For example,this dress looks simple but elegant in the drawing, but the actual dress that the model is wearing just doesn’t have the same charm:

This interesting sketch has potential to be a beautiful dress, but they turned it into something quite awful!!

This one, in my opinion, looks like an almost exact reproduction of the drawing. If the shoulder ruffle was a little flouncier, it would be just about perfect!

Here’s one dress looks SO much better on the model!

As does this one… but doen’t take much to look better than that *bridezilla* sketch!

As well as making gorgeous shoes coveted by the likes of Natalie Portman, Beyond Skin’s philosophy is to ‘…trade in a manner that is non exploitative to humans, animals and wherever possible the wider environment. Using no animal products, all our footwear is hand-made to order in the UK promoting ethically-sound and less energy intensive working practices.’

Ok, so it seems that the UK has a monopoly on ethical shoewear, and the 10 shoes pictured at the Wishopt blog are actually all from the UK. Does anyone know where you can obtain shoes in the USA that meet these standards? And look this pretty?

Some use recycled rubber for the soles, or recycled vintage fabrics and trimmings. Others are produced under a Fair Trade agreement and are careful to use less energy intensive working practices. And of course, no leather, unless it’s recycled!

You’ve reached the final countdown and things are falling into place! But sometimes it’s the little things brides tend to forget that cause the biggest disasters. Use this wedding day checklist from bnd.com to get organized and save yourself some headache on the big day itself!

HAIR AND MAKEUP

Hairstyle and makeup artists help put your wedding day look together, but you need to do your part too! If you pack the essentials, you won’t get caught with streaky foundation from your tears of joy.

• Face powder or foundation
• lip balm or lipstick
• blush
• waterproof mascara
• mirror compact

For your hair:

• pack bobby pins
• a brush and comb
• hair spray/mousse to keep your style intact
• blow-dryer
• flat iron/curling iron

Stay happy, serene, and fresh all day:

• toothbrush and toothpaste
• breath mints
• deodorant
• perfume
• medications or pain relievers

FASHION AND ACCESSORIES

I don’t think you’ll forget your wedding dress or veil, but we’ll add them to the list… just in case!

• wedding dress
• veil
• shoes
• undergarments
• jewelry
• tiara/hair accessories
• a small purse
• handkerchief for tearful moments
• button-front shirt for getting ready
• stockings
• shoulder wrap
• garter

Attention traditionalists: Don’t forget something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue!

RECEPTION AND CEREMONY

Check with your vendors and wedding planner, if you have one, to find out what you need to bring with you. Some things, like a cake knife or champagne flutes will most likely be taken care of, but you’ll want to make sure you’re not left without them!

• wedding rings
• marriage license
• cash, credit cards
• a few blank checks
• unity candle
• kiddush cup and wine
• chuppah
• vow and toast speeches
• champagne flutes
• cake knife
• guest book and pen

It is a good idea to bring along a master contact sheet with numbers and names of all your vendors and VIP people, such as:

• officiant
• parents
• bridesmaids
• groomsmen
• wedding planner
• photographer/videographer
• caterer
• transportation services
• florist
• bar tender

Make sure a few other people in your wedding party have a copy just in case of an emergency.

PRE- AND POST-WEDDING

With all the preparation for the ceremony and reception, it’s easy to forget about pre-wedding and post-ceremony activities. If you need to pack for an entire weekend, don’t forget:

• an outfit for the rehearsal dinner
• an outfit for the day of your wedding
• an outfit for brunch the next morning
• wedding night lingerie
• gifts for the wedding party and parents

If you are leaving for your honeymoon the next morning, create a checklist dedicated solely to packing for your honeymoon. This way you’ll be able to easily transfer items to your vacation luggage at the last minute.

But if you think about it, how often is your flower girl actually going to wear her little princess gown? Once? Maybe again for a holiday or a party?  Either way, it seems silly to spend a lot of money on something that they’ll only wear once, especially when you can get a beautiful dress for less! Why spend $450 when you could spend $45? When my daughter was a flower girl at my brother’s wedding, we got a lovely light-yellow colored dress (sweater and shoes too!) from Target for under $30! There she is, pretty as a picture:

Flower Girl Dress for Less has dresses starting from $29:

Flower Girl Princess has some gorgeous dresses, the ones below are $39.99 and $54.99:

Target has something similar to that blue one (so cute!) for even less ($19.99). The white one is $22.99.

At The Perfect Pear, you can select a dress for your little girls, with a sash that matches your bridal party’s colors ($58):

There’s no need to compromise on style for the sake of your budget! Do your own search online and you’re sure to find the perfect flower girl dress!

1. Determine a Date

Choosing a wedding date can be tougher than you’d think. There are a few things to consider:

• How much time will you need to prepare for your wedding?
• Do any loved ones having a conflicting graduation, vacation, or pregnancy due date?
• Availability of a particular place, caterer, band, or photographer.If you have your heart set on any of these crucial vendors, that may also play a large part in your decision.
• Try to avoid dates of big conventions or other events that draw large crowds, since that might make it harder for out-of-town guests to get hotel rooms. Find out more wedding dates to avoid here

2. Set a Timetable

Consider is how long your engagement will be.  A typical engagement lasts anywhere from six months to a year and a half or more. If you got engaged during the holidays but always wanted a summer wedding, make sure you’ve got enough time to plan without making yourselves wedding-crazy, and keep in mind that many vendors and reception sites book a year or more in advance.

3. Envision the Style

Your wedding style will be reflected first and foremost in the location, whether it’s a luxe ballroom or an intimate backyard reception. Discuss with your fiance where your wedding will take place (in one of your hometowns or in the city where you currently live, for example), and then start scouting sites that can accommodate your wedding style.

4. Set Your Budget

In the end, dollars, not dreams, are a main determining factor for the size and style of your wedding. So, what affects the price tag?

• Formality: In general, the more formal the reception, the more expensive, considering you’ll have to match the site, food, and decor to the overall upscale tone.
• Date and time: Saturdays, summer months, and evenings tend to be the most costly times to have a reception.
• Location: In many cases, a wedding in a major metropolitan area is simply more expensive than in a smaller town.

5. Announce Your Engagement

Call your local newspaper, your alumni magazine, and anywhere else you want your engagement announcement to appear. Find out the name of the appropriate editor or department and ask for the writer’s guidelines or a standardized form, if available. Also, ask if there’s a fee for publication. You can also broadcast the news on your blog, by email, or by creating a wedding web page.

6. Choose Your Attendants

Although not mandatory, some like to honor their closest friends and family members by including them in the wedding parties. Remember, the earlier you ask, the sooner you can enlist their help.  Usually members of the wedding party are agreeing to spend their hard-earned money and donate their precious time, so be considerate and kind, keep them informed, and make sure they know how much you appreciate them.

7. Make a Guest List

Location and budget will have a big influence on the size of your guest list.  If you have a particular ceremony or reception site in mind, for instance, you’re going to be limited by how many people it can accommodate (you can’t squeeze 300 people into a lighthouse). And more guests you invite means a bigger bill, as catering costs are generally calculated on a per-head basis. So figure out how many people you can accommodate, and then work on filling it in with those nearest and dearest to you.

8. Consider a Consultant

If you’re a super-busy couple, hire a full-time wedding consultant to help you prepare your entire event, from the announcement to the honeymoon. You can also hire a part-time planner to devise a wedding blueprint — including budget, schedule, and lists of good vendor and site choices — before you launch solo into the preparations. Another option is a day-of coordinator, who will make sure everything goes as planned on your wedding day so you can relax and enjoy yourself.

9. Start Gown Shopping

It’s never too early to begin thinking about your wedding dress. Start by figuring out which style will look best on you. Learn the lingo by reading up on silhouettes, necklines, trains, and hues that might flatter you. Season will also affect your choice. Summer gowns are made with lightweight fabrics such as chiffon, linen, or organza. A winter wedding calls for brocade, faux fur, and velvet fabrics to keep you warm. Satin, shantung, silk, and tulle are perfect year-round.

Hopefully these tips will be helpful to you as you start planning for your big day! We wish you only happiness as you plan your wedding and prepare for the marriage that comes after it! Congratulations!

Researchers found that after second wedding anniversary, men are far more likely to leave dirty washing on the floor and the toilet seat up, while women stop wearing make-up, slouch around in pyjamas and hog the TV remote control. By the third anniversary… 83 per cent say they can’t even be bothered to celebrate the occasion…

Does this sound like you? Don’t worry, you’ve just fallen into a bad habit and need to reevaluate your relationship and make a commitment to give your partner more attention. Remember when romance was always in the air? You can get those good old days back if you’re willing to put in some effort!

“The odd romantic meal would probably be all many couples need to spice things up a bit. And small gestures such as tidying up, helping with the housework and relinquishing control of the TV remote would go a long way,” the rep added.

Newlyweds can take this advice to heart as well. There’s no need to wait til the romance wanes! Get into good habits and resolve to keep them up! Some tips to keep your marriage fresh include:

• Write love notes and leave them in odd places your spouse is sure to find them. It only takes a minute!
• See something he/she likes? Buy it as a surprise gift. It doesn’t have to be something big– a small bouquet of her favorite flowers, a new book by his favorite author– just to show you care!
• Make date night once a week or once every other week. Go out for dinner, see a movie, or order take-out and eat it by candle light.
• Send a sexy email. Your spouse might be putting in a hard day at work, but you can give him/her something to look forward to when he/she returns home!

How do you keep your marriage exciting and passionate? Drop us a comment and let us know!

There’s one area that many would agree could use a change for the better: women’s sex life. According to HitchedMag’s 3-part article on The Mysterious Orgasm:

Many studies, including a 2001 global study of sexual behavior with over 27,000 participants revealed that orgasmic dysfunction is more the norm than the exception. One-third of all women have never experienced orgasm, while the second third had experienced orgasm only rarely.

Part 1 claims that Finding the Sweet Spot Begins with Conversation:

The first step on this journey is removing the conversation about sensation, pleasure and orgasm out of the adult entertainment industry and into the privacy of the bedroom. This may seem like stating the obvious, but actual intimate sexual conversations are harder than you think. Your sense of safety in yourself and in your relationship is key to expressing your desires and living in the vulnerable place that opens to sexuality. This is a tall order given the combined impact when we consider the lack of sexual knowledge we are raised with, our shared cultural anxiety and how little scientific knowledge is available about sexual response. Read more here!

Part 2 of this series is called The Center of Letting Go:

It doesn’t work to focus on orgasms as the finish line. Aiming for it makes the journey anxiety-ridden and makes you forget that you are on a journey. Often times, it is the smallest of details that can push you to a place that you didn’t know was in you. But you can’t feel that place if you are looking for something big ahead of you. Presence is nothing if not the key to our sexual selves. Read more here!

Part 3 gives you 5 Steps to Getting There. These include seducing scents, motion, breathing, self control, and lubrication. Supposedly, Napoleon was well known for requesting his wife to not wash for a week when he was coming home. I prefer vanilla. Read more here!

“The good news is that the more orgasms you experience, the more orgasms you’re likely to have in the future.” Here’s to a brighter future for America and their sex lives!

From the Poster Bride website:

We make unique, handmade works of art that celebrate the fanfare of your party like nothing else can. A serigraph, up to 19″ x 25″, hand-printed and designed just for you, suitable for framing, following the tradition of silk-screened event posters, provides not only your wedding invitation, but a timeless gift of art for your loved ones.

So… is it an invitation? Is it a poster? Are we now mailing posters instead of invitations? Do you mail them to your entire guest list or only to close family and friends? And does anyone really think that, aside from the bride and groom, people are going to frame and hang these posters, adorable as they are?

If you have any idea as to what this is about, fill me in! In the meantime, I’ll be admiring the lovely artwork (thanks to Oh So Beautiful Paper)!

Whether it’s wedding or bridal shower invitations, place cards, wedding favors, or thank you cards, consider using rubber stamps on your home-made creation. There is an incredible array of options ranging from classic to whimsical, that will put the perfect finishing touch on your handiwork. Plus, they’re adorable, easy to use and loads of fun!

These tips are from About.com. Check out their site for more info:

Getting started: For inspiration, look through rubber-stamping and card-making magazines, and visit craft stores to look at paper and cardstock first hand. These will provide plenty of inspiration. Remember that greeting card layouts are simple to adapt, therefore a great birthday card layout, for instance, could be adapted to make a great wedding invitation. Make a note of fonts, type faces, and color choices as this will help when choosing or commissioning rubber stamps.

Follow the theme: Pick rubber stamps, inks, papers, and other materials that match or complement your wedding design theme and colors.

Customize: Many companies offer customized rubber stamps that can be personalized with your names and/or design. The design department will work with you to craft an image you love, or you can use a design of your own!

But the best materials: This means looking for products that are of archival quality and that are acid free. Your invitation will look good longer, even after years in your scrapbook! Good supplies are readily available from stamping and craft stores and are becoming very much the standard offering, so it doesn’t have to be expensive. But good quality rubber stamps too, for clear and crisp images.

Practice makes perfect: While it might be extremely tempting to start work straight away creating invitations, it is useful to practice on scrap paper with unfamiliar products first. This will help to avoid any costly mistakes or problems later on.

Envelopes: Your invitations might look fabulous studded with embellishments and adornments, but it does have to fit into the envelope! While it is possible to buy or make small card-sized boxes for heavily adorned cards, they will cost more to produce and send. Make sure you’re cards are not too bulky.

Include Basic Info: They’re going to look great, but don’t forget that the invitation must convey some important information. It is possible to buy rubber stamps that include these headings and then handwriting the relevant information. Alternatives include creating a rubber stamp with all the information or printing theses details from your home computer.

• The names of the couple
• The date of the wedding
• The location and time of the wedding
• The location and time of the reception.
• How to reply

Plan ahead: Make a few spare invitations in case some get lost in the post, or for last minute guests. Plan ahead, particularly when commissioning stamps. Stamping when stressed is not likely to give the best results!

The following delightful stamp images are available at Impress Rubber Stamps:

Check out their “wedding ideas” page for amazingly creative invitations and cards such as this one (bridal shower stamp for sale too):

You can also look at Blossom Stamps on Etsy for unique stamps, stickers, and one-of-a-kind hand carved stamps:

Addicted to Rubber Stamps has some cute bride-themed stamp sets:

From Blockhead Stamps, some gorgeous stamp sets, particularly if you like an Asian theme:

Some pretty finished products, including invitations, place cards, and wedding favors:

As reported by WeddedBits, guests write words of wisdom, ranging from “Never go to bed angry” to “Ask before deleting his favorite show from your TiVo,” on the cards and present them to the bride-to-be. It’s great because everyone can participate, from Great Aunt Lily to your 10-year old flower girl. Who doesn’t love to give advice? As each guest reads theirs aloud, be prepared for some added laughter and tears.

The wording, fonts, and graphics can be customized, and the set comes packaged in a pretty blue box. $17 for 20 cards. Visit Inkspot Workshop’s Etsy site for more information.