And the Scandle Candle winner is...

The Scandle Candle winner is Blablover5!

Email me your name and address and your Green Tea Aloe Scandle Candle will be on its way. Thanks to everyone who entered and stay tuned for the next giveaway.

Black Friday recessionista sale

I'm sure you have shopping on the brain today. Why not stock up on some lotions and potions from Kiehl's at 20% off?

If you don't know from Kiehl's, they have great products that are rarely on sale and they are famous for handing out oodles of travel-friendly samples. I live around the corner from their flagship NYC store so I can often be spotted there sniffing body cleansers and lotions.

Do hurry, valid in-store or online through December 1st.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

In honor of Thanksgiving and all the turkey leftovers, I leave you with an interesting, easy to incorporate Turkish wedding tradition that involves shoes!

Click here for the details....

And, if you're planning a getaway, Orbitz is offering 15% off all hotel stays now through April 15. Book here by December 1 and use the promotion code TURKEY15.

Happy travels!

Bubbles and Bling? What More Does a Girl Need?

I am loving these bubblicious dresses from Amsale's fall 2009 collection. How fun are these for an outdoor wedding? Travel lover trivia (answer below): What nationality is Amsale?

All images from Brides.

Answer: She's from Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation.

Come on Baby, Light my Fire!

Imagine a candle and massage oil in one easy-to-use, spill-proof container? I found it!

The Scandle Candle is a great two-in-one invention that gives you a fragrant soy candle and warm massage oil. Light the candle and when you're ready, extinguish the flame and you've got a warm, but not burning hot, massage oil. The Globetrotting Groom reports that its a nice, easy to work with, not-too-greasy massage balm and the Globetrotting Bride confirms that it feels and smells great and doesn't leave a sticky film. If your man likes to play with fire, this will be just up his alley.

The moisturizing oil is loaded with shea butter, soy butter, jojoba and vitamin E making it great for manicures and pedicures too. Available in a 10-ounce (30-60 hour burn time) ceramic container or a 4-ounce travel tin (15-30 hour burn time).

Best of all, it will make it through airport security in your carry-on and it won't spill in your travels! The 3-pack travel tin sampler would make a great holiday or shower gift.

Want to win your own in your choice of fragrance (aromatherapy blends and tempting flavors like Fig & Brown Sugar, Margarita, Green Tea Aloe, etc .)? Just comment below with your favorite Scandle Candle fragrance before midnight on Friday. Or click here to purchase.

Chic Urban Honeymoon? Don't Leave Home Without LUXE.

Love knowing all the hot spots when you're traveling but hate schlepping around the bulky "look-tourist-over-here" guidebooks? LUXE City Guides has you covered.

These sleek, savvy and witty little guides fit neatly into your pocket or clutch. Best of all, they condense the best travel tips, chic restaurant recommendations, hippest happenings, unique services and necessary tourist information into a few witty lines and a dozen or so pages.

I took a peek at the New York guide and was pleasantly surprised to find some of my favorite "under the radar" spots and attractions recommended including the Pegu Club (Gin Gin Mule anyone?), Prune Restaurant and The LES Tenement Museum. But don't worry, the big-name museums, restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions are here too.

Miami and Milan are the newest on their list of 30 cities worldwide. And, new for the holidays are two box sets - European Grand Tour Box (including 8 European cities) and the World Grand Tour Box (12 titles around the globe). For you DIYers, you can also select the LUXE Bespoke Box (5, 8 or 12 guide sizes), pick your favorite cities and gift wrap to create your own special collection - an amazing shower or wedding present.

Each title is available at select Borders stores and online for $10. And, don't worry about getting out of date, online updates are available to keep the info current.

Let's Get Physical...

Who wants to show off their bikini body on a tropical honeymoon?

Too cold to venture to the gym? Stay home and get in shape with Wii Fit.

Want to win a shiny new Wii console and Wii Fit? Head on over to La Petite Chic and enter before December 5.

Wii Fit is on my Wishpot list in case anyone wants to buy me a present (hint, hint...).

Last Travel Fling Before Wedding Bells Ring: Hershey, Pennsylvania

Because chocolate is always in fashion, lets check out Hershey, Pennsylvania, where you can enjoy a "sweet" getaway full of activities and pampering galore. Here's the scoop:

• Who: Ladies who want to explore Hershey's amusement park activities while enjoying golf, outlet shopping, luxurious accommodations, great dining and decadent spa treatments.
  

