***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.
Kesley says
NOT ME!
My favorite wedding has to be my little sister’s. Her and my brother-in-law are the epitome of a couple that brings out the best in each other. And they threw together a last minute wedding (which was beautiful,simple, and sweet) when they decided they wanted to get married before he went to basic training for the National Guard instead of after. Now almost exactly a year later he is being deployed to Afghanistan. They’re the strongest and most inspiring couple I know!
Amy says
NOT ME!
At my college roommate’s wedding, the best man gave a memorable roast of her hubby. The speech ended with a call to action for all the ladies with keys to the groom’s bachelor pad to come forward and turn them in. The joke was on him as dozens of women lined up to drop a key in the vase, including the bride’s grandmother. Everyone got a good chuckle out of the display!
stacey says
NOT ME!
At my husband’s best friend’s wedding, the bride’s pug was the ringbearer. I was excited to see that because I wanted a dog in our wedding and my husband told me no one did that. Vindication!! :)
Mel V. says
NOT ME!
My favorite wedding moment was at my own. My husband is a big Indiana Jones fan and has a tradition of playing the theme music at the beginning of trips, right before running events at track meets, and so on. I thought it was a great way to start an adventure, and very much my husband, so we used it as our recessional music.
My husband is also a fan of big hats, so my wonderful brother went out the day before the wedding and purchased a replica Indiana Jones hat, then handed it to my husband halfway down the aisle on our way out. The pictures are great – everyone goes from smiling to face-splitting grins and laughs. He still has the hat and wears it on occasion.
Hanna says
NOT ME!
My friend got married at a public park. The park had a chapel on it (although they did not get married inside) that played the wedding march on its bells as the bride came down the lawn.
Monica says
NOT ME!
Christine says
Not Me!!
My favorite wedding memory was this year when our friends got married. They wrote their own vows and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Dawn says
NOT ME! My favorite part of every wedding I go to is watching the groom’s face as he watches the bride walk down the isle. It always brings tears to my eyes!
Teresa says
NOT ME! Loved the deliciously tacky champagne fountain at my sister’s wedding! It even came with the groom’s aunt giving people the evil eye and rationing the goods. Classic.
Erin says
NOT ME!
My cousin and her husband used the Evolution of Dance as their first dance at their reception – it was pretty amazing!
Katie G says
NOT ME!
One of my closest friends got an awesome reggae band to preform at the reception! It was so unique and so her.
Kylie D. says
NOT ME!!! — but please pick me :)
My favorite part of any wedding was catching the bouquet and having my “future husband” catch the garter. We had just begun dating at the time, and are now planning our own wedding for July of next year. July 5th to be exact. I love the spirit of the 4th of July. Happy Birthday America.
alisa d says
Not me!
I love all weddings! I love weddings that reunite me with old friends or family that lives far away. I just love to celebratethe happy couple with lots of people I love!
Tae says
NOT ME!!!
my favorite (not my own) wedding moment came from a wedding i attended when i was still in elementary or middle school. the wedding was set at a winery in napa, and i remember having so much fun running through the nearby fields of grape vines, and at the end of the night we tossed handfuls of dried lavender as the bride and groom as they made their exit. that scent memory has stuck with me all these years. it was so beautiful.
Maria says
NOT ME! Instead of doing the traditional bouquet toss, my friend gave the bouquet to her sister-in-law, who was newly engaged. I loved the idea so much, that I’m probably going to do a pass the bouquet at my own wedding this year.
Kim says
NOT ME!!
My favorite wedding memory is always the little reunions that happen…getting to see old friends again is the best!!
Jenn says
NOT ME! My favorite part of weddings are the little details that really personalize the event…whether it be following through on a particular theme, or adding symbolic touches that are really meaningful to the couple…they are so thoughtful and truly make the wedding memorable!
Emily says
Not me!!
My favorite part about each of the wedding ceremonies I have attended is how they are each beautiful in their own way. As humans, we judge. It’s what we do. It’s easy to think, “Ugh, I cannot believe she picked that dress.” It’s also easy to judge vows, choice of song, a cheesy speech, and everything else. My favorite thing is how, although each wedding had their own theme and choices such as above, each shared a common thread: a beautiful union. What I remember most from each is dancing the night away and helping to create the first memories that the happy couple will cherish forever.
EMMA S says
NOT ME!
My favourite part of ANY wedding is always the first dance. I love the suspense of wondering what exactly they’re going to dance to, and how they’re going to pull it off. I’ve seen the slow dances to mushy songs, the slightly faster dance to an alternative choice, and the jazzy upbeat choreographed dance routine. I love each of them because they tell you so much about the couple. Plus….they ALWAYS make me cry.
Rena says
NOT ME! I loved my cousin’s wedding. The wedding was outside in the spring and everyone was in blue jeans. Very simple but oh so nice.
Leia says
NOT ME!
The best part of a wedding that isn’t mine… hm. I recently went to a friend’s wedding and loved how much her family really cared. They weren’t intrusive and into everything, but if anything was needed, boy did they step up! The bride’s brother searched many many stores last minute to find fans for the bridesmaids after finding out the church had no air conditioning. :)
Megan D says
Not me!
Our good friends were married four years ago as well (also 7-7-07; happy anniversary!) and had some friends sing the Owl and the Pussycat, which is their unofficial song as a couple. It was great.
Whitney says
NOT ME!
My boyfriend’s cousin got married on their grandma and grandpa’s anniversary. Both had passed away in the last decade or so. After the ceremony, all of the guests received balloons, and we simultaneously let them all go for their grandma and grandpa when we were given the signal. It was cool to see all of the balloons flying up toward heaven. Just a sweet moment!
Erin says
NOT ME.
Wendy says
NOT ME!! I’m still drooling over the bridesmaids bouquets from my best friend’s wedding.
Kassia says
NOT ME! I was just in a wedding on Saturday that was wonderful! The ceremony told the story of how the couple met, and the reception included “local” food (yea pierogies!). And to top it off, the maid of honor gave a wonderful speech.
KATY says
not me!
Daniela says
NOT ME!
3 weeks ago I was a bridesmaid at one of my best friends’ wedding, the groom’s father gave a speech welcoming the bride to their family, it was very touching
Bianca Langford says
NOT ME! My family is big and Mexican so every wedding has lots of great dancing. The best part of the dancing is how all the older couples start out dancing very stiff and boxy, then (after a few drinks) progress the a more…eccentric style of dance!
Courtney says
NOT ME!
One of my favorite parts was taking photos on a historic bridge. Everything was so still and magical- it seemed like we were the only people around.
Leslie Davison says
Not Me!
Dessert bar. I absolutely loved it because every sweet treat had a special memory from their relationship (the girl liked her sweets and the boy indulged her weakness :) ) That so could have been me, though.
Us, we got married on Catalina Island here in So. CA-beautiful!
Carrie says
Not me. I love a good party after the ceremony.
Mel V. says
Whoops, just realized the instructions were for a wedding moment NOT my own.
My maid of honor just got married last weekend. She grew up in Nigeria, so in the middle of their very Western reception her Dad surprised her by pulling out a Nigerian tradition.
He explained the Nigerian equivalent of a reception line, in which music plays and each guest dances up to the bride and groom, then gives them a small amount of money by placing the bills on their heads! It falls off, of course, and is gathered up by younger members of the wedding party. The bride and groom will later use the money to buy a small item for their house.
So, the bride’s father passed around a bag of one dollar bills, everyone grabbed a few, and all the guests proceeded to dance up to the happy couple and shower them with money! It was great fun, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen my friend so embarrassed.
Melissa M. says
Not me!
My favorite weddings are ones that just feel like a BIG party- relaxed, and not stuffy.
Kimf says
Not me! – Love this!
Amy S says
NOT ME! I went to a recent wedding where the ring bearers did a choreographed dance down the aisle, very fun.
lindsay says
NOT ME! i like watching the dance floor – ppl really lose it at weddings!!
Kate says
Not me!
The weddings I have the most fun at are ones with a fun live band and a group of people that like to dance.
Beth says
NOT ME!
Favorite Wedding moment: While interning at a museum that also served as a wedding venue there was one bride who’s first husband was killed in Iraq. Her and her 2nd husband had a large shindig full of love and lots of dancing. The next day ALL of the peace lily’s in the museum bloomed.
Courtney says
hah, read that wrong. My favorite memory of someone else’s wedding was my best friends wedding. She managed to get sun poisoning before her wedding and had to wear a band aid over a particularly bad part on her shin. Of cours, she was wearing a tea length dress so it was visible, but it was completely her and made me smile every time I saw it.
Bob says
Not me! Wife made me do it.
Alie says
NOT ME!
Loved my sis-in-laws winter wonderland wedding! She wore a white kid’s size winter cape! Looks better than how i’m describing it! haha
kendra says
Not me! Any wedding with great food and fun dancing is a hit!
Megan says
NOT ME!
My favorite part of any wedding is the dancing. Once we were so eager to start dancing our entire table started the wave before dinner even started.
Ang says
Not me!
laura says
NOT ME! A friend of mine had instructors who taught their guests how to line dance at the reception. It really got people out on the dance floor, and was tons of fun!
Jess K. says
Not me! I always love the speeches!
Sara V says
NOT ME!
Its weird that I’m actually in Atlanta and off on that day too… meant to be! Anyhow, I’ve only been involved in one wedding, which was my cousins when I was 19. I couldn’t tell you how the wedding looked as I had accidentally mutilated my last left contact so I was practically blind for it, but I can remember the whole family being in uproar as the song they chose to walk down the aisle to (or leave the church to? I don’t know appropariate terms… they were walking away from the altar) was Jonny Cash’s ‘Jackson.’ Apparently their super conservative families basically planned the entire wedding themselves, and that was the one part they got to pick. I thought it was brilliant, the grandparents? Not so much.
AshleyB says
Not me!
I went to a fabulous Old-South wedding a couple years ago in Richmond (even the governor was there!); the wedding was perfect: beautiful church wedding (she wore her grandmother’s dress), gorgeous backyard reception (at her parents’ house, which they had spend month preparing) with amazing food. It was the most stylish, fun wedding I’ve been to. It was the first time I’d been to Richmond, too, and it certainly left a good impression!
Penny says
NOT ME!!