August 2008 Archives

Celebrities get hitched all the time these days. It seems absolutely natural that they would meet each other, date, fall in love, and marry, right? After all, celebrities have a right to want to share their lives with someone else who understands what it's like to live in the spotlight if they want to. The cool part, I'd say, about celebrity weddings is that they tend to be relatively extravagant. Going above and beyond the norm with weddings seems to be the expertise of celebrities when they marry. That's exactly why I'm starting this celebrity wedding spotlight section here on the site.

Today's spotlight is Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale. These two lovebirds tied the knot back in 2002. Both musicians who had been successful in the rock industry, they always seemed like quite the perfect match to me.

THE STORY:
Gwen was 32 and Gavin was 34 at the time of their wedding. They dated for 6 years after having met backstage in 1995 before Gavin finally popped the question to her-on New Years Day. The two married in both London and Los Angeles. London was the intimate wedding for close friends and family while the Los Angeles wedding was designed for their celebrity and industry friends in California. They kept the wedding under tight wraps until it was over and done with as to avoid unwanted media attention.

Sometimes before a big day like a wedding, your hair might need a little bit of a boost. Everyone struggles with different hair ailments, to be fair, but few people know anything of the simple tricks that can change hair for the better in a very short amount of time. Through ongoing beauty research and real life experience traveling more often than not, I have caught onto some of these secrets and I'm ready and willing to share them. If you're struggling with some sort of hair condition before a big day, maybe I can help you solve your problem.

If you have naturally oily hair, try mixing baby powder into your hair after it has dried. You'd think that this would leave a white residue, but it truly blends in after a little bit of brushing. The baby oil absorbs the grease and it leaves your hair much more neutral and more full, too.

If you have naturally thick, coarse hair and conditioners don't seem to do the trick...mix and egg, avocado, and olive oil (or mayo) together. Put this on your wet hair as a deep conditioner and leave it in for 30 minutes. You'll be floored with the results.

If you have dull hair and are looking for a way to increase shine, coat your hair with lemon or lime juice the day before the big day and make sure it is exposed to sunlight for at least an hour. This will bring out the natural highlights in your hair and it'll look better than anything a salon could pull off.

These are just a few tricks, I hope they help!

Many women out there have short hair. Short hair is an easy alternative for many women to long hair that requires upkeep. However, short hair can pose a lot more problems when it comes down to formal hair. It takes quite a bit of creativity to make short hair look exceptionally elegant since there's not much to work with. However, with the right approach, short hair can look as classy as any other hairstyle on the big day.

Tips for making short hair work:

Accessorize! Whether it's with jewels, flowers, or other hair accessories, do what you can to accent your short hair by ornamenting.

Volume! Use volume to your advantage! With short hair, you have a much higher capacity for volume. Use that! Fluff away and go with a natural, volume-boasting look.

Short hair has just as much potential for looking lovely for a wedding as long hair. Just make sure you work what you've got!

With all of the beautiful clothing that shows up at weddings, it's relatively important that everyone knows how to get rid of stains if they should come up at the weddings. Most wedding venues have more than you might suspect on hand-or within a short distance-that can do wonders for removing stains. Here are some common stains that might come up at weddings and what you can do to fix them.

BLOOD
For blood, sprinkle salt on the stain and wash it out. This is something that you can take care of on the spot should it happen since most weddings or receptions will have salt around.

CHOCOLATE
Should you spill some chocolate, wash the stained spot out with some milk. It'll work like a charm!

COFFEE
Washing the stained clothing with liquid detergent and cool water should work for this one.

GRASS
White vinegar and cool water will do the trick for this one.

LIPSTICK
Try hairspray! It gets it out right away.

WINE
For wine, use milk or club soda.

Some people naturally have flawless etiquette. Others don't really have much etiquette at all. But when it comes down to weddings, it is important that everyone has etiquette-even if it is forced. However, regardless of how important this is, some people still tend to mess up and not say the right things when they should...or they say all of the wrong things when they shouldn't. Here's my list of the top things you should never say to the bride, groom, or their families.

1. "I can't believe she finally is settling down! She's so wild. I never thought she would...!"

2. "You can't even tell she's pregnant!"

3. "Remember that time he/she was sooooo drunk......?"

4. "Oh...I thought you were going to go with the OTHER dress..."

5. "Well, he finally cleaned up nice...."

6. "I came for the alcohol."

7. "I'm scared to see them as parents..."

8. "Good thing that first marriage didn't work out..."

9. "Glad he finally grew up..."

10. "Why is she wearing a white dress again?"

Lots of people get married on beaches. This really shouldn't come as any surprise to you. After all, beaches are breath taking places. There's something very special about committing to another person for life where the ocean meets the land. So, if you get invited to a beach wedding sooner than later, make sure you're ready for it. There are some things you should make sure you brace yourself for in the world of beach weddings. Here are just a few:

SHOES
You're going to want to wear sandals, probably flip flops to be specific. There's not much worse than sand in dress shoes.

HAIR
With the wind that tends to always be around on so many beaches, it's best if you keep your hair in something lose that would be tragically messed up should a big gust of wind come around.

SKIN
Make sure you don't bypass sunblock on the big day! You're not going to want a sunburn from a wedding, right?

MAKEUP
When you're outside in the heat, you shouldn't wear much makeup. The last thing that you want is for your eyeshadow to be dripping down your cheek, right?

There's something already charming enough about beautiful girls playing string instruments with passion. Deck these girls out in flawless (and timeless) dresses and you've got something truly stunning. The Miraflores Trio, based out of New York, have fit the description above precisely. These three girls, Yumi Cho, Sarah Koo, and Theresa Kim, seem to floor audiences everywhere they go with their talent. The girls certainly know what they're doing. Then again, considering that they each have degrees from Juliard, no one should be surprised. Combining the sounds of piano, violin, and cello, these girls have been playing together for years and they have honed their gifts remarkably. They set out on a tour last year with what else to wear other than the remarkable dresses from The Dessy Group. Each girl had four gowns on tour with them; tailored for each girl's body.

Here are some of the gowns they chose.

If the soon-to-be bride in your life is a vegan, you may be wondering about what your safest bets are for gift giving. After all, the last thing you want to do is give her something that she can't really use because it has got some sort of animal product involved in it that you had no idea about. It can be a touchy subject to bring up and an awkward moment if you do end up giving a gift that isn't welcomed. If you've got a vegan friend getting married, try some of these options for you gift:

YakPak makes some great vegan bags, check them out!

Juniper makes some very cute vegan boots that might make a nice gift.

Vegan cookbooks are always sure to make vegans in your life happy, too.

Gift baskets filled with vegan snacks are always warmly welcomed.

Beauty Without Cruelty is a cosmetics company that makes great products that are totally vegan.

These are just a few ideas. Make sure that you do consider them if you're looking to buy for a vegan!

It's easy to stress out about what to get the bride for the big day. However, it doesn't have to be as complicated as you probably think that it has to be. Many people actually prefer homemade gifts over bought gifts. After all, it's pretty easy to get a bought gift wrong but it's hard to get something you make yourself wrong. Why? Well, people appreciate the thought and effort of course! If you're torn about what to get the bride for the big day, why not make her a cosmetics set? Tons of cosmetics items can be easily made from home. I know this because I make many of them myself. With some simple internet research and the items you might already have lying around your house, you could whip up a cosmetics set for the bride as a gift that could include the following items:

Eye Shadow
Lip Gloss
Body Scrub
Perfume
Lotion
Lipstick
Shampoo
Conditioner

All of these items are easily made! Think about it.

Being eco-friendly and having a green wedding is all of the rave these days. And why not? We shouldn't go around producing excessive waste and hurting our planet for the sake of a wedding, right? However, most people have no idea where to start when it comes down to making their wedding more green. If you're looking to have a more eco-friendly wedding, here are some tips:

1. INVITATIONS.
Make your invitations electronic or have them printed on recycled paper. There's no sense in having a tree chopped down for the sake of a wedding invitation.

2. FOOD.
Go organic with your food! In addition to going organic, you can reduce the amount of meat you serve and help save the country tons of resources in the energy department.

3. GIFTS.
Spread the word that you prefer cash gifts or gift certificates. Wedding presents that aren't a great match for the bride and groom often go to waste and that is not green at all!

4. USED ITEMS
Use items that have already been used as much as you possibly can. This could be the silverware and dishes during your reception, the decorations, or even some of the dresses.

One mistake lots of women make on the day of a wedding is wearing makeup that is not waterproof. It simply makes no sense to do this! If you're emotional in the least, you're going to wind up crying at the wedding. I hardly cry during any "girly" movies or situations and yet I still cried when i watched my best friend get married. It's just something that most women do at weddings. When you're getting ready for the wedding on the day of, make sure that your makeup is waterproof. If you're looking for some good waterproof makeup, check out some of the following products:

Clique Waterproof Mascara
Sephora Waterproof Eyeshadow
Prestige Waterproof Lipstick
Sephora Waterproof Eyeliner

The above products are the key ones when it comes down to waterproof makeup. Get these on your face and in your purse on the big day and you'll have nothing to worry about.

It's no mystery that drinking, in many countries, is a means of celebration. This is particularly true at lots of weddings every year. While wedding receptions usually boast a full bar with an array of drinks, champagne is the traditional celebratory drink and you'll rarely find a wedding without it. Whether you're picking the wedding champagne yourself or just looking to bring some good champagne along with you as a gift for the bride and groom, it's important that you know the champagnes that are the best for occasions such as these. However, you should keep in mind that champagne and sparkling wine are the same thing...the only difference is that the grapes for Champagne are literally grown in the area of Champagne, France. Here are the champagnes and sparkling wines that top the list for weddings:

Anderson Valley Roederer Sparkling Wine
Domaine Chandon
Veuve Cliqot
Cristal
Krug
Spanish Cava

There are plenty of other sparkling wines and champagnes out there. The real issue is how much money you're able to spend on the drink. Keep in mind that most people don't drink this sort of drink regularly and they'll have a hard time telling the difference between a $100 bottle and a $20 bottle.

Every girl wants to look thin-or so it seems. But most girls feel even more pressure to look thin on the days when they dress up. This could be for something like Prom, a business meeting, or..especially...a wedding. Many girls diet for weeks before weddings and work hard to find the perfect dress that will complement their bodies. However, some women are simply picking the wrong colors and fabrics. There are certainly some fabrics and colors out there that will take 5-10 pounds off of you image-wise and if you're struggling with your image, these should be essential for the dress you're wearing on the big day.

FABRICS
Stretchy fabrics are usually the best. You want something that pulls into you. Spandex blends are great. The key is to have the dress tight enough that it gives you a great shape, but not so tight that it shows every single part of you.

COLORS
Dark colors are key for women who are trying to appear thinner. On top of that, consistent colors are also key. Having one solid color from head to toe will make a woman seem taller and therefore slimmer. Crazy and bright patterns are the worst for a woman who is trying to watch her weight.

At the end of the day, everyone should simply be comfortable with their weight, but if you're not, try carefully considering your fabrics and colors when picking your important dress.

Getting along with fellow bridesmaids can sometimes be much easier said than done. Sure, you all have the bride as a mutual friend. You'd think that would be a common denominator enough to bring you all together for the big day, but unfortunately, it doesn't always work this way. In fact, sometimes...SOME bridesmaids just flat out hate each other. Here are some tips for getting along with your fellow bridesmaids if you feel you might be struggling on the big day.

1. KEEP THE BRIDE IN MIND.
Not only should you keep the bride in mind for the fact that the wedding is her big day, but you should also keep her in mind to remember that she sees something in all of these ladies that is incredibly special.

2. STAY CALM.
My dad always taught me growing up..."No one can get your goat if they don't know where it's hiding". It's one of my favorite things he ever taught me. If you don't get along with one of the bridesmaids...don't let her get your goat!

3. PLAY NICE.
A lot of times, we can stir up drama ourselves without realizing that we're doing it. Don't do this! Make sure you play fair and don't send the wrong signals to the bridesmaid you don't like that much.

If you are newly engaged, there is a magazine for you entitled Engagement 101. The new pub is put out by our very own, and highly esteemed Severine Ferrari, known for pioneering Couture Bridal with Wedding Dresses magazine.

Engagement 101 Magazine T.V. Teaser

Weddings inherently bring in gifts. There are gifts for the bride and gifts for the groom. Heck, there are usually gifts for the best man and maid of honor, too. However, when little kids are on great behavior when participating in a wedding, they deserve to have a part in the gift giving, as well!

I'm talking about flower girls in particular. They work so hard on the big day to be pretty and well-behaved. Not only do I think they deserve a gift on the big day so they can share in the enthusiasm, but this gift can serve as a souvenir for years.

When the girl works so hard to dress up as nicely as a doll, I feel as though a doll is a great gift for her to commemorate the big day. You can get doll dresses in the same fabrics and colors to match the bridesmaids or flower girl dress. They make the perfect gift when matched with a beautiful doll. Dessy makes them and they are fabulous.

If you're considering finding a gift for a little flower girl in your life, consider this!

Being asked to be a bridesmaid is exciting. To be honest, it is thrilling! It's the ultimate expression of appreciation from a bride to a close friend and for any close friend of a bride, saying YES should be automatic. However, it can be really confusing to fully understand what the duties of a bridesmaid actually are. So if you, like so many others, have found yourself wondering what it is exactly that bridesmaids do, don't worry! Here's a short summary.

-Help the bride pick her dress.
-Help the bride pick her jewelry.
-Pay for hair and makeup expenses.
-Address invitations.
-Create wedding favors.
-Plan a bridal shower and a bachelorette party.
-Spread the word about where the couple is registered.
-Help with out of town guests.
-Collect gifts and envelopes.
-Direct guests to their seats.

Knowing what to do for your hair for the big day can be tough. After all, hair can certainly be difficult to manage and even more difficult to predict. It is essential that you pick a hair style for the wedding that will last all day and night without much effort of fuss. Nonetheless, every girl alike wants a hair style that is glamorous and out of the norm for her own routine.

Don't be embarrassed if you need some ideas for your wedding hair! Most ladies have trouble finding just the right style. So, in an effort to help, here are some suggestions:

A SMOOTH BUN
It's no wonder that the bun is such a timeless symbol of class when it comes down to hair. It never really goes out of style. It's smooth and beautiful and if you decorate it with flowers, you're in the gold when it comes down to wedding hair.

LOOSE WAVES
Loose waves seem to also be popular amongst many women for the wedding day. They're quite easy to achieve and pretty difficult to really "mess" up. All that you need to do to get these popular loose waves is to scrunch up your hair when wet and spray down with some sort of scrunching spray or hairspray.

TWISTED UP
All it takes for an elegant look really is a stack of bobby pins. Twist your hair up and pin it down with bobby pins. Place some flowers in these pins and you are good to go. This is a timeless wedding look that you really can't go wrong with.

Flower girls are a unique part of any wedding. These adorable little girls get to be dressed up like dolls on this big day and believe me, they usually love it as much as everyone else.

Every little girl loves the idea of being dressed up and looking like a princess. Being a flower girl is her way to finally be that princess...for a day. This is why flower girl dresses are so important! Being able to help the little girl in your life feel as special as she possibly can on that big day is essential. After all, no one wants to see a grumpy little flower girl, right?

Choosing the right dress is essential. Flower girl dresses come in an array of color and it is important that the little girl at hand has a say in her dress style or color. If she feels that she has had a say in what the dress looks like, she'll be much more excited about the big day and her role in it.

So pick the dress carefully. Make sure the girl is totally happy - and comfortable - with her dress.

One thing that every girl, across the board, seems to want is... shiny hair. And I'm sure you feel the same way. Who doesn't want their hair to glisten at every beam of light? I certainly do. I especially want this kind of hair on really important days...you know, like...a wedding. But lets face it...not all of us have naturally shiny hair. Some of us actually have pretty dull hair-lifeless, if you will. Maybe this sort of hair is acceptable for day to day wear, but it shouldn't be acceptable for weddings. You might feel like this is something that is out of your hands, but it's not! Here are some tips for getting your hair to shine that you should definitely take before the big day:

1. TRIM YOUR HAIR
Did you know that split ends cause frizz? It's true.

2. DEEP CONDITION
Deep conditioning really works! Try to do this at least once a week.

3. ADD VINEGAR OR LEMON JUICE TO YOUR RINSING WATER
Yep. It may sound crazy, but it's not. If you have blonde hair, use lemon juice. If you have darker hair, use Apple Vinegar. Simple rinse your hair with a combination of these products and water.

4. HONEY
Put honey in your hair after you shampoo. A teaspoon should be plenty.

5. USE HEAT ACTIVATED HAIR PRODUCTS
A lot of girls neglect to notice how often they use heat products on their hair. From blow dryers to hair straighteners, many of us use heating products without even thinking twice. Using a heat activated shampoo (or other product) will permit your hair to take advantage of that heat rather than be hurt by it.

Are you a fan of Lela Rose?Not sure you know who she is? Think again..you probably do. She's a Texan fashion designer, serving the likes of Jessica Simpson, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, and the Bush family...just to name a few. She's a designer with taste and flare...which, as you probably know, can be very difficult to achieve. From a line of shoes at Payless to a vintage clothing company she started when she was still in college, Lela is well known in the fashion industry-and for good reason! (Um...SHE ROCKS).

So how does this apply to bridesmaids and brides?

Oh, it's simple: She's releasing a bridesmaid collection. The collection will include 12 different dresses and they're all bound to be gorgeous. The collection will be released through The Dessy Group.

This is going to be a hit, so make sure you keep your eyes open for these new gowns.

While I am a huge fan of the wedding-tailored flip flops that The Dessy Group makes, I have to break some sad news to all of you: They aren't going to stay on your feet if you decided to cross a rushing creek (that might as well be called a river) during a severe thunderstorm.

It's true. Last weekend, I went for a bit of a camping adventure in the forests of New Jersey. (I know! I had no idea there were forests in New Jersey until then, either!). Part of our little adventure lead us through a 5 mile hike in the woods of Pennsylvania toward a 60 foot waterfall. We found the waterfall and had a great time swimming and cliff diving. Everything was dandy...even the fact that we'd all worn flip flops on a rather long and physically straining hike. Everything was dandy until a severe thunderstorm hit, that is. The problem was that we had had to cross a creek that was a few feet deep in order to get to the waterfall. By the time we got back to the crossing spot on the way out, in the pouring rain, it was rushing and above my waist. (And I'm 5'7, so you do the math).

Sadly, my awesome sandals rushed off of my feet and down the creek. I hiked back out 5 miles without any shoes at all.

Note to readers: The Dessy Group sandals are absolutely darling - but not meant for hiking.

Do you find that all of your closest girlfriends are dropping like flies around you getting married? Are you always the bridesmaid and never the bride? This is such an old saying because it's such an old situation for some gals to be in. Lots of girls out there find themselves staying single...even when they really don't want to be single. In the opinion of many of my guys friends...this is often for a reason. Some of my closest guys friends have let me in on some secrets as to why some girls who really want long term commitment can't get it.

5 NO-NOS THAT MIGHT BE GETTING IN THE WAY FOR YOU

DO YOU GET SERIOUS TOO QUICKLY?
Guys are driven away by this. Do you use words like love before you even really know a guy? Do you bring up marriage often or gawk at every toddler you see in a park? These are all sure ways to send a guy running in the other direction.

DO YOU COMPLAIN ALL THE TIME?
No one wants to be with a person who doesn't know how to be happy. Happiness is contagious...but so is misery. If you're often negative and constantly find yourself complaining...it's no wonder why you're driving all of the good guys away! No one wants to be around that.

ARE YOU INSECURE?
Even if you're secretly insecure about some things, voicing your insecurities constantly is a no-go with guys. If you are constantly doubting yourself, don't you think they too will start to doubt you eventually? If you are always highlighting your worst qualities, that's all that anyone will be able to see eventually.

ARE YOU DEPENDENT?
Are you mostly interested in getting married so that you can depend on a man financially? If this is the case, you might be driving men away simply because of your lack of independence. We live in a world today where most women work for themselves...and WANT to. It's rarer than you might think for a guy to meet a girl who relies on him financially and that can be a heavy burden.

There is no sure way to meet Mr. Right, but there are definitely sure ways to drive Mr. Right away. Keep that in mind!

