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Bridal Buzz With so many wedding products out there, how is a bride supposed to weed through it all and find the perfect items for her wedding? Weddings & Home Associate Editor Aimée Morgan highlights some of the latest and greatest trends and products to hit the bridal market.

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November 19, 2009

Pretty in Pink

The other day I received a cute heart-shaped box that contained chocolates and pretty pink bottles filled with X-Rated Fusion Liqueur. What is this you ask? It's an ultra-premium French vodka blended with blood oranges and the essence of mango and passion fruit. Sounds tasty, right?

I decided to share my treat with two other girls in the office, and one of them gave the pink liqueur an enthusiastic two thumbs up. The other has it hanging out on her desk, because it's just too cute for her to consume. I can't say I disagree with her. It is pretty. This little X-Rated bottle would make the perfect bachelorette party/bridal shower favor, or you could add it to your bridesmaids' goodie bags and survival kits. What bridesmaid doesn't need a little liquid courage before walking down the aisle or delivering a toast?

With one bottle left in my possession, I decided to take my little treasure home and try out one of the recipes they sent in the package:

Hopeless RomantiX

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Posted by Lori Francisco, bridalguide.com Managing Editor, at 4:42 p.m. | Comments (0)

November 16, 2009

Slow & Steady

I am officially an adult: I made a pot roast. Now, you may be thinking, “So what? It’s a pot roast.” For some reason though, slow cooking has always seemed mysterious to me, like a secret club. It was something that people who cooked well knew how to use. When I recently received Crock-Pot’s new touchscreen slow cooker, I couldn’t resist trying.

Here she is. What a beauty!

I took it out of the box and set it on the counter. Hmmm…not so intimidating. I especially appreciated that there were no other bells and whistles. I don’t know about you, but if something has a bunch of attachments to keep track of, I’ll probably use it once. The included cookbook had an easy recipe, so I bought the ingredients at the local green market. Their recipe calls for celery, potatoes, carrots, mushrooms and a 3–4 lb. pot roast (ask your butcher for suggestions on the best cut). Although I’m only cooking for 3, it serves 8-9 people and can hold a 7 lb. cut of meat—perfect for entertaining.

Monday morning, I browned the meat, chopped the veggies and threw them all in the oval stoneware dish. I set the digital timer for 6 hours, chose the high-heat setting and pushed start. It was that easy. Really. After the programmed cooking time, which can be 30 minutes to 20 hours, the cooker automatically shifts to warm. When I came home, my house smelled delicious and dinner was ready to serve. Success! The stoneware dish was easy to clean and the stainless body only needed to be wiped with a damp cloth. The sandwiches we made the next night were even tastier.

To get more details, visit crock-pot.com. They have a variety of sizes and price points that are sure to make a great registry pick. Cheers!

Posted by Aimée at 3:42 p.m. | Comments (0)

November 3, 2009

Guest Blogger: Erin Szeto Chan, bridalguide.com Intern

Bag Ladies

Ever wonder why so many travel bags are so . . . boring? Unable to find chic travel totes that suited their styles, friends Candice Lapin and Erica Vilardi decided to make their own and launch Lapin Vilardi (lapinvilardi.com), a line of fun, feminine travel carryalls and accessories perfect for honeymoon- or destination wedding-bound brides.

The fully lined, machine-washable bags are made out of smooth satin charmeuse, brushed-cotton twill and other high-quality materials and are available in several sizes for toiletries, jewelry, shoes, lingerie, garments and other on-the-go essentials. They're also much prettier than those plastic bags in your hotel closet and come in a range of fashionable designs, from bright orange florals to cute green and blue stripes. Need a present for bridesmaids? The Madison Gift Set includes three sacks for shoes, lingerie and laundry with charming black-and-white polka dot exteriors, a coordinating lavender-filled sachet (to keep odors at bay) and a gift box.

Posted by Erin at 9:58 a.m. | Comments (0)

October 22, 2009

Beautiful Bouquets & Tasty Treats

I had a real treat the other day...literally, a delicious 4-course treat set in a lush environment of gorgeous blooms and one-of-a-kind home décor finds. Where am I, you ask? The Plaza? A fancy smancy party overlooking Central Park? No! I was being wined and dined by Chef Pierrot in the 3-story studio he shares with the dynamic duo of Bardin Palomo that transforms affairs with their floral creations and damn good taste. I also like to refer to them as the two Roberts.

R & R graciously gave me a tour of their floral workspace and amazing hand-picked-from-all-over-the-world home décor showroom. Granted, they weren't busy at all. They were only prepping for an event for 1,000 peeps. Easy breezy, according to them! I've hosted parties for 20 and was running around like a chicken. Maybe that's why I write and don't do events. BTW...they did the beautiful bouquet for our March/April budget issue for the cover. It’s out January 13. You have to wait to see, but really, it's SO worth the wait. Really.

After I oohed and awed over their floral arrangements, we had delightful banter while we dined on delish dishes created by Chef Pierrot; brides, babies, politics, airplanes—we ran the gamut. As a mom, I love adult conversation. But let's get back to the food...yum! Big truth: I am not a seafood-loving kind of girl but I seriously heart Chef P's salmon app and herb-crusted halibut entree. The herbs and sauces were just right and the presentation was gorgeous. It's so my mission to make them love ME so they will cook all my meals.

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Posted by Aimée at 3:14 p.m. | Comments (0)

October 21, 2009

Guest Blogger: Erin Szeto Chan, bridalguide.com Intern

Video Star

I love it when couples play slideshows at their wedding. It adds such a nice personal touch, and it’s fun to see photos of the bride and groom throughout the years. I recently attended a wedding where the groom put together two slideshows and was blown away by the quality and snazzy effects.

It turns out he used Animoto (animoto.com), a Web application that automatically generates professionally produced videos from your own pictures and music. Users simply upload their images, video clips and the song they want their video set to. Animoto then uses the same sophisticated production techniques used in television and film to create sleek, MTV-style videos with cool effects like fade in/fade out, pans and zooms and eye-catching photo transitions timed to the music. If you’re not happy with the results, you can add or delete images, change the soundtrack or click on “One Click Remix” to generate an alternate version.

Ready for your video-producing debut? You can create 30-second videos for free (in as little as three minutes) or full-length ones for just $3. Completed videos can be emailed, downloaded to your computer or iPhone and even embedded on Web sites like Facebook, MySpace and YouTube.

Posted by Erin at 10:12 a.m. | Comments (0)

October 19, 2009

Guest Blogger: Erin Szeto Chan, bridalguide.com Intern

Let Them Eat Cake

Now your guests can have their cake and eat it, too—in mini chocolate form! Founded by a former celebrity stylist, The Little Candy Cake Company handcrafts miniature wedding cake-shaped chocolate favors that are as adorable as they are delicious. The elegant little treats are available in solid milk or white chocolate, and founder/chief cake designer Lucinda Sierra can custom-decorate them with beautiful hand-sculpted fondant flowers, seashells, fruit, ribbons and anything else you can envision in your personal wedding colors. Sweet!

Prices start from $5.50 apiece for a two-inch candy cake to $14.50 for a four-inch cake, and are determined by how elaborate the design is. Shipping is available throughout the United States, and you can find out more by calling (631) 470-9367 or visiting thelittlecandycake.com.

Posted by Erin at 12:54 p.m. | Comments (0)

September 17, 2009

Pumpkin Patch

September's halfway over, the weather's becoming cooler (at least here in the Northeast), and in just five short days it will officially be fall. If you’re planning an autumn wedding, then this is the perfect time to find great decorative details for the big day—and nothing says fall like pumpkins. This Glass Pumpkin Place Card Holder makes the perfect addition to your wedding tables. Each one comes with raffia and a blank place card. Once the wedding’s over, guests can take it home and use it as a paperweight or add it to their Thanksgiving table décor.

For more fall favors, visit FavorsbyLisa.com.

Posted by Lori Francisco, bridalguide.com Managing Editor, at 1:28 p.m. | Comments (0)

September 8, 2009

Get a Picture-Perfect Bridal Glow

Living in New York, it’s hard not to feel a little frumpy sometimes. I mean, there are some gorgeous women (and men, for that matter). They’re perpetually sun-kissed, have flawless skin and a runway-model body. Of course, they’re sporting Prada and Manolo’s…whereas I’m sporting Molly on my hip and Jack’s leash in my right hand. The problem is, I have gotten lazy. You know how it is: You work all day, spend your evenings and weekends scouting locations, tasting cakes, putting together favors, fighting with mom or the mom-in-law about the guest list…it’s exhausting! Plus, you still have to find time to shower, shop, make dinner and sleep. Same for me, except swap the wedding planning for a demanding toddler. My biggest issue has always been my skin (and this is where I have SO dropped the ball…as in not washing my face every night) so I decided to start there and enlist the help of an NYC skin guru…a.k.a. Dr. Galitzin.

Dr. Galitzin specializes in non-surgical treatments for aging skin. Hmm…I’m 31…I think I fit in that category. So, I ducked out a tad early and headed uptown to see him. I was nervous, but he quickly calmed my nerves. We discussed my history and skin concerns, which for me are dryness and uneven skin tone—nothing a bride should have on her wedding day. The entire time we’re talking, I’m looking at this huge camera mounted on his desk. Of course, I ended up posing for it; straight, to the left and to the right…I knew it! We then looked at my face on his computer. Can you say embarrassing?! But Dr. G explained that these photographs showed what the naked eye couldn’t see and allowed him to determine the best treatment for me. They also gave us a marker to see how successful my treatments would be in the future.

Okay, so a little embarrassment is worth it! One peel and five days later, my skin is glowing! So loving Dr. G! He also introduced me to a great line of skin care products that are amazing from PCA SKIN:

From left: pHaze 42 Anti-Redness Serum, pHaze 17 ReBalance Moisturizer,
Perfecting Face & Body Hydrator SPF 30.

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Posted by Aimée at 5:16 p.m. | Comments (0)

August 14, 2009

Stay in the Loop

Hey Ladies! I’ve discovered a great wedding planning and travel tool that you have to check out…GoWaza! Go what, you ask? No, GoWaza. Really. Not only does it book your travel, searching for the best possible deals, but you can also create a map with your destination, hotel, local restaurants and even nearby attractions and events. I did a test run, so now I’m a pro!

Here’s how it works: You go to gowaza.com and sign up. It’s free and all you have to enter is your name, email, password and ZIP code. Your full address is optional. Next, you can import your contacts from sites like Hotmail, Yahoo! or Gmail. Then you plug in your travel dates and destination, and they do the rest. I logged in a faux flight to Long Beach, CA, (fondly known as the LBC) from August 19-26. Not only did it find me a cheap flight and hotel, it also suggested restaurants nearby and told me that Green Day is playing at the Forum on August 25 (and that was only 1 of 94 events it suggested, including how many miles it was from my hotel). A new feature is that you can add any address to your personal map (beyond your initial destination), like your rehearsal dinner location or after-wedding brunch. You can email all your travel plans to friends and family, or they can sign up and access your plans through the site.

I can’t think of a better way to keep your guests in the loop and give them access to local events and attractions—all in one place! You have enough to worry about already, so make life a little easier and check out GoWaza. Cheers!

Posted by Aimée at 10:52 a.m. | Comments (0)

August 10, 2009

Guest Blogger: Lori Francisco, bridalguide.com Managing Editor

Snack Cakes as Wedding Cakes?

Over the weekend I was hanging out with my friend and her cousin, and the topic of an upcoming family wedding came up in our conversation. Apparently, the groom wanted a wedding cake made up of three different Little Debbie cakes. Personally, I’d probably want a tower of Ding Dongs, Suzzie Qs and Twinkies, but to each his own. The best part was when they told me how much the caterer was going to charge for this Tower of Little Debbie—a whopping $1,000! Seriously?!

Of course the two women were appalled and hoped his wish would not become a reality, but it had me thinking—has anyone else ever done this? So, I turned on the trusty computer and did a search. The man is not alone. Here’s what I found:

A Snack Cake Wedding Cake guide: For those of you serious about making this cake a reality, this gives you some good tips and guidelines for putting one together.

A pretty great Little Debbie groom’s cake:

Source: Mindless Musings on My Average Life

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Posted by Lori at 4:19 p.m. | Comments (0)