Everyone is doing it, and according to “All Wedding Ideas” . . .

As an interactive medium, your wedding website can serve as the focal point for family and friends to find the latest information they need about your wedding – anywhere, any time. A Wedding Website makes your special day even more memorable.

With the release of a website, you can keep all of your wedding guests informed about your wedding details. Simply include your wedding website address with your invitations to direct your guests. They can RSVP, purchase a gift from your registry, find service & reception details, find & book hotels, sign your guest book, and much more.

You can tell the story of how you met and the story of the proposal with everyone. This is a great way to help guests who may not know you that well to get acquainted before coming to the wedding. Share your romance with stories and pictures. Let your guests pour over everything from bios to stories of how you met and where he popped the question. After the wedding, there is no need to spend more money on multiple copies of pictures. You can quickly and elegantly present all your special photographs with online photo albums. We make it easy for you, fun and convenient for your guests.

A wedding website can also be an invaluable resource if you have out-of-town guests. You can place travel and local information on your website to facilitate and increase your guest’s experience while attending your wedding.

A wedding website is a wonderful way to share your wedding with those who were unable to attend in person. After your wedding, you can post wedding pictures to your website. This will be a cherished place to return to while surfing the Internet.

1. Your wedding is a show – this is show business. This may sound crass or insensitive but let’s get real. Your obligation is to put on a show that impresses the women, period. Forget about the fathers, the brothers, the uncles, the male business associates invited – plan your wedding specifically for the women planned to be in attendance. Give the women a good show and your wedding will be a success, guaranteed.

2. There is no specific dollar range that ensures success. You can blow tens of thousands and have a public relations disaster. On the other hand, don’t get hysterical about the cost of everything. And these days you are free to talk about having both families help absorb the cost.

3. It is an axiom that nothing guarantees success, but a lack of planning will guarantee dismal failure. So plan, plan, plan for every detail and put it neatly and legibly on paper.

4. The more months you have to plan the more options you have for everything, including some room to re-negotiate with certain vendors.

5. When planning the date consider:
   1. The weather
   2. Whether the most important people have scheduled commitments for that day that they cannot change
   3. Whether some huge event in your town may interfere with traffic patterns around your wedding location or reception
   4. Whether a close by Holiday may make air travel or transportation problematic as far as having people in town on time. For instance, if you live in New Orleans, a wedding in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras is asking for trouble.

A few days before You Do, here are some “Do’s” to help ensure as little anxiety as possible, and make some great memories.

(“wedding tips” dot com)

Make the Most of Your Blushing, Fresh Face on Your Wedding Day!

In order to shine like the rock on your finger on your special day, the experts say there are important body-care habits that you should begin to develop months beforehand. Splurge on good skin care products, and hop to your favorite spa for a facial when you can. Establishing a skin care “plan” is a sure-fire way to ensure a fresh, beautiful complexion on the big day. Skin care should also be researched according to skin type, it is just as important as researching the right dress for the right body type!

It is also imperative to keep up or begin better eating habits long before you stroll down that aisle! The skin is the largest organ on the body, and it has to detox all the bad stuff you put in. Make sure you have a handle on splurges, and curb junk food any chance you get!

1. Like Angela Zito on Say Yes To The Dress, you show up at your dress’s boutique just for fun, after the dress is selected, tailored, and you DON’T have an appointment (love you Angie!)
2. All of the online communities and forums that you are a member of feature widgets and countdown tickers adorned with photos and images that match your reception’s theme.
3. YouTube Rock the Reception Dance Party is bookmarked on your homepage
4. You find yourself beginning to cry even harder towards the end of “The Notebook,” it affects you on an increasingly personal level
5. You have never before felt so strongly about the differences between chartreuse and sea foam green- they have become the centerpieces of more than just your reception tables

Getting Ready for the Big Day!

May not be as easy as getting milk and bread at the store, but there are easy ways around it

If you’re thinking that you can just walk into a bridal shop, find a dress that looks pretty, try it on, and then walk out a couple hundred bucks later, then you’re living in a world that hasn’t yet been created.

Shopping for a wedding dress can sometimes be like shopping for a car, where the salespeople may come off pushy and assertive, trying to make that sale. But if you walk in prepared, following these tips, it may make the experience a whole lot easier.

First, make a list of local bridal shops. Locate all the stores and boutiques that sell wedding gowns.

Then, decide who will help you shop. I suggest bringing that one friend that isn’t afraid to tell the truth as it is. Not one of those sugar-coating friends that will just agree with you on everything. You want someone that will help you look truly gorgeous on your day to shine.

Next, check out some bridal magazines to help you decide on the styles you like. But keep your mind open to different styles. Your dream dress may not look as gorgeous on you as it did on the model in the magazine.

After that, decide on your budget. You need to be realistic. You don’t want to be paying off your wedding dress in the same amount of time it takes you to pay off that Porsche Cayenne Turbo S sitting in the garage.

When you’re ready to shop, walk down the aisles, pulling out dresses you would like to try on. Don’t’ be afraid of telling the consultants no if they suggest a dress that doesn’t fit your style. Model them for your friends and get honest opinions. Remember, this is your day so don’t let others talk you out of a dress if you absolutely fall head over heels in love with it. Then, don’t forget to purchase the proper under garments, all to make your dress fit you perfectly, and blow that Cinderella chick right out of the water.

Don’t let your pride get in the way of saving you some money on what may be one of the biggest days of your life. Check out the dollar store and you may be pleasantly surprised on what you can get away with saving on – like candles, baskets, potpourri, pictures frames, etc.
While there majority of people would rather have their wedding at night – where you and your guests can dance under a semi-transparent tent and almost see the moon and stars, or where your guests are eating dinner at 10pm and by the time you and your new husband are able to retreat to the newlywed suite, you are too tired to consummate – planning a daytime wedding can be just as graceful and unforgettable and for half the cost. You may be able to save on the reception, your wedding dress, the food, etc.
According to Westchester-weddings.com, the top 10 ways to save on your wedding is:
1. Pick an off date or time
2. Pick an off month
3. Choose a site that comes with everything
4. Skip the Favors – Your guests usually never use them and sure won’t miss them.
5. Tailor the Menu – Keep Cocktails simple. Your guests do not need a meal before a meal.
6. Borrow – Since you need something borrowed, perhaps borrow a headpiece from a sister or a friend.
7. Scale back on flowers – Reuse flowers from the ceremony at the reception for centerpieces, or around the cake.
8. Book short term – The closer out you book, the more flexible your vendors will be.
9. Shop the Sample Sales for your dress
10. Cut the guest list – How many long distance relatives and long ago friends do you need to invite?

There is no reason to go overboard. Beginning a married life together is a difficult transition as is, and adding debt because of your wedding only will just stress you out even more.

. . . Further perusing Kleinfeld’s latest trends in bridal fashion this season has once again led to some new “green wedding” ideas, stay tuned for part three. . .

Corsets: Environmentally friendly courses! Many caterers provide organic food, so that both your bar and chicken can be open range! Additionally, if the wedding is outdoors or the rehearsal is casual, try renting real glasses and dishes as opposed to disposable. You can even find dishware made from sugar cane or tropical leaves.

Empire Waist: Help Build a Green Empire by Further Reducing Waste! Instead of doling out obligatory party favors at place settings (how many dove shaped plastic bubble-blowers and stale chocolate covered almonds do your guests need?) give a 1-2$ donation to the charity of your choice and let your guests know, I’m sure they won’t miss the bubbles!

Green just may be the new white when it comes to making your nuptials a bit au naturelle. . . It’s easier than you think, and the world that brought you your gorgeous groom will thank you.

Kleinfeld’s latest trends can be applied to more than just dresses. This season if you decide to don a . . .

- Dropped waist: Think about dropping excess waste: engagement announcements, save the date cards, shower invitations, shower thank you notes, wedding invitations, ceremony programs, place cards, menu cards, wedding announcements & thank you notes can all be created from recycled paper, or in some cases electronically (see: www.greatgreenwedding.com);

-Light fabrics (taffeta, tulle): Enlightened Band-tricks! There are a network of DJ’s and green wedding musicians digitally dedicated to audio and environmental harmony, as CDs generate plastic waste and dangerous and petroleum (http://www.mydeejay.com/green.html)

I know that you just LOVE trying me on- admit it: Like Angelina on last week’s episode, you find yourself distracted during the day with visions of tulle and beaded bodice and you must dash off to try me on once again.  I hug every curve so exquisitely that you still can’t believe how good you look.  Each time you think of me, I’m your inspiration to run a little further, spin a little faster, push a little harder.

You know I look amazing on you.  But I must beg the question:  what are doing to your bridesmaids?  Gone are the days of ugly “don’t look at me!” bridesmaid dresses.  The way I see it, your bridesmaids should look beautiful.  You’re going to shine no matter what.  They are no competition!  So here’s a tip: fit them in a frock that will complement my beauty, not detract from it.  After all, no one wants to go back and photoshop out puff sleeves and giant bows from their wedding album.  Give the girls a break!  Trust me, they’ll return the favor.