Looking for a creative & unique favor idea to thank guests for sharing in your special day?

At a recent wedding, Lynette, of LRT Events, placed poems at each seat as a heartfelt 'thank you' to each guest.

Adding your own personal spin could make this idea unique to you as a couple - perhaps a sheet of music with a meaningful song is more your style! Be creative - the possibilities are endless!

For more creative inspiration for your wedding day contact Lynette at 631.903.2172 or visit the website

Win a Free Country Inn Ceremony at the Green Mountain Inn!

It's simple! E-mail marketing@gminn.com why you think you and your fiance should win a free Country Inn Ceremony. We will select the most compelling story and contact the winners to start planning their Vermont nuptials.

Send in your story by August 31, 2009 to qualify!

Uncle George's has also offered to donate a $200 bridal bouquet and groom's flower for the winners. We will be giving away a Vermont Teddy Bear Bride and Groom as well.

{Visit Green Mountain Inn}

Heron Hill Winery has been named by Travel & Leisure magazine as having one of the world’s 10 most spectacular tasting rooms, in the company of Opus One in the Napa Valley, Craggy Range Giants Winery in New Zealand, and Chateau Haut-Brion in France among others. Heron Hill Winery’s barrel-vaulted tasting room is perched on a hill overlooking scenic Keuka Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes Region. For over 30 years the winery has set the highest standards for wine quality, customer satisfaction and tasting room experience.

This is truly a feather in the cap of the Finger Lakes Region. Having one of the most spectacular tasting rooms in the world makes Heron Hill Winery a travel destination for all wine lovers and travel enthusiasts worldwide. Owner, John Ingle’s philosophy that drove the renovation was high-end customer service. “We translated that into listening and serving all of our customers’ needs – from tasting great wine, to an enjoyable entertainment experience, to feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after having visited the winery. The New York wine industry is experiencing a dramatic renaissance, and we’re leading the way by offering a unbeatable wine tasting experience.”

The new facility was designed by New York City architect Charles Warren in 1999, an associate of the renowned architect Robert Stern. Warren’s design along with John’s vision turned Heron Hill into one of the most innovative and attractive wineries on the East Coast. The architecture reflects the history of the area and is really a style of its own, a Finger Lakes style that combines the many elements that make the area unique. For instance, the observation tower in the center of the building is reminiscent of the farm silos that dot the area’s country hills. The winery also has a Greek Revival quality, a common style to homes and farms in this historic community. Finally, the stone cobbles that adorn both the inside and outside of the building enhance the natural feel of the winery and recall the cobblestone houses built in the area form clearing the stony fields and vineyards.

{Visit Heron Hill Winery}

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Finishing Touches

Paper goods, party favors, fine stationery — the list of a bride’s needs can be long. To the rescue: Southampton’s exclusive home and tabletop goods store, The Elegant Setting, and its new online portal, featuring everything from monogrammed linen napkins to chic place cards. {Visit theelegantsetting.com}

Diamonds Are 4-Ever!

From the engagement rock to the wedding bands, no decision seems quite so important as the rings you put on your finger. To meet all of their clients needs — Mayfair Diamonds & Fine Jewelry has opened in two new locations.
{Visit mayfairdiamonds.com}

A Manor Is Born

In spring 2009, Greenport’s Brecknock Hall, a stately 19th-century stone Italianate home, opened to the public for the first time after an extensive restoration project. The property is available for rental for parties of up to 200. {Visit brecknock.org}

Picture Perfect

A quarter-mile of private beachfront with views of Long Island Sound, more than 140 acres of glorious horse and privet hedge farmland, a 600-foot bluff, two beautifully appointed barns…welcome to Driftwood Farms, where wedding magic is made. The possibilities are endless at this Orient Point property. {Visit driftwoodfarms.com}

Let Them Eat Cupcakes Perennial NYC cupcake destination Crumbs Bake Shop has arrived in the Hamptons at long last. The elaborately decorated confections satisfy both appetite and aesthetics. {Visit crumbs.com}

There’s always something new to discover in the Hamptons, and there is no better way to keep the memory of this picturesque area alive then with a handcrafted treasure from a local artisan. Whether you’re looking for a bridesmaids gift or a favor, there’s a locally-made item for you. With so many choices, it can be hard to narrow things down — to help get you started, we offer this list of some of our new favorites.

{1} Give your guests a taste of handmade decadence with a boxed assortment of Morgan Chocolates. Made in small batches from only the finest and freshest ingredients, their wedding favor boxes include two truffles. {morgan-chocolate.com}

{2} Help your guests stay clean and green with skinnyskinny organic soaps. Each bar is packaged in an earth-friendly 100% recycled box and adorned with an organic cotton ribbon. {skinnyskinny.com}

{3} Bedell Cellars 2007 Chardonnay is complex, fresh, and ripe for the occasion, with aromas of apple and sweet pear complemented by notes of light citrus. On the palate, the wine is medium full with a gorgeous, fresh finish. {bedellcellars.com}

{4} The Hampton Popcorn Company provides snacks in a variety of gourmet flavors, such as Parmesan and white cheddar. It’s a treat that will satisfy the sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy cravings of each and every one of your guests! {hamptonpopcorn.com}

{5} North Fork Potato Chips were born on Mattituck, Long Island, in 1910. Their hearty, kettle-cooked potato chips use real sunflower oil, and are admired by young and old alike. Reward your guests with the satisfying crunch of North Fork. {northforkchips.com}

{6} Nothing beats the flavor of this raspberry jam, made in small batches from A Taste of the North Fork's own homegrown organic fruits and flowers, with no artificial flavors or preservatives. If you wish, they’ll even customize their gift packages for your wedding! {atasteofthenorthfork.com}

{7} Lavender culinary salt from A Taste of the North Fork makes a memorable favor for your special day. This unique seasoning goes especially well with lamb and beef, and can add a gourmet twist to eggs or avocados. {atasteofthenorthfork.com}

{8} A diamond-shaped crystal paperweight from Wedding Elegance is a favor that sits at the top of the heap. Great for bridal showers, the 1.65” paperweight comes in a satin-lined gift box worthy of a real gem! {weddingeleganceny.com}

{9} Keep your guests spirits up with a gift of award-winning Hampton’s Vodka. Made from 100 percent yellow corn and pure spring water and quadruple-filtered, Hamptons Vodka has a natural sweetness-and no added sugar or preservatives. {hamptonsvodka.com}

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Life is Sweet

For faux flowers so beautiful you (almost) won't want to eat them, look no further than the Sugar Flower Shop. Owner-artisan Amy DeGiulio has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and The Style Network’s The Art of Cakes II. Visit sugarflowershop.com for more.

Twice As Nice

Hank Parker’s Party & Tent Rental, western New York’s premier event rental company, debuts a two-story tent with hardwood flooring, an interior staircase, and optional balconies for the second floor. Visit hankparkersrental.com

Capture The Moment

A surprise proposal story doesn’t get much better than this: Photographer Joe Elario was asked by wedding event planner Kristin Follette of Lake Placid’s The Whiteface Club to take engagement pictures of her brother and his fiancée. Little did Kristin know that her boyfriend, Adam, was planning to pop the question himself and had arranged for Joe to capture the whole thing. Congratulations, Kristin and Adam! For more behind the scenes visit: joeelariophotography.com

Bakers Mark

Scandinavian kitchen goddess Linda Laestadius will soon conquer the U.S. with her sophisticated confections, thanks to her forthcoming (and very hush-hush) series on Food Network, currently in production. For more information and showtimes, visit sweetnothingsny.com

Girl Wonder

New York–based A Little Indulgence makes dresses and accessories for the wedding party’s smallest members. Designer and owner Tracy Young has added “author” to her credits with “A Little Guide to Flower Girl Etiquette” — required reading for any attendant-in-training. Available at amazon.com or alittleindulgence.us