Wedding blogs provide advice, do-it-yourself ideas

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By Natalie Knoth, Staff Writer Updated 4:20 PM Sunday, January 9, 2011

For brides-to-be, wedding blogs can act as a wedding planner of sorts, providing timely advice, inspiration and vendor referrals – for free. Below are a few worth bookmarking:

100 Layer Cake — 100layercake.com/blog

Devoted to “crafting your wedding, layer by layer,” 100 Layer Cake features projects that (for the most part) do not require elaborate techniques and materials. For example, in a project taken from the book “Paper+Craft,” silhouette-shaped escort cards are cut from black construction paper using a print-out template and other everyday materials. The site also boasts a comprehensive list of vendors for calligraphy, food, fashion and more.

Always a Blogsmaid — alwaysablogsmaid.com

While updated less frequently than other bridal blogs, Always a Blogsmaid is perhaps more substantive, offering practical advice on setting a realistic budget, hiring a wedding planner, setting a date that pleases both families, and much more. Click AAB911 for advice on hot-button issues such as religious conflicts in wedding planning and loose-lipped guests on Facebook, while the AAB411 tab provides a rundown of the latest industry trends, honeymoon spots and upcoming bridal events.

Before the Big Day — beforethebigday.blogspot.com

The UK vendor listings and wedding fairs listed on this British blog aren’t useful for most people in the states. But, American brides-to-be will be inspired by the themed weddings, including “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Beach Big Day,” and, fittingly, “Being British.” But blogger Georgia Peters, a journalist planning to be married in May 2011, still caters to her American audience by including a list of American photographers and blogs.

Bridal Bubbly — bridalbubbly.blogspot.com

In-the-moment photography is the focus of Bridal Bubbly, a site run by wedding planners based in Washington, D.C., who “do everything from rustic horse farm weddings to elegant museum bashes.” With their experience, the bloggers have a knack for preparing for the worst — like bad weather at an outdoor wedding. One post features a selection of fashionable rain boots — “wedding wellies” — that are ideal for the bride and bridal party.

The Bride’s Cafe – thebridescafe.com

With a charm akin to a cozy coffee shop, Janie Medley’s “edgy, sophisticated, romantic” blog will inspire craft-loving brides of many tastes. Check out the do-it-yourself projects section for whimsical party favors, decorations and other flourishes, such as faux flowers made of crepe paper, linen and T-shirts, and bird-cage lanterns assembled with string, card stock, plastic lids and other household items.

For a list of more than 200 wedding blogs, go to getmarried.com/wedding-blog/blogroll.

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