An Asian Wedding Theme

The trend towards Asian weddings has attracted a dynamic and most interesting demographic because many non-Asians are opting for this theme to sanctify their wedding vows. For lovers of all things oriental, this is completely acceptable; after all, it's your wedding party and you can laugh (or cry, as the old song says) if you want to. Asian weddings usually break down into two main types: Japanese "Zen" style Shoji lanterns and river stones, and the bolder Chinese use of colorful fans and red satin cheongsam (traditional gown). But the range of choices are so much wider than Japanese or Chinese, and you might want to consider other options for your customized Asian wedding ceremony.

A Japanese pearl theme might well be your perfect Asian wedding venue and can be accomplished fairly easily. To enhance the atmosphere of your Asian wedding, drape centerpiece vases in strands of costume pearls (or real if you have access to royal coffers) and stuff with white ostrich feathers. Fill the room with iridescent balloons in ivory, pearl gray and pale pink and select pearl hair-combs and necklaces for the bride and bridesmaids and a pearl tiara for the bride. To drip in pearls is, as Martha Stewart says, "a good thing" (to drip in). The groom need not drip in anything as long as he behaves himself in the company of all this jewelry.

An Asian Pacific theme has nothing at all to do with time zones and provides another beautiful vehicle for an Asian wedding ceremony. Bedeck the room, not with boughs of holly (even if you have some on hand since last Christmas), but rather with fishing nets and swirling glass flotation balls. Hot-glue faux pearls into large mother-of-pearl oyster shells and scatter them all about the Asian wedding reception room. Name your tables for famous tree varieties (Chrysanthemum, Cherry, Weeping Cherry, Yoshino Cherry), but whatever you do, don't get them mixed up with the names of your guests! Serve traditional foods and beverages such as sweet dumplings (dango) and sakura blossom tea. You might even want to consider hiring a sushi chef to put a very special flourish on your Asian wedding.

Asian wedding favors can take many forms. One very popular choice are fortune cookie wedding favors. Other ideas for Asian wedding favors might include: bamboo place card frames, incense sets, gifts of tea, fortune cookie key-rings, jeweled votive candles, almond cookies, lucky bamboo plants, paper or sandalwood fans, sake cups in different materials and shapes and porcelain tea cups with the double happiness symbol.

For bridesmaids at Asian weddings, popular wedding favors can include: gold-tone hair combs, decorative chopsticks (hair adornments) jeweled flip-flop sandals and a feminine shirt with each bridesmaid's name custom-embroidered upon it and tucked into a large-size fortune cookie box.

The old saying that "the world is your oyster" can be true on your Asian wedding day. If you decide on such a theme, there are sure to be many beautiful pearls of wisdom, beauty and countless other things inside.

Find this and many more original articles provided by Truly Wedding by visiting our database at Truly Wedding Favors. Find more wedding tips, stories, news and humor all at the Truly Wedding Blog.

Planning Your Perfect, Hot Summer Wedding on a Budget - Have an Old-Fashioned Picnic in a Park

You'll need a caterer with a sense of humor to pull this off. Of course, you always need a caterer with a sense of humor! After all, you want the food to be surprising and whimsical! So you want someone who can laugh to make it for you! If your friends want to contribute they could easily, but that would take a lot of organization!

But since everything old is new again, why not have your wedding in a park? I grew up in a small town eating picnics from the most casual sandwiches to the most elaborate grills at our wonderful park along the placid river. No matter how hot it was, it was always cooler at the park. This would probably work better for a wedding for under 150 people.

Big Caveat: Unless you've got a really big pavilion, you're going to need a rain space. Sometimes churches will rent their halls out, or schools that aren't used on weekends in the summer. Often you can reserve those places on a contingency plan for just a bit of money.

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  Reserve a spot in the park: Parks may or may not have a rental fee, but the fee is almost always less than other venues. Rent a pavilion or (if you think you can trust the weather) set up a bunch of tables under the trees. Personally, I never like picnic tables, they're just not comfortable and I always get splinters. I'd always rather rent the tables and chairs from a local church, school or other organization. They never charge much and can always use the donation!


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  Set up the drink tables: Do this before the wedding ceremony, because it's going to be hot. Many parks won't allow alcohol, so you'll want the iced tea, lemonade, water and sodas to be really special. You'll want to make sure that you have enough of everything. No matter how hot it is, some people will want coffee.


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  Set up early for recycling and trash. Even if the park has vessels, you're going to want things right there to make everything convenient.


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  Find a shady spot and set up chairs for the wedding ceremony: Say your wedding vows in a beautiful and relaxed setting in front of your friends.


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  Pass hors d'oeuvres: Why not have your hors d'oeuvres be good old-fashioned picnic foods? Pass deviled eggs, small cups of gazpacho and cucumber or tomato sandwiches.


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  Table assignments. This will work best if you assign seating, which seems odd for an informal picnic. But you're going to have things arranged in 8s or 10s, depending upon the table size. So you're going to want a table where people can pick up their table assignments. This isn't always easy, but it's fun to think about getting your friends and families to mingle and come to know one another.


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  Table set-up: You're going to need to have the chairs retrieved from the wedding ceremony site.


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  Picnic Baskets: Set out the correct number of baskets (boxes). You want each box to be a complete picnic for 8 (or 10!). Dishes, cutlery, glasses, tablecloth, serving pieces, food, table decoration and identification. Give people some clue why they're seated together!


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  Food: Serve cold chicken or fish (or both), marinated asparagus, potato salad and a big bowl of summer fruit. Make it simple, fabulous food. Not lots of variety, and not too much. (You may want to have a table with some extras of all things for the tables who run through!)


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  Dessert: Serve a local favorite. Here in Central Pennsylvania, there is only one cake to be had: a chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. Make it a sheet cake. Make it great. People will be thrilled.


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  Staff: You can do something like this with far fewer staff than most weddings because the tables will be setting up their food and serving one another. But you do want people organizing and making sure the liquids are kept up. You want someone to serve the cake. You want someone cleaning up, even if you ask people to help, it's great to have staff to direct everyone!


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  Clean-up: People will love to help you leave the park cleaner than they found it!


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  Linger: if there's time, have a bonfire. Don't forget the makings for s'mores!

This is one of those lovely, easy weddings to have and to organize that people will have a lot of fun at. Make sure you let people know how casual it's going to be. The bride and groom can be as casual or formal as they'd like for the wedding ceremony. It's not that you CAN'T make your wedding vows in shorts, but it's nice to be in dressy shorts. Then go change and get ready for volleyball or your community's lazy summer activity of choice! This doesn't cost a lot of money, but everyone will have a great time. Every summer picnic you have from that day forward will remind you of the one you had on the day you promised to love one another forever. That's a great way to keep a marriage alive!

Bottom Line?: Give your relationship the chance it deserves to succeed wildly, against all odds! After all, you deserve it. Your relationship deserves it! And now I'd like to invite you to sign up to receive 2 free templates for creating the wedding ceremony of your dreams, the wedding vows of your heart and the marriage of a lifetime: http://annkeelerevans.org/weddings/free

The Rev. Ann Keeler Evans - helping you move from "I do" to happily and healthily ever after!

Preparing for Wedding Day Hairstyles

Think of your hair as your greatest accessory for your big day. Whether you plan to wear your hair in an updo style, long and silky, or short and tousled, it is important to plan ahead in order to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch as far as your wedding day hair is concerned. In the perfect world, brides-to-be would begin thinking about their hair care routine about six to nine months before the big day.

About six months prior to your wedding day plan a visit to see your hair dresser. You will want to discuss your plans and set up all of your appointments. Start a scrap book full of collections of ideas and hairstyles to share with your hair dresser. Take with you pictures of your wedding dress and veil. Your hair dresser will be able to look at these and help you come up with ideas to make your day knock-out perfect.

About five months before your big day begin experimenting with color treatments to be sure to achieve just the right look for that all-so-special walk down the isle. Giving yourself five months will allow time to try different options and time to wear them around to see what you really love.

This six to nine month time frame will allow time to consider the condition of your hair. If your hair is in poor condition due to chemical over-processing, it may be a good time to consult your hair specialist on how to go about treating it. Diet is a very important factor when it comes to the health of your hair. Making diet changes now can help the shine and manageability of those locks in time for the big wedding day. The following nutrients are important for hair health: protein, B-complex vitamins, vitamins A and C, and omega-3 fatty acids. Make sure to start a diet that includes adequate amounts of these nutrients. Make sure to include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet as you can never go wrong with these.

About 3 months prior to the big day begin a weekly schedule of conditioning treatments. Consult your hair professional regarding the best choice of conditioning treatments specific to your hair's condition.

