What are the latest trends in the wedding industry? Want to learn more about destination weddings and honeymoons? Have you heard about the newest bridal retailer in NYC? Confused about color? Swallowed the engagement ring? Holli & Robert talk about these burning questions plus feature two savvy experts that share important information about romantic travel and bridal fashion.

Robert talks to Lynne LaFond DeLuca, Director of Industry Education and Certification of Beverly Clark’s Elite Wedding Collection. She discusses travel trends, statistics, and ways to draw inspiration from a location’s cuisine and culture. Beverly Clark’s magazine planning guide answers couples’ common concerns about faraway destination “I dos.” Their “Eco Essentials” section features eight effective ways to reduce your – and your guests’ – travel footprint. Great tips for anyone planning a getaway.

Holli interviews Dan Rentillo, VP of Design for David’s Bridal, who talks about the extensive selection of offerings available in the store. He shares ways to infuse a bride’s personality and fashion sense when choosing their bridal attire. What are some of the bestselling gowns? How important is color? What are some recommendations for a destination wedding? What is teh key to selecting the perfect gown? David’s Bridal is proud to offer beautiful gowns at exceptional value without compromising quality or style.

What should you do differently? We compiled a few of our listeners’ popular answers so you can be mindful when planning your big day. Our listeners inspire us. Keep us posted on what you like and what you don’t and we’ll share it with the world.

Click here to listen

Here are the links from the show

Beverly Clark’s Elite Wedding Collection

David’s Bridal

WPN listener Suzanne’s blog

Weddzilla Blog Think Pink post

The Wedding Report

Check out the wedding blog scene on WPN Links page

Find great resources in The Marketplace

To subscribe to our podcasts click here
Thanks for making us the most popular wedding podcast on iTunes with the the most wedding podcasts in the top 100 in the fashion and beauty category.

Subscribe in iTunes right here

Recently voted “Best New Wedding Resource” by a survey of brides.

Wedding Podcast Network has the largest, most comprehensive selection of wedding planning podcasts. We are wedding talk radio at its best. Proud to be the number one resource for wedding planning podcasts.

We love your feedback. Send us an email or call our listener hot line 800.882.1259.

Another great wedding planning podcast from Wedding Podcast Network

Thanks for listening.

Often imitated but never, ever duplicated. We are the wedding podcast you can trust.

Romona and Holli

Timeless beauty defines Romona Keveza’s Couture and Legends bridal collections. Her signature styling and classic silhouettes are feminine, sensual and sophisticated. Season after season Romona designs a look that has that “je ne sais quoi” – an indescribable style that continues to delight us. Romona’s elegant gowns are inspired by iconic beauties like Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy. One of the world’s top bridal designers, Romona Keveza’s gowns are figure flattering for today’s fashion-conscious bride.

Romona Keveza’s website

Check out the blog scene on the WPN links page

Find great resources in The Marketplace

To subscribe to our podcasts click here
Thanks for making us the most popular wedding podcast on iTunes with the the most wedding podcasts in the top 100 in the fashion and beauty category.

Subscribe in iTunes right here

Recently voted “Best New Wedding Resource” by a survey of brides.

Wedding Podcast Network has the largest, most comprehensive selection of wedding planning podcasts. We are wedding talk radio at its best. Proud to be the number one resource for wedding planning podcasts.

We love your feedback. Send us an email or call our listener hotline 800.882.1259.

Another great wedding planning podcast from Wedding Podcast Network

Thanks for listening.

Often imitated but never, ever duplicated. The podcast network with integrity. The only true wedding podcast network in the world.

Henry and Michelle are back better than ever. Today’s episode focuses   on their top ten good reasons why

Planet Bride

you’re getting married and what really matters. They offer important reminders that will add meaning to your marriage for better or for worse. They share their thoughts on how personal traditions will enrich your life together. Their open discussion will encourage you to recognize your unique specialness with your partner and value the sanctity of marriage and family. Plus hear about Henry’s exciting involvement as mentor on the new hit series Project Runway Australia.

Click here to listen to the show.

Michelle’s website
Henry’s website
Brides in Australia and New Zealand click here

Project Runway Australia on YouTube

Check out the blog scene on the WPN links page

Find great resources in The Marketplace

To subscribe to our podcasts click here
Thanks for making us the most popular wedding podcast on iTunes with the the most wedding podcasts in the top 100 in the fashion and beauty category.

Subscribe in iTunes right here

Recently voted “Best New Wedding Resource” by a survey of brides.

Wedding Podcast Network has the largest, most comprehensive selection of wedding planning podcasts.  We are wedding talk radio at its best.  Proud to be the number one resource for wedding planning podcasts.

We love your feedback.  Send us an email or call our listener hotline 800.882.1259.

Another great wedding planning podcast from Wedding Podcast Network

Thanks for listening.

Often imitated but never, ever duplicated.  The podcast network with integrity.

Have you ever felt hungry after eating a huge meal? Do you feel so bloated that the thought of having sex with your partner is out of the question? Are you overweight and have trouble losing weight – even a pound? Do you see yourself aging before your very eyes and feel so tired you don’t feel like being intimate? In this episode Sherry Granader, a passionate health & wellness consultant, will discuss how to alkalize and energize for great sex.

Sherry discusses acid overload and which foods you should and should not be eating that will make a huge impact on how you look and feel. She has the scoop on the importance of eating alkaline foods, super green foods, antioxidants, and what makes the body crave sugar and salt. Sherry shares her Cupa, Cupa, Cupa Smoothie recipe that’s easy, delicious and very good for you. Find out what you can do today to make a difference in your daily regimen to maximize your energy and watch your vibrant, sexy self return!

Listen to the show

Visit Sherry’s website

Get Sherry’s book here.

Check out the blog scene on WPN Links page

Find great resources in The Marketplace

To subscribe to our podcasts click here
Thanks for making us the most popular wedding podcast network on iTunes with the the most wedding podcasts in the top 100.

Subscribe in iTunes right here

Recently voted “Best New Wedding Resource” by a survey of brides.

Wedding Podcast Network has the largest, most comprehensive selection of wedding planning podcasts. We are wedding talk radio at its best. Proud to be the number one resource for wedding planning podcasts.

We love your feedback. Send us an email or call our listener hot line 800.882.1259.

Another great wedding planning podcast from Wedding Podcast Network

Thanks for listening.

Often imitated but never, ever duplicated. The wedding planning podcast with integrity

Tagged: bride, brides, health, marriage, sex, wedding, wedding planning ]]> http://weddingpodcastnetwork.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/wedding-workout-with-guest-sherry-granader-alkalize-and-energize-for-great-sex/feed/ 2 Robert Allen wedworkoutlogo http://weddingpodcastnetwork.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/lovecast-show-12-with-karen-salmansohn/ http://weddingpodcastnetwork.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/lovecast-show-12-with-karen-salmansohn/#comments Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:02:08 +0000 Robert Allen http://weddingpodcastnetwork.wordpress.com/?p=30 ]]>

Karen Salmansohn is an empowering and inspirational bestselling author with over 1 million books sold and

Karen Salmansohn

is a recognized expert on happiness in career, love & life. She is best-known for creating How to Be Happy, Dammit! and Ballsy plus 27 more books including her latest called The Bounce Back Book. She regularly gives seminars on topics like how to increase happiness, productivity, resiliency and harnessing fun as a high performance fuel. She is read, loved & hyped by Madonna, Jon Stewart, Deepak Chopra, Anthony Robbins, Marissa Tomei, Arianna Huffington, Joan Rivers, Eminem, & Jay Leno. The people Karen has coached reported a 1,000,000% increase in daily balance, fulfillment, meaning, relaxation and happiness.

Now it’s your chance to get a dose of Karen as she discusses important life lessons that will help you become your best possible self and achieve true love and happiness with your significant other.

What love tip can be learned from one of our favorite celebrity couples? What is soulmate love? What are Aristotle’s’ dating tips? What are the secrets to having a great relationship? How important are the senses you share with your partner? What’s the nice to nasty ratio? We talk about love expert John Gottman, an international leader in the field of couple relationships; his research on differences in attitude and what couples fight about. How do you talk and listen to each other? Is having a conflict free relationship a good one? How should you begin difficult conversations? Are you good communicators in the bedroom? What are the top three happiness determinators?

Happiness should be embraced at every chance. The information Karen shares is important and gives purpose to value the deep love and connection you are lucky to have. This podcast is full of helpful tips for getting all you want in your relationship.

Click here to listen to the show

Karen’s website
Get Karen’s books right here
Dr. John Gottman’s website

Find great resources in The Marketplace

To subscribe to our podcasts click here
Thanks for making us the most popular wedding podcast network on iTunes with the the most wedding podcasts in the top 100.

Subscribe in iTunes right here

Recently voted “Best New Wedding Resource” by a survey of brides.

Wedding Podcast Network has the largest, most comprehensive selection of wedding planning podcasts. We are wedding talk radio at its best. Proud to be the number one resource for wedding planning podcasts.

We love your feedback. Send us an email or call our listener hot line 800.882.1259.

Another great wedding planning podcast from Wedding Podcast Network

Thanks for listening.

Often imitated but never, ever duplicated. The wedding planning podcast with integrity.

Have you started talking about the M word? M=Money which requires knowledge and awareness to achieve important financial goals as you start your new family together.  Judith Rosenthal, Senior Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial, provides professional financial planning services for every stage of life so you are better prepared to pursue your dreams with confidence.  Judi offers valuable information and recommendations that every couple should hear before they get married.

Do you have a vision for your future together?   What is your money culture?  Should newlyweds completely merge their finances or should they keep separate accounts?  How important is it to discuss risk tolerance with your spouse to be?  When should a couple start to look for professional assistance with regard to money matters?

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of wedding planning and you might not want to see the big picture before you tie the knot. Have you considered the long term positive impact if you spend less money on the wedding?  Inevitably, couples are going to argue from time to time on money issues.  What are some things they can do to resolve those disagreements?  Judi has some terrific suggestions that will help alleviate some stress and anxiety when blending finances.

Unique in the industry is Ameriprise Financial’s Dream Book guide.  It’s an amazing personal journal to record your priorities, goals and plans so you can have better perspective on where you are going. This important podcast gives you something essential to think about that can ultimately make your dreams a reality.

Click here to listen to the show

Ameriprise Financial website

Dream Book click here

Check out the blog scene on WPN Links page

Find great resources in The Marketplace

To subscribe to our podcasts click here
Thanks for making us the most popular wedding podcast network on iTunes with the the most wedding podcasts in the top 100.

Subscribe in iTunes right here

Recently voted “Best New Wedding Resource” by a survey of brides.

Wedding Podcast Network has the largest, most comprehensive selection of wedding planning podcasts.  We are wedding talk radio at its best.  Proud to be the number one resource for wedding planning podcasts.

We love your feedback.  Send us an email or call our listener hot line 800.882.1259.

Another great wedding planning podcast from Wedding Podcast Network

Thanks for listening.

The wedding podcast with integrity.  Often imitated but never duplicated.

Average price to get married dips to $28,704

NEW YORK— The fairytale weddings that many couples have yearned for are starting to come back down to earth — leveled by everyday problems such as house payments and rising gas and food bills.

The wedding industry has long been considered one of the most recession-proof. Most brides, grooms and their parents see the “big day” as a once-in-a-lifetime event not to be skimped on. But unlike Cinderella and Prince Charming, who didn’t have to worry about a mortgage on the castle, more couples are finding it hard to swallow the average price tag of items like wedding cakes (about $500), bridal gowns (around $1,300) and flowers (near $2,000).

“Every girl dreams about their wedding day,” said Rebecca Stamilio, who braved the February chill and the crowds at Filene’s Basement’s bridal sale in Manhattan to find a gown. “But at the same time, you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh — I could pay off this much of my mortgage.’ ”

Stamilio, a 30-year-old physics instructor at Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro, N.C., found a long, simple white gown for $249 that was originally $1,600.

“I just don’t want to be in debt,” she said.

Many other couples apparently share that sentiment and are cutting some corners as they put their weddings together. Wedding trend tracker The Wedding Report Inc. estimates the average cost of a wedding will dip slightly this year to $28,704, compared with $28,732 in 2007.

That runs counter to the trend of the past 15 years, when wedding spending has nearly doubled, according to Conde Nast data. Tammy Elliot, president of the Perfect Wedding Guide wedding planning Web site, noted that the market is growing quickly because of the children of baby boomers.

Spending on the actual ceremony and the rehearsal dinner appear to be up this year, according to The Wedding Report data, while outlays for the reception and rings are declining.

It’s important to note that the data includes inflation, so with food, energy and metals prices on the rise, many couples are really getting less for their dollar. The wholesale price of gold is up more than 30 percent from a year ago, while platinum is up more than 50 percent, and retailers are having to pass these increases on to consumers.

With costs surging, some new wedding trends are sprouting. Liene Stevens, a consultant at the wedding and event planner Blue Orchid Designs, said she’s noticing couples opting for more do-it-yourself wedding items, such as table centerpieces. They’re also planning more brunch and afternoon weddings so they can shell out less for food and alcohol, she said.

Stamilio is accustomed to being frugal. Financially independent since the age of 16, she paid for her first car, her first computer and her college tuition. But she’s not the only one keeping track of her receipts (she’s aiming for under $10,000 in total) — bigger spenders are seeking out ways to save money, too.

Erin Robertson and her family are willing to budget as much as $30,000 for her upcoming wedding, but Robertson went bargain shopping with Stamilio at Filene’s Basement for her dress. She ended up with a $730 ivory silk dress, tax included, that was originally $3,500.

Another popular way for newlyweds to save is tweaking or rethinking their honeymoons (an expenditure that is not included in The Wedding Report’s annual spending estimates). Barb Maxwell, who specializes in honeymoon vacations at the travel agency Viking Travel, said requests for European trips have sharply declined over the past several months, and that couples are increasingly choosing packages that include extra benefits and amenities, like free breakfast. The declining dollar, which makes travel abroad more expensive, certainly has had an impact on honeymoon planning.

With brides and grooms looking for ways to pare wedding budgets, retailers and planners are noticing some business shifts.

Anna Podore, a buyer for Filene’s Basement’s wedding dress sale, said moderate-price bridal retailers are not selling quite as many dresses as in the past and, as a result, have more inventory to sell to Filene’s at marked-down prices. Brides in the market for dresses over $3,000 appear resilient to the economic downturn, Podore said, but mid-range dresses — $1,000 to $2,000 — seem to be finding fewer takers.

Brides are also cutting back on extras. Lauren Walling, marketing director of Catalina & Co., a small bridal gown shop in Brooklyn, said that although orders for designs and alterations keep increasing, orders for cleaning and preservation have declined.

“Higher-end venues and vendors are going to have to reposition themselves as things tighten up,” the Perfect Wedding Guide’s Elliot said. And for smaller players in the wedding business, “it’s going to be hard to compete.”

Of course, many couples — some even from middle-class families — are still paying well over $100,000 for their weddings. And although wedding spending appears to be plateauing right now, most experts expect it to resume its climb.

Here is the link to the original post