From adding a sweet little love note to his lunchbox to buying him season tickets for his favorite football team, there are hundreds of ways to say “I love you.” But if you’re looking for something a little more romantic, or unique, then read on! Here’s my list of the 14 most romantic ways to say “I love you,” complete with a budget, timing, and romance scale!

1. Pamper him

Budget: $80 – $200, depending on the spa
Perfect timing: Dating for one year or more
How romantic: Very romantic
He may not want to admit it, but your man loves to be pampered. He might not enjoy a facial or a pedicure, but he’s sure to enjoy a massage and maybe even a manicure minus the pretty pink polish. Most spas offer packages for men, including a massage and some other pampering perks, like hot stone treatments, sea salt scrubs, or aromatherapy, usually for an hour. Contact your spa to find out what they offer, or call another spa that specializes in relaxation for men. Be sure to check out the place before buying anything — you don’t want to send him somewhere seedy!

Photo Credit: oxigeno salon

What will you do with your gown after the wedding is over? A few options that have come to my mind are to keep it well preserved, sell it, cut the fabric to make a short dress, or have fun with it during a trash the dress photo shoot. Trash the Dress photo sessions have become very popular and with these 5 hot ways to accomplish the task I can see why!

5. Take a Spin on the Rides…

If you love the merry-go-round, ferris wheel, roller coasters, and bumper cars like I do take a trip to Six Flags or your local carnival to take whimsical photos in your wedding gown. Play some games and have your groom win the biggest prize for his new wife. Chow down on your favorite carnival foods like corn dogs, funnel cake, and cotton candy to make a tasty photo! Create sweet memories with each other having fun and feeling like a kid all over again!

10+ Most Romantic Date Ideas…

4. Get Messy with Paint…

Maybe the dry cleaners can help this bride get the paint out of her gown! But if your not looking to save your dress and just want to have a messy, crazy photo shoot with your groom get wild with paint and a funky setting like the graffiti background in this photo. Old or used gowns that can be found on ebay or weddingbee classifieds are great finds for trash the dress photo shoots, especially when you want to preserve your own.

*5 Hot Bridal Gown Trends…

3. Walk in a Winter Wonderland…

Winter is a beautiful time with snow on the trees and at your feet. This trash the dress photo would be wonderful for a save the date or an engagement photo as well. The bride’s gown is glowing in the snow as she cuddles up with her groom to stay warm. When you’re finished with the romantic shots start throwing snowballs at each other and build a Mr. and Mrs. snow couple!

*5 Tips for Great Wedding Photography…

2. Hop on a Hot Rod…

Cars and women together have always been sexy. So put your wedding gown on, show some leg, and hop on that hot rod! If you don’t have a mustang like the one in this photo see if there are any classic car shows coming to your area or rent one from your local Hertz. A trolley, bus or truck make for great automobile photos too. Hop in the back of your pick-up or horse, put on your cowboy hat and boots and you’ll be one sexy cowgirl in her wedding dress.

*20 Greatest Romantic Gifts for Men…

1. Rock the Waves…

The beach has become one of the most popular locations for trash the dress photo shoots. How can it not be with romantic photos like this one. Getting wet, playing in the sand, and kissing on the beach brings scenes from movies and romance novels to life. The ocean and the beach is a favorite spot for my fiance and I; he proposed to me on the beach last year! A trash the dress session at the same location would be perfect for us. Let the sand cool your toes, be silly in love in the water, and kiss each other at sunset as your perfect day becomes a perfect night.

 *5 Top US Honeymoon Locations…

How will you trash your dress?

Photo Credit: Everlastingimages.blogspot.com, Whitley-goodman.blogspot.com, Redbubble.com, blog.janaeshields.com, Trashthedressaustralia.com

Every girl loves flowers, but which ones are the best? With so many connotations, you could end up doing more harm than good. Here are the ten most romantic flowers around…

1. Iris…

Primary Meanings: Faith, Hope, Wisdom, Courage, Admiration
Iris’s are so gorgeous, just being given one would make her day. Pick one up from the florists, and surprise her with it on the way home.

Weddings can be one of the most important days of our lives and capturing those special moments like the groom’s first glance at his beautiful bride is a very important part of that day. But how do we go about choosing the right photographer to make certain that those moments will be shot and how can we trust that our pictures will turn out beautifully? Listen to these 5 tips and you shall find the perfect photographer who will capture the perfect memories for your wedding day.

5. What fits into your budget?

Now that you both have crossed other big items off your list, how much are you willing to spend on the photography? Did you go over budget on your gown or venue, but you still want the photographer who may be more than you can afford?  If so don’t be afraid to contact them and ask about their prices and see if they are able to negotiate. Tell them that you’re thankful for their time, however your budget won’t allow for their prices. This is when the photographer might surprise you with a return email or call and ask you about your budget and what will work for both of you. Don’t forget to check out every detail of the photographer’s wedding package and what’s included within the price they are given you. Ask how much extra photos cost, photo albums for your parents, and if engagement photos are included. Don’t be left in the dark and find a bill in the mail that isn’t what you negotiated.

Could you be lucky enough to have one of the Top 10 Wedding Photographers of 2009 like Jasmine Star? Jasmine captured a special moment for Jessica and Roy as they took their first few photos together on their wedding day. You can see the passion they have for each other and now Jessica and Roy will forever be able to hold on to this moment with thanks to their talented photographer. Contact Jasmine (who is the photographer in the top photo) to see if her prices fit into your budget.

*5 Ways to Stick to Your Wedding Budget…

4. Do some research…

Within the last five years the internet has blossomed with wedding blogs like Weddingbee.com, photographer blogs like JessicaClaire.net and wedding message boards like the ones at TheKnot.com. The information is out there waiting for you to find it, so start Googling! Find brides in your area who had a great experience with their photography and ask them if they can email you a sample of their beautiful pictures. Ask your family members who to stay away from, remember theres a horror story for every great photographer story. When you do find someone who has great reviews set up a meeting to check out their work and see if it fits your style.

Would a fun personality work with your style? Are you willing to play around on the rings in the park and make for a unique and memorable shoot with photographers Jessica Claire and Braedon like couple Allison and Delwin did? Every serious shot needs a fun one, so contact Jessica or Braedon to ask about their style.

*10 Best Lifestyle Blogs for Women…

3. What are you looking for?

Do you want your wedding to tell a story with candid, emotional pictures or do you want to have certain posed images with the bridal party and guests? How do you want to remember your day? For our wedding I want those random shots that tell a story and show the love in the room and the bond that everyone shares with us. However, I would also like us to have a few photos with our bridal party and our family members. Though I don’t want us to look posed, I do want to have these photos just incase the random shots don’t capture everyone that came to our wedding.

Another important idea to think about is how you want your photos edited and processed. Do you like how photographer Jaci Clark has edited this photo to make the moment more romantic? The first photo just looks like a simple shot that any photographer could have made at a wedding, but with her artistic eye Jaci has turned this photo into a touching memory that the bride and groom will think of every year on their anniversary. Contact Jaci if this is how you would like to remember your big day.

*10 Ideal Bridal Party Gifts…

2. Make a list…

There are so many elements of your wedding day that are important and obvious to you, but that doesn’t mean that your photography knows that these components of your wedding are significant. You have a voice and it should be heard from everyone you are dealing with for your wedding and the photographer should be at the top of that list. If there is a brooch on your bouquet that was your grandmother’s tell your photographer about it. Make a list of all the shots you want and if it’s near the end of your day and you feel like something was left out than let them know.

Photographers Jennifer and CJ Nichols, who are husband and wife, took a moment to capture the bride’s beautiful bouquet and mixed in other details like the matching decor that Kate and James had at their amazing wedding. Sometimes the little details are missed and this could have been something the bride and groom had on their list or maybe it was something the Nichols knew the bride would love. Contact Jennifer and CJ so that all your details will be caught on film.

*5 Top US Honeymoon Locations…

1. Which shots make the cut?

Does anyone have their eyes closed, was the sun in anyone’s face, are the kids behaving, and how does the picture make you feel? These are questions you want to ask yourselves as you look through the hundreds or maybe thousands of shots your photographer took on your wedding day. Your wedding package only includes so many photos, but the photographers take more than needed to make sure the perfect shot was taken. So now the pressure is turned on to you because these will be the photos you will keep. However, this is does not always make things final because many photographers allow for extra photos to be picked months later for an extra cost. You could also ask for the negatives for the option of processing photos years later.

To me this photo with the little boy crying that photographer Peter Pawinski won sixth place for in 2006 with the WPJA would be a shot I would keep! Although some brides and grooms would be upset about this photo and upset at the little boy for crying, you have to factor in how tired he must be. Weddings are fun for adults and some kids, but little kids might have a hard time keeping up with all the directions. So unless you think this photo is cute like I do, bring some toys for the little kids to keep them happy during the photo shoots. Contact Peter if you have kids at your wedding who will keep everyone on their toes!

*5 Real Weddings to be Inspired by…

What are your tips for perfect photos?

Source Credit: Bridaltips.com

Photo Credit: WPJA.com, TheNicholsblog.com, blog.JaciClark.com, JessicaClaire.net, JasmineStarblog.com

Honeymoons in the United States are often forgotten about because of places like Paris, Rome, or Athens and though we may not have the Eiffel tower, the Roman Colosseum, or Acropolis we do have wonders of the world, tropical beaches, romantic getaways and much more. Here are five of those locations in the US that might be the perfect honeymoon for you and your sweetheart.

5. Viva Las Vegas…

What’s not to love about Las Vegas? There is entertainment like hotel Rio’s free Show in the Sky  , which I have personally seen and love. There are celebrities like Bette Midler and comedian Chelsea Handler who always keeps me laughing when I watch her E! show, “Chelsea Lately”, and who can forget the casinos along the strip like Treasure Island, MGM Grand, and The Venetian which has a Venice inspired gondola ride. Take a short drive west of Las Vegas to enjoy the desert side of Nevada and visit Red Rock Canyon where you can climb and explore the beautiful mountain like rocks. Visit the Hoover Dam where you can be in Arizona and Nevada at the same time and go boating on Lake Mead while you’re in the area. Before you two make your trip home take an amazing helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon and take pictures that will make everyone wish they had planned a honeymoon in Vegas! Please share your Vegas hot spots with us.

*Top 10 Places to Travel to in the US…

4. Florida Keys Please…

Beautiful beaches, clear blue water, tropical fish and wildlife, and a historical culture full of victorian architecture are only a few things that the Florida Keys brings to the rest of the states. In Key Largo you can scuba dive down to the Spiegel Grove Wreck, a ship that was sunk after retiring from the Navy to help create a new coral reef ecosystem. Visit history in Key West  at the Key West Heritage House Museum and Robert Frost Cottage and put your toes on the Southernmost Point in the US. Other islands of the Keys include Big Pine and the Lower Keys, Marathon, and Islamorada which are all just as fabulous for your honeymoon as Key Largo and Key West. Have you been to the Keys, which one is your favorite island?

*Fabulous Beach Wedding Look on a Budget…

3. Ski together in Aspen….

Aspen, Colorado is beautiful all year round, but if your honeymoon falls during the winter months and you just happen to be an adventure type couple then these mountains are the place for you! Stay in the center of Aspen at Sky Hotel where you can take a dip in the heated pool as the snow lays on the ground around you. What better time to snuggle close together in front of a romantic fire than after a day on the slopes at the Snowmass Village. The ski and snowboarding season at Snowmass and Aspen Mountains runs from November to April and at Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk, which as been the home of the ESPN winter X Games, it’s open from December to April. I’ve never been skiing myself but from the breath taking pictures I have seen on Colorado.com, Aspen would be a lovely place to learn how to ski! Could this be the honeymoon spot for you and your fiance?

*Top 7 World Ski Resorts…

2. Wonders of the World…

Waking up to this view on your honeymoon while laying next to your new life long partner will have you pinching yourself to make sure your not dreaming! Niagara Falls, NY has hotels that overlook the falls and hotels like Barton Hill Hotel and Spa whose doors open to the beautiful Falls river. If you and your fiance love the water and are ready for some excitement then take a trip down the river in the Whirlpool Jet Boat, but make sure you go before eating lunch! And speaking of lunch, make sure to stop at the Top of the Falls Restaurant  to get a great view of one of the wonders of the world and walk out on the observation tower at the Niagara Falls State Park if you really want to get up close and personal with the Falls. Visiting astounding landscapes on our honeymoons reminds us how phenomenal this world is and how lucky we are to be sharing this moment with someone we love. Tell us about your trip to Niagara.

*7 Most Romantic Destinations for Your Honeymoon…

1. The Six Islands of Hawaii…

The six islands of Hawaii have many things to offer any couple and on one special night you may find yourself enjoying a luau like the one pictured from the island of Maui at the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort. Or find yourselves 10,000 feet above sea level on Maui’s highest peak at Haleakala National Park enjoying the sunrise above the clouds. Set sail on the Makani Catamaran on the island of Oahu and watch the fireworks when you go on Friday night, I love watching fireworks with my fiance and could only imagine how romantic it would be to watch them while overlooking the waters of Oahu, Hawaii. Explore the trails of Kauai on horseback and dip into a beautiful mountain pool and waterfalls at the end of the adventure. Don’t forget about the beaches of Hawaii like the Kaupoa Beach on the island of Molokai where you and your fiance can sink your toes into the white sand. See the wonder of Shipwreck Beach on the island of Lanai where an oil-tanker from the 1940s is still stuck among other unknown elements and don’t forget to take your camera! One reason to visit Hawaii’s big island is the Volcanoes National Park where you may be able to see the Kilauea volcano erupt. Hawaii’s six islands are a world of their own and if you don’t get here on your honeymoon you should definitely vacation here at some point in your life. Which island will you explore?

