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10 Funky Frocks For a Beach Wedding

FabSugarUK — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:30:53 -0700

Are you heading to the beach this Summer to celebrate a friend or family member's nuptials? If you are, have some fun with your outfit, by wearing a funky coloured frock. Here are 10 great options to help jazz up your wardrobe.

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Casa Interview: Destination Wedding Planner Alison Hotchkiss (Part 2)

CasaSugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:00:47 -0700

Alison Hotchkiss, the creative director of Alison Events and the author of Destination Wedding Planner, has plenty of smart advice on planning destination weddings. If you, or a couple you know, are planning a destination wedding, I highly recommend Alison's new book to lend a guiding hand in your planning process. You can read the first half of the interview here. Alison has more great advice in the second half of this interview.

CasaSugar: When you plan a destination wedding, do you try to use local artisans, caterers, and other services?

Alison Hotchkiss: I definitely try to use as much local support as possible. It’s cost-effective, puts money back into the community, and is a positive way to support the area. I will sometimes hire a local planner to serve as my eyes and ears locally, and then I have someone to help us when we’re there. Especially in smaller beach communities, a lot of negotiations and contracts are over a handshake, not a formal agreement, so it’s important to respect the way that the local community does business.

To see Alison's advice on everything from wedding favors to organizing activities, read more.

CasaSugar: What’s your take on wedding favors? Have there been any that have stood out? Have there been any alternatives that were creative or impressive?

Alison Hotchkiss: One of my favorite favors was from my Costa Rica wedding. All of the guests were given Holga cameras preloaded with film, so everyone was able to take photos throughout the ceremony. There was a big beautiful glass bin where everyone could drop their film and they could reload throughout the evening. At the end of the evening the bride took all of the film, processed it, and put it on the Pictage website, so everyone could see all of the photos that were taken.

Another trend I’ve been seeing is people paying it forward by offsetting people’s carbon footprint for travel. This is often seen on the bottom of the menu or program. Other couples have donated to schools or children’s community shelters. I’ve seen a lot more of that than people purchasing favors. I think it’s a waste of money to do a favor these days when there are so many other things you can put your money towards.

CasaSugar: How do you deal with gifts at a destination wedding?

Alison Hotchkiss: I rarely see gifts at a destination wedding. Most people know to not bring gifts and to ship them in advance. If somebody were to get gifts they’d have to pack them and bring them back. You’d have to arrange for shipping, and oftentimes if you’re staying at a hotel that’s something they can execute for you.

One other great story is that some of my clients, in lieu of wedding gifts, the client included a notecard in the invitation asking everyone in lieu of gifts to “pay it forward” and do something for someone else, be it a family or an organization in their name, and then to write it on the notecard. Then, when people got to the wedding, the guests had the same card that had their name and their table numbers on it, so they replaced the name cards with the pay it forward card, and we had this really awesome display of what people had done to pay it forward. They ranged from deep, meaningful stories to really silly stories, such as “Oh, I paid for the person’s toll behind you,” and someone else said, “I rescued a bird off the side of the road.” That was a really cute idea and a great way to say, Let’s not focus so much on material gifts, and focus more on giving back to the world.

CasaSugar: Once guests get to the destination, have you found a fun way to organize activities? Do you let guests know a schedule beforehand, or spring it on them as a fun surprise? How would you say is the best way to organize this?

Alison Hotchkiss: I’d say the majority of people these days are creating their own wedding websites, which is the best way to communicate all of the information that can happen. It can have directions, wedding activities, local things to do and see, all of that. Or, rather than asking people to sign up beforehand on the web-site you can have people, during the rehearsal dinner, sign up for the following day’s tours. We have used a chalkboard so it was more fun than writing it on a 8.5x11 piece of paper. Different activities we have done are a snorkeling adventure, massage, or horseback riding. It’s nice to not have to determine things so far in advance.

CasaSugar: Given the economic climate right now, if you were going to recommend one area where guests can squeeze their budget, what can be downsized?

