Speak Up

This is your wedding, too, speak up and have an opinion! You don’t have to do all the planning, but pick some things you’re actually interested in. For example, pick some of the music, the food, or the pictures. Your bride-to-be will be happy to let you help since she’s most likely overwhelmed. Plus, it would be nice to have some sort of idea about the details of the wedding before it actually happens!

Pick Your Presents

It may seem like a very stupid task at first, walking around a store scanning barcodes of plates, knives, and forks, but look at the bright side. It is now widely accepted for the wedding registry to go far beyond the kitchen, so you can ask for things you actually want! For example, you can ask for camping gear, or a new tv… Anything you want! This will take a lot of stress off your lady, she’ll be very glad that you’re helping out.

Find a Middle Ground

If your fiance wants to get everything for your new home in baby pink, but you don’t, say something about it. Try to compromise with her, find something you both like. You can make her happy while keeping your manhood intact!

Family Matters

If your girl is feeling stressed about family problems stemming from the wedding, let her vent. Don’t, however, use it as an opportunity to tell her all the things that annoy you about her family. Calmly listen to her, let her know she has your support. You don’t want to take the risk of creating a family feud over a small comment.

Also, there’s a good chance that someone in your family or hers is constantly bugging her about all the tiny details about the big day. If it’s your family, try to step in and tell them that you and your wife-to-be have it all under control. You’re thankful that they’re trying to help and you’ll call them if you need it. She’ll definitely thank you for it!

Grooms Men

Taking care of your groomsmen is probably the biggest thing you can do to take a burden off your fiance. Keep your guys up to date on their attire; where and when to get fitted, pick up and return the tuxes. If they’ve never been married or in a wedding, they probably don’t know anything about it, so be as detailed as possible when giving them responsibilities like bringing the ring.

Be Loving

Last but not least, be kind and loving. Remind her why she’s marrying you! If she’s really on wedding overload and on the verge of a break down, do something nice to make her feel special. Be there for her, and the wedding day will be everything she, and you, have dreamed of.

Eyes

• Use waterproof mascara! It’s pretty much guaranteed that you will shed a few tears at your wedding, so be prepared.
• Try a charcoal eyeliner, black or brown may be too harsh if your wedding is outside or during the day.
• Use a white or peach shadow to highlight your eyebrows.
• Pencil in your eyebrows a tiny bit to contour them.
• Use eyedrops if your eyes are looking tired or red.

Cheeks

• Use your blush! A pop of color on your cheeks will complete your look.
• If you break out before your wedding day, don’t touch it! Leave it alone completely so it can naturally heal.

Lips

• Use teeth whitener if you’re self conscious about your smile.
• Apply a light shade of lipstick or gloss, dark or nude colors can make you look washed out against your white dress.
• Keep you stick or gloss of choice close to you for reapplications!

Hair

• If you’re pressed for time before your wedding starts, have a station for whomever is doing your hair set up.
• Get a professional scalp massage a few days prior to your wedding, it will stimulate the hair follicles… not to mention, it feels nice!

Skin

• If your ceremony is outside, use sunscreen! You may not realize it, but if you’re out in the direct sunlight, you may be getting burnt. Your skin may look pink or red in pictures.
• Use bronzer on your chest and arms to add a slight glow to your skin.

Bonus Tips!

• Use natural light when applying your makeup, that way it won’t look too heavy.
• Sit at eye level to whomever is applying your makeup.
• Watch for your dress when getting makeup done. Or if you put it on after, have help so you don’t smudge anything.
• If your veil needs to come off after the ceremony, make sure you have your hairdresser show someone in your bridal party exactly how to take it off without messing up your hair!

Price

It’s no secret that your wedding can be quite an expensive day. Don’t forget this when you’re shopping for your accessories! Before you ever set foot in a jewelry store, you should have a price range set. Once you have your budget set, do yourself a favor and don’t go into a store that is out of your limit. Remember, you’re the main event at your wedding, your jewelry meerly has to compliment you and your dress.

Style

Style is an essential part to any piece of jewelry, your wedding set is no exception. You should keep in mind, though, that the accessories are just that, accessories. They are not the focus of your wedding outfit, your gown is! The perfect wedding set is simple, elegant, and somehow tied into your dress. For example, if your dress is adorned with crystals, perhaps you should get a crystal necklace. Or if there are pearls on your gown, try some pearl jewelry. Most of all, though, the bridal jewelry set you choose should reflect your personal style.

Quality

Quality should never be overlooked when you are shopping for your wedding day jewelry. Be careful, though, don’t think just because they jewelry is expensive that it’s higher quality. There are plenty of boutiques and stores that sell affordable, high quality jewelry. Shop around a bit, this is your big day, don’t cheat yourself out of beautiful accessories!

Your bridal jewelry set is important to your overall look on your wedding day. Keep in mind your price range, the style, and the quality of the accessories before you buy them. You will undoubtedly look stunning on your wedding day!

Do those four little words make you nervous? Are you thinking about asking your significant other to be with you forever? Well have no fear, with a few simple tips and things to keep in mind, popping the question will be a breeze!

She Probably Won’t be Completely Surprised

If you have been together long enough to be thinking about getting married, it’s almost guaranteed that she has not only thought about it, but gone through scenarios in her head of how the proposal will play out. So it’s safe to say that she knows it’s coming, but she doesn’t know the details. With that in mind, don’t choose cliche things for your proposal. For example, if you make reservations at the fanciest restaurant in town and get a limousine to pick her up, she’ll know it’s coming. If you want an honest surprise, don’t give any hints!

Size Does Matter

Is diamond size less important than its quality? Not in most cases. Your lady will be so happy to get engaged, yes, but she will want a rather large diamond. After all, diamonds are a girls best friend! On the other hand, if you are going through tough economic times, you can always buy a ring that is within your budget with a promise. Promise her that when money isn’t so tight, you two can pick out a new one if she wants.

Ask Her Input on the Ring

Yes, there are some women who want to be totally surprised when it comes to the ring you pick for her. But there are others who want at least a small say in what they get. Whether it means you both go ring shopping together, or you ask her preferences for style, metal, and color, she will most likely appreciate having some input. It’s a life long accessory, think of it that way. You want it to be something she loves!

Ask Her Dad

Do you think asking your girlfriend’s father for her hand is an out of date tradition? It’s not! Over 80% of women surveyed said they would like their father to be asked. It might not be a bad idea to ask her mother, as well. Don’t be afraid of it, though, if you make their daughter happy, chances are, they’ll give you their blessings.

One Knee Isn’t Enough

Just the gesture of getting down on one knee and presenting the ring might not be enough for your woman. Most likely she will want you to ask her the question. That way, your intentions are completely clear.

All in all, the best thing to do when contemplating how and when to propose, is to think of what your girlfriend likes and wants. Keep her in mind and things will most likely be perfect!

Our team attended this event to talk to a few of the small local businesses of the area and gather some useful information about their services.

Lace and Roses

Lace and Roses is an “ultimate bridal store with gowns as unique as you.” The provide you with every clothing need you have for your wedding. From your bridal gown, bridesmaids dresses and tuxes, to jewelry and shoes, it really is an ultimate store! The tuxes are on a rental basis, while everything else is purchase only. If you do choose to buy your wedding dress with them, the bridesmaids attire is 10% off. They were voted “The Knot” best of Weddings 2010.

Want more information? Check them out here!

Naples Botanical Garden

The Naples Botanical Garden is a beautiful venue to have your wedding ceremony or reception. They have a variety of different foliage with new gardens opening this October! “Whether it is a wedding ceremony and/or reception, business function, anniversary or birthday our beautiful subtropical paradise and our experienced event staff will meet your needs.” The gardens are also a great place just to visit.

Want more information? Check them out here!

Extraordinary Eventz

Extraordinary Eventz is a full service wedding planning company based out of Pine Island, Florida. Lisa Reece can help you with everything from simply consulting you to planning your bachelor and bachelorette parties, as well as making sure every little detail of your day is planned and carried out smoothly. She serves the entire Southwest Florida area. Lisa and her team are ready and willing to help with anything you need to make your wedding a dream come true!

Want more information? Check her out here!

Solutionz Studio

Solutionz Studio is a full service salon that caters to their clients every need. Their kind and knowledgeable staff are ready to treat you with their “Bridal Beauty Packages” that include hair, makeup and waxing for the bride, hair for your bridesmaids, hair and makeup for the mother of the bride, and even a facial, waxing, and haircut for the groom! Their prices are very reasonable and they provide excellent services.

Want more information? Check them out here!

The Grape

The Grape is an upscale restaurant, sushi and wine bar that can provide you with all your reception needs. They can cater on or off site and they specialize in wine tastings. The Grape would even be a great place to have a bridal shower or bachelorette party! Customized wine glasses can be made for your special occasion, as well. They are located in Coconut Point, but they have several other locations in Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana.

Want more information? Check them out here!

After browsing the aisles and looking at over fifty vendors, the event closed with a fashion show and “Battle of the Brides” and “Battle of the Grooms” competitions. Ten lucky brides and grooms battled it out to win lots of awesome prizes! The Southwest Florida Bridal Show was quite a hit with all the happy couples. The Bridal Magazine team can’t wait for the next big event, “Bridal Blast” on August 15th at the Germain Arena.

ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS: If you’d like your business to be featured on Bridal Magazine, please use the contact page to schedule a time with us.

Say Thanks!

A great way to start off your toast is to simply thank everyone for coming on behalf of the couple. Also, thank anyone who helped in the preparations. Then, thank the bride and/or groom for adding significance to your life. Make sure not to forget to mention how you met!

Make ‘em Laugh!

A perfect speech always makes the audience laugh. People love it. Don’t be afraid to tell a quick funny anecdote or a few light-hearted jokes about the couple.

Get a Little Sentimental

Don’t be afraid to be mushy. You should be speaking from the heart. Incorporate a few soft stories about the bride and groom to keep your audience engaged.

Toast to the Couple

If you are the best man or friend of the groom, be sure to compliment the bride. Mention the admirable qualities she has brought out in him and say she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to him. Likewise, if you are the Maid of Honor, recognize the groom, as being the man of her dreams and why. Don’t forget to toast the happy couple together! Find a sweet way to say how they complete each other.

Finish Strong!

End with something really unique and special. Some type of “wow” factor. You want all the guests to clap, or better yet, stand up! You could choose to end with some heartfelt advice for the couple, or perhaps a poem, bible verse, or proverb that conveys your advice or sums up their relationship.

Remember, practice makes perfect! Perform the speech for a friend or small group, practice in the mirror, and read it out loud. Have confidence and the toast will be wonderful.

Honeymoon Gift Registry

A creative way to lessen the cost of your honeymoon, or even cover it completely, is to have a honeymoon registry in lieu of a gift registry. It works exactly the same way, you pick a honeymoon package and your guests can pay for a portion of it instead of getting you a gift. Two great websites that provide these registries are TheBigDay and TheHoneymoon.

Do a Home Exchange

This is a great idea for those types of travelers who would rather see their destination from a local’s point of view rather than a tourists. The idea is pretty straightforward, you go stay in someone’s home while they stay in yours. Does this idea scare you? Well, take comfort in the fact that thousands of people have been exchanging homes since the 1950s. You can join an international home exchange club for an annual membership fee, usually around $50. You could probably find a home exchange partner on your own, but the home exchange clubs offer tools to help the exchange goes smoothly. It really is something to consider, though, since a home exchange can cut your travel costs by as much as half!

Take Advantage of Old-Fashioned Hospitality

Hospitality clubs can hook you up with people who are willing to host you in their private homes. Membership is usually free, although you’re asked to voluntarily provide hospitality to others sometime in the future. It’s a great way to meet locals who can give you an insider’s perspective on your honeymoon destination, as well as save you quit a bit of money! Other places you can look for free or reduced-cost accommodations include hostels, monasteries and convents. Some of these places open their doors to guests for little or no charge.

Go Camping!

Camping isn’t just for the outdoorsmen anymore! There are plenty of items to make a romantic camping trip feel like a luxury accommodation. Tent camping can be extremely intimate and romantic. But if the idea of sleeping that close to nature still bothers you, consider staying in a cabin at a national or state park. You could even mix a few nights camping with a few nights in a hotel.

These few suggestions are not the only money saving ideas, though. You could also try traveling in the off season, searching for a “win a free honeymoon” contest, or using a budget airline.

Just remember, your honeymoon is going to be romantic and special no matter where you go or how much you spend.

The use of sashes, bows, flowers, beading and other intricate details, as well as the addition of small black accents are big for dresses. Also look for an emphasis on metallics, such as golds and bronzes.

In a 50s style, many designers are showing tea-length styles with layers of delicate tulle underneath. These gowns are flirty and fun for younger brides.

Also, there is a lot of uncut edges, which give a chic frayed-appearance, and sheer, nude fabrics at the neckline.

There are some new trends regarding the bridal party, as well. The trend is for each member to wear a singular dress that fits their figure best. As in, each wears a different shade of the same color family, or they wear the different colors of your overall scheme. There is also a big trend of the maid of honor wearing a different gown than the other ladies to make her significance stand out.

A trend of going to back to large celebrations is emerging, as well.

It seems that the 2010 wedding season is time for you to do what you want. You can wear a vintage inspired dress, or one that’s super contemporary. Your bridesmaids can wear all different gowns, or match perfectly. It’s all up to you, after all, it is your day! So have fun with it!

Have these dresses been tried on by hundreds of brides before me?

Yes, they have been in stores, but it is highly unlikely that they have been tried on more than once or twice. The bridal industry unveils a large selection of new gowns prior to peak wedding seasons in spring and fall. Bridal boutiques and online wedding sites are always refreshing their inventory to showcase the industry’s latest trends and dresses. Also, large salons may have thousands of sample gowns in-store at any given time. Some may never even hit the dressing room… So don’t worry, most sample gowns are basically new.

Can I alter it?

Yes, you can! If the dress is too big or you want it to fit a little tighter, that can be done easily. The problem comes in when you need the dress to be bigger. Make sure you get a dress with a little bit of give, not one that’s skin tight or even too small. You don’t want to be uncomfortable on your big day!

Can I clean it?

Since sample gowns are typically sold “as is,” so make sure you examine every inch of the gown before buying it. Look for rips, tears, or unsightly stains in the fabric that may be difficult to mend or clean. Keep in mind that sample gowns in decent shape can most certainly be professionally dry-cleaned. With proper cleaning and care, a sample gown can look essentially brand new—no one even has to know that other brides have previously tried it on.

Can I return it?

Although some salons will deem sample gowns a “final sale,” you should still ask about the return policy up front. For example, many online sites allow returns, but don’t forget that you will have to pay return shipping. For order cancellations, you will often pay a restocking fee, which can be upwards of $65. To avoid any excessive shipping or return fees, make sure you are buying a dress that you truly love.

Where can I buy one?

Many salons will keep a handful of sample gowns (even if not visibly on the sales floor) that you can buy right off of the rack. Otherwise, the Internet might be your best bet when looking for sample wedding gowns and overstocks at a good price.

Too Many Choices!

There are tens of thousands of choices for your gown out there, but don’t let that overwhelm you. Try to choose a specific category and style before you ever step foot inside a store. As in, do you want a designer dress? Or a knock off? A new dress? Or a used one? These are all things to consider before shopping. Also, when you finally go to the store, don’t get frustrated if you don’t find the perfect one in the first five minutes. Stay calm and remember what you’re there for, to find a beautiful gown for your wedding. You may want to enlist the help of a professional or a store employee, someone who knows what to look for and where. Try to have fun when you’re shopping!

How Much Does This Cost?!

Prices for wedding dresses are all across the board. A used dress could cost as low as $200, but a used designer dress could cost as much as $3,500. Brand new dresses can run between $350 up to $10,000! With this in mind, figure out what your budget is, and once you do, try your best to stick to it. This is where professionals can help, just tell them what style and price range and they will help as much as they can. If you do find one that you love but is out of your budget by a lot, ask the professional or store employee if they have something very similar but at a lower price. Also, if you find one you love that is below your budget, that’s great! Don’t think that just because a dress is more expensive it will look better. Because sometimes, that’s not the case.

Stress Related Weight Fluctuations

Planning your wedding can be a very stressful time if you let it. With this in mind, try to manage your stress with exercise and a healthy diet. Not only will that make you feel better, your stress level will lower, you’ll be happy (because of endorphins), and you won’t have to worry about getting a last second alteration to your corset top! This will make your dress buying experience a breeze.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Whatever dress you choose, you will look stunning on your wedding day. No one, especially your husband-to-be, will be able to take their eyes off you. You will look and feel perfect. So if there’s a tiny mishap with a button, tie, or zipper, or you get a tiny snag, don’t worry about it!! Don’t let something so small ruin one of the happiest day of your life.