Finding The Right Gown

By Patricia Canole

Now that you’re engaged you may be wondering how to select a dress that lives up to your dreams. To help, we’ve taken the mystery out of finding the perfect gown for three common body types—and left in all the magic!

PETITE

Angel Sanchez

• The A-line silhouette is a tried and true favorite for the diminutive figure because it lengthens thee whole body.

• Avoid column dresses and sheaths. You might think those cuts would make a slight figure look statuesque and sophisticated, but in reality they seem to shorten a small body even more. Also steer clear of dresses with layers of frothy tulle or very full skirt, because they can make a slight woman look almost child-like. For the petite figure, it’s crucial to keep the dress in proportion to the body.

• Longing to go strapless? That can be a tricky look for a petite woman. Be sure the dress doesn’t sit too far down on your torso. A better option for you may be sheer cap sleeves—which can give a feeling of a strapless dress. They also serve a practical purpose: A petite woman often has to reach up to dance with her husband and you don’t want any wardrobe malfunctions!

FULL-FIGURED

Junko Yoshioka

• Don’t be afraid to show skin—or even go strapless. Say yes to décolletage and no to high necklines. If you’d rather not go strapless, consider other skin-baring styles that flatter curvy figures, such as deep V-necks or scoop necks. In contrast, high necklines can make your bust look too heavy. Other necklines to avoid: off-the-shoulder and boatneck, both of which can make your shoulders look wider and your frame larger than it is.

• A princess-cut or A-line dress is guaranteed to look good on a larger woman. These gowns feature vertically seamed panels that begin at the shoulder or below the bust and widen toward the hem. This shapes creates an elongated look and doesn’t have any specific definition in the waistline.

                                                           

       BOTTOM-HEAVY

James Clifford

• For women who are several sizes larger on the bottom than on top, the rule for finding a flattering wedding gown couldn’t be simpler. Focus on the upper body: the objective is to direct attention to the slimmer top half.

• Don’t be shy about baring your delicate arms, shoulders, back and décolletage. To create the effect, look for a gown with interesting details on the bodice; they will draw attention upward, away from your hips.

• Try to avoid skirts that have pleats or bunches of fabric gathered at the waist. That kind of detail will only add volume at the hips, just the area you want to downplay.

Invitations: Pick the Perfect One

By Patricia Canole

The good news: There’s a wealth of invitation options out there. The bad news: There’s a wealth of invitation options out there! With all of this variety, finding your perfect invite can be overwhelming. To help, I’ve narrowed down the style types to three basic categories—ready-made, DIY and custom/couture. Here’s the scoop to decide what’s best for you.

WHAT’S YOUR STYLE?

Ceci New York

Ready-made: Because ready-made invitations take the legwork out of trying to come up with a design from scratch, they’re great for busy brides who don’t have time to DIY and don’t have room in their budget to order couture customized invites.

DIY:  Do-it-yourself invitations are for the bride who has a specific invitation theme in mind and wants to create them herself. Most likely, she’ll use an online service to help in designing and printing.

Custom/Couture: Truly customized invitations are for the style-minded bride who is seeking fine craftsmanship and design, flawless execution and one-of-a-kind creativity—the bride who doesn’t want what anyone else has.

PROS & CONS

Paperless Post

Ready-made: A ready-made invitation means less work for a bride—all she has to do is simply apply her wording to an already created design. These invitations can also benefit budget-conscious couples. The disadvantage is that most designs are copyrighted by the manufacturer, so the customer usually can’t tweak the design or change its color.

DIY: The advantage of ordering DIY invitations is that you get exactly what you’re looking for without having to pay for the pieces you don’t need. Using an online service also saves you from having to print them yourself: this may increase the cost but is a big time saver.

Custom/Couture: The advantage is that couples don’t have to spend time deciding. Instead, they turn the process over to a designer who’s equipped to create a work of art that completely suits them. On the downside, couture invitations take longer than the other types and will cost more.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Ready-made: These invites are created with sample text on a preset design with preset colors and embellishments. A bride can borrow each collection and personalize her chosen invitation with wording in the ink colors of her choice.

Lilah Paper

DIY: The couple uses a website to choose all of the elements they want to include. The next step is picking the paper color, imprint color, wording, font, printing process and design. The company will print the invites and deliver them to the bride to address and send out on her own.

Custom/Couture: The process usually starts with a creative consultation where the bride defines her style, desires and needs. A designer will know exactly what makes his or her clients excited and present possibilities that make them say “yes.”

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell's $142 Wedding, Ways You Can Save

We've seen our share of expensive, over-the-top weddings recently from celebrities looking to make the most of their big day but as Dax Shepard, star of the tv show Parenthood, recently revealed on The Jimmy Kimmel show, celebs can have a special day on a budget. While discussing his Beverly Hills courthouse wedding to actress Kristen Bell, Dax revealed that their wedding day cost only $142 (including the cost of gasoline to get there)! While we don't expect you to have your friends bring a cake to your celebration we do have some suggestions on how to cut your bottom line. Here, some ways to reduce and stick to your budget...

THE ENGAGEMENT

A longer planning period means a better chance of getting the best vendors in your price range. Plus, you can often lock in rates that might increase by the time your wedding date arrives.

GUEST LIST

It’s obvious, but is worth mentioning: Each additional attendee means an extra meal, an increased bar tab and one more invitation you’ll have to pay for. With eight to ten extra guests, you’ll also have to purchase another centerpiece. Experts recommend you tighten the list by making guidelines for you, your fiancé and families—and stick to them. Some examples: First cousins, yes, but not second. Spouses (and serious partners), but not random dates.

THE ATTENDANTS

Consider having just a maid/matron of honor and a best man as your bridal party. You could save a considerable amount of money on boutonnieres and bouquets, not to mention all of the gifts you would need to buy for a large wedding party.

INVITATIONS

Engraved or letterpress on heavy stock paper is wonderful. But it’s costly. Choosing a color or design may also increase your costs.

If you’re a DIYer (or if you know someone who is), design and make your own invitations by hand or on a high-quality computer printer. Some calligraphic fonts are so good that it’s really hard to tell they’re not done by hand!

TRANSPORTATION

Hire one car to get you and your groom to and from the ceremony, and then another for the end of the night. Often, you’ll end up paying less for two cars than for one limo with overtime charges. .

Do ask your limo company about wedding packages—they might have just the right one for you.

WEDDING VENUE

A venue’s affordability often depends in part on how much decorating it requires. A grand historic estate, for example, may need only minimal florals for décor—so in the end, this venue might actually cost less than say a bare reception hall.

CUISINE

Worried about impressing your guests with an extensive over-the-top cocktail hour or a seven-course menu? No need. Sushi bars and towering displays of cheese to carving stations may be popular—and costly. Opt instead for passed hors d’oeuvres.

For the main course, a simple soup or salad, followed by the entrée (a fabulous beef or chicken dish or even a vegetarian risotto will impress your guests). End this with a fruit dessert or simply serve your wedding cake. Remember quality far outweighs quantity.

DRINKS

Feel free to skip the Champagne toast. It’s no longer considered a must-do at weddings. Toast with the wine you already have on the table.

As for bar options, remember this is your party, so it’s entirely up to you. Work with your reception site/caterer to create a bar you can afford: Beer, wine, soft drinks, or a signature drink at the cocktail hour; red and white wines with dinner; or less-expensive liquors for mixed drinks rather than the pricey brand names.

FAVORS

Couples feel they have to give favors, but this should be looked at as an extra. If you feel the need to give favors, one option is to DIY. Enlist friends or relatives to help! A bonus: Since homemade treats are more personal and unique, they’re always a hit among guests.

HONEYMOON

Consider delaying your dream destination getaway until the off-season, when rates will definitely be lower. If this is not possible, try to schedule your departure and return on a Monday to secure better airfares.

Making Fitness Fun with Playlists and iPads

AT THE GYM

Crank up the volume on your iPod and kick into high gear with these tunes.

I Don’t Wanna Care Right Now by Lupe Fiasco 4:04

Raise Your Glass by Pink 3:28                       

Club Can’t Handle Me by Flo Rida 3:53

What You Know by Two Door Cinema Club 4:08

Till the World Ends by Britney Spears 3:55

All THE LIGHTS by Kanye West 5:00

Heads Will Roll  by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs 3:24

On the Floor by Jennifer Lopez 4:26

S&M by Rihanna 4:02

                       —Eleni Elias

ON THE GO

Who has the time—or the money—for a personal trainer? Think again. Reaching your fitness/nutrition goals just became a little easier. Grab your iPhone or iPad and with the right app you can reach your target goal (many times without visiting the gym). Lose It! is a calorie tracking tool. Just input the foods you eat and Lose It! tracks nutritional information. The expansive database includes lots of supermarket staples as well as a wealth of packaged and restaurant foods. The app also allows users to set daily calorie budgets; physical activities can be entered to see how many calories you burned. This popular app is a great health and fitness tool. Free. iFitness is like having your own personal trainer at your fingertips. It’s a great app for those who want to improve performance or at the very least just know how to safely exercise. With more than 230 exercises in its database, iFitness zeroes in by body area—so you know how to give specific muscle groups a complete workout. $1.99. Fitness Class The app is for the iPad and provides access to hundreds of streaming fitness videos which you can preview and purchase. Workouts range from kettlebell, kickboxing, step, yoga and lots more from such well-known instructors like Kathy Smith. Free for the iPad. Classes are extra and start at $1.99 for a 30-day pass (you can also purchase the class for $9.99).                                                     —Patricia Canole

