You have been "besties" for what seems like forever! Naturally, you're going to be the Maid of Honor! You said "YES OF COURSE!" to your dear friend when she asked, you both hugged, shared a lil' tear and embraced the moment. So now what???? What is to be expected of you? Don't worry, your friend will stress enough over this wedding for the both of you, lol. We want to give you a few tips to make this process as special as your friend is and have her thanking you for everything with the biggest of smiles by the big day!
Tip #1: Finding out what your duties are!
We recommend going to lunch with your friend and bringing a notebook! Talk about all she needs or expects of you from the process and write it down!! This way, nothing creeps up on you that you're not prepared for, there's nothing she assumes you will do that you're unaware of and it eliminates any potential fussing down the road.
Tip #2: Planning the Shower!
Was planning the Bridal Shower on that list you guys made? If so, don't panic, we have some pointers!
-Pick a theme and color scheme and stick with it!
-When picking your theme and color scheme, make sure it's something the bride will love but that is easy for you to find things that will match!
-Ask family members that love the bride to step in and help you with this! Chances are, they will be so happy they get to help, you won't have much to do because they will almost take over the project. DO make SURE you keep a good over view of this so that it remains a party the BRIDE will enjoy!
-Focus more on the games you will plan and what you will "do" than how you will decorate. You can have all the decor in the world and not throw a memorable shower. Look up fun games that will keep you all laughing. Laughter and smiles are the key to a great shower!!
-Now that you have freed yourself up a bit with the shower by bringing in family to help, start thinking about what you're going to do for her bachelorette party! You do not bring family in on this one. Get a list of all the bridesmaids though and delegate tasks for them for the special night out. And please, if your friend isn't the type to "party" but you are, don't make her. Plan something SHE will love. It isn't about you or the other girls. It is only about HER! :) At the same time though, if you are not a party animal and the bride is and you're just not good at planning this sort of night out, bring in a bridesmaid that is to co-plan with you. Remember, it's all about the Bride!!
-For any and all parties or showers, your goal is not to embarrass the bride! Your goal is to make sure she has a fun and memorable time with whatever you do or give her to wear. ;) Have fun......but not at her "expense".
-Speaking of expense, there's no need to ever break the bank. Doing so can leave you frustrated and your friend will be able to see that. You don't want it to come between your friendship. Stay focused on making things a good experience rather than pretty if you have to choose between the two. And don't be afraid to ask the other bridesmaids for help! :)
Tip #3: What Will You Do or Give Her To Remember All This?:
-Buy a scrapbook with removable pages, and mail a page to all of the bachelorette's girlfriends. Ask everyone to decorate one side with photos of herself and/or the bride, funny quotes and memories, a letter, mementos of their friendship, etc. On the other side, have them write out their favorite recipe. Put it back together, wrap it up and give it to her during the party. She can keep it forever and will think of you always with a smile!
Whatever your duty may be as your friends Maid of Honor, just remember to keep it sweet, keep it fun and keep to a budget. Good Luck!
Even if you're mentally prepared to sift through china patterns, registering for everything you'll need for the rest of your life—the fun stuff and the essentials—can be overwhelming. With all of that pressure, you're bound to forget a towel or two.
To make sure you cover all of your bases, we consulted Kristy Welker, a Target spokesperson and an authority on wedding registries. Whether it's a digital camera to record your memories or something as simple as a gift card, she knows exactly what you'll need. Here are the top ten things you and your future hubby shouldn't overlook!
Items for Hobbies
Love being outdoors? Register for a tent for a camping adventure, for bikes to hit the trails, or accesories for either! Are you both movie lovers? Register for DVDs so you'll have a collection of your favorites on hand for nights spent at home.
Beach Towels
Going on a tropical honeymoon? Register for some fun beach towels to take on your unforgettable vacation.
Digital Cameras
You'll be creating lots of memories in the years ahead. Why not ask for a new digital camera or camcorder to record all of the great moments?
Picture Frames
You'll want beautiful frames to display your fabulous wedding and honeymoon photos. Don't forget to add a few of your favorites to your registry.
Gift Cards
A gift card will come in handy when unexpected things pop up. It'll be nice to have some extra cash available for future purchases at your favorite store.
Outdoor/Indoor Grill
If you have a backyard or a patio, a grill is great thing to add to your registry. If grilling outdoors isn't an option, an indoor grill can be almost as much fun.
Luggage
Whether for the honeymoon or for vacations in years to come, a nice set of matching luggage will make any couple feel like they belong together.
Extra Towels
Towels typically are included on registry lists, but make sure to register for a few extra sets so you'll have enough on hand to replace those that get a lot of use—and for unexpected guests.
Vacuum Cleaner
Couples frequently leave this essential item off their lists, but it's the perfect opportunity to snag something super practical.
Barware
Wine glasses and drinking glasses appear on most registry lists, but accessories like pitchers, cocktail shakers and decanters are often overlooked."
Ok, so we know every bride is careful to pick the perfect bouquet to carry on her wedding day, but do we really know all that should go into the this planning? There's a lot to it; more than you may think.
When picking your bouquet, you need to know first that the most important thing about it is the size! Ask your florist if the bouquet you're ordering will be right for your body frame and dress. Know that the size of the bouquet can change the price as well. If you're a tall, big boned girl and need a larger bouquet to look right for your frame and the price is higher than you can afford, ask your florist to substitute your more expensive stems with something that looks beautiful but gives you the look you need.
We all remember the Royal wedding!!! Wasn't it beautiful? You remember Kate's beautiful bouquet? I sure do. Natural, wispy, classic and simply elegant! However, it was a tad too small for her. It needed to be about a 3rd larger and it would've been perfect! At the same time though, that bouquet would've been the perfect size if she were about 5 inches shorter and petite like Eva Longoria. Now, take that same bouquet and put it in the hands of the ever beautiful model and actress Queen Latifa and it would look ridiculously small. Same beautiful bouquet, 3 very different beautiful women, 3 completely different results!!
Another thing you must remember....and this is one of the biggest things, is HOW YOU HOLD YOUR BOUQUET!!! This applies to bridesmaids as well as the bride.
While walking down the aisle, it's only natural to tense up a bit. All eyes are on you as you're expected to walk not too fast but not too slow either. You must also smile, don't look down, look forward and be radiant for all shots taken by your photographer. And don't forget to smile at grandma as you pass, kiss your mother, don't trip in those fabulous heels you’re wearing for the first time, walk graciously in that gown that feels like 100 lbs, don't be nervous and ah yes.....focus on your groom because it’s his first time seeing you on your wedding day! J With all these instructions brides are given, no wonder they worry so much about their entrance! lol! The last thing on your mind is how you hold your bouquet.
The most natural way to carry it is the same way you would carry anything, arms bent completely at the elbow, flowers by your chest and a good grip on the handle. The problem with this is that those beautiful blooms are now hiding that gorgeous gown and covering the upper part of you giving the illusion you’re all stomach and hips. Totally unflattering to any bride!
So, get a large glass of water, one that’s at least 9 to 12 inches tall. Go put on your wedding day heels; hold the cup so that the rim is just below your chest. COMPLETELY BELOW your chest. Your elbow should be more open at this point and yes, it feels completely unnatural. But go look in the mirror, it doesn’t LOOK weird. Practice walking back and forth. Why a glass of water? Because you’ll not want to spill it! IT will give you a feel for some of the tension you’ll feel walking down the aisle all made up! Then on your wedding day, you’ll be prepared and more likely to hold your bouquet in a manner that is both flattering to your body but looks great in all your pictures!
Notice the picture here. One bridesmaid has her bouquet up, and the other lower. It’s obvious which one looks better. Good luck!
Thinking of wearing your hair up for your wedding? There are so many options out there! So how will you know which style is best for you?
The best way is to make a few visits with your stylist and practice. Here are a few "do's & don'ts" when it comes to updo's.
Tip: Just because you're getting married on the beach, doesn't mean you need beach hair. That stringy look won't be flattering next to your wedding gown or in pictures. Going loose isn't bad, just smooth it out a little!
Take a look:
Do Don't
Do Don't
Do Don't
Do Don't
Do Don't
Do Don't
Do Don't
Do Don't
So you can see, there are many ways to do the exact same thing.....but how you do it really makes all the difference.
So be careful ladies, make SURE you get the right stylist!!! :)
So my husband was talking to our 8 year old son who asked "Daddy, How old is God?" Wow, that's a big question for a little fella. But Keith replied that God just always has been! Lil' man thought for a while and then proceeded with "Daddy, was God here before the 1980's??" AHHH! We are officially OLD! lol.
The '80's weren't that bad.....were they? My husband of course told him that God was here long before the 80's. I wonder though, given the hair styles of the era, is it possible that God took a slight respite from watching over us all in that retro age of florescence and tacky hair. lol. (I'm joking of course)
All jokes aside though, I think we can all agree that one of the least loved fashion statements of the 80's were the wedding gowns. I mean c'mon, I'm pretty sure I could make a small hot air balloon out of one of those puffy sleeves that graced the arms of so many trend following brides.
So quickly done away with yet I wonder, are we destined to be doomed with a revisitation of that "swallow me whole" bridal attire? Taking a look through Bridal Magazine, I came across an ode to the talented and ever loved, David Tutera and his gowns for Mon Cheri!!! STUNNED by the 1st gown, I hasted to my laptop to see what else he had been designing.....so far, this is the only dress I have seen like this one. Whew, I was worried there for a moment.
Now I'm no dress designer expert but, um, is she wearing her mothers gown with a few minor alterations? Not his finest work.
David, we LOVE your dresses, what's up with this one?
I wonder where Bridal Fashion is headed to next year. I'll give you a hint, the style is: What is half woman and half fish? You guessed it! Some seriously overstated mermaid shaped gowns have hit the spotlight for 2012! So girls, it's time for those crunches and lunges if you're gonna rock one of these babies because they show every lovely curve!
So back to Tutera, The poof sleeve dress may be giving me a bad feeling but that's not to say he's not an EXCELLENT designer or one of the best wedding designers out there! I found a lovely article about him touching on the topic of his recent success with bridal fashion. Enjoy.....
David Tutera for Mon Cheri
Debuting for Spring 2012, leading celebrity wedding and entertaining expert David Tutera partnered with industry veteran Mon Cheri designer Martin Thornburg to create the
David Tutera for Mon Cheri wedding dress collection. Launching at the AmericasMart Atlanta August 18th - 22nd, David and Martin are also scheduled to make a personal appearance at the Chicago Merchandise Mart on September 25th on behalf of the new collection and in commemoration of Mon Cheri's 20th Anniversary Celebration.
David Tutera for Mon Cheri offers today's stylish brides with an assortment of fashionable designs to choose from, ranging from traditional ball gowns to modern dresses, couture fashions to more informal designs. With high quality fabrics, hand-beaded Swarovski crystals and impeccable fit, David Tutera for Mon Cheri provides the perfect dress for every body type at an affordable price point. View the new collection the upcoming Spring 2012.
Wow David, we truly love your work. Just please, don't bring back the poof!!!!! Don't repeat the 1980's bridal fashion nightmares!!! Please!!!
All in humour and love of course. In every area we would copy David without question! He's amazing. We just think some fashion is best left in the past. ;)
So you're planning for the big day! You already know everyone will be looking at YOU the whole time and you want to find the PERFECT dress! Don't make the mistake of letting your dress look better than you do!
I know, I know, you want to look "natural" and your mind is made up. You don't want to feel like a clown or look over done. But did you know that less is not always more when it comes to your wedding day? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying to go cake the stuff on, I'm simply saying don't be afraid to step outside the box this once.
Try this: Do your makeup how you think looks best, then go take a picture of yourself wearing all white. Upload it to your picnik account, add a little color and see at how much healthier you look! This is not because you look washed out in person. It is simply because your makeup does not show up as well on camera and you look washed out. These pictures aren't for facebook, they're your memories for a lifetime!
Knowing this, why would a bride opt to wear the same amount of makeup on her wedding day as she does on a Monday morning to the office? Do you wake up and decide "Today at work, I will look the BEST I ever have!" Of course not! lol. We roll out of bed, into the shower, do what we must and go about our day. So is this look really good enough for you WEDDING DAY????
It absolutely isn't!
So make sure you schedule appointments with a few artists and do it earlier in the day. See how long each makeup type lasts on your skin and how you look in different lighting throughout your day. Your skin also may not react well to a new product so you'll want to find that out as well. You'll soon be able to find your perfect match! And don't go for trendy, think "timeless"!
Next, schedule a few test runs with the makeup artist you picked to perfect your look. Bring your camera and take plenty of pictures from all angles. Make sure you wear something that is close to the color of your dress so you get it right!
If you still insist on making this a DIY project, don't over do it with glitter, self tanner or trying to look like someone you've seen on tv. The girls on tv look good because they have had a professional do what looks best on THEM....on camera. So find what looks best on you!
Do not EVER apply self tanner to any part of your body the week of your wedding. Let a professional handle it.
There are things you can cut corners on and save money on your wedding, your makeup is not one of them!
