Author: CMoore

Save the date cards are a destination wedding essential! They provide valuable information to guests and ensure that your family and friends can share your big day. Don’t worry if you don’t have all your details nailed down; a save the date doesn’t require the name of your location or a specific time.

It can be simple or elaborate, funky or traditional, a full card, post card or even a refrigerator magnet. No matter the style, all save the dates should include these features:

• Date. If you are planning a weekend full of festivities, let guests know so they can schedule accordingly.
• Location. Let people know if they need to book a flight, pack the car for a road trip or secure a hotel room. This is the place to notify guests if you have block of rooms at a hotel. Include the information required for their planning.
• A way to get more information. Provide your phone number, email address or the url to your wedding website. Spending time answering questions at the beginning will save you and your guests from last minute panics and ensure that your wedding day is not shrouded in confusion.
• Elements of your wedding style. This is where you get to have fun. Save the dates can be far less formal than wedding invitations and more adaptable. Photographs are a great addition. One of my favorites was the UFC themed card above. It was fresh, reflected the fun attitude of the couple and was a cute addition to my bulletin board. The couple then tied the theme of the card to the reception by having a grand entrance complete with boxing gloves and the famous – ‘Lets get ready to rumble’ announcement. It just goes to show that the only confine to a great save the date is your imagination!

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What is the one element that will effect every single photograph you take on your wedding day? Posture. Good posture makes you look thinner, taller and more graceful. It is especially key when you are utilizing photojournalist style photography that catches unguarded moments. Couples and members of the wedding party should practice good posture in preparation for taking gorgeous pictures at every click.

Posture isn’t about posing, but about strength. Posing looks stilted, unnatural and uncomfortable. So instead of going America’s Next Top Model on your wedding day, work to strengthen and stretch the muscles in your shoulders and back. Taking dancing lessons to prepare for your big day? Don’t just focus on footwork, but use the lessons to practice correct carriage. Enroll in a ballet class for even more training. Yoga and Pilates are other disciplines that build the lean upper body strength that you need to stand tall all day. Ask your partner, friend or co-worker to remind you to straighten-up. The more you practice, the more natural the habit will become. The result will be great looking pictures that capture the beauty of your special day.

Browsing for wedding attire just got a whole lot more mobile with Brides Magazine’s new iPhone ‘Dressing Room’ app. The free application lets the brides search hundreds of wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses by designer, price and silhouette, check the selection at local retailers, and even make an appointment. Feel free to get the app here.

Of course even iPhoneless brides can utilize their blackberries and cellphones to make dress shopping easier. Use your camera phone and picture messaging abilities to take pictures while you dress shop. Include the designer and other notes in the comments section, and, wa-la, you have an easy access, easy to share dress album that will help you keep all the dresses straight and lead you to the perfect one!

A man will never wear an outfit more important than the one he chooses for his wedding day. It has to look good -it will photographed hundreds of times, it has to be comfortable enough to be worn all day, and it has to reflect his true style. These five tips will help grooms look great on their big day.

1. Tropical climates such as Hawaii’s inspires a lighter fabrics and color schemes. Cottons and linens are breezy choices. Khakis, light grays and white suits are elegant choices over a linen shirt. Lose the jacket and tie for a more casual choice. Roll up pant legs and sleeves or unbutton the collar to customize. No matter how casual, keep all the components high quality- well tailored trousers, crisp custom made shirts, and French cuffs.

2. Bright colors enliven the typical suit and tie and tie together your palate. For a splash of color, go for vibrant ties and vests. An added bonus is that these components will contrast nicely with your other pieces and really pop in photographs.

3. The well dressed groom has to have style from head-to-toe. Keep this in mind while selecting shoes. Think form and function. Shoes can dress an outfit up or play it down. For an indoor church or chapel wedding, light toned loafers or wingtips are elegant choices when paired with light suit. Switch those for Sperry’s for a nautical feel. Flipflops are a natural choice for a beach themed affair, but think leather, not plastic, for this special occasion.

4. A new wedding ring shouldn’t be a groom’s only accessories. Cuff links, pocket squares, sunglasses, watches, and suspenders are all fantastic ways to customize a staid outfit and add a personal touch. Think aesthetically (does it look good?) and personally (what does this say about me?). Subtle details such as cuff links can be a great way to honor your heritage or celebrate a favorite affiliation.

5. Just like a bride plans her entire ensemble in advance, grooms should pull every element of their wedding day look together before they board the plane for their destination wedding, much less walk down the aisle. Do a full dress rehearsal to make sure you have everything you need – from sunscreen to socks. This simple exercise will spare you any surprises on your big day.

What could possibly make New York’s Waldorf-Astoria even more elegant? How about dozens of runway shows from the world’s best wedding designers? With its epicenter in the Waldorf, Spring 2010 Bridal Fashion Week has descended on Manhattan, providing inspiration for brides nationwide. Both theknot.com and Brides.com/blog have extensive coverage.

Romantic gown trends that keep reappearing on the runway include regal ballgown silhouettes, intricate pleating and ruching, retro stylizations, and the extensive use of organza and tulle. Luxe detailing such as diamond encrusted bodices, floral embellishment, and ostrich feather plumes are popping up in many collections. Designers from Ramona Kaveza to Lela Rose have added short reception dresses to their collections.

To add the finishing touches to your wedding day collection, check out the many accessories on the runway. Monique Lhuillier’s entire collection sported hats that would make jaunty veil alternatives to a destination bride’s ensemble. Many designers featured gloves of all sizes and materials in their show. Always a ladylike addition, short gloves are being paired with casual and daytime dresses while long gloves look fresh and modern in sheer organza or textured silks. A practical and attractive element, the boleros and coats of the season are fashionable ways of making a gown more seasonable as we head into cooler months.

Enjoy the looks of the season this fashion week, use them for inspiration, and remember to use your own sense of style to navigate the typhoon of style that is of Bridal Fashion Week.