If you’ve been to a wedding show before then prepare to be amazed at the sheer size of this one. If you’ve never been to a wedding show before then buckle your seatbelts because it’s time to jump in with both feet! At the show you will find wedding vendors of ever type who are all dying to be a part of your big day. Photographers, florists, bakers, planners, musicians, travel companies, and more will be there to provide information, answer questions, and best of all, have fabulous give aways and prizes throughout the day! For example, if you visit the Jaycee’s booth, they are giving away an awesome photography package from Luxe Photography for 8 hours of service! Drool-worthy prize! And that’s just one!

Here’s my most important insider’s tip – Be sure to visit the QCWeddings.com booth FIRST before you go to any other booths. Why? Because we’ll have free information labels for you to use as you enter all the contest and sign up for info throughout your tour of the show. I can tell you that with nearly 100 booths to see, your hand will nearly cramp up and fall off if you try to hand write your info over and over again. So stop by and see us. We’ll hook you up! After you visit us, go nuts! Slap those info labels down wherever you heart desires!

Tickets for the show are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. You can purchase tickets in advance at any Quad City Area Hy-Vee. Again, this wedding show is the one to see, and it’s such a blast! What makes it even better is when you bring your entourage along to help you juggle all the freebies and info packets that you’ll receive! It’s a great way to get the moms and sisters and bridesmaids together, so give them a call and make your plans to visit the show!

As I was trying to compose my blog post today I realized that I was having a total case of ADD or ultra multi-tasking or multiple personality disorder. So many good ideas crossed my path that I just decided that I needed to unlease them all on you at one time... I love ALL these ideas and could not decide on one, so I thought that they may also be inspirational for one of our engaged couples. If you are getting married this year, you may want to consider one of the following ideas...

A cotton candy machine for your guests!

Haybales instead of chairs!

Directional signs!

Lace wrapped cupcakes!

Large scale paper flowers!

Mismatching bouquets!

Hand painted pennant banners!

Thumb print guest books!

Sigh.... I love all these ideas. They are so romantic and fresh! Try one today!

First of the season!  One of the most anticipated events of the area is tomorrow!  The Wedding Max Bridal Show will be open from 11 to 3 tomorrow at the iWireless Center in Moline!  This is arguably one of the best wedding related events of the area all year, and if you are an engaged couple, member of the wedding party, or family of the bride or groom, you should make arrangements to be here!  Shop around for your wedding vendors such as photographers, florists, bakeries, and more! 

Now remember, there are a GAZILLION prizes and give aways, and you will be writing your name and address a GAZILLION times unless you stop by our booth to receive your FREE info labels which you can just peel off and slap down on those entry forms thus saving your hand from a life of carpal tunnel.

Here are some pictures from last year's show to get you excited!

Not only will you have a chance to meet possible wedding vendors, you will also be amazed and inspired at all the decor that the vendors bring highlighting this year's hottest trends for weddings!  Tickets are only $8 a person...the experience priceless!

Realistically speaking, a new year's eve party and a wedding reception aren't really that different when it comes to decor.  A set of colors, a theme, or a common element are decided, and the rest builds from there!  With new year's eve gearing up to start in about 24 hours, here are some last minute DIY decor ideas that could work whether you're getting hitched or just looking for that kiss at midnight:

1) Use etching materials (~$10) and simple champagne fleutes (~$1 ea) to etch your guests' monograms, and make their toasts truly a personal experience.

2) String large scale pieces of glitter, construction paper, or left over wrapping paper onto fishing line to create a truly glitterati-worthy garland.

3) Cut some branches from your dormant trees in your backyard, and use some spray adhesive and glitter to make them dazzle as sparkling centerpieces.

4) If you have flooring that provides for easy clean up, sprinkle fine glitter throughout the party area for a glowing floor.

5) Hang a giant sheet of white or black or silver paper, and provide sharpies of varying metalic colors with which your guests can write their resolutions! 

And here are some pics that I threw together that make me think of a new years eve wedding!