Alfred Angelo

Planning a wedding is work enough without having to worry about keeping up with all the new trends that seem to be constantly popping up. There are new “in” colours, and modern food trends, not to mention the latest and greatest in cocktail beverages!

Of course, wedding dresses are no different. Every year, we see new looks, new details, even new shades of white! With so much changing so constantly, how can you sift through all the noise and find the few important trends in 2010 wedding dresses? Maybe we can help:

• Trend #1 – Ruffles are hot this year. Very hot! So put everything else you've heard aside and make sure to check out some dresses that offer some sort of ruffling.

  You'll find dresses with horizontal tiers, with vertical ruffles, or a little ruffling on one of the edges, be it neckline, hemline, or sleeve. You'll also see ruffles on veils and jackets.

  Tip: if you are short and full figured, stay away from horizontal tiers; they'll make you look shorter and wider. If in doubt, choose a style with a little ruffle on the neckline but not the hemline. A ruffle on the hemline will, again, make you look shorter.

  

  Eden Bridals #2335

• Trend #2 – Crystal beading will be very popular this year too. Thanks to many years of plain styles, designers have opted to add a little pizzaz to the line up with some embellishments.

  Tip: petite brides beware to not overdo this trend. Too much beading will overpower your small frame.

  

  Eden Bridals #2329

• Trend #3 – Folded, gathered, or pleated skirts will be very big this year, literally and figuratively. Again, the last few season's of plain skirts have opened up a stream of more interesting looks. Full bodied fabrics like satin and taffeta will pave the way for the once plain skirt to be folded, gathered, tucked and pleated to create drama and interest in the gown.

  Tip: Bigger dresses with heavier fabrics equal weighty dresses. Try the dress on for quite a while before deciding. You have to make sure you can handle all the fabric and weight for the duration of the day.

  

  Alfred Angelo

Trends come and go but if you want to be a cutting edge bride with a gown that is totally in, keep in mind that you don't have to go all into the trend. Pick aspects of it and apply it to a style that suits you best. This way, you have a dress that's just right for you with a hint of what a 2010 wedding dress is all about!

Perhaps your groomsmen prefer a glass of wine with their lady instead of slamming drinks with the guys. Refined etched flutes with inscriptions can be used for the wedding toast and then taken home to remember your wedding day forever.

For guys who make major decision on the golf course, give your groomsmen an attractive golf ball bag. This useful groomsman gift will get plenty of use on the greens by golf enthusiasts. Do you all appreciate an exotic cigar after a day of golfing? Another great groomsman gift is a silver plated brass cigar tube, complete with the groomsman’s favorite cigar.

Maybe your groomsmen don’t drink, smoke or play golf. Original groomsmen gifts used for daily tasks are a practical idea. A monogrammed stainless steel flashlight is a handy item to have in the car, basement, garage, boat or camper. Everyone carries money so a silver plated brass money clip is another groomsman gift that will be put to good use. Be thoughtful and include several single dollars in the money clips when you give them to your groomsmen.

Hundreds of years ago, wedding favors were expensive tokens of appreciation given by the wealthy. Wedding guests were delighted to receive presents for attending a posh party so word spread quickly about this new custom. Soon enough people from every financial background offered wedding guests favors to reception attendees. Some of these wedding guests favors were homemade while others were more expensive, just as they are today.

Can you imagine arriving at a wedding reception and not finding wedding guest favors waiting for everyone who attends? The guests would look everywhere to find wedding guest favors. Although wedding guest favors are usually displayed next to each place setting, sometimes they get their own table of honor in a central location at the reception. If none were found, the happy couple may wind up feeling rather foolish when everyone questions why there were no wedding guest favors. Your guests would be quite disappointed to leave the reception without wedding guests favors to remember the event.

Regardless of your budget or wedding theme, there are favors to compliment your special day. Whether you have a small affair on a tight budget or an elaborate gathering in a luxurious location, you can find wedding guest favors to suit the occasion.

Flowers are a part of most wedding ceremonies and receptions. Give out wedding guest favors to match your bouquets. Elegant orchid gel candles make wonderful wedding guest favors to match exotic bouquets. If you use traditional calla lilies, give out tiny treats such as candies or Jordan almonds in calla lily mini pails. Elegant calla lily bottle stoppers in their own planter gift boxes make unique wedding guest favors to match your classic floral arrangements.

Choosing original, awesome attire for the wedding is a top priority for many couples. After all, everyone will be watching the bride and groom so you want to look your best. Dress up your wedding guests favors with shiny satin gown favor bags at each place setting. “Crowning Moments” tiara photo key chains are the crowning glory for your guests to take home after the party is over.

Wedding guest favors can also match the season of your special day. Whether you have a summer, fall, winter or spring ceremony, there are eye-catching wedding guests favors to reflect the season. Use “Shining Sails” silver place card holders at a waterfront summer wedding and give your guests “Castles in the Sand” castle tea lights to take home. For a fall wedding, “Fall in Love” garden glass gel candles are simply breathtaking because they incorporate the incredible colors of autumn. At a winter wedding, your guests will appreciate receiving “Snowfall” exquisite glass photo coasters featuring a photo of the happy couple. In the spring, “Love Grows” plantable flowers are a gift that keeps giving. When everyone plants these cute wedding guest favors they will remember you as each flower blossoms.

Frames are popular wedding guest favors because everyone can use them to display a picture of the newlyweds. Photo frames can also do double duty as place card holders, such as the “Good Wishes” pearlized glass photo frame/place card holder. Your guests are guided to their seats by pretty place card holders they can take home to display your wedding photo.

Personalized wedding guest favors ensure your guests never forget where they got the gift so they remember you for years to come. “Our New Monogram” monogrammed votive candles in sheer organza bags combine romance with personalization, making them fabulous wedding guest favors for any type of reception.

Candles are affordable, enjoyable wedding guest favors everyone enjoys. Tasteful teacups and tea lights miniature porcelain tea light holders are ideal for a classic, elegant wedding reception. Add a Victorian flair to your wedding tea party with “Be Seated” Victorian chair tea light place card holders that become lasting keepsakes after your reception ends.

Wedding guest favors are a traditional way to show your thanks to everyone for sharing your day and celebrating your love.

There are many good reasons to choose personalized wedding favors to express appreciation to your guests including:

- personalized wedding favors can be used to express a particular theme or sentiment in words, whether sentimental, serious or whimsical;

- personalized wedding favors with your name and date are a constant reminder of you special day so guests never forget where they came from and always remember the time they shared with you; and

- Personalized wedding favors are thoughtful, customized and show how much you care.

Guests love to receive personalized wedding favors because they are truly lasting keepsakes of the moments they shared with you. Often, wedding favors are tucked on a shelf or in a curio, and years later the receiver forgets where they came from. Personalized wedding favors will remind your guests of your reception long after the party is over. Even if many years go by, personalized wedding favors will always be recognized by the recipients.

When a couple gets married, often the wife takes the husband’s last name. To show off the joining of two people under one name and spirit, monograms are used on personalized wedding favors. These monogrammed favors show off the new initial the married couple shares. Show off your new monogram with “Our New Monogram” monogrammed votive candles in their own sheer organza bags. Your guests will proudly display this lovely candle to remember the light of your love.

Shot glass favors are a popular, affordable way to express thanks to your guests while offering a lasting keepsake of the day. Personalized shot glass and votive holders are available in numerous designs to match the theme of your wedding day. From sunflowers to roses to hearts, you can find personalized wedding votive candles that capture the essence of your theme. Fill the personalized shot glasses with candies or Jordan almonds then wrap them in tulle and tie them up with personalized ribbons. You can also fill these attractive shot glass votive candle holders with fragrant candles in colors to match your wedding theme. Shot glass personalized wedding favors will become a treasured gift for your guests to bring home.

If your guests prefer java to a stiff drink, choose personalized wedding favors that relate to the crowd. Show you are the perfect blend with elegant personalized coffee kits with its own heart-shaped scoop. Gourmet coffee in a personalized package is a gracious gift to express your appreciation to your guests.

You can create personalized wedding favors by using custom gift boxes and bags. A miniature silver chair favor box with a heart charm and ribbon matches any wedding theme and can be monogrammed. Show your guests how much you want them with welcome to our wedding personalized welcome bags with white satin ribbon handles. Fill these elegant bags with tempting goodies for your guests to enjoy after the reception.

Give your guests a customized gift that goes anywhere. From romantic dinners to camp trips, your guests will appreciate receiving a personalized travel candle in a sheer organza bag. Even if your guests use the candle, they can still keep the personalized tin it came in to remember your special day forever.

Personalized wedding favors can be given to the happy couple and wedding party, too. Have a personalized champagne flute for the bride and groom as well as each member of the wedding party. After the toasting ceremony, everyone can bring their personalized champagne flutes homes as a memory of the moment.

You can give special personalized wedding favors as gifts to your wedding party to thank them for all their support. A monogrammed 5-piece manicure set is a useful gift for your wedding party. Your bridal party will love receiving a monogrammed cosmetic bag to hold their favorite makeup.

Give thoughtful, personalized wedding favors to your guest and wedding party to expresses your thanks in a special way.

Shot glasses are associated with celebrating. People toss down their favorite drinks served in a shot glass in an instant to show off their desire to party. Shot glasses symbolize festivities and fun, making them perfect keepsakes for your wedding guests. Everyone will appreciate the joyful spirit of shot glass wedding favours. After the party is over, your guests can display their special shot glass wedding favours in their china cabinets or on their bar as an ongoing memory of your day.

Shot glass wedding favours are presented in various ways. You can display tea lights in a shot glass at each place setting or use a cluster of tealights in shot glasses as centerpieces. Shot glasses also hold votive candles for illuminated displays. Use personalized shot glass wedding favours during the toast to the bride and groom. Give all your guests their own shot glass to take home after the toast. You can fill shot glasses with Jordan almonds or candies to create a beautiful wedding favour for all your guests. Wrap the shot glasses with tulle and tie them at the top with personalized ribbons to create breathtaking wedding favours.

Just as there are many ways to use shot glasses as wedding favours, there are countless designs to choose from. Engraved and decorated shot glasses match the theme of your wedding day. Choose your wedding theme before you start shopping for accessories, decorations and favours. Your wedding theme can reflect the season, your personal preferences or be based on a particular color scheme. No matter what wedding theme you select, there are unique shot glass wedding favours to make your reception tables even more special.

Romance is always a popular theme for weddings because it is the very essence of the day. Express two hearts coming together in marriage with a double heart shot glass. Keep the sentiment simple and straightforward by using shot glasses stating “Live, Love, Laugh”. If you decide to release doves after your wedding ceremony, celebrate the moment forever with two doves on your shot glass wedding favours.

Couples also select wedding themes based on their ethnicity. Many couples from every background opt for the exotic elegance of an Oriental theme wedding. Include double happiness shot glass wedding favours for an authentic feel at your Oriental wedding. If you have a traditional Jewish wedding, your guests will love Star of David shot glass wedding favours to remember your special day.

Did you dream of getting married someday and feeling like a princess on your wedding day? A fairytale theme wedding is perfect for you. Include shot glass wedding favours imprinted with a castle, your names and the dates as a lasting keepsake of your Cinderella princess wedding. You can also used shot glasses imprinted with images of a loving bride and groom.

Are you going to Paris for your honeymoon? Celebrate the spirit of your fabulous honeymoon by giving your guests shot glass wedding favours featuring the Eiffel Tower. Are you planning a delightful destination wedding in the Caribbean? Give your guests shot glasses imprinted with shells and filled with small seashells or beach sand.

Vegas wedding themes are a popular choice for many modern couples. Celebrate the excitement of hitting the jackpot on your wedding day with shot glass wedding favours featuring the famous triple sevens indicating you won.

If you decide to have a seasonal wedding, use snowflake shot glass wedding favours for a winter reception. Falling leaves on your shot glass wedding favours are perfect for an autumn ceremony. If you have a spring or summer wedding, use shot glasses imprinted with sunflowers, daisies, roses or calla lilies.

Your shot glass wedding favours can also commemorate certain special ceremonies during the reception. Give out shot glasses with images of a wedding cake or champagne flutes as a lasting memory of your special day.

Shot glass wedding favours are a fun way to thank your guests with celebratory keepsake of your big day.

wedding favours for men

The men you make your marriage possible deserve to receive wedding favours for men. Give your groomsmen special gifts to remember their part in your day. Practical wedding favours for men won’t be tucked away in a drawer so your groomsmen will think of you when they use them.

If your friends love their cars, give them luxury steering wheel key holders. Every time they grab their car keys, they will hold your wedding gift. A stainless steel multi tool pocket knife is a timeless treasure for your groomsmen. A pocket knife comes in handy for multiple reasons.

Do your and your groomsmen share special interests? Personalize the wedding favours for men by giving unique items that appeal to their senses. It’s thoughtful to give your groomsmen gifts to celebrate your favorite things. When you get together, do you smoke fine cigars and relax? Have you spent time searching for the most flavorful cigars to add to your collection? A thoughtful gift for your cigar aficionado groomsmen are silver plated brass cigar tubes to store their finest smokes. They can keep their favorites fresh and think of your wedding when they use brass cigar tubes.

Maybe you and your groomsmen don’t smoke and prefer to spend time in the great outdoors. If you enjoy hiking, camping and fishing with your friends, stainless steel multi tools are great gifts that will come in handy many times over. For guys who prefer an organized outdoor experience such as golf, give out cool golf ball bags to your groomsmen to remember your wedding when they tee off.

Some guys don’t care what they do together as long as beer is served. Whether you all go to a restaurant, bar or basement with a BYOB policy, your groomsmen will appreciate brushed finish stainless steel tankards. They can really get the most out of a keg with these oversized tankards personalized for their own use. If beer isn’t the beverage of choice and the guys enjoy liquor instead, stainless steel flasks are top notch gifts for your groomsmen.

Wine tasting is another popular way to spend time and get buzzed. If your groomsmen share fine wine and good times, give out a two section wine carry bag with two of their favorite bottles included. A footed pilsner glass with personal engraving is another wedding favour for men who appreciate good wine.

Not all men appreciate liquor and some are making a solid attempt to avoid it. If you all prefer a strong cup of java instead, your groomsmen will like receiving personalized premium java vacuum travel mugs. Every time they grab a cup of coffee on the go, they will remember your wedding day for a brief moment.

Business is another common ground you may share with your groomsmen. If you’re all motivated to succeed and ready for networking anytime, give your groomsmen a personalized flip top card case to store their business cards. Wherever they go, your groomsmen will have a classy way to present their business cards in pristine condition.

Another practical gift for your groomsmen is a travel desk clock. No matter what type of personality your groomsmen have, they can use this practical item for many purposes.

You can also give out wedding favours for men at your bachelor party or a male/female bridal shower, which is the latest way to celebrate before the wedding. A perfect blend elegant personalized coffee kit with a chrome coffee spoon is perfect for both men and women at a shower. If you have a bachelor party at the beach, the guys will appreciate a scallop shell bottle stopper to use when they have wine with their favorite lady at another time.

Practical wedding favours for men will be treasured by your friends long after your day ends.

Wedding parties play more of a role than merely showing up and looking handsome or pretty. They are more than just a backdrop to frame the bride and groom. In many ways, without the love, support and friendship of the wedding party, the bride and groom’s day would be a lot less special.

Ideally, wedding party members are chosen for their relationship to the special couple, either individually or as a pair. They do not have to be family members, often one or more are not, but they should be men and women that each entity considers “like a brother” or “like a sister.” That carries a ton of responsibility.

For the bride, the bridesmaids serve as a balance, sounding boards, advisors, planners and facilitators of the big day. They frequently help with the planning and aid in many small tasks that make the day so special for the bride. Most of all, they serve as friends who can be relied upon to provide an anchor for the bride, especially the closer the day comes and the tensions of planning the perfect event looms.

For the groom, his groomsmen play the same role as bridesmaids and usually play a role in the wedding. They provide advice, friendship and normally handle feting of the groom, including planning and holding the bachelor party. Leading up to the wedding, the groomsmen serve as ushers to seat guests. At most receptions, the best man celebrates the couple with a toast.

To thank wedding party members, the bride usually gives each of her bridesmaids wedding party gifts that are a token of her esteem for them. One suggestion is an engraved key fob with cable that serves a practical purpose as well as reminds the individual of the day and the friendship. Another suggestion is a 2 section wine carry bag, which again, practical and reminds everyone of the wedding for many years to come. The silver plated double photo frame will remind everyone of the wedding each time they view whatever photos are placed in them.

For the groomsmen, a car wheel holder and pen desk set is a practical idea that they will use over and over. A wine gift set will not only come in handy, if the groomsmen are young, it might be the first step to a well established bar. Other gifts include a travel/desk clock or a silver plated brass money clip.

Your gifts do not have to be practical. Sporting event tickets as well as gift certificates for greens’ fees always are appreciated. One wealthy groom paid for an entire night at a casino for each of his groomsmen. For the women, day spas gift certificates are popular gifts as well as tickets to a wine tasting. As a gag gift, a “Best Man” T-shirt or “I Stand Up For Brides” wedding iron-on transfer are fun ways to let everyone know the role that the person is playing in the wedding.

If you are purchasing different gifts for each person, remember to make sure that each costs roughly the same. A good idea is to buy one type of gift for the entire wedding party. If, however, you want to vary your gifts, you do not want to risk hurt feelings by getting someone a gift that clearly is more expensive or extravagant than what you gave everyone else.

Regardless of the gift, it should be a distinct thank-you for their support and participation in what is one of the most memorable days in a person’s life. Wedding party gifts do not have to be extravagant or expensive. In fact, some of the best gifts are less expensive, but serve as a daily reminder of the event.

To find original groomsmen gifts, you can surf online and order what you want at your leisure from home or office. The gifts are delivered directly to you so you never have to set foot in a mall or store. When you consider your groomsmen gifts, think about what your groomsmen would enjoy the most. What activities do most of them enjoy? Did you all share certain experiences or memories together? Select original groomsmen gifts that inspire special memories of you and your wedding day.

Do you and your groomsmen appreciate a cold stein of beer when you get together? If your memories of sporting events and hanging out with the guys including plenty of beer drinking, get each of your groomsmen a specially engraved lusterware stein. Whether your groomsmen decide to use their stein to drink beer or display it on a mantel or shelf, it is sure to become a lasting keepsake of the moments they shared with you during your wedding. If your groomsmen are big beer drinkers who prefer a keg to a case, give each of them a large, brushed finish stainless steel tankard rather than a stein.

Maybe you and your groomsmen are action-packed guys who don’t have time to sit down and drink beer together. For men on the go who enjoy a sharp shot of liquor, stainless steel flasks are the perfect original groomsmen gifts. Give each of your groomsman a monogrammed stainless steel flask filled with their favorite spirits. You are likely to see these flasks again during future fishing expeditions, camping trips and outdoor hikes with your groomsmen.

If your groomsmen prefer a glass of wine with their special lady rather than drinking with the guys, give them refined etched flutes with personalized inscriptions. These elegant flutes can be used for the toast during the wedding reception and taken home to remember the day forever.

Are your biggest business deals and life decisions made on the golf course? Is golf with your friends one of your preferred pastimes? If spending time golfing is a priority for you and your groomsmen, give each of them an attractive golf ball bag to commemorate their participation in your wedding. A golf bag is a practical groomsman gift for golf enthusiasts that is certain to get plenty of use on the greens.

Another favorite pastime is smoking cigars. If you and your friends take time out to inhale exotic cigars to relax, silver plated brass cigar tubes make memorable, original groomsmen gifts. Your groomsmen will appreciate this thoughtful, personalized present. You can even include a pricey cigar in the tube so your groomsmen can have a smoke and remember your wedding day when they get home.

If you and your groomsmen take pride in fixing things, consider practical groomsmen gifts that can be used for everyday tasks. Maybe your groomsmen don’t drink, smoke or play golf. No matter what the groomsman’s personal preferences are, he is certain to use a monogrammed stainless steel flashlight. Whether your groomsmen decide to keep this handy, attractive flashlight in their car, garage, basement, boat or camper, it will be a useful item and treasured keepsake for years to come.

Another useful gift for all types of groomsmen is a monogrammed, silver plated brass money clip. To be especially thoughtful, give the groomsmen the money clips stuffed with several single dollars so they look even more impressive. A classy money clip is something all your groomsmen will appreciate.

Do your groomsmen have a casual sense of style? Are you the kind of guys who need to buy a commemorative t-shirt at every sports game and vacation destination you visit? Make sure your groomsmen have a t-shirt to remember your wedding day. Purchase top quality cotton t-shirts and add a transfer that reads “Groomsman” on each. Your groomsmen will be proud to wear their t-shirts to show off the special role they had in your wedding day.

The wedding shower is usually held about a month before the wedding date. While in the past it was considered improper for a close family member to hold the wedding shower, today this practice is acceptable. However, often the maid of honor or other close friends of the bride organize the wedding shower. To make sure wedding shower ideas don’t offend the bride, you can talk to her about what she prefers.

Most wedding showers are women-only, although there are some that include men such as family barbecues. Because most wedding showers include just women, often racy games are played during the party. Sometimes the shower is called a stagette party, which may even include an exotic dancer or suggestive presents for the bride, such as skimpy lingerie.

Wedding shower ideas include certain traditional elements. A large chair is decorated for the bride-to-be so she can sit there like a queen and open all her presents. An umbrella may be rented or purchased to display as a wedding shower decoration by the big chair. As the bride opens her presents, the guests create a hat from the bows on the gifts. At the end, the bride has to put on the hat created from her shower gifts and take pictures.

Wedding showers are held in various locations. You can have an informal barbecue in a backyard or beach. For a more formal setting, rent a restaurant for a few hours for the wedding shower. A shower may be held at a house, country club or favorite bar. The wedding shower venue is a place everyone knows the bride-to-be will enjoy.

If you have the wedding shower in a backyard or beach, you can invite as many people as you want. Order hero sandwiches and/or serve hot dishes. Include beer and wine for the guests. Give out thank you flip flop note pads after the shower to everyone attending. The informal vibe will be fun for the bride-to-be who doesn’t like a fuss.

A formal bride-to-be will appreciate the service and ambiance at a restaurant for her wedding shower. This is a benefit for those giving the shower, too, because they don’t have to cook or clean. Have place cards at each seat so the guests know where to sit. Give out elegant favors, such as silver plated wine stoppers. Offer three or four meal choices so everyone eats something they like.

Include games in your wedding shower ideas to get everyone to socialize at the party. Try a variation on Pin the Tail on the Donkey with Pin the Boutonniere on the Groom. Tack up a large picture of the groom and give out flower stickers for everyone to try to pin the groom after they put on a blindfold. Have door prizes at the wedding shower. Each guest writes their name, birthday and anniversary date on a slip of paper. The guest with an anniversary closest to the bride’s wedding date wins the door prize. After the shower, give the bride the slips of paper so she has the birthdays and anniversary dates for everyone she knows.

Along with great wedding shower ideas, encourage everyone to have thoughtful gifts. The bride should register with one or more retail stores so guests can easily purchase items for the shower and wedding. Close family and friends should give the bride-to-be themed accessories for her wedding day such as a personalized toasting set, fancy bridal garter and an elegant cake serving set.

Your wedding shower ideas should include favors for all the guests who attend. Putting out place cards and favors adds a professional feel to any wedding shower location. Novelty light up engagement rings are perfect favors for any type of wedding shower.

Choose personalized wedding shower ideas to show how much you love and support the happy couple.