Why Jackson Hole is the Unique New Bachelorette Destination You Can't Miss
Are you a 2021 bride?
If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know that my husband and I postponed our destination wedding due to covid. We also got legally married in a beautiful private ceremony and I wouldn’t change that part for the world! We’re still hoping to have our delayed celebration later in 2021, so keep following me here and on Instagram for more on that journey.
While our wedding plans are still up in the air, I definitely wanted to have my bachelorette trip. The original plan was cancelled back in March when covid first hit, but since things have started to subside, the vaccine is being distributed, and most cities in the US open for travel without restrictions, I felt good about moving forward with my bachelorette trip. The original plan was to go to Sedona, but I decided that since my bachelorette trip was going to be in Feb, I should go all out with a winter theme.
I had been dying to go to Jackson, Wyoming for quite some time, so I decided there was no time like the present. Keep reading for more about my dream #SnowBunnyBach, in partnership with Got Your Bach!
Reasons to Visit Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole, Wyoming is a major ski destination and one of the most charming towns I’ve ever visited. In the Spring and Summer visitors flock to visit Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. But winter is when the town is covered in a thick blanket of snow and becomes a stunning winter wonderland. It’s no surprise why celebrities like Kanye West have been spending more time in Jackson. The scenery is drop dead gorgeous. there are plenty of world class restaurants, and so many activities to choose from you’ll never be bored.
Planning a Bachelorette in Jackson Hole
You guys know I love planning trips, but I decided to enlist a pro for my bachelorette. I’d been following Got Your Bach on Insta for while and I fell in love with their party planning style. After all the disappointment of having to postpone our wedding and original trip, my expectations for the do-over were higher. It also seemed unfair to put all that on the shoulders of my small bridal party, especially since we had all been impacted by covid in some way.
Got Your Bach is a full service bachelorette planner. They put together one of a kind itineraries based on your bachelorette style, dream destination, party size, and a whole host of other factors. You can be super involved as a bride like I was, or dedicate a member of your bridal party to lead the charge so you can still be surprised. They even make payment splitting a dream - no chasing people for Venmo requests involved at all. I loved working Got Your Bach and I can 100% say my trip would not have been as special without their expertise and amazing decor skills and custom swag!
Since no one in my group is a big ski person, we planned an itinerary around other Jackson Hole must- do activities. Check out our itinerary below!
Thursday
Day 1 everyone flew in and we decided to keep it a lazy day. We checked into the cutest AirBnB and spent the wandering around downtown Jackson. That night we had a pajama pizza party and rewatched Bridgerton on Netflix.
Friday
The next day we had a photo shoot with Abbie from Got Your Bach, who is also an amazing photographer! She took some great shots of me and my squad, and after that we headed over for brunch at Persephone, one of the best bakeries in Jackson, followed by a wine tasting at Jackson Hole Winery. We didn’t rent a car for our trip, but luckily one of my friends befriended her airport Uber driver, and we got him to give us a private driving tour of Grand Teton National Park. He drove us to one of the popular trails and waited about an hour while we explored. If you want to go deeper on the trail in the winter, make sure you stop in town to rent some snow shoes before embarking on the trail. We didn’t prep properly for this, but we made it a mile in our boots.
Saturday
On Saturday we relaxed at the house all morning, then headed out for an afternoon snowmobile adventure with Teton Tour Company. After a short drive and stop at their office to get our snow gear, we headed out on the 9 mile trail to Granite Hot Springs. This hot spring is only accessible via dog sled or snowmobile, so it feels super secluded, like an oasis in a winter wonderland. We didn’t get to spend a ton of time there, but it will definitely be on of the most memorable experiences of my life! Fair warning, when you get out of the hot spring it will be cold! Be prepared to mad dash back to the changing room and shiver until you get back into your gear!
Sunday
We had a bagel & mimosa brunch before checking out of our AirBnB. Our same Uber driver/private car contact took us on one last scenic drive past the Elk Refuge and towards a ranch where there were often buffalo sightings. No luck on the buffalo, but it was great to see some more of the Jackson scenery before heading back to the airport.
