Happy Thanksgiving from Bridal Hot List

Happy Thanksgiving! Today it is all about saying our ” thank you’s”, and showing how much we appreciate the fabulous things we are so blessed to have. Our first thank you goes to all of our Facebook “Likes”, Twitter and Instagram followers.  Without all of you, this bridal blog would not exist! We are truly thankful for all the love that is poured in each and every day.  We also have to take a moment to thank all of our fantastic vendors, venues, photographers, and videographers for allowing BHL to share their brilliantly talented  inspiration with us. We feel pretty darn lucky to have the opportunity to experience such gorgeous wedding details and share them with all of you. We are also so very thankful to our family and friends who have showered us with so much love and support since the inception of the blog. We can not thank them enough. We love all our readers, followers, vendors, family and friends. We thank you!

Please share with us what you are thankful for today.We love to hear from you!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

-Love the BHL family

Top Five Post-Wedding Must Have’s

After the ceremony, you’ll need a few tools of the trade to get through all of the aftermath. You may not realize it, but once you need it you’ll seriously need it. Stash these things away and enjoy being a stress-free newlywed!

Stamps

You don’t realize you need them til it’s one in the morning and you’re about twenty short! Stop by the post office, or even the supermarket and pick up a book of forever stamps. You’ll be needing them for all the thank you notes that’ll have to go out after you get back from the honeymoon. If you want to score some bonus points, send postcard thank you’s from your honeymoon! Either way, you’ll need a whole lot of forever stamps. They’re always good to have on hand.

Boxcutter

This handy dandy tool will be your new best friend when you’re going through all your fun wedding gifts. Put down those junk drawer scissors that you use for everything and opt for the right tool for the job. Box cutters are one of the most overlooked household staple- and when you’re unboxing everything you’ll need it! Pick up one with a safety guard so you don’t accidentally hurt yourself and you’re good to go!

Frozen Food

A stocked fridge is a happy fridge, am I right? With all the wedding craziness, you probably won’t have time to stock the fridge full of fresh (i.e., perishable) food all the time. Most of your meals will be on the go or during functions (bridal brunch, rehearsal dinner, tastings, etc.). Instead of buying all fresh food that could go bad, keep some frozen food in the fridge for the meals that you will be home for. We love frozen fruit for easy smoothies and frozen veggies with some teriyaki as a quick stir fry. It’ll be much easier than squeezing all the fruit in the kitchen to see which ones are safe to eat.

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Bleed-Free Pens

A good pen makes a WORLD of difference. Hit up an office supply store and test out a few until you find a brand that doesn’t bleed for you. You can’t risk any smudgy ink when you’re signing papers, writing thank you’s, or wearing white. Having pens explode either in your purse or in your hand can be a major set back. Even if they’re a little pricier, a good pen that won’t smudge on you is worth the splurge.

Frames

You went through all the trouble of getting a photographer and looking good- now get ready to show off all those awesome pictures! Look around at any framed photos you have up now- if there’s any that you’d want to switch out, get them ready for some wedding shots! And while you’re registering, keep an eye out for neat looking frames. Your wedding will be one of the best days of your life, so you’ll want to be reminded of it all the time.

 

Happy Easter from Bridal Hot List

Good morning lovelies! It is a beautiful Easter morning here at BHL headquarters in Southern California. We are taking a break from blogging today to wish all of you a very Happy Easter.  Whatever today’s agenda looks like today, we hope that each and every one of you has a very blessed day full of happiness, love, laughter, and joy with friends, family, and loved ones. From our family to yours, Happy Easter!

Take a look at some of our favorite Easter inspirations: (yes they are all flowers, but we love them!)

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A Bridal Blogger’s Photo Shoot by Jaime Davis Photography

Good morning lovelies! It probably comes to no surprise that I am obsessed with all things wedding. I mean, I get to write about pretty wedding things all the time.  From viewing gorgeous images on my computer screen, and swooning over each and every image, to attending some of the most fabulous bridal shows in town. Oh, how I love my job!  Today, I am doing things a bit different. I am viewing the images from the mini shoot that I recently had the pleasure of being a part of. Do you want to know how a bridal blogger’s mini photo shoot looks like? You are about to see how much fun this bridal blogger had with this photo shoot.

My husband and I have not had professional photos of us since our wedding day, and that was nine years ago! I wanted this shoot to be perfect. Perfect for my husband and I.  It had to be set in nature, and somewhere quiet with breathtaking views.  The photographer also had to be perfect in capturing the images in nature. So, I reached to brilliantly talented photographer, Jaime Davis from  Jaime Davis Photography , and when I  told her this,  she was so excited to be part of this photo shoot.  Jaime knew exactly where to go, and as soon as she showed me photos of this location, I knew that was the place. It was perfect!

Let me tell you, getting ready for this photo shoot, and then arriving at location seemed like a dream. I still thought that I was there to be behind the scenes of someone else’s photo shoot. I was not used to being the subject of the shoot.  After the first few shots, it still felt a bit strange, and then soon after I was super comfortable and we started to have some fun! Thanks to Jaime who knows how to make a girl feel totally comfortable in front of the lens. My husband and I felt like it was our wedding day all over again. Without the white dress and tux, but the feeling of overwhelming love for each other. We truly had a great time.  Can you tell how much we love each other? I think these images speak for themselves. Ready to see the gorgeous images from a bridal blogger’s photo shoot?

 

View More: http://jaimedavisphoto.pass.us/niloufarsean

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Hair and Make Up:  Laura Cavanagh of Star Beauty by LC 

Photography: Jaime Davis Photography

 

Five Spring Beauty Trends for Brides

Hey ladies, getting hitched in the spring? Own it and have some fun with some spring beauty trends!2Coral.jpg.jpg

Cute in Coral

Coral and peachy tones are a springtime staple, and you can make it all yours at your wedding. go light and dab a shimmery peachy tone right on the apples of your cheeks for a kiss of color. Keep it light and fresh and you’ll have the perfect spring glow! Benefit’s ‘Coralista’ and Nars’ ‘Orgasm’ are some of our favorite coral blushes.

Free-flowing Frocks

Earthy, free-flowing cuts are so girly and romantic for spring. Opt for a free-flowing hi-low dress for your bridesmaids or loose long dresses. These flowy cuts give off an immediate flower-child vibe, and is flattering for all body types! Not only will your lovely ladies look fresh and flirty for fall, they’ll all feel great in their getups.

Barely-There Braids

Tiny braids in an updo gives a classic grown-up hairdo and sweet hearted touch. If you have your hair up, or even half-up, have your stylist put thin braids throughout here and there. As long as you keep your braid count fairly low, you’ll look like a free-spirited flower child.

Pieces of Petals

Speaking of flower child, subtle floral touches will give you that added touch of spring. While flowers are typically a staple of most wedding ceremonies, you can incorporate some fresh spring seedlings in with your traditional bouquets. Add floral touches like a tiny flower in your pedicure or in floral-themed jewelry for your bridesmaids. The added girl touch makes everything that much sweeter.

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Smell like Spring

The final touch for a spring ceremony? Smelling the part, of course! Wear a light floral scent all day to keep the party going. Clinique’s Happy is a great classic floral and fresh scent that stands up to its’ namesake. Spritz on your wrist and maybe even your neck as well so you really feel the spring spirit all day.

 

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.

Love and Lace Bridal Salon Interview

Today I am going behind the scenes with Ramona Southard, touring every lovely inch of her bridal salon. My wedding loving heart just got a bit happier when I stopped by this fabulous new bridal salon in the heart of Irvine, California. If there is one thing that I love about this salon, it has to be the super fun, stress-free, and relaxed environment which is created here. Love and Lace Bridal Salon is a salon which really stands out in my mind. They carry gowns from designers not found at any other Orange County bridal salon, and all displayed in the most prettiest of ways.  To top it all off, Ramona treats each bride with the most care and attention needed to make sure their experience is unforgettable.  I  really enjoyed my short little interview we did with owner Ramona at Love and Lace Bridal Salon. See all the fantastic things she shares about this gorgeous bridal salon.

About Love and Lace Bridal Salon

Love and Lace Bridal Salon is new, different, fun and a breath-of-fresh air from the traditional wedding dress shopping experience. We focus on the bride, of course, but we never push anyone into a sale or a dress they don’t feel comfortable in. The point is to come in, try on some dresses, have fun and be open to thinking outside the box of the traditional wedding dress! We have all sorts of gowns, some traditional and some unique, but all romantic, quality and breathtaking!  

We feature some incredible designers:

– Kelly Faetanini: designer out of New York, currently only in Nordstrom stores on the West Coast; her dresses are on- trend and modern
-Mikaella by Paloma Blanca: Canadian designer, whose dresses are great quality and styles at an affordable price
-Leanne Marshall: from New York, Leanne is a Project Runway winner and designer wedding dresses that are completely romantic and oh-so-sexy
-Chaviano Couture: new designer from Atlanta, her dresses are gorgeous, romantic very intricately beautiful
-Myra Callan Bridal: founder of Twigs and Honey headpieces, her newly released bridal line is full of soft lace, bohemian, flowy gowns
-Elizabeth Dye: designer out of Portland, dresses are very well made, structured and fit the body amazingly
-Lis Simon: another one of our Canadian designers, her dresses are very modern and beautiful, at an amazingly affordable price point

-Truvelle Bridal: new designer, her focus is on a slight twist on the traditional wedding dress, but with gorgeous and breathtaking results!

We encourage our brides to come in with an open mind, ready to share some laughs, shed some tears (of joy!), and leave with an amazing dress and a lifetime membership in our Love and Lace family!

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Bridal Hot List Chief Editor Niloufar Gibson with Love and Lace Bridal Salon owner, Ramona

Bridal Hot List Chief Editor Niloufar Gibson with Love and Lace Bridal Salon owner, Ramona Southard.

 

All photos are property of Bridal Hot List.

Top Three Oscars Party Table Top Looks

The Oscars are right around the corner, and  we can not wait! As much as we love weddings and all the gorgeous details they bring, the Oscars sparks a little interest in our hearts.  This evening is all about the glam, the fashion, the stars, and the movies. And we LOVE it! We will never get tired of the glitz and glam that the Oscars brings each year.  To kick the weekend off, we thought it would be fun to share some Oscars Party Table Top Looks from our lovely friends at Designer Speciality Linens. You know they always deliver the most amazing linens to pretty up table tops. And then add the glam? Then it is jaw-dropping beautiful designs that has us drooling over all the details. With table tops this fabulous, the stars are not the only ones who can feel like a million bucks. Wait until you take a look at three stunning Oscars Party Table Top looks. You will want to dine like this every night! We totally do. In fact, we may want to just have ourselves a little party with one of these luxurious designs.  Which one makes you feel like a movie star? Let us know!

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  • Vintage Glamour: This 1920s Art Deco style features soft colors accented by a bit of sparkle for that Movie Star feel. The lace evokes a vintage feel of a bygone era.  This lovely look is made up of the champagne Hollywood Glam linen paired with the Samantha Lace overlay in ivory, and all topped off by the Hollywood Glam napkin in champagne color. Simply gorgeous and beyond glamorous! ( Design by Carmen Fuentes of Expressionary Events).

Urban Unveiled Metallic Weave & Sequin Overlay

  • An Evening Of Glamour:  A look which is a lovely combination of chic and glam.  This look features the Metallic Weave linen in Platinum Weave, with the 5th Avenue Sequin Runner, and gorgeously accented by the Crinkle Taffeta Napkin in Caramel.  This is just so pretty and full of luxurious details. (Design by Nam Lam of Modern LA Weddings. the floral were by Shawna Yamamoto).

Chinchilla Black Vibiana

Art Deco Opulence:  A Gold and Black look with all the fabulous details to glam up this table.   This gorgeous look is all beautifully made up of the Black Chinchilla linen and paired with the Black Satin Lamour napkin.  This is a total “WOW” look. Super gorgeous in every detail. ( Designed by Kat Minassi. Florals by Tic Tock Floral Couture).

Five Great Rules for the Groom’s Speech

While there might be a lot of attention on the Best Man’s speech during a wedding reception, the speech that really counts from the groom’s side is from the groom himself. There are weddings where the groom forgets completely to make a speech of his own, which in most industry circles, is a huge no-no. If you are a groom, check out our top rules for your speech. If you happen to be a bride, you might want to forward this article to your husband-to-be because you never know if this is one of those small details he might forget about!

Tip One: Thank Everybody First

While you will want to talk about your new wife, or perhaps how great your groomsmen are, you should always lead off by thanking everyone for showing up. Remember that people often get many wedding invitations throughout the year and also make plans, but they decided to come to your wedding, get you and your wife a gift, and enjoy in your big day, so be sure to thank them. Make sure they know how much you appreciate their attendance, and how their friendship and love mean so much to you both.

Tip Two: Don’t Get Hammered

When people drink, they say really stupid stuff. That’s a fact of nature. While we do not recommend drinking at all during your wedding or the reception, in order to maximize the amount of fun you will have, if you decide to partake in a few rounds, know your limits. The last thing you want to do is get up in front of a bunch people and make a fool of yourself on the biggest day of you and your wife’s life. Slurred speech, cursing, and inappropriate topics are just some of the dangers that alcohol could present during your speech. Making a mistake of that magnitude is something everyone will remind you about for the rest of your life!

Tip Three: Pace Yourself

Many people are nervous speaking to crowds, so grooms should first reflect that feeling nervous or anxious is perfectly normal and that everyone feels those emotions. To combat this, many people get through their speech absolutely as quickly as possible by speaking at a virtual hundred words per second. Slow down! Let the words come to you! A well paced speech comes off as extremely sincere and heartfelt. These are the emotions you want to convey when giving your speech. If you hurry through it, the speech certainly won’t have the impact you hope it will.

Tip Four: Practice

While you do not want to sound rehearsed, grooms should practice their speech. This way they can hear things out loud and immediately know if it’s a good topic and comes across the way they want it to, rather than “winging it” which is what an amateur would do. The best speeches never sound rehearsed but actually are very much so, because good public speakers use pacing and intonation of certain words to convey sincerity. Don’t be afraid to take one of your groomsmen and bounce the speech off of them and ask for input. That way, you have your bases covered in case your missed something.

Tip Five: Be Sure To Complement Your New Wife At Least A Dozen Times

While you might thank everyone for coming first, you must thank your new bride at least a dozen times. Okay, maybe not that many, but be sure to thank her at least three times as much as anyone else. She deserves it! Most brides do the majority of the planning and deserve all the credit in the world for pulling off such a great event. Plus, it’ll make you look great in front of everyone since you are so honest in sharing your love with everyone (you better be!). Finally, be sure to close by thanking your new wife and telling her just how perfect she is because the entire day, remember, is all about you two and your new bond of love.

Five Things to Remember for Save the Dates

Are you in super planning mode? Be sure to pay attention to the details and not forget any of these five vital components of your save the dates!

Return Labels

Neither you nor your fiance will want to hand write out your address for every single envelope. You know that sounds like a wrist cramp waiting to happen. Instead, go to a printing website and design your own for the occasion. You can do a set in neutral colors so you can reuse them for thank you notes or just regular mail. If you’re pretty much settled in your home, you can invest in a custom stamp with your names and address.

List your Loved Ones 

Be sure to have an outline of all the people who will be receiving save the dates so you know how many to order, and how many supplies you’ll need. It can be handy for you to get a feel for your guest list as well. Keep it all on a spreadsheet or listed in your bridal book for reference. You can also use it to check people off as you send your save the dates out.

Double, No, Triple Check It

These are going out to all your loved ones and will be a keepsake from one of the greatest events of your life. Make sure it’s right. Have a friend check your work before you get them printed- another set of eyes can sometimes catch mistakes you can’t see. Be sure all addresses are right and all times are correct (with AM or PM specified). Do a name and address check with your loved ones list as well- just in case.

Invest in Forever Stamps

Forever stamps are always a good purchase for anything. You want to be sure to pick up a few sheets of them for all your save the dates- and even your invites and thank you’s while you’re at it. You can find cute ones with neutral images like flowers and birds typically at the post office or ATM. Some websites let you customize your own stamps with your own images, which is more expensive but would be a fantastic touch to your save the dates.

Make It Yours

Remember, it’s not purely informational. Make it personal with photos of you and your fiance and maybe a few images that are reminiscent of you as a couple. Be sure to either sign or put in a small message for your save the dates to give them a  personal touch. The little touches make people feel that much more cared for, and can go farther  than you may realize.