tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339136362012-02-16T02:52:54.937-08:00Wedding ideas and tips from Kristina Seleshanko, author of "Carry Me Over the Threshold: A Christian Guide to Wedding Traditions." For the Christian bride - or any bride!Kristina Seleshankohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061731679235511146noreply@blogger.comBlogger2951100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-70837442531944531512007-06-27T12:30:00.000-07:002007-06-27T12:34:49.465-07:00

Fond FarewellAfter a lot of thought and prayer, I've come to the difficult decision that I need to focus my time and energies elsewhere. I will no longer be adding new posts to this blog. However, I hope the posts I've already made will continue to be useful to brides in general and Christian brides in particular. If you haven't already, please take a peek at the trailer for my book Carry Me Over

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-6947063282894117852007-06-11T13:06:00.000-07:002007-06-11T13:20:57.495-07:00

Great Ideas in Country LivingI've blogged before about snatching great ideas for weddings from non-wedding related magazines. The July 2007 issue of Country Living has some great examples of decorating ideas that can be incorporated into your wedding. Page 10 points toward stylish dinner party ideas in a web exclusive that will appear in July. Page 34 offers complete instructions for making a

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-20679252237338240402007-06-05T13:12:00.000-07:002007-06-05T13:19:23.799-07:00

Something Gorgeously BlueIf you're looking for a little color to add to your wedding outfit, check out Etsy. There's lots of "something blue" here, as well as jewelry in other gorgeous colors. My favorites include: Czech "Aquamarine" Earrings for $39 (and similar earrings in a cobalt blue, shown here), "Swoop" Bird Necklace for $50, "Stained Glass" blue earrings for $70, and blue moonstone

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-76771730410272578102007-06-01T13:07:00.000-07:002007-06-01T13:08:12.184-07:00

The Best Site for DIY BridesThere are lots of sites that have projects for weddings, but my favorite is Instructables. Here, anybody can post how-tos for pretty much anything. Cruise through the craft or art sections, or do searches for specific items. Some of my favorite projects include a 5 cent wedding band, "Monica's wedding cards", and LED balloons.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-67258415014695678482007-05-26T19:21:00.001-07:002007-05-26T19:29:43.681-07:00

Brides RecommendEach and every purchase you make at Amazon - if you first click through one of the links included either in one of my posts or by the photos of book covers on the left hand side - helps support this blog. Every once in a while, I like to check out what ya'll are buying. I can't tell who bought what, but I can see what products are popular just now.This month, it's Preston Bailey's

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-66503421391707839322007-05-26T13:09:00.000-07:002007-05-26T19:21:02.926-07:00

Recycled Wedding GownRecycling is nothing new. In fact, it's very, very old. It's just that instead of using recycling centers, our ancestors used a more hands-on approach. As I talk about in Carry Me Over the Threshold, for example, during WWII it was often difficult for brides - especially in Europe - to get their hands on wedding gowns or fabric appropriate for making them. Americans helped

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-32214454783261165372007-05-19T13:23:00.000-07:002007-05-19T13:25:14.947-07:00

When You Need to Be Silly...If you need a break from planning your wedding and just want to do something silly, check out the 2007 Annual Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest. Yeah, it's for real!

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-34399829999961963902007-05-17T13:33:00.000-07:002007-05-17T13:34:05.102-07:00

Our $150 Wedding"Our own wedding in the woods was intimate, dreamy and definitely one-of-a-kind. We snow shoed a short distance into the trees and found a pine alcove for our chapel. Our Unitarian-Universalist minister read some inspirational passages we had chosen, we exchanged our own vows and we kissed. Two friends photographed the ceremony with a digital camera and surprised us by popping

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-71835064923044617422007-05-17T13:14:00.000-07:002007-05-17T13:17:07.114-07:00

What Flowers Are In Season When?As you plan the floral arrangements for your wedding, it's important to know what flowers will be in season on your Big Day. If you request out of season flowers from your florist, the price tag (if the flowers can be had at all) will be astronomical. Here's an easy to use guide to flower availability, provided by the California Cut Flower Commission. Select a

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-549153660302101922007-05-09T13:47:00.000-07:002007-05-09T14:00:17.573-07:00

Making it Easy to be Charitable at Your WeddingCharitable giving in lieu of wedding gifts is wonderfully popular right now. Many people are waiting until they're older to get married, which means they already have everything they need to establish a household by the time their Big Day arrives. Still, wedding guests often want to give the bride and groom something to celebrate their wedding

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-80267992327074489632007-05-04T13:47:00.000-07:002007-05-07T12:53:33.486-07:00

Target Bridal LineTarget's Isaac Mizrahi wedding collection went live this weekend. Not surprisingly, it's mostly basics at affordable prices. (I'm especially fond of this $160 feminine tulle-skirted bridal gown, and this $130 1930s-style bridal gown - which could easil be worn as an evening dress after your Big Day.)But the item that most caught my eye was this extra-wide satin headband for $13.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-1730432978218122062007-05-04T13:16:00.000-07:002007-05-04T13:18:42.017-07:00

Make Your Guests Pay for Your WeddingI kid you not, there is a website called You Buy My Wedding that appears to seriously offer couples a way to encourage their guests to pay for their Big Day. Tacky doesn't even begin to cover this! If you can't afford a lavish wedding, by golly, have an inexpensive one!

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-37006586040176766572007-05-04T13:09:00.001-07:002007-05-04T13:18:56.838-07:00

Plan and Plan Some MoreRecently, I heard about a wedding where a great deal of money was spent, but the planning was poor.Here are just a few examples of how the wedding went awry: The ceremony and reception were held outdoors. (And there was no shade from the very hot midday sun, but that's not the worst of it...) The ceremony music was picked well ahead of time, and was on a CD. The wedding

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-52486058839656179042007-05-03T08:41:00.000-07:002007-05-03T09:30:58.165-07:00

For List-Makers...This "electronic shopper" gadget is just too cool. It's useful, too. Just talk at the thing and it creates a list for you, then prints it out. Although it is a hefty $150, it would come in very handy while planning your wedding, and once the wedding's over, it's ideal for to-do and shopping lists.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-65554098118200361712007-05-02T15:52:00.000-07:002007-05-02T15:54:38.791-07:00

DIY Cake TopperCustumized cake toppers are all the rage right now, and a vintage look is also strongly preferred by many brides. Combine these two trends and you have some whimsical cake toppers by a Live Journal bride. Pipe cleaners, superglue, and fabric...oh my!

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-91823010542470901892007-05-02T13:33:00.000-07:002007-05-02T13:37:10.900-07:00

People's WeddingsIf you haven't already checked out People magazine's "Real Life Weddings" blog, run over there now and get yourself a chuckle. You'll find ugly bridesmaid's dresses, wedding disasters, wacky ceremonies, and more fun stuff to get you through the week.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-8746051122544735232007-04-28T12:28:00.000-07:002007-04-28T13:20:08.361-07:00

Tacky Wedding StuffIt's been a while since I've pointed out the tackier side to weddings. So put on your good humor hat, and take a less than classy trip with me:A wedding dress made of...condoms? Oh please.You've seen the Hello Kitty Wedding Gown, now here's the Hello Kitty tiara and the Hello Kitty bridal garter to go with it.For the bride who wants to be in the newspaper, a newspaper wedding

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-83411019844568176882007-04-28T12:21:00.000-07:002007-04-28T12:28:44.244-07:00

What the Bible Says About Husbands & WivesMy husband recently asked me to print out all the Bible verses I could find about Godly husbands. He wanted to post the list somewhere he'd see it every day, as a good reminder of what his "job" is in our marriage. I complied, and made the work easy by going to Bible Gateway and doing a simple search for all verses with the word "husband" in them. I also

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-82990462711221317582007-04-20T18:42:00.000-07:002007-04-20T18:47:10.236-07:00

Sad News About Carry Me Over the ThresholdA few days ago, I was informed that my book Carry Me Over the Threshold is going out of print. I'm not too surprised. I never could find it in the bookstores, and when I would have otherwise been helping to market the book, I was busy taking care of my extremely premature daughter. Still, I'm a little sad.It's the height of wedding season. If you'd like

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-92103620746110230452007-04-17T16:15:00.000-07:002007-04-17T16:17:56.356-07:00

10% Off at Customized GirlIf you want custom wedding related clothes and accessories, take at peek at Customized Girl. And be sure to enter coupon code CJO5 at checkout, and you'll get 10% off.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-83385106287023453852007-04-17T13:52:00.000-07:002007-04-17T13:55:47.422-07:00

First Peek at Disney Bridal GownsDying for a look at Disney's "Princess" wedding gowns? Check out this Associated Press article, complete with a photo slideshow.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-26064503660060197482007-04-17T11:12:00.000-07:002007-04-17T11:16:00.734-07:00

Isaac Mizrahi Bridalwear at Target Yes, it's true! Isaac Mizrahi's bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and groom and groomsmen wear will appear next month on Target's website. Prices start at $9.99 for accessories and $159.99 for wedding gowns. Go, Target!

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-54023871932571155192007-04-14T15:54:00.000-07:002007-04-14T15:56:54.008-07:00

Bridal Books on the CheapI have a few bridal books I'm parting with, and I thought I'd offer them on the cheap to my readers before I tried selling them on eBay. If you're interested, tell me which book(s) you'd like (ideally, one person would take them all!), plus your shipping address, and I'll get back to you about the shipping cost. (I'm happy to mail them either Book Rate/Media Mail or

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-14028451221964876292007-04-14T03:18:00.000-07:002007-04-14T03:21:45.342-07:00

Pearl Earrings: Great Price, Great CauseLooking for something delicate for your ears on your wedding day? Take a peek at these lovely freshwater pearl earrings. They're under $9 a piece or $19.95 for a set of three (one pair white, another pink, another black). And your purchase helps support breast cancer research.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-6499132550749200932007-04-13T13:23:00.000-07:002007-04-13T13:32:55.843-07:00

Unique Wedding CupcakesIf you're having cupcakes instead of a wedding cake, be sure to check out Fancy Flours. They have a wide selection of fun cupcake cups (foil, floral, leopard skin, stripes of various colors, white or black "lace" filigree...) and cupcake baking cups in unusual shapes (including triangles, diamonds, squares, and hearts). They also carry tons of stuff for decorating cupcakes.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-10244208396038941302007-04-13T13:09:00.000-07:002007-04-13T13:21:29.776-07:00

