After "YES," Before "I DO" and Everything In Between

Now that summer's here and we're in the thick of wedding season, it seems befitting for everyone to turn their attention to the ultimate vacation...THE HONEYMOON! Per the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word "honeymoon" dates back to 1546, but is likely much older. "Honey" was a reference to the new marriage's sweetness, while "moon" referred to how long bliss would probably last (where use of the moon was a comparison, as it wanes as soon as it is full...similar to the affections of a newly married couple, being most tender right after marriage). Since the honeymoon is likely the best of times between newlyweds, brides and grooms are paying special attention to their location options. Here are a few of my personal favorite destinations and resorts for honeymoons, the last being my absolute #1 choice: (photos courtesy of TripAdvisor.com) Cap Juluca - ANGUILLA If there is one place that embodies the romance, serenity and physical bea...

It's all about first impressions and they're hard to break, so never forget how important your wedding invitations are. Try not to fall into thinking such as "The invitations are only going to end up in the garbage, so who cares about that." Contrarily, you should pay very close attention to the style, formality and design of your wedding invitation, as this will set the tone for your event. For example, if you're having a casual intimate affair, it would be best to steer clear of overly embellished invitation sets with fancy wax seals. This may encourage female guests to attend in gowns as opposed to more appropriate cocktail dresses. Alternatively, if you're wedding is being held at a castle featuring two live bands and a caviar station, you'd want to skip the DIY invitation kits available at Staples. There's something out there for everyone, so start early and do your research. Here's a sampling of what's new and fresh in the market...

Our Weekly Wedding Eye-Candy today features none other than a recent New York City wedding. Ok, so I might be a little biased having grown up in the tri-state area fully believing there's no wedding like a NYC wedding, but I can't help but think this may actually have some truth to it. Of course, with the right photographer, a wedding ANYWHERE can look like a million bucks...but in this case it's a New York wedding AND Jason Groupp is one of those "right" photographers. When I first saw these gorgeous photos I thought of my favorite Sex & The City character, Charlotte York Goldenblatt.  Without a doubt, Charlotte would have had this type of wedding. I'd say my favorite details are the stunning vintage white anemone bouquet, chandelier-style centerpieces and, last but not least, the gown. Feast your eyes ... - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

 (photo courtesy of Lumiere Imaging ) There's a reason why women LOVE shoes...because designers start us off with such snazzy options as little girls! When shopping for flower girl shoes, remember to check these out.  I just love the ones with little "heels."  Too cute! Kenneth Cole Reaction 'Snazz 'n' Blues' Pump   Little Raggio Ballerina Capucine Flats Venettini Kids Leather Flats Chloe Leather Ballerinas D&G White GLAMOUR Shoe Betsy by Rachel Kids Girls' Twinkle Ballet Flats   - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

Calling All After "YES," Before "I DO" and Everything In Between Blog Readers! WeddingChannel.com has announced the launch of its first annual Bridal Blog Awards program. Now through July 8th, WeddingChannel.com invites all wedding bloggers and their loyal fans to nominate their blogs for this exciting new program. So, go on over and nominate us today ! Here's how it works: Just go to the Bridal Blog Nominations board . Create a new post and call it After "YES," Before "I DO" and Everything In Between . Then, be sure and follow this format with the below information: After "YES," Before "I DO" and Everything In Between The url:  http://thebridalpartyllc.blogspot.com/ Short description of our blog (i.e. Wedding Planning Blog ) A link to your favorite post that reflects our style and category (i.e Inspiration Board: Plum Perfect - http://thebridalpartyllc.blogspot.com/search?q=plum+perfect Why you want After...

Coffee break... Here's a cute and comedic video on how to include your groom in the wedding planning, courtesy of Love U and YourTango.com ! - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

Our Weekly Wedding Eye-Candy for today features a recent wedding that took place in San Diego, California. The ceremony and reception were held in Balboa Park 's gardens and restaurant and the couple's photographer, Stephanie Williams , simply outdid herself. The soft texture and romance captured with each photo is amazing. In addition to the amazing use of the pink, navy and purple hues, I really loved how the bride's ensemble was trendy, albeit classy. And as the saying goes, "sometimes less is more," here's a prime example of just that. Feast your eyes ... - - - - - - - - - - by Rashana Anderson Founder & Managing Director, THE BRIDAL PARTY

(photo courtesy of The Marconi Automotive Museum ) Dear Rashana, I'm very interested in giving my wedding guests a "different experience." I've been to about 15 weddings in my lifetime and not-surprisingly they were all very, very similar. I want my wedding to be unique and provide our family and friends with something they're not used to. While I'm not a fan of making big changes to our religious ceremony, I am interested in exploring unique options for the reception. What reception formats could you suggest? Anything But Run-Of-The-Mill * * * * * * * * * * Dear Anything But Run-Of-The-Mill , I'm so glad you asked this question. I think the idea of selecting a less-than-traditional reception format is a magnificient idea. As long as you're sure to include the best man's toast and wedding cake, it's up to you.  Now, the time and formality of your wedding is key to selecting the appropriate reception format.  If your reception sta...