What comes to your mind when you hear Lovers’ Lane? Does it bring back memories of your first love?  Or a place where lovers meet? 

Wikipedia gives us this description: “Lovers’ lane is a generic term for secluded areas where people kiss or make out. These areas range from parking lots in secluded rural areas to places with extraordinary views of a cityscape or other feature”.

“Lovers’ lanes” are typically found in cultures built around the automobile—lovers often make out in a car or van for privacy.

“Lovers’ lanes have existed for centuries, sometimes as places for secret meetings with a loved one or as a euphemism for red-light districts and other areas of prostitution”.

I’d like to side track from Wikipedia today and talk about a different spin on Lovers’ Lane. It is the journey down the aisle on your wedding day.

Historically, an aisle runner was placed down so the bride wounld not get her gown dirty. Today, brides use them in their ceremonies as a sense of tradition or formality. The drama of the day is heighten as two groomsmen or ushers slowly unfurl the runner. Standing guest at this point are in anticipation of the bride’s appearance.

Aisle runners are usually made of paper or cloth. They can be purchased from bridal shops or florists. Most runners are white, symbolizing a pure pathway. Over the years brides have been quite creative by customizing them. From the flower girl dropping flower petals to imprinting floral designs. They can be monogramed with names or even verses of poetry.

Before you decide if a lovers lane aisle is in your plans, check your ceremony site. For safety reasons some houses of worship may not allow aisle runners as people may trip and fall. If you get the OK, think about safety first and preserving the runner. Scattering rose petals may be romantic, but they can stain or be slippery. Opt for freeze dried petal or silk flowers.

When it comes to decorating your aisle, keep in mind the the size, length and width. To keep costs down, simply adding bows accented with flowers is a nice touch. Or silk flowers with streamers that can later be used in a floral arrangement at the entrance of your new living quarters. Another thought is to rent candelabras or floral arrangements. Some vendors will set them up and pick them up once the ceremony is over. If you opt to have your own, consider using them at your reception. Another way to cut cost.  Remember to have someone in charge with a vehicle large enough to move them if this is your plan.

If you have mother nature in your plans with an out door wedding, she can provide a colorful display of objects that can personalize any wedding aisle.

If it is a beach wedding, think about lining that aisle with seashells, drift wood and exotic flowers. Tea lights in sand filled bags adds a little romance.

If you choose a garden wedding, the gate is wide open. From blooming baskets and potted wildflowers to long string ivy and arches, you are sure to have a memorable walk down the aisle. Professional landscapers are great for recommending the right combinations to pull off your theme. If you know one personally, talk with them in advance of the wedding date for suggestions. You may have the option of renting  or purchase. If you purchase, they can be used as gifts for special guests or they can be used to landscape that new place where the two of you will be living.

What else do we need to consider when it comes to walking down the aisle? How about the order of procession.

Christian ceremonies usually feature the groom and groomsmen entering from the chancel’s door and waiting at the altar. Like everything else this has changed over the years. Some grooms  usher their mothers down the aisle after grandparents and other special guests have been seated. He then proceeds to wait at the alter while the groomsmen enter from the side.

The bridemaids follow, walking alone and meet the groomsmen part way up the aisle or just before the altar. The junior bridesmaid precedes the maid of honor and is followed by the ring bearer and flower girl. The bride enters last escorted by her father (on his left side) or both parents.

With a little planning or the help of professionals, your first kiss as husband and wife in “Lovers’ Lane” aisle will add to your memories as the two of you begin life’s journey together.

Have you ever dreamed of a romantic destination wedding? According to brides magazine in just 10 years the number of weddings away has doubled.

Years ago, the only couples who did destination weddings were broke, rebellious or divorced. Now days, the Internet has opened the door to a whole new generation of engaged couples discovering how easy, affordable and wildly romantic it is to get hitched against an exotic back ground. It is not who is getting hitched out of town that is seeing change, it is the destinations themselves.

How do you decide where to say “I DO”?

Let your imagination run far and wide. Can you see yourself barefoot on the beach? How about in a formal fairy tale inside a medieval castle? Maybe  you are a faux fur freak – the mountains fit that cozy retreat. Then there is the look and feel of sumptuous silks  that a far away land could fill a dream.

Other factors to take in to account include budget, religious needs, residency requirements and distance. Even though this may be a time to indulge in fantasies, remember to keep one eye on reality.

Is it difficult to plan a destination wedding?

It can be as easy or easier than planning one at home as long as you have a professional wedding planner. They know the local vendors and can line up florists, bands, caterers and anything in between that fit into your budget. Most likely the only thing you will have to do is show up on time.

How do you find a trustworthy coordinator?

If you are marrying at a hotel, most have a consultant on staff or a relationship with a local professional. Another option is seeking the advice of a local professional in your area or someone who specialises in organizing destination weddings.

What is the Cost involved?

If you choose the right place, it could be much less then marrying at home. For one,  you can cut down the guest list and not hurt some feelings by having to travel. Traditional weddings average around 150 guests. Destinations run on average of 55 guests. If you do need to extend the list most vendors abroad will do weddings for the same price or less for the same services. If you honeymoon at the wedding destination, you’ll save time, stress and cash and possibly be upgraded to the bridal suite.

If you go to an all inclusive resort, food, drinks and some activities will be included in the price of your stay. This is a huge money saver. Pre Wedding activities such as snorkeling, bottomless drinks or multi course meals solve the problem of over spending and worrying about bills when you get home.

Another cost effective way of having a destination wedding is in the states. Airfare maybe easier with direct flights instead of lay overs. You will not need a passport. Some destinations may be with in driving distance depending on where you live. These might include:

• Aspen, Colorado
• Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
• Los Vegas, Nevada
• Savannah, Georgia
• Sedona, Arizona
• Walt Disney World, Florida
• The Florida Keys
• Napa Valley, California
• Hilton Head, South Carolina

So if you have always dreamed about a destination wedding, the doors are as wide open as your mind. It may save your sanity and be less stressful than having to plan all the little details at home; unless you like that sort of thing.  If not, where would your dream wedding destination take you?

Improving your bridal posture will accomplish more than a few things:

• You’ll decrease mid gown wrinkles
• Breathing flows smoothly
• Pictures are breath taking
• Saves you money

How are you sitting right now? Are you slumped in your chair? If you spend any amount of time behind a desk, computer or work related seditary position the chances are high that your body muscles are suffering. Try sitting in your chair without using the back to support you. Without the back support your back has to support itself and you tend to keep it more in line with natural posture. Your breathing  flows much more freely. It may feel strange at first because you are used to slumping. If no back rest is out of the question look at your chair. Consider an egronomics style.

Whether standing or sitting, pay attention to the shoulders. Where are yours right now? Are they raised up high? Give them a roll back and down position. If you are ever stressed about your day, feel where those shoulders are. Up high, closer to the ear. Again breathing helps you to relax into a more comfortable position.

OK why all the hoopla about posture. You thought this was a place for bridal talk and that is why you are here. Right? Well, I’ve fit more wedding gowns over the last 20 some years and I can tell you improving your posture is going to save you some money. What? Yes it is true and I’ll get to that in a moment.

 Unless you are a fitness trainer or a health guru  the chances are good your bridal posture could use some improvement. The two go hand in hand (kind of like the bride and groom). I’m not going to ask you if it is important to feel poised the one day in your life where all eyes are on the guests of honor. You see, when a bride is in her gown she needs to stand tall.

• The forehead should be tilted up and back
• Roll the shoulders back and down in alignment with the forehead
• The chest is out (what groom doesn’t want to say “that is mine”)
• The pelvic is tucked in

If this picture sounds confusing, stand up now. Are you standing? OK, with one finger push the forehead back and at the same time, using the other hand, push slightly with your finger on the center of the pelvic bone. The chest automatically comes forward, the tummy goes in, the forehead aligns with the shoulders and the body straightens into good bridal posture.

Why is this so important? Well – because it will save you money. Let me explain. When a bride is in her gown with poor posture, horizontal wrinkles are formed at the waist. No matter what age a bride is she does not want to see or hear the word wrinkle. Trust me on this one.

Then a bride looks at me and says “I need some adjustments to my gown at the waist - it has wrinkles”. More times than I can remember, I show her this little bridal posture improvement trick. “Oh my gosh” she says, “the wrinkles are gone”. She just saved herself an alterations charge that she did herself. Not a cent was spent! Not only that she visually lost five pounds without even knowing it. When a person slumps, they tend to look heavier than they really are. It is an optical illusion. (Guys these optical illusions work for you too). Some optical illusions are fun and I’ll talk more about them in the future.  Anyway, do you know a quicker way to lose five pounds and save yourself some money with out the hard work and sweat? 

If you need a motivational push at some time through your bridal schedule, just remember these tips for some instant gratification. And you thought improving your bridal posture would be work didn’t you?

Searching for the perfect wedding dress is a shopping experience like no other. It takes a little planning before you start the search but planning  ahead can save you time and money.  From finding the the best boutiques to deciding the right style, here is everything you need to know to get the dress of your dreams.

Determine Your Wedding Style

You need to picture the big day first. Is it going to be a formal church affair, a casual celebration out doors or something in between. You want your gown to match your vision. For instance, wearing a velvet long sleeved gown with a catheral train would be out of place at a romantic destination beach front. You might opt for something light and airy like organza or chiffon that will flow in the breeze. This is called dressing for the occasion. You don’t have to let the season dictate your choice either - you can always add a bolero jacket, cape or shawl to any gown for warmth.

Create A Gown File

When you visit salons, have some visuals with you. This will save time and avoid frustration. You can print out pictures you’ve seen on line or rip out pictures from magazines that caught your eye. Once you are in a shop, and have a sales person attention, show the images you are interested in – point out the details and definitely let them know what you are not interested in to narrow down your selection. As you try on gowns, continue to point out features and styles that flatter your best features – styles that appeal to you. This lets the sales person fine tune your must haves in a dress.

Shop Early And Wide

It is suggested you start 10 months ahead or at least as soon as you have chosen your site. You never know if you will find your dress at the first boutique you visit or are the bride whose quest is endless. Leave yourself open for options. Ask friends or family members, who might have been recently married, for suggestions to shops that have great service. Don’t forget your wedding planner as they may have resources too.

 Once you are shopping, try on designs at the request of a sales person. Some shops have experienced sales people with extensive knowledge on body shapes and can recommend styles that you may have overlooked. (Be aware that some shops just want to sell you a gown. Trust your gut instinct to know experience over pushing a sale). Just don’t go over board trying on every gown in every shop. You’ll likely exhaust yourself and forget which gowns at what place were your favorites causing you too much back track time. Remember your time is precious, don’t waste it.

Dress To Shop

Finding the perfect dress is important, but you don’t need to be all decked out for the occasion. Wear loose fitting clothes that are easy to get on and off. Choose comfortable shoes for mega walking as it puts you in a good mood for tying on dresses. Keep your make-up to a minimum if possible. Imagine finding the perfect dress and then leaving make up spots on that gown before you purchase. You will show respect to the shop owner not only for their time but also for their merchandise. It will help to keep their costs down by not having to clean a gown should you decide not to purchase it. 

Throw a strapless bra into you bag along with a pair of heels similar in height and comfort to what you will be wearing the day of the wedding. And don’t forget pretty underthings – not only so you feel your best, but also because you’ll be standing around in them as your mom, best friend or bridesmaid help you make your decision.

Spend Strategically

In a high quality gown, every detail is finished properly. You shouldn’t see unraveling embroidery, loose beading or lace, and seams are finished as well – not with threads hanging abound. Natural fiber fabrics like silk can be pricey, however, they let the skin breathe and don’t lock in sweat. Nothing worst than showing up at the wedding and looking like you’ve just finished a work out.

Lined gowns or those with built in corsets cost more too, however, they not only fall smoothly over the curves but they hide any underthings from showing through. With a built in corset you maybe able to bypass the expense of a new bra as they give support. If you are a large C cup or above consider wearing the bra too. A professional seamstress should be able to guide you in this matter.

There is nothing wrong with synthetics if price prohibits your purchase. Many of these gowns are created with superb fit and finishes also. By looking the gown over, before falling in love with it, you can save yourself some time and money if someone has to alter what should have been a quality control issue to start with. Lets face it- all gowns are not equal. If seeing quality in fabrics isn’t your cup of tea, choose the person shopping with you that has  knowledge on the subject. If your budget constraints are a concern, choose a fine fabric and good fit, forgo fancy details such as appliques, beading or embroidery. If it seems a bit plain, choose one detail that will stand out and flatter your best feature. You can also dress up a wedding gown with your own jewelry. Instead of that full encrusted bodice of beading, choose a stunning necklace to fill in that area. This doubles your wear time as the dress may not be worn again but the jewelry sure can. If your budget has no room for jewelry, consider it  ”something borrowed” if an acquaintance has a die for piece. They may be honored you like their taste.

When you start the process of finding the perfect dress, keep these guide lines in mind. They will make the hunt more enjoyable and save you time. It is like any high ticket purchase you make in life – be prepared before you start.

The smart ones in life all know that from time to time that an attitude adjustment is what keeps them on the road to a happy life. Today I’d like to post some quotes that may help you on a day when your attitude might need some adjusting – enjoy.

Attitude and action in our daily lives should be consciously used for growth. When used there is no time when you are not growing. Remember when you are not growing – you are regressing.

To every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.This is the law of compensation.

Daily toil is a waste of time unless you continuously use it to learn what you need to know from the resistance of it. Square it with love, take full responsibility and the resistance melts. The less toil and more quest and realization of self, the righter the direction and the easier life becomes.

Determine the goal of your life and then find the shortest  road to it.

It isn’t right to tell anyone anything unless they want us to.

Don’t waste your time socializing: use it realizing.

It matters not what you believe or not believe – it matters what you do.

You can only be interested in negativity if negativity is interesting to you.

“I’ll try” means “I think I can’t”. That is why trying doesn’t accomplish anything but trying. Rather than try, do it.

If you can’t do it yourself, how can you tell someone else to do it.

Hurriers are worries and worries are hurriers.

Attitudes are far more important than actions.

No matter what happens to a human being – the heaviness is caused by by his attitude toward it.

If two people want to fight, should we stop them? If it is mutual it is right for them.

Dependency is deadly for growth.

Life in the world should consist of two things: that which helps you grow and that which helps others grow.

If you explain something – do it through the other one’s view.

It is so much faster for your growth to know that only you can do it for you.

There’s nothing bad; there’s just making errors on the way.

Attitude toward a child and an adult should be the same.

We look for confirmation of our feelings of our feelings, positive or negative. Better to look for the reality of things.

Tension is caused by wanting to go in two different ways at the same time.

Being skeptic is good if it causes you to prove things.

It doesn’t matter what we do in the world so long as we remember who we are.

Nothing said should ever bother you.

Anything that bothers you is not outside of you. The bother is within.

Gratefulness is a very joyous state. Want to be always happy? Maintain a state of gratitude.

See no obstacles and there will be no obstacles.

Isolation does not give quietude. Elimination of thought does.

Escape, by moving away from problems, is not quietude. It’s momentarily escaping the disturbance only to meet it again.

The greatest act is only to be.

Be what you really are! Be your Self.

So if you are needing an attitude adjustment on a day when nothing else seems right, grab a quote in a quiet place and ponder.