FAIR SEASON
Wedding fairs are in the air, with two coming up next month. Tiaras and Tuxes: Boutique Gala Wedding Affair bills itself as an antidote to the larger events with an intimate atmosphere, music, and refreshments. Featuring fashion shows and a bridal auction, it takes place on February 11 at the Chapel at Stanley Park (606 Chilco Street). Tickets are $30; for information, see www.savvypromotions.ca/. Hot on the heels of Valentine’s Day is the Bridal Trends Wedding Show (www.weddingfair.ca/ ), February 17 and 18 at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. More than 100 wedding professionals will be on hand, including photographers, decorators, cake makers, and honeymoon consultants; there will also be fashion shows and prizes.

Must-have Mussies Some go for tradition, others are more about design. Either way, one of Carole Tanenbaum’s vintage tussie- mussies will fit the criteria. These bejewelled, silver bouquet holders date back to as early as the 18th century, when selecting a flower for one’s love meant something serious. (Perhaps even Marie Antoinette rocked one?) If you are looking for something old—or something new, to you—Tanenbaum has one of North America’s premier collections of vintage tussie-mussies (see photo above right). Prices vary; they’re available via www.caroletanenbaum.com/.

NAILS AND NOSH
What’s in it for the bridesmaids? Neat-o cuticles they can admire for days after a visit to Pure Nail Bar (various locations, www.purenailbar.com/ ). Book the gang in for some good clean fun. Reserve a daytime spot for at least five people and you’ll be seated together and can bring your own food and drinks (yes, booze too!). Each person can choose her service; a mani goes for $35, and a mani-pedi for $65, including tax and tip. Or you can rent the whole place out after 6 p.m. just for your party, for a minimum of $400 in services.

Beauty 911 It could be the madness of the final days leading up to the wedding, but it’s not a given that you’ll have your fingers and toes perfectly manicured in time. Prepare for the worst and nab an Escents Mani/Pedi-Cure pack for your crash kit. Fully equipped (Zoya topcoat, Honey Bee Butter, Revitalizing Foot and Leg lotion, Pumice Foot Scrub, and even orange sticks), this dynamite little tote will have you covered ($59.95 at Escents [various locations]).

VINTAGE ELEGANCE
Just as old-style Hollywood glamour is making a comeback on runways and in décor, it’s had a big effect on bridal wear as well. The white satin gowns worn by 1930s and 1940s screen sirens like Rita Hayworth and Jean Harlow are reappearing as shimmering wedding dresses. Designers like Jessica McClintock (whose line is carried at Bryan’s Bride [Brentwood Mall, 4567 Lougheed Highway]) are showing a range of simple ivory satin gowns with the classic halter styles, deeply draped V-necks, gathered waists, and long flared skirts. Others, like B.C. label Alida’s Gowns (www.alidasgowns.com/), have reinvented the look with equally retro touches of silk chiffon along the skirt or neckline. The accessories? Less is more—except when it comes to diamonds, of course.

NAUGHTY BUT NICE
A honeymoon wouldn’t be a honeymoon without a bit of unforgettable lingerie. If he’s seen it all before, the Love Nest offers something appropriately bridal yet more than a little naughty. The Dreamgirl Bridal Thong’s white stretch lace is oh-so-innocent, but the wisp of tulle at the back sets the marital mood. It sells for $32.95 on-line at www.lovenest.ca/.

LEGENDARY APPEAL
A wedding ring is meant to be worn every day, so it’s important that it suit your style. If your taste leans toward something other than Breakfast at Tiffany’s, browse through the bands at the Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery (1024 Mainland Street). Symbols from First Nations mythology like eagles, ravens, and whales—carved into gold or silver—add another layer of meaning to the eternal circle. Women’s gold bands start at about $300 and men’s at $500.

ENVIRO-FRIENDLY WEDDED BLISS
Even white weddings can go green, argues a new book that’s hitting the shelves just in time for getting-hitched season. Emily Elizabeth Anderson’s Eco-Chic Weddings ($16, Hatherleigh Press) helps make all aspects of planning earth-friendly yet elegantly simple, from using recyclable elements in your floral décor to investing in dresses and glassware that you can reuse later on. There’s also an entire chapter of suggestions on choosing an ethical destination for a honeymoon and an appendix of Web sites and listings for “eco-chic resources”.

Centre of Attention Why, that’d be you, miss. But you still need to think about dressing the head table to suit the dashing couple it awaits. Head over to Heather Ross [In House] (1517 West 6th Avenue) for something special for your table’s décor. A pair of mercury glass candlesticks ($32 each) and votives ($12 each) with a scattering of flowers and crisp white seashells brings an understated elegance to the table of honour without upstaging you know who.

WIDE-OPEN SPACES
B.C. is getting its first one-stop shop for brides-to-be: the 5,000-square-foot Wedding, Event and Floral Design Studios officially opens January 27 at 22826 Dewdney Trunk Road in Maple Ridge (www.weddingdesign studio.com/ ). With that kind of space, this marriage mecca can display everything from rental items like urns and wrought-iron pieces to trendsetting table décor, lighting, and floral art.

A MARRIAGE OF SCENTS
A special day requires a fragrance that’s out of the ordinary, and this is the time of year companies come out with limited-edition scents aimed at the bride-to-be. Among them, Estée Lauder’s Beautiful Love—which hits department-store counters this month—is a standout of romantic notes. The blend mixes vibrant pomelo zest, cantaloupe, and mango mist with radiant florals like white freesia, magnolia, rose, and black violet. Hints of ivy and pink pepper add a freshness as crisp as white organza. (It’s $55 for 30 millilitres, $72 for 75 millilitres, and $90 for 100 millilitres.)