First Wedding Dance

We all love a first wedding dance.....gazing romantically into each others eyes, swaying to the slow rythym of the music.....and if all else fails get down & boogie ;-)

Top 3 Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings

While Paul McCartney & Heather Mills are making headlines at the moment for all the wrong reasons, there was once a time when they celebrated their love with one of the most expensive celebrity weddings.

Here we bring to you the Top 3 Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings. Although, us mere mortals may not have this kind of cash to splash around, at least we can feel secure knowing that money doesn't necessarily buy happiness.

3. Elizabeth Hurley & Arun Nayar
Estimated cost of the wedding: $2.5 million
Model-actress Elizabeth Hurley wed Indian businessman Arun Nayar in March 2007 in an extravagant double ceremony with festivities spanning eight days with 300 guests in two countries.

2. Paul McCartney & Heather Mills
Estimated cost of the wedding: $3 million
Former Beatle Paul McCartney wed model-turned-activist Heather Mills in June 2002 in Ireland. The Indian-themed party featured dancers in authentic Indian dress and a vegetarian feast. Fireworks capped off the night. (The pair are in the midst of divorcing.)

1. Liza Minnelli & David Gest
Estimated cost of the wedding: $3.5 million
Oscar-winning entertainer Liza Minnelli wed producer David Gest in March 2002 in New York. The over-the-top nuptials featured Best Man Michael Jackson and Maid of Honor Elizabeth Taylor. (The pair divorced the next year.)

DIY Wedding Rings

Few possessions are closer to our hearts than our wedding rings, but we are usually limited to figuring out whether to buy one ready-made or to ask a jeweller to make a custom one. Now I have come across a third possibility in New York: making it yourself.

Rarely has jewellery been something that we can make, because of the skill and equipment required. New York Wedding Ring, however, is changing that with private, full-day workshops in which couples can design and craft their engagement or wedding rings. A professional jeweller guides you through each stage of the process as you work with platinum, gold, palladium, or mokume gane; by the end of the day, you will have crafted professional-quality rings through an experience you'll always remember.

Wouldn't it be great to see this type of service in Australia? Not only designing, but also crafting your love for each other through your wedding rings. How romantic!

Celebrity Wedding Quiz Answers - Part 2

So what's the verdict? Are you a Celebrity wedding genius or dunce? Check out the answers below and you may even be surprised by a few.

1. The Bachelorette's Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter were married in a $4 million televised wedding. How much did Trista's shoes alone cost for the grand affair?
The correct answer: $50,000
Trista wore a specially made pair of Stuart Weitzman heels (size 6M) that were encrusted with 282 diamonds on the buckles and straps for her December 2003 wedding to her reality TV love.

2. Britney Spears, Joan Collins, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore and Frank Sinatra were all married at what famous Las Vegas quickie wedding chapel?

The correct answer: The Little White Wedding Chapel
The Little White Wedding Chapel hosted the weddings of Bruce and Demi, Joan Collins and Peter Holm, Britney and Jason Alexander, Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, plus Michael Jordan, wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland.

3. This young Hollywood couple's wedding was marked by an earthquake, a hurricane and the bride's wedding-day hospital trip. Who was the resilient pair?

The correct answer: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr.
When Scooby-Doo costars Gellar and Prinze were married at the El Careyes resort in Mexico in 2002, Hurricane Hernan was striking just 300 miles away, forcing the ceremony to be moved indoors. Then, Gellar had to be rushed to the hospital after suffering from dehydration, and remained there until an hour before the ceremony. And, the day after the wedding, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake shook the area.

4. Which of the following celebs was not married in a European castle?

The correct answer: Catherine Zeta-Jones
Madonna married Guy Ritchie at the Skibo Castle in Scotland in 2000, Ashley Judd wed pro racecar driver Dino Franchetti at Skibo in 2001 and Paul McCartney married Heather Mills at the Castle Leslie in Ireland in 2002, but Zeta-Jones married Michael Douglas at the Plaza Hotel in New York City in 2000.

5. Which of the following was not a part of supercouple Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt's $1 million 2000 wedding?

The correct answer: 10,000 rosebuds
The now split couple, who married in Malibu, spent $1 million on an amazing fireworks display that ended the reception, a terrific gospel choir and candles made from brown sugar and imported specially from Thailand, but it was actually Jennifer Lopez -- at her 2001 wedding to dancer Cris Judd -- who ordered 10,000 rosebuds for her ceremony.

Celebrity Wedding Quiz - Part 2

Think that you know everything when it comes to celebrity weddings? Say "I do" to this celebrity wedding quiz and find out just how much you know about star-studded unions! Post your answers in the comments section below, then keep an eye out for the correct answers soon.

1. The Bachelorette's Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter were married in a $4 million televised wedding. How much did Trista's shoes alone cost for the grand affair?
a) $5,000
b) $15,000
c) $50,000
d) $550

2. Britney Spears, Joan Collins, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore and Frank Sinatra were all married at what famous Las Vegas quickie wedding chapel?
a) The Wee Kirk o' the Heather Chapel
b) The Hitching Post Wedding Chapel
c) A Special Memory Chapel's drive-up window
d) The Little White Wedding Chapel

3. This young Hollywood couple's wedding was marked by an earthquake, a hurricane and the bride's wedding-day hospital trip. Who was the resilient pair?
a) Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr.
b) Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale
c) Britney Spears and Kevin Federline
d) Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe

4. Which of the following celebs was not married in a European castle?
a) Ashley Judd
b) Paul McCartney
c) Catherine Zeta-Jones
d) Madonna

5. Which of the following was not a part of supercouple Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt's $1 million 2000 wedding?
a) A 40-person gospel choir
b) 10,000 rosebuds
c) Candles flown in from Thailand
d) A fireworks display shot from ocean barges

A Perfect Proposal

There is nothing more romantic then a perfect proposal. When you get that warm, fuzzy, gooey feeling.....the feeling of true love. Check out this unique & elaborate engagement proposal - sweet, funny & romantic all at the same time.

McDreamy Wedding

So Grey's Anatomy may be over for this season, but never fear. Here is your latest fix with all the details of Kate Walsh's (aka Addison) McDreamy Wedding held on 1 September.

Less than four months after getting engaged, last Saturday Kate Walsh married movie executive Alex Young. Walsh, 39, wore a custom-made Monique Lhuillier wedding gown as she and Young, 36, exchanged vows at the Ojai Presbyterian Church just north of Los Angeles. Among the about 100 guests were Grey's co-stars Katherine Heigl, Chandra Wilson, Sara Ramirez and Justin Chambers, as well as the show's creator Shonda Rhimes. Also attending were actress Kate Beckinsale and her director husband Len Wiseman.

A lavish reception followed at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa's Casa Elar, a Spanish-style estate where guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner. Wedding planner Jo Gartin of Love Luck and Angels had decorated the estate with hundreds of candles for an intimate atmosphere.

Walsh met Young, a production co-president at 20th Century Fox, in February and they were engaged three months later. "I know – I'm literally living the dream," Walsh said at the time. "But you know when you know. I was not expecting it, so it's kind of amazing." Walsh is now starring in a Grey's spinoff called Private Practice.

Quickie Wedding Anyone?

You have heard of couples spontaneously eloping to a tropical island or Las Vegas, but how about this for a quickie wedding? PS Your groom-to-be is guaranteed to love this one...hehe

Changing Your Name - To Do or Not To Do?

Back in 1970, it was never an issue of whether you were going to change your name or not when you got married cause everyone did. These days it is an increasingly common subject with strong opinions on both sides. Really when it comes down to it though, it's a personal decision.

I decided to change my name, as it made me feel like we were more of a family, but not without some sadness about loosing my maiden name, Bjarne. It had been part of my identity for so long, from when I was called 'Bananas in Pyjamas' in kindergarten when the kids couldn't pronounce my last name.

In Sweden, where my father is from, couples get together and decide whether to take the male or the female's surname when they get married. It's just as common for them to both take the female's surname as it is to take the male's.

Would love to hear your opinion on the matter! In the mean-time, feel lucky that you don't have any of these name combinations....

Celebrity Wedding Pics!

It's always fun to check out exclusive pictures from Celebrity Weddings. Take a sneak peek at these beautiful photos from Avril Lavigne's wedding - from punk rock goddess to cinderella princess!

Virtual Wedding Planning!

Can't get enough of your own wedding planning, check out this cool game that I came across, and you will be entertained for hours. There are even extra ”Wedding crisis” levels which are sure to challenge you!
Visit Dream Day Wedding Game

Top Tips to Save Money

With the average wedding now costing $30,000, many couples are now looking for ways to have a ‘celebrity’ stylish wedding, without the celebrity price tag. We’ve pulled together some top tips to help you create your dream wedding on a shoestring budget.

1. Wedding Venue Cost Saving Tip
Many community halls, golf and RSL clubs have suitable rooms available for a fraction of the price. The trick is to see past the existing décor and imagine it sprinkled with hundreds of fairy lights or candles – think of Ross’s wedding in London on the hit show Friends that Rachel ruined!

If you’ve found the wedding venue of your dreams, but it looks as if it will be out of your budget, don’t despair. Many venues offer significant discounts for mid-week or ‘out of season’ weddings which can run into thousands of dollars.

2. Food Budget Cost Saving Tip
There are lots of ways to cut back on your food budget, and still have a memorable day. Selecting a venue where you can bring in your own caterers is often a much better value than using the existing venue catering. You can even go as far as preparing all the food yourself, though be careful of taking too much.

If you don’t have a choice about which caterer you use, there are still ways that you can trim your spending costs. Try replacing the starter course with canapés, instead of having both. Or, replace dessert with your wedding cake – so often wedding cake gets forgotten about because guests have already had so much to eat.

A new idea that brides are buzzing about is the wedding ‘cheese’ cake. Literally, it is three slabs of cheese turned into a wedding cake for that special ‘cutting of the cake’ photograph and ceremony. Why not combine the two instead of having a separate cheese and cake course? Or serve this with crackers, chutney and pate for your evening guests?

3. Booze Budget Cost Saving Tip
The ideal in this instance is to use a venue where you can bring your own booze. I was lucky enough to be able to do this at our wedding and managed to pop across to Hunter Valley and buy 180 bottles of wine and 240 beers, for under $1,000. We had stacks left and our guests were restricted to beer, wine or soft drinks, but no one seemed to mind.

Another option is to come to an arrangement with the hotel regarding corkage. A friend got married in a hotel, which charged $20 per bottle of wine. She arranged a flat fee of $500 for all of her beer and wine opening. Although it seems like a lot, it meant that she could afford to supply beer and wine for her guests.

Let us know whether you have any other cost-saving ideas.

Oh Glory!!?

Its such a beautiful picture! You walk down the aisle in your gorgeous dress with everyone's eyes on you. You reach your hubby-to-be and gaze into each other's eyes with a beaming smile from ear to ear. With a flip of your heart, you have said your vows, exchanged rings and the priest is just about to pronounce you husband & wife. Now here is a reaction that you wouldn't be expecting.....

Introducing Mr & Mrs Packer!

Who would of thought after many years together and a rumoured split last year, Erica Baxter & James Packer have now tied the knot. Not once.....but twice on the French Riviera.

The couple first married in a small civil ceremony, witnessed by a few close family and friends. Erica was wearing a white jacket and knee-length skirt while carrying a white bouquet and Mr Packer wore a dark suit (pictured left). Later, a second wedding ceremony took place, attended by celebrity guests including Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.

These two ceremonies concluded three days of pre-wedding celebration which included a private waterfront bash. Guests were ferried to a secluded beach in luxury Mangusta cruisers carrying canvas beach bags with a pair of sea-horses kissing emblazoned on the side, and packed with towels and parasols.

Now, not everyone can afford such a lavish, celebrity-studded wedding in the French Riviera, but multiple ceremonies are a growing trend. Some couples have multiple ceremonies due to different religions, others because of the large distance between families round the world. Recently, I was speaking to someone who had a ceremony with a guest list of four, so that legally she could stay in Australia until they had time to plan their 'proper' formal wedding (not even their family knew). I would love to hear about your stories. Why did you have multiple ceremonies and where did you have them?

Dirty Dancing Dreams!

Ever dreamt of acting out the famous romantic finale dance in Dirty Dancing! Check out this couple's first wedding dance and you are guaranteed to be left with goosebumps. Would love to hear about your experiences with adding a personal, unique touch to your wedding.

Celebrity Quiz Answers

How did you go? Celebrity wedding genius or dunce? Take a peek of the answers below and you may even find out more than you bargained for.

1. Which pop star is such a fan of Tiffany and Co. that she had linens and carpeting for her wedding reception specially dyed to match the company's signature robin's egg blue?

The correct answer: Toni Braxton
When Grammy winning singer Braxton married Mint Condition singer Keri Lewis in Georgia in April 2001, the cake, carpeting, flowers, invitations and flower girl baskets were custom designed to pay homage to Braxton's love of all things Tiffany and Co.

2. This Oscar-nominated actress hosted a marriage ceremony for her Italian greyhound dog, complete with doggie wedding gown and guests. Who is this eccentric wedding planner?

The correct answer: Sigourney Weaver
Alien star Weaver hosted a January 2000 wedding for her dog Petals, who wore a fake Vera Wang dress and veil. The "groom," Jimmy, wore a bow tie around his furry neck, Weaver's 11-year-old daughter Charlotte played minister, and guests -- both two-legged and four-legged -- were in attendance at Weaver's New York City apartment for the festivities. Three months after the doggie "I dos," Petals gave birth to Jimmy's puppies.

3. How many wedding ceremonies did Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale have when they were married in 2002?

The correct answer: Three
The musicians were wed inside an Anglican church in London on September 14, 2002, outside at the Los Angeles home of Interscope Records honcho Jimmy Iovine on September 28, and, to please Stefani's Catholic family, inside an L.A. cathedral on September 26.

4. This superstar athlete had a very special wedding singer: Elton John. Who was it?

The correct answer: Pete Sampras
When former Wimbledon and U.S. Open tennis champ Sampras married The Wedding Planner actress Bridgette Wilson in 2000, his pal Elton John performed a private 45-minute concert at the reception, including the wedding favorite "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." Guests also received custom-made Elton John CDs as favors.

5. Which actor had a chapel custom-built near his home for his wedding?

The correct answer: Russell Crowe
Crowe spent $250,000 to have a special, domed chapel custom-built on his ranch in Coffs Harbour, NSW for his April 7, 2003, (also his 39th birthday) wedding to actress Danielle Spencer.

Celebrity Wedding Quiz

Read the gossip mags religiously? Think that you're a whiz when it comes to celebrity weddings? Say "I do" to this celebrity wedding quiz and find out just how much you know about star-studded unions! Post your answers in the comments section below, then keep an eye out for the correct answers soon.

1. Which pop star is such a fan of Tiffany and Co. that she had linens and carpeting for her wedding reception specially dyed to match the company's signature robin's egg blue?
a) Whitney Houston
b) Jessica Simpson
c) Toni Braxton
d) Britney Spears

2. This Oscar-nominated actress hosted a marriage ceremony for her Italian greyhound dog, complete with doggie wedding gown and guests. Who is this eccentric wedding planner?
a) Winona Ryder
b) Kate Winslet
c) Sigourney Weaver
d) Debra Winger

3. How many wedding ceremonies did Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale have when they were married in 2002?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four

4. This superstar athlete had a very special wedding singer: Elton John. Who was it?
a) Michael Jordan
b) Tiger Woods
c) Wayne Gretzsky
d) Pete Sampras

5. Which actor had a chapel custom-built near his home for his wedding?
a) Russell Crowe
b) Tom Cruise
c) Charlie Sheen
d) Brad Pitt

Get ready for a fun ride!

Welcome! I'm very excited about the launch of our dream wedding website, MyDayMyWay.com.au. To celebrate, I am kicking off the first edition of my blog. Here I plan to give you some personal insights into the wedding world, including lots of hot celebrity gossip and valuable secrets to the perfect day!

I would love to hear from you about what topics interest you most (add comment below). Are you a celebrity addict like me, would you rather me uncover some practical wedding secrets? This is your day, and I'm here to make sure that you can plan it your way!