It’s official! Congratulations to Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi who were married on Saturday, August 16th at their home in Los Angeles. The two, both wearing Zac Posen,??finally exchanged vows in front of close family and friends. Best wishes to the happy couple!

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Many brides??have recently chosen to forgo the traditional wedding cake??and serve cupcakes at the wedding instead.??Some think that is easier than deciding on an entire wedding cake. It’s a great idea, but you still have to find a design you love. Enter,??the Cupcakes Take the Cake blog. Their tagline is “All Cupcakes, All the Time…Everything you ever wanted to know about cupcakes from true fans.” Now this is definitely some research I could sink my teeth into! Check out the posts to get ideas for your own cupcakes.

Watch The Martha Stewart Show this week for more cupcake ideas as she begins “Cupcake Week” with today’s recipe for a coconut cupcake!

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The WeddingWire Community recently participated in a discussion about trying on wedding dresses for the first time. Click here to read the great advice our members had to offer. Good luck!

Do you have any advice for brides going dress shopping?

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Chocolate covered pretzles could, quite possibly, be my favorite indulgence! I included these sweet and salty treats as favors at my own wedding. I was actually hoping that guests would leave them on the tables and I could bring them all back home??for me to eat! Unfortunately, my guests seemed to??enjoy them??just as much as I did.

I recently stumbled upon the Fretzels by Jill website and immediately thought, “Why didn’t I think of that?!” Besides offering a Fretzel of the Month Club (!), this company also creates custom party favors perfect for any occasion. They will create personalized packaging (inlcuding ribbon and tags) to match your wedding colors and/or theme. Yum!

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In the madness that is wedding planning, many important elements may be overlooked. Lighting can make such a difference in the overall??appearance and mood of your room, that I would definitely suggest taking the time to experiment. Candles have always been a great, and less expensive, way to add ambience to a special event. Use candles along the aisle for your ceremony, as centerpieces for the reception, or as an accent to showcase your cake or guest book table.

Check with your venue to be sure they actually allow real candles. If not, there are many creative alternatives.

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The Games of the 29th Olympiad are here! Go Team USA!

You can get so much done while you watch the Olympic Games……address save the dates/invitations, build your wedding website, manage your RSVPs, make favors, or create welcome bags for your guests. You can be so productive??over the next few weeks!

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Party Basics for New Nesters

Maria McBride has authored a new party-planning guide that is perfect for all you newlyweds??out there. Party Basics for New Nesters offers entertaining ideas for every occasion. As a “new nester” myself, I need this book! Cocktail parties with friends, I can handle (I think). However, I am now expected to host family gatherings and holiday dinners - help!

McBride gives??us practical??ideas and tips??on the basics of entertaining that are easy to understand and execute. This guide is organized by event and will give??advice on decor, menu items, and table settings that combine to create a great party.

Do you have any entertaining ideas or advice for newlyweds?

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Hitched in Washington, DC is having a Sample Sale! Check their website for sale inventory. Even if you are not in the DC area, they will ship your order to you! Sample sales are a great way to get your dream dress at an amazing price. Some items may be up to 70% off!

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Click here for more photos from this event.??We’ll see you in Boston!

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If you are in the Washington, DC Metro area tomorrow (Friday)??morning, join us for Filene’s Basement’s annual event, Running of the Brides! Thousands of brides are expected at the event and many??will begin to line up this evening at the Mazza Gallerie location. Doors open at 8am, but we strongly suggest getting there early!

For a chance to win a free wedding dress at this event, click here.

See you there!

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I am always looking for accessories for our home and decided to check out Kate Spade’s website over the weekend. Wedding guests take note: KateSpade.com = great wedding gifts! I really like the Pompano Point Double Invitation Frame for showcasing your wedding invitation along with a photo from the big day. I have a wedding to attend in August…..looks like I found their gift!

