Who's Missing from Your Wedding Party? Your Dog!

Man's best friend is enjoying a higher profile when it comes to tying the knot. Although the trend gained steam in the easy-going West, wedding planners all over the country are seeing dogs take on key roles in the ceremony. In short, well-trained tail-waggers are showing up as ring bearers, groomsmen, maids of honor, and even assuming the role that once belonged to good ol' Dad -- giving away the bride. Dogs have become so common in weddings, many professional planners know where to book a dog handler for the day without blinking an eye. (After all, he'll need water, protection from crowds -- and a few trips to the loo.)

Gone to the Dogs?

What fuels the trend to add Fido to the ceremony? Opinions differ, but one is the way that weddings are changing: once they were a purely formal affair, with formal language and dress that hardly seemed to relate to our real lives at all. But many of today's couples are trying to bring more of the things we really say into the ceremony -- sometimes by writing our own vows -- and more of how we really look, which sometimes means bypassing the traditional white dress. And for many of us, our patient pooch is a lot like a child or a two-footed companion. He might have his own furniture, his own shelf full of tasty organic treats, his own set of smart fashion accessories. And whither we go, he goes ... just like any other family member. No wonder many couples don't think twice about bringing him to the altar.

But not every dog makes the perfect bridal party member. No matter how much you might love the mischievous antics of your wayward canine at home, it's only the well-trained, responsive dog that should share your big day. If your dog comes, sits, is good with groups, and can be relied on to hold a "down-stay," he's a candidate. If not, leave him home, or invest in some obedience classes straight away.

You'll also want to clear your pup's presence with the powers-that-be well ahead of time. Yes, it's a little surprising, but with the rising popularity of dogs in weddings, it's a fair bet that your officiant will give you the green light. Many banquet halls at hotels will also say "yes" to a well-behaved pet on your big day, provided you have a handler.

Dressed for Success

Once you've got the go-ahead, the greatest fun in including your dog is dressing him up. Popular choices for pint-sized wedding apparel include adorable jeweled collars, miniature tuxes or bridal gown, and crystal-encrusted combs and barrettes. Diane Meier Delaney of "The New American Wedding" draped her pooch in an ornate floral arrangement that literally took her guests' breath away (but discuss this option thoughtfully with your florist -- avoid poisonous flowers and steer clear of scratchy wires).

Now that you've ordered his attire and your dog's all set to work hard at your wedding, why not plan to treat him? You can purchase adorable cakes and cupcakes designed for occasions that are perfectly safe for your dog: delicious-looking confections made with wheat flour or oatmeal and bananas or honey, dripping with carob and studded with candy dog bones. Or you can make your own -- just search the net for some tested, dog-safe recipes that avoid excess fat and sugar, and pass on canine no-nos like chocolate, grapes, avocados, coffee and certain nuts.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is editor of FavorIdeas. Stop by for continually-updated celebrity wedding news, fairy tale wedding favors, wedding attire for dogs and unique wedding favors.

Missing Links - Off-The-Cuff Christmas Gifts For Him

Christmas is a magical time of year, where families get together and do their best to infuse themselves with as much of the Christmas spirit as they can. After all, it is the season of goodwill! Christmas is also a time for gift giving, and - unfortunately - a potentially stressful time as we try and work out exactly what type of Christmas gifts our nearest and dearest will enjoy.

So, when buying for him this Christmas - and it could be either a friend, or a loved-one - why not help him bring out his more stylish side with a pair of beautiful cufflinks? Designed for use with the delightfully decadent double-cuff shirt, cufflinks are the ultimate in Christmas gifts for men. Cufflinks can also be worn with some convertible cuffs, so the possibilities for wearing such an amazing gift have never been greater!

But what is the behind these wonderful items of male apparel? It has been claimed that the history of the humble cufflink actually goes back as far as the Middle Ages, when gentlemen would fasten their cuffs with something known as a cuff string. However, the London Gazette reportedly made the first reference to what we now universally regard as a cufflink in 1684; but it was not until the 1860s that these little gems made it into the mainstream and became affordable to the wider public.

Cufflinks are a great way to compliment his own unique sense of style. In addition to designs crafted from any number of different types of metal - whether precious or otherwise - cufflinks can also be crafted from silk knots, and it is even possible to obtain versions designed to resemble doubled-up buttons; although a cufflink or silk knot is a far more sophisticated option.

But when it comes to buying Christmas gifts, what's the best style to go for? Construction materials aside, cufflinks chosen as Christmas gifts should fit the personality of the wearer. Science fiction enthusiasts might like to wear cufflinks featuring the Daleks, those not-so-loveable characters from the long-running series Doctor Who. Dads might like to receive cufflinks advertising that they have become proud new fathers - although the bleary-eyed sleep-deprived look should be quite a giveaway - and existing dads with daughters might like to wear on their sleeve the fact that their daughters love them.

And for men who like their sport, there are cufflinks designed to declare a love of football, rugby, and even pastimes such as cricket and snooker. But that isn't all, as cufflinks can also be a great way to wish someone luck, show how fantastic it is to reach a certain age, or even for people to let the world know that they've managed to hold their own and make it through university; the number of messages that these Christmas gifts can potentially convey are almost unlimited!

The only difficulty with cufflinks is knowing how to wear the cuff as, in addition to the much-worn 'kissing' model, it is also possible to wear the cuff barrel-style. However, following the latter option forces the cuff ends to overlap one another and the incredibly stylish cufflinks might not be quite so visible to those located nearby.

However, cufflinks are actually pretty easy to put on; if the pair in question features a ball at the end of the bar, it is only necessary to push the ball through the hole, in a manner not dissimilar to fastening a cuff equipped with buttons. However, if the cufflink is designed to feature a bar end, this should be closed before pushing through the cuff; securing the link then becomes as simple as closing the bar into a horizontal position.

Most importantly however, when buying cufflinks as Christmas gifts, all that needs to be ensured is that the gift fits the personality and tastes of the recipient. After all, he is going to be wearing one of the most important and visible items of apparel in a man's wardrobe of formal attire.

Written by John Smith co-founder of [http://www.gettingpersonal.co.uk]

GettingPersonal are one of the UK's leading on-line retailers of Gifts, personalised gifts and Xmas Gifts [http://www.gettingpersonal.co.uk]. Their website is packed with over 1,500 gifts for any special occasion.