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.

Bridal Buzz...Advance Notice Sale!

I know searching for just the right wedding gown can be a challenge, but here's the heads up on a terrific opportunity!! Bridal Heirlooms will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary...and you get the party with their End of Summer Clearance Sale! One Day Only, Saturday, August 22nd, Bridal Gowns starting at just $199. Bridesmaids Dresses starting at $25, Mothers Dresses starting at $75, plus more accessories and goodies too numerous to mention!! So take advantage of this sale...stop in at Bridal Heirlooms, 17 College Street, in the Village Commons, South Hadley, MA. 413-532-4848. www.bridalheirlooms.net

Pictured: Christine and Shirley of Bridal Heirlooms

Pure Soy

Equus Candles brings the ever popular Non Toxic & Biodegradable Soy Candles for wedding party favors. You can choose your color to coordinate with your wedding colors or theme and pick a custom fragrance. To finish up, you'll have a custom label that you can even add your own artwork to. You can visit their website at www.equuscandle.com for more information and favor pricing.

Soy candles burn longer and cleaner. By using natural soy, Equus Candles supports American Farmers and Green Weddings as soy is a renewable resource!

A Frosty Wedding

Looking to get married, but want something totally unique? Better yet...want it for FREE?
You need to register to win the Hannoush Jewelers Wedding on Ice! The Wedding on Ice takes place on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at the Springfield Falcons' hockey game. The couple who wins the Wedding on Ice will receive:
•A ceremony on the ice before the Falcons game.
•Wedding reception for 50 guests in the Executive Perch
•His and her wedding bands from Hannoush Jewelers
•A bridal gown from Pearl Bridal Boutique
•Tuxedos from Formal Affair Tuxedos
•Photography package from Wcislo Photography
•Transportation from Deluxe Limousine
•Bride's bouquet and ice arrangements from McClelland's Florist

Register at any Hannoush Jewelers location; Formal Affair Tuxedo, 581 Westfield St. West Springfield, MA; Pearl Bridal Boutique, One Open Square Way, Holyoke, MA; or by emailing Bill Bullock (wbullock@falconsahl.com) at the Falcons; or by registering online through media sponsor The Wedding Day Sourcebook.

Happy July!

Well, it's been a while since the last entry. It's been very busy around here...not just weddings, but events and local happenings that have just kept everyone here jumping. Extreme Makeover Home Edition came to Suffield, CT recently and many of our family, friends and business clients jumped in to lend a hand. Our contribution was small, but it was an amazing experience just to witness and I must say congratulations to the Hill Family and a huge thank you to Robert Charles Photography who captured amazing images of the family and especially all the volunteers at work building this new home for this family. They truly tell the story and I invite everyone to visit the Extreme Pecoy website for day by day slideshows of this amazing undertaking.

Now that the dust...and dirt have settled from this latest project, expect more posts about all things wedding from I Do and Beyond.

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!