Tradition’s a funny thing. Sometimes you do it just because it feels right. And other times you do it because you feel the tug of obligation. Whatever the reason, traditions come from somewhere and, in this instance, asking for your father-in-law’s permission (or blessing these days) to get married has a dark origin story.

Pardon the mansplaining but indulge me for a moment...

In part two of our series highlighting real couples and their wedding experiences during COVID-19, we chatted with Molly and Hawkeye. Their original May 1st wedding went through a series of changes, from postponed to canceled to…

Vow Muse sat down (virtually) with a few couples to hear how COVID-19 affected their wedding plans. Honestly, weddings can be challenging to plan during the best of times, so we were a little worried we’d hear horror stories around postponing or canceling the big day. Instead…

Growing up in suburban New Jersey only a stone’s throw away from New York City, I wasn’t quite lacking in rhythm per se; rather, like any skill, practice makes perfect. And unfortunately, I’d absentmindedly left my well-practiced dance skills in my mid-20s. They’re probably still sitting there, jamming out to LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know It,”…

As the guests filed into a long hall adjacent to the brick patio, they quickly took their seats. The wine had begun to flow and the din of longtime friends and close family sent an electric buzz throughout the room. Soon, the emcee corralled the last of the stragglers, and two lucky guests were given the honors to speak. First, the groom’s brother…

From my experience, weddings ALWAYS have drama, even with the most supportive of families. Now drama can come from many places, but a year after my own wonderful wedding I am soundly convinced that my wedding drama largely stemmed from a single source: expectations.

These days it’s no longer assumed that a woman will change her name when she gets married. But that just means one more big decision to make during the wedding planning process. Should you change to honor tradition? Or keep your maiden name to honor your family heritage? 

Spring has finally sprung! But it isn't just flowers… Love is a-bloomin', too. Spring is the season of new life, which makes it one of the most beautiful times of year to host a wedding or renew your vows.

Here are just a few ways to incorporate this season of love into your nuptials…

While traditionally the bride’s family pays for the wedding, that doesn’t mean the groom and his family are completely off the hook. In addition to paying for the rehearsal dinner, did you know it’s custom for the groom to pay for transportation and flowers?

Amidst the bleak and cold, in a season where lesser things shrivel and die, love thrives. It's a romantic idea in a peaceful season… with the added benefit of stunning photography backgrounds and inexpensive accommodations.

Read on for a few things that make winter weddings so perfect…

Happy New Year! The concept of "New Year's Resolutions" is a valiant one. Though in practice, they're usually a bit of a flop. Still, we always strive to begin each year with a fresh mindset and bring it all back to basics. Here are eight "resolutions" we at Vow Muse made—or wish we had made—when planning our own weddings…

Like a lot of brides, when it came to my wedding I had a vision. But I realize now I planned my own wedding with blinders on. Since then, I’ve come across some really awesome wedding resources, tools, services, and ideas I had never thought to even consider. Hopefully these ideas might help you!

There's something idyllic about gothic castles and fog rolling across an overgrown cemetery. This time of year there are so many classic Halloween touches you can add to your nuptials to capture all of the spooky and all of the gothic chic with none of the boring cliché!

Take back the night with a bewitching Halloween wedding!

In the second installment of our "Real Brides Speak" series, we talk to four women from across the country about their experiences planning out-of-state (and out of the country!) weddings. 

Sometimes, one's enthusiasm for price guns leads to a towering display case of chinaware crashing down in the middle of a Macy's champagne wedding registry event.

And sometimes, that means traditional registries aren't for you. But you have options…

For most of history, the decision to change your name—or not—after marriage wasn't a decision at all. It was assumed that a woman would adopt her husband's name…But now, in many circles, the answer comes only after a lot of soul searching.

Weddings are hard…er, fun! Well, fun and hard. As you likely know, no wedding comes without its own set of challenges. So we asked five brides nationwide what hurdles they came up against…

Look, we'd be lying if we told you that your wedding day will be anything less than a bustling blur . But after preparing, attending, and participating in countless weddings over the years, we've boiled it all down to the seven most important things you can do to keep your sanity and make your special day actually feel special.

Like many brides, I spent 15 months planning every single detail of my wedding. But two years later, I don't remember much about any of that. The things I actually remember from my wedding are the "insignificant" moments...

"I don't even like talking about the wedding," one woman told me. It was weeks before her wedding and she was getting it from all sides: "Every day, everyone is asking me, 'How's the wedding planning coming?'"

When I think back across the people I’ve met in life — whether they were crushes in high school or customers buying a used Sue Grafton novel — what stands out is how many people I can’t remember.

Sending save-the-date notes can be a strain on a wedding timeline, but there are ways to make sure your guests receive the correct information while not going completely bonkers. Angie provides insight into how she approached this for her wedding.

No sooner had I gotten engaged than my friend bought me a book about wedding planning. Which, initially induced a medium-sized eye roll. Wedding book, come onnnn.

Good lord, weddings are expensive. Even a casual, small one. Getting help from family can be a lifesaver, but what strings come attached?

The first foray into the marathon that is wedding planning: picking a date... and all the things that come with it.

What's so weird about telling people you're engaged? Lots, apparently.

Angie recounts how it all started when one man asked one very big (and very expected) question.

After seven years watching weddings unfold from a quiet corner of the proverbial room, one Muse got an insider's view of planning a wedding. Please join Angie in the upcoming series recounting these new perspectives on the wedding experience in A Muse Gets Married.

While editing some vows recently, I found myself Googling "traits of a Golden Retriever" and I couldn't help but wonder, what are some of the more odd research topics all the Muses had looked up in the past year. So I asked.

Yep, we are talking old-fashioned missives — no postage required!

Think of wedding letters as the ultimate love letter. Something you write for your sweetheart, and just your sweetheart, on your wedding day. These wedding letters often encompass what DIY vows historically have, but are read privately before or after the ceremony.