Holy Cyber Wedding! If you've loved using computer technology to search for wedding photographers, your gown, caterers or your wedding favors, here's another spectacular way to use the Internet. There's a new trend out there for those of you with close family or friends who have to miss your wedding for whatever reason. You can have a "wedcast" sent live to family and friends around the world. Still in its infancy, only a handful of videographers and wedding venues offer the technology--mostly in Las Vegas or tropical locations like Hawaii. You just provide your cyber-guests with the information they need to call up the ceremony and they're there in an instant at no charge to them. After the wedding, you can send them a photo album from the wedding and the wedding reception. So how incredibly "21st Century" is this?

You can even bring more of your wedding to your cyber-guests by sending them wedding favors from your wedding. If you've had a beach wedding, why not send them a little beach in a bottle--sand, shells and a glint of sunshine. If you have a Vegas wedding, send them some lucky candles in the shape of card suits. If you'd like to know more about how wedcasts work, go to www.liveinternetweddings.com. You, too, can be World Wide Wed!

I was watching the TODAY Show this morning, and they interviewed a woman who just wrote a book on five ways to reduce stress. I instantly recognized that this was something every bride-to-be should know--so here I am.

First, take control of the way you respond to stress. Change your perception. Find the good in the bad. If the wedding singer backs out at the last minute, now Uncle Manny can have that shot in the spotlight he's always wanted. If your newly arrived wedding favors look cheap, get spectacular favors online at a Web site that offers rush shipping.

Remember fun and laughter. Very important! Weddings weren't created to destroy relationships and send the bride-to-be over the edge. No matter what happens before or during your wedding, you'll still be married (unless, of course, he gets cold feet and skips out. That's a valid reason to freak...) Take in a comedy at the movies, play tennis or Trivial Pursuit, buy fun bridesmaids gifts and give them out at an impromptu sleepover.

Learn to breathe. You'd think you already know how to do this, but our tendency--especially when we're stressed--is toward short, shallow breaths. When you feel the tension rising, step back and take in a long, steady breath through your nose. Hold it, and think about something pleasing, like the beautiful beach wedding favors you just purchased. Then let your breath out slowly through your mouth. Repeat until the honeymoon.

Take a mini-vacation. Treat yourself to weekend at a bed-and-breakfast in the mountains, a night at a luxury hotel or visit your friend in Phoenix. Don't even think about the wedding. It will all be waiting for you when you return. Keep laughing and breathing.

Finally, learn that it's OK to say "NO." Say "No" if you don't like the hors d'eouvres your Mom picked out for the reception. Say "No" if your future mother-in-law wants to add 20 more guests. (You may want to try compromising on that one.) Say "NO" if your future husband wants a monkey to be his best man. Say "No" to anything less than fabulous wedding favors. Breathe, say "no", take a break when you need to and have fun. Like the perfect wedding favor, your wedding--from beginning to end--should be beautiful and unforgettable.

This drought blows!

I love the fall. It's my hands-down favorite time of the year. The amazing colors, the cool, crisp air. It's our reward for enduring another broiling southern summer. Here it is the end of October, and we're just beginning to see and feel the autumn weather--sweatshirt weather! Last weekend was magnificent, and as much as I tried, I couldn't enjoy it because WE NEED RAIN. Our lakes are drying up, we have extreme water restrictions, and we feel guilty if a shower takes longer than five minutes. I've started thinking of days with heavy rain as the gorgeous days, but I still marvel at the changing of the leaves.

The drought is pretty scary. They're telling us we only have enough water to last less than three months--and I live in a pretty big city. I've been wondering what else they can restrict, water-wise, when it gets to that point. Showers every other day? Toilet flushing on odd or even days only? Mandatory bottled water for drinking?

Don't get me wrong! Compared to what the folks in southern California are dealing with, this is nothing. A water shortage doesn't put my home in jeopardy like those horrible fires. Come to think of it, I should really carpe diem and enjoy whatever weather comes my way.

It's actually a beautiful fall day today. When I finish this, I'm going to put on a sweatshirt, step out in my tree-laden backyard with a cup of hot cocoa and a book to soak up some literature, drink in this amazing weather and hope for rain. Until then, I'm Sue in the ATL, wishing you a an absolutely perfect day...whatever that means.

We're back at the Conde' Nast Bridal Media Dream House today. There's so much to see! Every room is a masterpiece, down to the smallest detail, which includes lots of Kate Aspen wedding favors. I might not have mentioned that the Dream House is a NYC townhouse. As you can well imagine, there aren't many single-family, detached homes in Manhattan. Central Park aside, there's not much in the way of landscaping when it comes to "townhousing" in the city. The house is at at 112 E. 73rd Street, and it's dedicated to all things bridal. Don't you wonder what they've done to bring a little greenery indoors? Yes, they've put a few plants around, and they've also spread around some lovely Kate Aspen wedding favors and bridal shower favors to give the home a kick in the details department. For instance, check out this gorgeous bedroom. One of Kate Aspen's gardent-themed wedding favors fits perfectly in here. It's the Calla Lily Sachet, and it will make those closets smell wonderfu! And you'll find a Calla Lily candle next to the bed for those romantic evenings at home. I'm sure you see a theme emerging here. By the way, you can find and purchase all these unique Kate Aspen wedding favors and wedding shower favors at myweddingfavors.com. Let's move into the kitchen, where you'll see a window at the end of the room. What an ideal place to put a window box!
Any newlywed townhouse dweller can bring some country into the city with the favors we find the the kitchen--they're heart-shaped plantables. Just plant them in the window box, give them plenty of sunshine and water and watch them bloom--just like your love. Inside the kitchen on the counter, you'll come upon one of the cutest favor designs ever! It's the "Two Peas in a Pod" Salt & Pepper Shakers. They're as cute on wedding reception tables as they are in your kitchen. You really must get to NYC and "C" all these wonderful things just made for brides. Until then, don't stop dreaming!

I LOVE NEW YORK! It's truly the most exciting city in the world to visit. If you're there sometime during the next four weeks--and if you're a bride-to-be--you'll want to check out the Conde' Nast Bridal Media Dream House at 112 E. 73rd Street. They've created the surroundings every bride would love to come home to after the honeymoon. It's all there--furniture, kitchen appliances and utensils from Cuisinart and The Pampered Chef, accessories from J.C. Penny Wedding Registry, and gorgeous wedding gowns from David's Bridal. They've even placed some amazing and unique Kate Aspen wedding favors, wedding shower favors and bridesmaids' gifts throughout the home,all of which can be found at myweddingfavors.com! When you walk into the kitchen, look for the "It's About Time!" Champagne Bucket Timer. Also in the kitchen you'll find the "Whisked Away" heart whisk favor, which is totally cute! Head into the dining room, where you might find lovely wedding gown candles decorating the tables.
Aaaah, the bedroom--after you've just returned home from your destination wedding and honeymoon. Look for some great wedding shower favors there, like the seashells gel candle and the Adirondack chair tea light and place card holder. One of Kate Aspen's airplane luggage tag favors might still be attached to the luggage in the bedroom. Be sure to check out the delighful "Sunny Daisy" bath confetti in the fabulous bathroom. By the way, along with all the magnificent decor in the home, you'll also get to meet a number of wedding experts while you're there, like Sasha Souza, a premiere event designer, and professional astrologers The Astro Twins! You can also meet hair stylist and beauty expert Mark Garrison, and perhaps in that incredible living room, you'll chat with Jo Ann Gregoli, a master bridal consultant! You know what else is in the living room? More Kate Aspen wedding favors and wedding shower favors, like the "Good Wishes" photo coasters, an elegant beaded frame, and near the bar you'll find a gorgeous heart bottle stopper. You'll probably notice that some of the favors' beautiful gift boxes are part of Kate Aspen's Personality Boxes exclusive wedding favor and wedding shower favor packaging. It's a one-of-a-kind concept that let's you choose your favor presentation based on your personality--anywhere from traditional to whimsical, Kate Aspen has you covered. And somewhere in the home, you'll come upon two super bridesmaids' gifts. One is the "Cosmopolitan" Monogrammed Cosmetic Travel Bag (how NYC!), and the other is the "Cosmopolitan" Monogrammed Manicure Set--two gifts your friends would love! This dream home is loaded with all kinds of goodies!If you live in New York, hop a subway to E. 73rd before November 15. Those of you outside of NYC should take a little trip to the Big Apple--it's worth it. If you can't make it to "the city" in the next month, at least check out the Dream House Web site at brides.com/promotions/dreamhouse. And don't forget, if you want to take a closer look at all the fantastic Kate Aspen favors (and more!) featured in the Dream House, go to myweddingfavors.com. You'll probably spend hours there dreaming of the possibilities. Oh, and check back here at the blog in the next few days. We'll have more from NYC's newest exhibit! Meanwhile, have a delightful day, and sweet dreams to you all!

We're taking another cyber-ride on my version of "www"--worldwide weddings--this time to Italy, which gave us two very popular wedding traditions!

I honeymooned in Italy, and it was "molto magnifico!' Not a big drinker at the time, I somehow managed to be tiddly all over Italy, because the grape is revered and wine flows like water, and I was there to celebrate! The ambience, the food, the history, the people--I was completely charmed, and I was getting my fill of pizza and gelato. On a day trip to an island off the coast near Venice, we saw a bride and groom and their wedding guests walking through the town to the church--an Italian wedding custom. They apparently have no problem with the groom seeing the bride just before the wedding. So romantic!

One of our favorite traditions--the engagement ring--was born in Italy. In 860 A.D., Pope Nicholas I proclaimed that not only was an engagement ring required to seal the agreement to be married, but that the engagement ring must be made of gold to signify that the groom was willing to make a financial sacrifice for his bride-to-be. The diamond was added 617 years later when King Maximillian gave Mary of Burgundy an engagement ring with a "girl's best friend". We've been best friends ever since!

It was also in Italy, the land of "amore", that gold wedding rings first became popular and the tradition of the wedding cake began when, in the first century B.C., a cake or bread was broken over the bride's head to insure fertility. Now the bride and groom just smear wedding cake on each other. Thank you, Title IX!

According to Italian folklore, an Italian groom might carry a piece of iron in his pocket to ward off evil spirits. The bride wears a veil to hide her face from jealous spirits, and tearing the veil is considered good luck. I have no idea why. I assume Italians consider Sunday marriages to be the luckiest because of its religious implications. Their symbolic foods for good luck and fertility are "confetti", which is Jordan almonds tied in mesh bags to toss at the couple, and twists of fried dough powdered with sugar called wanda (bow ties).

Ooooh, just imagine the wedding reception! Fresh Italian bread dipped in fine, Tuscan olive oil, antipastos, pastas, seafood, cannoli--Mamma Mia! That's It-aly for now! I'm off to lunch...

It's official. Pam has married again. No doubt the "How Long Will Pamela Anderson's Marriage Last?" office pools are in full swing--with some betting on days and months and others putting their money on hours and minutes. Supposedly, Pamela and Rick Salomon have known each other for 15 years and are "head over heels in love." I imagine that's only one of a number of positions already in their repertoire... Pamela Anderson should already be a familiar face (though her face isn't the part of her body she's known for.) She's been married to rocker Tommy Lee and rapper Kid Rock. I think her marriage to the Kid lasted less than six months. The latest notch on her bedpost is best known for his starring role with Paris Hilton in her notorious sex tape. Yes, Rick Salomon was a virtual unknown until he hooked up with the world's most famous "celebutante." So it took Pam and Paris' ex 15 years to figure out they were meant for each other, and they married in Las Vegas. (I think I'll opt for minutes and hours in our office pool.) Want to know what Paris Hilton gave them for a wedding present? A video camera. Want to know what she said in the card? She wrote, "Congrats, Mrs. Salomon, but beware. Love, Paris" So what does this mean? Is her new hubby going to tape their sexcapades, which will eventually wind up on the Internet? Big deal. Pam has been there, done that with husband #1, Tommy Lee. I guess no one gave her and Kid Rock a video camera when they got married. Too bad. But now, with Paris' thoughtful gift, we can look forward to a sequel to the Tommy Lee tape. I'll get the popcorn. You pull up YouTube...

We're off on another wedding adventure, this time to Thailand--another place I've never been but would love to go. Thailand is in southeast Asia and was previously known as Siam, which was made famous by the broadway musical "The King and I". "Thai" means freedom, and 95% of Thailand's citizens are Buddhists, so let's see how Buddhists bring two people in love together forever.
Before the ceremony, the couple getting married prepares food for the Buddhist monks who bless the bride and groom in return.
Thai couples keep it small--their guest list includes only relatives and close friends. At the ceremony, the bride and groom sits together on the floor, each with their hands pressed together and their fingers pointing up under their chins. Usually the couples hands are also linked by a chain of flowers. The oldest relative leads the wedding ceremony and to wish the couple luck, he dips their hands in a conch shell full of water. The parents and other guests then do the same.
I found this next Thai custom particularly interesting--in rural areas an elderly couple may arrange the bridal bed for the newlyweds and leave such tokens as rice, sesame seeds and coins to symbolize good luck and fertility. I can certainly understand why fertility gets a boost from this custom. Who can sleep with rice and sesame seeds all over the bed? And as long as you're newly wed and awake...

In an earlier entry I proudly described my wedding attire as a sheer, black, long-sleeved blouse, jeans and black kneeboots. I was incredibly comfortable at my very small (three people, including the happy couple) ceremony. Had I opted for a traditional wedding, I think I still would have gone for a non-white wedding gown. For starters, there's a long-standing tradition surrounding the white wedding gown--the whole pure, virginal thing. I'm sure most of us would agree that only a small fraction of today's brides would actually qualify for a white wedding gown if we were legally held to that standard. Beyond that, I think it would be dramatic and also fun to march down the aisle in lilac, or pale green or even red. Imagine the sensational look of your color-coordinated bridesmaids, too. Your wedding photos would be amazing. And wedding decor could coordinate with the color of your gown, which would make for smashing centerpieces on your tables, not to mention unique wedding favors for your guests. And no matter what color you wear, it doesn't make you any less married or destined to be happy forever if you don't wear white. You'd be the talk of the town, at least for a couple of days. They'd be talking about your fabulous wedding, how beautiful you looked--and your honesty.