Here are some great sites - various ones for various wedding day needs. Some you may already know about, some to inspire and others to plan by. Happy Planning - and surfing! {Thanks to brides.com for your leg work!}
BareNecessities.com
You’ll find all you need for under your dress—and on your honeymoon—at this lingerie superstore. There are nearly 70 styles of strapless bras alone, plus plenty of shapewear styles (such as Spanx), and alluring bustiers, chemises and bras that are perfectly packable.
What we really love: The "Bridal Necessities" article, which recommends undergarments according to dress style and fabric.
ChemistryBridal.com
This site offers accessories in color schemes to fit any wedding—and in a variety of styles that even your pickiest bridesmaids will adore.
What we really love: Visit the Plan Your Custom-maid Jewelry section to try out pieces with several necklines to find the right looks.
Like.com
If you’re looking for silver sandals or an ivory silk clutch for your wedding, this site is a fast way to do it. The visual search engine hones in on what you want—a particular style, color, pattern, or all three—and may come back with hundreds of pale pink flats from around the Web, for instance. You can edit further by price point, store or manufacturer.
What we really love: Use the box tool or search bar to focus on an essential element, like a bow on a shoe or a zipper on a bag, and you will view only options featuring that detail.
OldCities.com
If you want more bling than your wedding budget can handle, consider borrowing a piece from this antique- and estate-jewelry site. You can rent any, including a ruby and diamond necklace or a blue topaz and diamond ring, for $100 for three days (you pay the full price of the piece up front, and you’re refunded all but $100 once you return it).
What we really love: If you decide that you can’t part with the jewelry you borrowed, go ahead and keep it. (In that case, you won’t be refunded anything.)
PamelasParasols.com
Keep guests cool at your outdoor wedding with gorgeous adorned parasols from this specialized site. Order a few dozen simple rice-paper parasols for your crowd (starting at $6.50 each for a large order), or choose a more luxe hand-beaded, monogrammed or marabou-trimmed one for yourself.
What we really love: The parasol with a fringe of shells—perfect for a beach wedding.
CorporateKidsEvents.com
Babysitting services let everyone have a good time at your wedding—parents don’t have to wrangle their kids away from the cake, and kids have fun just-for-them activities they’ll love. This site offers specialized babysitting "camps" nationwide that start at $499 for seven children for four hours, including games, crafts and activities.
What we really love: Partner site BabysittingSolutions.com gives free access to a limited database of qualified sitters.
Sittercity.com
This site has the most extensive babysitter list going—plus, you can get background checks and reviews of potential caregivers from other clients. (Membership, from $39.99, gives you access to sitters’ contact info; you can hire one to watch youngsters at your reception, or give recommendations to out-of-towners needing a sitter to stay with their children at the hotel.)
What we really love: You can also use this site to track down a pet-sitter to watch over your furry friends while you’re honeymooning.
BridalBabe.com
Stylist to the stars (and 2004 Trendsetter) Janice Kinigopoulos makes it easy to borrow expertise on her site: She takes you step by step through three wedding looks: glam, princess and natural. If you like what you see, a few quick clicks allow you to buy all you need, makeup to applicators, to create it at home.
What we really love: Check out the Babe 101 section for quick tips—including a five-step process for making lipcolor last all day.
SaffronRouge.com
Get beautiful naturally with products from this site, which offers the Web’s largest selection of organic beauty items from cult-favorite brands like Dr. Hauschka and Jurlique.
What we really love: Saffron Rouge gives two free samples with each purchase—and lets you choose them—so you can stock your honeymoon carry-on without breaking the bank.
Ebates.com
Get money back for all that Web shopping you’re doing with this ultrapopular discount site. Here’s how it works: You create an account, then log in to the site whenever you shop. You’ll earn a flat amount or a percentage back from your purchases at member sites—at most, including Nordstrom and Banana Republic, it’s two to five percent, but there are many that give more (Proflowers.com gives 10 percent; Shoemall.com gives 13 percent). Four times a year you’ll get a "Big Fat Check."
What we really love: This site also lists coupon codes (some are Ebates-exclusive), so you can simultaneously save and get money back.
Expensr.com
You can keep track of your wedding-budget ins and outs in Quickenlike style—for free!—with this online tool. The site allows you to create separate files to track your wedding expenses independently from your everyday spending, and make simple pie charts and graphs to see where your money’s going and estimate when you’ll deplete your funds.
What we really love: Expensr’s new mobile feature lets you use your cell phone to input all of your expenses on the go.
RetailMeNot.com
This perpetually updated coupon site makes it easy to find a bargain—search by site or by subject (wedding shoes, honeymoon lingerie) and find a list of codes, along with the percentage of people who used each successfully.
What we really love: Don’t stop shopping to search for coupon codes—if you load RetailMeNot’s bookmarklet into your browser, you can click on your bookmark and get a listing of codes for that online store in a new window.
Skype.com
Instead of using all your cell-phone minutes (or ringing up a huge landline bill) chatting with vendors or bridesmaids, you can set up an account with Skype and talk for free with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
What we really love: Have your out-of-state bridesmaids sign up for free videoconferencing, and you can easily show off the rock from thousands of miles away.
FancyFlours.com
MB’s reception editors give this bakers’ supply site a definitive thumbs-up for its array of unique vintage toppers. The imaginative inventory includes everything from a Kewpie-doll couple to a glorious ’60s-era plastic bride and groom—and prices on some of these gems start at a mere $10.
What we really love: DIY brides can find some cool wedding dress– and cake-shaped cookie cutters in the Wedding section.
VeryDifferentCakes.com
MB advisory panelist Mindy Weiss adores the glittering cake adornments on this site: "Everyone will walk up to the cake to see what is sparkling," she tells us. Choose a motif, from monograms to butterflies, then select colors of Swarovski crystals to make your statement.
What we really love: The site’s new additions: gleaming silver flowers, couples or words that can top your cake and become a keepsake.
OriginalRunners.com
This site’s wide variety of style options makes it our hands-down favorite for unique aisle runners. You can find sleek and simple ones in every color scheme, from $135, or monogrammed or painted options, from $350.
What we really love: The beaded runners, which are ideal for a formal evening ceremony.
TheMonastery.org
This site for the Universal Life Church Monastery is the fastest, easiest way to get loved ones ordained to perform your ceremony. Your chosen officiant can fill out a simple form to receive a free minister certificate allowing him to lead your service. (Check the State Marriage Law page to see if your officiant-to-be needs to fill out other paperwork before the big day. A note of caution: You should also check with the town hall in your wedding locale to make sure your friend-ordained marriage will be officially recognized.)
What we really love: site also has sample sermons and ceremony handbooks to order.
Evite.com
You’ve probably already used this online invite site in the past to keep track of party details for casual get-togethers, or even for your engagement party or bachelorette weekend. But what you may not know is that, under the Entertaining tab, Evite also offers other organizational tools that can help you with your wedding plans, like a drink calculator that determines how much alcohol you’ll need to stock at your pre- and post-wedding bashes.
Google.com
There’s more to this Internet behemoth than a killer search engine—it can also act as your personal wedding assistant. Use the shareable calendar/to-do list to keep your fiancé in the loop on the cake tasting and other tasks; put key files (such as your guest list) in a Documents account to access them anywhere; and even translate short phrases to use on your ceremony programs, if many of your guests are from abroad, with the language tool. (We’d still advise asking a native speaker to double-check the translations.)
iTunes.com
The ubiquitous music site isn’t just for downloading songs for your wedding playlist—you can also check out podcasts and slideshows from potential wedding vendors, subscribe to a pre-wedding-workout series, and download well-edited selections of wedding-song possibilities in the Essentials section. Best yet? After the big day, you can post a podcast of your wedding-photo highlights—edited in QuickTime, iMovie or Final Cut—for guests to download.
Sephora.com
Pack your honeymoon carry-on bag with ease using this ultrapopular beauty emporium’s Airline-Approved subsection. You’ll find products—cleansers, moisturizers, lipglosses, complete palettes and more—that’ll make it through airport security checkpoints.
YouTube.com
Sure, you can use this video-sharing site to unleash Uncle Harold’s outrageous Chicken Dance on the world, but now YouTube will also let you tweak highlights from your homemade wedding video with its new Remixer tool (youtube.com/testtube). Just upload your vow exchange or first dance, and you can splice and add special effects and music without pricey editing software.
IDoFoundation.org
Consider this your essential do-gooder spot. Through the site and any of its partner stores (like Target and JCPenney), you can have a percentage of guests’ registry purchases go toward your favorite cause. You can even set up a charity registry to let guests donate in lieu of gifts. Or, instead of favors, donate to a charity of your choice through the site.
What we really love: Book your honeymoon or order invites through a site partner, and a percentage of your purchase can go to charity.
Paper-Source.com
Our own reception department swears by Paper Source for the DIY essentials, including an extensive selection of vellum and specialty paper, stamps and embossers to help dress up your wedding stationery. Check out the Kits section for materials to handcraft unique programs, invitations and other projects.
What we really love: The Video section offers instructions on creating crafts, such as booklet invitations or pretty packaging for food favors.
TinselTrading.com
DIY brides should check out this vintage notions site for fine trimmings—old-fashioned silk flowers, ribbons, fringe, appliqués and paper—to use as adornments on
their stationery, favors and accessories. What we really love: Check out the Tinsel Treasures section, where you can find exquisite trimmings straight from the 19th century to embellish your bridal bouquet.
Beau-Coup.com
There are favors to fit nearly any theme on this sizable site recommended by many staffers and advisory panelists—from the basics (custom-wrapped candy bars and cookies) to unusual options (plane-shaped keepsake boxes, Japanese incense sticks), searchable by theme, type of product or even type of bride (Timeless, Dramatic, Natural, etc.).
What we really love: The speedy turnaround: All orders are usually processed and shipped in one to three business days.
Festivale.net
This site, a staple for editors, offers unconventional favors you won’t find everywhere else—wooden elephant candle holders perfect for an Indian wedding; ornament-shaped boxes for a Christmas wedding; and colored-glass flower bookmarks for a garden-themed event.
What we really love: Search by theme for other unique elements, such as handmade invitations and ring-bearer pillows.
Fill-R-Up.com
A favorite of NYC planner Michelle Rago, this custom basket emporium offers inspired welcome gifts for out-of-towners and thank-yous for your favorite vendors.
What we really love: The Movie Time Gift Basket ($30), an old-fashioned popcorn box filled with Jujyfruits, Milk Duds, Sno-Caps and other theater treats.
KarenSmallbone.com
We’ve found the prettiest favor packaging on this ultrastylish Canadian site—everything from watchmaker’s cases to sleek plastic "candy tubes," and customized labels and ribbons to finish it off. Most packaging can be had in the very reasonable less-than-$2 range.
What we really love: If you don’t have time to wrap favors, let this company do it—your gifts will arrive signed, sealed and beribboned.
OrientalTrading.com
You may have shopped this site before for fun favors and decorations for a backyard luau or Cinco de Mayo extravaganza. But move beyond the plastic mugs and beach balls, and you’ll find clever favor packaging at rock-bottom prices—everything from tulle drawstring bags to cute Chinese take-out containers.
What we really love: Check out the extensive crafts section for plenty of ideas to keep your youngest guests busy during the reception.
ParapluieDesigns.com
Uniquely designed boxes are the basis for this site, a favorite among brides wanting to give their favors a showstopping presentation. Abasic cube shape might fold out into petals, with the gift at the center—or a big square may contain multiple smaller boxes inside. They’re perfect for showcasing cookies for guests, or even jewelry gifts for bridesmaids.
What we really love: The blooming boxes with paper flowers on top ($24 for 24) can make for a beautiful escort-card presentation.
PlumParty.com
This site offers all the goods and goodies you need to fit any theme you can dream up, from beach bash to fiesta to tea garden. MBeditors frequent the site for hard-to-find entertaining elements, such as fun stirrers and straws, and clever (and affordable) decor accents.
What we really love: The site’s unique favor ideas: supercute bride and groom wooden toys, pretty leaf soaps and more.
TropicalChic.com
This site’s a must-see for beachy brides, thanks to its collection of cool yet classic ocean-themed offerings. You’ll find a wide array of inexpensive sand dollars, shells and starfish to use in your decorating; shell-embedded candles and sleek silver lanterns for centerpieces; and even a coral-adorned album to use as a guest book.
What we really love: Introduce your theme by adorning the entrance of your ceremony site with a seashell-and-rope wreath
Etsy.com
This is the place to find truly one-of-a-kind items to incorporate into your wedding, created by a collection of artists and craftsmen from around the world. You can order anything from pew decorations and guest books to custom cake toppers. At press time, the site had more than 2,800 items listed in the Weddings category alone.
What we really love: You can search by subject, location of artist or even color.
Flowerbud.com
If you don’t know your freesia from your phlox, consider this site your Flowers 101 primer, where you can peruse standard and exotic blooms and figure out what you might like. (Be sure to check out the mixed bouquets, many of which include some of the more unusual flowers.)
What we really love: "Wedding Farmer’s Market" Grand Boxes (from $199), which include four prearranged bouquets of mixed florals in white or a blend of colors.
FlowersForRent.com
If fresh flowers aren’t one of your wedding-day essentials, or they’ll cause an allergic reaction in you or your groom, this silk-flower site caters to you. Flowers for Rent creates unique wedding arrangements—from pew adornments to bouquets and corsages—using realistic-looking silks, and you can rent or buy the pieces. (bridal bouquet is about $175 to rent or $325 to own.)
What we really love: Even if you decide silks aren’t for you, click on the Varieties and Colors tab for a visual dictionary of flowers.
MarksFlowers.com
You don’t have to fly in a celebrity designer to get star-quality flowers for your wedding, thanks to this stylish site from 2006 Trendsetter Mark Held. You can order anything from sleek, ribbon-adorned vases filled with calla lilies to twig baskets brimming with English garden blooms—and none of the arrangements require assembly upon arrival. Prices start at $60 per arrangement, plus shipping.
What we really love: The "Flowers to Go"—roses, orchids and carnations overflowing from brocade Chinese take-out containers—can be a unique bridesmaid bouquet alternative or a clever table topper.
ProFlowers.com
For no-fuss (and bargain-priced) blossoms, you can’t beat this site. Choose from one of nine flower combos, including roses, hydrangeas, carnations, sunflowers and calla lilies; pick a package size; and you can have elegant bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages and centerpieces delivered right to your door.
What we really love: "The More Merrier" collection ($250 plus shipping): any combination of 30 boutonnieres and/or corsages.
Gifts.com
Track down great parent and bridal-party presents from dozens of stores searched via this site, which uses a number of variables to narrow your options, from price range and product type to the recipient’s personality. (Answer a few quick questions to determine the recipient’s "type," like proud parent or hipster, and find a well-edited selection of gifts that person is likely to appreciate.)
What we really love: Know their signs? Search for bridal party gifts by the zodiac through the site’s Horoscope Gift Guide.
Groomstand.com
This testosterone-filled site offers customizable, classic gifts for the guys in the party—cigar paraphernalia, silver flasks, poker sets—and some great alternatives. (Check out the personalized pub signs, an essential accessory for any bachelor pad or basement den.) Just make sure you steer him elsewhere to shop for you and his mom, as the girls’ gifts selection is notably small.
What we really love: Have your guy submit his proposal story, and he could be profiled as "Marrying Man of the Month" alongside luminaries like Survivor producer Mark Burnett and Google cofounder Sergey Brin.
ManhattanFruitier.com
MB’s editor-in-chief loves this site’s elegant and unexpected gourmet fruit hampers, which go beyond the standard apple/orange/pear blends into more exotic treats: kumquats, passion fruit and loquat, to name a few. They make a nice thank-you gift for VIPs and your best vendors. Another favorite: the ice cream, cones and brownies collection, which even comes with a silver scoop.
What we really love: The "Five Sweets Box" ($55), a woven hamper that opens to reveal tiers of dried fruit and chocolate-covered nuts—a decadent welcome basket for a very special out-of-town wedding guest.
MulberryMoon.com
This stylish shopping site specializes in personalized goodies, from preppy-chic stationery to monogrammed silver bangles and pendants—perfect picks for gifting your bridal party.
What we really love: The elegant monogrammed soaps ($20 for three bars) come in fragrances like cherries jubilee and milk-chocolate truffle—they’re the kind of gift your ’maids will love but wouldn’t buy for themselves.
RedEnvelope.com
This MB staff favorite offers tasteful gifts for bridesmaids, groomsmen and parents—everything from sophisticated silver jewelry and luxe leather goods to themed sets for your favorite gourmet chef, spa lover and others.
What we really love: It’s easy to personalize these presents: Many can be monogrammed, and some can even be customized with pictures you’ve uploaded to the site.
ShopLoveMe.com
The mood of this Web shop, cofounded by LA planner and advisory panelist Mindy Weiss, is slightly retro, unexpected and totally fun. Whether you need a sparkling collar for your pooch’s big-day ensemble, a "sand ceremony" set for your vows, cool skull-and-crossbones-adorned flasks for the groomsmen or a cute tote for your honeymoon, you’ll find it here.
What we really love: The Monograms section carries everything you can think of, including luggage tags, coasters and handkerchiefs.
SpaFinder.com
To arrange some postnuptial pampering for your bridal party, visit this super spa site—the world’s largest—and purchase gift certificates your bridesmaids can redeem at any of the 3,600 participating locations.
What we really love: Check out the Spa Specials section for deals to make the certificates go further—or to find fun trips for a little pre-wedding pampering for you and your ’maids.
UncommonGoods.com
MB staffers and advisory panelists rave about this site for its unique array of gift items, from funky housewares—a glass "blossom tea" set, brightly colored agate bowls—to pretty sea-glass and turquoise jewelry.
What we really love: Shop the Recycled section for stylish, eco-friendly gifts that turn discards like old typewriter keys and tin into cool cufflinks and frames.
Weddingish.com
This shopping site has all the finishing touches for your wedding, such as toasting glasses and favors, but it’s notable for its cute tees and tanks for everyone in the bridal party (including a pink "I’m in charge of the petals" shirt for your flower girl).
What we really love: Check out the charming cookies ($6.50 each) you can send to pop the "Will you be my bridesmaid?" question.
Xperiencedays.com
Really indulge a wedding VIP—or your new spouse—with a unique activity from this cool outing-concierge site. You’ll find private cooking classes at top restaurants; a personal shopping adventure at a chic department store; full-on adrenaline rushes, like flying fighter planes; and more. Prices start at $50 and head into the thousands for some of the wilder options. Can’t decide? You can also give gift certificates to let your recipients choose their own adventures.
What we really love: There’s a selection of experiences perfect for brides, including a makeup makeover for you and your bridal party, a group wedding dance lesson and a personalized song for your processional.
DannySeo.com
The coolest part of green-living guru Danny Seo’s site is his blog: In it, he often shows photos of random objects that have inspired him during his travels—such as a mirror framed with wine corks—that make for environmentally friendly reception decor. The site also contains links to buy Seo’s eco-conscious-themed books, including Simply Green Parties, which has lots of ideas you’ll be able to use for your wedding.
What we really love: Check out articles featuring some of Danny’s most beautiful suggestions by clicking on the Magazine tab.
Greenergrassdesign.com
Sign up for this shopping site’s registry, and let guests choose stylish, eco-conscious items (cotton duvets, reclaimed-wood bowls, solar lanterns) to stock your new home.
What we really love: sleek cufflinks and beaded necklaces in the Jewelry section make great bridal party gifts.
LuckyCrow.com
The reusable, brightly colored vintage fabric gift bags on this eco-friendly site are always a crowd pleaser. Use the smallest ones for favors or larger ones for bridal-party gifts.
What we really love: The small bags ($38.99 for eight) are also the perfect size for presenting a little stack of cookies, bottle of water and weekend itinerary to out-of-towners.
OrganicBouquet.com
Unlike many flowers in the market, the roses and lilies from this site are grown without chemicals, making them perfect choices for eco-friendly bouquets, centerpieces or adornments for wedding cakes.
What we really love: An "Eco-points" system allows you to earn credits with every purchase to apply toward other items on the site—so you can earn your way to free organic chocolates or a bouquet for your newlywed home.
GuestBookStore.com
While customized covers aren’t exactly a new guest-book concept, this site takes it a step further, allowing you to also select the interior format: You can ask guests where they traveled from, how they know you and what their wishes for you are—or for their predictions and advice. Another option is leaving room for a Polaroid photo of each guest.
What we really love: You can add pages for your own thoughts on the wedding day.
RagandBoneBindery.com
MB editors adore the hand-bound guest books offered at this online bookmaking boutique. Choose from one of 32 elegant cover fabrics and one of two interiors.
What we really love: The site’s digital scrapbooking kits let you build a professional-looking book with your wedding photos.
1154lill.com
Why hunt for the perfect wedding-day bag when you can create it yourself? On this site, choose from 21 bag styles and more than 150 fabrics. Most styles are in the $100 range; you’ll get a 10-percent discount for orders of five or more bags of any style.
What we really love: If you live in one of a handful of major metropolitan areas, you can take the custom-shopping experience offline at free 1154lill parties, either in your home or at retail locations in Chicago, Boston or Kansas City—you and your bridesmaids can check out your options over a few glasses of wine.
BagBorroworSteal.com
If you want to look like a million bucks on your wedding day, rent a couture bag here. Prices start at $59.95 for an annual membership, which lets you keep bags as long as you desire, plus an extra $20 per month for each rental. If you’re not a member, you can still rent a bag for a slightly higher fee.
What we really love: The Wedding Shop section has a well-edited selection of silk and leather designer clutches (Vera Wang, Gucci).
LaurenScherr.com
"The most elegant bridal handbags" are found on this site, reveals LA planner Mindy Weiss. Many are adorned with crystals or beaded handles, and floral and butterfly hairpins.
What we really love: See which stars sported the same accessories you chose on the site’s Celeb Fun section.
60. Calorie-Count.com
MB staffers give this nutritional information storehouse kudos for listing virtually every food you can think of, packaged or not. You can look up your favorites—including restaurant entrées and prepared supermarket foods—and find out everything from calorie count and fat grams to the amount of vitamins and minerals inside.
What we really love: If you don’t have time to figure out whether a food’s good points outweigh its bad, check out its nutritional grade and a cheat sheet of its characteristics.
Podfitness.com
Get a virtual personal trainer here: Answer a few questions about your fitness goals, workout equipment and ability level, and Podfitness will customize an audio workout for you, created by one of 80 top trainers. You can download up to two workouts per day to your iPod with a $19.95 monthly fee—and change your fitness goals or trainers at any time, so you’ll always have fresh motivation to hit the gym or your living room.
What we really love: You can choose songs and upload them to iTunes to have them mixed with your workouts.
SparkPeople.com
This site is a must for brides wanting to lose weight for the wedding; it gives away tips and tools that other sites typically charge for. Enter your current weight and height to calculate your BMI—then find out how long it’ll take to meet your goal weight safely with one of the site’s customized weight-loss and fitness programs. These include workout instruction slideshows, and menus for a healthy diet. You can also set exercise and calorie goals and track your workouts, meals and progress.
What we really love: The very active (and addictive) bride- and groom-to-be forums.
WeightWatchers.com
The venerable weight-loss program has a comprehensive site filled with free, healthy menus, inspiring Before & After profiles of WW devotees and lots of medically sound tools to help you shed pounds. If your groom needs to trim down, this is a smart place to do it—you can now customize the site for guys and receive workouts especially for men, for instance. Online memberships cost as little as $5 per week and give you access to features such as the Recipe Builder, which will turn your favorite calorie-laden recipe into a healthy one.
