Sweating for the Wedding:The Workouts You Have Never Heard of, but Should Probably Try

After the engagement you might be eager to pick out a date, color scheme, and of course your wedding dress! Then you have to remind yourself that you will have these pictures the rest of your life and well, frankly you need to look good! More specifically you need to feel great about yourself on your wedding day and that includes feeling confident about body.

Luckily the workout world is highly saturated and therefore full of a variety of choices to fit everyone's taste and fitness level. You no longer have to kill yourself on a treadmill to burn a measly 200 calories. These innovative classes may be new, but they already have massive followings.

Here are the latest intriguing workouts:

Rebounding

                                                                 

This cardio workout may look intense, but your joints will thank you for the low impact the trampoline provides. You can burn up to 160 calories per 30 minutes of jumping. 

Surfboard Fitness

                                                                     

Challenge yourself with this full body workout that strengthens muscles and targets your core. There are multiple classes that are tailored to your workout needs including balance, cardio burn, and strength building. Need more motivation? Plan a surfing session during your honeymoon and look forward to looking like a pro!

RealRyder Cycling

                                                                           

                               Spinning has taken over the fitness world the past few years, and now someone has taken the trend to a whole new level. RealRyder has created an indoor bike that allows you to steer, lean, and balance to fully engage your body. 

Would you be willing to switch up your routine for one of these workouts?

Bouquet Alternatives

By now you have probably seen an array of bouquets made completely out of brooches popping up all over social media. Brides are loving the customization that comes with selecting each pin, and that's not even the best part. Unlike flowers, this bouquet will last you a lifetime.

                                                               

If you love the idea of breaking away from a traditional floral bouquet, we have a few other options that are truly unique. 

Book Bouquet

Have a book that is meaningful to you? Carry it with you on your wedding day in a beautifully crafted arrangement.

Feather Bouquet 

Your guest will forget about the absence of flowers with a glamorous feather bouquet. The texture adds an element of interest that you will not find in classic flowers. 

Wheat Bouquet

If you're having a rustic theme,  a wheat bouquet is simplistic, chic, and understated.

Vegetable Bouquet

Flowers are not the only plant that feature stunning colors. Vegetable bouquets create a mix of rich hues that truly stand out in a sea of floral. 

Have any of these ideas convinced you to stray away from a traditional bouquet?

Bridal Inspiration:2014 Oscars

Award season might be over, but we're not ready to stop talking about the fashion. The stars brought classic glamour to the red carpet and we swooned over their perfectly tailored designer gowns.

 By now you have seen a variety of best dressed list and we're not going to add to the madness of trying to decide a favorite. Although, we found plenty of bridal inspiration on the red carpet.

From lip color to necklines we have the dish on the trends you should consider:

Side Sweep and Nude Lips 

Side swept curls create an elegant and timeless hairstyle that can work with a variety of dresses. Bright bold lipsticks dominated the runways last year but nude lips are here to stay! It can be hard to stray from your favorite shade of pink, but your groom will love how kissable you look.

Lupita's Delicate Headband

Lupita Nyong'o wore a custom Fred Leighton headband that was half princess and half goddess. We found  these beautiful pieces from Rent the Runway and Nordstrom so you can have your own delicate touch of sparkle.

https://www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/bridalaccessories_jewelry/goldenleaveshairband
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/cara-skinny-crystal-headband/3294146

Draped Neckline

                                                                         

It can be hard to break away from a sweetheart top, but these beautifully draped necklines won us over. Meryl Streep looked lovely with an off the shoulder version by Lanvin. Project Runway's alumni Kate Pankoke dressed Oscar Winner Emmanuel Lubezki's wife in a stunning navy gown. We love how the lace is seamlessly incorporated into the cowl neckline.


This is proof that although it may not be obvious, they are numerous ways to incorporate celebrity style into your wedding day. Now all we have to do is anxiously wait for next year's award season. Stay tune for more red carpet inspiration!

Trend for Thought: Statement Accessories

Statement Necklaces took the fashion world by storm last Spring, and this season the trend is seeping over into bridal.

I used to associate bold or large accessories with words like gaudy, tacky, and overdone. I'm happy to say I have come to realize that when done correctly, this trend can enhance your look and make you the epitome of stylish. 

There are various ways to rock statement accessories. You can easily tailor the trend to your wedding and use it to help tie your particular theme into your bridal look (Nothing says bohemian like a flower-crown).

Here are a few different ways to wear a bold piece on your wedding day: 

                                     Statement Necklace

                                                           

Show off your negligee with bold jewels or wear a pendant necklace backwards to enhance a backless gown. 

       Stacked Rings 

Why have just one? Stacked ring sets are becoming increasingly popular. I personally love the eclectic vibe they evoke. 

Over-sized Headpiece

Perfect for injecting a sense of couture, these pieces are so beautiful they could be featured on the cover of Vogue. Who doesn't want to look like a high fashion model on their wedding day?

2014 Wedding Trend: Pastels

There is one undeniable factor in all of the predicted trends for 2014: an abundance of color! I was particularly excited to see a pastel palette on the list. The muted tones are soft and romantic while the variety of colors keeps the look whimsical.

I'm not the only one loving this trend. Whitney Port recently showed off her inspiration boards for her upcoming wedding, and included was a beach themed board incorporating pops of pastel color.

                                                 

 For more on Whitney's inspiration boards: http://www.glamour.com/weddings/blogs/save-the-date/2014/02/help-whitney-port-pick-her-wed.html

In case you're having a hard time picturing this color scheme without a rabbit and colorful eggs, here are a few examples of how pastels can be chic and not cheesy.


                                                             

Oh the Places You Could Go!

Choosing your wedding location is a crucial decision. Destination venues are becoming increasingly popular and now represent 24% of all weddings. This could be an ideal solution for couples whose families are spread out. Having a destination ceremony is the perfect opportunity to bring everyone together. The average event lasts around 3 days, giving plenty of time to visit with friends and family and make memories you will remember for a lifetime.

These unique locations offer to die for scenic views  along with wedding amenities to make your planning process a breeze:

Alberta Canada

                               

This Particular wedding took place in a quaint town called Banff, in Alberta Canada. The location offers easy access to gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains with numerous lakeside hotels. 

For more on this location: http://www.travelalberta.us/places-to-go/banff-lake-louise

Ukraine's Kleven Train Tunnel

This fascinating tunnel was created when trees were allowed to grow freely, and a train which passes through 3 times a day was the only thing shaping their path. Many know the spot as "The Tunnel of Love." There are legends that say couples with true love will have their wishes granted in the tunnel. The passage is located near the town of Kleven, which is also home to the ruins of the Kleven Castle. 

To learn more on the town of Kleven visit: The town of Kleven

Virgin Islands Caneel Bay Resort

Beaches are always a stunning location for a wedding, but this spot in the Virgin Island takes it up a notch. There are seven beaches, all with unique spectacular views. The resort offers three all inclusive wedding packages to choose from to keep you relaxed and taken care of on your special day. 

More on Caneel Bay Resort: http://www.caneelbay.com/default.html

Ireland Bellinter House

This eighteenth century style country house features the best of both the in and outdoors. The location offers customized wedding packages for up to 200 guests and can include a wedding coordinator, bedrooms for you and your guest, a bridal suite and a complimentary makeup trial to name a few. My favorite part of this location is the breathtaking grounds that is home to ancient trees and an array of secluded trails to explore. 

More on the Bellinter House: http://www.bellinterhouse.com/home.htm

Gifts for the Groom

With Valentine's Day right around the corner it's time to start thinking about what to get your guy. Many people say women are hard to shop for, but I beg to differ. Of course I am biased, but I know so many gifts that will make any girl happy. For men on the other hand, options are limited for men.

Giving something special to your Groom on your wedding is a way to show your love even before being able to see each other. The gesture can be big or small; all that matters is that it comes from you with love.

To help make the decision easier I rounded up a few of my favorite ideas:

Personalized Accessory

                     

             These cuff links and humorous socks are ideal for the big day, and he can use them after.                   

Boudoir Photo Shoot

         

This gift may be unexpected, but your man will be happily surprised. Have a sexy private portrait session; just be sure to label it "For Your Eyes Only."

For His Hobbies
       
                Engraving is a great way to personalize an accessory for something he loves to do.

DIY Book of Love
             

You don't need to buy a fancy present, impress your groom with a book of memories he will always treasure.

1930's Wedding Inspiration

         
The 1930's may be know for the economic turmoil that was the Great Depression, but it's during difficult times that we escape to a world of fantasy. The decade is full of gorgeous wedding inspiration derived from the royalty of the time: film stars. Due to the risque short styles of the 1920's the public demanded a more conservative look for movie stars and entertainers. Costume designers did begin to cover more skin, but cleverly started using light slinky fabrics that hung to the body in a very seductive way.

Another aspect that defines the 1930's bridal look is the accessories. Touches of feather and fur give the look of opulence and Hollywood glamour. Finish off your wedding day style with a bold shade of maroon lipstick to emulate a sultry silver screen star.  Let's not forget about the men of the era, your groom can go bold and sophisticated with a classic top hat. Finally, there is nothing quite as adorable as a newsboy for a ring bearer.

Making the Most of your Dress Shopping Experience

Now that the holidays are over it's time for many people to get back to their everyday routine. This does not, however apply to brides-to-be. It's officially the season for dress shopping! The majority of weddings take place in the Summer and Fall months. Many gowns are by order only and can take up to six months to come in. Therefore, it's important to start dress shopping very early.

Being a consultant at a bridal salon, I work with brides and their entourages on a regular basis. Brides want their dress shopping to be memorable. It's heartbreaking when they leave disappointed.

Not everything about your dress shopping excursion can be controlled, but a little bit of planning can go a long way.

Here are my tips to help the day go smoothly:

1. Do Your Research
Your dress shopping doesn't start once you enter a bridal salon, it starts at home on your computer! Be sure to check out the salons in your area before making an appointment. Read the reviews and see which designers they carry. All this information will help you decide which locations you should visit and keeps you from trying to jam in five appointments in one day. Which brings me to my second point...




2. Less is More
I know it's tempting to bring your entire family and your six closet friends along for the day, but the more people you bring the more opinions and personalities are a long for the ride as well. You can always invite others to cake tastings and dress fittings to make sure everyone is included in the planning process.

3. Come Prepared
 Make sure you make any appointments necessary a couple weeks in advance. Salons will have to turn down a walk-in if they are already booked for the day. Also, you're going to be seeing yourself in a wedding dress for the first time: You need to look the part! Have your hair and makeup done and bring a pair of heels. Often dresses dictate which style hairstyle looks best. It's easiest to come with your hair down and bring a clip to quickly pull it up if necessary.

4. Be Open Minded
Often brides come in knowing exactly what they want and will not try on styles that stray from their vision. This becomes a problem when they try on numerous similar dresses and nothing seems to impress them. Be open to trying something completely different and trust your consultant and their suggestions. Maybe a style you never pictured yourself in could be the one!

Happy dress shopping!

Fabulous Floral

Winter may only be half over, but I am itching for Spring and its beautiful burst of colors! Just in case you're going through the mid-winter blues as well, I decided to feature a wedding trend that is all about the beauty of springtime:floral print! Vintage wedding themes are continuing to grow in popularity, and this look is a great way to add some interest with pattern in your decor. Another great thing about floral prints is they look best when they are mixed! You can incorporate them into everything from your dress to the cake!

                                                                               

               The Inspiration: June by Elaya Vaughn                                                                                   This Elaya Vaughn design features a floral print under a sheer overlay that gives the bridal gown a delicate romantic feel. You can find this gown and the entire Elaya Vaughn collection at http://www.elayavaughn.com/                                            

2014 Grammy's

These Grammy nominees rocked the music charts this year. From love songs to party music, there was a little something for everyone during last night's performances. We rounded up a few ways to incorporate their music into your wedding. From the proposal to the honeymoon, these musicians have you covered.


   
Just in case you're not convinced, here are a few wedding videos that will have to on YouTube for the rest of the day.


                                                                     Bruno Mars 

                           
            This lip dub proposal video started a massive trend, and features Bruno Mar's "Marry You."



                                                                     Taylor Swift 

                                                               

Using a Taylor Swift song for a wedding video is a no-brainer. This video features "Love Story," which is an oldie, but has earned its spot among classic love songs.

                                                                   Justin Timberlake

                                                                           
                     These groomsmen steal the show by dancing to Justin Timberlake's "Suit and Tie."


                                                                      Daft Punk

                                                                         
      Last but not least get your groove to Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" on the way to your honey moon!

Capturing the Moment: Your Engagement Session

When it comes to your engagement photos it's best to plan ahead. Think about what you want as a final result, and don't forget to have a little fun! Having an element of surprise will make your pictures memorable. There are a variety of ways to go about about your session, and we have a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

                                                                            Add Some Interest

                       

Make your engagement session stand out by finding a breathtaking location.

                                                                            Playful Fun

Being in front of a camera can feel pretty awkward, break the ice by enjoying an activity together to showcase your true personalities.




                                                                  Include Your Best Friend

           


Pets are part of the family, so it would only be natural to include your furry friend in your photos! Adorable animal plus sweet couple, be prepared for people to obsess over the cuteness.



                                                                              Favorite Activity 
 



   Do you have a hobby you both enjoy together? Plan your shoot around it to capture some fantastic action shots.