The dress code for a groom is dependent upon the type of wedding that he is having. If you choose a theme for the wedding, then that will dictate the suit of choice for the groom as well as the groomsmen. On the other hand, if you choose to have a traditional wedding then the suit of choice will be a morning suit.

Historically the traditional time of day for a wedding was the morning, and that is why a groom’s suit is referred to as a morning suit. Wedding ceremonies were held in the early morning hours and then followed up by a wedding breakfast. While morning weddings are not as common as they once were, if you wish to have a traditional wedding ceremony, then it is important that you get married before 3PM. For a traditional wedding such as this, the groom, as well as the best man, the bride’s and groom’s father, and the ushers must all wear morning suits.

A morning suit is sometimes called “top hat and tails” because the coat of the suit is longer in length and has a penguin tail. The trousers that are a part of the suit are either plain grey, pin-striped grey, blue or black. The shirt is a wing collar shirt, and it should have a covering waistcoat as well as a cravat.

In the past men wore an Ascot top hat with their morning suits as well as white gloves. Today, it is up to you whether you wish to wear the top hat or not while the gloves have gone by the wayside.

If you choose to follow your morning wedding ceremony with a formal black tie evening reception, which was once the customarily thing to do, then the groom can wear either a black or a white tuxedo jacket. A black tuxedo jacket is classic, but today it is really up to your own personal tastes. Choose a single or double-breasted jacket that has ribbed silk lapels but no covered buttons or vents.

A formal evening shirt is a must. Traditionally the style was a pleated shirt, but if you feel more at ease in a collared shirt then go with that. Choose pleated trousers with a row of braid in order that you can wear braces with them. In days gone past men word a cummerbund waistband, but today the style leans more towards a colorful waist coat.

Once you accept an engagement it can seem like a huge wind has picked you up and whirled you around! There is so much to do and even more to think about. After the initial giddy excitement of this life altering event has hit you, it is then time to share the happy news with everyone in your life. First, your parents must be told, then the groom’s parents and then it is time to let all other family members and friends know about the upcoming nuptials.

How quickly you need to begin planning your wedding has to do with the date you have chosen. Is it far in the future or is it right around the corner? This is something that the two of you must decide as a couple based on your individual situation.

The shorter the span is between the start of an engagement and the wedding date, the sooner you will have to get yourself in gear in order to make all of the preparations. Engagements can be as short as three months or as long as two to three years. The average in most cases is six months to a year.

Another factor that plays a role in the kind of wedding you plan to have is the size. A posh wedding with lots of frills and a guest list of 200 people will require a great deal more time for planning than will a simpler type of wedding with 30 guests.

Wedding planning is something that needs to be done in a specific order. If you can afford it, you would do well to hire a wedding consultant to help with all of the planning. These professionals are well versed in the smallest details that you might overlook in your haste. If this is not an option for you, then look online for wedding planning duties and a timeline that you can follow. You can consult wedding books and magazines for similar information.

The less time you have for planning the wedding the stricter you have to be with yourself in regards to your timeline. You might want to create a wedding chart to keep yourself in check. Consider all possible scenarios, and do not be too proud to accept help from others who offer their time and services (as well as their encouragement and support!).

In the spirit of the holiday season, Wasabi Media Group is launching the Doubly Good December Contest.  This contest will reward one reader and one writer with a cash prize of 25 dollars each.

In order to qualify for the reader’s prize, all you need to do is have a comment published* for any article posted during the month of December.  Comments will be accepted for this contest through January 7th.  One comment will be chosen randomly, and the author of that comment will receive $25!

So, start reading, and submitting comments.  The more comments you submit, the more likely you are to win.

*In order for a comment to be published, an editor will determine if the comment is relevant to the article and meets WMG’s standards for appropriate language.

**Employees of Wasabi Ventures are not eligible to submit comments for this contest.

Christmas is a lovely time of year to have a wedding. It is common for red and green to be wedding colors for the holiday season, but you can add other colors to the mix as well. Some color combinations that work well include silver and white, silver and light blue, gold and white and also gold and off white (or cream). Some people prefer the deeper, more muted color of burgundy for a Christmas wedding.

