Danielle Pasternak's Posts - BridalTweet Wedding Forum & Vendor Directory
2024-03-29T09:36:17Z
Danielle Pasternak
https://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/DaniellePasternak
https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/65684823?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1
https://www.bridaltweet.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=08dsjpm5gdjya&xn_auth=no
Saving Money: Shop in the Basement
tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-07-12:3145964:BlogPost:185441
2010-07-12T12:00:00.000Z
Danielle Pasternak
https://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/DaniellePasternak
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">I am so excited to tell you about this one! Over the weekend, I was perusing around Borders and came across a book all about bargain weddings. Of course, I love having ways to…</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">I am so excited to tell you about this one! Over the weekend, I was perusing around Borders and came across a book all about bargain weddings. Of course, I love having ways to save my clients money so I parked my tush on the floor, and began flipping through the pages. I sat there for about 10 minutes and came across a couple of cute tips, but this is one that I knew I had to do some further investigating.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">I can’t believe I’ve never heard of it, and brides, you’re going to love it. Every year, a store called <a href="http://www.filenesbasement.com">Filene’s Basement</a> holds an event called “Running of the Brides”. Brides can get designer labels that normally cost over $1000 for $249, $499 and $699. They have been known to have dresses originally marked at $9000!</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.mydeejay.com/blog/2009/07/mydeejaycom-rocks-filenes-basement-running-of-the-brides" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-403" title="filenes-running-of-the-brides-2009-washington-dc-dj" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/filenes-running-of-the-brides-2009-washington-dc-dj.jpg?w=300&h=200" alt="" width="300" height="200" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; display: block;"/></a></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">You know I love stories, so I have to tell you about Filene’s. In 1909, Edward Filene decided to sell the unsold merchandise from his father’s Boston Department Store. He filled a basement full of “automatic” discounts. To keep things simple, he used a formula. If, after 12 days, the item didn’t sell, he’d mark it down 25%. He would then continue marking it down again every 6 days until it sold, or it was donated to charity.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.mydeejay.com/blog/2009/07/mydeejaycom-rocks-filenes-basement-running-of-the-brides" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-404" title="running-of-the-brides-washington-dc-dj" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/running-of-the-brides-washington-dc-dj.jpg?w=300&h=200" alt="" width="300" height="200" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; display: block;"/></a></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Filene’s motto is “Equal access to quality goods at bargain basement prices” and they must be doing something right – they have over 20,000 bargain hunters a day! The famous “Running of the Brides!” event began in 1947 and in 1986, Barbara Walters (20/20) called them the “world’s best basement”. And according to a news reporter who timed the event, during the “Running of the Brides!” in 1992, the shop was cleared out in 37 seconds. (Can you imagine?)</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Now, I’m not trying to put anyone in harm’s way and I hear that the “running” has become a bit calmer (although these pictures from <a href="http://www.mydeejay.com">mydeejay.com</a> don’t show calm). But <a href="http://filenesbasement.com/running-of-the-brides/">Filene’s Basement website</a> has some tips to make your day fun, safe, and savvy:</span></p>
<blockquote><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Before you go:</span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px;">
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Recruit your team and assign jobs.</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Create team unity by wearing something matching—for example hats, t-shirts or headbands. This will also help you find each other in the crowd.</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Tear out pages from bridal magazines, or print styles from on-line wedding gown sites to show your team what you’re looking for.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">The Day of the Sale</span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px;">
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Dress smart—wear a sports bra or swim suit so you can change in and out of gowns anywhere in the store.</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Leave your handbag at home or pack light for the day.</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Please, don’t wear make-up. White shows everything.</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">The sale starts at 8:00am, so if you want to be one of the first through the doors, plan on arriving well before then.</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Not everyone wants to deal with the 8:00am rush. Starting around 11:00am you’ll see dresses going back on the racks and the scene will be calmer.</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Be considerate. Once you decide you don’t like a dress, put it back on the rack. It just might be someone else’s dream dress.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">For more tips like these, e-mail <a href="mailto:pat.boudrot@filenesbasement.com" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">pat.boudrot@filenesbasement.com</a> to request the <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">“Secrets of Success—finding your dream dress at Filene’s Basement’s <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Running of the Brides</em>.”</strong></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><a href="http://www.mydeejay.com/blog/2009/07/mydeejaycom-rocks-filenes-basement-running-of-the-brides" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-405" title="washington-dc-running-of-the-brides-2009" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/washington-dc-running-of-the-brides-2009.jpg?w=300&h=200" alt="" width="300" height="200" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; display: block;"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: normal;">Ok, so where can one find one of these stores? Well, unfortunately, there isn’t one too close. But I feel that it might be worth a weekend trip with the girls! They currently have 25 stores across the Eastern U.S. including D.C., Baltimore, Paramus (New Jersey), Manhattan (of course), Chicago, Columbus (Ohio), and more. The next “Running of the Brides!” is going to be in Chicago (1 North State Street) on July 23 from 8am to 9pm. For a full schedule, <a href="http://filenesbasement.com/running-of-the-brides/">click here</a> and to see all their locations, <a href="http://filenesbasement.com/store_locator.php">click here</a>.</span></strong></span></p>
I want a win-win-win situation. My attempt to change the wedding industry.
tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-07-10:3145964:BlogPost:184951
2010-07-10T12:51:50.000Z
Danielle Pasternak
https://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/DaniellePasternak
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#999999" size="2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 2px; text-transform: uppercase;"><br></br></span></font></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#999999" size="2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 2px; text-transform: uppercase;"><br/></span></font></span><div class="entry" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; xg-p: relative;"><div class="snap_preview" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><a href="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/bigstockphoto_wedding_ceremony_4040519.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-383" title="bigstockphoto_Wedding_Ceremony_4040519" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/bigstockphoto_wedding_ceremony_4040519.jpg?w=199&h=300" alt="" width="199" height="300" style="margin-top: 2px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; float: left; display: inline;"/></a>Today I want to talk about a topic that I am extremely passionate about. Nope, I’m not talking about pockets in dresses today, but instead I’m talking about money and pricing. As the wedding industry grows, supply and demand take their toll and <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">we</strong> are now in a <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">situation</strong>.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Who’s the “we”?</strong> Vendors. Photographers, florists, DJs, videographers, caterers, wedding planners, everyone.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">What’s the “situation”?</strong> Well, because we are a money-driven world, everyone wants a lot of something to give a little something. What am I talking about exactly? <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Referral fees.</strong></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Referral fees are well-known throughout the industry as a way to help get your business recommended by another non-competing vendor. For example, a photographer asks a DJ to recommend their services to a client. In return for the recommendation, the DJ asks for a referral fee. Now, the DJ says to one of his clients, “Hey, I know you were still in need of a photographer, here is So-and-So Photography’s business card. You should give them a call”. So, the client calls and talks with So-and-So Photography, loves their photos and their personality, so they book them. The photographer then has to turn around a pay the DJ a fee of anywhere from 5% to 25% or more.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Depending on their pricing structure, that can be a couple hundred dollars for some vendors. Since so many of us are service-based vendors, that takes a big chunk out of our paycheck. So, what do some vendors do? They will add an additional amount onto their services to cover the referral fees. In the end, who ends up paying the fee? Ultimately, <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">the client.</strong></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Now, I’m not saying that is right or wrong. Everyone has their own way of doing business and I respect that. But as a vendor, we are in a difficult spot. We are providing a service and we want to be paid for that service. We all have families and bills that need taking care of and for many, this is our full-time job. We put countless hours into making sure our clients’ weddings exceed their expectations and we love what we do. Not only that, but we are awesome at what we do. Our prices are our prices for a reason. We have taken the time to figure out our value, time and experience and that is what we charge. If we wanted to make 10% less, then we wouldn’t charge what we do. That being said, shouldn’t we refer each other to brides based on our skills, services, personality, value, and customer service? Not because we get some dough out of it. Think about it. It’s a win-win-win for everyone.</p>
<ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px;">
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; list-style-type: decimal; list-style-xg-p: outside; list-style-image: initial;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">The client wins</strong>. They are getting a great vendor for the best price.</li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; list-style-type: decimal; list-style-xg-p: outside; list-style-image: initial;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">The referred vendor wins</strong>. They are gaining a client and their business is growing.</li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; list-style-type: decimal; list-style-xg-p: outside; list-style-image: initial;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">The referring vendor wins</strong>. They recommended a great business to their client, making them look professional, smart, honest, and flat-out good at their job.</li>
</ol>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">With all that being said, I’m taking a vow here and now. As a wedding planner, I <strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">do not accept referral fees</strong>, nor will I in the future. I want to provide my clients with the best possible value and refer them to others who can do the same. I want a win-win-win situation. Who’s with me?</p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -</p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Those are just my thoughts. What are yours?</em> <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Should a vendor receive a commission for referring someone else's services? Or is it enough knowing they referred a really awesome business?</em></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Originally posted at <a href="http://dpnak.wordpress.com">http://dpnak.wordpress.com</a> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><a href="http://dpnak.wordpress.com"></a></span></p>
</div>
</div>
After the Wedding: Changing your name
tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-07-08:3145964:BlogPost:184287
2010-07-08T13:06:10.000Z
Danielle Pasternak
https://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/DaniellePasternak
