I was recently honored to be asked to take part in an interview with Marilyn's Keepsakes. It's always fun to think back to my own wedding day and when I started this blog. I've met so many amazing vendors along the way.

Here's what they wrote:
Recently we got the privilege to interview Brenda Bennett from the highly successful Brenda’s Wedding Blog. It is one of the leading wedding blogs in the industry and every day she gives inspiration and advice on how to plan an elegant wedding with affordable style to over 30,000 faithful daily readers. I myself have read her blog on a regular basis for a few years now and can honestly say she is a genuine all around wonderful woman. She answered for us multiple questions from how she got started in the business to marriage advice. If you are not already, make sure to give her a follow!

Here's an excerpt from the interview {the question + my reply}:

In your opinion what makes a perfect wedding?

A perfect wedding is not about all the details {while they make great photos, the day itself is really not about every detail}. At my own wedding all the balloons we had wanted at the entrance to the reception went up in the air when the florist opened their van doors and our cake didn’t have any trace of a raspberry filling. But, what mattered was that we were surrounded by our family and friends and had an amazing time dancing under the tent celebrating our new marriage.

Come see the full interview here and you can find out how I would advise a bride when choosing the style of their wedding and lots more.

Mark your calendars for 8 am est Monday morning as my very first handmade collection will be launching right here, on the blog. Each order will be available in custom colors to match any party or the favorite colors of the recipient. The collection is meant for celebrating any day with as sometimes there’s a reason for the celebration and sometimes we just need a little fun surprise to make us or another special person smile :) This collection is for weddings, parties of any kind, and even businesses. I'm now off to put the finishing touches on the shop and I'll see you back here on Monday.

PS: Don't forget to enter the current giveaway - you could win four 2-day Hopper Passes to either Disneyland or Walt Disney World PLUS a $500 Visa Gift Card by using the special code BRENDA5671 when entering.

Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a terrific week and has something fun planned for the weekend. I am honored to be ending this week with some super exciting news that I can share with you. FlipKey has named my blog, Brenda's Wedding Blog, as one of the Top 25 Wedding Blogs to Follow for 2014. I am thrilled to be listed among the big names in the industry.

For those of you that may not know, FlipKey is the online source for searching over 240,000 vacation rentals from around the world. If you are you planning a vacation or honeymoon, have you considered a rental property for your trip away from home? For our own annual summer vacation, this is the only route we go and it's been wonderful. I love how FlipKey words it - "pay less than hotels and get a whole home just for you" or even a group of friends and/or family.

Since I was curious, I asked around online yesterday for the top destination{s} you would like for a honeymoon and the front runners were Italy {for 3 weeks} and New Zealand. I'm personally beginning to think Hawaii for me so I can get away from this super cold and windy weather. According to our weather reports, today is supposed to be the coldest day of 2014. Warm weather and the ocean waves sound absolutely perfect right about now. How about you? Where would you like to be headed for a vacation?

This post contains affiliate links to a company I am proud to be partnered with.

Above photography courtesy of FlipKey

As Scarlett O'Hara said : "After all tomorrow is another day". This is the quote that I'm currently remembering as I work on keeping things in perspective with two {very} sick daughters {tonsillitis for older one, MMR vaccine side effects with 16 month old}. I had to put work on hold for at least a day as I take time to help them mend and be back to their little bundles of energy and laughter. My post originally planned for today will hopefully be up and ready for you tomorrow morning, but until then, when things get a little out of control, just remember this quote :) And, be sure to enter the giveaway for the Martha Stewart's Wedding Party in NYC here {ends today} and enter to win a unity sand ceremony photo frame with sand.

The above print is available from Susan Newberry Designs on etsy

It looks like the couple of super hot days are now behind us in the northeast and it's back to fall-like weather. I'm hoping to spend a little time fine-tuning my gluten free apple cider donut recipe and maybe we'll head to a local orchard to pick some apples. I'm also hoping to get a few crafty things done {once my printer ink arrives today} to get ready for my little one's first birthday which is actually next weekend. Where has this past year gone? I think I'm trying to pretend that the time isn't so near. We're keeping the celebration small this year with my parents coming over for dinner as our girl isn't quite comfortable around lots of people just yet. But, I still have to do my crafty part to make it special :) Her older sister wants to help too. What do you have planned for this weekend? 

For those of you looking for some wedding deals - I have gathered up several of the great ones for you. And, speaking of fall - is anyone planning a fall themed bridal shower? You might like some of these invitations from Wedding Paper Divas.

Mod Leaves

Flowerbed Embroidery

Blossom Bracelet

Wedding Paper Divas {whose invitations are featured above} is offering the following offers thru 11:59pm PT September 17, 2013
--- Free Shipping for Any Order with promo code FS13.
--- 15% off Off Wedding Invitations and Reception Stationery orders of $149 or more OR 20% off wedding orders of $249 or more using the code 20WEDSEP at checkout.
--- 10% off all save the date orders OR 15% off orders of $99 or more using the code 15STSEP at checkout.
--- 10% off party invitation orders of $49 OR more or 15% off party invitation orders of $99 or more using the code INV15SEP at checkout.

The ModCloth Style Gallery is pacing to hit 10,000 uploads, and to celebrate, they are offering 15% of the Party Dress category with code PARTY15. But, HURRY as this sale ends today, September 13, 2013 at noon PST.

MyLoveWeddingRing now ships worldwide and is offering an extra 20% off Fall New Arrivals with Free Shipping. Simply use code NEW20DES at checkout. expires 9/30/13

this post contains posts to proud affiliates of Brenda's Wedding Blog