Couples' Massage: the Wedding Gift that Keeps on Giving

Looking for a special gift to give your husband or wife for your wedding? Try massage... the gift that keeps on giving!

Between the stress of daily life and the trials and tribulations you'll face together over the years... massage is a great way to ease tension, reconnect and rekindle the romance between you.

One good way to get the feel for massage is by having one from a professional! You will learn the basics and find out what feels good. You can also get acquainted with massage oils such as lavender or geranium, that promote relaxation and well being.

It's also a nice idea to buy a book that teaches the basics of massage. Keep it by the bed stand for easy access to some quality relaxation techniques.

Irish Blessing for Your New Home Together

Yoga Poses to Ease Pre-Wedding Jitters

Wedding planning is an incredibly stressful thing. The week leading up to your big day is possibly the most nerve-wracking of all! Every bride wants to look good, feel good, and have the best time possible on her wedding day. Yoga can be just the thing to help ease those pre-wedding jitters.

If you already know about the amazing benefits of yoga, great! Now is the time to access all you've learned and put that powerful yoga to work for you.

If you don't know about what yoga can do for you, it's easy enough to learn a few moves. You can do yoga at your own pace, and to the best of your ability. No one judges during yoga – as long as you don't strain or stress your body, you should begin to feel the positive effects immediately.

Some poses to help you relax before getting married. Do these in order, before you go to bed at night, to calm your nerves and help you sleep better. Take a minimum of 6 cleansing breaths while holding each pose, before moving on to the next.

Shoulder stand:

http://www.yogajournal.com/pose/supported-shoulderstand/

Plough pose:

http://www.artofliving.org/us-en/yoga/yoga-poses/plow-pose

Bridge pose:

http://www.yogabasics.com/asana/bridge/

Lotus pose/neck stretches:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/practice-the-full-lotus-posture-correctly.html

While in lotus, do neck slow neck stretches: forward and back, side to side, around to the right and left, and then rotate your neck slowly in a circle to the left and right.

Locust pose:

http://www.yogaoutlet.com/guides/how-to-do-locust-pose-in-yoga

Cobra pose:

http://www.artofliving.org/us-en/yoga/yoga-poses/cobra-pose-bhujangasana

Cat and cow (go back and forth between these several times), then child pose

http://yoganonymous.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/cat-cow-and-child-yoga-pose.jpg

Downward facing dog:  http://www.gaia.com/pose/downward-facing-dog-pose-adho-mukha-svanasana

Plank pose: http://www.yogajournal.com/article/beginners/plank-pose/

(switch between down dog and plank pose a few times – you'll feel your back cracking)

Seated forward bend:

http://www.yogabasics.com/asana/seated-forward-bend/

Lotus pose again: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/practice-the-full-lotus-posture-correctly.html

Corpse pose: http://www.yogajournal.com/pose/corpse-pose/

Fun With Vintage Bridal Gowns

With a little creativity and some refurbishing skills, the thrifty NJ bride can score a beautiful, vintage wedding dress that is uniquely her, for a fraction of the price she'd pay for a designer wedding dress. Here's some vintage wedding gown inspiration through the 20th century. (I skipped the 80s - sorry! Didn't think anyone would want to go there yet. Never say never though, right? There's always one out there.)

Soft, updo gives this vintage 1900s wedding gown a more laid-back feel. Pic from http://2.bp.blogspot.com/

 

1920s inspired, with dark makeup for a more modern goth look. Pic courtesy of http://www.wantthatwedding.co.uk

1930s wedding gowns were all about texture and drape. Pic from http://www.circabrides.com

1940s bridal gown with romantic lace and bows - for the "demure" bride! Pic courtesy http://yesbride.com

Another, more "Hollywood glamour" style of 1940s bridal gown - because it's my favorite era!
From http://4.bp.blogspot.com

I really love this classic, 1950s bridal gown with snug waistline and full, floor length skirt. Found on Pinterest.

1960s brides were fond of sleeves! Reminds me of my mom and the brides of her generation. Pic courtesy of http://www.veryvintagebridal.co.uk

A fun, hippie-child inspired '70s bridal gown - perfect for a wilderness wedding! Pic discovered on http://www.weddinginterest.com

Beautiful DIY Wedding Inspiration from a Couple in Cameron, NC

Thank you to the bride who published this DIY wedding montage, for capturing sharing your amazing work! Surely our NJ DIY brides will find some creative inspiration here.




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