Bridal Planning and Advice
The dance, the dress, the dessert…
so much to think about and only one place to find it! Weddingstand has every bridal tip and trick you need to make your marriage a wedding to remember.
Bang! Crack! Fizzle.... What's wrong with this picture? Your summer wedding colors should burst on the scene like a fireworks, not fizzle up and fade into the background (think muted peach or mauve). But it's so hard to choose wedding colors that a) don't clash and b) aren't so trendy... more
Ensure your wedding cake is as spectacular as the ceremony The wedding cake is more than just a delicious finale to your ceremony and reception. That's why proper planning when booking and having your cake assembled can be the difference between an amazing wedding and a disappointing one. Don't fret,... more
Survive the Wedding Season in Style with these Must-Have Kits Just like Gloria Gaynor's 1978 hit single, you too will survive this years wedding season. Our survival kits (available for both brides and bridesmaids) are the perfect way to ensure you'll be prepared for everything entailed in putting on a... more
It's a shame that Nestle had to issue a recall for some of their Tollhouse cookie dough products, but if you want a cookie that won't get recalled, then reach for a cookie card! In fact, these Be My Bridesmaid cookie cards produce the opposite effect, instead of making you... more
My groom has to wear a barrel because we couldn't afford to rent a tux. I'm cleaning my bridesmaids' apartments because bridesmaid gifts cost too much. I trimmed the guest list from 105 to 5 and still can't afford my wedding...Sound like you? During these tough times, it sounds like... more
Whoever said a wedding is just one day was wrong. Add in all the pre- and post- wedding gatherings: the bridesmaid luncheon, the post-wedding brunch, the engagement party... a wedding lasts way more than just one day! From when to present your bridesmaid gifts to what passes as suitable cuisine,... more
Let's face it: Not every bachelorette is the shot-drinking, boa-wearing, strip-club-attending type. If you're more angel than devil, read on for 7 fresh, fabulous (and G-rated) bachelorette party ideas. Send these along to your Maid of Honor and you might not have to endure a night of complete humiliation.Ante Up... more
Everyone observed Holly Montag's (sister of Heidi Montag) terrible Maid of Honor toast. Not only was Holly obviously inebriated, she went into a long and incomprehensible spiel about love potions, sprinkled in a few obscenities, and followed it by throwing a potato and staining the bride-to-be's very expensive purse. After... more
All brides have common questions: Should my maid of honor gift be more expensive than my bridesmaid gifts? Should I send invites out for the rehearsal dinner? How do I get a head count when half of my response cards are missing? From bridesmaid gifts to invitations, WeddingStand answers your... more
It wasn't long ago that there were only a few options for wedding desserts. You've already had the white, multilayer cake covered in the not-so delightful play-dough taste of fondant. Another option, you could save some money with a few over-frosted, rectangle sheet cakes from Wal-Mart. What am I talking... more
You've heard you could hundreds on your wedding by hand crafting DIY wedding favors. Or that you should forget the professional wedding photographer and go with the amatuer shutterbug. Should you do it? From bridesmaid gifts to DJs, here are 8 wedding expenses you should never skimp on. 1. Wedding... more
'Tis the season for bridal showers and bridal gifts. Bridal showers are always a blast for the bride, but sometimes boring for guests who have to watch her open wedding gift after gift. Forgo the finger sandwiches and lame party games for these unique bridal shower themes. Naughty and Nice... more
Losing sleep trying to figure out who goes in your wedding party?Maybe you can't choose just five of your friends out of your entire gaggle of girls. Maybe you're unsure if you should pick your groom-to-be's sister, who you've talked to twice. Maybe you just want to know if your... more
Hey, big spender, did you blow your wedding budget? Even if you went way over budget on those bridesmaid gifts and favors, your groom-to-be can still save a few bucks on his groomsmen gifts. GroomStand.com is having a Store Wide 10% Off Sale for one week only. The sale ends... more
Inspired by the legends, traditions, and cultures of the Far East? Bring elements of Asia into your wedding theme! Asia has many different cultures, each with their own unique wedding styles. This week, we tie the knot in Tokyo. Here's how to capture the essence of Japan in everything from... more
You think you have the most expensive wedding dress, biggest cake, or the longest train? Think again. Most weddings pale in comparison to these over-the-top nuptials. From the biggest wedding party (heaven help them when it comes to bridesmaid gifts) to a towering cake (and we mean towering), these record-breaking... more
Soon-to-be brides are not only encumbered with planning, shopping, and finding bridesmaid gifts, they also have to ...dun, dun, dun, give a wedding toast. We hear you; holding a mic can be scarier than cliff diving. But have no fear, WeddingStand's 5 toast techniques are here. 1. Do you want... more
It's almost here! Spring buzzes with new trends, brighter colors, and warmer weather. We can't wait for dreary to turn to cheery. It's time to explore the latest spring wedding trends for 2009. Hold onto your veil- from the hottest spring colors to Blume-ing bridesmaid gifts, here's a sneak peek... more
Welcome to the winery! Vineyard weddings offer rustic elegance and a chic European mystique. Reason why this is your theme? Tuscan-themed weddings are all about the pastoral locale. The natural beauty and virgin surroundings create the desired ambiance without any dressing up from you. With a few bubbly bridesmaid gifts... more
You're invited to a vintage wedding spectacular! This is not your grandma's wedding. We'll show you how to pull off the perfect vintage wedding, right down to the bridesmaid gifts and favors. Come with WeddingStand as we travel back to a bygone era. The Couple An off-beat couple that prefers record... more
In celebration of Valentine's Day, give your bridesmaids a little love! Where would you be without the ladies in your life? Here's how to diplomatically handle your bridesmaid troubles with the grace of a white-gloved Queen. No beheading! 1. Choose your bridesmaids carefully.Break free from conventions. You don't have to... more
You secured the wedding venue, found bridesmaid gifts, and handcrafted 150 perfect wedding favors - all tasks completed on schedule. You don't trip (fingers crossed) walking down the aisle. You think you pulled off a perfect wedding until an inebriated uncle splashes red wine all over your lily-white gown. In... more
Picture skeleton keys and crystals dangling from snow-covered branches. White gardenias suspended over turquoise water. Heart-shaped candles casting a wonderful glow on the bride and groom. Centerpieces: More challenging than finding 30 individual bridesmaid gifts. But oh so important in adding drama and flair to your wedding day decor. Most... more
Bridesmaid tote bags are the go-to bridesmaid gifts for 2009. Every lady needs a carry-all for her many belongings. Whether she's a fierce fashionista or a total tom boy, WeddingStand has just the bag to suit her style. Here, totally cute tote bags and purses coupled with adorable accessories... more
At Last: New Valentine's Day Wedding Ideas and Bridesmaid GiftsFall in love. Oceans of Love. Lovey-Dovey. Sound familiar? We heart Valentine's Day weddings. But you don't want to make your Valentine's Day wedding so sickeningly sweet it will give your guests a toothache. From heart-melting bridesmaid gifts to kissable favors,... more
If your groom associates grape clusters with togas, and his idea of a wine night is a Tour De Franzia with his buddies, it's time for some wine time with the ladies. A wine-themed bridal shower has many benefits because wine tasting is an elegant pastime that also allows you... more
Newly engaged....now what? Maybe you're still lightheaded from his heartfelt holiday proposal. You have yet to look at swatches, venues, or even set the date. Stop looking at your dazzling new diamond and get started! From ordering bridesmaid gifts to venue and dress selection, once you set a date, there's a... more
You don't have to be Nostradamus to predict popular gowns, bridesmaid gifts, and wedding colors for 2009. What's hot for '09? We'll get to that. First, let's put last year's tired wedding trends to rest. Namely: chocolate brown, birdcage veils, Gerber daisies, chocolate fountains, and the song "At Last." It's... more
You're so sure he's going to propose, you already asked your bridesmaids and picked out their bridesmaid gifts. Not so fast. Take a look at our proposal checklist and make sure he exhibits at least three of these classic proposal symptoms. And if he doesn't? He might be super stealth.... more
Wonderful Bridesmaid Gifts? Check. Adorable Wedding Favors? Check. You have the Dos Down Pat. But What About the Don'ts? She must not swing her arms as though they were dangling ropes; she must not switch herself this way and that; she must not shout; and she must not, while wearing... more
Wedding Favors and Bridesmaid Gifts for Wonderful Holiday Wishes With a flurry of activity centered around the season, holiday weddings are tough to pull off. Consider the possibilities: beautifully wrapped bridesmaid gifts, a ballroom adorned with giant wreaths and candy canes, a wedding day filled with magic and merriment. Why... more
Beyond the Snowflake: Fuzzy Bridesmaid Gifts, Glittering Wedding Favors, and More for Your Winter Wonderland Wedding This week's wedding theme is winter wonderland. When you think winter wedding, maybe you picture dreary gray skies, guests slipping on icy sidewalks, and your bridesmaids shivering in strapless dresses. Close your eyes again.... more
Set the Stage for a Grand Victorian Wedding with Fancy Invitations, Bejeweled Bridesmaid Gifts, and More Whether subtle or over-the-top, traditional or outrageous, a wedding theme puts your personality on display. Each week, we'll show you how to pull off a different wedding theme, down to the wedding favors and... more
'Tis the season for trickery. In celebration of Halloween and our 20% off store wide sale on bridesmaid gifts, we rounded up the 20 best wedding pranks. If you're a bridesmaid, play these pranks with caution. And if you're a bride, beware of the pranksters in your group. Nothing... more
The best wedding news yet: brides are finally breaking out of that solid-color prison! For years, brides succumbed to frumpy, mono-chromatic frocks simply because it's tradition. But recently, bridesmaids have been spotted wearing stripes, polka dots, florals, and plaids. Not only are patterns pretty, dresses your bridesmaids can wear after... more
Glorious Gourds: Pumpkins as Bridesmaid Gifts, Wedding Favors and More Pumpkin...as the seasons change, this classic term of endearment becomes a full-blown fall wedding theme! Why? Pumpkins are economical, eye-catching, and used correctly, even elegant. You may not be able to ride in a pumpkin coach like Cinderella, but Weddingstand... more
You've seen the headlines: Bad Economy. Rising Foreclosure Rates. Credit Crisis. What does this mean for brides? As the dow slides downward, the wedding of your dreams seems more unreachable. But there's hope. Just because we're in the midst of a recession, doesn't mean you have to serve scrod or... more
Candy isn't only just for wedding favors anymore. If you have a sweet tooth and a budget, forgo the chocolate fountain for a colorful candy buffet. Candy is a yummy and cost-effective way to impress your guests. Perfect for brides getting married around Halloween! But candy buffets don't have... more
As brides, we're obsessed with planning. We scour bridal magazines in search of the perfect dress. We toss and turn over whether the girls will like their bridesmaid gifts. From the cake to the bridesmaid dresses to the wedding favors, every detail is carefully considered. Since you planned your wedding... more
With the arrival of autumn comes tasty treats: apple cider, butternut squash soup, pumpkin everything. If you're throwing a bridal shower or planning an engagement party, delight your guests with these tasty, easy-to-make pumpkin cupcakes and warm pumpkin punch. You don't have to be Martha Stewart to throw the perfect... more
Brides picture their wedding as the most magical day - sunny weather, smiling groom, gracious mother-in-law. By the time the bride solves the seating chart puzzle, picks out perfect wedding favors, and finds a caterer, she's ready for the wedding to be over with. And then...there are the bridesmaids to... more
Out of all the pre-wedding parties, the bridesmaid luncheon is the least widely recognized. It's an old southern tradition, but modern brides brought it back to life. A low-key tea party is a wonderful setting to delegate those last minute tasks, introduce out-of-town guests, and present your bridesmaid gifts.... more
The formerly common cookie has undergone a Cinderella transformation this year when it comes to weddings. Instead of a coach and a ballgown, today's wedding cookies are getting all decked out in frosting, sprinkles, and even poetry! If you are in the market for bedazzling bridesmaid gifts, check out these... more
Remember how much fun you had with those sparkling, heart-shaped stickers as a little girl? One of this season's hottest trends is to show wedding guests how you and your betrothed "stick together" by personalizing your wedding favors with stickers. It's a fun, low-cost alternative to engraving. Here's how to... more
Picture this: brilliant splashes of red, purple, and gold among verdant green hills; vows whispered under a trellis with winding ivory and grape vines; a rustic 18th-century home set on acres of pastoral paradise. Is this heaven or Tuscany? Actually, it's neither. What we described is the newest setting... more
If you're too exhausted from wedding planning to hit the club this week, host a low-key movie night - no boys allowed. Pop popcorn, bring out the wine glasses and surprise your dutiful bridesmaids with these bridesmaid movies. When the ending credits roll, give them DVDs of the flick or... more
Celebrities have been throwing green weddings before anyone watched An Inconvenient Truth. And now it has caught on as the hottest wedding trend since the strapless dress. Brides are casting aside hopes for the biggest, most extravagant wedding to hold an elegant, earth-friendly affair. Here's how to make green your... more
You've picked out all of your bridesmaid gifts and wedding favors, but there is a lingering task you can't ignore any longer -- the dreaded name change. First and foremost, you have to decide if you should keep your name, hyphenate both names, or go the traditional route and take... more
Once you're back from your honeymoon and the wedding is really over, you might go through a slight depression known as the new bride blues. Your husband treats you like a queen. Your bridesmaids and maid of honor loved those bridesmaid gifts. No one fell into the cake at the... more
No one anticipates their future marriage proposal will begin with the meter running....unless of course they've just stepped into the cab of driver Ahmed Ibrahim. Not quite your conventional cupid, this dedicated matchmaker trades in a diaper and arrows for a cruising cab and a canny sense of his patrons'... more
Who could forget last year's wedding craze when wedding planners went wild for 7-7-07? If you weren't lucky enough to get the triple-seven date for your wedding, there is a new wedding date in town -- August 8, 2008. But why is everyone crazy for eights? In Chinese culture, eight... more
She hangs on your every word. She loves you even on your worst days. She might even sleep in your bed. No, she isn't your sister or your b-f-f. She's your canine companion. Sure, she has an extra two legs and a slight speech problem but that doesn't mean she... more
Green weddings are one of the hottest trends in 2008. Sure, it is your big day and we want you to go all out, but you can do it without a lot of wedding waste. Here's how to throw a green wedding and thank your attendants with eco-friendly wedding favors... more
If your bridesmaid is on the sporty side, she deserves a special thank you for spending all day in a gown and heels. But what do you get the girl who prefers jeans to skirts and jerseys to jewelery? Getting gussied up is a big deal (and sometimes a major... more
Want to keep your friends and family up to date on every aspect of your wedding planning? Skip the mass email list and insane cell phone bills and invite your guests to tune into your wedding website. Not very internet savvy? Not to fret. With free weblog sites like... more
Snowbound brides are in vogue this season, for sheer necessity if nothing else. Winter storms have meant school closures, road closures, and towns buried under feet of snow - unfortunately, Mother Nature failed to take into account your wedding date. If you're finding yourself gathering your nearest and dearest... more
Your bridesmaids love you; they have to, it's in the contract. We're not saying you have to treat them like soldiers under your command, but if you ask them to help out with wedding preparations, they're not going to say no. This doesn't mean you should take advantage of... more
If you're throwing a themed wedding, you're not alone! From princess weddings to themes centered around a bride's favorite flower, theme weddings are bigger than ever. One of the biggest risks you take when throwing a themed wedding, and one you should keep in mind, is that it's easy... more
It's an established fact that weddings these days are getting more and more expensive, averaging around $30,000 for everything! To you this might seem like a perfectly justifiable expense - you only get married once, and you deserve to have your dream ceremony, maybe one you've been dreaming of... more
One of the best bridesmaid gifts you can give to your girls is the option of a nice bridesmaid dress they can re-wear. Going with a simple solid-colored gown - preferably cocktail-length - means they can dress it up with a sash or pretty heels for the ceremony but... more
Let's look at the facts: your bridesmaids are your very best friends. You love to have a good time. You love to have a good time with your very best friends. What better way to take a break from the stresses of planning a wedding than to throw a... more
As if you didn't already have enough to worry about! When it comes to getting everything right for your wedding, you want it all to be perfect, from the dress to the bridesmaid gifts to the day itself. But you're not the only one! Maybe you're settling for just... more
To the inexperienced ear, women complaining about bad bridesmaid dresses are often dismissed as superficial and shallow. Those out-of-the-nuptial-know assume that when we talk of bad bridesmaids dresses, we are simply referring to aesthetic horrors in less than savory hues. In truth, the objections against bridesmaid dresses are far... more
Dearest Bridesmaids, No doubt by now you've received all those pesky checklists your bride printed off for you, no less than a chore list of grizzly tasks itemized "to help you stay organized." All that work for a few lousy bridesmaid gifts! Well, forget all that seating chart architecture... more
Brides have many different reactions to getting engaged. Some will scream, some will cry, some will jump up and down. But after the tears are dried and the voices are hoarse with happiness, there's only one thing left for a smart bride to do: order The Healthy Bride's Boot... more
Courtesy of the wonderful creators of Weddingstand's "Now You Are Dancing DVD," here are a few popular wedding dance myths decoded. Once you have read over these reassurances from one of the most veteran wedding dance companies in the business, we expect you to run, not waltz, to your... more
MYTH #1: And they lived happily ever after. Reality: Happiness doesn't just happen, you make it happen. And don't expect to be happy all the time; you weren't before you got married - why should you expect to be afterwards? MYTH #2: I like my spouse just the way... more
By Charles Muller Most people would rather go someplace warm and tropical for their honeymoon. So when we made known the intended location of our post-wedding retreat, the reactions ranged from awe, to envy, to bewilderment. Why on earth, some people asked, would we want to spend our first... more
Planning a wedding is enough work to last a lifetime. The flowers, the cake, the bridesmaid gifts, the guest list.whew! We bet you're happy it's all over, and you and your new hubbie can just relax in post-honeymoon bliss, cozy in your brand new love nest. Right? Right. Right... more
Just hear those wedding bells jing-a-lin, ring-ting-ting-a-lin, to-- the holiday season has seduced you with its dark blue skies, hushed green foliage and shimmering white landscapes? In short, you've decided to have a winter wedding! Good for you! A winter wedding has many benefits, like competitive off-season prices on... more
The Day of Rise and shine, it's your wedding day! Take a few deep breaths and stretch. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time. Even if you don't ordinarily eat breakfast, try to have more than just coffee. Shower and put on deodorant, creams and or lotions so... more
Days Before You have selected your bridal party, now take a moment and think about who your most responsible, calm and efficient attendant is. She may even be the person who gave you this kit. Choosing one designated helper is the best way to stay calm and enjoy the... more
Brides and grooms, for decades, have been giving wedding favors to their guests as a small gift to thank them for honoring them on their wedding day, as well as a memento to take home in remembrance of the occasion. It was also believed that the bride and groom... more
When I first heard the term wedding favor, I thought maybe it was some sort of errand I was supposed to run as a favor to my bride-to-be. Shortly thereafter I realized that after spending thousands of dollars, providing food, entertainment and an all-you-can-drink bar (I mean, come on,... more
By the WeddingStand.com After the emotions of the wedding ceremony, it's time to kick it up a notch and celebrate. Get Organized The first step to planning a successful and stress-free wedding reception is to write out a schedule of events in advance. To help you get started, we've... more
With the first shades of September sparkling in the air, the serene weather and impossibly blue skies tingle of approaching fall. And with a change in seasons comes a change in fashion. Wedding fashion, that is. That's right; this fall there are several distinct trends in the fashion world... more
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