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

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

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

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

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

 

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...!"

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 :)

Pink Cake Box

Cakes 4 Fun

The Knot

Cake Channel

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

Lisa

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

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!

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