IT'S A MAN THING!

Lest we forget the men in the wedding, here are a few ideas. Instead of the typical bow tie and tux, opt for suits and a great tie! Here are two ideas that struck me. And, if you are looking for something different for gifts- how about this monogramed cooler! You can stock it with wine or beer and they will be ready to party anytime!

SPECIAL DELIVERY

You have chosen your bridesmaids and have looked at dresses and then..."I'm pregnant"! One of the girls is going to be pregnant for the wedding. There are companies that carry a line of bridemaid dresses, like this on by Jim Hjelm. Eden Bridal is another one. But, if you want all the girls to be in the same dress, chose something that has an empire wasit so that extra fabric can be purchased to make a panel in the front of the pregnant girl's dress. A good seamstress can do that when the dresses come in and it turns out very well.

PRETTY CAKES

When seeking a cake that will WOW the crowd, here are some that I found with a simple search for "wedding cakes". Most bakeries will re-create a picture, so search away and find a cake you love!

AUTUMN LEAVES

Ok! I know it isn't even the 4th of July. But, in weddingland, you girls with Fall weddings are making decisions. Here are a few ideas for Fall that are just a bit different than mums and rust. The dresses are Dessy.

VINTAGE DRESSES

Too many choices! In trying to find dresses with a vintage feel for a bride, I have come across these. WOW! Glamour and style- whether traditonal or modern, can be yours and your bridesmaids on your big day! The bridal gowns are from Christos and Kenneth Pool and the bridesmaids are from Alvina Valenta. Get ready to have a red carpet wedding in these old hollywood style gowns!

BRIDESMAIDS 101

Buying bridesmaid dresses doesn't have to be stressful anymore! Between the great designs out there, the many styles and colors and the vast range of prices, it should be easier than ever. Remember a few things:

1. It is your wedding and your choice

2. You need to order dresses 6 months out

3. Out of town girls can be measured in their hometown and call in to the shop

4. NEVER order dresses from more than one store! Order together from one store

5. Most stores will ship a dress to an out of town girl for alterations

6. NEVER dye shoes from a sample swatch. the dye lot may not be exact.

Enjoy these dresses from http://www.alvinavalenta.com/ and http://www.threaddesign.com/.

PRETTY IN PINK!

I LOVE this dress!! I have never been a "pink" person, but this dress and this photo made me think that all of you girls who love pink. Here's a way to have a pink party! The dress is Alvina Valenta. The little lunchbox is a great idea to keep all of the girls from fainting or getting tipsy on the champagne in the limo. You can put some jewelry in there to dress them up down the aisle and they will have a sweet memory of your wedding. The travel clock is so cute and a good way to make sure everyone shows up on time!

WHITE WEDDING

What better way to celebrate a new life than to celebrate in white! Here are some ideas for a white wedding. Add a touch of gold or silver to give your day the royal treatment or a splash or something fuschia or grean to bring the fun in! Enjoy!

HIRING A PLANNER

Found this in Martha Stewart Weddings. It is a valuable piece to read and will help you understand why a planner is a worthwhile expense- no matter the budget.
Hiring a Wedding Planner
As any couple knows, planning a wedding can be a huge amount of work. There are countless decisions to make, and they're all the more daunting for brides and grooms who are inexperienced with putting together such a big event. Sometimes one of the best steps a couple can take is to hire a wedding planner.
Wedding planners are no longer just for couples with unlimited budgets; they have become indispensable today to many brides and grooms, who find their services well worth the expense. You might consider hiring a planner soon after you get engaged if you have a demanding job that leaves little time for much else, if you're getting married in a city other than the one you live in, or if you simply feel overwhelmed by the details involved.
A wedding consultant guides you through the planning process and the wedding day itself, assisting in whatever capacity you need. He or she can help you refine your ideas, connect you to the appropriate vendors, advise you on proper etiquette, and suggest ways to use your budget wisely. Besides keeping your schedule on track, a planner will also create a wedding-day timeline and make sure that it gets carried out -- down to the smallest detail. "A good planner will analyze what you are looking to do, help you find the resources to get it done, and take you every step of the way," says Chicago wedding planner Randy Schuster.
Your planner will act as a liaison between you and the vendors, setting up appointments and guiding you through the contracts. A good planner will also find the right combination of professionals, one that can function as a team designed to pull your wedding together smoothly.
The Wedding DayPerhaps the most important role a planner can play is in orchestrating the wedding day itself. (Some couples hire planners to help only on that day.) Besides coordinating the vendors, she might do everything from gathering your wedding party for pictures to making sure all the seating cards are in place to calming nerves. She'll check that the flowers and food are exactly what you ordered and manage the evening from cocktails to cake. With a person to take care of the logistics, you're free to focus solely on enjoying yourself. "I want couples to actually eat their meal and not worry if the band is going to play a certain song," says Victoria Stanbach of Violet Weddings in the San Francisco Bay area.
To make sure your planner will meet your expectations, be careful about whom you hire. Though there are many planners advertising their services, locating one through a friend or colleague is preferable. It's wise to interview several planners in person to see if there's a good rapport. "You need a high level of comfort and trust," says Nicky Reinhard, who runs David Reinhard Events in New York City with partner Ann David. Find out how long the planner has been in the business, how she got started, and why; it will help you gauge her level of enthusiasm for the job. Ask how many events she does each month -- you'll want to be sure she has enough time for you. Ask what kinds of weddings she has planned and where they were held. Remember that the planner will be working for you -- she should listen to your ideas and concerns, not make proclamations about what to do. She should also be upfront about whether your budget is in line with your vision. You want someone who will be honest about what you can afford and who can find less-expensive alternatives you'll be happy with.
Pricing and ValueAs for a planner's fees, they depend on the extent of services you'd like. Before hiring anyone, ask not only how much she charges but what exactly it covers. Some planners charge a flat rate; others charge per hour. Still others charge a percentage of your wedding budget, usually 10 to 15 percent. Most will create a proposal for you to approve and will then draw up a letter of commitment or a contract. While you can expect to pay at least several thousand dollars for "full service" (meaning the planner works with you to put together your wedding from beginning to end), you may ultimately save money. "There are places to spend and not to, where it will show and not show," says Schuster. For example, if your reception site is a gorgeous room with a breathtaking view, your planner might suggest cutting back on floral arrangements. If you feel, however, that you can't afford a planner's full-service fees or don't need someone there for the entire process, you can cut costs by hiring a consultant to help only during the last few weeks leading up to your wedding or during the wedding weekend itself.
The best affirmation of a planner's value is when a wedding leaves the intended impression. "We ask clients how they want guests to feel at the end of the wedding," says David. "Then we make it happen

BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS

I have to share one of my favorite florists with you! I have a few, but this woman and her husband do incredible work. Check out http://www.petalslane.com/ and see why I recommend them. they are accommodating, reasonable and very nice to work with! Enjoy their site!

BELIEVE IT OR...NOT!!!

Hi Ladies! I have been battling a bad headache for a few days and have been watching lots of wedding shows on the Style Network. Let me just say- I HOPE YOU DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU SEE ON TV!! The show "20 Wedding do's and Don't's" ...What?! Some of the things they talk about are SO not reality! Where do they get some of their ideas?! And, "The Modern Girl's Guide to Life"- it's nice they have given 4 out of work actresses something to do, but let's get serious! Of course, there is always "Who's Wedding Is It Anyway"! I have never seen such nonsense. Yes- you can get married on $10,000, but you have to re-think and really scale down your wedding dreams- or get married somewhere in the midwest! If you are getting married in a city on either coast, it can't be done for 200 people in a beautiful venue. And, those planners don't want to plan your $10,000 wedding if it isn't on TV! Girls- TV isn't the real world- even if it says "reality TV". Get help, have a planner at some level- no matter your budget and be honest with yourself and your planner. And remember- it is about the marriage, not the party. Even a small party can be a fabulous memory! Have a good day!

A BEACHY THEME

On a brighter note, I found this great idea for a beach wedding- or someone who just wants to feel like they are at the beach. This is such a cute idea and it looks clean, elegant and unique! Hope you all like it!

I CAN'T WALK ON WATER!

Today I have to say something that I wish I didn't have to say! I recently did a wedding that had many problems, none of which were in my control to fix! Things happened due to personalities, the bride's lack of maturity and unrealistic expectations and a general lack of discipline in those in the wedding party. Most of the drama happened the day before the wedding. The wedding itself was very nice. The ceremony was lovely, the caterer did a great job, the party was a success. But, there was nothing that made this girl happy. She found fault with everything! And, she treated all of us very rudely- shouting orders and having temper tantrums at every turn. Girls! Every wedding has something that isn't perfect! And, as a planner, I can't perform miracles! I am passionate, I work very hard and I will do everything in my power to make sure your day is the best it can be! I have countless "thank you's" from brides, their mothers and their guests to prove it. I have never had an unhappy bride, a bride that berated me, or a sense of dread- until now! Though I know it wasn't me, it is very disconcerting to have someone so negative interfere with my strong sense of pride in what I do. I hope that by writing this I will make you think about the fact that, even with the help of a planner, your attitude and your expectations have to be tempered with common sense and respect. It is a huge event in your life, but the whole point of the day is that you are beginning a new life with someone- forever! Shouldn't that be your focus?

AN APPLE A DAY!

These are from a spring wedding, but can be translated for Fall or, change the fruit and use a pear or an orange. What a great idea for a different kind of centerpiece than to use fresh, vibrant fruit in a large cylinder with beautiful blooms on top! I love this look- ti is so different!

A WORD ABOUT PLANNERS!

Ok girls! This is the bottom line about planners. First of all, a recent bride does not a planner make!! It isn't glamorous, it isn't always fun and it is VERY hard work that requires a myriad of skills and a unique personality. Second, don't hire someone "by the hour"! If I charged by the hour, I would be worth millions! No one can calculate the time they spend on your wedding in hours and if they do they are charging you so much more than someone who quotes a fee and sticks to it! Third, if you hire someone for the day of your wedding and they "show up" on the day of your wedding with no prior input or knowledge- you have been cheated! When you hire me for the day of your wedding, I am available to you from the time you sign the contract and I WILL be involved for anything you need. Not even the most seasoned planner can just attend your wedding and do a good job. Finally, every bride needs someone not involved in the wedding to oversee her special day. You are the bride, your maids have a job and your mother is the hostess. Oh, and Aunt Sally can't pick up the slack in a pinch! Hire a planner! It isn't that much more in the scheme of things, and you will be so glad to have that pair of able hands after all the time, money and planning you have done!! Ladies! There are all kinds of people out there claiming to be wedding planners, from decorators, to caterers, to the person assigned to your wedding at your reception site. When you hire someone, make sure they are going to be with YOU all day. Make sure you like them and connect with them in the beginning. And, don't sell yourself short! Even if you are having a small wedding or a lower budget wedding- it is YOUR wedding!! It should be perfect and the happiest memory of your life! I promise, I will make it so! Give me the chance!