Happy Tuesday everyone. I hope everyone’s Christmas shopping is organized and complete; more importantly that you aren’t stressed about getting errands done!

Recently I was asked to compile a list of what I anticipate to be the hot wedding trends of 2010. Today’s wedding blog features one that I simply love… Feathers!

You will see them in veils and hairpieces like these fabulous creations from Jade Rose Designs.

In invitations like this from the 2U Collection:

And, as I reported on a previous wedding blog, bouquets and centerpieces.

So if you want to be a trendy bride in 2010, be sure feature feathers in your design.

Look for more wedding trends in my wedding blog later in the week. As always, If you have questions on this or any other wedding related topic, please post for me here or send me an email to susan(dot)southerland(at)pwg.com. Also become a fan on Facebook by clicking here and follow me on Twitter by clicking here.

Your partner in perfect planning,

Susan

As the cooler weather rolls into Central Florida, I thought I would take my wedding blog readers to the majestic and awe-inspiring Swiss Alps for today’s honeymoon destination. A cultured, rather tranquil country known for its chocolate, cheese and stunning scenery, Switzerland has something to appeal to every honeymooner.

Things to Do:

1. Honeymoon on the Glacier Express. Running from St. Moritz to Zermatt (or the other direction, of course), this famous railway transports travelers across 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels, and across the Oberalp Pass on a panoramic ride through the heart of Switzerland.

2. Gallery-Hop. Zurich is home to an impressive number of museums and galleries, sure to please any honeymooner interested in exploring art and culture. Be sure to check out the Landesmuseum (Swiss National Museum), the Museum Rietberg (collection of mainly non-European art), and the Scalo and Zur Stockeregg photography galleries, among many other venues.

3. Embrace the Nightlife. Honeymooners visiting Geneva will find many fine establishments to enjoy a quiet, romantic dinner or a fun, festive evening filled with music and dancing. Fans of jazz and blues music should try AMR or Le Chat Noir, while honeymooners seeking a more cozy, sophisticated atmosphere might enjoy Demi Lune Cafe or The Alhambra. Geneva has something for everyone!

4. Ski–Of Course! What honeymoon to Switzerland, home of the famous Matterhorn, would be complete without a visit to the snowy slopes? Couples honeymooning in the Swiss Alps might consider a resort in Interlaken, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Engleberg or Grindlewald, among numerous others. Even those honeymooners who aren’t the adventurous types can enjoy snuggling in front of a warm fire at a romantic ski resort.

Don’t forget to check on tomorrow’s wedding blog, and I would love to hear from you with any stories you have regarding excellent places to visit in Switzerland for our honeymooners out there.

If you have questions on this or any other wedding related topic, please post for me here or send me an email to susan(dot)southerland(at)pwg.com. Also become a fan on Facebook by clicking here and follow me on Twitter by clicking here.

Your partner in perfect planning,
Susan

The winter holidays typically mean lots of engagements. I hope some of you are anticipating something sparkly under the Christmas Tree or by the menorah!

If you have been following my wedding blog for a while, you know that the very first thing I tell my couples to do is to plan a budget. I think we have all learned a valuable lesson about what spending to excess can do. Here are some tips to starting your budget plan the right way from the beginning.

1. Prioritize Services: What is most important to you, your photos? your gown? your reception location? You must know which vendors are most important to you so that you know where you won’t make compromises.
2. Research for going rates in your area. If you don’t have friends who can give you an idea of what things cost, check with your reception location or go to costofwedding.com
3. Use the PWG budget calculator to track estimated versus actual expenditures
   
4. Look at your budget frequently to review and update
5. Remember the budget is constantly changing as contracts are finalized

Did you know that the wedding blog isn’t the only wedding planning resource that Perfect Wedding Guide provides? I host monthly webinars on various wedding-planning topics. You can see the schedule by clicking here The 2010 schedule will be up soon. You can also check out Perfect Wedding Guide’s free wedding planning tools by going to my.perfectweddingguide.com/tools/. My favorite wedding planning tools can be found in my shop.

If you have questions on planning a budget, or the other resources that Perfect Wedding Guide has to offer, post for me here or email me at susan(dot)southerland(at)pwg(dot)com. Also become a fan on Facebook by clicking here and follow me on Twitter by clicking here.

Don’t for get to check my wedding blog on Monday for another installment of Honeymoon Monday.

Your partner in perfect planning,

Susan