Get the right tan for your wedding day!

We all want to look our best on the big day. Many of us have made pledges to lose weigth, tone up, and then some. No matter what goals you are embarking on, it seems that often tans are included! With the sun not quite out yet, how do you get a little darker tone? While options of high-pressure beds, mystic tans and self-tanner are probably the first to pop into your mind, it's also probable that you have heard horror stories about these options as well! Chances are you or someone you know has been burnt, sticky, stinky, or walked away the colour of a lobster, which is definitely not what you want for your wedding photos! So let's go over a few tips on how to NOT end up that way. k k kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk Au Naturel Of course, a natural tan (as in from the sun) looks the best. So if you're fortunate enough to have the right weather and some free time, get golden this way. Invest in a bandeau top to avoid pesky tan lines. You should still use a low SPF to avoid burning, and be sure to watch how long you're out there for! k k kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk Tanning Salon If you choose to visit your local tanning salon, please do so as safely as possible. Ask an employee if the bulbs have been recently changed. If they have, cut your tanning time in half. Always use a lotion made for indoor beds to help keep your skin hydrated and avoid burning. Buy your own pair of protective eye wear - they're not expensive! k k kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk Self-Tanner Another option is with a self-tanner. Make sure you experiment way ahead of time to find one that doesn't streak or look orange on your skin tone. Exfoliate before applying and go sparingly on the elbows, knees and heels. Shower roughly 8 hours after your last application to rinse off any bronzer that may rubb off on your dress.

New Honeymoon Trends

While we would all love to jet off somewhere exotic right after we get married, it is not in all of our realities. So what do you do if this just isn't in the budget or your timeline?! First of all, the two of you need to understand that you don't have to physically leave your hometown to feel like you're away! You can have as much fun sailing on your neighbourhood boat as you would on a cruise that put you in a debt that will take 3 years to pay off. After all, this should be about having fun and celebrating your new marriage.

Explore Your Neighbourhood
If your budget it really tight, stay in town. You will be amazed how much it has to offer! Get a cty guide and find things you and your partner have never done. Look for museums you haven't seen, or a new camp site location you can spend a few days at. Some nice camping sites even have cabins for rent for a reasonable price, which adds a little bit more luxury to the honeymoon adventure. Even try going to a new restaurant to eat, it can feel like you are out of town then for sure!

From the Greater Vancouver area?! Try planning a day at Stanley Park - go to the Aquarium, take a Horse-drawn Carriage ride around the park and stroll the lovely SeaWall.

Jet Somewhere Close
If you really want to get away from your home town, you may look into taking a long weekend to go somewhere close and not too expensive. Get a destination somewhere relatively close and cheap. Your options are pretty vast with this, you can fly, ferry or drive to a location of your choice.

From the Greater Vancouver area?!

Driving: Harrison Hot Springs is gorgeous and has an assortment of camping and hotel options for your stay! Whistler is also a lovely escape that can make you feel like you are in a totally different place, with lots of great shopping, dining and year-round activities to experience.

Ferry: Victoria is a great getaway location, you can walk the streets or by the Marina, try a little shop and even visit the Butterfly Museum. Been there, done that?! What about going to the Sunshine Coast, there are lots of great recluse resorts to stay at and experience the great wilderness of our gorgeous province.

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Flying: Being so close to the US border gives us a great advantage of flying "in-country". There are often great deals flying to San Diego, Las Vegas, or other sunny US destinations out of Bellingham or Seattle.

Travel in the Off-Season
Really determined to travel to that particular dream destination? Find out when they have their off-season. Some hotels offer significantly lower prices during this time! The off-season usually is a time when the weather isn't at its best. However, you will get your trip for paying up to half the amount you would during peak-season.

So, soon-to-be-hitched people; don't let the money get to you! Your dream vacation may be just in your own backyard.

Veil for Summer Weddings

Summer weddings are very popular, and usually have gorgeous weather - but that lovely sun comes with lots of heat as well. No bride wants to look flushed in their wedding photos or have to fan themselves to stay cool during the reception. While the location of your wedding and your dress may be effected by the warm weather, you may be surprised how well the right veil can help your flawless wedding look remain perfect.

Shoulder Length
If you are a summer bride sporting a strapless gown, a short wedding veil can perfectly accompany your ensemble. Most short veils are elegantly cut above or around the shoulders. This design can not only provide you with a classic look that accentuates your shoulders and chest area, but the short veil can actually help to decrease perspiration created from lack of air flow.








Fingertip

Fingertip wedding veils are amongst the most popular veils for summer brides. The fingertip veil consists of layers of fabric that strategically extend down to where your fingertips end, drawing the eye to your hip area. Fingertip veils not only help to accentuate your body by providing you with the illusion of a longer, dove-like neck, but they can also coordinate with almost any type of wedding gown.


Elbow Length
Similar to the fingertip veil is the elbow length, another popular summer selection. The beautiful layers of fabric that create this veil are slightly pulled in order to highlight the contours of your face. While this veil works to accentuate your body in all the right placess, it only extends down to your elbows demanding attention at your waist. Many brides who plan on wearing their hair in a goregous up-do will choose the elbow length to finish off their look.

Cathedral Veil

For the summer bride that wants to wear a longer and more traditional veil, the Cathedral extends beautifully to the floor. Cathedral wedding veils are meant to be worn with floor length weddign gowns. Most experts believe that this veil looks the best when paired with a dress that dons a train as well. Cathedral wedding veils can either be solely behind your back, or can be combined with a blusher veil for an extremely traditional look. A blusher veil usually hides the bride's face during the wedding ceremony, and is removed at the end right before the reception. Cathedral veils are known for highlighting your beautiful dress.

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Custom Veils

Although short, fingertip, elbow and cathedral wedding veils are the most popular designs for summer weddings, they are not your only options. A summer bride can also turn to customization to provide them with a unique veil for their special day.

When creating a wedding veil, it is important to choose a style that really speaks to you, as well as the type of wedding you have planned. While some brides choose a veil that portrays simplicity and classic elegance, others stride for a veil that speaks creativity and unique style with added embellishments such as crystals, pearls or beading.

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Floral Design

For summer weddings, veil options come in a variety of different patterns such as the ever-popular floral design. When choosing veils that don a bold pattern, such as the floral motif, it is important to make sure that the design compliments your wedding gown instead of overshadowing it. The general rule is that your wedding gown is the center of attention and every other details merely helsp accentuate its' beauty.

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Lace

Lace is very popular, and very common, fabric used on many gorgeous veil designs for decards! Adding lace to your veil is a great way to maintain the elegant and traditional look of a beautiful and classic bride. Lacey wedding veils are usually best accompanied by breathtaking pearl jewelry.

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Trimmed

When creating or purchasing a wedding veil for a summer wedding, it is essential to consider the trim of your veil. In past years, wedding veils and trims have been various shades of white and off-white. However, newer trends have allowed for an explosion of colours to be subtly incorporated into your veil. Adding colour to the trim can work extremely well for any summer wedding dress, and can coordinate with your overall wedding colour scheme. With the new trend of colour-accented gowns, your entire ensemble can be beautifully accented in your favourite colour.

Blusher

Like the look of a blusher? Then just wear that alone! This allows you to still maintain the classic look, without doning the whole veil as well. Just a hint of elegance and tradition in a new stylish way.

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Thanks to newer trends in wedding veils, there is no longer one style that fits all. You can easily find the wedding veil that is perfect for your summer wedding by highlighting all of your best assets. The perfect wedding veil will also help make you feel like the most beautiful bride in the worlD1