With all of the strapless gowns out there, winter brides who would prefer not to freeze their buns off are faced with a conundrum. Perhaps they want something that will show a little skin yet don’t want to traverse the aisle with goosebumps running up and down their arms. While this gown from Bridal Originals isn’t for everyone, it might be stunning on a wintertime bride with a playful streak.

Synthetic fur accents the off-the-shoulder neckline and long sleeves of this matte Italian satin gown embellished with beaded lace. A similarly embellished three tier semi-cathedral length train gives guests something to stare at during the ceremony. Brides can choose between white, ivory, and red. But beware of the red. Few future brides envision themselves looking like Mrs. Claus on their wedding day.

Happy Mother’s Day, moms!

From seeds
You watered us.

As we sprouted
You helped us grow
With the warmth
Of your radiant love.

Along the way
You trimmed us
To keep us safe
From Harm.

When we grew out of
Our little pods,
You replanted us,
Where you gave us hope
And showed us faith
That we may be able
To do for others
As you did for us.

~Jim Little~

Image by Mike Shea Photography

If you’ve always felt the usual first dance songs are totally played out, it may be time to get personal. Lorraine (that’s her above) and Shaowen of Wedding Harmony will pen you and your fiancé an original tune based on the details of your relationship. For a mere $1,200, they will write you a song and perform it (provided you are within traveling distance) or write a song that you can sing to your new spouse while all your guests look on. A brief explanation of the service they offer reads:

We will meet up with you, get to know you better, understand how you would like your love story to be expressed in music, and write your wedding song.

It’s an interesting question. How would I, Never teh Bride, like my love story to be expressed in music? Perhaps something with an undercurrent of intense longing? How about you, dear reader? What existing song do you feel best expresses your personal love story?

As more of my friends get married, and I ponder whether being an old maid will really be that bad, at least I can enjoy the various crafty and fun save-the-date cards, announcements, and invitations I receive. Yesterday’s mail brought a homemade date card and magnet set, created by friends of mine set to marry in November. The date card, magnet, and the return address labels featured a personal logo they created themselves. I love magnets, so I got pretty excited and started bugging my friends to find out how they’d put it all together.

Using Adobe Illustrator or possibly Photoshop, they created a red and green heart-shaped logo that is a product of the first letters of their names, a C and a J. I love the idea of a personal logo!

They then printed that logo first onto notecards and then onto special magnet sheets that can go through a printer.

Finally, they printed the logo and their return address on Avery Clear Inkjet Return Address stickers and packaged their little bundles of happiness.

This could be an easy project for an enterprising bride- and groom-to-be who either don’t have a lot of cash to drop on mail or want to give their nuptial correspondence a more personal touch.

And, without further delay, here is the logo my friends created:

Most men look good in tuxedos (and other formal suits). In fact, almost all men, no matter how pleasantly casual (read: messy) in real life, will look smashing in a tux. It is my opinion that donning a tuxedo makes a man stand straighter and taller. A well-fitted tux will inevitably make a man feel manlier because he can’t help looking like a gentleman.

There are plenty of formal-wear styles for men to choose from. There is white tie and tails, the Casablanca dinner jacket look, the cutaway or morning coat (very British), updated black tie, and the traditional tuxedo. There are cummerbunds and waistcoats. Notch lapels and peaked lapels. And don’t even get me started on collars.

So, how to choose. Men, like women, says ViBride, should look at their body type when choosing their wedding day look.

Tall and husky: Go for a smooth, clean look without a lot of frills. A shawl collar will create an elegant line and will make you seem less bulky. Avoid double-breasted jackets and pleated shirts, which add volume. If you have a large waist, consider wearing a vest instead of a cummerbund, since cummerbunds draw attention to the waist, while vests conceal girth.

Short and slim: Avoid styles that look too large on your frame. Steer clear of double-breasted jackets. Instead, go for a two- or three-button jacket with a low-button stance (it elongates the body), paired with classic tuxedo pants or pleated trousers.

Short and broad: Stick with a single-breasted jacket. Go for a classic two- or one-button jacket with a low-button stance and a shawl collar, which will keep your look streamlined and slim. Also, choose jackets with a natural shoulder line, and avoid the more broad European styles. If you have a heavy waist, choose a vest rather than a cummerbund to draw attention away from your waistline and up toward your face.

Tall and thin: Congratulations. You can wear just about anything and look impeccable. You’ll stand equally faultless in contemporary styles — like single-breasted four- or five-button jackets — as you will in a more classic, double-breasted tuxedo with slightly broad shoulders, a suppressed waist, and buttons closed up high on the waistline. The choice is yours.

Books like Esquire’s Things a Man Should Know About Marriage can help men without a trace of fashion no-how look great at their weddings. Here’s a hint to start you out: If you want your groom to look his best, outlaw clip-on bow ties in your home. Every man worth his salt should be able to tie a bow tie.

I’m a big fan of Watters & Watters. Their bridesmaid dresses are innovative yet classically inspired, and come in supple fabrics and gorgeous colors. They’ve got long dresses, short dresses, flowing dresses, fitted dresses, modern dresses, and classic dresses. I’m in love with this dress (boringly named ‘Style 7742‘) in the apple silk organza and mist floral silk organza with an apple satin ribbon. It combines a strapless look with a beautifully embroidered overlay that gives modest coverage. Brides can choose between knee length and floor length versions, and 17 different hues. And, wonder of all wonders, it’s not meant to be too tight on top, so hungry bridesmaids can eat without busting the seams.

For the most part, when people think ‘father of the bride,’ a few images come to mind: a frazzled checkbook wielding man, the slow walk down the aisle, and that first special dance during the ceremony. But there is more to being the dad of a bride, and a conscientious bride-to-be can help a clueless dad navigate the wide world of weddings by offering gentle, loving guidance.

Before the wedding
Don’t have much of a head for figures? Let a number-crunching dad help you prepare a few wedding budget spreadsheets to use as guidelines. Feeling stressed? Ask dad to join you for dinner and a movie–he may appreciate your reaching out to him if he feels like he’s losing a daughter rather than gaining a son. Share your plans with him. Show him the dresses you like. He may not have much to contribute but he’ll likely love the attention.

Right before the ceremony
Dads should ensure that brides-to-be (and her attendants) get the appointed venue on time. He may choose this time to offer all that sage advice he’s been saving up. Smile and nod.

At the reception
Though it’s not entirely common, the father of the bride should feel free to take part in the receiving line. Most fathers will want to share a dance with their daughters and then, later in the ceremony, share a speech with everyone else. Confetti has a wonderful guide to help nervous fathers compose beautiful post-wedding speeches that will impress guests and bring tears to the eyes of new brides.

If dad is feeling a little left out of the hustle and bustle of wedding planning or is unsure how to participate, you could buy him The Everything Father of the Bride Book or Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Being the Father of the Bride.

Or you could both blow off some steam laughing at the original Father of the Bride starring Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor. It definitely beats the remake!