The Best Wedding Reception Ever!

For those of you looking to make your reception a memorable party (who isn't?), I have a fantastic book for you! It's called The Best Wedding Reception Ever written by Merry Weddings, Inc. It has amazing ratings on Amazon.com and is written by a first class DJ/Entertainment company based out of California. The author Peter Merry, has been featured on many state morning tv shows and is a highly respected entertainer.

Sometimes brides can get so caught up in the perfect flowers, delicious meals, and scrumptious cake without thinking about the importance of the reception. Your reception should be a party, a grand celebration in honor of your new life with your new husband! This book gives you excellent ideas on how to get the party started with game ideas and more. It's really a must have for every bride. For more information on The Best Wedding Reception Ever, please visit their website at:
http://www.thebestweddingreceptionever.com/ Don't forget to check out their super fun blog as well. To purchase the book through Amazon, click below.

Wedding Webbies: Party Supplies & Furniture Rentals

Hi everyone! For this weeks edition of the Wedding Webbies we feature three websites chosen by party planner guru David Tutera. We have two websites carrying an outstanding selection of party supplies for every occasion including prom, mardi gras, baby showers, and more. If you have chosen a theme for your wedding, this is a great place to garner some ideas or make a few purchases to get you going. The other site offers modern furniture rentals. Let's get started!

#1 Mod Prop
Modprop.com offers a super fun selection of entertaining and interesting furniture rentals. They are located on Madison Avenue in New York and feature pieces such as chaise lounges, rugs, bars, and much more. They even have a section featuring classic cars!

#2 Shindigz
This is your one stop shop for your upcoming bash or special event. These guys have everything covered. They have over 38,000 supplies ranging from balloons, curtains, wall graphics, cardboard cutouts, arches, photo stand ins, and more. There isn't anything they don't have!

#3 Bulk Party Supplies
This site offers up to a 70% discount on items in their store. Their wedding collection includes aisle runners, buttons, koozies, and more. You do have to buy in bulk which can save you if you're purchasing an item being used for your bridal party or your entire guest list.

Many thanks to David Tutera who you can visit at http://www.davidtutera.com/

Wedding Webbies #3 - Music -

For this edition of Wedding Webbies we'll focus on music for your ceremony & reception.

#1 The O'Neill Brothers
A personal favorite of mine and just about the only artist I recommend to my brides. They have amazingly beautiful piano music and their site allows you to preview each and every track. They currently have three wedding CD's that consist of two traditional CD's as well as a CD specifically for beach weddings! The track listing consists of traditional hymns, famous concertos, and popular music. Their site allows you to download individual tracks for just 99 cents each, download the CD online, or purchase it and have it shipped to you. Be sure to sign up for their e-mail list as they frequently do amazing offers like buy one, get one free and more!
http://www.pianobrothers.com/cart/shopaff.asp?affid=507

#2 Wedding Music Central
This is a really great site that simply lays out each aspect of your wedding you'll need music for and which tracks are commonly used.
http://www.weddingmusiccentral.com/advice_tour.php

#3 Giving You the Rest of My Life
A CD full of Christian artists singing beautiful songs for your ceremony. Certain Churches do not allow secular music to be played, this CD is a great option for those who fall into that category.

Answering your questions!

Do you have a wedding related question that needs to be answered?

Please send an e-mail to PrncssShan03@aol.com

We'll get back to you right away and feature your question on the blog!

-Wedchick-

Brides Against Breast Cancer

Brides Against Breast Cancer is a wonderful group created by the folks at Making Memories. Each year they have a wonderful gown sale featuring amazing designer dresses at even more amazing prices. Proceeds from the sale of these gowns goes towards winning the fight against breast cancer.

Volunteers are needed in every city from Seattle to Tampa. Kick-off beings Friday, January 11th in Seattle and runs until October 12th in Port Townsend, WA. Please visit their website for detailed information on the sale and also how to be a volunteer.

http://pepmembers.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=437

The Pink Envelope Project is also in conjunction with Making Memories. This group encourages donations through distribution of Pink Envelopes at your bridal shower, reception, and more. They will even provide you with the envelopes and instruction cards for your guests. Don't miss this oppurtunity to make a difference.

-WedChick-

Bridal Salons - What to expect when finding your dream gown!

-What You Should Expect From A Bridal Salon-

Many girls find themselves in a whole new world after becoming engaged. There are hundreds of bridal magazines, websites, and of course married friends and family to offer their opinions. As we know times have changed, and what worked for Aunt Edna in the 60's probably isn't going to work for you.

There is a huge difference between the "cookie cutter" bridal stores and full-service bridal salons. I know, I currently work in one. I've seen countless brides come into our salon after visiting a nameless "cookie cutter" complaining about lack of attention and concern for them. Sadly, these consultants are stretched to their limits by expecting to take care of multiple brides at one time. They are also pushed by managers to do whatever it takes to make the sale that day.

When stepping into a bridal salon, you should feel a difference in the air after visiting one of the above. While they may be smaller, they offer one-on-one attention which often requires an appointment but for good reason. A consultant will take the time to listen to your dreams for your gown, review photos with you, and allow you to pull dresses of your choice. They might have some ideas based on what you've said and grab those for you as well. They are educated on gown design, materials, and the designers they carry. More often than not, the designers in bridal salons are open to changes in their gowns. So your dream of having a sweetheart neckline on that v-neck dress can often times be a reality. These dresses are also custom ordered and are not off the rack. Turn-around time for these gowns are between 4-6 months so plan accordingly. Rushes can be added to orders but be prepared to pay a minimum of $200.

Full-service bridal salons also offer in-house alterations, accessories, and much more. Consultants will measure you on the spot after placing an order and review the designers size chart with you to choose the size that best fits your measurements. Some will house your gown until your wedding date at no additional cost as well as press your gown for free. Be sure to ask before buying!

Beware of bridal salons that include alterations in their pricing. Maybe your dress comes in and all you need is a bustle, which may only cost $150. ABC Bridal Salon added $500 to the cost of that dress shown on the tag to include alterations. You just cost yourself $350, which could help you hire a wedding coordinator or increase your floral budget!

Stay tuned for more tips on finding your wedding attire! Please leave comments and questions!

-Wedchick-

Girls night at the movies!

Brides magazine is offering free screening passes for the upcoming movie "27 Dresses" starring Catherine Heigl.

After walking down the aisle 27 times as a bridesmaid, a young woman wrestles to stand by her sister who's marrying the man she's secretly in love with.

You must be 21 years of age or older (so you can enjoy the yummy cocktails!) and reside in Atlanta, Dallas, or New York. Tickets are limited to the first 250 people. The event takes place on January 10th, 2008. For more information and screening passes please visit http://www.brides.com/promotions/27dresses

Have fun girls and let us know how it is!

-Wedchick-

Wedding Webbies #2

Wedding Webbies #2

I've fallen behind on blog entries and the Wedding Webbies but here is entry #2 for your viewing pleasure! Drum roll please...

Silly Sandals

http://www.sillysandals.com/

These have to be the cutest and most creative sandals ever! They have everything from breast cancer awareness (My favorite) to football to hockey and even some for wine enthusiasts! The shoes shown at the left are currently 50% off and are selling for just $12! Pick a few up as gifts for your attendants or slip into a pair after your ceremony!

Love, Me
http://www.shoploveme.com/

Love, Me is a unique bridal boutique created by celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss. You can find some really special gifts for attendants, splurge on a few items for yourself, or pick-up a brides emergency kit for your big day!

Spotlight On: Sylvia Weinstock

Spotlight On: Sylvia Weinstock

One of my favorite parts of a wedding is the ending...the deliciously sweet and stunning wedding cake! One of the most sought after and amazingly talented cake designers in the world is Sylvia Weinstock. Her most recognized item, besides her cake, is her adorable black oversized sunglasses. It is her signature!

She has designed cakes for celebrities like Donald Trump & Melania Knauss, The Saudi Royal Family, and Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta-Jones. To describe her cakes as amazing doesn't give her any justice. Her beautiful creations consist of delicately hand-made sugar and gum paste flowers that look like they've been plucked out of a royal garden! Mrs. Weinstock even wore them in a hat recently at a friends' wedding.

I've had the pleasure of delighting in one of her creations and it was absolutely fabulous. Now, with all her celeb status you must know the price tags for her savory desserts are quite high. She doesn't only do wedding cakes so a smaller option for a bridal shower, baby shower, or grooms cake is also an option...but be prepared to pay for it!

Sylvia's cakes are treated with world-class care. They are often times hand delivered by Sylvia herself so she can oversee the construction of the cake when it arrives at its destination.

For more information about Sylvia: Sylvia Weinstock Cakes 212.925.6698
273 Church Street
New York, NY 10013
http://www.sylviaweinstock.com/

Sylvia has a book out entitled Sweet Celebrations: The Art of Decorating Beautiful Cakes. To purchase this book please click below:

Wedding Webbies #1

Each Sunday I'll post a few spectacular websites that offer a range of different ideas and items for your wedding...drum roll please...

Wedding Webbies #1 for October 7th

Wifeville
http://www.wifeville.com/
Adorable website that offers the cutest in tees, hoodies, undies, aprons and more that celebrate your soon to be or already wifehood! With tees that say "The Wife is Right" to "Wonder Wife" you're bound to fall in love with something.


Cake America
http://www.cakeamerica.com/weddingcakes.aspx
Cake America offers an extensive gallery of gourmet wedding cakes for your viewing pleasure! Scroll though to find cakes with floral design or intricate patterns. Print out your favorites and take them to your local baker.

Favor Ideas
http://www.favorideas.com/
Searching for the perfect favor to give to your friends & family? Check out Favor Ideas for items like personalized mint tins, votives, chocolate dipped marshmallows, favor boxes, custom water bottles, and more.