Bridal Beauty ……..


It’s your Wedding Day and don’t you want to look AMAZING!!!! Well of course you do so here are a few tips that might help you look flawless.
 1.  Hire a professional … if you are not good at knowing what blends well or what color goes well with your skin or what foundation you need to use… Chances are you need a professional. Professional make up artist pride themselves on making you look beautiful but natural on your wedding day.  Also see if they will do a trial run so that you both will be comfortable …. They can take notes and you can say what you like and what you don’t like.
 2.  Practice Makes Perfect …. If you decide that a make up artist doesn’t fit in your budget… I encourage you to go a make up counter (M.A.C or Macy’s) and let them do a trial run on you. Trial runs are important because you can see what looks good on you and when you do it at the counter they will sell you all the makeup and the utensils that will be needed to recreate the look.
 3.  DO NOT DO ANYTHING DRASTIC!  This is most important do not dye your hair; get a tan or a facial the day before. The reason behind this is that you don’t want to do something that takes a day or two to set in.
    *   Hair Dye- Sometimes it takes a few days or a few washes to actually be the color that you want it to be.
    *   Tans- If you are a frequent tanner you may not want to get tanned the day before because anything can happen and you want to look even tone instead of ORANGE!
    *   Facials- Be careful because these can break you out… facials are designed to make you glow or make your skin look rejuvenated …but sometimes that have the opposite effect on your skin. Believe me ,you don’t want to have an allergic reaction the day before or look like a strawberry in your pictures.
#living2plan

So you are ready to get married????? Well there are three things you might need to know before you get down on one knee.
 1.  Think about her ring ….. when a guy get’s engaged the first thing that people say to him is ”congrats” but when it’s the girl the first thing that is said to her is “let me see the ring “ then they congratulate her . Do some shopping around look at rings that are in your budget and rings that fits her style….also look around her house try to see if she has been leaving clues around for you…  Chances are if you’re ready today she was probably ready months ago.  And lastly call her friends or family because sometimes having a 2nd option will make all the difference.
 2.  Figure out her family….. Now if her family is traditional you might want to schedule a time where you can talk to them prior to popping the question. You don’t want to upset her parents prior to the wedding … Upset parents = upset bride!
 3.  Plan It! When you propose marriage to your beloved remember that your proposal is the most intimate conversation that you will ever have … so make it GOOD! There are so many ways to pop the question, some people do it big and some do it small … but however you do it make it something memorable. Because after they gawk at her ring they will ask “how did he do it? “  So create a story that she will remember for a life time. ****** ALSO TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM THE CLICHE DAY’S LIKE VALENTINES DAY, HER BIRTHDAY, CHRISTMAS OR NEW YEARS ….she will probably be expecting something on those days… so try to surprise her!
#living2plan

So you childhood friend is getting married and your INVITED! After the excitement settles and you put the date on your calender you realize .... You have nothing to wear.  Wedding guest attire can vary greatly depending on the style of the wedding. You'll have to do a Little research but  don't worry there are ways of finding out the theme and or the style just by looking at whats in front of you .
Start with the invitation.....

• If it's on ecru card stock with fancy letters chances are the wedding is semi formal......
• Does it ask you to come see them get hitched..... You can bet your bottom dollar that this wedding is nice and casual so go with an casual outfit.
• Also look for clues that simply tells you what to wear or the type of wedding it is

Next Look at Location......Think about where the wedding will take place

•  outdoors- avoid anything that will get caught in the wind .... you don't want to be caught by the photographer with you dress over you head.
•  avoid high heeled shoes because if the ground is soft you will sink in the sand or in the grass.

DON'T WEAR:

• White... unless the invitation says so .. stay away from this color .. You don't want to make the bride look bad....
• Black to a daytime wedding....reserve this color for evening weddings... also you risk the chance of being overdressed
• Jeans, no matter how casual the wedding... you are not gong to the mall
• Anything too sexy or revealing... yes there are other single guest but this is not a night club
• Anything torn, with holes, stained, too big or too small for you!.... no matter what you want to look classy even if the theme is casual
• Anything sleeveless or strapless to a religious wedding. Bring a wrap or jacket to cover your  arms you don't want to offend anyone

Also feel free to go to you local bridal boutique for they all have sections on what you as the guest should wear! #living2plan

As you and your wedding plannerspend countless numbers of hours  to turn the wedding of your dreams into a reality, you've probably discovered there are some thins that you thought you knew but come to find out you dont ! When it comes to etiquette many brides are left lost and confused ,  Don't worry.... Chances are if you're wondering about it, many other brides have the same questions.

Q:   Do I need to send save-the-dates? Cantthey just wait for the formal invite ?
A:     save-the-dates are not required but they appreciated, especially if you'll be having a destination wedding or if your wedding will take place over a holiday weekend.  Save-the-dates can be mailed up to one year prior. You dont have to have elaborate Save the dates they can be a siple as a evite ( which is free ) essentially all you really need to include are your names, the wedding date and location.

Q:    Can I make my own wedding invitations?
A:     Go For it ! If you have the time to do it, it's perfectly ok to make your own wedding invitations! In this day in age there are more and more brides are doing things themselves. There are tons of techniques , blogs, DIY books and blogs to help  you gain ideas on how create unique and memorable wedding invitations.

Q.    Should our parents' names be listed on the invitations?
A.      Tradition says to list them but  it is no longer a requiemnet that your parents name's are on the invitiaons. Weddings of older couples, second marriages or weddings being paid for by the bride and groom are also common reasons not to list parents' names on the wedding invitations.

Q:  Are favors necessary at my receptionm ?
A:    Favors are not required ..but they are fun and cute ... but sometimes they can be expensive. So if you cant afford them dont have them . However, there are inexpensive ways to provide your guests with
a small token of gratidue for attending your wedding .

Q:    Do we have to serve a meal at the reception?
A:    well that depends on what tinme of day your wedding will take place if your meal is early afternoon ..... maybe not but if your weddign falls during dinner then your guest will exopect to be fed. Certian couples have been decifing on appetizer only reception or dessert only reception ... Whether you decide full buffet , dessert only or appetizer only please inform your guest so that they know what to expect.

Q:    Can we ask for cash instead of gifts?
A:   Absoluetly not !!!! This is not a acceptable and it doesnt look good . But yoy
However, you can ask your friends and family to mention you'd like cash if and when they're asked what kind of gift you'd like. However, you should still register for some items, as some people will prefer to give you an actual gift. Some registries allow you to register for gift cards – another alternative to asking for cash.  When you register, be sure to include gifts at varying price points to accommodate guests’ budgets.  

Q:     I'd like my guests to RSVP by email. Is that ok?
A:    That's a great option for RSVPs, but make sure it's not the only option. Add a note to the RSVP that says something like: "If you prefer, you may reply by email to yourname@email.com." This works nicely for an informal wedding or if the wedding is taking place on short notice, plus it's a very green option. Just remember that some people will still prefer to mail their RSVPs, so make sure the RSVP address and other information

 *   What’s included in the price?
 *   Is there parking?
 *   Will my Vendors have ample time to set up       ?
                             #living2plan

When I was planning my wedding I looked at maybe 20 dresses ….and every dress felt the same HEAVY! I knew that during the wedding it would be OK … but during the reception I wanted to a cut a rug with my husband and my family. So as I got a little discouraged and after spending 3 hours in the bridal shop, I was over it. Then the manager came over and asked how I was and asked how she could help ….. Well I laid it all out. I wanted a traditional wedding gown for my ceremony but I wanted to also be able to have fun and move during my reception, and that’s when she did it she pulled out this short cocktail dress that had a sweet heart neckline and covered with rhinestones and glitter. I know that the description doesn’t sound so great but believe me it was amazing! Some brides don’t mind picking up their dress to get down on the dance floor but you risk a lot by wearing your ceremony dress. You can get it dirty and because it so big people can step on it or spill something on you. So I encourage you to buy two dresses … yes it does cost more but it avoids someone or you destroying that previous memento! Also if you notice the picture this model is wearing a converter dress. Meaning that it’s a two in one ….. These dresses are in a fun. You get one look which is typically the traditional look and the other is more of a cocktail dress that is perfect for tearing up the dance floor with your husband and you family.  # living2plan

Well you said yes and the first thing that you want to do after you scream to the top of your lungs with happiness… is find a dress!  Well I must say that picking your wedding dress is emotional, exciting and at somewhat irritating. You have dreamed of this day since you were a little girl playing dress up when you put your mother’s heels on or you took your pillow case and placed in on your head.  Do you remember how that made you feel or do you remember what you were thinking?  This shopping trip is one of the most important shopping trips that you will ever take and it’s important to have the right people there with you. When I got married I had all of my bridesmaids with me … all four of them and my mom.  I must have tried on 10 dresses and I hated all of them. Needless to say that I didn’t make a decision that day because and I really think that I had too many opinions and too many voices. It was until a few months later that I went back and I only had two of the people that mean that most and that’s when I found the dress that I was in love with and I said “Yes” …. to the dress. Here a few shopping tips for when you pick out the dress of your dreams ….
1.      Only have people who matter with you.
2.      Look at only the styles that compliment your body type.
3.      Have an idea of what you want prior to getting to the salon because if you don’t you will be lost and frustrated.
4.      Have a budget in mind… because the consultant that is helping you bigger ticket items = big commission
5.      When deciding know that you know that you know that this is the right dress… you don’t want to go come back later and regret you decision.
                                                          #living2plan

Favors ….
                                                    # living2plan

This is all about our grooms! When a couple decides to get married the guy picks outs and pays for the ring , he plans the day , and then he pops the big question " will you marry me ?" and from the moment she says yes .... his Job is over ......Ummmm no ! Grooms this is your day too ... so here is a little bit of advice for you ... hopefully it  helps you get through the planning process.....

•  Just because you haven’t been thinking about your wedding day since you were a young lad doesn’t mean that your opinion doesn’t count. Please remember that by showing that your interested in your wedding day,you are telling your  bride that you are not only interested in her but you are also interested in your future. 
• You must let your wife to be that you  want to be partners in this marriage right from the very start
• Grooms while waiting for your bride to walk down the aisle try not to put full pressure or lock your legs. Because if you do you might not get to say your vows..... because you will have fainted ....
• Don't drink too much.  This is the first day of you new life with your wife and her family , not a tailgate party with the boys....
• and lastly .... don't focus on anything else but her because at this point she is the only thing matters !

#living2plan