How to Write the Perfect Vows (ft. Styled Shoot!)

Doesn’t this fabulous shoot just make you want to write sonnets? 

Well, it’s a good thing you’re feeling inspired, because it’s time to tackle those vows, y’all. Whether you’ve just been putting it off or your writer’s block has got you stumped, we’ve brought out our top tips for writing the PERFECT vows from scratch. 

Talk it out…

First thing’s first: you and your boo need to be on the same page. Are you going for laughs? Perhaps you’re shooting to tug at the heartstrings. Maybe things are better kept short’n’sweet! No matter what route you lovebirds decide to go, it’s better to keep it consistent. Having a guideline for what to expect will make the writing process so much easier. 

Gather inspiration. 

Good news! If you’re stuck on where to begin, there are plenty of pre-written examples for wedding vows available online. Take the time to sort through Pinterest and wedding blogs-- but take a break if you start to feel overwhelmed. Remember, you’re only looking for a general structure to guide you to the perfect vows. Once you’ve found one or two, break out the pen and paper. 

Get your word vomit on. 

Okay, so there are probably cuter ways to coin the phrase, but the premise sticks. Get it all out there! Jot down every little thing you could possibly say. Once you’ve run out of material, go through the process of elimination. Consider that you might not want to say some things in front of all of your friends in family. Others might not work with the flow of the vow structure you’ve chosen to emulate. 

(PS: don’t worry, you’ve a whole lifetime after your vows to say all of the things you couldn’t quite fit into your wedding day.)

Throwback to your high school English class! 

Yawn, we know-- but we promise, your teacher totally had a point! If you’re still struggling to get it all down, conquer your vows like you would an essay. Begin with an introduction that leads into the heart of what you’re truly trying to say, and then wrap it all up with a poignant conclusion. It’s almost like your vows are a little love sandwich!

Practice makes perfect.

And not just in your head, either. Say them out loud to anyone who will listen. You’ll catch the tricky tongue twisters and be able to perfectly refine any awkward lines before the big day rolls around. By the time you’ve practiced your vows a few times, you’ll feel a lot more confident saying them in front of a crowd.

We fully expect to be in tears at your upcoming I&B wedding. Got any advice for your fellow vow-masters? Leave them in the comments down below. 

{Vendor Credits} Photography: Jenn Eddine Photography // Flowers & Dress: Ivory & Beau // Makeup: Give Me Face by Shay Jones // Hair: A Wildflower Gypsy // Cake: The Topiary // Styling: Resplendent Living // Decor: Daughter Handwovens // Artwork: Santiago Print Co // Venue: Soho South Cafe

I&B Couple: Natalie & Stephen

We’ve been a little beachy lately… so why don’t we cool down a little with Natalie & Stephen’s colorful wintry wedding from this past November? 

Who says winter weddings have to be dull? We love that Natalie and her bride tribe chose to keep things interesting with bright bouquets!

Natalie & Stephen tied the knot in a very traditional ceremony at St. Andrew’s in Bluffton, SC, and y’all… when we say that our hearts were full to bursting to hear them exchange their vows, we truly mean it.

After officially becoming husband and wife, Natalie & Stephen led the party back to the Westin’s Savannah Harbor Club. The night may have grown chilly, but the party was hot! We loved their late night food truck complete with classic fair goodies like funnel cakes.

Oh, yeah-- and there were FIREWORKS! How epic? 

Congratulations again to I&B couple Natalie & Stephen! The I&B team is so grateful to have been a part of your big day. 

{Vendor Credits} Photography: Vitor Lindo // Planner: Ivory & Beau // Ceremony Venue: St. Andrews in Bluffton // Reception Venue: The Westin in Savannah // Reception Music: All About You Entertainment // Food Truck: It’s Only Fair Food Truck // Furniture Rentals: Amazing Event Rentals // Hair & Makeup: Ella Collins // Bus & Trolley: Old Savannah Tours // Cocktail Hour Music: Whitley Deputy

TRUNK SHOW: La Poesie Bridal (Thu, Apr 19-Tue, Apr 24)

"We don’t follow tradition. We play with contrast. We design luxurious light wedding gowns that marry traditional silk fabrics with edgy detailing for a modern bride." - La Poèsie

What happens when you mix couture gowns with a contemporary vision? La Poesie! These gowns are wonderfully whimsical, modern, and oh-so-fun.

While this collection may bring the wow-factor, there are still plenty of options for the more traditional southern bride. We’re so excited to see what you think of Steffi-- it’s one of our personal favorites from the show! 

Ready to get your runway on? Click the button below to schedule your appointment now! These beauties will only be here from Thursday, April 19th through April 24th. 

Your Wedding Style Based on Your Zodiac Sign

Did you know when you look up at the night sky, there are a total of 88 constellations? Centuries ago, humans cataloged and named each group of stars. Over time, astrologers developed the system of the 12 signs of the zodiac, matching each month within the year. Astrologers believe each zodiac sign has a powerful and particular significance to them. 

Each of the 12 zodiac signs are uniquely different. Signs tell us insightful information about our personality and styles. It can tell a lot about your decision-making process and what textures, materials, and decor you’re drawn to. This is helpful when you’re celebrating big milestones in your life that need a lot of planning. Like a wedding! Depending on your Sun sign, we can determine what your dream wedding looks like. Will you walk down the aisle in a romantic sweetheart neckline, a bold mermaid tail, or a lace full-sleeve gown? Find out for yourself!

Aries: The Ram (Mar 21 - Apr 19)

• Spirit Color: Red
• Lucky Gem: Diamond
• Flower: Thistle & honeysuckle

Aries are known for being excellent leaders in work and social settings. Ruled by the planet Mars, it is in their nature to take action. The ram craves adventure and difficult challenges. When it comes to wedding planning, they’ll finish several things at once and make quick decisions. Being a fire sign, Aries are quite expressive. So when discussing options with your fiancée, be wary not to trample their ideas. The color red captures an Aries’ energy and eagerness for life so choosing red as an accent color for your wedding is a bold choice that’ll be noticed. For the wedding dress, Aries prefer pure white over cream shades. Aries aren’t tied up on details and instead like simple, yet elegant elements. This bride’s style is a modern dress with no-fuss so they can dance and play games all night long. The dress isn’t too ornate or overly feminine.

Taurus: The Bull (Apr 20 - May 20)

• Spirit Color: Pink
• Lucky Gem: Emerald
• Flower: Rose, poppy, and foxglove

Ruled by the planet Venus, Tauruses have a love for art and want to follow their artistic vision. Dependable, loyal, grounded, and strong-headed are several traits that describe the bull. Tauruses lucky gem, the emerald, represents the preservation of love and faithfulness. They’re as romantic as they are stubborn, preferring the more beautiful materials things in life. They prefer “committed” over “stubborn,” when planning their wedding. They adore luxurious to-the-touch textures and fabrics. They will have a blast wedding dress shopping! Tauruses prefer classic pieces and don’t feel pressure to follow the latest trends. Taurus rules the neck so a strapless dress will highlight their collar bones. Or maybe choose a beaded or lace off-the-shoulder design for a seductive look. Tauruses do not like sudden changes so plan accordingly when determining alterations to your dress. It’s a good idea to have a last minute wedding checklist on hand. Anything last minute will not bode well. The last thing a Taurus wants is an unfitted dress or even worse - a ruined one! 

Gemini: The Twins (May 21 - Jun 20)

• Spirit Color: Yellow
• Lucky Gem: Tiger's Eye & Emerald
• Flower: Lavender and lily of the valley

Geminis are talkative, intelligent, easily bored, and adaptable to change. Its two brightest stars, Castor and Pollux represent a dual personality. Characterized by the twins, they’re known to have two completely different sides to them. They have high energy levels and are great at reading the different vibes other people give off. Geminis are downright fun, and it will reflect on their wedding day. Ruled by Mercury, they easily express what they’re thinking and how they’re feeling. They are deep thinkers and will plan out their wedding meticulously, even overthinking and rethinking every detail. Geminis might have a hard time deciding on what they want or on the contrary, they might know exactly what they envision for their wedding. They’re stylish and love to mix and match outfits together in their mind. Although they can sometimes be seen as superficial, it’s their genuine and authentic character that shines through. When shopping for wedding dresses, they’ll be drawn to fringe, tassels, and leave the shoes to be the bright pop of color. Their style is elegant and they definitely stand out!