Hiring a Bachelorette Party Planner
If you are planning a bachelorette trip or bachelorette party, I highly recommend hiring a bachelorette planner, like Got Your Bach. The team made my creative vision come to life and the organization was as easy as possible. Obviously no group trip is without planning drama or flakiness, but they did an amazing job with everything they were tasked to do. They know all the bachelorette party tips and tricks to make your experience one for the bucket list.
Let me know if you’re planning any bachelorette events or group trips this year!
Bridal Styling 101 - How to Complete Your Wedding Day Look Like a Pro!
I’m counting down until my big day! I’ve been posting a bit here and there about my wedding planning journey, but have not covered much on the most important subject - THE DRESS! That will be coming up soon enough don’t worry. Before I share more about my dress shopping journey and how I finally said yes to the dress, I wanted to dive into more about completing your bridal look. Obviously, the dress is a major, but the accessories, shoes, hair and makeup all tie the final look together! To get the scoop on how to best complete your bridal look, I interviewed one of Savannah’s leading stylists Charisse Bruin! Stay tuned for how bridal styling comes into play and everything you need to know to look perfect on your wedding day, from shoes to shapewear!
So, what exactly is a bridal stylist?
A bridal stylist’s job can vary depending on the bride's needs and wants. Planning a wedding is very stressful, but everyone has their opinion on what you, the bride should do. I like to tell my brides, I am the stylist and your bridesmaids help you with the wedding planning! Friends can be harsh at times and may not know what silhouette is most flattering or how to properly style the entirety of a look. I help bring the style together, in a professional manner. I also help with any last-minute style emergencies, such as fixing a hem or bustling a gown so you can dance the night away. Having a bridal stylist helps eliminate the chaos and allows your bridal party and friends to have fun, while I sweat the small stuff!
What should brides know about shopping for bridal accessories?
Brides shouldn't limit themselves to diamonds!!!! There are so many options such as amethyst, pearls, chalcedony, crocheted gold, just to name a FEW! Mix natural stones and crystals in your bands, bracelets or headpiece, but remember in doing so, keep it simple. Use clusters of small stones or one big statement; never do both!
How do you balance between complementing the dress and overshadowing it?
Brides should pick a style or theme and stick to it! Mixing themes and periods (i.e. Bohemian and Renaissance) can clash. If one theme is relaxed and free-spirited, that wouldn't pair well with a structured gown and dark, vampy makeup. Everything should flow, effortlessly. When accessories, hair and makeup are overdone, the look can be a little gaudy and overshadow the bride’s natural beauty.
What are some of your favorite bridal trends?
I honestly don't like bridal trends! I love bridal themes and stories that can be created from the personalities of the couple. If the bride is sophisticated and regal, a simple structured trumpet gown with minimal makeup and simple hair is a statement and defines the bride’s character. The same for an eclectic gal! She can wear a boho lace gown and pair it with accessories that define her personality. The style should reflect the character of the bride or who/what she wants to portray.
Let's talk shapewear! Is it essential for the big day and how do you decide what you need?
YES!!! Shapewear is a non-negotiable for formal and bridal wear. It accentuates your silhouette and makes you look the most flattering in photos. Two huge expenses for any wedding are the dress and the photography. Shapewear helps make sure the bride looks flawless in the dress, in person and in the photos! When shopping for shapewear, keep in mind the shape and cut-outs of the garment. Your gown may be backless, strapless or have a thigh-high slit. Shapewear comes in a plethora of sizes and shapes for many silhouettes and gown styles. You can go old school with a corset to snatch your waist or something as simple as garment tape to lift and tighten your breast if your dress is backless or plunging. There's something for everyone!
Any style tips for the grooms to be?
Yes, lots. Guys should want to stand out themselves, but they'll almost be sure to never outshine the bride! She is the main event! The most important detail and selection for grooms will be to have a customized/tailored suit; it will make all the difference! Guys can show off their personal style by wearing fun accessories, such as colorful socks or personalized cuffs. Lastly, to avoid excessive shirt tucking, grooms have a pretty good selection on types of "shirt stays" that can attach to briefs, socks, magnetized and more!
What are your secrets for finding affordable bridal gowns and accessories?
