Here are some ideas for fun and 
different bridesmaid gifts:

Play This is Your Life at a bridesmaid luncheon
 or party: A fun way to accomplish this is to 
create a game show atmosphere at the bridesmaid
 luncheon, a "this is your life" type of format
 in which the bride creates personalized biographies
 of each of her bridal attendants and then purchases
 unique bridesmaids gifts that match each attendant.
 The fun is in the "awarding" of each bridesmaid's
 gift as she is introduced and the personal biography
 read by the bride. Fun things to include in this
 game are childhood stories that are appropriate 
to share with other members of the bridal party;

At a summer garden party or traditional tea-party
 with the bridesmaids and attendants, place homemade
 or pre-bought flower containers as centerpieces,
 then give one to everyone as a gift.

If you are planning a destination wedding: As you
 shop for the groomsmen and bridesmaids gifts for
 your wedding party, take time to purchase gifts
 that are not only sentimental but also 
representational of the fun and exciting 
location that you have chosen for your 
destination wedding.

Wouldn't it be fun to have a sleepover? Almost
 every girl's childhood includes girlfriend 
sleepovers complete with movies, munchies, lots
 of gossip and laughter. If your bridal attendants
 are childhood friends, why not revisit the "good
 old days" with a bridesmaid sleepover and movie 
night? Hosting a Bridal Party sleepover is not 
only reminiscent of childhood fun but a great 
way to relax and unwind together.

What IS a bridesmaid luncheon? The bridesmaids' 
luncheon is a special event, hosted by the bride, 
that is held approximately one month prior to the 
wedding. The purpose of the bridesmaid luncheon is
 to allow the bride an opportunity to show each of
 the bridesmaids how much she appreciates all that
 they are doing or have done to assist with the 
planning, strategizing and all other necessary 
preparations for the upcoming wedding.

A creative bridesmaid gift that is very popular 
is the charm bracelet. Why not try creating a unique
 bridesmaid gift for each member of your bridal party
 by shopping for specialty charms for each of your 
attendants. The charm bracelet has long been a 
unique way to express personal hobbies, accomplishments
 and friendships that are held dear to the wearer.
 
		

		
Brad Buckles & Lance Armstrong - Livestrong 100 miles! 
Sunday 6/21 Fathers Day  LIVESTRONG Challenge Seattle 100 Miles around and thru Seattle Washington
LET'S GO, Brad Buckles-Seattle!
I need your help, support & any fundraising possible.  Even if it is a dollar.  I don't care.
If I can spend Fathers day riding 100 miles, you can help me with a few dollars. 
It is for cancer, it is in the name of my Mom.  She has, is enduring breast cancer. 
I have cancer in my direct family.  I have experienced, second hand, this disease.    
Please help any way that you can :)
Brad Buckles
Riding a GT Carbon frame (for those that ask)
I am looking forward to this race/fight on Sunday!!! 
Here is a LIVESTRONG posting from thier blog.
Show us your spirit! SEATTLE ROCKS!
The LIVESTRONG "Show Us Your Spirit" Rally is underway! 
The 'prize' is a City message and 'tweet' from Lance Armstrong, but most importantly: 
bragging rights over the other LIVESTRONG Challenge cities in terms of who has the best spirit!
What do we need to do? For the next two weeks, up to May 7, 2009, 
we need to raise as much money as possible, and bring on as many new participants as we can!
I KNOW that as the newest – and first – 2009 event city of the LIVESTRONG Challenge Series, 
that we can also be the first in registration and fundraising!
Let's compare the other Challenge Cities (this is where we throw down the gauntlet)
What does Austin have? Longhorns? "Hook 'Em"? What the heck does that mean?
What does Philly have? A cracked bell and humidity? Rocky? Cream cheese?
What does San Jose have? High tech? Heat and earthquakes?
... but ...
What does Seattle have? Clean air, snow-capped mountains, the ocean, lakes, hills, forests, 
a huge cycling and running community, and an amazing group of LIVESTRONG people with big 
hearts and relentless fundraising energy!
(Call me biased.)
The excitement is definitely building on all sides! The course route is set, 
the weather is getting warmer – but we need you to put Seattle on the LIVESTRONG map!
We welcome all Seattleites and out-of-towners to this great event, 
and LIVESTRONG Challenge participants will enjoy an unforgettable event! 
The course will take advantage of all aspects of Seattle – from starting under the Space Needle, 
to riding through downtown, to closing off a floating bridge for the riders, 
to taking in the beautiful lakes, hills, mountains and forests that form our topography. 
This truly will be a unique, fun and challenging ride.
So, go ahead, Seattle! Let's pick a fight with cancer!
Let's show Austin, Philly and San Jose who really is number one!
Let's put ourselves on the map! Sign up for the Challenge in Seattle, 
and FUNDRAISE, FUNDRAISE, FUNDRAISE!
Gooooo, Seattle & Goooo, Brad Buckles!
 
		

		
This week I have had the opportunity to attend and help organize one of the greatest gatherings in the wedding industry. 
60 Bridal show producers, representing hundreds of bridal shows, from all over the world have come to gether to discuss the wedding industry.
Everything is on the agenda from bridal trends, fashion, marketing and of course the economy.  
The best minds of the industry have indicated that although there are drastic changes in the industry this year, 
brides are getting married and they are "JUST" booking later in the year than in times past.
www.bspishows.com www.andyebon.com
More to come,
Brad Buckles
 
		

		
According to many brides and wedding professionals that I am talking with lately.
Thursday night is becomming the new Saturday night, most important wedding day in demand.
Facilities have the date open, always.
Wedding professionals are always open and willing to make it worth your while if you would like to book them.
And it get the party started before the weekend really starts.  
For brides, you can affor to take a day or two off and enjoy a little honeymoon downtime before friends have to be back to work on Monday.
It will become much more popular in the months to come.  
We feel the need to spread the information as fast as possible because we are here for you...Always.
Brad Buckles
 
		

		
Bridesclub.com vendor listing - We're here to help!  Check us out!
Weddings are a ceremony!  A Celebration!  One part reality and planning.  
A HUGE part fantasizing, dreaming, hoping and orchestrating.
We here at bridesclub.com are trying to bring to you the latest and best vendors in the field of wedding planning.
Tips and trends, the newest in wedding services.
We want to inspire you with wonderfully innovative ideas to personalize your wedding celebration.
 
