From the monthly archives:

May 2009

Invitation Design on a Dime

by Siena Heart on May 29, 2009 · 1 comment

in Contests & Giveaways, Invitations & Paper Ensamble, Just For Fun/Humor, Uncategorized, Websites & Resources

Think you need an expensive design program to design beautiful invitations? Not true! The new Office Mac 2008 is only $113 and is the most souped of version I’ve seen yet! There are so many layout options it blows my mind.

I have a graphic design background, and when it came to my wedding invitations I had to design them on Photoshop and Illustrator. As much as I love them, they cost and arm and a leg and are not practical for the everyday users. Microsoft Office 2008 allows you to not only assemble things like save-the-dates, wedding invitations, and place cards with their new layout feature, but you can make wedding budget trackers. And it’s easy to use! None of this vector confusion. And, if your super ambitious, you can do a PowerPoint love story with photos and music you can project from your laptop at your reception… wouldn’t your guest love that!

For tips on using Microsoft Office Suite 2008, go to www.artofoffice.com.

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How to Have an Extraordinary Wedding

by Katie on May 29, 2009 · 0 comments

in Guest Bloggers

Hello! I am so excited for what I get to share with you today! Our guest blogger, Ali Berlin, has shared with us some GREAT thoughts and tips for having an extraordinary wedding and starting out on the right foot for an even better marriage! Ali does a lot – her roles include relationship advisor, spiritual counselor, and wedding officiant and speaker. She authors a fabulous blog I’d recommend checking out for both wedding “stuff” and personal development things. Read on for her words of wisdom!

Real quick! Ali is offering Wedding Fanatic readers a gift of 20% off all wedding officiating, ceremony consulting, and relationship/pre-marital coaching services to those who register by June 6, 2009. Please use code: WeddingFanatic09 when inquiring.

As a wedding officiant and relationship expert, I’ve worked with hundreds of couples who are madly in love and want the wedding of their dreams. Sounds familiar, right? My job is to translate their love into the words, rituals and energy of their ceremony. With so many details to focus on in the planning process, the emotional experience and spiritual rite of passage inherent in the wedding are often unintentionally overlooked. Remembering to honor the essence of the relationship throughout the process and in the ceremony will make your engagement, wedding day and marriage more spectacular and rich than you can imagine!

Here are my guidelines for how to have an extraordinary wedding:

* Who? Some of the most important questions in life revolve around identity. Regarding marriage, the question is: Who do you want to be for your life and this marriage? Who do you want to inspire your partner to become? Who can you be together? These are great questions to write about, use in writing your vows, or to get to know each other more. I guarantee you’ll feel a heightened level of openness, connection, intimacy and love.

* What? Perhaps the most forgotten question is this: What is marriage: for me, my fiancé and for us? Remember, the details of your hearts are way more spectacular than the most glamorous wedding. Be willing to be bold!

* Where? Let’s talk location, and I’m not just speaking of venues. If your relationship were a map, what would the destinations be called (i.e. becoming incredible parents, passionate sex, travel, physical fitness, etc)? How would you explore this map and what vehicles would you use (i.e. setting certain goals, committing to taking care of ourselves, etc)? This is a metaphor for how you will live your life, but also invites a more conscious conversation about your dreams and shared reality. I suggest that couples actually create a visual map because it is a constant reminder and inspiration to live into the life you’re dreaming of. You can also make a map for your wedding day!

* When? Take a deep breath. There is no rush. Slow down and tune into what is most important to you about becoming married. Make your choices with patience and ease. Most of all, during your ceremony, take it easy and take it slow. This is the time capsule that is marking a whole new lifecycle for you.

* Why? If nothing else, take the time to connect with yourself and your fiancé to articulate why you are getting married. The answer “because we love each other” is not why you are getting married. Be specific. You can call this your intention, mission, purpose or whatever feels right to you, but come up with something. You may want to speak this during the ceremony or else just hold it in your hearts. Whatever you choose, it will set a foundation and a touchstone for you to lean on during the planning process, wedding day and marriage itself.

* How? You can plan the most aesthetically beautiful wedding and wear the most stunning dress ever designed, but if you are a frazzled and manic throughout the process, what is the point? Your state of being during the planning process is an example of how you are living your life. Let it be enjoyable, creative, inspired, passionate, connected and supportive. Lean on people, let some things go, speak up for what you want most, be willing to take risks and have a blast. This is your life, and this is your love.

There is something universal about love and marriage and at the same time, each couple has their own style and flavor of this passionate path of partnership. I write each ceremony based on each couple’s love, personalities, families and dreams. It makes a tremendous difference. People appreciate the rest of the wedding so much more after they have been invited into and exposed to the truth in your relationship during your ceremony.

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Ali Berlin, M.A. is a renowned Relationship Advisor, Spiritual Counselor, Wedding Officiant & Speaker with an exclusive list of private clients spanning the globe. A celebrated and passionate expert, she defies expectations through her signature honesty, penetrating insights and the delivery of unforeseen, exceptional results. To inquire about availability: ali@aliberlin.com or www.aliberlin.com

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Honeymoon Giveaway!

by Katie on May 21, 2009 · 0 comments

in Contests & Giveaways

Hello all! Pre-owned Wedding Dresses is having a honeymoon giveaway. The winner will receive a $2,000 Marriott Honeymoon TravelCard redeemable at any Marriott hotel, anywhere in the world. The TravelCard can be used for anything at the hotel including room nights, spa treatments, golf, and even breakfast in bed. Not a bad deal! For more info and to sign up, check this out!

powd_honeymoon-giveaway

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USABrideWeddings Promo

by Katie on May 19, 2009 · 0 comments

in Promotions

Hello lovely readers! We have a little promo for you today from USABrideWeddings.com, an online shop with some great bridal accessories. They have everything from tiaras to headbands, veils, and jewelry.

When Meagan contacted me about this promotion, she also sent along some great tips from Nancy Jaeger, the founder of USABrideWeddings, for staying fashionable on a budget. Check them out:

Great Gowns for less… Instead of shelling out tons of cash for a one-time wear, try buying a bridesmaid dress and use it as your gown instead. Many come in white, ivory and cream and cost a fraction of the price of most wedding gowns. Spice them up with a brooch or sash, or even a barrette creatively placed.

Rhinestones are forever…. Since diamonds come with a hefty price tag, look to rhinestones and crystals for jewelry and other sparkly touches.

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Headpiece without the headache…. No matter what your preferences is for a headpiece – veil, simple tiara, headband, something else entirely – there is something out there for your taste and price range. Another option is the trendy feathers and flowers look – affordable and fabulous!

headband

Va-va VOOM veils….. Elegance can be found in veils of all shapes and sizes. Instead of paying a ton for a long, cathedral length veil, try a shorter option such as an elbow or fingertip. Embellish with a bit of lace or crystals to mix things up. Or, for the oh-so-now look, try a birdcage veil. They can be jazzed up and pricey, but on the other end of the spectrum, they can be chic and cheap.

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PROMO INFO – USABrideWeddings is offering our readers 10% off all orders and free shipping on orders over $50. Just type in “saving10″ during check out to receive the discount.

Happy shopping! :)

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Colin Cowie’s Wedding Chic

by Katie on May 18, 2009 · 2 comments

in Resources & Checklists, Wedding Planners & Coordinators

I LOVE me a good wedding book – some good tips, great ideas, and fabulous pictures! Well this post, for Mr. Colin Cowie’s Wedding Chic: 1001 Ideas for Every Moment of Your Celebration is LONG overdue. I received a copy, I dare say weeks ago, so it’s about time I share it with you!

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I must say, the absolute BEST, most FABULOUS part of this book is the pictures. It’s almost-mini size makes it cute and easy to handle (unlike so many of those massive coffee table type books we often see) but it’s nothing short on content. It walks you through bouquets and ceremony flowers, ceremony decor, centerpieces, reception decor, cakes, invitations and other paper, appearance, ritual and ceremony, food and drink, and lastly music and the after-party. Even with all of that, there is a focus to the book:

“…inspiration and advice to help you go that extra mile and create those once-in-a lifetime moments – the things that dreams are made of.”

And I love how he ends the introduction:

“This book is about choosing those details: the cut of your gown, the heft and texture of your table linens, the pin-spot lighting illuminating the flowers at the reception, the song that will be playing when it’s time to dance, spirits are high, and everyone’s ready to get the party started. I hope this book will be a tool that allows you to use my energy, imagination, and years of experience to help you create your own path down the aisle.”

