Choosing the Bridesmaid Dresses

Choosing the bridesmaid dresses comes second in importance to choosing your wedding gown. But it can also become quite a nightmare, when you consider the color, cut and design have to suit more than one of your bridesmaids. If that weren’t hard enough, you also may find yourself receiving endless “helpful tips” from these ladies as to their preferred shades, styles and lengths, many of which may contradict each other.

So how do you get started?

Consider price first
If your bridesmaids are paying for their own dresses, they certainly have a greater say in what they are willing to wear. But if you are paying, however that still doesn’t make you sole decision maker because you obviously want your bridesmaids to be as happy as you will be on your wedding day.

Look through catalogs, take your girls to try on different dresses at shops and THEN arrive at a budget. This will serve two purposes, everyone will get an idea of what is available (and a realistic pricing), and you’ll also get a first hand view of what works, and what doesn’t. Plus by now you’ll know who wants what.

Meet and discuss ideas
Now it’s time for round table discussion. Ask your bridesmaids to do their own research before coming. Once you’re all agreed on price, you need to decide on color options. Options are important because if you don’t find the right style/material/dress based on the color you first chose, you don’t want to go back to the drawing board.

Colors can be complementary to your wedding gown, or contrasting. Also think of accessories, shoes, corsages and (often overlooked) what the groom, best man and ushers are wearing. Thankfully their choice is limited.

If you are having an outdoor wedding, think of a color that would work well with your scenery. Like a sea blue or light turquoise for a Hawaiian wedding, or softer yellows against a forest green setting. Always remember to look at your chosen color material in lighting that’s close to your wedding venue and time, to ensure it stays true to the color you picked.

Next comes styling
You can choose from slip/sheath dresses, A-lines, strapless, spaghetti, or sleeveless. Your bridesmaids are each unique, and not all shaped the same. So different styles can be matched, enabling each of your girls to look their individual best. Just keep some basic rules like all dresses will need to be sleeveless, or of a certain length to keep the styles varied yet together. While choosing a style also keep in mind that of your wedding dress, and your theme and location. A summer, outdoor wedding, usually implies sleeveless, breathable material that’ll keep your bridesmaids from melting in the heat.

Finally consider that since these dresses are probably going to be on the more expensive side, and the bridesmaids may want to use them later as evening gowns or cocktail dresses.

And most importantly, enjoy the process and get ready to turn your wedding aisle into an eye-popping fashion show.

Image Credit: Tom Purves

The Myths and Truths about Throwing Rice at weddings

The throwing of rice on a wedded couple has always been symbolic of wishing prosperity and minimizing wants. From Roman times grain, like wheat has been associated with the wedding ceremony. While expensive wheat bouquets later became flower bouquets, and the crumbling of wheat cakes morphed into consumable wedding cakes, throwing of wheat grains were substituted with the cheaper rice as the grain of choice to wish plenty upon the newlywed couple.

However the past decade has seen more and more couples refrain from this tradition considering rice to be harmful to birds that try to eat it later.

Urban Legends
This has now been revealed to be a false, urban legend. According to urbanlegends on about.com, wild rice is a dietary staple for many birds, as are other grains that expand in moisture such as wheat and barley. Snopes.com states that this myth began with a 1996 reply by Ann Landers in her column, in which she informed readers about the dangers rice has on birds.

What the Bird Experts say
“This silly myth pops up periodically and is completely unfounded,” says rice expert Mary Jo Cheesman at the USA Rice Federation. “Many migrating ducks and geese depend on winter-flooded rice fields each year to fatten up and build strength for their return trek to northern nesting grounds. Uncooked, milled rice is no more harmful to birds than rice in the field”, Chessman said.

The curator of Ornithology at the University of California, Berkeley agrees. “It’s a myth. There is no reason why birds, including small songbirds, can’t eat rice,” says Ned Johnson, a professor of biology at Berkeley who lectures frequently on the food and feeding of birds.

Other issues with rice
Many also feel that rice presents another hazard aside from the bird issue, as being round in shape it could cause guests to slip especially if scattered on a cemented or hard surface. However the wedding location should help you decide if this is a hazard or not. Rice at outdoor weddings for example would pose no issue and would be more environmentally friendly than throwing confetti and more useful to birds than rose petals. One of the reasons many wedding venues prohibit rice and confetti throwing is simply because it can present a big mess to clean up after your party leaves.

New Age Alternatives
But if you’re still not sure, you aren’t alone. The need to stay eco friendly and traditional has resulted in the development of some very unique products like Ecofetti, a water soluble confetti that’s fully biodegradable. Ecofetti comes in  “rice cuts” that give you the traditional feel of throwing rice. Another new age product is “compressed wedding rice” which are compressed rice grains that take a designer shape, like hearts. Compressed rice lies flat on the ground will be crushed when trod upon, reducing accidents due to slippage. It also degrades faster than regular rice and will dissolve on its own.

Not to mention it’s safe for the birds to eat.

Image Credit: spaceodissey

Sending out Wedding Invitations – a checklist

You’ve made things-to-do lists and shopping lists and other lists. But none are more critical than the list of people you intend inviting to your wedding. It’s the most important day of your life, and you need to make sure those close to you are there to celebrate it with you.

So here’s one way to go about making that list. It’s not unique, just a way of getting the job done in an organized manner.

Educational institutions: Start from kindergarten, and go all the way till your last day at school. Look through your yearbooks and make a list of friends and teachers you may want there.

The workplace: Think of all those you have worked with at the companies you have been employed at. If you’ve travelled on work, there may be friendships you’ve made en route. Also remember to add to your list those you’ve befriended at conventions, conferences and other office gatherings.

Clubs, teams, hobby groups: Have you been a part of a local football team? Or a dramatics society? Maybe a philately group? All places where friendships are formed, and you might find a few more additions to your list of invitees here.

The neighborhood: Those who live next door, down the street, a block away, members of the local church congregation, etc. All strong contenders to make it to your list.

The www: When you’re done with the real world, visit its virtual counterpart. Check friends’ lists on social networking sites you are a member of, and your email address books as well. Chances are you’ll find a few good friends you’re in touch with online, who you’d like to invite to your wedding.

Friends of family: Ask Dad and Mom. Ask your siblings. They will have friends they’d like to have at your wedding. Remember it’s a very special day in their lives as well.

Done? Now run through the list once again and make changes if needed. And to be doubly sure, do it again in a week’s time.