Trend - Themed Receptions

Several times this year we have had couples who have chosen a special theme for their reception. Disneyland themes, Hawaiian, Star Wars, your favorite novel or movie title, and more are all great ideas. It is always a great way to plan food, decorations, lighting, and music. When themes are chosen, many guests will dress to fit the occasion.Trend provided by Music on the Move.
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists.

Tip - Know your Wedding Gown Budget

Know your budget before you start shopping for your wedding gown. Make sure you tell your bridal consultant your budget before you start looking so that she doesn’t grab a dress that is way out of your price range. You don’t want to try on a gown that you fall in love with and then realize that it’s over your budget.Tip provided by Bella Donna Bridal Salon.
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists.

Trend - Precious Cargo

Give your ring bearer something different to carry his precious cargo of your wedding rings. A small wooden treasure chest, a hand make silk pillow or a cushion crafted completely out of flowers will make his journey down the aisle special, personal and oh so cute.
Trend provided by Flourish
Photo courtesy of True Love Photo

Tip - See An Actual Album

Look at pictures the photographer shot at a previous wedding to see if he connected to the couple and captured the mood of their day. If possible, ask to see a proof book -- the shots the photographer took before the couple chose which ones they wanted. This is his work in the raw.
Tip provided by Sharpe Photographers
Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography

Tip - Create A Wedding Binder

Create a wedding planning binder with a simple 3-ring binder. Slip magazine clippings with your favorite ideas into clear plastic page protectors. You can also keep all of your wedding contracts and venue information in the binder. All of your wedding information and ideas will be at your fingertips!

Tip provided by Celebrations! Elegant Party Rentals
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - Post Wedding Party

Keep the party going even after the reception. For weddings with lots of out-of-town guests, it may make sense to plan for an activity after the reception. Brides and grooms are now planning for late-night entertainment. If you have many guests staying at the same hotel, arrange to have a pianist entertain your guests in the hotel lounge. Consider providing sweet treats and coffee for your guests while they wind-down from a long evening.Trend provided by Dynamite Weddings
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Congratulations Jenna!

For those of you that haven't seen the pics from Jenna Bush's wedding, I am going to cut you some slack and assume that you've been living under a rock with no form of technology or print available. ;)

On Sunday, May 10th, Jenna Bush married Henry Hager (a previous White House aide) in an intimate ceremony (as intimate as you can have being the President's daughter)of 200 guests on the Bush Ranch in Texas. Jenna's style was simply elegant, in her beautifully detailed Oscar de la Renta gown and natural, luscious locks simply pulled back. Beautiful.

Possible inspiration for creating your own venue in a backyard location? (I realize not everyone's backyard is a 1600 acre ranch, but it's still inspirational, no?!)

Photos courtesy of The White House

Tip - Don't Ditch Your 'Almost Perfect' Gown

If you found your “almost perfect” gown, but are concerned about having a shorter train or going sleeveless, talk to your alterations’ specialist. Changing the style of a garment is not impossible and can sometimes be as easy as removing a hemline. Just ask. It might not cost a fortune.

Tip provided by Alterations by Patina
Photo courtesy of Allison Stahl Photography

Trend - Soft, Natural Hair

Everywhere from runways to the most fashionable cities we see soft natural hair with shine and movement. This can be interpreted through soft loose curls with natural crown-lift for a beautiful daytime wedding, or by loosely pulling back soft large curls into an effortless up-do for a more formal, evening look. Always maintain good volume at the crown, as it translates better in print. Shiny, healthy tresses are a necessity, whether you wear your hair up or down.
Trend provided by J. Christiaan Salon & Spa
Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Husband of the Year

A friend of mine sent this to me and I just about wet myself! So just a little fun to brighten your day!

HUSBAND OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Honorable Mentions

3rd Place goes to: Greece

2nd Place goes to: Serbia

And the winner of the husband of the year is: Ireland

You gotta love the Irish!Ahhh… the Irish are true romantics! Look, he’s even holding her hand!

Trend - Post Wedding Sessions

POST WEDDING SESSIONS are a new trend in wedding photography. Gone are the days of the bridal portrait and worrying about getting your dress dirty. Brides and grooms can participate in a variety of fun, romantic and even sexy sessions after their actual wedding day. Sessions can be done one week, one month or even years after the big day. There are a variety of session types including the trash the dress session. A typical trash the dress session starts out with a bride in her wedding gown and a unique location. Artfully posed in a beautiful environment and end with the bride in her gown laying in sand or dirt or even in a pool of water.

Trend and photo provided by Sharpe Photographers

Tip - Wedding Website

Set up a wedding website, which is useful, fun, instructive, and the best way to advise your guests of necessary bits of information concerning the wedding and reception. This is a perfect avenue to list your wedding registry (which is never to be included in the wedding invitation).
Tip provided by A Day to Remember
Photo courtesy of Profinish Design

Survey Says - Anything You Didn't Devote Enough Time To?

Is there anything that you wish you had devoted more time to?

Spending more quality one-on-one time with my husband during the months leading up to the wedding – not doing wedding stuff, just enjoying our engagement.
- Hannah, married in 2006

I wish I could have visited with all of the guests more. We had 135 people at the wedding and I felt I did not talk to everybody.
- Jennifer, married 2007

I wish I had taken more time for a little self-pampering. Selfish maybe, but I could have really used a massage and relaxing facial before the wedding. But I was so caught up with keeping everyone else happy that I sort of put myself second.
- Alison, married in 2007

I wish we would have gone over our departure with our DJ- we only had a few well wishers when we left. But we also saw everyone at our after party at the hotel bar, so that kind of made up for it.
- Julie, married in 2007

Not more time, just time EARLIER in the planning. I could have done the invitations, programs, place cards, seating chart and attendant gifts all way ahead of time.
- Kirsten, married in 2006

Pictures, after the wedding mainly.
- Rebecca, married in 2003

Research on DIY projects for the wedding.
- Bree, married in 2007

Photo courtesy of Profinish Design

Ignite the Flame - Sugar & Spice

Sugar & Spice (part 2)

You have probably have started spending at least a little time every day complaining about why he hasn’t done something else. Nothing quenches a flame faster than a nag. Continual nagging and taking each other for granted will siphon the lust factor out of your love faster than you might think. By making a conscious effort to focus on the little things he does that are really nice it will help you look for all the reasons why he’s great and enforce all the reasons why you love him to begin with. Does he take out the trash? Tell him thank you (instead of immediately reminding him that he’s on pooper scooper in the backyard too). Are you stressed out and there are dirty dishes in the sink? Instead of launching into the age old why can’t he be more helpful in the kitchen without being asked?” try giving him a compliment and asking for assistance, like “I really appreciate how helpful you are (insert anything here: “”in keeping the pets fed” , “mowing the yard””) it makes my life so much easier; I’m really stressed right now, would you mind taking care of the kitchen tonight so I can (catch up on work/spend time with the kids/take a relaxing bath/etc)? Thanks! And follow it up with an “I love you!””

Remember to spend at least one moment every day really appreciating your husband, even if it’s for something really small, like that he always makes sure you have a full tank of gas. He’ll feel loved by your continual efforts and love you more for it (and chances are he’ll feel like the luckiest man on earth that his wife doesn’t nag him every waking moment like his buddy’s wife does!) Not only will he feel special, but by focusing on the good things you will feel happier in your marriage too and may have a little more tolerance for the little things he does that you don’t like so much. Showing appreciation for each other will keep your love burning strong for the long haul. Remember, marriage is a marathon, not a sprint: we need to keep our energy for the parts of the course that are really difficult (and there will be times that really just are). Spend your time when you can shoring up your marriage, keeping it strong and happy by making each other feel loved and appreciated.

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Cloud Nine - Downtime

Downtime (part 2): These days we are all stressed and busy. Between cell phones, Blackberry's and IPhone's we are never far from the reach of work or family or friends. So what's a newly-married couple to do?

Move it or Lose it: Don't spend all your free time lounging on the couch! Get out and go for a walk! Or grab your bikes and ride down to the park. Whatever you choose take some time to get outside and move! Moving helps get rid of some of that stress and will keep you both healthy.

Share it: Just because you get married doesn't mean you automatically have the same interests and hobbies. But try to take an interest in at least two hobbies. And take the time to learn about each other's hobbies at least once a month. If your husband likes fishing go with him and ask him to show you how bait your hook. No one says you have to fish the whole time, but showing a little interest will make him feel important.


Photo courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography