Save the Date Cards Contest

Hostess With The Mostess, a site that showcases DIY party ideas and themes, is having a surprise giveaway of 150 'Save The Date' cards in any style and design that the winner would like. To enter, go to HWTM's site, find the Contest post and leave a comment mentioning which (or multiple) cards are your favorite(s). This a great opportunity for any couple that cannot afford the amount of cards they wish to send, or parents of the couple who wish to give them a engagement present.

The contest ends Monday (November 28), so get to commenting and good luck!

Inspiration

Brides- having trouble deciding what colors you want in your wedding or finding inspirations that go with the theme you want? Well, there is a solution to this problem! That solution being- Snippet and Ink. This web site has inspiration boards-from color schemes to themes-to help any bride needing inspiration.

Snippet and Ink's inspiration boards not only show brides ideas with pictures, but actually points out where they are from and a link to the web sites as well as other boards a bride might like.

If you are stuck on a color scheme or want some ideas, this is the perfect site to get some inspiration!

Visit the site here: http://www.snippetandink.com/category/inspiration-boards/ 
 

Real Housewife Buys Pre-Owned Gown

I posted about a web site that sells pre-owned and new designer bridal gowns a few weeks ago- Preowned Wedding Dresses.com- and who of all people used the site for their own wedding? Kim Zolciak from The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Kim bought a $58,000 designer gown from the site for her marriage to football player Kroy Biermann, held last weekend. The bride's gown was covered in Swarovski crystals and pearl beads.

See more details here: http://www.toofab.com/2011/11/15/kim-zolciak-wedding-dress-photo-kroy-biermann/

Free Wedding Cake from Buddy

Attention all brides!!! If you book a room at a Marriott in Philadelphia and New Jersey between now and February 29, 2012, you will get a FREE cake from Buddy (TLC's Cake Boss). Couples will be able to chose between a signature Marriott cake or 24 other designs.


This promotion includes, in addition to the cake, the following...


-A one-on-one consultation with a member of Buddy's staff (a $100 value) 

-Cake tasting at Carlo's Bakery

-A behind the scenes look at Buddy's new bakery facility

-Autographed photograph from Buddy


For additional information or to book your celebration, call 978-977-6425 or email Meghan.Clark@marriott.com. For location information, visit: http://www.marriott.com/specials/promotion.mi?promotion=group_offer_244 

2people1life

Two people, in love, traveling the world. Sounds normal, right? Well, this couple has added a twist. Alex and Lisa are traveling the world, having quit their jobs and sold their house, getting married in various places around the world.

The couple has mapped out their wedding adventure on their blog, 2people1life. Here, family members, friends, co-workers and those interested in their story, can follow their movement and keep up with the couple by viewing their wedding maps-which show where they are, where they have been, and how long they plan to stay there-and by leaving comments for the couple to read.

People can even RSVP to their destination weddings if they are in the area by filling out a form on the couple's blog. The couple will then notify them anytime that they update their blog.

What's in it for you? By leaving comments on their blog, you have a chance at winning a cool prize. The couple will fly 2 people to their last wedding ceremony and put them up for the weekend. So the more times that you comment, the more chances you get at winning the prize.

This blog is not only a cute, original idea, but a win-win situation!

Designer For Less

image provided by preownedweddingdresses

In this type of economy it is no surprise that brides want to save money when it comes to their wedding, and most importantly, their dress. As I previously mentioned, Ebay has a variety of dresses to bid on, including big named designers. Now there is another place to get wedding gowns for lower prices.

I discovered the other night a site that lets you buy and sell used wedding gowns, including designer names. Why spend thousands on designer dresses when you can spend hundreds? Vera Wang, Monique 

Lhuillier, Alfred Angelo, Oscar de la Renta, Nicole Miller- you name it, they have it! Prices start from 

around $75 to $750 for used dresses and new designer dresses can be found for $800 to $7,000. 

Now I know what you are thinking- USED?? But the site recommends The Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, which has stores in 500 cities nationwide, to send your used gown to. It states, 

"each member (of the Association) is certified to ensure your gown is cleaned to established museum care standards and preserved in archival-quality materials." 

Used dresses can be found here: http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/dresses/bestdeals/page:1 

 Designer dresses can be found here: http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/used-wedding-dresses 

Don't need a dress but want some accessories to go along with your new gown? The site has a section for that too! From shoes to veils to tiaras. It can be found here: http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/accessories/search

DIY Bridal Hair

One of the things that can go wrong on your big day is your hair dresser not showing up. This is HIGHLY not likely to happen because no vendor is going to be a no show due to credibility and reputation, however,  if this DOES happen, every bride should be able to do pull off an updo of their own so that they are not freaking out on the day of and still look beautiful. Here are some classy looks that any bride can pull off:

For a seriously simple yet chic updo like below, follow these instructions:

1. spray a little hairspray all over your hair to give it some 'grab.'

2. tease at the crown of your head for extra lift

3. section off a small portion at the back of the crown and secure with bobby pins.

4. loosely grab a section on one side of your head and pull it back and over the bobby pins in the center. This is so that you do not see the bobby pins that you first used.

5. do the same on the other side and cross over the section that you just did. Secure with bobby pins.

6. next, swirl your hair in a circle, hold in place with one hand, and begin adding bobby pins into the circle to hold in place. Then you are done!

images provided by hairromance & thesmallthings