Worst Wedding Ring Exchange. Ever.

Wedding Chicks

For an amazing online bridal resource, check out the Wedding Chicks Site!

The "About" sections states:
'We are connecting wedding professionals with real brides. Everything that cool chicks need! We are talking vendors, fashion, details, you name it! Wedding Chicks has it all! We want to help inspire and create the wedding that suits you! This is wedding info for real wedding chicks. We've got all sorts of great tips from engagement to honeymoon and everything in between!'

They have tons of wedding STUFF to plow through, including blogs, articles, photos and many other resources! And wedding vendors, I hear that you can get yourself listed on the site for just $100 a year. I encourage you to check it out!

Finding Love Again

I read this story from the Dallas Morning News and just thought it was so cute, I had to pass it on.

It's all about how a couple, Bob and Della, found each other after both losing their spouses years earlier. They have so much in common, and even share the same birthday in the same year!

Bob and Della's story is a very sweet one about finding true love all over again :)

New Real Couple

We have a new Real Couple up on Simply Weddings!!

Megan and Doug were married on October 4 on a beautiful fall day with wedding day colors of red, yellow and orange.

Read all about their wedding here! Megan even gives advice for other brides and grooms, so be sure to check it out!

Wedding Bash success

Well, the Bridal Bash thrown by Studio 7 Photography and hosted by the Rail was a success! Many brides and grooms came through, as well as brides with their moms or friends, to check out all of the vendors.

I had never been out to the Rail before and I was thoroughly impressed! The tent that they set up for events is great!

Here are a few pictures from the event...

Studio 7's setup

Matt Stevens spins some tunes for the brides

Brides and couples talk with the vendors

Reminder: Bridal Bash Sunday!

I wanted to post one last reminder about the Bridal Bash hosted by Studio 7 Photography on Sunday, October 12 from 2-4 p.m. at the Rail!!

Here is a final listing of all of the great local wedding vendors who are going to be there:

*Steven's DJ Service

*David's Bridal

*Savvi Formalwear

*Specialty Cakes

*Poe's Catering

*Friday'z Floralz

*Treetop Productions

*Bergner's Gift Registry

*The Rail Golf Course

*Harmony Cutting Edge Limo

And of course Studio 7 Photography with all of their new albums, thank you notes, Save-the-Date cards and much more!

So get all your friends, bridesmaids, sisters, mom or future in-laws and come on out on Sunday to get some great wedding ideas, talk to some vendors, sample great food and discuss all your weddings needs and wants!!

An $80,000 Wedding?!

On Friday I was called by Rhys Saunders of the SJ-R who told me he was working on a story about a local couple who are in the running to win a contest for an $80,000 wedding. When he threw out that figure, I was speechless!

The average wedding in the U.S. costs around $28,000. Obviously when you're not on a budget, it's easy to spend much more, but $80,000?? Wow! I can't imagine what a wedding like that would look like!

The destination wedding is to be held on April 4 and includes includes invitations, a rehearsal dinner, the ceremony, lodging, flowers, cake, the wedding dress, brunch, catering, a harbor cruise, photographer, entertainment and ground transportation.

The contest is part of the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s efforts to garner attention for the city as a getaway location, and couples had to submit creative videos to be entered into the contest, showing why they want or deserve this destination wedding giveaway.

William Palmisano and Nicole Schiller, who recently moved to Springfield from Bloomington, are one of four finalists for the giveaway.

To see the video, click here. To view the complete story in the SJ-R, click here.

Springfield Bridal Bash!

Come one, come all!

Crista with Studio 7 Photography in Springfield will be hosting a Bridal Bash on Sunday, September 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Rail. She will be showcasing all her new wedding albums, as well as beautiful invitations, Save-the-Date cards and more new products she is offering!

But Crista's services and products won't be the only thing you'll get to see. There will be several other vendors joining in the festivities, including:

*Steven's DJ Service
*Treetop Productions
*Poe's Catering, which will provide food at the event
*Bergner's registry
*Savvi Formalwear
*Fridayz Florals
and more!

For those of you planning a 2009 wedding or helping a friend or family member plan their wedding, this is the perfect event to come out to and meet with vendors, not to mention check out all of Studio 7's new custom wedding albums and other products, and just have a good time!

For more details, visit Studio 7's blog.

Seating Chart vs. Open Seating

While you're looking around at different reception sites, you might start to consider not only the theme, the menu and the space, but what kind of seating you'd like to have.

Seating at the reception often goes hand in hand with the meal - sit-down dinners are much more organized with assigned seating - but not necessarily.

Open seating might seem like it would be fun and spontaneous, but you also wouldn't want your guests stranded out there, looking for a place to sit down, or a family that has to be separated. Your guests shouldn’t have to feel like they’re the new kid in the school cafeteria.

However, with a seating chart, you also don't want to get so picky that your guests must sit in a specific seat at the table. Only the most formal receptions require place cards at each setting, and assigning guests only to certain tables is definitely acceptable.

Take your time with the table assignments if you choose to create a seating charting. You're not only sticking people in a place for a meal, you're influencing the company they will be keeping for a large part of the reception, which will have a huge impact on the enjoyment they will have. Keep in mind everyone's interests and relationships with each other and with you.

Also keep in mind where you "put" their tables at the reception venue. You might want to put all of the tables containing family members in a certain area, and some of your livelier guests' tables by the dance floor for easy access for them.

And on the other hand, if you choose to go with open seating, remember that your guests will take longer to seat themselves and may need assistance from the event coordinators. You will also need to account for more table settings than number of guests, since it’s inevitable that there will be incomplete tables.

No one way is better than the other depending on different venues and the number of guests!

Are you an Uberbride?

I recently discovered a new resouce for brides online - the "world's first social wedding network."

This network is called Uberbrides, and although the site is up, I don't think it has been launched quite yet. I believe it will be soon though, so keep checking back. Check it out here!

According to the site, über means super, cool, powerful, and of course, a bride is a woman getting married. An überbride, therefore, is a "trendy, classy, easygoing bride who knows that her wedding will be the best possible, no matter what happens." The opposite of a Bridezilla!

Uberbrides tools are free to everyone - brides and vendors. Some of the resources you can take advantage of are:
*Wedding News, where you can get daily updates from wedding professionals
*Wedding Blogs, where you can start your own wedding blog to talk about your wedding planning process and share ideas
*Wedding Venue Maps, which allows you to research venues in your area or wherever you are having your wedding

Enjoy!

Choosing a Theme for your Big Day

I read a great blog post today about choosing a wedding theme.

Today, a lot more brides and grooms are going beyond the traditional to find a fun and unique theme to personalize their wedding. Everything from a period ball to a Southern style to a beach theme is fair game!

As the post says, when you pick a theme for your wedding day, it makes all of your other decisions a little easier because you can narrow down your choices to focus on the theme.

This post will give you inspiration when you begin to brainstorm about a theme that fits your style and suits you and your fiance!

New Real Couple Story

I've been a little lazy with the "Real Couples" section on Simply Weddings, but I finally posted wedding information about another couple!

Kendra and Justin were married May 31, 2008. Read all about their wedding here!

Local Flower Wholesalers

One of our faithful Simply Weddings readers, Autumn, is in the process of wedding planning and compiled a list of local floral wholesalers. She was amazed at how many there are and thought it would be a great resource for other brides and grooms.

So I'm passing it along - hope this helps for those of you who are looking for a less expensive way to incorporate flowers into your Big Day!

BILL DORAN CO
217-585-8780
2835 Via Verde St
Springfield, IL 62703

BAISCH & SKINNER, SPRINGFIELD
217-744-3700
1416 S 11th St
Springfield, IL 62703

H M BUCKLEY & SONS INC
217-546-2211
416 S Meadowbrook Rd
Springfield, IL 62707

MURPHY'S HERBS
217-458-2873
27260 County Highway 2
Chandlerville, IL 62627

AIR CONDITIONED ROSES INC
217-562-2421
207 E 2nd St
Pana, IL 62557

IT'S ONLY NATURAL
217-895-3378
595 Chestnut Ave
Neoga, IL 62447

VAN'S FLORAL PRODUCTS
217-356-8208
519 N Hickory St
Champaign, IL 61820

Top 100 Wedding Blogs

The internet is a fabulous resource when planning a wedding, and reading wedding planning blogs will inundate you with inspiration for your Big Day!

Today I found a site that pulled together 100 of the best wedding planning blogs online. From reading about do-it-yourself projects for your wedding to etiquette to budgeting to style, this list of blogs has a wealth of information to browse through to give you ideas for your own wedding day.

Check out the top 100 wedding planning blogs here!

Guest List Etiquette

The Austin American-Statesman had a great article on wedding guest list etiquette a few weeks ago.

The focus on the article is basically, your wedding is your wedding, and you should invite as many people or as few people as you really want to. But, as the article points out, people don't always have the best manners when it comes to the guest list, so you need to be firm and courteous about letting guests know why you might not want children present at the wedding when they inquire, or other such concerns.

It also hints that if you want to keep your wedding small, not only should you be prepared to tell those inquiring that you only want close family and friends at your small affair but you also should not talk about the wedding "all over the place." This could lead to a lot of hurt feelings if people feel like you are rubbing it in their face, and they weren't invited.

Read about more advice concerning guest list etiquette in the article!

How Much Do You Give at Weddings?

It’s wedding season again, and you're probably attending weddings of friends, family and coworkers throughout this summer and fall.

A big topic of discussion when attending a wedding might not be good table talk, but it's definitely a valid question: how much should you spend?

Some guests have a set amount they spend on every wedding, while others consider different aspects of the event when deciding on a gift amount.

For example:

How Close Are You to the Couple? Do you give more to your closer friends and family or are all weddings created equal in your eyes?

How Fancy Is The Affair? It is obvious that some weddings are much more expensive than others; more specifically, some weddings cost $25 per person at the reception, while others can cost $100 or more.

Deciding a gift amount based on the cost of the wedding is considered the “at least cover your meal” philosophy. As a guest, do you feel obligated to give a bigger gift when you know the food and setting are more extravagant?

What Is Your Financial Situation? Should you give more with each bonus or raise you receive at work or less if you become a single-income family? Is there more pressure to give a bigger gift if you are considered successful or should you be able to give less if you are still a student?

In my situation, I base my gift amount on all circumstances, but I also give a lot of thought to gifts I believe the couple would really use and enjoy off of their registry. I have the added benefit of already being married and having gone through the whole experience, so I have a little better idea of what we needed when starting our life together, and I try to keep that in mind while shopping for a gift.

In the end, what to spend on a gift is a completely personal decision, whether you base your amount on the wedding and bridal couple or give a set amount at each affair.

Congrats to More Newlywed Friends!

My husband and I made the trip to Oak Brook, Illinois on Saturday to attend the wedding of my good college friend. Despite a little rain, it was an absolutely gorgeous day, only made more beautiful by the amazing wedding and reception, held on the McDonald's campus of Hamburger University.

The bride wore a beautiful, off-white gown, and the bridesmaids were clad in bright pink dresses. In fact, the entire wedding was very pink, with the table and chairs covers being pink and white, and the groomsmen donning pink and green ties. It was a bright, summery wedding for sure!

Best of luck to the happy couple!

A Kissing Menu?

Do you dread hearing the sounds of clinking glasses all night long at your wedding reception, begging you and your new spouse to smooch?

I was reading this Real Wedding story on the Southern Wedding Style Magazine blog about a couple named Alex and Jeremy and thought this was the cutest idea...

This couple listed their favorite wedding detail as being: The kissing game menu.

The bride said:

"My husband put together a great list of toast alternatives – instead of simply kissing when a bell was rung or a glass was clinked, we put our guests to work. Jeremy created a mini menu that listed some fun kissing alternatives.

Guests could either serenade us with a song (the "Singapore Sing"), demonstrate a kiss for the bride and groom to copy (the "Carolina Kiss"), recite a limerick about love (the "Irish Blessing") or share some time-honored marriage advice (the "French Toast").

Some amazing talent came out of the woodwork that night, including a tag-team comedic rendition of "Can't Help Falling in Love" and a few kisses that we can't copy for you here."

I think this is a great idea because it is not only fun and creative, but it also completely involves your guests in your Big Day. Your guests will come up with the most creative, thoughtful and funny activities that you, your family and your other guests will remember forever!

Unique Ceremony Sites in Central Illinois

A month or two ago, I was contacted by a girl who is a former Springfield resident and now lives in California. She is planning to be married in 2009 and was wondering if I possibly could give her any ideas of unique places to get married at.

She specified that she didn't really want a well-known church, but maybe a country chapel, gardens or somewhere interesting to tie the knot at.

At first, I had no idea what to tell her. But I started to do a little research and found out there are way more great places to get married at in Springfield and the surrounding areas that I thought. Aside from the traditional church, Central Illinois is full of historical landmarks and unique pieces of land that can play host to a wedding.

I gave her several ideas that she hadn't thought of to look at yet, and decided to compile my own list. So check out the latest wedding planning article at Simply Weddings for interesting and special ideas about wedding ceremony sites!

Providing Meals for Your Reception Vendors

The seating chart is turned in, along with your finals numbers for your reception. Not so fast - did you remember to include your reception vendors?

It's certainly not required, but I think that providing a meal for your vendors is a classy move and I'm sure hugely appreciated. Your vendors will be going for hours non-stop to provide service for your wedding, and getting a chance to sit down for a few minutes and enjoy a nice meal is definitely nice.

Think not only your DJ or band, caterer and wedding coordinator but also your photographer. Your photographer and videographer have most likely been at your side for the vast majority of the day, on their feet for hours and will probably be starving by the time dinner is served. As long as your vendors have everything covered for about 15 minutes (songs on the playlist, etc.), they should absolutely be given a meal in my opinion.

Sure, it's not a must, but a bonus will be that they will be happier in the end, and therefore do their jobs better!

If you're serving a buffet, just add your vendors into the head count. If you're doing a sit-down dinner, you could either serve them the same meals as your guests or a less elaborate version. And don't forget to have a place for them to eat, such as setting up a small table in the corner of your reception venue, so that they have a place to set any personal items (cameras for the photogs) and sit down to eat.

And be sure to talk it over with each of them and make sure that they actually want to be fed and don't have any dietary restrictions in regards to what you will be serving!

Congrats to My Newlywed Friends!

On Saturday I attended the wedding of my good friend from college and her new husband, who happens to also be friends with my husband. It was a wonderful day and a beautiful wedding, and I was so glad to be a part of it!

They said their vows at Faith United Methodist in Champaign, and the reception was held at the Holiday Inn in Urbana. Their primary colors were black and bright pink, and it looked so sharp!

The bridesmaid gowns were black with a pink sash, and they held pink flowers, and the groomsmen were decked out in all black with pink ties. It looked very classy.

They even made sure that their wedding guests were greeted at the hotel with a black goodie bag with pink tissue paper!

I want to wish this couple all the best and have a wonderful time on your honeymoon!

The Name Game

It used to be pretty much assumed that a bride would take her new husband's last name, but in the present day, when couples are waiting longer to tie the knot and women are more independent and established before marrying, brides are utilizing several different options other than completely changing their last name.

Every situation is unique, and it is an extremely personal decision. Often, a woman may be well-known within her field or career, or her family may not have any boys to carry on her last name. Or she simply may be attached to her last name and want to keep it.

You really have a lot of options when you get married and are thinking about changing your name. They include:

-Hyphenating both of your last names (Mary Ann Jones-Smith)
-Changing your maiden name to your middle name (Mary Jones Smith)
-Changing your last name to his last name (Mary Smith)
-Keeping all of your names on paper but only using your new last name (Mary Ann Jones Smith, but going by Mary Smith to your friends, family and coworkers)
-Keeping all your names and using new last name for personal and maiden for business. This could especially work well if you are already established in your career. (You'll be Mr. and Mrs. Smith to your friends, but your business card will still read Mary Jones.)
-Don’t take your husband’s name at all (Mary Jones and Mark Smith).
-Have both you and husband use hyphenated names (Mary and Mark Jones-Smith)
-Have your husband take your last name, which is not as uncommon as you might think (Mary and Mark Jones)

Whatever decision you choose to make, take some time to think about it and choose what is best for you. Don't worry about what others will think!

Love Is In the Air

It's that time of life! It seems like every time I turn around, I hear about another couple I know who has gotten engaged or tied the knot.

Some of these couples have been dating since college and waited to get married until after graduating, but many of them met their significant others while working at their first jobs out of college. I read about studies saying that people are waiting longer to get married, but I'm not seeing that from my personal experience.

Maybe it's an Illinois thing?

My friends are have said their vows or will be soon enough are all in their early to mid-20s. Regardless, it's all very exciting, and I'm looking forward to being a part of everyone's big days!

In December and January, I attended two weddings of good friends from college. At the end of May and at the end of June, two good college friends will be saying "I do." And then 2009 promises to bring even more weddings!

A special congratulations to two new recently engaged friends: my friend, sorority sister and former roommate Geri and her fiance Kevan, and my friend and sorority sister Kristi and her fiance Brian. I'm so happy for you both!

Getting Made Up On the Big Day

I would say the vast majority of brides get their hair done on their wedding days by a professional stylist, but when it comes to makeup, it's more of a personal decision.

Many girls feel comfortable only in their own makeup. They like to put on their own foundation and eye makeup in a certain way and feel beautiful in the colors they use on a regular basis.

I hesitantly decided to get my makeup done by a professional at BJ Grand Salon on my wedding day. I say hesitantly because I'd never had my makeup done professionally, and I was afraid I would hate it.

But there is a reason these people are professionals: they do it every day and they know what colors look good on certain skin tones and eye colors.

Looking back, doing my own makeup would have added a little extra stress to my day, not only applying it myself but having to touch it up throughout the day. As it was, I didn't touch my face once, except to apply fading lip gloss occasionally.

My makeup artist asked me to close my eyes as she applied foundation and powder, which I could barely tell she was putting on. The makeup they use is top of the line and left my skin feeling natural.

She then worked on my eyes, using very neutral colors which I helped to select, and by the end, I thought my makeup looked gorgeous and natural, not overdone or distracting.

I look back at photos, and I can barely notice a change from the beginning of the day, at 11 a.m. when my face was finished and at 11 p.m. as the reception was winding down.

For some girls, I can definitely understand wanting to do your own makeup, but I encourage you, if you are nervous about letting someone else make up your face for your big day, to do a trial run and see how you like it. It may be a little extra expense, but it will certainly reduce some of the stress on your wedding day knowing that your makeup will look beautiful throughout the entire day.

Top 2008 Wedding Colors!

While browns and reds were among the most popular colors for 2007 weddings, colors for 2008 are taking a new twist.

The hot colors for weddings in 2008 include:

1) Platinum, which can be paired with so many beautiful and bold complimentary colors.
2) yellows
3) lavenders
4) greens
5) bright blues and aquas

More specifically, at spring and summer weddings, you'll be seeing:
-aqua
-platinum
-soft pink
-pale yellow
-coral

During fall and winter weddings in 2008, the dominant colors will be:
-wine
-purple
-turquoise
-navy
-emerald green

I can't wait to see these all these beautiful colors this year!

Tips to Giving a Wedding Toast

I've witnessed some pretty good toasts in my time and some pretty awkward ones.

Personally, I was more than pleased with the best man and maid of honor toasts at my own wedding. They were tasteful, personal, light-hearted and fun. Not to mention short but sweet.

One of my friends recently told me she witnessed the ultimate toast you should never give at a wedding a few months ago. The best man had had WAYYY too much to drink and babbled on for 10 minutes, talking about the groom's past girlfriends and cursing in front of all of the grandparents and young children. Yikes.

