From the photographer:

I love when I get to photograph a couple who are so perfect for each other that they fit together like two little puzzle pieces.  That’s exactly how Lindsey and Sean describe themselves and I think you can see it in their photos. 

I am hard pressed to figure out a better way to describe this particular session as anything other than just a perfect alignment.  They met at work where they both make a living as accountants and. I can’t wait for their wedding this August!

You can check out more of April O’Hare Photography by visiting her website!

Every little girl dreams of her walk down the aisle. Let your dreams become a reality with Dessy! Dessy offers a wide array of dresses sure to please any bride-to-be. Although we love all things Dessy, below & above are a few of my favorite After Six Wedding Dress Designs:

Walk down the aisle in a strapless dress with draped lux chiffon and full tulle ballerina skirt. The After Six Wedding Dress Style 1038 {above} is sure to make a statement! Going for simple yet elegant? The After Six Wedding Dress Style 1036 is breathtaking. This dress offers a pleated bodice, beaded straps and waist band with a flared skirt. I absolutely adore the After Six Style 1019. This full-length guipure lace bridal gown with hand beaded inset waistband and straps is sure to have all eyes on you.

{1036}

{1019}

Find your perfect dress! Enjoy!

Every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day and it starts with the foods you put in your body. Last week we talked about the worst foods to eat, so naturally today is all about foods that give you glowing skin and make you feel good on the inside and out.

Glowing Skin

Mix chia seeds in your oatmeal or a natural fruit shake, or sprinkle them on your salad on your big day. These little black seeds are the highest natural source of omega-3s, and when your cells are nourished, your skin glows.

Staying Hydrated

Not getting enough fluids can leave you feeling lethargic. Tropical Fruits are a natural hydrators. Melons, papaya, and mangos are especially good because they also contain potassium, which helps regulate your body’s balance of fluids and minerals. Cut a cantaloupe in half, scoop out the seeds, and fill with sliced papaya or mango for a quenching treat.

Ease Water Retention

Waking up with puffy eyes can make you look less than photogenic and swollen feet can keep you off the dance floor. You can trick your body into letting go of excess liquid by eating natural diuretics, such as salad.

All-Day Energy

A great way to kick off your big day is with a bowl of oatmeal. You will be fueling your body with food that lets blood-sugar levels rise slowly and stay even for a long period of time.

Lastly, if your looking for a hotter wedding night, consider snacking on some oysters during the champagne toast. Oysters are packed with the mineral zinc, which apparently works as a libido-enhancer

TGIF!

Photos courtesy of Taste Spotting, thekitchn.com, my recipes, and food channel.

I read somewhere recently that one out of every 10 brides is expecting, if that’s the case then why is there such a lack of maternity bridal gowns? Expectant brides are just like every other bride out there looking for the perfect gown.

So, today I bring good news to all my expectant brides out there! If you have already checked out David’s Bridal and Terra Amore’s Maternity Bride and are still searching for the perfect dress make sure you check out Tina Mak Weddings! Tina’s maternity wedding dresses are breathtakingly beautiful. This Canadian designer has created silk gowns that are both comfortable and fashionable, and are reasonably priced between $890 and $1,700.

Not only are there are accessories like shrugs, sashes, and hair accessories to personalize your look, but if you’re not pregnant, the dresses would totally look spot-on at an outdoor wedding. Make sure you head on over to Tina Mak’s website and check out her full collection.

Photos courtesy of Tina Mak.

This is part 2 of Nina and Nguyen gracing the LDW blog! We featured their engagement session back in November and were so excited when their photographer Chyna Darner Photography submitted their pink inspired wedding!

Don’t you LOVE the candy bar?

You can check out more of Chyna Darner Photography by checking out her website!

Happy Monday!

Every bride experiences nervousness, excitement, and all those other crazy emotions on their wedding day. You’ve put a lot of time into planning your day the last thing you want is an upset stomach, bloating, or gas problems. To avoid any kind of stomach issues we’ve put together a list of foods to avoid the day of your wedding.

Starchy foods

Foods such as potatoes, pasta, and rice are associated with bloating and gas. On the day of and the day before the wedding try and stay away from them if at all possible. Great alternatives if you need a snack before the wedding are wraps and pita bread for sandwiches.

Artificial Sweetener

Artificial sweetener found in some diet drinks, gums, and hard candies, is difficult for your body to break down and can cause bloating and indigestion. Plan ahead and have naturally sweet options on hand, such as frozen fruit like grapes or blueberries.

Caffeine

Water is the best thing to drink before your wedding. Avoid coffee, tea, sodas, energy bars, and other caffeinated products as much as possible. If you’re a daily coffee or soda drinker try to limit the amount you have that morning. Caffeine reduces the amount of water in the body and can lead to dehydration during the ceremony – often a cause of fainting at the altar.

Carbonated drinks

Carbonated drinks, such as sodas and seltzers, contain carbon dioxide which makes your stomach expand so you look and feel bloated and may cause belching. Its best to avoid these at least until after the ceremony. Try reaching for a fizzy drink or water flavored with cucumber slices.

Spicy foods

Spices can do all sorts of strange things as they’re eaten and digested. Spicy food can heat up your body and could cause extra sweating; some spices may irritate your stomach. There’s also a chance of bad breath or food getting stuck between your teeth!

Milk & dairy products

Limit the amount of lactose you eat on the big day. Yogurt, cheese, milk, and other dairy products should be fine in moderation but could irritate your stomach if you’re already anxious.

Powerhouse vegetables

Although cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower are nutritional powerhouses, they also tend to be difficult to digest and can cause gas. Its best to steer clear of these vegetables (as well as beans) on your wedding day.

Think healthy, high protein, and low fat when you’re selecting foods to eat before your wedding day. Avoid the foods listed above and also stay away from foods and drinks that contain a lot of sugar – sugars are good for short-lived energy, but usually leave you feeling tired and sluggish soon after. Also stay tuned for next week when we share with you the best foods to eat on your wedding day!