Wedding Tips

THE ACCESSORIES: VINTAGE IS ALL THE RAGE

It's all about the bling in bridal this year but oversized studs are a bit too much. Vintage is all the rage as brooches make their way from the runway to the reception. So, think "Grandma's jewelry-box" more than "Queen Elizabeth" when choosing your accessories. Not a tiara girl? Wear antique brooches or s-clips as your headpiece.

Forget the single strand of pearls or a bold diamond choker for multiple layers of diamonds-by-the-yard; and, on the ears, give up jeweled clusters or oversized chandeliers for delicate diamond danglers. Don't shy away from color - just a hint in the form of a precious gem can really accent your carefree style. Coordinate your jewels with your overall wedding theme (for spring, wear emerald greens and canary yellow; for winter, where icy blue aquamarines and sapphires).

TIP: Always consider balance when selecting accessories: For a simple dress sans embellishment, add glamour with chandelier earrings or a sparkling diamond choker; for an elaborately beaded or embroidered gown, go simple with a delicate pair of diamond studs or pearls.

THE HAIR & MAKE-UP: FRESH-FACED WITH LONG TOUSLED LOCKS

Brides are letting their hair down (literally and figuratively): matrimonial manes are shifting from tight chignons and slicked-back updo's made famous by princess brides to loosely flowing locks (picture Venus on the half shell).

Feminine and Glamorous are the trends this season for hair. Inspiration comes from Old Hollywood. Soft curls, elegantly swept updo's and beautiful retro adornments.

For make-up, the beauty buzzword is "color" - Smoke out the eyes, but skip the usual black and use color to get that smoky effect. Highlight your features without appearing mask like or cakey. Keep a gloss and translucent powder in the bridal suite for freshening up, and invest in a monsoon-proof mascara.

TIPS: Remember, your look should last all day long without looking overstyled. So, forget heavy-duty hairsprays, which may make hair look stringy or weighted down by midwedding; go for a weightless, flexible hold instead. On the flipside, the natural look doesn't mean forgoing hairstyling and make-up - the key is to look like you haven't spend hours getting ready, but still look radiant in photos and on the dance floor all night long.

Finally, your make-up should be photogenic: limit iridescents which may create glares in your pictures, and skip the scarlet lipstick so your gorgeous grin won't look black in your black-and-white photographs.

THE RECEPTION:

With smaller guest lists and eight-hour affairs, weddings are taking on a more A-list status than ever before. Couples are upping their wedding wow factor with ritzy details such as elaborate orchid displays, endless desserts, and both welcome and farewell gifts.

TIP: They key to the new "carefree elegance" is to carry a theme whether it's a color palette, a fabric pattern, or a motif throughout from the invites to the favors. If infusing color as a theme, pick the palette du jour: black and white with punches of a single bold accent color like fresh apple green or cool teal blue.

THE FAVORS:

Favors will never lose favor, but robust welcome bags are gaining attention. These gift bags are especially welcome at weekend weddings with out_of_town guests. Fill anything from a personalized tote to a rustic handmade paper bag with carefully_chosen snacks, local sweets, and a weekend itinerary __ and leave the goodies in your guests' hotel rooms.

THE MENU:

The Menu: There are many people who take culinary vacations, traveling through countries in search of the local fare. Turn your wedding reception into its own culinary vacation by creating a menu featuring regional specialties. It may be foie gras from the Hudson Valley, spicy chicken wings in Buffalo, lobster from Maine or even the largest cheese spread ever seen in Wisconsin.

So, replace standard sit-downs with chicken-and-filet fare with food bars of family recipes and easy-to-eat-with-your-hands minis like tapas, individual potpies, and baby etouffees. The same goes for drinks-though signature cocktails like "something blues" and "married-tinis" are still a fun way to infuse personality, guests are ready for a refreshing spin on the average open bar.

Infuse class and personality with an upscale whiskey bar during cocktail hour or go epicurean by pairing up multiple tasting courses with a full list of handpicked vintages and beers.

TIP: Food as favor is a hot, hot trend. Send guests packing edible thank-yous, from a late-night ice cream snack to a breakfast bin (ahem, hangover kit) of muffins, OJ, mini bottles of Bloody Mary mix and Skyy Vodka, and the next morning's newspaper or juicy tabloid.

THE DESSERT: TOWERING CAKES MAKE ROOM FOR DECADENT BUFFETS & RETRO SWEETS

Don't forget to make dessert the exclamation point of your night. Today's wedding cakes are the centerpiece of the reception-whether

it's infusing color into an otherwise traditional cake or having different cakes at every table. Cakes should taste as good as they look, so experiment with an exotic filling, whether it's raspberry and chocolate mousse or a grand marnier-flavored creme. Sweeten up the cake course by adding a decadent buffet or a tray of luxe spins on classics such as Sno Balls, goo-goo pies, and Ring Dings at every table.

TIP: Not the wedding-cake-kind? You're not limited to the "cupcake tower" anymore. We suggest taking it up a notch by towering your favorite gourmet desserts like mini crème brulees, tiny apple tarts, petite pecan pies, and individual chocolate souffle-and letting each of your guests choose their favorites.

THE ENTERTAINMENT: A FULL DANCE FLOOR IS THE MEASURE OF A MEMORABLE WEDDING

The measure of a truly memorable wedding is not the color of the flowers, the taste of the cake or the size of the dessert spoon: it's a jam-packed dance floor.

Hire both the band and the DJ (no need to sacrifice the integrity of your fave Depeche Mode tune_have the band play the big ballads, and have the DJ spin the classics).Keep guests busy with photo and video booths, dancers, and surprise musical elements like steel drums or a superb jazz trio, and keep the party going with a full-fledged afterparty for those who just can't get enough.

Guests, don't look to escape early when the bride and groom get away_weddings will be on average an hour longer, with the newlyweds the last to leave.

TIP: It's chic to include the kids now. So, plan children's-only sections at the party, with magicians and dance sessions just for the little ones (caution to couples: save finger-painting for the bridal shower).

THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER

THE HONEYMOON: THE EXTREME EXOTICS-AFRICA & CANADA

While romantic honeymoon spots such as Hawaii, the Caribbean Islands, and Europe are as hot as ever, this year couples will be seeking out new extremes for their once-in-a-lifetime trip. From Kenyan Safaris to sunning in the Seychelles, Africa has become the new exotic honeymoon spot for 2008. For couples looking for a cool destination closer to home, Canada is king: Francophiles are heading to uber-romantic Quebec, while snowlovers are booking deluxe ski trips to Whistler. Other hot trips: cruising through the Greek Isles, hiking to Machu Picchu and sunning in Cabo San Lucas.

TIP: Divided over the ideal honeymoon getaway? What couples often forget is that opposites really do attract. Thanks to modern travel advancements, couples can now easily and affordably split up the two weeks between two destinations-one for him, and one for her.

The key is to keep the two spots relatively close: if he wants a mountain adventure and she wants the beach, opt for Costa Rica, a country abundant in rain forest and volcano adventure with idyllic beaches and sunsets a puddle-jumper away. Or, if you live in the Northeast, save money by roadtripping to a local mountain range like the Adirondacks for the first week, and hop on a flight at a nearby airport to an island getaway for week too.