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Theme Weddings (Part 1)

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By Jaclyn Ianetti

 Your wedding day is as special and unique as you are.  Everything about it should reflect your individuality, especially your ceremony and the reception.

First, plan your theme according to your ceremony and reception site.  Figure out what they both have to offer.  Does the hotel include ballrooms, bridal suite, and more?  Is there an outside party area?  Is it more of a casual, formal, or intimate setting?

 

*Ceremony site / Reception site

*Outside party area

*Bridal Suite

*Hotel

*Ballroom

*Country Club

*Water side

*Garden

*Castles/Mansion

*Yacht/Boat

 

Here’s a list of just a few ideas to engage with in choosing a theme for your own wedding…and you can always expand on the ideas to make one fit just for you.

*Double Wedding:  A single ceremony where two affiliated couples rendezvous for two separate weddings.  Are you one for sharing your ONE special day?  Be positive that all will be smooth if you do decide to book a double, and don’t let it turn into a scene from the movie “Bride Wars,” as Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson’s characters go from best friends to bride enemies at the same venue!…SCARY!

 

Weekend wedding:  A wedding in which couples and their guests celebrate over the course of a weekend.  Lodging is usually at the same facility as the wedding.

 

Military wedding: A ceremony conducted in a military chapel.

 

Civil wedding:  A ceremony presided over by a local civil authority, such as an elected or appointed judge, justice of the peace, or the mayor of a locality.

 

Let’s get creative with our list of fun & festive themes:

 

*Mardi Gras…for the PARTY bride!: beads, glow in the dark jewelry, Cajun food such as jambalaya & boiled shrimp…all spicy suggestions to serve in this New Orleans inspired theme.

 

*Masquerade Ball…for you costume lovers!  Decorated masks, jester dolls, and the primary colors of green, gold, & purple can be combined into this wedding.

 

*Winter Wonderland…Snow/Ice Queens!  Create a world of wondrous enchantment by using reflections of silver & gold…sparkle & shine…accented by a simple & sophisticated color scheme of pure white.

 

*Western Wedding…Grab your partner dosey-doe?  Cowboy hats and horseshoes…Add some country flair with an authentic cowboy atmosphere.

 

This article brought to you by Aleanas Bridal.

 

Journey of wedding day preparation (Part 3)

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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)

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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.

Journey of wedding day preparation (Part 1)

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by Jaclyn Ianetti

“We understand what you feel”

The sounds of wedding bells are just around the corner…and that’s all your loved ones seem to hear.  But you?- you hear something a bit more heavy than the lighthearted jingle everybody else seems to be enthralled in.  What is it exactly that is preventing you from enjoying these enchanting vibes? PRESSURE!

 A time-out from the rainbows and beautiful butterflies that are fluttering around your wedding daze, the pressures a bride feels to look her best on the day of the wedding is a real emotion that is often overlooked.  The bridal industry puts a ton of pressure on brides to look their best on their wedding day.  This extreme pressure is a universal feeling that ALL brides can identify with.  You are filled with excitement for the day of your wedding to finally arrive, yet you also cannot wait for it to be over so that you are relieved from all of the pressure that leads up to this day!  The anticipation of the entire journey to your wedding day can create a subconscious feeling to rush the process.

Once the day is here, the pressure to look your best is off, right?  But you don’t want to miss something valuable in the journey along the way.  It is a journey towards love.  And love should never be rushed.  Let the famous quote of “Love is patient, love is kind” replay in your head every time you find yourself secretly wishing for the day to just come already.  Why do you want the day to come so quickly?  Perhaps all of the pressure is the main culprit behind those feelings, which are sometimes subliminal and other times, thought out.  Be conscious of your emotions, and stay aware to how you are feeling.  As you do with love, be patient and kind with yourself, and your journey towards the wedding day.

JITTER TO BITTER

Wedding day jitters won’t necessarily turn you bitter, but they can surprise you with a full range of moods consuming your head and heart, affecting your self-esteem.  Your sensitivity is heightened during this precious time in your life, and you can find yourself reacting emotionally in ways you may never have expressed before.  You are passionate about everything that has to do with your wedding and how you will look.  So, as you see, what you are passionate about sometimes creates pressure, because you want everything to be perfect.

 

Every bride is trying to lose 10 pounds, get in shape, or is generally worrying about how she’ll look on her wedding day.  It seems almost impossible to escape the magazines and the models in them; because they are everywhere you look.  The bridal industry showcases uber-thin models in gorgeous gowns and even wedding websites’ sections are dedicated to headlines such as “Drop 10 pounds before your wedding!,” “Tone and slim your thighs!,” etc.  The fitness industry has even expanded to including “bridal boot camps.”  The worst part of the pressure, though, is the one you will put on yourself, because your eyes are flooded with images and articles that you keep seeing on wedding websites and in wedding magazines.  You feel you have to be perfect.

Read more in Part 2 and Part 3

This article is brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop located in the town of Paramus, NJ – Bergen County.

Wedding gown for Aquarius (Jan 21– Feb 19) The Retro Rebel

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Personality:   You are independence personified, Aqua girl.  Unconventional, unique, and willing to stick to your guns – especially in the face of adversity; these traits make you a great debater and a clear thinker, and therefore a valuable friend.  You lean toward the eclectic and are possibly even cluttered, in home and hearth, but everything you own is beautiful and high quality.  Aquarius is the sign of friendship and humanity.  You’re the girl next door, everyone’s best friend who loves animals, hates cruelty and always defends the underdog.  Although you can be popular and blend into the crowd, you are by no means traditional.  You’re the zodiac’s most futuristic and forward-thinking sign, have a bit of a rebellious nature, and whose weird ways and silly, quirky personality have your loved ones always coming back for more.

Style: Bohemian BFF…Unruly Rebel.  You are indie-artsy, but are careful not to follow the major trends unless you really love the look.  You lean toward clean lines and eye-catching pieces in silver, turquoise, and rich blues.  Often, it’s the outfits you throw on in a rush that end up receiving the most compliments; not paying attention to detail works for you.  You love flower power looks from the 1960’s, but can also rock ultra-modern styles and the latest trends.  You’re not afraid to shock people with a blast of color, an out-there trend or a controversial T-shirt.  Quirky pieces with a futuristic bent express your individuality and keep you from blending into the crowd.

Your eccentric side comes out through your style and you can simply make a statement with your hairstyle.

 

Your Dream Dress/ Wedding Dress Horoscope:  Unconventional and fun, Aquarian brides favor geometrical and asymmetrical cuts and have a distinctly modern taste that runs from delicate to bold.  As an air sign, you like to turn heads and make a statement.  As an independent thinker, Aquarian brides may mix and match different styles.   An Aquarius is known to reject the idea of a traditional gown and go with a trendy style.  From a wispy off-the-shoulder sheath to a sleek A-line with a halter neck, you want a dress that is sophisticated, yet bold and whimsical.  Your wedding gown will be elegant yet unique, classic yet intriguing.   A gown with geometric shape and unusual but amazingly beautiful back detail is a dress that has got Aquarius style covered.  Your family and friends will love the front of your dress made of tiny ruffles or layers of feathers, and a bodice that fits like a glove.  But once they turn around, and see a surprise twist of detailing on opposite side, they will marvel at the back.  Get creative with your accessories: a striking stone necklace or a pill box hat with bird-cage veil will upgrade your look to sensational.

Style icon who shares your sign:  Zsa Zsa Gabor

Aqua seductresses: Farrah Fawcett, Jennifer Aniston, Paris Hilton, Lauren Conrad

This article is brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop located in the town of Paramus, NJ – Bergen County. We will help you design the dress of your dreams. Please schedule your first appointment at Aleana’s Bridal Shop in Paramus, NJ or call (201) 444-1500.

 

Wedding gown for Capricorn (Dec 23– Jan 20) The Classic Charm

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Personality:  Hello, Ms. Independent!  Capricorns are always steadfast and surefooted and prefer to “go it alone” because they rarely trust others to finish the project.  You really don’t wait around for anyone else to get the job done.  Capricorns live a driven and structured life, taking all responsibilities seriously.  Your sign rules the 10th house of authority and leadership, making you the zodiac’s very own first lady.  Everybody knows they can count on a Capricorn, as you earthy beings are great friends and business partners.

Style: Timeless Classic…Blazing Business Woman.  As corporate climbers, Capricorns have some serious style.  You’re drawn to gray and blacks, blazers and button downs.  A Capricorn talent is mixing business attire with unexpected items – plaid scarves, interesting necklaces, even a fedora, because you have the skill to turn the most basic staple (White House/Black Market/ J. Crew) into an American classic.  You stun in quality pieces that stand the test of time, so it’s better for you to avoid the latest fads.  Your only style alert? With your workaholic nature, it’s easy to label fashion as a luxury or indulgence.  Well, Ms. Ambitious, statistics show that it takes only three seconds for people to form a first impression of you.  Make your mark in stylish, simple clothes that can outlast a long workday but still take you behind the velvet ropes at a glamorous VIP event.

Your Dream Dress/ Wedding Dress Horoscope:  Capricorns are typical Earth brides who are grounded in their roots.  They are perfectionists, who strive for a dignified, classic gown.  A structured bodice gown and perfectly cut silhouette will appeal to your elegant tastes and practical sensibilities.   A gown with three-fourth lace sleeves, a deep V-neck and full bottom are just a few of the aspects that make up the precious gown you aspire for.  Any additional pieces should be carefully considered.  Earth brides are very particular about what accents they choose to wear.  Pair your gown with a simple elbow or fingertip-length veil, a single strand of pearls, and some beautiful sling back shoes.  Or simply highlight your decolletage with an heirloom pendant and you’re ready to wed.  All Earth brides like a face that’s natural with a tiny touch of drama.  Splurge on a makeup artist and hair stylist to work your wishes for an authentic appeal that especially shows off your sound beauty of bone structure, skin, and teeth.

Style icon who shares your sign:  January Jones

Cappie seductresses: Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Mary J. Blige, Michelle Obama

This article is brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop located in the town of Paramus, NJ – Bergen County. We will help you design the dress of your dreams. Please schedule your first appointment at Aleana’s Bridal Shop in Paramus, NJ or call (201) 444-1500.

Photo credit to Mr. T in DC on Flickr.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20) The Dreamy Princess – Aleana’s Bridal Shop

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Personality: Your sign is a true chameleon, embodying a bit of the whole zodiac.  You are an emotive, empathetic, and inspirational old soul, and this applies to all areas of your life.  As a Pisces, you get absorbed into the projects you are passionate about – and get a rush from succeeding at those things.  You enjoy creating art and surrounding yourself with beautiful objects.

 Style: Enchanting Angel…Elegant, Edgy, Free spirited… with an emphasis on function over excessive-styling.  A simple style that is comfortable is preferred by you water element creatures over too tight-fitting, sophisticated ones.  Think: “Sexy Earth Mama Goddess” in flowy fabrics that metaphorically mirror the fluid nature of water.  You have a weak spot for rich materials that feel good to wear, like silk and cashmere, and enjoy pops of color here and there, even if the majority of your clothes are neutral colors.  Symbolized by two fish swimming in opposite directions, one never knows which direction your style will take.  Of course, this opens the whole world of fashion to you, depending on the day and your mood.  Go with the flow of what your mood tells you to wear, because you’re at your best when you don’t over-think your outfit…so trust that you are the trendsetter of the entire zodiac…because you truly are.

Your Dream Dress/ Wedding Dress Horoscope:

A Pisces gown should be all-embracing of the bride’s sensitive and compassionate soul.  For you Pisces brides, it’s the stuff of dreams & fairytales: a beautiful ball gown with a poetic bustle and cathedral train, a sweetheart neckline, and a full skirt of taffeta, chiffon or silk organza.   An elaborate, yet refined, romantic gown will do you the justice you desire.   A Grecian-inspired look that is composed of an elegant and modern gown, sheer fabric of the arms, and rich texture on the bust, creates the wondrous illusion you may fancy.

Your wedding dress will be flowing and soft: the kind that is made for dancing, not just standing for pictures.  Ivory and cream will have that earthier vibe that you dig, as opposed to stark white.  Lace and ribbons will give your dress that something special you crave.  Pisces rules the feet, so it is important that you feel lavish in your shoes – perhaps a jeweled stiletto or a gorgeous satin pump.  Pisces is ruled by Neptune, god of the sea.  Like a mythical mermaid, a flowy, feminine princess style with an enchantingly timeless appeal is the gown for you.

Style Icon who shares your sign: Elizabeth Taylor

Pisces seductresses: Drew Barrymore, Rihanna, Eva Longoria, Eva Mendes, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jessica Biel, Rue McClanahan

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