My friend, Harold Burt, sent me a whole line of new oral care health products to try and all I can say is WOW!  WOW Powder Oral Rinse is a small packet of dentifrice granules (reminds me of a mix between Pop Rocks and a mini Pixy Stix, remember them? If not, ask your Mom!) that placed on your tongue, will liquefy.  Swish the liquid around in your mouth for 90 seconds and it will clean and get rid of those wedding appetizers stuck on your teeth and freshen your breath without any toothbrush or bottle of mouthwash needed. Quite frankly, I think it is a fantastic product for the wedding emergency kit, for bridesmaids to carry in their clutches, and for groomsmen to carry in their pockets. And I personally believe that photographers and wedding coordinators should fill their pockets with WOW packets as well. I know I will never coordinate another wedding without these gems!

The makers of WOW Powder Oral Rinse, Carson Laboratories, also makes SPRAYWHITE 90, that wonderful teeth whitening system that you may have seen on The Doctors.  It’s a great home-use system that you spray on your teeth instead of sticking your teeth in those uncomfortable molds, slimy gels or using those slip-sliding strips. Spray it on your teeth, swish it in your mouth for 90 seconds and if you are like me, you will see a positive difference immediately. Use it for two months, and you just may have to say “WOW!” when you look in the mirror at your “pearly whites”.  There are two sizes of kits – a SPRAYWHITE 90 10-Day or 60-Day kit.  I think any Bride deserves a 60-Day kit (cost $149) and you may want to get your bridal party the 10-day kits at $39.95.  Using SPRAYWHITE 90 is great preparation for a picture perfect wedding smile and the WOW Oral Rinse packets are sort of the wedding day insurance package for a clean and fresh “Wedding Mouth’ all day long.

The team at WOW has offered our readers a 10% discount on your first order. Just call 1-800-900-0969 and tell their customer service manager that you want the  “BridesKnowBest” special. And fellow wedding professionals: if you need large quantities or want to be considered as a reseller, their customer service manager can help you with that as well. Tell them that you are interested in the WOW Weddings program.

Now smile for the camera!

“I was playing a concert at a science fiction convention. My boyfriend, Joe Giacoio, was there with me and while I was in the green room (where the acts warm up and get ready), he saw the list of songs I had planned for the show. He said casually, “What, no ‘Toasted Chicken Sandwich?’” I almost always play that song and I know he despises it, so I gleefully answered, “Oh! thanks for reminding me!” and I put it on the song list.

Later, he came up to me in the hall and said “Someone just called and asked if you could save “Toasted Chicken Sandwich” for near the end of the concert, because they’re running late and may not get here for the first half.” I thought “Wow, I didn’t think that was my best song, but OK.” Then he adds, “Some guy is running around here in a penguin suit.” Again, not out of the realm of possibility, as science fiction fans like to engage in fantasy, and to dress up in costumes.

On I went with my concert, and sure enough, somewhere near the end some guy in a penguin costume and a mask walks in and sits down in the second row. I think nothing of it, of course.

Soon after, I start singing “Toasted Chicken Sandwich,” a song about dating someone just for the food. My favorite thing about performing the song is that I make the audience sing along, and then near the end  I split it up, have just the women sing, then just the men. And the part I give the men to sing is “Marry me!” And then (usually), I laugh and say “Haha! Works every time!” because I’ve just duped a whole room of men into proposing. But this time the joke was on me, because when I got to the “Marry me” part, the guy in the penguin suit- my boyfriend- jumped up, took off the mask, whipped out a ring and sang “marry me!”

Needless to say the show was pretty much over at that point. You know what they say- never work with kids or animals. The story has many happy endings- first of all I said “yes” on the spot. Second of all, we spent the next day at Seaworld (with some actual penguins). Third, we have been happily married for 2 1/2 years.”

Thanks Carla for such a cute story and thanks to you both for keeping us thoroughly entertained! For more on Carla’s music go to her website: Carla Ulbrich and for Joe’s equally clever and amusing music, check his website out at JoeGMusic.

Photo courtesy of Storybook Wedding Photography

It’s getting close to “fireworks day” and it reminds me how much I like using sparklers for the first dance, last dance or the “Grand Exit” at weddings.

If you are having your wedding or reception in a city that allows fireworks, consider using sparklers to create an inexpensive “Wow Factor” for  your special day.

I asked Shandelle Wertz Girdley, owner of BuySparklers.com to share her best tips on how to use sparklers in a safe and fabulous way for weddings. Here are her words of wisdom:

“1 – Check with your venue first.
Please check with your venue coordinator to see if sparklers are permitted. Most locations won’t mind you using them outside, but it’s best to ask first!

2 – Buy quality metal wire sparklers.
Do not buy bamboo stick sparklers. Bamboo sparklers produce significantly more smoke and will ash off as they burn down the stick. They can be very messy and I don’t recommend them for formal occasions.

3 – Use helpers!
Coach a team of helpers to hand out and light sparklers. Give them BBQ lighters to light the first few sparklers. Then tell them to show people in the crowd how to dip unlit sparklers into lit sparklers. ALSO coach them to hold sparklers UP and AWAY.

4 – Create and control the moment.
If doing a “tunnel” of sparklers for the bride and groom to run under for their exit…keep the crowd a little more than an arm’s length away. It’s more for show than to literally make a tunnel. A wide tunnel also gives the bride & groom enough room to “dash” out without bending over. This will help you get great pictures.

5 – Consult your photographer.
Let your photographer know when and where you are using sparklers. They can be ready to capture the moment…or to stage a few pictures just before or just after the big exit.

6 – Dispose properly.
Use your team of helpers to make sure sparklers are properly disposed. The metal wires will be hot for a few minutes after burning. You should have metal buckets or trays nearby filled with water or sand so the wires can be discarded safely.”

Thanks Shandelle for offering your helpful hints plus (BIG PLUS!) many thanks for offering BridesKnowBest readers a 10% discount on BuySparklers.com for an entire (not including shipping) order. Be sure to use Coupon Code: “10Kathy” to get this great offer.

The BuySparklers website is filled with many types of sparklers, including heart shaped and extra long options. Shandelle mentioned to be sure to order early. Sparklers can only be shipped via Ground Services (because they are flammable, they can’t go on airplanes for overnight or expedited delivery), so don’t wait until the last minute!

With or without fireworks, let yourself “sparkle plenty” on your wedding day!

Top photo: courtesy of Storybook Wedding Photography

Middle photo: courtesy of Advance-Images Photography and BuySparklers.com

Sharing Travel Experiences is an on-line travel magazine that I personally enjoy reading when I want to dream about future travels. I asked their Managing Editor, Andy Hayes, to share some tips for couples planning their honeymoons. This is what he sent (thanks Andy!):

“It’s your honeymoon, so you want it to be absolutely perfect, right? Well, get rid of that notion right now. Travel is rarely uneventful and in fact a little bit of serendipity builds character and makes for a good story when you get home. So many brides and grooms get so worked up over the whole thing that I’d like to share five things you should think about when planning your honeymoon travels. Hopefully they’ll help you plan a honeymoon more in tune with your real needs and expectations.

1) Don’t treat it as a “to do list” item. It’s a celebration. When something nice turns into an obligation and a must-do, it’s not as fun anymore, is it? Stop treating your honeymoon as this massive to do list item that sits on a pedestal waiting for you to take action. Stop watching all those movies filling your head with unrealistic expectations about honeymoons. A honeymoon is a private celebration between the two of you to honor the marriage you’ve just formalized. That’s it. So, how do you want to celebrate?

2) It’s the experience, not the destination. Every year there’s the latest “it” destination. Just because everyone else is there and all the bargains are there, doesn’t mean you should go. Decide what kind of honeymoon holiday you want and then pick a place. Remember, almost all countries have both secluded beaches and cosmopolitan chaos.

3) It’s probably best to involve a professional. You’re probably saying to yourself, “of course he’ll say that, he is one!” Yes, full disclosure applies, but I’m not saying this because I stand to benefit. Having a travel agent or travel concierge involved gives you a layer of insurance. If flights go awry, if the hotel just isn’t suitable, or god forbid there is an accident, you can contact your agent for support and assistance. And for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, isn’t that a good thing?

