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Provided by Cheryl Fischer, Arbonne Independent Consultant Hello Preferred Clients! EVERY Preferred Client – yes EVERY ONE – can select a free item this month with a $150 order! And of course, all orders of $150+ receive FREE shipping as well (and that’s always true)! Not shopping at a discount yet?  Ask me about what this is.  No minimums, 20% discounts or more, special offers, healthy mind/body/skin. #brilliant Drop me a note or order online!

By Rebecca Jones Yes, you can have a beautiful and meaningful wedding this year! 2020 cannot take away your celebration of love. In fact, 2020 couples have embraced the new concept of the micro wedding.  For those couples who decide to get married this year, micro weddings have become increasingly popular. Micro weddings are smaller in size, usually with a guest count that’s in line with local guidelines. Although your wedding has shrunk in the number of guests, it doesn’t mean you have to skimp on the opulence or details. In fact, a micro wedding can be your dream wedding. Go for Fine Dining A large majority of the wedding budget is traditionally spent on catering. But with a smaller wedding and a smaller guest list, your budget has opened up considerably. With that freedom, consider offering more of a …

Here is a great example of Amoda Décor’s work! “One of our favorite setups that captures a whimsical spirit.” said Pooja Mittra, founder of Amoda Décor . “We love wallpapered backdrops combined with fresh florals and a colorful seating area! It’s time to be BOLD and explore color!” It’s your special event, and the Amoda team is ready to create one HAUTE decor scheme! www.amodadecor.com

By Amanda Baity To first look or not to first look, THAT is the question. “First look” is a term that has developed in the modern age of wedding photography to  their ceremony. Whether or not to have a first look is a decision that many couples struggle with. In the past, the groom waited to see his bride on the wedding day until she walked down the aisle. This tradition originated with arranged marriages. When a couple was chosen for one another they were not allowed to see each other until the ceremony so that they wouldn’t have the chance to back out once they saw what each other looked like. Eek! Not the most romantic origin! Even though couples marry for love today, some still like to uphold this tradition. But more and more couples are deciding to …

We spoke with Andrea Van Wambeke, General Manager of Sweeney Barn of Manassas to learn more about this beautiful venue and how couples can still plan their dream wedding! www.sweeneybarn.com 

by Lisa Beth Miller Local bride Andrea Gillis, a former wedding professional herself, knew the importance of being super-organized about planning her wedding to her fiance, Marty. The worldwide health emergency known as COVID-19, however, offered an unprecedented challenge to her meticulous plans. “We wanted to get married in our neighborhood, at a beautiful manor home, which is actually managed by the local city government. Due to all of the virus-related closures, the facility has cancelled all weddings up to May 4th. Things kind of started to unravel on March 18th. After speaking to my location’s representatives, they offered us a refund. With everyone pushing back their wedding dates 3-6 months out, I just couldn’t reschedule for a later date. I was afraid all of my vendors would cancel on us,” Andrea explained. Venue and caterer were the two biggest …

by Lisa Beth Miller The wedding reception is a time to celebrate! The right music choices are very important if you want guests of all ages to relax and have a wonderful time. While it may be tempting to just create a playlist using your own iPod’s lists, don’t. You must consider your audience and welcome them into your fabulous fete by playing the music they recognize and love. One recent trend is to allow guests to request one favorite dance song on their reply cards. This is an easy way to figure out what might get your crowd moving (or at least keep them in a good mood). Another option is to select key songs for your reception and just trust your band or DJ to make the rest of the selections. If you hired an experienced, trained professional, …

by Lisa Beth Miller Almost every fashionista loves a fabulous shoe. Selecting shoes for your wedding day should simply be one more opportunity to add an amazingly stylish touch to your look. Shoes for your wedding day should not be a last-minute decision. The shoe should be coordinated with your gown color (it could even be a unique contrast), your jewelry, your bouquet and your basic style. They must be selected carefully! Talk to the style consultants at your bridal boutique for ideas. Once you have found the correct pair of wedding-day shoes, here are some additional tips to keep in mind: In order to prevent blisters and discomfort, start wearing your shoes about a month before the wedding to break them in a bit. Even just walking around in your shoes for 15 minutes each evening will help your …

by Lisa Beth Miller If you are addicted to reality wedding TV shows like I am, you probably think that it is obvious when you put on the “right” wedding gown. Some think it is a special hunch, while others claim the bride will most definitely shed tears when she sees herself in the correct dress. Some brides just do not experience this moment of clarity and never really feel one-hundred percent confident. Why? Well, for starters, many brides simply over-shop. They feel they they cannot allow themselves to relax and feel confident in a dress (no matter how perfect it truly looks) until literally EVERY dress option has been seen. This attitude often leads to marathon shopping sessions to multiple boutiques. This accomplishes very little because each visit to a new boutique starts the entire process from the very …

By Lisa Beth Miller Couples who want to incorporate giving into their wedding celebrations have several options on how to do so. Here are a few ideas on how to be philanthropic for one of your first acts as a married couple. Incorporate specific charities into your registry: Allow guests to donate in your honor to a cause that is meaningful to you both. This is especially common for couples who have already established their home. Charities that have a local impact will resonate with guests. Here are a few of our favorites: Semper K9 Assistance Dogs – semperk9.org ACTS – actspwc.org Community Foundation of Northern Virginia – cfnova.org Give Back Prince William – givebackpw.org Habitat for Humanity Prince William County – habitatpwc.org Donate instead of giving favors: A charitable registry shows that a couple is philanthropically-minded, but a donation …

By Erin Pittman Sponsored by Divine Destination Weddings and Honeymoons So, you’ve found the person you want to marry, gotten the ring and have enough excitement bottled up inside for years to come. Now it’s time to make plans for your unforgettable wedding and honeymoon. But where do you start? No matter what you’re looking for, turn to Divine Destination Weddings and Honeymoons. Expert Travel Planners When you contact Divine Destinations, you’ll receive tailored service from the very beginning. Dana Franklin and her Virginia team of agents bring years of expert service to the table. Franklin has been a travel agent for 14 years and has been with the company since 2014. “People will find that human connection from start to finish,” said Franklin. “Our clients will receive multiple options, and we will walk them through the booking process, often …