1- Classic Bride
If your wedding gown is simple by design with minimal embellishments and pure white, you are a classic bride. This style does not mean that you have adorn yourself in basic jewelry. Add a little sparkle with a gorgeous pair of diamond stud earrings or a large cocktail ring with a geninune gemstone. You could also wear delicate pieces like drop earrings, dainty bracelets in silver or gold, or a real cameo necklace. A classic bride never cares about wearing the latest trends, as she almost always prefers to wear the timeless pieces that never waver in style.

2- Trendy Bride
If you’re wearing one of the many bridal gowns that were shown at the bridal show, then chances are you’re a bride who loves to be a little trendy. Keep in mind that you should not try a new trend on the day of your wedding. If, however, you find a trendy look you love a week or so prior to the big day, you could wear it. The best trendy pieces look new, but are not too avante garde. You want to wear something that looks striking, not intimidating. Trendy bridal jewelry options include colored stones (specifically greens, pinks, and blues), beaded bracelets, and delicate chain-link necklaces.

3- Vintage Bride
If you look back at Jackie O’s heyday for style inspiration, or you call yourself a modern bohemian, you are a vintage bride. You like to wear pieces that tell a story, and you prefer to avoid anything that is faux vintage. Ask your mother, aunt, or grandmother if they have any special pieces you could borrow for your big day. If you are going for a specific style, like 1920s flapper, you should choose genuine art-deco pieces. A vintage bride doesn’t need to match the jewelry style to the dress style, but she should find styles that complement her overall look.

When you’re making smart reception choices that work within your budget, you should keep a few things in mind. Your guests won’t want to dine on paper plates and plastic cups, nor will they appreciate the dust-covered plastic flowers that sit on top of each table. How can you save money and make everyone think you spent a lot more? Here are some ideas you can use.

1- Mix rectangular tables with round tables. This not only saves space, but it also provides visual appeal. You could make the reception hall look even more interesting by alternating table cloths as well. Try white, beige, and lime green for a spring wedding, and cream, brown, and light blue for a summer wedding. Don’t reserve one color of table cloths for the round tables and the other color for the rectangular tables, mix them them up to keep it interesting. This look will give everything extra dimension, and that makes your reception look more impressive.

2- Make your own centerpieces. Creative brides can save substantially by creating centerpieces and reception decor items. If you have a green thumb, you could start a garden or purchase a few blooms from a local nursery, and create your own fresh floral centerpieces for less. If you’re into pottery, you could make your own vases or bowls that you could use to display plants or other greenery.  If you don’t have the time or patience, you could ask a friend or close relative to do this for you; just be sure to tell them specifically what you want and pay them a little money for their kindness.

3- Buy fine fabrics in bulk. Save extra money and add pizazz to your reception party by purchasing fine fabrics (silk, organza, delicate lace fabrics) at a wholesale shop. You can use these to cover up the tables or chairs, or you could  use these to create elegant backdrops. Elegant and luxe materials will make anything look more expensive, but purchasing wholesale will let you get more for less.

More Places to Visit:

Boston is home to some of this nation’s finest museums, so if you and your fiancé are big culture buffs, you’ll both fall in love with this city. Notable museums and galleries include the Museum of Fine Arts, John F. Kennedy (JFK) Library, and the National Heritage Museum. All three places display artifacts of history and culture. The famed Faneuil Hall is another venue of historic importance as the third floor houses a museum and an armory.

If you get bored of the historic sights, you could check out the New England Aquarium, an oceanic conservatory that is home to some of the world’s most fascinating sea creatures like the Cownose Ray, Sand Tiger Shark, Atlantic Harbor Seals, Seadragons, and more. If you go, don’t miss the Amazon Rainforest exhibit, which is a topical tour that lets you get a close up of intimidating creatures like the Anaconda snake and Piranhas.

Where to Shop:

Are you looking for a few cool boutiques that are stocked with the latest in trendy fashion, or are you on the hunt for distinctive souvenirs from Boston? This city has plenty of shopping areas that are sure to please every kind of shopper. Label-loving fashionisas will love 344 (a boutiqe that’s located at the trendy Shops at Prudential Center), a prime destination for skinny jeans, sparkly party tops, and kitschy accessories. Book worms should pay a visit to Raven Used Books (located in Newberry shopping disctrict), the home of good reads at discounted prices. For window shoppers or people who just enjoy browsing, you should pay a visit to the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, an indoor shopping plaza has a mix of chain stores like Coach and Urban Outfitters along with local restaurants.

Where to Eat and Drink:

With big Ivy league schools like MIT and Harvard, it’s easy to pass off Boston as a college town that caters mostly to the under-25 crowd, but there is so much more to the city than just cheap cafés and collegiate bars.

If you’re in the mood for exquisite cuisine and a romantic atmosphere, you’ll be impressed with Aquatiane French Bistro. Here you can dine on Steak Tartare and Crispy Arctic Char while taking in the cozy ambience that comes from sitting in a dark wooden bench that’s washed in soft lights. Aquatiane also has an impressive selection of fine wines! It’s the perfect restaurant for dinner.

For the times you’d prefer a more casual atmosphere, Cactus Club is a good choice. This Mexican restaurant serves up spicy dishes like Carne Asada Tacos with scallions or a Slow Braised Pork Burrito Grande. Complete your meal with a delicious margarita. Cactus Club was voted for Best Margaritas from several local publications.

1- A Simple White Dress
It’s no secret that wedding gowns cost a small fortune. Most gowns are made with luxurious material, and they often feature intricate detailings like beading or embroidery. If you don’t feel the price for such a dress is worth it, you might consider buying a simple white dress from your favorite retail store. It could be anything from a long maxi dress or a lacy empire-waist frock. No matter what you choose, it should be something that you love. Also, you should take it to a tailor for a custom fitting.

2- Buy a Wedding Gown from a Mall Retailer
Some of your favorite mall stores (like J. Crew) sell gorgeous gowns for a fraction of the price that most wedding dresses cost. While these gowns are very modern and elegant, they are far from frilly.

3- Wear Your Favorite Dress
The modern bride isn’t afraid to break traditions, especially if she’s not so comfortable with them. If wearing a white silk gown with a lacy collar freaks you out, feel free to wear something that’s more you. If you’d like to wear that cute floral lavender sundress to your beach wedding, why not? Your wedding should be about celebrating the relationship that you and your fiancé share, not blindly following tradition.

4- Opt for a Vintage Style
If you have a bohemian spirit, or you’d just like to wear a dress that’s unique, you should check out a consignment or vintage shop that specializes in bridal dresses or elegant frocks.

1- Choose Your Venue and Make Plans Early On

Shorter engagement periods don’t give you the luxury of time, so as soon as you have that ring on your finger, it’s time to start searching for the ceremony and reception venues. If you live in a large metroplex, you may have a harder time securing your dream venue in time, so be sure to keep your options or time frame a little open.

2- Create a Budget

You should never start the planning process without first assessing how much both of you make, and how much you’re willing to spend on the wedding. As always, you should create a little extra room in your budget for unexpected costs and fees.

3- Hire a Wedding Planner

Short on time, but you don’t want to stress about the details or quality? Hire a wedding pro, and let him or her do the dirty work for you! A seasoned pro will know the right vendors to obtain services from, how to get the most for your money, and inform you on important things you might have overlooked.

4- Get the Engagement Photos

Many couples like to send an engagement or wedding announcement to their local newspaper. Some also like to include a photo with their save-the-date cards they send out. Schedule an appointment with a professional photographer as soon as you can, and you’ll have the photos when you need them!

1- Keep Everything Simple and Minimalistic

Simplicity is the easiest way to create style, because it’s based on the fact that less is more. Choose one stand-out color and a neutral shade or two to complement. Think rose red and creme, or earthy brown and pale yellow.

2- Opt for Soft Lighting

Keep the look of your reception elegant and romantic; skip the flashy strobe lights and party effects that are best suited for senior proms. Opt for chandeliers, candlebras, pin-spot lights, or up-lighting instead. If your wedding is a daytime event, you could hold the reception outdoors where everyone can bask in the natural sunlight.

3- Let the Tableware Speak for Itself

Skip cheap paper products and rent or borrow several sets of the finest china you can find.  Enhance the elegance of the tableware by setting them atop luxurious linens. You could borrow classic white bone china, or you could mix and match several styles that coordinate beautifully.

4- Use Fresh Flowers Everywhere

You already plan to incorporate flowers as tabletop centerpieces, but did you know that you can come up with even more unique ideas for using fresh flowers? You can gently remove each petal of flowers and gently scatter them on tabletops for a romantic look, or you could create flower garlands to adorn the chairs.

5- Provide Comfy Relaxation Space

In between the dancing and dining, your guests will probably appreciate a small space to relax and enjoy themselves. Rent some plush chairs or love seats, and cluster them together to create a small lounge that’s a perfect spot for cocktail hour.

Where To Stay

The perfect honeymoon starts with a romantic location, and Boston has lots of options ranging from top tier hotels to quaint bed and breakfast inns. If elegance and location are important to you, consider staying at the Eliot Hotel, located in downtown Boston.  This modern boutique-style accommodation offers deluxe rooms and suites, both of which were artistically decorated with neutral fabrics and lavish furnishings. And given its wonderful location in the Back Bay area, the proximity to restaurants, bars, and shopping is second to none.  If you would prefer a home-like atmosphere, Taylor House Bed and Breakfast is a terrific option. It’s a beautiful historic house that has elegantly appointed rooms that were decorated with colorful and modern touches. The exterior of the house is equally appealing with Victorian architecture and manicured gardens.

Where To Visit

Boston is a large city and an exciting destination with lots of things to do. As with any vacation, you first need decide on what to add to your must-see list first. Do you want to explore the city’s history? Take a tour or pay a visit to the Boston National Historical Park. If you’d rather spend your honeymoon getting some extra exercise, you could rent a bike from Urban Adventours and explore the city on your own, or you could go ice skating at Kendall Square Skating Rink.

Next time, we will share more fun sights, activities, restaurants, and bars.

Informal and casual weddings don’t really need a seating arrangement. According to Bridal Guide magazine, guests at small weddings should be able to seat themselves. If you’re holding the ceremony in a small place with seating options that are limited, you might want to add extra chairs or at least padded cushions on the floor.

Certain religions, namely those of Christian or Jewish faiths, request that the bride’s family sit on one side of the church/synagogue, while the groom’s family sits on the other side. Today, that choice is completely optional. The Knot recommends that older guests should sit in the front so they can hear and see the ceremony better, and that disabled guests should sit at the ends of the benches or pews for easier access. They also suggest that family members are given priority for the first rows with the mothers of the bride and groom seated last.

If you plan on having a large ceremony with a lot of people, it might be a prudent idea to create a seating chart and to go over it with your ushers before the big day. Try not to stress about the ceremony seating arrangements.

1- Faux Flowers

Save a significant amount of money by making your own flowers from various papers or fabrics. You can incorporate faux blooms into a variety in options including bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces.  To create a memorable reception, make a variety of flower styles in different colors and shapes – this will add dimension and style.

2- Stationery

Print your own stationery with a creative software program on your computer. Depending on the software you purchased, you could also design ceremony programs, gift tags, and address labels. If you don’t have a computer, you could purchase a stationery kit and make your own custom cards from scratch.

3- Decorations

From candles to paper lanterns to fabric curtains to beaded garlands, the ideas for DIY decorations are endless. You could also grow greenery in small pots and place one or two on each table as a centerpiece.

4- Bake Your Cake

If you (or your fiancé) love to bake, you could make your own cake and decorate it. You could bake a simple chocolate or buttercream cake, cover it with fondant, and then decorate it for a custom touch. Even easier – bake several dozen cupcakes and frost them with any creamy whipped frosting of your choice.

5- Favors

Save money and show appreciation to your guests by giving them special favors from the heart. Handmade soaps, candles, or cookies are all wonderful ideas, but you could also give embellished boxes, photo frames, paper fans, coasters, magnets, or even guitar picks. A handmade wedding favor can be anything you want, but you should select a craft project that you will enjoy, not because it’s easy to make or because it’s affordable.

While you can’t forsee the future, nor can you prevent every hurdle that comes your way, there are some things that you can take control of, like beauty blunders. Here are a few of the most common beauty blunders and how to fix them.

1- A large pimple forms on your face the day before your wedding.

Stress is the inevitable side-effect that comes with planning a wedding, and unfortunately, this can result in the unsightly formation of pimples. But what if you get a pimple the day of or the day before your wedding? Whatever you do, don’t try to extract the mole yourself! Instead, try to squeeze in a last minute appointment with your dermatologist for a cortisone injection – immediate relief.

2- You’re having a bad hair day, and getting another blow-out isn’t an option.

If you don’t have the time to revive your hair, and you don’t have the time to make it to a salon, take a quick shower so you can shampoo and condition. Next, take a blow-dryer and a flat brush to dry your hair straight. Once you’ve done that, you can style as usual.

3- As soon as you sit in your makeup artist’s chair, she informs you that your skin is very oily.

Of all the blunders mentioned in this article, oily skin is probably the easiest to manage. If you have an oily skin problem, you might want to start using a quality cleanser that was made for oily skin, like Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. If your skin continues to get oily throughout the day, store skin blotting tissues inside your bridal emergency beauty kit to bring with you on the go.