Utterly Engaged } The 1st Online Wedding & Bridal Magazine. Inspiring Brides with Style.

We are super excited to announce our 3rd annual new year party, but this time it’s a Leap Year Party! But not just any party, it’s a Remix Party, taking familiar things and giving it a new spin! It’s going to be an epic party that comes every 4 years! And you are all invited! Get your tickets now!

We’re also bringing back the most anticipated Design Challenge for Wedding Professionals for the third time in a row! This year, the teams will be designing for a cause. A portion of the entry fee will go towards emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies via Shelterbox. All the attendees will be voting on their favorite table with their dollar (included in the ticket sale). If you’re ready to take the challenge, contact Lucia at lucia@utterlyengaged.com for application and details. Hurry, space is limited!

The event is also the perfect way to promote your business to the best in the wedding, events and blogging industry. If you’re interested in sponsorship opportunities, please email Henny at henny@utterlyengaged.com for more information.

To see what went down in our last new year party, go to p. 8 in this issue.

Vera Wang has introduced 2 new additions for Spring 2012 to her already fabulous menagerie of White by Vera Wang bridesmaid dresses at David’s Bridal. With a reasonable price point you won’t get any objections from your bridesmaids.

The first dress is a little satin number with a strap on one side and a pretty, sophisticated bow on the other. It is simple and sophisticated and comes in shades to compliment every spring color palette.

The second creation is made with layers of soft netting and has a sweet yet sexy illusion neckline and a satin sash to accentuate the waist! It’s available in Charcoal (pictured) and Ebony for an understated and modern wedding palette.

Pair them with one of Vera’s gorgeous shoes and your bridesmaids would love you for your discerning taste! If you are loving these flirty spring looks, you can try them on in person at David’s Bridal!

Happy Almost Spring!

Lauren

The gowns that show up on red carpets at award shows are always a great place to get inspiration for your wedding gown. We have a few favorites from last night’s Screen Actors Guild Award.

Ruffled & Romantic: A Romona Keveza dress worn by Kaley Cuoco

Gilded Elegance: A Marchesa gown worn by Viola Davis

Whimsical & Spunky: A Collette Dinnigan dress worn by Judy Greer

Modern Glitz: A Givenchy Couture dress worn by Zoe Saldana

Happy Friday! Last Tuesday, we hosted a giveaway for Bridal Babe Boutique where a bride and her bridal party can win a set of hot tank tops for their bachelorette night out along with a sexy marabou garter and a chiffon party veil for the bride. It’s been very exciting to see the entries rolling in all week and now WE HAVE A WINNER! Congratulations to ASIA GREGORY! You’re our lucky winner!!

As a thank you to everyone for entering the giveaway, Bridal Babe Boutique is offering our readers an exclusive discount! Use code “RUNNERUP” for 10% off your entire order, now through Feb 1. And don’t forget to enter a picture of you and your girls rocking their tanks in the Hall of Babes photo contest and claim that coveted spot!

At the beginning of every new year, people tend to go into ‘feast or famine’ mode and take on drastic diets that are just not sustainable. It’s tempting to do, especially if you need to fit in that dress! But it’s important to remember that the best way to stick to any health related resolution is by making small changes that are easy to maintain. And get your bridal party together and resolve to be healthier as a group! We’re excited that popchips (a sponsor from our last year’s new year party!) have teamed up with celeb health and wellness expert, Jillian Michaels for the new year to share with you some of her health tips!

JILLIAN’S HEALTH TIPS

• Avoid fried foods at all costs.

• Eat three balanced meals a day every four hours with a snack in between lunch and dinner.

• Eat no more than 6-8 teaspoons of fats and vegetable oil per day.  Choose oils that are mostly unsaturated such as olive oil.

• Opt for cooking methods that use little or no fat such as steaming, grilling, baking, broiling or roasting.

• Purchase healthier alternatives when given a choice (popchips vs. fried chips, grilled vs. fried chicken).

• Curb salty cravings with tasty snacks such as popchips, almonds or dried cranberries.

Hope these tips will get you started on your health goal this year! From now until March 15, you can enter popchips sweepstakes for a chance to win a 3-night escape to The Venetian in Las Vegas as a reward for keeping those new year’s resolutions! And to make things even more delicious, popchips just released their new flavors – jalapeno, chili lime, sweet potato and parmesan garlic! Who knew eating healthy can be so yumm!

courtesy of popchips