Question: How can you be sure that your wedding favors don’t end up being a waste of money? (Where do all those silver picture frames and cute little salt and pepper shakers monogrammed with the couple’s wedding date actually go?)
Answer: Give your wedding guests something to eat!
The Bridal Guide team got a delicious package the other day from All Jarred Up . This company, which started out on the e-marketplace Etsy, makes truly adorable treats that are ideal for wedding favors. For example, we got three pint-sized pies in mason jars. Isn’t that a great wedding favor idea? So you can give them as formal wedding favors (an 8-oz jar for 1-2 people costs $7) or just as snacks for guests who are hitting the road after the festivities. They’re also perfect for a bridal shower. We sampled How Do You Like Them Apples, Very Very Berry and Peachy Keen. Yum!

Best Buy Express kiosks can be found at 12 different national airports including BOS (Logan), LAX, ATL (Atlanta) and MSP (Minneapolis).

Last week I went to Chicago. It was my first time on a plane since March. (Can you believe it?!) And it was a quick 30-hour turnaround trip. I love Chicago for many reasons. The city is beautiful, and the architecture is amazing. But it’s the kind Midwest folks who really keep me coming back. Plus, I get a kick out of seeing highway signs to Wisconsin and Indiana.

This post isn’t about my fun, fall weekend to the Windy City, which included a visit to Wrigley Field. Instead, it’s about an amazing kiosk I spotted near my gate at LaGuardia.

When I first saw the Best Buy vending machine, I thought: "Wow, that is wicked stupid. Who is going to buy an iPod from a machine?" Then I had my coffee and circled back around. Inside the Best Buy Express kiosk, I spied noise-canceling headphones, flash jumps and my coveted item du jour—the Flip camera.

Since I’m slated to (finally!) go on my honeymoon next week, and I think it would be fun to film the lions, cheetahs and elephants I’m hoping to spy, it seemed like a good idea to just buy a Flip cam right then and there. But, as is par for the frequent-flyer course, I was literally the last one to the gate, so I had to pass. I did see some dudes on another flight stocking up on stuff. And now my thought is "pretty cool."

I attended a gorgeous bridal show recently to celebrate the 30th anniversary for designer Pat Kerr. Thirty years! That’s quite an achievement when you realize what a challenge it is for most businesses to survive 10 or 20 years. But with Pat Kerr it’s not surprising at all because this charming lady from Memphis, Tennessee has always designed elegant, one-of-a-kind dresses for brides all over the world.

Pat is truly passionate about her work and one of the most knowledgeable people on the planet when it comes to lace. Whenever Pat visits NYC with her collection, we love to listen to her describe how she uses lace in her design work and where she has discovered these invaluable pieces. Pat probably has the most extensive collection of laces in the world dating back to the 16th through 19th centuries. And her private collection also includes items from royal icons such as Queen Victoria, the Duchess of Windsor and Princess Diana. She is a devotee of all things precious and beautiful and brings a unique, sophisticated yet utterly romantic sensibility to her dresses. Here’s a look at some show highlights and the lovely designer herself surrounded by her models:

For more information on these dresses, visit michelleroth.com,priscillaofboston.com, annfrances.com, christosbridal.com, jlmcouture.com and oscardelarenta.com.

Posted by Naima

Got a yen to do it yourself? Take a look at poseprints.com, where you can create appealing caricatures of yourselves for your save-the-dates and invitations and thank-you notes. Such a cute way to personalize (and cheap, cheap, cheap too!).

For product information, visit goody.com, oribe.com, moroccanoil.com, conair.com, ulta.com and ghdhair.com.

Posted by Maureen

For more information on these dresses, visit douglashannant.com, clairepettibone.com, annebowen.com, oscardelarenta.com, jennypackham.com and carolinaherrera.com.

Posted by Naima

Credit: Courtesy Catherine Hall Photography

Thinking of attending a bridal showcase or event in your area? Or have you already attended three or four and feel more overwhelmed than ever? Take a few tips from Stephanie Anderson of One Fine day, an event planning company based in northern California.

* Know your budget. Come to the event with at least the basics firmly in mind. “Determine what your top three priorities are,” Anderson suggests. “For instance, you may have your heart set on a specific venue, amazing photography or an awesome band.” Depending on the cost of your must-haves, break down what you’ll have left to spend on, say, flowers and food.

* Do your homework. The well-prepared bride will get the most out of the experience. Before the event, determine what your wedding style is, i.e. modern, shabby chic, vintage, rustic elegance, etc. Create an inspiration file that features your favorite colors, flowers, foods, and more. “When you are meeting with vendors, it’s great to have a picture that you can point to,” Anderson says.

* Meet & greet. Chat up the wedding vendors, and see if you click. After all, once you’ve chosen your vendors, you’ll be dealing with them for the better part of a year. “Ask them who they are, how did they get into the business and what their basic philosophy is,” Anderson advises. “It helps in developing a level of understanding for both the bride and the vendor.” P.S.A good relationship also paves the way for constructive negotiating on prices and services.

* Expect success. Anderson urges brides to go to bridal events to learn and to get great ideas. And don’t forget to have fun!