Franklin + Gower is based in my hometown of L.A. (the label takes its name from the notable intersection with a prime view of the Hollywood sign) but you can call for an appointment, or visit them on the web, where ordering is easy.  You can go with something ready-made, or customize to suite your superior style.  Furthermore, as StyleMePretty reports, “Franklin + Gower can create all the pieces you need to perfectly complement your entire bridal party. You name it, blazers, pants, shorts, ties and accessories… trust us your guy is going to enjoy the attention.”

Here are some ways to dress up your programs in order to make them as fun and fabulous as they are functional! All photos are from The Knot.

Multi-Functional

A multi-functional fan kept guests cool and included ceremony information along with a photo of everyone in the wedding party. The “programs” (left) included a simple printout folded over a Popsicle stick—an easy DIY project. The five-leaf program on the right, decorated with bright yellow lily burst also doubled as a fan for the warm summer day.

Groovy Graphics

The bride and groom made their programs themselves. They printed their large oak tree design (left) on pearlescent paper and tied the programs with Hanna Silk hand-dyed ribbons. The programs on the right, bearing the peacock motif, were especially important because they explained the significance of the Hindu ceremony.

Creative Genres

On the left, postcard-sized ceremony programs detailing the wedding party and ceremony information mimicked the Wild-West style of the custom-designed invitations. Comic book lovers designed a custom-made program with a cover featuring cartoon images of themselves, on right.

Embellishments

The bride made the programs on the left herself using heavy bronze and cream card stock. She added eucalyptus leaves and a brown silk ribbon to incorporate the wedding colors. On the right, the program features a glued-on starfish for a waterfront wedding.

Roll it up

On the right, a scroll program features the events of the day, the delicious menu, and a Rumi poem.  The programs on the left were rolled around twigs and tied with brown velvet and satin ribbon.

Ribbons and Bows

The beautiful programs on the left picked up the black-and-white pattern of the wedding invitations, made eye-catching with crimson and gold ribbons. The chocolate-brown programs on the right are tied with gorgeous yellow-and-white gingham ribbon.

Added Features

One inventive couple included a crossword puzzle in their program, with questions about the couple. (“We said that the puzzle was meant for early-comers and shouldn’t be done during the ceremony!”) Be creative and think of ways to make your program a personalized, fun, and interactive part of your wedding.

What to include in the Program

Basic Info: Names, wedding date, location, and time.

Order of events: What will happen during the ceremony, including processional music, greeting, readings, prayers, exchange of vows, ring ceremony, unity candle ceremony, etc.

Members of the bridal party: Officiant, parents and grandparents of the bride and groom, maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, readers, and anyone else you’d like your guests to be acquainted with.

Other things you may wish to include in your wedding program (from About.com)

• An explanation of traditions or customs used in your ceremony
• A request for audience participation in certain parts of the ceremony (e.g. affirmation of the marriage, communion, singing, offering of the peace, standing or kneeling)
• Thank yous
• Memorials (for example: The memorial candle is lit in honor of the bride’s mother, Shirley Fielding.) More advice on honoring a deceased parent or relative
• A short sentence about each of your bridesmaids and groomsmen, describing why they are important to you.
• An explanation of the significance of the location, theme, first dance song, etc.
• Quotes or poems about love or marriage
• Directions to the reception

For more Wedding Program inspiration, visit The Knot to view hundreds of real wedding programs!

Maybe it’s for this reason that some choose to don tuxes for their wedding festivities. If you plan to wear a one to your wedding, it’s not something that should be left to the last minute. Wedding Channel says that choosing a tuxedo can be nearly as challenging as picking a wedding gown! There are many options, including multiple pieces – a jacket, vest, shirt, neck-wear, and shoes. Since each piece comes in a variety of styles, the variations are practically endless. If you will be renting a tux for yourself and/or your wedding party, take a look at t his helpful hints from Wedding Channel:

Do’s

1) Do look for a tux provider with multiple locations. This is especially important if members of your wedding party live out of town. A store with locations nationwide provides the most convenience — your traveling bud can rent in his hometown, pick up at your location, and return the tux in yet another.

2) Do rent from a store that carries a large in-house inventory. Although your tux will probably be sent from a warehouse location, make sure that the store itself carries a wide selection of tuxes. In the unlikely event that something happens to the suit you ordered, you need to have backup at your fingertips.

3) Do visit your store three to five months prior to your wedding. For the most efficient use of your time, schedule an appointment with a store consultant, who can take your measurements and help you choose a style.

4) Do like your bride and do some research to find a style you like. Bring in a picture so your consultant gets a feel for the look you’re going for. If flipping through your girl’s bridal mags isn’t your thing (and it probably isn’t), surf the web instead. Research a number of stores and browse through their collections, or even customize your own outfit. Print out your dream tux and see if your store can replicate it.

5) Do ask your consultant for recommendations that will complement your body type. There are a variety of cuts for jackets, lapels, shirts, and ties, and the lay tux renter usually does not have the eye or skill to know what looks best on his physique. A professional will have a better sense of which jacket will have the most slimming effect, or which tie best accompanies your shirt style.

6) Do budget accordingly – plan to spend around $150 per person. Don’t forget to factor in any additional accessories, such as cufflinks.

7) Do schedule a final fitting one week before the wedding. If you’ve been pumping iron or hitting the treadmill, you might need some last-minute alterations.

8) Do narrow down exactly who will be wearing a tux. All the men in the wedding party should choose matching formalwear, but you can also have your fathers, brothers, and ushers dress up with you.

Don’ts

1) Don’t wait until the last minute to rent your tux. The very minimum most stores will allow you to rent is two weeks in advance. You should also order early so any mishaps or changes can be made in time.

