::: CeCe Cole, President- The Official Website of Silke Endress, Lifestyle of the Lady CEO, International Professional Women's Magazine :::

Wedding album, videos, and a carefully preserved gown -- your wedding mementoes are meant to
be precious reminders of your special day. But you may find yourself cringing with shame when
you look at your album years down the road if you choose trendy over traditional style for the look
of your wedding.

It's easy to tell the difference between a look that's trendy and a more classic style. Think of the
bell bottoms and love beads from the '70s and big hair and "Dynasty" -style gowns of the '80s --
looks that were "hot" at one time, but that years later elicit an eye-roll and a "what was I thinking"
attitude from women who wore them.

Now consider the elegance, grace, and demure femininity of icons like Grace Kelly, Ingrid
Bergman, and Audrey Hepburn. Their style was classic and timeless and one that today's smart
bride mimics to ensure she'll love the look of her wedding as much in 20 years as she does the
day she walks down the aisle.

Today's bride knows that choosing fabrics, silhouettes, and accessories borrowed from the classic
era -- the 1940s through the 1960s -- will give her wedding and gown timeless appeal. No dated
looks from easy-to-identify fashion fads for her. The classic look also plays well with the growing
trend to achieve less with more by accenting the basics with luxurious finishing touches.

Engaged couples long for a wedding day that will be
unique and memorable, but in these tough economic
times many are becoming more cautious about how
they plan and spend their budget.

According to The Wedding Report, a research company
that tracks wedding spending in the United States, the
average cost of a wedding in 2008 was $21,814. That is
a 24 percent decline over the 2007 average of $28,704.
This decline doesn't mean you can't have exactly what
you want on your big day to create your dream wedding.

Centerpieces can be elegant or casual, depending on
your style. Mix tall and short clear vases to add depth
to your table, save money on large floral arrangements.
Or choose a variety of candleholders to create a vintage-
inspired look and a romantic, low-light atmosphere.

The Knot (www.theknot.com) is the
Internet’s most-trafficked one-stop
wedding planning solution. Founded in
1996 to offer a much- needed alternative
to the white-gloved, outdated advice of
the available etiquette experts, The Knot
has quickly become America's leading
wedding brand reaching out to millions
of engaged couples each year through
our award-winning website, books,
magazines, and broadcast offerings.