Blogs

The day after our wedding in Indianapolis, I woke up next to my husband Corey for the first time. That in itself was a wonderful feeling, but what made it even more exciting was the anticipation of departing for our Mexican honeymoon later that day! Check out some highlights from our romantic trip, below. 

Why we chose Mexico...
Corey and I had traveled to Mexico before and we loved it there, so we knew we wanted to go back for our honeymoon. We stayed at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya, an all-inclusive resort situated on the soft, sandy beaches of Riviera Maya, near Playa del Carmen. We chose a hotel chain that we were familiar with (we'd stayed at Riu's Cabo location before), so we knew exactly what to expect. Plus, the weather in Riviera Maya is beautiful, the flight is short (from where we live in Indianapolis), and the trip fit into our budget.

Plus, get more information on Where to Stay in Cancun and Riviera Maya.

Are you feeling sluggish and worn out in the final days leading up to your nuptials? Do you find yourself in a state of sheer panic over your inability to ban the bloat? Here, a last-minute fix to your final-stretch funk.

BluePrint Cleanse is the first 100% USDA certified organic juice cleanse and offers a wide array of nutritious and delicious fruits and veggies blended down into a lusciously liquefied confection. They offer three different degrees of intensity — so whether you’re someone who counts French fries towards your daily intake of vegetables or you’re a true juicing junkie, there is a program that caters to everybody. I chose the beginner level, Renovation:

Whether you’re planning a cozy dinner-for-two, a chic New Year’s Eve party or just want a unique look for your reception tables, you’ll love these super-cool paper shades from dipotter.com. Not only do they look fantastic, they’re also economical (six shades for $22). Simply put a battery-operated tea light (six for $15) in a wine or champagne glass, and place the appropriately sized shade over the glass for a soft, dreamy glow.

You can choose from silver, white, gray and parchment tones to graphic black and white shades:

 You can even have them monogrammed:

Why buy a generic ornament to mark your first wedded Christmas when you can create one that is truly unique to you? These Wedding Invitation Ornaments from our blogger friend Jen at SomethingTurquoise.com are quick, easy, and inexpensive to make; they'll showcase a couple's love for years to come. Grab a pair of scissors and start creating some holiday magic!

Materials:

• Wedding invitation
• Large 4'' globe ornament
• Your choice of glitter or paint (you can also use both)
• Ribbon
• Mod Podge
• Scissors
• Paper trimmer
• Paint brush

​Option 1: Glitter-Glam Ornament

Step 1: Assemble the Paper Strips

• Gather your invite card, RSVP card, and map card (if you have one). 

They say the devil is in the details, but I happen to think that personality is what makes any wedding shine. One of my favorite places to add creativity is in the wedding programs—they don't have to cost a fortune to be a winner with guests. From whimsical to romantic to modern, here are a few of my favorite things (can you tell I'm in the holiday spirit?).

Unique Packaging

I've been in love with chalkboards for as long as I can remember, so this idea is my personal favorite. My mom was a schoolteacher for over 20 years and every day after class, I would make pretend that I was a teacher, just like her, by doodling all over the board! There are so many ways that you can incorporate this nostalgic element into your wedding. Check out more chalkboard-inspired décor here.

Photo Credit: Jessamyn Harris

How adorable is this crossword puzzle? You can also include fun facts about your bridal party—we can't wait to try this steal-worthy idea.

Each week, we feature music recommendations from Scratch Weddings, the nation's leader with the best wedding DJs at affordable prices. This week's post comes from DJ Qlassick. DJ Qlassick has spent close to a decade perfecting his DJ craft, and his brilliant technique has led him to open for the likes of Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, and The Roots. As a mainstay in the Philly nightlife scene, DJ Qlassick is known for his fresh blend of genres. "A client's big day is as important to me as if it were my own friend or relative. I have become a part of it, so I am now dedicated to making sure it's everything they hoped it would be".

Your wedding day will be filled with traditions. But before you get there, another time-honored tradition should be taken into consideration, one that will usher you into marital bliss. No, we’re not talking about a rehearsal dinner. We’re talking about  the last hurrah, your final memories of the single life: your bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Unadorned hair is beautiful on its own, but bridal headpieces have the power to pull your entire look together. I recently purchased mine during a sample sale at Bridal Styles in Brooklyn, NY, a boutique that's been around for over 25 years (my aunt bought her wedding hair accessory there in the '80s!).

At first, I balked at trying on anything that even remotely resembled something Dutchess Kate would wear. As time ticked by—and I admired the other brides' clips—I had fun trying on more ornate styles. (After all, when else is it socially acceptable to wear a bejeweled crown in public?) Here's what I learned about the art of accessorizing from my consultant, Kassie.

In case my fiancé Jason is reading: No, this isn't the style I picked!

Decide what your hairstyle will be in advance.
You'll have to know more than just whether you'll wear your locks up or down. For example, if you're set on having a bun, do you envision a high ballerina style or a low one that is swept to the side? If you're blessed with long, thick hair, consider bigger hair accessories that can stand up to the weight, rather than daintier ones, which will be less noticeable.

Join us every Friday for our Q&A column, where editor-in-chief Diane Forden answers one reader's biggest etiquette question.

Q: Do we need to send a thank-you note to my friend who traveled quite a distance to attend our wedding but didn't give us a gift? 

A: Regardless of whether or not a gift was given, anyone who attended your wedding should receive a thank-you note. No doubt, your friend spent considerable time and money to get there, and her presence should be considered your gift. Be gracious, and let her know that you are delighted that she was able to share in your big day and that you appreciate the effort she made to attend.

—Diane Forden

Photo Credit: You're That Girl Designs/Etsy.com

Baby, it’s Christmas time, and it’s my mission to get you looking more like Santa’s hot little helper than jolly Mrs. Claus. And, come January, you won’t feel like you have a mountain to climb to shed off the holiday gain — no, it's not a prerequisite to the holidays.

• You can have your Christmas cake and eat it, too.
• You don't need to spend hours a day slugging it out at the gym.
• You don't have to forgo holiday parties or dinners in fear of tempting treats that ruin your waistline.

You just need to get ARfit!

So rather than the 12 Days of Christmas, we’re doing the four ARFit weeks to Christmas, and here is your next Hot Body Workout! Check out last week's video here, and subscribe to my channel for new, free workouts every week!

The Workout: 

Complete each of the following for 1 minute each (watch the video for demos):

Round One:

► Jump Rope
► High Knees
► Bumwackers
► Frog Jumps
► Burpees

Walk or Jog 10 minutes

Round Two: