Food Tasting and Meet & Greet with Food Matters and Wedding Vendors
Tuesday March 22nd, 2011 from 6:30-8:30 pm at Prince George Ballroom, New York, NY
A perfect opportunity for Brides & Grooms who are looking for catering services to taste the cuisine and meet the team behind Food Matters and Bridal vendors all in one evening! Purchase your tickets here

Alina Pizzano Couture Bridal Trunk Show
Saturday March 19th from 10-4
Sparkling lemonade will be served along with a 25% discount on any Collection gown purchased on Saturday only. Located at: 235 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101

Shopbop.com has launched a Wedding Boutique
Shopbop’s Wedding Boutique is geared toward the woman who is fashion conscious and wants a dress that perfectly suits her style, personality and wedding, and maybe even the possibility to wear her special dress again. The Wedding Boutique will also carry lingerie and gift sets, as well as accessories from Giuseppe Zanotti, Lauren Merkin and Loeffler Randall to compliment each and every gown. Retail prices will range from $195-5,000K for dresses.

Ziva Jewels is giving one lucky couple their dream proposal
The winner will receive free personalized proposal planning services from Simply U Proposals and 50% off a Ziva engagement ring.

BRIDES 3rd annual Operation Dream Dress contest is underway
Editors at Brides have chosen the top 24 sketches out of hundreds of submissions, and asked the semifinalists to create the gowns and post pictures online. Now they're asking the public to pick a favorite by  casting a vote. The contest is open now through March 21. The winning dress will be featured on the July cover and the winner will receive $10,000.

A Chicago Save the Date Wedding Video Trailer
I'm going to be honest and admit that I don't typically posts videos on my blog as I just don't often come across ones that I REALLY fall in love with. But, today is the day that I have one for you - this couple wanted a video to announce their wedding date to friends and family. And, I LOVE this video from Delack Media Group - it's clever, it's cute and original. So here you go . . .

*** FASHION ***

Michelle Rahn launches her east coast "pop up shop"
February 24-27, 2011 at New York’s esteemed Wedding Library
The event features a trunk show and designer appearance including Michelle Rahn’s gorgeous collection of gowns and jaw dropping Swarovski crystal belts and accessories, plus the brand new collection for next season. The designer will be meeting and consulting personally (by appointment) with brides helping them shop the collection, styling their bridal look, and offering design tweaks to the collection gowns including silhouette, fabric, beading, and embellishment, allowing brides to create a gown perfectly suited to their taste and wedding style. Brides will also enjoy 10% off exclusively during the trunk show.

Vogue Eyewear Launches new “Love Vogue” collection
The new collection from Vogue Eyewear is a perfect gift for bridesmaids {priced at under $100}. The new collection features an ‘80s-inspired frame and slightly elongated silhouette that’s right on trend for the upcoming Spring and Summer seasons. There are six different colors and beautiful packaging.

** GIVEAWAYS ***

Postcards & Pretties : Free Wedding Photography Package
Also included in the package is a free engagement or day after session as well. Chris has teamed up with 13:13 Photography and the giveaway is open to all readers {even international ones}.

Win a Dream Caribbean Honeymoon or Rent for a Year
From Rent.com, you simply submit a 1 minute video or 250 word essay describing their New American Dream and you could win a terrific grand prize {rent for a year} or a wonderful honeymoon in the Caribbean. Entries will be accepted from February 14, 2011 until May 2, 2011.

Win a $100,000 Wedding by Celeb Wedding Planner 
Crate and Barrel announces its second Ultimate Wedding Contest, which offers engaged couples a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win the wedding of their dreams – designed by celebrity wedding planner, Yifat Oren, and valued at over $100,000!

*** SPECIALS ***

JS Photography is offering FREE engagement sessions to couples who reserve their wedding date with them by February 28, 2011. regularly $195+ for these 60-90 minute sessions

Send a sweet note with this stunning, hand crafted card from Bell'Invito. With Valentine's Day around the corner, "Kiss Kiss" is the perfect sentiment to send anyone's way.

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Instead of flowers and candy this Valentine's Day, how about some pretty bling from Iced Orchid?

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Andria Mitsakos, lifestyle publicist, designer and global ‘wanderlista’, shares her five select spots for a sultry sojourn this Valentine’s Day – all under five hours flight time from the East Coast.

Villas Sur Mer, Negril Jamaica
Take your honey to this 24-room gem featuring private lagoon cottages and one super fab villa in a rustic luxe atmosphere. And with rooms starting at $260 in high season, it’s an affordable/must-do luxury that will leave you languishing for more.

Pink Sands, Harbour Island, The Bahamas
The beachfront estate sits beside its namesake, a legendary three-mile strip of pink sands.

Gansevoort Turks and Caicos
Caribbean cool meets urban chic in this sexy beachfront retreat on Grace Bay. New York’s Bagatelle has an outpost here and, the hotel just opened a stunning new beachfront bar and grill complete with a boardwalk that stretches into the powder-soft white sand. A gorgeous pool, Exhale Spa and sleek, contemporary accommodations are the perfect backdrop for a passionate weekend.

Casasandra, Isla Holbox, Mexico
Owned by Pablo Milanes´ muse, Sandra Perez, CasaSandra on Holbox Island is a reflection of her love for the arts. A screenwriter, painter and full-time artist, Sandra has lined the walls of the 20-room whimsical, beachfront retreat with original works—hers and other Cuban artists.

Coral Reef Villas, St. Barths
These trés stylish residences offer one and two bedroom beachfront villas in a gated estate for optimum seclusion, perfect for that seductive getaway.

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Runway Rundown is finishing up it's Wedding Week and they are featuring gowns and accessories that match runway fashion with affordable looks.

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Home for your Honeymoon : new online registry lets wedding guests help couples purchase a new home

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DIY Handmade Wedding Invitations Contest from Do It Yourself Invitations
Show off your creative prowess and enter to win some amazing prizes by submitting your handmade and DIY wedding invitations creations. Whether it be handmade down to the very last scrap of paper or semi-homemade DIY by incorporating your own designs with some plain pocketfolds and crafty details, they want to see your creations.

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Pop, The Bridal Event at The Americana at Brand, will host its inaugural wedding planning event, on Sunday, February 20, 2011, from 11 am - 4 pm, to assist brides-to-be with their future wedding plans. Designed for those looking to plan their own A-list wedding, or for wedding planners seeking a little inspiration, “Pop, The Bridal Event,” will feature a well-showcased collection of Southern California’s unique and most distinctive bridal resources.

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Since1910.com, is sponsoring a 100 day giveaway of Tacori Jewelry in honor of their 100th Anniversary. The grand prize winner will get a 1 carat Tacori engagement ring valued at $7,500.

Heirloom Textile Art, focuses on wedding gowns in slightly unusual ways. Peggy creates replica miniature wedding gowns and the intricately detailed works of art are just under 11 inches tall and preserve the beauty of a brides gown and flowers in a manageable size. Additionally, Peggy can restyle, rework and re-purpose vintage family gowns into current fashion, keepsake pieces and usable items that honor the memories of those special textiles. {ps: stay tuned for something special coming from Peggy next Tuesday}

Foxy Drummer in Maine, USA is a small custom drumstick company. After being contacted by a bride to make her wedding favors - white custom drumsticks, Foxy Drummer has started offering custom drum sticks for other weddings.

Jannie Baltzer Headpieces
Jannie Baltzer is a luxury accessories brand dedicated to designing an array of couture headpieces for modern occasions. Inspired by "old Hollywood" glamour, Jannie Baltzer uses the finest materials in each of her hand-sewn headpieces, such as French lace, silk, Swarovski crystals, ostrich feathers, glass beads, mother of pearls and vintage finds. Prices range from $170 to $330.

Papermints, the sponsor of last week's giveaway would like extend a discount offer of 15% off all invitation orders through February 14th with coupon code BWB15.

Customized Wedding Creations is giving away a Floral Lace Aisle Runner to celebrate their return to her shop.

Intima Press Letterpress Designs Studio is currently running a Wedding Invitation Special for Months of January and February: A Set of 100 custom letterpress invitations (7x5 inches) plus 100 reply cards (3.5 x 5) are only $699 when you order in January or February 2011. They both come with blank envelopes with square flaps + an additional 10 of the main envelope.

Madeline's Wedding and Events in Canada launches a brand new site
The new website features hundreds of gorgeous Real Weddings and amazing couples, plus they've added a MEMBERS ONLY section where you can search and save your favorite weddings and use the new color palette tool. And, there's also the Virtual Linen section so couples can see their linen picks right online.

A Valentine's Giveaway from The Wedding Salon
The giveaway is for a six-night stay at the Hidden Valley Inn, which is located on a private 7,200-acre mountain reserve in Belize. The trip includes some luxurious accommodations including travel to and from the airport, daily breakfasts and an exclusive honeymoon waterfall lunch.

Win your wedding photography from My Love Story. Competition runs thru the end of January.

Weddings by Chris Leary Photography announces a Wedding Photography Scholarship contest. The grand prize is worth several thousand dollars of wedding photography by owner Chris Leary. The deadline for Wedding Photography Scholarship entries is February 7, 2011, and Leary will choose the top 10 submissions. These videos will be posted on the Weddings by Chris Leary YouTube page for review and voting from February 7, 2011, until February 28, 2011. Leary will announce the video with the most votes on March 7, 2011.

Ming Wang knitwear presents "Mother of the Bride or Groom Makeover"
From January 18th to February 7th on Facebook you can submit a 500 word essay telling Ming Wang why your mom deserves a bridal season wardrobe and day of beauty.

Spirit Magazine Takes Flight with 30,000 Dollar Romantic Giveaway
The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach teams up with Southwest Airlines Spirit magazine to present "LUV Is In The Air—A Grand Romantic Giveaway." The sweepstakes giveaway, a seven-night stay at Grand Panama Beach Resort, The Resort Collection’s luxurious signature property, will be offered to whoever submits the most heartfelt haiku on the subject of––what else––LOVE (LUV).

Makeup&Go! is the perfect place for brides to get their hair and makeup done for their big day. With a flagship store in Brentwood and two pop-up stores in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, Makeup&Go! offers on-the-go affordable, anytime professional makeup application in a mod environment, staffed by a team of pro artists, using only the top products. Best of all, there's no obligation to buy makeup because Makeup&Go! doesn't sell it, just makeup application services.

The annual Empire State Building Valentine's Day Weddings event is happening on Monday, February 14. TheKnot.com experts are creating dream weddings for 14 couples from across the country at the world famous icon.

Don't forget about the special discount from Gina of Crystal Peace Studios for those that entered last week to win the set of 2 custom hand painted caricature wine glasses. You can save 20% off your order with coupon code "bwb0111" thru January 31st, 2011. {please note: the coupon code can not be used on current sales items}

Natalie Briggs is the designer of handmade bridal garters that are modern, sexy and elegant with a vintage twist. Her goal is to make the bridal garter a popular accessory again for the modern bride. Natalie is based in Australia, but ships worldwide. And, with coupon code GARTER25 you will receive 25% OFF your order.

Minted is offering 15% off wedding invitations, save the date cards, bridal shower invitations, and other wedding products with coupon code WINTERWED. The coupon code expires Mon, Jan 17.

House of Brides, the World's Largest Online Wedding Store, is offering 5% of with code "CJ5".

The Naples Botanical Gardens in Naples, Florida has organized a group of the top wedding wedding professionals in Naples and will be giving away a wedding on 11.11.11 valued at $70,000. Enter for your chance to win before January 31st 2011.

Michael Maler Photography is granting one couple who really needs assistance, a free wedding photography package. The package will include full day wedding coverage by both Michael & Marcie, a DVD of the high resolution images, and 100 4×6 prints. Entries due by January 15, 2011.

minted and House of Brides are affiliates of Brenda's Wedding Blog