Did you know Melissa Sweet does polka dots!?!

I saw this wedding dress over at Polka Dot Bride (natch) and I love it. There is something so fun and unexpected about polka dots on a wedding gown. I think this could work for lots of weddings from an outdoor ceremony, wedding at sea or fancy ballroom shin-dig.

Ladies, I introduce you to Dora by Melissa Sweet.

Willy Wonka would love these Edible Escort Cards!

I saw these Candy Bar Escort Cards over at Elizabeth Anne Designs and immediately said "WOW" out loud. What a super fun, clever and yummy idea!

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These favors/escort cards are easy to DIY with some king-sized Hershey bars and fancy paper. Just click over here for more details.

Need a tan? South Beach Miami - Top Girl Getaways

Miami is always in season and there is no better spot for a fun-filled girl's getaway than South Beach! I was down there for a girl's only trip with my mom in January and here are my picks for a fun bachelorette getaway or girl's weekend retreat.

Flying First Class? Grab your girlfriends and head for the pampering:

No Males, Nails & Cocktails Package - Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
It doesn't get any more ritzy than South Beach's Ritz-Carlton. The spa is amazing (my mom loved her massage and I loved the Oceanic Body Cocktail), the food delicious (you may recall Chef Jeff McInnis from Top Chef), and the service is top-notch. And, if you need to perfect your tan, they have their own tanning butler at the gorgeous pool that overlooks the ocean! Pampering awaits with this package including:

• Deluxe accommodations
• Champagne upon arrival
• Daily breakfast for four with bloody Mary's in Bistro One LR (the hotel's signature restaurant)
• The DiLido manicure and pedicure for four in the award-winning Spa.

Rates start at $699 per room, per night for up to four ladies. (Summer rates start at $459)


Flying Business Class? Here's your ticket for a chic weekend retreat:

Girlfriend's Getaway Package - Gansevoort South Beach
This South Beach hotspot has everything you could possibly need under one roof (like shopping, fine dining, salon, nightlife, gym and spa!). We stayed here and loved the oversized rooms, plush bedding, friendly staff and tres-chic coolness that surrounds the property. The rooftop pool is not to be missed, its even cooler than the NYC version!

This getaway includes:
• Deluxe accommodations
• Daily continental breakfast for two
• VIP access and two cocktails at Plunge rooftop bar
• 25% discount at Cutler Salon
• One hour private yoga class for two
• Gansevoort South's signature CD
• Complimentary valet parking

Package is $790 for two nights, based on double occupancy.


Flying Coach? This package has it all:

The True Divas Package - Carlton Hotel South Beach
Put on the glitz & glamour with this Sobe hotel deal. Any package that includes ice cream, spa treatments, and cocktails sounds good to me! This getaway includes:
• Superior Queen View accommodations for 3-days/2-nights
• Two complimentary pints of Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream
• A 30 minute Swedish massage for you and your Divas!
• Foot Rejuvenation Kit keepsake
• "The Diva" cocktail from the Carlton lobby bar, delivered to your room at check-in
• Complimentary WiFi High speed internet access
• Complimentary Beach Chairs & Beach Towels
• Complimentary Round Trip Transportation from and to the airport
• Complimentary VIP passes to the hottest clubs
• 3 p.m. late checkout, so you can sleep in
Available Sunday through Thursday in high season, and every day in low season.

Package is $99.00 per person, per night based on Quad Occupancy plus 13% tax.

Happy travels...

Put a ring on it! Fashion forward ring pillows...

There are so many little details that come up in wedding planning, its a wonder we don't all just elope!

Got the bling? Check. Got the ring bearer? Check. In case you don't have a ring pillow yet, here's a great find I found on Love Notes.

5eizen's Etsy shop has a great selection of gorgeously modern and fashionable ring pillows (and hair clips, birdcage veils, belts, sashes and garters now too). Here are some of my favorites.









Custom designs are welcome too! And, for $15 extra she'll make a matching garter which I think would be so cute if you're doing the garter thing.

Need help being an organized bride?

1) Overwhelmed with wedding planning details?
2) Got Post It notes all over the bathroom mirror?
3) Can't remember who you've spoken to and who you need to call?

If you've answered yes to one of these questions, you might need a little help being an organized bride.


If you can't think before you've had some coffee, I think this fun write on glass mug will get you on the road to organizational recovery. Just jot down the day's to-dos in the appropriate time slot and you're all set. A mini pencil and eraser is included so you can start fresh every day.

I think this would help any bride (or groom, or bridesmaid...) keep track of the planning while enjoying a little caffeine fix.

Jonesing for a cool customized wedding touch?

I love personalized touches for wedding related events so these customized soda bottles from Jones Soda caught my eye.


Just visit myjones.com, upload your photo and personalized text, pick the soda flavor and voila, two-three weeks later, you're personalized sodas are at your doorstep. The flavors are super-fun (think berry lemonade, blue bubblegum, fufu berry, green apple, etc.) and colorful (blue, pink, green. peach, red, etc.). I test drove three flavors and they were all delicious (must be the pure cane sugar). The flavors rotate so be sure to check the site often to find the flavor/colors that match your event.

I think they would be a really fun touch for a bridal shower, engagement party or casual wedding. I also think they'd make great party favors along with a recipe for a signature cocktail.

Top 100 Wedding Blogs and Twitters

Here's some exciting news for a Monday...according to Bride Tide, I'm among the Top 100 Wedding Blogs (and Twitters) to follow in 2009! So very cool to be listed among some of my favorite bloggers! A big thanks goes out to all my readers! Check the comprehensive list for full details.

And, if you're on Twitter, and want to follow me, I'm @travelbride.

After the Honeymoon comes Babymoon Bingo!

I know you're familiar with the terms mini-moon and honeymoon but do you know about babymoons? Well, don't think the vacations end after you're married, your next big adventure might just be the trip before you have a baby, AKA the babymoon!

I've brought in my favorite babymoon expert, Kristy Hall of Two and a Half Travelers, to give some inspiring babymoon ideas as well as things to consider when traveling during pregnancy.


Here's Kristy...

There are countless things people with kids don't tell you before you have a baby. (I think this realization comes to most new mom’s about five minutes after the epidural wears off.)

I personally find it challenging to put into words just how a couple’s relationship changes (for better and worse) after a baby arrives. I’m no relationship expert but as a mom, a wife and a travel professional, I feel qualified to offer one little tidbit of advice to expecting parents -- make time to get away and connect before your baby arrives.

A pre-baby vacation (or babymoon) doesn’t have to be expensive or exotic but it should be romantic and it should be carefully planned to consider:

1) Timing - Since travel is generally discouraged after 32 weeks and many expecting Mom’s feel a little woozy in their first trimester, timing a babymoon is critical. Many women report a little kick of energy in their second trimesters which can translate into a perfect opportunity to take that last vacation before baby arrives. In short, you gotta go, when you gotta go regardless of the season.

2) Travel Style - Balance your normal pregnancy style with your pregnancy travel style. For example, if you normally take independent adventure vacations, you might want to consider a relaxing spa-like destination in a more exotic locale where you could do ½ day trips from the resort.

3) Health - The most important thing about your babymoon is that you feel comfortable with the decisions you've made about travel. Traveling while you are expecting really comes down to common sense. Do your research (or work with someone who can do it for you), talk to your doctor and pay attention to your body and your instincts to ensure that you're comfortable with your decision to travel.

The following handy reference table shows some potential babymoon destinations as determined by common pregnancy travel styles and seasons of the year. Enjoy!


About Us:
Two and a Half Travelers offers ideas, observations and travel booking services related to pre and post baby travel. Kristy, the Mom behind Two and a Half Travelers, lives in Jersey City, NJ with her two-year-old son and her husband.

The most amazing Free Wedding Contest I've ever seen!

Who wants to win a free wedding that includes EVERYTHING and I mean everything!?!?

