Photo Credit: DaveandCharlotte.com

There are many gals out there who can easily walk in six inch heels … or at least make it look easy.  All I can say is ‘Rock on Ladies!’  I would LOVE to be able to strut my stuff in gorgeous heels!  Doing so, however, is more than a slight challenge for me.  There’s a good chance I will go down at some point and a very good chance that I will take others with me as I go … Embarrassing, I know!

If this sounds like you, fear not!  Many brides today are wearing wedding flats!  Flat wedding shoes are a cute and comfortable solution for those who are in pain even at the thought of spending their wedding day in heels.  Luckily, there are LOTS of choices for flat wedding shoes out there!

Photo Credit: SamanthaWarrenWeddings.net

You can choose flats to match your wedding gown …

Photo Credit: PolkaDotBride.com

Photo Credit: StyleMePretty.com

Or use your shoes as yet another way to incorporate your wedding colors!

Photo Credit: LusterStudios.com

Photo Credit: Photogen-Inc

Photo Credit: Studio Nouveau

Photo Credit: Catana Photography

Photo Credit: Aerosoles

Having a Spring or Summer wedding?  Flat sandals are another comfortable option.

Photo Credit: BridalCheek.Wordpress.com

Whatever shoes you choose – flats or heels – make sure they fit your comfort level and you can easily walk in them.  As the bride, you will be on your feet for the majority of the day.  You want to be sure that your feet are as happy as you are on your wedding day!

Photo Credit: Kellen from EnchantedMama.typepad.com

One thing that I love about handmade gifts is that they are very personal and very sweet. A handmade gift always has a story to tell and to be remembered.  When giving gifts to the wedding party, think about giving handmade gifts instead of purchased goods from a retail store. A handmade gift shows more love and creates an everlasting memory that your wedding party will get when receiving the gift.

There are many great gifts that can be hand crafted: notebooks, purses, business card holders, scarves etc. Handmade gifts can also be made from a variety of materials, including paper, metal, wood, and cloth. One of my favorite materials to work with is wool felt. Wool felt comes in all different varieties, is eco friendly and it is low in price.

Photo Credit: Kellen from EnchantedMama.typepad.com

One super sweet and easy-to-make gift to give your wedding party is a felt covered notebook. To do this, just buy any plain notebook and measure the dimensions of the cover in order to cut the wool felt fabric to size.  When cutting the fabric make sure that you measure out extra fabric for the ‘sleeves’ of the book cover. After cutting the felt fabric, fold it in half and measure the size of the (closed) notebook on the fabric and fold. Afterward, sew the extra ‘sleeve’ fabric to the main jacket part of the book cover to create a ‘pocket.’ Do this to both ends of the fabric to create a front and back cover.  (Be sure to leave extra space if your book has a spine). Add decorative designs and patterns to the notebook cover to add interest. Things like flower designs, monograms and embroidery patches are great to customize the notebook cover for each wedding party member. Lastly, insert a notebook into the handmade notebook cover and write lovely thoughts, opinions and memories in each wedding party member’s book.

Happy Planning

Photo Credit: Provocateur By Carmen Boudoir Photography

Cosabella recently had the pleasure of working with Provocateur by Carmen. The above picture is of a real San Francisco bride. For this shoot, Carmen included the crystals from her wedding centerpieces to tie in the wedding day with this gift for the groom. Carmen offers tasteful and most importantly, extremely flattering Boudoir Photography nationwide.

Carmen has a true passion for her work and has unmistakable talent for helping ordinary women get in touch with their sexy side.  Although it may be hard to believe … all of the women on Carmen’s site are regular women.  She never uses professional models and, as you can see on her site, they are all simply gorgeous.

What better gift for your future hubby can you think of than a little black book filled with sexy, tasteful and seductive pictures of you?  Leave it in the grooms suite so he can browse through it before the ceremony and remember how much he loves sexy you.

Speaking from experience, Carmen is extremely professional and makes you feel very comfortable.  She guides you through the entire shoot, step-by-step so the experience is effortless and exhilarating.

So rest assured that Carmen has taken the guess work out of what you should get your hubby for your wedding … and as a added bonus, you leave with new found confidence … something every powerful women can use!

Photo credit: Oslopress.com

Photo Credit: OlsoPress.com

Photo Credit: OsloPress.com

Great Resources:
There are two great websites I have found that print beautiful wooden wedding invitations. The first is from a lovely company called Oslo Press. On their website, couples can purchase laser engraved (wood veneer) wedding invitations! How cool is that? These invitations are the kind of keepsake invitations that all wedding guests would appreciate. They would be worth every pretty penny. The other company that provides this unique service of wooden wedding invitations is Night Owl Paper Goods. On this equally lovely website, couples can purchase printed birch wood wedding invitations.

Photo credit: NightOwlPaperGoods.com

Photo Credit: NightOwlPaperGoods.com

Photo Credit: NightOwlPaperGoods.com

Both companies provide couples with the choice of pre-designed or custom designed invitations. No matter which website couples choose, their wedding invitations will be a lovely keepsake that their guests can cherish through the years.

Happy Planning!

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

Every part of this couple’s special day was planned to perfection – everything fit in with the classic vintage look and feel.  From the ceremony to the reception and every little detail in between, it was all carefully customized for the special occasion.

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

The kids in the wedding were pulled down the aisle in a wooden sleigh. How cute!

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

After the ceremony, the couple took a walk in the snow where John got some gorgeous shots!

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

Erin was a total DIY bride and made sure that every detail was just right.  I love the vintage suitcases as card and gift holders.

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

The couple even hired a silhouette artist to be on site and create beautiful silhouettes of the guests as wedding favors.

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

Congratulations to Erin and Luigi on your marriage!!  Thanks, again, to John LoConte for sharing more of his wonderful wedding photographs!

Photo Credit: John Lo Photography

So, why not carry your beautiful reception decor over to the restroom?

Here are some unique ideas to help you decorate such an unconventional space…

Photo Credit: RentedElegance.com

Photo Credit: RentedElegance.com

Photo Credit: RentedElegance.com

Photo Credit: RentedElegance.com

The last thing we want is for anyone to feel put-out by the event … especially our wedding party. I’ve picked five bridesmaids and each one has an entirely different body shape. I knew that I would never be able to pick a dress that each one felt comfortable in. Girls, you understand, a really tall girl may want a longer dress than the shorter one, and the “well-endowed one” will be pulling up a strapless dress all night. Some like heels, some want to wear their hair up, some like big gaudy sparkly earrings (OK, that last one may just be me), but you get the idea.

In recent years there has been a big trend in customizing bridesmaids dresses; however, all this “customizing” really seems to be just picking out a neckline, since traditionally the bride still chooses the color, length, and fabric.

“You can pick whatever dress you like…as long as it’s lilac, tea-length, in brushed satin, and isn’t strapless – since that’s what the maid of honor is wearing, and she gets first pick.”

I’d rather give my bridesmaids a little more freedom.

Well, in even more recent years (maybe the last two), I’ve seen a big jump in coordinating rather than matching bridesmaids dresses.

You can still get an overall effect that goes with the color, style, or theme of your wedding, but in dresses your bridesmaids are sure to wear again! Here are some great examples of weddings who did just that!

…all in silver:

…in similar fabrics, but different shades of blue:

Photo Credit: The Knot

…a variety of warm tones, but all long:

Photo Credit: The Knot

…completely different dresses, all in shades of green:

Photo Credit: 10-foot Poet

…different fabrics, similar color:

Photo Credit: InStyle Weddings

…completely different and completely chic

Photo Credit: Erin Hearts Court Photography via OnceWed

… who says that the bride can be the only one in white:

Photo Credit: StyleMePretty

…or (my personal favorite) go vintage!

Photo Credit: Offbeat Bride

Of course, there may be a little backlash from your bridesmaids – it’s a lot of pressure for them to pick out a dress without any input from you.  To ease that tension a bit, here are a few tips:

- Offer to go shopping with them

- Pick out some paint chips from the hardware store with the colors you had in mind. The chips are easy enough to take with you to the mall

- Send them photos of what you like.

- Go online shopping, there are billions of dress sites out there.

- Offer to go through their closet. They may already have something that would be perfect!

Having the girls wear something they’re comfortable in (and that doesn’t cost an arm and leg just to wear one day) will definitely help your bridesmaids enjoy your wedding as much as you do!

Are you doing anything “out of the ordinary” with your bridesmaids?

Photo Credit: HoneyFund.com

Q: My wife and I were married a month ago in Thailand while we were teaching there and did not have family or friends to celebrate with at that time.  We have since returned to Canada where my wife’s parents have suggested a late reception.  We will be leaving for Taiwan in 3 months and will be unable to carry with us the more traditional wedding gifts.  Is there any way to inform guests of our situation on the invitation without sounding ungrateful, and would it be too rude to ask for money in lieu of gifts?

A: First, many congratulations on your recent marriage!  As with registries, you need never include gift information on the invitation.  As people respond to the invitation, they may inquire as to your gift preferences.  It is at this point in the process when you would share your living/travel plans.  I would strongly suggest that you register somewhere on-line where your guests can shop and have the items delivered to your residence in Taiwan.  Savvy guests will realize that if they do not purchase something from your registry, that a monetary gift would be the next best item.  Gifts that are non-transportable or impractical should be exchanged, returned, re-gifted, donated or stored – while still thanking the giver for their kind thoughts and wishes.

Jodi R. R. Smith is a nationally known etiquette expert and author.  She is the president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting.  You are invited to email her your etiquette emergencies at Salem@Mannersmith.com.

Click on the images to view ingredients and directions.

Bread with Jam

Photo Credit: ProjectWedding.com

Potted Banana Bread

Photo Credit: TheCoterieBlog.com

Homemade Jars of Jam

Photo Credit: IntimateWeddings.com

Mini Pie

Photo Credit: OurBestBites.com

Pie Pops

Photo Credit: Luxirare.com

Roasted Nuts

Photo Credit: Oxmoor House

Fortune Cookies

Photo Credit: Inchmark.SquareSpace.com

Hot Chocolate on a Stick

Photo Credit: GiversLog.com

Candy Apples

Photo Credit: mrk_photo on flickr.com

Vanilla Extract

Photo Credit: SimplyRecipes.com

Surprising your guests with delicious homemade favors is a great way to thank them for being a part of your special day.

Photo Credit:Marzena Wasilewska

Since this is my first Wedloft blog post, it seems appropriate to start at the beginning. Deciding how to wear your makeup on your wedding day may seem like a daunting task, and for some brides it may not even be a consideration. Makeup can often times be an afterthought, but it really is a critical part of your wedding day photographs. It is the key to being camera ready after making a considerable investment on a wedding photographer or videographer. Many of the brides I work with report that they wear little to no makeup, usually out of a lack of time or know how. This, coupled with a general fear of makeup, either because of a bad experience or  lack of experience can be overwhelming to anyone.

The first step to overcoming a fear of makeup is to embrace it’s temporary nature. If you try something that you don’t like, it only takes seconds to start fresh. If done correctly, makeup will enhance your beauty and give you the best result in your pictures. If for no other reason, makeup is absolutely necessary for professional photography. Although your photographer is a trained professional, you will be in multiple lighting situations over the course of the day including natural, fluorescent and flash.

Photo Credit: Dave and Charlotte Lifestyle Photographers

You will be photographed up close and at a distance, much like how your guests will see you throughout wedding and reception. Another factor is that your pictures will likely be in black and white and in color. Your makeup needs to be both black and white and color photography friendly in all of these different types of lighting. In addition, depending on the type of videography package you have reserved, it’s possible that your videographer might be shooting your wedding in high-def which requires a more specialized type of makeup.

Photo Credit: He and She Photography

Photo Credit:He and She Photography

Once you have made your peace with makeup, or if you are already a makeup addict, a trained artist that specializes in bridal or beauty makeup can do your wedding makeup or teach you how to do it yourself. Your wedding dress will be perfectly complimented by a flawless makeup application and you will look beautiful in your photographs.

Photo Credit: Segerius Bruce Photography

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