New Year, New Ring: Tips for the Newly-Engaged
08 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Wedding Tips
January 6, 2012We are already a week into the New Year, and I hope all of you enjoyed a fantastic holiday. And, to those of you visiting bridalguide.com for the first time, I’d love to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your engagement! Yep, holiday season is primo proposal time, and I know that there were plenty of sparkling rings being placed onto fingers shaking with delight! I’m sure it was beyond thrilling and you’ve been basking in all the joy and excitement. In fact, I ran into a newly engaged couple just last week in my local Barnes & Noble and they were so happy, it was contagious. (Of course, I was also happy to see that she was purchasing Bridal Guide to help get her started.) She admitted to feeling overwhelmed, so I told her to relax, put her feet up, read the issue and visit our website. Everything you need to know to plan a dream wedding is right here.
As you start planning your party of a lifetime, it will seem overwhelming at times, but if you stay organized and make it a point to really enjoy the process, it will be fun and exciting. And before you know it, the big day will be here, and you’ll be husband and wife! Here’s my best advice to help get you started:
1. Find Your Wedding Style

Photo Credit: Nikki Cole Photography
Sit down with your fiancé and talk about what type of wedding you envision. Will it be formal? Or do you prefer something a bit more casual? Do you want a sit-down dinner or would you consider having a brunch or cocktails-only celebration? What time of year would you like to marry? Do you have any favorite places in mind for the reception? The two of you need to discuss your visions so that you’re both on the same page.
2. Discuss the Budget

Photo Credit: iStockphoto
Yes, the big, bad budget needs to be addressed. As you know, weddings aren’t cheap, but they needn’t cost a fortune either. Check out our tips on all the genius ways you can save…you’ll be amazed at how a little bit of cost-cutting here and there can save you a bundle. And, please, be realistic about how much you can really afford to spend. You may have some money already stashed away, or you may need to start seriously saving for the wedding now, especially if your parents aren’t able to contribute a great amount.
3. The Guest List

Photo Credit: Weddings by Chris Sherberne
Determine just how many people you’d like to have, and keep in mind that this number will greatly affect the overall cost of the wedding. You might have to pare down your original number considerably to keep within your budget.
4. Get Organized

Take a look at our Countdown Calendar and consider it a guideline. Don’t panic if you can’t accomplish everything listed in a given month, but do refer to it often to keep you on track. The more organized you are, the calmer you’ll feel.
5. Start Dress Shopping!

There are hundreds of gowns to choose from, and I can only imagine how huge a task this seems. Take it step by step. We showcase fabulous, flattering and affordable gowns in every issue of Bridal Guide and our Gown Gallery will have you oohing and aahing over all of the gorgeous gowns. When searching for your dress, consider your wedding style and where you’ll be married as well as what shape will suit you best. Believe me, there is a dream dress out there for every bride, whether she envisions herself as sexy and glamorous, romantic and elegant, artistically creative or a boho babe.
Now, this is just a beginning, but if you start with these few steps, you’ll be well on your way. Have fun, create a wedding website, blog and share ideas with other brides, and create an Inspiration Board of everything you love, from dresses to flowers and cakes, centerpieces and more. It’s a fantastic time in your life and a time that you’ll always treasure. Good luck as you start making those wonderful memories! And, remember, we are here to help in every way we can.
—Diane Forden
Reposted by Unique Invitations by Deborah Burman Carasso
Wedding Dress: 5 Mistakes Brides Make When Shopping
07 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Wedding Tips
Posted by Hana on Tue, Oct 04, 2011@ 5:42 am
Looking for a wedding dress? Read this first! We’ve got a guest post by the smart girls at Smart Bride Boutique to help you avoid wedding dress pitfalls so many brides make. A must read if you’re shopping for your wedding dress!
Shopping for a wedding dress is supposed to be fun, right? It should be one of those quintessential experiences in life that you’ll never forget (uhhh, no pressure!) However, if you’re having trouble deciding, you don’t feel like you’ve found THE ONE, or you’re onto your 6th store, it can be a very overwhelming experience.

Anjolique 2053 Wedding Dress available on SmartBride Boutique.Photo by Jamyes Van HeesWhether you know EXACTLY the style of dress you want, or this is the first time you’ve gone shopping for a fancy dress, the experts at SmartBrideBoutique.com can help. They’ve compiled feedback from hundreds of brides, not to mention their own wedding dress shopping experiences, into their list of Top 5 Mistakes NOT to Make When Shopping For Your Wedding Dress
1. Don’t Take Too Many People!
We’ve heard so many horror stories about brides who dress shop with a serious entourage. Remember, there is such a thing as too many opinions, so choose your shopping assistants wisely. Make it clear they are providing their opinion on what looks good on you, not their own ideas of what you SHOULD be wearing. The most important thing is that you feel amazing. Don’t live out other people’s fantasies or fashions.
2. Don’t Be Close Minded.
You’ve probably poured over dresses in bridal magazines to get an idea of the style of dress you think you want. A word of caution: don’t get fixated on one style until you’ve tried a variety of silhouettes, necklines, textures (lace, beading etc) and shades of white!
Often times your dream dress from the magazine doesn’t flatter your body type. Try on several silhouettes first to determine what looks best on your body type, then move on to try different necklines, colors and textures.
3. Don’t Be Trigger Happy.
Before you fantasize too much about your wedding dress, determine the vision for your wedding – including venue, time of year and theme. If you buy before you’ve decided on these factors, you might wind up buying a second dress because the first one no longer fits. Trust us, it happens more than you think! For example, if you’re having a destination wedding on a beach somewhere, you likely don’t want a princess wedding dress.
Above all, remind yourself to slow down and enjoy the experience. Enlist a close friend whose opinion you trust. They’ll help you avoid pressure from sales people (and maybe your family) to “just buy something already!” Take your time to try on a variety of dresses so that you really know when you’ve found “the one”.
4. Don’t Continue to Shop after you’ve found “the one”.
While you don’t want to pull the trigger too fast and buy a dress you’ll regret later (see above), you also DO NOT want to continue to shop for your dress after you’ve purchased one. Continuing to look generally results in doubling your wedding dress budget, and might mean sacrificing in other areas of your wedding.
5. Don’t Go Over Budget (If you can help it!)
You likely already have an idea of what you want to pay for your dream dress. Whether your budget is $300 or $3000, try to stick to it! There is no sense going into a store and trying on dresses that are way out of your budget, it will only end in disappointment. Plus, remember to include extra costs like alterations when making your decision. Sample or once worn dresses may also require cleaning BEFORE the wedding.
If you do fall in love with a dress that’s slightly out of your budget, consider searching online. SmartBrideBoutique.com has thousands of sample wedding gowns and used wedding dresses that are 30 to 70% less than retail.
About SmartBride Boutique:
SmartBride Boutique is North America’s premium wedding classifieds website where brides can buy, sell and save on everything wedding. Find wedding dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses, accessories, decorations, and more for 50% off!
Wedding Republic is an online cash wedding registry. Tasteful, practical and fun! If you liked this post, be sure to subscribe!
Why wedding ring worn on fourth finger?
02 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Wedding Tips Tags: ring finger
By QouSay

Have you ever wonder why married couples worn wedding rings on their forth finger or ring finger? There was a nice Chinese explanation regarding it. Below are fingers representation:
- Thumb represents your parents
- Index finger represents your siblings
- Middle finger represents your self
- Ring finger represents your life partner
- Little finger represents children
Now, put your palms together and bend both of your middle fingers. Hold middle fingers back-to-back and hold all other four fingers tip-to-tip.
Now, if you try to separate your thumbs which represents your parents, you can! According to the Chinese, this is because your parents are not destined to live with you forever. You can also open your index finger because your sibling which is your brothers and/or sisters are going to left you to have there separate life or maybe build their own family. You can also open your little finger that represents your children. Your children will also be building their own separate lives and settle themselves someday with a family of their own.
Finally, try to separate your ring finger. You can’t since as a husband and wife, you are destined to be together for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish ’till death separate you both.
Below is a video I saw on youtube that enlighten me why do husband and wife wear wedding rings on their forth finger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=57MakDoK624
Reposted by Unique Invitations by Deborah Burman Carasso
Finding Your First Dance Song
18 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
in Wedding Tips
Image Courtest of musicmakerdj.net
With so much planning in preparation for the big day it is important to pay attention to the details to make your wedding super special. One of the most memorable moments in most weddings is the newlywed’s first dance. In the hectic jumble of the busy wedding day this is a moment to take your groom and just be in the moment. Before you get there, you must choose the perfect song.
Some couples are lucky enough to have a song that they made theirs after an anniversary date, or during a concert this would be a perfect moment to put that love song to use and share it as your first dance, but if you have not yet found your song the search is on! First, consult your spouse; see if he has any great ideas of a song he heard that reminds him of your relationship. You might be surprised with the tunes he picks that might actually work.
Go back to the classics. Classic love songs have a way of tugging at the heart strings and taking you back to the moment when you first fell in love. Listen to some oldies and get a better feel for exactly what you are looking for. Also, modern artists have gone back and redone classics that put a modern spin on the romantic tune. Check out modern versions of your favorite love songs to see if it will work for you. My suggestion: Ingrid Michaelson “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” originally by Elvis Presley.
Switch it up! If you and your hubby to be tend to steer clear of the norm, try an upbeat tune. A first dance doesn’t have to be a traditional slow dance. Try something upbeat. You can also prepare a choreographed dance including your wedding party. It’s a fun way to experience your first dance with your husband and shock all your guests.
Make it your own. If you are still having trouble consult your DJ or wedding planner. They are professionals and usually have great suggestions. Your DJ can put a spin on it if that’s what you are looking for, or find a unique classic that you will both love. It’s your moment, enjoy it the way you would like to!
Originally posted from My Party Planner.com
Reposted by Unique Invitations by Deborah Burman Carasso
Cheat Sheet to Ace Your Maid of Honor Speech
24 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in Wedding Tips
If the idea of standing up in front of all those people frazzles your nerves, don’t panic—these tips will help you write a toast you’ll be excited about and deliver like a professional speaker, to boot.
Sharon Naylor

