1. 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”.)

image credits clockwise from upper left: One Love Photo, Green Wedding Shoes, Glamour Weddings , Green Wedding Shoes,  Kelly Oshiro Events, NY Daily News

Today’s bride is tech-savvy, armed with the latest and greatest in social media frenzies, electronic gadgets, and digitalized weddings. With everything right at their fingertips, the weddings have the capacity to take on futuristic forms. Here’s a look at what’s next in the way of bridal tech:

Networking on the Net: In addition to blogging, brides will continue to tweet, Facebook, and start websites solely devoted to their weddings. While some couples are blogging about their experiences beforehand, others are updating their online media in real time as the wedding events happen.

Streaming Savers: Video integration into every aspect of the planning is becoming more and more prevalent. Sending out video save-the-dates creates hype and also gives much more liberty to the couple in announcing things the way they want. Live streaming from the actual ceremony allows guest who were unable to attend or long-distance relatives to take part in the fun!

Electric Gifts: Couples are seeking out the latest and greatest for their registries that give the buyers a little bit of fun and variation in selecting gifts. Anything from his and hers PDA’s, Wii fitness activities and box sets, and even rumba self-service vacuums are making the list!

Photos from Wed Share, Digital VP, Private Receptions, & Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Maui is amazing. Its lush slopes are home to some of the rarest wildlife and exotic birds on the planet. But it’s the island’s rewarding balance of seclusion and sophistication that will confirm your decision to visit Maui was the right one. The crystal clear waters have their allure as well, with surfers and watersport enthusiasts coming from all across the globe. Maui’s culture also delivers great delights, with museums, galleries, delectable dining and rich history. Be sure to visit Lahaina, a quaint 19th century whaling village that illuminates one of the most inspiring periods in the island’s history.

Continue on my journey to find what is the best thing that my bride can do to be up to date and fashionable and yet elegant and simple without any over dues (and any regret few years down the road) so I purchased a few of my favorite bridal magazines… Town and Country Weddings, of course “Martha Stewart Weddings” and “Well Wed” and head home to start writing.

Going through my notes to put this blog together I realized they all have one thing in common and that is “The glitz of the new fancy big bulky fashion jewelry” …
Today is all about the new fashion jewelry. Some coming from the past antique pieces and couture jewelry and some newer designs, although they all have one thing in common; they are all big and bulky and they present a fashion statement.

Alex Soldier Collection

Glancing through the Town and Country Weddings Spring/Summer issue I realized that even some big names in Wedding Gown Designs are using the same concept. For example Rivini put a beautiful ad with the bride wearing a big bulky necklace, another one with a beautiful fashionable ring. Monique Lhuillier has a bulky conversation ring on her bride’s finger; Romona Keveza used an Italian silk satin belt designed with big Swarovski-jeweled buckle like piece and last but not least Oscar Heyman’s creations on some other brides.

When you have time check out Jemma Wynne’s big rose quartz ring, love the Aspray, David Yurman’s, Dior and Buccellati’s new collections on bold and beautiful jewelry. With spring around the corner, some of these jewels have the spring’s pastel and floral accents which makes it perfect for the spring wedding.

I believe the days for the small pearl necklace and earrings are over. Although they are one of the most recognized jewelry for the brides (and I know most of the time it is from your mother or your grand mother and adds a very sentimental value to your day) but it’s time to use them for the small cocktail parties you through after your wedding to show off your registry items.

So here is my advice: “Simple but classic and timeless, and mix it with bohemian elegance and a touch of a trend”. Also remember you have to find which trend will fit into your personal style and what works with you.

Aruba-where it’s always summer! Located just 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela, Aruba enjoys a premium location outside the hurricane belt. Tons of beaches line Aruba’s coastline, ranging from the surfer’s beach to the family beach to the private romantic beaches hidden away from the crowds. The attractions extend far beyond the beaches. There are the coves of Andicuri and Dos Playa. The calm of the Conchi, or natural pool on the windward coast. Restaurants ranging from seafood to Oriental and lots of great places to shop – outlets, collector’s shops specialty and antiques shops boutiques – and many more. The average annual temperature is 82°F and average annual rainfall less than 20 inches per year.

Many couples who plan a beautiful summer wedding are dismayed to learn that their wedding also falls during hurricane season. With Caribbean and Mexico honeymoons among the most popular destinations, it may be a bit nerve-racking trying to decide where to go. After all, hurricane season lasts almost half the year, and the last thing you want is to have your honeymoon ruined by bad weather. This week we’ll be introducing you to some great destinations where hurricanes are less likely to ruin your plans.

Purple Lab’s creatrix Karen Robinovitz understands this and has given us one of the best products I’ve seen in years: SWAC (Sealed with a Cure) lip-gloss. Before I get into the amazing story behind this lip-gloss, lets’ talk about how great it feels to wear it. The lip-gloss goes on smooth and silky without being sticky. But don’t think its one of those non-sticky lipglosses that goes on like water and lasts about 20 minutes; this gloss stays on for hours. The color is a shimmering pale pink so you can literally wear it anytime, anywhere and it’s scented with a hint vanilla so it smells delicious. Now to the great back-story: a portion of the proceeds from each SWAC lip-gloss sold goes to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. “The Triple Negative what?” you ask yourself? Yeah, I had no idea what it was before last week either. Turns out it’s an extremely aggressive form of cancer that affects younger woman. Sounds like something you should be aware of right? The lip-gloss color itself is named ‘Nancy’, in honor of Nancy Block-Zenna who lost her fight with triple negative breast cancer two and a half years after her diagnosis. Even better than all of this? SWAC is available all year round , not just for one month out of the year. So, you can wear it on your wedding day, know it will stay through the ceremony, and you’re benefiting an awesome cause!

Thank you Karen Robinovitz for creating such a great product with such an important cause!

For more information on triple negative breast cancer, please go to www.tnbcfoundation.org.

The newest  trend  for wedding dining is unexpected and fresh.  Here are a few of the things you’ll be seeing more of in the future:

•Home-spun and self-selected meals by the couple: If food means something to you, why not make it a key  element of the wedding? If he’s Caribbean and you’re Italian, make your menu a fanciful tribute to both.  If you’re a foodie, let the selections reflect your epicurean self.

•A focus on heritage and traditional often served family style . Nothing is better than sharing  fresh baked rolls made from your grandmother’s recipe, family- favorite salads, and hearty meat trays. This always turns basics  foods into ‘wow’ factors!

•The dinner party reception, where the focus is on intimate, laid back socialization. Take the pressure off of having a ‘show,’ and allow your guests to just kick back and get to know each other.

•Small, edible cocktail-hour bites infused with liquor and shooters: Shake up the traditional ‘passed appetizers’ by offering a little zest in each one. Consider doing  cocktail flights (think flights of wine but only with signature cocktail drinks instead) along with your sassy beginnings.

•Food Trucks: Who doesn’t love the Ice Cream Man? Have ice cream, hot dogs, or tacos  served from a food truck that can be stationed anywhere outside at your event.  It’s a great way to liven up any party!

Photos from www.specialevents.com & www.voila-catering.com

WA: What is the name of your business?
FK: The Roosevelt Hotel – I also have my own line of Wedding Invitations and Favors called “TheSimpleInvite”.

WA: How many years have you been involved in the wedding industry?
FK: 9 Years

WA: Why did you decide to go into the Wedding Planning/Hotel business?
FK: As a kid, I always loved helping my mother setting up the dinner table and arranging the flowers and using the ” her good china”!. As I grew up I realized by entertaining people not only I enjoy my time but also it comes to me very naturally….and finally the first time that I helped a friend with her wedding by seeing her tears of happiness I realized, this is how I want to use my talent and passion. I love making people happy I guess that is my biggest passion!

WA: What are some tips you can give brides planning their weddings?
FK: Be yourself and use your own personal style. Simple but classic and timeless, and mix it with bohemian elegance and a touch of a trend.  Also I always tell them to remember to find which trend will fit into their personal style and what works with them.

WA: What is one of your favorite trends in weddings right now?
FK: The New Fancy, Big Bulky Fashion jewelry.

WA: What is one of the most unique requests you have had from a bride?
FK: I have so many, but one that came across very unique and interesting was my Chinese wedding and the fact that bride asked me to make sure I use Feng Shui for her ceremony and reception set up.

