"The longest sentence you can form with two words is I DO"- H.L. Mencken 

The first word that comes to mind when I think of a Wedding Day is FUN. What good is a wedding if you are not enjoying every second of it; From the wedding gitters the night before to the tears falling down your face as you walk down the aisle there is nothing I can think of that is more fun then marrying and falling in love with your best friend.
     However, as much fun as it is for you, it should be just as exciting for your guests as well. You are sharing this moment with them. Here are some awesome ideas to add a little flavor to your wedding reception!

Cue Cards 

This idea is super cute and unique. Cue cards give your guests a chance to have an interaction in your big day. They will appreciate the gesture. I would recommend to have them placed during your reception, particularly during the toast. The guests will enjoy it, and it will look great for the pictures and video! 

Painting your Ceremony 

I absolutely recommend this to all my future bride & grooms. Hire an artist to attend your ceremony and have them paint the ceremony on a canvas as it is happening.  This will be a great addition to your memories of your big day. 

                                                     Anniversary Pinata ?

 

Picture this. Get a beautiful or funny pinata made for your wedding day, obviously something that represents either the days scheme or the Bride & Groom. Then... have your guests insert notes, jokes, advice, etc..into the pinata the day of your wedding. The day of your 1 year anniversary, both of you can set it up and break it open, alongside a great bottle of champagne. It will be a beautiful anniversary filled with laughter, love, and maybe tears..depending on how many glasses of champagne you've had!! 

Did someone say: Selfie?

This idea is for my ladies. We all know we have that one side that we love to pose on. However, it is your wedding day you will be looking FLAWLESS. Lets get that selfie from all angles. We are about to be in 2016, all of us have a smart phone, have your bridesmaids take them out and get you from all angles. Now you can make an executive decision with all options present. 

For the Groom 

Don't worry gentlemen I did not forget that its your big day as well. 

You know, in case your feet get cold. 

Photo Stand in's

 

Usually at a wedding receptions there is a Photo booth setup for entertainment and memories of the craziness. However, I think that a very cute and quirky idea would be to have a stand in station or both if you want to go all out. The stand in station is a very unique touch and you can play around with the ideas of what your stand in would be. Be creative. 

     
       I don't know about you but I think party favors are pretty important.  The best favor is a favor that actually has either something to do with the wedding OR something that is actually useful for each guest. Why would you spend money on something they are going to throw away? 
       In my opinion the best party favors should be nicely wrapped to theme or scheme whichever your wedding entails and most importantly, actually be usable. Remember this is your way of saying THANK YOU for coming to our wedding and sharing this memorable moment with us. They were invited to your wedding for a reason...you must like them (at least a little) 

Obviously the party favor should go with the vibe of the wedding, here are a few cute ideas! 

Lets get things POPPIN!

This has to be one of the cutest little ideas I have ever seen and honestly...who doesn't love popcorn?? You can incorporate obviously a cute little message for your guests to make it your own. I mean, your wedding day should be like a movie right?? 

   

There's nothing better

 then Sweater Weather 

If you are thinking of having an outdoor wedding and it's a bit chilly outside, offer your guests cute cozy blankets, that way they will enjoy the wedding as much as you are. Plus, this is a great example of a party favor that won't go to waste. 

Lets start this wedding right, a toast to You & I 

I absolutely love this idea. In a reality, you are going to have a toast at some point of your reception. Might as well give personal bottles to each guest so you can kill two birds with one stone. You can also add straws to each bottle so they can just sip, sip from the bottle. Keepin' it classy. *Pinkies up*

DIY s'more FAVORS! Absolutely lovin' this idea. It does not cost an arm and a leg to get done, it is delicious and super simple to create.  This can honestly go with any theme, as long as the stationary is done correctly. 

This is the cutest and most romantic party favor of all. Although it only last like 15 seconds at most, when everyone lights them up together the pictures will be priceless. Plus it is a very fun addition to the reception. 

This Party favor is so 2015! I love the idea. There is nothing more annoying than to be at a party and have to sit down because your feet are in excruciating pain. This can ensure that your guests will be partying ALL NIGHT LONG. 

                                                          

           

     

This is another modernized party favor that I've seen to be a nice touch. Macrons have made a big hit this year in the wedding favor industry. There is no better favor than snacks for the tummy! 

 Finally, you can never go wrong with a cute tote bag. Personalize it to make it your own. It is usable, durable and a great memory to keep! 

Don't Forget to...

(when taking your Wedding Photos)

Every bride is well aware that her Wedding Photos is ultimately the only memory she will have of her Wedding day. You can remember it vaguely 20 years later but the photos in the album will take you back as if it happened yesterday. This is why, my dear brides I have created a list of things that most brides forget to do before they take these memorable photos. 

1. Freshen up! Think about how many times you have kissed your groom at this point...I'm pretty positive it will be more then you can count. You can have on the best lipstick in the world  but i promise you it will not be intact the whole night unless you freshen up!! You do not need a whole beauty squad but when you arrive at your next destination head to your dressing room and touch up a bit. 
2. "This is my good side." Hello, every girl has one. Lets not even front. Us girls know that when it is time to pose we unconsciously know what side is considered our "good side." Stick with it. Especially on your wedding day. You know your angle, work it. 
3. Posture. I cannot stress your posture enough. Sit straight. There is nothing more unattractive in a women then looking "hunchback" in pictures. Especially on your wedding day. When the photo calls for a seating arrangement, sit up STRAIGHT. The photo will come out 10x better! P.s you're a lady, cross your legs. 
4. Props & Accessories. Whether you are holding your bouquet or a clutch make sure your accessories are being held properly. How horrifying is a photo of you and your new hubby and your bouquet looks like its having a stroke because you forgot about it. Proper placement? When using a Traditional Bouquet it is most proper to hold it in front of you, at waist level, not so attached to your hips. If its a chill photo and you want to droop it down beside you, do it with class.
5. Smiling. A smile is your best accessory of course. Plus, it is your wedding day so if your mouth isn't hurting because your smiling from ear to ear for hours then maybe you made a mistake...JUST KIDDING. But seriously ladies, do not fake smile in your photos, you can so tell. Your smile should be genuine and loving. Even if you just finished ripping someone apart for stepping on your toe, when the photographer says THREE...look as happy as can be !!
6. Ultimately Relax. It is your wedding day. the day you've been dreaming  about. Make sure to show the real you in your photos, do not be a try hard because you can tell the difference. Be happy, love your husband, and show it in your photos. A picture can tell a thousand words, make it count.  

Gifting your Bridesmaids

     Lets face it, as women we love receiving gifts. With all the duties that come with being a super bridesmaid it feels amazing to feel appreciated. I decided to give you a couple of gift ideas to give your favorite girls for helping you through the stress and craziness leading to your big day! 

1. Satin Robe with a Personalized Monogram. I personally love being in a robe rather then full on attire. It is so comfy. This would be an amazing gift to offer. When you have your gathering the night before it would be SO CUTE to take selfies all dressed in robe attire with your facial masks and most favorite girls around you.
2. Wrist-lets. This gives room for personality. Give each bride a cute wrist-let wallet in their favorite color to always have with them. There is nothing more annoying then a huge purse strapped to your shoulder when you are on the go. Especially when wedding planning. 
3. Desk Accessories. If your bridesmaids are office busy then a basket of cute office supplies should suffice. I personally love to show my personality at my desk, AND if you chose these women to be your bridesmaids then you must know a lot about them. This way your gift will be used everyday. 
4. Monogramed Mug. I LOVE COFFEE IN THE MORNING. I think this is one of the cutest gifts there is. I have a favorite mug and your bridesmaids should have one to. Something they all share in common. It would be used for a life time.
5. Eye shadow Pallet. Another amazing gift. Every girl loves to feel girly. Gifting them with makeup is a perfect way to add onto that feeling. 
6. Spa Candle. Candles bring tranquility. It is a cute gesture and thank you. 
7. Best-Friend Necklace. Perfect gift to say thank you. Give your bridesmaids a necklace that has a little quote that shows them how grateful you are for their presence and guidance throughout the process. 
8. Spa Gift. What better way to say thank you then a spa day?? They are going through as much stress as you are because they love you, a great gift is a day at the spa. Plus you can enjoy it with them. That is always a plus. 
9. Jewelry. What girl doesn't love jewelry. Buy your bridesmaids matching earrings to wear for the big day. 
10. Totes. Totes are lifesavers for beach days or days on the town. No matter what the occasion a tote can do a girl good. Plus you can probably customize them to your liking?? The ideas are infinite.

Yes I know you are spending loads of money on your wedding, but do not forget about your bridesmaids most likely busting their butts to make your big day spectacular. A simple thank you gift can really get the girls feeling good about all the work and effort they put into your day.  

Tips on what you should do once you get ENGAGED! 

    Once engaged, the craziness of wedding planning begins. Understandable, of course! There is  a lot to be done. However, I've decided to give you a few tips on how to keep the relationship healthy throughout the process. Wedding planning is a stressful process, it brings a lot of craziness to the relationship, so you need to focus on keeping the relationship & wedding planning graceful. 

1. Date Night: I cannot stress enough how important this is! Yes, both of you have lives that you need to continue living and that is fine. However, fill one of the 7 days a week in with a traditional date night for you and your fiance. It is essential. This night involves no wedding planning, no stressful concepts, just you and hubby reminding one another why you fell in love in the first place. So arrange a night where you do something different with one another and enjoy the company. BE IN LOVE!
2. His Band: Most guys are not complicated when it comes to their wedding band. Therefore, the search shouldn't be difficult. You should know your fiance very well and picking his band should be simple. You do not need to spend loads of money on it. If you go to a jeweler to find one, they will charge you an arm and a leg. If you have the body parts to spare GO FOR IT; If you do not, Amazon is a great option. I know, it sounds sketchy, but it works. 
3. Cash Back! When buying ANYTHING for your wedding open an account that gives you points for your purchases. There is a website called "ebates" and it doubles your cash back, just make sure to use them for your purchases. They have 2-10% cash back rate. When creating an account with them use their bookmarking tool so it will remind you to activate your cash back on the purchase. 
4. PINTEREST: CREATE A SECRET BOARD. It is almost essential when planning a wedding. Let your maid of honor and bridesmaids get in on it. This way, all of you can input ideas so you aren't doing everything on your own. It helps A LOT. Plus, pinterest is just fun in general. Your ideas can be infinite. 
5. I LOVE AMAZON: Create a registry on Amazon. They offer a "universal registry" which is AWESOME! A universal registry gives you the option to add items that aren't even sold on amazon, this way you have a list of everything you've added. Plus hello, you can look at other customers reviews before making a purchase. IT IS A LIFE SAVER. On top of everything is gives you a 10% discount on remaining items and a printable thank you list. Two birds...one stone. 
6. Be honest.  Being honest in a marriage is essential to keep it strong and healthy. Make sure to always communicate honestly. Talk about all of your struggles that will hurt the relationship in the long run. Work on fixing them now. There is an awesome book (on amazon) called " QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE YOU GET MARRIED". Read it and love it. 
7. Always be kind.  Planning a wedding can get the best of your emotions. It is stressful and stress can bring out the ugly side of people. Do not take it out on one another. Try to keep the relationship fresh by doing little cute things for each other. Little notes, cute texts, random I love you's. Do not let the stress of wedding planning drive you away from each other. Marriages are not 50/50 it requires 100% from both parties. When you are in love, it shouldn't be hard to constantly show it. 
8. Ask for Advice. Your parents should be the go to for wedding advice, however, if they aren't, ask married friends and family for advice. Sharing a life together is a new concept to the both of you. You are not going to know it all. You will run into bumps along the road, and its NORMAL I promise. You just need to find ways to deal with them, smooth them out. It will only get better with time. 
9. Write a journal. This helps me greatly. I love writing things down. It helps with my emotions. As a women you can go through a variety of emotions per day. Write it down, and they do not have to be sad or mad entry's. Write down when you are so happy, why you are happy etc..It feels amazing to look back at it and just remember the emotion you felt that day. 
10. Relationship status? its complicated. Marriages are complicated. Just like everything in life. Nothing good, comes easy. It takes work. This is a new journey the both of you will embark on together. Some days you will be at each others throats and others you will be so in love its nauseating. Doesn't that sound amazing. Relationships are the most complicated forms of love, but it is so worth it. 

    So it is now the day before your wedding, I cannot begin to imagine what you must be feeling. However, here is a list of things to do the day before to make sure you are ON POINT when you walk down the aisle! 

1.  Get a facial 

Invite the girls over and have  a typical girls night. There is no need to go to the spa. Just have the girls come over and you all can apply a facial mask with cucumbers of course. Do the whole nine! Here is a couple of options:

• Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque $4.00 

You can find this mask at the drugstore (CVS, Walgreens, etc) 

• Olay Regenerist Daily Thermal Mini-Peel $16.00

This is a moisturizing and exfoliating treatment. It will give you a healthier looking complexion for your big day. 

• St. Ives Scrub and Mask - Smooth & Nourished Oatmeal, $4

This mask is part scrub and part face mask. It removes dry skin. Not to mention it smells delicious. 

• Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser Mask, $8

 It kills acne-causing bacteria and penetrates deep into your pores at the same time.

• Bioré Self Heating One Minute Mask, $6

It only requires one minute of work, making it the most user-friendly treatment on the list.

   2. Apply Under eye cream
Even if you get plenty of rest the day before your wedding you still want to make certain you will not have those dreadful bags under your eyes. It is your wedding day, looking flawless is a must. 

3. Avoid Drinking!
Although, while having a girls night is hard to not bring out the wine, you should NOT drink. What can be worse then waking up with a hangover the day of your wedding. I'm sure you would prefer to wake up feeling like a princess, not like you got hit by a train! Put the bottles of wine away and hydrate on water. It will cleanse your body. 

4. Set a bed time 
I know we are all adults, however, it is best to give yourself a set time to go to bed. Hubby to be shouldn't be sleeping next to you so there shouldn't be any distractions. Let everyone who will bother you at 2 am know that you will be in bed at a certain time, and STICK TO IT. Put your phone on silent and get that BEAUTY SLEEP! 

5. Stay away from Social Media
 I cannot stress this enough. The day before your wedding is a day for you & only you! The whole world doesn't need to know what you are doing, plus that gives people more room to annoy you. Disconnect & focus on you. 

6. Say bye-bye to Hubby-to-be
It is going to be hard to not communicate for 24 hours but the ending result will be AMAZING. No texting, calling, instant messaging, tweeting, facetiming. NONE OF IT. Imagine that back in the day, brides didn't even meet their husband till they walked down the aisle, so you should be fine. Trust me, the element of surprise is priceless.

7.  Write a letter
You can't talk to him but writing a letter about your feelings for the big day will mean the world to him. Let your maid of honor deliver it to him just before the ceremony commences. Trust me girl, it will bring him to tears. He is marrying the women of his dreams. This letter will be the topping on the cake. 

8. Cross your T's and dot your I's 
Make sure to communicate with your event coordinator. Make certain that everything is up to par and there is no loose ends. Although, your planner should be on top of everything, it will help you sleep better if you double check. 

9. Check-in you Flight
IF you are leaving for your honeymoon shortly after your wedding day, be sure to pull up your itinerary and check if there are any upgrades, delays, or cancellations. It would suck to show up at the airport ready to go and your flight was delayed or cancelled. 

10. Have fun!
It is the day before your wedding. The girls are over, you have your masks on..WATCH SOME MOVIES, PLAY BOARD GAMES, get in the wedding mood. But remember do not stay up to late!! Build your excitement for the big day, watch wedding movies. Netflix has a great selection of Chick-flicks. 

Your wedding day is here and I hope it is everything you ever dreamed about. If you are still planning and just reading this blog entry for fun, Call Aqua Reception for an appointment and we will make your dreams come true. (305)559-4004.   

 

     
     Wedding superstitions are the most ridiculous trends I have ever heard of, however, we all make sure they are incorporated in our special day. But why don't we question them ? Do we know where they originated before we do them ? OR do we do them because well, everyone else is doing it ?? I have decided to educate you on where these superstitions started and how they are incorporated now in modern day. 

The Reveal of the Wedding Dress 

     Ever since I was born it was common tradition to not let your hubby-to-be see you in your wedding dress before you walk the aisle. WHY?? Long ago when arranged marriage was common the bride and groom were not allowed to see each other AT ALL. Their marriage was arranged by the two families. The father of the bride (being a concerned father) wanted his daughter to marry into wealth; however, the saddest part is arranged marriages were created so that the groom had no choice but to see his wife as she was walking down the aisle so all he could say was I DO. This is why the veil was created!! To hide the brides face until the last second possible making it to late to say I DON'T!
     Today, we are not that extreme (thank god). However, the tradition still carries. Now brides do not let hubby-to-be see them before the wedding to make it a more memorable experience. Although, it is not necessary in any way. Some couples feel a lot better before the wedding if they see each other, it calms the nerves. Imagine, women are the worst critics. Our mind is going through a million thoughts before we say I DO, and the most common thought is...is he going to like my dress, my makeup, my hair!! I would recommend you talk with each other and decide whats best for the both of you. 

The Accessories 

     You know what I am talking about; Something old, Something new, Something borrowed & Something blue! But the original tradition included "and a silver sixpence in her shoe."
This superstition is supposed to bring the bride good-luck. "Something Old" expresses the need to stay connected to the brides family as she enters the new journey into married life. A common "Something Old" is usually a garter from a "Happily Married Women." 
   "Something new" is used to express a future of: Health, Happiness & Success within the new union. "Something borrowed" is a way for friends and family to contribute to her special day. "Something blue" symbolizes Fidelity & Constancy. This custom started in Ancient Israel, and it was usually was a blue ribbon that was placed in the brides hair to symbolize "the promise." In modern day, we leave out the "silver sixpence in her shoe." The bride-to-be is supposed to put a penny in her shoe to symbolize a life of good fortune. 

Am I next ?

     This is my favorite superstition. The throwing of the bouquet & garter! There is nothing more entertaining then seeing a group of single women tackle one another to catch the brides bouquet because they THINK it means they are next to wed...come on now. This crazy superstition started in medieval times, where the guests of the wedding would take a piece of the brides gown (while she was still wearing it) because it was believed to be "lucky". Groups of vicious people would follow the newlyweds to their bedroom and rip fragments of her gown off of her. This is why the throwing of the bouquet and garter were created; to distract them and leave the bride with a perfectly intact gown. 

Old Cake (yum)

     The freezing of the top tier of your wedding cake is very thoughtful, however, gross. This superstition started out because back in the day, shortly after  marriage, a baby was supposed to be on the way. This meant that the wedding & christening ceremony were very close in date. Therefore, newlyweds would freeze the top tier of their wedding cake and serve it at the christening of their newborn. Three tiers were commonly used because the bottom tier was for the reception, the middle tier was to distribute, and the top tier was for the christening.  TODAY, however, the tradition still stands, but is used differently. Not every newlywed is rushing to have their first child, meaning the length of conservation of the cake widened (more than a year, even more gross) and so now, the top tier is eaten on the newlyweds first wedding anniversary. 

Carry me 

      Getting carried like a child by your hubby is honestly a beautiful gesture. However, it does have various points of origins. The first started in Medieval Europe with a sexual connotation. Brides were carried over the threshold so they wouldn't look so desperate to loose their virginity, if the guy carries her, the thirst is on him! In western Europe, it leaned more towards the clumsiness of  a bride. It was believed that if the bride tripped over the threshold, it would bring bad luck to the marriage. This was avoided by the bride being carried over by hubby.  Lastly, in ancient cultures, it was believed that brides were vulnerable to evil spirits through the soles of her feet, so, the groom carried his wife to ensure no bad spirits would enter their home. TODAY, the groom carries his wife as a romantic gesture to welcome him into his life. 

The perfect Fall Wedding

    Hi Again! as we all know Fall begins TODAY.  I am writing this blog to give you some ideas on a P E R F E C T fall wedding. Lets start off with the color schemes: 

• Pumpkin Spice: 
  

• Sweet Cherry: 
  
  
  
• Risky Purple: 
  

      The color schemes above are just a few to choose from, they are my personal favorite for the season. Once your color scheme is chosen, Now, lets choose your venue. When choosing your venue, explore all of your options. Make sure that your vision can be created. Fall weddings typically take place in barns, lodges, or outdoor areas. However, most of those locations can be very pricey, When choosing a venue, its all about what can be done and what cannot. You would need a venue that is flexible to your needs. It is YOUR wedding. Using an inside venue, can assure that weather conditions will not interrupt your wedding day. That would be tragic. 

   Fall Invitations: 

When choosing your invitation layout, be UNIQUE. Don't do the typical invitation layout. Yes, I know your guests are most likely going to throw them out, but believe it or not, your invitations send out the whole vibe of your wedding day. Don't just settle. Always save an invitation for your memory book. Its going to be amazing to look back on. Explore your options. Read reviews on stationary venues, make sure they show you a sample of your invitation before they are ordered. It would be horrific to have a whole vision created and then they arrive and they atrocious. 

Centerpieces/Table settings: 

One of my favorite phases in planning is choosing the way my reception tables are going to look. Break down your table DETAIL by DETAIL. I am very big on organization, and that is a key essential to planning a wedding. Your centerpieces, should be simple rustic with a hint of your flavor. Here are some examples: 

Branches are always a great centerpiece for a fall wedding. It is fall, so what better way to represent fall then by using a representation of what fall is all about, natural beauty. Accentuate the centerpiece with candles, or accent flowers just to give it that romantic touch. 

Leaves: 

   Using leaves as a centerpiece is another beautiful and unique option. It gives it that fall FLARE. Leaves come in all shapes and sizes, which gives your centerpieces dimension. It is the perfect way to keep it simple but not dull. Mix it in with some flowers, and candles to bring out the colors and you have yourself an amazing centerpiece. 

   Candles: 

You can never go wrong with candles at a wedding. It sets the romantic feel, plus it wont cost you an arm and a leg. It creates a sense of tranquility and romance. The luminescence of a candle reaffirms the power of LOVE, which is what we are trying to accomplish here. Candles can always make a big difference towards the atmosphere of the event. PERFECT MOOD. 

Flower Arrangement: 

I personally love SUNFLOWERS as centerpieces for a fall wedding. Sunflowers create pure thoughts, adoration and dedication which go hand in hand with a marriage. Sunflowers just lift your spirits. Its a reflection of feeling warmth and caring. This could be a perfect flower arrangement for a fall wedding. 

Stay tuned for more exciting ideas! Aqua Reception is your premier event location. All can be done to make your wedding day the perfect day. Put your trust in AQUA to create the wedding of your dreams.<3 

Say I Do....BUT also please I DON'T

      Wedding planning can overwhelm you. Especially since well, it is the first time you are planning a wedding. How do you know what to do ? What comes first? When planning a wedding it is highly recommended to have some sort of written plan of guidance to assure you aren't missing any details and to cause less havoc. A wedding planner is always a good route. When planning your wedding you really need to not only think about yourself, but the guests that will be in attendance. How would you like them to feel when they enter your Ceremony/Reception? What kind of ambiance would you like to create?  

      The best way to come to a conclusion on what you DO want and what you DO NOT want is to go by personal experiences. Think about previous weddings you have been to. What did you like? What drove you crazy ? and ultimately, how can yours be BETTER !

   Through my personal experience I have come up with a list of Do's and Don'ts that can maybe give you a little push in the right direction. 

PLEASE SAY I DO too: 

PLEASE DO be CLEAR & PRECISE with the vendors you are working with. In my previous blog I explained how miscommunication can ruin a whole wedding. Be sure that every single vendor you are working with understands every detail that is expected on your wedding day. The best way in my experience to be sure that everything is in order is to avoid VERBAL communication and have everything written down. Send emails when talking about details, make sure that they confirm that they received the email. It is honestly the best form of proof. So that when the day comes a long and they say " well you never told me that" you can say well here is my email that says I did. 

PLEASE DO be sure that your personality as long as your husbands is a key aspect of the wedding day. I cannot stress this enough! BE YOURSELF.  When your family and friends join you on your special day it is only common to have them feel the Bride & Grooms presence just in the layout. Include details that are "insiders" amongst the both of you. Incorporate things that you love but also things that he loves. Ladies, I know it is difficult to not control the whole wedding but let your hubby to be have some input. He is getting married to. 

