In more than a few conversations on the QCWeddings.com forum, I have shared information about one of my favorite websites, Etsy.com. After hearing feedback about how people have had overwhelming good luck on this site, I thought it only fair to share the love with all of our blog readers.

For those of you who have not visited Etsy.com yet, I am so excited for you! I remember the first time that I used the site and discovered all the fantastic opportunities on it! Essentially, Etsy.com is an enormous collection of vendors of all things handmade or vintage who have created stores in which they sell their wares. You can literally find just about anything you can imagine. Vintage yearbook pictures? Felt tooth pillows? All natural dog shampoo? You got it! I'm telling you, folks...think of the oddest item in the world and search for it on Etsy.com. There is someone who sells it or someone who is willing to make it custom for you.

Along with all the "weird" stuff on Etsy.com, you can find anything and everything you would ever need for your wedding. Dresses, candles, decorations, favors, banners, invitations, fans, cake stands, jewelry...I could go on forever. I like to think of it as mecca. Here are just a few items found on Etsy.com that are available for purchase:

Remember that this is a very SMALL sampling of some items I found while looking around. Here are some links in case you're interested in finding out more about the items shown above:

Row 1: Wedding Poster, Wedding Band, Tissue Flower Poms, Lace Garter

Row 2: Dress, Table Runner, Marriage Certificate, Necklace

Row 3: Calligraphy, Veil, Bachelorette Party Invites, Bouquet

Row 4: Bolero, Moss Initial, Wedding Sign, Earrings

Warning! Etsy is addictive! If you do not set a kitchen timer, you will stay on the site for hours and alienate your friends and family and fiance! Have fun!

One can hardly go an hour without thinking of or being reminded of the tragedy and the horrific situation being experienced by most of Haiti's people. Few of us in this country are in a position to solely make a major impact on the situation there, but our individual efforts can definitely make a huge difference. Many opportunities have risen over the last week to make a small financial contribution to the aid efforts, and if you are able to do so, please think about a small (or large) donation.

Many of you have other causes that are near and dear to your hearts as well: animal rescue, disease research, helping at-risk children, the list goes on... The generosity of the human spirit never ceases to inspire and amaze me!

I thought an appropriate wedding related post for today could focus around how your wedding could give back to your community. One option that a wedding couple has is making a donation to a selected cause rather than purchasing favors for their guests. Think about it; the average wedding favor can cost anywhere from $1 to $5 per guest on up. If you have two hundred guests, that's $200-$1000 that could go towards a charitable cause of your choice!

Don't get me wrong; this post is not favor-bashing! I know that there are lots of brides and grooms that are excited to present their guests with specific favors which serve as tokens of thanks for being there on the special day. That too can serve as positive energy in a sometimes-draining world!

But if you are a couple (like us) that hasn't thought of anything in particular to give to your guests, then take a moment to consider a donation in the name of your guests. You could have a sign that indicates your intention to your guests, and they will love that they were part of something amazing!

FYI: One easy way that you can make a $10 donation to the Red Cross relief efforts to Haiti is by texting "HAITI" to 90999. The $10 will show up on your cell phone bill, and your cell phone provider will forward the money to the Red Cross. Every little bit counts...