Love Knot

Your groom lifting your veil before he kisses you is the most sacred part of the wedding.  Choosing a veil that suits you and goes with the dress is almost as important as picking out the dress itself. Short fishnet veils are becoming more and more popular these days.  My favorite is a classy, yet simple one from www.bridestuff.com

Some other popular veils are the more standard, longer ones like these:

Your wedding is one of the biggest days of your life; keepsakes will help you always remember your special day.  One of the easiest and most common keepsakes is the guest book. www.bridestuff.com has some of my favorite guest books.  The guest book should accomodate the number of guests attending and should tie into the theme and color scheme.  Guests should sign their name, along with a short comment or best wishes.  Make sure you have enough pages in your guest book for every guest to sign his or her name.

One of my favorite guest books at www.bridestuff.com

The Web site also has matching flower girl baskets, pen sets and ring pillows.

The best way to get what you want from your bridal shower guests is to register at your favorite stores. Wal-mart and Target have gift registry computers that are easy to use. Registering makes everyone’s lives easier–you get what you want and your guests spend less time trying to figure out whether you’ll like it!

Picking party favors can be tricky–you want them to be unique to your wedding and match the theme of your wedding. The best bet is to try and complement the favors with the invitations. www.myjeanm.com has some of my favorite party favors.

Personalized wine labels

Personalized tissues

Personalized key bottle opener

Personalized tux and dress gift boxes

Personalized purse gift boxes

Personalized mint holders

Personalized bright stripe candy wrappers

Invitations should be eye-catching, informational and unique to your wedding theme. Traditional invitations used two colors and were very simple. Modern invitation designs are sassy, whimsical and incorporate many colors, depending on your theme. www.myjeanm.com has many designs to choose from. Some of my favorites are:

Ideas

It’s one of the only wedding traditions that still makes sense in today’s society. It isn’t darkened by old superstitions about fertility and virginity or cheapened by old wives tales about the moon’s alignment. It’s just plain cute. If you can, try to select items that can be placed in your keepsake box and passed down to your daughter or daughter-in-law.

Old
The “old” item represents something you are leaving behind or something that is being passed down to you.

· Your grandmother’s wedding photo in a silver locket
· Your fiancee’s first lost tooth
· Your mother’s wedding band on your right ring finger

New
The “new” item represents something you are adopting through your marriage or something that is unique to your new union.

· Your engagement picture on the other side of the silver locket
· The key to your new home
· A token of your first date like a ticket stub or cocktail napkin.

Borrowed
The “borrowed” item should be symbolic of something you respect or admire about someone or something.

· Your best friend’s energy crystal
· Your mother’s monogrammed handkerchief
· Your mother-in-law’s pearl necklace

Blue
The “blue” item really has no symbolism that we can think of - it simply rhymes with “new.” Try to select something hidden and small that only you (and later on, your new hubby!) know about.

· A sapphire Austrian crystal heart pendant
· Paint your toes with light blue polish
· A thin light blue ribbon on your garter

www.findgift.com  has some unique bridal party gift ideas including bridesmaids’ tote bags, groomsmen caricatures and flower girl gift sets.

www.stamps.com  is a cool and unique way to add character to your wedding invitations and thank-you notes. You can upload a picture of you and your groom or bride, choose different themes and borders, and have them sent to you via mail. They are real postage and are supported by the United States Postal Service. The cost is about $5 to $10 for 20 stamps. With different themes like Nascar, Anne Geddes and Collegiate, these stamps are sure to add flavor to the invitations.

Like the bridesmaids, the groomsmen should wear slightly different styles than the groom, but it should all tie together. At most weddings, the groomsmen wear black tuxes, like the groom, but with a different style or color of dress shirt underneath. The groomsmen are probably the easiest to dress for the wedding! Tuxedo stores usually have a variety of styles to choose from and know how to advise you. Designer tuxedos are becoming more and more popular, as well as styles made by lesser-known manufacturers.

Renting v. Buying

The rule of thumb is that if you can wear the tuxedo at least four times, go ahead and buy one–it saves money! But, if you are a fashion-driven person, renting might be the key because styles change so quickly.

The most important thing when choosing bridesmaid’s gowns is to make sure you figure out what looks best on them. Also, too flashy dresses can make them stand out more than you on your big day, so simple dresses are the best bet. Many bridal consultants advise you to choose shades in soft, subtle hues for your bridesmaids. You’ll want them to complement your style, not overpower it.

Tips for bridesmaids who don’t have the model-figures:

Pretty necklines are a good way to draw attention away from trouble spots.

Thick waists are best hidden with a princess waist. Make sure the fullness of the dress begins lower on the torso.

Large hips can be masked wtih an A-line gown. It will add height to the bridesmaid and make her appear taller and thinner.

Heavy thighs are easily hidden by full skirts. Sleek, straight and narrow dresses are not a suitable choice for bridesmaids unless they are tall and thin.

If you aren’t on such a tight budget, having the bridesmaid’s dresses custom designed is the best bet to perfecting the look for each bridesmaid. Don’t forget to order the gowns at LEAST six months in advance.

Christina Aguilera’s Bridesmaids’ Dresses: