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.

 

7:45AM

Outdoor Events, In This Heat??

article courtesy of Simply Perfect by Melissa, www.simplyperfectbymelissa.com

Stay Cool at the Hottest Summer Events

It’s been hotter than hot these last few months of summer and in the current heat wave the nation in experiencing, even the most put-together make-up mavens experience foundation slide from time to time.  With these handy tips, expert event planner Melissa Phillips of Simply Perfect by Melissa helps all of us - hosts and guests alike - to avoid those embarrassing yellow sweat stains and dark eyeliner circles:

  • Keep a stain stick in your bag – not only will this make laundry easier later, but it will help you avoid sweat and grass stains in the park too (no easy task). Melissa recommends Tide To Go Mini, Instant Stain Remover
  • Get your hair off your neck – there are plenty of creative styles other than the simple ponytail, so no need to feel boxed in, but it really is worth being able to feel a breeze behind the ears. Melissa recommends a chic top knot or a side bun
  • Choose cool fabrics – linen is not the only summer fabric out there – light, breathable fabrics and breezy silhouettes can make the day feel if not 10 degrees cooler than it actually is. Melissa recommendations cotton, chiffon or silk
  • Wear and carry sunscreen – this one seems like a no-brainer, but it is amazing how many people either forget that sunscreen needs to be reapplied frequently (especially when it seems like all your skin wants to do is sweat it off), or deliberately ignore this rule hoping for a tan and wind up burnt. Melissa recommends Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55
  • Keep flats in your purse – even if you can wear heels all day during the winter, sweaty summer feet are prone to blister and nobody likes a whiner, so even if you don’t think you’ll use them, it’s always best to have a footwear plan B. Melissa recommends Dr. Scholl’s Fast Flats
  • Paper fans are on their way back – a much chicer alternative to those nerdy battery-powered fan units, these will keep you looking and feeling cool and come in super-cheap and luxe models, so whatever your budget or style, go get your hands on one (or one in every color).  Hosts – fans also make great creative decorations, so set some out for your guests to use.
  • Set your makeup – Set your makeup, set your makeup!  Feel free to skip the moisturizer; a good primer makes all the difference in hot weather. If you don’t want your eye shadow down by your chin or your foundation running down your neck, using a setting spray after you apply your makeup is a fool proof trick to look flawless all night! Melissa recommends Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF 15 With Dermaxyl Complex by Smashbox and All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray by Urban Decay

About Simply Perfect: Simply Perfect by Melissa works for and with their customers to deliver exceptional event coordination solutions. The customer focus helps them to understand and deliver your event vision. They offer exceptional service, value, extensive industry knowledge, and quality vendor relationships to create your Simply Perfect event. Their relationships with clients, colleagues, and partners are based on collaboration, communication and integrity. The services Simply Perfect by Melissa offers is a range from complete wedding planning months prior to your wedding day to sudden problems or challenges that occur the day of your wedding. For more information on Simply Perfect by Melissa visit www.simplyperfectbymelissa.com

Photo Credits:
silk chiffon dress from J. Crew, bun from onsugar, paper fans from Beau-coup, flat shoe from Footzyrolls

Beau-coup and Footzyrolls are affiliates with Best Wedding Sites

Sponsored Ad:

Shop at FootzyRolls

7:30AM

Shopping by Color : Navy Blue + Yellow Invitations and Paper Goods

A super popular feature from the Best Wedding Sites Magazine is here today. It's the Shopping by Color feature. Today we're focusing on invitations and invitation suites in the lovely color combo of navy blue and yellow. Since this magazine is meant to be interactive, I'm calling all invitation designers to please leave us a link to your navy blue and yellow invitations if you have any.

The Elizabeth Invitation | Two Turtle Doves | New Jersey {ships worldwide}

Tweet Tweet Love Birdies | Inviting Moments | Kentucky {ships worldwide}

Digital Wildflower Placecard Template | Two Yellow Shoes | Massachusetts

7:31AM

Real Wedding : lemons and calla lilies at Eolia Mansion in Connecticut

We're kicking off a brand new week of the Best Wedding Sites Magazine with the gorgeous wedding of Jennifer and Tim in navy blue and yellow with touches of grey added in. Stay tuned all week long for new inspiration each and every day. Today's wedding was photographed by Sassy Mouth Photography.

Vendors:
Photographer: Sassy Mouth Photography
Venue: Eolia Mansion at Harkness Park
Catering: Culinary Concerts

10:45AM

Recipes : Pina Colada BonBons + Flourless Chocolate Cake

Eat, Drink and Be Married with The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley. While some brides dream of grand wedding affairs, the reality of wedding budgets sometimes requires a bit of creativity. As customized cocktails and desserts continue to be a huge wedding trend, The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley offers great DIY recipes for the bride that will help keep costs in check. The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley provides fresh fruit flavors in an easy to use frozen format that will make pulling off a grande fete a breeze. Today it's all about desserts. And, next Friday it's all about cocktails.

Pina Colada BonBons

Ganache Filling:
- 3 oz. Perfect Purée Passion Fruit concentrate
- 9 oz. Perfect Purée Coconut puree
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- 16 oz. bittersweet chocolate
- 3 oz. shredded coconut, lightly toasted
- 3 tbsp. dark rum
- 1 pinch of salt

In a heavy bottom sauce pan, bring Passion Fruit concentrate, Coconut puree and sugar to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute. Whisk in chocolate, shredded coconut, rum and salt. Set aside and keep warm.

To Assemble: Temper 24 oz. dark chocolate, then line bonbon pan with chocolate and allow to set. Fill molds with ganache and top off with tempered chocolate. Unmold and serve. 

 

Flourless Chocolate Cake with Passion Fruit Coulis 

- 16oz semi sweet chocolate
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp butter
- 5 large eggs, separated
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp Perfect Purée Passion Fruit concentrate, thawed

Put chocolate and 1/2 cup butter in a heatproof bowl. Set over a pan of simmering water and melt, stirring often. While your chocolate butter mixture is cooling, butter a round 9" x 2" pan and line with a parchment circle then butter the parchment with the remaining 2 tbsp. of butter. Separate egg yolks from egg whites and put into separate bowls. Add sugar and Passion Fruit in with yolks. Whip egg whites in a medium-large grease free bowl until stiff peaks are formed (do not over-whip or the cake will be dry). With the same beater beat the egg yolk mixture until pale in color and has some volume. Add the yolk mixture to the cooled chocolate. Fold in 1/3 of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture and follow with remaining whites. Fold until no white remains without deflating the batter. Pour batter into prepared pan. The batter should fill the pan 3/4 of the way full, and bake at 375° F for 25 minutes until an instant read thermometer reads 140°F. * Note - If you do not have an instant read thermometer, the top of the cake will look similar to a brownie and a cake tester will appear wet. Cool cake on a rack for 10 minutes, then unmold.

7:30AM

Inspiration Board : Navy Blue + Yellow w/stripes and patterns

Today we are joined by Chandra of Oh Lovely Day who has created a beautiful inspiration board in this months color palette - navy blue and yellow. I love the combination of the stripes {bow on vase, cushions on seats} with the patterns {clutch, invitations}. And, I'm in love with the tiered cake paired with the single tier cakes. What's your favorite idea?

Photo Credits:
Top Row: earringsbride & bridesmaidsfloralsclutch
Middle Row: menucakesboutmaid with pomander
Bottom Row: table & chairsbuntingchevron tray

Much love to Chandra for joining us today. Please be sure to visit her blog, Oh Lovely Day where it's all about ideas to "make your wedding YOU". You will find vintage, chic, stylish, homemade, handmade, and do-it-yourself inspiration.

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.

Click to read more ...

7:45AM

The Best Wedding Sites Giveaway for September

The brand new giveaway for the month is here. You can enter to win the following prizes here.

  • A dark blue floral barrette with glass flower beads, Swarovski pearls
    and crystals on a 2 3/4" French-style barrette base from Tilley Jewels
  • The Glitz and Glamour package from Wilton
    {Invitations, Gift Card Holder, Graceful Wedding Day, Unity Candle Set, Gold Favor Kit}
  • A handpainted parasol from Kio Kreations in your color choice w/ either "Thank You" or "Just Married"
  • A $50 gift certificate for shopping at Brides Village