At home

The newest trend in fitness is working out along with video games in the comfort of your home with one of these popular systems: Wii, Xbox 360 with Kinect, or PlayStation 3 Move which use either motion controllers or motion sensors to magically detect your movements. Zumba® Fitness (zumba.com) is perfect if you enjoy dancing or even if you want to learn some new steps for your first dance. This game has nine different dance styles including Salsa, Hip-Hop and Mambo which you can learn and perfect. In no time you will be toning your body and burning fat to the 30 rhythmic dance tracks plus special effects all while becoming a dance pro. For Wii, Playstation or Xbox 360 with Kinect. Wii Fit Plus (wiifit.com) is for those serious about conditioning and training. Along with a balance board accessory to measure movements and balance, it also determines your body mass index (BMI) and will even reveal your Wii Fit Age. With six training modes and over 60 exercises, there’s no question it will help you shed pounds in a healthy and effective way. Available for Wii.          —Stacy Holz

Fall Weddings Go Vintage, By Patricia Canole

With vintage wedding themes so popular this fall, we invited wedding expert Cara Davis, author of “Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot” to give us some practical advice on planning an affair to remember on a budget. Before diving into the world of antiques and lace, start by planning your expenses so you're not left with a bill you're still paying when the wedding itself turns vintage. Here are several ways to incorporate a romantic look to your wedding.

COLOR YOUR WORLD A solid vintage wedding theme begins with a color scheme. Thankfully there are some fabulous, easy-to-use online tools you can use to create a color story with your wedding. Start with a site like ColourLovers.com and search for “vintage.” Once you've found your inspiration, head over to Sherwin-Williams’ color tool called Chip It! to translate any picture into matching Sherwin Williams paint colors.

ATTIRE Lace, pearls and feminine necklines are go-to components for vintage-inspired wedding dresses. In addition to bridal boutiques, search women's department stores for affordable options. Register for gift cards through CardAvenue.com to allow your guests to help you offset the cost of your dream gown

GREAT GATSBY The classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald set in the Roaring ‘20s, stars Leonardo DiCaprio and is set for release in 2013. Vintage-loving brides can pull plenty of wedding inspiration from the look and feel of this film, and already we're seeing ‘20s styled dresses and accessories.

MASON JARS Throw a twist on mason jars at a wedding by painting them for a dated look. Use vaseline on the embossed parts (like the name of the jar), then wipe off that area to create a vintage, distressed look. Insert a bunch of baby's breath and you've got an instant vintage centerpiece. Flank with votive candles wrapped with a paper doilies.

CHALKBOARDS Chalkboards are everywhere, and they add a fun element to wedding day signage. Pull it into the vintage theme by painting an aged-looking frame the color of your wedding, then paint over the glass with chalkboard paint. Use big ones for directional signs, or small ones for place cards or menus.

HOMEMADE A vintage wedding naturally lends itself to homemade touches, and nothing says “homemade” like dessert. Pies continue to be a big trend in weddings this year, and local vendors are making it easier to find baked goods with that down-home taste.

MUSIC Don't just decorate; set the right mood with a vintage record player and vinyl records. Whether it's oldies, Rat Pack or classical, your choice of music will complete your theme and put a smile on your guests' faces. 

For more information from Cara Davis, visit CheapWaysTo.com. 

Terranea Resort : an Ideal Destination for Your Wedding

Are you looking for a unique spot to hold your wedding? Well look no further and not that far away. Terranea Resort is ideal for a couple looking to have a destination wedding that is not only beautiful, but also quite convenient. You will still get the feel as if you are somewhere tropical and remote, yet you will not need to travel so far to get that experience. About a 30 minute drive from LAX, Terranea is located in Rancho Palos Verde. 

Terranea Resort Aerial View

Top Notch Wedding Services and Amenities

If you are worried that your wedding will not be uniquely yours, think again! The staff at Terranea will ensure that your wedding is customized exactly the way that you have always dreamed. Whether it is an indoor or outdoor setting(there can even be a combo of both!), this locale has such an array of ceremony and reception sites that you will most likely have a hard time choosing. Plus the wedding planning team will help you to capture every single detail that you desire from flowers to music. And you can customize the dining experience of your guests --- and the food here is unbelievably delicious!

Our personal favorite is Catalina Point and The Catalina Room.  The classic Terranea choice  for the ceremony is held at Catalina Point which overlooks the water. From there, a path leads to the Catalina Room. This gorgeous venue seats up to 220 guests with gorgeous floor to ceiling windows, right outside of which is a private outdoor terrace.

To learn more and begin planning your dream wedding, click here: http://www.terranea.com/wedding-venues-california.

Guest Accommodations

The Guest Rooms and Suites at Terrenea are perfect for the majority of your guests. Connected to the main building of the resort, these rooms are within walking distances to all that Terranea has to offer whether it be restaurants, pools or spa facilities. And the suites are ideal for those  guests such as the parents and grandparents of the bride and the groom ;) They are a bit more spacious and have balconies with breathtaking views!

Now for the bridal party, book the vacation casitas!! Of course you want to mingle with all of your guests, but it is also your big day and you are entitled to a little privacy and some VIP action. These casitas are perfect - one for the bride and her maids, the other for the groom and groomsmen. They feature a private entrance, a kitchen, living room, and laundry facilities. And there are indoor and outdoor fireplaces. A perfect setting to order the smores kit from room service, drink some wine and talk about your excitement for the upcoming nuptials!

Vacation Casita

Activities, Activities, Activities 

If it is one thing that Terranea is not lacking --- it is things to do! When the guests are not involved in wedding oriented activities, they will have plenty of options to keep them occupied. 

There are three different pools at Terranea. If children are included as your guests, then this is the place for them and their parents; the Resort Pool has a waterslide which will keep kids occupied and give their parents a break. On the flip side there is the Cielo Point pool which is for those ages 18 and up. This area has more of a California beach club vibe with delicious cocktails and a DJ. For those guests who want a more relaxed feel, they can visit the Spa Pool. 

Talking about spas, did you know that Travel + Leisure named Terranea "The Top Five Hotel Spas in the Continental USA." So if you and your guests are spa lovers, you will not be missing out on this one! The services at this spa are impeccable plus a visit there allows you access to the saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools, and cold plunges. And right across from the spa is the fitness center, if you feel like getting some gym time in. Read more about the Terranea Spa and Bungalows in our upcoming 2014 issue out this January!

Spa Pool

If your guests are looking for a little bit more adventure, here are some options: coastal hiking, falconry, horsebackriding, habitat photography, painting by the sea, and kayaking to name a few. You can either plan these activities for your guests in a schedule that you can leave as part of their welcome basket or let them explore for themselves.

Wine & Dine

There are eight, yes you read correctly, EIGHT dining choices at Terranea (and that is not including room service): mar'sel, Catalina Kitchen, Nelson's, Lobby Bar & Lounge, Bashi, Spa Cafe, sea beans, and Cielo Point. 

If you are looking to plan a rehearsal dinner, there are two spots that really stood out: mar'sel and Nelson's. 

Are you looking to have a very classic, elegant  dinner -- then mar'sel is the choice for you! Mar'sel is overlooking the ocean and gives off a very cultured, sophisticated feel. The food there is the definition of fine dining both light and full of taste; their menu changes with whats in season and they use locally sourced and organic ingredients. 

On the other hand Nelson's is your choice if you want a get together that is a bit more laid back and lively! Their dining experience is described as "California comfort cuisine" and that it is! Order their Hot Bavarian Pretzel along with one of the regional microbrews, and you'll get why it is such a hot spot for even Los Angeles locals. Plus while at Nelson's you can whale watch, and if you spot one you get to ring the bell there!

Nelson's Fire Pit

Terranea is a wonderful place to choose to hold your destination wedding. Not only will they ensure that everything will come together on your big day, but Terranea will offer you and your guests an unforgettable and irreplaceable experience--- you all will surely be back for more!

Don't Be Scared To Go Pink On Your Wedding Day

Most brides wear white, ivory, or champagne but why not give pink a try?

Jessica Biel, Reese Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway, and Gwen Stefani all wore a soft, feminine shade of pink on their big day and it helped to add a little extra romance to their weddings. Pinks are very complementary on everyone no matter what skin tone and so it's a color that many bridal designers are offering and brides are starting to recognize. While white is still the traditional color of wedding gowns it may not be the best choice for you and that's ok, what is important is finding a color that makes you look radiant and confident.

This Fall there will be lots of strawberry, cream and peach colors seen on the bridal salon racks but if you are thinking about stepping away from the white family, make sure your gown still looks like a wedding dress so everyone knows that you are a BRIDE. Remember, you don't have to sacrifice style for color. Silhouette, neckline and fabrication should still be factors when choosing your gown so don't rush to choose a gown on color alone.

Our biggest advice is to keep an open mind while shopping for your wedding dress or even when starting to finalize your favorites. Some dresses do not look good on the hanger but when they are on, you just might get the WOW factor you've been waiting for. Let your personality lead you to choosing a shade and style. Here, some of our fav pink gowns of this year.

Eden (edenbridals.com)

Allure (allurebridals.com)

Cosmobella (cosmobella.com)

Demetrios (demetriosbride.com)

  

Watters (watters.com)