Earth Day Pledge

Please consider pledging to make at least one aspect of your wedding green. Here are some tips:

• Have the ceremony and reception at the same location
• Keep the guest list small
• Offer local food and beverages
• Use local flowers
• Buy a vintage, used or sample wedding gown
• Check out antique stores and estate sales for wedding bands and engagement rings

What's your Earth Day pledge?

Wedding Cake!

I love sampling wedding cake. When I was planning my wedding a few years ago, I went to Cappuccinos in Middletown, RI. When the four of us arrived for the cake sampling, we were seated in the designated cake sampling area of the bakery and were giving complimentary beverages, including cappuccino. Oo-la-la. It was a very pleasant experience.

At the time, cupcakes were the craze, but I still opted for the traditional wedding cake. Nowadays, brides opt for cupcakes, chocolates, chocolate fountains, dessert shots and dessert tables. As always, I encourage brides to use caterers and bakeries who use fresh, local ingredients.

Additional bakeries in the Newport and Bristol area:
It’s My Party

The Cake Gallery

What bakery are you using?

Photo courtesy of It's My Party.

Vintage Weddings

Did you know that retro style weddings from the 1920s to 1950s are making a comeback? I’m excited about an article I recently read, which states that vintage apparel and simple weddings are a popular trend among modern day brides. Why? Cost.

Back in the day, brides had small, simple weddings, which kept the price down. Ask your grandmother about her wedding.

How can you go vintage? Visit consignment boutiques, resale stores, flea markets, antique shops maybe even the Salvation Army. Who knows what treasures you might find -- a wedding gown, accessories, bridesmaid’s dresses, etc. Consider having your intimate wedding at a small venue or at your home.

I’m very excited to hear about the retro wedding trend because they cost less and reduce waste since the focus is to reuse vintage items and keep it simple. It’s also eco-friendly. Two of the three Rs: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Check out these local consignment stores.

Karma Designer Consignment Boutique

Trendy Jenny’s Blog Spot “Five Consignment Shops in Newport, RI”

What elements of your wedding are vintage?

Budget Weddings

Given the state of the economy, it’s no surprise that the average cost of weddings in the U.S. has gone down. Although most brides have a budget, many get caught up in the moment and go over – way over. Two years and a salary later, you are still paying for it. Did you really need a $5,000 cake?

Well, frugal brides rejoice! You can have a beautiful, enjoyable wedding on a budget. Want to learn some tips? Join me on Wednesday, April 14, from 7 to 9 PM at the Learning Connection in Providence to Learn How to Have a Budget Wedding and save money.

Have any budget wedding tips you want to share?

View a Newport Platinum Wedding

Newport wedding planner Raina Dawn Dieterle of Raina Dawn Events planned a platinum wedding for Michelle & John Bannon. Their platinum wedding is being featured on WeTV. Their budget was $400,000.

Air Dates:
Monday, March 15 at 1am 12c
Monday, March 15 at 4am 3c
Sunday, March 28 at 3pm 2c

Are you planning a platinum wedding?

Trash the Dress

There’s a trend to trash your wedding gown after your wedding. I have to be honest and say I don’t know why someone would want to do this. After all the time you spent looking for the perfect gown and all the money, why would you want to trash it? Since I promote environmentally-friendly weddings, I encourage brides to donate their gowns or reuse the fabric. Oggi Wedding Photography of Newport, RI, shares my thoughts. Check out the blog and see what other brides have to say.

So are you going to trash your dress? Why or why not?

8th Annual Newport Bridal Show

Still looking for vendors? Check out the 8th Annual Newport Bridal Show at Rosecliff & OceanCliff this Saturday, February 20, 2010, from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Tickets are $10 per person in advance and $15 at the door.

Sample food and drinks. Enjoy giveaways, entertainment and fashion shows. Visit with 80 vendors.

Free parking and transportation between venues!

The photo is of Oceancliff -- courtesy of the Newport Bridal Show.