Win a FREE WEDDING DRESS at the Filene’s Basement Running of the Brides Sale

AtlantaOccasions.com and Filene’s Basement have partnered to give away a FREE wedding dress at the upcoming “Running of the Brides” sale on March 20, 2009.

Lucky ladies who write in why they deserve a free wedding gown, will be entered a chance to win. We’ll pick the top 4 most deserving ladies and AtlantaOccasions.com readers will vote who wins!

That’s not it, the winning brides team will be sponsored by AtlantaOccasions.com and decked out in team spirit gear to make the day-of hunting, easy as pie.

So, bust out your pen and pencils ladies and tell us your sob story. Email info@atlantaoccasions.com, SUBJECT: FREE WEDDING DRESS. We want to change the life of one lucky Atlanta Bride, one discounted wedding dress at a time.

Entries must be received by January 31, 2009. Voting will begin February 5 and go through March 5th. The Winner will be announced March 10, 2009

Secrets to Writing and Delivering Wedding Vows

I recently went a wedding where the bride and groom wrote their wedding vows together and read them aloud. It was so touching and beautiful that my own husband even teared up! That never happens. This got me to thinking about they keys to good wedding vows. Here's what I've come up with:

1. Read all or part your vows instead of repeating them. This will keep you from imitating the intonation of the officiant. This will truly make a big impact on your audience.

2. Speak up so the back row can hear you.

3. Don't write anything disparaging, too personal or that is an "inside joke" because you do have an audience.

4. Print your vows on thick construction paper that fits with your color scheme. Give your coordinator or a trusty friend the extra copies in case anything happens to the originals. Give another copy to your officiant, so they can follow along and know when you're going to finish.

5. Keep it short, most people's minds wander after one minute.

6. And try your best not to cry! This can turn into blubbering and honestly, no one wants to hear that. If you feel your voice crack or know the tears are coming, pause and regain your composure, no one will mind waiting a bit!

Do you have anything else to add? Have a different opinion? Let us know. And email me for a copy of vows that my friends used!!

Wedding Wow: Photo Booth

It seems that there are no new wedding ideas. That may be seeing as people get married under water and even while skydiving these days. BUT I saw an idea at a wedding recently that I love so much...renting a photo booth.

My husband and I had sooo much fun taking the pictures and afterward we had a cute keepsake and so did the bride and groom. Meanwhile the photo booth attendant was compiling the pictures into an album as they were taken and we got to add the caption - so smart!

Booth Nation is one company that hires out photo booths for weddings and parties. What a great way to get people together making memories, whether it be six people crammed into the booth making faces and laughing or a special moment with the newlyweds.

I think this is an excellent way to get unusual shots of your guests and add a bit of extra entertainment to the wedding reception. However, beware of the late night shots - they can get pretty scandalous. Then again, that might be the stuff you'll want to remember later anyway;)

Love It!

These are a few of my favorite things:

Martha Stewart Wedding whatnots at Wal-Mart

Sephora - the thing I love about it the most is that their friendly staff does NOT work on commission. They are all about great customer service. You can go to Sephora and ask one of the women to help you find a look that is right for your wedding day (or any day or occasion). They will make you up and let you try anything and everything….for FREE and NO pressure to buy!!!

Lucky Paperie - this paper boutique and custom design studio offers letterpress invitations, greeting cards, stationery and gifts. Oh my!

Bellini's – These make elegant cocktails to pass arounds at your wedding reception. Umm umm umm.

GreenKarat.com – ecologically responsible jewelry that is as conscientious as you are. And you can recycle your old jewelry and put that money towards your purchase. Hey, in this economy, every little bit helps!

What are your wedding loves?

Check out these new businesses on our site!

Just a bit of shameless self promotion for AtlantaOccasions.com. We've recently added a whole slew of Atlanta Wedding Vendors to our big happy family and I'm thrilled to announce their arrival. So, if you're looking for a creative Atlanta photographer and florist, event decorations, event planners, and event venues, please do take a gander at our AtlantaOccasions.com newbies!

Wedding Dress: Project Runway

I thought it was pretty neat that the finalist of Bravo TV's Project Runway had to create a wedding dress in their final collection. My favorite was Kenley's dress. Although, I can't say I'd actually wear it, but it was super cute and definitely true to her style.

So which was your favorite?

Exclusive Book Signing and Wedding Etiquette Event

Williams-Sonoma at Lenox Square Mall will host an exclusive book signing and wedding etiquette event with special guest Anna Post, author and spokesperson for the Emily Post Institute and great-great-granddaughter of renowned etiquette expert Emily Post. Enjoy cocktails and light hors d'oeuvres as Anna answers your questions, shares wedding etiquette advice and signs copies of her book, Emily Post's Wedding Parties.

Special Offer:
Create your Williams-Sonoma gift registry on the evening of the event, and you'll receive a complimentary copy of the Williams-Sonoma Bride & Groom Cookbook. See the website for more details.

Space is limited! So call today.

To R.S.V.P. and/or preorder a copy of Emily Post's Wedding Parties, call 404-812-1703. Book signing, Wednesday, October 1, 6 p.m., at Williams-Sonoma, Lenox Square Mall, 3393 Peachtree Road Northeast.