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Before the Big Day: Bridal Boot Camp

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

April means flowers and wedding showers, and for many newly engaged brides, it's time to start thinking about how to get in shape for the big day. Many women take a boot camp approach, using a focused fitness plan to stay on course. Thankfully, there are boot camps for every budget; here are three options to help you along.

Bridal retreats. Live in Fitness recently began offering a multiweek Bridal Retreat program, where women stay in a one-bedroom suite in Southern California and train from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with breaks for healthy meals. Not surprisingly, it'll cost you around $8,000 for two weeks.
Online programs: From Cynthia Conde's Bridal Bootcamp, which helps you create customized fitness and eating plans, to simple, downloadable regimens like Shape's Total Body Wedding Workout, there are oodles of online resources designed just for brides.
Wedding DVDs: If you prefer to work it at home, pick out a bridal-specific video, such as The Wedding Workout from Women's Health or this Wedding Boot Camp DVD.

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

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Wedding Planner: Bridal Shower Thank You Gifts

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:30:52 -0700

If you're planning a bridal shower, you're probably scouring your local shops looking for cute, inexpensive party gifts for your guests. These Cherry Blossom Gift Tins (10 for $22.50) are a great find. I don't know a lady out there who doesn't love pretty, small tins and boxes that can be used for stashing everything from earrings to sewing pins or change. There's just so many uses for little, pretty containers. These Japanese chiyogami (old-paper) gift tins would be a gorgeous, colorful, and unique keepsake tin for your party favors. You could fill them with something small and heartfelt, such as flower seeds, decorative small soaps, or chocolates. It's definitely a unique party favor that everyone will appreciate.

The Card Shop: Papeterie Bridal Shower Invites

CasaSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 09:00:44 -0700

At home, I'm a modern woman with the décor to match. But when it comes to weddings, I'm a traditionalist. No matter how laid-back (or wild and crazy) a girl may be, I'm all for elegance and sophistication on the big day. That notion applies to the bridal shower as well. Papeterie's Bridal Shower Invitations ($33.75-37.50 for 25) fit the bill when it comes to elegant stationery. Choose from an array of beautiful designs inspired by textile patterns, including antique roses, flower toile, garland, scroll, Moroccan patterns, and more. Beyond that, you can choose from 18 different colorways to fit your gal pal's personality. Since they're digitally printed, you won't pay the price of letterpress, but you'll still get the look, and that's key!

On Our Radar: Cole Haan's Comfy Bridal Collection

FabSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:00:22 -0700

Most women sacrifice comfort for style on their wedding day but what if I told you that you can have the best of both worlds? Cole Haan has just launched a beautiful bridal collection boasting its famous Nike Air technology. That means you'll be able to dance the night away without swelling toes and blistering feet. Cool. The line currently stocks eight styles, ranging from peep-toe pumps to embellished slingbacks, all made in silk satin. However, the collection is not cheap. Prices retail from $298 to $428, but with Cole Haan's "dye to black" service, you can wear your cushiony heels well after your wedding day. Interested? The Cole Haan Bridal collection is available online and at select Cole Haan stores.

The How-To Lounge: Bridal Shower Etiquette

DearSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Traditionally a bridal shower is an opportunity for women to get together to "shower" the bride in the presents that she’ll need to make a home. While certainly times have changed in terms of wedding etiquette, generally, bridal showers have remained the same. To find out some basic shower etiquette and ways to make this traditional event more contemporary, read more.

Typically the shower is thrown and planned by the maid of honor and/or a female relative - the bride’s mother may be involved in the planning, but she's not in charge of the occasion.
Women who are not invited to the wedding should not be asked to attend the bridal shower. However, of the wedding invitees, feel free to ask everyone from coworkers to great-grandmothers.
Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to have a co-ed shower, which is usually thrown at night and is more similar to a traditional engagement party. But if you're planning the occasion, be sure to check in with the bride and groom and see what works for them.
Showers usually take place four to eight weeks before the wedding day in order to ensure the bride isn’t completely overwhelmed with scheduling right before the big day. If multiple showers are being thrown, the more time that’s given the better. You want the bride’s shower to be special, not another thing she has to stress over.
Formal invitations are expected for bridal showers. If you're following a specific theme, make sure to either utilize it in the look of the invitation or mention it within. While the invites can include an insert mentioning the couple’s website and gift registry, it's best not to include that information on the invitation itself.
Though many showers incorporate games and themes, neither of these are necessary. Just make sure that whatever is chosen works for the brides and keeps in mind that women of all ages will be attending.

Bridal showers may not be as exciting a bachelorette party, but they should still be fun, so don't be afraid to think outside of the box and try something totally untraditional!

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

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The Bountiful Best from Fall '10 Bridal Fashion Week

FabSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:00:22 -0700

I don't foresee myself walking down the aisle anytime soon, but that won't stop me from peeping at the latest bridal fashions from Jenny Packham, Vera Wang, Reem Acra, Monique Lhuillier, and Temperley London. For Fall '10, the designers supplied us with an abundance of fabulous, frothy layers of tulles, taffeta, lace, and ruffles. However, what really caught my eye were a surprising selection of fancy short frocks and even black dresses – who dares? Check out the bountiful best from Fall '10 Bridal Fashion Week!

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How to Make a Bridal Snack Pack

partysugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:30:47 -0700

Calling all bridesmaids, maids of honor, and mothers of the bride! The day of the wedding is sure to be an emotional, stressful time for the bride - and all people involved in the bridal party! - so make sure no one forgets to eat. After all, nobody should start drinking Champagne on an empty stomach! While you may not want a huge, sit down meal, it's nice to have a wide variety of healthy and tasty snacks. To learn how to create a wedding day snack pack, click the "Start" button. Source

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Wedding Trend Alert: Couples Showers

partysugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 07:00:38 -0700

If bridal showers just aren't your style, consider hosting a couples shower. Coed, or "Jack and Jill" showers - in which the groom invites his male friends and family - are becoming more and more common. Think of a couples shower more like an engagement party. Host the party on the weekend and choose a menu that will please both men and women. For more tips on hosting a couples shower, read more.

At a bridal shower, alcohol may not play an important role, but at a couples shower be sure to offer guests cocktails.
Plan the party around a theme, event, or activity. If you or your fiancé are foodies host a cooking class, wine tasting, or mixologist bar shower. Attending a sporting event or hosting a tournament is fun for adventurous, athletic couples.
The present opening ceremony is optional. If you prefer, open them later in privacy. However, be sure to send thoughtful, prompt thank you notes.
Remember a shower is a chance for everyone to get to know each other before the wedding, so encourage mingling.
Finally, it's your party so do what you want. If a Mexican themed fiesta with a mariachi is what you love, go for it!

Have you ever attended a couples shower? Or hosted one? Share your tips below.

To check out more wedding trends, go to IDoSugar.

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Do Tell: How Many Pre-Wedding Parties Are Too Many?

DearSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Being a part of someone's wedding is a huge honor, but it's also very time-consuming and expensive. It seems that everyone's free time is getting more and more limited, so when you add wedding requirements to the mix, they can feel like more of a burden than an event to look forward to. Typically brides have one engagement party, one bridal shower, and one bachelorette party, but some have many more. Now I love a good party, don't get me wrong, but I know how monotonous these kind of parties can be. So ladies, do tell, how many pre-wedding parties are too many?

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

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Product of the Day: Bridal Sneakers

GiggleSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0700

Sky-high Louboutins too daunting? Bridal flip-flops too declassé? Why not find a happy medium and put on some bridal sneakers! Folks only care about the dress, so I hear. You might as well be comfy on your big day.

To see more wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.