Great Insider Tips You Don't Want to Miss!

It is that time of year again and bridal show season is upon us. You will find that there are events all over the country this month and next – almost every weekend! Bridal Shows can be a great way to find products and services for your wedding but some of them can also be overwhelming if you are a first-timer.

Here are two articles you will want to read before attending the shows:

• Get The Most From Upcoming Bridal Shows and Events - Part I
• Get The Most From Upcoming Bridal Shows and Events - Part II
• Winter Bridal Shows

The Maid of Honor is usually the bride's closest sister. Otherwise, she could be…

Save the Date Cards are announcements that inform your guests of your future wedding in order to keep your special day free. They are essential in the following situations: if many of your guests are traveling to your wedding, your wedding takes place on or around a holiday, you are planning a faraway destination wedding, or your wedding will take place in a seasonally busy or tourist locale, where the flights and hotels perhaps book up early.

Brides share their experiences at the Filene's Basement Wedding Gown Sale. Get tips and ideas for a successful shopping day and share your experience to help others.

Creative cake toppers are one way to make your wedding cake unique.…

Monograms in weddings are hot and getting hotter. These days, they're a theme all by themselves. Here's how to make them a part of your wedding.

Every bride wants to look her best on her big day. Many gyms across the country offer some type of Bootcamp Fitness Program that can help you get in shape in a very short period of time. Read about how this fitness craze got started and about my experience with one of these bootcamps. Also, enter Cynthia Conde's Bridal Bootcamp Fitness Challenge Contest for the chance to win a 1 week all expenses paid honeymoon to the Caribbean.

Two traditions have become standard in most wedding celebrations: cutting the cake and saving the cake top for the 1st anniversary…

The music for your wedding ceremony is one of the most important elements in creating the perfect mood…

Article dicusses everything you need to know about the Groom's Cake and proposes creative ideas for this special cake.

Choosing who should walk down the aisle with you is not as easy at it has been in the past. In the past, it has always been assumed that the father of the bride is to be the one...

Imagine a place that has been waiting for three centuries to provide the backdrop of your first days of forever. Here you can wander through narrow cobblestone streets leading to stately antebellum mansions and Revolutionary War structures-still intact. Come dusk, board a private horse drawn carriage where the driver guides the clip-clopping horses along side streets. Romance begins here where dancing flames from gas lit lanterns cast your silhouettes onto the facades of time-treasured icons. You have arrived at Charleston, South Carolina, a city where history and romance are intertwined to celebrate your marriage.

Read entire article...

The original news article I referenced in this article from the Gary Post Tribune is no longer available online but it was about this couple who had a patriotic themed wedding over the 4th of July weekend in 2005.

According to the article, the groom “loves the 4th of July”. I should say so! The couple got engaged on the 4th of July last year and were married close to the 4th this year.

The ceremony was traditional but the reception picked up the patriotic theme with red, white and blue table decorations and a complete fireworks display.

The article doesn’t go into much detail about the reception but I am envisioning flags as favors and guests lighting sparklers as the couple leaves for their honeymoon.

Considering the state of our country right now, I find this wedding theme very refreshing! No, it certainly isn’t for everyone but it shows support for our nation – which is something we don’t see a lot of in our media these days.

Since the original article is no longer available online, I found some more articles to give you some more ideas for patriotic weddings. Here are some links to help you:

• Red White and Blue Ideas from the Editors of Martha Stewart Weddings
  This one has some beautiful photos (of course) of red, white and blue bouquets as well as some favor ideas.
• I Went to an America-Themed Wedding Michael Drucker blog post on 23/6
  Clearly not Martha Stewart inspired but an American themed wedding nonetheless. This one has some photos of the decor which included the silverware wrapped in American Flag napkins, tied with a ribbon and placed in a drinking glass. Lots of American flags at this wedding.
• How to Plan a 4th of July Themed Wedding from eHow.com
  No pretty pictures on this one but interesting ideas and tips.
• Planning A Fourth Of July Wedding from Budget Dream Weddings
  This one does have some interesting pictures and ideas. One idea I like, especially for weddings in the South, is to have barbecue for the reception. If you are in the Atlanta area, check out Lydle Brothers BBQ for your Atlanta barbecue - it is delicious!
• That’s One Patriotic Party: Your Fourth of July Wedding from FavorIdeas.com
  I actually don't love the actual favors this article is pushing but the article itself has some good ideas as well as the comments.
• Patriotic Wedding Accessories from FlagandBanner.com
  Candles, plates, napkins, glasses... that sort of thing for a patriotice wedding.

While trying to find some photo ideas for you, I came across this blog article which I thought was interesting because it lists the pros and cons of having a wedding on the 4th of July. If you are considering this wedding date, have a look at this article: What Are the Merits of a July 4th Wedding Date?

I hope this helps you plan your 4th of July wedding. I will keep searching and adding to this article as I come across new information! ~ Lei

The dresses of the bride's and groom's mothers should be in harmony and within the overall look of the wedding in regard to style and color…