Mid-Valley Voice

Determining Your Budget

Before you open the checkbook or lay down that credit card, take time to review the costs associated with getting married.

Ask friends or family members who have recently gotten married to advise you on setting an overall budget and how to allocate a portion of that budget to each component.

In general, the more simple and casual the wedding, the less expensive it will be. If you want a more formal and elaborate event, you'll probably need to work with a bigger budget. In this guide, you'll find options for every price range.

See our Wedding Planner Budget Checklist - we have organized the items budgeted according to whom traditionally pays for them. Today, however, many couples split the costs with their families or pay for the entire affair themselves. You can also choose to not include items you find unnecessary.

Whoever picks up the bill, it is important to stay as close to budget as possible. A happily married couple is one that is not paying wedding bills until their 10th anniversary!

Shower Locations and Themes

Like the wedding itself, a wedding shower can be as casual or as formal as the planners choose.

A homegrown affair. For a more intimate, casual shower, consider holding one at your home. Before you volunteer your house, be certain you have ample room for the guests. Will there be enough seating? Bathrooms? Refrigerator space for the food that will be served? At a shower, you want everyone to be able to enjoy themselves. Close quarters are not enjoyable.

A backyard barbeque. On a warm afternoon or evening, consider having the shower outside, where there is room to mingle. Hang outdoor lights, serve tropical drinks and have someone at the grill. Again, make sure you can accommodate the number of guests you're inviting. Make sure there's enough seating and bathrooms. And have a back-up plan in case of inclement weather.

Afternoon tea. There are many area tearooms that provide a Victorian atmosphere. You can go the whole nine yards and ask guests to dress the part with gloves and hats. Or go for casual elegance. Either way, a happy bride-to-be, tasty tea and crust-less sandwiches add up to a party made in heaven.

Time for wine. One of the St. Louis region's many wineries can provide wine for every taste, wonderful foods and even entertainment (on specified days and times). You may want to consider hiring transportation for guests, so there's a designated driver before you start. A winery shower can be particularly festive during the strawberry festival or Octoberfest.

Evening cocktails. An evening affair at a fashionable restaurant or bar could be an elegant alternative for a shower.

Sporting news. If the bride and groom are big sports fans, consider renting a suite at Busch Stadium, the Edward Jones Dome or Savvis Center to watch a Cardinals, Rams or Blues game. Offer hot dogs, popcorn, beer and soda. Don't forget to check security restrictions on packages.

A bunch for brunch. Consider having a Sunday brunch either at a restaurant or at home.

Honeymoon preview. Does the couple know where they're honeymooning? If they're heading for Cancun, have the shower at a Mexican restaurant. Bound for Hawaii? Have a luau. Exploring the Eternal City of Rome? Head to the Hill for an Italian feast.

Spa day. Gather the girls for a day of pampering. Some spas have packages available that include a variety of services, from manicures and pedicures to facials and massages. The staff should provide a private room where you can do the gift exchange and serve a healthy, spa-worthy meal.

Formulating the Guest List

Everyone looks forward to attending a wedding. It's an opportunity for family and friends to share the happiness that surrounds two people who are in love.

However, selecting which family and friends will witness that happiness can sometimes lead to tension. Although it may be impossible to invite everyone you, your fiancé and both sets of parents want to include, you can devise your invitee list in a logical way. As you begin to formulate your guest list, consider the following factors:

How many people can the facilities hold? Both the ceremony site and reception location can legally accommodate only a specific number of people. If you want small, intimate venues, you are going to need a small, intimate guest list. If including more people is important to you, find venues that can hold everyone comfortably.

What's for dinner (and how much is it)? The highest ticket item in a wedding is usually the reception meal. Catering fees are based on a per-person basis. Depending on the number of courses, the quality of liquor at your bar and the dining style, your price can range from $10 to $200 per person. The more people you invite, the bigger the chunk of your overall wedding budget.

Who's paying the bills? It is only right that the individuals paying the bills help determine how many people to invite.

If the bride and groom are paying, they may decide to split the total number of guests between the two families or by three: the bride's parents, the groom's parents and the couple. If the bride's parents are paying, take their wishes into account and compromise.

Adding a few extra guests to a large wedding won't make a big difference. However, when you're trying to keep things as small and intimate as possible, each person adds up.

The Wedding Party

On your wedding day - one of the happiest and most hectic days of your life - it is important to surround yourself with people you care about and trust. Your bridal attendants and groomsmen should serve that purpose. You chose them to join you and your fiancé in celebrating your new life as a married couple because these men and women are your closest friends and confidants.

Conventional wisdom says that for a smaller, more intimate wedding, choose one to three attendants. For a large and lavish affair, you can have up to 12. Most weddings include between five and eight attendants.

Traditionally there is one groomsman per bridesmaid to keep symmetry at the altar and in photographs. Some wedding parties also include ushers to assist in seating family and friends, particularly the mothers of the bride and groom. To include younger family members, you may want to have a flower girl, a ring bearer or train bearer.

Keep in mind that in your wedding photographs and memories, these individuals will always be your wedding attendants. Be sure to ask attendants with whom you want to spend time, not only on your wedding day but also in your future.

Maid or matron of honor: Whether she's been down the aisle herself (matron) or not (maid), your honor attendant should be someone who is dear to your heart. She should also be someone you can depend upon while planning the wedding and especially on your wedding day. Often, a bride asks a sister or best friend to fill this important role.

Best man: The best man should be someone whom the groom can rely upon - not only to help him with the wedding details, but also to offer moral support during this wonderful and stressful time in his life. Often the groom asks a brother, close relative or best friend to stand with him.

Bridesmaids: Bridesmaids are usually sisters, family members or close friends of the bride or groom. They help with wedding errands, help throw a bridal shower, and are key guests at all pre-wedding parties.

Groomsmen/ushers: Groomsmen and ushers are usually brothers, relatives or close friends of the bride and groom.

Flower girls: Traditionally, one or two flower girls between age four and eight walk down the aisle alone or with the ring bearer. If your flower girls are shy, pair them with an older escort. Flower girls can carry pomanders (balls of flowers that match the bridesmaids' or bride's bouquet held by a ribbon), a basket of rose petals to scatter, or baby roses to pass out as they walk down the aisle.

Ring bearer: Have a ring bearer - a young boy, age 4 or 5 - walk down the aisle with the rings tied by ribbon on a decorative pillow, or carried within a decorative treasure box. If you worry about such a young person being responsible for the rings, simply use metal or plastic instead of the actual rings. The ring bearer may walk alone or escort the flower girl(s).

Train bearer: A young child, about 4 or 5 years old, can also act as a train bearer, following the bride down the aisle and carrying her train.

Wedding Invitations - Everything You Need to Know

Since your wedding invitation is the first thing your guests see in conjunction with your wedding, they should be selected and composed with care.

Invitation components: Your wedding invitation comprises more than just a request to attend. There are specific elements that guests should receive within your invitation.

The invitation itself invites guests to attend your marriage by listing your wedding date, time and location. It can include your parents' names or just your own. It can be worded formally or informally. Take a look at different wording styles, or ask your invitation salesperson to help you determine the wording most appropriate for you.

The reception card lists the time and location of your reception.

The response card gives guests the opportunity to RSVP for your wedding - accept or decline. The response cards are vital, since they provide an approximate guest count for the reception. Don't forget to list a "respond by" date approximately two weeks before your final head count is due to the reception facility and/or caterer.

The response envelope should be stamped and pre-printed with the name and address of the individual(s) receiving the responses.

Maps with directions to the ceremony location and reception site should be included. You can have them printed or just run off informal copies. However, make sure the maps are clear - some reproduce poorly and are then hard to follow.

Inner envelopes contain all the components of the wedding invitation.

The inner envelopes are placed within the outer envelopes, which are addressed and stamped for mailing.

Depending on the circumstances of your wedding, you may also want to include the following enclosures:

Travel and accommodation information if you're inviting guests who are from out of town.

A schedule if the events of your wedding are spread out over a long weekend.

When to order: Order your invitations, envelopes, as well as reception and response cards at least four months before your wedding to ensure that you will be able to stuff and address them in time for mailing. Invitations should arrive in guests' hands approximately six weeks before your wedding day.

Where to get your invitations: There are many options for ordering wedding invitations. Here are a few standards and some ideas you may not have considered:

- Large stationary chains have great selections of catalogs to browse through where you can find samples of many types of invitations. You can see first-hand the style that suits you best. Large stores work with professional printers and printing companies.

- An online stationary site or mail-order catalog allows you the convenience of invitation shopping from the comfort of home. You can find and select your invitation, submit the wording and information, and place your order without leaving home. With the hectic pace that comes with planning your wedding, it may be a relief to shop for invitations whenever you have a free moment. But, as when you order anything online or from catalogs, you may end up with invitations different than you expected since you can't see or touch a sample. Looks can definitely be deceiving, so order carefully.

- A small, local stationary shop/printer may have a smaller selection of invitations from which to choose, but they may provide exceptional service. They may have more options on the printing and collating side, such as multiple ink colors, as well as assembly and stuffing of the invitations and envelopes. This service can be especially handy if you have a large guest list and/or an invitation with a decorative element like ribbons that need to be tied. However, this type service will add to your expenses. And smaller shops may need more time to fill your order.

- Enlist a graphic designer whose work you are familiar with and who is capable of designing an invitation for you. That way your invitation is sure to be personal and unique. Keep in mind, you will need to find a printer, although the graphic designer may be able to recommend one. Since this process takes some time, start early.

- Log on to your computer and make your own invitation. There are many programs with different borders, fonts and colors you can use in your design. Use a good paper stock and go to a reputable printer. Although this option is personal and economical, it also may be the most labor intensive for you.

Printing styles: There are various types of printing processes available for invitations. Pick the style you like best and don't forget to make sure it fits within your budget.

- Engraving, the most formal, has slightly raised letters resulting from the paper being pressed on a metal plate. This traditional printing process is the most expensive.

- Thermography combines ink with powder to create raised letters on paper. Since there are no plates involved, the process is quicker - and less expensive - than engraved invitations.

Picking Your Wedding Theme

Most people don't see a need for a wedding theme. Of course, the theme for any wedding is "marriage."

However, when all the little planning details start to come together, you should have some cohesion to everything. With so many choices to make, having a theme helps to guide you to simple elegance. But beware, theme incorporation should be subtle. Too obvious theme elements can take away from the real reason for your special day and make the festivities feel like a theme party.

The season during which you hold your wedding can provide many cues for theme and color. Try a few of these seasonal suggestions to help make your wedding unique and fun.

Spring: What leaps to mind when you hear "spring wedding?" Flowers! Of course, every wedding has flowers. When flowers are your theme, you can incorporate them not only in décor, but in other decorative elements as well.

- Use a subtly flowered fabric for your bridesmaids' dresses.

- Give your guests flowery favors. Seeds for their gardens in decorative pots are one way to do that. Bud vases are another.

- Incorporate fresh flowers in your cake design or have your baker craft them out of fondant.

- Use pressed flower stationary for invitations and programs. You'll find these little lovelies at many invitation providers.

- Ask your caterer to include flowers in your menu - edible flowers look lovely in salads and as garnish for your main course.

- Colors for spring often include muted pastels, such as buttercup yellow, lilac, pale blue, carnation pink and sage green. These colors can be found in many of the season's flowers.

Summer: When it's hot outside, choose a sunny theme that tells guests that your wedding is the cool place to be? A tropical paradise! A fuchsia wedding dress would be inappropriate, but putting a taste of the tropics in the details can go a long way.

- Feature faux "Tiki" torches as part of the reception lighting scheme.

- Serve fruity drinks with little umbrellas at the bar, and have sangria available in carafes at the tables.

- Make dried fruits and nuts available for snacking.

- Include tropical flowers in bouquets and boutonnieres, and flowered leis as part of the table design.

- Incorporate some reggae music into your playlist.

- Hot colors for those hot summer nights include electric blue, royal purple, magenta, lime green and chili-pepper red. While these colors may seem like a throwback to the 1980s, when you incorporated these hues using a simple elegant touch, they can help make your wedding the most festive fete in town.

Fall: When the leaves turn from green into beautiful fall hues and the air starts to have a nip of cold, what comes to mind but autumn harvest? There are many opportunities to incorporate a little flavor of fall into your wedding celebration.

- Serve cider-inspired drinks and ales.

- Use a leaf motif throughout all aspects of your wedding.

- Include fall wildflowers in the bouquets, boutonnieres and décor.

- Serve spice, apple or pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing decorated with leaves and fall flowers.

- Use cornucopias with various fruits for snacking and centerpieces.

- Look to the trees for the colors of the season. Rich golds, chocolate browns, deep burgundies, dark eggplant and spicy pumpkin can turn your wedding into a harvest of love.

