Tips & Ideas

Wedding Ceremony Order for the Modern Bride

February 2, 2012 By Stephanie Leave a Comment

Some couples who veer away from the traditional, old fashioned wedding ceremony order often include innovative and new key elements to their wedding day. Most weddings reflect the couple’s love for tradition but it could still reflect their budding interest for innovation. Old-fashioned weddings contain traditional elements, including speech from the father of the bride, the maid of honor and the best man. Contemporary wedding now optionally includes the bride’s speech.

Contemporary weddings now grant the bride to regulate her order amongst the traditional speakers. She too has control over the length and content of her speech. The birth of the bride’s speech in wedding ceremonies marked the emergence of a new genre of wedding greetings that has surpassed the popularity of the traditional wedding. In the absence of the father of the bride in some instances, the bride herself can speak in behalf of her father. On that note, the bride may be the first one to deliver the speech in welcoming the guests, and giving her heartfelt gratitude for their presence in this momentous event.

The bride’s speech is now considered as an important part of the wedding ceremony, furthermore, it gave the way for the concoction of several more creative speech numbers for the couple. In wacky cases, couples may even stand and deliver the speech in a monologue or dialogue type of conversation. Another quirky way to highlight the couple’s speech is to narrate their varying opinions in several themes such as love and life. In this regard the bride has options on her order, would she want to speak first before the groom? Or would she rather be the last speaker, after the best man? In contemporary weddings, the bride may choose any order that she has her heart set up on.

Although a bride’s speech can still be bound by several traditions, she can still make it a little bit more colorful. The bride could opt to revolutionize or in a simple sense, dress up several traditional elements of the speech.

• Bride’s expression of sincere gratitude

• Narration of the couple’s love story

• A new toast

The bride should still express her heartfelt gratitude for al the people who came to witness this blissful day with them, but she can do it now in a more creative way. Why not try incorporating it into poetry? The bride can include her own vision of a family and emphasize her role in their relationship as a matured woman. This new genre of wedding ceremony order makes any wedding day more lively and personalized, as what weddings should really be in the first place.

The bride’s speech emanates a more colorful and emotional tone. This is what could make the wedding more special for the couple. It truly reflects the innermost thoughts and feelings of the bride, something that has been neglected in several traditional weddings. The bride need not be concerned anymore on the traditional order that she should follow, nor would she feel bad abut being neglected on her own special day. Due to the inclusion of a justified and personalized bride’s speech, it has paved the way for a new tradition.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: Wedding Ceremony Order

Whose Name Are You Going to Take After the Wedding

December 4, 2011 By Harmony Leave a Comment

Changing Names in Marriage Did you know that almost 80 percent of brides take after their husband’s surname after they get married? Some do it because it’s the norm. Others see it more of a tradition. How about you? You’re going to tie the knot very soon and you’re probably wondering about this matter. To help you decide, here are some things that you need to ponder on.

Taking your husband’s name

Since this is the most common route, let’s start with this one. The most obvious advantage of taking your husband’s surname is that it makes so many things much easier for you if you’re going to have children. Dealing with school, going on vacations, and processing documents are faster and easier if your whole family goes by the same last name. And if you don’t like your surname, you’ll be delighted about the change.

Also, if you’re the type who’s a traditionalist, it would satisfy you to take after your husband’s last name. Your husband will also be pleased and proud. Not doing so may make him feel like there’s something wrong about this last name. Having the same surname as your better half gives you a sense of unity like you’ve truly converted into one. And since it’s a norm, people would be expecting you to do it. People will be calling you Mrs. ___ even if you don’t like it. You might as well go with the flow.

Of course, using your hubby’s last name isn’t all about the good things. There are also certain drawbacks. One is that it may make you feel like you’ve lost your sense of identity or individuality. It may be against your feminist views, if you are one. You may not be comfortable with the idea that the society expects you to change your name but they don’t expect the same thing from your husband.

You would also probably think twice about giving up your name if you’re the last one in the family with that last name, if you’ve already become known in your career by that name, or if you just don’t like your hubby’s last name.

Your Other Options

The good news is, things don’t end with either your name or your husband’s name. There are things you can do to make it a win-win situation. For one, you can hyphenate your last names. You just have to decide which one goes first. Your husband can also do the same if he wishes to or he could simply stick to his last name.

Another option is to keep your maiden name as the middle name. This is usually a good idea because you have the freedom to write your whole name including your maiden name in the middle or leave it out if you’re in a rush to fill out some papers. Your maiden last name can also be used by your child. For example, if your surname is Thompson, your hubby’s is Smith, and your kid’s first name is Charlotte, she can write it as Charlotte Thompson Smith. You can even use your last name as your kid’s first name. If you’re going to have a baby boy, you can call him Thompson Smith.

Now there’s also the option for your husband to take on your last name. Even though feminism has been empowered over the recent years, there is still very few number of men who opt to go for this route. But if you’re hubby is up for it, why not? If he doesn’t like his surname anyway, this would be a welcome change for him.

Another unusual but realistic option is for you to combine your last names to form a new surname. For instance, your last name is Cowell and your hubby’s last name is Fielding, you can have your name legally changed to Fieldwell. Just see to it that the names you combine don’t sound funny or weird. Fieldwell is the better choice as opposed to Coding.

See, there are plenty of ways to decide on how you’ll go about this name changing process after you get married. Whether you decide to take on your husband’s name, stay with yours, or choose one of the alternatives mentioned above, the important thing is that you stay in love together and work hard to make the marriage last.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: marriage, name change, name changing process

Throwing A Bridal Shower With Style And Class

November 28, 2011 By Wendy Leave a Comment

Holding a bridal shower is easy. Holding one that has style and class is a different story. If you browse the internet, you’ll find plenty of tips, ideas and suggestions on how to make your best friend’s bridal shower successful but if you’re looking for something beyond that, something that will make the bride realize she’s the luckiest to have you as her best friend and that she made the right choice picking you as the maid of honor, then focus on these tips that would allow you to throw a bridal shower party that exudes with elegance.

Focus on the bride

Before anything else, you have to keep this rule of the thumb in mind: focus on the bride. It’s her day before the big day! The shower isn’t just about a group of friends and relatives getting together. It’s about them getting together to celebrate the bride as well as give her a bit of a chance to relax and unwind. When planning the shower, always think of her—what she would like to do, what she would prefer to eat, who she would want to invite, who she doesn’t want to see, you get the idea.

Incorporate a theme

There are lots of elegant themes out there that you can use for your friend’s bridal shower. But two that stand out are the gourmet shower and spa and beauty shower. If your friend is the kind of person who’s known for her impeccable taste, particularly on food, she’d definitely love a gourmet-themed bridal shower. It gives you a good excuse to pamper her taste buds. Go for wine, cheese, chocolates and other delectable foods. Gifts should center on glassware, bakeware, wine and gourmet food.

Now, if she’s the type who’s a spa fanatic but her always-busy schedule doesn’t allow her to get anywhere near the spa, this would give her the beauty rest she has always wanted. It’s also ideal since her wedding day is fast approaching. It can be done at the spa near your friend’s house or at her home. You’ll find that there are lots of facials as well as other beauty treatments that can be done at home. It’s also a good idea to hire a manicurist or massage therapist during the party at home.

Hold it in the garden

Unless you’re going for the beauty/spa theme, another elegant idea would be to hold the shower in the garden. As you know, there’s always something classy about garden events. Make sure that you decorate the garden venue with all things that speak of sophistication. Paper streamers, tea light candles, lace table cloths and orchid flower arrangements can turn any bland yard into a chic bridal shower venue.

Make personalized invitations

Customized invitations give a charming touch to any event. Use a computer editing program to design an elegant invitation for the bridal shower. You can round up the bridesmaids to add some elegant embellishments to the invites like some rhinestone stickers, lace or silk ribbon or pearl trinkets. It’s also a smart move to send out e-vites so you can invite everyone without having to print on a single paper.

Plan the food

When planning the menu for the party, you always need to consider what time you’re having it. If it’s for lunch or dinner, a catered buffet would be apt. If you’re holding it in the afternoon, which is the most common practice of bridal showers, bite-sized desserts are suitable. Make the dessert buffet centerpiece a rich chocolate fountain decorated with raspberries in goblets. As for the drinks, have cocktail drinks to complement the food. Add a coffee and tea bar to add even more elegance to the event.

Do something exciting

An elegant party doesn’t have to be boring. You can still engage in fun games and activities apart from the gift-opening aspect of the bridal shower. First, make a great icebreaker. This is important especially if the guests don’t know each other well. Then go on with games that focus on the bride. For example, a trivia game that finds out which of the guests know the bride the most. The questionnaire can include how the bride and groom met, where their honeymoon is going to be held, what the bride’s favorite food is, and so on.

These are just few of the countless ideas that you can incorporate into your friend’s bridal shower event.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: bridal showers, class and style, Planning, throwing

Delicious Bridal Shower Food Recipes

November 22, 2011 By Maggie Leave a Comment

For many women, a wedding is not a real wedding without a bridal shower. Bridal showers are done to collect gifts for the bride before she finally ties the knot and bid goodbye to being single. Of course, showers are special occasions where the bride spends quality time with her close friends and immediate family members. It is all about having fun and celebrating one of the biggest moments of a person’s life—marriage.

Shower games and activities are important to ensure that the guests, family members and the bride could bond together but more than these, a great bridal shower menu is the key to bring people closer. You have a lot of options when it comes to bridal shower food but of course, the menu will depend on the bride’s choices, with the input of her friends and relatives as well. There are three Ts in planning a bridal shower menu: the theme, the taste and the type of food. Here are some delicious bridal shower food recipes that you could try to serve to your guests.

Spicy Shrimp and Avocado

Ingredients:

1 ripe avocado, pitted and halved

1 tsp. fresh lime juice

Salt

6 slices white bread

2 tsps. Achiote paste

2 tbsps. Olive oil

24 pcs. medium shrimps, peeled and deveined

2 tbsps. sour cream

1 oz. golden fish roe

Fresh cilantro for garnish

Directions:

Place avocado flesh in a food processor. Add lime juice and season with salt. Process until smooth and transfer to a bowl.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and arrange bread slices on a baking sheet. Bake the bread until slightly toasted for 10 to 14 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Over medium heat, add oil and achiote paste on a skillet and cook for 1 minute. Add shrimps and cook until shrimps are pink and cooked through.
Spread 1 tbsp. of avocado puree on each slice of bread. Using a cookie cutter (1 ½ inch round), cut 4 rounds from each bread slice. Top each with a shrimp, sour cream and fish roe. Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.

Baby Greek Salad

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. red wine vinegar

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

2 tbsps. extra virgin olive oil

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

2 baby cucumbers, peeled and cut crosswise (1/4 inch thick)

1 pint cherry tomatoes

1 ½ ounces crumbled feta cheese

1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted, halved or quartered

Directions:

Whisk Dijon mustard and vinegar in a bowl. Add the oil slowly and whisk constantly until the mixture emulsifies. Season this with salt and pepper.
Toss the vegetables and olives into a bowl. Toss with vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper. Divide the salad among twelve three-ounce paper cups and top each cup with feta cheese. Serve immediately.

Roasted Asian Chicken Wings

Ingredients:

5 lbs. chicken wings, wing tips reserved for another use

1 tbsp. Asian essence

1 tsp. salt

2 cups fresh orange juice

½ tsp. ground white pepper

1 cup canned pineapple juice

1 cup sugar

½ cup mirin

½ cup soy sauce

2 tbsps. minced garlic

2 tbsps. orange zest

2 tbsps. minced fresh garlic

2 tbsps. minced green onions

¾ tsp. crushed red pepper

1 tbsp. sesame oil

2 tbsps. sesame seeds

2 tbsps. sliced green onions for garnish

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil with 1-inch sides.
Season the chicken wings with salt, pepper and Asian essence. Make sure to coat each piece well. Lay the seasoned wings on the roasting pan and bake for around 35 minutes until evenly baked and browned.
Combine all the remaining ingredients, except the green onions and sesame seeds, in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally and bring to a boil until sugar is dissolved and the liquid has become syrup. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
Take the wings from the oven and bring down the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
Place the chicken wings in a large heat-proof bowl and drizzled half of the prepared sauce over them. Toss the wings to coat well. Sprinkle the sesame seeds and toss again.
Arrange the coated wings on top of a rack lined with aluminum foil. Return to the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the skin becomes crispy.
Place the wings on a serving platter and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve the remaining sauce as a dip.

Filed Under: Bridal Showers, Tips & Ideas Tagged With: Baby Greek Salad, bridal showers, food recipes, Roasted Asian Chicken Wings, Spicy Shrimp and Avocado

7 Secrets to Hold a Fantastic Engagement Party

November 21, 2011 By Nicole Leave a Comment

If you’re going to tie the knot soon, you already probably feel as if you have knots inside your stomach. Weddings bring bliss as well as jitters. For sure, the anxiety is not coming from the fact that you’re getting married to that person who proposed to you because you know all too well how you’re very much in love with him. Instead, the jitters are due to the stressful preparation not only of the wedding itself but for other things like the engagement party. Since you want everything to be as perfect as possible, these secrets will help you hold one that’s fantastic in every way you can imagine.

Secret # 1 – Keep it easy, simple, and relaxed

This is the rule of the thumb when it comes to engagement parties and yet, not too many brides follow it. If you’re constantly stressed out during the event, running around to attend to every little thing here and there, the guests just wouldn’t enjoy the party. The party should have a relaxed atmosphere, not a tense one. Not to mention, the engagement party doesn’t have to be elaborate or extravagant. You certainly don’t want it competing with the wedding, right?

Secret # 2 – Consult your spouse-to-be

When planning the engagement party, it’s a must to consult your beau about it. Don’t make it a solo endeavor. After all, it’s not just about you but about the two of you. Learn to make compromises with your partner when it comes to decisions. If he doesn’t want to invite too many guests, compromise a number that you’ll both agree with. If he wants to play certain songs that you don’t, give in to at least a few of his choices. Remember, it’s his engagement party too. Now, if you’re not the one who’s organizing but your (or your partner’s) parents, as this is how engagement parties are traditionally done, oversee a little bit of the planning process but be careful not to overtake or be too demanding.

Secret # 3 – Surprise everyone

An engagement party can be a surprise. Instead of telling everyone in the invitation that you and your beau are getting hitched, you can skip that detail and just gather everyone for a party. You’ll absolutely love the look on the guests’ faces when you two break the news that you’re getting married. Don’t forget to capture that moment in photographs. Be sure to delegate photo-taking duties to a reliable family member or friend. Have the person get snapshots of the reactions of your family and friends when you announce the engagement. Parties are always much more fun when there’s an element of surprise.

Secret # 4 – Put in some special touches

Keeping the event simple doesn’t mean you have to make it boring or plain. Add a few special touches to make it more creative and interesting. For example, instead of telling the story about how your partner proposed to you, shoot a movie reenacting the scenes of the proposal. Everyone will surely get a good laugh watching a homemade video with trying-hard actors. Or you can also decorate the walls of the venue with your photos from the first time you met until the recent times that you’ve shared together.

Secret # 5 – Pick a theme

Another wonderful option is for you to hold a themed engagement party and have everything done according to that theme. Choose something that’s close to you and your beau’s heart. For example, if you met in Las Vegas, have a casino themed engagement party. If you’re both environmentalists, have one that’s centered on a green theme.

Secret # 6 – Be careful about who to invite

This is a commonly overlooked tip but you should be really careful about the guest list. See to it that you don’t invite anyone that you’re not going to invite to the wedding. Before the engagement party, double-check the list of invites and then compare it to the wedding guest list to ensure that you don’t make this grave mistake.

Secret # 7 – Have fun

What do we always tell you? It’s a special day! If you’re always anxious about everything, the engagement party won’t be fun or memorable for you. Let your hair down and don’t sweat the small stuff.

All these tips will help you have a nice and exciting engagement party that will be a good precursor to an even nicer wedding.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: announcing the engagement, engagement party, Invitations, photographs, Planning, theme

Break the Old Tradition with a Modern Take on Bridal Veils

June 17, 2010 By Nicole Leave a Comment

Embroidered Border Veil Most people have come to associate the word “bride” to a picture of a woman in a white gown, her face silhouetted by a translucent veil while making her way down the aisle. Wearing a bridal veil goes back as far as the ancient times, and it is steeped in symbolism and tradition.

The Greeks and Romans used it to conceal the bride’s face from her groom until the wedding ceremony. In Europe during the Middle Ages, the veil was believed to protect the bride against curses and evil spirits. Most other cultures have a superstition that it is bad luck for the bride to see herself in full attire until the time of the wedding, thus a veil is necessary to ward off misfortune.

These days however, the veil is no longer just an excuse to conform to tradition. It has become a fashion statement and an essential accessory that completes the overall look of the bride. It adds a touch of romance and formality to the occasion and lends more style and elegance to the wedding dress. It is usually worn over the bride’s face during the formal ceremony. However, in many modern weddings, the veil does not cover the whole face, rather just a portion of the head or even just attached to the back of the head.

Double Border of Satin Ribbon Pearls Veil When choosing the veil, it is necessary to consider the style of the wedding gown, the bride’s hairstyle, and the location of the ceremony and reception. Here are some of the most popular choices of modern brides when it comes to bridal veils.

Birdcage veil

This super chic veil was very famous during the sixties, and now it is making a huge comeback. It is made from tulle or French netting and is often embellished with crystals, feathers, or flowers. Its style is very short, often just covering half of the face. The actual comb of the veil can sit at the back of the head, or to the side for extra drama.

The veil itself can fall just up to the chin, lips, nose, or under the eyes. It can even cover only the forehead! This type of veil will look gorgeous with your hair held up in a half-bun, but it also works well with short hair. It is sure to lend a classy and sophisticated beat to just about any kind of wedding look.

Blusher veil

The blusher is not the actual veil itself but just the shorter layer of the veil that falls over the bride’s face. You can wear it during the wedding procession but it is usually lifted up from the face during or after the ceremony.

Flyaway veil

Unique Wedding Veil This multi-layered veil falls just up to the shoulders to give an unobstructed view of the back of your gown. It is great when you want to show off the details behind your dress. It goes best with an ankle-length gown at a less formal wedding.

Fountain veil

This veil sits at the crown of the head and cascades around your face. It is usually shoulder or elbow length and complements a semi-formal gown.

Whatever kind of wedding veils you decide to have on your wedding, it will surely add more style and personality to your bridal look, as long as you choose wisely. So what is the best part about wearing a veil? Of course, it is the time when it will be lovingly flipped back by your groom, to share your first kiss as husband and wife.

Filed Under: Accessories, Tips & Ideas, Veils Tagged With: Bridal Veils, Wedding Veil

Unique Favor Boxes to Dress Your Reception Tables

June 6, 2010 By Nicole Leave a Comment

Wedding Favor Boxes Do you want something unique for the decoration of your reception? Look no further. What you are looking for may just come in the form of a little favor box that you might have otherwise overlooked.

Unique favor boxes make great adornment to dress up reception tables because they are stunning, affordable, practical, and very easy to use. They come in a wide variety of styles and motifs that will suit most types of wedding themes. They are also not that expensive, and in fact, you would be saving a lot because these items double as wedding favors.

You also won’t have any difficulty in decorating the reception tables with these decorative elements because all you have to do is to arrange them around the table centerpiece, and voila, you have put an extra wonderful touch to the table decoration. Alternatively, you can place them in a tiered stand and they can end up being the spectacular centerpiece.

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Do you want to know more about these fabulous favor boxes?

Here are few of the many options you may want to choose from:

1. Miniature Wooden Box with Lid – exclusive “Tree Design”

This wedding favor box, which comes with an exquisite tree design on its lid, is both eco-friendly and elegant. To add a special touch, you can keep a personal message for your guests inside the box, as well as some delectable treats or a memorable jewelry gift that would remind them of the wonderful event of your wedding day.

2. Miniature Beveled Mirror Box with Lid

Glamour and style can come in one small box such as this miniature beveled mirror box with lid. You can even have it personalized by sticking a personalized sticker on this magnificent favor box. You would really love this type of wedding favor class, as it can surely add class to your big day.

3. Miniature Travel Suitcase Container

Perfect for the travel aficionados, this type of favor box is a versatile miniature suitcase container that can carry anything from candies, small gifts, trinkets, beads, jewelry, bubble gums, shells, chocolates, and all sorts of little items. This is ideal for any type of wedding but is most suitable for destination weddings. Show your love for traveling with this type of wedding favor that would definitely be an eye-candy to most of your guests.

4. Mini Treasure Chest

Having a treasure island beach theme? If so, then there is no better favor box to give away and decorate your tables with than these beautiful mini treasure chests that come with rustic design, a miniature metal latch, a rugged map finish and is constructed with real wood. Inside you can put all sorts of treasures like coins, jewelry, and whatever little item you can think of.

5. Novelty Popcorn Cartons

Whether you are having a Hollywood glam type of wedding or you and your beau just cannot get enough of the flicks, you can use novelty popcorn cartons to add fun and whimsy to your special day. These old-fashioned popcorn boxes come with little rows or heart designs to add some romantic ambiance to your wedding day. You can even use funny and delightful stickers to add some personality to the carton box. You can use the “He popped the question” or “Topped with love” stickers.

Any guests would love these fantastic favor boxes. You and your future spouse would also delight in these wondrous favors boxes that are not only beautiful to use as decorative elements for the tables but are also very practical as they double as wedding favors.

Filed Under: Boxes Bags Holders, Tips & Ideas Tagged With: Unique Favor Boxes, Wedding favors

10 Best Ideas for Wedding Table Centerpieces

May 7, 2010 By Wendy Leave a Comment

centerpiece ideas Wedding table centerpieces are going beyond the basic floral arrangements. Interested in stepping out of that box? Take inspiration from these decorating trends:

1. Go natural

Create a tabletop botanical garden. Hit the local nursery or go online to purchase small potted plants, or if there is time to spare, seedlings. If want to showcase flowers, consider Gerber daisies, tulips, daffodils or orchids in terracotta pots. You can also take the green route with herbs and ferns. Cacti would be perfect for a Mexican or cowboy theme wedding. Another popular option is wheatgrass grown in flat, shallow boxes. The plus side to all this? The plants can double as wedding favors. Just leave a sign next to the centerpiece asking guests to “Please pick one”. Or incorporate a “For you” label on every pot.

2. Dazzle with lights

Make each table shine with a light fixture centerpiece. Use a structural shaded lamp surrounded with flowers at the base (to hide the cords) or centerpiece ideas 2 studded with blooms around the stem for added visual interest. Place metal-framed lanterns to create a rustic appeal. Or go ultrachic with square paper lanterns. Want something more high-tech? LED lights in water-filled vessels will do the trick.

3. Cast a glow

If your venue is dimly lit, a “candlescape” can imbue drama and enchantment to any dinner reception. Combine votives, pillars and tapers on a single table. Consider mounting them on top of a round mirror for a reflective light effect. You can also float candles on stemmed glasses of varying shapes and heights.

4. Submerge them flowers

Aiming for a serene but stunning look? Push in calla lilies or orchids in a tall-enough glass vessel so they appear submerged underwater. For a beach wedding, create an aquarium-like centerpiece by using a rectangular or bowl-shaped container with corals nestled onto a sand base. Budget-wise, this kind of display will cost you less because it requires fewer stems.

5. Break container conventions

Arrange flowers in martini glasses or soup bowls instead of traditional vases. Coffee pot creamers, sugar holders and teacups would be great for country weddings. Pails dressed up as planters suit outdoor receptions. Mix and Square Vase Centerpiece match the containers for aesthetic appeal. You can buy them at thrift stores, flea markets or garage sales.

6. Be Zen-inspired

If you’re a minimalist at heart, go with Zen-inspired centerpieces. One option is a willow or cherry blossom branch display. Leave the stems as is or spray-paint them in silver or gold. Embellish with beads, ribbons, or handmade paper birds and blooms. You may even ask guests to hang tags on which they have written down their well wishes. You can also incorporate bonsai trees, battery-powered water fountains, bamboo, origami creations and mini sandboxes.

7. Pick fruits

Try using fruits as the focal point of your table centerpiece. Their rich colors will surely make for vibrant displays. Lemons, limes or clementines packed in a glass vessel are wonderful for summer outdoor receptions. Clusters of apples, pears and gourds would work with autumn weddings, and pomegranates or cranberries at winter celebrations. To add height to arrangements, leave the fruits on their vines or branches.

8. Satisfy sweet cravings

Sweet treats add a fun and light touch to your table décor. To give guests something to munch on throughout the evening, fill in glassware with your candy of choice. Or create an edible topiary using round chocolate pieces. Another trend is to have cupcakes or smaller versions of the wedding cake arranged on a multi-tier serving tray.

9. Pile up gift boxes

To add a surprising element to your centerpiece, stack up gift boxes atop cake stands. Make sure to pick out boxes of different sizes and have them dressed up with ribbons or flowers. Fill in each with candy, soap, candle or any other goodies you want to give away at your wedding.

10. Create an activity area

If you want to see interaction within each table, consider items that guests can play with. Take your pick from board games, glass chess sets or colorful checkerboards. Surround these with glitter or confetti for a decorative touch. You can also have decks of cards and puzzles personalized with you and your husband-to-be’s photo.

Play with the decorations as much as you want to. Remember you can turn your table centerpiece spectacular and memorable with just a little creativity, resourcefulness and imagination.

Filed Under: Decorations, Tips & Ideas Tagged With: Best Ideas, Wedding Table Centerpieces

Wedding Gift Ideas for the Modern Couple

April 20, 2010 By Nicole Leave a Comment

Bridesmaid Gifts

Before the advent of wedding registry, a newly wedded couple is bound to receive a couple of flower vases, various sets of glassware, and a dozen of photo frames. Oftentimes, they end up giving away these gifts even if they don’t like to do that because they really cannot make use over a dozen of the same item.

Couples today are luckier, not only because the wedding registry makes gift buying a lot easier but also because guests today are more willing to go the extra mile to come up with unique and special gifts that would truly be appreciated by the couple tying the knot. If you are this kind of guest, you would definitely love this practical list of wedding gift ideas for the different kinds of modern couples.

For the artsy-fartsy

Art lovers would love a gift of a painting or a sculpture especially if it is made by their favorite artist. They would also probably adore a portrait of them, which they can hang in their new home. Another great idea is for you to bequeath sophisticated couples with tickets to a ballet performance, an opera or any other similar event.

For the homebodies

Couples who love to stay at home and do home activities like cooking and gardening would love practical kitchen gadgets and garden tools. A DVD player or a set of their favorite DVD movies would also be great gift choices. You can also give them a heart-shaped fondue set that they can use for their home cooking activities.

Compact Mirrors

For the party people

For the party-loving couple, who love to organize and host social events, play items like dartboards, and mini slot machines are unique present ideas. You can also choose to give glassware or beer steins.

For the hopeless romantics

Romantic couples love any item that has to do with love and romance. You can give them DVDs of top romantic movies of all times like Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, Romeo and Juliet, Sleepless in Seattle, Serendipity, Titanic, Jerry Maguire, and When Harry Met Sally, among many others. You can also give them a vacation trip to a romantic destination if money is no object for you. A love letter ceremony box set would be a lesser expensive but just as memorable gift idea.

For the sports fanatics

For the couple who loves to play or watch sports together, the best gift option would be a pair of sports tickets to their favorite game, sports team or player. You can also give them sports equipment for their favorite sports. Like if they are golf aficionados, hand them with a pair of golf clubs with inscriptions of their names for a personal touch.

For the health buffs

Gym equipment, exercise machine, health and fitness magazine subscription, health recipe book—these are just some of the gift items you can consider for a couple who are health buffs.

Stainless Steel Outdoor Torch

For the globe trotters

For couples who love to travel, you would want to give them a Honeymoon Memory Book, along with other travel items like a luggage, a document holder, and a photo book.

Now, if the couple just doesn’t fall under any of this category, you may just as well categorize them as the hard-to-buy couple. For this type of couple, great gift ideas include anything that come in a personalized pair like the Mr. and Mrs. Bathrobe or the Mr. and Mrs. Towels. Just let your imagination fly, and you would surely find a gift that would leave a lasting impression.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: Gifts, Wedding Gift Ideas, wedding registry

How to Coordinate Wedding Flowers with Spectacular Centerpieces

March 8, 2010 By Harmony Leave a Comment

Wedding centerpiece with flowers Coordination is key when it comes to planning weddings. With all the different elements such as gown, flowers, and reception, you’ll want to make sure that each element enhances the other. Flowers are the most common and popular type of centerpieces at wedding receptions. Matching your wedding flowers with your centerpiece not only makes sense, it will also add harmony to your wedding. If you would like to match your wedding flowers with spectacular centerpieces, read on for some cool tips.

Buy in bulk
Choose your favorite flower and decide which colors to use in your wedding. Remember to match your flowers to your wedding theme, if you have one. Once you’ve made your decision, buy in bulk. This way, you’ll get a better deal from the florist. You should also ask about the blooming period of your chosen flowers. Some flowers may need to be bought and delivered a few days before the ceremony in order to be in perfect full bloom for your wedding. If your chosen flowers have a strong scent, think twice before adding these to centerpieces. The strong odors may clash with the food.

Be consistent
To match your wedding flowers and your centerpiece, use the same flowers in decorating the church, the bridal bouquet, and the centerpieces. Be sure to choose a versatile flower that will look good in many different arrangements.

Be creative
You can move beyond exact flower matches and choose different colors of the same type of flower for church decorations, the bridal bouquet, and the centerpieces. You can also opt for different flowers in the same color palette. Still another alternative is to choose flowers by theme, such as spring, English garden, or tropical. If you want to use the same flowers for your wedding decorations and centerpieces, experiment with creative containers. Outdoor adventurers might use miniature lanterns instead of vases.

Add other elements
Avoid overwhelming guests with flowers by adding other elements to your centerpieces, such as fruit or candles. Make sure that your chosen items will complement and enhance the flowers, not overpower them. You can also opt for a personal touch and use copies of cherished pictures or other mementos along with your chosen flowers in your centerpieces.

Hang it up
Instead of putting your flower centerpieces on the table, why not hang these above the table? Dangling flowers will be a creative and unexpected touch that will be sure to wow your guests.

Use flowers for numbers
One fun way to coordinate your wedding flowers with your centerpieces is to use flowers instead of table numbers. Use a different type of flower for each table. Make sure that the flower is easily recognizable to most people.

Incorporate your wedding favors
Your flowers can do double duty as centerpieces and wedding favors. Once you have matched your wedding flowers to your centerpiece, arrange bunches of a single type of flower as your centerpiece. Engrave the vases with the newlyweds’ initials or a special message. Request guests to take a vase of flowers home as a wedding favor.

Go silk.
If your budget can’t accommodate a lot of fresh flowers, you can use fresh flowers only in your bouquet and buy or rent matching silk flowers to decorate the church and use as centerpieces. You can also scour garage sales for old vases that fit your wedding theme. Centerpieces don’t have to be large and costly. A single flower with greenery in a simple vase is elegant and affordable.

Coordinating your wedding flowers to your centerpieces will ensure a complementary wedding that will leave a sweet scent in the minds of your guests.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: Wedding Centerpieces, wedding flowers

Wedding Favor Ideas for your Spring Wedding

February 22, 2010 By Stephanie Leave a Comment

Candle Wedding Favors What do people love about the spring? Is it the warm temperature, the fresh ambiance, the blossoming flowers, or the fact that so many couples tie the knot during this season? The answer may just be all of the above.

Spring weddings have always been a favorite of many couples and wedding experts. The vibrancy and freshness of the season is a great complement to the celebration of love and union. For couples getting married this spring, check out these wonderful wedding favor ideas that would surely make people feel that love has truly bloomed between the two of you.

Organza Drawstring Bags with Decorative Bow

One look at these favors and you would instantly say wow. The shimmer of the organza and the whimsy of the miniature drawstring pouches give a classic and yet fun look for the wedding favors. Inside, you can put in little treasures like candies, trinkets, beads, shells, flower petals, flower seeds, jewelry or any other small item that can really express your sincere gratitude to your guests. Guests would surely adore the fact that these items can be used even after the wedding, as these are both practical and fashionable.

Botanical Garden Votive Candle Holders

You can’t have a spring wedding without these beautiful pieces of botanical votive candle holders! These decorative glass holders come with visually appealing botanical design made extra special with the application of green flocking. They can be perfect as favor and decoration for a garden wedding or even an indoor celebration. They can be used to hold not only candles but other decorative elements like flowers as well. Be sure to add in a note that says, “Take me home” so guests would know that these decors are also wedding favors.

Hand Painted Butterflies

The intricacy and detail of these favors are the first things that would catch the guest’s attention. They can add color, appeal, and natural sophistication to your wedding favor. Not only that, you can also add them to the table decoration for a spectacular effect.

Miniature Metal Watering Cans

Fun and whimsical—these are what these galvanized miniature watering cans are all about. You can fill them up with flowers, gardening tools, foliage, or whatever element that can remind guests of your elegant and wonderful spring wedding celebration.

With these options in line, it may be easier for you to pick your choice. However, don’t be limited to these, as there are other more options to choose from. Be sure to incorporate your personal style, taste, and preference, and those of your beau’s when picking favors for your spring wedding.

It would also be a great idea to include different kinds of wedding favors and not to limit yourself in giving away only one type. For example, for the entourage, you can opt to hand out mini flower pots, for the little kids you can give away flower magnets, and for the family, you can give them hand painted butterfly boxes containing precious jewelry. Whatever way you go for, you can be sure that these gifts would be surely be loved and appreciated by your guests.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas, Wedding Favours Tagged With: Botanical Garden Votive Candle Holders, Hand Painted Butterflies, Miniature Metal Watering Cans, Organza Drawstring Bags, spring wedding, Wedding Favor Ideas

50 Ideas to Consider when Shopping for Wedding Favors

February 10, 2010 By Stephanie Leave a Comment

Cheers To A Great Combination

Shopping is always a fun activity. However, if you are going to shop for your wedding, there is some additional pressure because you want to see to it that every item you buy would contribute to the success of the wedding. Even the wedding favors, you want to get the perfect ones. These 50 fabulous ideas will help you with this matter.

1. Choose favors that serve multiple purpose

Mini flower pots that double as table centerpiece are always a hit!

2. Why not do it yourself?

DIY favor projects give you the opportunity to express your talent and creativity. You get to save a lot of money too!

3. Yummy sweet treats for the sweet tooth

Who does not love chocolates and candy bars? For once, forget about your diet and celebrate with these delectable wedding favors!

4. Go wild with the favor boxes

Even the simplest kinds of wedding favors can be spiced up with the use of decorative favor boxes that are truly wonderful and adorable.

5. Save the earth!

Go for eco-friendly items such as the eco-friendly bamboo ballpoint pen with inscription, “Be green, just write,” eco folding multi-use tote made of natural cotton, and eco mini drawstring bag made of 100% organic cotton.

6. Soaps and bath salts, anyone?

Soaps and bath salts are great wedding favors because everyone takes a bath, right? Not to mention, these favors smell great too.

7. Intricate designs for visual appeal

The laser carved glass snowflake tea light holders creates a beautiful glow with its laser carved details

8. Practical and functional favors

Bottle openers, wine openers, tool kits—these are just few of the many items that can be used in people’s everyday lives.

9. Classic and timeless items

Photo frames and candles—these wedding favors never get old!

10. Theme, theme, and theme!

Nautical favors for a beach wedding, a fancy Cinderella wedding carriage candle for a fairy tale wedding. The important thing here is to match the theme of the event.

11. Personalize it

Give more meaning to the gift by scribbling some personal message.

12. Shop the cyber way

Shop online and get your hands on some of the most beautiful wedding favors ever created!

13. Miniature versions of everyday items

Miniature travel suitcase containers and miniature tote bags are great and cute wedding giveaways.

14. The bargain hunt

Shop at bargain or discount wedding stores to save money.

15. Who does not love love birds?

Give away mini love bird house as a way of saying thank you to guests.

16. Fancy playful items

Receiving mini slot machines would make you feel like you hit the jackpot!

17. Adorn the favor with special ribbons and bows

Use these items to make even the simplest wedding favors beautiful and elegant.

18. Musical CD collection

Buy blank CDs and then ask your techie brother to burn some music CDs for the favors

19. Go regional

Asian themed wedding favors would complement an Asian themed wedding event.

20. Some word of advice

Get ideas, tips and advice from family and friends

21. Something for luck

Horseshoes and miniature “good luck” wooden elephants would be appreciated by anyone who can use some extra luck.

22. Feed your fantasy

Fantasy favors perfect for a fairy tale themed wedding are great ideas too.

23. Beachy, beachy

Tropical flip flop candles and nautical sailboats are wonderful options even if you are not going to have a beach wedding.

24. Artsy and craftsy

Poster colors or mini craft punches—whatever your choice is, any artsy farsty would surely love these items.

25. Go creative with the favor cards

Match with the theme or make your own!

26. Personalized ribbons with an attitude

Use personalized ribbons to make the wedding favors more stunning.

27. Silver items for elegance

Silver-plated bottle or wine openers truly spell class and elegance.

28. Wines and spirits

Give away mini wine bottles.

29. Color code it!

Instead of giving away the same item for everyone, why not give away different kinds of wedding favors that carry the same color?

30. Customized candy bar wrappers

If you are going to give away chocolate bars, cover them up with fantastic custom covers.

31. Suitability

Choose appropriate wedding favors that are suitable for the theme of the wedding and the majority of the guests attending your event.

32. Soft and fluffy

Cotton items and mini pillows are soft, fluffy, and wonderful wedding favors

33. Child’s play

Give away mini children toys that any kid at heart would love and enjoy.

34. Garden items

Flower seed packets and garden tools are also excellent choices.

35. Romance is in the air

Give wedding favors that echo your love and devotion for each other.

36. Aromatherapy

Any guest would love a gift of aromatherapy candles, essential oils or incense.

37. A hole in one!

Golf related wedding favors are perfect for golf weddings and for golf fanatic couples.

38. Big and grand

Wedding favors are usually small items but if you want to make a statement, you can try going for medium or large sized wedding favors if you have enough budget for it.

39. Love quotes

Include some love quotes on the wedding favor.

40. Sticker happy

Instead of using favor tags, you can use stickers for the wedding favors.

41. Monogram glam

It has become a trend to include the couple’s initials in invites and wedding favors instead of their complete names.

42. Handmade paper

Go rustic by using handmade paper to wrap the favor, add pressed flowers and dried leaves for an added spectacular touch.

43. Rainbow colors

Choose wedding flavors that come in a myriad of bright colors so that they can also be used as decoration for the venue.

44. Clear glasses filled with trinkets

Fill up clear glasses or small vases with trinkets like candies, shells, crystals, or any other small items. Then wrap the clear glass with ribbon.

45. Ready, set, go!

Items for people who are always on the go are ideal in this modern fast paced society of today.

46. Go out of the box

Lollipops, mints, and salt and pepper jars are not typical wedding favors but guests would delight at the fun and novelty of these items.

47. Sew it

Buy wedding favors online and make it extra special by sewing a cloth packet as its container.

48. The font

Use stylized or handwritten fonts for the wedding favor cards.

49. Discount alert

Watch out for discount sales and get excellent deals from wedding favor suppliers.

50. Know who to trust

If buying online, make sure you go for a reliable and trustworthy store that can provide a secure system for online transactions, good quality products and excellent service.

Keep these tips and ideas in mind for a wonderful wedding favor shopping activity!

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas, Wedding Favours Tagged With: Bargain, Beach Wedding, Candles, candy bar wrappers, Destination Weddings, eco-friendly favors, favor boxes, Favor Cards, Golf, Ideas, Musical CD collection, Personalized Ribbons, Practical, Shopping, theme

How to Get Your Family and Friends Involved With Your Wedding Preparations

October 19, 2009 By Nicole Leave a Comment

If you are a superbride, it is most likely that you would want to do everything by yourself. However, because you are smart enough, you know that an entire wedding preparation is a feat impossible to be conquered by one person. For special occasions like weddings, there is no better else to help you than the people you love most—your family and friends.

The idea definitely sounds terrific. But before you rush to call your brother to join you in shopping for a wedding gown, you also have to know that involving family and friends in wedding preparation can be quite of a challenge. There are several things you have to know about this process so you do not end up offending someone or burning bridges with a certain person. Here are some tips regarding this matter that you would find very useful for your upcoming wedding.

1. Give everyone a role he or she will love. Make a checklist of all the tasks you need help with and list all the people whom you think will be suitable for the job. Make sure you consider the person’s personality, taste, style, skills, experience, and hobbies.

For example, for your gardener sister, you would want her to assist you in choosing flowers. Your brother who is fond of sports cars would probably love choosing the right wedding car with you. It would be best to appoint your fashionista best friend the task of shopping for (or designing) the bridesmaid’s dresses.

2. Involve both families in the wedding preparation. Always remember that this wedding is not just about you but it about you and your spouse-to-be. Therefore, you should never forget that the groom’s family should also be involved with the preparation.

If just in case you feel that some family members are being overly engrossed with planning (or in other words, nosy!), you can put him or her in charge of something that you do not care much about. For example, if you do not give much importance to the guestbook, you can ask this family member to take care of it. See, you can make solutions to such problems without offending anybody.

3. Delegate the tasks efficiently. Aside from considering the personality, skills, and taste of a certain family member or friend, you should also take into account the working attitude of that person. Never give difficult or very important tasks to people who lack responsibility. If your cousin is known for being a latecomer, do not risk ruining the event by letting her keep the CDs for the processional music.

4. Make the preparation fun. Keep in mind that these are your family and friends, they are not your slaves. See to it that you make the whole thing a fun experience for them so that they will not feel like it is a chore to help you. Schedule meetings in restaurants or coffee shops, keep it light and funny, and do not sweat the small stuff. In short, do not be a bridezilla!

5. Give them a thank you gift afterwards. This is very important. Your family and friends put much effort into making the event special and memorable. Do not forget to give them some token of appreciation at the end of the affair. By all means, say thanks to them in your thank you speech (if ever you are giving one) and make special mention to people who played major roles in the preparation and organization of your wedding.

Wedding is one of the most significant milestones in any person’s life. And because your family and friends are some of the most important people to you, you would want them to be a part of this once in a lifetime celebration. Make sure you get them involved but without giving them too much trouble.

Source: Wendy L. Bishop is an expert writer on the topics of weddings and a contributor to MyDreamWedding.ca

Filed Under: Plan The Wedding, Tips & Ideas Tagged With: Family and Friends, get involved, help, involvement, Wedding Preparations

Shopping Guide for Plus-Sized Brides

October 17, 2009 By Stephanie Leave a Comment

BEACH BRIDE

By Angela White

Our society had put so much stress on being thin that it was difficult (sometimes frustrating) for plus-sized women to shop for a wedding gown. Too small samples, unfriendly sales staff, and lack of options were just few of the many problems of a plus-sized bride. It is as if they are saying that only thin brides can get married!

The good news is, times have gone into the opposite direction and many people have realized that plus-sized brides can be just as beautiful (often even more beautiful) than thin brides. More and more stores are offering plus-sized wedding gowns as well as expert fashion advice regarding this matter. Below is a practical shopping guide that can be of great help for a blushing plus-sized bride.

Your Shape and Body Type

First thing you need to do is to determine your shape and body figure. Then it would be easier for you to find a wedding gown that will be most flattering for your body type. A-line shaped dresses are best for curvier figures and for pear shaped body types. This type can skim over the hips, highlight the top half of the body without focusing too much on the lower half. Stay away from ball gown skirts as this can make you look fuller.

V-neckline is great for a busty bride because it adds a contrasting line to deviate the emphasis on the chest area. Princess cut dresses with a-line shape and no seam at the waist can give a long flowing look that is suitable for curvy figures. Tank style dresses are great with cap sleeves or three-quarter sleeves. Brides can also use netting or tulle to cover the chest area when wearing strapless gowns.

A Wedding Needs To Be Fun

Where to Shop

Many brick and mortar shops now offer plus-sized bridal gowns. Alternatively, you can go online and browse through different online bridal shops that offer equally beautiful and stunning wedding gowns for the plus-sized bride. Just make sure that if you are going to shop online, you find a reputable and secure store that has excellent track record.

Tailor Made

Getting your wedding gown tailor made may be the best option if you are a plus-sized bride. This is because you can customize the design to your own liking and you can ensure a perfect fit. Just find a reliable tailor or seamstress who specializes in plus-sized bridal dresses.

Fabric

Choose fabrics that do not add too much weight and bulk on the gown. Avoid those that cling to the body. Suitable fabrics for plus-sized brides include charmeuse, chiffon, and crepe because they can be effective in disguising chubbiness.

The most important tip of all, wear the gown with confidence. Even if you are wearing the most beautiful gown, if you cannot move, act with ease, or you keep on tugging on your dress, it would still not look beautiful. Be comfortable and act like you are the most beautiful woman in the world. After all, it is your wedding, you are the center of attention, and it is your time to shine.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: Fabric, Plus-Sized Brides, Shape and Body Type, Shopping Guide, Tailor Made, Where to Shop

Best Wedding Flowers for your Autumn Wedding

September 22, 2009 By Jennifer Leave a Comment

PINK ORCHID

The wedding season of autumn is best known for its rich colors and striking contrasts that are complementary to what the season generally looks like. It is the same thing for flowers. Golden yellow, orange, and deep red are just some of the major choices. Bold colored flowers such as gerberas and pinks are very popular.

If you are getting married this fall and you want to get to know your choices on the best wedding flowers, here are some to help you get started:

Gerbera

Perfect for dramatic and contemporary bouquets, gerbera is one of the most popular choices for autumn wedding flowers. With its wide array of over a hundred of shades and colors to choose from, it will not be difficult to decorate your wedding with this wonderful bloom.

DAHLIA

Dahlias

These flowers that come with multiple petals in vibrant yellow and red shades can be a wonderful addition to your wedding as table centerpieces or floral arrangements for the altar decoration.

Delphinium

The usual color of delphinium is blue but this flower also comes in pink and lilac. Delphiniums are brilliant to use during the wedding reception to add height to table arrangements and to create dramatic touch to the whole event.

Bird of Paradise

The bird of paradise is an exotic flower that has a green beak, orange and blue crest, and green leaves with a touch of silver. This flower is ideal to use for destination weddings, tropical themed weddings or for decorating contemporary tables.

Bouvardia

Bouvardias are loose clusters of starlet flowers that are tubular in shape and have a faint sweet scent. These flowers are mostly used for creating stylish buttonholes.

Pink

When you think of this flower, you would obviously think that it only comes in the color pink. However, pinks are also available in very light shades of pink to reddish hues. You can use these flowers for making beautiful round flower arrangements for the altar or for the bridal bouquet.

HYDRANGEA

Hydrangea

Another popular flower for the fall is the hydrangea, which has full blooms that come in gorgeous pastel shades such as soft white, pink, lilac and light blue. This is suitable for creating flower table centerpieces, pedestal floral arrangements or for the bridal bouquet.

Rose

This flower is not often associated with the season of autumn. However, roses in deep burgundy or yellowish hues can add grace and beauty to your fall wedding.

Chrysanthemums

These flowers are available all year round but they actually grow during the season of fall. Chrysanthemums, which come in a variety of sizes and colors, can be used as fillers for floral arrangements on table centerpieces, as decoration for wedding arch, and for the bouquet of the bride.

Orchid

The list of best wedding flowers will not be complete without the exotic and beautiful orchids that are a major staple in many weddings. Although a bit pricey, many couples prefer to add orchids to their wedding because of the exquisite touch it can provide the event. Orchids in either white or bright pink are stunning for modern table centerpieces, and bouquets of the autumn bride.

Picking the right flowers to decorate your wedding or to use in the bridal bouquet should take sufficient time since flowers are some of the most important aspects of the wedding decoration.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas, Wedding Reception Themes Tagged With: autumn, Bird of Paradise, Bouvardia, Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, Delphinium, Gerbera, Hydrangea, wedding flowers

Weight Loss Strategies for the Bride-to-be

September 20, 2009 By Wendy Leave a Comment

Weight Loss

No doubt you want to look your absolute best on your wedding day. It is, after all, a day that will be captured in pictures for you and your family to pour over years after the big event. Nobody wants to look back at their wedding and wish they had been in better shape. The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to lose weight for your wedding without sacrificing all of your time and money for special diets. Here are some weight loss tips that can help turn both the bride and groom into a va va voom couple.

Start Early

Typically the happy couple plans their wedding to take place at least several months from the date of engagement. This works in your favor if you begin your weight loss journey right away. Let’s say you have 6 months before your wedding. Average weight loss is about 2 pounds a week, which translates into a whopping 48 pound weight loss before your big day. When you look at the baby steps and the reward for taking them, it’s totally worth the little bit of effort it takes to watch what you eat.

Go Shopping

Of course the months leading up to your wedding are filled with shopping; but this is about your weight, which means you need to go grocery shopping. Not just go grocery shopping, but actually change the way you go about buying food. To lose weight, stop shopping in the middle aisles of the grocery store. Swap frozen or boxed dinners for fresh foods that will fuel you and help you burn pounds of fat consistently.

Scared of the preparation it takes to make healthy food? Don’t be! A little bit of preparation is good for the new couple, as it gives you something new to do together. At the beginning of each week, cook up a few pounds of skinless chicken breast, cut it up and place it in an airtight container in the fridge. Stock up on the veggies that you like the most (hopefully some green ones) and you’ll have slimming meals ready in just minutes.

One last tip on diet: Lose the soda, lose the weight.

Take a Hike

Of course a big part of losing weight for your wedding, or any other occasion is getting out of the house for exercise. As with preparing meals together, exercise offers another opportunity to spend time together as a couple. And you know what they say: the couple that sweats together…well, sweats together. We’ll just leave it at that.

When it comes to exercising as a couple, there are so many options you could choose from. Even during the busy wedding prep stage, you can carve out 45 minutes to an hour a day to get your heart pumping. Take a bike ride, a jog, or a brisk hike. Hiking is a great weight loss exercise because it is fun as well as somewhat difficult. You not only burn calories, but also work muscles at the same time.

With just these few tips, you can be well on your way to the ideal shape for your wedding day and improve your overall health in the process.

Source: Wendy L. Bishop is a contributor to MyDreamWedding.ca and has a strong passion to help brides with their wedding planning needs and above all, keeping them up-to-date with trends and news in the wedding industry.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: brides, wedding, Weight Loss

Do’s And Don’ts For Mother of the Bride Outfits

September 17, 2009 By Kyla Leave a Comment

dreamstime_7009054 Whether you are reading this as the Bride or the Mother of the Bride, this article will steer you in the right direction of how the Mother of the Bride can look her best on the special day. While funny stories have floated around of Mother of the Bride dresses being very close in style to the Brides dress; or even the Mother of the Bride showing up dressed in black, these such stories are not one’s you want to find yourself telling. Following certain Mother of the Bride Dress tips will help Mother and Daughter both look and feel beautiful at the same time.

First of all, DO make sure that you stick within your budget for your Mother of the Bride dress. At a time like this momentous occasion, it is no doubt tempting to pick the one dress that stand out, without taking into account the cost. However, this is a dress you will wear but once. Going into debt for it could be regrettable.

DO choose a dress that compliments the overall theme of the wedding. This means that if the bride and groom have chosen to hold their ceremony on the beach in Maui, dressed casually and wearing flip flops, the Mother of the Bride would be remiss were she to choose a formal gown full of beads and high heels that stick into the sand. In addition to matching formality, colors should be taken into account. The Mother of the Bride should not get attached to any dress until the bride has decided upon color for the bridesmaid’s dresses and so forth.

DON’T choose a Mother of the Bride dress that matches the color of bridesmaid’s dresses exactly. The Mother of the Bride dress should stand out without competing with the dress of the bride. The color should compliment, not match.

DON’T wait until the last minute to look for a dress, thinking it will be an easy task. Giving yourself several months to look around, order the dress, and go through alterations will result in a stress free wedding day. Each step in the process could take weeks, so the earlier you begin looking for the perfect dress, the better.

DON’T diet after you have chosen your Mother of the Bride dress and had it altered! If you plan to diet for the big day, do it and alter the dress the month before the wedding. And then work to just maintain the weight you are at that point, or the dress will not fit right. As the Mother of the Bride, all eyes will be on you throughout the day of the wedding, so you want to look your best.

DO choose the proper accessories for your Mother of the Bride dress. Jewelry can perfectly accentuate the dress you have chosen, or completely detract from it. The items that you choose to wear as the Mother of the Bride will show off your keen fashion sense and make your daughter proud. Look through bridal magazines to find current styles if unsure what to wear. While you may have classic jewelry that has been passed down from the women in your family, those items may not match your dress or the occasion.

As Mother of the Bride, you can stand out all day long by following these simple tips on how to be the Best Dressed Mother of the Bride!

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: mother of the bride, outfits

A Wedding Shopping Guide for the Frugal Bride

September 16, 2009 By Wendy Leave a Comment

dreamstime_10743040 Tough times call for practicality. While many brides aspire to have an extravagant wedding that would be the talk of the whole town, many also know that the economic difficulties of today require people to be a little tightfisted when it comes to expenses like weddings. After all, no bride in her right mind would wish to spend her life savings on this one big event and then have nothing left to start her new life together with her husband.

Since shopping is one of the things that eat up most of the wedding budget, it pays to have smart and cost-effective shopping tactics that will not leave your pocket empty. Here are some excellent shopping techniques for the frugal bride.

Have a Positive Mindset

Before you go out shopping, have a positive mindset about saving money. Remember that you are doing this because you are being smart and practical. Never think that wearing an inexpensive dress or jewelry would mean that you are less valuable. As additional motivation, think about things that are more important that you can buy with the money that you save—down payment for a house, installment payment for a car, honeymoon, or a new dining set.

Commit to your Budget

With the right perspective on shopping for your wedding, the next step would be to make a list of all the things that you need to buy and then make a budget for each of these expenses. This way, you will have a clear overview of how much you are allowed to spend on each item. When you go shopping, take this list with you including the budget allocation, and always resist the temptation to overspend.

Keep your Eyes Peeled

Look for cost-saver venues for shopping for your wedding dress and other wedding items. You can find less expensive dresses in department stores, second hand shops, vintage stores, factory outlets, and thrift stores. You can also check out the bridesmaids section and you will be surprised at how lovely the dresses in this area can be. If you see something that you like, order it in white or ecru. Bridesmaids gown carry a much smaller price tag than a regular bridal gown.

Be on Guard around Salespeople

When you go shopping, you do not have to believe everything that the salesperson is telling you. Listen to your gut feel or better yet, bring a shopping buddy whose opinions you can absolutely trust like your mom or best friend. A salesperson would tell you everything you want to hear just to make you spend more than you should. (You may hear, “You look so fabulous in that dress!” even if you see your stomach bulging in front.)

Go Cyber-Shopping

Online, you will find many great deals on wedding dresses and accessories. For one, you can check out EBay or Craigslist. You can also browse through the hundreds of online stores that sell different kinds of wedding items and dresses.

These brilliant shopping tips will help you find the things that you need without having to stress your wallet too much.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: wedding shopping guide

Wedding Guide For The Encore Bride

September 14, 2009 By Kyla 1 Comment

dreamstime_4306168 Love deserves to be celebrated no matter how it is found. For those who have been married before, the thought of their second wedding brings just as much excitement and anticipation as did their previous wedding, if not more! If you are an encore bride, don’t hesitate to plan the wedding of your dreams. The idea that a second wedding should be small and informal is a thing of the past. Your friends and family will be more than happy to join in your celebration.

Those who are getting married for the second time may have children involved in their relationship. In such instances, it is important that the children be the first to be told o your intentions to remarry. The conversation with children should be handled delicately, as this experience can be one that causes some stress for young ones. They need to have the understanding that joining your lives with your soon-to-be spouse will be a good thing for them.

Not sure about registering? Guess what; it’s a must! There will be people who want to give gifts and they will need guidance to know what to buy. If you are joining households and don’t need much, be creative and register for a honeymoon or family vacation. Register for donations to a charitable organization or non-profit, or something else that is out of the box. Family and friends will appreciate your innovative thinking if you choose not to register for things you need or feel good about vs. registering for items you simply don’t need.

A second wedding can be held in any way a fist wedding is held, just not using the same dress or held in the same location; be original. There is no clear rule that says second weddings must be civil ceremonies, so that means if your preference is to have your encore wedding at your church, you can do it! Having your second wedding ceremony in the church simply requires that you speak with your clergyman about your desires and inquire about any special tasks you may need to go through before they will perform a wedding. Some churches like couples to go through pre-marital counseling before they are married in the church. This certainly couldn’t be anything but beneficial to any new marriage.

The actual ceremony of the encore bride can be wonderfully free of traditions. A second wedding ceremony can be formal or informal, can have a wedding party or just you and your beaming groom at the alter. If children are involved, they can walk down the aisle with you, or stand with you at the alter. When it comes to who walks the encore bride down the aisle, the answer is whomever she chooses. At a second wedding, the bride may walk down the aisle on her own, with her groom, her mother, sibling or best friend. Whatever makes you the most happy on your second wedding day is what you get to do.

After your ceremony, you can choose to send out wedding announcements to those who were not invited to your nuptials. The wedding announcement is a simple statement such as the following:

Jane Marie Doe
and
John Stephen Doe
announce their marriage
Date, location

A second wedding is a joyous occasion that is worthy of the type of celebration that makes the bride and groom happy. Creating a special day brings you and your new families closer together, and starts your marriage off on a high note. All you have to do from here is keep the good times rolling.

Filed Under: Plan The Wedding, Tips & Ideas Tagged With: encore bride, Planning

Great Ways To Dress A Bride’s Short Hair

September 12, 2009 By Jennifer Leave a Comment

brides-short hair Pull out any bridal magazine and you will find image after image of glowing brides in dresses of all shapes and sizes…and hair that is either cascading down past the shoulders or neatly pinned up. The overwhelming idea is that brides should have long hair. With most images portraying such style, what is the short haired bride to do?

Even the bride with short hair can find stylish ways to wear her hair for her special day. You have short hair because that’s what suits you; your personality and unique style are all wrapped together with a short hairstyle. For your wedding day, don’t fall victim to temptation or prodding from a lazy hairdresser to add extensions to your already gorgeous hair. Keep your own sense of style and simply dress your short bridal hair up to match the style of your wedding dress.

Depending on how short your hair is, you have the option to curl it loosely and place some glitz into it, or even make your short wedding hair look like an updo. To create an updo look, the key is to work with dirty hair. That’s right! Dirty hair will be easier to work with, and because you will add so much product to your updo-style hair, it really doesn’t need to be clean anyway.

Adding a light wax or sculpting cream to your short hair, work it back behind the ears and hold loose hairs behind the ears with a bobby pin. Create volume through the crown by back brushing hair just a bit, and soften the look by curling the hair around the crown away from the face. Using your hands, coated lightly with a shine spray, work through the curls to create a swept-back design. Spray with extra hold spray that will allow you to dance the night away without losing control of your short wedding style.

Hair that is chin to shoulder length can be accentuated with soft curls facing away from the face. To dress up this look even more, add a few flowers throughout the style, pinned on with bobby pins. If you’re not the flower type, barrettes or clips with bling to match your dress can do the job as well.

A professional may be able to work braids into even short hair, creating a beautiful line that can be accentuated with flowers or gems. Seeking the advice of a professional to find the right wedding do for your short hair is highly recommended, just remember to keep your originality! You don’t want to be some watered down version of yourself for your wedding day, you want to be authentic; and your short hair is a large part of your personal style.

Depending on the tone of your wedding and your dress, your short hair can be designed in any number of ways for your special day. From soft curls to a faux-updo to slicked back with side-swept bangs to soften the look, your wedding hair will look beautiful with just a bit of planning.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: bridal hair, short hair

Hello There Grooms… read this: “Funny Things That Brides Do”

September 8, 2009 By Nicole Leave a Comment

funnybrides Author: Angela White

Grooms treasure wedding events but not as much as brides do. For brides, this is the event of their lifetime, the event that they have been dreaming of since they were nothing but little flower girls pretending to be blushing brides.

This is probably the reason why brides end up doing many funny things before, during, and even after the wedding. They want the event to be perfect and flawless to the point where they wind up doing funny, crazy, and strange things that would make them and their husbands holler in laughter a few years later.

Here are the top funny things that brides do.

1. The bride cries over the smallest things
It is understandable that the bride becomes sensitive during the whole period of wedding preparation, and more sensitive during the event itself. However, it can really be quite funny when some brides cry over the smallest things that are not even touching to begin with. Like when a bride sobs upon seeing a white flower because it reminds her of her wedding gown or how a bride spills tears upon hearing a song that is not even a romantic one just because it merely mentioned the word, “wedding.”

2. The bride does weird things because she is nervous
During the wedding event, you will find some brides extremely nervous and anxious. Some brides do weird hand gestures while talking to guests. Some tell weird jokes that are not funny at all. Some talk about strange stories that nobody wants to hear. All of these odd antics unconsciously happen because a bride wants to pacify the anxiety boiling inside her.

3. The bride turns into a bridezilla
Have you ever seen an obsessive woman in a white gown bossing around her bridesmaids, insulting family and relatives, and going ballistic with the florist or the wedding planner? You surely vowed never to become this kind of bride but when you are on the shoes of the bride and you feel the tension going around you, there is still that possibility of turning into a bridezilla.

While being a bridezilla is not really funny to most people especially to those that become the target of the bride’s wrath, it still belongs to this list because several years after the event, you can really laugh about how monstrous you have become during the wedding. Of course, it is best to avoid becoming one as much as possible.

4. The bride becomes too intoxicated with alcohol
It is normal to see brides drinking before the wedding event or during the reception to calm their nerves. However, this usually backfires when the bride winds up doing embarrassing things because of intoxication like dropping the bouquet, tripping over the gown, or falling off the stairs.

5. The bride eats too much chocolate cake
Some brides tend to eat too much when their nervous and when it is time to smile for the photograph, it would seem like a tooth is missing on your usually perfect row of white pearls.

6. The bride comes up with strange ideas for the wedding
In the desire to come up with a unique and memorable event, a bride sometimes ends up including strange ideas for the wedding like wearing a huge hat that is more funny than elegant or making the groomsmen wear electric blue suits that make them look like aliens from outer space.

If you are going to be a bride anytime soon, it would be a good idea to keep these things in mind so you have an idea of the things that you should stay away from. This can help you avoid doing things that you would regret.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas

Fall Theme Wedding Ideas & Trends

September 8, 2009 By Stephanie Leave a Comment

bronze Many couples choose a fall theme wedding because of the cool air, magnificent colors and outstanding autumn atmosphere. Both elegant and memorable, autumn theme weddings can feature a variety of unique ideas.

Incorporate the deep hues of brown, red, orange, bronze, gold and beige into every aspect of your fall wedding. A romantic, sophisticated or rustic mood can be created using this warm fall colors. You also have the options of selecting gown in a variety of colors with either long or short sleeves.

Autumn flowers add to the mood of your fall wedding. Include favorites such as dahlias, spider mums, chrysanthemums, sunflowers, heather, wheat and sprigs of berries in your bouquets and on the tables. Decorate with colorful garland and include vanilla scented candles or potpourri at each table.

Decorating in bronze add to the elegance of your fall theme wedding. Both bronze and copper are ideal metallic accents for fall weddings, inspiring thoughts of copper kettles, fireplace décor and frolicking in fall leaves. Fill small bronze colored buckets with potpourri as favors for your guests. Fill copper kettles with dried fall flowers as centerpieces for your tables. Scatter silk fall leaves around your guest book table for an authentic autumn feel.

A Halloween fall theme wedding is another exciting idea. You can use a simple Halloween theme by using mini jack-o-lanterns on the tables and pumpkin scented tea lights. Decorate your wedding cake with orange, yellow and brown. If you prefer a full-fledged Halloween theme, invite all your guests to come in costume. This is a great way to include the kids in your wedding day. Bob for apples and give out trick or treat bags filled with gourmet jellybeans and prestige chocolates as wedding favors.

