Five Tips for the Groom

September 8, 2013 Leave a Comment

Celebrating with the band of brothers known as your groomsmen is the second best part of getting married! You’ve probably already mentally chosen certain friends to stand with you on your wedding day, plus maybe a future in law or relative has been thrown into the mix. Assuming everyone survives the bachelor party, these tips will help you and your buds make it to the altar and through the reception with minimal potential for disasters!

1. Depend on one guy to keep everyone on task. Usually, this job belongs to the best man, but maybe your best man lives out of town, or isn’t best suited for getting things done. Approach the friend with the best leadership skills that doesn’t mind stepping up and reminding the others to get fitted, pick up their tuxes, and buy shoes. This will take some stress off of you and keep you from looking like a groomzilla!

2. Have the photographer capture some flirty pics of your bride with your groomsmen. It will be the last time she can take photos with a bunch of studs!

3. Ask someone to have an emergency toast prepared. In case the best man somehow bombs the delicate balance of a hilarious, yet sentimental toast, you can cue the back up to do damage control and end things on a fabulous note. Your guests will appreciate it, as this important toast often sets the tone for the beginning of the reception party!

4. Each groomsman should have at least an extra $100 cash in pocket. This tip cannot be stressed enough, because when you need something spontaneously, cash is king! Do you need extra tip money to award extraordinary service? Check. Picking up last minute beverages for the impromptu post-wedding hotel party? Check. Need cab money to send a friend or family member home who’s had too much to drink? Check. In desperate need of a Red bull? Check. BridalParty065The possibilities to save the day are endless, and it gives the groomsmen a chance to be the hero! As the saying goes, ‘better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it’.

5. Finally, be realistic about the groomsmen gifts. If you get them something they will actually use, they will love you for it! Personal size cooler totes are a great gift for men who love camping, playing sports, being outdoors, or just drinking beer. So, basically almost any guy will appreciate this gift. Pack it in advance with each friend’s favorite snacks and beverages.

Treat these guys well and they will treat you great back. Not just on your wedding day, but years down the road when you and your family need to lean on them for support. Cheers!

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Eight Maid of Honor Must Haves

August 22, 2013 Leave a Comment

Being maid of honor is no easy task. You’re going to be juggling tons of tasks, keeping track of the whole event, and doing it all in heels. After all, the blushing bride needs her right hand lady to keep her glowing! The wedding day is going to be a busy one, so it pays to be prepared. Keeping a survival stash in your bridal bag could save your skin, and maybe even a wedding photo or two.

Mints

These seriously have the potential to save the day. The bride is about to have the most public, photographed, and remembered kiss of her life, so her breath situation is high priority. Altoids come in little tins, so they won’t explode in your purse. Mentos are incredibly refreshing and give the chewy-ness of gum without the unattractive smacking noises.

Lighters

Lighters are a tool, not just something you’ll need if the bride needs to sneak a cigarette. If you catch any frayed strings or anything, a quick pass over with a lighter can typically fix that. Candles go out? No worries, the maid of honor is here to save the day. If the groom and groomsmen are doing cigars to celebrate, you become their go-to girl. You get bonus points for getting one that works with your outfit, or even painting one to match your outfit.

Makeup Removing Q-Tips

Even if you’re not maid of honor, these lil guys are a lifesaver. You crack them at one end, and it releases makeup remover to the tips. These are perfect for touch ups, smudges, smears, and anything else you can think of. They are a little hard to find, but I love the Almay oil-free makeup eraser sticks ($5-$6 for a box of 24, drugstores). A wedding is a beautiful and emotional day, so the maid of honor needs to be prepared for any potential makeup smearing.

Rollerball Perfume

It’s a good idea to have a rollerball in your purse ready to dab on wrists just in case. If your bride has a hair stylist worrying about hair and a makeup artist worrying about makeup, perfume can go overlooked. Stash her favorite scent in your purse just in case. I love Daisy by Marc Jacobs ($22, Sephora & department stores) because it’s light, fresh, and romantic.

Blister Block

Yes, it works. Rub this miracle stick ($4-$5, drugstores and pharmacies) on your heels and dance the night away without worrying about blisters. If the bride isn’t usually in heels, this will save her life. Keep it on hand even if the bride is a stiletto queen- one of your fellow bridesmaids may need a little heel help.

Floss

Not to sound like your dentist (or your mother!) but flossing is important. No one wants to look back on wedding photos and be haunted by food in your teeth. Toothpicks may crack and break in your purse, and you can find minty floss that will leave your mouth feeling extra clean. Plus, it looks a little more chic in your purse than tons of toothpicks.

Midol

Come on ladies, you know why you need to keep a few of these stashed. I like the ones that come in the tabs, not the bottle. Keeping a few tabs in your purse, or even your wallet is much more discreet than toting around a rattly bottle. You never know when cramps or a headache may strike, so it’s great to have a few handy.

For Outdoor Weddings: Nasal Spray

Blushing beauties, you get one bonus tip for all my maids of honor sweating it out under the sun. If you’re heading to a wedding outside, in a field, or generally around pollen, it can be for the better to bring nasal spray. You may look a little dorky for a second, but it’s better than constantly blowing your nose or struggling with your allergies.

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Five tips to help you plan ahead for Contingencies

August 17, 2013 1 Comment
Freak rainstorm

Freak rainstorm

The invitations are out. The dress is fitted. The butterflies are making their way to your stomach.

In the days before your wedding, there are so many indescribable emotions, but fear of a major disaster will not be one of them, because BHL helped you identify potential wedding day pitfalls and five tips to prepare for them!

Problem #1- Inclement Weather. The most obvious problem that comes to mind is rain or extreme wind on your wedding day at your outdoor venue. It could be in the middle of the desert in July, but trust us, it could happen and it has happened. Never underestimate Mother Nature! If you have planned your wedding to be primarily outdoors, be certain there is an indoor venue on standby or easy-up tents available.

Problem #2– A member of the bridal party is MIA. Your bridal party has a life outside of your wedding, and sometimes situations arise. Maybe they have to attend a funeral instead, came down with the stomach flu, or missed their flight. Don’t take it personally, and besides, no one in the audience is going to really know that person is missing. The show must go on. If you want to keep your bridal party numbers equal, ask a cousin or a co-worker to join your team!

Problem #3– The bride or groom has an emergency. Again, things have a way of coming up at the last minute, so take a moment to think of hiccups tailored to your own life. Have a back up inhaler or allergy medicine if you need such items. Do you wear contacts? Have an extra set handy as well as contact solution. Sometimes limos are late, vintage cars break down, or the horse for the carriage gets spooked. Have a backup transportation plan, just in case!

Problem #4– A vendor is MIA. Keep an open line of communication with your vendors. If you have trouble getting a hold of them in the beginning phase of business, then you probably want to find another vendor. Have a few different modes of contact for them and their assistants. Share these contacts with your Maid of Honor or wedding planner so if something is late or missing, someone else will take care of it and you don’t have to stress.

Problem #5– Your Dress got Ruined! Oh no!! Aunt Rose spilled red wine on your dress when she went in for a hug! Savvy brides have an extra, likely less elaborate dress and shoes on backup just for situations like these. Maybe it’s a cocktail dress and sparkly Tom’s shoes, or a slick white satin pantsuit. You can quickly and discreetly change out – not only will no one be the wiser, but you’ll look simply fabulous in a second ensemble!

Yes, it is hard to be prepared for random disasters that may never happen, but for every major planning decision you make, imagine how it could go wrong. Brainstorm with your bridal team on ideas to creatively work around any contingencies. At first, it may be anxiety inducing, but at the end of the exercise, you should feel confident and ready to face whatever comes your way.

In the end, the only thing that matters is that you and your honey are hitched. The disasters make great stories, but are avoidable for the most part. Be sure your bases are covered so you can enjoy your day as smoothly and carefree as possible.

