Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

It’s Wedding Season, Spring Is Finally Here!

As the weather begins to warm and gardens begin to bloom, many couples choose the outdoors for their special day. A gorgeous reception venue in Dallas is the Marie Gabrielle Restaurant and Gardens, which is known for their beautiful 1.5-acre European garden complete with breathtaking views of downtown, beautiful oak and river birch trees, and a spectacular reflecting pool.

The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows that ensure superb garden views and accommodates up to 400 guests. Floor plans custom designed to allow for formal meals, dancing, band or a disc jockey.

So romantic for your “I Do’s”! Click here for more information.

Wedding Invitations: Details That Make Them Special

Choose a typeface that fits your style. Cathy John, owner and designer of Bella Cosa in Dallas, says popular fonts among brides includes:

• Bickham Script
• Edwardian Script
• Mrs. Eaves
• Copperplate
• Garamond
• Futura

Keep the wedding theme going, use these wedding stamps for your invitations and thank you notes (Available Here).

Need a giggle, watch this wedding invitation humor:

Bride’s Wedding Day Emergency Kit

Bobbi Brown’s new Limited Edition Bridal Kit ($75) has the absolute essentials that a bride will need on her big day. “On your wedding day, you should look like yourself at your most beautiful,” she says, and this kit works with all skin tones to create a natural look that accentuates your natural beauty. This Bridal set features the makeup basics for the bride, bridesmaid or mother of the bride to customize their look. Available at Neiman Marcus stores, the kit comes in a sleek white case with a mirror and interior pockets.

Bridal Kit Contains:

• Exclusive Ivory Eye Shadow
• Black Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
• Black No Smudge Mascara
• Pink Sugar Shimmer Lip Gloss
• Short Handle Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush
• White Cosmetic Case

Bobbi Brown’s Top 10 Weddding Day Tips

• Flash photography emphasizes pink tones, so be sure to even out 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.
• Set concealer and foundation with Sheer Finish Loose Powder to make them longer-lasting and to ensure that skin looks matte in pictures.
• If your dress has an open neckline, be sure to warm up your neck and chest with a dusting of Bronzing Powder.
• Use a water-resistant liner that can withstand tears; try Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner applied with the Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush. If you prefer to line with shadow, make it longer-lasting by applying it with a slightly damp Eye Liner Brush. Finish with a water resistant mascara like Lash Glamour.
• After applying all your eye makeup, finish with a highlighter shade on the browbone to make eyes pop. Rub your finger in a light matte shade and pat lightly on the outer corner of the browbone.
• For a pretty flush that lasts, use two shades of Blush. First, apply a neutral shade on the apples of cheeks, blending up into the hairline, then downwards to soften. Then apply a brighter shade just on the apples of cheeks.
• Neutral and pale lip colors look washed out in photographs, so choose a lipstick that’s one to two shades brighter than what you normally wear. Pinks, roses and plums are great choices for brides.
• To make Lip Color last longer, line and fill in lips with Lip Pencil before applying your lipstick.
• Carry a touch-up kit with concealer, pressed powder, lipstick or gloss, lip liner, tissues, mints, and a mini sewing kit (for emergency clothing fixes like a dropped hem or popped button).
• Have Fun!

Pre-Wedding Wellness Tips

• Eat smart. Choose whole grains, fresh greens and fruits, and clean proteins like chicken, fish, and beans.
• Hydrate. Drink lots of water daily to hydrate skin and flush out toxins.
• Move Your Body. Exercise at least three times a week to strengthen your body and calm your mind.
• Take Relaxing Baths. Add soothing Epsom salts or skin-softening powdered milk to your bathwater.
• Be Present. Slow down and appreciate what’s around you rather than rushing to get from start to finish.

Wedding Day Touch-Up Tips

• Pack your purse with concealer, pressed powder, lipstick or gloss, lip liner, tissues, and mints.
• Sewing kit with prethreaded needles and a pair of tiny fold-up scissors to fix a hem or popped button.
• Static spray and lint remover to get rid of static cling and lint on clothing.
• Prewrapped wipes to remove makeup and food stains.

Your Ideal Wedding Cake

When meeting with your cake designer, bring photographs of cakes you love or fabric swatches of your color scheme to help them design the perfect cake for you. Also bring ideas for your groom’s cake. It should be designed to reflect a particular hobby or personality trait of him.

Here are some questions to ask your cake designer:

• Do you specialize in any certain styles or flavors?
• Do you recommend a certain type of cake for an outdoor or seasonal reception?
• Can you create individual cakes to be used as favors?
• Can you create specialized cakes for certain dietary needs?
• Do you offer a tasting?
• How much time do you need to prepare the cake at the reception?
• Do you offer instruction on how to cut the cake?
• Will you supply a proper container in which to freeze the top of the cake?
• Will you charge for any supports or bases on the cake?
• May I return the supports and bases for a refund? When?
• Are the cakes priced by the slice or by the cake? Do you have a price list?
• How far in advance must I book your services?
• What is your cancellation policy?
• Is a deposit required? If so, when and how much?

Krashada Acupressure Massage

Why do you put yourself through all the wedding planning stress, when you can be healed with a Krashada acupressure massage?

Book an appointment with Kari Avery at Luxury on Lovers and prepare to become energetically aligned. The detoxifying session aids in clearing and infusing physical and emotional pain with pure, positive healing and intensity. Take a break from your wedding planning, and you’ll emerge feeling like you’re floating on air.

Available at Luxury on Lovers, (214-352-8800 or luxuryonlovers.com).

What color theme works best for a wedding?

Many brides choose colors that often match the season during which they are getting married. However, you should pick the color that you love the most. This is about you and your perfect wedding, so choose a color that you have always enjoyed.

Let There Be Light!

Flowers are just one decorating tool, but they aren’t the only decorations in town  According to your taste and overall wedding theme and style, try to incorporate other options as well, such as lighting.

Designers agree that lighting plays a key role in setting the mood for both your ceremony and reception. Lighting has the amazing ability to transform any site into a beautiful locale, or create a specific mood.

Lite Dallas creates an atmosphere of unsurpassed elegance with specialty lighting. Highlight your head table, guests of honor, cake and decorations with rich colors and exciting patterns of light. Blanket the ceiling with twinkling stars or put candles on all the tables to add to the romance!

Popular Wedding Gifts

According to The Wedding Report, high-end kitchen gear and practical cooking items are currently popular wedding gifts for 2008.  Many modern couples prefer practical gifts such as barbecue tools and ice cream bowls as opposed to traditional items like china. Sur La Table offers a wide range of kitchen products including copper cookware, books, linens, bakeware, knives, kitchen electrics, and gadgets. Click here for more information.