Tips for brides
Wedding reception
Courtesy of ARA Content
By combining personal creativity and ingenuity -- the foundation of lifestylist Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade(R) philosophy -- with inexpensive, ready-made items available at discount retailers, brides-to-be and cash-strapped parents can host a beautiful wedding reception without blowing through the entire bridal budget.
If renting a reception tent, create a romantic environment by purchasing sheering fabric and 2-inch ribbon from a local discount retailer to drape around the canopy. Create billows of fabric and hang from the ceiling, wrap around poles, and swag in the entryway.
Whether throwing an indoor or outdoor reception, flowers help set the tone but can quickly add up. A typical flower budget is 15 percent of the overall cost of a wedding. Consider using some of the beautiful and realistic-looking silk flowers available today intermingled with arrangements of fresh flowers to keep the romance high and the costs low. The bride and groom can use the silk flowers in the home for years to come.
Every bride wants to do something unique at her wedding. Create a dramatic, sweet-smelling entrance for guests by lining a walkway to the reception venue or reception tent with fresh rose petals. Also consider renting a bubble machine, available at retailers such as Wal-Mart, for some added ambiance and fun.
Renting both table settings and white linen tablecloths can get expensive. Instead, consider purchasing clear glass plates from a discount retailer. Stack the salad plate on top of the dinner plate and place a large leaf between the two for a very pretty place setting. Buying plates is often less expensive than renting and the bride and groom can keep them for the years (and dinner parties) ahead.
Remember to keep centerpieces either low enough or high enough so guests can see each other from across the table. A simple cake pedestal adorned with sugared fruits and a candle makes a beautiful and an inexpensive centerpiece. Add to the sugary sparkle by placing candles in votive candle holders to illuminate the centerpieces from underneath. Remember to place approximately half an inch of water in each candle holder or glass for easy removal of melted wax.
For more formal wedding receptions, assigning guests to tables is considered proper etiquette but that doesn't mean it has to be stuffy. Purchase large sugar cookies and pipe romantic words like 'joy,' 'hope,' 'love,' and 'forever' on each cookie. Place one cookie in each centerpiece to replace traditional numbered tables and have your place cards direct your guests to these romantically identified tables.
Wedding favors that double as place cards can be made by purchasing sugar cookies from a local bakery that are iced in white. Pipe each guest's names on the cookies in colored icing a day or two before the wedding. Place in cellophane bags, tied with a ribbon, and set at each guest's place setting so guests know where to sit.
Handmade keepsakes given out during the wedding reception are an easy and thoughtful way to thank the wedding party. Create beautiful, unique cards for the bridesmaids by purchasing simple white note cards, decorated with the wedding's theme colors embellished with different fabrics or small trinkets purchased from a craft department. Write a cherished memory or personal note inside the card, which bridesmaids can keep for the years to come.
And don't forget the wedding cake, which can be very expensive, depending on the number of guests attending. Consider purchasing a decorated sheet cake from a local bakery in addition to a smaller tiered cake. Then marry them together as one elaborate cake with piping and rose petals. Brides and grooms may find that bakeries like those at a Wal-Mart Supercenter can make unique and cost-conscious tiered wedding cakes that are beautiful as well as delicious.
Remember, all cakes are created equal -- flour, sugar, and butter -- so there's no need to spend a fortune on one.
For more information visit Lee's Web site, www.semihomemade.com
Photography
by Further
1. Relax and have fun. It's a great day! If you're stressed or exhausted, it'll show.
2. Make sure you bring someone who makes you laugh. It'll help you to loosen up!
3. Photos will always take longer than you think. Budget plenty of time for them!
visit Further's Web site www.furtherphoto.com
by Edward Mercer
1. When you meet before hand with your Photographer, make sure that after you agree on the syle of photos you want that you have a list made for the Photographer of all important photos that need to be taken. Then there won't be any stress because certain photos were not taken.
2. Make sure to tell all your bridesmaids and family members that are to be photographed beforehand where they need to be and what time you want them to be there. This way you won't be rushed.
3. Tell everyone to pay attention during the rehearsal so everyone knows their place and what they are supposed to do. You will be nervous enough, you do not need to explain to others what they should be doing.
4. If you decide to have a receiving line, have it at the church.
It moves quicker and gives you more time to enjoy your reception where you can mingle with everyone later.
5. Tell all wedding party and family members to go immediately to the place where photos will be taken. Ask them not to stop at the liqour store or any other place that may hold things up. The sooner everyone gets there the sooner photos will be done and the sooner you can start partying.
6. Once the reception starts there is not much to be stressed about, everything should flow and everyone should have a great time.
Hopefully this does not seem as if you are some sort of control freak to be asking all of this from everyone. After almost 30 years of photographing weddings, I have found that these bits of advice make for a smooth enjoyable day. Hope yours is great.
Edward Mercer www.thebestweddingdayplanner.com
Weight Loss
Your big day is fast approaching and you're terrified that you won't fit into that dream wedding gown you've bought. Follow this simple, yet proven approach for 3-4 weeks before your wedding day and drop at least one dress size.
The stress and anxiety that most brides experience as their wedding day approaches can be overwhelming for them. The amount of preparation involved and the countless number of details needing attention can make it very difficult to eat sensibly and maintain even a modest level of good nutrition. I can recall countless conversations with brides who were so stressed out in the month or so before their wedding that they abandon all good eating habits and either starve themselves or binge on junk food to handle the stress.
Many are genuinely terrified that they'll be overweight and unattractive on their wedding day, or even worse, won't be able to fit into their dream wedding gown.
I have been working with a personal trainer for the past 10 years who continually remind me how just a few simple changes to your daily routine can make a huge difference. The four basic principles I outline below really do work. I've had personal success using these strategies and continue to follow them on a daily basis. Many of my clients who have requested my help and followed this advice have had remarkable results. Start this program at least 3-4 weeks before your wedding day and see for yourself.
Water, Water and More Water
Hydration is critical. While the benefits are countless this is one of the hardest things to implement into your daily routine. Whenever I would neglect this item my trainer would recite how water lowers body fat, flushes cellulite, improves digestion, gets rid of dark circles under the eyes, and makes you feel full. These are just a few of the benefits of drinking the required 10 cups of water per day.
This may seem like a lot but I found the easiest way to get into the habit is to break the amounts down into manageable amounts:
Keep a bottle of water beside your bed. Before you go to sleep drink ½ the bottle and as soon as you wake up (before your feet touch the floor) drink the remaining ½ bottle.
Before each meal drink a half a bottle of water.
Carry water with you and sip it throughout the day. I can't overemphasize how important this step is.
Go for a 10 Minute Walk Every Day
Start with this. You can always increase later after it becomes routine. It's enough to gently boost your metabolism and keep you active.
Eat Often but Only in Small Portions
Before I started this method of eating I would starve myself for a couple of days whenever I wanted to lose weight. It seemed logical to me at the time. When I started personal training I had to modify many of my bad eating habits. I had to start eating 6 meals a day. Don't panic, it's easier than it sounds. Every 3-4 hours from the time you wake up eat a little something. Your digestive system is far more efficient at handling a series of small meals than it is at tackling one large meal.
I usually eat at 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10pm.
Your meal portions (meat, veggies, carbs) should be no larger than the palm of your hand and no thicker than the palm of your hand.
Eat Healthy
I could spend days offering suggestions on meal variations but there are many excellent books that have been written to give you ideas.
So to make it simple a typical meal should be a protein, a carbohydrate and a vegetable or fruit.
The Best Part--Reward Yourself!
Choose one day a week as your reward day and eat whatever you want and as much as you want. Whether you like pasta, cookies, ice cream or my personal favorite chocolate. Enjoy!
Don't worry, you won't gain fat if you do this because for the past six days your body has been used to eating what I term ‘clean' food. On the seventh day your body thinks you are going to do the same and when you don't it gets fooled and eliminates the effects of the ‘junk' food. In essence you are tricking your body that day but you must eat cleanly on the following day.
I have told many upcoming brides about this method of eating and almost all of them have emailed me back to let me know how thrilled they were at reaching their target goal of weight loss. I hope it works for you too.
As a final note of encouragement, my daughter used this method of eating and in 1 year she went from a size 18 to a size 2. This was four years ago and she has still maintained her weight to this day.
These simple techniques will not only help you quickly, safely and effectively lose at least one dress size but they will also help you feel more energetic, vibrant and healthy. Not to mention the positive effect it will have on your skin texture and overall appearance.
Stay on track and you'll be amazed at your results. Eat well, drink plenty of water and, as you progress, simply imagine your groom seeing you for the first time in your wedding gown and watching his jaw drop in speechless silence.
Gail Young is a co-founder of The Bridal Chalet, an online bridal boutique selling designer style couture and traditional wedding gowns and bridal accessories. She has extensive background in fitness and nutrition as a former amateur body sculptor and combines this with her knowledge and passion for designing bridal fashion. Visit her website at www.bridalchalet.com
