New IWB Vendor – A Bride’s Dream

We’d like to welcome A Bride’s Dream
to the Indianapolis Bridal Stores page.

Be sure to check out their website @ www.a-brides-dream.net

Unique Wedding Ceremony Entrance

Our good friend Jamie Owens, a local Indianapolis Wedding Photographer came across this video online.
I thought I’d share it with you all….

Can you see yourself doing something like this at your wedding cermony?

The Modern Engagement Ring

The Modern Engagement Ring

Wedding planning usually begins with the selection of an engagement ring. Today’s modern couples know that there are very few “rules” about these important symbols of commitment. One guideline that most still follow, however, is the appearance of diamonds in their engagement rings.

The older wedding planning guidelines suggest how much money should be spent on an engagement ring or rings, but today’s savvy consumers know that it is more about the style and meaning of the jewelry than about the cost. This makes shopping for an engagement ring for a man or woman a fun and somewhat creative experience.

For example, the couple can head out to different shops and jewelry design studios to see what is available, or they can even design their own to be made by a professional jeweler. They will not have to limit themselves to single diamonds in a “standard” setting, and can expect almost a dozen different metals to choose from.

Consider that many of the “traditional” metals are being replaced by other, more unique materials. For example, it isn’t unusual to hear about tungsten, aluminum and even platinum and stainless steel when discussing engagement rings and wedding bands for both men and women.

Why are jewelers using such unique materials? While these metals have just as much appeal and good looks as the more frequently seen gold, silver and platinum, they usually offer durability and easy maintenance. They also can come in different finishes and colors from the more well-known precious metals.

A modern engagement ring made from an interesting metal and set with high-quality diamonds is a real “statement” on the hand of the wearer. Men and women can wear engagement rings to demonstrate their commitment and upcoming nuptials, and modern jewelry designers offer a wealth of options for those planning on getting married in style.

Guest Post by:  Abby Michaels

Tips to Save Money when Planning a Wedding

Tips to Save Money when Planning a Wedding

Once you are engaged, it is time to begin preparing for the wild adventure of planning your wedding. There is a lot to prepare and this can become stressful depending on the date of your wedding. If you are working with a tight budget, it is still possible to have an amazing celebration. After some extensive research, it is now time to begin planning this special celebration. Although I am still planning my wedding, I would like to share a few tips that I have learned during my planning process so far.

If you are creative, I recommended designing the invitations yourself. There are benefits to creating your own invitations, which make the time spent worthwhile. I personally did not enjoy shopping for invitations because there were too many styles available. These styles consist of different themes, colors, and designs. When creating the invitations yourself, this process is simplified significantly. This allows you to have full control over what the invitations look like and you can create something that will be remembered well past your wedding day.

After deciding on a design for my invitations, I decided that it was time to begin shopping for shoes. My goal was to find an affordable pair of shoes that could be worn more than once. Most shoes that I found were a color that I was not happy with because they did not match any of the dresses in my wardrobe. This really concerned me because I do not like purchasing something that will not get much use.

I soon discovered dyeable shoes and these were perfect because you can easily change their color. This allows you to wear them many times. I am planning to wear these shoes for many special events after my wedding. There are many different shoes available to choose from, but these dyeable shoes seemed to fit my requirements best. I still have a lot of planning to do for my wedding, but overall, I am satisfied with what my fiancé and I have chosen so far.

Guest Post written by: Cynthia Andrews

New IWB Vendor: Lori Rae

We’d like to welcome Lori Rae – hairstyling & makeup artistry
to the Indianapolis Beauty page.

Be sure to check out her website @ www.lori-rae.com

Vendor Highlight – Memory Makers

While at the Indianapolis Monthly Bridal Show
we stopped by the Memory Makers booth!

(YouTube Video)

Be sure to check out their website @ www.memorymakersindy.com

Summer Bridal Show – Carmel

We are excited to announce the Summer Bridal Show!

The Indianapolis Wedding Blog will have a booth at this upcoming Indianapolis Bridal Show.  This will be a great opportunity to connect with a lot of awesome Indianapolis Wedding vendors.

The Summer Bridal Show will be at Oak Hill Mansion in Carmel Indiana

Date: Sunday, June 28th, 2009
Place: Oak Hill Mansion
Time: 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Price: Free  – Register Now!
Website: www.SummerBridalShow.com

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Wedding Ideas

Race to the Altar: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Wedding Ideas

Indianapolis is world renowned for its thrilling races, and couples who enjoy the thrills of the track can add fun Indianapolis Motor Speedway details to their wedding day for a celebration that reflects their need for speed.

2009 is the centennial anniversary of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, making this the perfect year for a high-speed wedding theme.  Celebrations could begin with a visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum or a more exclusive Grounds Tour for out of town guests or for a themed pre-wedding party.

For the celebration itself, popular racing-themed options include:

*A racing cake with a personalized race topper, oval track shape, or interior “checkered flag” pattern of both vanilla and chocolate flavors.
*A heavily designed groom’s cake shaped like a favorite race car, speedway logo, or the entire track.
*Choosing tire gauges, toy cars, or other racing or car-themed wedding favors.
*Tire textured wedding rings in black titanium or other dark metals.
*Numbering wedding reception tables after popular Indy or NASCAR cars or favorite drivers.
*Creating a “Victory Lane” design for the head table, complete with checkered flags and trophy floral arrangements.
*Using milk for wedding toasts, an Indianapolis Motor Speedway victory tradition dating back to Prohibition.
*Renting a race car for the getaway vehicle.
*Choosing a gray or black wedding runner to simulate an asphalt aisle.
*Creating race centerpieces with small tires and miniature race flags instead of flowers.
*Choosing a sexy race garter or other race-themed accessories.

While these ideas are only the beginning of the options available for an Indianapolis Motor Speedway wedding theme, it is important for couples to remember not to take an outrageous theme overboard. Well-chosen accents and clever details can create a beautifully personalized event, but too much of the theme can turn what should be an elegant celebration into an overdone affair. Just as drivers need to be subtle in their racing tactics to take the checkered flag, couples need to be subtle with their racing theme to celebrate their marriage in their own victory lane for many happy anniversaries.

Melissa Mayntz / www.melissamayntz.com

3 Ways to Cut Wedding Cake Costs

3 Ways to Cut Wedding Cake Costs

Wedding cake prices range from $2 to $10 or more per serving, depending on the cake size, style, flavor, and other factors. A large guest list and more cake services can quickly sour a couple’s cake budget, but there are many ways to cut cake prices without sacrificing this sweet wedding tradition.

1. Go Faux

Once sliced, a wedding cake looks nothing like the designer decoration that graced the cake table. Instead of creating an edible masterpiece, couples can opt for false wedding cakes of beautifully decorated foam, cardboard, and icing, while the cake that is served is a much less expensive though equally tasty sheet cake. If you don’t like the idea of a fake cake on a day that should be filled with trust and sincerity, choose a smaller cake design and augment it with coordinating satellite cakes or cupcakes for extra servings and extra savings.

2. Make the Cut

Some wedding reception venues and wedding caterers charge hefty fees for slicing and serving a wedding cake. If your venue is one of these, learn how to slice the cake yourself and use it as an opportunity not only to save money, but also to greet each of your guests individually as the cake is served. This also creates numerous photo opportunities and fun memories past the ceremonial first taste.

3. Be Simply Delicious

The easiest way to take a slice out of wedding cake costs is to simplify. If you have your heart set on a gourmet cake flavor and exotic fillings, choose a less expensive, less elaborate cake design. If you’ve always envisioned a highly detailed cake with exquisite edible flowers and other accents, opt for a simple cake flavor such as vanilla buttercream or classic chocolate. By simplifying, you ensure that the cake is not overwhelming and is simply delicious, not only to your guests but to your budget.

Your wedding cake is a decadent dessert and a first sweet taste of married life, but it doesn’t have to take a hefty slice out of your budget.

Melissa Mayntz / www.melissamayntz.com

Wedding Fitness Tip: Cardio, Now What?

I gave you the Cardio Frequency on our last tip. Now we will go over what to do with cardio.

Intervals, Intervals, and Intervals!

Once you establish a good solid 3 weeks of base building then you will be ready for the challenging and fun stuff.

The Rules:
In your 4th week of cardio pick 2 days of doing your Interval training. Please rest 2 days between each hard session.

The Workout:
After 5-10 minute Warm-Up, your doing 20 secs. hard followed by 10 secs. of rest. You will do this for 8 rounds with a total time of 4 minutes. 1-2 rounds of these and you will be ready to take a nap!

Benefits:
Keeping your Heart Rate elevated 9 times higher then just doing long, slow cardio. Burning fat up to 24 hours with your Interval Workouts.

Please comment below or email me with your questions.

Tod Esquivel
Indy Boot Camps
“From Fat to Fabulous!”

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