Getting the most for your money
When you pick your diamond, you'll probably have to choose between size and quality. If you want a big stone, you can save by downgrading the quality of color and even clarity - barring any obvious visible flaws - but don't stint on the cut, which releases the most brilliance from the gem. Pron...
The Perfect Pair of Wedding Shoes
From the moment you step onto the aisle until your final dip on the dance floor, you'll ask a lot of your wedding shoes beyond looking beautiful. Thought you've bought dozens (or is it hundreds?) of shoes before, picking a pair for this event requires some special considerations: the style and length of your gown, how tall you'd like to appear b...
Beauty - Hairstyle & Makeup
Choosing Your Hairstyle
Don't date yourself with a trendy hairstyle on your wedding day. Classic upswept styles - chignons, French twists, and ponytails - transcend decades. In general, it's wise to wear your hair in a way that isn't too far removed from your usual style. If you normally wear bangs or part your hair on a par...
Wedding Invitations, Stationary & Thank-You Cards
There's more to wedding stationery than the requisite invitations. Before those are sent out, you may want to mail engagement announcements and save-the-date cards. For your wedding day, you will likely have printed programs, menu cards, seating cards, and other decorative accents. And after the event, there are thank-you notes and announcements...
Wedding Music
Ceremony Music
Choosing the music for your wedding can seem like a daunting task. To make the prospect less overwhelming, think in terms of audio "snapshots": what kind of music would you like when your guests arrive for the ceremony? What song will best capture your emotions as you walk down the aisle toward you future spous...
Buying a Wedding Dress
Most brides find their wedding dress at bridal salons, but you can also look in vintage-clothing stores, consignment shops, and outlet stores. Customarily, a bridal salon will require an appointment to ensure that you get expert personal attention. Take someone with you, but not an entourage; too many opinions detract from the most important one...
Wedding Favors
Giving a favor is a joyful gesture, expressive of your gratitude and happiness for your guests' presence on this special occasion. The best wedding favors are exercises in elegant simplicity, beautiful things that are not too taxing to plan, make, or fit into the budget. They are among the wedding's most appealing elements and one of the easiest...
Paying For Your Wedding
It doesn't quite seem fair: Planning the most romantic event of your life begins with the least romantic detail - establishing the budget. Before you sample a single hors d'oeuvre, figure out just how much you can spend. Traditionally, the bride's family should almost all of the financial responsibility, but today the groom's family and the coup...