Take your veil to your hairdresser and have a few try out sessions till you find the perfect hairdo for your wedding day.

I have to say most girls are obsessed with shoes and I am no exception. But we have so many options!  High heals, flats, wedges,sparkles, satin, closed, open toe or sandal. The possibilities are endless. When choosing that ever important Cinderella shoe, you want it to be the perfect one. Wedding 101,you want to be comfortable. Think of the hours you have to be on your feet before you can even get on the dance floor. Try to pick a shoe that is not too high and that you are going to be comfortable in all night.

A few tips:

• Wear your shoes a couple of times before the wedding to break them in.

• Get some comfort shoe inlays so you have more of a cushion.

I do it all the time even when I go out and let me tell you it works wonders.

I have scoped out this bridal shoe store online.  Have a browse and get inspired… the possibilities are endless.

- My Florida Wedding

Save the date cards are a great way for people to remember your wedding day. Currently very popular is the save the date magnets. Great as  refrigerator magnets which make it less likely to be lost or misplaced. Couples usually send these out 6 months before the wedding and some even as soon as they have there date. The main purpose of the save the date cards and magnets is to give your guests a heads up on the date so they can make arrangements and fit it into there schedule. Important for out of town guests that need to make travel arrangements.

Be creative with your save the date cards you can create them anyway you want. Try keeping them with the theme of your wedding so that they become another part of the bigger picture.

You can have your save the date cards or magnets printed at a local print shop or try an online store that specializes in save the date cards, magnets and invitations. The cards are usually very to the point.  Most have a picture of the couple, there names, the date, and the city or place that they are getting married.

Here is an online store that our wedding clients love and have had great experience with. Remember when you order from an online store that it will take about 2 weeks to receive your cards or invitations.

Of all the planning and purchasing, the wedding ring is probably the most important. The smallest item holds the most value.

The ring that will bind you together for the rest of your life. This is something you should choose together. There are so many styles of bands. You can have ones with diamonds or different golds or platinum mixes and they are all very beautiful. But make sure when choosing your ring that you find one that best fits both of your personalities and the bond you share. Try to find a ring that you will both want to wear everyday. Your wedding ring is the symbol of undying commitment and love.

Here is a online store with wonderful examples of different types of wedding bands.

On your big day, you want to dazzle the world, look like a princess out of  a fairy tale and thus be fit and look great.  So you look in the mirror and realize you have to lose 15 –20 pounds. Don’t panic. If you are 6months to a year away from your big day, you can drop the weight in a healthy manner. Don’t try those quick diets that say you will loose the weight in 10 days. They don’t work and only create the  “jojo effect”. Since you still have a little bit of time, lets go over the possibilities of losing weight the healthy way.

Eat healthy and exercise. We all know it  and never seem to be able to follow this simple rule. If you want to lose the weight and keep it off, you are better off doing it the right way. A good side effect to this is that exercising is a great way to get rid of stress which you will most probably be experiencing while planning your wedding.

Here are a few different methods of losing weight, eating healthy and fighting stress.

1. Join the gym: The easy part is joining the gym but will you actually follow through? It is up to you and how bad you want to lose the weight. Go to the exercise classes that they offer and make it a point to go at least three times a week.

2. Get a personal trainer: Personal trainers are expensive but they will make you exercise and keep you exercising to get  the results you need. Trained professionals will give you a plan to work on your problem zones. It is worth the money as it will keep you focused and help you achieve your goal.

3. Pilates: Pilates is a great way to tone and firm our female trouble zones. Find a Pilates studio  near you that offers reformer classes. You can also work out at home and order a reformer (Pilates machine).  There are reformers that you can order with workout videos and have delivery to your home.

4. Running outdoors or on a treadmill: Running is another great way to shed some pounds. Make a set time to go running everyday before work or after work. If you don’t want to run outside  get a treadmill. These are easily stored in your home and give you the chance to exercise in the comfort of your own home.

5. Eating healthy: you can either go see a nutritionist and get a planned out guide or just check out some books about eating healthy and cutting calories. Either way watching what you eat and being educated about what foods are good for you and what foods are not will defiantly help you shed some pounds and feel healthier.

6. The total gym: this is another great home machine. If you are looking for a machine that can target almost all the muscles then this is it. It comes with an instructional video and is very easily stored away in your home.

]]> http://www.myweddingflorida.com/getting-fit-for-your-wedding-date/feed/ 0 http://www.myweddingflorida.com/so-how-much-should-a-wedding-photographer-cost/ http://www.myweddingflorida.com/so-how-much-should-a-wedding-photographer-cost/#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:57:30 +0000 Natascha http://www.myweddingflorida.com/?p=51

Good question. There are many wedding photographers out there and rates range anywhere from $500-to $10,000-.  How do you decide what to pay your photographer?  A  photographer is like an artist. The photographer documents your wedding day as he/she sees it, through his/her  lens and the outcome of one photographer compared to another shooting the same exact wedding can be very different.

That is why you should really do your research and find out what different types of photographers there are in your area. Go online and view their portfolio. See if the type of work they do is to your taste and imagine if you would want them as your wedding photography on your wedding day. Also, find out exactly what they offer. Ask yourself following questions…Do I pay them per hour? Are the digital files and copyright release included? How much does it cost per print if I have to print through their lab? Be careful of  the fine print.  Meet with the photographer to see if he/she is someone you would like to work with. Read the contract carefully to make sure you understand the terms and conditions.

In off season its ok to ask if they can give you a break or add something to the package. Most photographers don’t mind giving you an extra print or two. Do not try to bargain to much. Remember the photographer spends a lot of time not only working at the wedding but also on post production.

A  good idea is doing your engagement portraits with a photographer that you might want to have for your wedding. That way you have already worked with him/her and feel more comfortable in front of the camera on your wedding day.

Have you chosen a theme or color for your wedding? When you have your basics down its time to choose the dresses. This has to be the favorite part of almost any girl; Going shopping. Try to incorporate the wedding colors into your bridesmaid dresses. If your wedding is formal then have your brides were more formal and elegant dresses.  For a beach wedding on the other hand,  you should opt for something  more casual. This is your day and you get to decide. So even if your bridesmaids tell you their favorite choices you decide. It is your day. So dream,get creative and have a blast.

There are so many places to get nice bridesmaid dresses and there is a lot of variety. You can check out your local bridal store or go to the mall or try to scope out the best deals online.

Some great bridesmaid dresses at good prices can be found at…

Short Twist Wrap Dress

The ingenious Twist Wrap Dress allows your bridesmaids to complement each other while wearing the dress style that flatters them most. The dress can be wrapped in countless ways from demure to daring. Constructed in 12 different colors of luxurious hand washable matte jersey, the dress packs well so it’s ideal for destination weddings or your honeymoon – you could have a different look every night of your trip. Available in sizes extra-small to two-extra-large.

Check it out

Don’t forget accessories if you want them to wear matching earings or shoes. To get some ideas check out stores like…

Bridesmaid Bracelet

Our bracelet of freshwater pearls, genuine Swarovski crystals and sterling silver symbolizes the honesty, beauty and longevity of your relationship.Finished with two birthstone crystals to represent you and your bridesmaid. Your bracelet arrives tucked inside a silver organza bag, accompanied by a poem entitled For My Bridesmaid. The two are placed inside a clear top gift box and tied with a bow for presentation.

Check it out

The Perfect shoes….

Coloriffics Connie Bridal Shoes

This reflective, strappy, barely-there sandal makes you feel like summer, even in January. Fit with a slender, adjustable ankle strap and a closed back for comfortable feel and a sexy look. Tapered heel measures 2.5″. Available in metallic silver or gold, this shoe is not dyeable. See how Coloriffics measures heel height. Determine which size to order. Add comfort with easy-to-use shoe pads. Are these shoes right for you? Discover your true style.

Check it out

Having a make-up artist and hair stylist completes the look of the bride. Most brides feel this is an important part of there wedding day and find it necessary to have a make-up artist. If you are on a budget and know how to do your own make-up then maybe you should consider cutting this option from your list. But if you want to look your absolute best and your budget allows it, then go for it. Make sure to research local make-up artists and try to find one that understands your needs and will give you the results that you are looking for. Ask to meet with the make-up artist and view some of there previous work. Make-up artists can cost anywhere between 50-300 dollars depending on experience and years in the business. Your wedding photographer may also have a make up artist that he/she works with.

Are you ready to jump in and start planning?  Here are a couple of things that should be first on your ‘To do’ list.

1. Set a date for your wedding. You might want to marry on the day you met or have a late evening summer wedding. A morning Autumn ceremony, or winter afternoon wedding. Whatever you decide,  try to give yourself at least 6 months to plan your wedding. Ideal off course would be a year.

2. Setting a budget is very important. So be clear on your wedding budget and who is paying for what.  A wedding can be very expensive and you don’t want to live on bread and water after your special day . Seriously though, think about how much you can afford. Are your parents going to be helping you out? And what your overall budget is going to be.

3. now that you have set a date, establish a timeline for planning and preparation.  This is an important and crucial part. You don’t want to forget things like ordering  the invitations or booking the photographer. Plan it out and write it down. This will help immensely.

4. Time to choose your wedding party; the earlier you ask them to be part of your wedding party the better. They will be a great help in assisting you and helping you plan your wedding.

5. Making a guest list will have a lot to do with your budget; the bigger the wedding the bigger the overall expense. Seriously think about who you want to invite. Do you want a more intimate wedding with your closest friends and relatives or a big bash with everyone you and your family know. Your family will most probably also want a say in this especially if they are paying for a large part of your wedding. So really think about this point and what is more important to you.

Above were just a few tips on what your first planning steps should be. Get  a calendar and notepad and good luck planning!

In order to get married in the state of Florida you need to obtain a Florida marriage license. You should think about getting your Florida marriage license about a month before your wedding date. Go to your city marriage bureau at the clerk of courts office and find out about your  local city rules. You will most likely be asked to show birth certificates and other official documents. Also have a valid picture ID with you. You and your fiance will both have to appear at the clerk  in order to get your marriage license. The Florida state license can only be used in Florida and is valid for 60 days. So make sure that you do not apply too early.

If you need more information please contact your local clerks office.