***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries – see who won below!***
Thanks to random.org’s very arbitrary matchmaking skills, our winner is… Lawren (whose favorite wedding moment was when her cousin’s pocketed dress stored tissues to hand the groom when he teared up during the vows). Congrats!
Hope everyone’s having an awesome Fourth of July. We’re enjoying some family time but wanted to drop in with this week’s giveaway, so here ya go. Thursday marks our 4th wedding anniversary, which typically would make this “Wedding Week” around here. But since there’s not much left of that dead horse to beat (we’ve already shared every last detail about our wedding, honeymoon, traditions, how we met, how we got engaged, and our favorite meaningful momentos), we’re gonna go light on the theme this time around. Don’t get me wrong, the last year has been awesome and we’re planning something sweet to celebrate the beginning of year five (nothing big, but we’ll share whatever we end up doing). Feel free to take a trip down memory lane by checking out a recap of our $4,000 DIY backyard ceremony or browsing old Wedding Week posts from the last three years if you’re feeling sentimental though.
And since this turned into sort of a “Not” Wedding Week, we figured it was the perfect time to do a giveaway with The Not Wedding. They’re a self-described “killer alternative to a bridal show” where you attend a mock ceremony, sit down dinner, and dance-filled reception all in the name of having fun and checking out vendors. Basically you get to experience music, food, cake (mmmm cake) and other wedding must haves in a real-ish wedding setting. This year’s “big day” is on July 21st and two tickets (which include dinner, drinks, and dessert) are up for grabs this week.
But knowing that not everyone can get to Georgia on two weeks notice, The Not Wedding is also hooking the winner up with a $150 gift card to their registry sponsor Bloomingdale’s. Plus, you’ll win a pearl bridal bracelet and hair flower fascinator (in white or ivory) from their accessory sponsor (Fine & Fleurie). Which adds up to over $300 of wedding-tastic swag. Or should I say not wedding-tastic swag? Hmm. Either way… score.
- PRIZE: Two tickets to The Not Wedding, a $150 Bloomingdales gift card, plus a bracelet & hair flower from Fine & Fleurie
- TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the words “NOT ME!” and…
- BONUS QUESTION: … tell us your favorite part about a wedding that was NOT yours. Did a particular family member have an especially touching ceremony? Did your best friend cry or laugh at your killer toast? Maybe your college friend simultaneously had you drooling over her location, dress, and decor? Or – be honest – is it just the time your work friend had an awesome open bar?
- GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Wednesday, July 6th at 8pm EST
- NUMBER OF WINNERS: One
- PRIZE SHIPS: Anywhere in the world!
- USUAL STUFF: One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winner will be selected using random.org and announced on Thursday as an update to this post. That’s right, come right back here on Thursday for the announcement of our winners. Good luck…
Note: We weren’t paid or perked to host this giveaway, we just like rewarding our lovely readers. See our Giveaway FAQs page for more info. Pics from The Not Wedding, Bloomingdales and Fine & Fleurie.
Erin says
Not Me!
My favorite part of a wedding that wasn’t mine was a killer first dance routine that one of my college girlfriends and her husband choreographed together. It was both hilarious and adorable.
Tania says
Not me! My favorite part of weddings I have been to recently are the bride and groom’s speeches — hearing from them what the day means to them.
Lacey Matthews says
NOT ME!!
Favorite part of my brother’s wedding was when they had my sis-in-law’s cousin sing Songbird by Fleetwood Mac~
I cried…
Ashley says
NOT ME!!
My favorite part of a wedding is seeing the bride enter the doors to the sanctuary for the first time, then seeing the look on both her and her soon to be husband’s faces.
Jessica says
NOT ME! …yet. I am getting married in October and the flower and bracelet would be AMAZING with my dress.
My favorite wedding memory was when (after a couple drinks) my Aunt got on the floor an did the “gator” dance move. Priceless and slightly terrifying.
Erin C says
Oo! Oo! Not me not MEEE!! My best friend’s garden wedding was just a few weekends ago. It was the whole weekend, in the Northern California Redwoods (Guirneville), so it was pretty much a non-stop party the whole time. Favorite part was the croquet, bocci ball and *trampoline* set up for reception entertainment. :D
B says
NOT ME!
At a friend’s wedding she(bride) and all of her bridesmaids and her Mom wore fascinators. Swoon!
Emily says
NOT ME!!
rae says
NOT ME!
I was the maid of honor at a friend’s wedding and was so nervous that I was having a hard time remembering my speech. The Best Man gave me the best advice: “If you can’t remember, just cry and no one will notice” So funny, but it worked out great!
Lisa says
“NOT ME!”
My 2 favorite wedding moments were at my best friends wedding last summer when… #1 I gave the maid of honor speech (public speaking is my #1 fear in life) and had everyone crying and they gave my speech a standing ovation… #2 I caught the bouquet and my boyfriend caught the garter and we are getting married this February in Atlanta! :)
Chandani says
Ahhhh not me :). I love all of your traditions. A good way to display them without keeping them stored under your bed in an old box. Love it :)!
Meredith K A says
NOT ME! My fav wedding was my friends who got married in OBX and put up the entire wedding party (including me & my husband!) in a big villa house for an entire week at the beach, culminating with the ceremony on the beach on the second-to-last day, followed by a reception around the house’s pool. Can’t beat a virtually free week-long beach vacation with all of your best friends!!
kris says
“NOT ME”
My favortite part of a cousin’s wedding was that we had the opportunity to travel to the Naval Academy, where our grandfather had gone to college. It was such a heart-touching experience to walk around the campus with our family.
Ashley says
NOT ME! My favorite wedding moment was when a couple of friends who had a very tradtional ceremony took time to say their own vows in addition to the standards ones. It was a really heartfelt way to keep the old, but bring in the new!
Amanda says
NOT ME!!!
My favorite part of a wedding of people I barely knew was the singer was so awful during the ceremony that my mother started laughing hysterically and couldn’t stop. Awful behavior, mom!
kristen says
“NOT ME”
I loved to see baby pics and pics of the couple’s relationship at weddings.
Christine says
NOT ME!!!
My sister in law’s wedding had awesome food…a embarrassing moment from that wedding tho was when she tossed her bouquet and it was heading right for me and I just looked at it letting it drop at my feet! lol! Opps!
Jennifer T says
“NOT ME!” a favorite part of my friends wedding was chasing away a ex! Hilarious!
Laura Grace says
NOT ME!!! My Fiance’s brother’s wedding was incredible from the beautiful location in the Berkshires to the amazing Pie instead of cake and especially the serving of Grilled Cheese at the end of the night after everyone had danced and been drinking!
Amanda says
NOT ME!
My best friend had a killer open bar that resulted in a little bridesmaid on bridesmaid dancing, which led to bridesmaid literally ON bridesmaid after a fall. GOOD TIMES!
Stephanie Elise says
NOT ME!!!! My fav part of wedding we attended just 2 weeks ago was a dance with all the couples. It started with couples who had been together a year or more and slowly throughout the song the DJ asked couples to leave the dance floor if they weren’t together longer than 5, 10, 25, 30 years, until there were 2 couples left who had been together over 60 years. It was sweet and touching, and a great way for the families to celebrate their stellar long term relationships.
Hannah Lane says
NOT ME!
My old youth counselor got married a few years back and walked down the aisle to Coldplay’s Strawberry Swing. It wasn’t a big detail, but it was the best processional I’ve ever seen!
Molly says
NOT ME!!
I loved watching one of my very best friends tie the knot with my husbands best friend! We set them up and it still makes my heart so happy that it worked out so well!
Linda Nguyen says
NOT ME!
My favorite part of the wedding is seeing my wedding photographer take pictures at my sister’s wedding. I wholeheartedly endorse having someone you’re like family with, take your pics!
Dayna says
NOT ME!! My best friend had the best wedding – it was outside at a beautiful B&B in the fall. Anda live band + open bar = tons of fun!
Emily D. says
NOT ME!
My best friend married in January with a perfect summer reception, weather and all!
Dana says
NOT ME! My friend handpicked music for each couple in the bridal party to enter the reception. His choices were SO inappropriate. Which was, of course, hilarious!
Karissa says
Not Me! Loved the reception at my friend’s wedding overlooking the sunset on Maui…can’t beat that!
Leslie says
NOT ME!
Honestly, my favorite weddings are the ones I am not in:( I love my friends and family, but hate being in an uncomfortable dress up in front of the world – am I smiling, am I fiddling…
whitney says
NOT ME!
