the big day week

It's become trendy for the newly married couple to forgo a sappy love song during the wedding reception and bust out a high-energy choreographed routine instead. I thought no one could top the couple who raunched up the dance floor with their "ugh, double-up, ugh, ugh" to Sir Mix-a-Lot, but watch the duo below. They took a cue from the wildly viral Evolution of Dance and did it all. There was even some Oompa Loompa doom-pa-dee-do action up in there. Enjoy!

When browsing the party supply store for bachelorette party decorations, I came across nothing but tacky, raunchy, over the top accessories. However with a little ingenuity, an elegant and sophisticated look can be created at your bachelorette party. A purple, gray, and snake print theme is fabulous fun.

Place a gray placemat on a side table and have guests leave their presents there. Set the snacks and pecker cookies on snake print serving plates. Chill the Champagne in a faux snakeskin wine cooler and line flutes next to the cooler. Dim the lights and put candles in purple glass votives. Drape gray feather boas over the beds and dressers and arrange purple flowers in glass vases.

Purchase festive paper cocktail napkins with a bachelorette trivia game print. To keep the snake theme going with the party favors, give each guest a lip venom lip gloss. For more wedding ideas, check out IDoSugar.

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Although most of a bachelorette party in Vegas will be spent living it up in the casinos, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, I'm hosting a small lingerie shower for Elena in my hotel room. Along with some simple snacks, I'll serve sugar cookies.

However, these cookies won't be round like in the picture: I'm making them festive by using pecker cookie cutters!

To take a look at the cookie recipe, read more

Recently I attended a friend's destination bachelorette party. I was having a lovely time until one of the organizers asked everyone to get their present. I looked around panic stricken and wondered how I didn't know about this special surprise. Apparently, a group of the girls decided to get flashy presents — lingerie, boas, sunglasses — for the bride to wear on our big night out. I loved the idea, but wondered why we weren't all included?

Giving out details to select guests or informing only a group of guests that gifts are expected is not cool. Not only does it make the hostess look bad — why have a party if you're not going to include everyone in the fun? — but it's rude and will leave guests feeling uncomfortable and out of place.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Please share your bachelorette horror stories below!

For more wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar

Hosting a bachelorette party is a rite of passage that the majority of women go through at some point in their life. To help you ladies who are hosting one this year, I asked our designer to create these fabulous free, downloadable invites! A memorable bash starts with the invitations and we have two divine designs for you to choose from. All you have to do is download the invite, print it out in color on white cardstock, fill in the details, and send!

This week I'm planning my girlfriend Elena's bachelorette party. We're heading to Vegas for her last fling before the ring, so her best gal pals will receive these Vegas inspired invites. To download this exact invite or another fun zebra print invite, read more

These days a wedding celebration doesn't have to end with the last dance or bouquet toss. Hosting a post-reception bash is an emerging trend in wedding planning. Usually these fetes happen after the majority of the guests have left and a younger, more enthusiastic crowd remains.

The afterparty gives the bride and groom more time with their close friends and the chance to let loose. Unlike the ceremony and reception —which may follow family traditions, cultural customs, or a certain etiquette — the afterparty can be exactly how the couple wants it to be. It's a newer trend so there is no norm to adhere to.

Do keep in theme with your wedding and have the bash at a nearby bar, an adjoining rented room, or hotel suite. Play fun music for late night dancing, and offer guests refreshing cocktails and tasty snacks.

The last wedding I went to there was a fabulously crazy afterparty in the hotel lobby. How about you, have you ever been to a wedding afterparty? Brides: Will you host a post-reception fiesta at your wedding?

For more wedding coverage check out IDoSugar.

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When planning your wedding, it's important to say thank you. Although a handwritten note may seem old-fashioned, it's thoughtful and shows your appreciation. Give thanks to the people who send you gifts and the people who help make your wedding happen. If a friend's friend made the wedding cake, send her a quick note expressing your gratitude.

To ensure that you send them in a timely manner — no later than three months after receiving the gift — order thank-you cards with the rest of your wedding stationery. Don't rely on the printed "Thank You" though, personalize the card with a few concise sentences. Choose cards that match the theme of your wedding or that state your names — like the vintage border cards ($69.50) seen here. Below are more of my favorite styles, what kind of thank-you card do you prefer?

For tips on writing the perfect thank you, check out Crane and Co.'s downloadable pamphlet that explains the art of saying thanks. For more tips to help you plan your wedding go to IDoSugar.