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Never drink from someone else’s wine glass again! I love these Numbered Wine Glasses from Satinbox! These??are so fun??and functional??at parties so your guests will never lose their glasses again! They are sold in sets of 6 and numbered from 1 - 6. The only trouble will be deciding who is numero uno!

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Well, the champagne has been sipped, the dancing shoes have been hung up, and you can now breathe! Congratulations, you’re married!??

Aside from the beautiful photographs and crazy??stories from the wedding, you might also want to take one more step to preserve the lasting memory of a wonderful day. Gown preservation companies??will clean, and gently shape your dress and store it in an archival box for safe-keeping. Many also offer warranties that will provide added protection and peace of mind??for years to come.

Check with the store where you purchased your dress for companies they recommend.

I should take my own advice, I haven’t done this yet!

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After a weekend trip to Las Vegas and seeing crazy bachelorette parties at every turn, I thought it might be fun to share a few other ideas for this pre-wedding ritual! TripHub’s Group Trip Advisor Blog has developed a top 10 list for bachelorette parties. As I suspected,??the number one idea??suggests going to Vegas for some??not-so-tame fun! However, there are also alternatives for a gathering a little closer to home. How does a spa day or a wine tasting party sound? Whatever you choose, make sure to have fun with friends and celebrate your single days while you can!

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What did you do for your bachelorette party?

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A cute idea from Polka Dot Bride

Don’t get out your shovels… Create a beautiful time capsule to keep at home and open on an anniversary from Whiteport.

Include favors, invitations, or any other momentoes from your special day. Here are some suggestions from Polka Dot bride:

• A letter to each other for the future
• Wedding invitation
• Wedding accessories such as napkins, wedding favours and programs
• A menu listing your reception meal
• Newspaper/magazine from your wedding day
• Your wedding guest list
• Cork from your champagne toast
• Honeymoon brochures
• Ticket stubs
• Predications and well wishes from wedding guests.

Click Here to see full article from Polka Dot Bride.

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Houston Bridal Show

Las Vegas Bridal Show

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Pamela and “Bubba” Mathis had their own fairytale wedding…sort of…

The Gwinnett Daily Post is reporting on a couple’s own idea of a unique wedding: Scattered, smothered, covered and hitched; Couple marries at Waffle House highlighting a couple’s wedding at the Waffle House. A busy schedule and some hick-ups along the way did not keep this couple from getting married on their dream day. On July 4th, the couples anniversary, the bride Pamela Christian woke up and decided she wanted to get married that day no matter what. After trying unsuccessfully to get off work in previous years on Independence Day, the bride got off work in the afternoon. They wasted no time and finally, after 9 years, get Pamela got married to George “Bubba” Mathis in the parking lot of the Waffle House.

The unique wedding was a hit and I think this is a great testament to the couples culture and what they are proud of, “I think it’s pretty redneck myself,” he said, laughing. “But I’m a redneck anyway, so,” says the groom.

If you know of a unique wedding location, leave a comment here with for everyone to enjoy.

And in the name of the maple syrup, I leave you this video:

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Cheers to us! WeddingWire has received the honor of “Best Local Planning Website” from Arizona Bride Magazine. The “Best??of Bride??2008″??winners are selected by Arizona Bride readers to showcase the top wedding service providers in the area. Congratulations to all of our fellow honorees!

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Since we are in the midst of summer wedding season, I thought I’d share some ideas on how to offer your guests a little relief from the summer sun and heat (they will thank you!) and add some fun accessories to your day!

Luna Bazaar has really cute items that would be perfect for spring and summer weddings. They sell parasols, paper lanterns,??fans, and other decorative items that add a colorful twist to??your garden wedding. I love the parasols and your guests will certainly appreciate the shade!

These items come in??so many different colors and styles, so you will definitely find the perfect??match to the theme??or color scheme??of your wedding!

