Tip - Choosing China

When choosing a china pattern or even everyday dishes be sure to discuss your options with a registry consultant at the store you're registering at. You want to make sure that you're not selecting a pattern that will be discontinued soon or out of style in a few years.

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Tip - Clean It Up

Speaking of handmade soaps yesterday, we thought some creative scents would be a great gift to add to a bridesmaid's gift bag. Aspen Apothecary has authentic handmade soaps using natural vegetable oils.

Photo courtesy of Aspen Apothecary

Trend - Romantic Roses

These romantic roses are made from the pages of a romance novel. Consider giving a romantic bouquet of roses to your soon to be on the big day.

Photo courtesy of Quite Sparkly via Etsy

Tip - Fishnet Surprise

Our pal Jaime, at It's A Jaime Thing, shared these fun fishnet bags during a guest post at Wishpot. They could be used to give your bridesmaids a cute pair of panties or handmade soaps, lotions, etc. Click here to see the original post.

Trend - Personalized Wedding Gifts

Many guests like to give couples a personalized, original gift that they can cherish and display for coming years. SJ Engraving via Etsy offer custom oathing stones with initials and a date, great for a wedding day gift. The lucky couple can place this personal stone in their garden.

Photo courtesy of SJ Engraving

Tip - Choose Bar Drinks and Ware Wisely

Choose bar drinks and glassware that complement your theme. If your theme is Winter Wonderland, consider Hot Toddy's and Spiced Cider served in mugs with a cinnamon stick garnish. If you plan to have a backyard country wedding, serve hard lemonade in Mason jars or consider chocolate martinis if your theme is focused around decadent sweets.

Photo courtesy of With A Twyst

Trend - Photo Cuffs For The Fellas

Cuffs are a big trend for many guys. Any guys you've invited to participate in the wedding that you notice wearing cuffs? Consider making photo cuffs for the groomsmen in your wedding that would sport them. Check out Photojojo's easy steps to creating a lasting gift.

Photo courtesy of Photojojo.

Tip - Protect Your Investment

Disclaimer: This post is not to scare you, it's purpose is to prepare you.

During this trying time in the economy you need to realize that there are wedding industry professionals that may not make it through this ebb and flow. You need to protect your investment in your wedding in as many ways as possible. We have heard many horror stories recently of couples that have lost their money and ordered products due to businesses forced to shut down. The repercussions are great at times, if there's not enough money or time to get things reordered before the wedding date.

Ways that you can protect yourself are:

1. Invest in wedding insurance.
2. Do not pay for items with cash (use a credit card preferably or check).
3. Work with professionals that have been in business for a number of years (those in business for 5+ years may have experienced economic ebb and flow before).
4. Choose professionals that your other contracted vendors recommend. (Most professionals know the news of who's going to be closing doors in their area before the public does.)
5. Be cautious when selecting a professional because they're offering the lowest price. They could be dropping their prices because they're attempting to bring in any business to help them stay afloat. (This isn't always the case, but just be cautious.)

Photo provided by The Memory Journalists

Wedding Paper Divas Heats Up With Thermography

Wedding Paper Divas has launched a new Thermography Collection making this invitation style an affordable alternative to engraving. Printed by renowned fine stationer William Arthur, the Thermography Collection features exclusive Wedding Paper Divas designs that leap off the printed page with chic and captivating style. By heating traditional wet ink with a powder compound, William Arthur creates beautiful wedding invitations with printing that rises off the paper to simulate the refined look of engraving.

We have seen Wedding Paper Divas paper products first hand and would recommend them as an online resource for printed invitation needs, if you are unable to work with an invitationerie.

Check out our Wedding Paper Divas and Beau-Coup Wedding Favors giveaway! A winner will be selected on Friday.

Trend - Cocktail Themed Reception

Polka Dot Bride, a fun filled, dynamite blog we stalk has added a new series to her blog postings, The Cocktail Celebration!! Ms. Polka will share a signature cocktail idea, with ingredients and a storyboard matching the theme of each chosen cocktail. It's a great concept and we wanted to share them with you. Check out and start stalking Polka Dot Bride like we do to follow this tasty series :)! To see the original blog post click any of the images below. Her first signature drink was the martini:Here is the themed wedding to match:
Love it Ms. Polka!! Can't wait for the next cocktail... on the blog and in front of me! :)

Tip - Yummy Alert

When considering petite sweets as a dessert alternative to the traditional cake adding a monogram can really personalize this tasty treat. This monogram feature can really add some character to an otherwise uniform looking dessert.

Anyone interested in Martha Stewart's Chocolate-Espresso Charlottes pictured here? Umm....I am. YUMMY!

Trend - Twist On Ties

Well....the tie isn't a twist on literally! We meant this is a great spin on the traditional tie for the wedding day! What Junebug Loves, a Dynamite blog we stalk, posted about these amazing ties from two great Etsy shops. Check these out!! They are so much fun! To check out Junebug's original post, click any of the below images (from Junebug's original storyboard...thanks :I).Above ties are from Me and Matilda, check out their Etsy store.

These funky screen printed ties are fun and add some definite personality to an otherwise potentially traditional suit. Check out RokGear's Etsy store.

Last Days To Win!

The last day to enter the contest for $100 gift certificate from Wedding Paper Divas AND Beau-Coup Wedding Favors is Friday, March 13th! See the original post and enter to win here.

Spring Is Blooming At Bloomies!!

Bloomingdales is offering 25-40% off on select sale items for their Spring Sale!! Don't miss out!

Tip - It Doesn't Hurt To Ask

If you have found a professional that you would love to work with, but your budget is lower than the packages they offer, be honest and ask for options before moving on. By letting the vendor know that you prefer to work with them over their competitors and informing them of what your budget constraints are, they may be willing to work with you to create a package that fits within your budget. If their service costs really don't allow them to come down on price, they will be honest and usually refer someone that can meet your spending goals.Photo provided by Sharpe Photographers