Bridal Weight Loss

Most brides-to-be want to lose a few pounds before the wedding, even if they don't really need to. It's just a fact of life for brides -- everything they look at, from movies to bridal magazines to wedding web sites is encouraging them to be (or become) a certain size. Losing weight or toning up requires aerobic exercise, but you shouldn't neglect your diet! After all, working out doesn't mean you can go nuts at the buffer table.

Here are five bridal diet tips that you can use for the rest of your life. Remember, you should always think of pre-wedding diets in terms of simple lifestyle changes instead of excessive changes that could be unhealthy. To clarify, we don't want to see you starving yourself or exercising four hours a day!

1. Drink plenty of water. Sometimes we feel hungry when we're actually thirsty. When we don't address that thirst, we keep feeling unfulfilled even after having a snack. Hint: Brides should be drinking water anyway, so their skin looks beautiful on the wedding day.

2. Up your fruit and veggie intake. It seems simple enough, but most of us still do not get enough produce. Why? It spoils quickly, it can be boring, and it costs money. Makes sense to me! So look for ways to sneak more veggies and fruit into your diet. Roasted Brussels sprouts are awesome. Make a pumpkin pie without crust and omit some of the sugar. Yum!

3. Focus on health. Even if you are looking forward to your wedding, dieting sucks. If you're obsessed with depriving yourself, you're going to fall off the wagon. Think about healthy choices you can make now and keep making after the wedding, like cutting out trans fats or eating less processed food.

4. Join a farm share (if you can). Supermarket produce gets boring. Apples and oranges, apples and oranges, right? A farm share will introduce you to foods you wouldn't try otherwise. Burdock root, anyone? How about kale? Expanding your horizons can shrink your waistline!

5. Get supportive to get support. Join a weight loss group. Ask your sister, mom, or best friend if she wants to diet with you. That way, when you're jonesing for a chocolate chip cookie you know you aren't actually hungry for, you can call your weight loss buddies and they'll talk you down from the fridge.


Click to learn more about bridal fitness

Why Are Wedding Dresses White?

Brides have always worn white, right? Not so much.

In ancient times brides wore brightly hued wedding dresses to signify their joy. In ancient Rome, yellow and red were popular colors. In other places and times, brides wore blue, as blue was associated with purity. Even now, many cultures do not see white as a color appropriate for weddings -- in much of Asia, white is a funeral color, while red is the color of weddings!

In the western world "back in the day," many brides simply wore their Sunday best -- unless she or her family was very wealthy, that meant a wedding gown that could be worn again. It might be white on her wedding day, but that dress would later be dyed (and perhaps altered) so it could be worn for other formal occasions.

White for western brides didn't become fashionable until Queen Victoria wore it at her wedding to signify her status. White wedding dresses did not signify purity until the Christian churches put that label on them.

What's that mean for you? If you are one of the unlucky gals who just doesn't look good in white -- like me -- or you simply don't care for it, you should feel free to wear any color wedding gown under the sun. Yellow wedding gowns are going to be popular in 2009, as are silver wedding gowns. But that doesn't mean you can't rock a pink wedding gown or a purple wedding gown or even a black wedding gown. It's up to you!


Click to read more about the history of the white wedding gown

Wedding Glossary Pt. IV

Like we said, knowing your stuff when planning a wedding is incredibly important. What you don't know can hurt you in this case because unscrupulous wedding vendors will look for any way to scam a bride or groom who isn't up on the common wedding jargon. You can protect yourself from most wedding scams by educating yourself -- knowing how much things cost, the way vendors handle bills, and the common vocabulary wedding professionals use.

Here is part IV of our comprehensive wedding glossary. Stay tuned for the rest, which will appear in upcoming entries!

Father of the Bride
Dad used to pay for everything, but these days brides and grooms are footing more of the bill. He will still typically escort the bride down the aisle, but he may not... it depends on the bride.

Favors
These are small, inexpensive gifts that are frequently given to all guests at a wedding reception as a thank you for attendance. They can also to serve as a souvenir.

Fiancé
This is the title of the groom or husband-to-be between the engagement and the wedding.

Fiancée
This is the title of the bride between her engagement to her betrothed and the wedding day.

Finger Tip (veil)
One of the most popular lengths of veil, which as the name suggests, extends to the fingertips.

Fish Bowl
A reception centerpiece in which flowers are arranged together in an ornate or otherwise low and broad glass bowl.