2) Don’t forget to consider how your men from out of town will be fitted. If there isn’t a store outlet near them, they should send in their measurements to you ahead of time.

3) Don’t let your out-of-town groomsmen send you self-measurements. Your tux shop needs to have accurate measurements to ensure a good fit. Tell your out-of-towners to have their measurements taken by a professional tailor.

4) Don’t assume that all your groomsmen will be responsible enough to remember all dates and details about rentals. Keep them updated with emails and calls to ensure that they meet all the necessary deadlines.

5) Don’t forget to return your tux the next day. After the reception comes to an end, your mind will be on your honey and you honeymoon, so arrange for your best man to return your tux for you.

1. Determine a Date

Choosing a wedding date can be tougher than you’d think. There are a few things to consider:

• How much time will you need to prepare for your wedding?
• Do any loved ones having a conflicting graduation, vacation, or pregnancy due date?
• Availability of a particular place, caterer, band, or photographer.If you have your heart set on any of these crucial vendors, that may also play a large part in your decision.
• Try to avoid dates of big conventions or other events that draw large crowds, since that might make it harder for out-of-town guests to get hotel rooms. Find out more wedding dates to avoid here

2. Set a Timetable

Consider is how long your engagement will be.  A typical engagement lasts anywhere from six months to a year and a half or more. If you got engaged during the holidays but always wanted a summer wedding, make sure you’ve got enough time to plan without making yourselves wedding-crazy, and keep in mind that many vendors and reception sites book a year or more in advance.

3. Envision the Style

Your wedding style will be reflected first and foremost in the location, whether it’s a luxe ballroom or an intimate backyard reception. Discuss with your fiance where your wedding will take place (in one of your hometowns or in the city where you currently live, for example), and then start scouting sites that can accommodate your wedding style.

4. Set Your Budget

In the end, dollars, not dreams, are a main determining factor for the size and style of your wedding. So, what affects the price tag?

• Formality: In general, the more formal the reception, the more expensive, considering you’ll have to match the site, food, and decor to the overall upscale tone.
• Date and time: Saturdays, summer months, and evenings tend to be the most costly times to have a reception.
• Location: In many cases, a wedding in a major metropolitan area is simply more expensive than in a smaller town.

5. Announce Your Engagement

Call your local newspaper, your alumni magazine, and anywhere else you want your engagement announcement to appear. Find out the name of the appropriate editor or department and ask for the writer’s guidelines or a standardized form, if available. Also, ask if there’s a fee for publication. You can also broadcast the news on your blog, by email, or by creating a wedding web page.

6. Choose Your Attendants

Although not mandatory, some like to honor their closest friends and family members by including them in the wedding parties. Remember, the earlier you ask, the sooner you can enlist their help.  Usually members of the wedding party are agreeing to spend their hard-earned money and donate their precious time, so be considerate and kind, keep them informed, and make sure they know how much you appreciate them.

7. Make a Guest List

Location and budget will have a big influence on the size of your guest list.  If you have a particular ceremony or reception site in mind, for instance, you’re going to be limited by how many people it can accommodate (you can’t squeeze 300 people into a lighthouse). And more guests you invite means a bigger bill, as catering costs are generally calculated on a per-head basis. So figure out how many people you can accommodate, and then work on filling it in with those nearest and dearest to you.

8. Consider a Consultant

If you’re a super-busy couple, hire a full-time wedding consultant to help you prepare your entire event, from the announcement to the honeymoon. You can also hire a part-time planner to devise a wedding blueprint — including budget, schedule, and lists of good vendor and site choices — before you launch solo into the preparations. Another option is a day-of coordinator, who will make sure everything goes as planned on your wedding day so you can relax and enjoy yourself.

9. Start Gown Shopping

It’s never too early to begin thinking about your wedding dress. Start by figuring out which style will look best on you. Learn the lingo by reading up on silhouettes, necklines, trains, and hues that might flatter you. Season will also affect your choice. Summer gowns are made with lightweight fabrics such as chiffon, linen, or organza. A winter wedding calls for brocade, faux fur, and velvet fabrics to keep you warm. Satin, shantung, silk, and tulle are perfect year-round.

Hopefully these tips will be helpful to you as you start planning for your big day! We wish you only happiness as you plan your wedding and prepare for the marriage that comes after it! Congratulations!

Traditionally, the groom’s parents host and pay for the rehearsal dinner.  Nowadays, however, planning and hosting weddings is often a group effort.  You’ll need to discuss plans for hosting the rehearsal dinner during your initial wedding budget talks.

The guest list typically includes the wedding party, immediate family, and the officiant.  Some couples choose to invite out-of-town guests as well. Just like every other party leading up to your wedding, you should send out invitations so your guests know who is included at the dinner.

Due to its intimate nature, rehearsal dinners are well-suited for toasting (and roasting).  As the traditional host, the father of the groom usually welcomes the guests.  Anyone can offer a toast: the best man, maid of honor, bridesmaids, uncles, neighbors.  Sometimes the bride and groom use this opportunity to distribute attendant gifts, and of course thank families and guests for their support.

For convenience reasons, the rehearsal dinner should take place close to the wedding location.  Restaurants are always a popular option, but some couples like to get creative, opting for mansions, museums, parks, or gardens to host their rehearsal dinner.  More and more couples are choosing casual rehearsal dinners, where brides and grooms can relax and enjoy themselves before the main event.  Some go all-out, centering the dinner around a fun activity such as a boat cruise, wine tasting, casino night, mini golf, or even bowling.

Regardless, try to plan a rehearsal dinner that’s relaxing and enjoyable for all your guests. Keep the drinking to a minimum, and don’t stay out too late… you’ll need a clear head and a good night’s sleep for the real party the next day!

photo: Dear Sugar