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">You’ve said “I do”, you’re back to reality, and it’s time to change your name. While not all new brides choose to change their name, most do. Which should…</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">You’ve said “I do”, you’re back to reality, and it’s time to change your name. While not all new brides choose to change their name, most do. Which should <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">you</em> do? Whatever works for you and your new hubby. There is no right or wrong, but if you do decide to change (or hyphenate) your name (which almost 87% of women do), I have a fun find for you!</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.missnowmrs.com">MissNowMrs.com</a> is a site designed to help you in the name-change process. According to their website, it all started in 2006 and they’ve helped over 55,000 brides since.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"></p>
<p style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><img width="600" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/73811226?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></span></p>
<p></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.missnowmrs.com/" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"></a></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">The company currently offers two different packages. Their Basic package for $19.95 includes:</span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px;">
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Social Security</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Drivers License</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Or for $29.95, the Complete package includes:</span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px;">
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Social Security</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Drivers License</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">IRS</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">U.S. Passport</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">U.S. Postal Service</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Voter Registration</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Bank Notification Letter</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Credit Card Notification Letter</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Mortgage Notification Letter</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Utility Notification Letter</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Medical Notification Letter</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Insurance Notification Letter</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Professional License Notification Letter</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Investment Notification Letter</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Other Notifications</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">The website helps you in three easy steps. First, answer a few simple questions about yourself. Next, they use your answers to complete all married name change forms automatically, and finally, you print out your forms and they give you all the details to file them. Sounds pretty easy, doesn’t it?</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">To read more about the company, visit their <a href="http://www.missnowmrs.com">site here</a>. I also recommend reading their blog article about <a href="http://www.missnowmrs.com/blog">changing your name through with Social Security - 3 Things the S.S. Office Will Never Tell You</a>. No wonder it takes over 13 hours to change your name – <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">without the help of MissNowMrs, that is.</em></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Question:</strong> Did you change your name when you got married? Or, are you planning to? If not, what did you do? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Originally posted at <a href="http://dpnak.wordpress.com/2010/07/08/after-the-wedding-changing-your-name/">Danielle Pasternak Events</a>.</span></p>
Make it your own: Signature Drinks (yum!)
tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-06-30:3145964:BlogPost:182534
2010-06-30T23:11:22.000Z
Danielle Pasternak
https://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/DaniellePasternak
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Your reception is your chance to show your style. It’s your opportunity to put your name all over something that you should be proud…</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Your reception is your chance to show your style. It’s your opportunity to put your name all over something that you should be proud of. And I can’t think of too many other things that are more fun than creating your own drink?</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/8131-picture_6-resize.png" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-309" title="8131.Picture_6.png.resize" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/8131-picture_6-resize.png?w=198&h=300" alt="" width="198" height="300" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; display: block;"/></a></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Ok, so you want to serve alcohol at your reception, but the cost of “open bar” is a bit overwhelming. What do you do? Offer champagne for your toast, serve wine and beer at the bar, and create your own special mixed drink cocktail. Your “signature drink” can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic, and there are no rules. It can be classic, crazy, fruity, colorful, sophisticated, powerful – whatever you want!</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Here are some recipes I found… perhaps I will do some taste testing soon.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/blackberry-mint-julep?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/signature-cocktails#slide_1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="size-full wp-image-308 alignright" title="msl_jul06_onice_julep_l" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/msl_jul06_onice_julep_l.jpg?w=95&h=118" alt="" width="95" height="118" style="margin-top: 2px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; float: right; display: inline;"/></a><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Blackberry-Mint Julep</strong> (<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">MarthaStewart.com</a>)</span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px;">
