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Lufkinconnects.com is a family oriented community informational online resource for Lufkin and the East Texas area. We offer local news, weather and events. We connect our community through free classifieds, a business directory, restaurant reviews, health news, wedding news and editorials. We feature area business news, coupons, and links to businesses that are key to the development and growth for our area. For more information about our website.... Please contact us: info@lufkinconnects.com or call: (936) 632-6345 |

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Weddings
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LufkinConnects.com - Home BUDGETING YOUR WEDDING in the Lufkin, Texas and Angelina County Area Red Carpet Beauty Tips that Fit Your Budget Article by ARA With award season in full swing, all eyes are on celebrities and their red carpet style. For every A-lister, looking great at an awards show is almost as important as remembering an acceptance speech. While most celebrities have a team to get them picture perfect, there are some simple tricks you can do at home to make sure you're camera ready for your next big event whether it's a first date or family reunion.
Giuliana Rancic, host of E! News and a red carpet staple, shares some simple beauty tips that are sure to make you look and feel your best all night long -- without a celebrity-sized budget.
Hydrate: Give yourself a healthy and glowing complexion by getting plenty of rest the night before the event, and stay hydrated during the day. When water gets too boring, add a splash of cranberry or pomegranate juice. The antioxidants will add to your glow.
Relax: If you're prone to getting pre-event jitters, it's important to find a way to relax beforehand so you can arrive feeling your best. Remember that confidence shows. To de-stress, she suggests meeting a friend for yoga, getting a full body massage or putting on some fun music to dance around to as you get ready.
Be prepared: Try on your outfit the day before to assure that you have the right shoes and accessories. You'll feel much more relaxed on the day of the big event knowing that you have everything ready. It also pays to have a Plan B outfit in mind, just in case. And while you have your outfit on, pull out your digital camera and snap a couple photos of yourself to practice finding your picture-perfect pose the way models do.
Say cheese: You can count on there being photos taken at any big event, so your smile needs to be camera-ready. A lip stain is your best bet for long-lasting lip color, and a bold shade will make your smile extra eye-catching. Of course, no matter how bright the color, it can't hide dull teeth. Giuliana swears by Crest Whitestrips to make sure her teeth are sparkling before the big event. "My latest beauty secret is to use new Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal two weeks before my big event. Because the strips mold to my teeth, I can talk, drink water and go about my routine while I'm wearing them! They fit perfectly into my busy schedule."
Finally, eat right: You don't want to be hungry during the event, but you also need to look your best in that dress. On the day of a big event, eat a small meal with protein in the morning, like an egg white omelet with veggies and feta cheese. Then, in the afternoon, stick with liquids like a fruit smoothie, which gives you energy without making you feel too full or bloated.
Following these simple steps will help you feel like you had your own personal glam squad for your next big night out.
| PLANNING YOUR WEDDING in the Lufkin, Texas and Angelina County Area Classic Style Trumps Trends Article by ARA Wedding album, videos and a carefully preserved gown -- your wedding mementoes are meant to be precious reminders of your special day. But you may find yourself cringing with shame when you look at your album years down the road if you choose trendy over traditional style for the look of your wedding.
It's easy to tell the difference between a look that's trendy and a more classic style. Think of the bell bottoms and love beads from the '70s and big hair and "Dynasty"-style gowns of the '80s -- looks that were "hot" at one time, but that years later elicit an eye-roll and a "what was I thinking" attitude from women who wore them.
Now consider the elegance, grace and demure femininity of icons like Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman and Audrey Hepburn. Their style was classic and timeless -- and one that today's smart bride mimics to ensure she'll love the look of her wedding as much in 20 years as she does the day she walks down the aisle.
Today's bride knows that choosing fabrics, silhouettes and accessories borrowed from the classic era -- the 1940s through the 1960s -- will give her wedding and gown timeless appeal. No dated looks from easy-to-identify fashion fads for her. The classic look also plays well with the growing trend to achieve less with more by accenting the basics with luxurious finishing touches.
Here's how to achieve that classic look for your spring wedding:
The Dress Avoid large, modern swags of fabrics in favor of silhouettes that emphasize an hourglass figure. Nipped-in waists, or waistlines defined with belts and sashes, often in a color that slightly contrasts with the dress, create an elegant, eternal style. You can draw your classic style from the '40s, '50s and even '60s.
Designers offer charming gowns that evoke the look of 1950s prom dresses with fitted bodices and full skirts in tulle, lace and appliqué. For a 1960s look, a shorter, sophisticated frock with a gathered waist and narrow skirt will be reminiscent of the classic '60s cocktail dress.
The Accessories A veil is essential for classic bridal style, and birdcage veils with large netting that falls at cheekbone length epitomize the look. These simple veils frame the bride's glowing face and highlight special jewelry. Ladylike wrist-length gloves are the perfect complement to vintage bridal looks.
The classic bridal look is a perfect match with a simple and elegant pair of pearl stud earrings and a lustrous 16-inch strand of cultured pearls around the bride's neck. Pearls have long been associated with the essence of sophisticated womanhood in American pop culture.
"The Hindu Lord Krishna is said to have offered pearls to his daughter as a wedding gift, which is where pearls and weddings were first married," says Jeremy Shepherd of PearlParadise.com, the world's largest online pearl company. "Pearls are considered a symbol of purity, making them the perfect fit with a bride's white dress."
Shepherd recommends white akoya pearls, a saltwater pearl that grows primarily in the coastal areas of Japan and China. Considered to be the classic pearls for jewelry, akoya pearls are prized for their perfect round shape, mirror-like luster and soft, neutral colors.
The Look Tie a classic dress and accessories together with a polished hairstyle such as a bun or chignon and keep makeup understated. Dark brown or black eyeliner extended slightly past the end of the eyelid, a touch of black mascara and a shade of red lipstick perfectly matched to the bride's complexion are all that's necessary to complete the perfect, classic Hollywood face.
Visit www.PearlParadise.com for more ideas and classic bridal pearls. | | LOCAL LUFKIN, TX LINKS | WEDDING TIPS in the Lufkin, Texas and Angelina County Area Avoiding Pitfalls for Outdoor Weddings You've decided to have an outdoor wedding? Congratulations. Outdoor weddings are romantic and beautiful. However, they aren't as easy as they may look. Outdoor weddings come with additional caveats and pitfalls, but if you follow these tips, you'll be sure to shine on your wedding day.
Make your guests comfortable Think about what the weather will likely be at the time of day and month of the year of your outdoor wedding. Sunny and hot? Don't leave your guests uncomfortably melting - have your ushers give guests ice-cold bottles of water as they are seated. Consider printing your wedding program on a fan so that guests may cool themselves. Don't forget to have plenty of sunscreen on hand as well. For a very warm location, look into renting large electric fans (don't forget a generator) and/or a tent to shade the suns rays.
If it will be cold and damp, make sure you tell guests that so they can wear extra layers. A simple Xeroxed insert will do. You might want to have lap blankets on hand, or rent portable heaters.
Have backup plans What will you do if it rains? The ideal outdoor wedding location has an indoor location waiting just in case. Many brides and grooms opt to have their ceremony outside and reception inside. In a pinch, the tables can be scooted to the back of the room during the ceremony. A tent is another option, but only for light to moderate rain storms. A heavy rain will soak the ground underneath, leaving guests with soggy and muddy shoes. Make sure any tent you rent is sturdy so it won't flip over, and that it has thick and weighted sides.
Plan for Wind Many outdoor weddings suffer from windy conditions. Avoid light fabrics like chiffons and china silks in your dress and the bridesmaid dresses. Tell your hairstylist that you'll be having an outdoor wedding so she/he can plan a style that won't leave you looking like Cousin It! Men in the wedding party should use pomade or other styling product. Again, tell your guests in a printed insert so that they can plan accordingly. And of course, make sure your tent will stand up to gusting winds or find an indoor backup plan.
Can everybody hear? When you picture your dream wedding at the beach, you're probably not hearing the roaring of the waves, the rushing wind, or the local kids running and screaming around you. Look into renting a sound system with clip mikes for the bride, groom and officiant. Your DJ or band may be able to easily arrange this for you.
Decorations One of the bonuses of an outdoor wedding is the natural beauty around you, lessening your need to decorate. But you still need to do some work. Visit the site a week before your wedding to make sure the grass is mown, the ground raked, and the flowers have bloomed. If your wedding is at a public park, you may want to ask the groomsmen or friends to do this the morning of your ceremony. If it's been an especially cold season, you may need to supplement the flowers with some potted bulbs from a florist. Other decorations you may want to consider include an arch or trellis to focus the ceremony and frame the bride and groom as they say their vows; strings of lights or lanterns in the trees; luminaries'; torches;
Make things tasty outside Does your caterer have experience planning an outdoor wedding menu? Make sure they're planning things that will keep well outdoors in the heat. Avoid things like mayonnaise salads or dishes which must be served cold.
Don't leave your guests parched Since alcohol is dehydrating; consider serving a variety of lemonades, teas and punches. Be sure to have plenty of ice and water around as well. For a fancy cocktail, why not serve a classic mint julep or a mojito? The mint will refresh and cool your guests.
Those pesky flying things Be sure to put out citronella candles or a bug zapper so that your guests won't spend the whole ceremony swatting at the air.
Here comes the sun Consider timing your outdoor wedding for sunset where your guests will see you take your vows surrounded by the warm glow of the sun. Those having a daytime outdoor wedding should orient the ceremony so that the sun will be on guests' backs rather than in their eyes.
Permits Don't forget to contact your city parks department or other local government to get a permit for an outdoor wedding. Be sure to ask about rules concerning trash removal, candle or torch lighting, and pre-wedding photography.
| WEDDING TIDBITS in the Lufkin, Texas and Angelina County Area Interesting Wedding Facts The Bridal Bouquet Toss Believe it or not, the bridal bouquet toss celebration goes back to fourteenth century France where it was believed that a bride was especially lucky on her wedding day. Guests would rush towards the bride at the end of the ceremony in hopes of tearing off a piece of her dress to take home for their own good fortune. This often ended in a scuffle dangerous for the bride (and guests). For a brief time, in an effort to fend off the wild attacks, the bride would throw her stockings (or garter) until brides began to rebel against this undignified practice. Brides instead switched to throwing the bouquet and that tradition has remained in place.
Today it is still considered lucky to catch the bridal toss bouquet and the event is usually performed to a unique bouquet toss song. It is said that the lucky recipient will be the next to marry. If you are leery of performing the bouquet toss at your own ceremony, consider some great modern alternatives to that traditional bouquet toss. Make a presentation of the bridal toss bouquet to a dear friend instead of tossing it. Or, a great twist is to look inwards at the fortune you've found by presenting the tossing bouquet and tossing garter to a cherished, wedded couple whom inspired you both to become newlyweds.
List of Top Requested Bridal Toss Songs 1. This One is For the Girls (Martina McBride) 2. Just a Girl (No Doubt) 3. Girls Just Want to Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper) 4. Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend (Marilyn Monroe) 5. I Feel Like a Woman (Shania Twain)
History of the Wedding Cake In the history of the wedding cake, the first wedding cake was not meant to be eaten. Looking back at wedding cake history, a wedding cake was actually a loaf of wheat bread that was broken over the head of the bride, by the groom. This wedding cake tradition began sometime during the Roman Empire when wheat was actually a symbol of fertility. The wedding guests would then eat the crumbs that fell for good luck!
During the middle Ages history of wedding cake, the wheat loaf changed to sweet buns and was brought to the bride and groom by the wedding guests. After the ceremony, the buns would be piled together for the bride and groom to kiss over. The higher the wedding cake buns were stacked, the more prosperous the wedding couple would be!
Then in the 16th century history of the wedding cake, while visiting London a French chef was appalled by the wedding cake tradition he had seen. Upon his return to France, he baked a wedding cake that looked something like a pile of buns - similar to today's tiered modern wedding cakes. He made that more modern wedding cake taste good and loaded it with delicious, flowing frosting.
Today, traditional yet modern wedding cakes are a fun and symbolic part of the wedding day. The modern wedding cake symbolizes the first meal as husband and wife - now a treasured tribute to the wedding cake history of centuries past.
Garters "Go ahead throw it already" Throwing the garter began in France when pieces of the bridal attire were considered lucky. The bride would throw the garter to the guests at the wedding and whoever caught it could expect good luck. In the United States, the groom traditionally removes the garter from the bride and throws it to the unmarried men. The man who catches it is thought to be the next to marry. At some weddings the man who catches the garter will place it on the leg of the lady who caught the bouquet or they may start the next dance. It is also common for the recipients of the bouquet and garter to have a photograph taken with the bride and groom.
12 Month Wedding Checklist 11-12 Months before the Big Day: □ Officially announce your engagement. Place your announcement on TexasWeddingConnects.com □ Set a time and date for the wedding. □ Decide the style of ceremony. Determine size, setting, formality, etc. □ Contact wedding officiate. □ Arrange for your families to meet if they haven’t met before. □ Develop a budget. Decide who will pay for what. □ Begin compiling your guest list. □ Visit and reserve your reception site.
9-10 Months before the Big Day: □ Order your wedding gown. Determine who will make any necessary alterations. □ Choose your wedding party. □ Decide on a color scheme. Start shopping for your wedding site - They book early. □ Meet with potential wedding professionals. Interview local videographers, photographers, florist, DJs & Musicians, caterers, and bakeries. Be sure to get a contract that states wedding date, time, and location for each vendor, as well as the schedule for payments. □ Scout out accommodations for out-of-town guests.
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