PLEASE DO choose hair and makeup that suits you best. I would try out your hairstyle and make up before the day of your wedding. If you go solely off what a brides hair and make up looks like on a celebrity or a bridal mag...you might end up disappointed.  Every brides facial features and hair textures are different, what might look good on her...might not do you justice. When choosing your hair and makeup, try to select something fairly close to what you do on an everyday basis. Why? if your fiance has never seen your hair in an up-d0, when you're walking down the isle it might throw him off, you want to show him the woman he fell in love with, not someone completely different. 

PLEASE DO try on your heels before the day of your wedding! I cannot imagine anything more horrific then a bride walking down the isle and tripping over herself because she is not used to the heels she selected. BREAK THOSE BABIES IN!! when hubby to be isn't home, put on some socks and slide those babies on. Walk around the house, clean in them, relax in them, grab the broom and dance in them. It may sound funny but you do not want your feet to be in pain the day of your wedding because no matter how happy you are, your face will                                                                                                                show otherwise. 

PLEASE DO say Thank-You. If your wedding was the day of your dreams be sure to thank the people who made it happen. Everyone helped make that day possible and it is only common courtesy to show them that they are appreciated. 

PLEASE SAY I DON'T too:

PLEASE DON'T Social Media. Disconnect from social media. Your wedding day is about YOU. Do not verify to all of the followers every single detail of your wedding day. If they are somebody important to you, they will be at the wedding. You can update your relationship status the next day (if you need to). IG, Twitter, FB, Tumblr, Pinterest will be the same after the wedding. 

PLEASE DON'T  Starve.  Bride to be's please remember to eat. I know it is a big day and you have a lot of things on your mind other then food, but EAT WOMAN! It can be a small snack (in case you are worried about bloating) or a full meal, no one likes hungry women. We are feisty when not fed. Especially since you will be drinking at your reception...empty stomach+alcohol=disaster.  

PLEASE DON'T  hesitate to minimize the toasts. Give your Maid of Honor & Best man a time limit on the mic please! Especially if they have had a couple of drinks prior. 1-2 minutes of show time is more than enough. Not only can it get boring for your guests but it creates to much room for the wrong thing to be said. It is a party, not a school presentation. 

PLEASE DON'T Panic. Things will go wrong. It happens all the time. Do not freak out and let that small error ruin your day. I promise it will feel like the worst thing in the whole entire world at the moment but later you will look back on it with your husband and laugh. Just go with the flow, let out good vibes and everything will fall in place. 

PLEASE DON'T go with tradition if that is not what you want.  It is YOUR wedding. If there are traditional things you and hubby aren't quite into...don't do them. You can do whatever you want, you are paying for it and it is your day. You don't want to toss the bouquet into a crowd of women...don't. Who says you have to ? Have a pizza cake if you want one? Sure. Unique weddings are the best weddings. Who wrote the book on TRADITION? 

The Perfect Dress: 

     When it comes to planning a wedding, I feel like picking out your wedding dress is one of the most stressful phases of the whole process. Every girl wants to feel beautiful, flawless, impeccable on their wedding day, not only for their personal opinion, but they want everyone else to look at them and be like "Wow, she looks PERFECT"! Although every woman is perfect in their own way, impressing others unfortunately is not a simple task. Everyone always has something to say.  Here are some tips to help every bride stress less while find the PERFECT DRESS... 

Tip # 1: Scheduling your dress appointment

     You never EVER want to schedule your appointments late in the day. Picture yourself at work, when are you the most energized and willing to work ?? Early  in the day, at-least for me. As mid-afternoon approaches your energy level is slowly decreasing. When picking your wedding dress, you will need an energetic, filled with life, bridal staff! If they aren't into it when you get there, the whole appointment will be a drag. 

Tip#2: Finding the perfect body fit

      No one knows your body better than you do. Although it is very easy to get caught up in the latest trends and opinions, you need to find the silhouette that best suits YOU. The first step in feeling beautiful in your dress is to make sure it suits your body type. Women come in all shapes and sizes and although you might of dreamt about one type of dress, it might not be the best choice for you. 

Tip#3: Pay close attention to the details of your dress    

       When you look back at your pictures and videos of your special day you will notice every detail of your wedding dress, more then anything. When looking through dress selections, pay close attention to the top of your wedding dress in particular. Look at the detail, how it accentuates your figure. Most of your pictures are close ups and if your top is lacking, you will soon come to hate your gown. Not to mention, the top is what your guests notice the most. If it isn't flattering to your bust, reconsider. 

Tip#4: Bring a camera to your appointments

         Women know more then anyone how the mirror can be deceiving. Photos do not lie. In order to make sure that the dress fits right, and makes you feel GLAMOROUS, take a SELFIE in each dress. Once you leave the salon and go home and review the pictures from your potential dresses, you will soon notice details that you didn't while you were infatuated with yourself in the mirror. Remember your memory of your wedding is through pictures, if you never see how you look in your dress through a photo till the special day...it might end up horrifying. You are your own worst critic. Everyone can say they love it, its beautiful, blah blah blah...but if you DON't, look elsewhere. 

Tip#5: The Audience doesn't always applaud

         When going to your dress appointments I recommend not to bring a whole audience to help you. I wouldn't recommend you go alone either, but one or two people is more than enough. TOO MANY OPINIONS! Choosing the perfect dress is already stressful enough...you really don't need someone else driving you even more crazy and mixing up how you feel. It is YOUR WEDDING. The more opinions that are announced, the more stressed you feel, and then everything you try on will just be worse and worse. Your brain is powerful and it is easy to jump to conclusions without knowing if that is how you really feel. Bring people you trust, that know you, and have your best interest at heart. In reality, if you love it, so will they. 

Tip#6: Undergarments 

         One of my biggest pet peeves is a bra strap!!! I believe they are called undergarments for a reason, with all of the selections we have of bra types, your bra should not be visible at any point. When trying on wedding gowns, it is best to not wear a bra at all. A bra strap can throw off the whole feel of a wedding dress. However, I know that some women are not comfortable without a bra on, FINE..but PLEASE do not wear a bra from when you were in high school that looks like it has been through hell and back. Trust me, you spend most of your time at your dress appointments in a bra and panties, if you get insecure looking at yourself in your undergarments...that will bring negativity to your next dresses. 

Tip#7: SiZiNg

       You know how they say "Don't judge a book by its cover?" well I say "Don't judge a dress by its size". When looking through your options, do not discard a flawless dress because it is not your size...that is why tailors are hired. Before looking at the size of the dress, look at the detail. Can you picture yourself in this dress? Will it look good on you  ? Is this the dress? Is it even worth trying on? If you go straight to looking at the size, you wont even notice the way the dress looks. Bridal staff have clamps and techniques to give you the vision you need to see if the dress fits the part. 

Tip#8: Accessories

        I LOVE ACCESSORIES. I have always thought that accessories can make or break your outfit. When looking through accessories for your gown be certain that they match not only your gown but the theme of your whole wedding! Don't purchase a vintage head piece if your wedding theme is glitzy glam. Also take into consideration that most accessories are NON REFUNDABLE. Be certain that if you are purchasing a $500.00 veil that it goes with your gown perfectly, and you aren't going to stop loving it as soon as you leave the store. 

Tip#9: The Questions

        You should always have a list of questions that need to be answered before buying a wedding dress. You should also make sure, the answers you are getting to these questions are actually the answers you want to hear.Don't settle. Think of your wedding dress as a boyfriend, before he comes your husband you need to go through A LOT of trial and error before you know he is the one. You will try on a whole bunch of dresses before you know that you've found the one. Do not only worry about the way you look. Worry about the rest of the day in that gown. Are you going to be hot ? Does the material itch? Can you dance in it ? Can you breath in it ?  Can you sit down ? Are you confident in it ? these are just a few essential questions that can lead to the purchase or the denial. 

    Picking your wedding dress is one of the happiest times in the planning of your big day. You only get married once, make it count. Do not settle for less. Find the dress that makes you cry, smile, laugh, jump up and down like a five year old, make you feel sexy; it is out there..you just have to find it (: