When planning the total look for your wedding day, don’t forget the toes.  The toes are just as important in your wedding make-up as your fingernails or hair.  Even if you’re not planning on wearing open-toed shoes at the wedding, your husband will see them on your honeymoon.  And beautiful feet can very alluring!

If you do want to ’show a little toe’ during the ceremony, you may want to consider toe nail designs.  Although it does take some talent to be able to hand-paint these intricate designs, I’ve found that the toes are definitely easier to do myself than the fingernails.  So, if cash is a problem, give the ‘DIY’ approach to your feet.  You can match your toenails with your fingernails, or you can give them a totally different look.

Wedding themescan easily work into your designs as well as your wedding colors.  Snowflakes, poinsettias or wreaths fit well with Christmas & winter theme weddings.  If you have metallic colors in your wedding palette, try gold or silver glitter to really give your feet some sparkle.  You can even glue on some tiny rhinestones to add an elegant touch.

There is no denying that manicures and pedicures have become a billion dollar industry.  No mall, shopping center, or outdoor strip mall is complete without at least one nail salon.  Even if you’re not into fancy nail art, you should consider making an appointment at one of these salons in preparation for your wedding day.

The services offered can range from the basics to an all out nail design to fit your wedding theme.  My daughters got me into the ‘nail art’ thing after they were married, but they all wish they had known about it beforehand. 

Nail art is a simple way of expressing yourself, plus it has the added benefit of enhancing any theme your choose.  The hand-drawn designs can include butterflies or flowers for your spring & garden theme wedding, seashells or fish for your beach theme wedding, wild geometric patterns for a more contemporary theme, or even white with black bows trimmed in gold or silver glitter for your elegant evening wedding. 

I was browsing the Internet lately looking for the best price I could find on some hiking shoes.  I noticed that I kept finding more and more online stores that had the words: ‘LOW PRICE GUARANTEE’ emblazoned across their websites.  Naturally, I clicked on the links that led me to their ‘low price guarantee’ description.  Every single one claimed that they would meet any price I found as long as:

1.)  I found the website with the lower prices myself.
2.)  The item that I found the lower price on was identical in every way (including color & size) to the one I wanted from their website.
3.)  I emailed them a link to the product page of the lower priced competitor.

Then, after they had verified the lower price, I would be contacted and given the price that matched the other guy’s price.  In other words, I spent hours doing the ‘leg work’, had to prove that I had done the leg work, had to wait for my leg work to be legitimized, and then I would be granted the same price that I had already found.  What kind of guarantee is that?  If ‘time is money’, then this kind of guarantee is costing a small fortune.  I may save 5 cents on a favor, but I’ve lost hours in the ’search’.  A true guarantee should save you not only money, but your time as well.

That’s why at Wedding Favor Reflections.com, don’t give you a pseudo low price guarantee; we just give you low prices!  This is how we know our prices are the lowest they can be:  We only carry high-quality Kate Aspen brand favors.  All Kate Aspen retailers are required to abide by a minimum price that these favors can be sold for.  In other words, we can sell them for much more if we want, but there is a ‘bottom line’ as far as the lowest price is concerned.  This minimum price is where all of our favors are set all of the time.

What this means to our customers is that they can be assured that they have found the lowest possible online price available ~ and, they didn’t have to spend hours hunting it down.  Check out our testimonials; we also provide excellent customer service!

Your bridesmaids need to know how grateful you are for all of the hard work and moral support they’ve provided over the past several months.  Traditionally, the bride-to-be hosts a bridesmaid luncheon where gifts are given and this gratitude is expressed.  These luncheons should always be held as close to the wedding date as possible.  However, maybe you’d like to show your appreciation while you’re not so rushed and bogged down in wedding details.

Consider treating your bridesmaids to a traveling girls’ night out several months before the wedding.  Start out at a nice restaurant and enjoy a light lunch or small dinner.  Then travel to the nail salon for manicures and pedicures.  Make an appointment with a make-up professional to give your attendants tips on how best to enhance their features and compliment their bridesmaid gowns.  You can also visit a hair salon for hairstyling tips and maybe even do a little jewelry shopping to accessorize their gowns.  Top it all off with a decadent dessert and coffee at a local coffee shop.

You can fill the day with as much or as little as you like (or can afford).  The idea is to show your bridesmaids just how special they are to you and how much you appreciate their friendship.

Since the beginning of time, girls have started preparing for their married lives long before they ever meet their groom.  Hope chests have been filled and dowries have been put together well in advance of any courtship, engagement or marriage taking place. 

Today’s brides are no different, and with the trend toward getting married at a later age, most women have their households pretty well set up before their wedding.  Therefore, it’s really not a big surprise when newlyweds prefer to receive cash as wedding gifts instead of toasters.

Although it is still considered poor etiquette to request cash on any invitation, it is not improper for close friends of the bride or groom to discreetly spread the word.   Most wedding guests will understand and comply. 

Bridal showers are considered different than weddings, however, and it is still fairly traditional to give a gift instead of cash for a shower.  Therefore, it is a good idea to register for gifts at your favorite local store.  No matter how well set up your new household is, extra towels, bed linens, or kitchen utensils can always come in handy.  If you do receive something you really don’t need, take it back to the store and exchange if for store credit.  The store credit is as good as cash and can come in extremely handy down the road on future necessary purchases.

Once you’ve decided on your color palette for your wedding, be sure to continue to keep an open mind.  This isn’t saying that you need to change your color scheme totally, but remember that there are many colors that go well with and even compliment each other. 

Incorporating different shades of the same color can really bring some style to a wedding party.  Consider allowing the maid of honor to wear different colors than the rest of the attendants.  For example, your maid of honor could be dressed in burgundy or merlot, while your bridesmaids wear a lighter rose color.  Another alternative would be to invert color schemes in the dresses.  A silver dress with a violet sash on the maid of honor would be beautifully complimented by violet bridesmaid dresses with silver sashes.  Use accessories like shoes, jewelry, shawls or sashes to incorporate other colors.  Silver is fast becoming a very popular wedding color today simply because it does go so well with so many other colors such as gunmetal grey, slate blue, violet or pink.  Keeping these accenting colors in mind also helps when the mothers of the bride and groom go to choose their dresses.

By varying the colors in your wedding party, you add an elegant touch of class that is completely unique.  Just remember to keep within your color palette and watch out for colors that clash.  With a little imagination you can create a truly sophisticated look.

Shopping for a wedding dress is normally the first thing that pops into one’s mind immediately upon becoming engaged.  However, that’s not the only dress you should be shopping for.  You need to also keep a lookout for a ‘drop-dead gorgeous’ going away outfit.  This is the dress that you can either leave the reception in or, if you prefer, change into before taking off on your honeymoon. 

Unlike your wedding dress, this dress is one that you’ll use over and over, so spending a little extra money on this special outfit is a lot more justifiable.  You want it to be one of those figure-flattering dresses that makes you look like you just dropped 10 pounds.  You may need to try on dozens of dresses before finding just the right one. 

Typical rules of thumb you may want to follow are:
*  Keep the hem of the dress around knee length.  This elongates the leg and gives a very sexy, sleek look.
*  V-necks are the most flattering neckline on most women, drawing attention to the face.
*  The a-line skirt shape is normally the best shape for most women’s body types. 
*  Correctly fitted undergarments are essential to look your best in any outfit.  Panty and bra lines can ruin even the sexiest dress.
*  Make sure the dress is fitted and accentuates the thinnest part of your body - your waistline.  This gives you the hourglass shape we all want. 
*  Don’t buy an over-sized or baggy dress and this actually makes you look heavier and shorter.
*  Choose a color or colors that bring out the natural glow in your skin and eyes.
*  A new pair of comfortable high-heels are a must for this new outfit.  The color of the shoes do not need to match, but they should coordinate well with the dress.
*  Accessorize with a clutch or handbag and some jewelry. 
*  Remember that tailoring can be a great solution to those little problem areas that need a little something.

Your going away or ‘running away’ dress is just as important as the wedding dress.  In fact, even after 33 years of marriage, my husband can still describe the dress I wore when we left for our honeymoon. 

You put so much of yourself into planning your wedding that it truly becomes of reflection of who you are.  Your favorite colors, flowers, theme and style are all represented on that special day.  You are unique and your wedding will showcase that individuality.  Wedding favors are just one area where your unique style can shine through.

Consider the line of Personality Favors from Kate Aspen.  All the personality favors are available in 25 different packaging designs in 5 different personalities, which will compliment any style wedding and fit you perfectly. 

*  If you are an ‘Elizabeth’ bride, you are the picture of classic elegance. 
*  The ‘Katie’ bride is a princess; full of dreams and child-like fantasies.
*  Old-fashioned romantics will easily fit into the ‘Victoria’ style.
*  ‘Lexi’ brides are unique, unpredictable and creative.
*  If chic and sophisticated describes you best, then you’re definitely an ‘Audrey’ bride.

Each style comes in a a variety of colors to fit any wedding decor, and matching personalized ‘personality’ tags are also available.  Letting your unique style shine on your special day is made just a little easier with these fun favors.

I’ve been writing blogs for nearly a year now and I’ve tried to cover as many wedding issues as possible.  However, even with all the blogs I’ve written, I may not have touched on the subject you want to know about.  That’s why I’m extending you a personal invitation to comment on this blog and let me know about questions you’d like answers to.

 Whether you’re interested in the origins of certain wedding traditions, how many wedding favors should you order, when the invitations should be dropped in the mail, or how to decorate for a particular theme wedding, I’d like to hear from you.  From engagements to honeymoons, I’ll do my best to thoroughly research and answer each wedding-related question. 

Who says party favors have to be strictly for party guests?  Favors make wonderful little ‘inexpensive luxeries’ for yourself too. 

My daughters and I have hosted many bridal showers, baby showers, anniversary parties and receptions, so I’ve ordered a lot of favors for each occasion.  Every time I place my order, I find a few items that I’ve always wanted but wouldn’t order by themselves due to prohibitive shipping costs.  I’ve found that when I place my regular favor order, the shipping rarely, if ever, goes up by my  additions and I get treated to my own little gift.

I have elegant silver salt & pepper shakers that I use whenever we have guests over for dinner.  I display photo coasters every day and never cease to get great compliments on them.  I’ve decorated with unique candles, sweet-smelling soaps and beautiful little picture frames. 

So, the next time you put together a party of any kind, do yourself a ‘favor’ and give a little thank you gift just to you.