Happy Halloween!


The Ultimate Bridezilla... The Bride of Frankenstein!!!

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The Ultimate Bag For Travel

UPDATE: THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE CHELSEA HENRY WEBSITE... HERE IS ANOTHER LINK WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE ULTIMATE BAG FOR TRAVEL. 

This bag is called The Ultimate Bag for good reason! It’s truly the only bag you’ll ever need.

It's a carry on with enough room to pack what you need and still fit under the seat. The bag has so many pockets and zippered compartments that you can organize everything neatly, but still find what you need in a flash.

Take Chelsey Henry's Ultimate Bag aboard your next flight and be ready for any occasion that arises! This laptop bag is complete with a multitude of organizational features. It is loaded with pockets that hold anything from boarding passes to legal files. This go-anywhere tote comes complete with 6 accessories to get you where you're going organized and in-style.

Accessories:
* Lipstick pouch - perfectly sized for personal items
* Wristlet - made of nylon to coordinate with the exterior color of the bag
* Laptop sleeve 15.4” (13.9” wide x 10” tall x 1.5” deep) - to protect your computer
* Cosmetic pouch - to fit full lip liners, lip gloss or pens
* Demi Bag with detachable strap - perfect to grab and go for lunch or cocktails
* Eye mask - to ensure deep beauty rest no matter where you are

If you are planning a trip, like a destination wedding, do not leave home without this bag... mine is on it's way!

Your well organized wedding planner,
Lisa



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Sephora Turns 10 ~ Happy Birthday!!!

As a way of celebrating Sephora is giving you $10...
 check out your bridal choices at
Use code YQGVBYWA!

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Victoria's Secret ~ Sexy Little Bride

Take a look at Victoria's Secret's Bridal Collection. The line has numerous items such as bling'd out tanks, hoodies and undies in many different styles and colors. I love the "I do" pretty panty. Comes in a ring box with faux diamond elastic, adorable! 


Your wedding planner,
Lisa

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Lose 2 Inches The Morning Of Your Wedding!

No, it’s not a pre-wedding fad diet or a secret weight loss plan. It’s body slimming shapewear! And who doesn't want to look 2 inches slimmer and trimmer on their wedding day!

How are you going to look slimmer on your wedding day? If losing weight isn’t working out for you, then suck it in and slim up with Shapewear from Bare Necessities. Their latest shaping and slimming silhouettes can be your wedding day secret.

Shapewear can be the most important part of a bride's wardrobe. Not only does the right Shapewear item make you look slimmer, it makes your wedding dress fit perfectly. Lose inches in seconds on the morning of your wedding with the top brands in Shapewear!

Bare Necessities is one of the top 50 retail websites for apparel, as well as Instyle’s top online lingerie shopping site with a special link for brides including, bridal bras, bridal hosiery, corsets, bustiers, garter belts, lingerie and most important bridal shapewear.

Bare Necessities is also the home for all your Shapewear needs. Sassybax, Miraclesuit, The Body Wrap, Yummie Tummie - as seen on Oprah, and Spanx have all designed shapewear to help women look pounds lighter in seconds. The innovative technology that makes inches disappear and keeps everything in control has been a miracle cure for all woman.

BareNecessities sells all of today’s top shapewear styles, and has lingerie experts to help find the right styles for every age, body and wardrobe. 


Take a look at their website and ask the experts what would work best for you and your style of wedding dress... Spanx or Yummie Tummie! Plus standard shipping is just $5. 

Advice from your wedding planner who helps you look your best,
Lisa



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Friday Funny :) The Dollies

As a new bride, Aunt Edna moved into the small home on her husband’s ranch. She put a shoe box on a shelf in her closet and asked her husband NEVER to touch it.
For fifty years Uncle Jack left the box alone until Aunt Edna was old and dying. One day when he was putting their affairs in order, he found the box again and thought it might hold something important. Opening it, he found two doilies and $82,500 in cash.
He took the box to her and asked about the contents.
“My mother gave me that box the day we married,” she explained. “She told me to make a doily to help ease my frustrations every time I got mad at you.”
Uncle Jack was very touched that in 50 years she’d only been mad at him twice.
“What’s the $82,500 for?” he asked.
“Oh, that’s the money I made selling the rest of the doilies.”


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New Blogger Contest! Multimedia Engagement Session Award... Take a moment and watch...


Blogger talent search contest from Neil Cowley on Vimeo.


The prize is a free multimedia engagement session by Neil Cowley valued at $3000. The quest is for a storyteller with heart and humor to tell the stories of wedding planning and engagement from inside their head and out through the web. Submit your journal, blog, video log, or contest entry to the comments here to be considered! Multimedia submissions will definitely score you bonus points!!

What is a multimedia engagement session?
Sara & Jeremy - dog lover’s extended love story
Letchworth New York destination engagement shoot slideshow
Erin + Josh Engagement story at Centeral Park West and MOMA NY
Where art lives with Courtney & Charlie shows you how a couple designed their engagement session
If you are chosen as the new blogger, I will help you design your engagement session and schedule it for as soon as possible. You will then be responsible for writing 20-30 posts from your engagement and wedding.

Who else has blogged for you?
Deanna was our first bridal chronicler and you’ll need to be pretty creative to come up with posts as creative as hers! You can view her multimedia engagement shoot slideshow, her post reflecting on the engagements, her wedding slideshow, and her post reflecting on the wedding experience and journaling/blogging. Deanna is planning to incorporate some of her reflections in her album.

Good luck!!! Their work is amazing and makes me wish I was getting married again :)

Lisa, the wedding planner

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I Had A Blog Visit From Writer/Author Susan St. Maur

I had a blog visit from writer/author Susan St. Maur and I am honored and thrilled that she not only visited but left a very informative comment about the "Designer Rice" not being as "green" as we would like it to be! She suggested "biodegradable confetti and bird seed" as an alternative to the rice.  She offers tips like this and many many more in her latest book... 


Married in Green
Do you – or does someone you know - want to get married in a way that helps keep our planet, environment, agriculture and employment ethics as healthy as possible ...without compromising on style? This book shows you how.

Great gift idea for anyone planning a wedding!

Thank you for stopping by Ms. St. Maur. I hope you will visit again and again.

Lisa, the PR Wedding Planner

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Namebirdie Eliminates The Name Change Hassle!

Recently eloped and are you avoiding the whole name-changing process? Well there's this brilliant new site called namebirdie that will assist you through all the steps to change your maiden name to your new Mrs. name online!

It costs $25, but for this small fee, it will save you the time & hassle of finding all of the sites and forms on your own.

All you have to do is print, fill out and sign them, mail the forms away, and voila, your name will legally be changed! Gotta love that!

The make your life easier wedding planner,
Lisa

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Simple Bridal Bouquet

I hate to admit it but I came across this picture of the simplest bridal bouquet ever and I fell in love with how beautiful it looks. It is made up of baby's breath... the flower I always ask the florist to "please leave out of the bouquet" because I feel it makes the bouquet look cheesy. I still feel that way about baby's breath being in a mixed bouquet, it is just so common. But alone in a bouquet it is romantic, lovely and so simple that it melts me. 


If you are looking for a bouquet that is far different and will make people say "wow I would have never thought of that!" this is the one! It would also look great in bunches as a centerpiece at a reception table.

Simple wedding idea,
from your wedding planner,
Lisa


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Remember Throwing Rice At A Wedding...

Bring back the tradition of wishing wealth to newlyweds by tossing Designer Wedding Rice over the bride and groom. It is true rice which has been re-formed into beautiful tiny hearts. The hearts are flat so the rice won’t roll when stepped on (it’s hard enough walking in those heels!), and it is biodegradable so it will wash away with the next rain, making this the perfect eco-friendly accessory for your Green Wedding!

Each bag contains enough wedding rice for 100 favors and a scoop for measuring and filling your favors. The scoop is approximately 1 Tablespoon.

Want to involve all your guests in your wedding toss? Our favorite solution is to wrap small handfuls of rice in Wedding Tulle and then place your packets in one or more Flower Girl Baskets!


Check this out and many many more items at Brides Village.

Your wedding planner,
Lisa

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Looking For The Perfect Destination Wedding Dress ~ Alfred Angelo

Destiny Collection ~
Versatile, sophisticated and affordable. The Destiny collection offer the perfect destination wedding dress. Whether your dream is an exotic island wedding, an elegant garden wedding or a ceremony on the beach - your wedding gown will be just how you dreamed it would be.

Check out this dress (under $1,000) and many more at Alfred Angelo.

Alfred Angelo also offers amazing bridesmaids dresses, flower girl dresses, mother and prom dresses in a variety of styles and colors.

Your wedding planner,
Lisa

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Elope to Puerto Rico... Why? Read On!

