Category: Wedding Tips

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Bridal Shower Etiquette- Tips for the host and the bride

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Bridal showers are now an essential part of a wedding, and an occasion for the bride to socialize and enjoy herself with her close circle of friends and relatives. Bridal showers are usually hosted by friends or bridesmaids, and not by the bride’s immediate family. However, the lines have blurred now, and it isn’t uncommon to find showers being hosted by the bride’s sister or mother.

As with any other party, certain etiquette rules are associated with bridal showers too. Let us look at some rules that you should pay attention to, if you are a bridal shower host. We will also briefly touch upon etiquette for the bride at the shower.

Limit the party guests

There are two things to pay attention to when inviting guests for the shower

  • only invite guests who are invited to the wedding too
  • the number of guests at the bridal shower is not huge.

The idea of hosting a bridal shower is to have an intimate gathering with the people who mean the most to the bride. These people are definitely on the wedding list. If you are not sure of who to invite, here is some help. Make sure you invite the bridal party, the bride’s close friends and family. It is also alright to ask the bride if you have missed anyone she would like to have at her party.

Timing is crucial

A wedding shower should be held at least two weeks ahead of the wedding date, but no earlier than a month. Make sure that you send out the invitations at least two weeks before the date, so the guests are allowed sufficient time to make plans to attend the party.

Plan the cost and date and be prepared to pay

It is the host of the bridal shower who pays for the party—not the bride, nor the bridesmaids. Unless all the bridesmaids want to pitch in and help with both conducting and paying for the party, they are not obligated to. In any case, make sure that the party is properly budgeted for and the expenses and ideas are agreed upon beforee going ahead with plans.

Now here are the rules for the bride

Thank the host with a gift

After all, your host has gone through a lot of trouble to plan your wedding shower. It is only appropriate to give her a small gift to appreciate her efforts. This could be a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers. Don’t forget to include a thank you note as well.

Don’t be demanding and don’t make suggestions unless you are asked

You can have your wedding the way you want it, but don’t expect the same of your bridal shower. Gifts you receive at the bridal shower are usually less expensive than wedding gifts. So, be gracious and enjoy the ritual of opening your gifts at the party, instead of focusing on what you receive. Make sure you write thank you notes to the guests for what they gifted you on this occasion.

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

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Classic and contemporary color combinations for amazing wedding bouquets

There are many splendid options in wedding flowers to choose for your wedding day. The main things to consider when choosing your wedding bouquets are

  • matching the colors to your wedding theme
  • matching the bouquet size and shape to your figure
  • matching the bouquet design to your wedding dress
  • finding the combination that falls within your budget

Apart from these factors, one main consideration is how talented your florist is. A capable florist is an artist who can churn out the finest designs with seasonal flowers and do all this for a reasonable budget. So, start with locating the right person for the task. Once you have found this person, share your ideas and listen to her suggestions. When you work together, you should be able to create a splendid bouquet that will greatly enhance your wedding day look.

Here are some fantastic color combinations that can never go wrong, and you can consider for your wedding day. Take a look.

Classic cream and white

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Add the finishing touches to your white wedding outfit with a classic white bouquet. A monochromatic white bouquet is in no way boring, as you can always mix and match textures by choosing different types of flowers to make it interesting.

Pleasantly pink

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The world of flowers has every shade of pink. So, if any of these shades work with your wedding palette, you needn’t worry about finding another suitable color for your wedding bouquet. Feminine and soothing, light pink works with almost any color theme, and you can mix it with greens, yellows, purples and whites to create spectacular bouquets. Consider having a stunning bouquet with just pink roses in winter, when the availability of flowers is limited.

Tropical yellows and red

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Bigger blooms in yellow and pops of red make a striking combination that is cheerful and perfect for a spring or summer wedding. Add grassy shoots along the perimeter of the bouquet to accentuate the effect of the yellow. The best thing about this combination is that you can use it in a classic bouquet with yellow roses for a traditional look, or make it modern with lilies and orchids in this color. Add a unique touch to your bouquet by choosing berries instead of flowers for the red.

A combination of shades from the same palette

Just like ombre cakes are a favorite, bouquets with flowers that belong to the same color but in differing intensity will make a fabulous choice. You can have your florist create stunning bouquets in varying shades of purple, pink, red, orange or even blue using a variety of blooms in different sizes. Sprinkle green and white to add more dimension to your bouquet and it will be a spell-binding design.

We hope you have found at least one combination in this list to try on your wedding day. Visit Best for Bride to look at the various bouquet options that you can consider and find more inspiration for your wedding.

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Beauty Tips for summer brides

Two of the most popular wedding seasons are spring and summer. While summer weddings allow you to plan fantastic outdoor soirees, every bride would agree that it is difficult to look fresh throughout the day when the temperature is this high.

Fortunately, we have just the tips you need to make sure that you look great throughout your wedding day and that you look great in your wedding pictures. Follow this guide, and you will be on your way to looking just perfect on your big day.

Prepare ahead of time

This is an essential tip, that has to be followed by every bride, even if she isn’t getting married in summer. Your skin is an organ that needs a lot of attention. Your lifestyle factors, stress, eating and drinking habits and even sleep patterns play a role in how good your skin looks. So, begin taking care of it from the minute you are engaged if you want it to look great in time for the wedding. Follow the essential skincare routine—cleansing, toning and moisturizing, without fail, and you will notice your skin getting better and responding to your care faster.

Pamper your skin with the best

Make it a point to have facials at least once a week, till the day of your wedding. Consider getting a professional facial as well, as this will clean your skin of build-up and restore its natural glow. Eat a balanced diet, loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables, and drink plenty of water to hydrate from within. Throw out all the old and expired stuff in your makeup bag, and replace it with good-quality cosmetics and creams. Also, make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep every day, so your skin gets time to repair and restore itself. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen whenever you step out and stay in the shade at all times. If you want to get your hands on professional-grade cosmetics, Beverly Hills MD is one of the most advanced products in the market that are safe, new, and advanced.

Choose hydrating products for your skin

During summer, your sweat glands work overtime, and you lose more moisture from your skin surface. Prepare for your wedding day, by layering your skin with a good amount of moisturizer after you properly cleanse it. Don’t skip this step even if you have oily skin. For your bridal makeup, make sure to apply primer. Also, choose waterproof makeup and ones that are enriched with organic ingredients. Carry your compact in your emergency kit, for regular touch-ups. Keep tissues handy, to dab off sweat.

Keep the look natural

Summer brides look best when they use makeup sparingly, and stick to the nude makeup style. This article on Divine Caroline suggests that you use lighter textures in your makeup to look fresher. Similarly, with your hair, make sure that it has a natural feel to it, and you don’t choose a hairstyle that looks too dressy or tight. Deep condition your locks and apply a suitable hair product to keep your hair in place throughout the day. It is also a good idea to upgrade from your regular antiperspirant to one that is of clinical-grade, so you can stay fresh for longer.

And most importantly, choose a wedding dress that is breezy, light and feels comfortable in the warm weather. To find one that is just right for the occasion, take a look at our bridal gallery on Best for Bride and you are bound to find the one you’ve always dreamed of.

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Breaking Tradition: 5 Wedding Planning ‘Rules’ You’re Free to Overlook!

Traditional wedding planning was based on rules and even more rules. Luckily, we aren’t bound by endless customs and traditions when planning our wedding today. While it isn’t wise to toss all the rules, beliefs and wedding etiquette aside, few can be ignored so we can realize our vision of the perfect wedding.

So, what are they? Let us find out.

1.It is the bride’s family that pays

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With weddings getting bigger and more expensive everyday, it is not such a good idea to place the entire financial burden on the bride’s family. The couple can sponsor their wedding themselves, rely on funds from the groom’s side or even split the expenses. What matters is that you have the desired wedding, not who pays for it. Also remember that it is only right that the people footing the bill have a say in how the wedding ought to be. So, if you and your parents or in-laws disagree on the guest list or wedding menu, try to find a compromise that works for everyone.

2.Your wedding dress should be white

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Although white is the most popular option in wedding dress colors, you don’t need to choose it. In fact, white wedding dresses became popular only in the 19th century, before which, brides wore dresses in different colours. So, if you aren’t smitten with white, pick any colour that appeals to you.

3.The groom shouldn’t see the bride before the ceremony

This was believed to be bad luck. Superstitions aside, photographers today encourage couples to click a few pictures together before the ceremony. This allows them to get the best shots, when the bride’s makeup is fresh. It also allows them to effectively capture the first reaction of the groom when he sees his bride in her wedding attire. This is a memory that the couple will often cherish, and so this is a good way to do it right.

4.You can have only one Maid of Honor 

More and more brides are now opting to have two Co-Maids of honor, if they have two favorite girlfriends. This makes sense, as it wouldn’t be nice to choose one over the other when both ladies are equally important to the bride. It is also more practical, as they can divide the bridesmaid’s duties and ensure everything sails smoothly, putting the bride’s mind at ease.

5.Weddings have to be expensive

Not necessarily. You can choose to keep the wedding small and meaningful if you do not have the budget for a big wedding. After all, it isn’t about throwing a big party or starting your life together on a big debt. It is about celebrating your love as a couple, with the people who matter most to you. Whether you can afford a wedding party with thousands of guests or you choose to get married with only your closest friends and family attending, you will still be pronounced man and wife. So, plan a wedding within your budget, and make sure you get the best deal you can afford.

For more wedding planning advice, tips and stories, visit us on Best for Bride.