Well, I just came back from seeing SITC: The Movie. I laughed, I cried, and really, really enjoyed it. Without giving anything away, the wedding scenes were fabulous. I especially had fun watching the Vogue magazine shoot where Carrie tried on various designer bridal gowns hot off the runway for a feature in the magazine. The shots were really amazing and if you haven't seen them yet, or you want to see them again, check out the June issue of Vogue with Sarah Jessica Parker on the cover.

The Vivienne Westwood gown that Carrie posed in and ultimately wore was really amazing. Not sure that the accessories Carrie chose really did it much justice, but the gown itself was a stunner. Here's another picture of "the dress" with better detail:

What everybody think of the movie and the fashions? What about Carrie's bridesmaids in multiple colors and different gowns? Fashion forward or strange??

For all you Sex In the City fans out there, this is a big weekend. This is the weekend when we all find out if Carrie weds Mr. Big or not.

I got hooked on the HBO series about half way through the first season and have seen every episode at least once. But I actually wasn't really that excited about the movie or convinced I would go and see it until I saw the preview. The rumors flying about did they or didn't they get married didn't really excite me until I started seeing the photos of Carrie in potential wedding dresses and hints at the drama that ensues and then I knew that I had to check it out.

Like women all over the country it seems, my friends and I are actually making this a big occasion. A group of about 10 of us are all going to the movie together and then we'll have drinks to talk about the movie. Can't wait for the "big day."

This week, Ashlee Simpson, singer and sister of Jessica Simpson, married Pete Wentz, also a singer and musician. The press is saying its a "shot gun" wedding as the 2 are expecting a baby in the Fall. Neither has confirmed this news, but they had a big ole wedding in record time.

The thing that was most interesting is that their wedding had a theme: Alice in Wonderland. The couple used the story to pick all of their wedding details from their colors to the decorations to the cake and wedding favors.

I just stumbled on a TV show on Lifetime called "GetMarried." Hosted by a wedding planner named David Tutera, the show covers everything about weddings from gowns to planning to cakes to locations. It has interviews with famous designers like Vera Wang and Badgley Mischa and famous wedding planners around the country. They discuss the latest and greatest trends and show examples from real weddings.

It also highlights real couples and tells about their courtships and engagements while offering them planning advise. It's a really cute show.

There is also a companion website at www.getmarried.com. The site is very robust with all kinds of planning tools and content. The best part is all the video available. In fact, it's like being able to watch the TV show on demand since all the shows are posted there.

Check out the show or go to www.getmarried.com out when you have a chance. The show comes on 7:30AM EST on Lifetime.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon just got married in her island estate. The media is saying that they've only been dating for a month.

People magazine got the exclusive and showed the wedding pictures. The dress is very simple and form fitting which is great for Mariah because her body is just about perfect at this time. But did you see the shoes?? Is it just me or do they look like hooker/stripper shoes?

Sometimes, 2nd and 3rd time brides marry quietly with simple ceremonies and just family and friends. Not Ivana Trump! In a lavious $3 million ceremony, Ivana recently tied the knot for the 3rd time with a man 24 years her junior in front of 500 guests.

Ivana (59) married Rossano Rubicondi (35) in April. She had 50 attendants with her daughter, Ivanka Trump, as maid of honor (who's dress was absolutely gorgeous by the way). Her 2 sons escorted her down the aisle. The ceremony was held at her ex-husband, Donald Trump's Mar-A-Lago estate - ironically, the same place that the Donald and his current wife wed in '05.

She changed her outfits 3 times during the course of the wedding festivities.

Now that's how you do it big. Does anyone have a guess about how long the marriage will last??

If you’re a bride that recycles, eats organics, and cares about the environment, then “green” invitations might be just the right fit for you. Eco-friendly printing, recycled paper and reducing the number of printed materials are all fabulous options.

Recycled paper is now available as are alternative fibers like bamboo and hemp.

On the ink front, alternatives like soy and vegetable-based inks can be truly eco-friendly and are available. Just ask your printer.

Other ideas are to use less paper (e.g., consolidate the reply cards, go without escort cards or menus at the reception), provide only 1 program for family or if you’re really nontraditional, do all of your communications electronically with your guests!

Here are some sites that offer “green” invitation alternatives:

theknot.com

Cake by Margaret Braun; Photo by Quentin Bacon

The wedding cake is right up there with the gown and flowers as a design element that really defines a wedding's style. Plus it's good to eat too. Since I got married way back when, wedding cakes have definitely come a long, long way. And now with so many talented bakers and designers lending their talents, the sky is the limit when creating the cake of your fantasies.

A few months ago, The Knot featured several incredible bakers on its TV show that I thought were just terrific. Here are some highlights from these very special folks:

Mike's Amazing Cakes
From the whimsical to the quirky, Mike's motto is if the laws of gravity and physics allow it, anything is possible. His more traditional wedding cakes are beautiful in the sense that the detailing is so life-like. From handmade flowers to exquisite lace detail, all made out of sugar, Mike's so-called standard wedding cakes are simply works of art.

But it's his imaginative cakes that will really bring a smile to your face. From the "Cinderella" castle to the wedding cake with the fire engine cake right next to it and the fireman "groom" rescuing his bride to the penguins getting married on an iceberg, they're all sure to please. And whatever your groom's favorite thing, Mike can pull it off. Examples of groom's cakes on his site include a catcher's mitt, a full-blown football stadium, a lobster (claws and all) and classic cars.

Mike is based in Seattle but can ship to any location in the world. Check out his work at:

http://www.mikesamazingcakes.com/default.asp?audvar=false

Margaret Braun
If you want opulent with a capital "O," look no further than Margaret Braun. Called the "Gianni Versace of Wedding Cakes" by the Los Angeles Times, Margaret's sugar artistry seems to know no bounds. Her cakes are stunning masterpieces to be admired and then enjoyed:

Photos from margaretbraun.com; Photos by Quentin Bacon

Check out more of her fantastic cakes at http://www.margaretbraun.com/.

Frosted Art Bakery
Bronwen Weber, founder of the Frosted Art Bakery in Dallas, TX (home of "America's favorite cupcake"), is an award winning baker and top pastry chef as well as an artist extraordinaire.

Her standard wedding cake designs are grouped in two different collections: Designer and Couture. Of course, she will also create whatever kind of cake you truly desire with just a concept and good old fashioned imagination. Here are a few examples of her stunning work:

"Designer Collection":

All photos from www.frostedart.com

"Couture Collection"

All photos from www.frostedart.com

See more great cakes at http://www.frostedart.com/index.htm.

Bon appetit!

Today I had a great experience visiting the atelier of THE Anne Barge and sampling her trunk show. The salon is quite lovely and the gowns were of course to die for.

Casey was my tour guide and she did a great job showing me the collection. There are 3 lines to choose from. In order of price they are: "Couture," "Black Label" and "La Fleur." There were also several stunning Badgley Mischka Bride gowns available there including this "showstopper:"

Badgley Mischka Bride gown at Anne Barge Atelier

Casey shared with me that brides in the South really love lace. We looked at several beautiful gowns that made her point - some with added beads and crystals, others just lace from bodice to skirt. Casey said that other than the attraction to lace, there was no clear winner with regards to silhouette or style among today's brides. Some brides want the big, beautiful ball gown look, others want the slimming sheaths. Lots of brides ask for sleeves but then choose sleeveless gowns once they try them on. Either way, there's a wide selection to choose from at Anne Barge.

For the bride who wants to be different, the collection features several blush pink gowns that I was particularly drawn to. The pink is very subtle and the gown designs were quite gorgeous. I saw this one which was once featured in a magazine I think and it was really exquisite in person:

Photo: theknot.com

Casey also shared with me that Ms. Barge has been experimenting with new fabrics. She showed me a silk magnolia fabric in a Badgley Mischka Bride dress that was really beautiful. There were also gowns made of silk shantung, silk charmeuse and other newer fabrics that were wonderful selections as well.

Other innovative features of today's wedding gowns included gowns that convert into shorter versions for dancing into the wee hours of the night. There were at least 2 of these kind featured at the trunk show. Also saw gowns with pockets in the skirts. Perfect for hiding your grandmother's handkerchief in case you're prone to crying at the altar.

The highlight of my visit was meeting Ms. Barge herself. She was very warm and welcoming and a radiant spirit in person. Several lucky brides were receiving her personal attention while I was there. One cool thing in the salon was a black and white photo of Ms. Barge's mother as a bride. It was a wonderful photograph and really set an elegant mood in the salon.

If you live in Atlanta, I would encourage you to visit Anne Barge and see the wonderful gowns that she designs and offers there. If not, check out her designs on her website www.annebarge.com or look for her other Trunk Shows throughout the Spring. Also, Ms. Barge's newest line will be introduced this April so look out for those pictures soon.

Anne Barge's Atelier on West Paces Ferry in Atlanta, GA

Photo: Bloomingdales (Aram)

Hi Everyone:

Yesterday I received a new catalog in the mail called "bHOME" from Bloomingdales and it's really amazing to me see how far housewares have come since I got married 13 years ago. Ever since Vera Wang took the wedding registry world by storm with her china and home accessories lines, other high fashion designers have decided to jump in this world as well.

My catalog introduced the following new and exciting options for couples just starting out (and even those ready to upgrade their dull china patterns from back in the day)

• Monique Lhuilhier - Monique Lhuilhier is one of my absolute favorite designers in general. Her new houseware collections don't disappoint in any way. She introduces 5 sets of china to choose from plus stemware and flatware as well. Here's a sample of her new work:

Photo: Bloomingdales.com

• Michael Aram for Waterford - Famous for his metal work, some of Mr. Aram's pieces in the bHOME catalog are mini-masterpieces. I was particularly drawn to the cocktail tray, salt & pepper shakers, metal pitcher and stemware (see above) which are are truly works of art:

Photos: Bloomingdales.com

• Barbara Barry - I am a true fan of Barry's furniture so it was easy to fall in love with her new china collection. See for yourself:

Photo: Bloomingdales.com

• Vera Wang - The grande dame herself continues to innovate and reinvent standard china patterns. I especially like the china pattern called simply "With Love." Simple but a statement piece nevertheless:

What do you think?