"Will You Marry Me" . . . A Marriage Proposal Guide from Brilliance

Happy Thursday. I'm starting today off with something fun . . . a Marriage Proposal Guide from Brilliance. Whether you are planning on getting engaged or are already engaged, you will find the facts on planning a proposal, buying and engagment ring and popping the question with this infographic.

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The Rules of Engagement Parties : the question’s been popped, now what?

article courtesy of Simply Perfect by Melissa

Engagement season hit it's peak on Christmas Day and will continue to stay strong all the way through Valentine’s Day and the first thing couples like to do is have a party to let everyone know and celebrate their big news. However, who is supposed to come to this party? Who should host the party? Are gifts expected? Melissa Phillips, owner of  Simply Perfect by Melissa has shared some answers to the biggest questions couples are faced with after the biggest question is popped:

Host: The couple should never host this engagement party themselves. Traditionally, the brides parents should be the ones to take this responsibility however these days many friends are stepping up to the plate. So long as it’s a friend or family member- couples are doing it right.

Engagement Party Invitations from Wedding Paper Divas
Totally Smitten, She Said Yes, Stamp on Over, Love Bird Banner

Invitees: Ideally, everyone invited to the engagement party will also be invited to the wedding. However, not everyone invited to the wedding must have been invited to the engagement party. Engagement parties are known and expected to be a much smaller, intimate affair.

Gifts: Gifts are not required. Even if the happy couple has already signed up with a registry, it is not appropriate to put this information on invitations. Gifts are not customary this early in the process.

Food & Beverage: This is typically up to the host of the party, but any host’s best bet is a cocktail/hors d'oeuvres setting, which allows guests to mix and mingle rather than feel trapped at a sit-down dinner table.

Venue: Depending on the size of the guest list, this could very well be hosted at a home or someone’s backyard for a more intimate feel. Other options are gathering at a restaurant or loft space but there should be absolutely no ballroom or banquet engagement parties unless the guest list is at 300+.

About Simply Perfect: Simply Perfect by Melissa works for and with their customers to deliver exceptional event coordination solutions. The customer focus helps them to understand and deliver your event vision. They offer exceptional service, value, extensive industry knowledge, and quality vendor relationships to create your Simply Perfect event. Their relationships with clients, colleagues, and partners are based on collaboration, communication and integrity. The services Simply Perfect by Melissa offers is a range from complete wedding planning months prior to your wedding day to sudden problems or challenges that occur the day of your wedding.  For more information on Simply Perfect by Melissa visit www.simplyperfectbymelissa.com. 

Top 10 vegetarian dishes fit for a sumptuous wedding feast

Article was written by Sarah Rigos, founder of bridal registry website Starlight Registry

Just because you are vegetarian does not mean that you can’t have a fabulous wedding supper! In fact, there are so many options to choose from that if they are done properly, the chances are that even non-vegetarian guests will not be able to tell the difference.  

There are plenty of wonderful dishes to choose from when creating your all-vegetarian dinner, so sit back and browse through some of these tasty ideas and see if there is anything that catches your eye; or puts your taste buds in motion.

Spinach and Mushroom Phyllo triangles can be an elegant addition to any wedding menu. The light layers of phyllo crust are buttery and the mushroom and spinach leave a rich taste on the pallet. Used as a side dish this selection adds an interesting layer to any entree choice.

Kamut Penne with Tomato Sauce. While anything with tomato sauce is not usually recommended for a wedding (given all the light coloured finery) this is a wonderful dish that can be adapted with an Alfredo sauce if you are truly concerned about the sauce. Add a crumbled walnut topping for an eye-popping (and mouth watering) twist.

Ravioli is always a good choice for an entree. Again, this dish can be adapted with a cheesy Alfredo sauce if you are concerned about spillage.

Mushroom and Spinach Quiche is always a good choice for a wedding. The quiche can be served in squares or triangles and is very filling without being messy.

Pasta Primavera is always a rousing success at any event. Add a light cream sauce and you will have your guests (vegetarian or not) talking about your wedding dinner for months to come.

Roasted Garden Vegetables are a good choice no matter what you choose as an entrée. Choose colorful vegetables; baby potatoes, baby carrots, broccoli tips and snow peas tossed together make for a colorful mix.

Grilled Portobello mushrooms are a meal in and of themselves.  Served over wild rice these elegant additions to any menu make for a very filling addition to any wedding menu.

Vegetable Lasagna is an option that has been increasing in popularity and there are plenty of caterers that make a fantastic version of this delicious and filling dish.

Rice Pilaf is a filling and versatile addition to any wedding menu. It can be served as a base for an entrée or it can be a side dish all by itself.

Vegetarian Swedish Meatballs are made either with tofu or with soy food substitute for meat, but given the right seasonings there is really no difference in flavor from regular Swedish meatballs, and can be an excellent addition to any wedding menu.

While these are by no means the only types of vegetarian dishes available for your wedding dinner, perhaps they will give you an idea of the kinds of menu options available and will hopefully help your creative juices flowing when it comes to the many delicious kinds of food that are available for vegetarian wedding menus.

recipes featured:
spinach and mushroom phyllo, vegetarian swedish meatballs, rice pilaf
spinach-mushroom-quiche, roasted vegetables, vegetable lasagna, grilled and stuffed portobello mushrooms

Article courtesy of Starlight Registry

Budget-friendly Tips for Holiday Weddings

article courtesy of Cara Davis, author of Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot

The countdown to the holidays has begun. With it comes the only time of year that's simultaneously joyous and stressful. For some, this season will bring with it the event of a lifetime: a wedding. Those planning holiday winter weddings have several opportunities to save money and lessen the stress burden for themselves and their guests.

1. Deck the Halls.
Most event locations will have already decked the halls for the holidays, allowing you to piggyback their efforts for a low-cost wedding. Go with Christmas hues of gold, red and green -- or go for a silvery winter blitz. Strings of white Christmas lights will transform any room into a holiday paradise.

2. Silver Bells.
Create budget large-scale ornaments as decorations using Styrofoam balls spray-painted and covered in glitter. Or create groupings of bare branches spray-painted white and covered in silver glitter. Paper ornaments, like these ornament greeting cards, make great wedding invitations or wedding favors.

3. Seasons Eatings.
Comfort food is a popular winter wedding choice (think soups, pasta, pot pies, mac-n-cheese). Don't shy away from cost-cutting measures like serving family-style or buffet. Consider a hot chocolate, cider, eggnog or coffee bar your guests can immediately help themselves to (plus: you'll save hundreds by skipping the alcohol).

4. Marshmallow World.
Gingerbread houses make quaint table centerpieces, as do natural greenery and berries. Cocoa mixes or cookie cutters also make inexpensive wedding favors.

5. Peace on Earth and Online.
Couples are increasingly using online wedding planning tools, like creating or sending save-the-date and invitations online (40-percent increase over the last two years), personal websites and online RSVP services (23-percent and 31-percent increases respectively) and using social media to communicate wedding details (78-percent increase), according to TheKnot.com. Brides and grooms also have the option of registering online for gift cards at sites like CardAvenue.com, which a great option for guests already overwhelmed with holiday shopping lists.

6. Jingle Bell Rock.
If you chose to have your wedding around the holidays, it's likely a favorite time of year for you. As such, incorporating favorite holiday tunes into your wedding reception is a must, and a fantastic way to get your guests into the holiday spirit. Pandora is an excellent, economical method to pipe in some yuletide carols at the appropriate time during your reception.

When all is said and done, you'll begin your first happy new year together, and that's something to celebrate indeed.

About the Author:
Weddings expert Cara Davis is the author of Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot and blogs from her home in Orlando, FL, about cheap ways to spend and save at CheapWaysTo.com.

Engagement Ring Trends That Make it Hard to Say No This Holiday

article courtesy of Simply Perfect by Melissa

The hottest trends in engagement rings just in time for engagement season

The holidays boast the highest amount of proposals and engagements compared to any other time of the year. With that in mind, wedding expert Melissa Philips, has put together a list of the hottest engagement ring styles this season.

Melissa's Top Trends in Engagement Rings:

1. 1/2 Carat Blue & White Diamond 14K White Gold Engagement Ring $735
2. 4 Carat Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring 14K White Gold $675
3. 1 1/4 Carat Black Diamond 14K White Gold Engagement Ring with Black Rhodium $595
4. 1/2 Carat Pink and White Diamond 14K White Gold Engagement Ring $795

Colored Stones: People are starting to veer away from traditional diamond rings. Colored jewels and gems like ruby, sapphire and emeralds are very popular this season.

Vintage & Antique: Classic styles like princess and halo cuts are timeless. These will always be in style and are in demand this holiday.

Colored Diamonds: Yellow and pink diamonds are becoming extremely popular. Many celebrities and trendsetters have made these types of rings trendy this holiday.

Platinum: Platinum is making a comeback this season. Many people are choosing platinum over white gold despite the higher maintenance that come with it.

