Crowning and Cunning: Toledo Free Press Star Bridal Guide

The Toledo Free Press Star Bridal Guide is out!!!

Pick up your copy today!

Be sure to check out Toledo Free Press' facebook page on how to win a free bridal gown at the Filene's Basement Running of the Brides, August 27th, Cleveland, Ohio.

It's a $14,000 prize pack

with some fabulous swag:

- a gift certificate to buy a designer gown of your choice from Filene's Basement

- A complimentary room at the Cleveland Marriot East, across from Filene’s Basement

- breakfast for two at the River City Grille in Cleveland

- bridal makeup and hair from David Broadway Salon & Spa

- a bridal bouquet from Bumble Floral & Gifts

- bridal consultations from Crowning Celebrations

- an engagement photo session with Decisive Moment Photojournalism

- a complimentary $200 cake from Cherry Lane Cakes

- chair covers from Meredith Party Rentals

- the "Wedding Gamsake" personalized game that friends and family
create for the bride and groom to play

- and The Blarney Bullpen will offer a complimentary location for the Bride’s Choice of a rehearsal dinner, couple’s shower, day-after brunch and present opening or a reception based on the wedding party size.

Crowning Inspiration: Kelly & Tim Sunset Engagement Session

Seeing this slide show makes me very excited for Kelly & Tim's wedding next summer!

Photography by Considering Liles, Perrysburg.


Kelly & Tim from Kim Koluch on Vimeo.

Crowning and Cunning: "Mr." and "Mrs." Forks

Check out this fun little find on Etsy! They make your first sweet bite something extra special! And they are also a great accessory on your table for your Anniversary!

Find them at Etsy

Crowning and Cunning: Bridal Headbands

Thinking about accessorizing with a headband for your wedding day look?

Check out these beautiful and chic designs on Etsy.

Bethany Lorelle

Woomi New York

Little White Dress

Lulu Splendor

JMG Jewelry Design

Many of these designers have fabulous cuffs, earings, beaded belts and shoes accessories to complete your wedding day look!

Crowning & Cunning: "I Do! Chicago Ties the Knot"

Here's a great excuse to visit the Windy City this summer: "I Do! Chicago Ties the Knot" at the Chicago History Museum is an exhibit of bridal gowns and accessories dating back to the 1850's!

In conjunction with I Do! Chicago Ties the Knot, three established Chicago designers will each create a wedding gown inspired by selected pieces from the exhibition made with fabric provided by Brentano, a Chicago-based interior design textile company. The winning garment will become part of the Museum’s permanent collection and will be on display in I Do! for the remainder of the exhibition.

"I Do! Chicago Ties the Knot" runs through January 2011 at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St. For information call 312-642-4600 or visit the Web site at www.chicagohistory.org 

Crowning and Cunning: Baggy Winecoat

Check out this must-have accessory for all your summer parties!

 – the Baggy Winecoat by Menu. Just remove your bag of wine from its box, place it in this soft bag-in-box wine dispenser, close the flexible top, and enjoy an easy way to pour and serve wine in style! If you are thinking that "boxed wines" is pas très chic, think again! See below for some tasty "boxed" wines.

If white wine is your drink of choice, this wine dispenser also doubles as a wine cooler with space to pack some ice and keep your vino chilled, ready to serve and sip. Ideal for outdoor barbecues and alfresco soirees, this soft dispenser is easy to carry, thanks to its built-in handle and smart design by Jakob Wagner. And a rubber bottom helps keep the Winecoat upright and steady, even if you’re not! Here’s a toast to the bag in box Baggy Winecoat wine dispenser – an entertaining essential by Menu.

Along with the screw top comes a more eco-friendly way to contain wine.

(Credit Maggie Hoffman)

But don't take my word for it - check out these great boxed wines under $9!!!

Wow, a deal like that and we can celebrate all summer long!

Crowning & Cunning: Wedding Date Numerology

Ever wonder what the numerology of your wedding date is? According to Visions of Reality, numerology is the concept of all of life, known and unknown, shaped by energy. This energy can interpret life’s direction; your purpose, goals and obligations.

To calculate your numerology, simply add up all the numbers in your wedding date. Then refer to the explainations below. Example:

July 10, 2010 becomes: (7+1+0+2+0+1+0 = 11 Add 1+1 = 2 Your number is 2


**1** The courtship was unforgettable, and perhaps a bit longer than most, and how you and your beloved met is quite a romantic story. Much like the hand of Fate. Choosing a Number ONE wedding day indicates that you are a very affectionate and loving couple. It shows a maturity with the marriage, and an ability to work through disagreements and upsets in a respectful manner. This loving couple is seeking total oneness with each other. Remember that from this day forward you need to allow for the inevitability of change. Flexibility and Understanding is the Number ONE’s Wedding Day Key to Success!


**2** If you choose a Number TWO wedding day to be married, you will want either a very private or extremely public wedding. This is the number for eloping, and the Number TWO wedding day may need to be a marriage in secret. Your mother’s advice will either be strongly accepted or rejected when making the wedding plans. There is no in-between. Emotional maturity of one of this couple may be lacking, but maturity is a valuable asset to the success of this union. Don’t be surprised if everyone sheds a tear or two on this wedding day, for the ceremony will certanily have a sentimental quality.


**3** If you weren’t joking when you said you’d marry only for the money, then you might find a Number THREE day an excellent choice for boosting your financial security through the luck of this partnership. You both may be overly concerned with what family and friends are thinking of your union, and also that your wedding has to be the biggest and the best! If you two expect too much, than this day sould start off as a great big disappointment, with perhaps even a downpour of rain.


**4** If you both have been discussing and agreeing on all of the responsibilities of what marriage brings, and have carefully weighed the pros and cons of married life, perhaps you will choose a Number FOUR day to be married. The significance of a Number FOUR wedding date is faithfullnes until death do you part. This is a couple who can work together and accomplish goals that would otherwise seem impossible, such as running a business successfully together, or expanding housing, having multiple property units as real-estate holdings, a single bank account and every project is one of togetherness. Whatever it is, from buying a home to having your children, will be carefully timed and planned.


**5** If you have chosen a Number FIVE as your wedding day, you may be putting the emphasis on how well you and your beloved communicate with each other. This will be an active marriage, and will need to fight monotony and boredom, so it will be wise to have some individual interests as well as ones shared. This is a marriage where each of you will need your space, your own workplace, and lots of alone time.


**6** The blessings of Venus with all of her Love and Devotion fall on the Number SIX wedding day. Love, affection, peace and happiness are the favors Venus may bestow. This does not mean that there is no challenge or that you are under some kind of magical charm. Responsibility, trust and caring are a must for maintaining this wonderful beginning. This couple will be willing to work hard and long hours together, with lots of time for discussion and planning things out, because the marriage will become the upmost of importance in both lives.


**7** Watch out if you have chosen the Number SEVEN wedding date! Change, upsets, or a relocation of the reception hall may be in order. Though the Number SEVEN day represents upsets with plans, it may also represent being resuced at the very last minute. Rule by Uranus, the Number SEVEN wedding day can represent lost plane tickets, accidents, a gown that doesn’t fit or the maid-of-honor showing up after the ceremony. Uranus also represents a fast and furious courtship, waking up in the morning and finding yourself married to a stranger, being stood-up at the alter, as well as this partnership being an unwise decision. If there is happiness and love with this union, then perhaps one of the parent’s does not accept your intended as the proper mate, putting pressure and guilt on everyone.


**8** Wow! Baby! When choosing the Number EIGHT for your wedding day, you want to be compatible in every way with your partner, and sex will be a very important aspect to this relationship. This is the couple who, one enchanted evening, exchanged glances to each other across that crowded room and knew right away that they were meant for each other. Then they spent the next several weeks in bed, woke up one day, went to the Justice of the Peace, and were married. They will tell you that they felt married before the second glance on the first night they met. Once locked, they are inseparable!


**9** A Number NINE wedding day may indeed be one of secret. Another date of possible elopement, because the Number NINE wedding day is ruled by Neptune. The faith you were brough up in may be a very important factor to consider before this marriage takes place. This will be a very spiritual event, following all of the wedding rules of whatever faith is followed. One of this couple may practice medicine or perhaps, may be handicapped. There is an overshadow of the Divine with this union, whether the couple being married are aware of it or not.

Some material provided by Marvelous Girl and Visions of Reality

Crowning & Cunning

Here is a great gift idea that makes for a wonderful keepsake!

Artist Sadieryantiles uses a sand casting process to imprint invitations on

hand-crafted tiles, giving them a chic white patina.

Tiles come in two sizes: 8.75 x 7 inches or 10.75 x 6.5 inches

to accommodate different sized wedding invitations.

This idea is great for engagement parties, showers, baptisms,

birthdays & wedding anniversaries.

They are $49.95 and can be ordered at Etsy