On Newsstands Now: Martha Stewart Destination Weddings & Dream Honeymoons 2010

After getting engaged, you'll probably run to the newsstand and pick up a stack of wedding magazines, and when you get to the checkout counter, you'll find out that they can be expensive. (That's why you should get a subscription -- it'll save you a lot of money!)

Just like deciding what movie to go see or restaurant to eat at, reading a review of a bridal magazine can help you decide which one to buy. Aisledash.com is now your go-to source for reviews of the latest wedding magazines hitting stands, whether they're local or national. Each review will feature the highlights of the new issue and what you'll find inside.

Martha Stewart Weddings (marthastewartweddings.com) special destination weddings and "dream honeymoons" issue hits stands on October 4. The second annual issue highlights wedding details, resources and planning tips for couples having a destination wedding; however, brides getting married closer to home are sure to find creative ideas for their wedding too. The issue will remain on stands until January 31, 2011. Cost of issue: $6.95. Here are some highlights:

"Ready, Set, Go" (page 8) is filled with useful planning resources including recommendations for travel apps. I like Postman ($3) which allows you to send friends and family digital postcards, though unfortunately I don't have an iPhone so I'll stick to e-mail messages or splurge on a real postcard. There are also camera recommendations and a playlist for sightseeing or unwinding at night, though I'm not clear on whether these are for your honeymoon video or slideshow, or to listen to while on your honeymoon. If you know you want a Caribbean island destination for your honeymoon there's a "fun" quiz that you can take to help you determine which island is the best option for you and your groom.

All of the wedding details featured in "Good Things" (page 23) are "easy to pack or ship" which is important for a destination wedding. There are creative DIY ideas for seating cards, centerpieces, photo booth decor, wedding favors and packaging. I like the ideas for using maps for a travel-themed bridal shower. "Mark Your Moment" (page 88) features creative ways to create a "big-impact backdrop" at your ceremony based on your setting: garden, city, beach or mountains. I highly recommend talking to your florist and location manager to see if the idea you want to re-create is feasible both logistically and financially before ordering the supplies to create it.

The issue's wedding dress feature "With Love From..." (page 114) showcases seven wedding gowns inspired by specific locations. There are wedding dresses inspired by the following locations: Hong Kong, Bermuda, Cairo, Oaxaca, Zurich, New York and Côte d'Azur. I know I live in New York, but I'm partial to the New York City inspired wedding gown by Romona Keveza. The wedding dress shown above is by Ines Di Santo.

A destination wedding can be closer to home. Whether you're getting married in your hometown or at an exotic location the "50 Ways to Wed" (page 104) story lists venue locations for your wedding ceremony and reception in every state in the union. There are also ways to personalize your wedding using the state it's being held in as inspiration. "Build a Better Welcome Bag" (page 45) or guestroom gift is a seven-step guide to assembling a unique and useful welcome bag for your wedding guests. As a detailed and creative person, I love this story but realistically I know that putting a welcome bag together for more than 10 people/couples can really add to your wedding budget. My advice: Use this story as inspiration but stick to your budget. No one will know that you skipped any steps.


Other highlights include the real destination wedding (page 96) of one lucky couple who won the Grand Romance Package by Martha Stewart Weddings at Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma, Bahamas. You'll get to see what an MSW Sandals wedding package looks like, as well as some of the creative add-ons the stylists at MSW added to the intimate wedding. There are several honeymoon planning stories (pages 128 and 142) filled with resources for destinations around the world, including: South Africa, Mexico, Italy, Brazil, India and, of course, Hawaii. You won't find a bridal bouquet or wedding cake story in this issue, but it is a great resource for creative ideas if you are planning a destination wedding.