What's Your River Like?

Mine is White Water.......

Sunday was a great day. I was so excited to be alive and fully living my life. I was ecstatic! I was like a kid filled with Pop Tarts. Life couldn't get better than this.

And then Monday happened. Out of the blue came this massive sucker punch. The rug was pulled out from under me and I was on my face, down for the count.

Tuesday I was still wobbly and knew I had to do some serious meditating. Praying is talking to the Boss. Meditation is listening. The whole point is to not think. So I listened.

After a few minutes I felt "the connection". I don't know how else to explain it. It's God manifesting as Phran. Don't get me wrong. I'm not being God. God is being me and I am in complete co-operation with the experience that God would like to have as me.

It was pointed out that "we" have chosen an alive, pulsating, sometimes wild and dangerous, butt-whipping river to ride. There are smooth flat places when we can rest and enjoy the beautiful, spectacular scenery. But around any bend the land could pitch, rocks can appear big and bold or sneakily hide just below the surface where you can't easily see them.

Put that together and you have foaming, roiling, breathtaking White Water. And when you least expect it - a waterfall. YA-HOOOO!

I always have the choice to simply sit in the canoe and get bashed and tossed about, or take up my paddle, use my muscles and brain to ride the river.

Life, or a river, no matter how rough or wild the ride is not to succumb to but to relish, dig into, be a part of and go with to the end. It doesn't matter if you lose your shirt or break a paddle. Whoop it up and enjoy your journey!

PS. I got out of my funk and will live my life to the fullest - white water or flat water, I'll take what comes up.

Dancing Like a Star on Your Wedding Day

(Source: abc.go.com)

Now you all know that the season 10 of Dancing with the Stars was over. Nicole and Derek won the trophy. It was not a big surprise to you, right? You may re-watch every episode of season 10 online here. Give it a bit reading here to have a complete review of the program since season 1. Season 11 of Dancing with the Stars will kick off this fall.
Which dancing style are you going to choose? The sure thing is that you are a star on your wedding day without any picky eyes or harsh words from Carrie, Len or Bruno. So have fun and dance like a star on your big wedding day.

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Fun wedding facts

Here are some fun wedding stats we found. Hope you enjoy!

• The average American engagment is 16 months.
• June is the most popular month for weddings, then August, followed by September, October and May.
• The average age for first-time brides is 25; for grooms, 27.5.
• The average size of a wedding party is 12.
• On a traditional American wedding, an average of $22,000 is spent.
• $72 billion is spent on weddings annually in the U.S.
• The average amount spent on a bridal gown in $800.
• 53 percent of weddings happen in the afternoon; 31 percent in the evening; and 16 percent in the morning.
• 45 percent of honeymoons are to domestic locations, and 55 percent are foreign.
• Annually, an average of 2.4 million weddings are performed in the U.S.

Source: Wedding Statistics

Starting the Countdown - Setting the Date

He finally worked up the nerve to “pop the question”, and to his relief and joy you said yes. Once you are engaged you get a few months to relaxe and enjoy this new kind of relationship with each other. Unfortunately, everyone is asking you those famous “when is the wedding?” and “have you set a wedding date?” questions. Eventually, you are going to have to start thinking about well when do you want to set your wedding date?

For some it is really simple, others they have no clue whatsoever. There are so many options, I mean there is 365 days out of the year, so how do you know what date is good for you? You don’t have to get married on Saturday’s like a lot of couples. There are the other six days of the week to. So where do you begin when it comes time to figure out a wedding date?

Here are a few things that might be able to help you narrow down your choices:

Venues you can’t do without

It doesn’t matter how supple you are, you and your fiancé are not going to agree on everything. It might be the church, or place you want to hold your ceremony at. Maybe you disagree on where you should hold the reception. Also, you will probably bicker on who’s coming and who isn’t coming.

Fortunately, once you decide on a church, reception hall, or venue for the ceremony, you will quickly find out that most of the dates are filled. You need to call at least a year or two in advance to get the place you want and find what dates are available. Well, at least that saves the arguing.

The perfect environment

Maybe the place of the ceremony isn’t what is really important to you. Probably, especially for brides, you just see how the perfect wedding would play out for you. That could involve snow falling softly, or the sun hitting the both of you perfectly sending you into a radiance of love. Maybe you see yourself outside on a warm beach, or inside with lots of hot food at the reception. If this sounds like you then just play off of what your dream wedding would be like. If you want snow then think about setting a wedding date in the winter. If you would like to be on a beach you probably want to set your wedding date for the summer season.

Real Life dates

Your own life might actually set the criteria for choosing a wedding date. If you are a teacher or have a set vacation time, then you are probably going to have to set a date around when you aren’t working.

So good luck choosing your wedding date, hopefully these tips will make it a little bit easier.

Wedding Dresses

It has to be said that ever since a lady was a little girl she always wondered what her wedding dress would look like. And now that the decision is there to be made it is obviously very confusing, daunting and exciting for everyone involved. Of course you want to look the very best that you can look on your special day, and there are several ways that you can make sure that you achieve this goal.

What color wedding dress should I choose?

The color of your wedding dress is usually the first place to start when you are making your decision on what to wear. Often women are very confused as to what color they should go for. Traditionally weddings are themed in white, cream or ivory. But the fact is if your skin coloring doesn't suit the lighter shades of pale, then don't do it! I often get ladies from all over the world asking me what colors they should choose for their wedding. And the answer is always the same… think about what colors suit you, and what colors you like. Despite appearances there are no hard and fast rules. Never forget that this is YOUR day, and you should just go right ahead and do what you what to do. Whatever makes you happy!

What shape wedding dress should I choose?

The shape of the wedding dress that you should choose is entirely dependent on your figure. All women are different, and certain shapes suit them better than others. The shape of your wedding dress is actually far more important that the color. It's exactly the same as dressing to go out for a meal somewhere, or to go to the opera or a film premiere. For the best results you need to get into the mindset of a film star… or rather, the film stars' wardrobe designers. You should pick out a dress that suits your body shape – one that accentuates your figure and conceals any lumps and bumps.

Wedding dress shapes explained

A-line - The A-line wedding dresses have fitted vertical seams running down the length of the garment. This means that the dress is tight at the waist and flares out towards the bottom part of the skirt.

Empire line - Empire line dresses are tight beneath the bust and are higher than the a-line cut of cloth. The seam lies just beneath the bust for a more structured look.

Ball gown - Ball gown wedding dresses are traditionally full length and very full and wide. Ball gown dresses usually have very structured, fitted and boned bodices.

Sheath - Sheath wedding dresses are very straight and simple. They usually flow to the floor and skim the body.

Mermaid - Mermaid dresses have a kick at the bottom where the fabric is much fuller. The top half of the dress hugs the figure and accentuates voluptuousness.

Strapless - Strapless wedding dresses are just that – they don't require support over the shoulder. Strapless wedding dresses must be made well and be supported by good bridal underwear to make certain that the bride is both comfortable and secure throughout the ceremony.

5 fab resources for brides

Wedding planning can be very hectic so here are five wonderful websites to help you with any and everything you might need:

Chocolate Brides- Provides wedding inspiration for brides of color. It's all about promoting loving marriages, building friendships and supporting one another through the highs and lows of life.

DIY Bride- Serves as a way for couples to share ideas, templates and tips on creating a kick-a** do-it-yourself wedding no matter one's budget or skill level.

Offbeat Bride- A blog with tons of "wedding porn" (photos from real people's really offbeat weddings), advice and inspiration for couples who are working their butts off to create authentic weddings full of intention and personality.

Project Wedding-Connects brides across the nation and helps them share ideas, advice and vendor recommendations.

TheKnot- A one-stop wedding planning solution featuring first-class fashion, inspiring images, personalized tools and more.

Feel free to share your favorite wedding websites below!

