The Guilty Girl’s Guide to the Guest List!

Feeling torn? We’ll help you decide who should—and shouldn’t—make the cut.

DO YOU HAVE TO INVITE…a casual friend who invited you to her wedding two years ago but whom you haven’t been in touch with since?
WHAT’S A GIRL TO DO? This is your day to celebrate with the people you’re closest to. Even if you were tight with her a few years back, friends drift apart (it happens to everyone), so you’re under no obligation to invite her to the nups. The telltale signal: You think of her as a “casual” friend, not a bestie.

DO YOU HAVE TO INVITE…a plus-one for the single friend from out of town who won’t know a soul?
WHAT’S A GIRL TO DO: Make an exception. Seeing her alone at a table while everyone else does a conga line with pals would make you feel pretty awful.

DO YOU HAVE TO INVITE…guest’s children? You’d planned a no kids policy but are worried some guests may take offense when they see your niece ( the flower girl) and nephew (the ring bearer) running around the reception.
WHAT’S A GIRL TO DO? Stick to your guns. Since the kids are working the event, how could other guests be mad? Also, parents with little often are grateful for a night off from kid duty.

DO YOU HAVE TO INVITE…all 24 of your adult cousins who reside in your hometown, even though your close to only 5 of them?
WHAT’S A GIRL TO DO? A shared zipcode doesn’t buy anyone a spot on the guest list, so just invite the ones you feel most connected to. To avoid hurt feelings, don’t talk up the wedding at family gatherings.

DO YOU HAVE TO INVITE…your dad’s elderly aunt and uncle, who live across the country and can’t easily travel long distances anymore?
WHAT’S A GIRL TO DO? Send them an invitation as a courtesy, with a note that says something like, “We wanted to share this happy family news with both of you, we’ll send photos after the wedding!”

By Marina Khidkel

* AB WEDDINGS HAS A VERY SPECIAL OFFER FOR BRIDES-TO-BE! *

Get 50% off your entire package and 10% off your Pamper Spa Party!

"A fun and new pampering concept for your bridal shower, bachelorette party, girls night out and all other special occasions."

AB Weddings & Special Events makes every event memorable and special. They will work within your budget and customize any event to meet your needs.

AB Weddings focuses on Planning/ Coordination for the “Day Of” or “Full-Planning”, “Pamper Spa Parties” and much more! For more information please visit them on the web at www.abspecialevents.com. Be sure to contact them ASAP! This deal will soon only be offered to VIP Members

AB Weddings with Jewels by Anita will be hosting Holiday Bazaar!

WHEN: October 24, 2010

TIME: 3pm-6pm.

WHERE: Libertine on Sunset

(310) 270-3122

8210 Sunset Blvd(Crescent Heights and Harper Avenue) Los Angeles, CA 90046

PRICE: RSVP to arsineh@abspecialevents.com or mistypr@gmail.com and the event is FREE! If not, $10 at the door.

Tell your friends to come and shop! There will be appetizers, drinks, and goodie bags.

Please come and see what the Vendors have to offer for the Holidays and do your shopping early. There will be Red Carpet/Media/Celebrities and of course goodie bags!

* PURE LOVE *

From "Yes" to "I Do" honor your commitment with a beautiful platinum engagement rings and wedding bands that are as everlasting as the love you share.

A platinum ring won't fade or tarnish and will keep its natural white color for a lifetime. And, because platinum is so pure, it's naturally hypoallergenic and kind to sensitive skin. What a better way to express your love than with platinum engagement rings and wedding bands.

*... IF THE SHOE FITS...*

Bridal footwear has made great strides. Walk the walk in a style with personality to spare. We love these savvy shoe-shopping tips for brides to be!

Don't sacrifice comfort for style: You'll be wearing these shoes for your walk down the aisle until the last dance, so if a pair doesn't feel good on your feet right from the start, forget it.

Size things up. If it's been a while, have your feet measured by a salesperson. Weight gain or loss, as well as age, can affect the size of your feet.

Give yourself some wiggle room. As you try on shoes, remember that your toes and heels shouldn't feel locked. You should be able to move them.

Work the late shift. Shop for shoes in the afternoon. Feet expand throughout the day, and you'll be standing, dancing, and working the reception for hours. You want to be sure your shoes feel good well into the evening.

Take them for a test run. Wear your shoes around the house to break them in. Remember to scuff the soles with sandpaper to created traction and prevent slipping.

* DO IT YOURSELF ESCORT-CARD FRAMES *

Want a customized display for your cards? We created one using flea-market picture frame, acrylic paint, and glam fabric. But you can tailor the project to your wedding style! (All supplies are available at craft stores.)
You’ll Need:
· Wood Frame
· ½ inch wide soft paintbrush
· Acrylic paint
· Yardstick
· Matte knife
· ½ inch thick foam core boards
· Scissors
· batting (filling)
· Fabric (cotton or linen works best; iron before using)
· Straight pins with flat heads
· Masking tape
· Iron
· Hammer
· Small Nails
STEPS
1. Brush two coats of the acrylic paint onto the frame’s front. (Let dry for 20 minutes between coats.) Repeat on back. 2. Measure the frame’s inner border (from the back) with the yardstick, then use the matte knife to cut the foam core 1/8 inch smaller than each measurement. Use scissors to cut four pieces of the batting to the same size as the foam core. Cut one piece of fabric four inches larger than the foam core on each side. Working on a flat surface, stack the fabric, batting, and foam core (in that order, bottom to top). 3. Stretch the fabric tightly over the batting and foam core, using straight pins to secure it into the sides of the foam. (Space the pins two inches apart). Tape the loose fabric flat to the backside of the foam core. Take another piece of fabric, ½ inch larger than the foam core on each side, and create neat edges by ironing ½ inch underneath. Using more pins, secure the fabric to the back of the foam core. 4. Put the fabric-covered board (puffy side facing out) into the frame. Secure it by hammering nails diagonally into the frame’s back, about 5 inches apart.

*THE 411 ON RINGS*

Getting ready to shop for wedding bands? Here's our cheat sheet on the most commonly used materials-and what to know before you buy.
PLATINUM: You can expect to pay a bit more, but this is the wedding ring equivalent of royalty. Pure white and so far more rare than gold, platinum is also naturally hypoallergenic.
SILVER: Sterling is the most budget-friendly. Durability varies based on what alloys are mixed. For example, a platinum-silver blend is less expensive than pure platinum and has whiter, more tarnish-resistant finish than regular sterling.
TITANIUM: The metal in your golf bag is increasingly showing up at the jeweler’s. It’s less shiny than traditional options, but strong and lightweight-perfect for the gal on the go.
WHITE OR YELLOW GOLD: A classic choice: It’s cost-effective and ordered in various levels of purity. The colors are created by blending alloys-like copper for yellow, palladium for white. Watch out for scratches: Gold is a soft metal and shows wear quickly.

WOW YOUR GUESTS WITH THESE UNIQUE WEDDING IDEAS!

*Phonograph Cocktail Hour Music*

Surprise your guests at cocktail hour by renting an antique phonograph to play old time favorites. Quick Tip: Make sure you have someone experienced who can help man the music during cocktail hour. Your DJ or band leader is your best bet.

*Plant a tree to mark you union*

You could stick with the traditional candle or sand ceremony, but why not cap off your wedding ceremony with a celebration that really celebrates growth? If it won't work logistically for the wedding, pot a tree together and then have it transferred to your backyard later.

*Try a custom made table for your wedding cake*

Give your wedding cake extra wow-factor with a tricked out cake table. Wrap it in vines or string lights, construct it out of stacks of books, or ask your florist to swap in tall vases of submerged flowers for a look that will make your guests do a double take.

For more unique ideas go to theknot.com!