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The holiday are in full swing and Christmas is just days away. This time of year can be filled with joy and excitement (biggest congratulations to our newly engaged gals) and it can also be bursting with activities, events and a seemingly never-ending to-do list. Whether you’re all-the-hearts over your new diamond or trying to knock out wedding to-dos in-between wrapping presents and sealing envelopes, it’s easy to get caught up in the busy and forget to carve out time to focus on what matters most. So let’s all agree to put down the to-do lists, throw those last presents in gift bags and take some time to embrace the holidays.

Big hugs to Blue Ribbon Vendor Justin Demutiis for all these festive photos!

Here are a few personally tested ways to embrace the holidays and add a little extra festive love into your most important relationships:

1. Two words: Hot chocolate. Whether you’re a devout coffee drinker or an extra whip cream kind of gal (yes, please), the thought of taking time to actually sit and enjoy a hot holiday beverage for even a few minute without trying to cross off another to-do sounds dreamy. This doesn’t have to be an all day affair. Sneak away from your family for a half hour and drive to Starbucks or duck out after dinner one night or for any early-morning breakfast date. The important thing is not when but making an effort to carve out some intention time to be still.

2. Take advantage of any planned travel to enjoy a little extra holiday-inspired quality time. The SW gals are all professional road trippers: check out our expert tips. For travel over the holidays, take things up a notch and pack some gingerbread cookies, make a holiday playlist or prep holiday-themed “20-questions” (think: favorite childhood toy, best memory, worst holiday outfit, etc.).

3. Recreate a childhood holiday tradition. For me, it’s new pajamas on Christmas Eve and watching the Santa Clause (my most favorite holiday movie). Doing this with KPW puts me in the holiday spirit and force me to reset, so we’ve been known to do this on nights other than Christmas Eve utilizing last year’s festive jams.

4. Take listening to holiday music to a new level with your own version of Christmas Karaoke. While I’m a strict ‘no-holiday music’ until after I’ve eaten Thanksgiving dinner gal, all bets are off once the turkey leftovers are put away until the confetti falls on NYE. Pull out your parent’s old holiday records or blast the (retro?) N’Sync Christmas album. Don’t just play the music in the background–channel your inner Mariah Carey and belt out the songs! Dancing along is recommended and participation by all parties is highly encouraged. Let your hair down and turn the music up.

5. Go hunt holiday lights! Wedding bouquets are to weddings as Christmas lights are to Christmas. Twinkly lights might be around more than just during December, but there’s something extra special about the holiday lights when you add candles in the windows and wreaths on the doors (bonus points for holiday inflatables). Put on your cozy clothes and pile into the car or throw on your tennis shoes and a scarf (assuming you don’t live in FL) and go on a search for Christmas lights around your neighborhood or city (hand holding encouraged). I’m betting just getting away for a few minutes will clear your head and have you humming a Christmas song in no time.

It’s amazing what a little intentional holiday reset will do for my spirits and how (with just a little effort) it will refocus me on what ultimately matters. Remember, there’s nothing magical about December 25, so bring on the Christmas pajamas and hot chocolate as long at the tree’s still up and you’re still humming a little “12 Days of Christmas”. Merry Christmas, y’all!

PS: I’m sure y’all are bursting with other great ways to embrace the holidays. Share them below!! xo.

kristin Written with love by Kristin
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  1. avatar Kelly reply

    Oh I love these posts! Wonderful ideas to reset, be still, and enjoy these last few days before Christmas. :)

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Every year, we do our best to fill our annual print edition with advice and tips that will help you not only plan your wedding, but also (more importantly), help you and your fiancé prepare for marriage. We ask every couple we feature how they go about preparing for life after the big day, and were so happy to include many of their answers in V8. Please enjoy their words of wisdom every Sunday here on Southern Weddings!

Grain & Compass

“Craig has an amazing friend and pastor from college who really walked us through the goal and meaning of marriage leading up to our wedding. We were challenged to identify how our parents influenced us, as well as our own experiences, habits, and expectations. The greatest thing we focused on was preparing to become a unified team founded on love and respect–when a wife is loved, she feels respected, and when a husband is respected, he feels loved.”
Elisa + Craig

lisa Written with love by Lisa
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They say everything is bigger in Texas, and with a guest list of 350+ and a bridal party of 20, Elle and Kegan’s wedding might just be the perfect example of that saying. Of course, when a real-life cowboy marries a wedding coordinator, the potential for a a perfectly Southern soirée abounds. Filled with monograms, yummy Southern delicacies, and an abundance of cowboy hats, Elle and Kegan’s wedding at Olde Dobbin Station sure did not disappoint. There is so much to love about their sweet day, but I’m most smitten with their focus on family and the future. As Elle said, “We knew that although we wanted a beautiful wedding, we will always want a beautiful marriage.”

Big Texas-sized hugs to Kelli Durham for sharing their romantic day with us!

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. I went to seven different bridal salons in Houston! Finally, after searching and searching for something special, I stumbled across a Monique Lhuillier trunk show. I tried on my gown and just knew!

Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! Yes! I borrowed a diamond bangle from my mom, my garter had blue stitching for my new monogram, my earrings were new, and I wore a rose gold ring that Kegan previously gave me for my something old.

The church where we had our ceremony is the most beautiful Catholic church near us. After I saw it, I knew I wanted to be married there. Our reception venue wasn’t too far away, and had the perfect Southern charm feel we were looking for…plus, it had the space we needed for 360 guests!

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? There were monograms everywhere! We also had dinner stations for our meal that included fried chicken and biscuits, beef tenderloin, macaroni and cheese, and a mashed potato bar. We also served Popsicles late at night since it is so warm in Texas. Also, my husband is a cowboy and wore a hat the whole night!

Describe your wedding flowers. We did bright pink, coral, and blush flowers. Peonies are my favorite and I wanted them to be the star. Our florist, Maria, is a genius and she made our venue look like a garden!

What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? Rather than hire a popular cake baker, we hired a local lady who makes delicious cakes! She saved us a fortune!

We knew that although we wanted a beautiful wedding, we will always want a beautiful marriage. We tried to make decisions together, while also including our parents. Both of our parents celebrated their thirtieth anniversaries this year!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Kegan and I met at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I was living in Houston with my girlfriends and he was living out in the country where he was raised. My friends and I were meeting up with some friends at Luke Bryan’s concert the night we met. I can still remember exactly what I was wearing, exactly where we were standing, and exactly what he said. From that point forward, we were inseparable.
Tell us all about the proposal! Kegan had plans to go skiing in Lake Tahoe for a bachelor party over spring break, and I must say, I was jealous. We decided that I would fly out towards the end of the week to meet him, and we would stay for a few extra days. The last night of our trip, we had dinner reservations at the Ritz-Carlton at Northstar Ski Resort. After dinner (which Kegan didn’t eat any of), he took me outside in the snow, in the middle of the mountains, and proposed. There was champagne and strawberries, the whole nine yards. It was amazing!
When did y’all get married? June 25, 2016
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 360
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? I would say budget and guest count. We invited about 510 guests, which can be pretty pricey! We tried not to forfeit things we loved due to the high number of guests, and ended up working with our vendors to create a beautiful wedding that also suited the high guest count.
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? More than $100,000
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Seeing Kegan for the first time in the church.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Do it together! You may expect your future husband to be uninterested, but mine really appreciated being involved.
What’s next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? We hope to continue to build our home with our chocolate lab, Bella, and eventually start a family.

Photographer: Kelli Durham | Videographer: Brittan Pittman | Day-Of Coordinator: Savanna Gray of En Vogue Events | Ceremony Venue: St. Mary’s Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Olde Dobbin Station | Florist: Maxit Floral Design | Wedding Cake: Cakes by Blondie | Ice Cream: Steel City Pops | Caterer: Design II | Rentals: Aztec Events and Tents and A Memorable Event | DJ: LG Entertainment | Paper Products: Pink Champagne Paper | Bride’s Gown: “Saffron” by Monique Lhuillier | Bride’s Veil: Monique Lhuillier | Bride’s Jewelry: Michele Jewelry | Hair Stylist: Chelsea Binford of The Factory Salon | Makeup Artist: Holly Shrieve and Pop of Pink Cosmetics | Bride’s Shoes: Sofia Webster | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Various by Amsale | Menswear: Vera Wang by Men’s Wearhouse

marissa Written with love by Marissa
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  1. avatar This + That // Grecian Goddess – Coastal Bride reply

    […] Durham via Southern Weddings // Judy Pak via Food […]

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