December magazine cover revealed + winners of Nov giveaway announced

We're about to head into the first weekend of December. Can you believe it? Do you have any holiday parties or decorating you'll be tending to? I'm so happy to share with you today the cover of the December issue of the Best Wedding Sites Magazine. It features a beautiful floral arrangement from 1-800-Flowers that I received and the photo was taken by me the day after it arrived. {coming up the week after next, they will be sponsoring a giveaway on my blog, Brenda's Wedding Blog, for 2 lucky readers} Be sure to stay up to date on that blog for weekly giveaways and the December Best Wedding Sites giveaways have already launched. This month you could enter to win . . .

• a $30 gift certificate to shop at Tilley Jewels Bride
• a rose tower with 3 preserved beauty rose cubes from Twenty Seasons
• four pairs of beautiful, flat heel "Crystal" design flip flops for your bridal party from Weddings Are Fun

And, now I'd like to announce the winners of the November giveaways and I had asked the participants to let me know what comes to mind with the color palette of red, orange and brown. The winners are . . .

• Amy of Rochester, NY who wins a set of 3 Jillian Rhinestone Flower Hair Pins with iridescent autumn leaves and copper Swarovski pearls from Tilley Jewels Bride
My Wedding theme for the reception "Every day falling more in love with you" There will be thin string with leaves hanging in different spots as if the leaves were falling from the ceilling

• Adrienne of Delray Beach, FL who wins a set of custom photo or personalized wedding cufflinks + a custom photo bridal bouquet memorial charm from PhotoJule
These are the colors of the earth.  They feel warm and welcoming.  It reminds me also of fall in the midwest when the leaves changed color - sooooo beautiful!  All of this takes me back to the memories of family, those carefree falls in St. Louis, raking leaves, laughing as we jumped into the large piles we had made! What fun.

• Elizabeth of Raleigh, NC who wins a Mary Kay Satin Set from Mary Kay rep Renea
Gorgeous fall wedding! My friend recently was married and that was her color scheme.  It was gorgeous, especially with the changing leaves on the trees!

• Amber of Castro Valley, CA who wins a $40 Gift Certificate for Jewelry from Sheyna.com
Chocolate covered strawberries and oranges, a fruit themed wedding, maybe a chocolate fountain, instead of dinner everyone could try different cheese and chocolate fondues with different foods and  orange cheddar cheese for dipping. Foods can be brown graham crackers, brown and red steak cut into small bites for dipping into brown au ju, also different vegetables for dipping. Red and orange fruits dipped into chocolate. Mmm...

The November issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine is here . . .

So excited to share with you the cover of the November issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine. Congratulations to Michelle Savin's wedding vendor challenge team for gracing this month's magazine cover. Starting tomorrow, please join in for a fun month with the interactive online magazine as I feature amazing real weddings, shopping by color features and so much more. This month the color palette is all about red, orange and brown :) Please join in with the "mix & mingle" format and leave your comments. Plus, the giveaways for this month will launch tomorrow morning. Please check back to see the goodies you can enter to win.

The September cover of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine revealed

So excited to share with you the cover of the September issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine. Congratulations to the team from California . . . Miriam of Glam Candies, Samantha of Papermints, lovely patterned linens and gorgeous florals from Unforgettable Events, beautiful photos by Jessica Elizabeth Photography, sweets by Eileen of Cucamonga Cakery. Starting next Tuesday, September 6th, will the first day of the all new interactive online magazine. Please come back for great giveaways and the all new "mix & mingle" format.

Shopping by Color: Pink and Purple Accessories and Gifts

If you're looking for the perfect accessory for yourself or a gift for your bridesmaids - you are going to love today's picks from the latest issue of the Best Wedding Sites Magazine.

Bridesmaids Clutches | Handmade by Murwati
$145 for a set of 6 {in California - ships worldwide}

Rolled Fabric Flower Hair Clip | Handmade by Seventh Studio
$16 {in Utah - ships to US, Canada, UK and Australia}

Blank Slate to Final Beauty : tips for choosing your wedding venue

article courtesy of MyWedding.com

Wedding planning is now in full swing, and it’s time to choose a venue to host your special day. Popular locations often book dates a year or more in advance, so you must reserve your wedding date as soon as possible. But before you can do that, you and your fiancé must visit each venue and make a final decision on the perfect one. However, walking into an undecorated facility can feel overwhelming. It is difficult to envision your wedding décor and unique pizzazz on such a blank slate. But, there are some things you can do to help spark your imagination and truly conceptualize the final beautiful product while visiting.

It may go without saying, but before visiting a potential wedding location, make sure you book an appointment. You want to be able to take your time and discuss any questions you may have with the events coordinator. When scheduling, try to visit at the same time of day (and day of the week, if possible) you plan to have your wedding. That way it will be easier to really see what you have in mind with similar natural lighting and other environmental influences.

Before visiting, be sure to discuss with your partner any particular elements you desire and are looking for in your location of choice. Write down a list of any questions or concerns you may have and bring it along with you. It is all too common to get caught up in the amazing views and atmosphere and not remember anything when asked if you have any questions. And in order to avoid confusion later on in the decision making process, write down the answers to every question for each venue.

To continue reading the great tips for choosing your wedding venue, please
visit pages 5-6 in the August issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine.

Photograph courtesy of Lauren Methia Photography
Featured Venue: New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford

Photo Shoot : A Rock the Dress Session in a Lavender Field

Canadian beauty, Wanda, is wife to Bill Goldberg {the former professional wrestler}, a mom, a TV show host, and a stunt-woman. Tricia of Equinox Photo was asked to photograph her Rock the Dress session at the gorgeous Keys Creek Lavender Farm. Wanda and Bill had married at a destination wedding several years ago and never got the opportunity to do a bridal session. For the shoot, Wanda donned her lace wedding gown by Bonny and her favorite cowboy boots. Don't you just love these stunning photos of a gorgeous bride rocking her dress in fields of lavender?

To see even more breathtaking photos amongst the lavender, please visit
pages 8-11 in the August issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine.

Photography: Tricia of Equinox Photo
Venue: Keys Creek Lavender Farm
Styling: Stylish Details

Shopping by Color: Pink and Purple Jewelry {necklaces + bracelets}

If you're looking for the perfect jewelry in pink and/or purple I think you're going to love these etsy finds. Not only are they drop-dead gorgeous - they are affordable too.

Pearl Beaded Bracelet w/ Flowers | Summer Rose Garden | Handmade by Kim Smith Charm Bracelets
$18 {in United Kingdom - ships worldwide}

Cluster Blossom necklace from begurple
$27 {in Australia - ships worldwide}

To see even more amazing items from the Shopping by Color, please visit
pages 22-23 in the August issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine.