To Have, Hold and Party Together

04/22/2011

Traditionally, the bachelorette party is the bride's last chance to go a little wild and blow off some steam before the big day. Maybe that means pink drinks or outings to places you'd never, ever admit to visiting. We won't go into details.

And on the other end of the spectrum, we have the bachelor party. If you've seen "The Hangover," you have an idea of what might go down.

We polled our Facebook fans this week about their ideal bachelorette party. A handful of you said you'd go for a weekend in Vegas, but the majority voted for a beach getaway. You're over the party scene, and all you want to do is have a little low-key fun.

But would you consider inviting your groom on that getaway?

More brides and grooms are having joint bachelorette/bachelor parties these days. Whether they're going out to dinner and hitting a club, or jetting off to the Florida Keys, couples say it's fun to say goodbye to singledom together. Especially for couples who share a group of mutual friends, a joint party is a great option.

Anna had a joint party with her now-husband Ben, and she says it was a blast. "Our friends rented a block of rooms at the beach. We had breakfast together, but while the girls laid out in the sun, the guys played a round of golf. Then, we all had dinner and went out dancing. The next morning before we left, the girls got spa treatments and the guys slept in."

Co-ed group outings have good energy. While bachelor parties can get a little wild, the presence of ladies might keep behavior in check. And whereas some bachelorette parties are planned within an inch of their life (dinner precisely at 7, gifts exchanged at 8:15, the first bar at 9, the second bar at 9:45), mixed company can keep the event light and spontaneous. Plus, this gives your bridesmaids and groomsmen a chance to mingle before the wedding.

Would you join forces for a fabulous bachelorette/bachelor bash? Leave your comments below, and be sure to keep up with us on our TLC Weddings and "Say Yes to the Dress" Facebook pages as well as Twitter!

Fun in the sun is even better with a joint bachelor/bachelorette party! (Credit: Joshua Hodge Photography/Getty Images)

Royal Wedding programming starts Sunday on TLC! Here's the royal lineup:

Charles & Di: Once Upon a Time @7/6 c.
Untold Stories of a Royal Bridesmaid @9/8 c.
Royally Astounding: 30 Defining Days of the Monarchy @ 10/9 c.

Watch preview clips from the shows and visit our Royal Wedding Web site!

Here's to the Bride and Groom!

03/24/2011

A TLC Weddings article about 10 Horrific Details You Shouldn't Share in a Wedding Toast got us thinking about good toasts gone bad. If you're special enough to the bride and groom that you're in a position to toast them, then you obviously want to do it right. You know, sing their praises, wish them all the best, yada yada yada. But you also want your toast to be unique and memorable. You'll be the toast of the town if you follow a few rules for raising your glass.

Give it some thought. We've all seen the bridesmaid or groomsman who can't stop staring at some scribbles on a cocktail napkin. Maybe some people deliver perfect impromptu speeches, but we have yet to meet them. Speaking off the cuff, you're bound to repeat yourself, lose your train of thought or say something you'll regret.

Borrow from great speakers. You can still be original if you kick off your toast by quoting a poet, songwriter or figure from history. Get inspired by their sentiments (such as Antoine de Saint-Exupery's statement that "Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but looking outward in the same direction."), and explain why they apply to the special couple.

Bring a prop. It's Public Speaking 101. Audiences love visual aids! Use a prop to tell a story about the couple -- maybe the textbook from the class where they met, or their favorite sports team's jersey. Bonus: If you get nervous, you can talk about your prop and use the time to collect yourself.

Keep it brief. Vow that you won't be the one who has guests looking at their watches and fidgeting. Be genuine, but keep it short. If you have a lot to say about your friends, put it in a heartfelt letter and send it to them before or after the wedding. Or, corner the couple's parents and pour your heart out -- they'll be more than happy to hear how great their children are!

Hold on! This goes for anyone who's shy. Find something to do with your hands! Holding a glass works, or even just gesturing toward the couple (Vanna White-style) as you speak. If you have trouble making eye contact, don't give yourself a reason to look down by holding notes in your hands. Speak clearly and loudly enough so that the groom's parent's neighbors and the bride's second cousins at the table in the back can hear you.

Do you have any tips for giving a wedding toast? Leave them below and help out an anxious maid of honor! Be sure to get the latest in weddings from our "Say Yes to the Dress" and TLC Weddings Facebook pages, as well as Twitter.

Toasting perfection comes with practice, a little thought and a lot of finesse. (Credit: Burke/Triolo Prudctions/Getty Images)

Looks We Love for the Rehearsal Dinner

03/18/2011

You've spent the past year thinking about what you'll look like on your wedding day. Every detail, from the dress and the shoes to your accessories and hairstyle, has been planned for months.

One question, though: What are you wearing for your rehearsal dinner?

This event is usually the kickoff to the wedding weekend. It's when your close family members and bridal party gather to toast you privately before the actual vows. Maybe your rehearsal dinner is going to be more of a party -- everyone who's flown or driven into town for the wedding is invited to a backyard barbecue (cowboy boots mandatory!). Or, you might be going super formal with a five-course dinner for 20.

No matter what kind of rehearsal dinner you'll be having, here are a few fun looks we love:

Bride in white. You're the bride, and you'll wear white if you want to! For formal settings, you can choose luxe satin or lace dresses -- or even go bold with a glam white suit. Take the look to a casual level with white jeans and a white cardigan, or even a white T-shirt dress. Accessorize with turquoise, gold or pearls.

Time warp. The happy couple should stand out, and that's easy when you're dressed in retro garb. Choose a decade, and let the look inspire your ensemble. Slim 1960s dresses and skinny neckties, or playful sequins and bell-shaped sleeves with a snug blazer for him -- fabulous!

Mr. and Mrs. Matchy. There are few times in your life when you and your guy can coordinate outfits without making friends groan. Pick a color, texture or style, and have some fun. Maybe he's in a black suit with red tie, and you're in a red dress with black wrap and black patent wedges. Or, he opts for linen trousers and a white shirt and you rock a linen wrap dress. If you're doing an outdoor dinner, you could both go New England chic with sweaters tied around your necks and colorful chinos. You get the idea.

What did you wear or what are you planning to wear to your rehearsal dinner? Leave your comments below, and be sure to get the latest from us on our "Say Yes to the Dress" and TLC Weddings Facebook pages and Twitter!

We're loving these retro-inspired outfits! (Credit: AE Pictures/Getty Images)

Speaking Your Groom's Language

02/16/2011

He saved up for the ring and planned the perfect proposal, so your groom might think his job is done in terms of wedding planning. Plus, a guy's eyes glaze over when he hears words like "calligraphy" and "carving station."

Traditionally, the hard work of planning a wedding falls to the bride and her mother. But modern brides are making a real effort to get their grooms' input on the big day. And we think that's a great idea! Putting your heads together to pick the perfect venue, for instance, can help you down the road when you're trying to find your first home or making some other decisions as a husband-wife team.

What's the secret to getting your groom interested in wedding-related tasks? You've got to speak his language! Let's explore bridespeak vs. groomspeak. We'll give you the proper translations and put you on the road to wedding planning bliss with your No. 1 guy.

Bride says: When are you going to ask your mom for her portion of the guest list?
Groom hears: You never do anything I tell you.
Proper translation: Can I e-mail your mom to ask about guests she wants to invite? I'll CC you.
Why it works: Stop waiting on him, and take some action! Guys generally prefer e-mail to marathon phone sessions, so he'll jump in the conversation with you and his mom once you get the ball rolling with an opening message.

Bride says: We need to pick the flowers for the groomsmen's boutonnieres.
Groom hears: Boutonniere? That's a flower, right?
Proper translation: I'm going with [insert name of flower here] for the boutonnieres. Do you have any objection to your friends wearing [insert color of bloom here] flowers?
Why it works: He doesn't really care about the flowers -- he just wants to make sure you're not choosing hot pink roses for his friends. Give him the basics (color, size, ribbon), and ask for his OK.

Bride says: Do you like Asian fusion or Southern for the buffet action stations?
Groom hears: She's talking about food. Must be time for dinner!
Proper translation: Will you go with me to a tasting at the caterer's on Thursday at 7 p.m.?
Why it works: Grooms don't get too excited about many wedding details, but they can get on board with food discussions. Rather than talk abstractly, engage your guy in a tasting session. If he's got a belly full of hors d'oeuvres or wedding cake, he might even be willing to make some calls about the table linens.

Over at TLC Weddings, we've got even more advice for getting your groom involved! We know 10 things he'll love (or at least not hate) about wedding planning, and we can help him pick his groomsmen, too. As a last resort, if your guy refuses to get into the wedding planning spirit, we'll tell him exactly what his responsibilities are. You know -- besides showing up!

Brides and bride veterans, are/were your guys helpful with the planning? Leave your tales of triumph or woe below, and be sure to get the latest from us on Facebook and Twitter!

Does this bored face look familiar? Get your groom involved by speaking his language! (Goodshoot/Thinkstock)

5 Get-gorgeous Tips for Spring Brides

01/31/2011

Blizzards are making headlines, but spring is just around the corner! Spring brides, your big day will be here before you know it -- so now's the time to make five beauty resolutions.

1. Drink Up
Keep that water bottle full! Staying hydrated will  boost your energy levels, which is great news for busy brides. Water also works wonders for your skin by keeping cells plump and your complexion dewy. Drinking water with a meal or eating water-rich foods (think: low-sodium soups and juicy fruits and veggies) helps you fill up faster -- making it that much easier to pass on dessert.

2. Try It Out
Whether you're styling your own hair and makeup for your wedding day or you're hiring a pro, stock your beauty arsenal and try out the bridal look you've been envisioning. You might realize that curls aren't the way to go, or you might need a bolder lip color. With the wedding months away, you've got time to perfect your style.

3. Become Besties With Blueberries
What's not to love about blueberries? They're low in calories and high in deliciousness -- not to mention packed with antioxidants! New research suggests that blueberries can combat belly bulge AND wrinkles. Plus, berries pack a hefty punch of fiber, which (warning: TMI!) relieves constipation.

4. Get Buffed
You exfoliate your face regularly, but when was the last time you buffed your back, chest and arms? And remind us -- the reason you chose a strapless dress was to show off your back, chest and arms, right? Buy a loofah or exfoliating body wash, and make it a priority to exfoliate below your neck at least once a week. Follow a good body buff with moisture; slather on lotion as soon as you get out of the shower.

5. Commit to Consistency
After you set the date, you bought deep-conditioning hair treatment, teeth whitening strips and the best hydrating cream you could afford. And you apply the products consistently, right? 'Fess up: You haven't whitened your teeth in weeks, and you're too tired at night to apply moisturizer. Commit to using your beauty products consistently if you want them to work! Re-read the manufacturers' instructions, and use your products as recommended. You won't get a brighter smile or kick those wrinkles unless you do.

Bonus Tip: Stress brings out the ugly side in every bride. Stay sane with TLC Weddings' stress-busting secrets.

Get glowing, spring brides! (Credit: iStockphoto/Thinkstock)