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Sometimes all you need to make a dress special is gorgeous fabric. This strapless dress by Watters is made in shimmering brocade and it is just a lovely thing to behold. It's available in knee length or floor length, though we really like it short (as shown here) because we love the contrast of traditional brocade with the youthfulness of a short strapless dress.

Available in sizes 0-24. Visit Watters.com for more information.

She's stood by you through thick and thin, and now she's even going to do that in satin, chiffon and high heels. If that isn't friendship, what is?

She's not a girly-girl. Never has been. She doesn't squeal with dismay at a broken nail, she doesn't grow faint at the sight of mismatched clothing. What do you get her? No perfume, pedicures or precious pampering for this gal, what she wants is something practical.

Well, maybe a little pocket-knife (and tweezers and screwdriver, etc) isn't 100% practical -- but it's gadget enough to warm her un-girly heart. We hope she'll forgive you the pink ...

(If you're interested in more information on this engraved pocket tool, follow the link!)

Liven up a classic satin sheath with a burst of bright color - we just love this yellow - for an update on the traditional bridesmaids dress. The sky's the limit when accessorizing this simple silhouette - you could add a brooch, dramatic flowers or a shawl in a contrasting color.

We'd love to see a wedding where every bridesmaid wears a simple dress like this, but in different brights. Wouldn't it be refreshing?

$188 sizes 0-14. Available at Nordstrom.



More pictures after the jump.

The wine-kind, not the kitchen appliance.

One of the traditional duties of the male contingent, toasting can be done either by a specially-appointed (or even hired) MC, but most often it's done by the best man.

Anywhere you look, you can find a list of who toasts whom, in what order, and with what. Thing is, all the lists are different. Who toasts whom, in what order? Who knows?

This can be a good thing. With so many possibilities, you can do it any way you like! Another piece of even better news:

This one's for the guys: There's a reason your bride has spent so much time choosing her Maid of Honor - she will be her rock, her support, during the stresses of wedding planning. Maybe you should take a hint from her and choose your Best Man wisely - it'll make your wedding day special, or at the very least, it will certainly make your life easier!

This article by groomsonline.com gives excellent advice on choosing your Best Man. Here are our top three picks:

1. Choose a dependable friend: Don't pick your best friend from childhood if he's likely to lose the rings.

2. Choose with confidence: Don't let the fear of offending your other friends paralyze you. Once you've decided on a Best Man, let him know and be confident that your other friends will be fine with it. We promise!

3. Respect your bride's wishes: Don't choose someone she can't stand. Consider it your first lesson in marital compromise.

Read on for more information.

We all love to be pampered, though not all of us make the time or spend the money to do it often. That's why we're always a fan of giving a gift that practically begs the recipient to slow down for a moment and relax. We like these gifts even more when the company behind them uses environmentally friendly practices in creating the products, all of which is why we love k. hall designs.

From bath salts and shower gels, lotions and soaps, to candles and diffusers and sheet sprays, k. hall has something for everyone. The products come in a variety of intriguing scents, like black currant, orange amber, and moss, but there are also plenty of scents that you know you'll love, like cocoa almond and lavender.



Aside from the fact that they're pretty and smell yummy, these items are something you can feel good about giving. k. hall designs is a family-owned and run company, and they produce their products as locally and naturally as possible -- no animal products or petroleum is used, and they don't test on animals. Seriously, who wouldn't love to receive one of these products as a token of thanks?

It may just be that one of your bridesmaids is going to be sporting a baby bump on your wedding day. Which is fine, of course, but what is she going to wear? Most makers of bridesmaids dresses will probably alter one of their existing designs to fit a pregnant tum, so it isn't really a huge problem.

However, if you've more or less given your bridesmaids carte blanche with their outfits, with perhaps a few guidelines, a pregnant bridesmaid might appreciate a few pointers beyond "It must be pink-ish and long".

Send them to Destination Maternity, where they can browse through a large range of maternity-wear in different online 'shops':

A Pea in the Pod has a good range of dressy maternity fashion and a lot of it is suitable for bridesmaids. They also have this great dress, which would be perfect for a bride, as well as this one here.

Mimi Maternity also has some great dresses, for brides and maids alike. Both sites are well worth visiting for the stylish designs, and the prices are really affordable too.

A dress that's sure to flatter a variety of body shapes, this strapless beauty by JS Boutique just might be the bridesmaids dress you've been searching for!

The pleated bodice makes the most of what you have up top, and the nipped waist (accented with an optional bow) that falls all the way to a release pleat skirt is fun and will create a feminine hourglass figure. There's something very fifties about this dress, and we love its sexy innocence.

$148 Sizes 2-14. Available at Nordstrom.

Gallery: Dress of the day: Bridesmaids

More views after the jump.

Cream, navy and gold is a sophisticated color theme for you wedding. It can be preppy, masculine and/or glamorous - it all depends on the details you choose. Want to learn how to make it your own? Read on!

OK ladies, it's time to talk color. We all know that most bridesmaids would prefer to wear a black dress to your wedding, one that they'll be able to wear over and over again; but what if you have your heart set on seeing them in your favorite color - How do you make a statement color as flattering as possible?

Our advice is to stick to simple dresses that flatter a variety of figures - like the Caroline dress in a tricky orange shade we've pictured here. The simple a-line and the graceful bateau neckline help the color shine through without the distraction of bows or sparkly bits. Don't believe us? See dresses in this color at this real wedding.

Available at Lulakate.com - prices start at $250

What a perfect dress for your navy and gold wedding! This bridesmaids dress by Charsa Designs has a simple a-line silhouette but is enhanced by the beautiful shimmery navy color. The dress has an empire waist and crossover-v neckline so it will flatter a variety of figures and is bra-friendly.

It comes in your choice of faille or silk dupioni, and is of course available in a wide variety of colors. The picture shows the dress with silver shoes, but we think it would look just as lovely with pale gold sandals.

Available at Charsa.com starting at $270 (sizes 2-24)

Some brides make being a bridesmaid a dream job. They don't call you at 2am stressing about centerpieces, they pay for all your bridesmaid stuff, and they even let you pick your own dress. Oh, the possibilities!

Sometimes too much freedom can be a bad thing, though, because how on earth do you narrow down your selections? Sometimes a girl just doesn't feel like trying on 800 different dresses. StyleShake offers an affordable and ingenious solution.

At this website, you choose your fabric and the pattern, enter your measurements, and a virtual mannequin models your selections online. Once you've found the design you like, submit it to the StyleShake seamstresses, and your dress will be ready to wear in ten business days. This could be a great way for brides to see what different dresses will look like on their differently-sized bridesmaids. And it seems really fun!

All dresses start at just £75.