On a day when every detail matters and brides are looking for unique ways to set their wedding apart, you can add a special touch to your tables with this unique wedding idea.  Whether you use them as table decor or personalized wedding favors, I was amazed at the variety of styles to choose from.

From cute, disposable designs like the cherry blossom placemat below to ones that are almost like a photo journal (check out the one on the left) and even fun ones that include trivia about the couple, get inspired with a few styles I saw online.

Why is this rising trend taking over tables everywhere?

• They’re great conversation starters!  Giving guests something to talk about other than how long it’s taking for the wedding party to arrive, baby pictures, engagement photos and even trivia are like a walk down memory lane.
• They can also double as a unique wedding favor.  Add information about the bride and groom, tell the story of how you met or share what your future plans are.  It makes each one a unique keepsake.
• Setting a theme at the table is a breeze because they easily coordinate with your your themed wedding favors and decor.  For example, the cherry blossom place mat is perfect for Asian weddings, garden weddings or spring weddings.
• They’re great for bridal showers, too!

1. Party and drink tequila shots ’til dawn the night before you walk down the aisle.

2. Buy bridal shoes that are stunning–and two sizes too small.

3. Have the bridesmaid who got the most wasted at last night’s party do your make-up.

4. Overeat from stress until you feel bloated at least two days before the wedding.

5. Let every little wedding-day detail that goes wrong turn you into a raving maniac.

Pretty scary.                           Happy Halloween!

BUT, I just had to make mention of the wedding BOOTS in the back of the photo.  They’re strappy, sexy and totally covered in rhinestones!  Wouldn’t they be wonderful for a winter wedding!?  Can’t you just imagine yourself coming down the aisle in a gorgeous tea-length gown or mini that would do these cool boots justice?

Share the heat!

Since you’ll be warm and cozy at your winter wedding with these hot boots on, it would be a shame to have your wedding party and guests freezing their buns off!  Help your bridesmaids take the chill off with this personalized scarf set.  It’s a perfect way to thank them and keep them warm.  And, don’t forget your guests with these heart-shaped hand warmer favors.

This unusual event, the brainchild of Sylvia Wayfer-Clark of Weddings by Stephanie Marie in Atlanta, will take place over a 40-hour period. For only $40.00/bride and $40.00/groom, couples get a full wedding ceremony with bridal party and invited guests, followed by a complete reception with 1st dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss, etc. Those of you putting off your wedding because you can’t afford it–here’s your chance!

For some of the couples, this will mean their wedding ceremony will be held at 2 or 3AM, but that just adds to excitement and uniqueness. I think it’s a great idea, and I raise my champagne glass in celebration of Sylvia Wayfer-Clark and all the couples who participate in this wonderful event. Just think of what you’re doing for the children—and just think of what you’re getting in return!

Here’s Sylvia with all the information:

Whether they don’t cook or already have a ton of that kind of thing, that’s what many couples are saying about the gifts on wedding registries.

Most times, when people think about wedding registries, the first thing that comes to mind is something for the home–like towels, china or linen.  But, now, nontraditional wedding registries are popping up all over the place.  I just attended a wedding where the couple was registered at Home Depot, where some pretty handy tools topped the list.   From honeymoon registries to the down payment for a house, couples are getting pretty creative when it comes to their registries.

Here’s one more for the list!

So, when I came across this idea, I just had to share it.  An art gallery in New York is now offering a wedding registry for couples who are looking for “just the right thing” to spruce up their bare walls.  Not your typical wall art, these commissioned pieces are one of a kind and are a great way to show your good taste.  Just look at some of the paintings you could purchase!

Who would appreciate one of these paintings?

• Couples who already have the basics and really don’t need another toaster
• Couples with a flair for the creative and enjoy going to art galleries
• Couples who have been married before and already have a house full of stuff
• Trendy couples who always want to do something different

If any of these sound like you or someone you know, find a gallery in your area and see if they have a wedding registry.  Chances are, you’ll find something just as unique as you are!

Divorce Planning 101

After all the grief that got these women into divorce court, they’ve had enough, and they’re clearly ready to celebrate their freedom. The party’s on–and professional cake bakers are making the dough! How do I know? Take a look at these divorce cakes. A couple are pretty gruesome, but I have to tip my hat to the divorcees’ creativity and the bakers’ artistry, and I’d love to be invited to one of these parties…

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Walking up to the house on Halloween night, needless to say, Katie was blown away by his creativity and planning.  Enlisting the help of family, every single letter was carved into the pumpkins to spell out “Will You Marry Me?”  If you look closely, you’ll also see a heart-shaped pumpkin below which held the engagement ring.   She said YES, of course!!

You’ve got to hand it to the guy–it’s a cute idea and a great theme for their wedding.  I don’t know if they’re planning a fall wedding or not, but if they do, we’ve got the perfect pumpkin favor–brownie pops!  So cute and realistic, looking at them at the reception will definitely bring fond memories of the night he proposed.

In addition to the brownie pops, personalized fall leaves, hot chocolate or coffee, leaf bookmarks and leaf soaps are just some of the fall wedding favors they could use.  No matter which ones they choose, their guests will fall in love with them.

Reality vs. Perception

Frankly, there’s as good a chance your marriage will last and thrive as long as a marriage between two people the same age, which, unfortunately, isn’t saying much these days. And even though we all think we’re evolved when it comes to older women hooking up with younger men, most people still believe the woman is a predator—or we wouldn’t be called “cougars.” Folks, love doesn’t have any rules except the ones you yourselves find necessary to create in order to support your belief system. Think about it.

Meanwhile, Let’s Talk Tying the Knot…

As a wedding writer who’s definitely pro-cougar (you are my people,) I feel uniquely qualified to offer advice on wedding planning for the proper Cougar bride. Here it is:

Do whatever makes you happy. Elope. Have a small destination wedding. Have a big destination wedding. Wear jeans (like I did,) or go the gown-and-veil route. Get married anywhere you want, invite whomever and as many as you want, and enjoy every moment.

The love you share with your groom is no less valid than any other couple’s. If anyone has a problem with your relationship, it’s someone else’s problem—not yours. It’s your life and your happiness you might be throwing away if you listen to prophets of doom. Their opinions should, if anything, carry less weight than your own. Why? Because their judgment is superficial, based only on external perceptions and outdated cultural norms.

Bottom Line

Think it through. Don’t let your heart completely rule your head. (Good advice for anyone contemplating marriage.) Life gives no guarantees—to anyone for anything. If you feel as certain as any other woman that he’s the man you’re meant to spend the rest of your life with, don’t let anything stand in your way.

This revolutionary concept has captured my imagination, and I simply cannot resist sharing with you my somewhat twisted perception of a funeral put together by a wedding planner.

Dearly Beloved…

Beautiful flower arrangements fill the (church, funeral home, bar, or the appropriate venue.) Weddings and funerals do have flowers in common, along with a guest book and pen. The guests are escorted into the venue by ushers while an organist entertains with a playlist of the deceased’s favorite music. When all the guests are assembled, our organist begins to play “Here Comes the Bod.”

The March Down the Aisle

The pallbearers enter carrying the coffin. Like bridesmaids, the pallbearers are style- and color-coordinated.

They’re also wearing boutonnieres. When the officiant asks, “Who gives this body to be buried,” naturally, they all answer, “We do.”

The casket is chosen like a bridal gown—something that fits the deceased’s style and personality.  The coffin below might be perfect for a sci-fi/fantasy fan. Let’s assume it’s an open casket. The guest of honor is wearing a “See You Later!” button.

After the officiant says a few words, he or she says “If there is anyone who would like to share memories of (John or Jane,) please speak now or forever hold your peace.”

The Party Goes Live!

After the service, the celebration begins, with music, a light buffet, a toast to the happy corpse and, of course, the cutting of the cake. Before the guest of honor and the mourners leave the venue to travel to the graveside, they are each given a funeral-themed favor filled with delicious treats.

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The Graveside Service

After a final, short prayer, the coffin is lowered into the ground as family and friends remove the rose petals from the tulle bags they were given when they arrived at the cemetery and scatter them on what can now only be described as the guest of honor’s getaway vehicle, to which someone has attached angel wings and a tiny harp at the bottom.  With the deceased well on the way to that final destination, the guests go home with their funeral favor and the comforting feeling that it wasn’t them.

There’s the little engagement-story book and a matching favor box to fill with chocolates or some other candy. You provide the story of “how you met, how he proposed and why you love each other,” along with three or four engagement photos, and you’ve got a favor that goes way beyond personalized. I love it! What do you think?