There are several options to cut costs of gowns. The most expensive gowns are custom; if it's not in your budget, avoid boutiques that sell or make only custom gowns. Brides can also rent gowns! If you don't want the gown as a keepsake, there is no shame in renting a gown. Brides can also find affordable accessories at large retailers such as Dillard’s or Macy's or have something personalized by an Etsy shop owner. You can also incorporate family jewels, if mom or grandma has something special. The options are endless!
What do the bride and groom need to know to ace their wedding photo shoot?
The couple should absolutely rely on the fact that they've hired a competent and trusty photographer. A great photographer can work around a couple being themselves and having fun, capturing the best candids! They will also know how to direct the couple and utilize the garments and accessories to add depth, detail and shadows to the shot. Confidence in the photographer selection and confidence in being themselves, crazy in love!
The Most Stylish and Affordable Outfits for Every Bridal Shower
I am coming off the weekend of the best bridal shower ever! My bridesmaids really showed off and showed out and made winter wonderland magic. I shared a ton of the content on my Instagram, so check out my wedding highlight in case you missed the fun.
Since we are officially in the middle of engagement season, you may find yourself planning a bridal shower of your own pretty soon. I spent weeks trying to figure out what to wear for my bridal shower, before settling on the perfect little white dress. In my case deciding what to wear to a bridal shower was extra challenging because I didn’t know any of the details! Bridal shower attire can range widely depending on the theme, location, time of year, and level of formality. All I knew about mine was that it would be in NYC in January. I started to think about winter white sweaters and cozy looks, but decided to keep my bridal shower fashion sexier and more glam! I wanted to have fun and wear something that would stand out and not have my dream look ruined by the weather. So, I decided to brave the New York winter weather and rock my dream bridal dress ! That’s what taxi rides are for anyway right?
If you have a bridal shower coming up and can’t decide what to wear, keep reading for my favorite bridal shower outfit ideas, all under $200. There are plenty of outfits I considered wearing before settling on my final look and other looks I love from my favorite affordable retailers. From cocktail dresses to 2-piece suits, get ready to shop for the perfect bridal shower look for any theme!
Bridal Jumpsuits for Weddings and Bridal Showers
Jumpsuits are having a moment, especially for brides to be! They can be fun, edgy, sexy or timeless. I fell in love with this wide leg lace top version from Pretty Little Thing, and the strapless bustier style from Lulus. Both had super flattering wide leg bottoms made from a thick material to keep from being see-through. The result was a flattering fit that slimmed my legs and didn’t reveal any undergarments. Satin is also great for an evening or more formal bridal shower, and I was obsessed with this version from Shop Red Dress. It’s been in and out of stock, so sign up for the wait list if you want to try to get it when it’s back in stock.
Little White Dresses for Wedding Events
A little white dress will always be a classic! Since my bridal shower was in the evening and I felt like it was going in the direction of a more glam theme, I decided to go for a sexy cocktail vibe. This satin puff sleeve mini dress from Lulus fit the bill perfectly. It highlighted my curves but the oversized puff sleeves balanced out the sexiness and made it more fashion forward. I also fell in love with this little mini dress from Shop Red Dress since the embellishments reminded me of snowflakes. I thought it would be great for the winter themed bridal shower!
2 Piece Sets and Suiting for Brides
If you want to go even more unconventional, why not a 2-piece set or suit? This white sequined tuxedo from Asos is incredibly unique and will have all eyes on you! If head to toe sequins doesn’t sound like your style, there are plenty of 2-piece skirts sets that are perfect for someone who is more of a classic bride.
If you are trying to decide what to wear to a bridal shower I hope these tips helped! And follow the rest of my adventures in wedding planning on the blog and on my Instagram @malikahkelly!
7 Unexpected Ways to Save Money on Wedding Planning
So engagement season is upon us!
While I’ve been in the throes of wedding planning for a while, some of you guys are going to be happily entering a brand-new territory. Planning a wedding can be equal parts fun, exciting and stressful, so get ready for the whirlwind! One of the biggest challenges when it comes to planning isn’t just dealing with all of the decisions you’ll have to make – it’s paying for them! My fiancé and I are paying for our wedding entirely on our own, so budgeting is essential. Whether you have help for family or are self-financing, managing your wedding spending is critical. Here are my tips for saving money on your wedding and keeping that budget in check!
