How to Buy Wedding Dresses?

Selection of the wedding dress is the most challenging task for the bride as you want it to be perfect and good. Also you are going to buy the wedding dress only once in your life.

Style Selection:
Availability of many styles can confuse you, so here are some of the styles and you can select one of these basic five styles. The style selection will surely help you to select the wedding dress with less fatigue.

1. A- Line Style:
This style is shaped in the style of letter A. This dress falls from shoulders and it gets wider towards hem. The advantage of this style is the taller appearance of the bride and it also helps to cover the body curves.

2. Column Style:
Column style is best for those women who have slender shape as this will help to display your body curves accurately. These types of dresses are found in backless and strapless styles.

3. Empire Line Style:
This type of style gives an illusion of the flow over the body curves and this has a high waist.

4. Princess Line Style:
This style has a similarity with the A line shape but with a difference of vertical panels. This style is good for those who have thin waist.

5. Strapless Style:
This style is the traditional form of fairytale shape and it fits well on all types of body shapes.

From Where to Buy the Dress:
Once you are done with the style selection, the next step is from where to buy the wedding dress. This depends mostly on the budget range of the bride. If you can afford a designer wedding dress, you can look for any good designer’s bridal dress line. But if you are looking for a cheap dress, then you can look in the local bridal stores and you can also find many bridal stores online with cheap offers.

How Many Days before you buy the Dress:
The ideal concept is to buy the dress well ahead of the marriage day as it will help you buy the dress with mush research and exploration. But you should also wait for the final fitting as you may likely reduce your weight before the wedding day.

So these are few easy recommendations and I am sure this article will help you buy a wedding dress which suits your personality perfectly.

Tips for Breastfeeding Diet

There are several important things in the life of a woman. Among various things, breastfeeding is considered as the most important thing. Breastfeeding is really a very special experience for women. It is a phase of life which is equally important for both the mother as well as the child. For the women, proper diet at the time of breastfeeding is extremely important. For proper development and well being of the baby it is very important to follow some dos and don't about the breastfeeding diet.

Most of the people remain in dilemma as to take what sort of diet for breastfeeding. If you want to make some alterations in your diet then you are required to wait for a moment. To begin with, it is very important to first of all consult your health care professional so as to make sure whether the alterations made by you in the diet are going in the right direction or not. In case it is suiting your lifestyle then you can certainly go for it. However if it is not then it is advisable to leave that option and go for any other. It is so because you cannot take chances during this phase of your life.

Among various important things, the first and the most important thing is to focus on the proper intake of vitamins in the diet. If you want all the vitamins in right proportion then you cannot manage it with the help of any kind of nutritional supplement. It can be achieved only and only through a well balanced diet. Along with normal breastfeeding diets try to include some fruits as well as vegetables in it. If possible then try to go for five portions of vegetables and fruits in each day's meal. For proper amount of vitamin A and C you can include broccoli in your routine breastfeeding diet. If it is a season of winter then having a sun bath can be an outstanding idea. It is a fact that sun is a great source for vitamin D and it can fulfill your requirement in a natural way. In summer season, you can manage this requirement by going for dairy products, oily fish and margarine in your breastfeeding diet.

Some of the minerals like Zinc, Calcium and Selenium are considered very important for a breastfeeding mother. For including zinc in your breastfeeding diet you can go for red meat, sardines, baked potatoes, hard cheese, cashew nuts and fish like prawns and mackerel. The best sources for calcium include almonds, spinach, white bread, dried figs, tofu and calcium enriched Soya milk, and sardines.

This is all you require to include in your breastfeeding diet. But the description of breastfeeding diet is not confined to this only. There are some of the things which we require not to do while going for a breastfeeding diet. If you prefer the intake of alcohol then it is highly advisable not to have it now. The contents of alcohol indirectly reach to the milk which the young one sucks through the breasts. It can be extremely harmful for the physiological functions taking place inside the body of the young one.

Avoid caffeine as much as possible and go for calorie free sugar. Only go for home made food and avoid the processed food to a very extent. It is not advisable to go for foods which contain a large amount of additives in them. Thus one should not go for consuming peanuts as it is in the position to leave allergens in the breast milk thus it needs to be avoided.

If we talk generally then we can say that there is not at all any specific diet in terms of specific breastfeeding diet. The most important thing that one should take care is to focus on the well balanced diet. Still if you have any doubt or you want to know more about the breastfeeding diet, then either you surf the net or you must consult the doctor. There are several sites on the net that can provide you with all the useful information about the breastfeeding diet.

Breastfeeding is no doubt the most special gift for a woman. It is important to take care for all the aspects as then only it can prove useful for the mother as well as the baby.

Find great value on organic baby clothes, organic nursing, and more.

How to Make a Protein Shake

Proteins are the basic building blocks of any living being. Proteins are made up of essential and non essential amino acids, both of which are equally important in building up the muscles and cells in a body.

There are many people who go for regular work outs. It becomes very essential in these kinds of people to have a proper amount of protein in their diet. Regular gym goers and people who regularly work out generally tend to go for protein supplements like energy bars or protein shakes.

The main advantages for going for a protein shake is to recover faster from the tiredness of work out, to maintain lean muscle due to consumption of proteins like whey protein which are low in fat and carbohydrates but rich source of proteins. It also helps in acting as a meal replacement therapy, in the sense that if you regularly take protein shakes in your meal you can easily skip that one time meal since the protein shake itself provides you with enough and more calories required for that particular time of the day.

There are different ways to make a protein shake, but the below mentioned will be the best and easiest way to make a shake for your balanced meal. The blender must be off when the milk is poured into the jar. The whey protein powder must be added to the milk and the milk and protein must be blended in the jar for about 15-20 seconds.

