MONEY! MONEY! MONEY! MONEY!

OK! So, you have met all the vendors, mailed the invitations, booked the honeymoon and the big day is almost here. But, when the party is over and real life sets in, are you ready for the day to day events of, YES!...married life!!! From http://www.theknot.com/ a money checklist. Remember- money is the root of all evil. So, talk about it and don't let it undo your wedded bliss!!

HER ACCOUNTS
Checking _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Balance _____________________________________
Savings _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Balance _____________________________________
Investment account _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Balance _____________________________________
Credit card #1 _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Balance _____________________________________
Interest rate _____________________________________
Credit card #2 _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Balance _____________________________________
Interest rate _____________________________________
Car insurance _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Payment _____________________________________
Life insurance _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Payment _____________________________________
Health insurance _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Copayment _____________________________________

HIS ACCOUNTS
Checking _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Balance _____________________________________
Savings _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Balance _____________________________________
Investment account _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Balance _____________________________________
Credit card #1 _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Balance _____________________________________
Interest rate _____________________________________
Credit card #2 _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Balance _____________________________________
Interest rate _____________________________________
Car insurance _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Payment _____________________________________
Life insurance _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Payment _____________________________________
Health insurance _____________________________________
Account number _____________________________________
Copayment _____________________________________

FROM THIS DAY FORWARD...

Changing your name can be confusing and overwhelming! What to change it on, whether to use his name or your name professionally... and on and on. Here is an article from www.thenest.com to help you along.
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FOR STARTERS
Make sure that your wedding officiant mails in
your signed marriage license ASAP so you receive
your marriage certificate. You’ll need this certificate
(or in some cases, just a copy of it) to apply for a
name change.
FOR “THE MAN”
Get a new Social Security card (you’ll need your
marriage certificate). Go to SocialSecurity.gov.
Get a new driver’s license (you’ll need to bring your new
SS card and marriage certificate).
Mail in your passport (with a new photo) for an updated
one. Go to Travel.State.gov/passport.
Alert voter registration at DeclareYourself.org. Click
“Register to Vote” and then check the box that says you
are changing your name.
FOR YOUR WALLET
Change your bank account and order new checks.
(Download our “How to Merge Your Money” checklist for
more great tips on how to meld your accounts.)
Change your credit cards (even ones from
retail stores).
Update any stocks, IRAs, mortgages, leases, or money
market accounts.
Order an annual credit report to make sure all
old accounts are closed—and that no one is
opening accounts using your maiden name. Go
to AnnualCreditReport.com.
FOR WORK AND HOME
Change HR paperwork at your office, get a
new email address, and alert your contacts of
the change.
Update insurance cards and policies—print out our
“Insurance Inventory”—go to TheNest.com and search
for “insurance checklist”.
Change your name on utility bills, like cable, gas, and
your cell phone.
Contact alumni associations, gyms, and other organizations you belong to.

BRIDE INSPIRED!

I have come to love the ideas of my teal and raspberry bride! Look at how lovely this palette can be! Play with the colors and make them deeper, mute them or add gold to them, as she is doing, to add a surprise element to an already ingenious vision!

THE BLING AND THE CHA- CHING!

Are you are hoping that Santa will bring you one of these? The latest trends in
engagement rings courtesy of www.theknot.com. Read the article and then send the one titled "rules of engagement" to that certain guy who needs a hint!

SERENDIPITY

I have been so busy and so interested in other blogs, that I haven't posted for over a week! So, to get back in the swing, I thought I would share with you the color palette of one of my 2008 brides, inspired by a pocket mirror she found on etsy and an incredible bouquet I happened on in a search for ideas for her flowers. How Pretty!!!

ABOUT KIDS

Lots of talk about kids at weddings in the last few days in "blogland"! It is such a personal thing, but really young children really should not be included in an evening wedding unless there is a babysitter and lots of things to keep them busy. This wedding had lots of children in the wedding and they were so cute! They ranged in age from 18 months to 10 years old. They were very good and did their job oh so well!!! If you are planning to include children in your wedding be prepared for them to be "not perfect". Know that whatever happens on the way down the aisle is going to be adorable. And, if you plan on having them at your reception, hire a babysitter, make arrangements for a room at the venue to be set up just for the kids and have the parents bring toys, coloring books and PJ'S for the youngest members of the wedding. Everyone will have a good time and the kids will not meltdown in the dining room. P.S. Thanks to Bill Brokaw for these adorable photos of one of my recent weddings! Visit http://www.brokawphotos.com/ for more!

LAST MINUTE SHOPPING?

Browsing the wedding websites for ideas, I came across two ideas that caught my eye. For all of you DIY brides, these are things you can do yourself to make your winter or holiday wedding special. This invitation can be easily designed from supplies bought at a craft store. The placecard/favor is such a cute idea and all you need are candy canes and red ribbon. Print out your guest names on your computer and tie them on the candy cane. How adorable! I am not a big fan of brides taking on extra work, but sometimes you have to do little things to give your wedding the finishing touch! So, for all you crafty girls- this could be fun.

FRENCH CONNECTION

Today I got the lovliest email from a bride/ designer! She is sweet, elegant and creates the most beautiful custom designed invitations! One of the things that captured me was her wonderful French background. She is the descendent of artists in Napoleonic France- but, I won't give it all away!! Go to http://www.atelierisabey.com/ and see her designs, her lovely face and interesting family history... and then call her!!

COLOR ME GREEN!

I LOVE this idea!! I found it in the new Martha Stewart Weddings magazine and I couldn't wait to share!! Who would ever think to put emerald and aqua together to make a smashing color scheme for a wedding?!! And, I think the idea of using bell jars with votives for your tables is such a sweet idea! There are so many great ideas in this issue of Martha- go out and get it!!!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Thank you, Jill, of Face The Occasion for her kind words after a wedding on Saturday. This is Jill making up the mother of the bride. I love Jill and working with her company is always a pleasure! This is what Jill wrote to me after the wedding: "It was great to see you in action! You were gracious,efficient, patient, and calm. The bride and everyone were at ease because of it. You are in your right profession! Hope to see you soon! Sincerely,Jill "

A FALL WEDDING IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!

I did a glorious fall wedding last weekend and I wanted to share! The florist used elements of fall to create a warm setting for this outdoor event at Appleford Estate. I want to thank Peter at Alvin's Flowers and all the folks at Appleford for making this a beautiful memory for my bridal couple!!!

2 BIRDS AND A BANNER

I'm back! It has been a wild month and I have not been up to date with my blogging. but, today inspired me to get back to work!! So, I am excited to tell you about the MOST fabulous invitation duo ever!!! http://www.birdandbanner.com%20is/ amazing!! I took a bride to meet them today and saw some of the most unique and exquisite invitations I have ever seen. Everything is custom and based on the wedding. Fabrics, textures and creative ideas of how to say "we are getting married, so please come". From a printed vintage hanky to old postcards from New York and Paris, these invitations are worth having a look! Erin and Nicole love what they do and you will see why when you visit them. Enjoy!!

OPEN HOUSE

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Cudos for Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts for one of their weddings in BridesPhiladelphia! I love working with Judi, Helene and Matt! Girls- if you want to get married in an amazing venue in Center City Philadelphia, come to one of PAFA's open houses this month! Go to http://www.pafa.org/ and get invited to, not one, but two of the most beautiful places in the city to marry. Taste the fabulous food from Duffy's and meet the people who make every wedding at PAFA perfect!! See you there!

APPLEFORD ESTATE- A PERFECT SETTING!

I did a tasting at Appleford Estate in Villanova yesterday with Perfect Setting Catering. We had such a great time in a perfect place for a wedding! The grounds are gorgeous- with a brook and a waterfall for the ceremony backdrop. There is a rose garden for cocktails and a wonderful tented terrace for dinner and dancing. Perfect Setting will make sure your wedding is a delicious experience for everyone. If you are looking for a wonderful and different place for a wedding- try Appleford at http://www.applefordestate.com/. Laurie will be glad to show you around. And, then speak to the Diehls about the food at http://www.perfectsettingcatering.com/. YOu will be glad you did!

ON THE BOARDS

I read the message boards every day to see what girls are saying about vendors, what questions they ask and what they are worried about. Sadly, I can't post on the boards because I am a vendor! So, I have decided to "post" some advice here in hopes that some of you will read this and get answers.

On dresses: for the bride who wanted to know about bridesmaid dresses and her plus size sister- please order your dresses from one shop and have them shipped to your out of town girls. Take your sister shopping and let her pick the style and then tell the other girls. NEVER let the girls order the same dress from different shops!!! The dresses will not be the same color. And, as I have said before- ordering on line can be risky and you have no recourse if something is wrong and no one to alter the dresses.

On realistic budgets: you have to be realistic in your expectations! If you only have $20,000 to spend on your wedding, then research your options and keep your dreams in check. In actuality, weddings are expensive!! All of the articles about how much weddings cost must have come from the Midwest or some obscure location. If you are getting married on either coast or in any metropolitan area, expect to spend at least $35-$40,000 for a larger wedding. Quality speaks for itself and you DO get what you pay for. I have helped many brides to plan beautiful weddings without breaking the bank. But, you have to be ready to compromise and make concessions.

On DIY projects: LADIES! You are the bride! Pay people to make the dresses, bake the cake and do the flowers!!!! Sure, favors are something you may want to do yourself. But, you have enough to fret over and there will be plenty of unexpected things that arise. Don't add to your stress by trying to wear too many hats! Wear the tiara! Let the professionals do the rest!!

I would be glad to answer more questions for you ladies! While the message boards are a good place to share ideas, brides all have their own personal take on things- from budgets, to tastes, to personal experience. Let someone with years of experience and many brides to pull from answer your questions. Your wedding is too important to follow the crowd. Write to me!

AN INVITING ALTERNATIVE

I have been reading so much about invitations lately on the message boards, so I thought I would let you all in on the latest trends in invitations and steer you to a great article about etiquette, wording, etc. These invitations are taken from an article on http://www.theknot.com/. One is a booklet and the other a silk box, either of which will make an impression when they appear in mailboxes! Read the Knot article with answers to all the questions you are asking on the boards- and more! And, start looking on line for all the great new invitations available to you!

COZY FAVORS

These favor ideas are so wonderful I had to share! And the presentation is just as special! Create your own "trail mix" with nuts and dried fruits and use them as your favor and your place card. How beautiful will your place card table be with these lovely little bags of goodies! Or, for you DIY, cooks... how about these little mason jars full of homemade preserves
with a custom label of your wedding on them! Love these ideas!! And, they add color and flair to your decor. Use your creativity- which I see is out there when I see photos and read the blogs. You can really add an element of pure joy to your guests experience at your wedding and give them something personal to take home!

QUEENS AND PRINCESSES

Imagine a color palette of moss green, deep wine and a gold wedding gown with a pale green sash! Can't you just see how stunning these dresses would all look together going down the aisle?! The wedding gowns are from Amsale and Lazaro and the bridesmaids and mother's dresses are from Jasmine Bridal. It is still hot outside, but it will be sweater weather before you know it! You don't have to use brown and orange or gold anymore! To have a perfect fall wedding, start to scope out the wedding magazines and the blogs of other brides. I get so many ideas from them it is hard to know which ones to use! Two new blogs I recently found are Oh Happy Blog and Classic Bride. Of course, Perfect Bound is my favorite place to start every day, as is Oh Joy! Happy hunting!

FALL FOLIAGE

These are amazing flowers for a wedding! I love fall weddings and the magnificant colors of the season. Using pumpkins and leaves and other things from nature are so becoming and make for a unique look!

THERE'S A NIP IN THE AIR!

I have been planning a November wedding fo the last few weeks and the ideas are just amazing to me! Fall colors are so vibrant and wonderful! So, for all of you girls getting married in the fall, this one's for you!!

VINTAGE CHIC! DO YOU DARE?!

I had to double dose today- there is so much to say! Are you a daring bride, ready to do the unexpected or the very diffferent? If so, check out these vintage fashions! They came from junebugs.com too. In an old home, a country church or a deco museum, these looks can make for a beautiful and truly unique wedding!