Wedding Dress of the Week

Rum pink is a color that many brides find confusing as they search for the wedding gowns they will eventually wear down the aisle. Why? Because rum pink wedding gowns aren't exactly pink and don't really bring to mind anything resembling rum. Rum pink wedding gowns are pink... ish and sometimes more golden than not. What I'm trying to say is that if you're looking for a pink wedding gown, search for pink wedding gowns. Rum pink wedding gowns are a whole different animal.

Which brings me to the latest wedding dress of the week! We're loving this silky shantung rum pink wedding gown adorned with handmade roses in shantung and organza. The unique accent vines and leaves are created with hundreds of tiny glass beads, and the flowers and beading flow down the center front to the left side of the V-shaped dropped waist where the skirt is draped and pulled up to create a dramatic effect.

Drama is right! This is a wedding gown for the bride who isn't afraid to make a big impression!

DIY Wedding Favors

Every couple starts out believing their wedding will be an elegant affair. And it will, no matter how much money the couple has to spend on their nuptials. It's not always easy to believe that, however, especially when brides and grooms see just how much things like ceremony accessories, reception decor, and wedding favors actually cost. They frequently start wondering if they'll even be able to afford to have a wedding at all!

The good news is that when it comes to saving money, wedding favors are a great place to start. There are plenty of tools that let brides (and grooms and bridesmaids and the mother-of-the-bride) create perfect wedding favors from scratch! It's actually pretty easy to craft professional looking wedding favors at home, with supplies that don't cost much at all. Here's a list of some of the basic supplies brides and their helpers use when creating DIY wedding favors:

• Sheer favor bags
• Italian wedding favor wraps
• Silk rose petals
• Glassine bags
• Satin wedding favor boxes

There are a ton of other DIY wedding favor supplies out there, shaped like everything from chairs to cars to palm trees! You can fill your wedding favors with candy or some other remembrance of your special day... anything goes. Since you're at most putting candy (or whatever) in your favor boxes and tying a ribbon around the whole works, you don't have to worry about not being the perfect crafter. Anyone can make DIY wedding favors!

Remember that there are some very well-known craft chains that have wedding departments with the materials to make everything from bridal bouquets to reception centerpieces to bridal headpieces. Of course, you can also find the makings for some pretty nifty wedding favors there, too.


Click to read more DIY wedding favor tips

Best Man's Toast

Ah, the best man's toast. They can be absolutely lovely -- so moving that there's not a dry eye in the house. They can also be excruciating to sit through, especially if the best man has had one too many glasses of champagne punch. If you're worried that your man's best man will give a toast that falls into the latter camp, pass this best man's toast how-to onto him.

First off, the most beautiful sentiment you can express is the positive change you've seen in the couple since they met. If you're having trouble coming up with the right words, ask yourself how the groom has grown and evolved since meeting his future wife. How has he changed overall since you first met him? If you were kids together, choose an anecdote from your youth to share.

When you think about adding humor, remember that everyone has a different idea about what's funny and what isn't. Keep in mind that you are speaking to a wide demographic and some people will take what you say very seriously. It's best to always remain proper and gracious. Don't share any embarrassing stories or talk about sex.

But be yourself. Don't look for a very formal script from a book if you aren't a formal person. Make sure your toast sounds like you. There are lots of ways to personalize your toast to keep the audience engaged.

Above all, remember to keep your toast very, very short. When you're done toasting, thank the audience for coming even though you aren't the host. Being the best man, you had a vested interest in your good friend's wedding turning out perfectly, so you're well within your rights to do so.

(By the way, if the maid-of-honor is giving a toast, these guidelines will apply to her as well!)


Click to read more about giving the perfect toast