You will want to have a beautifully decorated Christmas tree at your reception, but bear in mind that real flowers can be very pricey at this time of the year. You might want to use real or artificial Poinsettias to decorate the tables at the reception hall as this is the standard flower for the Christmas celebration. You also might want to use Christmas ornaments for decorations in place of flowers. Purchase miniature Christmas trees and color coordinate the lights, garland and ornaments with your color theme.

The dress you choose for your Christmas wedding can look the same as a wedding dress for any other season, but remember that it is also the season of cold and snow! Wear a long red cape to give your dress that extra little touch. Another option is to wear a red silk sash around your waist that works well with your dress or wear an elegant red accessory in your hair. You also can choose a dress that has some sequins or beads on the bodice that are reminiscent of snow. Add a faux fur wrap and muff to keep you warm as you leave the church and make your way to the reception hall, and you are all set!

As far as your maid of honor and bridesmaids are concerned, have them dress in your wedding theme colors and opt for floor-length dresses, which are very elegant indeed. Pair the dresses with long wraps, capelets or shrugs and big faux fur muffs. Add a few sparkly accessories, such as earrings and necklaces to their outfits to really bring style to their ensembles.

Send your wedding invitations at least six to 12 weeks before the wedding. To avoid the invitation looking too much like a Christmas card, make it a solid white sheet as opposed to a card that folds in two.

Congratulations to you if you have made the decision to take a second honeymoon. A second honeymoon gives a couple the opportunity to strengthen their love and the unique opportunity to reconnect with one another. It is a time to laugh, play and dream.

As you plan your second honeymoon, bear in mind that this is no ordinary vacation. It is not time for the whole family to enjoy, so let the kids know that they are not invited!

A second honeymoon is about quality time for the two of you. Open your heart to one another, keep an open mind and bring your patience, energy and enthusiasm. If you can book a honeymoon suite complete with a hot tub and champagne, then do so.

Plan a second honeymoon that you both will enjoy. All of the activities you choose should surround bringing the two of you closer together. Decide as a couple where you want to go, what your budget is and how long you wish to be away.

Make your second honeymoon a time to create new memories. There is nothing wrong with talking and reminiscing over old times, but recognize that there are good times ahead. Cherish your time together. Be greedy about your time, and do not let anything intrude upon it. If you want to sleep until noon, do so. If you want to sip wine at 10 a.m., then have fun doing it. If you want to go for pizza or ice cream at 1a.m., then by all means- go for it!

A second honeymoon is a special period of time that is set aside to be cherished. Do not let work or family concerns put a dent in the moments you have together. Clear your mind of everything else except the person you love and adore. Make that person your complete focus.

Just as best laid plans can come undone on other vacations, so can they on a second honeymoon. Whatever you do, do not forget your sense of humor at home! When you are packing the massage oil, your sexiest lingerie and your drop dead heels, make sure you bring with you the ability to laugh at yourself, and each other. You just never know what you might encounter on your trip- whether it be delays, room mix-ups, bags that go missing or a sunburn that you have tried to avoid!

Here we continue our look at the preparations that need to be made when it comes to getting ready to go on a honeymoon.

-If you will be honeymooning outside of the country, make sure that when you purchase foreign currency you remember to get some small bills for things such as snacks, refreshments, tips, taxis, etc. There may be establishments that do not accept large bills, so having smaller bills is preferable.

-Find out at your bank if your ATM card will work in the country you will be going to. If you can use your bank card in the country you will be honeymooning in, then do so, but do not depend on it to the exclusion of other financial means. Issues can crop up using your card that you may not have anticipated. It would not hurt to pay close attention to the systems that your bank makes use of. Some examples of these include Cirrus, Interac and Plus.

