If – in fact – a wedding day is the happiest day of a young woman’s life, she’ll no doubt be smiling from ear to ear from start to finish. So, she’ll for sure want to be sporting nothing but a beautifully bright, beautifully white set of chompers whilst doing so!
While photographers have tools, such as Photoshop (thank the good Lord!) that can most certainly enhance even the least envious to most envious, they won’t have access to everyone’s film and surely not to your actual teeth (weird!) the day of!
So, what’s a bride to do when her whites aren’t at their brightest coming wedding time? Well, I’m so glad you asked!
Sure, there are the over-the-counter Crest (or otherwise) white strips available at pretty much every local and national drug store chain, and yes, while these work like a dream – just ask my bf, Bre, and her almost glowing, not-in-the-least-bit pearly, ultra white smile…
Bre (left, clearly!) and me in Vegas for a girl’s trip :)
…they can get pricey and aren’t always suitable for sensitive teeth. Take me, for instance, I have SUPER sensitive teeth and have never been able to use any of the dentally supported, store bought products. For cereal, both times I’ve tried, it ended up feeling like screaming in my mouth. Not pretty and not fun :(
However, I still – like every other woman on the planet – would like to smile bright in shining white, but because of my toothy rejection to whitening remedies, always fell a little short. Boo. In the past, I was forced to where red lipstick (yes! that TOTALLY helps!) or simply smile with less teeth showing. Double boo.
But I’m happy to report, this is no longer the case!
Below are two Teeth Whitening Remedies that I know from personal experience work FAMOUSLY for even the most sensitive teeth, and cost next to nothing! Feel free to pick your best fit, ladies, and be fully dressed with the brightest, whitest smile on your wedding day celebration!
Teeth Whitening Remedy #1
courtesy of Christina Lovelace Nair via pinterest.com
What you’ll need:
Toothpaste (of your choice!)
Baking Soda
Hydrogen Peroxide
Water
& Toothbrush
What you’ll do:
In a small cup, mix one teaspoon of baking soda with one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and half a teaspoon of water. Put in a tiny bit of toothpaste for flavoring and mix until completely dissolved.
Then, brush your teeth for two (2) minutes using the mixture in its entirety.
Do once (1) a week until personal level of whiteness is reached. Then, limit to using treatment once a month or once every other month.
Teeth Whitening Remedy #2
This was given by Dr. Oz on one of his DIY, self-health shows.
What you’ll need:
Baking Soda
Lemon Juice (from an actual lemon!)
What you’ll do:
Using 1/4 cup of baking soda, squeeze the juice from half a lemon and mix thoroughly. The solution will begin to bubble.
Dip a cotton ball or Q-Tip into the mixture and apply all over teeth and let it sit for around one (1) minute.
Brush your teeth to remove acid. Rinse. & Enjoy!
Hope these help save you money and give your brightest, whitest wedding smile ever :)
I think it’s safe to say that most brides choose their wedding colors based on two things.
Their personal preference, and
The season/weather surrounding the big day
Both simple and personal, this school of thought has held up through the years, and while trends may change, this is one area that has remained constant. No matter if a bride chooses navy, royal, baby or Tiffany’s, part of her mindset was / is / always will be focused on blue.
According to industry reports and online encyclopedias from places such as TheWeddingReport.com and Wikipedia.org, most colors tend to have dual meanings. I encourage all of you, especially all you brides-to-be, to only focus only on the good… because nothing, and I mean nothing good ever came from being negative :) So, feel free to find your hue below and see what it can do for you!
Red is the warmest, most energetic color in the spectrum, which is why it is the one most paid attention to. (See, I knew it was for divas!) It is associated with everything from love, passion and desire (great!) to violence, danger and fury (uhhh, not so great!). While some cultures uphold red as a symbol of courage and purity, others revere it as a sign of guilt or warning. (I’m sticking with the cultures who see it as brave and divine.)
courtesy of onewed.com
Orange represents energy. Still part of the warm hues, orange has a number of luminescent qualities, which include warmth, enthusiasm and vibrancy. (Perfect for a wedding day celebration!) However, orange also has a tendency to come off as demanding and controlling. (Can you say, Bridezilla?)
courtesy of Made in Heaven Cakes and Lulu Cakes
Yellow both warm and friendly, signifies optimism, joy, imagination, hope and happiness. In some cultures, however, yellow is the symbol for dishonesty, betrayal and cowardice. (Note to all brides, stick with the inspirational version.)
courtesy of rebekahwestover.com
Green often the most sited favorite color of women and men, symbolizes nature, health, renewal, generosity, fertility and vigor. On a darker note, it also corresponds with jealousy, inexperience and misfortune. (Feel free to ignore the yucky translation.)
courtesy of weddingwindow.com
Blue epitomizes peace, tranquility and harmony. In most cases (which are the ones you should focus on) blue symbolizes unity, trust, confidence, loyalty and security. However, (this is the part brides-to-be shouldn’t rely on) it can also be a representation of depression and loneliness.
courtesy of onewed.com
Purple/Indigo has the most regal representation globally. Often associated with nobility and royalty, purple embodies wisdom, enlightenment and spirituality. (Ooh la la! A color fit for a queen!) But even though it’s considered an exotic color, purple can also be seen as arrogant, cruel and mournful. (Blah, blah, not listening.)
courtesy of weddingomania.com
Black – despite popular belief – is the absence of all color and / or light. It is said to represent everything from power and wealth to sexuality and sophistication. On one hand, black creates a unique blend of elegance, formality and class; while on the other hand, it can represent mystery, fear and sadness. (I’m gonna go ahead and say when referencing “weddings,” we’ll stick to the first hand.)
As with so many other trends, we can thank the likes of celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Ashlee Simpson, ones with Jessica in their name (Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Sarah Jessica Parker etc.) and pretty much every girl from The Hills / Laguna Beach / MTV era for taking this insanely gorgeous trend and setting it above all the rest.
Of course, when it comes to these famously celebrated celebutantes and trend setting, it started with thier most noticeable accessory – their hair!!! – and shading it from dark to light and vice versa. This gradual color change created a one a kind look that is equally fabulous as it is amazing, and one that didn’t go unnoticed for long!
courtesy of uk.glam.com, thebeautythesis.com and ivillage.ca
I mean where was SJP and LC and all these other ombre-colored cuties during my painstakingly awkward high school years? I could’ve really used their celebrity approved status to make my dark roots and bleached tips look fashionably on trend, rather than hideously off base. Heck, I’ve been rockin’ the ombre look since the early 2000′s – back when it wasn’t even near being considered trendy but trashy, haha! OMG! Did I set this trend into play?? I did, didn’t I!!?? I knew it.
Okay, so while I’m not delusional enough to believe I set this trend into play (…), I do know it is something worth celebrating, regardless of who did or didn’t start it. *cough, cough*
And – OBVI! – one area that has really started to love on the ombre is a lady’s favorite day – her wedding day! That’s right, my lovelies, wedding days and all their accessible accessories have taken this grand nod to color change and make it a uniquely beautiful part of the I do.
Everything from the dress and shoes to the table centerpieces, flowers and more have all been illuminated in the this beautifully shaded ombre look, and after taking a gander myself online, I can’t say I blame them! Check out below and see what I mean:
courtesy of (top to bottom, left to right) greylikesweddings.com, luvandido.com, thefoundist.com, ofbeautyandlove.co.za, thankyousummer.com, greenweddingshoes.com, glendaloughmanor.com, planmydaynow.com, luvandido.com, calligraphybyjennifer.net and luvandido.com
You know you’re official when you take over Pinterest and turn your name into a verb, and that’s exactly what Mumford & Sons and “mumfording / mumsessed” has done. Haha! First of all, it’s always been a dream of mine to become so famous for something someday – preferably something totally awesome, but alas, I digress :) – that my name could become a verb; so, the fact that one of my fave folk bands is almost equally as awesome!
For those of you not familiar (gasp!), Mumford & Sons is an English folk rock band who emerged out of West London in 2007. Known for the folksy sound, quotable lyrics and old fashioned style – the latter being the main reason for their trending on wedding style – Mumford & Sons merges the sounds of bluegrass and folk that is both soothing and original.
And unless you’ve been living under a rock or in a place with no electricity or battery operated radios, I’m sure you’re familiar with their HA-HUGE single, I Will Wait from their album , Babel. In case you find yourself being one of the aforementioned people, here it is :)
Legit though — even my mom knows I Will Wait! God love Denise – favorite lady evs – but she’s not necessarily known for staying in the know, if you know what I mean… that was a whole lot of “know” for a sentence that didn’t know much of anything, ha!
