Top 5 Centerpieces for a Christmas themed Wedding
I recently took on the challenge of finding a centerpiece for a Christmas themed wedding. There are so many different options out there but here are my top five picks!
Wedding Centerpieces
Wedding centerpieces help tie together the look of your entire table setting. The centerpieces will influence the linens you choose, the size of the tables and even the number of guests you seat on each table.
It’s important to discuss beforehand the centerpiece options available to you with your decorator and caterer.
Things to keep in mind when selecting your centerpieces
The height of the centerpiece also needs to be carefully considered. If the centerpiece you choose is something thin like a beautiful candle, the height won’t matter. In fact you may need it to be really tall to get noticed. On the other hand if the wedding centerpiece is a floral arrangement, ensure that it is short enough that guests can see each other over the arrangement. Often people choose wedding centerpieces that are so overwhelming that guests cannot even see each other across them, let alone hold a conversation!
Of course, your budget will largely determine the wedding centerpiece you choose. Wedding centerpieces can be very affordable or very extravagant. It’s up to you to decide how much to spend.
You could also choose a wedding centerpiece that doubles as wedding party favors. This is a great idea because it allows you to combine your budget for the wedding centerpieces and the party favors and afford something better.
Wedding centerpiece options
Floral arrangements are the most common and traditional wedding centerpiece options. They can vary from small exotic arrangements to large effusive ones. If you want the wedding centerpiece to double as a party favor, think about placing a small potted plant that also acts as the place card holders, after the party guests can take their plant home. This works very well and merges with the wedding decoration for a garden theme party.
Tabletop fountains make for exotic wedding centerpieces. They can certainly add an Asian feel to your entire wedding reception. Place votive candles around the fountain to give an exotic feel.
A crystal bowl filled with rose petals floating in water makes a great wedding centerpiece. You can add floating candles if the wedding reception is at night. The roses not only add romance to the atmosphere, but their fragrance will enhance the entire wedding decoration.
There are many options available when choosing your wedding centerpieces, and they are a big part of the overall wedding decoration, so give them the attention they deserve. You’ll be surprised how much they bring to your reception.
Oscar De La Renta Fall 2007~Wedding Dresses
Here is some runway footage of Oscar de la Renta’s Fall 2007 runway show. This clip covers runway styles as well as giving you an interview with the designer. Enjoy!
Breathtaking Wedding Up-Do
Get the Look Bridal Make-Up from Bobbi Brown
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- Eye Cream- Pat a lightweight eye cream, under the eyes to smooth skin and prepare it for concealer.
- Moisturize- this will give you an even application of foundation and prevent cakeiness in those dry areas.
- Concealer- Concealer brightens up your face and lifts your look in pictures. Apply Creamy Concealer Kit on dark circles using the Concealer Brush. For extra-dark circles, start with a Corrector, then layer on your regular concealer. Never apply concealer on eyelids; it will cause eye makeup to smear and crease.
- Yellow Toned Foundation: Flash photography emphasizes pink tones, so be sure to even out your skin with a yellow-toned foundation. Start around the nose and mouth where there’s redness, then blend out to the rest of the face.
- Powder: Powder is a wedding day essential. Set concealer and foundation with Sheer Finish Loose Powder to make them longer-lasting and to ensure that skin looks matte in pictures. Keep Blotting Papers in your purse for touch-ups throughout the day. These powder-free papers absorb excess shine while leaving your makeup looking flawless.
- Eye Shadow- Sweep a light Eye Shadow from lashline to browbone applied with the Eye Shader Brush. Follow with a medium shadow on lower lid using the Eye Shadow Brush.
- Eye Liner & Mascara- Define eyes with black or brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner on upper lashline with the Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush. Match with a black or brown Eye Shadow along lower lashline with a slightly damp Eye Liner Brush.
To open up eyes even more, curl lashes before applying mascara. Finish with two coats of
Lash Glamour Lengthening Mascara.
- Blush- For a pretty flush that lasts through the ceremony and reception, use two shades of Blush. Bobbi recommends using a touch more Blush than usual to avoid looking washed-out in your wedding day pictures.
Apply a neutral Blush on the apples of cheeks with
Blush Brush, blending up into the hairline, then downwards to soften. Finish with a pop of brighter blush, just on the apples of cheeks.
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Great Tips from Bobbi Brown
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For fresh, dewy cheeks, opt for Cream Blush Stick. For a sheer stain on cheeks, use rosy shades of Pot Rouge For Lips And Cheeks.
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Neutral and pale lipsticks look washed out in photographs, so choose a Lip Color that’s one to two shades brighter than what you normally wear.
To make lipstick last longer, line and fill in lips with Lip Liner before applying your lipstick.
For precise application, use a Lip Brush to apply your lipstick.
Finish your look with a touch of Lip Gloss to make lips look fuller.
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Ring Bearer Dog Tee
Unique Wedding Favor~ Custom Sea Shells
10 Steps to the Perfect Wedding Hairstyle
Deciding what to do with your hair on your wedding day has to be one of the hardest decisions ever! It can turn even the best of brides into Bridezilla. So take precautions and start early!!! When I was working in the salon, this had to be the most stressful and rewarding time for both the Bride and I. To make this time a little easier for both the stylist and the bride, here are ten steps to achieving that perfect wedding hair!
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- Pick your dress: Evaluate your dress if it is really elegant you may want to wear your hair up. If it is more casual you may want to wear it down. But you could always do the opposite to either dress up or dress down a dress. You just have to look at your dress and decide what is best for you and your style. Plus consider the over all theme of your wedding. If it is more casual wear your hair down; more elegant wear it up.
- Pick your Hairpiece: Or at least have in mind what you want in your hair. You would be surprised at how many hairstyles these piece of information can eliminate.
- Is Your Hair Long or Short: If your hair is short but you want to wear an updo, start growing it out as soon as possible. Keep in mind: Hair grows about half an inch per month.
- Look through Magazines or the Internet: Get an idea of the styles you like and don’t like and compile a book to show your hairstylist. Don’t choose an outrageous, over-the-top hairstyle if your normal style is sleek and simple. You’ll feel uncomfortable, and you won’t look like yourself.
- Schedule Two Hair Appointments: Talk to your stylist and make two hair appointments. You want one on the day of your wedding (several hours before your ceremony, so you won’t be rushed.) and the other about a week before. If you have a stylist that gets booked quickly you’re going to want to schedule your appointments far in advance. Bring all hair accessories with you to both of your appointments.   Also bring the book of hairstyles you like and a picture of your wedding dress. This will help you both decide what style would be the best for that special day.
- Get Regular Trims!: I don’t think I can say this enough!  Even if you are growing your hair out, you need regular trims. They keep your hair healthy and prevent split ends. Ultimately your hair will look better in your updo if you get your hair trimmed regularly.
- Color: If you get your hair colored regularly get it done about 1-2 weeks before your wedding. This will give you a little extra comfort in case something should go wrong; there is time to fix it. Plus color looks the best after a couple of weeks. If your hair is a little drab and you normally don’t get color, but you want something to spruce it up, I suggest going for some subtle highlights. But DO NOT do partial highlights meaning only the top layers of your hair are colored) if you plan to wear an updo on your wedding day. The two-tone look won’t be flattering.
- Make a Wedding Day Hair Survival Kit: Assemble a “hair repair” kit for the big day, stocked with extra pins and any styling products for last-minute touch-ups. Ask a bridesmaid to make sure it’s with you when you dress.
- What to Wear: On the day of your wedding, wear a loose shirt that zips or buttons in the front so that you won’t ruin your do when you change into your wedding dress.
- Have Fun! : This is your big day, make the most of it. Â Take some champagne or sparkling grape juice to the salon with you. Also have one of your best friends go with you to keep you calm and just to have fun with.
Get the Perfect Pedicure from Home
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Your wedding is quickly approaching and you have decided to wear open toed shoes or even go barefoot. But after the long months of wedding planning, do your feet look like something out of a horror movie, with thick, malicious, cuticles creepy up and taking over our toes!!!! It is Attack of the Ugly Feet! Ahhhhh!!!! If you feel like burring our feet in the sand or running away and hiding, don’t you worry here are 10 easy steps to banish the ugly feet blues and get you ready to strut those beautiful wedding shoes with pride!!!!
Materials:
- Basin or tub
- Foot Soak, Epsom Salt or Bath Salts
- Exfoliating Foot Scrub
- Pumice Footstone
- Small Brush
- Nail Polish Remover (acetone free)
- Cotton Balls
- Nail Polish
- Base Coat Â
- Top Coat Â
- Toenail Clippers
- File
- 4-Way Buffer (optional)
- Orangewood stick (Cuticle Stick)
- Lotion
- Foot scrub treatment
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- First things first, fill a warm basin or bath with several inches of water–the water should come up to at least your ankles. As the water is running, add a desired amount of foot soak, bath salts or Epsom salt so that it dissolves in the water as the tub fills. When soaking your feet, add a few drops of tea tree oil to the water to fight athlete’s foot and reduce itchiness. You can even add some scented oil or flower petals to really pamper yourself. Go ahead you deserve it! Â
- Now, remove that old cracked nail polish off your toes while the tub or basin is filling. Be sure to use a non-acetone remover; acetone can dry out your nails. Â
- Next, cut your toenails straight across. Do it any other way and you risk in-growing nails. Then gently smooth the edges with a nail file. Be sure to file one side and then the other. DO NOT SAW, you are not a lumberjack and sawing ruins your nails! Also be sure to file before soaking your feet. Once feet have soaked in water your nails become soft and pliable and they become very easy to damage. You can also use a four-way buffer to give nails an added shine. Â
- Next soak your feet for about 10-15min. in a warm basin or bath. Grab a book or listen to some music and just relax! Â
- I know you could sit there for hours but it is time to get busy! Now, pat your feet dry with a towel. Using the small brush, gently buff one foot first and then the other. This will help to remove some dead skin cells and also to soften your feet. A pumice footstone can work wonders for dry and rough feet! Use this to eliminate remaining rough spots. Dip feet after this step. Â
- Now, here comes my favorite part, the exfoliating foot scrub! Pat feet dry again and using a foot scrub, massage the cream onto your feet, paying special attention to your heels and any rough spots. This will further soften and exfoliate. Â
- Once you’ve dried your feet, massage them with a moisturizer or rich foot cream that’s packed with refreshing, nice-smelling ingredients like mint. Better still, get someone else to do it while you sit back and relax! Â
- Apply some cuticle oil, if you don’t have cuticle oil olive oil works just as well, and then massage into cuticles. Then, using orangewood stick, gently push your cuticles back along the nail. They should be pliable due to the soaking. Â
- If you wish to paint your toenails, you can use toe separators or rolled cotton to help the process. Apply a base coat, starting in the middle of the toenail, to fill in the ridges and uneven surfaces. Base coats are generally clear or slightly opaque and they help to strengthen the nail to avoid breakage. When they’re dry, add two coats of color – but wait two to three minutes between coats. (Hint: For touch-ups, dip a Q-tip in the nail polish remover and gently swab away the unwanted color.) Also remember that fingernail and toenail polishes don’t have to match. Try varying the shades a lighter color on your hands and a darker on the toes, for something fun and different! Â
- Apply a crystal-clear topcoat to add shine and to protect color from chipping. Keep in mind that it can take up to an hour for nail polish to fully dry, so wait as long as you can before slipping into your sandals.
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