Blog Contest - Send in Your Wedding Ideas to Win an Early Honeymoon at the Taj Hotel

Do you have a great wedding idea or have you been to a recent wedding where a specific detail really made you say “wow.” Unveiled - the new wedding blog from Elegala.com - wants to hear from you. Send in your unique, buzzworthy, or downright crazy ideas and emerging trends in the world of weddings. They’ll feature the best entries right on the Unveiled Wedding Blog (with credit to you as the source, of course).

Best of all – winning entries are automatically entered to win a two night stay at the super luxe Taj Hotel in Boston’s fashionable Newbury Street, where you can escape all the pre-wedding insanity or cap off your honeymoon with a fabulous vacation!

You can visit the Unveiled Wedding Blog to send in your ideas and enter to win this bridal giveaway

Bridesmaid Gifts Idea- Rock Their World with a Diamond Pinkie Ring

Between unflattering dresses and Friday nights spent licking envelopes, bridesmaids have it tough. The best cure for the always-a-bridesmaid blues? A little bling of their own.

Embraced by celebrities like Oprah, Tyra Banks and Kirsten Dunst, the Ah Ring is a diamond pinkie ring featuring eleven small round cut diamonds fashioned in a 14-karat white gold band.

Read more about this bridesmaid gifts idea that celebrates their relationship status for a change at the Unveiled Wedding Blog

Party with a Rock Star!

It turns out chivari chairs and silk table linens aren’t the only upgrades for rent. Today’s hottest party accessory is the rentable rock star. You can now splurge on the living breathing version of stars such as Christina Aguilera, Joe Cocker, or Carrie Underwood to belt out your first dance song or headline the entire affair.

For those of us without a Hollywood in, Grabow Entertainment offers VIP access to some of the hottest acts in the music industry. They handle all the details, from contracting the event with the talent’s agent to managing onsite production.

Learn more about renting a celebrity for your wedding reception at the Unveiled Wedding Blog

Fall Wedding Ideas - How to Plan a Fall Wedding

Looking for autumn-spiration? These tips and ideas for fall theme weddings will get you started towards planning a wedding with a fall twist.

Prepare for Variable Weather - Fall weather can be unpredictable: what starts as a sunny warm morning can turn into a brisk chilly evening. Be prepared for both extremes. Have portable heaters available (if your wedding will take place outside), and dress the wedding party in layers.

Celebrate the Outdoor Splendor - The season seems to call for an outdoor, rustic setting affording prime leaf peeping views. Some ideas: parks, orchards, vineyards, farms, ranches, barns, mills, or the grounds of an historic inn or mansion. If an outdoor setting isn’t an option, find a venue boasting a clear view of the fall foliage or countryside.

Consider Your Guests - Fall means back to school, which also means Friday night football games and scores of other after-school activities - all which may affect the ability of some guests with kids to attend. Be sure to set your date and notify your guests as early as possible


If you're looking to tie together the days details with your fall theme, this article has tons of fall wedding ideas - including fall flowers, decor, favors, and menu ideas.

Eyelash Extensions - Newest Beauty Treatment for Brides

Batting an eye is an old standby in the arsenal of feminine wiles, but guys should beware - this invaluable tool just gained a convincing upgrade. Eyelash extensions are the newest health and beauty treatments for brides seeking to accessorize their wedding day look with extreme flutter power after Paris Hilton and Jennifer Lopez first sported the wide-eyed look on the red carpet.

Read more about Eyelash Extensions for Brides at the Unveiled Wedding Blog

Get Weekly Wedding Planning Tips Delivered to Your Inbox!

Ever wish for that clever, in-the-know best friend who always makes sure you're the first to get the latest? The Elegala.com weekly bridal newsletter is kind of like that, delivering the hottest wedding trends and tips right to your inbox.

The topics vary and pretty much cover anything and everything, so you're bound to receive something useful that pertains to your wedding. Last week, they sent me tips on choosing your wedding colors, and yesterday I received advice on planning a summer themed wedding.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, you can sign up here to receive weekly wedding planning tips.

Multicultural Wedding Invitations Add Color to White Weddings

If the American wedding industry had a theme song, it would probably be “White Wedding,” if you catch my drift. When did being a bride in the U.S. become synonymous with being pigmentally challenged? Tired of paying homage to the homogenous, some stationers are branching out with new lines of invitations and announcements that represent a more inclusive cross section of brides. Using all the colors in the Crayola crayon box, these multicultural wedding invitations feature rich jewel tones and illustrations of brides and bridesmaids from African American, Latino, Hispanic and Asian backgrounds. From an industry that banks on weddings as “expressions of individuality,” we think this makes too much sense. Now if only we can banish that bridezilla stereotype...

Get even more fresh and buzzworthy wedding ideas at the Unveiled Wedding Blog

8 Unique Ideas for Bridesmaid Gifts

They have done so much for you, not only as a part of your wedding party but also as a friend and confidant over the years. How to even begin to say thanks? Start by presenting your bridesmaids with heartfelt gifts to express your gratitude.

What to Spend -
Consider both your budget and the amount that each bridesmaid must spend to be in your wedding. In the end, it’s always the thought that counts, but giving movie passes may seem a tad ungrateful if your ‘maids had to shell out $600 each for those couture bridesmaid dresses you insisted upon. Get something that lets your attendants know how much you appreciate them. Generally, spending $50-$150 each is a good amount.

When to Give Bridesmaid Gifts -
You can present the gifts during any private moment with your ‘maids. Many brides give them during the bridesmaid’s luncheon or tea. You can also hand them out at the rehearsal dinner, when your closest friends and family are gathered together. Consider presenting them along with a toast, thanking them for their support and friendship over the years.

What to Give?
Stumped on a gift idea that all your 'maids will love? This bridesmaid gifts guide offers 8 unique gift ideas

Bridal Shower Games - 13 Ideas!

When it comes to bridal shower games, visions of “pin the tail on the groom” and “toilet paper wedding dress” usually come to mind (with a resounding groan!).

Relax, you’re not restricted to these traditional, albeit a tad cliché, bridal shower staples. There are tons of other bridal shower games ideas to please all types of crowds – from the sentimental, to the slightly scandalous, to everything in between.

This categorized list of top picks for bridal shower games to play will help you plan a fun shower for any style of crowd...

Etiquette and Thank You Notes

Yes, we all love to receive gifts, and weddings are a perfect occasion for gift-giving, as friends and loved ones customarily honor the commitment of the newly betrothed by showering them with wedding gifts. As the happy couple, just remember to always feel privileged - not entitled. Approach thank-yous with as much thought and organization as the rest of your wedding planning.

This article has some useful tips to ensure you get your etiquette and thank you notes right.

And if you're looking for even more help with your wedding thank yous, this complete guide has more advice and examples of thank you notes.

Create Your Wish List With This Wedding Registry Checklist

Let's face it, the last time you were encouraged to create a list of gifts you wished to receive was when you penned that letter to Santa circa 1987. Only now that your setting up your wedding gift regsitry, you need to fill your wish list with essentials needed to start your home, rather than, say, a Lite Brite.

Not quite sure what to register for? This complete wedding registry checklist spells it out for you. Print it and take it with when creating your regsitry to ensure a complete home just waiting to host your first dinner party

How to Plan a Green Wedding

Sure, green weddings may be all the rage, but you'll need to go the extra mile to make yours stand apart from the rest - you know, all those couples who decided to jump on the environmental band wagon and label their weddings "green," when in reality they don't know the first thing about planning an event that's kind to the environment.

That's where this article on planning a green wedding comes in. It offers advice that's actually useful, including specific tips and ideas for ensuring every aspect of your wedding is environmentally friendly - from the invitations, to the venue, to the cake, dress and favors.

Oh yeah, and rather than promoting the purchase of so-called "green" wedding items (which does little more than promote even more waste), the overarching theme of this green weddings article is to cut back and simplify, foregoing useless items alltogether.

Note: I've yet to find another wedding guide that has ever dared suggest a bride and groom do without a pricey add-on...

And if you're looking for specific tips on planning any style of wedding, their theme weddings guide has it all!

Custom 'Maid - Modern Alternatives to Bridesmaids Dresses

Picking one dress that a group of women of varying shapes will like is always a difficult task, but new online boutiques allow brides to create one-of-a-kind bridesmaid dresses.You can have as much or as little control as you like. This modern alternative ensures your 'maids feel fabulous while providing a cohesive look for the wedding party.

read more about custom bridesmaid dresses | digg story

Wedding Pictures and Stories = Bridal Eye Candy

There's something about whiling away the hours browsing at pictures from other successfully planned and executed weddings that becomes extremely addicting once a ring adorns your left finger. This gallery of real wedding day stories, ideas, and wedding pictures from brides across the country is sure to inspire you and provide hours of viewing pleasure (provided your boss doesn't catch you surfing the web!

Upcoming Bridal Event: The Wedding Salon - Monday Sept. 22, 2008 - Beverly Hills Hotel

Elegala.com invites you to Tie Up Your Loose Ends Before You Tie the Knot at The Wedding Salon; Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles, 4PM-9PM.

Discover spectacular table decor, couture gowns, honeymoons, photographers, invitations, favors and more.

Indulge in complimentary beauty services, martini bars, cake tastings, gift bags and a celebrity book signing.

As a gift from Elegala.com, brides will receive promotional tickets to this event.

$25 admits two with code: ElegalaLA08P ($50 value) when you get tickets at www.weddingsalon.com or call 212-631-7777

Wedding Party Attire Workbook helps Brides Plan and Manage Bridesmaids Dresses

No doubt about it - flattering dresses equal happy bridesmaids. But when it comes to cramming bridesmaids of varying sizes and shapes into the same dress, planning the wedding party attire is often a headache-inducing chore for a busy bride-to-be.

Thankfully, this handy workbook makes managing the bridesmaids dresses and other attire a breeze. Print this easy-access, take-anywhere cheat sheet to help you stay organized when planning your bridesmaids dresses and the guys tuxes.


Remember, the big day may be all about the bride and her big dress - but the rest of the party should look and feel great too.

Here is a direct link to the pdf worksheet: http://www.elegala.com/pdf/planning_workbook/my-wedding-party-attire-planner.pdf

How to Choose the Right Wedding Veil

Ah the veil… the ultimate accessory in the transformation from engaged girl to blushing bride. Though steeped in tradition as it is, unless required by your religion, a veil is strictly optional. Today wearing a veil is more of a style statement than a symbolic gesture. Thus, the ideal veil depends largely on the style of your wedding gown and the overall look you want to create.

This wedding veils guide has everything you need to know about this finishing touch to the bridal ensemble.

Best places to Honeymoon - By Destination or By Season

When it comes to planning your honeymoon travel, choosing an exact location can be as easy as saying “I Do.” Use this guide to determine the optimal weather conditions for your honeymoon - by month or by location.

Best Weather by Month
Planning on departing for your honeymoon immediately following your wedding? Use our Weather by Month guide below to determine which honeymoon destinations are most desirable during a given time of year…

Best Weather by Honeymoon Desination
Got a specific destination in mind, and wondering when the best time to visit that region may be? Use our Weather by Destination guide below to help steer you in the right direction…

How to Hire the Right Wedding Florist

Hold the baby’s breath and filler flowers; look no further than a skilled florist for sophisticated and stylish arrangements

Even if you plan to create and arrange your own wedding flowers, consulting with a florist first is still a good idea. A florist’s first-hand knowledge and years of experience can prove extremely useful, ensuring you don’t overlook small but important details and that your floral scheme matches your wedding style.

Don’t know the first thing about hiring a florist? Follow these steps in this article on finding and hiring wedding florists, and you will be sure to find the florist that suits you.

30 Essential Bridal Beauty Tips and Secrets

Few times in your life actually command all to rise from their seats to feast their eyes upon your beauty as you walk into view. For such an occasion, looking “good” just doesn’t cut it. You need to look once-in-a-lifetime fabulous. Feeling the pressure? Fortunately, the one thing you can control on your wedding day is your bridal look. While that fabled bridal glow won’t just miraculously arrive in time for the big day, some planning and prep work can ensure your most radiant self walks down that aisle.

These lesser-known bridal beauty tips and home remedies will help you acheive silky hair, glowing skin, sparkling teeth, and healthy nails in time for your wedding day.

This complete bridal health and beauty guide has even more tips and advice to help you look your best on your wedding day!