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One of the most commonly asked beauty questions is “What can I do to make my life easier and quicker in regards to hair and makeup?” Time and effort is especially important for brides. On Onefabday.com, Lucy Clarke shows her favorite Little Cheats to use on your wedding day!

1. If you want a little bit of coverage, but not a full face of makeup, mix a pea size amount of foundation with your regular moisturizer. It’s a lighter way to even out your complexion!

2. While doing your eye makeup, hold a folded piece of tissue underneath while applying. That will prevent eyeliner and mascara from smudging and running down your cheeks!

3. Want to highlight your cheekbones? Use lip balm!

4. To get a quick “pout”, apply lipstick first; then add a touch of gloss to the center of your bottom lip. This makes the lip look fuller!

5. Use olive oil to remove stubborn waterproof mascara.

6. For fast hair drying, use a paper towel. It absorbs a lot more water than a regular bath towel!

7. Placing sliced tomatoes on your face for 10 minutes will brighten dull, tired skin and clear away blackheads!

8. To exfoliate quickly and cost-effectively, scrub a mixture of honey and salt over dry skin and rinse.

9. To brighten up teeth on the go, eat strawberries! Strawberries contain malic acid which serves as an astringent and can lighten surface stains.

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When it comes to providing musical entertainment at a wedding, the bride and groom can choose a band, a DJ, or both. If they decide to only use a band, there are some requirements they should look for:

Most importantly, the band should be able to play your preferred genre and style of music. Many bands only play specific sets and genres, so if you want a specific song or artist to be played, it is imperative that you make sure the band is capable of doing so.

You should also ask if the band provides music in between sets. CD’s and iPods are a great option for when the band is taking a break, but they require speakers and either a CD player or an iPod dock! It is important that they have music playing so the guests aren’t sitting in silence.

Make sure the band is aware of the entrance songs, first dances, father/daughter dance, etc. Nothing is more mortifying than the wrong songs being played during a special moment!

Does the band meet the requirements of the venue? Most venues ask if the band has portable appliance certifications and public liability insurance. The band should check with the venues to see if they have a sound limiter and where it is set. The limiter controls the sound of the room.

Lastly, the bride and groom need to find out how long the band plays for. The sets can be 3 sets of 40 minutes, 2 sets of 45 minutes, or 2 hour sets. Whatever the bride and groom choose, they need to make sure their guests are having a great time throughout the reception!

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 Do you and your sweetheart love to watch movies together? If you consider yourself film buffs, you should also consider a cinematic wedding!

Movie tickets make a great design for wedding invitations! They’re cute and fun but are still easy enough to convey all of your information and theme.

For centerpieces, try adding a photo strip of you and your fiancé or another customized movie ticket. They can be added to a floral arrangement or put on a small easel or stand.

There are a lot of ways to do a movie themed cake! For a more classic cake, select a flavor with white icing. Edible film strips can be wrapped around. If the bride and groom are focusing on a specific movie, they can design the cake characters from the film. Instead of a traditional cake topper, they could use a small clapboard or film strip.

For the wedding favors, popcorn buckers can be displayed on a separate table in the reception area. They could hold anything from gourmet popcorn to 3D glasses and a movie gift certificate. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

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1.  Embellish the save the dates with a country-style design!
2. Hold the ceremony outdoors or in a barn!
3. The wedding party can arrive via hayride instead of the traditional limo.
4. Cut the wedding programs into a cute shape, like a boot!
5. Mason jars, mason jars, mason jars!
6. A wildflower bouquet!
7. A cowboy hat can be worn by the groom with his boutonniere attached to it.
8. The bridesmaids can wear cowboy boots, as well as the groomsmen!
9. As row markers, mason jars can be used on the back of the chairs.  These jars can also be transformed into wine glasses.
10. Decorate the bride and groom’s chairs with rope, like a lasso or a tied knot!
11. Top the wedding cake with flowers or tied burlap knots.
12. Hang sunflowers and white lights from the ceiling or walls, if allowed.
13. Depending on the cost and the rules of the venue, a mechanical bull can be rented for some fun at the reception.
14. When the ceremony and reception are over, the newly married couple can leave by horse and wagon.

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Table numbers are a helpful way to organize the seating at your wedding! Most catering venues will supply table numbers, but they are typically plain. If you want to try a fun project for your wedding, customize your table numbers to add décor to your reception!

Using picture frames for your table numbers is an easy way to add some flair. Frames come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors that you can specialize to your taste.

If you want to serve wine at your wedding, use a wine bottle with a number attached to the side of the bottle. You could also use champagne or any other liquor of your choosing. However, make sure to use a soda or sparkling cider bottle for the kid’s tables!

For something more sentimental, photographs of the bride and groom can be used. Each picture can be used to represent a significant moment for the couple. Table number one could have a picture from their first date, or their first vacation. Anything that’s meaningful to the couple will be heartwarming for the wedding guests.

You could also use candles with the table numbers etched or painted on the side! Thick, tall candles work best for this idea. For a country style wedding, you could use painted mason jars, carved wooden blocks, or chalkboards. There are a lot of cute, fun ways to do table numbers! Making your own table numbers could also be a fun project for the bride and groom or the bridal party.

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There are so many ways to remember your special day! Pictures videos, and wedding programs! For those who don’t know what a wedding program is, a wedding program is a nice gesture and courteous way of letting guests know what to expect. Here are the basics to make your wedding program a souvenir for your guests and personal keepsake for the bride and groom.

Although it’s not necessary, you can put a fun cover on your program! Whether it is plain or detailed, it should include the date, the couple’s names, the place, and possibly a picture of the couple. If the wedding is themed, the cover is the perfect place to incorporate the theme.

The wedding program should map out the order of events. These details can include:

• Processional music
• The officiator’s greeting
• Special readings
• Prayers
• Exchanging of vows
• Ring ceremony
• Communion, lighting of the unity candle, or special song
• Pronouncement of marriage
• Recessional music

The last page, bottom, or back of the program should include the wedding party. For those guests who are not familiar with most of the wedding party, it is a nice way to introduce them. This list should include:

• Officiate
• Parents of the bride
• Parents of the groom
• Maid of honor
• Best man
• Bridesmaids
• Groomsmen

For a really special treat, try customizing the program! If you’re having a summer wedding, put your programs on Popsicle sticks and turn them into fans! Other options include writing the processions on a big chalkboard, or even an aisle runner!

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Attention all brides!  This day is just as important for mom as it is for you!  Finding a dress for mom can be a fun way to bond with her and spend some time together before the big day!

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The Westwood is proud to announce that we have been selected as a winner for the Knot’s Best of Weddings 2014 competition. We are honored that our brides have voted for us in this prestigious award for the second year in a row! The Knot Best of Weddings 2014 provides a “by brides, for brides” guide to the top wedding professionals across the country, and is a must-have when it comes to selecting the best-of-the-best wedding resources. We are truly thankful to the Westwood brides for their votes and support, as well as all of our customers for choosing The Westwood for their events. It is such an honor to have been chosen for the second year in a row and we can’t wait to exceed the expectations of many more Westwood brides!

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Forget the standard clichés for bridesmaid dresses! These new trends will make any bridesmaid look stylish!

1.       This season is all about bold, and for bridesmaids, that means dark! From short, lacy styles to long, dramatic looks, your bridesmaids will make a statement!

2. Lace! Think elegant frills and feminine grace. Whether it’s used as an accent or covering the entire dress, lace will make any dress dainty and delicate. While we prefer it over more neutral tones, lace can be used over any color!

3. Earth tones! Earthy colors, like taupe, are going to be seen a lot this season! Why? It’s flattering on any skin tone and can be used for multiple styles! If you’re afraid an earth toned dress may not make enough of a statement, pair your dresses with bold jewelry!

4. Short and sassy! Short dresses are flirty, fun, and perfect for spring or summer weddings! They also offer a chance to show off your shoes! Pair a short, simple dress with a pair of colorful shoes to capture great photos!

5. This season, peplum is making a comeback! Peplum is wearable and flattering, especially on shorter lengths!

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 Planning a Halloween theme for your wedding? Don’t worry about seeming too spooky! There are many choices available for a Halloween wedding!

The obvious color scheme for Halloween is orange and black, but those aren’t your only options! A dark purple, red, or crimson can be used for a Halloween wedding. Even classic black and white will work! Top your tables with trees, pumpkins, or flower arrangements. Without creating a fire hazard, throw in candles to really set the mood!

If you (understandably) don’t want to wear a costume instead of a wedding dress, opt for your flower girl to wear one instead! The flower girl or ring bearer in a Halloween costume is a surefire crowd pleaser, as well as entertaining for the kids, and is the perfect amount of fun without being too kitschy. For the bridesmaids, pick a bridesmaid dress with a solid color, like black, and add a pop of color to the bouquets, like purple and orange. If you want something different, try a black bouquet made from fake flowers or feathers. For the groomsmen, choose a fun, simple surprise, like Halloween socks or bowties.

You can’t have a Halloween affair without sweets! Set up a candy station, caramel apple station, and have adult cocktails with clever names! For the cake, use a spooky cake top or try cupcakes with playful icing or decorations.

Add whatever other touches you want to! Your Halloween wedding can be as spooky, creepy, or colorful as you make it! Don’t think you’re tied into a color scheme or décor!

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Bad weather? No problem! Many couples fret over the weather on their big day, but there are plenty of ways to make the most of your wedding weather!

The Heat

Certain flowers hold up in the heat! Roses can least in the heat for a few hours, especially flowers with darker colored petals. For your bridal bouquet, walk down the aisle with your flowers in a vase! A splash of water in the bottom will do wonders for your floral arrangement! Any seasonal flower will hold up better than others, so ask your florist what’s in season. When it comes to the guests, provide fans or parasols if your ceremony or reception is outdoors or in a space without air conditioning. They can even make cute favors, along with sunglasses or flip flops! Also be sure to have plenty of water on hand, storing them in coolers or a shaded area. Stations, such as a lemonade or soda bar, will save your guests from dehydration and keep the party going! If your reception is outdoors, be sure to have a shaded area with chairs for senior guests, who are more fragile in the heat.

Rain:

It’s an old wives tale that rain on your wedding day means good luck! According to tradition, rain on the wedding day symbolizes fertility, a clean start, and the last tears a bride will cry. Additionally, rain on your wedding day can make for some awesome photos! Wedding parties holding matching umbrellas or bridesmaids wearing rain boots look cute and are unique photo opportunities! And a photo of your kiss as husband and wife outside under looks amazing! The cloudy skies and darker atmosphere saturate the color in a picture, unlike the sun which can make you look washed out. If your ceremony/reception is indoors, you’re all set! If not, rent a tent or move to a sheltered area. Guests may not mind a drizzle, but no one wants to stand in the rain all day!

Snow:

Many people consider snow on a wedding day to be a sign of good fortune throughout your marriage! Snow may worry some brides, but it’s no problem! If your wedding day is in the winter months, plan ahead by picking a jacket or shawl to wear with your wedding dress or the bridesmaid dresses. Choose an indoor ceremony and reception, and make sure to keep an eye on the weather for travel and transportation issues. Have guests coming from far distances travel a day or two early, in case their flight or transportation is delayed. If it snows on or the day before your wedding, make sure your walkways are salted and shoveled to avoid injuries! If you wanted pictures outside, take them! Snow is a beautiful backdrop for a wedding and the photos are guaranteed to be memorable. To warm up your guests, try a hot cider or hot cocoa station!

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As the summer comes to an end, it’s time to start focusing on autumn weddings! Although many fall weddings are traditionally styled, there are some new trends cropping up this season!

Certain colors, like purple and orange, are known as fall colors, but there are some new colors showing up this season, like emerald! Emerald is a great jewel tone to be incorporated into your wedding.

For décor, simple, rustic touches are maintaining their prevalence in the wedding industry. Mason jars, garlands, candles, and nature-inspired touches are being introduced into weddings. As for flowers, wildflowers and peonies are favorites for fall bouquets and centerpieces.

This fall, dresses are all about two styles: backless and shortened! Although dresses are individualized for every bride, the most popular styles for this season are backless or short dresses, with elegant touches and beading. There’s also been a move away from strapless and into elegant, cap sleeves, with Great Gatsby-style glam! Pair those short dresses with great shoes to really show off your style!

For food, it’s all about the classics! Apples, pumpkins, and other fall fruits and vegetables are making their way onto wedding menus! Apple cider and hot chocolate stations, caramel apples, and pumpkin bisques are homey, comfort foods that can be modified to suit your wedding. As for the cake, simple cakes are coming back with seasonal touches, like leaves or fall flowers added for decoration.

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One trend gaining popularity not just at weddings but events across the board is the combination of bold, vivid colors! Below are some of our favorites along with classy ways to tie them into your wedding décor!

Pink and Navy Blue – This color trend is both classy and elegant, but still bold and contemporary! A “His and Hers” type color scheme, this combination is perfect for spring and summer weddings! The most popular variation of this trend incorporates nautical stripes with accents of hot pink! The possibilities are endless to tie in these two bold shades! Navy suits for the groomsmen coupled with pink bridesmaid’s dresses or all navy attire with pink accessories for both! To avoid clashing, consider using one main color and adopting the latter as an accent color for accessories, centerpieces, floral arrangements, or other elements of your décor.

Aqua and cherry red is another favorite! These colors are fun and fresh, perfect for a spring or summer wedding! To avoid clashing, incorporate a neutral color, like white! Chevron stripes are becoming more prominent in wedding linens and décor, and go great with these playful colors! Don’t be afraid to mix it up! Blue dresses and red shoes, or aqua dresses with red sashes, can be cute and colorful! Adding aqua and cherry accents to a traditional white cake is the perfect way to incorporate wedding colors without going overboard.

If you truly can’t choose specific wedding colors, go with a mix! Bright, playful colors are best to mix and match together. However, less can be more. If you’re having multicolored bridesmaid dresses, pair them with neutral colored shoes to avoid a color clash! Too many colors at once can be a lot for the eye to take in, so create a neutral backdrop for your wedding! Colorful lanterns and favors are pretty against a solid backdrop, not stripes! Don’t be afraid to stray from tradition with these colors-wedding cakes don’t have to be white!

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Relating to other brides and hearing their wedding stories can be reassuring to anxious brides before their big day! Past brides share what they would have done differently in Wedding Ideas Magazine.

“I should have hired a wedding planner. We had a marquee wedding at home and had to organize every little detail by ourselves.” – Rebecca

“I wouldn’t worry so much about getting my dress dirty. We got some pictures taken underneath a blossom tree. They are our favorite photos of the day!” - Helen

I wouldn’t have been so hung up on color schemes. I was stressing myself out and just decided to put together the bright and the bold!” – Shelly

“I would have listened when the dress designer told me how to attach the train to my dress. We spent 30 stressful minutes trying to figure it out.” – Jenni

“The only thing we’d change about the wedding was our DJ. The prices do reflect the quality, so if you think you’re getting a really good, cheap deal- there might be a reason for that!” – Esme

“If we could do it all again, we’d try harder to take it all in. It’s a magical day but very surreal and it’s very easy to get carried away and lose hours of time in what feels like minutes.”- Sophie

“We didn’t have a videographer until it was too late. I wish I had someone capturing the speeches.” – Victoria

“I should have asked the photographer to stay longer so I had more shots of people dancing at the evening reception.” – Karen

Advice from former brides can be helpful in your wedding planning and is helpful in reminding the couple to pay attention to small details! 

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After parties are becoming a big trend in the wedding industry! Once the ceremony and reception are over, some guests just aren’t ready to stop partying! The happy couple may also want to spend time with family and guests in a more intimate setting. Here are our tips for planning a wedding after party:

1. Location, location, location!

This is absolutely the most important part of planning an after party. It should be somewhere close to your venue and easily accessible. For smaller crowds, a hotel suite may be preferable. You could check with your venue to see if they have a smaller room available for you and your guests, or you could head to a bar/club. If you’re serving alcohol at your reception, be sure to have transportation or designated drivers available to take your guests. Some couples like to arrange for a party bus to take them to hotspots or to have the party on the bus! Whatever your style, call your after party venue in advance to reserve a space.

2. Guest List.

For some couples, the after party is reserved for them and the bridal party only, or just the family. However, if you plan to invite guests from your reception, it is definitely best to invite everybody. Only inviting certain guests can leave others feeling excluded or snubbed. You could include smaller invites when you send out your invitations, have ushers hand out small cards with the information, or just by word of mouth! Most likely, the older guests, like grandparents, parents, and their friends will choose to skip the after party in favor of going to bed! It is also recommended to have kids skip the after party as well, since the party will most likely involve alcohol and go late.

3. Food and Drink.

After dancing the night away at your reception, the meals served at your wedding might seem like a distant memory to your after party guests. We recommend small, simple food that differs from your wedding menu! Sliders, milkshakes, French fries, and barbecue are the food we’ve seen the most. However, other couples have chosen to serve mini pancakes, pizza or cookies and milk. Whatever suits your preference, have fun with it and don’t be too formal! When it comes to beverages, it all depends on your location. If you’re at a bar or club, guests can purchase their own drinks. However, in a hotel, reception hall, or party bus, the couple should either provide beverages or tell guests in advance to BYOB (if it is allowed in the venue). Water and soda are also recommended, for guests who do not drink alcohol or want something else to drink.

4. Dress.

In a hotel room or someone’s house, guests will most likely change into casual and comfy clothing. However, if you’re staying in the same venue or going out, many guests will stay in their wedding attire. The bride needs to put more consideration into her outfit. She may love her wedding dress and choose to wear it for as long as possible, but beware: The longer she is in her wedding dress, chances increase that she may spill, rip, or harm her dress.

5. Entertainment.

Although it is not necessary, the couple may choose to have entertainment at their after party. If you’re going to a bar or club, this is most likely taken care of. However, at a different venue the couple will probably have to provide it themselves. Save the DJ and photobooth for your reception and keep the after party simple. Like your reception, themes can be fun but are not necessary. If you chose not to have a themed reception, the after party may be your chance! Have a Latin theme, with mojito’s, salsa music, and a chips and salsa station; Tropical, with barbecue and fruity cocktails; or play your favorite 80’s music! Use iPods and stereos in favor of a DJ and purchase disposable cameras instead of paying extra for a photographer.

Remember: The after party can go as long as you like, but if you have a brunch or a flight scheduled for the next morning, make sure to set an alarm in advance and watch the clock!

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Favors are a must for any wedding, but sometimes they’re not worth the hassle! Expensive, hard to transport favors can be a pain for both the wedding couple and the guests, but there are some simple alternatives. Favors that you make yourself are unique and won’t break your budget! Here are our favorite DIY wedding favors:

1. Cake in a Jar: Mason jars are a huge trend in the wedding scene, so much that they’ve become a theme themselves! Although they can be used from décor to lighting, our favorite way is for favors! Layers of cake and icing inside a mason jar are simple, affordable, and adorable! Buy the supplies at your craft and grocery stores and the rest can be done at home! Edible gifts are always fun, and sure to please your guests!

2. Scrabble pieces: These scrabble pieces are so cute, and can be customized to whatever you prefer! Buy some small tins and magnets to glue onto the back and you’re all set! Bonus: This can be a fun way to distress and spend some time with your loved ones before the big day!

3. Tea or coffee! You could buy some tea bags or coffee and place them in small cello bags. Cut some cute labels or paper and staple the bag shut! Or, buy some ribbon (in your wedding color if you want) and tie a small bag with coffee or tea bags inside. So simple and so cute.

4. Soda pop: Buy some old-fashioned bottles and create some cute labels. Whether you want to buy soda or create your own flavor (tip: pour some seltzer and add juice or herbs, like mint), small bottles of soda add a fun touch to your wedding.

5. Flowers or potted plants: For an eco-friendly touch, plant some flowers or plants in a small jar. In addition to being a take-home item your guests will enjoy, they also look great in your reception! Whether they’re placed at guest’s seats or on a specific table, they look beautiful!

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What is more romantic than expressing your love to someone? How about this: demonstrating your love to your bride or groom in your own words in front of all your loved ones on your wedding day! Couples who decide to write their own wedding vows may experience anxiety, writer’s block, or a slight combination of both in the weeks spent preparing their wedding vows. Understandably, considering wedding vows are often the most personal, intimate part of the wedding ceremony. This is your first opportunity in starting your new life together to express your feelings to one another, and to publicly express them before your family and friends as well. Here are some useful guidelines to ease your stress in brainstorming your vows!

To get some opening ideas to catch each other’s attention, the bride and groom can do some research of their own. Citing meaningful poems, movies, songs, and greeting cards, the bride and groom can easily develop an opening line or two, and elaborate on it for the duration of the vows. For example, from the hit movie Titanic, the quote, “You jump, I jump,” can be used as a wonderful attention catcher and opening. Try to use examples significant to your relationship: your first movie together, your first dance together, perhaps the poem or phrase written in the first birthday or anniversary card you gave or received. This strategy will be sure to inspire you while stirring happy memories of your relationship when it was brand new.

On this special wedding day, it is also very important to incorporate “Your Story”; where you met, when you fell in love, what you love about each other, what is the meaning of marriage is to both of you, and what your intentions are for your new life together. Consider asking yourself these questions to construct your vows. Your answers can very well be the foundation of the vows you share with your fiancé at the altar! This exercise can also aide the flow of the speech by linking one idea to the next.

As with any important piece of writing, you should always write a first draft before the copy is finalized and ready to go! A first draft can be a jumble of ideas, similar to a stream of consciousness. There is so much you could say about your husband or wife to be, so a first draft can help you to gather all of those ideas before you begin organizing them and giving your vows an ebb and flow. Another great way to prepare your vows is to practice reading them out loud a few times. If your words aren’t flowing correctly or if you struggle throughout your vows, this is the prime time to edit them and decide what may be more fitting.

One final piece of advice for preparing wedding vows is to always speak from the heart. The bride and groom should be completely honest with each other. It can be intimidating sharing such intimate feelings with your loved ones sitting before you, but you should ever be afraid to express how you feel about your bride or groom. You are each other’s support system from this point forward, and by publicly demonstrating your commitment and investment in him or her, you are showing the world, as well as your fiancé, that you are on their side through all the ups and downs from this point forward. Speak your mind, speak from the heart, and revel in this very special moment. Make every single word count!
 

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You’re finally walking together hand in hand as a married couple. We’ve all watched the classic scene in movies commemorating this moment with white rice thrown around the couple by their guests, but are you craving something outside the norm? Here are some modern twists on this timeless tradition!

Greet your guests outside the ceremony space with pairs of balloons for them to release into the air as you step outside the venue! A versatile design element, these balloons can match your bridal party attire, your reception décor, or perhaps your favorite colors! It’s fun, funky, fresh, and will definitely knock the socks off your guests!

Perfect for evening nuptials, a sparkler exit is the ideal touch for your dream wedding! They are cost effective and super easy to clean up! Not to mention, they look great in pictures! Be sure to have multiple lighters or matches available for guests to light their sparklers before you exit the ceremony space!

For our crafty, D.I.Y. brides, paper planes are a cute send off for you and your hubby! Utilizing and commemorating your love for arts and crafts (and your dexterity!), these paper planes are also a cost effective, easy to clean up exit! This can also be a cute representation of your honeymoon! Consider using different colored papers or perhaps even printed maps to design the paper planes!

If you want your wedding to be a real party, arm your guests with funnels of colored confetti for your grand exit as a married couple! We can’t promise the clean-up will be easy, but this could be a fun pre-wedding D.I.Y. for yourself to distress, or for you and your bridal party for some girl time! Bonus, it’s also cost effective and very customizable! You can shred up excess paper or use hole-punches in all different shapes and sizes to add variety and spunk to your confetti medley!

IF you trust your guests with weighted objects that can be thrown, glow sticks are another perfect idea for a night time wedding exit! Although they may not be as cost effective as some of the previous suggestions, they can serve many purposes such as a favor for your guests and a prop to party with throughout the reception (if they don’t lose them of course!) Besides, don’t they look amazing in pictures?!

We all love the classic wedding couple exit to a cascade of petals, bubbles, and rice, but if you are looking for a key wow factor to set your wedding apart, consider utilizing one of the above suggestions! They are all quick, easy, and unique!

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Cocktail weddings are a big trend for 2013! Add a signature cocktail to your event that shows off your wedding colors!

A Red Cedar Sunset is perfect for a summer wedding! Fun light colors are created using orange juice, grenadine, and champagne.

If you’re having a December wedding, try The Mistletoe! Vodka, crème de menthe, and peppermint liqueur give this drink its yuletide appeal.

Purple is a popular color for fall and spring, but this drink works for summer too! Mix blueberries, limes, rum, and club soda for a refreshing cocktail.

For more cocktails in every color of the rainbow, as well as their recipes, go to http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/gorgeous-signature-cocktails-in-every-color-of-the-rainbow
 

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To add a splash of summer fun to your Wedding Cake for your special day, here are some Wedding Cake designs, specifically for the summer season!

This cake represents a summer garden. With yellow Daisies and purple flowers mixed within, gives the feel of a summer, breezy garden scene. The icing ruffles and the purple and yellow borders on each layer adds to the design and the finishing touches of the cake.

 
This cake represents an ice cream orange creamsicle! Walking down the boardwalk and stopping at an ice cream station, or hearing the ice cream man around the corner from your house, this orange designed cake, along with the white and orange flowers, can make you feel as if you are eating a nice ice cream creamsicle on a hot summer day!

 
This Wedding Cake represents lemon ice! Imagine sitting by your poolside, eating a nice cold cup of lemon ice. That is when you know that summer has officially arrived!

 This cake represents the fashion of summer! Dresses, flower skirts, floral shirts, and flip flips; this cake has wonderful mixtures of colors such as pink, orange, yellow, and purple and lime green. These colors can brighten up anyone’s day and wardrobe in a heartbeat!

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Having children at any wedding can be stressful, especially if they’re in the wedding party! In fact, questions about involving children are some of the most frequently asked! But if you want to involve kids in your ceremony or have them at the reception, here are some tips to make the day easier:

1. Bring snacks! It’s almost a guarantee with young children that there will be some minor issue, but tempers are easily calmed with treats! Neat foods, like small bags of dry cereal or lollipops are great for keeping kids happy and distracting them from long waits or uncomfortable clothing.
   
    
2. Expect the unexpected! Kids, especially little ones, can do anything from dumping their flower petals in one spot to sitting down in the middle of the aisle. The best thing to do is to explain to any children, clearly and simply, what their job is before the ceremony and have them practice. And, in the event something does go awry, laugh it off! It will be a funny memory in a few years.
   
    
3. Have a designated adult! Instead of telling your kids to walk down the aisle and stand in a certain spot, tell them to go to an uncle or aunt, preferably someone they know and are comfortable with. The DA can take control if the flower girl starts playing with the bride’s dress or the ring bearer tries to wander off.
   
    
4. Take their pictures first. It’s hard to organize pictures, especially with kids! Take their pictures first so they can play and the adults don’t have to worry about their clothing getting messy.
   
    
5. Have fun! Let the kids run around, take off their shoes, and slide around the dance floor! Make sure you have some kid-friendly food, like chicken fingers and French fries, and have a kids table for them to sit at together. If the wedding is at a hotel, have a babysitter or teenage guest take the kids to watch a movie or do an activity so the adults can have fun without worrying about their children. Children pick up on stress from adults, so let them know everyone is there to have fun and they’ll have fun too!

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20’s style weddings are a big trend this year! Drop necklines, classic hairstyles, and headpieces are all appearing in wedding styles. Give your wedding a Great Gatsby twist!

An empire waist and cap sleeves give this wedding dress a vintage feel. The beading and low neckline keep it modern and elegant.

Two-button suits are perfect for a 20’s style wedding. A classic combed hairdo adds to the timeless appearance.

A headpiece is a unique alternative to a veil! Floral accents and a patterned band are reminiscent of a flapper, but are still appropriate for a wedding.

Simple table décor is best for a 20’s themed wedding. Use white or clear vases and classic flowers, like roses and lily’s, for a dramatic centerpiece. Dark colors are more fitting for a 20’s style wedding!

Having a themed wedding can be fun, but it doesn’t have to be rigid! A 20’s style dress or suit can still work with modern music. It’s your day, so specialize the wedding to your taste!
 

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The first dance between the bride and groom is a major highlight of the wedding night.  The song they dance to usually has a special meaning for the bride and groom, so it is important to choose a song both will love.

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With our wedding day around the corner, we understand that brides can face all new sources of stress and anxiety!  Thoughts may run through the bride’s head including food choices or quality, the ceremony and reception venue, the guest-list, bridal party dresses, hair and make-up looks for the bridal party, etc.  It’s common today for many people to emotionally binge or turn to food during times of stress. This however is not a good habit for the bride to develop leading up to the wedding day!  Not only would a typical bride want to stay in shape and look her healthiest on her wedding day, but she should also bear in mind the importance of regular dress fittings for her wedding gown!

Being realistic is the first step to developing a healthy diet, exercise, and weight loss regimen.  Not everybody needs to be a size zero on their wedding day, and it is not healthy to strive for that either!  Set a goal that would be reasonable and realistic for your body type.  Also, setting benchmarks to keep you on track with your healthy eating habits could be helpful in reaching your fitness goals. Try not to focus on the number on the scale, but how you look and feel. The way your clothes fit can sometimes be a much better indication of how your weight-loss routine is working and can make you feel better about yourself regardless of what the scale says. Your body takes about four weeks to show results, so keep this in mind if you don’t see an immediate difference! Exercise is one of the best stress busters, so when you feel the wedding countdown pressure building, that’s the ideal time to hit the gym!

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In most cases, father-daughter relationships are one of the most precious things in a young woman’s life. Your father is your first example of how a man should treat a woman. He alone is supposed to demonstrate this to you through the way he treats you, your mother, and his mother. The bond between a father and his daughter is irreplaceable. Now that Daddy’s little girl is engaged, how is the bride-to-be going to break the news that she has another very special man in her life? How will he react? Of course this can be a very emotional conversation, but here are some ways to let your Old Man down easily.

The best way to break the news would be a one-on-one, father-daughter date. This way, he will not feel like he is put on the spot in front of other family members or friends, and it can help solidify the bond by demonstrating respect and sincerity. The bride should make it a point to emphasize to her father how important his role in her life has been and will continue to be. She should also stress that no other man can ever take his place. Although he is sure to suspect something is up, the bride can still gently break the news to him. A father’s biggest fear and anxiety about his daughter getting married is that she is going to love and care for another man for the rest of her life, and he will be responsible to love and care for her. By reassuring her dad that she will always still be there, and that she knows he will always be there for her, it can make telling him a much easier task.

If the bride and groom are concerned about the father of the bride’s reaction, it may be best to break the news together among family. To make things less tense, the bride can suggest having a family get-together or dinner party at either hers or the groom’s home. When the time is right, the bride can make it seem as if she is going to propose a toast while everyone is eating and socializing around the dinner table. Instead, she can stand next to her fiancé, pull out her ring, and reveal it to her entire family thereby making their announcement. By doing this, even if the father is shocked and may not have the exact words to say, the engaged couple can still have their family there to support them both regardless of what happens.

No matter how or where the bride decides to tell her father about her engagement, she needs to go into it with a positive attitude. It is important for any bride or groom to be to demonstrate to the parents how important their happiness is to them, and how influential they will continue to be in their lives. Parents put so much time and effort into raising their young ones, so it is understandable that “passing them off” to another caretaker can be an extremely emotional time for them. It’s out of love and concern, because no matter how old you are, you will always be daddy’s little princess and mommy’s little prince. You have been their number one priority for so long, that it will be a period of adjustment for them to see you depend on someone else to take care of you. As a father and an important role model, seeing his daughter happy is the greatest gift of all!
 

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Nail art is back on the list of top trends for this year!! Nail artists can design anything on your teeny tiny fingers and toes from favorite sports teams to holiday themes! Why not try out a bridal theme for your wedding day mani/pedi?? Below are some of the cutest bridal nail styles we’ve seen yet!

This fashion forward take on the classic French manicure features a nude base with glitter, lace, and even rhinestones! All of these bridal elements come together for one perfectly matrimonial manicure! The best part? The ring finger serves as an accent nail! Perfection!

Here is another modern take on the timeless French manicure! Glittered tips instead of the classic thin white line are the perfect bridal touch! The perfect design element to accent your wedding day bling, this glittery French will look absolutely stunning!

Last but not least, this is hands down our favorite look. A classic French, incorporating the ring finger accent nail we love, but this time with a mini-engagement ring design! It’s simple, classy, elegant, and totally chic at the same time! Adorable for all events leading up to your special day including an engagement party, bridal shower, and rehearsal dinner!

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Congratulations! You’re engaged! Now the planning begins! The bride and groom of course should plan pretty much most of the Wedding, but what does the maid of honor need to do? Plan the bridal shower! Leave the planning to your right hand woman, because this is a rare opportunity for the bride to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends.

Traditionally, a bridal shower is an all female event, but it can be co-ed as well depending on the bride’s preferences (siblings, close friends, etc). Not only an opportunity for family and friends to get together to celebrate this special event in the bride’s life, the shower serves as an opportunity for the bride to receive gifts that will help her and the groom start their married life together. The bride and groom would register themselves at certain stores and put together a collective wish list for invited guests of the shower and wedding to shop at. This ensures that the bride and groom receive essential items for starting their new life together (and makes it easier to shop for them! What color or thread count sheets do they need anyway??!)

Once you know where the engaged couple is registered, it’s time to plan a date and compile a guest list. A surprise shower would be ideal, but this is difficult to do without asking the bride-to-be what her specific availability is. Try to recruit help for this if you can. Perhaps even the fiancé can assist you in this task, as he might be able to think of better reasons or excuses to want to know certain dates and times in which his or her partner would be free. As previously mentioned, showers are typically a social gathering among women, but again, this decision can be made at the couple’s discretion. It is common for the fiancé to at least make an appearance, as he will be the recipient of these shower gifts as well. It is courteous for the fiancé to be present at least towards the end of the shower to thank the guests for their gifts and to show his appreciation. When compiling a guest list, try to narrow down the bride and groom’s guest list for the wedding to the most important or closest family members and friends (someone’s cousin twice removed does not necessarily need to be invited to the shower just because he or she has been invited to the reception). A guest list is critical to planning your budget, so try to keep the numbers relatively small. When deciding on the budget, the maid of honor should consider asking the brides maids to chip in. Sometimes the parents of the engaged couple may offer to cover certain costs as well, so don’t be afraid to ask when you begin the planning process. They also may have preferences in terms of location, venue, and dates, so it is important to take their input into consideration. Once the venue is picked and the date is set, the invitations should be sent out 4 – 6 weeks prior to the date of the shower. This will allow you enough time to receive a response from your guests and plan accordingly with your numbers.

Some venues you may want to consider are restaurants that offer private dining rooms that can be rented for special occasions or larger parties. Typically the most common set-up for showers is buffet style, which allows a wider selection of food for your guests and a larger window of time for them to pick at food since it is left out for up to two hours at most venues. Many showers are scheduled in the early afternoon, so brunch seems to be the most common when selecting menus or packages. Combinations of waffles, hash browns, omelet stations, and chicken and pasta dishes are typical. Another common feature is mimosa fountains or pitchers of sangria at the guests’ tables. Some venues include a sheet cake with their shower packages (be sure to ask!!) but many parties prefer custom cakes for bridal and even baby showers to personalize the event just a little bit more!

Showers can range anywhere from 2 to 4 hours long. Remember, if the shower is a surprise, you need adequate time for your guests to arrive before the bride-to-be! Even the late ones! If the shower is scheduled from 12 noon to four o’clock in the afternoon, invite your guests for 12:00, but don’t arrange for the bride to arrive until at least one o’clock. An hour should be enough time for all your guests to arrive and not compromise the element of surprise for your bride-to-be! The maid of honor along with the bridal party should also make sure that the venue is nicely decorated, that place settings are done, and that there is a good amount of games and entertainment for the guests. Consider the number of people attending and try to anticipate how long it may take the bride-to-be to open her gifts. Do you want her opening them all at once (towards the end of the shower) or do you want to break it up with a game or two in between gift-opening sessions? These decisions can be made by the bridal party and maid of honor once you have a better idea of how many guests you are expecting. When discussing what games to include in the shower festivities, try to make sure they are appropriate for all those in attendance. You don’t want to frighten poor grandma with any risqué jokes or humor! Reflect on any past showers you’ve attended and ask fellow bridesmaids or family members for input as well. The internet is also a great source of ideas for everything from invitations, favors, decorations, and games!

This is a very special time for the bride to take just one day out of her Wedding planning and relax with her loved ones in a very happy environment, stress-free!

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With spring just around the corner, wedding season is quickly approaching! A spring theme is perfect for this time of year with so many options for color schemes, reception décor, favor ideas, and floral arrangements!

Pastel colors are absolutely perfect for this time of year from blue, purple, and pinks, to shades of white and yellow. These colors are perfect to recreate a happy outdoor garden setting, even if your wedding is indoors!

When planning your wedding, consider what flowers are in season. During the spring, amaryllis, anemones, lilies, cherry blossoms, dahlias, forsythias, gardenias, orchids and tulips are just a few of the most popular seasonal blossoms for floral décor. Daises are also a great addition to bouquets or floral arrangements and can provide a great spring accent for table settings, place cards, centerpieces, and even on the wedding cake itself!

To bring out the Easter spirit in a Spring Wedding, cute centerpieces can be made incorporating Easter elements such as brightly colored eggs, baskets, bright green grass-like décor, and bright wild flowers as well. Brightly colored eggs would look beautiful and elegant if stacked in a tall, clear vase on the center of each table, and perhaps flower petals around the base of each one for an added spring feel.

No matter what the bride and groom decide to do, any of these ideas can bring out the joy of the spring season with beautiful color schemes, endless floral décor possibilities, and springtime decorations in the atmosphere!

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Capturing your Wedding Day with photography and videography is the perfect way to remember every detail of the bride and groom's special day! Choosing the right photographer may seem cumbersome and overwhelming, but here are some suggestions for finding the best one to expertly capture your special day.

Start searching immediately.
The best photographers book their schedules roughly one year in advance. A good starting point would be to ask your coordinator at the venue where your reception is booked if they have a suggested or preferred vendors list. Friends and family can also provide some great recommendations based on their experiences with photographers and videographers as well, or may be able to suggest friends or family members experienced in photography and videography who would be able to cover your special wedding day.

Look at wedding photo samples to get a feel of the photographer's work.
Once you have a list of potentials companies to hire for your wedding, consider meeting with them in person to discuss their rates and review their portfolios. Remember, you are not just getting pictures that will be posted online; you may be interested in prints or albums, so it is important to see the quality of the products you will be getting for the price you’ll be paying. Also bear in mind that it is a good idea to look at a completed photo album from start to finish in order to get a sense of the photographer's time sequence and quality.

Prioritize your package needs and consider your budget.
Photography and videography can be a big ticket item on your budget if it’s a priority for the wedding couple. Packages can be expensive, but be sure to consider what items you definitely want included in remembering your day, and what parts of the day you definitely want covered. Consider the length of your ceremony and reception, and whether or not you want photos or video from the pre-wedding fun and excitement. The average wedding package is 4 – 6 hours for the reception alone, plus the length of the ceremony adds at least another hour. Already you’re looking at a 7-8 hour length of time to book the photographer for. It is common for couples to get at least one wedding album of photographs outlining the day from getting ready with the bridal parties to the married couple leaving the reception together. In the digital era we’re currently in, many couples prefer CDs with all the pictures on it to post online or email to friends and family. The benefit of asking for a disk to be included with the package is that you can also order reprints of certain pictures upon reviewing them with your partner, friends, and family, and receiving feedback about what pictures (if any) they would like to have from your special day. Videography can also be an expensive add-on to your photography package, so if you can, try to bundle the packages together with your photographer. For the videography, still consider the length of time you may need to book the professional for, and whether or not you want video taken of the bridal party getting ready prior to the ceremony. Also consider what items you would like included in our videography package and what matters most to you (i.e. do you want a full length, unedited video or do you prefer a feature –length collection of highlights throughout the day?).

Photography is vital in capturing and preserving the essence of your wedding day. It is a great way to capture all the fun and excitement of your special day and to preserve the happiest memories for every bride and groom to savor by looking back at beautiful photos!

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Your special day is bound to be a whirlwind of excitement and by the end of the night you’ll feel like the past few hours took place in mere minutes! Put your photographer to work to make sure you preserve the very best memories of your wedding day! Here are some absolute must have pictures to capture your special day from start to finish!! (Be sure to pass this along to your photographer!)

Every girl loves getting ready for a big night, especially when it’s her wedding!! Have some fun with your bridal party and capture some great photo keepsakes while you’re getting your hair and make-up done. Above are some samples that we absolutely love!
 

Here is a super-cute idea to keep in mind the day of your wedding. Have someone take this picture of your bridesmaids on their phone to send to the groom minutes before the ceremony starts. It’s a fun way to heighten the anticipation, not to mention a cute memory to preserve of your wedding day!

This next image tops our list for a must-have wedding picture. It is a moment sometimes overlooked by the guests, but one of the most important to the bride. You’ll need multiple photographers to capture this extra special memory. Have one focused on the bride to capture a shot of her and her father as they enter the ceremony and begin her walk down the aisle. Have another photographer focused on the groom to capture the expression on his face and the emotion the very first time he sees his bride. You’ll be glad you did.

The most widely anticipated moment of the night is the first kiss between the new husband and wife. Here is a fresh new perspective to capture this important milestone.

Have your photographers stand behind the altar in order to get your guests in the picture. It’s a great angle to capture the memory and remember who was there to share this very special moment of your wedding day. The perfect first kiss picture!

When you get a chance to sneak away with the bridal party for pictures, consider this idea. Have each member of the bridal party hold up one letter to spell out a message to your guests. This is a great idea for thank you cards that are personalized and will help preserve the memory of your special day weeks after it has already taken place. Refresh your guests’ memories and let them relive the festivities by sending out a thank you card with a photo like this one!

These are just a few fun suggestions for pictures to try and get on your special day. Looking through your wedding album days, months, even years down the line will bring a smile to your face, especially if you see these extra special memories captured on paper.
 

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Everyone knows the wedding day is all about the bride, but what about the maid of honor? As your right hand woman, your maid of honor will be responsible for a good amount of the planning for your big day. Traditionally, she would be the organizer of your bridal shower, the planner of your and bachelorette party, and one of the first to toast to you and your husband as a married couple. She is the closest female to the bride, therefore investing a lot of trust and responsibility in her to make your special wedding day everything you could dream of. Over the past 50 years, The Westwood has witnessed many beautiful maid of honor toasts, as well as personal touches such as cakes, favors, and even centerpieces created by maids of honor for their best friend, the bride. While it is a gratifying title to be given, being a maid of honor comes with a lot of responsibility! The Westwood offers the following tips for our Westwood maids of honor and brides to be.

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What comes to mind when you think of a “classic” wedding? The white wedding dress? Pastel color schemes? The tiered wedding cake? Vintage pearls? Floral centerpieces? A classic wedding style can be simple and elegant! Whatever your idea of a classic wedding is, The Westwood is the perfect reception site to tailor your wedding day to meet all your dreams and expectations! Tradition is deep-rooted here at the family owned and operated banquet facility as it has been for 50 years now.  With our full service catering and in-house floral department, we can customize your Westwood Wedding from the menu to the room set up and over-all aesthetics!
 

If your idea of classic is vintage, key pieces for your reception could be ornate accessories adorned with broaches or pearls, rustic wooden centerpieces, birdcage centerpieces or cardholders, vintage lamp centerpieces, China tea cups, and ornate cakes stands or silver dishes. A classic wedding theme could also incorporate a black and white color scheme. Black and white is a clean, sophisticated color scheme that stays true to tradition. Your classic wedding reception could also incorporate a lot of lace or burlap pieces, a combination that is trending as well such as table runners or centerpiece materials. Tiered wedding cakes are a common image conjured up by brides to be, but why not add a modern twist to this classic wedding staple by including a tier of cupcakes or mini-cakes? It offers your guests a variety and shows off your creativity and trendiness while maintaining a sense of tradition.
 

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It’s never too cold out for a beautiful ice sculpture! The Westwood's talented head chef, Tim, takes his precious time and effort in carving breathtaking ice sculptures upon request!  Although these two lovebirds definitely set a romantic tone for the wedding Tim carved it for, ice sculptures make a great addition to any Westwood event!! For example, a party may request huge numbers carved out of ice for high school proms or reunions, commemorating the year of the class being celebrated! As you can see, we use colorful lighting to give our sculptures even more visual appeal, but it doesn’t have to stop there! Some common uses for ice sculptures at events have been ice-carved shelves, bowls, oversized martini glasses, and elaborate luges! The possibilities are endless, and Tim is ALWAYS up for the challenge here at The Westwood!

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Weddings can take place at any time of year: summer, winter, spring, fall; The Westwood sees and plans it all!!

Many brides may not know this, but different style dresses are worn more appropriately according to the season their special day takes place.

During the spring and summer seasons, perhaps a bride would want to wear a dress that is slim flitted and light. Ball gown dresses with a lot of tulle and heavy material may be uncomfortable in the hot summer months, and what bride wants to be sweaty on her wedding day?? Another recent trend has been for brides to wear tea length or cocktail length dresses as opposed to long, floor length gowns.

These dresses are more light weight, and even if they have some tulle it won’t weigh you down or exhaust you! Check out this cute summer dress from David’s Bridal! Perfect for a beach or destination wedding!

During the fall and winter seasons, however, the styles of the dresses change. Typically in the coolermonths, some brides prefer to go with a thicker fabric and full length wedding gown. Shrugs and matching sweaters have also become popular for these winter brides, and many even opt for sleeves or long gloves, like our David’s Bridal bride to the right! Her long gloves and full, floor length gown make the perfect winter wedding combination!

For some brides, finding the perfect wedding dress isn't always that easy, but The Westwood is always more than happy to help a future bride in planning her wedding and pointing her in the right direction!

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Thanks for checking out our first edition of Westwood Wedding Wednesday here on our blog! We love sharing our beautiful Westwood Brides’ stories and hearing about how all their wedding day dreams came true! Our first story comes from Kathia Adams, who describes her wedding to husband Jabari Adams at The Westwood as “meant to be.”
 

Kathia writes:

“I knew that this was our reception venue because on March 3, 2007 we came to tour the place and that was the same day that my then fiancé proposed to me. On April 26, 2008 my husband and I had our fabulous reception at The Westwood. We were meant to have our reception there, and everything went smoothly. The food was plentiful and delicious and everyone was so professional and friendly. My day could not have went any better than it did.”