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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 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 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.

Theme Weddings (Part 4)

Start with Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

HAWAII THEMES

Waikiki, pineapples, fire dancers and hula girls!

No matter where you are, it’s easy to bring Hawaii, or any beach, to your own back yard (or wedding venue!).  This will be for the casual and laid-back bride that wants an exotic, island feel to her wedding.

Suggestive music selection should consist of soothing, pleasing, and relaxing tunes during important parts of the ceremony and reception.

You’ll want to include loose, colorful orchid blossoms or plumeria flowers as apart of your decorations and/or favors.  Silk flowers are also another option, and these will last forever.  You can also float some of these loose orchids in a few punch bowls filled with guava and passion fruit juice placed around the venue.  Consider having a flower piece as a favor for your guests to bring home, along with a tasty treat such as chocolate covered macadamia nuts.  Floating coconut candles and seashells are decorative accents you can add in to the ambiance of the reception room.  Consider a Hawaii-style side dish like fresh pineapple, luau punch, lomi salmon and haupia (a Hawaiian coconut flavored jello dessert) to create an authentic feel to the food being served.
Acknowledging special guests is customary in Hawaii, so giving guests a lei will show acknowledgment towards their presence and importance.  You can get creative in customizing your own leis, and if you choose to make them out of shells, they will look intricate and will last forever as a memento of your wedding.

 

A Midsummer Night’s Dreamfor you brilliant, dark, literary, sexy Shakespearean lovers!  As dramatic as you wish, set a mysterious mist of an enchanted forest where fairy lights dance to an everlasting tune.  Lilly pads sprinkled with fairy dust floating on a pond amidst the exotic, blooming flowers, hanging vines, and & an entwinement of ribbons.

“I know a bank where the wild thyme grows” — William Shakespeare

 

Vintage …a wedding full of nostalgiaWalk down memory lane into choosing your own antique look.  With a bohemian feel, this can be a very relaxed atmosphere filled with its‘ own unconventional paradox: laid-back and upbeat…all at once.  Be outside the norm and use eclectic styles from an almost forgotten time in the past.  Change from your ceremony gown into a casual white sundress at the reception and let down your locks wearing a “modern day hippie”  headband made of beautiful flowers around your head.  Your wedding can be a field of free spirits under a candlelit night sky.

 

 DISNEY WEDDING THEME

For you Disney dreamers and princesses, having a Disney themed wedding would be the perfect fit for you.  There is SO much to choose from with these types of weddings.  Depending upon the characters you love, your favorite Disney location, and many more factors…you can personalize this fairytale wedding to where it syncs up with your own Cinderella wishes.

 

You can chose to have your Disney destination in Florida, California, Hawaii, or even on-board the Disney Cruise Line.  There are a variety of bridal collections available: The Escape, Wishes, Couture, & Memories Collection…All of which offer a distinctive vision that celebrates your heart’s desire and personal style.  From Cinderella’s Castle to underneath the stars and fireworks in the exotic Epcot’s setting, there are plenty of options, accommodations, and activities based upon your wedding preference.

 

 – – – – – – – –  – – – – – – – –  – – – – – – – –  – – – – – – – –  – – – – – – – –  – – – – – – – –

As you can see, there are SO many wedding themes to play around with!  And I only listed a few of them!…so get in-tune to your own personality and style and do some research as to what wedding theme is the match for YOU on your very special day.

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

 

 

Theme Weddings (Part 3)

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 WeddingRed, 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

 

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.

Theme Weddings (Part 1)

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)

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.

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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.