Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Beating the Heat at Your Summer Wedding


Since we are in the midst of the summer wedding season and already starting to sweat, if you have a summer wedding planned later in the summer, it may be even hotter. The last thing you want is for your guests to pass out from the heat. So if you've planned a summer wedding bash, here are a couple of unique ways to cool your guests down even when the party is getting hot.

5 ways to keep your guests cool at a summer wedding

1. Hand held fans. Consider placing a hand held fan on each of your guests' seats. You can make your own personalized fans with a craft stick and card stock or buy in bulk from online stores such as Memories of a Lifetime, where you can buy a dozen folding fans for as little as $2.79.

2. Mister machines. It's a little bit of a more expensive route than folding fans, but you can also rent mister machines to keep your wedding guests cool and refreshed. The venue where you're holding your wedding may have them available or you can call a local party rental company to rent some misters for the day.

3. Serve signature lemonades. Have waiters standing at the beginning of the outdoor wedding aisle to hand out a signature lemonade drink to each of your guests. As the guests sip on the lemonade, it helps to keep them hydrated and refreshed--offering less of a chance to pass out.

4. Personalized water bottles. There are a multitude of personalized water bottles you can choose from to serve at your outdoor wedding. This is a great way to keep your guests hydrated with your own personal flair.

5. Pick a pre- or post-hot time. Another option is to schedule your wedding for a time before the day heats up or after the heat is over for the day. Sunrise, early morning and sunset weddings are optimal times for outdoor weddings to begin so as to avoid the problems that heat can bring.

The summer season can be a great time to host your wedding. It can also be a disastrous time if you don't pay attention to the details. The heat can wreak havoc on your special day, so if you're planning a summer outdoor wedding, be sure you plan a way to keep your guests cool even as the party and the fun heats up.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Cutting Back Does Not Mean Giving Up a Honeymoon of Your Dreams


Many newlyweds are choosing to travel closer to home for their honeymoon. Some are choosing more domestic locales to leave less of a carbon footprint on the environment, while others are trying to make less of a dent in their bank accounts. After all of the tough times that planning a wedding brings, a nice and relaxing honeymoon, where you can spend time with your new spouse is in order.

From the east coast to the west, here are the top 5 U.S. honeymoon destinations for you to check out:

1. Get cozy in Alaska. Beautiful scenery and natural wonders you can't find anywhere else in the U.S. can be found in Alaska. There are numerous cabins and bed and breakfasts close to cities such as Juneau or more remote locations to choose from.

2. Hit the wine country in California. Napa Valley holds some of the most beautiful vineyards in the country. Nothing emanates romance like a stroll through the vineyards or a stay in a gorgeous room with a vineyard view while sipping some of the tastiest wine in the country.

3. Island life in the Florida Keys. From Islamorada all the way south to Key West, the Florida Keys offer the true tropical lifestyle. Enjoy scrumptious conch chowder or charter a sailboat to hit the ocean. Whatever your pleasure, you can find fun in the sun in the tropical Florida Keys.

4. Find a quaint way of life in Nantucket. Go whaling, enjoy the beautiful beaches or stroll the quaint streets of Nantucket. It's beautiful, small and romantic rolled up in one great place.

5. Walk it off in Charleston. Charleston is entrenched in history and charm. The best part is you can walk almost everywhere you go which makes it a romantic, educational and healthy honeymoon all rolled in one great city.

Do a little research and you'll find a ton of hidden jewels where you can honeymoon. Many in your own backyard. There are great U.S. honeymoon destinations where you can have a great time without emptying your bank account.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

In a Same Sex Wedding, Which Side do the Guests Sit On?


In a traditional wedding between a bride and a groom, wedding guests of the bride typically sit on the left side of the aisle and guests of the groom on the right. In our changing modern world, what happens when you have a commitment ceremony where there is a same sex couple tying the knot?

There are a couple of different options for gay wedding hosts. First, you can assign your guests to sit on one side of the aisle or another. For example, place a sign on one side side that says, "John's Guests," and another sign on the other side that says, "Beau's Guests." You can also put this information in the wedding program to let guests know where to sit.

More often than not, guests can choose which side to sit on. There is no right or wrong side so guests simply file into the seats that they choose. Most guests will try to keep a balance so that one side of the aisle isn't full while the other side is empty.

These same "rules" apply to different sex weddings. Tradition says where guests should be seated, but there are no hard and fast rules that say this is how you have to do things. Let your guests know that there is open seating at the ceremony and they can sit wherever they want.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Wedding Day


If you're a regular reader then you read my post telling the creators and watchers of Hitched or Ditched to get a grip. Another new wedding reality show, Wedding Day, is making its debut tonight at 8 pm EST on TNT.

Each episode throws a wedding of the couple's dream because they have overcome some huge obstacle in life. Tonight's episode features a couple where the woman was in a horrific car accident but she persevered and takes her walk down the aisle tonight.

It seems like this show may be bittersweet because they have to overcome heartache and pain in order to get the wedding of their dreams. Get out the tissues ladies and gentleman and tune in to TNT at 8 pm EST tonight to see how it goes. Come back tomorrow and tell us what you think.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Summer Brings a Whole New Menu of Wedding Food Options


Summer is a season that almost everyone on the planet enjoys. It probably explains why June brides are more common than November ones. Since summer has just begun we have a whole season in front of us to enjoy the wedding season and the opportunity to celebrate all of the delicious food summer brings.

Whether you're throwing a formal summer wedding, a backyard celebration or a sizzling beach wedding, there are foods a plenty that you can add to your wedding menu.

Food Options for Your Summer Wedding

* Fresh fruits such as watermelon and berries
* Fresh vegetables such as corn (on or off the cob)
* Refresh your guests and cleanse their palette in between courses with sorbets
* Fresh seafood including lobster and oysters
* BBQ
* Traditional picnic foods

Celebrate the summer season by serving summer foods your guests will love as part of your wedding menu. No matter how fancy or casual your wedding is there are summer foods that fit right into your plan. Besides, it's delicious!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

The Cupcake Makes a Comeback...But it's Not Just Any Cupcake


Maybe you remember baking them with your mom or grandma when you were a kid. Maybe you have a fond memory of biting into its sweet frosting and crumbly cake bottom. Whatever your memory or experience with them, chances are you've bitten into a cupcake once or twice in your life.

This sweet treat is making a new debut and it has nothing to do with childhood memories in the kitchen.

Couture cupcakes are making their way into the hearts of brides all around the country--pushing wedding cakes to the side. Don't be fooled into thinking that these mini treats are any less beautifully decorated than fondant cakes or butter cream creations. In this deduction you'd be sadly mistaken. Ornately decorated and in flavors to tempt any sweet tooth, these delicious creations are scene setters for almost any wedding celebration--and at a much more affordable price in some cases than a wedding cake.

Case in point is Cupcakes Nouveau located in Coral Gables, Florida. Owned and operated by two women entrepreneurs, their cupcake creations range from downright adorable (and tasty) to tres chic (and delicious). And at pricing ranging from $1-$2.50 for each piece of art it brings affordability to the wedding dessert table without breaking the bank or the sacrifice of elegance or beauty.

Instead of getting your cake on at your wedding, consider getting your cupcake on. It's an adorable way to add a sweet dash to your sweetest day ever!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Hitched or Ditched: Ladies & Gentleman, It's Time to Get a Grip


If you aren't familiar with the CW's latest show, Hitched or Ditched, it features couples who are in long-term relationships but haven't taken the step into the marital bliss zone. Someone who knows the couple recommends them for the show and then the couple reveals their relationship to the world, including why they have yet to take the plunge.

By the end of the episode, the couple reveals whether they are going to tie the knot or bring their relationship to an end.

Hmmmm.....interesting or devastating approach to getting hitched?

With divorce rates already at an all time high, why would you want to increase your chances for divorce by pressuring or giving your significant other an ultimatum? I have never understood the marriage ultimatum. Why would you want someone to marry you because you said marry me or it's over? Don't you want someone to marry you because they love you and they WANT to marry you? And if you are going to take the ultimatum route, why would you want to do it on national television where you can share your pain and embarrassment with all to see?

Hitched or Ditched. I say get a grip! The same applies to those giving the ultimatum to their significant other. Think long and hard before you say marry me or else. If you pressure someone into marrying you, will you wonder if it's the only reason they married you? Is that really going to provide you with a happy and healthy marriage?

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Wedding Statistics & Top 10 Wedding Favors

One in every 64 Americans will tie the knot this year.

The average wedding costs $22,000

The U.S wedding industry is a $72 billion dollar a year business

46,000 weddings will take each weekend across America

The #1 ranked wedding favor site on the Internet, according to Google and Yahoo is My Wedding Favors. You'll find high quality and unique wedding favors that portray your personality (or that of your groom).

Here are my top 10 favorites (and some of the best sellers):

1. Palm Tree Favor Box with Multi-dimensional Detail (Set of 24)
Palm Tree Favor Box with multidimensional detail (set of 24)

2.
Hugs & Kisses from Mr. & Mrs. Personalized and Scented Soaps

3.
A Slice of Love Pizza Cutter

4. Personalized Shot Glass
Personalized Shot Glass

5. Sea Breezes Beach Glass Photo Coasters
Sea Breeze Beach Glass Photo Coasters

6. Personalized Custom Design Wedding Cake Cookies
Personalized Custom Design Wedding Cake Cookies

7.
"LOVE GROWS" Plantable Wildflower Favors-Heart (Set of 12)

8.
"Seasoned with Love" Heart-shaped Salt and Pepper Shakers"

9.
"Love Beyond Measure" Spoons in Personality Box (25 styles/colors available) (Set of 4)

10.
"Love Beyond Measure" Measuring Tape Keychain in Sheer Organza Bag