Yesterday was all about wedding fashion for the little ones, the bridesmaids, and the brides. Today will be filled with wedding planning tips and ideas. A few weeks ago I took the train down to NYC to attend the Wedding Bootcamp put on by The Wedding Salon. It was held at NY Wedding Dance and what a beautiful dance studio it is. The event featured wedding vendors who presented their tips and top trends to a packed room of brides and grooms who then later got a mini dance lesson from the staff members of NY Wedding Dance. Below is a round-up of the tips I gathered in my notebook as the speakers presented their material. {photos showcased are those from the featured vendors}

Wedding Flowers {Ariston Florist}
1. Growing trend is monochromatic with classic flowers that are minimal, low and compact/tight
2. You will want to work with flowers that are in season to save on cost
3. For those with allergies, you will want to stay away from lilies as they have the biggest pollen stems

Wedding Cupcakes {Crumbs Weddings}
1. Cupcakes can be presented in boxes as wedding favors for guests
2. A newer trend in cupcakes is having your wedding monogram or a photo on the top. The scanned image is printed on edible paper, placed on the cupcake and then frosting piped on outer edge.
3. At Crumbs, they have a staff of artists that present ideas to you within your budget and you select what best fits your style
4. Cupcakes can be cheaper than a large wedding cake with the cost not exceeding $8 per person.
5. For your flavor choice, you want to pick something that you want, not what you think your guests will want.
6. At Crumbs, you can either rent or purchase display stands for cupcake bars or towers

Wedding Photography {Brett Matthews Photography}
1. With many people claiming to be a photographer these days, it can be hard to choose. Keep in mind that some don't have the foundations that are critical for photographing your day.
2. Ask to see a proof set from your photographer, don't just look at a sample album. You want to see an entire wedding as it was shot.
3. Be sure to provide your photographer with a standard shot list as they aren't going to know who your aunt and uncle are. Photographers only know what you tell them, so you need to tell them who to concentrate on when photographing your special day. That way, by the time the reception rolls around, they will know who to focus on.
4. Second shooters are great in that they provide another point of view

Wedding Dance Lessons {NY Wedding Dance}
1. Popular reasons for taking dance lessons is to either have a choregraphed first dance for the bride and groom or for the couple looking to make an entrance, you can have the entire wedding party come down the aisle dancing
2. Taking dance lessons isn't just for the wedding day, you will now be able to know how to move together at other parties you attend

This coming Monday, March 1, 2010 - you're invited to attend The Wedding Bootcamp brought to you by The Wedding Salon. It will be held at Hansen's Cakes from 6-8:30 pm and there wil be fashion tips from R-Mine Bridal, Cake Tastings, Goodie Bags and more. You will learn how to plan your dream wedding, cut costs and make your special day flawless. Readers of Brenda's Wedding Blog can receive complimentary tickets for 2 with coupon code BWS3C when registering online.

57Grand Bridesmaid, in partnership with Revlon and Operation PROM is having a dress drop. Now you can get rid of those old bridesmaid dresses that are taking up space in your closet. 57Grand is collecting dresses to be donated to Operation PROM, which helps girls in need attend their proms by providing free dresses. And, the first 100 ladies to donate will receive a free Revlon lipstick and nail enamel.

Dresses can be dropped off daily during 11 am to 7 pm to 57Grand at 250 West 39^th Street, 8^th Floor, New York, NY from March 9^th to March 13^th.

57Grand is asking the ladies of NY to pull a dress or two from their closet and donate to Operation PROM so needy students in greater NYC can have a dress of their dreams. Since 2009, 57Grand Bridesmaids has been merging timeless uptown flair with a downtown sense of individuality. Designed and made in New York City, each dress is inspired and named after a New York City street. 57Grand's collection is available in 40 luxurious colors and fabrics and is priced at $200 and under.  Shop 57Grand online at www.57grand.com or visit the New York City showroom, located at 250 West 39th Street.

A 501-3c nonprofit organization, Operation PROM helps low-income students attend their proms by providing free prom dresses and low-cost tuxedo rentals, as well as helping students with regular donations of food, clothing and school supplies. Most students assisted by Operation PROM are homeless or live in shelters and do not have family to assist them. Learn more about Operation PROM at www.helpprom.org.

Thru Friday, you can stop by the Coren Moore NY showroom for a huge Sample Sale. Today and tomorrow, you can stop by from 10 am to 7 pm and there's no appointment necessary. A full range of sizes will be available in both bridal and cocktail/bridesmaid attire. Some of the Coren Moore Collection bridal gowns will be up to 50% off, and the cocktail dresses (normally around $300) will be selling for about $100.

250 W. 39th Street, Suite 408 | New York City (between 7th & 8th Avenues) | 212.731.2017

This coming Monday, February 22, 2010 - you're invited to attend The Wedding Bootcamp brought to you by The Wedding Salon. It will be held at Dylan's Candy Bar from 6-8:30 pm and there wil be candy treats, goodie bags and more. You will learn how to plan your dream wedding, cut costs and make your special day flawless. Readers of Brenda's Wedding Blog can receive complimentary tickets for 2 with coupon code BBWS2C when registering online.