Tips for Children at Weddings

Inviting children to take part in your celebration can make it even more special. However, the last thing you want to worry about is your flower girl and page boy becoming impatient, restless or fidgety on the day of the wedding. Here are some helpful tips to ensure that the day goes smoothly...see www.weddinglinks.com.au for some more ideas.

1. As a general rule, when choosing children to take part in your wedding as a flower girl or page boy, it is usually best (or at least more predictable) to have children ages four and above. Now, of course, each child is different and you'll want to consider their personality (very shy vs. outgoing) and maturity level as well.

2. In the weeks before the wedding day, talk to your flower girl and page boy about the events that will take place before and throughout the wedding day. Explain what they will wear, where they will go and what they will have to do. The better young attendants can visualize their role in the wedding, the better prepared they will be to cooperate and participate as you would like them to.

3. Choose outfits for the flower girl and page boy that are comfortable. Choose comfortable fabrics - ones that don't scratch or irritate the skin. Be sure the children wear comfortable shoes, and if the shoes are new - that they have a chance to "break them in" prior to the wedding day.

4. Purchase some books - there are some wonderful books that not only inform flower girls and page boy of their role in the wedding, but also welcome and celebrate them as a very special part of the bridal party.

5. Invite all of your young attendants and their parents to the rehearsal. Let the children practice walking down the aisle several times so that they will feel more comfortable of their role on the "big day".

6. Make sure that the children know exactly where their parents will be seated during the ceremony. Depending on the length and style of the ceremony, you may want the children to go and sit with their parents during the ceremony

7. The parents of the flower girl and page boy should be invited to the rehearsal dinner. However, many rehearsal dinners can go as late as 10:00 or even later. Therefore, it is recommended that the children not attend the dinner. Talk with the parents to see if a babysitter could be arranged ahead of time.

8. Ask the parents of your flower girl and page boy to make sure their children are well rested before the wedding. A good night's sleep the night before, or even a nap the day of, can help little ones get through the day.

9. Assign a bridesmaid to each child in the bridal party. Have each of your secret helpers keep a goody bag handy. Fill it with nutritious treats (dry cereal, crackers, carrot sticks), crayons and paper, a bottle of water and small travel games. These kid supplies will come in handy while traveling from the church to the reception, while waiting for photographs to be taken, or during the reception.

10. Take pictures with the flower girl and page boy as early in the day as possible -preferably before the ceremony. Then, there is less chance that their outfits could get dirty, torn, wrinkled... you know how kids are!

11. Be sure to express your heartfelt appreciation to the children in your bridal party. Photographs make a cherished gift for flower girls and ring bearers of all ages. They will enjoy reflecting on pictures of themselves and remembering the special role they played in your wedding.

12. Kids are unpredictable! All the practice and preparation in the world does not mean that they will perform their role "flawlessly". Don't expect perfection. Remember, if it doesn't go just as planned, it will make for entertaining clips in your wedding video.

Makeup & Beauty for Weddings

It's the day you've been planning for months – if not your whole life – and along with Mr. Right you've found the perfect dress, the flowers and the venue. Now it is time to set your mind how you will look on the day. So what are the tips for creating wedding day make-up?

Where to Begin…
The first thing to get right is your skin and eyebrows… a series of facials in the run up to your wedding (that is if you don't already have regular facials). Start a few months before as it is common for your skin to break out and get worse before it gets better after a facial if you haven't had one for a long time. (Something to do with getting all the impurities out) Treat yourself to one a month for 3 months before the big day…your last one at least a few days before your wedding, to give your skin time to settle down. Eyebrows should be shaped the day before if possible.
Your Trial
Find a makeup artist at least three months before the big day. Your initial consultation and make-up trial will probably take longer than on the day. The make-up artist will make an assessment of your skin tone and select the most flattering colours for you (make sure you speak up if you're not happy with the choices!).
If you don't feel comfortable with the first make-up artist you trial, shop around until you find the right person for you. A good make-up artist should be someone you can trust to create the look you want.
On your wedding morning, be the first in the make-up chair – not the last, after the bridal party had their make-up applied. You don't want to be rush.
If you plan to apply your own bridal make-up, invest in some good quality brushes for a professional finish and practice, practice, practice!
Visit some make-up counters with your girlfriend's months before the wedding, and have a bridal make-up test done. Take some products home and spend the evening trying them on, take some photos and offer each other your honest opinions.
Styles come and go. Avoid make-up trends on your wedding day and aim for a timeless, classic face.
It's crucial that your foundation perfectly matches your skin tone. Australian girls often have white faces and brown bodies! Match your foundation to your décolletage rather than your face.
Waterproof mascara is a must, and false eyelashes, properly applied, look sensational.
Take some spare lipstick with you on the wedding day. And don't forget to freshen up a little before the reception.

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Tip: Tuck a tissue down the bustline of your dress or up your sleeve... just in case!