There’s more to being a groom than showing up and wearing a nice suit. Your groom’s look is as important as yours on the big day, so have a theme in mind when accessorizing and styling the groom and groomsmen. Whether it’s a classic touch, like cufflinks and a silk tie, or something bolder, like suspenders and striped socks, we have a few ideas to have your husband-to-be looking his best.

Lace has always been a fixture in the world of wedding gowns. In the past year, however, the romantic fabric has taken centre stage at several prestigious weddings: the Duchess of Cambridge wore lace for the royal nuptials and Molly Sims donned a sexy Marchesa gown during her ceremony. Whether your dream gown is sophisticated, fun, classic or all of the above, check out 15 of our favourite lace gowns and see which one fits your style.

Now that you’ve got the perfect engagement ring adorning your left hand, it’s time for the hard part: deciding on a pair of wedding bands for you and your mister. With more choices on the market than ever, selecting a wedding ring can seem like a daunting task. After all, you’ll be wearing it for the rest of your life! Fortunately, we spoke with custom jeweller Erin Tracy and came up with these five tips to help you demystify the process.

Go for lasting love

Though it’s perfectly okay to choose trendy rings, make sure the design (and your love for it) will stand the test of time. Luckily, rings with a vintage feel are currently in style. So, if you’re looking for rings that are both current and enduring, Tracy recommends designs with, “a bit of rose gold or vintage filigree patterning, or small pavé set stones.”

Don’t be afraid to mix and match

Some brides and grooms are unclear about the rules for mixing and matching a band with an engagement ring and partner’s band. The good news is that matching isn’t mandatory. “If the design suffers in order to have a matched set, design wins and you can forget about matching,” says Tracy. Rings don’t have to be identical, but couples should still make sure the different components of the rings work together to create a cohesive look. To make this process easier, Birks will be introducing a Wedding Band Bar in the spring that will allow you and your husband-to-be to try on a variety of rings and combinations while learning about everything from the setting to the design of each individual ring.

Choose the right material for you

Traditionally, there are three metals that wedding bands are crafted with: yellow gold, white gold and platinum. Yellow gold is generally the least expensive and also the most customary, but white gold easily co-ordinates with other jewellery. Platinum is the most expensive of the three, but it’s also the strongest. And recently, couples are beginning to choose titanium wedding rings because they’re unique and scratch-resistant. Consider which metal works best for your lifestyle before you speak with a jeweller.

Don’t sacrifice comfort

A flashy ring with a wide band might look great on, but is it practical? If you work with your hands a thinner band might work better because it’s less cumbersome. You should also make sure it fits your hand properly. When choosing a band, a good rule of thumb (no pun intended) is to choose a width based on the length of your fingers. For someone with bigger hands and longer fingers, a wider band is the best choice. If you’ve got small hands or short fingers, go with a slimmer band.

Consider custom made

Choosing custom made bands gives you the freedom to select everything from the materials to the dimensions of each ring. And not only does creating your own bands give you total design freedom, it also means you’ll be choosing something tailored to you. “I always ask my clients many questions to understand what works for them and their lifestyle,” says Tracy. “It’s about making a beautiful ring, but it’s also about making something that’s suitable for them.”

Wedding fever seems to be everywhere this month. Even Hollywood is feeling the vibe. At Sunday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards many on the red carpet were looking glam in gorgeous, white, very bridal-like gowns, most of which were created by bridal designers including Romona Keveza, Amsale and Marchesa. Here are five ladies who offered some amazing aisle style inspiration.

Little white dresses are no longer just for your reception—you can wear one for your trip down the aisle, too! Paul McCartney’s new missus Nancy Shevell donned a knee-length Stella McCartney frock for their London nuptials, and it was a perfect fit for their laidback rock ’n’ roll celebration. If you’re planning an offbeat wedding, why not say yes to a short wedding dress? Here are 15 of our favourites.

If you live for everything Anthropologie-related we guarantee you’ll be in awe of BHLDN‘s Spring 2012 collection. The ultra-feminine warm-weather offering features stripped-down silhouettes and layers of fluttery chiffon, crepe and organza. We’re especially loving the finer details — pops of colour, boho crochet work, ruffles and lovely floral appliques abound.

See the entire Spring 2012 collection here.

Photography courtesy BHLDN

Justina McCaffrey is one of Canada’s bridal design stars. Her dresses are quite simply breathtaking and over the years she has dressed a host of famous lovelies on their wedding days. We sat down with the Toronto-based designer and asked her for some savvy shopping advice for brides-to-be. Here are her top five tips.

1. Evaluate your budget and visit boutiques that coincide with your budget.

“One of the most frustrating situations is when you want a dress that you cannot afford. It is best to recognize and accept the budget you have, and to follow through with stores that matches your budget. There are many fine shops with lovely moderately-priced dresses to choose from.”

2. Try to book an appointment on a day other than Saturday.

“Often Saturdays are busy and there are many brides trying on dresses. It is best to book on a Tuesday or Wednesday when there is less activity.”

3. Take notice of the store’s interior and the protocol of the staff.

“Choosing the right dress also means having the relationship with the store. This is important especially during fittings, alterations and payments. Make sure you feel comfortable rather than feeling rushed or pressured by the consultant. Do research, ask friends, and read blogs about other bride’s experiences at bridal boutiques.”

4. Bring your Mom.

“Buying a wedding dress is an emotional experience and often brides  will regret not having their mom present during that magical moment when you’ve found the right dress. Your mom will also have very valid opinions when decision-making may become difficult.”

5. Limit the amount of friends that you bring.

“Many times too many friends make the decision-making process more confusing  You need to feel confident in your decision and do not need to get approval from every bridesmaid or relative about her your choices. Keep your shopping contingent small and your dress a surprise from most for the big reveal on your wedding day.”

In the past couple of seasons we’ve seen almost every colour imaginable on the bridal runways from pale pink and mint green to black—yes black—but one of the most approachable ways to try this trend is with a shade that’s slightly darker than the traditional pure white. For Fall 2012, many designers showed deep ivory gowns, and we’re absolutely in love with this warm and wearable hue. Here are 10 of our favourite dark ivory bridal dresses.