Say 'I Do' to Donating to Charities

While we're on the topic of registries, here's another idea for putting together your wedding registry: donate to charities.  This is a trend that many couples are choosing to do either as an alternative or in addition to a traditional wedding registry. The I Do Foundation has the perfect website to help you get started.  You can create a registry of charities you would like your guests to donate to or you can create a registry with the foundation's partner stores to give to charities from the purchases your guests make for you.  This website also gives you the option to raise money for charities by using certain vendors to play your wedding.  You can also give a charity gift to the people in your wedding by giving them a charity gift card where you donate the the charity they choose.  Another idea is to donate to a charity rather than giving favors - place a favor card on your reception tables letting your guests know a donation has been made in their honor for attending your wedding.  Who says your wedding can't benefit anyone else?

Wedding Registry On The Go

As a bride-to-be, I know that putting together a registry can be one of the most fun activities you get to do.  But how much more fun would it be if you could add items to your registry on the go, as in right in the store when you happen upon that PERFECT pillow that you just know you have to have?  Well now you can!  GiftRegistry360.com has just introduced a new Scan & Add app for your iPhone. This app allows you to update and view your registry list, add items using your iPhone as a barcode scanner AND everything on your registries is kept updated in one place.  Seems like the perfect app for the bride on the go!

Wedding Flowers from A to Z

Flowers can be used for all sorts of things in weddings, not just bouquets and boutonnieres (although those are still very important!) You can use flowers to make reception table centerpieces, attach to chairs at the ceremony and a variety of of other decorations.  Not sure what you could do with flowers for your wedding? The Knot has you covered! Check out this article with hot wedding flower ideas, each represented by a letter of the alphabet making it easy and organized to navigate.  And good luck finding your perfect flower masterpieces!

Wedding Napkins to Spice Up a Reception Table

This article has great ideas for using napkins to make reception tables unique including printed napkins and napkin foldings.  Mix and match styles and colors to make your table as special as your big day.

Wine Stoppers as Wedding Favors

Looking for a unique wedding favor for your guests?  Check out the directions on the DIY Network for making these personalized wine stoppers.  The directions are simple and you can easily personalize them with the colors you choose for your ribbon, card stock and drawer pull.  A great favor for wine enthusiasts or those who just like a little decoration for their kitchen.

Wedding Day Hairstyles Without the Fuss

(photo courtesy of WeddingChannel)

Figuring out how to do your hair for your big day can become a stressful detail. Don't let it! If you have no idea how you want your hair styled, don't have time to go to the hairdresser right away to figure it out, or want to go in having at least an idea of your do, don't stress.  WeddingChannel.com has you covered! Check out this virtual wedding day hair makeover to help solve all your wedding day hair woes.  The website has you upload a picture of yourself (or you can use a model picture instead) then choose from hundreds of hairstyles.  You can even save the hairstyles into a makeover gallery to access later or share with family and friends. If nothing else, this site gives you a variety of hairstyles to look at from all angles to help you decide what you might want your hairdresser to try out on you!

Google Simplifies Wedding Planning

Google recently launched its new site Google for Weddings designed to simplify wedding planning. The new website allows couples to create a website with Google Sites, edit photos and create cards with Picnik, organize elements such as budgets and addresses with Google docs, and share online photo albums using Picasa Web Albums.  Google has broken the site into four sections: "Overview" (home page), "Sharing", "Plan", and "Memories," each section giving more links to the specific tools needed to make each aspect of a couple's wedding easy.

Dream Wedding on a Budget

(photo courtesy of Google images)

Budgets can be one of the most difficult and daunting things about a wedding.  So how can you have that dream wedding without breaking the bank? Check out this article from TheKnot.com on  30 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding for their top tips.

Time is of the Essence: Timelines as Stress Relievers

(photo courtesy of Google Images)

When planning a wedding, the first thing to do is create a timeline to prevent stress and have a plan to work with.  Check out this month-by-month planning calendar from TheKnot.com to get started!  With a checklist of all the details big and small to get done each month, this is a super helpful tool for any soon-to-be bride.