High DesertWeddings and Events

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is published and copyrighted 2014by the Daily Press, 13891 Park Ave., Victorville, CA 92392,

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Advertiser Directory

3 Bridal Briefs

4 Bridesmaid Dresses - Change it up!

6 Beauty - Makeup essentials

8 Groomsmen Gifts - Manly gifts

10 Favors - A token of gratitude

12 Advice - Planning your big day

14 Mother of the Bride/Groom - Dress

to impress

16 Social Media - Shared memories

18 Transportation - ‘The early bride

gets the Bentley’

20 The Gown - Flatter your figure

21 Music - Classic songs to include on

your wedding reception playlist

22 Guest Book - Words & Pictures

InsideBride’s Guide

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Rethinking fresh flowers on cake

Brides are increasingly being told by bakeries that they cannot place fresh flowers on wedding cakes because of health risks as-sociated with chemicals that are sprayed on blooms.

“This is a topic that seems to be coming up more frequently,” said Lara Bruhn, co-owner of Prantl’s Bakery in Pittsburgh. “We take the position that florists are the most knowledgeable about the flowers that are going on a cake, so it is something that should be discussed with the florist.

“There also seems to be an increase in demand for butter-cream or gumpaste flowers as well as edible flowers, and the options in those areas are increasing rapidly so brides need not necessarily go with fresh flowers to achieve the look they want. I’m thinking those trends are related.”

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Change it up!Fit, accessories make a truly re-wearable dress

When it comes to a bridesmaid dress, how many times have you heard it before? “You can wear it again.”

That’s usually easier said than done, but the experts at David’s Bridal say it can “truly, truly be accomplished” if you do your maids a favor and go with something that’s not only on-trend, but stylish and comfortable.

“As long as you don’t opt for a ball gown or a super-formal, constructed dress, there are numerous dresses to choose that can be worn to the office, from desk to dinner or as a sweet summer dress,” said Juliana Chen, David’s Bridal design director of bridesmaids and social occasion.

Let the girls chooseTo make the seemingly impossible happen, opt for soft, comfortable fabrics like chiffon, chiffon mesh or

faille, a soft, light-woven fabric with a ribbed texture that gives a nice shape and a cottony feel. The new matte charmeuse is a softer version of a satin fabric but lighter in weight, with a hint of sheen.

Letting your bridesmaids have input helps, too. “If you’ve got a choice to pick a dress that flatters your body type, you’re more apt to wear it again,” Chen said.

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Timely advice, as more brides are moving away from cookie-cutter weddings.

“Matchy-match bridesmaid dresses are a bit passé,” Chen said. Instead, bridesmaids are donning the same gown in shades or tones of the same color, such as a rainbow of soft pastels or an ombré wedding party — dresses that range from dark to light pink, for example.

“Watercolors from mint to aqua blue, shades of blues and green look quite beautiful for a summer wedding,” Chen said.

Also popular are dresses in shades of the same color but with different silhouettes, Chen said. The benefit for the bridesmaids is that they can pick a dress that suits their body shape and price point.

How to accessorizeTaking the bridesmaid dress and turning it into a summer dress, office outfit

or party frock is all about the accessories, Chen said. Switch the heels for jeweled flip-flops, gladiator sandals, booties or peep-toe “shoeties,” or even cowboy boots for a bit of Southern flair. Add fun chunky jewelry and maybe a cardigan for a new look.

The biggest trend in bridesmaid right now is lace, Chen said. “Lace is the new staple cloth” and is so trendy that it transitions to a

wear-again dress easily, Chen said.

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Celeb cosmetics artist lists his must-haves

Every bride should look radiant on her wedding day, but looking picture-perfect though a day and evening filled with congratulatory hugs

and heartfelt tears and is no easy task.Offering tips to help you look your bridal best is

Marcus Monson, Guerlain national celebrity makeup artist.

“When it comes to wedding makeup, I always go by the word KISS: Keep It So Simple. On your big day, you still want to look like an enhanced version of yourself. But you want to look natural and not Photoshopped,” Monson said.

Monson’s must-have beauty products for summer weddings:

Waterproof mascaraThere will be tears, so waterproof mascara is a must. Look for one that adds thickness and length, and curl the lashes before applying. Asecret to great lashes is in the application. Always start the first coat holding the mascara wand horizontally and working it from the base of the lash out to the tip. Then with the second coat, hold the wand vertically and push up from the base to the tip on the top lashes.

Lip primersThe key to lasting lipstick, lip liners work even better if you exfoliate the lips first by lightly buffing and applying a lip moisturizer.

