The Wedding Toast From the Father of the Bride - Easy Tips on Being Funny While Still Being Classy

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Both the best man and maid of honor speeches are certainly important, but in the end, no moment at the reception or words of advice are more revered than the comments made in the wedding toast from the father of the bride. It is the definitive moment where - as many people believe - the father truly gives away his daughter.

But to make a grandiose moment less pressure-filled for the speaker, it's always good advice to offer a few jokes to lighten the collective mood. Although that sounds easy, it's not terribly simple. It is here where one needs to have a firm grasp of what proper toast etiquette is.

When delivering a wedding toast from the father of the bride, it is vitally important not to offend or overly embarrass anyone. The best man's speech is usually meant to be the most "rowdy" of the bunch, while the wedding toast from the father of the bride is more formal in nature.

With that said, what is appropriate for the father to joke about? According to toast etiquette, a wedding toast from the father of the bride can poke fun at the following:

• his family in general; such as lighthearted comments about how dysfunctional the family may be or "weird", funny things you've done together. Do not poke fun at the groom's family.
• the bride; especially stories from her upbringing or how she acted after meeting her future husband (if it makes for a nice story). Do not, however, under any circumstances embarrass her. Never mention ex-boyfriends or "flings".
• the groom; these can make for the best jokes of all, but remember to keep the mood light. Stories of when you first met the groom often times make for an excellent chance to be comical in the wedding toast from the father of the bride!

But now that you know what not to say and do, where do you turn for ideas and concepts you can use in constructing your speech? What are other nuggets of information regarding toast etiquette that you need to know? Where can you find definitive lists of what you need to say, whom you need to thank, and helpful tips in how to deliver your speech?

The answers to these questions can be found by clicking here [http://www.ToastEtiquette.com]! At this fantastic site -- which is fully devoted to the wedding toast - you will be able to read reviews and see what the internet's best sites have to offer so you can make an informed decision on which one best suits your needs. So check it out now! Get on your way to having that jaw-dropping wedding toast [http://www.ToastEtiquette.com] from the father of the bride in no time!

Mother of the Bride's Guide to a Classy and Stylish Evening Dress

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One reason many people spend a little more on their formal evening dresses and suits it a wedding. Many of these outfits will only be worn once. The mother of the bride will both need to have a gown that is both stylish and sophisticated. A majority of formal dresses re designed for the younger person. However, the mother of the bride can find dresses designed more for her style at specialty boutiques.

The mother of the bride dress doesn't have to have a matronly look. It may be designed for the woman over 40 but can still be fashionable. It should highlight her elegance and be glamorous before being trendy.

Just like other formal gowns, her gown can vary from design to design. A classically formal design is the timeless floor-length flowing gown with a modest off the shoulder style. Often they come with a matching jacket or pashmina shawl to complete the look. The wrap can double as a warm cover-up. The off the shoulder style can look sexy and elegant and be practical for warm weather weddings.

An evening dress with an embellished or highlighted bodice accents a relatively small waist. Look for embroidered, accessorized with beads or sequins or a bodice made in a different color or material as the skirt to add interest. A jacket or wrap in the same color family adds interest while hiding flaws.

A mother of the bride dress with a stylish cowl neck and skirt that skims the body looks stylish. This type of dress complements the curvier shape of an older woman, without clinging to the body too much. The skimming cut doesn't add bulkiness and brings attention away from a thick waist to the legs and lower body.

There are modest formal evening dresses available for the woman wanting something less showy. The fashionable conservative dresses are just as classy and stylish as the low-cut styles. Suits with a camisole and a floor length skirt and jacket with full, three quarter, short or cap sleeves are often chosen by the more modest mother of the bride.

These modest evening dresses complement a petite woman with a modest bosom. The modest neckline of the dress draws attention to the chest area. To further enhance the bodice, interesting accessories can be added. Sequins, lace or embroidery can look especially pretty.

The colors for the evening dresses will vary according to the season, the mother of the brides taste and personality and current trends. She shouldn't wear ivory or white since it is traditionally only the bride wears those colors. If the bride chooses those colors, however, the mother of the bride can add a jacket or wrap in a different shade. Often she will choose a black, blue, gray or red dress. These colors look well on both floor length and mid calf length dresses or suits.

Plus sized women have wide variety of styles to choose from as well. Her style is often a free flowing body skimming dress that is either floor length or mid calf length. Halter styles to show off the upper body look good on taller full size women. These gowns usually have a floor length A-line skirt. Since she might have an ample bosom, empire waist evening dresses will flatter them. The high waist appears to lengthen the lower body and appear slimmer.

Mother of the bride evening dresses no longer need to look matronly with the wide variety of colors, styles and fabrics available today.

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