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(MS) When it comes to wedding receptions, couples are looking for ways to give a unique, personal flair to their celebration, says Beverly Clark, wedding book author, and designer of the Beverly Clark Collection. "More and more brides and grooms want to express their own style, and they don't want to have a cookie-cutter wedding," she says. "So they are branching out to more elaborate and unique receptions, locations and themes." For example, Clark says that, most recently, her No. 1 selling wedding collection has been her beach-themed Seashore Collection, with many couples opting to get married on the beach and then tie in sand and seashell décor with their reception.
How can you add some personal touches to your wedding?
Slideshows. During the reception, present a slideshow set to music with photos of you and your spouse from birth to present.
Themes. Incorporate you and your spouse's heritage into the décor and food. Some possible wedding themes may also stem from your favorite hobby, a season, a historical period (such as the Roaring '20s or Renaissance eras), or a fairytale theme complete with a castle-shaped wedding cake.
Creative table numbers. Instead of using numbers to identify tables, name your tables after phrases or words that have special meaning to you as a couple, such as your favorite travel spots.
Monograms. Make your name part of the day. For example, wedding planner Tracie Morris had a client whose new last name started with an "M," so the couple put the letter "M" on top of their wedding cake and on their cocktail napkins. They also used a video projector to project an "M" onto the dance floor during the couple's first dance as husband and wife

While that ornate updo worthy of Marie Antoinette might seem like a good idea at first, if you're more of a natural type, you might want to consider something less structured. Bring lots of photos to the salon to help clarify the communication between you and your stylist. Also, think about the location of your wedding. If you're gathering on your parents' terrace, plan for the possibility of wind, humidity, even rain. "Be sure to carry the styling formula that your hairdresser recommends," suggests Carney. "A quick spritz of JOICO'S new Design Collection Humidity Blocker Finishing Shield, for example, will lock your style in place and tame frizz without making your hair stiff or sticky."

It's your big day and you're going to be photographed more than Lindsey Lohan leaving rehab. So when designing your style, it's important to think about how it will look in all those photo opps. "Make sure there is some visual interest to your hair when it's viewed from the front," suggests Carney. "It's a mistake to have all of the detail, the flowers, the hair jewelry, the curls, the extensions at the back of the head, out of view 90 percent of the time." Your best bet? Use your digital camera or your cell phone to snap pictures from every angle when you're in the salon for your run through.

That's right. You're going to practice walking down the aisle the night before your wedding, and in the same vein, it's wise to do a practice session with your stylist a few days before the ceremony. Bring your veil, and have your hairdresser do the 'do from start to finish. That way, your stylist will have a practice session under her belt in order to perfect her work, and you'll have a chance to tweak the look, photograph it and "feel it" so that you'll know it's right. The payoff? There will be no surprises when you're trying to get to the church on time.

Try to maintain your perspective on what's really important, your fiancé, your family, your friends, and your future. "Remember, in the years to come, your happiest memories will center on your proud dad as he walked you down the aisle, your groom's happy smile and the love of your guests," notes Carney.
So plan ahead and do prepare as much as possible in advance. But once the big day arrives, let go and enjoy your wedding. That's the secret to looking truly beautiful!
For more information on hair-care tips, products and information from the experts at JOICO, visit www.joico.com or call
1-800-80-JOICO. January 2008 marks the 30th anniversary of Joico's K-PAK Reconstructor, the salon industry's Gold Standard of Reconstruction since 1978.