The History of Wedding Favors

For many centuries wedding favors have been a part of traditional wedding ceremonies, across a wide range of cultures. Initially wedding favors were an extravagance at celebrations hosted by European upper classes, which had the wealth to provide elaborate gifts to guests. The early wedding favors began as small fancy boxes, known by their French name of bonbon ere. A bonbon ere was fashioned of crystal, porcelain or gold and often encrusted with precious stones. The delicate boxes were meant to hold bonbons or other confectionery delicacies, at a time when sugar was quite expensive. Sugar was also highly valued by all, as it was believed to have medicinal benefits.

Individuals of modest means adopted the tradition of providing gifts to guests by selecting simple treats as gifts. Every culture across time has a approached marriage as a wonderful event, with the nuptials celebrated throughout the community. In many societies the bride and groom are associated with good luck, a common thought was that everything they touched would be charmed. By gifting members of the community, they would then pass those same blessings onto others. Many brides would choose to distribute this good luck by preparing a small gift of almonds, beautifully wrapped in an elegant fabric. The custom in the Middle East is for the bride to provide five almonds to represent fertility, longevity, wealth, health and happiness.

For more than a millennium, almonds were commonly given as wedding gifts to the couple, signifying the good wishes on their new life together. In the thirteenth century the practice of coating almonds in sugar became popular, the new confections were called “confetti”. Over time, confetti has transformed to Jordan almonds, now a staple of many wedding celebrations. The combination of the almond and candy signify the bitter sweetness of marriage. Today, Jordan almonds provide one of the most common and traditional wedding favors when they are wrapped in small bundles of delicate fabric or lace and tied with ribbon. Though the most traditional of wedding favors are still appreciated, a bride is only limited to her imagination when it comes to selecting the gifts that will demonstrate esteem from the blessed couple.

Since the sixteenth century, bridegroom couples have been giving gifts to wedding guests as a gesture of gratitude for sharing in the beginning of their new life together. Today, gifts to the guests are known as wedding favors and are commonplace in ceremonies worldwide. The small gifts may vary according to the culture, wealth and the interests of the couple, or theme of the wedding. When it comes to the decision for the right wedding favor, the options are unlimited. A beautifully decorated place card at the reception table, can make a lovely and inexpensive memento. For couples with larger budgets, a vintage bottle of wine with a personalized label is an excellent way of commemorating the event. Frequently a bride may select wedding favors intended to complement the décor of the reception table.
Wedding party favors are special gifts provided to members of the wedding party. The bridegroom couple may distribute the heartfelt gifts at the time of the rehearsal dinner or before the wedding, in appreciation for assistance in creating the couple’s memorable day. Like the wedding favors given to all guests, there are unlimited possibilities for these special gifts. Typically they may be specialized items of a higher dollar value and may be engraved with the name or monogram of the individual in the party.


A common denominator among all modern brides, regardless of cultural background or budget, is for the bride to take pride in the giving and selecting the right wedding favor. The majority of wedding details are bound by tradition or cost, but the wedding favor provides the bride a chance to show her personality and really consider what will delight her guests. Many reusable favors from candles, to statuary can be purchased for as little as a dollar each. Edible favors can be purchased or created for as little as fifty cents a person, while maintaining the European tradition of giving confectionery delights.

This is just a little history on  Wedding Favors!

Go to http://www.buzybeepress.com/ for great favor ideas and much more

Make-up Tips for Summer Brides

When you think about it all of your guest will have all eyes on you.  Here are a few tips to remember when it comes to your make-up and hot weather:

Foundation


There are many types of foundation available liquid, cream, dual finished compact formulas and tinted moisturizer. Foundation should always match your skin tone exactly. Yellow-based foundations work best on most skin types, because they neutralize any pink or red undertones and result in a clearer complexion. Avoid pink-based foundations, which often end up looking too, well, pink on the skin.

- First if your skin is oily, clean it and use an oil free moisturizer. But if it’s too oily avoid the moisturizer and just dab a little eye lotion under your eye. If your skin is dry, moisturize it.

- After applying the moisturizer use a foundation, which is an anti-shine product.

- If your have any blemishes or spots on your skin use a spot concealer, which will stay longer. Use it under the eyes, around corners of your nose, and wherever you have blemishes.

- If your skin is oily apply an oil-free foundation.

- After you’ve applied your liquid foundation, use power with a small brush.

Eye Makeup

Eyes make up is very important to complete the look .For some women the eyes make up lasts for hours and some fades in minutes.

- Using a concealed brush, apply concealed all over your lid, from lash line to brow. If your lids are extra oily apply a mortifying product first, then put your concealer on top. Finish it of with a dusting powder.

- Since its summer time use neutral tones when it comes to eye shadows. Stay away from creamy formulas.

- As for liners, liquid liner stays longer.

- Also you can take a cake liner and mix it with an eyeliner-sealing product. After applying the liner, just put some of the sealer on your liner brush, then re trace the line, which you have made earlier.

- Since its your wedding day, and in case tears of joy flow use waterproof mascara to be on the safe side.

Blush

Since it’s summer blush will be the first thing to go off. So here are some tips that will help your blush stay longer.

- Again stay away from creamy formulas, which tends to shine more. Instead, opt for a soft, powdery formula that will look fresh and absorb oil.

- For more staying powder, apply cheek stain, then dust a matching powder blush on top of it.

Lips

You'll be kissing your new husband, kissing your guests, sipping champagne... how in the world are you supposed to keep your lipstick on all day? Here’ a tip for the color to stay longer.

1. Start off by moisturizing your lips with balm so your pencil will glide along easily. Then take your lip pencil and color in your entire mouth -- this will prevent your lipstick from bleeding and supply more holding power.

2.If you're the type of person who can never keep her lipstick on, use a medium-toned concealer as a base before your lip pencil.

3. Once your pencil's in place, apply your lipstick, and then blot with a tissue. While the tissue is still pressed to your lips, brush some loose powder on top, then remove the tissue and make up your lips again to seal the deal.

4. The final step is adding a touch of gloss and applying lipstick sealer. Just one coat on your upper and lower lips will hold your color in place all day, or at least most of it.


These are a few tried and true tricks of our trade and they work.  Try them and give us some feedback.

LaPaz Image/Event Consultants

How to get the Romantic Smokey Eye

Often many of my brides want a romantic smokey eye for their weddings.  The Smokey eyes have been a big style for quite awhile and there's no sign this particular trend is dying. Here we show you step-by-step instructions on how to get the perfect Smokey eye.


The key to the perfect Smokey eye is proper blending. You want to make sure colors are blended together flawlessly. Also, it's important to pair light base colors with rich dark colors. Nice mixes include: Soft gold base with deep purple on top, champagne base with bright blue and peach base with green hue.

Here is how:

1. Prep the lid. The key to keeping eye shadow from melting into your eyelid crease as the day goes on is to kept eyelids oil-free. To do this start with an eye shadow base (also called "primer"). I like to dab a little on the lid and blend with fingertip lightly.

2. Apply eyeliner. If you're going for a typical black, brown or gray smoky eye, apply liner in one of those colors above the upper lash line, drawing line thicker in the middle of eye. If you’re opting for a jewel-toned eye (violet makes a gorgeous smokey eye), line eyes with a purple, blue or deep green liner.

3. Blend in color on bottom lashes For color on the bottom (a key smokey eye look) you'll want a lighter eyeliner. The key is to "smudge it." You can also apply a bit of shadow to get full smudge effect.

4. Apply light base color Again; the key to a smokey eye is pairing a lighter base with the darker hue. I prefer a nice cream shade for my base. Sweep a light, shimmery shadow over the lids to your brow bone.

5. Blend in darker color, but keep dark color below the crease. Now that you have the base and eyeliner on, it's time to get the smoky effect. You need a darker eye shadow shade. Using an eye shadow brush blend in color starting at your lash line, blending up. Make sure to blend color into the lash line so the eyeliner disappears. Stop deep color at crease.

6. Double-check your work Make sure eyes match and blend color with a Q-tip if need be.

7. Finish with several coats of volumizing mascara. Tried and true mascaras my personal favorite is Diors’ Show Mascara (love it).

 

This is our tip for getting that ever so sexy smokey eye!! Let us know how you make out with this.

LaPaz Image/Event Consultants
Where everything is Fabulous!

SUMMER BRIDES

For all of our summer brides from June to September.  Here are a few tips to remember when planning a summer wedding:

1.Do your research regarding fabrics: You don't want to wear a gown that is better suited for the winter and neither do your bridesmaids.  On the runways at Monique Lhuiller Spring 2010 show they gave a few ideas:

2. Stay well hydrated- You want to keep yourself from over heating and possible passing out.  If you stay properly hydrated you will feel better and your skin will look beautiful on your special day.  Remember water is your friend and you should keep a bottle on hand at all times.

3. Eat- You must maintain your strength and good health.  Stress can deplete essential vitamins so make sure you incorporate fresh fruits and veggies in your diet and this will give you natural energy not artificial energy from sugary snacks or drinks.

4. Venue: Really know your venue and think about your guest comfort.  If your having a beach ceremony try to have it earlier in the day when it is a little cooler or later like just prior to sunset.  This way you and your guest aren't just baking in the sun and think of small things like umbrellas for your guest if it's out doors.

5. Menu: Make sure all foods are kept at the proper temps- You don't want your guest nor yourself to get sick.

These are a few hints for our summer brides-to-be!!

LaPaz Image/Event Consultants

Where everything is Fabulous!

        

BRIDAL UNDERGARMENTS

Here are a few questions that we have had from some of our brides at LaPaz Image/Event Consultants regarding Undergraments for the "Big Day". 

Will I need a special bra for my wedding gown?

It is imperative that you wear the correct undergarments for your wedding gown. Most strapless gowns are well constructed and have full boning in them, so you are wearing a corset in the gown itself. However, it is always a good idea to try on other bras with your gown to ensure the best possible fit.

Are there some undergarments I will not be able to wear with my wedding gown?

Yes, there are undergarments that may not work with your gown. At a good bridal salon, they should be able to help you and advise you. It is very important that if you are spending a lot of money on your wedding gown you buy the correct undergarments to make your gown look the best.

Will a bra with patterns or lace affect the look of my wedding gown?

It is not a good idea to wear a bra that has lacy patterns on it. If you're wearing a simple sheath dress for instance or something that's made in a very soft, clingy fabric like chiffon or silk chemise, you may see the pattern of the bra through the gown.

Are undergarments ever sewn into a wedding gown?

Occasionally undergarments are sewn into wedding gowns. If the gown is a particularly slinky style of gown, often the manufacturer will include, for instance, a bra sewn into the gown. For the most part, the undergarments are purchased separately.

Should I wear a slip even if one is already sewn into my wedding gown?

The reason for wearing a slip if one is already sewn into your wedding gown is if you want to add more volume to the skirt. For instance, if you have a gown that has a beautiful embroidered pattern at the hem, you may wish to show that off more by smoothing out that hem of the gown with a fuller petticoat.

What are 'slimmers'?

Slimmer's are typically what I've just referred to as a body smoother. They are undergarments that are designed specifically to go under the sleekest fitting dresses. Body smoothers would fit under the bust right down through the leg in order to provide no lines at all under the dress.

Do most brides wear hosiery with their wedding gowns?

Most brides choose to wear hosiery with their wedding gown if they're wearing a closed toe shoe, or they want a very finished, formal look. If they're getting married on a beach, for instance, they may choose not to wear hosiery.

I hope that some of your questions we covered but if not please feel free to post your questions and we will be more than happy to answer them for you.


LaPaz Image/Event Consultants
Where everything is Fabulous!

Not so Traditional

Now a days weddings aren’t so much about traditions- In planning several weddings I see more and more brides breaking away and doing something that isn’t of the norm. I interviewed three (3) brides regarding this topic and there take on why they have broken from the “Traditional Wedding”.


1st: Susan M. of Philadelphia, PA:

Susan’s wedding really isn’t traditional she wanted me to know that traditions aren’t really her thing and being different is more important. With Susan’s wedding she didn’t want her girls to be cookie cutter so she had me work with them on body-shape and what would look good on them. Three (3) of Susan’s bridesmaids are wearing mid-length dress and the other three (3) are wearing full-length gowns. Susan said as long as her bridesmaids are happy and feel good about how they look that is more important to her than anything else.

2nd: Mara S. of King of Prussia, PA:

Mara’s wedding really breaks the “traditional” standards starting right off the bat with Mara’s wedding gown. Her gown is black and white and I don’t mean white with a black sash I mean a black gown with a white sash. Her gown is unique in color and style and Mara said what made her pick this gown was that she wanted to have a different feel of getting married and not allowing herself to be put into that “Traditional” box. The other tradition that Mara is breaking is that she has two (2) guy’s walking together.

3rd: Kelly P. of Cherry Hill, NJ:

Kelly said I think of traditions as something old and I don’t want to feel aged as I get married and move into my new life. Kelly told me she has her child Langston a 7-year-old Bulldog as her ring barer. She stated I couldn’t get married without my child being apart of my day. He is so special to me and my future husband that we both decided he would be the best ring barer for our wedding.

These are three (3) examples of the not so “Traditional” weddings. If you have/had a non-traditional wedding we would love to hear about it!

LaPaz Image/Event Consultants