Dos and Don’ts for the Maid of Honor
Do: Offer to help the bride. Planning a wedding is a huge job, and no one should have to do it all alone. Be a good maid of honor by offering to help your bride with jobs large and small. See if she needs someone to pick up her grandmother at the airport for her bridal shower or offer to help her address and stamp the wedding invitations. Talk to florists with her, go with her to shop for wedding jewelry and her bridal gown, and help her tie ribbons on favor boxes. It’s all part of the job of being a best friend or sister, let alone a maid of honor too.
Don’t: Push your opinions on her. If there is one piece of wedding advice all maids of honor need, it is not to overwhelm the bride with opinions. Sure, she values your input, but it is still her wedding, not yours. A good maid of honor will listen and help the bride plan her idea of the perfect wedding, not what the maid of honor thinks is perfect. If people start calling you a “maidzilla”, you know it is time to back off!
Do: Give suggestions for the bridesmaid dresses and jewelry. Picking a bridesmaid dress can be a very stressful job for a bride. She has a vision in mind, she wants your dresses to match her dresses, she wants you all to like it, and so forth. Finding one dress that meets all these requirements and is also flattering and affordable is a monumental task. Ask the bride what she is generally interested in seeing the bridesmaids wear, and then help her out by finding some samples for her to check out.
Don’t: Act like the final choice about the bridesmaid dresses is yours. Being made of honor does not give you the final say about what the bridesmaid dresses will be. That decision can only be made by the bride. Give her your input, but understand that in the end, being maid of honor means wearing whatever dress your friend the bride chooses. Being a great maid of honor means telling the bride you love the dress she chose, no matter what you privately may think of it!
Filed under Bridesmaid Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: bridesmaid dresses, Bridesmaid Jewelry, maid of honor, wedding advice | Comment (0)Help! My Sister Is Taking Over My Wedding!
Sometimes, there can be too much of a good thing. This is definitely true when it comes to wedding planning. While some help from family and friends is great, it becomes overwhelming when one person decides to designate herself as the unofficial wedding planner. Find out what to do when your sister tries to hijack your wedding.
The first step is to think about why your sister has decided to take over your big day. Does she see that you are swamped with work or school and she is trying to ease your burden? Does she know that you are struggling to get everything organized, or that you tend to have a hard time making choices? When your sister is trying to do you a favor, the key to getting her to back off is reassurance. Let her know how grateful you are for her help so far, and that you feel like she has gotten your planning off to such a great start that you can take it the rest of the way. Of course, if it is true that you have no time or agonize over every choice, maybe you could benefit from having some sisterly help, just on your own terms. The way to handle this is to let your sister know that you will be grateful if she can help you shop for unique bridesmaid jewelry or source the perfect table linens. She will feel useful, and you will be able to take back the reins.
Not every sister’s motivation is quite so pure. A lot of times, an older sister just thinks that she knows more than her baby sister about everything, and feels like it is her duty to be in charge. This is a sister who needs to be informed that you are all grown up now (you’ re old enough to get married, for goodness sake!), and that you can handle it. Sometimes sisters also don’t trust the taste of the other one, and feel like taking over the wedding planning is the only way to make sure that everything is done “right”. This is a sibling who needs to be delicately informed that while your tastes are different, your wedding will nonetheless be beautiful.
The green eyed monster is often the cause of an overbearing sister. It could be that she is jealous of your upcoming nuptials, and taking over the planning is her way of dealing with it. She might also be worried about losing you to your husband, in which case, plenty of alone time together is important. Don’t make it all about the wedding, since that will only reinforce the idea that your lives are taking two different paths. Go out to lunch, go shoe shopping, take in a movie, or whatever else you used to do together before you became engaged.
Filed under Bridesmaid Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridesmaid Jewelry, sister of the bride, unique bridesmaid jewelry, wedding drama, Wedding Planning | Comment (0)Get a Jump on Planning Your Spring 2012 Wedding
If you are a spring bride, it is time to get your wedding planning underway! There are many exciting decisions to make about your wedding. Get a jump on planning your spring 2012 wedding by learning about some of the top new trends for the season.
Choosing your wedding colors is always a good place to begin. Many wedding planning books advise that it is the first thing to do before picking your flowers, bridesmaid dresses and jewelry, reception decor, and so on. Sweet pastels like ballet pink are always in style for spring weddings, but if you want to try something a little bolder, consider teal. The greenish blue color is going to be one of the number one trends for spring 2012 weddings, and will definitely be fun for a spring celebration. To give it a sunny, springtime flavor, pair teal with cheerful yellow accents. Or for a more sophisticated style, mix tan and emerald green with the teal hue. Beautiful!
The one thing that most brides cannot wait to do is pick their wedding dress. If you are getting married in the spring, this is definitely the time to make your selection. A great new trend for spring 2012 wedding dresses is the two tier gown. Choose a chic slim A-line style with a draped upper tier for a fashion-forward look, or a floating top tier for a more romantic effect. Two tier bridal gowns are just coming into style, so you will be on the leading edge of a hot new trend. All of the wedding planning books say to wait on picking the bridesmaid dresses and bridesmaid jewelry sets until after the bride’s gown has been ordered. This is particularly sage advise if you are considering a gown with a unique silhouette like a two tier dress.
Of course every wedding needs a marvelous wedding cake. The cupcake thing no longer feels original, so consider moving towards a classic tiered cake instead. If you just don’t care for the tall cake, create a display of several single tier cakes instead. It is such a pretty look, especially if you showcase them on a collection of vintage style cake stands. A group of elegant white cake stands with decorative cutwork is perfect for a sweet pastel spring wedding, while a colorful assortment of glass cake stands is terrific for a wedding with brighter colors.
Filed under Bridesmaid Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: 2012 wedding ideas, 2012 weddings, Bridesmaid Jewelry, wedding planning books, wedding planning ideas | Comment (0)The Difference Between Wedding Planners, Architects, and Directors
The wedding planner is the type of person most of us think of when we hear about a professional event planner. This is the person who coordinates every single detail of a wedding from beginning to end. They will handle the big stuff like negotiating vendor contracts and creating a design scheme, as well as all the small details like shopping for bridesmaid jewelry and calligraphy for placecards. The full service wedding planner may also go by the job descriptions wedding coordinator or wedding producer. Expect this type of planner to put about 80 – 250 hours into the wedding.
A full time wedding planner is best for couples who do not have time to plan their own wedding, either due to busy careers or a short lead time. They are also useful for brides who are not detail oriented, or those planning complicated weddings (such as an affair for 300 guests in Tuscany). They are very beneficial for anyone having their wedding in a blank canvas type of venue like a loft or a tent in their backyard. Hire a full time coordinator if you want someone you can rely on to handle everything wedding related from the very beginning until the last guest has left at the end of your reception.
A newer version of wedding planner is the wedding designer, stylist, or architect. This person does not oversee every single detail of your event, but rather focuses on the decor and theme. Expect a stylist to put up to 40 hours into your event. They will design a concept and color palette for your wedding, create the centerpiece designs, hire the lighting specialists, and track down unique props. On the morning of the wedding, the designer will supervise the vendors to make sure that the design is executed perfectly. A stylist is great if you have a vision of an amazing reception, but do not know how to put it all together. They are also fantastic if you know you want your wedding to look special and unique, but lack ideas on decor.
The day of wedding planner (who may also be known as a day of wedding coordinator or a wedding director) actually starts a little bit before the big day. The day of planner will touch base with the vendors you have already hired, and also go over details with you to make sure nothing has been forgotten. The primary job of a wedding director is to orchestrate the actual wedding day. He or she will organize the rehearsal the day before, and then supervise vendors and the wedding party on the day of the event. The average wedding director puts at least 25 hours of work into each event. They are ideal for the couple who does not need or cannot afford a full time coordinator, but wants to be able to relax on their wedding day, knowing that they are in good hands.
Filed under Bridesmaid Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridesmaid Jewelry, wedding architects, wedding coordinators, wedding designers, wedding planners, wedding stylists | Comment (0)Be a Bridesmaid for Less!
The bridesmaid dress is always an issue. They are generally very expensive, and rarely does the bride choose a dress you would actually ever wear again. There are a few ways to improve the situation. If the bride has expensive taste, you can look into renting designer dresses for the wedding. There are a few websites that offer this service, and it can be a fantastic option for weddings, since you pay a small fraction of the original price of the dress. This can be a great alternative to purchasing a dress that will be banished to the back of your closest for all eternity. Add some gorgeous bridesmaid jewelry, and you will be good to go!
If a designer gown rental service does not work for your group, propose to the bride that you shop for bridesmaid dresses at stores that have special occasion collections, rather than traditional bridal salons. When you can buy from a major chain, you will have a good range of size options (many stores offer the same dress in petites, misses, and womens’ sizes), which means fewer expensive alterations. Better yet, if you time it well, you might be able to take advantage of sales and promotions to get deep discounts on the dresses. Best of all, a classic cocktail dress is a style you will be more likely to wear again than a traditional bridesmaid dress.
It is often travel and accommodations that push the cost of being a bridesmaid so high. With a little effort, you may be able to keep these expenses under control. Explore different ways of getting to the wedding, such as flying at off hours or driving with a friend to split the cost of fuel. Ask the bride if she has a friend who would be able to host you for the weekend of the wedding, rather than paying for a hotel room. If you will be traveling to attend her bridal shower, these same tips apply.
Finally, get creative when it comes to buying the wedding gift. Instead of buying a crystal vase from the registry, shop around for a unique and beautiful one from a vintage or thrift store. By the time you have saved on your bridesmaid dress and accessories, travel, and gifts, you might find that being a bridesmaid does not have to cost an arm and a leg after all!
Filed under Bridesmaid Jewelry, Uncategorized | Tags: bridesmaid dresses, Bridesmaid Jewelry, bridesmaids | Comment (0)Wedding Trends That Are On The Decline
Cupcakes. Once upon a time, it seemed fresh and unique to feature a tower of luscious cupcakes at a wedding reception instead of a tiered wedding cake. And then more people starting doing it, and more, and more, until…cupcakes became no more original than a cake. If you happen to love, love, love cupcakes, by all means have them at your wedding. Just be aware that they are no longer more original than having a traditional wedding cake, and they are somewhat limiting when it comes to design.
Sneakers on the Wedding Party. Do you remember the Steve Martin version of the movie “Father of the Bride” when his daughter hiked up her wedding gown to show off the sneakers she was wearing underneath? Unless your dad actually owns a sneaker company like in the movie, there is nothing cute about wearing a pair of Converse with your wedding gown or having the groom wear them with a suit. Ditto for the row of bridesmaids in their party dresses and pretty bridesmaid jewelry wearing sneakers (or plastic flip flops, for that matter). Casual shoes are for casual occasions. Fancy attire calls for equally fancy footwear.
The Orchestrated Aisle Walk. Darn that JK Wedding Entrance Dance video on You Tube! It led countless brides and grooms to think that if they planned a wacky dance instead of simply walking down the aisle that they too could become famous on the Internet. Let’s face it, once it was recreated on “The Office”, that became a sign that it was no longer a novel idea. A wedding is a reason for joy and celebration, of course, but the marriage ceremony is also a monumental right of passage. Save the entertainment for the reception, and show a little dignity when you process down the aisle.
Head Tables. Back when brides and grooms were young and most of their friends were young and unmarried, the head table worked fairly well. The bridal party is a special group, after all, and there was something very decorative about seeing the bride and groom surrounded by the handsome groomsmen in their suits and the bridesmaids in their lovely dresses and pearl bridesmaid jewelry. These days, though, bridal parties tend to be older, and many are married or have significant others. Splitting up couples during dinner is not popular, and most of the attendants would rather sit with their spouses or dates.
Filed under Bridesmaid Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridesmaid Jewelry, wedding trends | Comment (0)Top Wedding Day Beauty Questions Answered
What Can I Do With Thin Hair? There are many beautiful wedding hairstyles out there, but it seems like most of the models have thick, lustrous hair that the average woman can only dream of. If you have the money, getting professional hair extensions is the best way to add fullness to your mane. If you intend to work only with the hair you already have, your stylist can add fullness by backcombing hair at the roots and curling it with a large barrel curling iron before pinning it into an updo (the actual hairstyle does not need to look curly, by the way). Opt for a headpiece which will not slip out of thin hair, such as a headband.
Can I Tell My Bridesmaids How To Do Their Hair And Makeup? In a word, no. Your bridesmaids are grown women, and should be trusted to do their hair and makeup in a tasteful and appropriate manner. Besides, the days of cookie cutter attendants are over; these days, they show their personal style with different dresses, unique bridesmaid jewelry, and eclectic bouquets. However, it would be okay for the bride to gently nudge her ‘maids into the desired direction. For instance, you could request formal hairstyles or glamorous makeup, but nothing so specific as an updo or smoky eyes and red lipstick. If you would like to give your bridesmaids a slightly more cohesive look, give them a pretty jeweled comb to wear that complements their unique crystal bridesmaid jewelry. Then let each one decide how to style her hair in the fashion that looks prettiest on her.
How Can I Cover A Tattoo? Oops – did you get a little butterfly on your shoulder during spring break in Florida while you were in college? Don’t worry – no one has to see it if you don’t want them too, even if you are wearing a strapless gown. There are a number of excellent products available which are specifically designed to cover tattoos. They are a much heavier makeup than regular concealer, and are usually available in custom blended shades. When applied properly, the makeup should not smear or get on your wedding dress. If you only care about covering your tattoo for the wedding ceremony, the simplest option is to wear a shrug over your dress.
What Do I Do About A Pimple? The stress of planning a wedding can unfortunately cause a woman to break out, just when she wants to look her best. Use either a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid blemish fighter. Look for a non-drying formula designed for adult skin. Cool compresses can help to diminish the size of the pimple, and concealer can cover the redness. If you wake up the day before your ceremony with a whopping zit on your forehead, the best cure of all is to run straight to the dermatologist for a cortisone injection, which will start to shrink the blemish almost immediately so you can look picture perfect for your wedding.
Filed under Bridesmaid Jewelry, Uncategorized | Tags: Bridesmaid Jewelry, unique bridesmaid jewelry, wedding beauty, wedding hair | Comment (0)The Essential Flowers for Your Wedding
There are a number of flowers that are needed for a wedding ceremony. Chief among them, of course, is the bride’s bouquet. For a wedding with attendants, bridesmaid bouquets are also a must. They can be identical or you can mix and match different flowers for each bouquet. As long as you pull in some of the colors from the bridesmaid jewelry and dresses, they will look very pretty. If budget allows, it is always nice to add some crystals or pearls to the center of the bridesmaid and bridal bouquet flowers. Brides who will have a flower girl will also need a small bouquet or rose petals for tossing. A floral wreath is traditional for a flower girl, but not mandatory.
Next on the list are the flowers for the men in the wedding. You should plan to order boutonierres for the groom, groomsmen, ushers, fathers of the bride and groom, and grandfathers of the bride and groom. While you are at it, be sure to order flowers for the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom as well. Corsages are the traditional ornament for those special ladies. The trend right now favors wrist corsages over the type that pin to a dress. An update to this concept is to have the bride and groom’s mothers carry small posies of flowers and give the corsages only to the grandmothers.
For your ceremony venue you will need flowers for the altar area at the minimum. Jewish brides might choose to use flowers to decorate the chuppah, although it can be dressed entirely with a piece of fabric if you prefer. Flowers for the pews or aisle seats are a nice touch, if budget allows. Always ask the florist to transport the altar arrangements to the reception site so that you can reuse them. Optional flowers for the ceremony would include floral wreaths, garlands, and petals to line the aisle for an outdoor service. They are all lovely, but fine to omit if they are too costly.
The bulk of your floral costs will be in the centerpieces for the reception. You will need at least one per table, so if you had 100 guests sitting at round tables for 10, that would be 10 centerpieces. Considerably smaller floral arrangement can be used to dress up the cocktail hour space. Since the cocktail tables are generally quite small, a vase with just a few blossoms will be enough. Also plan on a small arrangement for the bar. Additional bouquets for the guest book and gift tables, escort card table, restroom, and entryway are beautiful, but not required. A great trick is to order extra empty vases and have the bridesmaid bouquets serve as the decorations for those extra tables.
Filed under Bridesmaid Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridesmaid Jewelry, ceremony flowers, wedding bouquets, wedding centerpieces, wedding flowers | Comment (0)Fall Wedding Gown and Bridesmaid Dress Ideas
Fall is a special season with its own unique flavor. Rather than wearing a summery dress, play up the feeling of autumn by selecting a wedding gown which really suits the season. While brides can certainly wear white at any time of the year, warmer tones like cream, ivory, and champagne are very attractive for fall. Women with warm undertones to their skin or blond hair often look wonderful in an ivory gown. If yellowish undertones make your skin look sallow, seek an ivory with a slightly pinkish hue or try a gown in champagne or pale mocha.
Sheer fabrics like organza and chiffon really are not appropriate for autumn. They are just too light and summery. Better choices for fall wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses include silk shantung, dupioni, mikado, taffeta, lace, and satin. For a late autumn ceremony (say around Thanksgiving), velvet is another excellent choice. If you like the fluid drape of chiffon, substitute a heavy silk crepe instead. You will get beautiful movement in a seasonally appropriate weight.
Heavier laces such as Alencon or Venise are more fall-ish than lightweight Chantilly lace. The richness of a beautiful lace is a gorgeous addition to an autumn bridal gown. Lace isn’t only for brides. There are also some marvelous lace bridesmaid dresses available. A chocolate brown lace over a mocha colored lining would be absolutely stunning for the attendants. The bride could give them bridesmaid jewelry gifts made from mocha colored Swarovski crystals to complement the dresses. Another fun idea is to give fall bridesmaid gifts made from leaf shaped crystals for a great autumnal touch.
Of course if there is one thing fall is famous for, it is the rich colors. Definitely shop for bridesmaid dresses in deep or warm hues. Jewel tones are very popular right now, and classic fall shades like brown, russet, cinnamon, and cranberry are always lovely. The bride might even wish to add an embellishment to her gown in an autumn hue or surprise everyone by wearing a great pair of shoes in her favorite rich fall color. Everyone is sure to look absolutely beautiful in their perfect fall wedding attire.
Filed under Bridesmaid Gifts, Bridesmaid Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridesmaid Gifts, Bridesmaid Jewelry, fall bridesmaid dresses, fall wedding dresses, fall wedding gowns, fall weddings, wedding gowns | Comment (0)Elegant Fall Wedding Colors: Grape and Magenta
Rich colors are always beautiful for an autumn wedding. But that does not mean that the only option are traditional fall colors like orange and red. For something unexpected, consider the elegant fall wedding colors grape and magenta.
One of the great things about grape and magenta is that it will be very easy to find flowers in your signature hues. You can use roses, orchids, gladiolus, calla lilies, orchids, stocks, lisianthus, carnations, tinted seeded eucalyptus, alstromeria, and dahlias. With so many varieties, you will definitely be able to work with your florist to create the perfect bouquets, centerpieces, and ceremony arrangements. An equal mix of the two colors will look magnificent. If you wish to make your centerpieces more formal, display them in silver footed bowls or tall tapered vases.
Grape and magenta are gorgeous colors for the bridesmaid dresses. Cocktail style party dresses are a very hot trend for bridesmaids right now, and there are some fantastic ones available in deep purple. Some of the most chic are those which have a bit of a mid-century inspiration, such as a portrait neckline or cap sleeves, done in satin or dupioni. Classic pearl bridesmaid jewelry will suit these elegant silhouetted. If you like dresses with more of a modern twist, opt for a chic one shoulder dress in grape or magenta. Just steer clear of summery fabrics like chiffon and organza. Dramatic crystal bridesmaid jewelry made with amethyst colored crystals would be fantastic with modern dresses.
A unique idea for your wedding reception is to hire a lighting specialist to use your signature colors to dress the venue. A magenta colorwash would be gorgeous cast on one wall of the reception site. It is a high energy color, so consider using it during the dancing part of the evening. Another possibility is to drape the reception ceiling with white fabric (so pretty for a tented wedding) and cast the light onto the ceiling for a subtle glow. What a wonderful way to infuse your wedding with your special hues.
Filed under Bridesmaid Jewelry, Wedding Planning | Tags: Bridesmaid Jewelry, fall wedding colors, magenta wedding, purple wedding, wedding colors | Comment (0)