Bridal Style, Events & More

Looking for name change advice or some tips for newlywed life? The MissNowMrs experts have created state-specific name change articles and checklists for you. We’ve chronicled our recommendations for how to travel while changing your name AND how to handle voting during the transition.

We’ve also compiled our best guidance for how to handle difficult sister in laws, holidays as newlyweds, the ever-annoying baby questions, and much more. Why? Because, while we are name change experts, we’re also newlywed wives, moms, and sisters.

We hope our name change advice articles help smooth your transition to your new name, and a whole new phase of life. Congratulations and best wishes from the entire MissNowMrs team!

The New Micro Wedding Trend

Have you heard about the new micro wedding trend? MissNowMrs has been around for 13+ years, so we love when something new happens in the wedding industry!

A micro wedding is an intimate ceremony and celebration with 20 people or less. Why is this such a hot trend? COVID put a crimp in most couples’ wedding plans with closed venues and the ban on large gatherings. So, couples are creating tiny celebrations instead of large ones.

There are some definite benefits to micro weddings. First, they’re very economical. Planning a wedding for 20 instead of 200 guests is much more budget friendly. Second, micro weddings are less stress. Couples can plan an event that is in line with who they are and what the want, instead of adhering to rigid traditions and expectations. Finally, micro weddings can be held in myriad places. Couples can be creative and gather in a space that suits them and the season.

Micro Wedding Venues

With the rise of micro weddings comes the creation of micro wedding venues. Instead of large hotel ball rooms, these micro venues tend to be tiny and unique. Couples are now planning to get married on mountain tops, boat decks, farm fields, and in the forest. Woodsy weddings are the new rustic wedding, and we love them!

We’re enjoying all of the creativity going into these events. With only 20 guests, couples can DIY to their hearts content. From sliced log chargers, to tiny wild flower bouquets, and handmade favors, micro is so sweet and personal.

What are your thoughts on the micro wedding trend? Do you think they’re a good idea? Or, do you feel like these couples should wait and have their originally planned larger weddings? We’d love to hear your thoughts in a comment below. Be honest about your feelings on this new trend in new time for weddings.

9 Wedding Day Essentials

Here are 9 wedding day essentials to ensure the perfect day! You’ve done a lot of planning to get to your wedding day, and it’s finally here. From securing the perfect vendors to choosing your floral arrangements and much more, it’s a great feeling to finally have everything crossed off of your checklist. But, one thing that brides often forget about, is what could pop up when getting ready to walk down the aisle. We want to make sure you’re prepared to handle whatever is thrown your way.

Wedding Hair Essentials

No bride wants to be worrying about her hair as she’s saying her vows or greeting guests at the reception. To ensure that every hair stays properly in its place, but a travel-size hairspray in your bag, along with a couple bobby pins. Also include this tangle-free hair tie for when you’re ready to hit the dance floor!

Wedding Makeup Essentials

Whether you have a makeup artist or have done your own look, it’s important to have makeup that stays. However, be ready to do some quick touch-ups if needed. Finishing powder is perfect for a light dusting over your face. It’s also great for preventing any unwanted shiny spots caused by sweating. Lip balm is also a good idea, not only for dry lips, but if you need a little moisture before or after applying a matte lip color. No bride wants cracked lips for the big kiss! Mini makeup wipes are a must for getting rid of excess dirt or sweat before applying your wedding day makeup. Wipes will also come in handy at the end of the night when you’re ready to get it all off.

Wedding Dress Essentials

Most dresses are altered to fit the bride perfectly. But, there are times when she has gained or lost a little bit of weight right before the big day, causing the fit to be slightly off. The first step to finding the perfect fit is with the right support. A discreet strapless bra can do wonders for securing the top of the dress. It also lends proper support. Heavy-duty safety pins are great for securing access fabric or for handling puckering cutting out the hassle of a needle and thread. It’s not a bad idea to have a pair of scissors on hand as well for tiny loose threads. Eyebrow scissors are surprisingly helpful thanks to their small design that can easily get into zipper lines or embroidery.

Behind the Scenes Essentials

While hopefully everything is taken care of in advance, there are times when vendors have last-minute questions. Someone needs a signature, or you’re short on a final deposit. Have your checkbook handy, as well as a pack of sticky notes and a pen to sign checks. These items make it easy to make any necessary payments that pop up or to pass along messages for wedding day helpers. The last thing you want to be worrying about is running around your venue as the countdown begins.

Wedding Fun Essentials

Every bride is different, but think about what little accessories will bring a little extra joy or excitement. Do you want to give your bridesmaids a cute little gift right before they head down the aisle? Or, do you want to have a quick wedding day cocktail with them to tackle your nerves? Thinking ahead will allow you to create the fun moments you’ll remember for a lifetime!

Whatever essentials you choose to include, be sure to have fun and focus on the best parts of getting ready to say “I do,” and get excited for the life ahead of you! While there are many different details that go into getting married, there are tons of resources out there to help it go as seamlessly as possible. MissNowMrs is just an example with the tools you need to change your name. Check out our site for advice and help, and follow us on Instagram for more wedding and post-wedding info!

Flower Man: A Modern Twist on the Flower Girl

Weddings that showcase a couples’ style are always the best. The non-traditional nods to the bride or groom’s personality are what guests remember and talk about. When couples do “them” the event becomes more intimate and personal. Recently, a couple decided to have a flower man… and it was perfect!

How does a flower man happen? The back story is that the bride and her cousin were flower girl and ring bearer together as children. She wanted to include him in her wedding, and he really wanted to re-create their childhood memory. So, instead of cute kids tossing flowers ahead of the bride, in this wedding a 28 year old flower man did the honor.

Guests were amused, and what bride could be stressed or worried after laughing at an adult flower man using the same flower basket she used as a flower girl years ago?! Hats off to this creative spin on the flower girl. We like it almost as much as grandma flower girls! To any bride reading this, don’t worry so much about what others will think. Plan the wedding that matches your relationship… you’ll thank yourself later!

Original Story: Huffington Post
Photo Credit: Erin Moore Photography

This Year’s “It” Bridal Bag

When it comes to weddings, most brides obsess about the dress. Then they use its style to tie together all of the facets of their wedding day. Wedding dresses are very important. But, so are the details ladies! Veils, shoes, jewelry, and purses allow you to further personalize your bridal look. Don’t miss out on this year’s “it” bridal bag!

While veils and shoes are often carried at wedding boutiques. Bridal bags seem to fall off of the wedding fashion checklist. Not to worry! We have discovered the chicest bridal bags designed by a woman entrepreneur. Laura Lee Designs creates hand-crafted purses that are absolutely perfect! The Stepping Out Clutch is an elegant purse with full beading and magnetic closure. Each bag is hand-beaded. And, it has upwards of 10,000 beads. Talk about beautiful attention to detail!

Aside from the gorgeous exteriors. Our favorite part of Laura Lee’s bags are the luxurious interiors. Four pockets are sewn inside, with the embroidered words “Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue.” They are instant Instagram fodder. AND something you can carry long after you have walked down the aisle in style.

Imagine re-using your clutch for anniversaries and special events. You’ll be able to remember your big day. And, even talk about it when you receive compliments on your clutch years later. We’re declaring The Stepping Out Clutch and Bridal M Bags the “it bridal bags” of the year!

As you plan your perfect day, don’t forget your name change. If you’re planning to change your name after marriage, our name change app and service will save you 13 hours of hassle!

Wedding Pro Wednesday: Tara Melvin

This Wedding Pro Wednesday I am delighted to introduce you to Tara Melvin, the founder of Perfect Planning Events. Perfect Planning Events is a boutique event planning company in the Washington, D.C. Metro area that specializes in creating not just events, but unique individual experiences for all of their clients. Their services are tailored specifically for each client’s event. Perfect Planning Events offers a full comprehensive event planning and design service based on the character, personal style, and desired outcome for their clients. They savor the challenge of making each experience unique and different from the last. And absolutely love what they do!

I’ve known Tara Melvin for many years, and have a deep respect for the business and following she has built. She is a true industry professional, and an amazing woman! So, if you’re considering a professional wedding planner or design service for your wedding, or are curious what the career of a professional wedding planner is like, don’t miss Tara’s answers to my questions below!

Have you always been a wedding professional? If not, what was your previous career?
I have been in the wedding industry for approximately 13 years. My other professional background includes almost 20 years as an Account Manager and National Account Manager for Fortune 500 companies. So definitely involved with people and building customer experiences my entire career.

What inspired you to create your company?
I have always been a person that loved to entertain and enjoy the company of others. From the time I was almost 10 years old, I was the kid on the block that held community social gatherings with kids in the neighborhood at my parent’s home without their permission, lol. This trend continued into college life and early adult life, hosting events in my apartment to celebrate my birthday, friend’s birthday, holidays, etc. – any reason I could find to host a celebration. Approximately 13 years ago, I hosted a New Year’s party at my home, and an un-invited guest asked me to plan a party for them. I immediately replied that I was going to charge them, and with that response a light bulb immediately went off and I dived into researching how to establish my business.

What was your biggest obstacle and failure in going from idea to business?
The biggest obstacle in the early stages of developing my company is the not knowing, and not having someone there to assist me through the process within my own industry. I had a friend that was a business owner that helped me with the paperwork to establish my business, however, no one to help me to navigate through the event industry. Because I am a determined person, I was diligent on learning and getting out there to network. My mentor program is the main reason it was created because I do not want anyone to experience what I had to encounter.

What do you love most about your job?
The relationships that I develop with my clients is very rewarding. The relationship does not end on the night of their event – it continues to develop into a family relationship. Secondly, my mentor program has fulfilled an empty place of success for me. Each night that I walk away from my class with the mentees, I am overjoyed and humbled.

What is your best advice for brides related to your area of expertise?
Whew! I can’t just stop at one piece of advice. I highly recommend that couples come to a realistic mutually agreed upon budget that they both should follow. Have open communication throughout the planning process. Take at least one full weekend off of wedding planning and not discussing the wedding. And remember, the true reason they are getting married.

What is Tara Melvin’s best advice for newlyweds?

My advice would be to continue to have open communication with each other. Remember to “love” each other daily – a simple statement, but a hard task to implement daily. And because of the world that we live in and we live such a high-paced life, to schedule date night at least twice a month without any distractions (focus on each other)

Photo Credits: Procopio Photography