I will be taking a vacation of sorts…

I won’t have internet access from Sunday 6/22 (today) to Thursday 6/26.

But on Friday I’ll be back with more posts and useful wedding info!

From Left to Right, Top to Bottom:

Better Homes and Gardens Purple Flower Gallery – Better Homes & Gardens; Black & White Candy Favor Pillows – MyWeddingFavors.com; Melissa Sweet Robin’s Egg Blue Strapless Cocktail Dress – Melissa Sweet; Stuart Weitzman ‘Turn About’ Sandal (Pale Blue) – Bluefly.com; Monogram Purple Invitation – WeddingPaperDivas.com; Art Deco-style Black & CZ Earrings – PerfectDetails.com; Better Homes and Gardens Robin’s Egg Blue and Aubergine Bedroom Gallery Photo – Better Homes & Gardens; 3-tier White Buttercream Cake w/ Pale Blue Ribbon and Fresh Lavender Roses – TheKnot.com Gallery

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While putting this together, I wasn’t quite sure that it would work.  But now that the story’s complete, I love the combination.  The modern and subtly elegant color palette is one I would use for my wedding!  My favorite item–the earrings.  That’s a little bit of my personal style thrown in.  I don’t own these earrings, but I’d love to!

Luxe or Less?

Lazaro vs. Forever Yours

Left: Lazaro Gown LZ3761———-Right: Forever Yours/Fantasy Gown 48224

I love the idea of winning something for your wedding.  Here are two wedding-related contests. Enjoy and good luck to those who enter!

Modern Bride’s Bride of the Year Contest

They’re on the search for the 2008 Modern Bride ‘Bride of the Year’.  Details below and at Modern Bride/Brides website.

• Answer the question form and be creative!  They’re looking for the Modern bride, so show them exactly why you’re a modern woman—in daily life as well as your upcoming nuptials.
• Upload three (3) recent photos.  At least one full length photo.
• Enter by June 16th.  Only 5 more days to go!

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“Get Flashed” Photography Contest

This is a photo shoot opportunity for you and your fiancé.  Details at Wedding Wire.

The winner receives:

• Free “Get Flashed” photo shoot in one of the many cities the event is taking place.
• Images posted online with Pictage.com
• Use of up to 10 images for wedding purposes!
• Indianapolis date: Thursday, September 18th—Chicago date: Monday, October 3rd
• You MUST be available on the date of your chosen city to be a winner.

Luxe or Less?

Check out these two gowns! Like long lost identical twins…

Left: Kenneth Pool ‘Degas’ gown — Right: Forever Yours/Couture Now & Forever Style 48244

For those who love luxury, high quality fabrics, hand beading and the name Kenneth Pool, the dress on the left is a gorgeous dropped waist ballgown made of empress satin. The gown on the right, is pretty much an exact replica at a less expensive price point. The Forever Yours/Couture Now & Forever gown is made of matte satin and has the same ballgown silhouette. The details are even the same—the beading under the bust and at the dropped waist, and the crystal beading down the back of the train (not shown).

So if you’re looking for luxury and a designer name then the Kenneth Pool gown is all for you. And if you simply want the style without the cost, Forever Yours makes a wonderful replica.

What is a bridal show?

• A bridal show (or bridal convention or bridal expo) is an event in which you can find information on many, if not all, of your bridal needs.  They will include booths for wedding industry businesses such as, bridal boutiques, caterers, musicians/DJs and bakers.  There is usually an entrance fee, but an early registration usually gets you a discount.

Here are some tips for a productive and enjoyable visit to a bridal show:

• Do some research before you go. Find the bridal show’s website and look at the list of vendors.  Do internet searches of the one’s that interest you.  This way, when you see their booth and they have an excellent deal going on, you’re comfortable putting down a deposit for their services.

