Classic Style Trumps Trends for a Wedding You’ll Still Love in 20 Years

(ARA) – Wedding album, videos and a carefully preserved gown — your wedding mementoes are meant to be precious reminders of your special day. But you may find yourself cringing with shame when you look at your album years down the road if you choose trendy over traditional style for the look of your wedding.

It’s easy to tell the difference between a look that’s trendy and a more classic style. Think of the bell bottoms and love beads from the ’70s and big hair and “Dynasty”-style gowns of the ’80s — looks that were “hot” at one time, but that years later elicit an eye-roll and a “what was I thinking” attitude from women who wore them.

Now consider the elegance, grace and demure femininity of icons like Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman and Audrey Hepburn. Their style was classic and timeless — and one that today’s smart bride mimics to ensure she’ll love the look of her wedding as much in 20 years as she does the day she walks down the aisle.

Today’s bride knows that choosing fabrics, silhouettes and accessories borrowed from the classic era — the 1940s through the 1960s — will give her wedding and gown timeless appeal. No dated looks from easy-to-identify fashion fads for her. The classic look also plays well with the growing trend to achieve less with more by accenting the basics with luxurious finishing touches.

Here’s how to achieve that classic look for your spring wedding:

The Dress

Avoid large, modern swags of fabrics in favor of silhouettes that emphasize an hourglass figure. Nipped-in waists, or waistlines defined with belts and sashes, often in a color that slightly contrasts with the dress, create an elegant, eternal style. You can draw your classic style from the ’40s, ’50s and even ’60s.

Designers offer charming gowns that evoke the look of 1950s prom dresses with fitted bodices and full skirts in tulle, lace and appliqué. For a 1960s look, a shorter, sophisticated frock with a gathered waist and narrow skirt will be reminiscent of the classic ’60s cocktail dress.

The Accessories

A veil is essential for classic bridal style, and birdcage veils with large netting that falls at cheekbone length epitomize the look. These simple veils frame the bride’s glowing face and highlight special jewelry. Ladylike wrist-length gloves are the perfect complement to vintage bridal looks.

The classic bridal look is a perfect match with a simple and elegant pair of pearl stud earrings and a lustrous 16-inch strand of cultured pearls around the bride’s neck. Pearls have long been associated with the essence of sophisticated womanhood in American pop culture.

“The Hindu Lord Krishna is said to have offered pearls to his daughter as a wedding gift, which is where pearls and weddings were first married,” says Jeremy Shepherd of PearlParadise.com, the world’s largest online pearl company. “Pearls are considered a symbol of purity, making them the perfect fit with a bride’s white dress.”

Shepherd recommends white akoya pearls, a saltwater pearl that grows primarily in the coastal areas of Japan and China. Considered to be the classic pearls for jewelry, akoya pearls are prized for their perfect round shape, mirror-like luster and soft, neutral colors.

Visit www.PearlParadise.com for more ideas and classic bridal pearls.

The Look

Tie a classic dress and accessories together with a polished hairstyle such as a bun or chignon and keep makeup understated. Dark brown or black eyeliner extended slightly past the end of the eyelid, a touch of black mascara and a shade of red lipstick perfectly matched to the bride’s complexion are all that’s necessary to complete the perfect, classic Hollywood face.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Your summer beauty routine, inspired by nature

(ARA) – Warm weather is here and it’s time to update your beauty routine for summer. Why not take some inspiration from warm weather’s renewal theme and refresh your beauty regimen?

The welcome change in seasons brings longer days, trees and flowers in bloom and more time spent outside.  Nature has so much to offer, including inspiration for products that can help you look and feel beautiful from head to toe.

“It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by choices with so many new products on the market,” says Jeni Thomas, a beauty scientist with Procter & Gamble. “It can be difficult to know which products really work and which natural ingredients can be effective elements of your beauty routine. The key to finding nature-inspired products that do work is to look for ones that blend and balance nature with science.”

Seeking out products that combine the best of ingredients with the best of science gives you nature-inspired options that really perform and keep you looking your best. While many new beauty manufacturers may be unfamiliar to you, some of the most highly recognized and respected cosmetics brands are now offering nature-inspired products. Consumers often gravitate toward these brands because they are recognized, trusted, and easily available.

Here is a sampling of nature-inspired products from brand names you recognize and that you’ll easily find on your local supermarket or drug store shelves:

* CoverGirl now offers TruBlend MicroMinerals foundation, designed to fine-tune mineral coverage from sheer to full. The product incorporates iron oxides, minerals that give nice even coverage to skin, as well as pearl and mica to give skin a luminous, healthy glow.

* Hair color goes nature-inspired with Clairol’s Natural Instincts line. Like other Clairol products, the hair color blends away gray in just 10 minutes, but relies on an antioxidant-rich, ammonia-free formula with vitamins C and E to accomplish healthy-looking color and shine.

* Consumers know and trust the name Olay. Now the company has introduced a Botanical Fusion Body Wash formulated with scents and ingredients inspired by nature, such as patchouli, rosemary and ginger. The wash incorporates these invigorating scents with hydrating and skin-nurturing ingredients.

* The Cassia plant, a botanical science discovery that helps give hair radiance, softness and strength, is the key ingredient in Pantene Pro-V’s new Nature Fusion shampoo.

“Consumers looking for nature-inspired products no longer have to search specialty shops or the Internet to find the effective products they crave,” Thomas says. “Some of the most recognized names in health and beauty are responding to consumer demand with effective, cost-conscious, nature-inspired products.”

To learn more about nature-inspired beauty products, visit www.pgbeautyscience.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

How to Plan the Perfect Honeymoon

(ARA) – The date is set, the dress is bought and the tuxes are rented — now you get to plan your first vacation together as husband and wife. Whether your ideal honeymoon is traveling to the Swiss Alps for some mountain fun or relaxing on an exotic beach in the Caribbean, it’s a special time you’ll never forget. So what do you need to know to plan the perfect honeymoon that goes off without a hitch?

“Everyone wants the greatest honeymoon possible, but be sure to review the little details so they don’t turn into big problems,” says Michael Kelly, president of On Call International, a medical and travel assistance company. “The best thing you can do is research, plan and prepare together as a team.”

Here are some things to consider when planning the perfect honeymoon:

1. Choose a destination together.
Pick a destination that you both really want to visit. Each person should choose the top three places they would like to honeymoon and then compare lists. If you both want something relaxing, a traditional spa vacation in the tropics is a good choice. If you are adventure junkies, be sure to visit a location that offers lots of fun activities.

2. Prep ahead of time.
Make a checklist of things you need to do before your trip. Research the laws of the country to where you will be traveling and see what rules are different. It’s a good idea to check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to find out what types of immunizations are recommended for Americans at that specific destination. And remember, if you don’t have a passport or need to renew, allow ample time for processing. If you’re changing your name after your wedding, make sure that the name on your travel documents matches what is on your passport so that you don’t experience any delays through security and customs.

3. Get medical and travel assistance services.
No one plans on getting sick or having other problems on their honeymoon, but wouldn’t it be nice to have the peace of mind to know that if something happens, you’re covered? That’s why it’s important to get medical and travel assistance.

Your health insurance might not cover you while you travel, so a company like On Call International is there to help. On Call members get access to a 24-hour emergency response center to find doctors in their travel area, a 24-hour English-speaking nurse line to help identify symptoms, and coverage should a traveler need to return home for medical reasons.

In addition, On Call can help you with other travel woes such as a lost passport, misplaced credit card, lost baggage or the need to reschedule a delayed or cancelled flight.

4. Pack the right stuff.
Sure you want to look great for your spouse, but sometimes looking chic and dressing appropriately for the location you’re visiting might not be the same thing. Research what tourists usually wear at your chosen location. If you’re traveling internationally, different cultures might have different expectations. Also remember that extreme weather, hot and cold, requires different types of clothing, so pack accordingly and you won’t have to buy something at an exorbitant price when you get there.

