Exciting News for Best Wedding Sites

You may have heard, but over the weekend I announced that Brenda's Wedding Blog will be moving right here. Starting today, in about 30 min the first post of the newly enhanced BestWeddingSites.com will be here. Now, all the wedding inspiration and vendor searching can be done right here, on one web site. I'm very excited about this move and in January you will find the vendor challenges right here every month. Along with lots of other goodies including the weekly giveaways every Tuesday morning. Be sure to bookmark this site and subscribe to the RSS feed ;)

The History of Engagement Rings from Gemvara

Happy Friday. This infographic on the history of engagement rings from Gemvara is great. It wasn't always diamonds and platinum with engagement rings. Popular choices in history include rubies, claddagh rings and even thimbles. In the graphic below, you will find out why it's custom to wear the ring on your fourth finger, what the 4 C's are in picking a gem and much more.

original post here

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.

Best Holiday DIY : a budget friendly centerpiece with ornaments

I just love this idea that I created for our dining room table. I took an existing square glass vase I already had and purchased 2 packages of ornaments from the $1 store {1 set or red, 1 set of gold}. I then mixed them together in the vase and voilá - and instant eye-catching display!!! This would also look amazing along a mantle with multiple vases and even as a centerpiece for holiday weddings. You could even add in some of the fun curly glittered sticks to add height or some faux snow in the bottom portion of the glass vase. And, of course there are many color schemes you can use with the ornaments, I just happen to have a thing for red and gold this year :)

Ornament sets and color combinations you might like: gold/chocolate,
red/white, multicolor, gold, blue/silver, red/green, red, red/gold, silver

A Vintage European Wedding with lots of DIY goodness + balloons

Today's Real Wedding showcase of Gilles and Gromaire comes to us all the way from France. Elisabeth Perotin Photographie loves to shoot retro-boheme styled weddings, and this one couldn't have been more perfect for Elizabeth to photograph. The bride, Gilles, wore a 20's style dress made by "Lili M" who is a very talented designer from Reims, France and carried a gorgeous bouquet of peonies. The brides shoes were by Vivienne Westwood. The bride also created everything for the wedding herself - isn't it just amazing?!?!?!

Best Holiday Inspiration : a non-traditional Christmas in pink

So happy to welcome back Laura {our monthly contributor} of Eye Candy Event Details to the magazine today with her stunning holiday inspiration. For the inspiration board for his month, which uses an un-traditional Christmas color, Laura thought it would be lots of fun to use HOT PINK! I couldn't agree more - I love this!!!! What's your favorite elements in this inspiration board? I'd love to know.

Laura writes . . . "What colors immediately pop in your head when you think of Christmas? I would guess most of you said red & green. But what about those of you who are wondering "what if" I used a color with a little more 'pop' . . . .something a little less traditional, I wonder what it would look like? What about using a color that is bold. A color that is one that you are not used to seeing. What if that color was HOT PINK? I created this inspiration board for you to see that using a POP of color such as hot pink is definitely not only eye-catching but gorgeous as well. Whether you are thinking about planning a wedding around the holidays or just wanting to incorporate a "new" pop of color in your Christmas decorating or holiday parties . . . .why not give HOT PINK a try! It can be combined with a multitude of different color combos to give you exactly the look you want. It's fun. It's festive. It's a color that demands attention." Be sure to read on as Laura details each photo and how to incorporate the idea{s} into your wedding or holiday party . . .

1. Decorating a tree for Christmas & want to go beyond the traditional color palette? Adding hot pink ornaments in with beautiful orange & vibrant red ones, can give your tree a whole new face lift and make it look fresh. Or use these ornaments to decorate a festive party or event by laying them on a table or placing them in a glass container for an instant centerpiece.

2. Glass votive holders in a variety of hot pink tones can add a new twist to a romantic evening event as candles always are an excellent way to add ambience to any occasion.

3. Serve your guests a dessert that is not only gorgeous but something a little different. Incorporate glittering hot pink cookies in with a soft gold color palette to put the desserts in a class of their 'own. Who wouldn't be talking about the hot pink glitter cookies you had at that party last night?

4. Finding that little cocktail dress that will be the perfect standout is easy when you have this knockout that is a rich shade of hot pink. This dress is perfect for a holiday cocktail party, bridesmaids dress or a night out on the town. Wearing a color like this will get you on the best dressed list for sure.

5. Wrapping gifts to put under the tree or gifts for your wedding party, using a bold shade of hot pink is going to make them stand out. Use creative packaging & colors like this example, add little ornaments & you have the perfect packaging to go with your perfect gift.

6. Decorating with a fabulous vintage shabby chic wreath in soft shades of hot pink accented in silver, can give your home or event a very classy, vintage feel.

7. Create a stunning table this holiday by pairing hot pink with a red & gold color palette to update the look of your typical table set-up. Use white plates & serving pieces to keep the look clean & classy, then incorporate the pops of color by adding hot pink to the traditional red & gold match-up.

8. Send your guests an unforgettable invitation to your holiday parties or wedding festivities this year with a true stand out color that gets their attention as soon as they open it up.

9. Deck your tree with shades of green and eye-popping hot pink to give it a modern, contemporary look this season. Also use a tree to decorate the welcome area of a reception location & greet your guests & set the tone from the minute they walk in the door.

10. Kick up your home décor, with these gorgeous hot pink ornaments to decorate all around your home. A great idea for a reception would be to have these ornaments hanging on a tree in the entryway to your event & have people's names & table numbers on them as a unique idea for a party favor and table assignments.

11. There is something about having great accessories to finish off an outfit. To get yourself in the perfect party mood when getting dressed for a holiday party or a special event, grab a fabulous pair of earrings. These would look great paired with a hot pink dress.

12. Set the tone for a memorable event with a signature drink to match your festivities. Using hot pink in your color palette calls for an amazing hot pink drink!

13. Details are very important & can set the tone for your entire event. Make sure to have an inviting place setting by using rich colors & textures to add to your overall look. This setting mixes hot pink, lime green & red for a festive but very clean design.

14. To complete an outfit, having a fabulous pair of shoes helps & these are no exception. These glittered heels would make an entire outfit & be beautiful paired with a wedding dress at a holiday wedding.

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Much love to Laura for joining us today with this beautiful inspiration for the holiday season. Please be sure visit the Eye Candy Event Details site and the Eye Candy Event Details Design Shop.

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 .