Chocolate Lover

Happy Birthday to my husband, my friend and a fellow chocolate-lover xo

How to Be Relaxed on Your Wedding Day

On your wedding day, the last thing you want is to be stressed and anxious. 

Your dream day is here and you want to be at your best in every way – relaxed, excited, calm. Here’s a few tips & ideas to help you prepare for your wedding day so that you can enjoy the whole experience to its fullest…

• A few days before the wedding, hang your dress & veil up high, spread out so that wrinkles will fall out – steam if needed
• Pack your overnight bag and your honeymoon suitcases a day or two before your wedding day – keep a piece of paper and pen handy to make a list of the last-minute things you will need to pack on your wedding day
• Lay out your purse, undergarments, shoes, jewelry, garter the day before
• Don’t have your rehearsal dinner party too late, the night before your wedding – the last thing you want is to be over-tired or worse, hung-over on your wedding day!
• Instead, get a good sleep the night before – drink some hot milk, or herbal tea, have a hot bath before going to bed to help you relax, and try to get to bed early.
• Set 2 alarms for your wedding day – 5 minutes apart – so that you don’t sleep in!
• Get up early enough to have a nice, long, hot shower or bath
• After bathing, lather your body with a soothing body lotion, put on a comfy robe & slippers to let the lotion sink in
• Sip your favourite hot beverage and enjoy a few minutes of quiet & calm – take time to breathe deep, meditate, pray, listen to soothing music
• Be sure to eat something light and balanced and healthy for breakfast – whole wheat toast, egg, fruit, whole-grain cereal, yogurt.
• If your tummy is experiencing some butterflies, stick with bland food – crackers, toast and tea instead of coffee.
• Have all your travel documents, ID, etc. packed - make photocopies of documents and leave copies with family members at home.

• Plan your hair & makeup appointments so that you are done before your bridesmaids – you don’t want to be rushed at the end of the makeup session!
• If your wedding is in the afternoon, be sure to eat something at lunch as well – you need your energy and food to sustain you & to keep you from fainting!
• Be sure to give yourself enough time to get ready without feeling rushed
• Let your Wedding Day Coordinator and your bridesmaids / family take care of the details of the day – your role now is to just show up and enjoy the whole experience!

This is YOUR day…. Do all you can to be sure that you enjoy it!

10 Things To Do As Soon As You Get Engaged

 by Justine Ingersoll Schwartz

Engagement season will be in full mode, and lucky ladies everywhere will have a brand-new rock on their finger and an incredibly long to-do list in front of them.

If your man is about to pop the question, congrats! You’re on the verge of a life-changing, whirlwind year. Before you change your relationship status on Facebook and start acting all Bridezilla, here’s what you must do:

Get A Manicure

You’re hand is about to be the subject of a lot of photos and constant attention (“Ooh, let me see that ring!”), so don’t embarrass yourself with some chipped, unpolished hot mess of a hand. Get a mani, professional or at-home, as soon as possible.

Settle On A Budget

Whoever is bankrolling your wedding — whether it’s you, your fiance, his parents or yours — needs to sit down and have that uber-awkward, but essential conversation about the wedding budget, including a specific number. Keep all familial relationships in tact by minding this budget down to the last red cent.

Sign Up For Sale Alerts

The gown will be your major purchase, and in my opinion is worth splurging on, but the accessories are not. Even designers like Jimmy Choo and Louboutin go on sale, so set sale alerts in Shopstyle by designer name or specific product. Also, don’t forget to check out our Wedding Sample Sale calendar for flash sales on everything from gowns to wedding bands and honeymoon packages.

Insure Your Ring

If your fiance hasn’t done it already, you need to insure your engagement ring immediately. The jeweler where he purchased it should refer you to certified insurers. Don’t forget to ask the jeweler for an appraisal slip which will be used to determine its value.

Sign Up For Pinterest

Holy motherload of inspiration — I honestly don’t know what brides did before Pinterest. It is hands-down the most intuitive and vast resource for inspiration; search and save photos of everything from your dream dress, to DIY favors, mouth-watering cakes and more. (p.s. Don’t forget to Follow Us!)

Have ‘The Money Talk’ With Your Fiance

Not only will you have to have that uncomfortable conversation about the wedding budget, you’ll also need to suss out the logistics that come along with merging your bank accounts. What’s yours is mine! isn’t as simple as it sounds.

Sign Up For Trunk Show Alerts

Follow your local bridal boutique on Facebook and refer to your regional bridal magazine for a list of designer trunk shows in your area. At these shows you’ll be able to see and touch the most recent designer gowns — straight off the runway.

Choose A Diet Plan & Start It

If you plan to lose weight for your wedding, the worst thing you can do is wait until the last minute and crash diet. If you plan to lose more than 5 lb., you should give yourself 9-12 months to do it. Choose a proven plan, like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, and sign up immediately.

Pick A Location

The location — city and venue — is the most significant decision you’ll make for the wedding, so its better to get this discussion started as soon as possible. All parties involved, ie. his family and yours, will have an opinion about where you should be married, so hear all sides.

Hire A Planner

Girl, I don’t care how Type-A, organized, rockstar you are — you’re going to need a wedding planner. At the very, very least for the day-of, but I highly recommend hiring someone to help you for the long haul.

The Five Crucial Questions You Need To Ask Your Partner Before You Say “I Do”

He popped the question but now it’s time to ask a few questions of your own. Even though fighting about money is the number one cause of divorce in America, many couples spend more time thinking about where to hold their wedding and which flowers to purchase than they do thinking about their financial lives together. With so many marriages torn apart because of finances, I created five crucial questions every bride and groom must ask (and answer) before they say “I do.”

1. What is your partner’s credit history?
   The smallest mistake can cause big trouble for your financial future as a couple when it comes to your credit score. That one credit card with a $500 balance that your partner forgot to pay since college can seriously damage your credit history once you become legally married.
2. Do we need to sign a pre-nuptial agreementNot signing a pre-nuptial agreement can be one of the biggest mistakes a couple makes before they tie the knot. If one of you has significantly more assets than the other, it is crucial that you protect yourself against the legal repercussions of divorce, no matter how unlikely the prospect may seem at the time.
3. Is your partner currently saving any money                                                         The time to find out if your fiancé is financially clueless is before you get married. Ask them if they are putting any money away. Find out if they’ve ever taken a finance class or read a book on investing. This is a great way to suggest that the two of you take an investment class together. Couples that learn together… stay together.
4. How did your partner’s parents handle their money?                                         This is one of the most overlooked issues with couples today. How your partner’s parents handled money in their marriage can give you a pretty good inclination of how your partner will handle money in yourmarriage. If their parents were constantly relying on credit cards, for example, there’s a good chance that they have inherited this bad financial behavior as well.
5. What are your partner’s plans and dreams for retirement?                      Don’t wait till you are both in your sixties and your spouse informs you that they plan to retire to the Carolina coast to go fishing every day, when you thought the plan was to go to Europe. Make sure you take the time to talk about your dreams for the future, and that you have the same plan for your retirement accounts.

You need to know exactly who you are marrying before you say “I do,” especially when it comes to their financial life.

Live Rich and Happy,

David Bach

Which Vendor Should a Bride Call First?

by Preston Bailey

A common mistake I see many vendors make is thinking that when a bride begins to plan her wedding, she should always call them first, no matter what their speciality. But does this really make the most sense? When Ivanka Trump got engaged, I was one of the first people she called. Ivanka is a very savvy New York City business woman, and she understands how to plan a hugeevent. She knew that she should get a planner and a designer on board as quickly as possible. But most brides don’t have Ivanka’s professional, not to mention personal, background.

So, unfortunately, a lot of brides don’t call a designer or planner first. Instead, they start by callingvenues, letterpress invitation designers or DJs. I’ve long suspected that a bride’s first call is often to the vendor she’s most excited about. A bride who adores flowers is likely to startplanning her wedding by calling a florist.

Nonetheless, it’s in the bride’s best interest to call a planner first. A good planner will help abride understand the process and give her a sense of which expectations are reasonable and which are unreasonable.

For the vast majority of brides, budget is paramount. Assuming a bride can’t afford to have it all, it’s important that she understand what she can afford sooner rather than later. So whether you’re aplanner, a florist or a DJ, if a bride calls you first, you should give her a crash course in pricing. Trust me, she’ll thank you later.

Preston Bailey has become especially renowned for his ability to completely transform raw, ordinary spaces into sumptuous, theatrical environments, translating his clients’ visions into awe-inspiring reality. In this blog, Preston will share stories from his 30 year career, discuss design, offer inspiration and invite you to join the conversation. 

12 Sexiest Wedding Destinations

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Some spots are so magical the word romance doesn’t do them justice. So forget that boring ballroom — instead, turn up the heat and wow your guests with an unforgettable ceremony in one of these heart-racing locales.

By Tara Bradley and Sarah Larson

Bora Bora
Nothing says sexy likeTahiti’s overwater bungalows, built on stilts over neon-blue waters and featuring glass-paneled walls and floors — all the better for drinking in the views from all sides. A-list pairs including Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher have crossed the Pacific to honeymoon here. Thanks to recently relaxed legal requirements, visiting couples can now make it official right on the sand or in one of these sumptuous digs. Or head to Le Meridien Bora Bora, where you can say I do in an overwater chapel in front of an altar made of shells.

Santorini
Say I do on a rocky clifftop overlooking a whitewashed village: Imerovigli sits above the volcanic shores of Red Beach; Oia, on the island’s north side, offers prime views of blazing sunsets. Take in the backdrop with a tour through the vine-tangled grounds of the Volcan Wines Museum or the hillside ruins of Ancient Thera, which date to the fourth century B.C. For your reception, celebrate like the Greeks do with a leisurely meal that lasts till the wee hours and features fresh seafood, crisp Assyrtiko white wine (the island has six wineries) and, of course, some lively ouzo toasts. Opa!

Venice
Is any place more beautiful than this historic Italian city built on waterways? Arrive by gondola to your ceremony at a private palace on the Grand Canal, where interiors come bedecked with ornate furnishings, marble staircases and grand arched windows overlooking the Rialto Bridge. Your party can then be ferried to one of the city’s villa hotels for a rooftop reception dinner. Or better yet, choose another island, like Giudecca, and hold your fete with views of illuminated Piazza San Marco. Celebrate with a feast of antipasti, just-caught seafood, artisanal cheeses and castraure, the island’s rare purple artichokes, before losing yourselves among the city’s winding alleyways.

Critsey Rowe

Anguilla
On this quiet Caribbean isle, chic resorts with stark white exteriors seem to merge into the surrounding sand. Super-luxe hideaways like Cap Juluca and CuisinArt Resort & Spa specialize in privacy, which is why celebrities flock here. The beaches — claimed by locals to have sand so powder-fine it won’t stick to your feet — are the most coveted spots for intimate ceremonies. Parties can then go grand in an award-winning restaurant or low-key at sites like Scilly Cay — a private island just a two-minute boat ride from the mainland, where your clan can play in the surf before indulging in just-grilled crayfish and jugs of potent rum punch.

Oahu
Iconic Waikiki Beach is the center of the action on this gorgeous isle. Marry in the one of the luxe resorts that stand sentry over the famous curve of sand, with easy access to Honolulu’s glitzy shopping, dining and nightlife scene. Or go quiet on the North Shore, where a laid-back surf culture holds sway. Add a native touch to your nuptials with a conch blower, a lei exchange and a ukulele player to strum you down the aisle. Your reception gets even more sensual when you include a performance by local hula dancers, who share the legends of Old Hawaii through the art of dance.

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San Miguel de Allende
Culture lovers have long been drawn to this colonial city perched in the mountains of central Mexico. Plentiful attractions range from the artisan galleries filled with wares — glass, jewelry, pottery — to the charming central plaza El Jardin. Book a historic hacienda within walking distance of it all, and hold your ceremony in a landscaped courtyard studded with antiques. The city is also known for cuisine; Casa de Sierra Nevada (pictured) even has its own cooking school. Throw a food-centric fiesta featuring local dishes like shrimp chilaquiles, and amp up your after-party with mariachis and dancing mojigangas — life-size papier-mâché puppets.

St. Lucia
Yes, the Caribbean is famed for its beaches, but St. Lucia has many more ways to go. Exchange vows in a jungle, by a waterfall or aboard a catamaran with views of the twin Piton peaks. Hotels here embrace the surroundings, and open-air rooms at resorts like Jade Mountain and Ladera are the essence of come-hither hideaways. If it’s nightlife you crave, check into a plush retreat on the island’s northern end, near the lively club scene of Rodney Bay; several great all-inclusives here include three Sandals resorts. Another highlight: the “drive-through” Soufriere volcano, which gives proof of the isle’s fiery past and feeds the mineral-rich natural spa pools of Diamond Falls.

Paris
For centuries lovers have flocked to the City of Light. Long residency requirements in France make this city better for symbolic ceremonies, but your venue options are endless, from chic restaurants to pristine gardens. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in Paris’ celebrated museums; only here can you admire voluptuous forms like Venus de Milo in the vast halls of the Louvre. Even dining here is a sensual affair, from sweet, buttery escargot at famed L’Escargot Montorgueil to effervescent Champagne made and bottled a mere 45-minute train ride away. The pièce de la résistance: a moonlight riverboat tour along the Seine.

Turks and Caicos
One glance at the sugar-white sand of Grace Bay Beach, and you’ll understand why Turks and Caicos has become one of the Caribbean’s hottest destinations. The resort vibe on the main island of Providenciales is decidedly elegant, and nonstop service from a trio of East Coast gateways (Atlanta, Miami and New York) makes it convenient as well. Exchange vows in the stark white sand, and hold a posh reception on a restaurant terrace turned outdoor lounge. For fun, take your group on a sunset pleasure cruise, hopping Turks and Caicos’ eight inhabited islands and countless uninhabited cays by sunset.

Napa Valley

How can you not love a locale that incorporates wine into everything? Take a bike tour through the vineyards, stopping for tastings along the way, or hop aboard a hot-air balloon for some sightseeing over the Golden State. Legalities make it tricky to have your event at an actual winery (the laws are looser in neighboring Sonoma County), but Napa Valley has plenty of enticing options for your big day: Say I do at a Spanish-style chapel like Mont la Salle, in the French-inspired gardens of a private estate or even in an underground wine cave, like this one at Calistoga Ranch.

New Orleans
No American city oozes ambience like the Big Easy, from the Victorian mansions of the Garden District to the cobblestone streets of the French Quarter. This Louisiana city loves parties, and event spaces come in every size and mood, from the contemporary loft-style space above hip restaurant Cochon to the velvet-draped Seance Lounge at Muriel’s. Exchange vows in a hidden walled courtyard, a century-old culinary institution like Arnaud’s or Galatoire’s — even aboard a steamboat chugging down the Mississippi. No event is complete without a second-line parade en route to the reception dinner, replete with baked oysters, shrimp étouffée and decadent bread pudding.

Riviera Maya
Down the coast from Cancun lies the Riviera Maya, a more serene Mexican Caribbean alternative. Great airlift from all across the United States makes it convenient and affordable for your loved ones. Resorts come in all shapes and styles, from the exclusive Mayakoba complex (home to Banyan Tree, Fairmont and Rosewood hotels) to chic all-inclusive brands, like Secrets, Dreams and Grand Velas. Weddings here come with artisanal tequila tastings; Euro-influenced Yucatan cuisine heavy on chilies, pork and seafood; and a shaman blessing to complement your vows. Include a visit to the 14th-century ruins of Tulum; perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean, the City of the Dawn is one of the most gorgeous examples of Maya architecture.

Greatest Marriage Proposals Ever

These proposals are so sweet- They brought goosebumps, tears in my eyes and a huge smile!