If you’re considering ordering a wedding gown through our convenient online bridal store, you may be apprehensive about whether or not your wedding dress will arrive in time for your important wedding day; luckily, at the Best for Bride wedding store, we understand your concerns, and we work hard to offer timely, reliable shipping services to our customers. By letting prospective customers know exactly what they can expect when they place their orders for evening dresses or plus size wedding dresses (among thousands of other bridal styles!), we ensure that there are no surprises… and no disappointment…

When you choose to order from our Best for Bride website, which is fully-stocked with a dazzling array of stunning white wedding dresses, wedding shoes and wedding invitations, you’ll gain access to some of the world’s most impressive designs.

Our exceptional bridal gowns feature delicate embellishments, superior fabrics, beautiful tailoring, and a host of romantic and feminine touches that make them very special. To do our dresses justice, we offer the very best personal service from our online representatives, and we back up our service with shipping that is professional, prompt, and so affordable.

In the Internet Age, many companies let down their clients by overcharging them for shipping, or by failing to deliver merchandise on time. At Best for Bride, we avoid these pitfalls to serve our brides-to-be better. We know that a great customer service experience is all about trust, so we work harder to earn your trust and to keep your trust.

Here are some things you need to know about shipping through our Best for Bride online bridal store…

Online Shipping Information

When you order from us, you may expect to receive your gorgeous wedding gown within 12-17 weeks; if you need a rush order, rest assured that most in-stock gowns from our collection can be shipped to you within 4 to 6 weeks. As soon as your payment is processed, your gown details are sent on to our designers, who prepare your dress for shipment according to your exact specifications. Along the way, we keep you posted with emails that let you know the status of your order; of course, this includes information about when your order ships out. By giving you the highest standards of service and communication, we allow you to plan your wedding without stress and strife…

As you can see, we offer the most competitive shipping times and service in the industry, and we are proud to provide our clients with failsafe shipping practices that ensure proper and timely delivery of our exclusive bridal dresses…

Whether you order mother of the bride dresses, wedding cakes (yes, we have those as well!) or wedding favours, you’ll find that our shipping services are truly second to none…

For our international clients, we offer shipping worldwide; from Russia to Canada to America to Israel and beyond…if you need a gown sent to any country in the world, we will make it happen, no matter where you are or where you plan to be…

Plan the Perfect Nuptials With Best for Bride…

As you can see, we cover all of the bases to serve you better; there is no risk and no downside when you choose our reputable online bridal shopping service. The fashionable wedding dresses and cheap bridesmaid dresses that you’ve dreamed of ordering will all be at your fingertips in as little as four weeks from your payment process date. It’s so fast and easy, and it allows you to choose your dream design from the comfort and privacy of your own home…in fact, with the help of our team of online wedding specialists, you can plan out almost every detail of your impending nuptials from your home computer or smart phone!

Plan the perfect wedding today, with the help of Best for Bride! 

Christmas is coming – if you’re considering a few fun gifts you’d like Santa to bring to you, you’re not alone. While no one wants to seem greedy or too acquisitive during the holidays, it’s only natural to want presents that bring happiness and please the senses.

For brides-to-be, certain gift ideas can actually help to make wedding planning (and related stress!) easier to handle. If you’re going to be walking down the aisle in the coming months, consider asking Santa for goodies that will help you to prepare for (and enjoy) your upcoming nuptials!

If you’re not celebrating Christmas, you may still want to check out these fun gift ideas – all are viable gift options for any special occasion during the lead-up to  your own wedding day!

Cutting Machines for Paper Crafts -

Are you interested in making your own place cards, menus, and other cardboard wedding favours? If you are, a cutting machine, such as a Cricut die cast machine, will give you incredible creative “powers”. These laser-cut, die cast cutting machines allow brides-to-be to create incredible layered and artistic effects.

A series of different cartridges are available for different purposes – some fun choices for weddings might include hearts, doves, bells, wedding cakes, or initials. If you’re “crafty”, a cutting machine will undoubtedly thrill you, as it will give you results that are straight out of Martha Stewart Living.

Different types and models of cutting machines are available – from budget to super deluxe. If you’d rather leave wedding invitations and wedding planning to the experts, you might prefer our next suggestion…

Aromatherapy – We’ve all seen Bridezillas in action…these self-obsessed, stressed-out stereotypes are never ladylike, calm, or composed. To avoid the diva label as you plan your wedding, stay as cool as a cucumber with soothing aromatherapy that balances the mind, body and spirit.

Essential oil burners from the Body Shop are one great Christmas gift idea that will give you months of pleasure before you marry. Certain essential oils used in aromatherapy have different effects on the system – for example, lemon or orange energizes and stimulates. To calm your system, opt for lavender (this scent helps you to fall asleep, or just to chill out) or vanilla.

Experimenting with aromatherapy is great fun, and it’s also a wonderful way to manage stress as you prepare to walk down the aisle in your white wedding dress…

Home Fitness Equipment -

If, like many women, you often feel too tired to drag yourself to the gym before or after work, you may be a prime candidate for  home fitness equipment. If you’d rather break a sweat in the comfort and privacy of your own home, and you have the self-discipline to use treadmills, Exercycles, elliptical machines, and other equipment faithfully, you may find that in-house exercise machines have a life-changing effect on your mind and body.

Just 30 minutes of cardio exercise each day will streamline your shape (an hour is even better), and it will also help you to cope with stress. With regular hard exercise, problems are processed more easily – you just don’t “sweat” the small stuff. Do yourself a favour this Christmas – ask Santa to bring you a nice recumbent Exercycle that you can ride while you watch Food TV…by your wedding day, you’ll be in excellent shape, both mentally and physically.

The main advantage of home fitness equipment is the way it saves you the hassle of driving to the gym, parking, packing and unpacking a gym bag, waiting for free machines, showering in a communal setting, etc. However, to get the benefits, you must work out at home several times per week.

Best for Bride Is Here to Help

There’s more to planning a wedding than staying fit and de-stressed beforehand – although both of those things help enormously. Most brides-to-be need expert guidance as they search for the prettiest wedding dresses, wedding bands, bridal rings, and wedding invitations. Luckily, our team of experienced and compassionate experts is here to help you every step of the way.

Our bricks-and-mortar bridal boutiques are located in Ontario, Canada, and they are the perfect place to find wedding dresses Toronto and bridesmaid dresses in Mississauga. For brides-to-be in other provinces (or countries!), we offer a convenient online bridal store that allows you to shop from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Contact our team today, and begin this important journey with some professional backup and advice. Happy Holidays from Best for Bride!

Every wedding is different, and some weddings are family events with lots of little ones (or older children) running around. If you’re planning a wedding, you may want to spend a little time coming up with the ideal setup for a truly child-friendly wedding.

With a little forethought and careful wedding planning, you will create an atmosphere where children feel happy, stimulated and valued…while also providing enough grown-up sophistication to make your wedding romantic and memorable.

Here are some tried-and-true tips for putting together a child-friendly wedding that appeals to guests of all ages:

Keep Them Entertained

Children have tons of energy, and it needs to be diverted properly, or kids may act out and cause a ruckus during your wedding ceremony. Since these minutes are so important, find a way to keep smaller children (who aren’t in your wedding party) occupied.

A clever little goodie bag stuffed with age-appropriate small toys can be an excellent idea – just opt for quiet toys that will stimulate them and keep them happily entertained until you’ve walked down the aisle and exchanged vows with your groom.

Even small and healthy snacks, such a boxes of raisins, may keep children quietly munching while you get married in peace. Your goody bag will be your first defense against the natural high spirits of your youngest guests!

If children will be in your wedding party, let them know they will receive their own goodie bags as soon as the ceremony is over, or offer them little presents beforehand to sweeten their moods. For flower girls, pretty pendants or bangle bracelets in sterling silver will be fine choices for special wedding favours. Fun hair accessories that match the color scheme of the wedding will also be great gifts, and they don’t have to cost a lot.

For boys, puzzles, miniature cars, or sports balls may be popular gift choices for goody bags; if you want to give boys something they can wear during your ceremony, consider fun, yet formal bow ties that make them feel all grown up.

Making Kids Happy at Your Reception

Most kids won’t want the sort of gourmet food you dream of for your wedding reception – children have delicate palates because their taste buds are still developing. Therefore, getting too creative with cuisine may ensure a gaggle of hungry and potentially agitated kids.

To cope, set up special kiddie tables where children can enjoy their own “child-friendly” menu – to make it fun, lay down paper tablecloths and set up plastic cups filled with crayons at each table. Of course, very young children, for whom crayons are a choke hazard, will need to stay with their Mom and Dad at the grown-up table.

Let kids draw and create while they sample food and drink that is just right for them. One example of impressive wedding food that is still fun for kids to eat is healthy chicken nuggets without any “filler” or additives – talk to your caterer about choices made from fresh ground chicken and high-quality breading – then, brainstorm some high-end dipping sauces (honey mustard, barbecue sauce, and homemade ketchup, for example). Homemade french fries baked in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt can be healthy versions of fast-food faves – and even picky kids will love them.

Pasta is also a simple (and inexpensive) way to please children – it doesn’t have to be fancy, just fresh and tasty with a healthy, homemade tomato sauce, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, and a touch of grated, good-quality cheese. Another workable idea is homemade mac-n-cheese – it’s awesome comfort food, it can be frozen and reheated, and just a couple of baking dishes full of this child-friendly staple can feed a lot of kids.

For desserts, let kids have some wedding cake, or make them a fun cupcake arrangement of “mini” wedding cakes, and then let them choose their perfect cupcake. Drinks should be healthy – avoid pop, as it will only make them more hyper. Limit sugary treats to dessert only – opt for natural fruit juices and pure bottled water.

If you have room at your reception venue, set up a playroom for kids, equipped with a TV and some popular movies on DVD. Cartoons are always a safe bet. Hiring a babysitter for the playroom area and “kid’s table” can be an extremely wise decision that barely puts a dent in your wedding budget, and all of the parents attending your wedding will be so grateful for your thoughtfulness.

Best For Bride is Here to Help

When you’re planning wedding decor ideas, wedding invitations, bridal dresses, and everything else you need to make your wedding special, you may need a little help along the way. At Best for Bride, we know how to take the pressure off of your shoulders. Our wedding planning services run the gamut…our team of caring and experienced specialists know how to find the perfect dress for your personal tastes and body type, while also offering advice on Feri jewelry bridal rings, cheap bridesmaid dresses, and wedding flowers.

For full-service wedding assistance that allows you to relax and enjoy this special time in your life, contact us today – Best for Bride is here to help…

If you’re looking for a modern-day “glass slipper” to wear as you walk down the aisle, you’ll need a delicate high heel that is embellished with glittering crystals. The perfect fairytale wedding requires plenty of attention to detail, so you should plan to spend a little time choosing the right footwear for your white wedding dress.

The best wedding shoes will be unforgettable – this is not the time for sensible shoes! However, since you will need to be on your feet for hours, comfort should always factor in. Ultimately, glamour is probably most important, so do be sure to indulge yourself with a fashionable “glass slipper” style design that will evoke all of the romance of Disney’s exquisite animated film, Cinderella.

To help you choose what’s best for your special day, we’ve put together some stunning, shimmering designs that will make you feel like a princess…

Sparkly Choices For A Fairytale Effect

Icy faux diamonds evoke the lustre of a true glass slipper, and they are very affordable. This feminine sandal is adorned with lush rows of intertwined rhinestones that catch the light; these high heels are designed to show off a professional pedicure to its best advantage.

If you’re planning to perform the “garter” ritual in front of your wedding party, you’ll be proud to show off your sparkling sandals while your new husband removes your silk or lace accessory!

These sandals should always be worn with bare legs (no stockings, please) – this style of wedding shoe also requires moisturized and perfectly waxed (or shaved) legs for the ideal effect. Be sure to choose a fun shade of toenail polish for your wedding day – ballet pink is a favorite with brides-to-be, but any color can work!

Our shimmering sandals are so pretty, you’ll be sure to treasure them after your wedding is over…

Ankle Straps Are Sexy And Flirty…

 Ankle straps add a sexy, flirty edge to your wedding outfit – without spoiling the fairytale fantasy. Highlight the lovely lines of your foot and lower leg with shimmering rows of clear gemstones!

Ankle strap sandals also offer a little more security as you walk down the aisle – since these types of high heels are fastened in place, they will minimize the possibility of tripping, or suffering from some other wedding-day “wardrobe malfunction” – you will have less chance of slipping out of this sandal than you would with a mule or slip-on pump…

Princess-Style Bridal Gowns Will Complete The Look

Best For Bride specializes in helping brides-to-be to make their fairytale dreams come true. To get the whole Cinderella look, choose a gown with a fitted bodice and a full, voluminous skirt. The one-shouldered bridal dress shown above is festooned with gorgeous, silken blossoms and layers and layers of filmy tulle!

Also, be sure that your bridal rings and “glass slipper” wedding shoes coordinate with your overall look. Our bridal shops in Toronto are a great place to begin your hunt for the perfect wedding dress, cheap bridesmaid dresses, wedding cakes, and wedding invitations…plus everything else you need to plan your dream wedding.

We also offer a convenient online bridal store, so you can get the bridal dress you’ve always wanted, right from the comfort of your own home…

Cool-weather weddings have their own particular charm…for example, the stunning landscapes and the emotions evoked by the beauty of autumn can create the perfect atmosphere for a romantic fall wedding.

If you’re considering tying the knot this autumn, there are some things you should know about wedding decor ideas, wedding dresses, and bridal dress accessories. With our expert guidance, you can look your most beautiful, while also organizing autumn nuptials that fulfill all of your dreams and desires.

Now that the warm days of summer are gone, use the bonfire beauty and turning leaves of autumn to your advantage…get creative to be a truly stunning autumn bride!

Tips For Autumn Brides-To-Be

To create the right look for autumn, cover up a little bit by choosing dresses for wedding with matching jackets, such as the gorgeous, fitted combination shown above. Another option is adding a lace shawl, faux-fur cape, or long, dramatic veil to a ballgown-style bridal dress, such as the one displayed at the very top of this blog post.

Covering up adds appropriate elegance that is just right for an autumn wedding, and you’ll stay warm and comfortable throughout the proceedings. Wedding photos taken outdoors will look perfect when you don a little jacket or shawl that covers your shoulders.

Bridesmaid wedding dresses should probably have sleeves, or be worn with little fitted cardigans. Take advantage of the cozy spirit of fall to style your wedding outfits, from your groom-to-be’s tuxedo, to your own wedding ensemble.

Choosing cream over pure white can also be a fine choice for many women…creamier tones work well with the natural palette of the season. However, your natural coloring is the most important variable. If you’re cool complected (pink undertones), pure white is the best choice. Warmer undertones (yellowish) will look stunning in off-white or cream.

Makeup and Hair Tips

Makeup should be elegant and not too sheer – rich cranberry-toned lips (cool complexion), or honey-pink neutrals (warm complexion) with plenty of pigment will look wonderful.

Skin should not be too tanned for a natural autumn effect. Use a dusting of peachy-pink blush (Cover Girl Rose Silk Cheekers Blush is perfect – and very, very cheap!) to cast a glow over dark or pale skin – without adding too much color.

Top your lip color with a satiny gloss for an elegant effect. Hair should be shiny, with lots of low lights, rather than bright, summery highlights. Experiment with looks before your wedding day, and take photographs of potential wedding hair and makeup in typical fall light (muted sunshine, or overcast skies) to see what works best for you.

Looks For Your Wedding Party

Exciting autumn-inspired looks for your wedding party could match this palette for cohesive style. Here’s one wonderful example of a mother of the bride dress with a rich, vibrant autumn palette:

As you can see, burnt orange or cinnamon red aren’t the only mother of the bride dresses options that evoke the spirit of fall. Dark, rich and elegant taffesta with luxurious ruffles is also the perfect complement to an autumn-themed wedding!

For cheap bridesmaid dresses, rich brown is a wonderful look that is so refined – a dress such as the pretty sheath shown below could be accessorized with a cardigan in saffron yellow, cranberry or deep forest green for a custom effect that looks beautiful for autumn. One advantage of this lovely deep brown shade is that it’s so wearable after the wedding is over…

We’re Here To Help

Wedding decor for autumn should feature the right tones and textures…from table linens in deep red to flowers in orange, tobacco-brown, and crimson. If you need help pulling it all together, you’re not alone. However, we’re here to help, so reach out to Best for Bride!

Our team of caring and experienced wedding specialists can help you organize almost every aspect of your autumn wedding. We are here to take the pressure off, and our services are so affordable. In fact, we even offer financing to help brides-to-be find the dresses of their dreams, and wedding decor Toronto to help our clients plan the fairy-tale weddings they’ve always imagined.

The glitz, the glamour and the glitter of a celebrity wedding is fascinating to us mere mortals. While the rest of us are happy being swept to our own wedding in a classic Used BMW, Hollywood does things a little differently.

If you’re one of the Kardashian sisters, one car is never really going to be enough is it? Kim Kardashian’s wedding saw her travelling in style with a fleet of cars including Rolls Royces, Maybachs and more! Every guest arrived in ice-white luxury. Miss Kardashian has always taken her method of transport seriously as she drives a Rolls Royce Ghost around Hollywood just to run errands, so it’s no surprise she went all-out with the transport for her wedding.

Also a fan of the Rolls Royce, Britain’s newest royal, the former Miss Kate Middleton, opted for a 1977 Rolls Royce Phantom VI to get her to the church on time. Unperturbed by the fact that a few months previously, her father-in-law Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles had been pelted by eggs and bottles by protesters in the very same car, she chose the Rolls over the classic Glass Coach favored 30 years earlier by Lady Diana Spencer. Maybe she wanted to avoid some of the spectacle a carriage would have provided. Leaving the Abbey was a different matter. Kate and Wills wowed the crowds following the ceremony in an open topped 1902 State Landau horse-drawn carriage on their trip back to Buckingham Palace.

For a touch of old Hollywood glamour, you can’t do much better than Grace Kelly. In her wedding in 1952, she traveled to the church in a Mark Vl Rolls Royce / Bentley Park Ward convertible finished in British Racing Green for a look that was as understated as it was glamorous. One of only 6 ever built, the car is still available to hire for those who can afford it and want to emulate one of the most beautiful women to ever live.

Going the traditional route with a vintage white Rolls Royce for her 2011 wedding, the usually oh-so-edgy supermodel Kate Moss made her wedding to Jamie Hince totally timeless. A classic car gives any wedding a touch of glamour and will certainly prevent wedding photos from looking dated when Kate looks back on them in a few years.

Not technically a celebrity wedding, more the wedding of a celebrity sibling, Keira Knightley was a bridesmaid at her brother’s wedding in 2010 and got just as much attention as the bride in her prom-style plum-colored bridesmaid’s dress. Giving the wedding a kooky edge, the bride arrived in a classic London cab. However, for the purposes of wedding transport, the cab was white. This unusual method of wedding transport helped designer Kerry Nixon (in her retro wedding dress) really stand out from the crowd.

If you fancy a bit of celebrity style at your wedding, you may not be able to hire a fleet like Miss Kardashian, but you can hopefully hire one beautiful car to make your wedding special.

Helen Pritchard writes for both netcars.com, a used car classified website and Car Finance 247 who specialize in helping people obtain car finance deals.

Today, many brides consider the environment while they plan their wedding ceremonies and receptions. Avoiding waste , ordering planet-friendly supplies, and conserving energy at a grand celebration can be tricky, but it’s not impossible.

In fact, planning a “green” wedding can be a wonderful experiment that most guests will really appreciate. There are plenty of ways to ensure that your wedding is as environmentally-conscious as it can be; here are some excellent tips to help you get started:

Choose A Local, Sustainable Menu

Supporting local farmers and local businesses can be an excellent starting point when planning a planet-friendly wedding. After all, so much fuel, energy and packaging is wasted when food products are imported. Choosing local, sustainable ingredients is a perfect way to support your community and protect the environment. Look for fresh produce in season, and choose a menu that celebrates the hard work of local farmers.

Buying food products grown in your locality can be a great way of making sure that everything served at your wedding is as fresh as it can possibly be. While certain types of food, such as wild-farmed salmon, organic beef and chicken, and organic fruits and veggies can cost more, they are free of harmful pesticides, hormones, and other nasty additives. Your guests will taste the difference, and you will support environmentally-conscious local businesses. Make sure your friends and family know that you’ve chosen a fresh, local menu – they’ll love the idea!

Use Recycled Paper For Save-The-Date Notes, Invitations, Place Cards, and Menus

There are plenty of excellent ways to use recycled paper and cardboard to create gorgeous wedding invitations, place cards, and menus. If you’re outsourcing these items from a local designer or printer, be sure to request the materials you want – any reputable printer or artist will be more than happy to comply with your wishes.

To create lovely decorations, invitations, place cards and menus from recycled paper – get creative! Use appliques, ribbon, stencils and rubber stamps to give your work a chic, homespun vibe. A hot glue gun can be a great way to add embellishments to planet-friendly recycled wedding favors and invitations. You might also want to look for envelopes made from recycled materials…

Keep Things Simple And Old-Fashioned

A low-fi, old-school approach to wedding entertainment can give your reception a lot of charm. Instead of a noisy rock band or cheesy, loud wedding singers, consider a folk-rock musician who only needs a single mike, a couple of amps, and an acoustic guitar. Even a string quartet can provide amazingly beautiful music during a wedding ceremony, and they won’t need much “juice” to do it. You may also want to conserve power by planning a simple, outdoor ceremony that takes advantage of bright sunlight. Candlelight can be a romantic, planet-friendly option for your wedding reception. Votives and natural beeswax candles can be fragrant, flattering, and lovely to behold.

Plan A Natural Bridal Look That Reinforces Your “Green” Theme

Looking pretty, natural and fresh-faced will complement your wedding’s healthy, planet-friendly feel. Look for a bridal dress that is simple and not too sexy.

If you love funkier, edgier style, express yourself with an unusual gown, such as the cool bridal dress style shown above. Be yourself by choosing a white wedding dress that really reflects your personal taste and sensibilities.

A pretty laurel of flowers in your hair will be lovely choice – this style has been worn by brides since the Middle Ages. Keep your hairstyle soft and natural – avoid hairspray and a lacquered, fussy look. To highlight your bridal gown and hair, do natural makeup that focuses on soft, neutral earth tones – pinky-brown lip glosses, such as MAC Lust, will add just enough color and shine. Glowing cheeks can be achieved with a simple swipe of peachy blush, such as the popular Nars Orgasm. Foundation should be used sparingly, and it should be designed to create a soft, dewy effect. Almay’s lightweight, sheer bases are a great choice for this kind of look.

Your bridal rings should be carefully chosen to reflect your overall style – in general, the type of woman who wants a “green” wedding won’t need a lot of bling. Subtle Feri jewelry and a small bouquet of wildflowers can be more than enough to set off your natural beauty as you walk down the aisle in your wedding dress. If you’ve overspent setting up your green wedding, consider shopping for cheap bridesmaids dresses to save a little money; online bridal boutiques, such as our Best For Bride wedding emporium, offer high quality designs for a reasonable price.

Most brides and grooms-to-be must consider their wedding budgets when they plan their nuptials. Weddings can get very expensive, and it’s a rare couple that doesn’t have to worry about the cost of catering, alcohol, music, renting a venue, etc. For many brides, one of the most important parts of wedding planning is choosing the right bridal gown. In most cases, this white wedding dress is incredibly meaningful for the bride-to-be – therefore, it should probably not be a budget item.

In fact, brides-to-be tend to regret buying cheap wedding dresses after the ceremony and reception are finished. Of course, there are exceptions, but quality does show in wedding photos and videos. So, in general, it’s smart to save on other aspects of the wedding, so that you can enjoy getting the dress you really want. It still doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but it should fulfill your fairytale dreams for your special day – you deserve to feel like a queen when you walk down the aisle.

Luckily, there are lots of ways to economize if you’re smart and organized. Planning well in advance can be key – give yourself time to comparison shop on everything from catering to wedding flowers to wedding favors – if you’re rushed and under pressure, you’ll end up buying overpriced items out of desperation. Instead, use the months before your wedding to research deals and plan your strategy.

You’ll be glad you didn’t move too fast when you consider the overall cost of your ceremony and reception. By putting some energy into finding lower-priced items and services, you’ll be able to enjoy your wedding more – after all, no one wants to return from the honeymoon to be confronted with a mountain of debt. Debt creates stress, and it take a lot of romance out of the blissful newlywed state.

Here are some practical tips on saving money at your wedding:

Rent His Tux – Unless you have a lot to spend, you should consider tuxedo rental for your groom-to-be. Most men don’t really care too much about whether or not they actually own their tuxedo. If he’s not particularly obsessed with fashion, he’ll probably be glad to rent something nice and return it afterwards. You can outfit him in style when you choose to rent instead of buying. Good tuxedos are actually incredibly expensive.

Make Your Own Invitations And Wedding Favours – Many women enjoy making crafts – they watch Martha Stewart and other skilled crafters and feel inspired. Today, there are ways to get a completely charming and polished result when you make wedding invites, place cards, menus, and wedding favours yourself.

Scrap booking stores will usually have everything you need to do the job yourself. You can use stencils, pretty colored card paper, and stick-on embellishments, such as tiny “crystals”, to make your work look really special. If you’re seriously into crafting, consider investing in a die cast personal cutting machine, such as a Cricut. This type of computerized device can be loaded with cartridges that include pretty borders, letters, hearts, flowers, or whatever you can dream up! Then, you just feed in the paper and the machine creates perfect cutouts.

Choosing a cartridge with a wedding theme can be a great way to make your own decorations, wedding invitations and wedding favours, If you really like making crafts, a machine like this will pay for itself in terms of the pleasure it brings you through the years. It can definitely save you money as you prepare for your wedding.

Keep Things A Little Less Formal –

in general, the more formal and elaborate a wedding is, the more it will cost to plan it and to carry out that plan. By loosening up your wedding ceremony (or perhaps your reception) and keeping it more casual, you can be more creative with cost-saving techniques.

Food will be a huge expense at your wedding, so consider sharing some of the work with your caterer – perhaps the caterer could provide entrees, and you could prepare side dishes, salads, and other foodstuffs yourself. If you’re planning something fun like a beach wedding, consider outdoor grilling and buy great cuts of meat wholesale. Then, hire a cook or chef to take care of things while you celebrate. Look for recipes that are glamorous and high-impact, but don’t contain pricey ingredients. Be a frugal gourmet to save money as you feed your guests.

Brides-to-be who follow these smart tips and use their ingenuity to plan a cheaper wedding can reward themselves by choosing the wedding dresses they’ve always dreamed of wearing.

If you’re not the old-fashioned type who wants a traditional wedding dress and veil, you’re not alone. Many fashion-conscious brides feel uncomfortable with puffy princess gowns and sparkling tiaras.

If you’re the modern type, you may prefer to wear clean lines or riskier, couture-inspired styles on your special wedding day. These sleek, cutting-edge designs can look wonderful, since they are generally quite body-conscious – without being tight or tacky. Any women can look beautiful in modern designs – they streamline a voluptuous figure with careful tailoring, and they also give a leaner build a runway-ready silhouette…

When you’re at the bridal boutique, look for straighter styles, such as sheath dresses. Experiment with shorter gowns – they can be quite chic and they always send a modern message…

Modern style is about looking fresh and polished. You should not appear to be trying too hard to be feminine or sexy…it’s about easy elegance and confidence! To get the perfect effect, you need to find the ultimate white wedding dress, bridal rings, and other important wedding accessories.

With a modern aesthetic, nothing should be overdone…beading and embellishments are generally scaled-down and subtle…if not absent altogether. For the modern bride-to-be, minimalism and spare, arty design elements can be very appealing..and flattering. Here are some tips on creating a chic, modern vibe at your wedding:

Focus On One Detail – You can still have drama while embracing the modern aesthetic…simply choose one detail of your wedding outfit, and go for stand-out style. A simple hairband with an outsize flower attached (such as the one worn by the model at the top of the page) can add charm and whimsy to a sleek, tea-length bridal dress.

When doing your makeup and hair, it’s also good to focus on one special detail for each. For example, consider a sleek modern up-do, with some interesting style details in the back. Tiny braids woven into the bun or chignon, or a hair-wrapped low ponytail can be lovely. Your creative hair elements should not detract from your overall modern look – they should always be subtle and low-key.

When you do your makeup, focus on eyes or lips, but not both. Modern makeup artists only highlight one feature when they do realistic, wearable makeup for magazines and the runway. A wash of sheer color on the eyes, a faint flush on the cheekbones, and a soft, velvety matte-finish lipstick in a fresh color can be great ways to keep things modern.

If you want to highlight your eyes, consider a thin line of silver-blue eyeliner along the top and bottom lashes. Gwenyth Paltrow, known for her modern style, often pairs this eyeliner look with a sleek dress, flat-ironed hair, and wild shoes (her one bold detail). She generally keeps her lip color soft, using a pale pink lipstick or soft, cool pink gloss (try Chanel Glossimer in Charming). Now and then, she will take the focus off of her eyes and do a vibrant, matte red lip with a neutral eye (shadows in taupe and icy champagne work well for this).

Modern colors are often cool in tone – silver, blue-gray, white and black are always chic and minimalist. Using these colors in your eye makeup can give you a modern effect, as long as the finishes are sheer and eyeliner, mascara, etc. is expertly applied. However, so much depends on your natural coloring…for example, a redhead with a peaches-and-cream complexion will look more modern in warm tones that blend with the tones of her skin and hair…

Diamond Luxury Can Be Also Be Modern And Wearable

Your bridal rings should be chosen with care – you will be wearing them every day! Some women are very active, and they prefer a sleeker, flatter engagement ring/wedding band set that won’t catch on things and get in the way. The stunning piece featured above is a stellar example of a modern wedding band that still offers total luxury. Sleek links, crafted from glam 21k white gold, offer a touch of cool, industrial style, while diamond accents provide subtle, elegant shimmer.

This wearable design is meant to be treasured for a lifetime, and it will go with everything in the modern bride’s wardrobe. In general, white gold and silver are more modern than yellow gold. However, you should feel free to break the fashion rules whenever you like – it’s your wedding and you should always make choices that feel right to you!

Adding modern elements to your reception’s table settings, your wedding invitations and wedding flowers, and even your menu (think fresh and local) will be great ways to reinforce your theme on the big day. Guests will love the chic, fresh vibe!

Whether you’re planning a small, intimate wedding, or a huge ceremony and reception, you’ll need to decide exactly who you should invite. This seemingly simple task can actually be quite stressful – it can be difficult to make these choices, since they may affect your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.

If you need a little help planning out your numbers, you’ll enjoy this quick guide to creating the perfect guest list for your wedding. With our expert tips, it will be easier to make decisions that feel right to you – you’ll also be better prepared to stay on schedule and on budget. Here’s are some things to think about:

Small, Medium, or Large?

Your wedding size, the amount of people in your wedding party (bridesmaids, best man, ushers, etc.), and the number of guests you’ll invite are usually closely linked to your wedding budget. Therefore, knowing how much money you can spend on your ceremony and reception is priority one.

Today, many brides-to-be opt for smaller weddings that don’t cost a fortune – typically, as few as 15 or as many as 100 guests will be invited to watch you walk down the aisle in your white wedding dress! A medium-sized wedding will have 100+ to 300 guests, and a large wedding will have a guest list from 300+ to 500+ guests.

In order to set the right budget, you need to decide on the scale of your wedding – when you set up a budget, you should consider the cost of renting a venue, the price of catering and liquor, decor, your wedding dress, bridal rings, live musicians or a DJ, etc. You must also consider the cost of flowers, invitations, wedding favors…there are a lot of things to think about here. Sitting down and plotting things out will allow for a more accurate estimate.

If you’re working with a wedding planner, you must also think about the costs of their services…a wedding planner may actually save you money by finding affordable floral arrangements and decor, etc. Their expertise and connections can help you find deals during the planning process…

When you sit down to make a wedding budget, be generous with your estimates – it’s a rare bride-to-be who brings the whole thing in on or under budget…in other words, prepare yourself for overages and plan accordingly so you don’t run out of money. Using Excel software to make a wedding spreadsheet is a great idea – it allows you to see the big picture every time you open your document. Any good accounting software package, such as Quickbooks, may also be useful.

If you’re not software-savvy, make your own ledger in a notebook – the important thing is write down every single anticipated expense, and to regularly balance your ledger as you write checks, pay for wedding-related costs, and see what’s left to buy or rent.

Once you’ve decided on small, medium, or large, it will be easier to begin crafting a guest list.

Look At Your Relationships

Everyone will tell you that it’s your wedding, and that you should invite whomever you want to…however, life is not really that simple. You must consider your relationships, past and present, when deciding who to invite. You must consider the “political” implications of including or excluding certain people – will they be offended? Will your choices have negative consequences? If your wedding is small, it’s often easier to explain the decision to invite only close family and friends. However, some feathers may still be ruffled by your choices.

Many couples find the selection process very draining, but it doesn’t have to be. Start by going through your contacts in Outlook email, “black books”, and social networking sites. Think about who you really connect with on a regular basis – you should honor the friendships and relationships that are nurtured every day. Aside from immediate family (who should always be invited, unless there is a lot of family drama or issues at play), these close friends who make an effort to connect with you should be second on the list.

Next, think about your career – are there any colleagues, such as a boss or partner, who might be offended if they don’t receive an invitation? It’s often better to include such persons on your guest list – after all, we spend so much of our time at work, that it just makes sense to keep our work relationships as healthy as possible!

Now that you have a master list of immediate family, close friends, and colleagues, add up your numbers. Can you make your “magic” number work with your size of wedding? If you have space left over, think about inviting more distant family members…or allow guests to bring a date with them. If you’ve got too many people for your scale of wedding, you need to narrow your choices down…or plan a larger wedding.

If someone else is helping you pay for your nuptials, you should be very sensitive to their desires, as they relate to the guest list. Yes, it’s your wedding, but they are spending lots of money to make your day special! In light of this, it’s a great idea to consult with your parents or whomever is paying for wedding dresses, venue, catering, and all of the bells and whistles, before you finalize the guest list. It’s all about diplomacy and showing your gratitude.

Stand Behind Your Choices

Once you’ve carefully considered your vision for your wedding, and how it can be realized with the ideal guest list, you should be confident with your choices. In the end, you’ve done your best to think of everyone. Now, it’s time to move on to the “fun stuff”! Choosing a bridal dress, bridesmaids dresses, and wedding accessories can be much more fun than planning the guest list. Stand behind your choices, and truly enjoy the romantic special occasion that lies ahead!