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Five Tips on Accessorizing Your Bridal Gown

August 10, 2013 Leave a Comment

1. The Look: Weddings are all about picking a theme and going all out with it. So first of all, think about the feel and the look that you are going for. Do you want a 1920’s vintage feel? Then try incorporating a bird cage veil, or a feathery headpiece with a lace applique. Are you looking for a Spanish feel? Then try a big flower headpiece, or a Mantilla veil that will drape beyond the edge of your train. Or are you going for classic elegance? Then try and keep your accessories to a minimum. Pick your accessories and gown that go with the feeling that you are going for, and that feeling will be conveyed to your friends and family.

2. Match: It is also important to match accessories to your gown in order to bring out its’ beauty in the right light. For example, if your gown has a belt that has some pearls and beads on it, then find earrings or a veil that has both of those items. It is best to keep the accessories in unison to have them flow right into your dress. If your gown has chunky beads on it, don’t accessorize with pearl earrings. Try and match the items as closely as possible.

Veil & Belt

3. Compliment: Take a good look at your gown and see if it is simple or busy on its own, as they both have their pros and cons. Simple dresses allow for more accessories and chunky jewelry or statement pieces. Try on beaded belts, big earrings, or thick bracelets. Sometimes a simple belt can dress up the gown to a whole other level, and give it a unique look. If your dress is very busy with lace or bling, refrain from using thick laced veils or chunky jewelry. Less is more with these gowns, and simple accessories add to its beauty without detracting any attention from it. Otherwise your audience will be too busy trying to figure out where to look instead of looking at you. Also, if you are wearing a bracelet, be sure to wear it on the opposite hand as your engagement ring. It will compliment and even out your bridal look.

4. Try On: It is really hard to match accessories without having your gown around, or without even having it on! So be sure to try on different veils, head pieces, and jewelry while you have the gown on your body. A good time to do that is usually once the dress comes in and you go in for your try on appointment. It can be a bit overwhelming to try and pick everything on the same day as you picked your gown, so wait until your dress comes in to do so.

Earrings & Belt

5. Ask: Be sure to ask your consultant for any accessory suggestions. They have a pretty good eye in finding the appropriate accessories since they are around the gowns constantly and know what goes well with what. Be open to their suggestions and have fun with it! They will enjoy dressing you up until your look is completed to perfection.

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Everything You Need To Know About Throwing The Perfect Wedding

July 28, 2013 Leave a Comment

We’re always looking for ways to simplify the complicated things in our lives. This definitely holds true for something as large and as complex as a wedding. Just the thought alone is enough to overwhelm you. Here are some great wedding tips that you can use to make the process a little bit easier.

One of the most vital things that you will have to do is to stick to your budget when you are getting married. You will have a lot of temptation to spend a great deal of money, but will have to understand your financial restrictions to avoid getting into a hole.

Before you get married, make sure you discuss the subject of children with your prospective mate. Having this discussion beforehand will avoid any disagreements after you’re married.

One of the most vital aspects of your wedding is going to be the music that you play. Make sure that the music is modern, but is very personal too, as it should represent the two parties tying the knot. This will add to the ambience of the overall experience of your wedding.

When thinking of what to give your guests as a wedding favor gift, consider who you’re inviting. If half your family are recovering alcoholics, then a bottle of wine is probably not a good idea. If they’re diabetics, then candy won’t work, either. Choose something they’re likely to keep as a memento and not throw out when they get home.

It might initially seem as if planning a wedding is something that couldn’t possibly be simplified, but all you need is some practical advice to help guide you along the way. What you just read are some tips dealing with weddings, in general. Hopefully, this information will help you out when that big day comes.

