Can you believe it's already the holiday week? I have the BEST styled shoot to share with you in celebration of my last post before the holiday {my festive-fetti™ even gets tossed in the air to celebrate}. It's now time for me to take a little break to get ready for the festivities and celebrate with family and friends. I wish you and your loved ones the very best this holiday season and if you are looking for a super fun way to thank your bridesmaids for being in your wedding - you will LOVE what I have for you today. It's a Holiday Cookie Exchange with the bride and her bridesmaids to say "Thank You for Being My Bridesmaid". You simply bring your favorite cookie for the holiday season, eat a few of course with hot chocolate and/or wine to celebrate, and then pack up a sampling of each remaining cookie in a pretty box to enjoy back at home.

Are you ready? It's time to invite your bridesmaids to a get-together for festive fun and yummy cookies. It's a super special way to say thank you for being my bridesmaid.

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Wedding Vendors:
Photography:  Debbie Ringle Photography
Flowers, Styling and Details:  EightTreeStreet
Hair and Makeup:  Bobby Pins and Blush
Stationery Design:  Allison Barnhill Design
Calligraphy:  Allison Dee Calligraphy
Designer Wrapping Paper:  Fig 2 Design
festive-fetti™ and Gift box details: FestiveFetti
Cookies and Desserts:  Wegman's
Linens:  CVLinens
Gift boxes:  Target
Blue Goblets by The Pioneer Woman for Walmart
Brush Trees, Holiday decorations and gold mason jars: JoAnn Fabrics
Bridesmaids/model dresses:  Charlotte Russe
Venue:  Private Horse Farm in Fredericksburg, Virginia

the post contains links to several affiliate programs

At The Wedding Outlet, you will find fun personalized bridesmaid tote bags for your maid of honor, bridesmaids and yourself. These tote bags are great for carrying essential items on your wedding day and can be used afterwards for everyday. Remember to fill the tote bags with goodies for your girls. Here are some popular gift suggestions on what to include in the tote bags.

Every girl will love to carry the Hampton Tote. With its preppy side ties, easy to carry padded handles and touch fastener closure, this seaside dream accessory really is a look all on their own.

The Nantucket Tote is an ideal accessory for every girl looking to get away, whether it be for an afternoon picnic in the park or a weekend trip to the beach. Fashioned in 100% natural jute, this adorable totes features two sturdy, grommet leather handles, top zipper closure and an interior zippered pocket.

Stay organized and look fabulous with this eco-chic Newport Tote. With its easy to carry, braided handles and super cute button closure, this oversized travel bag is an excellent way to reduce, recycle and reuse for all your adventures.

The Rockport Tote is made of 100% natural jute and will make an excellent accessory for girls on the go. This dually handled tote features a super trendy toggle and touch fastener closure, as well as an interior pocket and structured bottom insert to prevent your bag from toppling over.

Available in a variety of fabric and thread colors.

Featured: Hampton Tote, Nantucket Tote, Newport Tote, Rockport Tote | Shop All Totes

The Wedding Outlet is a sponsor of Brenda's Wedding Blog

If you are looking for the perfect bridesmaid gift you will love these items from The Wedding Outlet. They make great gifts for any lady in your life and you can even add a personal touch by embossing each item with up to three initials.

Top Left: This personalized Leather Jewelry Box can be used at home atop any dresser or vanity, or as a take away travel case when on the go. This well-designed jewelry keep boasts six earring/ring compartments, one larger compartment for bracelets and necklaces, and a gathered pouch on the lid for storing more delicate pieces. The well-structured case, with micro-sueded lining will easily become a statement piece no matter where you use it.

Top Right: This personalized Leather Jewelry Roll is a must-have for any jet-setting style maven. This compact jewelry case is ideal for travelling, but also works great to stow away your valuable jewelry at home in a safe or safety deposit box. Case features two zippered compartments, ring bar, earring holder that fits seven pairs, and a removable cylindrical pouch with zippered closure, perfect for chunky bracelets and oversized pieces. It all wraps up neatly with a charming leather string closure.

Bottom Left: This personalized Leather Clutch Wallet offers maximum storage in a sleek, beautiful package. Featuring a zippered closure with leather pull, this mini purse is completed with a detailed interior with two spacious compartments, neatly divided by a zippered pocket. The snap-open section includes nine credit card slots, a picture ID window and additional compartments ideal for a checkbook or for receipts.

Bottom Right: The personalized Leather Cosmetic Case will keep you organized in style. The zippered opening of this classically styled bag reveals one main compartment lined with gorgeous chocolate brown nylon. This bag's most notable feature is its spacious interior making it just right for all of your cosmetics, and the elongated design is perfect for hair brushes, lip/eye pencils, full-size mascara tubes, and even a tooth brush.

Be sure to stop by The Wedding Outlet to shop Bridesmaid Gifts and New Arrivals

The Wedding Outlet is a sponsor of Brenda's Wedding Blog

sponsored post with Daisy Days

Whether you surprise your bridal party before the big day or the day of - giving them something special to wear to signify their role in the wedding is sure to make them happy. At Daisy Days you will find a huge selection of bridal party apparel for not only the bridesmaids, but the flower girls and ring bearers too.

Dress your bridesmaids with sparkly rhinestone apparel while you get ready for the big event - they can even where the tops if you all go out to have fun together to celebrate the upcoming nuptials.

Shown Above: pink bridesmaid hoodie flower, midnight chocolate crystal bridal party tank,
fancy crystal bridal party tank top, go green organic bridal party tanks

And, we don't want to leave out the little ones from your wedding festivities. These tees and hoodies for the flower girl and ring bearer are just adorable.

Shown Above: in charge of the petals tee, flower girl hoodie

Shown Above: official ring guard camo ring bearer tee, in charge of the rings shirt

The entire collection of bridal party apparel from Daisy Days can be seen here.

Guest Blogging with celebrity makeup artist Kimara Ahnert

As a bridesmaid, you want to look your best, but you don't want to outshine the bride. Kimara Ahnert, bridal makeup artist extraordinaire, has some simple makeup tips that will have you fresh faced and aisle ready in no time.

On Matching Dress to Makeup
• Choose eye shadow colors that compliment the dress, not that necessarily match the dress. As a rule, accessories should match while beautiful makeup compliments. If your dress is purple, choose makeup that has blue based undertones. For champagne a colored dress, pair yellow based undertones together such as bronze, gold, copper and pewter.

Sun Too Much?
• Don't over tan or over bronze pre wedding.  A sun kissed look is fresh, a baked look is not and doesn't compliment the rest of the bridal party in photos.

Ode to Oil Free
• Wear an oil free matte foundation for long lasting coverage set by a powder to keep makeup looking flawless and lasting for hours.

Party Prep
• Don't party too much the night before at the rehearsal dinner.  Makeup always looks better on skin that is not tired and puffy from alcohol after a late night.

Keep Up with Touch Ups
• Always keep blush and lip color with you in your purse for reapplying throughout the event. Many brides don't touch up and makeup ends up looking faded by the time the reception starts.