Are You an Anti-Strapless Bride? Our Picks for Going Against the Trend

Strapless gowns have dominated the bridal aisle for many years now and while the look is sure to last, we have seen many other necklines popping up on runways and in salons recently. So although strapless is the trend we at For The Bride were thinking that we'd like to shake it up a bit and show our favorite non-strapless gowns. Here is our picks for the best new looks with pretty necklines. What's your favorite style?

Watters Style 3042 with Illusion Crewneck Neckline 

Illusions Style 3184 with Sleeveless V-Neck

Reflections by Jordan Fashions Style M208 with Long Sleeves

Fiore Couture Style Megan with Ruffled Straps

Cosmobella Style 7617 with Halter

Lovingly Hand-Dipped Incense from Wild Berry

Wild For Wild Berry

We can’t get enough of these fragrant incense and candles from Wild Berry. The company has been hand-dipping incense since 1971. They bathe their incense in a high quality fragrance allowing the aroma to stay fresher for longer.  

Here are some great tips on how to involve these delectable essences during your planning and wedding from the experts at Wild Berry themselves:

1.) Burn the incense sticks and candles in a room before or during any gathering to set the mood- at a wedding shower, the wedding ceremony, the reception and the honeymoon suite. Even after you burn a stick of incense, the fragrance lingers leaving a wonderful aroma. We have 93 fragrances to choose from, so there is something for everyone!

Lavender Shorties

2.) Use incense sticks within the flowers of your bouquet and/ or table decorations. You can create a strong floral scent even in the flowers that don't have a potent aroma by pushing sticks into the foam of the arrangements. There are 4" and 11" sticks so use whatever size compliments the flower height. Of course, you would not burn these; the sticks have great fragrances unlit as well! Wild Berry carries many florals: rose, honeysuckle, lavender, lilac, violet, orchid and eucalyptus, to name a few.

Passion Gift Pack

3.) Give incense and holders as gifts. Your bridesmaids and groomsmen would appreciate the "Passion Gift Pack." They contain 6 sexy fragrances and a burner in each pack (aphrodisia, sensuality, love shack, latin lover, mysteriosa & isis). Or, create a small gift packet for all your wedding or shower guests to take home using our 4" Shortie sticks and a burner- add a personalized label customized for your event.



4.) Last but not least, take incense and the travel tin candles on the honeymoon trip to freshen the air in the hotel room and to set the mood, of course!

Some of our favorite incense fragrances at For the Bride Magazine include Dragon's Blood (a very robust, masucline scent that your groom is sure to enjoy), Ocean Wind (true to its name, this aroma would make a great addition to a beach wedding), and Peace of Mind (a subtle, soft smell that is perfect to light while taking a break from all the wedding chaos).

Visit www.wild-berry.com to view all of their incense and candles!

"The best smell in the world is that man that you love."

- Jennifer Aniston

Mismatch Your Bridesmaids Dresses: We Dare You!

Why We Love Mismatched Bridesmaids!

The traditional view of bridesmaids dresses is that they all have to be the same—same color, same fabric, same exact style. This clearly gives the wedding party a very uniformed and clean look. Yet, even if all the girls in your bridal party are not wearing the same dress or color, this does not mean your bridesmaids won’t look put together.

We know how difficult it can be to find a dress that all the girls are comfortable in. Let's face it women are all various shapes and sizes; different dresses --and not to mention colors -- look good on different body types. So mismatched dresses could be a great way to ensure both a happy bride and bridesmaids. Also this could add a unique twist to your big day and inspire more fantastic ideas during the planning process!

So we dare you to be a little different with these great suggestions!

 Same Color, Different Styles

Photography by Ken Kienow: http://www.kenkienow.com

If you’re a more traditional bride and want the the dresses to look very similar, try this: choose one designer, one color, one fabric, one length and then let the girls have full reign over selecting their styles. You will get that classic look you wanted and your bridesmaids will feel confident in their dress.

Mix and Match

Photography by True Photography: http://www.truephotographyweddings.com

This approach is perfect if you are having a duo of shades as your wedding colors. This will draw special attention to the colors you have chosen and help people to notice all the ways you have incorporated the coloring into your wedding day!

Shading

Photo via http://www.projectwedding.com

You're set on one color for the bridesmaids' dresses, so why not choose a range of different shades for your girls! This will open up your wedding color palette, allowing you to experiment with assorted shades of your color choice, in various aspects and details of the wedding planning. 

 Color Craze

Photgraphy by Three Nails Photography: http://www.threenailsphotography.com

 Talk about an adventurous bride! If there is an array of hues detailed throughout your decorations such as colors of the rainbow (pictured above) or different pastels, then this a great direction to go! Just make sure you let each bridesmaid know the specific color you want them to wear so there is no confusion the day of. This will surely make a bold statement!

"All colors are the friends of their neighbors and the lovers of their opposites."

- Marc Chagall

Get These Absolutely Adorable Fingerless Gloves Before Winter Ends!

Fun Fingerless Gloves

Winter may be coming to a close, but check out these absolutely adorable fingerless gloves from Green 3 Apparel. We could not resist sharing the both charming and environmentally-friendly hand wear. The 

gloves are 75% recycled cotton and as an added bonus all of Green 3 Apparel products are made in the 

USA. 

These gloves are a great gift for bridesmaids if you are a planning a winter wedding. Or if you and your hubby are planning a cold getaway for your honeymoon, they are a cute and stylish accessory to bring along. You can check out all the delightful gloves and additional products Green 3 Apparel has to offer on their website, www.green3apparel.com.

"Green 3 is built on a personal philosophy of honesty, environmental awareness, love of family, and a sense of childlike wonder that no one should ever outgrow."

Gifts We Love: Linanoel's One-of-a-Kind Jewelry

We know February 14th has come and gone but for the wedding industry every day can be Valentine's Day as love is ALWAYS in the air. Not only do we LOVE this new collection by Linanoel, but we think the vintage look and the uniqueness makes these gifts perfect for your groom and bridal party!

Designer and owner, Lina Noel was recently at the New York International Gift Fair in New York where she was displaying her jewelry for the first time and we had the pleasure of meeting her to discuss her new collection. Hand crafted from melted gold, Lina's pieces are the true work of a goldsmith. The design and sculpture gives each piece a one-of-a-kind quality that so many brides are looking for. Brides can even be a part of the design process. For those in the New York City area, Lina will take old pieces of your jewelry and melt it down to design something new. Now that's truly a personal touch on gifting!

To view the LinaNoel collection visit linanoel.com.

Two of our favorites from LinaNoel

                                                      

Let your groom wear his heart on his sleeve with these gold XO cufflinks.
Give your heart to your bridesmaids as a thank you for standing by your side on the big day!

Get The Perfect Arch: Why Threading Is the Best Option For Your Brows on Your Big Day

 The Perfect Arch

Threading is an ancient method of hair removal. Although this technique has its origins in the Eastern World, it has been gaining tremendous popularity in Western culture. For those of you who are accustomed to waxing, tweezing or dare I say it… shaving your eyebrows, let us explore what you’re really missing out on.

Threading is a very precise art form – creating the perfect brow with a customized arch. If you're looking for a more natural and hygienic method for the removal of facial hair, then threading is the choice for you!

Threading is not only a great alternative to waxing, it should be your permanent choice when it comes to shaping your brows. Threading allows for a more specific sculpting of the eyebrow. This technique can be used to raise the arch of the brows while helping to create a shape and definition that will fit to your individual look. With threading there is practically no chance for error, yet a method like waxing can result in uneven brows.

For those of you with easily irritable skin, threading is the least invasive form of hair removal. Most people who break out after waxing, do not experience this sensation with threading. If done correctly, the skin should be red for no more than a few minutes after the session.   Threading is safe, recommended by dermatologists and the regrowth of hair is fine and less frequent.

So if you decide that threading is the way to go (as it should be!) to create those stunning brows, make sure to do a trial run at least two months before the wedding to see what shape works best for you.

"Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical." 
~Sophia Loren

Get A Great Honeymoon Body In No Time

Simple Steps to Getting

Your Ideal Honeymoon Body ASAP

So the wedding planning has been insane and you’ve had hardly any time to even think about the honeymoon and how you will look. Do not fret! If you follow these easy steps you will be looking slim and trim in absolutely no time.

First, limit your caloric intake. For every 1 lb of fat, it is necessary to burn 3,500 calories. For example, if your weight loss goal was 10 lbs, you will need to have a deficit of 35,000 calories all together.

Second, tweak your diet by mostly eating nutrient-rich foods that are low in saturated fat and sugar such as lean protein, fish, egg whites, and vegetables. Include a small amount of whole grains in your diet, eat fruits as snacks and drink lots of water!

Third, to lose weight quickly, completely cut out high-fat and high-sugar foods. Steer clear of fast food, fried food, sweets, soda, fruit juices, whole milk and white flour.

Fourth, exercise five times a week. Three of the days should consist of intense cardio workouts such as running, cycling or swimming, while the other two should focus on strength training.

This natural and nutritious way to lose weight will not only help you shed the pounds rapidly, but also is a great way to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle. Remember to also take time to relax because believe it or not, your stress level will play a role in how good your body looks!

"To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." 
- Buddha