Friday, May 29, 2009

Got a Sweet Tooth? Check out this Dylan's Candy Bar Wedding!

If you've ever been to NYC's Dylan's Candy Bar, you know what a fun place it is. I knew it was a popular spot for kid's birthday parties but I had no idea they could do weddings! How fun is this real life wedding? This is certainly not for the shy....

Click here to read the New York Times Vows story about this unique couple who had an on again, off again relationship for 20 years!

The bride wore a borrowed dress made of candy wrappers that was designed for Project Runway.

The wedding canopy was made of giant Whirly Pops and candy-colored balloons.



How cute is this cake? The guests dined on peanut butter and jelly tarts and candy sushi while the couple danced to "Sugar, Sugar."

Wow is all I can say! I'd love to attend a fun-filled party like that.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Have you scanned any travel experiences on your bridal registry lately?

Here's a great bridal registry idea for Globetrotting Brides and Grooms!

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has launched the Hyatt Gift Registry, where couples can register online for a host of amenities, services and accommodations at Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide - think tropical honeymoon, destination wedding, spa treatments, scuba diving, golf lessons, romantic dinners, wine tasting, etc. Much more exciting than toasters or china if you ask me.


Guests make a contribution towards Hyatt Gift Cards (redeemable at Hyatts in the U.S., Canada and Caribbean) or Hyatt Check Certificates™ (redeemable at Hyatts worldwide). Best of all, there are no expiration dates or blackout dates so any extra honeymoon credits can go towards future vacations - think anniversary trips, romantic weekends, babymoons, etc.


Just like traditional registries, you can sneak a peek as the gifts arrive and you'll also get an email notification so you can confirm your honeymoon activities. It's an ideal option for any couple and I can guarantee your groom's eyes won't glaze over when you're selecting spa treatments.


And if you're planning a destination wedding, couples who wed at a participating Hyatt property (in the U.S., Canada, Cancun, Mexico or Aruba) by June 30, 2010 will receive up to five complimentary nights towards their honeymoon.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Free honeymoon anyone???? And yes, you choose the location!!!

A free honeymoon where you pick the destination! What's better than that?? PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com is running a contest for all you recessionistas out there.



One lucky winner will get a $2,000 Marriott Honeymoon TravelCard redeemable at any Marriott hotel, anywhere in the world! The TravelCard can be used for everything including room nights, spa treatments, golf, and even breakfast in bed!

Contest ends June 30th and you can enter once per email address per day using the contest entry form. That means go back every day to increase your odds! Hey, you gotta be in it to win it.

And if you're still looking for your dream wedding gown, check out the great deals on PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com. Half price Vera Wang, anyone??


Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The absolute worst bridesmaid dress ever!!!

Ok, so I've posted about bad, bad, bad bridesmaid dresses before but I've found the worst bridesmaid dress ever!

Just try to top this one ladies.....


I know its not so easy to find bridesmaid dresses for your pregnant bridesmaids but really......

Monday, May 25, 2009

How to Pack for Your Honeymoon from Jet Set Girls

Happy Labor Day! I'm taking the day off to relax but I'll leave you with this great post from Jet Set Girls, one of my favorite websites for planning girlfriend getaways.


How to Pack For Your Honeymoon

Enjoy!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Invitation Etiquette 101: Use pretty stamps!

I was out with friends last night and my engaged friend Danielle told a funny story about how her mom complained about her choice of stamps on her engagement invitations. Want to avoid this scenario?

You all saw the new 61¢ wedding cake stamp right?


I'm happy to report that there are also some wedding worthy 44¢ regular stamps perfect for thank you notes and RSVP cards.

Check them out:


My top pick are these King and Queen of Hearts stamps!
My second pick is this wedding rings stamp:

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Inviting any kids to your wedding events? You'll need these...

Are you inviting any kids to your wedding events? If you are, you may want to order some of these Food Face plates to keep them entertained.

Remember that magnetic man toy where you could give him crazy hairdos? Well now, you can do it with pasta, peas, mashed potatoes and anything else you might have on your plate.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Tips from the Pros: Wedding Guest Etiquette 101

We've all seen Wedding Crashers right? After years of Dear Abby and Miss Manners, how can it be that so many people still don't understand the basic etiquette of attending a wedding?


If you know someone who needs a Crash Course in Wedding Guest Etiquette, be sure to share these great tips from Always a Blogsmaid:

#1. The Envelope with the invitation tells you who is invited. It also tells you who is NOT invited. If it has only your name, then only you are invited. If it says & guest, then you may bring a guest. If it doesn’t have & Family or your childrens names on it, then your children are NOT invited. Peggy Post frowns on writing adult reception on invites, but unfortunately, guests seem to not understand that if your children aren’t included on the inner or outer envelope, they aren’t invited.

#2. Do NOT Wear White. Yeah, it’s just not OK. You must own SOMETHING else. I know you like that dress. You feel pretty in it. White is your favorite color. You know who else looks good in white? THE BRIDE. And why do it to yourself? The bride is getting her hair and make up done AND she’s accessorizing it all with the glow of love. You will never look as nice as she does AND you’ll just be “can you believe that woman in the white dress??”

#3. Don’t Dance Before the First Dance. You can sway during the cocktail hour, but when you get into the reception room, TRY, please TRY and contain your magic moves until AFTER the couple has been announced and done their first dance. (Note to couples: No matter how untraditional your wedding might be, if you aren’t going to do a first dance, do SOMETHING to open up the dance floor, since most people will be waiting for your cue.) NOTE FROM GLOBETROTTING BRIDE: This also means keep your kids off the dance floor during the couples' first dance. You do not want them tripping the backward walking photographer who assumes the floor is all clear and yes, I speak from first-hand experience.

#3a
Don’t Dance During Parent Dances. Or any other “special dance” for that matter. I KNOW, I KNOW, you are an amazing dancer! But it’s awkward with you busting a move when the only other people on the dance floor are the bride and her dad.

#4. Don’t Skip the Ceremony. It’s just kind of rude. It makes it look like you just came for the free booze. It’s the most important part of the day.

#5. Don’t come late and Try and Come in During the Processional. You got an invitation. You know the start time. If for some reason you are late, don’t add insult to injury by cutting in front of the bridal party to try and squeeze in “unnoticed”. Hang back, wait for the bride to enter and THEN come inside.

#6. Don’t Sit and Make Out all Night. I know it’s a celebration of love, but it’s also a pretty PG affair. Don’t be the couple making out all night long… it will go noticed.

#7.
Don’t Complain to the Bride and Groom. Complain to the planner if there is one. Or ask the waiter to lower the temperature, or to re-heat your steak. Ask the DJ about the volume of the music if you need to, but please, please, please don’t complain to the bride and groom. Not before, and really, try not to complain after wards. If something major went wrong, no one will be more aware of it than the bride. And if it’s something minor, why mar their day with worry that you had a bad time.

#8.
Leave Big Gifts at Home. You have a whole year to give the bride and groom a present. We know you are excited about the grill you bought them. Don’t show your excitement by bringing it to the wedding. It only makes it awkward for them to get home.

#9. Don’t ask other people, who weren’t invited to “Meet Up” with you at the wedding. I already covered this, but basically, the people who were meant to be there were invited AND it’s a wedding, not a club or a birthday party at a Bar. The more the merrier doesn’t apply in this case.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

A bridesmaid gift she'll really wear again and again.

I saw these chunky rainbow bangles on Style School and they made me say "WOW" out loud.


Stackable bracelets are in vogue and I love the idea of giving your bridesmaids a gift they'll really wear again and again. Roberta Chiarella Sparkle 24/7 Bangles are available in 15 colors and two finishes (gold and platinum) so you'll surely find something to please every gal in your group. And, at $48 each you can give your girls a small stack.

You may just want to get some to match your honeymoon outfits too...

To see more of Roberta Chiarella’s gorgeous jewels,visit robertachiarella.com.

Monday, May 18, 2009

The coolest bridal shower gift idea, ever!!!

When I was a little girl there was this huge money tree made with real dollar bills at my grandma's bank and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Imagine my reaction when I saw this money bouquet on the Blissful Bride? It was, "OMG, what a great idea!!!!"

This is way more fun than a gift card and I think it would make a super cute bridal shower gift.

Heres me with my bridal shower hat. Imagine how thrilled I'd be if I had a money bouquet too???


Click
here for a DIY tutorial.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Globetrotting Bride Wins Best Honeymoon Blog Award!

Here's some happy Friday news...

Globetrotting Bride was named Best Honeymoon Blog by the Wedding Blog Awards! Click here to read the story. And, if you have any great blogs you'd like to nominate, email them at weddingblogawards@gmail.com.