Photo Credit: Jessica Lauren Photography
What to Say
The Opening
- DO open with who you are and how you know the bride. Not everyone in the room is from her side, and it creates a sense of connection to you and what you’re about to say.
- DON’T feel like you have to open with a joke. Forget that misguided advice often given by corny uncles; It’s better to lead with sentiment and sweetness rather than a gimmick that can fall flat.
- DO share a brief story on what you love most about the bride. Talk about positive attributes, such as how she lights up any room and is the first one to help a friend in need.
- DON’T say, “Finally, she met the man of her dreams” or any other phrasing that indicates she may be the last one out of your friends to find her mate. That’s a big no-no!
- DO briefly share how you knew she met The One. And this is where your funny story comes in, like how she started to use some of his catchphrases: “When Jen came home from a date with Evan and used the word ‘rad,’ we knew she was gone over him!” Or how she started to take an interest in his interests and passions (and the moment you spotted him in bike shorts, ready to take on one of her hobbies as well).
- DON’T refer to how her partner is different from former boyfriends, such as “None of Jen’s other beaus ever wanted to put on biking shorts!” Never refer to any exes, period — even if you’re trying to be funny. Yes, Jen dated some clunkers, but you can save that for the bachelorette party roast.
- DO say what you love about the groom, like how he treats her like gold, how sweet he is to her family, and how well he fits in with your circle of friends.
- DON’T make that awful, cliché joke about wanting to clone him so that you can date him, or—even worse—say that “If it doesn’t work out between you two, you know where to find me.” Someone’s likely to throw a fish fork at you, and you’ll deserve it.
- DO focus on addressing BOTH the bride and groom in your speech, not just the bride.
- DON’T talk about yourself. It’s a huge flop of a toast if you were to say, “Well, with Jen so busy with Evan, and me finishing up medical school—at the top of my class, 90-hour weeks, you know—we haven’t spent much time together lately, but it’s like she’s always with me. I know that she’s there for me 100% in whatever I’m doing with my life.” How self-centered! Guard youself against using too many “I’s” and “me’s.”
- DO keep it classy and elegant, since you’re speaking to a room full of their relatives and friends; share only positive stories that cast the bride in the best light possible.
- DON’T insert thinly-veiled “inside jokes” such as referring to “That time in Cabo.” It’s a heinous error and cruel to hint at the bride’s wild, party days during this important moment in her life. Even if this is your style of joking around, skip the inside jokes.
- DO wish them wonderful things in their future: A lifetime of love and joy, surrounded by family and friends who love them, for all of their wishes to come true and a life of ease and abundance.
- DON’T just abruptly say, “Cheers!” to wish them luck and then sit down. You don’t want your ending to be anti-climactic.
- DO have a distinct ending to your toast; something sweet like a classic quote or song lyrics that “tag” your toast with an unforgettable, iconic saying.
- DON’T forget to prepare your closer. Too many toast-givers tend to ramble on and on, spinning their wheels for a clincher at the end…awkward!
Thank you Bridal Guide for this wonderful article
Reposted by Unique Invitations by Deborah Burman Carasso
Tips and Tricks Things to Think About, re: Microphones
15 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in Wedding Tips
Tips and Tricks
Things to Think About, re: Microphones
One of the questions we get from prospective clients the most is, “Are you able to provide a microphone for out ceremony?” Each client has different needs when it comes to a microphone for the ceremony – some just want a mic for their officiant, while others want it for their vows.
Here is something to consider when deciding whether or not you want a microphone for your vows. My personal feelings are that your vows are the most important words you and your fiancé will say at the ceremony. They hold the most meaning. Ask yourself if saying those words knowing that 150 people are listening will change your perception of the experience. Will you be more worried about the people listening to the vows, or your fiancé? This is important as when the ceremony is taking place you may want the vows to be the most intimate part; where only you and your soon-to-be spouse will be the ones to hear each other’s words. Or will you be so caught up in the moment that it won’t matter who hears what you’re saying? This is a valid question to ask yourself, because today so many couples get caught up in the hype of the day that they tend to forget the simplest things, like how they will feel when they are stating their vows to one another.
For example, when I proposed to my fiancé Kristin I hired Tim and Lauren Dinofa to secretly capture the proposal. We selected a meeting place and an estimated time for when the proposal was to happen. I planned this so that they could capture the raw emotion of it. What I didn’t consider was how my perception was going to change when I proposed. Knowing that there were two photographers hiding in the bushes changed the proposal experience for me because I was thinking about what angles the shots were being taken from, as opposed to every word I was going to say to her. The moment of me proposing to Kristin was so important to me that I wanted to capture it on film, yet I sacrificed my own experience of it in living in the moment.
So, just think about whether or not knowing people are listening will change things for you. Your vows will be the base that you marriage holds on to, not how many microphones amplified it.
-Matt
Synergetic Sound and Lighting
215-633-1200 (phone)
215-633-1262 (fax)
http://synergeticsounds.blogspot.com
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Reposted by Unique Invitations by Deborah Burman Carasso for your convenience