Bling in the Band: For those who need a supporting cast for their colored stones, vintage diamonds and colored diamonds, the option of adding stones to the band has really taken off this season as well.

About Simply Perfect: Simply Perfect by Melissa works for and with their customers to deliver exceptional event coordination solutions. The customer focus helps them to understand and deliver your event vision. They offer exceptional service, value, extensive industry knowledge, and quality vendor relationships to create your Simply Perfect event. Their relationships with clients, colleagues, and partners are based on collaboration, communication and integrity. The services Simply Perfect by Melissa offers is a range from complete wedding planning months prior to your wedding day to sudden problems or challenges that occur the day of your wedding.  For more information on Simply Perfect by Melissa visit .

Wedding Gown Trends as the weather is changing

article courtesy of 1-800-Registry

As the weather is changing, so is the "traditional" wedding dress.

In the wedding world, the next few months, from now to Valentine’s Day, are known as “engagement season” so 1-800-Registry, the first full-service wedding advisory for brides and grooms for weddings, honeymoons and now home buying, has compiled a list of the top dress requests they are seeing from their brides.  1-800-Registry’s all-encompassing, personal concierge service has helped hundreds of bride’s choose dress vendors based on their dream dress specifications, making them an expert in the trends field.   

Below are three of the top bridal requests:

Princess Inspired – Though the Royal Wedding was over six months ago, Kate Middleton’s gown is still a top reference for the bride who wants to look like a princess on her big day. Detailed lace from head to toe and a modest neck line is what makes the princess inspired dress so beautiful and classic.

From Wedding Inspirasi - Rosa Clara 2012 advance collection | Aire Barcelona 2010 collection

Unique Colors – The new season of wedding dresses is taking a step toward the modern with new, unique color choices like rose, light peach and now black, thanks to Vera Wang who debuted the new color in her 2012 runway show.

From Wedding Inspirasi - Cotin Sposa 2011 collection | pink ball gown with straps

Multiple Dresses – Many brides are now purchasing additional dresses for their big day. This allows a bride to choose different styles without having to settle on one look from ceremony to reception.

Embellished Belts – If a bold, unique color dress isn’t your dream, a beautifully embellished belt may offer the perfect blend of traditional and modern. Belts this season are vintage inspired, wide and covered in sparkling gems and gorgeous pearls.

From Emici Bridal - a Triple Hera Gemstone Beaded Feathered Chiffon Flower Sash in White or Ivory

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About 1-800-Registry:
1-800-Registry is the leader in wedding, honeymoon and registry services and makes it simple for couples to plan their weddings, honeymoons, and important aspects of their future together. The company offers an innovative Reward Dollars program for using select vendors, which can easily add up to thousands of dollars for the couple. In addition to live concierge help available daily, their easy-to-navigate website provides online tools to help couples identify the best options for their wedding and coordinate all the details including florists, photographers, venues, caterers and more. 1-800-Registry also allows for couples to plan the perfect honeymoon or destination wedding, and even finance a dream home with their Reward Dollars. Every vendor on 1-800-Registry is a Bride-Certified Wedding Vendor that has gone through an extensive reference check, ensuring top quality for a bride’s most special day. For information, call 1-800-843-5668 or visit www.1800registry.com.

Interview with Colin Cowie : what to splurge on, what to save $ on + more

Very recently, Gilt.com partnered with arbiter of style and wedding event planner extraordinaire Colin Cowie. Their editorial director, Melissa Liebling-Goldberg (who married last year), picked Cowie's brain to identify the items we shouldn't feel bad about saving on or splurging on for the big day. Melissa also asked Colin for tips on pulling off a chic wedding in three months or less as well as what the best bridesmaid and guest favor recommendations are. Quite simply, Colin will answer questions to what every bride wants to know!

Melissa: What are the five things that you should always splurge on for a wedding?
Colin: Beautiful Invitations, Stunning Flowers, Delicious Food, Tasty Cocktails and Fabulous Music

Melissa: What are the five things you shouldn't feel bad about saving on?
Colin:
1. Instead of expensive imported champagne, think of a sparkling wine or well-crafted cocktail.
2. Instead of a large orchestra or live band have a great DJ.  Todays DJ’s are tomorrow’s rock stars.
3. Instead of a cocktail hour…..have your pictures taken prior to the wedding and then proceed directly from the ceremony to the reception.
4. Forget the party favors or tchotchkes…..instead upgrade the chicken stuffed with a-la-something to a succulent rack of lamb.
5. Instead of serving dessert followed by wedding cake….make your wedding cake the dessert feature.

above: a sampling of items from the recent Gilt.com sale

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