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.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
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.)
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.)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Christmas and Winter Holiday Wedding Stationery
(Remember, all pics are clickable--grab your mouse and find your inspiration!)
Last-minute planners (or those planning a year in advance), you really can have it all. And you don't have to go over budget to do it. Match your programs, RSVP cards, wedding menus and more to your holiday theme and customize them all for a fraction of what you'd pay a mail-away printer.
First, start with your theme--is it Christmas? Wintertime in general? Nostalgia? Faith?--and choose your stationery style accordingly.
By downloading templates and creating your own stationery, you'll have saved enough money to have all the stationery pieces you've envisioned for your special day. Choose wedding invitations (of course!), engagement party invitations, save the date postcards, menus and programs.
Current trends state that every piece doesn't have to match exactly (for instance, the RSVP cards and the wedding day menus), but the theme should stay constant. This gives your guests a good feel for your wedding and your style, and also gives you an easy jumping-off point for choosing each piece.
Most of all--have fun with the process. When planning a wedding, we often forget the "fun factor." Yes, you are supposed to have a ball, and make your big day your very own. Take some of the stress away by taking control and indulging your creative side, and you'll be thrilled with the results.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Survey: WeddingDNA Styles are Top Pick
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank those that participated in our latest survey. This time, 1700 WeddingDNA.com readers responded, and you had a lot to say!
The survey, "What's the top reason for using our invitation and program templates?", revealed that the largest number of respondents turn to WeddingDNA.com for "designer style." Just over 29% stated this as their primary motivation for choosing our invites--a boost for us, since we choose our graphic artists with great care. Thanks for the compliments!
"Last minute planning" was the next most popular reason to choose WeddingDNA (at 25% of responses). Surprisingly, "low cost" followed in third place, with 23%. (Perhaps we've spoiled our members with the free trial? That's okay--we're so proud of our product, we're happy to keep spoiling.)
Last was "ease of personalization," at 21%.
Thank you for reminding us why you enjoy the site. Keep the answers coming...we're always on the lookout for new and better ways to improve your WeddingDNA visit.
(Click on the images to be taken to the corresponding page.)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
All New for You
What's new? Tons! It's been a while since I updated readers on WeddingDNA's stationery choices. Here's a sampling:
For the quirky bride and groom (we know you're out there), check out this fascinating, upscale and very unique invitation and program. Playful lettering and an old-fashioned circus playbill design make this style special. Two thumbs up, at least! Maybe more, if I can find some extra thumbs. (The pic at right is clickable.)
Vintage is as big as ever. Here's a theme you can feel comfortable planning more than a year in advance since all indications are that it'll stick around on the wedding scene.
Romance is also in full swing, particularly for couples planning a Spring 2010 wedding, and for those who are wrapping up their last minute Winter 2009 wedding plans, Christmas offerings are here.
I hope you love these selections as much as I do. Our artists love to get input, so let us hear from you--what invitations and programs did you choose? Were they easy to create? What drew you to our designs? Drop us a line...we always love to hear from our brides-to-be!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Priscilla of Boston on the Runway: Fall 2010
Who caught the Priscilla of Boston fashion show on Saturday via livestream on brides.com?
I did. And I'm glad...because there was a surprise or two in there, and happy ones, at that. (At least in my girlie-girl opinion...she said with some small degree of embarrassment but absolutely NO shame...)
The first thing that caught my eye during the show was a return to attention to the female form...very clear, very delineated attention. Sure, babydoll/empire is still huge, and adorable for many body types--but back again, it seems, are hourglass-hugging creations. POB's gowns for fall 2010 included very defined, wide, cummerbund-style waists, hip-skimming lines and emphasized busts--a delight for this old-fashioned but just a little bit sexy girl to see.
Offsetting the close, waist-nipped look, POB's presentation coupled many of their newest creations with filmy over-the-arm wraps...a nice touch, very romantic and rather fantasy-like.
Vintage, too, got a nod at the show. Included were wrapped tops and sheath-style 1960s gowns with dropped backs, 1950s party dress styles and ultra-glam mermaid gowns with wide hems blooming out from close-hugging hips and thighs.
Sleeves, even for this cooler (in many areas of the country) time of year, were still basically a no-no, but taking their place were gloves of varying lengths as well as hot-hot-hot shrugs (did I mention hot? LOVED these).
Show watchers were also treated to loads of shine and shimmer, especially in POB's Jewel collection, with daring accents drawing further attention to the waist...or, notably, up toward or curving down around the bustline. (Ooh la la.)
Necks and shoulders were very, very bare and for the most part, only accentuated occasionally with jewels, delivering a fresh and modern look.
Interesting detailing ruled the day, with silver, gold and crushed gem-look details on bodice or skirt, particularly in Jewel but here and there in Vineyard and Platinum as well. Waist decoration was not so much detailed as defined. Indeed, details for the most part were subtle, such as a back bow or sprinkle of rhinestones at off-center.
But where were the colors? It seems when it comes to The Big Day (yes, all capitals), brides still trend toward white and ivory. There were splashes of delicious color on the runway, don't get me wrong. But a majority of the time, when color showed up, it was on obviously bridesmaid-ey and not, well...brid-ey gowns. (Are these actual words? Somebody stop me.)
I could, however, picture an ultra-hip, gutsy bride donning one of these styles for her own walk down the aisle. And there was one beautiful powdery-blue wrap/shrug of gorgeous material that made me drool, this in the Platinum collection.
Speaking of bridesmaids: the offerings here were all class, with brilliant reds, gem colors and luscious dark chocolate browns (mmm). There were plenty of long gowns, but a hit seemed to be the cocktail dress...wonderful because it is so re-wearable (try THAT with your maid of honor dress from 1989).
Subtle patterns within the fabric, particularly geometric styles such as clean lines, added interest. Artfully done, as these did not detract at all from the romance, but rather brought that ideal forward into today's less frilly styles.
Things went debutante with the Platinum collection, which included more gloves, wider skirts, lots of lace and detail. The collection had a more formal, evening wear feel with highly unique shrugs and sumptuous fabrics.
All in all, it was another hit for POB--a company that never fails to please on the runway (and the aisle). Kudos!
I did. And I'm glad...because there was a surprise or two in there, and happy ones, at that. (At least in my girlie-girl opinion...she said with some small degree of embarrassment but absolutely NO shame...)
The first thing that caught my eye during the show was a return to attention to the female form...very clear, very delineated attention. Sure, babydoll/empire is still huge, and adorable for many body types--but back again, it seems, are hourglass-hugging creations. POB's gowns for fall 2010 included very defined, wide, cummerbund-style waists, hip-skimming lines and emphasized busts--a delight for this old-fashioned but just a little bit sexy girl to see.
Offsetting the close, waist-nipped look, POB's presentation coupled many of their newest creations with filmy over-the-arm wraps...a nice touch, very romantic and rather fantasy-like.
Vintage, too, got a nod at the show. Included were wrapped tops and sheath-style 1960s gowns with dropped backs, 1950s party dress styles and ultra-glam mermaid gowns with wide hems blooming out from close-hugging hips and thighs.
Sleeves, even for this cooler (in many areas of the country) time of year, were still basically a no-no, but taking their place were gloves of varying lengths as well as hot-hot-hot shrugs (did I mention hot? LOVED these).
Show watchers were also treated to loads of shine and shimmer, especially in POB's Jewel collection, with daring accents drawing further attention to the waist...or, notably, up toward or curving down around the bustline. (Ooh la la.)
Necks and shoulders were very, very bare and for the most part, only accentuated occasionally with jewels, delivering a fresh and modern look.
Interesting detailing ruled the day, with silver, gold and crushed gem-look details on bodice or skirt, particularly in Jewel but here and there in Vineyard and Platinum as well. Waist decoration was not so much detailed as defined. Indeed, details for the most part were subtle, such as a back bow or sprinkle of rhinestones at off-center.
But where were the colors? It seems when it comes to The Big Day (yes, all capitals), brides still trend toward white and ivory. There were splashes of delicious color on the runway, don't get me wrong. But a majority of the time, when color showed up, it was on obviously bridesmaid-ey and not, well...brid-ey gowns. (Are these actual words? Somebody stop me.)
I could, however, picture an ultra-hip, gutsy bride donning one of these styles for her own walk down the aisle. And there was one beautiful powdery-blue wrap/shrug of gorgeous material that made me drool, this in the Platinum collection.
Speaking of bridesmaids: the offerings here were all class, with brilliant reds, gem colors and luscious dark chocolate browns (mmm). There were plenty of long gowns, but a hit seemed to be the cocktail dress...wonderful because it is so re-wearable (try THAT with your maid of honor dress from 1989).
Subtle patterns within the fabric, particularly geometric styles such as clean lines, added interest. Artfully done, as these did not detract at all from the romance, but rather brought that ideal forward into today's less frilly styles.
Things went debutante with the Platinum collection, which included more gloves, wider skirts, lots of lace and detail. The collection had a more formal, evening wear feel with highly unique shrugs and sumptuous fabrics.
All in all, it was another hit for POB--a company that never fails to please on the runway (and the aisle). Kudos!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Conde Nast Closes Mags But Amps Digital
We reported recently on the closing of several Conde Nast staples, including Modern Bride magazine (sniffle).
But there's good news, folks. The company is revving up their online offerings, including a live stream of Priscilla of Boston's 2010 runway show slated for this Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7:00PM EST.
Brides.com also features some cool widgets and is tweeting up a storm ...both good indications that CN plans to stay well inside the wedding game.
So I'm happy right now. These mags have been institutions of their own for years; I'd be sad to see them go entirely. Perhaps with the ease and comparative economy of posting digitally v. on paper, Conde Nast will keep up with the mags brides have always loved best. (Though I'll still miss lying on my living room floor rifling idly and dreamily through the latest issue.)
But there's good news, folks. The company is revving up their online offerings, including a live stream of Priscilla of Boston's 2010 runway show slated for this Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7:00PM EST.
Brides.com also features some cool widgets and is tweeting up a storm ...both good indications that CN plans to stay well inside the wedding game.
So I'm happy right now. These mags have been institutions of their own for years; I'd be sad to see them go entirely. Perhaps with the ease and comparative economy of posting digitally v. on paper, Conde Nast will keep up with the mags brides have always loved best. (Though I'll still miss lying on my living room floor rifling idly and dreamily through the latest issue.)
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