Welcome, newly-engaged brides and grooms!

Congratulations on your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day engagement! Last night, as my husband and I celebrated our second Christmas as marrieds, counting our blessings and fielding many phone calls from family and friends wishing us a joyous day, I was also thinking about you, about the fact that you're just entering the exciting world of wedding-planning, and maybe this is the best holiday ever for you. Three cheers to your groom for a fabulous marriage proposal, and I hope you're waking up this morning beaming over how much fun stuff is ahead of you.

I know that wedding information world has gotten super-crowded and noisy with a ton of wedding sites and blogs, and of course all of the well-meaning suggestions from your own family and friends (and his mom!). And I know that the best, money-saving and stress-busting information you need can get buried by all of those fun quizzes and celebrity wedding stories, thousands of articles about wedding dresses and so on and so on and so on.

Consider me your sister in the wedding business -- I have the insider secrets to planning your wedding day, and I'm also going to make you smile and lighten your mood. I'll help you word that confrontation with your pushy future mom-in-law, jealous bridesmaid, and the groom who thinks he's supposed to just sit back and let you do everything. [It's not his fault...many grooms are just trying to let you have the fun, and they don't realize it's coming across as disinterest.]

You have my 35+ wedding books here to help you plan every element of your day, and -- most importantly -- avoid and handle some of the most common wedding mistakes. Visit my website to get your copies, and also reach me to ask your wedding planning questions.

Give a Bed and Breakfast gift card!

With the holidays speeding toward you, and all of your wedding plans speeding up as well, there might be some holiday shopping you've yet to do. So make it easy -- and give your guests something amazing to look forward to -- with a BnBFinder.com gift card that allows THEM to pick out WHERE they want to go, and maybe finance some extra treats while they're there! I love this gift for parents, letting them get away for a weekend, and how awesome is it to surprise your groom with a pre-honeymoon or a romantic weekend away, minus wedding talk! Here's your website to check out: www.BnBFinder.com! Happy shopping!

Megan McMorris guest blogs about the Bridesmaid Background Check!

HOW TO RUN A BRIDESMAID BACKGROUND CHECK

By Megan McMorris

When you’re interviewing for a job, you provide references. When you buy a car, they check your credit. So why not dig into a friend’s background to make sure she's wedding-worthy? After all, there's nothing like a wedding to stretch friendships thin, even if you're the furthest thing from a Bridezilla, as my friend Dawn discovered years ago after getting engaged. When Dawn announced her engagement, her (soon-to-be-married) friend had her own news to share: she was dis-inviting Dawn from being a bridsemaid (!). Turns out, the bride-to-be thought that Dawn should have let her hog the spotlight until after the cake was cut. Yes, weddings can sometimes reveal an evil underbelly to those closest to you, when you least expect it. So before decide your wedding party, print out my super-scientific "bridesmaid background test" to make sure those who are standing beside you at the altar really have your back.

*she has friends from childhood: Is it just me, or is there something suspicious about someone who doesn’t retain any friends from years ago? I may be biased, since some of my great pals are those I met when I was five years old (hi, Andy and Diane!), and I don’t expect you to be besties with your entire elementary-school class, but I do think it’s important to have at least one pal who remembers when you wore braces and had sleepovers. I learned this the hard way with a certain Former Friend (F.F.). Let’s just say she made me wonder who any of her pals were before we met in our 30s. Is that a warning bell I hear?

*she isn’t afraid of one-on-ones: Invite her for a hike or Happy Hour? A true friend is one who agrees without having to turn everything into a group event. My F.F. was quick to invite her neighbors, roommates, people she met at the grocery store, stray dogs (okay, I exaggerate), to the point when I’d have to specifically ask “hey, this time I just want it to be the two of us, okay?” To my mind it’s hard to bond in a group of 10, but I’m just crazy like that.

*she doesn’t drop you for a boyfriend: I’ve always been one of them thar women who don’t change my female-friendship ways when I have a boyfriend. So imagine my surprise when F.F. cancelled plans, dropped our conversation when the phone rang, and just generally become one of “those girls” when she had a boyfriend. Ack.

*she’s there to share: When you spill the beans on your life struggles, she relates to you and shares some of her own. Unless she’s like my F.F., whose picture-perfect ways and Stepford Wife lack of emotion made you feel like a walking basket case even if your dramas were pretty average on comparison. A true friend is supposed to make you feel like you’re not alone, not try to one-up you in the game of “how perfect can we get” (ding ding! She wins!)

*she doesn’t pick and choose: The thing that always made me laugh about my F.F. was that she said (again in a Stepford Wife tone) “I like everyone!”. Hmmm, well, if you like everyone, doesn’t that cancel out your friends? I prefer my friends to want to hang out with me because they think I’m funny, cool, interesting or any of the above (just as I’m selective about my pal picks for certain criteria they bring to my life) not just because I happen to have crossed their path on the street. But that’s just how I roll.

Portland, Oregon-based freelance writer and editor Megan McMorris is the editor of P.S. What I Didn’t Say: Unsent Letters to Our Female Friends, and she has many fabulous friends who pass this checklist. And she’s actually just kidding about giving potential friends background checks. Unless you want to, in which case let her know how your friend fared! Visit her book website at www.psanthology.wordpress.com and view more of her work at www.meganmcmorris.com.

A rave review in Library Journal!

Library Journal, the authority for all libraries' new book acquisitions, has graced me with a fabulous compliment [I'm doing cartwheels] as well as a fabulous review of my book The Bride's Survival Guide.

See the review here.

Crowd-pleasing sangrias

One of the smartest things you can plan for your drink menu -- for at-home parties, showers, rehearsal dinners, wedding-weekend events and other wedding parties -- is a collection of amazing sangrias for your guests to enjoy.

I've included sangria in several of my bestselling wedding budgeting books, and I thought it was about time I showed you where to get the best recipes! One pitcher of sangria is good for 6-8 guests, so there's your formula for how much you'll need.

Find amazing sangria recipes from your favorite Food Network chefs here, and stock up on great sangria cookbooks here.

It's a great idea to add sangria cookbooks -- as well as other cookbooks -- to your bridal registry, since guests LOVE to give these inexpensive, yet practical and much-loved presents to you for your future parties. From white sangrias to rich, red berry-based sangrias, even a hot sangria for those cold winter nights, the recipes are sure to please.

So thrilled to be president of NYC's Wish Upon a Wedding

This is one of the greatest honors of my long career in the wedding industry: I've been asked to serve as President of the New York City chapter of Wish Upon a Wedding!

Wish Upon a Wedding is the ONLY national organization that grants wishes for weddings and civil unions to couples who are facing a life-threatening illness. Since I spent most of the past five years caring for both of my parents during their long battles with blood cancers, and I had my own scary foray in the world of breast cancer with a Stage 0 that had to be lumpectomized and radiated away [I'm fine now!] I know how much it means to those who live in the terrifying world of medical treatments, waiting for test results, undergoing painful and exhausting procedures...and how much it takes out of loved ones and caretakers around them. So my reward for getting through all that in my own life, and since it's my soul's way to provide wonderful things for others, I am beyond thrilled to head up this terrific organization, create my board of advisors and start granting wishes left and right.

If you would like to be involved as a wedding vendor who can help grant wishes to NYC-area couples, contact me at SLNaylor@optonline.net.

Mmmmm....Mushroom Risotto from Gorgeously Green

Oh, how I love my Gorgeously Green! Creating a healthier lifestyle is so easy, chic and fun with Sophie's terrific site, and her book is amazing!

Since we're focusing on foodie choices for weddings, I had to share the Mushroom Risotto recipe from the Gorgeously Green Diet -- not only is it perfect for your fall or winter weddings, it can be a fabulous part of your getting-fit-for-the-dress healthy regimen.

Here's the announcement from the Gorgeously Green site:

December is Mega-Giveaway Month at Gorgeously Green. We are giving away dozens of our favorite products that we showcased in 2009. Cosmetics, shoes, clothes, luxury skincare and more, is all for the winning. The giveaway will change every day and a new winner will also be announced daily. Simply visit Gorgeously Green, check out the Daily Giveaway and enter a short comment to WIN! And be sure to tell all your friends...

