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Time to take it easy – 3 signs that wedding planning is becoming too stressful

wedding jitters

What starts off as a beautiful, romantic engagement soon ends up as a nightmare of planning, arranging and running around for many brides!

Wedding planning is a huge task, one that takes forever to complete and with numerous details that never seem to conclude. Don’t be surprised if you are a bride who feels the wedding is dictating every moment of your life, ever since the engagement.

Unless you have everything figured out, and can keep your cool despite the responsibilities of wedding planning everything perfectly, wedding plans can burn you out. Here are 3 warning signs to look out for, so you do not overwork yourself over the wedding and forget to enjoy it.

  1. You go to bed and wake up thinking of the different wedding tasks to be completed

This is not the same as when you look forward to the day with excitement. Instead, you find yourself tossing and turning at night worrying about the details, and waking up anxious to begin your wedding related tasks. At this point, wedding planning has become a chore. It is no longer fun, and you will soon just want to get over with it. If you are experiencing this already, it is high time your stopped and took a break. Resume planning and organizing after you catch a well-deserved break.

  1. All your free time is occupied with wedding planning

Too much of a good thing can cause it to become boring. If you find yourself constantly writing notes and wedding lists, rushing from vendor to vendor and always on the phone discussing your wedding, it is time to blow off some steam. Many brides are overwhelmed with the very number of things to take care of, that they end up doing nothing else. If you feel tempted to do another teeny-weeny wedding task whenever you have some free time, curb the feeling. You will handle your responsibilities more productively and efficiently, if you get some breathing space in-betweeen.

If you simply have to do something for your peace of mind, pick something that is fun—like shopping for your rehearsal dinner dress, or preparing your honeymoon itinerary. This will get the task completed, but it won’t feel like work.

  1. You no longer feel the excitement, like you did when you got engaged

The wedding dress shopping was fun and exciting, so was picking the invitation and choosing the cake. But, many brides find their excitement to handle wedding tasks waning as time passes. The reason is that they have been over-exerting themselves, that the magic is gone. The solution is to forget the wedding for a bit, and instead focus on being happily engaged. Have a fantastic date night with your groom, or go on a weekend together. Discuss the remaining wedding arrangements, and consider what can be changed to make it more exciting. Reignite the joy of getting married, and you will once again find it interesting to plan your wedding.

Make sure you relax and tackle every wedding task without stressing over it. This will allow you to enjoy the experience and look forward to a memorable wedding day.

For more wedding tips and advice, visit us at Best for Bride.

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Wedding dress selection for Plus Size Brides made easy

via Best for Bride

The average-sized woman has an ocean of choices in wedding dresses, but petite and plus-sized brides have fewer options. Most dresses are designed with the size 8 bride as the model. Fortunately, there are designers who create stunning wedding gowns in sizes up to 24.

You may even find a suitable dress in a collection that isn’t specifically for plus-sizes. All you need to do is look in the right places, and know what your options are. To get you on track, let us take a look at the various patterns that look great on plus-size brides.

Who is a plus-size bride?

The fashion industry places sizes above  size 12 in the plus-size category. Although this number may differ from country to country, the cut-off is somewhere close to this number.

It is good to remember that although you may be a plus-size bride, there are fabulous fashionable gowns that will match your wedding dress dreams, and you needn’t settle for what is available in the plus-size section alone.

Plus-size wedding shopping tips

We recommend that you call the bridal shop before you visit, and inform them that you want to look at gowns in bigger sizes. Although most salons stock gowns in most sizes, this will ensure that you have sufficient choices to try on, when you visit. If you have shortlisted any favorites, inform the bridal boutique so they can make arrangements to have it available when you drop in.

via Best for Bride

Brides come in all sizes and shapes, and no two gowns are alike. Pay particular attention to your body proportions to choose a dress that suits you. If you are large-chested, a higher neckline or dresses with illusion necklines and/or sleeves would offer sufficient coverage. Similarly, a gown with a fitted waist and full skirt will balance out a large bust, and create an hourglass structure.

If you want the classic, elegant look, choose an A-line skirt or ball gown dress. The ball gown will camouflage your middle, if you are well endowed in that area. An empire waist gown which cleverly elevates your waist, or a dress which gathers on one side are other good options. These patterns are slimming and can add the illusion of few extra inches. Cap sleeve gowns look sexy on full figures, and are classic and stylish.

Another must-try dresses are those with corset backs. These draw out your curves beautifully, allowing you to show off your best features.

Trust your bridal consultant when she recommends silhouettes other than what you have in mind. Being in the business for a long time, she knows how a dress will look on your frame. So, don’t write off her suggestion for a dress that doesn’t look attractive on the hanger. Try it out, and you may be pleasantly surprised with the result.

One word of advice, don’t try to hide your ample curves beneath a mass of fabric. Find a dress that allows you to flaunt them; you will feel gorgeous and everyone will agree that you look great. Weddings are all about feeling fantastic, and the best way to do it is by being yourself!

Best for Bride has plenty of fantastic wedding dress choices, and you are bound to find one that suits you. Visit us online, or drop in at our store to find the wedding dress of your dreams.

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5 Tips to help you have clear skin in time for your wedding

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Your wedding is a huge event in your life; one for which you have to look beautiful from head to toe. While you may get caught up with all the planning, arranging and shopping for the day, don’t forget to pay special attention to your skin.

Clear skin will do half the job of making you look fantastic on your big day. With some extra care, your skin will be clean and blemish-free for you wedding. These tips from skin-care experts will get you going.

1. Start right now: Nothing can help you have clear skin overnight. A regular skin care routine is the only way to make it possible. If you haven’t been paying attention to your skin lately, this is the time to start. Cleanse, tone and moisturize twice everyday. Choose products that are suitable for your skin type to attain better and faster results.

2. Don’t pop pimples: Leave your pimples alone. If you have acne-prone skin, choose skin care products with salicylic acid and benzoyl- peroxide for more effect. Should a pimple appear, spot treat it with a product that contains sulfur. You should see the inflammation disappear soon, and the pimple will be less obvious. Also, do not try to hide a pimple by layering it with makeup; it will only look worse.

3. Gently exfoliate every week: Experts recommend that you exfoliate once a week if your skin is normal or dry, and twice every week if your skin is oily. This is in addition to cleansing everyday. Mildly scrub with a gentle product, and it will remove the surface buildup of oil, dead cells and grime. This will also allow better penetration of skin care products and help you obtain results faster.

4. Pamper yourself with facials: During the months leading up to your wedding, enjoy a few facials. You can get it done at a salon, or do it yourself at home, if you are pressed for time. Buy face masks suitable for your skin, or even whip one up with ingredients from your pantry. Use this opportunity to relax and refresh yourself, whether it is at home or at a salon. Make sure you apply a good face mask the night before your wedding to refresh your glow. Consider an advanced skin care treatment like Microdermabrasion if you have been neglecting your skin care for a while, or don’t have too much time to get your skin back in shape.

5. Take care from the inside: Healthy and glowing skin does not result from just caring for it on the surface. It also requires taking care from the inside. To do so, stay well hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water everyday. Reduce your consumption of caffeinated drinks and choose green tea or water instead. Cut down on junk food and processed foods. Focus on a balanced diet plan, with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and salads. Also, ensure you get enough sleep every night, to avoid dark circles, and under-eye bags.

Follow these suggestions from the day you are engaged, and you are bound to have clear skin in time for your wedding. For more tips and wedding advice visit us at Best for Bride.

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Petite Perfection: Tips for Selecting a Flower Girl Dress That’s Both Adorable and Practical!

 

via Best for Bride

Flower girls are like little angels at your wedding; these dear little girls who belong to the family of either the bride or groom, make a cute addition to the wedding party.

When choosing a flower girl’s dress, there are some factors to consider. The most important is the little girl’s age. Since a flower girl is usually aged between 4 and 8 years, it is necessary to choose a fabric and length that she will be comfortable in. The other relevant factors include pattern, budget and quality. Let us take a closer look at each of these factors now.

Length of the gown

The flower girl usually walks down the aisle before or after the bride, and everyone notices her as she appears. You should ideally choose a short dress for her, so that she doesn’t risk tripping and falling. A knee-length dress or at the most calf-length is the best choice. This should allow her to move around easily.

Fabric and pattern

Your flower girl’s dress may resemble the bridal gown, or it may be such that it goes well with the rest of the wedding décor. Rather than choosing a dress that is entirely white, it would be nice to add a colorful element to keep it interesting. The other option is to choose a dress in the same color as the bridesmaid’s dresses, or tie it with the wedding color palette using a colored sash or bow. Choose a fabric that is appropriate for the venue and the formality of the ceremony. If you are having a traditional church wedding, a fancy layered frock would look good, but if it is a garden or beach wedding opt for light, airy fabrics that will not weigh her down. Also consider the weather when choosing the fabric. Don’t drown your flowergirl in heavy layers or long sleeves if it is warm, and avoid a thin or short dress if it is windy or cold.

Navy Blue Lace Ivory Satin Organza

Quality of the fabric

At her age, it is unlikely that your flower girl will sit still for too long. So, it is unlikely that her dress will remain fresh throughout the ceremony, unless it is of suitable quality.

If she is restless (as is expected at her age) you do not want to feel disappointed to see her pretty dress full of creases and wrinkles. A good idea is to choose a good quality fabric. Fabrics that maintain their shape will ensure your flower girl looks fresh throughout the ceremony.

Ivory lace Tulle Spaghetti straps
Ivory lace Tulle Spaghetti straps

Accessorize well

A sensible pair of shoes are a must for your flower girl. See to that she breaks her shoes in before the wedding. Keep her hairstyle simple, and add accessories that she will like but not distract her. You do not want her fiddling with it at the time of the ceremony.

To choose a pretty flower girl dress that will be just right for your wedding, check out the flower girl dress collection at Best for Bride.  For more wedding advice and to find everything you need for your wedding day, visit us today.