Finally my A to Z Wedding Series is complete! I had so much fun writing them all,and hearing your comments on each one!! Thank you so much for the feedback, it made the series more interesting!!

A :: Apple Green

B :: Blusher

C :: Chinese Parasol

D :: Dogs

E :: Engagement Pictures

F :: Fruit

G :: Guestbook

H :: Help

I :: Ice Cream Bar

J :: Jumping

K :: Kids

L :: Lace

M :: Mini Dress

N :: Napkins

O :: Oh No!  When Things Don’t Go As Planned

P :: Polka Dots

Q :: Quirky

R :: Rain

S :: Sparklers

T :: Trash the Dress

U :: Urban Chic Wedding

V :: Vintage Wedding

W :: Wine Themed Weddings

X :: X-ercise

Y :: Yellow Weddings

Z :: Zebra Theme Wedding

Which posts were your favorites?!

An easy detail to introduce this pattern with is your shoes!  Something that is mostly hidden, but when it peeks through, your personality will shine with your fabulous choice of shoes!!

Introduce the pattern from the beginning with your invitations.  Don’t be afraid to have fun with it, adding colors such as red seen below!

Table decorations can be as simple as zebra escort cards…

Or as elaborate as full zebra linens and fun centerpieces to enhance the experience…

Add this pattern to other small details in order to help your guests see your wild side while maintaining a level of elegance throughout the wedding.

I have changed my way of thinking when it comes to animal prints being used in weddings!  I want to hear what you all think about this theme … Is it appropriate at a wedding?

Sources: Epherera Blog, 888 Bridal, Paperlicious, Hostess Blog, Le Cupcake, Pink Cake Box

These bouquets tie in with the black using ribbons around the stems and small black roses throughout the bouquet.  The black allows the yellow to stand out, not overwhelming it but adding to it.

These cakes from Josefs Vienna Bakery are yummy examples of a modern black and yellow and a softer pastel and pearls wedding cake.

All of these J. Crew dresses offer a different style but the same happy shade of yellow.  Let your bridesmaids choose a style that they feel comfortable in, while keeping the material consistent.  My favorite is the last dress shown that has a yellow and grey pattern.  I think this year we will see a lot more brides breaking the norm, and choosing dresses that have patterns for their bridal party.  Another idea would be to let your maid of honor sport the pattern dress while your bridesmaids wear the solids, allowing another way for your maid of honor to stand out!!

One detail that is not always seen by your guests, but makes your pictures look fantastic is when you are able to find fun colored shoes to help complete your style.  Either of these shoes would look fantastic under your dress.  If your bridesmaids are wearing black cocktail dresses, consider having them wear yellow pumps to add a pop of color.

Yellow weddings are über trendy right now!  You will find a lot of inspiration boards for yellow and grey which look fabulous together and are hot colors for 2009.  So many combinations can be put together with this cheerful color! It will brighten your event and hopefully bring sunshine to your wedding day

Source: Charmingly Chic, Next Exit, J. Crew, Smart Bride Blog, Josef’s Vienna Bakery

Since I am encouraging you to keep eating a regular diet, and I am guessing, like most brides, you still want to possibly lose a few pounds, I am highly recommending exercise!!  Trust me, I know most of you avoid exercise like the plague, and hate the mere thought of having to run in place on a treadmill for over 10 minutes.  The key to exercise is finding what activities you enjoy and focusing on those.  First determine if you enjoy group activities such as yoga and cycling or if you prefer to work out alone on the treadmill and free weights.

Every magazine, blog or website will share a different “bridal bootcamp” to get you into shape. Pick what works best for you, don’t overdo it and remember that your fiance thinks you are beautiful both inside and out no matter what workout/diet you do.

Here are a couple of really great ways I have found that help keep track of your progress:

Wii Fit

Wii Fit offers a range of activities from relaxing yoga, to fun balancing games, to serious strength exercise.  I think one of the best opportunities is the daily body test.  It gives you a consistent record of your BMI and body weight with finally giving you a Wii Fit age.  Knowing that on any given day your weight will fluctuate for whatever reason, if you continue this long term you will begin to see trends.  It is constant reminder of eating healthy including interesting tips on how to continually improve your health.  Highlights for me are the 10 minute hula hoop (you will be surprised at the ab work that you do!) and the free run.  Instead of sitting on the couch I will turn on the 30 minute free run and then switch over to my favorite TV shows and jog in the living room while watching.  It beats sitting on the couch all night!

Lose It

Lose It is an iPhone application that allows you to input your weight goals and then allocates how many calories a day you should eat to reach those goals at a healthy rate.  You are able to put in all of the food you eat during the day and the exercise you do!  The great thing about this application is in most situations you always have your phone with you.  So after breakfast, lunch and dinner it is simple to quickly input the food and not have to think about it the rest of the day!

CAVEAT:  You do not need to go out and buy wii fit if your wedding is in 8 months or purchase an iPhone to keep track of your calorie intake.  These are ways that I have found and use that are fun and work for me.  Find what you will remember to do consistently!

Here are a few articles I found on brides, dieting and exercise. Enjoy!!  Do what you need to do to look and feel FABULOUS on your wedding day, but please do it in a healthy way!!

Why Some Brides Go to Extremes

Slimming Down for your Big Day

Even if your plans don’t take you to Napa or Bordeaux, it is very easy to share your love of wine with your guests at the wedding. I think these save-the-date cards are modern and eye-catching & send a preview of the day!

Begin with a wine and cheese cocktail hour.  Have a beautiful cheese display of your favorite varieties of cheese. Also, plan to have passed wine, I suggest choosing three reds and three whites to give guests plenty of choices.

Next, your reception decor can make guests feel as if they are in a romantic vineyard with decorations such as candles, vines, grapes and wine bottles.  Focus on colors such as greens, deep purples and creams to bring out the wine feel.  A fun idea for your table names would be to name each table a different variety of wine. At each table have a fun wine fact about the style of wine their table is named after.

After your engagement, start collecting all of your friends’ and family’s old wine corks! Use these for your escort cards.  This will be a creative DIY idea that will continue to add to the theme of the day!

Talk with your caterer or chef about wine pairings throughout the meal.  Introduce a new wine with each course that matches in flavor and enhances your guests experience!  If possible, the servers could help educate everyone on the wine and why it goes well with the food being served.  Your family will appreciate the gesture and love learning more about wine while they enjoy the tasty food before them.

Leave your guests with sweet (or dry) memories from your day with personalized wine bottles as favors.

Good luck in planning your romantic wine-paired evening.  I wish you delicious food—and wine to complement! In conclusion:

“Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized.”
— André Simon

Source: Good Things Wedding Favors, Kelly O’shiro Events, All Occasions, Magnet Street,The Knot, Simply Sparkling Events, Tuscan Wedding Site

If vintage is your style then I am sure your fiance is aware and will pick out your ring to match your liking.  Most Tacori rings have the pave diamonds and delicate designs that always represent this antique style.

Maybe you want a non-traditional engagement ring, sporting a colored gem as the centerpiece with the same intricate vintage detail.

Your vintage wedding will start with the perfect invitation that will let your guests know what they can look forward to.  These are a few from Etsy that I adore!  The fonts and designs used on the invites will set a theme for your big day.

Atmosphere is key at your wedding! I picture lots of candles and soft colors. Below is some inspiration I found at Project Wedding. What would your vintage wedding inspiration board look like?

Once your friends and family walk into your reception, their eyes will set on the centerpiece of the night- the cake. These cakes by Maki’s Cakes are perfect for the occasion!

To complete your vintage wedding search, you need to find your perfect gown. The Vintage Wedding Dress Company is a great avenue to help you find vintage pieces.  In the private Central London showroom, you will find a diverse selection from the Victorian era to the early 1970′s.  All of the dresses are cleaned and restored and can be tailored for you to a couture finish.

This 1920′s full lace, Harlow dress with a cowl back.

1940′s floral silk devore gown with silk sash.

1950′s full-length organza with a removable silk flower.

Every detail will contribute to your one-of-a-kind vintage wedding!

Source: The Vintage Wedding Dress Company, Maki’s Cakes, Etsy Vintage Invitations, Project Wedding, Etsy Jewelery

In Hollywood it is easy to be over the top, throwing a stylish affair that everyone drools over.  My downtown Chicago lifestyle allows me to see it from a more realistic view, but just as city chic.  I love seeing brides embrace their roots and tie in details that highlight the city that they love!

Don’t be afraid to stop traffic on your big day…Reminds me a bit of the Abbey Road Beatles Picture!!

Whether you hail a taxi or take the el on a daily basis to work, why change your routine on your wedding day?

During your big city wedding do not forget to stop by the locations that make your city what it is, landmarks… favorite restaurants… or simply fabulous places you and your fiance have spent time at.

I adore this Garrett’s Popcorn Bar that was set up as a take home favor of the most stylish popcorn in Chicago for their guests. If your city is known for piled high hot dogs, deep dish pizzas, or cheesecake, whatever it is - serve it up at your wedding and give your friends and family a taste of what you and your husband love!

Celebrate your city and embrace what makes it unique !!

Sources: Jasmine Wong Photography, Bride.net, Rich Miller Photography, In Style,

These water pictures are beautiful, their dresses spread out and seem weightless.

If you aren’t looking to trash your dress alone, get your new husband involved and have fun ruining your wedding clothes together!

I think it would be fun when all of your close group of friends are married to have a “Trash the Dress” party and all chip in on a top photographer to take pictures trashing your dresses together!

Many photographers are really beginning to embrace these trash the dress photo sessions.  They allow you to really dig deep and pull out your personality and creativity! Check with your photographer, even if they have never had a trash the dress session before, maybe he or she will do it for a discount to help build their portfolio.  You never know until you ask

What are your thoughts on trashing your wedding dress? Would you be willing to wear it into the ocean?

Sources: Wed Pix, Indigo Charlotte, The Knot

At night these sparklers create such a dramatic effect leaving you with breathtaking pictures!  I suggest informing your photographer that you plan on using sparklers for your exit so they can come prepared with the proper night gear and flash that they need to get the best possible picture.  A great idea to help save money in your budget is to also use these as your favors!  I would suggest tying up five or so sparklers with a cute lighter and leaving it at each place setting.  After they use the one for your exit, they can take the rest home with the lighter!

Make sure you plan the exit in a large enough area to fit all of your guests comfortably with still leaving a wide enough aisle for you and your dress to make it safely through the sparks!  Although sparklers are simple fireworks you still have to be careful while celebrating that you aren’t waving the sparkler around when you are close to other guests!  These are still potentially dangerous so make sure kids are watched while using them and you keep them away from all flammable materials!  When your reception venue tells you they don’t allow rice or rose petals get creative…and consider using sparklers to celebrate you big day!!

Sources: The Knot, Dallas Brides, Sparkle

My outlook on rain is that it is one of the few things you have no control over, so don’t let it stress you out.  I admit: I was one of the many brides who checked the weather once a day, every day, two weeks prior to the wedding (OK, so maybe it was three times a day).  But considering it stormed all morning on my wedding day and cleared up to be hot and humid for the ceremony- I learned my lesson well!

There are two things that can help prepare you for rain on your wedding day: an adorable umbrella and unique rainboots.  My opinion is, if it is going to rain, you might as well remember it with great pictures!! Here are a few examples of how brides kept a positive attitude on their rainy wedding day!!

The red umbrella creates a picture-perfect opportunity on a rainy day!

Why let the rain ruin your day? Just soak it up!!

Don’t let it figuratively rain on your day!  Always remember, when the day is over, you will be married and on your way to your honeymoon—hopefully somewhere sunny and warm!!!

To help you plan for rain, check out these two great sites:

I love the umbrellas at Bella Umbrella and the rain boots at What a Pair.

You have one day for your wedding…don’t let a little water make it anything less than unforgettable!!

Sources: Adrienne Maples Photography, Bride Net, Elizabeth Anne Designs