Here's a money saving idea…

In a marriage of discount and dreams, a major retailer is trying to prove that a once-in-a-lifetime experience doesn't require a once-in-a-lifetime investment.

So here comes the bride . . . in a wedding gown from Target.

The gowns, sold through Target.com for less than $200, have appeared in recent weeks on Oprah and on the pages of Lucky and Glamour magazines. And they've caused a stir on fashion blogs, where their arrival has ignited a debate about whether there are any boundaries left when it comes to saving money.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/lifestyle/orl-cheapchic07jul19,0,3167940.story

Go to wedding gowns for tips on choosing a wedding gown.

There goes the wedding budget….""

Bridal dress designer Monique Lhuillier leapt into the wedding business on a whim. Having had a difficult time finding her own gown, Lhuillier, a 23-year-old newlywed at the time, decided to begin sketching her own line of dresses. Her husband figured it was little more than a hobby, one that she would tire of soon enough. "He thought I had the wedding blues and eventually I'd get over it," she says, chuckling warmly.

That was a decade ago, and Lhuillier (Lo-lee-ay) is still not over it. In fact, she's now regarded as one of the premier designers in the bridal industry, and her "hobby" has become a thriving enterprise that grossed more than $20 million last year. Her wedding gowns, ranging in price from $2,000 to $25,000, have been worn by the likes of Christine Baumgartner (wife of Kevin Costner) and the rock star Pink.

http://usaweekend.com/07_issues/070722/070722fashion.html

More ideas on buying a wedding gown

Here's a unique way to get married:""

Here's how it works: Regent guests looking to get married or renew their vows in port (or onboard, if they wish) can plan their ceremony directly with a wedding consultant. But what's interesting to us, and unique to the industry, is that pre-arranged wedding packages for Regent's guests do not exist! The bride- and groom-to-be, or couple renewing their vows, get to create their own day. The traditional wedding staples (the officiant, marriage certificate, wedding cake and Champagne) will be there — but you get to pick everything else, with your consultant's help.

So, think outside the box for a minute. If you could tie the knot or renew your vows any way you wanted, how would you do it? Some of Regent's suggestions include a kilted ceremony in an ancient Scottish castle (with bagpipers!), a hot air balloon ride over a tropical pineapple plantation and a sunset wedding in the South Pacific.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm"ID=2117

Go to complete wedding guide for wedding tips and advice.

Karen McMillen, owner of Coshocton's East of Chicago Pizza, enjoys being creative and cooking. On Friday, she combined both passions to make a wedding pizza.

The bottom pizza is adorned with flowers - made out of ham, pepperoni, peppers and black olives. The second pizza has a flower made out of tomatoes, black olives and peppers, while the third pizza has a ring of pepperoni around the edge. Once cooled, they will be topped with a bride and groom, just

http://zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article"AID=/20070721/NEWS01/707210318/1002

Also see wedding cake tips

Here's a money saving idea…

In a marriage of discount and dreams, a major retailer is trying to prove that a once-in-a-lifetime experience doesn't require a once-in-a-lifetime investment.

So here comes the bride . . . in a wedding gown from Target.

The gowns, sold through Target.com for less than $200, have appeared in recent weeks on Oprah and on the pages of Lucky and Glamour magazines. And they've caused a stir on fashion blogs, where their arrival has ignited a debate about whether there are any boundaries left when it comes to saving money.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/lifestyle/orl-cheapchic07jul19,0,3167940.story

Go to wedding gowns for tips on choosing a wedding gown.

There goes the wedding budget….""

Bridal dress designer Monique Lhuillier leapt into the wedding business on a whim. Having had a difficult time finding her own gown, Lhuillier, a 23-year-old newlywed at the time, decided to begin sketching her own line of dresses. Her husband figured it was little more than a hobby, one that she would tire of soon enough. "He thought I had the wedding blues and eventually I'd get over it," she says, chuckling warmly.

That was a decade ago, and Lhuillier (Lo-lee-ay) is still not over it. In fact, she's now regarded as one of the premier designers in the bridal industry, and her "hobby" has become a thriving enterprise that grossed more than $20 million last year. Her wedding gowns, ranging in price from $2,000 to $25,000, have been worn by the likes of Christine Baumgartner (wife of Kevin Costner) and the rock star Pink.

http://usaweekend.com/07_issues/070722/070722fashion.html

More ideas on buying a wedding gown

Here's a unique way to get married:""

Here's how it works: Regent guests looking to get married or renew their vows in port (or onboard, if they wish) can plan their ceremony directly with a wedding consultant. But what's interesting to us, and unique to the industry, is that pre-arranged wedding packages for Regent's guests do not exist! The bride- and groom-to-be, or couple renewing their vows, get to create their own day. The traditional wedding staples (the officiant, marriage certificate, wedding cake and Champagne) will be there — but you get to pick everything else, with your consultant's help.

So, think outside the box for a minute. If you could tie the knot or renew your vows any way you wanted, how would you do it? Some of Regent's suggestions include a kilted ceremony in an ancient Scottish castle (with bagpipers!), a hot air balloon ride over a tropical pineapple plantation and a sunset wedding in the South Pacific.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm"ID=2117

Go to complete wedding guide for wedding tips and advice.

Karen McMillen, owner of Coshocton's East of Chicago Pizza, enjoys being creative and cooking. On Friday, she combined both passions to make a wedding pizza.

The bottom pizza is adorned with flowers - made out of ham, pepperoni, peppers and black olives. The second pizza has a flower made out of tomatoes, black olives and peppers, while the third pizza has a ring of pepperoni around the edge. Once cooled, they will be topped with a bride and groom, just

http://zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article"AID=/20070721/NEWS01/707210318/1002

Also see wedding cake tips

Times are a changing, as they say.

At a recent engagement party, I turned to a 20-something guest and asked if the woman getting married was registered for china. She hesitated, clearly puzzled, "No, they're going on an Alaskan cruise for their honeymoon."

This cross-generational exchange shows how far behind I am on the changing trends in wedding gifts. Maeve Burke, a spokesperson for Canadian Tire, which launched a wedding registry service in 2004, is too polite to say that. But she will say that popular choices for wedding presents have really shifted in the past decade.

"Couples are more likely to request items that they can enjoy every day rather than the china set that comes out once a year," she says. "They're also asking for gifts that are related to a shared hobby, and might put bikes or a canoe on their list."

http://www.thestar.com/living/article/237548

See wedding registry for more information.

Here's a money saving idea…

In a marriage of discount and dreams, a major retailer is trying to prove that a once-in-a-lifetime experience doesn't require a once-in-a-lifetime investment.

So here comes the bride . . . in a wedding gown from Target.

The gowns, sold through Target.com for less than $200, have appeared in recent weeks on Oprah and on the pages of Lucky and Glamour magazines. And they've caused a stir on fashion blogs, where their arrival has ignited a debate about whether there are any boundaries left when it comes to saving money.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/lifestyle/orl-cheapchic07jul19,0,3167940.story

Go to wedding gowns for tips on choosing a wedding gown.

There goes the wedding budget….""

Bridal dress designer Monique Lhuillier leapt into the wedding business on a whim. Having had a difficult time finding her own gown, Lhuillier, a 23-year-old newlywed at the time, decided to begin sketching her own line of dresses. Her husband figured it was little more than a hobby, one that she would tire of soon enough. "He thought I had the wedding blues and eventually I'd get over it," she says, chuckling warmly.

That was a decade ago, and Lhuillier (Lo-lee-ay) is still not over it. In fact, she's now regarded as one of the premier designers in the bridal industry, and her "hobby" has become a thriving enterprise that grossed more than $20 million last year. Her wedding gowns, ranging in price from $2,000 to $25,000, have been worn by the likes of Christine Baumgartner (wife of Kevin Costner) and the rock star Pink.

http://usaweekend.com/07_issues/070722/070722fashion.html

More ideas on buying a wedding gown

Here's a unique way to get married:""

Here's how it works: Regent guests looking to get married or renew their vows in port (or onboard, if they wish) can plan their ceremony directly with a wedding consultant. But what's interesting to us, and unique to the industry, is that pre-arranged wedding packages for Regent's guests do not exist! The bride- and groom-to-be, or couple renewing their vows, get to create their own day. The traditional wedding staples (the officiant, marriage certificate, wedding cake and Champagne) will be there — but you get to pick everything else, with your consultant's help.

So, think outside the box for a minute. If you could tie the knot or renew your vows any way you wanted, how would you do it? Some of Regent's suggestions include a kilted ceremony in an ancient Scottish castle (with bagpipers!), a hot air balloon ride over a tropical pineapple plantation and a sunset wedding in the South Pacific.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm"ID=2117

Go to complete wedding guide for wedding tips and advice.

Karen McMillen, owner of Coshocton's East of Chicago Pizza, enjoys being creative and cooking. On Friday, she combined both passions to make a wedding pizza.

The bottom pizza is adorned with flowers - made out of ham, pepperoni, peppers and black olives. The second pizza has a flower made out of tomatoes, black olives and peppers, while the third pizza has a ring of pepperoni around the edge. Once cooled, they will be topped with a bride and groom, just

http://zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article"AID=/20070721/NEWS01/707210318/1002

Also see wedding cake tips

Times are a changing, as they say.

At a recent engagement party, I turned to a 20-something guest and asked if the woman getting married was registered for china. She hesitated, clearly puzzled, "No, they're going on an Alaskan cruise for their honeymoon."

This cross-generational exchange shows how far behind I am on the changing trends in wedding gifts. Maeve Burke, a spokesperson for Canadian Tire, which launched a wedding registry service in 2004, is too polite to say that. But she will say that popular choices for wedding presents have really shifted in the past decade.

"Couples are more likely to request items that they can enjoy every day rather than the china set that comes out once a year," she says. "They're also asking for gifts that are related to a shared hobby, and might put bikes or a canoe on their list."

http://www.thestar.com/living/article/237548

See wedding registry for more information.

Here's a money saving idea…

In a marriage of discount and dreams, a major retailer is trying to prove that a once-in-a-lifetime experience doesn't require a once-in-a-lifetime investment.

So here comes the bride . . . in a wedding gown from Target.

The gowns, sold through Target.com for less than $200, have appeared in recent weeks on Oprah and on the pages of Lucky and Glamour magazines. And they've caused a stir on fashion blogs, where their arrival has ignited a debate about whether there are any boundaries left when it comes to saving money.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/lifestyle/orl-cheapchic07jul19,0,3167940.story

Go to wedding gowns for tips on choosing a wedding gown.

There goes the wedding budget….""

Bridal dress designer Monique Lhuillier leapt into the wedding business on a whim. Having had a difficult time finding her own gown, Lhuillier, a 23-year-old newlywed at the time, decided to begin sketching her own line of dresses. Her husband figured it was little more than a hobby, one that she would tire of soon enough. "He thought I had the wedding blues and eventually I'd get over it," she says, chuckling warmly.

That was a decade ago, and Lhuillier (Lo-lee-ay) is still not over it. In fact, she's now regarded as one of the premier designers in the bridal industry, and her "hobby" has become a thriving enterprise that grossed more than $20 million last year. Her wedding gowns, ranging in price from $2,000 to $25,000, have been worn by the likes of Christine Baumgartner (wife of Kevin Costner) and the rock star Pink.

http://usaweekend.com/07_issues/070722/070722fashion.html

More ideas on buying a wedding gown

Here's a unique way to get married:""

Here's how it works: Regent guests looking to get married or renew their vows in port (or onboard, if they wish) can plan their ceremony directly with a wedding consultant. But what's interesting to us, and unique to the industry, is that pre-arranged wedding packages for Regent's guests do not exist! The bride- and groom-to-be, or couple renewing their vows, get to create their own day. The traditional wedding staples (the officiant, marriage certificate, wedding cake and Champagne) will be there — but you get to pick everything else, with your consultant's help.

So, think outside the box for a minute. If you could tie the knot or renew your vows any way you wanted, how would you do it? Some of Regent's suggestions include a kilted ceremony in an ancient Scottish castle (with bagpipers!), a hot air balloon ride over a tropical pineapple plantation and a sunset wedding in the South Pacific.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm"ID=2117

Go to complete wedding guide for wedding tips and advice.

Karen McMillen, owner of Coshocton's East of Chicago Pizza, enjoys being creative and cooking. On Friday, she combined both passions to make a wedding pizza.

The bottom pizza is adorned with flowers - made out of ham, pepperoni, peppers and black olives. The second pizza has a flower made out of tomatoes, black olives and peppers, while the third pizza has a ring of pepperoni around the edge. Once cooled, they will be topped with a bride and groom, just

http://zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article"AID=/20070721/NEWS01/707210318/1002

Also see wedding cake tips

Times are a changing, as they say.

At a recent engagement party, I turned to a 20-something guest and asked if the woman getting married was registered for china. She hesitated, clearly puzzled, "No, they're going on an Alaskan cruise for their honeymoon."

This cross-generational exchange shows how far behind I am on the changing trends in wedding gifts. Maeve Burke, a spokesperson for Canadian Tire, which launched a wedding registry service in 2004, is too polite to say that. But she will say that popular choices for wedding presents have really shifted in the past decade.

"Couples are more likely to request items that they can enjoy every day rather than the china set that comes out once a year," she says. "They're also asking for gifts that are related to a shared hobby, and might put bikes or a canoe on their list."

http://www.thestar.com/living/article/237548

See wedding registry for more information.

Impossible, you say, since a wedding cake is something the bride and groom and guests actually consume and therefore cannot be returned in exactly pristine condition.Think again. Love makes all things possible, apparently.

These days, a beautiful, towering wedding cake that is rolled out and put on display for guests to ooh and ahhh over might really be a fake cake made of foam and plastic and covered in fondant """ which is similar to frosting. After the bride and groom perform the ritual of cutting the cake "?" in some cases, a slice of real cake is hidden in a secret compartment """ the cake is rolled away.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070723-9999-1m23cake.html

More on wedding cakes

Interesting""tips""for wedding guests.""

Weddings are an occasion to dress up and have fun, so don't make the mistake of wearing the same outfit you'd put on for a board meeting or job interview.

Women who wear outfits that are sexy or otherwise revealing are making a mistake, Donaldson says. It's the bride and groom's day to shine, as well as their families', so it's distracting if you wear something too tight or revealing. "Some couples think it's an occasion to get a baby sitter and go out and party, but there's a place for tradition and decorum. As a guest, you don't want to be the spoiler."

http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article"AID=/20070722/FEATURES07/707220333/1016/FEATURES07

More wedding tips

Why am I not suprised.

Summer is the most popular season to get married and a wedding will likely""be the biggest expense a couple faces in their first year of marriage. According to a
newly released Visa survey of 1,000 cardholders, couples who got married in
the past ten years spent an average of $7,873 on their weddings.
""??"" Additionally, two-thirds of all respondents said they overspent on
their weddings. Specifically, men (16 percent) splurged on their honeymoons
while women (21 percent) spent too much on food, drinks and wedding cakes,
followed by their wedding dresses (11 percent). Where was money on the
wedding best spent? Respondents answered wedding photos and decorations,
with only 1 percent saying they overspent on those items.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl"ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-20-2007/0004629517&EDATE=

Go to My Complete Wedding Guide for advice on how to plan your wedding without overspending.

This trend is not suprising. Seems like "green" and "limits to growth" is a very lucrative industry.

Jessica Stasinos of Peabody has been planning weddings for five years. Her work involves spending an average of 100 hours with brides and grooms making sure all their nuptial needs are met.

This summer, she's facing a new challenge. Stasinos, who runs the Peabody event coordinator The Social Butterfly, is planning a vegan wedding. Every last detail of this wedding must be all-natural.

"No animal products can be used, which I think is kind of neat," she says. "It's been interesting. It's kind of tough to find vegan (products)."

Couples are taking their environmental concerns to the altar by planning "green" and vegan weddings. They choose Earth-friendly options for some or all aspects of their ceremony, reception and even the honeymoon. It's a trend that started in California, says Stasinos, and has moved east.

http://www.gloucestertimes.com/pulife/local_story_199093937

For help planning your wedding, you can go to the wedding planning guide site.

Here's some neat ideas. Read on…

Weddings are widely regarded as the most important day in the lives of the bride and groom, but some of those attending don"?"t treat it as such. Following some basic etiquette tips, however, will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable ceremony for everybody involved.

http://www.kxly.com/gmnw/"sect_rank=7""ion_id=565&story_id=12905

For more wedding planning help, go to wedding planning guide.

1. Muriel's Wedding
2. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
3. The Philadelphia Story
4. Four Weddings and a Funeral
5. Wedding Planner

Summer is the most popular season to get married and a wedding will likely be the biggest expense a couple faces in their first year of marriage. According to a newly released Visa survey of 1,000 cardholders, couples who got married in the past ten years spent an average of $7,873 on their weddings.

Additionally, two-thirds of all respondents said they overspent on their weddings. Specifically, men (16 percent) splurged on their honeymoons while women (21 percent) spent too much on food, drinks and wedding cakes, followed by their wedding dresses (11 percent). Where was money on the wedding best spent? Respondents answered wedding photos and decorations with only 1 percent saying they overspent on those items.

"Marital bliss can quickly turn to fiscal friction if couples don't sit down and talk about their financial values and priorities before tying the knot," said personal finance expert and best-selling author Jean Chatzky.

"Whether it is planning a wedding, sending a child off to college or thinking about retirement, marriage is full of critical and often unexpected financial decisions. One of the best ways couples can plan for them is to have a frank conversation about financial expectations and then
create a budget."

To help couples prepare financially for marriage, Visa is providing a comprehensive marital money management guide as part of its free, award-winning online financial education program, Practical Money Skills for Life. These tips help couples keep in mind important considerations before walking down the aisle, such as:

• Communicate openly about your current financial state to determine what you can and can't afford.
• Determine who will fulfill financial tasks, such as balancing the checkbook, paying the bills and tracking investments prior to your wedding.
• Once you're married, review your insurance coverage. Compare them to your spouse's to make sure they don't overlap — that usually means wasted money. Combine coverage where you can and you could save quite a bit of money.
• If you are changing your name as a result of your marriage, either a completely new last name or a hyphenated last name, notify the Social Security Administration immediately to ensure your retirement account is properly credited.
• Update your name on your driver's license as well because it is often used for identification.

Here's a money saving idea…

In a marriage of discount and dreams, a major retailer is trying to prove that a once-in-a-lifetime experience doesn't require a once-in-a-lifetime investment.

So here comes the bride . . . in a wedding gown from Target.

The gowns, sold through Target.com for less than $200, have appeared in recent weeks on Oprah and on the pages of Lucky and Glamour magazines. And they've caused a stir on fashion blogs, where their arrival has ignited a debate about whether there are any boundaries left when it comes to saving money.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/lifestyle/orl-cheapchic07jul19,0,3167940.story

Go to wedding gowns for tips on choosing a wedding gown.

There goes the wedding budget….""

Bridal dress designer Monique Lhuillier leapt into the wedding business on a whim. Having had a difficult time finding her own gown, Lhuillier, a 23-year-old newlywed at the time, decided to begin sketching her own line of dresses. Her husband figured it was little more than a hobby, one that she would tire of soon enough. "He thought I had the wedding blues and eventually I'd get over it," she says, chuckling warmly.

That was a decade ago, and Lhuillier (Lo-lee-ay) is still not over it. In fact, she's now regarded as one of the premier designers in the bridal industry, and her "hobby" has become a thriving enterprise that grossed more than $20 million last year. Her wedding gowns, ranging in price from $2,000 to $25,000, have been worn by the likes of Christine Baumgartner (wife of Kevin Costner) and the rock star Pink.

http://usaweekend.com/07_issues/070722/070722fashion.html

More ideas on buying a wedding gown

Here's a unique way to get married:""

Here's how it works: Regent guests looking to get married or renew their vows in port (or onboard, if they wish) can plan their ceremony directly with a wedding consultant. But what's interesting to us, and unique to the industry, is that pre-arranged wedding packages for Regent's guests do not exist! The bride- and groom-to-be, or couple renewing their vows, get to create their own day. The traditional wedding staples (the officiant, marriage certificate, wedding cake and Champagne) will be there — but you get to pick everything else, with your consultant's help.

So, think outside the box for a minute. If you could tie the knot or renew your vows any way you wanted, how would you do it? Some of Regent's suggestions include a kilted ceremony in an ancient Scottish castle (with bagpipers!), a hot air balloon ride over a tropical pineapple plantation and a sunset wedding in the South Pacific.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm"ID=2117

Go to complete wedding guide for wedding tips and advice.

Karen McMillen, owner of Coshocton's East of Chicago Pizza, enjoys being creative and cooking. On Friday, she combined both passions to make a wedding pizza.

The bottom pizza is adorned with flowers - made out of ham, pepperoni, peppers and black olives. The second pizza has a flower made out of tomatoes, black olives and peppers, while the third pizza has a ring of pepperoni around the edge. Once cooled, they will be topped with a bride and groom, just

http://zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article"AID=/20070721/NEWS01/707210318/1002

Also see wedding cake tips

Here's a money saving idea…

In a marriage of discount and dreams, a major retailer is trying to prove that a once-in-a-lifetime experience doesn't require a once-in-a-lifetime investment.

So here comes the bride . . . in a wedding gown from Target.

The gowns, sold through Target.com for less than $200, have appeared in recent weeks on Oprah and on the pages of Lucky and Glamour magazines. And they've caused a stir on fashion blogs, where their arrival has ignited a debate about whether there are any boundaries left when it comes to saving money.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/lifestyle/orl-cheapchic07jul19,0,3167940.story

Go to wedding gowns for tips on choosing a wedding gown.

There goes the wedding budget….""

Bridal dress designer Monique Lhuillier leapt into the wedding business on a whim. Having had a difficult time finding her own gown, Lhuillier, a 23-year-old newlywed at the time, decided to begin sketching her own line of dresses. Her husband figured it was little more than a hobby, one that she would tire of soon enough. "He thought I had the wedding blues and eventually I'd get over it," she says, chuckling warmly.

That was a decade ago, and Lhuillier (Lo-lee-ay) is still not over it. In fact, she's now regarded as one of the premier designers in the bridal industry, and her "hobby" has become a thriving enterprise that grossed more than $20 million last year. Her wedding gowns, ranging in price from $2,000 to $25,000, have been worn by the likes of Christine Baumgartner (wife of Kevin Costner) and the rock star Pink.

http://usaweekend.com/07_issues/070722/070722fashion.html

More ideas on buying a wedding gown

Here's a unique way to get married:""

Here's how it works: Regent guests looking to get married or renew their vows in port (or onboard, if they wish) can plan their ceremony directly with a wedding consultant. But what's interesting to us, and unique to the industry, is that pre-arranged wedding packages for Regent's guests do not exist! The bride- and groom-to-be, or couple renewing their vows, get to create their own day. The traditional wedding staples (the officiant, marriage certificate, wedding cake and Champagne) will be there — but you get to pick everything else, with your consultant's help.

So, think outside the box for a minute. If you could tie the knot or renew your vows any way you wanted, how would you do it? Some of Regent's suggestions include a kilted ceremony in an ancient Scottish castle (with bagpipers!), a hot air balloon ride over a tropical pineapple plantation and a sunset wedding in the South Pacific.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm"ID=2117

Go to complete wedding guide for wedding tips and advice.

Karen McMillen, owner of Coshocton's East of Chicago Pizza, enjoys being creative and cooking. On Friday, she combined both passions to make a wedding pizza.

The bottom pizza is adorned with flowers - made out of ham, pepperoni, peppers and black olives. The second pizza has a flower made out of tomatoes, black olives and peppers, while the third pizza has a ring of pepperoni around the edge. Once cooled, they will be topped with a bride and groom, just

http://zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article"AID=/20070721/NEWS01/707210318/1002

Also see wedding cake tips

Times are a changing, as they say.

At a recent engagement party, I turned to a 20-something guest and asked if the woman getting married was registered for china. She hesitated, clearly puzzled, "No, they're going on an Alaskan cruise for their honeymoon."

This cross-generational exchange shows how far behind I am on the changing trends in wedding gifts. Maeve Burke, a spokesperson for Canadian Tire, which launched a wedding registry service in 2004, is too polite to say that. But she will say that popular choices for wedding presents have really shifted in the past decade.

"Couples are more likely to request items that they can enjoy every day rather than the china set that comes out once a year," she says. "They're also asking for gifts that are related to a shared hobby, and might put bikes or a canoe on their list."

http://www.thestar.com/living/article/237548

See wedding registry for more information.

Impossible, you say, since a wedding cake is something the bride and groom and guests actually consume and therefore cannot be returned in exactly pristine condition.Think again. Love makes all things possible, apparently.

These days, a beautiful, towering wedding cake that is rolled out and put on display for guests to ooh and ahhh over might really be a fake cake made of foam and plastic and covered in fondant """ which is similar to frosting. After the bride and groom perform the ritual of cutting the cake "?" in some cases, a slice of real cake is hidden in a secret compartment """ the cake is rolled away.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070723-9999-1m23cake.html

More on wedding cakes

Interesting""tips""for wedding guests.""

Weddings are an occasion to dress up and have fun, so don't make the mistake of wearing the same outfit you'd put on for a board meeting or job interview.

Women who wear outfits that are sexy or otherwise revealing are making a mistake, Donaldson says. It's the bride and groom's day to shine, as well as their families', so it's distracting if you wear something too tight or revealing. "Some couples think it's an occasion to get a baby sitter and go out and party, but there's a place for tradition and decorum. As a guest, you don't want to be the spoiler."

http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article"AID=/20070722/FEATURES07/707220333/1016/FEATURES07

More wedding tips

Here's a money saving idea…

In a marriage of discount and dreams, a major retailer is trying to prove that a once-in-a-lifetime experience doesn't require a once-in-a-lifetime investment.

So here comes the bride . . . in a wedding gown from Target.

The gowns, sold through Target.com for less than $200, have appeared in recent weeks on Oprah and on the pages of Lucky and Glamour magazines. And they've caused a stir on fashion blogs, where their arrival has ignited a debate about whether there are any boundaries left when it comes to saving money.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/lifestyle/orl-cheapchic07jul19,0,3167940.story

Go to wedding gowns for tips on choosing a wedding gown.

There goes the wedding budget….""

Bridal dress designer Monique Lhuillier leapt into the wedding business on a whim. Having had a difficult time finding her own gown, Lhuillier, a 23-year-old newlywed at the time, decided to begin sketching her own line of dresses. Her husband figured it was little more than a hobby, one that she would tire of soon enough. "He thought I had the wedding blues and eventually I'd get over it," she says, chuckling warmly.

That was a decade ago, and Lhuillier (Lo-lee-ay) is still not over it. In fact, she's now regarded as one of the premier designers in the bridal industry, and her "hobby" has become a thriving enterprise that grossed more than $20 million last year. Her wedding gowns, ranging in price from $2,000 to $25,000, have been worn by the likes of Christine Baumgartner (wife of Kevin Costner) and the rock star Pink.

http://usaweekend.com/07_issues/070722/070722fashion.html

More ideas on buying a wedding gown

Here's a unique way to get married:""

Here's how it works: Regent guests looking to get married or renew their vows in port (or onboard, if they wish) can plan their ceremony directly with a wedding consultant. But what's interesting to us, and unique to the industry, is that pre-arranged wedding packages for Regent's guests do not exist! The bride- and groom-to-be, or couple renewing their vows, get to create their own day. The traditional wedding staples (the officiant, marriage certificate, wedding cake and Champagne) will be there — but you get to pick everything else, with your consultant's help.

So, think outside the box for a minute. If you could tie the knot or renew your vows any way you wanted, how would you do it? Some of Regent's suggestions include a kilted ceremony in an ancient Scottish castle (with bagpipers!), a hot air balloon ride over a tropical pineapple plantation and a sunset wedding in the South Pacific.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm"ID=2117

Go to complete wedding guide for wedding tips and advice.