Wedding Gifts For Bride's and Groom's Father

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After you're done preparing gifts for your participants, of course you don't want to forget giving a special gift for your parents. After all, these people helped you a lot, from pre-wedding preparation to the wedding ceremony itself. The support of parents is immeasurable, therefore you want to thank them for all the great things they've done for you. The bride and groom's fathers for instance, are very important participants, not only because they unselfishly give financial assistance to the couple, but also they are there to show love and emotional support. However, to find an ideal gift for dad is quite tricky. So, here are top favorite wedding gifts that any father would appreciate:

Cufflinks

Cufflinks are ideal gifts especially for men, and so as with the bride's and groom's father. There are different kinds of designs and styles cufflinks have. For a special person like your father, you may want to consider personalized or themed cufflinks. Personalized cufflinks are perfect gifts to surprise dad with sentiment of thanks. They are made personalized by engraving initials on it. You may opt for a personal touch of Father Of The Bride Cufflinks to proclaim he's a true father of the bride! He can wear this endearing cufflinks to accentuate his wedding day outfit with style! Or perhaps a classic style of Jared Textured Cufflinks to complete a perfect and distinctive appeal of dad during the ceremony.

Desk Accessories

Business-minded dads would love desk accessories that can add accent to his office. Like other gift ideas, desk accessories come in a wide selection also. You can find such accessories from simple to elegant. For specialized options, look for personalized desk accessories where you'll be able to monogram your dad's initials on the item. Included in your option list are personalized desk clocks, business card holders, bookends, paper weights, legal letter opener, desk organizer and the like.

Sporty Accessories

Sporty gifts are perfect to boost the adrenalin of sporty and energetic fathers. There are different sporty gifts you can choose from. Sporty gifts don't have to be real sports accessory. Consider sports-themed items like miniature basketball, engraved baseball, NFL Emblem Money Clip, sports-themed pub signs and more. If he is into golf, hand him Golf Set Gifts, Monogrammed Golf Shoe Bag or a Personalized Hole In One Golf Plaque.

Refer ideal gift ideas to his other pastime and hobbies. There are great choices of cooking wares for daddies who love to experiment different dishes. Consider giving Rockin' Dad grill Tools, a cool way of saying thank you to your ever dearest father. Or perhaps an Elegant Japanese Rice Bowl & Chopsticks Set if he is a Japanese cuisine enthusiast. There are still other unique gifts to suit your dad's hobbies. Such items are cigar accessories, barware, cooler bags and the like. You can find these gift ideas at your nearest local gift shops and online stores. Make your daddy proud and let him enjoy your wedding day with cool mementos that he will cherish for the rest of his life.

Jnet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics. For more information on father of the groom gifts, visit the website Mygroomsmengifts.com and choose from their products. Get a wedding gift idea online!

Planning an Outdoor Wedding? Make Sure to Have Bride & Groom Sunglasses

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An outdoor wedding may not be so uncommon these days, but it is still one that takes a lot of planning and preparation. Weather conditions are sometimes unpredictable, and there's no telling if on a pleasantly cloudy day, the sun would suddenly burst out of the clouds and bombard the contingency! To be safe, have protective gear ready, especially for the newlyweds. Keep bride & groom sunglasses handy, for example.

Sunglasses are staple protective wear for people who plan to spend a long time outdoors. And wedding ceremonies may take long even if they're held in open locations, such as natural forests and private beaches. Wide open locations may be especially troublesome to the eyes, producing glare that would cause significant discomfort, not to mention potential health problems you would NOT want to deal with during a happy event. Bride & groom sunglasses would be your first line of defence in keeping the most important people in the ceremony happy and safe!

If you have the budget and the time, invest on sunglasses for all the guests. Cheap sunglasses may be good enough, if your primary objective is to shield their eyes from the sun's harmful rays, so you would not have to spend too much on this particular accessory. You won't have to worry since many sunglasses fit different face types, as long as all the faces you have to take into consideration are adult ones. But since it's a wedding, you could expect children to make an appearance, so have a stock of protective eyewear for children handy.

What are other accessories and equipment that you should have handy for outdoor weddings? Well, keeping a canopy tent would be a good idea. If the wedding will be held in a location where the weather is particularly unpredictable, you may find that your entire guest list needs a roof over its head all of a sudden - perhaps due to the bright sunlight, or of the rainfall. Arches and gazebos may be more common than tents in weddings, but having a tent handy would not be too bad. You can avoid purchasing or renting eyesore tents by getting something like a canopy tent, which has removable canvas walls.

The bride and groom may express some fear that having their guests sunglasses will ruin family photos, candid shots and the like. If this is the case, they may opt to buy more stylish sunglasses, so that photos aren't ruined by clunky eyewear obscuring half of their guests' faces! And of course, if we're going to talk style, the bride & groom sunglasses have to be the most elegant and attention-catching ones in the room. Even if they won't get to wear them, you must make sure that the ones that are handy are not at all cheap and awkward-looking! Designer sunglasses would make for an excellent gift. A matching set of limited edition sunglasses could be a wedding memorabilia that a loving couple could treasure for a lifetime.

Sunglassology.com gives you the latest in sun glasses, like bride & groom sunglasses and much more. Come take a look at http://www.sunglassology.com

Wedding Favors - 10 Custom Koozie Designs Guaranteed To Make A Splash

Weddings are a time to remember. If you really want to be remembered for your wedding, then try customized Koozie's that the guests can keep. They can come in many different colors and can have pretty much any design you can possibly imagine on them. You can buy them with taste in mind, or if your families live a little on the wild side, there are always the “funny” koozie's. I am going to list the top 10 designs guaranteed to make a lasting impression. For the sake of keeping this a little more on the light side, I believe that you will enjoy these little laugh a minute blurbs from some of the best koozies online!

Kool Koozie Ten: “Marriage is a 3-Ring Circus! Let the Show Begin!” The picture depicts three rings in the center of the text. The bride and groom's names appear on the koozie, with the date of the wedding.

Kool Koozie Nine: “Made it to the church.... on Time!!!” The picture depicts a church in the background. The bride and groom's names appear on the koozie, with the date of the wedding.

Kool Koozie Eight: “Eat, Drink and be Married!” The picture depicts a guy holding a piece of cake in one hand and a cold draft beer in the other. The bride and groom's names appear on the koozie, with the date of the wedding.

Kool Koozie Seven: “COMMITMENT” The picture depicted below the word commitment is of a pair of handcuffs. The bride and groom's names appear below the picture, with the date of the wedding.

Kool Koozie Six: “To have and to hold and to keep your beer cold!” The picture depicts a cold draft beer in the center of the text. The bride and groom's names appear below the picture and text, with the date of the wedding.

Kool Koozie Five: “We Got Lucky.” The picture on the koozie depicts a 1 cent piece face up. The bride and groom's names appear below the picture, with the date of the wedding.

Kool Koozie Four: “Vows are done, time for fun!” The picture depicts them driving away in a car with the words just married on the back of the car. The bride and groom's names appear below the picture with the date and the location of the wedding.

Kool Koozie Three: The Bride and Groom's names were depicted first on this koozie. The picture is of a bride holding a fishing rod with the groom dangling from the hook upside down. The text below the picture reads “A Reel Catch,” and the date and location of the wedding followed the catch phrase. (No Pun Intended.)

Kool Koozie Two: “Another 1 Bites the Dust” The picture depicts the groom standing there looking confused with a ball and chain locked to his ankle. The koozie also includes the bride and groom's names below the picture.

Kool Koozie Number One: (Drum Roll Please!) The Bride and Groom's names are on the top of the koozie. It said, “Insert Bride's name and Groom's name got married and all I got was this darn KOOZIE.” Then at the very end, it states the date of the wedding.

There are many places you can get custom designed Koozies - no matter where you get them, these designs are sure to make a splash!

Get custom Koozies at http://www.kustomkoozies.com/

A Bride's Pride - The Wedding Dress

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A wedding dress is the clothing that is worn by the bride in the wedding ceremony. It is also known as the wedding gown. The bride's family does not mind spending any amount of money on the dress since it also reflects on the social status of the family. Brides from rich families often wear gowns made up of very expensive fabric, rich colors and also having layers of fur, silk or velvet.

Earlier marriages were more socially and politically motivated than being just a union of two people. A girl was expected to marry someone of the same social and financial status. And the status of the two families could be reflected from the kind of dress the bride was wearing. And hence the bride was expected to dress in a way which would put her family in favorable light because she was not only representing herself but the status of both the families.

Traditionally a wedding dress is usually shorter from the front and longer from the back. Here the length differs according to likes and the dislikes of the bride and the most popular color of the dress is white though this might include many other creamy shades of white like ivory or egg shell. Queen Mary was one of the first women to wear this kind of a wedding dress. However at that time white was not the favorable color since it was considered as the color for mourning the death of a person.

But after Queen Victoria's marriage, where she had worn a white gown and the official wedding photograph was published in all the leading newspapers and TV channels many other brides also opted for the same style of dress in honor of the Queen and gradually it started getting more and more popular and became a tradition which is followed even today as a white wedding.

Find more advice on wedding planning and mother of the groom dresses

Wedding Dress Ideas For the Busy Bride

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All future brides no matter how busy they are: certainly would always want to have a personal hand on wedding plans especially when it comes to choosing the bridal dress - her most wanted wedding gown. The wedding gown is the attire the bride wears on her wedding day. It constitutes a great part in making the wedding perfect. Finding a wedding gown that can make the bride stunning even only for the entirety of the wedding ceremony until the end of the reception is a crucial part in wedding planning.

If you are worrying that you don't have enough time to choose your own wedding gown because you are busy with your duties at work and other engagements; there is always a path that you can take. Of course, a wedding planner can do all tasks involve in planning the wedding. But you have to make it a point that you allot some time in looking for your wedding gown. There are certain alternative ways that you can choose when searching for your most coveted wedding dress. It does not necessarily require you to spend a lot of time though.

Before you begin your search, you have to be certain what design you want. It would be ideal to consult with some bridal gown specialists or designers what particular design is perfect for your body type. This is to make sure that you choose not only what you like but also what fits your body perfectly. Choosing the right one suitable for your body frame is one important factor for your wedding gown to create a stand-out beauty in you.

The wedding gown that fits your personality as well is worthy to be considered. Choose a less accessorized wedding gown or better yet one that is bare of accessories if you want to wear jewelries and other accessories on your wedding day. This is essential for you not to overdo on accessories, which is not pleasant to look at after all.

There are wedding gowns created for a certain season, try to deal on this aspect if you want to go with the latest in fashion. In case you want to stay on the classic side, there are also wedding gowns created with this style. A wedding dress is a bride's pride on her wedding day; you have to make sure that you choose one that you can really be proud to wear.

Celebrating the most important moment in your life can be fun and exciting. There are many Wedding Dress Ideas [http://www.creativeweddingideas.org/wedding-dresses.html] available on the internet for you to choose. The key to a successful wedding event is to incorporate Creative Wedding Ideas and proper planning.

Filipino Bride For You?

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Some western men seek a Filipino woman to be their Filipino bride. The Filipino woman indeed has several endearing qualities that make her a very ideal bride. Some of the qualities of a Filipino woman are: stunning beauty, exotic sweetness, cheerful disposition in life, friendly personality, faithful in their love, everlasting loyalty to their husbands, prim and proper ways, highly respectful of elders, practice close family ties and are warm and caring in their ways.

If you are eager and determined to find your Filipino bride, you should be ready for anything that goes along with your search.

First, you must possess all the resources necessary to travel to the Philippines. Of course, you must have the financial capacity to travel halfway around the world to search for your Filipino bride.

Second, you should be willing to post your picture and profile on the internet. After all, the internet is the most accessible venue you can search for your future Filipino bride.

Third, sign up in online dating sites that focus on Filipino personals or Filipina dating, and you should be willing to pay for memberships. You have better chances of getting a good selection of Filipino women to contact and interact with, if you will become a paid member in Filipino dating sites. There are also free online Filipino dating sites you can find. Just be sure to register your online dating profile and start your search!

Fourth, beware of scams. It is still smarter to be really careful. There are professional daters who will only want your money and have no intention of marrying you at all. Also, make sure that the Filipina girl you are interested in is really single as she claims to be.

Fifth, it is a good idea to make friends with someone in your local area who has a Filipina wife. She will have several Filipina friends back in the Philippines who will be willing to meet you if you decide to travel there.

Sixth, be aware that your culture is different from your Filipino bride's culture, so you should be open minded. Filipino women have a more traditional view of marriage than western women. But like many other women, sometimes a Filipino woman could change her personality. It means that even if she's from the Philippines, it doesn't mean that she will remain sweet, and submissive. It really depends on the character of each person. In other words, you must treat your Filipino bride just the same as you would treat a western bride. But, Filipino women are raised in the more old fashioned ways, and are taught to be faithful to their husbands. So, to most Filipino women, marriage is a very important decision and a lifetime commitment.

It is really important that in finding and choosing your Filipino bride, there is love and trust present between the two of you. Oftentimes, a Filipino woman will only marry the man they truly love. But, be sure that you are in love with your Filipino woman and that she loves you in return before committing to marriage.

Many western men who marry a Filipino bride swear that they make the best wives in the world. A Filipina wife is not only beautiful, but is also loyal, loving and faithful forever. If you have not found your Filipino bride yet, consider joining Filipino dating sites and hopefully, you will find your Filipino woman to be your Filipino bride.

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Father of the Bride Speech - 4 Steps to the Perfect Speech

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The father of the bride speech is always a touching moment at a wedding reception. It is the traditional way for the father of the bride to thank the guests for coming, and properly toast his daughter and his new son-in-law. If you are nervous about giving your father of the bride speech, here are four simple steps to follow for writing a fabulous, traditional speech.

Step 1: Thank the Guests

Start by thanking the guests for attending the wedding and sharing the special day with you and your family. You may choose to acknowledge the presence of certain guests, such as a special family member or close friend that traveled especially far.

Step 2: Compliment Your Daughter

Turn to your daughter and compliment how beautiful she looks on her wedding day. Share with the guests how proud you are of her. You may even share a sweet story from her childhood that relates to the day, such as how she used to dress up like a bride or how she used to swear she was going to marry a certain pop star. Do not share stories related to past boyfriends or anything else that might take away from her relationship with her husband.

Step 3: Compliment Your New Son-in-Law

Direct your words to your new son-in-law. Tell him and the guests that you respect your daughter's choice in a partner, and that you welcome him into the family. If you like, you can share an anecdote about the first time he came to pick up your daughter, or the first time he came to a family dinner.

Step 4: Toast the Happy Couple

Raise your glass and lead the guests in a toast to the newlywed's happiness. Wish them many happy years together. This is the end of your speech, and should be short and sweet.

Rebecca Painter wants you to learn more about writing wedding speeches and planning your wedding. Click Here for more wedding planning tips.

Beauty Tips For a Modern Bride

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Every bride wants to look her best on her special day. Getting married is definitely an appropriate excuse to want to dress well for the occasion. Most brides want a celebrity look for their wedding day, but some have a difficult time pulling it off. With a little direction and a dose of reality, it’s not impossible to look like a celebrity on your wedding day. Below you will find a list of beauty tips that may help you achieve the look that you want for your special day.

Make-up

While it was designed to help cover blemishes, uneven skin tones, pimples, wrinkles, and age spots, make-up works best as a polisher for reasonably healthy skin. In order to get the best results for your make-up it is best to drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet to achieve a great look. While bridal jewelry will accent your wedding gown, foundation, eye shadow, eyeliner, and lipstick will accent your facial features. If you plan on getting a facial, it is best to allow at least 48 hours before your wedding day to clear up any redness or skin irritations resulting from the facial.

Hairstyle

In order to ensure that your hairdo coordinates well with your wedding dress, it is best to choose your hairstyle after you have decided on your wedding gown. Up do’s work better with higher necklines and halter dresses, while off the shoulder and plunging necklines work well with long flowing curls, waves, or straight hair.

Bridal Gown

There are several beautiful bridal gowns on the market, however, each have been designed with a specific body type in mind. Whether you have a pear-shape or hourglass figure, it is important to choose the gown that looks best on you. Don’t be afraid to settle on a plain bridal gown—you can always embellish it with bridal jewelry!

Bridal Jewelry

Choosing the right accessories will help any bride to complete her look. Wearing bridal jewelry is the perfect way to add elegance and style to your bridal attire. Keep in mind that Ivory wedding gowns look best with gold accents and stark white gowns are better accentuated with silver/platinum jewelry.

It doesn’t take a lot of money to achieve the look that you want for your wedding day. As a modern bride, you have every right to look beautiful. Remember, beauty can be achieved with simplicity and elegance.

Nicole Lindsey writes about fashion, jewelry and weddings for Silverland Jewelry and gifts. http://www.silverlandjewelry.com

Find bridal jewelry that will enhance your beauty at http://www.silverlandjewelry.com

Bridal Wedding Showers For Bride to Be

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As the host of an upcoming bridal wedding showers, your chief responsibility is to make sure everyone who attends is going to have a great time. To make sure you accomplish that goal, you'll have to start early and making guest-focused decisions early on. And that begins with the invitations.

Invitation for the Wedding Bridal Shower

Choosing a theme is one of the first things you should do, if you're going to have one for the shower. That's because the invitations you choose should reflect that theme. For example, a lingerie wedding shower should have invitations which will immediately give guests a sense of what to expect from the event. The good is you'll find plenty of choices to make any theme by shopping online.

Because you want to have as many guests as possible at the bridal wedding shower, you'll want to get them to the post office in a timely fashion. Give guests at least two weeks to make their arrangements. That's a pretty standard cushion for most events. After all, guests make have to make some big changes in their own schedules in order to be able to attend the event.

Finally, be sure you give the appropriate RSVP information. Either you or one of the bridesmaids can keep track of which guests will be attending the formal wedding shower. Make sure you only choose one or the other so guests won't have to feel confused about who to contact or where to mail their RSVP response. Incidentally, allowing guests to RSVP to a shower via phone or email is perfectly acceptable and can cut down on your postage costs.

Wedding Showers & Favors

Even though guests are the ones who normally bring gifts to bride showers, you should always consider having something they can take home with them as well. Having party favors available for your guests will ensure they think highly of you as a host and will have loads of praise to offer. That will not only make you happy but will also please the bride since most of the people attending will be her friends and family.

One cut idea for a shower favor are rose petals. If the wedding is going to be based around a certain color scheme, choose these colors and purchase the petals yourself online. You can then place them in decorative containers and pass them out to guests. Some online shops even sell petals in containers, such as small purses, which is even more convenient.

If you're on a tight budget, you could make some candy, buy small picture frames, create miniature potted plants or give out candles as favors. The choice is yours. Do remember though that you want to keep the favors consistent with the rest of the bridal wedding showers theme. That means if you're having wedding showers with a kitchen theme you might want to pass out tiny packets of fresh herbs or small muffin tins with a great morning muffin recipe.

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Stepmother Wedding Etiquette - Proper Wedding Etiquette For Stepmothers

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Dealing with stepmothers can be a difficult situation. A lot depends on how the stepmother and biological mother get along. If the two mothers get along than the wedding can be planned however the couple wants. However, this is a rare thing. If there is some problem, the guidelines that follow can assist the stepmother in following correct etiquette for the wedding of her stepchild.

Begin by thinking about what the stepmother should wear. Usually, the stepmother should dress in the same way as other guests. The bride may want to include her stepmother in the preparations so it is proper wedding etiquette for her stepmother to wear similar styles and colors as the other mothers. However, it would not be proper for her to dress in a manner that will overshadow the bride or the biological mother.

The next question is, according to proper etiquette, where should the stepmother sit? The bride chooses this but usually the stepmother is seated behind the birth parents, about the third row back. Of course it will be awkward to have divorced or separated spouses sit on the same row but the wedding is not about who is the current wife of her father but rather a family oriented event. Stepmothers do not need to feel badly about their placement in the wedding because wedding etiquette has the birth mother sitting without her current husband if she has remarried.

There may be an etiquette problem when it comes to family photos. The majority of photographers will arrange different shots for the birth parents and stepparents. You will not usually see stepparents and birth parents in the same photo. If this does happen however, the mothers should be put on opposite ends of the picture. It is not strange for a stepmother to not be seen in any official wedding photos so do not take this personally if this occurs. It falls in the range of proper wedding etiquette for stepmothers.

During the reception, etiquette again requires that the stepmother take a back seat unless she and her husband are the hosts of the reception. If the birth mother hosted the wedding and the father hosts the reception, it is proper for the step mother to take a place in the receiving line if the mother is not present. However, if the birth mother is throwing the reception as well, it is best that the stepmother not attend. Remember that all of these little points are only a guideline so they can be changed and adjusted as long as it is best suited for the bride.

Lastly, what about the family dance? What does wedding etiquette say about this? Proper etiquette has the stepmother bowing out gracefully and allows the bride to share this day with her biological parents. The bride's father would dance with her and the groom's birth mother would dance with him. Sometimes if a family dance is provided, stepparents can dance with their own mates.

These stepmother etiquette hints will hopefully allow the stepmother to deal with wedding plans without making mistakes that could hurt or embarrass their stepchild.

Mary A Jane is a well known wedding planner and she writes about wedding etiquette in cake cutting as well as proper etiquette for deceased grandmothers plus many other useful wedding etiquette articles at http://www.marrycustoms.com

Half Up Half Down Wedding Hairstyles

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On your wedding day, you want to look the most beautiful from head to toe, as everyone's eyes are focused on you. Curious eyes see what jewelery you are wearing; curious minds are assessing the value of your jewelery, gown, wedding shoes and so on and so forth. Young girls focus their eyes on your make-up especially, your hairstyle. Finding the suitable hair-style is the second difficult task with the first one being selecting the wedding dress.

The bride should decide whether to keep her hair straight, long, pulled up or away from your face. There are many half up and half down wedding hair styles that one can choose from. If one is planning to pull up her hair, few strands can be left loose in wisps to get a soften look in the face. The hair style should be selected that it suits the face. The style should be such that the bride should feel comfortable whether it is pulled up or down.

Sometimes, the bride wishes to put half her hair down. There are many combinations and possibilities to keep her hair half up or down. Curls can be done which gives a romantic soft look. Variations to the bun like pleats, twists and plaits can be done. A geometric design will suit the same and it looks bold with silk flowers or ivory flowers to ornament this design.

A half up and half down hairstyle with ringlets gives a perfect gorgeous look. The long curly locks cascading down the back of the bride in an off the shoulder gown looks too good on a wedding day. She should ensure to practice for a few times before the wedding day. Washing the hair the day, before the hairstyle is made would be good idea, as it holds the curls and updo hair styles in a better way.

If the bride wants longer, fuller hair on her wedding day, then one can use the hair extensions to get the look. These hair extensions are made purely from human hair and are dyed to match with the color of the bride's hair. It gives that great professional touch.

Hair accessories include the shimmering combs, hairpins and tiaras to top off your look with romance and elegance. Crystal curvy clips and crystal combs, pearl combs, silk flower hair clips, rose hair clips, bobby pins, pearl hair bands, crystal tiara, crystal hair bands etc.

Care should be given while selecting the hairstyle that the tiara or the veil should compliment and not cover the same. If the bride is wearing a long floor length veil, the hairstyle must be tough enough to hold the same.

If you need some wedding favors such as love glass coasters, glass grapes candle favors, beach wedding favors and more we got you covered.

We also have many different wedding gifts such as tote bags, anniversaries, gifts for him and her and more.

Also we have many wedding accessories such as unity candles, ring pillows, guest books and pens and many more accessories for your wedding.

For The Bride And Groom Who Knew It Would Work

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A wedding is something most women dream about all of their lives, starting from when they are just little girls. You can help make the experience memorable by giving wedding gifts to the bride that she will cherish and appreciate for a lifetime- just like her new life with her husband!

There are memorable gifts that you can get for the bride no matter what your budget is. Planning a wedding is often a stressful time for a woman, and anything you can give her to relieve some of that stress will be memorable and very much appreciated! Why not get the bride a gift certificate to a local spa? She could get a massage for the ultimate relaxation, or a pedicure or manicure to help her feel beautiful, or any other treatments and relaxation services offered by the spa.

If you know whether or not the bride is going to take the husband's last name, you could always shop for personalized gifts like monogramed items. Popular items like towels, slippers or keepsake boxes can all be engraved with the new initials of the bride to help her settle into her new life and new name. Most women don't register for monogramed items because there is often no opportunity to register for that at most department stores. Your gift will be unique and cherished by the bride for it's thoughtfulness.

If you're crafty, you could provide the ultimate gift for the bride by helping her document the weeks, months or even years leading up to her wedding day. Most brides will have photographers documenting the big day, and keep things like reception napkins and centerpieces as keepsakes- but what about the documenting of all the time spent planning for the big day! An album with photographs of the wedding shower, photographs of the couple while they were dating, and notes regarding the engagement. You can decorate a scrapbook album to help the bride preserve these often forgotten, but very important, memories leading up to the big wedding day. If possible, include ticket stubs of places the couple went- you might be able to get help from the groom to get these items to include in your wedding gift for the bride!

