The Wonders of a Wedding Jewelry Box
If there’s one set of accessories that’s almost entirely inseparable from the wedding experience it’s jewelry.
The Versatility and Class of Candle Party Favors
Favors aren’t just for weddings; they’re a lovely addition to any elegant party, and they’re a wonderful way to thank your guests for their attendance.
Complimenting a Bridal Toe Ring
A bridal toe ring is a fun and flirty piece of jewelry that you can wear on your wedding day that will add a subtle sparkle to your look.
Bridal Shoes Fit for Dancing!
Bridal Shoes: When High Heels Just Won’t Cut It
Bridal Shoes
While brides may spend hours pouring over possible contenders for the perfect pair of bridal shoes, most of them don’t think twice about how else they should take care of their feet during their wedding day. Beautiful bridal shoes usually mean sore ankles and throbbing toes by the end of the evening – why not invest in something that gives your tootsies a break every once in a while? Alternative bridal shoes include such selections as flip flops, ballet flats, barefoot jewelry, and even slippers!
While you might want to save the slippers for the morning after, the other bridal shoes make for a wonderful foot break during your reception. Flip flops are not only comfortable, but practical and not so bad lookin’ either. Consider purchasing these matching bridal shoes for everyone in the bridal party, or maybe even for all of your guests! High heels might look nice, but walking around all night in them would drive any feet nuts! The ballet flat bridal shoes are another (somewhat more elegant) choice, and they pack the added benefit of portability. Many of these bridal shoes fold up into small bags for easy slipping on and off!
Bridal Party Gifts: Where, When, and Why!
They’ll Love Bridal Party Gifts
Bridal Party Gifts
Your bridal party – from your flower girls to your groomsmen – will be the backbone of your wedding day. Hopefully you’ve chosen your bridal party carefully, and you’re extremely happy to have them stand up for you as you marry your future bride/groom. So how should you thank them for their dedication, love, and (sometimes) hard work? Present them with bridal party gifts before the big day! Bridal party gifts are little ways to show your bridal party just how much you appreciate them – from a coloring book set for your ring bearer to an engraved flask for the best man, bridal party gifts should be personal, useful, and simple.
The best place to present bridal party gifts will be the rehearsal dinner: the get-together after the wedding rehearsal that doesn’t have to be too fancy (a backyard barbeque is more than enough). As you present your bridal party gifts, think about saying a few words of personal thanks to each of your guests. This isn’t a bad time to thank your parents either, as they’ll be attending your rehearsal dinner as well! Chose your bridal party gifts as carefully as you chose your bridal party; you won’t regret it!
Why you need a Bridal Hankie
A Bridal Hankie for the Big Moment
Bridal Hankie
If you’re getting married, chances are pretty good that you’re going to cry. The marriage ceremony is an intensely emotional experience and crying is part of the day – don’t be caught without a bridal hankie! Your bridal hankie will be your beautiful little companion throughout the day and will probably show up in several pictures – find something pretty! Finding the right bridal hankie isn’t difficult, but make sure it’s more than just a rag or tissue. You want your bridal hankie to last the entire night (hopefully longer!) so find something that’s built to last.
If you’re looking for a gift for a bride in your life, think about a bridal hankie. Often, brides won’t think about a bridal hankie as a day-of necessity, but they will be glad when they have it!
Brides – keep your bridal hankie tucked away somewhere accessible. Most bridal gowns don’t come with pockets (unfortunately), so you may have to improvise. Think about designating your maid of honor or husband-to-be to carry around your bridal hanky until you need it. Imagine how sweet the moment will be when your new husband hands you your beautiful bridal hankie to dap your tears at the altar.
You might also consider tucking your bridal hankie into your glove or the strap of your dress – just make sure it won’t fall out or shock any guests when you whip it out!
Options for Casual Bridal Hair Accessories
Casual Bridal Hair Accessories for a Laid-Back Wedding
Casual Bridal Hair Accessories
It sometimes seems as if all hair accessories for brides were made for grand churches and formal ballrooms – sometimes a cathedral veil just doesn’t work for a casual garden wedding or a short flirty dress and a destination wedding. Casual bridal hair accessories do exist, however, and you have more options than you may think. So, think about these casual bridal hair accessories as you prepare for your fun, laid-back wedding:
Fabric Flowers:
Whether you make them yourself or leave them to more capable hands, fabric flowers make great casual bridal hair accessories. They’re fun, flirty, and they give a fun pop of color to your wedding day look. You’ll find that these casual bridal hair accessories will come in a comb, clip, or headband, so any hair length will find what it needs to keep your casual bridal hair accessories from slipping as you walk down the aisle!
Feathers:Just like the fabric flowers, feathers make awesome causal bridal hair accessories either as pre-prepared looks or as a Do-It-Yourself project. Fasten them with bobby pins or clips to make this a cute look for your casual wedding.
Birdcage Veils:These casual bridal hair accessories are a cool throwback to a more vintage feel for your wedding, if that’s what you’re going for. They look fabulous with shorter dresses especially, and they still give you something to pull back at the altar. These casual bridal hair accessories never miss the mark!
The Many Uses for Wedding Tote Bags
Wedding Tote Bags and your Wedding
Wedding Tote Bags
Wedding tote bags have several uses during the wedding planning process. During planning, it’s good to have wedding tote bags to keep all of your wedding materials in the same place (fabric samples from vendors, wedding magazines, itineraries, etc), so nothing gets lost in the corners of your apartment. Keep your wedding tote bags (you shouldn’t need more than one) in a place where you’ll be able to get a hold of them quickly. Tote your wedding tote bags around with you when you visit vendors so you can pull out brochures and compare prices on the spot!
Wedding tote bags can also be used as a wonderful gift for your bridesmaids – get them embroidered with their names for a special touch!
You can also use wedding tote bags as a nice welcome gift for out-of-town guests. Stuff your wedding tote bags with goodies from your area and maps and brochures that might be helpful for guests who are unfamiliar with the area. Arrange to have them dropped off in hotel rooms before your guests arrive for a nice surprise!
As gifts or tools, wedding tote bags are great companions for your wedding!
Showing Off in Honeymoon Swimwear
Tell the World with Honeymoon Swimwear
Honeymoon Swimwear
Once the stress of planning a wedding is over, many brides can’t wait to kick their heels off and slip into something more comfortable for a week or two. A couple’s honeymoon is often their first chance to relax after the higgledy piggledy of the last few hectic months, and they’ll probably be slipping into their honeymoon swimwear as soon as possible. Of course, not every couple will find honeymoon swimwear appropriate for their vacation needs (snow skiing usually calls for something a little sturdier), but honeymoon swimwear is some fun post-wedding apparel that any beach getaway calls for. So why indulge in some honeymoon swimwear? Well, your wedding is often when you’ll look your best. You’ve probably spent months refining your body to its absolute peak – show it off with honeymoon swimwear! You might also want to show everyone poolside exactly why the two of you are so snug in the hot tub. You only get to be newlyweds on your honeymoon once, so honeymoon swimwear is a great way to show it off. Honeymoon swimwear is often emblazoned with “JUST MARRIED” or “BRIDE,” so you’re always a little more likely to get that Long Island on the house. With so many reasons, what’s keeping you from strutting your stuff in some brand spankin’ new honeymoon swimwear?Treat Yourself (Or Others!) with Honeymoon Accessories
Honeymoon Accessories Make Great Gifts
Honeymoon Accessories
Whether you’re trying to decide what gifts would work well for a couple about to embark on a honeymoon or you’re packing your bags yourself, honeymoon accessories are a fun way to personalize and enjoy a first vacation as a married couple. Honeymoon accessories range from the fun and frivolous to the elegant and essential, but one thing is always for sure when deciding on what honeymoon accessories to include for your big trip: the more the merrier. If you’re thinking about purchasing some honeymoon accessories for the new couple in your life, remember that they probably won’t have many of the essentials many more established couples have. If you’re sending them their honeymoon accessories well ahead of time, matching luggage is a luxury most couples don’t consider for their registry. Honeymoon accessories don’t have to be just the finest things in life, either. Even just a personalized cooler or a tote for beach trips will brighten any new couple’s day. If you’re planning for your own trip and you’re wondering which honeymoon accessories you will need to add to your checklist, consider little things that will keep the two of you happy and entertained on your voyage. How about Frisbees? Bath salts? Fancy soaps? Many couples like to tote around “Just Married” car and window clings to let the world know just why they’re sharing kisses and rubbing noses so frequently. Let the world know you’re on the adventure of a lifetime with honeymoon accessories!Thoughts about Wedding Party Gifts
A wedding party will vary in size and composition depending on a couple’s preferences, but one thing doesn't change: they deserve a thank-you. For most brides, the bridal party is an important support system during the planning process, attending fittings and tastings, holding your hand as you try to hold on to your self esteem and sanity, and standing up for you on your big day. They are there for you as you take your vows and pledge the rest of your life to your partner.
I think that deserves some bath wash.
So who counts as the wedding party?
Certainly your bridesmaids and your maid of honor, but also your groomsmen and best man. Don’t forget about junior bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearers, and parents, too.
You aren’t breaking any major etiquette rules if you get something for your usher but not your flower girl, but thank-yous are always appreciated, even if they’re only a bath kit or a coloring book.
So, here are some ideas for bridal party gifts:
Groomsmen:
Think practical. Muted colors; leather, silver.
Engraved flasks, personalized cuff links, martini glass set
Bridesmaids:
Something that they can wear during the ceremony; wedding keepsakes.
A spa morning, matching earrings, clutches
Mother:
Wedding keepsakes
Handkerchief (for the ceremony); wedding antiques; matching earrings
Father:
Similar to groomsmen gifts
counterbalance wine holder, money clip
Flower Girl:
Try to include the flower girl with bridesmaid gifts. If she’s too young, less expensive jewelry for the ceremony.
Ring Bearer:
Something to keep his hands busy and his mind active.
Backpack with small games and toys; crayons and coloring books