Always a Blogsmaid

I Wish I Lived in HotLanta..... I could have a free wedding.

If you lived in Atlanta and were getting married you could win a really REALLY nice, all expenses paid, $70,000 wedding.  Seriously.  I mean, in this economy, that's incentive to move. (kidding.....sort, of ;-)

StudioWed Atlanta, along with CBS Atlanta and AtlantaOccasions.com, have come together to giveaway the wedding of a lifetime for one deserving couple! Valued at over $70,000, the wedding will take place at Atlanta Botanical Garden and includes catering, photography, and more! Deadline to enter is April 1st (which, since I'm gearing up for the NY Magazine show, is right around the corner. For contest details and to register, please go here.

Your amazing wedding of up to 80 guests would be held in January of 2010 and all you need to do is send in a cute photo and write a 500 word essay.  Here is the lovely venue!

Awesome Corbin Gurkin Photo Contest

Corbin Gurkin Photography is having an amazing contest for a fantastic "Vintage" bride out there, in honor of their new "Carnival Vintage" package.  The Booty?

• Complete Wedding day photography (Destination Weddings WELCOME)
• High resolution images of the day
• Online posting of images
• Custom 8 X 8 Vintage Style album (!!!)

The bride and Groom need to provide:

• Travel and lodging (2-3 nights)
• Airport transfer and rental car (if needed)

WOW! What a package! What do you need to do for such a fabulous FREE photo package?

The winning couple will be judged on their vintage design ideas, story behind their venue choice, and plan to embrace the “old”.  We want to hear how you plan to infuse vintage elements into your wedding day – the sky is the limit, just inspire us!.  If you have already selected a photographer, we do not wish to take a way from our talented colleagues’ business, so please do not submit your wedding for consideration.  Your wedding date must take place between October 1st, 2009 and May 1st 2010.

How do you submit?

Send your submission by March 20th, 2009 to [email protected] with your name, wedding date, location, pic of you and your beloved and a contact details as well as your Vintage "essay".

In case you are wondering if it's worth while... here are some amazing images from Corbin Gurkin.  I think it's QUITE the prize!

Brides 75: An engaging tribute

The icon of the wedding industry, Brides magazine, is turning 75 this year!  Hard to believe, since it's still showcasing such young, fresh ideas.  But, in addition to some fantastic display windows here in New York on 5th Avenue, they have also partnered with DeBeers to offer up a special engagement ring design in honor of Brides.  Called the Duo ring, it's both an engagement ring and a wedding band, intertwined and it is valued at over $18,000.  I'm not just spreading the news, I'm offering you up a chance to win this lovely bauble.  Starting on February 10th (Tuesday) you can visit www.brides.com/75 and enter for a chance to win this gorgeous ring. 

What do you think of the Duo Ring?

Contest: Wedding Paper Divas $500 Gift Certificate

The lovely ladies at Wedding Paper Divas are giving away a $500 gift certificate to the bride and groom with the Best Engagement Story.   That's enough of a reward to cover an entire stationary suite!!!  They'll be accepting stories until February 22nd and each week they'll post a favorite on their blog Diva Dialogue. Click here for details and to enter. 

If you haven't been on the Diva's site, check out what that free money could by you!  This is a reception card that I just thought was adorable...I believe it's from their Signature suite, but you can select from letterpress, flat print, and even eco-friendly designs!

Free Custom Invites???

The Q:  How can I get custom designed stationary without paying for it? 

The A:  Umm... Enter the OneWed.com and Lucious Verde Matrimony Monday contest!
OneWed.com launched "Matrimony Monday" this past Monday, January 5th.

To help celebrate, OneWed.com has partnered with Luscious Verde, a customized handmade stationery company to launch a contest for one lucky entrant to win $5,000 in customized wedding stationery. Contestants can enter by visiting www.OneWed.com to view complete submission guidelines, rules and regulations. Please help spread the word, I think it could be a great giveaway opportunity for any of your readers looking to save on the cost invitations.

The site also offers a free Savvy Bride Guide, a free, downloadable guidebook complete with Q&A's, checklists, tips and advice for newly engaged couples who are just getting started on their wedding plans.

Wow, Another Photo Contest!

Trash the Dress!

Hi Ladies, Nasilele Photography is giving away a couple of Trash the Dress sessions for some of you fast acting readers out there.  If any of you want to take up on a day of photos and frivolity, shoot her an email at [email protected]   Here is some of her lovely work.
Her wedding rates are pretty reasonable as well, for those of you who are on the hunt!

Sky is the Limit

The Q: I love an "Affair to Remember" and "Sleepless in Seattle". How can I get married on the top of the iconic Empire State Building?

The A:  Typically speaking, couples can only take photos on top of the Empire State Building, and even that can be a bit of a hassle.  However, on one magical day a year, The Empire State building opens it's doors up to couples to exchange vows atop of one of NY's most important buildings.  (Hint, that day starts with a Valen and ends with a tine's) This year, Brides.com and The Empire State Building are partnering up to allow 14 lucky couples exchange vows, renew vows or declare their commitment to one another in front of an intimate group of your family and friends.  All you need to do is submit your stories of love and your connection to NY and the Empire State Building at Brides.com

In addition to the opportunity to be one of 14 couples (I don't get the impression that it's a group ceremony, btw, lest this sound like a Moonie wedding - no offense to any Moonies who might be reading this) your prize includes:
*Getting married in an intimate ceremony amongst family and friends,
styled by the experts at Brides.com
*Have pre-wedding consultations from the Brides.com editors
*Be pampered with hair and makeup for the bride
*Enjoy a champagne toast as a newlywed couple
*Receive a gift bag worth over $500 and so much more

BTW, I want Deborah Kerr's look in this movie to be my "new" look for fall... I'm thinking of bringing back the dramatic head scarf :-)