So, while you may not get all wrapped up in the cut of your gown, the heft or texture of your linens, or want to give much thought into lighting, anyone planning a wedding needs SOME inspiration, and this book is definitely a great place to start (or a fabulous tool to help you continue on your way).

colincowieweddingchic

Photos by Colin Miller and Robin Layton

One more little plug – Colin Cowie has launched a new floral and event decor service so that even if you can’t afford the man himself, you can still get the Colin Cowie look. Colin and his staff can provide bouquets and boutonnieres, ceremony flowers, reception centerpieces, bar and buffet arangements, cake table décor, and linen, prop, and specialty rentals. Check out Colin Cowie Flowers for more info!

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Rock Inspiration

by Lilian on May 13, 2009 · 1 comment

in Jewelry & Accessories

Looking for picture ideas for your wedding ring? Here are some cool images for inspiration.





All images borrowed from Anne Ruthmann Photography Blog.




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Guestiquette

by Katie on May 6, 2009 · 0 comments

in Websites & Resources

This post is LONG overdue!! Sometimes, being a wedding guest can be just as tricky as being part of the wedding party or even planning the wedding itself! That’s where Guestiquette comes in.

The website, started by the lovely people in the Hilton Family, has been working with Samantha Goldberg, the fabulous planner often seen on “Whose Wedding is it Anyway”, to provide information for the all-too-important wedding guest.

We had the opportunity to ask Miss Samantha herself some questions we thought might benefit our readers! Here are our questions (and their answers) for all of you Wedding Fanatics. :)

1. In today’s economy, what do you see couples doing to save a few pennies? What are your tips and ideas for couples on tight budgets?

Sticking to a budget doesn’t need to be overwhelming! Check out my easy-to-use, downloadable budget tracker available on Guestiquette, where you can record your expenses to stay on track as you plan. In addition, here are my top five ways to save in today’s economy:

1. First, book and manage your wedding room block online with Hilton Family’s easy tool to save time spent calling hotels during work hours.
2. Second, plan your wedding during an off-peak time like Sunday to lower the cost.
3. Third, ask talented friends to “gift” you your wedding services (flowers, photography, etc.)
4. Fourth, look for more inexpensive dress options. Don’t be afraid to buy the dress right off the rack or even rent your gown (a great way to wear the designer dress of your dreams, without the hefty price!) Also, keep an eye out for trunk sales from your favorite designer which can save you 50-70% off retail (this can also be a great way for bridesmaids to get a great deal on their dress)
5. And finally, consider a destination wedding with fewer guests that also serves as your honeymoon.

2. As someone who has worked with tons of weddings and couples, what is the absolute best part for you?

I think the best part for me is being able to help someone create their wedding day vision. Many people are visual, which means they have to actually see props instead of looking at a drawing or floor plan, so I love helping couples make their ideas tangible, thus bringing those ideas to life.

There is truly no better reward than seeing a couple’s faces when they walk into their ceremony/reception and know it was even more than they had expected!

3. What are some major problems you find most couples struggle with while planning their weddings? How do you prepare your couples for these situations or deal with the issues as they arise?

Often, the fast-pace and trying nature of wedding planning can cause couples to forget to keep their lines of communication open, which can make the wedding planning process more complicated than it needs to be. An easy fix for this is to have each party list their wedding wants and needs at the beginning of the wedding planning process, thus making sure each voice is heard and nipping any potential miscommunication in the bud.

When I meet with my couples, I always ask both the bride and groom what they consider to be the most crucial elements of their wedding. That way, I can take those elements that a couple disagrees on and show them how it’s possible to find solutions that incorporate both of their tastes. You can get more information on dealing with tricky wedding situations here.

4. What are some of the best things a couple can do to ensure a smooth planning process?

It seems like planning a wedding is comprised of a million different details and to-do’s, which is why having them all in one, convenient timeline is incredibly useful in helping you stay on top of your wedding planning (and maintain your sanity!) Check out my comprehensive wedding planning timeline available on Guestiquette, which leads you through every step of the way, starting from a year before your wedding right through your big day.

Also, I think a great way for couples to make things more organized for themselves is by keeping a binder of wedding elements that have inspired them, including magazine cut-outs, photos, and other notes you’ve accumulated throughout the planning process. The binder will help provide each couple with the inspiration to create their own unique wedding style. Also, when each couple meets with their vendors, they will be able to use the binder to show their vendors the color and fabric schemes they have planned, to help inspire other choices. For example, it’s useful for the florist to see a swatch of fabric from the bride’s dress!

Thanks so much for the great tips, Samantha! Check out Gold Events for more info on Sam and Guestiquette for more tips on being a fabulous wedding guest!

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