All brides want to have beautiful skin on their big day. To have your skin looking amazing, you must plan your skin care regimen well in advance. If you have any chronic skin problems, such as acne, then you should get it treated as early as six months to a year before your wedding day. If it is mild, an esthetician can help. If it is more serious, then visit a dermatologist.

If you are bothered by uneven skin tone, then starting a few months before your wedding have a light chemical peel or microdermabrasion done on your face. These are superficial treatments that can do your skin a world of good! Taut facial skin can be lessened and any fine lines will be diminished. This will make your skin look smoother, more even, and softer. If you will be wearing a low cut dress, then you might want to include your chest, back and neck in the treatments as well. Most spas offer these treatments.

Approximately one to two weeks before your wedding day schedule a relaxing facial treatment. Have your face steamed, exfoliated and then treat yourself to a facial mask that is both hydrating and firming. You deserve to nourish your skin, and this is an excellent way to do it.

Plan your makeup look well in advance. If you are planning to do your makeup yourself, then experiment with various types of eye shadows, foundations and lipsticks as early as one to two months beforehand. This will give you time to find the look that pleases you the most. Ask your girlfriends for their opinions and advice. Do as many practice run-throughs as you need to. You want to feel comfortable with the look you have chosen. If you decide to go to a cosmetician or makeup artist, it never hurts to go for some rehearsal makeup sessions so you can settle on the right look before the wedding day arrives.

Prepare a wedding day 911 skincare and beauty kit for yourself that includes eye gel for eye puffiness, eye drops, lip plumper, acne gel, tissues, and loose translucent face powder. Never forget that your inner beauty will show on your face. Let it radiate from you!

Tweet This Post

Getting in shape is always a good idea, and your upcoming nuptials are as good of a reason as any to lose weight and gain energy. It’s never too late to start exercising  and eating right, but no matter what your goal is, it is a good idea to check with your general practitioner before you start a plan. Even if you want to shed a few pounds, your doctor can help you choose the right track. The closer to the day of your wedding, the harder it will be to start a plan that works, so try starting a goal at least 5 to 6 months before the big day. Here are some wise tips to will help you along the way.

1- Make Smart Food Choices
The easiest way to lose a little weight is to eat more healthfully. Switch carbs, like potatoes or rice, with steamed vegetables. Forget chocolate and snack on fresh fruit. Replace soda or other carbonated beverages with pure water. Another smart method is called portion control, which lets you eat what you want, only less of it. Eating more healthfully will become easier once you change the bad food habits.

2- Learn Something New
Have you always wanted to take a dance class or maybe learn a little karate? Sign up for a class and reap the benefits of a healthy activity. But don’t forget to add some cardio to your plan. Cardio exercises are generally good for you, as they keep your heart rate going and help you burn calories. Good sources of this exercise including walking, swimming, and cycling. Try to do some form of cardio fitness at least 3 to 4 times a week. Another benefit you’ll get from moderate exercise is the stress relief factor, which is something you definitely need at this time!

3- Monitor Your Progress
No matter matter what diet or fitness methods you partake in, you’ll want to note the progress. Purchase a small book or journal and use it exclusively to track your diet and fitness changes. Share this information with your doctor, so that she can monitor your progress and offer advice.

Tweet This Post

Selecting the right wedding invitations and stationery is so important because that is what sets the tone for the wedding. You and your fiance should sit down and talk about both of your visions of the wedding and set a theme. If you haven’t already, then do so soon or at least before you start sending out the invitations. You will want the invitations to invoke the details of the wedding, which would include the theme and formality. When you purchase your invitations, you probably want to think about other stationery options like save-the-date cards, ceremony programs, and thank you cards. Lets take a look at all your options.

Save-The-Date Cards
Many engaged couples opt to send out save-the-date cards before the formal invitation to remind the guests of the upcoming nuptials. You send them out after you have the official date of the wedding but before the formal invitations are sent out. A save-the-date isn’t mandatory, but it is ideal for those who are planning a destination wedding. Be sure to send them at least 6 months before the wedding day or weekend.

Formal Invitations
After you’ve made the list, you can send out the formal invites about 6 to 8 weeks in advance. That should give invitees enough time to RSVP and let you know if they’ll be there. About three or two weeks before the big day, you should start to take the final count of how many people will attend.

Programs
Once you’ve got all the ceremony details, it’s time to start planning a program. The ceremony program usually outlines the important events in the order that will take place during the wedding. A proper program should include the full names of the couple, officiant, and wedding party.  Many couples also add song lyrics or hymns to give the program a personal touch, but it’s not mandatory.

Thank You Cards
You and your fiance will be showered with gifts, so it’s only fair to send thank you cards. Don’t wait until you receive all the gifts, instead send out a thank you card as each gift arrives-  send them within two weeks of receiving it. Don’t forget to take out the time to write a heartfelt message in the thank you card. Never send out a thank you card that lacks a personal, handwritten message from you or your fiance.

Tweet This Post

Everyone has her own idea about how a mature bride (classified as a bride who is 40 years of age and older) should dress on her wedding day. Traditionally the long white flowing wedding dress that was characteristic for the young blushing bride and considered enchanting was out. As well, in days gone by, a mature bride did not wear a dress at all but instead wore a pant suit. She also did not wear white but instead wore off-white, beige or opted for another color.

Today the rules have changed and are not nearly as rigid. Mature brides do not have to feel as though they must stick with what was once considered conventional fare for a mature bride when she walked down the aisle.

It does not matter whether you just turned 40, are in your late 40s or are in your 50s, all brides want to look beautiful and sexy on the day they take their vows. You will be the center of attention after all, so do whatever you must to look as stunning as ever!

Whether you choose to wear a wedding dress or some other type of dress on your wedding day, the important thing is that you are pleased with the way you look and the choice you have made. You want to feel both confident and comfortable on your wedding day, not to mention excited. To do this play up your best physical features and choose an outfit that fits your own personal style and taste. Do not dress for other people- dress for yourself. If you feel you look beautiful, then you will portray that to all of the people gathered.

Practically any color is acceptable for a mature bride today. You do not have to wear off white or tan, if you would prefer to wear another color. Bright colors, such as red or purple, make a lovely statement and are very fitting for an autumn or winter wedding. Mature women often look very becoming in pastel shades, such as mint green, light blue or pink.

Dark colored dresses are elegant on some older brides but can look harsh on others. If this is the case with you, then what you might want to do is wear a white dress or a dress in a light shade and then add dark accents such as deep burgundy, emerald green or navy blue.

Tweet This Post

The prospect of an upcoming wedding is a cause for joy and also a time of planning. Traditionally speaking, it was the bride’s family that paid for the wedding (or at least paid for most of it) but also did the majority of the wedding planning.

In modern times it would seem unfair to expect the bride’s family to handle all of the financial responsibilities for a wedding, which is why most couples choose to fund their own weddings today. This is also the case when it comes to the wedding planning stage.

It is common for the couple to draw up a list of which wedding tasks are assigned to which person. For example, the bride might be responsible for the flowers and the cake, while the groom might book the church and the hall for the reception.

Most brides do wish to have their family members play a role in the planning of the wedding. Suggestions and advice from family can be very beneficial to the bride, as she is probably feeling overwhelmed by all of the work ahead of her. Having her mother, sister, and/or grandmother help her pick out the right wedding dress and choose a color scheme is something that many brides welcome.

The bride’s family can enjoy close family ties and the bonding experience that wedding planning brings, as they do such things as make suggestions about the décor for the wedding and sample different types of cakes. Help from those who love the bride is generally greatly appreciated as the pre-wedding planning gets into full gear.

It is up to the bride how much involvement she wants her family members to have in the planning of her wedding. She and the groom can sit down and discuss this issue, if she is unsure what to do. Some brides want lots of input from their loved ones while others prefer to do most of the planning with their future spouse. This is also dependent upon the size of the family, how close they are and where they live. If you need help, ask for it, but do not let your family get carried away either! The important thing to remember is that this is your wedding and you should take the biggest role in the planning of it.

