Trend - Box Me In

Add your wedding day flowers, themed items, signature drink details or pictures into shadow boxes that can serve as a bar topper.

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

David's Bridal Says I Do to NYC!

Congrats to David's Bridal for taking a bite out of the Big Apple with the Grand Opening of their Manhattan store this morning!

"The nation’s leading bridal retailer celebrated their grand opening this morning by literally “unveiling” their first-ever Manhattan store via a gigantic bridal veil and tiara adorning the façade of the building, announcing David’s says “I do” to NYC. Talk about a grand entrance in the fashion capital of the world! To coincide with the grand opening celebrations, an in-store raffle will also reward one lucky bride-to-be with the dress of her dreams each week, through March 15th – something you New Yorkers can smile about in today’s economic climate! "

Photo courtesy of David's Bridal

You can watch the unveiling on You Tube.

Trend - Charmed, I'm Sure

Consider starting a tradition with your maid of honor by gifting her a charm bracelet that you can add a charm to with each notable event that you share together, starting with your wedding.

Photo courtesy of Tiffany

Tip - Understand Your Budget Breakdown

Are you wondering where all your money is going for your wedding? According to Brides magazine 43.7% goes towards the reception site, meal, cake and bar. The second largest chunk goes towards photography and videography at 15.2%.

* Based on a wedding with 164 guests, 5 bridesmaids, 5 groomsmen. Numbers will obviously differ once you factor in where you live, the size, and your priorities.

Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Another Dream Fulfilled

Last Sunday was the Dream Wedding Show, with excited soon-to-bes, pals and professionals buzzing around from building to building to meet all the wonderful experts showcased at the event. In case you somehow missed our Dynamite Experts at the show, here they are:

Bella Donna Bridal SalonCelebrations! Elegant Party RentalsLuxury Limousines of Sacramento (Thanks Bill for the last 2 pix)
Music on the Move DJs
Sharpe PhotographersSheffield Multimedia
Stephanie J DesignsThe Memory JournalistsTsakopoulos Library Galleria

Thanks to the Dream Wedding Show for hosting another successful event! Thanks to all the brides who stopped by to check us out and were able to visit the booths of our Dynamite Experts! Congrats to our Dream Wedding Show winner! See you at their next event, Premier Wedding Show.

David Girard Hosts A Wedding Seminar

We are honored to be giving away 3 tickets to the David Girard Vineyards Wedding Seminar this weekend (valued at $75)!! Comment below with your wedding date and tell us, at least one, must have feature for your day. We will select a winner, at random, on Friday, March 6th, so be sure to check back and see if you were selected!

David Girard Vineyards is hosting a wedding seminar for brides and grooms and invite you to meet a small showcase of vendors they support. Come enjoy the view and wines produced by this amazing venue. The event will be this Sunday, March 8th from 12:30 - 4p.m. For more information or to get tickets, visit David Girard Vineyards.

Check out all the Dynamite Vendors that will be participating at this upcoming event!!

A Day to Remember
Allison Stahl Photography
Celebrations! Elegant Party Rentals
Flourish Designs
Luxury Limousines
The Memory Journalists
Mr. DJ Service
Profinish Design
Real Weddings Magazine

I attended this event last year, as a guest, and it is a must for brides! See you there!

* Carissa, from Sugar and Spice and... will be showcasing her tasty desserts (they're truly tasty, ask me for my testimonial :I) and giving one lucky couple the top tier of a cake to take home and enjoy!

Photo provided by The Memory Journalists

Tip - Hydrate Your Skin

Be sure to hydrate with a little extra lotion on your known dry areas before walking down the aisle. Add a dab to elbows, hands and possibly feet. If your shoes will slide around in your shoes after, skip the bottoms of the feet and just add a dollop to the top.Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - Hello Pashmina

Pick up a comforting pashmina shawl for your great bridesmaids in a complementing color of your choice. The great thing about shopping at Nimli is that not only are they affordable, but this is a company devoted to providing natural, organic and sustainable lifestyle products.

Photo courtesy of Nimli

Tip - Vow To Be Prepared

If you and your fiance have plans to read your own vows, it's still a good idea to have a back up plan with your officiant to have traditional vows ready in case you get too nervous.Photo provided by The Memory Journalists

Dream Wedding Show Winner!

Congratulations to Connie Higgins, our Dream Wedding Show winner, who will receive a 12-pack of personalized notecards by Stephanie J Designs (valued at $25)!If you would like to order your own 12 or 24 pack of personalized notecards, contact Stephanie today! Design choices are Rock Star, Glam Girl, Beach Babe, Earth Angel or Shoe Goddess (pictured above).

Trend - Gifting

Brides magazine reports that 73% or couples prefer money or gift cards. Just think, as a guest, it could save you from heading to the store to purchase their gift and wrap it.

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - Monogrammed Parasols

Consider adding your monogram to a paper parasol for great pictures.
Picture courtesy of MeWha Photography

Tip - Order Custom

Are you wondering what lip color you're going to wear since they stopped making your fave? You've been scraping the bottom of the container with a toothpick for a year! Don't fret, Three Custom Color Specialists to the rescue! In 3 easy steps you can be smoothing on your favorite eye, lip, concealer, powder color without using scraping tools to get to them. They will recreate your custom color!

Photo courtesy of Three Custom Color Specialists

Tip - Thoughtful Thank Yous

When writing your thank you cards for the thoughtful guests that sent you their heartfelt gift, be sure to get a jump start. Write the thank yous as the gifts come in, so the task doesn't become tedious and your comments become repetitive and lack creativity.

If you are worried about getting thank you cards done and out in time, consider hiring a pro. You can call on Faith Poirier Loo to handwrite your thank yous! Check out: HandWrittenThankYouCards.com.

Photo provided by The Memory Journalists
Card designs by Stephanie J Designs

Trend - Ambient Lighting

Chandeliers and/or creative lighting can turn your reception room from bleak to chic!Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists
Venue: Tsakopoulos Library Galleria
Floral designs by: Blooms by Martha Andrews