This is one of my favorite recipes for this time of year from THE GORGEOUSLY GREEN DIET. Mushrooms are in season, so go wild.

Remember when you’re making your holiday gift lists, making-your-own is the Greenest way to go. I’m crazy busy with canning, pickling and making jellies and jam. Despite a couple of mishaps, I’ve pretty much got the hang of it. Now for the fun part: labels and decorating the jars. What gifts are you making this year?

Mushroom Risotto
I love to serve this risotto with a fresh bowl of arugula leaves dressed with olive oil and lemon juice.

1 package mixed dried mushrooms or 2 cups of fresh mixed mushrooms (chanterelles, porcini, and shitake are perfect).
About 1 quart vegetable or chicken stock
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 3/4 cups risotto rice
2 wineglasses white wine
1 tbsp butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Put the mushrooms in a measuring glass and cover with 2 cups of hot water. Set aside.

Pour stock into a medium saucepan and heat gently. Keep warm over low heat.

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and celery and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the rice, turn up the heat, and stir until the rice looks translucent. Add the wine and stir until almost evaporated.

Now you are ready to add your first ladle of stock (you never leave a risotto—it needs to be nursed!). Keep stirring as you add more and more stock, waiting until each addition is absorbed until you add the next ladle. After 15 minutes, taste to see if the rice is cooked; if it needs a little more time, add a ladleful of the water that mushrooms have been soaking in. The risotto is cooked when the rice is slightly al dente. Take it off the heat and stir in the mushrooms and butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste, spoon into bowls, and top with a generous dusting of cheese.

Serves 4 to 6

How much liquor to buy for your party?

During your wedding weekend, for the rehearsal dinner you'll host at home, for bridal showers, bridesmaid parties, crafting parties at which volunteers come help to make the favors, and even for an at-home engagement party , you'll want to be sure you have enough drinks to go with your menu. But, of course, you don't want to spend a fortune at the liquor store, over-buying the wine and alcohol and wasting money. The trick is getting just enough...

Here is a terrific tool from Evite.com that I've found to be right on target in estimating how much liquor you'll need to suit your crowd of light- to heavy-drinkers.

If you're on a budget, keep in mind that a terrific champagne punch or sangrias stretch your liquor dollar and guests LOVE getting to sip on a unique drink they don't get every day. I love the drink recipes at Food Network, and I also have a fabulous Sangria recipe book that I often break out whenever we have guests or are hosting a party.

It's important to pair your drinks to your menu -- since a great app will be spoiled by a so-so vintage or a too-strong mixed drink -- so get adventurous, explore your drink options, and taste test any new drink recipes before the big party, just to be sure.

All-time favorite, easiest appetizer!

I love Alouette cheeses! On their own, as a spread for crackers or grissini, they delight the crowd, but when you take it to the next level with Alouette's recipes, you turn DIY party menu-making into an 'Is It Professional?' level that your guests will love.

Right now, I'm preparing the Alouette stuffed mushroom caps for my Thanksgiving feast, and I highly, highly encourage you to make this easy recipe for your engagement party, rehearsal dinner, the wedding itself, the after-party and let your bridesmaids know about the Alouette site for the bridal shower.

We're going Foodie here at Sharon Naylor Weddings

Get your soup tureen ready, and get ready for some very happy engagement party, bridal shower, and at-home wedding guests when you serve my Lobster Bisque! It's filling dish, perfect for fall and winter, so you only need to set out little serving bowls or cups -- I love the new square ones at Crate & Barrel. Anytime you set out unique serving bowls or dishes, you up the Wow Factor for any dish...and also make it look like you spent more money!

This recipe will serve about 14 people with smaller servings, so make your adjustments accordingly. I like to boil frozen lobster tails to get nice, huge chunks of lobster meat, but you can also have your seafood specialitist at the grocery store steam your lobster for you. Some will even cut the tails in half for you, which really helps. You could subsititute shrimp or crab, but I find that the lobster is in a class by itself here...

LOBSTER BISQUE

2 large lobster tails, cooked and diced
1 large onion, diced
1 and ½ sticks butter
¾ cup flour
2 cans condensed chicken broth
¾ cup dry sherry
3 small containers heavy cream
1 can tomato paste
salt and pepper to taste

1. Sauté onion in butter until soft, stir in flour to make a roux
2. Add chicken broth, stir, allow mixture to thicken and boil for one minute
3. Add lobster and sherry, cover and simmer for 20 minutes
4. Blend in cream, tomato paste, salt and pepper, stir until combined and soup is pink
5. Heat on low flame until soup is hot.

Vegetarian Menu Inspiration for your wedding

Finding inspired and delectable vegetarian dishes for your cocktail party or wedding isn't a challenge at all when you work with a caterer who has experience with vegetarian or vegan menus. I'm so thrilled to share some samples from VegetarianWeddings.com

Sides, Salads & Dolci — Mediterranean

Vegetables, Grains & Legumes

Platter of Grilled Seasonal Vegetables in light balsamic marinade
Wild Rice with broccoli, bell pepper, tarragon & toasted pecans
White Beans with tomatoes, olives, rosemary, feta, light balsamic sauce
Couscous or Tabbouleh with tomato, cucumber, parsley, mint
Israeli Couscous with julienned vegetables & light vinaigrette marinade
Persian Wedding Rice with caramelized onion, dried fruits,
saffron, cardamom, toasted nuts
Indian Dal garnished with yogurt, tomatoes, cucumber & cilantro
Sicilian Eggplant Caponata


Salads

Mixed Seasonal Greens with grilled vegetables & agrodolce dressing
Salade Niçoise with green beans, potatoes, tuna, tomatoes, eggs, olives & basil
Lebanese-style Salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, onions, sumac
Orange Salad with red onions, & mint dressing, served on a bed of greens
Panzanella: Italian bread salad with roasted peppers, olives, tomatoes, basil
Fattoush: Middle Eastern bread salad with cucumbers,
tomatoes, peppers, mint, cilantro
Seasonal or Citrus Fruit Salad with orange flower water & mint

Dolci

Fabulous flourless Italian Chocolate Torte with hazelnuts
Ricotta Tart with seasonal fruit or berries
Platter of Dessert Bars, including triple chocolate fudge brownies,
Slices of moist Lemon or Orange Cake, & hazelnut bars with raspberry jam
Strawberries in red wine
Tarte Tatin (upside down apple cake)

* * *


Sides, Salads & Postres — South of the Border

Vegetables, Grains & Legumes

Platter of Grilled Seasonal Vegetables with light cilantro/lime marinade
Arroz Escarlata (scarlet rice with beets)
Spanish-style Rice with chiles, tomatoes, celery, cilantro
Pineapple Rice: a spicy rice with vegetables & fresh pinapple
Black Beans with mango, tomato, corn, avocado, lime/cilantro dressing
Lentil Stew with pineapple & banana
Zucchini & mushrooms in spicy lime marinade
Eggplant with garlic & spring onions
Quinoa with julienned vegetables, tomato & light marinade

Salads

Red, White & Green Salad with spinach, red cabbage & avocado
Orange & Radish Salad served on a bed of greens with anise dressing
Jicama & Cucumber Salad with orange lime marinade
Salad of Beets & Cabbage with candied pineapple & avocado sauce
Cactus & Jicama Salad with watercress & avocado
Cauliflower Corn Salad with orange dressing
Painted Desert Coleslaw: finely shredded cabbage & veggies in a lime marinade
Peruvian Vegetable Salad with baby vegetables, eggs, olives & thinly sliced pancetta
Mango, Tomato & Red Onion Salad
Avocado, Arugula & Citrus Salad

Postres

Citrus Fruit Salad (tangerines, blood oranges, grapefruit) with light sauce
of kumquat & orange blossom water
Platter of Fresh Fruits (melon, pineapple, strawberries)
Louisiana-style Bread Pudding with dried apricots & bourbon sauce
Jamaican Fruit Trifle (layers of cake, cream, dash of rum & tropical fruit)

***
Sample Menus

International Specialties

Indian Specialties
Sides, Salads & Sweets

Take your appetite on a Mediterranean adventure into tangy spices, zesty sauces, salty crunches, cooling dips and subtle sweets from Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Sicily, Morocco, Lebanon, Syria, Portugal, and Tangiers.


Our Latin menus include foods from Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Cuba, and the Caribbean, where beans and rice are never ordinary!



For more information on this expert, contact:
Margaret Riesen
805-967-9848
877-967-9848 toll free

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Fabulous fall foodie favor!

I have been looking *everywhere* for a great spice bars recipe -- both because my Mom loves them, and because they make great shower, wedding and party favors! when you give your guests a luscious taste of the season, your favors are a hit.

And when you can save a LOT of money by baking your own, it's a double-hit.

I found these amazing spice bars, plus a maple cream icing that has just the right amount of sweetness, and they're going right on my fall party menu list:

Here's the recipe, from BHG.com, the site for Better Homes and Gardens.

My new book is a hit before it even launches!

Authors check Amazon all the time to see how our books are doing. It's exciting when a six year-old book is still selling like wild, and it's really exciting when a book that hasn't even launched yet is...well, selling like wild! I'm so proud of my new book Your Wedding, Your Way -- my idea-filled book on how to take all of the traditional wedding elements like the first dance, the cake-cutting, the bouquet toss, and give them a unique, personal spin that pays homage to your own personal love story. This book gives a spin to everything you can imagine, and it was one of the most fun books I've ever written.

And I LOVE the cover! My art team at Adams knocked it out of the park.

Here's a quick description of the book:


Wedding experts agree: Today’s bride and groom want a wedding that reflects who they are—without regard to tradition, convention, or in-laws. This guide shows you how to:
Break with tradition—on a budget!
Present nontraditional ideas to parents and grandparents
Build in time for visiting friends and family
Incorporate shared passions into the ceremony
Use elbow grease and inventiveness for a DIY wedding
Deal with vendors and suppliers
You will identify ways you can express your individuality during your wedding celebration, from rehearsal dinner to the morning-after brunch. The memories you take away will be of a ceremony celebrating your love—your uniqueness as a couple.

And here's where to get it: It's not even up on my website yet, so you're going to be among the first to get your copy when the book is released in a few weeks.

In honor of the military families who are going through so much these days, I am offering 5 free, signed copies to the first military couples who contact me through Twitter @sharonnaylorwed.

Another reason to love Envirosax

Loosk like we know who's next on the list for my Norah Awards! Envirosax is one of my favorite sources for eco-friendly wedding favors and guest welcome bags, and now they're knocking it out of the park again for their work in saving abandoned pets. Check out this press release, which I think is pretty amazing!

The Foreclosure Pet Phenomenon


There has been a disturbing rise in animals left behind to starve or fend for themselves in empty foreclosed homes. Once discovered and taken to shelters, many of these pets are in need of medical care.


Animal shelters nationwide depend on donations to cover medical costs and to provide food and shelter; however donations are dwindling and many shelters have been forced to cut holding periods from six days to three after which the animals are put down.



But there's great news and this is where you can help!



Let all your blog followers know that this November, Envirosax is proudly donating $1 from the sale of every pouch (set of 5 bags), sold on the Envirosax website, to the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).


Click here to order your Envirosax pouch today and help give these abandoned pets a second chance.


Who knew Holiday Season shopping could be so rewarding?

A glowing review for '1001 Ways to Save Money and Still Have a Dazzling Wedding'

1001 Ways To Save Money . . . and Still Have a Dazzling Wedding by Sharon Naylor

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You HAVE to get "Signature Sasha"

It's new. It's amazing. It's my dear friend and colleague Sasha Souza's phenomenal book Signature Sasha, filled with breathtaking images of her wedding designs.

Sasha is known for her amazing color artistry, and you're going to find so much inspiration in here for your own big day. It's packed. And gorgeous.

And here's another awesome perk: if you order through Sasha's site, you can get an autographed copy. So, Moms and Dads, bridesmaids and friends, this could be a great gift for the newly-engaged couple. Brides and grooms, how great would it be to get personal congrats from one of Modern Bride's Top Trendsetters and our newest addition to the circle of celebrity wedding book authors?

Check Sasha out, follow her @sparkliatti, and follow her blog. She's a different kind of celeb wedding coordinator: almost sinfully talented, yet still the cool sister or best friend you'd like to hang out with and throw back some martinis. I'm thrilled to know her, and thrilled to point you to her site so that you can get to know her, too!

Budget-Saver: Use Locally-Grown Foods in Your Menu....But What Are They?

You see the advice everywhere in articles and books on how to save money on your wedding: use locally-grown, in-season foods in your wedding menu. Importing costs extra money, after all. But how do you find out what these foods are?

As I'm researching my newest book, I came across these fabulous resources for you! Check out the following to find lists of the local foods in your region, searchable by season:

LocalHarvest.org
and
NRDC.org, which is organized so beautifully! You just enter your state and the season, broken down by 'early October' and 'late October' and such, to really zero in on what's in-season...as well as what's in-season in states near you. A great resource that's going to help you work so much better with your caterers!

Bring in your European heritage through flowers

I'm all about personalizing weddings, and bringing in the official flowers of your heritage is a great way to do so!

Here are the official flowers of some European countries, so that you can combine your His and Hers heritage in every floral detail:

Albania: Red and black poppy
Austria: Alpine gentian
Bulgaria: Rose
Cyprus: Cyprus cyclamen
Denmark: Red clover
Estonia: Cornflower
Finland: Lily of the valley, and the white rose
France: Fleur de lis
Germany: Cornflower
Greece: Laurel branch, and the violet
Iceland: White dryas
Ireland: Shamrock
Italy: Cyclamen
Macedonia: Poppy
Netherlands: Tulip
Norway: Heather
Portugal: Blue-white hydrangea, among others
Romania: Romanian peony
Serbia: Plum
Slovakia: Tilia cordata
Slovenia: Carnation
Spain: Carnation
Sweden: no national flower, but each province has its own flower
Switzerland: Edelweiss
Turkey: Tulip
United Kingdom: Tudor rose, and each county has its own signature flower

Perfect flowers for Asian-themed wedding events

If your wedding -- or your cocktail party, rehearsal dinner, or bridal shower -- will have an Asian theme, bring the tone and feel of an authentic Asian wedding into your celebration beautifully by using the Official Flower of your chosen Asian region:

Bangladesh: Shapla
Bhutan: Blue poppy
Cambodia: Romdual
People's Republic of China: Peony (also the plum blossom or the chrysanthemum)
Hong Kong: Bauhinia blakeana
Macau: Lotus
Indonesia: Melati (a type of jasmine) or moth orchid
Japan: Cherry blossom or chrysanthemum
North Korea: Magnolia
South Korea: Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon)
Malaysia: Chinese hibiscus or Phalaenopsis orchid
Singapore: orchid (Vanda Miss Joaquim variety)
Taiwan: Plum blossom
Thailand: Dok Khuen
Vietnam: Red lotus

Use one, or use a combination, to pay homage to your culture, or just to your chosen style for your big wedding events.

Barbie's big wedding season

This is Barbie in a Reem Acra. Yes, that's right. Reem. Acra.

Wedding world is Barbie's world -- with the 50th anniversary of our favorite doll offering all kinds of amazing special editions, including a Barbie and Ken wedding set that I just have to have. Looking on eBay, I found a vintage Korean Barbie and Ken wedding doll set that just might kick off my new collection of all things Bridal Barbie.

I'd love for you to check out this site for links to what's new in Barbie's world, plus special Barbie editions of bridal-party perfect goodies from Dylan's Candy Bar and other hot places. I'm thinking the Barbie bridal shower --no matter what age the bride -- is quickly going to take over the bridal shower theme, since we all had such fun with our Barbie collections, the Barbie Dream House. I had the cabana, a convertible, a Winnebago, even an airplane. So we all have that Barbie DNA, making this an incredibly fun and special theme for showers and bridesmaid luncheons. The fact that it's the 50th anniversary special edition of these dolls -- a collector's item gift for the bride, too -- just makes it all the more fun.

Oh, and at that site, you can learn the new Barbie dance, performed to the 'Barbie Girl' song. Maybe after a few cocktails, the girls can give it a go...