Motorcycle enthusiasts may be uncertain as to how to plan a wedding appropriate for conservative friends and family while making their fellow bikers feel comfortable too.

These tips will help make motorcycle enthusiasts' wedding day unique, while remaining appropriate for all guests.

Of course all that truly matters on the wedding day is the happiness of the bride and groom, but it sure doesn’t hurt to throw one heck of a party!

Choosing a Venue

One of the first decisions you need to make is what venue will be used for your ceremony and reception. Whether the ceremony is in a church, hotel or outdoor venue, there are plenty of possibilities for a lovely motorcycle-themed wedding—although an outdoor venue is preferable.

Choosing to have the wedding outdoors allows motorcycles to be a part of it all. From making an entrance at the reception to the romantic honeymoon departure, driving up on your bike to an outdoor wedding venue will make a lasting impression.

The Bride

Once a venue has been selected, it's time to find that perfect wedding dress that makes you feel beautiful while showing off your love for riding. If you plan to ride a motorcycle during your big day, finding a dress that makes this feasible is important.

Wearing an elegant ball gown is perfectly acceptable as long as you bring alternate clothing to change into prior to being whisked away on your motorcycle. A really fun idea is to ride to the venue covered in leather and then slip into elegant lace for the ceremony.

One common dress option for motorcycle-themed ceremonies is a short dress that won't be too cumbersome. Another popular option is to choose a two-piece gown. This allows you to wear the corset with a pair of jeans after the ceremony is over, so you can party with your friends in comfort.

Groom and Groomsmen

The guys can get away with just about anything for a biker wedding and still be as handsome as ever by simply dressing up their typical biker garb. The groom can wear a leather vest in a color of his choosing while the groomsmen wear an alternate color, allowing the groom to stand out.

Doo rags are common in the biker world and the groom’s could be embroidered with the word groom, the date of the wedding, the name of his wife to be, or his riding club logo.

Motorcycle ties are easy to find, and one of these along with a nice pin or cuff links will make the guys look sharp for wedding photos.

Invitations

A must have for a motorcycle-themed wedding are invitations that distinguish it as such. Design possibilities are only limited by your imagination. Once you decide on the perfect invite, they can be printed at home or by a local retailer or Internet service that is reputable and provides quality work. If possible, look for reviews online or ask for samples to ensure the company you’re working with will satisfy your design and budget requirements.

Wedding Decorations and Favors

Using leather strips and bandannas to create ribbons and bows around the flower vases is a clever addition for table centerpieces. Selecting a unique motorcycle-themed cake topper allows the cake to show off your personality and makes it possible for you to have a special memento from your day. Many couples opt to decorate their reception tables with Harley Davidson tablecloths—go all out and use black, white and orange as your color palette! Using saddlebags on the gift table to hold cards is distinctive and is a perfect complement to a motorcycle-themed wedding.

Cool motorcycle favors are easy to make or purchase from a party supply store. Some of the best favors can also be purchased in bulk from a local motorcycle dealership. Popular gifts to give wedding attendees are:

• A CD of your favorite riding tunes
• Key chains with motorcycle leathers or Harley Davidson logos
• Monogrammed doo rags or bandannas
• Motorcycle-themed chocolates or lollipop gift bags

These ideas on bringing leather and lace together to create a unique wedding that shows off motorcycle pride, will give a great foundation to build from. Customizing this special day will make it one that you will relish for the remainder of your happy lives together.

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Marisa Taylor is a wedding planning enthusiast and also a contributing writer for Jafrum.com, an online motorcycle supply site.

According to Casey Fatchett, Marquina and Dan's New York-based photographer, the couple describes their relationship in a really interesting way. Dan (a straight-laced, tough on the outside architect) is the stable center that Marquina (a fun, adventurous rock chick) is endless motion around.

The photos from their engagement shoot do an incredible job of depicting this dynamic. Marquina is an electric blue swirl that seems to revolve around a grounded Dan. She seems like the super-fun friend that you want around if you're throwing a party and he seems like the voice of reason that keeps her from getting into too much trouble.

