PROMO: Matrimony Monday @ OneWed.com

OneWed is hosting the ultimate giveaway for one lucky future bride: the "Off-the-Chart" Wedding Giveaway, with nearly $15,000 worth of wedding day essentials. Couples can enter simply by creating their own Wedding Pre-Party (www.weddingpreparty.com) and inviting friends and family to join. For every invitation successfully accepted by a guest, the couple receives an additional entry to win.

To celebrate the whirlwind of wedding planning activities, OneWed.com is thrilled to treat brides-to-be with a special wedding giveaway, with a grand prize featuring items that typically aren't included in traditional wedding budgeting charts. The "Off-the-Chart" Wedding Giveaway, running through the month of January, provides future brides with the opportunity to win approximately $15,000 worth of wedding essentials like a honeymoon from Sandals Resorts, wedding bands from Whiteflash.com, dresses from The Dessy Group, and many more wedding essentials. Brides can automatically enter by simply creating their own Wedding Pre-Party, OneWed's social wedding planning tools and platform connecting the couple, wedding party, wedding guests and vendors.

Just in time for Matrimony Monday, OneWed is excited to launch several new offerings:

• Wedding Websites: New free wedding websites that can be easily customized and personalized to reflect any couple's personality and their specific needs for information sharing.


• Wedding Flowers: A partnership with Weddings by FlowerPetal that brings bridal and bridesmaid bouquets, centerpieces, corsages and boutonnieres direct to brides or their venues. With OneWed and Weddings by FlowerPetal, couples can browse hundreds of wedding flowers and styles, purchase online, and ship directly to you and your venue


• Wedding Venues: A partnership with VFM Leonardo, a technology leader in online visual content management and distribution for the hotel industry, offers couples access to photos, videos and virtual tours of over 10,000 wedding venues nationwide.


• Wedding Dresses: Newly expanded wedding dress gallery searchable by designer, silhouette, neckline, length, fabric, embellishments, color, and price.


• Party Planning: Plan, manage and throw any wedding-related celebration from engagement parties to wedding showers to bachelor parties.

As always, couples can turn to OneWed's Savvy Scoop wedding blog, which provides daily planning advice, trend reports, expert commentary, wedding fashion round-ups, and more. Find this and a wealth of helpful planning tips and tools at OneWed.com.

Making An Entrance: Carvela Pink Tiered Sandals @ Endless.com

Your dress is perfect, crisp white falling right at your knees. So what would set it off? These over the top amazing pink open-toe tiered sandals by Carvela. Available at Endless.com.

Short and Sweet: Moschino Cheap and Chic @ The Outnet

Some brides aren't looking for that perfect gown. You may be looking for something that is short and sweet. This is the answer. Moschino Cheap and Chic always delivers some of the most adorable yet sexy dresses around. Get this little number at The Outnet.

That Shade of Blue: Mark Bouwer GlamIt! @ Bluefly

If blue is your color, then this is your bridesmaid dress. Get this gorgeous dress by Mark Bouwer GlamIt! at Bluefly.com for $538.00

Fancy Feet: Bourne's Sexy Peep Toes @ Endless.com

You ladies know that I am a shoe freak. So I could not help but to be in total shoe lust over these fab blush pink peep toe shoes by Bourne. Available at Endless.com.

Rhinestone Beauty: Great Grandma Agnes on Etsy

These are so beautiful. For those of your that are piercing-challenged, these beauties are clip-ons. Get these unique and darling rhinestone earrings at Great Grandma Agnes on Etsy for a cool $20.00.

Beautiful Adornment: Kim Alessi @ Zappos

I love the color of this beautiful Kim Alessi teardrop necklace. Great for you or for your beautiful maids. Available at Zappos for $72.00.

BRIDAL CONTEST: $5000 Sweepstakes @ LuShae Jewelry

Enter LuShae Jewelry's online competition for the chance to win $5000 cash (to spend anywhere you like). Simply display one of their jewelry badges on your blog, website or social profile page and be automatically entered each and every month. The sweepstake giveaway is open to all countries. We will also draw $200 monthly to a random winner. Every entrant will also receive a 15% discount off the entire LuShae Jewelry range! Good luck!

PROMO: Eco-Beautiful Weddings

Eco-Beautiful Weddings is the first and only quarterly online magazine and daily blog dedicated to eco-friendly weddings. They challenge each engaged couple to come and find ideas here on how to green their wedding. So if you are trying to go green baby, then this is the choice for all things eco-friendy and socially responsible for your wedding. You can also follow them on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ecobeautiful

PROMO: When You Need A Helping Hand - Virtual Shopping Service

If you are pulling your hair out trying to find the perfect bridesmaids dresses, the Virtual Shopping Service is at your service. It's easy to get started. Just complete their questionnaire with all of the nitty gritty information and within 24 hours, you’ll receive a phone or email confirmation letting you know that they are "on the case" or "it's not going to happen". Then within 72 hours, you’ll receive an email from VSS with all of the information you need to scoop your item! Get started. You can also follow them on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ShoppingLocator

Glitter and Glam: Ban.do

I love Ban.do. I have blogged about them before. But I saw this yesterday and love it. Check out Ban.do's entire line of bridal bands and flower hairpins.

A Lovely Little Gift: The Perfect Dress

I adore this beautiful print, appropriately called "Fancy Dress" by Yasmine Surovec. This would make a lovely gift for the bride-to-be. Get it at the Working Proof for $35.00.

It's An Emergency: Mojuba Emergency Kits

If you find yourself (or your future hubby finds himself) in a little jam... ummm like spilled you chipped a nail on your more than perfect manicure or he spills a little something on his tuxedo, Mojuba's Bride and Groom Emergency bags are sure to have the perfect solutions inside. I am loving these stylish bags. Each bag contains a luxurious, chic assortment of disaster-averting products that were hand-picked by sought after wedding planner and Mojuba Founder Jackie James. As a wedding planner, she would know :-)





The Bride's Wedding Kit, priced at $165, contains a variety of goodies including Kiss My Boo Boo band-aids, Madame Paulette™ couture stain removal kit, L’Occitane® luxurious hand cream, BugCatcherz® fashion tape to keep your clothes in place, Ms. Manicure® nail files, Nail polish remover, Soft rice paper to powder your beautiful face, Charles Worthington® hairspray, Bobby pins, Sniff® tissues to dry your joyful tears, Gentle eye drops, Makeup remover, Little i® breath fresheners for close encounters, Colgate® toothpaste and a toothbrush, Scope® mouthwash, Mojuba™ Kodak® camera to capture spontaneous moments, Mojuba™ pen and notepad for your thoughts, Clear straws to sip champagne without smudging your lipstick, Clear lip gloss, Shoe horn to slip into your new shoes, Shoe shine wipes, La Fresh® hand sanitizer wipes, Carmex® lip balm for kissing, Lint brush, Gilchrist and Soames® sewing kit with pre-threaded needles, Band-Aids® for your aching feet, Pepcid Complete® for a nervous stomach, a pocket to stash your cash, and a place to keep your cell phone or mp3 player.




The Groom's Wedding Kit, also priced at $165, contains goodies including Shave kit with Gillette® shave cream and styptic pencil for nicks, Hair comb, Right Guard® deodorant so you never let ’em see you sweat, Listerine PocketMist® for close encounters, Cavallini & Co.® file folders for wedding documents, contracts and bills, Advil® for splitting headaches, Kodak® camera for photos with your buddies, Mojuba™ pens and notepad, Poker-size Mojuba™ playing cards for fun, Colgate® toothpaste and toothbrush for your pearly whites, Minty fresh Scope® mouthwash, Shoe horn to slip into your new shoes, Shoe shine wipes, La Fresh® hand sanitizer wipes, Carmex® lip balm for kissing, Lint brush, Gilchrist and Soames® sewing kit with pre-threaded needles, Band-Aids® for your aching feet, Sniff® tissues, Pepcid Complete® for a nervous stomach, Eye drops, a pocket to stash your cash and a place to keep your cell phone or mp3 player.

One More Day of Celebration

Bridal lovelies, I am recuperating from my weekend of birthday celebrations. I can not believe how quickly we have arrived at the end of the year. So, I will not be posting today. Posts will start back tomorrow.



In the meantime, check out one of my favorite wedding blogs, Snippet and Ink.

For Your Fancy: Fancy New York

I had the privilege of meeting this amazing designer, Steven Nato of Fancy New York at the MS Weddings Anniversary event a few months ago. The model was wearing the most gorgeous light pink modern vintage dress. I must admit that he has modern vintage down, bridal lovelies. This dress is gorgeous. See the rest of his amazing collection here.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING: The Capitol Fashionista's Gift Guide

Bridal lovelies, if you are looking for some fab gifts for the holidays, check out The Capitol Fashionista's gift guides. There are some amazing and very unique deals.