Alison Hotchkiss: I’d say music. We always tell people to go with a DJ vs. band, it’s thousands and thousands of dollars for a band. A band can run from $2,000 to $10,000. That’s one area. Another is limiting favors. You can also choose beer and wine instead of an open bar, or limiting the time of the open bar. Pick your battles and consider what’s most important.

Another area is the flowers. Instead of doing flowers, consider using a combination of herbs, flowers, succulents, and fruits. We did a wedding recently in the tropics and cut bougainvillea petals from the local branches and made a carpeted aisle for the ceremony. It was so vibrant and so colorful, and it was free. Use what you have locally.

CasaSugar: What would you have at your destination wedding?

Alison Hotchkiss: All I know is I want it to be somewhere tropical (with good surf), laid back, and I would be totally happy with fish tacos, a DJ, and local beer, Oh and I think I am going to wear a short dress and lose the shoes!

CasaSugar: That sounds excellent.

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Wedding Round Up

FabSugarUK — Sun, 31 May 2009 06:00:09 -0700

I have been rounding up lots of gorgeous dresses for you in preparation for wedding season recently. Hopefully you are now prepared and know exactly what to wear for the occasion. Here is a round up of the key looks which give you an idea of wear to head to for the perfect frock.

Funky Playsuits	Edgy Bride	Eco Chic
Beach Wedding	Maxi Gowns	Floral Frocks

Coming Up With a Wedding Budget, Part I

SavvySugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 09:30:18 -0700

Engagement is absolute bliss until you realize the long wedding planning road ahead. Sure, it's overwhelming: What will you wear? Who will be in your wedding party? Will you get married on the beach or in a ballroom? Curb the train of thought questions and focus on one thing at a time.

First thing's first: Come up with your wedding budget. It's certainly not as fun as wedding dress shopping, but really, what is? Your budget will determine how you can proceed with the details for your big day, so it must be set before doing anything else. To see my tips on figuring out a magic number, read more.

Nail down who is contributing to the marital cause. If there's more than one party paying, find out how much everyone can commit or use spending categories to divide the financial responsibilities. For example, his family pays for flowers, yours pays for the photographer, you and your fiance pay for the music, etc.
Footing the bill all by yourselves? Discuss how much you can afford to pay and how much you realistically want to spend on your wedding. You're in total control, so there's no reason to go into debt together. Create a separate savings account for your wedding fund and set up automatic withdrawals from your bank accounts each month. Be realistic: if you're unable to save enough by the time you want to get married, choose a wedding date further in the future.

For more wedding tips, check out all of the Sugar Network’s wedding coverage here.

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Let PriscillaofBoston.com Be Your Wedding Planning Guide . . .

FabSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:50:11 -0700

Choosing a wedding dress can be one of the most stressful decisions in a stylista's life. After all, you'll be walking down the aisle (or a beach) with hundreds of pairs of eyes gawking at your every step. Luckily, PriscillaofBoston.com is here to help every blushing bride find the dress of her dreams. This site makes wedding planning a piece a cake by providing an abundance of wedding dresses and bridal party gowns for you to pick and choose - there's even a very organized trunk show calendar announcing when they'll be in town! There's also a special planning section offering floral, photography, and even vacation destination ideas for you to ponder and peruse. Done and done. There's nothing left to do but say "I do!"

Wedding Day Workout Tips

FitSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 08:00:00 -0700

If you're a bride- or bridesmaid-to-be, chances are you've kicked up your diet and exercise routine a notch so you can look and feel picture-perfect for the big day. So when the special day arrives, there's no reason to say goodbye to your sports bra and sneakers. It'll feel good to move your body a little before slipping on your dress, so here are some tips to keep in mind when working out on the day of the wedding.

Definitely exercise, even if you only have a short amount of time. It'll help reduce prewedding jitters and give you energy to dance well into the night.
Eat before you exercise, preferably something that's high in protein but not high in fiber as it may add to the intestinal uneasiness you'll most likely be experiencing.

For the other tips read more.

Now is not the day to try anything new and challenging like mountain biking or water skiing. You don't want to risk injuring yourself before walking down the aisle.
Don't push yourself too hard physically. Do something of moderate difficulty that you enjoy, like going for a jog on the beach or a bike ride around town. The purpose of this workout should be to get your heart pumping, but it should also calm your mind.
Include your bridesmaids and family in your prewedding workout. Many yoga instructors or other fitness experts will travel, so you can hire them to lead a group class. That way everyone will benefit from a little exercise, and you'll still be spending time together.
If you're at a place that has its own gym, definitely take advantage. If your husband-to-be wants to hit the gym too but you don't want to see each other until the big moment, have someone tell him what time you're planning on going.

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Color Me Inspired: I Love You, Man's Sunshiney Bride and Bridesmaids

FabSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:50:22 -0700

This Spring, in the comedy I Love You, Man, we witnessed one of the happiest, liveliest colors a bridesmaid can wear. The maids in the movie wore Nanette Lepore's "Still Free" shift dresses, FYI. Appropriate for a garden, beach, or even indoor wedding (if the reception or party is outdoors), your bridesmaids will thank you. How can one stress on the big day when she's surrounded by chipper yellow best buds? I'm also an advocate of non-bridesmaids bridesmaid dresses for the supporting cast - sourcing a mid-range designer for wear-again cocktail dresses is the way to go. It's thoroughly modern and, again, your bridesmaids will be thankful. What do you think - are you as smitten with this sunshiney bride and her bridesmaids as I am?

If you're feeling me on this one, take a look at my sunshiney bridesmaid picks, and read more.

Photo courtesy of Paramount

Fab's Guide to Finding the Perfect Dress to Say "I Do" In

FabSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:00:22 -0700

Hello, bride-to-be. I'm Fab, your personal wedding dress shopper! Whether you have three months or twelve to shop for your dream dress, here is a guide to help you look your most beautiful, and keep your sanity. You be the bride and I'll be your guide . . .

First things first: determine your wedding style and budget. Close your eyes and try to picture your big day. Is the ceremony ethereal outside on a beach? Or more formal inside a formal church? Or is it something in between? You'll want a wedding gown that fits your picture. Choose something light and airy if you'll be beachside and something more lavish if you'll be in a church. If you're going the church route, remember to cover up with a shawl or bolero as you want to respect the dress code of the establishment. The most important thing is to set a budget so you don't go ga ga over a dress that's out of your price range!

To read the rest of my Fab wedding shopping guide, read more.

Remember that the season could determine the style of your dress, but it doesn't have to. It's your wedding, so you make the rules. If you're in love with an open-back dress for your Winter wedding, you can always pair it with a shawl for warmth. If your wedding is in the Summer but you love a long-sleeve lace gown, go for it (just wear lots of deodorant!)
Once you've decided on your ceremony style and budget, you'll need inspiration. Go out and buy all of the weddings magazines on the stand and start ripping away. Create a wedding dress file - I suggest something special like this Peppercot Accordion File Tote ($24). This file will also come in handy later in life, I promise.
There is an insane amount of dress styles to choose from (classic, retro, modern, color, etc) but my favorite trends now are bows, embellishments, and short lengths. I will show you more of these dress styles in depth later, but for starters here are the the options I'd explore were it my wedding.

(L-R: Bows (Melissa Sweet), Short (Vera Wang Bridal), Embellished (Kenneth Pool)
While you are gathering your gown file, ask your wedding planner or married friends for suggestions of dress salons near you. Also peruse online wedding sites like Wedding Channel and Brides. Brides has a handy dandy glossary you'll appreciate. The most important thing to remember is timing. Special-order gowns can take three to six months to create, and alterations can take weeks, so plan accordingly.
Now that it's time to go gown shopping, it's important to dress appropriately. You want to wear loose fitting clothes that are easy to get in and out of - but don't dress like a slob. It's also good to have your hair either pulled back or down, depending on how you'll have it on the actual day. Bring comfortable shoes with the heel height you plan to wearing. Throw a strapless bra into your purse and try to wear pretty underthings - you will be standing around in them in front of your shopping buddies and salesperson.
Once you are assigned a salesperson, go through your tear sheets with them and point out what you like about dresses and special details you love. When you try on dresses, continue to point out your likes and dislikes.
Keep an eye out for quality. In a high-quality gown every detail should have a perfect finish - no bead or string should be unraveled. Natural fabrics like silk are pricier than synthetics, but the benefits are they let your skin breathe and don't trap sweat. A-line gowns fall smoothly and prevent panty lines; this is also the best shape for fuller figures. If you do have budget constraints, skip beading and fancy details and focus on a fine fabric and a good fit - you can always dress yourself up with jewelry and beauty!
The finishing touches. Take into account the following elements surrounding your look: alterations, headpiece/veil, lingerie, jewelry, shoes, bag, a cover up, and the groom's ensemble. Oh, and the bridesmaids. Lastly, two weeks before your wedding, have a final dress fitting with your accessories and lingerie, and break in your shoes by wearing them at home. There will be more on this in months to come so stay tuned!

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com!

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Gadgets That Help You Chill Out, Stave Off Wedding Stress

GeekSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 09:00:28 -0700

Now that you're working out and pumping those muscles with games in preparation for your wedding that burn you feel in your shoulders may not just be the result of some power lifting, but stress.

And as I'm sure you know, between your workout regime, long hours at the office, and dealing with your mother-in-law to be's seating chart (that you didn't ask her for), you may be wanting to head for the hills! Thankfully, gadgets are not only good for playing games and calculating tip percentages, they can also be good for relieving stress.

Let some of these gadgets help you chill out and relax so you don't have a major breakdown (or a breakout) on your wedding day! Check out all my stress relieving gadget suggestions when you read more.

Not only does Wii Fit incorporate relaxing yoga in its many workout options, but your DS allows you to take your new yoga instructor with you where ever you go with Let's Yoga DS. Helping beginners and experts alike flow through the stretching and relaxing poses really does bring your stress level to a minimum. Now all you have to do is hang onto that feeling when you're done!

My favorite part about a mani/pedi is the calf massage! Now you can have that soothing feeling at home with the Legs Beautification Leg Massager. May I suggest you have this with you while getting your hair and makeup done pre-wedding just to make sure you are totally blissful when you walk down the aisle?!

What's more relaxing than spending a few stolen moments gazing out at the ocean? If you aren't lucky enough to live near the beach bring the essence of the beach to your home with this geeky Umine Home Projection Lamp. Project moving water on your wall or ceiling, while the sounds of seagulls, waves, and bubbles help you to forget how far over budget your reception has become.

A classic gadget to help you massage away the stress of your bridesmaids nit picking over their dresses, the Mini Massager is small enough to toss in your purse before the big day, or on your way to meet the new in laws, while the USB Massager is perfect for those long menu organization sessions in front of your computer.

My love for bubble wrap extends beyond mere fun. Have you ever noticed how calming it is to pop those little bubbles? The Bubble Wrap Keychain can take you to that calm place where ever you are. I may not be able to say the same for the person sitting next to you on the bus, but hey, it's your wedding you're stressing about - you can do what you want!

Be sure to see more wedding coverage on I Do Sugar.

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Matt Celebrates Weddings and Another Bourne Movie

PopSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:00:52 -0700

Matt Damon slipped into a tux to escort a much blonder Luciana to a beach wedding on an island off the coast of Florida on Saturday. Luciana showed off her fabulous sling back Loubs, while lucky Matt got to go casual in flip-flops for the sandy event. We love to see Matt all dressed up, but are even more excited by the news that he will definitely be back for a fourth Bourne movie! Guess this means a lot more physical fitness for Matt as he gets back that body that scored him Sexiest Man Alive.

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Splash News Online

Ruched georgette dress - $150.00	See by Chloe Draped Jersey Dress - $375.00
Dallin Chase Lou Dress - $170.00	Jada Dress - $350.00
Silence & Noise Strapless Tulip Dress - $58.00	Dolce Vita - $198.00
Ralph Lauren Kitty Tiered Cotton Dress - $178.00	Carmen Dress - $98.00
Bungalow Gables Dress - $138.00	Betsey Johnson yellow crinkled silk chiffon ring halter dress - $201.00