Once the milk and the protein powder are blended, the blender must be turned off and any fruit of your choice must be added. The fruits added may be bananas, raspberries, strawberries etc that would give a good and refreshing flavor to the shake.

The ingredients must then be blended nicely in the jar in medium speed or a greater speed so that all of them get mixed thoroughly and the fruits are completely bended with the milk. A tablespoon of virgin coconut oil can be used to give a coconut flavor to the shake. Coconut oil increases the metabolic rate and tends to help in achieving weight loss at a faster rate. It also helps in reducing certain risks associated with cancer and other cardiovascular risks.

Flaxseed oil can also be used in the shake due to different roles of flaxseed in daily diet. Flax seeds are rich in omega three fatty acids and hence play major role in reducing cholesterol, blood pressure and arthritis.

The shake is now ready to drink with a wonderful flavor of your choice. The shake must be had after 15-20 of your workout since it is in this time that the body requires protein to a maximum extent.

The protein shakes must usually be made with simple but strong flavors to mask the taste of the protein as such. The flavors can include fruity flavors like bananas, raspberries, strawberries etc or flavors like chocolate, vanilla, honey nut and crunch or roasted almonds.

The protein shakes prepared can be for various purposes. It can be used by some to gain weight or by some to lose weight. People who go for protein shakes for gaining weight tend to use 2% or whole milk with extra protein powder in the recipe mentioned since that would help in gaining weight.

People who are on a diet to lose weight tend to use skim milk in the recipe since that helps in building lean muscle.

People who are allergic to dairy products can use soy milk. Soy milk is also an alternative for people who tend to go on a low carbohydrate and cholesterol free protein shakes.

Care must be taken that the fruits used and the milk used must be fresh ones, since if not they might harm your body. Natural fruits or nuts whatever used must also be rich in protein since that would increase the energy you get from your shake. It is always better to go for natural flavors rather than using artificial or synthetic flavors since they may cause harm to the body at a later stage in life because of the synthetic chemicals used for flavoring.

Thus by using all the natural ingredients available in your fridge all the time, a great protein shake that would boost your body can be made.

Liveleantoday.com offers on sale offers for protein supplements for vegetarians, protein supplements for weight loss, and more.

Fat Burning Cardio Workouts with Heart Rate Monitors

When it comes to weight loss the first thing many people think about is that they have to do tons of cardio. Many people spend hour after hours counting the calories burned on their treadmill. Others are using a heart rate monitor to stay in their fat burning zone for hours hoping the fat will burn away. One of the number one questions I get is "I do 6 hours of cardio a week and can't lose a pound." With proper hear rate monitor training, a person can optimize their workout to raise their metabolism and burn more fat not just during your workout, but all day long.

To understand heart rate training, we first have to understand how our bodies produce energy. We have two major processes that produce energy within our bodies. First, our aerobic metabolism utilizes oxygen combined with carbs and fat to produce our long lasting energy and the energy you are using to read this article. Your second way you produce energy is anaerobically. Your anaerobic metabolism creates energy for short durations of intense activity. Your only source of energy for your anaerobic metabolism is carbohydrates in your blood stream or carbs stored in your muscle cells. So aerobic burns fat and carbs, and anaerobic burns carbs only.

Proper heart rate training has three distinct training zones each designed to challenge your metabolism to become faster and more efficient which leads to burning more fat. Most people only exercise in one of them. When we train in the same zone everyday our body adapts to that workout and we stop getting the weight loss and fat loss we are after. To optimize your fat burning results we want to do each zone's workout once a week.

To create your optimal fat burning heart rate zones we have to find your anaerobic threshold. Your anaerobic threshold is the point at which your physical activity becomes so intense that your body is unable to produce enough energy aerobically. Your anaerobic metabolism kicks in to produce more energy to continue the activity. During intense cardio workouts both your aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms are producing energy to keep you moving. Online personal training website Liveleantoday.com utilizes a customized online profile to find your anaerobic threshold and create your fat burning heart rate zones. If you have the ability, the best test for your anaerobic threshold is a treadmill test where you are hooked up to an oxygen mask connected to a metabolic cart. The most common place to get this test done is at certain universities around the country.

Fat Burning Zone

The first zone (zone 1) for optimal fat burning cardio consists of working out at a moderate intensity level. You want to workout at an intensity that you can sustain for long periods of time, greater than 30 min. consistently. With training, it is good to work up to consistent cardiovascular exercise for 60 min. The goal in zone 1 is to train your body to burn fat efficiently. Don't be so concerned about how many calories you burn during the workout. A proper fat burning zone workout trains your metabolism to burn more fat by efficiently training your body to release more fat out of your fat cells all day long while you are not exercising.

Anaerobic Threshold Zone

For the second zone (zone 2), we want to train as close as we can to our anaerobic threshold. A measure to find this point is the highest constant heart rate you can sustain for 15-20 min. The goal of zone 2 is to train your aerobic metabolism to burn energy as fast as it can. Your metabolism then adapts and you burn more energy 24 hours a day. Zone two is the workout that I see that every exerciser skips. Most people either spend all their time in the easy zone 1 or do high intensity training all the time which we are going to talk about next. Working out at the moderately high intensity in zone 2 is essential to training our aerobic metabolism which is our major source of energy all day.

High Intensity Zone

The third zone for optimal fat burning cardio is training at high intensities (zone 3). Another name for this zone is interval training. Interval training is where we workout for short burst of time, 1-3 min., and then walk or rest for short bursts of time, and then repeat the high to low sequence again. Zone 3 workouts train your body to produce energy greater than it has ever done before for short durations of time. It is more important about the rate of burning energy than total calories. Which means the faster you go the more calories you burn in a short period of time the better. One key to interval training is you have to be able to repeat the same speed and heart rate for each interval. Often people train to hard for the first interval and though their heart rate goes up they slow their speed down with each interval. Zone 3 workouts are considered the most efficient way to raise your metabolism and burn more fat. You actually burn 100% carbs during the workout as a source of energy. People that do consistent interval training on a weekly basis burn more fat 24 hours a day, even on days they don't exercise.

Each zone has key aspects to your total fat burning program. An optimal program consists of workouts in all three zones each week. Every person's heart rate is going to be different for each zone. Liveleantoday.com uses it customized profile to create the individualized heart rate zones to optimize your fat burning workouts. Heart rate zones between people can vary by over 20 beats, so training at your friend's zone doesn't work. Start training at all three zones each week and start burning more fat 24 hours a day.

Find personal trainer, fitness, and nutrition information you are seaching for at LiveLeanToday.com. LiveLeanToday.com has a full library of diet, exercise, and supplement information.

Plane Crash Interrupts Wedding Reception Video

Plane crashes and interrupts wedding reception as it makes emergency landing

Hawaiian wedding dresses

Are you planning to tie a knot with your fiancée in the upcoming days? If yes, then this article is rightly meant for you. Marriage is undoubtedly one of the most central and happiest moments of our life. It is the right time when you express your love towards to your partner in the front of whole world. You swear in the front of people and the almighty to live the whole life together and consider each other the part of heart and soul.

This is the reason why it is important to conclude all the wedding arrangements with proper planning and attention. Most of the people take latest wedding trends seriously so that their marriage would become a memorable event.

If you are keen to conclude your marriage in an extraordinary way then why not you should try Hawaiian wedding dress? It is not necessary that you are marrying on the shores of Hawaii. But wearing a Hawaiian outfit will make the memorable event more special.

The trademark of nearly all the Hawaiian wedding dresses is that they are either made from silk or from cotton. The dresses made up of these substances are perfectly suitable for tropical weather. There is tremendous craze of Hawaiian outfit among those couples who desire beach weddings. Wedding is normally once in the lifetime event. The why not you should conclude all the ceremonies on the beautiful shores of Hawaii?

Most of the Hawaiian wedding dresses are manufactured and dispatched from the state of Hawaii to different parts of the world. These dresses are also manufactured in various other states of America but not in very high quantity. The dresses are available for both bride and groom with different unique features. You can personally visit the local merchants of Hawaii and witness the finest wedding dresses ever made.

The wedding dresses are available either in 100 percent cotton or in the combination with various other materials. There are certain dresses made from heavy silk. If as a groom your priority is to wear a casual form of dress then you can put on coconut-buttoned shirts. For brides formal and informal white dresses are readily available.
You can even order the best wedding dress via Internet. There are various sites available over the Internet from where you can make the best choice form a wide selection and that too by sitting at your home.

African American wedding hairstyles

On the day of the wedding one of the biggest concerns of the bride is to have the perfect hair. Without the perfect hair all the efforts will go in vain. Here it should be mentioned that the hairstyle depends on the structure of the face, the hair color as well as the complexion of the skin. What suits a blonde may not suite a brunette. Similarly what will look nice on an American bride may not look as good on an African American bride.

So what is the right style for an African American bride? What hair do should she go for? Let us start with short hair.

If you have short hair then there is not much worrying to do. Depending on the length you can either straighten or curl the hair. If you have a thick curl and the length of your hair is upto your ear lobes, then it is better to keep it curly and use any stone beads.

Not a big fan of curls? Just iron the hair. That will give you the straighten look. Now you can either tie your hair into a tight bun or you can do some experiment?

If you are open to experiments then why not go for some ethnic looks. That would be something different and exciting. And when it comes to ethnic looks you have plenty of choices.

When it comes to ethnic African look the first thing that comes to mind is micro braids. There is no harm in going for this style on your wedding. And it looks good on both long and short hair. Once you are done with the braiding, you can either use hair accessory like beads and hairpins, but it is better to use some small blowers at the back of your ear.

If you do not want so many braids on your head then there are always the kinky twists. They are easy to do and take less time. As a matter of fact most women prefer the kinky twist over micro braid because many complain that hair tend to break due to micro braid.

If you wish to have something more different than that then you can try something different. You can make a ponytail on top of the hair and then make braids or twists of the hair. It is all up to the bride.

Now that the choices are endless, all you have to do is choose.

What Happened on Tonya Harding wedding night

There are many people who are keen to know about Tonya Maxene Harding. Born on November 12, 1970, she is a former figure skating champion from America. She was the first American woman and the second woman in whole to complete a triple axel jump in a recognized competition.

Tonya Harding wedding night is a very interesting subject for the world to talk about. It is actually a celebrity sex tape which appeared on various online sources in the form of a pornographic “Wedding Video”. This video demonstrated her in sexual acts with her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly. Her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly who was literally not involved in the sex scandal had immediately altered his name to Jeff Stone.

All the major stills from the sex tape were published by a popular magazine Penthouse in the month of September 1994. Later on, the tape was itself released for the public. After the release of the tape in the public, Tonya Harding desperately tried to reserve herself from it.

Jeff Gillooly has already mentioned about Tonya Harding wedding night in his autobiography. He also admitted about the conspiracy to injure a former Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan. She and Tonya Harding were from the same professional background. Nancy Kerrigan was believed to be the top notch competitor of Tonya Harding. This is the reason why she conspired with her ex-husband to injure this Olympic skater.

The act of injuring an Olympic skater and producing a wedding night sex tape later on were highly controversial and criticized widely by the masses. Most of the people even believe that the tape of Tonya Harding wedding night was produced intentionally. The exact reason was not clear. Perhaps in order to divert the attention of masses from other controversies or to boost her shaking career.

After seeing the sex tape people believe that the directorial ability of Gillooly was free-flowing, letting his co-star to manage everything. All the intimate scenes were taken so clearly that there was no question about any sort of scandal.

According to most of the journalists and experts it was a pre planned tape to depict the story of love and the meaning of love making. One gentleman from the field of journalism quoted that, “Tonya Harding was susceptible and was willing to express her feelings and her body and she has done the same. We should not feel disgraceful but express sentiments for the ill-fated couple.”

Dancing Wedding Processional Video

What are the different songs in a wedding

With all the wedding preparations according to the plan, it becomes imperative to choose the right music to complete a truly memorable ceremony. Popular choices here remain music for praise of divinity, romantic, or some traditional pieces. Following are the various types of wedding songs pieces, played in the background or foreground, according to the time and activities involved:

• Interlude music
It is a universal genre (non-background) that can fill the air during the moments of pause, when no significant proceedings are on. It can be used during the time of meditation, before the exchange of rings, before or after reading, or at any other appropriate phase of the wedding ceremony. Played at optimum volume, it can be pure instrumentals, vocals, or a popular song.

• Prelude music
The time allocation for prelude music can be anywhere as less as ten minutes and as long as half an hour. This is time immediately before the marriage ceremony, while guests arrive and final preparations are made. Ideal choices could be a soft music, which is bright, yet sober. It should be chosen in a way to reflect the mood of the ceremony to follow, all the while giving room for some guest interactions and small talk. Depending upon the availability of time, you can get around eight to ten or less, songs played. It is always a good idea to communicate your musical preferences regarding class, tempo, and the theme of music, to your musical band or DJ, beforehand.

• Procession music
Procession music should be aptly chosen to help the bride and her companions keep pace with it. Mostly religious or soft pieces are chosen and timed with the speed of walk & the length of the aisle.

• Recessional music
It is played after the end of the key proceedings, which marks the conclusion of the wedding ceremony and acts as a transition to the wedding reception. Ideal for some post wedding activities, like photo session, the ‘recessional music’ phase can last for a few minutes, or up to an hour. It can be marked by higher volume or greater tempo, or can be with more subtle overtones.

• Unity Candle songs
Choice of wedding songs for the rituals can be varied – instrumental or vocal, solo or group, etc. There can be combination of songs or a single one. It should be soft enough to allow the participants’ focus to remain on the Unity Candle ritual, more than the song itself.

There are various other types of songs to suit the occasions, such as cake cutting, first dance, bouquet toss, dollar dance, and so on. The number of songs, genre, and other considerations are quiet dependent upon personal preferences and the theme of the party. Therefore, wedding songs can very well set the tone and add to the grandeur of your most important occasion, if chosen carefully.

What to Wear to a Wedding

The wedding invite has arrived. The question now is what to wear to the wedding. The attire will depend on the style of wedding, season and location. So read that card carefully and find the finer details before you hit the mall.

For women

For the ultra formals choose the long gowns. The dress should be elegant and tasteful. A chic cocktail dress can also be worn. Add glamour and glitz with furs and diamonds.

An outdoor wedding be it a garden, beach or a destination wedding is not necessarily an informal one so if the card indicates formal Evening or Black-Tie wedding, go for a cocktail dress, either plain or with embellishments. In case of informal one wear a tea length dress.

For garden weddings pretty floral dresses in pink, blue and yellow are the best. Even a skirt and sweater combination will be perfect. One can wear a nice fitting that goes along with the dress. Go for a light color suit if the occasion demands.

For a beach wedding wear anything that looks cool with bare feet, a flat sandal, or espadrille (if you can’t do without heals).

For hot climate weddings go for bright colors and light fabrics. Wear blues, fuchsia, red, green, turquoise knee length or asymmetrical hem line dresses with spaghetti straps or strapless style. Choose wrinkle free material for the dress.

It is advisable not to wear sequins or black during day time wedding.

For winter weddings, dressy suits are great options. Go for fitted jackets or long flowing tunic with a touch of fur collar or satin stole / ribbon.

Best are strapless gowns, spaghetti straps with V-necklines, or retro-style gowns.

One can also go for black pants and a dressy top/tunic.

In most formal, semi- formal weddings the cocktail dress or a short trendy dress, a classy skirt and blouse or a sun dress goes best with some suitable accessories.

As a rule avoid a white dress which may compete with the bride.

For Men

Non formal Daytime wedding: a nice classic Dress shirt and pants, teamed with a sports jacket.

Informal or semi- formal evening wedding: a suit

A formal Daytime wedding: dark suit and tie

For a formal evening wedding the dress code would be a Tuxedo (if it’s a "black tie" invite) or a dark suit.

Ultra-formal evening / White tie wedding: classic shirt, white tie and vest.

What is the Average cost of wedding dresses?

Your wedding dress will probably be the most expensive clothing you will buy for yourself. And of course, you will just wear it once. You need to look at many factors and get it right. It has to be valuable, flatter your face and figure and yes, it has to fit your budget.

Here are some tips to get it right:

The Early bird gets a bargain

So start shopping early. The best time is right after the engagement. This way you will not feel rushed. You should aim to purchase one about six to eight months before the wedding. You can be selective, attend to the detailing and the embroidery, and what is more, you just might get a beautiful one at a discount since you have plenty of time to hunt down a bargain.

Visualize the most perfect dress

High class bridal salons ask you about your wedding, the decor, the style and then suggest you the best one. Moreover, they offer you a selection of what goes best with your figure and style. Learn the basics and perhaps you can browse the bridal magazines and get one which is good and suited to your wedding party and appearance.

Prices you can expect

Recent market surveys have estimated the average cost of a wedding dress to be $700-$800. Of course designer dresses cost much more. Maggie Sottero offers a wide range and so does Alfred Angelo. The prices start as low as $400 and go up to $1500.

