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You've got to admit, James Bond looks dashing in his standard garb, the tuxedo. He can rescue the lady and save the world, while his bow tie remains firmly in place. There's no doubt about it, a tux says style, class and elegance. A tux tends to elevate any occasion, not only weddings. But most grooms have limited experience selecting or renting a tuxedo and that's understandable.

Where did the tux originate? One version says in the 1880s, all formal dinners required men to wear white tie and tails. The members of the Tuxedo club, in Tuxedo Park, NY, wanted to make male members a bit more comfortable, so they permitted the English dinner jacket for their formal affairs. This jacket became known as the tuxedo.

Every man looks sophisticated and chic in a tux, whether tall, short, skinny or heavy; this garment conceals a multitude of sins. However there are some general guidelines for body shape. Tall and thin guys can wear just about anything and look great. The only worry will be length--make sure the trouser legs are long enough. Muscular and tall men should go for a clean, smooth look. Skip pleated shirts or double-breasted jackets which add unwanted bulk.

Short and slim body types should avoid styles that look too large on their frame. Steer clear of double-breasted jackets, otherwise you may look like a nine-year old trying on his father's clothes. If you want to appear broader, ask your tailor for extra shoulder padding.

If you're short and board, stick with a single-breasted jacket. If you have a heavy waist, choose a vest rather than a cummerbund, to draw attention away from your waistline and up toward your face. Any black garment tends to have a slimming effect, which always helps.

Various types of weddings call for different versions of formal wear. The clothing you wear will depend largely on the time and location of your wedding, the size of the guest list and of course your bride's attire. All these things help determine whether your wedding is informal, formal or ultraformal.

What can you expect to pay? Prices vary significantly based on the designer - you could pay from $50 to $200 for a rental. Make sure to ask if there are any additional charges for miscellaneous items such as insurance or dry cleaning. You will often need to pay extra if you chose a full back vest or need to rent shoes.

Here's a few additional thoughts. All the groomsmen should wear identical tuxedos. You may get a discount if they are all rented from the same store. Don't worry too much about sizing, the store personnel will know how to measure you in all the places that count. But, as a general size guideline, when you button the jacket, the fabric near the buttons should not pull. Plan to pick up your tux and accessories a few days prior to the wedding, to make certain everything fits properly and nothing is missing.

Here are the basic components:

The Collar: A wing or spread works for black tie; spread only for white tie.

The Tie: This one is simple: a bow tie in white or black. White tie means tails too and is as formal as it gets.

The Shirt: The color should be white, only plain white, did I mention it should be white? Avoid even light pastels, otherwise you'll look like a 17-year old heading off to the prom. Remember your cuff links, most tuxedo shirts have french cuffs.

The Vest: If you want to take your coat off during the evening, go for the full vest. It's also a chance to show off your personal taste, as long as it matches the colors of the bridal party. Cummerbunds are still fine if you don't lose the coat. If you ever wondered why the cummerbund is always worn with its folds pointing upward, it's because high quality models were traditionally designed with a small pocket in a pleat on the right-hand side, a convenient place to stash theater tickets, money, etc.

The Coat: Any color, as long as it's black. Remember those now famous words of Henry Ford--he said his customers could have any color automobile they wanted, as long as it was black. Cars may come in many acceptable colors these days, but not formal wear. Black tie means traditional length and white tie means tails. Prior to 6:00 p.m., you can go with the mid-thigh morning coat, but NOT in black. Pearl grey is the appropriate choice.

The Shoes: Patent leather is the preferred choice, not dad's wingtips.

If you enjoy shopping, selecting the right gifts for attendants can be a pleasure rather than a chore. More than just a gesture of thanks, these items can be mementos of your shared times together, especially your big day. On the other hand, if you're having trouble coming up with appropriate gift ideas, shopping can be a frustrating experience.

Engraved items continue to be popular choices. Such personalization shows you've given extra consideration and thought to your gift choice. In the years to come, engraved items take on the role of keepsake, perhaps more so than other gifts. Possible engraved items for either groomsmen or bridesmaids might include:

Travel mugs

Gold or silver business card holders

Leather-bound date books

Key chains

Quality ink pens

CD cases

Letter openers

Small desk clocks

Calculators

Let's face it, women are easier to buy for than men. Haven't you faced the same dilemma every Christmas for as long as you can remember - what to get for those men in your life? Thank goodness my big brother took up golf, now I have a much easier time! But don't panic yet, we have suggestions:

Sports theme - ballgame tickets, (in the really good seats) sports equipment, professional lessons, a set of playing cards or poker chips with cards in a wood case

Food, fun and alcohol theme - beer of the month, fruit of the month or coffee of the month, gift certificates to their favorite restaurant, mail-order steaks or seafood, shot glasses, monogrammed beer steins, grilling utensils, movie tickets, computer games

Handyman theme - high end Swiss army knife, mini tool kit, emergency tool kit for the car, books on home repair or car repair, screwdriver set

Men's traditional theme - money clip, cuff links, shaving kit, wrist watch or pocket watch, leather wallet, road atlas, flask

NOTE: For your female friends, cast tradition aside and be creative. You need not buy the same thing for each female attendant. In fact it shows more initiative if each gift is unique and matched to the person. As a starting point, keep in mind their passions and hobbies.

Relaxation & pampering theme - spa treatments, a salon visit on the wedding day, silk pajamas, gift basket of bath salts, aromatherapy candles, a sampler of herb teas with matching mugs, a deluxe vanity set, gourmet chocolates, monogrammed bathrobe, plush slippers

Home & Garden theme - a matched set of gardening tools, imported flower bulbs, cookbooks, monogrammed hand towels, a set of matching picture frames, table linens, deluxe picnic basket, fondue set, ceramic mixing bowls, cutlery set, food processor, crock pot, bread machine

Make-it-yourself theme - ("Crafty" types can make these items from supplies found at any hobby store) soaps, bath salts, fruit jam, scrapbook, hand-knitted scarf or sweater

Women's traditional theme - make up, jewelry, purses, keepsake boxes, lace hankies, silver compact, personalized stationery or note cards

Wondering how much to spend? A recent survey found most couples spend on average about $38.00 per attendant.

If you expect to mail order merchandise or buy items that will be personalized you'll need to make arrangements approximately 10-12 weeks before your wedding date to ensure that everything arrives in plenty of time.

Whether you plan to present the gifts at the rehearsal dinner, or some other occasion, make sure you take a few minutes to personally thank those nearest and dearest to you.

Finally, if you have them in your wedding party, it's appropriate to give small tokens of appreciation to the flower girl and ring bearer.

There's no doubt about it, weddings can be expensive. The average cost of a wedding today is $20,000 - $25,000, and weddings are estimated to be a $25.3 billion industry. But don't worry if your budget cannot stretch for the most expensive custom-made gown, elegant invitation cards, or the top photographer, it doesn't mean that your wedding will be any less unique or special than anyone else's.

You just need a bit of guidance and a few tips to help you achieve the dream of your big day. Here are a few suggestions with tips on how to save on some of the more expensive aspects of a wedding.

Wedding Gowns

Do you really need a hand-made wedding dress with beads and diamantes? This is where the big cost is and there are several options in cutting the cost. Why not opt for a second-hand wedding dress? It's probably only been worn once anyway and you can get a once expensive dress for half the price. Consider buying an evening gown/cocktail dress from a department store or look into renting your wedding dress for the day.

The Reception

This is where the cost of a wedding can get out of hand. The wedding reception is normally the biggest expense, but one of the easiest to cut down on costs. Statistics show that an average of 189 guests attend a wedding, this is a lot. Try and keep your guest list to a minimum, do you really need to invite family members who you have never seen for years? Instead of a three-course meal why not opt for a hot and cold buffet (even cater for yourself)? Instead of holding the reception in an expensive hotel suite or wedding reception, why not consider having it at someone's home or a club, or even book a restaurant. Keep an open bar to a minimal and only serve beer, wine and soft drinks.

Photography

The obvious choice is to shop around for the best rates, but consider hiring a photographer for the ceremony only and ask a family member or friend to take snap photos of the reception. Or you could go one step further and ask them to take the photographs for the whole day and not bother with the expense of a photographer at all.

Invitations / Stationery

If you're on a budget and looking for cheaper wedding stationery items, then you might like to consider print-at-home invitation cards. There are many online stationer's that will offer this service free of charge. You pay for the paper and envelopes, then use their software to print directly from your own PC. With sophisticated customization tools you'll be able to enter your own text and preview it before you print so as not to make any costly mistakes. Alternatively, you can buy software and do-it-yourself from your PC.

Miscellaneous

Flowers can be another great expense, but also an unnecessary one. Why not buy wholesale flowers, or pick flowers from your garden (or a friends or relatives). Buy plain gold or white gold wedding bands as these are the cheapest. Get a friend to make your wedding cake for you and opt for a smaller tier cake and it doesn't have to be a fruit cake - try a sponge, chocolate or carrot cake! Make your favors and centerpieces yourself. Accessories for these can be found at little outlet stores or online. Lastly, instead of a limousine why not rent a car or borrow a luxury car from a friend or relative?

Summary

Weddings are expensive if you want them to be. But if you want to keep money aside for a deposit on a house or a honeymoon to remember, then there are many cost cutting ideas. All you need is a little imagination, and some help from friends and family and you too can have a luxury wedding with all the trimmings.

Your wedding is nine months away and you decide to start searching for your perfect gown. You walk into a bridal store and start talking to one of the salespeople. They ask you for your wedding date and you tell them. They immediately tell you that you will need nine months in order to special order your wedding gown. Is this true? In most cases, this is not true. The bridal shop is telling you that just so you will panic and place your order that day. This also helps them in stopping you from looking at other bridal shops. Don't ever be bullied into buying your wedding dress on any given day. You might have found the dress of your dreams but give yourself a little time to think about it. You are making a big purchase for a special day and you need to make sure that this is the dress. Even if it is one day make sure you really think about it. I have suggested to some girls to go eat some lunch, discuss it with family or friends and then come back to make your purchase. Once you buy your gown that is it. Most shops do not allow returns or money back especially on special orders. Once you put money down on a special order, the dress is yours.

The majority of manufacturers require 8-12 weeks for a special order unless you are making drastic changes to a dress. Did you even know you could change designs on a dress. Most manufacturers will allow you to lengthen a train, shorten a train, take off some beads, or add beads. If there is something you would love to add/change to your dress just ask the salesperson. Not all manufacturers allow this but some do. It never hurts to ask. If a bridal shop gives you a delivery date of 6 months or more then I would be very careful.

You have decided on your perfect wedding dress and now it is time to order it. First of all I would pay one one-half of the deposit. If the shop asks for more than that then walk out. You do not want to put more then half down on something you do not yet have in your hands. Also if the wedding is cancelled, you have lost only one-half the cost of the dress because remember deposits on special order dresses are not refundable. Being in the bridal business, I understand why stores ask for more then half. Weddings sometimes get cancelled or the bride decides she does not want the dress. Also, I suggest you put your deposit down with a credit card. This way if anything happens like the store closes down or never places your order then you have a way of getting your deposit back. After you place your order and put your half deposit down, make sure you get a receipt. Also make sure that they write down the style number, color, and size down on your copy as well as the store's copy. This way you have proof of what was supposed to be ordered. When I was a bride, I picked out my bridesmaids dresses from this particular store near me. I searched for hours in bridal magazines until I finally found the perfect bridesmaids' dresses. Believe it or not once the dresses came in, I realized the store ordered the wrong dress. This was only one month before my wedding day. Luckily we caught it in time and the store corrected the problem. It does happen, so make sure you get everything in writing.

In the next couple of days after you place your order, call the store and get an estimated delivery date. This way you can be sure they ordered it. These are estimated dates not actual dates. No one can give you an actual date. This is the real world and things do happen. When a bride places an order with us, we always call them the next day or so and give them the delivery date. Make sure you right this date down on your receipt along with the day and person you spoke with. One hint: If you have plenty of time then I suggest you move your wedding date up one month. This will help to reassure you that the dress will come in plenty of time before your wedding. This is a trick I use myself. When I order a dress from the manufacturer, I move the wedding date up a couple of weeks just to make sure we have plenty of time to get the dress in. The manufacturer thinks they have the actual wedding date and base their delivery date on it. This gives me a couple of extra weeks to correct a problem if something does go wrong. If your wedding date is 4 months or less away, then you cannot do this because you will incur rush charges.

How to make sure your dress is new: You've found your perfect dress and although the store has the exact size and color in stock you decide you want to order your dress new from the manufacturer instead of the store's sample. You make your down payment, the dress is ordered and you have an estimated delivery date. The bridal shop calls you to tell you your dress has arrived and you go in to try it on. Before you even try it on you notice makeup stains inside the bodice of your dress and the underskirt looks as though it has been dragged across a dirty floor. Guess what? It's a sure bet that your dress was never ordered and they are passing off the floor sample as a new dress. At this point you should point out the problems to the shop. Refuse to take the dress and demand they order you a new dress. Never take the dress out of the store and expect to come back later to show them the problems. Once you take a dress out of the store, the dress is yours no matter what.

Sometimes when a dress comes into the shop and we unpack it, we will find dirt or stains in the dress. We notify the manufacturer immediately and they provide us with a new dress at no extra charge. If your dress came in from the manufacturer stained or dirty you should have no problem requesting a new one. If, in fact, the store never ordered you a new dress and are trying to pass the floor sample on to you, you have every right to demand your money back or if it would satisfy you, to have the store clean it at their expense. Always make sure you go into the store as soon as you can when your special order dress comes in. This includes bridesmaids' dresses as well. If you go in immediately then you can still get the manufacturer to replace the dress if anything is wrong. Usually most manufacturers give the shop one to two weeks to notify them if something is wrong. After the certain time frame there is nothing you or the bridal shop can do to request a new dress if something is wrong.

This is another reason to plan your wedding a year in advance. When situations do arise and things do happen then you have plenty of time to correct the problem. When dresses are ordered just 8-12 weeks prior to the wedding, if something does go wrong, it is very difficult to correct the problem.