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">1 pint blackberries</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">6 tablespoons sugar</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">1/2 cup bourbon</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">4 cups small ice cubes</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">4 sprigs mint, for garnishing</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/recipe/frozen-ginger-lemon-drop?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/signature-cocktails#slide_4" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-311" title="wd103019_sum07_lemongngr_l" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/wd103019_sum07_lemongngr_l.jpg?w=95&h=118" alt="" width="95" height="118" style="margin-top: 2px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; float: right; display: inline;"/></a>Frozen Ginger Lemon Drop</strong> (<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">MarthaStewart.com</a>)</span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px;">
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Lemon juice (about 1/4 cup), for coating glass rims</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Superfine sugar, for coating glass rims</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/recipe/frozen-ginger-lemonade" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Frozen Ginger Lemonade</a></span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">2 to 4 cups vodka</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Lemon zest curls, for garnish</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/recipe/pear-lemon-fizz" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-312" title="wa103187_fa07_swsticks_l" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/wa103187_fa07_swsticks_l.jpg?w=95&h=118" alt="" width="95" height="118" style="margin-top: 2px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; float: right; display: inline;"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Pear-Lemon Fizz</strong> (<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">MarthaStewart.com</a>)</span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px;">
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Ice cubes</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) pear vodka</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">3/4 ounce <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/recipe/lemon-verbena-simple-syrup" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Lemon Verbena Simple Syrup</a></span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) fresh lemon juice</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Champagne, for topping off (about 1/2 cup)</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">1 fresh lemon verbena leaf, for garnish</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/watermelon-bloody-marys?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/signature-cocktails#slide_13" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-314" title="mld104828_0709_wbm_cf012987_l" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/mld104828_0709_wbm_cf012987_l.jpg?w=95&h=118" alt="" width="95" height="118" style="margin-top: 2px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; float: right; display: inline;"/></a>Watermelon Bloody Marys</strong> (<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">MarthaStewart.com</a>)</span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px;">
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">12 cups watermelon chunks (from one 4-pound watermelon, rind removed), plus pieces, for serving</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">1 teaspoon sugar, or to taste</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Ice, for serving</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">1 1/2 cups tomato juice</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">13 dashes hot sauce, such as Tabasco, or to taste</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">1/2 teaspoon celery seeds, ground with a mortar and pestle, or celery salt</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Freshly ground pepper</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">1 to 1 1/4 cups vodka</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Celery stalks, for serving</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Once you’ve picked your drink… or drinks if you can’t pick just one, make sure to make a sign that sticks with your theme. If your guests don’t know about your drink, they won’t order it. If you picked it for a special reason, include that on the sign. Keep it short and sweet, but it means more if the guests know WHY it’s your signature.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Happy Drinking! …. errr, I mean planning!</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Originally posted at <a href="http://dpnak.wordpress.com">http://dpnak.wordpress.com</a>.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">.</span></p>
Romance in Vintage: Birdcage Veils
tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-06-29:3145964:BlogPost:181905
2010-06-29T14:42:36.000Z
Danielle Pasternak
https://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/DaniellePasternak
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Every bride has a different style that she plans on rocking for her wedding day. Luckily, our booming wedding industry is constantly staying up on the latest trends and…</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Every bride has a different style that she plans on rocking for her wedding day. Luckily, our booming wedding industry is constantly staying up on the latest trends and accessories. Out of these latest trends, one of my favorites is the Birdcage Veil.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://gallery.weddingbee.com/photo/my-birdcage-veil" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-239" title="5736.evelia_ari_25.jpg.resize" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/5736-evelia_ari_25-jpg-resize.jpeg?w=376&h=249" alt="" width="376" height="249" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; display: block;"/></a></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">A birdcage veil falls into the same category as blusher veils, some are also calling them “shorties”. Originally veils were worn to protect the bride from any demons or bad spirits. It was also a way to conceal her face so the groom would not be able to see her. According to <a href="http://www.wikipedia.org/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">wikipedia.org</a>, when women would marry, they would wear their long hair down their back to symbolize their virginity. Apparently, women then decided that shorter-do’s were more their style, so the long, white veil took it’s place.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Now, that’s not to say that if you wear this super-short birdcage veil you’re not a virgin. That’s completely your thing. Wear what works for you, what looks good on you, what makes your dress look even more amazing, and what’s comfortable. Or, don’t wear one at all! In my opinion, this type of veil works great if you have shorter hair, if your dress has a lot of great detail on top, if your wedding has a vintage theme (love it!), or if your hair is pinned in an up-do.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">And as usual, I was poking around Etsy and found this really beautiful shop by <a href="http://tessakim.etsy.com/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">TessaKim</a>. Enjoy some of my favorite creations of theirs.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50296134/tulle-illusion-birdcage-veil-11-inch" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-240" title="il_430xN.154298771" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/il_430xn-154298771.jpg?w=376&h=250" alt="" width="376" height="250" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; display: block;"/></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50163947/birdcage-veil-18-inch-bridal-or-special" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-241" title="il_430xN.153855493" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/il_430xn-153855493.jpg?w=376&h=564" alt="" width="376" height="564" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; display: block;"/></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49882328/birdcage-veil-set-with-double-satin-and" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-242" title="il_430xN.153897845" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/il_430xn-153897845.jpg?w=376&h=250" alt="" width="376" height="250" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; display: block;"/></a></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Have a great Tuesday!</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Originally posted on <a href="http://dpnak.wordpress.com">http://dpnak.wordpress.com</a><a href="http://dpnak.wordpress.com">http://dpnak.wordpress.com</a></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">.</span></p>
Out of the Box: Bridal Bouquet
tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-06-29:3145964:BlogPost:181825
2010-06-29T01:55:59.000Z
Danielle Pasternak
https://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/DaniellePasternak
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">As I grow, I learn more and more that I have some strange fascinations/obsessions. One of them is a need for our bed to made everyday. But another is seeing people take standard…</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">As I grow, I learn more and more that I have some strange fascinations/obsessions. One of them is a need for our bed to made everyday. But another is seeing people take standard traditions and turn them completely inside-out. In this case, the bride took the standard bridal bouquet and made it so uniquely hers and colorful that it instantly caught my eye.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://gallery.weddingbee.com/photo/my-brooch-bouquet" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-235" title="8473.bouqet-inspiration-broochbouquet-14.jpg.resize" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/8473-bouqet-inspiration-broochbouquet-14-jpg-resize.jpeg?w=376&h=251" alt="" width="376" height="251" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; display: block;"/></a></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">I found it on a gallery page over at <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">WeddingBee.com</a>, and it wasn’t until further inspection that I realized where all the beautiful color was coming from.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://gallery.weddingbee.com/photo/my-brooch-bouquet" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-236" title="8474.bouqet-inspiration-DIY-jewelry-broochb.jpg.resize" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/8474-bouqet-inspiration-diy-jewelry-broochb-jpg-resize.jpeg?w=376&h=251" alt="" width="376" height="251" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; display: block;"/></a></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">According to the description by bride (<a href="http://gallery.weddingbee.com/profile/kippie" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Kippie</a>), her Mother-In-Law and her constructed this beautiful bouquet out of brooches. If you look closely you will also see a locket the bride added with a picture of her father. How awesome!</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Kudos for such a unique, colorful and touching concept!</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Originally posted at <a href="http://dpnak.wordpress.com">dpnak.wordpress.com</a>.</span></p>
Wedding Websites: 5 reasons why they work
tag:www.bridaltweet.com,2010-06-26:3145964:BlogPost:181352
2010-06-26T13:58:08.000Z
Danielle Pasternak
https://www.bridaltweet.com/profile/DaniellePasternak
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Getting right into our topic today, we’re talking about wedding websites. When they first started going mainline, some people were a little bit against it. But the…</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Getting right into our topic today, we’re talking about wedding websites. When they first started going mainline, some people were a little bit against it. But the fact-of-the-matter is, they can be such a useful (and helpful) tool when it comes to planning your wedding. With all the options that couples have today, it’s a win-win for everyone and I came up with 5 reasons why. But first, what is a wedding website?</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">A wedding website is an online website that’s devoted entirely to you and your spouse-to-be. It’s a tool that you and your guests will use to keep everyone on the same page. It should include all the important information to help them prepare for your big day. Depending on which company you use, it can also help you keep track of your Guest List with an RSVP Management tool, which can be a great help.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.ewedding.com/" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="aligncenter" title="screenshot_27" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/screenshot_27.jpg?w=282&h=221" alt="" width="282" height="221" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; display: block;"/></a></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">So that’s what it is, now for the “WHY?”:</span></p>
<ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px;">
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; list-style-type: decimal; list-style-xg-p: outside; list-style-image: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">It tells your story.</strong> Adding “your story” is a great way to make your wedding more intimate. Ok, yes, Mom and Dad probably know how you met your sweetheart. They even probably know how he proposed. But think about the aunts and uncles whom you haven’t seen in a while. You are inviting them to your wedding and they might not have met your husband-to-be yet. Your website allows them to read (at their leisure) all about how you met, quirky things you have in common, and hobbies you both enjoy. And let’s say you add on your site that you both love the Yankees or wine. That gives your relatives a great gift idea! Which brings me to number 2…</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; list-style-type: decimal; list-style-xg-p: outside; list-style-image: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Add your registries.</strong> It’s a tough situation to invite someone to an event and then say, “here are some things I have pre-picked out for you to buy me.” By adding your wedding website address to your mailings, you can eliminate that awkwardness. Simply add a page titled “Our Registries” and include clickable links that give your friends and family some type of direction. That is, if they don’t sign you up for the “Wine of the Month” Club.</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; list-style-type: decimal; list-style-xg-p: outside; list-style-image: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Out-of-town guests feel special.</strong> With all the planning and chaos that is going on, couples too often forget those friends and family members that traveled a genuine distance to share in their special day. Some guests are not familiar with the area and have no clue where to stay, eat at, directions. Adding information about hotel accommodations allows all of your out-of-town family to automatically be at the same place. No guessing or calling each other to find out what Google recommends. They trust you, tell them what to do, and they’ll likely do it. It would also be a great place to recommend local restaurants that are near their hotel and some small activities happening around the date of your wedding. Let them know of any available transportation services that might be offered to them, as well (i.e. shuttle service to the reception).</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; list-style-type: decimal; list-style-xg-p: outside; list-style-image: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Directions! Directions! Directions!</strong> We are definitely living in the days of GPS, but not everyone uses one (I swear by mine, and sometimes <em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">at</em> mine). Including an interactive map and directions will be a huge help to those who are anti-GPS. If your ceremony and reception are at different locations, make sure to include very clear directions from one to the other. (You can use those same directions and make print-outs to be given out at the ceremony)</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; list-style-type: decimal; list-style-xg-p: outside; list-style-image: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;">Information is always accessible.</strong> One of the greatest things about wedding websites is they are always accessible. Your guests can access it anytime they please and all the information is at their fingertips. It’s important to keep your information clear and simple. Include pictures of yourself to make it more personal. Maybe keep a blog as you go to keep everyone involved (and help them appreciate those DIY favors). Remember, your wedding day is not all about you (sorry), it’s all about the celebration. And your guests are MAJOR part of that celebration.</span></li>
</ol>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/scheme_blackandblack.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-225" title="scheme_blackandblack" src="http://dpnak.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/scheme_blackandblack.jpg?w=240&h=218" alt="" width="240" height="218" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: -3px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); max-width: 100%; display: block;"/></a></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Now, where do you get started? Below are some great sites to get you started. They are all very user-friendly and pre-designed so it takes very little skill.</span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px;">
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://couples.weddingchannel.com/wedding_websites/pages.action" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Wedding Channel</a> – part of <a href="http://www.theknot.com/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">theKnot.com</a>. They offer free websites to couples, you just need to sign up with their site.</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.ewedding.com/index.php" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">eWedding</a> – They claim you can create your website in under 5 minutes (I recommend more time be put into it, but it can be that easy). They are free for the first year, or you can pay $5-$15 a month and have your own personal domain (<a href="http://www.maryandjack.com">www.maryandjack.com</a>) and email address (bride@maryandjack.com).</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.mywedding.com/main/wedding_websites.html" target="_self" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">MyWedding</a> – I like this site a lot because you can use it to match your website with your invitations right through their site. It’s a great way to keep your theme cohesive and clear. This is also a free service.</span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.weddingwindow.com/themes-all.cfm" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">WeddingWindow</a> – This website caught my eye, because I really like their themes. But they come with a price. Packages start at $59 and go up to $119. But it’s a one-time payment, so figure about $10 a month for a year. Not too bad, just watch your wedding budget!</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">All of the above websites will help you easily get started in filling out your information. But to give you a feel for a real wedding website, check out <a href="http://www.carawill.ourwedding.com/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">www.carawill.ourwedding.com</a>. Cara is a former schoolmate of mine and she is marrying a great guy in July. You must read the proposal story, it’s a great example of really involving your readers in your story.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">Have a great weekend everyone! Happy Planning!</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">-Danielle</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.daniellepasternak.com">www.daniellepasternak.com</a></span></p>