New Years Resolutions For The 2009 Bride

Its time for the 2009 bride to make new years
resolutions for her wedding. Yeah, I know how
hard it is to make resolutions stick. If you
follow the resolutions, you'll have an easier
time with your wedding planning and actually
have a fun and enjoyable time planning and executing
your wedding. And isn't that what we all want?

Resolve to get organized.
An organized bride is a happy bride. Invest
in a wedding planner or purchase a software
program on the net that keeps track of your
progress and leads you to the next step.

Resolve to keep the focus on the marriage
and less on the party.
Too many brides forget that the purpose of
the wedding is the union of two people in
marriage. If that means going to couples
counseling, pre Cana counseling or whatever
your church deems necessary, then just do
it! If everyone spent as much time on planning
the marriage as they do planning the wedding,
there would be less divorces.

Resolve to treat your bridal/wedding party
with respect.
Keep their budget and figure concerns in
mind whey you pick out bridesmaid dresses.
Don't demand that they host a shower for you.
Don't demand they host a bachelorette party
for you. Accept whatever they plan and enjoy
it. It might be a lot more fun than what you
had in mind.
Don't expect your bridesmaids to plan your wedding.
Its NOT their job. Don't expect them to be as
excited about your wedding as you are. Don't
expect them to be available every moment for
wedding shopping or assembling invitations.
Accept whatever help they are able to give
and show your appreciation.

Resolve to treat your parents with respect
during the wedding planning process.
Your parents may or may not be paying for the
wedding and they will want to give you input
and suggestions. Accept it in the spirit to
which it was offered and then make up your
own mind as to what you really want to do.
They may be having a hard time with their
"little girl" getting married regardless of
how much they love your groom.

Resolve to make a budget and work within
your budget.
Budgets aren't fun. I personally hate 'em, but
its a fact of life and you have to deal with
the money you have available.

Resolve to have the wedding you can afford.
Don't go into debt for a wedding. If you can only
afford a small wedding, have the best small wedding
evah!

Resolve to be happy for what you have instead of
stessing over what you don't have. Count your
blessings!
You are marrying the man of your dreams. You have
your health. Life is good. Stress the positives
and be happy. Jealousy, envy and wanting what you
can't have for your wedding will eat you alive and
make you miserable. Don't go down that path.

Resolve to spend time NOT planning your wedding
and to spend quality time with your fiance.
No one wants to deal with a 24/7 bride, including
your fiance. Wedding planning shouldn't be the
focus of your life. Take time to smell the flowers,
laugh and have fun with your fiance and friends.

Resolve to hire professionals to service your wedding.
There are great ways to save on wedding services,
but you have to hire experienced wedding
professional if you want the job done right.
Uncle Joe and his camera won't capture the moments
as well as a professional photographer. There are
great professionals in all price ranges. Trust your
most important day to a pro and you'll not regret it.

Resolve to read every contract before you sign it.
Make sure you know what you are signing before you sign
on the dotted line. And make sure you get everything
in writing.

Resolve to follow up with all your vendors in a timely
manner.
Follow up and you'll all be on the same page.
Don't follow up and you are heading for disaster.

Resolve to make deposits and payments in a timely manner.
If you don't make a deposit, you'll lose your
services. As Elvis would say, Take care of business!

Resolve to follow through.
If you decide to make your own favors, just
do it. If you come up with an idea, make it
happen and finish the task. Don't wait until the
last minute to get 'er done.

Resolve to take advice in the spirit of which
it was intended.
Everyone is going to give you a lot of advice.
Don't get ticked off. Take the advice, tell you
will take it under advisement and then forget
about it. Every person who has ever been married
is going to give you advice. Expect it, accept it
and toss it with a smile.

Resolve to enjoy your wedding!

And from Weddingzilla, have a happy wedding
and congratulations!

Wedding Dress Discount Coupon

Bridal Online Store is having a Christmas sale
on wedding dresses. On Christmas day, enter
Coupon Code xmas25 and get 25% off any wedding
dress you purchase on Christmas.
Designer Wedding Dress & Bridal Gowns
at 80% off retail prices. In stock and ready to ship in you size.

This is a great deal.

Happy holidays to all my wonderful brides and
readers. I wish you health, happiness and
prosperity and a happy wedding!
Love,
Weddingzilla

Engaged at Christmas, Time to Start Planning the Wedding

Congratulations on your holiday engagement. Whether
it was a complete surprise or somewhat expected,
you are now engaged to be married. Relax, its normal
to look at your ring finger a hundred times a day, just
don't do it while you are driving down the road!
Its also normal to be completely confused and clueless
as to how or when to proceed with planning your wedding.

Maybe you and your fiance have talked of the kind of
wedding you want. Or maybe not. But its time to sit
down and have the "big talk". Your expectations and his
expectations may be totally different. I know a lot of
brides who don't want a wedding, and a lot of grooms who
have dreamed of seeing their bride in a white gown walking
down the aisle in a traditional wedding.

Here's a big surprise for a lot of brides: There are a lot
of grooms who have also dreamed of their wedding day. And they
might be even more excited than you! The media puts so much
emphasis on the bride, but without the groom....hey, there
is no wedding. I talk to a lot of grooms and some want a lot
of input. Some just want to show up and party. And others
will help plan, make suggestions and run errands.

You need to make sure both of your expectations are on the same
page. You both have to want a traditional wedding or a
destination wedding. You have to understand your grooms
expectations, you need to respect his feelings. Its not
just about you, its about us, its about the marriage.

Set the date, talk to your parents if they are paying for
the wedding and see what they are willing or able to pay
towards the wedding. They'll also have expectations and
suggestions for the wedding. They might have family traditions
that they want included in the wedding. One word springs to
mind: Compromise. Don't argue, scream or fuss. Just
keep an open mind and make decisions when you are in
a calm frame of mind.

Take your time making decisions. Don't jump into any contracts
until you've had time to think and compare your options.
Don't immediately ask everyone to be in your wedding party.
Think, plan and then act. And do it as a couple. Its
training for marriage!

Enjoy your engagement. Its a time to come together as
a couple to plan the rest of your life. Its a time to
plan the wedding. Its a time to enjoy life and look
forward to the future! Look at that ring, show off that
ring and enjoy the congratulations of family and friends.

Here's a great site to help
with planning your wedding and answer your questions.
Wedding Loco Wedding Planning
And if there is a destination wedding in your future
check out Beach Bride 2 Be: Weddings in Paradise.

Have a happy wedding!

Is a Christmas or New Years Eve Wedding For You?

Yes, Virginia, there are a lot of
holiday weddings during Christmas and
new years. This time of year, weddings
are not for everyone. What about you?

Pros:
Every place is decorated, you don't need
to spend a lot on wedding decorations.

The family is in town.

People are in a festive mood.

Everyone likes to get dressed up on
New Years eve and party.



Cons:
You need to blend your wedding colors to
match the holiday colors in the decorations.
If you don't like shades or red or green,
you have a problem.

Mom WILL go crazy with weddings at holiday
time because she still has to deal with
the holiday and holiday stress. And you have
to deal with Mom.

Not everyone will be able to attend because
of prior commitments.

Lets face it, your guests will have to buy
a wedding present and holiday presents for
their families. Money is tight!

Mom Wants A Wife For Son For Christmas

"ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS … a WIFE for my SON," it begins.

Signed Christmas Mother-in Law, the ad continues:
"I'm sad that he's alone, a 37 year old handsome
Tampa professional …

"Help me find him a wife!"

According to the Tampa Tribune, this desperate
mother in law to be is running an ad in their
paper looking for a bride for her son.

"He's such a good boy," she says. "He's so
good hearted, so good looking. He's got a good job."

Jason, the prospective groom, is a software
marketing manager who was even the employee
of the month.

And he's good hearted, just as mom says.
He volunteers with a group that works with
teens with Down syndrome. The group takes them
to the movies, shopping and shows them how to
make change at the store.

"I don't have kids," he explains. "And that's
something I would like in the near future."

If you're interested, send a photograph and
information about yourself to:
Christmas Mother-in Law,
P.O. Box 11802, Blacksburg VA 24062.

I've got to hand it to her for her ingenuity.
Not many sons would be able to deal with
mom's matchmaking.

Kind of smacks of Mama's Boys on NBC. If you
get a chance, check out an episode. I went from
shock to disbelief in less than 60 seconds.
Its like watching a train wreck! I can't wait
for the next episode.

Are You Changing Your Name After The Wedding?

Join in the debate. Are you changing your
name after the wedding? Are you keeping
your maiden name or are you using the
hyphen as in Maiden-HisLastName?

This is a question most professional women
wrestle with when they decide to marry.
You are established in their profession
with your maiden name. Changing to his
name can cause confusion. Doggoneit, you've
worked hard to establish yourself, will you
lose your identity if you use his name?
And if you keep their maiden name, what name
will they give your children? Will it cause
confusion and teasing by other kids at school
if mom has a different last name than dad?

If you decide to use the big hyphen, will the
names be a mouthful together? Or do they
flow nicely?

Many professional women decide to use their
maiden name for business and their married
name for everything else. The kids get the
married family name.

Its confusing and its a big decision. It also throws
a monkey wrench in the works if HE has a strong
opinion. I know when I married that it was so
confusing. I kept my maiden name for work and
my married name for everything else. There was
actually one day where I sat down and said
"Who am I? I'm so confused". I was also looked
at suspiciously when I pulled out a credit card and
drivers license and it didn't match the name on the
check book. Eventually, I hyphenated and
I became known by both names.

Changing all the legal forms was a royal PIA.
It took HOURS and hours and a lot of forms.

If you are going to change your name, I came across
a major time saver. There is a service that will help
you change your name after the wedding and submit
all the forms for you. I wish I had this service when
I got married. I still remember sitting in offices
for freaking evah to show my IDs and sign forms.
This is a true Godsend for new brides. Check it
out.
MissNowMrs Online Name Change Service

Gift Ideas for Bride and Bridesmaids Holiday Gifts, Discount Coupons

Its that time of year again when we beat our heads
against the wall trying to find the perfect gift for
family and friends. Not only does it have to be
perfect and they have to love it, but we have to
be able to afford it. That's the hook. We've
found some great deal and holiday freebies
to help make the gifting go farther.

So we've assembled some coupons and ideas to
get your holiday shopping off to an easy start
for the bride and bridesmaids on your gift lists.
And of course, we are always looking for
out of the box ideas, so give it a whirl.

And remember, as the bride, its nice to gift your
bridesmaids with a token of your appreciation at
the holidays. They need to know you appreciate
their participation in the wedding and the expenses
they are making to help the bride in her
journey to become the Mrs.

Everyone loves makeup, skincare & fragrances:
Vegan Soaps
These would make nice little unique
gifts for your maids. Lush makes all handmade
cosmetics and bath products. And here is a coupon
for a very unique freebie! ;)
Free Sex Bath Bomb


Save up to 50% on brand name cosmetics
& skincare at Makeup.com Discount.


Shop this week's very Special Deals at
StrawberryNET!
They are also offering a free Stila eyeshadow
(Stila eyeshadows ROCK!) and free shipping and
additional discounts.

Specials from spalook.com
All sorts of freebies, discounts, free shipping
on bath and body products that are very giftable.

Check out our special offers at SkinStore.com!
The SkinStore has a lot of natural skin
care products.

$10 off $60 at Beauty.com!
Every major hot brand of cosmetics and skin
care is here with lots of freebies and
free samples.

Enjoy 15% off your entire
purchase at ShopTheBunny.com!
Cute jewelry from Playboy that's on sale which are
cute gifts for your maids. Playboy tees and they even
have gifts for your dog!

Lucky Brand Jeans: Free Shipping on
Orders of $100 or more
There are so many cool gift ideas for everyone
on your gift list here. My mind is spinning with
ideas after I hit this site. Unusual, unique and
fashionista quality!

Up to 60% off our latest retiring colors and
styles at VeraBradley.com!
Great stocking stuffers and gifts for the
Vera Bradley fans on your holiday list.

Hot looks under $20 at Deréon.com
Beyonce's style at affordable prices! Wow!

Receive free shipping when your order totals $75
or more! Visit us at Fabulous Furs the worlds finest
FAUX furs for the house and all members of the family.

Upload or E-mail your digital
photographs to have your photos lasered on
14K Gold or Sterling Silver Jewelry at
PicturesOnGold.com
Personalize your gift that will
be cherished forever. Bought one for my mom,
she still cries when she sees it. Thumbs up. Its
an amazing conversation piece. How about having
one made with the engaged couples picture and
giving it to the bride for the holiday?

The perfect gift? Gifts.com gift cards!
One size fits all and perfect for y'all
who hate to shop.

I've got more ideas, stay tuned!

Wedding Question: Plus size wedding dress

Again, keep your wedding questions
coming. Email them to
Weddingzilla@tootsieworld.com.

Dear Weddingzilla,
I'm a plus size bride in a skinny world.
I'm having a hard time finding a wedding dress
that makes me feel beautiful. I feel so
bad when I see a dress I love on a skinny
model.
More to Love

Dear More,
I feel your pain. Too many times the
manufacturers want to send us bridal shops
samples in their sample sizes...size 8, 10 & 12's.
We order larger sizes and smaller sizes. But
sometimes you want to try on the dress we ordered
in a size 4. Many times, the larger sized samples
sell as soon as they come in and it takes us another
16 weeks to get them back in stock for you to try
on. Believe me, we feel as bad as you do when this
happens.

Make an appointment with a bridal salon and get an
idea of what looks good on your figure. A good
bridal consultant can show you styles that will
flatter and elongate your figure and make you feel
beautiful and LOOK beautiful.

Stay away from huge ballgowns because they will
make you look shorter and heavier. Avoid the mermaid
silhouette unless you are built perfectly in proportion.
Look for draped waistlines or basque waistlines
and a-line skirts. Charmeuse fabrics will cling and
show every bump and bulge. And yes, you can wear
strapless gowns!

And buy the best fitting undergarments you can afford
because the right undergarments will uplift and support
your bust line. The uplift takes off pounds.
They'll pull you in and make your dress fit smoothly.
Don't cheap out and buy a cheap bra, buy the one that
does the job.

The right undergarments will take pounds off your figure
without making you uncomfortable just by aligning your
body to the lines of the dress. We use Felina and
Goddess bras in the bridal salon because they have the
best support and fit. Here's a link to a site that
carries the bras, click on bridal:
Get Oprah's Favorite Bra Today!

PlusSizeBridal.com shows dresses
photographed on plus sized brides. You'll be able
to see the styles that will look fabulous on YOU!
Hope this helps!

Dear Weddingzilla, Wedding Questions and Answers

You have wedding questions, I have
wedding answers. Keep them coming,
email your questions to
weddingzilla@tootsieworld.com.

Here are the latest from my e-mail bag.


Dear Weddingzilla,
I'm having a hard time trying to figure
out a hairstyle for my wedding. I clip pics
out of the bridal magazines and don't know how
they will look on me. I'm afraid to take a chance.
Helppppppppp!!

Dear Helpppppppp!!,
There is a really cool site called the
Hair Styler that will show how you look
in different hairstyles and with different hair
colors. They have a whole area of wedding hair
styles. They have a free area and a member area.
Its $14.95 for three months and its a lot of fun.
I actually tried it myself and found a way cool
style that I was afraid to try. I just uploaded
my photo and clicked until I was happy.

Print out what you want and take it to your
hairstylist and have a practice session with
your tiara and veil. You'll be picture perfect
on your wedding day.

Here's the link:
Looking for a bridal hair style? View
yourself in various wedding hair styles
at TheHairStyler.com

Hugs,
Weddingzilla


Dear WZ,
I can't find a dress for my junior maid who
is 12. She's too old for a flower girl dress
and too small to fit into a bridesmaid dress.
Thanks, Ash

Hi, Ash,
Twelve is a really hard age because she's in the
in between stage and she's been largely ignored until
lately. Your only recourse in the past was to cut
down the smallest bridesmaid dress or have it made.
But no more! Forever Yours makes dresses for all the
members of the wedding party from flower girl, junior
maid and bridesmaid in the same style and fabric,
but modified to fit the age of the girl. It will
have the big girl look but have straps to keep it in
place and be more modestly cut.
Other companies who are doing it are House of Wu,
Alexia Designs and Eden bridals.




This picture shows how the dresses are adapted
to the different age groups, by Forever Yours.

Hugs,
Weddingzilla

A One Fingered Salute to Proposition 8

While surfing the blogosphere, I came across
an interesting post on
Eating Out Loud, regarding Proposition 8, the
California proposition that wants to overturn
Supreme Court legislation allowing gay couples
to marry.

"I decided to snap a photo of my ring placed on a
slightly different finger than normal to express
exactly how I feel toward every single person who
voted Yes on Prop 8. It’s my personal version
of ‘let freedom ring’. The battle for equality
changes course but it’s very far from over."

This movement has been moved over to
Diary of a Modern Matriach
where couples of all persuasions are showing
their displeasure with the ruling.

As a wedding professional, I've dressed many
gay couples for their discreet commitment
ceremonies long before you ever heard of
commitment ceremonies. I saw two loving
people who wanted to dedicate their lives to
each other. They were no different from you
or me other than the fact that they loved someone
of the same sex. Their lifestyle certainly
didn't affect my life in any way, nor those of
my children.

I grew up in a rural area, read Amish farm
area. There were spinsters who raised children
together and bachelor farmers who lived and
farmed together for their entire lifetime.
They were gay and they were Amish. And no
one spoke about it, it was just accepted in
the ultra strict Bible belt area.

In the wedding industry, I have many gay friends
who are very active in the industry. Your wedding
dress may have been designed by a gay designer.
Or not. You'll probably never know. But I do.

If two people want to get married and spend
their lives together, why should anyone have the
right to say that they can't? No one told me
that I couldn't marry the first ass that I married.
Nor when I married Mr. Wonderful and found my soul
mate. It was my right and my freedom to do so.
Everyone should have that right.

And before all of you haters hit me up with your
religious beliefs, gimmeabreak. I did 8 years of
hard time in Catholic schools and I know the Bible.

I keep going back to the fact that God loves us
all. He made us all in His image. So if God loves
us all the same, why can't you? Because someone doesn't
act, think or appear the way you want them to be,
doesn't make them bad, evil or a sub par citizen.

And don't thump your Bible at me. I don't want to hear it.

Shoe Fashionistas Unite

I was born a shoe fashionista. I have to have
shoes, shoes and more shoes. I worked starting
at age 12 doing whatever I could to get more shoes.
I babysat, ironed, cleaned houses, washed and walked
dogs. I stashed my cash until shoe shopping
day came about. Then I boarded the bus and came home
with my loot. I had shoes to match every color in my
wardrobe. I worked hard for them, I took care of them.
I appreciated them more because I got them from doing
jobs no one wanted to do and I sweated for them.
Some pairs ended up in my sisters closets, some are still
with me to this day. I collected shoes and still do.

Weddings have always meant new shoes. Whether I was IN
the wedding or a guest, I had to have new shoes.

I want style, I want fashion, I want comfort. Yeah,
I know what you are thinking, you can't have it all.
Style doesn't always equal comfort as we women know,
but the shoemakers are getting better. Its easier
than its been in light years to find shoes that feel
good and LOOK good. But its the hunt, the quest, the
search for the perfect pair to wear with the dress.
Because even if you get bigger in the waist or hips,
a great pair of shoes will take your eye away from
the bulges. In fact, my husband bought me a t shirt
that reads something like a great pair of shoes makes
your ass look smaller. And it does!

Wedding shoes are sometimes so freaking uncomfortable
because fabric shoes don't stretch. But who says
you have to wear dyed to match shoes today? Brides
are choosing options like metallics in silver, gold
or bronze or leather options for their maids. And they
are thinking outside the box when it comes to their
own footwear choices. No longer are they wearing a
white satin low heeled pump. And please God, no
flip flops or tennis shoes. But they are wearing
silver encrusted heels, colorful leather shoes to
match the flowers in their bouquets or buying their
dress around a special shoe. (That's a shoe fashionista
after my own heart!)

I came across a web site that nearly made me weep with
joy. This is a real shoe fashionistas nirvana.
My key board is full of drool. Check it out!
This is too good to keep for myself. I am partial
to the leopard peep toes, OMG..I love them!
Only the greatest collection of shoes on sale at Heels.com. Tons of great shoes on sale!




These shoes are SOOOOO Hot! They would
make amazing wedding shoes. Love 'em!
HOT SHOES!

Strange Wedding News

A Japanese man has gotten hundreds of people in an internet campaign to allow marriages between humans and cartoon characters. Taichi Takashita says he feels more at ease in the "two-dimensional world".

Within a week he has gathered more than 1,000 signatures through the internet although he is aiming for a million signatures.

"I am no longer interested in three dimensions. I would even like to become a resident of the two-dimensional world," he wrote.

Get a load of his comments from readers:
"For a long time I have only been able to fall in love with two-dimensional people and currently I have someone I really love," one person wrote.

"Even if she is fictional, it is still loving someone. I would like to have legal approval for this system at any cost," the person wrote.

WTF???

And another strange and weird wedding story from Japan:

TOKYO -- Newspapers reported that a Japanese man set fire to the hotel where he was due to get married, rather than go through with the ceremony that day.

Tatsuhiko Kawata, 39, had gone along with wedding plans despite already having a wife, the Yomiuri newspaper said.

"I thought if I set a fire I wouldn't have to go through with the wedding," the Yomiuri quoted him as telling police.

Isn't this like an animal gnawing off their foot
to escape the trap?

Truth is stranger than fiction!

Bridezillas, Cops Without The Arrest

Watching Bridezillas on WE TV: its like Cops without an
arrest. You have lying, deceit, fighting, wrestling,
foul language and denying any wrongdoing. I sat
through 3 or 4 mind numbing episodes last night.
Why? Because not a day goes by when I'm asked if I've
ever dealt with a Bridezilla. I've always said yes.
But I've never ever dealt with a bad bride of
this magnitude.

If I had a nickel for every time I head the
Bridezilla say "Its MY day!", I'd be heading to
Vegas with the money. They never mention the groom.
Isn't it his day, too? Or is he just an accessory
to HER day?

And speaking of Mr. Bridezilla, why do they
put up with the treatment they get by Bridezilla?
Are they so desperate for a mate that they
take this crap? Or do they need to be dominated?
I don't get it. I'd like to send them a pair
of track shoes and tell them to run. But
that's just me. They'll figure it out eventually.

If I had a daughter who spoke to me like some
of those lil' sweeties, well, lets just say
they'd be in a world of hurt. She wouldn't be
getting married on my dime. Has respect just
gone out of the window because "Its MY day!"?

I've always thought these gals played to the
camera, but after seeing the complete episodes,
I'm not sure. I wonder how much cash they
get for allowing themselves to be portrayed in
such an unflattering light. Anyone know?
Its almost like the footage could be used
as evidence in a divorce court. It can't be
enough money for the footage to live in
digital forever land to come back to haunt them
in the future.



I've dealt with Bridezillas in the bridal salon,
but never met a bad bride like the ones on the show.

I had a bridezilla accuse me of being rude because
I asked the children who were flower girls
accompanying the bride to stop please jumping on the
train of her wedding dress. She needed
bleeps to express her displeasure with me. She told
me if the dress was damaged or dirty, it would just
be up to me to fix or clean it. They knocked over
mannequins and slid down the steps on their stomachs.
Someone definitely had too much sugar. The bride said
they were expressing themselves. Yeah, express
yourself somewhere else. I don't need it.

Well, the little darlings came for a fitting on their
flower girl dresses and jumped in them on the platforms
until they tore their dresses. They jumped so hard,
they knocked a track light out of a lighting track.
We just let them go at it, because as the bride
pointed out to me in one of her previous screamfests:
"you are insured".

The bride broke into hysterical tears and told me
that those lil' darlings were out of control and
going to ruin her wedding. Like it took you 6 months
and a lot of screaming at me to figure it out. She
never apologized, but we all secretly hoped they
trashed the wedding.

Yeah, life in a bridal salon is interesting.
I'm going to share some stories with you.

In the meantime, don't even THINK of being
a Bridezilla! If you think you could be
turning into a Bridezilla, take the test.

Dear WZ, Should My Fiance Wear an Engagement Ring?

Dear Weddingzilla,
Should my fiance wear an engagement ring?
If I do, shouldn't he?
Diamond Girl

Dear Diamond Girl,
Tradition is that only the woman wears an
engagement ring. Its only been recently that
some men wanted to wear engagement rings. But
I stress that MOST do not wear them.
The trend started by jewelers. Think about
that.

The men's engagement rings I've seen are
very expensive and some resemble women's
wedding sets. I'm wondering if some of them
are intended for commitment ceremonies.

I'm guessing that you want him to wear a ring
and he doesn't want to wear a ring. If that's
the case, don't force him. There are a lot of
married men and women who don't wear wedding
rings but they are 100% married and faithful.

What are your reasons for wanting him to
wear a ring? Are you marking your territory?
Do you think it will scare away predatory
females? If that's what you think, you
are in for a big surprise. The ring won't
do it. You have to trust him, because
successful marriages are built on trust.

I personally have never known a guy to
wear an engagement ring and I meet thousands
of couples a year. But if both of you
agree, then go for it.

Men have a lot of reasons for not wanting
to wear rings. As women, we think its because
they don't want to look taken. But a lot of
times its for practical reasons, wearing a
ring could be hazardous in their line of
work if they work around machinery. Men just
aren't as into jewelry as we women are. And
I'm sure, its never crossed his mind.

You can buy him an engraved tungsten bracelet
with your names and wedding date engraved on
it. Or an engraved money clip. There are
alternatives. Or have his finger tattooed.

If he loves you enough to spend the rest of
his life with you and he's bought you a ring,
he's committed to you.

Have a happy wedding!

Wedding Blooper, Real or Fake? I say Fake!

A bride emailed me this video and asked me if I
thought it was real or fake. I say its fake because
the best man wasn't in line with the maid of
honor and he had lots of room to "trip".
If you look closely, there are other photographers
at the back of the swimming pool. What resort would
set up the wedding at the entry point of a swimming
pool anyway?

What do YOU think?

Watch more Wedding Blooper videos on AOL Video

Today is National Cupcake Day

Today is national cupcake day. Who knew
that cupcakes had their own day?

Back to the cupcakes. I love them. Everyone
loves cupcakes. So today, dear brides to be,
grab some cupcakes and practice feeding cake
to your fiance. And he to you. You can pretend you are
practicing the cake cutting ceremony at your wedding
reception and get in some quality cupcake eating time
without guilt. After all, its a national holiday if there
is actual a day named after the cupcake.

Everyone knows once the cupcake is broken, the
calories fly out of the cupcake. So, let them
eat cake! Or let's all eat cupcakes.
Whatever, I'm heading to the bakery now. I want
these chocolate chocolate cupcakes.

Happy cupcake day, cupcake!

Your Wedding Trousseau aka Honeymoon Clothes

Back in the Victorian times, a woman filled her
hope chest with fine dresses, undergarments,
toiletries and other frillies that she was saving
for her marriage. The wedding trousseau was clothing
and accessories she brought into the marriage that was
to be the clothing she wore on her honeymoon and
newlywed years. It was like a "bonus"to the groom.
He didn't have to buy her any clothing for a long time. ;)
A measure of the family's wealth was instilled in the
brides trousseau.The more goodies in her hope chest,
the better the catch.

Today your trousseau is the clothes you wear on
your honeymoon. Every bride wants pretty new
things to wear on her honeymoon. Your trousseau are the
clothes you wear in the day and sexy honeymoon
lingerie, shoes, handbags and other accessories.

Shopping for your honeymoon trousseau is second to
shopping for your wedding dress. You should plan
your trousseau according to the type of honeymoon
you are having. If its beach, think shorts, cover ups,
cami's, bathing suits, sundresses, sandals and flip flops.
On a cruise, all of the above, plus two formal dresses
or outfits, a pair of heels and some dinner outfits.
If you are going to an all inclusive resort, check out
their web site for ideas on what to pack. It probably
will be the same as on a cruise.

The rule of the honeymoon trousseau is that you
have one new piece of lingerie per evening. Some
will be gifts from best friends and from your wedding
party. Others will be frilly things you buy for yourself.

We polled our brides to suggest the best places to find
hot honeymoon fashions at affordable prices and here
is some of what they suggested. We've found prices
slashed on lots of things you need for your honeymoon,
so check them out. We've even had suggestions for plus
size gals and tall gals. These are things you won't
find in the stores and they are hot!

Make it a wedding night he'll never forget!
Check out Henry & June Lingerie's Bridal Selection

Intimate Apparel at figleaves.com with over 200 Leading Brands!

Frederick's of Hollywood
New Markdowns

Bridal Necessities at BareNecessities.com.
Everything you'll need for your perfect day & honeymoon.

Shop The Bunny
Lingerie, clothes, shoes and accessories.

For your everyday honeymoon clothing, here are some sites
that have amazing clothing at great prices.

Win your wedding trousseau at Fashion Chateau.
$500 Shopping Spree


Shop The Latest Fashions at CoutureCandy


Save up to 75% on Designer Jeans at LabelSpree


Get Free Shipping at Lucky Brand Jeans! Shop Now!

Get THE hottest dresses in the latest fashions, only at Rampage.com!


Shop and save up to $20 at FashionBug.com!
Use promo code 776236705 at checkout.
Expires 11-30-08.

Silhouettes – Sizes 12W-34W


Lane Bryant Bridal Boutique.
Little black honeymoon dresses in sizes 14-28 .

Be Sexy,Be Size Appeal Bold...because you can

Tall gals click here: Silhouettes Specialty Tall Shop


The rule for swimwear is one to wear, one to wash and one
in the drawer ready to wear. If you are spending a week
at the beach or on a cruise, you'll need at least three swim
suits for your honeymoon. The sales on swim wear is starting
NOW, so even if you are getting married next year, buy
your suits now and $ave. Tuck them into your honeymoon
trousseau hope chest.

Fall Clearance Sale!! Up to70% Off. Swimsuits starting at $14.98. Shop Now While Supplies Last.


Plus Size Swimwear

Bridal Bling Jewelry Makes the Wedding Dress Pop

I invited to a private trunk show
by the designer of Bridal Bling Jewelry to introduce
her couture line of affordable and unusual wedding
jewelry. I've got to tell you, it totally blew me away.

I see wedding jewelry ALL the time and its the same
old same old. Yawn. Some of it is just plain junky and
looks like some cheap import that should be sold in a
dollar store.

I was expecting the same old, but for the first time in a
long time, I really got excited about wedding jewelry.
Bridal Bling Jewelry is different! Its not called bling
for no reason. This is some serious sparkle.

This jewelry is all hand made and designed in the USA.
Each piece serves to bring some sparkle into the brides
eyes and bring the focus onto her face. Today's dress styles
are simpler and need something in the neck area that
doesn't disappear when the bride puts it on. She needs some
sparkle. This line does the trick.

I can't say what I liked more because I liked them all.
All the girls in the shop gave it the thumbs up and they
are all ages from young hip fashionistas to grandmas.
We never agree on anything, but we all wanted a piece
for our own. The fashionista said she'd wear them after
any wedding and she'd even wear them to work.



I fell in love with this piece. It spoke to me. I might need it.
Note to husband: Good Christmas present, hint, hint. ;)
I would wear it with a black sweater because I own more
black sweaters than anyone in the universe. I'd wear it
to work. I'd wear it when I did a fashion show. I'd wear
it to Vegas. I'd wear it as a signature piece because
its different. I got into the healing powers of
crystals when I was in Sedona, Arizona and got hooked on
them. This is an amazing crystal and in my mind, its
calming and healing. And every bride and everyone
who puts in time in a bridal salon needs calming. ;)

If you are a destination bride
then check out this piece under the Island bride
category. It has a crystal starfish and the back
has a back drape with more crystals. Its PERFECT
for low back dresses. Every time you wear it,
you'll transport back to the beach. I LOVE IT!!
Its way more dazzling in person.



Check out the site, Bridal Bling Jewelry.
I feel like I discovered something really
exciting for my brides! And that doesn't happen
very often....

Why Do Wedding Dresses Run Small?

Wedding dresses run smaller in comparison to our
everyday clothing. Our everyday clothing has
easing built into them. Easing is that wiggle room we have in
our clothes. Wedding dresses are cut to fit directly to
the body. There is no easing in the dress. If there were,
you would have a sloppy fit, the top wouldn't stay up
and you'd be totally unhappy with the fit. And yes, it WOULD
make your hips look big. ;)

Wedding dresses are cut according to each manufacturers
size chart. There is no standardization between manufacturers.
If you are a size 10 in one line, you could be a 14 in another.
Its frustrating for the bride, its doubly frustrating for the
bridal consultant who has to learn the fit of each line of dresses
and keep track of each size chart. And she has to explain
to you the difference in sizing and you don't hear a word she's
saying...all you can think is "I'm fat!"

The bridal salons have for years asked for standardization of
size charts. It will never happen because each designer has
a different idea of "ideal size". They use a fit model that sizes
exactly to their size chart. And these size charts are archaic.
Today's women has a larger waistline than 40 years ago, even
those in amazing physical shape. In order to fit the waist, you
have to size up in the dress.

It would be hugely expensive to standardize sizing because each
dress in EVERY manufacturers line would have to be recut and
redesigned. Plus there would be a lot of confusion between the
customer who tries on the dress store's original sample and the
new size chart. The manufacturers make the bridal salon pay for
every dress they carry in stock. They have a small fortune
hanging on their dress racks. The bridal salon can't afford to
invest more money in new samples of dresses they already
have in their store. And the manufacturers aren't going to replace
the dress for free.Its just too expensive to redo sizing for everyone.

But all is not lost. Some manufacturers have been working on
making dresses closer to women's real measurements. Mon Cheri
revamped their sizing charts a few years ago. Eden redid their
sizing in 2005 and Alfred Angelo is redoing their sizing now.

What should you, the bride, do when shopping for a wedding
dress?Stop looking at size. Size is only a number so you can
zip the dress.Order the size that fits your body and don't
stress over the number.Its not going to be posted on your
bee-hind as you walk down the aisle. Only you and the bridal
consultant will know, and trust me,she doesn't care. She just
wants your dress to fit you.

Shop for a dress that makes you look fabulous, feel fabulous and
makes you feel beautiful. Forget about the number on the
inside tag. And if it will make you feel better, when your dress
arrives, have your seamstress remove the size tag.

The Mullet Wedding Dress

Mullets are business in the front and
party in the back. This is my favorite
mullet wedding dress. The front is all
business. Its a sophisticated wedding dress
looks very traditional. Its strapless with
a slimming basque waistline and has lots of
embellishment and beading on the front of the
skirt. You just have to expect that the back is
as traditional as the front.





But wait...check out the pack. Its party time!
The back has a sexy dip on the bodice, and tiers
of ruffles in the back. Gasp..its stunning in that
Scarlett O'Hara way. Its unusual, its pretty,
hey...its a mullet wedding dress.
This gown is fashioned by Winnie Couture.
How can you not love this dress?



Unusual wedding dress back!

Sexy Interesting Wedding Dress Backs

Great wedding dresses should look as good in the
back as in the front. While you are at the
altar taking your vows, the back is what your guests see.
Your dress should have a good bee-hind.

Winnie Couture does dresses
with amazing backs. I LOVE these dresses!


This gown starts with a sweet over the shoulder
lace and goes into a sexy keyhole back. The back
is low cut, kind of like a "Dancing With The
Stars' glam look. Sweet and sexy, wow!




Wow! He'll love this dress! This dress is made
for a woman with curves. Sophisticated, sexy
and not for everyone.
This dress has a sexy V back with interesting
beaded straps. The dress has asymetrical pleating
over the bee-hind and accentuates the positive.
Hot and sexy!




This dress is sophistication plus elegance. The back
bodice has an all beaded sheer panel to a very
low cut back. Sexy, yes, sophisticated, yes.
The train has vertical embellishment that
just makes the back as interesting as the front.



This dress positively sizzles. The back is
structured and low cut with wide beaded straps.
The interest doesn't stop there, its fitted on
the hips and has a carriage back train inset with
fortuni pleats. STUNNING!