Here Comes Your Man

During a ceremony, it's pretty much a given that everyone watches the procession down the aisle, not the groom at the altar. But while all eyes are on you, you'll be looking at your man. And you know you want him to look good!

Here is a checklist to get your dude in shape for the big day (or for you, if you are said dude):

- Exfoliate: 2-4 weeks before the wedding, continuously up until the wedding day - especially the face. If your man is the rugged, Brawny paper towels type who thinks exfoliation is for ladies who lunch, slap him upside the head and get some some American Crew or Anthony products. They are the dudeliest products on the shelf and some damn good products at that. He'll need to exfoliate his face to make sure he doesn't have any ingrown hairs, zits or razor burn on the day. He should also use a moisturizer after exfoliating to replenish the moisture in his skin. Sephora carries an Anthony Logistics kit that's an all-in-one deal for under $50. Tell him to suck it up. If you can look pretty, so can he.

- Get a suit: anytime up until 2 weeks before the wedding. I know, allowing him the time to procrastinate probably means he will, but just like the dress can be a stressful and time-consuming process so can the suit. A lot of guys won't admit it, but they want to look special and find that perfect-fitting suit. Point him in the direction of District Homme, a retro-styled custom-made suit designer with hot suits that any dude will look amazing in. (The photo here is one of their suits - yum!)

- Get the suit tailored: 2-3 weeks before the wedding. Any more time than this and your guy may gain/lose weight and the suit won't fit. Any less time and the rush fees may seriously add up. A good idea beforehand (if you have the time & cash) is to take a pair of ill-fitting pants to the tailor he thinks he wants to use to see if this is the tailor for him. Better safe than sorry.

- Get some new underwear: 1-2 weeks before the wedding. He won't think he needs this. But for a romantic evening that does not involve that same pair of underwear he's been wearing for the last 3 years, get him to Macy's, TJ Maxx, whatever, and get him a new pair. You'll thank yourself.

- Shave: the morning of the wedding. If he's opting for facial hair, make sure he trims it. Regardless of your personal styles, you'll want him to have his face neat so that you can see his gorgeous mug in your photos!

- Haircut: about 3-5 days before the wedding. You want it to look fresh, but also to give him a chance to work with it, so it doesn't have any freshly cut awkwardness.

- Two bits: just kidding.

...and you're well on your way to a handsome groom and a photogenic wedding day!

Boleros & Shrugs & Shawls, oh my!

When the weather begins to wander into the chillier end of things, a bride can never be too prepared. You don't want to catch cold just before your honeymoon...but how to coordinate practicality with fashion?

Thankfully, there are a variety of shoulder-protecting clothing items to choose from. Especially in the last few years, boleros, shrugs and shawls have made their way back into the formalwear vernacular and can be found almost anywhere that sells evening wear or even business wear (see: Ann Taylor, J. Crew and Banana Republic). White House/Black Market has a plethora of wedding coordinates, including the bolero pictured here. Etsy is chockful of more vintage & indie-styled shrugs ranging from knits to structured pieces to faux furs.

Now there's no excuse to listen to your mother's age-old advice: "put on a coat before you go out!"

Floral Chairs

A beautiful touch to rustic or garden themed ceremonies is tying flowers and fabric around the ceremony chairs.

While tulle tends to work best (it's structural and wide - as well as being affordable), any ribbon or fabric can work.

Assuming you only need to cover a few chairs (say, for parents or honored guests), get 5 yards of tulle.

- Cut the 5 yard piece into 3 sections - this will be enough for 3 tiebacks that drape a bit down the chair. (If you want shorter tiebacks, this will be enough for 4.)

- Wrap the tulle around the chair and bring the end pieces together in the back to tie a knot.

- Fan the tulle out to cover the chair back and tuck the flowers into the knot of the fabric.

Fresh, dried, or silk flowers can all work well for this decor. You can also use non-floral items like balloons or tucking programs into the ribbon. If you do choose fresh flowers, you may want to put each bunch in a water tube to keep them fresh.

Gift Registration: Online vs In-Store

For some people gift registration is the best part of wedding planning.

For others, juggling hectic schedules, navigating inconvenient transportation and trying to manage a checklist that looks like War & Peace can lead directly into the temptation that is online registration. Before you commit yourself (and your partner) to a houseful of grab-bag items, hear me out: go to the store.

I know, I know. It's super inconvenient to try and coordinate your & your partner's schedule or get yourself via 3 buses and a walk through a sketchy neighborhood to the nearest Bed, Bath and Beyond, but trust me - it's the only way to ensure that you are getting what you want.

Having opted for the online registration route myself, I can tell you there were a lot of "we didn't register for this...did we?" or "oh...THAT'S what this looks like??" or "Jesus, that wok weighs a TON!" moments that could have deftly been avoided, had we gone to register in person at the store. (Also, it makes for some super awkward bridal shower moments when you open a gift you've never seen in person and have to immediately fake liking it when, in fact, you think it is the most hideous thing you've ever seen...and have only yourself to blame.)

If one of you is going to try and fly solo at the store registration, make very sure that you have both discussed exactly what you want to register for. I've seen couples that have received gifts from their registry that one person thought the other would love, only to end in an argument over the color of the flatware.

Best case scenario: both of you go to the store and register together. That not being possible, try to sit down together with the online registry, pick out what you like together, then send one of you into the store to double check all the items and make any changes necessary.

Save yourselves the headache of a lot of post-wedding returns and exchanges. If you thought getting to that Bed, Bath and Beyond was inconvenient before, try doing it with a one-ton wok in tow...

Let Them Eat...Candy?

While no one loves cake more than this girl, and it can certainly be a fun and tasty tradition to observe, those who are not so baked-goods-inclined are in luck with this new trend: candy bars! (And no, I don't mean like Snickers.)

Candy bars are popping up at events and weddings as a popular way to provide a more casual dessert option that kids and adults can enjoy. Usually placed near the drink bar (either after dinner or as an all-night option), as many varieties of candies as desired (or as are affordable) can be set in all kinds of fun containers that correspond with the event's theme. Or, you can always opt for the traditional clear, glass candy container! (No need to re-invent the wheel.)

Let's face it: the phrase is "kid in a candy store" for a reason. It's a fun indulgence to be able to grab a handful of jellybeans, gummy bears, malt balls and lollipops, and it's a guest treat that can be far more easily tailored to varying tastes and allergies than a single cake.

SALE!

Who doesn't love a discount, especially on wedding items?

Wedding Paper Divas, an adorable online store outfitted for all your paper needs (programs, menus, invitations, place cards, etc), is currently holding a sale through 9/7/10.

For free shipping, use the code: freeship

For $10, $20 and $40 off specific amount purchases*, use the code: WPDSEPT
*their homepage lists all the details

Check out their site for beautiful designs and quality printing. Having ordered from them myself, I can report a timely delivery and invitations & RSVP cards that looked exactly like they did online.

Bonus: They are also able to accommodate tweaks to their designs if you write them a note when placing your order!

Close to my Art

When attempting to find the perfect gift for a bridal shower, wedding attendants, groom/bride gifts, parent thank-yous, try a piece of art. Many people don't shop for art and most people appreciate a framed piece, especially if it's thoughtful and in their style. (So maybe not a great idea for the bridal shower of your sister-in-law-to-be who you just met a week ago.)

Etsy is a fantastic place to look for interesting, affordable prints and originals. (These Kelli Murray prints are some of my favorites!)

Also, most major cities have some kind of art fair either based in town or that passes through from time to time. (A great traveling fair where you can find everything from home decor to baby clothes is the Renegade Craft Fair.)

If shopping for wedding party attendants, you can get each of them a framed piece of art but you can individualize it so that they each get different prints or even different artists.

Don't be afraid to think outside the box. Your giftee will thank you.