Beauty Must-Haves For The Whole Wedding Squad

 The big day isn’t just about the couple – even if they’re the main attraction! The entire wedding entourage, from the best person to the flower person, needs a dash of beauty before walking down the aisle and snapping hundreds of photos. So, if you’re wondering how to make your wedding party glow, the wedding experts at Nanina’s In The Park are here to break down the beauty essentials for the wedding party!

Primer

This essential product ensures your makeup lasts from the vows to the reception. Primer will help your makeup go on easier and with better coverage. A lightweight, moisturizing primer keeps things matte, smooth, and photo ready.

Foundation

A long-wear foundation that matches the skin tone is an absolute win. Bonus if it has SPF because, sun-kissed is great; sunburned, not so much. This is especially true if you’re getting married outside or planning on taking outdoor wedding photos.

Blush & Bronzer

Want that rosy flush or the sun-tanned glow? Swirl on some blush and bronzer. Smile, apply, blend. Then apply some setting spray! A spritz or two of setting spray ensures that your makeup stays on point, even when the dance floor heats up.

Eye Game

Neutral eyeshadow palettes are versatile and suit everyone. But remember, waterproof mascara and eyeliner are the keys, especially if you want to keep your makeup looking great even if a few tears spill.

Lips

Gift your wedding party lipstick or lip balm. Whether it’s a nude gloss or bold matte, lips should be camera ready! Who doesn’t want soft, kissable lips?

Pocket Mirrors & Blotting Paper

For those quick checks or touch-ups, pocket mirrors are a savior. Blotting papers? They’re the undercover heroes, ensuring shine-free photos. This is especially important for those outdoor weddings under the beating sun!

Manicure Essentials

Neat, clean nails are a must. Whether you opt for gel nails or regular polish, make sure those fingers are looking great. Everyone benefits from a manicure with a simple buff to ensure they’re ready for close ups.

Haircare

Travel-sized hairsprays, bobby pins, and hair ties can be a lifesaver. Whether it’s an updo or beachy waves, ensure every strand stays in place. Find your favorite products, so that you don’t have to worry about the result.

The Dream Venue Awaits At Nanina’s In The Park

Dreams come true at Nanina’s In The Park! The lush gardens, with seasonal flora, make for the perfect photo ops. Our grand ballroom is like stepping into a world of class and sophistication. Beyond the aesthetics, the hospitality ensures every guest feels like royalty. Ready to start this beautiful journey? Contact us today to schedule a tour and learn more about our stunning estate wedding venue.

How to Make Your Wedding Feel Royal

You and your significant other may not be Harry and Meghan or William and Kate, but who says you can’t have a wedding that feels just as special, or dare we say, royal? It doesn’t take much to give the occasion a little extra elegance! Check out our tips for making your wedding feel royal.

Select a Stunning Venue

Most royal weddings and celebrity weddings take place in gorgeous venues. Fortunately, New Jersey is home to the beautiful Nanina’s in the Park estate, which offers you the perfect background for a memorable, elegant wedding. The ballrooms and other interior spaces are exquisitely furnished and decorated, while the gardens provide a luxuriant backdrop for photos or outdoor ceremonies.

Borrow the Family Jewels

If you don’t own a lot of fine jewelry, and you can’t afford beautiful custom pieces right now, why not borrow a piece or two from family members? After all, Meghan borrowed a stunning heirloom diamond bandeau from the Queen and wore it with her incredible veil. Plus, the jewelry could serve as your “something borrowed.” Be sure that any heirloom jewelry is protected by insurance and well-cared for throughout the event.

Choose Royal Colors

Most royal weddings incorporate classic, rich hues like blue, purple, gold, white, and sometimes crimson. Rich red is the color of courage and pairs well with gold, representing wealth. Purple is well-known as the color of royals, and blue connotes both loyalty and wisdom. Choose two or three of these hues and adjust the shades to suit your preferences.

Invest in Gorgeous Flowers

Royal weddings tend to have lots of lush florals. If your budget can’t handle wall-to-wall roses, ask your florist to suggest alternative flowers that are locally grown or in-season, to reduce the cost. Flower petals carpeting the aisle, a floral arch over the couple, and abundant centerpieces at the reception can give your wedding that luxe, royal look.

Include Unique Invitation Details

A royal wedding is also about history, memory, and detail. Thick textured paper, letter-pressed invitations, your own wedding crest, and other special touches can lend extra elegance to your celebration. Keep the wording formal and simple, and use ribbons, gold foil or edges, and maybe even a stamped wax seal to enrich the invitation experience.

Select a Royal Wedding Dress

A royal wedding dress is often fairly traditional, with a sweeping skirt, a long train, and an even longer veil. Beadwork, lace, and embroidery are hallmarks of a royal bride’s ensemble. If you’re going for a royal aesthetic, ensure that your gown and the bridesmaids’ dresses are formal and elegant in style.

While your wedding may not be as opulent as a true royal’s, you can choose a venue, florals, and outfits that are exquisite and memorable. To reserve your wedding date, contact Nanina’s in the Park as soon as possible, and remember to ask about our five-star catered feasts, our preferred vendors, and the other special services and details we provide to make our wedding couples feel like true royals.

Biggest Celebrity Weddings of the Past Decade

While you may not have the budget of a celebrity couple, it can be fun to take inspiration and ideas from fabulous high-profile weddings and adapt them as your own, on a somewhat smaller scale. Explore some of the biggest celebrity weddings of the past decade and glean a few ideas that you can use to take your own wedding celebration to the next level.

Prince William and Kate Middleton

The royal wedding of Prince William and Duchess Kate was a stunningly elegant affair, one which 23 million Americans watched live. Kate’s lacy gown with its extra-long train inspired other brides to indulge in long, trailing skirts. The fascinators worn by those in attendance also sparked a resurgence of unique, beautiful headpieces for brides and bridesmaids.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding was viewed by an even larger American audience of 30 million people. Prince Harry wore his military uniform, and Meghan wore the stunning Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara with her veil, which itself was a piece of art, embroidered with delicate florals representing the Commonwealth’s 53 countries.

George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin

When George Clooney married Amal Alamuddin, a British-Lebanese human rights lawyer, the event took place under a gorgeous arch festooned with white roses—a special touch that you could adopt for your own wedding. The wedding itself was fairly small, with only a hundred or so guests, proving that luxurious weddings don’t need to have a large crowd.  Amal’s dress featured an off-the-shoulder style and beautiful beadwork.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Having been partners and parents for years, Brad and Angelina finally decided to tie the knot in 2014. Though their union has since dissolved, the wedding itself was a charming affair, with many hearts melting over the inclusion of a bridal veil decorated in artwork from their children. This wedding, held at a French chateau, was a small event, with just 22 guests. True to form, Angelina and Brad dispensed with some traditional wedding elements in favor of keeping the event simple. The flowers, for instance, were picked that morning from the garden. The vows were handwritten, and some say that Brad borrowed a tie from one of his sons after forgetting his own.

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend

Model Chrissy Teigen and singer John Legend fell in love during a music video shoot. After seven years of being together, they tied the knot by the edge of the lovely Lake Como in Italy. Letterpressed invitations and programs boasted a crest unique to the couple, while guests were gifted leather-bound itineraries screen-printed linen bags containing bottles of Prosecco. Tiny sachets, also imprinted with the crest, contained rose petals for guests to toss over the couple as they left. Those details, along with the lush florals, the beautiful setting, and Chrissy’s three stunning gowns made this wedding incredibly luxurious and unique.

If a celebrity-style wedding is important to you, your first step should be finding the right venue. Nanina’s in the Park is a gorgeous estate with beautiful gardens and elegantly appointed interior rooms; plus, we offer on-site five-star catering and a host of other benefits. Contact us today to reserve your date or schedule an in-person tour of our grounds and event spaces.

The Wedding Makeover

For many women, the upcoming wedding is their big chance to have a truly astonishing makeover. But a wedding makeover shouldn’t be limited to the morning of the big day; it’s an ongoing process that spans the months preceding the wedding. Gradual change ensures that you have time to experiment with new looks and find out what actually suits you. Plus, you also have time to make lifestyle changes that will hopefully impact your future even after the wedding. Explore some different aspects of the wedding makeover.

The Body Makeover

Your significant other loves you no matter what your size or shape may be; but for many brides and grooms, the wedding day provides additional motivation for getting shape, becoming stronger, and choosing a healthier lifestyle.

If you’d like to get more fit in time for the wedding, you’ll need to start far enough in advance, like months ahead of time. If you have the budget for it, obtain a gym membership or a personal trainer. If you can’t build those into the wedding budget, you can be your own trainer. Find some exercise or fitness coaching videos online and use those to keep yourself motivated!

Making careful food choices, incorporating exercise in your daily and weekly routine, and drinking plenty of water can all take you to the next level with your own health. After weeks and months of effort, you’ll be astonished how strong and healthy your body becomes.

Massages, Exfoliation, and Moisturization

Stress and weariness can take a toll on your body. As your wedding approaches, be sure that you’re getting enough sleep each night. Aim for 7-8 hours at least, no one wants dark shadows under their eyes on the big day. You can use cooling pads for your eyes as well.

Consider taking a spa day a few times before your wedding. Exfoliation and moisturizing can do wonders for your skin, so choose a spa that gives excellent facials. Some Asian beauty practices encourage regular facial massage as a way of increasing blood flow to the skin and promoting healing. In addition, schedule a full-body massage to purge wedding and work stress from your entire body.

Haircut and Treatment

Is your hair dry and brittle? Have you had the same hairstyle for a long time? Think about indulging your hair with some deep conditioning treatments; but first, schedule a haircut to get rid of any split ends. If you like your current hairstyle, keep it, but just freshen it up a bit. You could also try a new color, some highlights, bleaching, or color streaks. Just be sure that the aesthetician is skilled at dyeing and treating hair, so you end up with a beautiful, professional result.

New Makeup Style

Maybe you’re in a rut with your makeup routine. Now is the perfect time to try some new products! Start months ahead of the wedding in case your skin reacts poorly to any of the items you’re trying. If you have friends who are good with makeup, ask them to try a few different “faces” or makeup styles on you, so you can find new foundations, powders, eye colors, and other products that you love. Keep in mind that the best makeup style is one that totally looks like you, only better!

To showcase your gorgeous wedding makeover, you’re going to need the perfect wedding venue. You can view a virtual 3D tour of Nanina’s in the Park on our website, or contact us to schedule an in-person tour. Our event specialists will be thrilled to answer all your questions and provide wedding day tips to make your experience as wonderful as possible.

Travel Tips for Honeymooners

Your honeymoon is the first vacation the two of you get to take as a married couple. Though you may have been on vacation together before, this trip is special. It’s a time to indulge yourselves and to make memories that will last a lifetime. Check out our travel tips for honeymooners so you can make the most of this special journey as newlyweds.

Tell the Hotel it’s Your Honeymoon

Before you arrive at the resort or hotel, let the staff know that you’ll be on your honeymoon. Even if you didn’t spring for a honeymoon suite or romance package, the staff may still provide a little something extra, like flowers, a free upgrade, a box of chocolate, or some complimentary champagne. Those little surprises can make the experience extra special.

Take It Slow At First

The first day or two can be slow-paced and leisurely. After all, the two of you need to recover from the months of wedding planning and from the emotions and stresses of the wedding itself. Plan to save that first day for a nice relaxing time at your hotel or resort. No need to jump right into sight-seeing!

Talk About Honeymoon Goals

Couples often have different visions of what a vacation should be like. To avoid conflict while you’re on your honeymoon, have a clear, honest discussion about honeymoon expectations before you actually go on the trip. Is one of you eager to explore the city, island, or countryside, while the other would prefer lots of time in the hotel or resort? Find a balance or compromise that makes both of you happy.

Have a Basic Plan

You want to leave some room for spontaneity, of course, but having a general plan for the honeymoon can be helpful so you don’t leave your destination disappointed. Discuss which points of interest are must-see spots for you, or which activities you absolutely want to make time for. It also helps to have a budget for your time away, so you don’t start out your marriage having money arguments about what you can and can’t afford. Remember to build in some financial padding for unexpected expenses along the way.

Limit Electronics Time

A honeymoon is all about enjoying each other. Consider an agreement between the two of you to severely limit your time on electronics, including laptops, tablets, or phones. You can set your phones in airplane mode so you can still take gorgeous honeymoon photos without being distracted by other apps and social media.

Surprise Your Lover

Remember, the honeymoon is all about romance and connection. Try to plan a little something to surprise your new husband or wife while you’re on the trip. It might be a small thoughtful gift or a big romantic dinner at a scenic location; the scope of the surprise doesn’t really matter. What matters is showing your new spouse how much you care.

For more tips about weddings and honeymoons, browse the Nanina’s in the Park blog, and remember to view our gorgeous photo galleries for inspiration as you continue to plan your wedding. If you have any wedding-related questions, our event specialists will be happy to help you.

Interesting Ways To Present The Rings During The Ceremony

Traditionally, it has always been the best man who is in charge of safeguarding the rings and safely handing them off to the bride and groom at the altar. Over the years, we have seen a shift in this tradition where couples have been getting pretty creative when it comes to their way to present the rings. Sure, some couples might choose a way that ties into the theme of their wedding, but others wish to have a sentimental or out-of-the box twist. Nonetheless, this element of their ceremony is a moment they can design to completely fit their personalities. 

Father of the Groom: 

Including the father of the groom in this special ceremony is one way to validate how truly special he has been in both the bride’s and groom’s lives. Especially if the father of the bride is given the honor of walking his daughter down the aisle and ‘giving her away’, this can allow both the bride and groom to have special moments with their fathers on their wedding day. Providing this moment for the father of the groom to share with the couple grants a sense of balance in the involvement of both families. 

Children: 

Whether they are your own children, a family member or friend, having a youngster walk your wedding rings down the aisle makes for many smiles and melted hearts. Giving a child this special task makes them feel included and important on your big day. It also will provide the guests with an opportunity for laughs if something is done unexpectedly, also providing cuteness overload. It is important to note that as cute as these kiddos can be, they may be a bit rambunctious or reckless, so making sure that the rings are safely secured while being carried down the aisle is a smart move to make! 

Fur Babies: 

For most unmarried couples, pets are their children and they love them just as much as they would human kids. To see any animal walking down the aisle is just fantastic, but even more so when there is a miniature outfit involved. Dressing up your furry friend to carry the rings will certainly have them stealing the show for a few moments, but will also make for long lasting memories. 

Flying Rings: 

Looking for a way to have your ceremony really stand out? What has a more elegant presence than having your rings flown in by majestic doves? Or maybe you are more of an outdoorsy couple who would prefer to incorporate the grace of an owl or eagle? Nonetheless, having your rings flown in will be sure to have guests oohing and ahhing and will make for a magical and memorable moment. 

However the couple chooses to present the rings, it is important to make sure that this significant detail of the ceremony is meaningful and special for both the bride and groom; making it a moment that lasts a lifetime. 

5 Ways To Celebrate Your Friends At Your Wedding

When you can’t squeeze everyone who is important to you into the wedding party, you have to get creative. Discover 5 ways to celebrate your friends at your wedding, even if they aren’t the ones standing next to you during the ceremony. With some thoughtful planning, you can make each friend feel special and loved on your big day. 

1. Select High-Quality Favors

The small gifts that you give to your wedding guests say a lot about what you think of them. Choose high-quality, useful items that represent your genuine appreciation for their presence at your celebration.  

Food items like hot cocoa mix in a special mug, a bag of jellybeans or coffee beans, a small bottle of olive oil and herbs, specialty chocolates, or a jar of local jam or honey are typically well-received, and you can attach personal notes if you like. If you’re looking for something special, may we suggest jars of our famous sauce, so you can take the taste of your wedding day feast home!  

Sunglasses, bottle openers, wine glasses, engraved keychains, tiny succulent plants, handmade candles, or cocktail kits can also make your friends feel loved and celebrated.  

2. Plan the Seating Carefully

Think about each one of your friends when you’re crafting the seating chart for your reception. Try to avoid awkward placements, like putting exes next to each other or placing relatives who don’t get along at the same table.  

Ideally, everyone should be close to someone familiar, and should have someone with common interests nearby to talk to. At the very least, try to seat your friends where they’ll be comfortable and able to enjoy the festivities.  

3. Ask for Advice

Even if a friend isn’t part of the wedding party, he or she may want to be involved with your big day. Bring him or her along for wedding-related errands, and ask for advice on wedding decisions. If you’re doing another venue tour or checking out table mock-ups, having a friend along adds a fresh perspective and helps that person feel included and valued.  

4. Invite Friends to Pre-Wedding Events

Inviting your friends to your bachelorette or bachelor party, adding them to your bridal shower list, making them honored guests at the engagement party— those are all ways to help them feel celebrated throughout the process. You could even host a cake-tasting or wine tasting night that includes friends you love who aren’t in the immediate group of bridesmaids and groomsmen.  

5. Involve Them in the Wedding Ceremony

Friends who aren’t in the wedding party can serve as greeters or hosts, offering programs to guests. They can help direct other guests from the ceremony space to the reception space. Consider asking some of your friends to do a special reading during the ceremony, to perform a song, or offer a toast at the reception. Some brides and grooms have a non-traditional procession, which might include a group of friends dancing down the aisle in celebration of the big day. 

For more ideas on including your friends in your wedding celebration, talk to our fantastic event specialists at Nanina’s in the Park. They can also guide you when it comes to other important decisions, like selecting vendors, planning decor, and choosing a menu. With careful planning, you can ensure that all your guests feel welcome at your wedding.