AskLiz aims to provide short, informative articles on a range of everyday topics. Use the links below to explore each topic or use the handy search box to search the Internet or review the full weddings index. 

Perfect Marriage and Wedding Ceremonies and Duties - Getting Married Topics

How To Look Great On Your Wedding Day

by Melanie Mendelson (c)2005

Looking great on your wedding day means being radiant, relaxed, and ready to start a brand new existence with the person whom you've chosen to spend your life with. Your hair, nails, makeup, dress - and how you look in that dress - are all part of becoming the bride you want to be on that special day. Since pictures taken on that day remain part of your life forever, it's important to look and feel your best.

Your dress is one of the most important items in your wedding plans, so make sure you take enough time to choose one that suits you - not your best friend, not your bridesmaids, and not your mother. For the day of your wedding, you'll want a dress in which you can stand, walk and dance in without worrying about "wardrobe malfunctions" or causing you discomfort. Allow necessary time if you decide on having the dress made, but even if bought "off the rack," you'll need to factor in time for tailoring and any adjustments.

You don't want to overpower your dress and headpiece with a flamboyant hair style or color that overwhelms everything else. Keep it simple and classic, and remember to practice the look you want at home or with your stylist before the wedding day.

Have your nails professionally manicured the day before the wedding. This is one thing you don't want to do far in advance. Reduce the chances of a broken nail, chipped polish, or if using applied nails, one coming off, by having your manicure as late as possible. If you are not inclined toward colored polishes or long fingernails, make sure they are neatly trimmed, filed, polished, and buffed. Your hands will be a focus of attention when showing off that new wedding ring and for photos!

Makeup is the last thing you'll need to worry over, and that comes on the big day, itself. Don't try to transform yourself into a different person with dramatic eye makeup or garish lipstick. Make the real you look better!

Use a slightly heavier hand than with your usual daytime makeup so your photos won't have you appearing washed-out looking, but don't overdo it. And if your wedding is at night, with more subtle lighting, apply makeup as though you were going to a club or restaurant at night - a little heavier than daytime, but not much! Avoid deep red lipstick as well as too-pale pink. Frosted eye shadows or lipsticks are definite no-nos.

Buy fresh mascara to avoid clumping. Also, if you have sensitive skin, this is NOT the time to try a new brand. The last thing you want to do is head for the altar with blotches or zits thanks to an allergic reaction.

The night before your wedding is not the time for partying so get eight hours of restful sleep. If you're having a rehearsal dinner, or a bachelorette bash, make sure that it ends early. Drink moderately or, better yet, not at all. Bloodshot eyes and a banging hangover will not make for a fun wedding.

Don't gorge yourself the night before because we all know that there are strange forces at work which will try to make your wedding gown just a wee bit snug in the morning. To overcome excitement and nerves, try taking a long walk -it can help with pre-nuptial jitters. A relaxing bath with soothing background music, a cup of herbal tea, and you should be ready to doze off with images of a happy future marriage in your dreams.

With these tips, you're sure to have the perfect wedding day. May this day be the beginning of a lifetime of joy and happiness!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melanie Mendelson will help you lose weight fast for your wedding. Visit her website http://www.DietForBrides.com  

Wedding Day Beauty Do's and Don'ts

Here are some tips to bear in mind when deciding the look you want for your big day.

• Do not try a drastic change in colour or cut just before your wedding. Play with your hair at least three months before the wedding so that if you don't like the look you can grow it out.

• Don't wear a huge headpiece. They can be heavy and hard to pin in place and people will spend more time looking at your head and not your dress.

• Do mess around with different cosmetic colour. The colours that you are use to wearing may not go with the colour or style of your dress.

• Don't wear a veil that looks like a mask. Wear something that shows off that beautiful soft bridal glow.

• Do make up a beauty kit containing your cosmetics, pins etc..

• Don't attempt to tie your hair up yourself unless you are a professional stylist.

• Do refer to magazines, book, the net etc.. to get the look that you want.

• Don't wear makeup that is too heavy or dark. Keep it light and natural so it shows off your natural beauty.

• Do eat the right foods and drink plenty of water. Also try to spend an hour a day walking, swimming or some other form of exercise. Not only will it get you in shape but it is good for your skin and relieves stress.

• Don't forget to rest and take care of yourself.

• Do relax and enjoy the day. Most brides are swept a long with the planning that by the time the wedding is over they barely remember a thing about it.

Stupid Wedding Mistakes Even Smart Couples Make
Author: Chris Simeral

"What in the world could they have been thinking?"

Definitely words you DON'T want to hear your guests uttering at your wedding. But despite your best intentions, sometimes things slip through the cracks. Sometimes you make a really silly mistake that, if you had just stopped and thought about it for a few minutes, never would have happened. The problem is that many brides and grooms are so darn busy trying to manage everything else that's going on - from housing out-of-town guests to dealing with last-minute cancellations or additions to the guest list -- they simply overlook the obvious. That's when smart people wind up making really stupid mistakes. Here are seven common slip-ups that can ruin an otherwise perfect ceremony.

1. Failing to Thank the Guests

They came to the wedding. They brought gifts. They stopped and congratulated you and took time out of their busy lives to help you celebrate the joining of you and your beloved in a new life together. Don't leave the reception hall without saying thank you!

2. Speaking While Intoxicated

This one should be a new form of misdemeanour. If your wedding traditions include the bride or groom making a speech to the assembled guests, do it before you enjoy the free bar. You'll be thankful later when you watch the wedding videos, and you won't have to apologize to people you don't remember insulting.

3. Beware the Infamous "Wardrobe Malfunction"

Black underwear, white dress. It was a bad idea in elementary school, and it's still a bad idea today. Check in a mirror in various lighting situations to make sure that your dress isn't sheer or invisible in certain conditions prior to the ceremony. If you are renting a tux, check it for rips and make sure you have it fitted before you bring it home. Also, black is the only acceptable colour for a tuxedo. 

4. Late to the Altar

Not only is this one inconsiderate to the guests and your soon-to-be spouse, but it also wreaks havoc on your vendors. Ice sculptures melt, food gets cold, and photographers lose needed time to pose people and get those still shots for memory albums. The only reason you should ever be late to your own wedding would be something completely beyond your control - like a force of nature.

5. Running out of Food/Drinks

You made the guest list. You know how many people you expect to be there. Running out of food is a good way to make sure your guests feel unappreciated and is inexcusable. This is not the place to save money. Make sure you have enough dinner and drinks for all who are expected to attend; it's better to throw some away than have hungry guests and nothing to feed them.

6. Know Where the Ring Is Before Walking Down the Aisle

It happens more than you might think. The best man is supposed to be holding the rings, and he leaves them in his other coat. The bride expects them to be brought on a pillow but the ring-bearer is only eight and thought they were golden Barbie doll crowns. Do one more spot check for the rings before you start down the aisle and you won't have to worry about an awkward moment and a ruined ceremony.

7. Inviting Your "Ex" - Without Telling Anyone

Unless there is an extremely good reason for inviting your ex-boyfriend or ex-wife, don't do it. It makes everyone uncomfortable. A close corollary to this is not letting members of the wedding party know what your betrothed's name is (yes, it sounds unbelievable but it DOES happen). If you have not been engaged for a long time, or you recently ended a long-standing relationship prior to your wedding and your wedding party isn't familiar with your intended, make sure you introduce them. You don't want to deal with a wedding toast to you and your ex-girlfriend because the best man didn't know your bride's name! 

About the author: Chris Simeral is the creator of The Ultimate Wedding Vow Toolkit, the wedding-coordinator-approved home-study course for couples personalizing or renewing their wedding vows. Sign up for the free wedding vow mini-course at http://www.weddingvowtoolkit.com 

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

NOTE: RESULTS WILL OPEN IN A NEW WINDOW

eBay: UK Site Find almost anything you could want and bag a bargain on eBay today! http://www.ebay.co.uk

Hair+Styles in the Free Online Encyclopedia Read about Hair+Styles in the free online encyclopedia and dictionary. Over 3 million articles on any topic. http://www.thefreedictionary.com

Find Hair Style at Ask.com Whatever you're looking for, find it with Ask.com. uk.ask.com

Style Hair & Beauty http://www.stylehair.co.uk/

hair style womens Latest News Comments Search results: ship himself, he their stood silently young of refugees the to on and Chamals he rescue of hair secure that Hair style womens hair style womens swept in silence... http://hairstylewomens.scarboroughlocalheroes.co.uk/

Hair Styles FEW things beat a visit to the hairdressers for a new style make-over. Yet most of us know that our glorious mane will droop, drop and flop within days. Thanks to a revolution in hair care products... http://www.hair-styles.co.uk/

Life & Style Times Online ... Friday May 2, 2008 SHOP My Profile Sitemap Life & Style HEADLINES: Election latest: David Cameron inflicts worst drubbing in 40... Is Boris hair today, gone tomorrow? It's the morning after the... http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/

RESTRAND: Instant Hair Thickener / Thickening Spray / Hair Growth Formula / Hair Loss Treatments ... the hairs and make the problem worse. * Some hairstyles, like braiding can cause hair loss? True * Styles that pull or put tension on the hairs - such as tight ponytails or corn-rows - can caus... http://www.regroom.co.uk/

Hair Dressers ... Trevor Sorbie, is named World Hairdresser of the Year and has a reputed £5m fortune. One of the best known celebrity stylists, he is the pioneer of the Wedge, the Chop and the Scrunch - styles ... http://www.hairdressers.co.uk/

HAIR STYLERS ... I wanted the old Linda Evangelista haircut from the George Michael video days, but I got a little carried away!" With British style icon Victoria Beckham also recently swapping long dark hair f... http://www.hair-stylers.co.uk/

Venus Hair Design - Mens Hair Styles salon info... salon prices... products... hair styles... advice... site map... short styles medium styles long styles extension styles more mens hair style pictures coming soon... home salon info s... http://www.venushairdesign.co.uk/hair_styles/hairstyles_men.htm

Gallery - Seasonal Hair Styles Gallery - Seasonal Hair Styles from Uppercut Hair Salons index home about us awards salons gants hill hair salon chigwell hair salon romford hair salon hornchurch hair salon upminster hair salon br... http://www.uppercuthairgroup.co.uk/gallery.html

hair styles photos 1 Page 1 Hair Styles Photos Page One To save on Mac, click, hold gif then click 'Save image as' To save on PC, point at gif, right click mouse, click 'Save imag pict As' Hair style photos loading may... http://www.italy.org.uk/hair-styles-photos-1.htm

Oscar-winning hair ... accesskey '0' Jump to site map accesskey '3' feel good, look good and get more out of life UK www.unilever.com Site Navigation Our brands Our values Our company Home Our brands Beauty & style O... http://www.unilever.co.uk/ourbrands/beautyandstyle/Oscar_winning_h ...

short hair styles photos 2 Page 2 Hair Styles Photos Page Two To save on Mac, click, hold gif then click 'Save image as' To save on PC, point at gif, right click mouse, click 'Save imag pict As' Hair Styles 2 loading The bes... http://www.hairstyles.org.uk/hair-styles-photos-2.htm

More results >>