Winter: Whether it's cold or not, when you proceed down the aisle, walk in a winter wonderland. Winter provides a serene backdrop for your nuptials. Consider adding these chilly touches to enhance the sparkle and elegance.

- Include silver sparkle everywhere you can - flowers, dresses, centerpieces.

- Serve warm drinks along with traditional bar fare - hot toddies and hot chocolate.

- If there is snow on the ground, make sure to take some outdoor pictures, even if it's cold. You and the wedding party will look like snow angels.

- Have the bride and bridesmaids carry faux fur muffs - very "Dr. Zhivago."

- Use winter-like fabrics, such as velvets, in dresses and décor.

- Plan your wedding festivities with a "holiday" theme.

- Colors for winter weddings should be cool. These blue-based hues can include ice blue, silver, red and emerald green. Set against the crispness of a winter day, cool colors can warm the heart.

Seasonless style: The combination of black and white always makes an elegant statement. It is especially fitting for an evening wedding. You can incorporate black and white in any number of ways - dresses, accessories, flowers, favors and even dessert. This study in contrasts can pull it all together.

The Ceremony Location

You know the "who," "what," "why" and probably the "when." But in regard to your wedding, there is no more important "where" than the site of your ceremony.

This facility is the place where you will make those lifelong promises to love and to cherish. In your pictures you will forever be standing in that spot, wearing the most beautiful dress, with your husband lovingly gazing at you, and your friends and family fondly observing.

Here are some ideas to guide you toward picking the perfect site for your ceremony:

- If you want to get married in a place of worship, you should pick one to which you feel connected. That could be where you currently attend services or the place you went during childhood. It could be somewhere you’ve never been but have admired from afar.

- An outdoor wedding can be beautiful. Whether under a gazebo, at a park, or in a field, an outdoor wedding seems to come with Mother Nature’s seal of approval. Be careful to consider seasonal weather factors. Certain times of year are more prone to inclement weather than others.

- In a museum or gallery, your wedding will be surrounded by beautiful objects. You can choose sites that display works that match your personal preferences, whether you enjoy the modern, classical, naturalistic or abstract.

- A wedding at home gives you the opportunity to recite your vows in a place that is near and dear to your heart. Though it will require that you have enough room to accommodate your guest list, a home wedding will definitely have a personal touch that no other location offers.

Music to Marry By

When you envision yourself walking down the aisle, what do you hear? Music sets the tone for the celebration that is your marriage. You have many choices when it comes to music for your ceremony.

Selecting Your Musicians: Your wedding musical ensemble can either be grandiose or subtle. For a more subtle sound, combine two or three flutes with a keyboard. You can include violins, harps and trumpets if you're looking for a bigger sound. And when it comes to voices, it's usually best to feature just one voice with a vocal style you enjoy, or two who combine to create harmonies.

Dealing With Religious Music Requirements/Restrictions: If you have to include certain religious music, such as the Catholic "Holy Holy" or the Jewish "Simon Tov Heranu Shalom," your musicians should be able to accommodate your needs. It's their job to be familiar with religious music, and professional musicians can make arrangements to learn a special piece if given enough time to find musical arrangements.

Selection Suggestions:

Prelude: The prelude music begins when the doors open to guests approximately 20 minute before the ceremony begins. The prelude will serenade your guests as they enter and take their seats.

- "Water Music" - Handel

- "Flower Song" from "Lakme" - Delibes

- "Minuet" from "Orpheus"

- "Sheep May Safely Graze" - Bach

Processional: This is the music that will be played as your bridesmaids meet their groomsmen and for the bride's grand entrance. You can choose just one of these pieces or a combination of two.

- "Canon in D Minor" - Pachelbal

- "Entre'acte to Act 3" from "Carmen" - Bizet

- "The Bridal Chorus" ("Here Comes the Bride") - Wagner

- "Trumpet Voluntary in D" - Purcell

- "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" - Bach

Interlude: Select interlude pieces to be played during especially meaningful moments during your ceremony, such as the ring exchange, the lighting of the unity candles, the breaking of the glass, and/or the presentation of flowers to the parents of the bride and groom.

- "Only Time" - Enya

- "The Gift of Love" (Traditional) - arranged by Hopson

- "Ave Maria" - Schubert

- "O Mio Babbino Caro" - Puccini

Recessional: During the recessional, the bride and groom take their first walk as husband and wife. Celebratory music is in order.

- "Ode to Joy" - Beethoven

- "Vivace" from "Flute Sonata in F" - Telemann

- Fourth movement from "Austia Flute Sonata in F" - Handel

Get with the Program

Your wedding program is not only a keepsake for your guests, it also lets them participate in and more fully enjoy your ceremony.

From the moment guests arrive, the program sets the tone with your theme, your colors, and the events that will take place during your wedding.

Information to include:

- On the front cover, you will want to include your name and the name of your fiance, the date, time and ceremony location. You may also want to include the overriding motif if you're incorporating one - such as a flower or a leaf.

- On the inside, list the order of events during the ceremony, including the titles of all musical selections (from the prelude to the recessional); the readings and names of the readers; and any traditions you're performing (i.e., lighting the unity candle, breaking the glass). Your officiant can help you list the different parts of the ceremony.

- On the back cover, list the members of your wedding party and their relationship to you. The back cover also is good place to list any "thank you" messages you'd like to make. For instance, you may wish to acknowledge your parents, the wedding coordinator and/or officiant. If you're including a memorial to a departed loved one, list it here.

- Some programs also have an insert sheet that lists your address, phone number and e-mail address. This information is especially important if you are moving to a new residence. Your guests will be able to include you in their address books without having to call your family or friends for the information.

Printing and assembly:

- Some invitation styles have a coordinating program. You will need to provide the information you want in the program to your invitation vendor. When picking the program's font and ink color, you should use the same font and ink color as you did for the invitation. Thus, the program complements or matches your invitation.

- You could layout your program on your home computer with simple word processing software. Do choose an elegant font for your type.

- For decoration, a ribbon (in your main wedding color or the same color as the ink) laced through the spine of the program and tied in a knot or a bow makes an elegant statement. Some couples even include subtle beading on the ribbon for added sparkle.

Distribution: Ask a good friend or family member who you'd like to include in the wedding festivities to hand out programs. The programs can be placed in baskets decorated with your colors that are then held by one or two program distributors.

Often, two individuals hand out programs - one for each side of the church. They should be standing at the entrance from the time that the doors open until the doors close for the beginning of the processional.

Band or DJ?

The music at your wedding can make or break the mood. To keep things moving and upbeat, you must depend on either a professional disc jockey (DJ) or live band. The following compilation details the attributes of both, to help you decide the perfect music choice for you.

DJ: A good DJ does much more than pop in the CDs. He or she sets the tone for your entire reception. The DJ usually serves as a master of ceremonies, announcing each of the important events of the reception - from the entrance of the wedding party to the last dance of the evening. A charismatic DJ gets all the guests involved and keeps the party going.

As to price, a DJ may be more economical than a band - you're paying for the time of just one person as opposed to a group of people. The DJ service you choose should use professional sound and lighting equipment. He or she should also provide a wireless microphone to use during toasts. And, most importantly, the DJ should have a wide selection of music.

When you use a DJ, you'll have access to a variety of music genres and songs - from country to soul from rock to jazz. You don't have to stick with just one type of music. And if you want to use a song the DJ doesn't carry, you can always bring it along yourself. You'll be able to play any recording available. When your DJ takes a break, it need not stop the party. He or she can play multiple selections in a row to keep the party going.

Make sure to get a DJ whose personality and emcee skills are exciting and attention-getting. This doesn't mean he or she needs to be loud and obnoxious - a quiet, laid-back DJ may be just the person for a certain crowd. However, a dull DJ can kill the mood and drag down the entire reception. Make sure you see your DJ in action before booking him or her.

Band: A live band can really get your guests in a party mood while, by example, setting the scene for the celebration. A good bandleader will not only act as master of ceremonies, but also encourage guest interaction. He or she can get a feel for the room and pick up the pace when there seems to be a lull in the action.

Live music can be exhilarating for guests. And many musicians specialize in particular musical genres. Bands are available that play Motown classics, swing, country, rock, pop, music from the 80s, or any other type of music that gets your guests' feet moving.

A live band also offers an air of sophistication to a party. Even guests who won't get up and dance can admire the artistry of professional musicians.

For the most part, a band will be more expensive than a DJ. After all, you're paying for the talent of several live musicians. Also, when a band takes a break, the transition is more noticeable. Guests will likely leave the dance floor even if a CD is played. Some bands take five-minute breaks, others take 20-minute breaks. Be sure to check out the break policies of the bands you're talking to before signing a contract. And you'll want to see a live performance to make sure the band can match any recordings that may have caught your ear.

No Matter Which Way You Go ... Whether band or DJ, there are certain details you should cover with the musical entertainment for your reception before booking them:

• Are they available? The best bands and DJ services may be booked 18 months to one year in advance. And some dates are especially popular. Try to preview reception entertainment as far in advance as you can so you have many quality options available to you.
• What is their style? Are they outgoing, getting each guest on the dance floor? Or are they quiet, letting the music speak for itself? Make sure their style matches your preference.
• What will they wear? For a more formal affair, will they dress black-tie? Suits? Jeans? Make sure to specify what dress you'd prefer. And don't forget to ask about accessories. If you don't want a "Cat in the Hat" striped top hat brought out, make sure you specify that.
• What is included in their package price? How many hours will they play? How many breaks will they take?
• What is their overtime charge? If you choose to extend the reception, will they continue performing? What rate will they charge?
• Do you get to choose the musical selection? Must you list each and every song you want played, or will they determine the list? Will they take guest requests?
• Do they have back-ups? If your DJ or one of the performers is unable to make it at the last minute, who will appear in his or her place? By the same token, do they have back-up equipment available in case something unexpected happens?
• Can you see them live at another wedding? Most bands and DJs can arrange for you to see a live performance. As noted earlier, it's a good idea to see a live performance to determine if they're the right choice for you.
• Can you specifically prohibit the playing of a certain song? Sick of "The Electric Slide?" Don't feel like quacking along to "The Duck Dance?" Afraid "The Macarena" will ruin your night? Make sure you can specify which song you don't want to hear, as well as the ones you do.

As you know, it is imperative to get all details in writing before you hire your band or DJ. Carefully read over the contract to make sure everything is covered, so you can dance all night without a worry.

Bridal Headpieces and Accessories

Now that you've chosen your bridal gown, it's time to put the icing on the cake!

Shopping for a headpiece, veil and other accessories gives you a chance to put your personal stamp on your wedding day appearance. Keep in mind that your personality can most come through with accessories that complement, not exactly match, your gown.

The following information on headpieces, veils and other accessories can help you appear exactly as you want on your wedding day.

Headpieces: When you meet with your hairstylist for your wedding hair consultation, the two of you can determine what hairstyle suits your face shape: updo, loose and flowing, or somewhere in between. Then you can consider what headpiece would best complement your gown and your hairstyle. Here are a few of the most popular:

- A bunwrap is a decorative circular band that gets wrapped around a chignon or updo. Bunwraps look best with traditional, simple gowns.

- A crown is a full, high circular piece that circles a bun or updo and is adorned with gems or beads. If your dress has some embellishment, a crown can tie the look together.

- A headband is a half-circle band of either plain fabric or fabric embellished with gems and beads. Headbands also are available in styles that have a wider middle, and tapered ends.

- A tiara is a jeweled or beaded semi-circle that sits on top of the head and can give a bride a regal look.

- A wreath may be a good match for a flowing ethereal gown. It features a full circle of flowers and ribbon that rests on the crown of the head. A wreath looks best with a loose, flowing hairstyle.

Veils: A veil, once a must-have for all weddings, is now more of an optional accessory. Whether or not you want to wear a veil depends on your personality, the style of gown you are wearing and the overall feel of your wedding. Veils are seen most often at more formal, elegant weddings.

When you're considering veils, first look in the mirror. The shape of your face - whether soft and curved or more angular - will help determine what kind of veil you should have.

- A round-faced bride should consider a veil that falls along the sides of the face, helping it to appear more narrow. This effect is further complemented by hair worn down in loose curls or a bob.

- A square jawline can be softened by a longer veil and loose tendrils surrounding the face.

- An oblong face - or longer oval - looks good with a veil that adds width. A "waterfall" veil paired with a simple updo and elegant headpiece looks wonderful. However, stay away from high-piled hairstyles that accentuate the face length.

- For a heart-shaped or triangular face, consider a veil that attaches behind the neckline - best with a chignon.

- A bride with a diamond or oval face has limitless options, since those shapes are symmetrical.

Accessories: There are more accessories that you can use to further personalize your wedding day look.

- A shawl or wrap can accentuate your dress and keep you warm.

- Your shoes, no matter what style you choose, should be comfortable.

- Gloves can add that extra touch of elegance to any gown.

- Your engagement ring and wedding band(s) will be slipped on your finger during the ceremony.

- A necklace can accentuate certain necklines.

- Earrings should be ornate with a simple gown, or simple when worn with an embellished gown or other extravagant jewelry.

- Bracelets can add subtle sparkle but shouldn't take away from your rings.

- A watch is only appropriate if it has sentimental value.

Bridesmaid Beauty - Picking the Perfect Gowns

Everyone has heard the dreaded stories about all the ugly bridesmaids' dresses sitting in the back of women's closets. Not only are they never to be worn again, but they also cost an exorbitant amount of money.

To help ensure that your name will not be added to the list of "good friend, bad bride," there are many factors to take into account when selecting bridesmaids' gowns:

- Decide how you want the bridesmaid dresses to complement your bridal gown. If the bridal gown is simple, you don't want to select ornate bridesmaids' gowns.

- Consider the complexions and hair colors of your bridesmaids before choosing a color. Choose colors you think will look good on all of your bridesmaids.

- Choose a style that flatters the different sizes and shapes of your bridesmaids. Sure, that strapless tube dress may look wonderful on the model in your wedding magazine. But if you were a bridesmaid, would you feel comfortable in it? Keep in mind that simple, elegant styles can make all your bridesmaids happy.

- Ask your maid or matron of honor to be in charge of helping the other bridesmaids with their gowns.

- Keep cost in the front of your mind. You shouldn't ask your bridesmaids to pay more than $100 to $300 for the entire ensemble.

- Take your honor attendant and/or some other bridesmaids with you to look. You may get some insight into what they're looking for when you see the styles they gravitate toward.

Parental Pride - Fashions for Mom and Dad

They raised you, they helped you. Now they're seeing you through to an important phase in your life - marriage.

Parents deserve to look as great as they feel. Parents' fashions have changed to reflect more modern styles.

Mothers: The mother of the bride and mother of the groom have all eyes on them as they walk down the aisle. And they'll be in more pictures than they've been in since their own wedding days. So why look matronly?

Bridal professionals agree that mothers of the bride and groom are looking modern and fashionable these days. They should begin their shopping once the bride has chosen her gown and the bridesmaids' dresses.

Traditionally, the mother of the bride sets the tone. The mothers shouldn't match each other, either. The mothers should consult with each other as to the style and color of their dresses.

The mothers' dresses should complement their personal style and coloring but shouldn't clash with - or exactly match - the wedding colors. The formality of their dresses should be in the same tone as the bridal party.

Fathers: Whether you're daddy's little girl or his big boy, the fathers want to look their best.

Fathers can purchase the same tuxedos as the groomsmen. However, if that look is too modern for them, they can wear a more traditional tuxedo. They can also tone down the color.

If colored vests are worn by the groomsmen, the fathers will best be suited in black or gray. And traditionally, the fathers' tuxedos match each other and the groomsmen in formality and style.

The Dashing Gentlemen

On the wedding day, most of the attention is focused on the bride and her bridesmaids. After all, their attire sets the mood and tone for the entire wedding.

But the men are important as well. You want the groom and the groomsmen to get noticed too - and not because they're dressed poorly.

Types of Formal Wear:

- For a semiformal daytime wedding, suits are actually more appropriate than tuxedos. Men can wear a tie or go without one.

- For a semiformal evening wedding, a dark tuxedo and bow tie with cummerbund or vest is appropriate. Or men could wear a dark suit. Wear a white wing-tipped or turned-down collared shirt.

- At a formal daytime wedding, choose from tuxedos, tailcoats and gray strollers. Wear it with a white spread-collar shirt, a vest that matches the coat, and an ascot.

- Formal evening weddings call for black tie. Wear a classic black tuxedo with a white wing - or spread-collar shirt, black bow tie, and a matching vest or cummerbund.

Just because the men are wearing tuxes doesn't mean that they have to be boring. The latest trends in tuxedos are longer jackets with a narrow cut. And vests come in a variety of colors and textures.

Even though all the men are basically dressed the same, it is appropriate for the groom to stand out, especially since it's his big day. "The groom may wear a different vest color, jacket or tie in order to distinguish him from the groomsmen.

After all, the bride shouldn't get all of the attention as she and her Prince Charming exchange vows.