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Tips for a Perfect Wedding Day

July 8, 2013 Leave a Comment
Planning a wedding can be intricate and overwhelming, whether it be for a loved one, or for you. The selected tips in this article can help you shed new light on options you may have not thought of, and help you to organize the perfect wedding.
Understand that religious faith will influence both what your wedding looks like and your relationship going forward. It may help to discuss this with your families so that they understand how you plan on handling dual faiths in your marriage.
When wedding planning, think about what alcohol you want to serve, how you want to serve it, and try to be cost efficient. Just letting people drink all they want can really add up, especially if the reception lasts a long time. The venue representative will be able to advise you of the various alcohol service options available.
When you decide who you want to give the speeches during the reception, ask them to read them to you so you know they are appropriate. If there are going to be different generations there, you don’t want to offend anyone.
The photos taken during your wedding are important as you’ll look at these a lot of times during your lifetime. It pays to spend the extra cash to hire a wedding photographer in order to reduce the chance of some amateur screwing up your wedding photos.
The most important part of marriage is the person you plan on marrying. Do not make a hasty decision. See your partner as she really is–the good and the bad. Think not only about the reasons you love her, but all her bad habits and quirks that might irritate you after months or years together.
Your vows are very important for a very momentous occasion so make sure you take time to write them to perfection. It’s important to understand that a marriage is a strong commitment that takes both of you making sacrifices. Of course, the most important thing for vows to convey is your love for your partner.
For any stylish and fashion forward bride, there is always the option to add some flare to a bouquet with a splash of diamonds, rhinestones or Swarovski crystals. This is easy to do at home; you can just use some heat-fixed crystals or adhesives, some costume jewelry or even attach a heirloom piece. To ensure that it coordinates with the rest of your ensemble, be consistent in terms of sparkling colors, cut, and size of the stones.
Midday is your best bet for planning a wedding reception. People drink less during this time and you will not spend as much on alcohol. By having a lunch reception, the costs for food will also normally be less expensive. This could allow you to put the money saved towards other services required for your wedding.
Now that you know the fundamentals of wedding planning, you can apply the ideas presented here to manifest a personalized experience. Applying these tips can make your wedding planning hassle free, and give your guests, and yourself, an experience you will treasure forever.
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Wedding Processional Tips

May 15, 2013 2 Comments

At BHL, we love everything wedding, and kind of obsessed with all the fabulous details that comes with them. Including all the details of how to enter or exit the wedding ceremony. In other words, the processional and recessional. Your planning your wedding, and the the most important moment of your wedding day is the ceremony. This is the space and time where you become Mr. and Mrs. Well, the part of the special day where it is pretty official. You are married! So how does your ceremony look like? What does your processional order look like? Who goes down the aisle first? If you are curious about any of these answers, then we may be able to help you out a little.  For a very traditional wedding, we  found this infographic from Martha Stewart Weddings. It gives you the order of the processional. So if you are going traditional for your wedding, then you can follow this.

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However, if you are non-traditional, then you can adjust as you please.  We have some ideas and tips on the processional order. Please see below:

  • Just the Two of  Us:  Perhaps you want to have a simple ceremony  at your wedding, and just the two of you are in the processional. Yes, you do not HAVE to have one  huge processional with other family or friends. It is YOUR wedding, so do what you like! So with no real processional, the groom can be standing up at the ceremony alter/spot and then the bride can walk in with or without her father/mother or anyone else special to her. This can be a very simple processional.  One where it is just about the bride and her groom waiting on the other side for her. Another variation is that the groom walks in, and then the bride follows. Perhaps the groom also wants the the chance to walk in too! Another idea is that the bride and groom  walk in together into the ceremony as one beautiful and loving couple. The spotlight is all on the bride and groom.  Why not? It is their day!
  • Family counts: Sometimes couples want to share the spotlight with the ones they love and care about. So if you want your mother/father/grandmother/grandfather/or other family member to be part of the walk down the aisle, then do it! They can all have a part. Here is an idea for a possible order:  Groom with mother–Groom’s father with groom’s grandmother–Bride’s mother with brides’s grandfather—Bride’s grandmother with Bride’s brother/cousin–Bride with her father. Now, if there are no living grandparents, you can do the following: Groom walks in with both of his parents—and Bride walks in with both of her parents. Whatever way you like to include your parents or grandparents, it is up to you.

bride with father processional

  • Minus the Bridal Party: If you can’t decide how many bridesmaids and groomsmen to have, that there are too many close people in your life, and you really do want to have a twenty person bridal party, then maybe you will just not have any. However, there are some brides who really want to have everyone in their bridal party, and don’t mind such a large bridal party. However, if this seems like too much, then an idea is that you have one Best  man, and one Maid/Matron of honor, and that is it. Here is an idea for a processional order: Groom solo–Best Man and Maid/Matron of honor–Bride with Father/Grandfather/solo.
  • Siblings: No bridal party, so your sisters/brothers can not be part of the wedding?  Not true! Here is an idea that works great for siblings in the processional. Groom with his sister–the Best man and Maid/Matron of honor–Bride’s sisters and brothers–Bride with her father. This is just one of many ways you can include the siblings as part of the processional order.

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These are just some ideas, and we are sure there are many other non-traditional processional orders out there. So if you like to share, please do so. We love to hear from you!

 

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Expressionary Events Features Bridal Hot List in a Video Interview

May 13, 2013 Leave a Comment

I have some exciting news that I can not wait to share with all of you on this lovely Monday morning. It is so fabulous, that you better sit down for this one. So grab your morning coffee, get comfy, and ready for some pretty amazing information.  Bridal Hot List had their first interview! I had the pleasure to be interviewed by the very talented Wedding Planner and Designer, Carmen Fuentes of Expressionary Events for Expression Spotlight. What an exciting moment for BHL. As chief editor of Bridal Hot List, I shared who we are, what we do, and what type of wedding details we feature on the blog.  I shared how we are not your typical wedding blog, and that we are THE resource for today’s bride, providing the hottest trends and tips. What got my heart bursting with joy was talking about the two (now three) TLC television shows we cover: TLC’s “Four Weddings” and “Something Borrowed, Something New” (added to the list is “I Found the Gown”). What was really great is when I shared some of the pretty exciting moments I have had at BHL. For example,  I had the wonderful opporunity in meeting top stylist, Sam Saboura, and fashion designer Kelly Nishimoto from ” Something Borrowed, Something New”. THAT was amazing because they provided me with some incredible wedding tips and trends. An interesting fact that I spoke of was that not all our readers are brides…we actually have grooms who are really intrigued by the tips and trends we provide. That is something that has motivated us to write more for the grooms. I mean, they are the other piece to the lovely duo of a wedding couple.

What really fills my heart with joy is the chance to share what I truly love and have a passion for. I love my job! How many people can say that? There are so many reasons and to name a few…I am constantly immersed in beautiful weddings, gorgeous inspirations, all the crazy talented people, and making some amazing connections with all of you. The brides and grooms, and wedding junkies are driving this wedding blog which I am so proud of.

I like to say a big THANK YOU to Carmen Fuentes for this truly amazing opportunity!

See the exclusive interview right here as it was featured on Expression Spotlight:

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Four Proper Grooming Tips for the Groom

March 19, 2013 Leave a Comment

On the day of the wedding, being properly groomed is priority number one for any groom. How ridiculous does it sound if the groom isn’t groomed, right? There are plenty of good reasons to make sure you are properly groomed, the first being that you should want to look your best for the bride. Past that, you’ll be taking photos that you and your wife will be keeping for the rest of your lives, so every a groom should want look his best in those or regret it for a very long time. If you’re a groom or you just want to make sure your groom is on top of his business, check out this handy list of four proper grooming tips for the groom.

Tip 1: Shave the morning of the wedding

Not all guys shave every day and if you do not, make sure you time your shaving pattern to allow yourself to shave the day of the wedding. This way you look clean, sharp and ready for the big day. Nothing says buzz-kill more than a face full of stubble! Also make sure you use a brand new razor to avoid razor burn and cuts which can seriously detract from the facial experience. If you really want to go all out, take the boys to the local barber shop and get an old fashioned shave. You’ll be surprised how clean you feel and it’s a nice bonding activity with the groomsmen. If you tend to get a five o’clock shadow, you might want to bring an electric razor (the one that oozes gel) to keep yourself spiffy later in the evening.

Tip 2: Make sure your hands and nails are trimmed and clean

While it’s frankly outside of the world of reality for most men to get manicures, the wedding day might be the one time where even the most macho of men will agree to get one. This is an activity that can happen a day before the wedding and can even be done with the bride-to-be. Having clean and neat hands will be important because the hands will be the focal point for many pictures, as well as the big moment where you exchange and wear rings.

Tip 3: Body hair should be under control

Let’s face it, body hair isn’t really ideal these days. Whether you decide to take off your shirt during the ceremony with all that dancing, or later on in the evening, your body hair situation should be under control. It doesn’t mean you need to wax your entire body, it just means you need to be nice and neat. This is another grooming step that can happen the day before the wedding. Also make sure you use the right tools for the job, many electric razor companies sell specific devices for body hair at national retail stores. Trust me, the last thing you want is a SNAFU involving body hair removal.

Tip 4: The Haircut

Be sure you have your hair cut and styled the way you want it. This means that you’ll need to carefully consider the timing of your haircut before the wedding. The rule of thumb is to get the haircut about a week before the wedding, but no later than three days before the big day. This allows your hair to grow back a little bit but still have that nice form coming out of the salon.

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Toasting Tips for the Best Man

December 16, 2012 Leave a Comment

Perhaps the biggest duty of the Best Man during the reception is giving the all important toast to the new wedded couple. For some, this is the single biggest point of fear in taking on the job because it calls for the Best Man to come up with a great speech and give it in front of a large audience. As the old adage goes, people tend to fear public speaking as much as death, making this task daunting to say the least. However, here are a few great tips for making the toast memorable and successful.

Tip: Talk Briefly About the Past

The special part of a wedding stems from the fact that it is a singular point of origin in time that you and others will refer to for the rest of your lives. It’s the undeniable, most memorable start of a new era, perhaps with the only exception of when that couple becomes parents for the first time. Nevertheless, the wedding day is the start, not the end. There’s no need to expand on the past, or any  trials and tribulations people have gone through to get to that point. The important emotion that everyone is feeling is the fact that they are at something singularly unique, something previous and something fleeting. Going back and talking about ex-girlfriends or ex-boyfriends is passe and frankly in bad taste.

Tip: Talk a Lot About the Future

While you don’t want to go on predicting a million kids or huge fame and fortune, the tone of the wedding is hope, love and togetherness. These three elements should be the basis for all the prognosticating you do during the speech for the happy couple’s future. Fill them with hope, fill them with love, fill them with the knowledge that they will not be along on their journey – that everyone on-hand will be there with them along the way. Talking about the future, as opposed to the past, lends the tone of the speech to a romanticism that many in the audience will latch onto and enjoy.

Tip: Don’t Wing It

There’s a common trick in show business that dupes the audience into thinking that an act was all made up on the spot and improvised when in fact it was a thoughtful and explicit attempt at interacting with the audience. The greatest showmen always make it look easy, as if they made it up on the spot. Those that know better understand that many hours of practice, thought and planning win the day. You must take this approach to your speech as “winging it” will simply not be good enough. You are the best man, not the best improvisational orator, so act accordingly and prepare. Practice your speech, think about the thoughts and emotions you want people to feel and don’t be afraid to get back some feedback from other groomsmen. Give the happy couple the respect of a thoughtful speech, not something you put together seconds before being handed the microphone.

Tip: Watch the Drinking

People say stupid things when they drink, a practically indisputable fact of science and life. The last thing a Best Man should have happen during his toast is to let something slip that nobody else should hear. Be it a curse word or some story a certain someone wanted dead and buried long ago there’s always something that could possibly slip. You’re supposed to be the guy looking out for the guy getting married so he doesn’t have to worry about anything else. Man up, be responsible and represent yourself like a true gentleman when giving the toast at the reception.

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