• What: The Hotel Hershey, one of America's landmark hotels, offers a choice of elegant guest rooms and suites where you'll find Hershey's Kisses on your pillow at turndown. Enjoy a fabulous dinner or brunch with the girls at the Circular Dining Room and be sure to save room for dessert. Enjoy nearby golf and shopping or explore Hershey Park's rides and Zoo America. For spa lovers, yummy body treatments including Chocolate Fondue Wrap, Whipped Cocoa Bath, Mojito Body Wrap, Peppermint Salt Scrub and a comprehensive list of beauty treatments are available.
  

• When: Known as "The sweetest place on earth," Hershey, PA is an ideal year-round destination. A "Grand Expansion" which includes a new year-round ice-skating rink and multi-pool complex is scheduled for completion in summer 2009.

• Where: Just 90 minutes from Baltimore, 2 hours from Washington, D.C & Philadelphia and 3 hours from New York City.

• Don't Miss: Visit the Chocolate Spa for a two-hour Hershey Hug which includes a spa rain shower, hydrating body wrap and 50-minute cocoa massage.
  

• Good for the Guys? Yes. This a great option for a bachelor outing or a close-to-home pampering honeymoon.

• Booking: A full array of spa packages are available online. For more information call 1-800-HERSHEY.

And, if you're craving an immediate chocolate fix, check out these Hershey cosmetics.

Bon voyage...

This and That....

Two things....

1) Shahnaz is the proud winner of the Switchflop contest. Please email me with you shoe size and mailing address. Thanks to everyone who entered.

2) If you're planning a spring or fall 2009 wedding, head over to Classic Bride and immediately enter her Hilton Room Block Giveaway for a chance to win up to $3,000 in hotel rooms!

And, tune in next week for another Globetrotting Bride giveaway.

Italian Wedding Tradition: Go Green Pre-Wedding Dresses

1) Are you or your fiance Italian?

2) Are you honeymooning in Italy?

3) Do you love pasta?

If you answered yes to one of these questions, I've got a fun Italian wedding tradition for you to consider for your pre-wedding celebration dress.

Italian brides have an age-old tradition of wearing green, known as color of fertility, the night before their weddings. Why not go green with these fabulous frocks?

Flying First Class?
Oscar de la Renta

Flying Business?
Roberto Cavalli
Tibi

Flying Coach?
Juicy Couture
Alice & Olivia
Diane von Furstenberg
J. Crew

Be sure to check out the Turkish Wedding Shoe Tradition and Moroccan Wedding Milk Bath Tradition for more global inspiration.

Mile-High Manicure - DIY Beauty Tip

Everything I learned about weddings I learned from Weddingbee. Ok maybe not everything but those ladies sure were an inspiration.

Oh how those crafty Bees designed shirts for bachelorette trips and made "Will you be my bridesmaid?" poems on handmade cards. Oh how they whipped up signature cocktails with color coordinated straws and experimented with 3,000 fonts before printing the signature drink menu in a just-perfect shade to match the embossed coasters. Oh the DIY invites, aisle runners, veils....

And the Gocco, don't even get me started on their Gocco projects.

So why should I be surprised that Weddingbee's Miss Champagne reported a do-it-yourself in-flight beauty treatment she discovered on a recent journey: The Mile-High Manicure.

This is a great way to kill some time and soften your cuticles on your next flight. What you'll need:

- lime wedges
- packets of sugar
- vodka or soda water

Step one: Squeeze the lime and wet your palms and fingers with the juice.
Step two: Sprinkle the sugar on and work into a paste.
Step three: Massage into your hands and fingers (especially the palms and fingertips).
Step four: Add a little vodka or soda water and continue massaging.
Step five: Rinse off with warm water.

Any other in-flight beauty treatments out there?

Around the World with Kenzie Kate Invitations

Whether you're planning to tie the knot in Seville or Savannah, I think you'll enjoy Kenzie Kate Invitations' sophisticated and modern wedding collection named after some of the world's most glamorous cities. Founder Mackenzie Sala works one-on-one with each of her couples to select every last detail. Best of all, while these invites are custom, they are also moderately priced to fit within all wedding budgets.

