Of course, we already know your glasses don’t take away from your beauty or womanliness. In fact, some may regard them as a necessary fashion accessory. If you love your glasses and don’t feel like “you” without them, then by all means keep them on! If, however, you never really came to terms with yourself as a bespectacled kind of girl, then maybe it’s better to get yourself some contact lenses.

But whatever you decide, it’s definitely acceptable these days to wear glasses at your wedding. Still not convinced? Google “brides in glasses” and you’ll see quite an impressive array of lovely brides in their glasses.  Here a few adorable examples!

Photos: 1. etsy via orange and blossom 2. Intimate Weddings 3. Fifties Wedding 4. Offbeat Bride Feature image: MyWedding.com

Here are some symptoms and suggested remedies to heal ailing communication between partners, from Kim Malchuk, motivational speaker, coach, and award-winning author (via Hitched). :

1: Short Fuse. This is a warning flag, especially if your spouse is generally easy-going. If he/she seems to be getting irritated quickly then something’s wrong. Try approaching your partner in a calm and caring manner (a bit of light humor might help if that’s your style) to help your spouse open up and tell you what’s on their mind.

2: Withdrawn and Distant. Career, financial pressures, family issues, health– there are a lot of things that cause us stress. It’s not unusual for people to pull back or get really quiet when they are stressed out. Let your partner know you are there for them and that you’d love to listen to whatever they have to say whenever they want to talk about it.” Again, use a soft and non-demanding tone will help create a comfortable space to start the conversation.

3: Guessing Game. If you sense that something is off kilter, don’t try to guess what it is; just come right out and ask our partner if something is bothering them. Better to get the info from the source rather than letting your imagination run wild. Checking in with your spouse shows that you are paying attention to them and to the overall harmony of the marriage.

4: Kids Rule. This one’s tough but it can be done! Designate a time or a place in your home where the topic of kids is taboo. This time or place should be reserved just for the two of you. A happy Mommy and Daddy with a healthy relationship will benefit everyone living under the roof.

feature image from Saida online

Martha Stewart Weddings and other wedding websites have some lovely ideas to get you started. Check out these photos and then let it flow from there!

Invitations and Envelopes:

via 100layercake

Click here for How to Make These Wallpaper Envelopes.

Ceremony Decor:

The valence, runner, and chair covers are all made from this elegant wallpaper. Click here to learn more about how to do it yourself!

Reception Decor:

These ideas incorporate wallpaper in many things, such as the lampshades, table runners, bottle labels, place card displays, and napkin rings (via Martha Stewart).

Photo Booths

We are a great fan of Wedding Photo Booths, where guests can pose for fun or formal pictures with a great backdrop and fun props. Wallpaper is a fantastic way to entice your guests to pose!

Photo: Sara Gray & Novia Events via Style Me Pretty via Storkie

The Knot: Rose and berry bouquet.

Martha Stewart weddings: In this holiday-time wedding, mercury-glass vessels filled with candles were placed in the hearth. Above the fireplace hung embroidery hoops stitched with the words “Oh Joy,” by Etsy vendor Chez-Sucre-Chez

Wishpot Wedding Blog: Adorable pine cone place cards!

Martha Stewart Weddings: A wreath adds a festive, holiday feeling!

I Do Inspiration: This necklace by etsy seller msbelle is the perfect shade of red and they even look like little ornaments or cranberries! A perfect gift for yourself or your bridemaids!

Martha Stewart Weddings: Garlands of cedar, pine, magnolia blossoms, pepperberries, seeded eucalyptus, princess pine, and balsam wrapped around the staircase’s banister.

The Knot: Votive candles and garlands of orchids and crystals hung down from tall Manzanita trees, which decorated some of the tables.

Martha Stewart Weddings: These centerpieces are accented with vintage sleigh bells and old hardcover books in shades of green and burgundy.

Martha Stewart Weddings: The  menu says, “Here’s the list, check it twice!” while the pencil says, “be good for goodness sake!”

The Knot: Yummy dessert of three-layered chocolate mousse with a chocolate snowflake.

Martha Stewart Weddings: Naughty bags hold chocolate “coal”; the nice bags are filled with peppermint sticks and peppermint-chocolate bark.

Here are just a few of the gorgeous wedding things I’ve found by browsing Etsy!

1. Custom Alencon Lace Wedding Jacket – Short or Capped Sleeves by GlorybyJeannieLee:  “The Alencon Lace jacket is my favorite bridal accessory, as it will dress up even the most simple gown.”

2. Collette Lace Shoes with Hand Singed Roses and Rhinestone Buttons Marie Antoinette Style Ballroom Slippers by ShatteredPrincess. New, but enhanced with vintage lace, definitly one of a kind.

3. Wedding Sign Directional Wedding Shabby Chic 24 x 12 by tcart2010:  Hand painted signs direct your guests in the right direction!

4. SPARKLING CHAMPAGNE on ICE – Hand Knit Spiraling Twist – Pearl and Crystal Bangle by SerebaDesigns : Creamy 8mm ivory and 8mm champagne glass pearls are mixed with 6mm soft white glass pearls… all hand knit onto light silver durable metallic cord.

5. Martha Stewart Replica – Wedding Cake Butterfly Packs by clearcutcrafts2007:  Pack of 30 butterflies in 5 different colors and many designs.

6. Men’s wedding ring shiny classic finish 14k solid gold by havalazar: This beautiful stylish hand made band from 14K recycled gold can be customized  according to your request.

7. Retro-Tulle Headband with Hand-made Chiffon Flower with Button center by FascinatingCreations :  Soft and pretty, a little bitty hippy but 100% sophisticated!

8. Chandelier Earings, Crystal Quartz Little Wings by SarahHickeyJewellery : Available in Sterling Silver or 14K Gold Filled

9. Flower Girl Fancy Tutu Dress Custom Colors by CHICLILLOVEBUGS : This Elegant Design will be recreated in any size ranging from newborn to size 6 girls, in your choice of color, fabric type, and extra embellishing.

10. Bridal Bouquet Turquoise Fuschia Fiesta Wedding Flowers by  AmoreBride : This silk bouquet and others can be customized to your specific color and floral needs!

But in the cooler months, you can be sure that straight hair will stay smooth, curls will stay sleek, and the longer and heavier your hair, the better! Here are some beautiful down-do’s (and amazing hair accessories!) to consider for your winter wedding! While some may resemble more beachy summer hair, these styles have a more polished and sophisticated style.

All photos from The Knot. Click on any image to take you to The Knot’s wedding hair photo galleries.

In addition to bridal gowns, you can find separates, shrugs, veils, headpieces, jewelry, sashes, and shoes.  Of course the best part of all is that they’re up to 90% discounted! So, all you lovely brides out there, check out the stunning gowns and accessories at  Your Dream Dress and see if you can find the gown of your dreams at a price you may have only dreamed of until today!

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feature image: Cakes you can bake

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Wilton has lots of amazing wedding cake designs, with step-by-step instructions, plus shopping lists of all the things you’ll need– you can even order everything directly from them. Shown below: Taking that Big Step cake, Queen of Hearts cake, Romantic Roses Cake.

Martha Stewart Weddings has some lovely cakes as well. Shown below:  Chocolate Petal Cake, Mocha Cake, Strawberry and White Cake.

Epicurious has some wedding cake tutorials too, including some video instructions! Shown below: Lemon Raspberry Cake, White Chocolate and Lemon cake, Wedding Cake with Raspberries and Roses

Southern Living has “9 gorgeous wedding and celebration cakes for savvy Southern brides”… or any bride with great taste and a bit of baking genius! Shown below: Amaretto Cream Cake, Bridesmaids Baby Cakes, Dogwood Blossom Cake

Not that we want the maids to outshine the bride… but the bridesmaid’s gowns this season are just incredible!  We’ve browsed the newest collections (thanks, Martha!) and have picked some of favorites to show you… it was difficult to stick to just forty!

Some are long, some are short, some are tailored and some are flowing, and they are all colors of the rainbow– even a few patterned and two-toned, but what we love is that they all have clean, simple lines and beautiful, flattering shapes. And we’re particularly happy to see that there are plenty of options for the modest gals who don’t want to go strapless (or even sleeveless)!

To see all the latest collections, visit Martha Stewart Weddings. To see our favorites, read on!

Long Peach Bridesmaid Dress: Amsale.com

Long Light Pink Bridesmaid Dress: Amsale.com

Long Purple Bridesmaid Dress: Amsale.com

Short Deep Plum Bridesmaid Dress: Modern Vintage Collection Alfred Angelo

Short Red Bridesmaid Dress: Modern Vintage Collection: Alfred Angelo

Long Brown Bridesmaid Dress: Modern Vintage Collection Alfred Angelo

I am really digging Vera Wang’s line, all sultry beige and black tulle, these gowns are beautifully daring and unabashedly feminine at the same time. With silhouettes ranging from ballgown to trumpet, these dresses are perfect for the romantic or goth bride who dares to be different!

Ann Bowen‘s line has some real winners this season (although I admit that I hate some of them)! I like these figure-hugging sheaths with their sparkles, lace, ruffles, and deep V-necks:

If you can ignore the ridiculous veil (I know, it’s hard) you may find that you love these gowns from Badgley Mischka‘s fall collection. The sparkly silver embellishments add a beautiful touch, and I really love both dresses with the gold flowers and gold spangles!

If your style is simple and sleek, check out Carolina Herrera’s line, which is understated but undeniably sophisticated. The lovely shrugs in the 1st, 4th, and 5th photos are removable, but so chic!

Some of Claire Pettibone‘s dresses are too outlandish for my subdued taste, but I think that the ones I’m showing you here are absolutely whimsical and adorable!

I’m not sure how I feel about embroidered crystal bodices, but I’m crazy about the skirts on these Eve of Milady‘s gowns! They are exquisite and sure look like fun to swish around in!

What are your favorites?

To see the rest of the lines, or gowns by other designers, please visit Martha Stewart Weddings! Happy browsing!