Christmas is a very special time to propose to your loved one. They might be hoping for an exciting present, but chances are that they won´t be expecting to unwrap a piece of wedding jewellery. It´s the perfect opportunity to produce that ring by sneaking it into their gift pile – just imagine the look on their face when they openjew the package!

Of course, you will need to be fairly confident that they won´t react with horror at the thought of uniting with you in holy matrimony, and that instead they will fling their arms around you with a joyful shout of ´Yes! Of course I´ll marry you, darling! ´, especially if the proposal is to be made in front of an audience. The humiliation of seeing the look of joy on your prospective mother-in-law´s face as her daughter snorts ´You must be joking! I´m dating you because it might be good for my career´, or ´Oh, did I forget to tell you? I´m immigrating to Outer Mongolia and marrying a Himalayan goat herder´ would crush any man´s interest in marriage forever.

The proposal will be most effective if the recipient has absolutely no idea of what is to come. It would be best not to share the plan with other family members, as they might get so excited that they unwittingly give some indication of what is to come. The prospective bride or groom should also be careful to avoid giving any hints themselves, and would be wise to avoid jewellery shops altogether when in the company of their better half (just in case the latter decides to drop some heavy hints, which would rather ruin the surprise element).

It might, in fact, be best to make the proposal in a quiet moment at some point over the Christmas holiday, not necessarily on the day itself. Maybe the smartest move would be to take your partner away for a romantic Christmas break, the great advantage being the absence of her fearsome mother (assuming her mother isn´t a charming lady who thinks she couldn´t possibly do better than you for a son-in-law). In the setting of a posh country hotel, or the azure Caribbean seas, many women would be lulled into such a happy mood that they would be more receptive to a proposal than if it took place in front of their drunken Uncle Bob. Why take the chance …

Being asked to be a bridesmaid in a wedding is an honor. Not everyone would have that opportunity. Being a bridesmaid is a chance for you to be part of the most precious day of a couple’s life. Of course, when you’re requested to be one, this pride comes with the opportunity of wearing a bridesmaid dress.

But do you really know what you’re supposed to do in exchange for being in a stunning bridesmaid dress? Did the bride express what kind of help she needs from you being one of her bridesmaids? Or are you just expected to walk down the aisle along with the other members of the wedding entourage and sit and stand as the celebrant says so?

The fact is, being a bridesmaid carries a number of responsibilities. While these may not be explicitly expressed (because more often than not a couple only hopes to have a complete roster in the entourage), you are actually saying yes to a number of responsibilities the moment you accepted the invitation and the moment you agreed to be in a theme-styled bridesmaid dress.

Here are a few things that any bridesmaid is expected to do:

Idea Generator and Provider

Yes, while making the plans, you must be able to help the bride think of ideas about wedding dresses, wedding favours and wedding invitations, among others. These things are too girly for the groom to get involved with. This is where the bride could well benefit from your presence. If she requests you to go hop from one place to another for venue scouting, go ahead. Who knows, she might even take your suggestion of a bridesmaid dress design.

Since it is already stressful for the bride to be in the wedding, she may have moments where no ideas will come out from her head. You could then provide her with your suggestions. After all, you are coming from an “outside perspective” and an outsider’s point of view is always helpful.

Companion

When the situation calls for it, you must accompany the bride for fittings and even in registering for wedding gifts. You can even go the extra mile and be in-charge of gathering all the other members of the entourage for fitting and measurement adjustments. After all, you don’t want anyone, especially not you, to be wearing a bridesmaid dress that looks like a hand-me-down.

Fashion Consultant

Of course a bride would hire her own make-up artists but it wouldn’t hurt if you can assist in her dress and makeup. In her effort to look stunning, the bride would always look for confirmation that her makeup looks good on her. Be that source of confirmation.

Usherette

Especially during the reception, usher the couple’s guests in. Lead them to their seats. You are wearing a fabulous bridesmaid dress so put that into good use and be seen.

Sometimes, visitors would request for pictures with the couple, so offer your hand and be the “photographer.”

Being a bridesmaid is more than just wearing a bridesmaid dress. You have some duties to attend to as you are actually a major player in ensuring the success of the wedding ceremony. So do your job cheerfully and “beautifully” — in that stunning bridesmaid dress.

Lovely wedding dresses and evening dresses are available in BestForBride.com. We also offer fabulous bridesmaid dress designs. Visit us today.

Deciding on the best design of bridesmaid dresses is challenging, next to finding your perfect wedding gown. Ideally, as the bride, you dont want to be stressing over this matter.

Fortunately, for the brides who prefer modest wedding gowns there are many selections online. In fact, you can sometimes find a long sleeve modest wedding gown for under $300, which is a real plus for the bride on a strict budget. Whether the same selections are available at your local bridal shop is questionable since bridal shops only carry modest wedding dress that will sell, and that often means more expensive, designer brands. They may offer less selection of modest wedding dresses, too.

Modest Wedding Gowns for the Plus Size Bride

Another important feature of online shopping is the availability of modest wedding gowns for the bride-to-be who is on the larger size. Being heavier does not mean she should not and cannot look beautiful on her wedding day. If she chooses the plus size bridal gown carefully, she can look absolutely beautiful because the gown shows off her assets—the key is not being thin but wearing a gown that accentuates your good points. For example, if you have an overly ample chest you want to wear a gown with a higher neckline. Even a slender bride may need to wear a modest gown if she has features that are not perfect or needs to cover tattoos for her wedding day.

Modest wedding gowns may have higher necklines, long sleeves and cover up your shoulders. Most are at least floor length. You may need them to be less revealing because of the religious ceremony or perhaps because you prefer them. You will look amazing, even if you choose a modest look.

You Can Still Look Sexy in Modest Wedding Gowns

Contrary to popular belief, you can still look sexy even though you are wearing a modest wedding gown. There is no need to show all of your assets in order to make yourself look beautiful on your special day—your smile and the way you walk will make you shine and thus allow everyone to see how beautiful you really are. In addition, many modest wedding gowns that have a design to accentuate and enhance the bride’s best features and hide those are imperfect.

Article by Michelle O’Connor, Long Sleeve Wedding Gowns

The history of wedding cakes and the tradition attached to them are rich. Before wedding cakes came to be what they are now, they’ve passed a lot of stages, all of which are equally interesting and intriguing.

During the Roman times, the concept of elaborate wedding cake decorations and icings was not yet a reality. For instance, the groom is supposed to eat part of the wedding loaf. He would then break the remaining portion and it must be broken over the bride’s head. This symbolizes the groom’s dominance over the bride. This tradition, however, has long been eradicated possibly because of its chauvinistic implications.

Also, in the olden times, small cakes (more like today’s cupcakes) are stacked to form the wedding cakes. The notion of a white wedding cake is also very popular and was connected to affluence. Because ingredients used to make up the white icing are hard to come by, only those who can afford to travel to other places just to get hold of these cake “materials” can come up with white wedding cakes.

Interestingly, in the 17th century, the idea of sleeping on a piece of cake became very popular. They say that if you put a piece of the wedding cake underneath your pillow, you will dream about your future spouse. In the 18th century, this tradition on wedding cakes evolved into the brides passing tiny cake crumbs through their wedding rings. These crumbs are then placed underneath the pillows.

Later on, the traditional wedding cake slicing that we see today came about. The bride, with the help of the groom, creates two slices, and together, they eat that part of the cake. As this is the first task that that the couple does together, this act symbolizes their never-ending promise of supporting each other for the rest of their married life.

Then came the multi-layered and elaborately designed cakes of many colors that we see today. Wedding cakes are not only white in color; today, the couple can experiment with different colors, usually making it consistent with the theme and the motif of the wedding.

Still, another interesting fact about this tradition is that the couple tries to save the topmost tier of their wedding cakes. They preserve and freeze it for use during their first anniversary. But you don’t get to see this anymore today as the elaborate decorations make the cake more vulnerable.

What proved to be a traditional and simple creation of cakes — or loaves of bread as in the olden times — now became a design extravaganza. Numerous cake and pastry houses specialize on the design of wedding cakes. The internet even has a wide selection of wedding cakes.

In conclusion, just like the wedding ceremony itself, the history and tradition of wedding cakes have come a long way. Some practices have long been eradicated while others survived the test of time and modernity.

If you prefer a traditional wedding, then you’d surely insert some of the practices that survived in the ceremony and at the reception. Otherwise, you can skip these and just go directly to the sole purpose of the occasion. The most important thing however, is that you’ve respected the solemnity of the event and the importance of this sacrament.

BestForBride.com is all about weddings – from wedding favours to designer wedding dresses and wedding cakes. Visit us today.

The rise of the Hollywood fashion icons have seen an onslaught of gorgeous, must-have evening dresses like no other. Evening dresses of various designs, styles, shades could drive evening dress aficionados crazy.

Armed with their magazine cutouts and pen, these aficionados rush to their favorite couturier and ask for a copy of these Hollywood starlet’s evening dresses, at a much lesser cost.

There are others, however, who prefer to design their own evening gowns. With a vision and a sketch book, these mavens draw all original evening dresses, with just a touch or an obvious inspiration of Hollywood. So here are some tips on how to design you own evening dresses, Hollywood style.

1. Watch Hollywood Entertainment News

Watching Hollywood lifestyle channels or entertainment news exposes you to a variety of Hollywood evening dresses. You can check out some lifestyle channel’s best and worst dressed. These are legit – they are sorted out by legitimate fashion critics, after all. These best dressed and worst dressed lists will give you a very useful cue on what dress designs to go for and what to stay away from.

2. Leaf through Fashion Magazines

Fashion magazines feature the latest evening dresses worn by these Hollywood stars. Fashion magazines are actually way better than watching television. Instead of encrypting the dress designs in your head, fashion magazines give you the luxury of merely showing it to your dress designer or dress maker and highlighting areas which you want altered.

3. One and One Makes One

Take an evening dress design worn by one Hollywood actress, and another worn by another Hollywood icon and mold them together to form a uniquely gorgeous evening dress. Other than being a “half-original”, you will have the privilege of choosing which designs to pick out and which to leave out.

4. Elegance Minus the Frills

A lot of the most gorgeous evening dresses actually have one or more of the following: frills, laces, feathers, sequins, crystals, diamonds, trains, corsets and double sided tapes. These are indeed lovely addition to their evening dresses. However, it does not necessarily mean it could work well for a mere mortal such as you. Have the dress made in a way that does not alter its elegance, yet takes away the frills, laces, feathers, sequins, crystals, diamonds, trains or the corsets – as well as the need for double sided tapes. Note: trains and frills are for wedding dresses. Laces and corsets are more fitting for a bridesmaid dress.

5. The color and the cut

The color may look perfect for the Hollywood star that you copied the evening dress design from, but that does not necessarily mean it will look great on your skin tone. The cut may suit her to a tee, but that does not mean it will have the same effect on you. Get inspiration from that Hollywood evening dress, but alter it to make it truly yours. Choose the right shade for your skin tone and choose the right cut for your body type.

Whether you’re looking for wedding dresses or a bridesmaid dress, BestForBride.com has it all.Evening dresses are also available.

Your wedding day is coming up in a few months. You’re tired and frustrated and on the verge of becoming a bridezilla. Your fiancé, your mom, your relatives wonder why. Your simple answer: You are so stressed in hopping from one bridal shop to another, to look for you dream plus size wedding dress, wedding favours, wedding flowers, bridesmaids dresses and all that.

Stress, that is definitely the biggest trade-off in being utterly close-minded in your vision of the perfect wedding goodies. You shop from one bridal shop to the next, in hopes of building together the necessary material components of your wedding. Indeed, you found what you wanted… after shopping from one town to the next!

Here is the thing: These bridal shop owners know what they are doing. They have been in the business for quite some time. They can offer you suggestions and alternatives that you might even find a lot more interesting that your dream plus size wedding dress, your ideal wedding favours, and the like. They can gauge what wedding favours go with what theme. What plus size wedding dress goes well with your venue. What bridesmaid dresses to go with your plus size wedding dress. All it takes is this: An open mind. Be open to ideas and suggestions.

Choose a specific bridal shop. However, you ought to be very careful in choosing. Choose the bridal shop which has established a good reputation, a bridal shop which has been in business for a long time, one that is recommended by friends, family and relatives. Choose a bridal shop whose owner and sales staff you have a great rapport with, someone who is friendly, accommodating and definitely creative. Sort through that bridal shop’s collection of goods. Are the bridal shop’s plus size wedding dresses to your liking? If so, then start from there.

Ask your bridal shop attendant what would be the best wedding favour to go with your chosen plus size wedding dress. Welcome her ideas, albeit, remaining critical. Do not accept everything she suggests, though. It is your wedding, after all. Find a middle ground. For instance, choose a wedding favour that will still incorporate your ideas. The trick is: Keep an open mind. Together with the bridal shop attendant, leaf through magazines and sort through their shelves of wedding goodies until you find the one with the right feel.

Do not forget one other important thing, though. Consult with your husband-to-be. Wedding planning may not be the male species’ cup of tea, but give your husband his respects due by seeking his opinions as well. You never know, maybe your fiancé can come up with something a whole lot better than your concept.

Despite your wedding goodies, the fact remains that all those things that you bought from the bridal shop — they are not the true determinants of your wedding. The true determining factor of the turnout of your wedding is YOU. Only you can ruin your wedding day, and only you can make it a success

Personalized. That is the trend for wedding favors nowadays. Brides and grooms want to share with their guests something memorable, something that would remind them of that one special day each time they look at that wedding favor.

However, personalized wedding favors do not come cheap. Brides who spent a large chunk of their wedding dresses can no longer afford the luxury of exquisite, personalized wedding favors. So the big question is, how do we go about giving away lovely personalized wedding favors without overspending?

Well, if you are creative and resourceful, there are a lot of ways that you can give attain that intimate feel for your wedding favors without splurging. In this article, we will give you a few ideas for your personalized wedding favors. Unlike your wedding dresses, however, not much detail needs to be put into each wedding favor for your guests.

1. Be artistic. Pick up a couple boxes of beads and strings and make your very own bead bracelet, anklet or necklace. This will be lovely wedding favors for your lady guests.

2. You can also order a few of those corporate giveaways and add a touch of personal feel as you go along. The most common corporate giveaways are mini magnetic calculators — extremely useful, I must say — engraved pens, stationeries, paperweight and mini flashlights. All these items are not quite the wedding favors most guests would expect. That is exactly why these stuffs would be memorable for most your wedding guests.

3. Scented soaps. Yes, scented soaps have long been a staple in bridal shops and wedding favors store. Yet, yours does not have to be so generic. How? Well, for one, you can always play around with its design. You can have your scented soap shaped like a heart, a guitar, a personal computer, or a ball. You can also have your names especially engraved on the scented soaps. Or, if your vanity plays up, you can have both you and your fiancé’s faces engraved on that soaps! See, how cool is that? There are so many ways you can play up your scented soaps.

4. Scented candles. Scented candles have not gained a foothold in the wedding favors industry until recently. However, these tiny scented candles have become quite popular over the last couple of years that they have become pretty ordinary. To play up your scented candles, you can have them shaped in various silhouettes. You can also have your names or faces engraved on those scented candles. Certainly, they would make great wedding favors.

5. Now here is a trickier, albeit less expensive idea for your wedding favors. You can buy those little tequila shot glasses, a few decorative pebbles, and you can printout a tiny copy of you and your fiancé’s snapshot. Put the decorative pebbles and the mini picture inside the shot glass, and there… your personalized wedding favour.

Can you see the savings now? With that extra budget, you can buy your mom that plus size wedding attire she wants!

Christmas is a very special time to propose to your loved one. They might be hoping for an exciting present, but chances are that they won´t be expecting to unwrap a piece of wedding jewellery. It´s the perfect opportunity to produce that ring by sneaking it into their gift pile – just imagine the look on their face when they openjew the package!

Of course, you will need to be fairly confident that they won´t react with horror at the thought of uniting with you in holy matrimony, and that instead they will fling their arms around you with a joyful shout of ´Yes! Of course I´ll marry you, darling! ´, especially if the proposal is to be made in front of an audience. The humiliation of seeing the look of joy on your prospective mother-in-law´s face as her daughter snorts ´You must be joking! I´m dating you because it might be good for my career´, or ´Oh, did I forget to tell you? I´m immigrating to Outer Mongolia and marrying a Himalayan goat herder´ would crush any man´s interest in marriage forever.

The proposal will be most effective if the recipient has absolutely no idea of what is to come. It would be best not to share the plan with other family members, as they might get so excited that they unwittingly give some indication of what is to come. The prospective bride or groom should also be careful to avoid giving any hints themselves, and would be wise to avoid jewellery shops altogether when in the company of their better half (just in case the latter decides to drop some heavy hints, which would rather ruin the surprise element).

It might, in fact, be best to make the proposal in a quiet moment at some point over the Christmas holiday, not necessarily on the day itself. Maybe the smartest move would be to take your partner away for a romantic Christmas break, the great advantage being the absence of her fearsome mother (assuming her mother isn´t a charming lady who thinks she couldn´t possibly do better than you for a son-in-law). In the setting of a posh country hotel, or the azure Caribbean seas, many women would be lulled into such a happy mood that they would be more receptive to a proposal than if it took place in front of their drunken Uncle Bob. Why take the chance …

You hear talk of weddings costing on average £16,000 but not everyone can afford that and there is no need to spend so much, especially in these credit crunch times.  You can get everything from the dress to the jewellery cheaper if you organise in advance and look around.  As far as jewellery is concerned, there are wedding and engagement rings to suit every pocket.

The internet should be your first port of call – check out wedding dresses, photographers and jewellers.  Don’t forget eBay – you can pick up a gorgeous wedding dress or bridesmaid’s dress there for very little money.  There are lots of jewellers on line too with very reasonable prices – most will supply you with a ring gauge, so you can work out your exact size.  Check out the high street stores too – they often have sales, especially in mid-summer and just after Christmas.  You could bag yourself a bargain if you time it right.

 Remember local knowledge is good.  Ask around for the best florists and photographers and try if possible to speak to anyone who has recently been involved in a wedding.  Also ask about prices.  Don’t be frightened to negotiate.  In these credit crunch times, the professionals are just pleased to have your business and will probably bend over backwards to help.  Tell them how much you’re willing to pay.

Look around at all the local hotels.  Compare their prices and ask about any deals.  If possible, don’t be rushed into a decision.  Take time to consider all the possibilities.  As for the wedding cake, ask around too.  Maybe someone you know is a fantastic baker.  Or you can sometimes order cakes from High Street stores – they will make it to order for you.  Don’t feel you always have to go to a specialist.

On the internet, there are websites devoted to weddings on the cheap.  Visit all these.  Arm yourself with as much information as possible before making any decisions.

A source of family arguments can be the guest list and here you have to take control.  Inform your family that the numbers have to be limited.  Don’t be bullied into inviting everyone vaguely related to you or everyone your mother has ever known.  It’s your wedding after all.  If you wish a small wedding with only close family and a few friends, then draw up a list and stick to it.  Remind everyone politely that it’s your wedding.

After all, wouldn’t you rather have more money to spend on a honeymoon or on your house, rather than a wedding with guests whom you only ever see every 10 years or so ….. And may never see again?

Have fun and enjoy that credit crunch wedding!  The rest of your life as a couple lies ahead of you.