Choose from more than twenty styles which come as a complete set (invitation, reply card and envelope, customizable enclosure card and an outer envelope) and feature high quality papers, ribbons and envelopes. All of Kenzie Kate's colored papers are made from 30% post consumer recycled materials. I especially like the 100% recycled Brown Bag Kraft envelopes that are an option with any invite design.

Check out my favorites:

Burlington

Casablanca

Palm Springs

Seville

All designs and more details are online.

Mackenzie also has a great wedding blog - Something Old, Something New so be sure to check it out for more wedding inspiration.

If the Bridal Flip-Flop Fits...

Packing light is always easier said than done. LIke Imelda, what always weighs me down are my many, many, many shoes. If you are heading off on a warm weather honeymoon, bachelorette party or beach vacation, here's a great way to have all your shoes and fit them in your luggage too.

Switchflops are an ingenious product that instantly expands your wardrobe. Choose your Switchflop base (flat or wedge) and just mix and match your favorite velcro-backed straps (more than 50 to choose) to instantly change your look. You can go casual by day and blingy by night with just a few straps. Best of all, you will have plenty of luggage space for your sneakers and stilettos.

I gave these a test drive and they are truly comfortable - think plush, cushy foam and comfortable fabric thong strap. Available starting at $32 online and at select boutiques nationwide.

Want a pair? One lucky winner will score a new bridal-themed edition of the classic Switchflop paired with a white strap featuring silver polka dots and a pearl. They are even dressy enough to wear under a wedding dress should you be craving comfy back-up shoes. Just visit Swichflops and comment below with your favorite strap choice by midnight on Wednesday.

Photo credit goes to the Globetrotting Groom and his new camera.

A Globetrotting World of Thanks!

Now that Globetrotting Bride has reached 1,000 visitors, I'd like to say thank you!

First, I'd like to thank all you Globetrotting Bride readers. It's amazing to see that I've attracted readers all across the United States (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Tennessee,Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin)

In addition, an array of international readers are tuning in from Australia, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, the Phillipines, South Africa, Spain and Sweden.

This data was drawn from the last 100 viewers so let me know if I didn't mention your state or country.

Secondly, I'd like to thank the following bloggers/websites who have given Globetrotting Bride their link-love.

Always a Blogsmaid
Australia Entertains
Charmville
Classic Bride
Elegant Eating
Elizabeth Anne Designs: A Wedding Blog
Forever, The Best Wedding Blog Posts
It's a Jamie Thing
Lemiga Events
Nina Knows Best
Parisian Party
Prima Donna Bride
Single Gal in the City
To The Max
Two and a Half Travelers
Vintage Glam

Thirdly, I'd like to thank the Globetrotting Bride Facebook Fans. I know they're mostly my friends but still...If you're not a fan yet, just click the link. And for you Twitter fans, you can follow me there too.

And the winners are...

iJourneys Audio Walking Tour - Allison for her travel engagement story:

Allison's story involved an international border crossing, undercover trip to FedEx, surprise visit and kneeling on a pile of dirty laundry! You can see all the details here.

Face Time Cosmetics - Soho Cindy for her beauty tip:

To get rid of the excess oil on your face during the day, try Starbucks napkins. These napkins are the best oil-blotting paper I have ever used, and walking around the city you can find them on every block! Environmentally friendly too, they are made with 100% recycled paper.

Congratulations ladies. Email me for the winning details.

Have a great weekend and be sure to tune in on Monday for a chance to win shoes!!!

Last Travel Fling Before Wedding Bells Ring: Pura Vida Adventures, Costa Rica

Because I miss my summer tan, lets head over to Costa Rica, where you can discover the "pure life" in a fun-filled surf and yoga retreat geared toward women in their 20s through 50s. Here's the scoop:

• Who: Surfer gals who want to explore Costa Rica's coastline while enjoying beach activities, luxurious accommodations and daily doses of wellness, relaxation and pampering. No surfing experience or equipment required, just pack your sense of adventure to learn or improve your skills.

• What: Pura Vida Adventures offers a week-long retreat that blends world-class surf instruction, daily yoga sessions, deluxe beachfront villa or bungalows, rich cultural experiences, local cuisine and a one-hour private massage into a revitalizing adventure you'll never forget. Pristine beaches, breathtaking sunsets and good friends. What more do you need for a "surf camp" bachelorette bash? Pricing starts at $2,095 per person and groups over six receive a discount of $100 each. NOTE: Shorter trips are also available with a three-night minimum.

• When: The "dry" season is December - April and the "green" season is May - November but it is warm year-round.
  

