Men's Attire

After winning some savings at a bridal show, Jake and I decided to choose Savvi Formalwear. Jake's tux is free (sweet!) and the groomsmen/ usher/ dads get discounts. Also, by using them, I can get a 20% discount on my gown or a 25% discount on the bridesmaid's gowns at The Ultimate Bride- one of the nicer bridal boutiques in the area, which happens to carry my favorite desinger, Mikaella....

But we were talking about the men.

Jake's choosen formalwear:

Jake's choosen groomsmen's formalwear:

They are the same tux style (Calvin Klein), with sleek-edged lapel, but Jake has choosen to wear the same tux in black, and the groomsmen in grey, to make a distinction. Jake's vest and tie will be a soft grey, and the groomsmen will wear a vest in tie in a grey tone matching their tuxes, as shown above. I think these grey tuxes will look great paired with the soft yellow bridemaid dresses!

Engagement Party and Selection of Wedding Attendants

Our enagagement party was a casual at-home gathering of each of our parents, our siblings, and the friends we choose to include in the wedding. We served cocktails and hors d'ourves, which I am very proud of! (I showed off my culinary skills with some of my best finger-foods: lemon-curry seared scallops, spicy vegetable rolls, bacon-wrapped beef cubes, artichoke and goat-cheese crostinis, hot wings, red velvet cake balls, and white-chocolate cheesecake squares!) I had already asked my friends to be bridesmaids, but Jake was shy about it and/or procrastinating, so he finally asked them at the party. (though I'm sure they had figured it out by then haha)

So here's our awesome lineup!:

Groom: Jake
Bride: Angie
Best Man #1: Ryan
Groomsman #2: Matt
Groomsman #3: Alex (Jake's younger brother, 21)
Maid of Honor #1: Laura
Maid of Honor #2: Stacy
Bridesmaid #3: Sami (Angie's younger sister, 14)
Reader #1: Sammantha (Jake's younger sister, 12)
Reader #2: Mackenzie (Jake's youunger sister, 17)
Usher #1: Mike (Angie's youunger brother, 15)

It was very important to us that we include all of our younger siblings in the wedding, but we didn't want a huge wedding party when the wedding was to only have around 100 guests. Also, we didn't want half of the wedding party to be under 21. So we thought, we would invite my female sibling and his male sibling to actually be in the wedding party, and invite the rest of the siblings to participate as readers and ushers. We absolutely wanted to make everyone feel included in our special day. :)

Another option, which we have not decided upon yet, is the flower girl/ ring bearer. Initially we did not want to have these roles, but then again I have seen some pretty cute kids in ads or wedding shows over the last 2 months, so now we are reconsidering. If we do, I'm thinking 2 flower girls and no ring bearer. My 2 older brothers each have adorable little girls- Sophie, 7, and Alyssa, 5- so if we do decide to have flower girls ( and if the church permits flower petals being thrown, some don't) then I think they're perfect for the role!