Posts

Married Hearts… First Valentine’s Day (Part 3)

/in /by

Read first Part 1 and Part 2

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As a newlywed couple, make a point to bring more cerebral activity into your bond whether your staying on the couch…or hopping in the car for a night out.  Pop a documentary into the DVD player instead of watching mindless fluff or go to a lecture or self-development workshop or other thought-(and conversation-) provoking event that is uplifting, positive, and spiritual.  Discover your amour in a new light by engaging in something different, and captivating.

The first year being married on special occasions is a stellar time for hanging out in a group setting, which will also enrich your bond.  Watching everyone from each entourage mix will be a refreshing experience.  A kindred spirit vibe is bound to emerge!  How about co-hosting a game night or casual dinner party to bring everyone together?  Or get out and join a winter league of co-ed sports.  The couple that plays together, stays together…as the old adage goes.

 

Just make your number 1 priority to enjoy your evening, whether in private or in public, and take some time to think about setting the mood and you’ll no doubt have a memorable time together and even create a new tradition of which you can repeat in the future on holidays, special occasions, and perhaps on another Valentine’s Day.

 

ALARM!  AVOID TIP :  And no swinging bats at heart piñatas !…it’s only your first year married!  Save the tantrums, if you must have them, for your later years!  (Kidding.  Ditch the tantrums, your mature and married now, right?)

 

Continue Part 4.

This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop located in the town of Paramus, NJ – Bergen County. Bridal shop that will help you design the dress of your dreams.

Wedding Last Minute To-Do Tips (Part 2)

/in /by

Read first Part 1

 

ONE WEEK BEFORE: First, you’ll want to have your RSVP list and call anyone who has not responded to confirm if they will be attending or not so that you can finalize the design for table arrangements and give a final count of your total guests to the caterer.

*DJ DUTIES!: Show your DJ (or band) the directions to your dance floor dreams…the end product of your music set-list that you want played at the reception.  Be specific as to what music you wish to include and what songs you most certainly will not stand to hear!

*Put together a wedding day schedule for the bridal party and all of your VIP’s.  This will ensure that all A-list attendants will be on the same page.

*Confirm rehearsal plans

*Organize a spot specific to all of your wedding day attire…a spot that is clean and free of any mishaps happening around it! (Water spills, animal accidents, etc.)  Make sure you have everything you need for the day of: products, makeup for touch ups, stain remover (something like the TIDE stick), sewing kit (threads, needles, buttons…for any wardrobe malfunctions…you never know), Kleenex tissues, q-tips, Tylenol/vitamins/medications, and a clutch or bag to hold all of this stuff together.  You’ll want to include anything else that will help solve a crisis if one does happen to occur.

*Do laundry, set clothes aside, and pack the majority of what you will need for your honeymoon.  Keep passports and all other documents secured nearby.

*Make appointment for manicures, pedicures, massage, waxing, etc. with your bridal party.

Read Part 3  and Part 4

Aleana’s Bridal Shop located in the town of Paramus, NJ – Bergen County will help you design the dress of your dreams.

Astrological Wedding Guide (Part 1)

/in /by

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

Cosmic guide to the wedding of every sign’s dream.

By: Jaclyn Ianetti

Just incase someone in YOUR life decides to put a ring on your finger and your suddenly swamped with initial wedding fantasies filling up in your head, this quick guide will give you a glimpse into the visions of your true wedding wishes according to your zodiac sign.  By connecting with the cosmos, you will be more in touch with the overall image of how you want your wedding day to look and turn out just by keeping in mind what matters most to you.  Be sure you know your sun sign as well as your moon & rising signs, which can also help to pull all the pieces together to creating that vision.  This visualization is a sneak peak to your wedding day, as it reflects all of the colors of your imagination…and your imagination will lead you to your truest wedding dreams.  Astrology can help show you what belongs in your mental picture…a first step that beautifies the final outcome of your wedding day.