When you're a close friend of a soon-to-be bride, you feel a bit more pressure than most other people to give her just the right wedding present. After all, you, above so many other people, know her deepest secrets and understand parts of her personality that others easily may not understand. The pressure can be thick, so I think there are some key ingredients that make up a great gift that you should keep in mind so that you can be sure to give her a gift that she'll love.

HANDMADE
Even if the whole gift isn't handmade, adding some personal touch will surely show the bride how much you care about her.

THOUGHT
Make sure you put a lot of thought into whatever you're giving her. It should make her think of positive memories or be relevant to a positive part of her.

FINANCIAL INVESTMENT?
I'm not convinced that a great present needs to cost a lot of money. However, your time and thoughts are worth money. With that said, I think the idea counts a whole lot more than how much money you spent on it.

AN IDEA
Here is something I made one of my best friends when she got married. I collected pictures from landscapes of places that she really liked...the town where we grew up, the island on which she met her husband, etc. I got the images screen printed onto lots of pieces of fabric. (Honestly, if you're careful, you could just print these off with your color printer as long as you lightly glue the edges of the fabric to a thicker piece of printer paper). I used these pieces of fabric with these special images to create a patchwork quilt that she'll never forget. Just an idea!

Outdoor weddings are incredibly popular. I mean, really, what's more romantic than getting married next to the sunset? The beach, the forest, the desert...you name it. There is something fundamentally romantic and pure about nature and it's no wonder, to me, why so many people want to get married surrounded by nature. With that said, outdoor weddings definitely do pose more potential inconveniences than indoor weddings. Problems you may not have accounted for can come up and, if you're not prepared, they can make your overall experience less pleasant than it should be.

THE PROBLEM: Sweat.
THE FIX: Make sure you bring a hand fan, a cloth, and deodorant with you.

THE PROBLEM: Bugs.
THE FIX: Find a bug spray to bring with you that doesn't smell awful.

THE PROBLEM: Sunburn.
THE FIX: Coat yourself with sunblock and wear makeup with SPF in it. Also opt to sit/stand in the shade every chance you can.

THE PROBLEM: Walking.
THE FIX: If you're wearing heels, bring some flip flops, too.

Outdoor weddings can be majestic. However, you should make sure you're ready to deal with the problems you may have to weather with them.

Bridesmaids dresses are a big deal. They're expensive and extremely formal. Many bridesmaids find themselves wondering where and how they'll ever use their dress again. After all, the dresses are so beautiful and it would be a shame to see one of them go to waste without further use.

For those of you bridesmaids who have younger family members or friends who are still in high school, I highly suggest giving your dress to that young lady for a dance like prom. Many young girls (or their respective families) have a hard time every year trying to come up with the money for an expensive prom dress.

When I was younger, I opted just to design and make my own dress instead of deal with all the drama surrounding figuring out how to afford an expensive dress. If you know a young lady around this age, it wouldn't hurt to show her your bridesmaid dress, right? Or perhaps, if the two of you are close, you could even consider helping her assist you with picking out the right dress that would also suit her later on.

So if you're wondering what in the world to do with your bridesmaid dress once you are through with it, consider the young women in your life!

One of the hardest things you can ever do it to sit back and watch one of your close friends date a guy you don't really like that much. One of the only things out there that manages to be tougher is to have to sit back and watch that close friend marry that guy you don't like that much.

At a certain point, your opinion of the guy doesn't count all that much. Trust me. I have seen countless friends of mine date losers who treat them like dirt and yet, they keep maintaining the relationship regardless of the way they're treated. If you're a good friend, watching this kind of thing happen is really painful.

I've even brought up my concerns over boyfriends to some close friends, too. Most friends have eventually broken up with their guys and thanked me later for my honesty, but some girls really never learn. If that girl who never learns happens to be one of your close friends, you might need some help with getting through the wedding.

SUPPORT YOUR FRIEND
If she claims that she is happy with the guy she is with, it is not up to you to tell her that she is wrong or right. She is the only person who can truly determine whether or not she is actually happy. Be happy that she is happy and leave it at that.

BE CIVIL WITH THE GROOM
Avoid him if you can, but be civil when you are around him. Nothing will ruin your friend's wedding more than people she cares about causing drama. Give him your congrats and move on.

LET HER KNOW YOU'RE THERE FOR HER
If you think your friend really is marrying the wrong guy, then she is definitely going to need your support down the road when trying to deal with their incompatibility. Let her know that you're there for her, always, and make time to actually be there for her, too.

Bridesmaids and brides alike often struggle with the question of whether they should get fake nails for the big day. Not all women have long nails or are even capable of growing long nails. For instance, I'm a guitarist and can't have my nails long because it makes playing guitar nearly impossible. Given this common situation, fake nails sometimes seem to be the only answer.

However, everyone considering this should weigh the pros and cons of fake nails before deciding to use them on the big day.

PROS
They're an easy way to achieve a look that isn't permanent.
They're relatively cheap.
They can truly accent your dress colors.

CONS
Fake nails can do some intense damage to your real nails when pulled or broken off.
They make even the smallest of tasks more difficult than they should be.
If any break off, your look is ruined. (After all, no nails whatsoever looks better than one or two nails blatantly broken off).

The choice is certainly up to you and your friends, but make sure you consider the pros and cons beforehand. If you're not used to wearing fake nails, you may be unpleasantly surprised with the outcome. Do a test run several weeks before the wedding.

Ok. Maybe you know in you're gut that's unrealistic to expect to have a totally new body in time for the big day. Eating only salads for four weeks isn't any fun and losing a lot of weight in a short amount of time isn't healthy, either.

However, if you're struggling with your weight and body image, you might feel 100% better about yourself if you could just shed 5 pounds to give a little bit of bounce in your step. If you pace yourself, you can easily lose those 5 pounds in the four weeks before the wedding without having to only eat salads. Here are some tips to follow:

EXERCISE REGULARLY
Seriously. I know you've heard this one before, but it's incredibly important. Make sure that you exercise 4 or 5 days a week if you can.

EAT HEALTHY
Eating healthy doesn't have to mean only eating fruits and veggies. It's about eating whole grains (NO white bread!). It's about eating lean meat. (fish, chicken, etc.) It's about drinking lots of water and opting for low-calorie and low-fat options every time you get a chance.

LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL
Hey, I like to drink. I'll admit it. But alcohol has a lot of calories and it's a huge culprit for weight gain because of the fact that most people don't sit down for just one drink. Margaritas alone can have upwards of 500 calories. That's a lot! Limit your alcohol intake and you'll save money while you're at it.

You can easily shed 5 pounds in 4 weeks if you adapt your diet and get your body moving. But remember this: not eating is not healthy. Think of your body as a machine that needs a certain kind of fuel to operate and if you put in the wrong kind of fuel in, it simply won't operate correctly. Think about healthy foods as the right fuel and junky foods as the bad fuel. This always works for me!

So you're friends with the bride. You know that she is anxious about the wedding. In fact, anxious may not even sum it up. She may nearly be a nervous wreck, ready to explode on anything or anyone in her way at some near point in the future. It's true...one of your closest friends may be warping into a bridezilla at a pace too fast to even keep up with. It's more likely than not that your dear friend may have a break down of some sort. So how will you deal?

THE MELTDOWN: She's fat. She's ugly. She hates herself.
THE FIX: Assure her she's beautiful and even ask for tips on how she keeps her skin in shape, her hair, her nails, etc.

THE MELTDOWN: She's not sure he's the one.
THE FIX: Have an in depth conversation with her about their relationship and figure out whether she's just nervous or whether she really is marrying the wrong person.

THE MELTDOWN: None of the wedding plans are coming out the way she wants.
THE FIX: Remind her that life is about spontaneity and riding the waves as they come. Be enthusiastic about the bumps in the road and try to help her see them as positive things.

THE MELTDOWN: Her family is driving her insane.
THE FIX: Distract her family by offering to take them out to dinner (or SOMEthing) and give her a chance to get some time alone and off from the fam.

Some people say that weddings are the best place to meet a mate. In fact, an entire film, Wedding Crashers, was formed around this very idea. After all, you are meeting tons of family members, extended and immediate, as well as friends of the groom you may have never met before. If you spot someone at a wedding who you'd like to 'get to know', here are some things to keep in mind.

KEEP YOUR CONVERSATIONS CASUAL
My guess is that the last thing most guys want to have at a wedding is a really intense conversation with a girl. The atmosphere of a wedding is thick and serious as it is. Try to keep your talk with this guy as light and fun as you can.

FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE
You both know either the bride or the groom. You probably know embarrassing and gossipy stories about both of them, too. When speaking of the bride and groom, which you probably will since it's a mutual conversational ground, talk about them in the most positive way you can. Drama = bad.

BE CONFIDENT IN HOW YOU LOOK
You may feel a bit out of your element when you're all dolled up and wearing formal clothes. However, be sure you're confident with your look and your outfit before approaching a guy. Nothing is sexier than confidence!

Weddings are a dieter's worst nightmare. They're almost as bad as the holidays-collectively. From the elaborate entrees to the extensive drinking to the luscious cake, you're bound to eat way out of your range of calories on the wedding day. It is relatively unavoidable that you'll be consuming more than you regularly would on the day of a wedding, but there are always ways to manage your intake and make sure you're not getting too out of control. I know this is a problem I have constantly..I just love food too much! If it's in front of my face (and free), that means that it's going to go into my mouth. But even I have learned some trips for pacing myself over the years and they may be of use to you, as well.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER
Not only does water make you feel full and help you to avoid overeating, but switching off your beverages between alcohol/punch and water is a great idea. Not only will you save calories by doing this, but you'll also keep your body hydrated and you'll feel better about life (generally) in the morning if you do this.

USE SMALL PLATES AND BOWLS
Using small plates and bowls actually works wonders for many dieters. Your mind has this great little way of tricking you into thinking you're eating more (when you aren't) simply because it sees a full plate or bowl-regardless of how big or small that bowl or plate is. On the other hand, using a big plate or bowl will be sure to make you feel like you're eating less than you actually are eating...and that's no good at all.

KEEP YOUR HANDS BUSY
Sometimes I eat just because I'm fidgety and there is food around. If you're already full, try making sure to keep your hands full, too. Help out with serving the food, dance, gather wrapping paper laying on the floor, etc. If you make sure your hands are occupied, you'll be less likely to snack for the sake of snacking.

So you've figured out the color of the dresses you want for your bridesmaids. You know the exactly style, material, available sizes, and how quickly they can be in your hands. The only thing you may have not decided yet is whether you want full length dresses or tea length dresses. Here are some things to consider if you're torn between the two right now:

-Tea length dresses leave more room for disrupted asthetic unity. From differences in leg shape and appearance to potential problems with panty hose, tea length dresses do pose more potential problems when it comes down to how they all look together.

-Tea length dresses are breezier. Even though you may not want any room for disrupted visual unity with your bridesmaids dresses, tea length dresses tend to still be a bit more appropriate for very warm and/or outdoor wedding settings.

-Full length dresses can be more easily ruined. Regardless of how much you may try to avoid if, full length dresses are simply closer to the ground...the dirty ground. Full length dresses are more likely to get dirty and torn up while worn.

-Full length dresses are more comfortable for a lot of ladies. While full length dresses do carry the weight of potentially being destroyed a little bit more quickly than the tea length dress, a lot of ladies still feel much more comfortable with their legs fully covered on a day like a wedding day. It's important that all of the bridesmaids are comfortable on the big day!

The choice, ultimately, is yours. There are pros and cons to both cuts of dresses, but just make sure you consider those pros and cons before purchasing your dresses.

When you're picking a bridesmaid dress, it's fair of you to want to pick something that is fundamentally timeless. Timelessness will not only lead to less regrets over your wedding choices down the road, but it will also leave the participants of the wedding capable of using their outfit more frequently than the wedding and occasional Halloween party. Here are some characteristics that should be on your checklist for timelessness:

CUT
Be careful with your cuts. Think about how silly some of the dresses from the 80's seem now because of their huge, poofy skirts. Instead of going with something incredibly bold, try something that is sleek instead.

COLOR
Even though neon green is really cool in Brooklyn right now, that doesn't mean it should be the theme color for your wedding. All of us have some crazy colors that we love, but try working with colors that are a bit more time-friendly than neons, for example. Try black, gray, white, off white, red, and blues for ultimate timelessness.

SIMPLICITY
The more simple the outfits are, the more timeless they will be. Decorations like sequin, patterns, and fancy straps don't really do much other than diminish the eventual value of the dress.

You probably want your bridesmaids to look as elegant as possible for the big day. Part of this is making sure your ladies are all wearing classy jewelry. In top of that, it works best if the ladies are all wearing matching jewelry. This can often times be a point of dispute for many brides and bridesmaids. Each person, particularly woman, has their own view of what classy and elegant jewelry is. Some women are all about flashy gold and diamond while others don't see the need for anything on top of a nice, smooth silver. It can be really tough trying to figure out what will actually look the best across the board and flatter all of the women involved.

I find that the answer to this common problem is the pearl. Pearls have long been a symbol of class and beauty on women and they seem to never fail in this department. Regardless of what kind of personality type you're working with when it comes down to your closest lady friends, pearls are bound to make everyone smile.

In addition to that, pearls and/or pearl looks tend to be much easier to buy in bulk for matching bridesmaids than other types of classy jewelry.

Choose the pearl for your big day and you won't regret it. It's a sure way to make everyone happy and see to it that they all look flawless.

There's one sure way to make sure you don't feel comfortable on the big day: Bad skin. Bad skin seems like one of those things that is unavoidable, but with a bit of TLC, it can be manageable.

In addition, there are ways to make your skin shine for the wedding day that are secrets you may not know. Here are some tips to make sure your skin is in its best shape and shining on the big day:

MAKE A HABIT OF REMOVING YOUR MAKEUP
At least 3 weeks before the wedding, make sure you start making a habit of removing your makeup. This means washing your face at night, but also during the day time when you don't need your makeup on for a few hours. You can redo it later, anyway.

TREAT YOUR ACNE
If you struggle with acne, start treating it a month before the big day. 3 step programs like ProActiv are very efficient and they have generic counterparts that are just as effective in most drug store chains.

EXFOLIATE
Exfoliation is more important than you may think. I wish I could stress this to girls I know more, but it seems as though most people just don't understand how essential removing your dead skin actually is. Exfoliate with exfoliating scrubs or physically rough scrubs the weeks before the big day.

FOR SHINE
Making your skin shine in a noticeable way isn't that difficult. In fact, it can be done with just a little bit of baby oil. Spread a dab of it on your collar bones, cheek bones, and arms. You'll notice the difference it makes right away!

If you're a soon to be bride with a lot of girlfriends and lady family members, choosing your bridesmaids can be a little bit more than difficult. How in the word do you narrow down all the women in your life to just a few? It can not only be a tough call, but it can strain many friendships if the choice is made without much thought.

Here are some basic rules that should help you pick your bridesmaids a little more wisely:

FAMILY FIRST
Unless you've completely cut your family off, I think it's safe to say that your sister or sisters need to be bridesmaids. Unless you thoroughly hate them, they should be playing this role for a few reasons. They have known you the longest of anyone. Most sisters wouldn't be down with being left on the back burner for a friend. Avoid family tension and keep your sisters at the front of the list.

OLDEST FRIENDS FIRST
Even though you may have drifted back and forth in your friendship, oldest friends should be considered for bridesmaid first. If you have a good girlfriend that you've known since elementary school, I can guarantee you that she'll be a bit hurt if you pick your new work friend of 6 months to be a bridesmaid before her. Use your head with this one and avoid drama.

BE HONEST
If your friends are really your friends, they'll completely understand that you have to choose bridesmaids and no one can take your choice personally. However, if anyone IS going to take your choice personally, it's going to be your siblings and oldest friends, so cater to them first and foremost.

Choosing the right dress for the flower girl is important. This special little lady gets to be a princess for a day. For one day, she gets to have the focus on herself (even if she doesn't understand precisely what is going on in the ceremony). Most little girls will tell you they love the idea of dressing up and being as pretty as a doll, but there's one really key factor that will seal the deal with the happiness of the flower girl: if she loves her dress.

The most important aspect of a flower girl's dress is comfort. Little kids have a much lower capacity for being uncomfortable than adults do. If your little girl is wearing a dress that pinches or pulls in the slightest, you can expect to be hearing about it throughout the wedding. Make sure she is wearing something that fits her just right.

In addition, colors are a big deal to kids. (Although they can be a big deal to adults, too). Nonetheless, don't expect your flower girl to be enthusiastic about her dress if the color doesn't work for her. Colors are very symbolic for kids and you should work to find a dress that symbolizes something awesome to her.

Most importantly, the best tip that I have for helping you make sure that your flower girl is happy with her dress is this: make her feel like she picked the dress out on her own. If you give her a handful of dresses to pick from, all of which could work, and let her pick...you'll be doing yourself a favor. She'll feel like she picked the dress on her own and won't want to go back on her word and choice by complaining about the dress. Do this and you'll be set for the day.

There's always talk amongst bridesmaids about the colors they'll be asked to wear on the big day. And there is also quite a bit of deliberation on the part of the bride and groom when it comes to choosing their wedding theme colors. Since the bride and groom are typically in a standard black and white, many weddings use the bridesmaids dresses to provide the more flamboyant colors that they want to be a part of the ceremony. However, I think that most people tend to underestimate how classy having bridesmaids in black really can be.

People love to refer to a color as being the new 'black', but this isn't said pointlessly. Colors that are 'cool' are referred to as the new 'black' because black is absolutely timeless. Black is an elegant, smooth color. When it comes down to formal attire, black tends to be the standard for class. There's really no way you would regret choosing to deck out your bridesmaids in black on the big day opposed to some other color.

So if you're struggling with the colors for the bridesmaids dresses - consider black. Not enough people do it, despite how gorgeous it can look. Your bridesmaids will all have a collected and luxurious style about them on the big day if you go with a color as safe a bet as black.

Sometimes, it is thought that bridesmaids shouldn't have matching purses or tote bags for the big day. This always amuses me. Why it is assumed that regular purses won't ruin the appeal of the beautiful dress is beyond me. In fact, there are few surer ways to diminish the over all look of a bridesmaid than to expect her to use one of her own purses for the day. This is a definite way to make sure that the bridesmaids don't match each other.

Providing bridesmaids with a bag that matches is essential! You may think your bridesmaids don't need a bag for the day, but you're wrong. Here are some key things that your bridesmaids will probably want to have on hand on the big day:

MAKEUP
HAIR PINS
HAIR BRUSH
PERFUME
LOTION
NAIL FILE
EXTRA PANTY HOSE
CELL PHONE
WALLET
KEYS
GUM/BREATH FRESHENER

The list could go on for miles. This is one of the last days ever that your close friend will want to spend having bad breath or unkempt hair. She absolutely needs a bag for items like these to make the day run smoothly. Find a nice, matching bag for your bridesmaids and you'll be happy that you did.

We suggest the totebags and clutches from Dessy.com

Ideally, your bridesmaid dress would be a color that you love. It would be the color that you personally have a soft spot for. It would be the color that you know you look good in. Unfortunately, the wedding is the bride's and not yours. This means that you may have to deal with wearing a color that works with the wedding - even if it is less than ideal for your personal coloring.

Nonetheless, there are ways to make unfamiliar colors work with your skin and hair. Here are some tips for working with a color you don't normally wear.

BRANCH OUT WITH YOUR MAKEUP
One thing you can do with a color you're not used to in order to help it bring out your best features is adapt your makeup. If a color tends to wash you out, try wearing a slightly darker foundation. Also try wearing more blush and heavier eye makeup for colors like these.

On the contrary, if a color tends to make you seem red and too colorful in the face, try using a lighter foundation and a light lipstick color. It's also helpful to use the actual color of the dress with makeup - for instance, matching your eye shadow to the dress can sometimes do the trick.

USE YOUR HAIR TO YOUR BENEFIT
Sometimes when a certain color doesn't flatter the way you wish it did, it has a lot to do with the contrast between that color and the color of your hair. To reduce this variable in the equation of a bad color match, try a hair do that pulls your hair back tightly. This will draw less attention to the clash between your hair color and your dress color.

EMBRACE THE COLOR
The most important tip I've got for looking good in an unfamiliar color is to simply embrace it. Accept that the color is of the bride's choosing and that all colors can be beautiful if used correctly. Be confident on the big day and your confidence will shine through.