Product Spotlight: Personalized Gray Crosshatch Convertible Garment Bag

It can be difficult to buy gifts for people you care about. You need something personal, and it should be something they’ll love, but it will be even more special if it’s something they will use, too. This convertible garment bag is an incredible gift – for your husband-to-be, his groomsmen, or even just as a birthday gift. It is perfect for everyone, from gym-goers to travelers, whether they’re taking a family weekend getaway or visiting another country for work.

This polyester and faux leather duffel bag opens up and expands into a garment bag with hanging capabilities. It even has separate compartments on the inside for shoes. The two strap options let you carry the bag over your shoulder or in your hands. The bag offers two outer pockets on either end, and one wider pocket on the front as well.

The beautiful gray material with black accents is stylish without being too flashy, and the bold monogram stands out enough to ensure you’ll never get it mixed up with someone else’s on a baggage carousel in an airport. As an added bonus, this bag is also an airline approved carry on bag, so your traveling just got a whole lot easier if you prefer not waiting around a baggage carousel at all.

If you’re having a destination wedding (or even if you just have to travel a few hours away), these bags are the best gifts for your groomsmen and family members. Fill the bag with travel necessities, fun surprises, their favorite treats, and a thank you note and give them to the recipients when they arrive at the hotel.

• Snacks
• Drinks
• Bottle opener
• Hat and gloves (winter wedding)
• Sandals and sunglasses (summer wedding)
• Advil
• Cuff links or pocket square or other matching accessory for the wedding day
• A travel toiletries bag
• Flask or coffee mug

The groom would love one too – just be sure to include honeymoon-specific items in his bag, too.
The wedding party will always travel in style and be sure to get tons of compliments on their personalized bags.

Elizabeth graduated from The University of Findlay with a Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing. She now resides in Portland, Oregon where she is employed in the real estate business and is particularly enjoying the local cuisine. As a writer, Elizabeth believes in a quote from one of her favorite TV shows: "We have only two jobs on this Earth. The first: to learn. The second: to cope." A deep desire to learn struck Elizabeth when she was young, and now she hopes to help you cope by sharing information, and helping you apply the knowledge. Weddings and event planning can be overwhelming; sometimes it's okay to take a little advice from a stranger on the internet.

New Orleans Destination Real Wedding

We love our destination brides.  When this wedding came across our inboxes, we knew we had to feature it.  So fun and full of energy, Nicole and Shawn's New Orleans wedding was one for the books.  They flew all the way from Arizona to have their very own Mardis Gras style wedding.  Complete even with the Second Line (which happened to be the very reason the couple chose New Orleans as their venue).  Family and friends did not disappoint coming in from all over the country to join in on the celebration.  The bridesmaid's spotlight photos are simply fantastic and really show what crazy awesome fun the wedding party was!  We just wish we could have been alongside to join in on the fun.  Lauren Carroll Photography did such a fantastic job at bringing the whole thing together and truly capturing the energy of the day.

Photography: Lauren Carroll Photography / Restaurant: Galvez Restaurant / Ceremony Location: Irish Cultural Museum / Event Planner:  Weddings by Lulu

Personalized Destination Wedding Gifts For Mom And Dad

Destination weddings are a popular option for many couples, as there is nothing more memorable than tying the knot at a scenic locale that you'll forever associate with your big day. Best of all, when you invite your loved ones to an exotic location, you're technically treating them to a vacation as well, giving guests a chance to break out of their daily routine as well as share in the excitement of your big day.

While you may think that you and your partner are the people most excited about the wedding, it's also one of the most important moments in your parents' lives as well. For mom and dad, not only does this mark a major turning point for their child, who is about to start a new family of their very own, but it also officially welcomes a new individual into the clan, changing everyone's life forever. The vacation aspect of a destination wedding is just the icing on the cake for your parents.

However, travel is never easy, especially when you are transporting attire for a formal event. Whether you are inviting your loved ones a day's car ride down the coast for your nuptials or flying the whole crew out to a foreign country, you want to make sure you aren't making your big day a hassle for anyone coming - especially your loving parents.

To show them your appreciation for making the trip to your wedding - and simply for being there for you through all of your life's major milestones - buy them a gift that will not only function as a keepsake but helps make traveling as easy as possible.

A Great Gift Idea for Mom - For mom, consider buying her a Double Sided Leather Cosmetic Travel Case, personalized with her name or initials and in a color that suits her character. The kind sold at My Wedding Reception Ideas has compartments for everything she'll need when making this or any trip in the future, allowing her to keep all of her toiletries in one convenient place.

A Practical Gift Idea for Dad - When it comes to showing dad you care, consider one of two routes. For a sentimental and useful keepsake, a Personalized Nappa Leather Airline Ticket Passport Holder can help him keep everything he'll need for getting in and out of the airport in one easy to access spot. Another great tool that is great for either parent is the Leather Carry On Garment Cover, which can help keep dad's suit or mom's dress pressed and clean throughout the trip so they can simply hop into their outfit on the big day without having to worry about wrinkles or stains.

Whatever you get your folks to commemorate the wedding, the important thing is that you take a personalized approach to make the gift as special as possible.

Photo Credit: Parents of the Bride and Groom

Wedding Reception Tropical Centerpiece Ideas

We are a little obsessed with the latest terrarium trend creeping up in wedding reception decorations.  They have a sort of urban jungle feel that is particularly great for destination weddings and tropical themed centerpieces (especially when styled with bamboo leaves and vibrant florals). 

Inspired by this latest trend, we've put together a few of our favorite tropical centerpiece ideas to spark some inspiration for your own wedding decor.  From vibrant florals and coral to leafy tropical scapes, we hope you will be just as inspired we are!

Photo Credits: Pincushion proteas and succulents, Cupcake tower, Starfish in sand, Coral and hydrangeas, Bird of paradise, Terrarium, Terrarium table setting, Orchids in vases, Sand in vases, Apricot place card, Ceviche in seashell, Bird of paradise and bamboo, Starfish and coral, Bird of paradise in blue gel vase, Calla lilies and grass, Hand fan, Bamboo and roses

Be Creative with Beach Weddings

Beach weddings are a classic venue that will never go out of style. Here are a few tips for creating the perfect beach wedding.

Welcome guests to your hotel with gift bags full of goodies. Insert brochures with important information about the wedding and also the location where your guests are staying. Other smart things to include are sun block, bottled water, snacks, inexpensive sunglasses and other fun little tokens of appreciation.

For your ceremony add shell accents to your pearl studded ring pillow and garter. Also, in lieu of a unity candle ceremony, a sand unity ceremony is the perfect finishing touch.

Complement your theme at your reception with the lovely porcelain starfish cake topper shown below. Add simple touches like beach themed toasting glasses, and natural shell place card holders. Give your guests gel candles with sea shells and starfish inside so they can feel like they are taking a bit of the ocean home with them. Other favor ideas include sand art in small bottles, treasure chests full of pretty candy, and sea shell shaped soaps.

For a fresh take on beach weddings, my imagination has been whisked away by the fairy tale wedding trend and I am inspired by stories of mermaids in glamorous tiaras and strands of pearls. Apparently I'm not the only one, even Alfred Angelo has designed the mermaid gown below based on Disney's "Little Mermaid." The playfully trumpeted skirt and form fitting bodice help create this more sophisticated princess look. Add finishing touches with mutliple strands of pearls and long flowing hair with sea inspired hair pieces.

Photo Credit - Alfred Angelo

Haven't had enough? Check out MyWeddingReceptionIdeas.com for more inspiration on beach wedding favors and beach ceremony accessories.

Not-So-Distant Destination Weddings

Want a Destination Wedding? Look no further than your own backyard! Well, okay, maybe a few miles down the road at least! Either way, it is definitely possible to bring your wedding closer to home and still feel like it has taken place in an amazing and unique location.

If you have your heart set on a beach wedding and are not lucky enough to live in a coastal state, it is most likely that there is some sort of sand surrounded body of water nearby. A lake can be just as beautiful and seem almost as vast as the ocean. The picture above, for example, is compliments of  the Lake House Inn on Lake Erie, Ohio. Consider renting a lake house to combine lodging and venue costs. This way you can have your ceremony overlooking the water and then invite guests to your outdoor reception at the lake house. This would work best if your wedding was small and you enjoyed a casual atmosphere. A bonfire and s'mores on the beach would be the perfect ending to your day!

State Parks are another great place to find beautiful locations for weddings. Some even offer wedding packages that include lodging and photographers. If you are a nature lover this would be the venue for you! If you and your guests are adventurous, one unique idea is to invite them to spend a few nights camping, canoeing, and exploring the park. Finish the mini-adventure with a beautiful ceremony and a big bash to follow! Even the fussiest bride could make this work by finding local salons and designating dressing areas ahead of time. The National Park Service can help you find your state's parks.

Other options for a not-so-distant destination wedding are local bed and breakfasts, small wineries, local farms, and favorite local landmarks or historic sites. Some of these places may not advertise their space for weddings, but remember that it never hurts to ask! They may say no, but they may also be pleasantly surprised and grateful for the business.

Finding a closer destination site may also make the ceremony that much more special. It may already be a place that is close to your heart. Also it will be that much easier to revisit on your anniversary!

Bon Voyage!

~ Jenna