In addition to the free wedding, you get a free engagement party and rehearsal dinner, free wedding planner, free photo and video packages, all your stationary, decor for all the parties, favors, the officiant, a DJ AND 9-piece band, hair and make up (lashes too), Badgley Mischa shoes, a custom gown and veil, gifts for your bridal party, babysitting, personal training AND a FREE HONEYMOON!!! This is an amazing opportunity so don't delay!!!

StudioWed Atlanta, along with CBS Atlanta and AtlantaOccasions.com, have come together to produce the wedding of a lifetime for one deserving couple. Couples will submit in 500 words or less why they deserve to win a free wedding along with a photo. The winning couple will receive a wedding valued at over $70,000 to include the venue, catering, photography, and more. The wedding will take place at the Atlanta Botanical Garden on the couple’s choice of either Sunday, January 10 or Sunday, January 24, 2010.

Deadline to enter the contest is Wednesday, April 1, 2009. It is open to all Georgia residents. Click here for details and to enter.

Honeymoon packing tip #8 - Recession friendly travel kits

Some favorite beauty on the go options for your carry on....

Option 1:

Boots Botanics Face Pamper Kit ($10.99)
Boots Botanics is one of my favorite brands at Target and this kit has everything you need to keep your face happy on the road: Quenching Face Mask, Day Moisture Lotion, Skin Brightening Deep Clean Gel, Skin Brightening Toner and Night Moisture Cream.

Option 2:

Bliss Sinkside Six-Pack ($25)
Who doesn't love a little Bliss in their life? If you've ever stayed at a W hotel, you know these Lemon + Sage goodies: Lemon + Sage Soapy Sap, Foaming Face Wash, Supershine Shampoo, Conditioning Rinse, Soap Slab, Body Butter and a clear, reusable tote.

Go green pre-wedding dress tradition!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, here's a post on a little known Italian Wedding Tradition...

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Did you know that Italian brides have an age-old tradition of wearing green, known as color of fertility, the night before their weddings. Full story here.

Stunning bridal photography - check out these shots...

I saw this wedding photography post on Weddingbee and I am in love with these old world steamer trunk, bride and desert pictures by by Victor Sizemore. If you're planing a Vegas wedding, this would be a great backdrop for photos.

How great are these shots? They really scream Globetrotting Bride to me...

Recessionista Wedding Tip - Use coupons for wedding items

If you watch the Today Show, Suze Orman or Oprah, you've been hearing a lot about using coupons these days. I was thinking, why not use this recessionista tactic when planning your wedding.

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I did some browsing on Savings.com and found tons of potential wedding saving deals like shopping discount codes, free shipping coupons and other promotional codes. You can search by coupon category or store.

Here are some of my favorite picks for savings on clothing, jewelry, home goods, craft projects, photo gifts and more.

Wedding Tracker Savings Code - 50% off your order at Wedding Tracker

Mikasa Code - 20% off all Mikasa Stemware

Macy's Coupon Code - 20% off Macy's

Blue Nile Promo Code - 20% select items at Blue Nile and free shipping

Bluefly Code - 15% off a Bluefly purchase of $100 or more

Lord & Taylor Promo Code - 15% off everything at Lord & Taylor

Snapfish Code - 10% off orders of $30 or more at Snapfish

Joanne.com Free Shipping Code - Free shipping from Joanne.com

Brooklyn Bridge, Brides and Balloons...Oh my!

Here's part two to the story I did yesterday on my Brooklyn Bridge engagement shoot.

Did you know that the Brooklyn Bridge is also a great backdrop for a proposal? Check out this story where the groom-to-be had strangers hand his bride-to-be pink balloons and notes.



And, since Theresa asked about bringing balloons for a photo shoot (great idea, BTW), here are some inspiring Sarah Jessica Parker videos....

Want to be like Sarah Jessica Parker? Here's an amazing photo shoot location.

Did you see this month's Harper's Bazaar cover with Sarah Jessica Parker? Gorgeous right?


It reminded me of our engagement photo shoot which just happened to take place on the very same Brooklyn Bridge!!!

If you're in looking for an interesting NYC venue for an engagement or wedding shoot, you'll want to give this a thought. Here are some of my favorite pics from the day:












Photo credits go to Ola Weibull who is currently traveling the globe with his wife.