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE.
NOT A PASSPORT.
Puerto Rico offers something other Caribbean destinations can't: the promise of smooth weddings. It means you won't spend one minute worrying. I take care of your hotel rooms, your cake, photographer, videographer, everything. There are no language, currency or custom barriers. And some of the most romantic venues in the world are here, a short flight away. Exquisite beach resorts, intimate mountainside haciendas, even beautiful 5-century old venues. For happily every after is one call away at 1-866-99-PRWED.

US$$   
English Speaking  
NO Passport  
Non-Stop Flights 
Cell Friendly

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Hot Trend ~ The Big Picture

With the growing popularity of Internet photo sharing, brides can plan and share their big day like never before. Including uploading your wedding pictures and making your own wedding album, thank you cards and portraits. Choosing the right site that offers the services you will need is probably the biggest challenge. Here is my at-a-glance tutorial.

  • SHUTTERFLY - In addition to letting you upload wedding photos and email virtual albums to friends, this website also publishes a wedding blog with photography-related tips and galleries. You can also make cute products out of your images, from photo books to luggage tags.
  • FLICKR - Flickr's online community is the heart of this photo-sharing site. You can create profiles, upload pics, swap comments and tag favorites. You can also search photos posted by millions of other users to find inspiration ("destination wedding" returns almost 9,500 results).
  • PHOTOBUCKET - Use this site to make fun slide shows of your wedding away, enhanced by special effects and music. Then post them on your Facebook or MySpace page, or on a blog to share with your group. You and your guests can also upload your pictures into one group album, so you can relive your experience together wherever you all may be. 
Helpful hints from your wedding planner,
Lisa


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Inspiration Comes In Many Forms...


Brooke Galardi of Bee Gee Bags is another amazing story of triumph after a devastating diagnosis. She is a self-taught handbag maker, and the designer and founder of BeeGee Bags and I’m just thrilled and honored to share her fascinating journey with all of you. The mother of 2 beautiful daughters, Brooke was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer at the age of 32. After her treatment and recovery, Brooke found herself up into the wee hours of the morning with a new creative energy which she channeled into a new venture, BeeGeeBags.

BeeGee Bags is a unique design house for bridal clutches. This line of clutches stands out because it does not offer the standard bridal fare of satin and lace. Instead, Brooke scours the fabric world to find catchy, whimsical, elegant, and non-traditional clutch fabrics that add an element of self expression and design to the wedding day. Rather than getting too caught up in trends, BeeGee Bags focuses on making timeless designs with a perfectionist’s attention to detail. All clutches are designed, handmade, and finished in-house. The in-house designer works with each bride to determine the design elements she is looking for and helps her to include the bridesmaid clutch in her overall wedding design. It is that personal and creative approach that makes BeeGee Bags an excellent source for brides who want to create a unique and creatively designed wedding day.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BeeGee Bags is offering a 5% discount for orders placed in the month of October. And 1% of gross sales to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.


Brides, take a look at her designs... these bags are an awesome way to say thank you to the ladies in your bridal party, your maid or matron of honor and/or mother of the bride or groom. And the best part if that they are classic and timeless pieces that will be worn time and time again!

Your wedding planner,
Lisa

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Inspiration Comes In Many Forms...

Kristen, of the the amazing Greenbean Designs, was forced to face breast cancer at an age where most woman are just learning who they are. And it truly is a inspiring to have a young woman who faced such adversity come out of the ordeal with so much optimism, creativity and enthusiasm for life. There really are no words of introduction, I am just going to let Kristen tell her story…

It was a Friday night in November of 2005; my husband, Michael, and I were at home watching a movie (Tom Cruise & Jamie Foxx…I won’t soon forget that movie). And, in classic form, I was multi-tasking away… watching the movie and wrapping a birthday gift for a very dear friend of mine (so pleased that I found the most perfect gift weeks ahead instead of the night before). I had a little itch under my arm. Honestly… it was a little itch. Not supposed to be a significant itch… but this little itch scared me silly. I instinctually raised my arm to relieve this little nuisance and go back to wrapping the gift when I felt something. Not a “lump” (as if I knew what a “lump” truly felt like), rather my entire underarm and breast felt dense, almost rock-like. I never noticed this before. How long had this been here? Immediately, my mind raced to negative-town. I had just turned 30 years old. NOT POSSIBLE!!! I tried to convince, control and calm myself and mentally dismissed it as a fluke thing.

But, each day…my concern grew, as did the itchiness, radiating heat and rash. So, I made an OB/GYN appointment. That’s where it all REALLY began, just after the holidays…

January 9th, 2006 I found myself sitting in my breast surgeon’s office waiting for the news. Good or bad? “Oh God, please let it be good. Let it be an infection or a cyst. Amoxicillin will fix everything, right?” I repeated this over and over in my head believing that the news would be fine. However, my heart knew it was something else… Starting with a whirlwind doctor office tour just days before… first at the gynecologist office leading to a same-day office visit with a radiologist for a mammogram; which, by the way, the mammogram yielded no result because mammograms are less effective for women under 40 years of age, to a sonogram (showing a large mass in my right breast) to a biopsy with the breast surgeon… And, here I was! I waited out what felt like a very long weekend and at the same time, a weekend I never wanted to end, in fear of bad news at the end of it. But, here it was, the day of the results… anxiously wringing my hands, holding on to the arms of the office chair (sure that I have left some fingerprints ingrained in the wood). All I was hoping to hear were the words “It’s nothing”. After all, there was no family history.

The results came back. It was Stage 3 breast cancer. Her2 triple negative. The rest of the news sounded like that of the Peanuts cartoon teacher lecturing her students. I heard nothing except my own repetitive thought…. “Am I going to die? What now? Am I going to lose my hair? What about work? Am I going to die? How are we going to tell family? Am I going to die? God, is anyone else sweating in here? I think I am either going to pass out. Maybe if I pinch myself, I will wake up from this nightmare.” I pinched, and blinked and refocused and there was the surgeon continuing to speak in what I thought was tongues to my husband who listened intently but with despondency in his eyes. Our lives had forever changed after those words… “It’s cancer”

I had my first surgery (and first one ever in my life) to have a port put in and off I went… I began chemotherapy immediately to stop and reverse the growth of the tumor. For 5 months (every 3 weeks to be exact) I sat in a chair in a room that had a longer waiting line than the deli counter on a Saturday morning. Except, rather than everyone in a hurry to accomplish their Saturday shopping, this group (aged from teen to twilight) was ready to settle in for 3-5 hours of what we called “cocktails”. Only this hangover made the morning after a few glasses of wine feel like a walk in the park.

I found so much strength in these other patients. Each surviving and, most importantly, LIVING through this disease. Some newly diagnosed, some “LIVING” with the disease after 10 years. Who would have thought you could laugh so hard in the face of cancer? The oncology doctors, nurses, and volunteers (who by the way passed out sinfully delicious cookies on an almost 5 minute rotation schedule) made the hours spent there like a group, comedy therapy session!

So, of course my hair fell, but on the upside, I saved a fortune in hair care products, not to mention lots of time in styling each morning. My chemo completed, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy, radiation and finally, multiple reconstruction surgeries. It has been almost 3 years (this January) and 3 major surgeries (not to mention countless little surgeries).

Like so many women that have lived through this disease or have been great heroes and lost their lives in the battle, we must find a cure. I believe it is so important to educate all young women to do self-exams. Cancer has no boundaries, but early detection is critical. Please, please visit your doctor.

My greatest life lessons: Always listen to what your own body & mind are telling you. Do what you love and LIVE everyday. Tell that special someone that you love him or her as often as possible. Hold the door for the person behind you (you never know what their personal struggles may be, it may just make their day) and take that puppy for a long walk, don’t put it off till tomorrow!

I will always hope and pray that the cancer does not return, but in the meantime, I have a lot of living to do! And many beautiful wedding invitations to design!

And in the spirit of positivity and paying it forward, I am designing a new edition to the Greenbean Design that will truly inspire and hearten our always fashionable and socially responsible brides-to-be! The new website is coming soon and it will be worth the wait!

Warmest Regards,
Kristen

Kristin is an inspiration to all woman in so many way… you remind us to love with every inch of our hearts, to let our creativity thrive and most importantly… to take care of the one body that we have no matter how busy our lives are.

And, if you've never had the opportunity to visit Greenbean Designs… go ahead and take a peek.


Enjoy!
Your wedding planner,
Lisa


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Wedding Planners BEWARE!!! Scam please read this!!!

In addition to brides and grooms, I know a lot of wedding planners and service providers that log on to the Weddings Abroad Blog. Today, I'd like to take a moment to warn them to be on their guard for email scams targeting wedding planners. There isn't a week goes by that I don't receive at least three of these emails.

This current scheme has been going on for the past year that I know of, and basically involves sending in a cashiers check for an amount greater than what you've billed them, they then ask you to transfer the remaining funds elsewhere. The cashiers check clears into your account quickly, you transfer them the money, and weeks later your bank realises the check was a fraud and deducts the amount from your account.

Below is an email received yesterday, as usual it immediately raised my suspicion. Basically a groom or bride-to-be contacts you from somewhere in Europe or the USA saying that they need help planning their wedding from afar. See more details of the scam and a copy of a similar initial email wedding planners were sent last year here. The minor details (name/date/location) change, but otherwise, everyone is receiving similar emails.

As an International Wedding Planner, I am asked everyday to provide information on planning a wedding when overseas, but I am now an expert at ascertaining the genuine ones....others may not be so lucky, there are many new wedding planners joining our industry all the time, and may not be aware of this scam yet.

Here is the email I received:

My Name is Mr Cross James Allen,

I am looking for an experienced wedding planner who will handle my wedding and arrange the reception dinner for a group of people who will be attending the wedding ceremony.

The wedding is expected to hold on the 4th of Febuary 2009 and 25 to 40 guests are expected to attend. As i do not know what the guests might choose for their meals and drinks, i will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this booking via credit card once availability is confirmed by you.All checks and balances will be made with you on 13rd October which is the final day of the booking, You are to arrange for a a venue for the wedding (its a christian wedding), a place for the reception ,Videography, Music Entertainment,Photography,cake and flowers.

If there is any these items that is beyond your capability,you let us know so that another company can handle it. Get back to me with your response as we don't have much time with us so that we can process our accommodation within the region more convenient for you and us.

Pleas get back to me via my personal email which is jcrossalen@rocketmail.com

Best Regards,
Mr Cross James Allen
jcrossalen@rocketmail.com

If this blog entry helps one person then it's served it's purpose....especially in the current economic climate we can do without giving away money and wasting our valuable time! If you have received similar emails lately please feel free to add them to the comments of this thread to make everyone aware.

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Friday Funny :) Humorous Marriage Quotes by Famous People

"I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine marriage and a career." - Gloria Steinem

"Marriage is a lot like the army: everyone complains, but you'd be surprised at the large number that re-enlist." - James Garner

"Women complain about sex more than men. Their gripes fall into two major categories: 1. Not enough; 2. Too much." - Ann Landers

"Both of my ex-wives closed their eyes when making love, because they didn't want to see me having a good time." - Joseph Wambaugh

"Basically, my wife was immature. I'd be at home in the bath and she'd come in and sink my boats." - Woody Allen

" I told someone I was getting married, and they said, 'Have you picked a date yet?' I said, 'Wow, you can bring a date to your own wedding?" What a country!" -
Yakov Smirnoff

"Why can't a woman be more like a man?" - Alan Jay Lerner

"The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret." - Henny Youngman

Marriage is the alliance of two people, one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other who never forgets them." - Ogden Nash

"I'm the only man who has a marriage license made out, 'To Whom It May Concern." - Mickey Rooney

Quotes Courtesy of FeatureSource.com
Author FeatureSource Staff

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The Sexually Confident Wife: Connecting with your Husband Mind Body Heart Spirit

OK, listen up all you shy brides or brides to be out there don’t blush! I know the title is a bit embarrassing for some, but hear me out…

Whether your a bride to be, newly married or are celebrating your 50th anniversary soon, this book is a must-read.

Shannon Ethridge, author of the million-plus-selling Every Woman’s Battle series, active speaker, counselor, and advocate for sexual integrity, has spent the last 20 years inspiring women to become sexually confident human beings. In The Sexually Confident Wife with warmth and arresting honesty, she shows women how to reclaim their confidence in the bedroom and reconnect with their men on every level. She believes sexual confidence is the right of every woman, and will help readers find that confidence to get back on the right track toward genuine intimacy and great sex.


Your Sexually Confident Wife and wedding planner,
Lisa

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Limited-Edition Liplingo by DuWop ~ Benefiting Breast Cancer Awareness




The makeup dilemma solving cosmetic company DuWop introduces a limited-edition Liplingo Pink lip palette to raise awareness about breast cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and DuWop has joined in the fight to support research and save lives. DuWop proudly supports the Cosmetic Executive Women Cancer and Careers Foundation by donating a portion of proceeds from Liplingo Pink to breast cancer research and the betterment of women living with cancer.

Liplingo Pink is housed in a sleeve bearing the names of many women who have been affected by breast cancer. "DuWop honors all women in their journeys dealing with breast cancer," said Cristina Bartolucci, DuWop co-founder and creative director. "By listing names of women we know and love who have been affected by this disease on the packaging, we are creating a physical tribute."

Liplingo Pink is a sleek lip palette containing a rose lipstick and four wonderful ways to top it: a subtle gold frost, a pale pink shimmer gloss, a rich pink sherbet tone with sparkle and a pink tinged clear balm with a high shine. Both the lipstick and the glosses pack an extra punch with a potent blend of antioxidants including pomegranate and berry extracts.


Check out the Liplingo Pink lipstick palette and their limited edition blush Pink Shimmer Brick.  They both are perfect colors for a bride, pretty, light, natural and versatile. Plus now through October 31st receive an adorable makeup pouch with any purchase of the limited edition products. You will look great on your wedding day and help woman affected by breast cancer, now that's a smart consumer!

Your wedding planner,
Lisa

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Adorable Undie Travel Bags!




Here is a little something for all you traveling brides to "Brag" about…The Bra Bag, The Buxom Bra Bag  and the newly launched Panty Paks. This innovative, patent-pending design created by the brag company has women everywhere sighing with relief... no more dented cups in your beautiful expensive bras when traveling, and now your panties can also travel in style!! AND... due to popular demand, they have added the Buxom Bra Bag for bras up to a ‘G’ cup.

And now they have ‘bragging’ rights once again, over their latest and greatest product…. The Panty Pak.

Designed with two inside pockets to separate your 'clean' from your 'not so clean' panties, this soft, lightweight travel case comes in four adorable styles. With two additional storage pockets on the outside 'panty', the Panty Pak is the perfect travel companion and is sure to keep you organized for your destination wedding and honeymoon! The Panty Pak helps keep your panties in their respective spots in your suitcase… or even in your drawer at home!


Also makes a great gift idea for the ladies in your bridal party traveling to your destination wedding!

Innovative, cute and functional... love it!

Another great find,
your wedding planner,
Lisa

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Simple Stunning Weddings by Karen Bussen

I get inspiration from many many sources... magazines, newspapers, TV, weddings and books just to name a few. One of my latest addictions and go to sources is Simple Stunning Weddings by Karen Bussen. This book will help you create a wedding that will make a huge statement without the huge sticker price. The title says it all... and there is nothing more beautiful than a wedding that is classic, unique and simply stunning! So if that describes the wedding of your dreams check out her website and pick up her book.


Your wedding planner,
Lisa

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Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue...

Garter's are still a traditional part of a bride's attire. If you will be wearing one I have the perfect site for you... Bride's Village has every style, theme and color (something blue) of wedding garter belt you could imagine featured, including a beautiful selection of plus size wedding garters! They have something for every bride, and one of these wedding garters will be perfect for you! It's easy to lose yourself in their bountiful collection, so I suggest you kick off your shoes and explore to your heart's content!


Your wedding planner,
Lisa


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O.P.I.'s Pink of Hearts 2 For Breast Cancer Awareness, Research & Finding a Cure

Looking for a way to make a difference in someone’s life? Wear OPI Pink of Hearts 2 Nail Lacquer to build support for breast cancer awareness, research, and finding a cure.

OPI’s second exclusive Pink of Hearts Nail Lacquer, the 2008 Edition is a full-of-life light pink – a color of hope, optimism, and positivity – and a beautiful way for women to support each other and the power of pink.

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in 2008 OPI will make a donation of $25,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. To support research and treatment in Canada, OPI will make a $5,000 donation to Rethink Breast Cancer.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Rethink Breast Cancer supports young people concerned about and affected by breast cancer through education, research, and support programs.

All if the above and plus it's the perfect color for a natural, beautiful look for your wedding day! What more can you ask for, style, beauty and helping out a very important cause!

Your Pink of Hearts wearing wedding planner,
Lisa

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14 New Ideas for Tosses and Send-Offs by Brides Magazine

Rice makes you slip, bubbles can drip, and doves... well, let's not go there. Consider these alternative ways for guests to salute your departure.

  1. Dried Rosebuds - These lightweight buds, meant for tea, can be lofted high... Pearl River Mart
  2. Finger Cymbals - Imagine exiting to a symphony of cymbals... Windy City Novelties
  3. Serpentine Throws - Streamers are dramatic yet easy to clean up... Bulk Party Supplies
  4. Shredded Paper - Order bags of the stuff in your wedding colors... Nashville Wraps
  5. Autumn Leaves - Grab a rake from your garage and head for the backyard
  6. Freeze-Dried Flower Petals - Why pluck roses when you can purchase them by the bag?... Petal Garden
  7. New Year's Noisemakers - Classic trumpets create a joyful noise... Party 411
  8. Star Shaped Confetti - A constellation of gold stars makes the grade... Oriental Trading
  9. Ecofetti - Biodegradable tosses treat the earth kindly... Ecoparti
  10. Lavender Buds - Bitty buds come in purple, blue, pink, and white... Lost Mountain Lavender
  11. Sparklers - Extra-long wedding sparklers won't singe fingers... Sparklers Online
  12. Kazoos - If your guests can hum, they can play... Kazoos
  13. Wildflower Seeds - The perfect toss for a wedding in a meadow... American Meadows
  14. Paper Airplanes - Depart as your guests launch a fanciful fleet... 10 Paper Airplanes 
Your wedding planner,
Lisa

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Tipping Points

Couple's always ask my advice on what is the appropriate amount to tip the people who made their big day go smoothly. Sharon Naylor, author of The Essential Guide to Wedding Etiquette, suggests these guidelines.

Officiant ~ $50-$100
Ceremony Musicians ~ $20 to $30
Reception site manager  ~ 15 to 20 percent of entire bill for the reception
Valets ~ $1-$2 per car
Waiters ~ $20 to $30 each, depending upon quality of service
Bartenders ~ 15 percent of liquor bill
Coat check ~ $1 per coat
Photographer &
Videographer ~ $30 - $100 or more (unless these vendors own their studios)
Delivery workers ~ $10 each if just dropping items off; $20 each if dropping off and setting up
Tent assemblers &
rental agency assemblers ~ $20 each, more so if the tent is large or complicated or if parquet flooring is set down as well
Reception musicians ~ $25 to $30 each; $50 to $150 for a DJ
Hair stylist &
makeup artist ~ 15 to 20 percent of the bill
Cleanup crew ~ $20 each
Limousine drivers ~ 15 to 29 percent of transportation bill. Sometimes the tip has already been included in the contract. (For great service, consider a small bonus tip.)
And last but not least, your wedding planner ~ 10 to 20 percent of your bill.

We all thank you in advance!

Your grateful wedding planner,
Lisa

 

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Friday Funny :)

A young couple were married and then embarked on their honeymoon. When they returned, the bride ran to the phone and called her mother, who asked, "How was your honeymoon, dear?" "Oh, mama!" she replied, "The honeymoon was so wonderful and romantic..." But then, suddenly she burst out crying and said "but, mama, as soon as we returned home, he started using the most horrible language... things I'd never heard before! I mean, all these awful 4-letter words! You've got to come get me and take me home. Please mama!"

"Darling, darling," her mother said, "calm down and tell me, what words could be so awful?" And, the daughter cried "please don't make me tell you, mama! I'm so embarrassed - they're just too awful! Just come and get me, please!"

"Oh, darling, you must tell me what has you so upset... tell me these horrible 4-letter words!" Still sobbing, the bride said, "Oh, mama... words like DUST, WASH, IRON, COOK...!"

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Sweet Tooth


There is a whimsical trend in wedding cakes and I absolutely love it.  The cupcake wedding cake is usually in lieu of a regular wedding cake, however sometimes a traditional cake is used for photos and the cupcakes are used for serving. In a true cupcake wedding cake, there's usually at least one cake tier (or separate cake) that is used for the bride & groom to slice through. Also, a cupcake wedding cake is usually a cheaper option than a traditional cake, and since there are so many little cakes, you can actually have a lot of different flavors!


Here are a few websites that will give you some sweet ideas :)





Your watering at the mouth just looking at them wedding planner,
Lisa

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Embedded In The Sea

This is not just a lovely invitation... it is a work of art! 

Inspiration for this invitation came from a French Polynesian locale where guest bungalows have glass floors allowing a view to the sea. Invitation is embedded with sand, starfish, and uniqe sea shells. 

Go over to Alia Designs and take a peek at all of their "Monet's".

Your wedding planner,
Lisa

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5 Ways Your Wedding Can Help Fight Breast Cancer

October is breast cancer awareness month and although we should keep this issue in the forefront of our minds all year round, I would like to acknowledge it by making a blog entry in honor of my beautiful, hilarious and courageous friend and sister. Here are a few ideas that will fit in effortlessly during your wedding plans or wedding day, but will make an important impact on supporting breast cancer research and awareness. 

Excepts from The Knot...
From the dress to the favors, here's how you can help fight breast cancer.

1. Run or walk the Race for the Cure with your loved ones and support
Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
How to Do It: Grab your bridesmaids, fiance, and family and sign up to walk or run a national or local race that benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Go to Komen.org to find and register for one of the five sponsored Susan G. Komen for the Cure marathons taking place this year and commit to raising $2,200 for the cause, or sign up for a local race in your area. There are over 100 events annually, so you can be sure there's one going on near you.
How It Helps: The 26-year-old foundation is the leading breast cancer awareness grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists working to cure breast cancer and raise awareness nationwide.

2. Buy your wedding favors through a Breast Cancer Site.
How to Do It: Shop The Breast Cancer Site store and choose from a large offering of votive candles, bracelets, and pins. Give them out as favors at your wedding shower or for all your guests at your reception.
How It Helps: The Breast Cancer Site gives free mammograms (one of the best early detection methods for breast cancer) to underprivileged women in low-income areas who don't have the means to pay for an exam themselves. Funds from the site's store go to providing these free mammograms.

3. Donate or buy your wedding dress and benefit the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation's "Brides Against Breast Cancer" project.
How to Do It: Go to the Brides Against Breast Cancer website to find out how to package your wedding gown and send it off to the program after your wedding day. They'll sell it at one of many wedding dress sale events held across the country, and all the money will go to the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation fund. (A bonus: Your donation is tax-deductible.) Still on the hunt for the perfect wedding dress? Browse the racks at one of their sales. Check the calendar of events on their site to find out more.
How It Helps: The Brides Against Breast Cancer project is a part of Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, which works to grant wishes, fund "memory-making moments" for metastatic breast cancer patients, and raise breast cancer resource awareness across the country.

4. In lieu of traditional wedding favors, donate to the Pink Envelope Project in your guests' honor.
How to Do It: Make your donation through the website Pink Envelope Project. The site recommends a $3 to $10 donation per guest. Once you've sent in your donation, they'll send you the requested amount of wedding favor cards to use at your reception. The cards are pink (of course!) and include a thank-you to your guests.
How It Helps: The Pink Envelope Project is another initiative by the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation. It encourages third-party hosted events across the country -- from casual dress days in the workplace to wedding receptions -- to raise money for the foundation.

5. Set up an Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Registry Tribute Fund.
How to Do It: Go to their website and set up an Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Registry Tribute Fund. There, you can upload your picture, tell your wedding story, and share your passion for breast cancer awareness. Once you've created your page, you'll be able to send out emails to your wedding guests and add a link to your wedding web page encouraging guests to donate to the cause.
How It Helps: Having raised over $525 million in over 50 countries, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade benefits educational programs, screening and diagnosis, access to treatment, research, and breast cancer support services worldwide.

Last but not least, check out the gorgeous tote up top... such a beautiful gift for every bridesmaid in your destination wedding party. Great way to show your support for breast cancer research while having a bridal party look smart, trendy and oh so cool! Go to Sea Bags to check out all three styles.

Your wedding planner Lisa, who asks every reader to please do your monthly exams and have your yearly mammograms!

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World's Most Happiest People ~ Puerto Rico Ranked #2

A new study on global happiness is out and the results are in. World Values Survey published by the United States National Science Foundation factored in economic growth, democracy, and social tolerance. According to CNN, "researchers at the University of Michigan said Denmark's prosperity, stability and democratic government placed the country at the top of the rankings."

Rounding out the top ten were:
1 Denmark
2 Puerto Rico :)
3  Colombia
4  Iceland
5  Northern Ireland
6  Republic of Ireland
7  Switzerland
8  Netherlands
9  Canada
10 Austria

Puerto Rico is a country of people whose values are based on the love of family, great food, music, dance, outdoor life including some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world, sunny skies and lots and lots of celebrations! How can we not be classified as the Happiest People In The World...I have no doubt we will be #1 next year!

Now wouldn't you want your destination wedding on an island that ranked #2 in the world of the most happiest people!  What a way to start your marriage... true happiness all around!

Your happy wedding planner,
Lisa

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