Tips and Tricks For Wedding Makeup

Brides want to look great on their wedding day. As a bride-to-be, it's important to plan ahead, so you'll be able to look glamorous, fresh and sophisticated, but, also, natural. Use these tips to help you look "picture perfect" on your wedding day!

Time table, If you plan on hiring a makeup artist:

6-12 Months before the Wedding...

Find your artist. Finding a makeup artist shouldn't be daunting, but could be, if you don't give yourself enough time. Start your search well in advance of your wedding day...about 6 - 12 months out...and book a few consultation appointments. You'll want to look for:

    A qualified, experienced artist
    An artist who's also friendly and a great listener
    An artist who's flexible and won't overbook your wedding date
    An artist who has a an extensive portfolio
    An artist who will give you referrals

Interview questions to ask potential makeup artists:

    What do you charge?
    Will you come to my home?
    Do you charge a traveling fee?
    Do you have discounts available for group bookings?
    Do you charge more for holidays or Sundays?
    Where did you study?
    How long have you been doing makeup for weddings?
    What experience do you have?
    What makeup products do you use?
    Do you have any other makeup commitments on my wedding day?
    Also, get the make up artist's advice on nail technicians and hair stylists.

0-6 Months before the Wedding...

Plan a pre-wedding make up party. About 1 - 2 months before your wedding, have your makeup artist do a trial run. Have your bridesmaids with you, and get their input on your make up. Try to plan the make up party for the time of day when your wedding will be held. You might also consider bringing photos from magazines to show your specialist the make up styles that you like. Fabric swatches would also be a great thing to bring, too, so that the makeup artist can create the perfect color palette that compliments the bridesmaid's dresses and the flower bouquets.

Tip: Snap a photo at the makeup trial, so that you can see how your makeup is going to look when photographed.

If you do your makeup yourself:

Make it waterproof. Because you may be in tears on your wedding day, choose mascara that's waterproof. It will last longer and withstand your tears.

Lighten your liner. Black and brown liners may look too severe, so choose charcoal, navy or mahogany, instead, for a more natural look.

Highlight your eyes. Use a white shadow on your brow bone if you have light skin, or a warmer light peach or vanilla shade, if you have a deeper complexion.

Contour. Use a contour color under your brow bone to give your eyes shape. Make sure it's not too intense, though, which will detract from the natural beauty of your eyes.

Define. Shade and shape your eyebrows with a pencil or eye shadow that matches your hair color. Make sure not to overdo it!

Get cheeky! Color on your cheeks provides an instant face lift, but don't go overboard. If you have fair skin, use a pink tone. Women with deeper skin tones can use a rosier hue.

Even out your skin tone. If your face is darker than your neck and chest, use a bronzer make a flawless transition.

Brighten up your lips. Choose a lip color that's a bit brighter than you'd normally wear, to keep you from looking washed out in photos. Be sure to bring the lipstick with you for touchups after the wedding too.

Whether you're hiring an artist or doing your make up yourself, use these tips to look your best on your wedding day:

Prepare. Skin and nails should be well cared for beginning about 6 weeks before the wedding. Talk to your local beauty professional about having regular facials and manicures.

Pluck. Shaping and maintaining your eyebrows should be started well in advance of the big day, but make sure your final pluck is done about a week before the wedding.

Promote. Splurge on facials up until about a month before your wedding, so that you can put your best face forward.

Spray. You don't want to get too much sun before your wedding day, so opt for a spray on tan instead. Be careful not to overdo it, though.

Whiten. There are lots of safe, reliable over-the-counter teeth-whitening systems, which all whiten teeth by a few shades. Make sure to allow yourself about a week or two before the wedding to do this.

Eat. Keep your diet healthy, and don't starve yourself before your wedding to look your best. Consider taking vitamins too.

Drink. You'll want to stay hydrated, so drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.

Sleep. Look rested on your wedding day by getting plenty of sleep. Shoot for eight hours per night.

Exercise. Planning for your wedding can be stressful. Get plenty of exercise to ward off anxieties.

Relax. Take some time for yourself. Take long, hot baths, and consider getting the occasional massage before your big day.

Brighten. Use eye drops to get the redness out of your eyes on your wedding day. Make sure to use a brand that you've used before. You don't want any unwelcome surprises!

Keep your hands away from your face. If you have a blemish or a breakout before your wedding day, don't mess with the pimples...they'll heal better if you leave them alone. See your dermatologist and ask for a cortisone shot if a monstrous pimple invades your face just prior to the wedding.

Lisa Bakewell writes wedding-related articles for Best Little Wedding Shop. For wonderful save the dates, party invitations and affordable wedding invitations please be sure to visit Best Little Wedding Shop.

6 Tips For A Successful Wedding Photo Shoot

The wedding photography is an important part of your big day. It is your wedding photos that will capture the moments, preserve the memories and give you years of pleasure looking back. So even if you hate having your photo taken, on your wedding day this is one time when you have to smile and relax into it. To make things easier on the day here are some tips to help your wedding photo shoot go smoothly.

1. Well before the wedding day itself, plan with your wedding photographer exactly what photos you want from the shoot, how much time will be allocated to it and at what stage of the day the photos will be taken. Most likely your photographer will be taking informal photos throughout the day, but if you want any portraits of you as a couple or posed groups, you will need to decide the where and when and plan a slot in the schedule for the shoot.

2. Make sure you have a Plan B in case of bad weather. Good wedding photographers can work in most conditions, but it's not going to be much fun for you having photos taken on the beach in wind and rain, so check out your wedding venue for alternative sheltered spots that would also work well for your photo shoot, just in case.

3. When planning your wedding hair and make-up, make sure that it will work well in photos. Your make-up artist will advise on this, but it might be a good idea to have a few photos taken at your makeup trial in natural daylight to see how it all works on camera. This will give you more confidence on the day, so that you can relax into the photos and not worry about how you look. Just remember that a professional wedding photographer will make you look a thousand times better than photos taken by your best friend on a small digital camera, so don't worry if they are not perfect. If your budget allows, it is well worth while booking a pre-wedding shoot with your wedding photographer to combine with the make-up trial, so you get a really good idea of how you will look on the day.

4. Put together a bride's emergency pack for the big day, that your chief bridesmaid can keep at hand for you to use before the photos are taken. Include a lipstick, tissues and wet wipes, powder and mascara, and of course a mirror, so that you can repair smudges and shininess brought on by so much emotion!

5. Ask your bridesmaids to keep a bottle of water to hand for you to sip, especially on hot sunny days. It's easy to get de-hydrated and often the bride and the groom are the last ones to get drinks at the reception, as they are so busy greeting guests and having photos taken. A few snacks might also be a good idea to keep you energised during the photo shoot.

6. Practise your deep breathing and relax. Forget about the details of the reception, schedules and whether the photos are delaying things. Leave all that to the wedding planner or to the caterers to sort out and start enjoying your wedding day with a big smile for the camera.

Wedding Photography Live showcases wedding photographers in Cape Town with a modern style inspired by fashion and photojournalism experience. View Cape Town wedding photographers portfolio and make sure of stunning wedding photos to last you a lifetime.

Five Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographers Before Hiring Them

Capturing that special moment during your wedding is a must. It'll be a day in which you will never forget. There will be many memories to remember and the best way to capture those precious moments is through ever lasting photographs. But having your relatives take the picture with a simple digital camera may not do the trick.

It is important that you hire a wedding photographer to add that dramatic flair to your event. However, before getting and paying one, don't you think you have to enlist different questions that would let you know about the service that he offers? After all, you must make the service worth your money. And these pictures will have to last a life time.

1. How much is the whole wedding photo coverage? Unless the photographer is your relative or friend, ask him about the price for his service. Try to haggle if possible so you can get a lower rate.

2. What are the inclusions? Some photographers will only take shots during your wedding and give you raw pictures. But more often than not, professional photographers would give you more than not. Some of the inclusions in the wedding package are the pictures with effects, pictures incorporated in videos and/or slide show of the pictures along with your favorite music, digital and hardbound album, and so much more.

3. How many images can you get? It is likely that the wedding photographer would only let you choose 80 to 100 photos during your wedding, depending on what you agreed in.

4. Will he also cover the reception? Although most of the photographers would cover both the ceremony itself and the reception, it wouldn't hurt to ask your photographer. There are times that wedding photographers would only limit their service for about 3-4 hours, enough to cover the wedding entourage, ceremony, and after-wedding moments.

5. Miscellaneous matters - this includes the lighting, the additional backdrop, and other accessories for your wedding photo shoot.

If possible, take time to know your photographer. Ask for references, get to know his references, understand his style and make sure it matches yours, and finally, don't be scared to ask more questions. The more connections you have, the more beautiful the outcome would be. It'll all rest on the pre-wedding preparation with your photographer that will make all of the difference.

Bride's Guide to Wedding Photography - 6 Quick Tips

1. Pick a Wedding Photographer that you like

I know that sounds a bit obvious, but there is more to this than you may first imagine. It's your one and only chance to get photos of your wedding - as you want them. With the stress and strain of organising the wedding culminating in an often daunting start to the day it's important that your photographer doesn't add to that stress. Accordingly, you need to choose wisely. So, how's that done: read on.

2. Like their style

It probably goes without saying that if you don't like the style of wedding photos a particular wedding photographer produces, you will not be happy with the wedding album. So make sure you understand what type of photos this wedding photographer will take. Look at their previous work, it should give you a good guide to what you will get.

3. Like their price

In the current financial climate it is even more important to get value for money. Look carefully at what is on offer and make sure there are no hidden costs. Wedding photographers' prices vary quite widely as do their methods of charging. Some break their prices down like a restaurant menu, others will give you an all in price with no hidden extras.

4. Like their Modus Operandi (procedure; method of operating)

Are they sympathetic to your views? Will they be kind to your guests? We have all heard the stories about the rude, pushy photographer that bosses people about and won't let the guests take photos. (remember the bit above about not adding more stress to your day?)

5. Do a pre-wedding photo shoot

Find a wedding photographer that will offer you a pre-wedding photo shoot. It doesn't need to be long or complicated, but it will give you and your future husband a chance to meet and interact with the photographer and I guarantee it will make it easier for you come the big day.

6. Communicate with your wedding photographer

It would be safe to say that good wedding photographers welcome input from the Bride and Groom. It goes a long way to ensuring that they get the results you are looking for and therefore have happy customers. And a happy customer usually equals future referrals for them. So get a reasonable idea of what you want and tell the photographer. This could be a combination of what you know the photographer will do and a little input from yourself. Or it might be a major input from yourself and a little from the photographer. Each wedding is different so do whatever combination is going to work for your wedding.

Many Brides can see themselves in certain photographs, generally photos they have seen in Bridal magazines. A good tip is to take those magazines to the photographer to show them what you want, even better is to use cut-outs from magazines to leave with the photographer so that they remember what it is that you want. Many photographers have idea sheets with tick boxes so you can give them an indication of what it is that you want. Don't be afraid to write extra instructions on that sheet.

So in summary, find a photographer who has a photographic style and working method suits you. One that is affordable and communicate to them any special photographs that you would like. Do a pre-wedding shoot, and you will have taken great strides towards reducing some of the stress on the day and have given yourself the best chance of getting a wedding album that you will cherish forever.

Wedding Tips: How to Take the Perfect Wedding Photographs

Make sure you Get Help

Taking the photos of the family can be quite stressful. The guests are running about everywhere and people are in a 'festive mood' which means the drink will be flowing to the point where it can be very chaotic. Either you or the Groom should select a family member who can be the 'coordinator' of the photograph. The family member can round everyone up, help get them in the shot and keep things moving so that the couple can get back to the party.

Pre-visit the Location It is vital that you visit the place where the ceremony will take place and the venue for the reception before the day so that you can find all the best vantage points for the photos. Although professional photographers do not do this - as a novice you will find it helpful to know about the location so you have an idea of a few positions for photos and to know how the light might affect you on the day. I think it is an even bigger advantage if you can visit the location with the couple so you can a few test shots (these made nice 'pre-wedding photos').

List the Photos you want

It is very important to get the bride & groom to think about the photographs that they would love you to take on the wedding day. Get them to put together a list so that you can check them off. This is very important when it comes to family pictures. There's nothing worse than looking through the finished photographs and realizing you didn't photograph the bride and groom with uncle Bob!

Preparation is so important in wedding photography

On the big day many things can go wrong - so you need to be well prepared. If the dreaded rain starts to fall you will need an alternative plan, make sure your camera batteries are fully charged and your memory cards are completely formatted, consider routes and allow plenty of time to get to where you need to go and get an itinerary of the day so you know what's happening next. If possible, get to the rehearsal of the ceremony. The information you gather from this extra preparation will guarantee you and your couple perfect photographs as you will be able to rehearse where you will be standing and get to know how the light affects the shots you will be taking.

Pre-visit the Location It is vital that you visit the place where the ceremony will take place and the venue for the reception before the day so that you can find all the best vantage points for the photos. Although professional photographers do not do this - as a novice you will find it helpful to know about the location so you have an idea of a few positions for photos and to know how the light might affect you on the day. I think it is an even bigger advantage if you can visit the location with the couple so you can a few test shots (these made nice 'pre-wedding photos').

Take pictures of the small things The small things are very important; most couples love to look back at their wedding cake, also pictures of the rings, backs of dresses, flowers, table settings, shoes etc.

Discuss and agree the couple's expectations

Show them as many photos as you can so they can see your typical style of work. Ask them what they want to achieve, how many photographs they would like, what shots are important to them. Find out what they will be doing with the photographs, will they be put into an album or just kept on a disk for example.

Two Cameras are better than one

If possible use more than one camera, this way you can set it up with different lenses and settings. Using a wide angled lens on one camera while using a longer lens on the other can give you a totally different effect. You will also have a spare just in case one stops working.

Best Time for Wedding Photos: Before, During, or After the Wedding?

Beautiful photographs are one of the most important parts of the wedding memories. After all, they are one of the few visual keepsakes you will have of your special day to enjoy throughout the years. It is customary to take most of the photos immediately following the marriage ceremony, during the cocktail hour. However, these days a lot of couples are opting to take their pictures before the start of the ceremony, or in some cases well afterward. These are the pros and cons to deciding to do your wedding pictures before, during, or after the wedding.

There are a couple of excellent reasons to take most of the formal wedding photographs before the start of the ceremony. Couples like that they are at their freshest: unwrinkled, perfect makeup, bridal jewelry and hair perfectly in place. A lot can go on during the ceremony, after all. If it was very emotional, the bride's makeup mascara might be runny or the groom's face blotchy. If the ceremony was long and the bride and groom were seated, their attire might become creased. Taking pre-ceremony pictures will certainly ensure perfection.

The other main reason to do the bulk of the photos before the service is so that the newlyweds can enjoy attend their cocktail hour and spend more time with their guests. This is certainly a good thing. The main drawback to taking wedding pictures before the ceremony is that it detracts from that once-in-a-lifetime moment when the groom first glimpses his bride walking down the aisle towards him. That can be reason enough not to take pre-wedding pictures. A compromise to save time during the cocktail hour would be for the photographer to take pictures of the bride with her bridesmaids and the groom with his groomsmen, but to save the pictures of the newlyweds until after the ceremony.

The most traditional time to take the wedding photographs is during the cocktail hour. Couples who feel superstitious about seeing one another before the ceremony will certainly prefer this to pre-ceremony photo sessions. Also, you may find that you feel more relaxed once the marriage service is behind you, and if you feel relaxed that will come through in the pictures. Certainly those first moments as newlyweds are unique and precious, definitely worthy of capturing for all time. The major drawback to having photos taken during the cocktail hour is that the bride, groom, and their attendants will miss much of the fun while in the photo session. Even worse is when the picture taking runs so long that it delays the start of the reception (that drives guests crazy!). Be sure to discuss the timeline with your photographer in advance so you don't hold up the reception start time.

There is a new trend of having a lot of wedding pictures taken on a later day than the actual wedding. Not the candids of the celebration, of course, but the artistic shots of the newlyweds. It can be fun to get a second chance to put on your wedding gown and bridal jewelry, and get all done up again. The main reason that couples have pictures taken the day after their wedding is to allow them to have photo shoots at unique or special locations which are not close to their wedding site, such as a beach or an amusement park. Another big reason for this trend is to allow for the "trashing the dress" pictures, which often feature the bride wearing her gown in water or laying on sand. The photos are dramatic, and doing them after the wedding makes sense, since they render the bridal gown unwearable.

