Archive for the ‘Wedding Day Advice’ Category

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Gilt Groupes Wedding Weekend!

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Are you still wedding dress shopping? Been to a ton of places but haven’t fallen in love yet? You want your wedding dress to be as perfect as the wedding itself (maybe even more so!) but you don’t want to spend a small fortune getting it. Get ready for Gilt Groupes Big Wedding Weekend, starting Friday, March 12, through Sunday, March 14! Gilt Groupe is a members’ only website that offers up to 70% off on coveted fashion and luxury brands for men, women and children. This time they are partnering with Martha Stewart Weddings to give us extraordinary discounts on everything wedding oriented! Designers include: Carolina Herrera, Thread, Amsale, Vera Wang Lavender, Pippa and Julie, Elle McPherson, and much, much more!

Also, bridal boutique owner Gabriella Risatti, of Gabriella New York Bridal Salon, doles out some great advice on the Gilt Groupe website about finding your perfect wedding dress. Not a member? Just let us know your email address on our blog and we’ll send you the invite. Just another way Adorn lets their followers know they love them!

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Green Brides Rent Diamonds

Monday, March 1st, 2010

The Green movement is everywhere, at the supermarket in new cleaning products, on the runway in organic and bamboo fashions, and even on our favorite television shows. According to Recycled Bride, the hottest green trend for 2010 is adding sustainable products and green friendly customs into your wedding day.

Here are a few tips:

Buy Pre-Owned Wedding and Bridesmaids Dresses: Obtaining a pre-owned wedding dress is easier than it sounds. A lot of great websites deal in the ‘recycling’ of wedding dresses and WHY NOT? You always get a great deal, the dresses are beautiful, and you’re helping a fellow bride out. Who knows, maybe she bought the dress in a rush and then found her dream gown 3 months later (which totally happened to one of my good friends). If you’re looking for a good website to start looking, we love the gals at Encore Bridal. Check them out!

green-wedding-tipsPre-owned Wedding Decorations: I like this option because it’s not necessarily one that everyone thinks about. Its not like you’re reusing flowers and napkins, it’s the cake server you use only once, the large/colored candy dishes you need for the centerpieces, the Victorian themed wedding gift card box you wanted so much. You can look for these pre-owned items anywhere, but I recommend checking out Etsy.com, RecycledBride.com, or even asking anyone of your friends who’s gotten married lately if they have anything you could use. 24 hrs before my wedding I realized I didn’t have 1)a unity candle (it’s a Catholic thing), 2)a cake server, and 3)a case to hold the bubbles everyone used when my husband and I left the church. Thank goodness one of my bridesmaids tied the knot a month before and was able to dig up all of the above.

earringsRent Your Bridal Jewelry: This ones my favorite! Not only is it economical to rent Adorns gorgeous dazzling diamonds – it’s great for mother earth too. Renting genuine diamonds helps to reduce your carbon footprint. Don’t believe me? Just check the Green Bride Guide for their tips on creating a sustainable wedding by renting your dress and jewelry. There’s nothing I love more than being green and looking


If you love the idea of being a green bride and want to know more about how to expand on it – go check out Eco Chic Weddings. Its run by Emily Anderson – the author of the 2007 bestseller Eco Chic Wedding  – and has some of the best advice on how to create a wedding that’s sophisticated, stylish, and sustainable.

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Posted in Adorns Bridal Jewelry, Wedding Day Advice | 2 Comments »

Honeymoon Disaster Averted!

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

I don’t know about you, but I get very paranoid when traveling to another country or across the country. Its not that I’m afraid to be somewhere new, its just that I’m afraid of getting stomach pains, a migraine, sun poisoning, a UTI, etc. All it takes is a few mishaps to turn your dream vacation into a vacation from hell! Here are a few tips to keep you in control:

 

1.       Bring a small ‘First Aid’ Kit

-          Why put ‘First Aid’ in quotes? Because it’s more than just bandaids and Neosporin (although they should be in there too), its Pepto, Tylenol, Dramamine, Simply Sleep; basically anything you MIGHT need in small packets of 2-4 doses. This might not seem necessary if you are going to a big city but trust me if you’re in the Swiss Alps where everything besides the restaurants close at 6 and your experiencing stomach pains you’re going to be so happy you packed your Pepto. Also, if you experience motion sickness it’s always good to have Dramamine during an unexpected rocky flight home.

 

HoneymoonDisasterWithBenStiller2.       Think Before You Act…ivity!

-          Tropical resorts can offer some wonderful activities to their guests but think before you book them for you and your new spouse. Horseback riding on a beach might seem like a fantasy come to life until you get off the horse and your inexperience has made your groin muscles throb…and not in a good way. This can put, how should I put this, a damper on your other honeymoon activities. If you aren’t use to a certain activity, you might be putting your vacation bliss in danger.

 

3.       Don’t Drink The Water

-          This seems like a no-brainer and of course only applies to certain areas of the world but its worth mentioning because it can cause SUCH a problem that not even your Pepto will help you. How do you know whether or not you should or should not drink the water at the place you’re going? Check online, I’m sure someones blogged about the place you’ve been too at one point or another.  If it tells you to beware you should make a note of a few other items to steer clear of like water washed salad or fruits, fruit juices with water added, items with ice cubes, etc. Thats right ladies…no SALAD!

 

4.       Avoid Dreaded  “Honeymoonitis”

-          NOTHING…and I mean NOTHING can ruin a honeymoon like a UTI can. Never had one? Well, be warned ladies, even if you’ve never had one before the extra lovin’ you’re sure to get on your honeymoon plus the dehydration which often accompanies travel can cause even the most healthy urinary tracts to go haywire. It’s horrible. I strongly suggest asking your doc for a course of prescription pills to have with you just in case. UTI’s get worse and worse (in a matter of hours) and if you’re not able to get in to see a Dr. wherever you are—you are S.O.L.  Keep some cranberry juice close at hand and be sure and drink lots of water as a precaution. 

Following these few rules will help you avoid some possible honeymoon disasters but the most important rule to remember is TO HAVE FUN! Your honeymoon is going to be one of the most memorable moments of your life – soak up the happiness.

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Why Starving Yourself Before Your Wedding DOESN’T Work

Friday, January 15th, 2010

One of the biggest stresses for a bride-to-be is how she will look in her wedding gown on her wedding day. Will she look fat? Will she look flabby? The issue floats around in her brain for months: all the pictures, the wedding album, the wedding video …she MUST look gorgeous!! All ladies start out exercising but sometimes make the mistake of starving themselves the week before their big day. Not only will that NOT help you lose your last few pounds, it’ll actually make you fatter. How? By slowing your metabolism down to a screeching halt. Here are a few tips to keep the pounds off:

fatbrides1. Start exercising slowing: If you haven’t worked out for awhile, don’t go full force into an exhausting workout plan. Ease into your program by doing light cardio and 1-2 reps of 10 on light weights. After week 1 you’ll be able to increase both loads.

2. Join a Wedding Fitness Web Board: This might not sound like a ‘#2 for fitness idea’ but believe me, it is. It’s amazing how great it feels speaking with other women going through the wedding weight-loss drama as well. It also relieves your soon-to-be husband from having to listen to you complain about the whole process.

3. Eat: This might seem like the opposite thing you should be doing but its not the act of eating that makes you gain weight: it’s what you eat. Avoid foods high in sodium and sugar (i.e. fast foods and sodas) and eat a bunch of small meals through the day instead of 3 big meals. Common sense I know, but when you don’t do this it’s harder to lose the poundage.

4. Sleep: Sleeping helps you lose weight? Yes. Sleepyness makes you prone to eat sugary foods to stay awake not to mention lack of sleep can lead to sickness.

5. Drink lots of water: I know we’ve all heard this one before, but try it! Did you know that most of the times you start to feel snack cravings your body is actually telling you you’re thirsty? Also, try drinking a big glass of water or iced tea with splenda right before your meals. You’ll fill up faster and have the added benefits that water gives your skin. Love this trick.

Lastly….CHILL OUT. Your fiancé asked you to marry him BEFORE you decided you had to look like a hanger-thin Olsen twin. Is it not conceivable that he might actually think you’re the definition of hotness just the way you are? (Hint: the answer is “yes”.)

