Flower Girl: Attire Basics for the Parents

Dress

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Prices vary depending on the designer, fabric, and size, but feel free to make some suggestions. A bride choosing on looks alone may overlook a scratchy collar or a heavy dress. Your daughter might have to go for fittings to make sure the dress is comfortable and not too long, to avoid tugging or tripping during the ceremony. Floor-length dresses can be tricky, especially if your daughter is younger or simply not used to walking in something so long. If you're worried, suggest shortening the hem by an inch or two.

Shoes
Often overlooked, shoes that don't fit will literally hurt your child's performance. Get them at least a month in advance, and have her break them in for a few hours each week (just around the house) to make sure she's comfortable. In a pinch, at a casual warm-weather wedding, you might suggest that she walk barefoot. It looks adorable!


Jewelry
Small pearl studs for pierced ears, or a simple bracelet, are perfect for the wedding day. It's best to keep the jewelry minimal -- and make sure your daughter knows it's not the time to break out her favorite large, plastic ring.

Underwear
Colors or polka dots easily show through a light dress, so white is the best bet.


Stockings
If your flower girl will be wearing stockings, it's best to line up two pairs in case of wedding-day snags. And if the dress is white or ivory, make sure the stockings match -- shades of white and ivory can be very different!

White Cardigan
If she gets cold, you don't want her to end up in a sweatshirt! A pretty cardigan to match her dress is great to have on hand.


Hair Accessories
Will she wear barrettes, a tiara, or flowers in her hair? It's a good idea to check with the bride on this one, so you can line up the right supplies -- especially if you're going to be your daughter's hairdresser.

Flower Girls: A Guide to Getting Ready

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There is a lot more that goes into being the adorable flower girl than just a dress and flowers. Between the walk down the aisle, the prewedding parties and the makeup, you're little girl is bound to be overwhelmed. Help prep her for the wedding with this easy to follow guide.

Practice Makes Perfect
Start "walking down the aisle" months before the wedding(deep purple prom dresses 2012). The more confidence your daughter has, the more comfortable she'll be when it counts. If she's younger, try walking with her a few times, than have her show you how she can walk on her own. She should keep a steady pace that might seem slow at first -- try having her count in her, "one peanut butter, two peanut butter," with each step. Older flower girls should catch on pretty quickly, but it might take several practice sessions for the little ones to perfect their walk.

The Bridal Shower
If your daughter is invited to the shower, be mindful of her attention span. Ask the host to recommend a good time for your daughter to arrive, and suggest giving her a special job at the party, like helping collect bows and ribbons to turn into the rehearsal bouquet. The bridal shower is a great opportunity for your daughter to meet the other members of the bridal party. Seeing friendly, familiar faces on the big day will help ease any anxiety.
Beyond the shower, you might suggest the bride spend some one-on-one time with your daughter and let her know how excited she is to share her special day. Manicures or special shopping trips are great ways to bond!


Hair & Makeup
Is the bridal party getting fancy updos for the event? Ask if your daughter can go to the salon, too. Even if the stylist only brushes her hair and clips in a barrette or two, it will help her feel included. If your daughter is wearing a ring of flowers in her hair, make sure it's secure and won't fall over her eyes every few steps!

Try to minimize her time in the salon chair; if she has to sit still for two hours the morning of the wedding(prom gowns outlet), it may be hard for her to focus on the more important parts of the day. If you choose not to have a professional do her hair, be prepared with a comb and light hairspray for styling and touch-ups. Also, if you're planning to schedule a haircut, make it a week or two before the wedding to avoid harsh bands and choppy layers.
If the bride is having her makeup professionally done, decide beforehand if you'd like to include your daughter, but don't let the makeup artist get carried away. It's not a beauty pageant, so a touch of lip gloss and a little translucent powder or a light stroke of blush is plenty.


The Rehearsal
On or around the night before the wedding, your daughter will participate in the rehearsal. She might be intimidated by the attention, but assure her it's going to be just as you practiced. Walk her down the aisle once or twice if she's uncomfortable, and she her where you'll be during her big moment. Don't worry if the rehearsal doesn't go perfectly -- often the most nervous flower girls at the rehearsal turn into the best performers when it counts. She may be invited to the rehearsal dinner, but don't be offended if she's not -- it's better to save her energy and attention for the wedding day.

Bridesmaid Gifts: 50 Inspiring Ideas

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Who says bridesmaid gifts have to be generic objects with zero sex appeal? Charm your chums with keepsakes that challenge tradition -- your maids deserve much more than the usual key chain or faux strand of pearls. While shopping, keep each individual maid in mind, choosing imaginative and stylish gifts that come from the heart. From crafty and tasty to just plain indulgent, here are 50 unique ideas to inspire you.

Entertain Her

Set of videos themed around a favorite actor, director, or film era

Tickets to a musical or dinner theater

Magazine subscriptions

Computer games

First-edition favorite novel

Gift certificates to a local video store or movie theater

Cute, purse-size camera

Movie-themed gift basket

Tickets to a sporting event

Tiffany playing cards

Lavish Affection

Silk pajamas

Asian-inspired robe

Personalized stationery

Gift certificate to a great boutique

Monogrammed set of bath towels

Designer purse or note cards

Gift certificate to a luxury spa

Designer makeup bag

Beauty gift package

Do It Yourself

(be careful here, make sure your maid will appreciate as much as you do)

Jewelry

Candles

Whimsical soaps

Holistic beauty treatments such as bath salts and scented astringents

Hand-painted mug or vase, designed at a local ceramics studio and personalized with her favorite colors

Knitted scarf, throw, or other woolen delight

Hand-bound photo album or scrapbook

Assorted jars of homemade jam

Personalized poem

Play Off Her Passion

She's an antique buff? Check out flea markets, tag sales, and ebay.com for vintage ashtrays, lace bureau scarves, Depression-era glass, and more.

She ice skates? Give a subscription to a skating magazine and fluffy balls for her skates.

She loves to boogie but can't get her groove on? Try a gift certificate for an introductory ballroom, salsa, or flamenco dance class.

She's a fitness nut? Go for workout gear.

She has wanderlust? Try a flight bag bearing her initials or classy travel kit.

She's good with her hands? Treat her to an introductory pottery class.

She's obsessed with wellness? Try a gift certificate for a session with a personal trainer, reflexologist, or nutritionist.

She cooks? Think a hot new cookbook, dessert bowls, or a state-of-the-art pepper mill.

She's a gardening guru? Try new tools, a flowering plant, or decorative pots.

Wine and Dine Her

She's a coffee fiend? A French press is always elegant, especially with a pound of gourmet coffee.

You're a great cook? Host a five-course dinner party in your bridesmaids' honor -- feature the finest wine you can afford and the most sumptuous dishes you can prepare.

She's the expert entertainer? Give her all the props she needs to create the ultimate sushi-themed soiree.

She's a wine lover? Try a fabulous bottle of bubbly, a nice ice bucket, or enroll her in a wine club.

She loves to eat out? Go with a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant.

She sets a mean table? Search for luxe table linens.

She's got a sweet tooth? Maybe she'd love some decadent chocolates.

She has a weakness for fancy food? Treat her to caviar, foie gras, or a gift certificate to a nearby gourmet shop.

She loves the outdoors? Hook her up with a deluxe picnic basket.

She's a kitchen goddess? Dress her in an adorable apron.

Photo: Susan Stripling Photography

Best Man: Best Man Duties in Detail

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As best man, you may think you're just a glorified groomsman, but guess what? You actually have special responsibilities -- you'll be a combination valet and hand-holder as you help the groom come through this nerve-racking experience with flying colors. As leader of the groom's posse, you'll:
Serve as the groom's personal aide and adviser before and during the wedding. This can include helping him pack for the honeymoon (the valet part).

Help the groom choose and rent (or buy) wedding formalwear, and coordinate the other groomsmen's rentals. You guys are supposed to match, after all! You may be expected to arrange accommodations for out-of-town groomsmen.

Organize the bachelor party. Don't be shy about enlisting other groomsmen to help you out -- most guys don't mind this duty! Put financial worries out of your mind -- the cost should be split among everyone who attends the bash.

Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner with the bride and groom and all the other attendants. This is your chance to figure out how you're supposed to walk down that aisle.

Stand beside the groom at the altar and keep the bride's ring until vows are exchanged. Find a safe place for the ring (and triple check that your pockets don't have holes) -- you don't want to fumble around when it's time to whip it out.

Corral the other guys and make sure they're performing their groomsman duties.

Sign the marriage license as a witness after the ceremony, along with the maid of honor.

Give the officiant a sealed envelope with his or her fee (the groom's responsibility) just after the ceremony.

You may be announced with the maid of honor when the reception begins.
Dance with both the honor attendant and the bride during the wedding party dances.

Give the first toast to the bride and groom at the reception. This is your biggest -- and probably most frightening -- duty. Read our article about how to give a toast, and remember the cardinal rule: Mum's the word on the bachelor bacchanalia.

Collect any gift envelopes guests bring to the reception. You may be asked to deposit them in the couple's bank account or at least to keep them until the couple returns from their honeymoon.

Decorate the getaway mobile. Grab the other groomsmen and the bridesmaids for this one.

Drive the couple to the wedding-night hotel(prom gowns outlet) or airport after the reception. If you perform this service, you'll need to stay sober throughout the reception. If you have a feeling this may not be possible, hire a limo to drive the couple into the sunset.

The wedding(debut dress 2012) will be over in the blink of an eye, so remember to enjoy yourself at the reception. After all, you're there to celebrate the happiest day of your best friend's life.