We heart her new logo (and her!)

As we write about often on Polka Dot Bride, we value the personal touches that make your wedding uniquely yours.

So many weddings come across our desk that we are in the wonderful position of seeing many different styles of wedding from so many different areas of the world. Each of those weddings of course, have a special meaning to that bride and groom, but the ones that catch our eye particularly, are not the ones that have all the glittery, trendy touches (although they are beautiful too!), but the ones that have a unique heartfelt element that brings a lump to the throat.

As an observer on the ‘outside’ of that wedding, it will be that special ‘something’ that draws us into the couples’ day. Sometimes it’s unfathomable, sometimes it’s tangible – but it is always palpable.

It is easy to become caught up in having all the ‘right’ things at your wedding, because it is ‘trendy’. It is harder to buck the trend, be totally yourself and not be concerned about what other people think. It is, after all, YOUR day, and there are not ‘rights’ or ‘wrongs’ in doing it YOUR way. Yes there are certain rules you must follow e.g. getting the marriage license, but heck, we all know those rules!

But if you want to put pink, purple and orange spots together as your theme, because they are your favourite colours, who is anyone to judge! If your Dad wants to sing you his special childhood song to you in his off key voice,  or Grandma wants you to wear her lavender perfume, because she wore it on her wedding day, Aunt Maisie wants to make the wedding cake – does it really matter what anyone else thinks?

There are weddings that are styled to within an inch of their lives, with not a colour out of place, and every element of the wedding oozing perfection. But although these weddings are often a feast for the eyes, they also, (from an ‘outsiders’ perspective, looking in) well….a little bland. We don’t see the photos of the heartfelt touches, (if there are any at all) or of the crazy shenanigans behind the scenes. Those are the things we will giggle at in the years to come, or we’ll cry whenever we smell that lavender!

Now that’s what’s important to us all isn’t it? The laughter, the sentiment, the unbridled joy! The warmth of family and friends who want to contribute to make this day extra special for you. When you look back at your wedding day on your thirtieth wedding anniversary, it will be the people you remember, not whether the bonbonniere were perfect.

About

Polka Dot Bride is Australia’s premier wedding blog and is read by thousands of brides worldwide. Polka Dot Bride is ranked within the top 20 Australian Women Bloggers and #53 out of the Top 100 Australian Bloggers as of June 2009. Polka Dot Bride has a passion to provide information on the latest trends in weddings, and inspirational and creative ideas for the Australian bride.
Ms Polka Dot’s aim is to create a fun, informative, and stylish blog that is engaged with, and inclusive of, its readers. She writes a daily feature on the blog that includes new ideas, real weddings, fabulous finds and the beautiful and the inspirational. Polka Dot Bride readers are stylish and savvy; they want to make their wedding stand out from the crowd. Ms. Polka Dot’s aim is to inspire brides and grooms to create the wedding of their dreams.

Nick Brown and Sophie Kirkpatrick at Craigieburn, Bowral, Southern Highlands. Garden wedding.

The planning for your wedding has been at times, overwhelming. The build-up and nerves are threatening to over take you. Your usually sensible, organised and calm demeanour seems to have disappeared.

But today is your wedding day and it is now time to ‘let go’, to know that ‘what will be, will be’! It is time to put aside the worries about the table decorations or whether the day will run smoothly, and just breathe.

This day that has been months in the planning and has at times, seemed so far away, passes in a flash, welcoming guests from far and wide, being the centre of attention and the see-sawing of emotions from tears to joy.

So how do you and your partner ensure that you get to fit in a few personal moments that you will remember as ‘touchstones’ on your day?

The night before your wedding, escape the clutches of family and friends, and meet at a pre-arranged spot to take in the quiet. It could be sitting overlooking the sea, on a mountain top overlooking the lights of the city, at a favourite eatery or bar. Whichever you choose, take the time to make it special by drinking your favourite wine, or simply affirming in private your commitment to each other and your hopes and dreams for the future.

Or, get up an hour earlier on the day, and meet somewhere for breakfast, or a picnic you have prepared the night before. It need only be simple, but will give you some breathing space together before facing the jumble of activity of the day ahead. Perhaps giving each other a small heartfelt gift such as a poem, a heart shaped rock collected from that favourite spot, or drawing a message in the sand will be something that you can tuck away to be remembered in a quiet moment.

Slip away, even for five minutes after the ceremony, to just ‘be’. Perhaps you have something special to say, or just want to hold each other and savour your own particular feelings, that saying ‘I do’ has meant to you both.

Take time to stand at the perimeter of the wedding celebration for a moment with your husband and take in the scene of all the laughter, music and your loved ones together in the one room. Take a ‘photo’ in your mind’s eye – for this is the essence of happiness!

After all, your wedding day closes a chapter in your life, and opens a whole new book upon which to start writing about your new life.

About Polka Dot Bride

Polka Dot Bride is Australia’s premier wedding blog and is read by thousands of brides worldwide. Polka Dot Bride is ranked within the top 20 Australian Women Bloggers and #53 out of the Top 100 Australian Bloggers as of June 2009. Polka Dot Bride has a passion to provide information on the latest trends in weddings, and inspirational and creative ideas for the Australian bride.
Ms Polka Dot’s aim is to create a fun, informative, and stylish blog that is engaged with, and inclusive of, its readers. She writes a daily feature on the blog that includes new ideas, real weddings, fabulous finds and the beautiful and the inspirational. Polka Dot Bride readers are stylish and savvy; they want to make their wedding stand out from the crowd. Ms. Polka Dot’s aim is to inspire brides and grooms to create the wedding of their dreams.

Photos: http://www.davidhenryphotography.com.au

Escape to romantic Calistoga.

Calistoga is the ideal setting for a romantic love story:  Enchanting castles, a secluded mountain setting, hand-crafted luscious wines, steaming mineral springs, mouth-watering delicacies and picturesque surroundings. Below is a complete itinerary for a weekend hideaway.

Friday

Romantic Quarters – However you choose to arrive, make sure to check into the Mt. View Hotel & Spa located in heart of Calistoga. Rule number one of seduction is setting the scene and Mt. View Hotel & Spa happily succeeds. This newly renovated art-deco cosmopolitan hotel seduces every guest effortlessly. Set in a historical 1917 building, it boasts a variety of artist cottages, balcony suites and guestrooms and is the backdrop to many loves stories, including the romance between the proprietors, Michael & Stephanie Woods. With amenity-filled rooms, including winery suites which are paired with local romantic wineries, there are numerous packages to choose from, lovingly created by General Manager Andrea Hoogendoorn, giving guests endless reasons to cuddle and kiss. 1457 Lincoln Avenue (800) 816-6877

Vino & Cuisine – BarVino offers an extensive wine list, three-course menu specials and small plates with big bites. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, BarVino is conveniently located next to Mt. View Hotel & Spa with an entrance in the front lobby. The ambience is hip, modern which translates into a city vibe. Either as a local hoping to escape or a tourist wanting to unwind BarVino provides the best of the both, city sprawl, and urban crawl.

Saturday

Morning Jolt – Start your morning off right and increase your personal karma by supporting a local poet who also owns the most popular organic roasting house in town. Coffee at Yo el Rey is the best in town and a great place to meet and converse with locals. Located right off Lincoln avenue, Yo el Rey also features local underground art on its walls. Some examples are large stunning photographs by local travel photographer Liza Gershman, and poems hand written by the eccentric owner, J. Kirk Feiereisen. 1217 Washington Street (707) 942-1180

Quintessential Romantic Wineries – Sterling Vineyards, “one of the more spectacular wineries in Napa Valley,” according to Frank Prial of The New York Times. At this hilltop winery, the reserve tour and tasting at 11 a.m. starts with a tram ride up the hill to the winery, where you will gasp at a nearly 360° aerial view of the valley. These stunning views are sure to set the perfect tone for your romantic day. Your experience at Sterling will also include vintage wine tasting and an escorted winery tour lead by an experienced guide.  1111 Dunaweal Lane (707) 942-3300

Larkmead Vineyards embodies the picture perfect wine country atmosphere; an astonishing 90 plus wines scored by Robert Parker for their 2006 collection, an on-premise wine dog, picturesque vineyard views and a contemporary interior, there is no need to go beyond Calistoga to experience Napa Valley. Make an appointment in advance and allow time to unwind, learn about wine and soak up the wine-country lifestyle. 1100 Larkmead Lane (888) 743-7446

On weekends, every half an hour, there is a tasting tour at an incredible new winery, Castello di Amorosa, the castle of love. Allow yourself to be guided through this Italian-inspired castle to explore the stairway-filled towers, a medieval torture chamber, vast wine cellars, and Italian artisan hand-painted murals,  “where no detail was overlooked,” says The Boston Globe.  If you have never had the pleasure of exploring ancient European castles, this is your chance to tour an accurately replicated version crafted entirely from select materials imported from Italy.  The result has every ounce of character inherent to an authentic Italian castello. 4045 Saint Helena Highway (707) 942-8200

Sunday

Relaxation & Leisure – Center your spirit and bond over the “couples indulgence” package to start your morning off right at Mt. View Spa where they practice the ‘art of relaxation’ daily. Enjoy an array of hydrotherapy baths, personal steam rooms and well-deserved massages in their blissful green-friendly spa that is accessible by appointment to anyone seeking the sublime.

Calistoga is a walking town and it allows you to spend a day without having to drive, which is rarity nowadays. After your treatments, start with walking down to the Calistoga Bike Shop and rent a bike for a self-guided bike tour. 1318 Lincoln Ave (707) 942-9687.  Pick up some picnic supplies at Palisades Deli, also located on Lincoln Avenue, and hit the two hottest wineries within biking distance.

Newly-opened Lava Vine Winery & Tasting Room is the perfect spot to ride your bike up to, park and drink some amazing wine. Syrah is their signature hand-crafted wine however the Viognier is worth noting as well, and my personal favorite. This small production winery has a laid back vibe, an outside seating area and friendly staff making your intimate tasting a delightful experience. The best part is that they hand deliver any wines you’d like purchase to your hotel so you can continue biking without the hassle. 965 Silverado Trail (707) 942-9500

At the foot of Mount St. Helena resides a world-class winery that takes serious winemaking to a revolutionary level — literally.  Notoriously know as the inspiration for the recent movie Bottle Shock, Chateau Montelena remains grounded in a traditional beauty that honors its beginnings.  At the legendary Paris Tasting of 1976, Chateau Montelena’s ’73 Chardonnay defeated the French Meursault-Charmes ’73, history was born and California wine started on the path to its well-deserved fame. Hidden behind the winery under layers of green ivy emerges a classic stone castle carved into the hillside, reminiscent of an old French chateau.  More than a simple tourist attraction, it functions as a unique wine tasting facility; and a serious winery calls for serious tasting, so make sure to experience the Library and Current Release Tasting, which feature some of the rarest and most highly-sought California wines. 1429 Tubbs Lane (707) 942-5105

Keep on Romancing….

About Autumn Millhouse

Autumn Millhouse is a local travel writer, international trekker and self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic”. Author of the hugely popular Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, she is currently working on two books with similar themes dealing with travel and romance. In Calistoga, her book is available at Copperfield Book Store, Solage Spa, Castello di Amorosa and Sterling Winery. Check out her blog at www.romanticnapavalleybook.com.

Hey Anti-Brides, I have to fess up, this bride Dr. Savant mentions below, is me, and although it’s been a few years since I’ve been on our honeymoon, the advice still stands. I have never been to Popoyo, Nicaragua to surf in May when the waves are jacked up and barreled – rather, January and March when the waves are easy rollers. Although my hubs was surfing like Slater all day in spots like Playgrounds, Panga Drops, Popoyo, and Colorado, (and a secret spot that I promised a certain young surfer named Auggie I will never reveal), there were only a few places where this long board girl could go. Popoyo is a pro surf mecca, hosting the likes of C.J. Hobgood, Slater, and our friends Justin Cote of TransWorld SURF and Strider Wasilewski of Quiksilver.

That said, it bears mentioning that any time a couple with mismatched surfing skills honeymoons or travels together, thought should be given to safety and potential injury. If there is a reef involved (and the requisite wipe out), you risk cuts, bruises and possibly broken bones. In my case, it was very windy, and schlepping a long board to the spots was like wrestling an alligator, which caused a lot of back and forth movement across the rib cage (and then up to 3 hours of paddling once in the water). Luckily for me, after my dear virtual Doctor Savant nailed the condition over email, it was no surfing for me for 3 days (Advil and Flor de Cana helped), poolside at the fabulous hill top Two Brothers Surf Resort. So before you think you are having a heart attack (the waves can do that to you anyway) – let Dr. Savant help you gauge what to really be scared about and when to just take it easy.

Also, note to self: if you are in a very remote jungle hut and you do have something life threatening, make sure you have a local phone ($20 at the airport) and travel insurance. Medivac helicopters can wipe out your bank account if you aren’t covered – $50-70 worth of travel insurance can go a long way. Read on!

I got an email from a friend who was on vacation about some chest pain she was having and I thought there were some interesting points about her situation and chest pain in general that could be helpful to think about.  Now, our bride and groom are fit but work too hard, like most successful people tend to do. They like to swim and surf so they took a long overdue vacation to a remote beach in Nicaragua for two weeks of surfing. The weather was great but a little windy and on some days the waves were pretty choppy. After a few days our bride started having pain in her chest that got progressively worse, so she stopped surfing.  It hurt when she was paddling her board out and then ached all night, especially when she took deep breaths or pressed on her sternum. Of course, having chest pain freaked her out and being in such a remote place made her even more anxious about it.  As it turned out her chest pain came from inflammation in the joint where the rib attaches to the sternum (breastbone) and was likely caused by strain and excessive use. Paddling in rough water, holding up her board on a windy beach, and even surfing more than usual are what caused the inflammation. The treatment for it is ice and using an anti-inflammatory medication like aspirin or ibuprofen.

So the question is what kind of chest pain should you be worried about? For the most part, everybody thinks about their heart when they have chest pain but there are lots of causes so here’s a quick way to think about it.  The chest pain caused by a heart attack is more commonly not even a pain at all but rather more like a crushing chest pressure. It’s as if an elephant were sitting on your chest and you just couldn’t get a breath in. Heart attack type chest pressure will not last for more than 30-60 minutes.  It will either get better suddenly or get much worse but won’t last all night.  Sometimes it can come on with exertion and stop with rest. Many times chest pain; especially in young, healthy, active people; is caused by an injury to the chest wall. Remember, your heart is protected in a cage that is layered with bone, muscle, cartilage, and other soft tissue so if you can reproduce the pain by pressing on your chest it’s not your heart.  Of course, it’s always important to know your health history, which includes your family’s history of heart disease, especially if it happened in someone at a young age.  The best way to do this is to check in with your doctor every year or two for a physical.  This way you can feel confident when you engage in strenuous activities, and that includes sex (a vacation must).

About

Dr. Savant heads up the Savant Medical Group in San Francisco. Dr. Savant attended the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California in 1997 where he was given the “Grace Under Fire” Award by the Emergency Department. He then went to New York City to be on the Faculty of the Division of General Internal Medicine at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital where he also served as a clinical instructor to the third year medical students at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. He was identified by the medical students as an excellent clinical teacher and role model for the 1998-99 academic year.

Whimsey never quite goes out of style.

Did you hear? Balloons are cliché, so are vintage cameras, that candy buffet so overdone! So last year!

I’m not one for trends, I love to see patterns, I know what’s popular, but what is “in” what is “hot” has never been something to take my fancy.

Being in the wedding industry, it’s important to know what’s hot and what’s new, and what people are searching for. But there’s a strength that comes from the ability to look at everything with fresh eyes – just like the newly engaged bride that seeks your help.

Australia is always a few cycles behind the rest of the world when it comes to popular wedding ideas. The balloons that are so passé in the USA?  They’re new here, a great idea, and novel!

Dessert buffets? We’re still doing candy buffets! And we love them! (If only we could get a Michaels or a Paper Source here!)

That’s why I love Australia. We’re not fussed with trends – you can easily see two brides in the same garden getting married, one in an Oscar De la Renta gown, the other in an off the rack Lisa Ho frock she bought two months ago – each beautiful in their own right. We’re relaxed, we do what we love.

There’s been a recent movement in the wedding industry of looking inwards – being overly concerned about what everyone else is doing. But brides? They’re looking at pretty pictures for inspiration, they’re getting their brother to sing their favourite song at their wedding, they’re in love with the new cupcake store down the road and decide to pull it into their wedding – and balloons? They saw a photo once, it made them smile! Engagements make people smile, add  balloons and it takes you back to a warm mushy feeling of childlike wonder.

We read wedding blogs every day. My own inbox is filled with submissions of brides doing unique and wonderful things. If there are common themes, it’s because I’m looking at so many photos every day! It’s also important to embrace a bride’s  fresh look at everything we look at everyday.

What do I love about balloons? The couple is getting creative, taking a little leap and doing something a little bit fun, something that reflects them.

It’s the same reason I am still head over heels for coloured shoes. The same reason I encourage my brides during submissions to tell me as much as they want about their wedding day. I couldn’t care less what brands you wore, I like to see couples taking a chance and really reflecting who they are! I don’t mean with DIY favors and bowties (and I love them both too), but it’s the little things that thrill me – a couple serving the bride’s late father’s port in a toast, using the same flower in the bouquet her mother used for hers, the Pokémon fan couple using a Pokémon cake topper.

Because you see, what gets me about trends? They became trends because they made people happy! And what’s wrong with that?

Marriage is, of course, one of the ultimate gifts of happiness.

About Polka Dot Bride

Polka Dot Bride is Australia’s premier wedding blog and is read by thousands of brides worldwide. Polka Dot Bride is ranked within the top 20 Australian Women Bloggers and #53 out of the Top 100 Australian Bloggers as of June 2009. Polka Dot Bride has a passion to provide information on the latest trends in weddings, and inspirational and creative ideas for the Australian bride.

Ms Polka Dot’s aim is to create a fun, informative, and stylish blog that is engaged with, and inclusive of, its readers. She writes a daily feature on the blog that includes new ideas, real weddings, fabulous finds and the beautiful and the inspirational. Polka Dot Bride readers are stylish and savvy; they want to make their wedding stand out from the crowd. Ms. Polka Dot’s aim is to inspire brides and grooms to create the wedding of their dreams.

Dan O’Day Photography http://www.danodayphotoblog.com/

Aww, so cute, and just a few weeks away from W-day!

When Melissa and I announced our engagement last year, I was shocked by the love and support that was thrown our way by our family and friends. You always hope that people will support you, but with same-sex marriage being such a polarizing issue in so many lives, I wasn’t sure where we would stand. It turns out that some of the people who I didn’t think were even going to approve of (or understand) my orientation have been some of our most amazing supporters, including my best friends from high school (who are throwing us a shower next month.)

Other people in our lives have been a lovely surprise as well… For instance, my grandmother -  she’s 88 years old, old school Jew, grew up in NYC and has lived in New Jersey for most of her life.  For years, I went back and forth on my decision to come out to my grandparents. My grandmother would always ask me if I was dating, and my token line was “I’m just hanging out.” She even asked me one time if anything was wrong with me, as I couldn’t just “hang out” all the time with boys.  I sometimes feel sad that I didn’t get to “come out” to my grandfather before he passed two years ago, but I wasn’t ready yet.  It took finding my other half (and appearing in Newsweek together,) for me to finally tell the one person in my immediate family who I was really dating. Needless to say, my grandmother has been wonderful and loves Melissa.

During our conversation today, she asked me if I heard about Oprah being gay. I started laughing and thought that she must have been catching up on old tabloids. Then she said that she just heard that this “cute boy” who used to be on one of her soap operas just came out.

“Ricky Martin, Nana?”

“Yes, yes. That’s who that is. He’s such a good looking young man. You are so lucky Stacy. It’s so fashionable to be gay now!”

Another funny exchange came from my own mother. She sent me a text (yes, my mother has joined the world of texting…oy), and mentioned that my fiance sent her a lovely email and how excited she is to be Melissa’s mother-in-law.  The “Email” was a note on her facebook wall.

Finally, when I arrived home from work today, Melissa gave me the invitation to the bridal shower that my  soon-to-be mother-in-law is throwing us in Western IL.  The note that she placed in the invitation was absolutely priceless:

Dear Friends and Family: We all know what it is to want to find another person to spend life with. We know it can be a long search. Melissa and Stacy have found each other in a world that has given them difficult odds. They invite us to celebrate with them. They do not want to make you uncomfortable, change your opinion or recruit you to the lesbian team. Please do not feel pressured to attend. But in case you want to have a good time, join us!

Yes, my friends, we are truly blessed and lucky to have such amazing people in our lives. I am truly excited for the upcoming festivities.

About the Authors/Queerlywed.com

Melissa Johns

Melissa is the co-founder of Queerly Wed, a new website dedicated to helping LGBTQ couples plan their big day. She is an activist within the LGBTQ Community and has volunteered her services at many grassroots organizations over the years. Melissa is also an avid cyclist and won two silver medals at Gay Games VII, which was held in Chicago in 2006. She is also a lifelong student and enjoys studying Latin-American culture, photography and languages.

Stacy Jill Jacobs

Stacy is the co-founder of Queerly Wed, a new website dedicated to helping LGBTQ couples plan their big day.  Stacy is a writer, marketing nerd, and web geek grrl all wrapped up into one package.  Stacy has worked in the interactive field for many years including roles at eToys (US & UK) and Ticketmaster. Stacy became a professional queer when in 2005, she served as the Ticketing Manager for Gay Games VII. You can catch Stacy on her website at www.stacyjilljacobs.com or on Twitter at @StacyJill

The focus is on the two of you and what you want to do...

It’s the end of our summer here and the first month of autumn. A new season lends itself to new inspiration to try to do things a little differently.

When planning a wedding it is often difficult to take a deep breath and think of just the two of you. It might be said that planning a wedding is all about us and what we want but is it really?

Sometimes it is hard to hear yourselves above all the competing noise of all the wants, needs and ‘must do’s. Not only from well meaning relatives and friends, but also, if we are honest, from ‘out there’ – because deep down most of us want our wedding to have the ‘wow’ factor. Sometimes a desert island looks rather inviting! So how do we accommodate all the different wants, needs and wishes of everyone, including ourselves?

Firstly decide what is most important to you and your fiancé. To do this, think from your ‘soul’ – who must be on the guest list because they have a place in your heart, what family traditions would you like honoured, how would you like your wedding to look?

Try to sit down as a couple early on in your engagement before the stress starts, and write down a list of what will be really important to you both when planning the wedding. Approach this with an open mind and an open heart so that frank discussion can take place between you. Take a notebook and make a heading for each section of the wedding – seating arrangements, flowers, food etc and take your time to talk about your hopes and dreams, the reality, and then, after research, the final execution of the ideas.  Doing this with gentleness, kindness and humility could set the tone for future heart felt discussions with each other and with family and friends.

If you approach your planning with a set of ideas that you both agree on, you will not only be able to present a united front, you will also be able to explain in a rational way the decisions you have made. Moreover, your groom will also feel that he can be an integral part of the planning process, and not be pushed to one side as you run yourself to a frazzle doing it all.

A wedding is not only about the uniting of two lives; it is a celebration of new beginnings. It is about bringing two families together, who only some time ago were perhaps not known to each other. You as a couple are powerful in being the catalysts for this change. Be kind to yourselves as you tread delicately on this new path.

About Polka Dot Bride

Polka Dot Bride is Australia’s premier wedding blog and is read by thousands of brides worldwide. Polka Dot Bride is ranked within the top 20 Australian Women Bloggers and #53 out of the Top 100 Australian Bloggers as of June 2009. Polka Dot Bride has a passion to provide information on the latest trends in weddings, and inspirational and creative ideas for the Australian bride.
Ms Polka Dot’s aim is to create a fun, informative, and stylish blog that is engaged with, and inclusive of, its readers. She writes a daily feature on the blog that includes new ideas, real weddings, fabulous finds and the beautiful and the inspirational. Polka Dot Bride readers are stylish and savvy; they want to make their wedding stand out from the crowd. Ms. Polka Dot’s aim is to inspire brides and grooms to create the wedding of their dreams.

Photo by Jonathan Ong
www.jonathanong.com

Carolyn Gerin

Valentine's Day is for every day says Ms. Polka Dot.

Love is supposed to provide a haven from the stresses of life, the real or imagined sleights, the difficult day.

How do we best show another person that we love them deeply and sincerely without thought as to what we might get out of it ourselves? Is it in the ‘grand gesture’ – the $200 bunch of red roses on Valentine’s Day, or the perfect diamond bracelet?

Or is it in the little things – the foot rub while watching TV, the load of washing that is done, hung out and put away without asking, or the surprise ‘picnic’ on the lounge room floor after the kids have been put to bed?

We all have our own ‘love’ styles. Some express their love for another by being bold and ebullient in their ‘love’ gestures, some are reserved and only show love in private moments, and some – well – you have to search high and low and suddenly when you least expect it – a loving touch or a look!

I once overheard a conversation where a woman stated that her husband was always buying her things – whatever she asked for and some she didn’t.  At first I thought – wow – that would be nice! Then I started thinking about it. Love for me is not to be ‘bought’. It is in the compliments given only occasionally, but when they are given, they are heartfelt and sincere. It is in the non – judgemental ear and a shoulder to cry on.  The look that passes between you, the unexpected touch of the hand – yes, the really simple things. Yet it is these things that are often so hard to give, as we get caught up in our own inner lives.

Sometimes to add sparkle to your relationship, step outside your comfort zone and do something you would not normally do for the person you love. Not necessarily the diamond bracelet (but that would be REALLY nice!), but a warm and heartfelt gesture that is worth a thousand diamond bracelets.

About Polka Dot Bride

Polka Dot Bride is Australia’s premier wedding blog and is read by thousands of brides worldwide. Polka Dot Bride is ranked within the top 20 Australian Women Bloggers and #53 out of the Top 100 Australian Bloggers as of June 2009. Polka Dot Bride has a passion to provide information on the latest trends in weddings, and inspirational and creative ideas for the Australian bride.
Ms Polka Dot’s aim is to create a fun, informative, and stylish blog that is engaged with, and inclusive of, its readers. She writes a daily feature on the blog that includes new ideas, real weddings, fabulous finds and the beautiful and the inspirational. Polka Dot Bride readers are stylish and savvy; they want to make their wedding stand out from the crowd. Ms. Polka Dot’s aim is to inspire brides and grooms to create the wedding of their dreams.

Winter wonderland brides shimmer in the snow.

A winter bride can be very fairy-tale and very romantic, especially when there is a light snowfall. But what’s not so fabulously is dreary and harsh winter light that can make any bride look less stunning in her pictures. On this day, your best beauty item will be a bronzer; a bronzing gel, a tinted gel, or a self tanning mist to achieve a natural summer glow on your skin. The Sublime Bronze line offer salon like self tanner, great to do especially if your going to wear a strapless dress. You want to make sure your foundation now matches your tan skin if you opt to do your own makeup.

When you are having a consultation with your makeup artist share with them that you would like to do more warm and glowing hues instead of dark and smokey. Select a full coverage foundation like L’OREAL Paris True Match Roller Foundation to help achieve a flawless pale skin. To compliment your bronzed skin select peach, coral, pink or a matte bronzer for the cheeks. If you decide to go with a red or a nude lip be sure to give them a high gloss.

Don’t forget to take care of the grooms favorite part-the lips. Be sure to nourish and moisturize them daily with lip conditioner weeks before your wedding day. My favorites are the lightweight Bare Naturale Gentle Lip Conditioner because it has minerals, conditioning Sweet Almond Oil and a soothing Vitamin E. I also love OCC’s Ultra-sheer Lip Balms, their deeply pigmented and moisturizing. To be a radiant winter bride, sparkle less, shimmer more and turn your winter wedding into a winter wonderland.

*Bronzer used on model: L’OREAL Glam Bronze Bronzing Powder in Enchanting Sunrise #941.