Beautiful Wedding Location Ideas

May 25, 2012 – 11:00 am

One of the first decisions to make concerning location is whether you intend to have the ceremony and reception at the same place. You can then determine if you need to book one or more locations. Call early because the best locations book early.

Family Home

If either of you are lucky enough to have a family house with a large yard or indoor space big enough to accommodate the number of guests you are inviting, use it. Some of the most memorable events are those located in the family home. Make sure your relatives living in the house are on board with the choice. A family home event can mean as much stress for the relatives living there as for you.

Hotels

Hotels have several spaces that they rent which can support a reception and/or ceremony. Don’t feel that you have to be limited to the ballroom. Some hotels have smaller lounges, pool side and outdoor areas available. Call a few hotels in town and ask to tour the facilities’ available spaces.

Beach

A beach wedding can be very beautiful. One of the biggest advantages of a beach wedding is the gorgeous natural view that becomes the backdrop for your ceremony. You can use fewer decorations, which will definitely free up some of your budget.

Famous Old House or Barn

For a rustic feel, search out some old farmhouses or barns in your area. Many times people purchase old barns or homes and renovate them for party rental spaces. You can use galvanized buckets for floral arrangements and pour lemonade into mason jars for real country charm.

Parks and Outdoor Spaces

Keep your eyes wide open. Look around at area parks and large outdoor spaces. Read your local paper on a regular basis to see where events are located, such as concerts, holiday celebrations and music festivals. Unique spaces create a memorable event for all your guests.

Club House

If you happen to be members of a country club, you can use the club house space. If not, look around at housing developments and country clubs to see if they rent space to the public. If you have friends who are members of a country club, many times they will allow a member to sponsor your event and allow you to rent the space.

Museums

Museums are fabulous wedding sites. Aside from being unusual, the decorations are extraordinary and come with the price of the venue. Plus, your guests will have a great time walking around and viewing the artwork or historic artifacts.

By Belk | Posted in Wedding Planning | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

A Little Coastal Comfort Goes a Long Way

May 24, 2012 – 9:30 am

At one time or another, we’ve all dreamed of living by the sea. A few lucky souls have managed to make that dream come true. For the rest of us, there are weekends and vacations at the shore. In our regular lives, however, there is always a way to keep that beachfront state of mind alive every day. Whether you live in the city, the suburbs or the country, all you really need is a little coastal comfort décor to make it happen.

Corral Yourself Some Coral

Start by decking out your bathroom in a tranquil waterfront theme. A seashell and coral print shower curtain is the first step in creating a relaxed atmosphere. Next, step out of a nice morning shower and wrap yourself in the luxuriousness of a thick and thirsty coral motif bath towel.

Just thinking about it kind of makes you feel like the outside world is melting away, doesn’t it? Don’t stop there. Add more coral themed pieces like a tissue box, lotion pump and toothbrush holder to complete the vibe. Of course, if you prefer a more tropical scenario, a palm tree motif will never fail to make you feel more relaxed.

Catch a Wave When You Catch Some Zs

Continue the surfside theme in the bedroom with a wave of style. You can always carry the coral/seashell theme over, or integrate some different elements. Perhaps a quilt with a nautical flavor? Maybe something of the under-the-sea variety?

If you’re totally serious about committing to the beach lifestyle, you can’t lose with something from Croscill’s Fiji bedding collection or one of Tommy Bahama®’s mild and mellow island-centric bedding sets.

To truly get you there, try one of those natural sound machines on your nightstand, set to ocean waves, and feel yourself drift off on a peaceful sea of dreams each evening.

Bring a Little Extra Life to Your Living Room

Finally, throw a few throw pillows around. Sure, they look great strategically strewn across your bed, but they can also liven up your living room. Try one with a lighthouse or one boasting an Adirondack beach chair image to add a slight New England coastal flavor to your couch. Mix it up a bit with different styles. You can find fun pillows with everything from flip-flops to flamingos on them.

No matter what theme or style you go with, have fun and enjoy the serenity that comes with a little extra coastal comfort.

By Belk | Posted in For the Home, Home Decor | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

How to Make your Wedding Reception Stand Out

May 23, 2012 – 9:30 am

The best way to make your wedding reception stand out is to make it a reflection of you. Paying attention to the little details will ensure that your guests walk away raving about your wedding day.

Include Photos

Make sure there are lots of photos around the reception and rehearsal dinner that reflect the times you and the groom have shared together, as well as some of the memorable moments that took place before you met. Include the guests in the photos if possible. If you have great pictures of good times you’ve shared with friends and family, include them. Guests will be hunting around to see pictures of themselves and those they have just met. One great idea for photos is to use photographs of yourselves as table names or numbers.

Embrace Your Culture

If you have certain family or cultural traditions on either side, include them. Some of the most memorable events are those that have two completely different cultures merging together. One way to incorporate culture is through food. If you have two different cultures, create trays of appetizers with two different appetizers (one from each of your cultures) sharing one tray. Or have a dessert table with different family desserts and a description of the traditional meaning of each.

Recreate The Location

If there is a distinctive location where you met or your love blossomed, attempt to recreate it during your wedding weekend. If you fell in love while studying abroad in Italy, attempt to recreate the feeling of Italy throughout the course of your wedding. You don’t have to be extreme to recreate the location: serve Italian foods, add some lighting reminiscent of the streets of Venice or offer Italian ice to cleanse the palate between courses.

Tell The Story

No matter how you choose to represent yourselves at your event, make sure to tell the story to your wedding guests. You know what the subtle details mean, but make sure you let them in on the secret. Then, sit back and prepare to hear the fabulous buzz about your wedding.

By Belk | Posted in Wedding Planning | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Summer Beauty Trend Alert! Sporty Cheeks

May 22, 2012 – 1:00 pm

A healthy flush with a sun-kissed glow. That about sums it up for this hot summer beauty trend. If you’ve been active outdoors on a warm, sunny day, you’ve probably achieved it naturally. But if you’re more of an “indoor girl,” you can still sport this look with ease (pun intended.) Simply dust a light layer of bronzer all-over and highlight the cheekbones with a swipe of blush in a pale rosy pink, peach, or light orange hue, depending on your skin tone. The key with this trend is to keep it simple. Very little eye makeup (if any) should be used; keep the brows natural and don’t put anything more than a light pink gloss on the lips.

Here are some of my favorite products to help you achieve this radiant look. Applied in this order, they’ll give you sporty cheeks in a snap:

1. Benefit Cosmetics Sunbeam Highlighter — Liquid sunshine in a bottle. This golden bronze highlighter gives you a natural sunkissed radiance when applied to the cheek and brow bones. The best part? It complements all skin tones.

2. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer — This product has received the Belk Best in Beauty Award. Sweep it all over your face, neck and shoulders to enhance your complexion and create the look of a fabulous tan.

3. Benefit Cosmetics Dallas — This sheer, rosy bronze color applied to the cheeks, forehead and chin gives your skin a healthy-looking radiance that’s best described as, “an outdoor glow for the indoor girl.”

Don’t be afraid to experiment, and remember, don’t overdo it! This look is supposed to be natural. You should look like you just went for a run outside, except much prettier and without all the sweat!

By Belk | Posted in Beauty Tips | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Cost-Cutting Wedding Planning Tips

May 21, 2012 – 9:00 am

We all know that weddings are very expensive. However, there are a few things you can do to help cut the final costs of your event if you don’t mind doing a little legwork. Here are a couple of tips to help you plan a memorable event and save money while doing it.

Make Your Own Table Arrangements

Flower arrangements cost a lot but also add beauty to your wedding day. One thing you can do to cut down on the cost of table arrangements is to buy the vases in advance. Many florists charge large fees for using their vases. Visit local pottery stores, yard sales and antique stores, and buy a few at a time.

You can find lovely clear and colored glass vases. Ask a florist to create the arrangements in your vases. If you are feeling adventurous, try your hand at arranging. Search online for step-by-step videos that can help you quickly learn the art of flower arranging. Buying large bundles of fresh-cut flowers and arranging them on your own will definitely save you money.

Grocery Store Bakeries Take the Cake

You would be surprised by the elegant cakes created by some grocery store bakeries nowadays. Visit your local supermarket and view the sweet confections they offer. One word of caution: If a wedding cake is not something they have attempted before but are willing to try, ask if the baker will attempt a trial run before the big day. You probably don’t want to be their first experiment.

Build up Your Open Bar One Bottle at a Time

Providing an open bar can be one of the priciest elements of your wedding reception. If you are determined to have an open bar, try to select a venue that allows you to bring in your own alcohol. Create a list of all the beverages you’ll offer. Split the list up and let your family members each pick up a bottle or two each week or month until the wedding. By the time the wedding date is here, you will have all the alcohol you need for a full bar at a much lower cost.

B.Y.O.S. – Bring Your Own Servers

Some caterers are more laid back and will allow you to bring in your own servers. Post an ad in the local paper or on craigslist for one-day-only event servers and bartenders. If you happen to be located near a culinary institute, contact the school to see if they have a catering course. Many of these schools offer class credit for hours spent working in the field. You can cut your service fees in half using your own servers and bartenders.

Something Borrowed? How About the Dress?

If you are open to the idea, see if a friend or family member has an available dress. There are also stores that will rent bridal dresses. Look online for dress rental in your city. This is a great way to save.

