Bridal Shows in Texs, Canada & Save The Date with Martha

Here are just a few Bridal Events that you should know about.  A great tip...

Wear comfy shoes and if you have extra mailing lables (or hey, create them!!) bring them with you.  Why?  With so many brides and vendors saying "can you just fill this out?", you can peel and stick your way through the show without having to wait for a pen.  Pretty smart huh and eco-friendly.  Use those left-over labels.

HOUSTON BRIDES:You have a bridal expo on Jan 8-9. Held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, you will find great information to help you prepare for your wedding day. 

PORTLAND BRIDES: Have you registered for the Portland Bridal Show on Jan 15-16 yet? It's $9.00, but they have a $1.00 coupon on their site.

 

TORONTO BRIDES: Jan 21-23 attend the city's BIGGEST bridal show with everything you need to plan a lavish affair or a quiet destination wedding. Sample, compare prices & view the hottest trends with over 350 of the best wedding retailers and service providers in southern Ontario all without having to schedule a single appointment.

ONTARIO BRIDES: Jan 15-16 join this one stop shopping experience. Have a first look at a variety of vendors for your wedding! Offering tons of show specials throughout the weekend and many prizes to be won including 13 aisle prizes located throughout the show, a Stagette Party Night and the Honeymoon grand prize.

SAVE THE DATE - Martha Stewart Weddings: 

March 12 & 13. 11am-4pm Everything you need to know to plan your wedding.  Have a chat with the editors of Martha Stewart Weddings w/o leaving your home.  Register for this event…it’s sure to be fun.

TLC seeking Couples in NY/NJ/CT & Miami

TLC is currently casting Season Three of Four Weddings featuring NY, NJ, CT & MIAMI brides getting married in OCTOBER 2010 – MARCH 2011! TLC gives four brides the opportunity to compare notes with otherbrides, attend each other’s weddings and… Win an exciting 5 star Honeymoon!   They are looking to feature ALL types of weddings: Traditional, over the top, unusual venues or event spaces, married on a cliff, at the zoo…you get the idea.

If you’d like to be considered for the show, please immediately email your name,
wedding date, location, contact info and a picture of you & your fiancé to: TLCBrides@gmail.com. However, This is NOT a “Bridezillas” type of show. Sadly, destination Weddings are noteligible** **NY, NJ, CT weddings must be within an hour of NYC** **Miami weddings must be within an hour of Miami**

Join BridalTweet for a Red Carpet Wedding

BridalTweet (www.BridalTweet.com) is a free online wedding community where brides, wedding vendors, and wedding bloggers can create meaningful relationships. At BridalTweet.com, brides can find free wedding advice, exclusive offers, giveaways, local events, and more.

Beginning today Sept 15 - October 30, BridalTweet.com is running a contest, awarding one lucky bride a complimentary rental of dazzling diamond earrings to wear on her wedding day. Each bride who joins BridalTweet.com before October 30 will be entered to win, compliments of Adorn Brides. “The Red Carpet Wedding contest is our way of thanking brides for joining our wedding community,” said Christine Dyer, creator and founder of BridalTweet.com. “We’re seeing that brides will rent anything from visual props to floral arrangements, table linens, head-pieces and sometimes even dresses; why not rent diamonds for the special day.”

Each bride that joins BridalTweet.com will also gain access to the wedding community’s ongoing benefits such as free wedding advice, exclusive offers, giveaways, information about local events, a local vendor directory, and more. All BridalTweet.com members, including brides, wedding vendors, and wedding bloggers, can also share tips and information via chats, blogs, discussions, groups, photos, and videos.

Every bride, regardless of her budget deserves to have access to the very best in bridal accessories, so why not rent them?

While everything is subject to general rental terms and conditions of Adorn Brides. you can see official Red Carpet Wedding rules for complete details: www.bridaltweet.com/notes/Red_Carpet_Wedding_Rules

Good Luck!!

Be the bride on NY Fashion Night Out

Insert photo caption or credit her

With all the excitement of fashion week, there are several shops that have not forgotten about the bride and groom. Who did you ask? Well I’m here to tell you. I’ve gone through the list of designers & retailers and these are in the wedding (specialty) category. While I could write about each and every retailer, I’ve just noted a few that may have you thinking about your wedding in a different way. Again, every shop you go to tonight, will be offering you the opportunity to share in a ‘special discount’, gift with purchase or a little goodie just for you.

Realistically, attending every event is impossible, however I offer this suggestion. Remember bring engaged is ‘supposed’ to be a good time. I didn’t say always easy, stress-free or always fun. Let’s be honest about it. What I am suggesting is that, this list offers you options that you may not have thought of. Of course tonight has the ‘added benefit’ of a portion of your purchases going to a great cause the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, but these retailers would love to see you anytime.

ASPREY – Will be showcasing Vogue’s very own top wedding registry gift ideas BULGARI - Have you thought about a unique and meaningful wedding ring? Bulgari’s Save the Children ring and pendant. For their 125th anniversary, Bulgari has created a special ring and pendant; of which $60 will be donated to Save the Children’s “Rewrite the Future” campaign. Remember it’s sometimes better to give…
CARLOS MIELE
CAROLINA DESIGN
CAROLINA HERRERA – Beyond amazing, truly classic, perfectly stylish.
DAVID YURMAN
GABRIELLA NY BRIDAL SALON
J. CREW – Check out their bridesmaids’ attire.
J. MENDEL
JACOB & CO. - Champagne and caviar and a special drawing to be held for a necklace – can you say amazing bridal BLING??
JEAN YU - The opportunity to have your lingerie custom-made? A mysterious orange beverage will entice you and you know how much I love both ‘orange’ and a good beverage.
JONVALDI COUTURE
JUAN CARLOS OBANDO
JUSSARA LEE
KAREN KARCH
KIKI DE MONTPARNASSE
LITTLE KING LTD.
MICHELLE NEW YORK
MOMO FALANA
MORGANE LE FAY
NICOLE MILLER
NORMA KAMALI - Complimentary face and body massages for all visitors
THE SHOPS AT THE PLAZA
STEPHEN RUSSELL
TAKASHIMAYA
VANESSA NOEL
VBH
VERA WANG - Vera will offer advice and tips as she styles guests. For those shoppers who are camera-ready, pose for a photograph with the designer in the “Studio Booth.” Sip the signature drink of the night, “Vera Vodka. There are also giv-a-ways…no, not a dress, but some other bridal worthy goodies.

Of course as a bride, you have to look beyond tonight so here are a few tidbits for you.

Beginning today,The Bridal Atelier - Mark Ingram will begin his Fall Trunk Shows. There are some lovely designers coming up, so do put these on your calendar:

Anna Maier~Ulla Maija Trunk Show
September 10-12
Elizabeth Fillmore Trunk Show
September 17-19
Anne Bowen Trunk Show
September 21-23
Rivini Trunk Show
September 24-26

Pronovias is hosting a trunk show on September 19, 2009 – by appointment only.

I know that there is a lot to do and as I attend Bridal Fashion Week there will be more to share so remember to keep reading for interviews with vendors, sales, and yes even a few surprises.

It’s Christmas in September with NYC Fashion Night Out September 10, 2009

Anna Wintour. Photo: David Prutting

You’ve heard about it, you have plotted your strategy on where you will go and tonight is the night. Some of the cities most fashionable shops keep their doors open until 11:00pm. Unless you have discovered how to clone yourself, it is humanly impossible to attend all 800+ shops and events tonight. In other words this is the one time not to be ‘fashionably late’ or for the faint of heart (or foot).

Think of it as a giant Halloween treat-or-treat night. Here are just a few highlights that may help you plan your path. You can create your itinerary as well as she what’s going on all night long. http://fashionsnightout.com/designers.php

The stars are coming out in full-force tonight. They will be at several locations and in some cases their own stores. So don’t think you’re seeing things if your favorite designer is ‘every place you seem to be’.

Here are some of my favorites who will be attending (not a complete list at all!):
Bergdorf Goodman (754 Fifth Avenue)
The prince of Vogue - Mr. Andre Leon Talley, Isaac Mizrahi, the shoe god Manolo Blahnik, Donna Karan, Zac Posen, Padma Lakshmi, Posh Beckham, Peter Som, Cynthia Rowley.

Barney’s (660 Madison Ave)
Isabel Toledo, Narciso Rodriguez, Amanda Brooks, Jonathan Adler, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen will be pouring the perfect NY Fashion Night Out cocktail.

Saks Fifth Avenue (611 Fifth Ave)
Justin Timberlake, Trace Ayala, Carolina Herrera, Donna Karen, Elie Tahari, Giuseppe Zanotti, Josie Natori, Ralph Rucci, and Sarah Brown.

Macy’s in Queens (Queens Center – 90-01 Queens Blvd.)
How appropriate that the Queen of the night Anna Wintour, will be at holding court along with Michael Kors, Blake Lively and the cast of “Hair”. I’m sure Ms. Wintour will be spotted at several locations throughout the city mingling. Without a doubt, this is truly her NYC party and we get the gifts.

The extraordinary good-looking Hugh Jackman and Chance Crawford will be at Jeffery (449 W. 14th Street)

Pharrell Williams will be on hand at his Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Shop (456 West Broadway)

If you are looking for freebies/discounts:
Honestly, there are just too many stores to list.

Food? Did someone say Food?
After all the shopping you just may need a real meal right? I mean you have to keep up your strength. There are several restaurants throughout the city that are offering Complimentary special appetizer or dessert with purchase of entrée. All you need is an American express card to take advantage of these exclusive dining offers.

If you are wearing your best ‘sex-kitten’ heels and get tired:
Free Fashion’s Night Out Shuttle Bus
During Fashion’s Night Out, there will be free shuttle buses running in Manhattan 6–11pm. These special double-decker buses have been generously provided by Gray Line New York and Payless Shoe Source as the official ride of Fashion’s Night Out.

There will be uptown and downtown bus loops provided. Both bus loops will make their first two stops on Sixth Avenue between 35th and 36th Streets, and across from the Payless Shoe Source store at Fifth Avenue and 39th Street. Riders can transfer from an uptown bus to a downtown bus, and vice versa, at either of these locations. After each bus completes its loop, it will return to the starting point and continue the route again.

Don't just look like a millionaire, spread the karma...
Buy a Fashion's Night Out designer T-shirt and 40% of the proceeds will be donated to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center. Shirts are available for purchase at participating retailers throughout the City. If you can’t attend but want to do your part, check out Nordstrom.com, NeimanMarcus.com, Gilt.com, and RalphLauren.com as well as all the stores listed in ‘pink’

Neither rain, nor sore feet, nor crowds at night will keep a NYC Fashionista from one of the best events of the year. See you there.

Even Carrie Bradshaw would appreciate Fashion Night Out NYC 2009

The crispness in the air not only signifies back to school, fall – just around the corner, but also the preview of spring fashion 2010. Living in the fashion capital of the world has many perks, but this year, New York City is pulling out all the stops. They are going beyond the shows, beyond the celebrities, beyond your wildest fashion imagination.

Fashion’s Night Out is the official preview to fashion week. On September 10, all major retailers in NYC will have their doors open late – really late. Just think of it as 'Christmas in September'. While most of the festivities will begin at 6:00pm, there are a few stores that will begin at 5:30. Bergdorf Goodman is one of those stores who will begin early and they star-studded. Mr. Zac Posen, a personal favorite of mine will be there, as he paints one-of-a kind dress, which will be modeled throughout the store. I know first hand that Zac is talented – how? He created a one-of-a-kind dress for me. I stepped into the he picked and he cut (literally) the material around my body while I stood very still. Truly a master at work and a dress I will treasure always.

Just up the street on Madison Avenue, the grand dame of classic, Carolina Herrera invites you to “Come. Be Art,” with Larry Fink. Mrs. Herrera will fete photographer Larry Fink as he unveils his limited-edition book “Night at the Met,” a portrayal of revelers at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Apollo Circle Benefit in 2007. You are also invited to meet Mrs. Herrera and Fink and you can create your own photographs in a digital photo booth set up in the boutique.

At Jean Yu in Soho, you can have lingerie made-to-measure service—what an indulgence! How often do you have the opportunity to have your lingerie custom-made – perfect for your wedding night? A New York extravagance, this service (usually 25 percent on retail prices) will be offered at no additional charge. A do not miss opportunity!

While you’re downtown, Vera Wang will celebrate the night with American Idol judge Kara Dioguardi and other special guests at her ready-to-wear boutique located at 158 Mercer Street in SoHo. If you are more of an 'uptown girl, head to her Flagship store at 991 Madison Avenue, for expert wedding advice from Sylvia Weinstock, floral arrangements by Michael George and other special guests.

The men in your life may not be fashionistas but there are events for him as well. As you shop at Jimmy Choo just down the block , he can take a break and sample John Allan’s pop-up club in Barneys New York. John Allan’s will be offering complimentary cleanups, manicures, and shoe shines so you can look your best from head to toe. With every purchase of a hair, skin, or shave product from the John Allan’s line, you will also receive a special-rate gift card to experience John Allan’s signature Full Service (scalp-massaging shampoo and conditioning treatment, hot towel, haircut, manicure, and shoeshine).

While you’re out, keep in mind that proceeds from the sale of the official Fashion’s Night Out T-shirt will soon be donated to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. We all love great fashion and good bargains, but let’s not forget the men, women and children that won’t be able to enjoy this night. I can’t think of a better reason to buy a t-shirt.

In keeping with the good feeling that you are receiving, you can choose another way to give back. There is a city wide Clothing Drive that will take place, encouraging everyone to donate new and/or gently used clothing. The donated clothing will be given to the NYC AIDS Fund. If you click on the clothing drive link, you will find out which stores are taking donations. Please remember there are people that could use your help ESPECIALLY, during this hard economic time. Most of all, it is good fashion karma.

There are so many wonderful things going on, I wish it was two days. If you need help, here is a link so you can plan your night. What do I recommend - comfy shoes!

Have a great night – and isn’t fashion great?

Weddings 101 - Destination Island Weddings: beauty, warm breezes and a cost-saving alternative

Can we talk – Honestly?? The economy is really a bummer and to worry about planning your wedding, the stress of having a job (or even keeping your job) is probably creating havoc on you and your partner. Then again, maybe you’ve decided to take the pressure off and do a destination wedding. Why not? This way all you have to do is pick your bridal party, tell them where, when and then you all arrive.

I have some of my own personal favorites, but each island in the Caribbean, British Virgin Island and the US Virgin Islands all offer beauty, picturesque locations, hotels, villas and best of all, the opportunity to have warm weather and sunshine (something we’ve not seen a lot of here in NY lately).

As quickly as I can write them, you’ll be getting the true 411 on islands like: Aruba, Anguila, Turks & Caicos, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominican Republic, Nassau, Curacao and a few more of some of the most beautiful and in some cases “hidden” islands of the Caribbean.

To help you with your planning you will need to make sure some of the following questions are answered. Remember, you don’t want any (additional) last minute problems. Also when you are booking your wedding with the hotel, find out what is included. If you don’t ask, you may not find out.

1 - Do you need to file a ‘Notice of Intent to Marry’ with the registrar on the island? What is the cost?
2 – Do you want a civil ceremony or religious one? Who will perform the ceremony, and what is needed (ie, if Jewish, you may need a letter from your home synagogue or cantor)?
3 – How do you get there?? This may seem obvious, but remember quite a few of the islands you have to take either a puddle-jumper or ferry to the island after flying to a larger port. For example to get to Jost Van Dyke I had to land in St. Thomas and then a ferry to the island.
4 – Is there another event on the island the same time as your wedding? Remember supply/demand costs. So if there is a Jazz Festival or the Regatta race, you may pay more for your wedding and your guests more for their airfare/hotel.
5 – If you are allowing children to attend, is there something/someone to take care of them while their parents enjoy the ceremony?
6 – Has the island a successful record of having weddings?
7 – What happens if there is an ‘Act of God’ (hurricane, the location burns down, power-outage), or you decide to cancel the ceremony (due to change of date or change your mind about getting married)? Do you need to take out extra insurance to re-coop some of the money spent that you may/may not be able to get back? How does the hotel deal with hurricane season?
8 – If this is a second-marriage do you need your divorce decree or if widowed, the death certificate?
9 – Is there a waiting period? Some islands have everything from 3-day residency to 30 Days. No that is NOT a typo – Make sure you find these things out.
10 – May sound silly but unless you and your guests are conversational, is this an island where English is spoken? Remember to respect the people, language and culture of the islands; after all, you are on THEIR turf.
11 – Do they have an on-site wedding coordinator or do you have to ‘hire’ one?
12 – What comes with their wedding package? Does it include music, photographer, will they take care of all the paper work for you so you don’t have to?
13 – If you choose to bring your own wedding coordinator, photographer, how much will that add to your wedding expense? Do they stay at the same property or is there a ‘less-expensive’ hotel near by?
14 – If you are getting married “off-property” will they provide transportation if you are having your reception there? If not how do you find reliable transportation?
15 – Do they have any package deals that you are not aware of? This may mean additional savings to you and/or your guests.

As I go through all the information, from all the islands, if there are any special “keys” I’ll highlight them. Some are very eco-friendly, some are all-inclusive and even a private island that I absolutely love. I will say that I’ve been very fortunate to travel a great deal and if I had to pick an island, it would be a difficult choice. However, keep in mind that you can always renew your vows, get married on one and honeymoon on another. You can always find a new island each year and re-confirm your love over and over again.

Top 5 tips to be and stay in shape for your wedding and beyond

iPhone and iPod

Ok, so I don’t know if or when we will have a even a real summer, but don’t let that stop you from getting in the best shape possible. Declan Condron, the co-creator and exercise physiologist of PumpOne FitnessBuilder, has given me his Top 5 Tips to be- and stay- bikini ready this summer! He also has a FREE Offer for you.

Declan gives these top 5 tips to be and stay bikini ready:

1. Try to do something everyday: no matter how simple it may seem. This does not necessarily mean you have to be at the gym everyday for hours. By making some smart decisions you can add in exercise in short spurts throughout the day, like taking the stairs.

2. Don’t get caught in the "Spot Reduction" rut: spot reduction does not exist. It refers to the idea that if you do a ton of exercises for a certain body part, it will become beautifully sculpted. There is no such thing! The best way to lose weight and gain muscle tone is to perform a total body-conditioning program and eat a healthy diet.

3. Focus on a small goal: don’t psych yourself out by trying to lose 25 pounds. Concentrate on a smaller number like losing 1 to 2 clothing sizes. It makes a huge difference!

4. Avoid those tasty summer thirst quenchers: come summer, people break out the blenders and mixes to whip up margaritas and daiquiris. But all that sugar and alcohol can play a very detrimental role in losing weight and gaining muscle. You have to realize that alcohol is empty calories with no nutritional value. It also can increase fluid retention, which leads to bloating. Bloating is the last thing you want when in a bathing suit or in your wedding dress!

5. Don’t stick to the same workout: have an “all-round conditioning program” that includes strength training, cardio and flexibility training. An ideal plan has three days of strength training, two-three days of cardio, and stretching as often as possible.

Now for the Freebie.
PumpOne FitnessBuilder is an Application for the iPhone and iPod touch available exclusively free for you. I feel so like Oprah (only on a much, much smaller scale!!) FitnessBuilder features over 400 complete workouts and a growing collection of over 4,000 exercise images and videos that users can drag and drop to create their own workouts. The benefits of PumpOne workouts include:

• A professional trainer who guides you through complete workouts with video and audio coaching using both male and female exercise demonstrations.
• Each exercise image shows a start and end position that tells you exactly what body-part you are working.
• A variety of already available and downloadable workouts focused on everything from abs and fat burn to yoga and Pilates to office stretches and lower back relief.

So you can create your workout – you know tailor it for your own Bridal Bootcamp. This is a free version and if you want the advanced version, it is available at the iTunes App Store for $19.99.

More information and a tutorial of FitnessBuilder can be found at PumpOne.com. Don’t delay, download today.

Celebrity stylist Charles Baker Strahan and Herbal Essences Hydraclicious - a great combination

Herbal Essences Hydralicious collection

Is anyone else besides me tired of this rainy weather?? My hair is looking like a giant puffball and even with all the ‘moisture’ in the air; my hair is dry, dry, dry. A while ago, I met celebrity stylist Charles Baker Strahan and he told me about the then new line of Herbal Essences Hydralicious collection products. This collection (three shampoos and conditioners) contains swirls that are actually two different formulas, and when the swirls combine with water, moisturizers are released to repair hair and help protect it from future damage.

Well yesterday, I tried the Hydralicious, which is the Reconditioning Hydrator formula; perfect for my hair type which is super curly and yes I’ll admit, with highlights which I’m sure make my hair even drier. All I can say is - WOW. So much so, that the woman sitting next to me under the dryer asked what I was using because she said “your hair smells wonderful!!” The real test – the skies became overcast and while the humidity started to rise, my hair stayed perfect. The curls stayed in place; there was bounce and shine in my hair that hadn’t been there in a long time.

I asked Charles, who really wants every woman to have Luscious Hair, to provide you my brides with the key to achieving your best hair condition on your wedding day and beyond.

"Hydration is key as we head into warmer weather. The combination of being out in the sun, flat ironing, blow-drying, and/or curling, robs hair of moisture, therefore causing hair to react more to the dryness and humidity in the air. Healthy, well-hydrated hair responds better to heat styling and allows styling agents to do their job more effectively. This is especially key if you are having a destination wedding.”

Here are a few more keys to Bridal-ready hair:

• Make sure now that you are using the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type. In this case like your friendship with your partner, you are building a healthy base, for healthy-hair by using Herbal Essences Hydralicious to help achieve the look you want. So if you have fine hair – use the “Featherweight Hydrator”; for damaged try “Self Targeting Hydrator” and if you have damaged or dry hair/frizzy hair the “Reconditioning Hydrator” is the product for you.

• Schedule trial appointments for your bridal hair. Be sure to bring your veil or other accessories. These appointments assure that you, your hairdresser and makeup artist share the same vision of your wedding-day look and help guarantee you'll have no surprises on the big day.

• Be sure that the hairdresser you choose for the trial appointment will be available on the day of your wedding. Hairdressers take vacations, too! Again, you don’t want surprises.

• Don’t think about radical changes in hairstyle or color before your wedding day. This is probably just not the best idea. It is better to fine-tune your look now and wait until after the wedding to make more dramatic changes. I do think this is the perfect time to make your hair color a little bit brighter and richer with a few extra highlights or by adding a bit more zip to your overall color.

• Your last touch-up should occur two weeks to 10 days before your wedding day. No hair color changes should occur on the last touch-up.

Charles is the stylist to many well-known celebrities like, Leighton Meester, Becki Newton, Whitney Port and if they trust him for their red-carpet hair, you can trust his advice for your red-carpet wedding day. I’m a believer in his advice and in Herbal Essences. What are you waiting for – start your hair care today.

Your wedding day - top 8 things to remember

The day is almost here. You’ve double, tripled checked everything. You are feeling good that your final count is done and vendors know where they need to be, when and where. So now, you think you can relax and just enjoy the fruit of your labor right? Not so fast. These are just a few things to think about now so you won’t have to worry about them later.

1 – Did you pay everyone?
Make sure that you have written all your final payment checks out a few days before your wedding and give them to your wedding coordinator, or your parents so they can make sure they are handed out the day of your wedding. This is not your job to handle, because at that point, you deserve to have fun.

2 – Who dresses you?
If you are one of my brides that has a ball gown or dress that bustles – make sure that someone knows how to do it. This is the one time - if no other to bring someone to your final fiting to pratice it. Why then, because you won’t want to put on your dress before your wedding and should it get dirty at the final fitting, it will be cleaned and presented to you fresh. There is nothing like having to drag around 4lbs. of material, because your maid of honor doesn’t know how to do it. Hmmm, now that I think of it, you can wear your wedding dress to have your photo's taken and perhaps the first dance, then change into something short and dance worthy if you like.

3 – Food, glorious food.
No matter what you think, you will not sit down and eat. I know you will try, but with you wanting to say ‘hi’ to everyone, taking pictures and of course dancing, you will forget. Have your wedding coordinator, best man or maid of honor feed you hors d’oeuvres and keep your glass full during the cocktail hour. I would also strongly recommend that you ask for a plate of food be put aside for you so you can eat when you get back to your honeymoon suite. Believe me at the end of the night, you will realize just how hungry you are and do you really want to hit McDonalds after spending all that money? I didn’t think so.

4 – Your bridal suite.
If you have a large bridal party, they will all want to crash in your room to change clothes. While it might be fun at the beginning of the day, at the end you will want some time to unwind. There is nothing like going back to your honeymoon suite to have your entire bridal party, partying when all you may want to do is sleep. If you can, get a separate room just for your changing with the girls. This way after your reception it's clean, quiet and you and your honey can truly relax. Of course if you don’t care about that, then disregard.

5 – Packing.
You’ve already packed your suitcase so this isn’t something you have to worry about. Let me say it again...if at all possible at least two weeks before your wedding (earlier if you can), pack what you need for your honeymoon. Leave your suitcase at the ready so this is one thing you won't have to worry about, days before the wedding when you will have other things to do. Believe me, there is nothing like getting to your honeymoon and realizing you forgot something (extra contact lenses, a tooth brush or paste, 1 shoe - I could go on)!! Also, make sure after your wedding that your best man has the grooms tux (if applicable), your maid of honor has your dress (again, if applicable) so all you have to worry about is each other.

6 - Leftover food and flowers.
If you have left over food, or flowers ask if they can be taken to a soup kitchen, instead of leaving it for the staff. They may have done a good job, but I think someone who has less than you, would appreciate it more. You may want to check with your hotel-catering manager when you make arrangements to see if they can do this or if you have to make the arrangements with an outside agency. Hey, it’s a good thing to do and will start your life together with good karma.

7 – Here’s to you!
Those toasting glasses you picked out especially for this day, all the gifts that people may have brought to the wedding, wedding ca-ching…make sure someone you trust (maybe your parents) see that all of it is are safe and taken until you return from your honeymoon.

Finally,
8 – Remember the moments that matter.
Make sure that you take a moment to step back and look at your family and friends at your reception. They are having a good time and when they say the day goes by in the blink of an eye, they mean it. So have a moment to enjoy it.

Until next time...

Budget Brides - Photobooks create inexpensive wedding memories

I fancy myself a photographer and I'm pretty good at it if I do say so myself. With more and more people uploading pictures on facebook and or several photo sites, why not gather those pictures and create a wedding book yourself. This is also a great option for those of you who want to design a more personalized wedding album OR if you (as the guest of) want to give a collection of pictures taken of the happy couple.

Here are a few sites that are not only reputable, but provide a professional book. (note: they are at various price points, so think about how many pictures/pages you want to include before you make your final decision)

BLURB.com – Very simple to use and your photos are printed on matte paper for a true professional finish. Once the album is completed friends and family can purchase their own copy if they want one. www.blurb.com

IPHOTO Book – This is another simple program with a super quick turn-around. You can have Black linen or white paper in either a hard or soft cover. Sorry but this is for MAC users only. www.apple.com

KODAK GALLERY – We all know Kodak and their program is pretty straightforward. The fact that they offer a lot of options (paper style, color printing, matte or glossy finish) can’t be beat.
www.Kodakgallery.com

MY PUBLISHER – I love them for their choice of covers (linen or leather) and for it’s very professional options to create your own dream book. www.mypublisher.com

SHUTTERFLY – Like Kodak, it offers a storyboard that offers layout options and will truly walk you through the process. It has a special wedding format to give you ideas on how to create your book if you draw a blank. www.shutterfly.com

No matter which photo book-making program you decide to use, your book will be perfect – just like your wedding. Use this opportunity to put in some pictures from your engagement and include your wedding day to create something special and unique just like the two of you.