My fave wedding moment was when my good friend’s date “fell asleep” at the table before the dinner had even started…hilarious!
Renee Smith says
NOT ME!
My friend found her wedding gown for $10 at a thrift shop and had it altered (for under $100) to fit her like it was made for her! Wow. Her bridal portraits turned out awesome because she wasn’t worried about ruining a $1000 dress by twirling in a field or crossing a dirty downtown street before the wedding. Even after having it cleaned after the portraits it looked like a million bucks for less than a couple hundred!
Erin H. says
NOT ME!
My favorite part has to be when my cousin’s now mother-in-law decided that my now husband had the best face in the world and she HAD to pinch them. We were both 20 at the time, and Mrs. G had had a few too many drinks. She draped herself over my husband’s shoulder and told him how adorable he was, pinching his cheeks and almost making goo-goo faces. Her husband finally came to find her and pulled her away. HILARIOUS! I love seeing how other people’s families celebrate (and then have funny stories!).
Lesley Anne F. says
NOT ME!
One of the best weddings I went to was actually in Virginia! The reception was at the William & Mary Alumni House and they had a live band playing. I guess we were having too much of a good time because the cops showed up around 12 AM on account of a noise violation. I guess my husband’s family knows how to party down!
Amanda Ray says
Not me!
Michelle says
Not me!!!
My mom recently got married in her backyard and had a small, lavish dinner to celebrate. It was so enjoyable to experience such a wonderful day with such an intimate group of friends and family, I loved it :)
PS We’re getting married in November and would love some wedding-tastic swag! Lol
Chelsie says
NOT ME!!!
The ball and chain my cousin dragged down the aisle! :-)
Gina says
Not me!
My favorite part of weddings is the free champagne.
Katelyn N says
NOT ME!
My favorite part of every wedding is watching the groom while the bride walks down the aisle. The initial reaction is best and then watching his emotions as she continues to walk towards him…priceless!
Nina says
NOT ME!
I had my wedding and it was enough for me! There was too much to worry about and too many people I didn’t care about… but I am surprisingly LOVING the planning part for my bestie’s February wedding — there’s just something about not having to worry as much with my own two shoulders….
Kinsey says
NOT ME! My favorite part of every wedding is the groom’s face when the bride walks down the aisle. My favorite decor aspect of a wedding, though, was the cake table at a friend’s wedding. The table was covered in a big glass topper, under which were a ton of granny smith apples. It was really unique and visually appealing.
kristen says
NOT ME! I was in a friends wedding who had the best dance with her dad, with funky moves and all haha
angie lockhart says
not me! my favorite part of any wedding is the kiss!
Anna says
NOT ME!!!!
My best friend is planning her wedding right now…and we live in Georgia…how convenient:) I’m loving her dress options right now…how much fun is dress shopping?!?!
Erin M. says
NOT ME!
I went to this wedding in DC a couple years ago. The reception was at Union Station and this couple hired the MOST amazing live band. There were like 8 people in this band. They were so much fun and brought so much energy to the party.
Sarah says
Not me!
My favorite “not my wedding” thing was staying at the brides neighbors houses for the ceremony. We were all in college and had no money so they were so sweet to open their doors to us. My friends parents moved into the house I stayed in a year after her wedding, so I actually stayed in the same room a year later for her baby shower!!
Danielle says
NOT ME! 2 of my friends used a polaroid-style camera for guests to take pictures of themselves and put it along with their messages in the guestbook. I thought that was a fun idea! I also just came from a wedding this weekend, and I loved that it was outside on a ski hill… and that we got to ride a gondola up to it :)
Dawn Levasseur says
“NOT ME”
My favorite part of a wedding that wasn’t mine, was one of those crazy, beautiful, off-the-wall elegant weddings on television that David Tutura whips up in an hour. I get so jealous!
ashleyD says
NOT ME! open bar at a girl’s wedding who we barely knew… she’s now a BFF though and i’m glad i got to experience that day with her!
Jessica says
Not me!
I think food is always the best part of weddings! This would definitely help me save some dough in my upcoming wedding and perhaps ramp up my food spread!
Joscelynne says
Not me! My cousin had a full ice cream bar at her summer wedding, yum