Recently, Newsweek ran “Like a Virgin No More,” an interesting article by Kayleen Schaefer about why modern brides are more sexy than blushing.

Instead of a fairytale wedding with a princess gown, Schaefer says, today’s bride is more likely to opt for racy gowns, wild bachelorette parties and sexy Maxim-style pre-wedding photo shoots.

“The rise of the bride who is more bold than blushing can be explained by a host of sociological factors, most of which have nothing to do with the word “bridezilla.” For one, our entire culture is loosening up and becoming more sexualized, and taking the wedding ceremony—and young girls’ dreams of what theirs will be like—with it.”

Schaefer offers several reasons for this change. She points out that:

• Young women are comfortable with posting sexy pictures of themselves online in places like MySpace.
• Women are getting married later in life, closer to 30 than 20, and they are more apt to look to role models like “Sex in the City’s” Carrie Bradshaw rather than Cinderella.

Shaefer concludes by saying that racy bachelorette parties, couples living together before the wedding and the sexual empowerment of women in general also have contributed to this trend.

It’s a fascinating read, and you can check out the entire article, here.

— Photo Credit: www.Newsweek.com

Planning a tropical or beach wedding? Here’s some wonderful beach-themed wedding invitations:

Summer Solstice Blue: 100 Personalized Wedding Invitations
Price: $84.0
Romantic invitations have blue seashells in the background and blue borders. Perfect for a tropical, beach or destination wedding! Please specify names to be printed in top blue square.

Trendy Tropical: 100 Personalized Wedding Invitations
Price: $145.0
Trendy Tropical. Square, sheer invitation has 3 panels. Wording is printed on inside middle panel. Front of invitation has a tropical beach design with palm trees and flowers. Matching reception, respond and informal/thank you cards.

Lovely Shell: 100 Personalized Wedding Invitations
Price: $291.0
Charming shell shaped programs have a comfortable plastic white or wooden handle. Sea shell design will be same color as wording. Wording will be printed along the borders of the program on the front and back panel.

Clean, environmentally friendly Bridesmaid Gifts or Wedding Favors

Another great idea for your green wedding

It seems like everywhere you look right now, wedding retailers are adding more and more green items to their inventories, as they try and cater to green minded brides and grooms.

One hot new product trend that’s popping up everywhere? Reusable, aluminum water bottles.

What makes these bottles a must-have item? Made of aluminum, they’re recyclable and reusable. And they’re also practical.

Beau-coup.com is offering personalizable water bottles as favors. Perfect for summer weddings, you can give these as bridesmaid gifts and groomsmen gifts to keep your wedding party healthy and hydrated on your big day-and every day.

Also available at Cafepress.com

Print on demand company Cafepress.com recently added premium Sigg brand water bottles to their lineup as well. They offer a huge selection of reusable wedding themed water bottles already decorated with thousands of designs from the CafePress community. Or you can personalize your own bottle using Cafepress’ “Easy Designer.” Here’s one of our favorites: