Child-Friendly Wedding Tips

Every wedding is different, and some weddings are family events with lots of little ones (or older children) running around. If you’re planning a wedding, you may want to spend a little time coming up with the ideal setup for a truly child-friendly wedding.

With a little forethought and careful wedding planning, you will create an atmosphere where children feel happy, stimulated and valued…while also providing enough grown-up sophistication to make your wedding romantic and memorable.

Here are some tried-and-true tips for putting together a child-friendly wedding that appeals to guests of all ages:

Keep Them Entertained

Children have tons of energy, and it needs to be diverted properly, or kids may act out and cause a ruckus during your wedding ceremony. Since these minutes are so important, find a way to keep smaller children (who aren’t in your wedding party) occupied.

A clever little goodie bag stuffed with age-appropriate small toys can be an excellent idea – just opt for quiet toys that will stimulate them and keep them happily entertained until you’ve walked down the aisle and exchanged vows with your groom.

Even small and healthy snacks, such a boxes of raisins, may keep children quietly munching while you get married in peace. Your goody bag will be your first defense against the natural high spirits of your youngest guests!

If children will be in your wedding party, let them know they will receive their own goodie bags as soon as the ceremony is over, or offer them little presents beforehand to sweeten their moods. For flower girls, pretty pendants or bangle bracelets in sterling silver will be fine choices for special wedding favours. Fun hair accessories that match the color scheme of the wedding will also be great gifts, and they don’t have to cost a lot.
For boys, puzzles, miniature cars, or sports balls may be popular gift choices for goody bags; if you want to give boys something they can wear during your ceremony, consider fun, yet formal bow ties that make them feel all grown up.

Making Kids Happy at Your Reception

Most kids won’t want the sort of gourmet food you dream of for your wedding reception – children have delicate palates because their taste buds are still developing. Therefore, getting too creative with cuisine may ensure a gaggle of hungry and potentially agitated kids.

To cope, set up special kiddie tables where children can enjoy their own “child-friendly” menu – to make it fun, lay down paper tablecloths and set up plastic cups filled with crayons at each table. Of course, very young children, for whom crayons are a choke hazard, will need to stay with their Mom and Dad at the grown-up table.

Let kids draw and create while they sample food and drink that is just right for them. One example of impressive wedding food that is still fun for kids to eat is healthy chicken nuggets without any “filler” or additives – talk to your caterer about choices made from fresh ground chicken and high-quality breading – then, brainstorm some high-end dipping sauces (honey mustard, barbecue sauce, and homemade ketchup, for example). Homemade french fries baked in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt can be healthy versions of fast-food faves – and even picky kids will love them.

Pasta is also a simple (and inexpensive) way to please children – it doesn’t have to be fancy, just fresh and tasty with a healthy, homemade tomato sauce, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, and a touch of grated, good-quality cheese. Another workable idea is homemade mac-n-cheese – it’s awesome comfort food, it can be frozen and reheated, and just a couple of baking dishes full of this child-friendly staple can feed a lot of kids.

For desserts, let kids have some wedding cake, or make them a fun cupcake arrangement of “mini” wedding cakes, and then let them choose their perfect cupcake. Drinks should be healthy – avoid pop, as it will only make them more hyper. Limit sugary treats to dessert only – opt for natural fruit juices and pure bottled water.

If you have room at your reception venue, set up a playroom for kids, equipped with a TV and some popular movies on DVD. Cartoons are always a safe bet. Hiring a babysitter for the playroom area and “kid’s table” can be an extremely wise decision that barely puts a dent in your wedding budget, and all of the parents attending your wedding will be so grateful for your thoughtfulness.

Best For Bride is Here to Help

When you’re planning wedding decor ideas, wedding invitations, bridal dresses, and everything else you need to make your wedding special, you may need a little help along the way. At Best for Bride, we know how to take the pressure off of your shoulders. Our wedding planning services run the gamut…our team of caring and experienced specialists know how to find the perfect dress for your personal tastes and body type, while also offering advice on Feri jewelry bridal rings, cheap bridesmaid dresses, and wedding flowers.

For full-service wedding assistance that allows you to relax and enjoy this special time in your life, contact us today – Best for Bride is here to help…

Retro-Inspired Wedding Gowns Offer a Touch of Vintage Appeal

Getting inspired by the fashions of other decades can be fun – from the “big shoulder” silhouette of the 1980s, to the delicate embroidered and pleated frocks of the 1940s. If you’re exploring wedding style options, looking at the retro-inspired wedding gowns on this page may give you a little creative energy and help you come up with a cohesive theme – from engagement rings to wedding decor ideas  to your white wedding dress – that will make your wedding day unforgettable…

Inspired by the Eighties

A strong shoulder is one of the most distinctive signatures of 80s-inspired fashion. 80s style icons, such as the devilish Alexis Carrington of Dynasty, (played by the raven-haired actress, Joan Collins) used the strong shoulder silhouette to look sexy and powerful.

Joan Collins as Alexis Carrington (photo by Brian Byrne, via Flikr)

This type of bridal dress look definitely needs the right hair and makeup – a lot of volume at the crown will work well for wedding hair, as it will help to balance the look, and a swipe of blush high on the cheekbones will set off the unique lines of a strong shoulder wedding gown, such as the style shown above.

If you’re a student of fashion through the decades, why not go for high-style Eighties drama as you walk down the aisle? Not for the meek, this sensational, super-glamorous look is sure to highlight your confidence, bravado, and chic. To get the Alexis Carrington look, go for defined eyes, penciled brows, and a true crimson lip, such as Loreal’s classic Drumbeat Red.

Inspired by The Fifties

Fashions featuring retro details or silhouettes will evoke different emotions, depending on which decade they represent; in the case of the Fifties, innocence, candy-box prettiness, and wholesome, healthy beauty will be highlighted in classic gowns with fitted waists and full skirts. Structured bodices are very 1950s, and so are filmy tulle skirts, wide sash belts, and brocade or lace fabrics.

Floral appliques (such as those found on the gown shown above) are also so very 1950s. To highlight your pin-up charm on your wedding day, use hot rollers to build silky volume into your hair, and style your ‘do in loose, sexy waves that are still under control – Marilyn Monroe is a great style icon for this look. Lips can be cherry-red, hot pink, or bright coral – use your coloring to find the best shade. A fresh-scrubbed look with a vibrant, cheery lip color will be the perfect balance of glamour and 1950s innocence.

Forties-Inspired Elegance

Delicate embroidery, feminine shoulder straps, and sleek, fitted style through the bodice are pure 1940s – pleating was also a feature on many evening dresses from that decade. The white wedding dress shown above offers many details than evoke this elegant era…the look is pure sophistication, and it needs few accessories or extra adornments.

To showcase your beauty on your wedding day, while keeping the 1940s theme in mind, go for sensual smoky eyes that are lined and shadowed in charcoal grey. The rest of your makeup should take a backseat – peachy-pink lips and cheeks will provide a neutral backdrop for sultry eye makeup. Finish your look with two coats of high-quality mascara – Lancome’s Definicils is a great choice.

Your Wedding Dress Will Set the Theme…

Once you’ve come up with a retro-inspired wedding dress, your wedding theme can reflect the charm and appeal of that decade or era. A Forties-inspired gown might inspire a romantic, luxurious wedding with elegant foods, cocktails from the 1940s, and delicate wedding favours and wedding invitations. An 80s-style celebration might be brighter and bolder, with a touch of excess and glitz that evokes the over-the-top spirit of the decade. Whatever you do – have fun with it, and enjoy your special day!

Kim Kardashian’s Marriage – What Happened?

Kim Kardashian – Wiki Commons Image – Attribution: © Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com

The Internet is rife with commentary regarding the wedding (and subsequent divorce filing) of reality TV star Kim Kardashian. This sultry brunette, who rose to fame due to a “leaked” sex tape, wed NBA basketball player Kris Humphries in a lavish ceremony that Kardashian likened to a “royal wedding”. However, after only 72 days of marriage, she dissolved the union by filing for divorce, citing the usual “irreconcilable differences”.

It’s hard to avoid cynicism about this marriage, and many people are convinced that the couple’s relationship was a total sham…one that was scripted by the couple (and Kim’s writers) to create a moneymaking and publicity bonanza. Others feel that Kris became caught up in the whirlwind that is the entire Kardashian family, and that he just couldn’t take the pressure.

Kim, who is the daughter of the late Robert Kardashian (who was a renowned lawyer and, for a time, a member of O.J. Simpson’s defense team) and Kris Jenner (now married to Olympic great Bruce Jenner), is said to be strongly influenced by her family. Kris Humphries, who hails from Minnesota, came from a less-glamorous, more down-to-earth background…in the eyes of some, these two were just too different to make things work…

This couple may have been destined for divorce, but they certainly weren’t destined for the poorhouse. Kim, who accepted free loot galore while planning her wedding, managed to offset all sorts of nuptial expenses, including her snow-white Vera Wang bridal dress. Flowers, food, and decor were given to the bride-to-be at an amazingly deep discount - or for free. In some cases, wedding-related companies may have jumped at the chance to pay Ms. Kardashian and her b-ball groom-to-be for the privilege of outfitting their wedding.

Lucrative endorsements, TV rights valued at ten million dollars, and a ton of free publicity resulted from this televised ceremony and reception…

When mulling over Kim’s (less than) three month’s of marriage, most of the media have expressed outrage and disgust; however, this same media jumps to cover stories on this woman and whatever she promotes – from lip gloss to high heels to handbags. Therefore, this marriage, which may well have been designed simply to boost TV ratings, is simply another mechanism in Kim Kardashian’s vast public relations machine.

For those who believe in Kim, and those who trusted the couple as they expressed their love for one another so often and so publicly, the quick and decisive divorce filing by Kim Kardashian seems quite crass; people ask themselves whether or not Kim and Kris will return their wedding gifts, and how the couple could justify a ten-million dollar wedding in a country beset by economic woes…

They wonder why Kim bailed so fast, and what really went on…

Whether these two were in love at all is really questionable, and it does bring up some interesting thoughts about the nature of marriage. Sometimes, it’s important to strip away all of the glitz and glamour of a planned wedding day and to consider the basic commitment being made. After all, the love and trust between a couple should be built to last. Only after that true love and friendship is rock-solid should the bride and groom-to-be plan a beautiful ceremony with gorgeous gowns and tuxedos and lovely wedding decor.

In the case of Kim and Kris, their marriage was a castle built of sand – while it looked beautiful for a time, it was (most likely) never what it appeared to be…

Honor Your Commitment with Best for Bride

If you’re ready to pledge your love for a lifetime, we’re here to help you enjoy the most beautiful wedding possible. When you work with our caring and experienced team of specialists, you can find ideal wedding dresses, cheap bridesmaid dresses, and mother of the bride dresses.

We are also proud to offer full-service wedding planning, including wedding decor ideas, wedding invitations, wedding cakes, and wedding favors. We even offer a convenient online bridal store so you can order your dream dress right from your home!

At Best for Bride, we love helping couple honor their commitments to one another…contact us today to get started…

Sleek Wedding Gowns For Sophisticated Brides-to-be

Many brides-to-be are looking for sleeker designs that defy the “Disney princess” stereotype; if you’re not wild about voluminous skirts and frou-frou details …you’re definitely not the only one who’s looking for something different!

Plenty of women want more streamlined bridal gowns that hug the body or fall in a simple column; these dresses don’t usually feature an excess of fabric and embellishment. Luckily, there are a range of gorgeous wedding gowns that are incredibly elegant and refined – these bridal dresses are made for women who appreciate the art of understatement.

 In general, sleek gowns will look best when they are accompanied by modern hairstyles, strong makeup, and bold accessories. Examples of famous women who prefer body-conscious, refined evening dresses and bridal gowns include Emily Blunt, Evan Rachel Wood, and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Emily Blunt - Wikipedia Creative Commons Image by Tabercil

Confidence is important when choosing a gown that pushes the envelope and reveals your shape; couture details and high-fashion touches require the right attitude. If you’ve got natural presence, and you’re not afraid of stylized and cutting-edge wedding dresses, you’ll probably adore the modern designs shown on this page…
Simple, But Never Plain…

If you want to wear the dress (rather than the dress wearing you!), a simple, flowing column style, such as the striking gown shown above, may be an ideal choice. Designed to highlight the face and hair, as well as the delicacy of a woman’s shoulders, arms, decolletage and throat, a fluid gown like this one shows ladylike confidence. A chic necklace crafted from sheer ribbon and a sparkling pin will add a touch of high-fashion whimsy to this simple and stunning frock.

Show Your Minimalist Style…

A touch of pretty shimmer adds richness to this luxurious strapless wedding gown. Fitted and sleek, this lustrous satin number is incredibly sexy, without being remotely inappropriate. This gown really does underscore the value of simplicity in design; highly flattering and very low-key, it shows superior quality and beauty, without an ocean of ruffles or tulle…

Wear your hair down for added sensuality…skip the veil to put the spotlight on your flowing tresses and tailored bridal gown. Simple high heels, subtle drop earrings, and a delicate jewelled bracelet will be ideal accessories for this type of design…

Makeup Tips

To make the most of your sleek style, put the emphasis on perfect skin; a luminous complexion is the perfect complement to a sleek and stylized dress. To get the right look, use a primer, such as Smashbox Photo Finish – this sort of cosmetic smooths the skin to prepare it for foundation. A great base, such as Laura Mercier’s Creme Smooth Foundation, will give the skin a beautiful glow.

Follow up with pressed powder blush that matches the undertones in your skin. For minimalist eyes, use eye shadows in neutral tones, such as cream, white, and taupe, and limit mascara to the top lashes only. A groomed eyebrow is very important – lightly pencil in your brows to define them, and then make sure they are shaped properly.

For finishing touches, add a rich and sophisticated lip color – treat yourself to a runway-ready tube of Nars Satin Lipstick in Russian Doll (an elegant burgundy).  Dust your face with translucent powder to set your foundation and blush.

Best for Bride is Here to Help

If you dream of polished sophistication, but need some help to pull the whole look together on your wedding day, we are standing by to give you the assistance you need. We’re wedding specialists, and we offer expertise in every possible area of wedding planning…from wedding favors to mother of the bride dresses, to plus size wedding dresses.

With a little help from Best for Bride, you can customize your look and find the dress you’ve always dreamed of. We even offer a convenient online bridal store so you can order right from your own home. Contact us today to find out more about our wedding decor ideas, our many bricks-and-mortar stores, and everything our experienced and caring staff members offer to brides-to-be…