From the British Royal Wedding to Catering that's anything but Generic, weve compiled the little details that you're looking for to make your special day EVEN MORE special!

The British Royal Wedding
How will your Festivities Compare?
On April 29 of this year, Prince William, heir to the British throne, will marry his longtime sweetheart Kate Middleton. While every bride should feel like a princess on her wedding day, Kate will actually become one for real. However, there are elements from the royal wedding that might be incorporated into your own. After all, it's your day.

• Kate's engagement ring is the same one that was his mother's (the late Princess Diana). While your mother in law may still have her own engagement ring on her finger, what about using a ring, or the stone from a ring, that has been in the family?

• The royal family has sent "save the date" announcements to European royalty who will be invited. They actually used a fax machine! You can one up them by sending cards or fridge magnets.

• The royal wedding will take place at Westminster Abbey. While you cannot be married there unless you are a member of the Anglican or Episcopal church, have you thought of being married in a castle? They're available!

• The royal wedding will take place at 11 a.m. in the morning, to be followed by a wedding brunch. What a budget saver for you! Saturday-evening wedding receptions are the most expensive, so if you have your reception early in the day you'll save plenty of money.

While many brides and grooms are paying for their own weddings, Will and Kate's nuptials will be paid for by both sets of their parents. On the other hand, the necessary security for the day will be funded by the British taxpayers - something you probably won't have to bother with.
Alice Goetschel is a professional wedding coordinator; 270-9448

Alice Goetschel 270-9448

A Sweet Favor
"Wedding cupcakes are on the rise," declares Diane Knight, owner of Lady Di's Cookies & Sweets. Paired with beautiful cupcake towers and topped with fancy edible "pearls," we can see why. White Chocolate Raspberry is the top bridal pick, but any flavor cupcake can be used on your big day. Even more delicious are the prices. These uber-fancy confections can be purchased at Lady Di's and range in price from $1.75 to $2.50 each.

Long- and short-stem chocolate-covered strawberries are also a well-received wedding treat and can be used as favors for guests or an addition to your cake. Some creative brides have even opted to forgo a large, traditional wedding cake in order to have a sweets buffet of sorts. Lady Di's sells gorgeous, fresh berries with a touch of style: pink and red drizzle! Strawberries range from $1.50 to $2.50 each; 222-9102

Salt Creek Grille Catering's Wild Arugula & Lump Crab Salad

Catering that's Anything but Generic
Don't get us wrong. We really love chicken piccata. We've just never had as much of it as we did last summer when, in the midst of "wedding season," we found ourselves in a lemon-flavored poultry coma. It seems that in the age of all-inclusive event packages, "generic food" is at the top of the "what's included" list.

It doesn't have to be that way. Many professional caterers are quite gifted when it comes to meeting your budget and your palate. Doesn't your once-in-a-lifetime event deserve something unique? Consider the recent themed menu creations of Salt Creek Grille Catering and you be the judge:

Authentic Western barbecue
Wine-pairing dinner
Chic picnic
Fantasy gala

Combine a truly creative menu with impeccable service, visionary decor and design, as well as planning for events from conception to inception, and you have an experience that is unforgettable for both you and your guests. Salt Creek Grille Catering can accommodate two to a thousand and are a full-service, fully-insured off-premise catering company; 222-9999

Lady Di's Cookies and Sweets 222-9102

Convenience and Style for a more Radiant Bride
Santa Clarita's freshest new women's clothing and accessories boutique vendor, Anjalis, will bring the jewelry, hair accessories, shoes, bags and other bridal fares to you - right in the comfort of your home. For the bride, choose from stunning mother of pearl, Swarovski and Lucite crystals. They can also coordinate you and your bridesmaids with their own line of shoes and bags ranging from metallic to pastel.

According to Anjalis CEO and fashion consultant Jinky Rodriguez, "Balance and personal expression of style are two of the key elements in choosing your accessories. That is why we offer personal consultations for the bride and her entourage at no extra cost. We want accessories to be an element that fuse the bride and the wedding gown together. Accessories are not meant to upstage the bride; their main purpose is to enhance the radiance that is already there"; 993-3229.