Fantastic Fridays: Vera Wang to Cha Cha Cha on DWTS

The Fox Trot, the Paso Doble, and the Cha Cha Cha, can this diva Tango her way to win the coveted Dancing with the Stars trophy? I sure hope so. I am super excited that Vera Wang, according to E!, has signed a contract to compete in the next installment of Dancing with the Stars. I wonder if she will modify any of her own couture creations for her costumes on the show?

She should do well, considering that she trained as a figure skater as a girl and competed in the 1968 US Figure Skating Championship. In 2009, she was inducted into the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame, so we know that Ms. Wang has the moves. We all know she will put 100% into her performances and there's no doubt that she will surprise many of us with her dancing talents.

Vera Wang is a world-renowned designer, best known for her wedding and evening gowns. Brides around the world covet her gowns, which have graced the aisles of many celebrity weddings, including Mariah Carey, Victoria Beckham, and Jennifer Lopez. Her designs are also staples on the red carpets.

You go Vera! I can't wait for the next season of Dancing with the Stars! I can't believe how excited the wedding community is about this news.

-Percy

Photo from Vera Wang

Fantastic Fridays: News Article about Hero Bride

This article was found at here and thought you might love this story. Now this is surely to be a memorable part of her wedding.

Bride Still in Wedding Gown Saves Family From House Fire

Monday, June 01, 2009
Associated Press

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A Connecticut newlywed in her wedding gown is being credited with helping save a family from a Bridgeport house fire.

Officials say that Georgette Clemons had just left her wedding reception Sunday evening when she spotted smoke coming from a home on West McKinley Avenue.

Clemons got out of the car she was riding in and ran into the home. She says a woman was yelling about her animals and didn't want to get out so she had to pull her out.

As firefighters arrived and battled the blaze after members of the Eitelberg family were rescued, Clemons was nearby folding her blackened wedding dress.

Clemons says she messed up her shoes, but says that's no big deal because the people inside the burning home are safe.

Photo from Toby Tucker Photography and is unrelated to the story.

Fantastic Friday: My Hot Spots for 2009

Last year I did a blog on my Hot Destinations for 2008, so in keeping with tradition, I am releasing My Hot Spots for 2009. With the economy tanking, and resorts and destinations losing out on much-needed tourist dollars...more places and airlines are lowering their prices. These discounts are meant to attract not only tourists and honeymooners but also those individuals who may want to have a destination wedding, where their guests can use the experience as a vacation also...giving them that two for one punch. So now is a good time to consider going out of town.

At any rate, here's my Top 5 Hot Destination List for 2009:

1. Sitges, Spain: Sitges is a wonderful seaside town southwest of Barcelona in the Catalonia region of Spain. This wonderful town is known for its beaches, nightspots, and historical sites. It has become a miniature Ibiza. Sitges touts 17 beaches, four-star hotels, delectable gastronomy, culture, and something for everyone. Easy access by plane or train from several European destinations. A nice car drive from Barcelona.
   
   
2. Mendocino, California: Mendocino is small town in Northern California. Located on the Pacific Ocean, this artist colony is a hidden gem that has become more and more popular in the last several years. The town remains quaint and offers amenities to house your wedding guests in great bed and breakfasts as well as boutique hotels. Additionally, it's a perfect location for a honeymoon, where you just want to leave everything behind. Mendocino is a 4-hour drive north from San Francisco.
   
   
3. Boracay, Philippines: A resort town on the island of Panay in the Philippines, which is located about 200 miles south of Manila. It's an untapped beach resort that has been gaining notoriety and followers. A hidden gem that is a favorite beach getaway for Eastern Europeans as well as those from Asia. Boracay boasts an average temperature of 77 degrees to 90 degrees year round. You will fall in love with its white sand beaches, resort accommodations, and the Filipino hospitality. Direct flights from Manila.
   
   
4. Victoria, Canada: The capital city of British Columbia is found on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and lives in the shadow of its more landlocked famous city, Vancouver. Nevertheless, this romantic waterfront city is the gem of British Columbia. The Mediterranean climate of Victoria makes it the perfect North American location for a honeymoon or destination wedding. Additionally, Victoria and Vancouver Island offers so much, from hiking trails, to 5-star restaurants and resorts, and history invite visitors to discover it. The picture perfect Inner Harbor and Empress Hotel would be the perfect background to any wedding. Boat access from Vancouver.
   
   
5. New York City, New York: Who can deny the "city that never sleeps" as one of the all time best hot spots in the world. I♥NY! NYC has so much to offer not only for destination weddings, but for honeymooners as well. The city has so much to do, so much to see, and it appeals to all age groups. From the serenity of Central Park to the hustle and bustle of Times Square, the city has something to offer everyone. The big plus, it's easy to access from anywhere in the world.

I hope that this helps you in narrowing down your honeymoon or destination wedding locations. The world has so much to offer go and discover it and just maybe, these locations helped you look outside of the travel box.

-Percy

Photos from Wikipedia

Fantastic Fridays: Gown Sketches

If you were wondering, Friday's are generally for guest bloggers, but I haven't been able to secure any guest bloggers lately, so I am going to flip flop between Guest Blogger Fridays and Fantastic Fridays. Fantastic Fridays will showcase something truly fantastic. It can be celebrity wedding news, political items I feel passionate about, or something I came across that I think is truly FANTASTIC!

Today happens to be a Fantastic Friday and I am featuring something really cool I came across reading one of my magazines this month...Bridal Gown Sketches. Sure Princess Diana and other celebrity brides have had their gowns sketched by the designer or artist as a keepsake piece, but now you can too. So what that you bought your gown at David's Bridal or on the Internet at some online wedding gown store. Now you can get the same couture treatment that celebrity brides get when designing their gowns.

One fantastic sketch artist that I discovered through the magazine is Jennifer Angilello who owns All About the Dress. Her stylized rendition of the bride and gown are fantastic. Jennifer's portraits run about $425, according to InStyle Weddings Magazine, and from the looks of her portfolio it's well worth it. If you are looking for a less pricey version you may want to visit Dreamlines where sketches run at the $100 rate and is shipped from France.

Another option is to get the artist in the family to do a rendition of your gown, maybe as their wedding gift to you. This option will definitely have more meaning...as it is someone you know. But what ever route you get, I definitely think getting an artist rendering of your gown, with you in it or not, is definitely a FANTASTIC thing to do as a memento to your wedding day.

Here's sketching you...kid!

-Percy

Sketches from All About the Dress

Fantastic Friday: Iowa Greenlights Same-Sex Marriages

Fantastic news this morning. Iowa has become the third state to say yes to same-sex marriages and marriage equality. In a unanimous vote the Iowa Courts stated that the ban on same-sex marriages violated the States equal protection clause in it's constitution.

If the old political saying, " So Goes Iowa, So Goes the Nation," holds true, we may be seeing marriage equality in more states in the coming year. Let's hope California Courts also see that separate is not equal and stands on the side of love and equality.

Congratulations Iowa!

-Percy

P.S. Congratulations to Vermont for also legalizing Same-Sex Marriage and becoming the 4th state to stand on the side of love. Big thumbs up to D.C. also for recognizing couples who legally got married in other states. Who's next?

Photo from the Associated Press (Rep. Steve Howard, D-Rutland, who is gay, hugs Rep. David Zuckerman, P-Burlington, following preliminary approval of gay marriage bill in Montpelier, Vt, Thursday, April 2, 2009)