Top Five Gifts for Galentine’s Day

February 12, 2015 Leave a Comment

This weekend could not come soon enough! We’ve been so excited to spend the special day with our loved ones- all our loved ones. You may have been focused on your significant, but you can’t forget about your girlfriends! Valentine’s day is all about showing love and giving to the people that you love. If you’ve been focusing on the fiance the last few days, take some time out to pick up something sweet for the ladies in your life too. If you’re caught up on the 14th with Valentine’s Day, save brunch on the 15th for Galentine’s Day!

Frame Your Friends

Need something quick but cute to do? Pick up some fun frames (we love the frame section at Target for a good score) and look through your timeline for some fun pictures. Look for throwbacks (happy Throwback Thursday!), group pictures, just really cute pictures together. A framed photo is a perfect quick reminder of the good times.

Bag It

You know what we ALL need that we never have enough of? Reusable bags! Reusable bags are perfect to help the environment, transport your groceries safely, and they’re cute. Go on a hunt for some cute reusable bags for your girlfriends- it’s always a great little gift! If you’re on a budget these are easy to afford for all your friends. We’ve spotted cute ones at Trader Joes, Forever 21, and Target that are all under $5.00. If you want to be really sweet, stuff it with their favorite snacks!

Spa Night

If you have a little more cash to spend, put together a full night of indulgence for your friends! Get a basket or bag and stuff it with candles, a bath bomb, and a face mask. Give her the gift of relaxation! If you want to get really fun, you can get a mug with some tea or hot cocoa to make it a cozy night in. You can also tuck away a bottle of wine in there to make it an extra special spa night.

But First..

If your friends are all about that #Instagram or #SelfieLife, make it easier for them and spring for some selfie sticks! They are seriously the gift of the season and it’s still going strong. If you look hard enough you can score them for around $5-$10 each, and for a few extra bucks you can get a bluetooth button so you don’t have to do the whole ten second timer thing. Just make sure you make your girlfriend promise they only post pictures where you all look good!

Binge!

Want to really make your friends smile? Indulge their guilty pleasures and pick up a season or two of their favorite girly show. Gilmore Girls, The OC, Gossip Girl- it’s all fair game! Make her promise to binge watch a few episodes with you so you get some girl time in. She’ll love having something fun to watch and she’ll remember how awesome you are every time she picks it up!

 

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Top Five Maid of Honor Life Skills

January 22, 2015 Leave a Comment

Are you a Jill of all trades? If you’ve got the honor of being a maid of honor, you better be! Being the maid of honor is a seriously huge deal and it can be a lot to live up to. If you have the time to prepare, it can be a good idea to pick up a few new hobbies that could seriously come in handy. If you want to be the best maid of honor ever, get started on learning these life skills!

Sew Skilled

If there’s one life skill you’ll need as a lady in life, let alone as a maid of honor, it’s to be able to sew. You don’t need to learn to do anything crazy, but if you can string a thread through a needle and efficiently sew something up you’re good. From here on out, keep some clear thread and a needle on hand in a small container for anything that may come up. If the bride finds a small tear, you’re the go-to girl to save the day (which will result in some serious love!). If you’re nervous about sewing on the spot, try out some small projects at home- that button’s not going to sew itself back on and practice makes perfect!

Lash Out

This life skill can be a little intimidating, but if you CAN’T do it you can get in some serious trouble. Many brides wear falsies for their big day, as do bridesmaids, family, basically everyone. False lashes are so fun, but if they start peaking out or if the glue becomes unstuck it’s such a nightmare. If you can master putting on lashes and fixing any lashes that start to fly off, you’ll be such a hero! One of our favorite tips is to dab glue on a flat surface and use the pointed end of a pen to re-apply glue. You can also get lash glue with a built in wand for easy re-applying. All you’ll have to do is start wearing lashes more and then you’ll be ready to fix any lash drama that may arise in the bridal party.

Re-Powder to Re-Power!

This is a super easy life skill, but if you go too heavy it can ruin a look. Learn to re-powder your face like a pro and you’ll be able to get everyone camera ready in no time flat! The trick is to keep it light, use the right brushes for your powder, and know the skin type that you’re working with. An easy way to re-powder yourself or your friends is to lightly dust an HD powder over the T-Zone. We like duo fibre brushes and retractable kabuki brushes for on-the-go applications.

Heel the Heels

It’s the big day, you’re all running around, and then it happens- someone’s high heel breaks. UGH! That’s such a nightmare and if it’s fixed improperly, it can ruin the shoes and the night. It’s a bummer, but be sure that you fix the heel with serious super glue (not to be mistaken for the lash glue you’ll also have on your person) and let it sit until it doesn’t wiggle at all. If you’re able, give it about ten to fifteen minutes to fully dry with super glue and try to keep your full weight off of the shoe until it’s been dry for about an hour. The big mistake people tend to make is that they try to wiggle the heel to see if it’s fixed- that sets back the entire process and makes the shoe unstable. Learn how to properly fix a heel for life and you’ll save your girls from a fashion emergency!

Short End of the Stick

This life skill will save you ways that extend past weddings, girls’ nights, and girly things in general- it’s just a great life skill. Do yourself a favor and learn to drive a stick! You never know when you’ll need to pick up the keys and do a last minute run for the bride. If it happens, you don’t want to get stuck screaming at the clutch and contemplating ubering the groomsmens’ vests over from across town. Learning to drive a stick is such a useful life skill and isn’t too complicated once you get it. It’s just like riding a bike, except you have a little more freedom to dance while blasting Beyonce while you do it.

 

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Top Five Bridal Beauty Tips for Winter Weather

January 8, 2015 Leave a Comment

Brrr, it’s cold out there! It’s still chilly and will stay chilly for a few more weeks, are you prepared? If you’ve got your wedding or any wedding events on the horizon you’re going to need to be prepared to weather the weather (see what we did there?). Our top five tips will keep you looking perfect, no matter how pretty or ugly the weather can get.

Seal your Look

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If you’re afraid that the rain or humidity outside will melt your makeup, do your part and seal it in. Start with a primer that stays put (we love the primers by Too Faced and Smashbox) before you do your makeup, and when you’re done use a sealing spray (like Model in a Bottle or Urban Decay). The sealers will hold all the color in place and keep your look from melting away. They’re perfect for day long events (like your rehearsal day or for the big day) or before you go out for an epic night.

Lip Butter Base

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If the cold makes your skin that much more sensitive, you need to do what you can to keep your skin soft! Before you do your big bold red lips (that we are LOVING this Winter), swipe on a layer of moisturizing lip balms. We love Chapstick, EOS lip balms, and the Jack Black lip balms. Try swiping on some lip balm, doing all of your makeup and saving your lip color for last so the moisturizer absorbs into your lips. It’s also a great idea to swipe on a hearty amount of lip balm before you to go sleep. Trust us, you’ll wake up to the softest lips ever!

Liquid Liner

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Liquid liner tends to have more lasting power than the pencil liners- when they dry they’re seriously stuck there until you clean your face. We love the pencil liquid liners because they’re easy to swipe on quickly and give you a lot of control when you apply. The Marc Jacobs liner is fantastic, but a splurge. If you’re on a budget, the Ulta brand liquid liner pen is a great value and stays put all day.

Liquid Concealer

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If you’re hiding bags under your eyes or even some cold time breakouts, switch out our concealer for something liquid to keep your skin from drying out. If you have a blemish or a breakout, you’ll still need to keep your skin moisturized. We love the Kat von D Tattoo Concealer because it keeps your skin from drying out but also hides imperfections and breakouts like a champ.

Moisturizing Removers

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Moisturizing should extend past your makeup- you should keep it in mind even while you’re taking your makeup off! We love the Neutrogena hydrating makeup wipes this time of year because it gets off every bit of makeup on your skin without drying your skin out. The cold can be so harsh that you need to sneak in those bits of moisture wherever you can!