On the other hand, a day that is not your wedding day simply isn't your wedding day, and some of the natural excitement of that moment will have passed. By then, all you may want is to head off on your honeymoon and leave the whole question of wedding photography behind. The perfect time to take wedding pictures ultimately depends on the specifics of your celebration and what you hope to get from the photographs.

Different Kinds of Wedding Photography

Saying for better or worse and I do are the most exciting parts for every couple alongside having cake at the reception. Couples plan their wedding months or even years in advance just to make sure everything will be in order on the big day. The caterers and the church are booked, the gown and tux are fitted and the wedding entourage is finalized just in time for the big day. In order to have nice photographs to use for the invitations and to also get to know the photographer more, the pre-wedding shoot is done before the actual wedding day.

Couples nowadays have different appointments with their photographer for the pre-wedding photograph. Couples can avail different types of pre-wedding photography. These are: a save the date photo shoot, an engagement or pre-nuptial photo shoot and a test photo shoot at the wedding location. These further provide the couple the photos to use for the wedding day.

A save the day photo shoot is usually done in order for the couple to have pictures in their save the date video. This basically asks the guests of the wedding to save a specific date. This further announces the couple's plan on getting married, where and what time. The romantic stages of the couple's love story before they decided to get marries could be shown here. These show the fun and quirky side of the couple. It can be done at locations memorable to the couple like where they met or where they shared their first kiss.

Once the save the date photo was done the engagement or pre-nuptial photo shoot immediately follows. Couples have different preferences when it comes to shooting their save the date and engagement shoots; some would like to do it all in one time while the other would like to do it separately. The bride's engagement ring will be shown in the pre-wedding photography shoot and it's usually held in a romantic location. Like the save the shoot, this could also be done at the couple's memorable place. The photos from this shoot are usually used in the invitation and the various backdrops at the reception. The romantic side of the couple will be shown in here.

The last part of the pre-wedding shoot is not a formal shoot. Some photographers prefer having some knowledge about the location of the wedding before the day itself. In order to know where the lights enter what lenses to use and what other types of equipment to bring the clients may be invited by the photographer to have a test shot at the venue. These shoots are usually done a few days before the actual wedding.

Through these pre-wedding photography shoots the couple and the photographer will have more interaction making them more comfortable and at ease with each other. Through this the photographer will have easier time to shoot during the wedding day itself.

To get more information about wedding photography check out this great Unique Wedding Ideas site full of great advice, tips and resources for your wedding or why not check out this Wedding Planners Faq for some great ideas and tips.

Riga For Your Stag Weekend - The Greatest in Pre Wedding Fun, Part Two

Where Else Can You Shoot a Round From a Former Soviet Bunker in Between Seeing the International Ice Sculpture Festival and Hitting the Clubs with Claudia Schiffer lookalikes?

Certainly nowhere in the UK that's for sure. In Riga, you and your mates can get together and legally re-enact all your favourite Cold war James Bond scenes to your hearts' content and do it all in safety and style with a vast array of armory to choose from including the legendary Kalashnikovs, commonly known as AK-47s. Latvia is also home to the 'festival' where almost every month there is a national day dedicated to almost everything from Baltic Ballet to International Films and, this year, The 8th International Ice Sculpture festival. Be amazed, amused and get your photo taken in front of a lot of random but cool monuments.

But What about The Claudia Schiffer Lookalikes?

It's a somewhat minor point that Claudia herself is German and has probably never even heard of Riga let alone actually traveled there, but all accounts of clubbing in the Latvian capital attest to a very high population density of fit blondes, otherwise known as the PDFB index. Other cities that come close include Stockholm, Tallinn and most of Vilnius but a very quick, biased and unscientific poll based on personal preference and urban legend has Riga as the clear odds-on favourite. Helping you to continue this very necessary social research is a vast array of white hot clubs that have sprung up in the last five or so years. Riga is not known as the party capital of the former Eastern Bloc for nothing. Just beware of equally fit male Latvians who could probably have snared Gold in Soviet era Greco-Roman wrestling.

But Riga is, like, Baltic So Will I Freeze My B@$$s Off?

Maybe. But not necessarily. Just like the UK January is the most freezing month with lows hitting a chillin' -9C. The record low for Riga is -34C but that was so long ago that no one really remembers and the record high is a toasty 34C. But generally from April to October Riga is cool without being cold and warm without being sweltering.

Average January Temperature: -4 C

Average July Temerature: 16C

So How Do I Organise All the Travelly Details Without Screwing Up?

Easy. There's a London-based company by the name of Chillisauce who employ people who really enjoy tailoring packages stag groups to Riga, and a whole bunch of other cities. They do all the phoning, reserving and then come up with ideas just for you and your friends. All you actually have to do is turn up to have the most kicking ass time.

Riga has never been this good! Just drop a line to Amalia Illgner, she is a copywriter for chillisauce.co.uk; a fully bonded tour operator specialising in memorable stag nights. And there's a whole map of possibilities for a great stag weekend, for some excellent adventure filled ideas check out chillisauce where they will tailor a Stag Weekend in Riga just for you and any number of your best friends. Now that's what we like to call service!

A Fantastic Stag Weekend in Vilnius - the Greatest in Pre Wedding Fun, Part Two

This is Where I Ate a Thigh of Roe Deer and washed it Down with Acorn Coffee!

If you've ever wanted to savour the culinary delights of beaver, cow's tongue or smoked hog's ear- and who hasn't? - the east is where to feast. In Vilnius they've got a specialty beer divined from both malt and peas and a cup of coffee is traditionally made from ground acorns. There's a lot to love about traditional Lithuanian fare and not least because it has 'hangover cure' written all over it. Imagine waking up after a serious night on the tiles, so hungry you're willing to gnaw your big toe off, your stomach has that old time vat of acid feeling and you're dreaming of a greasy fry-up. This is where Cepelinai steps up to the plate. Described by a respected food writer as "a Zeppelin-shaped parcel of potato dough" filled with meat, covered in a sauce of onions, cream, butter and bacon bits, (and bacon bits, magic words in anyone's language) Cepelinai hits the spot to reline the stomach and imbue the consumer with a warm inner glow of nothing short but pure satisfaction. Almost spiritual. So rich, so creamy, so oniony, so meaty, so bacony and so simple in its delight that it makes you want to take the Tesco 'Five a day' and moon the daylights out of Gordon Ramsay and that bloody Gillian you-are-what-you-eat-woman. Taste it. Love it. Become a new man.

And This is Where I Drank this Random Honey Stuff

So what are you waiting for? Get involved. Knowing that you've got a sure fire hangover cure gives you no legitimate excuse for turning down the God bestowed nectar that is Lithuania's Special Honey Mead Balsam. Amateurs need not apply. There are two main types; Suktinis at 50% proof and Zalgaris which is a scorcher at a staggering 75%. Seventy-five. You could, however just as easily stick to the vast array of boutique beers from the surrounding breweries, the best of which are the pale bronze lagers made from both malt and peas, a fine drop by the name of 'Sirvenos' is a good place to start. You'll also find many rich reddish brown lagers with hints of whiskey and sherry undertones.

Vilnius is Baltic So Will I Freeze My B@$$s Off?

Maybe. But not necessarily. Just like the UK January is the most freezing month with lows hitting a chillin' -9C. The record low for Vilnius is -30C but that was so long ago that no one really remembers and the record high is a toasty 35C. But generally from April to October Vilnius is cool without being cold and warm without being sweltering.

Average January Temperature: -2 C

Average July Temerature: 19C

Weird But Cool Lithuanian Facts:

In a move that can only be described as unconventional, the Lituanian Basketball team, which rocketed to fame in the early 90s after scooping the bronze medal at the Barcelona Olympics, is supported by none other than the American Pyschedelic rock band 'The Grateful Dead'. Official team photos show the athletes sporting highly fetching tie died shorts in a varying assortments of lime, magenta and acid pink. Dude.

Lithuania is the proud home of the world's largest TV sculpture. Artist Gintaras Karosas created the work entitled "LNK Infotree" using just under three thousand individual television sets.
Lithuanian man/beast Antanas Kontrimas, who reportedly hadn't shaved in a quarter of a century, set the Guinness World record for the greatest weight lifted by a human beard. On the 11 September 2004, Kontrimas lifted a 136 pound woman with only his whiskers. On previous occasions Kontrimas carried a sack of grain, a TV host and an entire keg of homemade beer. Ladies, get in line.

So How Do I Organise All the Travelly Details Without Screwing Up?

Easy. There's a London-based company by the name of Chillisauce who employ people who really enjoy tailoring packages stag groups to Vilnius, and a whole bunch of other cities. They do all the phoning, reserving and then come up with ideas just for you and your friends. All you actually have to do is turn up to have the most kicking ass time.

Can't wait to get a taste of that? Just drop a line to Amalia Illgner, she is a copywriter for chillisauce.co.uk; a fully bonded tour operator specialising in memorable stag nights. And there's a whole map of possibilities for a great stag weekend, for some excellent adventure filled ideas check out chillisauce where they will tailor a Stag Weekend in Vilnius just for you.

Vilnius For Stag Weekends and Bachelor Weekends - Great Pre-Wedding Fun!

When it comes to the perfect stag weekend, Prague is having its moment in the sun. For the better part of ten years the Czech capital has been the 'it girl' of the former Eastern bloc. And just like 'it girls' from Essex to Primrose Hill, Prague is being done like a dinner. Those who aren't already going there are thinking of going there and everybody else already went in the 80s before, like, it became so popular. Now there's nothing wrong with abandoning Bournemouth and Skegness in favour of a bit of Iron curtain history and culture, in fact it's where the smart money is. But listen up people, there's a whole map out there filled with quirky, exotic and down right crazy locations that are just champing at the bit to show you a good time. So let's start with the new kids on the Eastern Bloc; Riga, Vilnius, Tallinn and Moscow. Think of them as best friends you're yet to meet. Lovers you're yet to kiss, you get the drift. So here are some handy hints, interesting facts, useless trivia and some slap-your-granny-you-can't-be-serious exchange rates on places that you might want to consider upon organizing the mother of all stag weekends. Gentlemen, get your phrase books ready.

VILNIUS

S veiki atvyke Lietuvos! Welcome to Lithuania! It's the largest and most southerly of the three Baltic republics also home to an annual cucumber festival, pea beer and the world's finest (and only) Soviet-era theme park. Here in Lithuania a beer bicycle is not just a fantasy but a legitimate form of transport and stewed beaver a perfectly reasonable alternative to toad in the hole. They ditched communism to score independence in 1991 and are now eating lunch in the EU with the cool kids. They walloped the 2001 Eurovision song contest with a princely 13th place and, as Paul McCartney would say, things just keep getting better all the time. The small and quirky republic of Lithuania, perched on the Baltic Sea and sandwiched between Poland, Belarus and Latvia, is simply one of the hottest travel destinations of the moment and making a stag weekend of Vilnius has never been so easy. So polish your Kankles, get in, get down and get ready to party Vilnius Style. Where it's always 1991.

Why in the name of sweet Monica Lewinsky* should I go to Vilnius for My Stag Weekend?

What all those earnest Professor Boring travel guides won't tell you is that Vilnius is home to some of the best legal fun a man could ever want. And the best part is the hordes are yet to climb on the bandwagon so there's plenty of Lithuanian goodwill still in the barrel to go round. This is a good thing to keep in mind when planning the mother of all stag weekends. Now technically your wedding is supposed to be the best day of your life, but that doesn't mean that your stag weekend can't be the best weekend of your life. So, for the greatest weekend of your life Lithuanian style here's what you need to know:

It's the Geographical Centre of Europe (Yes! Really!)

Thanks to the nice people of the European Union extending their warm Belgian welcome to Lithuania, it is now officially part of Europe. And not content to simply be a part of the action, it also home to the European Geographical centre. I know. It's rather like paying twenty Euro for a chunk of cement said to have been part of the Berlin wall, little more than a tawdry marketing tool and barely worth the photo opportunity. But. Still. You're drawn to the idea. Like one may be drawn to standing with your left arm in the Northern Hemisphere and the beer clenching right arm in the South, or going to Korea to moonwalk across the border of communism and capitalism. Or going to York. Period. In any case Lithuania has the honour of housing the centre of Europe. And like all fledgling capitalists worth their coca cola they have embraced the fact by building a commemorative park - the 'Europos Parkas' - just in case one mistook the precise yet indistinguishable point for an alien crop circle or Stalin's summer mud bath cabana. So they've got the centre and nowhere else does.

*A fine specimen of Lithuanian-descended womanhood

Amalia Illgner is a copywriter for chillisauce.co.uk; a fully bonded tour operator specialising in memorable stag nights. Like the sound of that? Well there's a whole map of possibilities for a great stag weekend, for some excellent adventure filled ideas check out chillisauce where they will tailor a Stag Weekend in Vilnius just for you.

Custom T Shirts As Pre-Wedding Giveaways

Throwing a bachelor or bachelorette party before your wedding day has been the tradition ever since. The soon-to-be bride or groom usually gathers their closest friends and family members to celebrate their last day of singlehood. It can be a night of drinking for the boys or a day in a spa or beach for the girls. There are many ways on how to throw these parties but making them worth remembering is another thing. If you want to make this memorable for you and your friends then you should give them a token like t shirts.

Personalized t shirts for weddings are in demand party favors today. They are the perfect choice as gifts because they can be used every day and affordable. You can design them as you wish. Online shops that specialize in t shirt printing have pre-uploaded designs that you can use but you can upload any image you desire and use it instead. You can use your photo as a couple or a sweet text that describes both of you. Use your imagination or just simply play with the online designer in order to create the best custom wedding t shirts.

Parties are never enough to make your last day as a single man or woman memorable, you need to be more creative and think of a unique way that will make your guests remember your party. These t shirts guarantee to make it remarkable and there is not a chance that it will be forgotten that easily. Everyone who is about to get married are doing this so why not join the latest trend and make your celebration more festive.

You can give these wedding t shirts to those who attended your party as a sign of appreciation. They are the coolest and most unique gifts that you can give so better give this a try one and expect to see the big smile on everyone's face once they receive these one-of-a-kind wedding tokens.
John K Vincent

Preserve Your Pre-Wedding Memories

On the day of the wedding photographs from a professional photographer and snapshots from your friends and family will help to create memories that last. Shown with pride, preserved with love, these are an important part of any marriage. With so much focus on the day itself, often the months beforehand are overlooked.

A wedding day is something most women expend a lot of time and energy on, spending months planning every intimate detail. From the flowers that comprise the bouquet, to which table a person sits at during the reception, no aspect is left to chance. Just to find the perfect dress can involve trips to the mall for fabric selection, visits to dozens of bridal shops to try on ready made dresses, and hunting the business directory searching for a dressmaker.

These small moments, though seemingly insignificant compared to the grandeur of the wedding day, encompass numerous important decisions. Every detail forms a picture of who you are. As you approach the wedding day collect items, no matter how minor, and store them together. After the wedding and honeymoon there is much joy to be found in reliving the memories, decisions, problems and their resolutions, as you piece together the memories. Discard items you decide not to include after the memory-preserving process is complete.

Throughout the preparation time for your wedding keep in mind things you would like to remember. Items such as swatches of the bridesmaids' dress fabric, receipts for all purchases, and samples of the stationery are a good base, but there is much more you can include. Make notes during the preparation time about the decisions you've made, any difficulties, or factors which influenced the choices. What, and who, determined the colour and style of the bridal party's attire? It is also lovely to include your thoughts on your relationship to the bridesmaids and a bit about reasons you chose them. Take photographs of gifts you give to your bridesmaids, pre-wedding snapshots of the function venue, as well as of the rehearsal dinner, hairdresser trial, and dress fittings.

The groom will have his own observations, souvenirs, and stories to tell about the run-up to the wedding day. Involve him in the process by including these within the memory book. Perhaps he might want to journal his own pages. Then, when the two halves are combined both parties get pleasure in sharing the oft-forgotten information.

The presentation of these memories can be as simple as an exercise book with handwritten notes and samples, receipts and other paraphernalia taped in. Alternatively, display the items and stories in a scrapbook album. Use colors and embellishments, such as ribbons, paper clips, buttons, and stickers, to enhance your memories and create a journal that everyone will love looking at. No experience is necessary to enjoy the delights of recording your memories. Possibilities abound, limited only by your imagination. The internet and local craft/scrapbooking stores provide a wealth of materials and information for any scrapbooker, whether a beginner or an expert.

Writing a Pre-Wedding Journal

The love of your life just asked you to marry him. Excitement rushes through you as you say yes. He slips the ring on your finger and the two of you begin planning your special day. You'll want to remember this time for the rest of your life.

But you know that memories fade over time. How do you keep your memories alive, for yourself and your children? Why not write a pre-wedding journal?

Many people keep journals to remember what happened in their lives. There is something quite natural about wanting to remember your wedding time. So, how do you go about doing this?

First thing you'll need is a journal. You can go several ways when it comes to the type of journal.

If you are looking for a journal where you can rearrange your pages or add ones in later, a nice ringed binder would be a good choice. You can find these at most office supply stores, as well as discount stores. They come in many sizes and cover colors, and can have three, six or even 7 rings.

If you'd rather have a book-like journal you can find these in most office supply stores, discount stores, and bookstores. They come in a wide variety of different sizes, with colored covers and inside papers.

Which ever style of journal you decide to buy, pick one that matches your personality. Be sure you like one you picked, because if you like your journal you'll be more likely to use it.

Now you're probably wondering what you should write about in your journal. It depends on what kind of journal you want to have. Do you want a keepsake to hand down to your children? Or something to share with your husband-to-be after your wedding?

What are some of the things you can write about in your journal? Here are some things you can include in your memories.

1. Try picking an event each day to remember, something important or special that you want to remember. Talk about how the event make you feel, the people who were with you, and anything else you think will make the memory real.

2. Write about the special people in your life. Devote an entry to each person in your family and wedding party. Tell something fun about them, something special about them. Be sure to tell why they are part of your life.

3. Write about your husband-to-be. Describe what first attracted you to him. What kept you with him? Tell of your first date, and what you did. Give highlights of your time together before getting married.

4. Your future together is another great entry to make in your journal. Think about where you want to be in five, ten, or even twenty years. Be realistic, be fantastic, or be comical. It is your journal, so be yourself.

5. Write about your dreams, hopes and even fears. What do you wish for most of all? What is your biggest fear in life?

6. Don't forget to write about yourself. Talk about your likes and dislikes. Things you like to do to relax during the planning of your wedding. Is there something you'd like to change about yourself, then write about it.

You may be wondering if you should let other people leave entries in your journal. This one really depends on your personality and comfort level. If you don't have a problem with someone else writing in your journal, than go ahead. Journal writing isn't set in stone. There isn't only one way to do them. If you want to let your bridesmaids, parents, and future in-laws write entries, then let them.

But if you are uncomfortable with someone else having your journal, maybe using a ring binder or a piece of stationary paper you can glue in later would be a better choice. It's really up to you.

You can do a lot of things to make your pre-wedding journal your own. Photos, poems, articles, and quotes are just a few of the things you can glue into your journal to make it truly your own. Don't forget to place a copy of your invitation and wedding picture inside as well. Things that mean a lot to you are things you can use to make your journal a special keepsake for generations to come.

Keeping a pre-wedding journal will help you remember your special time for many years to come, and will be a treasured legacy to pass down to your children and grandchildren.

Pre Wedding Diet - The Best Advice I Received to Fit Into My Dress

Your Wedding day may be fast approaching, and its time to get yourself into tip top shape and decide on a pre wedding diet. Maybe you want to fit perfectly into your wedding dress, or maybe you just want to shed a few pounds to look amazing for that special person in your life.

Most importantly develop a pre wedding diet that works for you and your lifestyle. Also, always consider your age and body type, are you an Apple, Pear or Chili Pepper. However, regardless of our type, we are all individuals. So, your bridal weight loss plan needs to be a personal diet plan, one that meets your own dietary requirements. A Healthy, gradual pre wedding diet will guarantee prolonged success!

The best thing to do is eat sensibly, eat good healthy nourishing food to make you feel energized. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and make sure you eat breakfast.

Avoid 'junk foods' such as fatty fast foods, chips, doughnuts, chocolate bars and pop. Have three regular meals each day. In the middle of the afternoon, have a light or low calorie snack, such as fresh fruit or some crackers with low fat cheese. This will maintain your energy level and control your appetite before dinner.

Don't skip meals. Skipping breakfast and, or lunch will only cause your body to slow down; that is your body will not burn as much energy if you skip meals. Therefore, you will tend to gain weight and get that sense of fatigue so commonly experienced by people who skip meals or who try to lose weight quickly.

Don't start your pre wedding diet at the last minute. The best advice I received when I got engaged, was to start losing the weight now. Too many brides do all the important wedding arrangements but forget to look after themselves and think they can lose those extra pounds closer to the big day. Take the pressure off yourselves and start as soon as you get engaged. This will benefit you in so many ways, one of which is that you won't need to keep going back to have your dress made smaller, and you won't be the bride crying on her big day saying " if only".

Your wedding day will be great, possibly even awesome. Your photos will be gorgeous, and your guests will remember it for years to come. Lose weight the right way, at a pace that you can keep up with, and keep it off. By shedding a few pounds, you could possibly become an even more sensational knock-out at your wedding, but do it wisely.

To organise your wedding is stressful enough, if you want to lose that extra weight and keep it off before the big day don't let that be another one of many things you have to worry about. Check out the top weight loss products and start stripping those unwanted kilos now, and look radiant at your wedding.

Memorable Pre-Wedding Photography

The time before your wedding is a great time to have some portraits done of the two of you. Your engagement is such a special and fun part of your life that you will definitely want to capture the excitement in pictures. Here are some ideas on how to get really memorable pre-wedding pictures that will always remind you of your engagement.

In the rush to get everything ready for your wedding, it can be easy to forget to slow down and take the time to simply enjoy your engagement. Many couples do not even think about having professional pictures taken until they are already married and hear about someone else's engagement pictures. That's when you say, "Darn! I wish I had thought of that sooner!". The last thing that you want to feel later is regret over a missed opportunity, so be sure to find time in your busy schedule for some pre-wedding photographs.

It used to be that engagement photos were very formal. The traditional pictures were generally composed as a close-up shot of the engaged couples from about the waist up. The bride would usually wear a pretty dress, and maybe a piece of her wedding jewelry if she already had it. The groom typically wore either a suit or a nice sweater or golf shirt. As people have gotten away from formal or stiff wedding photography, this style of engagement portrait has fallen from favor. One exception would be the couple who is planning to have an engagement announcement in the newspaper, in which case, this may be exactly the type of picture that is needed.

Just because posed wedding portraiture has gone out of style does not mean that you should skip the engagement photos altogether. The new trend in pre-wedding pictures is to have images taken that are fresh, playful, and creative. These photos are intended to capture the spirit and personalities of the bride and groom-to-be. To make this happen, engagement photos are now being taken in interesting locations, with festive attire, and with whimsical props.

One of the most visually intriguing accessories to think about using in your engagement photos is balloons. They are bright and cheerful pops of color, and balloons are also always fun and lighthearted. Surprisingly, balloons in engagement photos has actually become a rather strong trend. You can pick one signature color (perhaps one that will foreshadow your wedding color palette), or go for a big bunch of colorful balloons. These pictures are best taken outdoors, and should definitely be candid action shots, rather than anything too contrived or posed looking.

Some engaged couples choose to have their photos taken in one of their favorite locations. The neat thing about this is that it creates a visual record highlighting a shared interest or passion of the bride and groom. These pictures will be especially cherished momentos in the years to come. The setting can be almost anywhere, and it can be as casual or elegant a place as appeals to you.

Golf courses, carnivals and fairs, museums, and parks are all wonderful sites for your engagement photo shoot. As it is a special event, you will want to choose a lovely outfit, even if the locale is low-key. Imagine a picture of the two of you drifting around the carousel at the fair; the bride can wear a pretty sundress accented with her wedding jewelry, and the groom can wear a nice button down shirt. The final result will be pictures that are playful, memorable, and that capture some of the spark of young love.

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of Silverland Jewelry.com. Wedding jewelry is one of the most important things to choose for your special day.

Wedding Planners

Wedding preparations have many aspects that need to be considered. The location, outfits, food, decoration, gifts, etc, all need to be planned out in advance and if you are thinking of doing all this and more on your own, then you will definitely need a lot of time and energy. Why waste this precious time when you can spend it with your loved ones? Think about a wedding planner and they can take care of everything for you so you can be tension-free.

Wedding planners can plan your wedding from scratch, giving you all the ideas and plans or you can give them the idea and they can work at making your dreams come true. There are many things you need to discuss with you planner, so let's discuss these in detail.

Location
The location of the wedding is very important. You could get married at your local church or plan a destination wedding. Paris, Venice, India and Bali amongst others are all great options for a destination wedding. Most places have all the arrangements that are required for a destination wedding. You can even contact a local wedding planner or hire one in your own town. If you are thinking about a Bali wedding, you could consider Bali Indo Wedding. They are situated in Bali and they will take care of all your needs, including a wedding planner. For more info click http://www.bali-indowedding.com. Call months in advance of your wedding date to confirm availability and choose a location that is easy for all to reach if you are not taking care of air fare.

Accommodation
If you are having a destination wedding, you need to make arrangements for the accommodation of your guests. Otherwise, please specify that you won't be doing so, so they can take care of themselves. The wedding planner needs to discuss the accommodation with you and only then you should give the go-ahead.

Outfit
A white dress with a trail and a bouquet of flowers is what makes the picture of the glowing bride. You need to buy your wedding dress at least a month in advance so that in case any alterations are needed, they can be taken care of and you will not have any tensions on that front. The same goes for the groom's tux. You need to make sure the suit fits you well and also the bridesmaids and the best man's outfits need to be ready in time for the wedding. Of course, the wedding planner will not decide this for you, but today many planners offer the service of shopping with you and for you.

Decoration
Decide upon the theme of the wedding so the decorations can be taken care of. Decide about the seating arrangements and who will be placed where; also take care of flowers, candles, cutlery, etc. Your wedding planner will take care of all these details and they will show you samples or pictures so you know what you are saying yes to.

Transportation
The wedding planner will need to arrange for the transportation of all guests to the wedding venue from the hotel if you are planning a destination wedding. They will also arrange for the limo for the bride and groom. In any case, this is an important detail and should be taken care of.

Food
Food is another aspect the wedding planner can take care for you. If you are planning a theme party, then the food can be planned in that way. For example, if you are having a wedding in Bali, then you can concentrate more on the seafood fare and plan it in such a way. The wedding planner can co-ordinate with the team at the destination to make sure you get the best.

Photos
Your wedding needs to be preserved, so the planner can arrange for a good photographer and videographer who can capture the special event.

Gifts
You can give your guests some small gifts as a way to say thank you for making your wedding a special event. These can be pre-decided with the planner and you can even decide upon the way of delivery.

These are just a few things you need to discuss with your wedding planner so they can make your wedding a pleasurable and beautiful experience.

Nice Photo Pre Wedding Part 3

Nice Photo Pre Wedding Part 2

Nice Photo Pre Wedding Part 1