Fit for the Wedding...Fit for Life!

OK, as a woman I can say this. We are just too hard on ourselves; particularly when it comes to our body image and weight. These issues we grapple with are amplified and even more scrutinized when the ring is slipped on the finger and the wedding planning kicks-off. I witness women on a daily basis picking themselves apart behind the dressing room curtain, and inevitably almost every bride I've ever worked with pronounces the statement "I PLAN ON LOSING 15 POUNDS BEFORE THE WEDDING". It doesn't matter age, height, weight, shape, hair color, skin color - that one sentence reverberates off our dressing room walls into thin air all day long.

The challenge is most of us don't know how to get in the best shape for the big day in a manner that is healthy, realistic, and sustainable after the last wedding dance. In addition, the stress of planning a wedding can throw a curve ball into your regimen and how your body responds to stress. If you are bride whose experiencing this right now, we have the solution!

WeddingFit - Presented by Lacey Lee Fitness

Sunday, August 22nd, 4-5pm @ Maya Couture
$15 per person (cash or check only)
Come learn how YOU can look your best for your big day. Planning a wedding is stressful enough so let Lacey educate and show you how to implement realistic, long term lifestyle changes. She will tell you the truth, dispel myths, and provide you with the essential tools you will need to not only look your best for your wedding day but for a lifetime.

Bring you fiance, wedding party and/or friends. More the merrier!! Receive 1FREE personal training session with Lacey. Value $50.00!

Questions or to register email Lacey at laceyleefitness@gmail.com. Lacey is a certified personal trainer and nutritional consultant. She has over 10 years experience, with a focus on bootcamp style fitness classes and a training approach that is a fusion of cardiovascular and strength training exercises. No two workouts will ever be the same, with maximum results. Lacey Lee Fitness offers: at-home personal training, group training and nutritional counseling. All services are 100% customized to YOU, your current fitness levels and your personal fitness goals.

Three Maya Couture Brides - One Talented Photographer

When brides ask my opinion on what wedding details are the most important, a great photographer is always at the top of my list. Just think, you spend an average of 16 months planning the biggest day of your life. Don't you want all the fruits of your labor, and the day you've dreamed of all your life, captured in the best, most personal and creative way possible? Don't you want a photographer who can bring to life the emotion of the moment, and with their keen eye use lighting and personal aesthetic to present a finished product that's a reflection of your taste and transports you back into that moment? Many of our brides have found just that in photographer Justin Hankins.

I had the pleasure to peruse many of Justin's wedding photos and found that we shared lots of brides. So I asked him, "What draws so many brides to Justin Hankins Photography?" His response was truly original and reflects the passion he has for what he does and for the couples he works with:

“I shoot a hybrid style of fashion and photojournalism, which translates into beautiful, magazine-quality images that look natural and unrehearsed. After all, a couple's wedding day is perfect already, and documenting these authentic moments is absolutely critical to me. In order to create such timeless memories, I've built my business around providing each couple with the best customer experience they've ever received. The relationships I grow through my sensitivity to each couple's needs plays a vital role in helping me create photographs that honor the significance of their special day. It's a distinct privilege to be part of such an important moment in the history of a family, and I want each couple to walk away knowing their wedding meant the world to me.”

Thank you Justin for translating the true beauty of our brides in your photographs! I look forward to many more Maya Couture/Justin Hankins brides! Visit http://www.justinhankins.com/ to see more amazing wedding photos.

The Pampered Bride!

Why wait until the honeymoon to indulge yourself! As I’ve written over and over again, planning a wedding can be stressful! Every bride should take a pause from planning and rejuvenate her spirit, her senses and overall beauty.

One of the perfect ways of doing this is a day at the spa. Whether you want a peaceful day alone or a sensual experience with your significant other or a way of saying “thank you” to your bridesmaids, the day spa experience is a fun and special occasion to incorporate into the wedding details.

As someone who is in the throws of all the stress with you, I too find time to indulge, so I can be the best service provider to you! I’ve spent my fair share at spas over the years and have mingled with the professionals running some of our most successful spas - dedicated to pampering the bride, groom and all their attendants. Below are some of my favorite – who have the capacity and “private functionality” to accommodate an entire party. Additionally, these spas offer incredible packages and services that cater to the bride and her attendants. The ambiance, décor, and flow each offer are unique and an integral aspect of the relaxation and rejuvenation that will fill your spirit during your treatments. So I say, go pamper yourself…

Natural Elements Spa & Salon *(Interior Photos are the inside of Natural Elements)
717 Eden Way North Suite 612, Chesapeake
757-436-1141
www.Natural-ElementsSpa.com
From Natural Elements – “Unmatched in Quality Service, Beautiful Ambiance and Voted “Best of Chesapeake” for 6 years! With a talented and professional staff offering exceptional beauty and relaxation services, providing hair, makeup, nails, skin and massage services for bridal and bachelorette parties. Wedding Day Services both in-spa and on site are available.”
Changes City Spa
222 West 21st St., Norfolk
(757)625-5300
www.changesaregood.com
From Changes – “There are SO MANY details to take care of – flowers, dress, church, invitations, music, sign-in book, matching shoes... All those things are important, but the bottom line is this: On your big day, there is one thing that will get the most attention –YOU! Don’t take any chances – let our professionals take care of your total look. Call our wedding consultant for an appointment to find out more details on what we have to offer. Special packages are available for our brides and bridal parties, based on the services you choose.”
Metamorphosis Salon & Day Spa
624 Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach
(757)497-6382
www.metasalonandspa.com
From Metamorphosis - Owners Beth Volz and Molly Zemke have known each other for many years. They met each other while working together, Beth as a stylist and Molly as an aesthetician. They shared a common vision of what would make a beautiful, well run, efficient and friendly salon and spa. After four years of working together, they broke out on their own with the goals of giving Virginia Beach and surrounding areas the quality service that they have been waiting for. Beth and Molly strive for a family feel to their salon and spa and welcome you to a calming and revitalizing experience.
Aqua Essence Day Spa
1174 Duck Rd., Duck, NC
252-261-9709
www.aquaobx.com
From Aqua Essence – “Our mission at Aqua Essence Day Spa is to make you feel the best you ever have. We offer a wide variety of services with the hopes that you will have the ultimate spa experience. The love for our work is evident in our effort to provide the quintessential spa experience for each and every client.”

5 Tips for Stress Free Shopping to find the Perfect Gown!!

The path to finding your dream wedding gown is so exciting! However, this very important purchase can be a bit daunting. Since we were young girls the dreams of gown shopping, standing on the pedestal and twirling in a wedding gown began, and lasts until that real experience presents itself. So the anticipation and "hype" of this moment is bigger than most can imagine. To ensure that it's all you've dreamed of I have 5 tips sure to help any bride about to embark on this milestone!

1. It's something you've dreamed for a lifetime, so begin shopping early. It generally takes 6-8 months for a designer bridal gown to deliver once it's been purchased, and then you can expect 2+ alteration appointments spanning 6-8 weeks. If time is not on your side we can certainly accommodate you with our endless stock piece options or by ordering your gown on a rush. However, you can never buy your gown too early. Doing so will serve you well, save you money and minimize your stress!! So many of the other decisions you make with regards to your wedding will depend on the gown you choose. So once you can make this decision, the rest of the pieces will fall into place!

2. Keep an open mind! Most of our brides end up purchasing a gown they would have never picked for themselves (this is what makes our assistance so worth it!). The mystique of the wedding gown is that it's like no other garment you will ever wear again! Finding "the one" evokes a feeling and emotion you will never get from a pair of jeans! And, don't dismiss the veil! The impact this sheer, feminine, and sacred "ritual accessory" offers, is what makes a bride, A BRIDE! So many of our brides will adorn a cathedral length veil, when their first intention was not to wear one at all! You will pleasantly surprise yourself if you keep your options open!

3. Make an appointment. To ensure you have the expertise and guidance of one of our highly knowledgeable consultants then you should make an appointment. I think many brides are surprised at how overwhelmed they feel when they start perusing the racks with hundreds of gowns calling to them. Having a consultant to help you weed through the options, dress and accessorize you, and answer all your questions makes the process that much more fun for you! Your consultant should be your expert, confidant and touchstone throughout your planning process.

4. Be very selective choosing your "entourage". Only bring the person or few persons that have your best interest at heart and can provide you sound advice and feedback based on YOUR taste, style, and budget. You need to be surrounded by those people whose opinions you value most and who will help you make the best decision for YOU! Too many conflicting opinions will only confuse and discourage you - and it makes our job, and the relationship we want to start with you that much harder.

5. Embrace value over price, and understand the difference. A few dollars savings may not be worth it - and most times it's not. In bridal you truly get what you pay for. I can't tell you how many horror stories I've heard, and how many times we've come to the rescue of brides who have "cut corners" just to save a few pennies! Our philosophy is the real service begins after you've purchased the gown. We are committed to our brides from the moment they walk into our store until the moment they walk down the aisle. Understand that planning is a process and hiccups arrive, sometimes on our end, sometimes by a member of the bridal party, sometimes by the designer, but we do whatever we have to do to make sure our brides and grooms and their attendants are happy and well taken care of, and that they do get the wedding they've always dreamed of!! Therein lies the value!

Summer Love: Debbie & Evan June 19th

One of the many joys of working with brides is the special friendship that's established between the bride, her family and the staff at our salon. But it's even a bit sweeter when we have the opportunity to help a family who are already so special to us! This was the case with Debbie and Evan. Debbie's mother Cora was the seamstress for Tiffany's Bridal for about 20 years, and then I had the good fortune of "inheriting" her for another 4 years before she retired a couple of years ago. So needless to say we had so much fun helping Debbie and Evan coordinate the elements of their special day.

Debbie picked one of my favorite gowns as her wedding gown. "Lasarte" by La Sposa is a fit and flare silhouette with a fully ruched bodice. The soft sweetheart neckline presents delicate swarovski beading and three-dimensional baby rosettes. This detail is emulated in soft patterns throughout the cascading sash on the left hand side of the skirt and the train. This gown is romantic with loads of texture and crisp details that don't overpower the silhouette or the bride. It's a stunner!

To compliment her look Debbie chose a ruched v-neck chiffon slim A-line dress in scarlet for her bridesmaids. This neckline is appealing on all women and the dress as a whole works on any shape from size 0-30! The style (8965) was created by Me Too Bridesmaids for Moonlight Bridal.

The groom and his party selected a classic yet sleek rental by Calvin Klein for Jim's formalwear.

The wedding flowers were designed by Char's Floral Designs.

Debbie and Evan's wedding memories were captured by Keith Cephus Photography

Both Char and Keith's businesses are located inside Maya Couture. To learn more about our one-stop-shopping services visit our Facebook Page One Stop Wedding Shop

Pamela Cruz: Casual Elegance

I had the pleasure of helping our beautiful bride Pamela Cruz select her perfect wedding gown. Her choice, style 6074 by Impression Bridal was the perfect design to compliment her petite frame and her desire to wear a classic yet simple silhouette. The v-neckline adds length to her stature and is visually slimming. The gown has timeless details with an all-over Alencon Lace overlay, duchess ribbon in ice blue under the empire waist, and button details along the zipper, and a scalloped hemline. This slim A-line with its' soft details was perfect for Pamela's garden wedding at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Pamela's wedding memories were captured by Keith Cephus Photography.

One Great Bride, Two Amazing Bridal Gowns!

We recently had the pleasure of working with a bride whose vision allowed us to expand our creativity and provide products and services that extend beyond the typical "cookie-cutter" realm that most bridal salons provide. When Natalie Driver came to us she had a clear vision of the look and feel she wanted to exude on her wedding day. Natalie had the great fortune to indulge in one of today's hottest trends of wearing two wedding gowns; a more formal one for the ceremony and a casually elegant one for her reception.

The formal gown she found among our stock of designer bridal gowns. Her pick was a fitted corset style gown by Maggie Sottero . The silk taffeta gown presented a fully ruched and fitted bodice and torso with a slim A-line skirt and cascading ruffle. The scoop strapless neckline was embellished with beautiful crystal and lace accents, and was repeated on the hip for a more pronounced look.

For her reception gown she enlisted us to create a custom bridal gown. Her inspiration was a red carpet gown worn by Kate Hudson during awards season. Eliminating the jewels that adorned Kate's dress we created a bias cut matte Jersey gown that wowed with a plunging backless feature and asymmetrical details. The gown was the epitome of minimal, modern elegance! We also had the pleasure of designing and making Natalie's Mother's dress! Natalie describes her experience as "truly a blessing" and that she was 2,000% happy with Maya Couture!

Her wedding captured modern sophistication, and was emphasized by her bridal party gowns. For her bridesmaids Natalie chose a long flowing chiffon gown in bold black that adorned a trend-setting floral one-shoulder accent by designer Bari Jay .

Natalie it was such a pleasure working with you and your family and friends. We wish you all the best in the future, and don't be a stranger!

Natalie's wedding day memories were captured by Keith Cephus Photography