How to Prepare For Your Wedding 

Grooming Tips For Brides

Bridal packages at salons

You can invest in a package at a salon you trust and ensure that you get access to some pampering and top-notch treatment. There is an exhaustive list of options – from skin to hair to nails and more. Research a little, ask your friends for recommendations and settle on the one that suits your needs. Remember, you’re allowed a little indulgence; this is your moment to shine!

Do your homework

Make sure you ask around a lot before you hire a makeup artist for your wedding. You’ll want to have several sessions before the event in order to discuss at length what kind of you look you’ll be opting for at each event. Don’t feel intimidated or afraid. You’re allowed to ask questions. Get all your doubts clarified and ask your friends to pitch in with suggestions during trial sessions.

Eat healthy

Your diet will not only help ensure you look and feel your best on your special day; it’ll also keep your stress levels under control. Stick to tried and tested food options in order to ensure that your health is good in the days leading up to the wedding. Avoid snacking to combat stress – you don’t want to get miffed at the dress feeling uncomfortably tight later!

Exercise, maintain a routine

Go for early morning jogs; figure out a workout routine that will help you steal some time for yourself every day. Both your mind and body will benefit from this. Your fiancé(e) can give you company and you can plan a workout schedule together. If conventional exercise bores you, consider enrolling for dance classes and have some fun along the way.

Take care of yourself

It can get a bit too much – from body hair removal to facials to maintain manicured nails. You don’t have to do it all alone. Get your girlfriends to participate in a bleaching session or two! Unwind at the spa together, get a relaxing massage, and choose a nourishing hair treatment plan. Ask an expert for advice and grooming tips at the neighbourhood spa. Remember to relax and enjoy yourself!

How to Include Children in Your Wedding

A stall or two or three

Consider having a few stalls on one of the days for the kids. Temporary tattoos, hair-braiding, food stalls like chocolate ice-cream especially dedicated to the kids. This will generate a lot of excitement and make them feel special. It’ll also give their parents space to mingle with other guests at the wedding.

The grand entry

The bride can get company when she enters the venue on the wedding day. Little girls dressed in outfits similar to the bride, accompanying on her final walk as a single lady. This makes for the loveliest pictures and also adds so much warmth to the vibes at the wedding.

Activities and games

Consider including interesting activities with themes revolving around a wedding theme. A scavenger hunt is a particularly great idea because it gives the kid something to do and is a whole lot of fun! You could even have a special section dedicated to the kids with a number of games thrown in.

Include pretty props

You can get kids to blow bubbles or give them rose petals which they can throw during the ceremony. You can even have cute props on standby such as miniature versions of the bride and groom for the kids to play with. Be creative and allow children to have their share of fun!

Dance with them!

Include kids in the sangeet ceremony. When you’re figuring out the routine, you can have special choreography dedicated to the kids and even include sections with them. You’ll have them pumped up about playing dress up, being a part of the rehearsals and a lot more.

Secret talents

You can even get the children to show off their unique skills in front of their proud parents and an appreciative audience. There is room for so much experimentation here – from playing musical instruments to singing to mimicry to holding a mini poetry recital. This will set your wedding apart by giving it a unique flavour and generate a lot of interest among your excited guests.

5 Things You Must Do the Morning of Your Wedding

1. Don’t skip breakfast

Make sure you grab a light and healthy breakfast to start your day just right. You will need the energy throughout the day; don’t skip breakfast no matter how nervous you’re feeling. A nutritious breakfast will make you feel more awake and prepare you for the big day ahead.

2. Allow yourself to have fun

It’s tempting on a day like this to feel too overwhelmed and confused as the day goes by in a flurry of activity. This shouldn’t stop from you from cracking silly jokes with your loved ones and dancing to your favourite music. This is about you and you must make sure you’re feeling safe, happy and comfortable. Listen to your favourite songs and relax for a while.

3. Keep an emergency bag

In order to avoid any unexpected incidents, you’ll want to keep a few supplies handy. It’s a good idea to carry this bag to the salon or bring it with you to the room where you’ll be prepping before the ceremony. You can consider including things like painkillers, a pair of scissors, sanitary napkins, a toothbrush, a deodorant, a nail file, makeup and more.

4. Wear comfortable clothing

If you’re going to get your hair and makeup done before you put on your wedding outfit, make sure you’re wearing something that’s easy to remove beforehand. Avoid something like a tight T-shirt that will mess up your carefully styled hair. Remember that whatever you wear beforehand shouldn’t come in the way of your preparations! Besides, wearing something comfortable like a hoodie will help you relax before it’s time.

5. Take care of yourself

It can get easy to neglect yourself with the last minute rush and all that stress. You must not let this get to you. Remember to drink lots of water and have a light-hearted conversation with your best friend. Hold her hand tightly if you’re scared, take a few deep breaths, write a happy, hopeful letter to your fiancé(e) as a surprise for later.

Laugh a lot, charge your phone, keep an old photograph that makes you happy with you, keep negative thoughts far away from you. Remember that this day is all about you and your loved ones.

How to Save Smart for Your Wedding

The DateDesiree’s wedding was held on a Sunday in January. “It’s important to keep in mind that having a non-Saturday wedding can considerably cut costs,” Desiree says. Opting for a less-traditional wedding month (like January) can help defray expenses, too. “At first, we were looking into a Saturday celebration, as most couples do, but we ended up having our wedding on January 18, 2015. And since that Monday was Martin Luther King Day, it worked out nicely, as most guests were able to enjoy the weekend without worrying about getting to work the next day.”
The Ceremony Space
The Wayfarer’s Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA offered Desiree and husband, Chris Siegfried, “the best of both worlds,” Desiree says: “We had an indoor ceremony with the look and feel of being outdoors.” With the wedding seemingly held beneath towering trees, no pricey ceremony décor was needed beyond the greenery that was already in place.





The Reception Venue

“I fell in love with the Redondo Beach Historic Library thanks to its nostalgic ambience and vintage details,” Desiree says. Another plus was its location, close to the wedding chapel — along with the locale’s built-in sunset views. Long tables lent themselves to the creative centerpieces by Sinclair & Moore Events: romantic blooms in glass vases atop stacks of vintage books. The books added height and heft to the delicate floral arrangements, making less seem like much, much more. Other savvy décor strategies Desiree suggests are using mirrors at the base of each centerpiece, adding candles or even candelabras to the mix and incorporating a variety of colors and textures in the place settings. Greenery, grasses and fresh fruit look great and add tons of style at a gentle cost.










The Party

The couple chose to devote much of their budget to food and music and to downplay other elements. To that end, “We didn’t have a photo booth or other guest activities. We wanted everyone out on the dance floor enjoying themselves! ”The couple ensured guests were well fed by offering three entrée choices, but they chose to jettison the traditional champagne toast. “Instead, we just had guests toast with whatever drinks they already had,” Desiree says — a definite cost-cutter. The venue offered in-house catering, which cut down on the expense of negotiating extras like servers and food-preparation equipment fees.
The Sweet Finale

One of the most Instagram-worthy elements of Desiree’s reception meal was the dessert table, a mouthwatering lineup of pastries beautifully displayed on an array of cake stands and pretty platters. “Chris and I both prefer homey dessert treats like chocolate chip cookies, brownies and apple pie to the traditional — and potentially expensive — multi-tiered wedding cake,” she says. “Our dessert table was everything we wanted it to be since it included all of our favorites. The simple two-tiered cake was perfect for cake-cutting and for those who don’t think it’s a wedding without a cake — but having all those other bite-size options meant guests could sample one of everything if they were so inclined.”

Luxury Wedding on a Budget

1. To get a lavish look on a modest décor budget, choose a venue with a lot of character of its own. Some possibilities: an aquarium, zoo, museum, gallery, botanical garden or historical site.

2. Rent a vacation home or private estate for a small, intimate affair. “They may charge a week’s worth in rent but it may still be equal to or less than renting a traditional reception venue,” says Maryrose Griffith of Maryrose Griffith Event Design and Coordination in San Diego, California.

3. Choose a theme or motif and carry it through the event for a stylish look, says Chelsie Zachman, director of marketing and events at Bonnell's Restaurant Group in Fort Worth, Texas. For example, start with a pattern on your invitation, perhaps elegant scrollwork, and incorporate it into other elements like programs, favors, escort cards or even gobo lights for the dance floor.

4. Use color to posh effect, says Griffith. Using a rich hue such as chocolate brown or deep eggplant can give any color palette a stylish look without costing you any extra green stuff. They work with a variety of shades, like apple green, light blue, orange, pink or red.

5. Have a cocktail reception, but be cost-conscious by focusing on a beautiful display rather than tons and tons of food. “Butlers in tuxedos passing trays of a few kinds of stylish hors d’oeuvres seems more high-end than chafing dishes on a buffet table, but the cost is roughly the same,” says Zachman.

6. Ask your venue’s wait staff to don white gloves while they’re serving. “You can buy gloves for just 50 cents a pair,” says Samantha Goldberg of Samantha Goldberg & Co. in Summit, New Jersey.

7. Attach a small bouquet or floral garland to the backs of the bride’s and groom’s chairs to give them a special look.

8. Invest in a little lighting — for a huge impact. Get a wash of color on walls with uplights, suggests Griffith. “Even two or three lights accentuating a focal point will change the feel of the room,” she says. Costs for the light rentals would run from $12 to $35 each, including color gels.

9. Change up your chairs. Try white suede for the lead table and regular white chairs for the rest of the guests.

10. Standard banquet chairs. In: Elegant chiavari chairs at $9 each to rent, or chameleon chairs at about $10 each to rent.

11. Another bright idea: Use pin spot lights, at $25 to $50 each, to give extra presence to your tables.

12. Griffith likes to splurge on well-placed plush lounge furniture. “Lounge furniture is more affordable than you might think,” she says. “A set of curved benches, for example, might run you about $400. And your guests will feel spoiled!”

!13. Order custom window clings (perfect for personalizing glass doors at your venue) or glassware monograms at websites like wonderfulgraffitiwedding.com. Prices for the clings start at $24, depending on size; for glassware, $24 for a set of 50.

14. Wrought-iron trees, available at stores like Pier 1, for $25 to $30, make a chic backdrop. Take them up a notch by hanging votives or glittering ornaments from the branches.

15. Use natural elements with earthy, upscale appeal. Goldberg suggests filling a two- to three-foot-high vase with a base of river rocks and adding dramatic branches of curly willow. Place these arrangements at the entrance to your cocktail hour and/or reception.

Most Popular Types of Wedding Venues 

Pros and Cons

The Outdoors

Pro: Flexibility

You can literally incorporate any element you can think of and visualize the entire setup as per your liking. The outdoors allow you to experiment to your heart’s content and play with several elements and natural lighting at once, allowing you to have amazing pictures as well.

Pro: Natural Beauty

The unparalleled beauty of nature cannot be underestimated. It is much better than an artificial setting and has a plethora of options for you to experiment with. A wedding in a natural environment will feel like a breath of fresh air, away from pollution.

Con: Weather Conditions

You won’t be able to control the weather. It may get too stuffy or may start raining. Your guests may feel too cold if it’s a ceremony late at night in December. Opting for a location outside makes it a little tricky and calls for a backup plan.

Con: Comfort Level

Your guests may not feel as comfortable outside. Mosquitoes, inadequate seating arrangements, the lack of an air-conditioned environment may make cause a bit of a situation. Proper planning may help avoid these complications.

A Hotel

Pro: Facilities

A hotel has all the facilities you may possibly want or need for your wedding. You don’t need to make several arrangements for your ceremonies because everything will most probably be taken care of. You can also get great deals, discounted rates and even get separate dressing rooms and accommodation options for your guests. The weather won’t hurt your plans either.

Pro: Skilled Staff

You can get the hotel staff to help you out with everything. From food to taking care of your guests, everything will be taken care of by people who know what they’re doing. They’re used to wedding parties and entertaining many guests at once, leaving you in a relatively stress- free state.

Con: Rules and Regulations

There may be certain rules you won’t be able to work around. The number of options available may feel restricted and not let you experiment as much as you want. This can be slightly frustrating to handle. They may also require using their vendors’ services.

Con: Total Costs

There may be hidden costs that may come to light only later. Things may add up and your budgeting may take a hit. It’s a lot more expensive when it comes to hotels because of their set list of rules and regulations.

Destination Weddings 

Pro: A Change from the Usual
It adds up to the overall glam factor of the wedding and adds to excitement as everyone ends up looking forward to a wedding and a holiday. It’s like a constant party and a new destination makes most guests very happy.

Pro: Plenty of Time

You’ll get to spend a lot of time with your wedding guests without having to rush to certain locations. It’s much more relaxed and fun. You can also invite only a certain number of guests, your closest friends and family. This will allow you to squeeze in a lot of quality time and give your priceless memories.

Con: An Expensive affair

A destination wedding can add up to the overall the cost of the wedding. There are hotel bookings, flight tickets, transport arrangements to take care of at the location, a whole itinerary to plan, and more.

Con: Learning Laws of the Land

You don’t want to end up offending locals with a loud party and drunken guests disturbing locals late in the night. This requires you to tread carefully and you may need to obtain legal permission for certain ceremonies – a wedding ceremony at a beach, for instance. Local vendors may be difficult to negotiate with as well, which means you’ll have to get a lot of research done well in advance.

Best Wedding Etiquette Tips

Include the Right Details in Correspondence

In your save-the-date invite, you must include a city even if you haven’t zeroed down on the perfect venue yet. This way, you’ll give your guests a heads-up to make arrangements or figure out leave arrangements, and more. You don’t want people wondering whether the wedding is and asking you the same question repeatedly.

Look At Your Dates

It’s understandable that you may want to opt for a slightly less popular time given budgeting constraints but make sure you choose this one carefully. You want to make sure your guests will be able to attend the wedding ceremony as well the reception. Take into account work timings and more while making a decision. You can talk this one out and figure something out that will work for almost anyone.

Take Care of Your Vendors

You must ensure that all your wedding vendors – photographers, band members, performers, caterers, videographers and the rest are well-fed. Make prior arrangements to avoid a situation where there is a shortage or a lot of confusion on this. It’s a good idea to ask them to help themselves and check on them too.

Personalize Your Thank-You Cards

It’s a good idea to not go for pre-printed cards with generic messages. Spend some time and effort in drafting personal responses on pretty stationery to your guests. It’ll be highly appreciated. You also want to ensure you don’t delay this for very long and send cards several months later. A couple of months works best in this situation.

Greet All Your Guests

This is a very necessary thing to do – you must personally welcome all your guests and spend a few minutes simply engaging them in conversation. Everyone expects this and it can get easy to lose track or get distracted especially if you’re planning to approach every table. Have a plan in place and make sure you keep track of your guests. Warm hospitality will make your guests feel comfortable at the wedding.