Too bad I did this to myself - haha! (photo courtesy of Jessika Feltz Photography)

Let’s face it, unflattering photos of ourselves are everywhere.  Whether its the angle they were taken from, the poor lighting they were captured in or the unattractive, caught-off-guard, double chin pose we did to ourselves… we’ve all been haunted by heinous photos that continue to resurface time and time again.  <siiiiiighhhh>  Why?

And no time is a worse time for our not-so-hot-face-for-radio moments than on our wedding day.  So, what’s a girl to do when these inevitable photos from our supposed prettiest day ever begin to rear their ugly heads (pun intended)??  The same thing the staaahhhs do, daahhhhling… airbrush it, baby!

That’s right, picnik.com is an online photo editing service that allows you Photoshop yourself to sheer perfection.  For cereal, it’s ideal for people who A) can’t afford their own personal, super model editor or Adobe Photo Suite – who can?!!? or B) individuals looking to brush up their artistic skills. 

It provides the tools to do everything from turning your “too hot from dancing” sweaty forehead into an elegant, bridal glow to adding fun text to the shot of you and your bridesmaids getting down!  It über fun, no matter what skill level; so, go ahead and start editing today!  After all, isn’t it time for us to put our prettiest faces forward?

photo courtesy of beautifulblooms.com

YOWZAS!  Talk about making a statement from floor to ceiling… floating or hanging wedding décor is one way to get more bang for your buck!  Because they offer a means to create more levels of dimension throughout your entire reception hall, you’ll easily streeeetch your real estate dollar to its fullest potential by filling in areas that otherwise would be lost… And who doesn’t love that??

After perusing through several images on BeautifulBlooms.com, I couldn’t help but be inspired by these float-tastic furnishings and immediately set off on a journey to discover more.  (Of course by “journey,” I mean manic mouse clicking and by “discover,” I mean whatever Google Images wanted to show me… but alas, I digress.)   I went absolutely Lady GaGa for the one of a kind, optical illusions they create and fell even deeper in love when I realized their practicality.

Not only do these suspended superstars create an allstar look, but they also offer brides and grooms a way to decorate their tables without blocking the view of their guests.  Because big, bold centerpieces can create such big, bold WOW factors, so many brides are drawn to them… but they don’t always create the most rational way for your guests – seated in between and across from them – to communicate to others or worse yet… see you!  Blasphemy!

Hence, only furthering the appeal of hovering centerpieces!  By cutting out the middle “man” altogether and suspending the décor, you can be as big and bold as you want without blocking the view of your guests!  It’s a win / win for everyone!

Just be sure to go over things with your venue.  Since some of these will more than likely need more planning to accomplish, you should definitely work with your reception hall vendor and / or coordinator to make sure they go off without a hitch! 

And if you’ve found yourself already booked to venue that doesn’t allow or have a means to hang things, there are still several options for you to create this look.  One, consider using super tall, thin vases and placing floral or “pom pom” styled arrangements on the tops only.  This will ensure you’ll get the height you want with minimal to no distractions of your guests… Or I like the idea of using large, elevated glass cylinders.  You can fill them to the top with water, creating the illusion of “clear” space, and crowning them with your favorite flower buds, floating candles or fiber optics.

photo courtesy of manolobrides.com

Eco-friendly weddings are all the rage these days and for all kinds of reasons!  With more and more people jumping on the Team Mother Earth bandwagon, the increase of eco-chic is booming.  Now more than ever, people are realizing what we do today will directly correlate with what happens tomorrow… and they’re gladly making greener strides to a brighter future.  Gooo, us!

With support growing exponentially – especially through media and celebrity gusto-, “going green” is currently at its most stylish.  And what better way to this exemplify this beautiful cause than on the most beautiful day of your life… your wedding!   Below are 7 tips to make sure your wedding will be green with envy:

Pick Eco-Chic Engagement + Wedding Rings

photo courtesy of richelledantephotography.com

From the very first, down-on-one-knee moment to the big day of “I do’s,” you will have countless opportunities to go green!  For instance, even your bands can be eco-chic by choosing materials that are Mother Earth approved.  Consider using recycled gold, vintage jewelry or buying from green-loving jewelers.  Over fifty jewelry retailers have signed the Golden Rules agreement, promising to sell only gold from mines that are actively supporting human rights, labor, and environmental concerns.  In addition, it is also possible to buy conflict-free diamonds, purchased from areas not waging war over gems.  Buying “clean” gold and conflict-free diamonds ensures that you’re only supporting environmentally sustainable practices.

Choose Earth Friendly Invitations + Stationery

photo courtesy of smockpaper.com

While many Web sites and blogs may tell you that E-vites are the way to go, I’d have to disagree.  There’s a certain level of formality weddings should uphold, and while emailing may be the most eco-friendly solution, it’s definitely not the ONLY eco-friendly solution.  For the paper lover, consider using only one envelope instead two.  By cutting back on the inner envelopes and just sticking to one outer, you’ll save an abundance of trees.  Because the process of paper production is incredibly costly to the environment, you should also consider using paper crafted of 100% recycled materials or even ones made from other natural materials altogether.  Companies like Crane & Co. and Smock offer a great line of invites crafted of cotton and bamboo, making them a great way to go green for your wedding!

Go with Green Reception Sites + Venues

When choosing a “green” venue, it’s important for couples to take a few things into consideration before signing on the dotted line.  First, if you’re serious about having a wedding that is both eco-friendly and fabulous, you should be aware that typical venues like grand ballrooms, swanky resorts and whoo-whoo country clubs are often times guilty of using vast amounts of electricity.  Think about getting married outside, on a farm or in a botanical garden where au naturale sunshine can provide the light and heating and cooling systems are null and void.  If a traditional venue is a must, look for one that uses recycled, energy-efficient appliances and biodegradable products, as well as energy saving bulbs and lighting. 

Extra Tip for the Extra Green:  Gas emissions from cars are one of the main factors causing ozone depletion.  Consider having your ceremony and reception in one place to cut back on the fuel pollution caused by your guests having to drive from one place to another.

photo courtesy of jesseleake.com

Try to Choose Organic Menus + Catering

photo courtesy of veganyumyum.com

Because food is such a large part of so many kinds of celebrations, many couples find it harder to go green for their wedding menu… but don’t panic about having an expensive, organically grown vegan menu only.  There are several ways to help the earth while still keeping up the taste!  Try cutting back on things here and there to make a big difference in the end.  Choose in-season produce, fruits and vegetables that are grown locally.  This will cut down on the shipping and packaging costs, as well as the excess pollution and trash it causes. 

Think Outside the Flower Box

photo courtesy of brendasweddingblog.com

A word of warning: don’t let the bloom fool you.  Just because Mother Earth can grow it, doesn’t mean that all flowers are eco-friendly.  In fact, many flowers sold commercially are sprayed with harmful pesticides and fertilizers that pollute groundwater, kill organic material in the soil and have even made the workers fielding them sick.  Yuck!  Instead, consider leaving blooms out altogether.  In the spring and summer, switch floral bouquets with ones filled with vintage brooches and colorful ribbons.  In the fall, consider a robust display of locally grown gords and vegetables, and in the winter, try using fluffy faux muffs!  There are also several substitutes for eco-friendly table centerpieces.  Try decorating your tables with things that can be used again, like candles or vases filled with river rocks and colored water.

If flowers are a must, consider using locally-grown, in-season flowers.  Just like your food menu items, this cuts down on the cost and pollution caused by shipping.  Also, try potted plants for centerpieces that can be replanted later.

Bring in Biodegradable Favors + Gifts

photo courtesy of documentsanddesigns.com

It’s time for everyone to start being honest with one another… favors – no matter how ahhh to the mazing brides and grooms think they are – are often times forgotten.  They’re either left behind or thrown away, and because so many are made with non-biodegradable products, they are causing waaaay more harm than good.  I would encourage you all to do what the Mister and I did, and in lieu of favors, donate to your favorite charities in honor of your guests.  This not only gives money to a great foundation, but it also be rids the excess packaging it takes to wrap the favors and any leftover “trash” it may cause!

Reduce, Recycle + Re-Use the Wedding Dress

I know.  I know.  This is sometimes the hardest ones for brides-to-be to swallow because soooo many of us want our very own wedding dress.  However, I would suggest because so much excess fabric, electricity and travel are needed to make and ship a dress to every soon-to-be-Mrs., that she first start inside her Momma’s closet.  Vintage inspired gowns are the chicest chic there is, and you can always have them altered to fit your personality and style.  It’s your something borrowed and something new all in one :)

Extra Tip for the Extra Green: Also consider donating your gown after you’re done with it.  Since most brides only ever wear their dress once, this provides a venue for others to get just as much joy out of it as you!  

photo courtesy of vinatran.org

photo courtesy of manolobrides.com

Now, here’s a story that I fell absolutely head over heels in Louvre with…  Sarah Killen – a small town, unemployed bride-to-be from rural Michigan – became an instant, overnight success when Conan O’Brien selected her from obscurity to be his first “followee” on Twitter.  Last Friday at 3:55pm, O’Brien tweeted, “I’ve decided to follow someone random.  She likes peanut butter and gummy dinosaurs.  Sarah Killen, your life is about to change.”  (Haha! Conan is a comical genius!)

And change it did.   

According to reports, Sarah Killen – whose Twitter tag is LovelyButton – went from having a scantily clad group of three followers to a staggering list of over 20,000 in less than a week!  For all you math gurus out three, that’s like gaining 150 friends per minute… n.u.t.s.  But this new famed popularity crown is merely the tip of the ahhhh to the mazing iceberg that floated into Killen’s life.

Not only did this lucky lady gain the acknowledgement of one of comedy’s finest instruments and 20,000 (so far) others, but she also received a brand new iMac, several donations to her Susan G. Komen: Race for the Cure charity, a New York designer wedding gown AND wine for the nuptials… which I can’t say makes much legal sense for a not quite of age, 19 year old soon-to-be-Mrs. to receive… soooo, she should probably just forward that onto me: the easily over 21, former bride who would gladly toast her love at every “Cheers!”

Anyhoot, I seem to have wandered off course.  Soory aboot dat.  Bottom line, I would say that for a mere week’s worth of marinating, she has done quite well for herself, especially after you consider the fact that Killen and her fiancé, 21 year old John Slowik, only had a 30 dollar hollar saved for their upcoming, autumnal wedding… that’s right, only $30. 

Seems to me, that this future bride-to-be just might get the dream come true… and all because of one man’s tweet.  Absolutely increds!  I love how the world can work!  I wish you, Ms. Killen, all the happiness in the world and cheers to many, MANY tweetastic years of marital bliss!

Post Thought for Sir O’Brien:  Conan, you should probably do yourself a favor and follow WeddingXpert (Marilyn’s Keepsakes Twitter page)… then, a girl like Ms. Killen would totally be in the know for her September wedding, and the rest of the world could know the awesomeness that is MK :)… Plus, I technically just knighted you with that ”Sir O’Brien” title; sooooo, you kind of owe me.  Hehe!

I was losin’ it as I read through some of the more “colorful” options, but I couldn’t help but applaud the sheer genius of others!  Every wedding day has potential to get Army and be all that it can be; so, why not see what others did for greatness and make it your own?  Below are some of my favorite responses to emerge from ourmarriage.com, but please feel free to add to this list by leaving your unique idea here!  I always love hearing from you :)

Whenever we would go to a wedding we always are wondering who the people in the bridal party are and what is their relation to the bride and groom.  So at our wedding, in the program we listed each person in our wedding party with a little paragraph on how we know this person and a little fun tidbit and or why they are special to us.  It was nice for them to read and gave our guests a special insight of our friends and family and didn’t leave them guessing who was who!

I wanted to do something different for the centerpieces at my reception tables, so I decided to make my own candles. I used the dried flower petals that I had been saving from all of the flowers my fiancée had given me from the time we started dating. I thought that they were a true testament of how our relationship had grown, there were the first flowers he had ever given me, I love you, I’m Sorry, Get Well, thinking of You, Valentine’s Day, and anniversary flowers, all the way up to the purple roses he gave me when he asked me to marry him. They turned out beautifully and everyone loved them!

I wanted a good picture of my dad walking me down the aisle. Instead a picture of our “backs”, we took a few steps, stopped, turned around and the photographer got a great picture of our faces.  It’s the most cherished picture of me and my dad.

I’ve noticed at wedding receptions that the younger guests are usually bored.  So, for my wedding reception, I had a special “children’s table” set up.  There were balloons tied to every chair and “busy packets” at every place setting.  The busy packets contained coloring books and crayons, small puzzles, activity books and blank paper.  The kids were all together so they didn’t have to listen to boring grown up conversation and they had things to keep them busy.  We made a point of visiting the table several times during the reception.  It was a party for them and a great celebration for us! 

[Our guests] are requested to bring along a small Christmas ornament (1/per family) from their personal collections. The purpose of this is to remember all of our friends who came to our wedding. We will hang up all the little ornaments they gave to us on our tree at Christmas.

My fiancée and I absolutely hate the idea of the garter and bouquet toss.  So we have decided to do a variation on the theme. Instead of tossing the bouquet, we are going to give a single flower to every single women at the reception.  The flower will be a duplicate of one of the flowers in my bouquet.  The flower will have a poem pinned to it as well as wishes for love, success and health.  There is no reason that only one girl should have all of the fun, this way every single women is given well wishes.

This isn’t my idea – I was at a wedding the other weekend where this was done and I thought it was very nice! During the ceremony a photographer and a videographer photographed and videoe’d the wedding, as usual. At the reception, which took place right after the wedding (cocktails in between right outside the large room for the reception in between wedding and reception), a presentation was shown on a screen via projector. The presentation started out with photos and such of the bride starting with baby photos and ending with a recent photo. Then the same was done with the groom. They then showed the engagement photo. But then this is where the very nice thing took place: they then showed photos and video footage from their wedding which must have been at the most only an hour and a half earlier – most likely less!! It was a great surprise to all the guests, and it was super because the selected clips from during the ceremony after the procession were taken from a view that showed the bride and groom’s faces so we all got to see the important parts of the wedding from a view nobody gets to see otherwise! It was a fantastic presentation, set to music and all, too, of course. I recommend this idea!!

Instead of rice, bubbles, or anything else that people throw at the bride and groom. The wedding party should burn sparklers when the bride and groom are having their first dance. The lights are dim and the moment is so special, and sparklers are such a different touch. Or, you can get all the guests to burn one when they are leaving at the end. Whatever works.

We are asking our guest to send us their favorite recipes with their RSVP’s. We are then going to make cookbooks to give to our guest as favors. It’s really inexpensive and it’s nice to have a cookbook with both our families’ recipes. You can have the cookbook go with your theme or colors. We are binding ours together with cover coordinating with our invitations.