14 Lucite Wedding Ideas for Your Big Day

​1. Invite a special guest.

Is the bride close to a sister who lives a few hours away? Does she rarely get the chance to have quality time with her mom? Do you share a mutual friend who youknow the bride would love to share the day with, but who doesn’t get a lot of time away from the office? Reach out as soon as you have the bridal appointments booked to see if you might be able to work your magic and bring a special loved one to the occasion as a surprise.

2. Surprise her with a new outfit. 

Sneak a peek at your bestie’s closet and take note of her up-to-date sizes, then buy her the perfect outfit for dress shopping — preferably something she would never splurge on herself! A new jumpsuit, cool top, or an awesome pair of heels will give her an extra boost of confidence when she walks into the bridal salon in search of the dream gown.

3. Treat her to a morning of glam.

Hook your bride up with a blowout appointment or session with a makeup artist before the shopping expedition begins. She’ll feel extra-special, and a glam sesh will give her a great preview of what the wedding day will be like.

4. Plan the perfect meal.

Don’t wait until the day-of to stumble on the ideal lunch spot for the group or rely on luck to get a table at your favorite place. Now is not the time to play it by ear. Make a reservation somewhere along your shopping route so you won’t have to wait in line or ask the bride to make a decision on the spot about where the group should eat.

5. Put your phone away.

Chances are that your bride is a little nervous about the possibility of a photo of her in a dress she’s not loving — or, worse yet, the dress she’ll eventually settle on for the big day — circulating via text or on social media. Eliminate this anxiety by keeping your phone in your pocket. You can always grab it again if she asks you to snap a pic. Stashing your screen will also help ensure that your attention remains 100 percent on the bride herself.

6. Let the good times roll.

Who says the fun has to stop just because your pal has said yes to the dress? Last time we checked, the answer is no one. Keep the fun going with a special dinner, a Champagne toast or a cozy night of watching wedding-themed movies (we love Bride Wars) together at home!

Minted With a Heart Custom Portrait ($24+)

Treat mom and dad with a special portrait from your wedding with this custom photo art from Minted.

Gifts for Mom

ZCreateDesign "Best Mom Ever" Tote ($14+, was $16)

Give Mom a gift that tells it like it is, just like she does.#BestMomEver

ChrisKate Jewelry Triple Entwined Bracelet ($40+)

There's a good chance your mom read you the book Love You Forever when you were a kid. The message that you'll both love each other forever just so happens to match the endless loop of this bracelet. Plus, its simple design means she can wear it forever too.

slip Pure Silk Pillowcase ($89+)

This anti-aging/anti-bedhead pillowcase is like an all-night beauty treatment and Mom will be all over it.

BHLDN Thalia Earrings ($58)

You're not the only one who gets something new on your wedding day. Show your mom how much she means to you with these classic pearl drop earrings. It's an ideal match for a simple yet elegant MOTB dress.

Natori Beach Terry Robe ($84, was $120)

This cozy robe will be your mom's favorite pamper-me product. She'll be thankful as she calms down after the wedding and on days when she simply needs to unwind and relax.

Herbivore Calm Bath Salts ($15, was $18)

Your mom's there to help you make all the tough decisions, plan every detail, and get you ready to walk down the aisle. A morning bath with calming salts will help her relax and prepare for the big day — or recover from it the day after!

BHLDN Faux Fur Wrap ($98)

Depending on your mom's style this chic wrap could make the perfect accessory for a MOTB on the big day. If she's not a faux fur-type gal, a Pashmina wrap could still be a great gift.

ThePolkaDottedBee Mother of the Bride Personalized Lace Handkerchief ($20)

Your mom (and dad) will probably tear up on your big day. These embroidered handkerchiefs stand as the first line of defense against a blotchy face in photos AND make a great thank-you gift.

Gifts for Dad

The Art of Shaving's Gifted Groomer Kit ($35)

Dad's gotta look sharp as he escorts you down the aisle. This high-end shaving kit ensures there won't be any cuts along the way — at least as far as his scruff is concerned. The lotions and serums incorporate botanicals and essential oils, so they're easy on the skin.

Bevel Trimmer ($175)

If your dad prefers an electric shave, this sleek cordless trimmer will do the trick. Designed using research from master barbers, the Bevel trimmer's blades repel dirt, oil, and build-up to minimize skin irritation. It also holds 5+ hours of battery life, in case Dad needs to clean up that five o'clock shadow later in the day.

Man Crates Whiskey Connoisseur Crate ($130)

If your dad is a whiskey lover, this is the ultimate gift bag. And since it's a sampler, it will suit any dad's taste buds.

Brooks Brothers Gold Knot Cuff Links ($125)

These knot-inspired cuff links will forever remind your pops of the day he helped you tie yours. The classic design ensures he'll get good use out of them too.

Boss Jet Chronograph Mesh Strap Watch, 41mm ($375)

After an all-eyes-on-you day, your dad deserves a snazzy accessory that'll turn heads. A BOSS watch certainly fits the bill and will make sure he's not late for the very important date.

Crosley Cruiser Deluxe Vintage 3-SpeedBluetooth Suitcase Turntable ($60, was $90)

Both your parents will love having this record player on hand. Make it an extra special gift for Dad by pairing it with an album that has your father-daughter dance song.

Grilling Spice Blends ($36)

If your dad loves to grill, here's another gift for post-wedding fun. This set of handcrafted rubs will spice up your dad's grill for months to come. They're all carefully curated, incorporating single-origin spices around the world to create unique flavors.

Williams-Sonoma IPA Beer Making Kit ($48)

This kit includes everything your pops will need to brew his first batch of beer. If he loves brewing, he can reuse all of the equipment for batch two and beyond.

Omaha Steaks Butcher's Classic Collection ($150 total, $271 separately)

This shipment — which includes three different types of steaks, pork chops, burgers, franks, and potatoes — delivers dinner for days to your parents' front doorstep. As an added bonus, they might even invite you and your new spouse over to enjoy some filet mignon.

Bonus: Treat them both to a personalized calendar to remember from Minted. Customize each month with multiple photo layouts and colors, and add your special text to specific days of the year (like your and their anniversaries!).

Mom and Dad have been there through every breakdown, heartbreak, and celebration and your wedding day is the perfect way to show how much you love them. Even though we know love isn't material, showing out with some amazing wedding gifts couldn't hurt!

What are some of your favorite wedding gifts for parents? Share with us @BritandCo!

This post was updated in partnership with Minted. Shop Minted for more gift ideas.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

Here's How Often You Should Cut Your Hair, According To Professionals

I’ll admit it — it had been eight months since my last haircut. My hair had lost its shape, my layers were nowhere to be found, and my ends were begging for mercy. Life got busy over the last few months and I was neglecting my haircare like never before.

My hairdresser could immediately see that I was beyond due for a cut and said I needed to get more taken off than I was hoping. I was definitely disappointed — I'd been working on growing out my hair for a while now, and it just felt like my hard work had completely gone to waste. He explained that getting consistent haircuts is the key to growing out healthy and strong hair, rather than letting it grow and grow until it eventually breaks. So let's dig into the top three things you can do to avoid this scenario!

1. Just Get The Dang Haircut

Also avoiding a haircut like I was? You might want to schedule one at your nearest salon. Like my stylist said, when you wait too long between trims like I did, you risk your hair becoming heavy, dull, and lifeless. When the hair is dry or even dead, it’s nearly impossible for it to hold a curl or style, essentially collapsing on you and taking on more and more heat damage all the while. I know the pain of spending time on a blowout only for it to fall minutes later — it’s the worst.

According to Jack, getting a haircut every 10-12 weeks is the best time frame or your ends will pay the price. Between blow-drying, curling, straightening, sun, and weather, our ends get dry and start to break without the proper care. Getting consistent haircuts allows hair to bounce back, shine, and perform the way we want in a healthy way.

2. Leave-In Conditioners Are Your Friend

His top piece of advice to keep your hair looking and feeling hydrated between trims? Invest in conditioning treatments. Jack swears by the Olaplex conditioning system, specifically the No 3 Hair Perfector. Made with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™, this conditioning treatment repairs and prevents damage in as little as three minutes. No 3 promises to reduce breakage and visibly strengthen hair, so it’s the perfect assistance to keep ends fresh between cuts. Another conditioning treatments I’ve used and loved for years is the Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, which is designed to restore moisture, elasticity, and shine to dry hair.

3. Switch Up Your Shampoos

Switching shampoos frequently is a pretty hot tip that I honestly hadn't thought of. Our hair gets used to the same products and grows tired of them, resulting in lackluster locks. Jack’s advice is to switch brands after finishing every bottle of shampoo to bring life back to your hair. Have two brands that you’re loyal to? Even switching back and forth between them after every bottle should make a big difference in your hair. I’m a huge fan of the R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo, which makes my hair look thick and full, as well as the Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo, which is so hydrating and gives so much shine.

In the end, navigating your back-and-forth relationship with haircuts often feels like a rollercoaster ride between wanting that fresh look and cringing at the receipt. Luckily, by using conditioning treatments and switching up your products,, you can keep your locks healthy, shiny, and full of life between trims. But take a newly learned lesson out of my book: don't let your ends pay the price for procrastination and just book the haircut.