• Where: The surf camps are located in the scenic village of Malpais on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Fly into Tambor or take a shuttle bus from San Jose.

• Don't Miss: Check out the area's expansive rainforest and beautiful waterfalls.
  

• Good for the Guys? Yes. CO-ED weeks are also available from February - August making this a great option for a bachelor outing or an adventure packed honeymoon.

• Booking: For more information or to book contact Pura Vida Adventures.

For additional Costa Rica inspiration, check out this Daily Candy travel story.

Jet-Set Recessionista Jewelry Finds

Living in NYC has its perks - sushi at midnight, museums galore, delivery for just about anything and taxis and subways at every turn when your feet get tired. What we don't have are the things suburbanites take for granted:

- Malls (the good kind)
- Backyards and swimming pools (sigh.....)
- Cars to schlep our groceries home
- "Big Box Stores" like Target and Kohl's

Last summer, I had the surprise of my life during a trip to Rochester to visit my then-fiance's parents. On my first-ever visit to Kohl's and I found the most amazing Vera Wang sandals on sale for maybe $35. They were dressy yet casual, classy yet comfy and best of all, they had bling!

I haven't had a chance to return in person, but I went on a little virtual visit and spotted some very Recessionista-friendly jewelry finds!

I think these jet-tone jewels would be great for jetting off on a chic-city honeymoon. Best of all, everything is on sale for less than $20!

Simply Vera Wang Jet-Tone Beaded Bracelet Set
Simply Vera Wang Jet-Tone Flex Bracelet
Simply Vera Wang Jet-Tone Drop Earrings
Simply Vera Wang Jet-Tone Beaded Hoop Drop Earrings
Simply Vera Wang Jet-Tone Mesh Drop Earrings

Feeling lucky, head over to Blue Orchid Design's blog to enter The Recessionista Giveaway where you can design your own budget-friendly bridal ensemble and win a $50 Target gift card!

Got Milk??? Try this Moroccan Wedding Tradition...

If you're looking to incorporate an ancient Moroccan custom into your wedding preparation, you're going to love this one.

(source)

Moroccan weddings are very elaborate (some last seven days) so to prepare for the festivities, Moroccan brides enjoy a luxuriating milk bath to purify themselves and relax before the ceremony. This is followed-up with a beberiska ceremony in which the bride's hands and feet are painted with henna.

If you don't feel like making your own milk bath, try this Plus Buttermilk Bath Soak from H20 Plus or Skin Milk Foaming Bath at drugstores nationwide.

Wedding Tips from the Pros: Face Time Cosmetics

Today, I'm kicking off Wedding Tips from the Pros with the help of Linsey Snyder, president & CEO of Face Time Cosmetics.

In addition to being an expert on all things beauty, Linsey is finalizing details for her very own destination wedding this weekend in Palm Beach, Florida. Following are some of Linsey's top beauty tips for warm weather brides and bridesmaids:

- For destination weddings, don't try and create something that isn't natural. For example, if you are getting married on a mountain in the Colorado snow, don't do a totally smoky eye with lots of glam. Instead, try to give the skin a "ski sunkissed" look…put bronzer on the apples of the cheeks and on the nose and give the lips a bit of a pink tint.

- If you are getting married in the Bahamas, do a beachy glow instead of red lips and powder all over the face.

- Don't use too much blush when its warm outside! On my warm-weather brides, I only dab a small amount of blush on the fleshy part of cheeks and then I use bronzer to give the skin a glow.

- Use a primer in warmer weather to prevent the makeup from sliding off your skin.

- Be sure to exfoliate and use lots of moisturizer on tan skin which tends to get dry and flaky.

- Use a wet or dry brush and eyeshadow to line your eyes. Pencil liners are made from wax and tend to streak in the humidity. A shadow or powder based liner will stay put through tears and heat!

- Go with the natural theme of the wedding destination and you can't go wrong!

Great tips. Thanks Linsey!

Want to try Face Time Cosmetics yourself? The company has a perfect primer called Velvet Veil which is packed with vitamins and jojoba, and will keep your makeup in place for the whole night. Velvet Veil also gives the hair a little shine if you dab some on! We're offering one lucky Globetrotting Bride reader the chance to win. Just comment below with your own favorite beauty tip before midnight on Wednesday.

