Inspired Wednesday

Summer Color Inspiration Board

The Color: White + Brown + Green
The Mood: Earthy Green

A palette of white, brown and green, with a hint of peaches in the bridal bouquets and dresses makes this a beautiful casual garden wedding. The colors are neutral and the earthy tones are perfect for a relaxed and intimate gathering in a garden, where you can enjoy nature’s natural beauty and fresh air.


Photo Credits:
Pam Scott Photography, Langham Pasadena Wedding Photography, Style Me Pretty, Lane Dittoe Photography

~Jenn

Inspired Wednesday

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! Are you GUYS ready and prepared to pop the question?

If not, I have the last minutes guide to help you pick the perfect ring and get ready!

I recently asked my friend who is in the jewelery industry on how to find the perfect ring/diamond. She gave me a site to look for, and oh boy! There are a lot to learn from picking the perfect diamond!

First of all, you need to know your budget (how much should you spend on the ring). Then choose the ring she'll love. After that, choose the right diamond with the perfect color and shape. Then you will have to choose the right jeweler and then the pop the question.

A lot involvement before the proposal right? It's a bit rush if you are still choosing the ONE ring! But take a look at this website: Blue Nile to learn more about choosing the perfect ring and that she will say 'YES"!

If you want to do something non-tradition, how about something like the gorgeous Kate Middleton's engagement ring.


Good luck on shopping and The Proposal! =)
~Amy

Photo Credit:
#1: Diamonds News
#2: The Huffington Post

Inspired Wednesday

As we are approaching the middle of January and going to February, there is another big day coming up that I think a lot of couples need to be prepared especially for the guys! If you are still shopping for gifts or flower bouquets, we have some tips for you when choosing the right number of flowers inside the bouquet and make it meaningful. (Of course, I think it is important for those to know if you are thinking of proposing on this special day!) Take a look at the list below to see different number of flower(s) you give would mean.
Number of Flower(s) and Meaning
1 - Love at the first sight. The single rose, whatever its color, depicts utmost devotion to a single person. "All my deepest affections are concentrated in you"

2 - Mutual feelings, especially if they are in red color. Speak of two people who are deeply in love and together form their own happy little world

3 - Stand for the three words in "I Love You"

5 - I love you very much

6 - I love you, I miss you. Speak of the need - to be loved and cherished

7 - I'm infatuated with you

9 - Long lasting love

10 - Perfect lover

11 - I am your admirer

12 - Heart to heart

13 - Forever friends. Also indicate that there is a secret admirer waiting to be discovered

15 - I'm really sorry

20 - Love you forever

21 - I love you most

22 - Love each other

24 - You're always on my mind. Stand for the twenty-four hours of the day, and say that the loved one is thought of during every hour of the day.

36 - Belongs to you

40 - My love is genuine

44 - Pledge a constant and an unchanging love.

50 - Signify a love that has ripened well, and has never been regretted.

99 - Love you till I die

100 - I'm totally devoted to you. Signify a happy union of two loving souls till death or till a hundred years

101 - Would you marry me?

111 - Long lasting love

365 - Love you every day

999 - Everlasting love

1001 - Never ending love

Wow, when it gets to 1001, it's a lot of flowers but interesting right? So guys, make sure you order the right number of flowers! ;-)
*Information provided by HKFlorists.com
*Photo from Flora F

Inspired Wednesday

To continue with our Wednesday blog post series, with the New Year, we are going to do Inspired Wednesday to fresh up in the middle of the week and look at something inspired, colorful, fun, and happy...you name it.

And this week, we would like to share some party ideas for the New Year! Yes... I know we past all the holidays and celebration time, BUT, we can keep the spirit and plan for the next one, right? =)

A damask themed party will always be a classic. No matter the occasion, whether it’s to ring in the New Year, celebrate a wedding or even the coming of a new baby, the damask theme is so versatile. It can be played up so elegantly; yet can also be very playful when you throw in a little bit of color.

A fun New Year’s Eve dessert table – the purple really pops against the black and white and adds a lot of flair and fun to this New Year’s celebration.


Believe it or not but damask can take you anywhere…even to this fun, rockstar wedding.
I guess this is what it real call "Party like a Rock Star"!

Stay Tuned for more inspired ideas for next week.

Photo Credit:
1st photo: The Couture Cakery, Thomas Beaman Photography, and The Hostess Blog
2nd photo: Continuum Photography and The Party Place

Our New Promo Video

Always curious of what wedding planner do? We have the answer for you. =)



Special Thanks to our videographer from Wing Hon Films to capture all the beautiful setting from our recent wedding at the gorgeous Private Estate in Los Gatos - Nestldown

Healthy Eating at Wedding...continued

So after food...of course we have to talk about drinks and wedding cake!

Wait?? You can go Eco-friend on beverages too? Yes, you can!




If you are non-alcohol drinker like me, this is a good news to you! You don't have to serve alcohol at your wedding! I had clients that serve special fruit punch as their signature drink and guests love it. Try to mix with organic fruit juice. If you want to add some elegant touch of the drink even water, have sparkling water as one of the options that guests can choose. If you do like serving alcohol, how about some good organic wines and beer? Look around for your local brewery that can provide you beverage right from their keg.

What about cake or dessert?



Ask your bakery or find a baker that can accommodate you with your organic theme by using organic ingredients. They can use locally harvested eggs and milk to save the cost of transportation. Or if you are doing dessert, how about some mini fruit tart with the in-season fruit from the local orchard.

Eat Healthy...Be Pretty...Happy Planning!

Source: The Knot - Green Wedding, 101 Eco Green Wedding Tips
1st Photo: The Knot
2nd Photo: This is IT Photography, Jen's Cake

Eat Healthy and Be Green!

Happy Monday Everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend with the beautiful sun we have.

Let's get back to our something green section, shall we? Last week we talked about how to find your Eco-friendly gown and venue, how about some food discussion today? At wedding, brides and grooms always choose the BEST to serve their guests. Not only the presentation of the food itself needs to be good, taste is very important. So is there any ways that you can be green on your food portion? Of course!



Go organic and be healthy! However, organic foods tend to cost more. If you did not accounted that into your budget, they might not be the best fit. You can also go with a vegan meal, which means no dairy products, no eggs and, obviously, no meat.

Another way is to go local! When you are looking for a caterer, check and see if they use locally grown food. If bought directly from growers, food needs less time in the fridge and less packaging to stay fresh. This means...you will create less trash and less electricity has to do with it. And since the food is coming from a shorter distance, less fuel is needed to transport.

You can also choose the foods that are in-season produce. Out-of-season fruits and veggies are grown in heated greenhouses. If you are having a winter wedding, don't serve summer favorites, like eggplant and zucchini, that must be grown in a greenhouse. Opt for winter squash, like acorn or butternut, and Brussels sprouts instead.

Last, but not least, if you decide not to take the left-over by the end of your wedding reception, make sure your caterer donate any left-over food to the local food rescue programs. You can check out more information from: America's Second Harvest . With this, you are not only making the world green but also saving someone's from hunger.

Be healthy, be pretty! Happy Planning!

Resource: The Knot - Green Weddings
Photo: This is iT Photography
In the photo: Greenfish Catering

Pick your Eco-Friendly wedding venue

I guess this is 'THE MOST' important topic that brides and grooms will jump right into when they first start planning their wedding! (only if not choosing your wedding gown or photographer.) Yes, choosing the wedding venue that you like is major as it set the stage of how you would like your wedding style and theme to be. The most popular or traditional wedding sites that come to people's mind would be hotel ballrooms, halls, or fancy resorts that tend to use loads of electricity, water and other typically not-so-earth-friendly products in order to put on these ultra-glamorous affairs. So is there a way that you can go Eco-friendly on choosing your wedding venue? YES! and here's how...

Choose a location that is as close to as many of your guests as possible can reduce your wedding's impact in a big way. Also, picking the venue where you can do ceremony and reception at one place would save you and your guests from traveling from one place to the other. If you are choosing somewhere in your local area, you may want to do some research on the local community garden, farmer, or LEED certified building.

Having your wedding outdoor is also a great choice and popular nowadays especially during late Spring all the way to late Fall time. You and your guests get to enjoy the sunlight all the way to pretty much 7pm, 8pm, or even early 9pm depends on where you located. Have the outdoor wedding no matter it rain or shine. Look for a farm or in a meadow and skip the electricity or running water. Somewhere like beautiful botanical gardens, hilltops, farms, and wineries that offer modern conveniences, like sinks and toilets, so you don't have to sacrifice these comforts. This way, you are still helping the earth because you are letting the sun provide all the lighting!

However, if you still prefer having an indoor wedding, like if you pick to get married during late Fall to early Spring while the sun is not as strong, you can still work it out and be Eco-friendly. Like mentioned above, have your ceremony and reception at the same location. Or choose the venue that gets plenty of sunlight and host a luncheon wedding. This will not only save on energy, it will save on your wedding as well since most of the wedding venues do provide a better price offer for a daytime/luncheon wedding. If hotel is still on your mind, check out GreenHotels.com for hotels that recycle and use energy efficient appliances and biodegradable products.

Happy Planning!

Sources: The Knot - Green Weddings, Top Green Wedding Tips
Photo by: W Photography

Happy Earth Day!!

Have you noticed the weather is super weird this year? There are still storms in the middle of April, temperature drops from an 80F one day to 55F the next day. Huge difference on the weather that is surrounding us! Today, is the 40th anniversary of the Earth Day so let's do something green! Yup, this coming week entries will be about green wedding to help YOU and our earth to feel better and look great! Starting from today and the following week, we will have different topics and tips to show you how to go green on your wedding. Ready? Our first topic for today is for all brides to be!

It is to choose your Eco-friendly wedding gown!



The wedding gown, for 100% that is the one of the most important items when planning a wedding for most brides (well sometime grooms too...because they want their wife to be look stunning and beautiful on their big day as well!). But you may think, well, wedding gowns are always expensive! Not only talking about rather it is on-sale or not, if you just walk in a bridal salon with hundreds of top wedding gown designers dresses, there you go, an easy $1K+ to pay and add on to your wedding day! And when you hear the word "Eco-friendly", is it going to be more pricey?? Well, there are ways that you can get your Eco-friendly gown and save!

How about asking your mom and see if she preserved her wedding dress or not. If she does, maybe there is a reason why. =) Take a look at the dress! If it's not quite your style, work with a seamstress to make it into your style!

Or how about visit the vintage clothing shops for pre-worn dresses? This would be the most easiest and most Eco-friendly you can do. This is a great way to be environmentally friendly and save! You can also purchase a once-worn or sample gown from Brides Against Breast Cancer which donates the proceeds to help women with breast cancer. There are also online sources that you can found a pre-worn wedding gowns like Ebay or The Dress Market. You can also go to Encore Bridal that sells preowned couture wedding dresses and bridal accessories. "Re-using" wedding gowns reduces environmental waste. Also, Encore Bridal is committed to use green business practices (ex. use of recycled paper for stationary, use of recycled and biodegradable shipping products, fuel efficient transportation)

However, if you prefer to wear a brand-new dress, try to find a designer who uses sustainable fabrics created by nature -- and not a factory -- like organic cotton, silk or hemp. Check out Adele Wechsler's Eco Couture line. Consider letting the bridal party wear clothes they already own. Offer a few guidelines, like a color or dress length. They'll love that they can show off their style. Or check out the options for wedding gowns in natural and eco friendly fabrics at: Conscious Clothing orThreadhead Creations. For a casual wedding, check out Rawganique.

So what about of your big day is over?? You may consider donating your wedding gown to a charitable organization-the ultimate in recycling. Brides Against Breast Cancer sells once-worn gowns and uses the proceeds to grant wishes to breast cancer patients nationwide. The I Do Foundation will donate 20% of the proceeds from the sale of your dress to the charity of your choice, and use the remaining funds to support the I Do Foundation's ongoing work to encourage charitable giving at weddings. In addition, you receive a tax write-off from the I Do Foundation for the full value of the dress. Ask your bridesmaids to give their gowns to the Glass Slipper Project , a program that distributes formal dresses to high-school students unable to afford prom attire.

There are ways to get your Eco-friendly wedding gown and go green! Is this something you are considering? =)

Happy Earth Day and Happy Planning!

Sources from: The Knot Green Weddings, Eco Friendly Weddings
Photo from: Pretty Chicky

Ideas for Marriage Proposals

Ready for giving the proposal over the holiday / romantic season or looking for idea before the move...here some~

Source: Best Marriage Proposals 2009 By: Justine Lorelle Blanchard

Talk about setting the bar high! Just in time for proposal season, TheKnot.com announces the most creative marriage proposals of the year.

You Ought to Be in Pictures
The one thing my boyfriend, Josh, and I don't have in common is movies -- I love them, but he could care less. But for our third anniversary, Josh offered to take me to see one. When we walked into the theater, it was already dark, so we grabbed a seat near the front. Suddenly, a picture of us came up on the screen -- Josh had made a movie about us! He and some of our friends acted out scenes from our relationship, and as the movie ended, I turned and Josh was kneeling on the floor. He opened a box with a ring pop inside just as the words "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" flashed on the screen. Then the lights turned on and everyone yelled, "Surprise!" Both of our families and our closest friends were in the theater watching the whole time!

A Fish Tale
My boyfriend and I flew to Seattle and visited Pike Place Market, famous for its fishmongers who throw fish. One of the fishmongers asked me if I wanted to catch a fish. I was nervous that I'd drop it, but I caught the fish and held it above my head to the applause of onlookers -- and then someone shouted that there was something in the fish's mouth. I discovered a plastic bag, tore it open, and found a small box inside. I turned around to find my boyfriend down on one knee!

Love Note, Redux
My fiance and I started dating our senior year of high school. He was shy, so he wrote me a note and left it on my desk -- it was super-dorky and asked if I wanted to "go out with him, be together, or whatever." Then he wrote, "Sorry about the note. I really like you. Jim." Now we're both teachers, and when I got back to my apartment one day after school, there was an envelope taped to my door. As I began to read the note, I realized I'd read it somewhere before. He had rewritten that original note, but changed it to "Will you marry me, be together forever, or whatever. Sorry about the note. I really love you. Jim." He was waiting in my room to propose.

An Offer She Couldn't Refuse
My boyfriend, Mike, and I were at my cousin's apartment, hanging out with her and her husband and their baby, Ryan. Mike is Ryan's godfather. We were all in the living room playing with the baby, and my cousin asked us to change him into his pajamas. So I unsnapped his onesie and went to pull it off over his head, and I realized he had on another one underneath. That onesie had writing on it: "AUNT GG, WILL YOU MARRY MY GODFATHER?" I read it, and then I looked next to me, and there was Mike down on one knee with the ring! And, of course, I said yes!

An Unforgettable View
My boyfriend, Rob, is a pilot, and we often take trips in a Cessna airplane. One night, Rob told me he had rented a plane for the next morning for what I thought would just be a typical flight. After we were in the air for about five minutes, he switched radio frequencies. This wasn't a normal procedure, so I was thinking, Oh gosh, what's wrong? Then Rob asked me, "What's that down there?" I looked down to the ground below us, and written on a football field were the words "Will You Marry Me, Delilah?" Of course I said yes, and the news of our engagement was broadcast for all to hear on radio frequency 123.45.

