A new wedding trend is to have your first dance choreographed.  And for some, the first dance is no longer a waltz but more of a hip hop production.  We are a generation that has grown up watching MTV and the highly stylized dancing that has permeated our living rooms is now taking center stage at our weddings. 

To see what I mean, check out some real wedding video clips on YouTube.  There are some couples who do a surprise first dance where they start off slow and break into a fast freestyle routine, and there are other couples who get their bridal parties and even parents in on the action.  These are choreographed numbers the couples have spent time learning, not just crazy arm waving and hip shaking, and they look great!

Here are a few links Youtube’s most popular weding dance videos:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XClUAPwE4Z0&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AjofUm69ocI&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZYhlm9GTAQ0&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6qd_j98-y-M&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OPmYbP0F4Zw
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YT6InvLJUzA

A new show that reflects this trend is Rock the Reception on TLC.  They have professional choreographers that work with engaged couples to plan a not-so-traditional first dance.  At the receptions, the dancers end up having a great time and the guests just love it!  If you haven’t seen it, check it out.

Often a couple will leave the decision for favors to the last minute.  Luckily there are some simply and stylish options for thanking your guests with a favor.  

Many couples will offer their guests a candy or mint treat packaged in a decorative favor box.  The right favor box can also add to the decor of your reception table.  Consider picking favor boxes that match your wedding colors or themes.  

New Favor Box Styles for Summer 2008

  
Flourish favor boxes add a touch of sophistication to your event.  Perfect for holding candy or a small gift for your guests.

 
Beach Favor Box is made from wood and has a starfish and seashells on its decorative lid. 

 
These tin pail favors come in pastel colors and are great for a destination wedding or beach-themed shower.

 
Calla Lilies have long been a favorite flower of brides and these calla lily pails are great for carrying the calla lily theme even further.

  
A Tuxedo Favor Box will delight your guests.  Perfect for holding candy or mints.

Click here for more wedding favor ideas.

A great way to continue with the military wedding theme is to place a miltary wedding cake topper on the wedding cake.  

Here are the new Military Cake Toppers for 2008:
Most military wedding cake toppers include groom figurines where the groom is dressed in uniform.  You’ll find grooms for all the branches of the US service.

           Navy Wedding Cake Topper

             Air Force Wedding Cake Topper

            Army Wedding Cake Topper

            Marine Wedding Cake Topper

Click here for more military wedding accessories.  You’ll find military inspired guest books, garters, cake servers, toasting glasses and ring pillows.

We often get calls from couples that are currently serving in the US Services and are planning a military wedding.  One way to incorporate the military into your wedding is by having a camouflage wedding theme.

Camouflage Wedding Accessories
Weddingstar, a leading bridal supplier of wedding accessories, recently revealed their new Discerning Camouflage wedding accessories.  This collection feataures a desert camouflage fabric, with blush embroidery.

 Camouflage Guest Book - all your military friends will get a kick out of signing this guest book.  Holds over 400 signatures.

  
Camouflage Wedding Pillow - your ring bearer will feel like he’s part of the troops when he carries this ring pillow.

Camouflage garter - comes with a matching camouflage tossing garter that the groom can throw to his buddies at the wedding reception.

If you are planning a military wedding, click here for more military wedding accessories.

Lillian Rose has come up with a new twist on the traditional bride and groom figurines.  Their new line of figurines is called Tender Moments and features slender, graceful figurines.  Each graceful pose, expresses a moment of love - passion, joy, understanding and contentment.

Bride & Groom Figurines

    
 
Bride & Groom Figurines - these figurines not only look great on top of a wedding cake, but can also be used as decorations at the reception or bridal shower.  After the wedding they will become a lasting keepsake for the bride and groom.

Lillian Rose has designed a line of wedding accessories based on these figurines.   They offer toasting glasses and cake servers that incorporate these figures into their handles.

 
            Wedding Cake Server                              Wedding Toasting Glasses

   Guest Book & Pen Holder

View more bride groom caketops.

A signature platter is a unique alternative to a guest book, plus provides a lasting keepsake.  Some couples choice to have their guests sign both a platter and a guest book.  Signature plates are not just for weddings, but may be used for birthdays, family reunions, christenings and anniversaries.

Signature Platters
During the reception, the signature platter is placed on a table near the entrance so that every guest has the opportunity to sign it.  Guests should use a special porcelain marker to sign their name.  (Most signature platters will come with a black, fine point porcelain marker.)  After the event, the platter is baked for 30 minutes to preserve the signatures. 

Here are a few new signature platters for summer 2008:

 
          Signature Platter                                    Signature Plate

 
     Wedding Signature Platter                       Friends & Family Plate

Click here to view more signature platter styles.

A wedding guest book filled with your guest’s names and good wishes is a lasting keepsake of your special day. 

Wedding Guest Books
Today’s bride has the option of selecting from many different colored guest books.  She can choose to match the colors of her bridesmaid’s dresses or the decor of her reception site.  A colorful guest book, will take a boring gift table and help turn it into a dramatic focal point at the reception.

Here is a sneak peak at some new wedding guest books for Summer 2008:

 
           Pink Guest Book                                   Black Guest Book

 
           Silver & Blue Guest Book                         Brown Guest Book 

                Gold Guest Book

   
                 Red Guest Book

 
         Green Guest Book

Remember you’ll want to provide your guests with a fine, writing pen.  (Many guest books come with matching pens.)

Click here to view more wedding guest book.

The new Bold & Beautiful Collection by Hortense B. Hewitt is absolutely stunning with its deep red color.  Each piece is decorated with an ivory, satin ribbon and rhinestone accent.  The accessories in this collection will add a dramatic touch to your wedding.

Red Guest Book & Pen
A red guest book is perfect for a fall, winter or valentine wedding.  It would also be right at home at your holiday or corporate party.

  
                  Red Guest Book

Red Flower Girl Basket
Fill this red flower basket with red or ivory flower petals to make an even bolder statement.  If your flower girl is wearing white, consider tying a red sash around her dress.

 
      Red Flower Girl Basket

Red Ringbearer Pillow
This ringbearer pillow is perfect for a formal or evening wedding.

         Red Ringbeaer Pillow 

Click here to view more red ringbearer pillows and red flower girl baskets. 

The wedding wish box has been gaining popularity over the past year.  Its a unique alternative to the traditional guest book.

Wedding Wish Box
During the wedding reception or bridal shower, guest writes their special wishes for the bride and groom on a slip of paper.   Each guest then places their wish among all the other guest’s wishes.  Often the wishes will be placed in a decorative box or Wedding Wish Vase.  After the wedding, the couple will enjoy reading each wish.  The wishes can then be stored in a Well Wisher Guest Book for years to come.

Wedding Wish Vase - during the reception guest place their wishes in wedding wish vase.

  
Wedding Wish Guest Books  - after the ceremony the wishes are read by the bride and groom and placed in the wedding wish guest book.  (The guest books come with the Wedding Wish cards.)

Click here to view more wedding guest books.
 

Monograms are a classic way to add some personalization to a wedding. It isn’t uncommon to have wedding invitations, guest books or toasting flutes personalized with a monogram but a new way to truly show off a monogram is by using monograms on cake tops. The monogram cake topper can be of the classic three letter variety or just the letter of the surname. Caketops are available in different types of materials like aluminum or acrylic and they can be accented with a spray of flowers depending on the style of the wedding.

A classic three initial monogram caketopper is created with a large letter representing the surname of the couple in the center flanked by small letters on each side used for the initials of the bride and groom. Done in silver, this type of monogram imparts a clean, contemporary look.

Monogram Cake Topper

For those who prefer a more decorative style, an oval arched caketop with the letter of the surname in the center accented with jewels, floral sprays and etched glass provides a soft, dreamy feel.

For something truly sleek and sophisticated, a single freestanding 4” aluminum letter representing the surname is an option that makes a dramatic statement with its simplicity.

Letter Cake Top

Or, achieve a modern yet retro look with an acrylic monogram caketopper. The etched initial cake topper on a 4” x 4” clear acrylic square complements any type of cake.

Initial Cake Topper

Monograms are a classic way to add personalization to a wedding. Give the monogram
a new updated use as a caketopper at your reception.