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Tips to help you plan a last-minute wedding

5307-2_300pxWeddings take time to plan and perfect. But, what if you don’t have so much time?

You can still pull-off a superb wedding within the time you have, with a little help. Here are the planning tips that will help you with the various aspects of a beautiful wedding, and make it as close to perfect as can be.

Plan the legal part

The legal part of getting married, can take some time. So, get down to it, right after you decide to get married. Make a list of the necessary papers you will require and visit the courthouse as early as possible, to apply for your marriage license. Make sure the paperwork is done and you qualify to be legally married on the day you want to.

Fix your budget before you do anything else

1A quick wedding means you have to have funds ready at short notice. Plan your budget quickly, calculate the number of guests who will be attending and make sure you account for all the factors that will be involved. Choose a theme that can be executed without difficulty. You may not have time to search for vendors who fit your budget, while meeting your deadline. So, obtain references from friends and relatives, check for online reviews and contact a number of vendors to find one who fits the bill and can accommodate your wedding plans at short notice. A wedding planner would be very helpful for a quick wedding as a professional will know what to do. They can also direct you to the right vendors who fit your budget but will deliver on time.

Choose shortcuts to spread the word

For a quick wedding, you may not have the time to select invitation stationery, print them out and send them by mail. So, choose the practical route. Quickly sort out your guest list, create an email invitation, and send it out. Also, call and personally invite your guests. Ask them to confirm whether they will be attending the wedding, and mark their RSVP response off a printed list, so you can do the rest of your planning appropriately.

Enlist extra help

This is the time to turn to your friends and well-wishers for help. If you are a naturally organized person, plan and delegate the tasks to your helpers.

If not, get your MoH or mother to help you, so you don’t miss anything.

Go shopping asap

Keep your wedding dress dreams realistic, as you do not have too much time for elaborate shopping and alteration sessions. Be open to choices when you go for your bridal appointment, and you will not be disappointed.

windflower_2Try to look at dresses that are readily available in your size and will require minimum modifications. Make sure that you ask for a speedy delivery, and as far as possible shop for accessories and wedding bands, soon after purchasing your wedding dress.

Bridesmaid dresses

Consider the logistics of getting your bridesmaids dresses on time, when choosing them. Select from available stock, or consider paying extra for a quick delivery. Make use of mix and match options, as this will allow your bridesmaids to choose their dresses faster.

Party favors

Choose quick and easy party favors that do not require assembling.

Forget the small stuff, and keep your expectations simple. This is the best way to enjoy your whirlwind wedding. It’ll all seem like a dream later, and the little glitches won’t matter then.

For more wedding advice and tips, visit us at Best for Bride.

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Don’t fall ill on your wedding day! Tips to stay healthy

allergy-18656_1280The best time to realize the saying “Health is Wealth,” is when you are engaged. Falling ill when your wedding day is just around the corner, can be a damper on all the celebrations. Imagine how terrible it would be to stand at the altar and sniffle (ones that aren’t the happy type!), or how difficult it would be to control sneezing while photos are being clicked.

Unfortunately, illness is something that can strike at any time, unless you are determined to keep it at bay. Here are some tips will help you in this direction. Begin practicing them right away and you can avoid falling ill.

Build up your immunity

One of the best ways to avoid falling ill is to strengthen your immunity. Fortunately, this isn’t too difficult to achieve, and the earlier you begin it the sooner you can achieve it. Eat a well-balanced diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water everyday. Get your stomach ready to attack bugs by building up your reserve of good bacteria through having yogurt with live cultures, regularly. You touch a number of surfaces everyday, so wash your hands often and clean them well. Use warm water and soap, or use a hand sanitizer if it isn’t possible to wash your hands at any time.

Sleep well

Sleep is an instant stress-reliever and having a good sleep-cycle will strengthen your body in several ways. However hectic your schedule may be, stick to a regular sleep routine. This will help you unwind and a stress-free body is better equipped to fight off bugs.

Avoid contact with sick people

This is a no-brainer, yet one that many brides seem to forget. When you come to know someone is sick, restrict or avoid contact with them till they are better. Should you have to care for a person suffering from a contagious condition, make sure that you have minimum contact with them and the things they use. Also wash your hands well, and do not touch surfaces that may be infected. When you use public transportation, or spend time in a public space, wash your hands soon after.

Exercise to push those bugs away

Moderate exercise helps your body create more infection-fighting cells, than usual. So, make it a habit. However, don’t overwork your body. Take it steady and practice regularly. You can also consider yoga or meditation, as these can enhance the body’s capabilities of combating stress.

Get a daily dose of herbal help

A number of herbs have been used since ages to fight infections as well as to improve the immune system. These include elderberry, echinacea, turmeric and astragalus. These herbs boost the natural immunity of the body, without causing any side-effects. Consume them daily and you will obtain the protection you require.

Treat a symptom at the onset

Remember that the clock is ticking, and you cannot afford to have a cold, flu or stomach bug at this time. Don’t dismiss any symptom that appears, and begin attacking it with medication, natural remedies and whatever works, from the moment you suspect you will be ill. For colds and flus, take zinc at the onset. For a stomach bug, load up on fluids and take suitable medication right away. Try to get it under control before it spoils your wedding day.

For more wedding tips and advice, visit Best for Bride.

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5 last things to do on the day before your wedding

Your wedding day is finally here!

In the hectic pace of planning and arranging everything, you are likely to overlook some detail or the other. To avoid any last minute snags, here is a checklist of things to do the day before the wedding. Follow this and the last few hours leading up to your wedding will be relaxed with everything under control.

Put out your wedding dress and accessories

Not only should you lay out your wedding dress, you should also inspect every detail one last time. The last thing you want is to find a missing button on the morning of your wedding and panic over it. Do it the day before and you have plenty of time to fix any likely problems.

Also arrange all the things you need in the morning—your make-up, inner-wear, perfume and accessories in one place, so you needn’t run around searching for anything once you start dressing. Make sure that everything is arranged in a location, that nobody has access to, so nothing is tampered with.

Call your vendors for last-minute confirmations

Although you are certain that everything will go perfectly, you can still call up all the vendors and ensure everything is as per plan. If anything, it will put your mind at ease to know that everything is progressing smoothly, and not be worried of likely issues.

Hand over your emergency bridal kit to your MoH and run the plans by her

Every bride has to have an emergency bridal kit for any likely mishap on the wedding day. Put your kit together with all the essential fixes, and hand it over to your MoH the day-before, so she can carry it with her to the venue. Also, spend some time sharing notes over the duties of the bridesmaids and ensure that you and your MoH are on the same page. She can then see to it that the bridal party handles their responsibilities as per your expectations. Get your MoH to check that the bridesmaids are all set for your wedding day, their dresses are in order and they are aware of all other necessary details.

Prep your house and check with out-of-town guests

Photos will be taken from the moment you wake up on your wedding day. So, get your house looking great and neat on the day before, and you needn’t worry about it in the morning. Put out a few baskets to corral any strewn items and just tuck them into corners to sort out later. Also, co-ordinate with out-of-town guests and make sure they are where they ought to be. A good idea would be to entrust this responsibility to family or friends, and just check to see that everything is as per plan.

Spend some time relaxing on your own

You have a stressful day ahead, so make sure you get some “me” time the day before to relax and unwind. Indulge in a scented bath or home facial, listen to some calming music or take a nap. Imagine a perfect wedding day and it will be just that. Rejuvenate yourself and you will be ready for the long day ahead of you.

For more valuable wedding tips and advice, as well as to pick out the perfect wedding dress, visit us on Best for Bride.