Rachel and Valerie are back! Done with exams and ready to talk with Jeff about the changing views couples have when deciding on how, and the right time to propose and some of the new styles of wedding dresses that have become popular.

As always, you can leave a comment here or a message on our voicemail at 504-383-4NOW (669)

Links to articles:

• How the Marriage Proposal Became a Negotiation (via Wall Street Journal)
• Choose The Right Dress for Your Special Day

Vendor Spotlight:

• Sample Sale at Bustles and Bows Bridal Boutique

This week Jeff is left to podcast alone. Apparently everyone left for finals or Jazzfest. So he has a couple items that popped up in the news.

• Bill Clinton requested lose 15 pounds before Chelsea's wedding day. (Via Huffington Post)
• Sandra Bullock is moving to New Orleans (via New York Daily News )

As always we'd love to hear your questions and comments. Comment on our blog, or call us at 504-383-4NOW and leave a message.

Photography by: Kristen Guin Florist: Bella Blooms

Jeff and Rachel elaborate on our featured article and cover wedding trends in 2010. Listen to our commentary and opinion and check out the article at New Orleans Weddings Magazine.com

Photography by:Studio Tran Flowers by: NOLA Flora

1. Vibrant Color Palettes
2. Landscape centerpieces & greenery bouquets
3. One of the hottest current trends is the mini wedding dress
4. Favors with meaning
5. Video Integration into Events is on the hot scale for 2010
6. The lighted dance floor is one of the newest trends in wedding events
7. Choreographed dance moves are still hot for 2010!

We’d love to hear your comments and plans! Email us at info@thisweekinweddings.com or leave us a voice mail at 504-383-4669

Photography by: John Ly Photography Wedding Planner: Wink Event Planning

This week New Orleans Weddings Magazine launched “Look Who’s Engaged!” our engagement announcement page. Couples can submit their engagement announcement to be published on our website.

Jessica and Valerie also welcome our special guest Cindy from The Chicory Venue to discuss their upcoming “Your Wedding Day Giveaway” raffle and party to be held on April 28th, 2010. Listen to find out about the amazing wedding you can win and how to enter.  You can find more information at www.thechicoryvenue.com.

New Orleans Weddings Magazine is a proud participating sponsor of this event.

This week Jeff and Rachel announce the 2010 Runaway Bride, talk a little about the model search for the 2010/2011 edition of New Orleans Weddings Magazine, and talked about financing your wedding by splitting the costs and taking the financial burden off the bride’s parents.

The 2010 Runaway Bride is Cerinda Morales who finished the race with a chip time of 53:14 and will win a fitness feature in the 2010/2011 Edition of New Orleans Weddings Magazine, a bridal portrait session and 16×20 print from Fine Art Exposure Photography, and a 2010 Gallery Edition Poster from the Crescent City Classic.

Show Links:

• 2010 Runaway Bride
• Cover Model Search
• Burden of Paying for Wedding Bells Shifts (via The New York Times)

We’d love to hear your comments! Call us and leave a message at 504-383-4669 or email us: info@thisweekinweddings.com

There is a lot happening this week Jeff, Jessica, and Rachel talk up the Crescent City Classic, answer listener email, and announce our model search!

Crescent City Classic

“Runaway Brides”
Are you the fastest bride in New Orleans?

Join us on Easter Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 for the Crescent City Classic and if you have the fastest time of all our registered brides you will win a fabulous prize package from New Orleans Weddings Magazine including: a fitness feature in the 2010/2011 Edition of New Orleans Weddings Magazine, a bridal portrait session and 16×20 print from Fine Art Exposure Photography, and a 2010 Gallery Edition Poster from the Crescent City Classic.

The CCC Photographers will be on the look out for runners wearing bridal veils on Race day…dress up for the race and your picture may be on NewOrleansWeddingsMagazine.com!

To find out more about the race and instructions for entering, click here.

Listener Mail

First question is from bride Tiffany in Metairie, Louisiana…

Tiffany writes: My fiancé  and I are planning our wedding for October and I want to make sure I’m not forgetting anything. We are having the wedding at a venue that provides the catering, the cake, ceremony, full bar and wedding rehearsal. I have already book a photographer, still looking for a reasonably priced DJ, and my bridesmaids and I already have our undergarments and dresses. What am I missing? I know I need unity candle, flower girl baskets and ring bearer pillows, and some of the other little things. Please let me know if there is anything I am missing. I want our wedding to be perfect or close to it atleast!

Our response to Tiffany in Metairie’s Question is about what she is missing…

• Flowers
• Transportation
• Hair/make-up
• Place to get ready of not at home
• Videographer
• Gifts for the wedding party
• Invitations
• Tuxedos
• Wedding night accommodations
• Honeymoon accommodations (have you spoken with a travel agency?)

All of these things can be found in our vendor directory in New Orleans Weddings Magazine, under the various categories that we have mentioned.

Our second question is from Corrie…..

Do you know of any reception venues in New Orleans that will allow you to rent the facility only? My future mother-in-law is a caterer and would like to cater our wedding. Because I live in Texas, I am having a problem finding venues that will allow you to just rent the facility. Please help.

Out response to Corries question:

• Venues that only allow you to rent, if you want to bring in an outside caterer.
• NOMA, depending on how big. There are minor restrictions with food.

Try a park, but if remember if necessary to get a permit to have wedding on the location.

Renting a tent. We have tent rental companies in our directory in the back of New Orleans Weddings Magazine.

N.O.W. Cover Model Search

Do you want to be on the cover of New Orleans Weddings Magazine?

Making Impressions Talent Academy is hosting a casting call contest with N.O.W. Magazine.

Several Models will win fabulous prizes including the opportunity to appear in the 2010/2011 Edition Fashion Shoots for N.O.W. Magazine. If you’re looking to launch your modeling career and gain experience working in the fashion industry, you need to be at this casting call!

We will be casting for bride, bridesmaid, flower girl, groom, ring bearer and mother of the bride models. We’re looking for fun people with great attitudes!

The casting will take place on Thursday and Friday, April 8th and 9th from 3:00 – 7:30pm both days.

Thursday is reserved for models age 4-18 (parents or guardians will need to accompany minors to the casting) and Friday is for all models 18 and older.

Please call Making Impressions at to confirm your spot at the casting call or go to Making Impression’s web page at www.makingimpressionsimage.com and complete the contact form with the words “Bridal Magazine” in the comment section to register.

Stay tuned for more information on www.neworleansweddingsmagazine.com!

Both NOMA and The Cornstalk Hotel mentioned in the podcast are advertisers of New Orleans Weddings Magazine

Photocredit: Fine Art Exposure

Photo-credit: Fine Art Exposure

Rachel and Valerie took over the podcast this week to discuss the featured article makeup article and expand on it with some additional advice.

Don’t forget if you’re an engaged bride running the Crescent City Classic you can sign up as a Runaway Bride! find out if you’re the fastest bride in New Orleans on April 3rd!

Links:

• Featured Article: Natural Beauty in Photos
• Runaway Brides Contest at the Crescent City Classic

Photo-credit: Fine Art Exposure

This week on the show Jeff and Rachel talk up the Twitter Contest, the Brides of March, and of course our very own Runaway Brides at the Crescent City Classic!

Links:

• Celebrating our 1,000 followers Twitter Contest
• The Brides of March – Photos (via Flickr)
• Runaway Brides at the Crescent City Classic

Photocredit: iStockPhoto.com/LanaK

Disclosure: While New Orleans Weddings Magazine does not receive monetary compensation from the Crescent City Classic, Jessica serves on the Board of Directors and Jeff is a member of the advisory and planning committee.

Photocredit: Black & Geauxld Photography

This week we have Jessica, Rachel, and Val in to recap Bridal Event 2010 at the New Orleans Museum of Art!

You can see more images on our recap page at the bridal event website.

iStockphoto/knape

This week on the show Rachel and Jeff are previewing some of the exciting happenings with Bridal Event 2010! Which will take place on Tuesday, March 2nd 2010 from 6 to 9 pm at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

We will also unveil our new 2010 Annex edition of the magazine which includes a 32 page supplement with more articles, style guides and Real Weddings

Advance Tickets $10 or $15 (cash only) at the door. Partial Proceeds from Ticket Sales to Bridal Event 2010 will be donated to the Louisiana SPCA to support them in their efforts to care for and find permanent homes for homeless animals. Join us and help Save a Life while Planning the Biggest Day of your Life!

Please remember that if you buy your ticket online to print your receipt as it will serve as your ticket!

Don’t forget we are giving away free tickets!

All you need is either a Facebook or Twitter! It’s that easy.

Post a message on our Facebook fan page or tweet @NolaWeddingsMag telling us you’re coming to Bridal Event 2010, (“I’ll be at Bridal Event 2010!”) and you’ll receive 1 complimentary ticket into the show.

We will put your ticket on the Will Call list at the entrance of the New Orleans Museum of Art under your Facebook or Twitter name.

So start tweeting @NolaWeddingsMag or send us a Facebook post today saying “I’ll be at Bridal Event 2010!”. Only one post per account, please. Only posts received before February 26th at 11:59 pm will receive 1 complimentary ticket.

Don’t have a Facebook or Twitter? We still want to give you a chance to get a ticket into the show. Pick up one of our complimentary tickets to Bridal Event 2010 at Bustles and Bows Boutique in Metairie. We have a limited number at the boutique, so make sure to get yours today. You can also stop by our booth at the “Everything Bridal Extravaganza” on the Northshore Feb. 25th, from 6-9 pm.
See you at Bridal Event 2010!