Drinks are an exciting element to think about when planning your wedding menu. There are many ways that you can use beverages to add to the overall theme and mood of your wedding. Having a signature drink is a great personal touch and they can come in many different forms; so we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorites to inspire you!

1. Fragrant Tea

An iced-tea bar with fragrant flavors will really elevate your non-alcoholic drink options. Lavender, chai and floral flavors are delicious and unique enough to wow your guests.

I must admit, I am no fashion expert. Much to my dismay, Christina threw out my 12-year old gardening shoes this winter. The casual leather shoes I have now have at least another three or four years in them before I will relegate them to garden duty. I’m in a real bind now that I have to buy another pair of shoes.

My old shoes? They lasted. That’s how it works with things like shoes and belts that are made with quality materials. Take the leather belts by Wiley Brothers of Charlottesville, Virginia.

Yes, they cost more, but they’re made to last.  These belts are not made half way around the world for $5, priced at $50 or $100 and slapped with a “brand name”. These belts are not cheap-ass bonded leather that comes apart in 8 months. (Ironically, one of these went out to the curb with the gardening shoes. )

Wiley Brothers Belts are made-to-last-a-lifetime belts, handcrafted in Virginia, USA of English bridle leather.

Wiley Bros sent one to Christina for me to try.  I’ve been wearing it for 6 months now and it’s starting to break in and feel like it’s mine. Like cherished gardening shoes, this belt will be with me for years. I’d hazard a guess these Wileys are pretty much indestructible.

Give these as groomsmen gifts and 25 years from now the fellas will likely still have their Wiley belts! And even if the waistlines change (slimmer of course!), Wiley offers adjustment services too. Try getting that kind of service for your discounted made-in-who-knows-where bonded leather belt that falls apart in 8 months.
Full Disclosure:

I got this belt for free. The timing was impeccable. Had it not been for this belt, I would have dropped another $50 on a crappy discounted brand-name belt that would have lasted me another year, maybe two.  Now I have one brown belt that will last me a lifetime. I’m going to pick up a black Wiley next, to round out the wardrobe. All set for many years to come.

To avoid the emotional, financial, and overall stress of planning a conventional wedding, Kate and Brad chose to elope. Upon arriving in Savannah, they settled on Troup Square as the perfect spot for their intimate and heartfelt ceremony. With just their officiant and two photographers looking on, they laughed and cried as they held hands and exchanged their vows, celebrating the joining of their lives together – a moment the bride describes as the highlight of their lives!

Special thanks to Nick and Brittany at Brita Photography for sharing their beautiful photos with us!

Kate, 26 & Bradley, 29

Savannah, GA

Wedding Date: February 9, 2014

Number of Guests: 0, Just the two wedding photographers and officiant!

Wedding Cost: $6,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Troup Square, Historic Savannah, GA

Wedding Reception Location: Lake Jackson, Jackson, GA – A month later!

Jillian and Andrew didn’t want a traditional wedding (and all the stress that comes with it), so they ran off to Vegas for a quickie wedding at the Wee Kirk ‘O’ the Heather Chapel. After a short and sweet five minute ceremony, they danced in the desert, drank tequila, and ate cupcakes! Now, how can you argue with that?

Special thanks to Angie and Matt Sloan of Sloan Photographers for sharing the photos of Jillian and Andrew’s fun and quirky wedding day with us.

Jillian, 27 & Andrew, 28

Las Vegas, Nevada

Wedding Date: December 23, 2013

Number of Guests: 0

Wedding Cost: $4,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Wee Kirk ‘O’ the Heather Wedding Chapel

Wedding Reception Location: A dry lake bed outside of Prim, NV. We had a little cupcake and tequila picnic in the dessert.

From the ceremony space to the reception, chair backs are a great way to individualize your wedding decor.

Many of these chair decor ideas can be fun DIY projects . Here are 10 chair decor looks that we’ve rounded up for you to inspire you:

1. Fabric

Sheer fabrics such as tulle and organza look wonderful on the back of chairs. They can be draped in any way that you choose. Burlap can also look amazing!

Photo by: Monique Arrighi