Grooms, are you wondering what to get your bride for her wedding gift?  When trying to think of that perfect gift, consider one that will last a long time.  Clothing will wear out, watches will break and have to be replaced, and trips will soon be over with nothing but memories left as a keepsake.

On my honeymoon night, my husband presented me with a beautiful pearl necklace and earring set.  It is a cherished gift that I still have more than 33 years later.  I’ve worn these beautiful pieces at all of my children’s high school and college graduations as well as each of my daughter’s weddings.  Every time I put them on, they remind me of the look on my husband’s face when he gave them to me.  They have turned into a family heirloom that will be passed down from generation to generation.

A beautiful piece of quality jewelry that won’t go out of style is the perfect wedding gift.  If taken care of, it will last for many years to come and provide you with memories, not only of the day it is received, but new memories each time it is worn.

The term ‘bridal shower’ is thought to be stemmed from a Victorian custom of placing small gifts in a parasol and opening it over the bride’s head.  She would then be ’showered’ with gifts.  Although nobody actually pours presents on top of the guest of honor anymore, the idea of accumulating smaller gifts has creative potential.

Instead of the parasol idea, use baskets.  Purchase different size baskets that the bride would be able to use throughout her new home for decorative or storage purposes.  Give each basket a theme and ask your guests to bring a small gift for several of the themes you’ve chosen.  For example, a kitchen theme basket might contain salt & pepper shakers, dish towels, spatulas, etc.  A bathroom theme basket could be filled with toothbrush holders, loofahs, decorative soaps and so on.  A spa theme basket would hold manicure or pedicure items, nail polish, lotions, and maybe even a gift card or two.

Use your imagination when coming up with themes.  Keep your bride in mind when choosing the themes; does she own a pet, does her fiance like to barbecue, do they have hobbies liking hiking or swimming.  Make sure you incorporate some practical themes, but add some fun themes too.

This unique bridal shower idea is not only fun, but it will help to fill a lot of those lower priced needs that a bride doesn’t even think about until she starts setting up house.

All weddings have certain basics in common and the wedding cake is among the most important.  Whether you’re planning a small family gathering or a large, gala affair, the wedding cake normally takes center stage when it comes to reception decorations.  

Just like almost every other wedding detail, wedding cakes also follow popular trends.  In past blogs, we’ve discussed the trend toward geometric shapes instead of the traditional round cake.  We’ve also touched on more popular cake flavors, and which cakes tend to freeze best for that one year anniversary celebration.  Now we want to share the preferred frosting type for the 2010 wedding.

In past years, fondant has easily been the bride’s favorite because of its versatility and clean look.  However, fondant can be found lacking when it comes to taste and can also be quite costly.  The new frosting choice for 2010 has returned to buttercream.  Today’s bakers have found ways to make this flavorful frosting with the same smooth, clean look of fondant without the extra expense. 

So when it comes to today’s most popular frosting choice, you can have it all with buttercream.  Lower costs, beautiful versatility and delicious taste;  it’s truly a ‘buttercream dream’ come true!

Long considered optional and even unnecessary, the wedding favor is now taking its rightful place among a wedding’s more important details.  Wedding favors have been around since 400 B.C., and have mostly consisted of small confections or almonds wrapped up in tiny packages and given to guests.  However, the most popular  trend for the wedding favor for 2010 is fast becoming the keepsake favor.

Whether a favor is personalized, such as etched glassware, useful, such as bottle stoppers or small frames, or a local form of artwork, such as candles, the idea is all the same.  Couples appreciate their guests and want to show that appreciation by giving them something to keep and remember their wedding by.  More thought is being put into the type of ‘thank-you’ gift that is given out and this enables the type of wedding favor to be incorporated into any style of wedding ~ traditional, ethnic, elegant, or any of a thousand kind of theme weddings.

Bigger is not necessarily better for everyone.  In fact, when it comes to the newest trends in weddings, the backyard get-together is making a fairly good showing.  The economy may play a part  in a couple’s decision to down-size their wedding celebration, however, it is not the only factor.  Couples are starting to bring back the basics of family and intimate friends. 

The whole idea of a backyard wedding is quite nostalgic for me ~ my parents were married in my mother’s childhood home and the reception was held in the backyard.  There’s a cozy, endearing quality about a more intimate celebration.

The more practical side is also important to consider.  Families and friends tend to be spread out all over the country; after all, you need to go where the jobs are, right?  So when you finally are able to get everyone together for a celebration, it’s nice to actually be able to spend some quality time with them.  Couples that have a larger guest list rarely have time to talk to anyone other than in the reception line. 

The cost of this type of wedding is also a plus.  You can still provide a lavish meal with wonderful decorations, but keeping with the smaller size and the more quaint accommodations, will really help to stay within a more limited budget. 

Weddings that are held around a holiday can be extremely festive since the celebration tone has already been set by the holiday itself.  Whichever holiday you’re planning your wedding around, you’ll want to incorporate part of that holiday’s essence, not only into the decorations and reception atmosphere, but also into the wedding ceremony.  Let your vows reflect that holiday’s spirit and meaning.

  ~  A New Year’s wedding is perfect for focusing on new beginnings.  Your vows can communicate the wonderful anticipation of what is to come; a new journey to be traveled together. 

  ~  A Valentine’s weddingis already the perfect backdrop for a romantic’s dream.  Vows can incorporate selections from any one of a thousand classic poets. 

  ~  A Thanksgiving wedding lends itself nicely to expressing the immense gratitude you feel for the gift of your spouse.  You can also extend that thankfulness to your family, friends and guests as well.

  ~  A Christmas wedding brings with it a wonderful picture of God’s blessed gift to mankind and to you as a couple.  Acknowledging your commitment to Him and to each other in your marriage reflects the absolute love and commitment which was manifested on that first Christmas day.

Favor boxes are such a versatile tool when it comes to presenting your guests with their one-of-a-kind ‘thank-yous’ for sharing in your special day.  I recently received these pictures from a newlywed to show how he and his fiance took the Kate Aspen Miniature Silver Chair Favor Boxes up a notch and personalized them with their own unique touches.  He writes:

“We added our own style by creating a logo for our day and then I was able to get clear stickers and print our logo on it and then affix them to the favor boxes.  My fiance sewed the heart charms onto the ribbon.  They are unique and fantastic.”

He also shared with me that since his guests would be riding the cable cars to their wedding venues, they had delicious chocolates specially designed in the shape of cable cars to place inside each favor box.  The final wedding favor made a truly elegant statement as well as a greatly appreciated gift for their guests. 

Very creative!  Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea!

Today’s bride wants more than just several dozen pre-posed shots to remember her wedding by.  Normally these type of photos only capture the newlyweds, the wedding party, and a few close relatives. 

Photo journalists are quickly replacing the traditional wedding photographers.  Candid shots of the guests and the wedding party will bring back memories more vividly in the days and years to come after the wedding.  Photo journalists specialize in capturing moments that would otherwise be forgotten or maybe not even noticed at all.

Some companies will provide several photographers per wedding so every moment is caught.  Thousands of pictures are able to be taken and with the right equipment, these pictures can instantly be transferred to a computer screen set up in the reception hall so guests can enjoy the pictures as they are taken.

Recently my daughter was a bridesmaid in a wedding where three photographers covered the entire wedding day from beginning to end.  They were able to take the wedding party ‘off-site’ to an old train yard and the pictures they ended up with were remarkable. 

As you might expect, this service does not come cheaply, but after all is said and done, your photos will be your only memory of this very special day.  No matter where else you need to cut corners, it’s a wise idea to invest in a great photographer.

There’s nothing that says weddings have to be formal.  Sometimes, even as adults, it’s good to let that inner child out, and a teddy bear theme is the perfect way to do that.  For this type of theme, it’s all about the decorations. 

Let your flower girl carry her petal basket that has been adorned with a tiny teddy bear.  A bear-shaped pillow can carry your rings tied onto each paw.  Embellish your reception tables with centerpieces that feature different bears or try making several pairs of beautiful ‘bear’ fresheners to set around the reception hall.  A stuffed pair of bride and groom teddys can even keep guard at the gift table.  Teddy bear cake toppers are readily available at many online wedding shops as well as unique wedding favors to send home with your guests.  HINT:  If you can’t find bear-theme wedding favors, look for baby shower favors.  Some may even be able to be personalized with your names and your wedding date.

Ask your caterer about customizing your reception foods into teddy bear molds or arrangements.  You may even want to complete the look with a teddy bear ice sculpture. 

If you are looking for a truly unique theme, this ‘Love Bears All Things’ (1Cor. 13:7) wedding theme is a particularly sweet idea. 

Want to be ‘in style’ when it comes to your reception foods?  This year’s trends offer up a variety of tastes to fit most everyone’s budgets. 

With today’s growing health conscious mindset, it comes as no surprise that reception menus consisting of organic foods are gaining in popularity.  Seek out caterers that serve organically fed beef or chicken for your main course.  Or, if you prefer, keep a totally vegetarian menu.  Look for local organically grown produce for your salads, fruits, garnishes and juices.  Check with your caterer regarding meatless entrees that provide a wonderfully elegant presentation without the higher cost of steak or fish.

Specialty sandwiches are another trend that can help to keep the cost down.  Gourmet meats, cheeses and sauces add an ethnic flare without costing an arm and a leg.  It’s also a wonderful way to let your guests try several different flavor combinations, giving your reception a truly unique style. 

Another idea that is gaining in popularity is the appetizer reception.  Instead of a sit-down meal made up a several courses, a table filled with trays of appetizers would be set out in a buffet-style arrangement.  Again, this type of reception allows your guests to relish a variety of different flavors and at the same time, helps you to stay within your budget.

Today’s trendy wedding bar is now being stocked with an assortment of specialty drinks created with energy drinks such as Red Bull.  These popular high-energy concoctions  sparked the imagination of many bartenders and the results are not only creative but tasty.  Not into energy drinks?  Ask about unique healthy drinks made with teas.