Top tips, awesome advice & delightful DIYs for brides-to-be
 |
04/29/13Swept Away: Coucoon’s first annual bridal eventA 1997 Rolls Royce limousine parks out front the pristine salon. The deejay greets me at the receptionist’s desk while his mash-ups roar down the salon’s lush hallways. Entranced by the white chocolate, pearl embellished cake pops, I know Coucoon Signature Salon & Spa's bridal event will sustain a constant state of swooning. Glass tables on either side of me are lined with bridal magazines and butterfly-shaped chocolates embossed with gold dust. Cabinets that typically showcase Coucoon's signature shampoo line glisten as Isabelle Krupnick's bridal accessories bejewel the shelves. The hairstyling area is transformed into a combined appetizer, cocktail and hair/make-up station. I feast on a slice of Fire & Vine's apple-goat cheese pizza. The... |
 |
03/01/13Over the RainbowExperts predict that one of the most unique trends for this year is incorporating rainbow colors into the wedding. So how do you do this without making your wedding look like a child’s birthday, a Rainbow Brite assembly or a Skittles commercial? The key is adding small touches without going crazy. Simple pops of color here and there can make for some fun photos and add a little whimsy to the day. A bouquet bursting with different colors can be a lovely contrast against a pure white dress. We love the natural look of this hand-gathered posy. (OnceWed.com) Have some fun with bright props when you and your groom are taking photos together. A rainbow hued parasol, a cluster of colorful balloons or a spray of multicolored... |
 |
02/25/13Wedding UpDos and Wedding UpDon’tsOnce you’ve decided on the dress, the next step is choosing how you want to wear your hair on the big day. To help you get started, here’s a list of wedding hairstyle trends for 2013 as well as some trends you shouldn’t attempt. Do The Loose Updo—feminine, beautiful, timeless. (Style Me Pretty) Don’t The too tight, headache-inducing, I’m-either-going-to-a-business-meeting-or-a-sideways-bun-convention look is too uptight for your wedding day. (StylesNew.com) Do Fishtail braids can be incorporated into an updo or a wispy side braid. Just be sure to find a stylist that knows what they’re doing. (Studio 417 Salon)... |
 |
01/17/13New Year, New YouIt’s typical to begin a workout/healthy eating routine this time of year, but if this is your wedding year, you’ve mostly likely taken it to a higher gear than normal. It’s good to want to look great in your dress and happily sport that new bikini on your honeymoon as long as you do it the healthy and happy way. Here are some tips for getting fit, eating better and starting a routine that will last through the big day and well into the years of your marriage. Make realistic goals. Losing 10 pounds? Go for it! Losing 70 pounds? It’s best to check with your doctor before setting such a high goal so that you can learn the healthiest way to go about losing weight. Also—no crash diets. They’ll just make you cranky, and then the weight will come... |
 |
12/05/12Winter Wedding IdeasWe love the intimate magic of winter weddings: the off-white gown, the sparkling centerpieces, perhaps a beautiful blanket of snow to line your way down the aisle. Among the popular color schemes for winter weddings, one of our favorites is all white. While a pristine, elegant and purely bridal scheme this is, it can be difficult to master for fear of the ceremony space or reception hall being too stark or boring. Here are some ideas borrowed from past winter celebrations that showcase the all white wedding in a polished and chic way. After all, it’s a nice day for a white wedding (according to Billy Idol). Dresses We love the bountiful ruffles and feminine lace on this gown. The... |
Angela is the Web and Associate Editor of Hampton Roads Magazine, Hampton Roads Bride and Virginia Wine Lover magazine. She’s always loved writing and crafting and eventually—like most every girl—she established the hobby of dreaming up a perfect wedding. In 2006, she and her (then) boyfriend moved from their small hometowns in Mecklenburg County, Virginia to Hampton Roads where Angela studied journalism at Old Dominion University. After graduating, she landed her dream job writing for HRM and then married her hometown honey. Now, through the Hampton Roads Bride Blog, she enjoys inspiring other brides-to-be by providing nifty ideas, information on local wedding events and tips for turning the big day into the best day.
