Dialogue: Hyphenated Last Name

In today's modern non-traditional time it is common for a woman to either keep her last name or hyphenate her name with her husband's name. I struggled with this before I got married seeing all my friends who got married change their names on Facebook by only adding their husband's last name to the end and not removing their maiden name.

Was I supposed to be Melina Almonte Santelli or Melina Almonte-Santelli or just Melina Santelli? (I don't have a middle name)

I went with tradition and completely changed my last name to be Melina Santelli and I did the same on Facebook. I quickly felt remorse for dropping my maiden name. I kept thinking, "Maybe I should have hyphenated it on Facebook at least."

Now, my profile page still has Melina Almonte in the URL (can't change it) and if people search my maiden name they can still find my profile even though my name has changed. So it really isn't necessary to keep the maiden name on Facebook is it?

My changed name with my maiden name still in the url.

My other question I have always been curious about:
Do all these people who tack on or hyphenate the husband's name on Facebook actually have that name legally or just on their Facebook profile?

I've even had non-married friends complain when friends change their name when they get married because it throws them off in the news feed or throws them off when the married person writes on their wall. My husband, my mother-in-law and I all have first names start with "M" and same last name. It always makes people do a double take when we post something! Too funny.

What are you going to do about your name change? Or if you are already married, what did you end up doing? What reasons are you keeping your maiden name in your new name? What reasons are you completely dropping your maiden name? Do share! I'm really curious!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

Real Wedding: Cheryl and CJ Part Two

Alright, you don't have to wait any longer for more of this gorgeous shoot! If you didn't catch the first part make sure you don't miss it!

Cheryl also had written a really good post on issues (or pickles!) from her wedding day on the Nina Shoes Blog 17th and Park. I will share some of my favorite quotes she mentioned in that post!

 

"I had the most amazing, magical wedding ever. The sort of wedding that you dream about as a little girl. . . Now that I've told you how absolutely perfect our Big Day was, you can only imagine how difficult it was for me to come up with my wedding 'do-overs'."

If you can say this about your wedding day, you are in a great spot!

 

"If you create the rules, you must follow them yourself. And be sure to designate someone to make sure the bride stays on track!"

Such a great tip because a lot of brides think they can handle it all. It is hard to relinquish control but take it from Cheryl, get someone to help!

 

 "I went into full-on bridezilla frenzy (which I had been trying to avoid)."

Cheryl only had a brief bridezilla moment and I think having this moment is okay! I don't think a bride sets out to be a bridezilla, but sometimes everything comes down at once and you just got to have your moment. Have it. People understand! lol. 

 

"Although everything (for the most part) went off without a hitch, I wish I would have relinquished a bit more control to my family and friends or even hired a wedding planner."

I feel like so many brides say this after they get married and didn't hire a planner. I really believe hiring a planner even just for day-of is a must! As Cheryl mentioned, you need someone to keep everything on track. 

". . . no amount of wedding planning can ever adequately prepare you for your wedding day. And that's okay . . . just enjoy it!"

Best advice ever.

Thanks so so much to Cheryl for sharing her story and to Alexi Shields for submitting these gorgeous photos!

Read the full article here. 

Photography by Alexi Shields Photography

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Floral Designer:  DreamMakers
Reception Venue:  Sugar Cane Island Bistro
Invitation Designer:  Sandstone Wedding Invitations
Dress Designer:  Maggie Sottero
Cake Designer:  Cakes by Diane
Ceremony Location:  Church of Good Sheperd
Shoes:  Charlotte Russe
Tuxedo and Mens Attire:  Joseph A. Banks

Real Wedding: Cheryl and CJ in Tropical Florida

I can't even express in words how in love with the work of Alexi Shields Photography I am! Not only does her work capture the love and moments of a wedding but the photography is truly art. I love, love love it.

I was so excited to recieve this submission of Cheryl and CJ's wedding. This couple looks straight out of a magazine!

I got in touch with the bride and everything she has to share paired with all the beautiful photos, well let's just say one post is not enough! Enjoy and stay tuned for Part Two.

