It’s time for another installment of Tuesday Shoes-day! Be inspired by this fancy footwear–for your ceremony and your wedding reception.

Are you a fan of low heel wedding shoes, the strappy kind, or a little something with a lot of lace?

Which wedding shoe is your favorite?

Click to enlarge

Fancy Flats:

pink suede, white bows

Strappy Sandals:

green chain sandals, pink wedges, fuscia platforms,

Lace Lovelies:

 feather, bow platform, black bow trim, pink peep toe

There’s a Pinterest Board for that! Check out the rest of Amanda’s favorite wedding shoes!

Raise your hand if you have a bit of anxiety at the thought of public speaking … Just what I thought–that would be most of us! Have you been asked to give a wedding speech or wedding toast? If you have, you are most likely a Father of the Bride, Best Man, Maid or Matron of Honor … Have no fear! Remember the words of Arthur Ashe–the famous tennis player “One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” Below are helpful tips on how to give a great wedding speech.

{Emmanuell & Susan’s Private Yacht Wedding}

To the Bride and Groom–be sure to first ask those key members of your family and wedding party if they want to offer a toast or give a speech at the rehearsal dinner or wedding reception. Give them time to prepare for it. To the Wedding Party–be prepared to give a short toast–just in case you’re asked at the last minute.

Tips to Giving a Great Wedding Speech

What does a wedding speech consist of?

1. Introduction
2. A funny, or lighthearted story
3. Well wishes for the couple
4. Ends in a toast
5. 2-5 minutes in length

What should the tone be like?

1. Celebratory and positive
2. Anecdotal
3. Congratulatory
4. Sincere
5. Focused on the couple. Honoring them.
6. Along the same formality of the wedding

What to say in a wedding speech:

1. Keep it positive. Keep it short. Keep it simple. If the speech or toast goes on and on, there are increased chances of losing the attention of the audience and saying something that shouldn’t be said: something really dumb.

2. Introduce yourself and how you know the couple. Chances are, not everyone knows you and your history with the bride and/or groom.

3. Make it personal. Based on your relationship with the couple, tell your version of a sweet, funny or touching “short” story that is relevant to the bride and groom and their love for each other. Let your personality shine through … so if you’ve got a great sense of humor–make it funny. If you’re a super-sensitive soul–make it touching. Be yourself!

4. Congratulate the couple. Wish them well. Raise your glass! Be sincere!!

Is Preparation Key?

Yes! Even if the speech is only 2 minutes long, spend plenty of time deciding on which story to tell. Prepare an outline. Practice in front of the mirror. Practice in front of a good friend. Carefully choose the right words–ensuring that they’re not offensive or negative. Practice. Practice. Practice.

What advice do you have?

We featured Anna & Valik’s ultra-fabulous country engagement session last summer and today…we have the privilege of featuring their equally fabulous and eclectic, vintage-country wedding! So fun and full of color and personality–from all the rustic elements in attire and decor, to Anna’s ceremony entrance on a horse, to their barn reception venue and loads of DIY details! It’s the sweetest of love stories–where all of their wedding dreams came true! Read along as our beautiful bride and country girl Anna, shares the day, the details and the people that made it possible.

Wedding Style Vintage, Southern, Rustic
Wedding Colors Mustard Yellow, Turquoise, Plum, Brown.
Ceremony & Reception Lindsey Plantation Taylors, South Carolina
Wedding Photographer Julie Izotov of My Forever Images

Highlights of the day The weather was perfect, but the day before it was really cold…but we prayed and God took care of it all. It went by very smooth and relaxing. It was like a dream!
Advice you’re glad you took Don’t spend a lot of money on your wedding! Spend more on your honeymoon. We saved money every chance we could and God blessed us abundantly with a beautiful wedding that we shared with our close friends and relatives.
Advice you’d like to give There’s no reason to stress, or spend lots of money. Think about what you’d want, not what others would like because you’ll never impress everyone.
Best part of the wedding day Riding in on the horse and seeing my now husband beaming with joy!

And what about all of your lacy details? Yes. Yes. Yes! I love lace! I think it makes any setting look romantic.

Can you tell us about the eclectic attire of your bridesmaids and groomsmen?
We let them chose their outfits. To the guys, we gave an idea and to the ladies, I gave colors. They wore what they wanted to wear! I never liked the idea of the bride choosing some dresses and everyone looking the same–and then after the wedding, you don’t know what to do with the dress. So, my bridesmaids wore what they had or something they could wear again.

And your cowboy boots? Yes–gotta love em. They’re just like lace… they complete any outfit.

Oh my! You rode in on a horse?  Yes, that was my dream, the whole barn wedding idea. I wanted it to be different–not something everyone is used to, and something that represented us. We both love horseback riding. My next dream is to live on a ranch with a view and horses.

How about your barn venue? A few years ago I fell in love with a barn wedding idea and told my parents about it. Funny, my parents got married in a barn too–not because they wanted to, but because that was the only place that could fit all their guests! But, yes I love everything country…the barns, the fields, the view, the hay bails, the wildflowers, etc.

Tell us about your Sweetheart Table In the Russian culture, they like to sit the whole bridal party with the bride and groom at the reception. The American weddings that I’ve been to, I loved the fact that the bride and groom were by themselves and it was all about them–and that’s what I wanted. And because of the way this barn was set up, we couldn’t fit the bridal party up there with us and I wanted it to be one long banquet table–which my husband and brothers built in 9 hrs! Yep …all those picnic tables!!

Your tablescape is so creative: burlap, books, buttons, and spools! My cousin (who was my wedding planner) had them or found them at the flea market. She came up with the idea and I loved it!

Birds & Nests I saw the idea for the cake topper in a magazine and thought it would so go for our wedding–two lovebirds! And, my other cousin made the delicious cake.

The Hanging Pictures I saw the idea online and loved it! I was going to just have pictures hanging, but one of my bridesmaids made us a slideshow too…so that was sweet.

2 Dresses = ceremony + reception I bought them both brand-new and online–one on ebay and the other one on Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses and both were less than if I would have bought one at the bridal shop! I liked the idea of 2 dresses–but I kind of  had to…because I really wanted a mermaid dress–but would not have been able to ride on a horse with one. So, I got an a-line dress too–I loved both of them!

Special Acknowledgements from Anna…

Nothing would not have been possible without our Amazing God that took care of every little detail. My husband–who was willing to do something different and be there by my side through it all! My cousin, Irina Murzagildin–for running around town and searching Craigslist and eBay and going to flea markets and garage sales to find us the best deals on everything. And, who put the whole thing together days before and day of the wedding. My amazing friend Nadia Grigorchuk–for doing our flowers and going and picking wild flowers the day before the wedding. My dear friend and bridesmaid Marina Bachinskaya–for doing my hair and makeup. My Aunt Galina Arbatskiy–for altering my dresses. My cousin Julia Rovinsky–for baking the delicious cake. My best friend and cousin Julie Izotov–for capturing the day with her camera. My cousins David and Dima Zaytsev–for capturing video of our wedding. And because of all our friends and family who helped out, the list would be endless if I start. But God knows who they are because He sent them to us.

Aww, how sweet and thoughtful. Anna & Valik’s wedding is proof that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have your dream wedding come true! But, with the love and support of family and friends, you can accomplish just about anything! Congratulations to you both–thanks so much for letting us in on your big day–so full of personality and creativity! Here is their wedding video–watch it. you’ll love it. I promise!

See more eye candy and glean more ideas for a country-rustic wedding at My Forever Images! By the way, Valik & Anna are photographers themselves–you can check out their site here.

Happy Friday! How’s the weather where you are? For us, the temperatures have plummeted to single digits, the snow has paraded on in…

Yet, despite the arctic chill, I keep thinking of the beauty and charm of winter:  horse-drawn sleigh rides, sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace…winter is a wonderful season to do many activities–including getting married!

Winter has its charms and benefits, so if you haven’t set the date yet for your wedding, don’t rule out December, January, and February! Even if you don’t consider yourself a “snow bunny” (or bride), you might want to read our Five Cool Benefits of a Winter Wedding below.

#1 — Less Competition

Have your heart set on a particular reception hall or photographer? Winter weddings are far less common, which means you’ll probably be able to snag that highly coveted venue or wedding vendor that you’ve been dreaming of. And since their schedule is likely to be pretty open, you won’t have to settle for a less-than-ideal wedding date (such as a Friday, which can be hard for guests that work). Less competition, more freedom of choice — it’s a winter win-win!

#2 — Lower Prices

Are you a bride on a budget? A white winter wedding can save you lots of green. Because December through February is such a slow season for wedding vendors, many of them offer discounts or are willing to negotiate prices. You can save a lot of cash once you add up your savings on a DJ, florist, bakery, dress shop, etc. You can then either pocket those savings, or re-invest them into other wedding items, like decor, apparel, and accessories. Spend less, get more…another win-win for the winter bride!

#3 — Fun Decor & Accessories

Winter has so many themes and motifs that you can weave into your wedding day. You can go quirky and cute with some fun penguin cake toppers (see above) and a hot cocoa/cider station at the reception. Or, you could create sophisticated romance with a bold palette of scarlet red roses and evergreen centerpieces.

To stay cozy and warm, you can drape yourself in elegant cover-ups and accessories. Stay fashionably warm with some faux fur ear muffs and hand warmers–or accessorize you and your bridesmaids’ dresses with a chic stole, shrug, or wrap (see below). Or, how about wrapping a cashmere scarf over each of the groomsmen? Very handsome and chic!

#4 – Beautiful Photo Ops 

For unique wedding photos, just step outdoors! Winter is such a beautiful, romantic, and unique time of year. From snow dancing down to the the ground and blanketing the landscape, to frost dusted over tree branches, winter offers plenty of opportunities for stunning wedding photography. An added bonus? No fears of looking sweaty or having your makeup melt under the hot summer sun! And if your cheeks get a little rosy…well, that will just add to the adorable beauty and romance of your wedding photos.

#5 – Unique & Memorable Experience for You AND for Guests

Because winter weddings are far less common, simply having your wedding in the winter will make it very unique and memorable. You and your wedding guests attend so many weddings throughout your lives, so having a winter wedding will be something fun and different for everyone involved.

Read how our intern Kathryn describes one adorable and memorable winter wedding she attended:

“My favorite winter wedding was in the month of February. It was my cousin’s wedding, and although they were on a very tight budget, everything was perfect! Her bridesmaids wore navy dresses with one or two little snowflake clips in their hairdo’s (too cute!). The backdrop behind the head table was full of white string lights with a sheer white fabric hanging over them to create a soft glow. Her snowflake theme wasn’t too over the top, but you could see how everything connected.”

So, what do you think of winter weddings? Have you attended a winter wedding, or do you plan to have one yourself? I’d love to hear your thoughts and memories!

Rachel for MagnetStreetWeddings

Photos: Penguin Toppers Photo (RedLightStudio from Etsy), Bridesmaids and Bride/Groom Photos (Brosnan Photographic)