Browsing Tag

wedding day

When to schedule speeches?

Photo by: Mihoci

The moments that can get quite emotional after you two saying “I do”. Yes, those are the speeches. Your father, husband and his best man are usually those who hold a speech most of the time. But when is the best time to schedule them? Where here to help you incorporate those into your wedding dinner.

Long and emotional or short and quirky, speeches are there to remember all the fun times you had with each other. It’s the time when you thank people you love, you share stories, and you say what is on your mind and in your heart. (Prepare the tissues and raise your glasses).

Your guests are seated and are having fun while waiting for the lovebirds to enter the dinner venue. You came all happy, your fave song is playing in the background as your MC announces your grand entrance. You two sit down at the top table and the time starts now.

Usually, we really recommend having your speeches right away, meaning, before the dinner starts. You want the people who are holding speeches not to feel nervous. The nervousness is likely to happen when they have to wait for their turn to hold the speech. That’s why it is better to have your people speak right away, not in between meals. They will not enjoy their food as much if they have to wait, their nervousness will only build up etc. Basically, they will not be able to enjoy the moments in the same manner as they would if the speech is done and already said.

I think we all agree that you want all your guests to feel comfortable and with ease. Scheduling the speeches before the dinner starts is the best way to make sure that all of them will be performed in the way they wanted to. Relaxed and content. Without any stress involved. It is not easy to hold a speech and stand up in front of everyone. For some of them it is probably the first time they have to speak in front of a larger group. Of course, It can be nerve wracking. So, it is better to get on the speeches right away and get it over with.

That way you’ll make the best scenario possible for your people who hold the speech to enjoy their dinner and the rest of the night to the fullest. Making your wedding more enjoyable and comfortable for everyone. It shows that you care for them and how they feel in specific moments that put them in the spotlight. It’s the slightest details that matter and make your most special day flow how it is supposed to.

Soooo, the speeches should be scheduled first. At least that’s what we kindly recommend, it is your wedding after all, you choose! 🙂

Photo by: Mihoci Photo by: Mihoci Photo by: Mihoci Photo by: Mihoci Photo by: Mihoci Photo by: Mihoci

2 pros and 2 cons of doing a first look

Photo by: Mihoci

Doing a first look is something that is often debatable whether to have it or not. It is really about preferences of the couple and something that you two should discuss between each other. Don’t listen to anyone telling you what to do, or how you should behave. It is YOUR wedding day and do as you like.

With or without doing a first look, you will have the most amazing wedding day. After all, you’re having your wedding in beautiful Dubrovnik. 😊

So, let us begin with the “negative” side or the cons…

  1. First con, and the most obvious/controversial one is that – you lose having your first look at the Altar. Grandma, buckle up your seat belt, we’re taking off! (haha) Seriously now, she or some other more “traditional” guests might feel sorry that you won’t wait for that special moment to happen in front of the Altar or at the ceremony venue. Besides them, some couples really do take a lot of time and consideration whether to have a first look, since they want to make the walking down the aisle as special and emotional as it gets. Or should I say raw. Majority of people associate weddings with the fact that the groom gets to see his bride (for the first time) as she is walking towards him in her white dress. It is up to you to break those stereotypes, or maybe not… P.S. No one even needs to know that you’ve already seen each other.

2. Your wedding day might start earlier now -With having your first look before the ceremony, obviously you’ll have to think about getting up earlier than you planned to. Which is fine if you’re an early bird. But oh boy if you’re a night owl! You should consider getting to bed in some reasonable hours to get your beauty sleep. We all know that having enough sleep highly affects our stress levels but also our under-eye bags. We clearly do not need those!

 

We’re not here to overwhelm you, so doing 2 of each will be enough, agree? Moving on to the positive sides and we do love those (unlike the under eye bags). 😊

  1. First pro is – having some alone time with your loved one. While you’re the only ones being there, the emotions are shared just among you two. And that’s just beautiful. The sheer love and intimacy that is being felt is clearly something that you’ll remember forever. It’s just you two and that’s what matters after all. You’ll also feel more relaxed now while walking down the aisle (or waiting at the Altar) since you released all the nerves beforehand.

2. The second one – You can get amazing photos bursting with your emotions! And maybe a tear will mingle its way through. It is a lot easier for you (especially if you’re an introvert) to show your true emotions when there’s not many people around. Making your photos a true representation of your inner state at that moment. As well as you’ll save time this way with doing your shoot before the ceremony so you can spend more time with your guests after it. Enjoying drinks and just being relaxed and content.

There’s much more to add but we’ll leave it as it is. Think through it and do as you please. It is your wedding day, remember! You should be at ease.

Photo by: Mihoci Photo by: Mihoci Photo by: Mihoci Photo by: Mihoci Photo by: Mihoci Photo by: Mihoci

5 tips on how to stay stress free on your wedding day

We’ve all seen numerous shows on hectic “bridezillas” and probably the first thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions stress on the wedding day are those scenes and images.

It’s totally normal to behave in a certain way, we all have different personalities, and it is important to understand that every bride is different and more (or less) demanding than the other.

Before we jump in into how to manage stress on your wedding day, we’ll cover how stress impacts our regular daily lives. Once again, every person is different, and stress doesn’t have an equal impact on everybody. It is also manifested differently among every individual (it is all really depending on the situation) I can feel more stress than you do and we’re in the same situation. Looks like you handle it better and don’t think of this situation as that big of a deal, whereas I clearly do. And that’s OK.

From a more scientific standpoint from the American Psychological Association “Stress affects all systems of the body including the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems.” Meaning, muscles tense up, we are out of breath, our blood pressure rises and what not. It is not really something to look forward to when you’re about to say, “I do”.

How to prevent that from happening? Well, we’re glad you asked 😊

So, my dear, here are 5 tips on how to stay stress free on your wedding day.

  1. First and probably most important step is to hire a wedding planner – This step enables you to be sure that everything will be executed just like you’ve imagined. Worrying is a big contributor to the rising stress levels and anxiety. We all know that weddings require a lot of detailed planning. Having someone with whom you’ve already went through the whole process multiple times will make you feel more relaxed and calmer. The basis of reducing stress is the feeling of knowing that everything is under control.

      2. Don’t follow the “rules” ” – It is known that on a wedding day it is all about the bride & groom. You know that all eyes will be set on you. You don’t need to have a bunch of people around you when you’re getting ready. It is totally fine to have just a few people you feel calm and relaxed around, those who you always feel good around. Those that always have good advice and those who have an amazing energy.

3. Don’t skip on food – Don’t worry, you’ll fit into the dress even if you have a good breakfast. No, seriously now. Don’t neglect the importance of having something in your stomach. Here in Croatia, we don’t do anything on an empty stomach you know. It’s a crime! And also, hydrate. You’ll feel more focused and relaxed. Our brain and gut are so closely linked. You wouldn’t believe how are our thoughts affecting the gut and its lining.

  1. Have some alone time with your partner – Even if it’s hiring a separate transfer from the ceremony to the reception venue. Or, sneaking away from the party for a couple of minutes. Do it! You two are finally a husband and wife and having those minutes for just the two of you will feel so soothing and relaxing for both of you. So intimate, immersed in the feels…
  1. Breathe and meditate – Or don’t. But make sure to be present and grounded. Don’t let your thoughts wander around your head leaving toxic marks. The time that you lose while being stressed is the time you’ve lost that could have been filled with positive thinking. And we sure cannot turn back time. Enjoy every moment, don’t let stress win. It’s your day not his!
Photo by: Mihoci

Photo by: Mihoci

Photo by: Mihoci

Photo by: Mihoci

Photo by: Mihoci

Photo by: Mihoci

Photo by: Mihoci

Photo by: Mihoci

Photo by: Mihoci

Photo by: Mihoci

Photo by: Mihoci

Photo by: Mihoci

10 questions to ask your artist during the makeup trial 

makeup brushes

What is the first thing you think of when you imagine a Bride? Ok, after the dress 🙂 ! Her beautiful, perfectly made up face. Right? 

Every bride wants to look the most beautiful version of herself on her wedding day. That’s why you should always be open and honest with your artist. Let’s look at some questions that may be useful to ask during your Dubrovnik wedding makeup trial. 

But before we jump into this Wednesday’s topic, I’ll take this opportunity to congratulate women around the world. Happy (belated) International Women’s Day ladies! Be fierce, strong and independent as you are.  

Remember that we are all beautiful without makeup! But 🙂 … 

Makeup is an important part of the routine most women have. There’s something therapeutic when we’re putting on makeup in the morning. It relaxes us while the end result makes us more confident. But it definitely enhances the features we love on our faces.  

You’ll agree with me, having your makeup done by someone else is truly an experience. The soft brush strokes… oh so calming. But, even if you’re an introvert please talk to your artist during the trial, you’ll be less worried and the artist is there for YOU!  

Be open to discuss things and ask them questions like… 

  1. Is wedding makeup your specialty? 

There are many different kinds of makeup artists- some are more art oriented, while others are doing fashion shows and are used to unusual requests and abstract work. It is important to know what can you expect and look for from the artist. Of course, if the artist has a lot of experience in wedding makeup, they will be able to recommend you some looks that you maybe haven’t thought of yet. 

  1. Do you also do wedding hair? 

It’s very convenient when the same person (or even better a company) does both your hair and makeup. You become used to them, you feel at ease to ask anything and therefore making your look just how you wanted.  

  1. Do you charge makeup trials? 

Knowing what’s included in the price will help you to manage other possible expenses of your wedding day. But the artist that we work closely with doesn’t charge the trial in case you do one.   

  1. How long a makeup trial lasts? 

The more time they have for you the better! So, you can chat about how you want to look like, what features you want to enhance etc. If you have prepared a Pinterest board of ideas it can serve as a huge help for the artist to envision your ideal look. If you know approximately how long the trial takes, you can save some time to explore our beautiful city of Dubrovnik. Do keep in mind most makeup artists will do half face trial only if it is free of charge. 

  1. Can you use some of my personal makeup products? 

If you are someone with sensitive skin you’ll know what I am talking about. Some foundations tend to be very disruptive to the skin barrier. Brides can prefer having their own derm-approved foundations with them on their special day. Please make sure to bring it with you on the trial as well so the artist can see how it works with the rest of the makeup. 

  1. What kind of products will you use on me? 

This is a very useful info. Some brands are maybe not suitable for you, resulting in skin reactions or redness/ irritation. If you are aware of that, please ask the artist to show you their products so you can decide together what’s best for you as an individual. We for example promote clean beauty and choose artists that have an array of clean and low tox makeup options.  

  1. How can you ensure a long-lasting look? 

It is good to know all the tips and tricks that makeup artists have. We can learn so much from them and use their advice in the future. This question also ensures that you will feel more calm knowing that she did certain steps to prevent makeup from melting of your face. Which is possible during summer in Dubrovnik but not with our makeup artist! 

  1. What kind of a wedding makeup look would you recommend me? 

Sometimes artist’s vision can end up being better than the one you imagined. Ask the artist what suits you the most according to your facial structure, cheekbones, hooded eyes etc. After all, they are professionals. Listen to their advice and then bring up yours. Together you can create magic! 

  1. Do you have any pictures of your work? 

It is crucial to get actual wedding references from your Dubrovnik wedding makeup artist. I remember when I was a child my hairdresser had multiple photo albums on the coffee table at the salon. When we were waiting for our appointment me and my mum would go through these photos together. It’s so nice to see what the artist is capable of. But now, of course, we have Instagram where you can have a proper glimpse of their work. 

  1.  Lastly, question for yourself “How does this person make me feel?” 

Your makeup artist has a very important role on your wedding day. You’ll probably be under “a bit” of stress, very excited or maybe slightly bit anxious (which is all completely normal to go through). Hence, the artist needs to be able to calm you down, to have a meaningful chat with you, to help you enjoy the process etc. You can determine all of that when you meet your lovely makeup artist on your trial. 

Remember, don’t be afraid to ask any questions. It is YOUR destination wedding. Be open for suggestions, have your own ideas, communicate! Say no, don’t be shy, you won’t hurt anyone’s feelings. It’s always better to say everything that’s on your mind now than having any regrets later.