You've been asked to be a bridesmaid! What's next?

If you're a first time bridesmaid, you'll want to check out this helpful list of tasks from The Knot:

• Offer to help with prewedding tasks. Try to be specific when you volunteer. For example, say, "Would you like me to help you shop for bridesmaid dresses/stuff invitations/pack for the honeymoon?" instead of just, "What can I do?"
• Scout out bridesmaid dresses, shoes, jewelry, and other wedding accessories. Pay for the entire ensemble. (Break in your shoes before the wedding day -- that will minimize slipping, blisters, and aching tootsies.)
• Help to plan, cohost, and pay for the bridal shower and bachelorette party with other bridesmaids.
• If the maid/matron of honor isn't already handling this task, keep a record of all the gifts received at various parties and bridal showers (so that the bride/couple can write thank-you notes); maintain RSVP lists.
• Attend the ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. (Keep abreast of all prewedding parties, and go to as many as possible.)
• Run last-minute errands. On the day of the wedding, be on hand to confirm flower delivery times, meet and greet the ceremony officiant, or satisfy junk food cravings.
• Stand in the receiving line at the bride's request.
• Serve as auxiliary hostess at the reception by introducing guests, making sure they know where the bar is located, and inviting them to sign the guest book.
• Hit the dance floor when the music kicks in. Dance with groomsmen during the formal first-dance sequence. Also, be on the lookout for toe-tapping guests who might need encouragement and/or a dance partner.
• Give the matron/maid of honor a break by helping to carry the bride's wedding gown train whenever necessary. Bustle the train before dancing begins, and be ready to help fix it if it comes unhooked. Accompany the bride on visits to the restroom, if asked.
• Purchase a wedding present perhaps with one or several of the other bridesmaids. This provides more buying power, and two heads are better than one when it comes to wedding gift ideas. Sometimes the entire bridesmaid troupe pitches in for one knock-her-socks-off wedding gift.
• Be a trooper, no matter how stressful the ordeal becomes. Try not to complain about the bridesmaid dress -- even if the color is horrendous. Be gracious and tactful.
• Provide plenty of emotional support during the planning and on the wedding day.

Fun-filled Wedding at Brookside in Pottstown, Pennsylvania

This adorable couple did some long-distance courting after they graduated from high school. Nicole went to college in North Carolina to pursue a teaching degree from Elon University and Greg would travel back and forth from Pennsylvania to visit while he worked on completing his degree in accounting. Their courtship continued for years until their July 14th wedding.

Here are some photos of their absolutely beautiful wedding day: 

Ceremony: Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church

Officiant: Rev. Dan Schaefer

Reception: Brookside Country Club

Music: Bill Scheivert DJ

Transportation: King Limousine

Top 100 Wedding Blogs!

If you're looking for some new and creative ideas for your upcoming wedding, you'll want to visit  some of the links below:

Top 100 Wedding Blogs- Have some fun and take a look at the list of 100!
Some other resources:
Adored Blogs List

The Knot - A Nationally known wedding information resource

Wedding Paper Divas - Wedding Invitations, favors and great ideas!

Wedding Chicks- Everything stylish and new--- wedding blog

Weddings - All about weddings

Bride Pop -  A blog for brides by brides

Lovely Bride -  A 'Lovely'  indie boutique blog for brides

Cool Stuff:

ETSY -  Online unique handmade one-of-a-kind products

Engagement Photo Session in Easton

I just love introducing my bridal couples to the beauty that surrounds me in Easton!  Ali and Ed live in Bethlehem and met me at my house before heading out for our photo session.  I invite all my brides to prepare for their wedding at my home. Ali has decided that she and her bridesmaids would like to get dressed there before her December ceremony at The Bank Street Annex.  My 110-year old Classical Revival house/studio is just minutes from Bank Street, The Club at Morgan Hill and Riverview and provides an elegant backdrop for lovely ladies in formal gowns, high heels, with floral bouquets and jewelry. Several scenes of a wedding with preparations at my house appear in my blog of November 12, 2011.

There was so much fun and laughter during this photo session that I can't wait to photograph Ed and Ali's wedding later this year!

Wedding at The Club at Morgan Hill

The Delaware Valley High School sophomore and senior who first met in Spanish class would never have guessed that they would become the psychologist and software engineer who married each other last weekend in the Lehigh Valley. Rebecca and Mike are currently cruising through California's Napa Valley on their honeymoon!  Here are a few images from their picture-perfect wedding day.

Ceremony: St. Thomas More Church

Reception: The Club at Morgan Hill

Hair & Makeup: Celebration Salon

Dress: Maggie Sottero

Transportation: J & J Luxury -Thanks Khalil!

Music: Dana J Entertainment