Turn your home into a sanctuary

Every woman deserves a personal sanctuary in her home-- a place to read, listen to music, meditate or just be by herself with her thoughts. Here's how to create one of your own:

1. Select a spot. Find a quiet area where the light appeals to you. If you have a whole room to use, great; even if you don't, you can use a small area such as a window seat or a corner in your office.
2. Take away all unnecessary objects. Creating a sanctuary is all about carving out a space where you don't have to accomplish anything. Only keep those items that help you unwind.
3. Take a deep, sweet breath. Including a few sensory features can promote an ambiance that's different from the rest of your home. You can treat yourself to fragrant flowers, candles or aromatherapy oils. Additionally, think about installing a great piece of art or interesting photos, some CDs that take you away and a velvet pillow that's a pleasure to touch. Give yourself the luxury of tuning into your senses daily-- even if it's just for 10 minutes.

Source; Photo Credit: amenews.net

The South Beach Diet - Phase 2

Are you losing weight after two weeks of Phase 1 South Beach Diet? If you would like to lose more weight, you may stay on phase 1 longer than just 2 weeks. If you feel like moving to phase 2, you should add phase 2 foods slowly and gradually. Keep monitoring your weight every day during your transition from phase 1 to phase 2. In phase 2, you will start to reintroduce some fruits and some root vegetables that were off-limits during phase 1. You can even include whole-grain bread, whole-wheat pasta, and brown rice back into your diet. Click here to see the selection of foods in phase 2. Click here to view our blog on phase 1.
How do you feel when you are in South Beach Diet? Do you feel your cravings for food have subsided? Share your experience with us.
May we suggest the following favors?

Love Bird Salt & Pepper Shakers

"Swish" Cup and Saucer Sets or Organic Green 2 Piece Woven Favor Boxes

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Tips for planning your honeymoon

Budgeting & Brainstorming. Don't get in debt trying to finance your honeymoon. Determine how much money you have (or what you can save), and use that as your guideline. After you do that, you can begin talking about where to go. Try to predict what you and your spouse's state of mind will be after the wedding. Yes, all couples are thrilled, but some feel physically and emotionally exhausted after experiencing this life-changing event. Keep in mind that you'll want to make time to enjoy each other on your honeymoon.

Research. One Saturday, visit the bookstore, peruse travel books and magazines, and jot down names of places that seem interesting. Also, Surf the web, and get tons of info on places to stay and things to do. Several countries and states have official websites, and many times you can request maps and brochures. However, you shouldn't anticipate deciding where you'll go overnight; take a few weeks, and have fun thinking about it.

When you've narrowed your search, begin checking prices and determining transportation availability and accommodations for each trip. To do this, you can continue your search online, begin making calls, or utilize a travel agent. The good thing about a travel agent is that he or she can deal with the details of the trip: booking flights, lodging and any needed ground transportation.

Confirming your plans. When you're ready to reserve plane tickets, hotel rooms, a car and other necessities, think about making reservations for activities like going to a theater or museum or even scuba diving. If you plan to stay in a hotel or resort, contact the location a couple of months before you get there and ask if there is a concierge.

For more tips, check out our source, Planning Your Honeymoon.

Photo Credit: Honeymoonallinclusive.com

Not just your average Monday night

The team at Marry Me Productions wants to thank Brian and Scott from Quality Entertainment for hosting a fantastic boat cruise on Monday night. Every year, QE hosts an event to thank their preferred vendors for all their support.

We're looking forward to whatever QE will be organizing next year !

Jamie (from Groovy Linen), Stacey, Chriss and Karen before boarding the boat. Our other team member Tiziana was the photographer.

The Marry Me team: Karen, Stacey, Tiziana and Chriss posing with the falls.

