***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.
Natalia says
NOT ME!
At my brother’s wedding his first dance with his bride was to Ingrid Michaelson’s The Way I Am. So sweet!
valerie says
NOT ME!
william & kate’s wedding when harry turned around right as kate walked in to sneak a peak :)
Chuck says
Not me!
Aww! Happy anniversary!
Friday marks our fifth!
My favorite part of a not my wedding was when my last single friend got married a couple months back. All the groomsmen wore knee-high green and black argyle socks with their tuxes (to sort-of-coordinate with the groom’s black with green stitching cowboy boots–the happy couple met at a horse show.) I still rock those socks sometimes.
Julia says
NOT ME!
My friend got married in an old historic home with only 30 people there. It was lovely.
Brynne says
“NOT ME!”
Anna says
NOT ME!
I loved the betta fish that were part of the arrangement at my husband’s uncle’s wedding. It was cheesy but cute.
Megan says
NOT ME!!
Always love going to outdoor weddings!
Daniel says
NOT ME!
When I was 13 I got to wear sneakers to my mom’s wedding. That was fun.
Kim says
NOT ME!!! My favorite part of all weddings is the dancing! Everyone gets down from kids to grandmas!
ashley says
not me! i went to a wedding this past weekend where the mother of the groom jumped into the swimming pool completely clothed! it was GREAT!
Stefanie says
NOT ME! I loved when my Uncle and Aunt read the “fake” vows they had written at their reception… hilarious!
Jessie says
NOT ME!
My favorite wedding would have to be my Uncles – they had a very small ceremony in a church in Colorado Springs and then a small reception at the pub they met at. It was very simple and low key but there was lots of love!
Emily says
NOT ME!
My favorite wedding was a very casual, relaxed one :-) I’m all about “not” formal!
Ashley says
NOT ME! But really, YES ME! I’m tying the knot in September but haven’t been able to find a fascinator that fits the budget AND style!
My best friend’s wedding was amazing, I loved their vows!
Heather @ REOlisticRenovation says
Not me! The fav wedding was when at my friend’s wedding the limo carrying all of us (the wedding party girls) went into a ditch at the bottom of her hill, into a creek, out of cell phone reception and we had to climb out to the street and stand there for almost one hour out of cell phone range, limo blocking the entire country road in 100 degree heat waiting to be rescued. The bride took it all in stride, glass of champagne and laughed it off. Amazing! Little did she know we were late to the ceremony and the priest had gotten up on the altar and told the congregation “sometimes these things happen and brides change their minds” while her groom cried. True story.
Holly says
NOT ME!
Favorite wedding memory not mine…A wedding we happened upon on this really small town in France during a vacation we took (we were lost!). The entire town was there and they got married in front of this huge fountain in the town square. They looked beautiful, and so happy and the entire town was obviously so thrilled for them.
Carole says
NOT ME!
It was the fireworks at a wedding that I enjoyed the most. How unique!
Lynn says
NOT ME!! But I love all parts of other peoples’ weddings, especially the open bar and the dancing!
Charlotte | Living Well on the Cheap says
Not me!!! My best friend and her hubby danced to “My Best Friend” by Queen. Such a sweet and happy song!
Annie says
NOT ME! My favorite wedding memory is when the bride’s brothers (aged 5 & 7), who were manning the gift table, came into the reception hall and, while waving at the bride across the room, yelled “Did you see all the presents? It’s like Christmas!”
Laurel says
Not Me!! I love the romance of weddings, and open bars don’t hurt either ;)
Mary says
I found your blog by googling “backyard wedding” and have been hooked ever since, so naturally I love these posts! Happy 4 years!
Riley says
NOT ME!
A close friend of mine got married last year…she tried to hold her tears in as she walked down the aisle and ended up laughing because she was focusing so much on NOT crying. Everyone was trying not to go into the ugly cry..great moment.
Jessica says
NOT ME!
best wedding hands down was a friend’s giant TEXAS backyard wedding complete with fireworks at the end of the reception and bride and groom jumping in the pool on the way out. I guess everything is bigger in TEXAS! :)
E.Lefebvre says
NOT ME!!
I love getting all dressed up and spending time with friends… seeing the bride and groom. Weddings are so beautiful!!!
Tia says
“NOT ME!”
Our best friends eloped to Nova Scotia and were married on the beach in their wetsuits, after which they went for a celebratory surf. What a perfect day!
LaurenS says
NOT ME!
i enjoyed being the matron of honor at my younger sister’s wedding. it was outside at our parent’s house in missouri under a tent. beautiful!
Amy says
NOT ME!!!
