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How to plan your wedding day hair (Part 1)

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This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal store in Paramus, Northern New Jersey.

You’ve finally found your bridal gown. What a relief! Now it is time to complete a few more steps so that you can have an idea of what you will look like on your special day. A hair and makeup trial is strongly recommended. The last thing you want is to end up with a super hard, messy 90’s prom looking hair-do the day of your wedding. Unless you have a hair dresser you usually go to, scope out the salons in your area. Ask to see a portfolio of makeup and hair they’ve done in the past. This will help you decide where to have your trial.

Once you select a salon, schedule your trial. This should not be any longer than three months before the wedding. Too much time between your trial and your wedding might result in your changing your mind which would defeat the purpose of the trial. After your trial, you want to leave with the style you love to have for the big day. This is your day. By now you’ve probably browsed hundreds of magazines, websites, blogs and pictures for wedding inspiration. Hopefully you’ve been able to figure out what type of hair style you plan to go for. If you have an image, or even if it isn’t exactly what you want, bring the picture along so that your stylist can get the idea.

On the day of your trial, make sure that you have enough time to enjoy the experience; your actual hairdo could take hours. Some salons also offer make up trials at the same time. If you choose a salon that offers this, and you will be getting your make up done, perfect! If not, be sure to put on makeup and look your best. It is strongly recommended to plan a night out after your trial. Your wedding is going to be full of dancing, running around and will be quite long. The last thing you want is to end up with a hair style that taps out after the ceremony. Plan a night out with the girls and let loose. See if your hair can keep up.

 

Read Part 2 next

 

Bridal Gown Spotlight (Part 2)

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This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop, Bergen County NJ.

Read firstBest Bridal Store New Jersey

WHITE GOWNS

If you like the idea of the traditional, plain white dress, you can always add in some color to the details.  There is nothing wrong with replacing some of your dress’ accents with color.

* If your dress has large white flowers, get them replaced with colorful posies.

 * Add a colorful sash.  You could coordinate this with the colors of your bridesmaid dresses.

 

* Get the bottom of your dress dyed: If your dress is not too ornate, it might really spice things up if the bottom of it is a light blue or pale pink.  Hire a professional to do this for you, as attempts of doing it yourself can lead to a dress disaster.

 FUN DETAILS

If you like the idea of a plain wedding dress but would like to add a little more detail, then consider covered buttons or ribbon lacing to the back. Many dress designers offer a choice of closure to their dresses so you can change a plain zipper to pretty covered buttons or sexy corset style lacing. Adding covered buttons is also something you can do yourself very easily and they can turn a plain dress into something unique and very classic looking.

 

*Shorten your dress. Everyone will expect you to wear a long dress, so there is no harm in turning heads in a short little number!

*Beading is always an easy way to make a plain dress look fabulous. Coordinate the beads on your dress with those in your other wedding accessories, so if your hair accessories include pearls and crystals then use those on your dress.  A simple option is to slip stitch beads around the neckline of your dress, but if you want to do something more fancy, then plan your design on a piece of graph paper first and place the beads on your dress without sewing them so you can see how they will look.  Once you are happy you can proceed to attach them yourself or have a professional do it for you.  
*Lace : Adding a touch of lace goes a long way to creating that bridal look. A nice touch is to add a band of lace to the hem of your skirt which will just peep out on the tops of your toes.  Another idea is to wear a lace edged petticoat underneath, which is slightly longer.  This works nicely for full skirted dresses and when you sit down, it will peep out from under your skirt for a very pretty bridal look.

Tip: If your dress has ribbon lacing ask for different colored ribbons or change them yourself.  Or use colored versions of the ideas listed above such as colored beads or appliqués.  A colored lace petticoat is a great way of adding interest to your dress without it being too obvious.
*Dainty Detailing: These can be beaded, sequined, lace or combination and are very easy to sew onto your dress.  You can find them in various sizes and matching colors, including full bodice pieces, sleeve appliqués and larger versions to apply to trains.

Look around sewing shops and online for bridal boutiques where you can make a special request to place your unique order. 

– – Hire a costume designer to “build on” your dress.  A professional can look at a piece and know exactly what to do to make it unique.  Adding an accented line down your dress, or delicately placing jewels in designated places can all add a unique feel to your dress.

 SHOES

* Instead of plain white pumps, wear colorful & funky shoes.  OR have a little sparkle or color sticking out the bottom of your dress.

*Customize simple satin pumps with shoe jewelry such as rhinestone ribbons. 

Continue with Part 3

Wedding “Wow“ Him (Part 3)

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Read Part 1 and Part 2 first

* CULINARY CREATIONS

Since food is the way to a mans heart, why not include some of his favorite munchies at the wedding?  If he’s a guy who loves his snacks, and hamburgers & hotdogs are his type of thing, add them in for cocktail hour.  If you have foods like this during cocktail hour, be sure your reception menu is a bit more “upscale.”  If he’s a big breakfast guy, have a midnight lounge and serve breakfast specialties such as mini pancakes and waffles with decorative fruit on top.  If sweets are what makes your man’s eyes light up, do add a dessert with all of his favorite treats…donuts, pastries, etc.

Take a bridal BOW to the WOW you created.

Not only are all the previous ideas, or any of which you creatively come up with on your own, adorable… but he’ll never expect it which is bonus points!

Seating charts, guest favors, and cake flavors are always on a bride’s radar…but these romantic and personal surprises will leave your groom smiling just that much more and kindly remind him that this day is about the two of you, and not those crazy rants about wedding planning or bridezilla moments over which trendy hue you should pick.

 RECAP:  besides your outer, newer bridal beauty glow, be sure to let your inner bridal beauty shine and surprise him with something sweet.  Glowing from the inside will have you in an everlasting glow on the outside.  All of which makes you simply adorable, and it will remind him how you have truly stolen his heart right from the start…which led to your shared happily ever after…

and now you can be a WOW kind of WIFE.  One who keeps the glow, memories, and emotions of the wedding day alive with the two of you.

This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop, Bergen County NJ.

Best Couple Activities (Part 3)

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This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop, Bergen County NJ.

Read Part 1 and Part 2 first.

COMEDY CLUB Laughter is the best medicine

 

If you don’t have a whole weekend to spare, you can surprise your partner with tickets to a comedy club.  There is nothing better than a night of laughs at a comedy show for couples.  Be spontaneous on a week-night to break up the mundane feel of the work-week when your lover least expects it and go see some standup.

This is a great way for couples to share time watching a more interactive type of entertainment than a movie or the theater.  Make sure to get seats in the front row for the interaction to unfold, because the comedians are sure to include you in at least some part of their act.  This creates fun memories to laugh about for years.

MASSAGE

Treat yourselves & go to spa & get a couples massage.  Or, if you’re short on funds, you can be still massage each other in the comfort of your own home for free.  Rather than watching the same old show on television after the same routine at work, mix it up with your partner and show him your romantic side by offering an oil rubdown.

This sensual gesture will not only put your partner in a state of relaxation, it’s also a great way to express your love.  You do not have to go out and buy any overpriced oils and lotions.  A wonderful, and much healthier, alternative is grape seed oil, or coconut oil, which is also a great moisturizer for the skin. 

To add a little spice to the massage, throw some rose petals on the bed before your partner is home and have the room lit with only candles.  A surprise massage can heighten many levels of your relationship and doesn’t have to cost you a penny.  A massage is a creative, sensual, and sure way of maintaining closeness, that can result in not only relaxation, but a keener sense of intimacy.

Take turns giving each other a face massage, as well… with each person receiving by lying down on the bed or floor.

 

 CRAYOLA, CRAYONS, PAINT-PARTY…

Draw up your dreams. 

Color & draw together your dream mansion, book cover, music album cover, etc.

Trace Together…Get some large paper and crayons…take turns drawing around each others hands and feet on the paper.

Close “no clothes” Coloring…Buy body paint and take your clothes off to paint each other’s bodies.  Or just face paint.   

 Continue with Part 4

Aleana’s bridal shop located in Paramus, NJ. Please schedule your first appointment at Aleana’s Bridal Shop or call at 201-444-1500.

Best Couple Activities (Part 2)

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This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop, Bergen County NJ.

Read Part 1 first.

DANCE PARTY !!!

 

What could be better cardio than dancing?  Turn off the lights and glow in the dark…pump up DJ Tiësto & have your own duo dance party with glow sticks guiding your way.

…Sweaty is sexy.

MUSICAL MUSES

 

Festival obsessed?  …from small local band shows, to seeing your favorite old-school rock band performance in NYC, to actually hopping a flight headed for Coachella in California, the ultimate concert and annual explosion of music and style…grab your golden tickets to your show of choice.

 

Aint’ got the mula for scoring those tix to huge venues?  Then just make music together in the comfort of your own home, or even rent out a studio for the day/night.  Invite others to come along if you wish (musically inclined friends who actually play instruments, if you & hubby don‘t) & delegate roles of whose starring as songwriter, musician, etc.

 Simplicity of Songs…

A simple & musical exercise: find and play for each other the music that you listened to in high school.  Describe to each other what you were like then and what you were thinking and feeling.  What did you wear and how was your hair?  What was a low point and a high point of those years?

 Silly Songs

Get paper and crayons, play some music, and draw to the music.  Exchange your drawings and reveal them to each other after the song ends.  Go ahead and laugh…

WANDERLUST…AN ADVENTURE!

Whenever you get that gut feeling that says you both need a spur-of-the-moment mini adventure, go for it.  Following your instincts could be what brings the spark back to your relationship, or brings it to new, exciting levels.  Spontaneous activities shared by couples are special, unannounced moments in time when the adrenaline is pumping and memories are made, especially because you’re living in the present moment…and when you do this, you’re truly living.

ROMANTIC RETREAT

Surprising your other half with a romantic weekend a few hours from home can really spice things up.  Try this on for size: The night before, pack both of your bags to be ready to go the following morning.  In the morning, place a note under his pillow that reads something as enticing and intriguing as you wish.  Finish it off with saying “be ready in an hour.”  This is spontaneous and exciting for your partner and can make for a romantic weekend.

 HIDEAWAY

Turn off your cell phones so that only the two of you exist.  Go anywhere you dream of…the mountains, a quiet beach, the place you first met, a spot on the map where the two of you share a high interest of traveling to…somewhere where you’ve never been before.  Experiencing it first hand together, for the first time for both of you, will make it even more so a special memory.

Continue with Part 3 and Part 4

Aleana’s bridal shop located in Paramus, NJ. Please schedule your first appointment at Aleana’s Bridal Shop or call at 201-444-1500.

BRIDAL SHOP near RUTHERFORD BERGEN COUNTY

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Aleana’s Bridal is your Bridal Shop near Rutherford, Bergen County, NJ.

Every woman lives to experience that special bridal moment once in her life time.  Her bridal gown is a symbol of her unique self.  Aleana’s Bridal understands that and invites its’ clients to select from a wide bridal collection or to create the most wonderful custom bridal gown in our exclusive bridal store located in the heart of Paramus, Bergen County, NJ.

We are proud to offer our Rutherford clients personalized one-on-one service, “Made in America” collection, wide selection of novelty silk fabrics, French laces, unique embellishments, exclusive hand embroideries and handmade silk flowers.

We invite the Mother of the Bride and the Mother of the Groom to visit our store as well to choose a dress from our exclusive dress collection or make one of the kind dress. With a wide library of fabrics and colors to choose from, the possibilities for our Mother of the Bride and special occasion gowns are endless. We can perfectly match the bridal party color scheme if you prefer or we can create something completely unique and different. As the second most important woman at the wedding, our 100% silk fabrications and one of a kind designs will make you feel like royalty.

Aleana’s Bridal offers a more than convenient production time frame,which is often unheard of in the fashion industry: You can pick up your dress in 3 months, without paying any “rush” order fees! Personal customer service is readily available and even possible during the wedding day. We offer custom embellished accessories and shoes to match any bridal dress.

We carry a wide selection of European lingerie, lounge wear, shape wear, custom made accessories and small gifts that can only be found at our boutique.

Please book your appointment today at  www.aleanasbridal.com. or call  201-444-1500.

BRIDAL SHOP near CRESSKILL BERGEN COUNTY NJ

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Aleana’s Bridal is your bridal shop near Cresskill, Bergen County, NJ.

 

Choosing the perfect wedding gown is almost as important as choosing the right partner.  Aleana’s Bridal understands that and offers a great personal service to guide its’ clients step by step to choose the most wonderful bridal gown for the perfect wedding day.

Bridal gown is a symbol of your unique self; a symbol of self-expression that makes a powerful statement in the physical world about your inner nature. Aleana’s Bridal invites you to choose a wedding dress or create your custom bridal gown at our exclusive bridal shop located in the heart of Paramus, Bergen county, NJ.

Our exclusive bridal gowns are created for the woman who is not afraid to cross boundaries and who enjoys experiencing the triumph of individual style. We use only high quality silk fabrications, novelty French laces, hand embroideries and other unique embellishments.

Aleana’s Bridal offers all Cresskill customers a more than convenient production time frame, which is often unheard of in the fashion industry: You can pick up your dress in 3 months, without paying any “rush” order fees!

We also invite the Mother of the Bride and the Mother of the Groom to visit our store. We exhibit an exclusive dress selection as well as offer our customers a custom made gowns in any fabric and color. Remember than you are the second most important woman at the wedding. We want you to look stunning during that special day.

Each appointment will be scheduled for a full hour and half to ensure that you get the attention you need.

We also exhibit a wide selection of European lingerie,  lounge wear and hand made accessories that can only be found at our boutique.

Please call us at 201-444-1500 or book your appointment on line at www.aleanasbridal.com.

 

BRIDAL SHOP NEAR FRANKLIN LAKES BERGEN COUNTY NJ

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Aleana’s Bridal is your Bridal Shop near Franklin Lakes, Bergen County, NJ.

The sounds of wedding bells are just around the corner and while you feel a bit of pressure to look your best on the day of the wedding, every woman lives to experience that special bridal moment once in her life time.

Choosing the perfect gown is almost as important as choosing the right partner. Aleana’s Bridal understands that and invites you to select a wedding gown or create a custom bridal dress at our exclusive bridal shop located in the heart of Paramus.

We are proud to offer our Franklin Lakes clients personalized one-on-one service, “Made in America” collection, wide selection of novelty silk fabrics, French laces, unique embellishments, exclusive hand embroideries and handmade silk flowers.

We also invite the Mother of the Bride and the Mother of the Groom to visit our store. You can choose a dress from our exclusive dress selection or make one of the kind dress in any fabric and more than 70 different colors. Remember that you are the second most important woman at the wedding.

Aleana’s Bridal offers a more than convenient production time frame,which is often unheard of in the fashion industry: You can pick up your dress in 3 months, without paying any “rush” order fees! Personal customer service is readily available and even possible during the wedding day.

If you are looking for a special gift for your loved one or yourself,  we carry a wide selection of European lingerie, lounge wear, shape wear, custom made accessories and small gifts that can only be found at our boutique. Cannot find a matching bridal shoes? Bring us any plain shoes for a custom embellishment.

Each appointment will be scheduled for a full hour and half to ensure that you get the attention you need.

Please book your appointment today at  www.aleanasbridal.com. or call  201-444-1500.

BRIDAL SHOP NEAR ALPINE BERGEN COUNTY NJ

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Aleana’s Bridal is your bridal shop near Alpine, Bergen County, NJ.

The sounds of wedding bells are just around the corner and you feel a bit of pressure to look your best on the day of the wedding. Finding the right gown instantly eliminates this pressure. That is what we pride ourselves on here at Aleana’s Bridal, Paramus, Bergen County NJ. We offer a great personal service to guide our clients step by step to select from a wide collection or to create the most wonderful custom gown for that special day.

Your bridal gown is a symbol of unique self; a symbol of self-expression that makes a powerful statement in the physical world about your inner nature. Choosing the perfect gown is almost as important as choosing the right partner.

Our gowns are created for the woman who is not afraid to cross boundaries and who enjoys experiencing the triumph of individual style.  The bridal gown’s fabric affects both its beauty and price. You always should ask, “What is the content of this fabric?” If the answer is “100% Silk”, you know you are buying the queen of textiles, the most luxurious fiber in the world. At Aleana’s Bridal, we offer our Alpine clients just that.

We exhibit a wide selection of European lingerie and lounge wear that can only be found at our boutique, as well as custom gowns for the entire bridal party including Mother of the Bride.

Book your appointment today and we will guide you to create a dress that is the essence of you. Each appointment will be scheduled for a full hour and half to ensure that you get the attention you need.

Please call us at 201-444-1500 or book your appointment on line at www.aleanasbridal.com.

BRIDAL SHOP NEAR ELMWOOD PARK BERGEN COUNTY

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Aleana’s Bridal located near Elmwood Park, Bergen County, NJ.

The sounds of wedding bells are just around the corner and you feel a bit of pressure to look your best on the day of the wedding. Finding the right gown instantly eliminates this pressure. That is what we pride ourselves on here at Aleana’s Bridal, North Jersey’s bridal shop.

We offer a great personal service to guide its’ clients step by step to select from a wide collection or to create the most wonderful custom gown for that special day. If it’s always been your dream to have a silk gown but thought they were too expensive, Aleana’s Bridal invites you to choose a dress or create your custom gown at our exclusive shop located in the heart of Paramus, where 80% of our gowns are made from silk fabrics at a very affordable price.

We are proud to offer our Elmwood Park clients our “Made in America” collection that offers a variety of novelty silk fabrics, French laces, and handmade embroideries. Our gowns are created for the woman who is not afraid to cross boundaries and who enjoys experiencing the triumph of individual style.

We also exhibit a wide selection of European lingerie and lounge wear that can only be found at our boutique as well as custom gowns for the entire bridal party including Mother of the Bride.

Aleana’s Bridal offers a more than convenient production time frame, which is often unheard of in the fashion industry: You can pick up your dress in 3 months, without paying any “rush” order fees! Book your appointment today and we will guide you to create a dress that is the essence of you. Each appointment will be scheduled for a full hour and half to ensure that you get the attention you need.

Please call us at 201-444-1500 or book your appointment on line at www.aleanasbridal.com.