The BIG DAY is almost here!!!  Essentials?  What essentials?  You’ve got your dress, shoes, hair and make-up all under control.  Which means you’re just about set  . . . but there are a few things you’re going to want to have with you during the actual celebration to make sure that you’re picture perfect for every shot.

1. A beautiful clutch bag to carry your essentials in.  I’m partial to sparkly, but choose one that makes your heart sing.  It could be the color of your dress or possibly the color that your bridesmaids wear.
2. Pressed Blotting Powder.  Shiny is not what you want to be on your wedding day.  Emotions will be running high and your internal furnance may choose to kick in.  Minimize your shine with MAC ’s pressed blotting powder.
3. Lip Gloss.  Sheer lips are the way to go, MAC lip glass will keep a little bit of color on your lips and it’s so darn easy to apply!
4. Lip Balm. Rosebud Lip Balm is my favorite – it’s great for dry lips, perfect under your lip gloss and it will even give your Groom’s lips a nice moisturized look for photos.
5. Mints. Altoids, Altoids, Altoids.  They’re curiously strong for a reason! (I love the Ginger ones).
6. Blotting Paper.  They’re easy to store and use; ALSO, you can hand them out to your Groom, Attendants and anyone else who get’s a little shiny.  I’ve used Papier Poudre forever and a day.
7. A Handkerchief.  I cry at other people’s weddings, so I knew the faucet would be turned on at my own wedding! A pretty hankie is the best thing to have tucked away in your clutch or bossom to dry those eyes.
8. A Camera.  You’ve hired a photographer to shoot the wedding so that you don’t have to worry about trying to capture the moment, but you’re not going to get those pictures back for months!  Pack a little digital camera in your purse and give it to one of your bridesmaids or good friends and ask them to take photos for you – you’re wedding day will be a blur to you. Everyone says it goes by in a flash, and it really truly does.  Having photos on your own camera to look at the day after with your hubby is one of the best gifts you can receive!

Sneakers and wedding gowns?  I know, seems like an odd pairing . . . but, maybe not. Think about it like this – you’ve been in your 3 to 5 inch heels for 8 hours taking pictures, standing through your 40 minute ceremony, more pictures, meeting and greeting your guests, through dinner and now it’s time for dancing the night away.  Your dogs are barking!!!  But, it’s your wedding night and if there’s any night you must be light on your feet, it’s your wedding night, right?  Ask your MH (a.k.a. Maid or Matron of Honor) to stow away some cool sneaks for you underneath the head table, just in case . . . it’s better to be safe than sorry.  My favorites are pictured below by Converse for Jack Purcell. If you end up wearing your sneaks your guests will love it because it’s license for them to kick off their heels and your groom will love you even more because he won’t have to hear about how much your feet hurt.  Plus, as you can see they make a great photo op!

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If you’re lucky enough to be going to a wedding in the Caribbean or on the Cape, you know you’ll be spending a lot of time at the beach.  You want to be able to go from breakfast at the resort, or in town, to the beach in one fell swoop. Be sure to pack your sunscreen!  You’re sure to be stylish in a great cover-up, a chic bathing suit,  the perfect pair of sandals and a fabulous sun hat. Top off your look with a straw beach tote filled with a cool towel, a good beach read and your ipod.

Here’s the skinny on the items pictured above:  Ombre Floppy Sun Hat, $38, Miraclesuit Barcelona Swimsuit, $138, Mexican Embroidered Maxi Dress, $31.50, Vera Bradley Beach Towel, $34, Jack Rogers Navajo Sandals, $94.99, Moroccan Straw Summer Beach, $38, Apple iPod touch (3rd Generation), $179.99 and Jane Green’s “The Beach House,” $10.20.

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You’ve been invited to what promises to be a FABulous wedding in the Caribbean, great.  You got your plane ticket and secured your hotel room.  Perfect.  So, what are you going to wear?!?!?! You need outfits for six events – the welcome cocktail party, a pool party, the rehearsal dinner, a beach party, the wedding and brunch the day after the wedding. I’ve received a number of questions from readers from about this very issue, hence the birth of WeddingSTYLE Lab.  WeddingSTYLE Lab will be a regular feature of Wedding STYLE by Kalyn Johnson to help readers find FAB outfits to wear to the FAB weddings they’re planning or have been invited to attend.

I love Tibi and swooned when I saw the dress pictured above. Tibi One Shoulder Dress – $454.  To take it to the next level, I’d add some sparkly earrings by  Lee Angel Crystal Stone Earrings – $139.99 and bracelets Studded Bangle Set – $130.  This Hot Pink Rebecca Minkoff Clutch with Chain Strap, $325 is to die for and will definitely be a great accent piece for Spring/Summer.  Neutrals are in and these great heels by L.A.M.B. will work well with just about anything in your closet. L.A.M.B. Women’s Dominica Open Toe Pump – $275.  And top it off with a colorful pashmina just in case it gets chilly. Pashmina Cashmere Scarf – $29.99. Depending on the bride and groom and the venue they’ve chosen, this outfit could be perfect for a cocktail party, a rehearsal dinner or even the actual wedding.

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