On The Road to I Do ~ Christine & Nick

Excitement is in the air for Christine and Nick who plan to walk down the aisle on April 21st, 2012! Christine moved to Chico to attend CSUC and studied music.  Christine enjoys bikeriding and hiking in Bidwell Park, and watching movies with Nick! Christine was born and raised in Sacramento, CA and visits family there often.  Currently working as CNA at Chico Care Center, and enjoys providing care to the residents.

Nick was born in Sacramento, but raised in Chico, CA.  He attended Butte College and WECA for his Electrician Certification.  He is currently working with Ostendorf Electric as a journeyman. Nick enjoys watching Football and UFC Fights, and likes to play guitar.  He is a big fan of the New York Giants.

Christine and Nick knew they wanted to get married, and already had their rings picked out.  On Friday December 16, 2011 Nick greeted Christine with flowers when she got home from work then took her to dinner at Olive Garden. They went to see the movie "The Sitter" which Christine wasn't initially happy about but it turned out to work in Nick's favor. They drove up the old Hwy, found a place to lay a blanket down to look at the stars, after a few minutes he got up and said some really sweet things then popped the question. Christine happily said Yes!

Christine and Nick found their dream wedding rings at Fred Meyers Jewelers in Chico, CA.

Once it was official, the couple began planning their wedding right away and couldn't wait to tell everyone! You can read how Christine and Nick met by checking out their wedding website here.  A friend of the family took their engagment pictures in Old Town Sacramento.

When I first spoke with Christine about her wedding plans, it was clear that it was important to her and Nick to find a venue that was easily accessible for their grandparents.  Since they chose an April wedding date, they also knew they wanted a venue that offered enough space to hold the ceremony and reception indoors if needed due to rain.

The couple chose The Arroyo Room which is a very convenient and affordable venue offering enough space to hold their ceremony & reception indoors.   Their colors are purple, Silver & Black and Christine has chosen purple Calla Lilies as her wedding flower.

Christine's Bachelorette Party was Little Black Dress theme (except the bride-to-be of course!) and was held in Chico, CA.

Dinner was at Ojiya, a Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar.  The restaurant features VIP rooms with Hibachi Grill tables which is perfect for a group up to 12 people. After dinner, the ladies too the Karaoke Taxi Cab for a spin and headed downtown! This taxi cab is like no other, it really gets the party started!  Check out the Karaoke Taxi Cab, you can reserve your ride by calling (530) 402-SING (7464)

When it came to choosing a honeymoon location, we referred Christine to Lynn Wilson owner of Shared Travel in Chico, CA.   Lynn is your go-to source for planning a trip, and for creating a personalized honeymoon registry.

Nick and Christine chose Puerto Rico for their honeymoon destination.   Their guests can contribute to their honeymoon by selecting items and activities such as a romantic candlelit dinner, a day at the spa, or a deep sea fishing excursion.  Sounds like the perfect romantic get-away!

Check back for all of the details of Christine & Nick's big day!

Assigned Seating

There are many benefits to choosing assigned seating for your wedding reception such as making sure your guests are comfortable, and seated with other people they know.  Give yourself ample time to plan the seating arrangments, but be flexible since your guest list can change when your RSVP's are returned.  When your guest list and seating chart have been finalized, decide if you will use table numbers or table names to identify each table.  If you are having a themed wedding such as a green wedding, you could name your tables after trees and plants. See other theme ideas here.  If you would like to use table numbers, consider using numbers that relate to you such as the age you were when you met, number of years you have been together, number of times you have been to your favorite destination together (Hawaii, San Francisco, Major League Baseball Games etc) these numbers will be a conversation starter for guests and will also avoid any idea that the tables are numbered in order of importance.

With your table names or theme decided, make a diagram of how you would like your tables laid out.  This diagram will be very important to getting your reception set up the way that you want and will serve as a helpful tool for your vendors.  If your favors are personalized for each guest, include their names on the diagram or on a seperate sheet of paper with the names by table, crossing off any last minute RSVP's who will not be attending.

Next, you can either create escort cards or a large board with guests names and their assigned table number or name.  If you have exact seating preferences, then you will indicate which table they will be sitting at and the guest will then find their name card at their seat.

You can be creative with your escort cards, and you can even use a guest favor with their name on it to identify their seat at the table.  For a smaller wedding, a manzanita tree with the guests name and table number/name hanging in the branches would be a beautiful way to display your escort cards.  Other ideas include using corks, clothespins, mini frames, and folded card stock for displaying names.  Check out some of these creative ideas on Martha Stewart Weddings .

Websites like TheKnot.com and WeddingWire.com have great tools for seating charts, guest list managment/rsvp tracking and more so use all of the free tools available to you.

Just remember, there are no rules or limitations as long as the system you use is easy to understand for your vendors and most importantly for your guests!

_________________________________________ Photo by Tracy Lynn Photography

What You Should Know Before You Book..

In our daily lives we are consumers of everything from the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the phones we use to communicate, the cars we drive and the list goes on.  We have the freedom to choose the products, companies and services that we want to use and there are many different factors that lead us to this decision.  You may purchase products based on only the price, the packaging, brand name recognition, or a referral from a friend.  These same factors apply when you are looking for products and services for your wedding. Even at a time when we have the internet at our fingertips, word of mouth is still the most valuable referral.  Hearing or even reading another customers first-hand experience with a business can give you insight on what you can expect.  If you read several reviews that a business has repeatedly delivered rental items late, or in bad condition you should consider this a red flag and proceed with caution.  To be fair, one bad review can be situational so you shouldn't rule them out based on that.

I recently came across a business online that boasted the cheapest rental rates and fastest service, it seemed too good to be true.  It was when I read at least 20 reviews from customers who all had very similar experiences with this company that I saw the business had repeatedly left customers scrambling to find replacement rental items just days or even hours before their event.  It was sad to think how much time, energy & money these customers could have saved by looking into the companies reputation.

Some vendors will provide a list of recent customers that you can contact to ask about their experience and satisfaction with the service.  This can be helpful if you are considering multiple vendors and are on the fence about which one to choose.  Websites such as Yelp,  WeddingWire, and TheKnot are just a few of the resources you can use to research local vendors.

If you really want to thank your vendors for doing a great job, offer to write a testamonial about your great experience working with them, and refer friends and family to use their products or services as well.    I have had the pleasure of meeting so many reputable and hard-working businesses in our area who strive to give you the service above and beyond your expectations.   Did you find a website helpful for reading reviews? Share the website here to help others who are also in their planning stages.

Happy Planning!

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day from The 530 Bride! Take this time to celebrate the ones you love, and enjoy all of the candy that comes along with this fun holiday! Cupid works his magic around this time of year, so we aren't suprised we have already seen several couples get engaged this week! While every couple celebrates differently, we believe you can show you care in simple ways and you don't have to go over the top.  Whether you are a new couple or have been married for years consider some of the fun gift ideas and activities available in our area. 1. If your sweetie has a sweet tooth pick up some goodies that you both will enjoy Cupcake Crusader, Chico Sublime Cake Design, Redding Upper Crust, Chico CocoAmatrice Artisan Chocolates, Paradise Shuberts Ice Cream & Candy, Chico Powell's Sweet Shoppe, Chico The Cookie Tree, Yuba City

2. Suprise your sweetie with lunch or his/her favorite coffee Stop by his/her work with some lunch or maybe a coffee, we bet you will get a smile from ear to ear!  Guys: throw in a single stem flower to add a simple and romantic detail to her suprise. 3. Confess Your Love If cards aren't your style and you have a smartphone or camera phone, confess your love in a short video. Be yourself, if you aren't comfortable in front of the camera consider making a slide show including some of your favorite photos together. Add some music as a finishing touch, and your sweetie is sure to keep it forever. Check out some of these links to create a free slideshow: http://www.kizoa.com/ http://www.photoshow.com/home/start http://animoto.com/create#tab-valentines 4. Dine-In Dinner at home may not sound like Valentine's Day material, but turn off your cell phones, computer and tv so that you can catch up and focus on each other.  Make the extra effort and find a new recipe to make together while enjoying some wine and great conversation.

5.  Say Cheese Valentines Day is a great excuse to get dressed up and snap some pictures, why not have a professional take them for you? Call around to some of the local photographers for a casual photoshoot to capture this romantic day.  If you already have photos, choose your favorite and find a beautiful frame.

Last but not least, you can't go wrong with a beautiful bouquet of flowers! Chico Florist Salvagno's Events Marshall's Floral & Fine Gifts The Garden Gate The Country Florist

Post your favorite Valentines Day Memories here!

Announce Your Engagement

Chances are if you are newly engaged you are probably so excited that you could shout it from the rooftops or tell everyone in the grocery store check out lines! The first people to know should be your parents, close relatives and friends.  Try to resist the temptation to post it on social media pages until you have personally shared your delightful news with those nearest and dearest. Once you have gotten the word out to those closest to you, consider some of the options you have to spread the news.  Below are some ideas on how to make your announcement.

1. Make your announcement in the Newspaper If your wedding is more traditional, placing an announcement in the newspaper is more appropriate as your local friends and family will be looking for your announcement.  What does an engagement announcement entail?  Typically, an engagement announcement is kept short & sweet including the following information:

♥ First and Last Names ♥ Names of Parents ♥ Location where you live, or where you are from ♥ Wedding Date and Ceremony/Reception Location

Newspapers will often charge a fee for publishing your announcements, but you will recieve several copies as keepsakes for you and your families. Couples can submit a black & white or color photo to be included with the announcement.

2. Social Media After you tell your family, make your announcement on your favorite social media page to share with all of your friends!

3.  Send out An Engagement Card Incorporate your favorite photo into an engagement announcement and design a card using sites like  Shutterfly, Zazzle, Cardstore & Vistaprint. You can even create custom postage!

4. Create a Free Wedding Website When you create a wedding website, you can share all of the details of how you met, the proposal, and all of your wedding planning information. You can upload photos, invite guests to view your site and sign your guestbook & much more.   Many sites offer this service for free, check out the links below to create your wedding website today!

Project Wedding          The Knot Brides.com                    eWedding MyWedding.com         Momentville.com

5.  Share your Engagement with The 530 Bride! We love to hear your engagement and wedding news, post a pic of that rock on our Facebook Page or contact us today to be featured as an engaged couple on The530Bride.com. All you need to do is send us a message at features@the530bride.com !

Do you have a creative idea for sharing the big news? Leave a comment below to tell us about you made your announcement!

White Hot Deal ~ Essence Photography

Around here we like to share good news & sweet perks with our readers! So tonight we want to get the word out about Essence Photography's special promotion for the month of February.  What better way to celebrate the month of love, than booking a fabulous photography package for your upcoming wedding.  Essence Photography will be including a free engagement session with EVERY wedding booked in the month of February (valued at $250!)  This includes a 1 hour session and 15 Enhanced Digital Negatives for you to use as you wish, such as save the dates, invitations, ceremony programs and more. Are you wanting to have a beautiful wedding album, but you aren't sure if it is in your budget?  Essence Photography is including a Free Custom Designed 10x10, 10 pages/20 side Wedding Album for all packages of $2,000 or more.  Don't forget you will also get your free engagement session!  Tell Essence Photography that you read about her promotion on The 530 Bride and get an instant upgrade to a 16page/32 side album, a value of $400. 

To sweeten the deal, for all packages of $2500 booked in the month of February, you will receive 1/2 off on your photo booth rental in addition to your free engagement session and wedding album! This includes a professionally run 2 hour long photobooth, with props provided for only $250!! (Regular price $500).  Photobooths make for a fun activity and a lasting memory for you and your guests not to mention all of the funny faces and props!

If you haven't already, make sure to check out Essence Photography's photo galleries and you will surely be impressed by all of those lovely images! Betsy Erickson, owner of Essence Photography has a way of adding something new and fresh while still capturing the beauty of the special moments.  Set up a consultation with Essence Photography today for this great promotion before it is too late!

Planning Your Engagment Photo Session

While save the dates are optional, the majority of couples incorporate their engagement photos into save the dates, invitations, programs, personalized centerpieces and more. Take this opportunity to be playful, and remember there are no rules when it comes to engagement sessions,  so break the mold of  "posed pictures." Think outside the box by using props and backgrounds that are sure to capture your personalities as a couple.  In our area, there is certainly no shortage of beautiful landscapes such as Bidwell Park, Chico State Campus, Bidwell Mansion, Table Mountain, Sundial Bridge, & more. If you have not yet secured a wedding photographer, set up an appointment to meet with potential photographers and view their galleries of past engagement sessions and weddings.  Ask if the photographer has wedding packages that include an engagement session.  Having your engagement session and wedding shot by the same photographer will keep the style cohesive and will help you be more comfortable in front of the camera on your wedding day.  If you have a specific vision that you would like to portray, consider making a pinterest board, or similar inspiration board and send a link to your photographer.  This well enable your photographer to determine the correct lighting, and style elements to create your perfect photo-session.

When preparing for your engagement session bring a few different outfits and accessories so that you have options to change things up.  Consult your photographer for suggestions on the types of clothing to bring and what to avoid.  Hair and makeup can be casual or you can get glammed up for the shoot, it is up to you!  Also consider bringing props such as a hand painted wooden sign with your wedding date or initials, your wedding invitation (if you have them already), and any other personalized props that are meaningful to you.  Your photographer may have other props and backgrounds to use as well.

Feel free to share your engagement session photos with The 530 Bride, or share tips that you found helpful for your engagement session! Just send us a message at features@the530bride.com.  Use our Vendor Directory to find a professional wedding photographer near you.

How To Avoid The After-Wedding Blues

When I tell people about what I do, they think of their own wedding and I often hear them say something along the lines of "I wish we would have..." or "If I could go back and change.." Although as a bride I too had some minor regrets about not dedicating more time to spending time with friends and family before and after our wedding, and not taking more family pictures; the point is you cannot go back and change it.  I encourage couples to remind themselves that no part of life is absolutely perfect, and a wedding is no exception.  Weddings bring together family and friends all to one place, and it will most likely be the first and perhaps only time that you ever plan such a large event.  If you have in your mind a play-by-play plan for your wedding, please accept and embrace the notion that somethings might not go exactly as planned. If there is anything that I can do to help couples avoid having these "post-wedding blues" it is to stress the importance of hiring professionals.    Brides that attempt to plan the entire wedding, and handle the day of coordination most often feel overwhelmed, and upset when things do not seem to be on track.  Having professionals on your side to keep your event running smoothly will certainly calm your nerves on your wedding day.

On some of the wedding forums that I belong to, brides commonly write a "Wedding Day Recap" post which usually describes their experience (good and bad.) Some brides have this overwhelming feeling now that their wedding is over, because they have put so much energy into planning and now its over.  What they should see though is that a whole new chapter is beginning, which is being a homeowner or living together, being a wife, and someday a mother will bring on a much bigger challenge than being a bride!

Some suggestions to help you enjoy your wedding experience, and avoid the post wedding blues:

Ask For Help Allow your wedding planner to assist you in task such as contacting venues, and setting consultations etc.  For the DIY brides, consider using some of the A La Carte Options offered by propesctive wedding coordinators such as site visits, contract negotiations and hourly services.  Meet with the coordinator as much or as little as you need, but you will be able to check in and make sure that your planning is on track.  If you have friends or family that have offered to help, consider delegating some of the tasks such as folding programs, tying bows etc.

Rehearsal Dinner The rehearsal dinner is pretty standard when it comes to a wedding, yet many couples don't take advantage of this time well.  Use your rehearsal dinner to run through the ceremony, and do not be afraid to ask to read the passages that your officiant plans to use.  You then have the ability to ask for any changes, and it may also help you get some of the jitters out.  Make sure to ask if your photographer is familiar with your venue, if not consider asking them to attend the rehearsal in order for them to get acquainted with the space.

Stay Active Before and After Your Wedding It is easy to get consumed with your planning process, so make time to exercise and get lots of rest in the weeks leading up to the wedding.  Stay involved with your friends lives as much as possible, you don't want to go overboard on wedding stuff, so make sure to be a good friend to others.  After the wedding, plan outings for you and your new husband to enjoy together such as sports games, or BBQ's with your families.

With that being said, I should say that every time I talk with someone about their wedding I notice they are smiling! Couples that have been married for 10, 20 or even 40 years talk about their wedding day like it was just yesterday and they remember what it felt like to walk down the aisle and dance together for the first time as husband and wife. Even when talking about some of their wedding day bloopers, they are still smiling because it was an amazing experience and they got married to the love of their life!  Sometimes the best thing to do is to share your frustrations with others, so feel free to drop us a line and tell us about your wedding planning experience!

The 530 Bride Visits the Chico Bridal Showcase

The Chico Bridal Showcase had a great turn out today, with crowds of local brides and grooms planning their wedding.  Many couples attended with their entourage of friends & family members.  Brides from Chico, Orland, Redding, Red Bluff, Corning, Gridley & other local areas came to book services with the areas premier vendors.  Photographers, caterers, bakeries, wedding venues, florists & event design, DJ's and many other specialty vendors were among the show exhibitors. Couples recieved raffle tickets to enter into the prize wheel, for chances to win everything from wedding packages, gift baskets, photography sessions, and more.  You can imagine the excitement when a bride learns she has won one of these great prizes! There were many bridesmaids & other wedding party members who attended with their bride-to-be and they were there to help with everything from holding the brides bag, writing her information on the various vendor drawing entry forms, & of course tasting cakes & catering samples!

Inspiration Lane offered brides the opporunity to see examples of decor and table-top design by vendors including Cambray Rose Florists, Dream Coordination Group (Salvagno's Event Designers), Jaz Events, Special Times Catering & WeDo Designs.  Nice Work Everyone! Lovely Layers Cakery

K Stone Photography

Top Tier Cake Design

I enjoyed meeting with vendors and saw a lot of new faces, brides really have so many wonderful & professional vendors to choose from for their wedding needs! Some of the other exhibitors included: Dustlight Wedding Videos          TreCreative Film & Video

Blue Sugar Cupcakes                  Dream Coordination Group

Snapshots Photobooth               Shared Travel

Tracy Lynn Photography        LeRoy's Video Productions

CLS Communications             The Arroyo Room

Reflective Images                   CARD Community Center

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company    WeDo Designs

Cyr Photography                     Heavenly Blue Fine Lingerie

The Collective Bride             Kinders BBQ

Lake Oroville Golf Club           Honker Bay Ranch

Always Elegant Bridal           Lisa's Flor Decor JB's Beverage & Bar               Roots Catering

Bon Voyage Travel             Anselmo Vineyards

Drozian Photography        As You Like It Weddings Cambray Rose Florist        J Kiendra Productions

Poise Photography            Chico Catering Company Your Perfect Day               The Palms

With over 90 vendors, I am sure I missed a few but they all have something great to offer! A special thanks to Weddings North Valley for their hospitality, and for more exhibitor information visit their website, www.weddingsnorthvalley.com

If you attended the bridal show, leave a comment about your favorite booth to enter into our drawing for a $50 Bed Bath & Beyond Gift Card!

Mark Your Calendars ~ 2012 Winter Bridal Shows

It's that time again, so mark your calendars with these important dates! You don't want to miss out on your local bridal shows because this is where you will meet professional & talented vendors who specialize in weddings.  By walking through a bridal show, you will see exhibitor booths for caterers, photographers, wedding planners, DJ's, wedding venues & more.  Taste samples of wedding cake and entrees like tri-tip & chicken. You will have the opportunity to save money with exclusive bridal show offers, and enter contests to win some sweet prizes. Tips: Wear comfortable shoes, bring a bag to hold all of your bridal show goodies & if possible have address labels printed to save you the trouble of handwriting your name and address on all of the contest entry forms!

2012 Winter Bridal Shows

Chico Bridal Showcase Sunday, January 8th, 2012 12:00 AM - 4:00 PM Silver Dollar Fairgrounds Chico, CA http://www.weddingsnorthvalley.com/show.html?show.id=1447

The Bridal Guide Wedding Show Sunday, January 15, 2012 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Simpson University Event Center Redding, CA http://northstatebridalguide.com/bridalshows.html

Yuba Sutter Bridal Show Sunday, January 29th, 2012 Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds Yuba City, CA 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM http://www.ysbridalshow.com/Winter_Bridal_Show.htm

Winter Wonderland Bridal Show Sunday, January 29th, 2012 The Beda Place Meadow Vista, CA 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM http://www.thebedaplace.com/

Wedding Extravaganza Sunday, February 19th, 2012 Holiday Inn Redding, CA 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM http://www.theweddingextravaganza.com/

Life After I Do!

As a bride we often get consumed with the thought of walking down the aisle, and the big moment when we will be introduced to all our friends and family as husband and wife.  What about what comes after I Do? After you have sent out all of your thank-you cards to your guests, it is time to put those gifts to use and learn to be a good host for future dinners and entertaining events for friends & family.We are fans of the Better Homes and Gardens Bridal Edition Cookbook which includes tips & tools to get familiar with cooking terms, ettiquette & table manners tips on welcoming guests to your home and of course how to throw a great party! Learn how to pair wines with meals, food safety & food storage, and lots of delicious recipes.  This book makes a great gift for new couples who are starting a whole new chapter in their lives.

If cookbooks aren't your style, you can you can always search online for the correct table settings for your occasion, as casual dining will differ from formal or buffet-style dining.  We found a helpful diagram online at Todays Bride Online showing how to set your table for both informal and formal dining.

Learning  basic table manners will not only be a good idea for going out to eat but also for having guests over for dinner, and teaching your future children the do's and don'ts at the table. A few tips: 1. Flatware: Take silverware from the outside of the place setting for the first course and work your way in toward the plate. 2. Nakpkins: At informal meals, put your napkin on your lap when you sit down. At formal meals wait until after the hotsts puts the dinner napkin in his or her lap.  If you leave the table temporarily, place the napkin on your chair or folded to the left of your plate. 4. Finger food: When in doubt, use ustensils! Find more information on all things etiquette, check out Emily Post.

When it comes to planning a meal, think ahead by selecting recipes that you feel comfortable making because you don't want to be stressed out while you are cooking.  Make sure to read each recipe carefully, and ensure that you have all of the necessary ingredients.  If possible, plan time two weeks ahead of time to try cooking any new recipes so that you are not cooking under pressure, and you have had a chance to work out any issues with oven temperatures or flavors.

"For holiday meals, ask your mother-in-law to bring the holiday dish she is known for. She'll be flattered, and you wont have to worry about recreating her masterpiece while she critiques your efforts at the table." (Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, 14th Edition; Family Celebrations)

You can find great printable recipes online at some of these helpful websites! http://allrecipes.com/ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/index.html http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes

If you have questions on etiquette or wedding registry, shoot us a line! Ask The 530 Bride

Whats In Your Wallet?

Chances are you don't have a fortune put away, but you still want to throw one heck of a party to celebrate your lives together as husband and wife.  Knowing your budget is crucial not only to make sure that you don't overspend here and there, but so that you don't start your wedding bliss off on the wrong foot.  Make sure to have open communication with eachother about your wedding budget, and to continually check-in with eachother to make sure that you both have a say on the allocation of funds.  If you are anticapating that your parents or other family members will offer to pitch in, plan a time to talk about it so that you can be sure everyone is on the same page. "The average wedding cost dipped in 2011 to $26,501, BRIDES magazine's 2011 American Wedding Study. In 2009, the last time the survey was published, the cost of a wedding was $28,082." (http://abcnews.go.com/Business/brides-tighten-garters-average-wedding-cost-drops-)

While we have seen many different opinions on the average wedding costs, the point is that you do not have to meet the norm or try to blow everyone away.  The bottom line is that you can afford to get married, but you can't afford to not budget wisely.

We will be covering your budget questions in our premier issue of 530 Weddings, a digital bridal publication launching this spring.  Got a burning budget question? Just Ask The 530 Bride!

 

DIY Resources on the Web

If projects like embossing, or making your own ceremony programs really gets you excited then check out a few of these great resources for all things DIY! Here we will give you the run down of where to find helpful step-by-step instructions. 1. A cozy winter DIY Wedding Favor created by NotMartha.org gives you the instant warm & fuzzy feeling which would be perfect for a winter wedding!

2.  Message in a Bottle Favors  by Beau-Coup - Set the tone of your tropical or beach theme wedding with these mini bottles!

3. Burlap Coffee Bean Favors by RuffledBlog.com - Write a personalized thank you note, and let the aroma of the coffee beans do the rest!

4.This DIY Rustic Cake Stand gives an instant sense of the outdoors found on OnceWed.com

5.  Rice Crispy Heart Favors by MyOwnLabels.Com

6. DIY Moss Letters by PolkaDotBride.com

7. Fabric Flower for Hair Pins, Sashes and Bridal Shower Favors found on ProjectWedding.com 8.  Save the Date Magnets by Project Wedding, Simple and Adorable!

9. DIY Table Numbers in a Bottle by SavvyCityFarmer.com 

10. DIY Hanging Ornaments "Let It Snow" project featured on UnderTheTableAndDreaming.com

To find step-by-step instructions for the projects above follow these links: 1. Ginger Bread Mug Favors (http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2009/12/18/a-gingerbread-house-that-perches-on-the-rim-of-your-mug/) 2. Message In A Bottle Favors (http://www.beau-coup.com/message-in-a-bottle-idea.htm) 3.  Burlap Coffee Bean Favors (http://ruffledblog.com/diy-coffee-bag-favors/) 4.  Rustic Chic Cake Stand (http://www.oncewed.com/514/diy-wedding/decorations/rustic-wedding-cake-stand/) 5.  Rice Crispy Hearts (http://www.myownlabels.com/blog/1-wedding-favors/) 6.  DIY Moss Letter (http://www.polkadotbride.com/2010/02/diy-moss-letters-project/) 7.  Fabric Flower (http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/diy-gorgeous-chiffon-and-tulle-flowers/8) 8. Heart-Felt Save The Dates (http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/save-the-date-magnets) 9. DIY Table Numbers (http://www.savvycityfarmer.com/2010/01/take-number-please.html) 10. DIY Hanging Ornaments (http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/11/vintage-glitter-snowball-ornaments-by.html)

Have a project that you want to share? Contact us at features@the530bride.com

Rustic Chic Inspired Photo Session

Our recent photoshoot with Jocey Shannon and Jenn Martin Photography was so fabulous that we had to share some teaser photos! Our gorgeous model Andrea looked stunning in gowns by Always Elegant Bridal. Floral Arrangements and Lettering created by Lisa's Flor Decor, and Hair and Make-up by Hello Glam! We can't wait to show off some of the other photos in our upcoming Bridal Magazine, 530 Weddings. Enjoy!

Etsy Finds

Sundays are they days I find myself browsing sites like Etsy.com and Pinterest and I am never disappointed with what I find!  Etsy offers something for everyone, whether it be you are shopping for jewelry, arts & crafts, or even wedding decor and favors.  Most items are hand-made  by mostly independent sellers which keeps the prices really affordable.  One thing to keep in mind is that the majority of the Etsy stores will not have bulk items, as most make their products custom for each order. So today, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite finds that would make great gifts for a bride.  Engagement, Bridal Shower gifts, or even a wedding gift!

1. Personalized Ring Dishes are a gift that will not only last, but will come in handy! Give the bride-to-be a safe spot for her wedding bling with one of these adorable dishes: Personalized Ring Dishes $36.00 Get 10 percent off when you use the promo code "The530Bride" www.etsy.com/listing/74980783/ring-dish-perfect-gift-for-bride-to-be

Heart Shaped Ring Dish  $9.00 Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/83381976/wedding-ring-bowl-black-and-winter-white

2. Bridal Jewelry makes a great gift that can be worn on the wedding day or can also be a special keepsake.

Personalized "Soon to Be Mrs. " Bracelet by Loreli Rose $20.00 Get 10% off when you use the promo code "530Bride" Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/66093190/soon-to-be-mrs-any-name-here-bride

"Bride to Be" Bracelet by Loreli Rose, $15.00 Get 10% off when you use the promo code "530Bride" Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/78861909/bride-to-be-hand-stamped-cuff-bracelet

Freshwater Pearl Statement Necklace, by SaraWhite Jewelry $98.00 Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/84183305/white-freshwater-pearl-statement-brooch

Initials Bracelet, by Georgie Wedding $36.00 Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/77780329/engagement-gift-love-heart-bangle 

3. Gifts for the Home

Peacock Coasters made of Travertine Tiles, by Ellie, $18.00 Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/61976907/peacock-absorbent-tile-coasters-set-of-4

Just Engaged Ornament by Familyattic, $12.95 Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/83708931/christmas-ornaments-engagement-or

Damask Pot Holders by DebzDoodlez, $10.00

Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/84456808/pot-holders-black-damask-hot-pads

"He Put a Ring On It" Coffee Mug Set by Timeless Creations, $21.50 Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/83995948/he-put-a-she-put-a-personalized-wedding

4. Wedding Accessories like Bridal Hangers are becoming very popular because a Bride's Wedding Dress deserves its very own hanger!!

"Bride" Hanger, by Chipper Designs $22.00 Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/84360617/personalized-bridal-wire-hanger-perfect

"Something Blue" by AristoCrafty, $2.99 Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/80340073/something-blue-bouquet-charm-acrylic

Something Blue Bouquet Bouquet Photo Pendant by AristoCrafty, $12.99 Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/81995406/something-blue-bouquet-photo-pendant-w

These are only a few of the fun gift ideas available on Etsy, so if you have a special bride-to-be to shop for and want to find a gift with a personal touch, shop Etsy!

Stay tuned for my list of fun gifts for the wedding party!

Win The Bridesmaids Movie on Blue Ray!

Like to laugh, and love to win? We will be giving away a copy of the hilarious Bridesmaids movie on Blue Ray as soon as we hit 200 likes, and also win we hit 50 followers on Twitter! So there are two chances to win, and if you are the lucky winner but already own the movie we will hook you up with two movie passes at your local theater.  Good Luck! If you want to be the first to know about our exclusive giveways and upcoming events just subscribe to The 530 Bride to have updates come directly to you. 

The Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner may sneak up on you if you aren't careful, how to avoid this? Planning!  These days the lines are blury on who pays for what, so try to address this with your families early on so that you do not have any surprises.  The in-laws may, or may not be planning on taking care of the rehearsal dinner, but do what you can to keep it affordable and organized.  Here are some questions to start with: Does your wedding/reception venue include your rehearsal time within your contract? Many venues are booked solid, so you may not be able to rehearse your ceremony on-site the night before.  Easy fix? If all of your wedding party members live in town, ask your wedding planner to set up another site visit earlier on in the week or month so that you can take photos and get familiar with the layout.  If this will be difficult to arrange, ask your wedding coordinator to assist you in creating a floor plan or layout that you can easily refer to when giving your wedding party the breakdown of where they will be entering from, and where to line up.  You can still practice walking down the aisle, even if it is just in your backyard!

Does your caterer offer rehearsal dinner packages? If your caterer has a restaurant or storefront they may have the option to hold your rehearsal dinner function in their facility.  Some caterers that have on-site banquet halls may offer affordable rehearsal dinner packages for their clients.  This could be anything from simple taco bars, pasta and/or salad bar, or tri-tip and chicken buffet.  It doesn't hurt to ask!

Which nearby restaurants or venues can accommodate rehearsal dinners? If you have a favorite restaurant or know of one that has a large banquet room, call ahead to inquire about reserving the space.  Make sure to ask if there is any special pricing available for large groups, and if there are any menu limitations due to the number of people.  Many restaurants will opt for a special menu that offers family-style servings, taco bars, or platters to simplify ordering and keeping cost down. 

Are +1's in our budget? If your bridesmaid has asked if her boyfriend can come along for the rehearsal dinner, you will need to make sure that you can accommodate this in your budget.  Not sure how to say no?  Politely explain that this time is for the wedding party and family members only, to spend time together and to also keep costs down. 

Backyard Rehearsal Dinner Many couples are opting for the backyard rehearsal dinner not only to keep the cost down, but to also create more of a casual environment and make the most of the time you have to visit with your friends and family before your big day.  This is a great time to have your family members participate by bringing side dishes, or consider hiring a caterer to serve the meal in your home.  The cost of renting tables and chairs may be less than eating out, so it is a great option if you and your fiance are paying for your rehearsal dinner.

Have a sticky situation with your rehearsal dinner plans? Ask The 530 Bride!