The Perfect Bride With the Perfect Wedding Dress for Half the Price

It's every woman's dream to have a perfect memorable and beautiful wedding celebration. But having an exquisite and lovely wedding celebration doesn't come cheap. Nowadays, a stylish wedding can cost you about $40,000. This can literally drain your savings. And the last thing you need is a celebration that can lay financial strain in your marriage. And one of the main events in a nuptial celebration is the bride. The marriage ceremony itself is a tribute to the bride. It comes without saying, the bride should be the center of attention and it requires having the perfect wedding dress. The wedding dress is the most significant piece for the bride.

Some bride would spend astounding amount of money for the dress alone. The good news is you don't need to pay astronomical amount for a dress you are going wear only once. So here are some few wedding tips how to have an elegant wedding dress. One good idea is to canvass all nuptial dresses outlets and boutiques, even the internet. This may take a lot of energy but it will be worth it. If you're lucky you can haggle for a last price by showing the price list of the each canvassed store to each other. Merchants love to compete for a sale, take advantage of that.

So if you decide to go directly to the manufacturer, include your whole wedding entourage's clothes. If you are over flowing with creativity- gene, make use of it. Creativity can make every simple dress glamorous. You can buy a simple perfect fitted dress off the department store rack and put some add-ons to it- some glitter there, a little biddings here and some of the beautiful linings to accentuate the whole dress. You can go endlessly in customizing your dress. And don't forget the veil if you want to have that dramatic effect while walking down the aisle. A veil is just a beautiful, sheer or lacey fabric you can buy in any fabric store and convert it into a charming little material for your dress.

The whole package is not complete without accessories. Accessories enhance the whole outfit. Accessories include the jewelries and of course the shoes. Some professional wedding designer would advice you to tone down the bling. Having one striking, sparkling necklace, depending on the neckline of your clothes as the center piece of the whole package is enough to make you look breath taking. Too many accessories can make you look over the top and "crowded". Borrowing a family heirloom can make the whole fete sentimental and heart warming, not to mention budget saving. You see, you don't need to spend hundreds and thousands of dollars to have that perfect wedding dress.

Sort out all your social resources and ask for their help and start a soon a possible for more and better options and choices. Pretty sure they are willing to help you out.

Toast the Bride and Groom - Make Their Wedding Memorable

The wedding day is one of the most anticipated and momentous events in a couple's life together. From the flowers to the dress to the vows, the couple expects every detail, no matter how minute, to be perfectly planned, arranged and executed. The wedding toast is no exception. For the best man or the fathers to toast bride and groom is to wish the newly married couple happiness and health as they begin their new lives. The groom may also wish to prepare a toast for his new bride, his new in-law's and those who helped make the wedding day both memorable and complete. Preparing the precise words to say does not have to be overwhelming or stressful. However, an exceptional toast is usually prepared in advance rather than given impromptu with little, if any, forethought. There are some simple rules to planning the perfect wedding toast that will be sure to wow not only the bride and groom but the guests as well.

When preparing to toast bride and groom, it is not necessary to pen an elaborate and wordy essay. In general, the speech for a toast should only last for a couple of minutes, with the average speech concluding in about one minute. Because the speech short, it is best to memorize the toast rather than read it from a piece of paper, index card or crumpled napkin. The bride and groom will be more appreciative of the heartfelt, well-planned speech than they will a recitation of empty words scribbled only a few seconds beforehand. While some people are great at improvised speeches, there are many people who struggle to think on their feet. At an occasion as important as a wedding, a rambling, choppy, poorly planned toast can be a disaster.

While the toast should be thoughtful, adding humor and wit to the speech can make it more personal and charming. However, discernment and discretion must be used wisely. Distasteful or embarrassing stories should be avoided. It is recommended that any toasts be practiced before an audience prior to the wedding day in order to ensure the speech is not in any way offensive. To toast bride and groom is to honor them both on their special day, and avoiding unsavory language or stories is advisable. In addition, it is of utmost importance that a toast is not given by an inebriated party. Any party responsible for a toast at the wedding should limit alcohol intake until after the toast.

One of the most important things to remember when giving a toast is to have everyone raise their glass at the end of the speech. The toast to bride and groom is an expression of the approval of the marriage and well wishes for a happy lifetime of marriage.

Creative and Informal Beach Wedding Dress Ideas For the Bride and Groom!

There are so many fun choices that the bride can make for her beach wedding dresses when the plan is for a casual wedding. The theme sets the style of course, so the first job at hand is to decide if you want to stick to a specific theme, or simply keep it informal and casual on the day.

You can choose to be Gypsies for the day, with lots of velvet and satin. Maybe you fancy being Medieval with buntings and some fair maidens in long gowns and a horse to ride, or you might want to be a Hippie flower child with cheesecloth caftans and beads.

With a truly informal beach wedding dress you could even take the idea of Pam Anderson and wear a swimsuit in the colours you pick for the beach wedding them, and cover it with a sarong, or soft translucent caftan style sheath dress. Even the men can wear caftans over their more informal swimwear that way.

When the ceremony is over, everyone can have a swim to cool off before the reception begins! With all the attention focused on the bride when planning a wedding, it's easy to forget the other half of the happy couple. The groom and his groomsmen also need to be taken care of, especially attire-wise.

So, you are getting married in a few months and you've just chosen a beach theme for your wedding. You also want it to be a casual wedding, something which is not too formal. This calls for an informal beach wedding dress for the bride and groom, especially if you're having the wedding at the beach where practicality is more important than fashion.

So, how do you find the perfect beach wedding attire for men? Well, fortunately for you, it isn't that hard if you follow a few simple pointers.

1) Determine his type. You'll have to find out what style suits the groom. Is he tall? Is he stocky? What about his dress size? Is he a bit wide around the hips? All these questions need to be answered if you're going to find an informal beach wedding dress for the groom. A vest left unbuttoned is a great way to conceal a bit of a pot belly. Or to have a loose shirt left untucked and hanging loose over the trousers.

2) Follow the theme. Naturally, the wedding is beach-themed. However, there can be many variations of that theme. It can be tropical, where the attire should be bright and natural, or it can be nautical, with soft shades of blue and sea-like dresses. However you want the groom's wedding attire to be, you'll have to make sure it fits the theme. If you are choosing a 'flower-power' Hippie theme with beads and flowers the caftan is perfect for the men as well as the women, and are naturally flattering for all body shapes. The men can even be wearing their swimming trunks underneath for ultimate comfort and convenience. For the Tropical Island theme its simple to pick a Hawaiian style bright patterned shirt and comfortable trousers or board shorts worn with simple open sandals.

3) Don't forget to ask his opinion. It's his wedding after all. Asking for his thoughts can give you ideas on how you'll want to dress him up. Finding the perfect informal beach wedding dress won't be worth anything if he doesn't want to wear it on the wedding day. So, make sure there are clear communications between the both of you early on.

In many cases, when you look at the wedding photos of the beach wedding attire for men, you see that the men simply wear trousers with shirt unbuttoned at the neck, sometimes with a vest left open, and sandals without socks. The colors can be sand themed soft linens, or simple black trousers, white shirt and even a bright colored vest in red for example if using a bright theme, or gypsy theme for your informal beach wedding dress.

Wedding Dress Tradition

The wedding is one of the oldest traditions and the wedding dress in its many styles can be traced back as far as the Pharaohs. Over the centuries the style of the wedding dress has changed many times but seems to be on a circular route with styles and colour coming back full circle over the course of time.

There have also been many different customs associated with the wedding dress, one being that in ancient times the guests would tear off a piece of the dress and keep it for good luck. The Greek still pin money to the brides wedding dress this being the wedding present. Queen Victoria marked a big change in the wedding dress when she married Prince Albert She chose to wear white symbolizing maidenhood and purity and this still continues today.

Probably the most important aspect of organizing a wedding and getting married is the Wedding Dress itself. Years ago the wedding dress was nearly always white signifying the purity of the bride.

Nowadays it can be of any colour and type according to the culture and desires of the bride. Having only recently been on the rounds of choosing a wedding dress with my future daughter in law, I was surprised at the huge array of wedding dresses on display in all colours and styles, plus the numerous shops available.. Good job the daughter in law had a fair idea of what type of wedding dress she was looking for as we could have been trawling around for years.

I found all the staff in the bridal shop very helpful and extremely patient, what with the endless trying on of dresses and the pure weight of the wedding dress I imagine it can all be very tiring. Having finally picked out two wedding dresses my daughter in law then picked a third wedding dress and now the test began. Along came a friend and between the two of us had to pick the wedding dress we thought was the best, fingers crossed we picked the correct one.

As luck would have we both chose the same wedding dress and it was the one daughter in law liked the best. Thank god for that, not sure what would have happened had we picked the wrong one. So the wedding dress is now ordered and we are waiting for the fittings to be done. I must say my experience of choosing a wedding dress was very pleasurable and was amazed and the sheer variety that was available.

The modern wedding has evolved and changed over the centuries, we now have so much choice church or registry office, tropical island beach or a Scottish castle that the wedding dress will be chosen according to the style of the wedding. The one thing that remains unchanged is the essential role that the wedding dress will play.

A Great Way to Make Sure Your Groom Sticks to You

If you're planning your wedding, you may be dreaming of having a unique wedding dress made just for you.

The good news is you can have a custom-made bridal gown, bridesmaids' dresses, and even a tux for your groom, all without breaking your budget... Or going any farther than your local hardware store.

On September 29, 2001, Joyce Lotta and Kevin Thomas made a little bit of adhesive history by having the world's first documented duct tape wedding.

The wedding was sponsored by the maddeningly named Duck Tape company. (The debate still rages over whether the term "duct tape" or "duck tape" came first and who is misusing the phrase. So far the linguistic evidence is on the side of the camp that uses "duct tape" as the correct generic term.) The bride's wedding dress was stunning duct tape creation decked out with 600 Bavarian crystals. The groom's tuxedo jacket, accessories for the attendants, and even the flowers and confetti were all made of rip-and-stick goodness.

Duct tape has certainly never been a stranger to wedding ceremonies. It's recommended for bridal emergency kits, and has been a lifesaver for repairing split tuxedo pants, attaching stubborn bustles and trains, and restraining unruly ring bearers.

(OK, just kidding about that last one. But speaking of things that should NOT be restrained with duct tape, many a bride has tried everyone's sticky friend as a DIY bra for backless dresses. Word around the punchbowl is that it does work well at keeping the girls where they should be, but taking it off later is no fun at all. Think very, very carefully about how sensitive your skin is and how well duct tape sticks before you try this.)

If you're interested in making a duct tape gown, your options are surprisingly open. Duct tape comes in dozens of colors nowadays, and the effects you can create are so oddly chic that many boutiques actually sell duct tape dresses to the public. Some effects are admittedly not so chic. If one of your attendants forced you to wear a Scarlett O'Hara bridesmaid dress for her wedding, you have just been handed a powerful tool for sweet, sweet revenge.

To make the basic duct tape fabric, you're sort of creating a weave. Start by choosing the length you want to work with. Cut a single strip of duct tape to length and lay it on your work surface sticky side up. Cut your next strip to the same length and carefully align it with the first strip, but with a slight overlap - your two pieces are now sticking together. (It is at this point that your cat will become intensely interested in what you are doing. Take precautions or you'll both be sorry.)

Keep overlapping strips of tape until you have the width you want, then turn your piece 90 degrees. Now do a top layer - sticky side down - that crosses your first layer, again, overlapping the strips.

You can use the remaining sticky edges to help attach pieces of your gown together, but you shouldn't rely on the tape alone, especially if you're going to be dancing at your reception. You can sew it with a needle and thread, but that will be slow going. The quick and sneaky method is to use staples. And why not? You're wearing a wedding dress made out of duct tape. There's no point in getting all delicate about it now. Cover the staples with duct tape to keep your look sleek and to make sure you don't get scratched.

You can just trim the sticky part off of edges that won't be seen. Edges that will be seen, like your neckline and skirt hem, need to be sealed so they don't fray. Fortunately you can just fold duct tape over them for a clean look. Do you have any of that handy?

Unless you want to be taped into and cut out of your dress (your groom may want a vote on that one), you'll need fasteners. You can staple a zipper in just like you did your seams, or you can punch in grommets and lace your gown up the back.

Tips:
It's a good idea to work with small sections of fabric. It's relatively easy to put them together and make a larger cloth. Working with huge, skirt-length strips of duct tape is the best way to end up with it firmly stuck to your hair.

If you're using a dress pattern, make a little more fabric than your pattern calls for. Duct tape fabric is tougher to work with than regular cloth, and you may need the extra play.

If you absolutely must use a needle and thread for your seams, grease the needle.

Remember that duct tape is stiffer than regular fabric. When designing your skirt, give yourself plenty of room for walking and dancing.

Do a serious test run with your duct tape wedding gown, paying special attention to seams and straps. Tuck a roll of tape in each color you may need and a mini-stapler into your bridal emergency kit.

Enjoy the attention! It's a sure bet your guests won't be able to peel their eyes off of you.

Groom's Day - The Groom's Role in a Wedding

In today's world of wedding planning, the traditions and roles of key individuals is ever-changing. While many books today cover the role of the lead in this dance known as a wedding, the bride, there is one role that many times goes overlooked, the role of the groom.

The groom's role is one that goes undefined in many wedding books. While today's wedding books tell brides about the roles of certain people such as the mother of the bride, the father of the bride, bridesmaids, groomsmen.etc, the books fail to mention the role of one of the key players, the groom. They go to great lengths to stress the importance of the maid of honor and best man, their duties and roles, but what about the groom? Remember brides, when your big day arrives, do not forget about that important person you're vowing to never leave for the rest of your life. He needs some guidance as to what his role is in the show, and from the looks of the internet so do you ladies.

The groom is what I term as a floater. He is the prize the bride is allowed to dangle, no offense guys, in front of her friends and family and say, "Hey! Look what I've got". Grooms, to position yourself for the most enjoyable time of your life, I advise you take the role of the peacemaker. While I agree this sometimes maybe a tough thing to do, remember that your job, whether you realize it or not, is to keep things peaceful and see to it that everyone the bride wants, makes it to the big day. Groom, take care to assure that the squabbles that typically erupt during this tense time do not permanently damage relationships that were years in the making. I advise to constantly remind everyone close to the bride "This day is about her and it is her wishes we wish to honor". Put like this, most people involved in this process will be gently reminded to keep their opinions in check, thus making you the hero of the day to that special someone, your bride.

In closing ladies, I remind you to every now and again check in with the groom. He may have valuable information pertaining to unstable conditions that just might save you from a disaster. Don't forget, while the woman is normally the HEAD of the wedding planning, the groom is the NECK, and the HEAD cannot turn without the help of the NECK.

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Photography - The Groom's Style

While the Bride's portrait is usually bathed in soft light, or has an almost mystical quality about it, the classic shot of the groom is one that's more defined and has a somewhat darker tone. The photograph certainly shouldn't be hard or moody and it should be a reflection of the man's character. Too many photographs of the groom are heads and shoulders, with a broad smile or caricatured, serious look that more often than not resembles a grimace. Aim for a natural look and be aware of the small detail that go into the making of any formal portrait.

Because the groom's clothes are much 'straighter' than the bride's and can't be fluffed out to create paths of design and light, you'll have to be much more conscious of how the lines of the jacket, vest, or waistband fall. Watch for the jacket riding up over the shirt collar and make sure the cuffs of the shirt come out from the sleeves of the coat. Even though facial expression in the shot might be great, a portrait can be badly hurt by your missing any of these seemingly inconsequential details.

It's rare to see or sell a full-length formal of the groom, so concentrate on medium distance shots. Using a lighting set-up similar to the one for the bridal portrait you can have the groom lean in slightly, one foot on a stool and an arm resting on the knee, with the other hand in a pocket. Remember to watch for lines by making sure that the groom's shoulders aren't parallel to the top of the frame and have the head turned to one side or the other so the shot doesn't look like a wanted poster.

It's ok for the groom to have one or both hands in his pockets as long as the hands fit. Some formal wear is very tight or just has decorative pockets, so hands may seem bulky if shoe horned in. If the hands are left out of the pockets, do something with them. Putting hand in hand is better than interlacing fingers. You can also have a thumb hitched into a pocket or belt, creating a jauntier pose.

Many men's portraits seem stilted when compared to those of women. This may be caused by the photographer and subject feeling as if they are trapped into portraying the 'male image.' Go with your feeling about the individual and don't get caught out in stereotypes. This will make your subject more comfortable and allow you to make a more honest photograph. Look for motion, movement of lines and dynamism as ways to break any stiff, visual looks. Once the subject has posed himself, or you've helped him find a comfortable position, request an extra lean-in towards the camera. This extension does wonders for male portraits.

Use your judgment about diffusers with the groom because some benefit by its use and some don't. Though these filters aren't in general used for pictures of the groom alone, they can help create an idealized rendition of the subject. Smiling is not against the law in the portrait of the bride or groom. The demeanor of the groom's portrait needn't be serious or moody. His warmth and flow are what you should aim to bring out.

Be Prepared - Wedding Day Emergency Kits!

If you have ever known a Boy Scout, you have heard the motto "Be Prepared". This advice applies not only to eight year old boys on camping trips, but to anyone about to explore new territory - especially brides! Put on your thinking cap, and make a list of any little thing that you might need at the last minute on your wedding day, then prepare your emergency kit.

What types of things might you need? Number one is safety pins. That way you are prepared if your strap breaks, your hem drops, or your zipper pull falls off. Other gown issues can include a lipstick smear (stain removal wipes), a smudge of dirt (white chalk), or a drop of blood (believe it or not, your own saliva works best for to remove a spot of blood!).

To help the entire bridal party looking their best, your kit should also contain static spray, a small pair of scissors, and a seam ripper (for last minute removal of those pesky hanging straps that pop out of the armholes). The truly prepared bride will also bring along a fabric steamer in case one of the bridesmaids shows up in a wrinkled dress.

Of course your kit should include basic necessities like aspirin, breath mints, and feminine products. (Bring plenty of these supplies, as you may not be the only one to need them.) Beauty products are also a must. Any wedding day kit should have an ample supply of bobby pins and hairspray. Also keep your lipstick and blotting papers handy for any last minute touch ups.

Another thing to keep on hand is clear nail polish for chips in your manicure or runs in your stockings. It is a good idea to keep a back up pair of pantyhose in your kit, just in case. A can of spray deodorant could come in handy for anyone who gets sweaty when they are nervous (the spray kind is best because it can be shared with others). Though surely the bride will be as cool as a cucumber because she knows that she has prepared for every contingency!

A needle and a thread is one of the other key items for a wedding day kit. You never know what might need a quick stitch, so bring thread colors to match the dresses of the bridesmaids and mothers, as well as the bride's gown. Keep a packet of spare beads and crystals for your gown in your sewing kit. You can also use the thread to repair wedding jewelry, such as a snapped strand of pearls. Be prepared for other wedding jewelry needs, such as spare earring backs (did you know that in a pinch, you can use a pencil eraser to replace a missing earring back?).

General necessities like tissues, a comb, band-aids, and saline solution will round out the bridal emergency kit. Some people recommend smelling salts, but that strikes me as a bit over-the-top. Of course, if you think that you are the type to swoon, go ahead and include them. Round out your kit with a few snacks like pretzels and protein bars in case anyone needs a little fortification before marching down the aisle (just be careful to pick foods that will not leave a spot if they touch your dress). Last, but not least, toss in a bottle of Champagne and a couple of plastic flutes. You know, just in case.

With all of these supplies, you will need a festive way to transport them. Instead of dumping them in your gym bag, choose something more wedding appropriate, like a monogrammed tote or duffel bag. Your maid of honor or wedding planner should be in charge of the wedding survival kit. Brides should not be responsible for toting their own luggage - this is your day to be treated like royalty! Once your wedding emergency kit is ready, you will be able to relax and enjoy your day, knowing that you are prepared for any predicament.

Are You Prepared For Your Wedding Day?

There comes a time in every bride's planning process when she sees a light at the end of the tunnel... your wedding day. If your wedding day is fast approaching, you've almost made it. But maybe you can't shake that nagging feeling that something is missing, something has been left unplanned and that freaks you right out!

Am I Missing Something HUGE?

A lot of brides have last minute, "oh my gosh, did that get done?" feelings. That's why I've devised a checklist to help you make sure that everything is in order for your big day:

* Is Everyone On the Same Page?- One of the best tools I provide my brides with is a wedding day itinerary. You should create one for yourself and provide it to all your vendors. Get detailed with this itinerary. There's no such thing as too much information

* Does Your Bridal Party, Family and MC Know What's Up?- There are a lot of players in this game and you need to rally them together and let them know what's they can expect. Who's expected to give a speech? Who's looking after giving the vendors their cheques? Who's going to bring the marriage license. Make a game plan for your big day and it'll all go smoothly

* Who's Going to Make All Your Plans Happen?- A lot of brides have the impression that their venue is going to set up all their décor and details. That's usually not the case. If you don't have an event designer or a decorator you need to figure out who is going to do this job. While your venue can handle some things you need to understand that they're busy getting ready to do their prime job which in the case of a reception venue is feed your guests, not decorate.

* What Do You Need For Your Sanity?- Make a checklist of everything you need to pack up to bring to your wedding from decorations, to makeup, to the guest book... EVERYTHING. Then I suggest getting some sturdy plastic bins to pack everything in. Don't forget to label what's in them. An organized bride is a stress free bride.

* Write Your Vows and Write Your Speech- If you're writing your own vows you'll want to be well prepared in advance. It's nice to do this as you get closer to your wedding day because it brings everything back into perspective (you're having the wedding to celebrate your love- remember?). You'll also want to talk with your groom about your speeches. Make sure that you write down everyone that you need to thank. There's nothing worse than having a friend put on 150 chair covers and forgetting to mention her in the speech. "

* Book a Day at the Spa- You also need to make sure that you've booked a day of pampering. Get your nails done, enjoy a facial, and whimper through a bikini wax (remember that honeymoon is coming!). Be prepared to be the star and get camera ready.

Keep Your Cool

The weeks leading up to your wedding day can be the most stressful. That's why I advise you to be as organized as possible and rally the people around you. If you're doing this on your own this can be the time that things really get hairy. You've done so great so far, don't turn into bridezilla.

How to Choose the Best Classic Wedding Car

We have all seen the fairy tale wedding scenes where the bride and groom drive away into the sunset in the classic old time car. If you are thinking that would add the perfect touch to your upcoming ceremony, consider the following tips on how to book the best possible wedding car for your special day.


If you are planning on hiring a wedding car service for your wedding, you will want to inquire well in advance. Many companies are booked up to a year in advance. Some companies require that you have your dates set, the car picked out, and pay your fees a whole year before your wedding. If you are uncertain about any of these things, you may want to clear them up before booking the car. Some companies do charge an additional fee if you need to change the day. Worse than that, you may not be able to get a car if you change the day in the last few months.
You will want to have your wedding party already chosen before you book your wedding cars. Wedding car companies usually have vehicles ranging from convertible, two passenger models to mini bus shuttles used for the whole party. Any vehicle you choose should be chauffeured. You sure do not want to be responsible for a classic wedding car.
Decide which aspects of the service you will require transportation for. You can find wedding cars to use from the wedding to the reception, or wedding cars to transport you to the service in the first place. You also need to decide who will be provided with transportation. Some people provide a car for the parents of the bride and groom as a thank you for years of support and help. It will be completely up to you, but you should consider price when making this choice. If you rent cars for everyone in your part, it can become a little pricey; you might just want to stick with a couple of cars.
The style of the car you choose is just as important as the wedding dress or the cake. Take your time to look through brochures and see what your options are. The theme or style of your wedding should be a major factor to consider. If you are having a modern, elegant wedding, you might want to go with a Mercedes elegance. However, if you re opting for a vintage wedding or a classic style, an Open Top Tourer could be just the car for you. Another option is having a romantic horse and carriage at your wedding service. Nothing says romance like a chauffeured carriage ride away from a quaint chapel.
Color and decoration should also be considered. Some companies have a large variety of cars to match every wedding scheme. If you go with a professional company, you can usually have the [http://www.highstylecars.co.uk/about.html]car decorated with flower arrangements, as well.

If you take these tips into account when choosing your wedding car, you should enjoy a stress free car hire process. Just make sure you get a contract and that you understand what you are required to do and what you can expect from the company.



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Your Wedding Day Jewelry

Wedding jewelry, compared to other things that you will purchase for the wedding, is something that will have for a very long time. Whether it would be a jewelry wedding band or wedding rings, hair jewelry or cake jewelry, it will remain for years to come, and you can pass them on from one generation to another. This could even by a family heirloom since it could last for many generations.

Your set doesn't need to be that expensive to have that staying power. You just need to replace, mix and match with careful planning through your designer to have affordable jewelry that will really look nice on your wedding day.

For example, your bridesmaid wedding jewelry doesn't need to be made of diamonds to have that shiny look. You can just use Swarovski crystal wedding jewelry instead of some diamonds to make them look good. The shine and the colors will even be more diverse in Swarovski and you'll have a great costume jewelry bridal accessory. Changing diamonds with Swarovski crystals is just one of the ideas that you can have for it that is affordable as well as beautiful.

Online you can find simple ideas that can help you design the wedding fashion jewelry. This planning of wedding costume jewelry will be of no use if you don't coordinate with your designer regarding this. These and other accessory options could be up to you, but you have to trust your wedding dress designer for putting them all together.

How Can You Create Unique Wedding Accessories For a Theme Wedding?

Unique wedding accessories are certainly a challenge to create, but every couple wants to go that extra mile in trying to make their wedding day really special and memorable for all. However the challenge becomes a little harder when you are organizing a theme wedding. Customizing the wedding accessories according to the theme wedding demands not only high creativity but time as well as labour. Of course there are people ready to take any challenge to make their marriage become an example for the generations to come.

A marriage is usually an event of a lifetime, and you should not leave any stone unturned to make just as you might have dreamed of it. A theme wedding is something that definitely gives a special and different tune to the whole ceremony. But selecting the theme alone does not end your job. You have to create a range of unique accessories for weddings to relate to the theme you have chosen.

Selecting a theme is quite an easy job and finding some unique accessories for a wedding is not too difficult either provided you know what to do. But when faced with the challenge of creating unique accessory for weddings that have themes, most of us are zapped. You can have so many wedding ideas but choosing the best one and then using the idea to create the magic of the event is quite difficult.

However, in case matching your wedding theme and stationery becomes too much of a hassle, you might just opt for something simpler. Our discussion here will however give you some ideas to help you achieve that dream!

First of all try to think in a logical way to make unique wedding accessory. First list out what are the custom accessories you need and then select those that can be turned into personalised wedding accessories. This is because personalizing is a process of ensuring unique accessory for a wedding. For information on different accessories you can always check online wedding accessories sites. Once you are done with the list of accessories, try incorporating both your theme and personal touch to them. Here are few examples that will help you a lot in this process.

If you are having a beach or seaside marriage, then your general wedding centre pieces could be shells, conch, sands or seaside rocks. To make them unique, put the couple's name on the shell or on the sand rocks. For devising unique wedding favour for a beach marriage, you can choose sticks made with sea side rocks on which the couple's name will be spelled. And to make unique wedding invitations for a beach marriage, along with the invitations send a small shell with the couple's name will be inscribed.

Similarly, if you are having a fairytale marriage then the bridal wedding accessories should be designed keeping in mind the magical and mythical charm of the theme. In this case, the bridal favours can be the showpiece where Cinderella dances with the prince. Uniqueness can be brought about to the arrangements if the couple's name is engraved on the showpiece in such a way that the names become visible without affecting the beauty of the gift.

Thus you can easily formulate your own special ideas to make your marriage special. Customize your ideas along with the theme and the budget. The examples provided above may be categorised as affordable wedding accessories. Now whatever be the theme, you can easily create your own range of unique wedding accessories.

Different Types of Bridal Wedding Accessories

One of the more recent additions to essential wedding accessories has been the creation of memorial candles and vases. Many couples wish to honor the memories of family members who have loved them and significantly added to their lives. Now the memory of these people can be brought into the wedding day through engraved candles and vases. Here are some suggestions on how to choose and use these important items.

1. Memorial Candles: Memorial candles come in several styles. There is the traditional pillar candle with a stand that can be engraved with the name of the family member. Many of these candles also have a phrase that is engraved as well, for example: "In memory of Beth Johnson who is present in our Hearts". Memorial candles can also be floating candles in a glass vase. Here the vase is engraved and filled with water and the candle sits on top of the water. It is best to have a special table for memorial candles. You can include framed photos of your loved one with the candle so that everyone can see the person and take a special moment to honor their life. Some couples choose to have their officiant light the memorial candle as a way of beginning the processional, others have the lit memorial candle at the reception in a special place. You may have one or more than one memorial candle, the important thing is to honor those people who you wish to remember on your most important day.

2. Memorial Vases: Memorial Vases also come in several styles. There are medium and large vases that can be engraved and hold a large bouquet of flowers. There are also simple bud vases that can be engraved. You can also have both displayed if you are honoring more than one person. As with memorial candles, it is best to have a special table with photographs by the vases of flowers where people can pause a moment and reflect. One bride chose to have a photo album by the memorial vase to honor her grandmother, who was a significant influence on her life and in her choice of life partners.

Weddings are an affirmation of life. We are honoring the journey that this individual couple has agreed to take together. But within that celebration is also the awareness of death and of all the people both living and deceased who have touched and helped us along the way. By honoring the memory of your loved ones, you bring this richness of life to your day.

Making Sure Your Bridal Shoes Match Your Dress

One of the most important aspects with all bridal shoes is that they must match your dress. They have to work well together and complement one another. One key element to focus on when choosing your bridal shoes is the type of wedding you are going to have. This means you have to focus on the following:

• What time of day?

• What time of Year?

• The Weather

• The Location

All of these elements make a big impact on the type of shoes you should wear. For example, if you are going to have your wedding in the evening, you will want to choose evening type of shoes, perhaps sandals with elegant straps. If you are having a winter wedding, obviously you will want "wintery" type of bridal shoes as well. Summer weddings are more relaxed in the shoe department, particularly if you are having an outside wedding.

Now another thing to pay close attention to the color of your wedding dress. It may look "white", but there are so many different types of white. Therefore, the best thing for you to do is take a swatch with the exact color of your wedding dress to get your shoes. This is the best way to make sure the color of your shoes matches the color of your dress exactly.

Now you have to look at your styles. The style of your dress, as well as your own style should play an important factor. Now, your wedding shoes can come with a lot of details and embellishments, but these can play a part in not matching your wedding dress. If you eliminate these, you will have a much better chance of getting a match that is perfect.

However, if you must have the embellishments and designs, you can get these, but make sure they match as well. For example, if you have a pearled dress, you can get beaded shoes. If you are wearing a dress that is sequined, shiny, or bejeweled, bridal shoes with crystals and rhinestones would be a great match.

What Bridal Shoes Do I Need?

Choosing bridal shoes has changed very little over the passage of time in as much as the bride chooses the shoes that 'she' falls in love with and will coordinate with her dress or outfit on that special day. But one thing that most brides-to-be share and that is they usually go for shoes which are lightweight and airy, as comfort is a major consideration when you think how much time the bride spends on her feet as she and the groom meets and greets family and friends to their wedding and reception afterwards.

If you find yourself picking out the bridal shoes before the dress you will want those that are designed to be dyed so that your shoes will match your bridal outfit. Although the footwear is not as eye-catching as the dress itself, it's important to find a pair of wedding shoes which will make your bridal outfit complete. Never underestimate the wedding shoes, as they have more influence over your outfit than you may think.

As wedding costs mount up it may be tempting to opt for cheap bridal shoes to cut down on the growing expenses, but before you do just take a bit of time out to ascertain how much time you will be spending on your feet. If you are planning a big wedding with lots of guests, the last thing you want is blisters and discomfort from the shoes. If, on the other hand, you are having a small event then you may want to consider going for cheaper bridal shoes.

Cheap wedding shoes do not necessarily mean cheap and tacky looking. In fact, quite often it's not possible to tell the difference between cheaper shoes and the more expensive ones as it's the quality and comfort that that you're paying extra for more than the style and design. Therefore, you should be able to find attractive shoes be they pumps, stilettos, or regular styled heels, at any price range.

Once you have your wedding shoes sorted out and ticked off the list of things to arrange, you will probably need to look at footwear for the bridesmaid(s) if they are part of your day. The traditional bridesmaid shoes, like wedding shoes, are quite often made from satin, wild silk and embroidered taffeta, and are available in Ivory and white. Once again, you might want to consider those that allow dying so that you can match them to whatever outfits you finally decide on.

Monogrammed Purse - The Essential Accessory

Bags are one of the many essential accessories of women. These accessory items are used in various kinds of occasions. Women love it because it completes their overall look. Every year, these items make their own fashion statement. Purses and handbags are getting better and more hotter every season. Designers make a wide variety of trend-setter bags, which are worn or used by popular personalities. Designer handbag or not, every woman has a purse in her list of accessories. It's an essential accessory that can be used anywhere, at anytime. It's not just for fashion purposes, but also a necessity.

Bags come in different styles, designs, sizes and colors. They are also made from different materials. Good quality materials are the reason why it has to be a bit high in price. However, there are also purses and handbags which are sold at a cheaper price. Different styles and designs of these bags are available in your local retail stores and online stores. If you consider online stores first, you'll be surprised with the wide variety of cheap purses that you can purchase in an instant. You'll find it more comfortable when shopping at home, no hassle and less worries!

As with the different styles and designs of bags, personalized purses are very popular today. This can make a great present to most women who love accessories. Personalized purses and handbags have special features where you'll be able to have your initials monogrammed or embroidered on it. Purses and handbags are typically used during an evening party, wedding, grand occasions, red carpet event and the like. The inclination will veer towards plaited handles or plaited areas of the bags. It may have an extra strap which buckles down or even the edges of the handbag having leather thongs wrapped around them. Other trends include tassel and studs and even padlocks and frills on the bags.

You may even find other interesting accessories that may be included in most of the designs of these bags. Accessories like key rings, metallic buckles, charms and dangles, crystal beads, gold tone stud and even leather bows to make it more special. These are likely to be part of purses and handbags fashion style scene.

Monogrammed purses and handbags never run out of style every season. Like any other type of bag, its contemporary styles comes in a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes and kinds. Elegantly embossed initials are one of the hottest trends in leather sling hipster handbags. It carries trend toward sleeker and cleaner features that there is no lumpy untidiness of excessive bulky areas, and with every accessible surface. They form the best accessory for casual or business event. They can make a perfect casual fashion add-ons.

Women might even consider personalized make up bags and monogrammed cosmetic bags to put their necessary make-ups for an instant beauty retouch, that is specially made for them with their initials to look more personalized. Maybe these are some good reasons why bags are now women's necessity.

Purse Charms: A Delightful Jewelry Trend

Often, when you see a new trend hit the marketplace, you have to wonder how long it will be before it's shuttled off to the clearance rack! However, every once in a while, you see something bound to become a fashion staple because it fits the criteria for long term popularity. My hot pick for 2007 is: Purse Charms.

What is a purse charm? It's a cross between a key chain and a cell phone charm. Clip them on your handbag straps or purse rings, they are as simple to change as a necklace, bracelet or any other piece of jewelry. There are three major categories that determine how well a trend will do in the marketplace:

Versatility: You can literally clip these anywhere, purses, belt loops, etc. Get creative with your clipping! Customer Appeal: Unlimited styles, virtually any standard materials, etc. Wide Range of Prices: From a few dollars to tens of thousands

Evidently, some top designers feel the same. Dooney & Burke, Marc Jacobs are just two of the top designers specifically designing purse charms to sell as accessories to their handbags. So watch for more styles and colors as this jewelry trend takes off and hits the stores.

Want a quirky moment, a momento of a special occasion or a reminder of a goal? Keep it on a purse charm. It's the adult version of clipping all those keychains on your backpack as we see kids do nowadays. Purse charms can be any length and made out of any material including crystals, gold, sterling silver and wood beads. Chunky or chic, there is a style to match your mood.

It's fun, it's fabulous and it's bound to be around for a long time! This is certainly a trend that will earn it's rightful place in the fashion accessory world. And, I'm excited over this jewelry accessory, it's my choice for the 2007 Hot Jewelry Pick!

Bridal Makeup Tips For Flawless Wedding Makeup

You're getting married! What an exciting time for you. At some point during the wedding planning process, you will have to think about your bridal beauty needs. As a bridal makeup artist, I know looking your best on your special day is of ultimate importance to you.

You obviously DON'T want to revolve your entire wedding day around worrying about your makeup; therefore, I am going to teach you how to prevent this. With these simple application tips & tricks, you will have the necessary tools to avoid any mishaps. In the end, you will know how to achieve and maintain the perfect wedding makeup application. The following bridal makeup tips and tricks will help tremendously so follow my advice and rest assured that your makeup will definitely stay in place.

Most brides worry about the staying power of their makeup for the following reasons:

a- perspiring (stress, anxiety)

b- hot climate (destination weddings, summer weddings)

c- oily skin

d- shedding a few (or many) tears of joy

e- all of the above

To avoid ruining your makeup and to make sure its application lasts you need to CHOOSE THE RIGHT PRODUCTS and KNOW HOW TO USE THEM CORRECTLY.

FOUNDATION

Every bride should use foundation to some degree. Foundation and concealer are the most important aspect to looking good in photographs. Even the tiniest blemishes can show up in your photographs.

If you never wear makeup at least consider using a little foundation - it really helps even out your skin tone. Using a stick or cake foundation is a good choice. There are also many great light liquid formulas out on the market today. Applied with a sponge, coverage can be as heavy or light as you wish. Better yet, choose a mineral foundation for optimal results.

Before application, make sure you moisturize with an oil-free moisturizer before applying foundation, especially for those with oily skin. Be sure to allow your skin to absorb the moisturizer first, then continue with makeup application. Another option is to use a shimmering face creme before you apply your foundation. This gives your skin a very subtle glow.

On the down side of things -no matter which foundation you use, a hot climate almost ensures that your face will begin to shine to some degree.

How do you combat the shine?

FACE POWDER.

Always keep your powder nearby.

Use over entire face, around eyes (better to apply with a powder puff or triangular makeup sponge) and EVEN YOUR NECK. Why?

The flash of the camera will reflect off your face but not your neck. The result- your face will look lighter than your neck, even if you used the right shade of foundation. Apply with a large powder makeup brush for your touch-ups. This will prevent an "overload" of powder applied during the course of the day. A good large brush will dust powder on lightly.

On the other hand, many brides want a minimal makeup approach and prefer to avoid using foundation altogether. Well, there are solutions for that too. Try using a tinted moisturizer or mix a little liquid foundation with a your favourite moisturizer. Again, use a loose powder to finish off your look.

Tips For Bridal Beauty

The day of wedding is not the only big occasion in a life of woman; on the contrary it moreover the day in which every guest's eyes are on the beautiful bride, which is dazzles from happiness, and likes to give an impression of picture perfect for this big day. The beauty tips for Bridal makeup, with the appropriate hair precision are essential to look and sense that way.

In the view of the fact that the very instant the bride and groom are officially proclaimed their engagement, strategy for the day of wedding should have the look for hairstyles related to marriage and some tips for makeup.

Your eye is the porthole to your soul; as results provide them the appropriate frame affect a few to the eye makeup tips which you can simply find online, searching magazines and consulting a beauty advisor. On the other hand, not the eyes only, keep in mind that there are lots of unlike makeup tips to lend a hand you appear like a movie star.

Even though hair care shall move on as a general activity, it could require attention in according to the various wedding hairstyles which you can select in progress of your bridal dress. It is greatly sensible to make the exact selection based upon your wedding outfit, but you have got to try a number of hairstyles prior to deciding on single of them.

Tips for eye makeup ought to be practiced in advance of time to promise you will not appear like a makeup research as a not as good as state of affairs. Curling the lashes to create your eyes unbolt and attach to shady colored mascaras will craft you look more accepted, however if you desire to add a spectacular effect, stroke your lower lashes.

Bridal makeup guidelines are together with a simple thought: fewer are extra. Since everybody will be seeing at you taking place your wedding day, do not act as if to locate all the makeup in the globe all above your face. Masquerading yourself at the rear a greatly painted face will create you look non-natural, chiefly if you do not be dressed in too much makeup in your on a daily basis activities.

Your watch what you eat and standard of living will reveal in both your skin and your hair so the better your diet, the more gorgeous you will look on the huge day.

Teen Hairstyle Ideas

Teens are fond of saying "Oh, that's so last year (or last month or last week), and they are always looking for the newest, cool teen hairstyle ideas to suit their wardrobes. Teen hairstyle ideas are not so different from adult hair styles, except that they may be a bit more bold and change frequently.

The best teen hairstyle ideas are for those "dos" that can be changed often; a teenager will want to wear her hair sedu straight one day like Jennifer Anniston, and sport curly locks the next. Therefore, it is a good idea to incorporate teen style ideas into a teen lifestyle which is active and often in flux.

Teen hairstyles ideas should be quick, easy and not too elaborate. However, this is always Homecoming and the prom, so teen hairstyle ideas to fit formal occasions are always needed. Most teens are active with jobs, classes and extra-curricular activities, so a style that requires a lot of maintenance is usually not the best for a teen (unless she enjoys spending a large amount of time doing her hair).

There are some great teen hairstyle ideas for short hair. Layered short hair can create a spikey look when combined with a sculpting gel. The spikey look is great for emphasizing highlights and frosted touches, but it is best to have these added by a professional or to put on temporary coloring.

Simply work gel into freshly shampooed hair, blowdry the hair and use a teasing comb or your fingers to create spikes. The same hairstyle can look softer with a bit of mousse instead of gel and by blowdrying the hair with a standard brush.

Another favorite among teen hairstyle ideas is the bob.It is quite versatile, easy to maintain and can be formal or casual, depending on how it is styled. Your bob can be made completely straight with a sedu iron, or curled at the bottom and around the bangs with a short-barrelled curling iron. Bobs can have bangs or be styled in all-one-length with funky hair jewelry to keep the side hairs from falling into the face. A sleek bob can be an elegant look for prom.

You will need:

• A super shine shampoo and conditioner

• Shampoo your hair and use conditioner

• Rinse out the conditioner and follow with a cool rinse to bring out the shine

• Use sculpting gel to style your bob

• Blow dry your hair on a low setting to prevent the style from "flying out"

• Finish with a hair spray that will bring out the sheen in your hair.

Many teen hairstyle ideas are designed to recreate the look of a popular celebrity. The straight Jennifer Anniston look is "in" and is easy to achieve, even for those with naturally curly hair. A sedu iron is the best tool or creating super straight hair, and the best flat irons have ceramic plates that minimize damage to the hair.

You will need to:

• Shampoo and condition the hair. Using an excellent conditioner will help your hair fall straight

• brush mousse through your wet hair

• Blowdry hair using a paddle brush

• work the flat iron through your hair in one inch wide sections

• Brush your hair straight and finish with hairspray

Of course, teen hairstyle ideas should include great prom looks. Updos are quite popular for the big evening, but they are not just for long hair. If you hair is long enough to put in a small ponytail, you can create a great updo. Even if your hair is shorter, you can get a matching hair extension to make your hair appear longer.

To create a Reese Witherspoon-style chignon:

• Shampoo and condition your hair the day before. Freshly-shampooed ponytails are more difficult to work with

• Smooth your hair back into a ponytail, making sure that the sides are smooth. Use an elastic that is the same shade as your hair. Make sure your ponytail is low, falling to the nape of your neck

• Divide your pony into three sections. Curl each section with a curling iron. Fasten with bobby pins until the curls cool

• Once the curls are cool, brush out the curls lightly.

• Take the pony and tuck it into the elastic

• Arrange your chignon, and fix the sides of your hair. If you want them completely smooth, spray your hair, or tease out a few tendrils and curl them with a curling iron.

Hairstyles for Curly Hair

If you love curls than you have a lot of hair styles that you can choose from. There are curly hairstyles for short hair, medium length hair, long hair, formal occasions and informal occasions. While there are a lot of great curly hairstyles that you can choose from, if you don’t manage your curls properly then they can get out of control and ruin the look of your hairstyle.

To manage your curly hair style or your wavy hair style then you will want to select the right hair care products. There are four basic curly hair products that you will want to use. First you will want to use a shampoo that is designed to enhance your curls, waves and shine and that also reduces frizz. The second hair care product that you will want to use is a conditioner that is formulated to reduce frizz and boost your hair’s shine. The third curly hair product that you will want to use is a curl enhancer. The curl enhancer will tighten your natural curl without making your hair frizzy. The final hair care product that you will want to use to create a great curly or wavy hairstyle is a curl controller. This product will be applied to dry hair. It will define individual curls and make your curl last longer without frizzing out.

When styling your curly or wavy hair you will want to use a comb or a pick. It is not a good idea to use a brush, as brushes make your curly hair frizz out. To create loose curls you can scrunch your hair as it dries or use a large hot roller. For tighter curls you can wrap your hair around a pencil and dry it with a diffuser, you can use smaller hot roller, or you can use a small barrel curling iron. Finish off your style using the right curl enhancing and defining products and/or hairspray.

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Wedding Cake Designs

The phrase wedding cake conjures up an image of a three-layered white cake with plastic figurines of the bride and groom perched on top. But that is now passé. Wedding cakes are going through a fashion makeover and new styles and designs are in vogue. With the help of a talented cake designer, there is no limit to how unique wedding cakes can be.

These days, flowers intertwined with a delicate icing are very popular. If you have a favorite flower, it can be used as the main focus of the cake’s design. You may want the flowers of your bridesmaids duplicated on the cake or the flowers in your bridal bouquet. Any talented cake designer should be able to create a beautiful cake with this design in mind. Just make sure you bring along samples of your flowers when you meet with the baker.

The color scheme of your wedding can also be incorporated into a wedding cake. You can even request that a designer try to emulate the design and style of your wedding gown into your cake. Depending on the season, your cake designer can whip up fabulous wedding cakes with snowflakes and icicles for winter, chrysanthemums, and autumn colored leaves for fall, daisies and raindrops for spring and tulips and roses for summer. Thinking in terms of fun and creativity will help achieve unique and wonderful results.

Whatever type of cake you desire, discuss your thoughts with several cake designers to ensure that what you want is what you get. If you’re not sure, let the designer give you ideas. Guaranteed they will have many wonderful suggestions.

Chocolate Wedding Favors

Providing chocolate as a wedding favor has been a time honored tradition for many centuries. The practice of distributing wedding favors began with the European upper classes, who had the wealth to provide elaborate gifts to their guests. Wedding favors began as small fancy boxes known as a bonboniere. A bonboniere was fashioned of crystal, porcelain or gold and were often encrusted with precious stones. The boxes were meant to hold bonbons or other confectionery delicacies, at a time when sugar was quite expensive and believed to have medicinal benefits.

Confectioneries, primarily chocolates, have continued to be a favorite wedding favor. Variations on the classic bonboniere have continued throughout the ages. Elaborate wedding favor boxes are produced from porcelain, crystal, stainless steel or pewter. Designs available from each medium vary extensively to accommodate any personal taste or wedding theme. The most affordable boxes are fashioned from white chipboard, which may have a solid color or be printed to reflect traditional wedding themes. More elaborate boxes have a foil laminate exterior and include embossed designs. Whatever the box design, they are intended to hide a secret gift of decadence inside.

The rich, smooth texture of chocolate truffles have made them an delicate token of appreciation. The elegant simplicity of a single truffle or a cluster of three, is sufficient for a sophisticated wedding favor. Truffles are affordable and easy to find at online suppliers or local candy shops.

A trend in chocolate wedding favors, has been the creation of unique labels for otherwise ordinary chocolate bars. “Branding” the bar with an unique label creates a personal statement from the bride and groom. Smaller chocolate companies that specialize in providing personalized chocolate, can create a mold that will appear to be engraved with a sentiment from the couple. Many of these same companies carry stock molds for wedding themed chocolate bars and coins. They are able to produce chocolate pops and three dimensional chocolate confections that resemble traditional wedding themes, as well as the bride and groom cake topper. The molded candies are produced from white, milk or dark chocolate. Couples can select to have the molded chocolates hand painted with edible gold and silver finishes.

A simple, fun and inexpensive chocolate wedding favor is created by filling unique, clear containers with candy coated chocolates. The popular coated chocolates can be purchased in bulk and are made in a wide range of pastels that complement any wedding color scheme. The choice of clear container includes a variety of items such as glass jars, clear boxes, organza bags and plastic tubes to make a delightful wedding favor.

The thought devoted to combining the choice of chocolate and a distinctive container, allows for the continuation of chocolate as a legendary wedding favor. The versatility of chocolate, enables a couple show appreciation to their wedding guests in a variety of ways, while delighting their guest without great expense.

Wedding Favors Or Bonbonnieres

What exactly are bonbonnieres, and how are they different from favors?
This is a question I seem to get very often from quite a few customers. This article will try to cover the differences between the two.

Bonbonnieres

The tradition of giving favors to guests at celebrations goes way back to olden European culture. It was especially popular among the wealthy and the aristocrats. In their earliest form, bonbonnieres - a French word that refers to a small container filled with bonbons - were made of gold, precious stones, porcelain or crystal and were filled with sugar cubes. As time went on, the sugar cubes were replaced with sugar-coated almonds, otherwise known as Jordan almonds. In today's European culture, Jordan almonds are the primary choice of sweet treat used in most bonbonnieres.

One long-standing European tradition is to offer a small bonbonniere to each guest as a thank you for their presence on that special day. This tradition still holds strong today, primarily in countries such as Greece and Italy. The traditional bonbonniere given out is usually made with tulle or lace and constructed as a small box or pouch decorated with ribbons and flowers. The number of Jordan almonds should be uneven, and in some cultures, it is imperative that this number is such; otherwise the church cannot bless them. Typically, five are included, each one representing a respective wish for:

- health
- wealth
- fertility
- happiness
- longevity.

A personalized ribbon or tag may complement the bonbonniere.

Favors

Nowadays, many people seem to prefer giving a more significant gift that guests can keep and utilize. These are known as favors. Favors may be chrome, porcelain, silver or crystal. They can also be theme related (i.e. beach favors for beach weddings, autumn favors for autumn weddings, etc.)

Some of my customers seem to like combining the traditional with the contemporary, opting for a nice gift as a favor and adding that special touch, be it tulle containing the requisite uneven number of Jordan almonds, a personalized ribbon or tag, flowers, or using colors that match their occasion's theme.

In closing, whether you decide to go with the more traditional bonbonnieres or with favors that have a more modern-like feel, you cannot go wrong because both fulfill the main purpose: Giving your guests a memento as a token of your appreciation for making that special day truly memorable. We, at "Favor Creations" make it easy for you as we offer customized bonbonnieres and personalized favors. We will personalize any favor with your colors or theme.