Sherri Shepherd

We were so excited to get this picture of The View's Sherri Shepherd looking stunning in her bridal attire. (Thanks, Atelier!) She married her sweetie Lamar Sally earlier this month in Chicago. Her gown was designed by Rita Vinieris of Rivini.

Love For Grownups Giveaway

There are lots of books about weddings. But the one we're talking about today tackles a slightly different subject. It's a new book about the joys and challenges of getting married as a fully grown adult, called "Love For Grown-Ups: How to Marry for Life When You've Already Got a Life". We know many of us can relate, so we're giving away a copy valued at $78. Everyone who follows The Garter Brides on Twitter and tweets/retweets with the hashtag #LoveForGrownUps is automatically eligible to win. The winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted by direct message. Then it's up to the winner to respond in 48 hours or forfeit the prize.

The giveaway starts now and ends on August 25th. So pop on over and let's get tweeting ladies!

Friday Funny

Do you have a hard time pulling your guy away from his video games? If so, you might relate to this cake topper:



Found at AwesomeToppers on Etsy.

Trend Alert: Cookies as Wedding Favors

- by pastry chef Gail Dosik

Couples planning their weddings often come to me to create special, edible cookie takeaway favors for their big day. It's a sweet and personal way to convey something very meaningful about how the couple to their guests. Need a few ideas for coming up with your own edible wedding favors? Try these:

◆ Traditional - If your wedding is more traditional, a cookie that mimics the bride's gown, bouquet or engagement is an elegant and tasty reminder of the day.

◆ Outdoors - Having a garden wedding? How about flower or butterfly cookies to celebrate the outdoor venue?

◆ Passion - Do the newly married couple share a passion project? If they're animal lovers, an artful cookie rendition of their pet is a wonderful way to bring a smile to everyone's lips.

◆ Destination - With destination weddings being so popular these days, a cookie representing an element of the special location can be fun. Getting married at a vineyard? A wine bottle cookie with the couple's name on the label is a pleasant reminder of the occasion.

◆ Hobby - If the bride and groom share a favorite hobby, let the cookie tell the guests what it is. Music buffs can offer guitars or other musical instruments, for example.

Beginning in the 17th century, wedding guests were sent home with a slice of the cake. With the cake placed snugly under the pillow, the sleepy guest would hopefully dream of their own future spouse. I certainly encourage taking the cookie favors home, but, can't guarantee that it will conjure up nocturnal forecasts of wedded bliss. So, do what I always encourage my clients to do: eat the cookie.

Photo: Royal Wedding Cookies by OneToughCookieNYC.com