Gifts for Your Parents

Last week I blogged about gifts to get your wedding party, so as a sequel to that this post is all about gifts to get your parents.

Our parents are where we get our individual definitions of love, whether wanting something just like they have or something a little different.  Either way, they are the biggest example of love and marriage your life.  They do so much to shape our lives and make sure that we are loved and that we find true love.  So on your special day how do you show your parents how thankful you are for them and the examples they’ve set?

Indubitably your mothers (and maybe even fathers) are going to cry on your wedding day.  Seeing you all dressed up, ready to make a lifelong commitment to your fiancé is a sentimental moment.  So, prepare her for the waterworks and get her an embroidered handkerchief with a personal message.  This takes care of her make up and keeps her mascara from running, but it also serves as a sweet keepsake from your special day.

Or, pick out a nice bracelet and have your florist attach her corsage to it.  This way she gets extra sparkle on your special day, and the bracelet will have sentimental value!

Now, fathers are a whole other story!  Everyone knows that dads have a very special place in daughters’ hearts.  And, vice versa, daughters have an enormous place in dads’ hearts.  So, he’ll definitely be emotional on your wedding day.   Embroidered handkerchiefs, like the ones for moms, are always a good option, especially if you think your dad will get a bit weepy. 

However, if your dad is not the crying type and has no use for a handkerchief, cuff links are another route that is available.  You can get these custom ordered with your dad’s monogram, or with a sentimental note from daddy’s little girl.  Either way, Dad is going to love them!

Wedding Party Gifts

It is your big day, and everyone is giving you gifts, but what should you get for those who have had a hand in the preparation for your wedding?

This season we saw some adorable bridesmaids gifts, but my favorite is probably the gifts that wonderful bride, Meredith, gave her bridesmaids.  These clutches not only incorporated the colors of the event, but they also were functional.  The bridesmaids were able to put their lip gloss, cell phone, and whatever other necessities they had with them in these clutches and easily keep track of them all night.  And, what’s even better is that all the clutches were different patterns, eliminating the chance of one girl leaving with another girls purse. 

Meredith’s groom, Dave, also jumped on the idea of gifts for his groomsmen.  They were given matching ties for the ceremony with their monograms on them, adding a little personal touch.

Instead of your wedding party's closets ending up like Katherine Heigl's in 27 dresses, give them something they will actually use.  I love that these gifts is can easily be used after the wedding.  I mean, what girl wouldn't want one of those clutches, and what guy doesn't love a good monogrammed tie?

Bridal Fashion Trends

Since Prince William and Kate Middleton recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary, I thought I’d take a minute to focus on bridal couture.  On her wedding day, Kate wore a beautiful white lace, a-line dress in her lavish ceremony to Prince William.  And, even though we can’t all afford a one of a kind Sarah Burton design, the overall style of Kate’s iconic dress can be seen in many other dresses by many other designers.  

Pippa's dress was stunning, as well.

The overall trend in recent bridal fashion features classic materials, like lace, and flattering shapes, like the trumpet style that we saw oh-so-many times this spring.  Personally, I love that bridal fashion has begun to move towards a more timeless look.  Bridal gowns are one of the most remembered things at weddings, and you don’t want to look back on your wedding five, ten, or twenty years later and think, “what was I wearing?”

We want to know what some of your favorite bridal trends are!  Comment below and let us know! :)