 

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Top Five Places to Find Your New Year’s Eve Dress

December 30, 2014 Leave a Comment

We’re so heartbroken the holidays are all wrapped up! Our ornaments, lights, and trees are all packed up and put away. Our ugly sweaters are folded and tucked away for next year and our gingerbread houses are broken down into tupperware. As sad as it is to say goodbye to the holidays, we’re incredibly excited for New Year’s Eve! We’ve been so excited for the holidays that we almost forgot about New Year’s Eve (almost). If you’re going out for New Year’s Eve and need to put together an outfit, we can help you out with our favorite places to go get dolled up!

Ballin On a Budget

If you need a cute outfit and spent most of your money on your secret santa, we have a few favorite stores to hit up for cheap thrills. If you’re looking for something quick and cheap just for New Year’s Eve, hit up mall stores like Forever 21 or Charlotte Russe. Both stores have lines that are designed for a more mature audience that are flattering without screaming ‘spring break’. These outfits may not last for New Year’s Eves to come, but you’ll look great for the night and it won’t break the bank.

Go Old School

If you have an afternoon to kill today or tomorrow, go thrift store hopping (just be sure to drop it off at the cleaners really quick!). Thrift stores have a TON of fun outfits right now from people donating and cleaning out their houses while on break- it’s the perfect time to find some scores.

Sweat the Small Things

If you’re out near a big city or even a college town, you’re bound to have a small indie shopping district. In LA for example, you can shop tiny boutique shops up and down Melrose and get great outfits that are hard to find. This can be a great idea if you’re going out somewhere with a lot of people- you wouldn’t want to be seen in the same outfit as someone else! Since little fashion areas tend to be smaller designers and boutique shops, just be sure to try everything on. Sometimes pieces won’t fit the same measurements as mass produced pieces.

Second Changes

Are your bridesmaids dresses picked out? Surely you had a back up (or five!) that you were thinking about for your bridal party- why not give them a turn? Hit up the bridal shop and see if you can pick up one of your second choice dresses and dance around in it just for a night. Certain shops will let you borrow a dress for a night- and it can be cheap or free if you’ve already given or promised them enough business! It can be hard to pull off, but it’s not unheard of.

Swap with a Sister

Are you always jealous of your fashionista friend? Call her up and ask to borrow something you’ve been eyeing- just be prepared to trade her those shoes she’s been dying to borrow. You can play the bride card, say you’ve been too busy shopping for her Christmas present, or just that you needed an excuse to borrow it. Good girlfriends share everything- so be ready to offer up a temporary trade. And here’s a hint from us to you- get her some coffee or macaroons she’ll probably be more likely to trust you with her vintage pieces.

 

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Top Five Tokens of Thanks from Brides

November 25, 2014 Leave a Comment

Tis the season of thanks! We’re all in the process of getting ready for Turkey day, but remember- the day isn’t just about eating until you’re bloated and getting pumped for cheap flat screens. If you’ve also got your wedding on your mind, this is the perfect time to say ‘Thank You’ to the people that are helping make it happen (or made it happen, if you’ve already gotten to have the best day of your life!). We’ve got five small cute things that are perfect gestures of gratitude.

Drinks on You!

A staple for a reason- the coffee shop gift card. Why is this on our list? Because with this little thank you token, a little bit goes a long way. A ten dollar gift card is realistically at least two trips- maybe more if they’re tea drinkers. To make this little thank you go a little farther, add in a note on their favorite drink (“A hot cup of coffee for the hottest bridesmaids I know!”). Be sure to really work in why you’re thanking them- they’ll feel much better and more willing to help with any upcoming wedding tasks.

2015 Planners

Beat them to the punch on the organization game! Pick up a 2015 planner/organizer early, and post it the big date ahead of time for them. It’s a sweet, thoughtful gift that they’ll actually use, plus it’ll keep them on point for the coming months. Be sure to post it birthdays and special dates as well!

Personal Cards

If you want to just do something small for a lot of people, say, your soon-to-be in laws or all members of the bridal party, do personalized thank you cards. Get a great group picture and have them printed up on cardstock and write something sweet and meaningful on each one. It’s a cute little memento for a desk, fridge, or vanity station that shows you really care.

Mini Monday-Buster

A ‘Monday-Buster’ or stress-relief pack is a perfect small DIY pack you can do for your friends to say thank you. Get little paper lunch bags or small boxes and stuff them with small versions of things that would make your friend smile. Get tiny bottles of champagne, their favorite candy, a stress ball, a tiny journal, fun things like that. Keep the theme to mini versions of fun stuff and leave a note along the lines of “thank you for all the little things”. It’s cute, thoughtful, and totally practical! This will work for any vendors who have been going the extra mile, your bridal party, and even your fiance!

Good “Bad” Movies

Time to dig into the guilty pleasures! Go out to the older movie section (i.e., non-new releases) and pick out some silly, funny movies. Lots of stores like Target and Walmart have really affordable movies that you can pick up for $5 (or less!). Search through that section for the silliest movie you can find (Talladega Nights, anyone?) and pass it off to a friend. You can leave a note with something along the lines of “thank you for all you do- you deserve a laugh/night in!”. It may be a little silly, but it’s a great gesture.

 

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Top Five Bad Beauty Habits Brides Need to Stop

October 23, 2014 Leave a Comment

Wedding planning isn’t all about the guests list and the decor- it’s about YOU too. As the bride, you’re the centerpiece for the whole event so you need to be sure to take some time for yourself. You can’t focus on the first dance too much- you want to be sure that you’re at your best. We’ve got the top five beauty sins to avoid to keep you looking your best on the biggest day of your life!
STOP Sleeping in Your Makeup

So you fell asleep with a BB cream on, so what? The ‘what’ is that your skin can’t breathe properly with a coat of goop over it. You need your skin to be able to reset and breath and not get clogged or irritated. If you sleep in your makeup, whether it be a tinted moisturizer or red lips and falsies, it’s not good for your skin. Yes, it’s worse to fall asleep in false lashes than lipstick, but that’s not the point. The point is to be in the good habit of taking off all (yes, ALL) your makeup before you hit the hay. You’ll wake up with a fresh face and look fantastic while you stroll down the aisle.

STOP Skipping Lip Softeners

You may be a little more glamorous than the typical chapstick crowd, but that shouldn’t keep you from this staple. Lip softeners from EOS, Chapstick, and Jack Black are fantastic and can keep your lips from chapping and keep them looking good for your first kiss. Before you put on your lips for the day, do a swipe of a lip softener. If you can find something not tinted and moisturizing based, you can put it on before you go to sleep (it’s not makeup- it’s healthy!) so your lips soften overnight. Your lips are guarenteed to get some action on your wedding day- make sure they’re ready.

STOP Biting Your Nails

You know if you do this it’s bad! There are so many ways to keep your nails clean and ready for the big day. Since a big part of the day revolves around rings, you’re going to want your fingers to look good. There are nail polishes available that can make your nails taste bad if you try to chew them. You can try chewing gum instead of reaching for your nails. Get a gel mani to keep your polish looking good so you arn’t tempted to chew. Whatever you do- keep your fingers away from your teeth!

STOP Skipping Beauty Sleep

This one may feel selfish, but it’s totally serious. You need your sleep! Start slow- go to bed ten minutes earlier than usual. Then fifteen, then twenty, and see if you can get up to an hour. You’ll avoid getting baggy or puffy eyes, you’ll be more energized, and you’ll be ready to conquer a full day of fun planning! Your skin, your face, your brain, your fiance will thank you.

STOP Forgetting Your Teeth

Swing by the dentist- yes, do it. The dentist can be scary, but it’s totally worth it. Brush at least twice a day- three if you’re able to duck out for a minute after lunch. Floss at least once a day and keep some on you if you get anything stuck between your teeth. Gargle at least once a day with a fluoride based wash. And yes, finally, go to the dentist and make sure you’re cavity free. If you’re not, get it taken care of before the big day. You don’t want to bite down into your wedding cake and be met with a sharp pain. Get your teeth cleaned (lots of dental plans include cleanings so it may be free to you!) and keep them clean. You may feel too busy to floss, but when you see pictures of your pearly whites that match your dress you’ll be happy you saw the dentist.

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Top Five Trendy Shadow Shades for Fall Weddings

September 23, 2014 Leave a Comment

Fall is such a beautiful season, and people can get so caught up in staying in the same color palettes. Fall is a time all about beautiful complimentary colors. Don’t be afraid to show some shine on your eyelids at your next wedding- own it and look good doing it! Break out of the matte shades of the last few seasons and add a little dimension to your wedding look with these five color palettes!

Pretty in Pink

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If watermelon was your color palette of choice last summer, go for something similar this Fall. A peachy and neutral warm palette with gold flecks brings all out of your remaining summer glow. Light warm colors create a romantic look that’s cute and gentle without being overwhelming. It is lovely as much as it is natural, and is perfect for the sweetheart bride or bridesmaid.

Woodsy Woman

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Want to warm up a neutral look? These basic neutrals are beautiful and gold based enough to blend with most skin tones. If you were doing golds all summer, this is the best Fall transition for you. Yellow-based neutrals are complimentary on so many skin tones and help give eyes a certain sparkle that can be hard to obtain. This color palette is so seamless, you could share it with the whole gang of bridesmaids! Just be sure to clean your brushes in between.

Deep Brunette

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Brown tones are so fantastic for all skin tones and is optimized for Fall wear. If you want to do something smokier and sexier for a night wedding, play with deeper neutral tones to make your eyes look stronger. Use the deepest toned brown in the crease of your eye to create a more natural smokey look and be ready to catch the bouquet.

Royal Plum

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Cranberry and plum tones with pieces of purple make green and brown eyes pop out like crazy and will make you look stunning in wedding photos. If brighter colors were your thing last summer, make this your wedding go-to look. If you keep the tones warm, you’ll still get that golden glow but with a deeper more sultry overall look. Pair with black on black eyeliner and mascara for a full on glamorous look.

Sliver of Silver

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If you want to do more edgy looks for the wedding, go for something slate grey and silver. Something deep with flecks of shimmer makes your look pop, and is especially beautiful on darker skin tones. Keep it a little warmer to keep it from being too frosty (save that for Winter!). Since this is more cool-toned, be sure to pair it carefully with your lip and cheek colors. You’ll be the belle (or bride or bridesmaid!) of the ball!

 

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Top Five Fall Trendy Eyeliners for Bridesmaids

September 9, 2014 Leave a Comment

The color of the leaves is starting to change, it’s time for your makeup looks to change too! Use your makeup to add some personality to that bridesmaid’s dress you’re stuck with. You only get to control so much of your look on the big day- take advantage of it and have some fun! Put down the black pencil you’ve had rolling around in your makeup bag the last year and pick up any of these five hot shades!

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Rich Purple

Pick a warmer purple with some chunky glitter to create some serious drama to your look. Lay this one on thick as a cat eye to light your eyes up and bring attention to your peepers. A rich purple will make brown and green eyes sparkle in particular. this tone also looks more and more natural the darker your skin tone is.

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Electric Blue-aloo

Not big on glitter, but big on the statement look? Go for a sleek blue tone, but keep it thin and close to the natural lash line. That little flash of color could be all you need to bring your eyes out- especially if they’re blue too! Bright blues flatter cool tones- whether it be from your skin or your eyes it’s a hit.

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Gritty Green

Fall is great for earthy tones so bust out those fun liners that have been gathering dust since St. Patty’s Day. Green tones are subtle but different and are very complimentary to warm tones. Go light along your lash line and follow the natural curve of your eye to create a soft, romantic look.

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Copper Lining

A burnt orange or bronze can warm up your look and reflect the new season perfectly! Instead of lining your top lid, start on the inner corners of your eyes and work your way out without lining the entire eye. Bonus points if you line the bottom lash line with a beautiful bronze and pair it with another of our top five trending eyeliners on top!

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Bold Burgundy Bridesmaid

This look is more statement but if you can pull it off it’s fantastic! Try out a red-toned eyeliner on top to create a bold and beautiful look. Deep tones like burgundy or raspberry are spontaneous and sultry. It’ll help you stand out from the lineup and make you look mysterious during the reception.

 

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Top Five Wedding Tips for Couples with Pets

July 15, 2014 Leave a Comment

Your fiance or your maid of honor may be your best human friend, but what about your best furry friend? For all those couples out there with their own furry friends, we’ve got five cute ways to keep them involved in your wedding. They’re a big part of your lives after all, they should get to be a part of the festivities!
Put Them in the Pictures

While you’re planning your engagement or invite photos, think about involving the furry friends! You can do a fun “family” photo of you two and your pet. Pictures of all of you cuddling, playing, or just flopping around are adorable. Everyone loves cute pet photos, why not up your couple cute factor by adding your adorable furry friend? Just be sure to have a lint roller on hand.

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Dress Them Up

Even if you don’t usually dress your little buddy up, it’s a wedding! Everyone dresses up! Swing by a specialty store and pick up some formal wear for your furry friend. Usually things like bowties are easy formal wear for pets that aren’t too annoying for them to wear. Putting your cat in an entire fluffy dress may get mangled quicker than you realize.

Register for the Whole Family

While you’re registering, think about your pet. Try not to register for anything that they could eat/mangle/destroy quickly (goodbye, white lace couch cushions!). If you’re finding that you already have a lot of basic household things, you can register for pet-friendly items. Registering at big box stores like target can give you the option to request pet toys or accessories. All the fun wedding presents don’t have to go straight into the kitchen- Fido should be able to enjoy some wedding presents too!

Give Them a Job

A great way to have your pet help out during the wedding is to give them a job! For bigger animals like dogs, mini horses, and pot bellied pigs, you can have them walk down the aisle or act as the ring bearer (we REALLY want to see pictures if you have your pot bellied pig act as your ring bearer). If you have a smaller animal like a guinea pig, rabbit, or mouse, you can set them up near the guestbook (with some supervision, of course). Involving them is a great photo op, plus gives you the chance to involve them on your special day.

 

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Give Them Room

There’s a family table, a kids table, why not add a pet table? Rather than a table, use baby gates to set up an area for pets. If you’re open to having guests bring their furry friends this could be a really convenient and sweet gesture. Set it up with lots of newspaper or towels, water, and some snacks. If you can, try to get a few people to keep an eye on them too. This lets your guests save on dog sitters and be able to bring their furry friends to the big day too. You’ll be doing them a favor, plus your pet will get a chance to socialize!

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Do you have plans on having your pets involved in your wedding? Share them in the comments below!

 

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Top Five Wedding Planning Ideas

June 4, 2014 1 Comment

At BHL, we love weddings, and we really love the planning of them too! Yes, they can be stressful, but with the right tools and your wedding coordinator by your side, it can be a seamless and lovely day! Today, we are giving you five tips on some of the important elements of the wedding day to consider when planning your big day.

  1. Giving gifts to your bridesmaids and groomsmen is a nice way of saying thank you for being there for you on your special day. Best time to do this? You can present the gift at the rehearsal dinner, or the morning off while you are getting ready. Take a moment to thank your girls, and grooms, to thank your groomsmen. It is also a great way to start the wedding day and have cheers and a toast to follow!
  2. Make sure that everyone in your wedding party knows how they’re getting to the wedding site and back home from your wedding! This is especially important if you’re going to be serving alcohol, and essential if it’s an open bar. If you’re worried about anyone getting too inebriated, offer free cab rides to anyone who doesn’t bring a car, or drive them home in your limo.
  3. Wedding bands are a vital part of the wedding, as they help to signify the joining of two parties. Make sure that on the days leading up to the wedding and on the wedding itself to have someone who you can count on keep track of your wedding bands to ensure security.
  4. Make sure to include healthy food options for your reception. You might have a vegetarian in attendance or someone who’s just trying to lose weight. Be sure to supply them with options they can enjoy. Vegetables, cooked or raw, and fruit for dessert, will go a long way for anyone who wants to eat something that won’t pack on the pounds.
  5. One of the most awkward moments at a wedding can be the bouquet toss. If women don’t want to get involved they shouldn’t be pressured to, so let the DJ know not to say anything to upset the guests. Take a poll before the wedding to see if anyone is really interested in participating and if not, skip it!

 

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