They’ve created a section devoted solely to the subject of nuptials, and think it’s pretty post worthy. Informative, helpful, amusing and often irreverent, it’s just as good for a quick laugh as it is for tips on finding a “superstar” wedding ring on a budget. They have individual tabs that include Planning 101, Destination Weddings, Honeymoons, Wedding 2.0, Etiquette and Advice and even Indiebrides. You’ll find entries, like “How to Get Married at Home Without Losing Your Mind,” and my favorite “Five Things Never to Talk About in a Wedding Toast.”

Here’s another handpicked blog close to my heart…”10 Things Not to Say to Same-Sex Couples.” Read it here. Enjoy!

Check HuffPost Weddings out here: www.huffingtonpost.com/weddings

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photo courtesy of HuffPost Weddings.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

Your email:

 

Here are the details:

When: TODAY, Saturday, February 4, 2012

Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: Crown Plaza Hotel in Sacramento

Cost: General Admission is $12 at the door.

And, of course we’ll be there handing out complimentary copies of Real Weddings Magazine, our new wedding planning magazine The Bride’s Guide, along with our awesome (and reusable!) Real Weddings Magazine bags!

PLUS, ENTER TO WIN A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO SERENITY SPA AT OUR BOOTH AT THIS EVENT!

Hope to see you there!

Photo courtesy of My Bridal Sale.

Don’t delay, brides! Scroll down for more details!

Each issue of Real Weddings Magazine  features real local-area brides on its cover!

Hundreds of real brides enter, and ultimately three are chosen. Those three real brides get to participate in a day-long photo shoot where they get the chance to vogue it up in front of the camera.

All three of our real bride models will appear on one of our Real Weddings Magazine covers (like the current Winter 2012 cover featured above with our cover brides Crystal, Missy and Jessica) and then ultimately, one of our real bride models will be chosen as our cover model winner and appear on the cover of Real WeddingsMagazine on her own (like the upcoming Spring 2012 cover featured below with our cover model winner Jessica).

For the Summer/Fall 2012 contest, if you’re a local bride or a local just-married (cannot be married before June 1, 2011) and you’ve got cover aspirations, then you need to enter! The deadline to get your entry in is next Monday, February 6, 2012. Be sure to read all of the guidelines and rules for entry on the entry form to make sure that you qualify.

Need an entry form? Click here to download the PDF:  COVER MODEL CONTEST-SF-2012

Or, you can email us at info@realweddingsmag.com and we’ll email you the entry form.

If you’re going to enter…one word of advice, show us your personality on the answers to the questions — we love working with brides who have a lot of spunk, personality, humor and who are just darned cool girls. Be sure that your answers really reflect who you are! Oh, and don’t forget to include photos that really show your personality coming through as well!

Also, be sure to read all of the rules to make sure that you’re eligible to enter and are game to participate!

We cannot wait to see your entries so get them in soon! And, P.S. we have a mail drop slot at our offices at 120 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 5 in Folsom, so you can drop the up until the deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Monday night, February 6th!

Blog Post by Editor/Publisher Wendy Sipple.

Cover photos by Love at First Click Photography, © Real Weddings Magazine. For additional cover model shoot photos and details, please see blog post announcing our new cover model winner.

Here are the details:

When: TOMORROW, February 4, 2012

Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: Crown Plaza Hotel in Sacramento

Cost: General Admission is $12 at the door, $10 online, or FREE if you pre-register online as a Real Weddings Magazine guest! Note: Complimentary tickets must be obtained online only. Bride’s cannot obtain complimentary admission at the door.

To register: Please be our guest!

Simply go to MyBridalSaleFeb4.eventbrite.com and enter your discount code: RWMAGAZINE

And, of course we’ll be there handing out complimentary copies of Real Weddings Magazine, along with our awesome (and reusable!) Real Weddings Magazine bags!

PLUS, ENTER TO WIN A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO SERENITY SPA AT OUR BOOTH AT THIS EVENT!

Hope to see you there!

Photo courtesy of My Bridal Sale.

This week we highlight entrepreneur Sandy Keller, owner of Advantage Bridal. Sandy is an inspiration to all of us here at Real Weddings Magazine! Not only does she run a very successful online retail business, she has also founded 2B Restored, a charity that helps uninsured women who cannot afford breast reconstruction after a cancer diagnosis. What an amazing lady! Take it away, Sandy…

AdvantageBridal.com

Tell us a little about your company?  Founded in 1992, we operated two bridal shops before moving to strictly online in 2004. We love being creative and designing unique items for our brides, including one-of-a-kind apparel items and personalized gifts only found on AdvantageBridal.com.

What sets you apart from your competition?  Our huge selection of more than 22,000 items on our site, plus thousands of personalized wedding invitations and gifts available on our partner sites. We offer many exclusive items that are only sold on our site and are not available elsewhere.

Where do you find inspiration?  Styles from the fashion industry both in the U.S. and abroad, and we receive many requests from our brides. We love making their dreams come true by creating new items upon request.

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?  Highly personalized service and the very best prices.

Do you have any hidden talents?  Yes, I can remember all of my former car license plates, phone numbers and other useless information!

What trend do you see coming for weddings this year?  More custom touches, with monograms and custom accessories.

Do you regularly blog? If so, what’s your blog site?  Yes, site.advantagebridal.com/blog/

Do you Facebook?  Yes, facebook.com/AdvantageBridal

Can you share a funny/embarrassing/touching story about one of your clients (you don’t have to include their name)?  I once had an appointment with a bride, her sister and her mother so they could shop for some accessories. The bride had a headpiece and veil on, and was admiring herself in the mirror. Her sister asked about the significance of the veil over the bride’s face, and her mother replied, “It’s the symbol of virginity.” The bride quickly threw the veil back over her head and said, “Then I cannot wear it!” Her mother yelled, “What?” and the bride realized that she’d just revealed something of a very sensitive nature and turned beet red.

What’s your favorite local charity?  2B Restored, the charity I founded to help uninsured women who cannot afford breast reconstruction after a cancer diagnosis. Advantage Bridal carries a great line of pink ribbon apparel and accessories which help raise funds for my charity.

What is your favorite fun thing to do locally?  My children, husband and I love participating in Mustang cruises and shows.

Do you have secret vice or indulgence? Yes What is it?  Long, hot showers.

What are you most grateful for in life?  My husband, children and the rest of my family.

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what elements would be most important to you?  Photos and a video — I would splurge on those!

What advice would you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Don’t sweat the small stuff. There’s no such thing as a stress-free perfect wedding. At the end of the day, you will be married and that is the prize…focus on that!

Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s brides?  We are eager to hear from brides because we love helping them make their wedding dreams come true. Every bride is unique and her wedding is too. We appreciate the privilege of being a part of such an important occasion!

Find out more about Sandy Keller and her team at AdvantageBridal.com by visiting her Web site, Blog, and Facebook Page!

Photos courtesy of AdvantageBridal.com.

Do you have the new Real Weddings Magazine iPhone and iPad App?

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

The Couple:  Erika Tungland and Ryan Taylor

Wedding Date:  October 16, 2010

Photography by 555 Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  We met working at Borders Bookstore. Years later, we are still happily together, with two dogs and a cat!

What was the most amazing part of your day?  Everything was so perfect. But I would have to say the food was my favorite.

Ceremony Site & Reception Venue:  V. Sattui Winery

Photographer:  555 Photography

Wedding Planner:  Little Blue Box Weddings

Caterer:  Alex’s Catering

Cake:  Inticing Creations

Flowers:  Valley Flora

Favors:  Etsy

Wedding Dress & Bridesmaid Dresses:  Miosa Bride

Hair & Makeup:  Sweetie Face Makeup

Invitations:  Fine Stationery

DJ/Entertainment:  Denon and Doyle

Band:  Terrence Brewer Trio

Honeymoon location:  Maui

Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out?  Rev. Blane Ellsworth was an amazing officiant.

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  If someone tells you no, find someone who will work with you to create what is perfect for you.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  No.

Photos courtesy of 555 Photography.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

Don’t delay, brides! Scroll down for more details!

Each issue of Real Weddings Magazine  features real local-area brides on its cover!

Hundreds of real brides enter, and ultimately three are chosen. Those three real brides get to participate in a day-long photo shoot where they get the chance to vogue it up in front of the camera.

All three of our real bride models will appear on one of our Real Weddings Magazine covers (like the current Winter 2012 cover featured above with our cover brides Crystal, Missy and Jessica) and then ultimately, one of our real bride models will be chosen as our cover model winner and appear on the cover of Real WeddingsMagazine on her own (like the upcoming Spring 2012 cover featured below with our cover model winner Jessica).

For the Summer/Fall 2012 contest, if you’re a local bride or a local just-married (cannot be married before June 1, 2011) and you’ve got cover aspirations, then you need to enter! The deadline to get your entry in is next Monday, February 6, 2012. Be sure to read all of the guidelines and rules for entry on the entry form to make sure that you qualify.

Need an entry form? Click here to download the PDF:  COVER MODEL CONTEST-SF-2012

Or, you can email us at info@realweddingsmag.com and we’ll email you the entry form.

If you’re going to enter…one word of advice, show us your personality on the answers to the questions — we love working with brides who have a lot of spunk, personality, humor and who are just darned cool girls. Be sure that your answers really reflect who you are! Oh, and don’t forget to include photos that really show your personality coming through as well!

Also, be sure to read all of the rules to make sure that you’re eligible to enter and are game to participate!

We cannot wait to see your entries so get them in soon! And, P.S. we have a mail drop slot at our offices at 120 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 5 in Folsom, so you can drop the up until the deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Monday night, February 6th!

Blog Post by Editor/Publisher Wendy Sipple.

Cover photos by Love at First Click Photography, © Real Weddings Magazine. For additional cover model shoot photos and details, please see blog post announcing our new cover model winner.

Have you sent in your cover model contest entry form and photos yet? The deadline’s only a week away! So don’t delay, brides! Scroll down for more details!

Each issue of Real Weddings Magazine  features real local-area brides on its cover!

Hundreds of real brides enter, and ultimately three are chosen. Those three real brides get to participate in a day-long photo shoot where they get the chance to vogue it up in front of the camera.

All three of our real bride models will appear on one of our Real Weddings Magazine covers (like the current Winter 2012 cover featured above with our cover brides Crystal, Missy and Jessica) and then ultimately, one of our real bride models will be chosen as our cover model winner and appear on the cover of Real WeddingsMagazine on her own (like the upcoming Spring 2012 cover featured below with our cover model winner Jessica).

For the Summer/Fall 2012 contest, if you’re a local bride or a local just-married (cannot be married before June 1, 2011) and you’ve got cover aspirations, then you need to enter! The deadline to get your entry in is next Monday, February 6, 2012. Be sure to read all of the guidelines and rules for entry on the entry form to make sure that you qualify.

Need an entry form? Click here to download the PDF:  COVER MODEL CONTEST-SF-2012

Or, you can email us at info@realweddingsmag.com and we’ll email you the entry form.

If you’re going to enter…one word of advice, show us your personality on the answers to the questions — we love working with brides who have a lot of spunk, personality, humor and who are just darned cool girls. Be sure that your answers really reflect who you are! Oh, and don’t forget to include photos that really show your personality coming through as well!

Also, be sure to read all of the rules to make sure that you’re eligible to enter and are game to participate!

We cannot wait to see your entries so get them in soon! And, P.S. we have a mail drop slot at our offices at 120 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 5 in Folsom, so you can drop the up until the deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Monday night, February 6th!

Blog Post by Editor/Publisher Wendy Sipple.

Cover photos by Love at First Click Photography, © Real Weddings Magazine. For additional cover model shoot photos and details, please see blog post announcing our new cover model winner.

Here are the details:

When: THIS Saturday, February 4, 2012

Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: Crown Plaza Hotel in Sacramento

Cost:  General Admission is $12 at the door, $10 online, or FREE if you pre-register online as a Real Weddings Magazine guest! Note: Complimentary tickets must be obtained online only. Bride’s cannot obtain complimentary admission at the door.

To register: Please be our guest!

Simply go to MyBridalSaleFeb4.eventbrite.com and enter your discount code: RWMAGAZINE

And, of course we’ll be there handing out complimentary copies of Real Weddings Magazine, our new planner The Bride’s Guide, along with our awesome (and reusable!) Real Weddings Magazine bags!

PLUS, ENTER TO WIN A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO SERENITY SPA AT OUR BOOTH AT THIS EVENT!

Hope to see you there!

Photo courtesy of My Bridal Sale.

Recommended Resort:  The Charlie. Not a traditional hotel, The Charlie is actually an assortment of bungalows surrounding a gorgeous garden. Built in 1924 by the Ruth Gordon family (of Harold and Maude and Rosemary’s Baby fame) these little pieces of heaven became temporary havens to the aforementioned stars, especially its signature namesake.

Following the multi-million dollar restoration, the property is better than ever and awaiting your close-up. Each is touchingly named in homage to a famous celebrity and styled in sleek Hollywood fashion. Most feature a kitchen and private area, be it a balcony or a patio. Units range in size from two-story to one-story living spaces.

Check In:  819 N. Sweetzer Avenue in West Hollywood. 323-988-9000, thecharliehotel.com

Check Out:  The Marilyn. Home to Marilyn herself in the ’40s, this stand-alone two story cottage features two bedrooms and one and a half baths. The dining room overlooks the lush gardens and the bedroom opens to a large wrap around patio, perfect for a post-Oscar champagne brunch.

Don’t Miss:  Hollywood…of course. The Chaplin has the benefit of being located in a quiet residential neighborhood without being too far away from the action. West Hollywood is a great spot for cafes, restaurants and shopping, especially along famous Melrose Avenue and ever evolving La Cienega.

For more reliable tourist fare, head up to Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards, where historical landmarks like the Hollywood Bowl, Grauman’s Chinese and the Walk of Fame await your camera opp. For a bit of Hollywood dining history, make a reservation at Musso & Franks…one of the oldest eateries in the area and a favorite hide out for the stars.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Contributor Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of The Charlie.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!