Wedding Trends That Take The Cake

You’ve decided that you’d like to hire a wedding planner for your big day. Use these tips to help you find your perfect wedding planner match!

Ask for referrals. Check with friends and relatives who have recently wed and used a wedding planner. They’ll be able to fill you in on their experiences–what worked, what didn’t–and they’ll be able to tell you what services they received. That way you can start creating your wedding planner budget.

Look it up. Check online and in the Yellow Pages for wedding planners. Request info by phone, online or by snail mail before setting your appointment.

Conduct phone interviews. Interview prospective wedding planners on the phone before you start scheduling appointments in person. You’ll want to know how long they’ve been in business, if they are licensed, how their fee structure is set up and exactly how many weddings and receptions that they’ve planned.

Schedule meetings. Once you’ve chosen a handful of wedding planners that you like over the phone, set up an actual time to meet with them. Bring a family member or friend with you–or even your groom–so that you’re able to take in all of the given info. During the interview, tell the prospective wedding planner that you are talking to several planners and that you will be making a decision in the next day or two.

Request samples. Ask to see samples of the prospective wedding planner’s work to determine if you and the planner will have the same vision when it comes to planning your big day.

Discuss your budget. Your prospective planner should provide you with options on various wedding packages that he/she has available.

Get references. Ask the wedding planner for references, and actually contact them! Most planners will be happy to provide this information because their reputation is dependent on word of mouth publicity from satisfied clients.

Trust your instincts. You’re going to be spending a lot of time with your wedding planner, and it’s critical that you feel comfortable with his/her personality. Watch out for negative vibes. These will only increase as your stress level increases.

Get it in writing. Once you’ve decided on a wedding planner, make sure that you get all of the details in writing–and review the contract very carefully before you sign it! The contract should specify what you are paying and what you are getting in return. Be sure to ask about refund policies too, in case of last-minute cancellations.

Relax! You’ve taken the time to handpick the best wedding planner for you and your wedding. Now, sit back and let the wedding planner do his/her job!

Want to track some of the wedding details yourself? Try free wedding planner software from EZ Wedding Planner.

Lisa Bakewell

Looking for some great wedding ideas? Bridal magazines are always a great start! You’ll be able to plan your perfect wedding by perusing the pages of each of these great publications. Not at the planning stages yet? Daydream away!

Here are 10 bridal magazines you won’t want to miss:

Brides is designed to make the planning stage of your big day less stressful with in-depth articles on fashion, beauty, wedding style, etiquette, registry ideas and honeymoons. From destination weddings to backyard weddings to traditional weddings, Brides covers every aspect of the planning process to make your wedding special.

Modern Bride is a must for the bride-to-be. The bridal magazine that gives you fashion advice and options, and answers all your planning questions. Offering information and guidance for wedding preparations, the latest ideas in fashion, honeymoon travel, as well as tips on married lifestyles.

Martha Stewart Weddings received the National Magazine Award for general excellence. Read up on ideas that will help you stay within your budget, guidelines to hiring a florist, and beauty tips for the big day. You will find in each issue a section of worksheets that will help you plan and organize the many vital details of your big day such as your guest list and the catering.

Bridal Guide is the true guide for the beautiful bride.

Elegant Bride speaks to the sophisticated bride who expects both style and substance.

World Bride Magazine is an international, multi-cultural, bridal lifestyle publication. Its primary focus is that of marriage and the voyage of two people joining their lives together, mixing culture and heritage.

Wedding Style Magazine is a must-have resource for sophisticated brides.

Weddings Unveiled is everything weddings with vivid imagery, lush editorials, incomparable fashion and a sophisticated manner that appeals to intelligent, modern brides.

Latino Bride & Groom Magazine celebrates the culture and traditions of Latinos in the U.S.

THE KNOT Magazine has their dedicated wedding pros show you how to make the most amazing DIY favors and save big on flowers, cakes, photos and more.

To find these magazines, and more, go to your nearest local bookstore or order them online at Magazines.com, Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. Happy planning!

Lisa Bakewell

Pulling off the perfect wedding is a challenge, but making yours an eco-friendly wedding doesn’t mean making it more difficult. Use these 10 tips for planning your green wedding:

Plant the centerpiece.
For centerpieces and other wedding décor, you can use potted flowers, trees or plants. When the wedding is over, you’ll have a head start on beautifying your yard or patio!

Decorate with bamboo.
Bamboo is considered one of the most sustainable materials on earth, growing up to two feet per day, so it takes only three to seven years to mature. Use stalks of bamboo in centerpieces, or choose other bamboo accessories for your reception tables. To get more information on bamboo, visit Green Earth Bamboo.

Plant a tree or two or three.
Plant one tree or more in your backyard or the neighborhood where you got married after the honeymoon. That way you’ll be able to track the growth of the tree by the number of years you’ve been married.

Ditch the bouquets.
Have your bridesmaids carry fans instead of flowers. Or how about beautiful silk boxes or purses? If you still want the look of flowers, consider using silk instead of real blooms. Though they may be a bit more expensive, they will last forever.

Think locally.
If you REALLY want traditional blooms, support your local nursery. Locally grown, seasonal blooms will cost less money, and you’ll be helping your local economy. You could also use locally grown herbs, greenery, and berries instead of blooms or you can use them for fill in your bouquets.

Make a donation.
Make a donation in your guests’ names to an organization that plants trees (such as AmericanForests or the Arbor Day Foundation) in lieu of a traditional wedding favor.

Choose organic foods.Base your menu on food that is organic or locally grown. Consider serving a wedding cake made of organic ingredients as well.

Toast organically.
True Organic wines are certified by the USDA National Organic Program and have become quite popular. For the back-story on organic wines, check out this article from The Wine News.

Light an earth-friendly flame.
Candles are a must for weddings, but paraffin candles are produced from petroleum, which is not very earth-friendly. Use soy wax candles instead.

Put it on the Web.
Create a wedding site where you can list your wedding details instead of including them in your invitations. There, you’ll be able to list your registry details (along with your wedding details) and be able to express to your guests that you’d like eco-friendly gifts or, in lieu of gifts, you’d like a donation made to your favorite charity.

Lisa Bakewell

Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/ Getty Images

Engagements

Melissa Rycroft has had quite a year! Engaged. Not engaged. And now engaged again. After dating on and off for two years, she has agreed to marry Dallas insurance agent Tye Strickland. No wedding date has been set yet. Melissa, who filled in at the last minute on Dancing with the Stars came in third place and has been reporting for Good Morning America.

Rumor has is that Derek Jeter and actress Minka Kelly are engaged. Supposedly, the wedding is going to take place in the fall, when baseball season is done.

On July 1, Kevin Jonas (of the Jonas Brothers) proposed to his girlfriend, Danielle Deleasa. Lots of young women around the world are in mourning!

“American Idol” contestant, Katharine McPhee, is engaged to Nick Cokas–and has been for quite awhile! She hesitated to let anyone know because she didn’t want rumors about her love life to overshadow her career.

Weddings

Donato Sardella/WireImage

Mark Wahlberg & Rhea Durham
After years of indecision (and three children later), Mark and Rhea decided that “they will.” The pair was married on August first in a small Catholic ceremony at Good Shepherd Church in Beverly Hills. The couple’s children, Ella, 5, Michael, 3, and Brendan, 10 months, all watched their parents tie the knot, along with 20 other guests.

Kendra Wilkinson & Hank Baskett
The former Playboy Bunny (and ex-girlfriend of Hugh Hefner), Kendra Wilkinson, married football star, Hank Baskett, on June 27th at the Playboy Mansion. Since the couple has a reality show on E! (Kendra), the entire affair was caught on film. The couple is expecting their first child together in December 25th.

Kara DioGuardi & Mike McCuddy
The newest American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi wed general contractor Mike McCuddy in Prospect Harbor, Maine, on July 5th as about 30 friends and family members looked on. The hit songwriter wore a mermaid-style Vera Wang gown and says that her special day was perfect.

Robert Redford & Sibylle Szaggars
After nearly 20 years, big-screen legend Robert Redford wed German artist Sibylle Szaggars on July 11th. Redford speaks fluent German, so the pair said their “I do’s” in Hamburg, Germany–in German! The intimate wedding was held at the Louis C. Jacob Hotel on the Elbe River in front of 30 guests.

Eddie Van Halen & Janie Liszewski
It was a family affair when Eddie Van Halen married his girlfriend of three years, Janie Liszewski, at a Studio City ceremony in June. His brother (and Van Halen drummer), Alex Van Halen officiated the ceremony while Wolfgang Van Halen (Eddie’s son), acted as Dad’s best man. Ex-wife, friend and Jenny Craig spokeswoman, Valerie Bertinelli, was also there to help celebrate the big day.

Lisa Bakewell