Now that the wedding is over, it is time to look amazing on your honeymoon! Be sure to keep these quick tips in mind to keep yourself irresistible to your new hubby!

Check Yourself!

A month before your honeymoon, schedule a doctor’s appointment for you and your fiancé. Get a wellness check-up and confirm your immunizations are up-to-date. Review with your doctor all prescriptions you take, and get refills before you leave.

Protect your skin!

Heading for the beach? Bring along a Frisbee, have fun while exercising together. Apply and reapply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunburn is painful, damages your skin, and will certainly dampen any honeymoon activities. Keep your skin gorgeous by moisturizing often – ask your hubby to help you out!  Skin needs moisturizing in both warm and cold weather.

Water

Increase your water intake when engaging in physical activities, such as walking tours or while relaxing for hours in the sun. Hydrate with the recommended eight glasses a day of water, and drink bottled beverages. If traveling to a remote destination, read up on the quality of drinking water available.

Eating

So many yummy choices on the menu, it can be hard to resist the super-sized Piña Colada! Have fun and keep things balanced. If you splurge on Margaritas during lunch, skip dessert after dinner. Depending on your honeymoon destination, select foods cooked in restaurants, rather than those prepared by street vendors. Always double check your meat is properly cooked before eating.

Out Late?

If you’re out late having a great time, you may wake up to puffy eyes the next day. Do not panic!  Simply chill two spoons in the refrigerator or in a cup of ice water for a few minutes, and gently place the backsides of the spoons over your eyes. Can’t find any spoons? Dip a cold washcloth into ice water and apply to your face for 5-10 minutes. Offer some spoons or cold washcloths to your hubby, he may need them too!

Relax!

Finally, some time together, enjoy it! Disconnect from work and social media. It takes three to four days to unwind. Completely recharge yourselves and get plenty of Z’s. Just remember when you return from your honeymoon, the post-wedding buzz will begin!

 

and Andrew Miskow

Whimsical Winter Wedding

Wedding Date: 11/20/2011

Wedding Location: Las Vegas, CA

Number of Guests: 175

Ashley Miller and Andrew Miskow met back in 2007, when Miskow’s brother, Bobby, happened to be dating Miller’s best friend, Alexis. Nothing came of the introduction until a few years later.

One of their first dates was at the Santa Monica Pier.  “It is a cherished spot for us,” says Miller.  A year and a half later, Miskow drove all the way from Las Vegas to LA to visit Miller. He decided to surprise her with dinner at a very popular sushi restaurant. “His original plan was to have dinner, then take me to the end of the pier to propose. Unfortunately, I chose to wear the obnoxious high heels and was in no shape to make the entire walk. After walking about a third of the way down the pier, I slouched down and sat on a power box to take a break. My husband to be, decided there was no better time to propose. It was hilarious and romantic, and quite lovely,” says Miller.

The wedding was a winter wonderland, with a splash of color. All whites, creams, and just a touch of eggplant.

Miller’s favorite memory from that day was being able to have the first look. “Seeing Andrew before anyone else that day is what stands out most in my mind. Being able to talk to him and share that moment only for the two of us. It was such a private time for us when so many other people were there,” remembers Miller.

For Miskow, the best part was his laughing throughout the ceremony. “I get so nervous in any type of public speaking event or engagement, so when I get nervous, I laugh.  Also knowing it was official, saying yes and knowing that we were married. It was a moment we had both waited for, and it was an amazing feeling for it to finally happen,” remembered Miskow.

 

 

 

Years ago, I got married to my husband in Capri, Italy and I couldn’t have imagined a more incredible place for a wedding. My husband and I had a unique opportunity to see another part of the world together before settling into our new married lifestyle and I wouldn’t change having a destination wedding for the world.

You might not realize it, but there are many unexpected perks to getting married abroad: you’ll reduce your guest list, you can typically stretch your dollar a bit farther and, perhaps most importantly, you’ll get to create an experience that many people can only dream of. With this in mind, here are my tips for making your worldly wedding as spectacular as it can be!

