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Wedding Skincare: Plan and Start a Wedding Beauty Regimen

The ring is finally on your finger and you’ve marked the big day in your calendar. Now it’s time to start planning your beauty project. If you want your skin to look its best when they see you in that dreamy dress, and glow and dazzle in your wedding photos, you need to establish a skincare regimen as early as at least six months before the great event. There are several ways you can make your regimen a success.

Adjust your nutrition 

Changing your eating habits (drastically) can indeed nourish your skin. The food we consume is the source of various nutrients that our body needs to feed itself and function normally. To give your skin the glow you want, first kick out fast foods, unhealthy snacks, alcohol, and sugar-loaded drinks like sodas. Adopt a diet rich in vegetables of all kinds, especially carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, broccoli, kale, and other vegetables containing high levels of antioxidants. Fruit plays an important role too: make sure you eat sufficient amounts of cherries, grapes, oranges, strawberries, wild blueberries, mangos and the like, as they are also rich in antioxidants. To increase the effect of improved nutrition, pay attention to proper hydration as well—drink about 2.5 liters of water every day, and eliminate harmful habits like smoking.

Avoid stress 

Stress is said to have the undesirable ability to contribute to inflammation due to the fact that it harms the immune system. As a result, the skin can suffer from different conditions like psoriasis, eczema, or acne breakouts. To prevent that, learn to steer away from tension, anxiety, and stressful situations. Learn how to relax more and better handle the scenarios that may be threatening to your serenity. Do more of what calms you and helps you blow off steam, whether it is pilates or a nice long walk. Also, regulate your sleep to keep yourself well rested and better able to cope with potential stress.

Developing a daily treatment routine 

Another way to help your skin on its road to perfection is to acquire a strict daily skincare routine throughout the months preceding the wedding day. That means washing, cleansing, and exfoliating your face every morning and evening to maintain its hygiene. It helps make your skin free of enemies like dirt, harmful bacteria, excess oil, dead skin cells, etc., and will, therefore, keep your pores unclogged so your skin can breathe. Naturally, do not forget to use gentle, high-quality hydrating skin care products to moisturize—you will eliminate dryness by keeping your skin properly hydrated, fresh, and nourished. Moreover, you will want to take care of the skin areas that your dress doesn’t cover, like the neck and the shoulders, as they require regular treatment too.

Body brush

If you don’t already own one, get yourself a good body brush. Dry brushing your body once a day (preferably in the morning) can have a great impact on the skin: it can contribute to the removal of dead skin cells, it helps the pores remain unblocked, helps with ingrown hair, improves circulation and therefore also boosts cellulite treatment, and generally gives the skin more smoothness.

Fight the urge to pick and pop 

If you have a breakout of acne or a zit that is really irritating you, do not resort to popping, picking, or squeezing. You will further irritate the skin and add to the redness of the affected area, not to mention the risk of leaving scars, which is certainly something to be avoided.

Hygiene 

Always refrain from touching your face if you haven’t previously washed your hands to prevent getting dirt and bacteria on it. You can decrease the risk of having acne.

Start your regimen as early as you can and remain loyal to the skincare routines and habits you have set out for yourself, and you will wow everyone with your beautiful skin when you walk down that aisle.

A Guide to Planning a Backyard Wedding at Home

A Guide to Planning a Backyard Wedding at Home

“A copy is worse than nothing,” Frank Herbert wrote, and his words have never rung more true. Today, being original has become the ultimate challenge. While it’s definitely easier to go with, than against the stream, there is also the fact that we are immersed in trends to the point of sensory overload.

It is no wonder then that most couples decide to go for the obvious – a generic wedding: renting a venue, deciding on a menu and sending invitations sounds like a no-brainer. But if you’re one of those lucky people with a nice garden or a backyard and would prefer your wedding to have a more intimate, more romantic feel, organising a backyard wedding might be a great idea.

Think of the possibilities

Having a wedding at home has many advantages, but most importantly, it will give you the freedom of being in control of every single detail, from picking the date and creating a fully customised menu to decorating and using the space to its full potential.

Since it offers a lot of convenience and flexibility, this could be a perfect solution for couples on a budget who are feeling creative and like to be in control of things.

Plan well beforehand

You will need to start planning at least six months in advance, the most obvious reason being thorough preparation of your backyard. If your backyard is already in great shape, all the better, but if not, you will want to consider preparing the lawn: sowing grass and planting takes time. Flooring one part of your backyard might also be a good idea – it will even the terrain and prevent sticky situations in case of rain.

Also, you will need to check your insurance coverage, obtain a party permit if necessary, consider parking capacities for your guests, and, of course, check with the neighbours to see if they’d object to the noise.

Be prepared for anything

Once you’ve made sure your backyard will be able to accommodate your guests, carefully consider the furniture and the amenities that you plan to use and make an outline of where to place them. You will have to provide an adequate number of tables, chairs, benches, lounges and other seating to make everyone comfortable.

Portable bathrooms or toilets and washing stations are a must. Since at least one toilet for every thirty or so guests will be necessary, you might want to check the plumbing beforehand so as to avoid unpleasant accidents. Provide generators for powering the lights, the music, outdoor refrigerators, and other electricity-dependant equipment.

The weather is also an important factor in planning, as no matter the forecast, surprises are always possible. To protect your guests from both the sun and the rain, think about renting a quick-assembly tent or canopies, umbrellas, and parasols. Depending on the time of the year, try and include fans or outdoor heaters and blankets, especially if you’re planning to party far into the night.

