Mehndi - Indian Art

A beautiful Indian tradition is the art of Mehndhi. This 5000 year old tradition is painless and the art can last from several days or as long as a month. This tradition began for less fortunate brides to wear in place of fine jewelry. Indian brides have a Mehndhi party the night before the wedding {girls only!} where the feet and hands of the bride are adorned. The designs are reddish-brown and fine lines (lacy or floral). The peacock is often incorporated (India's national bird), the lotus flower (India's national flower), and an elephant with a raised trunk (symbol of good luck).

Sexi Gift Bags

These sexi guest bags rock my socks. Are you having an out-of-town wedding and want to treat your guests? First think about your motive. If you are creative - you may want to include homemade treats. Here are some ideas:

• Flower seeds from your hometown
• Home-grown coffeebeans or honey
• Area specific treats like lobster bibs for a Boston wedding, sunscreen/seashells for a beach wedding, cutsi earmuffs for a mountainous wedding along with maps and guides....
• Wine with customized labels - or if your lucky - wine that you designed
• Regional handmade soaps and lotions
• Assorted teas
• Gift certificats to a popular local resturant/bar/resort

Let your creativity bloom! Your special touch will be sure to make someone's stay very speacial.

Birds of a Feather..

Fly together! There is a growing trend for bridal headpieces. Feathers are such a bold statement for the bride. Head Dress Couture has a wonderful collection of head pieces and veils to check out.

Wordless: {Vintage}

Color Palette: Eggplant

Purple has always made me happy! We all know that a little purple goes a long way - but not when it is done right. This beautiful eggplant bridesmade dress is simple and elegant and the flower combos are endless.

pictures from Martha.

Me Lucky Charms

So, it is time for the awkward bouquet toss. All the 'single' ladies get a stab at a chance to tackle one another to see who is next to be married. Who needs boys anyway? :) The alternative idea of having a break-away bouquet for the toss is appetizing. Each maid will receive a piece with a 'lucky charm' attached for good luck. Everyone gets to share the experience and has a charm to take away with them! Talk to your florist about the options of a break-away bouquet. The charms or fortunes can be whatever tickles your fancy. I was intrigued by the below yantras just because it is unique. However, if you feel the need to attach a four-leaf clover or horseshoe, be my guest. *note* A yantra is meditational device used in Hindu and Tibetan Tantric meditation. From the root "yam," meaning "to sustain," the Yantra is a symbolic image used to maintain a focused state during meditation. A yantra is usually composed of an outer geometrical form enclosing an interior geometrical designs. Each particular design is used for a specific purpose or intent. Check out the beauties:

The Vashikaran charm is to attrack love and romance into the life of the wearer. This charm can help to resolve relationship problems, bring harmony to personal relationships and can draw the affections of a particular person.

The Mahamritrunjyay charm is a powerful mantra for inviting good health, fortune, and harmony into one's home.

The Santaan Gopal charm is for people who wish to have children.

The Crystal Shri Yantra is for prosperity and success. The crystal is known as ‘Safaitik’ which means pure.

The Shani Yantra is for overcoming the hardships and obstacles caused by Saturn or ‘Shani Dev.’

The Bagla Mukhi Yantra is a charm for for protection from evil and for overcoming enemies.

The Shri Yantra is a charm for success, wealth, & good luck.

Check out powerfortunes for more charm ideas.

Bright Gallery

Happy Bride Necklace

Announce-it Bride T-Shirts

Escort Card Tree

Glow Candles Ring Pillows Cute pictures of accessories from Bright Gallery!

Photo Quilt

after the 'love bugs' wear off of the newlywed high - your SO will give you some sleep room. just when you think that you will never be warm in bed again....grab a customized pic quilt and snuggle up!

Signature Plates

a great alternative to a wedding guestbook is a hand painted - personalized signature platter. have guests sign this keepsake. place in the oven for 30 minutes at 300 degrees to set once the event is over. i haven't attended a wedding yet where this fun idea has been used. i wouldn't mind having this at my own!!

Find of the Week * Bride & Groom Pillow Case *

Click for pic website

Cutsy bridal stuff is a must. Simple bride and groom cases are sure to spark some 'pillow talk.'

Engraved Forever

it's on the outside and inside that counts. ever though seriously about your wedding vows? It is such a monumental, sacred, beautiful promise from one person to the other. not only does the ring itself symbolize eternity, but so does the vows. i like the idea of engraving the entire wedding vow on the inside of the wedding band. this is so sexi! couples have engraved initials, i love yous, smily faces, and other what-not's, but the entire vow means so much. this particular company will engrave traditional vows or customized vows into the rings for you here.

{Antique Chic}

Somedays the look of antique, vintage, and art deco designs strike me as georgeous. I would love to know the history behind each piece. It is very mysterious to know each love story, heartache, trials, and happy times could be brought to life from each. This type of engagement ring is not for just any chic....it is for someone who wants to stand out in the crowd, to do something different, and for someone who has a passion for the past - present - and future. Take a look at the scrumptious finds!

Photos: www.faycullen.com

Baby Blue Palette

Baby blue and ivory is so sweet. The classy 'Audrey Hepburn' style of this is classic.

Broach, Bridesmaid Dress, Cake, Pic, Invites & flowers,

Watch Your Invites GROW

I think I am in love! Just when I wanted to find something unique - I found plantable wedding invitations. These are wonderful, especially if you are 'go green' type of chick. Want to stand out beside all the other wedding invites on your guest's fridges....better take a look!

If wedding invites is a little over the top - this would work great as a thank you card.

The sites I like best are:

http://www.botanicalpaperworks.com/ (best selection)

http://www.custompaper.com/home.html (better price)

http://www.lassodmoondesigns.com/

Garter Toss!

The garter toss has long been a tradition for weddings. Some people think it is too risqué to play suggestive music as the groom sloooowly removes the garter amongst cat calling in the background. There are alternatives such as handing the garter to a special person or to the person who has been married the longest, shortest, or the bachelor. I am actually looking forward to the garter toss. I think this fuzzy, flirty garter will do the trick as the song "KISS" by Price is turned up a notch or two.

Found at prettyweddingfavors.com for $9.20

Bride & Groom Picture Show

While guests arrive to the reception, have pictures of you and your husband through the years playing on a projection for all to view. This can include:

• Bride and Groom baby pics
• Prom pictures (for the highschool sweethearts)
• College days while dating
• Vacations together
• College attended
• First house or apartment
• Clips from pre-wedding parties
• The wedding chapel/venue

Visit Shutterfly.com to create your own. You choose the pictures, transitions, and music for your DVD that can be played. It is only $19.99 for a priceless addition to your wedding reception.

Lavender

Picture courtesy of Beau-Coup

I love the idea of throwing lavender at the bride & groom. This is a safe alternative for rice and beautifully colored. Also, the smell is self healing and calming. You can box it sweetly as shown above or wrap in a beautiful sheer bag secured with a dainty ribbon.

Dried lavender buds price at $2.99 each here.