Blogs

Guest blogger: Emma Arendoski, founder and CEO of Emmaline Bride, The Wedding Guide for the Handmade Bride, a website dedicated to all things handmade for weddings. Launched in 2009, the site has grown into the leading online voice for handmade weddings. Emma's mission is to empower her readers to support handmade through the use of handcrafted wedding items for all parts of the wedding planning process.

Here, she shares an excerpt from her first book, The Handcrafted Wedding: More Than 300 Fun and Imaginative Handcrafted Ways to Personalize Your Wedding Day (Sellers Publishing, October 2012).

Photo Credit: © 2012 Eric Boneske Photography

With thoughtfully planned details and fun activities for guests, your wedding celebration will be the party to end all parties, one they’ll remember long after the last song is played.

Each week, we feature wedding music recommendations from Scratch Weddings, the nation's leader with the best wedding DJs at affordable prices. This week's post comes from DJ Bounce made his debut on the turntables in late 2000 and hasn't looked back. His raw talent and dedication to the craft, has made him the most sought after DJ for couples in the Washington DC area. DJ Bounce gives the extra effort to weddings and couples. "The fun part is the good vibe I get from everybody. In order for that to happen, I try to be the couple's and the people's DJ by delivering good music, good mixing, lots of dancing and good vibes. Everybody wins."
Photo Credit: Julie Pepin

This weekend, our fashion editor will be reporting live from the bridal runway shows in Chicago! Follow us on Instagram or Twitter for up-to-the-minute trend updates and tons of exclusive photos. 

Catch up now on our hottest features this week:

Our real bride blogger Lisa is brainstorming how to light up her wedding reception. Check out her awe-inspiring ideas here!

From your ceremony processional to the very last dance, find tons of song recommendations for your wedding.

Not a fan of traditional engagement photos? Then you're going to love these themed shoots filled with imagination.

Q. I think receiving lines are outdated and take up too much time. It is necessary that we have one? I’m worried that our schedule will be delayed by having to greet each of our 175 guests after the ceremony. Any suggestions? 

A. Although a receiving line is not necessary, taking time on your wedding day to greet all of your guests is. If you choose to forgo a line altogether, then be sure to take some time during the reception to visit each table and thank your guests for helping you to celebrate your marriage. They’ll want to congratulate you, and they will greatly appreciate your consideration. 

Photo Credit: Rebekah J. Murray Photography

If you do decide to have a receiving line, there are several things you can do to keep things moving. Consider having a smaller receiving line after the ceremony: The traditional line, which includes parents and attendants, can be shortened to just the two of you and your parents. If you keep your conversations pleasant but brief, the line should move quickly.

If you’re like me, you may be tempted to put this lovely green vine on a wall. But trust me, the bendy silicone form functions best as it’s meant to be used. The so-called roasting laurel elevates poultry and roasts to grease-reduced, healthier states of being.Plus, it can steam fish and corral veggies into submission. It makes a sturdy trivet, too. Bonus: It’s really fun to use (Prepara Roasting Laurel, $24.99, prepara.com). 

—Mary Clarke

With Chicago Bridal Market opening this weekend, where designers present all their new bridal designs, I thought I would look back at the most outrageous and fashion-forward looks of last season. What do you think of Vera Wang's collection of red bridal gowns? Oscar de La Renta's magnificent tulle cape and Carolina Herrera's bridal pant suit? Would you wear these looks on your wedding day? What trend do you hope to see this upcoming season at market?

For up-to-the-minute updates from the runway shows this weekend, be sure to follow us on Instagram or Twitter!

—Naima DiFranco

I love looking through real wedding photos of couples that incorporated handmade touches into their big day. Although it’s difficult for me to complete a lot of these DIY projects while I’m still in graduate school, I’d like to make as much as I can to add that special touch.

One trend I’ve been obsessed with lately is paper flowers. They’re usually pretty easy to make, and you can do them months in advance—without worrying about wilting! Plus, they’re budget-friendly and will last forever. This step-by-step paper flowers tutorial shows you how easy it is to spruce up your space. I also found these photos to serve as inspiration.

1. Multi-colored bouquet.  I'm not having a ceremony since I'm throwing a second wedding reception, so a bouquet hasn’t been a top priority for me. However, I would still like to do a traditional bouquet toss during the celebration. I love how this ornate one ties in beautiful autumnal colors, and even incorporates buttons.

Bridal Guide made a visit to nuBest Salon and Spa in Manhasset, NY, which is considered the premier beauty destination of Long Island, catering to many high-profile clients, such as Jamie-Lynn Sigler, LL Cool J, Lance Bass, and Joey Fatone (among many others), as well as offering amazing bridal packages. 

1. Hair treatments are becoming very popular for brides-to-be. Which products or treatments do you reccomend?
Weekly conditioning treatments are recommended, and shine glaze can be applied right before the wedding for that extra special shine. This will make your hair look luscious, healthy and shiny in photos. A few ideal treatments offered at nuBest are the Steam Conditioning Treatment, Kerastase Treatment, and Moroccan Oil Treatment.

2. What face shape is best for updos? Or which style updos work best for different face shapes?
The appropriate updo has much less to do with face shape than other factors, such as headpieces/hair accessories and the wedding dress. These factors will be more helpful in determining the best hairstyle, whether that is an updo, half up, side sweep, or a down style. The cut and style of her dress may look better with a certain hairstyle; for example, high necklines look better with updos. Curled down styles have become increasingly more popular lately.

3. What are good bridal hairstyle options for women with short hair?
"Women with short hair have as many options as those with long hair. One option for short hair is adding extensions. Or, use chic hair accessories or lovely finger waves to add glamor to the look."

Hello again, BG readers! While I wait for my official wedding photos to come back from my photographer (stay tuned for full recaps of my décor, amazing Christos gown and heartfelt highlights from the day), I'd love to share what newlywed life has been like for Michael and I.

We jetsetted to Hawaii for our honeymoon, where we enjoyed luxurious oceanside massages, scenic ATV rides and lazy beach days.

After two blissful weeks, we arrived back to New York, where we live, and were slammed back into reality. Here, the errands that brought me back down to earth.

1. Endless piles of dirty laundry. Despite doing my laundry every single day for countless years, I was still in shock when I realized just how much clothing I needed to clean upon our return. After an 11-hour flight, I dove right into sorting everything; I spent six hours washing and drying, two of which were spent hand-washing delicates. If you can, I would recommend breaking up the laundering into two days. First, wash any underwear, bathing suits, and any other clothing that you may have worn outdoors. The next day, you can do the rest.

If you’re looking for some fantastic items for your wedding, check out One Kings Lane today. There’s a special "Tastemaker Wedding Event" sale going on and you can purchase anything from favors and centerpieces to stationery and jewelry. You’ll also find inspiration for an Autumn/rustic wedding, a Classic, elegant celebration and a Modern affair. But hurry—the sale ends this Thursday.

And be sure to take a look at Ron Wendt Design. Ron is one of the Tastemaker pros featured on the One Kings Lane wedding event and his gorgeous floral designs are sure to give you a thrill.

Here’s a look at just a few of his beautiful creations: