New Poll: How would your describe your wedding gown?

This week, tell us how you describe your wedding gown. Or if you haven't purchased your gown yet, what do you envision for your wedding gown? Will you have the Cinderella ball gown that you've dreamed about since you were a child or will you opt for something simple, yet still elegant at the same time.

Check back next week for the results and stay tuned for an upcoming article on choosing the right gown for your body type!

If you are still looking for your gown, check out my previous post on one of my favorite bridal gown collections, Maggie Sottero. Or go straight to their website at: http://www.maggiesottero.com/default.aspx

Poll Results: How many guests are you inviting to your wedding?

Here are the results to last week's poll:

250 + : 0%

150-250 : 57%

50-150 : 29%

50 or less : 14%

Looks like the majority of you are inviting a good amount of guests to your wedding. Thanks to all who voted! =)

Wedding Cakes

Here are a few cakes that are anything but the traditional white bridal cake:

1. Present Cakes

First, who doesn't love presents?! Second of all, who doesn't love cake?! So, cake designers came up with the great idea of combining the two to make a one of a kind wedding cake! I loved the present cake idea so much that I decided to use the idea for my own wedding! :)

2. Monogrammed Cakes

Mongrammed cakes have become very popular in recent years and are a great way to personalize your wedding! If you use a mongram cake topper, try to continue the mongrammed theme throughout your wedding. Personalize your invitations, guest favors, or even lighting for your reception!

3. Miniature Cakes

Mini or individual cakes as they are sometimes refered to are just the cutest in my opinion! These cakes are usually displayed on each table at the wedding reception and have 8-10 slices. Each cake can be decorated differently and usually have their own unique flavor and filling.

4. Artistic Cakes

This type of decorative artwork displayed on wedding cakes is becoming more popular as more brides are turning away from the traditional white wedding cake and turning towards unique and artistic designs. These days, bakeries and cake designers will make just about anything you ask them to! See something in a magazine you love? Tear the picture out and bring it to your local bakery and chances are they'll be happy to match the design for you!

5. Cupcakes

Ok, I saved the best for last! :) Who would ever have thought that cupcakes would ever replace the traditional wedding cake?! I certainly didn't! Not only are these a cute idea, but they are also a great money saver! With the average traditional 3-tier wedding cake costing more than $500, cupcakes are becoming a popular trend in today's weddings.

Images from the Knot.

Simply Perfect Weddings Spring Giveaway!

So, I have to admit that I’m pretty bummed that the holiday season is officially over, although very excited for Spring to arrive I must say! :) So we at Simply Perfect Weddings decided to continue the gift giving just a little bit longer for all the newly engaged couples out there! Book our Full Service Wedding Planning Package, “Pamper Me, Please!” OR our Wedding Day Coordination Package “A Day to Remember” by Thursday, March 20th (the 1st day of Spring!) and receive 20% off the total price of your package!

For details regarding our packages visit our website.

Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation!

Wedding Color Trends in 2008

First, let me say that I love color! Color is an extremely important element that goes into wedding design. It not only reflects the couple's style and personality but also sets the tone for what guests can expect at your wedding. As many of you know, chocolate brown was a huge hit in 2007 weddings; however, this year steel gray will replace chocolate brown as the new hot accent color. Now, I know what you're probably thinking right now..."Gray?! It's so boring!" Well, guess again! :) Gray is one of the most versatile accent colors! It can be paired with pale pink, bright aqua, or even yellow! You just have to get creative and be bold enough to explore different color combinations.

White flowers are also very hot this wedding season. White is always a classic and timeless choice when deciding on your wedding colors. White compliments gray and is less severe than black.

Try using this deep shade of gray in your invitations or bridal party attire. For example, if your "main" wedding color is pink, pair your bridesmaid dresses with a gray ribbon or sash. Same thing goes for your invitations, or for a bolder statement use gray invitations with a white ribbon. The possibilities are really endless!

Finally, always remember to choose colors that you LOVE! You don't always have to follow the trends. Your wedding should reflect YOUR personal style! Stick with what you love and you'll never go wrong!

Images from The Knot.

New Poll: How many guests are you inviting to your wedding?

In this week's poll, let us know how many guests you are planning on inviting to your wedding. Will you have a lavish affair with 250 guests or a more intimate gathering with only close friends and family?

I was informed that the voting in last week's poll was not always working properly so I only had 3 votes to count! ;) I will re-post the 'How did you meet your fiance?' poll another week.

Check back next Wednesday for the results to this week's poll!

Flower Girl Carriage

Hey everyone! I’m finally back from a great weekend away! I must admit that I did not want to leave NYC…I could not have asked for a better Valentine’s Weekend getaway! Although, I am happy to be getting back to doing what I love most! :)

Last week a specialty wedding vendor contacted me from North Carolina regarding his beautiful Cinderella flower girl carriages his family owned business handcrafts. I just had to share these with you as I think they are adorable and perfect for a spring or summer outdoor wedding ceremony.

This handmade flower girl carriage retails for $595 + shipping. They can ship to any destination within the U.S.

If you are interested in purchasing one of these carriages for your wedding, you may contact the vendor directly:

Handcrafted Western Wagons - Link to site: Flower Girl Carriages - 1-866-233-4950

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Today is my last Valentine's Day as an unmarried woman...I can hardly believe my wedding is 4 1/2 months away!! Time sure does fly by, doesn't it?!

I'll be in NYC this weekend celebrating Valentine's Day so there will be no posting until I get back on Monday. I will still be checking my email periodically though.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Stay warm out there...Spring is almost here!!

Bridal Party Selection

With the end of the holiday season approaching and the start of wedding planning season underway, many brides-to-be are now pondering their bridal party selections. Choosing the members of your bridal party isn’t always an easy task, so here are a few pointers to get you started:

1. First, it’s important to determine how many guests you will invite to your wedding. Like, many wedding professionals, I recommend having one groomsmen and one bridesmaid for every 50 guests invited.

2. Don’t ever feel obligated to ask friends/family members who included you in their wedding if you aren’t close with them anymore. For example, if you were a bridesmaid in your sorority sister’s wedding, yet you haven’t spoken in several years, it doesn’t mean that you have to ask her to be in yours. Choose close friends and family members who you still enjoy a close bond with today…after all, the more bridesmaids you choose, the more chances for disagreements on the dresses they will wear, shower dates, and the more bouquets you will have to purchase for them.

3. Think about location when selecting your bridal party members. If you live in PA and your best friend lives in CA it’s important to consider her schedule and flexibility. Think about what you expect from your bridal party…will her simple moral support suffice or do you expect her to be present at every bridal gown fitting, vendor appointment, and cake tasting session? If the answer is yes, you may still want to ask her in good taste (after all she is your BFF from high school); however, it is a good idea to have another friend in mind that lives closer if she declines.

4. If you are close to your siblings, then they are most likely obvious choices for your bridal party. However, if your sister isn’t necessarily your best friend, the thought of including her in your wedding might not be the ideal. Unless there is a serious conflict between you and your sibling, it is still usually worth including them in your wedding to avoid unnecessary family disagreements.

5. Lastly, keep in mind that there are other roles important on your wedding day other than being a maid-of-honor or bridesmaid. Consider including a close friend or family member to sing or do a reading during your ceremony. There are a number of different possibilities…ushers, greeters, guest book guardians, and candle lighters are all essential to making your day memorable!

Image from The Knot.

Save-The-Date Ideas

I recently received a request to write about unique save-the-date ideas. Today, many brides want their weddings to be different than the next bride and who can blame them?! Sending out creative save-the-dates and invitations will certainly clue guests in on what to expect on the wedding day. No matter the design, you should always select save-the-dates and invitations that compliment your overall wedding theme. These are a few of the save-the-dates that I found to be adorable:

1. Flip Flop Save-the-Dates -

These adorable save-the-dates are perfect for a summer wedding on the beach or a tropical destination wedding. These are available through Invitations by Dawn.

Image from Invitations by Dawn

2. Scroll Save-the-Dates or Invitations

These hand-made scrolls would be perfect for save-the-dates or inviations. These are absolutely one of my favorites! Very creative and original! These can be purchased through Paper-Girl.com

Image from Paper-Girl.com

3. Save-the-Date Magnets

These save-the-date magnets are becoming more popular in recent years; however, still cute and creative nontheless. These are a great way to keep your wedding date in the minds of your guests as they will be reminded every time they open their refrigerator door! These can also be found online at Invitations by Dawn.

Image from Invitations by Dawn.

4. Save-the-Date Postcards

These save-the-dates are especially perfect for destination weddings. These can be found online at Magnet Street Weddings. This company has MANY different styles to choose from!

Image from Magnet Street Weddings

5. Photo Strip Save-the-Dates

These are just the cutest in my opinion! Pictured below is a magnetic photo strip; however, you can also create these without a magnet. These are also available at Magnet Street Weddings.

Image from Magnet Street Weddings.

The possibilities are really endless when choosing your save-the-dates. There are all types of different save-the-date styles...movie tickets, air plan tickets, scratch-off's, CD's, and even jewelry!

