Manolo for the Brides

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!

A Japanese paint firm is hoping to make wedding receptions a little more exciting by combining guns and bears. It’s become trendy for Japanese brides to throw teddy bears instead of bouquets. A group of enterprising developers has created a teddy gun that allows brides to shoot a small stuffed bear at their guests. Or, one can imagine, allows guests to shoot bears at brides and grooms.

Sunamiya, a paint firm based in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, announced the development of the device, which blasts a teddy bear equipped with a parachute into the air. The teddy bear parachutes down afterwards.

“We’re hoping to capture the hearts of couples,” a company representative said, commenting on the new device.

I think these would make cool, albeit dangerous, table favors. We’ve all seen the matchbooks and candles. What are some unusual wedding favors you’ve given or received?

Nowadays, when more brides and grooms than ever have plenty of china, kitchen gadgets, and linens, it has become increasingly difficult to find wedding gifts that stand out. While a nice fat check is always appreciated, some people loathe giving monetary gifts for their simple impersonality.

XperienceDays (also known as XD) offers a unique solution to your gift-giving quandaries. They sell gift certificates that will have the bride- and groom-to-befloating in zero grav over Florida, learning to tango in California, staying in the Mandarin Oriental in New York, driving Formula One race cars in Nevada, or learning to pilot a helicopter in Pennsylvania.

While XD may not have the perfect gift for your timid cousin Sally and her vanilla beau, you’ll find plenty of gifts great for extreme brides and grooms* who make a habit of living on the edge. When I get married, I hope someone buys me the Dogfight for two. Nothing says true love like an intense airborne battle!

*Or moms! Mother’s Day is approaching fast!

When the weather is grey and dreary (like it is today where I live), I like to put on one of The Beard’s old ratty sweaters and my comfy slippers, and spend the afternoon watching movies. And not just any movies. I’m talking about looooooove stories. Tear-jerkers, movies that make me laugh, and movies that make me cry.

I like to get the most love story bang for my love story buck. So I bought Love Tickles - a four disc set that includes My Best Friend’s Wedding, Sleepless in Seattle, The Wedding Planner, and As Good as It Gets. The last one is my favorite, just because it’s so bizarre.

I love this movie! If you think all of the Windex references in My Big Fat Greek Wedding are pure fiction, you need to meet my family. At my parents’ house, Windex is used as a weapon as well as for wiping down counters. Plus it’s nice to watch a movie full of normal looking people every once in a while!

So I Married an Axe Murderer is full of awesome, silly fun and says a lot about the dangers of being too suspicious.

I hope those of you who are having a grey day like mine or are just in a plain old grey mood will see fit to join me in hunkering down on the couch, watching some flicks, and dreaming about love!

Pearls are pretty. To me, they say class. They speak of a time when people dressed for dinner and jeans were something you wore to work in the garden (and then only when you were sure no one was going to drop by). I know, I know, they’re not so wonderful in rings because rings tend to get bumped around more than other jewelry. But I don’t care. I keep telling myself that if I had a lovely pearl engagement ring (like the one above from Jewelry Central) I’d be ever so careful with it!

But how does one choose the perfect pearl? Pearls present a difficulty in that you have natural pearls and cultured pearls. According to Love to Know, cultured pearls are made when “shell beads or other irritants are placed inside a small cut in an oyster or mussel, triggering the mollusks to begin covering the offending intruder with nacre. The thicker the nacre becomes, the more lustrous the pearl will be.”

Though pearls are traditionally white or cream colored, pearls come in a range of colors from black to blue to green to pink to gold. Colors influence price, and a white pearl with pink overtones will be the most expensive.

Shape and size also influence price. “A perfectly round pearl is considered the most valuable shape. However, other beautiful pearls may be tear-dropped in shape, which is a common choice for pendants and earrings. Uniquely shaped pearls are commonly referred to as baroque pearls.”

When choosing a pearl, it’s important to consider a number of factors:

• Do look for cracks in the surface of the pearl, which could indicate problems in the future.
• Do look for good, uniform luster in a pearl. The pearl should appear iridescent under a fluorescent light.
• Do ask the jeweler about the thickness of the nacre.
• Do perform the tooth test on a pearl to determine if it is real. Cultured and natural pearls will feel rough against a tooth, while imitation pearls will feel smooth because it is actually a type of manufactured bead.
• If you think you are purchasing a natural pearl, ask to see the x-ray results for verification. A cultured pearl will show the bead or other artificial irritant in the center.

It’s interesting to note that the world of pearl-dom is populated by more than oysters. Conch, scallops, abalone, and some snails are also skilled pearl producers!

Remember Georgia runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks? A year after she faked her own kidnapping to escape the rigors of wedding planning, she has sold her story for a whopping $500,000! Of the wedding, she said:

“It was stressful because I am a perfectionist, and I want everything perfect. And that was the hard part for me.”

In the past year, she has paid Duluth $13,249, to compensate the city for the overtime paid to the police officers who searched for her and $2,650 in restitution to the state.

That leaves her with plenty of money to put up an ad on Match.com.