A Truly Delicious Idea

Wedding cupcakes hit the scene as a trend about two years ago (though a few very creative brides had certainly thought up the cute, romantic and oh-so-easy idea before then). For a while, cupcakes were HUGE...then the idea sort of crumbled.

Now these delicious wedding desserts are back in full color(ed sprinkles). Parade magazine listed cupcakes--rather than a single wedding cake--as top among seven food trends. And it seems that lately, we're hearing from more and more couples who are choosing this sweet idea.

Here's more information on how to use wedding cupcakes to set your special day apart from the everyday.

So. How's That Gift Registry Coming Along?

I figured I'd just pop my head in (as usual) and find out who's going great guns on their wedding gift registry choices.

GASP. You haven't even STARTED? Oh girl. Let's go! They're everywhere. Even WalMart has a gift registry option (yes, for real). And mom-and-pop stores will often at least hand you a sheet with stock items for you to check off what you like (be sure to ask at your favorite teensy little boutique).

But for the most part, you'll want to choose options that are easy and accessible to your guests and that cover all the bases for both yourself and your forever-squeeze. So I'd recommend going the online wedding gift registry route. Here are a few of my personal favorites (but somehow I doubt I'm alone):

• Macy's. They've been around forever and offer everything. Okay, an exaggeration on both points, but only a slight one.
• Crate & Barrel. Did you see that great (insert_one_of_a_bajillion_possible_items_here) at my house? Did you love it? Then it was definitely Crate & Barrel. Just trust me on this one.
• Pottery Barn. ...Except for those half-dozen other items over there, and there and there. They must have been, by process of elimination, Pottery Barn.
• Target. Don't laugh, but it really is the upscale equivalent of WalMart (sorry, WalMart); some GREAT finds at this store, and so so easy for your guests.
• Williams-Sonoma. The "it" wedding gift destination, and not necessarily a big whack to anyone's wallet (but choose carefully).

The icing on the cake (tee hee) is, of course, that registering is free for all of these. Leaving you even more money to spend on choosing your...free limited-time invitations subscription. Oh, wait! I guess that means you're doing well with the wedding budget all around.

You're off to a great start--now have fun with that registry, find plenty of options, and you're set to go!

$200 Spending Spree from Favors by Serendipity

A while ago we profiled Favors by Serendipity, which offers one of the largest selections of quality favors we've ever seen.

A little birdie let me know that the site is offering a $200.00 "spending spree" drawing. All you need to do is post a comment on what type of favors you'll be using (see details here).

The contest is currently open and ends Nov. 20.

Go for it, brides-to-be! This site has some of the most gorgeous wedding favors out there, at (gasp!) a reasonable cost. (Which frankly is a dream come true all by itself for most marrieds-to-be.) If you win...let us know what you choose from Favors by Serendipity!

We Knew We Could Count on You

Curious about what other brides had to say? Click on the image and view our full survey results.

Thanks to all our readers who made themselves heard in our most recent survey, "What's Your Wedding Budget?".

We thought we had you couples-to-be down to a science at this point. Nope! Yet again, you surprised us.

For instance, 8% of couples say they'll spend $40 thousand on their nuptials. And that's no insignificant number, particularly when such factors as unemployment rates and state-by-state (and the overall U.S.) economy are considered. It seems no matter what, we just love a big party--and we're not letting anything slow us down.

On the other hand, the vast majority of respondents said they'll be a little less extravagant, with 40% of couples expecting to spend right around $10 thousand and another 20% planning to drop between $10 and $20 thousand.

(Psst: We can help you a little if you're budget-conscious...how about gorgeous invitations and a Powerpoint to share with those you love best...without a huge dip into the wedding budget pot?)

The best news: brides- and grooms-to-be are obviously as individual as ever, with their own preferences, lifestyles and plans. Keep responding...and keep surprising us. We love it!

Fighting (Economic) Depression With Wedded Bliss

Yes. You can have it. (Click the pic to find out more about this style.)


Some people say we're in a recession. Others claim that, global factors considered, it's a full-fledged depression.

And brides and grooms all over the world are saying, "Ouch."

Skimming the wedding news this morning (a habit of mine, for obvious reasons), I came across yet another "weddings just aren't as much fun anymore due to lack of funds" human-interest/opinion piece.

And I'll tell you something. IT'S TIME TO GET UN-DEPRESSED.

Yes, that's right. Money is tight; there's no denying it. But since when did less money mean an automatic reduction in fun? I don't think this couple's aisle walk was any too costly, do you? But taking a look at the faces of the wedding guests, I have take a stab at at and say, yes, there was fun there.

And check it: Not only didn't the couple above seem to worry about money for their own fun...they asked for donations to reduce violence. Yep, it's true: they had more fun giving than receiving, and not in a cheesy way, but in a very tangible, very realistic and at the same time very boogey-able way. (I wasn't able to sit still for that one; were you?)

"But," you may be thinking, "I want a wedding that's a little more traditional than that. That's what I would consider a 'fun' wedding...one that's complete, just the way I've been envisioning it."

Of course you do, and why shouldn't you? We all want the Big Day to go wonderfully, and to have at least a dream or two fulfilled along the way. We want "the whole package."

Honey, you can have it. Yes, you'll need to seek out economical ways to pull together your invitations, rent a hall (or fancy up your mother's three-acre lot back yard), find a dress and design wedding programs. But those economical ways do exist...and technology is ensuring that they come closer and closer to what you'd be spending double, triple or even more on if you hadn't done your homework first.

Your gorgeous, stellar, fun, laid-back, dramatic, fancy, holiday, theme or any type wedding is out there. Don't EVER say, "I just can't have that in my wedding or reception, period." Do some research first. Linen- and cotton-look inexpensive paper blends and weights are out there. Designer dresses during discount pushes, or look-alikes, are out there. Gorgeous stationery is out there.

So don't give up and sigh. Grab it and go! And have the wedding of your dreams.

We trust you. We know you're smart. We know you're creative. And we know you can organize the most beautiful wedding ever without mortgaging a single thing. Keep smiling. Through hard times and easy ones, weddings still stand as one shining example of how the world does things right. Here's your opportunity to shine. Have a great wedding!

Vote Now: How Much Will You Spend?

What is your overall wedding budget? Are you a supersaver or a super-diva? Department store or Dela Renta? Or do you fall somewhere in between?

Vote here (directly underneath the Try it Free! button) and tell us how much you and your beau have set aside for the big day. We'll update you when all the votes are in and tallied.

This Bride Turned Grief Into Giving

It's a subject nobody wants to talk about: weddings that just, well, don't happen. Yet a certain (small) percentage of weddings are called off before the big day.

Typically, I don't blog about this because weddings are a happy time, and there's much more joy than sorrow to be found in the world of weddings. But I saw this feature and just had to say something about the guts, grit and wonderful heart of this ex-bride-to-be.

Her name is Teanne Harris and her Des Plaines, IL wedding was planned for Saturday, Oct. 31--that's right, a Halloween theme wedding (yay!).

When her fiance canceled at the last minute (boo), rather than fold up for two months with bad TiVod shows and 30 gallons of ice cream (my first choice, personally), Teanne "donated" her wedding reception to the Asbury Court Retirement Community, across the street from her wedding venue. (Read the full account here.)

The last anyone checked, Teanne was on her way to Hawaii for the island honeymoon she and her ex had intended...but by herself...and planning on having a blast.

Go, Teanne. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade. You're our hero (or heroine). Kudos to a lady with a good heart and a great attitude.

(By the way, at least according to statistics, you're not likely to need it...but here's a quick tutorial on what to do should you and your fiance decide to break off or postpone your wedding.)