(ARA) – It’s just like you dreamed . . . he declares his love, surprises you with a ring, you fall into his arms and say, “Yes!” And then, boom, reality hits and you’re up to your tiara in guest lists, menu choices and bridal magazines galore.
The months prior to her wedding can be the most magical -- and stressful -- times in a woman’s life. There are so many issues to worry about -- fulfilling your dream on your budget, satisfying the expectations of two different families, and deciding and coordinating the numerous details. With all this on your mind, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But if you let the stress take over, your body may soon show the signs in the form of weight gain, under-eye circles and acne. Every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day, so it’s important to understand early-on how to minimize the stress you’re under and prevent its unpleasant effects.
Here’s some advice on how to control your stress and its impact on your appearance. Keep these in mind and you won’t have to worry about turning into the dreaded “Bridezilla.”
Tips to reduce wedding-related stress
* Delegate responsibility
Don’t take on the entire job of planning alone. Friends and family are sincere when they offer their assistance, so don’t make the mistake of turning down their help. Let them know how you’d like your wedding to look and feel and then hand over tasks based on people’s strengths. Ask your parents to visit local reception halls and tell you about the best two; your sister to think up a few options for decorations within your budget; and your best friend to help you pick out yours and the bridesmaids’ dresses. They’ll be honored to play such an important role in your wedding, and you’ll get a much needed break.
* Establish a regular exercise routine
Make sure to get your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes a few times a week. Exercising releases endorphins into your body, which will give you energy and regulate your mood. Exercising is not only a good way to lose a few pounds and gain sexy muscle tone, but it also provides an outlet to release the stress that is built up inside of you.
* Get plenty of sleep
Sleep is likely to be last on your priority list when you’re planning a wedding, but it should be at the top. Repeatedly going without enough sleep will leave you drained and unequipped to deal with stress. Small issues that wouldn’t give you anxiety under normal circumstances can feel like major catastrophes when you are sleep-deprived.
Even with this advice, you can’t be entirely shielded from stress. You’re getting married and a certain amount of nervousness comes with the territory. The good news is that you don’t have to let it show.
Tips to combat the effects of stress
* Potential weight gain
When people get nervous, they tend to eat more, and if brides-to-be aren’t careful, they can pack on the pounds quickly. Try to be mindful when you eat: Is what you’re eating healthy? Are you actually hungry or are you eating as a way to use nervous energy? It may also be smart to invest in a body shaping garment to wear under your dress so that areas of concern aren’t given a second thought.
* Dark circles under the eyes
Dark circles under or around the eyes can be caused by many different things, including heredity, medications, a poor diet and lack of sleep. There’s not much you can do about the first two causes, but if all the stress you’re under has you eating and sleeping irregularly, you need to regain control; and don’t wait until the last minute to do it! Also, make sure you’re armed with a great concealer!
* Acne Breakouts
Everyone has heard that stress and acne go hand in hand. A study published in the July 2003 issue of the Archives of Dermatology offers scientific proof that stress or worry can precipitate or worsen acne breakouts.
All eyes are going to be on you, and the last thing you want to be dealing with is acne, so you need to start caring for your skin now. Prevent pimples from ruining your big day by establishing a daily skin regimen involving products that have specific ingredients to treat and prevent acne, say the skin care experts at Nature’s Cure.
Erika Mason-Chow, a recent bride from San Francisco, took that advice to heart. “I’ve always had problems with pimples, especially when I’m under stress,” she says. “I’ve tried a lot of expensive skin care products over the years with little success. Nature’s Cure Anti-Acne Papaya Skin Care System is the only system that gave me results.”
The Anti-Acne Papaya Skin Care System contains three skin care essentials that utilize the power of papaya and salicylic acid, a proven acne-fighter, to treat and prevent acne without disrupting the skin’s delicate balance. Mason-Chow says that not long after using the system’s cleanser, toner and moisturizer at least once a day, her skin cleared up completely. “I can’t say enough great things about it,” she says. “I love the smell, how my skin reacts to it, how gentle it is. It’s like treating myself to a mini-facial every day.”
Brides-to-be who have more chronic problems with acne may want to supplement the Papaya Skin Care System with Nature’s Cure’s Two-Part Acne Treatment for Females, which includes all-natural homeopathic acne tablets to balance the body, along with the use of a Vanishing Cream made with Benzoyl Peroxide, an anti-bacterial agent, to spot-treat existing pimples.
“The best advice I can give is to start your skin care regimen early. Then, as your wedding date approaches, your complexion will be one thing you don’t have to worry about,” says Mason-Chow.
You can find both the Papaya Skin Care System and Two-Part Acne Treatment in grocery, drug and discount stores including Eckerd, Fred Meyer, Kroger, Meijer, Osco, Rite Aid Walgreens and Wal-Mart stores. For more information about Nature’s Cure, visit www.naturescure.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Your Perfect Day!
Preparing for Out of Town Wedding Guests
(ARA) – Weddings are an exciting and busy time for everyone. As the couple prepares to celebrate their bond, family and friends are preparing for the big day too. For out of town guests, traveling can be confusing, expensive and take a lot of time.
“When planning a wedding, a couple can help out of town guests feel like locals by providing some easy and fun information,” says Jenny Heger, account manager for AmericInn. “Not only is the hotel they stay at important, but other travel worries can be eased by providing some simple ideas from the bride and groom. I’ve worked with couples planning weddings before and being proactive with guests of all kinds can ensure a wonderful wedding for everyone.”
Make life easier for special guests who are traveling to the ceremony by including some of these ideas in your invitation or another communication:
* Hotel
Choose hotels located near the site of the wedding or reception. Guests will then have an easy time finding their way to the big event. A hotel is also a refuge from all the wedding activities. Make sure the one you choose is quiet and well managed. For example, AmericInn hotels are built with AmericInn SoundGuard construction which reduces sounds and vibrations. Hotels with amenities such as a pool, complimentary breakfast and free Internet access are also items that guests will appreciate.
* Dining
During the many events that take place for a wedding, guests might need to grab a quick bite to eat. Make a list of recommended restaurants or cafes so they know where they can get a good meal at an affordable price. You could even include coupons to your favorite places. Above all else, this helps your guests experience the local eateries of the town.
* Maps
Nobody likes to get lost, especially when something as important as a wedding is happening. Be sure to include a map not only to where the ceremony is, but also the reception and any other locations the guest might need. For example, including a comprehensive map with the event locations as well as locations of convenience stores, local restaurants and parks will make out of town guests feel more comfortable.
* Activities
For downtime between wedding activities, guests might appreciate suggestions of fun and interesting activities, especially for those who are traveling with a family. Make a list of some easy places to visit such as local parks, movie theaters, museums, or even interesting and unique shops.
* Contact
Of course the bride and groom will be busy during the days of and previous to the ceremony, so they will not be the best people to contact for information. Talk to someone who lives in the city about being the contact for out of town guests. This person could be a family member or a friend who lives locally. Include this person’s name and number as a resource for guests who will be traveling.
* Finances
When planning all of the above, keep guests’ finances in mind. The cost of traveling and attending a wedding can get quite high. Keep guests’ budgets in mind when choosing hotel, restaurants and activities. Your guests will enjoy their stay more and appreciate the extra effort you put in just for them.
“Providing extra information to out of town guests will give them peace of mind during their travels and the best possible memories from your wedding,” adds Heger.
For more information about AmericInn hotels, visit www.AmericInn.com/ara.
Courtesy of ARAContent
Wedding Video Secrets
Be Creative to Customize a Wedding
(ARA) – A wedding is such a special time in a couple’s life. They share a unique bond and deserve to celebrate it in an exceptional way. Many details of a wedding can be customized easily and affordably so that when the big day comes, it is sure to be one of a kind.
“Having the wedding of your dreams at a price in your budget is possible,” says Kim Novak, education manager for Pfaff Sewing Machines, a company that encourages creativity and individuality through sewing. “There are many details that can be personalized by the bride or groom themselves that will make the event unforgettable for them and their guests.”
Here are some easy ways to customize the details of your wedding ceremony and reception:
* The Ceremony
Program: Whether traditional or contemporary, the ceremony should be unique to the couple. Pick songs that have special meaning during the ceremony. Create vows together so when you exchange them, you know they are something you wrote as a couple. Finally, create a who's who page in your ceremony programs, explaining your relationship to each person in your wedding party so guests learn why your wedding party is so special to you.
Fabric: From the fabric on the dress to the veil to the ring pillow, embroidery is a perfect way to add a personalized touch. For the ring pillow, why not embroider a special phrase expressing your commitment to one another? Sequins can easily be added to the garter to make it more fun or add your “Something Blue” with a quick monogram. Finally, add beads or beautiful embroidered lace to your veil for a classy and one of a kind piece that can be passed down through the generations.
“More brides are sewing and embroidering themselves thanks to new technologies,” adds Novak. “Machines like the Pfaff creative 2170 can create monograms and have downloadable programs that allow the bride quick and hassle-free customization options.”
Pictures: Couples are beginning to create a collage of pictures and other meaningful items to display at the ceremony location for guests to view before and after the event. Choose a combination of portrait shots and candid shots. Personalize by adding special touches like decorative frames and written descriptions of the photos by the bride and groom. You can even turn your favorite picture into an embroidery design for a special centerpiece on your memory table.
* The Reception
Centerpieces: For a beautiful and simple centerpiece try placing vases with single flower stems or simply a bunch of baby’s breath. To personalize, place special items in the bottom of each vase. For example, put sea shells from your grandparent’s cabin decoratively in the bottom, or sand from a special beach where you both love to vacation. Flowers need not be the only idea for a perfect centerpiece. Why not try a simple pillar candle or group of votive candles? “For my wedding,” adds Sara Boughner, Pfaff education consultant, “I created my own table runners using the colors of our wedding. They were sewn in a snap with my Pfaff creative 4874 serger, saved the cost of renting and are mine to keep. For an extra special touch, I embroidered our monogram on the runner for the head table.”
Ribbon: This is probably one of the least expensive ways to personalize your wedding. Ribbon can be ordered with your names and/or wedding date printed on it. Ribbon can be tied to anything from the centerpieces to the guest favors, even on the champagne flutes. A ribbon can be added to candles to coordinate with the colors of the wedding. To get a ribbon in a very special color, try using a Pfaff serger. Take lightweight fabric, perhaps even the fabric from the bridesmaids’ dresses, and simply sew a rolled hem with your serger to create one of a kind ribbon for decorating.
Guest Favors: There are many ideas for favors out there, so be sure to pick one that is special to you. For example, many candy companies will personalize their wrappers to create a special gift. Some couples create CD’s or small booklets of their favorite songs and poems. For an added touch, write a short, hand-written note thanking the guest for attending. Don’t forget about your gift bags! Add a personal touch with embroidery, stitching or beading.
“Sewing is an easy, affordable way to add special details to a wedding that will really make it stand out. With all the resources available, any bride, no matter how artistic, can save money and make their wedding unforgettable,” says Novak.
For more information about Pfaff, please visit www.pfaffusa.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Proven Bachelor Party System 