Flower Girls or Flower Children
These are small children (usually girls) who pave the way down the aisle for the bride by holding a pomander or scattering flower petals from a small basket. (See Pomander).

Flyaway (veil)
This is a many layered veil that will barely brush the shoulder.

Fondant
This is a sweet icing made from sugar, syrup, and gelatin that has supple qualities that enable a layer to be draped over the wedding cake like fabric. It is then used as the base for other elaborate decorations and designs. 3D cake decor (bows, birds, etc.) is also frequently made of fondant.

Fountain (veil)
This is the name of a veil style in which part is gathered up atop the bride's head and the remainder is set loose to fall around her face. A fountain veil will reach to either the shoulder or the elbow, depending on preference.

Ganache
This is a mixture of chocolate and cream, used either to fill or garnish a wedding cake.

Garlands
These are flower and/or green leaves twirled into ropes or loops that can be hung from doorways, stairs, and railings. A garland may also be worn by the bride as a headpiece. (See Wreath).

Groom's Cake
A smaller, second cake that may or may not be included in the wedding ceremony. If it is, then it may be served at the rehearsal dinner instead of at the reception. Groom's cakes are often more whimsical than traditional wedding cakes and can reflect the interests of the groom.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

From all of us here at Smart Wedding Planning, here's hoping that you and yours have a beautiful and auspicious 2009! If you're getting married, we wish you all the best... and we're always here to help.



So what better way to ring in the new year than with a beautiful wedding gown from Emerald Bridal? This bridal frock features a plunging V-neckline with a double ruffle of organza that is designed to stand up behind the neck, giving this gown a touch of elegance seldom seen these days. The cross-over bodice ends at the natural waistline with a pleated sash and a handmade organza flower. Lovely, no?


Click to shop for your wedding dress

First Dance Songs for Weddings

The first dance is many couples' favorite part of the wedding reception. Besides the fact that the bride and groom are in the spotlight during the dance, being on the dance floor all alone gives the newlyweds some time to chat in private. Seriously... so much of a wedding reception is spent schmoozing with seldom-seen relatives or graciously accepting congratulations that the bride and groom may never get another opportunity to spend a few quiet moments exchanging sweet nothings. Thank heavens for the first dance!

But choosing a first dance song can be complicated. You and your sweetie may not have ever dubbed any song "your song." Your favorite songs may have adult themes or bad language hidden in otherwise loving lyrics. And if neither of you is particularly into music, you may not even know where to begin! This is where your wedding DJ can help you -- he or she will have helped a lot of couples choose a first dance song and will likely have a huge list of possibilities for you to choose from. However, before you run off and call your wedding disc jockey, we here at Smart Wedding Planning have put together a short list of the most popular first dance songs for weddings. Here's a taste:

• "God Bless the Broken Road" (Rascal Flatts)
• "Wonderful Tonight" (Eric Clapton)
• "Inside Your Heaven" (Carrie Underwood)
• "The Way You Look Tonight" (Frank Sinatra)
• "Amazing" (Aerosmith)
• "Always" (Shania Twain)
• "I Cross My Heart" (George Strait)
• "It's Your Love" (Tim McGraw and Faith Hill)
• "I Need You" (Tim McGraw and Faith Hill)
• "Lost in This Moment" (Big and Rich)
• "Don't Take The Girl" (Tim McGraw)
• "I Don't Want to Miss A Thing" (Aerosmith)
• "A Whole New World" (Peabo Bryson)
• "Breathe" (Faith Hill)
• "Because You Loved Me" (Celine Dion)

Click to see the whole list of popular first dance songs for weddings

Advice for Brides / Advice for Bridesmaids

When it comes time to choose the bridesmaids' dresses, many brides choke. Sure, the bride-to-be knows what she wants and what she likes, but how can she translate that into dresses for bridesmaids of different shapes, sizes, and styles? When it comes to bridesmaids' dresses, compromise is the key. It's the bride's wedding, so she ultimately has the final say when it comes to what her wedding attendants will be wearing. At the same time, bridesmaids shouldn't let themselves be suckered into wearing hot pink polyester!

We've compiled a shortlist of advice for brides and advice for bridesmaids that will help stave off conflicts over dresses and hopefully ensure that everyone is happy with what they are wearing when the wedding day rolls around.

