Disclaimer: "Raspberry Mint" really has nothing to do with weddings.

Sometimes we bloggers find inspiration in the most unusual of places and today I've been inspired by the new flavor in Orbit's chewing gum..."Raspberry Mint." Buying this horrible flavor - mind you - was completely unintentional on my part; the packaging is the same color as the cinnamon flavor (which happens to be my favorite), I just wasn't paying attention. Anyway, ranting aside, I thought this would be a juicy seque into: "What's New in Weddings." 'Found some really great ideas in a past issue of Brides. Perhaps you'll find a burst of inspiration for your wedding so, here goes:

What's New In:

CAKES
--Cake jewelry toppers like rhinestone or crystal monograms
--Display cakes under mini tents or gazebos
--Have your favorite pattern transferred to your wedding cake-plaid, floral, polka dots, etc
BOUQUETS
--Natural, loose bouquets
--Wrap a vintage blue handkerchief around the stem for both your "Something Old" and "Something Blue"
--Jewelry within the bouquet
INVITATIONS
--Simple wedding programs enclosed in a monogrammed cover
--Thermography for a way to get the look of engraving for less
--Invitations in a modern typeface on a colored paper
MUSIC
--Salsa band during the cocktail hour
--MP3 player as your DJ
--Develop individual playlists for cocktail hour, dinner and dancing
FOOD & DRINK
--Add flair with flower garnish
--Miniature versions of food: mini burgers, fries, soups in a shot glass
--Personalized candies

Okay. So what's up with dogs wearing wigs? Seriously!

And I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade...oops! The rain may cause the little felines to have a well.."bad fur day"...hah! Then you'll really need to shell out more money from your wedding budget to buy the wig..at a mere $29.95.

My opinion, this is up there with Michael Vick's dog allegations...Where is PETA when you need them?

I'm all for pets and if you want your best buddy to be at your wedding...sure, go for it! But this is just a doggone shame if you ask me. The dog-hairpieces include coiffures modeled after Shirley Temple, Posh Spice, the Beatles, and even Donald Trump's famous comb-over.

The designer behind this nonsense was quoted in Newsweek as saying: "When I saw dogs in tiaras and opera clothes and workout clothes and jewelry being carried around in $7,000 alligator bags and Chanels, I said, 'Oh, why not a wig for a dog?'" I say; "Oh, why not find something better to do with your time?"

Of course she's getting some heat from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals who advise that the wigs could lead to allergic reactions, or even worse, they could getting tangled on something or the dog itself, causing injury. Her response...."I made sure that the ears would come out, that it would fit comfortably under and around the head, and that it would weigh as light as a feather."

Aww come on now, aren't we taking this just a little too far?

As a bride it's certainly your perogative what you do at your wedding. I can only hope if you plan on involving your furry friend that you don't buy into this money-making ridiculous adventure. I say let dogs be dogs!

And like Susan what's-her-name used to say in her weight loss commercials "STOP THE INSANITY!"

Heard the latest on the on-again, off-again wedding of Usher and his pregnant fiancee Tameka? Surely you've heard the name right? He's the famous singer who fired his famous manager mother because (this is what I hear) the prenup she drafted didn't settle well with Tameka? Apparently the mother doesn't like Usher's fiance for well...reasons you can google on your own time.

So did they:

A: Like Danny Devito; "Throw Mama From The Train?"

B:Reconciled their differences and lived happily ever after?

C:Neither A nor B.

Answer is: The couple eventually cancelled their much publicized wedding (on the day of) because of the stress of it all. This was about three weeks ago. Now according to the grapevine they carried out their nuptials quietly this past week.

And speaking of things not settling well...did you read about the Sowetan bride who lost her wedding ring in a hospital in 2005, only for it to be recovered two years later in the stomach of a patient whom she had shared room with? How unsettling is that? (Just thought I'd mention)

Runaway Bride?

Back to the prenup issue! Seems like a lot of people have taken lessons out of Paul McCartney's bitter divorce with Heather Mills and are securing their assets before marraige. For instance Grammy winner Shakira will only marry her fiance Antonio de la Rua in September providing he signs. My boyfriend and I recently talked about it and of course he would want me to sign on the dotted lines to say I'm not entitled to any of the wealth he accumulated before meeting me. I don't know his net worth mind you...but he's been a frugal fellow in real estate, so...will I sign? I honestly don't know and we'll cross that bridge eventually. I don't care for any of his wealth and feel that this is so unromantic. If he doesn't trust me then why should we even get married.

How about you? What has your experience been? Were you asked and if so, how did you feel about doing this?

Oh to be in love...nothing beats the feeling. And as a bride on the eve on her wedding I know you're still sitting pretty on cloud nine waiting to walk down the isle with the love of your life.

I'm wondering though did your husband-to-be have to pass through criteria screening? Did he meet all your standards and did you have to compromise on some?

Love comes in all shapes and sizes but some of us are sticklers for certain specifications. So the question is "What's the Look of Love?" Must it have a special age ? Must it walk a certain way, or else...?

There's a song you know with these very words (What's the Look of Love?) (Hint...hint) the clue is in the title...get it? And if you are saying; "whatever is she talking about?" then click here for your answer.

Chew on this

Let's say for instance you're not attracted to men who aren't blank (blank means anything, tall, short, etc.,) do you think love could pop its head in such a man...one who is indeed blank? And could you walk away from love if it did. Personally I think we all should have dealbreakers, afterall people come from different backgrounds with different intrinsic values. However where age is concerned I say to each his own. If it works why fix it? Look at Tomkat or even Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. I think they are in love don't you?

Well this food for thought became food for thought for America with the NBC series "Age of Love". The finale was last night and as the title suggests the show was about May-December romances and whether or not they work.

Recap: Handsome thirtysomething tennis star (Mark Phillippoussis) from Australia with a captivating smile might I add, chooses a potential mate from a group of 13 women ranging from the twenties to the forties. Two finalists Amanda and Megan battled to the bitter, heartbreaking end. One woman was 28 the other 48. The dashing Mark ended up choosing the 28 year-old, although he had strong feelings for the other. Could it have been the vast 18 year difference...he dismisses that notion...he loved her he said!

Somehow I'm inclined to think age was a big factor in his descision then again. "How can you fall in love or know someone in eight weeks?" (another juicy topic I might tackle soon)

In the meantime if you find love in this crazy world, and if it works for you...embrace it; hold on to it no matter what others may say.

You've taken the first step toward planning your wedding. Now it's time to practice the smaller steps that will take you and your husband smoothly across the dance floor.

I know how intimidating this could be especially if you find yourself sweating profusely, with clammy hands and feet when you are asked to dance. What with more than half the population suffering from a fear or two, you're in good company...plus when compared, "fear of dancing" is a pretty mild phobia and it's one of the easier ones to conquer.

Take Dance Lessons

After all there's no other way to learn unless you take lessons, right? Now you can do this one of two ways; take private lessons at a studio or buy an instructional video or DVD and learn in the comfort of your own home. Some couples may prefer learning at home because it affords more privacy and it's easier to learn at your own pace. Beginning your dance lessons early as opposed to when it's close to the wedding day, gives you enough time to learn the steps and become comfortable with the routine. Dancing should be a fluid succession of movements; relaxed, effortless and easy.

1. Play your first dance at the tempo that you practiced

2. Get great pictures and video (perhaps give a demonstration beforehand to show which moves are especially important to capture.)

A missed move here and there should be secondary to the fact that you're both having fun (plus if you practiced, practiced, practiced, it will all be a breeze.)

So You Think You Can Dance?

I think this song by Bobby Caldwell is the perfect segue for what I want to talk about; listen

It goes something like this...

Just thought I'd take a stab at this topic well...because it makes you wonder doesn't it?

Are you considering throwing conventions out to have a, let's say...unconventional wedding? How far would you go?

And is this your idea of fun?

How about this...for a spin on traditional weddings?

Five couples pledged their troths together on the 1,149-foot Stratosphere Tower just before being catapulted upward 160-feet at 45 our miles per hour.

Or how about Rebecca and Rome, bundled into formally enhanced wet suits, who plunged into a 6-foot deep tank outside a restaurant called Dive? Vows were spoken through snorkels. Visitors to the famous Las Vegas Strip were reported to be amazed.