Arkansas Bride

Image by KitchenAid.com

If you've already been honored at your wedding showers, you probably have a gift that you've deemed you favorite; and if you haven't, you will! See what the ladies at Arkansas Business Publishing Group picked as their favorite wedding gifts.

Lindsay Irvin, Editor, Arkansas Bride -  “It’s a tie between a new suite of bedroom furniture (thanks Mom!) and our wine storage tower from Crate & Barrel (thanks big sis!).”

Brandy Hubener, Account Executive, Arkansas Bride - “Our bed that was made in Sante Fe (from my father-in-law).”

Michelle Foshee,  Account Executive, Arkansas Bride - “Kitchen Aid stand mixer.”

Betsy Tilley, Account Executive, Arkansas Bride - “[A] huge grill.”

Taylor Bowers, Marketing Coordinator, Arkansas Business Publishing Group - “Our honeymoon!”

Tasha Amos, Senior Account Executive, Little Rock Family - “[The] Candy Buffet at the reception.”

Amanda Hoelzeman, Managing Editor, Soirée - “Honestly, our monogrammed Bentley cups. I can't break them and we use them every day! We also got a really cool pasta maker that we love (when we have lots of time to cook).”

Luci Deere, Account Executive, Soirée - “A huge custom painting of our new initials.”

Kate Knable, Assistant Editor, Arkansas Business - “A beautiful wooden hand-carved recipe box with our names carved into it. It was made by Joe's mentor and youth leader from a high school.”

Leigh Walker, Account Executive, Soirée - “Speeches at our rehearsal dinner. Those are priceless.”

Deborah Edwards, Account Executive, Little Rock Family - “Red Kitchen Aid mixer and Dyson vaccum.”

Want to know more editors' picks? See last week's picks and stay tuned each week for more of their answers!

Image by Caty Colmen Phhotography

Cassie Orr of Van Buren and Steve Sparks of Beebe are engaged to be married. The couple resides in Fayetteville and has set their date for April 13, 2013.

“Cupid’s arrow struck us both on Valentine’s Day 2009 when we first met. We have been in each other’s lives ever since. After three years of a long-distance relationship we now both live in Fayetteville. Steve proposed on April 20 at the beautiful Crystal Bridges art museum. He knew [it] would be a place we can always go back to and remember where our journey first started!” said Cassie.

Caty Coleman Photography took their engagement photos.

We wish them a long and happy marriage!

Image by Miles Witt Boyer Photography

Now that you've got an idea of your perfect proposal, it's time to pick out the perfect ring! Before you go to the jewelry store and whip out your checkbook, take a look at the seven tips we have for you.

Take her shopping - No, I’m not talking about for clothes or shoes. Let her help you by taking her to see what styles she likes and dislikes. You can also search the web and magazines to get ideas as well.

Know her favorites - If you ask, she’ll tell you her favorite cuts (round, princess, cushion, etc.), colors (colored or clear stones), and metals (gold, white gold, platinum).

Don’t be afraid to ask for help - Once you figure out her favorites, ask a salesperson to help you find exactly what she wants. They’ll also be able to advise you on any other questions you have. They see multiple grooms each day, so you won’t be the first to ask.

Listen to her - Pay attention to her when she talks about rings. Listen when she comments on rings she sees. If you still don’t know what she likes, ask her mother or best friends for help.

Stick to your budget - If she loves you, she’s going to love any ring you give her, no matter what. Don’t break the bank or go into debt by purchasing a ring that is way out of your budget. Have an expert help you get exactly what you want at a price you can afford.  

Make sure to get an appraisal - You want your bride-to-be to have a certificate of authenticity, so you’ll have a value of the ring for insurance purposes.

Guarantees and warranties - See if your jeweler provides any type of guarantee or warranty with your purchase.

Image by Shutterstock

According to The Knot, most U.S. weddings cost between $26,000-$27,000. In order to stay within your budget, focus on the facets of your ceremony that mean the most. One perennial favorite is toasting the newlyweds.

When choosing the bubbly, it’s important to consider budget. As with finding the perfect wedding dress, if you taste something you love, but cannot afford, the result can be disastrous.

Budget: extravagant

Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2000 (SRP $149.99) The ultimate choice for celebrations, this coveted collectors' champagne is produced only in exceptional vintage years and intended as the ultimate expression of the Taittinger style. Composed entirely of Chardonnay grapes grown in the top vineyards of the prestigious Cote des Blancs, it's a powerful, refined, expressive and complex Champagne with notes of citrus fruits, lime blossom and caramelized grapefruit. The long, rich ending reveals sweet licorice aromas.

Budget: modest

Taittinger Brut La Française (SRP $39.99) is an elegantly fresh and delicate Champagne blended from a high proportion of Chardonnay grapes to yield a refined flavor palette of pear and stone fruits offset by warm yeasty notes and hints of breadcrust.

Domaine Carneros Brut Cuvee (SRP $25) represents the best of Carneros Pinot Noir and Chardonnay made into a classic sparkling wine. Its appellation is always 100 percent Carneros and the wine is aged in the bottle for three years before release. It will continue to develop further depth and complexity as it ages.

Budget: economical

Poema Cava Brut (SRP $12.99) has vibrant aromas of ripe peaches, pears and toasted bread with a hint of spice fill the nose. The palate is dry with a rich, creamy texture. Layers of flavor include orange rind and spice that persists through an elegant finish.

Caposaldo Prosecco (SRP $12.99) is a classic Italian sparkling wine, perfect for celebratory events with friends and family. Slightly lower in alcohol and infused with a luscious aroma,  its clean, crisp flavors offer an easy and affordable taste of la dolce vita.

Gallery by FlashForward Photography

Samantha Ward and Ethan Mays of Dierks are getting married! Their wedding date is to be announced, but they like the idea of summer 2013.

Samantha and Ethan became high school sweethearts and dated into college. On the night of their four-year anniversary, Ethan showed up to Samantha's college apartment in Arkadelphia with his guitar and serenaded her with a song that he had written for her, then got down on one knee and proposed.

FlashForward Photography shot their stunning engagement photos.

We would like to send our best wishes to Samantha and Ethan!

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Image by Jason Masters

This is an Enzoani gown from Proposals that we featured in our Spring/Summer 2012 issue. Enter to win your very own gown - for free - from Proposals right here!

Week five is a biggie! The lovely owners at Proposals’ want one of our lucky readers to have a FREE wedding dress!

If you win, you’ll be able to select your prize from a selection of in stock merchandise, which includes some of the boutique’s amazing designer gowns! And since Proposals carries some of the best brands in the state—Nicole Miller, La Sposa, Augusta Jones, Modeca, Enzoani, Watters, Maggie Sottero, WTOO—you’re going to love your choices.

Why are we giving away such awesome stuff, you ask?

Well, it’s because we’re so excited about our new Fall/Winter 2012 issue, which is coming the first week in June! We’re so pumped about the big reveal, that we wanted to get the party started early with some freebies to our bride readers!

• Week 1: We gave away two Bibles organized with advice and notes just for couples and newlyweds.
• Week 2: We gave awaybeauty products for one lucky bride to use in her pre-wedding regimen.
•  Week 3 (part 1): We gave away crystal flutes for the newlyweds to toast their nuptuials.
• Week 3 (part 2): We gave away six personalized mirrors for one bride to give to her bridesmaids.
• Week 4:  We gave away THREE mini boudoir sessions fromMeredith Melody Photography!

And here we are at Week 5, giving away a FREE wedding dress!

Here’s how to win it, if you want it:

• Send an email to Info@ArkansasBride.com no later than 5 p.m. Friday, May 25*.
• Use WEDDING DRESS as the subject line.
• Include your wedding date (if available).
• One entry per person.
• The winner will be drawn at random around 9 a.m. Monday, May 28. We'll then notify the winner via email.

*By entering, you'll also be automatically signed up to receive our monthly bridal e-newsletter.

Image by Zoe Portrait Weddings by Kim

The ladies behind Zoë Wedding Art want to get to know you! They want to hear all about your love story and upcoming wedding at their Spring Bridal Open House.

The open house will be held from 2- 4 p.m. May 26 in their loft studio. 213 West Arch St., Ste. C, Searcy. They will have some special incentives that are only available to open house attendees, as well as food and door prizes. 

There is no obligation or purchase required to attend.

For more information, call (501) 281-8789 or e-mail Kim or Kristen. You can also visit their website to pre-register.

Image by Trevor Kobrine Photography (out of Dallas, Texas)

Arkansas Bride Editor, Lindsay Irvin and her dad during their father-daughter dance on her wedding day, April 19, 2008.

By now, you've already seen the answers from their “First Dance Song” with their grooms, now see what song these ladies danced to with their father!

Lindsay Irvin, Editor, Arkansas Bride - “Daughters,” John Mayer

Leigh Walker, Account Executive, Soirée - “It’s a Wonderful World,” Louis Armstrong

Kate Knable, Assistant Editor, Arkansas Business - “[An] Instrumental version of ‘Sunrise, Sunset’ from Fiddler on the Roof”

Amanda Hoelzeman, Managing Editor, Soirée - “Again, no dancing.”

Brandy Hubener, Account Executive, Arkansas Bride - “Butterfly Kisses,” Bob Carlisle

Luci Deere, Account Executive, Soirée - “Brown Eyed Girl,” Van Morrison

Tasha Amos, Senior Account Executive, Little Rock Family - “Unforgettable,” Nat King Cole

Taylor Bowers, Marketing Coordinator, Arkansas Bride - “[We] didn’t do one.”

Michelle Foshee, Account Executive, Arkansas Bride - “How Sweet it is to be Loved By You,” James Taylor

Betsy Tilley, Account Executive, Arkansas Bride - “Tupelo Honey,” Van Morrison

Deborah Edwards, Account Executive, Little Rock Family - “Brown Eyed Girl,” Van Morrison

We asked each of these women to answer 10 questions about their weddings, so stay tuned each week for the rest of their answers! Last week they told us where they went on their honeymoon!

PS: If you're trying to find a DJ or band to play your song of choice, our online giant list of wedding music is here to help!