Beauty rules all brides should follow

Here are some beauty commandments from TheKnot.com to be sure you look "ridiculously good" on your big day:

1. I will not over-accessorize. Select one memorable piece (like a birdcage veil or heirloom earrings) instead of piling it on. Work simple accessories around it for a balanced look. And remember, your veil, bouquet and the embellishment of your gown are accessories as well.
2. I will play up my best features. You are aware of your best feature, so maximize it! If you have glowing skin, accentuate it with light-reflecting lotion. Open up your beautiful eyes with a few, loose false lashes. Another tip from The Knot: Even if you never wear makeup in real life, think of your wedding day as an exception. A little of bit of mascara, blush and gloss goes a long way in making your features pop in your photos.
3. I will wear metals that match. The accessories you decide to wear should depend on your wedding dress hue. So if you're wearing a bright white gown, don't wear gold (which could clash); wear platinum and/or pearl. For a diamond (slightly off-white) gown, gold and silver works best. And if you're wearing an ivory wedding dress, try gold and warmer metals. One exception: Don't get rid of your engagment ring if it doesn't match.
4. I won't slouch at the ceremony altar. All eyes will be on you at the wedding ceremony so be sure to pull your shoulders back and stand up straight. You want to make sure you look beautiful and confident, not uncomfortable.
5. I will not crash diet. Yes, you may shed a couple of pounds in the weeks before the wedding because of all you have to do and jitters, but think of that as a bonus. Don't try to lose any more than that at the last minute. Crash dieting will wear you out; no number on the scale is worth not being able to handle wedding day demands and enjoying the excitement.

For five more tips, check out our source.

Experience the Experience! A Walking Meditation

One of my favorite places to contemplate is when walking around Lake Johnson in beautiful Raleigh NC. I was there today breathing in the clean air and delighting in the different scents. I marveled at the sense of smell that dogs enjoy. That lead me to the oneness theory, then, why are we here.

It occurred to me that one reason we become human is to experience diverse situations, issues, relationships, cultures, thought patters, etc. The problems lie in what we hold onto and the issues and situations that become our embedded stories.

There is nothing wrong with remembering an experience even a painful one as long as we don’t incorporate the pain and suffering into our psyche.

As I walked, the thoughts became a walking meditation. It’s a delightful process, one that I recommend enjoying often. Once you get the hang of it, let your imagination soar. There is no limit to what you can join with, feel a part of, sense, and imagine being. It’s all a part of our human experience.

This is the meditation: as you walk (or sit) be aware of your body and what it’s touching. Become aware of your breathing. As you start to concentrate on your breathing and the air, be the air that you are taking into your lungs through your nose and say to yourself, “I am the air.” Feel the air filling your lungs and becoming part of your body and your blood. Hold that thought and fully experience the air and the scent that it carries. Then release it.

Feel the wind on your skin, hold the thought to fully experience being the wind and release it. Imagine being the path you’re walking on experience being the path and release it. If a leaf falls, be the leaf disconnecting from the tree and be the falling leaf. Watch it float and settle on the ground and imagine what it feels like and release it.

Be the rock and release it. Be the tree and release it. Be the worm and release it. Be the person coming toward you and release it. Be the sound of the cricket and release it. Be the water, feel its soft wetness, the flow of the current or its stillness, experience it and release it.

As I walked I felt an itch. I became the itch fully, went into and experienced the itch all without touching the itchy place. When I was ready to release it the itch dissolved. It had been experienced and release. I could have held onto the thought of being itchy and possibly escalated it into a rash that I could show everyone how much discomfort I was having keeping the experience. Or I could go into it fully and release it.

Make no judgment of something being good or bad. Be it. Experience it. Have no concern of nice or ugly. Imagine being a slug, a bird, a feather, a spider, a turtle, a web. Simply experience the experience and let it go.

This will help the next time you get mad or feel angry. Be mad. Be good and mad. When you’ve had enough of being mad, let it go. When you can experience the feeling fully and let it go you have released it. It’s gone. Don’t carry that anger around to poison your system and every thing around you. Be angry, address the issue and let it go.

Write me, if you like, and tell me how it went for you.

Experience the experience and let it go.

South Beach Diet - Phase 1

Every bride would like to look her best on the special wedding day. Therefore, weight loss is a hot topic among brides. Have you heard about the South Beach Diet? It is easy to follow if you agree with the 4 principles of the South Beach Diet. We should be consuming the "right fats", the "right carbohydrates", "lean sources of protein" and "plenty of fiber".
The South Beach Diet has three phases. Phase 1 lasts for the first two weeks. You can enjoy lean meat, sea food, most vegetables and nuts. You will cut out all starches, including rice, pasta and bread. You will also eliminate sugar, including fruits and juices. Click here for a list of foods for phase 1.
Have you tried different diets? Share with us which diet works best for you.

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Destination Weddings - Are They For You?

Would you like to get married on your honeymoon? Destination weddings are becoming more and more popular with couples who are eager to skip the fuss of a traditional wedding and jump right into the fun. Around the world, you'll find hotels and resorts that offer on-site help to plan your wedding, from details like the wedding license to extras such as music and photos. Whether the special day involves just the two of you or whether you'll be inviting friends and relatives to join in the occasion, a destination wedding can be a way to create wonderful memories.

But, first, the down side. Destination weddings aren't for everyone. If you're in love with the idea of a large wedding with all your friends and family, skip this idea. Even with a year of planning, it's just about impossible to get everyone's schedules coordinated for this kind of event.

But many couples are saying "I do" to the idea of destination weddings not only as a way to make the occasion more special, but also as a means of simplifying the whole process. "Just say the word, and we'll take care of everything," explains Ava Burke-Thompson, Director of Guest Services at the Sheraton Grand Resort Paradise Island, Bahamas. "We can arrange for the marriage license; minister, priest or rabbi; the florist and the photographer; the wedding cake and champagne; and the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception."

At resorts like the Sheraton Grand, on site wedding coordinators take care of every last detail, some with just a one day notice. "We do it all the time," says Burke-Thompson. "It's now legally possible to get married in the Bahamas with 24 hours' notice."

POPULARITY OF DESTINATION WEDDINGS

Destination weddings have caught on for several reasons. According to hotels and resorts around the world, they're especially popular with:

* couples on a budget who don't want the expense of an elaborate wedding.
* couples who don't want the fuss of a wedding and all that goes with it at home.
* couples on their second marriage looking for something a little different.
* those on their second marriage who'll need to bring along children on the honeymoon. The children's programs at many resorts offer privacy for the couple and a chance to enjoy a vacation with their new family.
* couples who are bringing a small wedding party. Sometimes the bride and groom stay at one resort and the wedding party at a neighboring resort, giving everyone privacy.
* couples who are bringing a sizable wedding party and would like to take over a resort.


Many small resorts like Florida's Little Palm Island offer groups the option of taking over the entire property. This type of stay must be arranged far in advance. The wedding party has the run of the resort for their stay, with plenty of room to party and play. "Little Palm Island is a really private, secluded getaway for wedding groups," explains Susan Belanski, Director of Sales. "We close off the entire island." When wedding parties take over an entire property like Little Palm Island, regular house rules, such as no guests under age 16, are suspended so wedding parties can invite anyone of their choice.

DETAILS, DETAILS

Before you say "I do," plan to do a little research into the "do"s --and "don't"s -- of the local marriage laws. Many countries have loosened their marriage regulations, making it easier for foreigners to tie the knot. Even so, you'll need to do some research.

"The reason some couples have problems with their overseas wedding is that they are unfamiliar with the marriage laws, rules and regulations of where they want to be wed," explains Ruth Keusch, co-owner of Ottley's Plantation Inn, located in Caribbean federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. In researching your destination wedding, Keusch recommends that couples make sure they learn:

* if their home country will recognize a wedding in the designated country as valid.
* the minimum residency period before the marriage can be performed.
* what paperwork you'll need to bring from your hometown house of worship if you're planning a religious ceremony
* what proof is required if you're divorced or widowed
* if blood tests are required and, if so, if you can bring them from your home doctor or if must they be performed locally
* if there will be English-speaking staff members available to assist you
* costs and fees
* typical weather during the month of your wedding
* special hotel rates for members of the wedding party
* what previous experience the hotel or resort has in planning foreign weddings


Destination weddings can also lead to another joyous celebration: destination anniversaries. Couples who wed on their honeymoon can revisit the very spot where they married and share the memories of that occasion.

Tips for planning your wedding on a budget

Want to plan a fabulous wedding but don't want to break the bank? Check out the following tips for ways to plan your wedding on a budget:

• Get married in off-season months: January, February, March and November.
• Get married on any day but Saturday.
• If you can't afford a designer gown, think about renting one instead.
• Most big bridal shops have big sales each year. Be sure to take advantage of this.
• Using silk flowers can save you lots of cash, and best of all, they're already preserved. The bride can use fresh flowers, but no one else really needs to.
• You can use silk flowers to decorate the ceremony and reception venues as well.
• Check out dollar stores when shopping for candles and candleholders. Additionally, dollar stores and places like Wal-Mart have many items you can use to decorate.
• Try to choose one person who can do both hair and makeup.
• Hire a caterer that provides everything you'll need such as glassware, plates, tablecloths, etc.
• Try to find a venue that will let you bring your own alcohol.
• Wedding coordinators can save you money; they are aware of additional ways to save money, they know what to say and ask your vendors, and they have connections in the industry.

For more tips, check out General Tips on How to Plan a Wedding, but not go broke!!

Aysha's & Mark's Country Charm Wedding

There's something wonderfully charming about a wedding in the country. Perfect for a charming couple like Aysha and Mark. They were such a pleasure to work with and their kindness won't soon be forgotten.

This ceremony/reception was actually their second, as they had already celebrated the Mehndi ceremony earlier.

They were married at Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm on July 31. The farm is a beautiful and serene place to have a wedding ceremony/reception. Ceremonies are usually held on the stone steps under the tall trees and receptions are held in the tent a little further ahead. The tent is very bare so a creative bride (or a bride with her wedding planner) can achieve great things as it's pretty much a blank canvas.

When getting married at a farm, it's all about adding in those relaxed & quaint country details. We accomplished just that with Aysha and Mark through their simple floral centrepieces, green linens which represented the lush green fields surrounding the farm and each guest's place card was tied with a sprig of rosemary. The details were not overlooked for the ceremony either; guests were happy to find fans on their seats to cool them down from the heat outside. The fans also included ceremony information printed directly on them. There was also a table set up with OFF bug spray and OFF wipes encouraging the guests to use them if "something is bugging them". Thoughtful and unique at the same time.

When planning a farm wedding, it's all about incorporating natural & casual elements into your big day. For example, fill large metal cans of used fruits or vegetables with flower arrangements.

Put tealights into mason jars and place them on tables or hang them from trees outside the venue for an evening glow.

Have an old sign made that looks like an arrow that says "Ceremony" and another arrow that says "Reception" and have them pointed in the appropriate direction of both. Not only is that a cute country detail, it can actually be helpful to your guests since things tend to be pretty spread out on farms.

Have fresh lemonade available to your guests post ceremony.

Pin place cards into apples at each place setting.

String rows of lights bulbs from one end of the farmhouse/tent to the other. It looks more rustic than Chinese lanterns or Up lighting.

Hand out homemade jam as favours to your guests, or yummy cookies baked at a local bakery wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine.

A good photographer is also important to have (as always). They can ensure the shots they get will convey the understated elegance of your country wedding instead of just making it look cheesy.

As always Andrew Geddes, never ceases to amaze us and he was able to capture all the elegance associated with Aysha's and Mark's special day. http://www.andrewgeddes.com/

Congratulations to Aysha and Mark !!

Sneak Peek at Hilary Duff's Wedding Photos

Remember how we said we hoped Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie will release official pictures of their wedding day? Well we got our hands on some of the photos that will be in OK magazine released on August 30th, yup, we're that goooooood.

We love everything about this wedding. Hilary and Mike had Mindy Weiss as their wedding planner which was a good thing because Hilary said she had only been to one other wedding before in her entire life so she really had no idea what she wanted. But let's be serious, the girl is very stylish and has grown up designing her own fashion line so we knew her wedding would not fall short of spectacularly stylish. Sunset ceremony, lush fabrics, huge blooms, sparkling jewels and soft candle light.... Love love love !

The dresses were breathtaking and echoed the soft, elegant feel of the evening. Vera Wang designed both the bride's dress and the bridesmaids dresses.

Hilary said she wanted a "deconstructed look" as opposed to prim and proper and perfect so Vera designed her an uber romantic yet stylish mermaid-type dress of blush silk tulle and organza. Vera coined it perfectly when she described it as "sexy garden party". Fun fact, Hilary decided at the last minute to wear a Vera Wang veil with her ensemble. Great choice !

Enjoy some of the photos now, but don't forget to pick up your issue of OK Magazine on August 30th to enjoy some more photos of this ridiculously stunning affair.