Photography

Love,

The Belle of the Blog