10 Essentials for Brides at Their Wedding: Tips to Keep You Looking Your Best

It’s the day of your wedding, and the tips and advice you received from your mother, friends, and loved ones have paid off and you look and feel beautiful. Time has been spent arranging your hair just so, making up your face perfectly, and getting you ready for your big day. Many times, however, brides just consider the big picture – and often forget how uncomfortable they may be during the ceremony or reception in a hot, heavy dress with four-inch heels. It’s a bad scenario, but it happens. To keep you up, dancing, and mingling with your guests, here are a few of the most essential bride must-haves for your wedding day. With a little forethought and a carefully packed cocktail bag, you can be prepared for whatever the day has in store with these wedding tips!

The Top 10 Bride Must-Haves

1. Comfortable shoes: One of the most essential bride must-haves is comfortable shoes. Imagine having to dance and walk around in those four-inch heels for a few hours. Sounds painful, doesn’t it? Not buying comfortable shoes is the reason that many brides switch to flip-flops during the reception. Though a quick wardrobe change is one option, consider testing out the shoes you buy well in advance. One of the more routine wedding tips that experts suggest is to walk around your home to break the shoes in and ensure you don’t get any annoying blisters in the process. After all, squinting and wincing in your pictures will not be pretty. And if you’re insistent on those pretty, but painful four-inch heels, bring along another pair of more comfortable shoes for the after party – some simple flats will do the trick!

2. Breathable gown: Much like your shoes, one of the best bride must-haves is a wedding dress that moves with you. A constricting dress will make you cringe as much as those shoes do, and tugging and jerking the fabric will damage it, not to mention alert everyone to the fact that you’re extremely uncomfortable. Try your dress on beforehand. When trying it on at the shop, if it feels too tight, then your wedding day will be no different. Move around and get a feel for the dress to ensure that you are at ease on your big day.

3. Waterproof mascara: Oh, there will be lots of tears shed – by you, your mother, your close friends, and family. But, you’ll be heartbroken when you see your mascara making bee lines all over your face. One of my favorite wedding tips is to wear waterproof mascara to combat the ‘raccoon look.’ Wearing waterproof mascara on your wedding day will keep your makeup looking fresh, and you’ll rest assured that you have no smudges to worry about.

4. Long-lasting lipstick: From eating to kissing, your lipstick has many opportunities to fade or smear away. Before deciding on one brand or color, try it out for awhile. Wear it while doing all the things you normally do to see if it has the possibility of fading, smudging, or smearing. And make sure you pack the tube of lipstick in your ‘bride must-haves’ bag!

5. Durable antiperspirant: Whether your dress is sleeveless or not, antiperspirant that stands the test of time is an absolute necessity. You want to stay clean, fresh, and sweet-smelling throughout the ceremony and reception, and one of the many wedding tips that experts suggest is to use long-lasting antiperspirant. The only way to guarantee this, of course, is with durable and/or prescription strength deodorant/antiperspirant. This extra layer of protection will give you more confidence in whatever you’re doing.

6. Small compact mirror: Throughout the ceremony and reception, you’ll be relieved that you had your little compact mirror on hand. Tucked away in a small cocktail purse with your other bride must-haves, it’s just a little bit of added confidence. You can quickly check for makeup smudges and reapply as needed or see if any food particles have become lodged in visible places.

7. Aspirin or Ibuprofen: Headaches happen. And so do aching limbs – usually at the most inopportune times. And as far as valuable wedding tips go, be prepared by adding a little tube of aspirin or ibuprofen to your ‘bride must-haves’ cocktail purse. Even if you don’t need it, someone else just might.

8. Stain removal pen: You can find these handy, little pens everywhere. Plus, they’re small enough to be tucked into your cocktail purse filled with your other ‘bride must-haves.’ Just make sure to spot test the pen on a discreet part of your dress before applying it anywhere during the actual event. Some contain bleach, which may harm the fabric. For quick removal of a tiny, but noticeable stain, however, these pens are a god-send.

9. Hairbrush/comb: Tame those frizzies and stay beautiful throughout the day. Another of my favorite wedding tips is to purchase a fold-up brush, which is ideal for a small purse with precious space. A quick dab of lipstick and one or two brushes through your hair will have you ready to meet and greet with guests.

10. Emery board: There is nothing more annoying than a jagged nail. Keep your freshly manicured fingers looking lovely by taking a quick swipe of the emery board (or nail file) across it should one break or chip.

More Than Just Wedding Tips – Valuable Advice

These ten bride must-haves and wedding tips will ensure that you are prepared for your big day. Weather the day effortlessly by testing out your wardrobe, makeup, and hair in advance as well as by packing a little cocktail purse with some of the essential bride must-haves listed above, like that tube of lipstick, compact mirror, aspirin, stain removal pen, comb, and emery board. Even if you don’t need them, you’ll be glad you had them. Think of these bride must-haves and wedding tips as a little helpful layer of extra protection.

About the Author: In 2006, Cherie Johnson decided to blend her love of weddings with a business model by starting Creative Bride, a one-stop shop for baby and bridal shower, graduation, quinceañera, anniversary, and wedding favors. Cherie’s helpful tips have been published on many websites including The Wedding Source, Little Wedding Guide, and The American Chronicle. Over the past few years, Cherie has helped countless couples and families make their big events a success. Prior to starting the company, she worked as a professional wedding photographer. Browse Creative Bride’s colorful selection of favors by visiting www.Creative-Bride.com

Your Bridesmaid No Longer Your BFF?  When to Give Your Bridesmaid the Boot.

by Stacy Dymalski

Anyone who said best friends are forever never planned a wedding. Just because you’ve known your bridesmaids since kindergarten doesn’t mean they all envision your wedding day as the same spectacular event you’ve dreamed of since you were 12.

Ask any Wedding Planner, and they’ll tell you that picking your bridesmaids is one of the most important decisions in planning your wedding. And even though you may feel obligated to choose someone you’ve known your whole life, you should consider the purpose of a bridesmaid before deciding who she should be. First and foremost, a bridesmaid is there to witness the commitment you are about to make to your future husband and to emotionally support you throughout your marriage. So if you’re considering a bridesmaid who A) doesn’t like the guy you’re marrying, B) doesn’t believe in marriage, or C) hates men, you might want to think about giving her some other ceremonial task, like managing the guest book. The last thing you need is a scowling bridesmaid in every picture.

Bridesmaids also help fulfill many of the small jobs that need to be done the day you walk down the aisle. In many ways, your bridesmaids are your ambassadors, representing you to your guests and the people you hire. So if you have a friend who sometimes forgets to show up, has colorful language, or likes to get tipsy at parties and tell embarrassing stories about your childhood, you may not want her front and center at your wedding.

But even with careful consideration, it’s possible to unwittingly pick a bridesmaid who turns out to be a horror show. If that happens, it’s okay to fire her. So where do you draw the line on bad behavior? Anything that resembles the following is just cause for the boot:

1. She misses important wedding-related functions like fittings, appointments, parties, or rehearsals.

2. She’s so wrapped up in the drama in her life (like a break-up, stress at work, problems with her children, etc.) that she can’t focus on her bridesmaid duties.

3. She criticizes every decision you make (but doesn’t offer any realistic options).

4. She tries to take control of your wedding plans. (Remember this is YOUR wedding. Her input is appreciated, but not the final word.)

5. She has a negative attitude about the man you’re marrying (and/or his family).

6. She makes changes to your existing wedding plans (like the seating chart or flower choices) without consulting you first.

7. She takes it upon herself to have her bridesmaid dress altered to include a plunging neckline that would make Britney Spears blush.

8. She refuses to help plan pre-wedding functions such as a shower, hens’ parties, or a girls’ night out. (Or worse yet, she says she’ll plan them, but then doesn’t.)

9. She tells your fiancé about your past 10 boyfriends when you’ve only told him about four (and he’s not impressed).

10. She insists on being the center of attention in any group of people.

It may seem obvious that these bridesmaids must be sacked, but when the culprit in question is your sister-in-law, a favorite co-worker, or a life long friend, guilt can prevent you from making the hard choice. Above all, you have to ask yourself, is my bridesmaid causing me more undue pain than if she weren’t my bridesmaid? If the answer is yes, she needs to go.

So how does one fire a bridesmaid? Start by making a list of her inappropriate behaviors and privately talk to her about each one and why it bothers you. If she’s truly sorry and vows to change her conduct, you might give her another chance. If she becomes defensive, take the high road and let her have her say. When she’s finished calmly explain that you value her friendship and want to stay friends, but that every friend doesn’t have to be a bridesmaid. If she chooses to sever your friendship, then ask yourself, was she really that good of a friend to begin with? Only dear friends want what’s best for you when planning your wedding. And let’s face it, isn’t that who you want surrounding you on one of the most important days of your life?

