I really need this Silver Crystal Bridal Headband in my life…

And I’m definitely swooning over this pretty piece made of Pearl and Swarovski crystals…

Would you like to show off one of these beauties on your wedding day?

If you’re in love like I am, then you’re also in luck. Love Always, Anne Marie is giving away a $20 gift certificate towards the purchase of one of these gorgeous hair pieces to one of our readers!

What must you do for your chance to win?  Head on over to Love Always, Anne Marie and browse through her hair pieces.  Come back here and tell us what hair piece is your fav!  Easy enough right?

Enter before 12pm EST, Friday, August 20 for your chance to win!  Winner will be announced Friday afternoon.  Good luck ladies!!

If you are looking for a way to light up your night, try a fireworks display.  No matter where your wedding will take place, there are plenty of wedding fireworks vendors all over the country. I’m sure your guests will enjoy it just as much as we did.  *signed TMJ*

Vera Wang

Yes ladies… you’ve read it correctly. David’s Bridal (DB) is hoping to pique the interest of many new brides by announcing its new partnership with the go-to wedding gown designer Vera Wang. Wang’s designs will join David’s Bridal’s current designer collection of Oleg Cassini and Galina in helping to supply high-end  yet affordable, ready-to-wear bridal gowns and accessories to the everyday bride.  These gowns, priced no more than $1500, is set to make their appearance in DB stores in Spring of next year. Hopefully, this will be just in time for soon-to-be destination and summer brides who have only dreamt of wearing a Vera Wang dress on their special. This partner is good news for Vera Wang, David’s Bridal, and for you! Check out the David’s Bridal Blog for more details. *signed TMJ*

As a party/events planning enthusiast, I’ve always loved the in’s and out’s, the minute details, and creativity behind throwing an awe-inspiring soiree. My dream has always been to start my own business and specialize in themed parties and weddings. As a part-timer working at David’s Bridal, I’ve learn A LOT about the field, and it’s motivated me to delve even further into this engaging world (and it helps that I hope to be planning my own very soon *wink*).

When my time comes, I know I will join Meleesa in planning a destination wedding near a beautiful backdrop of natural scenery and water. (I love the water!) So, as I take to finding new topics, cute finds, fabu trends, and must-do ideas to catalogue as knowledge for my own biz and, hopefully, my own strut down the aisle, I will be sharing my discoveries with all of you. Feel free to comment and email me any questions about things you may be searching for in planning your own special day. ( I’m also a greeeeat researcher and shopper of low priced deals. ) I’d love to help other brides make their wedding dreams come true!

Thanks Mel for welcoming me on board. Here’s to a b-e-a-utiful partnership!

*signed TMJ*

In celebration of the big World Cup kick-off in Johannesburg, South Africa, I couldn’t think of a better way to start the weekend than South Africa’s own destination wedding location of Cape Town!

Brides and grooms are traveling all over the world these days to take their vows and how stunning would a wedding be on the coast of this lovely country?

By the looks of these amazing photos captured by photographer, Christine Meintjes, this couple’s wedding day in Cape Town, South Africa was beyond unforgettable.

It seems marrying in South Africa is a growing trend among couples from the UK and Australia and I can certainly see why! It wouldn’t surprise me, with all the attention the country will gain by hosting this year’s World Cup games, if more U.S. couples start to consider taking their own vows on a small beach somewhere in South Africa themselves.  The Mediterranean climate and strikingly gorgeous landscape creates a perfect setting for a bride-to-be and her groom all year long!

Head on over to Christine’s website to see more of this couple’s wedding day! And to get a better glimpse of what this wonderful country has to offer, I’d encourage to browse through Christine’s other amazing photos.  The pictures she took on her trip to Botswana makes me wish I could teleport myself and be there now (with my own Mr. Oceanside).

Have a great weekend ladies!

I found this great collage of wedding welcome bags and baskets that I thought might give you inspiration to create your own unique and fun welcome basket that your guests will love.

Photo via MG Events via All Things Lovely

You can use almost anything for your bag such as a crafty and cute paper gift bag, boat shaped weaved baskets, or big beach totes that they can throw over their shoulder and head straight to the beach to catch some sun before the big event!

What are some items you might include? Anything! Sky’s the limit, but your welcome bag for a beach wedding may include….water bottles (customize the label with a picture of you and your beau for a personal touch!), sunscreen, beach towel, a local map, and a few of your favorite fruits, cookies or candies that your guests can enjoy for the weekend! For those of you who happen to be in the New York area, you could always order pre-packaged or customized gift bags from Sara’s Gracious Goodies, who provides savvy gift packaging expertise and best of all delivery to your hotel location the day of your guests arrival!

Did you or are you planning to put together an Out-of-Town Bag as part of your wedding weekend?  We’d love to see your pics and hear about what you included in them!

First, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY shout out goes to The Oceanside Bride which turns ONE today! Time has flown and I really can’t believe a year has already gone by.  It’s been so much fun capturing my own personal wedding planning details here and I hope I have been able to share some inspiration with other beach brides out there who are planning their own special day.

Some great things are in store for The Oceanside Bride in its second year starting with a blog re-design and new post features which will be coming soon. 

Beginning this blog last year on June 8^th seemed perfect since it also happens to be World Ocean Day!

Reasons we should celebrate our ocean…

• Generates most of the oxygen we breathe
• Provides food for us
• Helps regulate our climate
• Cleans the water we drink
• Used for the study of and creating new medicines
• Great beauty and inspiration!

Although there are often harming circumstances completely out of our control (i.e. sadly the oil spill we are dealing with here in the U.S), there are many ways we can contribute and do our part to help keep it clean. I mean, there are plenty of us out there who would love to have  the ocean serve as backdrop to our own beach wedding, enjoy a tropical beach island honeymoon and plan for family vacations with the future kiddos there right?

You can check out The Ocean Project to find out how you can participate in the “Seven C’s” for ocean conservation!

Last but certainly not least, I’m celebrating Tiffany, a long-time friend of mine (who also happens to be a bridal consultant), by welcoming her to The Oceanside Bride as an official partner and blogger!

Our friendship sparked in our first semester of college after we learned of each other’s passion for event planning and all things weddings (even way before either of us would plan our own). So after 11 years (yikes-has it been that long?), we are finally partnering up on a few things here at The Oceanside Bride. 

Through our blog, we’ll continue to share DOUBLE the inspiration with other brides planning their own beach or destination weddings.  Then coming in August, we’ll be launching our very own online beach wedding favor boutique and we’re so excited!

So a big welcome to my girl, Tiffany- I know your love for planning, details, and weddings will make you an awesome partner and wonderful friend!

Captured here was a gorgeous wedding in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Loved how it provides such a fun, casual and unforgettable atmosphere for the marrying couple. Anywhere on this beach can be a “picture perfect moment” or possibly use the rain forest as a breathtaking backdrop!

You can view more pictures from this beautiful wedding at the White Box Blog. As you know we postponed our own wedding planning for a little while and our plans are to marry in Southern California.  I would say we still have time to rethink those plans though- anyone want to travel to my wedding in Costa Rica?!

Did you or someone you know get married in Costa Rica?  Would love to hear about your experience planning your wedding!

Came across this very amazing modern ocean themed wedding table decor on Elizabeth Anne Designs blog today and fell in love!  Forget paying the money to marry in a fancy aquarium banquet hall when you can create your own! Orchids, succulents, lit candles and other beautiful oceanic details created a serene and intimate setting.  When I see these beautiful nautical pictures I imagine hearing sofa spa-like music playing the sound of ocean waves crashing in the background while a small group of family and friends toast a happy future to the newly-wed couple.  Check out more details on this modern ocean wedding table decor at Elizabeth Anne Design’s blog!

Look at these super cute and super FUN Ice Cream Towel favors!  I know the country has been experiencing what seems to be never-ending winter storms and the last thing you want to eat is ice cream, but I couldn’t resist sharing these! I love fun and unique wedding ideas and this has got to be one of the most unique beach wedding favor ideas I have seen out there. You can choose your favor “flavor” from vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry color towels which come in a cone-shaped holder.  I would absolutely love to be a guest at this wedding so I could take home one of these fun re-usable favors!