Wedding Tips & Trends - Bridal Blog

 Our first Bride On The Brink for July will set sail August 22 for a Caribbean cruise with her groom-to-be, a few wedding guests—and it’s also her groom’s family reunion! Talk about a family affair!

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NAME:  Sunny Smith

LOCATION:  Carnival Glory

DATE:  August 22 

THEME:  “Our Ship Has Come In”

COLORS:  Ocean Blue

GUESTS:  About 20

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Q. When did you start your wedding planning?

A. I became engaged in March 2008. We had already planned since last March to go on a cruise for my fiance’s family reunion in August 2009. I wasn’t sure when I was going to set a wedding date, what type of wedding I wanted to have, and whether it would be in Mississippi, where I’ve lived for the past 12 years, or New York, where my sisters and I grew up, or North Carolina, where my parents live. I actually started planning in May 2009. (Wow! Talk about waiting until the last minute! S) Once we decided the cruise would be a great place to have the wedding, it was a matter of [making arrangements.] We’ll set sail for a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise to Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize and the Bahamas.

Q. So what’s the most important thing on your mind right now?

A. Right now, I’m just hoping we have good weather and no hurricane. Oh, and I hope the H1N1 flu doesn’t strike.

Q. What’s been the most stressful or difficult part of preparing for your wedding.

A. I like to think I’m “too blessed to be stressed.” Fortunately, the stress is minimal since the [cruise line] is taking care of all the details. The most difficult part was trying to coordinate with my fiance’s family members who had been booked on the cruise for months, since it’s their family reunion. I’ve had to work with the airlines to rearrange [our] flights, which we booked in January. Luckily, I got a sympathetic airline representative in customer service who was happy to help.

Q. Would you have done anything differently?

A. I would have booked [the cruise] earlier.

Q. What’s been the best part of your wedding planning?

A. My fiance is a stickler for being on time and setting deadlines. And he’s great with finances. With that in mind, I knew I had to set a budget and stick to it to keep the harmony. I’m happy that my fiance was okay with having a wedding during his family’s cruise.

Q. You really waited until the last minute to start your wedding planning. Do you have any last-minute details to take care of?

A. My sisters and I are still shopping for bridesmaids dresses. I ordered my own cute cake topper…and plan to order some gifts for the wedding party, like personalized candle keepsakes and mints. I’ll also want to order personalized napkins and a few other favors.

Q. How has the current economy affected your wedding plans?

A. The economy has had an impact on my wedding in a number of ways. This is the second wedding for both of us. We both lost our spouses several years ago to cancer. As far as the wedding, neither one of us was trying to recreate our first wedding experience. So we’ve saved a lot of money by not having a traditional wedding with dozens of guests. Originally, I wanted to go to Hawaii for my honeymoon. But, I’m happy we get to turn a family cruise into our honeymoon. By deciding to have a shipboard wedding, we’ve been able to pay cash for everything in advance and won’t have any credit-card debt when we come back from our honeymoon. I’ll still have a few more bells and whistles, like a limo to take us to our ship. My parents and 13 of my fiance’s family members will go on the cruise, but because of the tough economic times, my sisters and aunt will not be able to come on the cruise. But I’m happy they will be part of the wedding ceremony and reception. I still plan to have an informal celebration/reception when we return for other friends and family who weren’t able to attend. I am having a knock-off designer wedding dress made for under $300, but I won’t know if I’ve made a good choice or not until I receive it. (I’ve secretly fantasized that, as a back-up plan, first-lady Michelle Obama will let me borrow her inauguration gown.)

Q. Any words of wedding-planning wisdom for your best friend?

A. I would tell my friend that, at the end of the day, it’s YOUR WEDDING. If you can afford to have the wedding of your dreams, go for it. If money is a concern, there are always less-expensive options to make your wedding a memorable one without breaking the bank.

Watch for the next edition of Brides On the Brink…30 Days and Counting! It’s for brides, it’s about brides, and most importantly, it’s by Brides On the Brink who are one month away from walking down the aisle.

Become One of our Brides On The Brink!