These photos do exactly what engagement photos should do: they totally reflect the couple and their story. Enjoy!

all photos courtesy of Casey Fatchett Photography
Dress: Tracy Reese
Heels: Bruno Frisoni, Neiman Marcus
Flats: Melissa Plastic Dreams
Boots: Diesel

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Jennifer Garry is a writer and accessories designer living in Westchester, NY with her husband and two daughters. When she's not up to her ears in kiddie crafts, you can find her swimming in a pool of beads. Her obsessions include tea, chocolate, sarcasm and her daughter's giggle--any of which can be used to coax her from her little jewelry-making fantasy world.

More and more Hudson Valley photographers are offering boudoir shoots as a fun little gift to give your groom. Some brides are a bit intimidated by them but, when done tastefully and with a photographer you trust, they can be a fun keepsake that helps blow off a little pre-wedding stress—not to mention the fact that it will ensure you won't be camera shy on your wedding day!

The rich colors and textures and the fun props and costumes from the shoot below by Surprise Photography provide lots of amazing inspiration for a boudoir shoot of your own!

all photos courtesy of Surprise Photography

Most brides grow up dreaming about their wedding day. That’s a whole lot of time and energy throughout the course of your life that’s spent perfecting the intricate details of an event that will last just a few short hours.

So why not invest in a few things for the morning of your wedding that make you feel extra special? Choose beautiful, timeless pieces that you can wear again and again. You’ll forever be reminded of how special you felt on that extra special morning…

Let’s start with the basics: underwear. There are tons of cheesy little rhinestone sets out there that say “Bride.” While they can be cute, it’s only for a fleeting moment that you’ll really enjoy them, right?

If you want a personalized pair of panties for the big day, why not go with a higher quality pair that says something like “Mrs.” instead? These 100% silk boyshorts from Mary Green Intimates (above) are super cute! I love the addition of a little lace and the fact that “Mrs.” is embroidered means it’s there to stay (unlike the little crystals on the aforementioned cheapies!).

Next, I found an absolutely gorgeous silk playsuit from Beautiful Bottoms (at right). This stunning, flowy piece is made of silk chiffon and features a really pretty floral print in soft pastels. It’s impossible to feel anything but pretty in something so feminine. Better yet, you can totally use this one as a cover up on your fabulous tropical honeymoon or you can just lounge around in it on a lazy Sunday.

Lounging around and being lazy always makes me think of robes, which is what I have for you next. This stunning kimono-style robe from Plum Pretty Sugar (at left) has a hint of glamour. Made from a cotton voile fabric the designer found while traveling in India, it’s light and airy. You can’t help but smile when you look at it, can you?

Now, we can’t forget about your feet! Those poor things are sure to be sore come nightfall, so why not give them a little pre-wedding TLC?

How about something with a little sparkle as a nod to what sure is to come during the rest of the day? These handcrafted slippers are so pretty! The soft pink color would look lovely with either the robe or the playsuit. I love that these sweet slippers could also be used as flats, adding a subtle sparkle and a little extra something to just about any casual outfit (they’d be so cute with jeans and a t-shirt!).

Another piece (although not a wearable one) that you might want to splurge on is a personalized hanger like the one shown here from Black Scrap Cat. It’s a great photo prop and you can use it anytime you have a special outfit set out that you’re trying to keep wrinkle free—or you can just hang your pretty robe on it!

My point is, why not spoil yourself a bit with some gorgeous pieces that you can enjoy for years to come? Forget the blinged out Bride hoodies and go for something you'll still want to wear next week!

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Jennifer Garry is a writer and accessories designer living in Westchester, NY with her husband and two daughters. When she's not up to her ears in kiddie crafts, you can find her swimming in a pool of beads. Her obsessions include tea, chocolate, sarcasm and her daughter's giggle--any of which can be used to coax her from her little jewelry-making fantasy world.