5 Ways to Calm Your Bride

Leading up to the wedding, every bride will have her moments where she is under a lot of stress. Between finding the right dress, all the plans that go into the wedding (even if you have a good planner!), and dealing with family all combines to amount to enough stress to drive anybody crazy. It’s important as the groom-to-be leading up to the big day to be there for your fiancé and make sure she is happy and as stress-free as possible. Here are five handy tips to make sure you keep your bride nice and calm!

Tip #1 : Massages. Often.

It’s medically proven that massage can be very therapeutic. It is also proven that massage also alleviates stress and prevents medical conditions that can compound stress in people. Whether it is a simple little massage of her arm, or just rubbing her shoulders while you two curl up on the couch, make sure she gets some TLC. You could really go all out and get her a bunch of sessions at a license masseuse leading up to the big day.

Tip #2 : Handle Some of the Family Stuff.

Nothing can stress out a human being like family. Sure, you love them… but you may not always like them, right? There can be some difficult squabbles to figure out and it is incredibly hard for someone to do it with their own loved ones. If possible, try to step in and take control of the situation and handle it for her. At the very least, be there for her when she needs to vent and be sure to simply let her know you are listening to her and that “yes, dealing with family sucks” is part of your responses back to her.

Tip #3 : Be Involved in the Planning… AND Execution of the Wedding

Some grooms think the whole wedding day is for the bride and that the bride takes on all the responsibility for the wedding. That’s outlandish and frankly, slightly sexist thinking. A wedding representing the bonding of two people, not just one. Be a part of the planning, be sure to give your input and constructive feedback. It will make all the difference in the world to her. And do not think that once the planning is over that your duty is then just to show up. Be sure to also be ready to assist wherever needed with the day of the wedding to make sure everything goes smooth.

Tip #4 : Hire an Experienced Planner

Out of all five  tips on this list, this is the biggest stress reliever to keep your bride calm and happy! It’s amazing that some couples think they can do it all, or just assume the venue will handle it. That is, quite simply, a recipe for disaster. Hire a professional, have that pro assist with everything from handling vendors to setup and execution of the wedding day. Have that person stress about it so all you and your bride-to-be have to do is show up and have a good time.

Tip #5 : Plan a Little Getaway Before the Wedding

This is very underrated and something to think about well in advance of the wedding day. With a few weeks to go, don’t be afraid to take a little “stay-cation” in your area and use the weekend to relax, unwind, and recharge your batteries. This is a great way to take a deep breath and make sure you aren’t too strung out for your wedding.

Five Top Secrets to Wedding Planning

You’re engaged and have started planning the day you have dreamt about.   There are so many decisions to be made, details to be accounted for, and places to be.  How do you keep it all organized?  Over the years I have helped many brides plan their perfect day.  So what makes a perfect day?  What are some of the secrets to wedding planning?

Know your Budget

It is important to sit down with your fiancé and determine the budget for your wedding.  I have seen a trend where a lot of the couples pay for their own wedding and get assistance from parents, grandparents and other family members.  You will want to include all of these amounts to get your finalized number.  You don’t want a flexible budget that changes all the time because it makes it difficult to determine what type of venue and vendors to target.  During the course of your planning, you will make a lot of decisions.  Knowing your budget ahead a time will help you stay on track during the decision making time.   When asked “What’s a good budget?” I tell my clients create a reasonable budget based upon what type of wedding you want to have, but you still want to be able to live after the big day is done.

List your “Must Haves”

Create a “must have” and a “nice to have” list.  This will help if you need to make a decision about spending in one direction versus another.  Must haves should be those times which you’ve always dreamt of and can’t live without.  The nice to have list should be those things that are really not a deal breaker for you.  During my own wedding I had such a list and opted to go without chair covers because I had my heart set on a venue with hardwood floors.

Identify your Theme

What kind of bride are you?  Classic or Contemporary? Or maybe event Edgy or Chic?  It is important to identify what type of wedding you want and what overall theme you are going for.  I can imagine you’ll be looking at every bridal magazine you can get your hands on, looking at Pinterest and even going to bridal shows.  There will be so many ideas and beautiful designs floating around in your pretty little brain.  You want to be able to find the common thread in everything that you want for your wedding.  No matter what your theme is remember to always stay true to yourself.  If you’re the edgy type, go edgy with style, you won’t regret it!

Hash out the Guest List

This is one of the biggest challenges I see couples have.  Who should I or shouldn’t I invite?  I would recommend setting the number of guests you want to have at your event and then working from there.  To me, there are no hard and fast rules to this process.  Some would say not to invite someone if you haven’t talked to them in a year.  Well that would exclude that favorite teacher who’s had impacted your life and you want to invite them.  Whatever process you choose, pick the bottom line number of guest you want to have and work from there.

Pick a great Photographer and Rocking Entertainment

I often hear “that was a great reception” and “those photos are awesome.”  Photographer and Entertainment are two elements that you want to invest time in choosing.  Pictures last a lifetime.  You want to be able to look back and say, wow, I didn’t know the photographer captured that moment.  And they often say the wedding is for the couple, but I tend to think it is for the couple and the guests or else you wouldn’t have invited them, right?  You want to make sure your guests are having a good time.  Great entertainment can get the crowd moving, especially if there are times you guys want to sneak away for a photo, or just to look into each other’s eyes and say WE DID IT!

Bridal Gown Collections from PreOwned Wedding Dresses

At BHL we are totally in love for all things bridal. Okay, we are kind of obsessed. Can you blame us? We get to see all the pretty bridal details everyday, and that includes staring at jaw-dropping gorgeous bridal gowns. I seriously love my job.  I sometimes have to pinch myself as sometimes it does not even seem real.  I mean I get to view all the beautiful details for each and every bridal gown, and I never get tired of it. Never! So you can imagine my excitement when I received some bridal gown details from a company who loves bridal gowns as much as we do. All courtesy of PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com. A company where you can sell or buy a wedding dress. Not just any ole dress, but fabulous designer gowns for a fantastic price. So, you can wear a gorgeous gown on your big day for a amazing price. Meaning that you will have some extra cash left over to spend on other lovely wedding details.  That deserves an applause, don’t you think? I love a good deal, especially when it comes to weddings. Get ready to view some of the most stunning gowns your eyes have ever seen.  You will see why we are so excited for today’s featured company. Go ahead and grab that cup of coffee, and enjoy some pretty gowns.

Benj Haisch Photography

Benj Haisch Photography

Juliet Elizabeth Photography

Juliet Elizabeth Photography

Juliet Elizabeth Photography

Juliet Elizabeth Photography

Kitty Sanchez Photography

Kitty Sanchez Photography

Matt Lien Photography

Matt Lien Photography

Penny Dinn Photography

Penny Dinn Photography

Shannon Collins Photography

Shannon Collins Photography

Studio Castillero

Studio Castillero

True Photography

True Photography

Yuliya Skya Photography

Yuliya Skya Photography

About PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com...

PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com is a listing service that connects buyers and sellers of designer wedding dresses.  With nearly 20,000 gowns listed for sale, we’ve got a wedding dress for every style, size and budget.  We help brides find their dress dress – at a fraction of retail.
After the Big Day, we can also help a bride sell her gown and pass it along to another bride.  A wedding dress is much to beautiful to spend a lifetime in a closet, and by selling it, a bride ensures her dress will be loved again.

Top Seven Tips on Getting Wedding Ready

On this lovely Saturday morning, we  are thinking about all those brides who are getting ready for their big day. Some of them are in the process right now: getting their hair and make-up done, sharing some laughs with their gals, and maybe looking over her vows. It is a wonderful time in a bride’s life. That is for sure! Getting wedding ready is not just for the day of, there are some things a bride can do to get prepped. Here are seven beauty tips on getting wedding ready:

  1. If you notice that your nail polish is becoming thick in the bottle or sticky, just add some acetone, or nail polish remover, into the bottle. After only adding a tiny bit, seal up the top and shake thoroughly. By doing this, you will have enough nail polish for a few more applications.
  2. Air dry your hair often so it doesn’t suffer from heat damage. You hair can be seriously damaged by too much heat from your hair dryer, a curling iron or straightening iron. Put your hairdryer on the lowest setting to avoid damage to your hair. By doing this, your hair will stay soft for years to come.
  3. If you blow dry your hair you should use a “hot spray” before you start. You can find this in generic stores like Wal-Mart or Target. It’s used to prevent split ends and help your hair dry quicker. It also keeps your hair from drying out, and is often scented!
  4. Make your skin look more vibrant by using a moisturizer with a warm gold or pink undertone. This glowing tone can be achieved with a subtle application that emphasizes the cheeks and brow. Do not apply it anywhere else on your face. Using too much will give you a fake, shiny appearance.
  5. You have to consume eight glasses of water every day for your skin to look great. When you skin is dehydrated, the stress will make it look wrinkled, dry and dull. Reduce the chances of this happening by drinking a minimum of eight glasses of water per day. Use lemon or cranberry juice to flavor your water if you dislike plain water. Your skin is going to be grateful you drank lots of water.
  6. Be sure to exercise moderately every day. Daily exercise will help your body to stay looking young, fit, and healthy. It is definitely essential for personal beauty. You should be up and active for at least fifteen minutes a day. You can work physical activity into daily routines like walking or even vacuuming.
  7. To fix a damaged fingernail, get a teabag and cut a small piece from it. Empty all of the leaves from the bag. Then, cut a small patch from the teabag making sure your patch will cover the tear. Then you should put the piece of teabag on the torn nail and put some clear top coat on it.

Which tip was the most helpful for you? Please share with us, as we love to hear from you!

Seven Groom-Friendly Grooming Rituals

Brides and bridesmaids have a lot of help and support in getting glammed up for the big day. Particularly, we’ve got you covered whether it be nail polish, hair, lip looks, or even simple ways to stay cool in the heat. Here at Bridal Hot List, we love what’s trending in the beauty, fashion, and style aspect of weddings, but we’re also here to help. That means you, grooms and groomsmen! A wedding isn’t a time for just the bride to look her best; grooms and groomsmen should also be looking especially handsome. Beauty routines may be intimidating for some men, but we’ve got quite a few groom-friendly grooming rituals that are sure to leave all men looking handsome.

Nasal Strips

Nasal strips are one of the easiest, most low-maintenance things that a man can do to look great and feel fresh. Most work in the same way- wet your nose, stick them on there, and leave them alone for a few minutes. Once they come off, you’ll be ripping off all those unsightly blackheads and your guy’s nose will feel especially clean. This doesn’t feel super girly and leaves a groom feeling fresh. My favorite man-approved nasal strip is the Deep Cleaning Pore Strips by Biore ($6-$7, drugstores).

Deep Conditioning

Many guys tend to either neglect their hair or abuse it. Either way, a good deep condition can help them realize what their hair potential could be. Going to a salon may be too intimidating (or expensive) for some, but doing an at home deep condition is an easy, private affair. I like the Aussie Three Minute Miracle deep conditioning treatment ($3-$4, drugstores). Have your guy shampoo his hair first, then apply this liberally while the hair is still wet. It says three minutes, but I would leave it on for longer (20-30 minutes, if you can!). Wash it out afterwards and his strands will be silky soft to the touch. Just be prepared for a major boost of confidence, and the constant request to touch his hair.

Face Masques

If your guy liked the nasal strip, the next step you can take is a face masque. This may feel particularly girly, but the payoff is excellent. I’ve found that the Queen Helene peel off masque ($3.50, drugstores) is pretty guy-friendly, particularly because there’s a scene in American Psycho where Christian Bale’s character uses one. It goes on a little thick, but then hardens to a plastic-like consistency that is fun to pull off. The masque will leave the skin tight and and soft to the touch, and they are fun to do.

Teeth Whitening

This may not be a fun one to do, but it is necessary. I like the Crest 3D White Strips ($35-$40, drugstores) because they’re easy and very convenient. I started noticing a difference after about a week, and white teeth are a major essential to a good looking groom.

Undereye Treatments

Eye treatments are great to start if you have a few weeks to go before the wedding. The results don’t show up overnight, so you have to remind him to be patient. I like the Garnier Nutritioniste Eye Roller ($10, drugstores) because it goes on very easy and is gentle but still effective. Start having him work it into his nightly routine by keeping it next to his toothbrush. It feels very fresh going on and is a great low maintenance way to combat dark undereye circles.

Lip Conditioning

Lip balm is something that I’ve noticed more male interest in over the last few years. Jack Black makes an exceptional lip balm ($7.50, specialty beauty stores) targeted at men that provides excellent hydration. They come in several flavors and even have some SPF worked in. Some men may be resistant to lip balm, but reminding a groom or groomsmen how important soft, kissable lips are may sway them. Slathering on the lip balm before bed is a guaranteed way to wake up with soft, luscious lips.

Manly Mani/Pedi

When it gets down to the last days before the wedding, you may want to seriously consider a mani/pedi. Yes, this has the potential to be the most intimidating for men, but with high risk comes high reward. Good looking, well manicured hands are particularly important for the groom. There could very well be a lot of pictures of his hands and rings, so you want to make sure they look their best. A lot of men associate manicures with nail polish, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Many men get manis and pedis with no polish, but just to have their nails groomed professionally. For the man that is a little more weary on the subject, offer to go to a salon a little out of your neighborhood. A small chance of being seen may sway him. If your guy is still a little shy, remind him that there is a foot rub involved with the pedi. A nice spa chair and a good foot rub is usually an easier sell for men.

Author’s Note: A special thanks to the handsome Tom McLaughlin for modeling for Bridal Hot List! You’re looking even more dashing, thanks to these groom-friendly tips!

 

How to Prepare for the Big Day

Is your wedding day coming up? It is an exciting time in ones’ life, however it can also be stressful at the same time. There are a lot of details and things to get done before the big day.

However it does not mean it has to be all stress and no fun.  Here are some ways that you can prepare for your wedding day:

1. Make a massage appointment: This is something you can do as a couple or as the bride, you can do with your girlfriends. The day before the wedding is a good time to go, so you can relax and enjoy some pampering. You earned it! Some spa places offer lunch to be provided to you, so you can make a day of it too! Go in the morning, relax in the hot jacuzzi, take a mist shower, enjoy the steam room, and then get your spa treatment. You can then have lunch and relax. This is a perfect way to relax your mind, body and soul. Make an appointment today!

2. Eat well: The day before and the day of, ensure you eat a good meal. This is not the time to try something new at the Mexican restaurant. You want to eat light, healthy, and wholesome. The last thing you need to worry about is to getting sick. You want to enjoy your day to the fullest! Some brides, (due to nerves and having so much to do the day of), forget to eat the day of the wedding. This is not a good time to starve yourself. Make sure to have breakfast and lunch, and then at the wedding eat dinner. If you are getting married at a hotel and getting ready there, this is easily arranged by the hotel. You can order room service and have it delivered to you, no worries! If you are getting ready somewhere else, just have someone like your maid of honor or bridesmaid to pick up lunch for you. The main thing is to just make time to eat, so that way you can plenty of energy to party with your guests! Also drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated, (especially during summer months). Eat up!

3. Get some Z’s: A good night’s sleep is key. They say that a good night’s sleep really affects your mental and physical outcome of the next day. This might seem logical, however many couples do not get a good night sleep the night before their big day. They are either up late working on last minute details, partying (which really should wait untl your big day), or just nerves not allowing sleep. Go to bed at a decent time and get your full eight hours of sleep. Most brides start their day as early as 7am! yikes! What might help is to spend the night with your girlfriends and or sister/family members. This way you are not alone and the nerves can calm down by being with those who care for you. It also makes it a fun night to be together!

4. Take a deep breath:  Before you walk down that aisle, give yourself a few minutes to relax and take a few breaths. Deep breath in, and out, and repeat. I know it seems the obvious thing to do, but believe me, it helps!

Remember to relax, eat and sleep well!! Now go on and have a fabulous wedding day!!