Bells and Bubbles

Reducing Wedding Planning Stress

Planning a wedding no doubt can be stressful.  Weddings can raise all kinds of issues.  There are money issues, religious issues, and family issues just to name three.

Wedding planning can bring out the worst in a bride.  When pressure builds she explodes becoming bridezilla.  She yells, has fits, peoples feelings get hurt and she cries.  Everyone around her feels stressed.  When it gets to this point the bride and groom need to take a break from the planning and have some  alone time. 

To reduce wedding planning stress keep details organized, work with check list, delegate responsibilities, and accept help when its offered.  Remind yourself this is supposed to be a joyous time.  Planning a wedding is a job, it's not always fun but it's worth the headache so long as you keep your eye on the prize.

The Perfect Wedding Gown

The perfect wedding gown may not be the perfect dress for you. It's important to find a gown that's flattering to your figure. You'll want to emphasize what's good and minimize whats less than ideal. You'll need to know ahead of time what type of gown will look best on your body because when shopping for your wedding gown you will be making your decision based on a dress that is either too large or too small. Below are some tips to help you out.

Short Waist: A Basque waistline or drop-waist style that angles downward will lengthen a short torso. Choose an A-line dress as to those that are full and puffy at the hip for a slender appearance.

Long Waist: A high Empire waist pared with an a-line or straight skirt. Avoid a drop waist.

Thick Waist: A ball gown will make your waist look slimmer.

Full Hips: An A-line skirt or a ball gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline is best for brides with fuller hips. Full sleeves, a bodice with heavy beading and a flattering neckline will draw the focus upward.

Small Bust: Use it to your advantage with detail around neckline, a draping neckline, An Empire with a seam under bust-line.

Large Bust: Avoid a closed neckline or a strapless dress. A scoop-neck, v-neck, or sweetheart and drop-waist are your best choices.

Petite Frame: Sheath, A-line, Empire, or Mermaid will look sophisticated. Try short sleeves or sleeveless and long gloves.

Broad Shoulders: Halter styles are good because the pull eyes up. They make shoulders look narrower. Strapless will de-emphasize the broadness of your shoulders. Avoid off the shoulder necklines because they will make shoulders appear broader.

Narrow Shoulder: Halters and off the shoulders accentuate small shoulders. Try thick straps or a shawl collar, they will balance your figure.

Short Neck: Open necklines are the key to lengthening a short neck. V-neck, spaghetti straps or strapless are flattering as well as wearing your hair in a up-do. Closed collars will make your neck shorter.

Full Figured: Wear an A-line skirt or a ball gown.

Hour Glass: A Line, Sheath, drop-waist, Mermaid, Princess, V-neck, off the shoulder will show off you figure.

For fun, the Wedding Dress Creator allows you to design your own wedding gown online. You choose your hair color and skin color. Choose your neckline, sleeve, silhouette and gloves if you want them. If you aren't happy with your design, reset and design another one. Once you're happy with your creation, you can print it.

Prenuptial Agreement

Prenuptial agreements aren't only for the very wealthy. Today more and more couples are using this tool to clarify what each is bringing into the marriage. A prenuptial agreement can protect assets you have before marriage as well as decide how assets earned during marriage will be divided in the event of a divorce.

A prenuptial agreement should be considered if you own a home, if you own a business, if you have children from a previous marriage, if one of you will be supporting the other through college, or if one is more wealthy than the other.

It may not be very romantic, but many couples feel after honestly discussing what issues will be addressed in the agreement and making a full disclosure of income, assets and liability with each other, that it gives them more security and added confidence in their decision to marry each other.

Consult your attorney for advice. A prenuptial agreement should be in writing, signed by both parties and witnesses, and notarized.

Going Green Weddings

Going green is a growing trend in wedding planning, brides and grooms are not only making a promise to each other but to the environment as well.  You can be a socially responsible and an environmentally friendly bride and still produce a wedding with style and without sacrifice.  From your gown to the menu at the reception, there are dozens of creative and affordable ways to have an eco-chic wedding.

• Have a day time wedding outdoors.
• Use eco friendly invitations made from recycled papers. 
• Use local in season flowers.
• Use organic foods in your menu.
• Use seed packets or soy candles as favors.

Emily Anderson, author of  "Eco-Chic Weddings" is also sharing her tips and resources on her blog.  Use her ideas and resources for your green wedding and in your everyday life as well.

The DIY Bride

There is so much involved in planning a beautiful, successful wedding. "The DIY Bride" helps you put your own personal style into your wedding without breaking the bank. Khris Cochran the creator and founder of diy.com shows you how to create easy-to-do projects and ways that you can involve your family and friends to make it a fun and memorable process for everyone. She also shows how much are saving doing the projects yourself. This is a great book for brides wanting to show their personal style in the details of an unforgettable wedding, while saving money in the process.