OKA b. offers a wonderful collection of cute and stylish Bridal or Bridesmaid shoes at a great price point (all shoes priced $40 retail and below) for your wedding day and everyday. And, I've been lucky to receive samples of these super comfy sandals from OKA b. At ShoesThatLoveYou.com, you can find an enormous collection of sandals and shoes in all the colors you could imagine as well as many fun style choices at. These shoes are made in the USA and are available as flip-flops, slides, thongs, sandals and even closed toe {with or without a heel}. And, there's even choices for the guys too. The OKA b. footwear come with a two-year guarantee, are antimicrobial and waterproof, they have built in massage beads based on reflexology principles, are non-slip, non-marking, have interchangeable ribbons, and are even top-shelf, dishwasher safe {if the ribbon is removed prior to washing}. And, all OKA b. shoes, including the thongs, feature one–piece construction for superior durability and comfort.

OKA b. has a bridal collection of sandals that are perfect for the wedding day and honeymoon {as you can see in the photos above}. The Madison style even comes with one white ribbon and three bridal ribbons {Just Married, I Do, Martini Glasses}. And, of course any of the other choices would be just perfect as bridesmaids gifts. Either for them to wear at your destination wedding or as a thank you gift. Plus, you can save 20% on your purchase at ShoesThatLoveYou.com with the coupon code: INSIDER20

I've been wearing a pair of OKA b. sandals almost all day in the house, especially when cooking and cleaning and my back seems to no longer hurt. Hmmm, it must be those reflexology beads in the sole, I love them :) But, I do prefer the thongs/flip-flops over the slides, but that's just my personal preference. PS: they do tend to run a bit narrow, so you might want to keep that in mind if your foot is a little wider. You could probably go with the next size up and be ok.

There's even a "Find the Perfect Match" feature on the web site where you can plug in your color, style, heel type, shoe size and more to see all the sandals available that meet those specifications. I tried it and the results were right on.

Oh, and guess what? These shoes are recyclable. Customers can send their well-loved shoes to the OKA b. corporate headquarters, where they will be ground and mixed with virgin material to create new products.

Please stop by ShoesThatLoveYou.com to see the amazing selection and if you want to try OKA b. footwear for yourself, be sure to use the coupon code INSIDER20 to say 20% on your purchase.

Disclaimer: I have received samples of OKA b. footwear, but have not been monetarily compensated for this post

Have you heard about Cosa Verde? This web site features "sustainably handmade goods direct from independent artists" all in one location {including etsy artists}. A search for the term "wedding" brings up some pretty terrific items. Below is just a small sampling . . .

Custom Bridal Flats, Sea Urchin Place Card Holders,
Sweet Vintage Scalloped Party Garland, Racer Back Manta Dress

I received an email today {well actually yesterday as I'm writing this post a day early} but I just have to share it with you on the main blog. Usually all wedding and honeymoon locations are posted in the destinations section of my blog. If you haven't checked this section out recently, please do, it's filled with amazing locations and even some special limited time deals.

In San Diego, there's a beautiful wedding location, Keys Creek Lavender Farm (in Valley Center, CA). It's actually San Diego County's only USDA Certified Organic lavender farm. It's a picturesque and intimate venue with seemingly endless rows of lavender. The farm is nestled in a serene valley affectionately described as the end of nowhere. In addition to the eight acres of land and more than two dozen varieties of lavender, the farm also houses a labyrinth, bee hives where delicious lavender honey is made, a peace garden where visitors can plant lavender in memory of their loved ones, and an essential oil distillery – all great spots for those wedding photos. Just look at the photo below...who wouldn't want to have their photo taken in a gorgeous lavender field?

And, if you're looking for a little lavender inspiration, here's a lavender infused inspiration board I put together a while back {way back in 2008, wow, thinking it's time for a new one}. And, here's a peach and lavender wedding inspiration board {more recent}.

I spotted these amazing bouquets over at Ruffled Blog recently and fell in love with them. They're from Fantasy Floral Designs and are created with vintage brooches, so each one is unique. They're created by Amanda Heer and the photographs are by Alice Hu. To see many more of brooch bouquets, please head over the Amanda's site and then click on "galleries" and then "brooch bouquets".

Today's "This and That..." starts off with the exciting launch of Julianne Smith's environmentally friendly, green wedding garters. Juilanne's new mini-collection includes 4 mix and match wedding garters that are actually made from recycled plastic bottles. They consist of eco-friendly grosgrain ribbon which is woven using yarn made from 100% post consumer polyester (made from recycled plastic bottles). And, Julianne says the environmentally friendly grosgrain ribbon is even softer than regular types of grosgrain ribbon.
above photo from Julianne Smith Wedding Garters

And, here's another weekly list of wedding sales, discounts, giveaways, and tidbits. Please be sure to come back to see how you can add a touch of sweetness to your bridal event plus the Eye Candy Friday that will be coming up in a little bit {ps: it's a DIY wedding}.

Wedding Sales & Discounts . . .

The Wedding Outlet
• 10% off SALE with coupon code "splendor" (ends Tuesday October 13th, 2009)
• Today's Great Featured Item is the Terry Cloth Spa Robe - Pink Trimmed
{just $37 for today only}
• Plus 10% off {already reduced} Bridal Intimates
• New Arrivals include Dance Floor Decals and items for Breast Cancer Awareness

Giveaways . . .

The Weekly Giveaway on Brenda's Wedding Blog
Enter to win a striped canvas tote bag, a set of Just Married (his & hers) sandals and a $50 gift certificate to The Wedding Outlet.

$50,000 Earth Day Wedding
DC Green Wedding Consortium has started accepting entries for the 2010 $50,000 Earth Day Wedding giveaway. DC area engaged couples can submit entries here until October 20, 2009. On December 9, 2009 the DCGWC will announce the winner. The wedding will take place on April 22, 2010, the 40th anniversary celebration of Earth Day.

Save the Date Letterpress Giveaway from Ajalon Printing & Design
Share your proposal story and you could win 100 letterpress save the date cards with envelopes

Mismikado's Journey Down the Aisle Anniversary Giveaway
In celebration of the 1st anniversary of Sugarhouse Ink, you can enter to win a $25 gift card to use for any Sugarhouse Ink purchase and a FREE digital design from the recently launched Sugarhouse Ink Etsy Shop - plus there will be 2 winners.

Wedding Tidbits . . .

OneWed.com enhances WeddingPreParty.com with the introduction of social wedding planning which brings the bride, groom and guests together online to connect and communicate. Once invited by the engaged couple, participants in WeddingPreParty.com can post tips, make toasts, upload photos and see status updates from the future bride and groom.

And, lastly, something for wedding vendors:
Slated for release in all major bookstores in early 2010, OMG! Wedding Stories: Did That Really Happen? will be based on hilarious and shocking wedding stories from brides, wedding planners and guests on WedSpace.com. Submissions are now being taken for crazy, funny, bizarre, and outrageous wedding stories. Share your story in 300 words or more and if your story is chosen for publication, you will receive a FREE "Starter" advertising package on WedSpace.com. Your story will be credited to your company and readers will be invited to view your profile on WedSpace.com. Email submissions to brettan@wspublishinggroup.com. Deadline for submission is November 1, 2009.