Insure Your Wedding Day

Consider purchasing private event insurance for your wedding day to cover yourself in case of bad weather, illness or vendor no-shows. There are several companies...Google 'private event insurance' and you will come across several! Thanks to brides.com for the suggestions! Happy Planning!

Wedding Sitters by Art on Wheels

Art on Wheels believes children should be able to be invited to your wedding & reception, to be a part of one of the happiest traditions that we will pass on to them. To this end, they have designed Wedding Sitters! http://www.aowinc.com/Wedding_Sitters.html They bring art activities for the children to have a fun time, too, while you celebrate and visit! They also have kits, etc. to send if they are not able to schedule in your area at that time. And, since Art on Wheels is a nonprofit art education organization, the happy couple begins their married life, giving to charity. It's a win, win, for everyone! {To read their story visit Dreamers into Doers.} Happy Planning!

Turn your Wedding Bouquet into an Everlasting Garden

FloralNotes.com turns your wedding bouquet into 100% recycled thank-you note cards with seeds embedded. When your guest plants the cards it creates a wildflower garden. When you order your FloralNotes.com cards you get pre-printed recycled envelopes.
Your return address is printed on the flap, you can print up to three lines but most of the time you only print the street address and city state and zip. You get your pre-printed signature cards, Most of time you include a short message like you and your new spouses name, you then add a hand written message above the pre-printed message. The final component is the cover page this is the paper that is made from your wedding bouquet blooms that has the wildflower seeds embedded in it. The cards include instructions for your FloralNotes.com recipient to plant the card to create the perennial wildflower garden.

Invitations Etiquette Q&A

Question:
How far in advance should we send out save-the-date cards? How about the invitations?
Answer:
If you're having a local wedding on a nonholiday weekend, it is not necessary to send out save-the-date cards. Instead, just send the invitations out about six weeks before your wedding date. For a wedding taking place on a long weekend—which is often centered around a holiday—save-the-date cards are a great idea because people tend to make special plans early for these weekends. Drop save-the-dates in the mail about five months before your big day. Invitations for a long-weekend or holiday wedding should be mailed out a little bit earlier, as well. (Aim for about two months in advance.) If you're planning a destination wedding, your save-the-date mailing should go out about 9-12 months prior to the wedding. This gives guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements and to plan to take extra time off from work if they want to stretch your wedding into a vacation of their own. The actual invitations for your far-away fling should be sent 2 ½-3 months prior to saying "I do."
Thanks to brides.com for the info and here's a slew of more of your questions...and their answers

Saving on Your Cake!

Looking for some budget cake tips? Consider a square cake. It will yield 10 to 30 percent more than a round one. Also, choose a small “exhibition” cake. Your caterer can stash a sheet cake in the back, and cut that one for the crowd. Thanks to brides.com for the tip and MARTHA for the pic. Happy Planning!

Healthier You

No interest in complicated calorie calculators and expensive nutrition experts? Replacing stick butter with whipped, frozen veggies for canned and incorporating a colorful array of fruits into your diet are simple starts to a healthier you. Thanks to brides.com for the reminder of how little changes can have a big impact.

Spray Rose Pocket Square

Defining style! For $19.95 Philadlephia's Flower Market's Floral Pocket Square is sure to set you above the rest. Designed by floral artists to be displayed on the outer pocket of a jacket, this spray rose pocket square creates an extraordinary look for that special event. Hope this inspires you to try something new for the men in your bridal party!

WedSpace

WedSpace.com, the Facebook for the wedding industry, allows you to plan your entire wedding and connect with other engaged couples, wedding vendors and even your wedding guests.
Check out some of the great features WedSpace.com offers to help you plan your entire wedding!

Bridal Jewelry

Don't go overboard on your wedding day jewelry. If you are wearing a statement necklace, don't wear large earrings as well. If you have an headpiece, think about wearing complimentary earrings, but nix the necklace. Making one piece the focal point of your look creates a subtle, sophisticated effect...making your pictures and video timeless. Happy Planning!

Writing Your Own Vows?

Writing your vows? Set a 30-second time limit. This will force you to really think about what you’re saying, and make each word count. {It's like writing a mission statement - be impactful with fewer words!} If not, you may find yourself repeating the sentiment over and over. Great idea from brides.com....Happy Planning!