Tag Archives: wedding

Aug22

Selecting The Perfect Wedding Ring

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Selecting The Perfect Wedding Ring

Your wedding ring is one of the most meaningful pieces of jewelry you’ll ever own. It’s not just a symbol of love and commitment, but it’s also something that becomes part of your look every single day. This is why choosing the right wedding ring is so important. It doesn’t matter whether you’re drawn to something modern or something timeless. Your ring should reflect both your personal style as well as your relationship. But no matter what you pick, the ring you choose will play a special role in your life and here’s why finding the right one truly matters:

It’s a daily reflection of your style:

Unlike your wedding dress or your suit which is worn just for a day, your wedding ring is something you’re going to wear every single day. This makes it one of the most personal style choices you’ll ever make. Trends like baguette wedding bands offer a fresh take on tradition, combining vintage elegance with modern minimalism. They have geometric cuts and clean silhouettes which give them a contemporary edge while still feeling classic. Whether one solo or paired with an engagement ring, they add a touch of sparkle that feels subtle and yet intentional.

It symbolizes your relationship:

Beyond the aesthetics, your wedding ring holds deep emotional value. It’s a physical representation of your commitment and your love. Many couples choose designs or custom details that hold personal meaning, from engraved messaging to birthstones or unique settings. When you take the time to find the right ring together, it becomes so much more than just a piece of jewelry, but it becomes a symbol of the promises that you’ve made and the journey that you’re beginning together.

It needs to suit your lifestyle:

The perfect ring is not just about looks, it has to work for your lifestyle too. Your ring should be designed to fit seamlessly into your daily routine. You need to choose something that’s appealing as an active wearer. A ring that has a low profile setting and smooth, clean lines is not just beautiful, but it’s practical. This makes it a great option for those who want a bit of glamour without sacrificing their comfort.

It’s a piece that you’ll treasure for life:

Your wedding ring is likely going to be one of the few accessories that remains constant throughout your life. It’s with you during milestones, quiet moments, celebrations and challenges, and over time, it becomes enmeshed in your story. It’s worth investing the time and thought into choosing a ring that resonates with you, something you’ll love just as much in thirty years as you do right now.

No matter the type of wedding band that you pick, the right ring will be a reflection of your love, your style, and your life. Pick something with care, wear it with pride, and let it tell your story every day!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May12

Bath & Body Works May Freebie

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Bath & Body Works May Freebie

Hello!! As you all know, I live for my freebie coupons in the mail from Bath & Body Works. There is nothing better than free and it is so nice to pick out a little treat without paying one red cent. This week, I cashed in a free travel size product coupon and wanted to go for a body cream as I am pretty well stocked on shower gels. Rather than do a sniff test on a bunch of different options, I let fate decide and just grabbed whatever looked pretty lol. Of course, I want a lotion that I think smells good but it’s never too big of a factor for me since I only wear it to bed. I ended up with a new scent called Always & Forever because I loved the packaging! Peep that lace and pearls:

Clearly, Always & Forever is a wedding inspired fragrance and offers notes of “pearlized pink pepper (whatever that is), white roses, and sheer sandalwood”. I am not a huge fan of floral or musky scents but this one actually isn’t too bad because it’s nice and light. I can’t speak for the pearlized pink pepper lol but the notes of roses and sandalwood are soft enough that is just smells fresh and kind of powdery. I can’t say that I would get this scent again but I do like it more than I originally anticipated and that’s good enough for me. It is, however, a perfect spring scent if you prefer a not too in your face floral fragrance!

My random selection for my freebie ended up being right down the middle and that was no harm no foul. After shopping at B&BW for so long, it’s sometimes fun to just pick out whatever and see what sticks!

What is your favorite Bath & Body Works scent? Do you like to use the same scents or switch them out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun4

Happy Anniversary To Us!

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Happy Anniversary To Us!

Hello!! Today is a joyous, lovely, wonderful day because it is mine and Johnny’s three year wedding anniversary!! There was a point in my life when I was convinced I was never going to get married. That all changed the day Johnny and I had our first date because it was a love at first sight extravaganza. I genuinely believe in my heart of hearts that if Johnny and I were to have gotten married the day we met, we would still be exactly where we are right now. Johnny also confirms this sentiment so it must be true!! Even though I would have been so game to tie the knot immediately, I am SO glad we had a beautiful wedding that was perfect for us:

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Johnny and I got married in our friend’s backyard on June fourth of 2021. We had a short and sweet ceremony surrounded by our immediate family and closest friends and it was the absolute best. Our decorations were simple – red fabric to walk down the aisle, a trellis, and black fabric to hang over it. Our attire was so very us in a black wedding dress and veil for me and black skinny jeans, a white button down, and a black Western inspired jacket for Johnny. There was no fanfare, no crazy reception, and literally no stress. We wanted our wedding to celebrate us as a couple in the easiest way humanly possible and that is exactly what we got.

I have heard so many stories about people not even enjoying their wedding because of the whirlwind of activity involved. I am so thankful to say that we enjoyed every second of every minute of our wedding. We both remember it like it just happened – Well, minus the parts when we got blitzed at the bar afterwards lol. There are countless moments from our big day that we still bring up and laugh about years later and that is very special to me. What I cherish the most about our wedding is the complete and total love that encompassed our backyard ceremony. It was like a pulse you could feel and it turned our understated wedding into a fairy tale. I think about our wedding day often and, when I do, that warm fuzzy feeling comes rushing back. It was the best day of my life!

Happy Anniversary to my Johnny!! I love you so much and wish we could get married every day!!

Oct16

Wedding Dress Delight OOTD

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Wedding Dress Delight OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! Two weekends ago, I attended an adorable Disney Princess Party with my sister and darling nieces. Princess costumes for the little ones were encouraged and I figured that offer would extend to adults too lol. As the most extra auntie on the planet, I decided to get my princess on by rocking my wedding dress to the party. I was definitely the only big person that dressed up, but that’s okay because it made the experience even more fun! Val AKA Elsa and her “death princess” TT (as Johnny described me) looked like royalty during our grand entrance and I know we’ll both look back on it fondly for years to come. ❤ Check it out:

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^^^ And, yes, I am SO aware that all of these poses are exactly the same lol. My sister took these pics after the party and the girls were cold so I just had to do what works for maximum success!

Who? What? Wear?

Wedding Dress: EricDress

Vertebrae Heels: Show Story

Pearl Headband: Francesca’s

Flower earrings that aren’t seen in the pictures are from Francesca’s too.

My wedding dress is one of my most favorite things that I own. It was bought for a song online, tailored to perfection, and was everything I hoped for on my wedding day. I always pictured myself in a black wedding dress and it was like this one was made for me. After Johnny and I tied the knot, I felt sad that I would probably never have an occasion to wear my dream dress again. That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to wear it to the Princess Party. I felt like a princess IRL when I got married and I couldn’t think of anything better to wear to a royal celebration.

For heels, I kept with the theme of my wedding and wore the same shoes for the partay. The high low dress screams for a killer pair of pumps and the Show Story pair are, surprisingly, the only ones I own. Even if I had different heels to select from, I still would have chose my wedding heels anyways. The “low” portion of my dress runs dangerously low to the ground and I needed all of the length that I could get to keep it from dragging. Huge shout out to the tailor for my dress because she was able to create a bustle with the super lengthy train!

There wasn’t much to do for the base of this look so it was onto accessories next. I desperately wanted a tiara, but don’t own one and all of my nieces’ toy tiaras are broke lol. So, I improvised and used my pearl headband from Francesca’s. I LOVED how the white pearls created contrast with my hair and the dress and it felt like a grown up take on a plastic tiara. Then, I put on a pair of dangly iridescent flower earrings and was ready to be the belle of the ball. I know I werked it, but Val stole the show in her Elsa costume! 🙂

I am beyond thrilled that I got to break out my wedding dress one time for the one more time. My girls and I had the best afternoon at the Princess Party and it is something that I will always cherish!

What is something that makes you feel like royalty? Have you ever worn something from your wedding again? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Nov19

3 Top Pre-Wedding Beauty Tips

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3 Top Pre-Wedding Beauty Tips

A beauty regimen before a wedding will help you look your best on your big day. You’ll want to look back on this day fondly, so it’s only natural that you want everything to be perfect. While there are plenty of beauty preparations you’ll want to do so you’re picture-perfect for the wedding, you need to realize that there will be some things you’ll need to do far in advance. So, what are these? Keep reading on to learn all about them:

Go easy on the skincare:

It’s odd to say, as most brides will improve their skin care regimen and may even get a facial from the local spa. While it’s great and even aspiring to have that perfect skin for the wedding, you’ll have to be cautious. Getting a skin care regimen in place for your big day is crucial to looking your best. The last thing you want is a breakout or dry skin. Make sure to avoid new skincare products in the month before the wedding.

Considering a tan?

Some brides enjoy tanning, whether it’s a spray tan or visiting the local tanning bed. However, if you want to get your glow on before the wedding, you must be careful. Spray tans are a great way to add a natural glow to your skin. They can also help to camouflage any imperfections in your skin. These tans can contour and define your muscles too. Getting a spray tan before your dress fitting when starting a wedding beauty regimen is a great way to ensure you get the shade you want. You can schedule a trial tan a month before the wedding.

Give up teeth-staining drinks:

Who doesn’t love their coffee, teas, red wines, and maybe even munching on berries? While these are all nice indulgences, you shouldn’t consume too much each day as you risk staining your teeth. Whether you’re looking to get white teeth for your wedding or just want to keep them bright, there are several things you can do to keep your teeth white. A dentist can also remove stains from your teeth if necessary. One of the easiest ways to prevent stains from wine is to rinse your mouth with water after you drink.This helps to loosen up the acidity that’s causing the stains.

You can also brush your teeth with whitening toothpaste. This type of toothpaste uses mild abrasives to remove stains from your teeth. However, it can take several months to see results so it’s important to do this far in advance. Another way you can kick up your teeth a notch would be through Invisalign. If your teeth aren’t straight, you can count on this to give you the smile you’ve always wanted for your wedding!

Be your most radiant, picture perfect self on your big day with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Mar8

Beauty Preparations For Your Wedding Day

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Beauty Preparations For Your Wedding Day

Until you’ve been there yourself, you may not know all of the things there are to think about when it comes to wedding planning. As well as taking care of the basics like finding a venue and choosing the food, there is, of course, yourself to think about.

On your wedding day, all eyes are on the bride. It can be a daunting prospect, so it’s no surprise that many brides aspire to be their most beautiful, confident selves. To help you glow a little more, here are some wedding beauty preparations to help you feel your best in time for the big day:

Take care of your teeth:

The happiness of the day is guaranteed to put a smile on your face but if you’re not overly happy with your smile, you might want to take steps to improve it. The lead up to your wedding is the perfect time to pay closer attention to your teeth and make any changes you’d like ahead of your nuptials.

Teeth whitening is a top treatment for people getting married, as is teeth straightening. A treatment like Invisalign can help you get your teeth straightened without braces, with results possible in under six months in some cases. Visit your dentist to see which treatments are available to transform your smile ahead of your wedding.

Step up your skincare routine:

Your approaching wedding can suddenly wake you up to the need to take better care of your skin. Improving your complexion for your wedding can make makeup easier to apply and leave you feeling more confident too. Treat yourself to some new products and create a wedding beauty regimen that will help give your skin a boost. You’ll develop new habits that will leave you with luminous skin for the day itself and long after your wedding too. Of course, there is no true way to prevent blemishes on your big day. The stress of it all is not helpful, either. However, if you work with a skilled wedding photographer like Naba Zabih Photography (or a similar photographer in your local area) they will be well versed in editing so a problem area won’t show up in your wedding photos.

Indeed, when it comes to wedding skin care, radiance is the name of the game. You will want your skin to shine brightly so it matches those countless engagement rings and wedding bands you tried. Whether you’re going for traditional round diamonds or unique Oval Engagement Rings, you’ll want your skin to look its best for those close up photos. Products with Vitamin C will provide a luminous glow and you can add in some skin care with hyaluronic acid as well to keep your skin soft as can be. Be sure to test out products with lots of time to spare so you don’t have an adverse reaction close to your big day!

Consider hairstyles:

Wedding hair can be a big source of stress. It’s something you’ll want to plan in advance to help you feel happy with how it’s going to look on the day. Finding someone you can trust to do your wedding hair is important and you’ll feel much more comfortable during such an important part of your wedding day prep. Book trials and ask for hair care advice to make sure your wedding hair is exactly how you want it to be.

One great way to find inspiration for wedding hair is to look at websites for affordable wedding dresses. The models will be rocking a variety of different hairstyles and it can make it easier to narrow down which options are your favorite. Try finding wedding dresses similar to what you have and see how the model’s hair was styled for it to get the full picture.

Try different makeup styles to help you feel the most ‘you’:

Choosing wedding makeup can be another difficult decision. While you’ll want to look flawless, it’s a completely different thing to be unrecognizable. Look at wedding makeup inspiration for styles you might like. You can try to recreate them yourself or book wedding makeup trials to see how they look on you. Pick a style you feel comfortable with that helps you feel special and beautiful when you walk down the aisle.

When considering your makeup, it’s important to remember the overall aesthetic of your wedding. Should you go for a rustic vibe after exploring barn wedding venues in hertfordshire (or your local area), a full on glam approach might look out of place. A “not really wearing makeup but I have makeup on” look won’t be cohesive if you are having an ultra lux wedding with all of the stops. Talk to your makeup artist and be sure to share pictures of your dress, venue, and what your partner will be wearing so that they can create a look to match the wedding as a whole.

In the lead up to your wedding, take time to take better care of your skin and hair and start making decisions about your wedding look. By the time the day is here, you’ll feel beautiful, confident, and in control, ready to enjoy the best day of your life.

Featured Image By: Unsplash under Creative Commons

Nov7

Just So You Know!

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Just So You Know!

Hello! Johnny and I got married on June fourth and, as many of you know, we very much wanted to have a Halloween reception. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we just weren’t comfortable with this but are aware that our friends and family wanted to send us gifts. We never bothered making a registry, which we probably should have lol but we are accepting donations to our honeymoon/new microwave fund! If you would like to send us a wedding present, my Venmo handle is: @Sarah-Mushenheim

We so appreciate the well wishes from everyone and wish that we could have celebrated our big day all together. As always, thank you for your unending support and we love you all! -Sarah and Johnny ❤

Aug28

My Favorite Summer 2021 Memories

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My Favorite Summer 2021 Memories

Hi! Summer is quickly drawing to a close and that is fine by Lil Red because I live for fall weather, fashion, and holidays. Both Johnny and I are eager to step out in our favorite jackets, sweaters, and long sleeve shirts for hikes, bonfires, and corn mazes in cool temperatures that don’t physically pain us lol.

Although the fall will forever be my preferred time of the year, I have to say that this summer was a great success – especially in comparison to last year. Let’s discuss some of my fave memories from these past few months:

Getting Married:

The best memory of all from this summer is Johnny and I getting married in June, of course! Our wedding day was a beautiful, albeit very hot one, so obviously it was the perfect time for us to tie the knot wearing all black haha! It was so special for us to have a small, intimate wedding in one of our best friend’s back yards surrounded by our immediate family and closest friends. It was one of the best days of my life and I just love being married! ❤

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Conneaut, Ohio Road Trip:

This month, Johnny and I made an hour and a half drive to Conneaut, Ohio for a D-Day reenactment and it was awesome! My husband, the history buff, has never been to a war reenactment before and has always wanted to so when I found out about the event, I surprised him with tickets. The reenactments, demonstrations, and fair food were all great. The best part, however, was seeing a big smile on Johnny’s face all day. Something tells me that this is not the last reenactment that we’ll be attending together and I can’t wait! 🙂

Birthday Celebrations:

Me, Johnny, and my two besties all have summertime birthdays and I love being able to celebrate with them every year. I consider myself to be an excellent gift giver so birthdays and holidays are my favorite. Picking out the perfect presents for my loved ones is so much fun to me and it’s even better to see their reactions once they have opened their gifts. In true Lil Red fashion, I have already began my Christmas shopping planning – I just can’t help myself. 😀

Swimming:

Last year, the pool at my apartment community was closed for obvious reasons. This summer, however, it is open for business and I have been making the most of it. I have spent many an evening lounging in the pool with my bestie or with my sister and niece and it has been so nice. While I can’t wait for cooler weather, I will definitely miss the option to go swimming once my day at work is over. An evening at the pool and then dinner with my BFF or sister and niece is the best thing to look forward to after a work day!

Date Day:

The best date day that Johnny and I had this summer was, easily, our time spent in downtown Cuyahoga Falls a few Saturdays ago. We had an amazing time browsing through the ultra cool Jenks Building while listening to our ultra cool friends play in the Buffalo Ryders. After their set, our band boyz joined Johnny and I for a cocktail hour at our favorite local bar, The Cashmere Cricket. Saturday is the best day to go because the Cricket makes all of their cocktails with dry ice, which makes your drinks bubble and smoke like a potion.

Once our outing was done, Johnny and I went back to our apartment for our usual weekend festivities of playing video games, dancing, and listening to music. It was a perfect day and one of my favorite summer memories.

So there you have it, my favorite summer memories! Summer is my least favorite season by far but, after these past few months, I definitely think I like it a little bit more! ❤

What are your favorite memories of this summer? What are you looking forward to in the fall? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul21

Wedding Pictures!!

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Wedding Pictures!!

HELLO!!!!!!! Johnny and I got married on June 4th and I am so happy to finally be able to share some wedding pictures with all of you! Our photographer did a bang up job and I am so appreciative of her hard work on our big day and afterwards with the intricate editing process. I am in love with the sneak peek she sent us and cannot wait to see the rest! Now, without further ado, here are some shots from my wedding:

Johnny and I had a small wedding ceremony in his best man’s backyard and it was short, sweet, and absolutely perfect for us. It was so special to be surrounded by just our immediate family and best friends and I wouldn’t change a thing about it. Looking through the photos from our photographer with Johnny had us reliving our wedding all over again and I can’t wait to frame and hang up our favorites. ❤

I had been so eager to get some pictures back because I was also super looking forward to sharing them with my dear readers. We thank you all so much for the well wishes and support because it really does mean the world. Keep it posted on lifewithlilred for all of the latest and greatest as well as more wedding photos soon!

What is your dream wedding like? What was your wedding like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun21

What I’m Looking Forward To This Summer

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What I’m Looking Forward To This Summer

Hello! June has been a GREAT SUCCESS of a month so far due to my recent nuptials, double birthday with my husband, and bestie’s birthday and I have a feeling that this summer is only going to get better. Last summer was a wash for everyone because of the pandemic and now that Johnny and I are fully vaccinated, we plan on making the most of the season. While I can’t wait for weekend trips with Johnny and soaking up the sun for about ten minutes before I start to burn, I am especially looking forward to the following:

Swimming:

Even though I refuse to get my hair wet, that doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy time in the pool! One of my clients has a pool and we try to utilize it at least once a week. The pool in my apartment community is also open for the summer and I’m really excited to go swimming with my niece and sister. I haven’t been able to use the community pool since the summer of 2019 when I moved in as it was closed last summer, which makes me even more eager for a swimming outing ASAP!

Shopping:

As you all know, Lil Red loves to shop and in late May I had my first non grocery related shopping trip since before the pandemic at Summit Mall. I had a huge haul at Altar’d State and American Eagle and the shopping bug has been biting ever since. I am very much looking forward to spending my birthday gift cards at TJMaxx, outings to the mall, and maybe even a day trip to my favorite outdoor mall, Crocker Park.

Shopping has always been very therapeutic to me and even if I walk away with nothing, I still have a blast. There is nothing better to me than spending an afternoon browsing and seeing what’s new in fashion. During the pandemic, I only did online shopping so being able to visit all of my favorite haunts in person this summer will be tons of fun and I definitely feel a mother/daughter trip to TJMaxx in my near future. 😀

Concerts:

My Johnny is a musician and his band, The Outside Voices, hasn’t played since early March of 2020. This is the longest he has gone without playing live music in over a decade and I know he is just dying to perform again. And I am just dying to watch! We are both counting down the days till their first show this summer and are equally excited to see other bands too. In fact, we just went to our first concert together in Marietta this past weekend and had an awesome time seeing our friends in Jake Dunn & The Blackbirds perform. Long live local music!

Happy summer to all!

What are you looking forward to this summer? What is your favorite warm weather activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah