Here Comes The Guide's Blog

Get Rid Of Bad Wedding Gifts Once And For All

Tell the truth: for your wedding gift, would you rather receive a pink ceramic Victorian cat or that Bose SoundDock you always wanted? Yeah, thought so.

After spending $150 on Egyptian cotton linens for his close friend, the groom, and finding out that said groom couldn’t remember what he’d given them, Aric Martinez decided that there had to be a better way for couples to personalize their registry and get what they actually want—even the expensive stuff.

He created iDoGifts.com so guests can purchase “shares” in high-end gifts the bride and groom want but can’t justify buying for themselves. So if, for example, Aunt Gertrude and 3 friends each buy a share at $75 apiece, they can get you that Bose SoundDock you’ve been coveting for your home. And if you don’t have a home, people can actually contribute money towards your down payment. Now that’s a gift you’ll absolutely remember! This clever website offers a wide selection of gifts to choose from, but if they don’t have something you want they’ll work out a way to get it on your registry.

Check out the possibilities at iDoGifts.com.

Buy Your Wedding Dress, Get a Honeymoon Bargain!

The Dresser, a favorite bridal salon in historic downtown Fullerton, isn’t content with just matching you and your gal pals up with great dresses—they also want to take a little financial stress out of planning your honeymoon.
 
Introducing their Fall Vacation Special: If you order your wedding gown in November or December 2009 or book your bridesmaid party, The Dresser will give you a travel voucher good for your choice of fun freebies.
 
How about a 3 night/4 day stay at an all-inclusive Jamaican resort? Or a 3 night/4 day Dream Cruise to the Bahamas? Or maybe you prefer to spend 8 days in any one of 3,500 luxe resorts around the world?
 
Sure, you still have to cover your own airfare and those pesky taxes and fees—but the rest is your gift. Just for ordering your wedding dress. Sounds like Santa’s coming a wee bit early this year, thanks to The Dresser!

For more details and information, go ahead and call them at 714/870-7101.

Road To The Altar: The Budget

There’s no doubt that the biggest 2009 wedding trends all seem to be centered on the same idea: less is more. Budget weddings are big: Couples everywhere are looking for the best deals around before they plunk down the plastic.

Check out this episode of Road To The Altar for one hilarious example of a wedding budget gone awry.

And for the record? Simon’s right: regifting hotel soaps really doesn’t equal a green wedding. Click here to find out more about (legitimate) green weddings.