Friday, July 17, 2009

Dress of the Day

Today's dress comes from Monique Lhuillier. The dress style is called Leila and it is from the Fall 2009 Platinum Collection.

*Image from MoniqueLhuillier.com

The dress is tulle and has a tea length skirt. The shorter skirt is a modern option for a bride. It would be perfect for a morning ceremony and a brunch reception, or even an early dinner. The ornamentation is very formal, so the dress would still be suitable for formal ceremonies and receptions. The bodice of the dress is an illusion style, from a distance it appears strapless, but there is a sheer tulle sleeveless bodice adorned with crystals, sequins and pearls.
If you select a shorter dress for yourself, make sure to choose shorter gowns for your bridesmaids. This is an ideal way to show off those perfect wedding shoes you spent weeks or months searching for to match your gown!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Bridal Bootcamp

I am a bit of a fitness junkie - my day is not complete unless I get a good workout in. My workouts always vary and have been known to include running outside, spin class, the elliptical, the treadmill, pilates, yoga, body sculpting, free weights and nautilus machines. I love working out, but even I was concerned about getting in better shape for the big day and the beach honeymoon following.

The weather has been amazing, so I make it a point to get outside and run. The sun is a serious motivator, no one wants to run in the rain. Just don't forget your sunscreen! Tan lines DO NOT complement a strapless gown.

Strength training has been my focus recently. It's my least favorite part of working out so it is definitely where I need to direct my efforts. My new favorite strength training exercises are done using a resistance band. I like to work out with a resistance band because you can do it anywhere. If my workout is outside, I don't necessarily want to go to the gym so I can use the bands at home. I can also toss it in my bag if I go away so if I can only run or use a small hotel gym, I can still get in good strengthening exercises. Follow these resistance band exercise instructions below. The pictures are available on About.com.

Chest Press
Wrap the band around something stable behind you and hold handles in both hands, tubing running along the inside of the arms (under the armpits), palms facing each other. Squeeze chest and press arms out in front of you. Return to start and repeat.

Bent Over Row
Center tube under feet and bend forward at the waist, back flat and abs in. Grab tube close to the feet and bend the elbows to pull the arms up to the torso, squeezing the back. You can also do a seated version (see picture to right) on a ball or chair.

Rear Delt Row
Wrap band around stable object and sit (or stand) facing it, holding the handles with arms out in front, palms down. Pull the elbows back until level with torso, squeezing the shoulder blades and keeping arms parallel to ground.

One-Armed Reverse Fly
With front foot standing on one end of the band, hold other end in one hand and lean over, abs in, torso at 45 degrees. Keeping elbow slight bent and in fixed position, raise arm out to shoulder level, squeezing shoulder blades.

One-Armed Lateral Raise
Sit (or stand) with one end of tube under foot and the other end in one hand. Keeping elbow slightly bent and fixed, lift the arm out to side, to shoulder level.

Overhead Press
Place both feet on tube and grasp handles, bringing hands up just over shoulders with elbows bent and palms in. Press arms up over head and then lower.

External Rotation
Attach band to a sturdy object and sit or stand with right side facing object, holding handle in the left hand. Begin with hand in front of belly, elbow at 90 degrees. Keeping elbow in fixed position, rotate the forearm out to the side to about 30-45 degrees (not too far!). Skip this move if you have shoulder problems.

Bicep Curl
Place both feet on tube and grasp handles (the wider the feet, the harder the exercise). Bend the elbows and curl hands up towards shoulder. Lower and repeat.

Cross-Body Bicep
Place left foot on band and hold the handle in right hand. Begin the move with palm facing in and bend the elbow, curling hand up towards the shoulder, going across the body.

Band Kickback
Attach band to sturdy object in front of you in a split stance, bent at the waist with abs in. Hold handle in one hand, elbow bent. Straighten the arm, contracting the back of the arm.


From mackieshilstone.com

Monday, July 13, 2009

Wedding Favors

This past weekend, Mr. Bliss and I went to meet with our florist and reception venue for status meetings and menu planning. We accomplished a lot and I hoped to narrow my to-do list but instead, managed to come up with a hundred new questions to address and a million things to add to the list to take care of in the next two months. Thankfully, I enjoy being busy and the wedding tasks are fun for me. :)

One of the outstanding "TO-DOs" on my list is currently the favor. I don't really like traditional favors - I think it is a waste of money to give a porcelain frame or tin of candy that will be packed away and forgotten by our guests. One of my favorite favor ideas is a photo booth. It is fun and interactive, it gets your guests up and moving. It also gives them a fun memory to bring home.

Check out this link for more info about photo booths!

Some photo booths allow you to customize the print-out, so you can add your names and date of your wedding so your guests can save the pictures and remember the fun they had that day.

Remember to ask your photo booth supplier about getting copies of the photos for your photo albums too!

Photo from www.rentphotobooths.com/

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Custom Eyelet Stamps

My stationer created custom stamps for our outer envelope and response envelopes to complement our invitation suite. She used the sweet eyelet detail that is blind embossed on our invitations as a background for the the stamps. She created them on Zazzle.com. It's a nice opportunity to add a bit of style to your envelopes and personalize the stamps to be your very own!
Here are some close-ups of our stamps!
Response Envelope:

Outer Envelope:

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Dress of the Day

I adore lace. It's so feminine and delicate. Today, I chose to feature a dress by Amsale.

*Image from Amsale.com

It's simple, yet sexy. this gorgeous Alençon lace is a modified A-line, a very flattering cut. There is a sweet organza flower detail at the waist. The lace at the top of the bodice creates a delicate scalloped edge.
While dress shopping, I tried on several lace dresses-including this one!- because I think they are so beautiful, but they weren't for me. I am bringing lace into my wedding through other details (like my invitations!).

What style dresses did you fashionista brides-to-be choose?

Thursday, July 2, 2009

All Weddings, All the Time

Rainbow Media, the company behind the WE channel - home of Platinum Weddings, My Fair Wedding, Bridezillas and Amazing Wedding Cakes - is set to launch a new wedding network!

Read the full story here!

Check out WE go Bridal for programming information and wedding tips!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Eyelet Invitations and Copperplate Calligraphy

I'm happy to say, I have finally completed the calligraphy for all of my invitations! It has taken hours and hours and hours, but it is worth it to me to have been able to do this for my own wedding. Once the stamps go on them all, they can go into the mail and on to our guests. Then my living room can be taken over by another wedding project!

Without further ado, here are some more pictures of the invitation suite:




And here is some of the calligraphy!



And here is more of what my living room looked like during one of my sessions: