BRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER

A wedding can be one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life; a breast cancer diagnosis can be one of the most devastating. That’s why the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, launched by a mother/daughter team in 1998, has found a way to combine the two into a fund-raising effort called Brides Against Breast Cancer. Throughout the year, Making Memories accepts donations of new and used wedding gowns from private and corporate donors and then sells them at discounted prices to brides at retail events across the country. Celebrating October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Brides Against Breast Cancer main event took place in New York City October 4-6. But there’s still a chance for West Coast brides to get in on the action. On November 5-7, Making Memories holds its Brides Against Breast Cancer event at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Tickets are on sale now. Following their big day, brides can donate their gown by shipping it directly to the Making Memories headquarters in Portland, Oregon.

In addition to the Brides Against Breast Cancer sales and donation opportunities, Making Memories also offers brides the option to host a Pink Envelope Bridal Shower or Wedding Reception, through which shower and wedding guests can donate to the organization or the bride can donate $100 or more on behalf of her guests. Diamonds for Dreams, another fund-raising effort, collects donations of diamonds or estate jewelry for appraisal and sale, with proceeds granting wishes for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

For more information, visit the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation Web site at makingmemories.org

    
 
 
   
   

A HONEYMOON
THAT'S OUT OF THIS WORLD

Many couples choose exotic locations all over the world for their dream honeymoon, but for one adventurous couple, no worldly destination would suffice. Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides and her husband, George, married in 2006, but their honeymoon will have to wait until at least 2009, when British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson plans to launch the inaugural commercial space flight on SpaceShipTwo. The Whitesides, who are both space enthusiasts and science professionals—George is the executive director of the National Space Society and a senior advisor to Branson’s company—are also Virgin Galactic Founders, set to be among the first 100 civilian astronauts on Branson’s Virgin spaceline. They chronicle their story at www.spacelove.org. Couples interested in following in the Whitesides’ intergalactic footsteps can reserve tickets—currently starting at $200,000 per person—for as little as a $20,000 deposit on the Virgin Galactic Web site at www.virgingalactic.com

    
     
   

FINISHING TOUCHES:
SPA SWEETS

The mother of the bride and the future mother-in-law also deserve some pampering before the big day. Brides can help relieve motherly stress and treat the mentors in their life to a relaxing spa experience at one of downtown San Diego’s newest urban retreats, Spa by Bardot. Packages such as the Rejuvenating Spa Experience and the Stress Relief Escape are the perfect offerings to moms who want to look their best as they take their prime seats in the front row. Now, Spa by Bardot introduces a sweet souvenir to remind guests of their spa day. Partnering with Chi Chocolat, the spa recently launched a line of spa-inspired chocolates, a four-piece set of exquisitely wrapped lavender-infused confections designed to soothe and relax. For one luxurious day, tell mom to forget about her pre-wedding diet!

spabybardot.com | chichocolat.com