Bridal Boutique
Source: Martha Stewart Weddings
The post-wedding, or morning-after, brunch is a nice way to end the wedding festivities. It’s especially popular at weekend-long and destination weddings since guests are already staying over. The brunch gives everyone time to chat in an informal setting, and this event can be held anywhere from a family member’s backyard to the café at the hotel where everyone’s staying. [Read more…] about Who’s Responsible for Hosting the Post-Wedding Brunch?
Source: Martha Stewart Weddings
Fall weddings have been gaining popularity over the last few years, and for good reasons! Autumn celebrations offer unique color palettes, seasonal ingredients, and bold florals. We asked two top wedding planners—Shannon Leahy and Beth Helmstetter—to share the benefits that come with choosing a fall wedding date. Here, the two pros share their top five.
You’ll get unforgettable photos.
It’s no secret that fall foliage provides a vibrant backdrop for your wedding photos. Highlight the colorful leaves by taking photos beneath voluminous trees, incorporate pumpkins or leaves into your photos, or taking advantage of the fall breeze that makes your veil flow during your portrait session. “In the Northeast you see all the beautiful oranges and yellows of the maples,” Leahy says. “The aspens in the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming are on fire—it’s a stunning time of year for outdoor photos!”
It’s the perfect time of year for an outdoor ceremony or reception.
“You can typically count on cooler temperatures and less direct sunlight, which is amazing for guest comfort. They get to be fully present for the ceremony rather than thinking about how hot they are or if the sun is in their eyes,” says Helmstetter. Leahy agrees, adding that your guests will appreciate being able to spend time outdoors without feeling hot and sticky. “No one wants to be sweating through their formal attire, so waiting until the fall ensures that your guests will enjoy an outdoor wedding in the crisp cool air.” [Read more…] about 5 Benefits of Having a Fall Wedding, According to Professional Planners
Source: Bridal Pulse
Having a small guest list doesn’t mean you have to think small when it comes to entertaining your guests. Whether you’re dreaming of a reception that has your guests dancing to the sounds of a live wedding band or you prefer something more subdued like a jazz trio during a cocktail reception, there is no reason an intimate wedding should make you scale back on your wedding entertainment plans.
In fact, with all that money you’ll save on having fewer guests, it will be easier to pull out all the stops when it comes to entertaining your guests. Here are just a few ideas to get your juices flowing:
Mix and mingle artists like close-up magicians are a, well, magical way to dazzle, break the ice, and move the conversation into free-flow mode. Perfect for drinks receptions and wedding breakfasts, where they’ll perform to small and not-so-small groups.
Post-ceremony refreshments? Yes please! A pop-up cocktail bar is a quirky way to stay lubricated. Your bartender can design bespoke cocktails for – and named after – the happy couple, and stock all your favorite beverages.
Solo singers come in all forms, from classical to jazz, swing, and even singer-guitarists, and make a breath-taking accompaniment to your ceremony, drinks reception and breakfast. For a fuller sound, opt for a duo or trio vocal harmony group.
Acoustic bands can be chilled or lively, from fun folk to smooth jazz – the choice is yours! They’ll wander among your guests and some will take requests, perfectly tailoring their set to your crowd.
Stylish and sophisticated, classical musicians like harpists or string quartets can turn their hand from masterpieces to modern chart tracks and movie hits in an instant. They’re perfect mood-setters for your ceremony and ambient atmosphere at your drinks reception and wedding breakfast.
Source: Brides
As devoted as you may be to your specialty serums and creams, there’s no denying the fact that skincare products can only do so much to clear and brighten your complexion. It may sound cliché but the phrase “beautiful skin starts from within” exists for a reason; what you put into your body can have a much greater impact on the look and feel of your skin than what you slather on it.
Enter ingestible beauty: supplements and powders chock full of pre- and probiotics, collagen, and adaptogens (herbs and roots that reduce the effects of stress on our bodies) that support radiant skin from the inside out. “When your body comes up short on nutrients or your digestion is off, your skin is one of the very first places where you’ll see issues crop up,” says Jolene Hart, a Philadelphia-based integrative nutrition health coach and author of the Eat Pretty book series. “Ingestible beauty powders do a great job of closing that gap and boosting your glow.” When taken consistently, these powders can also improve skin hydration, lessen breakouts, and blur fine lines.
Ready to give them a go? Add any of the below superfood powders to your morning smoothie and you’ll be well on your way to flawless skin by your wedding day.
Hum Nutrition Raw Beauty Green Superfood Powder
This raw powder is quite the multitasker: It aims to up energy levels, kick start your metabolism, and breathe new life into your skin. And with 39 superfoods, including alkalizing greens, probiotics, and antioxidant-rich matcha and moringa, we’re convinced it’ll live up to its claims. We’re also obsessed with the brand’s yummy Glow Sweet Glow gummies with hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E.
SHOP NOW: Sephora, $39
Navitas Organics Daily Superfood Beauty Boost
With a short list of organic plant-based ingredients, there’s nothing but glow-getting goodness in this little pink tub. Here, it’s all about the antioxidants: Acai, maqui, maca and turmeric powders, among others, offset free radical damage (the cause of a slew of skin aliments, such as dehydration and collagen loss). The best part: The mild flavor blends seamlessly into any fruit smoothie recipe.
SHOP NOW: Amazon, $25.49
See the other options here.
Source: Martha Stewart Weddings
Getting ready for your wedding is like a whole event in itself, which means there’s a lot to plan for. Not only do you need to find a convenient and beautiful location to prep with your ‘maids, you’ll also want to make sure it’s filled with enough natural light for hair and makeup. But that’s not all. Have you thought about food and drinks, or who you’ll ask to be with you before the big day? Like we said, there’s a lot to consider. Once you finalize the finer details of your ceremony and reception, turn your attention to your getting-ready suite. Here, a breakdown of everything you need to think about for your wedding morning.
The Location
You’ll likely get ready for your wedding at a hotel, a bridal suite at your venue, or at home. Wherever you choose to prep for your wedding day, you’ll want to make sure it’s large enough to accommodate your close friends, siblings, and/or bridesmaids comfortably.
The Guest List
Some brides opt to get ready for their weddings solo, while others prefer to be surrounded by their bridesmaids and immediate family. No matter who you decide to include, it’s a good idea to let them know in advance that you’d like them there while you’re getting ready. They may choose to get ready in the same place, or arrive dressed and made up for the wedding.
Food and Drinks
The day of a wedding is an easy day to forget to do the basic tasks of eating and drinking plenty of water. Avoid this mistake by ordering food for the afternoon—a range of fresh fruits, sandwiches, and a few baked goods usually does the trick. Some brides break open the Champagne while they’re getting ready, but you may decide you want to wait until after the ceremony.
The Lighting
A decent amount of natural light is best for getting hair and makeup that looks great both in person and in photos. If the space you’re hoping to get ready in doesn’t have good lighting, let your makeup artist know they should bring extra lights.
The Music
There’s nothing like listening to an awesome playlist to get you excited for your wedding. Ask a bridesmaid or a music-loving friend to put together a playlist you’ll all love. Try to start off with mellow songs and then finish with music that’ll get you revved up.
The Clean Up
One of the things brides often forget is to send someone to clean up the mess from getting ready. Read the rest here.