For those of you looking for a very creative way to decorate the getaway car for the bride and groom, I couldn’t help but pass this idea along.

This poor SUV was completely covered in Post-It Notes. That’s right, the little sticky notes we use at the office. Whether the decorators were really into office supplies or just very creative, I’m sure this car got plenty of looks (and stares). Literally, hundreds of these multi-colored message notes were stuck to the victim–I mean vehicle. After getting over the shock I felt when I first saw the picture, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool to have wedding guests write a note and stick it to the car instead of throwing rice?” Especially since the couple said that the majority of the notes stayed on the car during the ride from the reception to the hotel. It even took them over an hour to pull them all off. So, try this suggestion for an idea that sticks.

Now if you are bold enough to give it a try, you might want to skip the multi-colored notes and use these white sticky notes instead. Guests can write their best wishes to the happy couple on a few love notes, stick them on the car and keep the rest as a reminder of the wacky time they had at your reception. Not stuck on the idea? Consider this adorable pink and black getaway car if you’d like to make a less-sticky impression. It’s an elegant wedding favor box that can be filled with a delicious treat for your guests to enjoy. Everyone will drive away happy with these!

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Just came in from outside. The thermometer is at about 95 degrees and, even with low humidity (a rarity in my corner of the country,) you can just stick an apple in my mouth and bake me. I sat down at my weddings-oriented writing space and knew I had to save this summer’s outdoor wedding guests from certain melting. So brides-to-be, here goes!

A quick bulletin: The sun radiates light to the earth, and part of that light consists of invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays. When these rays reach the skin, they cause tanning, burning, and other skin damage. Sunlight contains three types of ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC, but we only have to worry about UVA and UVB, because UVC rays–the most dangerous–are blocked by the ozone layer and never reach the earth. But there’s still plenty of reason to protect yourself, your wedding party and your wedding guests. UVA rays cause skin aging and wrinkling and contribute to skin cancer, such as melanoma. UVB rays cause sunburns, cataracts (clouding of the eye lens), and immune system damage.

All your wedding guests, local and from out of town, should receive a wedding welcome bag with an assortment of items: bottled water, sun block, a fan, snacks, maps, wedding timetable, city guide. Did I say bottled water and a fan or two? You should make chilled, bottled water readily available throughout the wedding weekend. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how important it is to keep your body hydrated. The human body is about 60% water. Your muscles and brain are about 75% water. Your blood–about 82% water. Bottom line, human bodies require water. Personalize your bottled water, and your guests will always remember it was you who hydrated them from arrival to departure.

Finally, don’t forget to throw a couple of fans in the welcome bag. Fans also make wonderful wedding favors, and your guests will be oh, so grateful! They’ll be more comfortable and more likely to make it through your ceremony and reception without fainting from the toasty weather. On the bright side (no pun intended,) it’s not raining–so be happy and have a fabulous affair!

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If you’re faced with the decision of picking the “perfect wedding gift,” you know how challenging it can be.

There are so many choices out there. Do you go with the registry and risk duplication or veer off the list and get something that they might never use? Would they appreciate something quirky or conservative? And, to make matters worse, if they are combining two household’s worth of stuff, all of the traditional wedding gifts, like toasters, blenders and crock pots, may be out of the question.

So, what’s a gift-giving guest to do? Get cooking, of course! Here’s a way to give them a “traditional” kitchen-themed gift with a contemporary twist. I came across a cooking school that offers gift certificates for “Romantic Cooking Classes” so couples can have some hands-on fun! I thought, “Cooking over candlelight might be an interesting way to go.” It gives the couple a delightful outing and might even be helpful if the newlyweds are lacking in their cooking skills. Who knows? After an evening of slicing and dicing, things might really get heated!

Turn up the heat on this wedding-gift idea by including these heart-shaped salt & pepper shakers for a unique presentation. They are a great reminder of their flavorful love and can really spice things up! Adding these “Love Beyond Measure” measuring scoops and champagne flutes create a recipe they both will enjoy!

Personalized wedding gifts are always an excellent choice. Check out these engraved glasses and coasters. New brides will love seeing their new name printed on these, and they are a great way to keep the kitchen theme alive and cooking. Bon appetit !

Sue here. Saw the movie. Must put my TWIST (The Way I See Things) into the flood of opinions swirling around out there. I was a big fan of the HBO series (Sex and the City, if you haven’t figured it out yet,) and the movie didn’t disappoint. It was a hoot!

But I’m compelled to comment on Cari’s choice of bridal headwear. When she first tried on the gown that she would wear on her wedding day, I thought it was one of the most beautiful gowns I’d ever seen. It truly was breathtaking. Then, on her wedding day, she had her veil attached to this blue, feathered thing that turned out to be a bird.

Now I freely admit I’m not a fashionista, nor do I pay a lot of attention to high fashion because, like most people, I really can’t afford it. But I can tell when something looks ridiculous, and that hideous, blue bird caught in her veil undid every bit of beauty, elegance and style she might have otherwise had on the most important day of her life. Once you get a load of that bird, it’s impossible to look away–like watching a horrible accident scene. I know Carrie Bradshaw’s hallmark is her avant garde sense of style, and I really do think most of her clothes are very cool. But the costume designer or stylist who made this call really blew it. I can’t say anything more without giving important plot points away, so I’ll make the best of this fashion freak out.

How? By finding the absolute perfect wedding favor to complement that bird! Who knows? Maybe it was the greatest fashion moment of the century so far. If it was (but I sincerely doubt it,) how fabulous would it be to decorate her wedding reception tables (in the distinguished New York Public Library!) with the “Love Dove” Chrome Bottle Opener. At the very least, it would give guests a more becoming bird to focus on. Actually, the “Love Dove” would be a gorgeous wedding party favor even if Carrie had worn a more appealing head ornament.

When I ignored the bird and concentrated on the dress itself, I realized she would have no problem coordinating her guest book and ring bearer pillow with the champagne color of her gown. Sleek satin with a simple bow–and no bird.

So really. You must tell me. Whether you’ve seen the movie or are just seeing the photos of Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding ensemble right here and now–what do you think of the look? And I need more than “I love it!” I’d really appreciate knowing why you think this is a smashing wedding combo. For those of you who say, “Yuck,” believe me, I understand…

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I came across a list of the 10 Worst Wedding Cake Toppers and thought it would be fun to share the top five with you. (I apologize in advance if yours happens to be on the list.) Many of them are fun and whimsical, but some left me wondering what the couple the couple was thinking.

Customized cakes have paved the way for customized cake toppers. While it may be a nice idea to let the cake topper reflect your wedding theme or personality, some of these designs may push the limit.

The Stripper: As you can tell by the picture, this design features a bride with dollar bills in her garter along with her leering groom. He has more dollars in his hands and more than wedding cake on his mind. While I’m all for the “private dance,” this may be a bit too public for me.

The Kiss: Speaking of private, there are some things that might need to be left behind closed doors. If I was the bride, I’m not sure I would want everyone to see me “jump his bones” right there on the wedding cake!

Prisoner Of Love: Just as the name implies, this pistol-packing bride has a handgun strapped to her garter and is handcuffed to the groom. I guess he’ll be under house arrest for a long time!

Catch of the Day: This one was so realistic, it was scary. The detail of the life-size fish was amazing with scales, fins and even a visible worm in its mouth. Kudos to the designer though for pulling it off!

Gone Shopping: The perplexed and helpless groom stands atop the wedding cake alone reading a sign that says, “Gone Shopping!” The only remembrances of his bride are the shoes and veil. Let’s face it. If you can’t forget about the mall on your wedding day, there might be a problem.

Seeing these unusual designs may have you wanting something a little more subdued for your wedding cake, like these beautiful cake toppers from MyWeddingFavors.com. Monogrammed cake toppers are the latest trend, adding simple elegance to your cake. Hearts and plaques can also be engraved with your name and wedding date for a keepsake that’s truly your own.

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It’s the height of wedding planning season! Wedding planners, caterers and bakers are all abuzz with the details. Preparing for all of those summer weddings is a pain-staking process for the owners of a Wisconsin bakery. They’ve taken nearly 250 wedding cake orders by hand, thus far. Each order is too detailed for the computer, including photos and sketches of the cake designs. That’s why these precious gems are kept in the office safe.

Burglars must have thought there was more than contracts in there, so they recently stole the entire safe from the 25-year-old business. To the burglar’s surprise, there was very little petty cash in the safe, just the contracts. When the police notified the owners that the store was robbed, they weren’t upset because they knew that they only kept a small amount of money at the office. But when the owners were told that the thieves stole the entire safe, they hit the roof! And rightly so. Imagine all those orders–gone just like that! It will definitely take some time for them to recreate the information.

In the meantime, why not try these cakes instead? The baker’s search may just be beginning, but your search for perfect “cakes” can end with these. They are beautifully crafted, cake-shaped candles that will be the icing on a beautiful wedding or shower. Or forgo the cake altogether, and let them eat cupcakes! These dainty cupcake holders are a stylish and practical way to serve up some smiles at your event.

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This beer-guzzling bride and her helpful attendants definitely give new meaning to the words “bridal party!”

I never thought I would see the day when a beautiful bride would be hoisted up like a side of beef just to get a drink (That beer must be mighty tasty!) Maybe someone should have suggested a glass mug instead.

I also never thought I’d hear of an “after party” for the wedding reception (that’s right, an after party.”) But as I thumbed through a magazine, right there in front of me was a “how-to” guide on planning the perfect wedding after party. Maybe I’m just a little old-fashioned or maybe I would just want my new hubby all to myself, but when the wedding is over…it’s over! Do couples really want to spend all day AND all night with their family and friends on their wedding day? Whatever happened to the romance that usually follows the reception? I’m reminded of a story about a just-married couple who was accompanied to the hotel by family members, taking pictures of every awkward moment–even when the groom stumbled carrying his bride across the threshold. They actually followed the newlyweds into the room and stayed for hours. Come on people. Give the Mr. and Mrs. a much-needed and deserved break.

Maybe the family members were just having such a great time that they wanted the fun to keep going (or maybe they were just nosy.) Whichever the case, why not send the newlyweds off with some delightful candles instead? They will certainly help keep the flame of their love aglow. Or slip some of these wedding cameras into their suitcases, and encourage them to take lots of pictures while they’re on their honeymoon. When you see the photos, it’ll be just like you were there!

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How often have you found yourself in this predicament?  While frantically searching for the nearest place to sit down, all you can think about is getting out of those shoes and rubbing your tired, aching feet.  We’ve all paid the price for sacrificing comfort for beauty somewhere along the way.  Regardless of how uncomfortable those shoes may be, if they’re the perfect shade of blue, we will endure the pain in hopes that we’ll have plenty of opportunities to sit down.  Our poor feet are screaming out, but we turn a deaf ear to them in the name of fashion. 

But let me tell you.  The one day that you definitely don’t want your feet to be in pain is on your wedding day.  Choosing the wrong shoe can turn your dreamy wedding into a nightmare in a heartbeat!  High heels can be a problem, even for a stiletto-wearing veteran.  So here are some tips to make sure that when you’re done with the festivities, your feet will thank you!

1. Don’t take your shoes off!  No matter how badly your feet may feel, it’s best not to take your shoes off because the moment you do, they will swell and you will never be able to get into those shoes again (or at least until the swelling goes down.)  Instead, sit down and rest your feet to take some of the pressure off.

2. Buy shoes a half size larger.  Standing for long periods of time, can cause your feet to swell.  Give yourself a little wiggle room, and you’ll definitely appreciate it at the end of the night.  Open-toe shoes, sandals and sling backs also give your feet a little more room if needed.

3. Be practical.  This just may not be the time to wear those five-inch stilettos.  Opt for a more practical heel height instead.  From dainty to dramatic, there are plenty of two-inch styles that should suit your fancy.  Check out these ones I found online.

All of these tips apply for your bridesmaids shoes, too.  Make sure that the women you love most (and their feet) are comfortable in your selection for the bridal party as well.  Keep these tips in mind so you’ll be remembered as the beautiful, blushing bride and not the bride who walked around the wedding reception barefoot.  Do yourself a favor.  Take care of your feet and they’ll take care of you.

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I just found an interesting article from a news agency in Wales that surveys women about what they’re looking for in a man. Clearly they’re not that different from American women, or most women for that matter. Here are some of the stats:

76% of women had their hearts broken at least once.

The three best things about being in a relationship are security, companionship and affection.

65% of the women think they’re the ones who make the most effort in the relationship.

37% have been brought flowers by their man.

63% have had a one-night stand.

34% want a church wedding, with only 6% imagining something like eloping to Las Vegas or taking a hot air balloon to paradise. (If they do decide to elope to Vegas or have their wedding there, they’ll be thrilled to know that Las Vegas wedding favors have come a long way! They’re functional and fun!) The others prefer a hotel, a castle or a destination wedding.

Ideal Names

Here’s what I found really fun about this survey. It provides a list of 1) the ideal man’s name, 2) the ideal man’s job, 3) the top pet names for him and for her. I know you’re dying to see what they are, so here goes:

The ideal man’s name (for women in Wales, of course) is James, followed by Daniel (Dan,) Ben, Matt, Mark, Chris, Jack, David, Josh and John. How many of these women wind up with a Percy or a Dexter is unknown…

His job, if he knows what’s good for him, is either fireman, footballer (that’s a soccer player,) lawyer, doctor, actor, TV producer, banker, vet, accountant or teacher (and clearly, teachers must  be much better paid in Wales than they are in the states.)

Pet names for him (and here’s where the fun really begins!)–baby or babe, honeybun, tiger, sexy bum, deaf ears (don’t ask me, I don’t get it either,) misery guts (see the previous comment,) sausage, snuggle pops, hot rod and dimples.

And she would like to have him call her–princess, baby or babe, angel, boo, honey bunny, doll, sexy bum, snuggles, peaches or munchkin. I wonder why “deaf ears” and “misery guts” didn’t make it into this top 10. But it’s no surprise to me that “princess” is the number-one pet name. Even here, we like to think of ourselves as princesses. We plan fairy-tale weddings when we ride up to a magnificent castle in a beautiful coach to marry our Prince Charming.

I’d love to hear from my American girls. What’s his name, ladies, and what does he do for a living? More important, what do you want to call each other? (If “misery guts” makes the top 10, I’ll eat my computer.)

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