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.

Wedding Favors

Thinking of giving your guests some fun little favours? Then here’s a few ideas for your special day!

1. Pour some jelly beans into clear tubes and voila! You have some cheap & beautifully coloured favours!

2. Matches are becoming ever more popular in the world of weddings, especially with a clever slogan like these!

3. For the book lovers out there, give the gift of literature!

4. Can’t forget to keep the beer cold!

5. Bubbles! Bubbles! Bubbles!

6. We love these mini button cookies!

7. Here’s a great way to ensure you get some awesome, personal photos on your wedding day! Dot these cards around the tables for your guests!

8. Or shed a little light with some candles matching your colour scheme!

9. This musical couple gave their guests CD’s to take home!

10. For those having a summer wedding why not bag up some colourful fruit?

11. If you’re sampling some Chinese cuisine at your wedding then add a personal touch to the chopsticks making them a perfect momentum from your wedding!

The night before your wedding...

Top things you should do the night before your wedding

Essential ‘to dos’ before your big day

Getting wed, tying the knot, marrying – whatever you call it, it’s a big deal. With all those months of preparation and planning for the happiest day of your life, it’s important to take a moment to reflect and relax before the wedding comes. Here is a tick list of the best things to do the night before your wedding.

Eat a flat-belly dinner

No one wants to be squeezing into their wedding dress or suit on the morning of their wedding, so try to resist a blow-out meal the night before. Steer clear from stodgy takeaways or belly-busting pasta dishes. Try to limit your alcohol intake too – celebratory beer and champagne may seem like a good idea at the time, but beware the bloat. Instead, opt for tummy-trimming dark leafy greens, brown rice and a lovely piece of grilled chicken or fish, washed down with plenty of fluid-retention-busting water.

Walk down memory lane

Cheesy, maybe. But flicking through your old photos is a calming and sentimental thing to do the night before your wedding. Take a look at your parents’ or grandparents’ wedding photos or pictures of you growing up. Take a loving flick through pictures of you and your husband or wife-to-be over the years – you’ll soon realise how far you’ve come and it will get you excited for the next chapter in your life together.

Read through your vows or wedding speech

You may have gone over it time and time again over the past few weeks, or you may just be starting to write it now, but your vows or wedding speech has to be spot-on for the big day so give it the once-over one last time. Have a cheeky trial run in front of the mirror, or get your chief bridesmaid or best man to film you on their phone. This should hopefully banish any last-minute nerves and gives you the chance to make any tweaks.

Pamper yourself

If you ever needed an excuse to indulge in some pampering and me-time then the eve of your wedding is it. Whip out those face packs, soak those tootsies and buff your talons – tonight’s the night to treat yourself. For an indulgent homemade face mask, mash together banana, honey and a squeeze of lemon and smother over your face and neck – then just wash off after ten minutes. Or as a handy tip for super-soft hands (perfect for avoiding that infamous Kate Middleton ‘stuck ring’ moment!), just mix together sugar, olive oil and water and a drop of perfume, rub onto your hands in circular motions, then rinse.

Make a list

The night before you legally declare that you wish to spend the rest of your life with someone is definitely a time for forward thinking, if ever there was one. Your future together spans out ahead of you like the aisle you will be walking up the following day (eek!). This is a good opportunity to write a list of the things you wish to do, see, experience and achieve together. Holidays, children, pets and starting your own business together all deserve a mention; be as realistic or wishful as you like. This list will come in handy on your future wedding anniversaries when you can look back at it together and see what you can tick off, or what you wish to add.

Sleep!

Last but not least, sleep! Every bride and groom should look their best on their big day and that means no puffy eyes, pallid complexion or dark circles. Understandably it can be a mega challenge fighting those butterflies in your tummy and attempting slumber the night before such a huge day, and even Prince William himself admitted to a restless night before his wedding day. Try a long bath or shower using products containing essential oils such as lavender or bergamot. Why not even try some meditation? Aim to completely clear your mind of bouquets, veils and bridesmaids for just ten minutes while you focus on your breathing. Perhaps sip on some chamomile tea, but avoid sleeping pills or alcohol as ways to drift off – the last thing you want is to have a bad reaction or be drowsy the next day.

- See more at: http://www.getwed.com/articles/top-things-you-should-do-the-night-before-your-wedding-au-en/#sthash.h79geWe0.dpuf

Wedding Style Guide Blog - Wedding Ideas, Inspirations and More: "Your Lily" for Weddings.

Wedding Style Guide Blog - Wedding Ideas, Inspirations and More: "Your Lily" for Weddings.: Meaningful Lilies for your wedding Flowers are simply part and parcel of a beautiful joyous wedding day.  But choosing just ...

"Your Lily" for Weddings.

Meaningful Lilies for your wedding

Flowers are simply part and parcel of a beautiful joyous wedding day.  But choosing just the right flowers from so many kinds can be a difficult decision.  Have you ever considered lilies? The lily is a flower with a whole tradition of meanings.  The symbolism  surrounding the lily has sources all over the world.  The first stories about this flower date from the ancient Greeks and Romans who crowned their brides with lilies.  Today , the lily symbolizes femininity, love and purity:  three important elements in a wedding.  

Femininity

Lilies have become a symbol of femininity chiefly due to their shape, variety of colours and sweet fragrance.  Even in ancient Egypt, lilies were associated with femininity.  In Greek and Roman days, brides wore a crown of lilies that expressed the hope for a pure life with many children.  And a "lily white" complexion has been a sign of social status for centuries. 

Love 

During the strict Victorian era, a secret language was developed for lovers and others who wanted to express their feelings without the use of words.  It was the language of flowers: floriography.  Every flower received a meaning: a secret code.  Ancient Romans used the lily in pillows and blankets because of its scent.  It was said that lilies smelled of love.  If you received one of these sweetly scented flowers, you were certain that the giver was in love with you.  

Purity

White lilies are often used for weddings as a sign of virginity and purity.  The white lily is also called the Madonna Lily and is frequently included as a religious symbol in depictions of the Virgin Mary. 

The Bride's Bouquet

Lilies are absolutely perfect for a beautiful unique bouquet.  Their long graceful stems and elegant buds make them ideal for creating a very special bride's bouquet.  A lily arrangement in just the right bouquet holder will ensure that the bride stels the show all day long - just as she should!  Will this be your big day (and that of your future husband's) but what you want is a more unpretentious look? Lilies can also be used to create a more delicate bridal bouquet.  

An Eye -Catcher

Do you want to go all out at your wedding with a real eye-catcher?  Something that will amaze everyone and have them all talking about it long after your wedding?  If so, create a lily-decorated chandelier.  And it needn't involve all that much work for a magnificent result.   To do this, white lilies are suspended upside-down from a chandelier which is often present at a wedding venue.  Or choose a colour other than white; after all, lilies are available in many different colours.  In this case, choose a colour that matches the colour scheme of your wedding.  Other eye-catching ways to use lilies are to decorate the church, the bridal couple's car or the reception location.  Lilies perfect for smaller intimate weddings or big lavish events.

Selecting your music

"IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE, PLAY ON"

- WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

 The Ceremony | The Reception

Years from now, no matter where in the world you find yourself, no matter how old you are, whenever you hear the pieces you have selected for your wedding, it will bring the two of you back to that special day when you were married.

Music sets the tone of your wedding, so choosing the right music is essential. Although particular works and styles of performance are synonymous with weddings, the music you select should reflect your personal style and the overall theme of your wedding. Many brides opt for an elegant classical selection of music, while others choose to enhance a theme (jazz, new age, ethnic). You can set the tone of your ceremony with your choice of ensembles. You can use the following as a guide to choosing musicians for your ceremony:

Enchanting – string trio or quartet, harpist, flautist, singer.

Light and uplifting – harpist, pianist, jazz ensemble, string trio or quartet, guitarist

Fun – jazz ensemble, singer, pianist, vocal ensemble, pop ensemble, sax quartet

Formal – string trio or quartet, organist, harpist, trumpet, classical singer

Serene – string quartet, harpist, flautist, pianist, classical guitarist

Dramatic – string quartet or double quartet, bagpipes, choir

Light background – pianist, piano and violin duo, guitar and flute duo, classical guitarist

Consider commissioning an exquisite and unique original composition for your ceremony or reception. Created especially for you, and performed for the first time at your wedding, your musical creation will remain forever yours to play with friends and family as a unique and timeless memento.

^

If you're holding a church wedding, please read our article, Wedding Music for the Church Ceremony, here.

The Prelude – You will need a selection of pieces to be played as your guests arrived, approximately 15 to 30 minutes before the arrival of the bride. Generally elegant and soothing, this music will define the tone of your ceremony.

The Processional – Select music with a steady, well-defined tempo to accompany the entrance of the wedding party as they walk down the aisle.

The Entrance of the Bride – Your choice of music should direct the attention of your guests to the bride as she makes her entrance.

The Ceremony - Your ceremony music should represent your personal taste, but keep in mind that you’ll be looking back on your ceremony for the rest of your life – in ten years do you really want to be reminiscing about signing the registry to the “Chicken Dance”? 

The Recessional – Choose upbeat music as the bride and groom return down the aisle to begin their lives as husband and wife.

^

We've asked our DJ's to put together a list of popular and recommended songs for all those key points in your reception. Download their list here.

Your reception is a time to celebrate, and your choices of music will make or break your night. Begin your night with ambient music as your guests enter and enjoy dinner. Then, when it’s really time to party, the music can come to the fore as your guests find themselves on the dance floor.

As your guests arrive, the music should fade into the background. Soft, alluring music will allow conversation to comfortably take place, and as you progress into the meal, your music should provide an intimate counterpoint to the elegant visual of the reception as your guests continue to settle in and get comfortable around each other.

The Bridal Waltz (First Dance) – The formalities are now over, and it’s time to party. When choosing your music for your first dance, it’s most important for the music to be meaningful to you and your partner. While traditional choices remain popular, many couples are choosing modern songs from their favourite bands or movie soundtracks.

Now that the subtle dinner music is finished, it’s time for the party to come alive, and your ensemble or DJ will let loose with a selection of party music designed to get your guests dancing.

 

Choosing your shoes

 Wedding Shoes

You want every facet of your wedding to be just perfect ... so do not overlook the one item that will complete your look - your wedding shoes!  It pays to spend time selecting the right pair for your ‘big day’.

Your wedding dress will be fitted to accommodate the height of your shoes so choose them early…that way, you will be able to see your complete outfit sooner.   If you are having your wedding gown custom made by a dressmaker, wearing your wedding shoes at your fittings will make sure that the hem will be made to the correct length.

The following tips will help you choose the right wedding shoes to provide the ultimate finishing touch...

Comfort – Your Number One Priority!

When choosing wedding shoes comfort is of utmost importance.  You will be on your feet all day at the ceremony, taking photographs at different locations, and dancing and mingling the night away with your guests at the reception…so keep this in mind when selecting your shoes.

If you have wide or a square shaped foot, choose a wide fitting shoe to give you more width across your foot.  If you cannot find wide fitting shoes, consider a square shaped toe or a bigger size…this can often make all the difference to your comfort.

The shape of the toe is also an important consideration when buying wedding shoes.   High heels with rounded toes are more comfortable than pointy-toed shoes, and you won’t have to concentrate as much on walking gracefully in high heels if your toes aren't being squashed together.  

Wedding Shoe Heel Size

A medium or low heel is the ideal size for comfort, style and posture - even a small heel provides better posture than no heel at all.  

Consider the height of your partner when selecting your heel size.  Most brides prefer their partner to appear taller than them in wedding photographs, so if you are comfortable in higher heels and your partner is significantly taller than you, go for the higher heel.  If you are not comfortable in really high heels, your wedding is not the best time to try them out.  If you want some added height, consider platform heels or lower kitten heels.

Wedding Shoe Shape

Great wedding shoe choices for summer weddings include open-toes and sandal-style toes that show off beautifully manicured toes and let your feet breathe.  If you are getting married on a beach, or if you are walking around a gravelled area for photographs, consider a closed toe sandal or you may spend your whole day removing sand and gravel between your toes.

Wedding Shoe Style

Choose a shoe style and fabric that complements your wedding dress, your personal style, and your overall look.

Your wedding setting and style are important in choosing the style of your wedding shoes.   The basic style principle to follow is fancy shoes for simple wedding dresses and simple shoes for elaborate gowns.   Simple wedding shoe styles can be worn with both elaborate and plain wedding dresses, however a simple wedding dress can be enhanced by more elaborate bridal shoes.  An evening wedding and a glamorous gown call out for strappy evening sandals, a reception hall commands beaded mules and a non-traditional wedding dress will work best with non- traditional wedding shoes.  

Silk or satin are the two most popular choices for wedding shoes, however your wedding dress and personal taste should have the greatest impact on the shoes you choose. The choice of fabric choice plays a major role in ‘look’ of your wedding shoes.   Shoes made of fabrics such as lace, velvet, satin and silk are more delicate and feminine looking, whilst leather and suede fabrics appear more bold and off-beat.  If you are planning an outdoor wedding, consider a more durable fabric as light fabrics such as silk and satin tend to stain and tear more easily.

Treatments and embellishments such as beads, sequins and embroidery add more drama to fabric wedding shoes.  Rhinestones or crystals on your shoes are great with bejewelled or shiny, sequined dresses and beaded shoes are perfect for pearled dresses.  If you decide to have both your wedding shoes and wedding dress to have embellishments, it is important that the details coordinate.

The bottom of your wedding dress is a good guide to help you decide which fabric to choose for your wedding shoes.   Satin shoes work best with shiny fabrics and crepe shoes look great with wedding dresses with a matte sheen.   If your wedding dress is lace, shoes with lace are the perfect choice.  

Whilst your shoes should compliment your dress and the setting of your wedding, they should also reflect your personal style.   A funky, trendy bride may choose wedding shoes with chunky heels – it’s your day, it’s your style!

Wedding Shoe Colour

Wedding shoes come in a wide choice of colours with white, cream and light hues the most popular. 

Satin and silk wedding shoes are available in pure white, winter white, off-white and ivory. Most wedding shoe suppliers offer most styles in both ivory and white, however remember that all whites are not the same.  Some wedding shoe suppliers offer a bleaching service if you want white shoes but your chosen style is only available in ivory.

If the shoes you like do not match your gown, most shoes can be dyed to match your dress and / or your bridesmaid dresses.   When selecting your wedding shoes, take in a swatch of fabric from your wedding dress and / or bridesmaids dresses for colour matching. 

Try Them On For Size

When it’s time to start shopping for your wedding shoes, a great tip is to shop towards the end of the day (particularly in summer) as your feet swell over the course of a day.  It’s best to try your shoes on when your feet are largest to take into account any swelling as your wedding day progresses.

If you are going to wear stockings on your wedding day, take some along when trying on your wedding shoes.

Pre-Wedding Preparation

Girls, we all know what it’s like wearing new shoes with heels for the first time…aching feet and blisters.  To ensure that wedding shoes aren't killing your feet on your big day (and on your honeymoon), break in your new gorgeous shoes and make them comfortable.

A few weeks before your wedding, try wearing your wedding shoes around the house (but not outside) for a short period of time.   During the next couple of weeks build up the amount of time you wear your wedding shoes by walking and standing in them longer until you can wear them comfortably for at least 4 or 5 hours.

Some brides choose to wear a second, more comfortable pair of shoes at their wedding reception.  If you decide to do this, make sure that your second pair of shoes are the same heel height as your wedding shoes so your dress does not drag along the ground while you are dancing or mingling with your guests.

Another great tip is to stick self-adhesive sole pads to the bottoms of your wedding shoes or scuff the soles of your shoes with sandpaper, for potential slippery surfaces such as carpeted isles, tiled walkways or the slick floors of some reception venue halls.  Either of these floor surfaces are difficult to walk or dance on with new shoes.  The last thing you want on your perfect wedding day is to slip and fall in your gorgeous dress.

If you have dyed your fabric shoes, it's always a good idea to have your wedding shoes ‘scotch-guarded’ to help prevent the colour running if your shoes get wet.  The dye used to colour fabric shoes is not normally waterproof.

Whatever the style, colour or shape, choose a pair of wedding shoes that make you feel fabulous!