Bridal Skin Care  

Every bride wants her skin to look picture perfect on her wedding day. To achieve that goal, a specific skin care regimen can be followed starting about six months prior to the wedding. ​

Morning Routine:  
Step 1: Cleanse  
Step 2: Tone  
Step 3: Moisturize 
Step 4: Sunscreen 
 
Night Routine: 
Step 1: Remove make up 
Step 2: Cleanse 
Step 3: Tone 
Step 4: Serum/Moisturize/Spot treatment 
Step 5: Eye cream 
 
Skin care products with moisture boosting, firming and antioxidant properties will bring a soft and supple look while minimizing pore size. Daily use of sunscreen will give protection from UV rays during the day. Serums at night will help in building and strengthening the skin. A gentle exfoliation should be done twice a week to get rid of the dead cells and increase the cell renewal rate on the surface of skin.  
A licensed esthetician not only can give a custom facial once a month but also be able to determine skin type and recommend the right products for a proper home care routine.  
Life Style: Drinking plenty water, eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep is as important as the proper skin care routine to get a clear and glowing skin.  
The above measures can greatly help to make your face a smooth canvas for the make up on your wedding day. 

​How does floral décor rank on your list of must-haves for your wedding or event? Here are our tips for keeping you on top of your floral decisions this winter.
 
Be picky about your florist.
Choosing your florist wisely can have a large impact on both your budget and the overall feel of your event. Your florist will help you pick flowers that are in season, in style, and in your budget!
 
Ask to see your florist’s portfolio.
Check out some of their work from previous events in the same season or location so you can figure out if they will be able to achieve the look you’re going for.
 
Think outside the flower box.
Incorporate some non-floral elements in your bouquets, such as white pepper berries, snowberries or hypericum. This will add dimension and individuality to your flowers. Mix touches of sage and lamb’s ear to get the frosty effect that reflects the season.
 
Consider monochromatic aesthetics.  
Although there is no shortage of gorgeous possibilities to reflect the season, very simple looks are trending this winter. All white weddings are quite popular this time of year. We’re seeing a lot of soft antique looks paired with very pale blush hues. If you want to stick to the season’s notorious color of red, consider pairing it with a broad palette of colors such as plum, ruby and wine. This will add depth and richness to your package.
 
Save money by choosing flowers in season.
Winter wedding flowers include: Carnations, Evergreen, Holly Berry, Narcissus, Pansy, Rose, Amaryllis, Star of Bethlehem and Poinsettias.
 
Don’t forget the personal touch!
Family broaches or ribbons are great additions to personalize your flower arrangements. Attaching a picture of the family members who couldn’t be with you on your special day is another way to add that extra sentimental and personal touch. 

​As glitzy and whimsical a winter wedding may sound, attempting to keep snug through the piercing cold doesn’t appear quite as glamorous. We’re here to help you master both style and comfort at your next frosty affair.
 
Make a statement with extravagant gloves. Stiff, cold fingers are the worst. We love classic leather gloves with velvet or satin linings. Plus, when your hands are warm everything else feels warm.
 
Invest in a dashing, structured coat. These are timeless, so splurging on an expensive one is justified! The right coat can be worn with anything and you will certainly get your wear out of it.
 
Go all out with fur accessories and cover-ups. Shawls and scarves and headpieces - oh my!
 
Borrow from the boys. A sharp trouser suit offers more warmth than any dress. Just be sure it’s tailored and crisp to maintain that look of elegance.
 
Choose the right fabrics. Shop around for dresses with thicker materials and textures like velvet or suede to prevent the chills. And don’t forget about tights to add that extra spark of class and a bit of insulation.  

Just because you have a marriage license with your new last name, doesn't mean you've officially changed your name. (If you thought the wedding was the hard part, wait until you see the lines at the social security office and DMV.) 

Rather do it the old-school way? Follow these steps:
1. Get your marriage license.
Before you can change your name, you'll need the original (or certified) marriage license with the raised seal and your new last name on it. Call the clerk's office where your license was filed to get copies if one wasn't automatically sent to you.
 
2. Change your Social Security card.
Visit the Social Security Administration's website and fill out the application for a new Social Security card. You'll keep the same number—just your name will be different. Mail in your application to the local Social Security Administration office.  You should get your new card within 10 business days.
 
3. Change your license at the DMV.
Take a trip to the local Department of Motor Vehicles office to get a new license with your new last name. Bring every form of identification you can get your hands on—your old license, your certified marriage license and, most importantly, your new Social Security card.
 
4. Change your bank accounts.
This one's a biggie, especially if you're setting up a joint bank account, or if you have one already set up. The fastest way to change your name at your bank is to go into a branch location, bringing your new driver's license and your marriage license. You should request new checks and debit and credit cards on top of changing the name attached to your accounts. Something to note: You might get hit with fees for requesting a new debit card.
 
