• You can finally finish Eat, Pray, Love while waiting in line at your precinct.


• You can use it as an excuse to take the day off.


• You can rock it.

For whatever reason and for the love of democracy, please cast it. The whole world is watching.

The typical "leather" bound guests book are so 1990's. Create your own custom guest book with cildhood photos and/or photos from your engagement session. Check out http://www.mypublisher.com/ or http://www.kodak.com/ to create a beautifully bound keepsake your guests would enjoy viewing and signing.

If you don't trust your creative judgement, there is an alternative that is just as great. If you have a passion for cooking, flowers, landscapes or cityscapes, visit your local bookstore and find a book that represents you as a couple and things you love to do together. This way you are more inclined to reminisce about your special day and the family and friends that shared it with you.

Darcy Miller of Martha Stewarts Weddings is currently seeking brides a television project. They are in search of brides who fit any of the following requirements regarding their wedding cakes.

If you fit one of the below descriptions, are willing to be on TV and are in the New York area over the next few weeks, please let them know by posting a comment on their blog as to why you are this type of bride.

They are looking for:

• Brides who love the idea of something unusual (MUST have pomegranates or kumquats, that sort of thing...)
• Brides who are having a seasonal wedding (winter v. summer, etc.) and want to complement their menus.
• Brides who HATE something typically a favorite (abhors chocolate, detests fruit, etc.)
  Brides whose groom's tastes are wildly different from theirs...
• Brides with specific ethnic menus
• Allergic, vegan or kosher brides

If you fit into one of these types, click here and post a comment right away!

June was a pretty hectic month so I am "slightly" behind in posting photos from some of our recent events. This wedding occurred on June 7, 2008 in New Orleans, LA. It was an intitmate gathering of family and close friends.

Ceremony: St. Mary's Catholic Chapel
Reception: Commander's Palace, http://www.commanderspalace.com/
Photographer: Jessica Bachmann Photography, http://www.jessicabachmann.com/
Florist: NOLA Flora, http://www.nolaflorashop.com/

Let celebrity wedding planner David Tutera enhance your wedding on WE TV!

Making your dream wedding a reality can be almost impossible. And if you or someone you know is getting married THIS SUMMER, then there’s very little time left to make that dream come true. That’s why “My Fair Wedding”, the newest lifestyle show from the Women’s Entertainment Network, is offering a few lucky brides a chance to have celebrity wedding planner David Tutera enhance and upgrade their weddings before it’s too late!

In 2006, Modern Bride Magazine honored David as one of the Top 25 Trendsetters of The Year. With a few thousand dollars and his extensive knowledge and skill, David Tutera can bring some last-minute elegance to your fast-approaching nuptials.

If you or someone you know has spent months planning that dream wedding, and something STILL isn’t quite right, enroll today!

Requirements:
- wedding date
- a picture of the bride
- why she needs David’s help!
- weddings should take place in July or August, 2008!

David Tutera is hailed as an artistic visionary whose uniquely creative talents and outstanding reputation have made him a tremendous success in the lifestyle arena. Tutera has created a name for himself by taking his passion for designing spectacular events and transforming it into a lifestyle. He continuously exceeds expectations with an unsurpassed level of inspiration, imagination and innovation.

To enter, go here. Good luck!

It's bright and early on a Friday morning and I am already on my second Caramel Machiatto. In the process of prepping for another blessed event tomorrow I was thinking of a few things that I wanted to share.

Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life and you want to enjoy every second. I truly recommend to all of my brides not to cram every beauty treatment into one day. Accentuating your beauty and achieving bridal perfection takes time. By getting your nails, facials, peels, tans, etc. days before your wedding will save you so much time on your big day. You can relax, enjoy the company of your bridesmaids and relish in the moment.

Ok, I'm done. That's my 2 cents for the day. :) Have a great weekend.

Planning events in multiple cities, offers challenges with finding the perfect location that will capture and enhance the individualism and style of each client. All of this has to fit within a set budget and accommodate an estimated guest count that may be above or below the going average. It is important to consider these top 3 elements when narrowing down your venue list:

1. The estimated guest count. Your estimated guest count plays a significant role in determining your event location. Plan for adequate square footage to accommodate your estimated guest count (or more in case your guest list grows) as well as all of the design elements you plan to include in your event (i.e. furnishings, staging, bars, dance floor, etc.). Making your guests comfortable and your event flow well are vital to an event’s success. Coordinate with your planner or the venue’s catering manager to properly plan your event space.

2. The budget. Nowadays there are venues available to fit most any budget. However, make sure your venue truly fits your budget by reading the contract thoroughly and making certain it includes everything you expect to receive on the day of your event. This will help minimize unexpected expenditures appearing on your final bill.

3. The season. Having an outdoor event under huge oak trees or the rich shades of orange and yellow at dusk sounds simply perfect. However, the most picturesque setting can be ruined by the blazing heat and humidity, freezing temperatures and sleet or Mother Nature’s creepy “crawlies”. Whether your event is indoors in June or outdoors in October consider the time of year you are hosting your event. What is the climate typically like during that time of year? Is it hurricane season? Consider consulting a Farmer’s Almanac, just as a reference tool, not as an absolute prediction of the day’s weather. After all Mother Nature is, well, finicky.

Hopefully you gained a little insight and picked up a few key things to consider when selecting your venue. If not, here are a few of my faves to host any special event:

Houston
Hotel Derek: Houston's location for urban sophistication. www.hotelderek.com
Hilton Clear Lake: Newly renovated, suburban resort hotel where their service is second only to true Texas Hospitality. www.hilton.com
The Parador: Designated as a Texas Historical Landmark and one of Houston's premier event venues. www.paradorhouston.com

New Orleans
Latrobe’s on Royal: An architecturally significant building located in the heart of the French Quarter. www.latrobesonroyal.com
The Riverview Room: Offers panoramic views of the Mississippi River, the French Quarter riverfront and Vieux Carre. www.riverviewroom.com
Windsor Court Hotel: Exhibits an atmosphere of a grand English country estate, all rooms have windows and elegant architectural details and are lavishly decorated with antiques and fine art. www.windsorcourthotel.com