Most people consider their wedding day to be one of the most important days of their life and a great deal of preparation goes into organising the perfect day. Amongst all the stress of booking venues, cars and entertainment and choosing the perfect outfits, many people also worry about their physical appearance before their big day and take steps to ensure they look their best. Surveys and polls show that a large proportion of people go on diets and start exercising to try and get toned and lose weight before their wedding day and an increasingly large number of people are choosing to undergo cosmetic procedures in order to look their best on their big day.

Looking your best for your big day

On your wedding day you want to look and feel your best, so a great looking smile is an absolute must. Rarely will your smile be as evident as on your wedding day and you want to look back on your big day with fond and happy memories. To ensure you are full of confidence about the way you look and are happy with your wedding photographs, there are a number of things you can do to boost your self-esteem and improve the way you look. Some people choose to go under the knife, some go on diets and hit the gym and others choose to focus on their smile.

Many dentists now offer tailor-made wedding packages, which are designed to give you a smile to be proud of. The treatments you choose will depend on what kind of look you want to achieve and the appearance of your teeth.

Popular pre-wedding treatments: when to book your dental appointment

If you’re worried about the way your teeth look or you just want a bit of a boost, it’s a good idea to arrange to see your cosmetic dentist to see which treatments are available and which ones would benefit you.

Routine check-up and general dental treatment (every six months)

If you suffer from oral health issues, it’s important to get these seen to as soon as possible. If you have cavities, for example, you should arrange to see your dentist for a check-up and they will then arrange another appointment to fill the cavity. If you’re worried about the appearance of the filling, choose a natural looking, tooth-coloured filling.

Cleaning treatments (just before the big day)

If you have good oral health, you may just want a quick spruce to make your teeth look nice and glossy before you get married. An intensive cleaning treatment will help to give you a polished look, which will make your smile look healthy and youthful.

Whitening treatments (1 month before the big day)

If you smoke or you regularly drink coffee, tea or red wine, you may find that your teeth have become discoloured or stained and this may make you unhappy about the way your teeth look. Nowadays, there is a huge variety of different whitening treatments available to suit all budgets. Whitening treatments will help to restore the natural colour of the teeth and give you a healthy looking, bright attractive smile. Whitening treatments can be completed in a matter of days if you choose home whitening kits and a matter of minutes if you choose professional in-house whitening treatments. Popular treatments include the Enlighten whitening system, Zoom! whitening and Britesmile.

Orthodontic treatments (6 months to 2 years before the wedding)

If you have orthodontic problems, you may wish to get them sorted before you get married. You need to ensure you give yourself plenty of time as some treatments take a long time, so make sure you arrange to see your dentist in good time. If you have minor orthodontic problems, you may be advised to go for a speedy treatment such as Six Month Smile braces or the Inman Aligner; these treatments often take a maximum of six months to straighten the teeth. If you have more complex problems, you may be advised to go for a more intensive treatment, such as Invisalign invisible braces or Damon braces.

Smile makeover (1-2 years before the wedding, depending on the treatments you want)

A smile makeover is the ultimate cosmetic treatment: it involves having a series of cosmetic treatments to give you the smile of your dreams. You can choose from a whole host of treatments including orthodontic braces, veneers, teeth whitening treatments and cosmetic bonding.

{GB-Guest Blogger} About the Author: This article was written by Georgina from the Cosmetic Dentistry Guide who writes on issues relating mostly to dentistry, but she also likes to dip her hands in other markets from time to time.

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Wedding is the most important day of a women’s life and everyone wants to look the best. A pregnant woman needs to choose her dress carefully to look beautiful. And that is the reason specially tailored wedding dresses are made for the pregnant bride. Here are some of the most popular and attractive wedding dresses for pregnant bride.

1. White orchid gown

This gown is soft and completes the feminine look. It highlights the right curves of the body and has a flattering neckline. The design of this gown is elegant and is perfect for all stages of pregnancy. It is a full length gown with 3/4th sleeves and has a fabulous drape. It enhances the beauty of the bride.