By Belk | Posted in Wedding Planning | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Brand Spotlight: Skye’s the Limit – Fashion Trends for Women of All Ages

May 18, 2012 – 2:30 pm


I recently had the opportunity to try out some clothing from a new brand called Skye’s the Limit, and I have to say — that’s a very appropriate name for this line of apparel. The options are virtually endless when it comes to style, affordability, occasion, comfort and convenience. There are three main characteristics that define Skye’s the Limit apparel for women: it’s cross-generational, trendy at a great price, and easy to wear and care for.

Ageless Apparel

What do we mean by “ageless” and “cross-generational”? Basically, those are fancy ways to say that mom and daughter can both sport this brand with ease. (Though if you’re a mom with a daughter who has a “cool” reputation to protect, we don’t recommend you do it at the same time or within the same crowd of people.) The styles suit women of all ages, so you can feel confident whether you’re 15 or 45.

Affordable Style

Vibrant prints and patterns with beautiful splashes of color define the tops, dresses and bottoms in this line of clothing. And since color is hot this season, you’ll be right on-trend. But don’t think that because you’re getting the latest fashion designs that you’ll have to pay an arm and a leg for them. These clothes are priced well within reason and they’re SO cute.

Wash & Wear

This is what I loved the most about the items that I got to try: no wrinkles! The fabric couldn’t wrinkle if it wanted to, which means I didn’t have to get my iron out to make myself look presentable. It’s so convenient, especially for dressier styles that you can wear to work. The clothing is “wash & wear” as well as “pack & wear,” so you can stuff it into your suitcase before a long trip, pull it out when you get there and be ready to go. In my experience, it seems like the trendier and better the clothing gets, the more likely it is that the tag will say “dry clean only.” Not the case here…

Beyond these three basic points, there’s not much more that you’ll need to know about this fabulous brand, so visit belk.com and start shopping, ’cause “the Skye’s the Limit.”

By Belk | Posted in Fashion for Her | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Who Pays for What In a Wedding?

May 18, 2012 – 9:00 am

Traditionally, there were strict guidelines about who picked up the tab for each part of the wedding events. Today, you don’t have to be confined within these rules. Everyone’s financial situations differ, and no one should feel like they have to sell their home to pay for a wedding simply because of tradition.  Times have changed. The average age for a bride is no longer 18. Today, the bride and groom often have been in the working world for several years. They are mid-level in their careers and have money of their own to contribute to the wedding.


The best way to figure out how much everyone will contribute is to sit down with a notebook, draw up the event you want to have and the one you can afford. Find out what your parents can afford to contribute. Have the groom do the same with his parents. Create your budget using everyone’s input.

If you do choose the traditional route, here is the traditional breakdown of wedding expenses.

Bride’s Family

  • Bride and family pay for church or synagogue, sexton, organist, etc.
  • Bride and family pay for bride’s dress, veil, accessories and trousseau
  • Bride and family pay for reception (all rental fees, etc.)
  • Bride and family pay for flower arrangements for church (including huppah if a Jewish ceremony) and reception, plus bouquets and corsages for bridesmaids and flower girls
  • Bride and family pay for all professional services, including food, drink, decorations and music
  • Bride and/or family pay for groom’s ring
  • Bride and family pay for transportation of bridal party to and from the ceremony and reception
  • Bride and family pay for invitations, announcements and wedding programs
  • Bride and family pay for all wedding photos and video

Groom’s Family

  • Groom and family pay for marriage license and officiant’s fee
  • Groom and family pay for groom’s outfit
  • Groom and/or family pay for both of the bride’s rings
  • Groom and family pay for bride’s bouquet and going –away corsage, boutonnieres for men and corsages for mothers and grandmothers
  • Groom and family pay for complete honeymoon

Pre-wedding Parties and Additional Expenses

  • Bride or groom’s family plans and hosts engagement party. If there is more than one, the bride’s family hosts the first one
  • Groom’s family plans and hosts the rehearsal dinner
  • Bride plans and hosts bridesmaids’ luncheon
  • Groom hosts and plans bachelors’ dinner
  • Maid of honor and bridesmaids host shower
  • Best man and ushers host bachelor party
  • Friends may throw additional engagement parties or showers
  • All attendants pay for their own clothing (including shoes)
By Belk | Posted in Wedding Planning | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Seven Ways to Swim in Style

May 17, 2012 – 12:00 pm

Last year I went to the beach with my husband’s family, and when we were halfway to our destination, I realized I forgot to pack the most important item of all — my swimsuit! (Has this ever happened to you? Please tell me I’m not alone here…). I spent so much time picking out outfits and accessorizing for the trip that apparently I forgot I’d be spending most of my time near a very large body of water. We quickly pulled into the nearest shopping center and bought a couple of new swimsuits. It was all good. I needed them anyway.

If you’re like me, you realize that while a swimsuit is a necessity for summer vacations, accessories are equally important. If you’re packing for a beach vacation, make sure your swimsuit is the first item in your suitcase. Then maximize that beach-ready look with these 7 stylish swimwear essentials:

Beach towels

What I love about beach towels is that they’re so multifunctional. Aside from being the number one way to dry off after a salty dip in the ocean, a beach towel doubles as a swimsuit coverup or as a beach blanket that you can lay on while perfecting your tan. Pick out a fun color, print, or pattern that matches your swimsuit and expresses your personality!

Fun Footwear

Rope-trimmed wedges and jeweled flip-flops are just a few of my favorite ways to step out onto the sand. Metallics are especially hot this season.

Beach-themed Jewelry

You may be wondering if it’s a good idea to wear jewelry on the beach. I wouldn’t recommend sporting your most expensive bling while surfing the waves, but if you plan to stay out of the water and just want to tan, you can definitely rock a few beach-themed pieces in shell or gold-tone metal.

Beach Totes

Totes are totally necessary. How else will you haul these accessories out to the sand from your car or beach house? A simple straw tote with brightly colored trim will do. Just make sure it has plenty of room for everything you’ll need — including shovels and buckets to build a sand castle.

Swimsuit Coverups

Use your beach towel, or wear a lightweight cotton cover-up dress that complements your swimsuit for those walks to and from the sand.

Summer Hats

Hats are multifunctional as well. Not only do they shield your eyes and your face when the sun’s at its hottest; they also make a very sophisticated fashion statement.

Sunglasses

Of course we can’t forget the sunglasses. UV rays are pretty dangerous, so you’ll want to protect your eyes with a good pair of shades that provides 100% UV sun protection. Cat eyes and aviators are some of my favorite styles.

Which of these stylish swim accessories will you be taking with you on vacation this summer?

By Belk | Posted in Fashion for Her | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Your Wedding: Where to Start

May 16, 2012 – 12:00 pm

There are so many tasks involved in planning a wedding that it’s difficult to know where to begin. At one level, it’s very much like planning any party, only there are way more details and decisions. Make the obvious decisions first, then drill down to the minute details. Where, when and how many? You’ll have to know the answer to each of these before you can begin honing in. The order that you make these decisions in will vary depending on what is the most important for your event. If you must get married on a specific day, no matter what venue you select or how many people will attend, you should answer “when” first. If you have an intense desire to marry at a certain venue and/or location, no matter what day, begin your decision making with “where” as your date may be driven by the location’s availability.

Where

Where are you going to wed and where is the reception? Do you want to have the ceremony at the same location as the wedding reception or at a different location all together? Do you want a church ceremony? Your hometown or his? Or is the town you currently live in an alternative destination all together? It’s not possible to start gathering vendor information until you know the location. For example, if you have a destination wedding or the ceremony site is very small, you may want to select fewer wedding attendants. Once you determine the wedding location, you can begin looking at specific venues.

When

Do you have a specific sentimental date you must use? If so, set the date and begin exploring your where and how many. If not, try to start by picking an ideal season or month for your affair. Spring, summer, fall or winter? June or October? It may be wise to hold off on the exact date until you select a specific venue and can determine location availability. If you are determined to use a specific day, such as Valentine’s Day, just remember that you may have to compromise on the venue if it’s booked on your special day.

How Many

How many guests approximately do you intend to invite and how many attendants will you have? Unless your guest list is huge or tiny, or you’re planning a destination wedding, this decision may be the third of the three majors. However, as soon as you attempt to secure any specific details for your event regarding pricing, etc., the first question vendors will ask is how many guests will you invite? This preliminary head count does not need to be a firm number at this point. Just be prepared to give a range.

By Belk | Posted in Wedding Planning | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Gifts for the Bride on Your Wedding Day

May 14, 2012 – 4:00 pm

On the day of the wedding, the bride and groom often exchange gifts. Given the importance of the day, the gifts should have significant meaning. Gifts can be traditional or non-traditional. But no matter what, they should come from the heart and represent the life-changing step you are taking.

Traditionally the gift given by the groom to the bride was something she could wear on the day of the wedding. These traditional gifts include:

As times have changed, many couples have selected to go the less traditional route when it comes to a gift. Depending on your budget, you and your bride may decide to exchange gifts that are less expensive yet still reflect the feelings of the day. Some examples are:

  • An engraved picture frame
  • A written letter expressing the emotions of the day
  • A beautiful ornament
  • Joint stationary
  • A CD of your favorite songs as a couple

Whatever you choose to give your bride, be sure to put a lot of thought into it, and she will be sure to love it.

By Belk | Posted in Tips for the Groom | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)
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