• Make sure to pre-register. You’ll often times get a discount on your admission and be eligible for door prizes.
• Bring a pen and notebook. There will be many opportunities to sign up for prizes, info, etc. and having your own pen makes the process that much faster.  Also, the pen and notebook will come in handy when jotting down vendors to remember or design ideas!
• Print out (or hand write) pre-addressed labels to stick onto contest entry and info cards. You won’t have to stop and fill out dozens of cards.  Just stick a label on and your done! Having the following information on the labels will save you time:  Bride’s name, Groom’s Name, current address, telephone #s, Wedding Date and email address. Make sure to have the wedding date on the labels because some vendors will send special offers that correspond with your wedding date.
• Start a new e-mail address and use that on all info cards (use it on the labels too). You’ll be receiving a lot of offers and newsletters via e-mail and they can tend to clutter your inbox.  The new email will be for all your bridal mail and keep your personal inbox clutter-free!
• Bring a tote bag or large purse. It’ll be sturdier than any of the plastic bags you’ll receive from the show.  Make sure it’s large enough to hold booklets slightly larger than a standard letter-size sheet of paper.
• Don’t forget your checkbook. If you find a vendor that has an amazing deal on their services, you’ll be ready to put down a deposit.  However, make sure you’ve done the first item on this list—RESEARCH!!  You don’t want to have a horror story of a sketchy vendor, or even worse a deposit “gone missing’!!
• Collect information that is of interest for reading at a later date. This way, you’ll get all the information you want, but don’t have to spend all of your time trying to remember it all.  Also, jotting down the exciting or key vendors will help you know which pamphlets and booklets to pay the most attention to.
• ASK QUESTIONS! That’s what this event is for—gathering information.  If you don’t ask questions you might not get the information you need.  So don’t be shy!  Your research will help you formulate some questions so you’ll be prepared.
• Bring a friend or your fiance. If your significant other just won’t go with you, don’t worry. Get some idea about what they would like and then go with your mother, best friend, MOH (maid of honor).  The second opinion of someone who knows you and your S.O. will be beneficial for those tough decisions.
• Be prepared to stay for 2-5 hours. The smaller shows will take about 2 hours to get really good information and visit all vendors.  Add more time if you plan on staying for a fashion show or demonstration.  If it’s a larger show/expo, give yourself the entire afternoon.  A show with 100+ vendors plus fashion shows and demos could take 4-5 hours.  But don’t worry about it seeming like a long time.  You’ll be having fun!
• WEAR COMFY SHOES and bring a water bottle. You’ll need the shoes to walk around large convention centers and halls.  And the water bottle will keep you hydrated and give you something to drink after all the tasty cake and food samples!

I hope those tips help you!  It might seem like a lot, but they are all suggestions that will help you make the most of the day and avoid common frustrations.

Local Bridal Shows (Indianapolis and Cincinnati)

Perfect Wedding Guide Fall Show

September 28th, 2008 ~~~ 11am-4pm

Scottish Rite Cathedral

650 N. Meridian Street, 46202

$10 at the door, $9 pre-registration

For Website Info, click here

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Indy’s Best Bridal Show 2008

October 26th, 2008 ~~~ 12 noon-4pm

Indy Hilton North – Crown Room

8181 N. Shadeland Avenue, 46250

For Website Info, click here

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BridalRama, Cincinnati, OH

July 27th, 2008 ~~~ 11am-5pm

Cincinnati Convention Center

525 Elm Street, Cincinnati OH 45202

(about 1.5 hours from Indianapolis; 113 miles from Downtown Indy)

$10 admission

For Website Info, click here

Top to Bottom, Left to Right:
Tea Length Maids Dress (Style #2001) – Dessy; Oriental Poppies – Beautiful Blooms.com; Floating Tealight w/ Oranges and Cranberries Centerpiece; Ivory Favor Box w/ Orange Daisy; Christian Louboutin ‘Hernalux’ Jeweled Buckle Sandal – Bluefly.com; ‘Red Velvet’ Invite by Something Different – weddingneeds.com; Hayden-Harnett ‘Amalia’ Clutch – Bluefly.com; Faux Garnet Briolette Drop Earrings – emitations.com; Square Mosaic ‘Formica’ 4-tier cake – frostedart.com; Orange/Ivory Table Décor – Social Event Design

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I love the ’splurge’ item on this board–the Christian Louboutin stilettos. Not only are the shoes sexy and white, but they have the signature red sole which ties in nicely with the color scheme. And it’s your little secret…:-)

Tomorrow will be the first official day of the I Do Indy! blog.  You’ll get a few posts and the beginnings of the Indianapolis listings!

Any suggestions?  Send them my way: idoindy@gmail.com

Whether you’re expecting that ring any day now, in the midst of planning a wedding, a happy newlywed or simply addicted to all things “wedding” this blog is for you! It’s meant to act as your map to the WWW—wide world of weddings—by providing local vendor listings and reviews, as well as helpful general planning info.

Enjoy!!