Lately it seems everyone around me is getting engaged and, true to form, all of the weddings seem to be within the same 2-month period.  Normally, this would be a really exciting time for me–I’d get to see all of my closest friends and family while celebrating at a great event.  However, living in California, I am anywhere from 500 to 3000 miles away from most of the weddings I have to attend.  This can pose quite a problem with plane fares being what they are, not to mention time off from work!  Throw in some showers, bachelorette parties and even some engagement parties, and I have quite the schedule to work out!

That’s why it’s important for every bride-to-be (and their families and friends!) to make sure they get the word out about their various events with time to spare.  Of course, they want all of the people closest to them to be present at their event.  But, depending on the date and number of out of town guests, that can be quite a challenge.

The general rule that most people should follow is to get party invitations out at least three weeks in advance, with a month being even better.  As far as wedding invitations go, anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks is best.  If you follow these rules, you’ll give all of your out of town guests time to  schedule and save on flights, take vacation time and truly get excited about your event.  If your event falls on or near a holiday, it’s best to give them as much notice as you can.

And don’t forget–Wedding Paper Divas has some great Save-the-Date cards that will let your guests start planning well before the big day.  These can be sent out anywhere from 4 to 9 months in advance, so you can assure that everyone will be available to celebrate!

Finding the perfect venue for your ceremony and/or reception can be one of the hardest parts of wedding planning.  If you are looking for something unique, check out some of our favorite venue ideas below:

The Beach - If you are looking for a casual, but elegant affair consider holding your event by the seaside.  One of our favorite beach-side hotels is the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego (below).

A loft - If you are a city girl planning an event that is both elegant and chic consider renting an empty metropolitan loft that offers you a blank canvas to personalize with your own style.

A Vineyard - If you are thinking of planning a country-side or garden wedding, don’t rule out the idea of a vineyard.  Vineyards offer a special charm that will make your event feel extra romantic.

A Castle - Do you feel like you are marrying Prince Charming? Then fulfill your fairy tale fantasies and get married in a castle.  When I was planning my wedding, I dreamed of getting married on the grounds of Oheka Castle in New York state (below).

Getting married on or near Halloween? Then you’ll love this week’s inspiration board chock full of spooky, eerie and surprisingly elegant designs for a unique wedding or bridal shower. Check them out for a chic and creepy holiday treat.

Pumpkin lanterns, tin can pumpkin lanterns and chandelier Shades, all from Martha Stewart, will light the way to a ghastly good time on your wedding day! Guests will be spooked and surprised by these creative lights.

Who says you can’t wear black on your wedding day? This gorgeous satin gown by BCBG Maxazria (from Nordstrom) would make any bride feel like a queen and this orange number by J. Crew (photo from Brides.com) is a perfect fall shade of orange. Bridal bouquet filled with calla lilies from The Knot.

This beautiful Fancy Flour cupcake wrappers from Brides.com is festive and fun! And lastly, choose our Oval Monogram Wedding Invitations to make your Halloween themed wedding day complete!

What’s your favorite snack of all time? For me it’s the twinkie. I love twinkies so much that I treat myself to one on special days like my birthday.  However, while I love twinkies a lot, I didn’t love them enough to have them at my wedding.  Some couples, however, get really creative and turn their favorite all-time snack (or meal) into a very unique wedding cake.

Check out some of our recent finds:

Hostess Cakes

Ice Cream Cone Cake

Donut Cakes

M&M Cake

Sushi Cake ?

Beautiful and relatively inexpensive this Kissing Hearts necklace from Fossil make a charming gift for you or your bridesmaids.

Show off pictures from your honeymoon and wedding in these designer frames by Umbra.

Bobbi flats from Kate Spade are stylish and comfortable and will take you from your wedding day to the honeymoon and beyond.

This salad server set from Designer Things is modern and chic. It’ll make even the most mundane activity, serving salad, an act of style.

Invite guests with Letterpress for a look of luxury! Vintage Swirls Wedding Invitation.

If you’re looking for fun and yet elegance, think bright yellow and subdued gray. It’s a winning combination that though started in spring will take you all the way into fall. Here are some ways to add this color theme throughout your wedding!

Yelllow and gray look fabulous together especially on our Two Birds Wedding Invitations in Mustard. It’s a beautiful way to introduce guests to your color theme. Martha Stewart’s Carnival Stand and Sweet Little Daisies Cake are all about bright colors and sweets.

Petal Chandelier earrings, swirl ring and Autumn necklace from Banana Republic.

Beautiful in yellow and gray, photos from Brides.

Getting married means getting organized! Think of all your to-do lists and wedding magazine cut-outs strewn across the floor in a big pile of mess. Not knowing where anything is or losing a vital contract or receipt, can cause major stress when planning a wedding. You’ll breathe a big sigh of relief after you see these cool, simple and fun ways to get everything organized!

These Day of the Week clips from Paper Source make staying on top of things easy and fun. Just clip your to dos for every day of the week and have the satisfaction of taking them off when you’re done.

Keep all of your records, receipts and pictures of your dream dress in this stylish Poppy Linen File Folder Holder by Paper Source.

This simple and clean white greeting card organizer from The Container Store is fitting for your wedding stationery. Just add your Save the Date Announcements and Wedding Invitations in alphabetical order. It’ll help you keep track of who you’ve sent them to and those you still need to send.

Keep everything together with the Origami Lane File Tote from Galison/Mudpuppy. The handle makes it easy to carry around wherever you go and stylish designs make it oh so fun.

I’m sure we all fell in love with movies like “My Bestfriend’s Wedding,” “wishing and hoping and praying” that while our wedding day won’t be such a disaster, our bridesmaids and we would one day look as beautiful as Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz. If you haven’t seen this one or other wedding movies listed here, I’d say do some research. It’ll give you ideas, help you get inspired and have fun while doing it!

Who could forget that lavender dress that Julia Roberts wore as the Maid of Honor? Kimberly Wallace played by Cameron Diaz’s character definitely had an elegant wedding. Wedding Paper Divas Letterpress Collection and Floral Damask wedding invitations in Burgundy would be fitting.   (Photo from Yahoo! Movies.)

Sex in the City’s Carrie Bradshaw did it ‘Big’ on her wedding day with big hair, dramatic colors and couture dresses in the movie. Her invitations would have to have her signature piece, a big, beautiful flower. (Photo from NY Daily News.)

3) Though it took place in the 80’s, what makes, “The Wedding Singer” so inspiring is the songs, characters and that it is funny. And simple and sweet like the Sassy Stripes Wedding Invitations in Bisque.  (Photo from Yahoo! Movies.)

4) Runaway Bride another movie starring Julia Roberts showcased a variety of wedding styles. This one is country chic and my favorite in the movie. And Butterfly Love Wedding Invitations in Pumpkin perfectly matches the romance and beauty of the scene. (Photo from Yahoo! Movies.)

4) Runaway Bride another movie starring Julia Roberts showcased a variety of wedding styles. This one is country chic and my favorite in the movie. And Butterfly Love Wedding Invitations in Pumpkin perfectly matches the romance and beauty of the scene. (Photo from Yahoo! Movies.)

I admit that the last few weeks there’s only been one thing on my mind…my honeymoon! I’ve searched the web for some great ways to get all of you recently wed brides geared for a romantic vacation.

1) If you’re heading for somewhere cold, this gorgeous Fair Isle Sweater dress will keep you warm and in style. The flirty little rosette dress is perfect for a night out with your new husband. The cure for the end of the summer blues? Warm sand, ocean breezes in a tropical dream. This halter maxi dress will help you get there. All from Victoria’s Secret.

2) These chic weekender bags are a stylish and useful accessory, carrying everything you need for short and long vacations. From left, Billabong Road trip bag, $74 from Swell, Victoria’s Secret Pink travel duffel $59.50, and Fossil Weekender Duffle $138.

3) Bring your wedding thank you cards with you and be inspired by the beautiful scenery to send out your words of appreciation!

A popular 2008 trend according to the Knot is changing things up (your hairstyle and dress) from your ceremony to the reception. Think long formal gown and elegant upsweep then a quick switch to a short dress and your hair in romantic waves. Here are some styles that get you from ceremony to reception in a fashion flash.

For the ceremony combine modern elegance and formal style to get simply gorgeous. (Photos from left: Amsale ball gown, the Knot, St. Pucchi Silk Charmeuse dress from Elegant Bride and Reverie by Melissa Sweet from the Knot.)

Perfect party dresses: from left (White kava blouson dress by Kate Spade and Romona Keveza dress both from Modern Bride. BCBG Maxazaria Strapless Applique dress from Nordstrom.)