Brides Against Breast Cancer

As women, I think we all share an interest in Breast Cancer research and treatment. As a bride, you now have another way to get involved in this worthy cause.

Brides Against Breast Cancer allows those brides who have already gotten married to donate their gowns which are then sold at various shows around the country. The proceeds from these gown shows is then put back into breast cancer research. Since the gown shows offer gorgeous dresses at great deals to brides on a budget, this is truly a win-win for everyone.

The next Brides Against Breast Cancer Charity Wedding Gown Sale in our area will be held January 22-24, 2010, at the Lloyd Center Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, 1000 NE Multnomah, Portland, OR, 97232. Hours are 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. on the 22nd & 23rd, and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on the 24th.

You can even purchase a special $20 ticket for earlybird "Power Hour" shopping on January 22nd, prior to the show being opened to the general public.

Put on some pink and show your support!

Disney Princess Weddings

I know there are those of you brides out there who LOVE Disney and dream of that fairytale princess wedding.

You have always had your pick of Disney invitations, Disney cake toppers, Cinderella-inspired cakes and shoes, white carriages and, even more recently, a line of Disney fairytale wedding dresses.

You will now be happy, no ecstatic, to find out that Disney now has its own line of engagement rings and wedding bands as well. These rings correspond to six Disney princesses/heroines: Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, Ariel and Belle.

So put those glass-slippered feet of yours up on the desk and let your fingers do the walking on the internet as you waltz your way toward that fairytale wedding.

Those Darn RSVP's

As a bride, you've likely experienced some "sticker shock" in planning your wedding. Because I'd hate for you to experience any additional shock/stress in the last weeks leading up to your wedding day, I'm going to let you in on a little etiquette secret when it comes to your guests.

So, here's the secret ... there is often very little etiquette or consideration shown by your invited guests when it comes to RSVP'ing for your wedding. You will find that a large number (often a majority) will not respond at all. I wish I could give you the reasons for this trend, or tell you how to remedy the situation. While I can't do that, I can give you a couple of tips for helping you to keep the frustration to a minimum.

Tip #1: Give your guests a very short turn-around time to respond. I'm talking about 2 weeks MAX. This may go against everything else you read. However, if you stop and think about it, it makes sense. After all, if you receive something that doesn't require your immediate attention/response, you often set it aside so you can get to it later. And many times it can get shuffled under something else and forgotten. However, if you receive something that requires your immediate attention, you are much more likely to tend to it right away. Send your guests a "Save the Date" card well in advance so they can get your wedding on their calendars. Then reserve the invitations themselves for about a month prior to the wedding.

Tip #2: Make sure your "respond by" date is 2 weeks prior to your wedding. That will allow you time to follow up with those guests who have still not responded and still get your caterer a correct head count in time.

Tip #3: Do not, I repeat DO NOT, take it upon yourself to contact those who do not respond by the deadline. If you have a Wedding Planner (which is so very helpful to you!!), she will take on this responsibility. If you don't have a Wedding Planner, delegate, delegate, delegate. Let your bridesmaids, family members, close friends, etc. take on this task. You don't need the stress, and you certainly don't want to make things awkward for you or your guests.

Your job as the bride is to enjoy the planning and enjoy the day. It's as simple as that.

Bra Straps Can Now Be Sexy!

Do you find yourself worrying that your strapless bra won't hold itself up throughout the entire wedding, or that the bra straps may show on your bridesmaids' dresses?

Well, never fear because Straptinis are here!

These beautifully decorative bra straps attach directly to your convertible bra. So now, instead of being a liability, your bra straps become an asset.

The Straptinis come in 16 different variations & colors. The site also claims to have a Bridal Line, although you might need to contact them directly about that. All of the Straptinis are made of glass, metal and/or Swarovski crystal beads that are strung together on a strong, clear elastic line.

Go check it out and perhaps treat you or your bridesmaids to today's hottest new bra straps.

