I am in love with the latest free download from The Wedding Chicks and just had to share for all my DIY brides!

The FREE  Bunting Invitation Suite comes with everything that you need to make your wedding beyond cute. The wedding invitation download includes your wedding invite, a response card along with escort cards for your guests and table numbers.  They are available in your choice of pink, blue, green and purple to blend in with your wedding decor.

You can customize even further by getting creative with your paper selection. Remember to check out all that The Wedding Chicks have to offer with more custom wedding downloads and of course be sure to stop by the boutique and pick up a custom tee shirt for you, your bridesmaids and your groom. Enjoy!

Apple Favors: Picses
Cake: Sage Li Photography
Bouquet: Life 123
Centerpiece: Turner Creative Photography
Table Setting: Eric Cable Photography
Moss Pillow: Dennis Lee Photography
Pumpkins: Turner Creative Photography
Pumpkin Escort Cards: Kristen Jensen Photography
Wedding Party: Scott Andrew Studio

There’s one thing that every guest is after during a wedding reception – a good piece of cake. However, the traditional wedding cake can present a wash of wedding problems, which is why you may want to consider the newest little nuptial trend—wedding cupcakes.

Wedding cupcakes can offer variety of cake options to match the variety of your guests. Not only will guests be sure to find a flavor that they’ll like, they’ll also be able to find one that meets their particular dietary restrictions. From sugar-free for your diabetic friends to delicious favors that are also gluten free or vegan-friendly, wedding cupcakes give you the chance to make sure that every guest can partake of your cake.

Wedding cupcake displays also offer a distinct advantage over traditional cakes. These displays not only add a special piece to your special day, they also retain their design as the wedding party proceeds. A traditional wedding cake may look beautiful in the beginning, but once the carving starts that cake can end up looking more like a botched surgery scene than an important part of a precious memory. With cupcakes, your guests can enjoy the cake and continue to enjoy the beauty of the display throughout the night.

For many, nothing will ever replace the traditional wedding cake, but if you’re looking for something trendy and memorable to make your special day stand out, or simply need to solve the diverse dietary needs of your guests, cupcakes could be the tiny solution to your big wedding problem.

Content provided by cake decorator Sarah Strain. Sarah applies her cupcake craft at Hot Chocolates as well as accepts the occasional independent cake-related challenge. See her work, then contact her at cakevoodoo@gmail.com.

Mi Piaci means It pleases me. I had the opportunity to have lunch with Neal Bryant, the Director of Special Events, and I was definitely pleased with the meal. We started with crispy calamari with crushed red pepper and marinara and some fresh bread with olive oil for dipping and finished with fontina cheese and king crab filled ravioli served with mushrooms, tomatoes, asparagus and a white wine truffle butter sauce — Yum! I didn’t have room for dessert, but they have some mouth-watering choices.

Recognized as “one of the nation’s best restaurants” Mi Piaci is casually elegant and a visual delight. The space is sleek and modern featuring soaring ceilings, dramatic lighting and a wall of windows overlooking a pond. It is sun filled and bright by day; candle lit and warm in the evening — the perfect place for a rehearsal dinner or reception. They even do wedding ceremonies!

Mi Piaci is located at:

14854 Montfort Dr.
Dallas, Texas, 75254
972.934.8424.

You can also find them on Facebook.

Look for exciting news from After Yes and Mi Piaci — coming soon!

After Yes is proud to announce we are now offering wedding gown cleaning and preservation through Classic Heirlooms. If you are changing clothes for your grand exit, simply leave your gown in the hands of our planners and we’ll handle the rest. If you prefer to exit wearing your gown, we’ll load a personlized box in your getaway car and you can leave it with your hotel concierge to ship. Here’s how it works:

1) You will receive a shipping box with a chest inside. Open the box and pull the chest out.

2) Place your gown in the provided chest with the packing slip detailing the items to the preserved. You can add gloves, garters, handkerchiefs, etc — anything that will fit in the chest — at no extra charge. Be sure to keep one copy of the packing slip for yourself.

3) Place the chest back in the box and tape it shut. Then place the provided shipping label over the existing one. The professionals at Classic Heirlooms will work on your gown for the next 7-10 business days.

4) Your preserved gown is shipped directly to your home. Preserved gowns come with a warranty. The seal must remain in tact to protect the gown. Re-sealing of boxes is also available.

Prices start at $200. Book your Full Wedding Production with After Yes, and we’ll include it at no charge. Contact us for more information and detailed pricing.

SPECIAL DEAL: Book any wedding package with After Yes by September 31, 2010 and receive a free cleaning and preservation! Booking includes signed contract and deposit payment. Wedding date can be after September 31.

At After Yes we love to offer deals to our brides and show off amazing vendors. Emily Hudspeth does pretty fabulous hair and makeup. You may remember her from our Inspired Creations Contest. Check out her blog to see how you can win $200 off a wedding planning package with us and a FREE gown cleaning and preservation.

PS: Emily does weekly giveaways, so be sure to bookmark her blog and come back often!

You might remember from my post, Five Ways to Save your Feet, that I recommend ladies bringing a backup pair of shoes for the wedding day. Well, SpareSoles are the perfect backup shoe. They are travel-size and fit your purse and some of them even come with a tote bag to put your heels in. Plus, they come in several colors and styles. There is even a roll-up flip-flop!

SpareSoles don’t have to be just for weddings either — take them with you whenever you go out and never sacrifice style for comfort again!

Established by a mother and inventor in early 2007, C-SAW Enterprises, manufacturer of SpareSoles takes a fresh approach to develop solutions for a modern women’s lifestyle. They are dedicated to developing fashionable, compact footwear and purse accessories.

Check out their online store here.

After Hours with After Yes is an evening out where Dallas brides and wedding professionals can interact in a relaxed environment and learn more about featured vendors.

Brides
If you are looking for a fun night out where you can meet with wedding vendors in a no-pressure setting, this is the bridal event for you.

Wedding Professionals
If you are you looking for a new scene where you can network with your peers and hear first-hand what brides are looking for, this is the bridal event for you.

Please join us for the inaugural After Hours with After Yes, featuring
The Snack Box.

August 23
6-9pm
Los Cucos Mexican Cafe
1900 Dallas Parkway
Plano, TX

To kick things off right, we will be offering:
- A FREE taco bar and sodas provided by Los Cucos
- Samples from The Snack Box
- Bar service

Plus, bring a bride and you both get a free margarita!

RSVP here.

Terry Costa is hosting a bridal seminar TONIGHT at 6:30pm. Sip champagne and enjoy strawberries and cake tastings as they present the latest trends for brilliant makeup, creative color combos and, of course, gorgeous gowns. Guests will receive 15% off any purchase or special order (tonight only).

When you purchase your gown at Terry Costa at full price or during one of their events, you also receive 15% off everything in the store from purchase time to your wedding date.

Terry Costa is located at:

12817 Preston Rd
Suite 138
Dallas, TX 75230

RSVP for this special event by calling 972-385-6100.

Photo by Info USA

Melissa Sweet “Billie” Bridal Gown: Alta Moda Bridal
Cake: Martha Stewart
Ring Pillow: Sew Mama Sew
Shirt: Sweet Monday
Chair: Chameleon Chair
Bolero: I Do Inspiration
Dresses: Vanity Fair
Belt: J Crew
DIY Blue Ruffle Shoes: Love Maegan