Nina Shoes - 17th and Park

My Engagement Story

This has been the craziest month so far. I am officially no longer in a triple-digit countdown! Having realized I'm in serious crunch time, I'm quite overwhelmed.

On that note, I realized I've never shared my engagement story with you! Here it goes...

It happened last summer over July 4th holiday weekend. (That's right, it's officially been more than a year!) We had plans to go away to our share house in Southampton with friends. Despite the fact that I was deathly ill (and I do mean deathly - my head was ready to explode), we headed out!

So all weekend, B said we never go to the beach, so it was a top priority. My response: "Why would we go to the beach when there's a fabulous pool in the backyard?" We compromised and decided to go Sunday.

Well, Sunday rolled around, and I wasn't any better. In fact, I felt much worse. When we woke up, I was in no mood for the beach, so B gave in and made us breakfast. (He's the best!)

I had fallen back asleep to awake to the smell of an egg & cheese muffin. Yum! B and I ate in bed as I told him about a crazy dream I had the night before.

In my dream, B had proposed to me with a green ring! (We had talked about getting engaged every now and then, but I had no idea it was coming!) I described to him that the stone and band were bright green and looked plastic. In the dream, he insisted I would love the color since I'm so eco-friendly!

We were laughing as I continued to eat my breakfast. B walked towards the foot of the bed and pulled a box out from his bookbag. He then removed a smaller ring box, and I completely froze!

He got down on one knee, opened the box and said, "Did the ring in your dream look anything like this?" I immediately broke into tears. Trying not to choke on the sandwich I shrieked, "No it didn't! Is that real? Oh my gosh!"

(This was definitely nothing like the ring in dream.)

He asked if I would marry him, and I obviously said yes!

Every person in our house knew it was coming. After making a few important phone calls, we headed downstairs where everyone was waiting with champagne and a full-blown BBQ!

It was perfect and so 'us.' I'm so glad we never made it to the beach because I love our story :)

Here are a few shots from that special day!

Yup, that's our dog, Meeko!

 

Thanks for letting me share my special day with all of you. 

So girls, let's hear it. Share your engagement stories with us.

Wishing you glamorous planning!

xoxo

-Lindsey (Nina's Bride-to-be)

P.S. here are some of my favorite engagement stories from fellow blogger friends:

Globetrotting Bride - Brooklyn Bride, Brides and Balloons...Oh my!

Green Wedding Shoes - A Fun Artistic Proposal

The Upbeat Bride - The Proposal: His Perspective

 

Top 5 Tips For Choosing Your Wedding DJ

Not every DJ is right for your wedding...

Music sets the tone of any party. So when you're planning one of the biggest events of your life, the music is make or break!

One of the first things you and your hubby-to-be should decide is what type of music people you are. Do you want a DJ, a band, an orchestra, or something in the middle? This helps you hone in on your most suitable music vendors.

Make sure to also factor in which vendors can showcase your desired types of music. For instance, not every band can deliver that "dirty south gangster rap" you may be after!

B and I happen to be a mixture. We liked the idea of a band, but ultimately decided a DJ would be best. B is totally the "rocker" and I'm, well, the "booty popper." HAHA! So we started the hunt....

Here are some of the top tips I discovered when searching for my DJ:

1. Meet in person!

This is a must for every single vendor I hire. This allows you to assess their people skills and help you determine if you're on the same page.

2. He/She should be well-spoken

Keep in mind, this person will most likely introduce you and your bridal party to start the reception as well as make other important announcements. Ask him to give you examples as though it's an audition.

3. Requests/damage control

Your baby brother requests an expletive-filled rap song, and Granny is still partying. Ask how they would handle this and similar incidents. (Also provide a strict 'No Play List.')

4. See them in action

Ask if you can visit an upcoming gig. I actually went to see my DJ play at a nightclub. It was great because I got to see his work first-hand.

5. Discuss attire
The last thing you need to worry about on your big day is your DJ showing up in a tuxedo t-shirt. Specify exactly what you want her to wear - maybe even put it in the contract.

Take heed with this story from Nina's E-Commerce Coordinator Krystina. Everyone knows at least one wedding DJ horror story, but her sister may have the worst.

