A wedding is a splendid affair. But, while most couples know that they want a particular kind of wedding, they don't really know where to start, or how to incorporate that theme into their wedding! We understand how difficult and stressful it can be to figure how to keep your theme going and making it work out on your very special day. Here are a few wedding themes and how you can go about making them a reality:

1. Sophisticated/Casual Weddings: If what you're looking for is a sophisticated and formal wedding, then you should definitely keep a few handy tips in mind. The groom should be dressed in a designer suit instead of the regular tuxedo while the bride must definitely have a couture wedding dress. Flower arrangements and bouquets should be made of only one kind of flower such as orchids or lilies. Register for modern art or for contemporary home furnishings as gifts. Have sushi, middle-eastern or raw bar stations with each chef making custom delicacies. Make sure that you have the most simplistic but deliciously elegant cocktails. You can also have an after-wedding party at a hip downtown bar. For those wanting a more casual affair, wear whatever you're comfortable in. While the groom can wear jeans or khakis with a casual shirt and a simple sports coat, the bride can wear a white sundress. You can have your wedding anywhere, including your parents' backyard, a local park or even the community center. Another thing that works is handwritten invitations on handmade paper. Instead of elaborate floral arrangements, have pots of simple bulbs such as tulips or hyacinths. You could have a barbeque or picnic fare as the menu. Make sure you register for useful but inexpensive gifts.

2. Valentine's Day Weddings: If you are getting married on Valentine's Day, then let your wedding reflect a lot of romance. Consider an old-fashioned look like a classic style dress and tuxedo, which is more romantic. Make sure you book your location early, as Valentine's Day is a very popular day to get married. Tie the knot at a place that will allow you to light lots of candles to really set the mood for a late evening ceremony. You can even ask married couples to stand during your wedding and reaffirm their love for each other. If you want to have a DJ, create a song list full of love songs. Use almost any flowers in abundance. Include some aphrodisiacs in the menu like an oyster bar, asparagus, almonds, chicken with mole sauce, and chocolate covered strawberries. Your invitations and favors can also reflect the romantic theme of your wedding.

3. Whimsical Weddings: If you are a creative couple, make your wedding day a spectacular event that celebrates your love for anything – like a particular TV show, book, era, collectible or even have a kitschy theme. For instance, you could get married in Las Vegas or Disneyland. Or install a photo booth at your wedding. Have singing waiters or have your reception at a cabaret style restaurant. You could have a costume wedding or hire a 1963 Corvette to drive away in after you take your vows. You could also have a fifties band performing for you. Or how about an over-the-top carhop wedding?!

4. Sports Weddings: If it was your common love of sports that attracted you to each other, then you can incorporate your passion into your wedding day. You can dress up in the colors of your favorite team. Instead of regular decorations like table numbers, use your favorite players or the names of stadiums. Serve your favorite sports junk food like hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and cola. Consider a local stadium as a place to take your vows or an open space where your guests will be able to have a game of football. You can also think about giving out personalized sports favors to your guests.

Your dream dress has been found, the invitations are being printed, and the florist has been instructed to order up the perfect blooms. Now your attention has turned towards the ultimate confection - your wedding cake! The wedding cake is a big and absolute favorite part of a wedding, and it is something everyone remembers. Over time, many things have changed with weddings, but one thing that has stayed the same is the beautiful cake.

Many couples see the wedding cake as one highlight of the festivities that can be as fun and whimsical or as upscale and traditional as they might desire. Deciding on the ideal cake should be a team effort that is fun. So, when you finally settle on which cake is right for your perfect day, there are many factors to take into consideration.

How many guests are you going to have? What is your budget for a cake? How many tiers or what design would you like? What colors and decorations should be included? What will you be using as a cake top? Will the cake be the main dessert or will it be part of a sweet table? Once you've got the answers to all these questions, then you can go further. So let's consider the most important decisions to be made:

1. Pick a bakery: If you haven't picked a bakery yet, then do so. Once you decide on a bakery, it's easy to get them to give you samples of cakes they excel in making. They might even have a specialty or two you haven't considered yet. And most bakeries even offer samples to help a couple decide. If a friend or relative is making the cake to save a little money, find out what their specialties happen to be if you don't already know.

