When you and your boyfriend are trying to come up with a fun date idea here is a suggestion that won’t take long and will be a fun start to the night.

Head to the closest Target, Walmart, Meijer or even Macy’s.  The more upscale the store, the more of a challenge you will have staying within your budget.  Give each other a $10 limit to spend and a 25 – 30 minute time frame.  Split up and spend time shopping for a small gift for the other person.  You will be surprised with a small budget how creative you can get with a gift, and who doesn’t love getting gifts:).  My boyfriend and I have done this and end up laughing so hard sometimes at what we end up with!  You can create rules around the gift such as it has to begin with a certain letter or be in the others favorite color-  or you can just let loose in the store and see what the other person ends up with.

Many guys have the same first reaction ‘I hate shopping, what kind of fun date is that’?  My two responses to that are 1. You will love the smile on your girlfriends/wife’s face when you bring her back even the smallest of gift and 2. This isn’t just shopping, this is shopping with a mission!  You have one goal to accomplish and it is to find something that will surprise, excite and make your girl smile!

One suggestion is set the rule that the $10 gift has to be something that you ‘can do together for the evening’.  You would be surprised how many things under $10 you can find at Target.. I wont leave you with any hints but you can go in many directions with this

What are other budget dates you and yours have been on?!

Onewed is so excited about Leap Year – In theaters on January 8, 2010, featuring the lovable Amy Adams  - that they are giving away 50 guest passes (each good for you and a friend) to the downtown Chicago screening on Tuesday, January 5th at 7 p.m.!

If you’re in Chicago and want to join myself and OneWed at the movies, just make sure you’re registered on OneWed and leave a comment on their blog(before January 4th at 3 p.m.) answering this question:

Is four years too long to wait to get engaged? Did you have a deadline for getting engaged?

Even if you aren’t from Chicago, I’m sure they would still love to hear your thoughts! While you’re thinking, enjoy the preview!

Disclosure: These sweet passes were donated by Universal. Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. One pass per person. One entry per email address.
Each pass admits two. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Employees of all promotional partners and their agencies are not eligible. Entries must be received by January 4th.

Over the past few weeks I have been running every which way… piling up my schedule with more than I originally planned.  Thank you for your patience  Bubbly Bride will be back on schedule with exciting new additions soon to come in 2010!!

Source: Bellafotografica

Start your night of celebration with not only shots of tequila, but start with shots of pea soup and chicken tortilla! (Don’t overdo they might have to cut you off early in the night!)

Everything at weddings is going mini and more creative.  Now, a traditional soup course which you sit and spend time eating can be passed around as starters for their guests to sip and enjoy!  The options are endless and presentation always so creative – I love seeing these at weddings.

Whether the soup is hot or cold – find one that fits your season and style.

Start the celebration with these Soup Shooters…What type of soup are you planning to serve?!

What clutch or purse is going to carry you through your day.  Do you have a lot of baggage to carry with you? Do you need a large satchel or do you just need a hankie, lip gloss and a mint?

Do you want your clutch to stand out and make your guests heads turn… or are you looking for a simple and elegant clutch to blend into your attire?  Which clutch do you prefer?!

The Classic Clutch.

The Classic clutch with a twist

A traffic stopping clutch – full of color and attitude!

Clutches that coordinate with your bridesmaids. These move away from just adding color and add a fun design to the day!

Source: A03 Designs, Milanoo, Alta Moda Bride, Via Bella

The  ’Something Blue’ tradition started to represent  the couple’s fidelity to each other on the wedding day.  Some brides have trouble finding their something blue, hopefully this will help start your creative juices thinking of where you can incorporate this fun color.

If you don’t want to make a big statement with your Something Blue and keep it more low key, I suggest trying blue toenail polish when you get your pedicure.  It will be much more subtle than bright blue shoes!

Other Blue ideas are:

• Blue flowers in your bouquet, such as hydrangeas
• Lingerie with touches of blue
• A dramatic blue-red lipstick
• Tiny blue details, such as flowers, scattered on a long veil
• A delicate pale blue barrette
• A beautiful blue Austrian crystal
• A blues band at your reception
• A silk, midnight blue wedding gown (who says it has to be white?)

Source: Hy Studio, Julianne Smith Garters, April Ohare Photography

Photo from my I Phone from the wedding this weekend… Beautiful Winter Wedding!

Borrowing something on your wedding day expresses a love and honor to that person that you borrow the item from.  It is saying not only do I want you to walk me down the aisle or stand by me but I want you as close to my heart as possible when I am marrying the man I have chosen.

Finding your ‘Something Borrowed’ usually involves someone close to you in your family or a best friend whom you highly respect.  I tend to see a lot of borrowing jewelery – bracelets, earrings and necklaces.  If you need some alternate ideas keep reading and let me know what your ’something borrowed’ will be:

Whoever you ask will be honored to help you out with this. The real question is what do you want to borrow…and from whom!?  Another traditional idea is borrowing a gown from your mother or grandmother.  Recently as styles have changed I have seen brides (with the go-ahead from the owner of the dress) use an old dress from a family member and take it to a seamstress to redesign it to either a different neckline or style that fits their personality more.

Other options for your ‘Something Borrowed’ are:

• Mom’s pearl necklace
• The earrings your grandmother wore at her wedding
• A bridal clutch for you to keep your belongings in throughout the day
• A veil or headpiece
• Your sister’s or best friend’s wedding shoes
• Your parents’ (or a close friend’s) home for the wedding or reception
• Your grandfather’s Bible or book of poetry, have it in the front of the church as a special reading

Source: Wedding Channel, Roël Photography, Fresh Photography

• Your wedding gown
• A veil
• Wedding lingerie for your first night married
• A brand new set of makeup or special makeup/eyeshadow
• A tiara or brooch to put in your hair
• New nail polish color
• An engraved garter

Jewelry: a bracelet, earrings or a classic pearl necklace

New colorful shoes to stand out or white to match your dress

Wearing a new item on your wedding day represents your new and exciting marriage with your husband and your new family together!  What did you wear as your ‘Something New’ on your big day?

Wearing Something Old on your wedding day is choosing to honor your relationships with your family after you enter into your marriage, and begin your own family.

In the busy schedule of planning a wedding you are still expected to put together pieces that represent  the traditional rhyme, something old – new – borrowed and blue.  If you are lucky your something old can be wearing your mothers wedding dress or a vintage jewelery piece that your grandmother left you.  If you are left without either of these here are a couple of ideas that may help lead you in the right direction:

• The veil your mother or grandmother wore in her wedding
• A vintage purse
• Vintage buttons on your wedding dress
• A favorite lipstick color that is your trademark color
• A perfume scent that you have been wearing for years

Antique or heirloom earrings or bracelet

A vintage engagement ring or wedding band

Antique lace tied around your bouquet

What did you keep with you for your ‘Something Old’?!

Source: Evrim Icoz Photography, La Vie Photography, Wedding Channel, Fashionista