Disney Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo

Every girl's Princess dream as they were growing up was to find their" Prince Charming" and have that 
~ Fairytale Wedding ~

Now you can go one step further and have the 
dream dress as well !!!!

Alfred Angelo has partnered with Disney to bring you.....

The Disney Fairytale Weddings Collection and it's coming to Ladybug Bridal !

Seven beautiful gowns are being introduced for those women who have grown up with the Disney Princesses.
Inspiration for these gowns have come from Princess Jasmine, Ariel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Belle.
From soft flowing shimmer satin to tulle over satin and real embroidered lace, these gowns are sure to dazzle and bring that Fairytale Wedding to life!

Take a peak at these dresses!  They are absolutely beautiful! 

Show off your sense of style!

Be inspired!

Until next time...

~ Afzia ~

www.ladybugbridal.ca

259 Grange Road, Unit 1B

Guelph, oN

(519) 265-8265

www.alfredangelo.com

Unique Movie-Inspired Engagement Session!

During my travels on the net, I came across a couples' unique engagement photo session featured on a 

site called  Green Wedding Shoes.  

Very cute by the way!

Being a romantic at heart, I totally fell in love with this "Notebook" Inspired photo session!  It gives the moments surrounding the couples' special day that much more meaning and a 

more personal touch.    

Check out these photos and be inspired!!!

Photography:  Blushing Bride Studio (Montreal, Quebec)

Photography by Blushing Bride Studio in Montreal, Canada.

Roller Coaster Engagement Video

Now more than ever, newly engaged couples are coming up with unique ways to announce their upcoming wedding.

Check out this "Save-the-Date" video that we came across that we think is just an awesome way to announce your special day!!!!

www.1321studios.com

This Roller Coaster Engagement video was shot entirely on the Twister II Roller Coaster at Elitch Gardens in Denver Colorado. The bride and groom sent the link to their friends and family as a "Save the Date" invitation. The bride rode the T2 coaster 7 times and the groom rode it 6 times to capture enough footage to make this video.

Go ahead, Get Creative!!!!

Make your special day memorable!!!

Weddings That Don't Break the Bank!! - Part 1

You've set the date and now the panic is setting in as to how expensive having a wedding can actually be.

You CAN have a beautiful wedding without straining the credit card.

Here are some ideas on how to make your special day memorable without breaking the bank.

Dress Dilemmas

Through the public media, we are under a constant barrage of images of various high profile celebrities in their haute couture gowns such as Vera Wang and Christian Lacroix.

You want to have a beautiful dress but it doesn't have to cost you a huge portion of your wedding budget. There is no better place to find a stunning classic dress than in an Outlet store. You want to keep your eye out for dress warehouses or outlet stores. You can very well find a designer dress for a fraction of the price.

Spending a good portion of your budget on a dress you're only going to wear once may sound romantic, but when you see it sitting in the closet collecting dust and you're wishing you had enough for a nice vacation, you'll wonder what exactly were you thinking!

Exclusivity is Excellent

If you find your budget constantly escalating with every guest you add to the list, then you should consider going exclusive. Aunt Rachel's cousin and your father's ex-business partner don't need to attend. It's your wedding not a conference.

By approaching the guest list in this manner, you can put more money into the more important things to you like the food and wine. You have to remember, you're not being "cheap", you're being "exclusive".

Venue Variety

More and more couples are straying away from the "standard banquet hall". You don't need to get married in the same place as Tom & Katie, but you can take a cue from the "concept".

Different is the new trend. Places to possibly check out include historical venues, public gardens, an art gallery or booking an Inn. Even getting married at your own home may not be out of the question. You may not have a 20 room mansion, but you just may have a friend or family member who has connections. The point is, most wedding halls will actually increase the price and coerce you to use their caterers.  At that point you may be limited in the options to choose your own elements of the wedding.

With a little research "outside" the box, you may well find something perfect and affordable.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of  "Weddings That Don't Break the Bank!! " 


Afzia

"Just how you dreamed it would be...."

Your Ultimate Henna Style!

Henna, or Mehndi as it is also known, is a signature part of South Asian Wedding festivities. It has become part of the brides’ “Shingar” – her makeup, on her wedding day.

From subtle to elaborate designs, henna is a time-honoured tradition marking a joyous celebration in a woman’s life. One of them being marriage.  Along with representing love & happiness of marriage, henna has also earned the reputation as an irresistible sensual allure… the guarantor of success and marital bliss!

With all the artistic henna designs out there it can be overwhelming to actually choose one that reflects you! Here are some tips on how to have your Ultimate Wedding Henna.

First Choose your Style…..

Depending on what region you are from, you will come across different styles of Henna. Here are just a few…

1. Persian Style Henna - Persian Henna design has a gentle rhythm to it. Whether you choose a swirl based design or a geometric pattern, it will be repetitive and meditative.

2. Middle Eastern Style Henna - Cascading images, accented with flowers and open spaces adorn the contours of your hand.

3. Matching Henna – How does your Henna artist designing a one of a kind, original design based on the patterns of your bridal lengha sound? Pretty fantastic and totally you!

4. Pakistani Style Henna – Spanning from your elbows and going to the tips of your fingers, Pakistani Henna involves total coverage with intricate designs. For brides choosing this design, look for a Henna artist who has precise designs with fine lines, and who works very quickly! Otherwise you will be sitting for more than 4 hours!

5. Rajasthani Style Henna – Since this particular state is filled with many, many cultural images, so is their henna! Whether you choose Ganesh Ji or a Raja & Rani you are guaranteed gorgeous designs. Just like Pakistani Mehndi, this is a full coverage look, so make sure you pick your henna artist carefully!

6. Glitter Style Henna – Give your Henna a modern look with a touch of glitz and glamour! The latest designs add crystals & glitter to Henna designs, giving a whole new meaning to the word bling!

Then Choose your Henna Artist …..

Although all Henna artists will tell you they can do any of these styles (which may have some truth to it), when you take a look at their work, you will most likely see a definitive style to it.

If you are an Indian bride who wants any of the full coverage Henna style, you must look for an artist who has defined designs with very fine lines. The work should resemble a lace type pattern, and be very clean and neat. Also, ask the Henna artist how long that type of design takes them to do. Typically it should be no more than 2 hours for your arms.

Also look for a Henna Artist that is careful about what products they use. Black Henna is chemically altered to leave a black stain on your skin. For the side effects, please visit:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2003/2003_66-eng.php

I suggest you ask your Henna artist about the ingredients in their paste and if you have any doubts, don’t have it done.

Lastly, Choose your Colour …..

For that rich rust colour every time, here is what you should do:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly, and apply Eucalyptus oil to your hands. Just a few drops is enough. This creates a moisturized base, so that the Henna doesn’t dry out.

2. As your henna is being applied, have one of your bridesmaids gently dab the dry areas with a cotton ball soaked in a mixture of lemon and sugar. This prevents the Henna from flaking off. Just make sure it is completely dry before you start touching it!

3. The final tip is the most important one of all! Place about ten cloves on a frying pan and heat them up. Hold your hands directly over the pan (careful not to burn yourself!) The smoke from the cloves will make your henna much darker……….. and get you out of housework for a few days!

For traditions sake, you can ask the artist to hide your groom’s name or initials in the henna of your right hand. After your have exchanged your vows, shared a first dance, and dashed off from your reception, tell your groom that you have a game for him to play. Ask him to find his name or initials in your henna! But don’t’ tell him it is all in your right hand, it’s more challenging that way! And, if he finds his it and wins, you get to give him a special prize…but, I’ll leave that part up to you!

Good luck and please send pictures of your henna
– I would love to see it!

Show off your sense of "Style" !!


Afzia

A Different Take on Wedding Gifts

A private beachside dinner for two on the sands of Maui, Hawaii.

An in-room massage for two at a spa in Santorini, Greece.

A scuba diving trip off the shores of Phuket, Thailand.

A romantic sunset cruise off the beaches of beautiful Rome, Italy.

Whatever you and your soon-to-be spouse wish for in a honeymoon can very well be achieved.

When it comes to registering for gifts for your special day, you may come to realize that you want something more on the unique side.

While exploring the internet for unique and fun ideas, I came across a website which will help your guests contribute to your time away on your honeymoon.

Check it out and maybe you will find something that you like!

http://www.thebigday.com/

A Henna Party for your Bachelorette!!!

The Henna Night or Mehndi is all about spending time with close friends and relatives.... and turning each other into works of art!

Traditionally, the Henna Party is hosted by the Bride's parents. But if you feel that you won't be able to enjoy yourself with all your aunties and your mom watching your every move, then you can divide the night into two parts or even different days.


Hold the customary party for your relatives at your parents' house, complete with singing, dancing and good food. Then you can turn your Henna Party into your very own Bachelorette party. Taking it to a place where you can have your own kind of fun with your girlfriends.


Make sure you put together a Guest List as you wouldn't want to miss out anyone, especially any family members, for you know you would never hear the end of it! An added touch would be to coordinate your Mehndi Invites with your wedding stationary. Contrary to custom, you can forgo the notion that Mehndi Nights are only for women. Get the men involved! As long as they're there to entertain you!

More and more brides are opting for Themed parties. Since your wedding comes along only once in a lifetime, go the extra mile and pull out all the stops to make your Henna night memorable. If you really want to go over the top, try re-creating a scene from your favourite Hindi movie, or go "Middle Eastern" complete with bellydancers and rich decorative marquees.


Whatever you decide, make sure that a good time is had by all....especially you!!!

I need to find the Perfect Dress !!!

Shopping for your Wedding Dress is one of the most memorable parts of the entire wedding experience. Post Engagement excitement, choosing the wedding dress can provide an opportunity for the Bride-to-Be to bond with the special women in her life.

Here are some helpful tips on choosing the Dress of your Dreams!

Do Your ResearchNine months to a year before your wedding, start collecting photos of dresses and noting important details; whether you prefer lace or a specific silhouette, for instance. Ask your planner and married friends to recommend shops, and check out designers’ Websites to find local stores that carry their lines. The sites also might clue you in to a sample sale or trunk show (which the designers often will attend).




Book Your BoutiquesFocus on a few stores that offer various experiences, such as an intimate boutique, a designer showroom (just call for an appointment – a month ahead for a Saturday reservation) and a large department store. Appointments are necessary at most shops. Allow an hour and a half or two for the first visit to see a variety.


Select Your StyleDon’t get too attached to one designer, unless he or she has a distinctive aesthetic you love. It’s more important to have an idea about the look you want. Flip through your clippings to choose a silhouette or fabric. If you’re unsure, the date and setting might help determine your look: The perfect dress for a summery beach soiree, for example, likely will differ from one for a winter ceremony in a cathedral.


Try it on for SizeMost salons provide strapless bras and specialty undergarments for customers to try with certain styles. But if you plan to use shapewear, like Spanx, for the wedding, wear it to the stores as dressses will fit differently. Also any jewellry or any colour swatches that are a part of your day should be brought along. It woul not be wise to purchase a gown based on "anticipated weight loss". A large dress can be taken in but it is virtually impossible to let out a small one. Another tip - avoid alcohol and salty foods the day before to prevent bloating and feel your best in the dressing room.


Accept AdviceWhen shopping, bring just two or three friends or relatives with trusted opinions. “It’s counterproductive when there are too many opinions flying around the room. Consider how much professional input you want, and ask whether shops have open or closed inventory. Both can have excellent service, but they operate differently: Closed stores have stylists who pull styles based on the bride’s preferences; those with open inventory let customers peruse sample gowns themselves. (Most high-end boutiques have a closed selection.) in either case, don’t rule out a gown a stylist suggests before you try it on. A dress does look different on the body than it does on the hanger. Sometimes a bride will select a style far from her original plan!


The Fittings
The importance of fittings cannot be stressed enough. A bride must devote some serious time and effort toward fitting her gown to preserve the beauty of the gown itself and her own peace of mind. Regardless of the shape or the way the gown is made, it will only look beautiful if it fits properly. A good piece of advice would be to take your wedding shoes to every fitting you have in order to avoid hemline issues! You should also check with the retailer to understand their policies surrounding alterations.

Take the Plunge Purchase your dress at least six months in advance of the wedding, to allow for adjustments and shipping. Still, a dress with a long, bustled skirt or an intricate bodice will require more fittings and take longer. It’s tempting to tell the world about your gown, but we suggest sharing the details with only a few close confidants and making your look a surprise for family and friends on the big day. “They should gasp with pleasure and have tears of joy the first time they see you.”

Remember this is your special day and in the end your choice should reflect your sense of identity ...........also you should feel like a princess!

Happy shopping!