Even with toasts that aren't this extreme, I've listened to some that just made no sense to the guests, were too long, told irrelevant stories, etc. I know giving a toast can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you are scared of public speaking, so I'm listing a couple of tips for those that may be in the position, either in the near future or maybe someday, of giving a wedding toast.

*The toast should be no longer than five minutes (three is preferred) and you should try to remember to maintain eye contact with the bride and groom as you deliver it, as well as occasionally looking out to the other guests.

*Make sure all the guests' glasses are full before you begin.

*First and foremost, announce your relationship to the bride and groom. Even if you know the bride and groom and their families and friends well, usually not EVERYONE there also knows who you are.

*Then start the toast off by commenting about the wonderful/touching/elegant/memorable etc. ceremony you have all witnessed.

*Keep it clean and don't use inside jokes, mention past relationships or say anything negative in general

*Just relax and be comfortable

* Practice, practice, practice!! Don't hesitate to write your speech down, but make sure not to read off of your paper the whole time, either.

*And finally, don't forget to actually toast to the wedding couple at the end of your speech. Raise your glass, offer a wish for the happy couple and say: "To (name of groom) and (name of bride)..."

Wedding Traditions Explained...

Wedding celebrations are full of traditions, but often we don't give a second thought to what exactly we are doing or even why we are doing it. So here are some of the most popular wedding traditions explained:

Ring finger- the third finger on left hand is your ring finger, where the wedding and engagement rings are always worn. This is because that finger was believed, centuries ago, to be connected by a vein directly to the heart.

Diamond engagement ring- in medieval Italy, precious stones were seen as part of a groom’s payment for a bride; gifts such as stones were given to symbolize the intent to marry.

Wedding ring- in the early years, the husband would wrap braided grass around the bride’s wrists and ankles to keep her spirit from leaving her body. Bands then evolved into leather, then carved stone, metal and later silver and gold.

Something old- to stand for brides’ ties to past
Something new- represents hope for the future
Something borrowed- means friendship
Something blue- is for faithfulness

Giving the bride away- when a daughter was considered her father’s possession, a formal transfer was necessary during the wedding ritual. Today the custom symbolizes the parents’ acceptance of the bride growing up and is a sign of their blessing of the marriage.

And finally,
Throwing rice- this symbolizes fertility; rice is thrown at the couple in hope that it will bring a marriage full of children.

Florals for Summer Weddings

Ahh, summer weddings mean warm weather, beautiful sunshine, bright colors and of course, vibrant flowers!

When you have a spring or summer wedding, you are able to get more local flowers in a variety of shades and types. I was interested to see what types of flowers are currently the trend with warm weather weddings, and this is what I found.

According to theknotforlife.com, pink is the hot hue for June weddings. Pink flowers are a sign of romance and love and are featured in traditional summer bouquets.

Pink has many different shades and can be combined with blues, lavenders and white florals for beautiful and soft arrangements. Light greenery can be added for accent, but The Knot for Life recommends avoiding the dark greens because they will “fade” the appearance of color of the flowers. Popular pink, lavender and soft blue flowers for wedding bouquets include carnations, bachelor buttons, orchids, gladiolas, hydrangeas, dahlia and bleeding hearts.

Moving into July, visions of beaches and exotic, tropical flowers may cross your mind. For July weddings, bright yellows, bright oranges, reds and hot pinks are used to create brilliant color in bridal bouquets and decorations. These colors go well with many different bridesmaids' colors, and look stunning against the white bridal gown.

As far as flower types go, gerbera daisy arrangements have become very popular, along with orange and yellow roses, daylilies of orange and yellow, and hot pink calla lilies. Freesia also looks stunning in these bouquets, and can hold up well to the hotter outdoor weather if you are planning an outdoor wedding.

In August, there is a wide variety of two-toned flowers that can be used to add a depth to the brighter colors used in June and July, according to The Knot for Life. Try a rose that is an orange-red combination or a pink and white combo to really add dramatic effects to your bouquet. There are also exotic flowers like bird of paradise or deep-colored orchids or lilies that can add accents.

For more ideas and advice about flowers for weddings in all seasons, check out our wedding planning article on floral arrangements!

Something...Green?

Though the saying goes "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...," many couples are starting to turn from the color blue in favor of green.

Having a green wedding requires a good deal of planning and some sacrificing many times, but even just following a couple of tips could make a big difference in creating an environmentally-friendly wedding day while still leaving the bride and groom happy.

Here are some ideas:

- Use recycled paper wherever possible for wedding invitations; many companies can offer this option.
- Weddings can generate a huge amount of paper consumption, so give careful thought to items that can be reduced. For example, instead of a program for everyone, perhaps one per couple or group.
- Instead of communicating to your guests through mailings, consider starting a web site or blog. This would also be extremely cost-effective, as services like www.blogger.com (which hosts this site) are free.
- Where possible, use an organic catering company that sources local ingredients or specify to your caterer that you want them to use organic and local food whenever possible. Also try to minimize the amount of meat on the menu and maximize the use of in-season fruit, vegetables and local dairy products.
-Minimize the amount of driving your guests will have to do by booking a ceremony and reception site that are close together.
- Flowers used at weddings and receptions are often out-of-season and imported. Try to use locally-grown flowers for your wedding, and recycle the flowers by using the same arrangements from the ceremony at the reception. Also using potted flowers as your floral arrangements can make a great addition to your home or garden after the big event.
- Consider a pre-owned dress, which will also save you a lot of cash. And if you have no desire to keep the dress after the wedding, donate it to a charity who can sell it, creating funds for them and saving someone else from needing to purchase a new dress.
- Request that no gifts be purchased, but donations made to your favorite charities or environmental groups instead.
-Instead of favors, let your guests know in the program that you have donated $1 to $2 per guest to your favorite environmental organization.
-Try an alternative to rice and birdseed sendoff after the ceremony by throwing native wildflower seeds or petals, ringing handballs, or blowing homemade bubbles from recyclable containers.
-Try to ensure that whoever cleans up your reception will separate recyclables from non-recyclables in order to minimize the amount of trash that winds up in landfills.

Capturing the Wedding by Video

Hiring a wedding day videographer seems to be a trend that is skyrocketing in popularity and with good reason. You are able to capture every important moment of your wedding day with movement and sound - something even the wedding photographer cannot do with the most beautiful photos.

When it came time to decide whether or not to hire a videographer, we decided to ask one of my friends, who shoots and compiles video as his career, although he had never shot a wedding before. Having a videographer was more of an afterthought and not a very high priority to us, though we thought it would be nice to have, even if we never really watched it again.

After seeing snippets of his edited tape, I'm so glad that we hired him. Watching our first dance as husband and wife brought tears to my eyes, and I felt like I was able to experience everything all over again!

I would have to say that even if you don't want to hire a professional, even having a cousin or uncle man a camcorder sitting on a tripod will still be able to capture you walking down the aisle, you and your true love exchanging vows and rings and your first kiss as man and wife. There's just something so amazing about being able to watch it again. Plus you often notice things in the tape that you didn't see during the actual day because you were so busy!

And of course, it would be pretty special to be able to show your children, and even your grandchildren someday, a video of your wedding!

Finding Inspiration

I recently browsed this great blog, sent to me courtesy of Crista at Studio 7 Photography, and it's all about unique weddings and styles!

Many of the posts have "inspiration boards," as the author calls them, comprised of a variety of photos from a wedding event that complement each other in style and color.

The blog also highlights "Real Weddings" and some of the truly unique aspects of the weddings of couples recently married.

From lavenders to yellow to oranges to the basic black and white, you can do pretty much anything you want when it comes to your wedding and its colors! If you are researching wedding colors or want to get some ideas on different looks or trends, you should definitely check out some of the inspiration boards!

Top Destinations to Celebrate Your Marriage!

After conducting a survey asking honeymooners themselves where they chose to unwind after their weddings, The Honeymooner's Review Guide put together a list of the top 10 hottest destinations for honeymoons in 2007.

None of these are surprising, and it seems the majority of couples want to spend time on a beach but in a place that also has a lot of local culture. Here are the Top 10, with descriptions from The Honeymooner's Review Guide:

1. Hawaii
Dramatic coastlines, volcanoes, green forests, native Hawaiian culture, tropical breezes, white sand beaches, spectacular resorts. This is the magic that brings couples to Hawaii for the best in honeymoon getaways.

2. Mexico
A vast country with enough variety to please all. Bask in the sun at posh resorts along the Baja coast, visit the valley of Oaxaca for a taste of the ancient Mayans, ride the train through majestic canyon after canyon, shop until you drop, you will find it all in Mexico!

3. Jamaica
Passion is inevitable on this tropical paradise island. Jamaica is the place if you are looking for non-stop nightlife. If the bar scene isn’t for you, stay in one of Jamaica’s all-inclusive adults-only resorts. If you are a nature lover, take a leisurely bamboo raft trip or explore the many caves and waterfalls that abound in its green forests.

4. St. Lucia
A bit of France, a bit of Britain, and a nature-lovers paradise including a volcano. Great snorkeling in clear, blue warm waters. Sip a cool tropical drink in your hammock. Walk through a rain forest while viewing the ocean. Truly a newlywed's paradise.

5. Bahamas
With only a short distance to the U.S. mainland, the Bahamas is close and beautiful. Over 700 islands make up the Bahamas, with white-sandy beaches and a variety of accommodations to choose from to meet any budget.

6. Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has become a beautiful, affordable island destination. Being a larger island, that doesn't just focus on tourism, you can get some great deals. There are many all-inclusives that will meet the needs of most couples.

7. Tahiti
How do you describe paradise? Many call it Tahiti! With many islands to choose from, including favorites Bora Bora and Moorea. From its natural beauty to its Polynesian hospitality. If you do not want to share your new spouse with anyone, this is the place to be. Even its resorts are designed for your love to burn and grow.

8. Fiji
Fiji has it all if you are looking to fill that image of white powder beaches with beautiful palm trees, green mountains sweeping to the sea, warm tropical breezes, and lots of secluded resorts scattered among its 300+ islands.

9. Antigua
Antigua is an ideal tropical destination, with gorgeous beaches, perfect reefs for snorkeling or diving, and great weather - the trade winds reduce the humidity and create the perfect climate.

10. Italy
Italy is one of the top picks for Europe honeymoon locations. No wonder, it's the land of Amore! From the Northern Alps and lake country to Rome and the Almalfi Coast, Italy has everything for a romantic and classy honeymoon.

Celebrating the Ceremony - After the Reception

For years, the celebration has continuedafter the wedding ceremony and reception, whether with or without the couple. But these days, bridal couples are actually planning post-reception bashes.

The other day, I read a story on the homepage of Phoenix, Arizona about the rise of after-parties at weddings.

The article said:

"Last summer, Kelly Rix was in the midst of planning her wedding. She and her fiancé, André Foisy, arranged a traditional Catholic ceremony and an elegant reception at Wellington House, a historic mansion in Fayetteville, N.Y. They then rented inflatable sumo wrestling suits and a giant inflatable Twister board.

The unconventional rentals were not for the wedding itself, but for the after-party. When Rix and Foisy's reception ended at 5 p.m., a school bus shuttled guests to the home of the best man's mother, where a barbecue and a keg were waiting in the backyard."

Now most receptions I've been to last much longer than 5 p.m., but that hasn't stopped many brides and grooms from partying the night away. Many couples are now shutting down the reception site with the rest of their guests instead of leaving halfway through the event, and I've even heard of couples that have followed their crowd of guests out to the bars after the reception ended.

If you're one of the couples who expects to be participating in the celebration clear until the end, it might be fun to try to plan something exciting as an after-party. You could make sure food is ordered in at the end of the evening (think pizzas or sub sandwiches) or even rent out a room at a local establishment for a couple of hours after the reception.

I would steer clear of inviting your partying guests up to your wedding night suite, but making sure everyone has a good time until the celebration ends is becoming a huge trend these days and allows you to mingle and have fun with your guests, especially your close friends, the whole night through.

Winter Wear for Brides and Bridesmaids

It can be snowy and 25 one day and sunny with temperatures in the 60s the next.

Mother Nature is quite fickle in the central Illinois region, so it can be anyone's guess what the weather will be like on a certain day of the year. Even summer weddings can be a gamble with the risk of rain.

And for winter weddings, the best bet is to try to keep warm. But with the trends of dresses being strapless or sleeveless, this often leaves brides and bridesmaids shivering as the go from ceremony to reception or stop outside to take even a few quick pictures.

I recommend brides putting a little thought into some "cover-ups" for themselves and their bridesmaids. Lately, in the past few years, I have noticed some beautiful wintertime weddings in which the bride wore a fabulous fur shawl or coat whenever she was outdoors.

Shawls or shoulder wraps are a great way to add a little extra protection from the outside elements for the bride and her female attendants and can look absolutely stunning when they complement to rest of the wedding colors.

At my friend Katheryne's January wedding, she and her bridesmaids wore black and white wraps, and it really helped to polish off their beautiful black and white wedding. Below is a photo of two of her bridesmaids, where the black and white reversible shawl is shown.

If there is a chance that your wedding could be in the lower temperatures, think about some apparel options that will leave the women of the wedding party looking great and feeling a little warmer too!

Wedding Wish List

I spent about an hour last night in a certain store shopping for bridal shower presents and wedding gifts for two of my friends who are getting married in the next couple of months. I won't reveal the store since they'll probably get on their registeries to check which items I bought. Not that I ever did that on my own registry...

As I was browsing through the aisles, I was having a pretty good time looking at all the pretty dishes, kitchen gadgets, towels and other household items. In fact, it made me want to register for wedding presents all over again. Not to even receive the items, just to pick out fun things that I want.

To me, registering was one of the most exciting parts of the engagement. You can take a break from all the stresses of fighting with each other about the guest list and making checks off the to-do list, and spend some time together picking out fun items for your new life together.

Obviously, you'll need to register for the necessary items, like a coffee pot or dishware. But then you can go wild registering for anything from a nice digital camera to a beautiful bedroom set for your master room to an awesome barware set that you can entertain your friends with when they come over to visit.

If your wedding is near a holiday, go for some nice holiday decorations that you'll be able to put up for years to come. If you want that Wii game system, scan it already! Is summer coming? Register for a patio set.

Really, anything goes when you're registering. My husband and I even registered for a couple of bags of chips and a pack of frappuccinos. (We got the chips, but not the frappuccinos...)

For big ticket items, it's always a possibility that a group of friends or a couple of families will go in together to get it for you. But also don't forget to register for things at all price ranges. It's not that cool looking at a registry where they least expensive item is a $30 knife.

When you register for items at every price range, it gives people more options for not only the wedding present but bridal showers as well.

If I had to give tips for registering, it would be this:

1) Have FUN!!! Don't fight about things. Appreciate each other's tastes and wants.
2) Keep scanning. Better to register for more things than to leave guests with a completely fulfilled registry list still a month away from the Big Day.
3) Register for everything from the $1,000 flat screen TV to the 99 cent chip clips.
4) Keep your guests' locations in mind. If you are having your wedding in central Illinois and all your guests are from central Illinois, you might want to avoid registering for the majority of your wish list at a store that isn't in the area, which would force people to buy all your gifts online and pay for shipping.
5) Try not to register at more than two or three stores. It's fun for you to be able to get exactly what you want from your six favorite stores, but that will most likely leave only about 20 items on each registry, making it harder for your guests to purchase all their gifts from the same store.
6) Even though you think you might not need something right now, but will a few years down the road, register for it anyway. This is the last time people are going to shower you with gifts for you and only you. Load up on nice bath towels and put some away to use in 5 years when your towels now are looking worn and pick out some beautiful candlesticks you will want to put up on your formal dining room table when you start hosting family gatherings.
And finally,
7) Try not to check your registry online every other day. It's very exciting to see what you are getting, but it's much more fun when you open the presents at your shower or after the wedding day and you are completely surprised and what you are receiving, instead of thinking "oh yeah, I saw this was purchased last week. I was wondering who might have gotten it for me."

Happy Registering!

Grooms: Get Your Groove On

After reading my last post on groom involvement, the founder of groomgroove.com, Mike, contacted me to say that there really is no reason grooms, groomsmen and other males close to the scene shouldn't be getting involved with the wedding planning!

Maybe in this day and age, real men do, in fact, plan weddings?

"Now, it's true - wedding planning isn't so much fun - not compared to, say, a round of golf," Mike said when he emailed me. "But guys definitely do realize that there is lots of stuff that they'll need to do. It is, afterall, a rite of passage."

I checked out groomgroove.com today and was thrilled to see all of the tools, tips, how-to's and other information available for guys involved in planning a wedding.

The site breaks down such topics as popping the question (making sure you are really ready, guide to engagement rings, etc.), the duties of the groom and the duties of the best man (giving the toast, planning the bachelor party). They also offer guides for other men involved in the wedding, like the father, groomsmen and ushers.

Groomgroove even has videos posted on various subjects, such as proposing and saving money on the wedding. Check out one of their videos below:

Ladies, this is a great site to send your guys to as you delve into the wedding planning process so that he get a good idea of some of the ways he, and the rest of the men in the wedding party, can be helpful and involved.

Groom Involvement

I stumbled upon this blog entry today entitled "Real Men Don't Plan Weddings." It's pretty funny, and the writer basically explains that men are terrified of wedding planning, which can account for the many women who wait around for years for their significant others to pop the question.

Men, he says, are just there to "groom" the bride, hence their unimportant "title" in the wedding planning process.

I have absolutely found this to be the case. When I think of my wedding and those of my friends', none of the grooms were all that thrilled to be planning a wedding. Some will go along with all of the decision-making and help out with making calls, etc., but others will remove themselves from the process altogether.

I can't say I blame them. Wedding planning is stressful and difficult. And men don't usually care what the centerpieces will look like or what color the tableclothes will be. I mean, really, I didn't even care what the centerpieces looked like, but the decisions have to be made by someone!

There are some ways the grooms enjoy being involved in the planning process, though, namely: attending the bachelor party and coming along for the taste-testing at the caterer's. For more ideas about how the groom can become involved in the planning without going crazy, check out our wedding planning article on the subject!

Children as Wedding Guests

It's a question familiar to most brides and grooms, with answers that differ according to everyone's personal situation: should children be invited to the wedding?

Pro: They're supercute and will look great in the photos
Con: They could easily be in a bad mood and ruin the pictures with their pouty looks

Pro: They won't run up your alcohol bill
Con: You'll have to shell out lots of extra dollars for meals they might just pick at or proclaim "yucky!"

When you have a large family with numerous younger cousins, it can be particularly stressful to decide children or no children. On one hand, brides sometimes feel as if children could "steal" the show from them or don't want to risk the possibility of a child throwing a fit in the middle of the ceremony. However, many guests might be extremely offended at the omission of their children's names from the invititation.

If you choose not to invite children, be prepared for some hurt feelings and having to explain to some guests why you chose this option.

On the other hand, if you decide to invite young children to the wedding and include them in the wedding party, give some extra thought as to seating arrangements and menus.

A major thing to consider is the food. Try to work with your caterer to negotiate a children's menu or a child-sized plate at a reduced price.

And don't forget what children might need most at a formal event: child-friendly entertainment.

One of my friends is getting married in May, and with dozens of young cousins running around, she and her fiance are setting up a special "children's section" at their reception so that the kids can still have a lot of fun doing separate activities without getting bored. It also takes some of the pressure off of their parents.

You could even take it one step further by supplying a children's room and employing a sitter or child supervisor.

Also, when it comes to the ceremony, make sure your flower girls and ring bearers know where Mom and Dad are sitting and that if they need to, they can go sit down with them during the ceremony. For my wedding, we knew that our young ring bearer and flower girl were definitely not going to make it through the whole ceremony standing up with the wedding party, so we had them practice walking down the aisle and then finding their parents, who were sitting conveniently right in the aisle seats.

So before you erase the children's names from your guest list, just be sure to put some thought into how you could arrange things so that they can be a part of your special day and everything can still run smoothly.

Bridal Shower Invitation Etiquette

Today, my good friend told me about a predicament she had. She and her boyfriend will be attending a wedding in Florida in a couple of months. The couple consists of two people she has never met: her boyfriend's friend and his fiance.

So she was surprised to recently find an invitation to the bride's bridal shower in her mailbox that included coupons to the places the bride was registered. Obviously not ever having met the girl, she is not planning to attend, but now wonders whether she should send a gift, as is usually custom to do when you cannot attend the shower.

Calling it an extremely rude request for a gift from a person the bride had never met, I said no gift should be sent.

A bridal shower is historically a way to help a bride prepare for her new life in marriage - to "shower" her with gifts to fill her new home with her husband.

While in the past, many brides moved straight from their father's house to their husband's, therefore needing all the basic household items, today that may not be the case as many women live on their own or even move in with their fiances before the wedding. Still, today a bridal shower serves as both a way to stock the bride's household and give the bride an opportunity to spend quality time with her friends and family members.

Traditionally, the maid of honor and/or bridesmaids host a bridal shower, but it is perfectly acceptable to have more than one shower. For example, a bride's aunt or other relative or her co-workers might also want to throw showers. Usually the bride's mother does not throw a shower, unless there is no one else to host the event. The bride should never throw herself a shower.

As for the guest list, the bride and the host of the shower should work together in planning who to invite.

For a bridal shower, you should invite:
Mothers of the bride and groom
Grandmothers and great-grandmothers of the bride and groom
Aunts
Female Cousins
Bridesmaids and female attendants
Close friends of the bride and her family
Close female business associates of the bride

(of course if it is a couples' shower, as is common today, the groom, male relatives, groomsmen and close male friends should be invited.)

If a person lives out of town or out of state, and you know they will be unable to attend, it is nice to send them an invitation to let them know you were thinking of them. However, do not expect a gift and you might even consider writing a personal message such as "We realize you will probably not be able to attend, although we would love to have you there, but we wanted to know we were thinking of you. Please no gifts if you are unable to attend."

Inviting someone you do not know well or have never met AND know will not be able to attend is a blatant and greedy request for a gift and a breach of etiquette.

Tying the Knot...Somewhere Else

Destination weddings seem to be really popular these days. They're a great option if you are trying to cut down on the size of the guest list or wanting to have a more casual affair. And many brides and grooms simply have dreams of saying "I Do" with their feet in the sand!

I discovered these statistics in a Missouri bridal magazine and found them interesting....

The number of destination weddings held each year in the United States is 500,000. And of that, 100,000 are held in Las Vegas alone!

Additionally the number of destination weddings held in Hawaii is 25,000.

Outside of the U.S., two countries hold the high honors for destination weddings. There are 5,000 weddings held annually in Jamaica. And with a close second, there are 4,000 weddings held each year in the Bahamas.

If you are considering having a destination wedding, be sure to read our Simply Weddings planning article for tips and advice!

You Don't Have to Break the Bank

I was reading this article that I found online about being aware of your costs when planning a wedding and some really easy ways to say "I Do" without landing yourself in a pile of debt after the event.

This story found that the average wedding budget in the United States is $27,000!! Breaking that down, the average cost of a reception is $9,573; jewelry is $6,514; flowers are $1,117; wedding gown is $1,056; and "beauty" is $938.

But it can be done much cheaper. Remember, the important thing is the lifelong marriage, not the wedding itself.

Some tips the article gave include:

*Cutting down on the guest list. Guest list size does matter. While you can easily spend just as much money on a few guests, having more guests when you're trying to cut costs means more meals, more favors, more tables with centerpieces, etc.

*Staying within your set budget. Just like in personal finances, when planning a wedding, don't go beyond your means. The memories you have from your wedding day are made from your happiness and attitude much more so than how expensive your shoes are.

*Get married on a Friday night. Guest Blogger Jodi Morgan mentioned that she and her fiance will be tying the knot on a Friday evening in August. "Friday night weddings are the way to go...we saved money on practically everything!" she explained.

*Use up-and-coming wedding vendors. Research which vendors are just getting started who have the talent but not necessarily the years of experience. They'll charge less, and usually since they are trying to break into the business, they'll do just as good of a job as a veteran, if not better.

*Cut down on flower costs. For more tips on saving money on flowers, check out our wedding planning article on the subject.

*Skip the favors. Reception halls will be the first to attest to how unimportant favors are as many guests often just leave them behind on tables, wasting hundreds of dollars on what are usually trinkets.

Introducing Springfield Bride Jodi Morgan!

I'd like to introduce Jodi Morgan as our first Simply Weddings Guest Blogger! Jodi is from Springfield and currently working as the development coordinator for a local non-profit agency. Jodi's fiance, Vincent, is originally from Highland, Indiana, and is currently working as a structural engineer.

Jodi and Vincent met almost three years ago through Match.com. Of meeting her future husband, Jodi said: "After going on plenty of dates with nice guys that never worked out and not really being interested in the bar scene, I saw online matchmaking sites as a last ditch effort. I thought I'd try it out and, lucky for me, Vincent was the first one to respond, and we hit it off right away."

Vincent proposed to Jodi on New Year's Eve, 2006, which is her favorite holiday. They had dinner plans and were running late.

"Vincent caught me coming out of the bathroom where he told me that he had written a poem for me earlier that afternoon while I napped," Jodi said. "He read the poem and asked me to marry him. After lots of tears and calls to friends and family, we eventually were able to celebrate at dinner. It seems like it happened so long ago, but I can't believe that we're only six months away from the big day!"

The couple will be married on Friday, August 29 at the Hilton in downtown Springfield with a color scheme of black, white and red. The couple originally planned for a small and simple celebration, but it has turned into much more of an event than they ever could have imagined.

Because Jodi is a Springfield native, the wedding is going to have a "Sprinfield feel" to it, she said. Wedding photos will be taken at the Old State Capitol, favors are being ordered from Del's Popcorn Shop and Pease's, and the rehearsal dinner will be held at Cafe Brio. There will even be a Lincoln impersonator greet all of the guests at the reception!

"All in all, I'm having a blast planning the wedding and am amazed at how much planning it really takes. I'm learning so much!" Jodi said.

While Jodi continues to plan and prepare for marrying the man of her dreams, she will update readers about the chaos, excitement, nervousness and anticipation that surround the Big Day, so stay tuned!

Holiday Proposals

So with yesterday being Valentine's Day, I bet that there are a lot of girls planning weddings now! I would take a guess that Valentine's Day and Christmas Day or Christmas Eve are the two biggest times of the year for proposals...

It makes me wonder why men like to propose on holidays?

It could be because men are intimidated by holiday gift-giving, and an engagement ring is easy and special. Or maybe a holiday is a good date for men to be able to remember their engagements...

I do think holiday engagements can be done right so they are extremely special to the couple and not cheesy. Proposing on a holiday just takes a little more creativity I think.

One of my friends got engaged on Christmas Eve 2006. They agreed they wouldn't spend more than $20, so her fiance made a beautiful jewelry box all on his own. He then put the ring in the jewelry box, and when they exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve, he proposed. Her gift to him? A bottle of wine with their names and the date! How perfect!

I don't think you could have a better proposal than something so personal like that on a holiday...

Trash Talk

Check out the newest article on Simply Weddings! We talked with Kimberly Smoot of Kimberly Smoot Photography about a rising trend called Trash the Dress.

Now, as we stated in the article, it doesn't have to mean actually trashing your beloved wedding gown. And you can get the coolest pictures! Just think about getting some unique and exciting photos of yourself in your wedding gown without having to be concerned about getting dirt or water on the dress!

A Trash the Dress photo session with Kimberly is at no cost with a $300 minimum portrait purchase. And the results, from what I've seen, are incredible.

Check out Kimberly's photo galleries on her Web site and contact her if you are interested in more information on Trash the Dress.

A Good DJ is Hard to Find

I used to think that there wasn't much to consider when hiring a DJ for a wedding. I hadn't been to many weddings growing up, just a few cousins here and there. So I figured there was nothing to it - play some good music, keep people entertained and dancing - easy stuff.

For our wedding, we booked our DJ, Sam Sevener of Sevener Sound, on the recommendation of a family friend. We met with him once, discussed a few things, and he seemed pretty cool, so we hired him.

He did an absolutely fabulous job. He was timely and professional. He introduced the wedding party with energy, played nice dinner music and a great selection of dancing music. He also kept the events of the reception fast-paced so no one became bored and restless, which I've come to learn is very important.

My sister-in-law's wedding, in March 2006, was the same. Her DJ played great dancing songs, and even brought "village people" costumes for the groomsmen to dress up in and dance to the YMCA, adding a fun element to the reception.

Since her wedding and our wedding though, I have been paying more attention to DJs and have found that some really, well, suck.

We attended one wedding where the DJ actually started to karaoke by himself to a slow song that was playing while people were dancing. He also played every "group" song in the book. I'm cool with the YMCA or Cha-Cha Slide, but when you're pulling out the Macarena, Electric Slide and more all at one event (in 2006 no less), it's complete overkill.

At another wedding the DJ couldn't even keep people out on the dance floor because he didn't have activities and didn't play "dance-able" music. And we attended one wedding where the DJ let the reception drag on before guests were finally able to get up and dance.

So picking a DJ is actually harder than you might think, and more important to the reception that you might realize. Going off recommendations from friends is a great way to choose a DJ because they can tell you whether he was entertaining, played a good selection, and what his cost was, among other things.

When planning your wedding, you need to keep in mind a few things that your DJ should do. Your DJ should:
-Ask for and stick to a "do play" and "don't play" list.
-Get a schedule of events and be at the reception before guests arrive, ready to start playing
-Introduce you and the wedding party with style and energy.
-Keep the reception moving at a good pace, with little lag time in between the traditional dances and other activities.
-Engage the guests, get them on the dance floor and keep them there.
-Play a couple of slow songs every now and then, as well as songs for a variety of age ranges.
-Play songs that are not only great songs, but easy to dance to. Some songs may be good to listen to on the radio, but it's hard to break out dance moves to them.

St. Lucia

After I posted on Sandals St. Lucia, several people have told me that they either are planning to go there or are interested in checking out St. Lucia as a possible honeymoon destination. So I thought I'd share some of my favorite pictures from the trip because it really is a beautiful place...

Bridal Show Review

I checked out the Everything Weddings bridal expo yesterday at the Orr Building, and found it to be small but useful.

It seemed like there weren't many vendors until I realized that the Orr Building is a huge space, so to fill it would be pretty hard. There seemed to be an abundance of florists, catering services and photographers/videographers there, and many of them, I had not heard much about, so it was nice to talk to them and get their contact information. (which I have update on the vendors list at Simply Weddings).

Since I went during the last hour and a half of the four-hour expo, and after the bridal show, the expo wasn't too crowded, but it did allow the vendors to spend time with people coming by their booths. I imagine that there were many more brides and mothers-of the bride scouting out booths at the beginning of the expo and then sitting through the bridal show, which was at 1:30.

The next bridal expo will be held in August at Secret Recipes Reception Center, so be sure to mark that on your calendars if you're interested!

Wedding? Calm? HA.

Planning a wedding just might be one of the most nerve-wracking and stressful experiences. Even if you have an extremely small wedding, there is just so much do DO!

My wedding was indeed not small with about 350 invited guests. And although I do not consider myself high-maintenance when it comes to things like this, I was stressed to the max. Actually I think it makes it worse when you don't have your wedding planned to the last detail by the time you're 12. Because then there is the same amount to get done, but you haven't given much thought to it and frankly don't really care, but it still needs to be DONE.

For me and Evan, the church and the guest list proved to be the biggest stressors. Luckily we figured out the church thing fairly early on. The guest list was a different story. (People responding with more attendees than were invited...need I say more?)

But for some unknown reason, about the time that Stress Mode kicks into high gear - one month til the Big Day - I actually began to relax. It was so bizzare. I started to see things in perspective and realized how lucky I was to get to be marrying the greatest guy I could ever imagine. Sounds cheesy maybe, but it was true. I realized how much God had blessed me to be able to walk down the aisle and marry Evan with all of our loving and supportive family members and good friends there to celebrate.

The rest of the month flew by and the pre-wedding activities culminated with an amazing rehearsal dinner at Bella Milano. I was happy and tired, but that night, I didn't sleep a wink.

I finally just got up around 6 or 6:30 in the morning on the day of the wedding and took a walk around my neighorhood, the one I'd lived in since I was two years old. I couldn't have imagined a better wedding day morning and felt completely revived.

So brides who are driving themselves absolutely crazy: the best thing I can say to do is to take some time to relax and put things in perspective. Everything will work out in some way or another, and instead of worrying about what's going to happen next, the highest priority of your wedding day should be reveling in the moments as they come as you share your special day as husband and wife!