Planning a wedding...go to a bridal show!

How does a bride plan her wedding? Well, you start by gathering information. You buy a bunch of magazines and pick up every free local wedding publication. Then you scour the Internet looking for ideas all while making a big list of those things you just love. Then you get really searching and you attend a bridal show. Bridal shows allow you to view a number of different products and services at one location. It saves the time of driving around from place to place, allowing easy comparison shopping. Most bridal shows have a fashion segment allowing you to view the latest styles in bridal gowns and wedding attire. For the bride watching their budget, many exhibitors offer show specials and discounts for reserving them from the show. They also tend to give away some great prizes too.

So mark your calendar and plan to attend the Day of Elegance Bridal Show at the Garden House at Look Park on Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 11-4pm. A beautiful fashion show by Pearl Bridal Boutique will take place in the Garden House Tent with jewelry featured by Roxy's Jewelry Boutique. Magical Escapes will be focusing on wonderful affordable honeymoon locations as well as giving away a Honeymoon to Las Vegas! Taste food samples from the area's finest caterers and bakeries and relax in this stress-free location. For more information visit the website at www.cjcevents.com. The Garden House at Look Park is located at 300 N. Main Street, Florence, MA.

Breakfast, Diamonds and Rays of Hope

The Log Cabin & Delaney House are among a group of Holyoke-based businesses helping to raise money for breast cancer research and showcasing their abilities at a monthly breakfast session.

Breakfast At Sutter’s, held the last Sunday of every month at Sutter’s Jewelry, gives newly engaged couples a chance to learn about Sutter’s, Pearl Bridal Boutique and the Log Cabin & Delaney House while helping to support the Rays of Hope Walk to Cure Breast Cancer.

The breakfasts, which take place at 10 a.m. offer couples a chance to meet one-on-one with store owner and jewelry designer James Sutter and to view a 4-carat diamond from the Diavik mine in British Columbia, Canada. Couples can also get to know bridal gown experts from Pearl Boutique, including owner Ryan Bergeron. And they enjoy a breakfast prepared by chefs from the region’s best wedding reception sites, the Log Cabin & Delaney House, with owner Peter Rosskothen personally attending.

The cost to attend the breakfast sessions is $20. All proceeds from the monthly program benefit Rays of Hope. The next breakfast is Sunday, May 31, 2009. Call Sutter's at 413-534-1111 or email jags@suttersjewelry.com.

Let the Comments Begin...

The "webisodes" are rolling on www.413wedding.com, the area's first reality wedding that follows a couple, Jessica and Gainer, as they plan their wedding. You can comment on the episodes and even join the forum and post your own questions about your own wedding. Get wedding planning tips from the area's experts and you could even win some prizes.

Check out www.413wedding.com. They want to hear from you!

Website Fun

I'm addicted to this site and I'm sure once you've played with it, you'll find it just as habit forming. It's call Polyvore and it allows you to mix and match images from anywhere to create your own style. It's not only for weddings, but also for interior design and all kinds of clothing. It lets you click and drag and play with colors and style. It even tells you the designer and where to locate the items you're working with. I'm having fun. You will too...

A Hidden Pearl

I've recently found a pearl...Pearl Bridal Boutique. It's a hidden gem located in Holyoke that carries a few exclusive designers not to easily found. Pearl carries bridal gowns, veils, and bridesmaids gowns. I especially like the Lynn Lugo bridesmaids designs. Silk shantung, charmeuse and silk dupioni, they are customizable with sashes, wraps and flat hem trims in beautiful complimenting colors to satisfy any size and style wedding.