5. Fill in the blanks
Once you have a social security card and driver's license in your married name, other changes should be easy. Some places only require a phone call; others may ask for a copy of your marriage certificate or social security card. Be sure to notify:

• Employers/payroll
• Post office
• Electric and other utility companies
• Credit card companies
• Schools and alumni associations
• Landlord or mortgage company
• Insurance companies (auto, home, life)
• Doctors' offices
• Voter registration office
• Investment account providers
• Your attorney (to update legal documents, including your will)
• Passport office
• Airlines (to transfer over your miles)

 

The registries used for weddings used to include fine china, toasters and mixers but now most couples have those items already. Home goods that include tools, electronics and ? are always a good idea but let’s not forget those gifts that the couple will never forget.
​
Some unique ideas:
Changing the name after wedding day can be a pain however they now have companies such as HitchSwitch that can make it a lot smoother so a gift card for the couple could save them time and energy to start that process.
You can’t go wrong with Netflix gift card. Every couple needs a date night or even a night even every now and then so the Netflix card can help with a monthly plan they may be interested in or a binge-watching weekend they decide to spend at home.
We live in a world of convenience these days so why not send them a food, flower or drink subscription? Meal delivery such as Hello Fresh could provide them a great way to cook together and enjoy some new recipes they don’t normally cook. Or who can say no to a wine of the month that they can save for a special dinner or date night? Let’s not forget there are also some great monthly flower delivery services as well that would be nice to get fresh flowers once a month and it’s the gift, they will remember every month.
Think of what kind of couple they are. Do they love to tailgate or hit up the beach or maybe need some fun camping gear? Do they like to spend their time fishing or hunting and would enjoy a weekend trip later down the line? Find out their hobbies and what they enjoy and how you could help them to spend a memorable time after the wedding day stress.
Do couples still use a registry? Yes about half your guests will still pick the gifts you actually want or need that you put together as options however the other half want to get a gift that feels more personal than just a toaster or coffee pot. They want that keepsake feel so that you can remember them for months or years to come.
Wedding gift etiquette says a guest should spend from $70 to $250 depending on if you are going solo or with a significant other. The closer you are with the couple you may choose to spend more. Let’s not forget they are providing you with dinner, drinks and entertainment for the night as well how much does it cost these days to go have a night out?
One last note is spend what you can afford because they are not inviting you for a gift they are inviting you because they want you there and for you to be with them on this special day and you mean more to them that your gift.

Who is getting married in 2020? Now is the time for all those 90’s babies to get married. The average age of a person getting married in 2020 is 33, meaning this year most of the couples were born in the 90’s. Who didn’t love the 90’s?
Are you ready to find out what the trends are for this new year? Here is a shocker: the biggest trend is being laid back doing what you want. More and more couples are doing what is important to them as a couple and what they like - rather than following what everyone else is doing. We love seeing that as a top priority because remember, it is your day.
And while couples are doing what they want for their wedding. It’s important to note that many are embracing the look of vintage and 1920’s décor. We are talking the modern look that incorporates everything your grandparents loved with a current-day twist.
Velvet is on the rise in both décor and wedding attire this year. Let us not also forget about the mismatched patterns of the buffalo check and bold florals. Instagram-worthy wedding details are trending big this year too.
The goal is to create a wedding that feels personal but has the “I need a picture of this for social media” look. One of the best ways for this is through the food. Charcuterie boards as centerpieces, dessert tables instead of the traditional cake or grooms’ cake. And unique escort cards (Champagne walls, shots or liquor or a small plant or memorabilia) to name a few.
Wedding Décor:
The bolder the better! There is not a “too much” this year. So, go big or go home when it comes to 2020 trends in the décor department. Do you

​You’ve said yes and now the planning begins. Getting married is a life-changing experience and we want your wedding to bring you decades of memories and happiness. Planning your big day at a time like this is ever changing, however we have so many vendors making the necessary adjustments in the meantime. We’re completely in awe and inspired by the local businesses that are coming together and supporting each other through this. I believe that we will all come out stronger, more connected and ready to serve on a whole new level.
Rather than cancelling your wedding, we highly suggest re-scheduling. Nixing your hard work up to this date is not a wise idea. We can’t stress this enough: don’t stop planning!
Wedding planning is not quick and easy. It requires months of researching, exploring options and making decisions. We never want to put things off and right now is actually a great time to begin mood boarding and researching ideas, as you likely have a lot of free time on your hands if you’re stuck at home.
While we know pictures aren’t enough when you’re making such big decisions for your venue, dress, etc., consider doing a virtual, Zoom or Facetime call/tour for the initial narrowing down of ideas and options. You can stay in the comfort (and safety!) of your own home while having others join in on the tour as well and get a head start on what is available.
In times like this, when nobody has answers or knows when this will be over, we also recommend looking into wedding insurance policies to CYA. We never know if we’ll run into another issue like this again in the future.
We’re here for you and we will get through this. Don’t lose hope, brides!