I’m such a fan of weddings.  Honestly, I could go to one every day.  I watch them on tv (all the time) and I love to read and talk about them.  I’m totally hooked.

And while, of course, I love the fantasy and beauty of them, what I’m really attracted to is the meaning of them.  Love. Commitment.  Forever.  It is just so magical. I cry absolutely every time I see a groom watch his bride walk down the aisle.

And that is what I adore most about Meg Keene, and her blog, A Practical Wedding, and now her book,  A Practical Wedding | Creative Ideas for Planning a Beautiful, Affordable and Meaningful Celebration.  Meg’s book guides you though how to plan a wedding that is truly meaningful to you.  One that really reflects who you are. And, as Meg puts it, one that is not about how you want it to look, but about how you want it to feel.

I see the blog as your daily dose of sanity, and the book as your roadmap.  It will guide you from engaged to altar – enjoying this once in a lifetime process, but also keeping your feet on the floor and your focus where it should be.

Meg, a past bride herself, details her advice on every step of the process.  It is honestly like getting a playbook from that smart grounded girl you’ve always secretly admired.

For example, take her advice on creating your guest list.  It’s not about deciding how many people you can afford then making a list.  Meg suggests, ask yourselves “Whom do we love?  Who must be there?” and working backwards until you have a number.  Smart.  Practical. And, quite simply, the way it should be done.

There are a million more smart tips and thoughtful examples in her book (Which, by the way, I read cover to cover even though I’ve been married almost 8 years).  I definitely think every bride could learn something – and cut her stress level – just by reading it.

Meg is celebrating her new book (it was just published!) by giving a copy to one lucky PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com reader.  Just leave a comment below and we’ll randomly pick a winner on Friday, January 13th at 5p est. Here’s to planning the wedding you really want.

 Congratulations to our winner Mindy.

Vera Wang Diana, Listing 33059

Honestly, it makes me nervous to even say “wine on a wedding dress” out loud.  But, in the spirit of being prepared for your big day, it’s good idea to have your maid of honor, or other helpful friend, knowledgeable about emergency stain care. (Remember how your mom always talked about an “ounce of prevention?”  This is a very, very good place for that ounce).

If – God forbid – there is a wine spill, (take a very deep breath) and work to immediately contain it.  Natural fibers (like silk) are hollow- so they absorb. Get as much of the wine off of the dress as fast as possible.  Use a lightly moist white towel or cotton balls.  Gently blot. Don’t scrub, or rub too hard because that could damage the delicate fibers.

When the stain is contained, try a mix of equal parts white vinegar and water. Use a white towel or cotton balls and gently dab the stain. This could actually solve it and get you happily back to the dance floor.

But if the vinegar and water don’t fix it, next try club soda on white wine and club soda + a dot of dishwashing detergent on red. (The detergent offsets the acidity)  Dab the area gently with a lightly moist towel as the wine loosens.

If need be, you can camouflage the area with baking soda, cornstarch or baby powder – items that will be generally harmless to the fabric.

I once read a story about a bride who spilled red wine on her dress.  In solidarity, the groomsmen each spilled red wine on their shirts.  I love the spirit and the entire wedding party’s ability to take the accident in stride.  If you do get a spill, remember it is not the end of the world – and in this couple’s case – probably ended up as a fun and memorable part of their day!

Thanks to David Whitehurst at Champion Cleaners and The Association of Wedding Gown Specialists for sharing their expertise on this topic.  And may you never need it.

One of my favorite favorite wedding pictures is the hanger shot.

These pictures, usually taken just before the bride puts the gown on, brim with excitement, anticipation and of course, the sheer prettiness of the gown. And, as if these images aren’t fabulous enough, you can actually make them even more personal with a customized wedding dress hanger.

For a mere $25 dollars and a few weeks time, you can find an Etsy seller who will make you a beautiful hanger, personalized with the words that are perfect for you.  (This just might be the best bridesmaid-to-bride shower gift I’ve ever seen!)

Click on an image above to reach its Etsy seller.

You can even create these adorable hangers to say “Groom” “Bridesmaid“, “Mom” or “Mother of the bride“.  Really anything you can dream up.

If a wedding dress hanger shot is on your shot list, head over to Etsy now and find the hanger that will make your dress shot uniquely yours.

Wraps, jackets and boleros can add just the right finishing touch to your wedding day look.  They are great if you want to create two different looks for your ceremony and reception, or if you just want a little protection from the weather.

And whether you want to channel your inner Kate Middleton with a lace wrap, or add and edge to you dress with a more dramatic top, you can find a PreOwned option to complement your wedding dress perfectly.

Want to see more pretty accessories, take a peek at our favorite accessories or use our advanced search to find just what you are looking for.