Tokens of Affection Theyve coaxed responses from procrastinating guests, handcrafted the wedding favors, made your travel arrangements, even given the getaway car a tune-up. Without the help of your attendants, youd still be licking envelopes. You couldnt have done it without them, and you want to thank them in a special way. Show your gratitude [...]
Attendant Arbitration Youve narrowed your list of prospective groomsmen down to your brothers, your two best friends, and your closest cousin. Theres a hitch, though: conversations between your conservative cousin and your liberal younger brother always end as shouting matches. Over on your brides side, two girlfriends are in a state of suspended pique for [...]
Stand By Me When you moved to the neighborhood at age 5, Mike was the kid next door. Youve been best buds ever since, through school, college, relationships and breakups, even after you took a job in another state. There isnt a single other person you would rather stand beside you on your wedding day. [...]
Natural Selection Bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, attendants–their titles may be flexible, but their value cant be overestimated. Selecting the men and women who will serve as your aides-de-camp and stand as your silent Greek chorus on your wedding day is a task not to be taken lightly. Its likely you already have a few of your [...]
Clothes Make the Man–and the Woman Nothing makes a prettier picture than a well-dressed wedding party. The men look sharp in their tuxedos and know it, the women exude confidence in gowns that complement them as well as they complement the bride. Colors are coordinated and mirror beautifully the color scheme of the venue décor, [...]
Solidarity or Singularity? Praise the heavens, or at least the fashion designers: the ghastly bridesmaid dress of yesteryear is going extinct. Todays attendant has a much better chance of avoiding the poofy sleeves, flouncy skirts, stiff fabrics, scary colors, and unbecoming hemlines that their aunts and older sisters had to suffer. Girlfriends want to look [...]
Perks of the Job Its a given that along with assisting the bride in assorted pre-wedding tasks, her attendants will have to tackle the responsibility of getting pampered at the salon. Hairstyles, makeovers, manicures, pedicures, facials, even a little minor cosmetic work or a luxurious ginger-lime salt glow at the spa… its a tough job, [...]
He Pays, She Pays Elaborate shindig with sit-down dinner or backyard gig with champagne and cake, one thing every style of wedding has in common–it costs money. Once upon a time, the brides parents were obliged to pay for nearly everything, but in these days of double incomes and rising costs, the bill division is [...]
Preventing Wardrobe Malfunctions Its a fair bet that when you accepted the honor of standing up for your best pal at the altar, you didnt expect to be taking on the duties of wardrobe manager. But overseeing the duds the dudes will be wearing is one of the chief responsibilities of the best man. Same [...]