-Book an appointment with your doctor before leaving for your honeymoon. If you are currently taking medication then make sure you have enough for the duration of your time away. If you will be traveling internationally, then find out if you need to get any vaccinations.

-Buy yourself a small safe, and place all of your valuables inside it before you leave for your honeymoon. It would be smart to leave your most expensive jewelry at home. You do not want to make yourself a target for any thieves on your honeymoon. Consider leaving your engagement ring at home for safe keeping.

-Make sure your family knows where you will be going for your honeymoon and has flight numbers and times. It would be good to leave an itinerary with them in the event that you need to be reached while you are away.

-If you have a pet(s) find someone who can look after him while you are away or else make arrangements to board your pet.

-Arrange for someone to check in on your home, as well as to bring in your mail and water your plants.

-If you currently have newspapers delivered to your home, then call the company to have it stopped while you are away. (That goes for anything else that you have delivered to your home on a daily or weekly basis as well.)

-Buy a timer for the lights in your home in order that others cannot tell that you are away.

Planning your honeymoon can be as simple as 1-2-3, if you are smart and do things in an organized fashion. Read on for some tips for planning your dream honeymoon.

-You can book your trip directly by way of the Internet or through a travel agent, regardless of whether you need to book plane fare or a trip on a cruise.

-When booking your trip make sure that you make it known that this is your honeymoon. This could mean that you will be granted a discount, will be upgraded or that you will get an extra of one sort or another.

-A visa is required to enter another country. Make sure you find out what other type of documentation you require before you book your honeymoon. If you already have a passport, make sure that it is current and will not expire while you are enjoying time with your new spouse!

-While the Internet can provide you with plenty of information to help plan your trip, it never hurts to buy a travel book such as Frommer’s or Fodor’s. Travel books can provide you with lots of valuable insights such as listings for various accommodations, points of interest and options for transportation.

-Knowing how to dress for the various places you plan to go on your honeymoon makes a difference. You do not want to be overdressed or underdressed for dinner after all!

-If you plan to change your name to your husband’s after you get married, then either book your honeymoon under his name or book it under your maiden name. You don’t want any confusion or problems to result if you book it under Mr. and Mrs. Ross. You will need to book the honeymoon before your wedding and your identification will reflect your maiden name as you will not have had the opportunity to change it just yet.

-If you plan to travel to another country for your honeymoon, familiarize yourself with the customs of the country in question before you go.

-Do not forget to do the obvious- take time off work to get married, and go on your honeymoon!

-Do you have travel medical insurance? Find out if the extended medical coverage through your workplace is enough. If it is not, consider buying some more. You can do this through your bank or through the travel agent.

The expression “go big or go home” does not apply to everything. This is particularly the case when it comes to your makeup and skincare routine on your wedding day. Read on for some scenarios to avoid as you prepare for your big day …

Appearance Enhancers

You want to look as good as you possibly can to wed your beloved but you do not want to go overboard with appearance enhancers too close to the wedding date. Professional teeth bleaching is a gradual process that needs to be undertaken in the weeks (or even a months) preceding the wedding. If you want a slight tan, go to a tanning bed well in advance of the wedding. The same is true if you wish to have a facial done or any type of facial rejuvenation. Do not do anything drastic too close to the wedding as it can spell disaster for your appearance. The stress you already are experiencing can serve to worsen the problem considerably. This is also true in terms of trying new skincare products, hair products or a new brand of makeup. This is not the time to experiment because some experiments can go terribly wrong!

Makeup Overkill

If you are not really a makeup person, then allow yourself to be talked into wearing just a little to give you the bridal glow. If you do wear makeup on a regular basis, then do not make the mistake of putting on too much. Your pretty face is going to be on display, and the last thing you want is to look like your face is ready to do battle!

In the same way, do not force anyone else to wear makeup if they rarely do. Let everyone choose for herself.

Trendy is not Bridal

Trends are fine but not for your wedding day. You should aim for a classic and neutral look that never goes out of style. Put away the flashy eye shadows, the glitter gel and the blue mascara. Choose matte colors, and blend them well.

Bridal Party Makeup

Be considerate of the differences in the appearances of the ladies in your bridal party. Allow them to choose makeup colors that complement their looks. Do not get caught up in matching shades of lipstick to dress colors and the like. Celebrate everyone’s individuality, and work with them to find color schemes that are harmonizing, not hazardous to their looks.

All brides want to look beautiful on their wedding day. You deserve the very best after all. Read on for some makeup tips to help make that so.

-Your bridal makeup should not overwhelm or underwhelm you. You need to find a balance between too much and too little. Remember your pretty features should stand out, not the makeup colors you use.

-If you generally wear very little in the way of makeup, change that for your wedding day. Aim for skin that looks flawless and glowing with vitality.

-Before you put foundation on your face apply what is known as a “primer” or a transparent gel. What this does is it creates a barrier between your face and the makeup. This allows for the longevity of your makeup and colors that will last throughout the day. The gel is also good for another reason- it prevents makeup from finding its way deep into your pores.

-Choose a concealer that is slightly lighter than your foundation. The concealer is particularly important to disguise any under eye circles you may have. Make sure you blend the concealer towards your nose using downward strokes. Blend both your concealer and foundation well. You don’t want to be able to tell where either one ends.

-Neutrals are the best choice for wedding day makeup colors. They look the most natural. Save the wild, bright colors for another occasion. In particular, morning weddings require the most natural makeup while evening weddings allow you to go with slightly darker makeup shades if you prefer.

-Eye definition is important, therefore your eyeliner should be soft, not harsh. Line eyes softly with smudgeable powder liner.

-Curl your eyelashes with an eyelash curler. Then carefully apply two to three coats of waterproof mascara. Soft black or brownish black shades are best for your wedding day.

-Light peach eye shadow works well as an eyelid base. Choose neutral colors for your eye shadow. Stay away from blue or green shades, as they will look dated in your photos when you look back. Bright colors are a no-no, as is gray.

-Line your lips but do so with a natural color.

-Brush your lipstick on if possible and dot the middle of your bottom lip with a touch of gloss. This makes for a dewy and romantic look.

-Avoid very pale shades for your lips as they will give you a washed out look.

It is not uncommon for a bride or groom (or both) to suffer cold feet before the big day arrives. Also sometimes referred to as pre-wedding jitters or second thoughts, cold feet often revolve around uncertainty and fear. Some people suddenly question the decision they are making and find themselves lacking courage and confidence.

It is perfectly normal to find yourself at a point where you are stressed out, restless, anxious and unsure. Often cold feet are simply a culmination of all of the tension that builds up in preparing for a wedding.

Be aware that a case of cold feet can be a good thing. It provides you with the golden opportunity to take a serious look at your relationship and ask yourself what marriage means to you.

Individual Cold Feet and Relationship Cold Feet

Cold feet can be broken down into two types- individual cold feet and relationship cold feet. How can you tell the difference between the two? If you are dealing with insecurities and fears related to marriage in a general way, such as worrying about loss of independence once you become a married woman or hoping that you will make a good wife, then you are suffering from individual cold feet. Relationship cold feet on the other hand is when you have specific fears about marrying your partner.

How to Cope

It is necessary for you to dig deep into your psyche and explore the reasons behind your fears and insecurities. Certain fears may be “deal breakers” and will signal to you that getting married at the moment is not a good idea. On the other hand, some worries are smaller issues that you simply need to talk out with a family member or friend. Recognizing the existence of cold feet is important, but you must not overreact to it and make it larger than life.

If it is the groom who is suffering from a case of cold feet, then encourage him to write a list of the fears and insecurities that assail him. Doing this can bring the situation into sharper focus and can provide perspective when it is needed most.

Amid the craziness of planning for the wedding, make sure the two of you spend quality time together that DOES NOT involve talk of the upcoming nuptials at all. Enjoy a drive in the country or a simple walk in the park.