Hilton Wedding Contest - Best Brides Forever

Hilton has got a deal for you! Hilton is offering a contest for brides to win the destination wedding of their dreams called “I Do Times Two” at the The Hilton Waikoloa Village in Hawaii. But it’s a double win – a destination wedding for you…AND your best friend: one week, two weddings and one big party.

It works like this, two brides get together and submit in the essay contest. The contest will run through February 22, 2010. Hilton will judge the essays and a pair of brides will win the package of an all-expense paid wedding package, including airfare, for both couples. As a huge bonus, Hilton is putting up 15 guest rooms for BOTH brides (30 rooms total). This is HUGE because this one area where brides can help their family.

Both brides will have their wedding on the same trip sometime between Jan. 1, 2011 and March 31, 2011. Why not have your destination wedding at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on Valentine’s Day 2011?

We’ve never been to the Hilton Waikoloa Village and can’t personally vouch for the property, however, it looks terrific on the website.


Update 3/22/2010: And we have a winner!

Hilton Worldwide has named Chelsea Jones from Boulder, Colorado as the winner of the contest. She and her sister Hillary will get married over Valentine’s Day weekend 2011. The sisters are best friends and inseparable, despite problems brought on by Hillary’s health issues. Complete details on the winners are at the contest website.

Congratulations to Chelsea Jones for winning the contest!


Photo credits: Hilton Waikoloa Village

Destination Wedding Dresses at Discount Prices

Few things cause brides as much anxiety as the dress. It has to be perfect. Some girls just know when they find “the one,” but others stress and labor over the decision.

I predict that 2010 will be the year of couture and homemade dresses. Why have a mass market dress when you can have something one of a kind?

Sure, there are ways to get couture designer dresses at less than couture prices. There’s the inevitable recommendation to hit up sample sales or trunk shows (ever tried to find one of these?). Of course, there’s the insanity of the Filene’s Basement “Running of the Brides” – then again, you’re shopping at Filene’s Basement and you have to go to Boston.

Then, there’s the recommendation (typically from your grandmother) that you should go to thrift shops or the modern version – Craig’s List. The idea of either of these just seems too much like being on welfare for my taste.

There are two other reasonable alternatives. The website Oncewed.com has a page where brides sell their gowns after the wedding. This is like the thrift shop or Craigslist without making you feel cheap. And if you are more socially conscious, why not buy your dress and help a good cause? Brides Against Breast Cancer has sales across the country of great dresses at reasonable prices with the proceeds going to a good cause.

Finally, there’s one more great way to get a custom wedding dress without the hassle – Etsy. The crafty website Etsy and many of its artisan vendors sell couture wedding dresses. If Etsy isn’t your style, you can try custom dress shops in your area. In this way, you can get a handmade dress designed especially for you. What can make a girl feel more special than something one of a kind?

Happy dress hunting!