Archive for the ‘Expert Tips’ Category

Darling brides, it’s almost time to put on those summer shades.

Celebrity Make-up artist Laura Geller recently returned to QVC for her signature Laura Geller Makeup Studio launching two new products for the channel, including the Soft Touch Bronzer with Brush and Lash Spackle. We recently caught up with her to get a few make-up tips and ideas for the summer season:

DE:  How can we get a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow without spending hours in the damaging sun?

LG:  Body and face bronzers that are available are my preference over self tanners. Laura Geller Studio has a few great options including Baked Body Frosting Moisturizing Powder. This could be applied dry for a slight bronzed hue, or applied wet, it transforms into a much more golden color to the body and creates a satiny look. I wanted it to be portable so it can provide instant results wherever you are, so it’s not a liquid, it’s easy to apply, it won’t appear orange and it doesn’t streak. Also, brand new and currently exclusive to QVC is my Soft Touch Air Whipped Bronzer. This is the quickest way to transform milky white skin naturally, as it warms with the heat of your body. It also has no shimmer or sparkle, so it provides more of a matte finish to the bronzed look.

DE:  What are some of the make-up trends we’ll see this summer for both daytime and evening looks?

LG: You’re going to see a lot of peach and coral colors and bronzing is back stronger than ever. There was a time when milky white skin was in, but this year, bronze is really strong so you’re going to see colors that exemplify the summer look – peach, coral, bronze. LASHES are being played up as well, but in a very soft and natural way. The look is not the heavily made-up look, it’s the easy, natural summer beauty look.

Want more? Tune in to QVC to get more great tips and see great products!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

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Just when we thought Michael Anderson, Wedding Entertainment Director™ at Creative Memories Entertainment had shared all his valuable tricks of the trade, he’s come at a third time with another great tip. This time, he grabs the microphone and discusses..drumroll please…reception introductions!

“You both said ‘I DO,’ the photos are done, now it’s time for the party to begin! We have all been to countless weddings where the wedding party gets introduced with nothing more than their first names and a song in the background, if they’re lucky.

The truth is that this celebration is more like a family reunion for the first time. Although everyone in the room will know who the two of you are, not everyone will know who the wedding party is and why they are so important as to be picked to be in the wedding party.

One way to ensure a great start to your reception and create a lot a fun is to incorporate a custom introduction with the help of your emcee.

A personalized biographical introduction is a great way for your guests to get a glimpse into the memories you have had with the members of your wedding party. You can include information about your relationship to each (relative, friend, how long), where they live, their occupation and /or educational status (i.e. college student, high school student), their relationship status (single/engaged/married), etc. Also feel free to include such information like, what they would be most famous for or most likely voted likely to do in life. The size of your wedding party should determine how much detail you will go into. You don’t want it taking too long or it will lose its appeal. Inside jokes will never come off well as it will leave most of your guests in the dark about the true story behind the story.

If you do choose this style of introduction, it is extremely important that your entertainment vendor fully understands how to do this properly so it won’t be presented poorly. Ask to see video footage of them doing this style of introduction to see what the guests reaction is and how well they present the beginning of your wedding celebration.”

Thanks Mike for the great advice!

Stay tuned to Real Weddings Magazine for more guest bloggers with expert tips!

For more information on Creative Memories Entertainment, visit them at www.creativememoriesdj.com or call 916-344-7000.

Also be sure to check out Mike’s profile on Real Weddings Magazine and check out his blog!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photo courtesy of Mike Anderson, Creative Memories Entertainment.

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There is nothing like having your own personal hair and make-up team (just ask our cover model finalists!), and for your wedding day, we think it’s one of the essentials so that you can picture perfect.

We recently asked hair and make-up pro Raquel Siders from Image Provocateur and VIP-Cat Make-up Academy (she was on the hair and make-up team for this issue’s Real Weddings Magazine cover model winner Kimmi — pictures featured here),to offer up some advice on finding the right make-up artist for your big day! Here’s her advice:

“If you are planning on hiring a professional make-up artist on your wedding day, find an artist you are comfortable with, one who listens to your needs and one who offers constructive advice. Look at portfolios if available and do a trial run so you can see how you will look on your wedding day.

At the time of the trial run try and have your hair done in the way you’ll be wearing it on your wedding day as different hairstyles influence the way your make-up should be done.

When you decide on the lipstick, lip pencil and perhaps gloss and powder you will be wearing the day of your wedding, ask the make-up artist if it is possible to purchase those particular products for the day of your wedding as touch ups in those particular areas will be required.

If you have a particular color you want to wear on your lips, bring it to the trial run and see if it works with the overall look.

Some make-up artists will ask the bride and the bridal party to bring their own mascara. This is for sanitary reasons only! It is always a good idea to take this precaution.

Make sure when doing your trial run to view make-up in different lights if that is possible because on your wedding day, you’ll be having photos taken in multiple areas. It is ideal to apply make-up in a room with natural light.

And finally, if you feel comfortable with your make-up at the end of your trial run, you should try to book the artist immediately because if you are marrying during a busy season your make-up artist probably won’t be able to hold the date without a commitment.”

Thanks Raquel!

Stay tuned to Real Weddings Magazine for more guest bloggers with expert tips!

For more information on Raquel and her team at Image Provocateur and VIP-Cat Make-up Academy, visit their Blog, Web site or call them at 916-474-5578.

Real Weddings Magazine Winter/Spring 2010 Cover Model Finalist photo shoot photography by Jodi Yorston Photography. For additional credits on dresses and flowers, please see page 60.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

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We’ve got some more great advice from Michael Anderson, Wedding Entertainment Director™ at Creative Memories Entertainment.

We think Mike’s got some pretty fantastic answers on wedding entertainment…so, Mike, how does a couple find the perfect DJ?

“This is a common question, and I would guess that 90% of brides think to themselves ‘Ok, what am I supposed to ask? I know, how much do you charge?’ Although this is an important question, it may be more important to ask, ‘Are you available for my wedding date?’ Let’s face it, regardless of how cheap or expensive a service is, you are not going to want to book them unless they are going to provide you with the experience and service you want for one of the most important days of your lives.

Below are some great questions to ask to get the ball rolling and find out if the service is right for you.

1. How many years of experience do you have in weddings, and how many weddings do you perform at each year?

2. What will you do to ensure I will have a good time at my wedding?

3. What are some of the unique things you have done in the past for your clients to make their day extra special?

4. Will I get to meet my DJ before I sign a contract and will his name be listed on the contract?

5. Do you have any references of past clients and other wedding professionals who have worked with you?

6. When can we meet to find out more about what you can do for my wedding?

Please keep in mind that you can only learn so much on the phone about a particular company or DJ. It is so important to take the time to meet the DJ in person to make sure their personality, service, and creativity will be a perfect accent to your wedding celebration.”

Thanks Mike!

Stay tuned to Real Weddings Magazine for more guest bloggers with expert tips!

For more information on Creative Memories Entertainment, visit them at www.creativememoriesdj.com or call 916-344-7000.

Also be sure to check out Mike’s profile on Real Weddings Magazine and check out his blog!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photo courtesy of Mike Anderson, Creative Memories Entertainment.

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

Welcome back Real Weddings Magazine brides to another installment of The Recessionista Bride Blog Series by our guest blogger extraordinaire Kate Miller of Kate Miller Events. 

This week, she addresses the topic of guestbooks. Take it away Kate! 

“Recessionista Bride Stevie wanted something special for her guests to sign as they arrived to her wedding extravaganza – and a simple guestbook wasn’t going to cut it!

We poured over concepts until we came to the conclusion – the Guestbook Quilt was the ONLY way to go for Stevie!

When guests arrived, they were greeted with a guestbook attendant that explained the rules:

• Take a pre-cut pinking-sheared square,

• Use a fabric safe pen,

• Remember to write your sentiment in the center, and

• Pin it to the clothesline!

We set the table with a custom-designed Guestbook Quilt sign, filled a golden vase with gilded clothes pins and set a tray full of quilt squares topped with fabric pens.

The clothesline kept its shape, weighed-down by interspersed photos of the bride and groom. This kept the squares on display so that guests could view the couple’s photos while reading sentiments left by others throughout the evening.

Stevie’s aunt would collect the squares after the wedding, as her gift, and create a custom heirloom wedding quilt that could be enjoyed for years to come!

If you are inspired to do a Guestbook Quilt and plan to sew the quilt yourself, the true price of the guestbook can be considered a deferred cost – you can budget for the remainder of the quilt after the expense of the wedding has passed.

A quick tip:  keep the signing squares in a neutral color so that sentiments are easy to read and they can be paired with fabrics that match your home, not just your wedding palette.

Inspired to do a non-traditional guestbook? Here are a few ideas to get your brainstorming started:

For the Wine Lovers: Purchase a giant bottle of your favorite vino or champagne and have your guests sign directly onto the bottle using a glass pen in a pretty metallic color. Bonus: pop the cork on your anniversary to celebrate!

For the Music Lovers: Have your guests sign a guitar (acoustic or electric) using a Sharpie in your favored colors. The instrument can be mounted on the wall in your home to be enjoyed where you play or listen to music together.

For the Food Lovers: For a guestbook that can be displayed in the room where you spend the most time, your kitchen, purchase a large ceramic platter. Make sure to use a permanent ceramic paint pen, so the loving words aren’t washed away. Post-wedding, place your platter on an easel to proudly display it a la countertop.

For the Art Lovers: Turn your guestbook into a custom work of art by allowing guests to color in portions of a custom canvas. Create a faint grid using a pencil and surround the canvas with your choice of medium: markers, crayons, colored pencils. Make sure that the art won’t make a mess, as your guests will most likely be dressed in their best!

The options are endless!  Can you think of a non-traditional guestbook that reflects the hobbies of you and your fiancée’s unique hobbies?”

Tune back in to the Real Weddings Magazine blog on February 27th for the next installment in the Recessionista Bride Blog Series: One Room Wonders

About Kate Miller Events (in their own words):

Kate Miller Events offers full-scale event and wedding planning of extraordinary detail for the bride and groom looking for that extra-special touch. We will keep you organized, on or under budget, and stress-free while designing the wedding of your dreams. We are committed to making sure your day goes off without a hitch — except for the hitching part of course!

Kate Miller Events offers new technology to keep all avenues of communication open and organized. Our excellent online client planning tools include customized checklists, payment calendars with email notifications, appointment tracking, online idea boards, and contract filing with easy access for all members of your wedding party. Our top-notch organization enables us to be your liaison to all of your vendors – we worry about the details so that you don’t have to.

All of our packages are unique and completely customized to fit your budget so that you only pay for the services that you need. We offer a wide range of planning services from Day of Coordination to Full Coordination/Design and everything in-between.

Be sure to check out Kate Miller Event’s Web site and Kate’s blog or call her at 888-808-KATE.

Photos above of Stevie’s Guestbook Quilt, one of our featured real weddings in the current issue of Real Weddings Magazine,  by Sarah Maren Photography. Kate Miller from Kate Miller Events worked with Stevie & Blake to achieve their perfect day. To read more about Stevie & Blake’s wedding and to view more photos from their wedding, pick up a copy of the current issue or click here.

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