Option 1. Risk it all!

Although I am not a big gambler, I am a fan of a delicious dinner and an entertaining show. We are going to look up the show calendars of some nearby casinos and see if there is anything good coming up. We would get a nice room, go to the show, lose some money and, most importantly, have a great time in each others company.

Option 2. Thunder From Down Under

This idea spawned from idea #1 as TDU usually tours casinos. If you have never heard of The Thunder From Down Under you will thank me for this post. Think of Chip n’ Dale Dancers but add more muscle and an Aussie accent! I have never been but apparently it’s a bachelorette must!

Option 3. The Great Outdoors

Now, this idea is usually suggested for the bachelor party, but who says girls can’t rough it out? Gather up your bridesmaids and best of friends and hightail it out of the city for a relaxing girls weekend at a friends cabin. Don’t have a cabin? You can rent one! No cabins in sight? Rent a hotel suite and split the cost with all who join in. Getting there is half the fun, so if you have to drive a bit enjoy every second and take detours! This is by far my favorite idea so far.

Option 4. Candid Cameras

I know this sounds corny but I would love to do a photo shoot with all my best friends (after all, unless you’re a celeb, photographers never follow you around)! Perhaps this could happen while we have a spa day or get our make up done as we prepare to head out for a night on the town. After all, its precious moments with our friends and family we want to treasure forever right?

Option 5. Dance Party

Now I’m not the most coordinated person in the world, so when my maid of honor suggested Pole Dancing Lessons for my bachelorette party, I somewhat cringed at the thought of me attempting to be sexy. But after thinking about how fun (not to mention hilarious) it would be, I have warmed up to the idea. Plus, it is pretty affordable to go to the lesson or have someone come to you house.

Again, this is only stage one in the planning process of my bachelorette party. There is a lot of inspiration on the Internet and I am already interviewing all of my wife- friends to see what they did, and don’t forget that I would love to hear your ideas!

Who knows, I could end up using it in a future post. Be sure to check out these other great posts about bachelorette (and bachelor) party ideas.

http://www.bravobride.com/blog/want-a-different-bachelorette-party-idea/

http://groomsadvice.com/2011/02/11/5-unique-bachelor-party-ideas/

http://offbeatbride.com/2010/04/bachelorette-party-ideas

Start off your plaid theme with these lovely cloud and plaid letterpess invitations from Print and Promise.

Use this plaid bunting by coco sailore to decorate your wedding reception. Hang this fabulous banner and let the festivities begin!

Even your wedding bands can be plaid! Ball and Chain Jewelry make this sterling silver ring and it’s just $90.

What are you going to carry your plaid wedding band down the aisle on? Well, on this plaid ring bearer pillow of course! Lillian’s Garden makes these fun and unique accessories.

We can’t forget the grooms! Nicole’s Threads creates these sweet plaid cuff links and they’d make great groomsmen gifts too.

Speaking of groomsmen gifts, we love this plaid and mustache flask from Whimsy & Ink. It’s slim enough to fit in your bag or pocket but it’s too cute to hide away!

Maybe your dog, or second child as we like to call ours, is your ring bearer or a wedding guest. Never fear, Silly Buddy makes bow tie dog collars that will get him dressed for the event.

Love is in the details after all so don’t forget to include a little plaid in your wedding bouquet. This paper flower bouquet from Flowers From the Garden has just a touch to complete your look.

If you want to be more discreet about your love for plaid, you could always hide it under your dress. These plaid wedding garters are by the Stylish Bride and they come as a set, one to keep and one to toss.

These shoes from The Belle and the Beau are too pretty to just wear on your wedding day. They also have a great selection of other plaid accessories for your wedding party.

Finally, we saved this gorgeous plaid wedding dress for last. The images are by Ciara Richardson, take a look at the rest of the amazing photo shoot here. Who would have ever thought plaid and tulle could look so beautiful together.

How perfect would this be for a destination wedding? This vintage sky blue suitcase by MudPies & Marigolds features a rustic burlap ‘cards’ bunting banner.

These sweet rustic boxes are from The Perfect Cardbox which we blogged about last week. The red barn box would be beautiful for a Valentine’s day wedding or gift. You can also personalize the outside with photos and a nameplate.

The glass box is beautifully handmade by Mrs. Tildos Attic. It’s carefully cut to size, wrapped in black copper foil, and is fully soldered together. It can be personalized after your wedding by sealing the box top opening with another piece of glass that is engraved with your wedding date and names.

This lovely box is by My Primitive Boutique. It’s painted in a soft ivory and has been aged with their ‘Crackled & Distressed’ technique. Perfect for a rustic or shabby chic wedding!

This card box by Birdhouse Accents may be the most functional one we found! This charming bird house box comes with two roofs, one for accepting cards and the other to use as a real birdhouse. You can add your wedding date and name on the front and customize the paint colors to match you wedding or even your own house.

These card boxes are so sweet and unique! Nana Montana engraves and distresses these keepsake boxes which are all handcrafted with care and built to last.

Their card boxes are available in white or black and they’re running a limited time sale on them.

I love their new rustic wedding card box design! Perfect for a country, vintage, or shabby chic wedding theme. Their rustic boxes are made from weathered barns that have been torn down in Liberty, Ohio.

You can personalize these beautiful wedding boxes too! The engraving plate can be customized with your first names, last name and wedding date.

If you are looking for a wedding card box that you can enjoy for years as a keepsake after the big day, these might just be perfect.

The Brooch Bouquet
This lovely bouquet is by Beau Bouquet and it features silk flowers and of course, brooches.

The Butterfly Bouquet
Simply unique, beautiful and fun. We found this one on Killer B. Designs.

The Clay Bouquet
This bouquet from the Clay Bouquet Shop is actually made from clay.

The Felt and Button Bouquet
Here’s another fun and whimsy bouquet idea that your guests will never forget. This pretty creation is from Miss Jennifer Rae.

The Button Bouquet
If you want a bouquet made entirely of buttons, take a look at RBK Creations.

The Fabric Bouquet
This ivory bouquet from Summer Jade Boutique is handmade from different shades of satin and organza ribbon.

The Shell Bouquet
If you are having a beach wedding this shell bouquet by I Do Artsy Weddings would be perfect!

The Feather Bouquet
If you’re looking to stand out this ostrich feather bouquet will do the trick. This chic and modern bouquet is designed by Kristin Danger Designs.

The Paper Bouquet
How sweet is this red and white paper rose bouquet from The Little Red Button! Each flower is cut, hand folded and adhered together.

The Wire Bouquet
This is probably the most unique bouquet we found. REFINERII uses salvaged metals and industrial objects for their one-of-a kind creations.

The Cotton Bouquet
And finally we bring you the cotton bouquet. These pretty arrangements by Elizabeth Duval would look fabulous at a winter wedding.

1. Love Gift Tags 2. Rosette Hair Accessory 3. Valentine Soap Favors
4. Love You Print 5. Bridal Drop Red Earrings

Even with the economy on the rise, brides are still finding new and innovative ways to stay within their wedding budget. This is why we wanted to share the top 5 budget bridal trends you’ll be seeing more of in 2012.

1. Paperless Invitations

Several companies offer electronic wedding invitations now. They are formatted like a traditional invitation but also give you the opportunity to track your RSVP’s online, manage guest lists and include multiple wedding events. Not only are they a fraction of the cost of paper invitations and postage but they’re also a huge time saver and eco-friendly.

2. Preowned Wedding Items

Most wedding items are generally used once and for a short period of time. Because of this brides are buying everything from gently used wedding dresses to decorations and reselling them on online marketplaces like BravoBride. It’s a great way to help another bride-to-be and to recoup wedding costs.

3. Cash Registries

Starting a cash registry in lieu of gifts is a new concept that is becoming increasingly more popular. They are many websites that provide this service, which allows brides to use their ‘gifts’ on their wedding expenses, honeymoon or even a down payment on a house.

4. Faux Flowers

Brides are beginning to forgo the traditional bridal bouquets and opt for non-floral arrangements. Bouquets are being made entirely of brooches, paper, clay and even felt. These types of flowers will never wilt or die and you can use them as a wedding keepsake for years to come.

5. Rent Your Wedding

Grooms have been renting their tuxes for years but we are starting to see a new trend for brides and bridesmaids as well. Some new businesses are offering rental bridesmaids dresses and wedding gowns and you can rent your bridal accessories too such as earrings, necklaces and headpieces.

2012 brides have a lot more options then brides did even a few years ago. It’s exciting to see what even more innovation and smart wedding ideas this New Year will bring.

1. Express purple party dress 2. Mina D. Earrings
3. Hair comb from Love Honor Upcycle
4. Shoes by Allure 5. Gold Clutch from It’s So Clutch

Isn’t this poinsettia cake from Cakes By Roxanne beautiful! It would look amazing during a December wedding.

The present and birch tree cake are both by the Pink Cake Box. Take a look at their site for other super cute Christmas cakes.

What could be sweeter than a gingerbread house for your wedding cake? The fabulous creation was made by a bakery called The Shop.

If you want a more subtle holiday cake, this one from Jacques Pastries would be perfect!

If you like reindeers, you’ll love this reindeer wedding cake.

How could we not show a few Christmas tree cakes? This one is from Dad Makes Cakes.

This tree from Molly Bakes was created out of cake pops. No cake cutting required here!

Carries Cakes made these beautiful pine cone and snowflake winter wonderland cakes.

And finally for my sweet husband, I had to include this Hanukkah wedding cake from Dahlia’s Custom Cakes.

Seriously, these are almost too pretty to eat! These winter wedding cupcake toppers from Two Sweet Cakes are completely edible.

Chargers can complete a table setting and these silver glitter ones will add tons of sparkle to your event.

These little trees from Happy Hound are so cute and if grouped together would make a beautiful and easy holiday centerpiece idea!

Need a wedding favor idea? How about these sweet mini pails from Michelle’s Cottage. Fill them with cranberries or candy and you’ll have the perfect favor for your holiday wedding.

This lovely paper garland from Paper Jayne is the perfect decoration for a wedding or Christmas tree. Punched from hand-made decorative paper, this garland has a beautiful pattern in cream and gold.

How gorgeous is this hand made and hand stamped ribbon?! The Lonely Heart can personalize it just for you. Imagine how beautiful this would be on wedding favors or holiday presents!

Last but not least, you can’t have a holiday themed wedding without a wreath! Wild Ridge Design creates these beautiful wreaths that you can use for years after your big day.