AMERICA’S TOP WEDDING MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
451
DON’T BLOW THE BUDGET!
BRIDES REVEAL THEIR MONEY MISTAKES
WAYS TO WOW! VENUES,
HELLO GORGEOUS 10 QUICK FIXES FOR THE BIG DAY
FLOWERS, DECOR, CAKES, INVITES
PLANNING MADE SIMPLE
& MORE
+
FROM RUNWAY TO YOUR DAY We Found Your Perfect Dress
TOP PROS TELL ALL
Say
I do!
BE INSPIRED! EPIC REAL WEDDINGS FROM MAINE TO MEXICO
CONTENTS Bridal Guide November/December 2022
FASHION & BEAUTY 14 COVER STYLE
How to get that beautiful look.
18 STYLE FILE: BRIDES
Gowns and accessories perfectly paired to your wedding locale.
20 ALL THAT GLITTERS
A rainbow’s worth of gorgeous colored gems.
22 BEAUTY FILE
Follow our countdown to I do; stay gorgeous with these quick fixes.
26 BODY FILE
Get a jump-start on your day with the perfect breakfast.
48 SMOOTH SAILING
Effortless-chic alert! Be inspired by this elegant waterside celebration.
58 DREAM DAY
Beach-wedding perfection for you and your bridesmaids.
62 RUNWAY REPORT
Light-as-air gowns; two-piece dressing; chic LWDs and more.
58
ON THE COVER • 451 Ways to wow! • From runway to your day: We found your perfect dress, p.18
18
24
• Don’t blow the budget! Real brides reveal their money mistakes, p.40 • Hello gorgeous! 10 quick fixes for the big day, p.24 • Planning made simple: top pros tell all, p.36 • Say I do! Epic real weddings from Maine to Mexico, p.48, 58, 64, 86, 92
20
CONTENTS
Bridal Guide November/December 2022
WEDDING PLANNING 28 PARTY PLANNER
A planner designs her own wedding!
32 PLANNERS WE LOVE
We’re putting our favorite wedding pros in the spotlight. by Carol Straley
34 THE GOLDEN RULES
Ten key ways to keep stress levels at bay.
64 WEDDING ALBUM
Charlotte and Joe’s magical Maine wedding.
NEWS & FEATURES 12 WEDDING Q&A
Etiquette questions and answers.
40 0UR MONEY MISTAKES
Brides reveal their biggest budget blunders (and easy fixes). by Daniel P. Smith
28
86
TRAVEL NEWS
64
72 WEDDINGS AWAY
The mitten state of Michigan promises excellent options for saying “I do.”
82 RESORT ROUNDUP
Make a wish on these spectacular night-sky tours hosted by an array of luxury properties. Get more online at bridalguide.com WEDDING TO-DO Learn the 10 tasks to accomplish first at bridalguide.com/todo GET YOUR GROOM INVOLVED It’s his day, too! Get him involved with these tips at bridalguide.com/groomtasks WEDDING GAMES Bring on the fun at your wedding with these ideas at bridalguide. com/games
86 REAL DESTINATION WEDDING
A classic hotel with recently revamped gardens was the picture-perfect outdoor venue for this couple’s intimate celebration.
90 REAL DESTINATION WEDDING This Colorado couple swapped vows in their happy place—Mexico.
96 FIRST LOOK
The newest Sandals resort makes a splash.
90
The Look of Love by AMR™ Collection AMR™ Collection embraces every romantic celebration as a perfectly poised, unique moment in time. We expertly craft stunning experiences, creating lifelong memories for you to love and cherish. Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey or somewhere in the middle, celebrate your next chapter in a storybook tropical setting. Expertly Crafted Packages Each romantic wedding, honeymoon and anniversary packages are thoughtfully designed to make the most of your special time together. Pick from seven all-inclusive brands ideal for your romantic milestone! For more information, please visit: www.amrcollection.com/en/weddings-honeymoons
Your wedding is a month away. Here, beauty experts chime in on how to look and feel your best on the big day.
Countdown
to
I Do
000
PHOTOGRAPHY: TERRY DOYLE. HAIR: JOHN RUIDANT AT SEE MANAGEMENT USING ORIBE HAIR CARE. MAKEUP: SANDRINE VAN SLEE AT ART DEPARTMENT USING CHANEL LES BEIGES.
beauty file TIPS
*
Have more than one makeup trial. 2 WEEKS TO GO
•CLEAN UP YOUR BROWS: It’s best to get those brows in shape two weeks prior and then touch up a couple days before the ceremony to ensure less irritation, says Melanie Coba, European Wax Center’s national brand ambassador. •CUT OUT DAIRY AND PROCESSED FOODS: These can cause bloating and digestive issues, while refined sugars accelerate aging, free-radical damage and stiffening of collagen, Snyder says. •TRADE IN BEER FOR WINE: Cut back on dehydrating and vitamin-depleting alcohol, Snyder suggests. If celebrating, stick to red wine. Reds tend to be high in antioxidants, not as hard on the liver as other alcohols and don't induce bloating.
10 am Brows
3 WEEKS TO GO
•MEET WITH YOUR MAKEUP ARTIST: She was booked 6-8 months ago but it’s time to get better acquainted so you feel really comfortable with her, says Ashlee Glazer, director of makeup artistry for Pucker. Having more than one trial is important—make sure you factor this into the original agreement. “Bridal showers and rehearsal dinners are great opportunities to test your wedding look.”
•SWEAT IT OUT: Be sure to stick to your routine in the weeks before the wedding. “Daily exercise is important: It not only tones your body and boosts your confidence, but it also helps flush toxins, improve circulation and relieve stress,” says Kimberly Snyder, nutritionist and New York Times best-selling author of the Beauty Detox series and Radical Beauty.
•REJUVENATE YOUR SKIN: To ensure your skin is looking its best Dr. Bradley S. Bloom, New York board-certified dermatologist, suggests two PICO Genesis laser treatments at four and two weeks before the wedding. PICO Genesis is about a 15-minute treatment with minimal downtime that removes uneven sun pigmentation and damage for a brighter complexion.
•HAVE YOUR LAST FACIAL: "Stay away from 'trending' facials," says Alicia Yoon, licensed esthetician, CEO and founder of Peach & Lily. "Consult with your esthetician in advance so she can determine a treatment specifically tailored to your needs. Stick to super-hydrating and soothing spa facials from a professional salon or use athome products like the K-Beauty Bridal Radiance Regimen to avoid irritation.” •BOOK AN EXFOLIATING FACE AND BODY SCRUB: Sloughing off dead skin will not only aid in getting an even spray tan and smoother wax results, but also allows for better makeup application. •WHITEN YOUR TEETH: For a brighter smile, Dr. Bijan Gohari, DMD prosthodontist, suggests using Supersmile 6 Minutes To A Whiter Smile Kit twice a day.
1 DAY TO GO
•SCHEDULE YOUR EYEBROW AND BIKINI WAX: If opting to remove any unwanted hair on your face or body, go two to three days before so any post-treatment redness disappears, Coba suggests.
•GET YOUR FINAL MANICURE AND PEDICURE: Glazer suggests a gel polish, which will last through the honeymoon. Try one of LeChat’s Perfect Match sets, which includes a gel polish and perfectly matched lacquer for touch ups, and has a range of over 200 shades to choose from.
•GET GLOWING: Spray tans offer a healthy glow without compromising your skin's well-being. Go two days before to ensure your faux glow has time to develop. •RINSE OFF: Wait eight to ten hours before showering post appointment.
3 pm bikini wax
•TEST OUT THE TAN: “Before your big day you should do a trial run for every service (hair, makeup and skincare),” says Marlena Orlowska, makeup artist at Paul Labrecque Salon and Spa. If you want the look of a tan, that also includes your bronzing treatment. Consult with your artist about how tan you want to be and the timing of your wedding. Do a trial and see if the application is too light or dark.
1 WEEK TO GO
2 DAYS TO GO
•GET GLOSSY: “For optimal color get a gloss treatment as close to the big day as you can,” says Bb.colorist Robert Mefford, “It’s the best way to have your hair color looking picture-perfect.”
PHOTOGRAPHY: TERRY DOYLE
4 WEEKS TO GO
•DON’T STRESS: Last minute breakout? Yoon suggests Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots, which can help reduce blemishes within hours and can be worn under makeup, as they are transparent. •KEEP CALM: “Drink lots of water to keep inflammation at bay,” says Yoon. “Before snoozing, use a sheet mask like Peach Slices Original Glow Sheet Mask." Take the time to Zen out before bed and turn down your big-day nerves. Be sure to get quality beauty sleep by heading to bed extra early.
* Sheet masks
lock in moisture for soft, hydrated skin. DAY OF
•START SMART WITH A LIGHT, HEALTHY BREAKFAST: To begin the day, Snyder suggests drinking hot water with lemon and her signature Glowing Green Smoothie, which includes spinach, apples and bananas. Eat lighter foods, such as fruits, first and then follow with heavier proteins and starches—“following this principle will reduce bloating on the big day.” •ALLOW FOR AT LEAST 3 HOURS TO GET READY: Avoid being stressed and pressed for time—you’ll want to enjoy every moment. Wear a robe or buttondown shirt that can be easily removed after your hair and makeup are done. •ENJOY!
Wedding Day Nov/Dec 2022 BRIDALGUIDE.COM000 23
T h e b i g d ay i s c o m i n g
An elegant chapel, a terrace by the sea, lush green gardens. Wherever your journey takes you, Palladium Hotel Group has the destination you’ve always dreamed of. Happily ever afters begin here. For more information, please contact your travel professional, visit
PALLADIUMWEDDINGS.COM or call 1.888.237.1226 MEXICO | DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | JAMAICA
/PalladiumWeddings
HONEYMOON & DESTINATION WEDDING GUIDE
Magic Hour
PHOTOGRAPHY: SHANNON GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Talk about making a splash—the latest entrant to the Sandals family of resorts stuns with awesome new amenities and a beach that’s perfect for watching the sunsets. The night skies sparkle at a host of properties that offer spectacular vantages—and guided tours—for stargazing. Plus, one couple hosted their happily ever after celebration at a classic Palm Beach icon, while another toasted to joy on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
The Colony Palm Beach. Nov/Dec 2022 BRIDALGUIDE.COM000 69