Get personal

Probably one of the biggest advantages of having a wedding at home is the ability to decide on the decorations in detail. Once you’ve picked a theme, you can start your search for decorations and other objects to give a personal touch to the setting.

For example, trees can be used to hang banners, string lights, lanterns or glass jars with candles. Walls can be painted or, even better, covered with amazing outdoor wall art which is more durable, more weather-resistant, and easier to apply. The best thing is, it can grace your walls for many years to come.

Rustic-style wooden tables are a great choice if you don’t want to worry about dirtying the linens. Use tree stumps to place all the extra lightning, food or tableware that otherwise wouldn’t fit on the tables. And, to make it easier for your guests, you can put up signposts to point them in the direction of the amenities.

Reconsider your options

Making full use of the setting will require some well-thought-out planning. On one hand, you will want to include all that is necessary to accommodate your guests, store the food and drinks and provide maximum comfort. On the other hand, you will also want to avoid the space getting overcrowded and people being unable to move freely.

If your space allows it, having a bar would be a great idea, and if you’re keen on preparing the food by yourself, you can also include grills and roasters, or even a small outdoor kitchen. Otherwise, you will have to rely on caterers, in which case you’ll need to carefully plan the timing – you don’t want your wedding cake and other desserts to melt into a puddle of goo in the heat.

Enjoy the benefits

Organising a backyard wedding can be demanding, but it’s also very rewarding. In addition to the intimate, relaxed feel, it will also give you the opportunity to get exactly what you want at a relatively small expense. From chairs and tables to grills, tableware and decorations, you can use what you have, and what you don’t, you can always borrow or rent. Food can be prepared at home or catered, and if you don’t want to hire staff, you can ask your family and friends for help.

Finally, and I’m sure you’ll agree, there’s no better way to start a life together than bonding over organising your own wedding with a joint effort.

5 Non-Traditional Wedding Dress Ideas For Brides Who Don’t Want To Wear White

“Mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, listen. On my wedding, I’m going to wear… wait for it… pink.”

It wouldn’t be surprising to see your whole family, including your dog, glaring at you for saying this. Tradition suggests (enforces, rather) that every bride must wear white on her wedding day. When asked why, people will instinctively say, “white symbolizes purity of the soul.” But history explains that it is Queen Victoria who should be blamed for starting the whole white wedding dress bandwagon. In 1840, the queen wore a momentous white wedding gown. The wedding pictures were widely published and being a trendsetter during her reign, many other brides opted for white too. The norm has stuck ever since.

Most brides choose to follow, while some brides refuse to let tradition dictate their wedding fashion. If you have a solid style statement, here are some ways you can use a non-traditional wedding dress without taking away the “bridal” feel.

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5 Good Reasons Why You Should Never Skimp On Your Wedding Makeup

The stress of planning a wedding is no joke – plenty of things has to be done including the hunt for the best yet budget-friendly caterers, dressmakers, and photographers. Since it’s one of the most memorable events for the couple, everything has to be perfect. Not to downplay grooms but in most cases, the brides are the ones who get really exhilarated about the wedding day. Next to the wedding gown, the bridal hair and makeup are a crucial aspect, though they’re often put at the least of priorities.

With other wedding costs to keep in mind, we cannot blame frugal couples for skimping on these. Some brides opt for cheaper styling services, hire a non-pro makeup junkie, or even do their own wedding hair and makeup to cut expenses. But is omitting the need for a professional hair and makeup artist (HMUA) worth it?

When you look at the numbers, pro hair and makeup may seem a bit pricey. By the end of the day, the cosmetics will still fade so why bother throwing $150 for it? But if you come to realize the pros and cons of having your bridal look done by a professional, the good will knock off the bad. Here are five reasons why you shouldn’t scrimp on your look.

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A ravishing bride in a modest wedding gown.

5 Ways To Pull Off A Modest Wedding Gown Without Skimping On Style

If you think a wedding dress with long sleeves and covered décolletage look boring, I dare you to check out the bridal look of some prominent icons including Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, and Kate Middleton. These women, who were blessed with such killer physique and flawless skin, chose to go modest on their big day. But oh boy, they looked stunning and elegant. They prove that it’s indeed possible for a bride to shine without having to bare much flesh.

Fast forward to the 21st century, modest wedding gowns are a rare gem. Most modern brides opt for designs that show off their strongest features, and the styles are often arm, chest, and back-baring. Without a doubt, these gowns work well with modern, laidback wedding themes and venues, like beach or garden ceremonies. But if it’s going to be in a traditional church or temple setting, you might want to cover up.

If you want to want to go modest and covered without skimping on style, here are some tips to make your wedding dress work for you. Continue reading

10 Wedding Veil Ideas To Top Off Your Dream Bridal Look

No wedding accessory says “I can transform you into a ravishing bride” better than a veil.

There’s something magical about this seemingly basic headpiece. Firstly, a veil has the power to turn a girl into a ravishing bride in just a split second. It’s one of the most defining elements of a bridal look. Lose the gloves, lose the sparkly necklace, but a bride is not a bride without her veil.

Secondly, it has the power to make or break your look. It’s more than just an accessory. It is often the last finishing touch that binds everything together.

Lastly, it has the power to evoke emotions. Topping off your head with this thin layer of fabric while wearing your dress is a surefire way to make your mom, sister, and bridesmaids (and even your tough dad and brother) burst out in tears.

With this, choosing the perfect veil shouldn’t come as an afterthought.

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