Getting Something of Grandma’s Never Had a More Perfect Fit!

No matter how many weddings I attend or how many engagement stories I hear, I am always so excited to get a peep at the ring. Maybe I’m a sucker for romance, but it's absolutely adorable to see the way a recently engaged woman does all sorts of hands dances to show off her newest love joy. I especially love it when they drive with their windows down in cold weather just so they can stick that gorgeous ring finger out and admire their new rock in pure sunlight. It’s absolutely divine! Some of the more recent engagement rings I’ve seen, however, aren’t recent at all. In fact, they are what most people would consider old. But alas, just as wine blossoms with age, so do these magnificent rings. Say it with me, antique engagement rings! I was standing in the grocery line last week, when a freshly engaged woman did the infamous hand dance with her stunning jewel. It of course caught my eye, and knowing full well that most women love to discuss their engagement, I proposed a simple, gushy compliment and asked the story about her ring. She went on and on about how the ring was her fiancé’s Great Grandmother’s ring dating back to the late 1800s. I was fascinated. So, I went home and immediately searched online. Site after site was dedicated to the old worldly rings. They were gorgeous, and many price conscious.

I was wondering how many of you have found these rings… or maybe even have these rings? Feel free to leave a comment or send a picture. I never get tired of *ooh’ing and aww’ing* over beautiful jewelry. I think it could be the full time hobby of most women! Let me know what you think! I love to hear from you!

Thanks and be sure to make your day as fabulous as you!

Cathy

The Infamous Guest List

A friend of mine’s son is planning to be married in about 6 months. Tom and his fiancé have run into one big problem… narrowing down the guest list. Essentially a wedding guest list is bringing two sets of family and friends together and making one big happy bunch. And while some people want to include everyone, including their first after-school-boss and their favorite lunch lady; others are just as happy with a close knit group of their favorite people. Like most things in life, weddings tend to just keep growing and adding and multiplying without providing much comfort for an established end. I keep thinking of the part in Father of the Bride when Steve Martin’s character goes light headed over all the returned RSVP’s.

My question is, how much is too much? Is there any such thing? Whose feelings should be considered when finalizing your list? I would love love love to hear from all of you! Please let me know, and be sure to find all the perfect gifts for your out of town guests here!

Thanks and be sure to make your day as fabulous as you!

Cathy

It’s Almost Time to *Fall* In Love All Over Again

I almost lost it today. I was driving in my car, and I saw a Halloween Express already resurrected in a strip mall. I couldn’t believe it. “No way,” I thought to myself. Then, I glanced at my phone and realized that, “Yes, it really is the Autumn season.”

This is always a romantic time of year for me. The colors of every tree, the smell of every sunrise and the smile of every friend all, all seem to create a warming effect. The air begins to produce just enough of a nip to make most people want to snuggle with the one they love. This made me wonder about what people are doing for fall weddings. It seems like the types of themes and colors would be limitless. I could see the lushest Autumn bouquets marching down the isle in the hands of elegant bridesmaids dressed in scarlet. I even saw the cutest accent pieces here. What do you guys think? Any of you planning an Autumn wedding? I would love to hear all about it!

Thanks and be sure to make your day as fabulous as you!

Cathy

Multiple Ceremonies for the Same Marriage… Essential or Overkill?

In light of all the Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock weddings (That’s right. Weddings is plural there), there have been some questions raised on necessity. On my way into work this morning, I heard a young woman report that they had just gotten married… again. She followed this testimony with a long sigh and said, “Enough already. We get it. You’re married.”

Many believe that some people, especially celebrities, take having multiple ceremonies for the same marriage a bit over the top. But others would disagree. I’ve known people who have had “location” weddings in Fiji or the Florida Keys that are very personal and private, and then, they follow up that ceremony with another one in their home towns with all their friends and family. What do you all think of this? Is this something that you consider realistic? Can there truly be too much celebration? Or should it be like most weddings, in the hands of each bride?

I would love to hear from you, and please check out all our fantastic new arrivals!

Thanks and be sure to make your day as fabulous as you!

Cathy

Make Sure to Pick and Choose Your Battles

Ahhh, yes. The day has finally arrived. The love of your life got down on one knee and shakily asked the words you have been longing to hear. “Will you marry me?” It was even more perfect that you ever imagined. Through tears or laughter or maybe even both, you give him an emphatic, “Yes!” Your true journey of becoming one life has really begun. After the phone calls, hoorays and initial shock wears off, many brides begin to focus strictly on their wedding. And “Why not?” I say. This is your day.

However, amongst the planning and trials and errors, it seems that the groom generally takes the back seat in planning. A friend of mine recently got engaged, and it seems that her fiancé’s new favorite phrase is, “Whatever you want, dear.” Not all grooms-to-be are so apathetic, however. Some really want to play a role and have a say. This is where picking your battles plays a key role. Don’t ruin the wedding day by arguing up until the vows. Compromise with each other and realize that in fifty years, it won’t be about the color of the napkin place settings, it will be about the two of you… No matter what place settings were chosen. What do you think about this? Have any of you experienced problems like these?

Find humor and love in all you do, and you will be sure to succeed. Surprise your prince with something funny and sweet or something he’ll truly enjoy. Make your journey as happy as can be!

Thanks and be sure to make your day as fabulous as you!

Cathy

Unity Sand Ceremony… an unconventional twist to a time honored tradition.

I first noticed this new trend on Trista (“The Bachelorette”) and Ryan’s nationally broadcasted wedding. Then, I later heard that pop star Pink also chose to do it at her wedding. It seemed that unity sand candles were beginning to take flight, and while the sand ceremony has deep roots that go back years and years ingrained both in Native American and Hawaiian cultures, it hasn’t been until recently that it sparked a nationwide boom.

Anyone who has ever been to a wedding ceremony has seen the customary unity candle ritual. It’s special. It’s intimate. It’s, well, tradition. But sometimes even the most time honored traditions can take on a new edge. Enter… the sand candle. It’s fun. It’s hip. It’s new. The sand ceremony really adds that extra twist, making each person’s wedding day more unique and accustomed to fit their personality, which is what it should all be about anyway.

I think this new trend is fantastic! Feel free to see what it's all about! Let me know what you think! Is this something that interests you? What other ways have you seen weddings take tradition to a whole new level? I would love to hear from you!

Thanks and be sure to make your day as fabulous as you!

Cathy

Surprise Weddings... is this becoming a trend?

It seems that lately everywhere I turn I'm hearing about someone having a surprise wedding. Recently, I actually had someone in my family have a surprise wedding, then I hear a bride call in to a radio program to talk about her surprise wedding, and on top of that I just read an article online about another couple who had planned a surprise wedding. Is this a new trend that I am not aware of?

One couple planned a Halloween party for 120 of their closest friends, then surprised their guests as they showed up in bride and groom skeleton costumes for their horror-themed wedding. Another couple planned a Memorial Day barbecue for close friends and family, then as the party got under way they appeared in informal wedding attire to perform a wedding ceremony in the backyard.

This all sounds very exciting, doesn't it? Can you imagine being present for something so unexpected? Is this really becoming a trend? Let us know what you think or does anyone out there have any stories about a "Surprise Wedding" that you've attended?

A Bright Idea for a One of a Kind Groomsmen Gift

A wedding-party golf outing seems to be a popular trend these days for the groom and his groomsmen. So many of my male friends have arranged a golf outing for the guys in the wedding party for the morning of the wedding... or the day before the wedding.

If you're planning a wedding party golf game, and you haven't purchased your groomsmen gifts yet, this Personalized Cooler is the perfect thank you gift for all the guys in the wedding party!

My insulated cooler features a shoulder strap and side pockets that make it multi-functional on the golf course -- not to mention the embroidered initials will ensure that he will not mistake his cooler for the other guys. But don't just give it to him empty... fill it with his favorite brew or golf accessories like personalized golf balls, golf tees, divot tool, etc.

Your groomsmen will love this gift because he can use it over-and-over again. So even if you're not having a wedding day golf outing, when does a guy not need a great cooler? This little gift if perfect for any occasion.

A Bright Idea for a One of a Kind Bridesmaid Gift

This is a genius idea for bridesmaids gifts -- especially if you have out-of-town bridesmaids! My toiletry bag with a soft suede finish is just darling when embroidered with a name or monogram. I love the idea of filling the bag with various spa products that your bridesmaids can use during the wedding weekend - shampoo, conditioner, scented lotion, etc...

Give it to your girls at the rehearsal dinner or surprise them with a gift when they check in to the hotel for the wedding weekend. You can arrange with the hotel management to have the desk clerk give the packages to the girls when they check-in. How great would it be to get a nice surprise like this when you check-in to a hotel? It's such a unique way to show them your appreciation and thank them for all of their efforts in helping you plan your wedding.

Check out these personalized toiletry bags on my website. I know that your bridesmaids would brag about this gift to all of their friends and family for many years to come! It's something they can use everyday, or whenever they travel.

A Bridesmaid's Budget

If you've ever been a bridesmaid you know how expensive it can be. Sure you're excited and flattered at first that your friend asked you to be in her wedding, but it isn't until later when you find yourself asking... What have I gotten myself in to? Don't get me wrong every bridesmaid out there is honored to be one, but sometimes a bridesmaid can spend nearly $1000 when you factor in travel arrangements.

So what can you do to be more budget-minded? As a bridesmaid suggest to the bride to think about bridesmaid designers like Alfred Angelo, Mori Lee, and Bari Jay. All of these designers offer a great line of dresses that wont break the bank. They also offer knee length or tea length dresses that are great "Wear Again" looks. You may even consider picking a great dress right off the rack from a department store. Some Social Occasion departments offer a wide variety of cocktail and informal dresses that can look just as stunning as a traditional bridesmaid dress.

Of course with every great dress you need an equally great pair of shoes... right? Consider picking neutral colored shoes from a department store to match the bridesmaid dresses. More than likely any shoe store will have great-looking shoes in colors like black, silver, gold, clear vinyl, taupe, cream, or beige that will coordinate with most color schemes nicely. This can be a huge savings considering most dyed-to-match shoes can be wildly expensive... and let's face it not all that attractive. I'd rather get a great pair of department store shoes that you can wear again, wouldn't you?

If you're a bridesmaid who will have to travel to the wedding city, instead of staying in a pricey hotel, ask the bride (or groom) if they have any friends or relatives that are willing to put you up for a couple of nights. This idea is not only economical, but it's an opportunity to connect with other people an make long-lasting friendships. In addition, if other bridesmaids live close by -- arrange to carpool with them to the various wedding events that may take place that weekend... this will save you from renting a car.

Everyone knows that bridesmaid's are responsible for throwing bridal showers and bachelorette parties. Instead of planning these events a month or two away from the wedding date save yourself the additional trip and arrive into town a couple of days early and have these events right before the wedding? This is a great budget-saving idea for the out-of-town girls because you will not have the expense of two travel arrangements.

These are just a few penny-pinching thoughts. If you are a bride, or a bridesmaid tell us about what budget-conscious tactics you're using... We'd love to hear your ideas on bridesmaid budgets!

Good luck,
Cathy

Wedding Trends for 2006

I just stumbled across an article today online titled "Top 10 Wedding Trends for 2006" and I thought I'd share my favorite trends from that article with you.

Make your wedding Personal & Whimsical: The suggestion in the article was to have your grandmother's best recipe as part of your reception menu. I think this idea is brilliant. Thinking along those same lines... how about placing a table of family "wedding" pictures at the entrance of your ceremony? This will add a lot of texture and visual interest in addition to traditional floral arrangements.

Metallic & Embroidery Fabrics: Touches of silver threads embroidered into the pattern on a wedding dress or in your accessories. Cathy's Concepts even offers the Vintage Sparkle wedding collection as the perfect match to that metallic embroidery.

Hot Colors: One of the colors listed in the article that I read was chocolate brown. I completely agree! My cousin used Chocolate Brown at her wedding and paired it with Champagne and a shimmery rose color. It was brilliant. It created such a feeling of warmth and luxury. In the last couple of months I've seen a lot of Chocolate Brown being paired with a vibrant aqua color. This combination is off-the-charts popular right now in fashion and home interior in fact I see it just about anywhere I go.

I'll be keeping you posted on trends periodically, but this particular article that I came across today was super interesting so I thought I'd share it with you. Enjoy!

- Cathy

Pop Star Pink Gets Married

Congratulations are in order for pop star Pink and her new hubby Motocross racer Carey Hart. The couple was married in Costa Rica recently and according to reports the wedding has been described as being a little non-traditional. LoveTripper.com says that Pink wore "an ecru colored dress, stepped out in bare feet on to the sand of the Papagayo peninsula and began to walk toward motocross champion Carey Hart to the tune of the Billy Joel classic, "She's Always A Woman." In my opinion that's definitely not traditional, but it's also not completely an off-the-wall notion to me either.

According to an article I found at http://people.aol.com this celebrity couple wanted a wedding that was "very fun and non-traditional". My question to you is how many of you feel the same way? What sort of lengths are you taking to make your wedding day fun and non-traditional? I'd love to hear your stories on how you're tossing tradition aside and planning a non-traditional wedding.

I look forward to your wonderful ideas!
- Cathy

A Must Read for the Groom-to-be

After reading the reviews on the book titled "The Engaged Groom: You're Getting Married. Read this Book." by Doug Gordon -- I'm convinced it's worth the trip to the bookstore to thumb through it a bit... maybe even buy it. I would have given anything to have my Groom get more involved in the wedding planning process and since this book is written from the author's actual experience it's an easy read. Girls... if you're searching for a way to get your guy more involved in planning your big day it might be fun to read this book together!

Read Review
Get the Book

Did you get engaged over the holidays?

December is by far the most popular month to get engaged, did you get engaged over the holidays? I must admit when I got engaged it was during the holiday season. My guy did it the week before Christmas which caught me completely off guard. I sort of expected it on Christmas, but the week before? I was totally surprised. I suppose that the magic of the holiday season does in some way make this time of year a little more special than say the middle of March. It's the time of year when you spend extra time visiting with friends and family which makes it ideal for celebrating an engagement too!

So brides my question is, were you surprised that he popped the question over the holidays or did you kind of expect it?

How creative did your guy get in planning the engagement? Was it a traditional moment on bended knee, or did he do some sort of well-orchestrated event? We'd love to know your story.

Check out this interesting article titled "'Tis the Season to Get Engaged" by Buck Wolf of ABC News. It's a fun-filled article with some interesting stats on getting engaged during the holidays.

Happy Engagements to all,
Cathy