1. Break in your shoes!   Many brides spend a small fortune on their perfect wedding shoes, and are so excited to wear them for the first time on wedding day.  Yet  to ensure a proper fit and no wedding night blisters, be sure to break in your shoes at least 3 weeks before the wedding.   You should wear them for a good 4-8 hours to ensure they’re properly broken in and that they don’t cause blisters.  If you’re limping after wearing them for 4 hours, either look for a different pair of wedding shoes, or add a “reception shoe” to your wedding attire.  Many of my brides slip into filp-flops or ballet flats once the dancing starts, and have happy feet all night.

2. Plan something special!  Incorporate something into your ceremony or reception that represents the unique love you share as a couple.  (we’ll have a blog post specifically on this in the coming weeks).

3. Communicate with your florist to ensure your flowers arrive at the proper location and time for pre-ceremony photos.

4. Eat Breakfast!!!  No matter how busy your morning is, no matter how tight your dress might be, make sure to sit down and eat a solid breakfast.  Once your day gets going, it may be the only food you get until dinner.

5. Pay in advance.  The last thing you want to deal with during your wedding celebration is whipping out your checkbook to pay vendors.  avoid this stress by making sure all your wedding vendors are paid in full prior to your wedding day.  For vendors who request day-of payment, you can simply mail them a post dated check the week prior to your big day.

I hope these simple wedding tips help make your big day stress free and fun.

-Melanie  Soleil for the Sierra Wedding Guide

The Sierra Wedding Guide highlights the destination wedding industry in  beautiful Nevada County, California.  Including weddings in Nevada City, Grass Valley, Penn Valley, & Truckee and Lake Tahoe area. 

On occasion couples consider going with a friend or inexperienced DJ not understanding the behind-the-scenes details which truly make or break the ambiance of their day.

Here’s a checklist of very important and often looked over details you should expect from your professional DJ/ Master of Ceremonies/sound person. Be sure to ask whomever you interview for this important job if they will:

•  Provide separate professional sound system for ceremony. You’ll need it for your processional and recessional music.
• provide a wireless microphone for your officiant. (your guests came all that way to see you, shouldn’t they hear your vows as well?)
• Provide wireless mics for your toasts (would hate for uncle Pat to trip over a cord, or worse have your guests be unable to hear your toasts.)
• Meet with you before hand to assist with timeline planning and music selections
• make sure your itinerary and song choices are planned out and adhered to.
• Keep your reception moving and ensure your guests are informed as to: when the bridal party is announced, cocktail hour is served, dinner is served, who is doing the toasts, announcing the first dance, father/daughter and mother/son dances, cake cutting, etc.

Also, for couples without a wedding coordinator or day-of manager, your professional DJ/MC should be responsible for keeping all the other vendors informed of the schedule to ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible.

Remember, this is your special day. Find someone who will honor that and make your
wedding experience joyous and FUN!

Special thanks to Greg at Mountain Event Productions in Nevada City for the help with this article!  Greg offers full spectrum DJ, MC, and videography for weddings an events and is the preferred DJ for many Nevada City  and Grass Valley wedding venues.

I’ve recently become obsessed with Ardell duralash natural individual lashes. These lashes can actually be applied and last for a couple of weeks with the proper care.  Another great lash option are small corner lashes which will give you the Audry Hepburn look without the weight of a full lash.

To test them out: Apply the lashes and wear them all day (at least 8 hours). This will give you an idea of what they’ll feel like on your wedding day. When you’ve selected the correct lash, and they’re properly applied you should not notice them or feel “fake”. If you got through the day without fidgeting with them, you’re set! However, If you find them irritating, heavy, or uncomfortable, you may need to try a different length, brand, or type of lash.

Whatever style you decide to go with, remember that your lashes should enhance your eyes, not overpower them. And above all, you need to feel comfortable and of course be able to see clearly (very, very important!). So go ahead and test out a few different styles until you find the one that’s perfect for you!

Melanie Soleil

To solve these issues and create perfect wedding day skin, modern brides are turning to airbush make-up to create a flawless, natural look which will stay put through sweat, tears, and the emotions of their day.

Airbrush make-up  is the best options for brides who want flawless skin without the heavy make-up feel, yet it’s important to understand the difference between silicone and water-based formulas as these foundations will give you vastly different coverage and experience.

Silicone based airbrush make-up has received a poor review by brides because the formula clogs pores, causes break-outs and gives a plastic mask-like appearance which can shift or crack, surely not what you want on wedding day.  This is much different from the  water-based airbrush formula I use which sits on the surface of the skin like a second skin and feels so light you’ll hardly know it’s on.   The water-based formula is paraben free and non-cosmedogenic which means having flawless skin on wedding day won’t cause a break out the morning after.

During your consultation, a custom blend of foundation is created just for you,  and then the ultra fine mega-pixels of foundation is sprayed flawlessly on your skin to get the coverage you want.  Coverage ranges from light to full even covering scars, birthmarks, and tattoos.   I really encourage my clients to bring photos and offer feedback about their make-up so that we can adjust it to their liking.

For brides who think full coverage will look like a mask, the opposite is actually true with the water based foundation. The make-up feels so light you won’t even know you’re wearing it,  looks 100% natural, doesn’t go anywhere, won’t rub off on clothing, doesn’t clog pores, and won’t cause break-outs.  This make-up is simple to touch up with a light dusting of powder, and washes off easily with your favorite face wash leaving no film or residue.   In the end you should feel gorgeous,  completely comfortable with your make-up application  and have flawless skin in your wedding photos.

Kendra Evans is a Certified Multi-Media Makeup artist and graduate of Cosmix School of makeup artistry in Miami.    She specializes in airbrush make-up and has worked with many notable models and designers.  For more  information  visit  www.kendraevans.com or call DanaeMarie’s Salon at (530)272-3626.

While some bridal boutiques require appointments to get in the door, many bridal shops like ours welcome walk-in business where you can come anytime to browse selection, ask questions, and shop.   No matter where you shop, it’s always best to make a personal appointment.  This will ensure you receive the full, undivided attention of an attendant who can help you select the perfect gown, answer all your questions,  and give you the full bridal experience.

At smaller bridal boutiques you will find both one of a kind and designer gowns which you can take home the same day, and many special order gowns which can be custom ordered for you.  “The beauty of shopping at a non-warehouse bridal boutique like ours is that we spend lots of time hand picking unique gowns for the boutique, rather than just offering a generic collection,”  says Laura Gorton owner of Off The Hook Bridal Shop in Grass Valley.   If you’re limited on time, then purchasing a gown off the rack is a good idea, you can then have it altered and be ready for wedding day without the need for multiple fittings and appointments.

Laura offers brides these tips to get the most out of their shopping experience:

1)    Know your budget range.  It’s good to have an idea of the price range you’re shopping within.   By letting the attendant know this up front, they can provide you with a proper selection of dresses within your range.

2)    Have an idea of your style- but don’t limit yourself.   You may think  you’ll LOVE a certain style only to find out that you look amazing in different styles/cuts.   Work with a shop that offers to let you try on different gowns, and really helps you select a wedding dress that makes you look and feel beautiful!

3)    Make it a girlfriend day.  We encourage brides to invite their mothers or girlfriends to viewings.  This should be a fun and joyous time- enjoy every moment of it!

4)    Buy in bulk. It’s a great idea to use the same shop for all your wedding attire needs.  Bridesmaids dresses, tuxedos, and flower girl dresses can be more easily matched in one place.  This not only gives you a relationship with the boutique, but can increase savings,  Off the Hook Bridal Shop has a “groom goes free” program which saves many brides hundreds of dollars, says Laura.

5)    Don’t be limited.  If you go somewhere where they throw a few gowns your way or leave you in a dressing room to try on by yourself or your treatment changes when you tell them your budget, try a new bridal shop.  You should not be limited to a small amount of time or a small variety of gowns.

6)    Lastly, specializing in designing your  bridal look takes time- don’t be rushed.  There’s enough hustle and bustle with wedding planning, and dress shopping is the one place you should really take your time and enjoy the process.  In the end, YOU must love your dress, so don’t let others opinion steer you to a dress that’s less than perfect for you.

xo- Melanie Soleil

Special thanks to Off The Hook Bridal Shop  520 E. Main Street Grass Valley CA 95945  530-477-7891 www.offthehookbridal.com

When meeting with your caterer,  don’t be afraid to ask questions and find out exactly what’s included.  A good, full-service caterer will be able to not only provide you with delicious food and customized menus, they will also provide you with excellent professional service, answer any questions you may have, and will often take care of behind-the-scenes details like cake-cutting, assist with rentals, break-down, etc. so that you can relax and enjoy your wedding day knowing that you’re well cared for.

Emily from Emily’s Catering and Cakes in Nevada City – a full service catering and event venue gave us this list of questions you might consider asking when meeting with your caterer:

What is included in the menu price?

What are the additional costs involved?

Do you offer any rentals or rental coordinating?

How much time do you need to set up and break down?

Do you provide liquor?  Is there a champagne pouring fee or corkage fee.

Do you provide bartenders? If so, how many do I need?

How many servers will be at my event?

Can you provide a wedding cake? If not is there a cake cutting fee?

Do I need to ask my guests for their selection of entrée?

Is there a difference in cost between buffet vs plated dinners?

Are gratuities already figured into the total price? If so, what percentage is being charged? In addition to factored gratuities, will staff expect a cash tip?

When do you require the final head count?

Do you offer menu tastings?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most caterers understand that this is your first big event and are more than happy to help you make it fabulous!

If you have any questions on catering or menu planning, please shoot us an email and we’ll be sure to ask our wonderful panel of wedding experts!  Or you can visit Emily’s Catering and Cakes at:  www.EmilysCateringandCakes.com

Have a great weekend and swing by next week for more wedding planning tips.

Melanie Soleil – Sierra Wedding Evangelist

Bridal skin care expert Carola May, owner of Skin Studio in Grass Valley says that even long term skin damage can be corrected with the right skin regimen and enough time.   She says it’s best to start clearing blemishes and reversing sun damage 6 months before wedding day.  Acne, scars, sun damage can be greatly diminished through treatments like retinol creams, lasers, and skin lighteners- but these treatments take time. Start early and work with an experienced esthetician who can create a specialized skin care plan for you.

Depending on the your specific skin care needs, Carola often prescribes a regimen of monthly treatments like fruit acid peels, or microdermabrasion.    Your esthetician can also prescribe take home moisturizers and treatments which are much more efficient than any over the counter beauty products.

Remember that diminishing years of skin damage in a safe and effective way can take time, but it’s well worth it!  Not only can you take years off your complexion, but treatments with your esthetician are an indulgent and relaxing escape during the often stressful moments of wedding planning.

Carola May is a medical trained Aesthetician with 10 years in the Skincare Industry. She dedicate her career to helping people achieve the most beautiful skin possible.  Carola’s background consists of working with a Harvard Graduated Dermatologist for 6 years treating Acne, Sun damage, Hyperpigmentation and Rosacea.  She also holds a certificate for Massage Therapy and a nursing degree from Germany.
All Treatments are extremely result driven and very relaxing.  To reach Carola contact: 530-477-5360 or visit www.skinstudio.biz