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For couples who want to combine a wedding and honeymoon, there are quaint little chapels and masjestic cathedrals across the U.S. 

The Calla Lily.  Originally from South Africa and nearby regions, The Calla grew wild in its natural climate.  Today, it is grown all over the world and has become a favorite with brides.  The Calla Lily can be found in mini and standard sizes, in an endless variety of color.  Although beautiful alone, they are a good choice to mix with other flower varieties.

The Martha Stewart bouquet uses cream Calla Lilies and tulips plus white sweet peas and anomones for a wonderful mix.

Our own Bohemian Garden bouquet mixes Calla Lilies sparkled up with gems, orchids and a tropical blend of flowers.

The Vera Wang bouquet uses starkly contrasting Callas and lets them shine alone amid the greenery.

Calla decorated cakes and favors are abundant.

Some couples prefer their family church or local chapel while others want a wedding in a different or favorite location.  We bring you some quaint little chapels and majestic cathedrals from across the country. 

The Metropolitan Cathedral is an imposing figure in Mexico City, Mexico which is also a great wedding destination.

Founded in 1565 the beautiful Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine is a jewel of the oldest U.S. city: St. Augustine, Fl.  This historic town has much to offer.

The Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, CA shows off contemporary architecture and lots of glass.

St. Paul, MN, has its own amazing cathedral.

 Chapel Of The Bells in Reno, NV makes a winter wedding seem very inviting.

Ohio’s Grand Pacific Wedding Chapel is like a poster for a small town…and then there is the renowned St. Patricks Cathedral in New York City.  For those of you who have never seen the inside, first-hand, it is a pleasure you will not soon forget, especially at Christmas.

Another historic city, Philadelphia, is home to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul.

For many dollars, Disney, Orlando, will host your fairytale wedding complete with Castle, Horse and carriage and whatever you feel is necessary to be a princess for a day.  You can also stay on for your honeymoon in one of Disney’s many hotels.

Designer, Kirstie Kelly, creates fairytale dresses for Disney Bridal and the entire Disney machine can provide just about anything in the way of making magic. 

If Princess is your theme but not your budget, you might want to check out Disney Weddings for some ideas you can create in a less pricey environment.

Below: dresses by Kirstie Kelly; The Bridge at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion and a Cinderella Wedding complete with all the trimmings.

Vera Wang’s “Forest Fantasia” bridal collection for fall 2009, is definitely not for brides who prefer the Cinderella look.  Of course, we love it.  Even if you wouldn’t dare choose anything but white for your wedding, notice the beautiful lines and draping of these lovely dresses… then picture them in pure white, and less expensive!

Although some people still consider silk flowers a runner-up to the real thing, the fact is they are really just another option and often one that gets the results you need.

HERE ARE SOME FACTS:

Quality silk and composite material flowers can range in price from $3 to more than $12 a stem.  If you are still thinking, “Dollar Store”, those days are gone, at least when it comes to silk floral designers.

Silk flowers are great for destination weddings because they can easily be shipped

Silk flowers are lighter in weight than fresh flowers because they do not need a water source

Silks won’t whither, crumble, wilt, shed, fall apart, blow away in the wind or outright die in the heat

You can use both:  Fresh where you want and silk where most practical.

You can also blend the two: add a few fresh flowers to a silk bouquet for the smell, add some fresh ferns to a silk floral arrangement.

You can still save.  Even with the cost of today’s silk flower stems, you can still save from 40%-60% over fresh flowers for the same style, flowers and arrangements.  Savings are most apparent when using out-of-season or tropical flowers.

Today’s silk flowers are life-like, especiallly when items are created by an expert designer.

Many beautiful wedding dresses have been featured on this site, several of which I absolutely love.  However, in an effort not to repeat those photos and also to come up with a selection which I thought would be an inspiration to the average bride, I have chosen the designs here.  Although some designer dresses may be pricey, a bride can always look for a similar style in a more affordable dress.

Every dress shown, while all different in cut and style, has a classic, timeless look to it, while still being totally up-to-date.

Order Your Bridal Bouquet and One or more Attendant bouquets and get a free Mother-of-the-bride corsage in matching color and flowers ($25 value) FREE.  Our “Budget Bouquets” do not qualify for this offer. Promotion must be mentioned when ordering to receive discount. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.  Offer ends March 1, 2009.  Visit our sites to see our bouquets, wedding flowers and home and business decor.  The Bouquet Boutique, Flowerartgarden, Weddings In Silk.

There is always plenty going on in the picturesque city  of Gulfport, Florida.

On a typical Saturday, local artists show off their work: a glass blower fires up a demonstration; a metal artist creates stunning copper flowers, vases and bowls, while a metal statue of a horse, done by another artist, proudly keeps watch over the square.

Gulfport Casino holds dances and is available for weddings.  A boat drifts lazily with the current.  A kitty takes an afternoon Siesta, totally oblivious to my camera.

You can always grab some coffee in the open-air, while crafters and artists alike showcase their wares.  Brightly colored flowers and artistically decorated homes can be found on every block.

Although most of us will never be able to afford a cake by Sylvia Weinstock or Margaret Braun I have included them here as the best of the best.

Weinstock is known for her realistic flowers while Braun adds exquisite detail to her cakes.

Pink Cake Box consistently turns our beautiful cakes while the Cakeline item shown here is truly regal.