7 Ways to Surprise your Groom at the Wedding

1. Make a "love notes" journal. The Mr. is a published author and while I couldn’t be prouder, he isn’t exactly the king of public speaking or even conversing in a private setting. However, he knows just how to melt my heart by scattering love notes around the house. I will publish each one in a leather-bound journal, along with new letters written by me, and give it to him on the morning of our wedding day. It doesn't cost a lot, but the sentiment is priceless.

Photo Credit: Wildflower Weddings

2. Get your bridal party in on the fun. Although I adore all things mush, we all know I can’t deny my inner sass, which is why I just may have my girls flash my groom a message right before I walk down the aisle. Not only is it adorable, but he’ll never expect it...

Photo Credit: Wedding Day Dreams

Photo Credit: The Lovely Find

…or have your girls text him the message instead. Either way, he’ll be counting the seconds till you walk down the aisle! 

3. Engrave his wedding band with a meaningful message. It can be a verse, your wedding dates or something that is sure to make him laugh. (While he knows about this idea, the Mr. will not know what I choose to engrave—he will surprise me with my own engraved ring on the wedding day as well).

Photo Credit: Susan Stripling

4. Plan a private moment after the vows. We’re marrying in Italy near a lake, so after the vows, I plan on surprising Edwin with a magical boat ride for two. The guests will be mingling during the cocktail hour, so it’s the perfect time to sneak in some alone time. If you're having a fall-themed wedding, consider having a hayride, instead.

Photo Credit: Green Wedding Shoes

5. Include his favorite foods. It’s 12 a.m.—do you know where your man is? Mine is snacking away, and since food is the way to a man's heart, why not include some of his favorite munchies at the wedding? Add them in for cocktail hour if he's a hamburgers-and-hotdogs kind of guy, and you want your reception menu to be a bit more upscale. Or have a midnight lounge where you serve breakfast items like mini pancakes, quiche and donuts, to celebrate his favorite meal of the day.

Photo Credit: Family Bites

6. Have breakfast in bed the day after the wedding. Nothing is more romantic than waking up to your guy as his wife for the very first time. But with crazy events and the never-ending hosting that comes along with throwing a wedding, you may be too busy to enjoy lounging the day after. Ask your Maid of Honor or planner to send over breakfast in bed, which could be just the cure. 

Photo Credit: Zsa Zsa Bellagio

7. Take some boudoir photos for him. It’s a trend that I L-O-V-E and couldn’t be more of a fabulous gift. You don’t have to channel the vibes of Playboy, but you can make it sensual by wearing his favorite sports jersey or his 9-to-5 business shirt (and nothing else). Although most brides surprise their groom with boudoir photos on the wedding day, I plan on giving him mine either on our honeymoon or one-month anniversary so that he won't see it coming.

Photo Credit: Charlotte Boudoir

Planning your honeymoon

Eight Months to One Year Before

• Make a budget.
  Determine how much money you can spend on the honeymoon. This will help you narrow down your choices.
• Decide whether to use a travel agent.
  Travel specialists can take the planning off your plate and do all the legwork. (Some charge very reasonable fees.) Find one at the American Society of Travel Agents’ website, travelsense.org.
• Decide where you’re going.
  No brainer, right? As soon as you get engaged, you should start thinking about where you want to honeymoon. At the beach? Europe, perhaps? Consider the time of year, and what the weather will be like.
• Buy plane tickets.
  If you are using frequent flier miles, you’ll have a much better chance of getting the flights you want if you book well in advance. Most airlines release frequent flier seats around 11 months ahead of time. Booking early will also help you get a nonstop flight. Missing a connection and spending the night in an airport hotel? Not so romantic.
• Book your hotel.
  Nail down your accommodations early, so you can focus on the more minor details. Hotels in Europe tend to be small, so good ones fill up. Have a few options before you start contacting hotels.

Six Months Before

• Do any of the above if you haven’t already.
  So you aren’t having a long engagement. Don’t worry! Get started now, and take care of your plane tickets and hotel as soon as possible.
• Schedule any transportation.
  Once you know your itinerary, buy train tickets or look into a rental car, if any of that is needed. Even if you are heading to an all-inclusive beach resort you never plan to leave, you’ll need transportation to and from the airport. Make sure it’s taken care of now. Note: Eurail, the major train network across Europe, may not have updated schedules until 60 days before your trip. Go ahead and buy your overall pass, then schedule seats closer to the date.
• Make the impossible-to-get dinner reservation.
  If you’re dying to go to a Michelin-starred restaurant that’s booked months in advance, now is the time to secure a reservation.
• Get or renew your passport.
  The turnaround for getting or renewing a passport can be as quick as a month, but it’s better to have this squared away. If your passport is current, make sure it will be for at least six months after you return home. That is a requirement for some countries.
• Apply for any visas or other documentation.
  Know what the country you’re visiting requires, and take care of it.
• Purchase travel insurance.
  It may seem unnecessary (you can estimate it will run about 5 percent of your total cost), but when you are spending a lot of money on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, having it canceled because of Hurricane Joey is much more costly than a few hundred dollars. Travel insurance plans can cover everything from illness to acts of God.
• Get vaccinations.
  If you’re going to Africa, Southeast Asia (hello, Thailand!), or other exotic destinations, you may need immunizations. And some are given in stages that take time. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, cdc.gov, for information.

Three Months Before

• Plan your activities.
  You don’t want to plan too much, and you may just want to sleep on the beach. But if you are going on a more cultural trip, go ahead and buy tickets to museums, or book a trip to a nearby architectural site. You won’t waste time waiting in lines or figuring out details once you’re there.
• Make a quick mental packing list.
  Need new luggage? Or a camera? If you determine in advance that you need expensive items, you might ask for them as wedding gifts. Or you may just realize you need to go bikini shopping.

One Month Before

• Finalize transportation.
  Reserve seats on trains if you’re going to be moving around a country. Finalize your itinerary or confirm your car rental. If you are driving in a foreign country, get an international driving permit (available at AAA offices).
• Book spa appointments or other activities.
  If you’re heading to a mega, all-inclusive resort, you may want to prebook spa treatments and special activities, like sailing trips or other excursions, that might fill up. Call and ask the resort concierge for advice.
• Fill prescriptions.
  Make sure you have full bottles of any medications you take regularly.
• Shop.
  Now’s the time to shop for clothes—not the week before the wedding. Don’t forget things like voltage converters or specific garments (like a head covering for a place of worship) you’ll need for some countries.

Two Weeks Before

• Confirm everything.
  Call the hotel and any restaurants to confirm your reservations.
• Make copies of your documents.
  Have copies of your passport, visa, credit cards, driver’s license, and any other important documents in case something is lost or stolen. Leave a set with someone at home and pack one in your suitcase.
• Write down important phone numbers.
  If you are visiting a foreign country, know the location of the closest U.S. embassy. Also, have the phone numbers of your credit card companies so you can quickly call if there are any problems.
• Get some local currency.
  You can easily get cash from an ATM in any country, but having a little bit of money on hand (about the equivalent of $200) is a good idea—even if it’s just to take a cab to the hotel without having to stop at an ATM in the airport.
• Pack.
  Don’t wait until the week before the wedding, when you’ll be extremely busy. Pack what you can ahead of time. You can throw in toiletries at the last minute.
  Related: Honeymoon Packing Checklist

One or Two Days Before

• Confirm the hotel. Again.
  It can’t hurt. Just to give you peace of mind.
• Check the weather.
  If your destination is having an unseasonably cold week, you may want to throw in another sweater.
• Pack a carry-on for the flight.
  Have essentials, like your passport, cell phone charger, and anything else you tend to forget, ready to go.

Silk Dreams

We all know British designer Jenny Packham for the gorgeous wedding gowns she creates however did you also know she designs super pretty lingerie? Available on Net-A-Porter the collection consists of babydoll's in tulle and chiffon as well as chemises and robes in French lace and silk-chiffon all with matching g-strings. Most definitely worth a peek if you're after something uber pretty for a special occasion. Visit www.net-a-porter.com for all the info.


Rosette-embellished tulle and chiffon babydoll £413


French lace and silk-chiffon chemise £430


French lace and silk-chiffon robe £1,343

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Take the Plunge

UK based lingerie label Panache, specialising in D+ cup sizes, is now availble to Australian women through the website Big Girls. Not to be confused with plus sized lingerie, the Tiffany Bridal Collection starts at a size 6 and goes up to a 16 with cup sizes ranging from D's to G's.

The Tiffany Bridal A/W 2011 collection comprises a plunge bra, strapless bra, basque and matching coordinates. This style features luxurious Italian stretch satin with beautiful subtle darting detail. Available in a range of shapes and styles - this is the perfect lingerie for any special occasion available in black or ivory. Signature to the collection is the waspie and briefs which contour the figure into a gorgeous hourglass shape. The figure fixing properties of these pieces make them perfect to wear beneath a wedding dress and they look sexy to boot! Visit www.biggirls.com.au for all the collection info.





