Eight Maid of Honor Must Haves

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.

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!

 

Five Tips On Creating A Guest List

Putting together the guest list for your wedding can be the headache you never saw coming, but it doesn’t have to be. The guest list is on the list of the most important things pertaining to your wedding. I mean, what’s a wedding without people to watch you walk down the aisle in your beautiful gown? Let me help you make this a little easier with these five tips on creating a wedding guest list.

Budget- Before you can even begin to put a list together, you must know your budget. Without a budget, there is no way for you and your partner to create a good guest list. Creating a list without first budgeting, means you’ll be recreating the list later.

Share The Responsibility- You don’t have to do this alone. Decide, with your partner, how many guests is ideal to the both of you. When that is decided, you both can create separate lists. Once you have your lists completed,  you can look over both lists together.  Chances are, you’re going to eliminate people from both lists for one reason or another. Sitting down and creating a list together has been known to cause issues, which is why doing it at the same time but separately is great way to go.

No Parents Allowed- Keep your parents as far away from your list as possible. Moms get excited when they hear the word wedding. Some forget that it’s not their wedding, but rather yours. Allowing parents to get involved also means you will end up inviting family members you haven’t spoken to since you were a kid. You also don’t want to see more of your parents’ friends than you see of your own. Of course it’s ok to invite some of their friends, but keep them away from your list.

Categories- Creating lists broken up into three different categories is always great. The first one is must have.  This list is filled with close friends and family that you are going to invite no matter what. The second one is the maybe, probably, yes. This one consists of friends and family you want at the wedding but might not necessarily make the cut. Then there is the I don’t know list. This list may consist of  distant family members, and people you haven’t seen in a while but wouldn’t mind seeing. Once the three lists have been created, you can then get out your trusty red pen and start the process of elimination.

Inviting Kids- It is so important to decide whether or not children are going to be allowed at the wedding. Allowing children means more people. Your guest list can quickly go from fifty to seventy-five. Excluding children also cuts your list down due to the fact that some new mothers might not be ready to be apart with their little one. Think this through and make the right decision for you.

I know, this seems like a lot of work, and it is. However, you should think about it like this: the sooner you finish your guest list, the sooner you can get married to the one you love. In the end, it’ll all be worth it.

Seven Questions to Ask your Wedding Makeup Artist

The process of actually getting and booking your makeup artist is a bigger task than you may realize, but we got you covered. Now that you’ve narrowed down your choices to the artist of your dreams, both of you need to be prepared. Here’s a few things that you’re going to want to go over during your test runs.

“How long will you be around?”

You need to agree on how much time your artist will be committing to you. If you feel that you may need extra touch ups between the ceremony and the reception, it is essential to communicate this to your artist. Your artist may even suggest staying later to assist in touch ups during photo opportunities, or changing your look before the reception. Be sure to factor this in with your pricing as well.

“How long will you need to set up and apply my look?”

It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the clock during your trial run for this. Your artist will need at least a few minutes to unpack all their supplies and find the best light to work with. Factor this in with all of your planning! Your wedding day will be a hectic one and it pays to plan ahead. Have someone there to let your makeup artist set up and get ready for you so your time isn’t wasted waiting around.

“Will you be available for my bridesmaids?”

If your bridesmaids want to get their makeup done as well, you want to make sure your artist is up for it and prepared. Some artists will charge purely on hourly, and some will charge based on the amount of product/work put into a look. They may only be comfortable doing makeup on one person, so keep that in mind.

“Do you suggest any skin treatments before the wedding?”

Many artists that I know recommend that a bride go bare-faced the day before their wedding (save for sunscreen, of course). This prevents any build up of product, and leaves your face extra clear for your wedding look. Some may also suggest doing a peel or an exfoliating treatment prior to your wedding. Pick your artist’s brain for any suggestions to ensure your newlywed glow.

“What products will you be using on me?”

