Happy is the Bride...

Up to 80% Off Favors and Welcome Bags!

2011-07-27T12:54:00.000-05:00

We wanted to pass along an exciting deal alert we'd just received for products at The Knot, one of the foremost resources for do-it-yourself brides-to-be. Check out these affordable wedding favors and welcome bags now. Between now and August 2^nd, they are up to 80% off using this special link.

As Posted by Vogue...

2011-04-30T22:04:00.000-05:00

I found this in the admin menu for tumblr...

Elettra Wiedemann Models Her Dress for the Costume Institute Gala with Designer Prabal Gurung

Read more about Elettra’s dress (originally made for her grandmother, Ingrid Bergman) at Vogue.com.

The composition on the photo was interesting to me on first glance, and I thought they were on the prow of a ship (à la Titanic) rather than the top of a building.

Official Google Blog: More “I do”s, less “to-do”s: wedding planning simplified

2011-02-10T18:31:00.002-06:00

Wait, Google is in the wedding planning business now? Now what will the rest of us ever do for anyone?

Heh. Okay, so in reality this just means that Google is gathering a number of generic tools they've had available for years and positioning them for users who are planning their own weddings. We've always known that there are great online tools that are freely available (haven't I blogged about this before?) and now Google is looking to make their stuff more visible in time for wedding season.

This is a win for everyone.

Do People Really Care About Celebrity Weddings?

2011-01-04T01:29:00.001-06:00

I have posted before about celebrity weddings, but I really do want to ask the question. Do real people actually give a darn about celebrity weddings?

I know that the news media and fashion/entertainment magazines go a bit over-the-top about these events. But I've always found it hard to believe that real everyday people care. First off, the budgets for these events are super high. That's nice if you are also super rich. Us mortals can't afford this kind of extravagant spending. To expose the details of these supposed storybook weddings is not only invading the couple's privacy but it only fuels jealousy. If I were planning my own wedding, I'd steer clear of news and pictures from all celebrity weddings. What did Baz Luhrman say in that song of his about Sunscreen? (Let me check YouTube...)

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

I couldn't have said it better myself. But I guess if it is your thing, here are some links that you might find interesting.

NEW: Knot Wedding Shop and Wedding Ceremony Sand Jars

2010-08-25T21:54:00.005-05:00

I am posting a quick note to let you all know about two new product lines that we are featuring here at Happy Is The Bride.

First, we have a line of partner products that we are listing for TheKnot.com. You will find customizable locking pocket knives and wedding card favors that can be planted in the flower garden and much more.

Secondly, I'm very excited to feature at least 30 different kinds of Wedding Ceremony Sand Jars in two different sizes. The Unity Sand Ceremony is similar to the more traditional unity candle and is gaining more popular traction recently for some couples. You can find more information eHow.com and WeddingEngraver.com.

Knot Wedding Shop :: Top Selling Products

If you'd like a convenient direct link to the new categories of TheKnot.com's wedding shop products that we are featuring, you will want to use the list below.

Martha Stewart: Martha's Wedding Ideas DVD

2010-08-19T22:01:00.000-05:00

Say what you want about her after the short jail time excursion, Mrs. Martha Stewart knows how to plan a party and --more importantly-- how to make a wedding sparkle. All professional party planners owe her at least a small debt of gratitude for setting the bar just a little higher. We have available her DVD collection of wedding ideas.

Here are a few video clips from Martha Stewart on YouTube. Enjoy!

Cake Wrecks: Wedding

2010-08-19T13:21:00.002-05:00

Despite the name of the blog, some of the cakes featured on this site are actually pretty good designs, at least to my untrained eye. The subtitle is "When Professional Cakes Go Horribly, Hilariously Wrong" and most of the photographs fit that description perfectly. Would you like some examples?

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

I think that is enough. What caught my attention is that a good number of these poor excuses for pastries are wedding cakes! You will want to take a look at some of the good but mostly bad. Visit Cake Wrecks today.

Wedding Dress Candles - Set of Four Bridal Shower Favors

2009-06-22T22:35:00.001-05:00

Sale on Disposable Cameras - The Knot Wedding Shop

2009-03-25T01:09:00.001-05:00

Getting tons of pictures from your wedding reception can seem difficult when you just have one photographer. However, one recent fad occurring at receptions over the last few years is providing disposable cameras at every table (or for every guest) and encouraging them to take their own shots on your behalf. At the end of the night, someone collects the cameras as they are left on the tables. This is crowdsourcing in it's best form and it's free. Tons of pictures of various quality will be the result and a lot of great candid gems will come to the surface after sifting. Even if you hire a professional wedding photographer for your special day (and you should), these supplemental snapshots will really help you see your wedding day all over again from your guests' perspectives.

Right now, The Knot Wedding Shop is having a special promotion on their full category of wedding cameras.

Be sure to check out their selection and choose one to match your decoration style.

Announcement Coming Soon...

2009-01-14T01:42:00.003-06:00

We are working behind the scenes to bring a new design to the store for this Winter and to expand the product catalog even more; adding new wedding favors, reception ideas and planning materials. Look for this as soon as possible.

Wedding Product Affiliates

2009-01-05T15:28:00.001-06:00

We've put together a list of affiliates we will be working with this year to bring you the best quality products available.

Our First Christmas Ornament - Marquis by Waterford 2008

2008-12-21T22:09:00.002-06:00

I've previously mentioned getting a "First Christmas Together" ornament that is so important to commemorate your first Christmas season together as a husband and wife. I found another beautiful option that is available with a slightly different style.

Marquis by Waterford 2008 Christmas Ornament

Be sure to get your Marquis by Waterford 2008 "Our First Christmas" Ornament.

Wedding Quotes - Celebrities

2008-12-16T01:04:00.001-06:00

Here are a few quotes I'm pulling out of the May 19^th, 2008 issue of Us Weekly. I'm not usually fan or frequent reader of celebrity-watch rags, but I was clearing a few old magazines from the reading shelf and I thought I'd save these here for posterity.

The only reason to get married or to get together with someone is if they're going to add something to your life.

--Gloria Estefan

You need a sense of humor and to be able to ride the waves.

--Natasha Richardson on her 13-year marriage to Liam Neeson

We go to dinners together, hang out at friends' houses... We just like being together.

--Rebecca Gayhart on hubby Eric Dane

I recently posted a quote from Will Smith that I think is the best succinct advice for a long-lasting marriage.

Marriage is the most difficult thing you will ever do ever.

-- Will Smith

Unidentified Bride Circa 1850 on Flickr

2008-12-08T09:56:00.001-06:00

Unidentified Bride
Originally uploaded by George Eastman House

Something about old time wedding photos can really bring out certain memories and feelings. Here is a completely unknown woman, but she's made it into public photo archives and is captured on what is possibly the greatest day of her life.

The Commons on Flickr shows you hidden treasures in the world's public photography archives, and you're invited to help describe the photographs you discover, either by adding tags or leaving comments.

It is likely possible to capture this kind of style with some of your wedding photographs. It will give your memories an extra special touch. If you are interested in something like this, be sure to speak with your photographer ahead of time.

Bride Wars - Movie

2008-12-08T01:16:00.001-06:00

I just posted about the movie Rachel Getting Married, which I thought I'd seen a commercial for the other day. But perhaps on second thought it was actually a short clip from Bride Wars that caught my attention. They're both wedding movies and Anne Hathaway is in both. It would be easy to get confused.

Okay, that looks funny. Very funny. Bride Wars doesn't come out until next year. Remember to save the date!

Rachel Getting Married - Movie

2008-12-08T01:01:00.003-06:00

I just caught a short glimpse at a promo for this movie the other day and thought it would be interesting.

The description as posted on YouTube:

When KYM (Anne Hathaway) returns to the Buchman family home for the wedding of her sister RACHEL (Rosemarie Dewitt), she brings a long history of personal crisis and family conflict along with her. The wedding partys abundant cast of friends and relations have gathered for an idyllic weekend of feasting, music and love, but Kym—with her black-comic one-liners and knack for bombshell drama—is a catalyst for long-simmering tensions in the family dynamic. Filled with the rich and eclectic characters that have always been a hallmark of Jonathan Demmes films, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED paints a strikingly perceptive and sometimes hilarious family portrait. Director Demme, first-time writer Jenny Lumet, and the stellar acting ensemble leaven the drama of these difficult but compelling people with wry affection and generosity of spirit.

Anne Hathaway is a pretty good actress in what I've seen, and this is an interesting dramatic role. From the trailer, it looks like the film was shot on the same sort of camcorder you'd see at a wedding anyhow. I thought to post about this movie tonight because I was reading through Roger Ebert's list of the best films of 2008 when I saw his review.

"Rachel Getting Married" After seeing this film, people told me, "I wanted to attend that wedding" or "I wish I'd been there." It's that involving. Jonathan Demme doesn't lock down one central plot, but considers the ceremony as a wedding of close and distant family, old and new friends, many races, many ages, many lifestyles, all joined amid joyous homemade music. His camera is so observant, we feel like a guest really does feel. Rosemarie DeWitt as Rachel and Anne Hathaway as her sister generate tricky sibling tension.

Well, that's worth a trip to the video store at the least. I'm not always sure about movie reviews or reviewers as I've not always agreed, even with the esteemed Mr. Ebert. But for the movies in his list that I have seen (comic book hits The Dark Knight & Iron Man), I'd say he is spot on. And with such a unique perspective on this treatment of a typical wedding, you really shouldn't miss it.

Also: The Soundtrack is Currently Available...

Amazon.com Widgets

Will Smith Marriage Quote

2008-12-04T22:34:00.003-06:00

I wanted to post a quick mention of a quote I heard during Barbara Walter's interview with a celebrity on how he manages to stay married.

Marriage is the most difficult thing you will ever do ever.

-- Will Smith

I respect Will Smith a lot for his great movie career and enduring musical career. But he has hit on a very good point here that needed to be emphasized. In more detail, what he went on to say was that in his first marriage divorce was always an option. And that is what ultimately happened. In his current longer-lasting marriage to Jada Pinkett-Smith, he stated that divorce is not an option for him. Marriage is hard and when faced with the hard work OR the easy option of divorce, divorce wins. It's something simple yet important to think about if you want to make your marriage work.

"Our First Christmas Together" Ornament

2008-12-03T13:50:00.008-06:00

Having an ornament to commemorate your first Christmas together is a great tradition that will be saved as a memento for many years. Every December, as the ornaments are placed on the tree you can reminisce about your first holiday season together.

Here's a good example that is currently available for a great price. This is the 2008 Lenox Our First Christmas Together Ornament available right now for $9.95 (and free shipping with code).

A four-tiered wedding cake is decorated with holly leaves and berries in this keepsake ornament. Two interlocking hearts from a crown-like cake topper. Each layer has gold wording that complete the commemorative inscription: 2008 Our 1st Christmas Together.

Read more about it and the review on the SlickDeals.net Forums or go directly to Lenox.com. And don't forget to use the free shipping code Free Shipping with code 4728697!

Update (2008/12/21)

I found out the Lenox is available directly from Amazon.com.

Order yours quickly in time to hang on your tree this year.

First Kiss At the Altar

2008-12-02T09:42:00.000-06:00

Want to hear about a soon-to-be-married couple setting a good example for their students in an extreme way?

Won't kiss on the first date? How about waiting until marriage?

Read the short story on Yahoo! News.

Amazon's MP3 Wedding Selections - Your Review?

2008-11-20T22:29:00.001-06:00

The following should load recommended songs for weddings. I'd like your opinion on their recommendations.

Amazon.com Widgets

Wedding Photography Directory

2008-11-08T15:31:00.001-06:00

I am building a short list of external links for HappyIsTheBride.com, to list directories of useful resources for brides and grooms planning their weddings. One of the eventual choices to cover for your big day is the photographer. Check out the Wedding Photography Directory (WPD©).

To get started from their home page you can either choose your state from the drop down menu or from the links at the bottom of the site.

You can also browse and read articles with advice for choosing your photographer, scheduling your wedding day, photography rights and wedding photography costs.

Planning Your Wedding On Halloween

2008-10-31T17:39:00.000-05:00

This time of year is not the traditional time for weddings, although some people prefer the unique theme...

But for a spring wedding it might seem like wedding planning is a long ways off. Well, I want to stress that right now is the time to really get cracking on your initial plans and preparations. It may seem like you have several months, but those months will be filled with so much holiday preparations; Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa and New Years. At the end of it all, you will find yourself in the middle of January with nothing done! So at least get started on preliminary guest lists, location scouting and honeymoon planning.

Bonus: Here's a Halloween / Wedding joke that I was sent today.

What do they call two spiders that just got married?

Newly Webbed

Be safe and have fun!

Usmagazine.com | Star Wedding Pics!

2008-09-18T00:17:00.009-05:00

See Us Magazine for Star Wedding Pics. Realize quickly that their budgets will always outdo yours. The speed at which they get divorced will also hopefully outdo just about everyone.

Also, see I Do! The Great Celebrity Weddings - From the editors of People magazine as well as Open Road's Celebrity Weddings & Honeymoon Getaways.

Comics and Editorial Cartoons: For Better or For Worse on Yahoo! News

2008-07-10T23:03:00.004-05:00

For Better or For Worse is having a series right now that involves the plans for an upcoming wedding. All the joy, trepidation, nerves, planning, memories, nostalgia, fear, stress and commotion --and did I mention joy?-- are being brought into the story. There's the groom-to-be and father of the bride taking a moment away from the commotion to laugh. There's the cherished dress that belonged to grandmother who is there in spirit. There's the younger siblings just trying to avoid being arm-twisted into helping. Everything is very funny and very accurate.

If you're planning your wedding right now, you might take a break and enjoy a few light-hearted laughs and realize they are at your own expense. Also realize that even though you might be stressed out right now, you are creating cherished memories for all time.

See Comics and Editorial Cartoons: For Better or For Worse on Yahoo! News. Just don't take too long! You've got lots of stuff to do!

Getting To Know Your Photographer

2008-04-02T22:08:00.000-05:00

I was lucky enough to be born with a former professional photographer in my immediate family. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known what to expect or ask for from my wedding photographer. If you are not in a similar situation and want to be sure to get the pictures that your special day deserves, I've found an article that can help.

Why don't couples spend time getting to know their photographer? Yes, they specialize in wedding photography but every wedding is different. You might have a specific list of shots that are important to you and unless you communicate this to your photographer, he/she might not capture those special moments.

Find out more information and recommendations about Getting To Know Your Photographer.