It's a Party!!!

One of the best things about being engaged are all the celebratory parties friends and family want to bestow upon you. From engagement parties to the bachelor / bachelorette parties and all the showers in between... it's a time to be the guest of honor and to have FUN!

First stop on the party circuit: The Engagement party! Usually family members or close friends choose to get some of the couple's closest friends & family together for a casual dinner (either out or at someone's home) to simply love on the newly engaged couple. It usually happens shortly after the engagement and it us usually an intimate party, small in size. Relish is proud to reveal some of our new engagement party invitations!

And my personal fave... By talented designer Paula Kennedy (check our her blog on Wednesdays)

All these invitations have a few different color schemes, so head on over to Relish's Engagement Party invitations to find the one that's right for you.

After the party comes the months of engagement and planning. Be sure to enjoy EVERY step of the way as this is truly one of the best times of your life. There will be showers along the way and at the end another set of parties - the Bachelor / Bachelorette parties!!!

The theme of these parties depend heavily on who is getting married. Whether you are more conservative or a party girl / boy - I think it's important to have a great "last night" (it doesn't have to be the last or at night!) with the girls/ boys. The reason I think it's important is because there is a LOT involved in planning a wedding and many times we are drained / stressed by the time the big day comes around. Having a night of fun is a great stress reducer and it can help you take time to appreciate this moment in your life. My ONLY regret from my engagement is that I didn't take time to have a night (or day) out with my girls.

Some ideas for bachelorette parties are...

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  The traditional night out (the details are up to you)
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  Game night: Go bowling, putt-putt, etc. Go to Dave & Buster's to make it easy. The key is to keep score all night to see who scores the most.
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  Spa Day / Night: I've done this - so wonderful!
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  Get schooled: Take a group class together. Try a pottery class, a dance class, cooking class, etc.
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  Hollywood: Everyone gets dressed up. Hire a photographer / videographer and star in your own music video, mini-movie, etc.

Whatever you do, make the bride feel very special and very loved! Here are some of Relish's fun and flirty bachelorette party invitations:

And our very popular, best seller: The Future Mrs. (which comes in several color schemes) and features the bride's name on the shirt.

Whether you are planning a party or you are the guest of honor, come over to Relish to check out our full line of wedding celebration invitations! And brides, soak up this time in your life and remember to take time out with your wonderful fiance and enjoy these times with your family and friends. In other words, RELISH these moments and enjoy the journey!

Vendor Spotlight: Elegant Diamonds

Elegant Diamonds is a fantastic jewelry store located in Providence Marketplace in Mt. Juliet that you HAVE to go check out! [There are 2-3 jewelry stores there by the way. In my humble opinion, the best one by far is Elegant Diamonds so make sure you get to the right store - they are towards the back entrance across the lot from JCPenny's.]

I have been very privileged getting to know the people behind this wonderful jewelry store! Curtis & Karen truly care about quality and customer service. They are a wonderful husband & wife team who truly love what they do and get excited for their clients' milestone occassions. I admit that I always feel uplifted when I visit their store - I mean, diamonds ARE a girl's best friend, right?




The great thing about Elegant Diamonds is that they are not JUST diamonds - they have a wide range of jewelry including pearls, watches, trendy bead jewelry, bridal party gifts and much more.







All of their products are high quality and beautiful! They even have LOTS of colorful jewelry - and you know us girls at Relish love us some color!





Here is what you need to know about this awesome company if you are engagment ring shopping, wedding band shopping, shopping for your bridal party or just want to get a wonderful gift!

A note from Curtis & Karen:

At Elegant Diamonds, we believe each customer is unique. Each of you comes in with your own discriminating taste in fine jewelry and we strive to find that perfect piece of jewelry to meet your every need and/or special occasion.We are a full service jeweler.

We offer fine 14K Gold, 18K Gold, and Platinum Bridal Jewelry; diamond fashion jewelry; loose diamonds; colored stone fashion jewelry; 14K and 18K fine gold jewelry; freshwater, Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea Pearls; sterling silver; men's jewelry and accessories; Swiss and American made watches and designer handbags.Elegant Diamonds offers on-site professional jewelry repair and custom designing. We also offer minor and full service watch repair.

So now that you are all drooling like I am looking at these photos, go visit Elegant Diamonds today! Be sure to ask about their awesome engagement kit. Oh, and say hello to Oscar, their store mascot! He'll be there to help you with your selection.

Marital Bliss and Superheroes.

I had the sincere pleasure of being a bridesmaid this weekend. I thought this was #8, but figured out I've been forgetting one. So this made me Bridesmaidx9!

That has to qualify me for some type of Superhero status, right? I mean, it's not exactly a walk in the park... It takes physical stamina (working out to fit in the dress-- with an emphasis on calve muscles to prevent soreness from 10 hours in heels), it takes incredible focus (my personal "ceremony mantra" is: don't lock your knees, don't lock your knees), and most importantly, being a bridesmaid forces you to be versatile. Much like Superwoman, it's important to be able to adapt to whatever is needed of you at any given moment (ie: buying AND wearing ANY dress and hairstyle that is desired by the bride, regardless of how it looks with your complexion,body type or face shape).

Fortunately, I have had great experiences with my bride-friends. Especially this time... All of us bridemaids were smitten with our deep purple dresses and the assignment to wear "funky shoes". The whole wedding was personal, intimate and most of all, FUN... Well, except for the Ringbearer in the pic above. :) Come back on Wednesday for fun wedding details (invitations, flowers, centerpieces)... See you soon!