And a special thank you shout out goes to Amy at ABCD Design for teaching me how to make a screen shot!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Sedona, AZ: A great warm weather destination wedding and honeymoon hotspot awaits.....

If you're looking for a scenic, easy to reach, warm-weather locale with friendly locals, Southwest charm, hotels galore and great food, look no further than Sedona, Arizona. In addition to offering up red mountain views at every turn, Sedona has an array of sights and attractions sure to please every wedding guest or honeymooner.

The Globetrotting Groom and I visited last month and had a fabulous trip! Sedona is about 90 minutes north of Phoenix and yes, Jet Blue's TV's made our 5 hour flight from NYC a breeze. You'll know you're close when the views suddenly turn from dusty desert to technicolor reds and pinks. It reminds me of the Wizard of Oz when it goes from black and white to color. It's really amazing.

I'll be writing more about hotspots for destination weddings but here are some things you'll want to check out if you're planning a Sedona honeymoon, girl's getaway or destination wedding.

- Sedona is super easy to get around and there are free shuttles if you don't want to rent a car. Get your bearings on a Sedona Trolly tour or if you're feeling more adventurous, try one of the many Pink Jeep Tours.

- Get out and explore Red Rock Country's state parks, hidden canyons, red rock trails and famed vortexes. Hikers, mountain bikers, campers will be in heaven but for those who want a relaxing vacation (like me) there are plenty of scenic drives, sunsets, star gazing shows and activities like exploring Indian ruins and petroglyphs at Palatki (this was seriously cool).


- You're on vacation so kick back with some great food and drinks! For Mexican, we loved the Elote Cafe and Javelina Cantina. For a gorgeous creekside backdrop with top-notch food and service, visit L'Auberge de Sedona. For mountain backdrops and fine dining, try Hundred Rox at Amara. For Italian bistro dining, check out Joey Bistro. For contemporary fare and happy hour action, visit Reds at Sedona Rouge. There are also local ice cream parlors and wineries so be sure to explore.

- No vacation is complete without shopping and Sedona shopping packs a punch. There are so many art galleries and shops where you'll find everything from jewelry, glass sculptures, pottery, photography, artwork, textiles, home decor, clothing and gifts galore. The Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, Hillside Sedona and "Uptown" boutiques were my favorites.

Of course, you'll also find great spas, golf, kid-friendly spots and nearby Grand Canyon activities making it a sure to please spot for all. Travel promotions abound so be sure to check out the latest travel deals and discounts.

And, stay tuned for the scoop on Sedona destination weddings...

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Looking for a unique destination for your engagement photos?

The Globetrotting Groom and I are back Arizona and I'll be posting several entries about our fun-filled trip. Aside from the amazing destination wedding locations in Sedona (stay tuned...), I uncovered a really fun spot for engagement photos in Phoenix.

If you're thinking about a destination engagement shoot with a Southwest flavor, you'll want to check out the
Desert Botanical Garden. Now through May 31, they've got a really cool and colorful Dale Chihuly: The Nature of Glass exhibit going on. Aside from the amazing desert backdrop (hello skyscraper cactus!), how cool are these ginormous glass sculptures?






Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Celebrate Romance - Trends for Destination Weddings & Honeymoons

Yesterday I went to a fabulous Celebrate Romance event sponsored by Destination Wedding & Honeymoons. It was at New York's Plaza Hotel (yes, its just like in Bride Wars) and there were dozens of representatives from luxury hotels and tropical destinations showing off their honeymoon and destination wedding offerings.

Randy from Say Yes to the Dress, Darcy from Martha Stewart Weddings and celebrity wedding cake designer Ron Ben-Israel were all in the house. Here's Ron about to cut one of his colorful creations with Susan Moynihan, editor in chief of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons.


After lunch, there was a "State of Romance Market" panel discussion where I learned about the latest trends in destination weddings and honeymoons. Here are some interesting findings from the Destination Weddings & Honeymoons reader survey:


- Despite the recession, destination wedding budgets are on the rise (up from $19,800 in 2006 to $20,600 in 2009).

- Destination couples marry sooner! Average engagement is 10.8 months vs. 14 months.

-Warm-weather locales top the list of wedding and honeymoon destinations. For international weddings, the Caribbean (51%) and Mexico (21%) are most popular while Florida (17%), Las Vegas (11%), Hawaii (9%) lead domestically.

- The average number of guests at a destination wedding is 48.

- More than half of destination couples pay for their own weddings.

- The average total honeymoon cost for destination couples is $8,200 vs $6,124 for traditional wedding couples.

- Honeymooners consider location (hello beachfront room!) and weather most important.

Stay tuned for some tropical destination wedding and honeymoon suggestions over the coming weeks...and be sure to visit Destination Weddings & Honeymoons for planning tips and ideas.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Calling all grooms!! Hey, it's about you too!!!

Kudos to The Grumpy Groom, one of my favorite male wedding bloggers, for being featured in The New York Times last week. If you didn't see A Wedding Plan for Men, it talked about grooms getting more and more involved in the wedding planning.


I pretty much planned our entire wedding but the Globetrotting Groom did have some feedback when it came to the videographer, band and food.
How involved are your guys?

In case your groom is interested in getting more involved with the planning, here are some guy-friendly sites.


The Grumpy Groom

GroomGroove

The Man Registry

Just don't blame me if he turns into a Groomzilla...

Friday, May 8, 2009

Tips from the Pros: Celebrity Facialist Tammy Fender

Clear, radiant skin might just be one of the most important accessories for the big day (second to the groom and dress, of course!). Unfortunately pre-wedding stress, diet, and irregular sleep can all have an effect on your skin.

Palm Beach celebrity aesthetician Tammy Fender believes in the healing properties of holistic skincare, but her advice goes beyond the physical; a glowing complexion begins on the inside. Here are some of Tammy’s best tips to look your best, naturally, just in time for the ceremony.


Change up your diet. “Treat the skin as a living organ, recognizing that what you put onto the skin absorbs.” Incorporate fresh fruit and healthy vegetables into your daily diet, and “eat foods that are high in Essential Fatty Acids; they’re necessary to keep the skin supple. Oils from the olive, almonds, wheat germ and flax will play a part in caring for the skin from the inside.”

Exercise daily. Doing so increases circulation and releases endorphins, bringing oxygen to the cells, rejuvenating the skin, and leaving a heightened feeling of peace and joy.

Transition to a natural skincare regimen. “Nourish the body from the outside via the skin, with the same purity and care that you would take internally.” Holistic products with botanical ingredients will feed and nourish the skin cells, neutralize free radicals, and slow down the aging process—naturally. See below for the perfect natural products to build a solid regimen.

Book a facial. The weeks leading up to the ceremony are filled with fittings, appointments, phone calls, last-minute decisions—in other words…stress. “A complete hour of relaxation is best not only for the face but also for the body and mind. Take time out to de-stress—even if it’s at home with your own holistic skincare products.” Keep things simple the day before the wedding; a last-minute facial may cause breakout and irritation, so make an appointment at least a week before the big day.

Some of Tammy’s must-have pre-wedding products include:

A gentle, natural exfoliator like the Epi-Peel. Tammy’s three-in-one exofliator, mask, and peel removes the accumulation of dead surface cells, refines pores, and polishes skin revealing a fresh, youthful glow. A blend of Spearmint, Lavender, Rosemary, Kaolin Clay, and micro-granuales stimulate the flow of chi and enlivens the spirit.

An eye treatment, like the Firming Eye Gel. Eliminate puffiness, dark circles, and advancing lines before the big day with the powerful healing properties of elder flower and green myrtle that will cool, quench, and revive tired eyes.

A hydrating natural moisturizer like Antioxidant Crème with Orange and Neroli. Citrus combined with neroli feeds and nourishes the skin, helping to rebuild each skin cell and stimulating the production of natural collagen. This balancing moisturizer also contains a natural SPF 10 through a blend of plant butters.

And post-wedding?

Great on-the-go skincare. Keep skin in a state of bliss by taking the Tammy Fender Travel Kit (photo above) along on your honeymoon. Customizable to fit your skincare needs, the kit includes travel-size versions of Tammy’s stellar products. Everything stays suitcase-safe in a jewel box case with travel pouch.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

London Calling? Paris too!?! Free Videography Giveaway

Get your passports ready ladies and gents, Renaissance Studios Films is going to Paris and London later this month and they are giving away 2 rolls of vintage Super 8 film coverage to one lucky couple - no strings attached!


It can be a wedding, honeymoon or proposal so if you're heading across the pond, this could be your lucky chance to score a fantastic documentary of your very own. The dates are May 22-26 for London and May 27- June 1 for Paris. And, if you just happen to live in France or the UK, you can enter too!

How to Enter:

Send an email by MAY 15 to info@renaissancestudiosfilms.com with the following information:
Bride’s Name, Groom’s Name, Wedding Location, Wedding Date & a Photo.

If you are not familiar with Super 8 film or Renaissance Studios beautiful art films, check out the amazing Super 8 film stills above of Colin and Yvette’s gorgeous vintage Hollywood wedding. This lovely professional dancer and her handsome “prince” were married on a perfect day at a stunning private home overlooking Lake Hollywood in a wedding full of old Hollywood glamour. You can see their wedding film on the Renaissance Studios blog. Super 8 film has a timeless beauty that artistically captures warmth and emotion, unlike video which can be flat and harsh. Renaissance Studios Films is an Emmy-Winning team of filmmakers who create beautiful hand-crafted super 8 and 16mm wedding films. Every film is a lovingly documented, gorgeous moving portrait reflecting you and your very unique day.

Hump Day Prize winner!!!

And the winner of the Hump Day Giveaway from Large Format Posters is.....

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

2

Timestamp: 2009-05-07 02:23:18 UTC

Elizabeth!

Email me with your contact details...

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Skinny Girl Margaritas! Ole!

I learned on Cinco de Mayo that a typical margarita has about 740 calories! I had no idea my favorite cocktail could be as fattening as a cheeseburger...


Since I love The Real Housewives of New York, I thought I'd share with you Bethany Frankel's recipe for The Skinny Girls Margarita that was featured on the show last week:

The Skinny Girls Margarita

On the Rocks

What you’ll need:

* 2 oz of clear Tequila (100% agave, Patron Silver) count 1, 2 while you pour, no need for measuring
* A splash of fresh lime juice
* A splash of Cointreau, Grand Marnier or Triple Sec

Combine all ingredients over a glass of ice

Garnish with a lime wedge and salt (or sugar) if you’d like.

Since everyone loves a margarita, why not mix up a batch of these for your next bachelorette party or summer BBQ? I think they would also make a great signature cocktail for engagement parties and weddings too.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Mailing your wedding invitations sometime soon?

If you live overseas, you can just ignore this post. If not, don't forget about the US Postal Service rate increase happening on May 11.

First class stamps are going from 42¢ to 44¢ and two ounce stamps (what most wedding invitations will weigh) will be 61¢. I'm pleased to report that a brand new "Wedding Cake" stamp
has arrived for the occasion. Check it out:


Of course you still have time to stock up on these Forever Stamps for bills and thank you notes but I do think they're pretty ugly.

Monday, May 4, 2009

New York, New York - The ultimate Gossip Girl's getaway!

If you're thinking of a bachelorette weekend or girl's getaway in New York City, I think May and June are the best months to visit! Spring has sprung, the crowds aren't so bad, the roof-top bars are open and the restaurants open up their sidewalk seating! I know it sounds crazy to dine al fresco with traffic zipping by but we love it...

If you're looking for a fun girl's only afternoon activity, look no further than the new
Gossip Girl Sites Tour from On Location Tours. Guys are allowed of course, I just can't think of any who would come without a big bribe.


The 3.5 hour bus tour costs $40 and starts near the New York Palace Hotel. Your trip takes you around to 40 NYC haunts including Blair Waldorf's home, the mansion that was the site of the Bass/Van der Woodsen wedding, the restaurant where Dan and Serena had their second date and also includes a stop at Henri Bendel where Blair and Serena shop. You'll stop for photos along the way and you'll also be "spotted" by the anonymous Gossip Girl blogger.

If you need more TV trivia, On Location also offers its Sex and the City hotspots tour and Sopranos sites in New York and New Jersey.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Wedding planning got you down? Head to Vegas, baby!

There are sooooo many reasons to head to Vegas!


Maybe the wedding planning is getting to you and you just want to elope! Having Elvis perform the ceremony is totally up to you...

Maybe you want to take a "Last Fling Before Wedding Bells Ring" bachelorette trip! Vegas is sure to please every girl in your group (shopping, sunning, nightlife, cuisine, museums, and more).


Maybe you want to take advantage of all the great
Las Vegas Deals. Hello pampering four-star Las Vegas Hotels for just $49 per night!

Or maybe you just want to check out some mind-blowing Las Vegas Shows. FYI, if you've never seen Cirque du Soleil, you're missing out!

Whatever your reason, just remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas......