Wedding of Annabel and Ben - October 3, 2010

Latest wedding up. Check it out under "Another Smooth Wedding" on the left.

Enjoy!

If it's October...

that can mean only one thing. That's right! It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you are looking for a great charity to sponsor or support, I suggest Brides Against Breast Cancer. You can donate money and even your wedding gown. Find out how you can donate your gown directly on their Web site at: www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org.

Or, have a Pink Envelope wedding reception. Visit www.pinkenvelopeproject.org for details.

Looking for a unique favor for your guests? Consider making a pink envelope donation on behalf of your guests. Go to the Brides Against Breast Cancer Web site to read all about it.

Think Pink!

Get Married to Host First-Ever Wedding in NY's Times Square on New Year's Eve 2011

Following is a press release from Get Married. Hurry! Only ten days left to submit your entry for a chance to be wed in NYC on New Year's Eve!

Get Married media TO host first-ever wedding WITH A MILLION GUESTS IN NEW YORK’s Times Square ON New Year’s eve 2011
Engaged couples across the country invited to submit today until October 1st
for a chance to “Get Married in Times Square”
ATLANTA, September 13, 2010 –– Get Married Media, a national multi-media wedding planning and lifestyle resource, today announced that it will host the first wedding ever live in New York’s Times Square during New Year’s Eve 2011 by partnering with Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment, producers of the world’s most famous New Year’s Eve celebration. By submitting entries online at GetMarried.com now until October 1st, one lucky couple will have the chance of a lifetime opportunity; to win the wedding of their dreams, with the historic background of New Year’s Eve in Times Square, while sharing planning details and nuptials along the way with the Get Married online audience. The wedding will be witnessed by million people in Times Square and seen by millions of viewers around the world.

On New Year’s Eve 2011 before the annual Ball Drop, Get Married will host and broadcast live a truly unique and spectacular wedding event—Get Married in Times Square—for one deserving couple selected on www.GetMarried.com/Times-Square. As part of its mission to engage an interactive audience, Get Married will enable its online audience (www.GetMarried.com) to vote on key wedding elements provided by participating sponsors, including bridal gowns, bridesmaids gowns, tuxedos, wedding bands, wedding invitations and wedding cake. Each wedding component will be part of a virtual gallery of images and videos on GetMarried.com, providing information about the details its audience votes on, with the highest number of votes ultimately determining the wedding details for this extraordinary wedding in Times Square.

“We are ecstatic about hosting the very first wedding in the epicenter of New Year’s Eve excitement—New York’s Times Square—and we are looking for one special couple who wants to experience a true wedding adventure,” said Stacie Francombe, founder and editor-in-chief of Get Married Media. “Get Married promises the wedding of the decade and, with the iconic, vibrant and celebratory backdrop of Times Square, we welcome the opportunity to put one couple’s ‘I do’s’ in the limelight and in the hands of the passionate GetMarried.com audience.”

As the big day approaches, Get Married will fly the winning couple to New York City to meet with vendors, narrow their selection of wedding details, create webisodes showcasing voting options, and conduct media interviews about their unique wedding experience. The day of the wedding, Get Married will videotape the couple’s wedding preparations and various wedding elements—walk down the aisle, wedding vows, ring exchange, recessional—and by partnering with Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment, co-producers of New Year’s Eve in Times Square, will broadcast it live for the world as well as on the large LED screens around Times Square. Immediately following the wedding, Get Married will host a reception for the couple’s friends and family at Hard Rock Cafe New York in Times Square.

“As part of this year’s global tradition of New Year’s Eve in Times Square, we are thrilled to help bring together two exciting celebrations into one magical and romantic occasion, both for the happy couple and the viewing crowd,” said Tim Tompkins, President, Times Square Alliance. “With the flashing lights and the unmatched energy of the excited revelers, this will surely be one of the signature moments of the 2011 New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Get Married Media to celebrate the biggest event of the year,” said Jeffrey Straus, President of Countdown Entertainment. “The first wedding ever on New Year’s Eve in Times Square will be witnessed by the million revelers on site and broadcast across the globe via our TSTV pool feed and worldwide webcast.”

Now through October 1, 2010, Get Married is accepting applications from couples across the country who have a great story to tell and also deserve this once in a lifetime opportunity.

For consideration, couples must read the eligibility criteria, application information as well as acknowledgements, consents and releases on www.GetMarried.com/Times-Square and their application must be legible, complete, and signed.
Submission process
- Log onto www.GetMarried.com/Times-Square
- Review eligibility criteria, application, consent forms
- Complete the entry form
- Upload an image of you and your fiancé
- Upload a video of you and your fiancé (optional)

About Get Married Media
Get Married Media is a national, integrated multi-media wedding planning resource that reaches passionate brides online (www.GetMarried.com) and in print (Get Married magazine) and through unique videos. Get Married connects brides with local and national wedding vendors and experts through entertainment and news.

Get Married magazine (distribution 300,000) is the distinctive shopping and trend guide for the savvy bride. Moving beyond the traditional ways of delivering a bridal publication, Get Married magazine offers the newest interactive technology, the latest trends in bridal shopping and style, and a colorful, fresh voice in the wedding genre. For more about Get Married magazine’s Microsoft Tag, visit www.getmarried.com/magazinetag for step-by-step instructions, including a free application download, a list of Tag-friendly phones, as well as an actual Tag to test on your mobile phone.

Get Married magazine and the online portal at www.GetMarried.com offers brides an interactive experience, including an online wedding shop offering wedding invitations, wedding favors, accessories and products as seen in the magazine, as well as a wedding blog, video segments from the show, articles, image galleries and wedding planning tools.

About Times Square New Year's Eve
The Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment are the organizers of Times Square New Year's Eve. The Times Square Alliance works to improve and promote Times Square so that it retains the energy, edge and distinctiveness that have made it an icon of entertainment, culture and urban life. Countdown Entertainment, which represents the owners of One Times Square, and the New Year’s Eve Ball, is a marketing management and event production company specializing in the Times Square area.

About Hard Rock International
With a total of 169 venues in 52 countries, including 134 cafes and 14 Hotels/Casinos, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya, Bali, Macau, Penang and Singapore. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Punta Cana, scheduled to open in 2010; Panama, scheduled to open in 2012; and Hungary, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2013. Hard Rock International is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, visit www.hardrockhotels.com. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.

Vow Renewal

I know. I know. Because of personal reasons, it's been a long time since I posted anything.

But, now I'm back and last week I was preparing for a vow renewal ceremony for a good friend of mine.

Read all about it by clicking on "Vow Renewal of Michael and Krista" on the left under "Another Smooth Wedding."

Enjoy!

Garters

Want to wear a garter but are afraid it may “rub” you the wrong way? Well, fear no more. Florrie Mitton Garters of the UK are constructed with the same high-end quality and construction as bras with no chance of itching because they are lined with silk.

The garters vary from a simple silk band and bow to an extravagant puff of soft tulle. You could have lace ruffles with scalloped or leaf edges and you’re done or add ornate, hand-beaded trimmings.

Check them out at: www.journelle.com and etsy.com. The garters range in price from $59-$92.

Hey everyone,

It's that time of year again to don your running shoes and attend the famous Filene's Basement "Running of the Brides."

Our local one will take place this Friday, July 30 at Filene’s Basement, Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, D.C. from 8:00AM to 9:00PM. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. All sales are final.

Below is more information and great tips directly from Filene's Basement.

CREATE YOUR TEAM We have just launched an exciting and fun way for you to recruit your team for the upcoming Running of the Brides® event. Simply add each of the members of your A-list, select a fun nickname, and upload their photo. The result is a customized invitation asking them to join you at this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Go to www.filenesbasement.com/running-of-the-brides.

ALTERATIONS ADVICE So what if you find a dress that you love, but it’s too big or too small, needs repair, or even re-styling? Maria Luz and her staff from Anytime Alterations of Silver Spring, MD will be at the Running of the Brides® all day to help. Winner of the Bride’s Choice Award 2010 byWeddingWire.com, they can tell you what can or cannot be altered, repaired or re-styled, and give you a ballpark price to do the work. www.anytimealterations.com

Here are some great tips to prepare you and your team for the Running of the Brides:

Thursday Night
--Drink lots of water
--Get a good night's sleep

Friday morning, before you leave the house

--Food is fuel - have a good breakfast
--Dress in a sports bra and bike shorts, leotard or swimsuit
--Leave your handbag behind; you'll want as little as possible to keep track of
--Don't wear make-up - it might rub off on the dresses
--No jewelry; last year, a bride-to-be lost her engagement ring when it got caught on a lacy dress

Best time to arrive at the store Friday morning

If you want to be part of the "rush to the racks" then plan to arrive by 6:30AM
Or, arrive later (anytime after 11AM) when things have calmed down and you can peruse the racks at your own pace; check out www.filenesbasement.com/campaign/late.php.

At the Sale

--Be considerate and play fair; please, please, please don't horde dresses; grab what you can, go through the dresses quickly and give up what you don't want so other brides can get started; Filene's Basement reserves the right to limit the number of gowns you can hold at one time.
--Be open-minded--try on whatever comes your way; if you focus too much on a specific style or label, you might just miss the dress of your dreams
--Remember, gowns usually run small; don't even look at size tags. Just eyeball the dress and if it's close to your size, try it on.
--Take a break if you get tired and cranky; grab some water
--Take pictures and have fun! These memories will last a lifetime.

Note: This event will likely be photographed and taped by local news outlets and by other photographers for possible broadcast or publication. By your entrance into and presence at the sale, you give unqualified consent to use, record and publicize your voice, actions, likeness and appearance in any manner in connection with news coverage and/or publicity. If you do not wish to be photographed or videotaped, please hold your hand up and inform the camera operator of your wishes. All photographers are required to have press credentials or Filene's Basement authorization tags visible to customers. If you have any questions, please locate a Filene's Basement manager.

Happy shopping. If any brides-to-be are reading my blog and you attend this event, please send me your experiences and I will post them on the blog.

July 3 Wedding

I'm back. My Internet has been out for the last two weeks and looks like it finally is back, hopefully to stay.

Check out my latest wedding under "Another Smooth Wedding." Page down on the left and click on the link for "Wedding of Norma and Patrick."