And, if you and your bridesmaids are planning to do your own make up, check out Face Time's Beauty in a Box collections which come in Sultry, Stunning and Romantic kits or custom make your own.

Wanna win?

It's not too late to win the European iJourney audio walking tour. Just send over your best travel-related engagement stories by midnight Wednesday. Click here for details. I'll announce the winner on Friday.

I See London, I See France

On my fingernails!

OPI Nail Lacquer's Couture Couleur fall/winter line is named after one of the most romantic countries in the world, France. The colors were inspired by the effortless elegance of French fashion and I'm sure you can guess that I'm madly in love with the fun names.

I was wearing Tickly My France-y before the chilly weather set in - its an updated nude with a hint of lilac which would actually work on a bride. Now I'm onto You Don't Know Jacques! which is a trendy taupe. Next on my list to try are:

I'm Fondue of You - inspired by milk chocolate

Eiffel For This Color - a shimmery wine

If you're interested in matching your bridesmaid's nails to their dresses, I think these colors would work great with the hot lavender and purple shades invading the wedding world. If you haven't noticed, check out this inspiration board from South Africa's Prima Donna Bride.

Or, maybe you're just looking for a new shade for winter. Try them out at your local nail salon or see more shades online.

Last Travel Fling Before Wedding Bells Ring: Sonesta Maho Beach

Since I've got St. Maarten on my mind, how about heading down there for this week's Last Travel Fling Before Wedding Bells Ring bachelorette trip. Here's the scoop:

• Who: Gals who want to enjoy a non-cheesy, all-inclusive Dutch/French Caribbean vacation with casino excitement and pampering galore.
  

• What: The Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino has a new "Ladies' Luck" package offering gals lush room upgrades, all meals and snacks, drinks galore, $20 match play casino voucher (per lady) and a 25-minute Swedish massage (per lady). A three-night package is priced at $299 per lady, per night, based on double occupancy.

• When: Valid for travel January 4 through April 11, 2009. Blackout dates and restrictions apply.

• Where: Just 150 miles southeast of Puerto Rico. Try scoring a great rate on Jet Blue's non-stop service from NYC and Boston (you'll love JFK's new T5 Terminal).
  

• Don't Miss: Check out Marigot for great shopping and restaurants and squeeze in a day trip to St. Bart's or Anguilla if you can.

• Booking: Click here or call 800-SONESTA (promo code "LUCK"). And don't forget your Passports and panties.
  

It's a Wrap! Recessionista Fashion Finds.

Two of my favorite dresses are on SALE at Calypso so I am spreading the exciting news. Both are versatile and travel-friendly and would be oh-so-fabulous for a tropical bridesmaid, engagement party or honeymoon.

Flying Coach? The Julia Silk Dress is your ticket for just $49 (orig. $195). Available in vibrant Aquamarine (my fave), Mimosa or Nile, this is one of the most popular wrap dresses around. This number can easily go from lunch in St. Maarten to dinner and dancing in St. Barts.

Flying First Class? The Butter by Nadia Satin Wrap Dress is now $199 (orig. $270). Available in Champagne (my fave), Tawny, and Cinnamon. This convertible dress can be warn in countless ways including strapless, backless and the popular one-shoulder look. The ballgown length is also on sale. This is a fantastic bridesmaid dress since one size fits all (no costly alternations) and each girl can pick a style to flatter her figure.

You snooze, you lose! All sizes/colors are currently in stock so act fast...

Uber-iscous!

Thank you to Wishpot, who nominated my blog as Uber Amazing! Such exciting news. Click here to view all my fabulous fellow nominees.

The Uber (synonym to Super) Amazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites who:

~ inspires you
~ makes you smile and laugh
~ or maybe gives amazing information
~ a great read
~ has an amazing design
~ and any other reasons you can think of that makes them uber amazing!

The rules of this award are:
* Put the logo on your blog or post.
* Nominate at least 5 blogs (can be more) that for you are Uber Amazing!
* Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.
* Share the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from.

I nominate:

• Blushalicious
• Nina Knows Best
• Two and a Half Travelers
• The Perrin Post
• To The Max
  

Thanks again Wishpot and here's to all the Uber Amazing blogs!

PS - If you don't know Wishpot, its a great site where you can put all your gift wishes online in one spot. We were all for registering our Wii and fancy Logitech remote control desires for our recent wedding.

Check out my Wishpot Wedding Expert picks by clicking on the round orange badge on the right.

My current lists are:

• Fab Finds
• Home Decor
• Fabulous Kitchen Things
• Travel Goodies
• Great Wedding Finds
• Gifts for Girls
• Gifts for Guys
• For Globetrotting Kids
  

The holidays are coming : ).

How's this for exciting?

The folks at iJourney have offered up a complimentary audio walking tour of your choice as a prize for the most exciting travel-related engagement story. Click here if you missed my last post for details. The deadline for submission is Wednesday, November 12 and the winner will be announced on Friday, November 14.

iJourney offers an array of European city walking tours that can be listened to on your ipod, CD or MP3 Player. The tours, touted as being "fun, lively, informative and cool," visit historical sites, local attractions, ancient ruins, etc. with stops at ice cream parlors and wine bars too.

And, if you're having a destination wedding in one of these cities, I think they'd make a great addition to the welcome bags.

Will You...Go On Lots of Honeymoons With Me?

So, how'd he propose? People ask me that all the time.

Since my Globetrotting Husband's proposal had a travel theme (and since he's been asking when I'm going to blog about it), here's our engagement story:

This is what he wrote on our wedding website's blog when we got engaged this March:

Today, I asked Lyla to marry me. Wow...what a great feeling. It was a rainy, blustery, cold Saturday. Not exactly an auspicious setting for discussing our life together. But it was such a great feeling to be engaged that we didn’t mind when we ventured out for a celebratory dinner, and got completely soaked by monsoon-like rain and strong, gusting winds.

Here's what I wrote:

On the rainiest of Saturdays, David popped the question with an innovative travel-themed proposal. First, I unwrapped this big orange leather Ghurka duffel, very fancy of course. Loaded inside were lots of small travel-related presents like creams and lotions, an eye mask, PJs, a travel journal, passport case, luggage tag, etc. Each accompanied by a cryptic note! Further down in the bag, I discovered Champagne and a little matching travel case with the ring and a note about taking lots of honeymoons. Needless to say, my bags are packed!

I don't know how we forgot to take pictures but we did. And if you're wondering how many honeymoons we plan to take, the answer is three!

Here we are at Belcourt, one of our favorite brunch spots, where we celebrated the next day with friends.

For those of you who miss my single-girl dating stories. I'm pleased to announce that I've found a new globetrotting 30-something New York City girl for you to follow! Check out Single Gal In The City where you can share in Melissa's delightful dates, weekend getaways, girls nights, blast from the past journal entries and daily life as a travel publicist. And be sure to read how I'm inspiring her to re-visit the world of cyberspace dating.

Do you have a travel proposal to share? Email me at globetrottingbride@gmail.com and I'll share the best next week.

You Don't Have to be Greek to Wear These Dresses

Fashions come and fashions go. The oh-so-hot one-shoulder look is making a comeback from its ancient days in Greece and Rome.

Goddess gowns ruled the runway at fall's New York Fashion Week and the trend is hot in the wedding world too. Why not channel your inner Greek goddess with one of these finds from The Knot.

I like this dramatic silk taffeta gown with a mermaid-style skirt and ruched bodice by Ines Di Santo.

You'll make a grand entrance AND exit in this one-shoulder, silk satin dress with ruching and a draped skirt by Melissa Sweet for (spring 2009).



Now, here's some exciting wedding dress news for military brides-to-be. Brides Across America will be kicking off a nationwide wedding dress giveaway on November 8. If you're engaged and on active military duty (or have a fiance on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan), check their site for details.

The Ultimate Eco-Friendly Wedding Gift

Know any Globetrotting Couples planing a "green" eco-friendly wedding? Here's an over-the-top wedding present idea.

For just $1,600 Trees Instead will plant a lifetime of trees (approx. 1,000) to offset the average couple's lifetime Carbon footprint. The trees will be planted in forests across the United States, Canada, Israel and the Amazon and you can specify an area to commemorate the couple's first date spot, hometown, vacation or honeymoon locale or favorite region. Best of all, the price can be divided among guests making it an ideal group gift.

Like the idea but not the price? Trees can be purchased individually, and in half- and full-acres starting at $25.

All gifts come with an elegant Tree Certificate which includes a tree number so recipients can find the tree's location online.

Trees make great wedding favors too. With pricing as low as $4.99 each, wedding guests will receive a personalized Tree Certificate indicating that a tree has been planted to honor there presence at the wedding.