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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.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21) Miss Pretty, Playful Personality – Aleana’s Bridal Shop

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Personality: Gemini’s are most well-known for having dual personalities, jack-rabbit energy, and the gift of communication (translation? Chatty Cathy!).  You’re precocious, knowledgeable, and quick to dole out witty one-liners.  “Wall flower” and “shrinking violet” are terms that can never apply to the Gemini: you’re effervescent and surrounded at parties.  The centerpiece of every event is you.  Others are drawn to your bubbly nature as you have the ability to turn the most mundane occasion into a sparkling affair.

 

Style:  Style-schizophrenia… Mix and Match Mistress…one day you’re Jackie O…the next, Lady Gaga.  You swing from one extreme to the next and aren’t afraid to take the occasional fashion leap of faith.  As the sign of the Twins, you’re all about variety and keeping people guessing.  One day, you couldn’t care less about fashion, slipping into sporty cargo pants and a tank top.  The next day, your “alter ego” takes over, sending you out in a colorful concoction that turns heads and makes jaws drop.  You’re an impulse shopper whose mind changes constantly and your fashion choices largely depend on your mood, but all and all, you’re flirty and playful.

 

Your Dream Dress/ Wedding Dress Horoscope:
Pay careful attention to what “personality” you’re feeling the day you go wedding dress shopping.  Because of Gemini’s dual personality, any style dress works.  And since you’re the “no fuss” kind of bride, you are happy with anything figure flattering and comfortable.  The simplicity of a dress accompanied by flowy fabrics would be a perfect match for a Gemini.   A knee-length bridal gown with a bubble skirt is the ideal dress for the Gemini: eye-catching yet not over-the-top.  A simple, striking gown that is everything but restricting is ultimately what you want; and a soft flow of fabric allows for graceful movement, just what you crave.  An involved detail in the middle of the busts calls for just the right amount of attention.  Your best features are the arms, hands, and torso, so emphasize this with a sleeveless dress, gorgeous lace gloves, or a cinch at the waist to show off that trim torso.  Adorn your wedding day hair style with a single, beauteous gardenia.

Style Icon who shares your sign: Marilyn Monroe

Gemini seductresses:  Natalie Portman, Heidi Klum, Angelina Jolie, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Courtney Cox

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.

Aries (March 21 – April 20) The Bold Beauty – Aleana’s Bridal Shop

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Personality:  Aries are innovative leaders and pioneers.  Impulsive and exuberant, you’re always the first of your friends to try something new like getting a pixie haircut…or to be the daring one to dive into frigid waters or to approach a guy at a bar and make the first move.  You’re more certain of yourself when you’re strutting down the road less traveled.  If something doesn’t capture your attention instantly, you’ll move on.  You know what you want and how to get it.  A decisive, ballsy, blunt, beauty with brains makes everybody trust in your opinions and guided directions, using you as their prime role model.

Style: Innocent Vixen…As the zodiac’s trailblazer, you’ll try any trend.  You take risks: violet tresses, thigh-high boots, maybe a Mohawk (you’ll try it and handle the consequences later!).  You’re more frightened of being boring than appearing on the “worst dressed” list.  You’re a fearless fashionista who lives by her own courageous rules.  A mix of girlie-girl and warrior woman, you can get away with outfits that reflect both sides of your personality: pairing a flouncy skirt with a crisp, tailored blazer or a miniskirt with combat boots.  Bold colors, like red, are your colors, as well as neutrals like black.  The most important thing for you and your sense of fashion is to never blend into the crowd.  Aries girls want to see and be seen in originality.

Your Dream Dress/ Wedding Dress Horoscope: An Aries bride wants to stun the crowd.  Tradition is not on the guest list for your wedding.  You’ll be inexplicably drawn to trend-setting, strapless numbers with colored accents in the form of a sash or trim.  You are the queen of the ball…and you want your whole look to reflect that honor.  You have a taste for bold trends and sexy styles, so go for a grand gown that makes a bold, beautiful statement.  Wear a dress that commands attention with pretty detailing around a bodice or neckline, some pearls, sequins, or lace.  The gown you’re going for is one with a trendy design, yet still possesses classic elegance.   Flaunt your flawless facial features and hair…and even wear a classy feather headpiece to top off the whole bridal look, Aries style.

Style Icon who shares your sign: Victoria Beckham

Aries seductresses: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Hudson, Reese Witherspoon

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.

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.