1. Wedding Customs - Tracking Tradition

Sure, weddings are steeped in tradition. But did you ever stop to wonder why there are so many customs surrounding the way the bride dresses on her big day? From wearing a veil to tossing the garter, here's the inside skinny.

The Veil
The wedding veil has evolved over the centuries, and has signified youth, virginity, and modesty. Roman brides were married in swathes of brilliant yellow, while Viking queens wore metal skullcaps. Many Japanese brides still wear the traditional tsuno-kakushi -- a white hood that supposedly hides the horns of jealousy.

The Headpiece
Headpieces are chosen separately from veiling. Though the earliest brides said their "I dos" crowned with floral and herbal wreaths -- which continue to be popular, particularly for outdoor and beach ceremonies -- there are many other options for the bride today. Eastern Orthodox brides know to look forward to a crowning ceremony when they marry, during which both the bride and groom have ornate crowns placed on their heads; the crowns are blessed and exchanged three times, and when they are removed the couple is officially married. Similarly, the Finnish bride wears a gold crown, which she places on the head of a bridesmaid -- while blindfolded -- during a reception dance. It is said the lucky maid will be the next to marry, much in keeping with the tradition of American brides tossing the bouquet.

SOMETHING OLD, NEW, BORROWED, BLUE
The tradition of the bride wearing something old (for continuity), new (optimism for the future), borrowed (happiness), and blue (fidelity, good fortune, and love) on her wedding day stems from an Old English rhyme. The "something borrowed" comes from the superstition that happiness rubs off, so the bride borrowed something from a happily married woman. "Something blue" comes from the notion that the shade denotes fidelity, purity and love.

Many brides consider their dress to be their something new, but here are a few options for the other three requirements. Something Old: A family heirloom such as your grandmother's wedding band or string of pearls; a lace handkerchief; an old hat pin secured on the inside of your gown. Something Borrowed: A family members or friend's headpiece or veil; a piece of your mother's jewellery. Something Blue: Your garter; blue toenail polish; lingerie.

There's also a fifth, though often dropped, line of the rhyme: "A penny in your shoe" (or, in England, a sixpence). Each is said to help ensure a lifetime of fortune. Additional customs relating to luck include: sewing a small pouch filled with a piece of bread, a sliver of wood, a bit of cloth, or a dollar bill into the hem of a bride's petticoat to protect against future shortages of food, shelter, clothing, or money. Sewing a small horseshoe into the dress's waistband heralds good luck. Brides in Greece also believe a lump of sugar tucked into one of their wedding gloves will bring sweetness to their married life.

The Garter
Throwing the garter is derived from an old English custom called "flinging the stocking." Guests would invade the bridal chamber and steal the bride's stockings, then take turns flinging them. Whoever threw the one that landed on the groom's nose, would be the next to marry. By the 14th century, possession of the garter had become highly esteemed and the bride would often be rushed at the altar by hordes of guests competing for the prize. These days, the groom removes the garter -- generally worn at the sexier mid-thigh level -- from her leg (as innocently as possible, we're sure) and tosses it to his bachelor pals.

The Gloves
During the 18th and 19th centuries, gloves were the traditional wedding favour for all guests. Until 1960, they were considered de rigueur, even during the day, for all well-mannered ladies. While today formal etiquette still recommends that a bride wear gloves as a symbol of grace, many opt to do so simply to heighten the image they're presenting, or pass on this tradition entirely. The effect, when worn with a wedding dress, is classically elegant.

The Train
Originating in the Middle Ages, train length indicated rank in court. The longer the train, the greater was her stature with the king and queen.

The Ring
The circular shape of a wedding ring symbolizes eternal love. Gold represents enduring beauty, purity, and strength, all appropriate marriage sentiments. Why wear the ring on the third finger of the left hand? The ancient Egyptians believed that the vein in that finger ran directly to the heart. As for that big rock of an engagement ring, brides have the Archduke Maximillian of Austria and Mary of Burgundy to thank for that: In 1477 he offered his beloved a diamond as a betrothal gift -- the first recorded diamond engagement ring.

Identically Dressed Attendants
Keeping evil spirits away from the couple on their wedding day is a recurring theme in wedding tradition. If your attendants complain about having to wear the exact same thing (although these days, of course, they don't have to match!), tell them this: Bridesmaids used to wear the exact same outfit as the bride so that evil spirits would be confused as to just who was the actual couple.

Not Seeing Each Other Pre-Ceremony
In the early days of arranged marriages, the bride and groom often never saw each other at all before the wedding. Even when couples were acquainted before they married, it was still considered bad luck for the groom to glimpse the bride pre-ceremony, as she would not be pure and new. Neither was the bride supposed to see herself -- it was believed that if she saw her reflection she would leave some of herself behind in the mirror. (Brides today probably wouldn't take too well to not being able to preen before the wedding!) These days, many couples still uphold the not-seeing-each-other tradition. Others throw caution to the wind and spend time alone together pre-ceremony to calm their nerves or enjoy the excitement.

2. Diamond and Wedding Band Traditions

Ahhh, the romance of the ring. But how did it become a marriage symbol, and why is the fourth finger of your left hand the lucky recipient? Here are the history, traditions, and purported powers of engagement and wedding rings.

Ring Romance
It is believed the Pharaohs of Egypt first used the circle, a shape with no beginning or end, as a symbol of eternity, but wearing a ring as a public pledge to honour the marriage contract did not become customary until Roman times. The earliest rings were made of simple iron, but gold rings set with gems were fashionable by medieval days. The most popular gems were symbolic -- a red ruby was the colour of the heart, a blue sapphire reflected the heavens -- but the most coveted and powerful gem was the indestructible diamond.

Did you know...
Wedding bands for men and women didn't catch on in the United States until the 1940s.

Diamond Daze
The word "diamond" is derived from the Greek word adamas, which means "the unconquerable." As Mother Nature's hardest substance, diamonds represented invincible strength, a fitting gem for the marriage covenant. But the real pull of these sparkly stones -- which ancient Greeks believed were delicate splinters of fallen stars -- came from the powers and protection they offered the wearer. In India, where diamonds were first discovered, they were thought to be a shield from the combined forces of evil (which at that time included snakes, poison, and theft). Ancient astrologers believed diamonds promoted lasting love and warded off witchcraft and nightmares. Associated with everything from innocence to sexual power to all-encompassing protection, you can see why the diamond became the betrothal gift of choice for lads and ladies.

The Engagement Rage
Blame it on Archduke Maximilian of Austria, who started the diamond ring trend in 1477 when he presented one to his beloved, Mary of Burgundy. The tradition of wearing the engagement ring and wedding band on the fourth finger of the left hand can be traced to the Egyptians, who believed the vena amoris (vein of love) ran directly from the heart to the top of this finger.

Manly Bands
Dual-ring ceremonies, in which both bride and groom wear a ring, were introduced by the Greek Orthodox Church in the 1300s. The custom didn't catch on in America until the beginning of World War II, when young men were forced to leave their beloveds behind, not knowing when and if they would return. Many couples married in anticipation of separation, and wedding bands -- one for each partner -- were considered critical to the war effort, as a solace to lonely soldiers and as a reminder for brides that their faraway soldier thought of them always. By the height of the war, 85% of marriages were dual-ring ceremonies. And of course, they continue to be today -- and we're more attached to our wedding bling than ever before

3. Wedding Traditions - The New Old Thing

It's your day right? Then why let so-called tradition dictate what you have to do? Frankly, many past traditions reek of male chauvinism, positioning the blushing bride as a conquest, an unwilling party stolen away from Daddy, or negotiated for a hefty dowry. On the other hand, some may view these rites of passage as sweet and charming, even chivalrous -- it all depends on your point of view. We can all agree that some time-honoured customs bring a sense of history to the wedding events, but there are no "musts" for the day, unless you choose them yourself. We've rounded up some of the most common wedding traditions and their histories for you to decide which to keep, which to ditch, and which ones you want to customize for optimal performance.

I'm With The Band
Symbolizing never-ending love between a man and woman, the earliest wedding bands made of hemp or braided grass gave way to durable metals, until the 15th century when the diamond was introduced into the equation, representing a more valuable, stronger commitment -- a tradition most modern brides still choose to uphold. (Hey, we said you get to keep the ones you like, right?) Even though some couples may forego an ostentatious ring, or substitute a tattoo of a ring on that third finger, it is still customary for the man to ask the bride's family for their blessing before proposing. Old-fashioned as it may seem, the prospective groom is wise to maintain good relations with his in-laws-to-be; perhaps a lunch or golf outing with one or both of her parents is just the way for him to ease the family into the idea of their baby as a bride.

Dressed To Thrill
As a little girl envisioning your wedding, could you ever see yourself in anything but a white dress? Bridal gowns of ancient times were actually brightly coloured to signify joy. Many accounts credit Queen Victoria with being the first to wear white as a sign of affluence. While most brides still select a shade of white -- from ecru to eggshell to ivory -- for their gowns, feel free to spice up your wedding ensemble with subtle colour. Accent the dress bodice with pink pearlescent beads or tie a blue ribbon through your hair to assert your individuality. In fact, many designers are showing dresses in blue, pink, and various shades of "champagne," so if you're not sure white is right for you, you've got new options to choose from.

Long ago the groom would cover his bride's head in capture or as protection from evil spirits, giving way to the bridal veil. While it's no longer necessary to cover the bride with a veil until after she's married, if a veil completes the picture for you, go all out. Select a floor-length piece with lavish lace, or an elbow- or shoulder-length variation that incorporates elements of your gown. For those who seek a contemporary twist, a tiara, a headband, or even flowers in the hair might be just the right accessory to complete your headpiece.

Since all eyes are on the bride, does it really matter what the bridesmaids wear? In the past, bridesmaids dressed like the bride to "confuse" evil spirits or deter potential kidnappers, but it's no longer necessary for everyone to look identical. The bride may select a dress style in different shades of a colour for each bridesmaid, or specify a colour and appropriate guidelines, and then permit each bridesmaid to choose her own dress.

Walk This Way
One tradition that has evolved with women's liberation is the father walking his daughter down the aisle as property to "give away" to the groom. No matter their faith, recent brides are electing to be accompanied by both parents, stepparents, a sibling, or another important figure in their lives. Still, clutching Dad's arm as you make your way to your groom is another one of those traditions that, while rooted in something chauvinistic, can also be perceived more as a gesture of love, rather than an exchange of property. The officiant's question, "Who gives this woman to this man?" is often revised to, "Who supports this man and woman in marriage?" to which the parents -- or sometimes all the guests -- respond, "We do." Other brides choose to stop on their way down the aisle at a few important people who each will give a single flower to complete a hand-held bridal bouquet, allowing more guests to partake in the ceremony. All of these variations of the trip down the aisle add a more personal, sentimental touch.

Be Our Guest
As the wedding list has mushroomed from the ten witnesses needed for a legal wedding in Roman times to include extended family and friends, guest participation has also changed. Today, guests shower the newlyweds with wishes for fertility, prosperity, and bounty by blowing bubbles, tossing rose petals or birdseed, and releasing doves or butterflies, rather than throwing rice, the original custom. If you think that bubbles will stain your gown fabric, birdseed is slippery, or butterflies are too temperamental, why not let guests throw dried rose petals given to you by your betrothed during your courtship? Just be sure to check with your ceremony manager beforehand, to make sure throwing anything of any kind is allowed.

The receiving line has developed out of the belief that the couple shares their good fortune with everyone they touch. However, if you have a long guest list, then standing in a receiving line after the ceremony is not always the best and most efficient way to greet your guests. Instead, just-married couples may make the rounds during the cocktail hour where they have more of an opportunity to have a conversation, or travel around together table by table during dinner.

Toss It
Why did a bride, once upon a time, decide to toss her bouquet at her single friends, and allow her garter to be ripped out from beneath her dress and then nabbed by a bachelor or auctioned off to the highest bidder? These traditions actually have roots in England when guests -- or even just spectators of the wedding -- would tear at the bride's clothing and flowers to share in her happiness. While fleeing from her attackers, the bride would toss her bouquet into the mob to placate them. It is now believed that the catcher of the bouquet will be the next woman to marry, as will be the man who catches the garter. This practice has outgrown its once practical purposes -- there's something rather pathetic about a group of unwed women scrambling to catch a bouquet in hopes of being the next bride. An idea we like better is to give your bouquet to your grandmother in honour of her 55-year marriage, or to your favourite cousin who will be married in the next year, or to your sister who helped you with the planning of every aspect of the day's events. And if your maids are scratching for a little competition, have them sign the bottom of your shoes. The last name to rub off wins the distinction as the next one to marry. As for the garter, maybe you should just keep it on until after the wedding.

Let Them Eat Cake
Traditionally many wheat cakes were broken over the bride's head to bring good luck and fertility. During the reign of King Charles II of England, a baker stacked these cakes and frosted them, creating the tiered wedding cake popular today. Folklore proclaims that the top tier represents the couple -- and will be preserved in the freezer for the couple to share on their first anniversary. The bride and groom are to kiss over their tall cake for luck and then cut the first piece together. Somewhere along the way, the bride and groom decided to feed cake to each other as a symbol of how they would always trust and provide for each other, and feed and nourish their relationship. At some weddings, this "feeding" turns into smashing the cake in each other's face, and we can only hope that the future of this practice may dissolve just as mysteriously as it developed.

With This Kiss
Oh, those passionate Italians! In ancient Rome, an engagement was null and void without the kiss, for that sweet smooch was a legal bond that sealed all contracts. The kiss at the end of the ceremony marks the couple's new status as husband and wife, and part of each soul is left behind in the other when their breath is exchanged. Later, at the reception, guests are thrilled to see the new couple share their happiness in a kiss, but the obnoxious clinking of the glasses with a dinner fork hardly seems like a way to ignite romance. Be crafty instead, and give your guests new assignments if they want to see you lip-locked. Designate areas where guests can place donations to a particular charity; every time a donation is made, a bell is rung and you peck your partner. Or make guests go up to a microphone and sing lines of a song with the word "love" in it, or have them correctly answer questions about the bride and groom before agreeing to engage in serious PDAs.

Do A Little Dance...
As awkward as it is for the bride and groom to begin the first dance alone on the dance floor, it is truly a crowd pleaser. So get over the stage fright, grab your honey, and show off some fancy footwork. Even if you two are not Fred and Ginger, your guests will hardly notice. They just want to get a glimpse of you two lovebirds in action. The father-daughter and mother-groom dance are other favourite traditions, so that the couple may extend their gratitude to the parents who have loved and supported them.

...Make a Little Love
Back when a bride married by capture and not by choice, the groom would take her away following the wedding, and keep her in hiding for a full cycle of the moon (28 days). During this time, they would drink a fermented honey beverage called mead to ease inhibitions, in the hope that by the time the bride's family found her, she would be pregnant. And thus, the term honeymoon was coined. Another belief was that if the couple were to drink mead for a moon's cycle, they would be blessed with a male heir within a year. More often now, the honeymoon does not follow directly after the wedding. Because more couples are paying for their weddings, they end up tapped-out when it comes to a splashy vacation. Instead, newlyweds are waiting a few months after the wedding to gather their resources and energy, or until their one-year anniversary, for the long-overdue vacation.

Carry On
Carrying the bride over the threshold stems from the age-old legend of the groom literally dragging her away. The groom would also lift her up to elude the family demons or evil spirits that were said to follow the bride and wait at the threshold. The Romans thought it bad luck if the bride should trip on her way into her new home, so her groom had to carry her in -- if you're the klutzy type, your husband-to-be best be working out those biceps, so he may lift you up, up, and away and carry you into your new lives together. Even if you're a do-it-yourself kind of gal, take him up on this ancient ritual if he's willing -- just watch the doorjamb. Like many wedding traditions we love, however old-fashioned or archaic, this one has evolved out of the original oppressive nature to be taken as a symbol of romance and a gesture of love

4. Traditions and Superstitions - Wedding Fact and Trivia

Everyone's got a know-it-all in the family: the uncle who spits out World Series stats at the drop of a hat, the sister who can list all the James Bond flicks in reverse chronological order, the reptile-enthusiast cousin. We're proud to be your wedding equivalent -- here are 50 wedding facts to ponder as you plan your big day:

Good Luck and Bad Luck

1. Hey, brides, tuck a sugar cube into your glove -- according to Greek culture, the sugar will sweeten your union.
2. The English believe a spider found in a wedding dress means good luck. Yikes!
3. In English tradition, Wednesday is considered the "best day" to marry, although Monday is for wealth and Tuesday is for health.
4. The groom carries the bride across the threshold to bravely protect her from evil spirits lurking below.
5. Saturday is the unluckiest wedding day, according to English folklore. Funny -- it's the most popular day of the week to marry!
6. Ancient Romans studied pig entrails to determine the luckiest time to marry.
7. Rain on your wedding day is actually considered good luck, according to Hindu tradition!
8. For good luck, Egyptian women pinch the bride on her wedding day. Ouch!
9. Middle Eastern brides paint henna on their hands and feet to protect themselves from the evil eye.
10. Peas are thrown at Czech newlyweds instead of rice.
11. A Swedish bride puts a silver coin from her father and a gold coin from her mother in each shoe to ensure that she'll never do without.
12. A Finnish bride traditionally went door-to-door collecting gifts in a pillowcase, accompanied by an older married man who represented long marriage.
13. Moroccan women take a milk bath to purify themselves before their wedding ceremony.
14. In Holland, a pine tree is planted outside the newlyweds' home as a symbol of fertility and luck.

    It's Got A Ring To It

15. Engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was once thought that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart.
16. About 70% of all brides sport the traditional diamond on the fourth finger of their left hand.
17. Priscilla Presley's engagement ring was a whopping 3 1/2-carat rock surrounded by a detachable row of smaller diamonds.
18. Diamonds set in gold or silver became popular as betrothal rings among wealthy Venetians toward the end of the fifteenth century.
19. In the symbolic language of jewels, a sapphire in a wedding ring means marital happiness.
20. A pearl engagement ring is said to be bad luck because its shape echoes that of a tear.
21. One of history's earliest engagement rings was given to Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII. She was two years old at the time.
22. Snake rings dotted with ruby eyes were popular wedding bands in Victorian England -- the coils winding into a circle symbolized eternity.
23. Aquamarine represents marital harmony and is said to ensure a long, happy marriage.

    Fashionable Lore

24. Queen Victoria started the Western world's white wedding dress trend in 1840 -- before then, brides simply wore their best dress.
25. In Asia, wearing robes with embroidered cranes symbolizes fidelity for the length of a marriage.
26. Ancient Greeks and Romans thought the veil protected the bride from evil spirits. Brides have worn veils ever since.
27. On her wedding day, Grace Kelly wore a dress with a bodice made from beautiful 125-year-old lace.
28. Of course, Jackie Kennedy's bridesmaids were far from frumpy. She chose pink silk faille and red satin gowns created by African-American designer Ann Lowe (also the creator of Jackie's dress).
29. In Japan, white was always the colour of choice for bridal ensembles -- long before Queen Victoria popularised it in the Western world.
30. Most expensive wedding ever? The marriage of Sheik Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum's son to Princess Salama in Dubai in May 1981. The price tag? $44 million.
31. In Korea, brides don bright hues of red and yellow to take their vows.
32. Brides carry or wear "something old" on their wedding day to symbolize continuity with the past.
33. In Denmark, brides and grooms traditionally cross-dressed to confuse evil spirits!
34. The "something blue" in a bridal ensemble symbolizes purity, fidelity, and love.

    Food And Family

35. In Egypt, the bride's family traditionally does all the cooking for a week after the wedding, so the couple can…relax.
36. In South Africa, the parents of both bride and groom traditionally carried fire from their hearths to light a new fire in the newlyweds' hearth.
37. The tradition of a wedding cake comes from ancient Rome, where revellers broke a loaf of bread over a bride's head for fertility's sake.
38. The custom of tiered cakes emerged from a game where the bride and groom attempted to kiss over an ever-higher cake without knocking it over.
39. Queen Victoria's wedding cake weighed a whopping 300 pounds.
40. Legend says single women will dream of their future husbands if they sleep with a slice of groom's cake under their pillows.
41. An old wives' tale: If the younger of two sisters marries first, the older sister must dance barefoot at the wedding or risk never landing a husband.

    Show Off At A Cocktail Party

42. In many cultures around the world -- including Celtic, Hindu and Egyptian weddings -- the hands of a bride and groom are literally tied together to demonstrate the couple's commitment to each other and their new bond as a married couple (giving us the popular phrase "tying the knot").
43. The Roman goddess Juno rules over marriage, the hearth, and childbirth, hence the popularity of June weddings.
44. Princess Victoria established the tradition of playing Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" during her wedding processional in 1858.
45. The bride stands to the groom's left during a Christian ceremony, because in bygone days the groom needed his right hand free to fight off other suitors.
46. On average, 7,000 couples marry each day in the United States.
47. Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve are the two busiest "marriage" days in Las Vegas -- elopement central!
48. The Catholic tradition of "posting the banns" to announce a marriage originated as a way to ensure the bride and groom were not related.
49. Stag parties were first held by ancient Spartan soldiers, who kissed their bachelor day's goodbye with a raucous party.

5. Old, New, Borrowed, Blue - A List of Ideas

All set to deal with your something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue? The custom comes from an Old English rhyme. Today, traditional brides feature one item from each category in their wedding ensembles, tote them down the aisle, or just keep them on hand for good measure. The objects are essentially good-luck charms, while each "something" has special significance. Sometimes relatives and attendants present the little tokens at the eleventh hour (but a bride can treat herself to them, too). Whether you scoff at tradition or hold it dear, we've got ideas that will tickle you pink.

Something Old: Continuity

Chic Antiques

• Antique bookmark to mark ceremony reading selections
• Antique silk ribbon
• Childhood pillow (to be used for the rings)
• Grandpa's monogrammed handkerchief
• Great-grandparents' wedding portrait on display at the reception
• Historic wedding site
• Rolls Royce
• Tussy mussy
• Beaded purse
• Vintage wine dating from the year you were born

Heirloom Pieces

• Brooches
• Buttons from one of dad's old coats
• Champagne flute (to smash during ceremony) that belonged to a relative
• Compact mirror
• Earrings
• Engagement ring/wedding band
• Opera glasses
• Parents' cake topper
• Pillbox
• Veil
• White kid gloves
• Your mom's wedding gown

Sentimental Trinkets

• Childhood treasures: plastic rings, Russian dolls, a locket, or name bracelet
• Love letter from your father that your mother saved
• Old coin from your country of ancestry tucked into your shoe (for good luck)
• Parents' wedding photo carried in your purse
• Picture of yourself as a little girl
• Piece of lace from Grammy's gown sewn into the hem of yours

Something New: Optimism For The Future

Alluring Accessories

• Charm for charm bracelet
• Crystal bouquet
• Gem-studded collar for pooch
• Strand of pearls
• Sun parasol
• Silk stockings
• Wonderbra

Beautiful Baubles

• Chanel or Christian Dior lipstick in a sweet new shade
• Custom fragrance
• Hair extensions
• Henna tattoo kit
• Hot haircut or highlights
• Sexy makeup bag
• Vanity case

Innovative Ideas

• Leather guest book with enough room on each page for guests to write personal notes
• Cocktail invented especially to honour the bride and groom
• Shiny coin fresh from the mint to tuck in your shoe
• Spanking new "getaway" car

Something Borrowed: Borrowed Happiness

Family Fare

• Auntie's faux fur stole
• Camellias from Grandma's garden
• Dad's pocketwatch
• Dad's silk handkerchief
• Grandma's prayer book
• Grandparents' country club
• Mom's friends' timeshare in the Virgin Islands (for honeymoon)
• Mom-in-law's emerald earrings
• Parents' backyard
• Parents' first dance song
• Sister's strapless bustier
• Wording used on your parents' ketubah (Jewish wedding contract)

Gadgets & Trinkets

• Book of love poems (from library or literary pal) to bring on the honeymoon
• Pearl-handled knife for cutting the cake
• Sixpence or other valuable coin
• Strand of pearls

Cute & Clever

• Adorable pet
• Flower girl
• Pashmina shawl
• Poet or philosopher words to include in ceremony
• Sari (good to wear during makeup time, especially in hot weather)

Something Blue: Fidelity, Good Fortune, And Love

Wedding Essentials

• Balloons
• Broom for the Jumping the Broom ritual (painted blue or garnished with blue flowers)
• Confetti
• Garter
• Groom in a blue suit (or with blue hair)
• Huppah
• Ice-blue wedding gown

Beauty & Bouquets

• Blue contact lenses
• Blue nail polish
• Blueberries (for bouquets and table centerpieces)
• Bouquet or hair wreath comprised of delphinium, iris, sweet william, or hydrangea
• Eyeshadow
• Glitter
• Ribbon for hair or bouquet
• Tattoo
• Tiny blue heart sachet (tucked into bra or purse)

Fashionable & Fun

• Baby blue underskirt or petticoat
• Blue appliques on your veiling
• Blue chalk to scrawl bride/groom initials on sidewalk
• Blue panties
• Blue thread tied around your finger to remind you to always live life with love
• Blue-stone tiara
• Car (borrowed, rented, or new)
• Crystal amulet
• Purse
• Lingerie
• Sapphires, tanzanite, opals, and aqua marine
• Silk wrap

6. Receiving Line - Etiquette, Options and Tips

What they say about weddings is true: It'll all be over before you know it. So then how can you ensure you'll get the chance to talk to each and every guest before the bell tolls? Enter the receiving line -- the most formal and efficient line dance you'll ever do. Here's how to connect with your company, and give guests your most heartfelt greetings and gratitude.

Why Have One?
A receiving line is the best opportunity to greet each guest individually and thank him or her for coming to your wedding. And if you're having more than 50 guests, it's considered proper etiquette. The line also guarantees your guests a minute of face-to-face time with you, a chance to hug, kiss, and congratulate you both, and to say things like "The ceremony was lovely." If you rely instead on the more casual greet-them-as-you-see-them approach, you may spend the whole party in a tailspin, ducking out of conversations to say hello to people you haven't greeted yet, and inevitably you'll end up missing someone.

When & Where?
Generally the receiving line is formed immediately following the ceremony or at the beginning of the reception. You'll want to take spatial constraints into consideration when choosing where to line up so that family and bridal party members aren't standing on top of each other and guests have room to move in a smooth, orderly procession (which in turn makes the line go faster so you can all get on to the party). Proper ventilation is also crucial to avoid sweaty brows and swooning bridesmaids. The most commonly used ceremony site areas include the hallway or vestibule at the head of the aisle, outside the entry doors, down the front steps, or on the front porch. At your reception site the options are many, depending on the party space: consider the cocktail lounge, the lobby, just outside the doors leading into the main room, or the reception room itself, perhaps on the dance floor. Ultimately, pick a spot where you and your guests can stand comfortably for the duration.

Who Stands in it?
Traditionally, the bride's parents -- as hosts -- head the receiving line and are first to greet guests, followed by the bride and groom and then the groom's parents. Many lines we've seen also include the entire bridal party (if there's room), and sometimes even grandparents (if they're able). Today, however, with more couples contributing to or paying for their own weddings, the lines have blurred (so to speak). The couple may wish to stand alone, especially if the majority of guests are their friends, or they may stand with just the moms while the dads circulate among and welcome the crowd during the cocktail hour.

Divorced & Remarried Parents
This may be one of the stickier situations you'll encounter when orchestrating the big day, and the resolution often depends on the relationships between the relevant parties. If your parents are divorced, they should not stand next to one another in line -- even if they are sharing hosting duties -- as this gives the impression that they are still a couple. Instead, place Mom on one side of you and the groom, then the groom's parents, then Dad. If this arrangement doesn't sit well, consider placing another family member or an honour attendant between them. And what about stepparents? Should you include them too? That depends: Do you have a good relationship with them? Is your mom/dad capable of sharing this duty with your step-mom/dad with civility and grace? You should strive to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible. If this arrangement gets the green light, simply have your father stand with his new wife, and your mother with her new husband. This way guests will understand the relationships.

Introductions All Around
The receiving line is where your hosting duties as the bride and groom kick off. It'll no doubt be a whirlwind of faces, but as much as possible you should introduce your new spouse and your parents to all the guests they have not yet met. First names and the guests' relationships to you should suffice. Likewise all guests should take it upon themselves to offer this same information as introduction to attendants and family members whom they've never met as they proceed down the line; simply shake hands, offer congratulations, and keep moving. The bride and groom need only accept everyone's hugs, kisses, and best wishes, and thank them for coming. It's that simple. And yes, you'll end up with a lot of lipstick on your cheeks, but fear not -- you're allowed to make a bathroom pit stop before heading to the party.

Variations on a Theme
As is common nowadays, traditions such as the receiving line are ultimately open to interpretation. Depending on the size of your guest list, you may opt to greet guests in other ways. One couple we know personally dismissed guests from their seats right after the ceremony, one row at a time (although we wouldn't recommend this for gatherings of more than 150 people, or if guests have to remain seated -- and suffer -- through hot sun, rain, strong winds, or other inclement conditions). If you have fewer than 50 guests, you might decide to turn cocktail hour into the meet-and-greet opportunity instead of a formal receiving line. Whatever you choose, the basic tenets still apply: Greet each of your guests in turn and thank them for joining you on this joyful occasion.