Keep Your Guest List Small to Save Money
You’ve probably heard this time and time again on every wedding blog you’ve read. But the fact is, the number of guests is the single biggest cost driver behind your big day. I know it’s hard, especially if you have a big family and a lot of friends, but some people will just have to deal with their own hurt feelings. Guest count drives up every element of your wedding, including size of the venue, how many rentals you’ll need, catering costs, and event staff. And don’t make the mistake of inviting people you assume won’t come just to be nice. They may surprise and that puts you at risk of throwing your budget and ending up over venue capacity. Which brings me to my next point . . .
Have a Destination Wedding
Depending on where you live, a destination wedding can save you thousands! We decided to hold ours in the French countryside instead of NY where are both from, just because NY is weddings are extraordinarily expensive. There is no way we’d be able to have the wedding of our dreams in NY. Everything costs more and our guest count would be way higher. And destination weddings don’t always have to be far flung international locations. If you are a beach bride think about California or Florida; Colorado or Arizona for gorgeous mountain views, and the always classic Las Vegas!
Choose an Unconventional Venue
Venues are usually a pretty big cost when it comes to wedding planning, so choosing carefully can save you thousands. Think about places other than traditional ball rooms or hotels. Scour your network of family and friends for anyone who may own a beautiful vacation home and be willing to host. If it’s Spring or Summer, think about public parks that allow weddings essentially for free. You can hold a small ceremony in some iconic places in NY, like Central Park or Brooklyn Bridge Park for a small permit fee. Then invite everyone out for a low key dinner afterwards!
Choose an Unusual Time or Day
This can be a bit controversial because it can be quite annoying for your guests. But the fact is a brunch wedding is cheaper than a dinner one, and a midweek wedding is way less than a Saturday! Couples can save thousands by having their wedding on a Friday or Sunday instead of Saturday, and even more if they switch to a Thursday. Plus, the schedule you choose may naturally help keep your guest count down!
Keep Your Bridal Party Small
Yes, it’s expensive to be a bridesmaid! But it can also get pricey for a couple to have a big bridal party. The main costs are gifts, bouquets/boutonnieres, hair and makeup if you decide to pay for it, and you may also need a bigger bridal suite day of to accommodate your group. I know people who have 12 people in their party and just paying for their florals alone can cost over $1000. If you can keep it small, but if you really need to have your whole squad with you on your big day, be prepared to cut back in other areas.
Thoroughly Negotiate Your Vendor Contracts
Some venues are all in one service providers, so once you book with them all of your vendors are included. There are pros and cons to this approach, but if you are choosing your own vendors be prepared to negotiate your terms. Examine every contract thoroughly. In your meetings prepare questions, review references that you like and also their actual work. Make sure everything you discuss in your meetings is recapped and noted in your contracts. For example, I gave my florist visual references and the first draft of the contract mentioned “white and flowers and greenery.” That is exactly how you end up with stupid stuff like carnations, or things that wouldn’t make sense for your venue or theme. Orchids are amazing, but would be completely inappropriate for my wedding. I had to redline that contract and specify that I wanted to know exactly which blooms would be included, and give examples of ones I like versus ones I hate. You can definitely leave room for your vendors to suggest things that are in season, or may give you the overall look and feel at a better price. But make sure you know what you are getting! Caterers may charge you an additional fee if your guest list drops below a certain amount and you may not be guaranteed to keep any unopen bottles of alcohol unless contractually specified. Take your time and do your due diligence to save yourself stress and money!
Do some DIYing
Wedding planners are nice but can be pretty pricey. I have to have one because of the destination, and most destination wedding packages include some planning services. International DIYing is wildly impractical and the cost of shipping or carrying items would cancel out any savings. But if you are getting married locally, think about what you can do yourself or with the help of family and friends. It may be décor and florals, or hiring friends or family as vendors at a discount. Just tread with caution on that front to avoid any drama or mishaps! Just remember – this only works if you actually enjoy DIY projects! That kind of stuff is not for everyone and will only make you stressed out and pissed off if it’s not your thing!
Hope these tips help and happy wedding planning!