How to save on a venue without sacrificing style
We know there is a ton of information online with ways to save. But it can be information overload so we create our own favorite list with creative ways to save on your wedding without sacrificing on style and elegance.
Get into shape for your wedding day
Life just seems to be getting busier and busier with no signs of slowing down in sight. So how are a bride or groom supposed to fit a workout in especially when they have the added full time job of
Essential Pre-Wedding Prep for the Bride & Groom
Having the dress, tux, hair and a makeup artist for your wedding are key elements. But two of the most important pre-wedding preps that many couples, both the groom and bride, sometimes forget is their pre-wedding beauty and fitness shape
The Bridesmaid Dress and how to put a twist on tradition
Finding the right wedding dress that matches the style you’ve envisioned with the price tag you want is hard enough. Now throw choosing a bridesmaid look into the mix and they wonder why brides get stressed! This is no easy
Chic but {cheap} tips to finding the perfect wedding dress
We know it may seem hard to believe that you can find a spectacular wedding dress for less. But it is possible. By following our shopping tips below as well as our wedding dress prep checklist you’re sure to find
What you need to know before you say ” Yes to the Dress”
Choosing a wedding dress is one of the main things brides look forward to. It’s something many if not most have been dreaming of, envisioning and looking for, even years before their engagement. So it’s only natural to want to
It’s time to have a little fun…with your wedding planning!
Once you and your fiancé have decided on your mission statement for the type of wedding you want to plan it’s time to have a little fun with it. There are so many different ways today to incorporate your personalities,
How to decide your wedding guest list
To Invite or Not To Invite, is the Question Once you’ve set a budget and decided what type of wedding your having it’s time to create your guest list. This is where the planning starts to get a little tricky
How to be Savvy & Save While Planning a Wedding
This week has been about giving our engaged couples tools to navigate the wedding planning process. One of those tips is to have a budget planned. But before you can put together a wedding budget it would help to know
Must dos before saying ” I do ”
HELP TIPS BEFORE YOU START TO PLAN YOUR WEDDING Now that the difficult “Money” talk is over you can start with the fun stuff of planning. And yes, planning your wedding should be fun and memorable and with as little
You’re engaged, now what?
You’re engaged and feeling all the love and excitement but suddenly you start to think of everything that needs to get done for you to get hitched and a wave of anxiety comes over you. Do not fret in the
Marlana & Phong: From Boston to Hawaii
Marlana & Phong have been acquaintances for so long, that they can’t even remember the first time they met! Sounds pretty uncommon, but sometimes relationships just evolve. As Marlana said: We have known each other for years, but were never
Tashia and David: True Puppy Love
It can be the oddest things that bring us together. Or maybe, not so odd. We all know that dogs are very intelligent about people, right? The question in this story of Tashia Nickerson and David Hollenback is who fell
Make Room for the Groom
Weddings often seem to be all about the bride. But remember, without a groom (or a partner!) there would be no wedding. So take some time, grooms, to think about how to add a little of yourself in what you
Headpieces 2013: Choices and More Choices
The good news is you don’t have to wear a veil on your wedding day. Of course, veils can finish the look, and are awesome in a formal setting. They can also limit what you do with your hair, and
Shelly & Brian: Love in Manhattan—and Paradise
Shelly & Brian are New Yorkers through and through. But Brian chose the setting of their favorite tropical island, Vieques, off the coast of Puerto Rico, to pop the question. Everything started in the big city, though, so let’s set
Michelle & Heart: A Taste for Romance
This story proves to me that there’s no such thing as a common marriage proposal! Michelle and Heart’s (gotta love that name!) proposal might seem rather expected—reservation in a nice restaurant etc. etc.—but true love never does run smooth. Which
The Short and Short of Bridal Hairstyles
Whether you’re doing it yourself, or hiring a pro (and yes, this is one time where a pro is probably a REALLY good idea), thinking about how you’ll wear your hair on your wedding day is important. Most of the
Vermont Proposal: Lucy & Scott
Scott Woolsey has lived in Vermont for years, a partner at Kildeer Farm. His fiancee, Lucy Kammer, moved there more recently. How they met makes a lovely story. They actually met because of Lucy’s mother, when Lucy was just moving
Appy Couple and Brides—a Match Made in Heaven
Our designers are pretty awesome. But everyone can use some outside inspiration once in a while. And where better for weddings than the super stylish, always current, Brides Magazine? It’s totally amazing to be partnering with the best national wedding
Appy Update: the Guest List Keeps Getting Better!
Progress never stops at Appy Couple! We’ve been listening to our users’ comments and doing our best to make changes that incorporate them. It’s no surprise that the guest list is crucial: all couples know that it’s the biggest headache
Downton Abbey Wedding Dresses
In the biggest Masterpiece Classic hit in a long time, Downton Abbey, we’ve had two weddings in as many episodes. One was Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) to the dishy heir, Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens). The other was Lady Edith (Laura
Appy Couple Update: New Features, New Designs, Even More Fun
Our tech geeks and designers have been working night and day to make the Appy Couple experience even more wonderful for couples. Lots of new features, and the whole site is more organized and convenient than ever. It all starts
Remember to Relax!
By Laura House You’ve set the date, booked the spot and now the wedding plans are truly in motion. But, just when you thought the where, when, what questions had stopped, another one pops up: Have you booked the honeymoon?
Lots of New Goodies at Appy Couple
It’s been a busy summer in Appy land. Thanks to our great beta customers, we’ve been getting tons of awesome feedback and suggestions, and doing our best to turn them into new features. Here’s a quick overview of what we’ve
Practice Your Penmanship
By Laura House The months ahead will bring all sorts of events—showers, parties, oh, and the wedding—. Occasions deserving of very good stationery and invitations. Every bride has their thing; invitations were one of mine. After all, the invitation sets
The Gracious Couple
By Laura House Yes, it’s true, now that you’re engaged, gifts and fabulous prizes will be pouring in as if you were the winning contestants on some zany game show. But, despite being the guests of honor at showers and
Off the Beach-en Track: Unique Honeymoons
By Marie Javins Unlike my girlfriends, my dream honeymoon destination doesn’t involve sun or sand—I avoid the sun, I am afraid of fish, and I’m a rotten swimmer. When I think of my perfect honeymoon, I don’t imagine palm trees,
Summer Weddings are Hot. Literally.
Lots of people like to get married at a time of year when you can count on the weather. June is traditionally the most popular wedding month, but plenty of people plan summer beach weddings in northern climes, or live
Real Wedding: Sanhita and Prantik in Calcutta
It’s a pleasure to showcase our first real wedding on Spliced by Appy Couple—and even more of a pleasure because it’s an international wedding. Sanhita and Prantik wed in Calcutta, in a traditional Bengali Hindu wedding. I asked Sanhita some
Royally Wed: A Retrospective
With Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee celebrations going in full force in the U.K. and Commonwealth nations, I thought I’d take this opportunity to look back at some of the royal weddings that have taken place over the years. And I don’t
If the Shoe Fits—and Is Comfortable.
With the recent announcement of Ugg Australia’s new wedding shoe line, the whole topic of what to wear on your feet on your big day has surfaced once more—not that it’s ever really submerged. Shoes are almost as individual as
Wedding themes: How much is too much?
We all strive for originality, especially on the most important day of our lives. (Blatant self-promotion: That’s why Appy Couple has so many different designs to choose from and is always looking for more great ideas.) But a unique theme
Mothers of the Bride and Groom: Happy Mother’s Day
For the mothers I know are out there, working hard for the big day: It can be a thankless job. You want to be helpful, but you don’t want to be interfering. It’s her day, or his day, but it’s also
Modern Weddings Hawaii: Interview and Giveaway
I don’t know about the rest of you, but when I imagine paradise, I think of Hawaii. Apart from the astoundingly beautiful beaches and scenery, it has such a rich history and is a unique part of American culture. No
Does Rain Ruin the Day?
You’ve spent months and months planning. All along, you’ve pictured the perfect day: blue sky, puffy white clouds, perfect lighting for the pictures, people milling around outside the church/temple/whatever to throw birdseed, blow bubbles, or watch your butterfly release. And
Wedding Belles: The Ball Gown Allure
I think it was the Disney Cinderalla movie that first gave me the image of a princess in a huge skirt, billowing out enchantingly from a tiny waist. Even the newer Disney princesses haven’t been able to shake that image of
Lost for Words? Love Ink Can Help You Find Them!
Your wedding vows might just be the most important words you ever say. No pressure, of course…You want to be sincere, you want to say what you mean, but most of us aren’t writers or poets, and it can be
Mixing Traditions in Your Wedding
Weddings have accrued an enormous amount of symbolism and tradition over the millennia. The pledging of one person to another for the purpose of creating a new family unit is at the very foundation of civilization, of power, of human
Wedding Shoes: The Highs and Lows
Who doesn’t love shoes? And why wouldn’t a wedding be the perfect excuse to indulge in your taste for absolutely gorgeous shoes? Unlike your wedding dress, there is a chance you’ll actually wear your wedding shoes again, at least for
The New York Magazine Wedding Show 2012
When Marie Antoinette allegedly said “Let them eat cake,” she must have been talking about the New York magazine Wedding Show. Not that I’m complaining! But honestly, I don’t know how brides do it. It seems every other booth was
Appy Couple Featured on The Today Show in Australia
Hooray! Today’s truly an “Appy” day! There’s nothing to compare with the excitement of seeing someone independent and random (who just happens to have a segment on the Australian Today show) really understand the service we’ve been working so hard
To Rent or to Buy? What Would You Be Willing to Do?
Another way to cut corners on a wedding is to rent wherever possible. After all, groomsmen—and even the groom—rent their tuxedos. (Unless you happen to be one of those rare types who needs a dinner jacket on a regular basis.)
Cutting Corners: Where Would You Trim Your Wedding Budget?
Headline news: Weddings aren’t cheap. Even more, brides don’t want their weddings to LOOK cheap. It’s your most important day ever, right? Except possibly for the one where you entered the world. And you weren’t really able to enjoy that
Spring Around the Corner: Wedding Inspiration and Ideas
Flowers! Delicate buds! Longer days! Baby animals! Yay for spring! And the first day of spring is a little over a week away. Spring always brings weddings to mind for me. Maybe it’s the profusion of flowers in vivid colors,
Appy Inspiration: Use an Appy Couple Design to Start Planning Your Colors
Newly engaged? Wondering where to start the whole process of planning your big day? It’s overwhelming, I know. The venue. The budget. The food. How many guests. When should it be. etc., etc., etc. So why not take a break
Short Wedding Gowns: Long on Style
Brides have a gazillion decisions to make almost as soon as they say yes to the proposal. (Or as soon as their chosen one says yes—this is leap year after all!) Where should we get married? How much should we
Rosa’s New Beginning Bridal Salon: A Harlem Treasure
I’ve started exploring the bridal services and stores here in Brooklyn where I live, just as a way of giving some less well-known businesses a bit of publicity. I’ll continue to do that, but I’m going to branch out too.
Elegantly Iced: Wedding Cakes in Brooklyn and Beyond
Wedding cakes are some of my favorite things to look at. Creating a beautiful cake truly is an art form, and so poignantly ephemeral. Once the cake is eaten, all that is left is pictures and a memory of sweet
7 Fun Ways to Use Appy Couple
I know I’m prejudiced (since the Appy Couple team and I have been working on it for months), but Appy Couple is so much more than a wedding website that you can take everywhere on your iPhone or Android device.
The Wedding and Trunk Show Circuit
Every year, there are hundreds—maybe thousands—of wedding shows around the country. Some are huge extravaganzas, others are more intimate and exclusive. They range from single designer trunk shows, to themed events around specific parts of the wedding planning process. Frankly,
Here Comes the Bridesmaid!
The phrase, “Always a bridesmaid” carries with it pejorative connotations. The “also rans” of the wedding world. Those who have to bask in the reflected glow of the woman of the hour: the bride. Does it have to be that
Is it really your dress?
Just had to repost this, from BrideFinds: 10 Signs You Picked The Wrong Wedding Dress In case no one has told you yet – when you enter a bridal salon, you must leave any expectations at the door. Your “street”
Get Ready to Drool!
The White Gown sent us a preview of the wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and accessories they’re featuring for spring. All I can say is yum. Have fun cruising through this slideshow!
The Top Appy Reads of the Month!
[View the story "An Appy Month" on Storify]
Local Wedding Resources: The White Gown, Brooklyn
Most readers might know DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) as the neighborhood in which Rufus’s loft is located in Gossip Girl. The reclaimed industrial neighborhood is actually a very trendy Brooklyn address now, with glorious views of the Manhattan
The Grady Chronicles: Episode #4
In 1990, author Harold Bloom released a radical work of non-fiction entitled, “The Book of J.” In it, he paints an elaborate portrait of how sections of the Book of Genesis were written. He also makes the daring suggestion that
It’s Leap Year: Are You Ready, Women?
The tradition is that on leap year day, women have carte blanche to ask a man for a dance, a date—or even for his hand in marriage. According to Leapyearday.com (it’s amazing what you find on the Web), this is where
Say Cheese! Engagement Photos
It’s becoming more and more common for couples to have a professional photo shoot for their engagement. Somehow it seals a pact, makes the promise real, and is a public announcement of intent. It can also be a big expense.
Wedding Dress Designers: Who’s Your Favorite
You hear the names bandied about: Pnina Tornai. Lazaro. Pronovias. And of course, Vera Wang. Do people have favorite designers, or do you go for the style first and then discover who the designer is? I think everything Vera Wang
Groomsmen: The History, the Mystery
Believe it or not, the historical role of groomsmen was not to make sure the groom got to the wedding in a fit state to be married. In fact, groomsmen originated to protect the bride—and her dowry—on the way to
Naughty Nighties: What’s the Protocol?
It’s kind of astounding how, in the course of a single day, brides are supposed to go from being virginal and innocent (whatever the reality) to hot sex goddesses in the privacy of the wedding night hotel room. I suppose
The Bouquet: Keepsake or Throwaway?
The average cost of a wedding bouquet is somewhere between $150 and $250—and it can go up from there. In traditional western weddings, the bride tosses her bouquet to a crowd of eager single females, and the lucky one who
You’re Engaged! What’s Next?
Deciding to get married is just the beginning. What do you do next, once the initial celebrations are over? In fact, getting married is the 7th most stressful thing you can do in life, so if you’re already in a
Appy Couple is Part of the Entrepreneurs’ Roundtable Accelerator Program!
It’s official! The news is out! We are one of ten amazing companies that have been chosen to be a part of the second class of New York’s Entrepreneurs’ Roundtable Accelerator Program. This basically means that we’ll get tons of
DIY Wedding Rings: Part of a Trend?
Yesterday’s article in the New York Times about couples who forge their own wedding rings brought the idea of DIY for weddings to a whole new level. Imagine being able to say you did that! As a follow-up to my
Donating vs. Destroying: The David’s Bridal Scandal
Recently, David’s Bridal was involved in a bit of a scandal, as reported on MSNBC: Last Friday, eye witnesses documented the spray-painting and discarding of thousands of dollars’ worth of bridal and formal gowns, including a $6,000 Vera Wang creation,
Mother Knows Best
Do you know the song from the Disney movie Tangled, by the wonderful Alan Menken, lyrics by Donna Murphy? This song completely cracked me up when I watched the movie (which is one of my favorite of the Disney variety).
The Diamond Mystique: Fact, or Marketing?
It’s a girl’s dream. And probably some boys too. That big, sexy, solitaire diamond on the fourth finger of your left hand. But why has the diamond got the monopoly on that symbolic role? Even Kate Middleton opted for Princess
Appy New Year!
Wishing all our readers a truly wonderful 2012, full of happiness, health, and prosperity. If you’re getting married sometime this year, we hope it will be a splendid occasion, with everything perfect, the start to a beautiful life together. For
Something Vintage Volume 2: Marie Antoinette
Just to set the mood. I wanted to embed the shoe and cake scene from Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, but embedding was disabled on YouTube. Instead, I found this excellent mash-up, with a Lady Gaga soundtrack. So why am I
Arriving at the wedding: what’s your fantasy?
The buildup is intense. You’ve spent months planning, making sure every detail is right. Your gown fits you perfectly, after multiple fittings because you lost all the weight you wanted to. The flowers you thought you wouldn’t be able to
Pets at Weddings: Do or Don’t?
For most people, this is probably not an issue that could arise—unless you’re accommodating service animals. But couples who are devoted to their pets might well wish to include them in some fashion. I actually didn’t consider the idea as
Wedding Blues (and Silvers)
As the last day of Hanukkah approaches, I thought it would be nice to celebrate one of my favorite wedding color combinations, blue and silver. In keeping with the Christmas-themed post, here’s a little info about the color blue and
Interview with Carolina Herrera
The New York Times this morning has an interview with Brazilian designer Carolina Herrera, whose talents created the Twilight wedding dress. We shared pictures of it here. Ms. Herrera has been designing bridal gowns every season for years. Here is
Colorful Holiday Gowns
During this season, colors have significance—even more than usual. I guess that’s why I’ve been thinking so much about the white wedding tradition versus something a little bolder. Take red, for instance. Red has a complicated color significance and history.
Signs Point to Yes…
I’m making no secret of the fact that I hope for some interesting news to do with weddings this holiday season from someone very close to me. She tells me she’s been getting lots and lots of hints—so much so
The Holidays Can Be So Engaging!
Apparently 26% of engagements each year occur during the holiday season. Wow. I guess there’s something about getting together with family that brings to mind creating a new family unit of your own, or something. And there’s the fact that
What’s a Groom to Do?
I’ve lately had some meetings about our business where I’ve suggested that grooms might especially be interested in the product we’re launching on Valentine’s Day. No, we’re not selling engagement rings! But really, it just seems a natural. Imagine my
Gypsies, Travelers, Roma—Puzzling Wedding Traditions
I’ve sort of avoided watching the TLC program My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. Something about the tone of the title, and my own sensitivity to the label “Gypsy,” kept me from it. There is also something of the Toddlers and
Perfectly Pink: Wedding Gowns of Color, #1
I’m intrigued about the idea of wedding dresses in different colors. Once upon a time, of course, a wedding dress in western cultures was just a better-than-average dress . It could be almost any color. And white gowns weren’t always reserved
Wedding Movies: Why Do We Love Them?
Not only am I a sucker for the reality wedding shows on TV (I live for Fridays and Say Yes to the Dress and the occasional Randy Knows Best), but I love movies that are about couples finding each other
24-year-old Virgin Diaries: Chapter 2
As a single man, its easy to envy strolling couples. With their glittery eyes, care-free smiles, and blissful thoughts of a future “happily ever after,” sometimes I can’t help but think I’m missing out in life. But I can’t help
Interview with Ara Farnam: New York Event Designer
Ara Farnam is a talented and generous event designer based in New York. Her company, Rock, Paper, Scissors Events, has been featured in major publications and on the hottest wedding blogs, and won a Bride’s Choice award for 2011. Ara is
Gay Traditions: The Changing World of Weddings
Although only six states currently allow same-sex marriages, the world of gay weddings is vibrant and changing rapidly. I’ve yet to attend a wedding of any of my gay friends, but I hope to! The map below shows the general
Holiday Weddings
Since I’ve just decorated my tree and had an apartment full of family and close friends last night, I’m in a very holly-jolly mood. I had my big wedding way back when the day after Christmas (otherwise known to the
The Kost of the Kardashian Wedding
We found this awesome infographic that compares the Kardashian wedding to the average joe and jane’s. I think it’s pretty funny! Kardashian Wedding Vs. Average Wedding Price Infographic.
A True Family Tradition
When I put out a call to my network of friends to send me pictures of themselves and their mothers in their wedding dresses, I hardly expected such riches to come from one person, a college classmate, Louise Jones McPhillips.
Weddings in Paradise
Now that I’m down in sunny Florida (Fort Myers to be exact) I thought I’d write a little about weddings in this neck of the woods. Of course, there’s little different from the usual resources—it’s a bit like the Northeast
Hot deals that we found on endless.com
From the 12 Endless deals (holiday countdown): Our picks for sexy shoes at even sexier prices. Sale ends tonight at midnight. No promo code needed, just click through to endless.com. Good Luck and Enjoy! Appy Stylist
Weddings and Family
Sometimes I ask myself why people make such a big deal about weddings—and I’m a wedding enthusiast! What is it that makes us go to such great lengths over them, to occupy a chunk of our lives planning and fretting
Engagements: Long and Drawn Out or Short and Sweet?
The average engagement in the U.S. is 14 months long. What do you think is the ideal? Take our poll!
The Story Behind the Lights
A while ago, we posted a beautiful video of James Veluya’s spectacular light writing proposal. I’ve since spoken to James, who has given us this awesome exclusive interview and some incredible pictures that didn’t make it to the final cut.
Bella Bella: The Breaking Dawn Wedding Dress
Thanks, Daily Mail, for giving us some gorgeous photos of Bella’s dress! Scroll down for the slideshow. The paper had an interesting take on the whole Twilight wedding thing: The Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding gown wasn’t alone in causing widespread
The Princess Syndrome
My recent Google search returned 489,000 results for that phrase. A cursory glance revealed that a high proportion of those statements were followed by “on my wedding day,” or “in my wedding dress.” I don’t know how many times I’ve
The Grady Saga: Part I
Are there men out there in their twenties who are unspoiled? Who are genuinely looking for the right woman to commit to, and who haven’t put so many notches in their belt that they see it all as a game?
Anne Hathaway Engaged? Oh my!
I can’t believe it. I still see her like this: But apparently it’s true. She’s marrying Adam Schulman. I confess, I had to look him up. I’m not a big Dukes of Hazzard fan… I am, however a HUGE Anne
Weddings: What’s Changed?
I’m a complete wedding nut. I watch every wedding show I can on TV and love to look at designer bridal gowns online. So over the holiday weekend when I was with family, I ferreted out the folio that had
Blow Out Sale Survival Guide
Tomorrow is Kleinfeld’s last sample sale of 2011. Brides line up for hours for a chance to snag a designer gown at a fraction of the price. It’s organized chaos, according to the Kleinfeld blog. Each bride gets a number,
Getting Away From it All: Destination Wedding Polls
As the weather gets colder up here in the northeast, the thought of having a destination wedding somewhere magically tropical has a certain appeal. But weddings that require travel to foreign countries or distant shores have their limitations too. What
