Not sure what gifts to give your groomsmen? Take a look at these great gift ideas below to get the creative juices flowing. Right now we are featuring up to 65% off of our line of groomsmen gifts at The Knot Wedding Shop. Purchase personalized beer mugs, flasks, lighters, cufflinks, and more at unbelievable prices! Also, use code OCT15 at checkout to receive 15% off of your entire order between now and Friday.

Worried about your veil flying all over the place during the ceremony and while taking photos outdoors? Well, Save The Veil has come to the rescue with their beautiful magnetic veil weights! Sold in sets of six, these lovely jewelry pieces are easy to slip onto your veil with no damage whatsoever upon removal. Simply place each veil weight at least 18 inches apart along the bottom of the veil and problem solved!

Check out www.savetheveil.com to choose from four different styles that feature pearl and Swarovski crystal elements.

Gift Registry 360 is a bridal registry service that allows couples to add products from any store to one easy to manage wish list. Created by The Knot, this bridal registry platform makes the process of registering and purchasing gifts simple for both the couple and the wedding guests. 

All the couple has to do is register an account, create a new list, download the Gift Registry 360 toolbar, and start adding products to the list from anywhere on the internet. Couples can also get the free Scan & Add iPhone app to scan the barcode on any in-store item to add it to their registry. 

Already have existing registries? Gift Registry 360 has the capability to merge existing in-store registries all into one wish list. 

Start your registry now at www.giftregistry360.com to take advantage of all of these features and more that this amazing tool has to offer!  

Alphabet – Guests are assigned a particular letter of the alphabet and asked to bring a gift that starts with the letter.

Around The Clock - Guests are assigned a particular time of day and asked to bring a gift that corresponds with what the bride might need during that hour.

Around The House –Each guest brings a gift for a certain room of the house like towels for the bathroom or a teapot for the kitchen.

Perfume Bar – A fun way to get all of the guests involved. Set up a bar of varied oils and pretty bottles so guests can craft their own signature perfume.

Recipe Book – Each guest mails one of their favorite recipes to the Maid Of Honor. The Maid of Honor then assembles the recipes into a book and makes copies to hand out to each guest at the shower.

Scrapbook -Each guest mails the Maid Of Honor a memento representing their relationship with the bride to be. This may include a photo or concert ticket stub. The Maid Of Honor compiles all of the mementos into a scrapbook that is presented to the bride to be at the shower.

Stock The Bar – Perfect for a couple’s shower! Guests bring their favorite bar accessories, alcoholic beverages, mixers, and cocktail recipes to help the couple stock their bar.

Signing a contract is a must when booking vendor products/services for your wedding. Contracts make the terms of your agreement crystal clear with no confusion about each party’s expectations. Take a look at some of the key items that you should pay special attention to when reviewing vendor contracts:

1.      Vendor Contact Information: This includes the company name, address, phone, email, and website.

2.      Product/Service Details: There should be a clear listing of what products and/or services are included in your package/order.

3.      Service Times: Not only should the start and end times be included, but also the setup times if applicable.

4.      Payment Terms: Make sure the required deposit, balance, payment methods, and due dates are spelled out in the contract.

5.      Other Fees: Such as travel, delivery, parking, overage, and holiday fees.

6.      Cancellation Policy: Know what circumstances, if any, result in a full/partial refund. 

If you have any questions after reviewing the contract, just ask! The vendor will appreciate that you did so. Getting all of your questions answered beforehand will result in both parties having a mutual understanding of the contract terms. 

Bridesmaid gifts are a wonderful way to show your bridal party how much you appreciate their time and efforts. Here are some thoughtful bridesmaid gift ideas: 

1. Jewelry –A pretty necklace or bracelet makes for a very thoughtful gift that your bridesmaids will enjoy for years to come. Choose a pretty set of pearls, monogrammed jewelry, or even handcraft the jewelry yourself for a more personalized touch!
2. Beauty Treatments – Treat your bridesmaids to a spa manicure/pedicure or facial the night before the wedding. Or, cover the hair/makeup for the girls on the day of the wedding.
3. Personalized Totes – Give your bridesmaids monogrammed totes filled with goodies like a bottle of wine, spa essentials, makeup, and other accessories.
4. Barware –Give your girls fashionable monogrammed flasks, martini glasses, or wine bottle stoppers.
5. Engraved Gifts – An engraved trinket box or compact are both lovely gifts that your bridesmaids will definitely cherish.  

Incorporating ethnic or cultural aspects to the ceremony and/or reception is a great idea for brides and grooms who want to share their ancestral customs while adding a unique stamp to their wedding in the process. Here are just a few examples of common ethnic/cultural traditions practiced at weddings:  

• African: Jump the broom! After the bride and groom are pronounced man and wife, they jump over a beautifully decorated broom.
• Buddhist: Combine bright colored orchids with Zen water fountains as centerpieces for the reception.
• Chinese: For an outdoor ceremony, provide the guests with paper parasols or silk fans.
• English: For favors, give tea cups with a tea packet and spoon packaged in a pretty box or plastic wrapping with a ribbon.
• Irish/Scottish: Have a Bag Piper playing down the aisle after the ceremony and/or as the bride and groom exit ceremony.
• Italian: Wrap candy-coated Jordan almonds in tulle or pretty pouches for guest favors.
• Middle Eastern: Have Belly Dancers perform during the reception dinner.

Let your first dance song speak to your personalities and who you are as a couple. Whether you have classic or modern taste, choosing the right song will make your first dance as husband and wife all the more special. Take a look at these top songs that have grown in popularity: 

1. At Last (Etta James)
2. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)
3. The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)
4. I Could Not Ask For More (Edwin McCain)
5. Marry Me (Train)
6. Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You (Frankie Valli)
7. Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)
8. Everything (Michael Bublé)
9. Lucky (Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat)
10. Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)