Smiley Wedding

Tips For A Great Look On Your Wedding Day

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:12:00 +0000

Your wedding event is the day you would have to appear your best. It's a day you have been looking forward to for a long time so you will have to make the most of it. There is nothing more satisfying than coming home from the ceremony to look at yourself and saying what a great beauty you are. The wedding preparations, budging, rehearsals and organization can take a toll on you. If you do not pay attention, you may forget about yourself and be left feeling a little down on your big day. This need not happen. You can start way ahead to look vibrant on your great day.

You need to dress for the ceremony. You need to appear in the photos and videos looking the best. For this reason, you will need to pay attention to your hair do, make up, ornament and any other decoration you have. Your beautician has a big role to play in this as she will be the one doing all the little enhancements for a great look.

Pay attention to your wardrobe. If you have the slightest discomfort with your dress, inform your dressmaker. Let her know so the necessary alteration would be made. Some dresses may look good but would be uncomfortable. Alert her so they can decide what to do early rather than wait for you to appear unprepared for the wedding.

For the week preceding the wedding, you need to take a lot of rest. A wedding ceremony can be very tiring and demanding. You need a lot of energy and composure. You should not look tired. Many couples will spend the previous night trying to put everything in place. It is not recommendable. You should finish all your wedding preparations at least a week earlier so you can take a lot of rest to appear alert and strong on your day.

Find more advice on wedding planning and wedding vows. In addition you can get more information on wedding favors.

Wedding Dance Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:12:00 +0000

There is nothing more special than your wedding dance. Just the thought of the first dance between a husband and wife is enough to take your breath away. From the most elegant of waltzes to the most basic side-to-side, unrehearsed steps, it is always one of the most touching moments of any wedding.

Sometimes, however, watching the new couple dance at their wedding is a lot more romantic to witness than to experience first-hand. While everyone watching is thinking, "They look so happy," "What a beautiful couple," something much different is going on in the minds of the bride and groom. The bride is second-guessing her shoes, hoping that her dress doesn't get tangled and praying that her new husband won't try to add a new "move" that will go horribly wrong and result in flinging her across the dance floor. The groom is wondering how fancy he's supposed to get with the dance, hoping that he isn't squishing her dress too much and crossing his fingers that he doesn't step on the bride's feet, which he can't even see. And both of them are thinking "Please don't let me trip. Please don't let me trip. Please don't let me trip."

Rather than let everyone else at your wedding enjoy your wedding dance more than you do, why not learn your own personally-choreographed wedding dance? Whether you and your fiancé love to dance and just need some guidance and practice or if you have never danced together at all, something memorable and romantic can be choreographed especially for you.

You don't have to worry about what level of experience you have. Some of the most elegant dances are the most simple to learn. We just take things one step at a time. With a little bit of practice, you'll begin to become comfortable with your special dance.

The first thing you need to do is choose your song. Some people have an "our song" but many don't. If you don't have a special song, go through your music collection or ask your friends and relatives what song they chose for their wedding dance. If the song isn't important to you, but you've always imagined a Waltz, a Rumba or a Salsa for your wedding dance, we can listen to a few songs and choose one together.

Once you start learning your specially-choreographed wedding dance you will have plenty of time to practice before your wedding. Remember that these are private lessons, so if you need extra help with something or if some spot in the choreography just isn't flowing right, we can either practice a bit more on that section or change it to something more comfortable for you. As you become comfortable with your wedding dance, you will become more and more excited to show it off on your big day.

With a little bit of time and practice you and your new husband or wife can enjoy your wedding dance even more than you ever dreamed possible.

Want to learn to dance? Wish you could move your body confidently on the dance floor? Or would you just like to have a great excuse to get out and meet people? Well for all of the above come and visit Dance Vogue where professional dancer and teacher Natalie Beck show you how to take the next step.

If you have your wedding around the corner and are worried about that first dance, Natalie has a lot of experience helping couples get confident and looking great dancing together in a short period of time. Have a look at her wedding dancing lessons to get up to speed.

How Can You Choose Your Outdoor Wedding Location?

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:11:00 +0000

Every bride will have a dream wedding in her mind. All brides would like to plan a wedding that she, as well as all the guests, will remember forever. Yes it is true that everyone would like to make their wedding unique and special.

So, what can you do in order to make sure that you can have your dream wedding come true when you are planning for it? That is the question. In fact, there some simple issues you can consider in order to select the most perfect venue and location for your big day.

Without any surprise, you have to choose a site for your wedding ceremony. Are you going to have it in a church? Or would you like to have it in a beautiful beach under the sunshine? If you are going to plan for an outdoor wedding, the site will become a crucial decision. You will need to ask yourself a series of questions in order to make the most suitable decision.

First of all you will need to know if there is any restriction for the place you are going to choose. Do they allow a large party in the site? Some sites may require you to get some kind of permit in order to host a party. You should also need to know if there is any other restriction on issues such as decorations.

Again, if you are planning to have your ceremony in an outdoor site, you will need to consider issues such as the weather. You need to know what you can do in case it rains. You will certainly need a contingency plan so that you can have your ceremony going smoothly even if it rains. There can also be problems in a sunny day. You do not want your guests to be all sun burnt after attending to your ceremony right? To this end a shelter will be very important. You can consider renting some kinds of tents or marquee in order to protect your guests form excessive sunshine.

An outdoor wedding is a very interesting one. You guests will certainly remember your ceremony for years if you can plan it well. However, before you make the final decision, it is better for you to seek for some advices from the local wedding experts. They should be experienced on the matter and will be able to help you to plan your perfect wedding.

Jerry Leung designs Double Happiness Wedding Invitations with Dragon and Phoenix Art. He runs a website on Costa Rica Wedding Customs. Be sure to check Asian Favors such as Lucky Bamboo Wedding Favor.

How To Plan An Inexpensive Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:11:00 +0000

Planning an inexpensive wedding is a good idea, especially with the average cost of a wedding at $20,000. All this cash spent on one day, it's really a large expense considering you can use that kind of money for a down payment on a new house or other investment.

There are a lot of ways you can plan your special day to save money and not go into debt when tying the knot. With careful planning and preparation you don't have to be like the rest out there. The first thing you and your significant other want to do is to sit down and discuss what's most important to both of you on your special day. The key here is finding out what you will not compromise and also coming up with an overall budget.

The regular categories you will have for your weddings are things like: Entertainment, photography, reception, food, invitations and wedding favors. You want to start with an overall budget for the whole list then break your budget down to categories. The most important category is where you will probably go over budget, which is ok, but you should not over do it.

Once you have done this make sure you shop around for the items needed in your top picks, since you might be splurging here a little you want to make sure you are getting the best deals on these items which will save you a lot of money.

Try and maintain a strict budget on all the other categories that are not as important as your top ones. Sticking to budget will help you save and end up with an inexpensive wedding celebration.

To learn how to save as much as 40% to 70% on your wedding expenses, click here to get started today.

What to Wear to a Beach Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:11:00 +0000

As destination weddings become increasingly popular, more and more couple are planning beach weddings. Though the beach makes a beautiful backdrop for a ceremony, you must take extra consideration when planning your attire for a wedding on the beach. The bride, groom and the wedding party must be comfortable and cool, yet still stylish.

Beach Bridal Gowns

Gowns for the beach are usually less formal than those for a traditional church wedding. Long trains, ball gowns and large headpieces are not the norm. Your gown should be made of a lightweight fabric, such as chiffon, satin or silk. Short or tea length dresses are very appropriate. Don't choose a skirt that is too light, as the wind may cause problems.

You don't need to stick to white for a beach wedding. Many beach brides choose cream colors to match the sand. For bridesmaids, select a pale blue shade to match the colors of the ocean. Spaghetti straps, halters and sleeveless gowns are perfect for a beach wedding. If you want to cover your shoulders a bit, cap sleeves are also nice. Long sleeves are inappropriate for a beach wedding. Because of the wind factor, you should skip the veil and instead decorate your hair with tropical flowers.

Bridal Shoes

Skip your shoes altogether! Walking barefoot on the sand is perfect for any beach event. If don't want to be without shoes, low heeled sandals or flip flops are also appropriate. Choose shoes in silver, pale blue or off white. Shoes with embellishments, such as beading or stones, are perfect for beach wedding attire.

Beach Wedding Attire for Men

A linen suit is perfect for the groom and his attendants. Choose a light colored suit without a tie, or even white pants with a light button down shirt.

Whatever you choose to wear for your beach wedding, just make sure that it's comfortable and you love it! Enjoy your special day!

If you are looking for wedding favors for to go with your beach theme, you can find a fabulous selection right here at Truly!

This and other helpful articles are sponsored by Truly Wedding Favors, offering a beautiful selection of wedding favors and bridal shower favors. Learn more about planning your wedding at the Truly Wedding Blog.

Wedding Favor Trends of 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:11:00 +0000

The stress of planning your wedding can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, selecting your wedding favors is one of the fun parts! You can choose from favors that are elaborate or simple, elegant or funky. Whatever type you choose, pick gifts with a touch of your personality.

If you are having a hard time deciding, use this resource about some of the trends in wedding favors for 2008 and beyond.

Eco-Friendly Favors

As the world continues to "Go Green," wedding gifts are doing the same. If you are looking for eco-friendly favors, consider flower seeds, potted plants or even bird's nests.

Charitable Favors

Many couples are electing to use some of the money they would normally spend on favors to give a donation to their favorite charity. If you decide to do this, make an announcement at the reception and leave a card (on recycled paper!) on each table about the donation and why you selected the particular charity.

Local Favors

If you are getting married in Vermont, you can give your guests a personalized mini-bottle of maple syrup. Having a Texas wedding? Then, how about a jar of BBQ sauce! For a wedding in Mexico, a jar of salsa or hot sauce with a personalized label is a great idea. Anything fun or useful that represents the location of your wedding is terrific.

Destination Favors

Many reports say that up to 20% of all weddings are now destination weddings. For your wedding, select favors that celebrate the destination! If you are getting married in wine country, you can choose wine glasses or other wine-themed favors. For weddings on the beach, check out a selection of beach themed wedding favors.

No need to go into debt to pay for your wedding! Whatever favors you choose, you don't have to break the bank. At Truly Wedding Favors, most of the available favors are $1-3 each and you can even find a good selection of favors for under a dollar! It's not the amount of money you spend, but the thought that counts. Wedding favors are your means of saying thank you to all your guests for their support and friendship.

Wedding Invitations Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:11:00 +0000

Wedding invitations are the key to opening the door to getting your guests to attend your wedding celebration. It is your wedding invitations that begin the whole process of the wedding between you, the bride and groom and the guests to be at your wedding reception. Wedding invitations can be as simple as a basic piece of paper provided with information on your wedding date, time, location and any other piece of information needed for your guests. You can further elaborate with the wedding invitation by providing the guests to be with an envelope asking for a reply and a map of church directions and banquet hall directions.

However, there are now trends in today's society where wedding invitations are begun as fancy as a wedding dress for a bride and that is requires as much work and effort to search and research and shop around as a wedding dress for a bride nowadays! Wedding invitations come in all shapes, creations, paper stock, colour coordination and imagination that the bride, groom, bride & groom or wedding party can come up with. However, with the trend of a wedding invitation being so popular today, many custom designers are available for you to choose from to have your invitation custom-built for you.

For example, within the Toronto, Ontario area, there are over 150 recognized outlets that specialize in wedding invitations according to Wedding Bells magazine, so to pinpoint exactly where you go to get a wedding invitation properly done requires a little time and research on who can create the masterpiece you are imagining. Fortunately, we at Babylon Productions Wedding Centre, have the social network in place that is key in determining who and where to go to get that special wedding invitation done for you. We cover a wide are that includes: Toronto, Scarborough, Richmond Hill, North York, Woodbridge, Vaughn, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Oakville, Pickering, Aurora, and as far south as Niagara Falls, within the southern Ontario region.

The ingredients that go into making a wedding invitation are quite complex, things such as, paper stock, paper colour, dye cutting within the paper style, then there is the envelope for the RSVP section, making sure that everything within the wedding invitation is consistent, in terms of colour, clarity, font style and appeal that also will represent the wedding itself in terms of colour coordination and design.

So we have gone from this simple invite to a world where even the simplest font style matters when planning your wedding celebration for your Toronto Ontario Canada wedding reception. So good luck on your wedding day, a wedding invitation is just another indication of how far we have come to plan for the most important day of our lives!

Wedding Invitations
we at Babylon Productions Wedding Centre have the social network within the wedding industry to provide you with the best information to choosing the perfect supplier that can not only make your wedding invitations the way you want and need them, but will do it locally within your area and provide you with exceptional service. Visit:http://www.videobabylon.ca/wedding-invitation.html

Wedding Dresses For Any Season

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:11:00 +0000

When you are getting married it is important to remember every detail in planning your wedding. It is important to take into consideration what season your wedding date is set for and choose the perfect wedding dress for that season.

Fall wedding dresses

The fall season can be a very tricky month; it can be warm during the day, and freezing cold at night. It is important that you choose the right dress. Wedding experts have recommended that wearing a strapless wedding dress will allow you to be comfortable during the day, however if you get chilly toward the end of the day, you can wear a shawl, wrap or even a stole to stay warm. These accessories will accent the look of your gown.

It is also recommended that the gown should be off white or cream color with bronze or gold beading. Jeweled accents are perfect for fall wedding dresses.

Summer wedding dresses

Summertime is the most chosen season for weddings. There are many different options for wedding dresses for the summer season. It is important that you decide well before you choose a dress where the wedding will be held. It is equally important that you choose a dress appropriate for the location. You do not want to wear a full-length wedding gown if you are getting married on the beach or in some other casual setting. Summer wedding gowns should be made out of lightweight materials like silk, chiffon or crepe. The lightweight material will allow you to stay comfortable in the summer heat and during the festivities.

Winter wedding dresses

Winter is perhaps the most difficult season to choose a wedding dress for. Although the traditional long white wedding gown is recommended for winter weddings, many people choose to go with other colors that reflect the season. Green blue and even red colors are all wonderful choices for a winter wedding.

Long sleeves are also recommended for a winter wedding. However you can choose a gown that has lace and embroidery for sleeves. It creates a very elegant look.

Choosing a wedding dress can be the highlight of planning your wedding. It is important to understand that you will not chose the first wedding dress that you see, and that it may take some time to find the perfect wedding dress. It is equally important that you do not stress during the process of choosing a wedding dress. You will know immediately when you see the right one.

How many types of wedding gowns are available? To find out visit Ideas for Wedding Gowns.

Best Man Toasts at a Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:49:00 +0000

You've been asked to be the Best Man, and you've said yes. Then the awful truth hits you - you've got to organise the Bachelor Party/Stag Night/Bucks Party, but far, far worse... you've got to make the Best Man Speech!

Now, even if you've done some public speaking, this is no easy task. You've got to be really nice to everyone, especially the bride, but on top of that, as the Best Man, you're expected to be funny! The problem is, you're not just talking to the guys, but your audience will include all the mothers, fathers, aunts uncles and grandparents too.

Now, I'll leave all the general stuff about public speaking, like controlling nervousness and projecting your voice, for another time. Right now, lets just concentrate on how to be funny without causing too much offence! The main job you need to do is research. Now, if we assume you know the Groom quite well, as I'd hope you do, then your main research tool is your memory. Think of everything that the Groom and you have done together, think of things he might have said over the years, and decide which things can be given a humorous spin. If you can, try to make big events funny, and avoid anything where you really "had to be there" for it to be funny. Let me give you an example.

Years ago, I told my parents that I was getting married. My brother was there at the time, and said that he was probably getting married too. That's not very funny, is it? But when he asked me to be Best Man at his wedding, this is what I put in my speech:

"Michael's never been one for big announcements. I remember when I told our parents that I was getting married. Michael was there, and he said 'So am I, probably'. So when I recently told them that I was going to be a father, I half expected Michael to pop up and say 'So am I, probably'!"

Trust me, that got a good laugh - from everyone except his bride-to-be's parents.

So you see, with a bit of thought, and a bit of planning, you can make your audience laugh without resorting to uncomfortable revelations about the Groom's former love-life - although if you CAN make it funny, go for it!

Please read the longer article about Best Man Toasts at a Wedding or get more tips on organising the Bachelor Party, or giving the Best Man Speech

Bridal Makeup Do's and Don'ts

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:47:00 +0000

So you have found the perfect man, the perfect wedding dress, and the perfect wedding location - you are all set now, right? Well, wrong. To have the perfect wedding, there is still one thing you need: the perfect bridal makeup. After all, if you really want all eyes to be on you on your big day, then you have to look your best. The following are the do's and don'ts of bridal makeup:

Bridal Makeup Tips for Your Face

-Do use moisturizer to keep your skin looking fresh. When choosing a foundation, go for the one that has yellow undertones.

-Do apply bronzing powder to give you that sun-kissed look, especially if your wedding ceremony will be held outdoors and during daytime. Use the bronzing powder on your cheeks, the bridge of your nose, and your forehead. > Bridal Makeup Tips for Your Eyes

- Do not use dark shadows to define your eyebrows. This can give you a formidable look.

- Do apply neutral colors to define your eyes. Likewise, use classic eyeliner colors like black and brown.

- Do make your eyelashes look lush. Use a curler then apply water-proof lengthening mascara.

Bridal Makeup Tips for Your Lips

- Do make your lips ready for that you-may-kiss-the-bride moment by using a lip brush to apply lip color. It is best to use a lip pencil that comes in a complementary color. When defining your lips, make sure you follow your lips' natural line.

- Do not use a lip liner that is darker than your lipstick. This would not look good in the pictures.

- Do not use a lipstick that is too frosted. This can make you look unnaturally pale.

Bridal Makeup Tips for Your Cheeks

- Do remember to put on blush. Pick a blush in warm color like rose or peach. If you have oily skin, choose powder blush. On the other hand, if you have dry skin, then use a cream blush.

Keep these bridal makeup tips in mind to ensure that you look beautiful and radiant during your big day. And to make sure that you get it right, practice putting on your bridal makeup a few days before your wedding day. Likewise, to see how you would look under flash photography, take a couple of pictures of yourself while wearing your bridal makeup. Lastly, do not forget to use water-proof makeup. You would not want your tears of joy to ruin your look, would you?

For more info about how to have the perfect wedding please visit us at http://www.perfectwedding.us

Dimitra Duff is a professional wedding planner and the owner of http://www.perfectwedding.us that provides valuable advice for wedding couples.

Good Bachelor Party Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:46:00 +0000

So, the man you thought was your best friend has really stitched you up. There you were, out for a quiet drink, taking it easy, relaxing, and then he pops the question. He wants you to be his best man! What can you do? You can hardly say no, but you know that there's a lot more to the job than just getting a few guys drunk and into a few strip joints. Let's run through a few things you can do when organising the Bachelor Party/Stag Night/Bucks Party, to make sure it's a great night out!

The Urban Myth is that every guy who gets married ends his stag night naked, either a) handcuffed to a lamp post, or b) on an express train to somewhere Far, Far Away. In my experience, this is actually very rare, but it is your duty to arrange a few embarrassing moments for the groom.

Now, you might want to hire a stripper, but tread carefully. Do you really know your best friend? Some guys think it's great. Some guys don't. One good idea is to give the Best Man a set of tasks to do. You know, things like: wear his trousers back to front; obtain an item of female underwear; have your photo taken wearing a fast-food employee's silly hat; walk backwards between each bar; run on the spot while ordering the drinks.

The most important thing to think about is the venue for your event. Don't just hope you can leave a bar at 1pm and get into a nightclub - most doormen take a dim view of large, staggering groups of young men trying to get into their club. Play it smart - get there early, and go in in twos and threes. Oh, and if you're in the USA, make sure everyone has their ID!

A lot of people these days organise a stag week-end away somewhere. This can be a great idea, but takes even more planning. Whether your in the US, and heading for Vegas or New Orleans, or you're in the UK and flying off to Amsterdam or Prague, you'll be amazed how hard it is to get a group of five or more guys to arrive at the right place, at the right time, with the right clothes, some cash, and their tickets.

Make sure you take a camera with you. Now, you probably don't want to take your $1000 Digital SLR on this sort of event, but you could always buy a couple of disposable cameras that you can buy in Wal-Mart or online for a few bucks each. You can probably get a whole load of them, and keep some for the wedding itself.

Are you the Best Man? Zander Boon has been Best Man a few times! Do you need some help with Good Bachelor Party Ideas or your Best Man Speech? If so you should visit Best Man's Best Friend

5 Easy Ways To Save on Your Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:35:00 +0000

1. DJs now-a-days charge from $450-$1000 to play at a wedding for 4-5 hours, do you think that's insane? I do, specially if you have a small budget that you really need to stretch. Instead of a DJ consider using an Ipod on your wedding day, you'll have all your favorite music and you don't have to sit there and change the songs, just program your "wedding day list" and you're done, this will surely save you a few hundred dollars.

2. Instead of a champaign toast use apple cider, or even have the guests toast with whatever they are drinking, guest usually will toss away the Champaign after the toast and all that money is wasted. I'm sure very few will notice the non-champaign toast.

3. I think there are three types of people, those who don't drink, those who drink beer and alcohol and those who drink wine. So why don't you eliminate the hard alcohol and only serve beer and wine, you would probably cover all your guests and save lots of money since hard alcohol could be one of the biggest expense.

4. If you don't have $100.00 (or more) to spend on flower centerpieces try using large hurricane candle holders with color candles and wrap it with your theme color ribbon. You can easily customize it to your liking by adding a rose or flower on the ribbon. The possibilities are endless with a little creativity.

5. Visit your local supermarket bakery and look at their cake designs, you'll be surprise at what you can find, if you don't see anything you like, bring them a picture. They too have very creative bakers and their cakes are less expensive than if you were to get one at a private bakery.

Cristian is a South Florida wedding planner and owns her own company http://www.eventsbycristian.com she's also a wedding consultant for http://www.giasweddingstore.com which sells wedding accessories including guest books, cake toppers, garters and unique and practical favors.

Wedding Planning 101: Create a Wedding Planner

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:18:00 +0000

Did your wonderful husband-to-be recently “pop the question” and now you are wondering what on earth you have gotten yourself into with trying to plan a wedding? Don’t panic! I was there once and I remember the first few weeks of having no idea what to do or where to start. Our wedding date was only five months away and I was completely clueless as to what type of ceremony I wanted, what colors I liked, who would officiate, where the wedding would take place, and on and on the endless unknowns went. There seemed to be an enormous amount of details to figure out, and time was running out.

Before you do anything, make up a “wedding planner.” This was literally the best thing I did and it saved me so much hassle and allowed me to have a beautiful, stress-free wedding day. There are all sorts of lovely pre-made wedding planners available, but I recommend you make your own. Get a 3-ring binder and notebook paper. Title a separate sheet of paper for each month until the wedding. For the last month, make a separate page for each week. For the last week, make a separate page for each day.

As you are thinking of the 1001 things which need to be done before the big day, instead of letting them overwhelm you, write it down in your wedding planner on the appropriate page when you would like to have that item figured out, done, or taken care of. Use these monthly, weekly, and daily lists to help keep you on track. As items are finished, cross them off your list. If something doesn't get done one month, move it to the next month.

In my wedding planner, I not only had a whole section with these lists, but I kept everything else needed for the big day. There was a section for receipts (I put some clear plastic pockets to hold these in), a section which listed everyone who was involved in the wedding (so no one would be overlooked on the program), and fabric swatches (so we could match the dresses, the flowers, and the decorations). Another section listed all the out-of-town guests, where they were staying, when they were coming in, and if they needed transportation. There was a section for wedding and shower gifts and thank you cards which still needed to be written. As we met with various individuals (florists, wedding coordinator, and so on), I took notes and kept these notes in my wedding planner for future reference. There was also a section which listed all the contact information for the key people/businesses involved in our wedding (from cake decorator to officiator).

Your wedding planner will be different than mine, because no two weddings are the same. Customize your planner to fit your exact needs for your special day.

As you plan your wedding, make sure and take time to enjoy preparing and looking forward to it. Don’t get so caught up in all the details that you drive yourself and everyone around you crazy! In the end, everything will work out and it will be a beautiful day!

Crystal Paine is the owner of Covenant Wedding Source, LLC, an online retail bridal business specializing in custom-made gowns and other unique wedding products. She lives with her husband in Kansas. For more information on her business, visit her website: http://www.covenantweddingsource.com

Wedding Day Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 23:53:00 +0000

by Tara Sabeti, beautysteals.com

Your wedding day is quite possibly the most important day of your life. It's a day where you will be the center of attention, so it's only natural that you will want to look as beautiful as you feel.

The key is to feel comfortable in your makeup. I have known brides that have ended up crying because they weren't accustomed to the amount of makeup they were wearing. On the other hand, my own grandmother didn't even wear an ounce of makeup for her big day, and I can't say she was thrilled with that either.

So what should you look for while shopping for wedding makeup? Choose products which complement your skin tone, skin type and of course, your bridal gown. And most of all, have fun!

Lips

Women with fair skin can create a soft, dreamy look with peachy colors and beige lipsticks with pink undertones. For a more dramatic look, choose berry shades and reds with blue undertones.

If you have medium or olive skin, rich, deep reds with brown undertones and darker pinks with a hint of purple are stunning choices. Light browns with warm undertones and dark berry shades also complement your skin tone.

If your wedding is taking place during summer, a nutmeg lip gloss looks incredible on olive skin tones, especially paired with a bronzer.

African-American and Caribbean women can wear lip colors with more pigment. Rich, dark toffee colors, deep plums and reds with blue undertones complement dark skin tones beautifully.

Take care to choose a lip color that will not make your skin look washed out or full of flaws. Be sure to test your lip color on your lips, not somewhere else on your face or body. Choose a lip color which will complement your face and eye makeup.

Avoid biting your lips or licking them. They will dry out, making it difficult to apply lipstick and lip liner. Your lip color may even show up unevenly.

Foundation

Your foundation color must match your skin tone perfectly. That's especially crucial if you are planning to wear your hair up in an updo. Make sure to color-match under natural daylight, not artificial lighting. Department store lighting can be deceptive. Your makeup may appear to match your skin tone perfectly, but once you step out into natural light, that may not be the case. Choosing a foundation shade may take some time, since there are so many colors to choose from.

Most skin tones have yellow undertones; even if you think you have a pink undertone, you still have yellow in your skin. With very few exceptions, pale skinned women need to select more neutral yellow shades than makeup companies would have you think.

Test colors alongside your jaw, not on the inside of your wrist, for the best match. Your foundation should blend invisibly into your skin in the daylight.

The advantage to purchasing cosmetics at department stores is that you can easily experiment with colors and get a hands-on experience with the products. At drug stores, you rarely can try on products, making it difficult to make a decision. The good news is that most drug stores nowadays offer money-back guarantees if you aren't happy with your purchase.

Brows

It's best to shape your brows approximately 5 days before your wedding day. Visit an experienced esthetician, even if it is not your first time shaping your brows, to have your brows shaped to perfection. And ignore that silly rule that your brow shape must follow your natural brow line. There is more than one brow shape which suits your facial structure. For example, highly-arched brows make round faces appear more oval. A flatter brow shape makes a long face appear shorter.

Of course, creating an obviously unnatural brow shape will not enhance your features as well as one which actually works well with your facial structure. Discuss with your esthetician what shape is best for you. A beautiful brow shape will enhance your features in wonderful ways.

Nails

Although it is not advised to wear acrylic nails on a regular basis, consider having acrylic tips adhered to your nails for this special occasion. They last for about 2 weeks, and then you can have them removed by a professional. You won't have to worry about your nail polish chipping and they will look picture-perfect for all those pre- and post-party events, including your honeymoon.

Eyes

Have your makeup artist or a friend apply false lashes. You will be amazed at how they can add instant glamour and drama to your look. False lashes come in strips or as individual hairs. For a more natural look, apply individual hairs to any sparse areas along your upper lash line.

It is essential to wear waterproof mascara, even if you think you won't cry. If you are wearing false lashes, apply mascara before you apply the lashes. You may even want to skip the mascara entirely.

Hair

How many times do you have an excuse to look like a princess? Take advantage of this special day and wear your hair in an elegant updo. It doesn't have to be elaborate; it can be as simple as a French twist. Updos highlight your neck wonderfully and add grace to any look.

To avoid any last-minute changes to your makeup, set aside one day about 2 months or so in advance where you wear your makeup to test its staying power and whether or not you react to any of the ingredients. You should notice any product reactions within 24 hours. If you need to make any adjustments, you will have plenty of time to make any necessary changes.

CREDITS

Tara Sabeti is Vice-President of Marketing at www.BeautySteals.com, an online retailer of cosmetics, skin care and fragrances. A graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, she has spent more than five years researching and working in the cosmetics and fashion industries. Her in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the cosmetics industry, from product development to e-marketing, as well as cosmetic applications for women of varying backgrounds, makes Sabeti an authority women can trust.

Tips to Make Your Wedding More Unique and Special

noreply@blogger.com (Smiley Wedding) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 07:56:00 +0000

by Jerry Leung

Just like all the other couples, you would like to make your wedding the most unique in the world. There are a lot of different ways to accomplish this goal. And the followings are some tips for you.

First of all, the location where you will host your wedding is very essential. It will be better to make a decision on it before you go to other items. If it is a place that is not easy to find, you should provide transportation for the guests.

In fact, there is no limit for the location of your big day. A hotel or a country club can be perfect. If you wish to, you may also host it at your home. An outdoor wedding in your garden of your home can be a romantic one.

You will need to visit the venues personally when you have a sort list on it. It is important to have a look at the actual location and you should not rely on photos or images only.

In your wedding ceremony, you may have someone to read some pieces of poetries. You can invite any person to do it. You can invite either your best friend, or your aunt to do it. No matter who does this, you have to make sure that it will not be something boring.

Concerning the content of the ceremony reading, it can be an excerpt from a love poem you love. However, it can be more interesting if you will write your own reading. And by doing this, you can be sure that it is something unique.

For the other items in your wedding, you will need a check list to help you to organize them. You will need a physical check list. Since it will be very troublesome if you have to go back to your computer to check it on your big day, you will need to print it out. You will check if every item is delivered on time and properly.

If possible, you should not do the checking yourself. Instead, you will find your best friend to keep the check list and help you to organize and check the items on your big day. Trust me! You will be very busy and have no time to deal with this.

For the bride, you would like to be the most beautiful bride on your wedding. Consequently you will need to take care your skin at least a month before your big day. In order to maintain the quality of the sun, you should avoid excessive sunshine and take lots of water. Regarding your meals, you should also take more fresh fruits and vegetables instead of meat.

You should discuss with your makeup artist well before your wedding. It is better to have a final decision on the makeup a month before and it is important for you to try it out before the wedding.

The last point is that you should take everything easy. Do not lose your temper just because some minor mistakes. If you can do all this, your wedding will always be a special and unique one.

Jerry Leung is a wedding invitation designer with great interest in Chinese Style Wedding cards. He designs Contemporary Chinese Wedding Invitations with Dragon and Phoenix Art. Besides, he runs a blog on weddings to share his ideas on items such as Seasonal Wedding Favors. You can also find UK Wedding Vendor Directory from his website.