Today’s article is a guest post from my good (and somewhat snarky) friend Eleanor, who wanted me to add that she is unmarried and fine with it.

Young Brides

According to drphil.com, the average age of marriage for a woman in the U.s. in 2003 was 27. Men were 29. This age has jumped considerably over the last two decades (in 1980 the average age for women was 22, according to wisegeek.com). Yet young people are still getting married – 27 is just the average age. This got me to wondering if the wedding fashions have perhaps changed a bit to accomodate brides that are full grown women as opposed to the blushing young ladies of yesteryear…

I recently heard about a young bride who had become quite defensive about her choice – lots of people were offering kind (unsolicited) advice, and many others were openly not respecting her decision. In the “old days” women over 25 years old would also experience the same sort of wholesale counseling, invasion of privacy, and judgment (but for different reasons). I don’t think there’s a derogatory name for brides who get married in their early twenties yet (“starter bride” perhaps?) – unmarried women past a certain age used to be called “spinsters” and “old maids.”

So, in the interest of any young women out there who are madly (and level-headedly) in love – here are some ideas for your wedding. Also, if you are young at heart, many of these tips will apply to you as well!

Fresh Faced

Don’t over do the make up – you are a young bride, not one of the Real Housewives of Trashsylvania.

If You’ve Got It, Flaunt It

Slip dresses are the perfect way to show off naturally beautiful skin. You probably don’t need to worry about any armpit, neck, knee, or cleavage wrinkles – so you might as well show it off. Many of the popular dresses now cater to a womanly woman (think mermaid shapes, vintage Hollywood glamour, etc.). Stiffer materials and heavy fabric act as natural corsets to tame those lady lumps but you might not need this kind of reinforcement yet. If you do, you can still put the Spanks under wraps and wear something younger looking on the outside.

This ‘English net slip’ gown is made by Lazaro, and is available at jlmcouture.com.

I also like this one from preownedweddingdresses.com.

Bare It All

If you’re getting married in Summer, consider not wearing any nylons if you can pull it off. And, for heaven’s sake, don’t get a spray tan! Some natural, sun-kissed color will highlight your complexion or use a light dusting of bronzing powder to add a sun-inspired glow to your skin. I’ve heard good things about Benefit’s Jiffy Tan tinted moisturizer (but, honestly, test it out before the big day, and use it sparingly!).

Okay, are you sitting down? Good, because I am here to tell you that…

You are NOT Cinderella.

Or Belle, or Ariel, or Rumpelstilskin (oh wait that’s not right…) Anyways, your wedding may not be the best time to get your princess fantasies out of your system. Or maybe it is (if so, check out our articles about Fairytale Weddings). I’m just hinting that if you are very young and you want to be taken seriously, try not to look as if you are playing ‘dress up.’ This wedding is for reals.

Short on cash or big on the idea of a casual, family friendly outdoor wedding?

The Perfect Picnic Wedding

Perfect if you are getting married in a park, backyard, or a tiny old church set in a big grassy field…

You could have a very small private ceremony in the church and then celebrate with a larger party of guests waiting to receive you outside. For a list of small churches in the US please visit roadsideamerica.com (image above is from this site).

Picnic Wedding Essentials

One of the most important items you will need – picnic blankets! Stick with tradition and pick red and white checkers, or find fabric that matches your wedding colors and make your own (you may find it less expensive to buy a large bolt of fabric and make your own anyways). You can buy the handmade one below at etsy.com for around $20 (and she offers a discount if you purchase more than one). These blankets could double as a wedding favor for each family that attends as well (you might have to come up with a contest to figure out who gets to take the blanket home for mixed picnic groups).

Deluxe Picnic

I wasn’t able to find a caterer in the US that provides this service, but in the UK you can pick up a biodegradable picnic basket filled with treats from the Arch House Deli in Bristol for less than $20 per person (converted from British pounds). Perhaps you could find a local catering company that would provide the picnic blankets and a picnic basket packed with goodies for each group of guests (let me know if you find any companies that do that!).

Picnic Event Tips

Don’t forget to be considerate of older guests and offer cushions as well as normal seating if necessary.

Provide picnic themed activities to keep the kids busy.

This cute picnic basket from bestpricetoys.com will be fun for younger children.

Plan for the weather

Bring large sun umbrellas, gazebos, and a play tent like the one below from Ikea to offer children some shade (or a quiet place to nap). You might want to bring something to weigh down the blankets if there is a chance that it will be windy. Make sure sunscreen and plenty of water is available for the guests.

Getting Married Soon?

An Independence Day Bachelor Party

Why? Well, July 4th usually involves outdoor fun, barbecued food, and beer so it sounds like a perfect day to get the guys together and celebrate your groom-to-be’s independence one last time. Here are some ideas…

Patriotic Spots to Celebrate

If the groom is a history buff, this is the perfect opportunity to take him on a weekend that celebrates his heritage while you celebrate his impending wedding. Tripadvisor.com lists top 10 Patriotic Attractions, here are my picks:

Freedom Trail (Boston Massachusetts)

“Boston’s Freedom Trail is a two-and-a-half mile path through 16 significant U.S. historical sites where Revolutionary War heroes fought for U.S. independence, including the site of the Boston Massacre, the Old State House and Bunker Hill Monument, to name a few” (tripadvisor.com).

Mount Rushmore (Keystone, South Dakota)

“A famous 60-foot mountainside carving created by sculptor Gutzon Borglum and completed in 1941 pays homage to the most influential U.S. presidents in our country’s first 150 years: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt” (tripadvisor.com).

Revolutionary Refreshments

It doesn’t matter what you serve as long as you grill it and then stick it with a lot of American flag toothpicks!

Barbecuing is as American as, well… apple pie!

Patriot Games

Don’t forget to organize some games. This truly American football is available from carnivalimports.com (irony somewhat intended).

The baseball is from chinawholesalegift.com.

Clubplanet.com lists 5 different drinking games for the 4th of July.

All American Stories

End off the night (or the next morning) with an All-American movie perfect for some all-American guys: Saving Private Ryan, The Outsiders, American Pie, Dazed and Confused, Animal House… whatever suits your group of friends the best (any other suggestions?).

Don’t Forget Your Independ-pants

…and shirt, and shoes…

This cool shirt is from onlinesports.com.

You might also consider throwing your stagette or bachelorette (or Jack and Jill party) on Independence Day!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Celebrate Your Independence With Style on July 4 (celebrityicing.com)
• July 4th Isn’t the Only Time to Barbecue (eatinginrichmond.com)
• Free 4th of July Quotes, Free Independence Day Quotes (panasianbiz.com)

On the Prowl For a Cute Bachelorette Theme?

We’ve featured a lot of great themes, so if this Kitty theme isn’t up your alley, check out your sweet Gummy Bear theme, Crafty theme, or 1950′s theme. Check out the tabs on the right for great ideas for Jack and Jill parties, bridal showers, and stags, too.

This Kitty theme is an example of how you can get inspired by one key decoration, like these napkins from partymakerdiscountsuperstore.com. You can come up with your own unique party theme by browsing around until you find one color, design, or one decoration piece that inspires you – then develop the whole party from there.

Smitten Kitten

Dress the bride-to-be up in this purrfectly cute kitty costume from costumecraze.com.

Cat Crew

The main kitty’s entourage can wear these cute hot pink ear/tail sets so everyone knows you are a group (also available from costumecraze.com).

Drink Pink

Design a pink cocktail in honor of your party and give it a suitable name. Or, use one of the many recipes already out there- just make sure your drink is hot pink!

Fun and Games

Serve a kitty litter cake (perfect if your group of friends are ‘potty-mouths’). Here is an example from wendychao.com (visit the website for her recipe).

Bring along a cat paw stamp and a hot pink ink pad and give it to the guest of honor- anyone caught being “catty” gets stamped! (Pictured below: stamp from stampmillaz.com.)

Related articles by Zemanta

• Sexy and Silly Stagette Costumes (mybigfatengagement.com)
• The Bride’s Guide To Maintaining Her Sanity (lawrencereaves.com)
• How to pick your perfect wedding dress (myweddingideas.net)
• 7 things you should *never* do at a bachelorette party (timesunion.com)

Lots and Lots of Gummy Bears

Of course, the most important part of a Gummy Bear themed party will be gummy bears of all sizes…Candywarehouse.com has what you need.

Tipsy Gummy Bears

The Gummy Bear Margarita

Photo: Voodoo Tiki Tequila. Recipe: cocktails.about.com as reported by Colleen Graham.

The Gummy Bear Martini

Photo and recipe from grinandbakeit.com. Also check out their instructions for infusing the bears with vodka, for a candy dish with some kick!

Gummi Bear Decorations

Artist YaYa Chou has exploited the luminosity of gummy bears – using them to make candles and chandeliers. You can create decorations by stringing gummy bears together. A beaded gummy curtain? Gummy braclets for guests? Share your ideas with us in the comments section!

Also, leave gummy bears in glass dishes around the party: use different shapes or sort the bears by color.

Buy tablecloths, plates, and napkins in the classic gummy colors: red, green, orange, yellow…

These gummy bear lamps from itsugar.com would also light up your venue.

Gummy Bear Snacks

Don’t forget to decorate all of the other goodies at the party with Gummy Bears, too. Check out these delicious looking rice crispie snacks from crispiesweets.com.

Gummy Bear Soundtrack

Related articles by Zemanta

• Bachelorette Theme: On the Prowl (weddingsetups.com)
• Gummi Bear Surgery (laughingsquid.com)
• Sexy and Silly Stagette Costumes (mybigfatengagement.com)