The Happy Couple

Your wedding day was perfect and you are officially a newlywed. The excitement has settled in and now you’re not quite sure what to do. Well here are a few tips to keep that romance and excitement going.

Be patient (although it’s not always easy)

Be a good listener

Discuss major decisions and don’t act on them alone

Make time for one another (this one is key)

Set goals and talk about the future so that there are no surprises

Understand one another and your differences

Forgive and don’t hold a grudge (no one is perfect)

Have fun

Set date nights

Support your spouse

Use words of encouragement

Compliment one another

Help each other (chores, dinner, etc.)

Wedding Dresses Long Ago

It’s hard to believe how weddings and bride’s have evolved over time. Years ago women left nothing to be revealed. Veils and dresses covered the bride from head to toe. Centuries later women show more skin in their wedding gowns. Prices have also gone up significantly through the years. How is it that so much has changed over time? It seems to me wedding dresses get bigger, longer, and pricier. My mother-in-law told me that she did not have much money for a wedding dress and so when it came time for her to purchase her dress she went to a small store. Her dress was simple and white, just reaching the floor and cost her a whopping $40. My mother purchased her wedding gown from a JCPenny catalog in 1984 for $350. Why is it that we are so willing to pay any price for that perfect dress? The answer is simple, we want to look our best. Just some food for thought as you are out shopping for your wedding dress.

Engagement Photo Outfits

Looking for some cute outfits to wear for your engagement session? Well look no further! These outfits are bound to give you some inspiration. If you are interested in the dresses below please visit Anthropologie for more information.

Find Your Wedding Style

Curious to know what your wedding style is? Try taking the quiz on Brides.com. Find out what your dream wedding consists of by answering a few questions.

Wedding Style Quiz

How to Pack for the Honeymoon

Not sure what to wear on your honeymoon… so you pack everything, pants, skirts, dresses, and jackets you know just in case it get’s down to 30 degrees in the Bahamas. Sound like you? No matter where you’re going you want to bring the essential items for your trip. Each destination has a different dress code. Many women tend to “over pack.” A simple checklist of the items needed will help ensure you don’t over pack or under pack. One tip I love to give is leave a little bit of room in your suitcase when going on your trip. Chances are you will be buying a souvenir or two. We don’t always think about that when packing our suitcase. Below is a checklist you may need when packing for trips. The Knot has a great printable checklist for any trip. Martha Stewart has great information about planning for your honeymoon. It discusses budget, researching, what to do before leaving the house, and more. Check out these worthy sites for more helpful information on honeymoons!

The Knot Honeymoon Checklist

Martha Stewart

Gown Trends

Hey it’s spring, do you know what that means? It means wedding gown designers have released their spring collection. What’s in? Bows! Bows are the new trend in wedding gown fashion. They are seen on many of the latest designer fashions. Priscilla of Boston, Vera Wang, Angel Sanchez, and Badgley Mischka are among the few that have incorporated bows in their designs. “They are a fun and whimsical look and are used as a focal point,” says an unknown source. Bows are said to be flattering and enhance a woman’s figure. For more inspiration check out Angel Sanchez’s Collection. Many of his gowns have a great deal of detail. If he isn’t incorporating bows, he has tulle, feathers, or beading.

The Best Wedding Registries

We all know before the big day you choose a couple of wedding registries for shower gifts as well as wedding gifts. But who do you choose? Why? What do they have to offer? Below are five great registries and some not so great registries. Check them out before you choose. You may be surprised to find some companies and stores will exceed your expectations and some may not.

Top Five Wedding Registries

1. Pottery Barn: Why you ask? They provide you with registry cards to enclose in shower invitations, sent to your house for free! Or you can download them, personalize them and print them. They provide a guide of things you may need for you and your new hubby.You can download a free printable checklist of the items you may want to registry or may not be thinking about. Gifts are very easy to return, even if your guest has not given you a gift receipt. Receive 10% off of all items left on your registry (wait until the end because they will only give you the 10% once). Need we say more?

2. Williams-Sonoma: When you register for specific items  or with certain vendors, you can receive free offers. If you register with them they offer free technique classes, product demonstrations, cooking classes, and book signings. Okay that last one was cool in itself. Williams-Sonoma now has Williams-Sonoma Home. Now you can find something for every room and not just your kitchen!

3. Bed Bath & Beyond: Their return policy is a breeze. You can create your very own personal wedding website. The website allows you to plan, budget, and create seating arrangements with ease. Their website is also very user friendly for guests and yourself.

4. Crate & Barrel: Offer wedding parties at many locations so that you can try new products, enjoy food, music, and have the opportunity to have experts answer questions and help you register. They have an online guide book as well as a flip-book (idea book) of objects to register for.

5. Macy’s: They have a registry reward system where you can get 5%-10% in rewards. You get 10% in rewards when you use your Macy’s card and 5% in rewards when guests purchase items off of your registry. Macy’s also provides a checklist of items you may not be thinking about. Sometimes you just forget to register for that potato peeler.

Maybe Think Twice…

1. Target: From personal experience as well as comments from other users, you may want to rethink using Target. They do not allow you to return items over $20 without a gift receipt. It does not matter who gave it to you, how many times you beg them, or if you have three toasters. They will not take back anything without the receipt.

2. Tiffany & Co. : Although a reputable company and well sought after not everyone has hundreds of dollars to spend on the beautiful couple.

Do your research before registering. Look to see what each company will provide and what their incentives are. Many companies go out of their way for their customers. I don’t know about you, but I want some serious service especially when I will be making that company a lot of money. Good luck and happy shopping!

Color Your Wedding

What colors are in this wedding season? Creams (golds) and gray seem to be quite the popular duo. Both colors are elegant and go with everything. If you’re not a fan of the gray, you may want to consider cream. Cream is subtle and warm, it can be paired with several if not all colors. The right shades of blue/grays can make quite the statment as well. When choosing the colors of your wedding, be sure and have colors that compliment one another. For instance, if you choose a pink, think about a color on the opposite side of the color wheel, like brown. Having a lighter color paired with a darker color will really allow things to stand out. Brides.com has a very neat tool that allows you to combine and look at many color palettes togther. They give you tips and suggestions on what colors to pair together.

The Best of Designer Wedding Dresses

Looking for that perfect wedding dress? After much research, I have come to find that Priscilla of Boston has some of the most fashionable and unique designer wedding dresses on the runway. Their dresses come in several silhouettes, necklines, and are custom created to ensure the perfect fit. The spring 2009 collection is one of the best lines I have seen and these high-end gowns are one of a kind and will have your wedding guests asking where you purchased your dress. With five lines (Priscilla of Boston, Melissa Sweet, Platinum, Vineyard, and Reverie), there is a large assortment to choose from. Want sleeves on your gown? No problem, they will create the dress you want with the features that you request.

Priscilla of Boston also has a bridal party line, including bridesmaid dresses as well as flower girl dresses. The dresses come in an assortment of colors and lengths. Again, the dresses are custom fit so that you look your best! Check their designer gowns out! I will guarantee you will fall in love with these dresses, bridal gowns, and bridal party.

Priscilla of Boston currently has fourteen signature salons and a fifteenth coming to Orlando, Florida. If you are not near one of those locations, they have retail partners nationwide. Many bridal stores will carry one or all of the lines. However, be sure and make an appointment with the salon. This will ensure you will have their undivided attention and the staff can better serve you.

The Perfect Wedding Hair

Need some wedding hair inspiration? Check out these eight fab hair styles by some of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. Whatever you’re looking for, up-dos or leaving your hair down, hair stylists usually will ask for pictures to get an idea of what you want. Your hair style on your wedding day is important and why wouldn’t it be? You want to look your best and feel it too! I have done the research for you! I found a few websites I thought were worth looking in to, so check them out. See if you see any hair that inspires you. All five websites seemed redeemable to me. Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know what you think of the websites. It helps having feedback and let’s me know if the information provided is helpful.

1. The Bridal Beauty Salon

2. The Knot

3. The Wedding Channel

4. Webshots Entertainment

5. Model Bride

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