After the expense and stress of planning your wedding, wouldn’t it be great to skip town on a romantic vacation knowing your not racking up an extra dime?

Well thanks to The Inns of Elegance,  a group of six romantic bed and breakfast inns in St. Augustine, Fla., you and your beau have 12 chances to win a honeymoon vacation in St. Augustine.

Every month in 2009, The Inns of Elegance will award a four-night vacation getaway to one lucky couple as part of its Romance is in the Air Honeymoon Contest. Here’s what you could win:

• Four-night accommodations in one of the six Inns of Elegance
• Champagne and chocolates upon arrival
• Dinner for two at Bistro de Leon, the town’s newest French bistro
• Lunch for two at the celebrated Columbia Spanish restaurant
• Dinner for two at the legendary Raintree restaurant
• Tickets for the Old Town Trolley, which will escort you through the historic district during the length of your stay
• Honeymoon cocktails at St. Augustine’s chic, bayfront Tini Martini Bar
• A romantic, sunset schooner sail…
• And more!

For a chance to win, simply submit a 200-word story of why you think romance is in the air in St. Augustine. Entries are judged on originality, so get creative! For more official rules, visit www.innsofelegance.com/contest.htm.

May the lucky couple win!

OK, you’re not actually striking a pose, but you are creating a look-alike illustration for some really cute stationery. Pose Prints allows you to create personalized stationery that includes caricatures of you and your future mate. Simply use their step-by-step process of choosing a theme, pose features and text options, and you’ll have the most unique stationery around. They offer tons of options for announcements, save-the-date cards and bridal shower invites.

The Pose Prints site is so much fun, so I decided to spend a little time creating caricatures of the “I Do” staff. Tell us what you think!

On the day of my wedding, my sister in law gave me a white lace handkerchief. She told me to tuck it into the sleeve of my gown to wipe tears, or to hold it folded in the palms of my hands in case they became sweaty. She also suggested I turn it into a bonnet for my first child to wear the day he or she was brought home from the hospital.

Thankfully, I took her advice and carried the handkerchief with me down the aisle. I decided to hold it in my palm, which helped me grip my bouquet, and it was also put to use dabbing a few tears. Though I decided not to craft it into a bonnet,  I do intend to give it to my son’s bride on the day of their wedding, and I hope the tradition continues for many generations.

However, if you are interested in turning your wedding-day handkerchief into a bonnet that can also be passed down for many generations, check out  www.creativeneedlemag.com/newdloads/bonnetma98/index.html.

Sweet Grass Online is a fairly new company that I came across while researching gifts for young bridesmaids and flower girls.  Though the only products I found appropriate for younger attendants were some fun-flavored chap sticks, I found these great products that would make perfect additions to gift baskets for maids or moms, and perfect welcome package treats for out-of-towners.  These products are similar to Burt’s Bees’ products, but with an easier-to-swallow price tag.  Visit www.sweetgrassonline.com to see more.

Engaged in June of 2007, Anthony Massoud and Adelaide Kelly immediately hired Alex Pare from Cherry Blossom Weddings and Events to assist them with their plans for their Aug. 8, 2008 wedding. They knew that the symbolic 8-8-08 date would exemplify their everlasting love and also serve as a great way to introduce the infinity symbol on their save-the-dates and ceremony programs.

When it came time to select their wedding venue, The Washington Club in Washington, D.C., was a no brainer. Its charming, historical character and antique feel created the perfect locale for a dream wedding shared with 80 of their closest friends and family.

Because their venue was already ornate and aesthetically appealing, they used classic and simple earthy greens and rustic plants to enhance the ambiance of the site. Adelaide wore a dress designed by up-and-coming designer Aimee Lauren, and Anthony wore a black suit adorned with a green boutonniere. After the ceremony, their guests delighted in lemon cake with raspberries and lemon frosting, topped with a simple bow.

Adelaide offers these tips for those who are currently planning a wedding:

1. Enlist a planner, even if only needed for partial assistance
2. Use a schedule and stick to it.
3. Trust your instincts and do what you want, not what others feel you should do.

Congratulations, Anthony and Adelaide! We wish you all the best in your new life together.

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Vendors

Caterer: Windows

Ceremony & Reception: The Washington Club

Florist:Helen Olivia

Hair: Wedding Hair by Nicole

Makeup: Kimberly Steele

Music (ceremony) & DJ: Bialek’s Music

Photographer: Allison Morgan

Transportation: Alabasters & Reston Limo

Wedding Planner: Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events