Fresh finds, unique ideas, and hot trends in the world of weddings
Merci Made Easy
Thank you notes, always a chore, just got a whole lot easier. Leave no good turn un-thanked with a Deluxe Bridal Thank You Box, which includes a collection of personalized cards for everyone on your list – friends, family, the wedding party, vendors, you name it - all in a keepsake box. Each chic card comes complete with a clever message for specific people, like this one for a bridesmaid: “I know I made you wear an ugly dress and matching shoes…but I am so glad you could be a part of my special day.” After you’ve sent your last thank you (whew!), you can keep the pretty box to store wedding mementos.
where to find
Deluxe Bridal Thank You Box, www.paperbride.com, $75 for 50 notes and envelopes.
link | More: In the Details | Planning Made Simple
Printable Wedding Planner
Let’s face it-planning a wedding takes a lot of time and organization. It’s easy to see why tasks from setting the budget, to creating the guest list, finding a reception hall, and planning your wedding day ensemble may overwhelm even the most “together” bride-to-be.
This free printable wedding planner can get you through it all unscathed. The handy guide contains all the worksheets and checklists you need to make planning simple. Read it, Print it, put it in your binder or folder – it’s yours to keep.
After you download your complimentary copy, you’ll receive a step-by-step guide walking you through the entire planning process. There isn’t any need for you to spend the next few months fretting about your wedding plans - just follow the easy instructions, use our checklists to ensure you’ve got it all organized, then sit back, RELAX and enjoy this time…
where to find
Printable Wedding Planner, Elegala.com (yours truly!), FREE
link | More: Planning Made Simple
Thank You Notes Made Easy
Etiquette experts would probably veto multiple choice cards for thank you notes, but these cheeky fill-in-the-blank cards make quick work of writing thank yous in a witty, irreverent manner. In true Mad-Libs style, busy brides can thank gift givers with a few check marks for, say, “the future heirloom,” or “the versatile cash,” and promise to “enjoy it” or “put it out when you come to visit.” Best used for less formal engagement or shower gifts, they offer a sassy way to thank those with a sense of humor. But consider yourself forewarned: You’ll probably still want to go the traditional route when writing your great grandmother about that hand-knitted scarf she gave you.
where to find
Knock Knock, knockknock.biz, 800-656-5662, $6.50 for a box of 12
link | More: Buzzworthy Ideas | Planning Made Simple
Accidental Tourist - Destination Wedding Guides
Destination weddings continue to increase in popularity, so providing wedding guest baskets that include location information has become the norm. But why make them slum it, when they can luxe it? These Luxe City Guides are sleekly designed pocket travel guides written in a witty, irreverent tone (advice for London: “On a budget? Don’t come”). Inside is an overview of the city, as well as a highly selective and opinionated list of only the best shops, restaurants and hotels, spa services, and lifestyle options. Luxe City Guides are available for 30 cities worldwide.
where to find
Luxe City Guides, luxecityguides.com, Sets are $10 each.
link | More: Buzzworthy Ideas | In the Details | Planning Made Simple
Happier Travels To You
Schlepping overstuffed suitcases as sweat stains threaten the freshness of your fabulous, if impractical, day-one honeymoon ensemble, or worse – stewing in yesterday’s travel clothing while awaiting your bag that errantly made a detour to Yemen - is hardly a romantic way to spend your first hours as newlyweds. Instead, enlist a luggage forwarding service, and enjoy the worry-free honeymoon travel that comes with knowing your bags await upon your arrival. Whether its skis, a set of golf clubs, or shoes – lots and lots of shoes - they’ll collect it all from your home while you jet off to your honeymoon or wedding destination, and voila, your luggage is waiting for you in your room. And there you’ll relax with a tasty beverage in hand, smirking slightly as you think of those fellow honeymooners still stuck at baggage claim – wishing they were as savvy as you.
It’s easier than you think. Simply schedule your desired pick up, destination location, and travel time with a luggage forwarding service, and they’ll handle the rest. Sure, such convenience doesn’t come cheap. You can expect to pay about $100 per bag on average, and prices vary depending on where you are going, weight and number of bags, and how quickly you want them to get there.
But if you’re planning a trip that cannot go wrong – and we think a honeymoon falls into this category - you may want to seriously consider this dreamy excuse to pack heavy and travel light.
where to find
Consult this list of reputable luggage forwarding services:
The Luggage Club, 877-231-5131
Luggage Forward, 866-416-7447
Luggage Free, 800-361-6871
XS Baggage, 866-656-6977
link | More: Buzzworthy Ideas | Planning Made Simple
Good Grooming
Your guy just sprung for the diamond on your left finger, so it’s a nice gesture to give him a little something too. Yet, we’re not talking some over-the-top gift that only benefits him. Slip him The Groom’s Instruction Manual by former groom Shandon Fowler, out this year from Quirk Books. Stress to him that this is not like the number of other sleepy, how-to planning guides for men that have come before it; Fowler presents the useful basics in a hilarious guy-oriented manner. If your fiance doesn’t believe you, turn to the introduction on foral arrangements that suggests, “most men with any common sense would have already skipped to the next section.”
The point, of course, is that we believe an informed groom is an involved groom, which every bride wants. You may not be so excited when he’s cackling at the bridezilla graphic (the book is full of funny graphics and witty captions to keep them reading), but we’re betting you’d rather he laugh now and plan later than not at all.
where to find
Quirk Books, quirkbooks.com, $15.95
link | More: For the Guys | Planning Made Simple
The Right Direction
On a fun scale of one to ten, wedding dress shopping easily gets a ten. Creating directions for out-of-town guests: most definitely a one. That is, until Weddingmapper.com recently launched its interactive site where you can create an online wedding map for your guests and personalize it with photos, web links, and descriptions. You plot your points using the easy-to-follow instructions, and your finished map is saved as a secure web page to share with guests.
The fun part comes in getting a little creative. Add the full map into a personal wedding website, design and print a customized version, or upload descriptive photos. Or play the part of resident tour guide by filling your map with interesting facts about your wedding locales. Just don’t blame us when you miss your final dress fitting while perfecting your map.
where to find
Supported by third party ads, Wedding Mapper is free to use; $9.95 removes ads, gets you a customized url, and lets you add additional links and upload files.
link | More: Planning Made Simple