A New Year, A New Beginning: Inspirational Quotes For 2021

Rebecca and Nelson Wedding – Bride Groom Bouquet Boutonniere – Tribeca Rooftop – Jason Thomas Crocker Photography

Full of challenges, difficulties, and lessons learned, 2020 was tumultuous to say the very least. Entering January, we are committed to a fresh and positive outlook driven by hope, agency, and change. Simply put, it’s a new year and time for a new beginning. To put this recharged perspective into effect for 2021, we gathered inspirational quotes by some of the greatest luminaries of all time. Let their words of wisdom and guidance help put the past to rest for there’s a better and brighter future ahead for all of us.
Read More

Cara and Vince Wedding - Bride and Groom Bouquet - The Estate at Creekside - Laura Huertas Photography

Weddings

A Look Back At The Real BB Weddings of 2020

by Kate Murphy

Cara and Vince Wedding – Bride and Groom Bouquet – The Estate at Creekside – Laura Huertas Photography

This time last year, no one could have predicted what 2020 had in store for us. We rang in the New Year excited for a new chapter of Real BB Weddings. This all quickly changed in the face of a worldwide pandemic. It became clear that weddings, perhaps the most social event of them all, would be greatly affected as our new reality unfolded by the day.

If anything, 2020 has forced us to change perspective and consider what is most important and valuable in our lives. The handful of weddings we did are a testament to this new sentiment. Faced with an unprecedented list of challenges, couples shifted their focus and asked, “How can we make the most of this day given the situation and make it feel special and meaningful?” Large and lavish celebrations gave way to small, intimate gatherings where every detail was heartfelt and thoughtful (not that they weren’t before, but you get the idea). And friends and family who couldn’t be there in person joined via Zoom and FaceTime. While original wedding visions may have changed, the love, emotion, and beauty that unites two people in life remained as strong as ever.
Read More

Planning & Inspiration

B&B Spotlight: Unique, Custom-Made Engagement Rings By Independent Jewelry Designers in NYC

by Kate Murphy

Alternative Engagement Rings – Ra Metals Causal Séance Olivia Michaels Jewelry

The tradition of the engagement ring can be traced back to ancient Rome when a bride-to-be was given two rings – a gold one to wear in public and an iron ring to wear at home while carrying out household duties. She wore it on her left hand as it was believed that what we now call the ‘ring finger’ contained a vein, the vena amoris, that led to the heart. Archduke Maximillian of Austria was the first to use a diamond ring to symbolize engagement in 1477 when he betrothed Mary of Burgundy. This started a trend within the upper class of using the diamond engagement ring to not only symbolize love, but also wealth and status. Confined mostly to the affluent for the next five hundred years, the diamond ring’s modern-day popularity didn’t begin until 1947 when De Beers launched the advertising campaign “A Diamond is Forever.”
Read More

Mary and Brian Wedding - Cake Topper - Crescent Beach Club - Amy Rizzuto Photography

Planning & Inspiration

4 Ways To Manage Wedding Stress During COVID-19: A Bridal Therapist’s Take

by Kate Murphy

Mary and Brian Wedding – Cake Topper – Crescent Beach Club – Amy Rizzuto Photography

COVID-19 has presented couples planning a wedding with new and unprecedented challenges. Routine decisions involving color scheme, catering, and entertainment are now giving way to more serious considerations such as health and safety regulations for gatherings, date postponements, change of venue, and guest list revisions. Modifying an original wedding vision in the face of a global pandemic is inevitably going to create anxiety and friction between two people.

Our thoughts are with everyone trying to navigate this uncharted territory. Now is a time for couples to look to those around them, both personal and professional, for advice and support. With this in mind, we reached out to AisleTalk, a boutique NYC-based therapy practice specializing in helping people cope with the stresses of wedding planning. Here, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Therapist, Farzana Rahman, highlights four ways to manage wedding stress during COVID-19.
Read More

Image courtesy of Brian Kantor of Pour My Party - Christina Emilie Photography

Planning & Inspiration

Interview With Brian Kantor, Founder of Pour My Party

by Kate Murphy

Image courtesy of Brian Kantor of Pour My Party – Christina Emilie Photography

Couples are going to great lengths these days to personalize their wedding in order to make sure that the celebration is one-of-a-kind and unforgettable. We’ve seen everything from live painters and wedding bands playing curated song lists to bouncy castles being incorporated to take the post-ceremony party to the next level. And while these all sound great, at the end of the night, every couple wants to ride off in the getaway car with a shared feeling that their wedding was a sincere expression of their style and personality from start to finish.
Read More

Jamie and Jasper Wedding - Brides Shoes - Gurneys Montauk - Pat Furey Photography

Planning & Inspiration

Gorgeous Bridal Shoes With Flower Power

by Kate Murphy

Jamie and Jasper Wedding – Brides Shoes – Gurneys Montauk – Pat Furey Photography

When it comes to wedding accessories, finding the perfect bridal shoe is one of the most important details for getting your big-day ensemble aisleway ready. The sea of bridal footwear is bottomless. Even Carrie Bradshaw would agree, the thought of deciding where to start is overwhelming. To help kickstart your search, we decided to focus on what we know best – flowers. The allure of a sparkling bloom or botanical lace accent is undeniable. From delicate and sweet to sophisticated chic, these floral bridal shoes blossom with stylish beauty.
Read More

Planning & Inspiration