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With prices for everything going up these days, many couples are feeling a pinch in their pocketbooks when it comes to wedding planning.??Trying to decide where to cut costs can be very difficult.??This could be the perfect time to sit down and discuss what is most important to you and how your money??can??best be spent. Do your guests really need, or want for that matter, a shot glass with your names on it as a wedding favor? Instead, have you thought about a charitable wedding favor?

More and more couples are looking for socially conscious alternatives to the typical wedding-related items. Organizations such as the I Do Foundation (www.idofoundation.org)??help couples find a charity that best fits their values and makes it easy??to??create donation??opportunities.??As the nation’s first wedding-focused nonprofit, the I Do Foundation offers solutions for couples who want to??share these values??with their wedding guests and provide them with a wedding favor that will??make a lasting impression.??I’m sure your??friends and family??will appreciate your donation in their name.

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Add??a new twist to your favorite cocktails! GlamDish??has found a way to make your beverages a little more exciting with a few interesting garnish ideas.??This is a great way to??incorporate your theme into your cocktail hour. You could find (or DIY) a cute swizzle stick or charm in your wedding colors or with your monogram. Maybe a signature cocktail with a fun garnish is just the thing you need to spice up your wedding reception!

Are you including a signature drink at your wedding?

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The bride, 23-year-old Kelly Gray,??allowed perfect strangers the chance to bid to be a bridesmaid in??her wedding! The bidding ended yesterday, June 25th. A total of 59 bids were entered with the winning bidder offering to pay $5700 to be a bridesmaid in a stranger’s wedding!

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Would you ever consider doing this??

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By now, we are all aware of the tragic flooding in the midwest and??our hearts certainly??go out to all affected by the floodwaters.??

Some good news??has emerged, however,??from this unfortunate situation. Iowa National Guard Specialist Curtis White and his fiance Dannie Ritter, whose wedding plans were tarnished??by the devastating??floods,??were married on a Columbus Junction, Iowa highway last week.??The community came together to make their wedding dreams come true in the midst of chaos and cleanup.??What a great story!

The bride wore a white t-shirt that??sums up her feelings on the big day - it read,??“Come hell of high water.”

Congratulations Dannie and Curtis!

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What happens when Charmin toilet paper meets the wedding industry???A wedding dress of course!??Katrina Chalifoux of Illinois recently won $1000 as her first place prize in the Cheap and Chic Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest.

Katrina used seven rolls of Charmin, tape, and glue??to create this unique gown. I’m impressed!?? Unfortunately, I’m not sure how well it will hold up while dancing, or??walking for that matter!

This is certainly one of the most…creative…uses of the paper product??I have??seen!??Congratulations Katrina!

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I love this idea from Martha Stewart Weddings!????What a perfect way to sweeten up your coffee bar - add a mini doughnut!?? A fun variation on the typical reception pick-me-up, enjoy a cappuccino and a sweet treat to cap off the party.?? I figure this is just one more idea to complicate your decision process!?? (You’ll thank me later)

I’ve attended a few weddings recently with unique dessert ideas.?? It’s always nice to see something new!?? Do you have any fun ideas for a dessert/coffee bar?

???

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For some reason, finding bridesmaids gifts was hard for me when I was getting married.?? I wanted the gifts to be personal (ok, somewhat mushy), but also fun - something that would reflect their personalities.?? While the sentimental portion was something I could handle, I couldn’t find anything for my bridesmaids that was fun and funky.?? Although it’s too late for my girls (sorry ladies!), I found some really cute and colorful gift ideas from J. Crew and Pottery Barn that would be perfect for your maids!?? Actually, I may have to get some of these for myself!?? Happy shopping!

Have you found any great ideas for bridesmaids gifts?

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By now we’ve all heard Doctor knows best…well, nurses also know a thing or two! LiveSmarter, a blog from The Online Nursing Degree Directory, has published The Pre-Wedding Health Guide: 25 Things Every Bride Should Do to Stay Healthy Before the Big Day to offer suggestions on how to stay healthy during this stressful time.

The top 4 tips include:

1. Eat Well

2. Take a Walk

3. Practice Good Posture

4. Eat some CHOCOLATE!!! - now that’s my kind of health tip!

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Do you have any tips of your own?

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Here’s a little something different that I would love your thoughts on: Beer Cocktails.?? I’ve been to a few weddings now where a specialty drink has been served during cocktail hour, like mojitos, or a martini bar setup.?? But would you consider beer cocktails as a speciality drink during your cocktail reception?

I found this idea on the Hostess with the Mostess blog. Here are the links with receipes for each:

1. 1. Beer Margarita or, as I like to call them “beer-garitas”) {via Rachael Ray}
2. 2. Strawberry Panache - strawberries, lemon-lime soda, & beer {via cocktailtimes.com}
3. 3. Chambeer - 1 part Chambord, 3 parts beer {via hostessblog.com}
4. 4. Basil Shandy - lemonade & lager, garnished with basil {via cocktailtimes.com}

So what are your thoughts?

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(click on image to see a larger version)

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RSVP for the event by June 16th.

Event is held at their store at 1282 Third Avenue, New York City.

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Meet Chris, our Southwest Vendor Relations Manager, who enjoys bridal shows and long walks on the beach.

The rings were out in full effect….It’s what we do.

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1. Open up to your fiance and try working through it together.
2. Brain dump on a friend, you might just need to get something off your chest.
3. If talking is not an option, try writing it down.
4. And lastly, just find some alone time with as in a long drive walk or bicycle ride or even a movie by yourself to take your mind off wedding planning.

via IDO Sugar

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• Budget: Fridays and Sundays tend to be less expensive
• Guests: Are most of your guest traveling or local residents??? I personally have mixed feelings about weddings on long weekends b/c you’re asking guests to travel on their hard earned vacation days, but at the same time, a Sunday wedding on a three day weekend might make things easier.
• Weather & Location: Seasons are different given your location and this especially matters if you’re planning an outdoor wedding.?? The Weather Channel offers a simple tool that shows average high and low temperatures for your city as well as the wettest and driest months of the year.

At the end of the day however, it’s your choice as it’s your special day.?? Just make sure you’re happy with the choice, you’ll have to remember this day for a long time.

Have some advice on the topic??? Share here or on our community.

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What’s Alltop you ask??? It’s basically a website with a collection of blogs related to various content subjects and the newly launched weddings section has included.?? Alltop was founded by Guy Kawasaki, marketer, venture capalist and columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine. So as you’re searching for wedding content on blogs across the web, this is a great place to start as it features some great wedding blogs.

A big thanks to Christine Tremoulet, a Houston Wedding Photographer (5.0 rating) for letting us know that we were included.

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The first is a fun bachelorette party idea inspired by a fellow WeddingWire member’s bachelorette adventure to Las Vegas.?? Here’s a fun way to dress up your personal sized champagne bottles from Social Couture.

The second is fun and creative wedding cake I found on DIY Bride (who has been featuring wedding cakes all month).?? While not the easiest cake to make yourself, it still represents the creativity available to each bride for their wedding.?? Happy Friday!

(Cake by Cater it Simple)

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(Click to see full size image)

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The first travel deal is to Italy.?? Those thinking of honeymooning in Italy this year might want to take advantage of deals that include flights and hotels to cities such as Florence, Venice and Rome that start at $1089 (depends on what city you leave from).?? Find this at European Destinations.com.

The second deal is for cruise honeymoons to the Bahamas from CruisesOnly.com.?? They’ve got ocean view rooms for cruises this fall that start at $269 per person!?? It’s only a 4 night cruise, but considering this deal is about 70% off list price, it’s a great way to save considering airlines are jacking up their costs.?? (American Airlines is charging $15 for the FIRST bag now)?? You can also find find 6-8 night cruises from $409 a person as well at CruisesOnly.com.

Both deals found via MSNBC Travel

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via Brooklyn Bride

photo by David Turner Photography

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(click for larger images)

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