1. Be sure your destination fits with your vacation lifestyle.

If you’re not a fan of the outdoors, you may not want to get married on the outskirts of the Amazon rainforest or in the hills of Nepal. Sure, certain locations might sound romantic or exotic, but they might not be right for your wedding day. When determining the best location, you want to choose the place you get married based on the type of vacation you most enjoy as a couple. You have the rest of your lives to explore the world—so it’s probably not the best idea to take a chance on an iffy locale for your wedding.

2. Create a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Because you’re already having a non-traditional wedding of sorts, be creative with how and where you’ll be married. For example, my husband and I leased a yacht for the day of the festivities, which we otherwise wouldn’t have done. I will never, ever forget how we sailed the Amalfi coast on our wedding day.

3. Decide which is more important: how many guests you have or where you go.

One of the main things you will have to take into consideration when you’re planning a destination wedding is who will be able to go—and how many people you want to have. If you’ve always envisioned getting married in front of 250 friends and family members, choosing a very remote island with limited air travel possibilities might not accommodate all of your guests. Before picking where you’ll wed, make sure you weigh the number of guests with the practicality of the destination.

4. Take care of your guests before they arrive.

Depending on where you choose to have your wedding, there may be some important considerations that your guests may not be aware of, such as how long travel time will be (as well as what the travel options are) and if there are any visa requirements. Help them out by making the process of getting to your wedding as smooth as can be by explaining everything they might need to do to attend (you can do this on your wedding website), as well as explore accommodation options to keep guests’ costs to a minimum.

5. Take care of your guests after they arrive.

At a regular wedding, all you really need to do to take care of your guests is give them good food, perhaps a cocktail and a seat. When you’ve asked them to travel out of the country, you need to do a bit more than that. Of course, you don’t need to treat every guest to an all-inclusive, weeklong vacation, but small gestures like a welcome bag and a dinner the night before the wedding can go a long way.

6. Use your destination to create a theme.

With a destination wedding, there’s no need to devise a theme for your big day—it’s already right there! Use the locale’s culture, food and music to lend a richness to your festivities. For a wedding in Italy, for example, you might have an accordion player and heaps of pasta at the reception, as well as candy-coated almonds—and Italian tradition—as your favors.

7. Allow your destination spot to build more anticipation for your wedding.

You’ll already be looking forward to your wedding, but the planning process can be a little overwhelming at times. So, use your anticipation for the adventure of your destination wedding to get you through those tense planning meetings and to-do lists.

8. Create unique details to make your special day even more special.

In addition to using the local culture to infuse your wedding with a sense of the destination, really make your wedding special with small touches here and there to make the experience more meaningful—and to make your guests feel even more appreciated. Because you will most likely have fewer guests than if you would if you were to have your wedding in your hometown, you can personalize the event more by giving guests additional favors like special glasses with their names on them or goodie bags to take home at the end of the night, as well as hold the event itself in a more intimate setting.

9. At some point, be okay with relinquishing control over the details.

Because you’ll be far away from where your wedding will take place, you won’t have the ability to check up on every detail along the way. Which is a wonderful thing! After you’ve made your decisions for location, food and décor, sit back and start dreaming of how incredible the experience will be.

10. Do a reverse honeymoon.

My husband and I were married in the exact spot we always dreamed we’d honeymoon at—so we took the opportunity to go early and luxuriously explore the country for a week prior to the wedding, which was an incredible way to relax and spend time together before walking up the aisle. Even if you don’t have time to go early, at the very least, you won’t have to travel post-reception to get to your honeymoon—you’re already there.

Internationally renowned bridal stylist Renée Strauss is one of the wedding industry’s top bridal fashion experts. After starring in two seasons of the hit reality show Brides of Beverly Hills on TLC, Renée offers her elite clientele complete wedding coordination and frequently lends her expertise for film, television and commercial production. She also owned and operated the premiere bridal salon in Beverly Hills for 30 years.