If you’re about one, two or three months from tying the knot and would like to be a featured bride, please click here to e-mail your contact information and wedding date. I’ll send you the questionnaire to fill out and return. For passing on your wedding wisdom, featured brides will receive a $25 gift certificate* for MyWeddingFavors.com, where you’ll find fabulous wedding favors, wedding accessories, bridesmaids’ gifts and so much more!

* For shipping only within the US and Canada.

The My Wedding Favors blog is hoping to be a finalist for the Wedding Channel.com Bridal Blog Award, and like all the other bridal bloggers, we’d love to win! Of course, we can’t do it without your help. Please click on the box at the left and nominate us. The more nominations, the better! We think we’re already winners, because we get to bring you great series like “Brides on the Brink: 30 Days and Counting,” along with the very best in tips, trends and weird wedding stories whenever we find them (brides-to-be need a laugh from time to time during the wedding-planning process!) But it’s always nice to be recognized! When we become a finalist, we’ll let you know, so you can vote for us. Meanwhile, we’d really appreciate your nomination! Thanks!

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa     aaaaaFor the brides,

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa       aaaaaSusan and Karen

This week, we invite you to raise your international glasses to toast our New Zealand bride.  Don’t worry.  You’ll feel right at home with her up-close-and-personal insight.

NAME:  Taryn Charles

LOCATION:  Wellington, New Zealand (in the depths of their cold, rainy, windy winter, no less!)

DATE:  June 20th 

THEME:  Everything Warm—the reception will be in a cozy wine bar with hot chocolate, tea and coffee to keep everyone warm and toasty

COLORS:  Green and brown to embrace the natural beauty of the country

GUESTS:  60 people

BUDGET:  Even with help from our parents, we have a very low budget.  To avoid cutting corners, there has been a crazy amount of DIY to ensure the wedding is under budget, yet personal and special.

Q:  When did the wedding planning begin?

A:  We got engaged about a year ago, but both had big overseas trips soon after.  The wedding planning really got underway in about October of last year.

Q: Besides keeping warm, what’s the most important thing on your mind right now?

A:  The reception.  There is so much that needs to be organized–and so many little bitsy pieces that could go wrong!  I am in the middle of organizing a chart and a checklist for me, my mum and the reception staff because I am so worried that, after all of our effort, we could miss something.

Q:  Wow, you seem to be so organized.  Does that help cut down on the stress?

It does.  But to help ease things, my fiance’ and I plan an hour a week just to enjoy each other’s company for lunch or brunch, and we don’t say the “W” word at all.  It’s so easy to forget, in the hullaballoo of wedding planning, what you are doing this for.   (Amen to that!)

Q:  Speaking of wedding planning stress, what has been the most stressful part?

A:  Other people!  Definitely!  People have so many expectations of what weddings should be (or shouldn’t be).  If you challenge tradition by not doing something (i.e. the bouquet toss), people can be quite aggressive and make you feel very small.  Trying to please everyone has been like walking a tightrope.

Q:  With all of that said, would you do anything differently given the opportunity?

A:  For me, I’d pick my battles a bit more shrewdly and not care so much about pleasing others.  When I was feeling some wedding pressure from others, people said to me, “the wedding is about your relationship” not everyone else.  But, I didn’t listen to them because I wanted everyone to be happy.   That’s ridiculous, because it is impossible to please everyone.  When I stopped trying to do that, I started to really enjoy the planning process.

Q:  Besides the personal growth and insight you’ve obviously gained, what has been the most rewarding part of the process?

A:  Seeing things come together—and finding bargains!  It takes so much extra effort to plan a wedding on a budget.  You don’t have the luxury of picking something without worrying about the price.  But it so much more rewarding when you hunt for months and find something at half price that is exactly what you were after.  It doesn’t happen a lot, but when it does, it’s amazing!

Q: How thrilling!  Can I assume then that you pretty much did everything yourself without a wedding planner?

A:  Yes.  New Zealand doesn’t really have a culture of wedding planners.  We just go it alone in general.  Even if wedding planners were popular here, it wouldn’t have fit into the budget at all.  My philosophy with the wedding was that if I could do it myself I would.

Q:  So, have you gotten everything done?

A:  Not quite.  Centerpieces are still to be designed, but I have left that in the hands of my talented aunt.  Other things, like the reception program and the church ceremony, are nearly there but I will rest easier once they are completed.

Q:  I’m curious, did you choose to forego any of your wedding plans because of the economy?

A:  Not at all.  Our wedding was always going to be low budget, so the poor economy only confirmed this.

Q:  Many brides discover something new about themselves during the wedding planning process.  What did you learn?

A:  I have learnt that I take what other people say far too seriously.  I have learnt to be stronger in my own beliefs, and also that relationships can successfully withstand extreme amounts of stress.

Q:  With all that said, what advice would you give another bride planning her wedding?

A:  Again, it really is YOUR wedding.  Don’t get so caught up in the details that you forget what it is all about.  And don’t get so preoccupied with trying to please everybody else that you forget yourself.  I think it’s really important to make compromises every now and then so that you don’t cut out important people, but learn to pick your battles.  And when you get to this stage of planning (a month away from the big day), it’s incredibly, incredibly exciting because every day brings you closer to your wedding day

Watch for the next edition of Brides On the Brink…30 Days and Counting! It’s for brides, it’s about brides, and most importantly, it’s by Brides On the Brink who are one month away from walking down the aisle.

Become One of our Brides On The Brink!

If you’re about one, two or three months from tying the knot and would like to be a featured bride, please click here to e-mail your contact information and wedding date. I’ll send you the questionnaire to fill out and return. For passing on your wedding wisdom, featured brides will receive a $25 gift certificate* for MyWeddingFavors.com, where you’ll find fabulous wedding favors, wedding accessories, bridesmaids’ gifts and so much more!

* For shipping only within the US and Canada.

If you’ve got an insatiable sweet tooth like Willie Wonka (or Charlie and The Chocolate Factory for you youngins), this is THE wedding theme for you!  This couple surrounded themselves with so many sweet treats, you might get a toothache just by looking at the pictures!  From the bouquets to the arch - and even her wedding dress - everything was candy inspired.

Swirling lollipops and a gumball arch are a beautiful beginning to this wonderfully sweet wedding.  Who wouldn’t want to walk down the aisel towards this?  Michelle Rosen and David Zornitsky of New York had their ceremony at a candy bar.  But, you can create a similar sweet backdrop by having your wedding in a fun place like a children’s museum or candy store.

While you might not be able to have your wedding gown designed by Project Runway like Michelle did, you and your lovely ladies can definitely wear brightly colored dresses and carry oversized lollipops down the aisle for a sweet touch.  You might even be able to track down candy-themed bow ties for the gentlemen!  Kit Kats, Snickers and Gummy Bears, oh my!  Everybody can wear their favorite.

To end the celebration, a candy bar is a must.  Guests can choose death by chocolate or indulge in some other heavenly delight until their heart’s content.  And if that’s not enough, they can fill mini canisters with candies, like gumdrops, lemon heads or M&Ms, and carry some home as personalized wedding favors.  These bubble gum dispensers are also a fun reminder of the day!

It’s June—the traditional wedding month, named for Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage. Our first Bride on the Brink for June is Laurie Rose. Imagine planning two weddings in two different countries! Laurie, our bride-to-be, is from California, and the groom-to-be is from India, so they’re having two weddings—one in each country! Luckily, her mother-in-law-to-be is taking the lead on the wedding in India. Family and friends can count on a lot of packing and partying!

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BRIDE: Laurie Rose (Costa Mesa, CA)

LOCATION: Fullerton Arboretum

WEDDING DATE:  June 7

COLORS: Dark-pink bridesmaid dresses and multi-colored flowers

THEME: Travel

NUMBER OF GUESTS: 120-150

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Q. Wow! Two weddings, worlds apart! When did you start planning, and what’s your theme?

A. I booked the major things—venue, catering, photographer—about ten months ago, but I didn’t do much after that until this past March. Since my fiance is from India, and we both travel a lot, we are incorporating a travel theme with luggage candy holder favors, luggage-tag name cards and country names for the tables, with trivia about the various countries.

Q.  Where’s the stress coming from, and how are you handling it?

A.  We have family traveling to both events, and the stress of getting family-travel details worked out and worrying about them has been the most difficult thing. I have some amazing friends and family who help me deal with it all. And I play a lot of soccer!

Q. Here’s a loaded question! What would you do differently, if you had the opportunity?

A.  I might look more seriously at hiring a wedding planner—at least, to help with some things. It seemed so expensive and something only very wealthy people can afford. However, I’ve read that there are varying levels of involvement and expense, so it would be worth looking into.

Q. Any last minute details to take care of?

A. There are so many small, last-minute details, I can’t even name them all. But the biggest thing we’ve put off is getting my wedding band. Hopefully, we can order it in time.

Q. Did the economy affect your wedding planning?

A.  We just tried to tone everything down—less- extravagant food choices for the catering, less-expensive flowers, etc.

Q.  What’s been the most rewarding part of your wedding-planning process?

A.  Dealing with all the stress and anxiety and attempting to face it in a healthy way, my fiance and I have grown so much in this time—both individually and as a couple. We both learned the incredible value of empathy in relationships—just drawing near to understand the other person from their point of view and being present with them in the moment.

Q. What advice would you give a friend who was about to embark on her own wedding planning?

A. Find a good counselor and start going immediately. Work more on your relationship and on your own emotional /relational health than you do on the details of the wedding, at least until the last two months. Then, like it or not, wedding planning will take over!

Watch for the next edition of Brides On the Brink…30 Days and Counting! It’s for brides, it’s about brides, and most importantly, it’s by Brides On the Brink who are one month away from walking down the aisle.

Become One of our Brides On The Brink!

If you’re about one, two or three months from tying the knot and would like to be a featured bride, please click here to e-mail your contact information and wedding date. I’ll send you the questionnaire to fill out and return. For passing on your wedding wisdom, featured brides will receive a $25 gift certificate* for MyWeddingFavors.com, where you’ll find fabulous wedding favors, wedding accessories, bridesmaids’ gifts and so much more!

* For shipping only within the US and Canada.

Long before there were light bulbs, electricity and even battery-powered flashlights, there was the fire.  An excellent source of warmth and light, it was all medieval folks had to see their way, cook their food or do just about anything in the dark.  (I guess that’s why they called it the Dark Ages!)  Can you imagine having to pretty much cease all of your activity at sundown or trying to carry a flaming torch everywhere you went at night?  What about huddling around a small fire for warmth instead of turning up the thermostat?  One thing’s for sure, that’s not the life for me.  It’s hard enough roughing it on a camping trip!

But those days weren’t ALL bad.  It’s probably the most romantic time in history when chivalry was commonplace and knights rescued damsels in distress from high towers.  Romance and adventure?  Now that sounds like an exciting time to get married.  If you’d like your trip down the aisle to be a walk on the wild side, a medieval-themed wedding might be for you.

Don’t worry.  You won’t have to sit around in the dark like they did.  These favors will shine brightly at your wedding. Recapturing the essence of that era, these candles and lanterns are most appropriate medieval wedding favors and an illuminating idea.

Not only do these lanterns make great table decor to help set the renaissance theme, but they’re also fun favors for your guests to take home.  You can even line them along the walkway if you’re planning an outdoor wedding to help guests find their way.  Now, that’s a way to shed some light on the subject.

Recreating Camelot is a lot easier with these little frog favors.  Symbolizing that you’ve met your Prince Charming (although you may have had to kiss a lot of frogs), they give your wedding a touch of whimsy. Packaged inside its own little “castle”, it’s a charming favor, indeed!

With the air of romance filling the room, you’ll want to capture it with this delicate, patterned votive holder made of frosted glass.  The damask detail elegantly surrounds your flame of love and adds a touch of royalty to your table.

Today’s Bride On The Brink  tells us about the most rewarding part of her wedding planning, and she has some great tips about securing a venue and vendors. As always, we hope the insights offered by our real Brides On the Brink will help other brides-to-be have a smooth, stress-free wedding-planning experience.

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BRIDE: Jennifer Scipioni (Atlanta, GA)

LOCATION: Windermere Golf Club, in Cumming, GA, which is about 34 miles north of Atlanta

WEDDING DATE:  June 27

COLORS: Tiffany Blue and Fuchsia

THEME: None

NUMBER OF GUESTS: 120-150

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Q. How long ago did you begin planning?

A. We got engaged in May 2008, and I started planning two weeks after.

Q. What’s the most important thing on your mind right now? 

A. There’s a color problem with the invitations. They’re not quite the color I requested, but they have to go in the mail.

Q. How are you handling the stress, if any?

A. There hasn’t been much stress, because I did things way ahead of time using a checklist.

Q. What’s been the most stressful part of planning for your wedding?

A. Staying within budget and looking for the best value, because you want the best.

Q. What would you do differently if you had the opportunity?

A. I’d probably have a destination wedding and only invite immediate family, but we just have too many people we wanted to invite.

Q. What’s been the most rewarding part of your wedding-planning process?

A. Involving so many members of the family and having them take part—from inviting several relatives to the tastings to having cousins, aunts and parents help pick out my gown. I went to New York with my mom and sister so my grandmother could help pick out my dress. Granny paid for it.

Q.  Did you use a wedding planner?

A.  No. I’m a pretty good planner, and I wanted control of everything. Even if I had all the money in the world, I would still probably go it alone.

Q. What last minute details do you have left?

A. We still have to choose vows, design the ceremony, and we haven’t chosen the music.

Q. What did you choose to forgo in your wedding plans because of the economy?

A. We’re doing the flowers instead of hiring a florist. We’re buying flowers in bulk and making our own centerpieces. We’re also not going to have a limo.

Q.  Advice for other brides?

A. Do a lot of research. Don’t say “yes” to the first quote. Get over your fear of negotiating. Just say, “This is my budget. This is all I have to spend. How can we compromise to get closer to what I want?”

Q.  What life lessons did you learn from planning your wedding?

A. Don’t stress the small things. No one’s going to notice. The important thing is getting married, not what people are eating.

Watch for the next edition of Brides On the Brink…30 Days and Counting! It’s for brides, it’s about brides, and most importantly, it’s by Brides On the Brink who are one month away from walking down the aisle.

Become One of our Brides On The Brink!

If you’re about one, two or three months from tying the knot and would like to be a featured bride, please click here to e-mail your contact information and wedding date. I’ll send you the questionnaire to fill out and return. For passing on your wedding wisdom, featured brides will receive a $25 gift certificate* for MyWeddingFavors.com, where you’ll find fabulous wedding favors, wedding accessories, bridesmaids’ gifts and so much more!

* For shipping only within the US and Canada.

Boy, we’ve come a long way from the simple rectangular chocolate bars with their sweet taste and straight edges.  Now, chocolate wedding favors come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.  Here are a few that will WOW any guest!

More than just dipped, these chocolate covered strawberries are divine!  Dressed for the special occasion, they are decorated to look like a tuxedo and a wedding gown.  The artful precision is amazing, and guests will hardly want to take a bite, but alas…they can’t resist.

Double dipped in chocolate and covered with sprinkles, who wouldn’t love an Oreo cookie like this?  Probably no one.  America’s favorite cookie gets an upgrade and your guests get to enjoy every sweet bite of these Wedding Chocolate Oreo® Cookies that are wrapped in dark, milk or white chocolate and finished with an assortment of 100% Hand Made Royal Icing Wedding Decorations.

Not your typical lollipop, it’s hard to believe that these gorgeous brides and bridesmaids are actually made of chocolate.  Definitely clever and as cute as can be, the woman’s chocolate form comes dressed in an assortment of fine couture gowns made of fabric, ribbon and tulle that are perfect for your bridal shower or just to give to your bridesmaids.  They’re almost too pretty to eat.

Well, here it is. Our first Bride on the Brink. As you know, we are featuring real brides who have about 30 days until the BIG DAY. Hopefully, sharing their wedding planning insight, pitfalls and learning experiences will help other brides as they plan their weddings.

BRIDE: Brooke Johnson (Buford, GA)

LOCATION: Waters Mill, a charming farm in Dahlonega, GA located about 50 miles north of Atlanta

WEDDING DATE: June 6

COLORS: Pink and Green with a splash of Orange

THEME: Outdoorsy and fun

NUMBER OF GUESTS: 100

Q: How long ago did you begin planning for your wedding?

A: About 5-6 months ago, in December.

Q: What is the most important thing on your mind right now?

A: Getting the flowers nailed down.  They ended up being more costly than I had thought.  So, now we’re exploring other options.

Q: What has been the most difficult or stressful part of preparing for your wedding?

A:  Money.  In order to save for the wedding, we had to change some of our habits (like not eating out as much, etc.) to help set some money aside.  Changing the way we did things was a challenge.  I would say the next hardest part was working within our budget.

Q: What would you do differently if you had the opportunity?

A: Elope!  I know this is probably going to be the biggest day of my life, but I really think it is a huge waste of money and time.  The most important thing is for us to be together for the rest of our lives, not just one day.

Q: Did you use a wedding planner or go it alone?

A:  We used a wedding planner, primarily because her services were included  in the package from the venue.   Given the option, I would have planned it all myself.

Q:  At this point, what last minute details are left?

A: Finalizing the wedding centerpieces, meeting with the DJ in May, ordering the cake and making dress alterations.  We also have one last planning session with the coordinator.

Q: Did you choose to forego anything in your wedding plans because of the economy?

A: We changed and reduced the number of flowers from what we had originally planned.

Q: What has surprised you the most?

A: My fiance Trent has been VERY involved in the planning process—more than I expected he would be.  Right now, he’s stressing over whether to have a two or three-piece band at the wedding.  I also thought it was great that we pretty much agreed on everything.

Q: Advice for other brides?

A: Have fun with the planning, and don’t stress about every little detail.  It’s only one day.  And remember, you can find what you want within your budget if you look hard enough or be a little creative.

Stay tuned for the next issue of Brides On The Brink…30 Days And Counting!  It’s for brides, it’s about brides and, most importantly, it’s by Brides On the Brink who are a month away from walking down the aisle! 

Become One of Our Brides on the Brink!

If you’re about one, two or three months from tying the knot and would like to be a featured bride, please click here to e-mail your contact information and wedding date. I’ll send you the questionnaire to fill out and return. For passing on your wedding wisdom, featured brides will receive a $25 gift certificate for MyWeddingFavors.com, where you’ll find fabulous wedding favors, wedding accessories, bridesmaids’ gifts and so much more!

It’s for brides, it’s about brides and, most importantly, it’s by Brides On the Brink who are a month away from walking down the aisle!

Beginning May 1st, our new series will feature a real bride on the brink who will share her emotions, her most difficult part of wedding planning, the most rewarding part of the planning process, what she would do differently if she had the chance, how she saved money, what she’s feeling with only 30 days to go and so much more!

We’ll spotlight a new bride every two weeks. Karen and I have created an outstanding list of interview questions focusing on those things that helped—and didn’t help—get our bride through the most important party planning of her life. Our hope is that our Brides on the Brink will help future brides look forward to the planning process, avoid some pitfalls and side-step stress as they plan their weddings.

We found our first two brides on the brink right here at My Wedding Favors. Brooke and Jennifer are both getting married this June (to terrific guys, I might add,) and they have some great stories, ideas and feelings to share with you.

Become One of Our Brides on the Brink!

If you’re about one, two or three months from tying the knot and would like to be a featured bride, please click here to e-mail me with your contact information and wedding date. I’ll send you the questionnaire to fill out and return. For passing on your wedding wisdom, featured brides will receive a $25 gift certificate for MyWeddingFavors.com, where you’ll find fabulous wedding favors, wedding accessories, bridesmaids’ gifts and so much more!

“Our best thoughts come from others.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson