Considerations before booking on honeymoon hotel

After the wedding party, finally honeymoon night has come. You will be all alone with your husband and sharing with him the stories of the ceremony and reception. But the important thing is that you want that special night to be absolutely perfect, and for that you must foresee all the details of the hotel before making the reservations.

So how to choose a hotel for the honeymoon?

First, be honest with your budget. You must get the best for your money of course, but without sacrificing to much your preferences, after it is the honeymoon of you and your husband!

Honeymoon hotels offer special wedding night packages, with special room service and special and original room decorations.

Take into account the location of the hotel, especially if you are going to the airport the next day for your honeymoon trip.

Department stores offer newlyweds promotions, just by registering to a newlyweds list; you are participating for free wedding nights in the affiliate hotels of the list. So if you are the lucky one, you can erase this time from your wedding budget list.

Among the products the prize includes are: French Champagne, canapé and cheeses trays, chocolates, fruit basket, flower arrangement, breakfast buffet and parking lot. Others include: pool, gym, private Jacuzzi, etc.

Bridal tiaras for stylish brides

Tiaras and veils are meant to make the bride like a princess the day of her wedding, evoking the trend of the classic Hollywood style; tiaras are a dazzling bridal accessory that allows brides adding a personal charming touch to their wedding gowns.

On of the advantages of wearing a tiara is that gives is a completely elegant, fashionable and “princess-like” to the bride, that the bridal gown would not have without it.
Bride tiaras have been a distinctive mark of the rich and famous for years, and there are a plenty of tiara styles to choose from.

The modern bride usually prefers a regular silver tiara; simple, with crystal engraved details, and adjusted under the head’s base. It produces and eye-catching contrast – if it has brilliants much more- if you are wearing a simple bridal gown design.

The tiara usually goes with a bridal veil, another important complement of the bridal outfit.

How to buy a bridal gown online

In case you are buying a bridal gown online, whether you have no time to go to the bridal gown store yourself to the designer to take your measurements or you just fell in love with a model that is only available online, we give you some tips to for the purchasing process:

- Choose a bridal gown design: It can be from an online catalogue, or in case you are ordering a made-to-the-measure bride gown, you may choose a magazine pic or make you own bride dress design.
- Take your measurements
- Send it by e-mail
- Deposit the costs in the account of online bridal gown store.
- Tell them by which way you want them send you the dress.

How to take your measurements

- Your body must be relaxed and straight
- Take the measurements in underwear
- Do not tighten the centimeter
- Do not contract the abdomen and muscles
- Do not leave extra inches

Bridal couture gown

The new trends on bridal dresses go for feminine contours tight to women’s silhouette to suit hers shapes, on the contrary of long and very wavy gowns, with natural white as the “it” color of the season. The bridal veil, as the starring complement of the bridal gown outfit, can be placed in the traditional way or as a shawl, depending on each bride’s taste.

Amazing bride

White is the reigning color of the silk bride gowns, to allure bridal gown with transparence effects, draperied, fantasy finishings in necks, necklines, skirts and train in gowns decorated with embroidered tulles, brocades, jacquard, mikados-shantung, natural silk with rich textures and assorted contrasts.

Great sound for your wedding celebration

If there is something that can’t be missed in a wedding celebration is music. In wedding and other celebrations there are many possibilities of introducing music, from the moment of the religious ceremony until the buffet time.

Choosing the right music to accompany the ceremony can make that moment unforgettable.
But it’s also important to make a decision about the music that will accompany the buffet, as for who will play it and the type of guests as well. Many types of people gather at the buffet, so we have to think about all the possible preferences.

A wedding celebration has to go through many elections, and this is one of them. In many occasions, the same restaurant where the buffet is going to take place, which has its own orchestra or DJ; but many allow to choose the musicians the couple choose to amuse their celebration.

The traditional waltz that opens the ball is a picture moment you may find in many wedding albums; it’s also common to find pictures of traditional dances in some wedding parties.
Since some years ago it’s also possible to choose the entertaining system of the dance that usually follows wedding buffets. The option most people prefer is the traditional orchestra, which is the option almost most restaurants offer; although, there is now the possibility of choosing a DJ to amuse the party. Even if it seems more for an informal party, this type of DJ entertainment has some advantages over the orchestra system as for sound quality and offers more diverse music styles.

When choosing a musical style it’s completely different when most guests are young people, to a first communion ceremony when there are mostly kids, to a weeding for middle-aged people. Music professionals know very well how to synchronize to the likes and ages of their audience, thus they prepare a repertory, wide enough to be liked by everyone.

In any case, they are always open to any request and introducing new hip songs to the oldies. The most important thing is that the couple is fond of it. Some couples go for introducing at some moment of the buffet, chamber or traditional music.

There are many ways of celebrating a party, but there is no doubt that music play an important role, especially for the memorable moments, whichever it comes from an orchestra, DJ, traditional music group, a Gospel chorus, a jazz ensemble, or a rock band…

Wedding planning: Part II

4-5 months early

• Start planning your honeymoon.
• Look for someone to label the invitations.
• Make a booking at the hotel for your wedding night.
• Make a booking for the wedding trip
• * For the groom: Buying or renting the tuxedo.

2-3 months early

• Take the pre marriage courses at your church.
• Make the paper work at the church you and your groom belong to.
• If the wedding wont’ be realized at the dioceses you belong, you should get the authorization of change and present it at the church you have chosen.
• Choose your bouquet and the accessories for your weeding gown (shoes, gloves, veil, stockings, etc).
• Buy the rings and wedding bond.
• Wedding dress and groom’s tuxedo try out and confirm the delivery date.
• Get the necessary documents for the wedding trip (passports, visas, vaccines, etc.)
• Pick up the invitations.
• Select the people that will take part of the ceremony (readings, offerings).
• Label the invitations.
• Send the invitations for the guests.
• Organize the transportation for you (and your guests, if it is necessary).
• *Groom: Buy your accessories: Shoes, shirt, socks, tie, etc.

6 weeks early

• Send the wedding invitations.
• Reserve the parking lots for the receptionBuy the accessories for your dress.
• Hire a hair and make-up stylist.
• Confirm the reservations of the oversea guests.
• Publish a wedding edict ad on the newspaper (if you wish)Prepare a list of the presents you are receiving to send thanking letters afterwards.
• Try your wedding gown again.

3-4 weeks early

• Select the Gospel and the lectures for the religious celebration.
• Print the missals for the mass.
• Choose the musical repertory for the mass.
• Pick up the rings.
• Confirm the reservation for the wedding night and the honeymoon.
• Start using your wedding shoes to soften them.

1-2 weeks early

• Confirm the flower delivery
• *Groom: Pick up your tux
• Buy traveler’s check fort he honeymoon
• Prepare the honeymoon luggage
• Confirm the date and time the photographer and the video maker should show up
• Leave a copy of your wedding trip’s schedule to your relatives in case of emergency
• Pick up your bridal gown
• Get a mani-pedi

1 day early

• Program your alarm clock.
• Prepare your entire wardrobePrepare a small first-aid kit with aspirins, alcohol, Band-Aids, etc.
• Prepare a small sewing box with needles, thread, bottoms, etc.
• Ask someone of your family or friends to take the abovementioned to the wedding.
• The wedding day!Take a moment to thank your parents and tell them you love them.Relax, smile and enjoy the great day.

Wedding planning: Part I

Here we provide a list that will help you organize everything for your wedding:
A wedding demands many arrangements, materials and spirituals as well. We have to do paper work, send the invitations, select the dress, the flowers, etc.
Where to start?

1 year early

• Define the date and the hour for the religious ceremony.
• Visit churches, ballrooms and wedding dress designers.

9-11 early
Reserve the church and ballroom foro he reception. It’s preferable they are closet o each other. Get a folder where you can keep all the papers, cards and notes related to your wedding.

• Make a preliminary guests list.
• Choose the godparents, bridesmaids and trainbearers.
• Visit buffet services to select the reception’s menu.
• Make appointments with many flower shops representatives to check out the options.
• Finish your guests list.
• Start auditioning groups and choruses for the mass and the reception. If the reception is in a garden hire a tent or awning.
• Decide which priest you would like to celebrate your wedding.
• Have an interview with him and your fiancé.
• Ask for photographers and video makers budgets.

6-8 months early

• Set up all the papers you need for the religious weeding (birth certificate, baptism certificate updated to a 6-month limit and confirmation certificate).
• Set up the papers for the civil wedding (birth certificate, medical exams, etc.)
• Start checking tables for wedding presents.
• Reserve the photographers and video maker’s services.
• Final selection of the wedding dress gown, dresses and tuxes for bridesmaids and trainbearers.
• Hire the flower store.
• Give your bridesmaids a list of what they have to do in the wedding’s day.
• Register your present’s tables.
• Call the abroad guests so they can book their flights.
• Reserve the musicians.
• Start checking invitations designs.
• Check all the details for the reception’s menu.
• Order to make the invitations.

Bridal carriage

Every marriage is the culmination of a couple’s dream and mainly the dream of every bride:
The bridal carriage or car that will be used in the wedding’s day must be the one the bride wants so much.

Tips to decorate a bridal carriage:

For a modern car you may use the traditional flower bunch on the car’s backside.

A classic car may wear flowers on the frontal part and a flower arrangement inside, if it allows so.

For the romantic bride and her carriage, a pair of very well combed hair horses will look great, decorated with ribbons, and with traditional flowers on the doors handles or in the car’ backside, depending on the car model you will use.

Although it’s true a modern bride will prefer a convertible or a fabulous Mercedes, a more traditional bride may like a classic car or a romantic carriage with horses.

Whichever the election you make, decoration will play an important role.

Wedding anniversaries

• First year: Paper wedding
• Second year: Cotton wedding
• Third year: Leather wedding
• Fourth year: Wooden wedding
• Fifth year: Wool wedding
• Tenth year: Tin wedding
• Twelfth year: Silk or line wedding
• Fifteenth year: Crystal wedding
• Twentieth year: Porcelain wedding
• Twenty fifth year: Silver wedding
• Thirtieth year: Pearl wedding
• Fortieth year: Ruby wedding
• Fiftieth year: Golden wedding
• Seventy fifth year: Diamond wedding
  

Traditions and symbols

Throwing the bouquet or league:The female guest or male guest who gets the bouquet or the league, respectively are the next ones in getting married. This custom started in the 19th century in France, where they considered that the bride’s league brought good luck. Afterwards, the bouquet was added to the tradition.

Throwing rice:In wedding, rice is thorn over the bride and groom so they can have many children. This tradition started in Asia where this grain is considered a symbol of fertility. Nowadays it’s also used to throw petals or sunflower seeds since the birds get chocked with rice.

Wedding cake: This custom started in Ancient Rome. After the ceremony, a piece of cake was broken over the bride’s head as a symbol of fertility and long life. The falling crumbs are picked up and eaten by the guests. The Middle Ages, in England, the customs consisted on the guests bringing small cakes meant to be kissed by the bride and groom. For, these wedding cakes have many layers and floors.

Taking the bride to the altar :When a father takes his daughter to the altar is symbolizing the parents blessing to marriage. In the past, daughters were considered property of their fathers, thus it belonged to the father to give her to her husband.

Wearing something borrowed, something old and something new :Wearing something old is a symbol of the bride’s connection with the past. A new detail is a reflex of her new life to come, and something borrowed means friendship.

Flowers: Represent the bride and groom’s purity.

The rings: From Ancient Rome, the golden ring represents union, everlasting love and fidelity. The exchange ceremony is symbol of confidence. The wedding rings are put on the annular finger. They sued to believe that this finger’s vein reached right to the heart.

The bride’s veil: Represents the bride’s virginity and innocence.

The Wedding Invitations

The wedding invitations are much more than a nuptial announcement; is demonstrating to society (relatives, friends and acquaintances) our personality.

How to choose the wedding invitations

Budget: First of all check how much money you count; this will tell you if you can hire the services of a prestigious agency dedicated to the wedding invitations making, that will offer you exclusive designs, papers, typographies and decorations.

Design: based on the type of paper, this can be classic like the opaline which light colors and texture is smooth. These models will always be accepted for their soberness and simplicity, besides of being the most affordable.

Craft paper: if you are looking for something more original and your budgets allows you to you can choose a more elaborated type of paper whether industrialized of craft. Industrialized paper is very assorted since you can find a wide range of colors and textures.

Wording: You can make it as formal or informal as you like depending on the type of celebration and guests, but (never) start the name of the person with the abbreviation of her profession. For example: Dr. John Smith.

The participations

Names and last names of the bride’s parents must go on the right side, or if the wording is vertical they must be on the upper side.

The names of the bride and groom must go alone (no last names). The bride’s name on the right and the groom’s name on the right.
Name and address of the ceremony place
Date and hour of the ceremony (it’s convenient to consider half an hour ahead)

The reception
Name and address of the reception place
Personal: Make clear the invitation is for only one person.
Etiquette: If you wish ladies assist in long gowns and men in tuxedo. This is only acceptable if your celebration at night.
Confirm your assistance: The initials in French R.S.V.P. -répondez s’il vouz plait- and a phone number.

The envelope

Front side: The last name of the family you are inviting and if they are a couple the name of both.

Back side: traditionally there was indicate the address of the bride and groom, so the guest could send the presents to their house. But nowadays if you decide to register your wedding on a marriage list, this service will send it to you on the place and date you indicate. This must be done at least with 3 or 4 months of anticipation.
Important notes

It’s important from the beginning to know how much people you are going to invite. Many details depend from this, especially to know how many invitation you have to order. For this make a guests list and decide how many invitation you will send assign for them.

Give one invitation per family, along with the number of reception cards for each family member.

If you have two friends who are a couple you can deliver one invitation as you do with the married ones.

Always consider to order 10 to 20 extra invitations for last-hour guests.

Bridal make-up for perfect wedding pictures

The pictures of your wedding will last forever and are usually the most seen from the family album. Professional photographers and make-up artists and hair stylists know perfectly hot to make outstand your most suitable features in front of the camera.

Here we give you some make-up and hair tips you should take into account for the photo shoot.

Make-up base: Always remember that the base must be applied on your neck. It must be form a color similar to the tone of your neck’s skin. Choose yellowish tones; forget about the pinks and browns. If you have a perfect skin you don’t need to worry about this.

Always choose matte products: you have to try shades barely darker than your skin’s color, so it looks natural on the pictures.

Forget of the glows around the eyes and on the cheeks: Any skin imperfection or expression wrinkles will be remarked by the flash.

Dull lips: Avoid using gloss, but apply a hydrant before painting them if you have dry lips.
Avoid places with too much sunlight or direct light: Places with shadows or sifted lights are ideal.

Black and white: If you go for black and white pictures, get them after the pictures in color, since the make-up with the first ones is totally different and more remarked, pastel colors look very well in a color picture, but practically fade in a clack and white picture. Try to remark your make-up with brown tones and red for the lips.

Watch the eyebrows: Most times, in short shots they look messy and artificial, use shadows and a fine brush to retouch them. Never use pencils.

Simple does: Never apply to many products on your hair; they make it look too rigid. If you like to wear it tied up, nothing like a chignon.

Relax…To look perfect on pics. Having a massage the day before is a good idea.

Natural bridal bouquet: if your bouquet is made from natural flowers, you should have two of them: one for the photo shoot and another one for the ceremony.

Sleep well: Taking a good rest the bight before is fundamental for beauty and especially for pictures.

Bridal dress color

Choosing the color of your wedding dress is as hard as choosing the dress itself. The diverse tones of white make complicated the election; if it is not cream, it is ivory or champagne.

With this brief guide you’ll have the best idea about the best type of white that will make you look better, according to your skin color.

The color tones

The key to choose your color is your own skin color.

Natural white or almond-like: it’s a tone less than the pure white. The 80% of brides look better with this color, besides looking good on pictures.

If you have dark skin, you are lucky. Almost all kinds of white match with your skin. But if you have yellow or olive skin tones it will not look as good on you as a shiny white or champagne would do.

Ivory: some ivory gowns have yellow tones that make them look creamy. If your skin is white color ivory and natural white or almond-like are the best options for you. Avoid white brilliant or pure.

Champagne: this color has rose tones that make it look almost white on pictures. If you have white skin with yellow tones, choose the white almond-like or champagne.

White-white: it is the most clear and brilliant of all whites. Looks spectacular on dark skins. If your skin is white with rose tones, go for the creamy colors.

Bridal beauty tips

You must get a face cleaning with at least one week in advanced, so any redness or irritation caused by the facial treatment disappear.

Make sure of having a good breakfast. Nerves may put you in bad mood and not eating will make it worst.

Remember, on your wedding day you are the most important person, so take your time at the beauty saloon.

Preferably, take the first or last appointment to make sure they will dedicate your time enough. Bring a photo camera to the test date. Tell your hairstylist to take you pics from all the angles. With this technique he/she will make you the same do on your wedding’s day. Do the same with your make-up stylist.

Don’t’ forget getting a manicure and a pedicure. The day before the weeding is the best time to do it, so the color will be perfect for the wedding day. During this appointment give yourself the time to check your haircut, color or style so they will be perfect for the wedding.

Review magazines and cut pictures of does and make-ups you like and hate. Take them to your hairdresser; in this way, you could give him/her a clear idea of your personal style. Your hairdresser will be able to concentrate on styles that go with what you like.

Show your hairstylist a pic of your dress, veil and tiara. This will help him/her to determine if it would be better to use the hair partially or completely tied-up. Arrange a hair test appointment with your hair stylist, so you’ll have time to explore other options.

Use a blouse with frontal bottoms when going to the saloon, so you won’t ruin your hair when taking it off. Spare time to be alone and relax at least for half an hour.

Rose petals carpet

Now is very “in” using an original rose petal carpet at church for the awaited bride’s entrance.

Nevertheless, sometimes, results a bit complicated, since some churches do not allow the use of this type of carpet, because they don’t want to take the risk of having the floor deteriorated or with the mess around. Therefore, if you want to realize this ides, you will have to previously get the corresponding permission of the church. Besides, keep in mind the church you select should not be so big, it’s recommendable putting the rose petals carpet at small churches, where the entrance path is relatively short.

Another point to take into consideration is the petals color. We suggest you to use white roses; due to their elegance and meaning you never miss!

Finally if you love this ides but the church forbids it, you could use this idea at the newlywed’s entrance to the reception. In this case, the rose color is freer, could be white, rose or a combination of these.

Ask a flower specialist to make you a wonderful rose petals carpet and dare to make a stunning entrance to the ceremony!

The bride’s schedule

3 months earlier

• Doing the paper work for the civil or religious marriage
• Ordering the rings
• Ordering the presents for the guests
• Buying the accessories for the bride’s dress: veil, shoes, lingerie…etc.

2 months earlier

• Choosing the music for the church ceremony and the buffet
• Hiring photographers and video makers
• Doing the course for the religious ceremony
• Sending the invitations

1 month earlier

• The bride’s bouquet
• Hair and make-up try outs
• Taking stuff to the couple’s new home

Bridal bouquet according to your sign

The wedding day is unforgettable, unique and social; the brides want to look beautiful and astonishing. The bride’s bouquet is indispensable in that happy moment. And a zodiac touch that emphasizes the qualities of the bride’s sign will not only be beautiful but also will be reflecting the harmony with universe that day and foretelling a successful union.

¿How should be the bridal bouquet for each bride according to her zodiac sign and why? Combining styles, sizes and colors each bride will be expressing in that happy day of her life her most outstanding and determining astral character.

Suggestion: not only for he wedding day but for any special occasion requiring a flower arrangement this could be used as a guide to balance and harmonize your home. Flowers are always a detail of good taste, happiness and beauty in every house and a well-made bunch of flowers is a masterpiece that reflects the personality of the person who prepares it and who receives it.

The bride of…

Aries: this bride is impulsive, passionate, and always different! Nothing could be best for her than a big bouquet with striking and strong-colored flowers. Red should predominate. It matches very well with violets and begonias.

Taurus: she is quiet, serene, tender and home-loving. A simple bouquet, not so big, with country flowers with subtle colors. A very tight rose bouquet, daisies or gillyflowers with a touch of green leaves complements the bouquet.

Geminis: Talkative, magnetic, nervous, dynamic and a little unsteady. Witty and sometimes unpredictable! The right bridal bouquet is magnetic as her, eye-catching, cheerful and juvenile. Go well sunflowers, gladiolas, tulips, narcissus and orange flowers.

Cancer: the bride of cancer is tenacious, intuitive, attached to the spiritual and home, smart and maternal. Her flowers are delicate as white roses. A very discrete flower arrangement, not so striking, with some oriental touch or Buddhist touch.

Leo: this bride is impulsive, sexy, showy and temperamental. She needs big flowers, red, pink, fan-like palms, crottle leaves.

Virgo: she pays attention to the details, modest, natural, loving and serene. A delicate bouquet, juvenile, compact and tidy with tiny flowers like gillyflowers and daisies, and small straight leaves will be wonderful for her.

Libra: This bride is elegant, balanced, with a very special appeal. Her bouquet must be elegant, subtle and delicate, with roses, violets and organza bonds. All with good taste details.

Scorpio: she has a strong character and personality, magnetic, mysterious, the Scorpio bride are intuitive and discrete. The bridal bouquet must be exotic and compact with orchids and violets to give her a mysterious touch and some wild flowers to evoke something magic.

Sagittarius: The bride of Sagittarius is straight-forward and austere, free-will, independent, active, sporty she doesn’t like to show off. For her, a pure and simple bouquet with completely white flowers, jasmines, nards hold by a silk ribbon. Nothing neither exuberating, nor exaggerated.

Capricorn: The Capricornian bride is hardworking, home-loving, dedicated, serious, affective, and intuitive, with many aspirations. This bride wants to make a big impression that day. Her bouquet should be abundant flowers and leaves, lilies, paradise birds and Hawaiian flowers.

Aquarius: Creative and independent, the bride from this sign are also very spiritual, humanitarian and modern. An unusual a non-traditional bouquet is for her. Something modern and original with striking and exotic flowers, Africans or weird ones.

Piscis: Tender and sincere, able to love sacrifice, romantic, cheerful and delicate. For her a juvenile bouquet, delicate and cheerful, simple with roses and tulips; colorful but not too much.

How to choose the right bridal gown for you

Getting in the dressing room with a bunch of dresses of the same size is not the most important thing about choosing a dress.

The style and the cut determine how good it looks in a person. And dressing are not the exception of course, it implies changing and looking very well till deciding which style is the right one for that picture perfect day.

Wedding dress designers recommend the style that stylizes your body the most. They also recommend a little trick when trying in the dressing room. Just put on the dress you like and get in front of the mirror, close your eyes and open them quickly. Notice where your eyes lay on first, if they look to a part of your body you don’t’ want to see, and then pick another dress.

Accessories and details have a great importance at the moment of trying the dress and how looks the whole set. So here are some recommendations to take into account before buying your bridal gown:

- For a bride who want to minimize the size of her breast it is suitable a model with minimum details on the torso and many details in the borders and the skirt. This takes the looks downwards.

- For a bride who wants to minimize her hips the dress must have more details in the torso. Short sleeves are also suitable.

- For a bride who wants her bust look bigger, must go for a dress with details on the torso in a way to attract looks to that part.

- The bride who wants to hide her belly should consider en empire style gown. This model is not tight, avoiding looks going to that problematic zone. Princess styles are stylizing and suit most body types. These have a slimming panel on the frontal and back side of the dress.

- A bride with a short neck may go for a V-neck dress to extend the neck’s length.

- Alternatively, a bride with a long neck who wants to make it look shorter will find the solution in high neck gowns like a Sabrina, bateau or a sequin stylized gown.

- For the bride who doesn’t want a dress with borders we recommend a heart-shaped dress instead of those of short cut along the chest.

- For a bride with thick arms she should avoid short-sleeves or wavy leaves. Long sleeves or ribbon-like sleeves are more recommendable in this case.

- If the bride wants to minimize her shoulders she should avoid long or wavy sleeves.

- Make sure the color chosen matches and smoothes your skin tone. According to wedding experts, choosing the wrong color makes every defect of your face come out. White and light colors go for brides with fair and tanned tones, while the shinny whites and fresh colors go for skins with pink tone.