Photo from: thepartyproducers.net

Wedding Themes

Wedding Themes that Make your Wedding Unique and Memorable

Wedding themes are all the rage these days. This may be due to the fact that every bride wants to have a one-of-a-kind wedding that everyone would remember even after so many years. If you are planning on tying the knot anytime soon, you may want to check out these wonderful theme options.

Beach

The clear blue waters, vermillion sky, powdery white sand, and natural beach treasures all make a splendid backdrop and decoration for this special occasion. Not only that, it is also light, casual, and laid-back—something that most guests would appreciate. You can wow them even further by making a grand entrance riding a boat, a jet ski or a parasail, or by wearing a beautiful sundress in lieu of a traditional wedding gown.

You can decorate the place with tiki torches and beach lanterns as well as give away mini sailboats or starfish candles for souvenirs. Moreover, you can choose a more specific beach them such as Hawaiian, tropical, nautical, Caribbean, and so on.

Country

You can hold the wedding in a field or in a farm, and incorporate lovely country elements like quilts, lanterns, embroidered tablecloths, and candles. Make use of flowers such as daisies, sunflowers, and dahlias for the table centerpieces. Play country music during the wedding reception and you may even have a square dance to complete the event.

Vintage

Another wonderful theme option would be vintage, which could be anything from the classical 1940’s to the retro 1970’s to the new wave of the 1980’s. This nostalgic theme would transport everyone back in time. Be sure to dress the part and incorporate all the elements of the era you have chosen to make the event perfect.

Fantasy / Fairy Tale

Most brides want to feel like a princess on this special occasion, so why not hold a fantasy or fairy tale wedding theme to turn that dream into a reality? Make a stunning entry by a riding a horse-drawn carriage. Turn the flower girls into dreamy fairies. Cast a spell on the guests by holding the reception inside a castle.

Holiday

Customarily, couples hold weddings during Valentine’s Day or Christmas but if you want your wedding to be extraordinary, you can have a Halloween theme instead and ask your guests to come in spooky costumes. Hold the event in a scary haunted house and play macabre music throughout the event. If spooky is not your thing, you can also go for other holidays like St. Patrick’s Day or April Fool’s Day.

Sports

For sports fanatic couples, have this kind of wedding theme based on your favorite sport. For example, if you like golf so much, hold the event in a golf course. Give away miniature golf sets to the guests. Top the cake with a bride and groom swinging a golf club. Send out invitations that say, “It’s Par-Tee Time!”

Eco-Chic

Green weddings like eco-chic themes are majestic and at the same time, meaningful. If you want to express your environmental advocacy, one of the best ways to do it is through an eco-friendly wedding, wherein you would aim to reduce energy consumption and waste, and recycle various kinds of materials during the whole planning, preparation, and during the event itself.

Culture

Choose whatever cultural theme is closest to your heart. For example, if you come from Irish descent, a Celtic wedding would be fitting. If you are fond of Asian culture, you can have an Asian themed wedding.

Having a wedding theme not only makes the event unique and memorable, it also helps in the planning and preparation. It makes things easier for you by helping you narrow down the choices on venues, wedding supplies, and everything you need for the wedding. Just be sure to choose a theme that would best reflect you and your beau’s personal interests and personalities.

Wedding First Dance

Like to add more fun and entertainment during your wedding reception, you can choose first dance songs you like and put up a great first dancing performance. Use your local talents by inviting your local musicians, band and DJ to have a live wedding first dancing show on your big wedding day. If you need more ideas on various ballroom dancing styles, don't miss the final showdown of Dancing With the Stars on ABC channel this Monday, May 24, 2010. Who will win the mirror ball trophy? Nicole, Evan or Erin? We will see...



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Wedding Rings

For those that are getting married, there are many things to be excited about. Buying a wedding dress, getting all the right flowers and picking out a cake are just a few of the things you have to do. Most of the time it is the women that do all of these tasks, but one thing that most couples do together is pick out wedding rings. After all, these are one thing from your wedding that you will wear for the rest of your life.

There are many styles and types of wedding rings that you can get. Don't let it overwhelm you though. Picking them out should be fun. Just try to have an idea of what it is that you are looking for and then set out to find something similar. The first thing you need to do before you even start looking is decide the price range that you are going to be shopping in. You don’t want to look at more expensive rings and be disappointed when you can’t purchase them. Tell the salesperson at the store what your price range is and then they will show you rings that are similar in cost.

Indeed, wedding rings come in a large variety of styles. There are plain bands that are very attractive. They come in many colors, just choose the one that is going to be right for you. The plain bands come in yellow gold, white gold and even rose gold. Rose gold would look gorgeous on any woman’s finger. If you are into silver, try the plain silver band. These bands also come in varying widths.

If you are looking for something with a little flare, buy wedding rings that are two tone or have diamonds on the band. The two tone bands are for those that can’t decide between the others. They are the best of both worlds. Choose rose and yellow gold bands and your ring will be the talk of the town. If you want a little sparkle, then add some diamonds.

Whatever you purchase, make sure that you are happy with it. After all, your wedding rings are a symbol of your love.

Questions to ask before tying the knot

According to an article by J.J. Austin on African American Brides Blog, you should ask yourself 10 questions to be sure you're ready for happily ever after:

• Do you have any issues with his family or does he have any with yours? You might be very much in love with your future husband, but issues with his family (or vice versa) can mean trouble later on. Settling any issues before the big day is important for the long-term health of your marriage.
• Have you talked and do you agree on the handling of your family finances? Money is the number one reason marriages end in divorce; you need to devise a plan so your finances will be handled, and stick to it. You'll have peace of mind know that the financial plan is taken care of.

For the rest of the tips, see Do You Have a Marriage-Ready Checklist?

Be a Princess in Your Wedding Shower

A wedding shower is an fun and exciting time for a bride-to-be. Wedding showers is a party with a purpose. Wedding showers are used to help the couple furnish their home or for the bride to get ready for her wedding night. This shower is a great excuse for the bride and her family and friends to get together and have a fun time.

Planning one of these showers can take some time. Here is a checklist so you can assure that the wedding shower will be a hit.

Who hosts a wedding shower?

Ok, in tradition the maid of honor usually planned and hosted the shower party. Today, it is okay for any friends and family together to organize and host the shower. This usually works for everyone since the bill is split and no one is stretching their wallet. It honestly doesn’t matter who hosts the party as long as the bride is okay with the date and it is planned out in advance. If it is going to happen in a persons house, make sure that there is going to be plenty of space.

When to have the party

It is a good idea to hold the wedding shower four to six weeks before the ceremony. The bride is going to be extremely busy the last couple of weeks leading up to her wedding and doesn’t really want to have to worry about making it to her shower. Wedding showers work better when it isn’t so much as a surprise. The bride would rather pick a good date and time that works for her, than be interrupted in the middle of some important planning. Sunday brunches or a midweek lunch shower parties are usually good times to have them.

Whose to come?

Make sure that you only invite people that the bride knows well. A small group of family and friends works well. Do not go crazy and invite everyone that the bride knows. A large group can be too impersonal as everyone tends to go off into small groups. The point of a wedding shower is for everyone to be involved with each other and have a great time. No one should be left out. A comfortable and manageable shower should include between 10 and 20 guests.

What is a good theme?

Make sure that everyone involved in planning chooses a theme before sending out any invitations. The most used theme for a wedding shower is the “kitchen” theme. This is pretty easy for everyone to find gifts to give as you can never do without too much of kitchen wear. Also, every bride could most definitely use it in her new home. You can also choose a theme that fits the brides personality if you know her well.