WA: How do you spend your time outside of work?
FK: Mostly Wedding Networking events, I spend weekends Window Shopping for inspiration and always spend my Sunday morning in Barnes and Noble going through magazines to see what’s new in my industry and most importantly at home I always relax with designing new wedding invitations.

WA: Why did you want to be a WeddingAce?
FK: I believe if you love what you do you will be the best at it.  I also believe I have a very different vision and so many unique ideas that separates my weddings from everyday ordinary ones and every time I plan and/or share my ideas with brides I get the most joy and satisfaction out of it.

images by Rodney Bailey

images by Rodney Bailey

images by Rodney Bailey

images by Rodney Bailey

Over the last few years I have had the pleasure of creating a wide variety of image boards for WeddingWire and it’s visitors and we have had many requests e-mailed to our studio.  Having a photographer send you a variation of their work in an inspiration board is a great way to figure out their style. Here are a few we’ve made for clients over the years.

Lets us know what kind of a board you would like to see? E-mail me at info@abacuswedding.com.

]]> http://www.weddingaces.com/2010/03/my-favorite-board/feed/ 0 http://www.weddingaces.com/2010/03/fabulous-back-yard-wedding-with-some-diy-inspiraton/ http://www.weddingaces.com/2010/03/fabulous-back-yard-wedding-with-some-diy-inspiraton/#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:55:39 +0000 Holly http://www.weddingaces.com/?p=11173

Photography by Stephen Bobb of Love, Life Images

This was absolutely one of my favorite weddings last year, because the end results were truly amazing. If you have read some of my other posts you may have caught my post on DIY.  I discussed in that post how DIY can often go very wrong. This is one instance where the partnering of the professionals and the DIY projects absolutely created magic.

I think the hardest part about DIY is realizing what you can and can’t do, or what you will and won’t have time for.  If you are truly crafty and you have an army of helpers taking on some of these projects is totally great. My bride Jessica wanted to help with the flowers but started to realize that perhaps the majority of the flower design was best left to a professional. So I handled bouquets, bouts, corsages and mixed vases of flowers. So that Jessica could participate in the flower design I sent her to my local grower. She purchased dahlias and she did the arrangements that were simply one dahlia in a mason jar.

Due to the fact that  I was handling the bouquets, the bride was able to focus on these other projects like her paper flowers she made for the aisle.

The Photo Booth.

They even brought in bales of hay, and potted plants. They also made the chalk boards that were used for the menu.

The flower designs created by the bride and her family, consisted of one bud in either an antique medicine jar or mason jars.

They hung green chinese lanterns from the tent and they made burlap runners for all of the tables.

The family also took an old screen and used that to display the seating cards.

Family photos were hung on clothes line with wooden pins.

The ceremony took place by a pond on the family farm. The evening ended with a Pinata.  The combined effort of  professionals and a team of family members made this wedding simply over the top.

Many thanks to Stephen Bobb of Love Life Images for his incredible photography. It is my total belief that photography should always be left to the professionals.

With St. Patrick’s Day   around the corner, I couldn’t recall any TRUE, St. Patrick’s Day themed weddings however, I have seen Irish Weddings.

Everything from bagpipes to the array of Green, an Irish wedding will almost always prove to be a great party and an experience for those attending the event.

Ok Brides, the last thing you want on your mind on your wedding day is, “Where’s Grandma Frannie?” We always recommend to our brides to find that one friend that is a “type-a” personality. This friend thrives on order and structure, she makes detailed notes and check lists. We all have a friend like her. She now has a job in your wedding. Give her a copy of your must have photographs that you have discussed with your photographer. Have listed out all the must have people involved. Your friend’s job is to make sure that everyone is where they need to be, when they need to be there.

This will make the photography part of your wedding run smoothly and quickly, so Grandma Frannie can enjoy the amazing cocktail hour that you have planned!

XoXo,

Kate

The Feds Wedding Collections

• Menu cards can be a stunning addition to a place setting
• You can create continuity by using design elements from your invitation
• By inking the name of each guest at the top, menu cards can also serve as place cards – one less piece of paper
• If you have a choices for any of the courses, menu cards will greatly speed up service (your guests will know what the options are before the server arrives.)
• Menu cards can be a memento of your wedding (make sure your photographer knows to take a picture of them)

Here are some details you will want to keep in mind:

• If you choose colors, make sure to coordinate them with the other colors at the table, in particular linens and flowers.  Be especially careful with whites and off-whites.
• Talk to your caterer and florist about how the card should be displayed.  Slipped inside the napin or laying on the plate?  accompanied by a small floral piece?
• Menu cards must be legible.  This might mean sacrificing some words to keep the font large enough, but that’s good.  You don’t need to list “Potatoes and vegetables,” or even worse, “Chef’s Choice of Vegetables.”  Focus on what is either exceptional or important information.  Less is more.  For example, “Classic Beef Wellington with Mushroom Duxelles, Sautéed Spinach, Sauce Périgourdine” can be reduced to “Beef Wellington, Sauce Périgourdine (mushroom duxelles is redundant, it’s part of the dish, and the spinach just isn’t that important.  also, you may or may not choose to use accents, just be consistent.)  Grilled Salmon with Zucchini, Sweet Allumette Potatoes, Micro Greens, Tomato Scallion Beurre Blanc needs only to be “Grilled Salmon, Tomato Scallion Beurre Blanc.”
• Put your names or monogram at the top (unless the menus are doubling as place cards), the date and location at the bottom.
• Wines should be listed near the bottom, with two exceptions:

1. if the wines are not at all notable, there is no need to include them.  “Choice of Red or White Wine” does not belong on a menu.  On the other hand, if you are serving a 1989 Château la Mission-Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan, you should list it (and invite me to your wedding.)
2. if you are “coursing” the wines (a wine designated for each course) the wines should be listed underneath each course.

• A “silent” entree is just that; do not put, even in small print, “vegetarian or fish available upon request” on your menu – your caterer will kill you!
• Proof, then ask someone else to proof.  Be especially careful of culinary terms (beurre blanc, entrée, raspberry) and wines. Do NOT depend on your computer’s spell checker (if you are using the microsoft word spell checker, prosciutto will be corrected, your melon will be served with prostitutes!)
• And now, proof yet again. Something that President Obama’s staff failed to do at his first official state dinner, as was reported by the media typos were rampant!

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

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!

image credits clockwise from left to right: Romona Keveza, Melissa Sweet, Sassi Holford, Vera Wang, Sassi Holford, Lea Ann Belter, Ulla Maija

Envision if you will as you hurry to the venue or church so you and all your attendants can all get dressed together and help the bride with her gown.  Then you walk out in single file and get in line to walk down the aisle.  Wow, how romantic and enchanting is that?

Here is our vision for your entrance.  You can still have all the bridesmaids at home or at your hotel suite to get dressed, but then allow your Dad to come into the room – just the two of you – and have that special moment every father has dreamed and thought about….his little girl all grown up and a vision to behold on her wedding day.

As you and the bridesmaids depart with your flowers in hand, have the groomsmen meet you at the entrance of the church or ceremony venue with the groom and best man ready to walk down the aisle as you sit in the car with your father.  As the groom and best man walk down the aisle to take their position at the altar, it’s now time for you to exit the car with the help of the bridesmaids, groomsmen and ushers and walk to the entrance.

As you are walking to the entrance the attendants should begin their walk down the aisle perfectly timed to the music so as you reach the door your wedding designer/planner should assist you with your gown and make sure you look absolutely perfect..  Your ready time at the entrance should be two minutes as they straighten the front of your gown, blusher/veil and then the train.  Once the train is “fluffed” the music should crescendo and you should be on your way down the aisle.

Here is a timeline to help you plan this wonderful entrance:

• The Groom and Best Man leave together, usually from the Groom’s home or hotel suite, and arrive at the church or service venue first.   Their car could be a black executive sedan.

• The Bridesmaids and Mother of the Bride leave together, usually from the Brides parent’s home or hotel suite, and arrive at the service venue approximately 15 minutes before the Bride arrives. The Bridesmaids will wait outside for the arrival of the Bride as the Mother of the Bride is escorted to her seat by one of the ushers. Their car could be similar to the main bridal car.

• The Bride and Father of the Bride leave together, usually from the Brides parent’s home or hotel suite and arrive at the church or service venue last.  The car should be a black limousine seating for six to eight people.
• Keep in mind when selecting your transportation not everyone needs to be in one car or bus!  Sometimes less is not only more, but much more sophisticated.

Tune into the next blog as we discuss the processional music for your attendants and you!

Photo Credit: Lovely Wedding Photography

The Caves offers some of the most imaginative food, and places to eat it in!  You’ll find everything from Jamaican Jerk bbq to a magnificent candlelight 5 course affair, all prepared with local ingredients. Dine in an oceanfront gazebo or reserve the private cave for a truly memorable experience.

]]> http://www.weddingaces.com/2010/03/great-food-and-great-beaches-part-3/feed/ 0 http://www.weddingaces.com/2010/03/a-rustic-outdoor-wedding-in-ivory-green-and-peach/ http://www.weddingaces.com/2010/03/a-rustic-outdoor-wedding-in-ivory-green-and-peach/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:00:00 +0000 Tweeny http://www.weddingaces.com/?p=11112 Near the Saddle Peak Lodge in Malibu, CA, there are scenic canyons along the windy road where the sun is always shining and you may find yourself in the company of people on horseback. Before it became a restaurant and fabulous wedding venue, the Saddle Peak Lodge used to be an old hunting lodge complete with mounted deer heads and hand-crafted wood chairs.

To complement the rustic, organic, and wild feeling of the lodge, we used lots of vines in the floral arrangements – ivy vines encircling bright orange dahlia in a moss covered container for the cocktail tables and and curly willow wound together into a wreath for the dinner tables. The reception centerpieces were simple with the curly willow acting as the framework for us to tuck in ivy, dendrobium orchids, roses, stock, and tulips.

Low baskets filled with green hydrangea, sage, ivory dahlia and roses, and light orange sandersonia decorated the outdoor ceremony. A tall arrangement of only lilies in ivory and orange with accents of curly willow branches was placed on the gift table. For the bride’s bouquet, we used white and blush pink peonies along with ivory and peach roses, and blush pink spray roses – thoroughly romantic.

We all know that the music makes the party—but what’s making the music this year? With the introduction of newer than new technology, there is a plethora of ways to make a medley out of any and all kinds of music sources. In 2010, look for less of the boring background music and more of this:

Customized Tunes: Budget-friendly and dead-on with your favorite music, just bring your own ipod and have a sound technician there to set it all up and monitor the volume. What better way to get exactly what you want?

Video DJ’s: Mix masters at their greatest, video-dj’s artfully intertwine great music with rockin’ video. The video can feature the actual crow dancing, music video’s that match the songs, or video’s provided by the bride and groom. Interactive and entertaining, the specialists can capture the party unlike anyone else.

Traditional Tributes: Old-fashioned multi-piece bands complete with a wedding singer are back on the stage. Choreographed dances and live musical ammunition can liven up a party the good old-fashioned way.

Photos from Curtis Knight & Pop my Photo

The Ambrosia has received numerous awards, and is consistently referred to one of the most romantic restaurants in the world.

In some cases the economy may dictate when you can reserve your wedding photographer, however, in most cases; couples will lock in the studio or the photographer at least 6-12 months before their wedding.

Many of the more reputable studios, like the most desirable reception location, will book early and will require a deposit to lock in the date.

Most studios have specific payment plans regardless of what their policy may be. Studios will show flexibility and work with a couple in securing the date at possibly a smaller deposit, or in the case of our studio, we recommend booking the lowest priced package, while offering each couple a guarantee, that they can upgrade to any other package at the time of their booking, up to 6 months after their wedding date.

My recommendation is to contact the studio or photographer you would like to use for your wedding and see what they can do to help you lock in your date with them.

That will be one less item you will need to worry about as your wedding date approaches and you are guaranteed to have the studio you want to capture your wedding day.

P.S. Booking early also offers an opportunity to have an engagement shoot, which can be used for “Save the Dates”, “Signature Boards”, and give you some insight what it will be like to work with your photographer or studio.