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Time to take it easy – 3 signs that wedding planning is becoming too stressful

wedding jitters

What starts off as a beautiful, romantic engagement soon ends up as a nightmare of planning, arranging and running around for many brides!

Wedding planning is a huge task, one that takes forever to complete and with numerous details that never seem to conclude. Don’t be surprised if you are a bride who feels the wedding is dictating every moment of your life, ever since the engagement.

Unless you have everything figured out, and can keep your cool despite the responsibilities of wedding planning everything perfectly, wedding plans can burn you out. Here are 3 warning signs to look out for, so you do not overwork yourself over the wedding and forget to enjoy it.

  1. You go to bed and wake up thinking of the different wedding tasks to be completed

This is not the same as when you look forward to the day with excitement. Instead, you find yourself tossing and turning at night worrying about the details, and waking up anxious to begin your wedding related tasks. At this point, wedding planning has become a chore. It is no longer fun, and you will soon just want to get over with it. If you are experiencing this already, it is high time your stopped and took a break. Resume planning and organizing after you catch a well-deserved break.

  1. All your free time is occupied with wedding planning

Too much of a good thing can cause it to become boring. If you find yourself constantly writing notes and wedding lists, rushing from vendor to vendor and always on the phone discussing your wedding, it is time to blow off some steam. Many brides are overwhelmed with the very number of things to take care of, that they end up doing nothing else. If you feel tempted to do another teeny-weeny wedding task whenever you have some free time, curb the feeling. You will handle your responsibilities more productively and efficiently, if you get some breathing space in-betweeen.

If you simply have to do something for your peace of mind, pick something that is fun—like shopping for your rehearsal dinner dress, or preparing your honeymoon itinerary. This will get the task completed, but it won’t feel like work.

  1. You no longer feel the excitement, like you did when you got engaged

The wedding dress shopping was fun and exciting, so was picking the invitation and choosing the cake. But, many brides find their excitement to handle wedding tasks waning as time passes. The reason is that they have been over-exerting themselves, that the magic is gone. The solution is to forget the wedding for a bit, and instead focus on being happily engaged. Have a fantastic date night with your groom, or go on a weekend together. Discuss the remaining wedding arrangements, and consider what can be changed to make it more exciting. Reignite the joy of getting married, and you will once again find it interesting to plan your wedding.

Make sure you relax and tackle every wedding task without stressing over it. This will allow you to enjoy the experience and look forward to a memorable wedding day.

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

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5 Tips to help you have clear skin in time for your wedding

via Best for Bride

Your wedding is a huge event in your life; one for which you have to look beautiful from head to toe. While you may get caught up with all the planning, arranging and shopping for the day, don’t forget to pay special attention to your skin.

Clear skin will do half the job of making you look fantastic on your big day. With some extra care, your skin will be clean and blemish-free for you wedding. These tips from skin-care experts will get you going.

1. Start right now: Nothing can help you have clear skin overnight. A regular skin care routine is the only way to make it possible. If you haven’t been paying attention to your skin lately, this is the time to start. Cleanse, tone and moisturize twice everyday. Choose products that are suitable for your skin type to attain better and faster results.

2. Don’t pop pimples: Leave your pimples alone. If you have acne-prone skin, choose skin care products with salicylic acid and benzoyl- peroxide for more effect. Should a pimple appear, spot treat it with a product that contains sulfur. You should see the inflammation disappear soon, and the pimple will be less obvious. Also, do not try to hide a pimple by layering it with makeup; it will only look worse.

3. Gently exfoliate every week: Experts recommend that you exfoliate once a week if your skin is normal or dry, and twice every week if your skin is oily. This is in addition to cleansing everyday. Mildly scrub with a gentle product, and it will remove the surface buildup of oil, dead cells and grime. This will also allow better penetration of skin care products and help you obtain results faster.

4. Pamper yourself with facials: During the months leading up to your wedding, enjoy a few facials. You can get it done at a salon, or do it yourself at home, if you are pressed for time. Buy face masks suitable for your skin, or even whip one up with ingredients from your pantry. Use this opportunity to relax and refresh yourself, whether it is at home or at a salon. Make sure you apply a good face mask the night before your wedding to refresh your glow. Consider an advanced skin care treatment like Microdermabrasion if you have been neglecting your skin care for a while, or don’t have too much time to get your skin back in shape.

5. Take care from the inside: Healthy and glowing skin does not result from just caring for it on the surface. It also requires taking care from the inside. To do so, stay well hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water everyday. Reduce your consumption of caffeinated drinks and choose green tea or water instead. Cut down on junk food and processed foods. Focus on a balanced diet plan, with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and salads. Also, ensure you get enough sleep every night, to avoid dark circles, and under-eye bags.

Follow these suggestions from the day you are engaged, and you are bound to have clear skin in time for your wedding. For more tips and wedding advice visit us at Best for Bride.

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Engagement Photo Tips

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Your engagement photo does not have  to be like those drab, sterile photos of the engagement announcements in the local newspaper. Many couples go to a professional photographers studio and get photos taken that are reminiscent of school pictures. Instead of choosing a color background and grinning, get engagement photos that reflect your personality as a couple. Here are some engagement photo tips to stoke the creative embers.

Many couples opt to hire a professional photographer for the engagement photos. Some couples who do their own engagement photos outdoors with the help of a photo-savvy friend end up with some great outdoor photos. When deciding whether or not to hire a photographer, consider your budget and if this is the best choice for getting the photographs that you want.

Natural daylight is beautiful light for an engagement photo. However, bright sun can be harsh and result in shadows and squinting in photos. Consider when the best light would be for the photo. Do you want the soft light of right before sunset? Are you having the photos taken in a wooded area and need more light? If you are using a professional photographer, the photographer should have some suggestions for capturing the perfect daylight shot.

Dress to suit the setting. If you choose to have your engagement photos in a field, formal wear isn’t going to look right. It looks out of place and staged. Choose clothing that looks natural, like something you would actually wear in that setting. The engagement photo is about you as a couple, not about your ability to dress to impress others. Some brides-to-be wear a white dress for the engagement photo that is suitable for the setting yet hints at what is to come.

A common problem that couples have for the engagement photo is tension and stress. When you focus on trying to create the perfect photo, it brings heavy expectations. Instead, get close and enjoy the moment. Remember what the photo is about. It’s not about every hair being in place and perfect smiles. It’s about the love you share.

Tell your love story. The engagement photo does not have to reflect how you met or where you got engaged or your favorite activity to share, but some of the most endearing engagement photos do just that. If you share a hobby, consider showcasing that activity in the photo. Share where you met or some place that is special for you as a couple.

Home is where the heart is, right? You’re comfortable at home and relaxed. If you tense up just thinking about a photographer taking your photo, you might want to opt for home. Why not have an engagement photo in the kitchen if you enjoy cooking together? In front of the fireplace is a classic choice. While you may feel comfortable in your bedroom, it can come across as creepy for an engagement photo.

For more tips about making the most out of your engagement and planning the big day, visit Best for Bride. Our blog has some fantastic tips for making your wedding the best day of your life.

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First things to do after you are Engaged

planning

planningDo we see you admiring the lovely ring on your finger after saying “Yes” to the man of your dreams? CONGRATULATIONS! You are officially engaged! Isn’t it exciting thinking of your upcoming wedding? As the bride-to-be, you will have a busy, but fun time ahead.

Don’t be surprised if you suddenly feel confused. What do you do next? Are you overwhelmed with what to do and where to begin, now that the inevitable has happened? Don’t worry, we can help you get there. Here are the first few things that you should do once you are engaged, and the rest will simply fall into place.

Break the news to near and dear ones, and begin thinking of a wedding date

Great news like this should first be celebrated with the most important people in your life. Share the news with your parents and close friends and let them have a glimpse of the ring that seals your love. The obvious question that the two of you can expect at this meeting is, “ When will the wedding be?” That is because, it is time to think about it, which brings us to the next point.

Think about your wedding; start planning the place, date, time, and everything else

Now that you know you are getting married, how do you want to do it and when? Would you prefer to be wed at your local church, or can you afford an exotic destination wedding? Do you want an outdoor reception, or a stylish indoor venue? You’ll have to plan the time of year, and shortlist a couple of days in order of preference, so it’s easier to get the venue, caterers, photographers and band on any one of these days. At this time, discuss your thoughts about the perfect wedding with your partner, check out books and photos, and then begin organizing everything to make these dreams a reality.

Time to budget

You now know what your wedding should be like. Now, it is time to decide how big or how small you want it to be and budget accordingly. A rough idea at this point will help you plan the rest of the details . If your families are contributing, you can ask them how much and figure it into the budget. Also, draft a guest list, and calculate the cost that this will translate into. Budget for individual components such as the wedding dress, venue cost, photographer etc, so you know how much you can spare on each and stick to it.

Plan your wedding look, and begin your dress search

This is perhaps the most exciting part of all the planning—deciding how you will look at your lifetime event. Remember that you may have to look through hundreds of wedding dress pictures to filter the ones to try on. Wedding shopping takes a long time, so be prepared. Plan early, find the boutique that carries your choice of dresses, and book your appointment. This will help you choose your wedding dress at a relaxed pace, find time for alterations and be ready in time for your big day.

Best for Bride brings you a spectacular collection of wedding dress from the best designers. Browse through our online database and start off on your search for the perfect dress at the right place.