2. Ming wedding dress

This dress is made of satin and has 5 Vail. There is bead chest in the dress and it is made of exquisite hand embroideries. This gown is specially tailored and there are seams of cloths left in wide contraction joints so that it can fit the bride in accordance to her size during the wedding. This dress gives a look which is gorgeous as well as stunning.

3. Scoop pregnant bridal gown

This dress is chic and modern. This gown comes in various materials like satin, chiffon, silk, taffeta, tulle and organza. It is a sleeveless gown. It comes in standard size but this gown can be very well tailored according to the need of the bride.

4. Ivory halter bridal gown

This delicate ivory colored gown is perfect for the magical occasion. It has a very informal look and has a halter neckline. It is knee length and is sleeveless. This gown enhances the attractiveness of the pregnant bride.

5. Sweetheart sash designer pregnant bridal gown

This gown has a graceful and sophisticated look in it. The neckline of this gown is strapless and it has a long and beautiful hemline that touches the floor. This dress is sleeveless and makes your shoulder look prettier. It comes with back zipper. This dress is available in variety of materials. It comes in a standard size but there is an option to make it fit according to the size required.

The wedding dresses for pregnant women needs to be of the right size. It is needed that the wedding dress is tailored keeping in mind the date of expectancy of the baby. It is better to avoid dresses which are tight fits or have small waist. It is better to go for slim fit dresses rather than the body hugging ones. Inclusion empire line, princess line and a line dresses are wise. It is necessary to avoid corsets. If the top part of the wedding dress have elaborate feature then it will arrest the attention of people. Most importantly it is needed for the bride to feel happy and peace at mind that will only bring out the true beauty in her.

{GB – Guest Blogger} About the author: Samantha Harper is a blogger and writer. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of traveling. She recently shared an article on teen health, which was liked a lot by her readers. These days she is busy in writing article on Plus Size Bridesmaid Dresses.

Have you heard, Levi’s has a website called Whiteknot.org. This is the second year they are campaigning for marriage equality to support marriage for everyone. Gays, straight or otherwise. If you want to help the campaign go to your nearest Levi’s store and pick up your white knot. Be visible and tell people why your wearing it. Equal rights is important for everyone. Read their press release. White Knots are now worn by 32 countries around the world.

Another interesting and informative site supported by rockstar Cyndi Lauper is We Give A Damn. Get involved today!

Are you struggling to find that perfect gift for the bride?

Today, you have two kinds of bridal showers. What has become the tradition, bridal shower gifts that are geared to help the couple get household items for their new home as well as items to decorate and maintain their home. In this case taking a trip Target or Crate and Barrel and checking out the registry to purchase these items was a snap.

And second and becoming even more popular these days is “the pamper” the bride shower. Here are some ideas to help pamper your bride-to-be:

1. Think Sentimental: Give something that will help the bride-to-be to recall special memories in her life. A picture of her and that of a special friend, sister, pet or parents, who engaged in a memorable event from the past.

2. Think Pampering: Can you say “Bath and Body Works”. Gift ideas include her favorite bath soap, lotion, or shower gel. Choose a bottle of perfume with a scent you know she will love to wear. Get her a pedicure, manicure or a massage package for the day before the wedding.

3. Think Lingerie: Think “Victoria’s Secret”. Help gear her up for her honeymoon. Assist her by purchasing some fancy lingerie. But please be respectful as she has to open this up in front of her mother and mother-in-law. Let’s not embarrass the bride-to-be or yourself. Stay classy.

4. Think Wedding Day Survival Kit: Wedding days are exciting but also can be quite busy and nerve wracking. You can get these already made up in many sizes or you can DIY (do it yourself). Include hair spray, lotion, hairpins, clips, aspirn, tums, and even deodorant! Target is a great place to get little samples that fit great into any makeup bag. Just be creative.

These are just a few gift ideas for the bride-to-be. Keep in mind the types of pampering the bride enjoys; what special memories she might have; what will make her day less stressful, and what you can do to help her have a stress free wedding day! If you think along these lines, you’ll be sure to give the ultimate bridal gift!

Are you pregnant, and getting married? Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, and on your pregnancy! Getting hitched while you are expecting can be a wonderful experience, but it does require a bit of extra planning. Whether you are in your first trimester and battling unpleasant pregnancy signs  like morning sickness and extreme fatigue, or further along and sporting a beautiful baby bump, tying the knot with a little one on the way poses some challenges.  But let’s take a look at the bright side of getting married while pregnant. What do pregnant brides get that those who have their wedding before conceiving, or after their baby is born, don’t?

Your baby will be part of one of the most important days of your life, and will have a special place in those wedding pictures that will stay on your mantle piece for many years to come.

You get to enjoy your honeymoon to the full! Perhaps couples who get married before conceiving and would love a honeymoon baby spend time on using an ovulation calendar and tracking their fertility, and those who get married after they have a baby witness their honeymoon turn into a family vacation, or forgo it altogether. Not you – you’ll get to have a great, relaxing time with your new husband!

One of the biggest challenges for pregnant brides is finding the wedding dress of their dreams, and making sure it still fits on their wedding day. But on the upside, you will get to wear some of the most gorgeous maternity wear known to man! A maternity wedding dress is certainly a welcome change from your run of the mill, not so nice pregnancy clothing!

If your skin has that famous “pregnancy glow”, you will not need to worry about expensive make-up, and you will have a radiance that is more than skin deep! Pregnancy hormones will help you look like a million Dollars on your big day!

Are you not someone who enjoys being in the center of attention and putting on a show all day long? If you want to get married with a baby on the way, nobody will judge you and your hubby-to-be for eloping to Las Vegas and having no guests at your wedding – except for Elvis, of course!

{GB = Guest Blogger} About the Author: Tania Tod
At Trying To Conceive, we are passionate about reproductive health, fertility, pregnancy, and babies. Our personalized ovulation calendar can help you determine when you are at your most fertile, and our pregnancy signs helps you navigate through your magical nine months.

I am always on the look for a great bridesmaid’s gift.  Found these at FA2U Designs.  If you want all your bridesmaids to have matching accessories, these are affordable and yet they can use them again and again.  So many colors and patterns to choose from.

This handmade frame pouch is made with quality cotton fabric, padding is added inside the fabric layers for keeping the shape. Great for carrying your cell phone ( iphone can be fitted), wallet, keys, pens, coins, lip gloss, credit cards and small size digital camera.

Product & Photos: FA2U Designs

It’s an unfortunate truth: a DIY wedding can cost as much as a venue crafted by professionals.

Why? DIY or no, brides make mistakes when they don’t know what they want. There’s nothing worse than figuring out your perfect wedding design when you’ve already spent five figures. Never fear, brave DIY bride: you can say “forget you” to buyer’s remorse.

It’s simple: make an inspiration board! It’s almost impossible not to spot these online. Entire online communities, like the exclusive invite-only Pinterest (www.pinterest.com), gather to share these. And with good reason! Having a cohesive wedding blue print will save you a bundle.

There’s no trick to it: just grab a large white project board from your local craft store, get yourself a glue stick, and start putting ideas to paper. Collect ribbon clips of your weddings colors, any fabric swatches available from designers and rental companies, invitation samples, print-outs of ideas from websites, you name it. If reverting to kindergarten collages repels your sensibilities, you can craft your board digitally on sites like Wedding Wire (www.weddingwire.com), The Dessy Group (www.dessy.com), or Bridal Canvas (www.bridalcanvas.com).

When you’ve got enough information to visualize what you want, step back and take a good hard look.  Ask yourself: does each element flow together? What clashes? Are both my fiancé and I represented on this board? Check to see if your design is cohesive before possibility meets plastic.

Bring these boards with you any time you make wedding purchase. While working under the guidance of expert designer Nona Tai, I learned that seasoned wedding professionals welcome a bride’s input. At Floral Design Studio (located in Fremont, CA) all samples brought in by brides were photocopied and kept on file, to keep the bride and the design team in clear communication.