Avante Garde Romance

A beautiful wedding for a beautiful couple. We had the honour of working with lovebirds Melanie and Jamie to plan their January 2010 wedding at the historic Chateau Laurier. Their decor both embraced and contrasted the winter weather in Ottawa. The decor was dark, elegant and romantic which was a beautiful juxtaposition to the stark white winter weather outside that shrouded the city. However, winter-like elements peppered in complimented the season such as delicate white feathers which reminded guests of the soft snow and strands of crystal beads were reminiscent of the city's gleaming icicles.

Working with couples like Melanie and Jamie who are so in love make us excited to be wedding planners who get these 'sneek peeks' into the most intimate moments of couples' lives.

Fleischer Photography http://www.ottawawedding.com/captured all the magic.

Wedding Makeup

You have always dreamed of this since you were a little girl. Now that it is your turn to make that memorable walk down the aisle to exchange vows with the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want everything to be perfect and that includes your wedding makeup.
Achieving a beautiful wedding makeup is not that difficult with these fabulous tips.

Prior to the wedding

Looking beautiful on your wedding does not only mean applying the right makeup on the actual day. It also requires a healthy lifestyle and proper habits even before your big day.

# See a dermatologist at least 3 months before your wedding to treat breakouts and acne if you have any.
# Have a facial done two weeks before your big day.
# Stay hydrated to keep your face fresh. Drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Stay away from alcohol, soda, and other unhealthy beverages.
# Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to give your face a healthy glow. Steer clear of fatty food that would make your face oily.
# Have your eyebrows shaped a week before your wedding.
# Look for a talented, reliable, and easy-to-work with makeup artist. Have makeup tests to see if you would like the artist's style. It is not a good idea to wait until the day itself to you find out how you would look like.
# Purchase makeup at least 3 months in advance. Choose waterproof makeup. This would ensure that your mascara would not smear even if you shed a tear or two or that your lipstick would stay on even after you drink water.
# Limit exposure under the sun. Sunburn and peeling on your wedding day are not a good idea.

On your wedding day

# Wear a button shirt during the application of makeup to avoid messing it up.
# Line your lips with a neutral pencil to make your lipstick stay on longer. You can also apply a light layer of powder over the first layer of the lipstick before applying another layer.
# If you find out you have a pimple on your wedding day, resist the temptation to squeeze it. Instead, apply a drop of Visene to remove the redness, hide it with a concealer, and apply light foundation. Be sure to blend it well.
# Keep your powder, lipstick, and mascara in your purse just in case you need to freshen up.
# Do not go for glittery and shimmery makeup unless you want to look greasy on your wedding photographs. Choose something in matte and neutral tones like pastels.
# Do not forget to apply sunscreen first if the wedding is going to be held outside.
# Use a water-based foundation for that healthy natural look.
# If you want to have your eyes look wide, use a white pencil in lining the inside of your lower lids.
# Use a bronzing powder to make your skin tone warmer.
# Remember, a light neutral look is ideal for a day wedding while a more dramatic look is good for an evening occasion.
# Choose shades according to the season. Spring and summer welcome bright pastel colors while warm deep shades are great for a winter or fall wedding.
# Pick colors that flatter your skin tone and hair color. For blonde haired women or those who have fair skin tone, cool tones are ideal. Warm neutral shades look good on brunettes and dark skinned brides.
# Keep the shine out by dusting your face lightly with translucent powder.
# Do not go for heavy dark lines on your eyes.

Just by simply being a bride, you are already the most beautiful woman on your wedding day. But following these fabulous tips, you would wow guests even more and of course, your groom with your perfect bridal look.

8 ways to personalize your wedding day

Here are eight ways to make your wedding as unique as you are:

1. If you're having a small, informal wedding, 50 guests or less, write your invitations yourself.
2. Choose a ceremony date that has a special meaning for you as a couple.
3. Have a ring bearer that's not a child, like your dog, for example.
4. If you really want to, have a Man of Honor or Best Woman instead of a Maid/Matron of Honor or Best Man.
5. Let the ringbearer carry something other than a pillow.
6. Serve a signature drink at the reception, and name it after yourselves.
7. Use lanterns overhead. Some to choose from include Chinese rice papers, rustic hurricanes or sleek glass.
8. Remember that color is one of the best ways to put your personal stamp on your wedding.

Feel free to share any tips you have for personalizing a wedding!

Source: Bridal Guide Magazine; Photo from: weddingreceptioncenterpieces.net

Bridesmaid Gifts

What are you going to give to your bridesmaids after they say yes to be your maids on your special day? A casual tote bag, a shirt with a little logo saying "I stand up for brides" and this seasonal thank you flip flops will be very useful and practical gifts for your bridesmaids. Here are more gift ideas for your bridesmaids.
You may add some girly and stylish monogrammed favors like the following :

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Why You Should Start Your Wedding Planning Early

If you are a bride to be in 2010, here’s some top tips why you should start your planning early!

Get The Dates You Want

Remember, there are only 52 weeks in a year which means only 104 weekends to choose from! Take away all the inauspicious days in 2010 and you’re left with not much choice at all! Starting your planning early gives you a better chance at getting and securing the dates you want early.

Get The Venue You Want

There are lots of nice places to hold your wedding but chances are if you thought it was nice, so did a hundred other brides! Its no secret that some wedding venues get booked up to two years in advance so get in there early to choose your dream venue.

Get The Wedding Photographer You Want

Wedding photographers just used to be an add-on to your wedding checklist to document your wedding story as it unfolds. However, some popular wedding photographers today have become the main focus of the wedding with some brides willing to move their wedding dates just to suit the photographer’s availability! So if you simply must have that brilliant photographer, contact him or her and block off their calendar quickly! Most of them get fully booked a year and a half in advance or more for popular dates!

Once you’ve blocked off these big items, breathe and enjoy the rest of your wedding planning! If you haven’t, don’t fret…its just January 2010 but do make sure you get to it soon!

10 things to do after you get engaged

According to TheKnot.com, the following are 10 things you should do right after you get engaged:

1. Send a funny ecard to let everyone know you're about to get hitched.
2. Plan your engagement party. Here are six planning tips from The Knot.
3. Choose your date (but stay away from these).
4. Find a fabulous reception site.
5. Get professional engagement photos.
6. Determine your budget.
7. Find the perfect wedding gown.
8. Create your wedding website, the one-stop shop all about your upcoming nuptials.
9. Consider hiring a consultant. As you probably know or have heard, planning a wedding isn't simple. Think about hiring a professional, even if it's just for the day-of.
10. Start your guest list. You can make changes later on, but for now, go ahead and add those who just have to be there.

For more info, check out Just Engaged?

Photo from: istockphoto.com

The First Dance

Your First Dance should be one of the many beautiful memories of your wedding day. By preparing in advance you will be able to relax and have fun with each other, enjoying your moment.

I'm pleased to offer you some suggestions for the First Dance on your wedding day.

SONG TITLE ARTIST
A Whole New World -Soundtrack "Aladdin"
Against All Odds - Phil Collins
All I ask of You - Michael Crawford
Always and Forever - Luther Vandross
All The Way - Frank Sinatra
Always - Sarah Vaughan/Billy Eckstine
Beautiful in My Eyes - Joshua Kadison
Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
Can You Feel The Love Tonight - Elton John (Lion King)
Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
Chances Are - Johnny Mathis
Crazy - Patsy Cline
Don't Know Much - Linda Ronstadt/Aaron Neville
Endless Love - Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey
Every Woman In The World - Air Supply
Everything I Do - Bryan Adams
For Once In My Life - The Four Tops
Glory of Love - Peter Cetera
Groovy Kind Of Love - Phil Collins
Grow Old With Me - Mary Chapin Carpenter
Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison
Heaven - Bryan Adams
Here and Now - Luther Vandross
Here We Are - Gloria Estefan
Hero - Mariah Carey
I Believe in You and Me - The Four Tops
I Got You Babe - Sonny and Cher
I Swear - All 4 One
I Finally Found Someone - Barbara Streisand/Bryan Adams
I Was Made To Love Her - Stevie Wonder
I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
It Had To Be You - Harry Connick, Jr.
Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
Love Will Keep Us Alive - Eagles
More Than Words - Extreme
My Girl - Temptations
Never Gonna Let You Go - Sergio Mendes
Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You - Glenn Medeiros
Now And Forever - Richard Marx
Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now - Starship
On Bended Knee - Boys II Men
Only You - The Platters
Power Of Love - Celine Dion
Take My Breath Away - Berlin
To Be With You - Mr. Big
Tonight I Celebrate My Love - Peabo Bryson/Roberta Flack
Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
We've Only Just Begun - Carpenters
When A Man Loves A Woman - Percy Sledge
When I Fall In Love - Nat King Cole
Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life - Stevie Wonder

Setting your wedding budget

Did you know that the average wedding cost is $28,000? With a number like that, I'm sure you can see why determining your budget is so important and why it can be overwhelming.

Here are some tips to help you plan your wedding budget:

Speak to everyone who's contributing to your wedding. Sit down with everyone who is going to contribute to your wedding and discuss how to reasonably split the tab and come up with a total number.

Assign totals for each service accordingly. When you've come up with a reasonable budget total, you'll then have to figure out where the money will go. Create a list of items, vendors and details that you'll need and how much you'll allocate to each. After doing that, you can tailor each amount to your style and priorities. For example, if your wedding gown is very important to you, you might splurge in that area and cut back on the floral arrangement.

Get a system and begin saving. You need to set up a reliable way to record your savings and spending. You can use anything from sophisticated software to regular, old spreadsheets to do this.

Bank it. If you already have money saved for your wedding, speak with your financial institution about the best way to accumulate interest leading up to the the big day. Be sure to open an account that is separate from your personal savings so you you won't be tempted to dip into that account.

Save smart. If you're starting from zero with your wedding savings, think about paying for as many of your expenses as you can with a credit card that collects benefits such as frequent flier miles, rewards or cash back that can go to your honeymoon travel.

Source: How to set your wedding budget. Photo from: big-wedding-tiny-budget.com

Davidson's Diamond Dash 2010 a Success !

We braved the freezing temperatures, the rain, the wind all to be a part of such a fun event held for the first time in Canada this past weekend in our very own city of Ottawa.

Davidson's Diamond Jewelers put up for a grabs a gorgeous (Simon G designed) $15,000 diamond ring. The catch; teams of two had clues texted to them to lead them to sponsors who offered them challenges or clues to move on. Get the clue right, you get to move on and get the points. The couple with the most points won. The announcement was made at an after-party at Heart and Crown with 105.3 Kiss FM as the emcees.

Aside from discovering your own city and bonding with your teammate, the event also raised money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Canada.

At our station, couples were placed back to back and they had to design their dream wedding centerpiece with a variety of real flowers. We gave everyone that tried the clue to move on but it was really interesting to see how many couples were on the same page with how they saw their "dream centerpiece". What we really thought was fantastic was that the men took more care arranging the flowers than the women did. In fact, one guy was not impressed with his centrepiece that he removed all the flowers from his vase and began again.

We want to say a big congratulations to the adorable winners: Nathaniel & Zoe... Great work guys!

We hope to be back next year to meet more wonderful couples !

Check out the great photos below courtesy of Valberg Imaging.

Reno Video Production also put together a great video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSSOzcMdow8

Karen gives the secret clue to one of our booth's visitors who successfully completed the centerpiece challenge

Focused on designing the 'dream centerpiece'

Go Go Go !

The contestants needed more than the t-shirts that were issued to stay warm !

Chriss and Karen giving out water on behalf of Marry Me

Dashers Dashing.....

Aimee and Jimmy were one of the great couples we met during the dash

The reason for dashing... The $15,000 Simon G designed Diamond Ring from Davidson's Jewelers

The proud winners Nathaniel & Zoe

Congratulations lovebirds !