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wedding blog + planning guide for creative weddings | inspiration for DIY Brides

Brenda's Wedding Blog is your online resource for planning your dream elegant wedding. Helping you find the "wow" in weddings.

Posts in This and That
This and That {giveaways galore + more}

Today I have probably the largest number of giveaways I've ever showcased in one post, plus a few sale items and events too. So, let's get started . . . {eye candy friday is up next}

First off, there's this week's giveaway to win a gift card for the MissNowMrs online name change services.

The Wedding Outlet's Latest Sales
From now thru January 25th, you can save $10 at The Wedding Outlet on any order over $75 with code 10DAYS. And, the Karma Sutra Weekender Kit is on sale for a Valentines day gift for $19.

Get Married magazine Hits Newsstands
The January issue highlights 2010's best bridal trends, while giving brides an interactive guide for wedding shopping. You can find Get Married magazine . . .
• On newsstands in select locations: Barnes & Noble, Borders, Waldenbooks, Book World, Hasting, Books-A-Million, additional independent bookstores
Free first issue: Brides can receive a single issue of Get Married magazine FREE by signing up online
Free online flipper: For this current issue, the free online flipper provides brides an interactive experience by hyperlinking all product features to a site of purchase
Annual subscriptions (4 issues): Available for $14.96

A Legendary Wedding Giveaway
VIE – People + Places magazine, published by Cornerstone Marketing & Advertising, Inc., announced that, in their Winter 2009 issue, they are offering A Legendary Wedding Giveaway, provided by Legendary, Inc. and Emerald Grande. This prize has a value of more than $30,000 in promotional wedding items. To enter for the giveaway, contestants only need to fill out the online entry form at www.GiVIEs.com. The winner of A Legendary Wedding Giveaway will be announced at Commander’s Palace on Sunday, February 14, 2010, and will have at least one year to plan their fairytale wedding at Emerald Grande. VIEtv will film the announcement of the winner, and follow the lucky bride and groom as they make plans for their wedding. The wedding will also be filmed and shown on www.VIEzine.com and all Legendary, Inc. websites. The giveaway also includes wedding rings for the bride and groom provided by Destin Jewelers in Miramar Beach; a wedding gown chosen by the bride-to-be provided by Simply Elegant Bridal in Fort Walton Beach; music by DJ-Zoran of Celebrations by the Sea; a four-tier wedding cake to serve up to one hundred guests by Confections on the Coast, LLC; hair styling for the bride and groom at the prestigious Salon Twist on Scenic Highway 30A; photography services by Pure 7 Studios; and a dream reception hosted and catered by Emerald Grande overlooking the Destin Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico.

PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com & Honeymoon Giveaway
PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com has just launched a new site design that will make finding a wedding dress even easier. And, to celebrate the new site design, they are offering brides a chance to win a fantastic Luxury Included® Honeymoon Giveaway with Sandals Resorts. You could win a romantic 6-Day/ 5-Night Caribbean honeymoon. For full details, please click here.

Martha Stewart Weddings Luxury Wedding Expo
For those that are newly engaged or missed the first two live days of the Martha Stewart Luxury Wedding Expo in November, you can catch an encore this Saturday, January 23. It's free and it's all done without leaving your home. Simply visit www.luxuryweddingexpo.com to chat with renowned experts for creative ideas and tips, while browsing booths from vendors like Lela Rose, Anne Barge, Tacori, Macy's, Delphine, Half Moon, and Continental Airlines to find the perfect gown, bridesmaid dresses, invitations, registry items, and honeymoon destinations.

Free Wedding Giveaway at Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Center
Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Center has announced the beginning of its "Win a Wedgewood Wedding" giveaway, in which one couple will win a free wedding ceremony and reception on Sunday, November 21st, 2010 at Wedgewood's Sterling Hills Golf Club location for 100 guests. The prize is valued at over $10,000. Hopeful applicants can apply at www.wedgewoodbanquet.com by sending in a brief essay and photo of themselves. Five finalists will be selected on February 28, 2010 with the winning couple announced at Wedgewood's bridal expo at Sterling Hills on March 28, 2010.

This and That {"Free" Sale + Engagement Shoot Contest}

Orange & Blossom "Free Sale"
Shop with Orange & Blossom for your wedding decor, vintage finds, or gifts for family & friends. From now through the end of 2009 it's a Holiday FREE Sale. Choose from one of the following 4 freebies:
1. Free Shipping on ANY order with code FREESHIP
2. Free Thank You Notes (newlyweds or bridezilla) with order over $30 & code THANKS
3. Free Candle Trio (mirrored or damask) with order over $40 & code CANDLES
4. Free Vendors Notepad Set with order over $50 & code NOTES

Plus, if you buy any jewelry design you will receive a code for 50% off & free shipping on your next piece


The Mold Breakers: An Engagement Photo Shoot Contest
A New York City based luxury wedding photographer is looking to expand and diversify their portfolio and are looking to photograph something different. So, as a result, they have decided to hold a contest to connect with the most unique and fascinating couples. Winners of the contest will receive an on location NYC photo shoot, all the best shots in digital format, and a custom designed album. In an effort to only attract the most creative, the photographer has decided to remain anonymous. But, don't worry...I know who the photographer is {*wink*} and their work is spectacular. The contest poster and full entry details can be seen here.

This and That . . . {+ two last minute Thanksgiving Table Settings}

The other day I posted easy fall centerpiece ideas that would also be perfect for Thanksgiving. For today, I came across these great Thanksgiving Table Settings from Country Living that I wanted to share with you before the weekly This and That {sales, discounts, events and more}. My favorite is the ribbon napkin holders as this can easily be used for any holiday and can serve double duty for weddings as the place card. Simply write your guests names on cardstock, punch holes on both sides and then thread your ribbon of choice thru the holes after wrapping ribbon underneath napkin.

Hanson Ellis Best Proposal Contest
Win up to $500 in Personalized Gifts & Wedding Favors at HansonEllis.com
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Tejani Bridal Jewelry Coming to a City Near You
Tejani's bridal jewelry collection (based in NYC) will be hitting major cities starting in early 2010. This is perfect for brides not in NYC but want to view the collection in person and not online. And, Tejani will offer 15% off the entire order for brides who purchase at any of the trunk shows listed below:

Saturday January 23 in Miami Beach, FL from 9AM - 7PM
Fountain Bleau | 4441 Collins Avenue

Saturday February 6 in Dallas, TX from 9AM - 7PM
Location: Ritz Carlton | 500 Crescent Court

Saturday February 27 in Washington, D.C. from 9AM - 7PM
Ritz Carlton | 1150 22nd Street NW
9AM - 7PM Saturday

Saturday March 6 in Boston, MA from 9AM - 7PM
Taj Hotel | 15 Arlington Street

Saturday March 20 in Chicago, IL from 9AM - 7PM
The Peninsula | 108 East Superior
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Black Friday Sale at Nai Wedding Favors
Receive 25% Off starting 11/27/09 12:01 am to 12:59 pm US only. No Minimums.
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Win $250 + The Everything Mother of the Bride Book Giveaway
Katie Martin of Elegance and Simplicity wants to give you the chance to win a signed copy of her new book and $250 to go towards to your wedding budget. Simply visit Katie's blog to enter and win.
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The LV Studio Holiday Specials
No 1: First 3 brides to place an order by December 31st will receive complimentary invitations at cost (no design fee)
No 2: Order your invitation by January 31, 2010 and receive up to 25 free Custom Save the Dates

This and That . . . plus, a winery-inspired dinner

Before today's featured sale, upcoming event and giveaway, I just had to share with you the link to see more from a winery-inspired dinner that Jenn at HWTM posted today. It was created by Beth Helmstetter and is gorgeous. Be sure to click here to see more.

Wedding Bootcamp this Monday in Miami

The Wedding Salon's Wedding Bootcamp is a classroom-style bridal event, where brides-to-be will meet with Miami's hottest bridal vendors for tips and trends as they plan their wedding. The event takes place from 6 – 9 pm on Monday November 16th at Casa Casuarina {1116 Ocean Drive | Miami, FL}. There will also be Cocktails, Hors d'Oeuvres and Gift Bags. PLUS: Readers of Brenda's Wedding Blog are entitled to complimentary tickets when you use code BWS9C at www.WeddingSalon.com under "Events and Tickets".

Today's Great Featured Item from The Wedding Outlet
Silver Heart Pen - {Just $17}
This classically designed Heart Shaped Pen is crafted of silver-plated metal. The pen and engraved base make a great gift to give to bridesmaids or to use with your ceremony guest book. The Heart Shaped Pen base may be engraved with a single, script initial or two first names (max of 12 characters per name) and numeric date at No Additional Cost. BONUS: 10% off all silver pens.

How Does Priscilla of Boston Inspire You
On the Priscilla of Boston web site you can create personal virtual collages centered around a Priscilla of Boston gown that inspires you. Each entrant is asked to share her inspiration behind the collage for a chance to win a complete luxury weekend trip for two to NYC for an expert consultation at Priscilla of Boston and receive the bridal gown or special occasion dress of your dreams, additionally, you'll win two tickets to Priscilla of Boston's exclusive Runway Show next April.

This and That . . . plus, a wee bit of the holidays early

12 Days of Christmas by Sweetwater
offering 12 Days of new projects and ideas to help you through the Christmas Season
(see blog and etsy shop for details)

This week's Blog Giveaway
Enter to win either the Clara or Angela dupioni silk wedding clutch from Pretty Lulu Bridal customized with your fabric choices.

Parklife Press Fall Sale
All orders opened from now thru the end of November are entitled to a 10% discount regardless of when the details are finalized.

Ajalon Printing and Design Letterpress Special
The 100 letterpress invitations and cards for $398 special is back

Martha Stewart Weddings
Their first Destination Weddings & Dream Honeymoons special issue goes on sale this Monday

Honeymoon Shopping Spree
SHOP.COM is currently offering a "Honeymoon Shopping Spree" giveaway on InStyleWeddings.com. One lucky couple will win a $1,000 honeymoon shopping spree on SHOP.COM.

Casting Call for new series "Pop the Question"
Do you or your friends/parents have a romantic, amazing, silly, funny, or creative proposal story? Stick Figure Productions and AOL are looking for couples (ALL AGES) to share their unique story for a new show "Pop the Question." We would LOVE to hear your romantic tale! If you are in NYC or the surrounding area and would like the opportunity to share your UNIQUE story on camera please send a brief summary along with a photo and your contact information ((name, age, location, years married, and phone number)) to engagementstorycasting@gmail.com

Bridezilla stories for BRIDES magazine
We've all been there: A best friend turns into Bridezilla and you pick up the pieces, without complaint. Now's your chance to tell all. Give us the scoop in 100 words or less and your story may be published in our March issue. We don't need names (obvi) but we do want the juicy details! Email all entries to brianna_bobola@condenast.com by November 16th and you could receive a box of 40 charming thank-you notes (designed by BRIDES!).