Pre-Wedding Bridal Beauty Tips

Wedding season is fast approaching and as you’re checking off items on your wedding “to do” lists, don’t forget to pencil in your pre-wedding beauty routine! The secret to looking fabulous on your wedding day is to prepare in advance. If possible, start your bridal beauty routine 6 months prior to your wedding day. If you are like most brides, then you probably have a beauty goal for your wedding day; whether it is to lose 10 pounds, grow your hair longer, or to improve your complexion, you can start doing things right now to achieve those goals. So, I’ve gathered some of the best beauty tips I could find, including some of my own and have put them all together for you!

• For shiny, healthy hair on your wedding day, begin weekly deep conditioning treatments 5-6 months before.
• Research and invest in a skin cleansing regimen as soon as you have a date set. Or consult a dermatologist for skin problems. Seeing a dermatologist scares many people away, mainly from the fear of high costs; however, many health insurance policies allow for dermatologist visits and treat them as a general office visit.
• Start exercising in 20-minute increments, three times a week. Any cardio workout will do – swimming, running, biking, or even brisk walking. As your stamina increases, increase your workouts to 40 minutes. For toning, resistance training is key. Start by doing 12-15 reps with a relatively low weight. As your endurance increases, add more weight and increase the number of reps. No need to join the gym either – invest in a nice set of dumbbells, medicine ball for a great ab workout, or grab your bridesmaids for run around the neighborhood.
• If you are prone to breakouts, make sure to keep stress at a minimum. Easier said than done, especially with your wedding fast approaching; however, life’s stresses and pressures can often show up as skin blemishes. Be sure to treat yourself to relaxing activities such as bubble baths, yoga classes, or even a day at the spa! If breakouts are still a problem close to the wedding day, see your dermatologist for a cortisone shot.
• Looking for the best way to conceal a pesky blemish? Apply a small amount of concealer (experts recommend two shades lighter than your natural skin tone) with a brush to the middle of your blemish, and then blend out towards the edges. Cover with a fine powder, and repeat until your skin looks flawless.
• Begin a teeth whitening regimen 3 months before the big day. If you can’t see a dentist for bleaching treatments, check out your local drugstore for at home bleaching options. These are relatively inexpensive and still get the job done great! If you’re looking for a ‘middle of the road’ option, consider investing in a great electric toothbrush. Not only do these keep your teeth healthy and cavity-free, but used with a whitening tooth paste, are proven to remove pesky stains and whiten teeth!
• If you are getting married in the winter and chapped or cracked lips have become a problem, use a Vitamin E stick (sold at drug stores) to heal them. You can also exfoliate your lips at home just by using your toothbrush. Wet with warm water and brush lips gently. During the day, don’t forget to apply the all important Chap Stick often!
• Finally, use an exfoliator every day, moisturize your skin twice a day (especially right after you shower), take a multi-vitamin daily, and always drink at least 8-10 glasses of H20 a day!

Stay tuned for more bridal beauty blogs in the weeks ahead and remember to take a deep breath when times get stressful; after all, this is one of the most exciting times in your life, so SMILE and you’ll always look fabulous!

Poll: How did you meet your fiance?

I thought it would be fun to add a weekly poll to the blog to see the current wedding/engagement related trends in the area; so, what better place to start than polling all the brides out there on how they met their fiance! I'm hearing more and more every day about people who met their significant others online, so I'm curious to see the results. You can vote in the upper left hand corner of the page. Stop back next week for the results!

Wedding Ceremony Musical Score

One of the most popular questions that brides are asking me lately is what music they should play during their ceremony. I too, have been pondering this question myself as my wedding day approaches. SO, I did some research and put together these selections that I think fit a traditional, romantic wedding wonderfully!

The Prelude

‘Air on the G String’ by Bach
‘Lasia Ch’io Pianga’ by George Frideric Handel
‘5th Symphony in C Miner’ by Beethoven
‘Winter’ (from the Four Seasons) by Antonio Vivaldi
‘A Time for Us’ (from the Romeo & Juliet soundtrack)

The Pre-Processional (Seating of the Mother's)

‘Ave Maria’ by Bach
‘Prelude in C (I) by Bach (companion piece to ‘Ave Maria’)
‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’ by Bach

The Processional

‘Con Te Partiro’ by Andrea Bocelli (Instrumental Only)

Bride’s Entrance

‘Canon in D’ by Pachelbel

The Recessional

‘Wedding March’ (from a ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’) by Felix Mendelssohn
‘Trumpet Voluntary’ by Bach

Here is an excellent website to gain ideas for ceremony and reception music selections, plus you can even hear samples of the songs on my list above: http://www.weddingvendors.com/music/cds/for-your-wedding-ceremony/