Myth: Following a very low-fat diet is guaranteed to help you lose weight and protect your heart.
Truth: Reducing calories and increasing activity helps shed pounds. Fat is necessary in moderate amounts. Without some fat it is difficult to absorb fat soluble vitamins like E, A, and K. Good fats actually protect your heart.
Which are the good fats?
Type of healthy fat
Food source
Monounsaturated fat
Olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, avocados, nuts and seeds
Polyunsaturated fat
Vegetable oils (such as safflower, corn, sunflower, soy and cottonseed oils), nuts and seeds
Omega-3 fatty acids
Fatty, cold-water fish (such as salmon, mackerel and herring), flaxseeds, flax oil and walnuts
“The first bond of society is marriage.” DeOfficious; Cicero
In ancient days, after the wedding festivities, the groom kept his bride in hiding to prevent their relatives from recapturing her; they stayed secluded for one month, the cycle of the moon, and drank mead, a honey wine, hence the term honeymoon.
Your honeymoon is a time to relax together, and it serves as a bridge for the change in your relationship. It is your private celebration, unlike the public declaration of your wedding ceremony and reception. It is a time for the two of you!
Personal preferences determine how long, and how much you wish to spend on the honeymoon. Many couples take a romantic, fabulous trip and, a faraway place makes perfect sense. If you have the funds and the time,it is worth making that trip of a lifetime.
Some couples do chose to have their honeymoon close to home because it is simply easier to prepare for and travel to. Your honeymoon is a time to simply be together without any distractions.
Your travel specialist will work with you to ensure that you and your spouse receive good advice and enjoy a luxurious honeymoon, whether it be a grand excursion, cruise, country inn or bed and breakfast stay.
Read more about honeymoon in the current issue of The Wedding Guide. Click here to order your copy or pick up your complimentary copy at bridal salons on this website.
“There is no remedy for love other than to love more.” Henry David Thoreau
The wedding shower originated with a Dutch maiden who fell in love with an impoverished miller. Her friends showered her and her spouse with so many gifts that they could forego her missing dowry.
Showers traditionally occur from two months to two weeks before the wedding, and can be anything from an informal luncheon, to a buffet dinner at an elegant restaurant. Theme showers are all the rage: tools for the men, a wine bar, a book shower and a hour by hour shower, where everyone brings a gift for the particular time of the day.
The get- together known as the stag and doe, or bachelor/bachelorette party has become a celebration of the end of being single. It usually consists of the immediate wedding party and very close friends of the bride and groom. The best man or maid of honour is usually in charge of coordinating the event.
Many couples arrange to travel separately to Las Vegas, New York, Cleveland; they have all become a popular weekend spots or a fishing or golfing weekend away for the guys.
This event should be a fun and memorable evening and should be suited to the style and personality of the couple.
Read more about wedding receptions in the current issue of The Wedding Guide, available free at selected bridal salons on this website.
“I would like to have engraved inside every wedding band: be kind to one another.” Randolph Ray
Almost all brides wear a wedding ring. In early days, they had two purposes. Then, brides were bought by their husbands and the ring was accepted as partial payment, which symbolized a groom’s honourable intentions. It wasn’t until medieval Italy when rings started to include diamonds. A diamond’s hardness was considered symbolic of enduring love.
The ring also symbolizes the circle of life. Traditionally the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. This custom came from the Egyptians who believed that the left hand was connected directly to the heart. Although, the ring finger does not have a vein to the heart, the tradition is still carried on today.
At present, silver and platinum rings are still the most popular out-selling more than yellow gold, and white gold in 14 and 18k, which are seeing an upswing as we move to the end of 2010. Coloured stones are also appealing, and whether your ring is thick or thin, wide or narrow, the choice is entirely yours. Just keep in mind what your occupation is, and how a certain style may prove impractical for day-to-day use.
For comfort and safekeeping, make certain you get the correct fit. Day in, day out, year after year, no other piece of apparel can compete with the hours that you will wear your wedding ring.
Read more about jewellery, diamonds and wedding planning in the current issue of The Wedding Guide, available at selected bridal salons on this website.
“If there is no woman, there is no dress”- Coco Chanel
The childhood fantasy of that incredible gown is now a reality. It is time to choose the most important dress you will ever wear, and it is your look that will set the tone for your wedding: elegantly formal, culturally traditional, or alluringly whimsical. Bridal salons offer an array of colours and styles and will do alterations for that perfect dress with the not-so-perfect waistline.
The search should begin immediately for while the choices may seem endless, time is not.
And, if it seems that the elusive dress of your dreams is but a figment of your imagination, then bring it to life. Do not hesitate to look into custom gown designs, after all, it is your day and you should feel perfect in what you are wearing.
Photo: Chalet Studio Photography
The wedding gown tells something about the bride’s beliefs and feelings, her personality, and her general appearance.
Some brides are likely to try new styles. Others may be unconcerned about their gown. Some brides wear simple gowns becaue of their strong customs and beliefs.
Through the years, the wedding gown has been one of the most important parts of the wedding, associated with the hope and the celebration of love. Your gown is going to be the focal point of the ceremony, and you will remember it for the rest of your life.
Consider comfort and that all eyes will be on you. This may not be the best occasion to wear a gown in which you do not feel comfortable. Selecting a wedding gown is one of life’s precious moments. To get the right gown, however, takes some thinking. Your wedding gown gives you a chance to dress completely different from the way you do everyday; so feel free to select something unique. Experiment with many styles to see what suits you silhouette best.
If your wedding is a destination- there are now many short styles available for you to choose from. The rise of destination weddings has set the tone for a new look for a very treasured day. And, you’ll find gowns of all colours and styles with gorgeous detail- just for you!
Sheryl Davies is a veteran of the wedding industry and spent most of her early career involved in the wedding business and brides. Davies brings 22 years of experience in the china, crystal and house wares industry in both in wholesale and retail. She’s worked for prestigious companies that include Royal Doulton, Rosenthal, Royal Worcester Spode and Orrefors crystal. Before computers Davies helped create bridal registries for companies that included T.Eaton.
Her roles in all facets of the wedding business have spanned display and salesperson to purchasing The Wedding Guide Toronto franchise in 1990, beginning a string of success that continues today. In 1992 she opened The Wedding Guide Windsor/Essex County, which continues to be the leading bridal publication of the region. It is published bi-annually and serves as a benchmark for good taste and stress-free planning.
Davies identified the changing role of bridal publications and began promoting herself and her organization organizing events including Bluesfest International, the 10th largest in North America and now in its 16th year. Sheryl and her three partners host over 30,000 festival-goers over a 3 day weekend.
Further adaption to the current changes Davies is a pioneer in social media marketing, Davies’ small business solutions company, DMS Communications has pioneered a social application that holds unique capabilities, including the ability to show videos. At the heart of her company’s program is her website and blog, The Wedding Guide – Windsor/Essex. Davies keeps her brand fresh and alive in the public eye. Her mandate to spend as much time as possible assisting area brides is a must for her advertisers
“I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be working with such a talented group of people at WISN. For 19 years, I have been a go-alone bridal business in Canada and I am ecstatic that I can now collaborate with other wedding experts to bring even more information to our local marketplace. Having a leader in the industry such as WISN to watchdog this changing industry is exciting and a necessity. To date, there has not been much information available that vendors could really trust.
With the change in society; weddings are evolving and we all need to keep our eyes on the ball. The future looks exciting and I still have many ideas up my sleeve to better this business. I look forward to sharing my knowledge to better the message to vendors and brides,” says Davies.
“We’re looking to expand our brand globally and our friends to the north are the first natural move beyond our own boarders. But, like everything we do, we must find the right person to fill the role and qualification standards we expect. In Sheryl, we’ve been very fortunate to have filled that role in Canada. She is a true leader in her market and we look forward to her insightful guidance,” said Shane McMurray, creator and head of the Wedding Industry Survey Network.
With hundreds of capable, talented vendors in Essex/County competing for your business, how do you find and select the best vendors for your wedding?
LET THE PROS HANDLE IT
Wedding consultants are one of the best and smartest places to find vendors who match your style and taste. They have worked with many companies for years and can pinpoint top vendors in each category that fit your taste and budget. They can also negotiate your rates and contracts so you get the best value and are appraised of the fine print. They will also ensure all your vendors are ready for your big day.
WINDSOR/ESSEX’S BEST REFERRAL GUIDE
The Wedding Guide’s referral network has amazing vendors that have been hand-picked for area brides. Just refer to our bridal directory and visit our websites, theweddingguide.ca and bridaltalk.theweddingguide.ca to find some of the best pros in the business for all your wedding needs. Our Facebook site, The Wedding Guide Windsor/Essex County has postings everyday as well as emerging trends and advice from all over the globe!
FRIENDS & FAMILY
Get referrals and great ideas from all your recently married friends. Because they have just completed the process, they are right up to date about everything weddings.
Choose vendors you feel comfortable with and reflect your own personal style. Remember, you will be spending your whole day with some of these people, it’s very important to like them.
A good vendor listens to your vision and enhances or compliments it with new twists you may not have thought of. You can always so no, but it’s important to find a vendor who won’t overwhelm you with their own ideas and not pay any attention to yours. This also gives you a sense of their creativitiy and knowledge of today’s current wedding trends and designs.
Choose a minimum of three vendors for each category (e.g., 3 photographers, 3 bakers etc.) and set-up appointments to visit with them. Continue narrowing down your selections. You may find this tedious and time consuming but your special day is the most important day of your life- wedding planning is a mammoth task!
Visit your top choices a few times to continue establishing a rapport and make certain they’ll meet your needs long after the contract is completed and signed.
Check references and read through the contracts completely and thoroughly before signing with any vendor. As with any purchase; buyer beware and if it doesn’t feel right, it may not be.
The Wedding Guide Windsor/Essex County is here to help you plan the wedding of your dreams with less effort and more enjoyment!
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