You can find Cheryl and CJ's engagement story here, but I will be sharing some snippets from the story.

 

"The two met through mutual friends while out one night in Abacoa Town Center. They began dating shortly after and have been inseparable ever since! Some would even say it was love at first sight ;-)"

 

 

"It was the summer night before C.J. was to leave South Florida and head back up to Gainesville for the beginning of his last year at The University of Florida. After a day of boating and relaxing at the Jupiter sandbar with friends, he and Cheryl went to Jetty's (her favorite restaurant) for a steak and lobster dinner (her favorite meal)" 

 

"Once they got to Juno Beach they took a moment to "inspect" the waves. And then, **SURPRISE, SURPRISE**, C.J. bent down on one knee and proposed, making Cheryl the happiest girl ever, C.J. the luckiest boy in the world and this the happiest moment in their life together thus far!"

 

"After Cheryl had a moment to catch her breath (and for C.J. to pick her up off the beach), they returned home to find C.J.'s mom with a bottle of champagne ready to toast the newly engaged couple (she was in on the secret). They quickly began spreading the good news with all of their family & friends! Cheers!"

Don't forget to tune in for Part Two with more gorgeous photos and some quotes from Cheryl about her wedding day!


Photography by Alexi Shields Photography
Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Tuesday Shoesday {7} Real Wedding Preview

Thanks to Alexi Shields Photography for this one. In a few hours you will see more where this came from. Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Follow Tuesday Shoesday on Twitter #tuesdayshoesday

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled - Hebrews 13:4

100 Wedding Blessings Pt. 4

Here is the last 25 of 100 Wedding Blessings! If you missed them be sure to catch Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

76. The feeling when someone first called me Mrs. Santelli
77. Changing your Facebook status to "Married"
78. Picking out wedding bands together.
79. Getting a family plan together for your cell phones.
80. Setting up your first home together.
81. Practicing writing your name with his name and it coming true. (no more scribbling in middle school notebooks!)
82. Pigging out on your honeymoon and not feeling guilty.
83. Your wedding day ensemble. Think about how much money is on you between the jewelry, the shoes and the gown. Then think about how blessed you are because so many people don't have much. Really appreciate it. :)
84. The butterflies in your stomach
85. The wedding planner (Okay, I didn't have one, but I wish I did and I know it would have been a blessing to have one, especially the day of!)
86. Feeling ready. When people would ask me, "Are you nervous?" I confidently replied with, "No, I'm ready."
87. Gaining another set of parents
88. The maid of honor and best man speech. Just too funny and just too sweet.
89. Gaining an older sister. My sister-in-law is just a few years older than me and I am so happy to have a big sister now. I've always been the big sis, now I have one!
90. My sister. She loves me too much and I am so blessed to have that bond with someone.
91. The church I got married in. Beautiful and small. Just what I wanted.
92. The lady who stepped up and cut the cake to serve it to the guests. My caterer let me down in so many ways.
93. Having the sword detail at my ceremony.
94. My husband getting to wear his uniform. We changed the wedding date so that he could wear it because it was his dream to get married in uniform.
95. Marrying a man in uniform. Always a woman's dream look on a man, but the real meaning of what it stands for makes it an honor to be his wife.
96. "Welcome to the Marine Corps" after getting spanked by a sword. That's all I needed to join the Marine family? I'll take it! No boot camp for me, lol.
97. Having my own family now. My husband, my pug and me.
98. The wedding videographer and photographer. Seriously two of the best investments for your wedding.
99. Sharing a bank account. I always thought we would have separate accounts, but I really find it best to have a shared one. Finances are huge in marriage and knowing that you both have control gives your new family a sense of stability.
100. Finishing this list and feeling really blessed having done so! Whoo!

Guest Post: Bridesmaids Fashion

I am excited to share with you all a guest post from Pretty Pear Bride!

The Pickle: Finding a bridesmaids dress that works for all your bridesmaids.

The Solution: I'll let Shaffone from Pretty Pear Bride answer that!

When you pick out your perfect wedding dress you think about styles, shapes and what’s going to match your body type, so why won’t you do the same for your bridesmaids?
Bridesmaids are usually your closest and best friends so when choosing bridesmaids' dresses make sure to think about ALL of your girls. Not all girls are built the same, so make sure to decide on something that will complement all body shapes and sizes. I am a plus size woman and always dreaded being asked to be in weddings. Being a curvy woman pretty much all my life, all my friends knew me as such but it is a different situation when your body type plays a part in what everyone else is wearing. Here are a few suggestions to ensure that all of your bridal party feels comfortable in what you pick for them to wear.

David's Bridal

Two-piece or combination dresses come in handy when dealing with different body types because people can get a style and fit that works best for them.









Another great alternative is the wrap dress because it can be styled and wrapped all different ways so it complements all different body shapes and sizes.

Gap wrap dress

 A-line dresses are always a plus because they look good on any body type.

Gowns by Simple Elegance

Who said all your bridesmaids dresses have to be the same color? Why not have several different colors and styles to your bridal party. You can use a few colors from your scheme or you can even have different shades of the main color that you want to use. This will make it so much easier for everyone to pick out colors and styles that fit each one of them and allow all your bridesmaids to feel comfortable in a dress that fits them.

There are so many different types and styles of dresses. You want to choose a dress that is going to complement each bridesmaid. A dress that looks good on one may not look good on another. Once you take into consideration all the different body types of your bridesmaids then you will able to decide on a dress that will define them all.

About Pretty Pear Bride

I’m a certified wedding and event planner who started out in the business to create amazing and memorable weddings. I started blogging and loved being able to share with the world my creative visions and take on weddings. Pretty Pear Bride was started as a site where plus size brides can find bridal inspiration that they long for. I myself being a plus size bride noticed that there weren't any resources and wedding blogs for plus size brides. So my mission was clear: merge my love for blogging and wedding planning with creating a place for plus size brides to see themselves in wedding inspiration.

Simply Sunday Love: Tribute to Abuela

This post is non-wedding related, but it is an important day for me. 4 years ago on this day, I lost my grandma and unfortunately she was the only grandparent I had a relationship with so it devasted me. The fact that I think about her all the time and live my life inspired by her everyday just speaks for how much she meant to me. Her love for God and her selflessness always makes me want to be a better person and love God with all my heart as well. What a blessing that I had her in my life.

Of course, this isn't a sad day for me. It is a happy one. She died when all the flowers started blooming. So the blooming of flowers always makes me feel close to her. Everything feels alive and I always feel like she is around when I look at the flowers.

Source: None via Melina on Pinterest

Yellow was her favorite color. My family usually makes a trip to her resting place. A lovely resting ground amidst fields of beautiful cows. I have moved, so I leave flowers for her here in her memory.

Source: louboosandshoes.blogspot.com via Melina on Pinterest

God bless you all and enjoy all the beauty God gives us. :)

Word of the Day Inspiration: Serene

This was the board I entered in the Wedding Blogger March Madness that won Round 1. I thought I would give a shout out to it. :)

1) Elizabeth Anne Designs- BinitaPatelPhotography

2) The Loveliest Day- A Girl and a Camera Photography

3) The Knot- Eleise Theuer Photography

4) Green Wedding Shoes- Jeff Wallace Photography

5) Green Wedding Shoes- Jeff Wallace Photography

6) The Knot- Heidi Ryder 

7) Annika by Maggie Sottero

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. - Proverbs 29:11

Bride's Prayer: Can't Please Everyone

The thing about planning a wedding is that everyone has something to say. Unheeded advice, Do's and Donts, helpful or hurtful opinions, and putting you in sticky social situations. You might feel overjoyed when your mother-in-law was so excited you involved her in finding your dress. You might feel guilty that you asked one of your cousins to be a bridesmaid but not the other seven. Planning a wedding is a lot of give and take.

Photo by PV KS via Flickr

Don't forget you are to serve the Lord. Not everyone and their dog. God first. Then all you can do is treat others the best you can.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:30-31

Take care of yourself. It doesn't do you any good to cry or stress. If pleasing everyone is bringing you loss of sleep, or you are not eating well because of the stress, it is time to stop and put yourself first.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The Prayer

God, I understand that I am made to serve You. Help guide me to You in my stress and lay all worries upon You. I cannot please everyone, for attempting to do so places others before You. I trust You to take care of me and to leave me to enjoy the happiness leading up to my wedding day.

Fab Find: Cake Topper

I came across this wedding favor site, Wedding Favors Unlimited, that has soooo many cute, funny, unique cake toppers. Here are a few that I love:

Round 2 Wedding Blogger March Madness!

Many thanks to those who voted for me in the first round and got me to the second round! I'm going to give you a preview of what will be my Round 2 Inspiration Board.

What I love about this one is that it uses the colors of my blog (pink and green) and I wanted to do something with a Cherry Blossom theme because I am seeing those everywhere here in Northern Virginia right now. It is so beautiful! So if you love my spring tribute to the blog, please be sure to vote for me!

1) Martha Stewart Weddings

2) Style Me Pretty by Erin Hearts Court

3) Martha Stewart Weddings

4) Style Me Pretty by Richard Israel

5) Inspired by This by Sandra Pan

6) I Do It Yourself

7) Style Me Pretty by Angie Wilson Photography

8) Elizabeth Anne Designs by Parrott Design Studio

9) Inspired by This by Sandra Pan

Here is how you can vote:
"Like" Events by Sarah Elizabeth's page on Facebook, then in the album for Round 2 "Like" the boards you want to vote for. (I hope you vote for me!)

Enjoy the inspiration and thank you in advance! God bless!

Dialogue: Odd Venues

It is common for weddings to be in hotels, parks, beaches, chapels and churches. But, now ceremonies and receptions are being held in various places. I got married in a church and had my reception in an event hall. Pretty typical. I actually wanted my reception at the art museum. Is that odd?

The lobby of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art where I almost had my reception.

I remember my husband and I attended a wedding in an event hall where the ceremony and reception took place in the same space. The guest helped themselves to some buffet food while waiting for the space to be converted. I thought it was a darling location, my husband thought it didn't feel like a wedding. (He is one of those traditionalists that believe all weddings should be in churches) In fact, many people you know probably have opinions on where you choose to have your ceremony/reception.

The church where I got married

It is nice to see weddings taking place in barns, in the woods, museums, restaurants, and famous landmarks, in the mountains, on a boat. Heck, someone got married in a McDonald's, and a Wal-mart too I'm sure. It really shows a couple's personality and story. Besides, is God not everywhere? Most importantly, if he dwells in your heart, then church wedding or not, God is present at your wedding.

Where are you having your wedding? Where do you wish you can or could've had your wedding if money and people's opinions weren't an issue?

"Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the Lord. "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 23:24

Pickle Quick Tip: Where does the ring go?

The Pickle: You want to know if the wedding band goes on top or on bottom of the engagement ring.

The Solution: Typically the wedding band goes closest to your heart. So you would put the band on first and then the engagement ring on top of it. On the wedding day, you can move the engagement ring to your right hand and then switch it back to the left hand after the ceremony and before the reception.

But, of course traditions are meant to be broken.
Maybe you'll but your engagement ring on first since that was the order you got the rings.
Maybe you have an engagement ring and wedding band so big that you wear them on both fingers (like I have noticed Bethenny Frankel do)

Photo via BravoTV

So there you have it. How will you be wearing your rings on your wedding day?

Let marriage be held in honor among all. . . - Hebrews 13:4

Real Engagement: Travel and Texas Love

Some photos just scream elegance and beauty. This lovely Texas shoot of Drew and Mike submitted by SMS Photography just does all that. Not to mention how much I love the use of props! For your viewing pleasure:

Photography: SMS Photography

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Life is a journey, God is my guide; we travel safely together, side by side. ~ Quote from my Keychain :)