*First Hand Accounts of Great Honeymoon Destinations…

Tell me about your honeymoon…

Source Credit: GoHawaii.com, Niagara-usa.com, Colorado.com/aspen.aspx, Fla-keys.com, Visitlasvegas.com

Photo Credit: Danmoreltravel.com, Casinos-rus.com, Planetware.com, Ski-resorts-2008-blogspot.com, people.tribe.net/michelle/blog, hawaiiactive.com

5. April Showers Bring May Flowers…

There are certain things we New Yorkers can count on as we prepare for the winter months that lay ahead: cold temperatures, snow, gusty winds, shorter days, and a general longing to stay indoors.

However, a few things you can also count on during winter months are warm fire places, spiced apple cider, guilt free lazy weekends, and the attempt to date the same person all winter in an effort to not have to troll for men in the freezing cold.

Come on ladies, you know it’s true!

Now in case you’re wondering if men feel the same way, I have been told a number of times (by men) that a winter romance is desired by them too. Even if you’re attached, keeping the romance sizzling all winter long can be a little taxing. Music seems to make everything a little better, so make sure your iPod is up to date with a “romantic songs” play list.

Here are some of my favorite tunes…

1. At Last – Etta James

2. In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel

By Shannell Graham

A few sure fire way to have a good relationship:

1. Eye contact.

When you are talking to your mate tell him to look you in the eyes. Good eye contact shows that not only do you have their undivided attention but also that you are going to get a real response.

2. Be honest.

I cannot stress this enough. Even if you did something wrong, tell the truth. Women or man, they can handle the truth, lies hurt a lot more then you think.

3. Creativity.

Dinner and a movie is a classic; however, it might leave you wanting more. Try something new, something that will excite you both.

4. Romance.

Romance is how you keep the fire burning between you and your partner. A romantic dinner for two, a weekend away from it all (this doesn’t mean that you have to leave your city, maybe just disconnect from the outside world.), or even make a night of it (dinner, dancing, a walk in the park, and home to be alone with each other.

5. Most importantly be yourself.

Don’t try to be something that you’re not for one it’s hard to keep up the lie and two the person already like you. Yourself is wonderful, yourself got this person to agree to go out with you. Don’t lie about who you are (see number 2)

The situation can go either way when you risk your friend finding out that you are in love with him or with her: you can end up as a couple with a happy ending, or you can end up making things awkward for the both of you and ruin a perfectly good, platonic relationship.

So how will you know if your ‘love’ is worth risking your friendship? At the end of the day, it all depends on how strongly you feel for your friend. Use both your heart and your mind in making the decision. Can you bear the thought of losing a perfectly good friendship if you find out that your friend does not feel the same way? Once you blurt out your feelings, that will be the turning point of your relationship and your friendship – as it was before – can never be brought back. On the other hand, if your feelings are so strong that you just cannot bear the thought of your friend not knowing how you feel, then it is probably worth risking the friendship.

Whether your friend returns the romantic feelings that you have or not is a question which will be difficult to ask – but taking the risk of ruining your friendship is more acceptable than not letting your friend know how you feel. Who knows, if your friend secretly feels the same way about you, you just might be in for a happy ending.

With all of the wedding planning I’ve been doing over the last couple of days I hate to admit it, but I have romance on the mind… and I’m in the mood for chocolate dipped strawberries. Every week we get a new batch of fruit in the office and two weeks ago heralded the arrival of spring strawberries! The berries were plump, juicy, cool and absolutely divine. Chocolate dipped strawberries are a simply and super elegant dessert. My dad would make them at the “adult” dinner parties I would host when I was in 8th-9th grade and I thought they were the chic-est of desserts. If you’ve never made them before, don’t be afraid, all you have to do is melt some chocolate and plunge the berries in. Make sure that the strawberries are completely dry before dunking and use your favorite type of chocolate. You’ll find the recipe if you,

read more

Valentine’s Day is behind us, but it doesn’t mean you have to stop being romantic. SollidAlliance has a 256 MB heart shaped USB drive on sale for about $20. There are so many cool things you could do with this memory heart. Our suggestion is to mail-order it to your address, copy your voice message, your pictures, and video(s) and ship it to your significant other. Actually, this is another reason guys should read ChipChick – so that you can score some extra romantic points from our ideas.