Cancer: The Crab (June 21 - July 22)

• Spirit Color: Violet
• Lucky Gem: Ruby, pearl
• Flower: Acanthus

Cancers are intuitive, practical, persuasive, and highly imaginative. They’re guided by their emotions so it takes awhile for them to open up to people, but once they do, they’ll be a friend for life. Their wedding will be small but filled with people they love. For the theme, think “antique.” They are homebodies, so a Cancer’s first criteria when picking venues is that it’s local and close to home. Cancers are old fashioned and love lace detailing and A-line silhouettes. They’re more on the conservative side, so high necklines and sleeves are an excellent choice. Cancers are known to be very emotional and can let it get the best of them. Take caution when wedding planning and don’t allow your emotions to control you. Like a crab, a Cancer will crawl and hide in its shell when its feelings are hurt. Don't pressure the bride into making any quick decisions. Her moody personality can seem turn-offish when she’s not in the right mindset, so pushing off something for another day can be a good idea.

Leo: The Lion (July 23 - Aug 22)

• Spirit Color: Gold
• Lucky Gem: Carnelian
• Flower: Sunflower & marigold

Ah, the lioness. Leos are not known for their subtlety. They are warm-hearted, self-confident, and assertive. They have a love for extravagance and luxury. It’s in their nature to rule! Their ego boasts on being the center of attention, so they’ll make sure the spotlight is on them. Their ideal wedding is big, fancy, and memorable. Being overly generous and accommodating, Leos will cater to their guests, even paying for transportation and hotel rooms when guests can’t afford to. Leos tend to overspend so be careful not to max out on credit cards which can affect your credit score. Set yourself up for success and try using a personal loan to avoid spilling into credit card debt. It will help finance the perfect wedding dress that will be the talk of the wedding. They don’t want anything ordinary so their dress will sparkle, as diamonds do. Ruled by the sun, which is in the center of the solar system, they will be wearing a high-fashion, glamorous wedding dress. Leos can pull off a dress with drama, flares, and long trains.

Virgo: The Virgin (Aug 23 - Sep 22)

• Spirit Color: Silver
• Lucky Gem: Peridot
• Flower: Morning Glory, daisy

Virgos are analytical, kind, and hardworking. They pay attention to the smallest details and adapt to thinking about the big picture. They are excellent planners so planning a wedding will be a piece of cake for them (pun intended). Virgos are willing to take on a challenge so they won’t need to spend money on a wedding planner. Their methodical approach and organizational skills will help them successfully plan the ultimate wedding. The downside is that Virgos are perfectionists and will continuously worry if they forgot something or missed a detail. It might be helpful to keep a wedding to-do list and write down everything. When it comes to style, Virgos are very feminine and simple. What would a goddess wear? A Virgo bride will look breathtaking in a long and flowy wedding dress that highlights her waist.

Libra: The Scales (Sep 23 - Oct 22)

• Spirit Color: Blue
• Lucky Gem: Sapphire
• Flower: Rose

Libras are ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty, attraction, and creativity. They are social, diplomatic, and balanced. Libras are happiest when surrounded by family, friends, and coworkers so expect a big wedding guest list! They can be quite indecisive, so there might be some hurdles when deciding on the decor. Libras, being more feminine, will be attracted to beautiful, satin materials. They’ll look stunning in tulle, lace, or sheer wedding dress. Libras are fond of expensive things and beautiful places. With a sharp intellect, their ideal venue is a restored home or an outdoor garden. Having an eye for beauty, cohesive themes and colors throughout are essential to them. A Libra bride will be set on having the centerpieces, glassware, and tablecloths match to her dress.