About The Author: Girl Friday Weddings www.girlfridayweddings.com.au are Personal Assistants and Wedding Planners are located in Sydney, Australia. Specialists in affordable part-planning, they pride themselves in helping out at any stage of the planning process and are particularly apt at assisting the last-minute Bride.

Wedding Planning Tips for the Bride-to-Be

With wedding planning, it can get very hectic quickly. That’s why you need a “plan for your wedding planning” as odd as this may sound. You should determine early on what tasks will have to be completed to successfully plan the wedding on time and within budget.

Things to Do Very Early On

There are some things that just can’t wait when it comes to wedding planning. First, secure your photographer of choice with a money deposit. Once you have a wedding date set, you can talk with a photographer and schedule the photo session for your bridal portraits and secure their services for your wedding day. The reason you’ll want to book this very early is because photographers (really good ones) are usually booked months in advance, and many weddings are on weekend days.

Find a wedding dress early on as well so you’ll have time for fitting, ordering, and alterations (if needed). The bridesmaids will need plenty of time for their dresses so keep them informed also. Choose wedding colors and possibly a wedding theme before you start planning. Once you know the colors, you can start shopping for wedding favors and decorations early and possibly find some great bargains when you’re not in a rush.

Choose a Location for Your Wedding

Probably one of the most important things you’ll do is choose a location for your wedding. If having the wedding in a church, consider the types of decorations you will need and where you might hold the reception. If planning a wedding outdoors, you’ll have to take possible weather conditions into consideration – and do have a backup plan! Pick a location with great lighting, or plan to illuminate with additional lighting. The location is important to know how many decorations you will need, depending on the size of the building or area, and how many guests you can invite.

Hire a Wedding Director

A wedding director should be booked early on as well so you can be sure to have one when the day arrives. The director can help with last minute planning and the formalities of the ceremony. You’ll likely consider the director to be a lifesaver when the day finally arrives!

Order Decorations, Flowers, Invitations, and Wedding Party Gifts

The little details can cause big headaches if you don’t do these early on. You’ll need invitations early enough to address them and mail them at least a month ahead of the wedding date. Flowers and corsages should be ordered well in advance along with small appreciation gifts for the wedding party including bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc.

To save time and possibly money, you might be able to order many of the small wedding items online. There are thousands of wedding websites that carry almost every decoration, gift, or invitation you can think of at reasonable prices. The wedding websites also usually offer great tips on wedding planning for your benefit.

Don’t forget about the wedding rings, catering, wedding songs, reception decorations, punch, food, and of course, the wedding cake. These are all crucial parts of wedding planning and have to be taken care of early on to minimize stress. If you take care of the wedding planning far in advance, you’ll see things fall into place and be able to enjoy your wedding as it was meant to be!
To learn more about subjects like weddings please visit the web site at: http://www.weddingmuseum.com

For more information and informative related articles and links about this subject matter and content, please visit Majon’s Family and Children directory: http://www.majon.com/directory/Family_and_Children

About the Author

Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2007 (Tue Jul 15 2008) Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource web site at: http://majon.com

Get a Couture Bridal Look on a Budget!

The rumors are true you don’t have to spend a fortune on a wedding gown to look like you did!

Brides Letting Bridesmaids Make Their Own Choices

The days of the overbearing, control-freak bride are over! Everywhere, bridesmaids are rejoicing that they don’t have to wear a dress that’s been chosen for them (presumably after the bride has had a few drinks), they don’t have to wear their hair in a severe chignon that makes them look twenty years older, and they’re not going to be micromanaged anymore by a bride who needs someone to push around after her parents have pushed her around all day.

The new trend is to let bridesmaids make up their own minds about many aspects of their wedding participation.

I’ve been in weddings before, and the bride was a nightmare, says Sarah, a bride from New York City, who has been a bridesmaid six times for friends and relatives. So when my sister asked me to be a bridesmaid, I feared the worst. But my sister said that we could all choose the style of gown we wanted, she had no preference on how we wore our hair, and she had no preference on a bridal shower. Whatever we wanted to do was fine with her. I almost thought I was being Punk’d.

Sarah’s experience echoes what’s going on in wedding world right now. Dress designers are encouraging brides to let their bridesmaids pick out the most flattering tops and skirts for their own body shapes and comfort levels, which makes bridesmaids very happy. They can make their own style and budget choices, as long as they stick to the color and designer chosen by the bride. And even that is up for grabs these days. Sharon Naylor, author of The Bridesmaid Handbook and a PashWeddings.com resident wedding expert, is planning her own wedding right now. I just told my Matron of Honor that she can pick out any dress style she wants for herself and for the bridesmaids, as long as it’s full-length and formal. Our wedding colors are green and white, so I let Jill “ who is an artist “ decide between the moss, celery, hunter and every other variation of green on there. It’s not a decision I have to control. Jill chose three possibilities so far, and I love them all. She gets to pick the final design.

A bridesmaid who can choose her own dress is a happy bridesmaid, and will wear the dress again in the future. It’s even become a trend to have bridesmaids in coordinating shades of a color. Some brides with fairer skin might love a brighter color, while bridesmaids with darker skin might love a different shade. It still makes for lovely photos and personal presence when the bridesmaids are in a range of colors. Look at the shades of orange leaves in an autumn tree, for instance, says Sharon Naylor. They’re not exactly the same hue, but it works.”

The same applies to hairstyle. Today’s brides are no longer so controlling that they demand their bridesmaids get the exact same updo to make them a matching set. I just saw this on My Super Sweet Sixteen, where the birthday girl insisted on uniform French braids and threw a fit when the braids were not to her exact specifications. No bride wants to be like that anymore, says Naylor. Now, brides assure their bridesmaids that they can wear their hair any way they like. They might ask for an updo, but it’s the bridesmaids’ choices of updo. We’re far from the days when brides demanded that their bridesmaids order $200 hair extensions ˜to give the image I’m looking for.

And for shoes, brides may only go as far as saying, Wear silver heels with an open to give a uniformity in the wedding photos. They’re not choosing a designer, model number, price, and dye job order and sending their bridesmaids a˜you must buy this by Thursday’s e-mail”.

And then there is the bridal shower. We went through a period where they were not surprise parties, the bride virtually took over the plans and stuck her bridesmaids with the bill, and bridesmaids resented paying way above their budget level for a party that they considered tacky or too extravagant considering they still had to pay for their travel expenses to get to the wedding. Now, brides are saying what type of party they would like, such as afternoon brunch, provide an organized guest list with guests’ addresses or e-mails, and letting the group decide on everything from the menu to the games. It’s the bride’s party to enjoy, but not to plan.

Why is this trend on the rise? Why have brides stepped back and allowed their bridesmaids so much personal freedom in all of the wedding areas? It’s a combination of personal experience (the bride has been a bridesmaid several times and never liked being bossed around), seeing some truly offensive selfishness of brides on television, and the fact that brides are choosing only their closest friends as their bridal party members. In this age of personalized weddings, there’s no longer a push to include his sisters who you’ve never met or including those who had you in the bridal party long ago. Everyone wants to be The Nice Bride, and they have a lot of trust and faith that their bridesmaids will make great decisions on their own.

Consider it the Golden Rule coming into play, as more brides consider their relationships with their bridal party members. This is not a time to boss them around. They’re doing the bride a favor, and now “ with gratitude being a key ingredient to any bride’s mindset “ the brides are acting with kindness, consideration and an open mind towards their closest women. I love letting them make their own decisions, says Kim, a bride from San Francisco. “My friends are all so stylish, I know they’ll choose something gorgeous. And they were so grateful that they weren’t being told what to wear. They said I was their favorite bride of all time!

Another category where the do your own thing approach is coming into play: allowing bridesmaids to decide which showers they’ll attend. In our global world, brides have multiple showers thrown for them. The first and main one is always by the bridesmaids, but then there are others thrown by friends and relatives. Traditional etiquette stated that the bridal party should attend all showers, but today’s bride allows her maids to pick and choose according to what works best for their schedule, budget and travel plans. So these extra invites are not a Must.

And finally, while the bride often gives the bridesmaids decision-making power over so many of their own plans for the wedding, there is one area where the bridesmaids still defer to the bride: the bachelorette party. The bridesmaids will plan a party to suit the bride’s style, not the other way around. So if she’s not a drinker, the bride isn’t forced to endure a pub crawl or a risque party with a male dancer. She may be a spa-going type of bride, so that’s what her bridesmaids knowing her so well will plan for her.

It’s a far more enjoyable thing to be chosen for a bridal party now that these new rules have come into play.

About The Author: Sharon Toris is a freelance writer and contributor to the top women’s and bridal magazines such as www.PashWeddings.com. She lives in Morristown, New Jersey. © 2007, Blue Grotto Media, Inc.