Incorporate Tradition

The United States is a melting pot of culture, religion, and tradition from the world. Incorporating customs that holds special meaning to you because of your heritage, or something selected for symbolism, or just something you adopt because it's fun can and will add an element of surprise and enjoyment for you and guests making your wedding more personal and memorable.

This photo shows traditional Indian wedding attire as worn by the bride and groom as well as garlands they place on each other during the ceremony. The placing of garlands on each other signified the beginning of the ceremony that united them. Photo by Hyon Smith Photography

No Jewish wedding is complete without the Hora, or chair dance. At this wedding, the bride's religion was honored with this tradition where guests hoist the bride and groom high above the crowd on chairs to the infectious sounds of "Hava Nagila". Friends and family dance around in an ecstatic circle as the elevated couple tries not to look (or fall) down.
Photo by Dave Crockett Photography

Incorporating her Korean heritage, this couple had a p'ye-baek at their wedding reception. In this tradition, the bride offers dates and chestnuts -- symbols of children -- to the groom's parents. Then, while sitting at a low table filled with other symbolic offerings, the parents offer sake in return, and as a final gesture they throw the dates and chestnuts at the bride and groom who tries to catch them in a large piece of fabric, an in some cases, the bride's wedding skirt. Photo by Hyon Smith Photography

Make It Yours

Maybe you and your fiancé have an affinity for fostering dogs . or maybe you are in the Army . the list goes on for what makes you and your fiancé unique. Personal touches are a piece of the puzzle that will make your wedding different from the other weddings your guests will go to, so use them to your advantage!

Rather than traditional table numbers, this couple used tables named after their hometowns and travels around the world. They included a caption with each to describe what made the location special to them. Here, the groom's hometown in New York was used. Photo by Allure Photography Ltd

Here this military couple incorporated the tradition of the wedding arch of swords after their wedding ceremony. As with tradition, they passed through the arch of swords, the last two sword bearers lower their swords in front of them, detaining them momentarily to kiss. After the kiss, the sword bearer on the right gave the bride a gentle "swat" on the backside. Photo by Hyon Smith Photography

Dance Like Nobody is Watching

"Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth." ~ Mark Twain

One of the hottest wedding trends is to learn a choreographed routine for your first dance as husband and wife. This is a wedding trend which does not look likely to end anytime soon. In fact, there is a TV show called “First Dance” in the UK devoted to just that! Each show follows one of 15 couples on their journey from learning their specially-choreographed secret routine to executing it at their wedding reception.

Dance Tips For Your Wedding Day

Walk onto the dance floor with confidence. Even if you are concentrating hard on remembering your dance steps, make an effort to smile!

Never surprise your partner with unrehearsed moves on your wedding day. Doing so will only run the risk of throwing your new spouse off course or worse still … off balance…

If anything goes wrong during the first dance just smile and keep going. So long as you look like you are having fun your guests will not even notice your mistakes.

Remember that you are not contestants on "Dancing With The Stars" - your wedding guests are not at your wedding to judge your dancing skills. They love you and will enjoying seeing the two of you dance for the first time as husband and wife – that overrides any dancing faux pas you may make.

Just My Style

Are you confused over what will be the perfect wedding hairstyle for you? Has thumbing through numerous magazines left you dazed, confused and overloaded with ideas? Should you wear it up or down? Curl it or straighten it? Grow it out to get the “bridal look” or keep your new Posh approved bob?

Many brides make the common mistake and completely lose their personal style identity when it comes making hair and fashion choices for their wedding day. Of course you want to look and feel special on your wedding day, but you should also ensure that you are recognizable when you walk up the aisle to exchange "I dos."

There are no wrong and right answers when it comes to selecting the right bridal hairstyle for you, but here are some tips that will remove some of the confusion surrounding your wedding hair style:

1) Plan, Plan, Plan

Just like every other detail of your wedding, your hair style will involve planning. Discuss your wedding hairstyle with your trusted stylist. This is best done some months from the big day and the sooner the better. Some brides may need grow their hair, or work toward a new color to achieve the wedding hair style of their dreams. So there is nothing wrong with starting early.

2) Make Yourself Shine

Just because nearly every bridal magazine you pick-up features brides with flowing tresses do not feel that you have to emulate this. If you normally wear your hair short, do not feel that you necessarily need to grow your hair out for your wedding. If you, your mother, or your maid of honor are still laboring under the misconception that short hair does not make for a good bridal hairstyle then think Halle Berry and her halo of feminine curls.

3) Think Big Picture

Resist the urge to be a magpie bride who grabs at anything that she finds appealing and requests a stylist to “mesh” all the styles. This approach oftentimes results in a bizarre medley of styles that do not necessarily gel. Rather, take time to consider what you what the theme or style of your wedding to be and collect a few images that illustrate that style.

4) Consider Your Gown

Think about the line, density and texture of your gown when choosing your wedding hairstyle. The line of the dress should match the line of the hair. For example, a sleek bob tucked behind the ear or a bunch of curls piled on top of the head will complement a long slim gown. The density of the gown should also be carried through to your hair density. If you are wearing a flowing tulle gown, then flowing hair with soft curls will look great.