Red Flag #1: The DJ showed up in jeans and a 1991 bedazzled sweater.

Red Flag #2: She messed up the names and order of three bridesmaids and their escorts - and somehow the maid-of-honor, too!

It only got worse from there as she proceeded to play "The Electric Slide" before dinner was even served. Don't worry, though, she played it again - twice.

All this might have been forgivable, if she hadn't later danced with the bridal party leaving no one behind the booth to change the music.

Don't let this be you!

Here are a few helpful posts from some of our favorite, fellow bloggers:

Always A Blogsmaid - Hey Mr. DJ, What Am I Paying For?

The KnotTop 10 Wedding Music Mishaps

Wishing you all glamorous planning!

xoxo,

-Lindsey (Nina's Bride-to-be)

Nina Winner: WE tv Wedding Mall Tour 2010 - Beachwood Place

Our latest winner pictured here with Cake Designer, Ron Ben-Israel.

Congratulations!

The Red Carpet Calls For Seriously High Heels

When choosing shoes for the red carpet, stylists often ask, "What's the highest heel you carry?"

That would be the Nina Tyna, a 4.5-inch, high heel platform - one of our most requested styles for the red carpet.

The Nina Tuesday is a very similar shoe with the same heel height. You will hear more about it at next month's Miss Universe Pageant. :)

As for the Nina Tyna (shown above with Miss Teen USA Stormi Henley at the Tribeca Film Festival), its rhinestones and shiny metallic finish are sure to catch your eye and add some flash to your outfit.

Nina Winner: WE tv Wedding Mall Tour 2010 - Christiana Mall

Rebecca Thomas was the Nina Shoes winner in Christiana Mall. Here she is with Cake Designer, Ron Ben-Israel.

Congratulations Rebecca!

Girls Night Out

Just writing the words 'Girls Night Out' gets me excited and eager to plan one.

Of course, it's when you and your closest friends reconnect and update each other on your lives.

But it's also the night to dress up in the latest fashion trends. It's time to go all out with your outfit, shoes and accessories.

No matter your age, you still want to show your friends that you still got it after all of these years.

Here are some outfits suggestions:

1. Skinny blue jeans with a low-cut top
2. Skinny blue jeans with a blazer and sleeveless top combo
3. Mid-thigh dress
4. Long shirt with colorful leggings

Accessories suggestions:

1. Beaded necklaces and matching bracelets
2. Earrings in bright metallic colors
3. Big rings that match the earrings

Now for the best part.... Shoes!!

1. High heels - 3 inches and higher

2. Platform or pump-style shoes
3. Glitter, metallic details

4. Shoes that stands apart from the outfit

Remember, shoes make the outfit. :)

Ferry-Tale Wedding

Jen Campbell from Green Wedding Shoes shared this post with us about Beth and Joe, who exchanged vows with a beautiful wedding in Seattle.

It rained, which is perfect considering how much the couple loves its hometown. Plus, it required the use of adorable umbrellas.

Check out the INCREDIBLE photography from Michele Waite. It's honestly breathtaking.

Although, of course, the shoes might help a little bit. :)

Nina Shoes at Caribbean Fashion Week

Nina Shoes were all over Caribbean Fashion Week this summer in Kingston, Jamaica. At least seven designer collections showcased Nina Shoes on the runway - among them China Doll, David Andre, and Yolander J. Also, Grammy-nominated songwriter and recording artist Katia Cadet (above) rocked the Nina Cortney wedges on the red carpet.

Nina Gunna at China Doll

Nina Ulrica - coming soon to ninashoes.com - at China Doll

Nina Ulexa at David Andre

Nina Elga at Yolander J

Meet Hilaria: The Sweetest Sandal

The Nina Hilaria has been flying off the digital racks for us this summer. Whether more weddings are taking place at the beach or brides are looking for comfortable shoes to slip into for the reception, we've received a lot of positive feedback about these rosette-detailed sandals.

Tune into the Nina TV clip below to see what's it all about. View all four colors in our store.

Nina Winner: WE tv Wedding Mall Tour 2010 - Towson Town Center

Heather Bowser was the Nina Shoes winner in Towson Town Center Mall. Here she is with Cake Designer, Ron Ben-Israel.

Congratulations Heather!