Kid Wedding RentalsNo, I'm not talking about renting a flower girl and ring bearer...haha. But if the selection of inexpensive kid's wedding wear at local or online stores doesn't suit you or your wedding, check out Gaga.Here, you'll find boy's suits and girl's dresses for as little as $18. There's even a large collection of "flower petal" dresses with faux petals of a wide variety of colors

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-45709376368980280422007-04-11T15:38:00.000-07:002007-04-11T15:40:08.146-07:00

Flower Girl and Ring Bearer CookiesSpeaking of flower girls, I just ran across these cute "Will you be my flower girl?" and "Will you be my ring bearer?" cookies. So cute! Not especially inexpensive, though. Yet a DIY bride could pretty easily make something like this on her own. Check out Weddingish's other cookies for more ideas.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-18139919124323323522007-04-11T11:41:00.000-07:002007-04-11T11:44:53.923-07:00

It's Flower Girl Dress Time!Now is a terrific time to get great deals on flower girl dresses. Many Easter dresses for girls are on sale, and dressy spring time dresses are still appearing in stores. Be sure to check out your favorite less expensive stores, like Wal-Mart and Target. Online, Target has a decent collection of toddler girl's spring dresswear...and nothing is over $18! My favorites

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-84021161097766004142007-04-09T01:15:00.000-07:002007-04-09T01:17:19.817-07:00

I Am My Beloved's...I'm a fan of Christian wedding rings, and you'll find a number of references to them in the "Rings" section of this blog. But I just ran across what may be my favorite Christian band; it's very simple: A plain gold band with Song of Solomon 2:16 inscribed on the outside. You can also purchase it in white gold, and you can choose to have anything at all inscribed on it (up to

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-61364451323515540472007-04-08T10:04:00.000-07:002007-04-08T10:05:32.387-07:00

Have a wonderful Easter! Christ is risen; he is risen, indeed!

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-44297760498941911422007-04-07T17:47:00.000-07:002007-04-07T17:52:46.124-07:00

Holely Wedding Cake!I've blogged about junk food wedding cakes before, but it wasn't until this afternoon that I saw my first doughnut wedding cake. Magic Wand claims In Style magazine started this trend, but I'm skeptical. Apparently, though, Krispy Kreme is handing out "how to" guides for these things.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-50833755435771973212007-04-06T19:54:00.000-07:002007-04-06T19:57:47.309-07:00

Great Magazine PricesWeddingbee recently drew attention to one of their older posts about using Magazine Price Search to find deals on wedding (and other) magazines. There are some good prices to be found there, but I also recommend you try eBay for really awesome magazine subscription deals. No kidding, through eBay I've paid $1 for a year's worth of some very high end magazines. Can you trust

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-38837644444617126542007-04-05T13:19:00.000-07:002007-04-05T13:21:06.837-07:00

Bridesmaids Who Don't MatchManolo for the Brides has an interesting piece about bridesmaids who aren't matchy-matchy. In fact, these are the least matchy bridesmaids I've ever seen...and I like the look!

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-436666029401234092007-04-05T13:14:00.000-07:002007-04-05T13:15:38.577-07:00

Metal Wedding InvitationsTo be honest, I'm not sure why some people likewedding invitations made from metal. Except, perhaps, just for the novelty of it. Nonetheless, this is a growing trend.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-27914807200754869632007-04-03T13:26:00.000-07:002007-04-03T13:30:05.453-07:00

Enamel TiaraWow, wow, wow! This this old fashioned enamel tiara is gorgeous! Talk about stepping back in time! It's not cheap, mind you, but something like this becomes an heirloom for many generations to come. Go here to see other beautiful tiaras.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-84155678469244277922007-04-02T16:16:00.001-07:002007-04-02T16:16:49.674-07:00

Free Hints for Buying JewelryThe FTC offers a free .PDF on buying jewelry, including how to choose metals, diamonds, and more. Check it out at the Federal Trade Commission website.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-53450262866998781892007-04-02T08:25:00.000-07:002007-04-02T08:28:55.258-07:00

Who Makes the Decisions?Early on, you'll need to stop and consider who's going to make the decisions about your wedding. Most brides have some pretty decided ideas about their wedding, but other people’s ideas should be taken into consideration, too. Most obviously, your groom should be consulted.Although many grooms are flexible when it comes to wedding planning, you should make a point of

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-19360061697236852422007-04-02T08:23:00.000-07:002007-04-02T08:25:46.986-07:00

Chic Wedding OrganizersMe? I'd just go to Office Depot and buy an ordinary binder and organizer. But for those who want something a little more trendy, check outMaddie Totes' binder, memento box, and tote bag. Pretty! A little bit more practical are the binders at See Jane Work. Or, buy a cheap binder and make your own pretty cover.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-33230159176703092002007-03-31T09:06:00.000-07:002007-03-31T09:07:15.864-07:00

Wedding Reception Feeds the Community"The 150 people invited to the wedding of Cristine Bouwkamp and Kyle Kramer wedding over the weekend expected a reception. Instead, they were put to work unloading 5,000 pounds of food from a Gleaner's truck to help neighborhood families. But no one seemed to mind.We decided the first thing we wanted to do as husband and wife is to serve others,' Bouwkamp, 36,

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-47291678757272478202007-03-30T08:23:00.001-07:002007-03-30T08:29:23.660-07:00

Simply BeautifulMy brother was married on Valentine's Day of this year; everyone in my family was excited for him. It took him longer than some folks to find "Miss Right," but and his bride is a terrific lady. Unfortunately, though, I was unable to attend to the wedding. In fact, the day before yesterday was the first time I ever even saw any wedding photos.They were worth waiting for.I've seen a

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-66957860696824868442007-03-30T08:20:00.000-07:002007-03-30T08:22:15.489-07:00

Bride Turns Dad into Diamond RingSo...you're about to get married, and sad that your dad passed away too soon to give you away. What do you do? If you're Celeste Egan of Blackpool, England, you turn your dad into a diamond. The BBC reports:"The stone took 24 weeks to create but was completed in time for [the] wedding - allowing [the bride] to go down the aisle with her father...The family wanted

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-85881605113372586142007-03-29T13:15:00.000-07:002007-03-29T13:20:05.817-07:00

Actor Brad Garrett at Your Wedding?You may want to hop on over to Las Vegas' Fox channel website right away because today's the last day in an interesting contest they are holding. Do you like Brad Garrett (who currently stars in tv's Till Death, and also starred in Everybody Loves Raymond)? Well, if you win this contest, he will be a guest at your wedding. He'll also give the winning couple

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-14292632818158427142007-03-29T08:21:00.000-07:002007-03-29T08:23:48.930-07:00

Creating a Wedding Budget, Part Four: Personalizing Your BudgetNow you need to personalize your budget. For example, you may live in a state that doesn’t have sales tax (in which case you’d delete the “taxes” category and allot the 5% that would otherwise go to taxes to a different category), or whose sales tax is lower or higher (so you’d adjust percentages accordingly). Maybe you’ve already

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-27224557549726477792007-03-28T08:23:00.000-07:002007-03-28T08:28:23.668-07:00

Creating a Wedding Budget: Part Three: The Nitty Gritty of BudgetingThe next step is to break down your total budget into smaller figures. In other words, you need to establish that you'll spend approximately X amount of money on flowers, X amount for photographs, X amount for catering, etc. You may wonder how you can possibly do this when you have no clue how much wedding flowers cost or how

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-71743545716474109492007-03-27T12:43:00.000-07:002007-03-27T12:51:33.297-07:00

Decorating Tent PolesI recieved this question this morning: "I have been reading your wonderful site. I have been enlisted to help my son and future daughter-in-law with several wedding ideas, one being how to wrap tent poles for their outdoor wedding this June, 2007. Can you guide me in some direction where I can learn how to do this?"Good question, Sharron! The answer really depends on your

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-41173240513392537212007-03-27T08:43:00.000-07:002007-03-27T08:47:02.873-07:00

Creating a Wedding Budget, Part Two: The First StepOne way to pin–point what you're willing to spend on your wedding day is to start by considering a low-end figure first. As an example, let’s start with $5,000 (your figure could be lower). Ask yourself (and anyone else who may be contributing): "Am I willing to spend this much on the wedding?" If your answer is "yes," consider a higher figure;

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-40489302391565790722007-03-26T19:09:00.000-07:002007-03-27T08:47:37.660-07:00

Creating a Wedding Budget, Part One: Budget, Budget, Who Has a Budget?Let me begin by saying this series about budgeting is not for you accountant-types. It's for women like myself. You know, those who count their toes with a calculator.Um, yeah. I'm very definitely not mathematical. And before I created a budget for my wedding, I’d never budgeting anything in my entire life. So, if you're like

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-82061671732999183922007-03-26T08:39:00.000-07:002007-03-26T08:44:59.564-07:00

A Dahlia WeddingAbout three summers ago, a friend of mine was married in her backyard. Her wedding was the essence of simplicity, yet it was positively beautiful. One of the most lovely things about her reception were the flowers in vases on every table. They were dahlias of a varying of colors, placed in a variety of clear florist vases, with absolutely no other ornamentation: No ribbons, no

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-12121179530675507942007-03-24T12:58:00.000-07:002007-03-24T13:02:45.038-07:00

Wildflower BouquetsIf you're tired of the same old bridal bouquets, or you want to trim down your wedding budget, consider using wildflowers. From spring until fall, your area probably has an ample supply of beautiful, wild flowers available just for the asking. In my part of the world, for example, I can pick Queen Anne's Lace, California Poppies, wild bleeding hearts, bachelor buttons, and

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-77479661022240367912007-03-23T08:22:00.000-07:002007-03-23T08:30:46.545-07:00

Unequally YokedI remember once chatting with a guy who wanted to date me (before I was married, of course!). I was trying to explain to him that because I was a Christian and he was not, I didn't feel I should date him. He thought that was pretty absurd, so I explained to him what the Bible says about being “unequally yoked.” He wasn't convinced that the Bible was right in this regard (or many

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-49652458063115716252007-03-22T08:36:00.000-07:002007-03-22T08:37:55.866-07:00

A New Twist on the Guest Book PlatterI've talked before about several alternatives to the traditional guest book, including blank plates or vases that guests may sign. Now How Lucky Are You is offering a twist on this idea: A platter that uses words describing the couple to form their monogram. As offered, it's not really designed to take the place of a guest book, but it takes an increasingly

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-62620168109836907572007-03-20T12:52:00.000-07:002007-03-20T12:54:34.425-07:00

DIY Mum Balls Balls of flowers are hot, hot, hot just now, and Design Sponge just posted some simple instructions for making "mum balls". You could use any flower with a strong center, though.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-65164283419947054822007-03-19T12:44:00.000-07:002007-03-19T12:55:40.663-07:00

Pizzeria ReceptionRecently, a friend told me about the most memoriable wedding reception she'd ever been to. "So unique!" she said...and as she described the event, I couldn't help but think it was frugal, too.The reception area was set up pizzeria style, with tables covered in red and white gingham tablecloths and set up with old fashioned cafe chairs. The centerpieces were candle wine bottles.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-5731732609908271862007-03-19T04:19:00.000-07:002007-03-19T04:21:37.695-07:00

Coupon CodesEver shopped online and been asked for a coupon code that you didn't have? I think we all have, at one time or another. Enter Coupon Mountain, where merchants are listed alphabetically, with all their current coupon codes. So whether you're buying wedding favors, shoes, reception decorations, or books, you'll have access to whatever discounts may apply. What a terrific site!

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-68682939320151009822007-03-16T07:57:00.000-07:002007-03-16T08:02:05.800-07:00

Interview with Author Amy J. TolCrosswalk has an interesting interview with the author of The Bride's Handbook, a guide for the Christian bride."Q. What is the most important advice you would have for brides-to-be? Tol: I'd just encourage them to savor this special time in their lives, and to share it with God. God put so many bridal images in the Bible, and a woman's engagement gives such a

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-52153213202748765972007-03-15T08:35:00.000-07:002007-03-15T08:36:37.297-07:00

A Soolip WeddingThe bridal show with the funny name is becoming a much-talked about event. Featuring the very best designers, A Soolip Wedding is one of the best places to gather ideas for your Big Day. This year's event will be held March 18th in Los Angeles, but if you can't attend, you can still benefit from the event by checking out photographs online. The very best place to do that is

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-67503613854679400912007-03-15T08:02:00.000-07:002007-03-15T08:09:30.283-07:00

An Amazon WeddingThese days, Amazon is great for far more than books and CDs! If anything, the downside to shopping at Amazon is the vast inventory available and the fact that Amazon's browsing and searching functions aren't really what they should be. But just to give you a small idea of what you could buy for your wedding at Amazon, take a look at these pretties: I started with bridesmaids

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-2918115900875915032007-03-14T08:07:00.001-07:002007-03-14T08:07:50.580-07:00

A Sears WeddingFor well over 100 years, Sears has been providing the everyday needs of Americans. But what about their wedding needs? You might be surprised!The Sears website (surprisingly, I thought) doesn't have a bridal shop. But they do have a prom shop with many offerings appropriate for bridesmaids. Choosing to stick with a black, white, and pink theme, I was particularly fond of this

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-14710899040366925972007-03-14T08:01:00.000-07:002007-03-14T08:02:43.836-07:00

Coffee Filter RosesPaper wedding items continue to be a hot topic; paper flowers seem to be on the minds of many brides. If you're interested in making your own paper wedding flowers, you must check out Martha Stewart's directions for flowers out of coffee filters. You can see the finished product at Mommy Makes Roses. Amazing!

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-64325632172244284772007-03-13T08:22:00.000-07:002007-03-13T08:25:34.311-07:00

Easy DIY Flower BallsOne of my favorite wedding blogs is Something Old, Something New, and this morning, I bumped into their great directions for making easy, easy balls of flowers. You can make them from either paper or silk blooms, and hang them from the ceiling, place them on tables, or add loops and have your bridesmaids hang onto them.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-25523509542862507562007-03-13T08:04:00.000-07:002007-03-13T08:08:18.156-07:00

A Wal-Mart WeddingIt was admittedly more difficult for me to find wedding-worthy stuff at Wal-Mart's website. Many of the more obvious things I might point out (like candles at just about the cheapest prices you can get them) may be had in Wal-Mart stores, but not online. Still, I did find a few interesting items.Some of the best wedding related items on Wal-Mart's website are in the garden

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-69452276346289186082007-03-12T00:49:00.000-07:002007-03-12T16:35:44.299-07:00

A Penny's Wedding"J.C. Penny's!" some of you may be thinking. "Penny's is where my grandmother shops! You'd never catch me in there!" But I think you may be surprised at some of the things you can buy through this old standy's online store.For one thing, they have a small bridal shop. There are only a handful of wedding dresses to choose from, but check out this lovely gown with a wide sash;

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-56486897990717019762007-03-12T00:47:00.000-07:002007-03-12T00:49:36.451-07:00

Marriage PartnershipI just finished my newest issue of Marriage Partnership, and, as usual, it's packed full of great stuff. There's a piece about deciding to purposefully look past our spouse's flaws; ideas on sharing household responsibilities; learning the language of apologies; learning that joy and difficulty can go hand in hand in a marriage; "planned spontaneity;" creating stable finances;

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-67532124816896513872007-03-10T12:45:00.000-08:002007-03-10T12:54:43.249-08:00

A Target WeddingImagine being able to do most of your wedding shopping all in one store...and at good prices, too! That's the theme behind many of the posts I'll be including in the coming month. To begin, I choose Target. Decent prices and modern style is what that store is all about. And while I've focused on a casual wedding, you might be surprised how many things you can buy there that would

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-10136196335107987242007-03-09T11:16:00.000-08:002007-03-09T11:22:22.077-08:00

Brides Recommend: Wedding ChicThank you, as always, to those who make their Amazon purchases through this blog. Each time you do, I earn pennies, which in turn help support this blog (by means of allowing me to buy and review new products and such). Lately, readers have been snatching up lots of copies of Wedding Chic, a new bridal planning book that's witty, smart, and consumer friendly. It's a

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-51627752251441977422007-03-09T07:47:00.000-08:002007-03-09T07:48:13.114-08:00

A Shocking Wedding Cake"Our rotating and sparking 6000-volt wedding cake was the highlight of our wedding ceremony...A clay surrogate of each of us topped each motorized cake tower. Each time the two dolls would pass one another, a sizzling, 6,000 volt spark would jump and snap briefly between their outstretched hands."Click here to read the entire story, complete with "in the making" photographs.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-29217431974784869942007-03-08T10:25:00.000-08:002007-03-08T10:26:50.376-08:00

Get free shipping on My Wedding Favors orders over $125 if you use code PADDY3 at checkout.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-90650118322174175532007-03-08T10:23:00.000-08:002007-03-08T10:25:35.359-08:00

Favorite CandlesCandles will always have a place at weddings, and these days there are more choices for brides than ever. Whether you use these as favors or as table or location decorations, here are some of the prettiest candles I've seen in a long while:Orchid Gel Candles (see photo above)Orchid tealightsCalla Lily candlesCalla Lily tealight holderBeach Tin Pail CandlesLuminariesFaith, Hope, &

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-58073782122727286892007-03-07T08:20:00.000-08:002007-03-07T08:42:53.890-08:00

Interracial Cake ToppersWeddingbee has an interesting post today about cake toppers for couples of different races. Which made me wonder: Are such cake toppers really that difficult to find in this day and age??? So I turned to Google, and found that while the selection isn't vast, there are choices out there. Check them out!Party Block offers an easy-to-choose selection of brides and grooms in

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-5454925881935780962007-03-06T07:52:00.001-08:002007-03-06T08:32:17.565-08:00

Photo CookiesCookies are popular wedding favors, but here's a different twist. Did you know that almost any bakery can print your photo or graphic design onto edible paper with edible inks? Then you can make your own graphic cookies.The Easter issue of Country Living has some wonderful examples of this DIY project. They've used Victorian Easter clip art, but you could use any clip art, Bible

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-80979681466626200482007-03-05T10:17:00.000-08:002007-03-05T10:22:27.109-08:00

Bridal CorsetsI love corsets. I think they're pretty and fun to wear. (And actually not uncomfortable if you put them on right.) But why do I bring up corsets on this blog? Because corsets are fun and pretty...and they make snug-fitting bodices (such as are commonly found on bridal gowns) look much better.You don't have to lace tightly to get a nice, smooth line wearing a corset. You should have

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-65637053582691887562007-03-05T02:38:00.000-08:002007-03-05T02:39:12.464-08:00

Deals at Customized GirlGet 10% off Customized Girl orders with coupon code CJ05, and free delivery on orders over $50!

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-53253582990893373062007-03-03T03:00:00.000-08:002007-03-03T03:03:01.192-08:00

Fantastic Retro Bridesmaid/Rehearsal Dresses!Thanks to a heads up from Something Old, Something New, I've found some fabulous 1950s and 60s style retro dresses. They could be just the thing for your bridesmaids, or they'd be excellent choices for all those wedding-related parties you'll be attending. Check them out at Anthropologie:Tropical SprayVizcayaBerry BowlDaisy MedlySeedling HalterWhite

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-10232601083015623482007-03-03T02:59:00.000-08:002007-03-03T03:00:33.232-08:00

Avoiding the "Bridal Coma"Q: What is a "bridal coma?" A: It's when all your brain can think of is the wedding. There's no shame in falling into a bridal coma. Most brides do, at one point or another. The question is, though: What happens when the wedding is over? Lydia Seabol broaches this topic beautifully: "I wasn't a brideszilla, but I was in a bridal coma. My husband was afraid that in the

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-80574886891876087942007-03-03T02:58:00.000-08:002007-03-03T02:59:17.550-08:00

New Review for Carry MeAt Amazon, there's a new, five-star review up for Carry Me Over the Threshold. I don't know who you are, HoorayForGoodBooks, but I thank you!

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-2232189035824669902007-03-02T04:16:00.000-08:002007-03-02T04:18:38.616-08:00

Divine DressGotta say that I love this dress. Bridalwave says it's reminiscent of a dress from the 1940s, and that's true - but it's also very similar to some gowns I've seen from the early 1900s. Still, it's not a costume-like dress; it suits modern but feminine sensibilites, too.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-10496838791327988312007-03-02T04:15:00.000-08:002007-03-02T04:16:37.364-08:00

Your Photo HereJust when I think I've seen everything the wedding industry has to offer, I am surprised anew. Today I bumped into Photofetti, a business that puts your photograph on confetti. A perfect alternative to rice tossing?? Photofetti for up to 200 guests costs $50. Yikes! What a way to spend your wad!

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-9100543600403405582007-03-02T04:14:00.001-08:002007-03-02T04:14:56.799-08:00

DYI: CD CasesIf you plan on giving away CDs of favorite music to your guests, you'll want to consider creating pretty cases or envelopes for them. Over at the DIY Design Community, there are some illustrated step-by-step instructions. Also Paper CD Case has a .PDF template file you can download for the same purpose.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-61614231486015296322007-03-01T08:21:00.000-08:002007-03-01T08:22:37.451-08:00

Royal Wedding InspirationOn your wedding day, will you be a princess? If so, you might have fun checking out what British royals have worn on their Big Day, starting with King Henry V's 1420 wedding to Katherine of Valois, and going all the way up to the 1999 wedding of Prince Edward to Sophie Rhys. See all the princesses and queens at Royal Wedding.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-58190800635093451662007-03-01T08:17:00.000-08:002007-03-01T08:21:48.058-08:00

For the C.S. Lewis FansI've already posted a source for Lord of the Rings fans, but what about The Chronicles of Narnia fans? Well, here's a brief look at a real wedding that had a Narnia themed reception."...Laura and Lincoln walked the red carpet past huge flares. A giant gold lion crouched in the entranceway, framed in billowing flames. It was here that they were met by their guide Mr. Beaver.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-52313927872147223612007-02-28T12:46:00.000-08:002007-02-28T12:50:32.002-08:00

For Your Viewing PleasureI've finally joined the 21st century and uploaded a trailer for my book Carry Me Over the Threshold onto YouTube. I hope you enjoy the tidbits of information included in it!

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-61070023541906214092007-02-28T08:49:00.000-08:002007-02-28T08:55:16.587-08:00

Wedding Ring Metals: GoldGold comes in a variety of colors. We're most familiar with yellow gold, but gold also comes in "white" (actually, it's silver colored and is usually created by adding nickel to the metal), "rose" or "pink" (created by adding copper), green (created by adding silver), and "Black Hills Gold" (which is multi-colored and is only made in the Black Hills of South Dakota).

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-26503580874610220132007-02-27T13:23:00.000-08:002007-02-27T13:25:57.459-08:00

Maple Leaf RosesLook at these pretty roses made from maple leaves. What a fabulous addition for a DIY bride with an autumn wedding!

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-8099421757478828312007-02-27T08:52:00.001-08:002007-02-27T08:57:40.171-08:00

Marriage & Sex"Great sex doesn't happen for many couples until they've been married 30 years or so, and they've learned each other and themselves.""Sex is complex...sometimes it's better to see the complexity of it, rather than reducing it to we need to make love more often.""So many people think sex is about the pleasure, which it is, but it isn't...Sex reflects something far grander, far more

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-24583480713089201202007-02-26T10:41:00.000-08:002007-02-26T10:57:31.432-08:00

For All You Tolkien FansIf a Lord of the Rings wedding is your dream, Weddingbee just posted about a great site: Middle Earth Weddings. Here you'll find tons of ideas for attire, jewelry, headpieces, flowers, vows, cakes, music, invitations, colors, ideas from other "Middle Earth" weddings, and much, much more!

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-77486421978570710912007-02-26T08:39:00.000-08:002007-02-26T08:40:09.955-08:00

Binary Wedding BandSeems like there's a lot of news about wedding bands lately. Well, it's just been brought to my attention that Green Karat is offering custom made binary wedding ringa (for all the computer geeks out there). "These sophisticated, yet simple rings bear your personalized message in that computer code...The message on the ring above reads 'A Marriage of Values'...Cast in either

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-5064706151966707692007-02-26T08:25:00.000-08:002007-02-26T08:33:07.460-08:00

Disney Wedding GownsFor those who are hopelessly drawn to animated princesses, Disney's hired designer Kirstie Kelly to design a line of wedding gowns based on the mega-movie maker's divas. Kelly describes one Cinderella gown as "classic glamour" in high-sheen satin with full ball-gown skirts, embroidered in silver and crystals. "Snow White has a slightly more conservative look dubbed 'sweet

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-38285863974690347022007-02-23T09:00:00.000-08:002007-02-23T10:29:34.870-08:00

Book FavorsIf you love Cox & Cox's "Book of the Kiss," but don't want to send overseas for it, you could make your own booklet on your computer. Use Google's image search to find antique-looking clip art, and find kiss or love related quotes from a book such as Love & Kisses Quote Book or Love Quotations.Or, you could look into Dover Publications line of "Thrift Editions." These are terrific,

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-36671842473327479642007-02-23T08:16:00.000-08:002007-02-23T08:25:03.099-08:00

Gorgeous FavorsAmerican wedding stores all seem to have the same old stuff, but whenever I've browsed a British wedding store online, they seem to have classier, prettier, and more unique things. This is certainly true of Cox & Cox, a U.K. based website. Look at their lovely Book of the Kiss," and the sugar cubes with pink and red hearts, for example. Their wedding collection is small, but you'll

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-56915260982437071422007-02-23T08:14:00.000-08:002007-02-23T08:16:03.457-08:00

I Boo! (Get Me to the Cemetary on Time)An Illinois couple has found their ideal wedding venue: A graveyard."The couple said that deep down a graveyard just seemed right...'People are going to think how they want...' [the groom] said. 'I’m not a freak or Satan worshipper or cult member. It just goes with our theme.'"A theme that includes a refurbished hearse. At the same time as the wedding, a

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-36926457248861892742007-02-22T13:46:00.000-08:002007-02-22T13:47:27.252-08:00

Another Registry OptionMany modern brides already have everything to establish a new household and therefore don't really need wedding gifts. Whether you're one of those brides, or you just want to supplement a traditional registry with something charitable, First Giving is a great option. Within a few clicks, you'll have a page guests can log into, "sign," and donate through. (You can also get a

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-19110066503415859532007-02-21T23:57:00.000-08:002007-02-22T00:19:37.142-08:00

For the Bride Who Has Everything...I've now seen it all: A handmade "Just Married" iPod case.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-48768795848190673582007-02-21T23:54:00.000-08:002007-02-22T00:19:29.938-08:00

Blue Bridal GownsOver at Bridalwave, there's a post about colored wedding gowns. Now, Bridalwave is a U.K. based blog, and colored gowns are more popular there than they are in the U.S. But blue gowns are gorgeous and have some lovely historical meaning. For example, during Biblical times, Hebrew women wore blue sashes on their wedding day to symbolize purity and fidelity. Later, Christian and

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-14390883172234189952007-02-21T00:02:00.000-08:002007-02-21T00:04:00.478-08:00

Dream Wedding GameNeed something to replace Solitaire as your break-time computer game? Try Dream Day Wedding, a "seek-and-find adventure" with gorgeous graphics: "Play all 16 levels and 9 mini-games; unlock the tropical honeymoon level; decide how Jenny met Robert and fell in love; overcome three 'Wedding Crisis' levels..." There's a free trial, and the full game is $19.95.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-32565080778356203812007-02-20T23:58:00.000-08:002007-02-21T00:02:56.204-08:00

Wedding Ring Metals: Sterling SilverMany people don't consider silver when they're buying wedding or engagement rings. Yet sterling silver is strong, beautiful, and within everyone's reach.Pure silver is much too soft to be used for jewelry (and most other items), but once it's mixed with other metals, it's quite durable. "Sterling silver" is the highest quality silver, and all sterling pieces

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-23721272370819053852007-02-20T23:20:00.000-08:002007-02-20T23:58:26.188-08:00

What Effect Does Premarital Sex Have on Marriage Longetivity?As divorce rates continue to remain high, it's only natural that marriage experts look back and wonder how previous generations stayed married so long. The Bible is clear that premaritial sex is not acceptable, and in the past several decades, more and more Christians are publicly declaring they'll remain virgins until they wed. (About

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-75325081449680760762007-02-20T00:04:00.000-08:002007-02-20T00:06:30.588-08:00

Your Perfect Venue is...a Museum!Finding the right location for your wedding can be a real chore for some brides. Especially if you live in a city, many churches, hotels, gardens, and other typical wedding locations are booked many months (sometimes years!) in advance. If that's the case, thinking outside the box may serve you well. For example, have you ever considered having your wedding in a

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-59490482797210655592007-02-19T23:59:00.000-08:002007-02-20T00:01:43.353-08:00

To Love, Honor and...Obey?I've mentioned the idea of submission in marriage before, but recently I ran across two interesting articles on the topic. First, check out "Your Christian Marriage Vows: To Say 'Submit' Or Not." The author says: "Whilst feminists and women might take objection to the word submit, [this] signifies a lack of understanding of what is truly meant by it."Which brings us to

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-54920239037748392032007-02-19T13:02:00.000-08:002007-02-19T13:33:36.196-08:00

Wedding Ring Metals: Stainless SteelWhen thinking about possible wedding bands, stainless steel may not come instantly to mind, but it is an increasingly popular metal. Stainless steel looks very similar to platinum, but costs considerably less. (The ring shown to the right is only $9.95! The band at the bottom of this post is $80.)Stainless steel is also right up there with Titanium as far as

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33913636.post-20027795930583427522007-02-19T10:18:00.000-08:002007-02-19T10:24:19.367-08:00

Good Luck Found in a 7/7/07 Wedding?Apparently, July 7, 2007 is a popular wedding date. At The Knot, 655 registered couples are planning weddings on that day, while 424 are getting married on one of the other three Saturdays that month."Part of [one bride's] reason for selecting the date...was that, 'as a Christian, I know the number seven 7 is God's number. God took seven days to make the Earth.

Kristinanoreply@blogger.com0