ARIES (March 21-April 20):  “The Royal Ram”

Think Mariah Carey:  Royal, rich, extravagant.  Aries brides want a wedding that is fit for royalty.  Whether it is your first walk down the aisle, or a third trip to the altar, you want the full white bridal affair.  However, there is also a tomboyish aspect to many Aries who would much rather skip those stereotypical trappings.  If you are this type, you might prefer to spend your bridal budget on a trip around the world instead.  Bottom line:  You’re impatient and want a wedding that reflects your individuality without compromising your independent nature.
TAURUS (April 21-May 21):  “The Beautiful Bull”

Think Donatella Versace:  Simple sophistication.  Luxury-loving Taurus has refined taste, and your wedding day is a chance to show that off.   Although you can certainly be over-the-top, your wedding will be chic & classy, not tacky.  As an Earth sign, you love an outdoor element.  An outdoor ceremony under a wedding arch, or billowing white tents with chandeliers or floating lanterns and a lavish buffet of gourmet, local food can fulfill your wedding wishes.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21): “The Teasing Twin”

Think: Games, jokes, joy & laughter…adventure & adrenaline rushes.  For you, getting married is all about fun.  If your adventurous sign is going to commit, there better be some adrenaline involved.  You’d rather strap on a parachute and say your vows while jumping out of a plane and skipping the traditional altar ceremony.  After the vows, you’ll throw an awesome, informal rooftop party as your reception party…with everyone dancing until dawn.  You might even hop into the DJ booth yourself, or convince your guests to jump fully clothed into the swimming pool, leading the way in your wedding dress!

CANCER (June 22-July 23): “The Crab of Comforts”

You’re traditional and sentimental, and weddings are all about family for Cancers.  Female relatives and friends are particularly important to you, and you’ll want to honor your mom, grandma and lifelong best friend (who will undoubtedly be your maid of honor) with personalized segments of the ceremony and party.  Teary-eyed toasts, your mother’s engagement ring (maybe even her dress) and a wedding on the beach all resonate with your sign’s Water element and create the feeling of being comfortable and right at home.  Your biggest hassle will be getting your huge bridal party to agree on a dress color and length that they all like and can agree on.
LEO (July 24-August 23):  “The Loud Lioness”

Loud as in …Lights, Camera, and Matrimony!  Your showy sign loves to put on a theatrical production — and your wedding day is the perfect excuse. Choosing an appropriately dramatic venue and dress will be most important to you.  In fact, you may have several outfit changes (a different costume for each “act” is only fitting, right?).  Your main goal is to make sure that there’s “too much” of everything: food, drink, merriment and, of course, romance.  Every poetic word of your vows, every toast, and every glass-clinking kiss should move people to tears.
Read more: PART 2

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

 

 

Astrological Wedding Guide (Part 2)

/in /by

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

Astrological Wedding Guide (part 2)

read part 1

By: Jaclyn Ianetti

 Here’s a cosmic guide to the wedding of every sign’s dream.

VIRGO (August 24-Sept 23):  “The Picky Princess”

You’re a simple kind of girl, but your wedding day is an exception.  You want to feel like an absolute princess on your wedding day.  Handling the production details will be important to your practical sign, and you’ll work side-by-side with your wedding planner (or may even chose to wear that hat yourself) to craft a spreadsheet that tracks your budget, vendors and timeline.  You want to make sure every guest is exquisitely taken care of, with gift baskets waiting in their hotel rooms and special favors on their dinner plates.  But make no mistake: You’re the Queen Bee of this day!

LIBRA (Sept 24-Oct 23): “The Goddess of Glamour”

Your wedding should be a gorgeous day of love and sentiment.  Libra is the sign of relationships and ruler of the zodiac’s marriage house…and also is the sign governed by Venus, the planet of love, beauty and romance.  You want tons of flowers, poetry, music, champagne and other sweet touches.  Your sentimental side will come out in full force, not that it’s ever really hidden.  You love to get glamorous, so book a full glam squad for pre-wedding pampering before you slip into your show stopping gown.  Of course, your nails are your biggest priority, so a meticulous manicure and pedicure are at the top of your list before the big day!
SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22): “The Sexy Shadow Girl”

Admit it Miss secret Scorpio…you’ve been planning this day since you were a little girl, down to the very last detail.  You know exactly what you want and where to get it.  Picking out the ring, the dress, and the cake will seem like a piece of cake to you! –because you know the styles, the shops, and the exact store locations as to where to hunt them down and find exactly what you’re looking for.   You want this to be the most memorable (and picture-worthy) day of your life.  The icing of the cake for you is the chance to channel your creativity and show off your impeccable taste.  Scorpio is a private sign, so you may want to keep the guest list small enough to make your wedding intimate and meaningful.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 22):  “The Wild Child Wedding”

Adventurous and fiercely independent, you’re hardly the traditional bride. Just because you’re getting married doesn’t mean you’re not the same wild-and-crazy girl, and your wedding proves it.  If that means hiring Cirque du Soleil performers, setting up a karaoke lounge, or eloping to a Vegas chapel, so be it.  You’ve got a zillion friends from all walks of life, so bringing them together for a fun, memorable day could take quite a toll on your budget.  As the sign of the traveler, you may want to host a destination wedding, or just have everyone gather informally on the beach or in a big open field for your vows, before heading off to a separate reception.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 23-Jan 20): “The Loyal Lover”

You take “till death do us part” right to the very core of your heart.

Deeply traditional, Capricorn takes her vows and commitments seriously. When you give your word to something, you really do mean exactly what you say.  Family is a big part of why you’re getting married, so you’ll honor your very own by having the wedding location in your “childhood church”…a house of worship you grew up going to or even in your parents’ backyard.  You like simple and classic with a VIP twist, and that will be expressed in your dress, your ceremony and your reception.  The ultimate giveaway that you’re a Capricorn bride?: Your understated elegance and pared-down wedding style…which makes you an instant icon.
AQUARIUS (Jan 21-Feb 19): “The Bohemian Badass”

Think: Barefoot in the park or at the beach.  With your bohemian soul, you want a wedding that defies convention and expresses your unique, quirky personality.  As the sign of group activity and friendship, you’re most concerned about the guests having a good time and feeling at ease.  You’ll add creative, funny elements to ensure that.  You want it to be relaxed and fun for everyone, with more laughter than tears.  Chances are, you’re marrying your BFF, and you want to make sure the playful spirit of your bond is expressed.
PISCES (Feb 20-March 20): “The Mystical Mermaid”

You’re the zodiac’s sign of fantasy and illusion, and your wedding should sweep people away to a magical land.  Romantic to the core, you want the fairy tale, albeit with a creative twist.  You take pride in your “indie” tastes and will have a ruling hand in the music playlist, the decor and other aesthetic details.  Pisces is ruled by Neptune, mythic god of the sea, so a beach ceremony or one surrounded by water will suit your fancy and make you feel like a true aquatic angel.  Your inner mermaid emerges with the help of sequins, shimmery satin, pearls, or even a fishtail gown.

Photo credit to: Remko van Dokkum on Flickr

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

A Couple’s First Home Feng Shui (Part 1)

/in /by

Now that you both have moved into your own space, it’s time to clear out the clutter and make way for a brand new season of growth, while keeping the warmth and love alive.  Your first home together, whether it be an apartment, condo, or house…should support your marriage energetically.

 

A Balanced Bedroom for Two…Feng Shui for Love

Lets start with your master bedroom, which is the most important room in the house designed to keep the energies aligned rightfully for your relationship.  You do spend every night together in the same bed…so it’s no wonder the bedroom carries the most energy towards your love life.

 

The bed itself plays an important role…so think of how you want it to look and what you wish for it to portray.  First & foremost, invest in new bedding when moving into your first home together with your significant other.  This includes a whole new bed, comforter, sheets, pillows, etc.  The energies of other people who’ve slept in your old bed still lingers there…can we say “relationship residue”?!? …and from a feng shui point of view, you wouldn’t want any ghosts haunting you both in your sleep, now would you?

 

The back of the bed should be set up against a solid wall, not a window, to face the door.  Circular or oval styled mattresses are best for promoting romantic chi.  If you choose not to purchase a mattress with this soft-edged shape, you can do the same for pillow and chairs instead.  Stick to color tones of brown, pink, & peach for a touch of softness.  For a little extra spice, add some fiery reds into the mix if you wish.

 

What goes on on top of the bed is privately & intimately your business…but what about under the bed?  If you’d like a happier, healthier love life, get down on the floor & take a look underneath.  Clearing this space out beneath your bed will be just the ticket you need to maintaining and/or improving romance.  Relocate any items you use regularly, then discard or donate the rest.  By keeping the space beneath your bed totally clear, you’ll resolve any deceptions, hidden resentments and childhood traumas that have affected your romantic relationships.

 

Now, what about next to the bed?  This is where you will most likely find nightstands and tables with lamps placed on top.  If you do have these types of pieces, make sure they are equality placed on both sides of the bed by using the same furniture and decorated accents on its’ surface.  Equality equals balance!  And the more soft the lighting, the sexier your space will be.

 KEEP OUT!

The only photos that should make their appearance into the bedroom are snapshots of you & your spouse, only! Like the “Keep Out” sign swinging on the door-knob, apply the same rule for family/friend photos to “keep out” the negative energy & experiences of others from affecting your relationship and/or marriage.  This is about the two of you…and your relationship together…nobody else included.  Unwelcomed, uninvited, third-wheel and butt-ing in your relationship business?  Keep those energies away, please!

Read more Part 2

This article brought to you by www.aleanasbridal.com. A bridal shop located in Paramus, NJ. Please schedule your first appointment at Aleanasbridal.com or call at 201-444-1500.

 

 

Theme Weddings (Part 3)

/in , /by

Start reading Part 1 and Part 2

*  Beach Wedding: Beach Party, Elegant Beach Wedding, Under the Sea, Mermaid/Aquatic Wedding, etc.  You can be as creative as possible with scenery & favors with dolphins, fish, starfish, seashells, sea horses, sand dollars, flip flops, palm trees, lighthouses, sailboats, sunscreen, and so much more!  For a more romantic backdrop, imagine a string quartet and lilies…gentle waves and the sun setting…the soft sand caressing your feet as you approach your soul mate and pledge your eternal love on the scattered with petals aisle, under a white, billow canopy with delicate chiffon drapes.

*Manhattan Public Library…for you writers, authors, aspiring writers/editors/authors, teachers, etc.).  There’s just something magical about marrying in a setting that transports you to another time of one of those iconic places that exist in history books and give New York its’ color and intensity.  Dance under its’ glass and iron domed ceiling and make your invitations out to guests in the style of a book cover.  An authentic Big Apple Wedding, indeed.

 

* Arabian Nights…Belly Dancers and Buddha Bars, bamboo shots, sitting on sofas in colored tents relaxing & sipping flavored Hookahs and being served by waiters/waitresses in harem pants.  Bring back the splendor of a Thousand Nights and even the Disney classic, Alladin.  Take a flight of fancy on your magic carpet as you soak in the magical atmosphere reliving the charmed life of Princess Jasmine & Prince Alladin in a palace setting with minarets and towers, silks and flowers, and bejeweled thrones.  Make a wish into your magic lamp and make this magical experience a reality for you on your wedding day.

 

*  Go Retro …wish you were in a different decade?  On your wedding night, you can be.  Pick a decade that you love…and surround yourself with mod pieces & pin-up styles…from polka dot shoes, red lipstick, poufy skirts, beehive hairdos to the flower power of peace signs or the rock-n-roll of the 80’s or the disco dancing era under a shiny disco ball.

*  Romantic/Whimsical Wedding…Red, red Roses, pink ribbons, dancing the classic waltz, & beautiful candles.  Incorporate your favorite characters from novels, children’s books, movies, & televisions for a more whimsical aura.  (See Fairytale/Fantasy below for more whimsy filled ideas!)

*  Fairytale/Fantasy…Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and all of the Disney princesses you wish to be.  Just imagine…you can have your own storybook wedding filled with glass slippers, tiaras & crowns, a white horse-drawn carriage, pixie dust, magic wands, and your very own Prince Charming waiting for you at the end of the aisle in your castle.  For a fairytale feel without the princess theme, think of the magical characters in other fantasy stories that you love, such as the gods & goddesses of mythology.  Click your heels & be Dorothy for the day…have an adornment of butterflies & fairies…and just be as creative and imaginative as you can be to bring your wedding to a place, or palace, of enchantment.

One more part to go …. Read Part 4

This article brought to you by www.aleanasbridal.com. A

 

Theme Weddings (Part 2)

/in /by

Please read Part 1 first

*Napa Valley Winery…Ambiance, Cheeses, & you guessed it…WINE.  And lots of it!  Have a food and wine pairing for a celebration while dining under a canopy of a grape arbor and feel as if your in the middle of Napa Valley’s vineyard.  Wooden cheese boards can be used as appetizer plates and as a gift for guests to take home.

*Cinco de Mayo…for you “May wedding” Brides!  FIESTA TIME!  This can be a Mexican themed wedding with bright and fun colors…and of course, a Margarita bar.

*Monte Carlo Casino Night…for the gambling girl!  Casino Square, Grand Prix Racing Cars, Millionaires, Roulette Tables, Dice, Casino chips…cha-ching!  Create your ultimate JACKPOT wedding.

*Medieval Times….MI LADY & HER LORD: Have a rustic, Renaissance fair at a castle and play princess & prince for a day dressed in medieval garments with wine served in goblets.  There is no such thing as a royal pain on the path towards King Arthur’s court on your wedding day!

 

*Botanical Gardens : Japanese Tea, Victorian Garden Delight, etc.  Cherry blossoms, bamboo sticks, lucky elephants & fortune cookies (good luck & happiness symbols), incense, chopsticks, and teapots filled with flowers.  For just a simple Garden theme, bring back a simple time of elegant affairs when ladies wore their Sunday best and gentlemen stood to help a lady with her chair.  This theme will evoke that romantic sense and timeless beauty to life.

 

*Clam Bake…This can be formal, traditional clambake, a casual, messy on the beach type of feel, an old-fashioned New-England feel, or ocean-inspired.  Take yourself back to the days of early New England colonists and treat your guests to an evening of enjoyment over a steaming pile of lobsters and more delicious, fresh seafood seasoned with smoke house flavors.

 

*Carnival …A Ferris wheel, carousel, popcorn machine, cotton candy, and you can’t forget the Kissing Booth!  An outdoors celebration in the night time breeze will recreate the inner child in all attendees.  Keep the kid inside of you, as you’ll be working with a colorful, fun, summery atmosphere with lots of reds, pinks, whites, yellows, and golds to set the theme.

Looking for more great ideas please read Part 3

This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal.

 

 

Bride’s wish list (part 1)

/in /by

 By Jaclyn Ianetti

 

“Honor, riches, marriage-blessing
Long continuance, and increasing,
Hourly joys be still upon you!”
– William Shakespeare

 

You found the man of your dreams…the dress of your dreams…had the wedding of your dreams.  Now what about the future of your dreams?

Before you start dreaming up future plans, first give out gratitude to the universe for bringing you the things that bring you love & happiness, right here in the “here and now.”  There is a measurable benefit to counting your blessings and looking on the bright side.  Doing this will be sure to bring you more of your wishes, hopes and dreams to be realized soon in the future! Studies have been done to prove that people are genuinely happier when showing gratitude.  So remember that a happy energy and positive outlook attracts positive outcomes!

Wedding day planning has brought you much stress, I’m sure, but give thanks for how wonderful it all turned out to be.  “Thank you power” can actually undo the effects of stress that has took its’ toll on you.  And aren’t you thankful for all the beauty the wedding day and the days that led up to it, like the first time you ever met your husband, has brought into your life?

Write down the moments that are good in your life and the ones you have recently experienced leading up to your wedding so that you can go back and reflect on them.  This can be your little treasure book that holds your happiness…something that you can stare dreamily at each time you visit.  It’s a golden repository of all the good stuff from your past that gives you the ability to recognize the small, everyday things that make you happy.  Happiness and “thank you power” aren’t about material objects, but rather the moments in your life that have made you feel that life is good.

 

Whispers of your Heart

Give thanks… to God, your angels, and the universe…for coming together to bring you love in the form of human love.  Whether you endured struggles and hardships along the way, a romantic relationship is what satisfies your heart.  Your heart received the affection of another person, and your heart is now complete.

Give thanks…for Free will.  Free will is the key ingredient to true love.  True love cannot exist without a choice: If you were forced to love a person, then love would disappear, and you would be under manipulation.  Your free will matched up perfectly with somebody else’s free will.  You & your husband have a will that crossed paths and shared its’ desires freely, locking at a center point of reciprocating love.

 Give thanks…for an intimate relationship that developed because of your choice and free will, in spite of all the other opportunities that you could have chosen that would have misled you down the wrong path to love.

 Give thanks…for a passionate romance… Your channels are unblocked to allow love to flow freely in to enhance your life.  Your earthly relationship with your husband is the avenue of expressing and receiving love

 Give thanks…for the life of promise you are now living.  A promise of unconditional love and acceptance that you and your spouse share together, which is the ultimate treasure above all other things in life.

 “Grace and remembrance be to you both.”
– William Shakespeare

Continue… please read Part 2

This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal.

Journey of wedding day preparation (Part 3)

/in /by

by Jaclyn Ianetti

Read Part 1 and Part 2 first

 

BODY, SKIN, MAKEUP, HAIR

*Take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing each night so that your smile will look its’ best the day of.

*If you’re going to be strict with anything, be strict with your skin!  Take care of it, go for facials, and use products that don’t irritate it.  Control your stress (by exercising, eating right and relaxing!) to minimize breakouts.

*Try different makeup lines to see what works best on your skin.  Purchase your own cosmetics if you’re having your makeup done professionally and so that you will have them on hand for any touch-ups on wedding day.  Choose waterproof mascara if possible!

*Go for trims to keep your hair healthy and be sure the hairstyle you choose for your wedding (whether you wear it up or down) doesn’t hide your face.  You will be taking lots of photos, kissing, and eating and you don’t want hair in the way!

*Go for trial run appointments with your hair stylist and makeup artist, so that your not freaked out on your special day if something doesn’t look the way its’ supposed to!

*Go for final bridal fittings to make sure fittings/measurements are ok.  On the day of, dress carefully and patiently to avoid a rip in your dress.

*SPEAK UP! If something isn’t the way you want (from your hair, makeup, spa treatments, bridal dress fittings, flowers, etc.)  YOU ARE THE BRIDE.  This day IS about YOU.  Speak your visions!

*SLEEP and RELAX:  Getting your sleep and enough time each day for your self to devote to relaxation is the key to looking and feeling good.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This whole wedding idea…the one magical day…the fairytale…creates so much pressure that you’re bound to lose your temper at a few points along the way!  Stop beating yourselves up about your weight or your looks along the journey:  Step back, re-evaluate the situation, and start celebrating who you are in the present moment and for all of the things you have already accomplished!   You will look beautiful on your wedding day, no matter how much you weigh or how good your hair or skin looks.  Just be yourself.  When you are your true self, confidence illuminates and beauty shines from the internal part of who you are to the external.

Enjoy your journey and enjoy the destination.  If you’re not where you want to be at?  No big deal!  For instance, being heavier than you’d like to be on your wedding day will not, in the least, distract from the impact of the huge commitment you’re about to make to your partner or the love and joy you’ll share with your family and friends.

Let your new regimen be to just relax and go along with the journey, without forcing or resisting anything.  Relax as you are whisked off to the bliss of your wedding!  Enjoy being a model for the photographer.  You want to enjoy this moment of being photographed, not feel like a stiff model fearing that your hair and makeup isn’t in place!

Let these suggestions pop the question in your head of “what is the most important thing about your wedding day?” To marry your love in a beautiful dress and to be surrounded by the ones you love most is the true gift of a wedding.  Celebrate love and all gifts life has to offer on your special day.

A PROPOSAL TO YOU:  Drop the pressure and enjoy yourself!

“We understand what you feel”

This article brought to you by www.aleanasbridal.com.

Journey of wedding day preparation (Part 2)

/in /by

Read part #1 first

Passion -> Pressure -> Preparation -> Perfection 

DROP THE PRESSURE out of this formula!

Ok, it might be unrealistic to “drop the pressure”…Easier said than done, I know!  But how do you at least ease the pressure on your journey to perfection?  Unrealistic expectations of everything that has to do with the wedding date will bring you down once your day arrives.  So first start off by acknowledging this and slowly try to rid yourself of all expectations and just go with the flow of doing the best that you can.  Once you feel stressed out, you are pushing yourself too hard.  Be gentle with yourself and the goals you wish to reach before your wedding.

The biggest pressure for brides is to lose weight, and how you will look, from head to toe, on your big day.  Altering yourself to fitting the dress you want shouldn’t be #1 on your to-do list.  Find a dress that fits you, one you’re comfortable in right now as you try it on!  This will alleviate the pressure to drop the weight in an unrealistic amount if time, which just adds more pressure for you soon-to-be-brides to resort to drastic measures of losing weight in unhealthy ways. Don’t be this desperate bride!  Set healthy goals and stick to a healthy meal plan if you wish to lose weight or maintain the weight you already are.  Remember, slow and steady steps will get you to your destination without feeling exhausted once you arrive.

There’s no doubt that every bride wants to look and feel her best on the big day, but the constant pressure of it all could be too much.  During your bridal journey, you might become someone you’re not…someone who worries constantly about their looks and beats herself up internally for not sticking to a certain diet and indulging too much at dinner one night.  How many calories are in that?  Don’t let your thoughts consume you and gain your healthy perspective back by taking excellent care of yourself so you’re feeling wonderful by the time your day arrives.

 ***Wedding planning for self-care

You want to look like yourself on the day of your wedding but at your best…your best self.  Your perfect day is quickly approaching, and the main goal of every bride in the world is to have the perfect day of beauty.  Don’t go for a dramatic change in your look, just take care of yourself, and prepare ahead by making appointments for your hair, makeup, manicure & pedicure, etc.

 *Outer beauty is a reflection of inner beauty.  Choose good food choices and quality exercise.  Eating right and exercising will help you drop those last few pounds without you thinking about it all the time.  It will just happen when you practice a healthy lifestyle.  This not only will physically benefit you, but will help with your mental and emotional stress.

*Try yoga and meditation!  This is a relaxing outlet that will keep you centered.  A centered, grounded feeling inside of you will help you focus on what is important.

Read part 3

This article brought to you by www.aleanasbridal.com.