Gift Guide: $500 and up

Gift Guide: $250 to $500

Gift Guide: $50 to $150

Gift Guide: Under $35

Something A Little Different: Quail Bridal

You ladies know that I am always on the hunt for something new and different. Well, I fell madly in love with Quail Bridal. The talented Michelle Williams dropped me a sweet note about her fab line of bridesmaids dresses. I was too happy to see designs that are fun and flirty and completely unique. Have a specific color in mind? Michelle says bring anything and she will find a match. I want the blue one (to wear as a cocktail dress, of course). LOL. Get more information on her web site here.

DISCOUNT: Turtle Love Committee

Bridal lovelies, don't forget that you can still score a deal on Turtle Love Committee's wonderful jewelry. Get 15% off you order thru Friday, December 4th. To get your discount, go to their web site and enter Promo code is BWL at checkout.

And even more, they have a great Bridal Party jewelry promo. Get 10% off when you buy four of the same pieces of jewelry. This code is good indefinitely! To get this discount, use Promo code is: BRIDALPARTY.

Ruffles Rule: Fawn & Forest

This is the cutest dress. Your little flower girl will be a vision of modern beauty. Get this adorable dress by Psalms for $125.00 @ Fawn & Forest.

That Sexy Shoulder: Anthropologie

I love the buyers at Anthropologie. They always find the most unique clothing for their stores. This dress is amazing with it's fab one shoulder style. The print is beautiful, too. Get the Sterling dress @ Anthropologie for $168.00.

Unexpected Bridal Beauty: BCBG Max Azria

I have a big thing for BCBG Max Azria. I love this brand. So I was checking around for sale items when I discovered this gorgeous dress. Not only is it beautiful, but it is only $548.00. See it here.

AND THE WINNER IS....

So bridal lovelies, we have a winner of these adorable Birch Harbor Earrings (see above) by Turtle Love Committee. Congratulations to Maria! Maria, I will be in touch with you later today.


Don't forget, you can still score a deal. Get 15% off you order starting today until Friday, December 4th. To get your discount, enter Promo code is BWL at checkout.

And even more, they have a great Bridal Party jewelry promo. Get 10% off when you buy four of the same pieces of jewelry. This code is good indefinitely! To get this discount, use Promo code is: BRIDALPARTY.

GIVEAWAY: Turtle Love Committee

Looking for something so cute, so dainty, then you will totally heart Turtle Love Committee. I love the Whitney Necklace shown above. I love how it has the shape of a heart. Too cute.

So bridal lovelies, you have a chance to win these adorable Birch Harbor Earrings below. You know I love to give away things, so I will definitely make it kinda easy. To enter, leave a comment telling us the main entree at your wedding reception. Contest ends on Monday, November 23rd at 6 pm EST. A winner will be chosen randomly. Good luck to you all.



But there's more... if you are not lucky enough to win these fab earrings, you can still score a deal. Get 15% off you order starting today until Friday, December 4th. To get your discount, enter Promo code is BWL at checkout.

And even more, they have a great Bridal Party jewelry promo. Get 10% off when you buy four of the same pieces of jewelry. This code is good indefinitely! To get this discount, use Promo code is: BRIDALPARTY.

PROMO: Tying the Knot: The Knot and Philosophy

The Knot has joined forces with lifestyle and beauty brand philosophy on an exciting new partnership. The result of this unique collaboration is a multiplatform, integrated marketing campaign surrounding the launch of philosophy’s first co-branded product made exclusively for The Knot. Entitled “tying The Knot,” this just-for-brides gift set was created to pamper the bride-to-be so she looks as beautiful as she feels on her special day.

The “tying The Knot” gift set is now available for purchase on TheKnot.com (TheKnot.com/philosophy) and philosophy.com. The special set features an inspiring message for the bride, along with a philosophy created exclusively for The Knot: You must love yourself before you can love another.

Retailing for $100, “tying The Knot” includes nine essential bridal beauty products, including purity one-step facial cleanser; amazing grace firming body emulsion, bath gel, and spray fragrance to help her feel amazingly clean and beautifully feminine; and kiss me exfoliating lip scrub for soft, smooth, kissable lips.

Additional philosophy products in the gift set are:

• hope in a jar moisturizer


• microdelivery peel pads


• kiss me clear lip balm -- SPF 20


• eye hope deluxe sample

The Knot and philosophy announce the Wedding Day Hope Sweepstakes. The Knot invites brides to share their hopes and dreams for their big day. These personal and authentic messages will be posted anonymously on the site’s user-generated bulletin board for everyone to see. The notes offer an outlet for brides to share their inner thoughts and feelings which every bride can relate to. Brides who share their hopes are automatically entered to win the grand prize of a luxury honeymoon worth over $10,000, courtesy of Viceroy Anguilla Resort & Residences. Other prizes include a wedding day makeover for one lucky bride and her bridesmaids, courtesy of philosophy beauty expert and makeup artist John Trau, as well as “tying The Knot” gift sets.

What Lies Underneath: Brulee Lingerie

I just adore the 40's feel of these beautiful pieces of lingerie from Brulee. Totally will exude the sexiness while leaving something for his imagination. Available in sizes XS-XL, the collection encompasses a rich color palette of deep plums and blacks as well as soft ivories, offset by hand cast gold and crystal hardware. Pieces retail from $36 to $178. Visit their web site to order.

Jaw-Dropping Glamour: Karry'O @ Couture Lab

It is so obvious that the designs of Karry Berreby are influenced heavily by her fascination with films from the 1940s, 50s, 60s and 70s, along with the elegant allure and incomparable style of Hollywood sirens. If this necklace doesn't take you back to those eras, then you just don't have a clue. It is jaw-dropping. Get it at Couture Lab.

BRIDAL TIP: The Perfect Wedding Day Face - Kimara Ahnert

Kimara Ahnert’s New York City Studio, at 1113 Madison Avenue at 83rd street (212-452-4252), recreates the comfort and convenience of home to provide a platform to concentrate on bridal looks and achieving them. From luxurious dressing rooms where plush Swiss robes and slippers take the place of everyday wear, to state-of-the-art facial facilities, to intimate cosmetic counters where experts transform brides to be, individualized personal attention is everywhere.

Ahnert has a custom designed line of professional makeup, brushes and skin care allow brides to take Kimara’s vision home with them and adapt to their lifestyle. There are a variety of shades, textures and formulations that take into account the varying needs, lifestyles and tastes of brides from near and far. All cosmetics and skin care products are consistent with prevailing environmental standards and are hypoallergenic and sensitivity tested.

The makeup artist knows a thing or two about skincare and creating the perfect polished look. She has worked with models, celebrities, socialites and busy executives. At her studio, she offers makeup applications, makeup lessons, eyebrow shaping, lash applications, facials, body waxing, electrolysis, body hair bleaching and tinting, massages, body treatments, self tan application, and post operative makeup.

So what tips does the fabulous Kimara have for brides in order to have the perfect wedding day face?

1. Foundation to even out the skin tone and texture


2. Blush to bring color and a natural flush to the face


3. Mascara to open up the eye and waterproof so you won’t have any mascara stained tears


4. Lipstick to bring color and more staying power to the lips. Lipstick is also slightly more sophisticated than just a lipgloss


5. Concealer to disguise and blemishes or undereye dark circles.

Statement Jewelry: Bibs and Chokers @ Plaza, Too

For a strapless dress or a dress with a deep neckline, a choker or bib necklace is your best bet. Here are a few options available at Plaza, Too. The first one is my fab fav.

Nancy Bacich, $275


Kevia, $85


Janna Conner, $135


A.V. Maxx, $98


Alice + Olivia, $176

That Sixties Look: Black Raven Vintage

If you want to walk down the aisle with that sixties look, then this is your dress. I love this. It is available at Black Raven Vintage.

Different From The Rest: Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung's dresses put the biggest smile on my face. I posted about him after NY Fashion Week in February. But I saw one of his dresses on a celebrity and it just reminded me how much I heart him. He has the most amazing style and mixes it so eloquently with whimsy.




{image via Style.com}

Resurrecting the Great Gatsby Era: Noaki Jewelry

Noaki Schwartz pulls from her California roots with its Hollywood facade, shuttered canneries, and splintered piers and bleached Deco buildings. Her surroundings are very evident in her gorgeous jewelry which pays homage to the Great Gatsby era. These were my favorites. You can see her entire collection on her web site.

For the Love of Viv: Vivienne Westwood

I love Vivienne Westwood and her take on fashion. Her clothes never look like anyone else's clothes. There is a clear distinction. So of course, I love this wonderful white dress from her Gold Label collection. Available at Net-a-Porter.com.

SURVEY RESULTS: Where Brides Are Cutting Back @ Myweddingworkbook.com

Myweddingworkbook.com conducted a survey recently to discover what cutbacks are brides making during these recessionary time. It seems that wedding Planning cutbacks start with honeymoon, flowers, and the reeception'

Here are their findings:The lagging economy has caused almost two-thirds of brides to cut back on their wedding budgets – with honeymoons, flowers/décor and reception catering taking the biggest hit. All this according to a recent survey of brides conducted by My Wedding Workbook - http://www.myweddingworkbook.com/ - an online wedding planner for brides.

62.2% of the brides surveyed responded that the recent recession has influenced their wedding planning decisions, with 58.7% stating that they have cut back on their honeymoon budget, 58.2% on their flowers and décor and 54.7% on their reception food and drink.

“Brides are certainly trying to squeeze more value out of every part of their wedding budget,” said Jeff Kear, co-owner of My Wedding Workbook and My Wedding Workbook Pro - http://www.myweddingworkbookpro.com/ - which offer online wedding planning software tools for brides and wedding consultants, respectively. “And although they are definitely cutting back extensively in those top three areas, our findings show significant cutbacks across the board.”

Brides are also significantly shaving their expenses in many other areas, with 51.2% reporting cutbacks in wedding transportation, 47.3% in photography/videography, 45.8% in the reception venue, 45.3% in number of guests and 39.3% in wedding attire (including wedding gowns).

Of the brides surveyed, almost half (41.3%) stated that their wedding budget was by far the biggest challenge they faced in wedding planning, followed by choosing a venue (13%), family issues (10.9%) and finding the time to plan a wedding (10.9%).

“Even though they are cutting back, brides are getting creative in how they save,” said Kear. “Some of our respondents are moving their wedding to a Friday night or a Sunday so they don’t pay the Saturday premium that many venues charge. Others are planning their ceremony and reception in the same venue. And almost three quarters of the brides we talked to are handmaking at least some of their wedding items to save on costs.”

Some brides are even putting off their big day, with 29.4% saying that they have moved their wedding date further out because of the economy. “That shows how smart and prudent brides are being. If they can’t have the wedding they want sooner, then they will take longer to save up and be more patient.”

But even though brides are paring back in almost all areas, the survey shows that photography/videography and the reception location and catering still remain the biggest priorities for brides.

“Brides want to make a great, lasting impression with their wedding, and they want to hold on to the memories,” said Kear. “Even though the economy may be unpredictable, some things never change.”

About My Wedding Workbook - http://www.myweddingworkbook.com/
The next-generation wedding planner software, My Wedding Workbook provides all the tools engaged couples need to manage their wedding details. Its Web-based wedding planning tools are completely free, easy-to-use, comprehensive and let brides track their budgets, guest lists, RSVPs, gifts and every detail for every wedding-related event.

About My Wedding Workbook Pro - http://www.myweddingworkbookpro.com/
My Wedding Workbook Pro is online business management and event planning software for today’s busy wedding consultant. As comprehensive, Web-based wedding consultant software, it delivers all the tools a professional needs to stay organized; offers all the convenience of online software; and allows consultants to share areas of the software with their clients so they can more easily and efficiently collaborate with them.

Finding That Unique Piece of Jewelry: Rochelle's Little Ones

I love indie designers. They create the most amazing and unique things. If you are looking for an unique piece of jewelry to finish your wedding look, check out the review of Rochelle's Little Ones on The Capitol Fashionista.

The Wedding Salon Event is Tonight!

Go to the Wedding Salon to purchase your tickets for tonight's event.

MS Weddings Launches Luxury Wedding Expo

On November 14, the Martha Stewart Luxury Wedding Expo kicks off online with a live two-day event where brides will be able to browse the digital booths of leading bridal vendors and interact directly with vendor representatives, Martha Stewart Weddings editors and bridal experts. Brides will be inspired as they learn planning tips, creative cost-cutting ideas, fashion advice and more.

The Luxury Wedding Expo which features 29 advertisers in bridal fashion, fine jewelry, registry, travel and more, is the first of its kind. It also reflects the trail-blazing spirit that distinguishes our brand, which appeals to the bride who places a high premium on quality and who is always looking for fresh ideas that allow her to put her unique stamp on every aspect of her special day.” The Expo, which is taking registrations at Luxury Wedding Expo, is open from November 14 until February 28, 2010, allowing you to access inspiring ideas, resources and information when you need it as you plan for your big day.