4) Make sure you can see the forest and the trees. You know the old proverb about not seeing the forest because of the trees? Well, don’t do that. A lot of couples-to-be get hung up on having rose petals on the bed and a private suite with beach access. But don’t forget the big picture: will you get bored if there’s only the two of you and a beach? Details are important, but so is knowing you have a 20 hour flight in coach class with two connections before you get to those rose petals.

5) There are two of you involved. It goes without saying, but everyone’s needs have to be catered for, so have a frank discussion about what you want and more importantly what you don’t want. This is the beginning of a new chapter of your life, so why not start things off on the right note?”

Check out Andy’s website for further tips on how to make your destination wedding, honeymoon, or any upcoming travels more authentic, rich, and experiential. But before you leave: here are some  choices from STE’s (Sharing Travel Experiences) readers:

STE reader, Denise McVey, highly recommended Santorini, Greece. The spectacular views, food and the friendly citizens created a perfect site for her destination wedding and honeymoon. Photo by Navin75.

Vista Verde Ranch near Steamboat Springs, Colorado was recommended by Amberlece and Joshua Oldham. “Great skiing, horseback riding, delicious food and log cabin housing” were some of the highlights of a “perfect” honeymoon site for this adventurous twosome. www.vistaverde.com

Liz Caskey recommended the Northeastern beaches of Brazil in the state of Ceara. Photo by Jairo BD

Elephant trekking anyone? Chiang Mai, Thailand makes a great base for touring the “Golden Triangle” where the borders of Burma, Laos and Thailand meet.

Tuscany continues to be one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world. Villa La Borghetta is well known for it’s pampering atmosphere in the heart of this beautiful region.

Andy recommended Maldives. Located southwest of India, the water off the Maldivian coast is known for breathtaking snorkeling and diving spots.

And finally… the top picture in this post is of the dining room at The Sooke Harbour House on Victoria Island, British Columbia, Canada. This is where I went on my honeymoon. Organic gardens, edible flowers adorning your delicious meals, hills in background and harbor in foreground, with comfortable rooms makes this a top pick for those who like a more intimate setting for their special celebration for two. www.sookeharbourhouse.com

We’d love to hear your recommendations. Happy Honeymoon Planning Nearly Weds!

PS: you might enjoy reading one of our past posts: Honeymoons – the intimate celebration

]]> http://bridesknowbest.com/2010/06/21/honeymoon-planning-tips-and-ideas/feed/ 1 http://bridesknowbest.com/2010/06/16/a-parisian-marriage-proposal/ http://bridesknowbest.com/2010/06/16/a-parisian-marriage-proposal/#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 06:38:23 +0000 BridesKnowBest http://bridesknowbest.com/?p=1401

I am certain that I could write 10 articles a day on romantic marriage proposals and it couldn’t possibly do justice to the genius of those “popping the big question.”  There are so many creative ways people have asked their beloved to marry them. And let’s face it, most of us wanted our proposal to be as big as the commitment we were about to say yes to!

So how many other people out there fantasized about being proposed to in Paris? I mean,  it is  the City of Love…

With the help of  Caroline Berthe of Parisian Proposals, one local couple lived out our fantasy just last week. Here’s their story:

Brad is a US Marine who on his way back to the US (from Iraq), asked his girlfriend, Rebecca, to meet him in Paris. Their reunion was better than any romantic movie script.

On a perfect Paris afternoon, a beautiful bordeaux colored horse-drawn carriage picked up Brad and Rebecca in front of their hotel. A one-hour carriage ride underneath a cozy blanket included an up-close view of the Eiffel Tower and a romantic trip down the Champs-Elysées. The carriage stopped just a stone’s throw from the Louvre at a renowned Parisian Tea Salon. Brad spoiled Rebecca with the best hot chocolate in town to warm them up after their carriage ride.

They left the salon for a romantic walk in the Tuileries Garden before stopping at the Place de la Concorde where they cut the line (thanks to Sharon’s privileged contacts!) and climbed aboard the big wheel. Once at the top of the wheel and with a dazzling view of the illuminated Champs-Elysees and sparkling Eiffel Tower, Brad proposed to the girl of his dreams. And Rebecca said “Oui!”.

Upon their return to earth, two edible chocolate flutes filled with champagne and a bouquet of red roses were waiting for them to seal this very special moment. A romantic dinner for two next to an open fire at an authentic Parisian restaurant provided the perfect ending to an unforgettable day.  Brad’s genius, was hiring the right people to plan this flawless proposal. Bravo Brad!

So if anyone out there is plotting a grand engagement overture, and Paris sounds perfect to you, call Caroline and she’ll come up with countless ideas for you to consider. And… if you want to get married in Paris, she’ll handle that too! Go to Parisian Proposals or Chateau and Villa Weddings for more European engagement and wedding ideas.

Do you have a Romantic Engagement Proposal to share? Email me at info@BridesKnowBest.com.

In the midst of the “it’s all about me” moments of wedding planning (believe me I had more than my share of these!) be sure to step back and ask yourself if you can be a bit more Earth friendly with your celebrations. The carbon footprint of most weddings is rather… huge; I mean h-u-g-e, so here are a few tips on how to be a little kinder to our planet while still creating a true celebration of love.

1) Work with Eco-conscious wedding vendors. Be guided by event professionals who run their business with our planet in mind. When interviewing potential wedding vendors, ask them for suggestions on how to design an earth friendly event. If they have no suggestions, maybe it’s time to interview the next candidate. Google “green or eco-friendly wedding vendors” and you will find many vendors that are prepared to help you “go green” on your wedding day.

2) Choose a beautiful environment for your celebration. The more beautiful the natural landscape, the less decorations you need to make your wedding a visually stunning event. A beach, a field of poppies, a park, a forest, require little to no embellishment. Less embellishment – less carbon footprint.

3) Go Local - If you hire people and purchase products produced close to your wedding venue, there is less gas used to get them to your celebration. Also consider how far your guests must travel when designing an eco-friendly wedding. Destination weddings are fun but clearly not eco-friendly if you have 150 guests on planes. Encourage car-pooling or coordinate transportation services that will bring your guests to your celebration in one bus instead of many, many cars.

4) Go Organic – Ask your caterer to use pesticides-free products while creating your wedding menu. Products from local organic farmers is the best choice for taste and guilt-free celebrations.

5) Recycle - Ask your wedding venue and caterer what they will do to recycle waste from your wedding.

6) Use the internet - Shopping on-line saves gas. So do your wedding planning on-line as much as possible. Ask your wedding vendors to send you information via the internet. It not only saves paper but it is a more efficient way to maintain documentation of proposals and contracts.

Make your own wedding website to keep all your guests informed of all things wedding.  This is a great way to save paper and postage. You can even ask your guests to RSVP (and select meal choices) on many of the wedding website templates that are available.

You may even consider making e-vites; if not for your “official wedding invitations,” consider for all the other celebrations surrounding the big day (Engagement Party, Bachelorette Party, Rehearsal Dinner, Post-Wedding brunch, etc.). There are such cute on-line Save-the-Date and Thank You cards that can include your personal love story and photos. Just ask yourself, “how can I save a few pieces of paper and yet still stay in contact with my friends and family.”

7) Share your video and pictures on-line. Work with photographers and videographers that can help you share their work with your friends and family on-line.

Multi-purpose – Purchase wedding decorations you can use again. Potted plants used as altar and table centerpieces can be used to decorate your own home or patio; or give them as thank you gifts to your family and friends. My grandfather created a wedding garden from my wedding flowers that 20 years later is still beautiful. Use framed pictures as decor; you have the pictures, they are hanging on your wall, now just take them to your wedding for not only great centerpieces but great conversation pieces.

9) Purchase or rent pre-loved items – Clothing, jewelry, decorations, furniture, and dishware all can be found on many websites, garage sales, thrift stores, antique/vintage shoppes, and rental companies.

Having your bridal party dress in clothes that they can really (I mean REALLY) wear again, is another way to reduce waste.

10) Plant a tree – At my wedding my husband and I planted six trees in honor of those who had made such a positive impact on our relationship (the people who brought us together, my parents, and a few other significant people). We then donated another tree to this regional park every wedding anniversary, in essence creating our own “grove of love.” This took away a little (just a little!) of the guilt I had for the huge paper wedding invitations we sent. We coordinated everything through the park system with just a few phone calls and of course a generous donation.

11) Eco-conscious Favors - The most Eco-friendly favor is no favor at all. If you can’t fathom not offering your guests a little take-away, consider something that they will actually use and not throw away. Be conscious of the packaging (is it minimal and bio-degradable?) as well as how the product itself was made.

There are so many great websites to help you plan an Earth Friendly wedding; here are a few of my favorites:

The Green Bride Guide

Eco Wedding – A Resource Guide for Ecologically Aware Weddings

Earth Friendly Weddings

Wedvert: The Modern Bride’s Guide to a Green Wedding

Jhordice and Mauricio Munoz’s wedding is a perfect example of the “WOW factor weddings” Laurie creates every weekend. This lavish October wedding had show-stopping entertainment.  Laurie hired 10 of the finest ballroom dancers in America, including some from the hit TV Show, Dancing with the Stars, to perform throughout the wedding reception. The jaw-dropping dancing inspired all the guests to try their own special dance moves, which might not have looked as perfect as the professionals, but definitely a sight to see!

And if this wasn’t enough fun for Jhordice and Mauricio’s  lucky, lucky, guests, a personalized version of the Newlywed Game, starring the brand new newlyweds, left everyone hysterically laughing. 

For more wedding eye candy, go to Laurie’s blog at Five Star Weddings & Events and Beautiful Day Photography’s website, who shared these beautiful photos with us.

You and your guests will cherish the memory of a heartfelt ceremony so much more than a vague memory (if any) of the floral centerpieces. Your beloved will remember the letter you have had hand-delivered (just before the wedding begins) that shares your heart and why you love him/her so much; they will likely not remember anything about the accessories you wear. Your parents will never forget the last words you say to them before you walk down the aisle. Make sure they are something like “I love you and thank you”

At your reception, guests will remember how joy-filled you are or not. If you are pouting over the overdone chicken and forget that you can never get this moment back… you’ve not only ruined the celebration for yourself, but for everyone around you. It is your energy, not the chicken, that will make or break your celebration.

The frills of most weddings are nice, but the character of your celebration is what can create a heart-song for you and all those lucky enough to attend your true celebration of love. So in the midst of your wedding planning, just keep on asking yourself: “Will our wedding reflect the best of our character?” If you do this, you will have a day that all will remember with a smile on their face and joy in their heart.

Read a story about one bride who truly lived this advice: My Favorite Bride and you also may enjoy Be in the Moment for some tips on how to have a wonderful wedding day.

and crushin’ on these pillows too!

and her flowers…

Unfortunately, I do know what it feels like to lose your spouse way too soon. When I look back on my short but oh so sweet marriage, what I know for sure is that I am happy that my husband and I had celebrated our relationship surrounded by friends and family. Weddings are life-affirming celebrations of love and the precious memories of my wedding keep a smile in my broken, but slowly mending, heart.

Although I didn’t know before my wedding that I would lose my husband shortly afterwards, there are many people who do know that they will have only a short time to create happy memories together. With the pure exhaustion of dealing with a terminal illness, along with the health care bills that all too often bankrupt Americans (over 60% of all bankruptcies in the United States  are related to medical bills), there are few resources left for a wedding. Wish Upon a Wedding is the love child of wedding specialist, Liz Guthrie, who recognized that there needed to be an organization that granted wedding assistance to  couples challenged by a terminal illness. Liz explains the impetus of Wish Upon A Wedding: “Many couples have endured life threatening disease and illness, but stay together through it all, offering support and encouragement to their partners. I want to be certain that this kind of love is celebrated. By celebrating the courage & spirit of these couples, it is our hope that others facing similar situations will find hope, strength, and the promise of eternal love.”

Liz gathered the support of some of the best of the best in the wedding industry and together they officially launched this non-profit organization in January 2010. Led by National President, Sasha Souza, they currently have 20 chapters officially open for business and there are many new chapters in the development stage throughout the world.

The organizers of Wish Upon A Wedding are happy to accept applications from those who would like a wedding wish granted, and those who would like to be a part of the Wedding Granter Team. There are many ways to help this organization, all of which can be found on their website. I hope all BKB readers will contribute to this fabulous endeavor. Visit their website to see how you can help make dreams come true.

Wish Upon A Wedding

www.wishuponawedding.org

info@wishuponawedding.org

(877) 305-WISH

Mailing Address:

Po Box 1141

Santa Clara, CA 95052