Recessionista Bride

Just launched website, called Resourceful Brides resourcefulbrides.com, and is a great resource for the Recessionista bride looking for money-saving tips in planning her wedding.
Planning a fashionable wedding celebration in the face of a rocky economy can be a challenge, but with a little help from your fellow fabulous recessionista brides and grooms, you can pull off a chic and sophisticated ceremony that won't break the bank. Enter their ideas contest for a chance to stretch your budget even further!

Submit your best money-saving wedding tip to be entered to win $1,000 in gift certificates from Wedding Paper Divas and Beau-coup. The deadline for submissions is Monday, July 20 at midnight, PST. The winning idea will be posted online on Friday, July 24.

What to do?

Do you know what to do if your family invited people to your engagement party that you were not planning on inviting to the wedding? Do you have to invite them?
Follow this link from brides.com to see more etiquette that can help you do what's right and feel good about doing it!

Click and Save with Jean M

SAVE 25% on any DIY invitation kit. Sale ends Wednesday at midnight. Kits are available in our most popular color combinations. Get FREE shipping on orders of $149or more. Be sure to checkout the rest of their products too! Click HERE for details.

The Apple of My Eye

Draw reception inspiration from nostalgic memories you have together as a couple. If you went apple picking on your first date, serve cider or incorporate Granny Smiths into your centerpieces, caramel apple favors, apple-shaped table cards, burn apple scented candles etc...run the theme throughout and leave a note about your story. It's a great way for your guests to feel connected to you and your new hubby while using something sentimental to the both of you. Love those warm and fuzzy feelings at a wedding! Happy planning...

Using Flowers Differently

Here is a great way to do something different and still use flowers you love.
The green moss saves you on blooms and pricey risers. If you're planning way in advance you can get spring "items" on sale at the end of season and SAVE $$$$$!
I hope this picture inspires you to try something a bit out of the ordinary! Happy Planning!

Guides

Check out brides.com for essential guides and ideas to plan your wedding and track your budget. Planning a wedding can be stressful, but if you arm yourself with a great guide, stick to your plan and be decisive - you can accomplish anything! Then again, if you live in South Jersey and need help, you can call me! Happy Planning!

HOT Off the Runway - Spring 2010 Gowns!

Ruffled necklines, tulle ball gowns, playful pockets, and off-the-shoulder looks were some of the trends that came out of spring bridal fashion week. Click here to see all runway photos - thanks to brides.com!

Get Creative with Your Flowers!

A shadow box created with autumn hydrangea, sunflowers, bamboo, spider mums, large horsetail reed and mixed yellow and green mini pom pom chrysanthemums decorates the seating card table. Thanks for brides.com for the great pic!

Wedding Cost Calculator

How much do couples pay for flowers, food, and invitations? Find out in this state-by-state wedding budget breakdown. Click here to check it out! Thanks to Real Simple for the info! Happy Planning...

"Lucky" You!

Ever wonder how the tradition "Old, New, Borrowed, Blue" started? Something old represents tradition and a link back to your family. Something new symbolizes hope for your future as a married couple. Something borrowed from someone who is happily married allows their happiness to rub off on you. And something blue signifies fidelity, so your love will be forever true.

FLowers to Match Your Mood

Your flowers can bring your wedding to life, and they certainly set the stage for the atmosphere you want to have. Whether you are going for the fairy tale wedding with lots of roses adn lace, or you and yours are more of the bohemian time with wild flowers, clck here to see a variety of flowers and arrangements that suit your style. Thanks to brides.com for the great pics!

A Vintage Wedding

two generations of wedding gowns worn by the mothers’ and grandmother’s of the couple displayed by the entrance of the Marvimon House. Thanks to Vintage Glam Weddings for the post!

Wedding Dress for Less!

The go-to Web site for savvy shoppers in search of a steal, Bluefly.com has introduced a wedding section, which offers designer duds, accessories and gifts. Browse by your role: A bridal party member (or bride looking on behalf of her ’maids) selects “I’m in it”; guests click “I’m invited.” For more info, visit blue fly.com/weddings. If you trouble with the link - go to their home page adn type "weddings" into the search. Thanks to brides.com for the info! Happy planning - and shopping!

Belts for the Bride!

Love the idea of adding some eye-catching glimmer to your wedding day look but don't want to go the conventional tiara route? Try a belt!

Innovative bridal jewelry designer Debra Moreland of Paris is introducing a new take on wedding day bling: the bridal belt. As is usually the case with any design by Debra, this belt is surprisingly versatile.

You can wear the detail at the front of your dress or at the back to highlight the top of your train or a deeply cut backline. You can wear it just under the bust to accent an empire line gown, at the natural waist or slung lower at the hips.

But that’s not all. Debra adds “They make amazing lariats or swags across the arms that drapes down the dress. Really, it’s an extremely creative accessory that can be worn differently at the reception or after the wedding–even with jeans!”

Prices start at $450 (keep in mind the re-use factor!). For details and stores, go to www.paristiaras.com.

Thanks to Get Married for the article (visit www.getmarried.com for more articles, blogs and more!)

Wedding Planner

When planning a wedding there a TON of details that can leave you frustrated and wishing you eloped! Hiring a wedding planner can ease your stress and allow you to focus on the aspects of your wedding YOU want to focus on. But if that is not an option, try these sites to help you manager your budget, track RSVPs and several other planning tools and it's free!
Check out brides.com and weddingwire.com to start. If you still feel overwhelmed, you can always give me a call! Happy planning!