Forget fireworks...plan for Shooting Stars

Who wants the hassle of finding a fireworks company, getting permits, worrying about drought conditions that mean you can't set off those dramatic post-reception fireworks? Get a light show overhead that's FREE from Mother Nature by checking out this terrific site's schedule of expected Meteor Showers.

The night sky could be filled with dozens of meteors per hour -- in some regions, at peak meteor shower times, and with a clear sky, that number could soar to the hundreds! You and all of your guests get to make wishes on each of them.

How fabulous would this nighttime light show be for your wedding plans? And for marriage proposal plans! So guys, if you're looking for the perfect place and time, with a gorgeous scenic view, and want to propose under the stars, there's no better and more romantic way to get your sweetheart to join you for a night of stargazing.

Ann Taylor LOFT Sweepstakes Widget

Massage For the Cure -- Help Fight Breast Cancer on Sept 15th

We can all use a great massage, and I'm thrilled to help Massage Envy partner with the Susan G. Komen group to battle breast cancer with their special event: Massage For the Cure. On September 15th, you can get a $35 massage -- and they are INCREDIBLE! -- with $10 donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

As a grateful beneficiary of the research and early detection of breast cancers -- my pre-cancer was found, cut out and radiated before turning into something horrible -- I encourage you to join in the fight in a very pleasant, calming and relaxing way...with a great massage on September 15th. Find out more here.

Some wedding lore makes me laugh...

While double-checking the symbolism of certain wedding flowers, I stumbled upon this very funny Old-World rhyme about the color of a wedding dress. Way long ago, white wedding dresses were a sign of being fabulously wealthy, and not every woman could get her hands on a white dress. At the Morris Museum, where I recently gave a lecture, their historical wedding gowns on display showed bright emerald green dresses from the 1800s, sapphire blue dresses...and even today's bride might choose a dress with a touch of color to it. Top-name designers are showing pink dresses, sage green dresses for organic weddings, lilac dresses, metallics and brights. With modern fashion trends in mind, how funny is it to see a poem like this one:

Married in white, you have chosen alright.
Married in green, ashamed to be seen.
Married in red, You will wish yourself dead.
Married in blue, you will always be true
Married in yellow, ashamed of your fellow.
Married in black, you will wish yourself back.
Married in pink, of you he'll think.

Of course, we know that cultural weddings often call for gorgeous red wedding dresses, and it would be a bit dramatic to think a bride is wishing herself dead!

It's quite funny to look back on the role that superstition and 'what's proper' played in weddings of olde, and aren't we lucky that we can choose a gown of color if we want to?

Catch me on Bridal Guide's homepage EVERY DAY!

Starting you off with : 153 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding, and encouraging you to check out my daily Recession-Buster tips on the Bridal Guide home page -- we launch a fresh tip every day!

Celebrity-studded bachelorette parties!

It's the new, hot trend in replacing the drunkfest bachelor and bachelorette parties: going to a fanfest convention, such as the hot ticket TwiTour Twilight convention. Yes, it's Twilight, and all of our favorites will be there -- Ashley Greene included. This event has been sold out for months, and imagine the excitement of everyone from your flowergirls to your junior bridesmaids, all the way up to the Moms who love their Twilight when you announce that this is going to be your pre-wedding celebration! Everyone gets to sit in on a Q&A session, you may get to have brunch with the stars, meet the director of the movie, and shop like crazy -- money far better spent on Edward keepsakes than on shots of tequila!

I love these shows, for the creativity of the sets, the excited vibe in the showrooms, the chance to speak to artists and creators who are big in the news, and the thrill of getting to say, "I was there!" The same-old bachelorette party doesn't give you this kind of fun and excitement for your entire group, young and old!

For your local tour dates and the Creation Entertainment lineup of upcoming tour dates, visit their website today and get your tickets now!

I love these tee shirts!

How cute are these?! I admit it...I was looking through CafePress.com for Twilight tee shirts...to give to my Mom....for Christmas, and I stumbled upon these fantastic tees that would be the most adorable bridesmaid gifts or bridal shower favors. And if you're a stressed-out bride, maybe your bridesmaids are going to give one or two of these to you as a gift. As in, Take the Hint.
You can find these, and other designs, right now at CafePress.com.

Tax-free shopping!!

It's true: some states have designated a tax-free shopping weekend on a wide range of items designated for back-to-school supplies, but many of the item categories apply to your wedding shopping too!! Ask any parent of school-age children, and you'll find out that they have a certain weekend blocked off for back-to-school shopping, and you'll find out that it's all about the paper supplies, pens, craft items, tote bags, even clothing and shoes! Computer software is often on the list!

This is big news in today's economy and can save you a fortune! Many of these shopping weekends take place soon, so don't miss yours!

Here's a story to check out, and I've also included a list of the states that were on record as planning tax-free shopping weekends. Check them out through your own Google search!

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32286279/ns/travel-tips/

States That Offer A Tax Free Week or Tax Free Weekend:

Alabama
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Iowa
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
Missouri
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Washington D.C.
West Virginia

If you find that your state offers a tax-free spree and is not on my list here, just let me know so that I can add it!

For more money-saving tips, check out my book 1001 Ways to Save Money and Still Have a Dazzling Wedding

Say It The Right Way

In any wedding season, you're going to have to word things...gently with some people. Diplomacy is a key to success in any stage of life, but when there's a wedding afoot, it seems like everyone's emotions get magnified a thousand times over. And there you are, wanting to respond to a cruel message with an equally icy retort, or facing a manipulator who's trying to weasel her picks into your day (or her date onto the guest list). And the fireworks are all around YOU, waiting to blow skyhigh if you say the wrong thing.

But wait a minute...if you're just responding to something rude that THEY said, doesn't that exempt you? Sadly, no. In some freaky loophole of human behavior, the real dangers lie in how you respond. People, it seems, can say or do whatever they'd like to you if they have no sense of decency [and they don't lose sleep over it when they do!], but when you strike back, all of a sudden you're the center of gossip, you're getting lectures, and all around you the Hypocrite Olympics are going on. How could it be that your response could set off such drama?

Because the troublemakers were waiting to bring you down. According to them , you're 'all up there on your high horse,' being decent, and having things going pretty well in your life. So if they can hit a nerve with you, if they can make you lose your cool, if they can get you to respond in anger, if they can get you to gossip, you're in the Game.

Save yourself from this! Save yourself from the petty games of people, the gossip, the wounding that lasts long after the wedding, the hurt feelings, the sleepless nights, the things you wish you didn't say, the terror of sending an angry e-mail and then not being able to recall it...pick up your copy of The Bride's Diplomacy Guide today. Now available in Kindle edition at discount price!

Something Blue: The New Pool Hues

Something Blue has long been a part of wedding lore, and now we're seeing the blue stone -- tourmaline and aquamarine, especially -- quickly becoming the new hot hue for spring and summer wedding jewelry...for the bride, the bridesmaids and the moms!

Take a look at the above pieces, which I found on Zales.com just to give you an example of what's hot [not as an endorsement of Zales in particular, but hey, if you're a Zales fan, go for it!]

While brides of past years didn't look beyond the diamond necklace, or the pearl pendant, today's style-chic bride is wearing the pool blue stone with her wedding gown, as her Something Blue. And if you have blue eyes, the effect is dazzling!

On a personal note, I'm thinking about the tourmaline earrings I saw on St. John during our second honeymoon, and I'm kicking myself for not buying them! My husband offered, but I said I'd think on it. Silly me! Those babies are long gone. So if blue is for you, don't let a good one get away!

Win stylish eco-friendly guest welcome bags!

It's time for my newest contest! You can win 5 eco-friendly Envirosax bags for your stylish guest welcome bags! Justin Timberlake was recently spotted carrying his Envirosax bag, and now it's your turn to WIN a collection of your own!

Here's how to enter: just e-mail me at sharonnaylorweddings@hotmail.com with your name and what you're incorporating into your wedding to be a little friendlier to the earth. Are you supporting a 3rd world artisan co-op? Did you create a charitable registry? Did you use recycled paper for your invitations? Share your story with me, and you could win!

The winner gets to pick out his or her favorite design from Envirosax, and we'll ship your 5 bags right to you, along with a copy of my newest book! Which newest book? YOU get to choose from my website.

The deadline for this contest is August 31st, and you only need to enter once. Tell your friends!