A traditional harvest theme is also a great way to celebrate your fall nuptials. Instead of having the wedding in a garden, park or backyard, rent a barn. Decorate with fall flowers, pumpkins, hay and black-eyed Susan. Get a square dance caller and give out cowboy hats to all your guests. Combine a western theme with your fall favors for a fun-loving wedding day nobody will forget.

A fall theme wedding uses a variety of unique ideas, colors and accents. Thanks to Mother Nature, you have all the beauty you need for your wedding day by simply using the awesome autumn atmosphere.

Filed Under: My Theme, Tips & Ideas Tagged With: fall theme wedding ideas

Guidelines for the First-Time Wedding MC

September 8, 2009 By Kyla Leave a Comment

By Author Angela White:

If you think being a wedding planner is the only nerve-wracking and challenging job that has to do with weddings, think again. Being an MC or the Master of Ceremonies is another task worthy of praises because an MC can truly make a wedding reception special and unforgettable.

If you have been asked to be an MC for an upcoming wedding event whether it is a favor for a friend or you have just started doing it for a living, the first thing that you have to realize is that this job is not going to be a breeze.

Even though being an MC means dropping a couple of jokes here and there, you have to know that this job should be taken very seriously. After all, the success of the reception depends primarily on you. Fortunately, this wedding MC guide for beginners provides helpful insights and practical tips on how to win your audience and provide entertainment that the couple will surely thank you for.

1. Plan and prepare. The wedding reception plan is an extensive and comprehensive one. You should sit down with the couple to discuss in detail what they want to happen during the reception. Do they want a formal and solemn celebration or do they want something light and upbeat? Does the couple appear traditional or are they the type who have modern taste and style? All these factors should be considered when making a program for the event.

2. Arrive at the event early. Whatever you do, never be late for a wedding reception. Even if you think you are the best kind of MC there is, it is still not all right to be unprofessional. Arriving early also gives you a head start and you can begin to observe people around. This will make it easier for you to have a smooth flow of program during the reception. It will also give you time to check the audio equipment if it is working properly. There is nothing more embarrassing than talking for several minutes only to realize that nobody has actually heard a thing you have said.

3. Give your guests a good laugh. As we all know, being funny is not easy. If you are not a natural comedian, the best thing you can do is to carry with you timeless jokes that are simple, good-natured and generally funny. Never resort to jokes about religion, disabilities or races so as not to offend anyone in the room. It is also a good idea to tell funny stories about the couple but make sure to skip anything that can be offensive to anyone.

4. Prepare an inspiring toast. Keep your message short and sweet. A toast about 3 minutes is usually enough. If you are going to present other guests for speeches, be sure to introduce them with delight and enthusiasm.

5. Talk to your audience. Have eye contact with the members of the audience so it will not seem as if you are talking to a blank wall.

6. Be ready for surprises. Weddings are full of surprises. Be sure you know how to handle the situation when something goes wrong. For example, if a groomsman mentions anything about the groom’s ex-girlfriend, interrupt and change the subject. If a relative drinks too much at the wedding and wants to hog the spotlight, be sure you know how to deal with this.

7. Understand that you are not the star. Never steal the limelight from the couple, especially from the bride. This is not your show. You are only an instrument that can make this event a memorable one.

A Master of Ceremonies truly has a variety of responsibilities to do for the couple. But the most important duty of all is to ensure a smooth flow of the program and to provide good-natured entertainment all throughout the reception event.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: master of ceremony, MC

How to Plan a Beautiful Wedding on a Shoestring Budget

September 8, 2009 By Nicole Leave a Comment

shoestring In today’s financial crunch, having a grand, extravagant and ostentatious wedding is not smart. It is not all practical to spend your life savings on one big day and then have nothing left for more important expenses like buying a house or car, saving for a child’s education, or investing on a business.

After all, you can have a beautiful, elegant, and memorable wedding on a shoestring budget. All it takes is a dash of creativity, some resourcefulness, little help from family and friends, and a couple of useful tips on how to have a budget wedding.

The Budget Plan

Before you set out planning for your wedding details, one of the foremost things you have to do is to formulate a budget. To help you do this, you and your partner should sit down and discuss what your priorities are in your wedding. This way, it would be easier to allocate a budget for each aspect of the wedding and to avoid overspending.

Save Money on the Wedding Gown

It is true that the bride’s gown is one of the anticipated aspects of the wedding but it does not have to be expensive. You can save money on this by scouting for budget wedding dress stores, renting a wedding gown or wearing the gown that your mom wore on her wedding day (and perhaps doing some modification on it to make it look chic and modern).

Guest List: Needs Some Trimming

Limit the number of guests to a minimum and expect big savings on your wedding budget. With fewer guests, you will need a smaller reception area, less food and drink, smaller wedding cake, and lesser invitations. Make this an intimate gathering between you, your partner and the closest people in your lives.

Invitations and Decorations: Turn them into DIY Projects

With the computer and Internet technology that we have today, making an invitation does not need the hands of a professional anymore. This is especially true if the bride and groom are crafty ones. Sure enough, anyone can whip up beautiful, creative, and personalized invitations and decorations.

Buffet instead of a Formal Sit-Down Meal

To save money on the food and drinks, consider having a buffet style meal instead of a formal sit-down dinner. A formal sit-down meal is more expensive because of the extra staff that would plate and serve the meals.

Have a Wedding Tower of Cupcakes

A wedding tower made of sumptuous and alluring cupcakes can be a better option than the usual tiered wedding cake. With this, you can enjoy a wedding cake for a lesser cost without sacrificing beauty, quality and taste.

Capture the Moments for a Smaller Tag Price

To minimize the cost, one thing you can do is to hire a service-only photographer and videographer who will be there during the event to capture priceless moments but will leave the printing of the photos or editing of the video to your hands. Again, with the modern technology of today, this can be a piece of cake.

Another way to cut down the expenses is to have disposable cameras spread on your guest tables for them to use to catch candid moments during the event. You can also have a trusted friend or family member take video shots of the wedding.

Wedding on a shoestring budget is not in any way less special than an extravagant wedding. After all, what is important is not the event itself but the journey that you and your spouse will be sharing together for the rest of your lives.

Filed Under: Plan The Wedding, Tips & Ideas Tagged With: budget weddings, wedding on shoestring budget

Tips For The “Gone Green” Bride And Groom

September 8, 2009 By Josef Leave a Comment

green weddings Going Green is something that thousands of people are doing; and perhaps can be a great idea to incorporate into your very special day. When you are experiencing and celebrating the love of your lifetime, doesn’t it seem the perfect opportunity to also share your love with the earth and your environment?

With just a few tips and tricks, you can make your wedding a Green wedding without scrimping or lessening the elegance of the day. Here are some ideas to get you going in planning a green wedding.

Most brides start looking for their wedding dress right away. To go green with your wedding, opt for a dress made from certified organic cotton, hemp or flax silk. Polyester fabrics used in many store bought wedding gowns are petroleum based, and generic cotton uses almost 6 lbs of pesticide per acre when grown. With that taken into consideration, any alternative is more eco-friendly.
Choose vintage jewelry in order to steer clear of jewelers that use irresponsible mining practices or give profits to support local warfare where jewels are mined.
Use less paper and save much needed trees. Invitations made from recycled paper can be found more and more these days. There is also the option of simply using e-cards for invitations instead of paper. There’s no bigger way to cut down on the use of paper than to send e-cards. When considering place cards, think outside of the box and use a recycled or recyclable material instead of paper.

Buying locally grown flowers promotes local resources, and gives you the opportunity to ask about pesticides used in the growing process. Finding flowers that are grown organically is very eco-friendly; but if budget constraints don’t allow for that, then an alternate option could be to use potted plants as décor instead of cut flowers. Potted plants can then be given to guests to take home and plant in their own gardens.
Go organic in your reception menu. Ask your caterer about organically grown fruits and vegetables, as well as organic meats.
Throw rice! The idea that rice is harmful to birds is a myth, period. Rice is much more eco-friendly than confetti, and it actually keeps with tradition.
Get married close to home in order to cut down on car travel, and on emissions floating up into our ozone. Consider getting married at a local park, beach, or neighborhood church that you can take alternate transportation to.

Additionally, some reception sites are dedicated to green causes and can benefit from your patronage. Holding your ceremony or reception at such a location is one way to help; but you could also ask for donations to be made to such venues in lieu of wedding gifts and make an impact on your local environment.

Your wedding day is a special day for you and your soon-to-be spouse. Going green with your wedding is just a way to make it even more meaningful.

Filed Under: My Theme, Tips & Ideas Tagged With: eco-friendly weddings, green weddings

5 Tips To Sell Your Wedding Dress Quickly And Profitably

September 7, 2009 By Nicole Leave a Comment

sellingdress Whether you are a bride who wants to clear out some room in the closet, or you are a retail outlet needing to unload outdated inventory, selling a wedding dress is something that can easily be done in a way that can put a little green in your pocket. All you need is some know-how in regards to where and how to sell.

Online re-sale sites such as eBay are a great resource when it comes to selling any personal item you no longer use. However, buyers are still hesitant to hop on board without much consideration. This will be especially true when the buyer is looking for a dress for her own special day. For this reason, it is important that you know every detail of the wedding dress you are selling.

Description is key; so you should give as much description as possible. List all of the special features of the dress; where it is fitted and where it drapes; what the fabric is and what it feels like; buttons, zippers, hems, and so on. If this is a wedding dress that features lace, you need to adequately describe what kind of lace it is. Lace comes in many types: chantilly, alencon, venise and battenburg are a few. While showing an image of the lace on your wedding dress can be helpful, getting the most money for the dress will occur when you can describe its value through details such as this. If you are not sure what kind of lace is on your dress, you might try to look it up on the internet or visit the bridal shop where you purchased your dress and ask them.

Be honest about the condition of the dress. Nothing is more upsetting to a buyer than to feel they have been lied to. If there are any spots or tears on the wedding dress you are selling, you need to disclose it in your listing or advertisement. It doesn’t matter how big or small the imperfection is; be honest about it and address it up front. Show a picture of it, even. You also must disclose if the dress has been worn.

Take pictures of the wedding dress you wish to sell. If possible, do so on a mannequin or a model, so the buyer can get a good idea of how the dress looks when it is on. This will allow her to envision how it may look on her. While a buyer wants to see the dress on a body, she may not want to see all of you. It is best to take pictures that show only the body, not the face. Also, your pictures will be on the internet where everyone can see, so you may not want your face to be shown.

List all measurements of the dress clearly and accurately. If you have taken measurements while the garment lies flat, state that. If you have measured the wedding dress all the way around, state the measurements that way. For instance, you can state waist as being “15 across, flat”, or “30 waist”.

When it comes to pricing the wedding dress you are selling, know that you will not get back the full price that you paid. Although it was only once, the dress has been worn and therefore is considered used; it’s that simple. A good rule of thumb when it comes to pricing a wedding dress to sell is to ask for half of what you paid for it. This is closest to the wholesale price of the dress. Remember, if you sell a wedding dress online, you will have to pay for shipping, which can range from $10-$25. Instead of trying to calculate shipping, when you don’t even know where you may ship to, it is simpler to just add about $20 to the price of the dress and offer free shipping.

Selling a wedding dress can be an experience that benefits you as well as a bride-to-be. Following these tips, you should be able to see a quick and profitable sale of your wedding dress.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: sell your wedding dress

12 Ideas of Hairstyles for the Elegant Bride

September 7, 2009 By Nicole 1 Comment

bridal updos The bride is always the most beautiful woman in any wedding event. She is the focal point of the ceremony, which is why she needs to be able to choose a hairstyle that is both beautiful and elegant at the same time.

If you are a bride, you probably know that finding a wedding hairstyle is not that easy as there are so many factors to consider. Some of these factors include shape of the face, wedding gown, theme of wedding, wedding jewelry, and the bride’s personal style. All these things affect the bride’s decision on what kind of hairstyle to don on her wedding day.

There are many variations and possibilities on wedding hairstyles that even those with short hair have many styles they can choose from. Here are 12 elegant ideas for wedding hairstyles that you can consider.

1. Classic Bun Updo

In this classic hairstyle, the hair is pulled into a neat and compact bun at the back part of the head without any hair sticking out. It can be low on the neck, on the middle part, or high on the crown of the head. This gives the traditional look that can make any bride look stunning.

2. Sophisticated French Twist

The hair is swept to the back part of the head and twisted and secured with hairpins. This type of hairstyle speaks of beauty, elegance and timelessness, making this one of the most popular choices on wedding hairstyles.

3. Playful Braids

French braids, twisted braids, or large braids—whatever type of braids you choose and whether you form it into a bun or hang it loosely from your head, the end result is the same. You will get an elegant and yet playful look that many brides want to go for.

4. Side Swept Hair

In this type of wedding hairstyle, the hair is neatly swept to one side to form a roll or bun.

5. Curly Long Locks

Long hair curled and hung loosely on the shoulders of the bride look elegant and sexy.

6. Bun with Accessories

Pulling the hair into a perfect bun and topping the crown with a tiara or securing the bun with a flower is another great hairstyle idea to consider.

7. Combed Short Hair

Who said, brides could only sport long hair? Short hair neatly combed can look just as elegant and beautiful. It is also practical and easy to fix.

8. Sexy Loose Large Waves

Loose large waves look stunning and sexy. Brides with this type of hairstyle appear confident and eye-catching.

9. Half Updo

Classy and elegant, the half updo has half of the hair pulled up into a bun at the back of the head while the lower half is curled or hung loosely on the shoulders.

10. Ballet Bun with Curly Side Strands

A compact bun with curly strands on the side of the face is both elegant and exciting.

11. Simple Ponytail

For simple brides who do not like the fussiness of elaborate hairstyles can go for simple but sophisticated ponytails.

12. Bun or Ponytail with Wispy Bangs

Modern but at the same time elegant, a bun or ponytail with wispy bangs in the perfect choice for trendy and chic brides.

With the right choice on wedding hairstyle, the bride can truly exude sophistication and exquisiteness that will amaze the guests and wow the groom.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: hairstyle ideas

Latest Trends for Wedding Reception Music

September 7, 2009 By Harmony Leave a Comment

bridal-music We cannot see it, eat it, wear it, or touch it, and yet music is one of the most important aspects of your wedding reception. Music plays a significant role in this event as it creates the mood and stirs up inner sentiments not only of the bride and groom but also of the people closest to them.

Most people choose music based on the melody. However, the beat, tempo and melody of the music are not the only things you should consider when picking songs for your wedding reception. Just as important are the lyrics as these express and communicate the love and emotion that the couple shares.

For modern couples who do not want to play traditional wedding songs in their wedding day, this list which includes the latest trends for wedding reception music will surely come in handy.

Romantic and Slow Songs

What is a wedding reception without those romantic slow songs that make the couple and their mothers want to cry? These tunes are ideal for dances, cake-cutting ceremonies or between dinner courses. Be sure to look at the lyrics first to ensure that the message of the song reflects the love and commitment that you and your partner have. Here you will find some of the songs that you can choose.

Lucky by Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillet. This is a nice song to play for the couple’s first dance.
Good Time by Alan Jackson. This song is ideal for couples who love country music. You can play this song right after dinnertime.
Beautiful by Akon
The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson. This is a romantic and nostalgic song perfect to play during the cake cutting.
Viva La Vida by Coldplay can set a nice mood during the cocktail hour or in between dinner courses.
Green Light by John Legend
When the Night Comes by Dan Auerbach is another slow song that you can play during the end of the night.
A Moment Like This by Kelly Clarkson
Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis

10. Cayman Islands by Kings of Convenience. This song is not in the mainstream and yet, you will surely find this soothing tune wonderful to play during the reception.

Party Music and Danceable Tunes

Since the reception is not all about slow songs and romantic dances, you also need to have fast tunes that will keep the event alive. Start a dance showdown by carefully picking the right danceable songs to play during the reception. Some of the best choices are enumerated below.

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) by Beyonce is the one of the best tunes to play during the fun bouquet toss.
So What by P!nk can motivate guests to hit to the dance floor and show off their moves. This is nice to play after a slow song.
Disturbia – Rihanna
Don’t Stop The Music – Rihanna
Just Dance by Lady GaGa. Just like the previous songs mentioned, this danceable tune can surely get everyone into the groove.
About You Now – Sugababes

The music that you play during the reception is one of the biggest aspects that will help make the event a truly memorable one.

Filed Under: Plan The Wedding, Tips & Ideas Tagged With: wedding reception music trends

An Exotic Affair with Honeymoon Accessories

September 7, 2009 By Nicole Leave a Comment

Honeymoon accessories bring a bit of extra romance along as you start your lives together. After the hectic pace of wedding planning and your reception, you will both be looking forward to the time you share together during your honeymoon. Having the right honeymoon accessories adds the perfect touch to your once-in-a-lifetime getaway.

The honeymoon is a magical time when couples get to know each other alone for the first time after making a lifetime commitment. They are embarking on their forever future together by taking a vacation to a chosen destination. Many couples decide to go on a honeymoon to a warm, exotic location such as the Caribbean or Hawaii. Other couples may decide to snuggle up together at a ski lodge. It depends on the preferences of the couple and the availability of the honeymoon destination at the time of their wedding.

Regardless of where you decide to have your honeymoon, let everyone know you can’t wait to leave when the reception ends with a cake topper. This whimsical couple is whisking away in the honeymoon getaway car, ready to embark on series of romantic adventures. Show off your desire to get your private party started with this fun-loving cake topper. Grab his and hers premium java vacuum traveler cups filled with coffee to keep you going for your honeymoon trip as you ride together in your own getaway vehicle.

Stainless iron luggage tags are a durable way to identify your bags for the big honeymoon trip. Personalize these enduring tags with your names and a wedding sentiment so you can save them as keepsakes of your wedding and honeymoon together. Be completely decadent regardless of your honeymoon destination by packing plush towels and bathrobes. Bring along your own Mr. and Mrs. towels and bathrobes to show off your newlywed status. Feel fabulous as you lounge around after the pool, beach, Jacuzzi or showers in cushy cotton towels and bathrobes that match. Make sure to slide a travel clock into your bag so you can get up to enjoy everyday of your honeymoon so you don’t miss a minute of fun.

For a beautiful beach getaway, there are a variety of personalized honeymoon accessories that add fun to the occasion. The Eliena beach collection features a spunky floral print that goes with anything. Be eye-catching on the beach wearing a matching jute bag, sarong, beach hat and pink key tag. Be the diva of your honeymoon by the beach or the pool and carry your essentials in a jute bag to match your comfortable cotton sarong while you show off your fine sense of style to your new husband. Make sure you bring along those premium java traveler cups so you can keep your tropical cocktails cold down by the beach or poolside.

Both of you can have cool pool honeymoon apparel with just married sunglasses and sandals. When you walk down to the beach together, your sandals will leave just married footprints in the sand. Every time you face the sun, everyone will notice you were just married by your shades. Wear bride and groom crusher hats to keep the sun off your faces and protect your eyes when you don’t feel like wearing sunglasses. You can even get a tote bag that says you are just married so you can carry your goodies around at the resort.

Are you all about leather, studs, rhinestones and rodeos rather than a beach honeymoon? If you are a cowboy bride and groom, you may decide to spend your honeymoon on a grand ranch going horseback riding and swimming au natural in a private lake. A country-loving honeymoon such as yours wouldn’t be complete without special bride and groom cowboy hats to show off you just got hitched.

If you decide to have a ski lodge getaway for your honeymoon, you can get bride and groom angora hats to keep warm while you let everyone know you are married. Snuggle up by the fireplace with your fuzzy, matching hats before you head out to those slopes.

Honeymoon accessories make your getaway even more memorable while providing lasting keepsakes of a special time in your lives.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas Tagged With: honeymoon accessories

Choosing your Wedding Theme Colors

September 7, 2009 By Angela Leave a Comment

Remember that Goth girl in high school? How about that kid who always wore tie-died shirts or brightly colored socks. Color, especially in weddings, can set a mood and can help you make your day extra special.

The Goth girl is remembered because she always wore black or sported bright lipstick or colored hair. The kid who dressed in bright colors will likely be remembered for his choices because they were bold and stood out. Color not only augments, it creates an impression in people’s mind that helps them get in (or out) of a mood.

So how can you ensure that the colors you choose for your wedding collection, favors or other articles set the mood you are looking to achieve? The answer to that is to use the advice that politicians use when planning public events: Use basic or soft colors as your main themes and darker or bolder colors to augment the primary colors. This is why you often would see a red power tie and a blue suit in the 1980′s or more recently, a blue tie with a grey suit and white shirt.

Politicians figures out a long time ago that certain colors give off a certain aura. They use colors to set a mood or appear in a certain light. In the two instances mentioned above, red ties exuded power and authority, while blue ties impressed focus groups as quietly confident and determined.

The same logic applies to your wedding theme colors. You should choose bolder colors to highlight clothes or to make lines or shades appear streamlined. Additionally, your choices of colors should be tailored to your wedding party’s physical appearance. Certain colors make people look pale or grim while other colors obscure fair skin or make darker skin look murky.

Choosing some colors can also help you set he overall theme. The Autumn Splendor Collection, for instance incorporates yellow, brown, orange and green while the Winter Wonder Collection embraces white and dazzling crystal to evoke a sense of a winter wonderland. Match your color theme to your overall wedding theme and you cannot go wrong.

What wedding theme colors you choose can set the entire mood for your day. Sticking to basics is the key. In addition, making sure to use colors in their appropriate roles can make you and your wedding party dazzle all in attendance.

Filed Under: My Theme, Plan The Wedding, Tips & Ideas Tagged With: theme colors