Anyhoot, listening to their music, filled with banjos, mandolins, upright basses and the like, you can almost see the style through music. I like to envision it as if the 1920s inspired Chicago and The Great Gatsby went country :)
Brides and grooms are filling their big day celebrations with bowling caps, backless dresses, intricate headpieces, suspenders, mustaches, vintage cars… oh my! Check out below and see what I mean :)
For the Bride & her ‘Maids:
photos courtesy of (top to bottom, left to right) lambandblonde.blogspot.com, weddingwire.com, rffledblog.com, listenerextraordinaire.com, lambandblonde.blogspot.com, trulychicinspirations.com, art-deco-weddings.com, 1920s-fashion-and-music.com, archibaldphotography.co.uk and kootation.com
For the Groom & his Dudes:
photos courtesy of (top to bottom, left to right) weddingomania.com, greenweddingshoes.com, photojj.com, greenweddingshoes.com, pinterest.com, pinterest.com, lullafly.com, emmalinebride.com and groomsguideforwedding.com
Alright, ladies and gents, let’s point the pinkies outward and get classy for a moment, shall we?
<sips champagne from her Waterford crystal… and go>
While weddings have always been and will continue to be an affair for every bride and groom to plan as they see fit, there has been a definite resurgence of refinery as of recent years… and the pip pip cheerio of it all has me pleasantly surprised :) Sure, this kind of a sophisticated splendor never really went away, but one way that it’s really made an impact of late is in plated dinners at reception hall feasts.
courtesy of laynecorban.wordpress.com
Talk about decadently delightful :)
During an interview with Bridal Guide, Elizabeth Creasey of an LA based catering company, WHOA, Nelly! stated one of their current, biggest requests from Hollywood A-Listers in reference to these plated feasts is for gold silverware, suggesting a “more sophisticated” affair. Check out below for some examples of this golden boy appeal :)
courtesy of mylittleapartment.com, unitedwithlove.com and bellethemagazine.com
And if adding entree choices to your buffet free meal is an option, might I suggest you consider adding a dish that showcases either yours, his or both your cultural culinary? This is an extremely popular take for brides and grooms cross all cultures, and it adds an additional touch of sentimentality to an already beautiful occasion.
But if you’re wondering what to offer that will have mouths watering for more, why not try 2013′s go to dish wish: pork! ‘Tis true, kiddos. Apparently pork has become the go-to meat for today’s modern wedding settings. While it is one of the oldest and most commonly consumed meats all over the world, it also has the ability to be transformed into sooo many delicious dishes… so, forks up, porks up! Ha, I couldn’t resist :)
But no matter what you decide – buffet styled, plated meals, pitch in or otherwise – just be sure you make it your own :)
I have a confession, ladies and gents. That’s right. Here amongst friends, I need to admit something I’m not 100% proud of, and because everyone knows a public blog forum is the most discreet place to make an admission, I’m sure that’s where this will remain, right? Ooookkkkaaaay, here goes. I love peonies! Okay, well, that’s not the confession, but it’s important for establishing the premise of what will be noted as such :) But see, so pretty…
courtesy of Next Exit Photography
Alas, I digress. It was in my youth that my original obsession with the peony started. As I would ride my bike around the neighborhood, I was always drawn to the overgrown, bushy plant that began to bloom every spring in Mrs. Brown’s front yard. Because of the size of the plant, it would often grow outward and onto the sidewalk. It was in the moments of early summer, that my confession comes into play.
The plant – as you may have well guessed – was that of the beautiful blooming peony. Now, because the plant would sometimes end up a little on the sidewalk, I couldn’t help but run into it every now and again. So, if my bike “accidentally” (on purpose) veered toward the bush and knocked off a peony head or two, it would’ve been wrong of me NOT to take them home and enjoy them the way pretty flowers like the peony deserve to enjoyed, right? Yes? No? Maybe? Is this thing on?
*Hangs head in shame* I knew it! To you all, and most especially to you, Mrs. Brown, I am eternally sorry for my youthful thievery, but please know it was done out of love and they were appreciated to the fullest extent! <insert giant, sweet smile>
And now that I have that off my chest and more than likely worried some of you reading this – especially if Mrs. Brown ever comes across this blog, haha! – I’d like to move onto the real meat ‘n’ potatoes of the post, which is – of course! – the peony itself!
courtesy of weddingchicks.com
According to the Bridal Guide and brides the world over, the peony is the go-to flower for bouquets looking to create the most gusto! And it’s no wonder why! Comprised with deeply lobed leaves with large, bulbous and often fragrant flower blooms, the peony is available in just about every color under the sun! It’s petals – decorated in everything from reds and yellows to shades of whites and pinks – this beautimous blossom can be incorporated into every wedding color and theme there is :)
Great as a stand alone flower, paired in a bouquet of nothing but its own blooms OR accompanied by others equally as exquisite, the pretty peony is surely one standout flower that will have heads turning and breaths catching. Check out below and see what I mean for yourself :)
courtesy of (left to right, top to bottom) bouquetweddingflower.com, visionsweddingboutique.com, bellethemagazine.com, etsy.com, exploredreamdiscoverblog.com (insert), countrybouquetsfloral.com, kissthegroom.com, bellethemagazine.com, bellethemagazine.com and elizabethannedesigns.com
Last summer when Matthew McConaughey tied the knot with long time girlfriend, Camila Alves, in front of 100 of their closest family and friends, a new trend was born! According to US Magazine, McConaughey and Alves took their guests, which included famed Woody Harrelson and filmmaker Richard Linklater on a “high end” camping themed wedding adventure at their home in Austin, Texas.
But this was not just your average, childhood, sleep-away camp escapade. Sure, the couple reconstructed their property into a campsite, but that doesn’t mean guests were roughing it by any sense of the phrase! McConaughey and Alves not only offered the option of “celebrating all night long, camping out in state-of-the-art tents set up on [the couple's] property,” but they also offered showers, restrooms AND air-conditioning! (Maybe the good ‘ole Kidwell family should’ve taken lessons from this duo before taking us on one of their camping “extravaganzas.” Ppppfffttt.
courtesy of dreamlovephotography.com
In regards to this kind of star-studded nuptial digs, however? Um, yes please! And I’m not the only one! Because celebrities tend to celebrate our biggest fashion and social trends, it’s no wonder that this idea took flight for brides and grooms planning their 2013 nuptials!
Coined “glamping,” grown up or glamorous camping has become all the rage with today’s modern brides and grooms looking to have a little fun! According to Bridal Guide, couples are finding the idea of an adult version of summer camp super fun and a way to keep the celebration going. Thus, paying proper homage to their ceremonial “I do’s.”
Not only that, but just like Matthew and Camila, they’re also doing it in style! These wedding themed campgrounds aren’t filled with leaky, over heated, days of Yore tents covered melted ‘mallows. Oh no. Brides and grooms taking on grownup camping are all about serving up guests with oversized, ultra luxe tents, complete with electricity and fresh linens! Talk about a new take on an old tradition!
Absolutely love love love this? But how about you? Would any of you turn your ceremony into a s’more-filled celebration?
The day of my wedding, I was eerily calm. I suppose the wedding coordinator at the church was more accustomed to bridal flip outs and freak outs, however, because she just kept repeating very calming mantras over and over again as we all waited to walk down the aisle.
Not one to rain on anyone’s parade, I just let her do her thing, and was incredibly grateful I did. When it was just my dad and I and her left behind the double doors she uttered the following words, which left me forever grateful I never shushed or shut her out:
“Bottom line, there’s a lot that could go wrong today, but no matter what those things are, no matter how big they seem, just remember – at the end of the day – you’ll still be married and get to spend the rest of your days being a wife to a husband who’s so happy you said yes… that’s what the day is all about anyway.”
While I wasn’t stressed in the very least, I could totally understand how this could calm down even the most nervous of brides. Seems silly to be stressing over the details when the main event will still be yours to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, etc. for as long as you both shall live. And knowing this will happen regardless if the napkins are folded at 90 degree angles and / or the flower girl makes it down the aisle without a meltdown should be enough, right?
Welllllll, I’ve been involved in enough weddings to know that this is not always the case. Sometimes all the calming words in the world won’t bring a bride down from her inevitable meltdown. So, what’s one to do in preventing this? Well, my pretty ladies in waiting, the answer is simple: plan, Plan and PLAN.
Just like in sports where practice makes perfect, when it comes to wedding day bliss… planning will always be the most important ingredient. The more you plan, the better your chances of having everything go smoothly will be. Therefore, don’t leave everything to chance and last minute scramble. Start early. Finish earlier and breath easy. One of the best guidelines – I use the term “guideline” here because that’s precisely what they are… a guide, a jumping off point, if you will, to set you on your way… was created by wedding planner Dewey Beene along with Dolly Lewis.
Check out below and let the wedding planning begin!
While it isn’t the latest innovation for wedding trends, burlap is certainly one of its brightest… and the reasons behind its buxom presence – as well as ultimate saying power! – are almost limitless. Follow me, won’t you?
It is country chic at its finest.
With outdoor / barnyard / backyard etc. weddings taking over in recent, the shabby chicness of burlap’s ruggedly textured exterior makes it one of the most sought after and well suited compliments to any country themed thriller.
courtesy of kellyhornberger.com
It is a natural fit for neutral palettes.
As mentioned in a recent post: Neutrally Natural & Utterly Fabulous, weddings these days are all about earthy tones. Decorating with neutral colors offers a multitude of ways to add personality to your big day celebration, and accenting them with something as beautiful as burlap is simple and radiant.
But it also works well with BOLD.
In contrast with the above thought, burlap is also extremely complimentary to brighter, bolder colors as well. Because it has such a soft tan hue, it looks great with a number of cool and warm colors. Everything from bright, turquoise blues and magnetic magentas to crisp lemons and serene greens look great with the browns of burlap.
courtesy of jodimillerphotographyblog.com
It is both Eco-friendly and economically smart.
While the entire world is going green and pinching pennies, it’s nice to know something as amazing as this wedding day delight is ideal in both situations.
courtesy of delovelyaffair.blogspot.com
It does DIY like nobody’s business.
That’s right, ladies. Burlap is one of the best materials when it comes to creating details for your wedding day. Everything – and I literally mean e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. – can be done up in tid bits of the textured fabric and made a little more fabulous. I’ve seen everything from wedding invitations, chair covers, guest favors, unity candles, table runners, centerpieces, pew bows, bouquets, ring pillows, banners, bunting, accessories, arches… seriously EVERYTHING!… decorated with details of burlap, and they really were brilliant :)
Oh, you still need convincing? Well, check out below and see what I mean:
photos courtesy of (top to bottom, left to right) iloveswmag.com, jetfeteblog.com, etsy.com, thesweetestdigs.com, bluemagpieinvitations.com, etsy.com, lovewedbliss.com, thesweetestoccasion.com, twobirdsonestonewedding.wordpress.com, thesweetestoccasion.com, etsy.com, burlapcrazy.blogspot.com, etsy.com and jetfeteblog.com
I’m a huge fan of color. Like HUGE. In fact, I expressed this la-Louvre in a previous post, Stand Out in Style: 10 Unique Wedding Color Combos, where I showcased some of the most over-the-top-amazing palette pleasers I could think of. Over the course of the years, I’ve even had several photographer friends agree that bright, bold colors make for incredible wedding photos.
With all that said, however… and this is a big HOWEVER… After coming across this trend for weddings dressed to the nines in nothing but neutral over and over again, I have no choice but to say: IT’S LOAF! Seriously, talk about keeping it classy, while remaining colorless. The look – seen everywhere from Martha Stewart Weddings and The Knot to Brides and InStyle Weddings magazines – definitely has the “it” factor. I mean, check out these neutral beauties:
photo courtesy of ohwhatlove.com
I guess I was always of the notion that neutral meant colorless, and colorless meant boring… But I could NOT have been more wrong! Incorporating neutral, earthy tones on your big day celebrations means that everything from the setting to you will stand out all the more!
Better Homes & Gardens described it best with the following:
Decorating with neutral colors offers a multitude of ways to add personality to your rooms, proving that neutral decor is anything but dull. Soft hues, such as beige, khaki, and rain-cloud gray, create a calming atmosphere, while the contrast of a black-and-white color scheme introduces drama and flair. Go bold with splashes of rich neutrals, such as chocolate brown or slate gray, or go sleek and subtle with tone-on-tone white. (bhg.com)
Taking this into consideration, it almost seems like nothing would make more sense for a wedding day than a neutral color palette. After all, it provides a beautiful backdrop, in order for you to be the only star of the show… and what bride wouldn’t love that? Check out some ideas below :)
photos courtesy of (top to bottom, left to right) greylikesweddings.com, emmalinebride.com, brookealiceonblog.com, fabyouliss.com, zazzle.com (insert), truephotography.com, weddingbee.com, onetowed.com, brookealiceonblog.com, wonderfuldayweddingsmn.blogspot.com and loveandlavender.com