First things first:  What do you want?
FAMILIARIZE yourself with the options and available services.
FANTASIZE about all that can be.
PRIORITIZE which points are important to you/your significant other.
VISUALIZE what it is going to look like as it comes together.
ORGANIZE it into smaller pieces.
SYMPATHIZE - although it is your day, others should to be able to enjoy it.  It is a celebration/party.  You want others to enjoy it with you!
SYNCHRONIZE your dreams, cultures, abilities to come together.
DEPUTIZE your team!  Who can you really rely on!
   
Write down all of your thoughts on a piece of paper and start.  
You'd be surprised with what a little creativity and knowledge can bring you.
....and remember to ENJOY LIFE!
 
		

		
The Choice Is Yours, In Reality and In Life - 
ENJOY IT!
I made the decision early last year to enjoy life.  To not let anything get to me anymore.  
I meet tens of thousands of brides every year at the Tacoma, 
Bellevue and Lynnwood Wedding Expos and over in Hawaii at the Hawaii Bridal Expo.  
I challenge them constantly to enjoy the process.  Enjoy life! 
We are all a great big family.  
At a wedding we participate in this reality by celebrating the uniting of husband and wife.  
We get together and we throw a big party as a family.   
The last several months have awakened me!  
Im sure that it is safe to say we have been nervous, worried, 
and little scared about all the changes and uncertainty.
But I choose to be inspired,   Why...?  
I look at this time to celebrate a new dawn.  
The coming of change....  whatever the outcome.  
We need to turn to each other, talk to friends, 
and families - we're all part of several families 
and "friends are the family we choose for ourselves". 
Celebrate the differences in yourself and those around you. 
Enjoy the life you are living and those you are living it with!
May we all be grateful for what we have and celebrate by sharing even more.
Enjoy Life!
 
		

		

				
I attended a wedding this past summer where the flower girl (age 2) had a complete meltdown just before the ceremony. She was screaming and crying, took her dress off and was rolling around on the floor in just a diaper. Although we thought it was funny, I don't think the bride saw the humor in it.

Weddings are a very big day, not only for the bride, but for the younger members of the wedding party also. They have already spent time geting ready, and geting their hair done, (and in this case 2 hours taking pictures before the ceremony) that by the time the wedding roles around they most likely have missed their nap, are hungry, and ready to be done.

Check out Northwest Wedding Photo's blog, for great suggestions on how to entertain the little ones and keep this from happening to you.

Tags: flower girl dresses, flower girl, wedding, wedding flowers, wedding party, wedding hairstyle, wedding planning
			
 
		

		

				
You’ve worked your butt off for months to make this wedding the wedding of your dreams. Everything is all set and you are ready to walk that aisle… But before you do that we want you to go through our list of wedding day DOs and DONTs. These are simple reminders that could spell the difference between a wedding day success and a wedding day disaster.  

DOs

Eat a good satisfying breakfast. Chances are you will not be able to eat a full meal for the rest of the day.  

Have a dip in the tub. This will help calm your nerves and help you feel relaxed.

Prepare early. Have your make-up and hair done ahead of time.  Have your attendants arrive early too.

Apply white or colorless polish. Unless you are wearing a colored gown, do not put on colored nail polish as it will overpower your whole attire.

Bring a bridal pouch with you to carry your wedding day necessities. You do not want to be calling on your mother, sister, best friend, or wedding planner everytime you need a lip gloss. 

If you haven’t written your vows and speech yet, write them neatly in a small index card. Do not ask somebody to write it for you.

Eat a little before leaving for the ceremony. Keep a candy or two in your pouch.

Keep an emergency kit in the car. Stuff it with panty hose, safety pins, bobby pins, spot remover, aspirin, needles and thread, a pair of scissors. 

Keep a blush and lip gloss with you for touch-ups.

Spend some time with your guests especially your family.

Enjoy your wedding day. 

DONTs 

Do not overdo the make-up. You do not want to look like a vampire on your wedding pictures.

Don’t be late. Allow extra time for the unforeseen – traffic, detours, etc.

Do not trust your wedding rings to your ring bearer. Ask a more responsible adult to safekeep them for you.

Do not ask unexpected guests (most of the time, invitees who did not RSVP but decided to attend in the end) to pay for their meals (this happens).   

You do not want to ruin the most important day in your life by getting involved in the details of the wedding. Leave that to the wedding planner.

Do not forget to bring your sense of humor with you. You will need tons of this especially when things are not going the way you wanted to. 

Johanna Docena is the owner of Docena Bridal, an online wedding store that sells bridal jewelry, wedding attendant gifts and wedding accessories at http://www.docenabridal.com.

Tags: Wedding Hair, Wedding Make Up, Wedding Planner, Wedding Day Planning, Bridal Jewelry
			
 
		

		

				
Here is a blog that gives a basic rundown of who does what, and when for the wedding ceremony. So many little details can get overlooked if someone doesn't point them out.

Read the Angela Heil Ministries Inc. blog -- it's rather long but well worth the read.