Scorpio: The Scorpion (Oct 23 - Nov 21)

• Spirit Color: Crimson
• Lucky Gem: Topaz
• Flower: Chrysanthemum

Scorpios are fierce and independent. Being a water sign, they're aligned with their emotions, which means they’ll say exactly what’s on their mind when it comes to planning their wedding, which can be good and bad! Regardless, Scorpios will say they’re just passionate. Ruled by the planet Pluto, they are dominant and like to take an authority position. They’re an intense sign which will reflect in their wedding dress selection. Scorpios aren’t afraid to look edgy, and they really can pull off anything! Try dressing up your style with statement jewelry pieces. Rock a wedding style right out of the runway and be the centerpiece of your wedding. Scorpios can get very jealous so keep in mind to not compete with your friends’ weddings or get upset if someone else’s wedding date is close to yours. You’re a natural trendsetter and your wedding will be unique in its way.

Sagittarius: The Archer (Nov 22 - Dec 21)

• Color: Purple
• Lucky Gem: Topaz
• Flower: Narcissus and dandelion

Sagittariuses are generous, hilarious, sociable and blunt! They love being outdoors and take pride in having their sense of freedom. They are extremely independent and they enjoy traveling and going on adventures, so expect a destination wedding for their wedding location. Being ruled by Jupiter (the biggest planet), they are highly extroverted and open-minded to new things. They are willing to incorporate out-of-the-box ideas into their wedding. Their guest list will include everyone they know, so expect their wedding to be an all out event. Being grand for all things, a big ball gown is a perfect style for this bride. They prefer a modern day Cinderella-style gown rather than a sexy, revealing one. They won’t stress about the little details when wedding planning, and they care more about having a good time! A Sagittarius can be impatient and overlook features in the process, so be careful to double check everything for a smooth, stress-free wedding.

Capricorn: The Goat (Dec 22 - Jan 19)

• Color: Brown
• Lucky Gem: Onyx
• Flower: Carnation

Capricorns are disciplined, responsible, and the most determined out of all the zodiac signs. They care about responsibility, family, and music, which means they won’t mind splurging on a good DJ for the wedding. Ruled by Saturn, their wedding will be very traditional, and you won’t see anything out of character from them. Capricorns hold onto memories of their childhood and embrace these during holidays, and their wedding day is no different. They’ll make sure to incorporate guest book wedding ideas in a creative way. You may see fun elements utilized at their wedding, such as having each table number represent a memory from that age or having a memory jar where guests can write down their favorite memory of the bride and groom. When shopping for wedding dresses, a Capricorn bride will look for something high-quality that also matches the price tag. Expect her to wear something professional, yet chic. Capricorns aren’t into the frills and prefer a sturdy structure that will remain intact throughout the night, and to hold onto as a keepsake in her closet after the big day is over!

Aquarius: The Water Bearer (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

• Color: Turquoise
• Lucky Gem: Turquoise
• Flower: Orchid

Aquarians are unconventional and are natural humanitarians. They are deep thinkers and thrive on helping others. They are ruled by the rebellious Uranus, the only planet that spins on a horizontal axis. An Aquarius is open to change and surprise. Their wedding registry will have a philanthropists theme, donating to a charity that is near and dear to their heart. They appreciate differences and different cultures, so their wedding will be anything but typical. They are the rebel of the zodiac signs and tend to do things out of the ordinary. Think “avant-garde” when wedding shopping. They will look for a unique dress that isn’t so traditional. Aquarians will look for an eco-friendly dress that has sustainable materials. They might even go vintage and wear their mother's wedding dress. Aquarians are excellent problem-solvers too so if anything goes wrong leading up to their big day, they’ll fix it in a jiffy!

Pisces: The Fish (Feb 19 - Mar 20)

• Color: Sea-Green
• Lucky Gem: Moon Stone
• Flower: Water Lily

Pisces are romantic, imaginative, gentle, and musical. They are one of the most creative signs of the zodiac with their vivid imaginations. Pisces are extremely intuitive to their surroundings, aware of everyone’s feelings. Ruled by Neptune, they are connected to music so get ready for a lively wedding reception! On the downside, a Pisces can suffer from a lack of decision making and be easily distracted from their objectives, so utilize a wedding planner or assistance from the bridesmaids to keep on track. When planning a wedding, Pisces brides will have a romantic Bohemian-like wedding style. Think flowy, flowy, flowy, flowy. They are full of fantasy so look for a dreamy, whimsical wedding dress with soft, effortless layers, and draping fabrics. Their ideal wedding is near water, so a beach wedding is perfect for those brides who like to stay close to the sea.