A Father's Blessing

A Father's Blessing

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...

Love Endures: Real Couples Share their COVID-19 Wedding Stories

Love Endures: Real Couples Share their COVID-19 Wedding Stories

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…

The First Dance — Tales of a Man with Two Left Feet

The First Dance — Tales of a Man with Two Left Feet

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,”…

Why Every Wedding Needs a Muse

Why Every Wedding Needs a Muse

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…

Wedding Expectations: How to Keep Your Wits and Find Your Happy Ending

Wedding Expectations: How to Keep Your Wits and Find Your Happy Ending

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.

Real Brides on Changing Your Last Name (Or Not)

Real Brides on Changing Your Last Name (Or Not)

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 Sprung, and Love Is A-Bloomin'

Spring Has Sprung, and Love Is A-Bloomin'

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…

What Every Groom-to-be Should Know About Weddings

What Every Groom-to-be Should Know About Weddings

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?

Eight New Year’s Resolutions for Your Wedding

Eight New Year’s Resolutions for Your Wedding

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…

6 Wedding Ideas I Didn’t Know Existed Until After I Got Married

6 Wedding Ideas I Didn’t Know Existed Until After I Got Married

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!

A Halloween Wedding to Die For

A Halloween Wedding to Die For

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!

To Have and to Register

To Have and to Register

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…

Bound by Love, Law, and a Lengthy Name Change Process

Bound by Love, Law, and a Lengthy Name Change Process

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.


Seven Things to Do on Your Wedding Day

Seven Things to Do on Your Wedding Day

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.