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The Honeymooners

Monday, November 16th, 2009

The Honeymoon, an amazing vacation that you and your husband plan together.  You can go anywhere, do anything, spend large sums of money and not feel incredibly guilty. Not only is it memorable because of where you are; it’s memorable because for the first time you and your guy are vacationing as husband and wife. Truly magnificent.

No matter where you go it’s going to be unforgettable, but sometimes the debate of where to go can start an argument between you and your beau.  Not sure where to go? Make a list of places you’ve always wanted to go to together and then look online to find out when’s the best time to go! Also, check websites like TripAdvisor for hotel reviews, sure some of them could be fake but odds are if a hotel has 290 EXCELLENT reviews out of 300, you’re going to have a good time.

Want some suggestions where to stay? Look into a few of these hotels/resorts – our staff swears by them!

Winter Wonderland: Coeur Des Alpes –  Zermatt, Switzerland

CouerdesAlpesLove to ski? Love the snow?  If you’re getting married during the winter/holiday season you may want to look into something super festive: like the Swiss Alps. One of our staff members honeymooned at the Coeur des Alpes and LOVED IT! Here’s why:

“ The night we arrived, we were greeted at the train station (at 9pm!) and escorted back to the hotel. They served us Prosecco and homemade apple cake by the lobby fireplace immediately so we could warm up (without asking) and brought our luggage to our room.  The penthouse room (shown above) was immaculate and had the most amazing view of the Matterhorn right from the bed. I’m not talking a slight view if you strained your neck, I’m talking full wall of windows looking straight into the mountains as you lie down relaxing. Gorgeous The staff was always amazingly nice and gave us wonderful suggestions where to go. If you go, get up and go to the free breakfast in the morning. I’m still dreaming of the quark mousse…in fact, I wish I was there now”

 

Island Getaway: Flor Blanca – Costa Rica

FlorBlancaLooking for that perfect beach oasis? Longing for privacy on your honeymoon?  Take a step out of the honeymoon beach box and try Costa Rica! One of our staff members stayed at the Flor Blanca and LOVED IT! Here’s why:

 “The place is relatively small with 14 cabanas so everything is very personalized. Its quiet so if you’re looking for night life this is not the place to go. The Chef was amazing and we had access to private surfing lessons, a 3-hour private horse ride through a local ranch and on the beach at sunset. Sounds cheesy I know, but it was really great….not one of those hoaky rides where the horses go in a line and you have to wear a helmet. We definitely plan on going back. Interesting fact: Giselle Bunchen lives just up the road and often comes to the hotel to use their internet access. LOL!”

*Important Tip* Book early. The best places generally book up 6 months in advance.  For example, the Coeur des Alpes generally books up 10-12 months in advance so reserve early!

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What’s More Important To You?

Monday, November 9th, 2009

You are given so many choices as a bride that sometimes it can get a little overwhelming. Here’s a great tip from Adorn: sit down with your groom-to-be early on in the engagement and make an ordered list of what is more or less important to you during each part of the wedding day. After the lists are made: post them on your frig. I know it sounds a bit nutty but believe us, this will help you make the tough decisions later on in the planning process.

How about we help you get things started with a little poll? Sounds fun? I knew it would!


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Bridal Prepin’ and Some De-Stressin’

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

We all know weddings are stressful but no one gets as stressed out as the bride. You’ve got some much to take care of that you forget to do a few key things for yourself. Here are some tips/hints to keep sane during the insanity. 

Take care of your skin

Everyone wants gorgeous skin for their wedding day. Not only will you be infront of all your friends and family, but you will have tons of pictures documenting the event for the rest of your life. Here’s the problem though, you have so much to worry about when it comes to wedding day preparations that you normally don’t even have time to think about your skincare. Also, not all of us know how to take care of our skin properly. Sure, you know you have to cleanse it and moisturize but with what products and how many times a day? Lucky for us Lee Mellott at Skin Care for Wrinkles gives us a great bridal skincare guide. Thank you Lee!

 

Get Some Rest

WakeupLight Do you have a hard time going to sleep lately? Having an even harder time waking up? I know how you feel, you have so much on your mind right now that sometimes you need a little extra help getting in and out of Dreamworld. Well the team at Phillips Electronics has created your perfect drug-free helper: the Wake-Up Light. According to the research team at Phillips, people feel more energetic when they wakeup with the sun so the Wake-Up Light simulates a sunrise when you have to get up before the sun actually rises (a.k.a. during winter). You start by setting the alarm clock 30 minutes earlier than you normally do and then the Wake-up Light gradually fills your room with bright light like a rising sun. The light also comes with FM radio, 4 ‘nature’ sounds (think song birds and wind chimes), adjustable light intensity, AND an Ipod docking station. It also has a dusk simulation which I happen to adore.  Great product!

 

Get Lost

Sometimes you just need a few moments to yourself to clear your head. Everyone needs a little piece of your time during the last few Massagesweeks of wedding prep, the hall needs you to sign things, your mother needs your opinion on your hairdo, your fiancé wants to discuss last minute honeymoon plans, and your mother-in-law is still trying to convince you to invite her half sister in Texas. Do yourself a favor, go for a walk by yourself and then make your way over to the nearest salon for a massage.  It’ll help to clear your head.  Important Note: make sure you’ve been to the salon before and know what kind of massages they give. Having bruises all over your body 2 days before being in a bridal party is no fun. Believe me.

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How to Have a ‘Fun’ Wedding

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Ever leave a wedding, turn to your date for the evening and say “Boy, that wedding as awful”? Yeah, me too. Nothing is worse than a boring wedding. Here are a few tips to keep the party poppin’.

Fearless Family Dancers? Check.

Crazy Family Dancers? Check.

Bring on the Dancers:
- Look at your wedding guest list. Anyone on there who you know loves to dance? C’mon, everyone’s got at least 1 cousin or friend who loves to boogie. They may not be good at it but they love to do it. All it takes is one or two crazy dancers to egg everyone else onto the dance floor…and don’t get those decoy fake guests who are really apart of the DJ crew to do it. That’s lame.

 

The Wedding is for you, the Reception is for everyone else

- I’m sorry brides, I speak only the truth. Try to remember you’ve got anywhere from 75-300 people coming over for dinner and they need to be entertained too. Have your friends send you music requests a few weeks in advance and ask the DJ to play a few of them – no matter how bizarre! The best impromptu dance-off at my wedding was to the ‘Goldfinger/Diamonds Are Forever’ James Bond remix. My best friend INSISTED I play it and I’m glad I did. The video is priceless.- Also, keep in mind the elderly and try to play a few songs for them. Granny Gertrude doesn’t dig techno. 

Grooms Gone Wild

Grooms Gone Wild

Cut Loose (Footloose?)
-  Don’t take your reception so seriously brides because no one else is going too. A serious brides = total snooze-fest wedding. Dance crazy in your gown, laugh really loudly the entire night (you know, that obnoxious laugh you only let yourself do around your sister), let your friends Rick Roll you, and let you now husband change into a tuxedo t-shirt halfway through the party. People will think – nay KNOW – you’re awesome. 

 

 

Don’t Force the Skit
- I leave this for last because this is possibly the most important. It seems like “funny” wedding videos are popping up on YouTube every 5 seconds.

 


Not everyone is comically inclined and we all didn’t go to High School at LaGuardia Arts (think of the movie ‘FAME’) so it’s ok if you don’t have a hilarious skit at your wedding. Nothing is more painful than watching someone attempt to be funny while they fall flat on their face. AWK-WARD!

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Dealing With Drunks: And Other Ways of Keeping Cool During Your Wedding

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Weddings are wonderful – a time for celebration and joy. The memories you make on this day will stay with you for the rest of your life. 90% of these memories will be nothing but happiness and smiles – however, sometimes people can make your day…how can we say it…a little more colorful. Here are a few days to deal.

SPL3299_0101.       Take Care of the “Problem” Guests Early:

We all know our cousin Frankie takes his clothes off whiles he dances to the song ‘I’m Too Sexy’ and while its hilarious to watch it might not be the kind of thing you want on your wedding video. Be prepared. Tell the DJ ahead of time to avoid playing any songs that might cause too much of a ruckus. Also, see if someone can talk to any problematic people before your reception starts. In my experience, it’s usually better if it doesn’t come from you since it can easily be brushed off as a “Bridezilla” moment.  Your Dad threatening your cousin to keep his pants on will be much more effective AND possibly hilarious if the photographer captures a shot of the intimidating conversation.

 

2.       Always Carry Extra Cash:

You love your sister more than life itself but let’s face it – she’s a flake. So you shouldn’t be surprised that she forgot to bring cash to pay the limo driver enough though SHE PROMISED she was going to take care of it. Now there’s a scene building outside and you’ve been asked to intervene. No problem – you brought extra cash JUST for this type of incident! You thought ahead! Congratulations! So take a deep breath, give your sister the stink eye, pay the limo driver, and then give her a big hug. “You’d be in big trouble if I didn’t love you so much” you joke. Everyone smiles – especially your sister – because this bride is the picture of composure!

 

3.       Don’t Sweat the Nastiness:

Forget not sweating the small stuff – don’t sweat other people’s nasty attitudes. While most will be giving you nothing but love, there may be one or two individuals who attempt to bring you down – don’t let them! So what if your grandmother didn’t come to your wedding because she ‘didn’t want people to think she’s old’ (you’re 80 Nanna, people don’t think you’re old THEY KNOW IT!). Brush it off, you and your groom look fabulous and will have nothing to do with the drama everyone else causes…until you return from your honeymoon to find your aunt found our about your cousins secret baby. Rrrruuuut Roouugh (insert Scooby Doo voice.)

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Fancy Weddings on a Budget

Sunday, August 9th, 2009

You don’t need me to tell you that money just isn’t flowing like it use to. Everyone has experienced the crunch in one way or another which is why some brides are changing their wedding budgets and getting more creative with their cash. Keep in mind: budget does not mean cheap. There are plenty of ways to have the lavish wedding of your dreams without getting into serious debt. Here are a few items we’d like to share:

1 – Do Your Research

There are so many wedding vendors nowadays that you simply must do your research. Look around and see who has the best price best with the best quality. Photographer ‘A’ might be fantastic but Photographer ‘B’ might be just as good plus comes along in a package with a videographer and a disc jockey. You don’t believe me? Check out the website for ThePros.com. I know plenty of people who went with them and who were very happy with their service.
Also, when comparing wedding venues – look to see what they really have to offer. Banquet Hall ‘A’ might have a koi pond and a gazebo but banquet hall ’B’ will throw in a wedding cake, free centerpieces, and will let you remove 20 guests 2 weeks before the wedding in case of late withdrawals. Forget the unnecessary glitz, if you go with venue B you just saved yourself over $3,000!

2 – Cut Your Guest List

Think about it, the average dinner plate at a wedding is anywhere from $100-125 per person. If you take 10 guests off your list you could be saving up to $1,250! That’ll pay for you a big chunk of your honeymoon! Although you might want to invite 175 people at first, it’s really the people who you are truly close with that make your wedding day special. Not your second cousin twice removed (unless he’s the life of the party) or your best friend from kindergarten who you haven’t spoken to since junior high.

3 – Rent your Wedding Jewelry

Ladies, we all want to look fabulous on the day of our wedding and there is no reason that you shouldn’t go all out – just do it the smart way. Renting your diamond jewelry is not only classy –it’s economical! For only $100 you can rent the gorgeous Coleman Pendant – a 3 dimensional pear cut diamond. Utterly stunning!

So simple yet so beautiful! Nothing glitters like the Coleman Pendant

So simple yet so beautiful! Nothing glitters like the Coleman Pendant

Budget Tip: Try to put aside 20-25% of your monthly income aside just for the wedding. I know this is difficult – but it can be done!! When one of my girlfriends was engaged, she sat down with her fiancé and looked at their expenses. They were spending 35% of our joint monthly income on going out! For 10 months they decided to only go out on Saturdays, to only take ‘staycations’, not to buy each other presents for any holidays/anniversaries, etc. By the time the wedding came around we had enough money to pay cash for everything!

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