We Love Moms!

Happy Mother’s Day to the women in our lives who have been by our sides from the very beginning, who have sacrificed for us and love us to no end! When a mother’s little girl (or little boy!) gets married, they are just as excited as their child and would do anything to ensure the wedding is fabulous and perfect. Above all, they want their child’s married life to be filled with happiness and bliss. It is a proud moment, and mothers want nothing more than to be part of the celebration.

What can your mother do for your wedding day?

Let her take care of the small details: last minute décor, the corsages and boutonnieres, mailing your invitations and setting up the place cards at the reception—these are but a few items on a long list of tasks that you, as the bride or as a couple, could let mom look after and give you time to move onto other things.

Let her be there when you choose your dress, and be there when she chooses hers: the dress selection process is the ultimate girl outing for mother and daughter (and sister, and aunt, and cousin, and grandmother, and BFFs!) This is the only time in both your lives that you will experience such an event, and is a time to bond with your mother. There may be little disagreements, but remember, she just wants to see you looking and feeling beautiful! When it’s time to choose her dress, tell her what you want, as this will help her find the perfect dress. Or, let her choose something that she feels her best in. She wants her daughter’s input, for sure! Always be honest (and flatter her too!)

Let her walk you down the aisle, too: this is a growing trend in modern weddings. Both dad and mom walking the bride down the aisle is a way to honour both parents equally, and have them hand you to your groom. Let your parents enter the church (or wherever your ceremony is being held) halfway, and then, join them. If you are not having a formal ceremony, and just a reception, let mom give a speech (because we all know she wants to!) as the reception begins.

Finally, let her give you some advice: she has gone through this, or maybe she has seen her fair share of weddings and knows, in her feminine wisdom, what makes a beautiful, lasting relationship. Make time for her to hear her stories and anecdotes, and give you some ideas on how to foster a wonderful marriage. These are precious moments that will bring you closer, and remember fondly as you enter this new phase of your life.

 

Monique Lhuillier Cobalt Lace Dress: Bride.com

 



 

Jim Hjelm Ivory Dress: Bride.com

The Bridal Kit

To look and feel absolutely flawless on your wedding day, you need a few must-have items that your maid of honour or mother will keep with them. A small make-up bag will suffice, and is easy to prepare ahead of time.

Of course, Kleenex, antibacterial gel, hand cream and gum will be the first items in your kit! But it goes without saying that you will have a chap stick, a lip-gloss or a lipstick, as well as a face powder.  Do touch ups before your wedding photoshoot and before the reception. Make sure that, at your make-up trial, your make-up artist shows you what colour and brand she is using on you, so you can purchase the same for your kit. Also—a face powder with matting effect or oil control will keep your complexion even and smooth.

For freshness all day, a deodorant and a roll-on perfume are a non-negotiable! Sephora has a ton of amazing roll-on and spray perfumes in portable sizes that you can keep in your purse even after your wedding. As for deodorant, go with what you trust the most and apply as needed.

Baby powder and a stain-remover stick are also important and can cover up any little mishaps. Baby powder will absorb any wet mess and blend in with your dress, then you can clean up the rest with your stain remover. (Baby powder is also a good solution for freshness in the bust area and for your feet!)

Your hairstyle will slowly let go as the day progresses, but maintain it with travel-size hair spray, bobby pins, clips and an elastic that you have stashed in your kit. Just remember not to mess with your hair too much, as playing with it will undo the volume and create frizz.

Lastly, the dress, the dress, the dress! Your maid of honour should have safety pins, white string and a sewing needle for any last-minute alterations, especially on the bustle and on the bust. Safety pins could be attached to your bra (if you are wearing one) to avoid slippage, and to the bustle to reinforce it. If your dress has lace, ask your dress designer or boutique for a small swatch to cover the safety pin.

And we always recommend a comfortable pair of shoes: foldable slip-ons or flats, or a wedge with a cushion insole will do wonders for you!

 

Swoon!: Badgley Mishka

 

Our favourite perfume! La Vie Est Belle by Lancome

 

How darling!: Pinterest

How To Tuesday: How to Make a Checklist

A Preparation for an Impeccable Day 

Your wedding day could be whatever you can possibly dream of it being. Nowadays, the amount of creativity and inspiration in the wedding industry is endless, and brides should take advantage of all the resources. All it takes is a little bit of organization, direction, as well as imagination and vision. 
 To begin, it’s essential to have a wedding binder. For an added flare, your binder could be in the same color of theme as your wedding-- that way you can be reminded of it and keep yourself on track. Use the binder as a scrapbook of ideas for anything you like: the dress, the colors you like, the accessories and shoes; hairstyles, make-up, etc and etc! 
It is also imperative to work on a budget. A bride deserves a helping hand in order for her to look glamorous in her Emanuele Savorani dress and for the bridal party to look stellar in their Monique L'huillier dresses. Always inquire about the prices, method of payment and procedures.
 Writing up your guest list could be a long process. When you have finalized how many individuals will be at the wedding, it’s time to plan and seek out a venue for your magical wedding. With your venue (or venues),  you will be able to confirm a date and time. It is an absolute must to plan ahead- at least a year in advance. This way you are guaranteed your place and have ample time to choose your menu, decor and focus on what matters most to you for that day.
Your staff for that day will include an officiant, photographers and videographers, a band, a make up artist, a hairstylist, florists and caterers, to name a few. Like the venue, staff should be booked one year in advance. Do research before arriving at meetings and consultations with the individual. Go into the meeting with a plan and a budget, as well as questions for what service they can provide, especially if you have special requirements (such as food allergies). 
The steps for the perfect wedding should be separated in categories in the wedding book. This process will also help plan for invitations, choosing a delicious cake, music, hair, makeup and all the magnificent elements needed for an impeccable day.