5. Eat, drink and be merry.
No one wants to be stuck in their hotel bathroom with a stomachache on their honeymoon. Food and water in different countries can be contaminated so do your research before celebrating at the local restaurant. When in doubt, ask your hotel concierge for advice. If you are buying your own food, sealed products are usually safer options because they come directly from the distribution center.

“These planning tips should help you have the honeymoon of your dreams. If something does go wrong, remember to work through it and enjoy the time you have together. After all, it’s one of the most important and special vacations you’ll ever take,” says Kelly.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Plan for the Wedding and for Life in any Economy

(ARA) – Planning for a wedding can be tough, especially when money is tight. But as you make your way through the mile-long checklist of things for the big day, have you thought about life after the wedding? Whether this is your first or second wedding, your dream wedding or a spontaneous ceremony, the financial implications of sharing a lifetime with another person last long after the “I do’s.”

To ensure happiness and financial security in any economy, you should be thinking about your financial future today. And, the good news is that taking the necessary steps to a sound financial future is not as complicated as you might think. Here are some things to discuss as a couple, as suggested by financial experts at SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc:

1) Come up with a Budget
You may have your own budget, but now you are planning income and expenses for two. If you combine your income and expenses, you will need to combine your budgets as well.

Be prudent with your spending. Write down everything each of you spends per month and cut back on non-essentials. Take into account housing, food, utilities and transportation, as well as student loans, credit card balances, car payments, taxes and if applicable, alimony and child support. For further tips on creating a sustainable budget read “Become Your Own Financial Advisor: Tips on Planning a Budget and Sticking to It” at www.sbliusa.com.

2) Begin an Emergency Fund
An emergency fund helps ensure that you and your partner are secure should something happen, such as a job loss or serious health issue. You should agree on how much you want to save for a “rainy day.” It’s a smart idea to save between 5 and 10 percent of your salary in a joint savings account. To avoid the temptation to spend your savings, consider having the money automatically transferred from your checking accounts. Aim to save 3 to 6 months of living expenses.

3) Purchase Life Insurance
According to a study conducted by LIMRA International 48 million Americans either, don’t own life insurance and believe they should, or own life insurance and believe they need more. Purchasing life insurance will give you the peace of mind of knowing your loved ones will have money to help maintain their standard of living should anything happen to you. To access a variety of financial information and tools, as well as to learn more about life insurance and get a free quote, speak with the experts at SBLI USA.

4) Create a Plan for the Future
Take the time to create a written financial plan with clear goals. The plan should include specific and realistic steps to achieve your dreams, including buying a home, starting a family, taking vacations and retirement. Decide what additional investments you’d like to make apart from your regular savings such as maximizing your 401(k) or IRA contributions.

Using financial planning software, such as Quicken, can help with keeping track of your expenses and investments. Decide what your tax filing status will be for the year. Make sure you consider the difference between married filing separate versus joint filing, based upon your particular circumstances. Consult your tax advisor if you are unsure.

5) Pay Down Debt
Credit card debt is the number one obstacle to a secure financial future, and knowing both of your credit scores is essential. You’re allowed one free credit check annually with each of the major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Order reports and go through and correct any inaccuracies. This will help you both get a loan at a lower rate when it comes time to borrow money for a house, car or other major purchase.

Getting married is an opportunity to get a fresh start on your financial well being. These types of wealth-building efforts are extremely beneficial, and create a solid foundation to a long, happy marriage.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Stretch Your Wedding Budget by Renting

(ARA) – Engaged couples long for a wedding day that will be unique and memorable, but in these tough economic times many are becoming more cautious about how they plan and spend their budget.

According to The Wedding Report, a research company that tracks wedding spending in the United States, the average cost of a wedding in 2008 was $21,814. That is a 24 percent decline over the 2007 average of $28,704. This decline doesn’t mean you can’t have exactly what you want on your big day to create your dream wedding.

“You can rent almost anything you need to make your wedding match your vision,” says Christine Wehrman, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the American Rental Association (ARA), the global trade association for the rental industry. “By renting items for your wedding, you have access to products that may have otherwise been too expensive in large quantities. You can get exactly what you want at a price that meets your budget.”

Choose linens that match your wedding colors, or go for classic white to offset the color of your centerpieces. Linens can be rented in a variety of colors and textiles, and add a touch of elegance to every space. Create drama without adding cost by creating a monochromatic design for your table.

Centerpieces can be elegant or casual, depending on your style. Mix tall and short clear vases to add depth to your table and save money on large floral arrangements. Or choose a variety of candleholders to create a vintage-inspired look and a romantic, low-light atmosphere.

Planning an outdoor wedding? Tents can transform any setting into striking surroundings for your big day. ARA member rental businesses have a variety of tents to create the venue, as well as everything you need to make it beautiful and comfortable.

Large tents and elegant canopies come in a variety of colors and styles. Many come with cathedral ceilings, windows or even clear tops — allowing guests to catch a glimpse of a dramatic sunset or a sparkling night sky.

Many ARA member rental stores offer personalized service through their Certified Event Rental Professionals (CERPs) who are specially trained to help you choose the right rentals to make your dream wedding come to fruition. Most offer on-site support the day of your wedding, and that’s a day you’ll be looking for all the support you can get!

You can also rely on the expertise of your ARA member rental store professionals before you book your venue. They can help you assess the potential site for things like power accessibility, ground water issues or overhead power lines that may interfere with your vision of a tall tent, among other situations.

The wonderful experience and memories of your wedding day will be yours to own forever. And everything else? Well, that you can rent! To find your local ARA member rental store, visit www.RentalHQ.com, the world’s largest rental store locator. You can search by geographic location and by the specific type of equipment you are looking to rent.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Bridal Registry Tips and Items You’ll Really Use

(ARA) – While the fondue pot and ice cream maker seem like must-haves when you’re adding items to your bridal registry, it’s important to ask yourself, “Will I really use these items on a regular basis?” You may want to reconsider your selections. And, although making a wedding gift wish list can be daunting, the following tips can keep the happy couple celebrating wedded bliss for years to come.

Registry Basics
Before you and your sweetheart start scanning items for your registry, do your homework. Consider the size of your space and where you will store your new items. If you’re living in an apartment or smaller condominium, you may want to rethink registering for the super-deluxe size barbecue grill. You’ll be surprised how quickly your new gifts can fill up your space.

Next, think about your guest list. Make sure that you have a variety of items to choose from and at different price points — high and low — so guests can purchase items they feel reflect their own taste and that they can afford. Be sure to consider your out-of-town guests as well, by registering for items that are available both at nationwide locations and online, such as Target and Bed Bath & Beyond, to help ensure they can access your registries from anywhere.

Kitchen and Bath Registry Ideas and Necessities

Now that the registry basics are covered, the fun can begin. Start with the rooms that you live in and use the most — the kitchen and bathroom.

Do you like to host dinner parties? Fine china should be on your list. According to theknot.com, crisp black-and-white dinnerware patterns are all the rage this season. Find something that will not only match your taste and decor, but also be a classic design for years to come.

Want to skip the china, but love to cook? Register for a complete collection of high-end cookware. Stores, such as Sur La Table, offer cool cooking gadgets for the basic, well-stocked and gourmet kitchens alike.

In addition to registering for the mainstays in the kitchen, such as sterling silver flatware and crystal stemware, don’t forget about everyday items like measuring cups and spoons, a kitchen scale, electronic timers or even a microwave oven.

Love a spa feeling and want to re-create it in your bathroom at home? Then don’t settle for a plain, ordinary shower experience when you can create an invigorating one. Register for a new showerhead. Many new showerheads, such as the Enliven showerhead from Moen (available at Target), offer multiple settings that suit any mood — “Relaxing” wide spray, “Invigorating” concentrated spray and “Refreshing” combination spray. Available in fixed and handheld versions, both feature a spray selector, making it easy to change settings and keep you and your spouse singing in the shower.

Continue to create your spa-like, romantic atmosphere by registering for luxury bath towels and high-thread-count sheets. Other items to consider, both extravagant and necessary, include: a down comforter, feather bed, pillows, alarm clock with dual alarms and a closet organizer.

Beyond the Registry

If you and your significant other are looking for adventure instead of objects, why not create memories instead? Family and friends can help purchase items including your airfare, honeymoon suite or candlelit dinners at your vacation destination on sites such as www.honeymoonwishes.com or www.thebigday.com. Register for horseback riding or scuba diving adventures for you and your sweetheart to have memories that will last a lifetime.

Finding Inspiration

Still need help finding inspiration before registering? Retailers, such as Target, offer planning ideas and buying guides on their Web site by category to help get you started.
Recent, popular items to register for include:

* Luggage
* Tool kit
* Bagless vacuum or steam cleaner
* Patio furniture
* Ultra compact digital camera (to help capture memories of your special day and new life together)

Before taking the big walk down the aisle, make sure you’re prepared with necessities that will last long after saying “I do.”

For more information about the Enliven three-setting showerheads available at Target, visit moen.com, or call (800) BUY-MOEN.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Reserve Rental Equipment (Chairs, Tables, Linens, etc.)

5 Months Before the Wedding

Now you are at the point where you are getting into the nitty gritty details of what must be done for your special day. You’ve got the date, the place, are working through your vendors—you’re feeling pretty good about yourself at this point! The picture of the organized bride! Before you get too relaxed, it’s time to think of any rental equipment that you plan on renting. If you are having your wedding reception at a venue that supplies each and every item, then consider yourself very lucky. Some reception halls include everything from chairs and tables to tablecloths, and everything in between. For the majority of brides however, there will be at least one item that you intend on renting so get ready.

You first want to locate a company that is close to your reception venue, that way you can ensure that they can reliably get their delivery to the location in a timely manner. It helps to ask the venue if they have any recommendations as they likely work with these companies all the time. Once you’ve located a company, you want to convey your needs to them. If you are having your ceremony or reception at venues that require chairs and tables, then you want to provide the number based off of the most people you see attending. Sure there are always a few people that don’t show up the day of, but you want to plan for the most people that could be there so that you have enough places for people to sit. Consider not only chairs and tables, but any linens that you could possibly need. Make yourself a checklist and think through every area that you’ll be responsible for at your venue. If you need a table for gifts or the cake, then be sure that you get linens for those tables as well. If you’re having a separate area for appetizers or need linens for the bar, then be sure to include that in your total.

Chances are that your venue has the tables and chairs under control, but the linens can be a major task. Add to that the fact that many brides want chair covers to complete the look and this can be a lot of planning on your part. The company you’re working with has likely handled all of this detail before so they know what they’re doing. You need to feel comfortable with them and the fact that they will supply everything you need the day of. They may very likely have a checklist to go through with you to remember each and every need, but just in case do your part to prepare for all of your rental needs. If you need to walk through the ceremony or reception venue one more time to visualize everything, then include that prior to your meeting with the rental company. Always remember to go off of the highest number of guests you know could attend your special day, you don’t want a guest to be without a chair or a table to be without a tablecloth.

Confirm Dates for Bridal Showers and Bachelorette Parties

6 Months Before your Wedding

This is the fun part because it’s all about you! You get to take center stage and get some wonderful gifts at the bridal showers and bachelorette parties. Both very different events, but there will likely need to be some major planning involved. You may have just one big bridal shower which may be a lot of work for the people throwing it, but can be much easier on you from a timing standpoint. Be sure as these events are planned to consider any bridesmaids or special guests that may be coming in from out of town, so that they can be included in the planning of the dates selected.

Bridal showers usually happen a couple of months before your big day. This doesn’t interfere with any of the last minute planning you will likely be doing and allows guests plenty of time to get you some amazing gifts. As you have already considered registering for your gifts before this, you are in good shape from that timing perspective. Showers usually happen on a weekend afternoon to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules but be sure to allow people enough time to plan accordingly. Put some potential dates out to the group planning as a whole so you can come up with something that works best for you and the group. There will surely be a few people that can’t make the shower, but you have to work with dates that are good for the group as a whole. It’s important to send out invitations in plenty of time for people to mark the date on their calendar.

The bachelorette party is usually with a smaller group of women, so planning isn’t quite as difficult. This party often takes place within a month or a few weeks prior to the big day. If there are out of town guests planning on being a part of your bachelorette party, you may need to have it closer to the big day to accommodate their schedules. This is often on a weekend evening and the trend lately is to hold it the same day as the bachelor party. If you will be going out of town for your bachelorette party, the date will likely need to be a bit further out and much more planning will have to go into the event. Depending on how you plan on spending your bachelorette party, it can be like any other weekend evening or can be a once in a lifetime event that you are sure to never forget!

Send Save the Date Notifications to your Guest List

6 Months Before the Wedding

Some couples going through the wedding planning process would contend that developing the guest list is the most stressful of the activities. Hopefully by now you’ve done a pretty good job of narrowing down your list and have come up with a final count. More importantly you have made it through this process without too much stress or disagreement. Deciding upon who makes the final cut and who doesn’t can be difficult, but it’s a huge relief when this task is complete. Now that you have your final list, you want to send out some “save the date” notifications to all of your guests.

When you went to look at invitations, hopefully you considered “save the date” notifications in your stationary needs. These are important as they go out well before the wedding, and this is the perfect timing to send them out. This will ensure that guests have a nice reminder to put your big date on their calendars. Be sure to include your selected color scheme with your “save the date”. While some couples include any hotel information with the invitations, some opt to include it with these important notifications. This can also be a great time to let people know where you are registered if you want to give them some advanced notice.

You can get creative with your “save the date” notifications and have magnets created so that people can hang it on their refrigerator as a cute little reminder. You can have an engagement or some special picture of the two of you on the save the date as something cute and memorable. This is a fun task and a nice to have item as some couples may not opt to send them out. However the “save the date” notification can be quite important if you are getting married over a holiday weekend, have guests coming into town that need to make travel arrangements, or if you’re getting married at a busy time of year such as the summer or holidays. If you want to be sure that all of the special people in your life join you on your special day, then sending out “save the date” notifications are a great idea. These have gained popularity in recent years and can be a great way to introduce your theme, colors, and serve as a proactive measure prior to your invitations going out.

Go Taste Test Several Wedding Cake Samples

6 Months Before the Wedding

Now this is the sweet part! What bride-to-be doesn’t enjoy going to taste samples of wedding cake? It’s a tough job but somebody has to do it. This is an important task, but most certainly a fun one. Getting this task done so early can allow you time to make your choice because your wedding cake should be the most memorable baked good that you ever have. This is an instance where the look of it is equally as important as the taste of it—the wedding cake is such a feature of the ceremony! So take the time to get out there and taste some cake.

You’ll want to narrow your list to a few local bakeries that you either know firsthand do great work or who come highly recommended. This is not a time to go with an amateur because a wedding cake is no small task for the baker that creates it. Make appointments at a few local bakeries and go in to taste their offerings. If you have any special requests for the tasting be sure to let them know that ahead of time so you can be sure that the taste is as good as you want it to be. At each tasting you should have a few selections that you’ll be considering for the flavor of the cake itself. You want to taste a few varieties that you think will go over well with your wedding guests. If you want an unusual flavor you can always select that for one of the layers, but remember to keep in mind what will appeal to the masses. Simple flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, or cherry chip can be excellent choices.

You want to take the time to look through books at the bakery or scour the Internet for ideas of what you want your wedding cake to look like. Include ideas for the frosting, any decorations, and the layout itself. Sometimes going with a simple design but unusual layout such as a slanted tower of cakes can make for an interesting piece. Be sure you understand how many layers you’ll need based on the number of guests and discuss any special arrangements well in advance such as the use of any flowers that will need to be coordinated between the baker and the florist. This is your time to get creative and work with the baker to create something truly unique that can be special in your memories for years to come. The cake should be beautiful to the eyes and delicious in its taste. Don’t forget to include a top layer specifically for you and your beloved to freeze and then eat together on your one year anniversary!

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