When there is about 2 months to go consider ordering the flowers for your hair and have a trial run at the salon. About 1 month prior consider another trial run with the veil or tiara and confirm your final haircut and hair color.

Good luck with your final wedding day hair.

Rachael Taylor

http://www.hairstylejunction.com/bridalhairstyles/ and http://www.hairstylejunction.com/weddinghairstyles/ For more information about hairstyles and hair health please visit our webiste at http://www.hairstylejunction.com

Hair Extensions! Your Dream Wedding Hair Style Secret?

Every girl dreams of her wedding day! How absolutely fun it is to plan! You can express your personal style in everything for this special day.

After the engagement, the plans start becoming reality.  The hurdle most parents and bride have to get over is the cost. The bride and parents budget for all of the normal wedding costs.  These are a few of the normal wedding costs.

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  Invitations


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  Engagement photos


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  Ceremony location


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  Minister to marry them


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  Ceremony music


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  Ceremony flowers


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  Ceremony candles and decorations


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  Photographer


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  Videographer


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  Wedding dress


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  Tuxedos


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  Reception


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  Dinner costs


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  Beverages


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  Wedding cake


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  Party favors


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  Rental equipment


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  Transportation


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  Honeymoon

After spending so much time and effort in planning for the wedding, many brides do not consider the cost of other personal services when they budget their wedding.  Every bride wants to look her absolute best for her day.  However, many brides forget about the extra costs of hair styling, makeup, manicure, and other personal services.

Some brides have found a way to express their own style and flair in their hair and beauty in an economical way.  What's their secret?  They are turning to clip-on hair extensions to help them look their best for this special occasion.  This is the "hottest" beauty item today!  Whether they want a glamorous updo or long beautiful flowing locks, hair extensions can give them this in an instant. 

Why would a bride need hair extensions?  For women with thin or fine hair, extensions can give them length, volume and thickness.  These would allow them to try new hair styles without a professional.   The more hair they have the more dramatic styles that can be created.  Women want to look and be special!  Imagine transforming your short to medium hair styles into long free-flowing locks or a fabulous updo just for this special occasion! 

What types of clip-on hair extensions are there?  A couple types of hair extensions are natural human hair or synthetic. Natural hair extensions are considerably more expensive. The advantages with these is that they can be colored, curled, set, or treated. Applying natural hair extensions should be done by a licensed cosmetologist. They can be weaved or glued onto one's hair. You could easily spend up to $2,000 on this type of extension. Synthetic hair extensions are less expensive but you cannot use a hair dryer on them, set them or color them. They are attached with a small clip. They can be put in and out in an instant.  Most extensions come in a variety of colors to match your own hair.  The extensions blend many color tones to give a highlighting effect. 

Brides have fallen in love with these hair extensions not only for their wedding day but also for the ease of changing their hair look for their honeymoon.  They can change their hair style to match their trendy fashions.  Maybe they want ponytail curls or a long and sleek style!  The extensions can be removed one day and clipped back in again for another event.  How fun!

As my daughter and I are planning her special wedding day, we are experimenting with hair extensions for that perfect hair style for her veil and dress.  Her dream wedding is right around the corner.  Hope your wedding day is as you dreamed it would be! When planning your dream wedding remember this little hair styling secret.  You will look gorgeous without going over budget.  The possibilities are endless!

Mary Bertsch,
Independent Avon Sales Representative,
Unit Leader
http://www.beautywithmary.com

Hair Accessories for Girls

It is a natural occurrence that girls are conscious about their hair, and what they put on it, since the hair speaks voluminously of them. It is common for us to dress our hair as per our personalities, and this applies to accessorizing for girls too.

Short hair styles are ideal with bows, headbands and clips while elastic holders of ponytails like scrunchies are lovely on long hair. Scrunchies are also a good choice for sports as they deliver hair control, and maintain neatness.

In as much as there are different styles for different sizes, it isn't a taboo to experiment across the line. Young girls generally love bright colors and decors on their hair, but you can try it too for a playful feeling.

Moms usually buy plain hair accessories for girls, and use them to decorate their daughters' hair as appropriate. This also serves as an opportunity for the two of them to catch up on each other's lives. Mothers are so particular about their daughters' appearance that they would go any length to make sure they look well-dressed.

The girls must also be taught proper hair maintenance so that they can look chic in the right accessories placed on hair that is properly combed. Headbands can also assist in keeping the hair away from the face. There are bands and elastics that can secure a ponytail or a braid.

Girls should be cultured into the world of hair products at a young age, so that they are aware of what is best for their hair. They should also be taught how to combine them for the best glamorous appearance and which ones to avoid since there are those that destroy beautiful hair. Good hair gels and conditioners are the best way to maintain the perfect hair for your daughter.

Make sure you spend some time discussing hair accessories with your teenage daughter before buying anything for her. Girls tend to develop very strong preferences in terms of both style and fashion at a very young age so do not buy something without consulting her first! Doing so may mean a waste of money in that you might end up buying something that your daughter will never wear.

Once you have decided what type of hair accessory to buy, take a look online. Often you will find the very best prices online, so it may be a good idea to shop over the internet.

Read more about hair accessories for girls and womens black leather jacket.

How to Make Your Wedding Hairstyle Stand Out

For you lucky girls about to get married, this is probably the biggest party like event that you will ever attend and one of the biggest moments of your life. With this in mind we all want our weddings to be memorable and to achieve that, everything has to be perfect, including the wedding hairstyle that you have selected. With so many people attending the wedding looking their best, it is essential for the bride to look just as radiant if not more than her guests.

If you have not selected a wedding hairstyle to match your dress two months from the actual wedding date, than I suggest that you quickly read my guide on where to find wedding hairstyles. For those who are prepared and have selected a hairstyle to match a lovely dress, let see how we can optimize the hairstyle with some accessories to make the bride stand out among the crowd of people, besides a beautiful white dress of course.

When considering accessories to spruce up your wedding hairstyle, there are quite a few selection of items ranging from small to large that fit different hairstyles including flow downs and updos. There are a wide selection of beads and small jewelry which make small yet noticeable changes. There are also a variety of hairpins that come attached with jewelry or formed in beautiful patterns. There are bun wraps and tiaras in a variety of beautiful designs made from everything from glass to pearls to even diamonds. As you can see there is quite a selection.

Beads and jewelry are good additions without making too much of a splash. These come in glass, crystal, diamonds, and other material as well and can be added in different areas around the hair to provide an elegant look. Hairpins will also contain beads or jewelry, sometimes in beautiful arrangement like floral patterns. These accessories usually come in sets and are the cheapest items available.

Tiaras and bun wraps are hair accessories that make more of an impact on the whole look. Bun wraps are great items to attach to updos. They come in designs which include different jewels including pearls and some are designed in very beautiful floral patterns that can create a fairy tale look when everything fits. Tiaras are probably the most expensive hair accessories that you can get and can make the most impact, not only on the hairstyle but the overall look. There are a variety of tiaras to chose from ranging from cheap to extremely expensive. From floral designs to pure diamond studded ones, the wedding tiara is a very beautiful add-on for some wedding hairstyles. However I do suggest going small with the tiara as a bigger one just takes too much attention away.

For brides or bridesmaids looking for an extra addition to their hairstyle that makes for a unique beautiful look, add fresh flowers. Adding fresh, silken roses that match your dress to your hair can make for a very appealing look. Just purchase a few fresh flowers that match your dress color, cut the stems down to about the size of a hair pin and you have a natural hair accessory that provides a great look.

So have a fun and memorable time at your weddings ladies and always remember that it's your day.

Read more about wedding hairstyles from Cindy Marcus, the editor of Latest-Hairstyles.com, which provides advice on all types of hairstyles for every occasion.

Hot New (Old) Wedding Trend - The Groom's Cake

There is an old saying that what is old is new again, and this certainly holds true when it comes to wedding trends. One of the hottest things going for weddings these days is the groom's cake,which is actually a longstanding Southern tradition. If you are new to the concept of a groom's cake, here is what you need to know...

The groom's cake is a second cake, separate from the big wedding cake. The design of the cake usually comes about in one of two ways: either the groom himself will design it with the baker, or the bride will custom order the cake as a wedding surprise for her intended. Either way, the whole point of the groom's cake is to inject some of the groom's personality into a wedding day that, let's face it, is really all about the bride.

The groom's cake is a medium sized cake that is designed to showcase the interests or hobbies of the groom. They are also often a nod to his bachelorhood that is about to be finished. For instance, perhaps one of the groom's favorite activities was to hand out and play poker with his buddies on Wednesday and Friday nights. This is not to say that once he is married that his card playing days will be coming to an end, but in all likelihood, they will not be what they once were. A fun idea for this groom would be to design a poker themed cake to serve at the reception.

Some passions of the groom that are popular themes for his cake include things like sports, fraternities, cars, and dogs. If the groom is the one deciding on the design of the cake, he might even decide to tie in his groomsmen gifts with his theme. For example, if your cake will be a mini-replica of the stadium of your favorite NFL team, then you could give your groomsmen gifts such as a personalized mug or silver can holder with the logo of the team.

In parts of the country where groom's cakes are not traditional, brides are seizing on the idea as a way to do something special for their grooms. This is especially nice if your groom has been complaining that the wedding is all about the bride. Imagine how happy he will be to find a small cake made to look exactly like his beloved black lab prominently displayed at the reception. This is a very thoughtful way to show the groom that he is indeed more than just a formality at the wedding, and that the bride has been thinking of him all along.

As a counterpoint to the traditional wedding cake, the groom's cake is usually done in a rich dark cake, such as a chocolate or spice cake. This is a nice balance to the classic white cake typically used for the main wedding cake. Since the groom's cake is going to be covered in heavy colored frosting to create the desired scene, there is virtually no limit to what type of cake you can use as a base. It should definitely be whatever flavor the groom loves most.

The great thing about the groom's cake is that it is almost like a tiny sculpture, only done in cake and frosting. This means that you can be as creative as the skills of your baker allow. The only rule is to have fun with it. The groom's cake is a nice way to add some levity to a wedding that is otherwise formal and serious.

Guy writes on many subjects including travel,customs and society. http://www.SilverlandJewelry.com

Groomsmen gifts are the perfect way for the groom to thank his friends for being a part of his wedding.

Peacock Feathers - The Number 1 Theme For Weddings in 2010

Although, the thought of peacock feathers, peacock blues and peacock greens may not initially seem totally appropriate or indeed appealing when paired with weddings, this is a theme that has been tipped as the hottest trend for 2010. The design and colours featured throughout the peacock feather is beautifully rich and intricate and this can be implemented in any degree from an understated whisper of colour, to the extreme, by incorporating the theme in every aspect of your wedding, creating a dramatic glamorous affair.

Here are a few ideas on how to incorporate peacock feathers into your wedding day theme.

Wedding Invitations: Plain white invitations featuring a peacock feather and finished to perfection with beautiful satin blue or green ribbon is all you need to create an impact and begin the theme to your whole wedding. Your guests will know immediately that they are going to be attending an amazingly stylish wedding.

Bridesmaid Dresses: Here is where you could combine two hot trends for 2010 in one. 2010 is going to see a big increase in popularity in mix-matched bridesmaid dresses and this works wonders with the Peacock theme. Dress your bridesmaids in the variety of complimentary colours found in the peacock feather with bold, royal blues, teals and greens. The look and style from doing this is warm, chic and very sensational.

Hair Fascinators: Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex in the City movie took feathers to the extreme for her wedding (or first wedding) to Mr Big. Not all fascinators incorporating feathers need to be this big. Create a sophisticated, breath-taking piece by adding a single peacock feather to your fascinator.

Bouquets, Corsages and Bridal Party Flowers: Feathers as a whole are a gorgeous new accent to flowers. Don't let the feathers scare you; add a few through your bouquets to match your theme. To ensure you create the beautiful bouquet you are looking for, try to match the flower colours to the contrasting colours found in a peacock feather and balance this with sharp white or ecru.

Centrepieces and Table Décor: Sage green and teal blue linens will instantly produce a sensationally rich vintage feel. Consider having gold chiavari chairs, or white chair covers with complimentary sashes or bows around the back of each chair. Centerpieces usually match the bridal party bouquets. Take the flowers used in your bouquet and include some long, tall individual peacock feathers in the vase and you have yourself a centerpiece as pretty as a peacock. Not only that, but you can also have small peacock feathers tucked into your napkins to finish your tables off beautifully.

Wedding Cake: Yes, even your wedding cake can take part in your wonderful theme. Although you may not want colour incorporated into your wedding cake, iced white feathers can provide breath-taking flair. Try a dotted line pattern when icing the feather shapes onto the main cake to keep it elegant and refined, and perhaps introduce a slight shimmer of gold or silver leaf. This will undoubtedly create a stunning wedding cake that ties in with your whole day.

As with any wedding theme, the key is in the details. Small touches, create big impacts. The Peacock theme is truly a theme that is distinctive and undoubtedly stunning. Take time over the details and try to incorporate the colours into the main aspects of your day. You will most definitely create a wedding less ordinary and a wedding that will have lasting memories for your wedding guests. This is no ordinary day, this is your wedding, your wedding less ordinary.

Article submitted by Dean Webb - A Wedding Less Ordinary - the UK's largest retailer of beautiful wedding favours offering you unique wedding favours that will create lasting memories. Browse for your perfect favour in our online store: http://www.aweddinglessordinary.co.uk

Toiletry Baskets For Weddings

The best hosts do everything they can to ensure the comfort of their guests. Sometimes small gestures can be very appreciated by those who attend your wedding. One of the nice things that you can do for your guests is to stock the restrooms with toiletry baskets. This is a list of what you should plan to include.

Everyone knows that the female guests at a wedding will spend plenty of time primping in the ladies' room. However, you can't really fit much into one of those tiny little beaded clutches. This is why your guests will be so grateful to find a well stocked basket in the ladies' room. You want to fill it with both the necessities as well as a few little luxuries.

First the necessities: the biggest ones are aspirin or Advil, chewable Pepto tablets, and tampons. There are plenty of other things that you should also put into the toiletry baskets that are very practical. Breath mints are a must, as are tiny bottles of mouthwash. You might even throw in a couple of travel sized toothbrushes and rolls of dental floss for anyone who gets a piece of spinach stuck between their teeth.

Your guests may also have "wardrobe malfunctions" that can be solved with a few handy items from your toiletry basket. Safety pins are great for holding everything from a fallen hem to a broken clasp on a guest's wedding jewelry. Speaking of the jewelry that your wedding guests wear, why not throw in a few spare earring backs, in case anyone needs one? Another must is a small sewing kit, with several needles, scissors, and several colors of thread.

Hair is another major concern at any formal affair. Help your guests to feel their best by stocking the powder room with everything they need to rescue a fallen hairstyle. These items include: bobby pins, hair elastics, combs, hairspray, and an anti-frizz serum.  Make these necessities feel more luxurious by buying the travel sizes of really nice brands of hair products.

So now your guests have treated their headaches, fixed their clothing, and freshened their breath; at this point, you can think about the extras that will really set your toiletry basket apart. Clear nail polish and a few nail files are always a good idea. The nail polish can also stop a run in a pair of stockings. If you really want to go above and beyond, throw in a few packages of sheer pantyhose in a run of sizes for any guests who may need a spare pair. Another great thing to include in your toiletry basket is those travel stain wipes. They really do work, and can be a lifesaver if a guest gets splashed with wine or smeared with lipstick.

The final items to include in your wedding toiletry baskets are the fun little luxuries. Travel sized bottles of luxurious hand creams are one example. You may also wish to include a bottle of a light perfume or two. Demeter makes an enormous array of scents that are very fresh like "Clean Laundry". This will be appreciated by anyone who gets all hot and sweaty on the dance floor. One other thing that your guests will love is tiny pots of lip gloss that they can use and then take with them.

These are all of the small things that will let your guests know that you have really been focused on taking care of their needs. A wedding toiletry basket is easy to do and does not cost much, but it is the type of thing that your guests will remember. To make your basket extra special, decorate it to match the rest of your wedding decor.

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of Silverland Jewelry.com. Treat yourself to beautiful handmade wedding jewelry.

Expert Hair and Makeup Tips For Weddings

Today we're proud to feature world-class hairstylist, groomer, and makeup artist Marco Berardini. He is going to share some expert tips on prepping for the big day when it comes to hair, skin, and makeup for the bride and groom. He has a huge celebrity clientele, has worked in all the fashion capitals of the world and now he's going to share his best tips with you.

BRIDES

1. Time Your Haircut- Five to seven days before the big day, get to the salon. Haircuts always look best when it's had time to slightly grow in after getting it cut. A color mishap could happen, so give yourself time to make any necessary adjustments.

2. Don't Wash Hair the Day Of- If you have dry hair, do not wash your hair the day of the wedding; your natural oils will help create a shinier, more manageable style. If your hair is normal to oily, your best bet is to wash it the same day.

3. Time to Set- Make sure that your hair has time to set properly, as your style needs to last all day. Too often, styles fall flat because they haven't been set long enough. Always keep dry shampoo or baby powder on hand to maintain your style and volume throughout the day. Hugs can be an up-do's worst enemy; keep bobby pins in your or a bridesmaid's purse to keep loose strands at bay.

4. Stay True to You- Try to keep hair and make-up as modern and fresh, yet true to yourself as possible. Don't deviate too much from what you would do on a daily basis. It's not a time to start experimenting with a new look. Remember, you will be looking at these pictures ten years from now, and you want to be able to recognize yourself. Think of those poor brides from the 80s with blue eyeshadow and red lipstick on their big day - It's almost like looking at a clown!

5. Avoid Break Outs- If you tend to break out easily, make sure to wash your pillowcase often, as bacteria, make-up, and styling products can cause your skin to act up.

6. Lip Color- If you opt for color on your lip, go for using a matte or "long-lasting" lipstick, as the satin and gloss finishes can cause a messy situation at the altar.

7. Time your Facial- Don't forget that getting a facial too close to the big day can be a disaster as well. Facials can create blemishes or redness as the skin is refreshing itself. You need to give your skin at least a week to adjust.

GROOMS

1. Schedule your Cut- Try to get a trim five-seven days before the big day. Freshly cut hair never looks as good as slightly grown out hair. Add a facial the week before your wedding day too. Not only will this get rid of impurities and blackheads, it will get rid of dead skin cells that make getting a close shave difficult.

2. Grooming Products- If you don't already use high-quality men's grooming products, start as soon as you can. These will make a huge difference, not only for your wedding day, but will make you look younger for the long haul. By using higher-quality shaving products well before the big day, you'll alleviate or diminish razor rash from occurring.

3. Go to a Pro- Treat yourself to a professional shave at a barbershop the day before the wedding. Not only will this relax you, but will give you the closest possible shave for that first kiss with your new wife. If razor rash is unavoidable, use a medicated concealer that will not only camouflage it for the thousands of pictures you'll be in, but will accelerate the healing.

World-class hairstylist, groomer and makeup artist for A-list celebrities such as Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Patrick Dempsey and LeBron James, Marco Berardini has lived and worked in every fashion capitol in the world including Paris, Milan, London and New York.  Today, based in Los Angeles - he is the founder and creator of the next advancement in grooming -- EVOLUTIONMAN.

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Hot Colors For Your Cool Winter Wedding Bridesmaid Dresses!

A winter wedding can be a truly special and beautiful event, and paying attention to the million small details that go into planning a wedding can perfect it. One of these details is choosing the correct color idea for your winter wedding bridesmaid dresses.

It should be kept in mind that your bridesmaids will be in many of the photos of your ceremony so you should pay special attention to the details of their dresses. When selecting the right color scheme for your bridesmaids' dresses, you should keep in mind the age of the bridesmaid. Severe color palettes, such as blacks and dark grays, can age middle aged or older women further. If a dark color scheme is combined with a poorly designed dress, the effect upon your bridesmaid could be disastrous.

You should also keep in mind that bridesmaid dress should compliment your own wedding dress, but it should not compete with your dress for attention. The cost of a dress may also influence the color of a dress that you choose. Furthermore, when you are choosing color ideas for winter wedding bridesmaid dresses, you should consider the overall color scheme for your wedding. What are the colors you are planning on using for your wedding? Red has always been a popular color choice for winter wedding bridesmaid dresses. However, hunter greens and navy blues are very popular for the 2010 season, as well.

First, you should choose the base color for your bridesmaid dresses. The colors of any embellishments should come second. The color of any embellishments should also compliment the type of fabric your dresses will be constructed of. In winter weddings, heavy fabrics, such as damask or velvet, are popular fabric choices for weddings. Typically, a person should choose a pale color for a winter wedding dress and allow darker colors to be your accents. You may want to solicit the opinions of your bridesmaids before making your final selection. While their input can be valuable, the ultimate decision is left up to you. This is your special day, and it should be how you want it.

Gabriella has a true eye for elegance, fashion and style. She is a freelance writer - covering a range of topics from tips on achieving the perfect hourglass body to prom dress, Quince, Sweet 16 and other formal gown ideas. Gabriella spends her time assisting Brides-to-Be in selecting the perfect wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses. If you're still looking for the ideal bridesmaid, mother of the brides or wedding dresses - visit Gabriella today @ Affordable Bridesmaid Dresses!

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