There is a lot of chatter about pre-marital “rules,” but what about the things a bride should and shouldn’t do on the big day? It’s bound to be a day that flies by so make the best of it by keeping these six bits of advice in mind.
Don’t Get Drunk Pre-Ceremony
Did you know in some states your marriage can be deemed null if you’ve had more than two drinks? Even if this doesn’t apply to your wedding locale, you don’t want to be intoxicated during your ceremony. It’s OK to have one or two drinks to calm your nerves, but save any more for celebrating after you say “I Do!”
Do Spend Alone Time with the Hubs
Between friends, family and questions from event staff, it’s easy to get swept up in the chaos of the day. You’ll be in high demand and everyone will want your attention, so don’t forget to carve out some alone time with your new hubby. A few stolen moments amidst the chaos are memories you will treasure.
Not every fashion trend is worthy of bridal interpretation, but the golden luxe cuff can be a sophisticated yet daring addition to your wedding day statement.
This hot accessory trend for Spring/Summer 2013 takes the form of a solid metal cuff or arm bracelet on the runways, but for the aisle opt for a version that softens the edge.
With our faves below, you can pair your bows and lace with some rockin’ metal. There’s one that signifies the knot, or union, and even one perfect for a beach celebration!
Antique gold knot cuff from St. John, $145
Lilly Pulitzer Starfish Cuff , $68
Isharya filigree statement cuff, $438
Flower cuff from Meydalle on Etsy, $50
Crystal Gazer Cuff at Nasty Gal, $38
Isharya square bangle, $278
Alexis Bittar ‘Opehlia’ Vine bracelet, $350
The wedding dress will undoubtedly consume most of your time, budget and worry, but it is far from the only bride-to-be ensemble you need to plan for. You’re in the spotlight now and wedding-related events, from showers to bridesmaids lunches, are about to fill your calendar. So ladies, get your closets ready!
Start with rehearsal dinner wardrobe, but don’t make it more difficult than it needs to be.
Shop online or hit your favorite stores at the mall. You don’t need to go overboard. Heck, I picked up my rehearsal dinner dress at H&M for under $50! I got rave reviews on the silky blue dress because it fit well, it was a great color and it was my style. When you’re comfortable and confident it shows, regardless of how much or how little you spent.
Below are six dress picks that won’t comprise your big-day floral budget, and there is something for every style. If your wedding is glam from start to finish or if you are having a more relaxed or earthy affair, these dresses will affordably have you looking the part of bride-to-be. (see shopping info below)
Knee-length satin dress from H&M - $34.95
Sixties-inspired gold stain dress - $40
Chiffon, one shoulder dress, more than 20 colors to choose from - $96.56
Beaded, Pleated Chiffon Dress – sale price $80.10
Ruffles, chiffon and a woven print bodice from H&M - $49.95
Cap-sleeve, crochet lace dress at Macy’s - $79
Take a break from the beasts, oops we mean bridesmaids, of drama this Sunday to enjoy the silver lining of Hollywood’s biggest night. Whatever do we mean? Each year, the Academy Awards delivers a strong dose of fashion and beauty bridal inspiration.
Fall in amour with the gowns, the jewels and the Hollywood charm. Oh, how we wish it were the life of us!
If by now you’ve tired of our attempt to play off of the Best Picture nominee titles, then take a peek below at some fun ideas for incorporating your love of the movies and the big awards into your wedding.
*We’ll talk Academy Awards fashion and bridal inspiration next week!
- Evoke old Hollywood glamour with vintage marquee lights. Showcase your initials in grand fashion as guests enter your reception. $249 each.
- A popcorn bar is an absolute must! Complete the theme with these sweet favors, popcorn-shaped cookies. One dozen for $32.95.
- Customize color and fonts on these movie ticket escort cards. They are a guest’s admission to the film, a.k.a. the wedding, fans will be raving about! 30 custom cards for $49.80.
- Give placecards the Hollywood treatment with these clapboard style frames. Or pair one with each centerpiece and use them to display table numbers. $1.40 each.
- Don’t forget the red carpet. Get a custom step and repeat, complete with your initials and wedding date, for guests to pose in front of. Have your photographer play paparazzi while guests enter the reception. Or incorporate the backdrop into a live, open-air photo booth setup.
Let’s face it, the cost of weddings is certainly not going down. So what’s a creative way to strike a balance between style and your budget? Consider renting your wedding. No, not just the tuxedos, consider renting nearly your entire wedding ... yes your entire wedding! Read on for four ways to save by renting.
The Wedding Dress
Don’t feel like dropping thousands on a wedding dress you’ll only wear for a few hours? Consider renting. Websites like One Night Affair offer designer wedding dresses for rent at a fraction of the cost. Although it’s still in Beta, another site to watch is RentaWeddingDress.com, which lets you rent a wedding or bridesmaid dress from another local bride. You can list your wedding gown for rent or browse for one in your area.
Fine Jewelry 
If you want to feel like a celebrity on your wedding day (really, who doesn’t?!), rent glamorous, real fine jewelry from Adorn. Forget faux baubles, diamond chandelier earrings that retail for a whopping $16,225 can be rented for just $210. And the $27,000 4.3 carat TW diamond chandelier necklace rents for only $270. There are loads of gorgeous necklaces, earrings and bracelets to choose from, starting as low as $60.
Adorn offers hair accessories and clutches, too. And the process is worry free. Each item is insured in case of any wedding day catastrophes. Your bridal bling will arrive two weeks prior to your wedding. Once the “I Dos” are done, simply return items using the pre-paid UPS label.
Even if you aren’t tying the knot on or around Valentine’s Day, take planning inspiration from the romantic holiday. If pink, red or hearts are in your wedding vision, now’s the time to find the perfect items. They are certainly in abundance, and by next week, many items will be reduced. We ♥ savings!
Here are three of our favorite, lust-after, accessories. Each carries the Valentine’s theme to a wedding anytime of the year.
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For the vintage wedding, we can’t get enough of these heart pumps. Yes, they are Hello Kitty, but doesn’t that add to the charm? Have a cobbler replace the Enamel Kitty Faces with a crystal or lacey brooch of your choice. Or keep the whimsical ode to the loveable character and just imagine the great photos and reactions! Get the heels.
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It’s pink, it’s red, it’s elegant and it’s Valentino. Perfect for a spring or summer garden wedding. Playfully casual while striking in black. Get the clutch.
- Flower girls and even bridesmaids will be charming in these vintage-inspired, red hairpins. Let your favorite ladies have varied hairstyles to match their unique personalities, but have each finish their chosen look with one or two of these simple and affordable accessories. They are too cute to pass up! Get the hairpins.
Being engaged is a flurry of romance, emotions, excitement and planning, and with the most romantic day of the year coming up, the pressure can be intense. But remember, you’ll have the rest of your lives to celebrate together. So take the pressure off. Instead of planning another elaborate fête, try one of these low-key Valentine’s Day date ideas.
Forgo: That overpriced hot air balloon ride where you’re stuck in a basket with a balloon operator ...
Instead: Rise and shine and enjoy a morning sunrise with your love. Grab a blanket and a coffee (or maybe some mimosas!) and enjoy the quiet romance of watching the sun rise together.
Forgo: The weekend trip. It’s so much planning and you already have a wedding to plan!
Instead: Plan to do something new locally. Chances are, no matter how long you’ve lived in your town, there’s some kind of museum or other attraction that neither of you has visited yet. Make a day of it and try something new close to home.
Your big affair might not have paparazzi huddled at the entrance or famous faces grooving on the reception dance floor, but you and every starlet that walks down the aisle share the same anxiety over finding the perfect dress.
Sure, budgets vary, but this year’s famous brides-to-be face the same confusing mix of bridal styles and trends. Which looks will they choose? We asked Cymbeline’s Sophie Delaroche to weigh in.
Sophie gave us her thoughts on fresh styles from the ultra-feminine, luxury Paris line that would be perfect for Oliva Wilde, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Simpson and even Jennifer Aniston.
Does your style match one of these famous engaged ladies?
Olivia Wilde
She has a sexy sultriness about her. Olivia is very trendy but also edgy with a vintage flair. Not to mention she has a great back and looks beautiful in backless dresses.
Dress Choice: Cymbeline’s style called Gaya.
Miley Cyrus
Miley is a master of combining feminine and edgy pieces. She is not afraid to take risks and she likes to experiment. Miley can certainly pull off bold fashion choices.
Dress Choice: Cymbeline’s Gloire or Perfecto Gil.
Former brides will all agree, don't skimp on the memories. When it comes to wedding budget control, going with an inexperienced photographer or no photographer at all is not a smart option. There are ways to bring down the total photography spend without reducing quality.
Our number one tip: Get a simple photography package and DIY the rest.
Ask for just the high-resolution images on a disc as your final photography deliverable. Pass on photographer-created albums and other expensive add-ons if cost is a concern and you want to customize your final product.
Even if you aren’t a crafty bride, you can create your own professional quality albums. Just click over to BrideBox.
The wedding photo site is one of our favorite new discoveries. The company offers professional, high-end wedding albums — just like the gorgeous ones you’ll find at a photographer’s studio, complete with non-bendable, heavy page stock — directly to brides. There are four album or photo book options to choose from, starting at $89.99. Two of the albums, the Marina and the Anza, even come with an engraving option.
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