Making Your Name Change Easier

Today is all about that all-important (and often overwhelming & daunting) task of changing your name after you get married. Our guest blogger is Dr. Linda Trott. As the inventor of The Name Change Kit for Brides 17 years ago, Dr. Linda remains the national expert on a bride's last name change. Dr. Linda discovered & documented the steps of name change and collected the forms for each state in America. Before this, there was no help for brides who were changing their last name after marriage. Today, with her staff of name change helpers, Dr. Linda has added name change video tutorials, live name change help, online planning & tracking, and so much more. Dr. Linda's national blogging on name change further informs the name-changing bride, even after their purchase of The Name Change Kit for Brides system software. From Miss to Mrs. ... It's a nightmare without it ... Here's Dr. Linda:


Making Certain That The Marriage Ceremony Is Legal Also Assures A Legal Bride Name Change

What seems obvious is not always. There are unrecorded and illegally conducted marriages in the State of Oregon. So, a duly appointed marriage officiator, as defined by Oregon State, does factor into a legal bride last name Change notification.

The Question: How do I know that my wedding officiator is legitimate, and that my subsequent name change will be as well?

Answer: For the legal "solemnization" of the marriage, the wedding officiator or marriage presider should be:

• A religious leader who is authorized by a religious congregation/organization.
• A judge. A list of judges is available from each local Marriage License Unit.

Conclusion: The Name Change Kit For Brides Software by The Wedding Helpers - Our name change software system includes detailed information for Oregon bride-to-be changing last name after obtaining a Oregon marriage license. It also includes marriage license issuing details for Oregon State. Ordering name change software prior to marriage license issuance will help a bride and groom prepare for marriage license application and name change notification. There is a lot to know about name change, technology has made this so!

NOTE:

To get a list of local wedding officiants, or to order your own copy of The Name Change Kit, please contact No Ordinary Affair at becky@noordinaryaffair.com. The Name Change Kit is personalized for each state, so please be sure to indicate if you are from a state other than Oregon.

RSVP's

Our current economy has made it necessary for most of you brides to reduce your wedding budget. The trick is to find ways to cut costs while maintaining the quality of your vendors, preserving the essence of your dream wedding and ensuring memories you will keep forever.

So here's one easy way to save ... while being eco-friendly at the same time. Big bonus, right?

Instead of splurging on RSVP cards accompanied by stamped, return envelopes, have your guests RSVP for your wedding online. Many online sites offer this service. On The Knot, you can create a personalized website which will also track your guest list for you. All you need to do is upload your guest list; The Knot will send you an email each time one of your guests RSVPs. How's that for easy and stress-free?

When mailing out your wedding invitations, be sure to include clear instructions on how to RSVP online. For those guests (such as grandparents) who may not have access to a computer, you (or a family member) can follow up in a more personal way.

Have fun with this one!

Especially for You Chocolate Lovers!

Are you looking for something unique for your wedding? Are you a lover of chocolate? Look no further! Totally Chocolate has come up with a way to wow your guests ... chocolate menus in several different sizes.

Not only does Totally Chocolate offer menus, but they also have a wide array of chocolate items as diverse as your imagination. All of their chocolate, both milk and dark, is imported from Belgium. They boast a full art department, so you can choose from one of their templates or work with them to create a custom piece especially for your guests.

What are you waiting for? Contact them today and create something your guests will be talking about for a very long time!

Handmade Jewelry

Whether you're in search of the perfect jewelry for your dress, or the perfect jewelry for your bridesmaids, Joelle's Jewels is a great place to start!
































Joelle takes great pride in her work and wants nothing more than to provide you with quality jewelry that is uniquely you.






















Check out Joelle's Jewels and see what you think. If you don't find something you like, there is a link on the right side of her page where you can contact her. She would be happy to work with you to create a piece (or pieces) of jewelry that will be the perfect compliment for your wedding.

Table Totals

When you're in search of the perfect venue for your wedding reception, there are some things you need to keep in mind. Actually, it can be narrowed down to just one thing ... space.

While there are some venue owners who are very realistic about how many guests can comfortably fit for a nice reception, others fail to remember that much more is needed in the room than just the dinner tables.

Here are a list of items that you need to keep in mind as you go out to look at possible sites:

**Guest tables can technically seat ten, but are far more comfortable with eight if that can be arranged.

**Head tables are common, so you'll need to decide if you want one and how many, if any, of the wedding party will be seated with you.

**You'll want to have a cake table, as well as a separate table for the groom's cake if you're planning to have one.

**Plan room for a gift table and a guest book table.

**If you're going to have a buffet, or food and/or beverage stations, make sure you have room for those to be accessed on both sides.

**Don't forget to allot room for your reception entertainment (DJ or live band) as well as adequate space for a dance floor.

Choosing the perfect site for your reception involves a lot more planning than a simple maximum occupancy count. Don't cheat yourself!