A Unique Wedding Proposal
I saw this story by Mike Smith on Yahoo a couple of days ago and thought it was so sweet that I had to share it with all of our customers. Here's this future groom's special proposal: You're probably accustomed to seeing big-screen proposals at ball games, in crowded restaurants, and scrawled across the sky by aircraft. But popping the question by hiding a message in your intended's favorite computer game is rather more unusual. However, for computer programmer Bernie Peng, it obviously seemed like the perfect idea. He spent a month reprogramming his girlfriend Tammy Liu's favorite video game, gem-matching hit Bejeweled, so that it would display the all-important message when she reached a certain score. As Peng told Newark's Star-Ledger: "I thought it was pretty cool, in a nerdy way." Did she agree? Fortunately for Peng, she did, and the pair plan a September wedding. Popcap, the company responsible for Bejeweled (and consequently untold hours of lost productivity in offices around the world) is flying the couple out for a Seattle honeymoon, and supplying copies of Bejeweled to hand out as wedding favors. A word of advice to any guests, though: don't sit next to two other people wearing the same color, or all three of you will vanish. You can try the game for yourself right here -- but don't count on it hiding any marriage proposals.
We are busy adding lots of new elegant wedding favors, party favors, cake toppers, and personalized gifts for every occasion to our website right now, but we plan on sharing some great wedding planning tips and vendor resources with our brides in the coming days. In the mean time don't forget to check out all of our new products on the Cherished Gifts & Favors website!
Want To Lose A Few Pounds Before Your Wedding?
Who doesn't want to lose a few pounds? If you are getting married soon or attending a big event the pressure we put on ourselves to lose weight can be even more intense. It seems like the harder we try to cut out the fattening foods the more we crave them. If you are like me, it can even feel like the food calls to us and many times, it feels like we are helpless to fight the craving.
While adding new wedding and party favors to our website tonight, I was flipping the TV channels trying to find something to entertain me. I came across a show called "I Can Make You Thin". Needless to say, the show caught my attention. I began to listen to what the host, Paul McKenna had to say.
He explained that he could use his negative association technique to help the audience and TV viewers take control of our cravings. He began by asking us to close our eyes, touch our left thumb and middle finger together, and imagine a food that repulses us. Its liver and onions for me!
Once we had the food in our mind, he asked us to imagine taking a big bite of it. We were supposed to imagine the taste, texture, and the smell of it.
He then asked us to imagine the food covered in hair from a barbershop floor (I began to feel uncomfortable at that point).
Next, he said to imagine the food covered in hair and spit from a spittoon (I started gagging and tears started running down my face).
Finally, he said to imagine our favorite food, covered in the food that repulses us, hair from a barbershop floor, and spit from a spittoon (kid you naught, I almost threw up).
After having us create a VERY negative image about the food(s) we crave, he asked us to touch our right thumb and middle finger together.
Then he told us to close our eyes and think about a time when we were really happy. Perhaps it was while we on vacation, at a party with friends, falling in love for the first time, or even enjoying a beautiful day.
Paul McKenna said the next time we start to crave a food we need to connect our left thumb and finger and think about the food covered in something that repulses us. Then we need to touch our right thumb and finger and think about the time when we were the happiest. By reprogramming our thoughts we can control our cravings.
Very interesting. I'm going to try it this week to see if it will work for me. If you want more info on the show, check out TLC's website.
Most Popular Wedding Favors
When given a choice of six favor categories and asked which one they would buy for their own wedding, what was brides’ number one choice? Candles!
It is true everything looks better by candlelight!
Where Does The Wedding Budget Go?
1. Wedding Reception - $9,573
2. Wedding Jewelry - $6,514
3. Photography/Video - $3,509
4. Wedding Dress - $1,056
5. Beauty (Engagement & Day of) - $938
6. Attendant's Gifts - $616
7. Invitations/Stationery - $447
8. Average Wedding Cost - $27,852 
It Sounded Like A Great Plan
Found this on Yahoo:
Guys take note...
It is the one moment every man wants to get right -- and which could hardly have got more wrong.
The luckless 28 year-old's dreams of giving his sweetheart, Leanne, 26, the ultimate proposal have literally vanished into thin air.
Hajji, of Hackney, east Londonhad concealed a $12,000 engagement ring inside a helium balloon. The idea was that she would pop the balloon as he popped the question.
But as he left the shop, a gust of wind pulled the balloon from his hand and he watched the ring -- and quite possibly the affections of his girlfriend -- sailing away over the rooftops.
"I couldn't believe it," he told The Sun newspaper.
"I just watched as it went further and further into the air."
"I felt like such a plonker. It cost a fortune and I knew my girlfriend would kill me."
Hajji spent two hours in his car trying to chase and find the balloon, without success.
"I thought I would give Leanne a pin so I could literally pop the question," he said.
"But I had to tell her the story -- she went absolutely mad. Now she is refusing to speak to me until I get her a new ring.
"He is hoping the ring will still turn up.
"It would be amazing if someone found it," he added.
Running Of The Brides
Were you there for the craziness, the fun, the savings?
Share your story...
Expanding Our Wedding Accessories Line
We are pleased to announce that we are expanding our wedding accessories to include a larger selection of guest books, cake server sets, toasting flutes, and ring pillows and flower girl baskets. We have also added a new line of elegant jewelry and cuff links that make perfect thank you gifts for your bridesmaids and groomsmen.
We know our brides are very busy and do not have countless hours to spend searching for party favors and accessories for their wedding. Throughout the year we will continue to expand our product line to include more elegant wedding favors, accessories, and gifts so you can find everything you need to make your wedding extra special.
If You Need To Laugh
For all of you stressed brides who need a good laugh... this one is for you!
Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors
Planning an eco-friendly wedding has become very important to many brides and grooms. We have listened to our customers’ suggestions and now offer a line of plantable wedding and party favors.
The favors have quickly become a big hit and have been featured in the 2008 Spring Edition of Emerald Coast Brides. Here is what they had to say about our plantable wedding favors:
"For a wedding favor that keeps giving to both the guests and the environment, consider handing out something for their yard or garden. All the guests would consider the Decorative Daisy Seed, Wildflower Seed Favor Kits, Plantable Wildflower Favors, Seed Balls, the Love Bean, or Butterfly Gift Baskets, available through www. CherishedGiftFavors.com, fun and useful."
If you would like to read more tips on planning an environmental friendly wedding, you can pick up a copy of Emerald Coast Brides at bridal fairs, Borders, Books A Million, Publix, Walmart, Winn Dixie, and many other fine retail stores in 18 southern states.
Planning For Your Wedding Day
Congratulations to the many couples that became engaged over the holidays. I know you are excited about planning for one of the most memorable events in your life. While planning for your wedding can be fun and exciting, it can also be stressful. Remember that no matter how crazy things get take time to relax and reenergize yourself. Once you are feeling refreshed you can regroup and get back to enjoying planning for your wedding again.
This advice may sound trivial, but I have been there. I remember the havoc it created on my body when I allowed myself to get stressed out. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I was so stressed while planning for my wedding that my body began to feel like someone had beaten me. The stress continued to build up so much in my back and shoulders that it eventually moved into my arm and leg causing them to go numb.
Looking back I’m shocked I let all the details of planning for my wedding and honeymoon turn into such a stressful situation. Ladies don’t let the stress get to you as it did me. Yes, there are many important details that need to be taken care of such as choosing a theme, reserving a location, booking vendors, picking out your dress, and selecting your wedding party, but tackle each task one at a time instead of trying to do everything all at once. I did it that way and soon became overwhelmed.
Once you are finished with the bigger details of your wedding, take a deep breathe, smile, and congratulate yourself. You have accomplished a lot so take a small break from thinking about your wedding. This will allow you to relax and experience the excitement, joy, and fun of being engaged to the man you love. It is a special period in your life so make sure you take time to enjoy it.
After you have refreshed yourself a bit, make a list of the smaller details that you will need to help personalize your wedding. Many items such as invitations, wedding favors, bridal party gifts, decorations, guest books, toasting flutes, and gift bags for out of town can be purchased closer to your big day. While you want to give yourself plenty of time to order everything, especially during the busy wedding and holiday seasons, these items can be ordered 4 to 8 weeks before your wedding.
Remember this a very special time in your life so enjoy it to the fullest!