“Colin Cowie’s Wedding Planner & Keepsake Organizer: The Essential Guide To Planning The Ultimate Wedding”

by Colin Cowie

Colin Cowie has a roster of A-list celebrity clients–but now every modern bride can benefit from his incomparable style, aesthetic, and experience. Designed to work in conjunction with his website, ColinCowieWeddings.com, this beautiful, new three-ring binder–with illustrations by fashion designer Rebecca Moses–will become the prospective bride’s go-to planning resource. With Colin’s guidance, every bride will succeed in discovering what her own special idea of a dream wedding is and how to make it come true … within budget. In addition to covering all the logistics, from creating the guest list to booking a fantasy honeymoon, Colin provides his signature design tips and time-tested advice for both bride AND groom. And the book–which brides can customize with their very own cover photo–makes organization simple and stress-free, thanks to two sturdy storage envelopes, a one-year calendar, a business-card holder, seating-chart and guest-list templates, and vendor fill-in lists

$35.95, barnesandnoble.com

“Destination Wedding Planner: The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Wedding from Afar”

by Alison Hotchkiss, Thayer Allyson Gowdy (Photographer)

Trotting the globe with a wedding dress in tow is no small feat. This planner takes the mystery out of staging the perfect destination wedding by outlining all of the essential information that couples need to know. Professional Destination Wedding Planner Alison Hotchkiss gives expert advice on everything from choosing the location and setting a budget to managing the production from afar and preparing guests for the big event. Helpful worksheets and checklists make organization a breeze, and roomy pockets are included for stowing documents or odds and ends. Whether the location is the bride’s old hometown, a tropical island, or anywhere in between, adventurous couples can be sure they’ll get hitched without a hitch!

$17.95, barnesandnoble.com

“Wedding Planning For Dummies”

by Marcy Blum

Wedding Planning For Dummies demystifies and simplifies all the details that go into the Big Day, providing inspiration and innovative ideas to personalize your wedding celebration and, of course, make it fun for everyone–especially you! Expert wedding planner Marcy Blum walks you step-by-step through everything you’ll encounter as you plan your wedding, from choosing a reception site to picking a photographer—and everything in between.

$15.94, barnesandnoble.com

“Emily Post’s Wedding Planner”

by Peggy Post, Emily Post

This new edition combines a lively, attractive design with streamlined practicality, providing important to–do checklists, questions to ask, vendor comparison charts, and budgeting information for easy use by today’s busy brides. Emily Post’s Wedding Planner will help couples organize and keep track of every detail of their wedding, with the clarity and comprehensiveness readers have come to expect from this trusted authority. Peggy Post helps couples organize their decisions and move ahead with bringing their wedding to life. When used as a companion to Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette, Fifth Edition, every couple can feel confident that no detail has been overlooked in creating a wedding experience that will be treasured by all for years to come.

$21.50, barnesandnoble.com

“Martha Stewart’s Keepsake Wedding Planner”

by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, Janine Nichols

This planner is overflowing with useful features to help you plan and organize the perfect wedding—in addition, you can preserve those memories for a lifetime. The three-ring binder makes it easy to customize it for your needs. Inside you’ll find:

• Ten in-depth chapters with planning information, inspirational color photographs, timelines, checklists, and diagrams
• Sturdy pocket folders to hold contracts, menus, and notes
• A clear plastic business-card holder and resealable plastic pouches for fabric swatches, paper samples, and ribbons
A full-color glossary with photographs of hundreds of flowers

$25.36, barnesandnoble.com

WHAT TO WEAR

Once you’ve got your theme down, you are free to decide on a dress code and your own wedding look.  I cannot tell you how many stories I’ve heard of a bride walking into a wedding planner’s office for the fist time with no plans for her big day – but with her gown already hanging in her closet.  Preferably, you would not want to wear a flimsy satin bias-cut summer dress to a winter black-tie event in a high-end hotel, so why be dead-set on that look in advance?  Let your theme and venue help you decide what sort of dress is right and how your attendants should be dressed to compliment the look you are going for.

Your dress should reflect you personality, not necessarily the latest fashions.  Consider Princess Diana’s puffy-sleeved wedding gown.  At the time, it was the eight of fashion, but, let’s face it, it did not age well – no one looks good in puffy sleeves!  By selecting a classic look, you won’t look back at your wedding photos an shrug (and you may even see your daughter walk down the aisle in the same gown someday). Find a dress that looks great, feels comfortable, and that calls out to you at the bridal salon. Hopefully, you will be a bride for only one day, so you should wear something that you would never wear on any other occasion.  If you look and live the part then you’ll feel the part.

