This is part II of my previous wedding weekend post.

I went to another wedding fair this weekend which was probably THE BEST one I have been to thus far. First of all, it was free. And secondly, this one had a lot of really great ideas and was not not just a ballroom jam-packed with vendors vying for your love and attention. This one, though filled with potential vendors, had a lot of cool, current designs that could be applied to any wedding.

From those newly hip photo booths to sampling wine and flavored coffee to viewing absolutely breathtaking centerpieces, this show was amazing and I had a lot of fun. These are just a few of my favorite pictures!

How are you brides-to-be doing?

With a few more months left of planning, I can feel your pain! While a part of me is attempting to embrace and appreciate these last months, another part of me is looking forward to it being over.

To relax and enjoy the ride, I think it is important to really take care of yourself during these next few months. That way you’ll be a happy bride and happy brides do make pretty pictures!

While it is easy to fall into the trap of obsessively finishing everything which even I can admit to doing, it’s really important to pace yourself so you don’t burn out early in the process. I think the worst thing that can happen is not the decorations not coming out the way you want it to, but just throwing yourself blindly and unconsciously in the process. In that case, you’ll be several thousands of dollars poorer and not have the memories that make the day worth it.

Make a list of fun, relaxing things you can do for yourself whether it’s reading a book or getting a massage. You don’t need to cut deep into your already tight budget. But have fun and be creative. Finding things you can do along the way and taking mini moments for yourself is priceless. You can also schedule lunches with friends who you might have unintentionally neglected in the midst of all your wedding to-dos. This way you will be refreshed and excited for your wedding and surrounded by friends and family who have been with and supported you along the way.

The bottom line: Take some time for yourself and the payoff will be worth it!

By guest blogger Geeta Sachdeva

In the olden days, guests bought a present for the bride and groom to thank them for inviting them to share in the joy and celebration of their wedding. These gifts usually comprised of household items as a token of their best wishes in helping the couple start a new life together. However, as many modern couples choose to live together prior to tying the knot, they already have a well stocked home. This has made it quite challenging for the guests to decide what gift to give.

To make it easier for your guests and to ensure gifts are not duplicated by multiple people, a wedding registry is the ideal solution. If you are worried that this will take away the element of surprise, just remember that your guests would like to give you something that you will truly value rather than a bone china tea-set that you will only take out on their visits.

Making your gift selections should be fun and stress-free, try to think of it as your wish list. Register for something that you want as opposed to something that you need. You may even request a donation to your favorite charity in lieu of a gift and feel a sense of being socially responsible. Or you may opt for services that enable monetary gifts intended to fund your honeymoon or a house purchase. A really creative idea is to write your wish about a gift alternative as a poem on a card that coordinates with the rest of your wedding suite of cards!

*Reference: 21st Century Bride