A Worry Free Wedding Day?
Dear Diva,
My wedding is coming up and I am starting to feel a little overwhelmed about the amount of work that it will take to make sure the day itself runs smoothly. I don’t want to have to spend my wedding day worrying about details and schedules. What can I do to make sure I have time to relax and enjoy my wedding?
M.R.
Winnipeg, MB
The best answer is a Day-Of Coordinator. Many wedding planners offer this service and it is invaluable. The Day-Of Coordinator often assists with the rehearsal, oversees set up, co-ordinates vendors and takes care of many of the little details that come with a wedding. Your coordinator will make sure vendors are where they need to be. She will take care of all those little questions and errands that arise – moving decor from one site to the next, managing schedules, dealing with small emergencies that may arise, collecting and returning rental items and more. By dealing with these behind the scenes activities for you, the coordinator makes it possible for you and your family to simply sit back and enjoy the day without worrying or stressing.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Have a question for The Wedding Diva?
Email your questions to diva@imaginemagazine.ca
Cosmetic Tips for Your Wedding Day
Your wedding day may still be weeks away, or even months from now, but it is never too early to learn some cosmetic tips to ensure you have long-lasting foundation, flawless skin, gorgeous eyes and very kissable lips, before and after your wedding and in your wedding album!
So what are the best cosmetic tips? What are the secrets that only professionals know? When it comes to applying foundation, good quality brushes are a must. Using brushes to apply foundation also saves on the amount of product required.
To make your foundation last, prepare your skin before applying your makeup by using a primer product. Once you have applied your makeup, set your face with a hydrating mist. This mist also gives your skin a soft, dewy appearance which will translate equally well over a candlelight dinner or in your wedding photos.
To help promote luxurious skin consider having a facial or mild glycolic peel done at a salon. You can also promote healthy and beautiful skin at home with a facial scrub that rejuvenates your skin to give it a healthy glow. Make sure you follow the facial with a moisturizing application. Well-moisturized skin will make your makeup last longer. If you don’t know what your skin needs are, ask a professional – it’s often hard to determine your skin type by yourself.
Eyes figure prominently in wedding photos so be careful when using shimmer shadows which are very much in style at the moment. These shadows pose a problem for brides. Wear only the finest of products as some heavier shimmer products won’t photograph well and also create added shine. Brides often use a concealer to banish dark circles under their eyes, but that can be problematic. If your makeup application is too thick, that area can look cakey. Solution – use a lighter toned foundation under the eyes to banish those darker circles.
Since you will be doing quite a bit of kissing at your wedding, try using a lip stain – it’s long-lasting and therefore a great choice for brides. For best results, apply with a lip brush, not your finger. Ironically, the less lip stain you apply, the longer it lasts. And don’t worry if your lips are thin, you can give your lips a fuller appearance by using a lip gloss that temporarily plumps up your lips to give you that kissable pout.
Text by Norma-Jean Alt
Bridal Hair, Do’s & Don’ts
Do consult a hairstylist to assess what hairstyle would work best on your wedding day. You need to know your total look as your hairstyle, veil, and jewelry worn close to your face all need to work well together.
Do consider hair extensions to give yourself more options.
Do test you hairstyle in advance. Make a pre-wedding appointment so you’ll know what your hair will look like. You may even want to take some photos to show your bridal party to get their feedback.
Do wear your hair up if you want to focus on gown details around your neckline or draw attention to a spectacular necklace.
Do try to incorporate some texture into your hairstyle by using hair accessories, e.g., a simple freshwater-pearl headband or hair jewels.
Do wear a robe on your wedding day while working on your hair or applying your makeup and not something that needs to be removed over your head. Otherwise, you’ll disturb your hairdo.
Do consider long, soft, flowing curls or a relaxed, asymmetrical up-do, as both are very current.
Do keep hair products, styling tools, and a mirror nearby, both during the ceremony and the reception, so you can tough up your hairstyle periodically.
Don’t have any chemical processes done close to your wedding day. Schedule appointments at least a day in advance.
Don’t make any drastic hair color changes within a few months of your wedding.
Don’t get a haircut less than two weeks before your wedding day.
Don’t use hairspray after your veil is on your head! All hairsprays will yellow your veil.
Don’t use new hair products on your wedding day. You could have an allergic reaction.
Don’t be to concerned if your hairstyle relaxes a little at the reception, you’ll just look more playful.
Don’t choose a hairstyle that’s a stretch for your hair. Select wisely and you’ll be a picture perfect bride all day long.
Text By Norma-Jean Alt
Cutting the in-laws guest list?
Dear Diva,
My parents are paying for our reception dinner and we only have a budget for 150 guests in total. My future in-laws just sent me their guest list and it has nearly 130 people on it, most of which I don’t know. Is it rude for me to tell them we have to cut their guest list?
T.K.
Steinbach, MB
When determining a guest list, the person hosting and paying for the reception should determine how many guests they can accommodate. Then, each family should be allowed to fill half of those spots. You and your fiancé need to sit down with your future in-laws and discuss the situation. Let them know honestly that your parents’ budget only allows for 150 people, so their list needs to be 75. If your location has space to add additional guests, you can offer to let them add to their guest list provided that they are willing to cover the extra cost for those guests. If your location does not allow for more guests, a second reception at a later date for their friends may be another option. Be open to hearing your future in-law’s ideas and opinions. You may come up with a solution you had not even considered. In the end, if you are unable to come to an agreement, you and your fiancé will need to stand your ground. It is not fair to ask your parents to pay for additional guests over and above the budget they have already offered.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Have a question for The Wedding Diva?
Email your questions to diva@imaginemagazine.ca
Bridesmaids To-Do List
You’ve been given a special honor of helping a great friend or family member celebrate one of the most important days of their lives. This honor comes with some duties:
- Get a mailing list of guests from the bride for showers
- Plan showers and “girls” night out
- Dress shopping for the bride and you
- Don’t grumble or complain if the bride chooses a dress design you don’t like. It’s her day and her ideas.
- Sell social tickets and gather silent auction articles
- Support the couple. Listen and encourage
- Help assemble reception favors
- Be gracious the day of the wedding. Smile and shake a lot of hands.
Honeymoon Destinations
There’s an old adage about saving the best for last and when it comes to weddings there’s no debating the fact that the honeymoon definitely is the best (and final) part of any wedding. After all the work involved in planning and successfully orchestrating the wedding itself, it’s not a matter of wanting a vacation, it’s a necessity to recuperate from all that chaos by spending some quality time together relishing the possibilities of your new life together as husband and wife. And what better place to do it than on the sun soaked beaches of a tropical island. If a honeymoon isn’t in your budget, rethink your budget and get creative, it should be an important part of your wedding. Consider setting up a honeymoon registry so guests can help make your plan a reality.
The current top honeymoon destinations are as follows:
The Caribbean Islands have to come first as honeymoon hot spot of the year. They lead in the top five spots with their magnificent beaches and honeymoon packages. Jamaica, Aruba, Bermuda and St. Lucia are the hottest Caribbean honeymoon destinations.
In the United States, Hawaii and it’s islands, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Oahu continue to be highly popular as well. The resorts and hotels have taken their honeymoon packages to unprecedented levels and they take special pride in knowing how to accommodate newlyweds.
Mexico with its resort cities of Cancun, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel, Mexico CIty and Puerto Vallarta is lovely and also ranks high on the list. The beaches in Mexico are breathtakingly beautiful.
Then there’s the South Pacific, with Tahiti, Thailand and Australia as the leading honeymoon destinations there. Cooks Island is still a hot spot in the South Pacific too.
Check out Italy’s spot on the list this year! A small country that is big on ambiance as well as rich in history. And Italians know what love is all about. They love their culture, their food and their visitors. From vineyards to Tuscan cooking, from quaint restaurants and their authentic menu selections to the hills of the back country, honeymooners can find the perfect blend of good food, good atmosphere and good vino! No wonder it is such a hit with couples who9 want the culturally rich flavor of a foreign locale but also want to have fun.
And for the adventurous type Viva Las Vegas, the alleged gambling capital of the United States with its new cutting edge motto, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Of course this is appealing to some couples. Whatever makes you happy is the goal of the whole experience.
Before deciding on a final destination you need to research the weather for that particular country/part of the world for the time you plan to be there. Monsoons, tropical storms and other severe weather could make the possibility of travel to the area unsafe. A good travel agent should know and advise you of any and all potential issues including weather, health and/or crime advisories. They will also work with you to find you the right package at the right price regardless of wherever you want to go or whatever you plan to do there. They are in fact your key to a carefree vacation.
When it comes to planning your honeymoon you should consider anything you think will refresh you. While most couples opt for a romantic destination of hot sun and white sands, honeymoon packages are available everywhere and depending on your desire and your budget can be anything from a safari in Africa to a resort hotel overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. With so many choices it can be tough to decide. You want your honeymoon to be an unforgettable experience (which could lead to a second honeymoon) and you want it to go smoothly. It is a good idea to register your travel dates and places you intend to stay with the Canadian embassy before you travel to any foreign country including the United States.
Your perfect honeymoon is like everything else, just a good plan away. And while you’re planning, think of some romantic ways you can enhance the experience to make it not only memorable but also a trip you will relish for a lifetime.
Text by Nancy Johnston
Save The Dates or The Dollars?
Dear Diva,
We are trying to plan a wedding on a budget and I am wondering if it is really necessary to send out a save the date card?
J.M
Winnipeg, MB
Wedding invitations are traditionally sent 6-8 weeks before the wedding, which doesn’t leave much time for travel planning. The purpose of the Save The Date Card is to give guests enough advance notice so they can book time off and arrange flights, hotels, etc. If you are having a destination wedding, have family members or friends living abroad, or have a large number of guests who will need to travel to attend your wedding, you should give them the courtesy of a save the date card at least 6-8 months before your big day. This not only gives them more time to plan, but it also increases the likelihood that they will be able to attend. If you are fortunate enough to have your family all close by, save the date cards are not necessary. In situations where only a small number of guests will need to travel, it is also acceptable to send save the date cards only to those few guests rather than to everyone.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Have a question for The Wedding Diva?
Email your questions to diva@imaginemagazine.ca
Kicking Off Wedding Season
Did you know that nearly 60% of all weddings happen between July and September? With a new website now up and running and a new magazine just hitting newsstands, it’s looking to be a very exciting wedding season indeed! If you are one of those summer brides, congratulations! Relax and enjoy every moment. If you are still planning your wedding for this winter or even next summer, this is your time to learn from others! Enjoy the weddings you attend, make note of things you loved and of things you would rather have done without. Use those valuable lessons when you are planning for your own wedding day as well.
Here are Your Wedding… Imagine, we have a lot of amazing things in the works. Over the coming months, you are going to see some new developments, wonderful new tools and many new inspirations. I have created a newsletter that I will be sending out every two weeks to keep you on top of all of the new ideas and inspirations being added to our website. The newsletter is free, so make sure you sign up today. I don’t want you to miss anything!
Another new addition that I am very excited about is my “Currently Inspired By:” section. Each time that I update my diary here on Your Wedding… Imagine, I will include 2 or 3 things that I am currently inspired by. I hope you find some great new ideas and inspirations as well.
Currently Inspired By:
1. Christina Wu’s Fall 2008 Bridal Line: Christina Wu’s latest collection features 12 stunning gowns for any taste. Simple elegance, delicate detailing, romantic traditional or modern sophisticated – whatever your style, you’ll find inspiration here. I really like the styles available in ivory and espresso colors for a wonderful vintage feel. You can find Christina Wu gowns at La Collection.
2. 1938 Plymouth Limo: Transportation is a necessary part of most weddings but it is also a great opportunity to make a statement as well. Classic cars, sexy sports cars, and other unique vehicles make for great photo ops and an unforgettable entrance. The Evergreen Village recently added this stylish 1938 Plymouth limo to their selection of unique transportation options. It is so classy and elegant, I love it!
Until next time… Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Sean & Brandy’s Winnipeg Wedding
Sean & Brandy (Markus) Sylvestre
Married on July 21, 2007
at the Calvary Temple in Winnipeg
Boy meets girl - Sean and Brandy first met on a blind date. “We had cousins who were going on a date,” says Brandy. “They asked us to come along for support. We hit it off. We dated for three years.”
On bended knee – Sean proposed at a cabin at Lee River in Lac Du Bonnet in June, 2006. “It was supposed to be a beautiful sunset, but there were too many clouds,” Brandy says. “Each of our sisters was on the boat with us and each had a champagne float in her pocket.” The first words that came out of Brandy’s mouth were, “Are you serious?”
Kiss the bride – The Winnipeg wedding ceremony was awesome, Brandy says. Her sister, Chantal, was the maid of honor and she had four bridesmaids. Sean’s best friend, Regan, was the best man and Sean had four groomsmen. The couple also had a flower girl and a ring bearer. The ceremony was traditional. Brandy notes that the Calvary Temple has a huge, old pipe organ which they included in the service.
Fabulous details – Sean and Brandy’s Winnipeg wedding supper was at the Norwood Hotel. The menu includes stuffed chicken with tomato and herb, mashed potatoes and carrots and delicious Chocolate Sin for dessert. “Because Sean is heavily involved in soccer, we had everyone in the wedding party bring a soccer ball to the reception and we created a pyramid of soccer balls to run under to get to our table. ,” Brandy says. “Our MC introduced everybody as if we were coming out onto the ice at a hockey game. We had hockey music in the background.”
Text by Myron Love
Photography by Fred Elcheshen
words of wisdom
“Don’t sweat the little things on your wedding day. Let others take care of glitches while you enjoy the day.” – Brandy Sylvestre
Wedding Gown Designs
Bridal Gowns used to conjure up visions of shiny white dresses that looked hypnotically similar. But that has changed. 2008 weddings are filled with gowns that are more high fashion and less off-the-rack ordinary. Designers are now creating gowns with pleats and ruffles. You are also seeing off-the shoulder dresses. Even pastels are shown on the runway.
So what’s driving this change? Today’s brides want to look sophisticated…sexy. That’s why strapless gowns are so popular. They show off shoulders and decollete, tastefully. Whether it’s a sweetheart, straight or curved neckline, a strapless dress is glamorous, elegant, and sexy. The classic halter neckline has also become trendy. And the bateau, a boat-shaped neckline that draws the attention away from the bust and toward the neck and collarbone, is very popular.
Designers and wedding gown experts agree neckline selection should be considered first, to frame your beautiful face. After the neckline, look at the shape of the dress. A hot trend in bridal wear for 2008 is the “Mermaid”, a fitting design that hugs the bodice, hips, thighs and flares out dramatically at the knees, giving a silhouette that shows off an hourglass figure.
This spring, other popular shapes include the “A-line”, or the “Princess”, a dress that’s fitted around the bust and flows outward in a subtle A shape. Making a huge impact are “Empire” dresses which feature a waistline that’s positioned just beneath the bust and is figure flattering for many body types. Whatever shape you select, know that the dress silhouette is likely to set the overall tone of your wedding.
This season, designers continue to introduce splashes of color on white and ivory wedding gowns. The color trend certainly didn’t happen overnight and has definitely been gaining momentum the last few years. Now, even more brides are opting for a color accent to customize their look. One of the most popular accent colors is claret red, followed by black and navy blue. Gold, matched to an ivory gown, is also popular. Ultimately, whatever bridal gown style you select from the spectrum, rest assured you’ll look fabulous!
Text by Norma-Jean Alt