It’s good to have an idea of what you’re wearing and how your skin takes it. If you have more sensitive skin, stick to hypoallergenic brands or brands that are more organic. You should be clear if you have any allergies or known skin sensitivities. If you’re not sure about a product,  you may want to pick it up and test it for a few days at your leisure. Also, if you’ll be wearing false eyelashes you may want to pick up some more heavy duty makeup remover. Lash glue is not fun to take off.

“Will my lips stay on through dinner?”

Your artist is going to be honest with you. If your lips look amazing in photos but slide right off after your first sip of champagne, this is something you need to know. When you have the perfect lip shade for the big day, you are going to want to keep an eye out for touch ups. This shouldn’t make you feel pressured to change your perfect shade in favor of one that won’t budge. It’s your day, wear what you love and what makes you feel good, even if it’s more high maintenance. If your artist sticks around through the ceremony and reception, have them keep this as one of their top priorities. If they are relieved of their duties more quickly, stash your touch up products with a bridesmaid. Ask one of your girls to be dedicated to keeping you look fabulous all night long.

“Do I need to bring anything?”

If you wear a special foundation that is hard to find or even discontinued, your artist may need that to work with. Your artist may even ask that you pick out the false lashes that you wear for the big day and bring those along. Most freelancers are fairly prepared and have a well-equipt makeup kit, but there’s a chance they may need your help too.

 

Live! Your Wedding Day Recap

The Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach recently hosted ‘Live! Your Wedding Day’- the wedding sensory experience. The sensory experience was an all-inclusive event with wedding vendors on site to provide a taste of what they have to offer on your special day. Vendors included florists, musicians, wedding coordinators. Team Bridal Hot List was there on the scene to report.

The day began with a short mock ceremony accompanied by both a four piece string quartet and an acoustic guitar.  The musicians took turns showcasing different takes on classic wedding songs.

The mock ceremony included a couple doing a quick walk through in full wedding day attire. Even though they weren’t a real couple, they looked fantastic together!

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Following the ceremony, we moved on to a cocktail hour in another reception area the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach has to offer. The cocktail hour was accompanied by The Marieve Herington Band and a dessert bar provided by the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach. During this time, several models were on had to showcase trending wedding dress styles.

Lace was a big trend being showcased, as well as beautifully detailed backs. One of my favorite dresses was this short, mod-style wedding dress. The lace and the buttons are a major trend right now, and the detail on this is mesmerizing.

Following the gown showcase were the floral showcases courtesy of Paradise Delight Floral & Event Productions. The arrangements ranged from classic and beautiful to progressive and trendy.

My favorite arrangement was the display of calla lilies in the large flute glasses. The tones of the chevron runner and the flowers were beautiful, and the floating candles made the arrangement perfectly romantic.

This gorgeous reception hall also featured  Undercover Live Entertainment, where they got us dancing, and having a great time. Super high energy and fun!

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There was another reception area set up with a DJ, beautiful floral arrangements, and a 3D photobooth. The arrangements here were provided by White Orchid Productions. Simply stunning!

Live! Your Wedding Day was an absolutely amazing experience and incredibly inspiring. Events like this are an excellent resource for newly engaged looking for inspiration. It was great to be able to window shop different wedding looks in all aspects of the wedding. The Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach was incredibly accommodating, as well as a gorgeous location for events.

Niloufar, Chief Editor of Bridal Hot List Andrea Carter, Contributor of Bridal Hot List

Niloufar, Chief Editor at Bridal Hot List
Andrea Carter, Contributor at Bridal Hot List

For more information on Live! Your Wedding Day, please visit them at: http://liveyourweddingday.com/

 

Beauty Timeline for Brides

The question has been popped (along with some champagne, hopefully)! Congratulations, now all you have left to do is plan the most spectacular party of your life! A bride has a lot to juggle for her wedding, so being organized is imperative. Your makeup look on your wedding will be photographed constantly, so you want to make sure it works for you. This timeline will help you be prepared for all your makeup needs for the big day.