Eye shadowMonson is an avid fan of eye shadow bases, which allow for better blending and longer wear without creasing or fading. Choose eye shadow in colors that you would normally wear, but enhance it by adding

Makeup essentials

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Show the groomsmen your thanks with these useful gifts and handy gadgets

ust like the bridesmaids, your groomsmen are your nearest and dearest, chosen to stand be-side you as you wed. Unlike the girls, though,

groomsmen are much harder to shop for when think-ing about a gift.

Whether it’s your big brother, college roommate or childhood best friend, here are a few can’t-miss groomsmen gifts to show him how much he means to you.

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Custom wedding favors that guests will cherish long after the big day

t’s your special day, and it wouldn’t be as fun or memorable without the family and friends who traveled from near and far to celebrate with you. To express

thanks, brides and grooms often offer the gift of a wedding favor — even better if it’s personalized.

A token ofgratitude

Personalized “Fun in the Sun” sunscreen bottleCelebrating on the beach? Don’t forget the sunscreen. Protect your guests while showing you appreciate them with Kate Aspen’s Personalized “Fun in the Sun” Sunscreen.Price: $2.50

Personalized nautical-themed bottle openerThese practical yet pretty metal openers feature an epoxy dome that can be personalized with nautical designs. Place each bottle opener favor inside a decorative burlap bag to further enhance its charm.Price: $2.20

“All that Glitters” gold glitter frameUse adorable gold glitter frames as placecard holders at your reception, and have guests take them home to use again as picture frames. Total usefulness and thoughtfulness neatly wrapped up in pretty gold glit-ter! Price: $2.40

Personalized stemless 9-ounce wine glass (shown at left)Personalized with your choice of design, this fun, stemless wine glass showcases your names and wedding date in eight colors and makes a unique wedding favor when filled with your favorite treat or tea light candle.Price: $1.85

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“Brides like to impress their wedding guests by thinking about all the little touches that transform a wedding from an ordinary to a ‘wow’ experience,” said Elena Lachev, My Wedding Favors marketing representative.

“Personalization is done by adding a tag or a sticker in a color that complements the wedding colors, an icon or typography that reflects the bride’s style, or just the names and date that make the favor a memento of the special day,” she said.

Trending now in wedding favors are vintage glam, rustic/woodland and nautical. Here are a few ideas, all available from myweddingfavors.com.

Personalized Mason jarsThese sweet jars come with either a solid or drinking lid that give them a fun flair. You can put colorful potpourri, wrapped candies or homemade cookies inside. Take this classic jar to the next level by having them customized with your wedding logo.Price: $15.60 for a set of 12

Personalized artisanal burlap coastersSquare in shape and made of all-natural burlap, the coaster features black stitching on the border. These coasters are extremely versatile and will work well with a variety of wedding themes and decoration.Price: $16 for a set of 12

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Planning your big dayRead this important advice from some of the best experts in the industry

Excited to get married, most brides and grooms gobble up informa-tion about what to expect.But until you’ve gone through the experi-ence, you never truly know. That’s why we asked bridal experts

from across the wedding industry for one piece of must-know advice. Here’s what they had to say about the big day.

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grand occasion calls for a great outfit, but pulling it off isn’t easy, especially for the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom.

These special ladies are looking for more than just a great dress

— they want comfort, color and often to cover those arms but still look skinny, sexy and beautiful. It’s her day, too!

Mom has earned the right to look her best, but too often “she would rather blend in than stand out,” said Ivonne Dome, head designer for Mon Cheri Bridals. “But think about it — after the bride and groom, the mother of the bride and mother of the groom are the highlight of the event.”

Comfort and colorOn the big day, “comfort is more important than

anything,” said Dome, who designs a number of special occasion collections for Mon Cheri. “They’re looking for a soft, comfortable dress in lighter fabrics like chiffon, a little sheerness and maybe a stretch lining underneath to make it easy to move in.”

Dress to impressStand out by finding the perfect mother’s ensemble

A

“Lighter fabrics like chiffon and dupioni silk are great because they are light and breathable to keep you cool,” said style expert Deborah Boland, publisher of Fabulous after 40. “One important thing to remember is just because it is summer, don’t show up in a cotton sundress when the rest of the wedding party is in garment made from more formal material. The fabric of your dress should be in keeping with the rest of the bridal party.”

Which brings up the subject of color. “Pretty pastels such as mint, violet and blush are trending now, but classics like neutrals such as beige,

taupe and even black, as well as metallics like gold and silver, are always popular,” Boland said.And, while she doesn’t need to match the napkins, probably three-quarters of her mother of the bride

clients come in with a color already in mind or a swatch of fabric that coordinates with the wedding color, Dome said.

Daughters often dictate the color choice: “The first thing they ask is, ‘What colors does this come in?’” Dome said.

It’s almost impossible to match the bridesmaids’ dresses, so her options are to go with a contrasting color to stand out, try to match the shade or “speak to her own drama and wear whatever she wants,” Dome said.

Subtle sexinessUpstaging the bride is a no-no, but Dome does urge women to flatter their bodies in stylish, sexy gowns. To

find the right one, you have to “try on a lot of things to see what looks sexy on you,” she said.However, watch that you don’t go over the top. “You don’t want to steal the spotlight in a plunging neckline or thigh-high leg slit,” Boland said.Women over 40 look fabulous in strapless or one-shouldered dresses and form-fitting gowns but often have

hang-ups about their bodies, Dome said. Illusion necklines, cap and other sleeves, shawls, wraps and jackets add a bit of comfort and cover-up for a religious ceremony.

Not every mom wants to wear a dress, so a summer suit is an alternative. “A suit, if it is fitted properly and nips in at the waist, is very appropriate and flattering, especially for a

semi-formal wedding,” Boland said.

(760) 881-2370 www.simplymagicaldesigns.comEmail: simplymagical2014@gmail.com

Everyone has seen viral videos of a couple’s first dance as husband and wife, the amazingly cho-reographed entries of wedding parties or the

beautiful picture of the loving couple walking up the

aisle after exchanging their vows. But for brides who do not want their weddings to play out like a reality TV show, how much is too much?

Official status update: Social media may or may not be invited to the wedding.

In their eighth annual “What’s On Brides’ Minds” survey, David’s Bridal asked newly engaged and

Shared memoriesHow social media is changing weddings

Other notable social media requests made by brides:

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married women about the role social media should play at the wedding. While brides want their guests to enjoy and capture their special day, many are taking cues from celebrities such as singers Kelly Clarkson and Beyonce and asking that certain details and photos be released on their terms.

Other brides are going completely unplugged, like celebrity couples Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Aso-mugha or Leighton Meister and Adam Brody – who kept their weddings so far off the grid it was weeks before anyone even knew about them.

“It is hard to escape the presence of social media, and many brides use it to announce their engagement and as a key tool during the wedding planning process,” said Brian Beitler, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at David’s Bridal. “Our survey found that while some weddings are shared by guests with hashtags created by the bride and groom, others are requesting that guests power down completely and simply enjoy the festivities without digital distractions.”

Social media and the dressOne of the most important decisions

for some brides is the selection of the dress. Bridal stores have seen a steady increase of social media use through-out the process of selecting the perfect gown – such as brides-to-be arriving with Pinterest pages or photos of styles they like on their smartphones.

For brides who have friends or loved ones who cannot go wedding-dress shopping with them, Skype and Face-time are the perfect tools to make sure everyone is included.

The #dos and #don’tsBrides are becoming more insistent

on controlling the messaging of their nuptials by setting guidelines of how public the wedding will be on the Inter-net. Regardless of their stance on post-ing or not posting, 44 percent of brides believe digital rules are important in setting the tone for their guests. Only 14 percent of brides are taking cues from Kim Kardashian and Kanye West - who completely banned cell phones from their wedding - and asking that there be absolutely no social media posting.

Did you know?

— Metro

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efore you can walk down the aisle, you’ve got to get there

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transportation, a limousine isn’t your only option. And

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“Brides and grooms all have a vision for their wedding day

that the right choice in transportation can support and enhance,” said Lisa Wallace, brand and revenue manager for

‘The early bride gets the Bentley’Vehicle options for the couple, wedding party

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Best Transportation of St. Louis. “Some need simple, very cost-effective group transportation. Others prefer to go with a classic, clean look and choose black sedans, SUVs and limousines. Others are looking for the full fairy tale.”

While any bride or groom can simply wait for the music to start and walk in or out of a wedding, a dramatic entrance or getaway “speaks to who a couple is,” said Jamie Miles, assistant managing editor, TheKnot.com. Doing something different “can set an artistic tone and make an impression on the guests. It’s something people will remember and it makes for memorable photos,” Miles said.

For the coupleWedding wheels come in all shapes

and sizes, from classic to romantic to outrageous. A traditional limo never goes out of style, but a classic car adds vintage flair. Horse-drawn carriages, bicycles built for two, even a rickshaw can transport a bride and groom. Add to the list motorcycles, a hot air balloon, a golf cart, farm vehicle or monster truck, depending to your taste

and sensibility.The most popular ride at Best

Transportation is a limo party bus that seats 25 to 27 passengers.

“It seems to be the perfect fit for wedding parties and has all the bells and whistles, like a state-of-the-art stereo system and crazy fun lighting,” Wallace said. “We’re also well-known for our ivory 1960 Bentley Rolls-Royce. It’s in high demand by brides for arriving to a ceremony and departing a ceremony or reception. It’s a great way to heighten the style of your wedding arrange-ments.”

For the guests

To chauffeur guests between wedding and reception and back to the hotel, mini and motor coaches, trolleys or school buses fit larger groups, while sport utility vehicles or classic black sedans can be reserved for smaller parties or special guests.

Renting transportation is a generous gesture if it fits in the wedding budget, Wallace said. It’s especially appreci-ated by out-of-town guests or as luxury transportation for grandparents.

Tips for finding the dress for brides who aren’t a 2

The fashion industry is not friendly to plus-size women, so it’s no surprise that finding a wedding gown for a full-figured woman is more challenging — even though a larger

percentage of women are size 12 and up than size 2.A full-figured bride should not settle for anything less than her

dream gown, said Phyllis Brasch Librach, president and founder of Sydney’s Closet, which specializes in plus-size special occasion gowns, which are sold at over 100 boutiques across America and Canada.

“There is no question that full-figured brides do have a more dif-ficult time wedding gown shopping. It certainly can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be,” Brasch Librach said.

Yes, I love using oh-so feminine fabrics like flowing chiffon and pretty laces to create romantic designs that are timeless. A light satin also works. If it’s draped correctly it can smooth out the silhouette. I avoid shiny materials like taffeta and heavy fabrics like velvet. It adds bulk to any size frame.

Absolutely! The trick is to boost your curves and banish figure flaws, and the way to accomplish that is to find the right silhouette to flatter for your figure.

Brides who want to avoid looking top heavy can opt for a sweet-heart neckline. The tiny plunge or dip at the center of the bodice downplays the decolletage on a large bust. Keep in mind that a deeper dip adds roundness. A net illusion will soften the bodice line and minimize the chest. It offers a very soft but sexy look.

That’s a tough one. In the end, it’s a personal choice. The bodice must fit snugly along with the strapless bra. If not, brides risk the distraction of having to hike up the dress while dining, dancing and greeting guests. I always give the bride an option by includ-ing matching straps with every gown. Cap sleeves work wonders by drawing the eye away from the chest. If you’re blessed with an hourglass figure, consider a trumpet skirt that flares out just below your derriere as a trick to balance a large chest.

A-line is always flattering for pear-shaped brides who want to hide a heavy bottom. So is an Empire waist. The silhouette opens very high on the body, camouflaging a large tummy and hips.

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Felix Mendelssohn's “Wedding March” is popular at wedding ceremonies near and far, but many songs also enjoy such widespread

popularity. Sentimental standards help shape the cel-ebration. Unless a couple intends to buck all trends, the following are some popular wedding reception staples.

• “Unforgettable”: Made popular in the early 1950s by Nat King Cole, “Unforgettable” experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s thanks to a remix of the song that turned it into a duet between the late Cole and his daughter, Natalie.

• “Unchained Melody”: The Righteous Broth-

ers classic was a hit in 1965 but rose to even greater popularity when it was included in the 1990 film “Ghost.” Couples still love to cut a rug to this song at their wedding receptions.

• “The Way You Look Tonight”: This oft-covered song is one of the more romantic songs to grace the American songbook. Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire have put their own unique spins on the song.

• “At Last”: Although Ella Fitzgerald was not the first artist to record this song, her version is arguably the most popular.

• “What a Wonderful World”: Louis Armstrong's

rousing rendition of this classic can make any recep-tion even more upbeat. The song is especially popular for mother-son and father-daughter dances.

• “Wonderful Tonight”: Many couples love this Eric Clapton classic about enduring love. And guests love to grab their significant others to take their own spins around the dance floor.

• “Last Dance”: Donna Summer's “Last Dance” is an ideal choice for the final song of the evening. By the time the song switches from the slow-moving opening chords to a more upbeat pace, guests will be grabbing their party favors and heading for the door.

— Metro

Classic songs to includeon your wedding reception playlist

Ray McCulloughDirect: 760-403-0407Fax: 760-868-4250

tclimo1@verizon.netwww.highdesertlimo.com

A guest book filled with signatures and best wishes is a wonderful wedding keepsake, but brides and grooms have so many more innovative options now.

“My guest book has been in a trunk in my attic for years. Where’s the fun of flipping through a book and looking at signatures? These days, most of my couples have an alternative that allows guests to write well wishes, rather than just sign their name on a line,” said Sonya Scott, a Knoxville, Tennessee, wedding planner at A Perfect Day.

“A book of signatures that will just be packed away isn’t that exciting. This is why traditional guest books are on their way out; couples are opting for special ways to record guest attendance,” said Kansas City, Missouri, wedding and family photographer Darbi Hebrank.

“Wedding guest books have been completely transformed by the rise of digital photography and the easy-to-use online photo book services,” said Andrew Laffoon, Mixbook co-founder and chief executive officer. “Before, brides would have a book full of white pages. Now, the couple has a timeless keepsake filled with their photos and stories from their closest friends and family.”

Mixbook and other sites like it can be used before the wedding to create a custom guest book that may include photographs from your courtship, important dates, favorite memories, family photos and photos of people in the wedding party. Add design elements like stickers and placards, and leave space for guests to sign to create a completely unique guest book.

Guests with smartphones will be taking pictures at the wedding, and the

WORDS & PICTURESTechnology offers creative options for guest books

a little richer color at the outer corner, along with a little extra liner that is time-proof. Add a light shimmer tone to the inner corner of the eyes to make them pop in a photograph.

Illuminator penAn illuminator pen like Guerlain Precious Light Rejuvinating Illuminator ($51) used above the brow and under the eye after applying makeup makes the eyes look more radiant.

FragranceEveryone wants to see you walk down the aisle, not smell you walking down the aisle, so perfume subtlety is a priority. Summer weddings are the perfect time for a lighter and more feminine fragrance.

LipstickThe perfect shade of lipstick is not too light and not too dark. Guerlain Rouge Glipstick in #06 ($45) is like the Goldilocks of lipstick shades: Asubtle blend of rose, beige and red makes it beautiful on most skin tones and it looks stunning in photographs.

PowderFor a luminous and healthy glow, opt for a powder versus a cream product, which can look a little more wet than luminous in photographs. When applying a powder Illuminator, using a brush to apply and blend allows you to bring it down onto the neck and shoulder area as well.

Foundation primersOne of the biggest necessities of your summer wedding season, foundation primers smooth the skin, allowing for the foundation to glide on effortlessly and help hold most any foundation on for extra hours, making it almost time-proof.

BronzingWhen contemplating spray tanning or using a bronzer, remember, a little goes a long way for both. If you have a heavy hand and apply too much, it will look artificial. Always remember when using a bronzer, it is better to start lightly and work in a formation on each side of the face, then carry it down onto the neck.

Key itemsAfew key items that must go in every bride’s makeup bag for touching up on the big day — pressed powder to absorb excess shine for photographs, a little extra Illuminator/concealer to brighten up or clean up under the eye area after hours of dancing, and your lipstick so you can always keep your picture-perfect pout.

Impressed app allows users to add them to an Impressed wedding guest book, said Lynne McEachern, co-founder of Impressed.

A guest can take a photo, add it to the book, and they have the option to add a voice message to each photo, McEachern said. The printed book comes with a digital copy accessible via QR code on the title page, where the bride and groom can view and listen to the voice comments.

“Your wedding is one of the events in your life where all of the people you love most gather in one place, and a voice message from each of them really captures the emo-tional quality and ambiance of the day, much more than text can,” McEachern said.

Touting itself as a “future messaging” service, Evergram is an ingenious alternative to the guest book. Created when the founder was diagnosed with cancer as a way to share all the things he wanted to tell his children in the future, Evergram allows people to create and send keepsake mes-sages into the future – to the people they care most about.

Wedding guests are invited to send a special message with audio, video and text to the happy couple’s digital album. Delivered on the couple’s special day, Evergram can be enjoyed for a lifetime, as long as you’ve got Internet access.

For a truly cutting-edge guest book, check out Y rSurface, a large, interactive touch screen table. Guests can draw, doodle and sign their best wishes to the happy couple on this digital surface. Even better, after the wedding the messages and drawings can be transformed into a guest book. The designs can also be turned into unique personal souvenirs such as T-shirts, mugs, stickers and posters, or shared with friends on email and social media.

www.Hdweddingsite.com

Wedding and Quinceañera Expo 2014Sunday, August 3rd

From 10am - 4pm

FREE Admissionat the Hilton Garden Inn

Conference Center12603 Mariposa Rd., Victorville

For vendor information please contact us at

info@hdweddingsite.com

Prizes and More!