Victoria writes the wedding blog Victoria With Roses which is packed to the rafters with lots of little ideas that will make your wedding day special. Victoria is such a creative lady and today she’s shared twelve of her favourite ideas for Grooms to surprise their brides!

She’s spent countless hours scouting locations, making address lists, and choosing flowers. Wedding day gift-giving between brides and grooms has become more and more common, and there is a good chance she has a surprise gift in store for you. On your wedding day, she will be brimming with excitement, but also very tired and very nervous. Wow her with one of these romantic and oh-so-creative surprises:

1. The Big (I.e. Expensive) Wow: If you’ve got some money to spare, wow her by hiring her favorite local band to play at your wedding (or just your first dance). Or, surprise her with a skywritten message as you leave the church after the ceremony; fireworks between dinner and dancing; or a hot air balloon to whisk you away as the night ends. Another big wedding surprise (which you could also wait to give her until the next morning): a puppy you know she has been wanting.

2. Pre-wedding Gestures (Plan months in advance): Keep a journal of your engagement. Write in it daily or weekly, and have her maid of honor deliver it to her before the wedding, elaborately wrapped.  Or, for the months leading up to your wedding, mail or give her a surprise every month on the numerical date of your wedding (i.e. the 15^th of every month), like flowers, spa gift certificates, small jewelry, or a cookie bouquet. One great surprise would be a beauty treatment she doesn’t think she can afford, like teeth whitening.

Photo by Geist & Gradicsky Photographers

3. Breakfast: Arrange for her to be brought her favorite breakfast in bed, like croissants, scones or pancakes with fresh fruit. Include a handwritten note and a small gift (keep reading for more gift ideas!).

4. Nix the store-bought jewelry: While all girls love jewelry (and an expensive necklace would never be unwelcome), avoid sparkling new jewelry if you want to be more creative. Lots of grooms are doing this. Instead, surprise her with vintage jewelry, like an heirloom that has been passed down in your family. If you don’t have any family heirloom jewelry, buy her a vintage locket and put a picture of the two of you inside. This will have much more meaning, and will be one of a kind.

If you know she wants a piece of newer jewelry, or has her heart set on a certain jewelry designer, surprise her with a limo outside her hotel room. Arrange for it to take her to a jewelry store, where you have a set aside a case of 5-10 pieces in your price range that she can pick from.

5. Food: Have the restaurant where you had your first date cater lunch for her and her bridesmaids on the day of the wedding. Send along a box of her favorite chocolates. Or, for a healthier option, include a bouquet of fresh fruit.

6. Flowers: Having a bouquet of flowers delivered to her hotel room the day of the wedding is romantic, but you can still up the ante a bit. Send her a bouquet full of the flower she has chosen for your wedding (i.e. yellow roses, etc.), and put one fake flowers in the middle. Include a note that says: “I will love you until the last flower dies.” Or, send her a small bouquet of flowers every hour, so by the end of the afternoon her room will be full of wonderful smells.

7. Pampering: Instead of surprising her with an in-room masseuse the morning of your wedding, send a reflexologist to her room. Chances are, she has not experienced this kind of treatment before, and her feet are likely to hurt by the end of the day. Reflexology also relaxes the entire body, and some consider it the most relaxing of any spa treatment.

8. Lullabies: Make her a mix cd of your favorite love songs to listen to while getting ready. Or, have a music box made with your first dance song inside.

9. Books: For the length of your engagement, save all the loving emails you write to each other and make them into a booklet or scrapbook to give her before the wedding. Or, give her a first-edition or signed copy of The Velveteen Rabbit, a book of love poems, or her favorite novel.

Photo by Geist & Gradicsky Photographers

10. Sweet Smells: Pick out a perfume that you love the smell of, and arrange for one of her bridesmaids’ to give it to her while she is getting ready, to wear during the wedding.

11. Vacation: Surprise her with a honeymoon! Tell her you want to pick the place and make all the arrangements—just tell her what to pack and for how many days. This will take some of the wedding planning stress off her, and also give her a surprise to look forward to!

12. Sweet and Charming: While she is getting ready, have her maid of honor give her a simple box, with a card that reads: “I will love the way the flowers smell and the sounds of the music and the sweetness of the cake. But this is all I want today and forever.” Inside, have a beautiful vintage hand mirror lying face-up.

Thankyou for your fantastic ideas Victoria! Visit Victoria’s blog Victoria With Roses for plenty more ideas for your wedding day!

When it comes to buying gifts for the groomsmen to say thankyou, the usual suspects appear.

• Hip Flasks
• Shaving sets
• Cufflinks
• Ties
• Multipurpose tool (Leatherman)
• Beer mug
• Money clip
• Watch
• Decanter
• Spirits
• Wallet
• Pen
• Business card holders

But if you feel like being a little more creative, here’s some fun ideas to thank the men standing beside you on your big day.

Custom Bobblehead

Bobblehead from Whoopass Enterprises

I love bobble heads! A custom one is even cooler though and so much fun! Using a photo you provide, a company can make a bobble head look just like your best man! You can even have him dressed with accessories like sporting equipment or musical instruments.

Tshirts From Threadless

 

Threadless Squeeze Me, Threadless I Want To Be Friends

Threadless has a penchant for producing witty, humour t shirts and supporting artists at the same time. Each design is unique- some are funny, some are beautiful pieces of art and some relate to hobbies and passions. You can pick the perfect tshirt for each of your groomsmen!

Ipod

The new generation of ipods are seriously cool with their massive range of colours, widescreen feature and sleek, curved lines. Order online from Apple Australia and you can get it engraved for free.

Experiences

Skywalk Experience from Red Balloon Days

Websites like Wishlist or Red Balloon Days are full of fun experience gifts which anyone would remember forever. From walking on Sydney tower, skydiving, rally car driving and light aircraft training flights, there are gifts to suit numerous budgets and personality types. Plus it’s a way of giving a one in a life time event to your best mate.

Bespoke Shirts

Shirts from Tailor2You

This is slightly traditional but it still has an element of “wow” to it. Having a shirt made especially to your groomsmen’s measurements is something luxurious and something he can wear on the day. You can choose the fabric, collar, cuffs, buttons and fit and your groomsmen will come out looking snazzy in a shirt they can have forever. You could even monogram them for an extra special touch.

Great tailors will be able to do this or try Tailor2You for online ordering.

The years fly by while yodeling and eating yoghurt until we are yearning to be youthful again.

~

Wedding anniversaries are one of the fun things you get to celebrate after your wedding. Each anniversary has a traditional and modern gift interpretation.

Anniversaries between the 15th-50th do not have traditional gifts associated with them (unless they end in 5) Each anniversary also has a flower and gemstone associated with it.

You can be as creative or as traditional as you want with the ‘guide’. Push the boundaries and have some fun with it.

Here’s some ideas to provoke your imagination for all those wedding anniversaries you’ll be celebrating together!

1st

Traditional - Paper

Airplane tickets, a first edition book, photo book, a coffee table book, tickets to a theatre show, shares in a company, magazine subscription, personalised stationery, vintage map.

Travel Clock from Tiffany

Modern - Clocks

A grandfather clock, a fob watch, a gorgeous watch, travel clock, a sundial.

2nd

Traditional - Cotton

High thread count sheets, a canvas painting, luxurious pyjamas, towels, bathrobes, rugs, hammock

Modern - China

A designer place setting, a gorgeous platter, a china ornament

3rd

Traditional - Leather

Leather bound book, leather diary, bags, briefcases, luggage, wallet, leather desk accessories, belts, sports balls (think signed baseball), leather photo frames

Modern - Crystal/Glass

Decanter, stemware, perfume bottles, designer glass jewellery, platters and vases,

4th

Traditional - Linen/Silk

Lounge wear, evening wear, table accessories, clothing, Tea towels

Modern - Appliances/Fruits and Flowers

Kitchenaid mixmaster, still life paintings, fruit trees, floral perfume,

5th

Traditional - Wood

Wine barrel planters, platters, salad servers, furniture such as chests, tables and chairs, wine rack, carved items such as book covers, boxes and trays.

Swing Candelabra from Georg Jensen

Modern - Silverware

Jewellery, coasters, napkin rings, pens, money clips, cufflinks, candelabras, photo frames.

6th

Traditional - Iron/Sweets

Screens, gates, candle sticks furniture, hand made iron work, garden ornaments, hearth accessories, decadent chocolates, chocolate tasting course, chocolate delivered for a year,

Modern - Wood

Wine barrel planters, platters, salad servers, furniture such as chests, tables and chairs, wine rack, carved items such as book covers, boxes and trays.

7th

Traditional - Wool/Copper

Vintage washing copper, copper sauces, jewellery, copper bowls, coal scuttle, wool rugs, pashmina, tapestries, sculptures, wool quilt

Modern - Desk Sets

8th

Traditional - Bronze/Pottery

Candlesticks & accessories, bookends, elaborate door knobs, tableware, vases, cookware, vintage finds from old ware shops,

Modern - Bronze/Pottery

Candlesticks & accessories, bookends, elaborate door knobs, tableware, vases, cookware, vintage finds from old ware shops

9th

Traditional - Pottery/China/Willow

Crockery, vessels, ornamental pottery, vases, handmade items from an artisan studio.

Modern - Linen/Lace

Lounge wear, evening wear, table accessories, clothing, tea towels, sleepwear

10th

Vera Wang Love Knots Cutlery from Peters Of Kensington

Traditional - Tin/Aluminium

Cutlery, saucepans, antique tin toys, lanterns, mirrors, pewter jewellery

Modern - Leather

Leather bound book, leather diary, bags, briefcases, luggage, wallet, leather desk accessories, belts, sports balls (think signed baseball), leather photo frames

15th

Traditional - Crystal

Modern - Watches

20th

Traditional - China

Modern - Platinum

25th

Traditional - Silver

Modern - Sterling Silver

30th

Traditional - Pearl

Modern - Diamond

40th

Traditional - Ruby

Modern - Ruby

50th

Traditional - Gold

Modern - Gold

60th

Traditional - Diamond

Modern - Diamond

Wow! A girl writes about cupcakes and then gets a flood of emails about ‘Have you seen this?” I love your emails! Keep them coming!

So today, because of the lovely emails is called Cupcakes Cupcakes Cupcakes Part Two!

I wrote about The Cupcake Courier and Anna sent me the link to Cup-A -Cake Holders. These are individual cupcake containers which means when you want a treat at work you can pack it and still have the beautiful decorative top intact!

Cup-A -Cake holders are also great for kids lunchboxes! Coming in five different colours Cup- A Cakes are priced At $2.99 I can’t locate the Australian distributor (you can contact the company to order internationally) but I’m sure after this post somewhere out there will be jumping on them! Check out the Cup-A-Cake website here

Paola Domenge of Couture Cupcakes is based in the US but when I spotted this gorgeous idea from her I had to share it.

This is a true cupcake bouquet! How perfect for a spring wedding or bridal shower!

Farah sent me the link to her favourite Malaysian cupcake blog called Cuppacakes and they have some delicious looking creations!

Sweetheart and Pink Haze by Cuppacakes

Finally- your last sugar hit of the day comes from the world’s newest and most unique lollipop store- Lollyphile

They’ve just launched their first new flavours- Absinthe and Maple Bacon.

Lollyphile aims to create the most unique lollipops ever and so far it looks like they’re succeeding! (The Maple Bacon holds real pieces of sustainable bacon!)

If you have any treats you’d like to share, don’t forget you can email me at polkadotbride@gmail.com !

Rebellious Brides are often running mad by registry time.

~

The wedding registry is a sticky topic, but one that needs to be addressed in every wedding. A gift registry solves the problem of multiples of one item, or doubling up on things you already have. You and your fiance can choose things that are to your taste- eliminating the awkward situation of receiving items that are not to your taste.

Etiquette dictates you should never tell guests of your registry requests. Instead tell your family and bridal party and have them spread the word. A polite way to divert the questions is to set up a wedding website linking up your registries.

There are plenty of registry options:

• Department stores such as David Jones and Myer (Myer has now introduced a scanning system)
• Furniture stores- guests contribute to a piece of furniture
• Art galleries - guests contribute to a piece of art
• Honeymoon registry
• Wine Registry
• Charity registry- Ask guests to make a donation to charity in lieu of gifts.

An engaged couple often has trouble knowing where to start with registering. The first step is to look at your lifestyle. Do you entertain a lot? Do you love weekends at home with no one around? Are you adventurous? A homebody style couple might consider board games, warm blankets, high thread count sheets and bath towels. A couple who loves to entertain might focus more on a gorgeous dinner set, wine glasses, bar accessories and cooking utensils. An adventurous couple may consider putting luggage, camping gear and even experiences, such as hot air balloon rides or skydiving on their registry.

Registering at 1-3 stores is a good idea. In Australia it’s not common to register at more than one store. However in the USA, where it is more popular, keeping it to a maximum of three stores is more common.

Be sure to register for a wide range of price points- from $5 to $500 and up. Guests may like to put money together for a gift, but don’t cause embarrassment for guests who may not be able to afford a lot. Keep track of your registry and make sure you top up items as needed so a guest isn’t forced to buy something expensive at the last minute.

It’s a good idea to register before your first event invitations go out - in Australia that’s probably going to be the wedding. Alternatively you may be having a wedding shower, so a few weeks before the event invitations go out is a good time.

Make sure to keep a spreadsheet or notepad to keep track of which guest has sent you what. Etiquette dictates thank you cards should be sent out within two weeks of the wedding, or return from your honeymoon. Still as the saying goes- better late than never! A guest will always appreciate a hand written thank you card.

Here are some gift suggestions to get you started:

Bedroom/Bathroom

Sheets, quilt covers, doonas (comforters), valance, blankets, mattress protectors, pillows, towels, mattress, electric blanket, woollen underlay, laundry hamper, electric toothbrushes, waste baskets, scales, ironing board, iron, bathrobes

Kitchen/Dining

Mixmaster, microwave, coffee maker, rice cooker, slow cooker, grill tray, warming tray, wok, food processor, juicer, pasta maker, saucepans, baking trays, cake pans, casserole dishes,  red wine glasses, white wine glasses, cocktail glasses, tumblers, champagne glasses, jugs (pitchers), teapot, tea cups, sugar bowl, mugs, soup bowls, bread & butter plates, side dishes, dinner plates, place settings, cutlery, pie dish, cake plates, serving spoons, ladles, cake server, coffee percolator, champagne bucket, wine decanter, napkin rings, coasters, fruit bowls, platters, table clothes, napkins, spice rack, salt grinder and peppermill, measuring spoons, wooden spoons, mixing bowls, food scales, toaster, kettle, cutting boards, tea towels, food preparation gadgets (I.e garlic press etc), storage containers, egg timer, thermometer, oven mitts, bottle opener.

Outdoors/Leisure

Freestanding gas heater, chimnea, barbeque, luggage, garden tools, croquet set, boules, outdoor setting, BBQ cooking utensils, garden plants, pot plants, outdoor place settings, tablecloths, board games, camera, video camera, Ipod, VCR/DVD player, computer, television, entertainment console,

Living/Accessories

Picture frames, couches, entertainment unit, candlesticks, vases, clocks, lamps, throw rugs, paintings, artwork, picnic basket, floor rug, telephone

Adventure/Experiences

Hot air balloon ride, skydiving, camel treks, accommodation at a bed and breakfast, cooking classes, trapeze classes, wine tasting, sailing cruise, winery tours, massages, luxury movie tickets, restaurant vouchers

This is just a start - the list is endless!

Here’s a look at some of Australia’s most popular online registries which I posted last year.

Melbourne Wedding Registry is only fairly new, but has already found it’s feet in a stylish and beautiful way- their website is gorgeous and their showroom in Melbourne is set to make you drool.

Features I love:

• Ability to set your registry up online
• Free service
• Free delivery in Melbourne, interstate delivery available.
• Personalise your online list with a message and photo for guests
• Ability for guests to purchase via telephone, in person or online. 
• Showroom for you to pick out all your goodies.
• Lifetime discount and special offers

The Melbourne Wedding Registry http://www.melbourneweddingregistry.com.au/ Ph (03) 9500 0933 1124 High Street, Armadale.Tuesday to Saturday - 11am to 5pm Sunday - 11am to 3pm

Peters of Kensington has always been known for their great showroom in Sydney full of home goodies- now they have a website (a popular one too!) with great sales and specials which makes home shopping fun!

Features I Love:

· Not just for weddings

· Online, phone and Sydney in store ordering

· Australia wide delivery

· Massive range of product

Easy to use Peter’s of Kensington http://www.petersofkensington.com.au 57 Anzac Parade, Kensington, NSW Ph (02) 9662 7373 Open Monday- Saturday

The Wedding List Company was one of the first ‘non department’ store registries in Australia. After taking the baby steps, they’ve grown into a business stocking over 10,000 products.

Features I love:

• Experiences and honeymoon registries available
• Wide range of brands and prices
• Registry cards
• Currency converter on website
• Online, phone and in person (at three locations) purchasing available
• Free gift cards for guests well wishes
• 10% discount off remaining items for registered couple
• Environmentally friendly bags or gift wrap available
• Lifetime and referral discount
• Australia wide delivery

The Wedding List Company http://www.theweddinglistcompany.com.au Head Office Ph: 02 9698 4366 Open: Monday to Friday

Not Another Toaster was born in 2002, now with contacts all over the world, it’s a perfect system for any bride abroad! With it’s very apt name, Not Another Toaster has the backing of software pros, ensuring a streamlined experience.

Features I love:

• Global support
• Include products and services from ANY store- including honeymoons!
• Ability to receive money as gift
• Registry cards
• Guests purchase online, phone or fax

Not Another Toaster http://www.notanothertoaster.com.au Head Office PO Box 1520 BLACK ROCK, Victoria Tel: 1300 653 900 Email: info@notanothertoaster.com.au