Lady Detective: January 2010

Simple Wedding Dresses .3

How To Choose A Unique And Elegant Wedding Favor

Planning the wedding often get's left mostly to the bride, and that's okay because as a woman you've probably spent a lifetime envisioning this day - the dress, the ceremony, the reception, and of course that perfect unique and elegant wedding favor.

You might even have a folder that has unique wedding favor ideas in it. Now remember that some of those neat ideas that you clipped years ago today might not seem quite so elegant now, but you can always take one idea and combine it or change it to make your own personalized wedding favor.

The wedding favor is the small gift that you present to each of your guests. It's the souvenir of your wedding, which your guests get to take home. The wedding favor choices available range from treasured to tacky, and your choice all depends on your budget and your creativity. You can create a personalized wedding favor for each of your guests, or consider a unique wedding favor that's perhaps themed to your wedding.

Themed Favors are a great choice, especially if your wedding has a specific theme. For example, a beach wedding does well with an wedding favor such as a flip-flop keychain, or perhaps, more elegantly, a beach themed gift box with a personalized wedding favor inside. The more elegant wedding favor in the gift box could be a delicate dried starfish, some shells, or any other item that was beach orientated. Beach is used as the example because there are so many beach weddings occurring. However, it doesn't matter what your theme; you can easily make a personalized wedding favor for each of your guest.

Pirate weddings on the high seas, Las Vegas party weddings, or the new black and white wedding are just a few other examples of themed wedding that are going on that can easily have a unique wedding favor.

How elaborate your choose to make your themed wedding favors is up to you. How many favors you need and budget both will influence just how much you are going to spend on each favor. If you are creative, it's very easy to create a personalized wedding favor for each of your guests.

An article on favors wouldn't be complete without at least talking a little bit about inappropriate favors. Some brides and grooms mean well when their idea of an elegant wedding favor includes some romantic poem or a love song. We advise you to keep the romance for each other, and give your guests something they would like as a keepsake of your day.

You go to great lengths to choose your gown, your cake, your decorations, and even your guests. Why not use the same amount of energy to find a unique wedding favor that each of your guests will enjoy.

It's a beautiful and elegant day. Your look beautiful and elegant in your gown, your reception area is tasteful and elegant, so it just makes sense that each guest receive an elegant wedding favor that's traditional.

You can go simple with delicious handpicked candies that are monogrammed, or M&M's in the wedding colors with your name and wedding date on them. You can step it up a little with monogrammed scented candles.

Scented candles are a great way for your friends and family to remember the day. Small candles with a scent remembering your theme could be perfect. Think of a fresh ocean smell for your beach theme wedding.

If you really want your guests to be able to keep there personalized wedding favor for years to come do not use perishables. Instead, consider candles, picture frames, trinkets, flasks, and other interesting items. Pewter is popular because it makes an elegant wedding favor choice, and it is very affordable.

Your wedding day is very special and you want it to remain memorable for all that attend. One way to help keep those memories fresh is with an elegant wedding favor. What will you choose?

By Andrew Stratton

Simple and Elegant Wedding Dress

Elegant Wedding Dresses and Accessories

Most women dream of having an elegant wedding dress for their special day from the time that they are young girls. When it comes time to begin shopping for a dress, however, they may feel overwhelmed by the vast selection of wedding dresses and accessories to choose from. How can you be sure that your dress and accessories are the epitome of elegance?

Finding the perfect wedding dress and the right accessories will depend largely on your individual taste. But by understanding the different styles and options that are available, it will be much easier for you to find elegant wedding dresses and accessories that live up to your childhood dreams.

Wedding Dress Silhouettes

There are a number of different dress silhouettes to choose from. A-line dresses provide a classic silhouette that is timeless and elegant, with a flared skirt and a narrow top. Ball gown style wedding dresses feature a fitted bodice and a large, full skirt that brings to mind fairytales and old-world romance. Empire waists cinch close below the bust to allow for a longer skirt, while dropped waists cinch closer to the hips in to create a longer torso silhouette.

When choosing a silhouette, consider your body shape and be sure to try on as many different styles as possible. Generally, pear-shaped women may want to look for dresses with higher skirts, like the empire waist style. Again, since every woman's body is different, it's important to try on a wide variety of silhouettes until you find one that showcases your best features.

Wedding Dress Necklines

In addition to the various wedding dress silhouettes, brides-to-be can also choose from a wide selection of elegant necklines. Off-the-shoulder dresses elegantly showcase the neck and shoulders with a tasteful strap or straps to hold the dress in place, while strapless wedding dresses use a more supportive corset material.

Wedding dresses with full necklines can range from a choker-style to an elegant v-neck design. Depending on the bride's taste, the neckline can be modest and conservative, or bold and alluring. Keep in mind that lace or scalloping can be added to deep, plunging necklines for a bit more coverage.

Wedding Tiaras, Veils and Other Hair Accessories

After finding the perfect wedding dress, many women choose some form of hair accessory to complete their wedding day look. One of the most common and traditional ways to do this is with a wedding veil, though the full, traditional veil is not as popular as it once was.

When accenting an especially elegant wedding dress, some women choose to wear a tiara that complements the design of the dress instead of a veil. And others wear a stylish hat that matches the color and general design of their wedding dress. It's important to remember that the hair accessory and the dress should not compete with each other. Think of the dress as the star, and the hair accessory as a supporting character.

Wedding Earrings and Necklaces

Earrings and necklaces can also provide the perfect finishing touches to a wedding dress. Bridal earring and necklace sets can range from simple pieces that color-coordinate with the wedding gown to more elaborate diamond or gemstone sets that bring an entirely new level of elegance to the bride's overall appearance. While the earrings and necklace often come in a matching set, some women choose to wear only one, or to mix and match jewelry styles to express their unique taste.

Earrings can be small and simple, or large and extravagant. And necklaces can range from simple chains or chokers to large pendants. Again, keep in mind that your jewelry should not overpower your gown. Earrings and necklaces should work together to complement your wedding dress.

Other Wedding Accessories

There are a number of other accessories that can accentuate an elegant wedding dress. Designer
shoes that are created with specific wedding dress style in mind are an excellent option for many brides.

Gloves are another elegant accessory that are popular among many brides. They can range in length from short lace gloves that cover only the hands, to full-length satin gloves that cover most of the arm. Broaches, belts, or sashes can also add small touches of elegance to your wedding day look.

Brides-to-be who are looking for elegant wedding dresses and accessories have so many options. Remember that elegance is in the eye of the beholder. The best way to find an elegant dress and complementary accessories is to keep an open mind and to try lots of different styles and looks. From dress silhouettes and necklines, to hair accessories and shoes, there are lots of ways to make a unique and elegant statement on your wedding day.

by Victoria Snead

Every bride and groom wants to get married in a unique and romantic location. Whilst overseas locations can be very exotic they can also be extremely costly and difficult for most guests to attend. Australia has many ideal locations for weddings, whether you fancy a wedding on the beach or in a tropical rainforests why not choose one of the many romantic locations on offer. Here are some suggestions for weddings in Australia.

The North of Queensland is renowned for some of it magical rainforests complete with beautiful waterfalls. So whether its Cairns or Port Douglas you could choose to have your wedding nestled in the rainforest or on the amazing white sandy beaches of the North. Imagine a sunset wedding on the beach in Port Douglas followed by a wedding reception in a marquee. Or for something a little more formal have your reception in one of the many five star resorts Port Douglas has to offer. For your honeymoon you need travel no further as the North of Queensland has all the elements of a romantic honeymoon destination, with the Daintree forest on the one side and the Great Barrier Reef on the other. Your choices of activities are limitless. And if you just want to relax, have a cocktail by the pool.

Why not have a wedding in the Australian outback? What better location than the famous Uluru (Ayers Rock). Imagine Ayers rocks as your backdrop and the magical colours of sunset or sunrise. The photo opportunities would be endless. And every bride would look spectacular with the morning or afternoon sun glistening off her perfect skin. Following the ceremony have a beautiful reception in one of many 5 star resorts nearby.

Getting married in a Botanical garden is another great idea for your wedding location. Australia has many botanical gardens which are perfect to host a wedding. Whether you choose to get married lakeside, or in a butterfly enclosure, by a water sculpture or secluded private garden, there are many choices to suit all tastes. The reception can also be held outdoors on one of many of the landscape gardens or if the weather does not permit then choose from many function rooms the gardens have on offer.

The Zoo is another great location to have your wedding ceremony and reception. Australia has some fantastic Zoos which have spectacular function rooms or beautiful manicured lawns for both an outdoor or indoor ceremony and reception. Not only can your guests soak up the sights and sounds of the surrounding wildlife but also bask in the tranquil garden setting. Imagine the amazing photo opportunities available in this location with the wildlife and animals as your backdrop.

Theme Parks are another unique place to host a wedding ceremony and reception. The Gold Coast has some of the best theme parks in Australia with Movie world, Dream world and SeaWorld as potential venues. Hire out a section of the park or the entire venue for a truly extraordinary experience.

Monkey Mia in Western Australia is a beautiful location to have a unique wedding ceremony. With the Sandy beaches, palm trees and landscaped garden, you could have a ceremony of your dreams. After your wedding have a reception on the manicured lawns watching the magnificent sunsets. For a more formal affair have the wedding reception celebration in your 5 star resort. You and your guests will be entertained with the numerous activities, such as swimming with the dolphins or exploring Shark Bay on one of many tours. At Monkey Mia you will always have something unique to do.

Australia has one of the most diverse and interesting locations in the world to host a wedding followed by a romantic honeymoon. Not only are we beginning to explore all the attractions Australia has to offer but so are international travelers who are choosing to celebrate their weddings and honeymoons in Australia. Surrounded by some of the most magnificent beaches in the world it is the natural destination for a romantic wedding and honeymoon.