Photo Credit: Dan Rappa

My skin has two settings: white and red. There is no middle ground. The few times in my life where I have appeared tan can be aligned with times when I had no responsibilities and lived at the beach. I wondered how I would ever achieve this look and not look whiter than my wedding cake.  The “fake bake” isn’t all that attractive of an idea to me because of the long-term risks of skin cancer. Also, when I have indulged in the tanning bed previously, it usually just gave me a fake sun burn, which is worse than a real sun burn in my estimation.

Photo Credit: Bedzine.com

Just before one of my bridal showers, someone introduced me to the Magic of Mystic Tanning. I was very nervous about this process and my mind kept going back to that “Friends” episode where Ross tans twice on his face and looks to be a shade of Muppet orange when it’s over. I can’t be Muppet orange for my shower!! But … I just did it … and it was nice. A soft Carribean glow, made me look like less of a pasty mess. However, the Mystic Tan leaves a horrible dark orange stain on your palms and soles of your feet. It’s a little freakish.  I tried one more time after that and asked around. To my disappointment, there’s no real way to avoid the mutating palms.

I appreciate a good google, so I started searching for a solution. My wedding was in Las Vegas and I would argue that Vegas is the epicenter for fake tanning.  There are too many girls that need to look pageant ready at a moment’s notice residing in the Silver State. A few internet searches later, I was armed with many avenues, some of which surprised me– let’s start there.

A Tan Van? Oh yes. A van that will come to your home and airbrush spray tan you and your friends. The package pricing even provides for bridal party specials. The prices are very competitive and it sounded like a good idea if you were planning a bachelorette or make-over party just before your wedding. The Tan Vans use the personalized airbrushing, so it is applied directly to your skin, missing your palms and feet. It even offers the ability to create contours, like fake abs or Kelly Ripa arms.

Tanning Salons offer a number of airbrush tanning solutions, and that’s the route I ended up taking because I was a little uncomfortable with tanning in a van. I kept thinking of a new slant on the Saturday Night Live sketch: You got tanned in a Van DOWN BY THE RIVER! RIP Chris Farley. Sidebar … back to the glow.

Photo Credit: Tanning-Central.com

A few tips for you  before you go out in the airbrush tanning world:

• Before you go, take an extreme exfoliating shower. Using a salt scrub, lufa and/or pumice stone, scrub your skin to remove any dead skin. Dead skin will not absorb the color the same as live cells, so it makes the solution look even. You will also want to shave your legs prior to your tan.
• Plan your undergarments accordingly. The solution will get all over your undergarments, so you will want to wear an old bathing suit or plan to go nude, if you and the applicator are comfortable.
• Give yourself plenty of time to dry. Make sure the solution is dry before you begin putting your clothes back on. Any wiping or rubbing clothes on the wet solution will compromise your tan.
• Plan your day to allow 12 hours afterward of no water or tight-fitting clothes. If you plan to get a pedicure, you will look like you have a sock tan line … I speak from experience …
• As time wears on so will your tan. You will gradually fade each day, so I suggest getting your tan 2 days before your event and not using any products or soaps that will scrub away your skin/tan.
• ALWAYS do a practice run. You want to make sure you are using the right person and the right level of solution. Try a tan before the big day to make sure it’s the right one for you.

In case of emergency: lemon juice, exfoliants and soaking/scrubbing will take it down a notch.

Good luck and Good Tanning!

Photo Credit: WeddingBee.com

The first of these elements is the bridal party bouquets. Feathers add unique colors and bold shape to other flowers brides carry. Other cool texture elements I’ve seen are twisty willow branches, silver wire with jewels or pearls threaded or even seashells for a destination wedding.  Seasonal weddings may dictate some of the color pallets or appropriate accessories within the bouquet. For instance, fall weddings lend themselves to bright oranges and chocolate tones that mesh well with peacock or quail feathers. Whereas winter weddings that feature silver painted twisted willow branches bring an icy splendor to any flower arrangement.

Photo Credit: Media.theknot.com

Photo Credit: WeddingBee.com

Throughout the ceremony and reception site, unique textures can create memory points for your guests. At my wedding, we took a huge branch that had been painted white and we tied ribbons all over it that hung down and held the place cards for the reception. Guests enjoyed walking around the branch during the cocktail time and finding their name and table information.

Photo Credit: TheWeddingDecorators.ca

Another great texture to bring to the wedding is hanging crystals. Everyone remembers that scene from Pollyanna where she sells “rainbow makers” at the community fair. Use your own prisms by hanging crystals from fishing wire to glisten in the sunlight or your spotlights.

Get creative and make your day memorable in every way!

Everyone talks about dreaming of their wedding day since they were a child. Envisioning a perfect day, with the perfect dress and every perfect moment. But then we meet our grooms, live our lives and manage our budgets. That’s when reality sets in. So how do we go from the visions of a little girl to the compromise of today’s weddings? Start with a magazine and some post-its, Sharpie marker optional.

Photo Credit: In Style Weddings

Begin with fluid thinking. Don’t obsess about details, just naturally look at what catches your eye. Don’t think about budget, formalities or seasons. Use your post-its to mark pages and use the marker to circle what you like. Once you get to a point where you have several magazines that you’ve previewed, go through them again. You’ll remove some of the post-its and you’ll find some photos you missed. That’s what great about this process… there’s no wrong move. It’s just a springboard.

These ideas that you’ve marked can always be modified, watered-down or notched up. Once you have gone through your magazines and know what you like, a great way to organize your finds is by creating inspiration boards. These are great to have as a starting point for you to share with your partners. By “partners” I mean your florist, bakery, wedding planner and/or mom. Most people are visual learners, so by seeing elements we are able to better articulate our visions. These beginning steps will definitely help you in planning your wedding and when you’re trying explain your visions of your dream wedding to the people who will be helping you to make it happen.

Photo Credit: WeddingByColor.com

Photo Credit: GreenWeddingShoes.com

Top 10 Wedding Regrets

#10- My dress didn’t fit

Photo Credit: ShimmerDezigns.com

This regret centers around those infamous dress fittings. Brides felt that they waited too long to get their dress fittings and being rushed at the end, felt that it wasn’t perfect. The other side of this regret is the last minute weight gain and/or loss. What I learned from this regret was to plan ahead and try to hold steady at your target weight.

#9- My ceremony was too far from my reception site

Photo Credit: SoireeSpecialEvents.Blogspot.com

The logistics of a wedding are truly the most difficult to manage. Trying to remember what vases, candles or favors go to one location compared to the next is difficult to manage. Most brides that had a reception site that was more than 20 minutes from the ceremony said that they were frustrated with all the commuting. Also, many out-of-town guests got lost or disoriented between the two locations.

#8- I should have eloped

Photo Credit: Best-Elope-Ideas.com

Sometimes a wedding takes on a life of its own. It can easily become about the event or out-doing other weddings. In addition, let’s face it… every family has that person that makes you want to elope with the thought of the unannounced toast. The wedding investment should be carefully considered and make sure it is what both the bride and groom want … both now, and 6 months from now.

#7- I wish I wasn’t so obsessed with not seeing my groom before the ceremony

Photo Credit: peggyspersonalizedproducts.com

Once that music starts, the wedding is underway! The rest of the day often goes by so quickly, you may want to preserve a quiet moment between the two of you. Sometimes, the only way to make sure that happens, is to do it beforehand. It may also be the only dedicated time you have that day to take some of those bridal portraits you have been dreaming about.

#6- I wish we didn’t leave for our honeymoon so quickly after the wedding

Photo Credit: WildDreamliners.com

All brides admit that the wedding day goes by faster than they want it to. They often look for any possible way to extend the day. One easy way, is to make sure your honeymoon doesn’t start so immediately. Also, you often pay top dollar for a suite that first night and may not have much time to enjoy it.

#5- I wish I would have been more comfortable at the reception

Photo Credit: Emlifephoto.com

This is the combination of two retrospective elements: #1. comfortable shoes and #2. knowing how your dress performs in the real world. Take the time to break-in your shoes, and consider comfort when shopping. You will be on your feet basically during the entire affair. Consider that when identifying the perfect shoe. Another issue is a dress that constantly needs to be pulled up, down, sideways, etc. Practice sitting and walking in your dress. And the final piece of advice here… have your friends come with you to a fitting so they know how to bustle the dress before the big day.

#4- I wish I had a video of the wedding

Photo Credit: theweddingnetwork.co.uk

Many brides think it may be vain to have the ceremony on video. They think, “when will I ever watch it” or worse yet…we’ve all been to that person’s home who MADE you watch their wedding video. That alone is enough to make you never want one. But as a bride, you don’t get to see the “big picture” of all the events. Even just having a friend video the day vs. an expensive professional, might be an option.

#3- I should have spent more time with my guests

Photo Credit: CapeCodderResort.com

It’s natural and easy to get caught up in the details and those who demand your attention that day. However, it is important to recognize that your guests have traveled from all over, just for you… just for that day. Be respectful, appreciative and enjoy their participation in your wedding.

#2- I should have spent the money to get a great photographer

Photo Credit: RealPhotography.com

When everything is finished, there is only one thing that lives beyond your wedding day—the photos. A wedding day is a wrinkle in time that speeds past you quicker than ever imagined. Having a special, professional way to capture those moments is critical. Every bride that I’ve spoken with who had taken a short cut on photography regretted that choice. It may be the last time all the generations are together, the only time some of these friends will be together or the most beautiful a bride will ever look. All of these reasons demand the best opportunity to preserve the memories. In summary, get a good photographer!

#1- I should have slowed down and enjoyed the day

Photo Credit: Adoresamore.com

Plan. Freak out. Be a bridezilla. But when the day arrives… just let it happen. Enjoy your husband, your family, your bridesmaids and most importantly, enjoy yourself. Brides who were focused on the details missed the experience all together. Take it all in. Smile a lot. Look around at all the little things that will make this day so special. It will be over before you know it, and you will be glad you took some time to smell the bouquet.

It all started so innocently. I purchased my wedding dress at a store out of town, so I needed to find a local seamstress. I put the “calling all cars” message out there, and one of my bridesmaids quickly responded. She works as a costumer in the film and TV industry so she had a great connection with a very talented seamstress in Hollywood. I was, of course, very thankful and looked forward to the opportunity to get the dress just right.

Photo credit: Richmondhilltailor.com

The more people asked me about my dress fittings, the more confident I became about my Hollywood seamstress to the stars. Fairly quickly, my head began to expand. I was full of myself thinking “of course I’m getting a dress fitting by the very best.” This is an easy pattern to fall into as a bride. As I chat with other brides-to-be, or recent newlyweds, there is a bride-centric mentality that enters in. It’s the, “well that’s nice enough … but I (huge emphasis on the I here) planned it this way …”

Photo credit: Time.com

Surely others contribute to this problem by asking you about every detail of the wedding. I think people know how much brides love discussing their planning, so they indulge you.

Wedding Alteration Wake-Up Call

Back to the dress. So the time has come … the final countdown. I have less than 30 days before the wedding and it is time for the second fitting. I have been telling everyone, including my pharmacist … not kidding … about how I’m off to my dress fitting in Hollywood. Well, then I get a call. My seamstress has to reschedule me because the Emmys are in 3 days and she has more important celebrity gowns to alter before my silly wedding dress. I scrambled my schedule, finding a way to get in to her busy pre-Emmys appointment book.

It was a celebrity wake-up call at that moment (and a much needed one at that). Here I am, the center of the bridal universe, and someone has the nerve to bump me for an Emmy nominee?

Photo credit: NgePress.com

At this point, I feel like my whole world revolves around the wedding! It’s all I talk about, all I think about … it’s all I do! I suppose it is good to carefully consider the details and planning, but I realize now that I had a bit of an inflated view of myself. Life will continue whether I select white or ivory linens, TV shows will air regardless of the song selection for the first dance and the red carpet will be fabulous no matter how we position the favors on the place settings.

My seamstress bumped me back into reality, and I could not be more grateful for the timing! I realize now … I could spend a little time thinking outside the veil.

Photo credit: Bridaldaze.wordpress.com

There are wedding things that you expect to cost more: invitations, a wedding gown and photos. Then, there are other items included in the wedding that shock me in terms of their value. Two specific items that have stuck me with their sticker shock include wedding veils and wedding programs.

Luckily, I was able to make another plan, save some money and achieve the same effect. Finding these ways led me to look at things differently.

Veils. Are you kidding me!? Such a racket. In the bridal stores, these things cost about $100, and more from there as you add jewels, pearls or other adornments.

Photo credit: library0newbie.wordpress.com

Once you see this, you start to think this is really the only price and suppose that everyone does this. UNTIL, you are strolling through downtown LA (circa 9th and Maple), and you see the same exact wedding veil. I figured it would be less, so I ask the girl the price and I thought I heard her say $27. I asked for clarification, trying to hide the thrill in my eyes …. when she says, “not $27, $17.” Um … pardon me? This perfect bra-strap length, ivory tulle, ribbon trimmed, double layered veil of my dreams is $17? SOLD! The clip is somewhat plain, but with the money I saved, I can hot glue my heart out and still walk away with money in my pocket.

This experience taught me not to take things at face value. Do your homework because it could save you quite a bit of money.

Photo credit: GeoffWhite.com

My other eye-opener was wedding programs for the ceremony. I already had my invitations ordered before I started to consider a program. I looked up a few on-line that I liked, but when I went to price them, the cute ones were about $2 per program. This edges on favor pricing, in my situation. So, I hope you like your program, because it costs more than your favor. Deep in debate of whether or not we even needed programs, I stroll the aisles of office supply stores looking for the perfect pen to write name cards with. During one such trip, I find a completely basic program outline that runs through the printer. It was very plain, but its minor price tag gave me hope. $11 for 50 sheets? It’s a start.

So, I take a favorite engagement picture, visit a little costco.com photo center, print a bunch of wallet size images with coordinating border, and I’m on my way. I use double-sided foam tape to gain a 3-D effect on the program with my little wallet photos. Then, I hole-punched the “spine” of the program and added a bright ribbon. They don’t look absolutely professional, but they look polished and do the job.

Photo credit: YumSugar.com

Remember, by not swallowing prices at first sight, you might be able to save some money. A good start would be to look in unsuspecting aisles of stores. Go online and do some research. Be beautiful, be creative and be cheap!

I have been a bridesmaid more than 7 times, I can not speak to an exact number because I lost track in the Summer of 2004. In each and every wedding I can pinpoint the moment when the bride told me what the bridesmaid dresses would look like. In that conversation, they always chose the words “you’ll be able to wear it again.” After the first few bridesmaid dresses that were not as versatile for future use as I would have liked, my college roommates and I made a pact … black bridesmaid dresses. Black looks great on everyone, you don’t have to worry about different shades and it’s formal yet versatile.

Photo credit: WhiteHouseBlackMarket.com

Black is a color you can likely wear again, unlike orange sherbert, which is another story and another wedding. Now, you would think said pact would somehow ease-up the bridesmaid dress selection… oh, not exactly. Turns out obnoxious dresses come in all colors, including black.

So, the tables have officially turned. Here I sit debating on the bridesmaids dress, and now I get it. I understand the pressure of trying to find a gown that looks good on six different body types, matches the formality and style of the wedding and is something that they will all accept. It’s not that easy of a task, especially when your bridesmaids have diverse styles.

Photo credit: JCrew.com

Photo credit: WhiteHouseBlackMarket.com

I checked out a few different mapping websites, but this one was easy to use and BTW– free! You can set up different icons for the ceremony, reception and other attractions. I’m planning a destination wedding, so I labeled some local attractions for our guests to experience.

Photo credit: Weddingmapper.com

I created a second map, just for the wedding party. It shows the location of the rehearsal dinner and the shop for the groomsemen to return their tuxedos. I’m considering a mani/pedi party for my bridesmaids, and adding it to the map would be a snap. You simply enter the name of the business and it searches for the address. However, you can manipulate the location of the icon on the map and add more information, like “in the XYZ shopping center.”

There are tools for embedding the map into your website. You just copy and paste the HTML code and it’s that easy. As it displays on the website, users can zoom in/out or get directions to a specific location from anywhere. And for those who “do not compute”, there are printed versions that you can copy to include in guest welcome kits.

Weddingmapper.com also features some other tools, like seating charts and enhanced services. I haven’t really tried out much, but all of it seems pretty user friendly. I was very impressed at how much you could do with the site. I would definitely include this site my wedding ring of approval.