Salons price them much higher. The fabric they use is natural and the detailing is excellent quality. There would be around $2000 and $4000. Brides with a higher amount of spending money can indulge their impeccable taste by buying gowns ranging from $6000 to much higher. In such a situation the tailors work closely with you and you go for fittings so that the gown seems to flow with your body. Its perfect. They are hand stitched and hand embroidered.


Even a very modest estimate would be as follows

Cost of wedding dress $900 to $1500, Cost of alteration extra

The headpiece $200 to $350

Shoes $50

Budget yourself

First of all check your finances and decide how much you can spend on your gown. This will save you time. You will be able to decide which bridal salons are within your budget and which are not. Browse the internet and bridal magazines. You will get a fair idea about the price range and you can be realistic.
The rule of the thumb is that your wedding gown should not cost more than 10% of the expense of your wedding reception.

What to do with your wedding dress after the wedding

You spent countless hours searching for that perfect wedding dress and had a magical wedding wearing it but now that it is over, the big question arises about what to do with the precious wedding dress. Once dry-cleaned and stored a bride may look for options which tell her exactly how the memorable dress can be used apart from being tucked away as an heirloom.

One option is to trash the dress. Now that the commitment of eternal love has been made, make use of the wedding dress. Roll on the grass, meet the waves of the ocean and do all sort of amazing things wearing the wedding dress. Get yourself clicked by the trashthedress.com photographers or a friend. Preserve those memories of a great wedding and the most romantic honeymoon. Hang the snaps around your home or make an album for generations to see. Have fun.

Those who believe in social causes and charity can make their wedding gown appear on another aisle by donating it to various organizations. There are such organizations across the globe and can be contacted online. One can give it at the non profit bridal wear shops also, where they resell them at discounted rates.

Getting creative is the best way to use the expensive garment. If the wedding dress is a short and trendy one or a cocktail dress one can wear it again with some alterations or even dying them in dark rich colors.

The wedding gown or dress can be turned into christening gowns for children or recycled to make an elegant bridal handbag, purses, handkerchiefs or tissue pouches for some other brides. One can also make absolutely adorable pillows, table cloths etc with it. A more creative way is to use it for new baby’s bed Lenin or blanket cover. A first communion gown for a girl in the family is a creative reuse of the wedding dress.

Get the long gown chopped into a stunning cocktail dress and add embellishments to it if desired. Remove the sleeves and make it a strapless or off shoulder dress for those formal, semi formal and summer parties. A dressy blouse or frock is desirable option.

Use the lace and veil to make small window curtains. Use them as edging on towels or jewelry boxes.

Instead of sealing it in a coffin like box, get creative to use your wedding gown or dress.

What are the styles of a simple wedding dress

While many brides would love to have a dramatic wedding dress, there are others who are uncomfortable with too many embellishments and would like to opt for a simple wedding dress. The problem these days is that the styles that are in vogue have too much detailing. They call for a whole lot of embellishments, lace, sequins and flounces, which may not be what you as a bride would want. If this is the case you need to go for the classic, simple and elegant sort of wedding dress.

In the current economic slump it makes sense to keep it simple. Many brides prefer to keep their wedding dress simple, not because of any constraints but simply because they see themselves as simple women. Simple does not mean un-trendy but simple does mean devoid of any kind of fuss. The simple wedding dress need not be unfashionable or dowdy. Of course it will not be having detailing. It will avoid layering, flounces, frills, ribbons, beading, crystal work, embroidery or any other fancy stuff. But then, perhaps you would not like to walk down the aisle wearing something that looks like rolls of lace and sequins wrapped around your body. You can achieve a classic, understated and chic effect with the right cut of the dress and the right fabric.

A simple wedding dress can be classy, feminine and elegant. Modern fashion is all-encompassing. Today's bride can choose from a wide range of styles to select the dress that is perfect for her wedding day. A simple style does not have to be dowdy. It can lay stress on the fabric of the garment, the cut and the fall. It can play with texture and color for the perfect look.

The traditional wedding dress has been white in color. Over the years brides have experimented with the white color and used cream, egg-shell, ecru and pearl. However in the recent years, brides have also started using non-traditional colors like purple, pink, and others for their wedding dress. If you do not want to wear white, you have a range of colors to choose from.

If you do not want to spend too much on your wedding dress, you can get yourself a simple gown (a prom dress would also do) and invest the rest of your money on classy jewelery. After all jewelery is a great investment, and the dress is worn only once. The main point to remember here is that the entire ensemble should be balanced. The dress should be simple yet elegant and the jewelery adds the sparkle. So chose your jewelery for the occasion with care.

Select the style and cut of your simple wedding dress carefully. For a tall slim figure a sheath is wonderful. This also complements a petite figure. Simple Silhouette is a style that accentuates the curves and is very elegant. Select a neckline and other details to emphasize the accessories and jewelery.

If you have a perfect hourglass figure, it can be accentuated with a two piece and corset style of dress. It can be very simple, with clean unbroken line, accentuating the waist. The Empire wasted wedding dress is ideal for a bride who has a fuller waist. Again this style does not need any lace or flounces. Even the layering can be minimized or done away with. This can be worn with heavy jewelery that takes away the attention from the body shape.

For a pear shaped figure, the A-line cut is a wonderful way to camouflage the full hips. It is figure hugging at the waist and bust and flows in simple lines over the lower body. Of course, you can browse the design catalog for the best way to style it. It can be with sleeves or with noodle straps. It could also be backless. You will be the best judge of the design suitable for you.

There is a wide array of fabrics to choose from. Select a fabric that is best suited for the style of your dream dress, keeping in mind the fact that you have chosen not to embellish it in any way. Silk is the traditional choice of brides. It is natural, strong and durable and has a shine. Silk today is woven with other materials to give you a wide variety of fabrics like duchess satin, shantung, Carmelle etc. You could also use velvet, Georgette, taffeta or even chiffon for your simple wedding dress. Keep in mind that the design of the dress is simple so the fabric and cut should be perfect to emphasize your beauty.

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Winter Wedding Gowns

If a cozy winter wedding is on your wish list, you can plan a grandeur look for yourself. Be aware of the fact however, that a cold season wedding leaves you with lesser options than those in other seasons. Here are some practical tips for choosing memorable winter attire:

What not to wear
While opting for style, it is very important to give due consideration to comfort. You cannot be shivering and carrying that elegant gait at the same time. Therefore, you cannot choose to wear something that does not let your attention get away from it. Light fabrics, uncovered shoulders, and open footwear are not good choices for such an occasion.

Choice of fabric
Winter wedding gowns are usually stitched in heavy fabrics, such as heavy satin, brocade, velvet, and Dutch satin, which add a luxurious touché as well as warmth.

Style
Owing to their heavy fabric, winter wedding dresses call for designs that are more elaborate. A 'fuller ball gown' and 'A-lines' are good choices from the point of view of warmth as well as fabrics. Flowing and larger stitches are more suitable if heavy dress material is being used. In the case of winter wedding dresses, not many options for necklines and shoulder cuts are available, at least in the case of readymade picks. Common styles are quarter to full-length sleeves with plain or puffed designs and full neck, portrait neck, or off-shoulder necklines. However, if you are getting your outfit stitched, you can have greater choice available.

Unconventional designs
Not everyone is pleased to settle with traditional alternatives. For instance, strapless gowns, being in vogue these days, you can choose to have one for your winter wedding. All you need to do is top it up with warm fur cloak, or faux-fur wrap in whites, tinges, or even deep colors like burgundy, plum, and navy. You can also choose other fabric than the heavier types, which will leave you room for experimenting with various other styles. If you choose a lighter material or a sleeker look, you can use cashmere cape, full-length bridal coat in wool, fur, or crushed velvet. If you do not wish to cover that majestic fall of your wedding gown, you can opt for short jackets that fit the bodice.

Accessories
Since most of the winter wedding dresses are fuller in design, a long veil is a part of such winter wedding attire. Sparkling jewelry, red rose bouquet, and laced bridal boots complete that fairy-like look of yours.

Do some advanced research and choose your final wedding dress after consultation with your friends & family and experts. After all, its your special day and you would not like to miss on anything!

Causal Weddings the Latest Trend for Brides

So, you are now engaged to be married. What kind of wedding are you going to have? The latest trend is for couples to go with more causal weddings then full productions. You may have decided that a more causal wedding is what you want to do, though the question is now what?

With young couples's busy schedules, causal weddings are a great idea. With the price a big production wedding can be a strain on new couples getting started in life. Causal wedding allow for a memorable and classy wedding which will still be day to remember.

Invitations

With today's basic graphic computer people can now make classic looking wedding invitations without shelling out the expense. Pick the paper you would like from the store and most basic software packages that comes with your computer has programs for designing invitations and making them personal to you.

Wedding Dress

The latest trend is classy and sexy wedding dresses without long trains. A causal wedding dress still can be just as beautiful with sexy v-necks and open backs. Online allows brides to get wedding dress at low prices.

Bridesmaids Dresses

What to make your bridesmaids love you more than ever. Instead of bright colored dress that they will never wear again nor want to, pick a dress from one of your favorite clothing stores. A classy summer dress can look beautiful and used again.

Flowers

Everyone stills wants flowers at your wedding. It is important to find the right amount of flowers based on the location for your weddings. Many people spend too much time thinking about the flowers which they will never remember in the end.

Reception

The reception is a time for your guest to visit and interact. Often weddings bring people together who haven't seen each other for some time. Most intimate places like a friends or family member's backyard or a personal friend's quite location allows your guest to interact. Many standard locations for weddings place everyone in special seats in a large room and lose the intimacy that your causal wedding can provide.

Music

With everyone having an IPOD or MP3 player, you would be surprised what a DJ your friends and family can be. Set your music player to a set schedule of songs and no one has to worry about the music all night. Working together with friends and family you can compile every song that you would want.

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Top 6 Ideas to Pick the Perfect Wedding Dress

Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your entire life. The dress that you wear needs to symbolize how important this day is. It is vital that the dress you pick brings out the best in your beauty on your special day.

Everyone wants to look their best on their Wedding Day. Taking the time to find the right dress is essential. One great aspect now you can get great wedding dresses online which allow you to instantly pick all the right features for your perfect bridal gown. Listed below are the Top 6 Items to consider when making your decision on the right wedding dress for you.

Top 6 Decisions on Selecting the Perfect Wedding Dress

Picking the Right Color:

The color you pick is based on the color of your own skin; dark-skinned brunettes look best in ivory or beige wedding dresses, and light-skinned blondes look their best in a white pastel or pure white dress.

Chose the Right Length:

The type of wedding event you're putting on will affect your bridal gown's length. Full-length dresses are designed for formal weddings. At more informal weddings, which are normally smaller in size and production (most on second and greater weddings) the bride can look good in a knee-length gown/skirt. The skirt should cover the knees and drape at least one inch below the top of the kneecap. Ankle-length bridal gown is acceptable too, and it can be very classy, sexy, fashionable, and romantic.

What is the Right Silhouette:

The "silhouette" is known as the shape of the gown and how it fits your body. Common styles include the Princess and A-line, ball gown (mostly commonly called the Cinderella gown), sheaths, a mermaid shape, an empire silhouette, or a two-piece.

How Long Should the Train be:

The best trains are typically long ones, that can be detachable so that it won't get stepped on, ripped, or otherwise ruined during the reception.

Picking the Perfect Mood:

The mood of your bridal gown can be Romantic, Modern, Traditional, or Classic.

Get the Right Size:

Just like with other clothing options, when it comes to choosing a wedding gown, size is important. For brides petite to large, the size of a wedding dress is ordered based on measurements of bust, waist, hips and height. The right size makes every person feel beautiful on their special day.

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Informal Wedding Dress

There are so many reasons for a bride to choose an informal wedding dress for her own special day, the day she weds the man she loves.

• Personal choice
You might be having a life-style which is casual and informal. You and your partner may view the formal wedding gowns and elaborate venue as stuffy and old fashioned, and may want to avoid it.

• You are having a low key wedding
A simple garden or back-yard wedding, or even a beach wedding is an informal setting and you would not like to wear a formal and expensive wedding gown in such a setting.

• The cost factor
Formal wedding gowns are elegant and lovely but they are expensive. When two people are starting their life together, they just might opt for a casual wedding dress and spend the money saved on something more practical like remodeling their home, purchase of a new home or even furnishings.

• Shortage of time
You met your Mr. Right a few days ago and the wedding is in a fortnight. You have a million things to do, and not enough time to devote to getting your wedding dress designed for you from scratch. The best thing in such a situation is to shop for a informal wedding dress.

• A second wedding
You have already had one wedding where you were the bride with the most beautiful dress and now, at your second shot at marriage, you want a low key affair and want to do away with the formality.

Whatever may be your reason for choosing an informal wedding dress, the good news is that you have many options to choose from, and plenty of opportunity to show-case your own individual style and taste. These days’ informal wedding gowns come in a variety of styles which are so rich that they add to the glamour of the occasion.

Informal wedding dresses are becoming very popular and are available in a wide range of styles and colors. In fact you can browse around the stores and get yourself a classy and unique wedding dress that showcases your own beauty and style. Most of them are short of length, perhaps just up to the knees, but some are slightly longer. They do not have a train, and as a matter of fact casual weddings do not need the formal accessories like trains and veils. If you would like to have a train, a detachable train can be added to the informal wedding dress.

Some things to be considered while selecting your informal bridal dress

The main things to be considered would be your budget, fashions prevalent at the time of your wedding and your wedding venue. Of course other things, like the weather and the mind-set of your invitees also play a major role in influencing your selection.

By and large even the die-hard traditionalists have come around and do not quibble about informal wedding dresses. One of the major factors in bringing about this change in opinion is that informal wedding dresses these days are very fashionable and classy.

Material has a big role to play in this. You should select the material of your dress with great care. High quality material gives a very good finish to the dress as well as lends a touch of class and glamour. Your best choice in materials would be silk, organza, chiffon, some cotton-rayon blends in non-traditional colors like egg shell white, pale blue, blush pink, cream and sea green would add brightness and color to your special occasion.

Select your jewelry and accessories with care as they will enhance your looks and bring out the beauty of your dress. Pay great attention to your footwear, your gloves and other accessories. The over all effect should be striking and make you look your best.

Wedding Thoughts

When I looked at my betrothed moments before we were wed, I saw a man. thirty minutes later, when I looked at my husband, I saw a future.

How to Do Wedding Invitations and Guest Lists

The wedding invitation is your guests' introduction to your wedding, and you want them to be perfect. From heavy white paper with silk ribbon trim to playful palm trees and coconuts, your invitations set the tone and communicate the theme for your big day. They are a symbol of your wedding's degree of formality and a keepsake for your guests.

The guest list affects many of the wedding decisions the engaged couple will make, including the selections for wedding stationery. So, before any of the invitations, stationery, and so on can be purchased, the guest list should be set and the total number of guests determined.

Here are three steps to making a guest list:

*If you know that you will have a generous budget, the guest count can be set first, and then the budget determined accordingly. However, if you think that funds will be tight, you should set the budget first, and then determine how many guests can be invited.

*Divide the guest list into five categories: the bride's list; the groom's list; a list of common friends; the groom's parents' list; and the bride's parents' list.

*Begin removing names until you reach your target number.

Use the Guest List Worksheet to help organize your efforts.

Once the guest list has been finalized, its time to think about wedding stationary. You will need quite an assortment of printed items for the wedding. Most printers provide wedding packages. However, depending on which printer you choose, the items included in the wedding stationery package will vary. The package you select should have everything you want -- and nothing you don't need. Use the Invitations Checklist to keep track of all the necessary information.

Some of the more common wedding items are:

The Wedding Invitation

You can usually spot a wedding invitation in the mail a mile away -- it has a "LOVE" stamp in the corner and is bursting at the seams. The reason the envelope is so jam-packed is that a wedding invitation is actually a set of items.

*The Ceremony Invitation and Envelope: The invitation announces the tone of the wedding and thus can take on any number of styles -- from traditional to unique. The wedding invitation itself traditionally comes from the bride's parents, but it can also come from the bride and groom. The tone or style of the invitation should reflect the tone or style of the wedding.

There are several different invitation styles, from traditional to contemporary. All are perfectly acceptable. You both will, however, need to set a style before hiring a printer, since different shops have different printing capabilities. There are lots of places to look for style inspiration. You could look at friends' invitations, for example. You should also visit at least two printers and look at their sample books so that you can get an idea of what's available.

*The Reception Invitation: The reception invitation can have three formats: It can be included on the same invitation as the ceremony information; it can be a separate invitation or card; or, if a guest is only invited to the reception, it can be used in place of the ceremony invitation. If the reception invitation is separate, however, the card style should match that of the ceremony invitation.

*The Response Card(s) and Envelope: The response card addresses the ceremony, the reception, or both. If the reception information is on the same invitation as the ceremony information, a single response card can be used. Otherwise, separate response cards should be used for the ceremony and the reception. Response cards should have a line for the guest name(s), the number of people attending, and, for reception responses, the menu choices (if needed). You should also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope in which the response card can be returned. The card should also have a final response date -- generally two to four weeks before the wedding.

Other Printed Items

If you know in advance the other printed items you would like at your wedding, ask the printer you've selected for your invitations to add in these items at a discount. This will not only save you money but will also ensure that each printed piece matches the style of the others.

*Maps: It is increasingly common to include a map to the ceremony site and the reception site with the invitation. This could be a computer-generated map or one that you draw yourself. Just make sure that all of your lines and directions are clear before you give it to the printer. Also include a phone number for the destination. That way, the guest can call if they get lost.

*Pew cards: If you plan a large wedding ceremony and want to make sure certain guests have reserved seats, insert a pew card into the invitation. When guests present this card to an usher, they will be seated accordingly. The pew card includes the guest name(s), the ceremony location, and the pew number and its section (the bride's side or the groom's side).

As an alternative, the card can say simply "Within the Ribbon", to indicate that the guest can sit anywhere within a designated area marked by a ribbon. This is often done where the ceremony will not be held in a church, but you still want special guests to sit in a certain area.

*Wedding programs: The wedding program names the bride and groom, the officient, all members of the wedding party, and any readers and soloists. It also lists the ceremony events, including all songs, prayers, and scriptures to be read. Ushers distribute the programs as well as seat the guests. Either your officient or your church, synagogue, or temple coordinator can supply previous wedding programs for samples. You could also check with friends and your printer to see other examples.

*Place cards, matchbooks, napkins, etc.: You can include printed items -- such as napkins and matchbooks -- at the reception tables and scattered around the site, such as at the bar or the appetizer table. These printed pieces can include your names only; your names and wedding date; or the names, date, and a symbol, such as wedding bells. They are generally printed in a color that coordinates with your reception colors.

*Thank-You cards: Since you both will be writing many thank you cards during the coming months, it's nice to have appropriate thank you stationery printed. These cards are small (generally folded and four inches by five inches) and are usually made of rich white or ivory paper. They have "Thank You," the bride's and groom's names, or their initials printed on the front.

*Wedding announcements: A formal wedding announcement is mailed the day after the wedding to family and friends who couldn't be invited to the event. An announcement can also go to local newspapers and magazines. A newspaper or magazine wedding announcement is worded much like the engagement announcement.

*At-Home cards: This card is sometimes included with the invitation or the wedding announcement. It tells whether the bride will be using her married or maiden last name and where the couple will live.

Proof the Proof

Whatever stationary package you decide on, the printer will provide you with sample for your approval. Can you imagine anything more embarrassing than misspelling your future mother-in-law's name on the invitation? To avoid mistakes, enlist proofing help from at least three people -- preferably a mix of people from both sides. In addition, read each line in the invitation proof backward, from right to left. This forces you both to isolate each word. If you both question any name, circle it and phone someone to check the spelling. Use a dictionary to check other questionable words. As for dates, times, and sites, after you've double-checked this information, go back and check it all again. (And a third check wouldn't hurt, either!)

Addressing Invitations

Traditionally wedding invitations have required two envelopes - an inner envelope that contains the actual invitations and inserts and an outer envelope to hold the inner envelope. While many brides continue to follow this rule, it is perfectly acceptable to omit the inner envelope. If present, the inner envelope only bears the names of the guests. No address is necessary. No abbreviations are made on outer envelopes. Words naming roads such as Street and the names of states should be written out. Wedding invitations are always addressed to both members of a married couple. Invitations to an unmarried couple should be addressed to Mr. John Doe and Ms. Elizabeth Smith. A child over the age of 18 can receive a separate invitation, or may be included on the parents' invitation. An invitations to both parents and child should be addressed to Mr. and Mrs. John Doe and Tony. If you are allowing single guests to bring dates, the proper thing to do is to simply write your friend's name on the outer envelope and add the ...and Guest part to the inner envelope. For unmarried couples living together, the envelopes should be addressed to both of them even if you are really only friends with one. Formal titles, such as Doctor or Reverend, should be used, where appropriate, and should be spelled out. While it is certainly easier and cheaper to use computer-generated labels, your invitations really should be hand-addressed.

Return Address

You need to include a return address on your wedding invitations. For one thing it allows the guest to know where to send the wedding gift. In addition, it lets the postal service know where to return it if it is undeliverable for some reason.

The return address is usually printed on the back flap of the envelope.

Stuffing the Envelopes

The invitation and additional inserts should be placed in the inner envelope with the invitation facing the back of the inner envelope so that it's the first thing the guest sees when opening the inner envelope. Reception cards, response cards, direction cards and any other item should be inserted into the envelope in the order you want guests to see them. The front of the inner envelope should face the back of the outer envelope so that the guest will see their names on the front of the inner envelope when opening the outer envelope.

Other Things to Remember

*Order only one invitation per married couple.

*Order a few additional invitations for last minute guests and keepsakes.

*Check all spelling, dates, times and addresses, and then check them AGAIN.

*The Post Office has special stamps to compliment your wedding invitation.

*Have post office weigh one invitation to ensure one stamp is sufficient postage. Ask your printer for a sample of your invitation, including all envelopes, enclosures, and pieces of tissue paper that will be part of your final invitation. These samples can be blank, since normal printing doesn't add weight.

*Place stamps on the response envelopes.

*Make sure the inner and outer envelope names match.

*Invitations should be mailed 4 - 6 weeks before your wedding.