Here's a new twist on ye olde destination wedding. Weddingpaperdivas, an online stationer, reports that "localista"(new coinage, thanks guys!) couples are going practical by choosing nearby destinations instead of more exotic locales to celebrate their nuptials. When it comes to riding out the recession, localistas are very resourceful folks. So maybe it's Seattle or maybe it's Miami. Chicago anyone? Take a look at these adorable save-the-dates.

Just around this time of year—in anticipation of the upcoming spring/summer wedding season—the book blitz begins at Bridal Guide and we receive lots of tomes on all things wedding-related—from flowers to cakes to planning. One such publication came across my desk recently and it’s a great read. Stylish Weddings for Less: How to Plan Your Dream Wedding on a Budget by Catherine Sabino (Filipacchi Publishing) is guaranteed to calm your nerves as you discover how to plan a fun, chic wedding and still save some coin.

Just as we do in Bridal Guide, Ms. Sabino (full disclosure: Catherine is a former magazine colleague of mine and a terrific editor) features real couples’ weddings, breaks down their budgets, offers invaluable advice and takes you through the entire wedding planning process with ease. You’ll love the look of the book and be inspired by the beautiful visuals such as this completely adorable pink floral and bow-wrapped cake by Dan Pasky, dandanbakingco.com:

The Budget Guru tries to be thrifty, but she's also very much into her creature comforts. So when a pair of Sanuk Yoga Mat Sandals landed in my office (you never know what's going to end up here!), I not only appreciated the price but I immediately slipped them on. Loving the squishy but firm texture—yes, they're made out of yoga mats—I envisioned a bride giving them to her bridal party for an inexpensive post-wedding thank-you that says, "Gee, pals, take a load off those tootsies that you've been so tirelessly running around on over the last six months, all in the service of ME and MY WEDDING..." Nice gesture!

Go to sanuk.com. The sandals are a mere $26/pair. Fancier pairs go for $32.

Posted by Susan at 2:47 p.m.

After criss-crossing the city all day, dropping off the dry cleaning, cooking (a hopefully healthy) dinner and hitting the playground with my daughter, I don’t often take enough time to think of what other’s may be dealing with everyday. I’m sure with planning a wedding, you can barely come up for air. Which is why I really fell in love with the concept behind Wish Upon a Wedding.

Launched in January 2010 by event planner Liz Guthrie, Wish Upon a Wedding seeks to grant the wish of couples with a terminal or serious illness to have a magical wedding or civil union that they can share with their loved ones. There are three types of wedding wishes based on the severity of the illness: Urgent Wish, Boutique Wish and Romantic Wish. While all the wedding planning components and travel arrangements are made by the dedicated staff at Wish Upon a Wedding, the organization is completely dependent on volunteers in all aspects of the wedding industry to offer services, in addition to financial and air mile donors.

I have to share the most adorable wedding-related note cards. Ever! Copper Willow Paper Studio, an eco-luxe company based in Southern California (my hood), hand-creates gorgeous stationery that any bride would be proud to use, while utilizing sustainable production practices. Both their paper and envelopes are made from recycled clothing and brown paper bags. Even their ribbons are created from recycled materials. Here are some of my faves:

Aren’t the kid ones so funny?? For more info, check out copperwillow.com. Cheers!

Posted by Aimée at 3:28 p.m.

Posted by Maureen at 11:01 a.m.