Archive for January, 2010

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.

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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!

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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.

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