Welcome to the Best Wedding Sites Magazine . . . the wedding planning source for dream weddings and honeymoons. From your Engagement, to the Bridal Shower, to your Wedding Ceremony and Reception, to your Honeymoon - we have everything you will need for each stage of the wedding planning process.

Here you will find the archive of posts before the daily blogging moved permanently back to Brenda's Wedding Blog after hearing the comments and requests from my readers. Please be sure to visit our vendor guide to find your wedding pros and resources.

 

Entries in Articles and Tips (18)

7:45AM

Eyebrow Shaping 101 with Bridal Makeup Artist Susmta Patel

article courtesy of Susmta Patel, www.studiosush.com

Top Shape Brows For Your Upcoming Vows
Eyebrow Shaping 101 with Bridal Makeup Artist Susmta Patel

Perfectly shaped eyebrows can really change your overall look. How can you achieve the perfect shape? Work with your own eyebrow shape and frame—not against it. This means bone structure and eye set should be taken into consideration when trying to achieve shapely brows that wow.

There are three different kinds of eye sets: normal, close and wide set.

How to determine your eye set

Eye set is recognized by measuring your eye from the inner to outer corner. If your measurement is 7 cm and the distance between your two eyes is also the same, this means you have normal set eyes. If it is more, then you have wide set eyes and if it is less you have close set eyes.

Spacing

Recognizing your eye set will help as a starting point for the best fit eyebrow shape. If you have close set eyes, shaping will require more space between your eyebrows. The brows should begin a little past the inner eye to give the illusion of a normal eye set. If you have wide set eyes, then you should not over pluck in between your brows, less space will better suit your face.

Shaping

The eyebrow arch starts from your pupil and gradually goes up and then down towards the end. The arch shape depends on your bone structure. There are many different shapes of eyebrows. Rounded shaped eyebrows soften features. A good example of this shape is Sharon Stone eyebrows. Soft angle eyebrows, the most preferred shape, is arched and feminine. This is similar to Nicole Kidman's shape and usually goes well with a petite face. Angled eyebrows have a high arch and work well to mask droopy eyelids. It gives you a more youthful look. Straight eyebrows work best for those with a longer face shape face. Straight eyebrows make their face appear shorter and oval.

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9:51AM

Blank Slate to Final Beauty : tips for choosing your wedding venue

article courtesy of MyWedding.com

Wedding planning is now in full swing, and it’s time to choose a venue to host your special day. Popular locations often book dates a year or more in advance, so you must reserve your wedding date as soon as possible. But before you can do that, you and your fiancé must visit each venue and make a final decision on the perfect one. However, walking into an undecorated facility can feel overwhelming. It is difficult to envision your wedding décor and unique pizzazz on such a blank slate. But, there are some things you can do to help spark your imagination and truly conceptualize the final beautiful product while visiting.

It may go without saying, but before visiting a potential wedding location, make sure you book an appointment. You want to be able to take your time and discuss any questions you may have with the events coordinator. When scheduling, try to visit at the same time of day (and day of the week, if possible) you plan to have your wedding. That way it will be easier to really see what you have in mind with similar natural lighting and other environmental influences.

Before visiting, be sure to discuss with your partner any particular elements you desire and are looking for in your location of choice. Write down a list of any questions or concerns you may have and bring it along with you. It is all too common to get caught up in the amazing views and atmosphere and not remember anything when asked if you have any questions. And in order to avoid confusion later on in the decision making process, write down the answers to every question for each venue.

To continue reading the great tips for choosing your wedding venue, please
visit pages 5-6 in the August issue of The Best Wedding Sites Magazine.

Photograph courtesy of Lauren Methia Photography
Featured Venue: New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford

12:09PM

Weddings Trends for Summer 2011, as seen at The Wedding Salon

Mismatched Florals, Classic Mixed with Modern & Cocktail Style
Receptions are amongst the Hottest Trends for the Season Ahead

The Wedding Salon recently held their latest show in NYC. "We were thrilled to be able to celebrate such a memorable occasion with some of the top names in the industry including Sylvia Weinstock, Shawn Rabideau, Le Cirque & Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings in addition to over 1000 New York Brides!  We look forward to seeing all the trends from The Wedding Salon come to life in the season ahead," says Wedding Salon Founder and renowned Celebrity Event Planner, Tatiana Byron.

The ultimate trend that was seen at The Wedding Salon was a mix of classic and modern a true homage to Kate Middleton. Flowers by Topaz showcased this perfect mix with a display of roses for the ultra classic bride mixed with orchids for the ultra-modern woman. Shades of black, yellow and white were another modern twist on a classic look. Shawn Rabideau (of Bethenny Getting Married fame) also embraced the mix of traditional with modern by accenting antique china over an organic burlap linen. Rabideau further highlighted the modern twist my mixing a variety of flowers including pansies, hyacinth and tulips underneath a cascading willow centerpiece. {seen in photo below}

David Tutera designed a table fit for a modern queen for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings that additionally embraced the classic mixed with modern by mismatching tulips, roses and hydrangea with orchids & lilies. These mismatched florals cascaded over a classic display of china with floating candles and tea lights over regal silver linens.

Le Cirque revealed that although brides will always go for a classic sit down dinner, a huge trend in Summer 2011 will be the cocktail reception with passed mini-meals – Lobster Ravioli, Mini-Short Ribs, Mini Tuna Tartare and all the classic plates a bride and groom love but in a more informal setting. As for dessert, Le Cirque explained that brides are opting for more simplistic cakes, but instead choosing elaborate dessert displays with truffles, chocolate treats and macarons. Events by Devi of Top Chef fame reiterated the huge trend of cocktail style receptions with brides opting for more Asian flavors.

Another modern twist on a classic, the sleek silhouettes in the couture fashion show by The White Gown with figure fitting gowns showcasing the bride’s gorgeous figures. Jaehee Bridal additionally showcased these sleek silhouettes with classic Jenny Packham and Claire Pettibone gowns, a perfect fit for a classic but modern royal bride. 

12:10PM

Wedding Gift Tips

The top 10 wedding gift questions answered by the Gift Gurus at Gifts.com
Do I Have to Give an Engagement Gift?
The answer is no and yes. If the couple just got engaged, you are certainly welcome to give them a congratulatory gift, but no, you are not obligated to give them one. However, those who are very close to the bride and/or groom, often get a small gift to help assist in planning a wedding such as a wedding planner.  If you are invited to an engagement party and the invitation does not specify NOT to bring gifts, than yes – you are obligated to buy a gift. Since chances are small that they will have registered for anything yet, you can let your imagination run free when choosing something for them. If you need a little more direction — traditionally gifts for an engagement party center around entertaining & home decor such as personalized wine glasses or a piece of artwork.
 
Oh Wedding Registry, Where Art Thou?
If you think the betrothed are registered, but you don't know where, check out our registry finder at www.gifts.com which includes the registries of some of the most popular retailers. If you can't find their registry, double check the invitation (sometimes gift information is included for your convenience). Otherwise, don't feel shy about asking the parents of the bride or groom, a bridesmaid, groomsman,  Aunt Eloise or better yet, the happy couple themselves.

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