Trend - Cosmetics For A Cause

When selecting your cosmetics, consider those companies that give proceeds to worthy causes or make an effort to participate in charity events regularly. MAC Cosmetics released their newest Viva Glam Lipstick, VIVA GLAM VI with warm terracotta-plum with pearl finish. All proceeds from the VIVA collections of lipstick and gloss are donated to the MAC Aids Fund.

Photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Trend - The Gift of Giving

I actually got this trend idea from our friend Ms. Polka from Polka Dot Bride, who was talking about a new company in Australia, Karma Currency, that allows you to give charity vouchers to your wedding guests. This way they can select the charity that your donation is made to.

Here in the U.S. we have JustGive.org which is a comparable concept, allowing you to purchase donation vouchers for your guests or create a wedding registry page where guests can make a donation on your behalf to charities you've selected.

Trend - Redistributing Florals

Brides are looking for new ways to recycle and reuse products instead of creating more waste. Think about redistributing wedding flowers to hospitals and charity events.

Photo courtesy of Allison Stahl Photography

Fill Your Sack At Saks To Help Fight Women's Cancers

One more reason to love Saks Fifth Avenue!Be sure to shop Saks Oct. 16 - 19th, order Karl Lagerfeld's t-shirt (seen above), share your Key to the Cure story or (if you're feeling extra spendy) buy a Mercedes-Benz S550! Hats off to Saks for organizing this!

This super cute t-shirt by Karl Lagerfeld could make a great prize gift at a bridal shower, for your bridesmaids or just because.

Celeb Shoe Auction Benefits Ovarian Cancer Testing

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Stuart Weitzman is holding their eighth annual celebrity shoe auction to raise money to develop a urine test for ovarian cancer. All shoes are designed by your favorite celebs and auctioned off through September. Check it out!For more information on ovarian cancer awareness, donations and progress visit NOCC (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition).

Photo courtesy of Stuart Weitzman Celebrity Auction

Cake Piece From Lady Di's Wedding Sold For Charity

A former royal servant's family sold a piece of wedding cake from Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer's 1981 wedding for 1000 pounds ($1830), which will go to charity.

"The large, 23 cm (9 inch) slice of cake icing, with a marzipan base, came from one of 23 official wedding cakes and was given to Moyra Smith who worked for the Queen Mother at Clarence House.

It was kept wrapped in clingfilm in an attic for the past 27 years.

The cake was sold on Wednesday to an unnamed bidder along with a typed letter signed by "Charles and Diana" thanking Mrs Smith for her contribution towards a clock they were given as a wedding present.

Her husband Donald told British media that his wife died last month, aged 78, and it was her wish for the cake to be sold after her death, with the money raised to go to charity."

See full story at Reuters.com.
Photo provided by BBC News.com.

Trend - Registration Alternatives

For the bride and groom who have everything, what do you register for? Nowadays many couples have already accumulated enough "stuff" that registering at your local department store seems silly. There are many new alternative to registration. Here are a few ideas:

Create a wedding website telling guests where you plan to honeymoon and providing them with a detailed itinerary of all the things you would love to do on your trip. Then provide contact info for your travel agent or you can use Travelers Joy (www.travelersjoy.com) giving the alternative for guests to help pay for your swim with the dolphins or horseback riding on the beach.

Also check out Go Gift (www.gogift.com), the cash giving alternative. This is great for the couple to be able to use money donated for their wedding expenses, honeymoon, down payment on a big purchase, etc.

Another idea is helping to pay for the wedding by contacting the vendors directly. We have seen many generous guests donate money towards photography for example, allowing the bride and groom to add additional hours, albums, extra prints, etc. or contact the florist and let them know you would like to pay a portion of the balance due. Most vendors will be gracious and surely let the couple know where the payment came from.

Finally, every bride and groom would appreciate charitable donations made on their behalf to any worthy cause, but if there are charities or foundations that you are passionate about let it be known. Another great place to share this information is through a personal wedding website.

Trend provided by Dynamite Weddings
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Birthday Bash & Charity Event

We would like to acknowledge Catriona Arcularius' amazing generosity on a day that was meant to be celebratory of her own life.

Catriona's 30th b-day bash and charity event was held March 28th, 2008 at Blue Goose, Loomis

Benefit- '4 the Babies' a Sacramento Crisis Nurseries charity
Participating vendors

Amazing services provided by:

Jeremy Underwood, Sharpe Photographers

Martha Andrews, Blooms

Catriona, Arcularius Events

Michaela Rodgers, Plush Weddings
Steve Schon, Function 45 DJ

Sharri Black, CMC

A roast and fabulous celebration was held in honor of Catriona Arcularius's 30th birthday. Family and close friends took the opportunity to poke a little fun at Catriona's unique personality and quirks. Following this comical display and laugh out loud funnies at Catriona's expense, guests danced the night away to the best mix of music. The dance floor was lit by a chandelier and surrounded by ornate jewel trees, fabric hung from the tall rafters above, and all up lit with a teal glow. The Blue Goose turned out to be the perfect venue for this benefit bash that raised over $1,000 for the charity. The theme was anything but an old country barn hoedown. The modern lounge design was the perfect contract to this rustic barn.

Over $1,000 for charity! Kudos to all those that helped make the event so amazingly successful and to those that attended and were willing to give. Way to go!

Trend - Donate To A Cause

Trinkets, Sweets or Treats? How to make an ol’fashioned tradition new and trendy! In lieu of the time, labor and a lot of times waste of wedding favors, make a cash donation to a special cause that is important to you as a couple. Making a donation to the SPCA or the fight for Cancer might be just the right thought to share with your guests. Place a few really pretty picture frames at each table telling your guest where your support makes a difference!Trend provided by Slip of Elegance Chaircovers
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists