Here we go, all you celeb-watching brides-to-be! There are five hot, new trends coming out of Tinseltown, so print this out and make the necessary changes in your wedding plans!

Trend #1: Fertilizable centerpieces! Instead of small, monochromatic centerpieces (so yesterday!) or lots of little centerpieces on one table, lets build a landscape in the middle of those tables. Think "bead-strewn crystal candelabras, potted herbs and even natural motifs like mushrooms." We're talking Hollywood here, so we can only imagine what kind of "potted herbs" they're putting out there.

Trend #2: Over-the-top veils. Everything old is new again. Veils, once thought too old-fashioned, are making a comeback with celebrities in a big way. The mag suggests you can choose to wear the veil "even during the reception!" If you do, they recommend you pick a shorter style. Either way, I suspect you'll be ripping it off by the time your plate of food arrives.

Trend #3: Groom's Cake on steroids. The movie "Steel Magnolias" made this southern tradition a huge trend, and now it's grooms-gone-wild! The groom's cake should have some connection to the groom, so we're looking at cakes shaped like golf bags, college mascots, beer mugs and TV sets. Very nice...

Trend #4: Global-Inspired Wedding Favors. The stars are celebrating their hometowns or their heritage with wedding favors like candy apples (New York City,) hot sauce (Mexico) or olive oil (Italy.) Not only do the favors have special meaning--they're more likely to be used when the guests take them home.

Trend #5: Formal First Dance: The TV show "Dancing with the Stars" is having an effect on weddings from New York to California. Stars are turning to choreographers to stage their first dance to make it spectacular entertainment. InStyle recommends that you start planning your dance six months prior to your wedding date so you can "choose your special song, the type of dance you want and take lessons!" The mag also reminds you to practice your dance in your wedding gown instead of jeans. Makes sense.

Okay. That's a wrap. Head for MyWeddingFavors.com to find lots of meaningful, global-inspired wedding favors, and then you can take off for your dance class...

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If you're planning a wedding, you either have a bulging scrapbook with thousands of photos torn from hundreds of bridal magazines, or you've got those same magazines stacked up in a corner of your room with sticky notes sticking out all over, holding the page where you saw your dream wedding gown or the perfect wedding favors. C'mon, girl! Make your life less cluttered with an Inspiration Board. Put your top picks all over it, stand back, you'll get a pretty good preview of your wedding.

The boards are easy to make. You can pick up a big cork board or even a large piece of sturdy cardboard. Go through all your photos and, as you make your choices, put them on the board. Here are most of the items you'll want to post:

--Your ideal color scheme
--Your dream setting or theme
--Wedding gown
--Bouquet
--Flowers for the ceremony and reception
--Bridesmaids' Dresses
--Groom's and groomsmen's attire
--The Cake
--Centerpieces for your reception tables
--Wedding favors
--Honeymoon spot

It's your Inspiration Board, so you can put anything you want on it. You might want to start your board early in the planning process. Live with it awhile--the colors, the flowers, the dress, the centerpieces. If you change your mind about anything, you simply change the photos.

The beauty of the Inspiration Board is that it's uniquely yours. If you decide to use a wedding planner, imagine how much easier her (or his!) job will be with your Inspiration Board to steer her in the right directions for everything--from the fabulous white limo to the practical, pink wedding favors. Your Inspiration Board may turn out to be a work of art you'll want to frame and keep forever!

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Sue here again, with my TWIST (The Way I See Things!) Let's talk about those dove releases and butterfly releases that have become so popular at weddings. Yes, they are beautiful, dramatic and symbolic, but something that only lasts mere moments at your wedding can have a detrimental, even deadly, affect on the beautiful creatures you hired. There are a number of businesses that will provide you with doves or butterflies, because some people will do anything for money. Maybe if you learn what can happen to your "soaring symbols," you'll find another way to celebrate your marriage.

Pigeons in Peril

Many pigeons used by release companies are not suited to live in the wild. After you release them, they fly away as everyone oohs and ahhhs, only to starve, get hit by a car or get eaten by another bird. Can you live with that? Some companies use homing pigeons, which requires a trained relase coordinator who lets the birds go, and they fly immediately back to the place where they're kept. If you absolutely must have flying doves, please find a reputable release company. By the way, a typical company might charge $250 or more to release 12 white pigeons.

Bye, Bye Butterfly

Their beauty. The magnificent colors. Their deep, symbolic meaning. It's no wonder couples want to include a butterfly release during their ceremony. Please don't. Butterflies have unique and wonderful migration instincts which are unable to function when you move them blindly from one place to another, as companies do when they mail you a box of butterflies. Imagine tens of thousands of mixed-up Monarchs unable to find the way to their overwintering grounds. What's more, their offspring may not be able to orient properly. Because the butterflies are raised inside under unnatural conditions, their delicate migratory physiology may not have been turned on. In fact, many wedding planners now avoid butterflies at weddings because they not infrequently arrive dead, or half-dead. Even if they arrive alive, they often will soon die because they are released at the wrong time of year, or at the wrong locality to survive. A dozen boxed butterflies will cost around $75-$100. SO NOT WORTH IT.

If you have your heart set on having doves or butterflies at your wedding, please let me suggest that you bring them to your guests as wedding favors. Here are two incredibly beautiful options, and I can promise you that no birds or butterflies were harmed in the creating of these charming wedding party favors. "The Love Dove" Bottle Opener is as elegant a wedding favor as you'll ever find, with its sleek design including a bottle opener at the tail. And if butterflies suit your fancy, why not fill the room with shiny, silver "Butterfly" Bookmarks--another pretty, practical wedding favor that will make more lasting memories than you could ever dream of.

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In less than three weeks, we all get to honor the one woman we literally can't live without! In the US, Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday in May, a date made official in 1914, when President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother's Day. Though on different dates, Mother's Day is celebrated around the world, and as you would suspect, Mother's Day is not a new idea. People in many ancient cultures celebrated holidays honoring motherhood, personified as a goddess. And goddesses, they are!

Interesting Stats about Moms

In the United States, there are about 82.5 million mothers (source: US Census Bureau)

About 96% of American consumers celebrate Mother's Day in some way (source: Hallmark)

Mother's Day is typically the peak day of the year for long distance telephone calls

Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for many restaurants

Retailers say Mother's Day is the second highest gift-giving holiday in the US (Christmas is the highest)

The most popular month for having babies in the US is August, and the most popular weekday is Tuesday

If your Mom is as terrific as mine, she deserves a celebration--a dinner, a brunch, a party, something very special. Whatever festivity you choose can be kicked up a notch with a favor that lets everyone leave with a lasting memory of a lovely Mother's Day.

Though the name may be a bit misleading, MyWeddingFavors.com has some favors that are perfect for mom's party. Here are three favors I'm considering for my Mom's brunch:

My mom's name is Rose, so I have a pretty easy time picking out meaningful gifts and favors for her. These "Rose Vine" Laser-Cut Favor Boxes look beautiful on the table, hold delicous treats and go with any color scheme or decor.

Sticking with the rose theme (no pun intended,) I found this striking, handcrafed wooden rose that would be great in a bud vase. It's hand-carved from lightweight wood, and there's a sprig of baby's breath to add to the effect.

And how about this elegant, scented Rose Ball candle? The candle comes in deep red, pink or pearl white, so you can easily match any decor. And by the way, your mom's name doesn't have to be Rose for these favors to adorn your Mother's Day party tables.

Let Mom know you love her, and that you'll always go that extra mile for her--just like she did for you!

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On Saturday, May 3, millions of people (bettors and non-bettors alike) will have their eyes glued to the 134th "Run for the Roses," otherwise known as the Kentucky Derby. Louisville, KY--home of horse racing's Churchill Downs--will have Kentucky Derby parties out the ying-yang, but they're not alone.

Like the Superbowl, the Derby is another great reason to gather friends together for the broadcast of "The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports." (This race is just full of nicknames!) All across the country, groups of fans gather to watch the race, in which three-year-old thoroughbred horses run 1 1/4 miles toward a victory blanket of vibrant, red roses and the first jewel in horse racing's Triple Crown. Men smoke cigars and drink mint juleps. Women wear wild, wide-brimmed hats (a Derby tradition) and drink mint juleps. The food includes lots of Kentucky favorites, like Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie. (Should we assume people eat like a horse at these parties?)

If this sounds like fun to you (it does to ME!) you might just want to take a break from your wedding planning to throw your own Kentucky Derby party. You can find decorations, wide-brimmed hats and fantastic recipes everywhere, but there's a noticeable lack of Derby-related party favors. And really, what's a party without favors?

MWF Saves the Day!

When you found your perfect wedding favor at MyWeddingFavors.com, did you happen to notice how many of their favors featured roses--the symbol of the Kentucky Derby? The ever-popular Rose Ball Candle comes in three colors, including the same deep red you'll see in the rose-covered blanket that covers the winning horse.

If you prefer favor boxes, you'll love this ivory favor box with a bouquet of laser-cut roses. Fill them with Old Kentucky Bourbon Chocolates or chocolate mints, and your guests will soon forget they're not really at Churchill Downs.

You might even want to carry the mint julep thing a little further. How about these personalized mint tins decorated with beautiful vines full of roses? You can put "My 2008 Kentucky Derby Party" and the date on the top of the tins and freshen the breath of all your guests.

No matter which favor you choose, your guests will appreciate your attention to detail--not to mention the opportunity to party like Louisville during this extraordinary once-a-year sporting event. When the announcer shouts, "And they're off!", there's a better-than-even chance your guests will be, too!

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We've got some monster weddings coming up, with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie topping the A-List of pending celebrity nuptials. Then there's Ashlee (Saturday Night Lie) Simpson and Peter Wentz, the bassist and lyricist for Fall Out Boy, and who could forget Jamie Lynn (Role Model Reject) Spears and Casey Aldridge, who...well, I haven't been able to find out what the brainless stud does, other than impregnate stupid 16-year-olds. But what's done is done, so let's have some fun and match their wedding favors to the public perception of these headline hounds!

Brad (Jennifer who?) Pitt and Angelina (Earth Mother--literally) Jolie are almost as famous for their activism around the world as they are for their movies--and maybe more, considering their last few releases. Anyway, I've chosen the "On Top of the World" Frosted-Glass Photo/Place Card Holders for this globe-trotting couple. They can buy a few hundred and fill the photo space with photos of all their kids.

I'm sure Peter and Ashlee will be very happy together, as they both go to the same hair salon--Cousin Itt's Cuts (yes, that's how you spell "Itt!") Since this is a musical couple, I found these adorable music stand place card holders. When the party's over, they can put photos of Ashlee's old nose in them.

It was tough picking out the logical wedding favors for Jamie Lynn and Casey, because baby shower favors would be more appropriate. But I decided on the "Head Over Heels" Wine Bottle Stoppers. Why? Because these favors perfectly depict where their heads have been for the last year and a half.

I give that last marriage the time it takes to change a baby's poopy diaper...

The guests will come from near and far
To celebrate your wedding!
They'll come by train, by plane, by car,
And find a strange, new setting.

When they arrive at their hotel,
And you're not there to greet them,
There's something that does just as well--
A welcome bag to greet them!

Once in their room, they'll dig inside
And find you've made it easy
To get around--a weekend guide,
With maps that make life breezy!

Entertainment, restaurants,
And all your wedding places.
You've taken care of all their wants.
You've covered all the bases.

There's bottled water with your names,
And snacks so full of flavor,
A schedule, candy, photo frames--
It's their first wedding favor!

You've started off their weekend right!
Your thoughtfulness impresses.
You'll never know how much delight
A Welcome Bag possesses!

Here come all your friends and relatives, driving or flying in from far and near to spend the weekend celebrating your wedding, and many of those flying in will be renting cars and venturing into unfamiliar territory. They'll have to find their way to their hotel from the airport, and that's just the beginning. They'll need to find a number of places over the course of the weekend.

Weddingmapper.com has partnered with Google maps to make creating a detailed map full of important information incredibly simple. You just input your names, wedding date and the city in which you're to be married. Wedding Mapper escorts you through all the steps, adding icons at all the locations your guests need to find--hotel, rehearsal dinner, your parents' home, ceremony venue, wedding reception, Sunday brunch, restaurants, attractions, etc. There's a "Search" feature that lets you pinpoint addresses. There are drag, zoom and satellite-view options. You can add photos, descriptions and comments at each location. Say you want to include a favorite restaurant. Give it an icon and tell why it's your favorite! When you've completed your map, send it to your guests so they can become familiar with the area and make plans before they arrive.

You can even carry the cool map theme into your wedding favors with "On Top of the World" Frosted-Glass Photo/Place Card Coasters--meaningful in so many ways. And another wonderful wedding favor that's perfect for welcome bags when your guests get to the hotel is the "Miles of Memories" Suitcase Favor Tins. The moving wheels, retractable handle and travel stickers are as delightful as the tasty goodies you put inside! They'll love it--and your creativity!

Be sure to check out WeddingMapper.com--It's the fun way to tell your guests where to go!

Who says the celebrating needs to stop when your wedding reception ends? Since weddings, and especially elegant wedding receptions, are usually steeped in tradition (they're often called "the parents' party,") the "after party"--when the bride and groom can show more of their own personal style--is quickly becoming the hottest new trend in weddings!

More and more, couples are extending their wedding celebrations far into the night, and sometimes to the next day. With so many couples marrying later in life or living together before marriage, the "wedding night" isn't the long-awaited thrill it once was. An "after" party gives the bride and groom a chance to spend time in a relaxed atmosphere with family and friends they don't see often.

Creativity and just having a blast drive the planning. Perhaps a sleigh ride, bonfire, roasting marshmallows and drinking hot toddies and cocoa after a winter wedding in Montana? How about a moonlight barbecue with music and dancing after a wedding in the Southwest? Make your coastal New England "after" party an authentic champagne clambake on the beach!

Your "after party" doesn't even have to be right after the reception. Wait until the next day if you think you'll be too wired or tired to party on. You might want to have a DJ, do some decorating and, to save your strength for the honeymoon, hire a caterer. Now that we know an "after party" is in your future, let's talk favors!

A Favor Before And AFTER!

The absolute perfect favor (and it can be personalized, too!) for the outdoor "after party" following your winter wedding is the "Heart Warmer" Mini Heart-Shaped Hand Warmer. Not only will your guests stay comfy cozy, they'll have a heartwarming reminder of your distinctly different wedding celebration.










That southwestern barbecue will be downhome and delicious! The favor for this fiesta is the "Hot! Hot! Hot! Chili Peppers Magnet. Not only does it make a great keepsake of a wild and wonderful "after party," it also tells your guests a little more about your relationship and adds just the right amount of spice to the festivities.

Your champagne clambake will be a smashing way to end an ideal wedding weekend, so have a camera handy to take photos of everyone as they enjoy your first hours as husband and wife with you. Favor them all with a "Flip-Flop" Photo Frame and its flower accent. When you return from your honeymoon, send them their photo to put in the frame. They'll never forget the fun that went into "extra innings!"

Don't you just love this trend? It gives new meaning to the term "wedding party," and you'll have the time of your life before you head off to your happily ever "after!"

I happily admit my husband of more than two decades and I eloped. We headed to one of my favorite cities in the US--Savannah, GA--and got married. A quick ceremony, a romantic walk on the beach, and we're still in love.

We eloped because neither of us felt like a big wedding was necessary. I didn't want my parents to go into debt so I could get married, and it just wasn't our style. People elope for lots of reasons. Some people are uncomfortable doing things in front of a crowd. Others would rather spend the wedding money on a quick Vegas wedding and a weekend of gambling. Whatever the reason, eloping is still a viable option for marriage-bound couples. Apparently, it happens more than we think. A bakery in Sedona, AZ makes elopement wedding cakes like the one in the photo on the right!

Is eloping right for you? iVillage has a "Should You Elope? quiz on their Web site. Perhaps the two biggest drawbacks to elopement are the potential hurt feelings of family and friends, and later in life you may miss the photo memories of an actual wedding and reception. If you do decide to elope, don't just take off. Make sure you've taken care of a few essentials. According to eHow, you'll need the following:

Marriage license
Plane tickets
Witnesses
Chapel or venue
Hotel
Minister, Judge or Justice of the Peace

Remember what's important--weddings are nice, but it's your marriage that needs serious and thorough planning before you say "I do." A spectacular million-dollar wedding with the limos, the Vera Wang gown and the extraordinary wedding favors becomes a bitter memory when the couple divorces two years later. Enough said. See you on the beach--or at the craps table!

Hi, everyone! Sue here with my TWIST (The Way I See Things,) and I'm about to kindly disagree with a fellow journalist--the highly respected Miss Manners, whose syndicated advice column on ettiquette in polite society is well respected and, usually, sensible. In a recent column, however, dear Miss Manners gave an opinion with which I must take exception. Here's an excerpt of the reader's question and Miss Manners' response:

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I will be getting married in a few months and have been having a hard time picking out wedding favors within our budget that will make it further than the garbage can once our guests return home. We have allotted $1 to $2 per guest. Our gift budget does not lack as a result of money being improperly allocated; we have needed to find many ways to cut corners.

GENTLE READER: Who told you that you had to give out wedding favors? Etiquette has never thought of weddings as comparable to birthday parties for children, where the guests might need consolation for not being the center of attention.

Here, then, is my rebuttal to Miss Manners' kind, but somewhat dated advice:

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Normally, I find your advice well-thought-out and pertinent to today's lifestyle. In your above response, however, I believe you may be a bit out of touch with current trends, not only in weddings, but in wedding favors as well. Wedding favors are not meant as "consolation" prizes, but as a small "thank you" to guests, many of whom have come a long way to celebrate with the happy couple. Wedding favors have also come a long way in recent years, with designers creating wedding favors that are both practical and lovely enough to enhance the table settings at the reception.

The wedding favor shown in the upper-left-hand corner is a beautiful photo frame that serves as a place card holder at the reception and a photo frame in the guest's home. Far from winding up in the garbage can, this favor remains a reminder of the bride and groom's special day. There are hundreds of practical--and edible!--wedding favor designs available today that guests can take home and enjoy. MyWeddingFavors.com features wine bottle stoppers, glass coasters, kitchen timers, an olive oil dispenser, luggage tags--even a heart-shaped calculator, a pizza cutter and salt-and-pepper shakers--all creatively designed and gift packaged to enhance table decor and make memories for the bride and groom and the guests. What's more, every bride can easily find wedding favors to fit, not just her color scheme and theme, but also within her budget.

It's my hope that you, dear Miss Manners, rethink your outmoded opinion of wedding favors by discovering the meaning and practicality of today's wedding favors. I remain, as ever,

Your Gentle Fan

Don't gain weight, show up on time, coordinate your hair color and get a tan--but no tan lines can show! According to FOX news, these are just a few of the demands bridemaids must meet in the "prenuptial" agreements some controlling brides are asking their friends and family members to sign. Why? As far as I'm concerned, it's so the vain, self-absorbed bride can have her picture-perfect wedding. "I can always get more friends, but I'm only having one wedding. So girls, it's pay to play. Failure to adhere to these rules will result in your dismissal from the bridesmaids' party for wonderful me."

Many of the more intelligent bridesmaids-to-be, rather than signing on the dotted lline, are saying "thanks, but no thanks." Can't say as I blame them. If Bridezilla the Hun is this power-crazed relatively early in her march to the altar, what abuse awaits them down the road? Jeez! If I were her husband-to-be (and we can only imagine what she's putting him through,) I'd be having second--and even third!--thoughts about binding myself to this woman for all eternity.

When did it become all about the wedding? What about the marriage? Isn't that the more important reason for the day? With a 50% divorce rate staring every bride in the face, I'd be channeling my tyrannical behavior toward any counseling or knowledge that will give my marriage a better-than-even chance of succeeding. And why would you want to insult and hurt women so dear to you that you've asked them to be an honored participant in the happiest day of your life? Instead, you choose to give them stress-inducing ultimatums preparing for what should be a happy day for everyone? Step back, woman, and reconnect with your heart--the one that would turn black the minute you told your dearest friend she's out for gaining five pounds.

Let me suggest a few thoughtful bridesmaids gifts the controlling bride may want to consider. We'll start with the "Bridesmaids Essentials" Survival Kit. It's got a lots of necessaries, like a hairbrush, stain remover, deodorant wipe and emery boards to make sure those fingernails are at the mandated length. Although true survival may depend on something the kit is not licensed to supply.

How about this wonderfully unique Brag Bag? Great for cosmetics, hair accessories and cash, you can personalize it with a photo of your and your bridesmaids. Of course, if you're not careful, it may just be you in the photo, wondering where the rest of your attendants went. Treat them with dignity, and your swill truly be a wedding you'll all want to brag about!

A Reminder for All Brides-To-Be

As you plan for the day you've dreamed of all your life, please don't forget what it's really about--UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Not just for the man you're going to marry, but for all the wonderful family and friends in your life that saw you through to this day. It may be that you DO only get married once--and that's just one day out of many days and years that it took to build the bonds of family and friendship. To risk destroying those relationships for the sake of perfection is incredibly short-sighted--especially since the perfect wedding is a really a state of mind and not something you can force with a piece of paper. No matter what happens, Perfection, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. If it's a day you want to remember, let it be about love.

My husband and I were driving home from a birthday celebration (mine!) the other night, and we were listening to a talk-radio show dealing with matters of the heart. The topic was whether women who reach their 30s and 40s with no "knights in shining armor" on the hook should settle for a good man they can live with. The host--a man--said his Grandma once said, "Don't marry someone you can live with. Marry someone you can't live without."

Sounds romantic and wise, but there are no guarantees in life. So the real question was, of course, should you settle and have a lifetime companion or keep searching and risk a lifetime of loneliness. The discussion was interesting, and the jury, I believe, will always be out.

I think you never know how your life with someone, regardless of the initial fireworks--or the lack thereof--is going to turn out until you've lived it . Your Prince Charming might turn out to be a royal jackass, and the frog may be toad-ally perfect. Either choice can be wonderful or miserable. So--do you settle somewhere in your late 30s or 40s, or keep going with the belief that Mr. Perfect is just around the corner?

How about you? Is the man you're about to marry the man of your dreams or the man that finally asked? Obviously, only you know the answer to that question. And whichever way you decide to go, remember that MyWeddingFavors.com has the ideal wedding favor. Say you decide to hold out for someone to sweep you off your feet. When he "rings your bell," you'll already have picked out your wedding favor with the "Whisked Away" Heart Whisk. And if you settle for that wonderful, little frog, you'll surely want to stroke his ego with the "Prince Charming" candle.

Whatever you decide, treasure the adventure!

Chances are you've been to every wedding favor site on the Web looking for something new and original in spring wedding favors, because you're going to be a May bride. If you haven't stopped by MyWeddingFavors.com, you may be missing several brand-new, totally spectacular wedding favors--one of which is sure to be perfect for your wedding reception!

You'll be among the very first to give your guests either one of these wonderfully whimsical wedding favors, If you're planning a garden wedding, you'll be drawn to both like bees to flowers. The "Meant to Bee" Ceramic Honey Pot has a wooden dipper and a bee-utiful gift presentation! The "Blooming" Flower Bottle Stopper is nothing less than a seasonal sensation!

If you had your heart set on wedding favor candles, imagine the elegance these two new designs will bring to your tables. The "Buttercream Dreams" Wedding Cake Candle is three gorgeous tiers of sweet spring pastels on a ceramic platter. Looking like magnificent antique lace is the "Plumeria" Floral-Scented Candle on a ceramic holder. Spring wedding favors will never be the same!

Every one of these fresh spring favor designs is fabulously gift wrapped for an exceptional presentation. Your wedding season is just around the snow drift, and life (at least when it comes to picking your wedding favors) just got easier!

It's the gateway to the wedding, the acknowledgement of family and friends who have traveled great distances to celebrate a marriage, for many it's the first opportunity for two families to become acquainted, and the moment when the groom's mom and dad take center stage. Though not on a par with the actual wedding, the rehearsal dinner is still a big deal. Here are five tips for planning a memorable rehearsal dinner:

1) Choose a rehearsal dinner style and menu that's different from the wedding. If the wedding is an elegant, formal affair, plan a barbecue. If you live near an ocean, how about a clambake? A pool party? An italian theme is always fun--pizza and chianti! And everyone loves a Mexican fiesta! Or a casino party! As you've already guessed, the rehearsal dinner doesn't have to be a formal affair. In fact, a casual atmosphere makes it more fun and conducive to mingling.

2) Choose a location that's convenient for out-of-town guests, or make sure there's ample transportation available to and from your event.


3) Plan some activities. A video or a slide show of the happy couple is always a crowd- pleaser. If you have a barbecue or a beachside dinner, consider a volleyball game. If you have a casino-themed party, have poker and other gaming tables available.

4) Arrange your seating with conversation in mind. Your goal is to promote conversation so everyone can get to know one another. Round tables serve that purpose better than long, rectangular ones.

5) Go one step beyond with favors. While there are few favors specifically designed for a rehearsal dinner, many clever and unique wedding favors will work perfectly. One wedding favor that works beautifully for any style of rehearsal dinner is the "Miles of Memories" Personalized Suitcase Favor Tin. It's a cute and clever (check out the wheels and the collapsible handle!) tip-of-the-hat to your guests who have come long distances, and you can personalize it with the happy couple's names and the date of your rehearsal dinner.
If you opt for a more formal, seated dinner, the L-O-V-E votive candles are just what you're looking for! The unusual square shape and the elegant black-and-silver L-O-V-E plate that reminds everyone why they're there make this a favorite.

Why should the bride's mom have all the fun? The rehearsal dinner is a wonderful tradition designed to give the bride, groom and everyone else a chance to relax, bring families together and enjoy time with the couple before they leave on their honeymoon. And as the groom's mom--and dad--you should make the most of it. Throw a party that will be fun for you!

It's the day before Thanksgiving, and I'm feeling particularly thankful this year--for my loving family, incredible friends--both old and new--my health, my fabulous new job and for every day I wake up to the beauty of fall. But today, I'm taking this opportunity to write a Thanksgiving love letter to my husband, who will never know how very much I love him, because there aren't words to express it.

Though we'd known each other for about seven months, we really only dated three days before we decided to get married. Our wedding was very small--just the two of us and a blind judge in his chambers in Savannah, GA. No wedding gown, no wedding favors, no toasts or first dance--only a walk on the beach afterward. It was all we wanted and needed. We have a milestone anniversary coming up, and I'm toying with the idea of renewing our vows with family, friends and a big party, but I digress.

Over the years, we've been the typical married couple. We've had our share of "spirited discussions", and of course, we're now aware of each and every tiny, annoying--and sometimes, disgusting--flaw in one another. But it doesn't matter, because we're best friends, we love each other, we know one another's likes and dislikes and we know what really matters.

I count on him to point out the downside of my ideas so I don't make gigantic (and sometimes, costly) mistakes. He supports me in my endeavors, even though from time to time he thinks I'm crazy for putting forth the effort. We've been around the world together. He does his own laundry. He loves me just as I am--whatever size I might be that day. He makes me laugh. He takes care of our finances, because I couldn't balance a checkbook if my life depended on it, and he's preparing for our future. He's deprived himself of things I know he'd like to have so I can have some of the things I want. He's always willing to communicate, and I trust him implicitly. He makes me feel safe. He takes care of me, and I take care of him.

We used to admire certain friends--couples who appeared to have a solid, happy marriage. One by one, their marriages ended. One day we realized that we had become the role models. Thank you, W, for giving me the one thing in the world that matters most--unconditional love. Happy Thanksgiving! I love you more than you'll ever know.

I'm not talking about how much money she and the groom get in gifts, like the big prize in a horse race. I'm talking about a frou-frou white purse to go with her wedding gown for the big day. First, let me say that I--a 100% heterosexual, married woman--haven't carried a purse in more than a couple of decades. When I did, it was as much a portable garbage can as a convenient way to transport my stuff. I simply carry a wallet and my cell phone in a pocket. Yes, I make sure all my clothes have a pocket somewhere. I don't carry a checkbook--it has saved me thousands over the years. I put on my make-up and fix my hair in the morning, and that's it for the day. But I digress. Actually, even if I were still into handbags, I'd still be curious as to why a bride needs to carry a purse. Let's think about this...

What, exactly, would she carry in this purse on her wedding day? A wallet? Why? Is she heading to a vending machine for a bag of chips after the ceremony? Any chance she'll get bored at the reception and head to the hotel gift shop for a magazine? I seriously doubt it. Assuming that her father or her brand-new husband is paying--or has already paid--for the wedding, we can safely assume she doesn't need to carry a checkbook around all night. Even if she forgot to order the wedding favors and she sees something that might work in the gift shop where she found the magazines, it's really too late. Aah! She never goes anywhere without her cell phone. "Brittany, do you promise to love, honor and cherish?" Rrriiiinnnnggg-tone! "Hello. This is Brittany. No. I can't right now. I think I'm getting married. I'll call you in a few minutes." Click. "I'm sorry. You were saying?" Face it. If even her wedding day can't tear her apart from her cell phone for a few hours, the new mister is in for an interesting life. OK. What else?

The only logical things I can think a bride would need on her wedding day are lipstick and tissues. As many times as she's going to be kissing people throughout the event, it would be an exercise in futility to maintain lipstick-laden lips. As for the tissues, she can always borrow one of Mom's or her new mother-in-law's--who may or may not be crying hysterically for any number of reasons.

Bridal purses are usually much smaller than their everyday counterparts, so they aren't going to hold a lot, or anything much bigger than the typical purse accouterments mentioned above. So I ask again--why bother with the expense of a bridal purse? Just get a wedding gown with a pocket...

Admit it. When we think of graffiti, we think of profound or off-color comments scribbled or spray painted on the inside of bathroom stalls, on freeway overpasses, on the sides on buildings and concrete barriers and on school desks. The very idea of a graffiti-covered wall at a wedding reception is, well, inconceivable, right?

Not anymore! An online company called Wonderful Graffiti has a line of stock "wedding graffiti" as well as customized wedding graffiti with words and images you can choose yourself. The graffiti is very thin pieces of matte vinyl that look "printed" when applied to most smooth surfaces. Your graffiti design arrives on a sheet of transfer paper. You just tape the transfer paper on the wall or surface of your choice, burnish it down and peel it away, leaving only the letters and graphic elements. It's easily removed, and it doesn't harm the surface.

For example, say you're planning a fairy tale-theme wedding. Imagine a large wall in your wedding reception venue covered with the "graffiti" in the image at the right. It not only becomes a spectacular focal point that lets your guests know that you're living your dream, it also brings together the other elements of your wedding day--your gown, the horse-drawn carriage, your cake, your table centerpieces and your wedding favors.

Fairy-tale weddings are naturally elegant weddings, with a fantasy-like ambience created by your decor. This lovely graffiti would work perfectly in a room filled with whimsically romantic candles on every table.

You might want to include wedding bells ringing out the news of your marriage as part of your graffiti. While the wedding bells on the reception wall would be silent, your guests would be delighted to help spread the news when you place a silvery bell wedding favor at their fingertips.

Of course, you could always provide a can of spray paint or a magic marker at their fingertips and let them write their own graffiti. An interesting idea, but I think the folks at Wonderful Graffiti have a better way. They also have graffiti for other occasions and for use in your homes, offices or wherever you want to get creative. You can get creative with your wedding favors, too, at myweddingfavors.com. It's the "write" place to find favors that go great with your graffiti!

You're going to be a dazzling December bride and, whether you've planned an elegant wedding costing tens of thousands or a more reasonable $20K, you want everything to go smoothly. The big day arrives, and you wake up that morning to the blizzard of the century. Streets are impassable, airports are closed, and according to weather reports, the snow won't stop for days.

WWWAAAAHHHH!

"I didn't get wedding insurance!"

Big mistake. For two- or three-hundred dollars, she could have had one less thing to cry about--the money she and/or her parents are out thanks to Mother Nature. If you haven't heard of it, ask. Wedding insurance has been protecting wedding expenses in the US for about the last decade and, no matter how much you're spending on your wedding, it's a good idea. This is truly one time you'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it--especially when you consider all the things that can go wrong besides the weather.

The limos don't show. Your gown catches fire from Uncle Ozwald's smelly cigar. Your caterer's facility floods, and she can't feed your guests. The groom has a skiing accident two days before and is stuck in traction for a month. Your bridesmaids get into a fight trying to catch the bouquet, and they fall on the DJ's equipment, demolishing it. Your wedding favors get lost in the mail. Face it. Anything can happen. When you think about it--a blizzard may not be so bad.

Now that wedding insurance is in your future, begin by checking to see how well your vendors are covered so you don't duplicate coverage. Ask for a copy of their policy to see where you aren't fully insured. So what's covered by wedding insurance? Problems with the site, weather, vendors, key people, sickness or injury are top concerns and can be protected. Even a soldier groom can be covered if he gets shipped out two days before the wedding and you have to postpone. You can also get supplemental policies that cover damages incurred by other wedding-related items like photography and video if they fail to show or the images get destroyed. Gifts that are stolen or lost in the mail can be covered, as well as wedding attire, bodily injury (your maid of honor trips on a step and falls into the lit unity candles), and of course, your honeymoon--hurricane in the Bahamas? On the flip side, wedding insurance won't protect against a change of heart, and jewelry--including engagement and wedding rings may not be covered.

The fact is, many venues won't host your event without liability coverage. Experts suggest you start looking into wedding insurance as soon as you start planning your wedding. Chances are, your big day will come off without a hitch. OK, bad choice of words--but wedding insurance is still a good thing for you to have!

This isn't as tacky as it sounds. In fact, forget sounds. Your bouquet won't say things aloud like, "Ready or not, here I come!" or "I can't wait until later tonight!" No, I'm referring to the language of flowers here--what flowers and their different colors represent. There's even a name for it. It's called "floriography", and it was the "in" thing during the Victorian era, when lovers used flowers to send messages to one another. I think this would be a lovely custom to revive, not only for wedding bouquets but for wedding decor, wedding favors and wedding shower favors as well.

Some of the flowers already popular in bouquets have significant meanings for weddings. The lily has always been a favorite with brides. While the white lily indicates purity and means "it's heavenly to be with you," the yellow lily means "I'm walking on air". The calla lily is an incredibly elegant flower, and it simply symbolizes beauty.

Roses are, and always will be, a popular flower for weddings, but did you know that the color of each rose has special significance?

Red is love, beauty, romantic love, I love you, courage and passion. Yellow means joy, happiness, friendship, a new beginning and remember me. White stands for purity, innocence, humility, youthfulness, sincerity and unity. Pink symbolizes elegance, gracefulness, appreciation and thank you. Peach means desire, anticipation, optimism for the future, and let's get together. Lavender is love at first sight.

The daisy has also become an often-used bouquet and decor flower, because they symbolize innocence, loyal love, purity and gentleness. White daisies go well with almost any decor, and Gerbera daisies make beautiful bouquets because of their vivid colors.

Symbolizing love, beauty and refinement, the orchid is also the symbol for "many children" in China. It's another bouquet favorite because it's so very beautiful and delicate.

There is one flower that speaks specifically to brides and grooms. It is the dainty stephanotis, and it very simply means "marital bliss." Because it's a smaller flower, many brides and florists include it among other flowers in the bouquet or wedding flowers.

You can learn more about flowers and what they mean on a number of Web sites. Almost every flower you can imagine does have a meaning, and they are not all sweetness and love. Some are actually pretty harsh. You might want to read up a little before you go flower picking...

OK. I left out a word in the title. Make that "Time is Running Out On Bride's Dream House!" The Conde' Nast NYC Bride's Dream Townhouse will be open only 16 more days. If the fabulous furniture, appliances, accessories and Kate Aspen wedding favors don't get you there, maybe the scheduled guests will intrigue you enough to stop by. With your wedding not far away, you're probably interested in shaping up for that gown. Fitness expert Sue Fleming, a featured guest, is the creator of the Buff Fitness work-out regimen made famous on TV's Buff Brides. Won't it be wonderful to joyfully anticipate looking at those wedding photos with you figured prominently in almost every one? Fleming can make it happen.

Julie Sabatino is the founder and president of The Stylish Bride. She's an expert in balancing a bride's big day look and the overwhelming planning process, and she writes a fashion blog, "Style Down the Aisle" for iVillage. If you want to make the most of "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue", she's your go-to person.

Want fabulous table settings in your home? Kim Havrilla is bridal director for the Noritake Co. Kim brings with her 23 years of tabletop experience. She understands the relationship between the manufacturer, the retailer, and most importantly, the consumer. Like Kate Aspen, Kim knows the impact
that the perfect table decor can have on any event--from a wedding reception to a small dinner party. Kate Aspen created Personality Boxes for presenting her unique wedding favors so the bride can bring her own style and flair to the tables. Finding Kate Aspen's favors in Personality Boxes is easy at myweddingfavors.com.

When the big day arrives, you want everything perfect, especially your make-up. That's where Kimara Ahnert can help. Kimara opened her Madison Avenue studio in 1997 to teach her clients how to create the looks attained in her salon on their own. She's worked with some famous faces, including Catherine Zeta Jones, Gwyneth Paltrow and Brook Shields. You might want to make this part of your bridesmaids'gifts and take them along to hear Kimara. They'll be wearing make-up that day, too!

So grab your BFFs and have some fun at the Brides Dream House! Here's a calendar with the guests, along with dates and times of their appearances. Hope to see you there!

Holy Cyber Wedding! If you've loved using computer technology to search for wedding photographers, your gown, caterers or your wedding favors, here's another spectacular way to use the Internet. There's a new trend out there for those of you with close family or friends who have to miss your wedding for whatever reason. You can have a "wedcast" sent live to family and friends around the world. Still in its infancy, only a handful of videographers and wedding venues offer the technology--mostly in Las Vegas or tropical locations like Hawaii. You just provide your cyber-guests with the information they need to call up the ceremony and they're there in an instant at no charge to them. After the wedding, you can send them a photo album from the wedding and the wedding reception. So how incredibly "21st Century" is this?

You can even bring more of your wedding to your cyber-guests by sending them wedding favors from your wedding. If you've had a beach wedding, why not send them a little beach in a bottle--sand, shells and a glint of sunshine. If you have a Vegas wedding, send them some lucky candles in the shape of card suits. If you'd like to know more about how wedcasts work, go to www.liveinternetweddings.com. You, too, can be World Wide Wed!

I was watching the TODAY Show this morning, and they interviewed a woman who just wrote a book on five ways to reduce stress. I instantly recognized that this was something every bride-to-be should know--so here I am.

First, take control of the way you respond to stress. Change your perception. Find the good in the bad. If the wedding singer backs out at the last minute, now Uncle Manny can have that shot in the spotlight he's always wanted. If your newly arrived wedding favors look cheap, get spectacular favors online at a Web site that offers rush shipping.

Remember fun and laughter. Very important! Weddings weren't created to destroy relationships and send the bride-to-be over the edge. No matter what happens before or during your wedding, you'll still be married (unless, of course, he gets cold feet and skips out. That's a valid reason to freak...) Take in a comedy at the movies, play tennis or Trivial Pursuit, buy fun bridesmaids gifts and give them out at an impromptu sleepover.

Learn to breathe. You'd think you already know how to do this, but our tendency--especially when we're stressed--is toward short, shallow breaths. When you feel the tension rising, step back and take in a long, steady breath through your nose. Hold it, and think about something pleasing, like the beautiful beach wedding favors you just purchased. Then let your breath out slowly through your mouth. Repeat until the honeymoon.

Take a mini-vacation. Treat yourself to weekend at a bed-and-breakfast in the mountains, a night at a luxury hotel or visit your friend in Phoenix. Don't even think about the wedding. It will all be waiting for you when you return. Keep laughing and breathing.

Finally, learn that it's OK to say "NO." Say "No" if you don't like the hors d'eouvres your Mom picked out for the reception. Say "No" if your future mother-in-law wants to add 20 more guests. (You may want to try compromising on that one.) Say "NO" if your future husband wants a monkey to be his best man. Say "No" to anything less than fabulous wedding favors. Breathe, say "no", take a break when you need to and have fun. Like the perfect wedding favor, your wedding--from beginning to end--should be beautiful and unforgettable.