Posted by Emilie Harrison

Winter Wonderland

Taking its inspiration from from the newly reworked classic Alice in Wonderland, Spencerlacy's Winter Wonderland 2010 collection features gorgeous colours of shimmering silver, purple ash and charcoal grey. This luxurious loungewear is perfect for relaxing at home or in the great outdoors with the range including basics such as cardi's, chemises and leggings in fine knits, soft cashmeres and lustrous silks. Spencerlacy definitely makes leisure time much more chic. Visit www.spencerlacy.com to view the collection and shop online.


Floret print twisted satin dress $69.95 and long cable knit cardigan in luxe $189.95


Silk satin gown in Winter Bloom print $219.95 and knit dress with silk contrast in Shimmer $89.95

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Shape Up

Ever since shapewear was introduced there have been sighs of relief from women everywhere. Shapewear has made it possible for women of almost every shape and size to wear those more figure hugging and sexy pieces. Body Wrap, a collection of seamless and sophisticated pieces, offers adjustable cup sizes and immediate results, creating the illusion of a slimmer, firmer figure. There's a great selection of pieces in the collection and are so comfortable you'll forget you're wearing them! Visit www.bodywrap-shapewear.com to find out how you can feel even better on your big day!







Posted by Emilie Harrison

Online Dreaming

Our avid blog readers will be well aware I have a little obsession with an online store called Net-A-Porter. It's not just some little obsession, it's a full blown love affair. I can't get enough of it! The most desireable and beautiful designer pieces are available at the click of a button, which makes life easy if you happen to live in Australia as some of stocked labels are a no-go zone for us, unfortunately. I was even more in love when I realised they have now opened their Wedding Boutique, an online store where you can get everything for the bride, bridesmaids, Mother of the Bride and even the wedding guests! They offer complete styling tips and I can personally guarantee you will fall in love with at least 5 pieces. Short and long dresses, dresses with silk and lace, suits, skirt and tops; everything is here. I could go on about this for hours but I won't. Visit www.net-a-porter.com to browse the complete Wedding Boutique but I must worn you, you will fall in love and you won't want to leave. Also, keep your credit card well away if you're not keen on spending. It would be easy to rack up an astronomical bill!

You can choose from a simply hip range of designers from Lanvin, Marchesa, One Vintage and Yves Saint Laurent to Temperly London, Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, Fendi, Halston abd the list goes on!


Temperley London embellished crepe-silk gown £2,754 and Lanvin washed silk-satin jeweled gown £5,434


Yves Saint Laurent satin-trimmed tuxedo suit £2,355 and One Vintage Lucy dress £10,406

There is a super pretty selection of veils and heapieces available, ranging from classic and uber feminine to modern and sharp. I adore the Lanvin Ostrich feather-trimmed veil. Too pretty for words!


Lanvin Ostrich feather-trimmed veil £409 and Maison Michel Uffie miniature top hat with veil £362

How could I ignore the amazing selection of shoes! Louboutin's, Choo's, McQueen's, Fendi's, Valentino's... heaven! You'll also find every accessory you'll ever need including jewellery, headpieces, bags, coverups and pieces of gorgeous lingerie. Oh my!


Giuseppe Zanotti embellished leather sandal £758 and Christian Louboutin Studio 120 peep-toe pumps £1,267

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Will You Be My Valentine?

With Valentine's Day fast approaching many girls thoughts stray to romantic gestures and lovely surprises from their special someone. Why not opt for a gift you can both enjoy? Spencerlacy, our favourite sleepware label, has the cutest little gift boxes that will be sure to put a smile on your face.


Gift box 1 contains a mesh cami and knicker in pink hint with black lace trim $79.95


Gift box 2 contains a mesh chemise in pink hint with black lace trim $59.95

You'll also be pleased to hear that that if you spend over $100 on Spencerlacy during February "the month of love" you'll go into the draw to win an exclusive Lovers Pack, valued at over $500. Now there is no excuse to wear your ugly Pj's! Visit www.spencerlacy.com to find your nearest stockist and Happy Valentine's Day!

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Take It Off

My absolute favourite lingerie label, Pleasure State, has just sent out their January to June 2010 lookbooks and I just had to share with you some of the beautiful pics. Not only are the pieces simply too good to cover up but the photos are just gorgeous. I have a relatively small but super pretty collection of Pleasure State pieces and I have to say that they not only look adorable but they are SO comfortable, give great support and great shape. Pleasure State also have the hottest collection, called VIP, for all those curvier, bustier girls and the pieces are equally as gorgeous as the other collection. If there's ever a time to have simply stunning lingerie it's for your wedding and honeymoon. BUT... there is really no reason not to wear gorgeous lingerie all the time. You'll feel amazing if you do! Visit www.pleasurestate.com to view the White Label, Couture, VIP and My Fit collections.


Kyoshi cami from the White Label collection


Fan Dance white corset from the White Label collection


L-R - Bordello in black & Kisu from the White Label collection


L-R - Geisha in black and gold & Kimono in white from the couture collection

Posted by Emilie Harrison

In Fine Form

Fayreform’s new spring summer 09 collection covers the spectrum, from revolutionary new technologies to timeless pieces, bright prints to demure inky shades, and all that’s in between. There are several stand-out stories from the season including Fayreform’s first-ever strapless bra and the most beautiful J cup profile yet, a gorgeous and supportive lace collection. A show-stopping and undeniably sexy body suit up to a G cup is the signature piece. Fore more info on Fayreform's gorgeous colleciton, that is perfect for those ladies with a bigger bust, visit www.fayreform.com.


Profile Perfect Alight strapless bra and briefs in white


Profile Perfect all-in-one in black


Aventine bra and briefs in purple-pink

Posted by Emilie Harrison

PJ Picks
Trying to stay warm and stylishly-sexy during winter can be a challenge - Deshabillé have a great range of nightwear. Something to pack for a chilly winter honeymoon.





Posted by Jane Cameron

In Fine Form
Fayreform, known for beautiful lingerie, has released the luxurious Fashion Indent Collection. The collection features to-the-minute pieces, showcasing classic and pretty to special, glamorous and daring styles in the very latest colours and trends. With new designs released every month, the premium lace and embroideries sourced from around the world create sheer and delicate lingerie. Fayreform are known not just for gorgeous lingerie. They are the King's when it comes to fitting ladies with larger busts. There is now no excuse for daggy underwear! Visit www.fayreform.com to view the collections. Fayreform lingerie is available nationally at Myer and David Jones stores, as well as selected boutiques.





Posted by Emilie Harrison

In Fine Form
Nice lingerie is something that's as important for your wedding night as a dress is for your wedding day. Nice lingerie can also make you feel amazing! The team behind Fayreform have just released their new Autumn/Winter 2010 collection. With pretty colours, gorgeous laces and amazing details the collection is made with fuller cupped women in mind. If you struggle to find gorgeous lingerie in larger sizes look no further than Fayreform. Ranging in sizes from D to a J cup you will no doubt find exactly what you're looking for. Visit www.fayreform.com to view the collection.


L-R - Iconography & Purposeful


L-R - Figurative Peacock & Juniper

Posted By Emilie Harrison

Perele Perfection
The latest super luxe collection from France's leading lingerie brand, Simone Perele, is absolute glamour puss. The collection evokes images of old-style, Hollywood glamour, Greek goddesses and Parisian Chic, with its blend of vibrant colours, luxe fabrics and gorgeous designs. Simone Perele is known for its luxurious French fabrics, exquisite detailing and ideal balance between comfort, fit and style. Established in Paris in 1948 by a young corset maker, Madame Simone Perele, the company was founded on her three design principles – fit, function and fashion – that continue to dictate the construction of a Simone Perele garment today. The Simone Perele range includes bras, briefs, bustiers, suspender belts and shorty briefs and is available from David Jones stores nationally as well as selected lingerie boutiques. This collection will be in stores February/March 2009. Visit www.simone-perele.com to admire the pretty collection.


Muse


Floralie


Andora

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Empirical Values
To complement the ridiculously gorgeous homewares and decorating service offered by Empire Vintage, they have launched a small range of divine lingerie. Inspired by styles from the 30s to the 50s, and individually sewn by Susie Reid, these select pieces are truly sublime.


Satin Shirred Bra set with detachable bow available in Glamourous Baby Blue and Powder Pink, Bra $125, Underwear $55.

Posted by Jane Cameron

Right on the Mark
Designer collections in US Target stores are nothing new, but only recently have we seen the likes of Stella McCartney and Napoleon Perdis ranges in our Target stores. Now, with much excitement, we can get our hands on a little piece of Collette Dinnigan through her Wild Hearts collection, available now at Target stores nationally.







Posted by Jane Cameron