Love in Any Language
One day, at the hospital where I work, a fellow nurse walked into the OR and handed me a card. One side of the card said, "Chinese," and the back had something written in Chinese. A moment later, another nurse came in and handed me another card. On one side it said, "German," and the other side said something in German. This continued for 45 minutes, with cards coming in all different languages. I didn't know what to think until one of my patients complained of stomach pain, and I lifted up her blanket to find a card that said, "French," which is a language I read well -- I realized that all of the cards said, "Will you marry me?" I opened the door to the recovery room and found my fiance holding the final card. One side said, "English," and when I flipped it over, it said, "Will you marry me?"

Well-Played Proposal
For my birthday, Dell surprised me with a weekend at this beautiful, secluded house. That night after dinner, we decided to play Monopoly. On one of my first rolls, I landed on "Chance." When I pulled the card, it said my name and I was so confused. Dell had designed the card and had written a letter to me! At the end of the card, it said, "If you'll look my way, there is one thing I want to ask..." And when I turned to look at Dell, he was on his knee and holding the ring.

Rules of Engagement
My boyfriend, Nate, had been deployed in Afghanistan for a year, so for my birthday, Nate's friends threw me a party so I wouldn't be alone. The last present I opened was a card that told me to check my closet upstairs. In the closet, I found a DVD with a note that said, "Watch immediately." It was a video of Nate in Afghanistan, holding a sign that said to go to the first place we met. We all drove over to the school where Nate and I had been kindergarten classmates, and then I saw a soldier on the playground. Before I could process what was happening, I realized it was Nate, who had somehow managed to come home. I started bawling on his shoulder, and then he got on his knee and pulled out a ring that was custom-made for me in Afghanistan.

A Walk to Remember
Daniel and I met when we both decided to hike the Appalachian Trail. We met only a few days into our separate hikes and developed a wonderful friendship as we walked across the country together. Six-and-a-half months later, we reached the summit of Mount Katahdin at the end of the trail, and one year after that, Daniel took me back to the trail for a picnic. After we ate, Daniel helped me to my feet and then dropped to one knee. He said if we could walk 2,000 miles together through rain, snow, stress fractures, lightning, bugs, and creepy townies, then there is no doubt that we could take on anything else that life has to offer, and he couldn't imagine any adventure he would want to embark on without me by his side.

Have a Sweet Sweet Day~ =)

Cocktail Decoration

We talked about some candle decorations during ceremony or on the aisle the other day, what about during cocktail hour? You definitely would want to carry on the theme throughout the whole event. Here are a few that I found would related to candles decoration or using Christmas ornaments especially we are in the holiday mood!





Check with your venue and see they have a mirror nearby the area that you will be using on wall. If so, you may want to have a table setup there for the decoration. I love having the candles or any type of decoration to reflect in mirror. It would look good on photos too!

If you are having the light bulbs hanging or just want to decorate, why not adding more to tie into your theme? =)


*Again, when using candles - do remember to check with the venue's fire regulation / restriction and make sure you can use candles.

Happy Planning!

Decorate Up Your Aisle

When it comes to ceremony aisle decoration, a lot of brides and grooms would think of rose petals is the way to go. Yes, rose petals are always pretty in photos and will make everything look romantic. But today's brides and grooms are even more creative to add on some little touch in order to bring out the look they want to achieve.

How about having candles to bring the warm feeling to welcome your guests at the ceremony? I and lot of my brides love candles. It bring out the romantic feel and create the intimate feel even better.

In this holiday season, why not bring some warm and holiday feeling to your wedding / event? I got inspired from the following photos and thought it would look stunning during an indoor ceremony. Especially if you are having an afternoon / evening ceremony.





*When using candles - do remember to check with the venue (for example, church, hall, historical building, or hotel...etc.) fire regulation / restriction and make sure you can use candles. If not, battery light would help to achieve the look. But make sure, if candles are allowed, the containers or vases need to be 2 inches higher then the flame. Something to keep in mind and be safe~

Have a Happy Celebration =)

Interesting Wednesday

The holiday season has finally arrived! I hope you all had a happy thanksgiving and spent some fabulous time with your family~

Once the Thanksgiving departed, everyone is waiting for the next two big holidays to kick in - Christmas and New Year!

For those brides and grooms who are having a Christmas or New Year theme celebration for their wedding, here is some DIY ideas for you to make your escort card more into the theme spirit.


You may think, well, they are just gift's tag... but it can also be an escort card (or if you are having a place card to tie on with your wedding favors). Be creative and make it fun in your way~

Last year, I had a client who created her wedding theme in mask and ball look and feel, and incorporated the theme into her escort card...


Happy Creating~

Colorful Wednesday

Let's continue with our shoes series. Since we have flip flop before, of course we will take a look at some high heels that will make you look even taller and stunning!

A pair of comfortable high heel is very important. (Just in case if you do not plan on changing to flip flop later the night) This gorgeous high heel will be your best friend for the day!

Every time when people look at a bride, I'm guessing, first would be the gown, jewelries, the flower bouquet, makeup and hair...but what else? Maybe not that many people will pay attention to the shoes since they are always underneath the dress and traditional white. BUT, what if you pick a pair of high heel that match with your wedding color? This can show people how creative and detail-oriented you are and as well to bring in more color to your wedding.

How colorful can your shoes be? Here are some ideas for you ~

Fun way to do your walking down the aisle

Many of you may seen this clip already but I think it's good to share if you haven't have the chance to view. This couple planned a SO MUCH FUN way to walk down the aisle. Very creative and made the wedding ceremony HOT!

They are also interviewed by the Todayshow.com. If you are interested to know to whole story/plan, click here.

Now, enjoy the clip~

Make your 'Save-the-Date' to the next level

There are a lot of ways to create your save-the-date! Like card, postcard, photo postcard, magnet, or something represent your wedding and personal, and more… Now you can have more way to make it special!

My friend, Andrew Hsu from Studio MSV has introduced the new idea to make your “Save-the-Date” video!

Why do you need a movie for your save-the-date? Here’s why from Andrew:
• Because movies are awesome - and starring in your own movie is doubley awesome!
• Because movies are the wave of the future! (You know YouTube but there's no such thing as YouCards.)
• Because it saves trees! I can post your video on your own special website and you can simply email your guests the URL without dowing a single tree!
• Because it saves on postage - which saves on fossil fuels. Do you hate the earth? >:-(
• Because it's different than the save the date cards your girlfriends got for their wedding last year (which makes your rad!)
• Because it saves money! At $550 per video, it can be cheaper than many Save the Date cards you'd get online (don't forget postage!)
• Because if you use Save the Date Cards instead of Save the Date Movies, you have to say "STD" instead of the less noxious "SDM" :-) hahaha! Just kidding!
It’s show time!! Enjoy the “Save-the-Date Video” by Andrew for Thomas at Thomas John Events.

Thomas and Melissa: Special Message from andrew msv on Vimeo.

Get Your Bridal Registry from Polo Ralph Lauren

Now you have more choices on bridal registry!

The Polo Ralph Lauren is bringing back their wonderful bridal registry to help decorate your new lives and home! Visit their website and mark what you need/like.

Call 650.326.1710 or visit their Home Department Store at the Stanford Shopping Center and ask for Joan Janet Montez to schedule a consultation to get you started.

Decor with style! Happy shopping!

Sample Sale at Gabrielle's Bridal Atelier

Dear Brides-to-be,



Great news for all of you! Gabrielle's Bridal Atelier in Los Gatos will be having a sample sale next week on May 28th (Thursday) and 30th (Saturday) before they move into the new location. Some of their beautiful designer gowns will be 50 to 70% off!! This is a great chance that you don't want to miss!! Make you appointment at the following information:

Email: appointment@gabriellesbridal.com
Phone: (408) 399-9393
Address: 104 University Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95030

Get yourself look stunning on your special day~

Colorful Wednesday

That's right! Starting this week, we will be doing a color post on each Wednesday to help you work on choosing your favorite and unique wedding color. No matter you are doing mix and match or a set on color, we want these color posts will be educational and fun to you, and also brighten you in the middle of the week.

Let's begin with the Top 10 Fashion Colors for Fall 2009


American Beauty — this flattering true red is neither harsh nor over-the-top. Designed to suit all skintones, this warm but robust hue can be blended with almost any shade

Nomad — another timeless neutral which falls between light gray and beige serves as an anchor for more robust colors

Purple Heart — sitting somewhere between true purple and lilac, this refined tone is soft and sensual

Rapture Rose — represents all that is new and fresh about this fall’s designs. With nurturing and feminine tones, this color plays upon the vibrancy of last season’s fuschia but is toned down a little with soft pink. This key shade transcends clothing into cosmetics and accessories

Honey Yellow — a warm and welcoming yellow with a hint of honeyed beige. A perfect partner to Burnt Sienna for a wintry feel

Warm Olive — a rich yellowy green, reminiscent of an olive in a martini, which, according to Pantone's Fall 2009 report “makes all other colors come alive.”

Iron — represents the “new black” of the season. Neither a true gray nor brown it falls more in the category of a cross between slate and gunmetal. This serves as a grounding color for all other tones

Majolica Blue — adding an exotic feel to the color group this cross between teal blue and navy complements oranges and purple hues perfectly

Burnt Sienna — more a pinkish, earthy orange, reminiscent of Mediterranean terracotta roof tiles. Warm and comforting, probably the most-fall like of all the Panetone shades

Crème Brûlée — needs no explanation for those who love its namesake, the delicious French desert. Providing one of fall’s classic neutrals, this paired down mix of gray and ivory beige looks good enough to eat!

*Color Description from Top 10 Fashion Colors for Fall Winter 2009
Key Color Palettes from New York Fashion Week Fall 2009

Flying with your lovely pet

More and more people would like to include their lovely pet in their wedding nowadays. I recently did a destination wedding which my bride and groom are from New York. One of the details that was incorporated to the wedding was having their lovely dog as the ring bearer. I read an article today about "Ways to Fly Cheaper and Hassle-free with Pets" by Samantha Bomkamp, AP talks about things people need to pay attention to when flying / flying with pet. I think this would be helpful for those who will be traveling for their wedding and want to include their beloved pet in the bridal party. If this is one of your concerns whether to take your pet with you or not, read on~

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Traveling with your pet can be stressful, but with these helpful tips it can be a smooth journey for you and your furry companion.
We dress them up. We feed them gourmet foods. We treat them like members of the family. So when we have to fly − whether it be on a beach vacation or to grandma's house, our pets are often a first-class priority.

Bringing animals on flights has become more commonplace in recent years, but some airlines now have strict regulations − and even stricter prices − to pack a pooch or carry a cat. But with increasing concern for the welfare of canine and feline alike, there are a growing number of options to transport pets in the friendly skies.

And some airlines can be more pet-friendly than others.

RULES FOR THE CABIN

AirTran, Spirit and JetBlue only allow pets to fly in the cabin. That's great for animal lovers who argue that precious pets shouldn't be relegated to the cargo hold, but not so great for owners with medium or large dogs. Pups in the cabin must be able to fit (read: stand up and turn around) in a carrier small enough to slide under the seat in front of you during flight. Generally, this maxes out at about 20 pounds.

US Airways only allows pets in the cabin, but they will permit them as checked baggage for nonstop US Airways Shuttle flights between Boston, New York and Washington D.C.

Though pets are allowed in the cabin on these airlines, they set limits on the number of pets that can be onboard a flight, ranging from 3 to 7, depending on the airline and size of the jet. So it's best to book early and call the airline to tell them you're traveling with a pet as soon as possible.

JetBlue is the only U.S. airline that allows animals in the cabin on international flights. As a bonus, you'll also earn extra frequent flier points for traveling with your pet.

For pets traveling in the cabin, AirTran charges the least among big carriers at $69. Most U.S. airlines charge between $100 and $125, but bringing a pet in the cabin on Delta and Northwest flights costs $150.

TRAVELING AS CARGO

For those traveling as checked baggage, Delta and Northwest are the most expensive at $275. The least expensive in this category are Alaska Airlines and Midwest at $100, and Frontier which prices its checked pets fees between $100 and $200.

Frontier only allows pets as checked baggage. Southwest doesn't allow pets at all, except for service animals.

In all cases, the airlines won't charge you a first or second bag fee for your dog on top of the pet fee. But some airlines will count the kennel as a piece of checked luggage, so if you have more than two bags, you might get slammed with another fee.

But aside from the fees, traveling with a pet can sometimes be a frustrating and even scary experience. Although it's rare, a handful of pets get lost or killed each year when traveling on airlines.

BON VOYAGE TIPS

While some incidents can't be avoided, preparation, experts say, is the key to having a safe and uneventful flight.

Here are some basic tips to ensure happy trails in the air:

− Make sure your pet is fit to fly. Have a veterinarian examine your pet and give a clean bill of health before the flight. Most airlines require health certificates. You may also have to bring along vaccination records.

− If you have a snub-nosed dog or cat, like a pug or Persian, check with your vet to make sure they can fly. Some of these types of animals have breathing troubles that could be complicated at high altitudes.

− Consider microchipping your pet. The device, about the size of a grain of rice, can be implanted for less than $100. And because the process gives the pet a unique ID that can be accessed if your cat or dog gets lost, chances of finding them can grow exponentially. Also make sure all tags and licenses are up-to-date with your most recent address and contact number.

− Try to choose a less hectic time to travel to avoid stress on your animal. Weekdays are ideal.

− Choose a nonstop flight whenever possible.

− If you are flying during the summer and your pet is traveling in cargo, try and schedule the flight in the early morning or evening, when temperatures are lowest. If you're heading out in the winter, aim for a midday flight. Because the temperature in the cargo areas can be extreme, most carriers only allow pets on board if the air temperature is greater than 45 degrees or less than 85. That excludes a lot of the peak summer and winter travel season, so it's best to keep an eye on the forecast before going to the airport.

− Let the airline know you are traveling with a pet when you book, so you can make sure there is room for your dog or cat onboard.

− Don't feed your pet two hours before departure to ensure it will be comfortable with the lack of potty breaks ahead. Try freezing water in a dish to fit in the carrier, so it will melt gradually during flight and avoid spillage.

− Exercise with your pet a couple hours before flight to tire them out and help them relax. Adam Goldfarb, Director of Pets at Risk program at the Humane Society, recommends against the use of sedatives because the pet won't be able to protect itself if the carrier shifts during flight. Pets can also have reactions to the sedatives that may not be caught during flight. Sedation can be especially dangerous for those breeds already prone to breathing problems.

− Secure pertinent information to your pet carrier such as the flight number, destination and your pet's name and age if they are traveling below deck. "Live Animal" and "This End Up" stickers are recommended by the American Humane Association. Carry a recent photo to whip out if your pet gets lost.

− Come to the airport armed with the relevant paperwork such as a recent health certificate and vaccination records for your pet if the airline requires it.

− Consider putting a harness on your cat if it won't be with you in the cabin. If security personnel remove the cat from the carrierit will lessen the chance the cat will get loose.

There are also other options popping up for pet lovers looking for a more comforting experience. Pet Airways, which launches in July, will send your pet between major cities including New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles for $250one-way (an introductory fare of $150).

Dogs and cats will fly in a main cabin where seats have been replaced by kennels, and pets will be escorted to the four-leg only flight by attendants that will monitor the pets during flight."