What I love about Real Simple Weddings is that the guide is filled with a wealth of information and photos for planning a wedding. As the publication is put together in collaboration with Crate & Barrel, advertising is kept very minimal as the only ads shown are for Crate & Barrel (typically before the next chapter). But, this year's guide is basically last years with several new sections being added (see below) and all new featured Real Weddings. The bulk of the publication is identical, and the photos within the chapters are the same.
This years additions with new photos include:
• Dresses by Season
• Bridesmaids Attire (dressing with either same style/complementary colors or different styles/same color)
• Flowers - Pick Your Color Palette
• Flowers at a Glance (32 popular flowers and their "in" season
• Bouquets by Season
• Cakes by Season
If you are a new bride-to-be and don't have last year's Real Simple Weddings, then I highly suggest you head to your local Crate & Barrel to pick up a copy. It is filled with a tremendous amount of wedding tips and worksheets that I know you will love. But, if you already have the 2008 edition, I want to use the one you already have. Unless of course, you want to see the newest Real Weddings that have been published in the 2009 edition. You can also purchase a copy of the Real Simple Wedding Guide online at Crate & Barrel.
And, one last little note, more of an FYI: while there is a web site index, the actual resource links/credits associated with the images are not noted. Therefore, you will not be able to know the exact gown designer for the dress shown, cake baker, etc.
The incredible Sylvia Weinstock has released a book called Sensational Cakes which looks nothing short of a spectacular must-have. If you are lucky to be in NYC on Saturday November 8th, Sylvia will be at the Bergdorf Goodman bridal salon for a book signing. While there, you will also be able to view the Carolina Herrera bridal collection. An RSVP is required, so please see the invitation below for all the details. 
Laura from Inkubook has provided me with a great offer that I have to share with you.
Inkubook is a new collaborative photo book making web site and to help celebrate their recent launch, Inkubook is giving away free digital scrapbooks. Digital scrapbooks are an ideal way for a bride to create a professionally-bound photo album with pictures from their wedding or honeymoon trip. The pre-made page designs are ideal for busy newlyweds – you simply drag and drop your pictures into the pages. For advanced digital scrapbookers, custom page designs can be used as well – you don't have to stick with the pre-made designs. These photo books are even perfect for engagement photos, guest books, and gifts for the parents . . . the ideas are endless.
To receive your free digital scrapbook from Inkubook, simply follow these three steps:
1. Sign up with Inkubook and start making your free digital scrapbook
2. Using the "Invite Friends" feature, invite someone to join Inkubook and submit a few photos/page designs to include in your book. Inkubook will send them a promotion code to use for a free digital scrapbook.
3. When you're finished with your free digital scrapbook, enter this promotion code at checkout: EJR372. You pay only shipping charges to receive your free book. (Basic shipping options are $6.99 for Media Mail and $8.99 for Standard Ground)
Additional books start at just $13.95 for a 20-page softcover book and $24.95 for a hardcover. The above code is good for one book of any size, hardcover or softcover. Inkubook currently has three different options you can select from (8.5x8.5 softcover, 11x8.5 landscape hardcover and 8.5x11 portrait hardcover). Additional information on this special offer can be found here.
My first giveaway is here!
I have 2 autographed copies of Wedding Goddess: a Guide to Transforming Wedding Stress into Wedding Bliss to give away. This book is written by Laurie Sue Brockway - Please complete the following form for your chance to win a copy - there will be 2 lucky winners announced on Friday August 1st. 
About the book Wedding Goddess:
From creating personalized rituals and vows to throwing a bridal shower fit for a goddess, Laurie Sue reveals the secrets to radiating confidence and beauty while planning for that special day. And because a goddess never forgets about her groom, this book includes sage advice on staying connected through the craziness. With creative ideas and inspirational suggestions, every bride can transform wedding stress into wedding bliss.
About the author:
Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway is a leading interfaith and non-denominational wedding officiant, and a widely recognized expert on blended marriages and bridal stress. She reguarly presides over interfaith weddings.
You can visit Rev. Laurie Sue's web sites here:
Wedding Goddess Wisdom® | Wedding Goddess | Wed Lok
The contest is now closed.
by Meg Cabot
This is the 3rd novel in Meg Cabot's Queen of Babble triolgy, featuring Lizzie Nichols, a restorer of vintage wedding gowns who is in the midst of beginning to plan her own wedding. Meg Cabot is a #1 New York Times bestselling author - you may recognize her name from the popular young adult fiction series The Princess Diaries which was also made into two hit movies by Disney.
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched begins with Lizzie accepting Luke's proposal, yet Luke's best friend Chaz quickly lets Lizzie know that Luke could never love her the way he does. Hmmmmm, what's a girl to do? While trying to plan her wedding to Luke at his family's chateau in France, she faces decisions that result in her breaking out in hives. Should she leave Luke for Chaz? Or should she marry Luke and move from NYC to Paris. And, what about her budding wedding design business? While Lizzie sorts thru these questions, she is surrounded by a great cast of supporting characters, including her Gran, her friends Shari and Tiffany, and the gum-snapper Ava Geck with her chihuahua.
In case you missed our exclusive release of Meg Cabot's latest video where she talks about her elopement on Monday, you can see it here. Meg's witty personality shines through in Queen of Babble Gets Hitched, even some of the quirks Meg has encountered in her own life, are passed onto Lizzie in the novel. This book was a sweet and fun read. I found myself not wanting to put it down, even though I should probably have been getting work done :) It's the perfect book for brides to read who want a temporary, yet still romantic escape, from all the tedious wedding planning.
Don't worry if you haven't read the first 2 books in the series, I haven't, and I don't feel that I've missed anything by starting with the latest release. Although... I am now off to start reading her other 2 books in the Queen of Babble Series. And, don't forget to enter our June contest to win your very own set of the Queen of Babble book series - 10 lucky winners will win a signed 3 book collection. Enter Here.