Monday, 27 May 2013

10 Gift Ideas for Your Maid of Honor

Your maid of honor plays a big role in your wedding. Not only is she responsible for planning your bridal shower and bachelorette party, but she also makes sure things run smoothly during the ceremony and reception. By your wedding day, the close female friend or family member you've picked to serve as your maid of honor has spent plenty of time and money to make your big day a success. She's watched you try on countless dresses, visited caterers to find the perfect cake design and been by your side through all the wedding-related worries and planning.
To say thank you for all this work, treat your maid of honor to a special gift beyond the standard bridesmaids' favors. Remember though -- this can't just be any gift. Give her something timeless that she'll enjoy for many years, or something completely luxurious that she'd never buy for herself. Whatever your budget, you'll find the perfect way to show your appreciation with one of these 10 maid of honor gift ideas.

10: Wine and Bubbly

With all her responsibilities leading up to the wedding, your maid of honor is probably feeling frazzled by the time the big day finally arrives. While she's been distracted by last-minute tasks up to this point, she may be starting to wonder how your new married status will impact your friendship. Add to this the exhaustion that comes from participating in a wedding, and it's no surprise that she's feeling overwhelmed.
Before you take off for your honeymoon, leave her with a bottle of fine wine or bubbly to help her relax and unwind. To make this gift extra special, splurge on a bottle she'd never buy for herself. Think vintage Chateau Latour, Cristal or Veuve Clicquot, not the dusty $10 bottles at your local liquor store. Pack the wine in a wooden box engraved with a special message, or choose a simple jute bag and spend more on the wine instead.
If neither wine nor champagne is her thing, consider cocktails. Fill an ice bucket with a bartender's guide and drink mixes for martinis, margaritas or any of her favorites, plus a few bottles of liquor. Include a set of engraved drinking glasses or a monogrammed cocktail shaker to add a personal touch.

9: Stationery

Looking for a more traditional gift? Consider a set of fine stationery. Not only is stationery a timeless, classic gift for people of all ages, but your maid of honor will be able to use it for years. Best of all, she'll be reminded of you and your wedding every time she writes a letter. Stationery is particularly meaningful if you and your maid of honor live in different cities; it will encourage her to write to maintain your friendship across the miles.
Choose the highest quality paper in her favorite shades, and have the printer add her monogram. Include a silver letter opener if desired, and have that engraved with her initials or a special message of thanks.

8: Luxe Fabrics

A shawl or pashmina woven from a luxe fabric like cashmere or a wool and silk blend makes the perfect gift for your maid of honor, especially if you're planning a winter wedding. If you're planning a summer wedding, stick to lightweight fabrics like silk or cotton. Your gift will keep her warm as she heads to the ceremony or reception, and it will look much better in photos than her everyday coat.
Consider personalizing the wrap or scarf by having it embroidered with her initials. Pick colors that complement her maid of honor's dress, or make it a timeless wardrobe staple by giving her a neutral color she can wear with anything.
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Fun Facts About Wedding Day

There seems to be a never ending line of tradition and rules to follow for your wedding day. Sometimes we follow tradition and have truly no idea where it came from .Why do we continue the tradition if we have no idea where it come from or why it is done in such a particular way anyways.

The very widely accepted idea of the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger on the left hand is the perfect example of following tradition. There are many different stories as to why many cultures do this actually but a consistent belief. Is that the fourth finger on your left hand has a vain called the vena amoris was believed to be directly connected to the heart which was deciphered as a symbol of love.
Wedding Rings
The very widely accepted idea of the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger on the left hand is the perfect example of following tradition
This tale was created by the Romans hundreds of years ago and unfortunately is not true. There are equal veins through each of your fingers. None directly connected to the heart. The wedding ring finger tradition apparently has no real reason.
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe. An English nursery rhyme to be sure the wedding day sends her off with everything she needs for her marriage to be a success.

Something old represents connection to the bride’s past and family. Something new of course represents luck and optimism on this new journey. Something borrowed is supposed to come from a happily married couple so their good fortune carries over to the newly-weds. Something blue is to be a small token upon the wedding dress or jewelry. The color blue, particularly sapphire represents fidelity and loyalty. Prior to the 19th century blue was a popularly chosen color for a wedding dress. And last but not least a sixpence in her shoe is to grant financial security. Since the sixpence is no longer minted a different coin is usually substituted. Unless a keepsake sixpence is bought from a company that creates them.

This tradition seems like a good idea, usually wedding days take a great amount of luck to get through unscathed. Therefore having all kinds of good luck tokens seem to be logical.
Another commonly practiced wedding tradition that’s history is usually unknown is the veil and bridesmaids. The veil is worn to cover the brides face so evil spirits will not realize she is the bride. Which is also why there are bridesmaids, they were to surround the bride and confuse the spirits to who the actual bride was and leave.
The throwing of rice is somewhat transformed to blowing bubbles. The tradition was the attendees would throw rice to wish the couple prosperity and happiness. Since rice is apparently too difficult to clean up this tradition has been changed to different things such as bird see, which the birds will just eat so no clean up necessary, or blowing bubbles which is quite popular. It seems to be a tradition that is partially followed kind of like the wedding car or the bouquet toss.
The wedding carriage is supposed to be drawn by gray horses in order to signify fertility. The car is also supposed to travel for a short distance before going back to the church after the bride is set. Wedding cars are to be decorated with tin cans and flowers, not so much peanut butter and condoms.
The bouquet toss is still widely practiced but not in a traditional form. The tradition goes that the bride is to throw the bouquet whoever catches it will be the next to get married. She must take a small slice of wedding cake home and place it under her pillow so she can dream about her upcoming marriage and husband to be.

There are many traditions that are not followed today for one reason or another. Things such as; the bridal bouquet use to contain herbs and spices instead of flowers to ward off evil spirits, bride being carried over the threshold is also a thing of the past, surprisingly asking the father of the bride before asking the bride herself has drastically decreased in practice as well. The fathers of the brides are getting off a little easier there is a dramatic decrease in fathers picking up the tab for their daughters nuptials. The bride no longer changes into her “going away suit” either. The most surprising of all diminishing wedding traditions would have to be the lack of immediate honeymoons after the wedding.

Whether you choose tradition of contemporary nuptials, do it your way. Plan the things you want and are important to you. Maybe now that there has been some light shed on the traditions some can be chosen for the right reasons or disregarded because the make no sense.
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How to store your wedding dress



HOW TO STORE YOUR WEDDING DRESS

While it takes months to find the right wedding dress or create the dress of your dreams, most gowns are often discarded and left to hang with no care after the day has passed. No matter how soon you have to get to the airport, if you’ve had thoughts of keeping or selling your wedding dress, the delicate fabrics must be taken care of.

RULE 1: DRY CLEAN WITHOUT DELAY “You need to clean your gown immediately as, over time, stains will set and they will become more and more difficult to remove, . “Ideally, you want someone to drop off your gown while you’re on your honeymoon, or the cleaners we prefer can come and pick up your gown before you go.”


RULE 2: WRAP IT UP “The only way to store your gown long-term is to box it with acid-free tissue paper. Ideally, you want to keep the gown away from anything that could stain it over time so acid-free tissue paper is fantastic and by boxing the gown it seals in the air. Alternatively, some couture brides frame their gowns and hang them in a 3D shadow box on the wall.

If it is impossible to clean and box the gown prior to the honeymoon, Gowing recommends storing the dress in a 100 per cent cotton garment bag, as plastic cleaning bags don’t allow the garment to breathe. Make sure to hang the dress on a white padded silk coat hanger as opposed to a lacquered wooden coat hanger.

Store veils, accessories and silk shoes with the dress. “I wore a three-metre long veil edged in the same lace as my gown and it’s going to be boxed, as will my silk stole. My sister had shoes made of the same silk and they were wrapped separately then boxed in. Boxing is also a good way to know that everything is all together,” Gowing says.

RULE 3: STORE SENSIBLY “I only deal with natural fabrics, even in my home I tend to gravitate towards cottons, linens, silks and wools, and because they’re all natural you store them quite similarly,” says Gowing. “Store items somewhere that isn’t damp or humid, and out of the sunlight. If we hang a garment under the light in the studio for long enough it will turn yellow as it’s a natural fibre. So store [the boxed dress] under the bed or in the cupboard, and make sure it’s flat.
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Saturday, 18 May 2013

6 Tips For Avoiding Wedding Day Regrets

You’ve planned your butt off, and now the big day is here. Here's 6 tips so you won’t have any regrets on your wedding day?

1. Do a Hair & Veil Dry Run… no matter the cost. Book an appointment with your stylist way before your wedding day to have a hair do trial. It would save you a whole lot of headache.

2. Do Eat. With 70% of brides (according to a recent study) wanting to lose weight for their wedding day, I know you’re thinking to keep that flat tummy you’ve worked so hard for and don’t eat until the reception. Uh uh.. So, what to eat? For breakfast you need protein and something light–like two poached eggs or broiled fish and some fruit or fruit juice

3. Wear The Right Shoes. Many brides regret that they were not more comfortable at the reception and shoes are a big reason. Have a backup ave a backup pair and don’t wait until it’s too late to change into them. Once that foot pain starts up it’s hard to stop, but if you need a quick fix: soak them for a few minutes in ice water and have new hubby give you a quick foot massage, flexing those cramped muscles and bones. ;)

4. Get Every Shot. Make a list beforehand of every shot you want and then give that list to a trusted friend who can check them off and work with the photographer.

5.Have a Thank You Speech. I know that lots of toasts will come your way, and you and hubby have vows to write as well, but remember that many guest spent money too and some have traveled from afar. The gracious bride will remember to say her thank yous at the reception as well.

6. Remember That u Are Marrying Your Husband. Don’t get so caught up in all the stress of the day and every last detail that u can’t just go with the flow and enjoy once you get there. Shit will happen, few hitches go off without a hitch, but don’t let it bother you. If your stress level is too high, see ur groom before the ceremony. He'll take the stress off u.

www.bekasbridals.com.ng 08050479163 08129104757
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Monday, 22 April 2013

Pick the perfect wedding dress

Congratulations, you are getting married! In all the excitement and stress of planning your wedding over the next few months, one of the most important things you will purchase is your wedding gown. The first thing you should do before actually heading to the bridal shop is get an idea about which style of wedding gown you prefer. You will need to get familiar with wedding gown terminology and styles. Here are some general guidelines to help you get started on the road to wedding day bliss.

Silhouette

A-line

The A-line or princess dress has no marked waist and the vertical seams flow from the shoulders
down to a flared skirt, creating an "A" shape. If you carry your weight in the middle, this silhouette is a nice choice.















Ball gown

These gowns are normally quite formal, reminding you of Cinderella. The bodice is fitted with a very full skirt.
Ball gowns can be long-sleeved, sleeveless or anywhere in between. The full skirt of a ball gown can hide large hips and thighs.

Empire

Empire gowns have a raised waistline that starts right under the bust, flowing to a skirt that skims over the hips then flairs slightly to the floor. This romantic silhouette is flattering to most body types and is particularly flattering to small-breasted women.


Mermaid

As the name indicates, the mermaid dress is contoured against the body then the gown flows out beginning around the knees. This is the sexiest of the styles. If you're confident in your body, a mermaid dress can show off your curves.

Sheath


The sheath or column dress has a slim shape that follows close to the line of the body. The straight design doesn't allow for many body flaws. The long lines of a sheath gown can elongate the look of your body. Therefore this type of dress can work well for short brides.


Neckline

• Bateau — Close to straight across from the tip of the shoulder. Gives plenty of coverage.
• Halter — Wraps around the back of the neck to create deep armholes. Often also a backless style, which is very sexy.
• High — Covers most of the neck. Creates a formal, somewhat stiff look.
• Jewel — Similar to that of a t-shirt. Creates a bustier look.
• Off-the-shoulder — As the name indicates, the top of the shoulders are bare. Showcases your collarbone and shoulders.
• Portrait — A very wide scoop from the tip of one shoulder to the tip of the other.
• Scoop — Classic U-shaped neckline. Can be cut low for a sexier look.
• Square — Squared neckline, often associated with empire gowns.
• Strapless — Normally straight across. Not recommended for women with small busts.
• Sweetheart — Shaped like the top half of a heart. Emphasizes the cleavage.
• V-Neck — Dips in the front into a V-shape. Can be very deep.
Length
• Street length — Hem falls just past the knee.
• Intermission (or tea) length — Hem falls between the knees and ankle.
• Ballet length — Hem falls just to the ankles.
• Floor length — Hem barely touches the floor on all sides.

Sleeves
• 3/4 sleeves — End between the elbow and wrist.
• Bell — Long sleeves that flare out toward the wrist creating a bell shape.
• Cap — Rounded sleeves, just covering shoulders.
• Fitted point — Long, fitted sleeves that come to a point over the hand.
• Juliet — Long, fitted sleeves with puffy shoulders.
• Long sleeves — Extend to the wrist and are normally form-fitting.
• Off-the-shoulder sleeves — Cover the upper part of the arm but leave the tops of shoulders exposed.
• Poet — Long sleeves, fitted to the elbow then flared.
• Pouf — Short sleeves, gathered to create a puffy look.
• Short sleeves — About the length of t-shirt sleeves.
• Sleeveless — Strapless with no sleeves.
• Spaghetti — Thin spaghetti straps with no sleeves.

Bodice

The bodice refers to the portion of the dress between the neckline and skirt.
• Corset — A form-fitting bodice with boning and lace-up closures.
• Halter — Sleeveless bodice that wraps around your neck, normally backless.
• Midriff — Fits very closely around the mid-section, accentuating your waist.
• Surplice — Sections of fabric cross-wrap in the front or back.
• Tank — Sleeveless with wide armholes like tank top.

Train

• Sweep — 8 to 12 inches in length, just a few inches longer than the gown.
• Court — Extends about 3 feet from the waist.
• Chapel — Extends about 4 feet from the waist.
• Cathedral — Extends about 6 to 9 feet from the waist.
• Royal — Extends more than 9 feet from the waist.

Veil

• Birdcage — Falls right below the chin, usually attached to a headpiece.
• Flyaway — Falls to the shoulder.
• Blusher — Worn over your face, about 28 inches long.
• Elbow — Falls to the elbow or waist.
• Fingertip — Falls to the finger tips or just below the waist.
• Ballet — Falls to the ankles.
• Chapel — Falls slightly longer than floor length.
• Cathedral — 9 feet or longer.

 

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