COUNTDOWN TO YOUR DRESS

By now you probably have a bunch of images torn out of magazines and printed from websites.  It’s time to put all of that research to good use.  Follow the time frames below prior to your wedding and you will feel much less stressed…trust me:

• 6 – 9 MONTHS PRIOR: Start shopping.  Visit at least two or three bridal salons before you make your final choice.  Try on tons of gowns in different shapes to see what looks good on your frame (you might be surprised).  Many brides end up selecting the opposite style of dress they imagined would be for them.  Try to make your purchase no later than 6 months before your wedding date, if you can.  This way, you’ll have ample time for fittings and for assembling and curating you look.  At the same time your dress is ordered, you can set your fitting date as well.
• 4 – 6 MONTHS PRIOR: Order bridesmaids dresses and decide on their accessories, shoes, jewelry, bags, and any special hair accessories.
• 3 – 4 MONTHS PRIOR: If you have a special-order veil or headpiece in mind, it’s best to order it during this period, if you didn’t do so when you purchased your wedding gown.
• 6 – 8 MONTHS PRIOR: Your dress has arrived!  Now it’s time for your first fitting.  All of your major alterations (if you have any) should take place in this fitting.  It’s normal to have anywhere for one to three fittings.  Make sure you have your wedding-day lingerie and shoes with you at this fitting and at every other fitting that follows.  For your third fitting, arrive with your hair and makeup done and bring your veil and other accessorized so you can see your entire look together and decide if it’s exactly what you envisioned or if you need to make any styling changes to the dress, veil, makeup, or accessories. Remember, by the time you add the veil, jewelry, maybe gloves, and a bouquet, you could look overproduced.  Take pictures, study them, and make sure it is exactly how you want to look.

Colin Cowie has a roster of A-list celebrity clients–but now every modern bride can benefit from his incomparable style, aesthetic, and experience. Designed to work in conjunction with his website, ColinCowieWeddings.com, this beautiful, new three-ring binder–with illustrations by fashion designer Rebecca Moses–will become the prospective bride’s go-to planning resource. With Colin’s guidance, every bride will succeed in discovering what her own special idea of a dream wedding is and how to make it come true … within budget. In addition to covering all the logistics, from creating the guest list to booking a fantasy honeymoon, Colin provides his signature design tips and time-tested advice for both bride AND groom. And the book–which brides can customize with their very own cover photo–makes organization simple and stress-free, thanks to two sturdy storage envelopes, a one-year calendar, a business-card holder, seating-chart and guest-list templates, and vendor fill-in lists!

Outrigger Waikiki’s Beachfront Weddings

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach is a traditional favorite among Waikiki hotels.  The warm and gracious hospitality, elegant Koa wood furnishings, and exhibits of Hawaiian art embrace you with a genuine sense of place.  This much-complimented hotel is situated directly on Waikiki Beach, and is surely a wedding location dream.

Whether you prefer a private ceremony for two, a moonlit outdoor-tented event, or a ceremony overlooking the world famous Waikiki Beach, the staff of the Outrigger Waikiki can create an intimate ceremony or traditional wedding perfect for you. Complete packages, a la carte services, and experienced wedding coordinators are available to help you plan the Hawaii wedding of your dreams.

Outrigger Waikiki, Suite 123 is one of the most unique, intimate function locations on the beach.  Its seamless indoor/outdoor design captures the breathtaking beauty of Waikiki, incomparable vistas of the beach, the ocean, Diamond Head and dramatic sunsets.

Specializing in intimate affairs for 75 people or less, Outrigger’s wedding coordinators can design the wedding event of your dreams.

A full range of options is available for officiator, photography, videography, entertainment, floral decor, cake, and hair and make-up stylist.

Formal or casual, indoor or outdoor, plated or buffet. The on-site caterers will delight you with creative menus. They can also arrange for the set up of a tent, completely decorated table settings, and more. 

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach unveils improvements, inside and out, offering something for all your guests!  Travelers looking for a renewed Hawaii vacation experience can find it at the newly remodeled Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. With stunning improvements coupled with the well-known island hospitality of Outrigger Hotels and Resorts and the resort’s perfect oceanfront location at the center of Waikiki, visitors are sure to find their perfect Hawaii getaway at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach.

All guests at this popular Hawaii resort are now enjoying the multitude of completed upgrades, which include a remodeled pool and expanded pool-deck area and upgraded guest rooms and suites — including new glass railings to all oceanfront rooms and suites.

“We’re delighted to show our guests what we’ve been working on for the past eight months at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach,” said Patsy Narimatsu, director of sales & marketing for Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. “Our continued hope is to be able to maximize our visitors’ experience and provide them with an unforgettable stay on the shores of Waikiki.”

Located on the shores of famed Waikiki Beach, Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach offers visitors a stunning oceanfront haven of elegance, comfort, gracious hospitality, and an unparalleled commitment to Hawaiian culture. Guests are enveloped in the spirit of ho`okipa (hospitality) from the moment they arrive at the gracious sit-down check-in desk in the lobby. As part of its ongoing commitment to preserving and sharing Hawaii’s rich cultural heritage, the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach continues to proudly offer its guests weekly cultural and educational activities, including a complimentary beachside Hawaiian vow renewal ceremony twice a week, and other special events year-round.

Guests are enveloped in the spirit of ho`okipa (hospitality) from the moment they arrive at the gracious sit-down check-in desk in the lobby. 

Guests of the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach can also enjoy the hotel’s free vow renewal ceremony, allowing guests to renew their vows in a beautiful oceanfront setting twice a week.

The Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach is a deluxe and gracious Hawaiian hotel located directly on the sands of world-famous Waikiki Beach in the heart of exciting Waikiki. The 524-room property features a long list of amenities, including the famed Duke’s Waikiki and Hula Grill Waikiki restaurants; Waikiki Plantation Spa, Waikiki’s only rooftop spa; and an array of shops and specialty boutiques ranging from Coach, the leading American designer and maker of luxury accessories, to Na Hoku, one of Hawaii’s finest jewelers, and the popular Society of Seven cabaret show. An exceptional display of Hawaiian artifacts and artwork can be enjoyed throughout the property.

My Embellish collection features a full range of fashion jewelry with a strong emphasis on color and stylized details that make the jewelry feel personal and special. The jewelry was inspired by some of my most coveted wedding designs: a garden party, a deco-inspired soiree, a free-spirited vintage occasion, and many more. The range of styles and colors truly provide a wide selection to befit every woman’s taste.

Every piece in my new collection is affordable and stylish. One of the best things about the line is that there’s a lot of personality, which to me is important when you’re embellishing your fashion choices. Whether it’s with color, jewelry with bright ribbons that tie around the neck, freshwater pearls, or just a lot of bling, there is something for every woman.

Embellish will be comprised of over 100 individual styles and many pieces will be offered in an impressive array of colors and lengths to accommodate the preferences of any bride and her wedding party. The collection ranges from $15 – $350 and is available by visiting www.davidtuteraembellish.com.

Check out our favorite pictures HERE!

Order your copy of Beautiful Bride Magazine HERE!

With that said, there are certain keywords that I hear time and again from my clients as they describe their big day. “Classic”, “timeless”, “fun”, “glam”, “relaxed”, “elegant”… no matter the style they are striving for, they all request an “experience.” I am happy to see our brides and grooms really embrace their personal likes and loves. We are designing bridal experiences that are not only personal, creative, meaningful and infused with love but exciting, delicious and filled with the details that make each wedding as unique as the journey leading to the “i-do’s”.

Lace Classic Elegance

Global Influence

Danielle Couick, CPCE is an award winning event planner whose personality, style and demeanor have often been described as “southern charm with a city twist.”  She has been recognized by industry peers as a “Rising Young Event Professional Worth Watching,” and has been the recipient of national awards for her event planning and design excellence.  With over 13 years of experience in various aspects of the special events industry, it is her passion for people and her eye for detail combined with little regard for status quo that allows Danielle to exceed her client’s expectations time and again.  When she isn’t running her event company Magnolia Bluebird Design & Events, Danielle enjoys spending her time hosting friends and family for brunch or dinner, and scouring markets for inspiration and the next perfect detail.

Magnolia Bluebird design & events offers custom, creative and unparalleled special event planning and design services to those who seek an educated, detailed and personal approach for their event.

In honor of the upcoming premier and bridal market, we’ve decided to offer 1 lucky gal the chance to win our signature petal gown, valued at $995.

Plus, once entered we’re offering a party dress giveaway for those who share the contest!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!