Brides:
When selecting your bridesmaids' dresses, it is always best to try to keep your bridesmaids' tastes in mind. As the bride, when you look back on your wedding, you probably won't care all that much about what your bridesmaid dresses looked like. Their budgets, personalities, shapes, sizes and opinions should all be factored in to your decision. Try not to forget that the reason they are standing up in your wedding is because they are the ones that have been there for you in your life. You don't want to embarrass them or make them uncomfortable just for your happiness. Although some dresses are more reusable than others, eventually all styles go out of fashion. However, your friends and family never will go out of style and will always be needed.

Bridesmaids:
As a bridesmaid, try to be flexible and be willing to compromise to a certain extent. This is your dear friend's or relative's special day and you want her to be happy. Don't let a dress that you may only wear for one day get in the way of a long-time friendship that will hopefully last a lifetime. If you really don't like the dress, take it to a local consignment store soon after the wedding while it is still in style. Otherwise you can donate it to a local charity. Someone else out there will love the dress and be thrilled to get a bargain. Then you will have made another person happy, too!


Click to read more advice for brides

Bridal Shower Invitations

Maids-of-honors and bridesmaids, this post is for you. If you're the bride-to-be, feel free to e-mail your best gal pals a link to the blog because it's their job (not yours) to plan your bridal shower. Once the hostess knows when and where the bridal shower will be, and the theme if any, it's time for her to think about the shower invitations. We've often been asked what the maid-of-honor or bridesmaids should include on the invitation. Here's a short list of necessary info that will help you create a basic bridal shower invitation:

• The date, time, and length of the wedding shower

• The address and specific location of the party

• The name of the bride, and the correct spelling of the groom's full name

• The intended shower guests, listed by name

• The location of the couple's wedding gift registry or registries

• Directions or even a map to the party venue

• The theme, if it is to be a themed wedding shower

• Indicate whether cocktails and snacks, tea and cake, or a full meal will be served

• In the case of a potluck party, suggest dishes guests can bring

• What guests should wear, if this is appropriate

• RSVP information, and an RSVP deadline

That's it, unless you want to include other information on your bridal shower invitations. If you're planning a bridal shower that will have a specific theme, consider choosing invitations that highlight that theme, e.g., invitations with a vintage kitchen pattern for a kitchen shower. Remember, however, that how your bridal shower invitations look is less important than ensuring that everyone has a good time. If guests enjoy themselves, they'll forgive almost any breach in etiquette!

Click to shop for bridal shower favors or to read more about bridal shower etiquette

Bridal Shops We Love

In some cities, there are hundreds of bridal salons where brides-to-be can buy everything from their wedding gowns to wedding accessories like bridal jewelry sets. In other cities, there are hardly any wedding shops to choose from. Being that we at Smart Wedding Planning spend A LOT of time thinking about weddings and brides and grooms, we obviously have our favorites, and it's not hard to see why! In today's post, I want to profile three of the bridal salons that have given us (and our friends) great deals over the years.

The Rose Dress
This great wedding shop offers a large selection of beautiful designs, fast shipping, and the best customer service and price. If you're the kind of bride who isn't afraid to buy her wedding gown or bridesmaids' dresses online, this might just be the bridal salon for you! Shipping is immediate, so you won't even have to wait too long to try on your perfect wedding dress.

As You Like It
If you're looking for a bridal salon experience that combines custom dressmaking and the elegance of bridal boutiques, look no further. Shop from a gorgeous collection of styles that you can actually try on in your size, hand-select every detail of your dress, and have the perfect fit and unmatchable beauty of a custom-made gown.

Blush Couture
Whether you prefer a classic and sophisticated look or a chic and glamorous style, this bridal salon's exquisite collection caters to all tastes and offers only the finest in couture bridal fashion. Every design we carry can be personalized to your individuality.

PS -- Don't forget that there's a great resource out there for finding wedding vendors called Wedding Planning Links! New cities are being added all the time, so if you don't see yours, check back!

The Morning Banana Diet

When it comes to bridal beauty, moderation is key whether you're talking about cosmetics, skin care, or...yup, fitness and weight loss. Yes, some brides buy a wedding gown that's two sizes too small or go on crash diets runway models might admire, hoping they'll lose weight before the big day, but that's not a healthy attitude. Remember, your intended asked you to marry him/her -- or said yes when you proposed -- at the size you are now. If you want to buff up before the big day, that's one thing, but your wedding shouldn't be an excuse to engage in unhealthy weight loss behaviors.

One diet that brides-to-be have recently gotten excited about is the Morning Banana Diet.

The main feature of the Morning Banana Diet is the recommendation of eating two bananas, with room temperature water, for breakfast. While the dramatic popularity of the Morning Banana Diet has been fueled by anecdotal evidence of many Japanese who've lost weight by following the regimen, decades of nutrition research validate the idea that increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables in general, and bananas in particular, can help support healthy, sustainable weight loss.

Sounds faddy, right? I'd be inclined to agree if it were not for the fact that the point of the diet is to get calories into those people who would otherwise skip breakfast. Skipping breakfast, as you may know, is a real metabolism killer, while having even a small snack in the morning helps you burn calories all day long.

The Morning Banana Diet recommends that bananas be eaten for breakfast, which could provide a metabolic boost for chronic breakfast-skippers. Research shows that breakfast-eaters burn an extra 200 to 300 calories a day. A healthy morning start may also cut down on total daily calorie intake: A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who ate breakfast consumed about 100 fewer calories a day.

If you feel the need to diet before you tie the knot, do it sensibly. Stay away from things like the ever-popular cabbage soup diet and those nasty shakes, and exercise in moderation. You could do worse than to have a few pieces of fruit in the morning, along with a sensible lunch and dinner.


Click to read more about bridal beauty

Questions to Ask Before You Get Married

I'm going to guess that unless you're just a wedding enthusiast like me, you've already decided you're going to get married. Congratulations! If you're well into the wedding planning process, you've probably already thought a lot about married life. If you've only just gotten engaged, you may be wondering just what being married will be like. The short answer is that it will more than likely be a lot like partnered life...just a bit more intense.

Why? Because your spouse's joys are your joys, their problems are your problems, and you have no choice but to face the world together. No ifs, ands, or buts! Being that this is the case, you should definitely prepare yourself for married life before tying the knot. Here are just some of the factors you need to consider:

Your attitudes about compromise
You must have the ability to compromise with your spouse because you're not always going to agree on everything. Compromising with each other is essential, as those who are unwilling to compromise will create serious issues.

Your attitudes about money
Money is vital to gratify all your family needs. Make sure you and your spouse have similar ideas about spending and saving. Before getting hitched, consider the costs of the wedding that you wish to have and how you will be able to afford to have it. This does not mean that you shouldn't get married if you don't have the average $30,000 -- it just means that you may need to have a smaller wedding. Make sure that you are emotionally and financially prepared to meet the financial demands that you may incur after you get married, e.g., buying a house, raising children, medical emergencies, etc.

Your attitudes about decorum
From here on in, you have to consider your spouse when making decisions, whether you're choosing between drapes or considering changing careers. Respect your spouse enough to never force them to do anything that goes against their moral, personal, or professional values. While you are a couple, your spouse is an autonomous human being.

Your attitudes about religion
If you are very religious, you shouldn't feel the need to give that up for your spouse. Conversely, if you are not religious, you shouldn't feel obligated to adopt their faith. However, you should respect that your spouse is or is not religious, and encourage them in their religious endeavors.

Good communication
This is absolutely essential! Be gentle with your spouse even when you disagree and always be willing to listen to their side of things. You may be surprised to find that they are often right. Remember that there are ups and downs in every relationship. You just have to be able to talk things out sanely and overcome the hurdles that are thrown at you.


Click to learn more about marriage and planning a wedding

Bridal Hair Styles Pt. II

(Looking for Bridal Hair Styles Pt. I?)

In our last post about bridal hair styles, we discussed how to prepare your hair and how to choose the best hairstyle for your big day. In today's post, we're going to talk a little about the dos that will compliment your hair as it exists right now.

What's in a Face?
Everything! You wouldn't presume that every hairstyle looks good on you normally, so don't assume that you can rock every updo and long, layered look just because you're the bride. Your bridal hairstyle needs to look good on you -- it doesn't matter how good it looks on the model in the pages of a magazine. Since you can't really change much about your face, get a custom wedding hairstyle that matches your look and compliments the shape of your head. If your face is round or oval then you will want to stay away from volume. Instead, pin up your hair so it does not add to the width. Alternatively, if your face is long and thin then hairstyles with more volume will suit you best. You can try soft curls that frame your face.

Styles for Short Hair
Not being able to wear a chic updo may be slightly disappointing, but there is plenty you can do with even the shortest of hair! Try curls if your hair is long enough. What you can't do with hair, you can do with hairclips, hairpins, flowers or a sparkling wedding tiara. The Egyptian princess look is very in! Highlights and layers will give your do a more modern look. For a simple classic look that will compliment a vintage or vintage-look gown, take a side part and gel it down before blowing out the back for a little volume.

Styles for Medium Hair
If your hair is in that in-between length and pin straight, try simple layers. For height, try a whip updo or a modified French twist...just make sure you use enough hairspray to keep everything in place! For an outdoor wedding, opt for loose curls that are sprayed in place to frame your lovely visage. If you don't have enough hair for a proper updo, curl your hair and pile it on top of your hair to give the illusion of lots and lots of volume. If you like a regal, elegant look, a half-up, half-down style might just be what you're looking for. Tiaras look wonderful on medium-length hair.

Styles for Long Hair
Honestly, there is nothing you cannot do if you have long hair and a good stylist. Whether you want your hair all the way up and big or flowing down your back, there is nothing to stop you. Keep your tiaras small if you have very thick hair, because you can't help but have a lot of body. For a semi formal wedding, try a French twist with loose curls that trail from the bottom. If you prefer the windblown look, then flowing curls that are loosely pinned might be a good choice. If you have a truly talented stylist and a flair for all things retro, then try a cool beehive. It looks especially classy if you have a very simple strapless dress. The classic high bun works well with a long veil and/or a tiara. Simple waves will give you a young and carefree look, while spring curls pinned up with clips is perfect for an outdoor wedding.

Accessories Galore
Don't choose your hair accessories until you've picked a hairstyle, unless you're so charmed by a certain style of tiara or veil that you're going to base your look on it. For instance, if your veil is going to be long and simple, you can wear a very complicated hair do without looking overdone. Tiaras look good if well placed and firmly held -- your stylist can help you pin it on so it stays in place for hours and hours. Try setting yours in a bed of soft curls. Don't forget that jewels, fresh flowers and beads can finish your look if veils aren't your thing.

Click to learn more about bridal beauty

Bachelorette Party Checklists

Now that you're getting married, chances are that someone in your life is going to think about throwing you a bachelorette party. Even though the bachelorette parties you've seen on television have likely included male strippers and lots of booze, don't assume that you have to wear a phallic tiara or ask strangers for condoms if that isn't your style! Enjoying your bachelorette party is a matter of subtly giving your gals an idea of the kind of party you want.

Do you love shocking others and getting crazy with a drink in each hand? Remind your MOH how much you love Animal House style shindigs. Or if you prefer a quiet evening at home watching sappy movies with your best girlfriends, it might just be time to bring up how tacky you think the usual bachelorette parties are. Trust us when we say that your MOH and your 'maids will be happy to have your input.

Bachelor parties have traditionally been a way for men to remind other men of everything they are leaving behind by getting married...you know, like the horrors of dating, the threat of STDs, and really bad hangovers. Bachelorette parties are a relatively new invention, so there's a lot more leeway. Fun bachelorette party ideas include slumber parties, spa parties, Las Vegas weekends, and of course, the tried and true trip to the strip club.

If you're worried that your gal pals are going to plan a bachelorette party you won't like, e-mail your MOH this bachelorette party checklist from an anonymous e-mail account to ensure you have as much fun as your 'maids.

• A bit of research about your best friend, i.e., "the bride," will go a long way.
• Cater to the bride's interests, not your own.
• The theme can be anything from the normal to the exotic. For example, if the bride likes to read, a literary theme might be just right.
• Consider whether your chosen location is easy for everyone invited to get to.
• Use a location that can easily be modeled to your theme. Maybe you can hold it at a lakefront, in a forest shanty, or even on a ship. Whatever the case may be, do not be inhibited by the norm.
• Music, food, and decorations can all set the tone, making your getaway all the more realistic.
• Always have a secondary plan and double check the reservations and invitations.
• Food is an often overlooked aspect of a proper party. Spicy exotic entrees go a long way to setting the feeling.
• Ask the bride's family if there are any foods or beverages she really hates, then scratch those off your list.
• Serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks!
• Create a custom cocktail in honor of the bride and groom to take the party to the next level.

Click for more bachelorette party tips and ideas