What we really love: Restaurants section under the Food & Recipes category tackles one of the trickiest dilemmas for any busy bride: how to eat out and still lose weight.
Groom411.com
Most wedding-planning sites are deemed too girly by the guys; this one is just for him, with essentials—planning checklists, tux tips and more—presented in a male-frendly format.
What we really love: The instant toast generator and thank-you note generator.
Snopes.com
This urban myth—busting site is the spot to check out the veracity of all those bizarre wedding tales you hear—from the couple who were arrested after brawling over feeding each other cake (true) to thrown rice exploding in birds’ stomachs (false).
What we really love: The Wedding Customs section gives the origins of various traditions, from having bridesmaids to tossing the bouquet.
Tickle.com
A novel way to release wedding-planning tension is to visit this quiz site for answers to your burning questions: Are we compatible? Who’s my celebrity soul mate? Some were created by Ph.D.s and can actually give you insight into your personality—others, like "Which Golden Girl Are You?", are purely for fun.
What we really love: The Create-a-Quiz tool lets you devise your own Q&A. You can test friends’ and family members’ knowledge of the two of you at your engagement party.
BustAMove.com
If you couldn’t get your groom to go for ballroom-dance lessons, don’t fear: The easy-to-follow iPodlike animations on this dancing site can help even the most awkward dancers master some moves. You’ll get a few selected steps for each dance style for free and can download the rest of the moves for $2 each. (complete waltz comes to $12.)
What we really love: While the site covers first-dance essentials like the fox-trot and the waltz, you can also get schooled in hip-hop and salsa so you can sizzle on the dance floor.
Emusic.com
If your musical tastes run a bit outside the mainstream, this site’s the place to go to download tunes for your party playlist. Emusic’s collection of two million songs focuses on independent-label music, with ample offerings in the reggae, funk and jazz genres.
What we really love: 30 downloads per month are $9.99 (about 33 cents per song).
GetLyrical.com
Even if you can muster only a snippet of the lyrics, you can find the title and artist on this site—we tested with some pretty arcane songs. Just type in the words you know (minus the punctuation) to find possible matches.
What we really love: In the forums, you can also seek help finding songs based on just a vague memory of the video.
Lyrics007.com
MB’s executive editor swears by this lyric storehouse: "If you’re trying to find a song for your first dance—or the right quote for your programs—but want to make sure the lyrics are appropriate, check here."
What we really love: list of Top 100 lyrics can help you unearth playlist suggestions.
Pandora.com
This customizable "Internet radio" site can bulk up your reception playlist. Type in an artist that you like, and it will create a station featuring that artist and others in a similar vein. Give the songs it plays thumbs-up or thumbs-down ratings to help the site fine-tune selections for you, and if you want to buy one, simply click to Amazon.com or iTunes.
What we really love: Enter a search term in the Find a Shared Station feature (try "romantic" or "love") to discover some of your fellow listeners’ preferences.
Flickr.com
Of the countless photo-sharing sites on the Web, this one’s especially useful for celebrations. Create a group for your wedding (you decide whether to share it with the world or make it invite-only), so family and friends can upload shots and reminisce about the big day.
What we really love: If your shutterbug pals took too many great pics to narrow down, order a QOOP thumbnail photobook, which fits 20 photos per page, through the site.
Panraven.com
This collaborative storytelling site lets you share photo, text and video tales with friends and family; they can add theirs, too. It’s a great way to compile and collect sweet stories (and priceless pictures) from your guests after the big day. (How else will you know about the hilarity that ensued at Table 15?)
What we really love: After creating a story with one of the templates, you can order a hardcover copy as a keepsake for $29.95.
Photowow.com
You can display that amazing wedding photo on your mantel—or upload it to Photowow.com to transform it into a work of art. This user-friendly site can digitally remaster that close-up of you and your groom in any art style, from a Warhol-like grid to a comic-book frame to a traditional watercolor.
What we really love: Photowow’s photo restoration service can even fix up Grandma’s wedding picture for display at your reception.
YouShoot.com
Many reception-table disposable cameras are only half-used—or are filled with shots of everyone’s knees, courtesy of the bride’s 4-year-old nephew. You can end the waste with this digital-camera rental site, which lends good-quality Kodak digital cameras for guests to use, from $20 a pop (plus an extra $7 per camera for insurance). Send the cameras back, and they’ll upload your shots, so you can pick the best for printing.
What we really love: You’re given your own site to share the rental-camera photos with guests—and they can upload shots as well.
Zazzle.com
Consider this your custom print shop—it can turn favorite photos into save-the-date postcards, witty T-shirts for the bachelorette party or cool mugs for favors. Upload your image, add any wording, and click to order. You’ll get discounts of up to 36 percent for multiples, so an order of bridal-party trucker caps (from $11.95 each) can be quite reasonable.
What we really love: Upload your wedding logo or a photo of you and your groom, and create personalized postage for your invites.
MyGlassSlipper.com
This specialty site, recommended by MB’s accessories editor, makes it easy to find wedding-appropriate footwear: It’s entirely stocked with white and metallic shoes, from satin stilettos to beaded flip-flops. But you’ll also find other nuptial gear—evening bags, cake toppers and jewelry—as well.
What we really love: Check out the site’s Sale section. It boasts a sizable (and totally stylish) selection of shoes for just $15.
Zappos.com
Free, fast shipping and free returns—what’s not to like? And the bridal shop within this site is truly the best online, offering nearly 500 styles in all price ranges, from inexpensive Coloriffics to couture Vera Wang. Brides in the know set up virtual shoe salons at home: They purchase a selection of shoes in various styles, try them on with their dress, then ship back the ones that don’t work for them.
What we really love: There’s a nice selection of evening bags, which can be sorted by color to pinpoint styles that match your dress.
LoveLettersLogos.com
A wedding monogram or motif can tie your wedding details together—but if you’re not artistically inclined enough to create your own logo, you can simply pick an ultrastylish option created by this site’s husband-and-wife design team. For $75, you’ll get an electronic version of your logo to use on anything from your wedding Web site to favor tags.
What we really love: Destination-specific wedding logos, including some surprisingly pretty picks for Las Vegas, such as a decorative pair of dice and a showgirl silhouette.
PapyrusCustomPrinting.com
Staffers and MB advisory panelists praise this stationery site over and over for the amazing variety of invitation options, at every price level, to fit nearly any wedding style. You’ll find sets for as little as $86 per 100 cards.
What we really love: Invitations are sortable not only by price but by how fast they’ll print.
TheFrontDoor.com
This every-occasion Web site has a smattering of stylish wedding favors and decorations, and lots of paper elements: custom and print-your-own announcements and invitations; guest books for every theme and color scheme; and scrapbooking materials and premade albums.
What we really love: You can organize the products you like most on this site—as well as articles and projects you’ve started—in the My Room section.
Verseit.com
Whether you have to squeeze numerous parents’ names onto your invite or are looking for a fun way to ask guests to join you for a beach wedding–turned-clambake, this wedding-wording site’ll help you find a way.
What we really love: The Address It area has tips for handling inner and outer envelopes and other assembling and addressing instructions.
WeddingMapper.com
Most wedding-map designers charge $100 and up for custom maps, but you can DIY it gratis with this site. Enter the names and addresses of your ceremony and reception sites (and any other locations for your wedding), and you’ll get a well-drawn map with cute icons on each locale. E-mail the directions to guests, or print them yourself; an ad-free printable map costs just $9.95.
What we really love: You can further customize by replacing the icons with uploaded photos of your ceremony and reception sites.
WonderfulGraffitiWedding.com
For a unique monogram, quotation or motif custom-designed for your wedding, visit this site, which will also print the icon onto removable film that you can adhere to a wall, a dance floor or anywhere else you want to make a statement on your wedding day.
What we really love: You can also order favor boxes and glass votives with your motif.
Concierge.com
On this jet-setters’ site, find reviews of the posh honeymoon resorts you’re considering or get the complete scoop on a desired destination. (Full disclosure: It’s owned by Modern Bride’s parent company, Condé Nast Publications.)
What we really love: The Destination Finder tool: Select one or several activities, continents and months, and you’ll get a list of the best places to fit your preferences.
DistinctiveHoneymoons.com
This travel site lets you build and book a romantic honeymoon—and list it all on a registry, so guests can treat you to anything from a seaside dinner to a night at your resort.
What we really love: The Hot Deals section offers special romance-oriented packages at some of the world’s toniest resorts.
Groople.com
Whether you’re planning a destination wedding or a prenuptial girls’ getaway, this site, built by group-travel specialists, makes planning a trip with a crowd a cinch. Groople can help you find the right hotel for your type of event, get you significant group discounts and even assist you in landing "freebies" like room upgrades and comped breakfasts.
What we really love: The Groopvine tool lets you create a Web page just for your wedding, where guests can select events to participate in and communicate about the plans—making it easier for you to keep everyone in the loop about the golf tourney or spa trip.
Kayak.com
Our travel editor always turns to this deal consolidator when looking for bargains. "It shows a comparison of all airlines, even discounters like JetBlue and online agents such as Orbitz and Expedia," she says. (To book, you’re sent to the site where the deal was located.)
What we really love: You can set up "fare alerts"—e-mails that will let you know when airline tickets to your chosen destinations drop.
Mobissimo.com
This travel deal finder specializes in international locales, instantly searching more than 150 sites for the best bargains.
What we really love: You can search for a destination based on a preferred activity. For instance, choose "Film Festival" and get a list of upcoming fests worldwide, plus the cheapest air fares that’ll take you there.
Starwood.com
This luxe hotel collection’s Web site offers a honeymoon section, with a listing of its 100 most romantic resorts and a free honeymoon concierge service to hook you up with fun activities, meals and other goodies. And since this conglomerate includes properties as varied as the sleek W hotels and the grand St. Regis resorts, you’re bound to find something that suits your taste (and your budget).
What we really love: If you book your honeymoon through the site, you can set up a registry and let your guests gift you with romantic dinners or special experiences.
TripAdvisor.com
If you want a real-person review of a honeymoon you’re considering, turn to this popular site to check out the extensive collection of travel critiques. In addition to providing specific write-ups, travelers also rate the properties by "who they’re for," so you can be sure the hotel you choose isn’t a bare-bones business traveler hotel or a young-child magnet.
What we really love: You can view other travelers’ pics and videos of a destination to help you get a better idea of what it’s like there.
ECreamery.com
If you’re looking for a creative accompaniment to your wedding cake, you might try this custom frozen confectionery, where you can "make" your own ice-cream flavor and have it shipped on dry ice. Choose a level of creaminess and one or two of 60 flavors (including unexpected ones, like cucumber). Then choose up to two "mix-ins" (praline pecans for a Southern wedding, for example, or fresh thyme for a garden affair). It’s a splurge (a four-pint, one-flavor order is $49.95), but a worthwhile one. What we really love: Name your confection, and it will be printed on the packaging—a clever touch for a gourmet sundae bar.
ElegantCheesecakes.com
The sweet Web site for this California bakery (founded by 2005 MBTrendsetter Susan Morgan) can ship everything from grand multitiered wedding cheesecakes to elegant chocolate place cards for your big event.
What we really love: The wildly creative gourmet groom’s cheesecakes, resembling golf balls or boxes of Cohibas.
Mymms.com
Now that M&M’s can be customized by color (choose from 22) and personalized with a message, they’re the ultimate wedding favor. This user-friendly site allows you to see what your candies will look like as you design them, and makes sure that your sweets arrive in insulated packaging so they won’t melt.
What we really love: The Weddings section (click on Celebrations), which suggests fun ways to use the candies—such as shower favors with the message "No Boys Allowed!"
Brides.com
Forgive the blatant plug, but we couldn’t ignore the fact that MB’s online home offers numerous ultrauseful wedding-planning tools. There’s a dress gallery that can narrow your options by cut and neckline, and even by such specific criteria as fabric type or "key embellishment" (E! News anchor Giuliana DePandi found her gown on the site); an instant, interactive budget advisor; a Vow to Wow customizable diet and workout plan; a Guest-List Manager; and more.
What we really love: All of these functions are free when you register at Brides.com.
DoMyStuff.com
If you don’t feel like stuffing invitation envelopes or have run out of time to make the fabulous favors you’d envisioned, consider this site your virtual gopher. You can post any task from your to-do list—whether it’s wrapping bridesmaids’ gifts or designing your wedding Web site—and have local companies and people looking to make some extra money bid to take on the job.
What we really love: There’s no additional fee for you to use the site (your assistant gives back a percentage of what he’s earned from you to pay the site’s commission).
HostesswiththeMostess.com
This site offers sleekly styled party plans (table settings, decor schemes, creative cocktails)—and links to stores selling the goods so you can create the looks yourself.
What we really love: site’s fun shower themes, like "Bling Bride" and "Love in Paradise," are worth bookmarking for your ’maids.
Wunderground.com
Before you set the date for an outdoor wedding or pick a honeymoon spot, check out this meteorological site. In addition to providing standard weather forecasts, Wunderground.com’s Trip Planner tool lets you enter a date (or range of dates) and location, and gives the percentage chance of rain, hot temperatures, cloud cover or other patterns based on the locale’s 30-year weather history.
What we really love: The impressively in-depth forecasts can tell you air-quality level and moon phase, or even give you a detailed star chart of your locale’s stretch of night sky.
Bottlenotes.com
If you’re not sure whether you like your chardonnays crisp or fruity, answer a brief questionnaire on this site, and the company’s experts will figure out which flavor notes—and which wines—suit you. Since each comes with suggested food pairings, a little digging should lead you to wines that match your wedding menu. You can order them off the site.
What we really love: Rate wines you’ve sampled from the site in your Virtual Wine Cellar, and Bottlenotes.com will use the grades to fine-tune its next picks for you.
WineAnswers.com
This site also answers your wine-pairing questions—just choose the specifics of your entrée or the sauce and spices being used (from basil to saffron), and you’ll get suggestions of three great wine varietals to try with it.
What we really love: The Wine 101 section offers articles to help you choose great wines for every part of your wedding menu.