Another thoughtful item that would be unique and cherished by the bride, is something that can be taken along on her honeymoon. If you know of the destination, you could get her a guidebook of the area, or accessories related to the destination. (If she's going on a beach honeymoon, over sized beach towels, sunglasses, or sunscreen would be appropriate, while accessories for a ski trip might include a new cashmere sweater or scarf).

Gift giving for the bride is easy when you take into consideration what you know about the bride's likes and dislikes, and give a gift that she can cherish for it's thoughtfulness.

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Ten Ways to Look Like a Model Bride

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Six Months To a Year Before the Wedding

Start researching and experimenting with different hair and makeup styles to create your individual wedding day look. If you plan on using a stylist, make a consultation appointment and bring lots of pictures of looks you love. Agree on a style that you're sure matches your gown and your personality.

Eight Weeks Before the Big Day

Use microdermabrasion or glycolic peels once a month for two months prior, to give your skin a flawless, smooth surface for makeup and a rich glow. Set up a skin care routine to ensure that your skin will be looking its best for your wedding day.

A Month Before the Big Day

Exfoliate your body daily with a loofah and/or body scrub to maintain shiny, healthy skin all over (if you're going strapless, concentrate on your arms, shoulders, and back). For flaky lips, exfoliate by brushing them gently with a soft tooth brush.

Three Weeks Before the Big Day

See your stylist to get a final trim (remember, nothing drastic!) and consider adding some highlights. Perfectly placed highlights add an instant glow to your face.

Two Weeks Before the Big Day

Gather your products to make sure you have everything you could possibly need. The key to picture-ready makeup is a set of professional makeup brushes. Then, when applying your makeup, blend, blend, blend!

On the Big Day

For the longest lasting lip color that won't move through all that kissing and smiling, apply foundation over lips. Then line with a lip liner, then apply lip color with a lip brush.

For strappy shoes that won't stay put, use wig tape (it's clear and super-sticky) to the back part of the strap, adhering them to your foot.

To eliminate blinking in all your gorgeous wedding photos, use this tip: relax your eyes before the shot by looking down. Then, when the photographer says, "cheese", look up just as the picture is being taken.

To create a thinner line in your photos, angle your body slightly toward the camera. Never stand facing the camera straight on.

Don't be afraid to glam it up: it's your only wedding day, so don't forget to get glamorous! Use some sparkly additions you wouldn't normally wear, like false lashes or hair extensions. Remember, all eyes will be on you and you want to look spectacular!

About the Author

Lori Dunn is a 15-year veteran of the fashion industry. A former model who has graced the pages of elite magazines -- as well as a professional makeup artist and hairstylist -- she's now one of the top bridal consultants in the United States. Lori travels across the country to provide on-location hair and makeup services to brides on their wedding day. She also owns and operates Model Bride boutiques in Manhattan, Chatham, NJ, and online at:

http://www.modelbride.com

Bride's Father Speech - Important Tips on Giving the Bride's Father Speech

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Apart from the groom's speech and the best man's speech, the most important speech of the evening is the bride's father speech. Aside from wishing everyone "health and happiness, especially the bride and groom," this is the moment for the father to shine, to wax humorous, reminiscent and in particular, sentimental. It's okay, father of the bride, to shed a tear or too as you gain a son.

The humor should be kept clean, out of respect for younger and older guests. Remember, dad, that you are not at the dinner table tonight, and your bride's father speech might end up on video. But, a little lighthearted humor will be welcomed by most. If you find you can't do the opening remarks to your bride's father speech and do it justice (in other words, if you just aren't funny, no matter how hard you try), then go ahead and turn the crowd warming up to either the best man, or a professional. The pressure relief you feel from hiring a professional should to much to counteract the lightening of your wallet to have him there for you.

Then, when you feel comfortable at taking over the reigns and carrying on with the bride's father speech yourself, then before you get to the blessing of the lovely couple, you want to hand out a few welcoming comments to the parents of the groom, all the relatives, and the guests along the fringe of familial ties. Then, don't forget the highlight of your bride's father speech: talking about your daughter herself. Reminisce with her, bringing everyone up to speed from her birth to her wedding in as brief a time as possible. Let everyone know the ties that bind the two of you together are eternal. Finally, bless her and show her new husband your appreciation as you turn her care over to him.

So, dad, how do you get through that event without any longlasting trauma? You'll want to be well prepared, obviously. Do that by writing your notes for your bride's father speech down at least a week to ten days before the wedding day. Rehearse the speech up to seven days before, so you won't have to use the notes fully as a crutch. During your bride's father speech, it is utterly important not to forget to acknowledge the groom's parents for their contributions, be it time, gifts, arrangements, whatever.

Of course, you'll want to be relaxed about the whole affair, no matter how it seems impossible. During the speech, you want to leave the audience with just a taste, so that they will want more. This will make your speech a memorable success. Don't give it all away. Keep some memories of the bride sacred, but give a hint as to her greatness, and her specialness to you. This is, after all, the highlight of any bride's father speech.

Keep the speech short, subtle, honest and fair. You want to include everyone in the room, individually or in groups, when you hand out the compliments. Make everyone there feel special to you, because they are. Your reward is when you count all the smiles in return.

How long should your bride's father speech take to give? You could go by one of two rules. Stop when either the audience is drooling and snoring in their sleep, or at around five minutes, whichever comes first. At the most minor hint of a yawn from anyone, start wrapping things up.

Everything else about the wedding is paid for ... the flowers, the service, the limousines, the dinner, the wedding dress and so on. Why leave one of the most important parts of the entire wedding celebrations in the hands of an inexperienced speech writer.

Giving a speech is hard enough, but having to write it as well is sometimes just too much of to ask from a bride's father. That is why we recommend that you purchase a professionally written bride's father speech and then make some minor changes to personalize it.

If you do feel like you need some professional assistance then you should definitely check out the professionally written bride's father speeches available at http://www.Need-A-Speech.com.

Bride's Wedding Speech Tips

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With all of the planning that goes into a wedding, it is easy to forget to prepare your bride's wedding day speech. This is a fairly new tradition so it is not easy to know exactly how to deliver this speech. This article is going to give you some ideas for writing the perfect bride's speech.

1. The first thing you should do is to thank your guests for joining you and your groom on this special day.

2. Next you should include a very special thank you to your parents. Try to add a few special memories from childhood such as your favorite vacation or most memorable birthday party.

3. You could include some humor by telling a funny story about your childhood in relation to your parents. This is a good ice breaker.

4. Thanks your new husband's parents for everything they have done for you by bringing their son into the word and welcoming you.

5. You can also share a story about how you met your husband and how much he means to you.

6. The last thing you may want to do is thank anyone who made an extra special contribution to your wedding. This could include the person who performed the ceremony, the person who helped you with all of the pre wedding planning and your family members who contributed special talents.

This article was an attempt to give you some tips for writing the perfect bride's speech. The most important thing to do is speak from your heart and enjoy yourself. This is your special day after all.

Angela Wade is a professional writer who researches and writes on a variety of topics.

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Find the Best Wedding Hairstyles - Bride and Bridesmaid's

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When getting married there are many things going on at once and one of the most important things a bride can do is to pick the perfect hairstyle. Wedding hairstyles can be one of the hardest things to choose because there are so many styles that are available to the bride and her bridesmaid's. As the bride it is important that you find the right style combination that will look good on your wedding day and it also comfortable for you to wear. Too often the bride picks a style that looks great but then at the wedding she has a hard time managing it so make sure that you choose a hair style that will be easy for you to manage.

One of the most popular style is to wear your hair in the down position because if you have a dress that is sleeveless and has no back this can be a great way to show off your flowing hair. Some of the draw backs to wearing your hair down is that you can get hot at the reception especially because you will be dancing a lot and there might be hot lights on the dance floor.

Wearing your hair up is also another popular choice because it will keep you cooler and you do not have too worry about it getting messed up. This can also be a great way to show off your neck and dress line.

The bridesmaid's should choose a hairstyle and then make sure that all of them do the same do so that it looks in uniform.

Remember that when choosing the perfect wedding hairstyle take your time to decide what style works best for you.

Learn How to Get: Perfect Wedding Hairstyles

Learn how to get Free: Wedding Advice

Bryan Burbank is an expert in the field of Weddings and Receptions.

Bride on a Budget - 7 Tips For Planning a Wallet-Friendly Wedding

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When I got married in 2004, I had just graduated from college and had no job, my parents were in the middle of a divorce, and my then-fiance and I had no savings to speak of. But by planning smart, we still managed to have the wedding of our dreams. Here are some tips to help you do the same.

1. Ditch the DJ. Instead of hiring someone to spin for us all night, we created a playlist on our iPod and hooked it up to the reception hall's speaker system. Cost to us? Nada. And the added bonus is that we didn't have to suffer through the Macarena, the Electric Slide, or the Chicken Dance.


2. Quash the string quartet. I walked down the aisle to a beautiful arrangement of Pachbel's Canon in D Minor on a free CD I got with a purchase of $10 or more at some boutique in town. I labeled the disk with track number and passed it off to the sound guy at the inn where we held the ceremony (which, I might add, cost less than $500), and it was just right.


3. Downsize the dress. You're going to be wearing it for, what, 6 hours max? Don't spend thousands of dollars on a dress you're only going to wear once. David's Bridal has $99 wedding gown sales constantly, and you can find awesome bargains at regular dress shops, too. My dress was a prom-season find that cost me $130 and was miles better than any "real wedding gown" I tried on - and I tried on a lot of dresses.


4. Minimize the menu. Do you really need crab balls and lobster bisque and filet mignon to be able to enjoy your wedding dinner? We negotiated a five-course plated dinner (including filet mignon, some fancy fish I'd never heard of but loved, rabbit, and a cheese course) with open wine and beer all night and an hour of passed hors d'oeuvres for less than $50 per person at the very nicest restaurant in town, and it was amazing.


5. Get frugal with your flowers. My bouquet had more than three dozen roses in it, we passed out long-stemmed roses to all of the moms and grandmas (of which there were many - our extended family gets remarried a lot), and packed the rehearsal dinner and reception hall with blooms - and it cost less than $75. The secret? My best friend and I hit up BJs and Costco, two local discount wholesale stores, and cleaned them out, and then put everything together ourselves in about two wine-saturated hours using a few straight pins, a couple of spools of ribbon, and a picture torn out of Martha Stewart Living. The petals that fell off went in a ribbon-festooned basket for my flower girl, who wore a borrowed dress and her new school shoes for the ceremony.


6. Guard the guest list. Do you seriously need to invite your entire family? If you wouldn't recognize them on the street, they shouldn't be at your wedding. It's your day, and you should be surrounded by the people closest to you in the world - and that doesn't always mean blood relatives. You may need to make some compromises here and there, but don't sacrifice the presence of someone you truly want there because your mom doesn't want to offend Uncle Bob. That's her problem, not yours.


7. Be prudent about pictures. Rather than spend thousands of dollars on a so-called professional photographer, we hired an art student from the local college and got literally the best wedding photos I have ever seen for $350 and the cost of one dinner, film, and developing. Ask to see a portfolio and make sure the personalities are right, but don't assume that you have to shell out the big bucks for pride-worthy pictures.

There are dozens if not hundreds of creative ways to save money on your wedding ceremony, and these ideas will get you started on the road to planning a wedding that's both beautiful and affordable.

Kristen King is a Virginia copywriter and consultant, and the editor/publisher of Richmond on the Cheap For more ways to be cheap without giving up the good stuff, visit Kristen at Richmond OTC.

Memorable Wedding Gifts For the Parents of the Bride and Groom

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When shopping for wedding gifts, it is tradition for the happy couple to give gifts of thanks and appreciation to the wedding party. Perhaps the most meaningful gift they'll be looking for will be the gifts for mom and dad. After all they are most likely helping to pay for this momentous occasion, plus parents are an extremely important part of any wedding celebration. The happy couple wants to not only show their love but also their appreciation for everything mom and dad have done for them throughout their lives.

My personal favorite gift to give is anything personalized. Not only are there literally millions of gift ideas to choose from online, but no matter what the occasion, a gift that is engraved or personalized turns an ordinary gift into something extraordinary. Personalized wedding gifts are the kind that will be greatly enjoyed and cherished for years to come.

Items like: a jewelry box, watch box, tear collecting bottle/keepsake, liquor flask, silver plated pocket watch, money clip, wine gifts which include stoppers, totes, crystal glasses and personalized gift boxes are also memorable and truly unique. Other ideas include items like: gift baskets which come in a huge selection of themes, colors and styles sure to please even the most discriminating and golf gifts like: a divot tool and ball marker, shoe bag, paid club membership, new shoes or a shadow box. Also cufflinks, stylish tote bags, leather travel bags, leather briefcases and even smoking accessories like cigar boxes and Zippo lighters can all be personalized.

Another favorite gift to give is something that mom and dad will not only enjoy, but should help them to relax and unwind after all that stressful wedding planning. Gifts like: a bed and breakfast weekend getaway or just a certificate so they can choose the destination, a weekend spa retreat, day at the spa or again a gift certificate so they can choose. Also try an adventure certificate booklet that allows mom and dad to take a vacation of their choice which is something you know they'll absolutely love. Otherwise try giving a gift certificate to a favorite store or the gift of a dinner reservation for two at a favorite restaurant for fun and memorable gifts that are fun to give while helping to create new memories.

The last bunch of gift ideas again can be personalized but also make memorable keepsakes that can be proudly displayed for all to see. Items like: a personalized framed poem, photo frame or photo album which should also include pictures, a keepsake handkerchief for mom, a crystal plaque engraved with a poem or any personal message, sterling silver or gold jewelry or a watch and even a personalized afghan or throw. If you're really talented you can even make the afghan or throw for a memorable keepsake that is truly one of a kind. And last but not least you could also have a DVD movie made of the wedding and reception or just get mom and dad a funny T-shirt, sweatshirt or hat that can be personalized to say pretty much anything.

With so many choices out there it's hard to pick just one. Of course most weddings are on some sort of budget, so how do you find the perfect wedding gift for mom and dad that will be useful, memorable and affordable? Answer: Look on the internet. Finding the perfect wedding gift shouldn't have to be difficult. Shopping online brings you millions of choices and some really great deals; all you need to do is browse around. Plus shopping from the comfort of your own home or even during your lunch break can not only save you lots of time but also money and stress.

Give the gift that best fits into their lifestyle and unique personalities for a truly memorable gift mom and dad will love and thank you for. Of course mom and dad will appreciate the thought and love the sentiment behind whatever gift you should want to give. Good luck and as always Happy Shopping :-)

Angelique writes articles for helping shoppers find gifts, providing shopping tips and how to benefit from personalized gifts, promotional products, and awards.  Her work is sponsored by Wealthwood Gifts and Blog Wealthwood

Bride Speeches - How to Write a Great Bride Speech

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So you're getting married huh? That's really great. Getting married is one of the most important days in a person's like so I know how special you want this day to be. One way to make this day special is by having an amazing bride speech. The purpose of this article is to provide a few tips to write your speech and make it a memorable and splendid day.,

First off in your bride speech you will want to thank everyone for coming. Tell them how special it is to see them all there and that it meals a lot to you. This will really show off your appreciation for their support.

Secondly in your bride speech you're obviously going to want to talk about your new husband. Tell them something special about him or your relationship. It can even be something funny about the time you met, a date you went on or anything else special. It could be something funny or something emotional.

Third in your bride speech you will want to thank your parents. Thank them for raising you to be who you are today, and for being there for you during your wedding and childhood. Thank them for everything they have done for you and show them how much you love and appreciate them.

Lastly, your bride speech should thank anyone who helped with the wedding including caterers, parents, bridesmaids, church, minister etc. Thanks everyone and anyone who played a role in developing your wedding. Ask your guests to remember those who were not able to attend the wedding, and then thank them all once again for supporting you on your special day.

Are you afraid you're going to embarrass yourself with your bride speech? Do you want access to professionally written, top quality speeches, so that you can pick and choose the best parts to make your own unbelievable speech? Do you want to gain comprehensive, step-by-step, information about every aspect of the speech writing process from preparation, through to delivery?

Well then click here to impress the entire audience (and everyone else) with a heartfelt, meaningful speech that is the highlight of the reception and that they will fondly remember forever!

Bride Speeches - Tips For a Remarkable Bride Speech

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So you really want to make a remarkable bride speech but not quite sure how to start? There are thousands of women each month thinking this exact same thing. But the good news is, there are tons of different tips and hints available to allow you to easily make a speech that is unforgettable. Just soak them all in, don't rush your speech and you will be just fine. It really isn't as hard as it seems. Basically in a nut shell it is telling people whom you are mostly familiar with, about your life with your family, your husband and sending out a few thank you's. When you think of it that way, it doesn't sound too complicated! does it?

There are many things that you should add into your bride speech, some of which are common sense but some of which may have accidentally slipped your mind. One of the most important parts of your bride speech is to conduct to thank you sections. The first section should consist of a simple thank you to all the individuals who took time out of their day to spend it with you on your special day. The second thank you should be more personal. It should go out to everyone who helped out with the wedding planning part. They should each be specifically noted with their names and what role they played in helping this wedding come together.

Another part of your bride speech should solely be about your mother and your father. You should make them feel special and show much gratitude towards them. Gratitude is a very important aspect of your bride speech; it makes the entire speech come together as a whole to make it meaningful.

Another section in your bride speech should be solely about your new husband and how amazing you think he is. Tell the guests about the first time you met, the first date you went on and how you knew you were in love. You can make it humorous or heart warming, either one will touch the audience equally.

These are just a few tips for a remarkable bride speech. Making it your own and planning is the best way to have a great speech. Don't be one of those thousands of women wondering how to get started, although it is common. Instead now you can be one of those who knows the answers and helps those who don't!

Are you afraid you're going to embarrass yourself with your bride speech? Do you want access to professionally written, top quality speeches, so that you can pick and choose the best parts to make your own unbelievable speech? Do you want to gain comprehensive, step-by-step, information about every aspect of the speech writing process from preparation, through to delivery?

Well then click here to impress the entire audience (and everyone else) with a heartfelt, meaningful speech that is the highlight of the reception and that they will fondly remember forever!

Plus Size Mother of the Bride Dresses

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Your daughter's wedding is one of the happiest days of your life and it is only normal that you would want to look your best for them on that day. For many full figured women this can be a time of unneeded stress based on the difficulty of finding plus size mother of the bride dresses. Naturally, you need to make sure that not only do you like your dress, but that it also fits in with the other outfits that are being worn at the wedding. You do not want to be wearing a dress that will not look good with the bride’s dress. Although you want to look as good as possible it is not a good idea to wear something that is too over the top because you do not want to take the limelight away from the bride.

Stylish rather than flamboyant is usually the best way for plus size mother of the bride dresses so that you look really good but you do not take away from the big day. The best way is to choose your dress with your daughter so that there will not be a disagreement after you have bought it. And if she doesn't like the dress that you want there are a lot more dresses out there that will keep her happy as this it her day. There is bound to be a dress that you both like and that fits in with the other dresses for the bride and the bridesmaids. Even if it takes a bit longer to find it is worth it so that things go smoothly.

But even if you are trying as hard as you can to fit in, if you are looking for plus size mother of the bride dresses then there might not be as many different dresses as you or your daughter would like. There are a lot more specialist stores around these days and a lot of the major stores have started to stock more plus sizes, so there should be something that you like that goes well with the theme of the wedding and fits a full figure.

If the bridesmaid’s dresses are being made to order, then it could be an idea to get them to make something for you as well, so that it fits in with the theme of the wedding but is different from the other dresses. The easiest way to do this is to see if the shop also makes plus size mother of the bride dresses. This would also let your daughter help with the choice allowing you the comfort of knowing that she will be happy with it. In the end everybody will be happy and you would have a great dress that was made for you and fits in with the theme of the wedding. But whatever you choose, make sure that you get a good dress that makes you look great and don't forget to allow plenty of time before the wedding so that you know that you have your dress all finished and there are no last minute hitches, that way you can relax and enjoy the wedding.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of FabulousPlusSizeClothing.com He provides more information on plus size lingerie, dresses and plus size mother of the bride dresses that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Fun and Memorable Shower Gifts For the Bride-To-Be

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Traditionally, most brides-to-be are expecting shower gifts that are very helpful when they became housewives. A bride may tend to expect household items that she and her husband-to-be can use when they begin their new life together. These items can be stuff that bride would use to care her husband, and maintain their own home. With this idea, to come up with a bridal shower gift is as easy as going to the house wares section of your local department stores.

However, bridal shower ideas have changed. Traditional gifts are no longer a hit nowadays. Don't be the only one who brings vacuum while everyone else has prepared great bridal shower gift ideas that a modernized bride will really appreciate. Something that can pamper and prepare the bride-to-be for her upcoming event can make an idea preference to come up with a very nice shower present.

Today's brides are no longer from being daddy's little girl, to man's new other behalf. Modern brides are usually independent living their lives on their own for a while, have their own career, and are interested in living in a married life. This will going to be a major commitment, therefore their independent experience mold them, becoming them ready and brave to face a new challenge of life.

The time comes that you, a close friend of bride-to-be, should give something that she wouldn't buy for herself or something she won't remember as her wedding day draws near. Here are few gift suggestions to pamper your friend, the bride-to-be:

* Spa Gift. Spa gift is definitely perfect if to pamper the bride is what you really opt give. Why not treat her in a day at spa? A day of relaxation in a spa or massage parlor can release some of the bride's wedding jitters. You could also give spa collection. For instance, a gift basket filled with relaxing aromas can give her reason to enjoy hours of bathing. A spa basket include shower gels, soaps, lotions, soft towels and even scented candles and other personal items just for her.

* Wedding Survival Kit. Expect that the wedding will gonna be busy, full of excitement as well as surprises that sometimes, good or bad. Think of the things she might not think about as she's getting ready right before the ceremony begins. Give her a wedding survival kit gift, which she might not expect you can give. This idea works well and often used during the last minute preparation of the bride. It include hairspray, perfume, hair clips or pins, brush, lipstick, and anything she or her attendant might need right before the wedding entourage. Place them in a neat carrying case with a special note.

* Sentimental Present. Sentimental gift is a concept that works well for bride's family and best friends. The gift should refer to something that the bride and people that are very close to her heart have shared. Few good ideas are picture frames and photo albums. Include fun and memorable photos that will surely give her a teary eyes. You may consider engraved picture frames or albums that can make a special keepsake as she began to live her new life with a new companion. Other personalized gifts that can carry deep sentiment are engraved jewelry gifts, personalized bridal shirts and handbags.

Janet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics. For more information on bridal shower gifts, visit the website Mybridesmaidsgifts.com and browse their extensive collection. Get cool bridal accessories for your bridesmaids!

Photography - The Bride's Elegance

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The elegance and style of bridal portraits should evoke the natural beauty of the woman in the bridal gown, rather than have the look of a replaceable head pasted onto a wedding dress. Capturing detail in the gown is important, but it shouldn't override the person wearing it. With this in mind, approach the bridal formals by doing a number of poses, including a full-length shot, a medium shot with and without bouquet, and a head and shoulders shot with the veil.

When doing a full-length shot, pick up the train of the gown slightly and let it fall naturally. Don't cut the gown off at the bottom of the image - let it be a curving design element. Also, don't fuss with the gown other than giving it a delicate flow; too many times gowns are made to look like elaborate braids that twist and snarl around a bride's feet.

The bouquet is an excellent prop for bridal formals. It should be held slightly above the waist in a natural, graceful way. Remember to have flowing lines in both the body and the dress and to have the arms bent in such a way that no hard angles or horizontal lines intrude on the grace of the picture. If the hands are showing, "break" the wrist for a flowing look. Also, don't have the bride standing flat-footed, facing the camera squarely. Instead have her bend her body naturally, shifting her weight to one or the other leg.

Avoid the "passport" look and watch for a diamond design created by head, body and arms. If you use the bouquet in a medium distance or close-up shot, put it in focus if the bride is looking at it. Let it go slightly soft if it's just being used as a design element or splash of color in the lower part of the frame.

One of the chief sources for an unacceptable bridal portrait is the burnt-out look created by the gown reflecting too much light in comparison with the rest of the tones in the picture. This may cause under-lighting on the subject's face, but in order to get good skin tones in printing, the detail in the dress is lost. Be very careful with your lighting ratios.

One way to avoid the problem is to keep the main source of light away from the bride's gown. Have the woman turn to the side and have her head turn in toward the light source.

If you're using artificial light, feather the light across the subject rather than have it blast directly on to the gown.

Most bridal formals benefit from the use of a light vignetter or diffuser on the lens. The veil at the top of the frame and the gown or bouquet at the bottom serve as beautiful borders. Slight diffusion might also be desirable, depending on the light source and the subject. Natural light through diffusing curtains can create an excellent light in which to shoot bridals, although you should be careful of too strong a light source.

If the scene seems to have too much contrast, move the bride further away from the window, thus decreasing the intensity of light striking the gown.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Photography

Looking Smart as Mother of The Bride

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Mothers of the bride and the groom can look smart and sheik at their daughter's wedding. The bride doesn't have to be the only one who looks radiant on her day. A lot of mothers of the bride are still relatively young and sexy when their daughters marry and can get away with wearing either bare shoulders or a bare back style of dress even if it is just a casual wedding.Like the bride's dress, it can be a cheap designer dress fit for the beach.

If you are slim, a straight, slim skirt will look stunning on you, or one that is not only slim but flared on the bottom like a mermaid is perfect for you. You will look equally beautiful in a full skirt whether gathered fully at the waist or flared from the waist falling to floor length.

You shorter ladies are better off staying with the slim skirt with one color going all the way to the hem rather than cutting the body in half with the use of a different color which would emphasize the shorter figure. The fabric should be soft and draping, rather than too stiff.

A full skirt, one flaring out from the waist will suit most mothers. If modesty is a must, choose a style that higher in the neckline, perhaps with the addition of a little sleeve. The total effect will still add up to a sexy formal dress. A lovely fabric for this look is taffeta or organza overlaying satin or polyester.

If the upper arm is is a little large, then a small amount of sleeve is a wise choice. Even just a cap sleeve that was shaped as part of the garment will be sufficient. Some of you may prefer a tad more cover over the upper arm. A short or full length sleeve is ideal.

Mothers, whether slim, short, tall or whatever, you will be looking smart on your daughter's wedding day when you choose the perfect gown for your figure type

June Huffman is the owner of http://www.yvonnesdesign.com

Wedding Hairstyles - Bridal Hair-do's

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The Right Hairstyle for Your Wedding: Pros and Cons of Different Styles

Hair is a major part of what gives us our good looks. When our hair looks bad, the whole day suffers! You don't want this to happen on one of the most special days of your life, so plan ahead. Choose a wedding day hairstyle that complements your outfit, and a wedding day hair stylist that you trust. If you don't regularly go to a hair stylist that specializes in weddings, choose one that comes highly recommended. You may even want to go so far as to have the wedding hair stylist do sample styles before booking them for your big day.

Most brides choose their wedding hairstyle based on the style of their dress and the theme of their weddings. There are some pros and cons to every style, so choosing the right hairstyle for your wedding is important.

Upsweep

A bride that has a long, graceful neck will most likely go for an upsweep style. This is also ideal when the bride has a dress that comes all the way up to the neck. You want to show every detail of your beautiful dress, so with a necked dress choosing the right hairstyle for your wedding means getting your hair pinned up.

The downside of an upsweep is that if you have really long, pretty hair, you won't be showing it off on your wedding day. And what happens at the end of the night when you want to let your hair down and get your party on? Taking all of those pins out will be a pain. Choosing the right hairstyle for your wedding involves utility as well.

Wedding Hair Down or Around the Shoulders

Having your hair falling around the shoulders on your wedding day is traditional when you have a sleeveless dress with the back out. You probably don't want to show all of your back, so choosing the right hairstyle for your wedding in this case should be easy. Just let your hair fall down in either a curly or bone straight style.

But keep in mind that when your hair is down, you may be hiding some of your beauty, especially in the case of very long hair. You may have a decorative belt, or bodice that will be hidden by your long hair falling down over it. When you are choosing the right hairstyle for your wedding, you want to maximize the effect of your outfit and your hairstyle at the same time.

Curly or Straight?

One more decision to make when choosing the right hairstyle for your wedding is whether you want your hair to be curly or straight.

Bone straight is sleek and sexy, and won't require a constant refreshing of your hairstyle throughout the wedding event and wedding reception. But it can be a little bland. On the other hand, a curly wedding hairstyle is gorgeous, bouncy, and frames the face well. But as we all know, curly styles fall easily. You may be spending most of your night toting around a flat iron to keep your look fresh. The right hairstyle for your wedding is one that will stay in place for an extended period of time.

Choosing the right hairstyle for your wedding involves an evaluation of the pros and cons of each option. This is the time to go to the supermarket and rack up on wedding hair magazines. Do plenty of research and trial and error when choosing the right hairstyle for your wedding day.

Ashley Rader is the owner of Moments of Elegance, an wedding website specializing in bridesmaid gifts, groomsman gifts and a huge collection of unique wedding favors that will truly make your event unforgettable. Special event planners can receive 5% off their order with coupon code: ezinearticles.

Bridal Accessories For the Bride

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Planning your wedding can be an extremely stressful, but an absolutely rewarding and gratifying experience. Now that you have the perfect man and a gloriously fashionable wedding dress, you can start worrying about all the bridal accessories you need to complete your overall look.

Although bridal magazines have a zillion items listed under "bridal accessories," keep in mind that you only need to purchase the essentials or the items that are relevant to you.

No two weddings are ever truly and completely alike, and brides, too, have differing needs and varying wedding priorities. Heading to a bridal boutique without knowing the exact items you need for your wedding may lead to an expensive and mostly unnecessary shopping-spree.

To avoid unnecessary purchases while you search for your bridal accessories, we're providing you with a list of some of the most common items and garments on almost every bride's wedding accessory list.

Bridal Accessory Must-Haves

Bridal Shoes: Right after you pick the perfect dress shape and design, you have to find the perfect footwear to complement your wedding attire. Bridal shoes are arguably the most important item on your list of bridal accessories, unless you plan on going barefoot for your beach wedding.

Your choice of shoes can make or break your entire outfit. When picking out your bridal shoes, make sure your shoes match your dress. We're not just talking about your shoe-color; we're also referring to fabric and heel height.

Bridal Lingerie: You may be wearing white on the outside, but isn't sexy red or black bridal lingerie under pristine and traditional clothing the perfect way to enhance excitement before your wedding night? Bridal lingerie come in many different designs, colors and styles. Pick bridal lingerie that provide enough wedding dress support, while still making you look and feel deliciously desirable.

Consider this the perfect wedding night surprise for your lucky husband.

Bridal Purse or Handbag: Bridal purses are different from those everyday handbags you carry to work. They contain a lot less makeup and absolutely no useless junk. Use your bridal purse or handbag to store your lipstick, an extra tampon and compact powder for emergencies and quick touch-ups.

If you've had your wedding dress custom made, you can ask your seamstress to create a bridal purse from your gown's extra fabric.

For more appeal, you can have your tiny bridal purse or handbag personalized with the date of your wedding, your name and your groom's name embroidered on the fabric.

Wedding Money Bags: Although your bridal purse can act as an efficient wedding money bag, you could purchase a separate bag to store all the money given to you during the Dollar Dance.

Money bags come in different styles and designs. Satin money bags are extremely popular with modern brides. If you're going for a wedding money bag with detailing, just make sure the bag complements your entire outfit.

Hair Ornaments or Headpiece: Whether you're wearing a veil or leaving your head bare, wedding hair ornaments and headpieces can be the perfect way to add some sparkle to your appearance and to emphasize a particularly ornate and intricate wedding hairstyle.

Go for hair pins, tiaras or even a lovely hat; just make sure your headpiece won't overpower your delicate features and your bridal attire.

Jewelry: There are some rules you need to follow when it comes to bridal or wedding jewelry. The first rule is to go for simple jewelry when wearing highly-embellished gowns or veils.

Next, wear sparkling and intricate jewelry with simple gowns to add glitter and sparkle to your outfit.

Lastly, make sure your jewelry choice matches your wedding band and the rest of your attire; this includes metal and jewelry color.

Petticoats: If you're wearing a sleek gown, then you certainly won't need a petticoat. The petticoat, also known as the underskirt, helps your gown retain its proper shape. The petticoat is a must if you're wearing an A-Line wedding dress or a ball gown.

There are some wedding dresses with built-in petticoats to help a dress retain its original shape. To avoid making a useless purchase, consult your seamstress or the bridal boutique owner over whether you'll need a petticoat for your gown or not.

Wedding Bouquet: Definitely one of the most important bridal accessories you'll need, the wedding bouquet refers to the flowers you carry while you walk down the aisle. Although you can always forgo having a bouquet of precious blooms, consider how your wedding bouquet can be the perfect way to introduce color to your otherwise drab and dull outfit.

Wedding Garter: Whether you're going for a traditional wedding or not, the wedding garter is the perfect way to add "something blue" to your outfit inconspicuously. Remember, the wedding garter is hidden underneath the voluminous fabric of your gown only to be revealed during the garter toss at the wedding reception.

Your wedding garter need not be completely blue, in fact, some blue accents or a blue ribbon will do.

Wedding Gloves: Wedding gloves are a great way to keep your fingers warm during winter weddings. Whether you're being traditional and demure or you're simply channeling old world glamor with your satin opera gloves, these gloves are a perfectly elegant addition to any formal wedding dress.

Wedding Handkerchiefs: Whether you're buying embroidered and fancy wedding handkerchiefs as souvenirs for the guests, or you're heading down the aisle carrying a lacy handkerchief to wipe away your tears of joy, you'll find numerous designs of intricate and lovely wedding handkerchiefs in bridal boutiques and online stores.

Wedding Tiara: Feel and look like the princess bride you truly are with a lovely wedding tiara sitting atop your head. Wedding tiaras come in many different colors and designs. Consider jewelry metal color and gown embellishments when picking out your wedding tiara.

Wedding Veil: A traditional wedding is not complete without the wedding veil. Wedding veils come in different designs and lengths. Some wedding veils have intricate and heavy embroidery that is perfect for simple and unadorned wedding gowns.

If you're wearing a lavish wedding gown, refrain from purchasing a heavily embellished wedding veil since a long veil will cover the entire back and train of your dress.

Choose your bridal accessories wisely and keep your budget in mind as you make your bridal accessory purchases. These accessories need not be designer or extremely costly; after all, you'll be using these accessories for this one special occasion.

All women have been waiting for this memorable day, and to have the grandest wedding you need the best Wedding Tips To help you with this, please visit fancyweddingattire.com

Toast to the Bride

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If you have a wedding to attend in the near future and need to prepare a toast to the bride, then you need to know what it takes to do a good job. Successful toasts seem so easy to do, but you won't realize what it takes to make a public performance until you put the toast together.

You'll have to prepare, practice, and overcome nerves to do a great job. In the end, it's all about being sincere, relaxed and having fun. A wedding is something to celebrate - and this is your chance to add to the party.

You might be a friend or you might be a family member - as long as you're close to the bride, you'll most likely have a lot to share with others in your toast. A toast might be an intimidating task if you're not a great writer or speaker, but preparation will easily allow you to accomplish the job well.

A toast can last anywhere from 10 seconds to 2 minutes. If you are very close to the bride, then you might want to take a bit more time to reflect on the past before transitioning to the future. On the other hand, sometimes the best toasts are short and sweet.

For a long toast, all you need to do is follow these steps:

1. Choose Your Tone: Before you start writing your toast out, figure on whether you want the toast to be serious, humorous, or sentimental. How do you choose which is right? You'll have to consider your personality as well as what kind of relationship you have with the bride. If you're a funny person but don't have a close relationship with the bride then humour might not be fully understood by guests. If you're going to do an extremely sentimental toast, then make sure that it is something the bride and perhaps a few others will understand as a touching speech.

2. Choose Your Topic: Think about your relationship with the bride and pick something to talk about that is important to you. When people try to cover too many emotions or events in a toast, it can cause the minds of guests to drift. By focusing on one attribute or another, your toast will be easier to understand and much more effective.

3. Include Stories: If there is a story that works with what you're saying, then you should include it in your toast. Stories add a depth that is difficult to match in any other way. By recalling a favourite story of the bride, it will help others see how special of a relationship you had with her and show a side of the woman that others might not have known before.

4. Add Some Memories: Memories in point form can also be an effective way of building the bond between you and the bride, shining a light on her personality. When you bring memories up, keep it short and sweet so that you don't make others feel out of the loop.

5. Describe Your Hopes for Her: This is a very important part of the toast. It is here that you'll transition from the past to the future. By telling the bride your hopes for her future, you will show that you really care about her well being.

6. List Special Attributes: By listing a few attributes that make the bride a good wife, you'll make her feel special, flatter the groom and convey a sense of confidence in her abilities.

7. Wish the Bride and Groom Good Luck: No toast is complete without wishing the couple the best of luck for their future.

If you're planning a shorter toast, you might want to focus more on the future alone. Try not to be too cliché or general. If you can make your toast specific, it will be much more meaningful to all. Some topics that work well include love, happiness, growing up, marriage, and laughter.

When giving your toast, it's important to speak clearly and use notes if needed. If you want to get your message across effectively, then be confident about the words that you are saying. Some people are natural public speakers and others get nervous - just make sure that you practice your speech often so that it flows comfortably during your performance without any nervous pauses (ex. ummm, ahhh, etc).

Things to Avoid:

" Stories about Old Relationships: By telling stories about past relationships, all you're going to do is make people uncomfortable or upset. Don't mention old relationships at all. Focus on the relationship that matters.

" Humiliating Stories: There's a difference between funny stories and humiliating ones. Always make sure that your story won't embarrass anybody or draw any unwanted reactions.

" Drinking Too Much: Drinking might loosen you up a bit, but drinking too much will make you slur your words - and make a fool of yourself.

" Don't Read The Whole Thing: While you might to look down to refer to your notes, don't read everything word for word. Instead, try focusing on the bride to make the message more personal.

" Don't Panic: If you get lost for words and don't know what to do, don't panic. Just finish off with a simple and honest "congratulations." There's nothing wrong with ending simply.

If you're not sure how your toast sounds to others, be open to getting a friend's opinion and perspective. Read your toast over with somebody else present or have them read it and offer a critique. It's always tough to know how your toast might be received by others; it's good to get a second opinion.

The toast to the bride is a very special moment. Make sure to keep the bride as the focus of your story and always highlight her in your toast before congratulating her and wishing her well. If you are sincere about what you have to say, then it's impossible to go wrong.

Lastly, make sure that you have fun giving your toast. Your expressions will always impact the way your speech is received by others. Good luck!

David Beart is owner of the Professors House [http://www.professorshouse.com], a site dedicated to family, wedding information [http://www.professorshouse.com/family/relationships/relationships-weddings.aspx], pets, and household problems.

A Bride's Guide to Tipping Wedding Vendors

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When planning your wedding, you may wonder how much of your budget to put aside for gratuities and tips. You may not be sure who gets tipped or how much is customary to tip. Be sure to read all contracts that you sign with your vendors to make sure that you are aware if tipping is optional (at your discretion) or contractual. Some vendor contracts will automatically add a certain percentage to your bill to cover the customary standard gratuity.

Here is a breakdown of who you should tip and how much you should tip. Note these are only standard guidelines, you may choose to add more for exceptional service. You should prepare envelopes with the proper amounts already in them, addressed to the proper vendors.

Rehearsal Dinner - 20 percent of the total bill, many restaurants will add this onto the bill on larger parties.

Hairstylist / Make Up Artist / Nail Technician - It is customary to tip 15 to 20 percent of the total cost and should be paid once services are completed.

Musicians for the Ceremony - Standard tipping is $20 to $25 dollars per musician and is expected at the end of the ceremony. The father of the bride or the best man presents the envelope to the musicians.

Officiant for the Ceremony - Customary of $100 and up, or make a donation to the church or synagogue in which you are getting married. This contribution can be in addition to or in lieu of a tip. If tipping, have the father of the bride or the best man hand the envelope to the officiant right after the rehearsal or the ceremony.

Delivery Truck Drivers / Reception Set Up - This could include the cake delivery and set up, the floral set up, decoration set up, tent set up, etc... if the set up staff who is setting up is not a part of the reception staff. It is customary to tip $5 to $25 dollars per person depending on the difficulty of the set up. The person accepting the delivery should hand out the tips. If you will not be there during delivery or set up, you should tip either before or after, to the appropriate vendor.

Reception Staff - normally is eighteen to twenty percent of the final reception bill. This amount of tipping may seem like a lot to pay, but remember this is divided among all the staff who worked your event. It is usually paid when the balance of your reception bill is paid and is normally included in your contract. You may choose to give added gratuity for exceptional service on the day of your event after the reception.

Reception Musicians or DJs - Customary to tip 5 to 20 percent of the total cost. The father of the bride or the best man presents the envelope to the musicians at the end of the ceremony. You would tip a band 5 percent per musician (20 percent total for 5 musicians) and a DJ up to 20 percent of the total cost.

Reception Hall Maitre d' - $40 or more for each of these staff members, depending on the amount of guests and total reception bill. The father of the bride or the best man presents the envelope to the Maitre d'.

Reception Bartenders - In addition to the amount specified in the contract, 10% of the total bar bill should be tipped to the bartenders. Have the cash in envelopes in advance and have maitre d' pass along the tip.

Powder Room / Coat Check / Parking Attendants - Should receive .50 cents to $1 per guest attending. Have the cash in envelopes in advance and have maitre d' pass along the tip.

Transportation - It is customary to tip 20% of the total cost. Many limousine companies can offer you to pay in advance or to tip on the day the service is completed. Have the best man in charge of turning over the cash tip you prepared in advance.

Finally, the following vendors do not typically receive gratuities but you may certainly add them to the list if their service is outstanding: photographer, videographer, caterer, baker, jeweler, wedding consultant, seamstress, and florist.

Erica Tevis is the owner of Little Things Wedding Favors. Visit them on the web and check out their large supply of wedding favors, themed favors, invitations, and wedding accessories.