Starting the Countdown - Setting the Date

He finally worked up the nerve to “pop the question”, and to his relief and joy you said yes. Once you are engaged you get a few months to relaxe and enjoy this new kind of relationship with each other. Unfortunately, everyone is asking you those famous “when is the wedding?” and “have you set a wedding date?” questions. Eventually, you are going to have to start thinking about well when do you want to set your wedding date?

For some it is really simple, others they have no clue whatsoever. There are so many options, I mean there is 365 days out of the year, so how do you know what date is good for you? You don’t have to get married on Saturday’s like a lot of couples. There are the other six days of the week to. So where do you begin when it comes time to figure out a wedding date?

Here are a few things that might be able to help you narrow down your choices:

Venues you can’t do without

It doesn’t matter how supple you are, you and your fiancé are not going to agree on everything. It might be the church, or place you want to hold your ceremony at. Maybe you disagree on where you should hold the reception. Also, you will probably bicker on who’s coming and who isn’t coming.

Fortunately, once you decide on a church, reception hall, or venue for the ceremony, you will quickly find out that most of the dates are filled. You need to call at least a year or two in advance to get the place you want and find what dates are available. Well, at least that saves the arguing.

The perfect environment

Maybe the place of the ceremony isn’t what is really important to you. Probably, especially for brides, you just see how the perfect wedding would play out for you. That could involve snow falling softly, or the sun hitting the both of you perfectly sending you into a radiance of love. Maybe you see yourself outside on a warm beach, or inside with lots of hot food at the reception. If this sounds like you then just play off of what your dream wedding would be like. If you want snow then think about setting a wedding date in the winter. If you would like to be on a beach you probably want to set your wedding date for the summer season.

Real Life dates

Your own life might actually set the criteria for choosing a wedding date. If you are a teacher or have a set vacation time, then you are probably going to have to set a date around when you aren’t working.

So good luck choosing your wedding date, hopefully these tips will make it a little bit easier.

Wedding Dresses

It has to be said that ever since a lady was a little girl she always wondered what her wedding dress would look like. And now that the decision is there to be made it is obviously very confusing, daunting and exciting for everyone involved. Of course you want to look the very best that you can look on your special day, and there are several ways that you can make sure that you achieve this goal.

What color wedding dress should I choose?

The color of your wedding dress is usually the first place to start when you are making your decision on what to wear. Often women are very confused as to what color they should go for. Traditionally weddings are themed in white, cream or ivory. But the fact is if your skin coloring doesn't suit the lighter shades of pale, then don't do it! I often get ladies from all over the world asking me what colors they should choose for their wedding. And the answer is always the same… think about what colors suit you, and what colors you like. Despite appearances there are no hard and fast rules. Never forget that this is YOUR day, and you should just go right ahead and do what you what to do. Whatever makes you happy!

What shape wedding dress should I choose?

The shape of the wedding dress that you should choose is entirely dependent on your figure. All women are different, and certain shapes suit them better than others. The shape of your wedding dress is actually far more important that the color. It's exactly the same as dressing to go out for a meal somewhere, or to go to the opera or a film premiere. For the best results you need to get into the mindset of a film star… or rather, the film stars' wardrobe designers. You should pick out a dress that suits your body shape – one that accentuates your figure and conceals any lumps and bumps.

Wedding dress shapes explained

A-line - The A-line wedding dresses have fitted vertical seams running down the length of the garment. This means that the dress is tight at the waist and flares out towards the bottom part of the skirt.

Empire line - Empire line dresses are tight beneath the bust and are higher than the a-line cut of cloth. The seam lies just beneath the bust for a more structured look.

Ball gown - Ball gown wedding dresses are traditionally full length and very full and wide. Ball gown dresses usually have very structured, fitted and boned bodices.

Sheath - Sheath wedding dresses are very straight and simple. They usually flow to the floor and skim the body.

Mermaid - Mermaid dresses have a kick at the bottom where the fabric is much fuller. The top half of the dress hugs the figure and accentuates voluptuousness.

Strapless - Strapless wedding dresses are just that – they don't require support over the shoulder. Strapless wedding dresses must be made well and be supported by good bridal underwear to make certain that the bride is both comfortable and secure throughout the ceremony.

Wedding Themes

Wedding Themes that Make your Wedding Unique and Memorable

Wedding themes are all the rage these days. This may be due to the fact that every bride wants to have a one-of-a-kind wedding that everyone would remember even after so many years. If you are planning on tying the knot anytime soon, you may want to check out these wonderful theme options.

Beach

The clear blue waters, vermillion sky, powdery white sand, and natural beach treasures all make a splendid backdrop and decoration for this special occasion. Not only that, it is also light, casual, and laid-back—something that most guests would appreciate. You can wow them even further by making a grand entrance riding a boat, a jet ski or a parasail, or by wearing a beautiful sundress in lieu of a traditional wedding gown.

You can decorate the place with tiki torches and beach lanterns as well as give away mini sailboats or starfish candles for souvenirs. Moreover, you can choose a more specific beach them such as Hawaiian, tropical, nautical, Caribbean, and so on.

Country

You can hold the wedding in a field or in a farm, and incorporate lovely country elements like quilts, lanterns, embroidered tablecloths, and candles. Make use of flowers such as daisies, sunflowers, and dahlias for the table centerpieces. Play country music during the wedding reception and you may even have a square dance to complete the event.

Vintage

Another wonderful theme option would be vintage, which could be anything from the classical 1940’s to the retro 1970’s to the new wave of the 1980’s. This nostalgic theme would transport everyone back in time. Be sure to dress the part and incorporate all the elements of the era you have chosen to make the event perfect.

Fantasy / Fairy Tale

Most brides want to feel like a princess on this special occasion, so why not hold a fantasy or fairy tale wedding theme to turn that dream into a reality? Make a stunning entry by a riding a horse-drawn carriage. Turn the flower girls into dreamy fairies. Cast a spell on the guests by holding the reception inside a castle.

Holiday

Customarily, couples hold weddings during Valentine’s Day or Christmas but if you want your wedding to be extraordinary, you can have a Halloween theme instead and ask your guests to come in spooky costumes. Hold the event in a scary haunted house and play macabre music throughout the event. If spooky is not your thing, you can also go for other holidays like St. Patrick’s Day or April Fool’s Day.

Sports

For sports fanatic couples, have this kind of wedding theme based on your favorite sport. For example, if you like golf so much, hold the event in a golf course. Give away miniature golf sets to the guests. Top the cake with a bride and groom swinging a golf club. Send out invitations that say, “It’s Par-Tee Time!”

Eco-Chic

Green weddings like eco-chic themes are majestic and at the same time, meaningful. If you want to express your environmental advocacy, one of the best ways to do it is through an eco-friendly wedding, wherein you would aim to reduce energy consumption and waste, and recycle various kinds of materials during the whole planning, preparation, and during the event itself.

Culture

Choose whatever cultural theme is closest to your heart. For example, if you come from Irish descent, a Celtic wedding would be fitting. If you are fond of Asian culture, you can have an Asian themed wedding.

Having a wedding theme not only makes the event unique and memorable, it also helps in the planning and preparation. It makes things easier for you by helping you narrow down the choices on venues, wedding supplies, and everything you need for the wedding. Just be sure to choose a theme that would best reflect you and your beau’s personal interests and personalities.

Wedding Rings

For those that are getting married, there are many things to be excited about. Buying a wedding dress, getting all the right flowers and picking out a cake are just a few of the things you have to do. Most of the time it is the women that do all of these tasks, but one thing that most couples do together is pick out wedding rings. After all, these are one thing from your wedding that you will wear for the rest of your life.

There are many styles and types of wedding rings that you can get. Don't let it overwhelm you though. Picking them out should be fun. Just try to have an idea of what it is that you are looking for and then set out to find something similar. The first thing you need to do before you even start looking is decide the price range that you are going to be shopping in. You don’t want to look at more expensive rings and be disappointed when you can’t purchase them. Tell the salesperson at the store what your price range is and then they will show you rings that are similar in cost.

Indeed, wedding rings come in a large variety of styles. There are plain bands that are very attractive. They come in many colors, just choose the one that is going to be right for you. The plain bands come in yellow gold, white gold and even rose gold. Rose gold would look gorgeous on any woman’s finger. If you are into silver, try the plain silver band. These bands also come in varying widths.

If you are looking for something with a little flare, buy wedding rings that are two tone or have diamonds on the band. The two tone bands are for those that can’t decide between the others. They are the best of both worlds. Choose rose and yellow gold bands and your ring will be the talk of the town. If you want a little sparkle, then add some diamonds.

Whatever you purchase, make sure that you are happy with it. After all, your wedding rings are a symbol of your love.

Be a Princess in Your Wedding Shower

A wedding shower is an fun and exciting time for a bride-to-be. Wedding showers is a party with a purpose. Wedding showers are used to help the couple furnish their home or for the bride to get ready for her wedding night. This shower is a great excuse for the bride and her family and friends to get together and have a fun time.

Planning one of these showers can take some time. Here is a checklist so you can assure that the wedding shower will be a hit.

Who hosts a wedding shower?

Ok, in tradition the maid of honor usually planned and hosted the shower party. Today, it is okay for any friends and family together to organize and host the shower. This usually works for everyone since the bill is split and no one is stretching their wallet. It honestly doesn’t matter who hosts the party as long as the bride is okay with the date and it is planned out in advance. If it is going to happen in a persons house, make sure that there is going to be plenty of space.

When to have the party

It is a good idea to hold the wedding shower four to six weeks before the ceremony. The bride is going to be extremely busy the last couple of weeks leading up to her wedding and doesn’t really want to have to worry about making it to her shower. Wedding showers work better when it isn’t so much as a surprise. The bride would rather pick a good date and time that works for her, than be interrupted in the middle of some important planning. Sunday brunches or a midweek lunch shower parties are usually good times to have them.

Whose to come?

Make sure that you only invite people that the bride knows well. A small group of family and friends works well. Do not go crazy and invite everyone that the bride knows. A large group can be too impersonal as everyone tends to go off into small groups. The point of a wedding shower is for everyone to be involved with each other and have a great time. No one should be left out. A comfortable and manageable shower should include between 10 and 20 guests.

What is a good theme?

Make sure that everyone involved in planning chooses a theme before sending out any invitations. The most used theme for a wedding shower is the “kitchen” theme. This is pretty easy for everyone to find gifts to give as you can never do without too much of kitchen wear. Also, every bride could most definitely use it in her new home. You can also choose a theme that fits the brides personality if you know her well.

Wedding Makeup

You have always dreamed of this since you were a little girl. Now that it is your turn to make that memorable walk down the aisle to exchange vows with the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want everything to be perfect and that includes your wedding makeup.
Achieving a beautiful wedding makeup is not that difficult with these fabulous tips.

Prior to the wedding

Looking beautiful on your wedding does not only mean applying the right makeup on the actual day. It also requires a healthy lifestyle and proper habits even before your big day.

# See a dermatologist at least 3 months before your wedding to treat breakouts and acne if you have any.
# Have a facial done two weeks before your big day.
# Stay hydrated to keep your face fresh. Drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Stay away from alcohol, soda, and other unhealthy beverages.
# Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to give your face a healthy glow. Steer clear of fatty food that would make your face oily.
# Have your eyebrows shaped a week before your wedding.
# Look for a talented, reliable, and easy-to-work with makeup artist. Have makeup tests to see if you would like the artist's style. It is not a good idea to wait until the day itself to you find out how you would look like.
# Purchase makeup at least 3 months in advance. Choose waterproof makeup. This would ensure that your mascara would not smear even if you shed a tear or two or that your lipstick would stay on even after you drink water.
# Limit exposure under the sun. Sunburn and peeling on your wedding day are not a good idea.

On your wedding day

# Wear a button shirt during the application of makeup to avoid messing it up.
# Line your lips with a neutral pencil to make your lipstick stay on longer. You can also apply a light layer of powder over the first layer of the lipstick before applying another layer.
# If you find out you have a pimple on your wedding day, resist the temptation to squeeze it. Instead, apply a drop of Visene to remove the redness, hide it with a concealer, and apply light foundation. Be sure to blend it well.
# Keep your powder, lipstick, and mascara in your purse just in case you need to freshen up.
# Do not go for glittery and shimmery makeup unless you want to look greasy on your wedding photographs. Choose something in matte and neutral tones like pastels.
# Do not forget to apply sunscreen first if the wedding is going to be held outside.
# Use a water-based foundation for that healthy natural look.
# If you want to have your eyes look wide, use a white pencil in lining the inside of your lower lids.
# Use a bronzing powder to make your skin tone warmer.
# Remember, a light neutral look is ideal for a day wedding while a more dramatic look is good for an evening occasion.
# Choose shades according to the season. Spring and summer welcome bright pastel colors while warm deep shades are great for a winter or fall wedding.
# Pick colors that flatter your skin tone and hair color. For blonde haired women or those who have fair skin tone, cool tones are ideal. Warm neutral shades look good on brunettes and dark skinned brides.
# Keep the shine out by dusting your face lightly with translucent powder.
# Do not go for heavy dark lines on your eyes.

Just by simply being a bride, you are already the most beautiful woman on your wedding day. But following these fabulous tips, you would wow guests even more and of course, your groom with your perfect bridal look.

Why You Should Start Your Wedding Planning Early

If you are a bride to be in 2010, here’s some top tips why you should start your planning early!

Get The Dates You Want

Remember, there are only 52 weeks in a year which means only 104 weekends to choose from! Take away all the inauspicious days in 2010 and you’re left with not much choice at all! Starting your planning early gives you a better chance at getting and securing the dates you want early.

Get The Venue You Want

There are lots of nice places to hold your wedding but chances are if you thought it was nice, so did a hundred other brides! Its no secret that some wedding venues get booked up to two years in advance so get in there early to choose your dream venue.

Get The Wedding Photographer You Want

Wedding photographers just used to be an add-on to your wedding checklist to document your wedding story as it unfolds. However, some popular wedding photographers today have become the main focus of the wedding with some brides willing to move their wedding dates just to suit the photographer’s availability! So if you simply must have that brilliant photographer, contact him or her and block off their calendar quickly! Most of them get fully booked a year and a half in advance or more for popular dates!

Once you’ve blocked off these big items, breathe and enjoy the rest of your wedding planning! If you haven’t, don’t fret…its just January 2010 but do make sure you get to it soon!

The First Dance

Your First Dance should be one of the many beautiful memories of your wedding day. By preparing in advance you will be able to relax and have fun with each other, enjoying your moment.

I'm pleased to offer you some suggestions for the First Dance on your wedding day.

SONG TITLE ARTIST
A Whole New World -Soundtrack "Aladdin"
Against All Odds - Phil Collins
All I ask of You - Michael Crawford
Always and Forever - Luther Vandross
All The Way - Frank Sinatra
Always - Sarah Vaughan/Billy Eckstine
Beautiful in My Eyes - Joshua Kadison
Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
Can You Feel The Love Tonight - Elton John (Lion King)
Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
Chances Are - Johnny Mathis
Crazy - Patsy Cline
Don't Know Much - Linda Ronstadt/Aaron Neville
Endless Love - Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey
Every Woman In The World - Air Supply
Everything I Do - Bryan Adams
For Once In My Life - The Four Tops
Glory of Love - Peter Cetera
Groovy Kind Of Love - Phil Collins
Grow Old With Me - Mary Chapin Carpenter
Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison
Heaven - Bryan Adams
Here and Now - Luther Vandross
Here We Are - Gloria Estefan
Hero - Mariah Carey
I Believe in You and Me - The Four Tops
I Got You Babe - Sonny and Cher
I Swear - All 4 One
I Finally Found Someone - Barbara Streisand/Bryan Adams
I Was Made To Love Her - Stevie Wonder
I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
It Had To Be You - Harry Connick, Jr.
Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
Love Will Keep Us Alive - Eagles
More Than Words - Extreme
My Girl - Temptations
Never Gonna Let You Go - Sergio Mendes
Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You - Glenn Medeiros
Now And Forever - Richard Marx
Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now - Starship
On Bended Knee - Boys II Men
Only You - The Platters
Power Of Love - Celine Dion
Take My Breath Away - Berlin
To Be With You - Mr. Big
Tonight I Celebrate My Love - Peabo Bryson/Roberta Flack
Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
We've Only Just Begun - Carpenters
When A Man Loves A Woman - Percy Sledge
When I Fall In Love - Nat King Cole
Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life - Stevie Wonder

Add a Wedding Tiara for Extra Beauty

It is important to go through and figure out what you want to put in your hair once you have decided on your hairstyle for the wedding. Do you want to wear a rhinestone wedding tiara or a simple flower in your hair? This depends on what type of style you will be wearing your hair, the veil and gown, and of course your personal taste’s. You want to pick something that will complement your attire as you walk down the aisle.

The Wedding Tiara

When brides are thinking about a headpiece they first envision a tiara. Tiara’s are usually worn in very traditional and formal wedding ceremonies. But, with more styles available in the market today, they can be worn with almost any type of dress and hair style. A small and simple wedding tiara, works the best if you are wearing a veil. If you are not wearing a veil, an elaborate or tall princess tiara looks stunning.

When wearing a wedding tiara, it is a good idea that your hair is put up into an up-do. Most tiara’s have small combs attached the ends and sides so they stay in place. If your hair is put up, your tiara will fit better and hide the combs.

The tradition of wearing a wedding tiara came from ancient times. A white ribbon was worn by a king, either around his head or shoulders, to prove his wealth and power to everybody. As the centuries have moved on however, the tiara has become a symbol of feminism. The wedding tiara evolved throughout the ages into a half moon shape. In this shape jewels and other things of finery, like flowers, were placed.

The bride and bridesmaids can either wear a tiara as a circle shape on their head or on their forehead. A wedding tiara is traditionally used to adorn the veil worn by the bride. Wedding tiaras have grown very popular in “dream” wedding themes and “princess” wedding themes.

If you do not feel like a tiara is your piece of cake, then there are other options. Some brides to choose to wear bridal hats. These hats can add lots of character to wedding attire, and can be adorned with anything to you pleasing. You can also choose to wear a classy or stylish headband that matches your wedding dress. Either way, you will be able to locate the right hair accessory to place in your hair for your wedding.

4 Tips For Wedding Tuxedos

Making the decision to tie the know is a big step in every man’s life and one that he must be sure of. Once you ask your dream girl to marry you, there is plenty to decide on before the fateful day arrives. While your beautiful bride will take responsibility for most of the planning and details, you aren’t completely free to sit back and wait. Your wife to be is going to look spectacular and you need to look the best you can too. You need to choose the wedding tuxedos for your groomsmen and yourself. Making certain that you and your fellow buddies are looking their best is going to be your biggest responsibility before the wedding.

So, here are a few tips that may help you out if you do not have a clues as to where to start.

1. Rent or Buy?

This is a common question that most men have when figuring out their wedding tuxedos. It is probably a good idea for your groomsmen to go ahead and just rent their tuxes. More so, if they are paying for them. Talk to your men and see if they are going to be wearing these wedding tuxedos in the future at all. If most see themselves wearing it often, then you might want everyone to go ahead and just buy their tuxedos. Make sure that everyone gets together and decides what is best.

2. Look before you leap and buy

Do not, by all means, walk into the first men’s formal wear store and buy your wedding tuxedo. Look and shop around at different stores, that way you have some options for wedding tuxedos. Different stores sometimes have different colors, styles, and prices. You want to find the best deal possible for what you are looking for.

3. Talk to the Bride

The wedding day is about both of you…. Well in some since. You need to coordinate around what the bride is going to be wearing. Before you and your buddies go out a buy wedding tuxedos ask a bridesmaid or the bride herself what should be considered. It might even be a good idea for the bride to come along, if she has time, so you know for sure you won’t get something that misses the mark.

4. Time

It does not matter what wedding tuxedos you and the grooms men decide on, if you can’t get the orders all in before the wedding day. Don’t wait until the last moment to go and find a tux. You want to look great and not have to settle for something mediocre. Go and shop way in advance so you won’t have to worry about it and if need be there is time for alterations.

Wedding Veils

The wedding veil is probably the oldest wedding tradition that is performed during a wedding. Many people believed that wedding veils protected the bride from jealous spirits. This usually referred to any enemies of the couple who might try to steal her the day of the wedding. Wedding veils, were also a sign of humility, it was not considered proper for women to display their beauty so openly. Even back in the day though, brides were still considered the most beautiful of all women.

Wedding veils are worn today to complete the entire wedding look for a bride. Choosing a wedding veil depends on the personal preference of the bride and the wedding dress she will wear.

For brides with extravagant gowns, it is best to keep the veil as simple as possible. You don’t want your wedding veil and dress to be competing for attention. Plus, this could spoil the elegance of your wedding gown and you could end up looking to overdone. If you want to add a little something to your veil, consider putting a simple ribbon or trim along the edges.

If you have a simple dress, without a lot of beading or embroidery, the veil should add the drama. You can construct the veil to add that extra glamour to your wedding look.

It is important that wedding veils don’t hide anything on your dress. If the back of your gown is the center point, you don’t want to get a long veil that covers your back and hides it. Just make sure when looking at wedding veils, you think of the dress you will be wearing. You want your gown to compliment the veil and vice versa.

Antique veils have become very popular and is considered very “in” when it comes to the fashion industry. Besides the fact that an antique veil is very vintage, it is also considered good luck. Borrowing a wedding veil that your mom or grandmother wore at their weddings can bring luck to your new marriage. Just make sure that you borrow a veil from someone who is happily married for this to work. If you do decide to wear an vintage veil, try not to fix it in any way. You do not want to ruin it by trying to dye it to match your gown. Most of the times, if the veil doesn’t perfectly match, most people can’t tell because the fabric is so sheer.

Make sure you think about the length of the veil is suitable to the length of the aisle. Long wedding veils are great for huge churches such as cathedrals. In other situations, the veil will just bunch up and be a pain to walk around. Also, look at wedding veils that are easy to take off after the ceremony.

To Wear or Not To Wear - A White Wedding

As a little girl… or even now… I am sure that you have laid about dreaming of marrying Prince Charming, looking gorgeous in your wedding dress. Of course, what color is the wedding dress every time you do this? I am guessing that more often than not it happens to be white and not red like some santa suits. Millions of women and little girls dream of getting married in a fairytale white wedding dress. But wait. Where did a white dress come from and why is it so popular?

Believe it or not white wasn’t always the traditional color for getting married in. Honestly, the tradition of a white wedding dress hasn’t even been around for ages and ages. A white wedding dress is something that every girl is instinctively born with today. You can’t get married in anything but white. Well, while this may be true for some and not so for others, white is worn to symbolize the virtue of the women and to just carry on the tradition.

Not surprisingly, the white wedding dress came from a place full of legends, and where tradition is important. So, low and behold, the white wedding dress was started in the English Monarchy. Queen Victoria was the first “celebrity” that was looked up too, who wore a white wedding gown. Because of her, the popularity of white dresses has become a true tradition among women around the world.

The marriage of Albert of Saxe and Queen Victoria in 1840, was not surprising. The gown she wore though caused quite a stir. It was considered flamboyant and did not start the white wedding gown tradition instantly. Many of the upper class women though, saw this as a unique fashion statement and had no issues in copying the Queen by marrying in white dresses.

A white wedding dress though was worn to show wealth. Virtue was not in the meaning at all. If you could get married in a elegant white gown then you had to have money. White was not easy to clean, so a white wedding dress was something that you most definitely weren’t going to wear again. Spending money on a white gown was something that only the wealthy could do.

Only the wealthy and vain women insisted on being married in white. Most women still married in dresses of different colors and styles after Queen Victoria’s fashion statement. During the Edwardian times however, the white wedding dress gained popularity once more when Coco Chanel unleashed its brand new design….. a knee-length wedding gown, with a huge train in none other than white.

During the world wars though, most women couldn’t afford to wear white. Most just wore whatever they had when they were married. Only the rich kept wearing white wedding dresses. After the 1950’s though many Hollywood stars and royalty still wore white at their weddings. This sealed the deal and tradition of being married in white.