Apple Products More Common Than Married Couples In U.S. Homes

Re-posted from The Huffington Post...

Apple Products More Common Than Married Couples In U.S. Homes

iLove you -- but iLove my Apple products more.

More U.S. homes have Apple products than married couples or children, according to a recent CNBC poll. While half of all American households are now home to at least one Apple device, married couples made up 48 percent of U.S. households in 2010, according to data from the Brookings institution. Even fewer households -- 33.5 percent -- have children under 18, the 2010 Census revealed.
Sure, it's a small difference. But it nonetheless underscores our attachment to our iDevices and the impressive reach of Apple's growing empire.

These days, households with iPads, iPods, iPhones and other Apple creations outnumber traditional households: just 20 percent of U.S. households in 2011 had a married couple living with children, while 34 percent now own at least two Apple products. There's plenty of overlap, to be sure, and more than 60 percent of households that are home to an Apple product are also home to children.
Here's one more stat to make you squirm (albeit from a decidedly unscientific study): 28 percent of iPhone users would rather go a week without seeing their significant other than give up their phone.

 

Groom James Williams watches his bride Lauren Barnes use her iPhone to accept his 

Facebook relationship status change to married during their wedding Sept. 3 in Long Beach, Calif. 

Lehigh Bridal Show Wrap-Up

 

Brides get the chance to prepare for their big day…

The Lehigh Bridal Show held a weekend long event in Bethlehem, PA showcasing different venders to help brides with all the details that go into planning a wedding. Brides and up to four guests were able to go to the different vendors and get information on wedding venues, honeymoon locations, bachelorette parties, and much more. Party Wirth, who attended the event, had this to say about the show.

"As a second time bride I didn't find it as helpful because I was already ahead of the preliminary stages but for a first time bride the ability to have a variety of vendors to compare all at once would be awesome."

Those that went to the event were able to indulge in cake tasting and sampling possible meal choices for the big day. The event was an amazing way for new brides to get information on planning the big day. I decided for my big day I would love to have a photo booth at the reception! They make fun memories for you and the guest!

~Alexis 

 

 

 

 

 

Groupon Deal Alert!

Hey brides getting married in the next few years. Please direct your attention over the to the latest Groupon Alert:

MissNowMrs.com – Online Deal

$15 for Name-Changing Service ($29.95 Value)

Planning a marriage brings about many challenges, such as choosing whose name to list first on the balloons and identifying which bridesmaid has been licking the wedding cake. Overcome one of many nuptial anxieties with this Groupon.
 

 After brides-to-be answer a few questions, MissNowMrs.com fills out all the forms needed to change names in a process lauded for its simplicity in myriad publications. Gift givers can exchange this Groupon for a gift card.

MissNowMrs.com

MissNowMrs.com has expedited the lengthy process of legally metamorphosing monikers for more than 90,000 newlyweds across all 50 states, winning the admiration of Reuters and the Baltimore Sun. Frustrated by the complex and confusing name-changing process, MissNowMrs.com owner Danielle Tate spearheaded the simplifying service. The straightforward process steers clients through the completion and filing of necessary government, bank, insurance, and personal forms, and customer-service experts man the phones and online chat rooms to answer questions. Condensing the approximately 13-hour processes into as little as 30 minutes, the resource gives fledgling couples more time for honeymooning and knitting sweater vests for their future pet iguanas.

 

 

**Speaking from someone who has used this web site - it's excellent

 

Weddings in Disney

This past weekend I went to Disney with my parents and my boyfriend. It was exactly what I expected. Everyone wished us to have a “magical day,” there wasn’t an ounce of trash on the ground and there was an endless amount of Mickey shaped popsicles. But what really made the trip special, at least for my boyfriend and I, was the chance to have a very romantic few days with any and all problems pushed aside. After all, how can you resist the warm weather, romantic atmosphere and of course, the bride and groom Mickey ears.

Now, I know many would argue that getting married in Disney is corny or cliché, but I have to disagree. The vacation hot-spot is the ideal place for a wedding, and there are several reasons why.       

For one thing, Disney may just be the most accommodating place I’ve ever visited. They truly want you to have the best time you possibly can, and they go out of their way to assure that happens. The Disney weddings website has a whole slew of options for couples, making things stress-free. From recommendations on where to stay, virtual venue tours and an option for a wedding specialist, Disney helps lighten the burden of planning the big day.

But what I found really exciting about the site was the inspirational engagement and wedding stories posted for all to see. What’s more romantic than a place that has inspired thousands of weddings? With so many people showcasing their love right outside the castle, it’s impossible not to get at least a little teary-eyed, even for the most cynical vacationers.

Disney is just one of those places where it’s impossible to be anything but happy. It’s infectious, and that sort of attitude will be embodied at your own wedding. Plus, your guests all get a chance to enjoy their own vacation while celebrating their big day without
breaking their budgets. So, really, the chance of having a disgruntled bridesmaid or unhappy mother-in-law goes way down (especially if the weather’s especially nice).
 

Still not convinced? Well, maybe it’s not for everyone. But I can say, as much as I am influenced by the pessimism of the city, I still have that little piece of princess in me. I still get excited when I see the giant parade going down Main Street in Magic Kingdom, and I still get just a little bit nostalgic when I see little girls dressed up in their Cinderella gowns. And it doesn’t matter to me how cliché a wedding destination is as long as it’s a place that is meant to inspire love, a place that will ensure wonderful memories for me to look back on one day.

- Cary

 

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World's Longest Train

Considering getting a train on your wedding dress? Check out Alexis's latest post to read about the World's Longest Train...

The Andree Salon fashion house and the organizers of Bucharest, Romania’s Wedding Fair, are responsible for creating a wedding dress train that is 1.85 miles long! This train has been entered into the Guinness Book of World Records, beating out the previous holder, a Dutch designer by nearly a mile.

It was reported that the train took 100 days to create and was put together by 10 seamstresses. It was also reported that the train, made of lace imported from France and taffeta and other fabrics from Italy, costs a total of $7,364.48

What do you think of the train?

~Alexis 

 

 

Be Unique!

 

Be Unique!

Picking the right cake flavor and arrangement is a huge part of every wedding. You know your guests will be talking about how many tiers it was, the taste of it, and of course the overall appearance. Why should you stop there? Most people forget about the wedding cake topper and tend to go with the tradition bride and groom, but when you spend so much time personalizing your wedding the topper should not be forgotten in this process. Weddingmountain.com is a website that is filled with different and unique wedding toppers that will better personalize your cake.

These unusual wedding toppers will better enable your cake to stand out while adding a touch of you and your new spouse’s personalities. Some of the toppers include butterflies, military, Disney, doves, and sculpted cake toppers. They also come in a variety of materials including porcelain, glass, and gold which further separates them from other cake toppers.

The site also includes wedding accessories, themes, favors, shoes, veils, jewelry, decorations, party gifts, invitations, dresses, and apparel.

Alexis 

All images via Wedding Mountain (dot) com

 

 

 

 

Maggie Sottero Brides

So the amazing Maggie Sottero site has a section called called "Maggie Brides." It's actually pretty cool. Brides who have worn past Maggie Sottero dresses submit a photo of them on their wedding, their story and their wedding date.

I really loved it when I was wedding dress hunting because you got to see what the dresses looked like on the every day women!

Check out MY LISTING

And submit YOURS today!

Lehigh Bridal Show

 

Attention all upcoming brides!

The Lehigh Bridal Show’s yearly wedding showcase will be in the Lehigh Valley Saturday March 10 and Sunday March 11. It is located on Rauch Fieldhouse on the Goodman Campus at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, P.A.

For both days, the event will open at 11 a.m. and will include a runway show at 2:30. There will also be grand prize giveaways from 4-4:15.

The show has been around since 1989 and is a “highly professional bridal show that helps brides get weddings together and honeymoons.” Upcoming brides will have the opportunity to meet with different vendors and have any wedding questions they have answered. A list of exhibits include…

Banquet facility --Bridal magazines-- Cosmetics/ spa-- Decorations—Dresses—Entertainment—Event planner—Financial—Flowers—Food—Gifts—Invitations—Jewelers—Limo services—Photographers—Photo booths—Properties—Rentals—Travel Planning—Tuxedoes—Video production—Wedding Cakes 

 

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The event is free but brides need to register for tickets at www.lvbridalshow.com. Check out the website for more information!

~Alexis

Say Yes to the Best Event

Couples are you getting married? Check out the upcoming Say Yes to the Best! Event! 

 

The New Jersey chapter of the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) and the New Jersey North chapter of the International Special Events Society (ISES) are proud to present the third annual “Say Yes to the Best” Bridal Showcase on Wednesday March 7, 2012 from 6:00pm-9:00pm. This exclusive event will be held at the Cedar Hill Golf & Country Club in Livingston, NJ. 

Enjoy the elegant venue and the magnificent views of the golf course and surrounding hillsides. Have a sip of champagne or your favorite cocktail while meeting some of the most prestigious vendors in the area. All participants in this event are hand selected by an appointed committee within the ISES and ABC organizations, making it truly the best of the best.

Gain some inspiration from our vendors during our designer showcase contest.  We will be presenting a variety of floral and event design showcasing tables, where you, our valued guest, will vote for your favorite designs!  The winning designer will be presented with a prize.

Our guests will have the ability to explore many different resources for their special day. Some of the many different types of exhibitors we will be featuring include: Hair/Makeup, Entertainment, Bridal Gowns, Tuxedos, Car Services, Florals, Style Services, & Event Planning.   

Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

All ticket proceeds will benefit Wish Upon A Wedding, a non-profit organization providing weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation.

 

 

the Fine China debate.

When the hubs and I were doing our registry we both made the decision: No fine china. I mean, we didn't see the point...nor did we want to be that couple that had $400 pots and pans on there as well as over $1000 worth of fine china.

So we picked "casual china" - it's really nice everyday plates - without the fine china cost. And so it's been almost two years since our wedding and I find myself wondering if I made the right decision or not.

Reasons why we didn't initially do it?

• Again, we didn't want to be the couple that had to many expensive things on our registry
• My sister had it - and I never saw her use it
• I'm super clumsy 
• The Queen doesn't visit as often as she should

But now that we have a house and a super fun china closet with all our pretty things in it...I'm like what's missing here? Did I miss the buy the china boat?

Now I see it as it as...

• We could have used it our anniversary and special dinner-ware 
• If I have to buy 10 sets of it myself - do I really want to spend $1,290? ($129x10)
• What if it goes out-of-stock before I buy it all?

::STRESSED::

 

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Whisper-thin and incredibly delicate, fine china dishes instantly transform a table into a beautiful and elegant landscape. We know this from holiday dinners at our grandparent's house when we gazed longingly from the kid's table! Do you have any fine china yourself?

As beautiful as it still is, we feel like chinaware doesn't hold quite the same special place it once did. "Picking out your china pattern" was once on every bride's to-do list, and yet almost none of our married friends ever mentioned it or added any china to their wedding registry. Our grandparent's house is still the only place when we ever routinely encounter it (and now we've been moved to the grown-up table!).

Is registering for fine bone China an outdated tradition? Should we hang onto it like the rest of charming antiquated manners in the hopes that someday we’ll be moved to use it – like pretty stationary? Is it outrageous to anyone else that a Lennox Creamer could possibly cost $129 by its itty bitty self? And is it outrageous to myself that part of me is still tempted to go for it?