Video Overview

• A Wedding Videographer

You’ve picked out the best wedding photographer you can find, but you gave your uncle your video camera and he knows nothing about production concepts. If you want a high quality video, this could be a bad idea. Instead, if your budget allows – consider a professional camera-person to create and edit a DVD of your wedding that could become the most memorable movies on your DVD shelf.

• Emergency Weather Preparations

If the forecast shows even a ten percent chance of rain, you should assume and plan for the event that your big day encounters a bit of fury from the heavens. At worst, ask yourself what you’d do if the power Is completely cut off. One solution is power generators, so ask your venue if they have adequate technology to keep the lights on – and your wedding “a go”.

In addition, consider at least some weather preparations even if the weatherman touts clear blue skies all week. The well-being of your big day should not be dependent on the predictions of a weather soothsayer on the TV.

• Enough Chairs

While this seems like the most basic function of your wedding preparations, sometimes even the most obvious aspect can be overlooked. If you have an outdoor wedding with makeshift seating arrangements, you may want to double check how many guests you are expecting – and if the venue has enough chairs to support everyone. If more people showed up than you expected, you don’t want to rub anyone the wrong way by forcing attendees to camp out in the grass.

• Memorizing Your Vows

You’ve remembered the first tidbit about having your wedding recorded – and now you run the risk of forgetting a line on your specially memorized vows, and having the slip-up recorded on your official DVD for centuries to come. Instead of ensuring every line is repeated verbatim like a London stage actor, it’s better to instead have a strong sense of how to improvise in the event of a “brain fart” by fully understanding the theme and purpose of your special speech.

• Food Allergies and the Menu

It’s the day before your wedding, and you’ve remembered that you great aunt is both lactose intolerant and a vegetarian. You call the hotel and find out that every dish they serve without meat is lathered in cheese as a substitute. Dealing with the food specifics and potential allergies of your guests is a very important and often forgotten detail, especially with very serious allergies like peanut sensitivity. Before your big day, make sure your food preparations are squared away.

In Summary

It can be overwhelming to keep track of every little detail for your wedding, but organized lists and a good wedding planner are probably your best friends. In addition, don’t be afraid to ask your elders about their weddings and any important things they forgot at the last minute – so that history doesn’t repeat itself.

Hillary Upton is professional blogger who spends her time providing information on wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses. She writes for Allure Bridals, a leading designer for bridal dresses, bridal collections and bridesmaid dresses.

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Video Overview

Try pastels

If you love the thought of going against tradition but you’re nervous about jumping right in at the deep end, consider going for a subtle pastel colour. Whether peach or lemon, mint or light blue, pastel shades are soft, beautiful and delicate – all good words to describe a bride. A dress in a pastel shade still feels very wedding-esque too, which means you can stand out from the crowd while still playing it quite safe.

Think rich

To really get away from the tradition of the white wedding dress, throw caution to the wind and go all out in rich and vibrant tones. For a look that’s so glamorous it’s practically regal, try jewel colours like emerald green or sapphire blue – you’ll feel just like royalty on your big day. If that feels a bit wintery for what may well be your summer wedding, try bright sunshine colours such as sparkling turquoise or lively yellow and you’re sure to be the happiest and most radiant bride in town.

Your hair and makeup

Don’t just think about the colours that you’re going to be surrounded by, remember the other colours on you! This means considering everything from your skin tone to your eye colour to really make everything perfect. You’ve probably got a good grasp on which colours suit you, but if not consider treating yourself to a professional colour analysis. Think about what hair and makeup styles you want for your big day and how these compare with the colour of your dress. For instance, a bright red lipstick may not work well with a pink-toned dress or a beautifully-styled blonde hairdo might get lost against a gold dress.

Your colour scheme

It’s your big day so it’s completely normal for you to want to be the centre of attention. With this in mind, remember to consider your overall colour scheme when you’re choosing the colour for your dress. You don’t want to have a disaster on the day with your dress clashing garishly against your wedding palette but at the same time, you don’t want a colour that means you fade into a sea of similarly-toned bridesmaids, floral decorations or seating arrangements. If you’re worried about being too different, you could treat your bridesmaids to some quirky or unusual bridesmaid gifts that could gently tie all of your looks together.

What colours say

Don’t forget that the colour you wear can say a lot about your personality – and everyone you love will be there to see it! For example, red is often thought of as the colour of love, but it can also seem as feisty as it does passionate. Blue is so tranquil and calming, it’s actually recommended for stressful situations such as job interviews – so it may be a good choice if you’re nervous. Of course, this shouldn’t necessarily be a deciding factor in your choice of colour but at the very least, it’s a fun thing to consider!

Keeping these tips in mind, your dream dress can be any colour that you desire and you don’t have to stick to what tradition dictates. The most important thing on your wedding day is that you feel comfortable, beautiful and most of all, happy!

Image credit: Lauren Ross at brides.com

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You could propose like Patrick Dempsey (aka Dr. McDreamy) in Sweet Home Alabama, where he led his girlfriend blindfolded into a closed Tiffany’s store. When she took off the blindfold all the lights were off and she was in the dark. When the lights turned on she saw her boyfriend on one knee in the middle of the Tiffany’s store where the sales team stood waiting next to each jewelry display case where she could pick any ring she wanted!

But if that’s a little too grand for what you were thinking, here are some tips to choosing the perfect engagement ring for the woman you love!

There is no reason to be intimidated about going engagement ring shopping as long as you educate and prepare yourself for the experience.

First things first… you need to know her style preference and ring size! The best way to figure this out without tipping her off is with a little help from a friend, family member, or even a co-worker. A few months prior to asking (a year is better if you can wait that long) secretly contact a friend or family member of hers and have her start ‘jonesing’ for her future wedding day. Over a few week period, have this friend talking about her plans for her wedding one day and then at some point have her ask your girlfriend to go ring and maybe even dress shopping, ‘just for fun.’ Girls do this sometimes so it wouldn’t be that weird. The friend can collect all the information you will need. Your girlfriend may suspect something but with your proposal being months away, she will be totally thrown off. Just don’t get caught talking to the friend and don’t ever leave your computer unattended. You are probably searching for ring stores, proposal ideas, hotel reservations, etc. and you don’t want her to accidentally see something in the history.

Do Your Research:

Learn to talk jewelry.

This will lead the salesperson to think that you know what you are doing and probably can’t be sold in to anything foolish. Learn the names of the different parts of the ring: the band (the actual ring), the stone (like a diamond), the setting (the part that holds the diamond).

Know the High C’s: Cut, carat, color, cost, and clarity.

Carat: The unit measurement (weight) of a diamond. It is a common misconception that the carat refers to its size.

Color: The grading ranges from the lettered “D” and “Z”. “D” being colorless and rare and “Z” being the darkest in color with more of a yellow tint (it goes lightest to darkest). F and H are good quality and are common in engagement rings.

Clarity: The scale used to grade clarity goes from F1 for a flawless diamond, to VVS1 and VVS2 for very tiny inclusions towards the outer edge and perimeter, to VS1 and VS2 for small cloud, small pinpoint and small feather on outer edge of a diamond. SI1 for larger cloud of pinpoint inclusions and feather on outer edge. SI2 for cloud of inclusions, feather, and small feather located in the table of stone.  I1, I2 and I3 for imperfect diamonds that are visible to the eye.

Cut: A properly cut diamond is proportioned so that no matter where light enters the stone…from the top, sides or bottom… the light is directed out the top of the stone. This is difficult to achieve, but mathematically possible. The reason is that a diamond is cut to capture light entering it from a 360-degree sphere. So the better the cut the more shine and the more expensive it is. Different cuts include: Round, Oval, Marquise, Pear, Heart, Emerald, Princess, Trilliant, Radiant, and Cushion.

High or Low Setting: Is your fiancé to be very active? Depending on her activities, you should consider the setting. High princess cut settings are common and beautiful but could damage much easier than a lower setting would.

Insurance: Make sure to check that your insurance covers the ring if lost or stolen, or ask for insurance from the jeweler’s store if available.

Certificate of Authenticity and a warranty should come with your diamond. Certificates are very important to have with a diamond to prove the quality and the origin of your diamond. They are usually only available with the purchase of diamonds larger than just under 1 carat. Other than that it is an additional cost to obtain one.

Whatever you decide, the important part is what the ring symbolizes.

The post How to Choose an Engagement Ring For Your Proposal! appeared first on Got Glam?.

 Mario Lopez and Courtney Mazza have been dating since 2008 and now they are saying “I do”… today! They will be saying their vows at  the Casa Aramara villa in Punta Mita, Mexico. The Casa Aramara villa is owned by their close friend, Joe Francis, the creator of the adult entertainment empire, “Girls Gone Wild”. The 40,000 square foot villa is valued at $30 million. Joe said, “I’ve been friends with Mario for more than a decade, and I met Courtney on one of their very first dates over 4 years ago, I have never seen a couple more in love and committed to each other and their family. I love them both very much, and I’m honored to be a part of their special day.”

Mario purposed to Courtney with an $80,000 engagement ring over New Year’s Eve this year during their vacation in Ixtapa, Mexico. “We took a walk alone as the sun was setting,” Lopez told Us Magazine. “I told Courtney that I wanted the mother of my children to have their last name. She was silent at first from shock, then she leaped for joy and did a little jete!”

The wedding itself will be filmed as a two-hour wedding special, Mario & Courtney’s Wedding Fiesta, set to air on Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. on TLC. It will be an all-star cast with Courtney’s bridesmaid, who is the Desperate Housewives star, Eva Longoria. And the cake, designed by TLC’s Cake Boss star, Buddy Valastro.

 

With about 200 guests, they will be saying their nuptials in front of a Catholic priest, whom Mario is flying in for the wedding. “Mario and Courtney want to say their vows before sunset so everyone can start partying as the sun goes down. There will be nighttime fireworks on the beach,” a friend told press about the big day. Their two year old daughter will be the flower girl. Mario said, “We are going to practice with her. My nieces will also be walking down the aisle to help her.”

So what comes next, honeymoon? Unfortunately not. Apparently with Mario’s X Factor and Extra show schedules, there wasn’t any time. They plan to eventually though.

“The only thing that’s going to change is my last name. Same love, same everything,” said the bride-to-be.

Happy Watching

The post Mario Lopez Wedding! appeared first on Got Glam?.

Today, November 17th is my wedding anniversary! 6 years ago I met my husband. We were instant friends, family, and lovers. I wasn’t exactly a princess bride on our wedding though!  5 years ago, all of my wedding plans ‘went out the window’when we were on our way to the gym. My husband turned to me and told me that he didn’t want to wait any longer, and so… we did it! In downtown San Diego, under the palm trees, over-looking the bay, the county clerk married us… in our gym clothes! It was very romantic and was very ‘us’. I smile every time I tell that story.

Today, I thought I would share the top ten reasons why I love being married!

1. My Teacher:

My husband has taught me so much. He pushes me, and I learn my strengths. He will never just ‘do it for me’, he makes me learn to do it myself and I appreciate that so much.

2. Intimacy:

There is nothing more special than sharing intimate moments with your spouse. Free of judgement, intimacy can grow to all new levels.

3. Family:

A deep relationship with lot’s of love grows even deeper when children enter the family.  Sharing the love of a child is something very special, especially when both parents are mature enough to appreciate every little moment.

4. People to Care for:

My mother died when I was a small child and my father was rather clueless when it came to raising a girly girl (so…I was the girl with raggedy hair and cut off shorts made from pants, lol).

I so envied other children growing up who had mothers to cook and clean for them, to shop with, and to do their hair, lol! Because of this void, motherhood really fascinated me. I wanted to one day be the 7th heaven or a Disney channel mother.

I feel so thankful and fortunate that I now have a husband and children to take care of.

5. True Love:

When true love and passion are involved, magical things can happen. Someone who truly loves and respects you, gives you the room you need to, to evolve. Your partner becomes someone you can grow with instead of grow apart from. With love and passion in my life it also allows me to focus better on my goals…and well, everything so much more.

6. The Struggle:

Marriage is not a fairy tale. Everyday is a struggle one way or another. We have to work at it constantly. It takes patience and requires one to develop problem solving skills appropriate to the personalities involved. Many marriages are too easily lost. Our parents or grandparents didn’t make it to their 50th wedding anniversaries without any major struggles. From the beginning, we decided that we should never go to bed upset. We have to work out whatever it is. This allows time to get everything off your chest and avoids resentment. Plus, that is valuable snuggle time that could be wasted!

7. Security:

No matter what happens during my day I know I have my family to come home to. No matter what happens in my life, I know I have my husband to help me through it.

8. Extended Family: 

Growing up, it was just my father and sister so having new extended family to grow relationships with is very special for me.

9. Acceptance:

The first year of marriage is fun…like one long honeymoon. The second year is a little harder, suddenly flaws are less cute and more annoying. It’s a transition period. A time to learn how the other person likes their life/things organized and vice versa and also learning to compromise. I have accepted that my husband is a serious Virgo and he has accepted that I am a carefree Sagittarius, lol. After a few years go by, you know who should do what in the relationship, what makes the other happy, mad, sad, etc. and things just get better and better.

10. Trust

Honesty creates trust. It is sometimes hard to swallow but when you have someone who always tells you the truth, there are no doubts when issues arise. It takes a long time to build that kind of trust but it’s the platform of a good marriage, in my opinion.

Get This Look! This look was all about the lashes, Lilly Lashes! See below on how to apply false lashes with the Reuben Method and look for the link below to watch the how-to video and another link to learn more about Lilly Lashes!

 For more beauty looks and tips go to Event Makeup!

Credits:

Photography by Reuben Dixon of Glamtography.

Photoshop for the first photo was done by Glamtography. The rest were done by me! I’m new to Photoshopping backgrounds, so they aren’t perfect but it was so fun!

Model is me, Jessica Feigner of Event Makeup.

Dress was provided by M Bride in La Jolla California.

Dress Designer: Monique Lhuillier/ Style: Pauline/ Color: Silk White

#47 Lashes by Lilly Lashes.

See video for applying false lashes.

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