Registry Workshop: Management Wrap-Up

Time to wrap up the registry workshop -- the last thing on your registry to-do list is to manage it. So far, you have done your research, picked out your stores, loaded you list up with FABULOUS items, and the make it all come together, you have got to keep a constant eye on it! Managing your registry must be a continuous task while good through your wedding planning journey -- fortunately, with the amazing internet power, keeping tabs on your registry is pretty easy to do!


Once, registered, familiarize your self with the online registry tools at your given store. Every modern day store that offers a wedding registry will also offer online registry access. Most stores' online registry management format are similar to each other's; however, do some exploring on each individual site so that you can find the differences. More often than not, you can change quantities of items wanted with a simply click of a button -- which is a vital tool in managing your lists. Additionally, the online registry will be updated close to real time -- that way you can know what you have left on your registry at any given moment. Online management tools also allow you to update your shipping address, manage your thank you notes, and many actually offer a tool to monitor your registry automatically! Like I said before, the key is to get on there and check everything your store's online registry has to offer -- and take ADVANTAGE of these tools, they are sure to help! Here are some quick tips for registry management:

• Continually watch the quantities that are left on your registry, there are always things you may decide to request more of. 
• ALWAYS check and update your registry after any bridal shower. Most likely, your list may be fairly depleted after a big party in honor of you...and it is important that there is always enough on there for the BIG day!
• Find the store's online management list -- this tool is a list of everything the store recommends that you need, including quantities and sizes. The site literally puts a check mark by the stuff that you have registered for and/or received, and then advises you on what you still need to add.
• Keep a close eye out on what type of items your guests are buying - remember back on the post for "What to Register For" and I mentioned that you always want to have items on there that covers all prices -- low, mid, and high price ranges. If you received a number to kitchen utensils (lower ended price) at a bridal shower, you may want to consider adding back some items in the lower range.
• Stay up on the trends and seasonal changes. Stores are always changing stock -- especially when it comes to the decor category. Bedding is another category that is strongly influence by seasonal changes. There is definitely a chance that the bedding you registered for in the beginning is no longer available at the time of your wedding - if this or a similar situation happens, just adjust your quantities and re-register for another selection.
• Check up on product reviews by other customers. Sometimes you will register for an item and later realize that it has not gotten good reviews. If you ever change your mind about a registry item, simply delete it, and add another one in place.
• Be aware that there are some items that are online exclusives or in-store items only. This factor may influence the accessibility of the item to your guests.
• Don't be afraid to change your mind! There are always things you are going to want and even NEED to add!
• Be sure to check out the website's "customer favorites" section! This is a list the store has complied of couple's mot popular registry items...great stuff to add.
• This is a big one: after the wedding date, go back and add any items you think you want, but were not originally registered for, to your registry. "Why?" you ask...well remember that REWARD system each registry store offers? You can anywhere from 10-20% off each item you personally buy off of your registry after the BIG day (usually up to 90 days after the event date!)

That about wraps it up! Make sure to head back to past Registry Workshop posts to get up-to-date on all the know-how! Look out for the next mini-series (TBA) and the popular Now That's Cool post tomorrow! Much Love.

Registry Workshop: Pick 'em Right

So you have done your research, you have picked your stores, and your following the all the "do's and don'ts"...I would say you are on a pretty stellar track to having a successful registry! Only a couple more things to cover in the Registry Workshop and you are on your own! Let us get on to the fun part...actually CHOOSING what you want! Like I said before, think as it as telling Santa exactly what you want (cannot complain there right!).

Choosing what items to register for can seem like a whole bunch of fun from the get go, but beware, do it right from the start, otherwise you can easily get a little "lost in translation." First of, I recommend making a plan for your self, or at least a brief assessment of your WANTS v. your NEEDS. It is important to register for your NEEDS first...you can always add your WANTED items later down the line. For example, if you need flatware, but really want this decorative pillow...it is obviously more important that some gets you all the flatware before the pillow is considered. The last thing you want is to have a bunch of stuff you only wanted, but are left to buy all the things you actually needed. Fortunately, your wants and needs will often overlap - so getting down to the nitty gritty of it all will come naturally. An easy way to plan out your registry is to make a list of all the rooms in your apartment, townhome, or house -- then, make a list of what you need or don't have for each room - that way, you will have an overall picture of what needs to go on your official list. 

Once you have your general "plan" it is also good to look over a list of recommended registry items. Here are a couple of sites that have checklists of all items you might possibly need, and the quantity they reccommend that you should request:

The Knot

Real Simple

These lists are GREAT tools, and easily outline what the average person needs to register for. That being said, you most likely will NOT need to register for absolutely everything on there - however, you it as an overall guide (and cross out things you do not need) for your registry trip. For example, if you do not have a guest bedroom, you probably do not need to register for extra duvets and pillows, or if you have a set of pots from college, you may not need to put those on there either. Bottomline: use your list, plan, and discretion as a guide...it will save you tons of guess work and wasted effort! 

*********

This is kind of a side note, but one of the biggest registry dilemmas for modern brides is whether or not to register for fine china. Fine china and silver used to be an absolute custom on any wedding registry; however, this standard has fallen off over the years. Today, many brides choose not to register for fine china, crystal, and flatware: (1) because today's gatherings are more casual, (2) china is an expensive gift that may not allow for some of the other items you want to get bought, and (3) many brides are in line to inherit china from a parent or grandparent. Nevertheless, registering or not registering for fine china, silver, and crystal is 100% up to you, your situation, and your taste. Either way you go is excepted it these times!

Registry Workshop: Registry Etiquette

As if there were not enough "do's and don'ts" that goes along with everything wedding...but yes, there too is wedding registry etiquette. Fortunately, a complete list of registry etiquette can easily be laid out, and as long a you check off the following, you will be sure to not step on anyone's toes :) Here it goes...

The Do's

• Start registering early. It is never too early too early to start scanning! Why? Well, for starters, it helps  get a big thing off your "to-do" list early. Secondly, it allows you guests to check out your "wants" from the get-go -- more time for guests to look out for sale prices, seasonal changes, and map out what they want to get you.
• Register for expensive things! Although you want to register for a range of prices, do not be afraid to have a couple high priced items on your registry. Even if you think no one will buy it for you, more often than not, someone WILL - or they will go in on a gift jointly with another couple. The point of registry is to start you and your man off with things your don't have, but WANT & NEED - so put those dream items on there!
• Register for more than you think! Tomorrow I will go more in depth on what to register for, but definitely know that you will need to register for way more than you think right off the bat. With showers lined up before the wedding, your guests will be flying through your list fast.
• Provide your guest with a list of all the places you registered. Whether you list it on a wedding website, a Facebook page, or any invitation, make sure your guests KNOW where to shop! Typically a small line such as, "the bride and groom are registered at..." will suffice.
• Register for gift certificates. Most of the time, you can register for gift certificates from the store you are registered at. Gift certificates are easy gifts to give, and even more easy to use (trust me, the more gift certificates, the better!)
• Register at a minimum of 2 places and a maximum of 4 stores. This number of places gives your guests some freedom to shop, as well as, YOU some freedom of choice on items. The average person registers at 3 stores.
• Register for the most essential items first -- meaning, register for things you need first, and add things you want as guests start buying off the products that were essential (check in tomorrow for a closer look at this Do!)

The Don'ts

• Do not register later than 3 months before your wedding date. As stated before, the earlier the better - however, if it is not a priority, make sure you still give your guests enough time to get their gifts together - anything under 3 months is no good.
• Do not register at LOCAL stores only. Although small boutique stores offer a registry, make sure that you are registered at atleast one store that has a NATIONAL market presence. Your registry needs to be accessible and "shoppable" by guests all over.
• Do not ask for money ONLY. This "don't" is a controversial one -- many will tell you that asking for money only is ok in this day in time, but I say it is not. Asking for gift cards on a registry is perfectly fine, and if people give you money of their own, that is great as well; HOWEVER, plain out saying that you only want money can easily come off as tacky and offensive. Guests can often feel embarrassed to give an exact dollar amount to you -- many rather buy a gift who's worth is more valued on "functionality."
• Do not choose items that are on clearance -- now take a close look at this one, CLEARANCE is different that SALE. Registering for items on SALE means typically means there is a temporary discount on the item..no big deal. CLEARANCE, typically means that the items is discounted because it is going out of stock, out of season, or being discontinued.

Registry Workshop: Where's The Place For You?

***If you missed the start of Lucky In Love's Registry Workshop, click here to head back to yesterday!***

Registering at the right place for you is vital to your overall satisfaction when your BIG day is all over and done with. There are several factors that go into choosing the right registry spot and it is important to take each factor into consideration. The objective is make your registry one that you love and that your guests are willing to buy at, and here is how it is done:

Style

Obviously you want to choose a store that offers a products with your style. Don't feel like you have to register at a the same place everyone else does, rather, choose a place that you would happily fill your home with. Here are some of the styles offered at the most popular stores:

Classic Traditional: Macy's, Khol's, Dillards, Bed-Bath-and-Beyond

Contemporary: Crate & Barrell, Macy's, Bed-Bath-and-Beyond, Target

Modern Traditional: Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Restoration Hardware

Product Variation

Choose a place that offers products you need and ones you want. For example, if already have lots of kitchen stuff, but really need furniture...Macy's is probably not the best place. Or, lets say you really like the Martha Stewart Brand utensils, make sure your registry spot carries the line (aka not Pottery Barn). Product variation really ties into your desired style - make sure what you need and what you like coincide. Also, be sure to make note of both in-store and on-line items -- some stores offers certain items exclusively on-line and vice-versa.

Price Variation

Out of respect for your guests, make sure your chosen spot of registery offers of items at different price levels. Every guest can afford different priced items, therefore, choose a place that offers a little something for everyone. Although we would like to think so, no everyone you invite will want to buy you that $300 Kitchen Aid mixer ha ha (but hopefully there will be at least one generous soul out there right?).

Location

Looking at the location on the store is crucial if you invited a lot out of town guests. Macy's and Target are found in most major cities, but more specialty stores...even Bed-Bath-and-Beyond is not as many place as you may think. Although out of town guests can typically order things online, shipping and handling fees can get crazy expensive -- and lots of time, people like to look at things in an actual store.

Rewards & Returns

This is an often overlooked, but can be extremely beneficial to you at the end of the process. Each store that offers a wedding registry also offers a rewards program. These rewards programs are put in place to help with the purchase of any remaining items on your registry - but you have to look at the details to see which places have the best offer. Some give you 10% off for 90 days after your event date, others offer 20% off for 60 days after the event date..one is not necessarily better than the other, it just depends on personal preference. Another big factor is a store's return policy. More than likely, as long as an item was bought off your registry, the store will allow you to return it with and without a reciept (for store credit); however, there are some places that will actually give you CASH for any returns off your registry!!! (insider tip: they do not advertise this, but Bed-Bath-and-Beyond offers cash back for registry returns if you request it from management).

Again, be sure to take all the above elements into consideration when choosing your place of registry -- together, these tools can help you choose a place full of things you love and products your guests can buy with ease. Be sure to browse the store's selection before you start scanning - know what you are getting into :) Check back with Lucky In Love next week for more Registry Workshop and a look at Registry Etiquetter (who knew that existed!?)

Registry Workshop: A Beginner's Toolkit

Oh your wedding registry -- seriously in the top five AWESOME things you get to do when you are getting married. It is like being a kid on Christmas morning...except you actually get to pick out exactly what Santa gets you...every adult-kid's dream! Now although the registry adventure seem pretty extraordinarily awesome, it can definitely get you in an overwhelming mess if you are not prepared - thus, get ready for a couple weeks of Registry Workshop where you will get all the "ins and outs" of how to handle your registry.
First off, you want to do some preliminary research -- basically, you need to find out what your registry options are and what type of gifts you want to request from guests. A wedding registry is available at almost any major department store you can think of, and there are a few specialty stores as well. For starters , here is a list of the most popular registry stores out there:

The above stores are by no means the only place to register; however, they are the most popular. The reason why these chains attract engaged couples is because they all offer: (1) online access, (2) registrant rewards, (3) variation in price of products, and (4) diverse product use. All four factors are important to have for any place you register, and together, these tools will allow you to thoroughly manage your registry.
It is so important to have online access to your registry - this feature, alone, gives you freedom to make changes to your registry and monitor the inventory levels from home - you do not want to have to physically go to the store every time you want to add another item (insight: you will find yourself adding/deleting registry items as seasons change and new product lines appear). 
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to getting ready to register...I will start to get to the nitty gritty tomorrow with "How to Pick The Right Place" - in the mean time, check out all these store's sites, which one has your style?

Engagement Pictures 101: How To Get It Done!

Well it looks like it's about that time...time to wrap things up on the Engagement Pictures 101 mini-series! Over the past two weeks all-the-need-to-know info concerning Engagement Pictures has been laid out -- You got the WHY, the WHEN, the WHERE..and now, I will finish it up with the HOW! The HOW element of this whole ordeal is the easiest of engagement picture knowledge, and is the step where you put all the other elements together!

The first thing to do is start your research! This is extremely important and will end up saving you lots of time in the end. It is crucial that you take the appropriate time to research for and about different photographers. Wedding photography takes up a big junk of your budget - and the last thing you want to do is spend it on an unsatisfactory outcome. There are thousands of fabulous proffessional photographers in all urban cities, especially Atlanta. Try finding several that photographers that interest you through internet searches or friend referals. Then, take an indepth look at some of their work and portfolios. Photographer's blogs are great for seeing their most current work and allows you to compare portfolio's side by side. Make sure you like their photography style, their use of color, and the creativity displayed across their work. It is also wise to compare pricing and packages among photographers -- you will find that no one offers the exact same package - find the one that fits your needs best.

Once you have a photographer of choice, be sure to book them through a contract well in advance. I would recommend to book your photographer at least two months before your desired photoshoot date. Photographers', especially those who specialize in weddings, schedules fill up fast! You would hate to have your desired date be unavailable and jam up the rest of your timeline.

If you haven't already chosen a place, ask your photographer for recommendations - they usually have great suggestions and have a list of places that guarantee great photo outcomes. Once you have the place and the photographer, you are ready your the lights - camera - and action! Pick your outfits appropriately for the weather and look you are going for! Remember, stay on top of the Engagement Picture process, don't wait till the last minute to get these timeless photos done -- and you can always check back on the Engagement Pictures 101 series if you feel a little lost! Here are some creative photos from across the web!

papers and packages

Simply Two

Studio222 Photography

Kristin Vining

Engagement Pictures 101: Where to Find the Perfect Backdrop!

I hope everyone had a splendid weekend, and somehow, I hope you were able to beat this heat - talk about steamy! Thank the lord football season is right around the corner...cool air is definitely needed! 


This post will mark the third entry under the mini-series, "Engagement Pictures 101." If you missed the last two posts, on the WHY and WHEN, click here to jet back to early last week, and catch up on your photoshoot know how!
Now that you know WHY you are getting a professional photoshoot, and you are clear on WHEN it is all supposed to go down, let me address WHERE the perfect places are for great engagement photos:


The Park
Any public park is a perfect spot for any engagement shoot. Parks easily provide multiple backdrops for your photographer and allow the photographer to capture a diverse set of film. It is definitely important to pick a place that offers several areas for shooting, because you never know how the light will be on that particular day or which background color composition you will prefer once the photos are developed. Furthermore, a park with different areas of interest provide you more opportunity for outfit changes! Whether it is a national park, such as Stone Mountain Park, or simply a local county recreation park, you will be sure to find lots of regions within the park to take a snap shot.

 Noah Hawthorne Photography

Jared Wilson Photography

A Historic Town
It may not seem like it at first, but any historic town, not matter how SMALL, can provide some awesome backdrops. More often then not, local "downtowns" have plenty of stunning architecture, urban exposed brick, and a garden spot with green space. Photoshoots in a historic urban center produce classy photos with an edge that will be perfect decor for any new home. Another element to look out for: railroad tracks! Small downtowns usually hub a old railroad track - the tracks can create some AWESOME and ARTSY photos.

 Kent Meireis

Orange County Wedding Photographer | Photography blog of eric j. cotter

Your Favorite Place
If you and your man have a "special" place together, it can be a great backdrop for your engagement photos. Maybe it is the restaurant of your first date, your favorite stadium, or a place of your favorite activity. For example, if you both graduated from the same college, an on-campus photoshoot could be the ticket! Choosing somewhere that has meaning to the both of you make the photos seem that much more personable. 

The Studio B Photography

Jessica Frey Photography

Although these three places are some of the most popular to get your snapshots, always keep an eye out for a place that isn't so obvious. You would be surprised how some of the "random" places along side a road or among a simple piece of nature can create some of the most unique backdrops for photos. 

Engagement Pictures 101: When is the right time?

If you did not catch yesterday's post, you missed out on the beginning of a informational mini series! The last post concerned "What is it all about?!," and took a closer look at why engagement pictures have become such a standard thing recently. Today is all about the WHEN...and how your personal engagement shoot should fit into your wedding journey timeline.
Typically, engagement photos are used in someway for your Save The Dates - that being said, the real question should seemingly be "When to send out Save The Dates?" I advise brides to start sending out your Save The Dates as early as 10 months, but no later than 6 months out from your BIG day. Most likely, and dependent on your contract, photographers will take up to 3-4 weeks to edit your photo shoot film, and then you will need to time to create/assemble/print the actual Save The Date -- so if your crunch all those numbers you can see that engagement photos should be taken no later than about 6 weeks prior to the date you wish to mail the Save The Dates out. 


Although you want to get the photo shoot going at least a month in advance to your mail out date, that does not mean that you have to wait till then -- really, your engagement shoot could be scheduled as far ahead of time as you wish...and there are several things to consider:


1. The Weather
2. Your Outfits
3. Color Composition
4. The Backdrop


Taking these four elements into consideration will definitely dictate when you want your engagement shoot done. For example, if you want a soft muted background, schedule your shoot early winter. If you want to be shot wearing a sundress, choose spring. If you want to be shot with more of a warm hint to your skin, choose summer. If you want a backdrop full of ambers and oranges, choose fall. It may seem like people don't go through this "thinking" process concerning their engagement shoot, but putting a little thought into it will assist in your satisfaction of the final photos. 


Check back next week for the last two posts for this mini-series -- the WHERE and the HOW are up next. Take a looksee below to check out some GREAT Save The Dates, and see how your engagement shoot can be used!

Lauren Ross Photography

Gina Zeidler

Engagement Pictures 101: What's It All About?

Lately, I have been receiving several client inquires concerning engagement pictures -- the why, the when, the where, the how?! Similar to a past mini-series featured on Lucky In Love's Blog called "The Wedding Cake Breakdown," I will give you a complete look at all things Engagement Photos - starting with the WHY! 

First thing that should be known, engagement pictures are not required - in fact, the whole idea of engagement pictures did not even exist several years ago. That being stated, these says, engagement photos are more expected than ever. The purpose of these premarital pics is, for one, they provide an opportunity for you and your man to be snapped in a casual setting. It is nice to have professional pictures to put around your house without seeing white gowns and tuxedos at every glance. Secondly, engagement photo shoots allow you much more photo opportunity time with just you and your man compared to your wedding day. There is about a million and two photos that have to be shot on the BIG day, and you + the husband is just a small portion of that. Lastly, and most importantly, engagement photos are typically used for Save The Dates. Save the Dates have become more necessarily over the years - and I cute, casual shot of the both of you is a perfect medium for guests' reminder.

My suggestion would be to definitely invest in engagement photos! The moments captured in a two-three hour shoot of just you both will be timeless. Here are some of my favorite shots of the happy couples, and be sure to check out the continued series on all things Engagement Photos...next up, the WHEN:

Jose Villa Photography

Studio Foto

Jeffrey and Julia Woods ~ Photographers

Allyson Magda Photography

Kevin Weinstein Photography

The Image is Found

Picture This!: A Destination without the Trip

So far, there has been a photo, a quote, an animal, and an activity featured as the "Picture This!" weekly series inspiration. I try to use various types of inspiration to show that literally ANYTHING can be your muse for the BIG day! It is all about knowing yourself, your significant other, and you both as a couple - things you love to go together, places you enjoy traveling to, schools you root for, the type of music you listen to...I mean the possibilities are seriously endless! I often hear of girl's ranting about how they would LOVE to have a beach wedding - just think...saying your "I Do's" on a sandy Hawaiian Beach or against a Puerto Rican Sunset, geez, you cannot get more picturesque than that! Although a destination wedding definitely has it's perks, there is a list of sacrifices you make to have a tropical affair. No fear ladies, if the beach has your heart, but you still want to make your hometown-big-wedding dream prove true, simply let a vacation picture from your favorite trip inspire your hometown wedding. Bring the "Aloha" to Atlanta and a beachy breeze to your ceremony! Check out an inspiration board created purely from a beach photo below:

www.erinheartscourt.com

jessicaburke.com/

www.leilabrewsterphotography.com

jessicalorren.com/

myannie.com

weddings.robertrios.com

weddings.robertrios.com

www.foreverphotographystudio.com

www.jillianmitchell.net

Joy Marie Photography

Elizabeth Messina Photography

Insider Tip: Make Your Outdoor Wedding a Pleasant One!

Today's weather - a heat advisory and an afternoon thunderstorm - is the inspiration behind this post. Heat or rain (or heaven forbid heat & rain together! yikes!) are a quick mix for outdoor wedding day drama. Having a ceremony, reception, or both outside yield tend to come with some major risks. Rain on your wedding day in general is a bug "taboo," but rain when the wedding is OUTSIDE can realistically be disastrous! And let's talk about the thought of heat as the sun beams down on you and your guests - you $100 make-up job will literally drip off you face! So why are so many of us drawn to having an outdoor wedding this time of year when your BIG day is the most vulnerable? Simply because the outdoors is a naturally beautiful backdrop to any wedding celebration! There is an uncanny fresh and subtle ambiance that an outside wedding has, and it is well worth putting your day against the risks. A successful outdoor wedding is most certainly possible if the proper steps are taken as a precaution to "mini-natural disasters." To help ensure that your outdoor wedding is not drowned in water or beaten by heat, follow these insider tips:


The Guests

• Provide your guests with a wedding favor that has some purpose! Whether it is a pair of sunglasses, a colorful umbrella, a paper fan, or some flip flops - give them something to keep cool while you say your "I Do's!" If you need some "cooling favors" inspiration, check out our previous post: The Summer Heat - How to Keep Your Wedding Cool
• Let your guest know that all or part of your wedding will be outside. You can do this by putting a tag line on your invitation - this way, your guests know to dress accordingly for the weather.
• Keep your ceremony to a minimum. Now this does not mean RUSH through it, it simply means to have the ceremony not last more that 30 minutes if possible.
• Offer your guests water or a cool lemonade to sip on during your outdoor ceremony. For the reception, make sure your bar is stocked with lots of water and cold beer (wine typically won't be of much interest on a steamy day)
• In corporate "cooling" things into your big day if the weather is going to be HOT. Ideas: an ice cream bar, a cooled summer salad, or frozen margaritas as your signature drink.

In Case of Rain or Shine

• If you are having an outdoor wedding, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have a back-up plan! Your back-up plan, depending on the facility you are using, could simply be to move the wedding inside (i.e. a ballroom, banquet room, etc); however, if your venue does not have an appropriate "indoor" area for emergency, you SHOULD rent an event tent. Your event tent should be big enough to cover all your guests, decor, seating, band, food, etc. More often than not, an outdoor wedding should have some sort of tent no matter what the weather - this not only helps with inclimate weather, but it is a perfect source of shade for guests and to keep the food from spoiling. There are some majorly beautiful event tents out their for rental -- check out your local renting company or event coordinator for further information.
• If you know the weather is going to be pretty toasty that day, rent an AC unit. These units are not that expensive for rental, but can quickly cool off anyone under a tent. Large cooling fans (sort of like the "cooling zones" at theme parks) can be rented as well.

The Wedding Party

• Include a hand towel in your wedding party's gift set. If you want to step it up a notch, have the towel monogramed with each person's name.
• Encourage the groomsmen to rent an extra shirt. An extra button down is only $2 more dollars at any tux rental - well worth it!
• Allow your wedding party to go barefoot or wear flip flops during your reception. 

Overall, I 100% believe that an outdoor wedding can be perfectly successful if you are prepared! A wedding with nature as its backdrop is always breathtaking and memorable to all - so if you have always dreamed of a wedding against a big ole' oak tree or in a luscious garden - my advice = GO FOR IT! Check out some beautiful outdoor weddings below!

Photo Credits:

 Jose Villa Photography

GH Kim Photography

Karen Wise Photography

Allyson Magda Photography

Lisa Franchot

Meg Smith Photography

Samm Blake

Shannon Montez

Tana Photography

Insider Tip: Find Inspiration for Your Pre-Wedding Workouts

I hope everyone had a joyous, blessed, and relaxing weekend as we all celebrated the FOURTH! My husband and I were lake-bound Saturday and Sunday -- there is just something about the lake that gives off a natural relaxed ambiance -- I just cannot get enough! Yesterday, along with thousands of thousands of other people, I ran the Peachtree Road Race. This is my second year taking on the 6.2 miles that require pure mental and physical strength, and after running through it, I knocked 7 minutes off my previous time!  I grew up naturally being competitive and have innately enjoyed pushing myself, especially when it comes to athletics - which got me thinking! The number one goal of a new bride-to-be is to, quote on quote, "I HAVE to go on a major diet and exercise regimen so I can look awesome on the wedding day!" And while looking your best and getting healthy seems like a wonderful endeavor, many quickly fall short of getting themselves on the restricted plan that is realistically needed to fulfill their "top body" dreams. The reason why?: Although we may think that your upcoming wedding day may be motivation enough to kick your bootie into  a "healthy" gear, it is often not enough of a reason to get your internal fire going. With all the planning, all the showers, all the tastings, etc. etc...it is super difficult to squeeze in a apple and an hour workout in your day - especially if exercising was not a daily routine of yours BEFORE the engagement. Nevertheless, I think you should look YOUR BEST, FEEL YOUR BEST, and WORK HARD TO DO SO for your BIG day!! So to avoid failing to reach your Top Body goal, you need to create MORE motivation for yourself other than "just looking hot on your wedding day," and here is how!

If you are COMPETITIVE

Sign up for a race of some sort that is a couple of weeks before your wedding date. This way, you will be actually TRAINING for a particular purpose that truly tests your ability! Not only will you be more motivated towards a higher goal, but you will be forced to push your self harder during your workouts! For example, if you are just getting in shape for your BIG day, then you may walk a mile or two every other day -- BUT if you are training for a 10K, your butt is going to have to RUN several miles daily to get it in gear. Here are a couple of races coming up for you brides to be in the Atlanta area:

2011 Grand Finale 5K

Aug 13, 2011Come out and celebrate the last race of the 2010-2011 Grand Prix season at the Grand Finale 5K! The event features a great, new course around Chastain Park, the Grand Prix Awards Ceremony and the annual Atlanta Track Club member brunch.

Lake Lanier Islands Triathlon A Georgia Multisports Production 400 Yard Swim, 13 Mile Bike, 5k Run Date: Sunday October 2, 2011 Click here for complete race information

2011 Atlanta Marathon & Marathon Relay

Oct 30, 2011Discover Atlanta one mile at a time at the Atlanta Marathon and Marathon Relay on Sunday, October 30, 2011. The 26.2 mile urban course starts and finishes at Atlantic Station taking participants on a tour of Atlanta past well-known Atlanta sites and neighborhoods.

2011 Atlanta Half Marathon and Thanksgiving Day 5K

Nov 24, 2011The Atlanta Half Marathon (ages 14 and up) is among the largest half marathons in the US. The event, which attracts thousands of runners and walkers each year, is a great way to earn your turkey on Thanksgiving Day!

If you are CHARITABLE 

Not-for-Profits always have events and races that are going on! If you are the goodwill type, these races for benefit are a perfect way to ignite your passion for giving and your will to train your body the best. Knowing that your exercise and new healthy lifestyle is helping you to race on behalf of others is a TRUE and GENUINE motivator. Just Google your favorite cause to find their upcoming event!

If you are a GROUP kind of GIRL

Do you find motivation in friends? Are you a social butterfly? If you answered yes, then finding a "group" thing is perfect for you! There are plenty of running clubs around the Atlanta area that could be a perfect motivator for your BIG day. Belonging to a club makes you feel like you are a part of something and you will easily be encouraged by others around you (you are not going to walk when there are 10 people trucking it with you!). Plus, talking to friends while exercising makes time go by faster! If you are not into running, but want to get into a good workout routine, join a class or boot camp at your local gym - if you go the same each week, you will quickly have camaraderie with your classmates and be eager to go back! Check out this website for a LARGE list of running clubs in the area! 

http://www.rungeorgia.com/clubs.html

I will leave you with this: look your BEST on your BIG day, and WORK HARD for it! Find multiple motivators that will keep your tight tush in gear and on the right path towards a heathy lifestyle! Furthermore, encourage your man to  join you in your effort to being a better you...more than a better bride is a better couple ready to start a happy and healthy life together! Go get 'em!!