Consider It - A Co-Ed Bridal Shower

Contrary to popular belief, many men are interesting in attending and participating in the bridal shower thrown for most weddings. While many times bridal showers end up being awkward events for everyone (the division of the families, the bride having to be excited about the gift opening), a co-ed shower can ease some of the tensions that bridal showers might cause.

Co-ed showers are often referred to as a "Jack and Jill" party. People invited include friends and significant others or spouses, co-workers, family...but the main rule is to make sure to invite people that are invited to the wedding. It would be unfair to invite someone to the shower and not the wedding.

Many times couples will opt to have a "theme" party for their co-ed shower, depending on what type of gifts they need or want.

Co-ed Party Themes:

1. Camping Shower (gifts and favors are outdoorsy items)
2. Plug and Play Shower (electrial gifts-how fun! Think boombox cookies)
3. Honeymoon Shower (gifts the couple can use for travel and their honeymoon)
4. Green Shower (perfect for an environmentally aware couple. Possibilities are endless!)
5. At the Bar Shower (alcohol and night-life related. Great for a social couple)

It's ultimately up to the couple on deciding how many people to invite. After all, the shower could end up as big as the wedding if two people are in charge of the guests number.

The Ultimate in Fake Flowers

Aren't these faux flowers just delightful? These sweet, multi-colored roses are made of paper, so they will never die! Imagine them decorating your wedding venue-or even popping out of your table centerpieces. $3 for $6 roses at betsyb. (P.S., there is a PIF listing in this shop right now for some faux flowers!)

Raindrops

I saw these findings and new I had to make them into earrings! Aren't they sweet? Perfect for spring and summer brides! $16 and free shipping.

An Amazing Ring

Wow...check this out! This incredible engagement ring is from beyondtherockz.etsy.com. The band is 14k white gold, and the diamond is a beautiful 1/3 carat. $1400.

Most Expensive US Wedding Dress

It surprises me that the most expensive wedding dress in the United States was "only" $300,000. Sure, that is more money than most people will spend in their lifetime, but the most expensive wedding dress historically was about 40 million (that will be a post for later on).

The description of the dress sounded interesting enough, complete with hand-stitched diamonds, detachable ball gown, and a bodice that is supposed to resemble leaves. The description sounded great, but then I saw the photo. Do YOU like it?

Cake and More Cake

I'm not sure if it's because my birthday is today, but I have had some major thoughts about CAKE lately. Especially when I saw this great cake platter from whitneysmith.etsy.com! For $135 you can have this fantastic serving set. It reminds me of water lillies. The top and bottom are not attached, so you can use them seperately. This would be great with some matching cupcakes at an outdoor summer wedding.

Some other random stuff about wedding cakes - the average cost of a wedding cake in 2005 was $543. My wedding cake was nearly $400. It was one of the splurges of my wedding and cost almost as much as my dress and even more than our pictures.

The wedding cake actually dates back to the Roman Empire. One tradition involving the cake from this time was that the groom ate his part of the cake, then broke it over the bride's head. The reason? To establish dominance over his new bride. How not romantic. This disappeared due to being impractical as the size of cakes began to grow.

*A quick note* My internet access is finally getting better after some major computer issues. Mine should be fixed in the next month or so and for now I am using my husband's. All of my friends are getting married in the next three months, so I will be in FULL wedding mode!*

Sea Urchin Earrings - Perfect for a Beach or Summer Wedding!

I am so proud of these earrings! These are made with real sea urchins from the beaches of Turkey. They would be great for a summer or beach wedding, just perfect for the bride or perhaps a bridesmaid. This is the only pair available.$30 at relishdress.

Cute Cake Toppers

Forget the "funny" cake toppers that feature a bride strangling her groom, or the groom running away. You can find some pretty sweet and affordable cake toppers from many sellers on Etsy! Some of my favorites include this one from mosey:

Dear Dove Centerpiece - $20

These Rose Garden bird centerpieces are perfect for a spring wedding, coming to you from cottonbirddesigns:

Rose Garden Sweethearts - $95

And here's one taking the vintage route in a non-traditional manner: A simple deer from CollageCuriosities:

Deer Cake Topper - Vintage - $3