Handling an emergency in style

Last week I covered having an bridal emergency kit. A few days later I had the wonderful opportunity to network with Jackie of Mojuba Wedding. She has taken the the bridal emergency kit to another level and has even remembered the groom with her Groom Mojuba™.




Mojuba began with a simple mission: to help brides and grooms experience a magnificent, memorable, stress-free wedding. I love to promote anything that will take stress off a bride's shoulders.

The Bride Mojuba bridal kit is filled with wonderful products to alleviate those unexpected emergencies on you wedding day. The Mojuba kit is as it is defined "a bag of magic that brings joy and happiness" , a bride who is stress free is a happy bride. I could not take away from or add to the magnificent description of this product on the Mojuba website:



"Bride Mojuba is a collection of last-minute items that brides need-but didn’t know they needed-on their wedding day. Bride Mojuba™ is a sophisticated, chic bag that unfolds to reveal one exquisite item after another, from essential everyday items to indulgent necessities for the bride and her bridal party.

It has a built-in mirror and is easy to throw over a shoulder or carry on the arm. Also tucked inside each Bride Mojuba™ bag is a little something to make you smile: a thoughtful, unique gift from Jackie herself.
Usually handcrafted and discovered during her travels, the items are distinct and ever-changing, but always reflect the idea of Mojuba-of praise, tribute, and a beautiful journey beginning on the wedding day and continuing long thereafter.

Whether bought to ease the stress of their own wedding day or given as a gift, brides across the country can breathe a sigh of relief-Mojuba Wedding will prepare them for the unexpected on their wedding day".

The Mojuba™ Bride and Groom kits are filled with names like L’Occitane®,Ms. Manicure®, Colgate®, Kodak®, quality has not be sacrificed in creating this magnificent product. Please visit Mojuba Wedding to purchase this great bridal kit for yourself or a bride to be.

This Wedding is stressful....and I am just the guest

I love the opportunity to write a comprehensive blog and share information for everyone involved in the wedding. I came across a blog and wanted to share this with my readers. Having several friends getting married can be as stressful as getting married yourself. With showers, bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners and of course weddings you can be left spinning. Finding balance is part of building healthy habits. As we approach a new year maybe we can take a tip from Katie Kerns, who has dealt with this type of stress.

Do You, Katie, Take This Wedding Invitation?

Top 10 bridal trends for 2010

Get Married along with today’s leading industry experts offer these brides the top 10bridal trends for 2010. From runway fashions and edible passions to techie automations and color saturations, the new bridal trends are all about personalization and expressing your unique bridal style.

Among the top 10 bridal trends for 2010 appealing to recently engaged brides are:

1. Non-linear aisle

2. Comfort foods with a kick

3. Gifting techie gadgetry

4. Texture-inspired invitations

5. Old, new, borrowed and cobalt blue

6. Wear-again bridesmaid dresses

7. Three-dimensional save-the-dates

8. Old Hollywood glam, for men!

9. Blogger brides abound

10. Personalized plus

It is fun to look at trends and how they reflect our changing times. Check out Get Married for more details on trends in 2010.

And the winner is...........

Congratulations! the winner of Inspired's November giveaway is Miss Crabby Pants our reader from Canada. Thank you for entering our November giveaway. I would like to especially thank our sponsor Luv to Peek Bridal, an Etsy Shop.

We will be announcing our December giveaway this week so stop by for a chance to win.

Victorian Themed Wedding

Setting a theme for your wedding can give you some direction in terms of color selection, invitations, venue, even your wedding dress. Adding special touches from your theme can make your wedding day a very memorable event. One word of caution it is important that you do not over do the theme, so as to not make your wedding seem overwhelming.

Victorian weddings themes are very popular. When one thinks of the Victorian era, you think of elegance and romance. Lavish mansions, beautiful gardens and well dressed guest at a ball. There is so much that you could take from this era to make your day reflect that era of elegance and romance. Knowing which things to use will be the key in letting your wedding have a beautiful thread working through it as opposed to a hodgepodge of items that overwhelm your day and decor.

One very clear way to bring your Victorian themed to life is your venue. A beautiful mansion, historical building or castle perhaps. You can find a beautiful garden at any budget. You may find a venue that has a garden attached and have your ceremony there. You can also have the ceremony at a botanical garden and have your reception at separate venue. Even pre-wedding parties can take the theme and use it to host a bridal shower tea party or bridesmaids tea.


Gina Gold: Art and Print


Nothing says elegance and romance like roses. Roses are a staple in a Victorian wedding; preferably muted tones, soft yellows, pinks, creams, greens. Possible containers could be silver, crystal, urns. Candles and candelabras will also bring a touch of the elegance of the Victorian era. Check out other flowers popular in the Victorian Era.

Your wedding dress can have lace, a fitted bodice and a long, flowing skirt. Gowns with beading or intricate designs on the bodice. The sleeves of Victorian wedding gowns can be any length, from full to half to a sleeveless or strapless bodice.

What I think of alot in the Victorian era ( actually any era) were the shoes. There are some shoe wedding favors that you could give to your guests. These shoes are usually intricate in design and colorful. I fell in love with this Etsy find, Marie Antoinette inspired fancy shoe favor boxes


Marie Antoinette inspired fancy shoe favor boxes

If you want to add a bit of dramatic flair, see Screaming Queens Entertainment. Maybe a Marie Antoinette strolling desert table or two period dressed individuals walking around talking to your guests.

Bridal Emergency Kit

Your wedding day will undoubtedly be an exciting and beautiful day. All the details finalized and you are ready to be married. Be prepared for little emergencies by preparing a bridal emergency kit. If you have hired a professional wedding coordinator she should have an emergency kit handy. If you do not have a coordinator, here are some essential items you will want to include in your bridal emergency kit. Designate a responsible person to be in charge of the emergency kit, someone who will be available to you and your bridal party should an emergency occur.

These are a list of the essentials to include in your bridal emergency kit:

Nail file
Nail polish in the bride's shade
make-up (also remember to include shades that match bridesmaids skin tones and coloring)
Straws (for drinking without messing up lipstick
Extra stockings
Hairspray
Brush and comb
Bobbypins and hair elastics
Hairdryer
Static-cling spray
Tissues
Handkerchiefs
Lint brush
Earring backs
Baby powder (also useful for getting out last-minute spills on a white dress)
Eye-drops (look for redness reducing)
Contact lens solution
Smelling salts
Mints
prescription medicines
Headache medicine (bring two different kinds in case one of the bridal party is allergic)
antacid
Band-Aids
safety pins
extra contact lenses and cleaner
stain remover
mirror (in case you are getting dressed in a room that does not have a mirror)
shoe polish
a pair of comfortable shoes, slippers
small sewing kit with scissors (include thread colors of bride and bridesmaid gowns)
masking tape or hem tape
tampons and feminine napkins
extra black socks for the ushers or groomsmen
toothbrush and toothpaste
deodorant


Other items to include in your bridal emergency kit are important phone numbers, copies of directions to the reception, camera batteries and miscellaneous cords and adapters, an iron.

You could consider buying a fishing tackle box


You can also purchase a bridal emergency kit which you will probably want to add to.

Wedding Shoes under $100.00

Don't let the economy keep from buying fabulous wedding shoes. Check out these deals and steals from around the web.

Love Me Tender


This lovely, dyeable pump boasts a beautiful satin upper with flattering knot detail over the toe. The tapered heel is pretty yet practical. Dye them to match your wedding colors for a unique surprise under your dress. Onlineshoes.com
$64.95
Love Me Tender Item # 150071



This shoe has dyeable silk satin upper which features a demure peep-toe front with pleating and rhinestone accents. A leather sole completes this formal-occasion look. Onlineshoes.com



Touch Ups
Saskia by Liz René

$89.95


The name sounds like it should cost a fortune, however this Enzo Angiolini shoe in its beautiful natural satin are quite a steal

Enzo Angiolini
$51.18
Find them at 6pm.com







You don't have to sacrifice beauty by paying less.

Check out Unforgettable Moments by Lela Rose for Payless
$49.99


Claudia Satin Dress Sandal - French Vanilla

November Bridal Giveaway

November's Inspired giveaway is sponsored by Luv to Peek Bridal, an Etsy Shop. This month's winner will win a garter that she could use for herself or use as a gift to a bride-to-be. This contest will be open from Monday November 23, 2009 - December 4, 2009.

Wedding traditions are fun , but how did they start. Here is the history behind the wedding garter courtesy of Mygarter.com

Modern weddings are filled with customs and traditions. One of the most celebrated wedding traditions involves the tossing of the wedding garter. The practice of garter-tossing dates back to as early as the mid-fourteenth century. In order to confirm the union was consummated, it was customary for a family member to retrieve a piece of the bride’s clothing, particularly an undergarment. It was believed that the piece of clothing would bring good luck to the person who received it. Through the years the tradition was altered, as the bride was often rushed and had her clothing torn off as guests fought for the coveted prize.



The "garter," which was a garment used to hold up stockings, became the sought-after item. This tradition evolved as the groom began removing the garter and tossing it to the guests so they would not endanger the bride. Fortunately we still practice this very tradition today. The bride typically wears the garter on her right leg as the groom removes it during the reception. He then tosses the garter to the single men in attendance. The gentleman who catches the garter is the proud recipient of the "good luck" and is said to be the next to be married.

While some brides continue with the traditional garter custom, others will wear two garters: one to be removed at the reception for tossing and the other to be kept as a keepsake of her wedding day.

Many brides decide to make their garters blue so they have "something old, something new, something borrowed and something BLUE." However, this isn’t entirely necessary. Any bride can still use traditional white garters and even create garters in colors to match their wedding themes.


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Wedding Time Capsule: A moment in Time

A new wedding trend is a creating a wedding time capsule. Keep memorabilia from your wedding day, honeymoon and first year together. You can then seal the time capsule until a special anniversary many blissful years in the future. Wedding Kits are available from various websites. There is so much of your special day that you will want to capture, the difficult part will be choosing what makes it in.

You may place various mementos photos, videos, menu cards, wedding programs. Include a major world event, news story or sporting memory. You may even include predictions about your future, as well as predictions for the future:

How many children you’ll have?
what kind of household robots you’ll have?
how many career changes you’ve gone through?
what animal is the trendiest pet?

Have you ever watched a movie where the school decided to make a time capsule for future students of the school. They place all kind of items in and then….they bury it. Well you may not want to bury your wedding time capsule. Chances are that your newlywed home will not be your home in 5 years , two kids and a dog later. So keep in a closet where the temperature will not fluctuate and you will be sure to pack when moving.

The kits that are available will most likely be a festive tin that will seal with stickers and labels indicating when you should open it. Maybe it will be on your 10th anniversary or maybe your 25th anniversary. Stick to your commitment to wait until the time you set, you will be glad you did!!!

Adding personal touches to your wedding is something that you strive to do, you can carry this over to your wedding time capsule creation. Create your own! Pick out your own container reflective of you and your fiancé. Get close friends and relatives to make predictions….this should be interesting and fun.

Honeymoons on a budget

Wondering if you will be able to pull of a fabulous wedding and a go on a great honeymoon. In search of information that I could share with my readers I came across 4weddings.com A wedding and honeymoon travel resource. I found some fabulous deals, you could go on a fabulous honeymoon for less than $2000.00.

This first travel package might also be good for a destination wedding:

Riu Santa Fe

3 Nights from $359 with Air
+ taxes and fees Located in front of the famous arches and on one of the most beautiful beaches in Los Cabos, this new hotel contains first-class facilities, such as specialty restaurants, bars, a discotheque and mini-club with daily activities, as well as a fitness center, tennis court, sauna and Jacuzzi®. The incomparable services and amenities offer guests the opportunity to enjoy spectacular vacations for the whole family.
• Round trip airfare from Los Angeles - more cities available
• Round-trip transfers between airport and hotel
• Accommodations for number of nights selected
• All-Inclusive, includes all meals, drinks, activities and more!
• Reduced rate
• $25 Spa credit per person
• Kids 12 & younger stay FREE

Prices shown are per person, based on double occupancy. Rates shown do not include International Departure & Immigration Taxes up to $130, Passenger Facility Charges up to $18 and up to $10 in September 11th Security Fees. Rates based on published, NON-REFUNDABLE, retail airfares. Change, cancellation fees, and other restrictions may apply once tickets are issued. Rates & inclusions are subject to change, availability and any restrictions. .



Celebrity 4 Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity Century Round Trip Miami

Inside from $219
Ocean View from $399
Veranda from $448

Cozumel has been called the gem of the Mexican Caribbean. The island is located approximately twelve miles off the southern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, just across from Playa del Carmen. The waters and coral reefs off Cozumel are world-renowned as a diving destination.
The capital of "The Conch Republic" is awash in sun, and home to part of the only coral reef ecosystem in the United States. This collection of sandy outcroppings was once a haven for rum smugglers and individuals shunning the limelight. Ernest Hemingway's Key West abode and haunts alone are worth the trip.
Cruise Ports: Miami, Florida, Key West, Florida, Cozumel, Mexico, Miami, Florida

Please see additional travel details at 4weddings.com.

Princess 7 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise
From $499

Few destinations boast as much sun-drenched tropical beauty or cultural diversity as the islands of the Caribbean. This region has a distinctive fusion of influences from Europe, Africa and Latin America, which make up a wonderful quilt-work of cultures amongst a breathtaking backdrop of lush tropical jungles, fresh water caves, white-sand beaches, charming cities and ancient ruins.

This region's histories and cities are fascinating, from the ancient Mayan city of Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula, to the Chacchoben ruins near Costa Maya. Hear the legends of Aruban gold, Jamaican voodoo or the origins of St. Maarten's half-French, half-Dutch culture. Each island has its own incredible story.

Please see 4weddings.com for additional travel details.




Barcelo Langosta Beach
3 nights from $625 with air

Situated on dazzling Playa Langosta, the crystal waters of Barceló Langosta Beach offer guests a sanctuary to renew their souls while delighting in the natural surroundings at our hotel. Awarded a Blue Flag for safe, clean beaches, the Barceló Langosta Beach hotel is a surfer's dream, ideal for warm-water surfing and scuba diving. Relax on the shore while you bask in the sun on a long stretch of warm, white sand or take a deep-sea-fishing exc
• Roundtrip airfare
• Includes reduced rate
• All-Inclusive: Includes all meals, drinks, activities and more!

Prices shown are per person, based on double occupancy. Rates shown do not include International Departure & Immigration Taxes up to $74, Passenger Facility Charges up to $18 and up to $10 in September 11th Security Fees. Rates based on published, NON-REFUNDABLE, retail airfares. Change, cancellation fees, and other restrictions may apply once tickets are issued. Rates & inclusions are subject to change, availability and any restrictions.


Be Inspired Honeymoon on a Budget!!!

DIY Wedding Blog Catalog

It is my desire to inform brides about new trends, information and ideas to enhance their wedding planning. During this tough economic times everyone, even brides, are looking for ways to save money. I took a walk around the blogosphere and found some DIY wedding ideas to help you with a budget friendly wedding.

DIY Printable Wedding Invites

Brenda's Wedding Blog shares information on printable wedding invites from Daisy Days. Daisy Days offers a variety of DIY kits ranging from Ranging in styles from classic pearl borders to colorful, pocket-fold invitations. Check out Brenda's Wedding Blog.

On One lovely Day by Project Wedding, you will find some beautiful and easy DIY centerpieces. These would be great for a bridal brunch or shower.



I fell in love with these DIY wedding ideas from Style Me Pretty. She added a new spin on the traditional fall wedding decor, very light and airy.




Be Inspired by DIY projects that help you save!!!!!

Bridal Showers: A- Z

A Bridal shower is a pre-wedding party where the bride-to-be is "showered" with love, good wishes, and gifts. Traditionally, is a party with the closest female relatives and friends, but today including the groom and his friends is very popular.


Traditionally, the maid of honor would be responsible for planning and hosting the shower. Today, the whole bridal party and even the bride’s mom are involved in the planning process. With hectic schedules everyone and anyone with the time and energy should be enlisted.

Select a date

Showers can take place from six months to a week before the wedding. It is up to you whether you want to make it a surprise or not, some brides-to-be may actually request that it not be a surprise. Keep in mind where most of the guests live and where the shower is being held; out of town guests should be given enough time to make their travel plans. If most people are local, you'll have more options. After setting the date it is important to make a planning schedule include time to meet up and brainstorm. Selecting special themes often make planning easier -- and more fun; it will be your starting point for many of the ideas to come.

Budget

After or in conjunction with the party plan you should set a budget, determine who is paying for the overall event or how you can divide the cost amongst the co-hosts. Make sure if you divide the costs make sure to get money before booking or ordering so that you are not left “holding the bag” or the bill in this case.

The Planning

Don’t get so excited planning the shower that you forget to think about the bride’s likes and dislikes. Is she a traditional or contemporary girl? Would your location choice be something she would like? Does she have any special interest, favorite colors or places she likes to travel to?

Guests

Everyone invited to the shower should also be invited to the wedding. If you are going with a “just girls” invitation list, make sure the bride's and groom's close female relatives are invited, as well as all the women in the wedding party and the bride's close girlfriends. If it's a couple shower, make it a coed guest list.
Suggest that the bride and groom register for gifts prior to the shower. Include registry information in shower invitations; include any special instructions in keeping with any theme you might have selected.

Food

Consider having the shower catered if it will be done in someone’s home. The philosophy of value over economy will play a big part in the success of your shower. It might be cheaper to have everyone involved in the planning chip in and cook a dish; however if for any reason one person is unable to fulfill their responsibility and does not let you know ahead of time, it will leave a major deficit in your showers. You can also consider asking a special person in the brides life to contribute one of their most popular dishes, for instance if the bride-to-be’s grandmother makes an excellent apple pie or dessert consider asking them to make it for the special occasion, they will be honored.

The favors




There are many fun items you can get as favors for the bridal shower. You can get them based on the theme (fall theme, beach theme) or a general favor like a cookie favor, edible favors are always a hit. Cookies can be decorated in bridal colors and presented in cellophane paper with coordinating ribbons, such as the ones below by Two Sisters Bakery

Renting Bridal Jewelry

Looking like a Platinum bride on your wedding day is possible even during a recession. Thanks to Adorn Brides leasing wedding jewelry is easy. Adorn Brides is a trailblazer in this new exciting concept, you will not find any other jewelry giant bringing this to you. You can now wear the finest elegant bridal jewelry on your wedding day.

Here is the process as listed on the Adorn Brides Website:

Rent Bridal Jewelry in four easy steps

1. Go shopping and pick out the pieces you love and add them to your “shopping bag”. Check their availability by entering your event date.
2. Check out using a credit card to order the jewelry for your event date.
3. Look amazing wearing the jewelry on your wedding day

Adorn will call you a few days before your event to confirm shipping information and review the details.
Your jewelry will arrive 2 business days prior to your event.
Best of all, the jewelry is insured while in your possession and the insurance is included in the rental price! (If the jewelry is not returned, Adorn will charge a 33% deductible.)
Please note that an amount equal to approximately 5% of the retail value of the jewelry will be reserved on your credit card while you have the jewelry as a temporary security deposit.



4. Send it back on the first business day after your event using packaging and pre-paid label Adorn provides for you.

Simply drop it off at the closest UPS store.
Once we receive the jewelry we will remove the security deposit.

Wedding Jewelry: Investment of a lifetime

Investing In the Marriage

A woman's dowry, in many countries, is worn around her neck and wrists in the form of gold chains and bracelets. While in modern countries, a woman doesn't require a dowry to marry, some of the jewelry purchases made during this time can be a sound investment. With gold prices at record levels, any jewelry bought for wedding purposes can be a nice way to invest a portion of wealth in an appreciating asset. Even diamonds have a way of retaining value over time, making them ideally suited for putting money aside into commodities that remain viable for years to come. Just be sure they're real diamonds as the dollar value is the difference between diamond and cubic zirconia.

Choose Gold or Platinum

The setting of your wedding jewelry is traditionally gold. Gold, however, is a soft metal that wears away easily. Platinum has become more popular, even as it costs more. That may also be a good reason to choose platinum, over gold, as the value is intrinsically higher. It also goes well with modern looks that favor a chrome or silver finish, rather than a yellow gold for fine jewelry. If you can't afford platinum, but want the look, there are white gold alloys, but they are less in value than purer forms of gold.

Diamonds Have Staying Power

Diamonds have long been used to launder money because they can easily be smuggled across borders. While you're probably not into any criminal activity, the same reasoning to choose diamonds over other stones exists for the serious investor. They are more easily liquidated and sold into cash, should hard times strike. While it would be tough to trade in a ring, even if you were struck with misfortune, it's a viable way to lock wealth away for a period of time, and still enjoy it.

Don't Forget The Wedding Bands

Bands can have diamonds studded into them now too, for both men and women. There are fancy colored diamonds that can have a higher value and more market appeal. If you survive the wedding, why not increase your jewelry holdings each year with an anniversary gift of fine jewelry? By the time your reach your 50th wedding anniversary, you'll already have a nice stash of gold set aside from previous years.

Favor by Color

I like to introduce another wedding resource tool that will facilitate your wedding planning process. On this site favors can be chosen based on color, themes, seasons. The options are limitless and span a wide range of prices.

Favors by Color is a company that has been created to make a bride's or planner's search for favors and easy one. They have categorized favors by colors and seasons. The site is extremely user friendly and will take the stress out of searching for favors.

Kelley McConnell owner of Favors by Color shares her inspiration for this innovative company:

"While taking a wedding planning class, one thing I noticed was that brides know their colors very early on. And it was time consuming to go through every page of several websites looking for wedding favors and gifts while knowing I was looking for a particular color or color combination." said owner Kelley McConnell. "I thought it would be so much easier if there was a website dedicated to displaying wedding favors by color so the bride and I could easily find favors and gift options in her colors."

Favor by Color offers samples on most items, just send a request to samples@favorsbycolor.com and they will get it ordered for you. Most gifts and favors come pre-packaged in an attractive box, but if a bride would like any item gift wrapped, Favors By Color can take care of it! Just make pre-arrangements by calling 877-434-2664 .


For more information on the history and choosing your wedding favors check out this post

Wedding DIY: Natural Elements Tablescapes

Creating great tablescapes will help you make your tables say "Wow" at you pre-wedding and wedding festivities. For fall events adding natural elements help you tie in the season in a unique and eco-friendly way.

Here are a few of my favorite, check out each link for DIY instructions:

Autumn Berries



Nature



Pumpkins



Celebrations at Home: Lovely Autumn Centerpiece

And the Winner is...........

I want to thank all of you who stopped by to enter the October giveaway. The winner of Inspired's October giveaway is ............Momma Goddess. Congratulations!! I hope that you enjoy the wonderful creation from Memoriesforlife.

I want to thank Edi from Memories for life for her providing her talent and creativity to Inspired's October giveaway. It was a great contribution to a great giveaway.

Winner was selected using Random.org.

Delectable Chocolate

Think back to the first time that you tasted your favorite dessert, or bit into a piece of Godiva chocolate. When the term "simply sinful" begins to makes sense; and you are almost unsure if you should take the next bite, so you eat slowly. Well when I tried on ME TOO's satin ribbon shoe, I felt like this. I actually tried on the closed back version to this shoe, but the front was the same as the Jeannette pictured above. I never realized how much I enjoyed shoes. Not just any shoe but the one that makes you want to run out and get a pedicure. I am usually afraid of shoes that are too high but the 4" heel on this shoe is very sturdy and comfortable, dancing comfortable.

If you want to be different for your brown wedding wear these heels under your gown. Imagine your photos with this great shoe peeking from under your dress.

Brown and Green Inspiration board

Brown and Green are great colors for a fall wedding. Check out this wedding inspiration board.




Invitations

This olive-colored invitation features a faint floral background with your wording printed on top. Add the final touch to this invitation with a pre-cut, mocha ribbon that wraps around the middle of the card.

Wedding dress
ktjean etsy shop

Custom dream dresses available at the KtJean Etsy shop


Wedding Bouquet

Chocolate cosmos, scabiosa pods, brown mythe Gerbera daisies and Leonidas roses cymbidium orchids are so perfect in this hand tied beauty.

Photos courtesy John Henry. All rights reserved.



Cake (island)

By: Courtesy of Gateaux Inc.

Reception Setting
Photos By: SB Childs Photography

Signature Drink

ABSOLUT PEARS has introduced a signature Peartini cocktail. It has a stimulating and full-bodied taste that is soft and ripe with a long and fruity aftertaste. The aroma is natural, containing mellow pears with a hint of sweet almond notes, adding a sensual energy to this otherwise demure fruit.

REAL Wedding: Bridesmaids Bouquets

In an effort to save money on wedding decor some brides might opt to enlist some fake items, it could be flowers, fruit or other items. Brides may opt to use fake bouquets because they want to save money or feel it is a viable "green" alternative. Well there are two issues that arise from using fake flowers, sometimes the colors chosen are so far from the natural color that your bouquets become very unattractive and have a "cheap look" to it. I have seen very realistic silk bouquets, that cause you to take a second look. They are indeed very nice and alot of work goes into them, however the price ends up being the same if not more that the cost of a bouquet with real flowers.

If the issue is saving money, then possibly you could have your ladies carry flowers that make an impact. Calla lilies do very well standing on their own, possibly two Calla Lillies hand tied with a organza or satin ribbon. When considering a single flower bouquet you must get flowers with strong stems. My personal favorite is the Gerbera daisy, it comes in fabulous colors perfect for a garden wedding.

Try smaller bouquets, less flowers, less money. If you have "green" in mind and are worried about the impact of transportation find a florist that will use locally grown flowers.

For DIY bouquets try wholesale flower shops. You will need to make sure you have a place to store the flowers so they stay fresh, like a refrigerator. However this option will help you save money and you get the benefit of real flowers. Also, with this option I don't believe you have to mention that you are getting married. Weddings are big business and the mere mention may bump up the price of your flowers, so mums the word.

For centerpieces you could try potted plants, go to local nursery. Maybe you could go to the really unassuming nursery and be pleasantly surprised by what you find. I have a local "nursery" near my home. She sets up from spring to late fall in a parking lot adjacent to a store. She has a great selection of flowers at really fabulous prices comparing to other nurseries. Try thinking seasonal, Mums for a fall wedding or tulips for a spring wedding. Possibly spend the money on really nice pots. You can also paint the pots, try a white or cream color with gold paint lightly applied with a sponge. For a rustic look stick with the Terra cotta pots with an organza ribbon tied around them. You can also cover them in moss and then add the ribbon.



Alternatives to flowers for Bridesmaids

Clutch - Maybe you could try a really nice clutch which will serve as your gift to your bridesmaids as well as a unique item to carry down the aisle.


This Etsy seller has loads of style packed into her shop and a great discounts for wedding parties. Get 5 bridesmaids bouquets for $325.00. When you consider that this will cover your budget for bridesmaids gifts and flowers, you have to agree this is a great deal.

Parasols

Parasols would be great for beach weddings , Asian theme weddings, outdoor ceremonies. The come in a variety of colors and make an impact. There are many places that you could get parasols, the ones below were found at Pamela's parasols. You can also try Cultural Intrigue for a wholesale option.





Explore your options make them your own and be inspired by Real beauty!!!

Inspired by Collaborative Art

Inspiration..where do we find it. I love when I am inspired by things as well as inspiring others, hence the name of my blog. Inspiration can come visually, it can come from something you hear, a feeling or a combination of all of these.

I recently read an article written by a friend and artist, Amanda Day. Her article was entitled, Collaborative Art . I was quickly drawn in and intrigued by the title of this article. She began by writing that collaborative art is probably something all artists and crafters use in their daily creations, whether we know they know or not."

Collaborative art is the ability to enlist the ideas of others to build on a creative idea that you had. The collaboration part of this experience allows others to help build on your dreams with different ideas that help "expand your creativity and help you "think outside the box". While considering their ideas create your own masterpiece. Wow what a concept!

Although Amanda was using art as her frame of reference I thought back to my own experience as a wedding planner. I love how my job allows me to work with different vendors to create a great masterpiece, a couples wedding day. After talking to couples and hearing their vision , I build on their ideas and vendors build on my ideas and vision for the event....collaborative art. The process has a name, a very special and inspiring name. While I have always been passionate about planning weddings, I am looking at planning with a whole new perspective.

If you are planning your own wedding, I think it would be great to take a look at Amanda's article. Her ideas sound very much like a wedding plan, of course there are some others pieces that you will need to include. However, the creative aspect of your wedding will indeed benefit from collaborative art.

I leave this line from the article with you, it is my favorite and most memorable part; "Remember, though, this is your creation, so if it doesn't go exactly step by step, then, well, you've probably created a better piece of work because of it! Have fun and be inventive"

Thank you Amanda for inspiring me this week.

Thank you poem

Saying Thank you is always well received. Find creative ways to express your thank you's


Thank you for coming and sharing our day.
Hope comes from loving, and loving from friends.
After you left, we were left with the stars,
Near stunned by the grace with which such a day ends.
Know that your presence helped fashion our way.
You are the fields on which marriage depends,
Opening vistas no heart can convey,
Unloosing sweet music that now will be ours.

Poems courtesy of http://www.poemsforfree.com/thank9.html

Be Inspired by creative thank you's !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

October Giveaway

A wedding scrapbook is much more than a album filled with photos, a scrapbook also tells a story. With scrapbooking being very popular there are so many ways to capture the emotions of the day, give words to your memories. You could take the route of traditional scrapbooking or you could try new innovative techniques with digital scrapbooking. Traditional scrapbooking involves more hands on work, it becomes more personal because you have to cut out, paste, and write all of the information detail in the scrapbook yourself. Digital scrapbooking allows you more versatility with images and designs.

Now purchasing the scrapbook can be just as fun as working in it. This brings us to October's Inspired giveaway, sponsored by Memories for Life Scrapbooks. This giveaway will run from October 11, 2009 - October 23, 2009. Winner will be announced on Oct 25, 2009.




Simple and Stunning is the best way to describe this album!

Made with both the scrapbooker and non-scrapbooker in mind :) This album is super cute, yet elegant all at the same time!

The album measures 5.5"x8.5" and the inside pages are just a tad smaller. The covers are made of extra heavy chipboard and are covered with card stock and patterned paper.

The inside pages are each adorned with two patterned paper strips and photo corners to hold a 4"x6" photo. There are 10 pages to hold a total of 20 photos.

The scrapbook can be customized in any color to match the wedding colors.

The best part about this album is that it requires no cropping of photos and no adhesive is necessary!

This album would look great on your guest book table! Or better yet, give it as a gift to a new bride and groom! Either way, it will be a treasure for years to come

If you win and are you will have the option of a scrapbook with the "Mr & Mrs" or "Family time".

I am sure you are wondering how to enter this Inspired memories giveaway, here's how:

1. Subscribe to this post via RSS Feed or email.

2. Visit our sponsor, Memories for Life Scrapbooking

3. Come back and post a comment about one other item in her shop.

4. End your comment with October giveaway

5. You will earn 1 extra entries for advertising this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook, your blog or any other social site. Come back and post a comment with the link to earn your extra entry.

6. You may enter daily, come back and comment on any other post, end your comment with "October Giveaway"

Getting along with your Mother-in-Law

I am often pleased when I meet talented individuals. I recently had the pleasure of networking with Sally Shields author of The Daughter-in-Law rules: 101 Surefire ways to make friends with your Mother-in-Law an Amazon Best Seller. I found this to be a fascinating subject matter. Fortunately, my relationship with my Mother-in-Law has been an easy and really nice one. For some it is not so easy, emotions run high between the two woman that will be a part of the groom-to-be's life. I am sure it is never too early or too late to try to establish a good relationship with your Mother-in-Law.

Here Sally shares more about her book:

What encouraged you to write the book?

I read "The Rules," a guide for single women
who want to land a husband the old-fashioned way.
I followed it to great success, and married the
man of my dreams. But after a couple of years, I
was having a hard time getting along with his
mother. I was scratching my head, going, where is
the manual for this?

I put the book together by taking each
anxiety-inducing situation I'd encountered (from
household items, to beauty techniques, to that
lovely and oh-so-appreciated advice as to how to
handle my children!) and offered myself a
solution as a tongue-in-cheek coping mechanism.
As I applied them, I noticed that my MIL's
attitude started to shift. So, I thought that
maybe I could help save other wives years of
needless contention!

How did you become the
"Mother-in-law Expert”?

When the book came
out, I started receiving hundreds of emails from
women all over the world - including Africa! The
#1 testimonial I received after offering my
support and advice was, "I wish I had this book
10 years ago!" and that is how I become the MIL
Expert! The book is based on the 7th spiritual
law of success which is: The quickest way to get
what you want is to help others get what they
want. What I mean is that I want a loving and
peaceful relationship with my husband and a
loving bond between my children and their
Grandmother. And a peaceful relationship with my
mother-in-law. Be a kindhearted, open, sensitive
person, and the world will reflect that back to
you—even in the form of your Mother -in-law. And
she may just surprise you and turn out to be an
ally— and friend!


So does this mean that, when you are staying
with your Mother-in-law, you should be polite and
do stereotypically female tasks like offer to
wash the dishes, even when your husband normally
does that sort of thing for you at home?

Yes! You should be polite and do everything
you can to help her out, such as clearing the
table, loading the dishwasher, making the bed,
and offering to launder the sheets when you
leave. It is also a nice touch to strip the
pillowcases and fold the blankets neatly upon the
bed upon departure. You should also empty the
facility in the guest bathroom, and store all of
your toiletries in your suitcase or under the
vanity while you are staying there. These are
things that you are doing in a willing and
proactive manner, not only because it is the
polite thing to do, but it is also
self-preservation! You want to give your Mother
In Law as little ammunition possible for
complaining about you -- now and in the future.

What are the three best ways to make a good
impression on a Mother-in-law?

1. Call her once a week--preferably when your
husband isn't home. If you're super busy, try
aiming for her machine (i.e. like when you know
she’s at Bingo). Leave her a quick message if
only to ask how she has been feeling!


2. Compliment her often. Mother-in-laws can be
just as self-conscious as we are, so take the
time to notice how pretty, thin, healthy and
young she looks, occasionally asking if you can
borrow an item of clothing or an accessory such
as a scarf or a purse.


3. Send her cards and flowers on her 3 special
days—birthday, anniversary (if she has one), and
Mother’s day. But, here's the trick: make sure
that your MIL doesn't receive a note solely with
your handwriting on it, or she may mistakenly get
the impression that her son has forgotten her
special day ... Rather, become a great
ghostwriter, and have your husband pen it from
the both of you!

Please visit Sally, speaker, author, radio
personality and International Media Specialist at
http://www.sallyshields.com for contest
giveaways, free bonus gifts, Sally’s newsletter, free gifts, free music, ... and more!

Get Married Magazine - New Bridal Resource

I am so excited I got a copy of the newly launched Get Married Magazine, thank you Wendy, Get Married Communications Manager. I went through it several times and was pleased to see all pages jam packed with information. One of my favorite items is the stickers that are provided to mark your favorite products and pages, aptly named "Love it" stickers. You could even download applications of various products to your phone, handy feature for a bride on the go. The editors of Get Married have really worked hard at weaving technology into their new product which is great for our Technology driven couples.

Jodi Sheffield, Marketing specialist at Get Married magazines shares this about this new wedding resource:

In the irony of the times, Get Married magazine launches the same week where two national bridal publications close. With so many publications folding, Get Married magazine brings a tactile and fresh experience to a new generation of brides who aspire to discover new inspirations on TV, online and in print.



As the ultimate print vehicle, Get Married magazine is more about an interactive relationship with brides, combining traditional print with the interactive world. Get Married – a tri-media wedding platform - anticipated making it easy for brides to plan and shop, and took it one step further by creating a utilitarian tool and guide for brides. The magazine is the first bridal publication to ever use Microsoft Tag which gives readers instant entertainment and connection to videos, website, photos and information on a mobile phone, directly from the pages of the magazine.



Here are some of the fun, new and different components of Get Married magazine:



• The first issue of the magazine is FREE – a single issue (brides, get yours at www.getmarried.com/magazine) or in bulk (wedding pros, give to your brides by ordering free at magazine@getmarried.com



• Love it? Buy it. The subsequent issues will be offered at an astounding low price of $14.96 for 4 issues! Order by calling Customer Service at 1-800-890- 2985.



• Shop the mag: Nearly 80% of the products brides see in Get Married magazine are available in Get Married ’s online wedding shop. We have brokered deals with some of the best in the bridal biz to offer great deals. Brides can go to http://shop.getmarried.com/Magazine/index.cat and shop page by page of the magazine.

Be a winner!!!!!

Get Married magazine will feature ONE lucky bride-to-be on “The Lucky 7” page of each issue. Brides can win by becoming a registered Blogger Bride http://www.getmarried.com/bloggerbrides/. The more often you blog and post pictures, the better chance to be noticed by Get Married to become our next lucky girl. Once chosen, a picture of you and 7 of your wish-list wedding items will be printed on our “Lucky 7” page. Check out page 122 of the inaugural issue.

Groom's Attire

So much of wedding planning surrounds and focuses on the bride. I want to take some time to focus on the groom, the suit options available for the groom go beyond a regular dark tuxedo.



This suit is perfect for a formal evening wedding. Navy blue linen suit is not quite a tuxedo but brings formality through its color and accessories. Color is also brought in with the tie and vest. As you can see the way the necktie is tied also adds to the formality of the attire.

Bouquet Bridal Collection
www.bqbridal.com/groom.aspx




I really like the look of this suit. There are different cuts that you will find in suit making. This particular suit would be considered a European cut and I really love European cuts. The European cut tapers at the waist, for a trim, fit look. This suit style would really be great in any degree of formality. Accessories and color choices will change the look of the suit to meet your wedding style, (for example this suit in a tan color would work best for a morning or afternoon wedding, indoors or outdoors). I must warn you, you and your groomsmen should be in relatively good shape, OK actually you should make sure you are trim and fit and not planning to gain weight.



For a beach wedding there is no better look than that of linen, most particularly in a light color. It is airy and light, it exudes breezy elegance. It's loose fit does not always require traditional tailoring. There are different types of linen some heavier than others, for a beach wedding you might want to lean towards the lighter version, possibly an Italian linen.

http://www.mycubanstore.com/page/MC/CTGY/Guayabera_weddings





Photo courtesy of Red Ribbon Studio

This suit would be great for an afternoon wedding indoor or outdoors. It is an elegant cross between casual and formal. The grey color also gives you a different option to the black tuxedo.



Photo courtesy of Red Ribbon Studio

Inspiring ideas for grooms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!