Vendors, you ask? I thought we were talking about DIY weddings! In the words of Kelly Bare, author of The DIY Wedding: Celebrate Your Day Your Way, “DIY doesn’t mean you have to do it all yourself.” If you’re a busy professional, or have limited crafting skill, you can make your wedding blueprint, and hire assistance to create each item. I

t’s understandable if you’ve opted out of using vendors. There’s no lack of stigma that vendors sell “package-deals” and “cookie-cutter weddings”. No girl wants to wear the same prom dress; no bride wants to wed the same way. However, a truly professional wedding vendor will honor the bride’s creative vision, whether or not the vendor agrees with the bride’s aesthetic.

Finally, as you collect information from retail sources and make purchases, add each item to the board. Don’t be afraid to do this with everything. Weddings yield a large amount of fine detail. With your board, you’ll have a synchronized vision of exactly what you’ve paid for.

{Guest Blogger} Author: Mary Garnes – My industry experience is backed by one year as the assistant at Floral Design Studio, a 2011 pick for The Knot: Best of Weddings. Prior to working for Floral Design Studio, I planned my own winery wedding in six weeks.  I wed last year in February at Testarossa Winery in Los Gatos, California.  Currently, I am working on a blog project, Garnished Weddings (www.garnishedweddings.com), scheduled to launch on October 1st.

Inspiration board:  Kymora {via stylemepretty.com}

Are you looking for unique gifts for wedding favors, bridesmaids’ gifts and goodie bags? Or, looking to pamper yourself before the special day.

How about a gift of kindness for the body? At Naturally Susan’s, we’re about natural, organic skin care…skin care that is kind to your body and kind to you. When it comes to our skin, the largest organ on our body, it’s important to think about the products we use. Our skin absorbs about 60% of what we put on it, so let’s feed it well.

Here are some of Naturally Susan’s handcrafted products that our customers have raved about, along with tips on how our products are used in skin care routines to prepare for every big day.

Naturally Susan’s skin care tips and essentials:

1)      Cleanse: You’re exhausted. Your pillow is calling your name. It’s tempting to just jump into bed with full make-up on. But not washing the day’s dirt and grime off can wreak havoc on your face, clogging and congesting pores. Cleanse your skin before going to bed. Use a cleanser that won’t over dry or strip your skin of natural oils. Great for all skin types, our Oatmeal Facial Exfoliant gently cleanses pores and restores skin’s natural moisture balance. Skin feels soft and smooth.

2)      Exfoliate: Weekly exfoliation is skin-healthy. It helps to remove dead skin cells that can clog pores and allows skin to regenerate new, younger cells and for better absorption of skin treatments. But be careful! Over exfoliation and abrasive scrubbing can damage skin’s delicate surface. Our Oatmeal Facial Exfoliant can be used as a gentle exfoliant as well, and for a more luxurious exfoliating and moisturizing experience, our Chocolate Facial Masque with anti-oxidant, organic chocolate and skin-healthy omega-3 fatty acids is a decadent facial treat. You’ll smell delicious!

3)      Moisturize: Moisturizing is essential to create a barrier from moisture loss. Our vitamin- and anti-oxidant-rich Avocado Lavender Salve deeply moisturizes, particularly dry, sun-damaged, and aging skin, feeding the skin with essential A, D, E, and B vitamins. Our best-selling Avocado Lavender Salve calms with the natural scent of lavender essential oil and smells divine.

Let Naturally Susan’s know how we can help make your events even more special.  And, let us know how our products can become a part of your every day.  Be kind to your body. ^TMA

A Note From The Mrs.
Susan sent me some of her product line to try.  It is fabulous!  My skin was glowing after just one use.  All of her products also smell good enough to eat.  My favorite products was the Oatmeal Facial Exfoliant and the Lavender Oatmeal soap.  I would recommend this product to any bride getting married – your skin will look radiant. If you are looking for an all natural product, Susan has truly created a beautiful line of products that are “kind to your body”. Thank you Susan for sharing these with me!

Susan Ng is the founder and owner of Naturally Susan’s, LLC. To learn more about Naturally Susan’s handcrafted natural, organic skin-care products, please check out their website at www.NaturallySusans.com, follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NaturallySusans) and Twitter (@NaturallySusans), and join the mailing list for beauty tips, trends, and special offers.

The contents contained in this article are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with a licensed medical practitioner for your personal medical needs.