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Astrological Wedding Guide (Part 1)

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)

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 2)

Read Part 1 first

Feng Shui Photo Tips

Display happy pictures of you and your loved one laughing, smiling, hugging, and kissing.  Frame the pictures that conjure up the best of memories, including any professional wedding pictures.

 

Save the happy family photos to be showed elsewhere around the gathering spaces of your home, like the living room or kitchen.  Keeping family photos out of the main bedroom and putting any stray photos into albums will minimize struggles with family fall-outs and help to maintain healthy boundaries with relatives and within your own romantic relation.

It’s just those…good vibrations. 

…and I don’t mean you’re cell phone vibrating constantly updating your inbox.  Empty old messages everywhere you can think of…you’re text message log, voicemails, email accounts, etc.  Letting messages accumulate can make it difficult to get your wants and needs across.  Erasing old messages will keep the means of communication clear, thus inducing clear communication between you & your spouse, minimizing misunderstandings in dialogue and feelings of being unappreciated.

 

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Accessorize candlesticks, lamps, picture frames, etc. in pairs anywhere in the home, especially the bedroom, to amplify that two-of-a-kind energy you’re going for.   Always keep in mind that being selective with colors, photographs, and other subtle details add to the aura of keeping it a sacred place for two. 

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Every other room and detail in the house can create a more relaxing home for your relationship to stay happy & healthy…

 

The Living Room

Think…Inviting.  Position the sofa back up against the wall to face the main entry to enhance feelings of security.  Create symmetrical arrangements between pairs of seats and sofas to invite connection and positive energy.

The Bathroom

This is the “self-care” room in the house.  Splurge on a new shower curtain, towels, and bath mats: the more sparkling clean it is, the more you will find time for the things and people that bring you the most joy…including the holder of your heart, your spouse.

The Kitchen

…The health & wellness sector.  Clear out cabinets, cupboards, the pantry, refrigerator & freezers.  Purging and detoxing your kitchen will purge unwanted, stagnant energy out of you, creating an overall sense of well-being for you and your loved one.
Feng Shui for Twoand YOU.
All of these Feng Shui tips are designed to bring renewed energy to the areas of your life that will positively impact your romance, as well as many other relationships including the most important one…the one you have with yourself.

 

This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop. A bridal shop located in Paramus, NJ. Please schedule your first appointment at Aleana’s Bridal Shop in NJ or call 201-444-1500.

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

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.

 

 

Possible wedding disasters (part 3)

Read Part 1 and Part 2 first

 

Watch out for…

Gown issues:  Make sure it comes in on time by not procrastinating in the first place.  Your gown should be the first thing handled during your bridal journey.  What if it doesn’t fit you? – Make sure your not fluctuating weight by staying on a balanced diet/exercise regimen.

 

Fires and Flies:  Beware of candles…and stay away from those “bar flies” – those intoxicated guests who keep enthusiastically hitting the bar and then making their way over to hug you with their glass in hand-  to avoid alcohol spills on your precious gown!

 

Wah Wah Wahhh…Babies crying:  People bringing their children to the ceremony, when you sent out invitations instructing guests’ “NO CHILDREN ALLOWED!!!  Can we say…annoying?!?  Make sure everybody understands your sincerity with this wish by clearly stating in conversation your “rule” with those you know who have children before the big day arrives.

 

Extra guests…with no seating.  There may be some stragglers and wedding crashers, so make sure there are extra chairs at the venue just incase these unruly scavengers come and crash!

 

Rainstorm.  Of course the weather being bad could be quite devastating, especially if you have an out-door ceremony…but have arrangements made so that the ceremony could easily be brought in-doors.  If you have the reception outdoors, just have an area or patio covered by a tent…and hope that everybody could fit into this spot!    And if the weather really gets out of hand?  Please avoid mud by all costs! (My bridal beg to you!)

 

Out-of-line Speeches:  The maid of honor and best man may just have had a little too much to drink…and now they confidently take the mic., and deliver a very inappropriate…and embarrassing speech.  All you can do in this case is make sure they know beforehand that you will not tolerate nothing but a classy and respectful speech, and that they will suffer the consequences if they fail to deliver this promise.  Deal?  Deal!  Make this agreement.  And promise one another that they will limit their drinking till after they give their speeches.

Worst Wedding Disaster?…

Being stood up at the alter cannot be argued to being anything else but the worst nightmare imaginable to any bride…and groom!  Cold feet, no groom, and a run-a-way bride?  Sounds like nothing else can top that!

This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop. A bridal shop located in Paramus, NJ. Please schedule your first appointment at Aleana’s Bridal Shop or call 201-444-1500.

Possible wedding disasters (part 2)

Read Part 1 first

Hair Hassles

If the weather is literally raining on your parade!…don’t fret just yet.  If you know it’s raining, pull your hair back into a ballerina bun and secure with bobby pins or clips before heading out into the rain.  Once you’re inside, shake out your hair and lightly hairspray it.  If the clouds just open up and pour on your perfectly blow-dried hair randomly, take a drop of smoothing serum and gently run it over your hair before using a large curling iron to smooth out the kinks.  Humidity makes curly go frizzy.  To avoid, apply a small drop of shine serum to small hair sections, twist up the locks, then let them drop.  Don’t use too much hairspray either, to avoid “helmet head.”  If you’re a “hair-spray happy” girl and this does happen to you, use oil-blotting papers to tone down the shine and gently place hair where needed and use a mix of a shine serum with a paste.

Manicure Mishaps

Be sure to have the nail polish on hand that is the same shade of your manicure stored in your beauty bag for the day.  Stock a liquid nail adhesive and glue the nail back on (if you have tips).  Dot the polish over the nail, let dry, and file the edges smooth.  To prevent paint-chipped nails and nail breaking, have your bridal party help you put on jewelry clasps.

Makeup Mess…on your Gown

Blotting & Seltzer!!! First, try blotting, then place napkin on the inside of the dress and a seltzer spilled napkin on the outside, and gently dab out the stain.  Treat with a stain-removing pen (like those easy-carrying Tide pens) or try some hot water with plain soap.  If you really got yourself into a mess and can’t possibly get the stain out, ask your photographer to photoshop the stains out of your wedding photos.

Stylist Canceled

If you have a freelance artist coming to you, make sure you both have a contract that states…  “In case of an emergency, you will be provided with another artist at the same price.”  IF you don’t have an agreement like this and you must find your own stylist at the last minute, make sure you have one that you spoke to prior and explained that they will be on-call, if needed.   What if you’re look for the day doesn’t resemble your original artist’s work?  Avoid this by ensuring beforehand that your original artist has concisely written down everything necessary for achieving your desired look, including color choices and placement.  They should always keep information on file at the salon so that if there is a problem, the replacement artist will have solid directions to work with.

No-Show Stylist

If you have a freelance artist coming to you, make sure you both have a contract that states…  “In case of an emergency, you will be provided with another artist at the same price.”  IF you don’t have an agreement like this and you must find your own stylist at the last minute, make sure you have one that you spoke to prior and explained that they will be on-call, if needed.

Read Part 3

This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop. A bridal shop located in Paramus, NJ. Please schedule your first appointment at Aleana’s Bridal Shop or call 201-444-1500.

Possible wedding disasters (part 1)

By Jaclyn Ianetti

Before we get started, let’s look to the stars for a second…

 

Venus is the planet for love and harmony…and when Venus goes retrograde (moving backward), it can feel like anything BUT love.  When a planet goes retrograde, its’ powers dim down, and things under its’ ruler ship can go a little bit haywire.  So with our planetary peacekeeper taking a nap, it will be up to us scrappy humans to get along on our own.

Venus was actually retrograde this past wedding season/summer, from May 15 through June 27.  Venus goes retrograde every year and a half or so, and it’s typically known as a “blackout time” for weddings.  But seriously, with weddings being planned months (if not years) in advance, who can call off their nuptials just because of this temporary transit?  If you happen to be getting married during any Venus retrograde, just take some extra precautions: Seat those argumentative relatives across the ballroom from each other…Put a presumptuous maid of honor in her place, or she’s out of the party!…And if you’re having serious second thoughts about your betrothed-to-be, don’t “say yes to the dress” just because the flowers and cake have been ordered.

During Venus retrograde, we’ll see our share of breakups … and makeups.

Retrogrades also bring back the past, so you’re as likely to take a temporary time-out from someone as you are to hear from “the one who got away” and even to consider a reunion.  Relationships built on a shaky foundation will need to strengthen and fortify.  This wouldn’t be a bad time to call up a couples’ therapist, try a workshop, or just simply make the communication channels between you and your sweetheart extra clear so you know where you both stand with each other.

Have no fear, though!…With a conscious mind and a generous heart, anybody can offset the waves of discord during Venus retrograde.
Wedding Woes

Some of these may seem like itty-bitty problems, but we all know that one tiny little issue on the day of your wedding is the equivalent to being the biggest disaster EVER!!!!

Facial Flare

What can be worse than waking up with a pimple on your wedding day?  For any facial flare-ups, just ice it…and then leave it alone.  DO NOT pick or squeeze anything the day of the wedding.  This includes extractions.  Any doing of the previously mentioned will just make the problem area more inflamed, reddened , and harder to cover.  Apply a concealer with a green base to counterbalance the red in the pimple on top of foundation to the area and set with a powder for more staying power.  Keep your concealer on hand for touch-ups through out the day.

Read part 2 and Part 3

This article brought to you by Aleana’s Bridal Shop. A bridal shop located in Paramus, NJ. Please schedule your first appointment at Aleana’s Bridal Shop or call 201-444-1500.

Bride’s wish list (part 1)

 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 thanksfor 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 thanksfor 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 1)

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.

Bride’s wish list (part 2)

Read first : Part 1

 

What do you love about your spouse?
Create love notes together or alone, as reminders & keepsakes of what has made you fall in love with the man you chose to be your husband.

Store these love notes in your treasure chest: notes compiled in a book, photo/note album, wooden box, a spot on the table each morning to show your husband your love for him each day or on special occasions, or simply inside your heart. Your treasure chest, whether tangible or intangible, is your heart’s realizations, unlocked.

These heartfelt quotes can be apart of your love note collection if you choose:

“Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”
– Emily Bronte

“There are three things that last: faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love” – I Corinthians 13:13

“Two human loves make one divine.”
– ***Elizabeth Barrett Browning

“I have spread my dreams beneath your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.”
– ***W.B. Yeats

“He is blessed in love alone,
Who loves for years and loves but one.”
– Sir A. Hunt

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
A Wish for the future with the man you chose

Your very own… “Wish Tree of Love”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –”
– Emily Dickinson

“Sit by me, my beloved, and listen to my heart; smile, for your happiness is a symbol of our future.”
– Kahlil Gibran
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You made many commitments so far, now what about one towards the ambitions, hopes & dreams of your future? Do you and your husband want the same things? How much do you know about your partner’s vision of the future? Are you able to chat openly about where you see yourselves in five years, ten years time? You should be able to talk openly and freely about this with him. Issues should not be overlooked as couples embark on their new life together. Talk about what matters to you both!

Below are some starting points, whether you know the answers to them right now or not, it’s ok…what matters is your honesty.

Children: Many people assume that getting married means having children sometime in the future, while others see having a family as only a possible consequence. If having a child is a given for you make sure that your partner is aware of how much this matters to you. Research shows it is really important for couples to share views on having children. What are your memories of childhood? Thoughts around having one child or a big family? If either of you have children from previous relationships what issues does this raise for both of you?

Extended family: How involved would you want them to be? Things you would like to replicate from your own upbringing and things you would want to avoid?

A Home : What did home mean to you growing up? How important is it to be near family and friends? Do you see yourself settling in one area or moving around? How important is a nice home to you? Where do you want to live?

Career: ? Your job and home coincide, and the location of one will absolutely influence the other! What work do you do and why? Self-employed? Employed? Balancing work with home life? Ideal job and why? Which matters most – pay or doing a job you love? How ambitious are you? What motivates you?

Life together and apart: The importance of your social life; how much time will you spend together as a couple, how much time apart? Quality of time spent together? Shared activities and separate hobbies? What certain interests and hobbies signify for you? Travel plans and dreams?

Write down and share with your partner or save for a later time some practical goals as well as your big dreams and fantasies…these show you your passions. Your dreams are real…and your hopes are just your heart speaking its’ honesty. . .

 

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

Photo credit to Ritarosephotography.com