We went to the most romantic wedding in a gorgeous old hotel in NYC. It was amazing!
Heather says
NOT ME
I’ve never been to a wedding, lol, so I’m looking forward to my own
Caroline says
NOT ME!!
I went to a wedding at my (now) venue for my wedding a couple of years ago and just had a blast dancing! The guests were from all over the country and the world (think of Scottish dancing meets Mexican dancing) and everyone had a great time partying the night away :-D
shelly p. says
NOT ME! watching the dads try to breakdance. Ended up in several injuries:)
Samantha H. says
NOT ME!
My favorite wedding was my husbands cousin, beautiful ceremony, lovely decor, open bar, and fantastic food! The bride’s family was italian and the bride herself was a caterer so she made her own wedding cake (which was so delicious!) and at midnight, she and a few family members made homemade pizza for everyone to snack on, so so yummy!
Lauren Stowe Jones says
NOT ME!
At my sister’s wedding, she literally hurled her bouquet at me during the reception. Rather than hope that I caught it, she just chucked it right at me. The beautiful flowers broke on the impact, and I had a bruise from the force of it. But, I got engaged after midnight during her after-party. So, I guess it was worth it.
Amber C. says
NOT ME!
The best wedding that wasn’t my own (which is July 14th next year…yay!) was my mom’s to my stepdad. Not only was it just a great, really touching wedding, but they also had the most amazing cake ever made…on a homemade cake stand shaped like a tree with their initials carved in it! So cute!
Susan says
NOT ME! We had no money and a new baby, so we had a very casual affair with close friends and family. I love to see the big weddings, and always feel grateful I didn’t spend that much money!
Angela says
NOT ME! My favorite weddings were always relatives’ weddings when I was a little kid, because it meant going crazy on the dance floor, sneaking lots of food, and almost no supervision from the adults!
Megan@HomeSweetLilacDrive says
NOT ME!
My favorite thing is being able to relax and enjoy someone else’s wedding instead of worrying about all the details! :) …and flip flop baskets are always lifesavers on the dance floor.
Sara says
Not Me!
My sister in law had the most gorgeous wedding dress! I loved it! Made me wish I didn’t buy the first on sale Davids Bridal dress I tried on:(
jessica W. says
“NOT ME!” Their decor was to die for! beautiful cupcakes rather than a wedding cake, nice barefoot wedding, short ceremony, and cute dr pepper floats, etc. I could go on forever!
Kaitlin A says
Not Me! We’re tying the knot two months from today!
My favorite moment at a recent friend’s wedding was the groom’s face when she walked through the door- unforgettable!
Shelby lanting says
NOT ME!!
Heather says
NOT ME!
Of course I adored the fascinators at the royal wedding, but my best wedding memory was when I was maybe 5. My sister and I spun around in fancy dresses, and if we sang a song about love to the bridal party they would all kiss.
Shea says
NOT ME!!!
My favorite part of weddings is the moment the bride appears and then watching her walk the aisle.
Maria says
Not me! I loved my husband’s best friend’s wedding because it was in the spring and the weather was gorgeous. Ours was in the winter so I kind of regretted that. But that’s the only other wedding I’ve been to so I don’t have much to compare!
Lisa H says
NOT ME!
I guess I’m not going to very fancy weddings, because my favourite wedding had a fantastic wedding band that got everyone dancing (more and more inappropriately as the night went on … yikes Aunt Agathe!) all evening. Every other wedding I’ve been to had the standard DJ.
I wanted to add that we’re having a backyard wedding next summer, and the inspiration is largely due to you, youngsters! Thank you for all the ideas!
Laura says
Not me!
When my best friend got married, her mom had just passed away from cancer about 4 months before – her dad and siblings had a really touching family blessing and a tribute to her mom that made everyone cry.
p.s. I’m getting married next June and having a DIY backyard reception at my parents house. You guys would be proud.
Becky says
NOT ME!
Sadly, I don’t have a favorite part of a wedding that I’ve been to because I’ve never been to one. I am, however, still planning my own for October! I need inspiration!
Hannah says
Not me! I did all that 5 years ago.
My favorite wedding memory is actually NOT at the wedding but at the rehearsal dinner. My bro-in-law got married a week ago and the speeches given by the groom and my father in law were so emotional and so sincere, it was beautiful.
Clare says
NOT ME!
My friend wore her mom’s wedding dress to her own wedding. She looked stunning!
Rebecca says
NOT ME!
When my friend got married the Red Sox were in the World Series for the first time in forever. The DJ announced the updates to the game to keep people from leaving to watch tv. It was pretty funny.