Crystal Brides Tiaras and Hair Accessories
May 8, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Lovely pearl, rhinestone, silver and crystal brides tiaras, headbands and hair accessories are sure to add a crowning touch to your wedding attire. Our crystal brides tiaras are the perfect choice for brides who want to feel like a princess on her special day.
Crystal Bridal Jewelry Sets
May 8, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Lovely crystal bridal jewelry sets and crystal bridal tiaras. These crystal bridal jewelry sets are elegant and stylish. They are perfect to wear on your wedding day, to be given as bridal party gifts and can be worn on other special occasions for years to come.
Wedding Flip Flops – Are They Worth Buying?
May 1, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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By Carol Lee
After searching long and hard for your wedding day shoes, a bride will bring them home excitedly and put them on. However, after 1 hour of wearing those shoes around the house, most of the time, that bride will start to get a little worried. The bridal shoes that were so amazing in the store, are really hurting her feet.
This is typical of any shoe with a heel unless that heel is 1 inch or less. Otherwise, most dress shoes will hurt after a while. The higher the heel, the more the shoe will hurt your feet. More than 80% of brides opt for a higher heel shoe in order to look taller and more regal in their wedding dress. This means that 80% of the brides’ wedding feet start to hurt after a while. Then, by the end of the night, they feel miserable and are unable to get out on the dance floor because their feet hurt so bad from their bridal shoes.
One solution to this that has become a huge trend amongst brides is to buy an extra pair of wedding flip flops to change into after the ceremony. Wedding flip flops are now being made with extra rhinestones, Swarovski crystals, and also in different heel heights to match the bride’s wedding day shoes. There are so many different type of flip flops being offered to the bride that the bride will find a good selection, no matter how much she wants to spend or how intricate she wants them.
For the bride that wants to save money, a simple white flip flop will also work well. These white flip flops can be bought in any store that sells summer flip flops – everywhere from Old Navy to J. Crew. It is not necessary to purchase specific bridal flip flops unless the bride is looking for something to match her dress. Even then, a simple white flip flop will match perfectly and very rarely does anyone see the shoe unless the bride is kicking up her heels on the dance floor.
Wedding flip flops can really save the bride and allow her to really enjoy the night. A good tip is to wear them while walking around with the photographer, as well as throughout the night, after the ceremony. Many brides opt to do their first dance in their wedding shoes and will then change into the wedding flip flops afterward while they are walking around, greeting guests, and then later getting on the dance floor.
Regardless, if you want your feet to be happy on the honeymoon and if you want to still be able to stand at the end of the night to say good bye to your guests, I would recommend bringing a pair of bridal flip flops to change into to save your feet from your wedding shoe heels.
Carol Lee is a shoe fanatic and shops for shoes more than 3 times a week. She lives in Los Angeles where buying and wearing shoes is easy since it is sunny year round. She is the founder of http://www.WeddingFeet.com, a site that helps brides go through the step-by-step process of choosing the right bridal shoes for their wedding day.
Elegant Bridal Evening Bags on Sale Now
April 9, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Collection of elegant bridal evening bags for the bride-to-be and her bridal party. Stylish purses brides can wear with traditional or modern wedding gowns. Your bridesmaids will thank you for giving her one of these chic bridal evening bags that can be worn not only to your wedding but for future events as well.
Healthy Snacks for a Healthy Bride
April 1, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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Running around town and setting appointments with the caterer, the florist and the
photographer are all in a days work for the bride-to-be. With all of that going on in your life, it is easy to “forget to eat” and find yourself fatigued, irritable and ravished by 3:00 pm. If this sounds all too familiar, keep reading to discover the best on-the-go foods that will stabilize your metabolism and help stave off that mid-afternoon crankiness.
RAW ALMONDS, WALNUTS AND PUMPKIN SEEDS
Raw almonds, walnuts and pumpkin seeds are an excellent, non-perishable and portable snack. The best way to eat nuts and seeds is in their raw state—that is without roasting and definitely without the addition of oils, which are mainly added to processed nuts. When the nut or seed remains in its’ natural state without the addition of heat, the enzyme content and nutritional value is maintained and nutritionally beneficial. The satiety or fullness that nuts and seeds provide is mainly due to the high fiber content. The following is a list of both protein and fiber content for a few different types of nuts
and seeds:
Almonds
24 whole nuts
Protein: 6 gram
Fiber: 3.5 grams
Walnuts
Serving Size: 14 halves
Protein: 4 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Pumpkin and Sunflower Seeds
Serving size: One ounce
Protein: 5 grams
Fiber: 3 grams (sunflower seeds only)
Not only do these nuts and seeds contribute to the daily fiber and protein requirements of the body but they also contain high levels of essential minerals like potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. These minerals are especially important for a bride-to-be because they soothe anxiety, irritability and stress while providing sustainable energy and aiding in transmission of nerve impulses and relaxation of stiff muscles. And the bonus is that you can purchase just the amount you want in the bulk aisle at Whole Foods Market
ORGANIC GREEN SUPER FOODS ENERGY BAR
Organic Green Super Foods Energy Bar makes the list because energy bars are not all created equal. Just because an energy bar is marketed as such does not mean it is healthy or will even provide energy to your body. A rule of thumb with energy bars is to look at the ingredient list—if you see more than one or two ingredients that you do not recognize, then likely that particular bar is over-processed and void of nutritious energy giving potential. The best energy bars will not contain added sugars and should be “raw” – meaning that they have not been heated during processing. The energy bar mentioned above meets both of these criteria plus it is gluten, soy and dairy free in addition to vegan, for those with food sensitivities and allergies. MIXED VEGGIE CHIPS
Mixed Veggie Chips are a great way to snack on something nutritious, crunchy and a littlesalty. These tasty snacks are dehydrated vegetables drizzled with canola oil and sea salt. They taste similar to a chip, but you don’t have to feel guilty eating them because they are real food, not over-processed traditional potato chip chock full of rancid oils and preservatives.Their nutritional profile provides 19 grams of complex carbohydrates, 2grams fiber and only 5grams of sugar per one cup serving size. And unlike traditional sodium-laden potato chips, veggie chips contain just 76mg sodium from sea salt (which is not processed and far superior to iodized salt). Like the nuts, you can also find the mixed veggie chips at Whole Foods Market in the bulk aisle.
Cat Tiseo, Registered Dietician at the Spa By Whole Foods Market
Accessories for Your Healthy Snacks
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How to Wear a Bridal Tiara
March 20, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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by Bobette Kyle-Wagner
As you begin choosing a favorite wedding gown style, you will notice a selection of tiaras in most bridal shops. They sparkle, shine, and practically cry out to be modeled. Most brides-to-be cannot resist trying on at least a few of them. Before you make a final choice, however, first understand a few things about the best way to wear a wedding-day tiara.
Tiaras Come in Different Styles
Say the word “tiara” and most of us think of the stereotypical princess tiara — rhinestones or crystals set in silver or white gold, gaily twinkling to a filigreed, front-and-center point. In reality, there are many variations. Pearl tiaras, with many designs of mixed pearls and crystals, are available. And they are not all set in silver. You can buy yellow gold or gold-plated tiaras, too.
The tiara’s shape can vary as well. You can choose a headband style to hug your hair — with one, two, or three bands — or an inverted v-band to sit on your forehead. There are also crown-like designs that are a more uniform width than the classical princess styles (and may require a wider hairstyle than peaked versions).
Combs and Bands
Tiara construction can also vary. These different constructions dictate how you secure the tiara to your head. Some tiaras have small combs attached on each side, near the end of the bands, to more easily secure the tiara from the sides. Others — called comb tiaras — are mounted on a larger, single comb, so you can slip the comb backward into your hair from the front. Still others are made with loops at the end, or plain bands so you can use your hair or hairpins to hold the tiara in place. Take into account your hairstyle and which type of design will be easier to hold in place when choosing your tiara.
A Princess, Beauty Queen, or Bride? It’s About Emphasis.
Princesses and beauty queens wear their tiaras on display, predominantly as a status symbol. It is all about what (not who) they are. A wedding, on the other hand, is about the bride herself, not the status of being a Missus. For that reason, a bride’s tiara is given a different emphasis than that of a princess or beauty queens. A bridal tiara accents the bride’s ensemble. If you compare Princess Diana of Wales’ wedding photos to official photos of her wearing the Spencer Family Tiara, for example, you can see the difference between Princess Diana and bride Diana (for photos, go to images.google.com and type in Diana Spencer Tiara). On her wedding day, the tiara was worn as an accessory, surrounded by the tremendous veil. When worn in an official capacity as a symbol of her status, the tiara was much more obvious.
Aside from surrounding a tiara with a veil, the way you wear the headpiece can also make the difference between accent piece and centerpiece. Balanced atop one’s head, the tiara is a showpiece, drawing attention to itself. Integrated into the hairdo, it becomes part of the ensemble. You can wrap the tiara around your bun or a mass of curls. Or, tilt it backwards at an angle — so it does not sit straight up — and hide the ends beneath your hair. Puff your veil or hair behind a large tiara to de-emphasize it.
Your Hairstyle Matters
Which size and type of tiara works best for you partially depends on your hairstyle. Large hair can carry a large tiara. Small hair means a smaller scale tiara. Consider the front profile. If you wear your hair in a bun, for example, your tiara may be more conspicuous set against the bun or wrapped around it, but your hair will be more conspicuous as well, balancing out the effect. The same tiara that works with the bun may be too tall for a smaller profile hairstyle. If you plan to choose an inexpensive tiara, consider buying two or more and experiment until you find the best look.
However you choose to wear your bridal tiara, consult others throughout the process. Ask your hair stylist and those who know you, but will be honest with you about their opinions. Do this and you will find a tiara the looks fabulous and reflects your personality.
Bobette Kyle-Wagner is publisher at http://www.MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com, a Website helping engaged couples get the most use from Internet wedding resources. The site includes online wedding tips, original articles, tutorials, and shopping sections. Read more about wedding tiaras here
Four Sure Cures to Prenuptial Stress
February 26, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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by Luca Salamone 
• Arguing with your fiancé more than normal?
• Finding it increasingly difficult to make decisions?
• Finding it increasingly difficult to focus on a task?
• Minor things irritating you more?
• Frequently feeling lethargic?
• Having trouble sleeping?
• Suffering from headaches?
If the answer is yes to more than 3 of these questions, then chances are you’re suffering from stress.
Most of us have a broad sense of what stress is and how it can positively or negatively affect our lives; however, many of us choose to ignore the build up, until something significant occurs.
In Psychology, marriage is considered to be a significant life change. Research by Holmes and Rahe (1967) lead to the development of the ‘Social readjustment rating scale’. The Scale ranked and weighted life events with regard to the amount of stress a person experiences at a given period of time.
Out of 43 life events ‘marriage’ was ranked in the top 20%, higher than ‘pregnancy’, ‘Fired from work’ and even ‘death of a close friend’.
So there it is! Empirical evidence shows us how it is extremely common to be stressed out of our minds when it comes to getting married.
Here are a few handy suggestions that should help you manage stress prior to your wedding:
1. MAKE A DATE
Planning a wedding can place considerable strain on your relationship. As the wedding date grows nearer more and more emphasis tends to be placed on the event, drawing your attentions away from each other. It is very easy to lose touch with your relationship and yourselves, so why not just take time out.
Make 1 night of the week ‘Date night’! There should be no talk of the wedding plans on this night. The word ‘wedding’ and any wedding related topics should be strictly forbidden.
Having this time together should not only help relieve personal stress, but allow you to stay connected as a couple and keep things in perspective.
2. HOLISTIC THERAPY
Massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, Reiki healing, the list goes on. There are so many alternative therapies it’s hard to pick one, but if one of them works for you-do it!
A massage is often more affordable than a night out and should leave you feeling rejuvenated as opposed to hung over.
Even if it’s only possible once a month, you’ll feel the benefits, helping you manage physical as well as emotional stress.
3. TAKE A CLASS
Dance classes are usually great fun and a good form of exercise, plus you’ll meet lots of people of all ages. From Salsa to Jive, there are classes out there to suit everyone, however, if shaking your behind once a week doesn’t appeal you can always try something different.
You could take a course in languages. Many colleges and universities run these short courses for various languages.
Providing you don’t take any of these things too seriously they should provide you with fresh stimuli, diverting your attentions on a regular basis and hopefully reducing wedding stress.
4. REGULAR EXERCISE
It is a proven fact that one of the best ways to reduce stress is to exercise. Aerobic exercise such as running, walking and swimming can help to control stress levels. Research also shows that people who exercise regularly will suffer less from anxiety and depression than comparable people who are not aerobically fit.
Experts recommend that we exercise 3-4 times a week for at least 20 minutes per session. Try it out! You may soon start feeling the difference in yourself.
Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. You can integrate it into your normal daily routine, i.e. walk to the shop to buy milk, and walk to work twice a week. This way you are more likely to commit to exercise.
If not managed properly stress can get out of hand and lead to serious problems. The planning of your wedding should be an enjoyable part of the whole experience, so don’t let stress manage you.
Manage stress and ps. Have a truly unforgettable wedding!
As one of the UK‘s most popular wedding singers, Luca provides live wedding music and entertainment packages to clients near and far. You can find out more about Luca and female wedding DJ Sally at www.vocalshow.co.uk.
Wedding Stress Busters
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The Prettiest Pink Bridesmaid Dresses
February 17, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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by Bridget Mora
Pink is one of the favorite wedding colors for brides everywhere. It is especially popular for bridesmaid dresses and flowers. Many of the prettiest bridesmaid dresses are those done in pink.
There are a few reasons that pink is so popular for weddings. The biggest one is that it is a very feminine color, and always so pretty. Another nice thing about pink is that it is flattering to almost every skin tone, unlike colors such as green or yellow. When you are shopping for pink bridesmaid dresses, you will find that you have a fantastic number of choices, in every shade of pink.
The most classic shade of pink is the pale pastel, or baby pink, version. Pale pink is very delicate and graceful. It brings to mind feminine icons like ballerina slippers, and it was very much favored by the ladies of the 1950s. This is a great shade of pink for an early spring wedding, especially if you are having white or pale pink bouquets.
Pale pink looks beautiful when done in classic cuts for bridesmaid dresses, such as strapless A-line (either knee length or floor length). It also looks gorgeous as the color for flowing chiffon dresses in a Grecian goddess style. The strapless gown would look great when accented by pearl bridesmaid jewelry sets. For the goddess style, the sets of bridesmaid jewelry should be dainty and dangly.
Medium pink (what you Lilly Pulitzer lovers know as “Bermuda pink”) is another terrific shade of pink for bridesmaid dresses. This color has a little more substance to it than the wispy ballerina pink, and is perfect for a wedding that is going to be heavily decorated in a combination of pink shades. Bermuda pink is a very happy color, and looks perfect for a mid-summer wedding.
If your wedding is fairly casual, you can consider choosing bridesmaid dresses with a pink pattern. The timeless preppy favorite of pink and green is always a good choice, either done in a toile or a Lilly Pulitzer design. If you want to give your pink bridesmaid dresses a nautical edge, choose ones that are a solid medium pink accented by a navy grosgrain ribbon sash at the waist.
Hot pink is another option for pink bridesmaid dresses. This is a strong color, so do think about how it will look on your attendants before choosing a hot pink dress (not everyone can handle such a bright color by their face). Hot pink is ideal for a tropical wedding. If you are looking for a color to pair it with, consider the less standard option of orange. Hot pink and orange actually work very well together, because they are equally vivid. You can choose a bridesmaid dress that uses those colors together in a stripe or perhaps even a Madras plaid.
Hot pink can also be used in a way that is more sophisticated than tropical. It would be a great look for a summer evening wedding. A rich espresso brown makes a good accent color if you are trying to add a level of elegance and sophistication to hot pink. Hot pink will look particularly flattering on women with deeper skin tones.
Whatever your style, there is a shade of pink that is going to look great for your bridesmaid dresses. Choose the color that you think will best suit your wedding and your attendants. With dresses this pretty, they may even want to wear them again after your wedding!
Look to Bridget for advice on planning your wedding. Check out how we can help with your bridesmaids jewelry at SilverlandJewelry.com. Bridesmaid jewelry sets are the perfect finishing touch for your attendants. They also make a great gift from the bride!
How to Select a Veil to Match Your Dress Style
February 16, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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by Laura M. Roberts
Most women are adept at putting together a complete outfit for any given occasion, but the wedding day is one occasion we have no precedent for, and we only have one chance to choose a look that will live forever in our memories and photo albums. Given the importance of this day, the selection of the veil is a necessary part of the complete look. Several things are crucial to keep in mind when matching your veil to your dress style.
- A simple dress = a simple veil. If your dress has no or very little train, you should select a fingertip veil, or 36″.
- A dress with a medium train can handle a 42″ or 50″ veil. Likewise, a sweeping train pairs nicely with a cathedral 108″ veil. However, the rule to remember is never to let your veil be longer than your dress.
- Consider the detail on your dress. Ornate embellishment on a wedding gown should not compete with an intricately embroidered and busy veil. Be sure your veil is translucent enough for your guests to see the detail on your dress! However, if the back of your gown is fairly simple, you could select a veil with delicate embroidery, since your back is visible to your guests for most of the ceremony.
- Decide whether or not you would like to use the traditional blusher or whether you would like the double-layered look in the back or a simple, more translucent style.
- Lastly, if you are purchasing a cathedral length veil, you should consider whether you will want to simply take it off or buy a shorter fingertip veil for the reception, as your dress will be bustled at that point.
Written by Laura Roberts. Laura is the co-owner of Sensibly Couture Weddings, at http://www.sensiblycoutureweddings.com
Bridal Jewelry- How to Select the Perfect Bridal Necklace
February 11, 2009 by Wedding Ideas
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by Denise Sanger
Planning for your wedding day should be fun and exciting. Once you have decided on your wedding gown, shoes, hair style and make up, then it’s time to pick out your bridal jewelry. Your wedding outfit will never be complete without your bridal jewelry, especially the bridal necklace. Picking out the best wedding necklace can be quite a task to make since you have to match them with your wedding dress. Here are some ideas that will surely help you decide as to which bridal necklace suits best with your elegant dress.
Open-Backed Gown
Adding a bridal lariat necklace is a great way to show off the details of your open backed wedding gown. It is best for these types of gown because it has a hanging jewel embellishment that dangles at the back of the neck, which enhances the beauty of a backless gown.
V-necked Gown
A v-necked gown demands a unique fashion of jewelry. With this type of gown, Y-drop bridal necklace will prove to be wondrously stylish and elegant. The matching angle of the V-neck shape of the gown and the Y in the Y-drop bridal necklace gives a look that is in an entirely matchless dimension.
Strapless Gown
If you have decided to wear a strapless dress for your wedding, you will have a lot of options for your bridal necklace- that’s the beauty of a strapless gown. Popular choices include a simple pendant, a Y-drop design, choker, and the single and double strand necklace.
Square Top Gown
For the traditional square top wedding dress, the great way to add beauty to it is to finish it off with a simple single or double strand bridal necklace. These necklaces bring contrast to the outfit and can greatly attract the eyes toward the cut of the dress.
Scoop-necked Gown
A simple or a multistranded necklace is perfect for a scoop-necked wedding gown. These types of necklaces, such as simple one to five strand necklaces, will perfectly frame out the top of the wedding dress.
Halter Top Gown
For a halter-top wedding gown, you need to draw attention to the front as well as to the back of the dress. To achieve this, what you will need is a dangled-back or lariat necklace. This dress also looks beautiful with a pendant necklace and a Y-drop necklace.
Sweetheart Gown
As for a sweetheart gown, a Y-drop necklace fits just right as it perfectly follows the edges of the top of the dress. Other bridal necklaces that can complement the neckline of a sweetheart gown are simple round necklaces, pendant necklaces and bridal chokers.
Off Shoulder Gown
Any bridal jewelry necklaces work well with an off shoulder gown. If you want to frame out your look with simplicity, choose the single or double stranded necklace. It you want to put emphasis on your shoulders, go for the bridal jewelry choker. If you want to stress out your back, then a Y-drop necklace is the best choice.
Wedding necklaces are as important as your wedding gown and your wedding shoes because they add beauty and elegance to whatever wedding dress you plan to pick for your wedding day.
Denise Sanger is the owner of My-Wedding-Jewelry.com which has a diverse catalog of Wedding Jewelry including gorgeous Bridal Necklaces for every special wedding day. We are located in Sunny North Florida.
