ARTICLES BY BRIDGET MORA

For most people, it just wouldn't be a wedding without a glass of Champagne or a few signature cocktails While serving alcohol can certainly promote a laid-back and festive atmosphere, it can also lead to some major headaches

There are a lot of different ways to fill the gap between the end of the wedding ceremony and the start of dinner A cocktail hour (or “mocktail hour” if you prefer) with a full selection of passed hors d'oeuvres and stations is one end of the spectrum, while some couples opt to have a very limited display of light refreshments or even none at all

The long, beautiful train that makes your wedding gown so gorgeous as you walk down the aisle can be a bit of a nuisance during the reception After all, it is not so easy to dance with a cathedral length train dragging behind you on the dance floor

For those who are new to the world of weddings, a lot of the terms can be unfamiliar One often hears of bridal trunk shows, but a lot of brides are not actually so clear on what that means

So you are looking around for ways to save money on your wedding, when a friend offers to be your wedding photographer, design the invitations, or make the cake What's a bride to do

If your reception space is a little tight, it is important to make the most of every square foot There are some nifty tricks which will help to make a small wedding reception site feel more spacious

Shopping for jewelry can be an intimidating thing for many people, whether they are looking for a simple pair of pearl earrings or that perfect engagement ring to say “Will you marry me”

You know what they say, you don't just marry one person, you marry their entire family Sometimes this can seem like a blessing, but when it comes time to make your holiday plans, too much family can start to feel like too much of a good thing

A wedding favor is a nice way to thank your guests for attending your wedding celebration Favors are often inspired by the season or the style of the wedding reception, and winter weddings offer lots of great possibilities for seasonal favors

When a couple decides to get married, one question that the bride-to-be will often hear is “Are you planning to take his name”

In life, we have many special occasions to commemorate The rites of passage which make up some of the most significant celebrations include special birthdays, graduations, marriages, births, and religious milestones

If you have a bride to be in your life, you have probably noticed that the wedding is her top priority lately For this reason, she is sure to appreciate a gift which is wedding-based when her birthday comes around

The trend these days is towards healthier “whole” foods If making wise food choices is a part of your everyday life, it makes sense to extend that philosophy to your wedding reception

The entertainment you choose for your wedding reception will greatly influence the flavor of the party Do you envision a traditional wedding, complete with a family bridal gown and pearl necklace, where the music played might be more familiar to your parents than your friends (think Sinatra, Cole Porter)

Most of us lead fairly informal lives So when an invitation arrives in the mail which states “black tie”, many women are left scratching their heads

The art of fine entertaining is not lost Although most of us rarely host elegant parties, every once in while, it can be a lot of fun to gather around the table with friends for a proper dinner party

The more care you put into selecting the details for your wedding reception, the more gorgeous it will be Sure you could just use the standard white china supplied by the caterer, but you have the chance to do so much more with your reception tables

The processional during the marriage ceremony is certainly one of the most moving parts of any wedding It is the moment when the groom and the assembled guests all get their first look at the bride in her long white gown, bridal veil, and crystal necklace

Your wedding anniversary is a wonderful time to celebrate your marriage, fondly remember the past, and look forward to your future together Give your anniversary the special attention it deserves by making a big deal of the day

Champagne is a festive part of any celebration However, not every wedding budget includes an allotment for cases of Dom Perignon or Cristal

If you plan to have a flower girl in your wedding, you know how much fun it can be to pick out a very special dress for her to wear These days, the flower girl's outfit does not just end with the dress, though; special accessories are as much a part of making her look pretty as they are for the bridesmaids

There is an old saying that a proper lady should have her name in the newspaper only three times in her life: when she is born, when she is married, and when she dies No woman will have control over the first and last of those, but when it comes to the happy occasion of your marriage, you will get to be the one to make sure the announcement appears in the paper

Few weddings are more spectacular than those held on New Year's Eve Everyone knows that the bride will be wearing something breathtaking, but what about the wedding guests

Nothing is more darling at a wedding than the flower girl From the moment she first appears at the end of the aisle, she is sure to make everyone smile

Winter, spring, summer, or fall: white flowers are perennial favorites for weddings The beauty, purity, and grace of white flowers make them the most traditional choice for bridal bouquets at any time of the year