2. Size of the cake: Firstly, it is important to know how many the cake will serve. Anyone making the cake – whether a professional baker or a friend who is a whiz at whipping up classy creations – will need to know how many people will be eating this cake. Secondly, wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes. Traditional cakes that have several tiers are normally a great choice, and one your guests will remember.

3. Date and location of the wedding: The date and location of your wedding is crucial when choosing the cake. For example, if you plan on having your wedding in the summer at a hot location, things like mousse, or even an ice cream cake might be out of the question. In such cases, ask your baker what types of cake are in 'season'.

4. Settle on a Budget: Is there a price limit to your dream cake? Wedding cakes can be a lot more expensive than some people might think. With some cakes costing as much as $6 or more a serving, setting a budget is a smart thing to do.

5. Flavor and appearance: If the two of you have different favorite flavors, consider a tiered cake that has different flavors on each pillar. This provides a taste of something everyone will enjoy. And if you're having trouble deciding on the appearance – you want a traditional tiered cake with satin white frosting, but your fiancé wants something a little more fun, you can always compromise!

Bridal showers are an essential part of a wedding process. Earlier on, they helped the bride get the gifts she would need to start her new life as a wife - essentially gifts she would need around the house. These days, bridal showers are typically structured around a theme. But whatever the goal of the shower, the invitation is the most important part. Starting from finalizing the guest list to selecting wedding shower invitations to getting back the RSVPs and having a confirmed guest list – the job is difficult to say the least! Here are a few points you can keep in mind when making a bridal shower invitation:

1. Settle on a Theme: The first thing you will need to do is decide on a theme for the shower. The invitations reflect what the theme of the party is. For example, if you're organizing a traditional bridal shower, then your invitation wording could say, "Please join us for a bridal shower in honor of the bride-to-be, ABC," and follow with the details of the shower. But if it is casual, with a lingerie theme, then that could read, "ABC is about to walk down the aisle; let's shower her with silk and lace that will make the groom smile." Once you know what your theme is, you can start looking for the right invitations. And if you are a creative person, you could just make your own. Because formal or not, at the end of the day you want the invitations to be fun but practical.

2. Decide on a Design: When you get ready to send out invitations, the first thing you must consider is design. First, you could check out the wedding invitations the bride and groom are going to send out. This would give you a chance to send out similar invitations and stick with the overall theme of the wedding. If, however, your wedding shower has a theme of its own, you can choose an invitation that reflects that theme. For example, if you are having a kitchen shower, you could create an invitation that mimics a recipe card. Or, if you are having a beach party shower, you could create invitations that look like little beach towels. The sky is the limit to creativity here!

3. Things to Remember: Once you have decided what type of invitations you are going to send, you need to finalize the things that need to be mentioned in the invitations. First of all, mention the bride's name, then the venue of the wedding shower party and finally the time of the party. You will need to list the person who will be handling the RSVPs and their phone number. In case the road to the wedding shower venue is complicated, it is advisable to include a map illustrating the directions. Once the guests receive the invitations, ask them to confirm whether or not they will be coming to the shower. In case the couple has gotten themselves a gift registry, make sure to mention it to the guests, which will make them pick appropriate gifts for the couple.

Similarly, bridal announcements cards are simply to tell people that you have wed, or that you will be wed. The wordings are very important, which is why you should keep them simple. Something such as, "Ms. ABC and Mr. XYZ were married on/ will be married on June 30, 2008" would be appropriate.

When you're planning a wedding, one of the most important things you have to keep in mind is the choice of a photographer. You may be tempted to let one of your relatives shoot the big day with his compact camera. Or have your friends handle single-use cameras to take pictures. But, while both these options are inexpensive, you don't have a guarantee that they will produce decent pictures. Which is why, it is best to hire a professional for your wedding and have many beautiful photographs to show for it later.

But the tough part is finding the right wedding photographer with the personality and the photographic style that suits you. Ensuring images in the latest styles, the perfect album presentation and a lot more in a budget that suits you are some important factors that you can keep in mind while hiring a wedding photographer. Here are a few more pointers:

1. Be Thorough in Your Research: You will need to spend time on research, on meeting photographers, and on reviewing portfolios. While you will come across several listings of wedding photographers in the Yellow Pages, finding an experienced one who has expertise with weddings is the key. Besides this, you can look up advertisements in your region. You can also do a web search to find web sites of local studios. These will provide information about their qualifications and allow you to view some of their past work. You can even visit bridal shows to familiarize yourself with photographic styles that you might prefer. In such a case, get a business card from photographers whose work seems appropriate.

2. Get Referrals: You should ask friends for feedback on their wedding photographers. If you get favorable comments, you should ask to see their wedding albums. This will give you a good idea about the photographer's work and style of functioning. You can also get recommendations from catering or wedding coordinators about reliable photographers.

3. Know Your Photographer: After you research has given you a good number of leads, narrow the field by reviewing brochures and web sites. Then book a consultation meeting with several photographers to determine what they can offer and if they suit your budget. You also need to meet the photographers to find out if you're compatible. There can be many stressful situations on a wedding day. You will want a photographer who can help calm your nerves and not add to the stress.

4. Style of Photography: As you review portfolios, you'll find three basic styles –traditional, contemporary and photojournalistic. Each has merit, but which is right for you? Well, the answer to that is simple – select the style of photography that appeals to you emotionally.

5. The Final Decision: After you decide on the photographer, sign a contract that is beneficial to you as well as him. Make sure the contract includes a date for delivery of the proofs as well as the final album with enlargements. Along with your deposit or retainer, you have now successfully hired a photographer for the big day!

Planning a wedding involves so many details - choosing locations for the ceremony and reception, handling caterers and menus, finding the perfect flowers, getting the wedding cake made and hiring a photographer. You may find that you need help. The solution - hiring a professional! A good wedding consultant or planner will not only take care of the details, she will bring you in under budget and also help you have a stress-free and enjoyable wedding.

Since your wedding planner will be helping you make important decisions regarding the most significant day of your life, it's essential you find one who you feel comfortable working with and who listens and understands your needs perfectly. But first, you need to realize that a wedding planner is hired to serve 'you' and will be receptive to your ideas as long as you communicate them clearly. So, here are some steps to hire a wedding planner to coordinate your wedding.

1. Get References: You can ask friends or relatives who have recently been married for referrals, or even check on the internet for a wedding planner. Contact a professional association of wedding or bridal consultants and ask for local referrals, this will ease any doubts in your mind about the planner's background.

2. Explore Your Options: It is always better to explore the market. Make appointments with two, three or four wedding planners. Most of them offer a free initial consultation. And this enables you to pick one who suits your needs the most.

3. Verify Credentials: Ask to see the wedding planner's business license, certificate of membership in a professional organization, or some other indication that she is in business and not just a hobbyist. Always ask to see letters of reference. Also ask about the planner's additional experience, including education, other work experience and special talents.

4. Checkout Previous Assignments: You must always make sure that you ask to see pictures of weddings that a wedding planner has coordinated or assisted in previously. Ask as many questions as you can. A pro should be able to answer these questions easily and with confidence.

5. Communicate Your Needs: Tell the wedding planner what type of wedding you want and what your budget is. She will tell you how much of your dream wedding she can produce on that budget. Also, check about payment. The consultant may charge a percentage of the wedding budget, a flat fee or an hourly rate. Consultants who work for hotels, restaurants and DJ services may be paid by their organizations.

6. Make It Formal: Always sign a written contract stating when and how much you will pay for the services you require, and what the arrangement will be if the wedding is called off. Get everything in writing with a letter of agreement signed by both of you that clearly states what each of you will do. This ensures that each party holds up its end of the deal.

You can also keep a couple of tips in mind - like consider hiring a novice. Not only will she be eager to learn, but also eager to please. And always treat your wedding planner with consideration to ensure good service and a great wedding. You can even indicate your willingness to give a reference if you were satisfied after the wedding.

Planning a wedding is one of the most wonderful of life's experiences. It is also one of the most stressful. You need to understand that you can't really have perfection, what you can expect is to have a terrific day. Don't lose sight of the main goal – that is to get married. Brides and grooms need to respect each other. And if you find 'just' that is not enough then consider the following tips to avoid stress while planning your wedding.

1. Have Reasonable Expectations: One of the greatest challenges facing brides and grooms is their feelings of wanting to satisfy everyone – family, friends and relatives. And that is why setting appropriate expectations is very important. Reasonable expectations will make a big and positive difference. Listen to each other, communicate and respect each other. Sometimes, the challenges and issues facing couples preparing for their wedding, also prepare them for marriage. It is a very wonderful and valuable time.

2. Be Organized: It really pays to be organized. Stress comes from unexpected happenings, and if you are unorganized you will attract frequent disasters. You and your to-be spouse need to get a good organizer, day planner or calendar to set up timetables and dates, and who is responsible for what. It needs to be checked daily, with extensive notes to indicate the status for various portions of the wedding plan. It will keep you from getting confused.

3. Delegate Tasks: Managing stress involves knowing what you're capable of handling. List out all the tasks you have on your plate – including your daily responsibilities and all the wedding planning to-dos. From there, decide what you can and cannot handle. Then, call on your family and friends to help take over some of your wedding-related tasks. One of the best things you can do is hire a wedding planner. You'll be surprised how much stress you manage to avoid and how much more you'll enjoy the planning process when someone else is there to work through and execute all the nitpicky details.

4. Plan on Money Issues: Money issues also frequently come up and create stressful situations. Brides are more emotional about wedding plans and all the other events leading up to the wedding. Grooms are more concerned or 'stressed out' about money. Money and financial issues are always stress inducing, and it doesn't necessarily matter how much money someone has. Which is why, it is better to stop, relax, listen, and communicate with each other rather than fight and get worked up.

5. Make Time for Each Other: One of the best ways to relieve stress is to be with your future spouse. Spend time together with the restriction that you will not discuss the wedding plans for a while. Go to a movie, have a nice quiet dinner, go swimming or walking – just spend some time alone. Put the responsibilities that have been consuming all your time on the back burner for a while. This will definitely give you the release you need.

6. Eat Right: Consuming the right foods can aid in lowering stress. Eat stress-busting foods like whole grains and any red, green, or orange vegetables. Keep the jitters at bay by limiting coffee and other caffeinated beverages. Stay away from fried foods too. In fact, try to relax with a mug full of chamomile tea – a time-tested herbal stress reliever.

Simplicity seems to be the name of the game these days. An increasing number of brides are looking to skip out on all the fuss of a usual big wedding and just keep things simple. Which is why, many of them are opting for low-key weddings where comfort is the magic word and an informal wedding gown the dress code!

Now many of you might think that informal wedding dresses are only worn by brides on a budget. Well think again! Informal wedding dresses these days have become the rage... not only are they smart and uncomplicated, they offer comfort along with sophisticated elegance all in one. Now doesn't that sound like a dress you would definitely want to wear on your wedding day? We thought so...

And now that you are certain you want to wear an informal wedding dress on your big day, lets see what you can wear for different kinds of weddings.

1. A Beach Wedding: If you are having your wedding at an exotic location or on a beach, then you are going to want an informal beach wedding dress to wear. Beach weddings are mostly informal, which means no full formal skirts and headpieces are necessary. The one thing that you need to keep in mind is to be as casual and comfortable as possible, and still look classy and elegant. Now, there are a lot of different informal beach wedding dress styles that you can choose from - halters, strapless dresses, and even ones with sleeves for brides who don't want to show too much skin. Some of you, who have the sexy curves to show off, can go in for an easy sheath in light materials. This is possibly the most excellent choice for a beach wedding dress. And try one with an empire design – they look hot! Add some fresh flowers to you hair and you can be sure you will sizzle on your very special day.

2. A Winter Wedding: Whenever we think of wedding dresses, we automatically think of a beautiful white dress on a warm summer's day. But, there is a growing trend towards winter weddings these days. And that's why informal winter wedding dresses may not be pure white or cream. Trends in dresses this year include deep red, plum and even black. Another great idea is to include a fur collar, or long fake fur coat to add a touch of classy elegance to you wedding dress.

3. A Summer Wedding: There's a new twist to informal summer wedding dresses this year. And that's color. Many wedding dresses are now using a lot of colored fabric to add a classic touch to an otherwise traditional white or cream dress. Popular, seasonal colors for informal wedding dresses include lilac, pink, blue and yellow. Often, brides will choose a half-color theme where the bodice is colored or the skirt is colored, but the other half of the dress is kept in a plain cream or white.

4. A Theme Wedding: Today, no bride wants to look the same as another. Which is why, the concept of theme weddings has become very popular. And even though many of the weddings are low-key affairs, they are still classy and elegant. Just like a bride's wedding dress. Individually designed informal wedding dresses are definitely the flavor of the season. By getting a made-to-order dress, you can make sure that it fits perfectly, is exactly what you want and above all, is unique.