Six Months To Go

This is when you should be deciding on your wedding’s theme. Depending on your theme, look into what makeup looks fall into that category and what would work for you. If you are a bride who is organizing a classic wedding, consider red lips and full lashes. For more modern weddings, you have more room to play with colors like fuchsia or orange. Also consider your wedding colors when planning what style you will be going for. You may love a peachy tones, but it may clash with your surrounding colors. Aim for a color palette that will work cohesively with your wedding color palette. It may be handy to save looks that you like or find flattering and compare them to your wedding theme. If you’re having trouble finding colors and looks that work, ask your bridesmaids to help.  You may love doing big blue eyeliner when you go to parties, but it may clash with a classic romantic style wedding.

You don’t want to end up with too many color options. It’s good to narrow it down to a core family of colors early on.

Three Months To Go

With your theme in mind, it is time to shop for makeup artists. Beauty advisers at department stores are more often than not freelance makeup artists, and they are a great resource for trying colors and products out. You can go to a counter of a brand you like and talk to someone there, or if you are a little more lost you can try a counter like Impulse at Macy’s or MAC. Impulse at Macy’s carries many different brands, and MAC has a very wide range of products geared towards creating many different looks. Find a beauty adviser that you find friendly and explain your theme to them. It is free and perfectly fine to ask what kind of look they can create for you. You should not feel pressured to buy anything or give them a definitive answer at the time. This is more for you to see what works for you and get acquainted with make up artists. Talk to a few different people and see who you click most with. From there you can take business cards and decide who you want to work with. It can be handy to take a bridesmaid with you who can take pictures of any makeup tests you do.

One Month To Go

With only one month left, it is important that you settle on a makeup artist. You should discuss and confirm the date, time, and location of your wedding with them. With only a few short weeks left, you and your artist should have a final foundation test. If you will be doing any tanning or spray tanning, let them know so they can be adequately prepared for your wedding. During your makeup test with your artist, have a friend (preferably your maid of honor) with you to take pictures. You want to make sure you know how exactly what your makeup routine will consist of.  This can also help you plan your preparation time before your wedding.  It is also good to talk to your makeup artist about your skin type, whether it is oily, dry, or combination. This helps give them an idea of what kind of primer and products they should use for you.  The more prepared your makeup artist will be, the smoother things will run on the actual day.

One Week To Go

With a week left, you want to make sure you confirm again with your makeup artist. It’s good to follow through and keep everyone on the same page. If you will be getting a manicure or pedicure, you should confirm that you have appointments secured. You should also start skipping any oily food or carbonated drinks. Use this last week as a cleansing week so that your skin will be as refreshed as possible. If you do facials, it’s best to do one within the last week so your skin won’t be red or irritated on your wedding day. If you’ve never done a facial, this is not the time to try it out. Opt for a mud masque instead- there’s far less risk of possible irritation. I like the Queen Helene line ($4-$6, drugstores) for at home masques. They are easy to apply and make my skin quite soft.

One Day To Go

The day before your wedding, keep your makeup to a minimum. Keep your skin as clean as possible and make sure to wear sunscreen. Consider it keeping your canvas clear. That eliminates any chance of build up or leftover product on your big day. The day before the wedding is your opportunity to take care of any skin cleansing you may need to do, such as pore unclogging. I like the Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips ($6-$7, drugstores) for clearing out pores. If you have any stray hairs, this is your last chance to pluck them. Any redness will be gone by the next day, and you won’t have to worry about it on the day of your wedding. The night before your wedding, consider putting vitamin E oil or lip conditioner on before going to sleep. Carmex ($2-$4, drugstores) is excellent at moisturizing lips and is quite easy to find. If you lather it on, your lips will be pillow soft in the morning and perfect for your first kiss as a married woman.

 

Five Fashion No-No’s for Bridesmaids

Alright, so you’ve got the dress, you’ve got the date, the only thing left is showing up. As a bridesmaid, your job is to help out your blushing bride, but you should also remember this event will be photographed. Heavily. Here’s a few tips on what to avoid on the big day.

The Accent Nail

Yes, accent nails can be cute, but not on someone else’s big day. This trend took off a little over a year ago and is still popping up, but is not appropriate for a wedding. Unless the bride specifies that she wants accent nails, I would avoid this entirely. Just because it can be fun at bachelorette parties does not mean it will be fun at a formal gathering. It’s best to stick to a classic french tip or a demure shade that compliments the wedding theme.

Pouting

As a bridesmaid, you will be visible at all times and be close to the forefront of the wedding ceremony. To show your support, you should not be moping or pouting. Even if your jaw hurts, you want to convey a sense of happiness and pride for the bride. You are a reflection of her friendships and who she is outside of her relationship. Plus it’s a wedding! Leave your stress at the door and enjoy yourself.

Don’t Go Gaudy

It’s good to stick to simple and smaller for your stint as a bridesmaid. Again, unless your bride specifies against it, lean towards conservative. As far as jewelry and accessories go, definitely aim for pretty and classic. This doesn’t mean basic or boring, just nothing to distract from anything else. Pearls or small topaz stones are appropriate for most outfits and color schemes. Also, try to avoid drop earrings or anything that hangs too long. You want to look as polished as you can to compliment the bride.

Leave the Blushing to the Bride

A wedding is typically an all day affair, and you will be expected to participate all day. Between the dancing, the wine, the sun, and your overall running around, it’s perfectly fine to skip the blush for the day. Your body’s natural blush will be enough to keep you rosy all day long. I would suggest picking up a powder highlighter instead. Cream or liquids may run, but a powder will absorb any extra oils or sweat that may occur over the course of the day. A highlighter on your cheeks is pretty and can offer you a glow in pictures.

Glitter

You’re at a wedding, not a disco. Yes, some shimmer in eyeshadow may make your eyes pop but leave it at that. Ditch the glitter eyeliner until your next girl’s night, over-doing glitter is inappropriate for weddings. It may be fun to wear but this day is about the bride, you should not outshine her. Glitter in your lip gloss doesn’t always photograph well, and you should always stay away from body glitter. There’s no reason to wear body glitter to a formal event ever. Putting a little bit of gold eyeliner in your inner corners can make your eyes look bright and fun without being overpowering or obnoxious.

 

Five July 4th Inspired Wedding Ideas

The 4th of July means something different to everybody. Picnics in the park, barbecues, and of course fireworks, are all memories I’m sure many of us have.  There are so many ways to celebrate this special day on your special day. So I pulled together five great 4th of July inspired wedding ideas:

Let Them Eat Cupcakes: Although you may not want a three tiered red, white, and blue wedding cake, you can however do cupcakes with red, white, and blue icing. You can even place them in clear cupcake boxes. This allows your guests to take their cupcakes home. You have now created an edible souvenir for your guests!

Drink Up: Festive drinks are great no matter the occasion. So why not serve one that will help people celebrate the 4th? Try this 4th of July layered drink, Sobe Pina Colada, Fruit Punch, G2 Blueberry-Pomegranate. It’s not only visually appealing, it’s also delicious.

Dress Code: Give your guests a dress code. Ask them to dress in the colors that represent the 4th. Whether it’s a navy suit, red dress, or a white shoe, it doesn’t matter. Giving your friends this kind of creative freedom may be a little scary. It’s okay to give rules that may help rein in those friends who may take it a little too far. There is such a thing as being too festive.

Kiddie Blankets: If your reception is outside, this tip may be perfect for you. Often times kids aren’t allowed to attend the reception. If by chance you are allowing them to do so, instead of a table for the children, try laying out picnic blankets for the them to sit on. Create a space where they can eat, and make a mess. It’s also helpful for parents who worry about their children spilling on the beautiful tablecloth, or knocking over the centerpieces. This is also great if by chance you’re going to have a fireworks show.

Ending The Night: It’s traditional to throw rice, rose petals, or even blow bubbles. Try bending tradition a little. Give sparklers to your guests to light for your exit. You can then walk down the lit aisle arm in arm with the one you love, and into your wonderful new life that’s sure to be filled with infinite happiness.

“Say Cheese!” Photo Booth from The FotoBox

Good morning Sunday goers.  It is no secret that I am totally head over heels for photo booths. Yep, the place where  amazing posed and candid shots happen, and awesome photos are created. It is the type of place that I like to be. What can be better that capturing fun images of you and your guests? Oh, and all the silly crazy props that go along with them? THAT is really the best part. You can be as silly as can be, and capture that amazing moment. Today I am super excited for today’s feature, introducing The FotoBox.  A photo booth company which offer booths and ” booth-less” spaces. Yes, an awesome open space with cool backgrounds and props to make all your photo booths dreams come true. Yes, The FotoBox is like that. Ready to have some fun with a touch of silliness? I know I am. Enjoy!

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About The FotoBox

The FotoBox is a San Diego based photo rental company started by a husband and wife team who wanted a photo booth at their wedding. We are a hit at all sorts of events – the perfect party favor that captures the excitement of your event! We offer all-inclusive packages and beat out our competitors with our spacious open air booth with scene options and custom audio.

The FotoBox proudly provides a full-service photo booth experience for all. We are proud of our dependable service and superior value offered to our event consumers, ensuring a memorable experience for all. 

All of our packages include everything: props, a guestbook made on-the-spot by an attendant, 2 attendants for the entire rental period, custom center strip, custom audio (we pre-record the bride and groom’s voice so it is their voices talking to their guests at their wedding), online hosting with password protect or Facebook options, and unlimited photos on 5×7 paper (larger paper than the other companies out there) where one copy goes to the guests as a party favor and the other copy is taped into the guestbook where the guests write a comment to the couple.

 

Something Borrowed, Something….Emerald Green!

Emerald Green Bridesmaid

Emerald Green Bridesmaid

The Pantone ‘color of 2013’ is versatile & fresh enough to bring into your wedding plans even if your wedding date is in 2015! As a main color, Emerald Green can be considered a neutral background or canvas to juxtapose splashes of vibrant colors against, such as fuchsia, orange, teal, lime green, or red. As a detail color, the possibilities are endless. Here, we will explore some ideas & benefits to choosing this timeless jewel tone.

1. Consider emerald green bridesmaid dresses. This color looks fantastic on absolutely every skin tone. Just look at the red carpet for proof: Julianne Moore, Angelina Jolie, & Viola Davis have all stunned in it. Pair orange roses for contrast or red shoes for an unexpected twist!

2. If you’re getting married on a golf course, you’ll be surrounded by yards of emerald green grass, so you may want to go with another color for your bridesmaids, so they don’t get lost! However, consider using emerald green in your invitations, thank you notes, photo album cover, and other wedding correspondence to ensure continuity of your theme & venue. When your guests receive your thank-you note, the green will remind them subconsciously of what a beautiful, well planned event they attended.

3. Use emerald green foliage to ‘fill out’ your floral elements. Have your florist add extra fern stalks, palm fronds, birds of paradise leaves, (you get the idea) to your venue arrangements for a super lush look. For a modern garden style wedding, consider setting a potted topiary at the end of each aisle. Cutting back on blooms and adding more foliage might also save you some paper green!

4. Have some fun with your signature cocktails by adding Midori or green food coloring to the mix. Ask your DJ if they can bathe the dance floor in emerald green for your couples dance. Extra points if they have green lasers for a club vibe when the music picks up later in the night. Order your favors in emerald green. Group them together for a visual impact, or place at each table setting with some emerald green in the centerpiece.

Emerald bracelets

5. Wear this precious gem for sentiment (& good luck!) if your or your groom’s birthday is in May, if you’re getting married in May, or if there are some cherished emerald pieces in your family collection. To top it off, gift your groom with emerald cuff-links to match!

The almighty Emerald is sure to keep your wedding scheme modern and fresh. Be careful not to over-do it, or you’ll end up with a Wizard of Oz / Emerald City vibe (unless you are going for that, and in that case, please invite me!).

 

Photos courtesy of Brandon Wong photography.