Tweet This Post

Bachelor and bachelorette parties are most often held anywhere from one to three weeks before the wedding day. In most cases these pre-wedding events are hosted by the best man and the maid of honor respectively. They tend to be focused on the celebration of friendship as opposed to the celebration of family. With this said, should the parents of the bride and the groom be included on the guest list?

A bachelor party is a time when male bonding occurs. A bachelorette party also provides an opportunity for women to bond as friends in their own unique way. It is also a way for women to celebrate the upcoming union.

There are some men that decide to invite their fathers and/or their fathers-in-law to be to the bachelor party. The decision to do so rests on how the groom feels about this. Many men are nervous about having their future father-in-law at the party because they feel that they must be on their best behavior and must be more restrained than they would be otherwise. On the other hand, inviting the groom’s father may provide him with the chance to feel young again and to really cut loose!

Traditionally speaking, neither the mother of the bride nor the mother of the groom is invited to the bachelorette party. This pre-wedding bash is all about the bride and her closest female friends. It is the bridal shower held in the bride’s honor and not the bachelorette party that both mothers are invited to attend. The two events are different. A bachelorette party is an opportunity for the bride to let her hair down and to relax and have a good time with her closest gal pals. She may feel that this would not be possible if she were under the watchful (and sometimes very scrutinizing) eye of her mother or future mother-in-law.

When the guest list is drawn up for both parties the bride and groom should let the host/hostess know to whom they wish to extend invitations. The final decision to invite or not to invite parents to the bachelor/bachelorette parties rests with the bride and groom. Bear in mind that there are plenty of other opportunities for the parents to be a part of the joyous celebration of the marital union.

Tweet This Post

There are a few moments in your life that you want to look and feel like the most stunning princess in the room, and your wedding is one of them. A large percentage of your time and budget will be spent on achieving that beautiful bride look. But like most things involving the wedding, it takes time, often several months worth of planning. Luckily, here is a checklist/timeline of things that you will probably want  to do beforehand to ensure that you look like the beautiful bride you are.

Six Months Ahead
If  you want to lose a little weight before the big day, now is the time to start. Check with your main physician before starting any plan, so she can assist and monitor your progress.  You  can cut back on red meat, dairy, and sugar products, but make sure you replace them with healthier options like vegetables, fruits, seafood, and whole grains. Up your intake of pure water as you cut back on sugary beverages and alcohol. It would be wise to start an exercise ritual at this time.

Four to Five Months Ahead
Start looking in bridal magazines for hair ideas and makeup ideas. If you’re going to be doing your own hair and makeup on the big day, now would be the best time to practice. Stop by a cosmetics store or counter and pick up a few new items to try. If you’re going to a professional for your big day look, schedule an appointment now. Don’t forget to meet with several makeup artists and hairstylists before actually scheduling an appointment.

Two to Three Months Ahead
If you haven’t scheduled your appointment yet, then do it now. Go ahead and start getting a few facials and spa treatments now to relax. If you have major skin problems such as acne or eczema, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist for a solution.

Six Weeks to 1 Month Ahead
Several weeks before the big day, call and make sure your beauty appointments are still scheduled for that day. Schedule a spa day one or two days before your wedding to get a facial, manicure, and pedicure. And on the actual day? Smile and have a good time!

Tweet This Post

Selecting your bridesmaids can be tough to do, particularly if you have a lot of close friends or come from a large family with a lot of sisters. Getting caught up in the excitement also can make you prone to selecting a maid of honor or bridesmaid that is less than par.  Being a bridesmaid is more than an honor, its also a big responsibility. That is why you cannot choose just anyone, and you certainly don’t want to choose someone who will let you down. How do you select your bridesmaids and maid of honor? Read on.

Stay Local
It just makes more sense to choose bridesmaids that live in your vicinity simply because staying in touch with them is easier, plus they are more able to help you out. But if you insist that your best friend who lives clear across the county become one of your bridesmaids, make sure that she knows and is more than willing to help out with her duties.

Try To Keep The Number Under 6
Choosing five or six bridesmaids is ideal for moderate to large weddings. If you’re having a smaller wedding, you might want to keep that number under three plus a maid of honor. The same applies to those under a strict budget, because having less bridesmaids means less flowers and attendant gifts to purchase. Choose a number wisely and stick with it.

Make Sure Your Bridesmaids Are Reliable
Don’t choose any of your fair-weather friends, and don’t choose anyone that you cannot trust. A bridesmaid (particularly a maid of honor) has to be someone who will help you through the tough times and remain a trusty ally when you’re struggling with wedding related issues.

Remember That You Don’t Have To Choose Your Relatives
Its okay if you don’t choose your sister as a bridesmaid, if you are not that close to her. The same applies to cousins, future in-laws and step-siblings. Only ask your closest relatives that you trust or your sister if you cannot imaging not having her by your side as you plan this dream day. Remember that reliability is still number one with family.

Tweet This Post

Wanting the love and support of those who are a part of your life is important to most couples. We invite wedding guests not only to be witnesses to the blessed union but also to share in the joy attached to it.  If you would like to make your guests more a part of the ceremony, read on for some ideas.

If you are having a small wedding ceremony, you may ask your guests to bless your wedding rings. You can do this by handing the rings to a person in the front row and asking they be passed from person to person and then brought back to the front. Each person can imbue the rings with love and good tidings. If you are having a larger ceremony and still wish to do this, then choose a few people and ask them to hold your wedding bands and bless them for you.

Having a candle ceremony is another way to incorporate those closest to you into the marriage celebration. It is very similar in nature to a unity candle ceremony, only in this case not only are two families joining but you are doing something that unites each and every individual in the entire room. Every guest is given an unlit candle when they arrive at the wedding ceremony. When the time comes either the officiant of the wedding or the bride and groom walk to a person in the front row and light that candle. This person then lights the candle of the person next to them and so on. Once every guest’s candle has been lit, the last person then passes the candle to the bride or the groom who then brings it up to the front of the church and lights the biggest and brightest candle that is centrally located. Many couples have their candle ceremony right before the procession takes place. The sight of so many lit candles is truly joyful to behold for everyone in attendance.

Another way to involve guests is to ask them to turn to their neighbors near the end of the ceremony, shake hands and offer peace or support to one another, such as by saying, “Peace be with you.”

Tweet This Post

Most engaged couples choose a spring or summer wedding, but there are still plenty of people who choose to get married during winter.  A winter wedding can be just as romantic as a summer one, perhaps even more so, not to mention that tying the knot off peak season thoroughly has its advantages, like off-peak discounts and the chance to coordinate your big day with a holiday, such as Christmas, New Year, or even Valentine’s Day! That said, there are a few disadvantages to be had, like selecting the floral and fauna. Fortunately, you still will find a lot of terrific ideas and options, even if you don’t live in Florida. Read on.

Go With the Classic Choices
Many of your favorite flowers are available in the winter. Go for the classic rose, the popular daisy, the unique snowball, or even the flower that’s not really a flower- the poinsetta. Other great options include tulips and jasmine. Talk with your local florist which are local and/or in season, so they can help you make a wise choice.

Have Fun with Color
While there may be an abundance of wedding flowers, the color choices? Not so much. But this is when creativity really pays off! If you’re going for a theme, of course you will want the flowers’ colors to reflect this. Regardless of choice, the hottest flower color choices include reds, deep purples, and creams/white. And don’t forget to add a touch of greenery with the flowers or décor; winter’s top picks in greenery include pine cones, holly, ivy, and magnolia leaves.

Add More Than Flowers to Your Centerpiece
Stretch your budget by incorporating other décor options for the centerpiece. Try candles- red or deep pink candles look fantastic for a Valentine’s wedding.  Or maybe try faux snow in vases for a holiday themed wedding.

Use Flowers That Have a Meaning
A flower is never a flower as each flower (and sometimes a certain color of flower) has a different meaning. Ivy means fidelity, a red rose means passion, and a purple tulip means royalty. If you want, choose a couple of flowers for your bouquet that mean something significant.

Tweet This Post