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Choosing your wedding-day makeup isn't always as easy as it sounds. You want to look like you, but if you don't wear a lot of makeup on a regular basis, you may be surprised at how much a professional applies to achieve that "natural" look. That's why makeup trials are so important — you need to make sure you and your artist share the same vision, and you may need more than one trial. After my first trial, I was speechless... for all the wrong reasons. I looked like a clown. Eventually, I found an artist who I connected with and who did exactly what I wanted — enhanced my best features without making it seem like I was wearing eight pounds of makeup. 

When going to your trial, it's always a good idea to bring photos of makeup looks you love. With the virtual makeover app ModiFace, you can actually upload your image and try out different looks, then print out the ones you love to bring to your trial. Need some inspiration? They've compiled the five most popular looks brides are trying this season:

Neutral Elegance

Get the look: This understated look uses washes of color in peach, pale pinks, and browns to create a soft, dewy glow. 

Bold Lips

I used to think that custom-designed jewelry was reserved for mega-watt stars or couples with really wacky taste (check out this Star Wars-inspired ring!). But when I went shopping for a wedding band with Jason, my fiancé, and we were unable to find anything that would fit next to my thin pavé engagement ring, my family jeweler, Raineri Jewelers, offered to create a new, thicker setting that would incorporate the center diamond and side stones I already had. The only alternatives were to wear multiple thin bands for a stacked effect — which to me, felt more like something I'd do with anniversary jewelry, not my everyday ring — or wear my wedding ring on a different hand than my e-ring.

I was fine with option #2, but my fiancé insisted on getting the thicker setting as an anniversary gift to celebrate eight years of dating, which was a sweet surprise. I'm over-the-moon about it, along with the wedding ring I selected to match. 

Note: The rings actually do fit closely together; I just pushed them apart for this photo so that you can get a better look at both of them. BG brides, do any of you wear your wedding ring around the house when no one is looking? Guilty as charged...

Attending at least one wedding this summer? BG staffers' calendars are jam-packed with fun shindigs that are coming up soon! But once the excitement of receiving a wedding invitation settles in, there's one inevitable question to answer besides checking off "will attend" and "won't attend" on the RSVP card: What are you going to wear? It can be difficult to determine what's appropriate for each affair. That's where we come in — whether it's a black-tie, semi-formal, or a beach wedding, you'll be sure to look stunning in this season's editors' picks featured below.

Black-Tie
This is the most formal wedding dress code so pull out all of the stops for this glamorous affair. Long evening gowns or fancy cocktail dresses in dark colors or neutrals are de rigeuer. Don't be afraid to be dramatic with your hair and makeup, whether it's a slicked-back bun, red lips, or smokey eyes. From jewelry to shoes, accessories should polish off your look.

Shopping credits from left to right:
Saison Blanche tulle trimmed gown in Black ($330)
Pronovias high-low gown in Blue (price available upon request)
Eden Bridals one shoulder gown in Teal ($268)

Guest blogger: Bonne Marcus
A fitness industry expert for 27 years, Marcus holds numerous certifications from the Aerobic Fitness Association of America (AFAA), including Step, Spin, Bosu™, Pre/Post Natal, Youth Fitness, Aqua, and Personal Training. She has taught for New York City’s top health clubs, including Crunch, New York Health and Racquet, and Reebok Sports Club. A recognized name on Long Island, Bonne has taught at Dany Holdstein’s Two Worlds, North Shore Health Club, LA Fitness, Sport time, Equinox and currently teaches at the Sid Jacobsen JCC in Roslyn. Learn more at getfitwithbonne.com.

Now more than ever before, fitness information is available wherever we turn. Whether it's found on TV, in books, online, or even from your best friend, information about fitness and health is constantly being thrown at us. As a trainer, I’ve discovered that most of my clients suffer not from a lack of information but from too much of it. Research-based info gets confused with popular belief; one person’s facts get confused with another’s outdated beliefs. Pretty soon, we do not know what to believe, and sometimes, it’s far easier to just give up. If you want to maximize your fitness program, it’s going to take the correct information. So let’s review some of the most common fitness mistakes and myths that can be easily avoided.

Loverly is the heart of weddings: a visual inspiration search engine designed to help brides discover ideas, people to hire, and things to buy. Loverly makes finding beautiful wedding inspiration easier than ever!

Nothing expresses the beauty and romance of a wedding, creates ambience and thrills the senses more than flowers. And if you’re wondering what some of the hottest trends are in floral bouquets and décor we’ve got the answers from noted Dutch floral designer and spokesperson for Lily Occasions, Rene van Rems. Rene is not only a master at creating breathtakingly beautiful bouquets and floral décor, but he’s also authored several books you might want to check out for inspiration, Rene’s Bouquets for Brides and Rene’s Bouquets, both available on Amazon.

Rene has also created, exclusively for Bridal Guide, (thank you, Rene!) the bouquets pictured here to illustrate floral trends. According to Rene, “old is new again as brides fall in love with the vintage look, full of romance and history.” Here, Rene’s trends, tips and gorgeous bouquets:

Style Trends

Recently, we had the pleasure of helping judge the second annual bridal gown design competition from the High School of Fashion Industries (HSFI), in partnership with Kleinfeld Bridal. Last year, students designed the wedding gown of the future. This year, each student designed the dress she'd wear to her own wedding. From 180 sketches, the judges narrowed it down to five finalists, who then brought their creations to life with the help of small teams of fellow students, using fabric provided by Mori Lee.

Joining us on the judging panel were Mara Urshel, co-owner of Kleinfeld; Dorothy Silver, Director of Sales and Merchandising at Kleinfeld; bridal designer Henry Roth; Sandra Manning, instructor at the High School of Fashion Industries; and Robert di Mauro, founder of the Industry Partnership Program and Advisory Board Member at the High School of Fashion Industries. Before the final judging, students also met with a number of industry pros, including Kleinfeld's Mara Urshel, bridal designers Michelle Roth and Madeline Gardner, and Bridal Guide's editor-in-chief, Diane Forden.

The designers, models, and judges at Kleinfeld

Happy Monday, all! This is my first blog post on my long road to dropping the extra pounds. I had a very busy weekend consisting of friends' birthdays, BBQs, and booze, where I ate and drank way more than I should have. It’s time to get back on track and whip myself into shape!

Photo Credit: Kzenon/iStockPhoto

Quick Tips:

Prep your meals on the weekend. Last Friday, I wrote down my grocery list with all of the meals I planned on making for the week. I’m obsessively organized, so this is a great way for me to make sure I’m eating healthy. Plus, I save money at the same time. On Sunday, I made my and Rene’s lunches for the week, chopping up all my fruits and veggies and packing them out into small snack bags for the week. I’m not messing around!

Count calories (without going crazy). I’m using the app called MyFitnessPal to track everything I eat. It's awesome because I put my weight and height in, and it tells me how many calories I’m allowed for the day (right now, I'm allowed 1370).

My name is Jennifer Crow (soon to be Mrs. Galarza), but you can call me Jen. I’m 25 years old, I currently live in Levittown, New York with my very handsome fiancé and our two crazy big dogs — and I’m overweight.

My fiancé Rene and I met and became friends eight years ago, when we worked together for a sports marketing company. A few years later, we started casually dating. I finally got sick of the random hang outs with no title and told him I was done. That day, September 19th, 2011, he told me he wanted to be with me, and from that day on we have been inseparable. 

He proposed on February 8, 2013. We went to Pocono Palace in Cove Haven, PA for a romantic weekend away (yes, we had one of those rooms you see on TV with the champagne glass bath tub). It was a little cheesy but super romantic and just what we needed. When we arrived to our room, I went in the bathroom to shower and when I came out (completely naked, might I add!) Rene was down on one knee. The bed was covered in rose petals that said, “Will you marry me?” He told me how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. It was absolutely perfect (and so is my ring!).

Bliss & Bone, which launched last week, now serves as a a great resource for the bride and groom who are looking to be unique, imaginative, and perfectionists throughout their wedding process. Bliss & Bone offers semi-custom luxury paper goods for your wedding; with products ranging from invitations, menus, and placecards to save the dates and cocktail linens, your whole wedding can have a seamless visually inspiring look. 

Crafted with materials such as acrylic, chiffon, tulle, and wood veneer, each piece is truly a piece of art. Check it out at blissandbone.com!

—Naima DiFranco