Wedding News and Advice

Destination weddings have become very popular as they provide a beautiful wedding location combined with a vacation for everyone involved. Many couples choose to keep their destination weddings small involving only immediate family and close friends.

Benefits of a destination wedding include:

Easier to budget: The average wedding in America is estimated to cost $30,000 before the honeymoon. That's quite a nice trip for 6 - 8 people.

No-stress guest list: Are you concerned about having to invite that family with the loud children? With a destination wedding, you can enjoy the day with your small group and invite friends over later for a housewarming party.

Fewer invitations: You don't need the wedding invitations, RSVP's, reception and save the date cards. All you need is an announcement after the wedding.

The down side to a destination wedding is that some of your friends and acquaintances may be upset that they were left out of the big day. So you really have to decide what is important to you before you plan a destination wedding.

So how do you go about finding your destination and wedding vendors?

Start with an internet search for wedding planning vendors. There are tons of wedding referral websites out there. Many have ratings from prior brides and grooms to help you pick out the best options.

Browse social networks. MySpace, Facebook, and others have social groups for every subject, including wedding planning. Talk to fellow brides and grooms to see who they are using and how well their vendor is working with them.

To pick your destination, hotel, etc. review feedback on travel websites such as Orbitz and Expedia. If you choose a specific destination, for example Hawaii, you can find that area's official website, like www.hawaii.com, to connect with local businesses.

Many airlines have destination packages to help you plan your wedding. Another great option for destination weddings are cruises. Check out websites for cruise lines like Caribbean and Princess Cruises. Cruises can come with hotel or airfare packages as well.

Once you choose your destination, see if your hotel or venue have preferred vendors for catering, flowers, etc. This can help you since you will unlikely be able to meet with your wedding vendors in person beforehand.

With a little planning, your destination wedding can be perfect.

Labels: destination, planning, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 7:36 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Hi there everyone,

Just wanted to share that I've posted some additional wedding resources on the Invito Cards website. If you are looking for places to shop for your wedding, check them out at http://invitocards.com/sources.php.

Also, Invito Cards is still running a 5% discount on summer orders. Place your wedding invitation, personalized napkin, or accessory/gift order today.

If you would like to see the entire Carlson Craft catalog collection or if you need to ship outside the United States, visit www.invitocards.cceasy.com.

If there is anything else I can help you with, let me know. Wishing everyone a beautiful wedding day!

- Lisa Leverich, owner of Invito Cards

Labels: planning, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 9:41 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Labels: invitation, planning, RSVP, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 9:37 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Are you planning a wedding and wishing you could had your very own professional looking wedding website? We'll I've found a fantastic resource to help you do just that - and you don't have to be a programming expert.

The website is called DesignOurDay.com which enables engaged couples to build their very own website without having to worry about buying URL's, knowing HTML, or having to acquire graphics. It's as easy as creating a login, choosing a design template and then entering the information you wish to share.

The templates are beautiful and professional looking and you choose the colors, layout, text and images (you can use their pictures or your own) so it becomes uniquely yours. You can also name each web page within your website. Your family and friends will be impressed by the elegant presentation of your upcoming wedding.

In addition to your website, DesignOurDay.com has a wedding forum where you can chat with other brides in an ad-free setting. And don't worry about everything being public, you can password protect sections of your website - like that secret bachelorette party.

To check out DesignOurDay.com, click on the ad below...

Labels: planning, website, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 9:04 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Brides have tons of checklists - wedding invitations, attire, wedding planning, etc. She is the one who usually is the overseer of the event. However, the Groom has a lot to do too, and should be involved with the wedding planning. So here is a checklist for him:

Labels: checklist, planning, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 9:05 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I seem to be running across tons of articles lately about whether or not children should be included at a wedding reception. Its amazing how often this subject comes up, but it's good for couples to give this some thought if they think its going to be an issue.


Weddings are one of those times when you get together with extended family. You know those second, third and fourth cousins you normally don't ever see... So it's not that uncommon that you are going to have a few relatives with children of all ages.


Children make receptions fun! They are cute, don't care if people laugh when they dance, and don't need alcohol to be entertained. But don't worry about them stealing all of your thunder. Everyone knows its your day.


If you are serving gourmet entrees at your wedding reception, you may want to consider some simple dishes to accommodate the kids. Veggies, breads, cheese and crackers are all kid favorites. But don't be too concerned if you are only dealing with a few small children. Most parents of small children tend to bring along snacks to accommodate them anyway. You may want to give those parents a heads up if you are planning a gourmet meal just so you don't have to think about what to feed their kids - let Mom and Dad worry about that. An easy way to do this is to have a respond card tucked in with your wedding invitation including menu choices on it. If they see you are serving Duck and Shrimp E'touffe, then they will know in advance if they have to deal with what little Bobby is going to eat.


If you want to have an adult focused wedding reception, but want to make sure parents can attend, you can always look into an alternative to accommodate the kids. Some facilities have a second room you can rent out for children's activities - kind of like a reception daycare. This way the kids have something fun they can do while their parents get a chance to enjoy your wedding reception. Let your family know of your plan in advance so that they expect it. You don't want your guests feeling like their children are not welcome.

If you do decide to have an adult only wedding reception, remember that it may restrict some of your guests from attending. If the whole family is going to your wedding, Mom and Dad may not have baby sitters.


The bottom line is its your wedding, it only happens once, so include children if you want to.

Labels: planning, reception, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 8:53 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

When planning your wedding, there are things that are nice to know, like that trumpet skirts are all the rage or nosegays are making a comeback. Then, there are things you need to know -- advice so essential that any bride who's lucky enough to hear it thinks, "I'm so glad someone told me that!" If you're wondering whether there's something you may have missed (or even if you've got everything under control), check out our indispensable planning secrets.

1. Guests come first

Get a grip on the approximate number of guests you'll invite before settling on a venue. This will ensure there's ample space for your crew. As a rule of thumb, allow for 25-30 square feet per guest. That may seem like a lot, but it's not if you count the space you'll need for the tables, bustling waiters, the band, and the dance floor.

2. Investigate blackout dates

Know ahead of time if your wedding date falls on the same day as a trade conference, charity walk, or other local event that could affect traffic and hotel room availability.

3. Listen to Mother Natur

Heed the weather and other potential annoyances. Guests have been known to skip out early from hotter-than-hot, summer tent weddings and improperly heated winter loft receptions. Bugs also swarm in certain areas during certain seasons. Consider renting pest control tanks to alleviate the problem or including bug repellent in guests' gift bags. And if you want a sunset ceremony, make sure you know when to say your vows by checking SunriseSunset.com.

4. Check your credit

Take advantage of wedding expenses and sign up for a credit card with a rewards program. Whether it gives you airline miles or great shopping deals, consolidating all wedding-related purchases to this card will help you accumulate thousands of rewards points (which could be used for your honeymoon).

5. Pay it forward

Let one vendor lead you to another. Your photographer can tell you which florist's blooms really pop, and your reception manager should know which band packs the dance floor.

6. Lighten your list

The easiest way to trim your budget? Cut your guest list. Remember, half of your wedding expenses go to wining and dining your guests. If it's costing you $100 per person, eliminating one table of 10 can save you $1,000.

7. Ask and you might receive

Request an extra hour for cocktails or for your band to throw in that Frank Sinatra sound-alike before you sign on the dotted line. Most vendors would rather secure the reservation than nickel-and-dime you early on and turn you off. Later on, though, they may have less of a motive to meet you halfway.

8. Make a meal plan

Another unforeseen expense? Feeding your wedding day crew. Before you sign the contracts, make sure you're not required to serve the same meal to your vendors that guests will receive. Otherwise, you could be paying for 20 additional lobster tails. Choose a less expensive (but equally hearty) meal for them instead. You will have to let your caterer know a couple of days before the wedding exactly how many vendors you need to feed (don't forget photography assistants and band roadies) and what you want them to serve.

9. Get focused

In a three-ring binder, compile all your correspondences with vendors; notes you make during meetings; and photos or tear sheets from magazines you want vendors to see. Set up a special email address dedicated to your wedding, and store important vendor numbers in your cell phone.

10. Leave some room in your wallet

Your wedding budget should follow this formula: 48-50 percent of total budget to reception; 8-10 percent for flowers; 8-10 percent for attire; 8-10 percent for entertainment/music; 10-12 percent for photo/video; 2-3 percent for invites; 2-3 percent for gifts; and 8 percent for miscellaneous items like a wedding coordinator. It's essential to allocate an extra 5-10 percent of your money for surprise expenses like printing extra invites because of mistakes, additional tailoring needs, umbrellas for a rainy day, and ribbons for the wedding programs.

11. Prepare for rejection

Know that as a rule, about 30 percent of the people you invite won't attend. Naturally, this depends on the location of your wedding (destination weddings are harder to attend), how many out-of-towners are on your list, and the timing of the event (some guests may have annual holiday or summer plans). On the other hand, everyone could accept -- knowing your wedding will be the can't-miss party of the year!

12. Make a uniform kids policy

You have four choices: you can welcome children with open arms; you can decide to have an "adults only" wedding; you can include immediate family only; or, you can hire a child care service to provide day care either at the reception space, in a hotel room, or in a family member's home. To prevent hurt feelings, it's wise to avoid allowing some families to bring children while excluding others (unless, of course, the children are in your bridal party).

13. Take it one step at a time

Put together a wedding planning schedule and do things one by one, in a logical order, so you don't take on too much too fast and end up with everything snowballing around you. Don't hire any vendors before you've confirmed your date; don't design your cake before you've envisioned your flowers; and don't book a band before you've settled on a space.

14. Keep a paper trail

Get any nonstandard changes to your agreements in writing or send the vendor a confirmation email saying, "Hello, just confirming that you'll keep the venue open until 2 a.m. versus midnight." Don't take anyone on his word -- by the time the big day rolls around, your contact may no longer be working there to vouch for you.

15. Learn about marriage licenses

You can check your state's license requirements online, but confirm with a call to the county clerk's office to see when they're open. Even if it's open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., they may issue marriage licenses only during slower times like, say, Thursdays from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Give a copy of your marriage license to your mom or your maid of honor (just in case you lose yours during the final days before your wedding).

16. Go over ground rules

Be prepared! Ask the manager of the house of worship or site where you will be married for the list of restrictions (if any). For instance, are flash photography or bare shoulders prohibited? Or, if you're exchanging vows outdoors, are you allowed to plant tent stakes in the lawn (which is often a no-no)?

17. Reserve rooms

As soon as you have picked a date, start to look for hotels in a wide variety of price points. Many hotels allow you to reserve rooms for guests under a special wedding block and a reduced rate. You can then release any unbooked rooms a month prior to your wedding. If the hotels you contact insist upon contracts with cancellation penalties, just say no -- you don't want to be responsible for rooms you can't fill.

18. Provide accurate driving directions

Make sure guests know where they're going. As easy as online map programs are to use, sometimes the directions are wrong -- or there's a quicker, less traffic-prone route to take. Ask your ceremony and reception sites for printouts of recommended driving directions, which they often keep in stock for weddings and will give to you for free, and test out the routes yourself.

19. Call the fashion police

Don't go dress shopping on your own -- all the gowns will start to look the same after a while and it will be harder to recall which style you really loved. But be careful about who you do bring. If your mom or sibling can't make the trip, ask a friend who is truly honest. This is the time when you really need to know which dress looks best.

20. Be realistic with your time

When it comes down to the last month of your planning (and when you're particularly harried) look at your mile long to-do list and cut three things. Yes, cut three things. Not crucial things that you just don't feel like doing, such as picking a processional song or confirming final details with all of your vendors. Eliminate only the over-the-top tasks like hand-painting "Just Married" signs, or baking cookies for all of the welcome bags. Make a pledge to not think about them ever again.

© 2008 The Knot Inc. All rights reserved.
-- The Knot

http://ww2.7online.com/Global/story.asp?S=7932416

Labels: advice, planning, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 4:09 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

All about hair

Origianal post from http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk

Feb 26 2008 by Lara Johnson, Western Mail

We are fast approaching spring, and this can often be the time of year that those of you who are to be married are looking for ideas.

Choosing your wedding hairstyle should follow the same rules as choosing a hairstyle for everyday life. There are several things to consider: facial shape, build and body type, the balance of the features, as well as the hair’s texture, wave pattern, growth patterns, and density. In deciding on a wedding hairstyle, you also have to consider the length of the hair. Another important factor is whether your day or dress is themed. The hair is there to complement you, not scream for attention itself.

Generally, I suggest that you make sure that your wedding style reflects your personality. For women who normally wear wavy hairstyles, their wedding style could simply involve adding more curl to their existing style. For women who have straight and sleek hair, they may choose to wear their hair up in a sleek and tight twist, or other sleek smooth dressing.

Bear in mind a style that will work for you and your face and body type, most of us tend to look better with even just a few wefts left around the face, obviously to frame our natural beauty. If you are very tall and slim, be careful to avoid too much height and not enough width, or if you are slightly more robust with a round face you may want to add height and keep the sides low in volume and close to the head. This will help to elongate the round face and give it a slimmer appearance. If you have longer hair, you may want to try a dressing that doesn’t involve wearing all of the hair up, bring pieces of the sides and back to the crown area, securing it in a twist, allowing the back and sides to hang in soft flowing curls. Visit your stylist as soon as possible for a consultation and practice; they will work with you to achieve what is perfect for you. It is important to book far enough in advance to allow time to not only get the style right but to also achieve the colour and if needed a colour match for hair pieces.

Labels: hairstyle, planning, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 7:32 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

This is the year for the environmentally conscious. From big corporations to the "Average Joe", we are making efforts to cut down on unnecessary waste. Now, with "green" wedding planning we are making the effort too.

Accoring to LJWorld.com, here are a few things you can do to make your wedding planning green:

• Limit guest travel. Have the wedding in the town where most guests live and can car pool together.
• Have a daytime wedding, outdoors if possible.
• Choose recycled paper for invitations and place cards.
• Serve organic, locally grown food.
• Decorate with organic, locally grown flowers, fruits and veggies. Choose potted plants instead of cut flowers for centerpieces.
• Seek caterers who recycle materials and use linen and china instead of disposables.
• Wear vintage clothes or jewelry, or choose "green" fibers like silk or organic cotton.
• Use candles.
• Go acoustic.
• Hire a hybrid limo, or a horse and buggy.
• Pick digital photos over film.
• Find out how much greenhouse gas your wedding will create at TerraPass.com, which offers to then "offset" the event by inviting you to invest in energy saving technologies.
• Pass it on: Tell your guests that an elegant even can also be light on the environment.

Want some help planning a green wedding? Check out this book from Amazon.com:

Labels: green, planning, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 9:25 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

By Natalie Beck

For almost every wedding, a very important part of the wedding reception is the first dance between the new bride and groom. This dance is used to cement the relationship between man and wife and is generally a very formal affair. For many individuals, this will be the first time that they have ever attempted a classical dance and may be unsure of the steps or timing that will be needed to make their first wedding dance with their new spouse a success.

Labels: dance, planning, reception, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 7:25 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Congratulations! You’re engaged!

So what’s one of the first things we start to stress about when we start to plan our wedding? We want to look perfect in that dress! We need to lose a few pounds!

I see so many brides worry about their weight. Many start to crash diet and add that additional stress to their wedding planning. Remember ladies, he proposed to you as you are and is probably more than happy with the way you look. We are the ones that are creating this pressure.

However, if you do have a weight loss goal, it’s important to use a healthy method of dieting.

To help, I found a few resources on Amazon.com:


I also did a little research on WebMd.com – they have every possible subject of dieting covered – and pulled a few healthy tips to pass along to you.

1. Eat breakfast. Breakfast helps give you staying power throughout your day. Studies show that eating breakfast may help keep you from binging later in the day. No need to eat a lot -- fruit, a little cereal or an energy bar, and maybe some milk is all you need to get going.

2. Don’t skip meals to "save" calories. You'll likely make up for the skipped meals by snacking later on junk foods, which are high in calories, sugar, and trans fats (harmful fats found in many commercial snacks). Some recent findings show that junk foods make up nearly one-third of the total calories in the typical American diet. Remember, several small meals spread out through the day is the best approach.

3. Eat more lean protein to control your appetite. Go for low-fat dairy; skinless chicken and turkey; fish; lean cuts of beef, pork, and veal; legumes; soy foods; and nuts and seeds. Avoid animal foods that are high in saturated fats (such as fatty cuts of beef and high-fat dairy).

4. Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans (including soy). Studies show that these plant-based disease-fighters make up only 10% of the calories in the American diet. Plant-based foods are high in water and fiber and essential vitamins and antioxidants, yet very low in calories. Diets high in plant-based foods play a key role in the prevention of diseases, including obesity, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

5. Cutting junk food, sugary sodas, and sweet, undiluted fruit drinks out of your diet is an easy way to lose weight over time. For example, cutting out 10 potato chips a day saves 100 calories. Over a year, giving up those chips would translate into 10 pounds of extra fat lost.

6. Adding 20 minutes more of exercise (such as aerobic dancing, walking, jogging, biking, rowing, or swimming) to your current routine will burn an average of 100 calories of fat a day. Over a year’s time, that extra 20 minutes of exercise should allow you to lose 10 pounds.

7. It may also help to eat more frequently. Six small meals per day appears to be the best approach to eating, especially when you're trying to lose weight.

8. The best way to maintain or reach an ideal weight is to burn more calories than you take in. That means increasing activity, and decreasing calorie intake -- but not severely.

I hope you find this information useful. Happy wedding planning!

Labels: diet, planning, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 8:40 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Labels: planning, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 6:28 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

In a recent article from the Liverpool Daily Post, Emma Johnson reported the top wedding trends of today. Here's a breakdown of what she discussed:

Dresses - Strapless in traditional fabrics are big this year, with beautifully beaded bodices. And although ivory and cream are most popular, wedding dresses are also being done in darker colors like cappuccino.

Flowers - Chocolate, mocha and cream are also popular colors in flowers, although red (the traditional color of love) is still popular.

Hair - Big updos with a soft look are popular. It's best to choose a hairdo that incorporates your headdress and veil (which are getting longer this year).

Wedding rings - Men are choosing rings with diamonds as "bling" is in style. White gold, titanium and platinum are more popular than yellow gold. The nice thing about titanium is that it doesn't scratch and therefore can be a better choice for a plain band.

To read this article in its entirety, visit www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk

Labels: bride, groom, planning, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 7:42 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

BC Local News
January 26, 2008

Labels: planning, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

KeepMeCurrent.com

To help you get a better understanding of how to plan a wedding and when you should be making certain key decisions, here's a timeframe you can follow that should ensure that your wedding goes off as smoothly as possible.

10 to 12 months before

If you haven't done it already, this is a good time to announce your engagement and introduce your respective families. Since most reception halls and churches have busy wedding schedules, it is also important to book both as early as possible, preferably at least a year in advance.

It's also a good idea to start putting together a guest list around this time and ask your parents whom they'd like to invite as well. Also, since your budget will determine just about every aspect of your wedding, sit down and determine exactly what you can spend and then develop a savings plan.

6 to 9 months before

This is the time when you want to start booking services, such as a florist, caterer, entertainment and a photographer.

Also, this is a good time to inform any guests who will be traveling significant distances of the date of your wedding. The earlier your guests can book a flight, the less expensive that flight will be.

This is also a good time to order gowns for both the bride and bridesmaids because some manufacturers require a few months to ship to bridal shops.

This is also the time you should ask someone, such as your priest or rabbi, to officiate at your wedding. You may also save significant money if you book your honeymoon around this time.

4 to 5 months before

This is a good time to decide on wedding invitations. Also, now is the ideal time to start hunting for that perfect wedding cake by sampling a number of different bakeries.

Just to be sure, also confirm that all of the bridesmaids have ordered their gowns and start looking for a tuxedo for the groom as well as the groomsmen. If you haven't done so already, purchase your wedding rings and let any other people you'd like to participate in your wedding, such as ushers and readers, know of your intentions.

2 to 3 months before

Finalize your guest list and mail out your invitations. If your guest list includes a considerable amount of people who are spread out geographically, mail the invitations as close to 12 weeks in advance as possible.

This is also a good time to finalize your menu choices for the reception and find all your wedding day accessories such as the ring pillow, candles, etc.

Also, since it is tradition to provide gifts for those in the wedding party as well as the parents of the bride and groom, this is a good time to decide on and purchase those gifts. Just to be safe, confirm that all groomsmen have ordered their tuxedos and finalize all transportation, both to and from the wedding and to the airport for your honeymoon.

1 to 2 months before

Schedule the first bridal-gown fitting. Also finalize the readings you'd prefer during the ceremony and mail them out to anyone who has agreed to do a reading.

If you prefer to host a small gathering for close family and friends after the wedding rehearsal or the night before the wedding, this is a good time to order any food or drinks you might want to serve or make a restaurant reservation.

3 to 4 weeks before

Confirm your honeymoon arrangements and see if your wedding rings are ready. This is also when you should get your marriage license and check the guest list to see who has and hasn't replied. For those who have yet to say whether they’re coming or not, you might want to contact them so you can get a better idea of what the head count will be. You should also prepare and order your wedding program around this time.

1 to 2 weeks before

Get a final attendance count and submit it to the caterer as soon as you know it. Also prepare the final seating chart. Pick up the wedding gown and tuxedo.

Make sure the wedding party picks up their attire. Also, finalize your vows and confirm all wedding-day details such as transportation, photo schedules and addresses. And don't forget to pack for your honeymoon.

The day before

This is mainly when you rehearse for the ceremony and make any final confirmations you might have to make. Also, make sure to get some sleep so you'll look good in all of your wedding photos.

www.keepmcurrent.com

Labels: planning, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 6:21 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I came across this article on bridesmaid dresses and thought it had some handy tips. I'm posting only the tips from this article. To view the entire piece, click on the link at the end.

ScrippsNews.com
By RACHEL LEIBROCK
Sacramento Bee
Friday, January 11, 2008

Alicia Correia was ahead of the curve when, back in 1994, she let her bridesmaids pick which dress they'd like to wear.

Part of it was based on expediency. The 35-year-old Elk Grove resident's pals all lived in different cities, so she mailed them photos of three possible dresses.

"Lucky for me, they all chose the same dress, but in different colors," Correia says of the velvet, tea-length winner.

"So I figured, why not let them have the dress they loved? To this day, people talk about my rainbow of bridesmaids."

Correia's approach and attitude is part of a growing national trend, agrees Kathleen Murray, deputy editor for The Knot, an online wedding portal.

"Brides are trying to create an overall look, and the bridesmaid dress is not just an afterthought," Murray says.

And most brides now understand that one dress does not fit all, she says. In fact, the current vogue is to pick a color and let the bridesmaids select the style.

"It lets the bridesmaids choose something flattering and helps them to be more comfortable," Murray says, on the phone from her Manhattan office.

Which, you know, kind of helps when you want a stress-free wedding.

"If your friends are uncomfortable, it's going to show," Murray says. "Their frowns in the (wedding) photos are going to be very evident."

Keeping that in mind, here are a few other things to remember when picking out a picture-perfect, friendship-preserving bridesmaid dress.

Keep it simple, sweetheart

Conable, the perpetual bridesmaid, says her favorite bridesmaid dress among her seven is stylish and versatile.

"It's black, long and strapless, with a mermaid fit," Conable says. "I've worn it several times to cocktail parties and other formal events. The key is its simplicity. The black just makes it very elegant."

So, just say no to excess taffeta and tulle, busy patterns or froufrou designs.

Think sleek and sophisticated.

"I went to a (bridal) fashion show and the bridesmaid dresses coming down that runway were so chic," Murray says. "They looked like cocktail dresses (I would) wear to a party."

Also big for 2008? Warm colors such as chocolate or plum; copper, gold or pewter metallics; plus classics like navy or white.

Yes, white.

Used to be that tradition frowned on anyone but the bride donning the pure hue, but that idea is definitely passe, Murray says.

"The bride is getting so experimental with her wedding dress, she's getting fashion-forward with the bridesmaid dresses," she says.

Conable, whose collection also includes a sad little iridescent-beaded periwinkle number cut in an unkind clingy fabric, offers this tip: Splurge for something a little nicer.

Quality doesn't have to break the piggy bank, either. A well-made dress can be bought for about $150, Murray says -- although those coveting styles by designers such as Vera Wang or Badgley Mischka should plan on paying between $300 and $500.

Kind of pricey -- so clue in your friends.

And speaking of those friends ... it never hurts to get by with a little help from your BFF.

Simply put: Let at least one bridesmaid in on the process.

"Don't take all your bridesmaids out on that initial shopping trip -- that could be chaotic," Murray says. "Instead, go out scouting with your maid of honor. Take pictures of her in various dresses and e-mail them to everyone to poll them on the choices."

Start by staying away from polyester, Sommerfield says -- it doesn't fit well, it doesn't breathe well and, frankly, it looks cheap.

Instead, look for dresses in silk, soft cottons or -- for an outdoor event -- a crisp linen.

"A good material really makes a difference," Sommerfield says. "Synthetics don't do that. They don't lay well or compliment the body.

"You might as well just wrap a garbage bag around you."

In the end, however, a wedding is, ultimately, about the bride (oh, OK, and the groom), and if she wants what she wants?

Tough luck, bridesmaids.

"It's her dream, it's her big day, it's her choice," Conable says. "You just have to suck it up."

And plan to hit Goodwill the next day.

www.scrippsnews.com

Labels: bridesmaid, dresses, planning, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 8:19 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

New York Times
By LIESL SCHILLINGER

For more practical dreamers, the editors of Real Simple magazine have produced a streamlined “Weddings” manual.

Useful and to-the-point, though padded with Crate and Barrel ads (the company’s stores and Web site will sell the book exclusively until Jan. 28), the book’s goal is to show readers how to have a well-organized and stress-free wedding.

“It sounds simple, right?” they ask. “All you need to do is step-pause-step down the aisle, exchange rings, say a few things, and — dum dum da dum — hop in your getaway car.” (If it were really that simple, they wouldn’t have shoehorned in so many worksheets and tick-off lists.)

Still, they show what can be achieved with a little planning and a lot of imagination, listing options to suit different budgets.

Some of their tips: Start a month-by-month planning calendar as soon as possible, then search for wedding locations on the Internet. If St. Bart’s is booked, what about an art gallery, a barn, your own backyard?

Once you know when and where you will wed, enlist the Web to fill in the “hows.” Always creative, the editors spotlight a recent resource, felicite.com, which allows guests to chip in on big-ticket gift items, like a Scandinavian dining table or a hand-painted armoire.

They suggest other penny-wise measures, like having an iPod be your D.J., or holding a picnic instead of a catered meal. The book profiles couples who married according to the Real Simple ethos, including one who got engaged during proposal season last year and overcame obstacles of geography (the bridegroom is Irish, the bride is from North Carolina) and budget (they held a potluck dinner) to create their ideal wedding. They bought their cake online, but ornamented it with fresh daisies. The story they tell is a reminder that a marriage isn’t about the wedding, it’s about the couple.

REAL SIMPLE: WEDDINGS.

By the editors of Real Simple.

160 pp. Real Simple Books.

$12.95.

www.nytimes.com

Labels: advice, planning, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

ABC 7 Eyewitness News
By Celeste Perron

You're a bride-to-be, so now you can indulge your every emotion and whim, right? Not so fast. It's most definitely your moment to be pampered and reign supreme, so maintaining perspective will make the whole planning process more fun and less mentally exhausting. We suggest you use the New Year as motivation to follow these 10 sanity-preserving rules:

1. I can live without lady's slipper orchids. As you've discovered, there's a big world of amazing, over-the-top wedding options -- from caviar tastings to three-color origami letterpress invitations -- and many of them are jaw-droppingly expensive. If you find that you're being attracted to things that will have your budget bursting at the seams, it's time for a reality check. Ask yourself: What will those fragile flowers (or whatever your expensive obsession is) truly add to my wedding? If the answer is just "impressed glances from five in-the-know female guests," then you're better off spending that dough on something more people will appreciate -- a killer band maybe? -- or, better yet, splurging more on your honeymoon.

2. I won't make my bridesmaids look like clones. Every good friend knows that along with the honor of being a bridesmaid comes the obligation to wear a dress in a color and style that's not of her choosing. So your girls accept that, but it doesn't mean they'll submit happily if you force them to wear identical shoes, jewelry, wraps, and hairstyles. In order to have a great time at your wedding, your bridesmaids need to feel attractive too -- something that's impossible if you've micromanaged their looks down to the lipstick hue. (Plus, buying a bunch of matching accessories they may never wear again gets expensive.) And your bridesmaids will look even better if you give them leeway to let their individual styles shine through the blush-colored chiffon gowns you've dressed them in. So let them choose their hair and makeup styles; give them more than one option with accessories like shoes, jewelry, and cover-ups.

3. I won't invite my second cousin's fling. When you're putting your list together, a spirit of irrationally warm hospitality might take over, making you inclined to invite all of your single guests' guys/girls-of-the-moment. We know you're thinking: "What if they get married one day? I'll feel terrible if my cousin by marriage wasn't at our wedding." But remember, aside from the (big) expense of inviting every single person with a date, you don't want to celebrate the most important event of your life thus far with a bunch of people you'll likely never see again. Trust us, if you invite cousin Bill's arm candy, she'll somehow wind up front and center in half of the photographs, but he'll dump her before you return from your honeymoon, and you won't remember her name in a year. So make a rule about plus ones (maybe it's "only couples who've been dating for more than a year" or "only members of the wedding party get to invite random dates") and stick to it.

4. I won't obsess over my registry. Once you delve into the world of fine stemware, charger plates, and exotic kitchen gadgets, it's only natural that you'll want to get even more immersed in it -- and start second - and third - guessing every registry decision. And online options make it all too easy to review and revise what you've asked for at every whim. So give yourself a deadline after which you're not allowed to tinker with your registry -- say, six months before the wedding -- so you can stop fixating on "bone china vs. Limoges?" and start obsessing over seating charts instead!

5. I'll loosen up about the rehearsal dinner. As a bride, it's pretty much your inalienable right to micromanage every aspect of the wedding if you choose to. The rehearsal dinner, not so much. If you're lucky enough to have the night-before celebration thrown for you by the groom's family or somebody similar, everything will go most smoothly if you offer your input only when asked and on a few issues that are super-important to you. If your future mother-in-law sends out invitations you find unbearably tacky or fills the centerpieces with your least favorite flower, keep in mind that everybody in attendance will understand that the rehearsal isn't reflective of your style.

6. I'll write thank-you notes as the gifts come in. Yes, you're busy, but you can always carve out 10 minutes from your schedule to write a thank-you note. So place your stationery box and a big sheet of stamps in the center of your desk and sit down to express your gratitude within 48 hours of a gift coming in. If you wait, your note-writing list will quickly grow to a frightening length, and it'll become that much more intimidating to tackle it. And if you let too much time pass before writing your notes, the gift-giver might wonder if you received the present.

7. I won't stress out about his bachelor party. What happens on his stag night is totally out of your control and not for you to know or ever find out. He wouldn't be marrying you if he didn't vastly prefer being by your side instead of being surrounded by 10 intoxicated buddies and expensive entertainment named Bambi. 'Nuff said.

8. I won't have unrealistic weight expectations. Choose a dress you look gorgeous in at your regular weight. Sure, you're likely to shed a couple of pounds in the weeks before the wedding due to a packed schedule and jitters, but consider that as a bonus. Don't strive to lose any more than that at the last minute. Crash dieting will make you exhausted and bitchy, and no number on the scale will compensate if you're too weak to handle the demands and savor the excitement of your wedding celebrations.

9. I won't let downers dampen my enthusiasm. As you've no doubt already noticed, there are people out there who seem determined to make you feel bad about your wedding planning excitement. Maybe they're single and jealous, or not-so-happily married and bitter, or just the types who can't bear to witness other people's joy without trying to chip away at it. It can be hard to ID these people because their negativity is often backhanded and disguised as advice ("Don't stress about the details so much -- it's just a party that will be over in five hours!"), or because they might ask you lots of questions about your wedding day details only to teasingly call you "Bridezilla" when you answer. But once you've noticed that discussing your plans with certain people leaves you feeling defensive or deflated, cross them off your list of conversation partners. You have plenty of others in your life who are genuinely excited for you and eager to hear about (almost) every aspect of the planning process.

10. I'll make my album within one year of the wedding. When you come back from your honeymoon, putting together your wedding album may seem like a daunting task. There will be so many beautiful and funny photos to choose from, and after months of daily wedding-related decisions, you may decide to take a break and do the album later. Not to mention the fact that a nice album doesn't come cheap, so it'll be tempting to wait until your funds have been replenished before shelling out for it. But as many of your married friends who had similar plans will tell you, the years slip by quickly, and it's all too easy to wind up with nothing but a proof book and some Snapfish albums on your fifth anniversary. So bite the bullet and order your album while the memories are fresh and you still have a little wedding planning momentum driving you forward.

http://ww2.7online.com

Labels: bride, planning, wedding

Posted by Invito Cards at 9:41 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post