Put Your Best Foot Forward With Bridal Footwear

While a bride's gown, hairstyle and other accoutrements are the first things others see when she walks down the aisle, it's what she wears on her feet that may make the most impact on her wedding day.

That's because a comfortable bride is often a happy bride. And as anyone who has squeezed into too-tight shoes knows, one's mood can certainly turn sour if feet are covered with blisters and walking is uncomfortable.

While many brides are quick to pick the most beautiful shoes for their wedding day, perhaps they should choose more based on comfort than aesthetics. That said, there are still plenty of options that are beautiful as well as comfortable.

Deciding on a Style

Shoes come in many styles that can complement a wedding day look.

Closed toe: These shoes are completely enclosed and may be prefered for the bride who wants to wear a full stocking. They create an unbroken line from the gown to the floor. They're also elegant and ideal for winter weddings.

Peep toe: This offers the benefits of a closed-toe shoe with a little peek of toe. They're often considered sexy and sweet.

Open toe: These sandal-like shoes are best worn in warm weather and without stockings for a clean look. Brides should be sure to splurge on a pedicure so their toes look neat and perfect.

Slingback: These shoes expose the heel for a little bit of drama. Make sure they fit well otherwise the heel strap may slide down and become a nuisance.

Choose Heel Height

Many brides want to be the belle of the ball, and to them high heels seem to be the way to achieve this. However, choosing a lower heel or a flat may be a smart move where comfort is involved. A word of advice is to choose the lowest heel possible, which helps avoid snags on a gown or unsteady traversing down the aisle or up and down church steps. Lower heels are also much more comfortable for dancing.

Breaking in Shoes

It is recommended to choose shoes prior to a last fitting so that the gown length can be adjusted depending upon the height of the heel. Purchasing shoes early also gives brides a chance to break in their shoes. Wearing the shoes around the house and scuffing up the soles not only makes them more comfortable and less slip-worthy, it gives brides practice walking in them. Plus, if upon breaking in the shoes she finds they aren't what she hoped for, a new pair of shoes can be purchased. Remember, feet tend to swell as the day goes on, so brides may want to choose a shoe a half-size bigger for comfort later on.

Bait and Switch

Some brides prefer to sweat out the ceremony and pictures in one pair of less comfortable shoes and then switch into a pair of satin slippers or even sneakers for the remainder of the celebration. When favors or flowers are dropped off at the reception, a friend can tuck these switch-out shoes under the bride's seat so that she can change into them at her convenience.

Wedding Traditions

Brides can create wedding memories by taking their shoes and having them bronzed, just like parents used to do with baby shoes. They can also have all of the unmarried bridesmaids sign their names on the soles of the shoes. The last name left that hasn't worn off after the end of the wedding is the next person who will be getting married. Some brides prefer to wear shoes that match their wedding color or offer that "something blue."

Courtesy of Metro Creative Connection

Cutting Your Wedding Cakes: Do's and Don't

I found this at my good friends Divas and Weddings. I thought it was a good one to share.

I found an article today that I thought was very informative and well written in regards to the traditional cutting of your wedding cake. The article was found on WeddingCakeCreations.com

Weddings are heavy with tradition and symbolism and cutting the wedding cake is certainly among the most significant acts that the married couple will do at the reception hall. It is a moment that symbolizes so many things including the couple’s fertility, the first act performed together and the beginning of their new life. It is a sentimental moment that is also very festive and merry. In order to make sure that the cutting of the wedding cake goes off without a hitch, here are a few tips for you to follow:

Dos:

1. Make sure that the timing is appropriate. If you are hosting a brunch or tea, cut the cake just after the guests have gone through the receiving line. If you are throwing a lunch or supper reception then cut the cake after supper and just before the desserts are served.
2. Make sure to get everyone’s attention by either having your MC announce the event or by replaying the first dance song. Then have someone from the bridal party – typically the best man make a toast to the couple.
3. Cut the cake with the groom’s right hand gently holding the bride’s right hand – and make sure to slice through the bottom layer!
4. Feed one another from the slice you cut. Typically the groom will first feed the bride and then the bride will feed the groom.
5. Make sure that the bride serves the groom’s parents a piece of cake and that the groom serves the bride’s parents a piece of cake.
6. Designate a friend or someone from the catering staff to cut and serve the rest of the cake to your guests.
7. Make sure that the photographer and videographer are aware of the event before cutting the wedding cake.
8. Try to use a special silver cake knife – either an heirloom or one that you purchase especially for the occasion.

Don’ts:

* Although some people like to smash cake into each other’s faces, it is not a very elegant or dignified thing to do. Not only will it ruin the bride’s makeup (which in many cases was applied professionally) but as this is the first act that the couple performs as husband and wife, it does not bode well for a future of wedded bliss – besides, everything you do will be captured on film and video for generations to come.

If there is a sweet table being served at a wedding, it is generally opened with the cutting of the cake. After this tasty ceremony it is time to hit the dance floor and truly enjoy this day on which you begin your new lives together.

Making your day Favorably special!

LeRon
admin@toyouafavorweddingblog.com
www.toyouafavor.com

Packing Right for Your Winter Honeymoon

Packing Right for Your Winter Honeymoon


(ARA) - You made it through the wedding, so now comes the relaxing part -- your romantic honeymoon in a faraway destination. But what do you pack and how much do you need? Gone are the days of multiple suitcases stacked at the doorway to accompany you on your flight. With airlines charging fees for checked luggage, today’s friendly skies will only allow you just so much, so you’d better make the most of your checked bag and your carry-on.

There are three basic honeymoon destination types: the beach, the mountains and the city. Each one requires careful pre-planning on your part to make sure you have enough, but not so much that you wind up forking over extra cash at your airline’s check-in counter.

If the beach is your destination -- a great choice for all the northerners who spend most of the winter digging their driveways out from under mounds of snow -- there’s a chance that you may have to carry on all your items if you or your spouse want to bring along the golf clubs. But have no fear, it can be done.

“Chances are you’re just going to be at the pool most of the day, so two swimsuits, a wrap or two and flip-flops will take care of most of your daytime needs,” says Anne Hankey, a fashion marketing & management instructor at The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago.

Hankey also suggests neutral T-shirts, sexy dresses that can be dressed up or down, shorts, a couple of skirts and a pair of casual and dressy sandals. Don’t forget your sunglasses, a small, unique “statement bag” and a big bag you can use as a carry-on, on the plane and as your beach bag once you get to your destination. If you have room, Hankey also suggests a big collapsible hat, but you can always buy one when you land.

And what do you wear on the plane when you’re taking off in sub-zero weather and landing in a heat wave? “My favorite trick is to wear black exercise clothes,” says Stephanie Schuller, fashion marketing and management instructor at The Illinois Institute of Art -- Chicago. “They’ll insulate you so in cold weather they’ll keep you warm and they can keep you from sweating in warm weather because they are designed to regulate your body temperature when you work out.”

If you decide to head to a winter ski resort on your honeymoon, you can still keep your bulkier winter wear to a minimum. Hankey suggests you pack your ski boots with your skis in your checked luggage. “Wear your ski parka on the plane with a nice pair of jeans, a sweater and casual boots.

Bring two pairs of leggings and a few thermal T-shirts to layer under your parka when you hit the slopes and don’t forget your socks, gloves and ski goggles. “Pack a few sparkly tops or tank tops that you can pair with the jeans you wore on the plane and don’t forget your swimsuit for the hot tub,” says Hankey.

Schuller also suggests a matte jersey dress that can be rolled up and won’t wrinkle for one special night out. Just throw in a pair of dressy heels to wear with the dress and jeans and a pair of flip-flops for the hot tub and you’re ready to go.

If you decide to jet off to a destination like Paris or New York for your honeymoon, Schuller stresses you should not forget to bring along a pair of comfortable and stylish shoes on your journey.

“You can pack a little more, because you won’t have golf clubs or skis in tow,” says Hankey. She suggests you wear jeans and flats on the plane, along with a simple sweater and dressy jacket or coat. Bring a pashmina in a fashionable bag as your carry-on.

Your suitcase should contain a couple of simple dresses. “Wrap dresses work very well because you can roll them up,” says Hankey. Don’t forget your basic black slacks and a variety of thin tops and sweaters that can be dressed up or down. “Jewelry and a Hermes scarf can really transform an outfit,” she points out.

No matter the destination, Hankey stresses that you should always take along travel size toiletries -- they’re usually under the three-ounce carry-on limit and take up little room in your checked bags.

Schuller adds, “Don’t forget to allow room for souvenirs, because if you over-pack,
Both Hankey and Schuller have one last piece of advice: don’t forget the lingerie. As Schuller points out “it’s not like it takes up a lot of room.”

To learn more about The Art Institutes, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.



Courtesy of ARAcontent

Bliss-building Money Tips for Newlyweds

Bliss-building Money Tips for Newlyweds


(ARA) – You’re finalizing wedding plans and are eager to sip champagne with your guests. But are you and your fiance prepared to marry your financial lives together once the "I do’s" are said, and you've returned home from your honeymoon in paradise


Poll after poll shows that disagreements over finances are the No. 1 cause of divorce in America. Finance and family counseling experts alike encourage couples to discuss and plan their finances together before tying the knot.


"Communicating about investing, savings, paying monthly bills and how you'll divvy up fun money with your future spouse helps you to start your life together on the same foot," says Scott Oberkrom, director of Community Investments at American Century Investments.


Visit www.YesYouCanOnline.info and click on “Healthy Ideas” to learn more about financial planning for soon-to-be married couples.


Some tips engaged couples can follow to get those money discussions under way include:


1. Pick a non-emotional time to talk about finances. This discussion could potentially be stressful, and doesn't mix well with the stresses of wedding planning. Make sure you pick a quieter time without the distractions of guest lists, hotel reservations or flower arrangements to interrupt.


2. Talk about your finances. Determine if you and your fiance are spenders, savers, or a mixture of the two. Also discuss what you'll be bringing into the marriage -- debts, child-support payments, lack of credit, etc. Look up your credit reports and scores together, and determine if you'll be better protected by joining your accounts or keeping them separate.


3. Decide how you'll track and pay for expenses. Who is going to be paying what bills? What is your family budget going to look like? Can both of you live comfortably off that budget? These are important decisions that should be made before the grand march down the aisle occurs.


4. Establish joint investment goals. You need to consider both short-term and long-term goals, ranging from buying a new car to putting your future children through college. If you're combining families, decisions about investing need to be taken care of immediately. For all your investing goals, talk about your time frame for reaching each goal, the different views you may have toward taking investment risks and then choose the vehicles, such as mutual funds, to invest in to help reach those goals.


5. Diversify your portfolios. The adage "Don't put your eggs in one basket" comes into play here. As the recent economic crisis demonstrates, having finances invested in multiple areas prevents you from feeling as much pain when the markets suffer a set back. Go over your individual investments and investigate where you might be doubling up. You want to have a mix of investments to even out overall portfolio risk, although diversification cannot ensure against loss.


Time will pass by quickly, so make sure you and your intended are prepared ahead of time for financial hurdles. Visit www.YesYouCanOnline.info for additional tips.


Courtesy of ARAcontent

Dream Weddings are Possible, Even on a Budget

Dream Weddings are Possible, Even on a Budget


(ARA) - Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, one you have probably spent years dreaming about. When color-coordinated linens, a beautiful outdoor tent and elaborate candelabras are your vision, don’t let your budget confine your imagination.  


Your dream wedding can be possible, no matter how much you have to spend, when you rent from an American Rental Association (ARA) member rental store.


Planning your wedding should be fun, not frustrating, but the number of decisions can be overwhelming, especially when trying to find the most cost-effective solutions. Use the expert guidance of a rental store professional to help you find your way through the details.


Once you have determined the location of your event, search for a local ARA member rental store. The rental experts often know exactly what the venue will provide and what you will need to rent. They can point out the unique items available for rent, things that you may not have considered, and the little things you may forget about, like salt and pepper shakers.


Your ARA member rental store is a great place to discover the latest in wedding trends. Leave it to them to learn what is new in chair and table settings and designs, barware, cake stands, tents, food stations and more. They can tell you about the newest items available to make your special day stand out from the rest.  


Some unique items that are available for rent and that can help make your day exceptional include:


* Slush machines used to create delicious fruit smoothies and frozen specialty drinks.

* Outdoor heaters to keep your guests perfectly comfortable.

* Chiller tables to serve drinks or specialty food items.

* Popcorn machines to give your guests a fun carnival treat.

* Chair covers and table linens in an array of colors to help make your place settings unforgettable.

* Dance floors that will transform any space into a party.

* Stanchions (posts and fencings) to direct your guests where to go.


Many ARA member rental stores provide even more custom service through their Certified Event Rental Professionals (CERPs) who are trained to help you choose the right rentals to make your dream wedding a reality. Most offer on-site support the day of your wedding, and that’s the day you’ll be looking for all the support you can get!


The wonderful experience and memories of your wedding day will be yours to own forever. For most everything else? Well, that you can rent. To find your local ARA member rental store, visit www.RentalHQ.com, the world’s largest rental store locator. You can search by geographic location and by the specific type of equipment you are looking to rent.


Courtesy of ARAcontent

All About Bachelorette Parties

This a great post from my friends at Divas and Weddings


I found this great post at Elegala


Plan a fun send-off for the bride with this list of bachelorette party ideas, games and planning tips.

Tired of standing aside while the guys flaunted their wild last night escapades, the gals are joining in the fun with bachelorette parties often just as raucous as their male counterpoints. But donning a dimestore tiara while a lubed up dancer named Duke invades the bride’s personal space isn’t required if that’s not her thing. So just what does a bachelorette bash entail? Read on to find out…

What is a Bachelorette Party

A bachelorette party is really whatever your group makes of it. Since this is an informal event, the etiquette surrounding it is pretty flexible. The only requirements are that the bride enjoys some QT with her best pals.

When Is It

The party can take place any time during the bride’s engagement but often occurs within the final weeks or months (keeping with the tradition of it being a final sendoff). Steer clear of the last weekend before the wedding, however, as things tend to get pretty hectic for the bride towards the end. With bridesmaids often spread all over the country, the main determinant in scheduling the event is the time when everyone can get together. The maid-of-honor usually gets the ball rolling – coordinating availability with all the ‘maids and other attendees then setting a date that works with everyone’s schedules.

Who Hosts

The maid-of-honor and bridesmaids usually do the honors, but really anyone who feels the urge can plan a party for the bride-to-be (some brides even have multiple bashes). One person can plan the entire event, or a group can collaborate together (all the bridesmaids, or the happy hour crew). Usually, the host or hosts will tally costs and ask for a donation from all those attending – other than the bride of course. The host(s) should keep all budgets in mind before planning a big blowout gala and make sure all attendees are on board before sending the bill. No one should have to go into debt over this. And to show your appreciation, include some fun bachelorette party favors as an incentive.

Who’s Invited

Bachelorette party guests are generally the bridesmaids and any other of the bride’s best pals. Unlike shower guests – who must receive a wedding invite – there’s no hard rule that says bachelorette party attendees must also be wedding guests. Inviting coworkers, neighbors, or other casual acquaintances for a fun evening out is perfectly acceptable, as long as you’re up front about the bride’s limited wedding guest list first. For logistical and planning purposes, try to keep the party small – no more than 20 and ideally less than ten.

Where Is It

The party can literally be anywhere. Choice of location usually follows from the style of party you want to throw. Bars, clubs, restaurants (or a combination of all three - pub crawl anyone?) make the obvious locations for a wild send off. Other options include resorts, spas, beaches, or outdoor activity locations like parks, trails, rivers, or lakes.


What Happens

Bachelorette parties can involve pretty much any activity the bride would enjoy. The most obvious choice is dragging the bride from bar to bar while calling attention to her in any fun, yet lighthearted, way (think homemade veils and t-shits, phallic paraphernalia, treasure hunts….). But again, that’s not the only way to celebrate. Dinner parties, spa retreats, outdoor excursions, an evening at the show or play – they all make great options depending on the bride’s preference. Unlike the bridal shower, the bachelorette party is not a gift giving event, but you can present the bride with gag gifts or gifts deemed too racy for the shower, like lingerie. All that really needs to happen is fun, laughter, and some serious female bonding. And of course – you may want to embarrass her just a bit along the way.

Bachelorette Party Ideas

OK – so your bachelorette is not the table dancing, inflatable phallus type of girl. Relax – there are plenty of other ways to send your gal off in style. Here are some g-rated bachelorette party alternatives:

Adventure Bachelorette – go hiking, rafting, horseback riding, camping – really any outdoor activity she enjoys.

Spa Party – gather the girls for some serious pamperingFondue Party – or any style of intimate dinner party (fondue just seems to make things more fun!)

Beach Weekend – enjoy some sun, sand, and plenty of tropical beverages.

Casino Night – all bets are on! Set up game tables, break out the decks, and test your luck with a roll of the dice. A casino night is also a good bet for a co-ed bash.

Wine Tasting – hit up Napa Valley (or the nearest winery) for a day – or weekend – filled with good wine, good conversation, and good friends.

Retail Therapy - gather the crew for a day of boutique shopping. Make it more festive and rent a limo to chauffeur you as you pop in and out of the bride’s favorite stores, and be sure to stock it with champagne.

Psychic Reading - Weddings are all about the future, so help the bride prepare for hers by hiring a fortune teller, astrologer or palm reader.



Shafonne Myers - Making Your Event Special
http://www.makingyoureventspecial.com/