Getting Engaged

Garden Tea Party Wedding Shower

October 13, 2010 By dena 2 Comments

I am totally smitten with this Mad Hatter Tea Party themed bridal shower featured on Green Wedding Shoes, with photography by Bryan Miller. The bride and her sister have always been fans of the Mad Hatter, so a Sunday brunch bridal shower in their parents back yard was the perfect setting for this whimsical tea party in the grass. "I can't say enough how much we got at thift stores and sap meets," says the bride's sister, who planned the party. "The great thing about this theme is the more … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Features, Getting Engaged Tagged With: bridal, china, garden, ideas, inspiration, outdoors, party, photos, shower, tea, teacups, theme, vintage, wedding

Must-Read Tips for Staying within your Wedding Budget

August 31, 2010 By dena Leave a Comment

The most daunting part about planing a wedding, perhaps, is figuring out how to get the wedding you want within the budget you set forth. That's why a little financial planning will take you a long way to keeping you out of debt. Talk about money: Sit down with your fiance and go through your bank statements, pay stubs, bills, and other financial records. Discuss how much each of you can afford to put toward the wedding. Write it down: You might think this goes without saying, but some … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Features, Getting Engaged, Money Matters Tagged With: basics, budget, finance, money, prioritize, save, Wedding Planning

Dating Strategies for the Marriage-Minded

August 26, 2010 By dena Leave a Comment

This is a website for brides... and brides-to-be! So if you are single but want to be married, here are the 5 golden rules for evaluating the prospects of long-term marital success. When it comes to making the decision about choosing a life partner, no one wants to make a mistake. Yet, with a divorce rate of close to 50 percent, it appears that many are making serious mistakes in their approach to finding Mr./Ms. Right! If you ask most couples who are engaged why they're getting … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Features, Getting Engaged, Marriage & More Tagged With: change, common, dating, decision, goal, how do i know, marriage, married, purpose, questions, safe, the one

Wedding Registry Do’s and Dont’s

August 18, 2010 By dena 3 Comments

You've got that registry gun thingy ready to go! Because when will you get another chance to walk into a department store and indulge your every whim without worrying about the price? But more than just the ultimate shopping trip, setting up a registry is an efficient way to let guests know what kind of gift you actually want. A registry also keeps track of who bought what and reduces the chance of receiving those hideous pieces that you can't imagine anyone would want! Even if you already … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Features, Getting Engaged, Wedding Planning Tagged With: basics, charity, china, fun, gifts, invitation, kitchen, mix-and-match, money, presents, registry, wedding

Warning: Marriage May Make You Fat!

July 14, 2010 By dena Leave a Comment

No matter how much effort you put into getting in shape for your wedding, you may find all those pounds returning after the wedding-- and then some! It doesn't seem to matter who you are, says iVillage, even buff and beautiful stars like Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, and Khloe Kardashian have packed on a few pounds after getting married. Why does it happen, and is anyone safe from this frightening condition called marriage? I'm sure you don't need me to tell you how life changes just a bit … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Features, Getting Engaged, Marriage & More Tagged With: diet, eating, fat, gain, husband, marriage, pounds, weight, wife

Wedding Invitation Inspiration!

July 8, 2010 By dena 4 Comments

Wedding invitations are the first taste your guests will get of what's in store for your special day. Keep it simple and elegant, or make a bold statement-- it's your call! But if you're having a hard time deciding which direction to go in (papers, colors, fonts, oh my!) take a look at these lovely invitations for a little bit of wedding invitation inspiration! Sunny Yellow & Blue Invitation from Martha Stewart Weddings * * * * Scrolled Romance via Wedding … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Features, Getting Engaged, Wedding Planning Tagged With: chic, elegant, inspiration, invitation, modern, paper, playful, pretty, wedding

10 Ways to Marry the Wrong Person

May 26, 2010 By dena 2 Comments

by Dov Heller Blind love is not the way to choose a spouse. With the divorce rate over 50 percent, too many are apparently making a serious mistake in deciding who to spend the rest of their life with. Here are practical tools for keeping your eyes wide open. To avoid becoming a "statistic," try to internalize these 10 insights. #1. You pick the wrong person because you expect him/her to change after you're married. The classic mistake. Never marry potential. The golden rule … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Features, Getting Engaged, Marriage & More Tagged With: advice, character, chemistry, divorce, Dov Heller, goals, happiness, intimacy, love, marriage, mistake, relationship, Ten Ways to Marry the Wrong Preson

Making Love Last: Advice from Grandma

February 10, 2010 By dena Leave a Comment

We tend to get so caught up in the merchandising of Valentine's Day that we forget what the holiday is really about: Love. When Erin Bried was interviewing grandmothers for her book, How to Sew a Button (and Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew), she asked each one for their secret to making love last, decade after decade. Watch this video to hear the advice of these wise women, each happily married for over 50 years! And if you're looking for more every-day wisdom, you should … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Features, Getting Engaged, Marriage & More, Money Matters Tagged With: advice, Erin Bried, grandmothers, How to Sew a Button, love, money, saving, Valentine's Day, Video, wisdom

Budget-Slashing Wedding Planning Tips

January 12, 2010 By dena Leave a Comment

Martha Stewart Weddings presents 65 Ways to Trim Your Budget... and who's budget couldn't use a little trimming, right? Here are some of their best wedding planning tips. If you have any other great budget-slashing ideas, please add them in the comment section! Save on Alcohol Instead of providing a full bar, serve a signature drink, such as punch or a favorite cocktail, instead of providing a full bar. Another option is to limit alcoholic beverages to wine and beer, choices that will … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Features, Getting Engaged, Gowns, Groom's Page, Money Matters, Wedding Planning Tagged With: alcohol, bar, budget, centerpieces, champagne, downsize, dress, favors, flowers, food, friends, gown, ingredients, Martha Stewart, money, save, season, tips, trim, wedding, wedding cake, Wedding Planning, wine

Learn to Fight Fair!

January 3, 2010 By dena Leave a Comment

Trust is probably the most important ingredient in building an intimate relationship between husband and wife. The essence of building trust is summed up in one idea by Dov Heller, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Los Angeles: Create a safe emotional space for your spouse. Many people wrongly believe that in a good marriage, you can "relax" and do not have to monitor everything you say and do. Nothing could be farther from the truth! In a good … [Read more...]