Wedding Day Beauty Mistakes

Avoid Wedding Day Mistakes by Experimenting with Beauty Treatments before your Big Day

Many women make the mistake of deciding to use their wedding or any big event as the chance to try every beauty procedure they have ever been remotely curious about. From tinting their eyelashes to getting thong-ready Brazilian bikini wax to perming their hair, women who take a no-holds-barred approach to big-day beauty run the risk of winding up frizzy-haired, blotchy, broken out and broke, since none of the procedures are cheap. It's fine to do some experimentation leading up to your big wedding day, but you must do it with enough time to correct any mistakes. The key is to plan, and, if you can afford it, to give every procedure a trial run at least once before you commit to making it a part of your wedding day beauty regimen. This tactic has two benefits: You ensure that the procedure actually does what it is supposed to do, such as clearing your skin and making it glow instead of making you break out in hives; and if you decide not to opt for a procedure, you still have time to grow out its effects.

Beauty Treatments and Experimenting Timeframes

Below are a list of the common beauty treatments women decide to try before the big day, as well as some beauty changes you should incorporate into your routine ASAP. We also included a suggested time frame for implementing or testing each one.

• Hair Changes: styles and coloring
• Eyelashes: tinting and perming - Eyelash tinting lasts a few weeks, while an eyelash perm can last up to three months. The idea behind getting these procedures done around a wedding is, of course, so that you are not left with a streaky face and straight, tiny stubs after tears of joy and the emotion of the day. It also has the bonus of giving you a great set of low-maintenance lashes for your honey-moon. A bit of what may seem like obvious advice: Don't have both procedures done at once. Decide what you need, then choose the appropriate treatment. Eyelash tinting is only useful for women with sparse, light lashes, whereas perming can give a great curl to people with long, lush, black lashes that are, unfortunately, straight. As with the facial, do a trial run long before the wedding, so you can make an informed decision about having this done a week before the actual event. Also, some of these procedures are not available everywhere, either because some states do not allow them or because salon clients in the area never request them. Trying these out might involve some research on your part.
• Bikini and Brazilian waxing - A lot of people are already familiar with waxing and have it done on a regular basis. If this is true for you, stick with the esthetician who does this procedure to your satisfaction. This is not the time to go trying out new salons in town. If you are trying one of these procedures for the first time, here are some things to remember: Even waxing done by the best esthetician can leave bumps, irritation, or redness on the skin, so have it done two full months before the event to see how your skin responds and whether the esthetician you use does a good job. Try to get a sense for how quickly your hair grows back. Then, one to two weeks before the big day, get the procedure done a second time.
• Lip and ebrow waxing - see Bikini and Brazilian waxing
• Artificial nails
• Facials - If you insist on getting a facial even though you have never had one before, do the first one a month and half before the wedding. After getting the facial, monitor your skin's reaction afterward--not only for the first few days but for the first two weeks, which is how long it can take if the point of the facial was to clear up any breakouts. If you liked the results, schedule a second one no closer than two weeks to a week and half before the wedding, particularly if you are prone to breaking out or are very fair skinned and are having a pore extraction done. Facials can actually lead to acne, which many facialists say goes hand-in-hand with the excretion of impurities. Pore extractions, especially on sensitive or white skin, can leave the area red for quite a few days. Plan accordingly so you don't have any surprises and can still enjoy the benefits of the procedure.

Sunflower Themed Weddings

I was at a meeting recently and we were discussing a client who wanted a sunflower themed wedding. Here are a few ideas I shared with the client.

Radiate sunshine and happiness. Nothing says "happy" like a sunflower. These "feel good" flowers are the symbol of joy, peace and prosperity. May you be blessed with all three as you begin your journey together as a new couple!

Planning your celebrations around such a cheery theme should be a breeze.You can accent your sunny theme with everything from sunflower bridal bouquets to a gorgeous sunflower wedding cake.

Since sunflowers are a member of the daisy family, white daisies compliment them beautifully in a cascading bridal bouquet as do Purple Iris, Blue Bachelor Buttons and Baby's Breath.

If you just love yellow, look at this stunning bridal bouquet. The raphia bow is perfect! For your bridesmaids,a brilliant yellow nosegay would be just right.

Mini sunflowers and Baby's Breath would be perfect for the groom's boutonniere while a single bloom would be nice for the groomsmen.

If you are feeling creative, try making your own bouquets, it's really not that hard. If you use silk flowers, you can create your bouquets and decorations well ahead of time at your leisure.

Outdoor Summer Wedding Ideas

A lot of people dream of having a summer wedding.  So, if you are the lucky one who is getting married this summer, then you can think of a number of ideas to make your wedding unique and memorable.  From vibrant colors to warm sunshine to ravishing outdoor settings, everything can add touch of elegance and class to your wedding.

Summer weddings are ideal for outdoor settings such as a beach, garden, or a beautiful yard.  Use fresh fruits and vegetables to decorate -- perhaps including Clementine and cumquats in your flower arrangements, or simply filling a large vase with bright yellow lemons.  An extra-summery idea would be to use bright tablecloths, napkins with a few sunflowers in metal watering cans as the centerpieces.

It's summer time, so why not lighten the ambience a little?  A pianist will be simply perfect if you're having a formal cocktail hour, but if you want to really embrace the season, consider going with alternate summer music styles.  Try creating a laid-back or elegant style during your cocktail hour with the help of drums. Your guest will love it!

The cake should be light and fluffy-something like an angel food cake topped with whipped cream and berries.  Top the cake with fresh tropical flowers such as hibiscus, or decorate with shells or starfish.  Serve light sorbet and gelato.  As far as the food is concerned, think of fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits.  You can serve grilled chicken, potato and sea-food.

When it comes to flower arrangements and decorations, you are in luck!  This is the time of the year, when huge varieties of flowers are available.  The most popular choice includes roses, daisies, geraniums, poppies, carnations, lilies, sunflowers and pansies.  With such lovely flowers adoring your wedding decoration, the event is certainly going to be bright and cheerful.

Well, above are some of the ideas to make your summer wedding unique and exquisite.  So, plan your best and get the best outcomes!

Be Creative With Your Cake Table

Do I Really Need a Wedding Planner?

So he finally proposed, you said yes! Now what? You have so many plans in your head, many of which you think you can execute yourself. The question that many brides ask themselves is, “Do I Really Need a Wedding Planner?”

Anybody who knows me can tell you I am truly obsessed with all things creatively chic and glamorous. I am a mom, wife, entrepreneur and self-proclaimed fashionista. I am excited to join my fellow bloggers in sharing creatively chic inspiration, my experiences, design information and ideas with you!

The average bride spends 250 hours organizing her wedding - that's equal to 6 full-time working weeks!

Saving you valuable time isn't the only benefit of using a wedding planner. Wedding planners are NOT only for those couples with enormous budgets. Most couples are on a restricted budget and want to do things right. A wedding planner will help you set a realistic wedding budget, based on how much you have to spend. In most cases, a wedding planner will save you money.

Here are some typical thoughts you might have when considering whether you need a planner:

1. I can’t afford it.
2. What will you do that I can’t do on my own?
3. My sister, friend, mom said they will help me with everything.
4. The venue will coordinate the wedding for me.

Here are my top 6 reasons why you need a planner:

1. Planners can customize packages to meet the needs of your wedding, and they know how to think creatively to save money and get you what you want!

2. You can’t do everything by yourself – brides, moms, friends – they are working and have their own lives. You can’t keep on track with your job and the jobs of others for such a big event.

3. You need a professional who can help you make decisions and be impartial. Your wedding planner doesn’t know Aunt Betty or your BFF Jennifer and will help you make decisions that are pleasing to you – not others. The planner is a good mediator between the bride, groom and relatives.

4. Contacts — A successful wedding planner should have relationships with top-notch vendors at discounted rates. They will be more apt at getting a better deal on those floral arrangements than you, so utilize their resources!

5. A venue will only be partial to the preferred list of vendors who may have ads in their marketing brochure. Your planner will know a variety of vendors and choose ones that are in the best interest of the client and their budget.

6. Wedding planners are known problem solvers and are built to solve emergencies and have contingency plans.

So…do you think YOU really need a planner?

Wedding Insurance 101

Though you might not want to think about it, disasters can strike your wedding day. From a sudden cancellation to stolen gifts to a damaged gown, wedding insurance can help protect you against the unforseen, and can also afford you great peace of mind. But what exactly is wedding insurance -- and how does it work? Here's the inside scoop.

What Is Wedding Insurance?

Basically, wedding insurance protects a couple's investment from circumstances beyond their control, and reimburses expenses incurred. For example, what if your limo driver doesn't show up and you have to book another one the morning of the wedding -- for three times the price? Or what if the groom's custom-made tuxedo is lost in airport baggage, and he has to buy a new one the day before the wedding? What if your reception space goes out of business a month before the wedding, and you lose your deposit and have to book another space? These are the types of big-day financial losses that wedding insurance can help to protect.

Why Get Wedding Insurance?

Consider these scenarios:

• Janet and Dan spend months planning their winter wedding. But on wedding day, their reception site is made inaccessible by an ice storm. With the right wedding insurance policy, the couple can postpone their wedding and receive every penny they lost (less the deductible) -- including money for the invites, cake, catering, attire, and non-refundable deposits for ceremony musicians, floral designer, and other vendors.
• The bride's father is injured in a car accident just before the wedding and cannot travel. If the couple has to postpone their wedding, with wedding insurance they could be paid back their expenses to enable them to have the wedding when the father recovers.
• Right before the ceremony, Brittany's gown catches a gust of wind. Unfortunately, the tulle dances right over to the end of Uncle Howard's cigar and the dress instantly goes up in flames. Fortunately, the right insurance policy covers the replacement of the veil and gown.

How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost?

A basic insurance policy that covers loss of photos, videos, attire, presents, rings, and deposits usually costs anywhere between $155 and $550, depending on the amount of coverage you want. General liability insurance, which covers up to $1,000,000 for accidents, costs around $185.

Do You Really Need Wedding Insurance?

Before you buy wedding insurance, check with your each of your vendors to see how well they're covered -- your reception site or your caterer may already have their own insurance, so you wouldn't want to pay for overlapping coverage out of your own pocket. Ask your vendors for a copy of their policy, and then figure out where you aren't fully covered.

When Should You Get Wedding Insurance?

The sooner the better. Let's say you put a deposit on your wedding reception hall 12 months prior to your wedding date and then it burns to the ground a few weeks before the big day. With wedding insurance, you'll be sure to get your deposit back. But note: most insurance companies have limitations on how far in advance you can purchase insurance.

What Does Wedding Insurance Cover?

Problems with the site, weather, vendors, key people, sickness, or injury are the top concerns come wedding day. There is usually a specified maximum amount, which can be claimed under each section, and a deductible also applies. Be sure to find out the details of your insurance plan.

• Site: Check to see if your ceremony and reception site is already insured. If it's not, wedding insurance can cover the cost arising out of unavoidable cancellation (such as damage or inaccessibility to the ceremony site), if your reception hall is unable to honor your reservation because it has burned in a fire, experienced an electrical outage, or just plain closed down. Sometimes this policy covers the rehearsal dinner site, too.
• Weather: Any weather conditions which prevent the bride, groom, any relative whose presence at the wedding is essential, or the majority of the guests from reaching the premises where the wedding is to take place. Insurance covers rescheduling the wedding and all the details involved -- such as ceremony flowers, tent rental, and reception food.
• Vendor No-show: What if essential wedding people -- the caterer or the officiant, for example -- fail to show up? A wedding insurance policy usually covers cancellation or postponement of the wedding for these reasons.
• Sickness or Injury: Wedding insurance may also include sickness or injury to the bride, groom, or anyone essential to the wedding.
• Military or Job: It's true, military personnel may be shipped out at a moment's notice. Wedding insurance can cover postponement of the wedding due to the bride or groom suddenly getting called to military duty. This can also apply to a last-minute corporate move -- i.e. the bride's company suddenly relocates her to another city.

Wedding Insurance Doesn't Cover...

• A change of heart. In other words, cold feet don't count.
• Watches, jewelry, or semi-precious gemstones or pearls (even if they are attached to clothing) may not be covered.
• While your wedding rings may be covered by the policy, your engagement ring probably will not.

Additional Coverage

Couples can take out supplemental policies to defend against damages incured by other wedding-related items such as photography, videography, and gifts.

• Photography: Some policies pay to retake the photographs after the fact if the photographer fails to appear or the original negatives are lost, damaged, stolen, or not properly developed. Some policies will pay to re-stage the event -- with the principal participants so that pictures can be retaken. A policy may also pay costs for rehiring a photographer, buying a new wedding cake, and new flowers.
• Videographer: When a videotape produced by a professional videographer is damaged (he or she used faulty materials for example), a policy usually pays a certain amount to have either a video montage created, a video compilation made of the photographs and other wedding memorabilia, or, if possible, a retaking of the official video at a restaging.
• Gifts: Whether they're mailed to your home or handed to you on your wedding day, valuable items like gifts are something else you might want to consider insuring. Think about a party crasher lifting unattended presents from your reception. Gift coverage pays to repair or replace non-monetary gifts that are lost, stolen, or damaged. A police report is usually required for stolen gifts. The damage or theft generally has to take place within a limited time period (ranging from 24 hours to seven days depending on the specific policy) before or after the wedding, in order to be covered.
• Attire: This coverage pays to repair or replace the bridal gown or other special attire when it is in your possession and is lost, stolen, or damaged (including financial failure of the bridal store). Special attire usually includes the clothing and accessories bought or rented that are to be worn by the bride, the groom, and attendants at the ceremony.
• Personal Liability: Personal liability covers bodily injury or property damage caused by an accident that occurs during the course of the wedding (your best man trips and falls on his way up to the mike to roast you or Uncle Murray suffers a Harvey Wallbanger wall banger).
• Medical Coverage: This covers reasonable medical expenses (up to the policy's limits) for each person who is injured during the covered events from a cause of loss, which would be covered by your personal liability.
• Honeymoon: Your honeymoon can cost as much as a new car. But before buying travel insurance to protect your investment, see if your credit card and/or homeowner's policy covers you if your luggage gets lifted, your trip is delayed, or you have to cancel. If not, you can a buy separate, trip-only policy. Call your insurer, or ask your travel agent for details. Also, certain wedding insurance packages include optional travel insurance for your honeymoon.

Things to Consider

Every insurance policy and every wedding scenario is different. Be sure to talk to your insurance agent -- and have him or her explain the nuts and bolts to you. You want to make sure you and your sweetie understand every detail of your policy.