Selecting attendants is one of the earliest planning decision you will make. Fill your wedding with your favorite people, food, music and flowers. It is a day for sharing love, happiness, and a new commitment to your new partner. Brides are now becoming more creative in the ways they ask their bridesmaids and groomsmen. As wedding season approaches, guests are not only attending several weddings – they are asked to be in several. This means they have to consider the costs of buying a dress/tux, planning parties, and attending multiple wedding functions. Surprise your bridal party by asking them in a creative and unique way.Make them feel special by creating a gift box or include hand written personal notes along with some wedding jewelry.

Whether you are looking to slim down or tighten up, this guide will allow you to make small changes to your everyday lifestyle that will result in some major self confidence on your wedding day! Since I am not a certified nutritionist, dietitian, or personal trainer this is not a diet or grueling exercise plan. I have compiled some tips and tricks that I have come across to getting started, finding the motivation when you need it, and maintaining this lifestyle after your wedding.

1. The first step is getting everyone on board with you! This includes your new fiancé, wedding party, friends and family. Let them know you are committed to a new lifestyle and need support keeping on track. It would be a great idea to get everyone involved so they too will look their best!

The wearing of the veils is one of the oldest bridal traditions in the book. The bridal veil has a history that dates back as far as love runs deep. The veils has always been so strongly associated with the wedding dress that the majority of brides say would never walk down the aisle without one.

In the earliest of times, historians could trace back the veil to Roman Empire. Brides wore a traditional special cloth around their face. They were meant to frighten away any evil spirits who might kidnap the bride before the big day. In a biblical sense, the veil was used to trick Jacob into marrying plain Leah instead of her sister, Rachel. With time, the veil came to mean the assurance of the husband to his family of the bride’s virtue and purity. When the veil was lifted, this signified that the groom was taking possession of his wife when first seeing her face. This was also known as revealing the bride to the groom’s family.

The wedding ceremony is only one part of the marriage process. The marriage license, papers authorizing a legal marriage, must be filed and filled out to make the bondage legal in the eyes of the government. For Cincinnati couples, Hamilton County Probate Court is the place to be.

“Our purpose is to issue Marriage Licenses to Hamilton County residents who wish to marry in Ohio” (Hamilton County Probate Court.2012). Not only will your marriage be deemed as legitimate, but it will also be kept in the records of Hamilton County.

The big day is looming ahead, and you are stressed to no end. From booking venues and photographers, to picking colors and bridesmaid’s dresses, your days are booked solid. Here are some easy and relaxing tips that will help you unwind and feel more at ease.

Take a Time Out - Yes, we know time out’s were usually reserved for bad behavior in grade school, but think of this as a time to breathe. Take a weekend or two off throughout the planning and do something for you. Activities like reading a book, taking a walk, scrapbooking, and listening to some great music are all great ways to take your mind away.

With the 2012 summer wedding season coming up fast, it’s no wonder many happy couples are trying something new and taking advantage of some of the hottest wedding trends of 2012.

Long Sleeves and Lace: You may think long sleeves and lace on a wedding dress is more circa 1927 than 2012, but this old school look is making a comeback. As people take a royal cue from Princess Kate, sheer backs, illusion sleeves, and lots of lace are making a statement down the aisle.

Charming Bouquet: Fairy tales are often inspiration for dream weddings. Why not add some fairy tale magic to your wedding in the form of your bouquet? A new trend for brides is opting for a woodsy feeling to tell the tale of love. Soft, perfectly pretty bouquets filled with peonies, dahlias, cabbage roses, and the occasional feather are sure to show off your fairy tale dreams.

A centerpiece for most weddings is the traditional cake. Used for eating, smashing, and gazing, the cake is the king of the reception. Trends come and trends go, but here are some trends that will keep you in the know.

Lace Cakes: Lace has made the biggest splash on the fashion front, so it’s natural this

Black is Back: Black is the classic cousin to lace that has never quite left the fashion circuit. Black is simple, slimming, and elegant yet edgy. It’s definitely not a traditional color for a wedding cake, but it is new and exciting.light and classic look is making its way onto cakes as well. Showing your baker the lace pattern on your dress, or any piece of lace you love, and let their ideas take you away.

Your time of unity with your significant other is coming closer and closer by the day and soon it will be time to celebrate the end of your single years. You know you don’t want a run of the mill bachelorette party, but you fear this will limit your choice. Think again! Here is your guide to a great gals night out.

The Adventurous Bride: If risk is your game and adrenaline is your sugar high, try a bachelorette party at a casino or a racetrack. Many of these venues have nice restaurants, shows, and even rooms you can book out for the night. A bonus to this alternative party is that some make out with enough money to pay for bridesmaid dresses, or even just a wedding present.

This week we are rounding out our series on The Ultimate Guide to a FUN Bridal Shower and talking about decorations! This post is ALL ABOUT bringing you easy, affordable, outside of the box ideas to help you plan your next bridal shower and become the hostess with the mostess!

Centerpieces can help set the stage and bring your tables to life! Make your centerpieces MASTERPIECES with these wedding cake candles like the one pictured above. Simply DARLING! Displaying them in bunches can really add to the effect!  Easy and affordable, check out these ideas below for another alternative! Gathering up vintage cans and filling them with an array of flowers or simply placing a nice color combination of candles can add a unique touch.

UM plain and simple……who does not LOVE to eat good food at a bridal shower? More importantly, serve food that is interesting and fun?! This week we are getting our foodie on at Bride and Groom and are sharing some entertaining menu options WE LOVE for bridal showers. Food creates a sense of occasion and gives everyone something to do while they’re meeting new people, chatting with old friends, and sizing up the in-laws. Check out our easy, tasty suggestions and get cooking good looking! 

Picking out bridal shower invitations can be a daunting task. What colors, what theme, should it match the main wedding theme? AND Yes…..some may toss the invite directly into the trash after they have placed the event info on their calendar. ALTHOUGH….. if you are anything like me, a good invitation makes my heart flutter!

A well designed card can express the simple gesture of a warm welcome & inviting hospitality.  This joyful gift in the mailbox of your friendship and strong connection of family can make all the difference if you have taken the time to make it special! Give forth effort on sending out an invitation that is not only inviting, but represents the bride and the groom.

Tired of the same favor ideas? Searching for something new and trendy to thank your guests for coming? Trying to mix it up and gather new ideas on your own can be exhausting? We are diving in and bringing you the latest and greatest favors as bridal shower bliss continues here at B&G Planner. Keep in mind…….many of these ideas could also be used as bridal favors at the wedding, WHAT FUN! If you have the honors of throwing a bridal shower that you are hoping to make as memorable as possible……we have some great suggestions that will keep your guests smiling all the way home!

First up……personalized cookies (pictured above right) YUMMO! They could be placed in clear bags with a ribbon or in a matching box with a personalized sticker! You could even take a class and decorate them up yourself! Check out Diane’s Cake, Candy & Cookie Supplies located on Harrison Avenue for all of your cookie and cake decorating needs!

We have caught a serious case of bridal shower fever over here at B&GP! Join us as we kick off a new series and bring you fresh ideas, the latest and greatest shower gifts and cool venue picks for your next bridal shin dig. Our number one goal……placing the fun back into wedding showers!

Choosing a theme can seem overwhelming with so many directions to choose from. The latest trend…..couple showers! Throw out that “no girl” rule and keeping it casual. Throwing a backyard shower is a perfect opportunity to invite the guys! Serving comfort food by a cozy bonfire with fireflies abound, allowing springtime to set the tone makes for a perfect night.