New England, Here We Come!

Yesterday we shipped the Fall issue (look for it on stands 8/11) and we're already gearing up for our Winter photo shoot next week in Bar Harbor, Maine. I’ve never been there, so I'm totally stoked!

Our temporary home will be Bar Harbor Regency Hotel, a resort set on the water. From what I’ve been reading, the area is filled with history. (I even bought a book on haunted places I’m dying to check out – in between shoots of course.) But no trip to Maine is complete without a lobster dinner or two – the crew has been talking about it for weeks. I can’t wait to see what other discoveries we’ll find!

So if you’re thinking you might fancy yourself an Atlantic bride, stay tuned because we’re off to find the most romantic locales for your New England nuptials.

Sneak Peek - Wedding Gowns

We are putting the finishing touches on our Fall 2009 issue, which heads to the printer today. One of my favorite stories this time is our annual Gown Gallery. Every year we showcase our favorite destination-style wedding gowns, but this year it was especially difficult to narrow things down, as so many designers have made destination gowns a permanent part of their collections. But my favorite dress from the story wasn’t from a bridal designer at all; it was from J Crew, who continue to impress with their commitment to quality, special-events dresses at reasonable prices. Here’s a sneak peek — it has sequins!! (Click the photo to see the detail.) The full story hits stands in a month.

By the Numbers

Congratulations to my friends Dzuy and Nina who got engaged today! All of us around the office are quite impressed with Dzuy’s timing — he popped the question at 4:56 p.m. on 7/8/09 — or 456789! Hopefully his careful planning will bring him and his fiancée lots of good luck as they launch into wedding planning.

If you’re into numbers too, check out our Web article, “To The Nines — 9/9/09 Wedding Packages in Las Vegas.” And be on the lookout for news about 10/10/10 packages, which are already in the works.

Real Wedding: Lauren and James, Paradise Island, Bahamas

Our featured wedding this week comes from Lauren Katulak and James Sorrentino, a couple from Greenwood Lake, New York, who wanted a tropical location with a short flight time, as well as classy, upscale digs. They fell in love with One&Only Ocean Club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, and who wouldn’t? The resort is a haven for celebrities and jetsetters, and the picturesque grounds were the backdrop of the James Bond movie Casino Royale. Lauren and James said I do on a veranda overlooking the ocean in front of 50 guests. The reception was held poolside and ended with a grand fireworks display and the bridal party taking the plunge — fully clothed — into the pool. How fun!

I love the classic elegance of this wedding — everything coordinated beautifully. Lauren chose a muted color palette with white and cream roses, peonies and hydrangeas, plus a hint of pale pink in the roses and bridesmaids’ dresses. The centerpieces were a mixture of short, square vases filled with the same flowers, and tall vases holding branches decorated with orchids and hanging candles. The three-tiered cake was made by Sylvia Weinstock (yum!) and accented with realistic-looking sugar flowers.

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Hughes

Get the full wedding story and read planning tips from Lauren here.

Bring on the Fourth!

With the holiday weekend upon us, I’m super-stoked to be heading to good ol’ Nashville, Tennessee, to light up some fireworks. When my out-of-town family and friends heard that my Florida crew was already in tow for a fun-filled weekend of music, barbecue and bull riding, it didn’t take long for them to decide to join us (even those from Kansas!). And with nonstop flights available from most U.S. cities, a no-hassle airport, a ton of amazing restaurants, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and a plethora of galleries and historic hotels, it wasn’t hard to talk even my non-country-music-loving friends into coming.


But as we are counting down to departure (my boots are already packed), I couldn’t help but notice how easy it was to plan a Nashville trip with so many people — a destination wedding here would be a cinch! We’re forgoing rental cars and staying downtown, where we can walk to all the great spots — like Tootsie’s, the old stomping ground of legends like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. But here’s the best part: Every Fourth of July, Riverfront Park hosts the Music City Festival — a jammed-packed day of live music from top names like Wynonna Judd and the Gabe Dixon Band. And for a finishing touch — the fireworks finale is serenaded by the Nashville Symphony. Now that’s the way to watch the show!



But no matter where you decide to celebrate this weekend — or where you are in your wedding-planning process — try to take some time off to enjoy the simplicity of this all-American holiday: grilling outdoors with friends, cold beers by the water and of course, lighting up a sparkler or two.

Creative Contests

All you need is a little imagination to be eligible for these great prizes.


Write Away Write a 300-word blog entry that captures the excitement of a polar adventure, and you could win an Antarctic cruise for two worth $20,000 with Quark Expeditions. Voters will choose the entry that they think best demonstrates creativity and clearly explains why the writer should become the “Quark Blogger.” The expedition includes return airfare for two from the closest international gateway; one night’s accommodation in Ushuaia, Argentina, with breakfast; a main-deck twin cabin aboard Lyubov Orlova for 11 nights, including all shipboard meals; and all excursions in the Antarctic Peninsula. Contest runs through Sept. 30, 2009; cruise dates are Feb. 20 through March 3, 2010. Click here to enter.


Dear Abby Online stationer Wedding Paper Divas and favor site Beau-coup have partnered to create Resourceful Brides and are celebrating the website launch with a contest. Submit your money-saving wedding tips for a chance to win a $1,000 grand prize comprised of one $500 gift certificate from each site. The contest closes July 20, 2009; one winner will be selected at random. The winning tip will be featured on Resourceful Brides. Enter here.


Photo Finish Submit up to three of your best digital vacation photos, and you could win a one-week vacation for two on St. Barts at WIMCO Villa SIB VEL, including a rental car. Photos should show either people enjoying their vacation; WIMCO destinations (beaches, landscape, ocean views, dining out, etc.); or vacationing in a private villa. All photos submitted must be from a vacation, in any year and in any destination served by WIMCO (though it doesn’t have to be a vacation booked by WIMCO). Judges will choose the winner based on the overall visual appeal and how well the photo captures the feeling of a particular destination and/or vacation. Deadline for submissions is August 7, 2009. Click here to see eligible destinations and enter.

Real Wedding: Megan and John, Santa Fe, New Mexico

I absolutely adore our featured wedding this week from Megan Miller and John Bradley. Not only is their wedding totally fabulous, but their story is equally charming. They originally met through work but were just friends for a few years. Megan was living in New York City and took a business trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where John was living. They went to dinner and immediately felt a strong chemistry. She went back to NYC but returned after two weeks for a friend’s wedding. During that trip, they spent a lot of time together and felt themselves falling for each other. On her last day, while discussing the issues involved with a long-distance relationship, he suggested getting married. (Megan’s father proposed to her mother after only two weeks of dating and they have been happily married for 33 years. She felt it was meant to be.) They got engaged to prove their commitment to the relationship and were married 18 months later. How sweet.

I love everything about this wedding! Megan wanted to create an old Hollywood theme using the colors navy blue, turquoise, red and white. I love her gown – lacy and sleek, similar to a 1920’s flapper-style from Claire Pettibone – and her finger wave hairstyle compliments the look perfectly. The bridesmaids are so sassy with their navy dresses, turquoise sashes and red shoes – very rockabilly. (The dresses were quite a find from Target and only $30 each.) Megan also DIYed her centerpieces by making red and white paper flowers in silver vases that look stunning. Her bridesmaid, who is also a graphic designer, created a few Moorish patterns that were used throughout the wedding stationery, including the placecards. The couple also didn’t want to spend a fortune on a cake so they bought ten small cakes from a local bakery and had a “cake buffet.” What a great idea!

Photos courtesy of Stacey Adams.

Get the full wedding story and read planning tips from Megan here.