Congratulations! You are officially a bride-to-be! You’re getting ready to embark on an exciting new journey with your fiancé. As you start your voyage, you will be checking off your wedding to-do list one by one. Like many future brides, selecting your dream wedding dress is a obviously a top priority.

According to the Bridal Association of America (BAA), there are 2.3 million weddings a year. Likewise, 2.3 million gowns purchased. On average, $1,505 is spent on the bride’s gown… and that doesn’t include accessories. On the low end, wedding dresses can range from $200 or less, but most brides should expect to pay between $500 and $1,000 at a bridal shop. Custom made designer dresses go for between $2,000 and $7,000 in silk, sometimes with elaborate embellishments of hand-stitched lace or beading.

With the amount of money you’re about to invest in a gown for your once-in-a-lifetime event, you want to make sure you’re choosing the most flattering gown that enhances the beauty of you and your body.

Choosing the perfect bridal gown takes time. Although most are very inticing (especially if you’re a fashion guru), don’t be swayed by trends. You don’t want to look back on your photos and say, “What was I thinking?!” a couple years from now. With wedding dresses, it’s very important to remember to stay true to your style and your body.

Female body shapes are usually categorized into four geometric shapes; apple, pear, linear and hourglass. Below, I’ve listed the four body types with do’s and don’ts for select the best wedding dress style for your shape.

Apple

Apples generally have broad shoulders and narrow hips; bigger on the top half and smaller on the bottom half. They commonly have slim hips and a large chest and stomach.

Do: Seek a tea length, a-line or empire dress which re-proportions the figure and draws the eye up towards the bust. A strapless a-line with a V or scoop neck with detailing adds a slimming effect.

Don’t: Avoid ball-gown dress styles which emphasize the area where your body is widest and flare out at the legs and the knees, where you are most slender.

Pear

Pear-shaped women tend to have larger lower bodies and smaller upper bodies. Hips are slightly wider than shoulders.

Do: Look for princess-seam and a-line silhouettes such as an empire dress or ball gown. These dresses cinch in at the smallest point on the waistline with a constructed empire-waist, flaring out into a gradual a-shape. Choose a slenderizing neckline with a deep V, scoop-neck or bateau that will draw eyes in a vertical direction, elongating the body.

Don’t: Steer clear of dresses made from sheath, or dresses with trumpet and mermaid silhouettes that will draw greater attend to your lower body.

Linear

Linear shaped women are lean with long legs and the shoulder width is equal to the hip width.

Do: Opt for a dress that will create curves, such as a mermaid and trumpet silhouette. These dresses flare into a full hemline. Also, try a ball gown that cinches in at your natural waist and descends into a full, flowing floor-length skirt. Ball gowns will do a great job at camouflaging your lack of hips. Choose creative necklines.

Don’t: Shun soft sheaths – they cling to your body and lack curves.

Hourglass

Hourglasses have well-proportioned upper and lower bodies with a distinctively narrow waist. These women tend to have large breasts, short small waist, big hips and large thighs.

Do: Select a two-piece dress with a corset to enhance the hourglass figure. Anything that accentuates the waist, such as a dropped-waist a-line or flat-front, ballgown silhouette will flatter the body. Beautiful ball gowns and corseted bodices normally work for the bust line.

Don’t: Navigate away from fitted wedding gowns that are unconstructed or clingy.

It’s important to know what wedding dress styles most enhance your figure, but remember to try on styles you normally would walk away from. Now is your time to try on everything and anything before your big day. You never know what will strike you and fully enhance your features.

AUTHOR BIO: Lauren Horn is a freelance writer for a variety of companies (including a few Bridal Shops in Austin) with a passion for fashion. She loves helping future brides-to-be find the perfect gown for their once-in-a-lifetime event.

I a recent post entitled Dangerous Wedding Traditions, I wrote about how some wedding traditions have become outdated because we realize that they are dangerous. An example is throwing rice after the ceremony is over. This is now known to be dangerous for birds.

Another tradition we touched on was including firearms in the wedding ceremony. This is dangerous for everyone involved. In my recent post, I talked about an Italian wedding where the photographer was tragically killed by the bride or groom. Sadly, there has been another tragic wedding event that gives further evidence that this tradition is one that should go by the wayside.

This past weekend, at a wedding in Turkey, the bride and groom were observing the same tradition: shooting off firearms at their wedding. This time they were AK-47 guns. As you can imagine, with a gun of that power, the danger is amplified. The groom lost control of the firearm, killing three guests and injuring six others. The groom’s father and two of his aunts were killed. Among those injured were three children from the ages of ten to sixteen. The groom was arrested, and the family was obviously devastated by the event.

In my opinion (and I think many would agree), this wedding tradition is not worth the risk involved. A wedding is supposed to be a joyous occasion, not one filled with tragedy and regret.

Image via Wikipedia

These days everyone is looking for a bargain, as well they should. The changes in the economy have not been easy for much of the world. So, what does this mean for a newly engaged couple? Time to start saving! The truth is, you really can plan an awesome wedding on a budget. You just have to prioritize, and maybe cut back a little — but nothing too important.

Here are 3 budget tips to help with your wedding plans:

1. Negotiate!!

You’re not the only one feeling the burden of this recession. Vendors are feeling it too, and they just might be willing to tighten up their pricing in exchange for your business. You are spending thousands of dollars, sometimes even in one place. Good negotiation tactics can save you hundreds.

The best way to arm yourself for wedding negotiations is to leave the ‘w’ word out of it, at least at first. Start by finding out how much that vendor would charge for their services if it were a plain old birthday party you were planning. Keep in mind, some services do differ from a birthday party to a wedding; but this will give you a starting price — then you can add the “wedding stuff” and know exactly how much more it’ll cost you.

Some vendors (not all) up the price for a wedding simply because they think they can. This negotiation tactic will help keep them in-check, as they’ll have to explain why they are charging more for the wedding stuff. There could be good reason, but hey, it’s your money, you deserve to know where it’s going!

A word of caution: It’s fine to hold-out on telling a vendor that you are planning a wedding, but don’t let it go too far. Remember, you’re hiring them because they’re experts at what they do: they can’t help you plan if they don’t really know planning for.

2. Be Unconventional

Taking a few unconventional steps in planning your wedding can give your day that unique one-of-a-kind feeling, but it can also save you money! Try shopping for a white dress at your favorite clothing boutique — notice I didn’t say wedding dress. Instead of a pricey wedding cake, maybe you have a pretty display of yummy cupcakes. Another way to save is to have your wedding somewhere that is already decorated, like a lavish garden, or a nice beach. Whatever you choose, if you stray even slightly from the traditional, you can stand to save some big bucks!

3. Remember, Timing is Everything!

If you’re one of the many brides who sees herself walking down the aisle on one of the sunny days of June, you can also expect to pay top dollar. On the other hand, if you plan your wedding off-season, like say October or February, you can save some serious dough. In the off-months, venues struggle to find events to fill their calendar — so they will be willing to offer quite a deal.

Just like any other type of tradition, weddings have their own set of sometimes quirky, sometimes meaningful rituals that we perform because — well,  it’s just what you do. But as we evolve as a civilization, and learn things that me may not have known before, we sometimes need to make a few tweaks to long-standing traditions.

One example is how it used to be commonplace for guests to throw rice at the bride and groom after their nuptials. This tradition has been around since early Roman times, and it symbolizes prosperity. But, recently we’ve learned that dry rice could be dangerous for the birds who would feast on it after the guests have gone. The birds would feast until their stomachs were full or until the rice was gone. Sadly, they would then have trouble when the rice expanded in their little bellies. Nowadays, we substitute things like bubbles or confetti to keep the birds safe.

In southern Italy, it is a tradition for the bride and groom to shoot off a firearms at their wedding celebration. Or, they may plan an elaborate display of fireworks. I don’t know if there are any plans to tone-down these traditions, but it seem that it may time to think of alternatives. Recently, at a wedding in Sicily, the wedding photographer was tragically killed by an accidental shot fired by the bride or groom. This is just one tragic example of how people are hurt, or even killed by a dangerous tradition.

Traditions are great, and can add meaning to an already memorable day, but we need to remember that a wedding should be a joyous time for everyone. It’s a time to celebrate like you never have before, but play it safe and keep dangerous traditions out of the mix.

Plan for a Flawless Face in Wedding Photos

Wedding pictures hold some of the happiest memories of a lifetime, so be sure you consider all the angles when preparing to be photographed on the big day.

In the weeks and months leading up to the wedding…

Plan your procedures ahead- it’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of tastings, fittings and appointments and forget to schedule facial treatments until the last minute. Don’t be tempted to get microdermabrasion or chemical peels within at least a month of the event, depending on the exact type of laser or peel. Laser resurfacing “heals within days and normal color returns within a few weeks- if that long” according to Dr. Edward Lack (Chicago liposuction). Even a simple facial shouldn’t be considered in the last few days leading up. Call well ahead of time and discuss this with the technician.

Practice good skin health- stay hydrated and eat healthfully leading up to the event. Don’t try new skincare products, or anything that may irritate your skin. Anticipate your skin’s history, and treat it accordingly depending on changes your skin may experience in the climate or weather that’s expected at the venue.

For the big day…

Start with a good base- be sure that your foundation is the right color and formulation for your skin. You may feel like you should use a heavy cream or stick foundation since you’re being photographed, but heavier formulas will look caked on and are more likely leave a line of demarcation around the neck and hairline that’s tougher to blend away. Just stick with the liquid or powder that works for you, and be sure it’s properly matched to your color. No one wants to look washed out, but it can also age you a bit if your base is too dark for you. Color correcting concealers, like green or yellow for redness, and peach or yellow for undereye circles are a much better choice than simply layering on more makeup. Remember that redness will be easily picked up in photographs so take care to balance that out, and stay away from more pink based foundations.

Avoid the shiny look- glitter will reflect too much on camera, and shouldn’t be worn to a nice event like a wedding anyway. Radiance-enhancing or shimmery foundations make faces look too slick and shiny for photos, so if you must, only keep the sheen on cheekbones and the cupid’s bow for highlighting purposes. Always finish the t-zone with powder, which is especially important to balance any highlighting applied. If you know you’re more oily, pop pressed powder in your bag so that you stay shine free.

The eyes have it- keep in mind that darker eyeshadows and heavy liner make eyes look smaller. A matte or pearl shadow formula will be universally flattering and especially in warm, earthy tones. To keep eyes looking big and bright, highlight the inner corners and brow bone with an off-white, light pink or pale gold shadow or crayon. The older you are, the more important it is to stay fast to the no shimmer rule, as it tends to bring attention to fine lines. Black eyeliner can also look too harsh for older women (same goes for liquid liner) and fair blondes are more suited for eyeliner and mascara in the brown tones. Don’t forget to make sure brows are properly framing the face- everyone looks better and younger with defined brows. Fill the arches with powder or if using a pencil, blend with a brush. Brow color and size are important considerations here, so don’t forget to use a light hand and blend.

Consider your venue and lighting- do take the time to stop and think about if the event/ photos will be taking place indoors or out, and at what time of day. Indoor photos will be taken with flash, so it’s important to use powder to combat shine and to also be sure foundation is matched well. If outdoors, soften makeup a bit as it can easily look too heavy or harsh. Also adjust your makeup look for more formal locations, and later times in the evening. When considering these factors, you will want to use more color and definition over simply adding more makeup.

Keeping these ideas in mind, remember its always most important to look like yourself and feel comfortable on your wedding day. These techniques will help ensure you look flawless both in person and in photographs for years to come.

Content provided by Sarah Logan on behalf of ASI, which is a beauty school offering a wide range of skin care classes, from waxing to medical esthetics.

photo credit: Ellen Munro

For one, wedding favors are a nice way for you to thank your guests. After all, they have come from near and far to celebrate your big day with you – you don’t want to send them off empty handed. But when did this tradition start? And why do we give the wedding favors we do?

Well, the tradition is a very old one. It isn’t known exactly who gave the first wedding favor, but the tradition is said to have been started by European aristocrats many, many moons ago. The first wedding favors were called bonbonnieres. They were small trinket boxes made of porcelain or crystal, and in some rare cases they were even made of precious stone. Inside these boxes were sugar-coated treats – a rare and expensive gift of the time.

Back when the tradition first started, only the wealthiest people were able to offer such gifts to their wedding guests. As sugar became more affordable, wedding favors became popular among the masses. The decadent bonbonnieres were replaced with sugared almonds, also known as Jordan almonds.

Jordan almonds are still a popular choice for today’s wedding favors. Some people appreciate the tradition, while others feel it is a more dated approach. Thankfully, the wedding favor has evolved since the early days. It is still common to give edible treats but it is also acceptable to give a more functional favor, like a candle or a set of coasters. Some brides and grooms even make their own wedding favors – if they desire a more homemade touch.

The exact favors you choose will depend on the tone and theme of your wedding as well as your own personal taste. You really can’t go wrong. The only rule is: don’t send your guests home empty-handed!

Regardless of your reasoning, once the decision is made to hire a wedding planner, you will need to start interviewing. Below is a handy list of the top 5 questions, courtesy of Austin Wedding Blog, that you should ask your wedding planner BEFORE you sign any contracts.

1. How long have you been a full time wedding coordinator?

2. Are you a certified wedding planner? If so, where did you get certified?

3. Do you charge hourly, a flat rate, or a percentage of my overall budget? If hourly, also ask whetherall comminunications (like phone calls and meetings) are included in the rate

4. Will you personally be coordinating on the day of the wedding, or do you employ other people to help?

5. What is the largest wedding you’ve managed?

photo credit: kthypryn

But on the other hand, when will you have another opportunity to address all of your closest friends and relatives all at once?

Here are some tips for those brides who want to put into words all of the joy in their heart on that special day.

1. Unless you’re very experienced at public speaking, don’t wing it! All of your guests will be hanging on your every word, plan ahead to make sure all those words are going to mean something.
2. Practice, practice, practice! Now don’t get me wrong, this speech should not be a source of stress. But knowing exactly what you’re going to say can help to make you less nervous when the time comes for your speech.
3. Make it heartfelt. If you’re a natural jokester, by all means give ‘em a good one! But don’t try for laughs if that’s not your thing. Speak from your heart. Tell them how special this day is to you and how much you appreciate them being there to share in the celebration.
4. Plan your toast for early in the reception.  This way you can be sure that you haven’t had a drink too many before you stand up to address everyone. It actually is a common problem, and one that we see often with best man speeches. The speaker is nervous and has a drink or two… or three to calm their nerves. Plan ahead to avoid this potentially embarrassing pitfall!
5. Remember that everyone is there because they love you and your new hubby! You will never have a better audience than this! These people are there because they want to share your happiest moments. Hopefully that will help calm your nerves.

For example: You’ve got your eye on a lovely diamond wedding ring set. Do you know what the social and environmental impact of their production was? I’d guess most people would answer no. But instead of focusing on what potentially could be wrong, I’d like to give you some tips to help guide your purchase in an environmentally and socially responsible way.

Choosing the Band:

If you can use an heirloom piece, you’re a lucky bride! Not only will it have sentimental value, but it will also eliminate any additional impact on the environment.

If you do need to buy a ring, consider recycled metal. Gold mining is environmentally destructive. Re-purposing (in this case, melting and re-molding) old jewelry is a great way to minimize the impact on the environment – without skimping on quality. Another really cool alternative is to use a different material, like wood, for your wedding rings.

Check out this eco-friendly wedding ring from Simply Wood Rings. The band is made completely from wood, and the stone is a salvaged diamond. Isn’t it amazing?

Choosing the Stone

The most environmentally friendly way to incorporate a stone into your ring would be to use one that has already been mined. Look through your old jewelry to see if there is something you can use. Maybe you have a pendant that you can take a stone from. It doesn’t even have to be a diamond, unless you really want it to be. How great would it be if you used a stone from the first piece of jewelry your husband-to-be ever bought for you?

If you must have a new diamond in your engagement ring, please do some research on the jeweler you plan to purchase from. You want to make sure that the diamond was mined using fair labor practices. Fortunately, the majority of diamonds in the market today will have documentation warranting that they were sourced through legitimate channels. Ask your jeweler about their policy and any documentation they may have. If you are wondering why fair labor practices are important, rent the movie ‘Blood Diamond’, or check out this Wikipedia article.

A little tip that may help you in your research: The more information a jeweler can give you on their sourcing, the better. This means that they are actively involved in researching their sources. It also means they care, which is important.

As an excersize, check out Blue Nile’s policy vs. Tiffany’s. Which one do you feel better about buying from?

Finding a diamond ring that is both recycled and mined using fair trade practices may prove to be a little more difficult. Here is a gorgeous one from Precious Earth Jewelry (learn about their diamond production process and their recycled metal guarantee)

I’ve mentioned a few resources for buying a wedding ring in an environmentally and socially responsible way, but there are other great ones out there. Try a search on Google for terms like: conflict free, fair labor, or eco-friendly wedding ring.

Of course that doesn’t cover my favorite environmentally friendly choice, the heirloom piece, but sadly we’re not all lucky enough to have one.

Image via Wikipedia

I am proud to announce the launch of our new video series ‘Quick Tips for Your Wedding Theme’ with the introduction of the three ‘Quick Tips’ videos. As promised, these videos provide quick tips, and also some visual stimulation that we hope will inspire you to create your dream wedding in the theme of your choice. I’ve included the videos below so I hope you can take a moment to watch and enjoy! If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to share them!

The first video in the series is focused on black and white themed weddings. The black and white color scheme is so popular because of its simplistic elegance. It isn’t difficult to pull off a stylish black and white themed wedding but it sure can create a sophisticated atmosphere. View our ‘Quick Tips for Planning a Black and White Themed Wedding’ video below.

Similar to the black and white theme, calla lily themed weddings are also extremely elegant. The flower itself is a popular choice for that reason, and because of its surprising hardiness – even after being cut! View our ‘Quick Tips for Planning a Calla Lily Themed Wedding’ video below.

And last but certainly not least, we feature tips for planning a butterfly themed wedding. The butterfly, widely viewed as a symbol of new hope, or new beginnings, is the perfect symbol to use for your wedding. We hope you find our ‘Quick Tips for Planning a Butterfly Themed Wedding’ video helpful!

Be on the lookout for more videos to come. You’ll find them on our YouTube channel, our Facebook page and on Partease.com.