Keep Your 'Maids in Mind...And Be Kind

While the bride and groom are the center of attention at any wedding, everyone wants to share in their joy by looking their best. Everyone from guests to ushers will want to pull out their Sunday finest for your wedding, and this includes your bridesmaids.

We've all seen those bridesmaid dresses that made us think "that poor girl", then make our best friends promise us that they'll never put us in a dress like that one. The dresses worn by Katherine Heigel's character in 27 Dresses are perfect examples of these. When planning your wedding, keep your bridesmaids in mind. Even though it's your day, they're just as involved and passionate about your wedding as you are.

When deciding on bridesmaid attire, there are simple ways to help everyone look and feel gorgeous and confident as they stand at the alter with you. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when shopping:

• No Two Women are Shaped the Same: Not all your bridesmaids have the same body type and shape, so one dress style won't look good on all of them. Fuller figured girls may feel uncomfortable in spaghetti strap or strapless dresses. Some of your bridesmaids may prefer a more reserved neckline, while others may want a shorter hemline. There's no one dress that can fit the needs of every woman's body type but allowing bridesmaids to pick dresses of different styles within your color scheme will help everyone look amazing and feel confident in pictures.


• Two Parts are Better Than One: Sometimes a dress is not an option at all. Oftentimes, a woman can wear several sizes depending on where she's measured. She may have a size 12 waist but a size 16 bust, which makes dress shopping stressful and upsetting. Separate tops and bottoms are now available in most bridal salons, and allow bridesmaids to find a more customized fit. David's Bridal offers separates, and an online tool to give you an idea of the look options available.
  
  
• Be Kind: Most importantly, be kind when dressing your 'maids. Your wedding is your big day, but your bridesmaids want to look and feel beautiful as they share in your celebration. Don't dress your bridesmaids in something you won't be caught dead in; it's likely they won't want to be either. Show your bridesmaids how happy you are to have them in your wedding by allowing them to wear something they'll be proud to stand next to you in. They'll remember your kindness and return the favor during their own weddings.

By keeping these tips in mind when shopping for their wedding attire, your bridesmaids will be as beautiful and confident as they've ever been as they stand beside you at the alter, creating a wonderful memory for them and for you.

Image found at Fandango.com, as well as more information on Katherine Heigel's 27 Dresses.

Magnetic Save-The-Date Cards

Save-the-date cards have become a standard part of wedding planning. According to Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette, Fifth Edition (copyright 2006), save-the-date cards are for "giving advance notice of an upcoming wedding [and] can be very helpful to guests who must make travel plans" (p.142). Though traditionally printed on postcard or single sided invitation card, save-the-date cards have recently undergone a magnetic transformation.

Save-the-date cards printed on magnets have become really popular lately. And it makes perfect sense! Who can keep track of a single sided invitation or postcard? No one, honestly. A magnet will be stuck right to your guests' refrigerators as soon as they come in the mail and be seen every time they grab a snack.

While magnetic save-the-dates are a really practical idea, ordering these from a professional printing service can cost a small fortune. Some online stores sell them for as much as $1.49 each, with a minimum order of 100. For the bride on a budget, this is simply out of the question. However, magnetic save-the-dates can easily be made at home.

You can purchase blank sheets of magnetic paper from most office supply stores. Avery offers such a product for ink jet users that can be found at Staples. Once you have the magnetic sheets, you simply need to design your save-the-date card in Publisher or another design software on your computer, like this one done by some friends of mine. Be sure to include the wording "Save the Date", the names of the bride and groom, the date of the wedding, and the location if you've decided on it. Dress up the magnet with images that represent you and your groom, making them both decorative and informative. Print several to a sheet, cut apart, and mail.

You'll have created not only a save-the-date card, but also a small keepsake from your wedding. Your guests will love how practical your save-the-dates are, and you'll love stretching your budget while still having a fun and interesting way to announce your big day.